Iron Man 3 (2013) - Review

When: May 18th. Format: 3D Cinema. Genre: super-hero-movie. Trailer: here

The iron finally got emotions

Iron man 3 shows us that behind that suit there is a man, and that man is struggling to keep it together. After saving the world in Avengers, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has never been able to fully recover, mentally... He's begun to suffer from anxiety attacs and can't sleep. When a terrifying guy calling himself the Mandarin threatens both the president, Tony Stark and the people closest to him, it all becomes personal. Soon we see the fantastic Iron Man all alone, on the run, without his superpowers. Finally the brilliant mastermind that is Tony Stark resurfaces. He has to start compleatily from scratch with only a little boy and a garage at his disposal.

This could either be fantastic or an enormous disappointment. Iron Man's third installment is the first post-Avengers film released by Marvel, and with the inevitable comparison to the immensely popular movie that Avengers turned out to be, that could either be a blessing or a curse. I love super-hero-movies so I already knew I had to see this one as well, but the second movie about the metal-covered billionaire made me question if there was anything exciting and new to the story. Last time I missed the originality and the heart that was put into the first one. Luckily this one brought both. In spades.

Marvel has clearly learned a thing or two from its recent success. Heart, emotion, great characters, a brilliant nemesis to fight, the feeling that literally anything could happen, great action without being too much... and the constant stream of funny moments and one-liners to brighten the mood. So very many movies don't tick those boxes! They forget one or the other. Marvel's done it in the past, but this time they did their work right. The stakes are high, the threats are real, the losses are great and the characters and emotions are heartfelt.

To me, this probably marks the best Iron Man-film to date... It reminds me of The Dark Knight Rises (as a lot of other reviewers have mentioned) but it's so clearly not the same concept. Equally as good, but in a different way. And a lot of that has got to do with the ever-present humor surrounding Tony Stark. It lightens the gloomy and tense mood of the plot and action and makes the movie highly enjoyable and re-watchable. I loved it a whole lot more than I thought I would. Not everything is perfect, but while watching it there was nothing that particularly bothered me...

I Give It A Year (2013) - Review

When: March 27th

What format did I Watch: Cinema

Review: My best friend and I suddenly decided to go and watch this at our local movie theater even though we knew nothing about it. That's always risky... Luckily it could have gone a whole lot worse, as we discovered it was actually really funny. The whole idea of looking into what happens to a couple during their first year of marriage is actually quite good, and the four main characters played their part as best as they could. However, even though I had a good time at the movie theater I don't consider this to be a memorable movie, as I actually have trouble remembering more of it that some key moments. It was good fun there and then, but I don't think I'll watch it again...

Drawbacks: The grooms best friend was the single most awkward character to ever appear on film! Some find that funny, but personally I just find it annoying and quite disturbing... I kind of feel bad for them and get embarrassed as if I was really there. Generally there were a lot of dry and wired humor, but some of it was truly funny. BUT... I must warn you about the extensive amount of "adult jokes" and such in here, so mind who you take with you so you don't end up wanting to dig yourself into a black hole!

Why you should watch it: Like I said, it was good fun for a night out if you want to watch something easy and silly and just laugh for a while. And sometimes that's exactly the kind of movie one wants. And despite the plot in itself not being particularly complicated or memorable, it actually wasn't as predictable as I'd expected. That's a huge plus! So go and watch it if you're in need of a laugh :)

Rating: 6/10 - GOOD

Argo (2012) - Review

When: March 7th

What format did I watch: Cinema

Review: When the trailer for this first came out I must admit I didn't find it particularly fascinating or interesting... But then it started to gain massive attention and eventually ended up as the big winner of this year's Oscar for Best Picture. So when a friend of mine suddenly called me asking if I wanted to go see this I instantly said yes. Im so happy I did! Even though all the actions is based on a true story, which by the way I normally don't like, Argo managed to make me forget just that. I totally felt like this was well thought through and extremely exciting! I never thought that "everything will go perfectly and they'll all live happily ever after". I couldn't be sure exactly how this was going to end, and I hate it when that happens, but that also tells me I'm watching a really good movie. And when it surprised me by turning out to be so exciting in places that I literally held my breath from time to time I suddenly understood how it earned it's Oscar...

Drawbacks: I actually cant think of anything? And it would be too stupid if I have to sit and come up with something to pick on... I'm not saying it's perfect, I'm just saying I can't think of a reason not to like it?

Why you should watch it: I believe that what made this movie so particularly great was the fact that it actually made me, as an audience member, truly care for these people. That's a really hard thing to do... But somehow I felt like I kind of connected with the characters and truly cared about what would happen to them. The guy I was watching this with pointed out that neither of the actors were "overplaying" their character, like a lot of hollywood actors tend to do. All in all, strong characters, great actors and an awesome director. Run to the cinema as fast as you can!

Rating: 10/10 - AMAZING
(I don't have any reason not to...)

Zero Dark Thirty (2013) - Review

When: February 18th

What format did I watch: Cinema

Review: So much better than I expected! I wasn't actually planning to go see it, at least not at the cinema, but some of my friends invited me to come along. I'm glad I did. I'll probably not watch it again though... It being a documentary-style movie and all. But having lived through all of these events it was interesting to get an in-depth look at what was actually going on at the heart of things.

Drawbacks? The film was a tad too long for my taste, but never boring though.

Why you should watch it: Jessica Chastain's portrait of Maya, the woman who devoted all her time and a large part of her life to hunt down Bin Laden. Her acting is an absolute delight to watch as she carries the entire movie on her shoulders.

Rating: 7/10 - COOL

Silver Linings Playbook (2013) - Review

When: February 13th

What format I watched: Cinema

Review: I knew I was going to love it! I mean, with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in the same movie it had to be great. The mood is actually quite light even though the story deals with people with different problems and psychological issues, but for my taste that's a welcome change compared to a lot of other movies dealing with the same things. It's honest and real and has got three-dimensional characters that you actually grow to like and roots for. A truly great movie that gives you *so* much more than your regular romantic comedy.

Drawbacks? The entire movie being so different and all, the ending was a little bit too predictable... The bet and the dance-competition was not as original as I might have hoped?

Why you should watch it: The acting is some of the best I've seen in a long time... It was not surprisingly nominated for Oscars in all of the acting-categories (as well as best film). Cooper and Lawrence are standouts, and Lawrence won a well deserved oscar for her portrail of the exciting and difficult role of Tiffany.

Rating: 9/10 - AWESOME

Life of Pi (2012) - Review

When: February 14th

What format I watched: Cinema 3D

Review: I'd heard the book on a digiplayer, so I already knew the story. But that also ment my expectations were even higher when I learned that they were actually going to make it into a movie! You see, this story has actually been said to be impossible to film. It's literally about a boy and a tiger all alone on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean... Somehow, I will never understand how, but Ang Lee was the director/magician that actually managed to turn the impossible challenge into gold! Literally. It won several Oscars. I loved it with all my heart.

Drawbacks? Hm... I dont know really? Perhaps it spent a little too much time before it actually got into the story. And it also spent a great deal of time explaining the background-story in India when it most likely could jump more-or-less straight into the journey itself. But honestly, that's just me looking for something to pick on...

Why you should watch it: The visuals. I don't think I've seen a more visually beautiful movie at the cinema before... You have to watch it in 3D, though! And for all of you 3D-haters out there... This movie was made to fit that extra dimension, and does so like no other movie before it. Give it a try!

Rating: 10/10 - AMAZING

The Eleven Best Movies Coming Our Way

Another Pirates of the Caribbean-movie! Seriously? Can't they pleas stop before they ruin everything...

I LOVE the three original Pirates movies. Shares the top shelve for trilogies together with Nolan's Batman movies. But the fourth Pirates movie was a disappointment... Without Gore Verbinski and more than half of the original cast it's simply impossible to top their game. Stop while you can so you don't ruin Pirates' reputation more that you've already done.

That being said, there are quite a lot of films I'm really looking forward to!

There has actually not been that many films that has sparked my interrest, but that's about to change... Some of these movies I've waited for for years (like The Hobbit) and some I simply discovered while writing this blog post. To keep the list from being never-ending, I managed to narrow the list down to only eleven...

(Note: all release dates are for Norway)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (November 9th)

Why: I've heard about the book, and when I learned Emma Watson was going to starr I had to check out the trailer. It blew me away, an I know I just have to see it! Such an adorable and honest story of misfit and misunderstood teenagers.

Who: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller

Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 (November 16th)

Why: Well... I have read all the books, so I sort of have to se the conclution to it all. However, the movies are not as good as the books. For this last one I even know they changed the ending quite drastically. But I think I'll se it anyway, just because it's the last and because Robert and Kirsten are great actors.

Who: Robert Pattinson, Kirsten Steward, Taylor Lautner, Dakota Fanning and Stephenie Meyer.

The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey (December 12th)

Why: Lord of the Rings are epic! Everybody knows that, even if they have neither seen or read it. Unfortunately I was only seven years old when the movies came to cinemas all over the world. Now it's about to happen again. We get to see how it all started. The Hobbit is a lot more funny story, and I can't wait to actually be able to be a part of it this time! Me and my sister has got tickets to the midnight premiere, so bring on December, pleas :)

Who: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Peter Jackson, Howard Shore, Benedict Cumberbatch, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lee, and a whole lot more!

Life of Pi (December 25th)

Why: I heard it on audiobook many years ago. All I remember was that it was totally wired and absurd, but it was also quite amazing. Such a special story I actually don't know how they will manage to tell on screen... But I hope they do. I hope its great!

Who: Ang Lee and Suraj Sharma

Silver Linings Playbook (January 4th 2013)

Why: Seriously? Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in the same movie? I loved it before I even read the title! And when I saw the trailer I instantly knew this is going to be one of my movie highlights... If you, like me, loved the 1993 Benny and Joon, you just have to see this.

Who: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro

Rust And Bone (January 11th 2013)

Why: I have no idea. I literally discovered this while writhing this post. It's even french! I normally can't stand french movies. But this trailer... It just drew me in, and now I just know that I'll have to see the movie. It actually looks great.

Who: Jacques Audiard, Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts

Les Misérables (January 18th 2013)

Why: Epic. That's what this is. The story, the actors, the music... everything. The trailer is one of the most breathtaking things I've seen, and I just know that this is going to be big.

Who: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen and Tom Hooper

Anna Karenina (February 22nd 2013)

Why: I've always wondered what it is about this Tolstoy-guy that has fazcinated generations... Finally I'll get an opportunity to find out.

Who: Keira Knightly, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Joe Wright

The Great Gatsby (June 7th 2013)

Why: I've seen the old one. I didn't understand a thing... That's the thing about this story, it's not really about what it seems to be all about. That much I understood. I hope I get it this time. This is the 21st centurie's Gatsby... An old tale in a new dress (or suit).

Who: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Baz Luhrmann

Man of Steel (June 14th 2013)

Why: One reason - Christopher Nolan. Anything that man touches literally becomes gold. He's my favorite director/writher/producer of all time, and I just have to see what he's done with this one. I'm not a fan of Superman, but the trailer looks promising...

Who: Christopher Nolan, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Russel Crowe

The Lone Ranger (July 3rd 2013)

Why: With a cast and crew like this one, the film could be rubbish and I'd still watch it! Mr Blockbuster himself (Bruckheimer) managed to unite the world's best actor (Depp), two brilliant scriptwriters (Elliott and Rossio), a fantastic director (Verbinski) and the ever-present Depp-sidekick (Bonham-Carter). This just has to be good!

Who: Johnny Depp, Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Armie Hammer


Anything tempting? :)

First Impressions: "The Dark Knight Rises" (no spoilers)

How does one even start?

Let's just say that there is a reason that I'm still awake at this hour (4:00 am) despite the fact that I'm going to work tomorrow morning...

As you might have guessed that reason is nothing less than the mid-night premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Unless you've been living under a rock, you might have heard of it?

To not exaggerate too much, I have to say that my expectations were extremely high! Let's just get it out there in the open... I'm a Batman fan. That kind of fan who wrote a 19 pages long school assignment about him this spring. For me, and a lot of other people all over the world, one question has been shining bright in our minds these last couple of months:

How can he top, or even match, The Dark Knight?

It seemed like an impossible task. The man himself, Christopher Nolan, had set the bar so high up that many doubted he'd be able to clear it. I mean, The Dark Knight has been my absolute favorite movie since the first time I saw it. With it Nolan made a new genre in the movie industry. A new way of making a movie. His secret? Never to underestimate his audience. He got his confirmation with Inception in 2010. The world loved this new form of movies!

Talk about marketing?

But in addition to all the praise received by his previous creations, the marketing for this third and last Batman movie has been tremendous, and it has been going on for months! Banners and posters and competitions and so on has been successfully been adding fuel to the excising hype among the fans. It seems that Nolan is one of the few guys who knows that less is more in terms of spoilers and information and such. Keeps everyone on the edge wanting more.

Today, finally having watched the movie that the entire world has been waiting for, I've got only one thing to say...

Why did I ever doubt Christopher Nolan!

I'm going to keep this 100% spoiler free, (I know just how annoying spoilers can be!) so naturally I won't tell you anything at all about the actual story... Except that it's brilliant. And as far as the film goes, I am just stunned and in awe of the man who has finally given Batman a legacy to be proud of!

It was so good I compleatily forgot to pay attention the the filmatics and how it was made and what I liked and all of the other things I usually look for and think about. For probably the first time since I watched Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End as a 12-year-old 8th grader, I was so lost in the movie that nothing else mattered for three straight hours. I just enjoyed.

As you might have noticed, these movies are quite dark, and frankly this is the darkest one by far. Nolan said in an interview with Empire Magazine a while back that he'd given each of the filmas a theme. The first was "fear", the second "caos", and this third bore the appealing word "pain". And pain there was.

The beauty of this version of the Batman story is that it's all so realistic. In this one I actually felt there was a lot at stake. I caught myself thinking "This might actually not end well..." I had no clue! In a lot of super-hero movies the entire world is at stake as it is attached by aliens or robots or a giant comet or something equally terrifying. With Rises it just feels different. Like most of it could actually have happened. This makes even the pain feel real. Pain, despear and anger. But it is because of that you suddenly find yourself feeling the hope from within you. Not from the screen but from the movie theatre. From the audience breathing synchronized and sitting on the edge of our seat even through the parts where nothing happened.

Throughout the movie you constantly have the feeling that something will happen, but you don't know what! And the last thing that makes Nolan the best director in the world (Oscar on its way?) is that you never know what he might do! He has shown us that he has no limitations and follows no rules.

Nothing, and no one, is sacred and everything can be done if he decides that's what he wants. As an audience this makes you feel totally out of control. "What?" you say. "It's no regular Hollywood-style  super hero action movie?" NO. It's not. But that's why you'll love it!

I honestly don't know how to describe for you just how good, brilliant, grose, heartbreaking and epic The Dark Knight Rises truly is, so I guess you'll just have to go see it yourself to find out. I promise you'll not be waisting your money!

Bente :)

Just added some sneak peaks from the movie theater...