So today we’ll table our Favorite Movie Icon discussion til next week, because there are three big, big movies afoot this weekend. Three opportunities for movie studios to appeal to audiences with their storytelling, their graphics, their animation, and their cinematic gusto. I will be seeing just one of them. I’ve only been waiting about 360 days to see it. If only because I love the franchise. But let’s discuss the other two, which do not feature vampires, werewolves and/or South American island getaways and grotesque pregnancies.
First up, we have The Descendants. This drama was directed by Alexander Payne and it stars George Clooney. It’s a total come hither movie, if you ask me, because both director (who made Election, Sideways & About Schmidt) and star (um, George Clooney) demand a viewing. It’s set in Hawaii, it’s based on a novel that’s already gotten quite a bit of buzz (so highbrow cred that satisfies the literary crowd), and it’s Clooney dealing with disgruntled daughters on the subject of a not-necessarily-great marriage. This looks very, very good and I’m guessing that it will be around for quite some time (and especially around during Oscar time).
Also in theaters, trying to give the kids who cannot see Puss in Boots any more times a run for their money: Happy Feet Two. You wonder why “unknowns” in Hollywood are having such a hard time – they cannot get acting jobs so they turn to animation. However, nowadays, even when it’s just voices – not faces – that studios want for their films? Who do they get? Try Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Matt Damon, Common, Sofia Vergara, Brad Pitt and Hugo Weaving…just to name a few. These films now hire the best of the best, voicing even small parts, and the audiences love this. Indeed, audiences will most likely love Happy Feet Two because here Mumble’s son encounters another penguin who can fly, plus a natural enemy threatening his Emperor Penguin clan, whereupon all he!@#^$% breaks loose. Bottom line, for those kids who’ve surrendered slightly older siblings (and moms) at the cineplex for our next film, this is a winner that’ll do very nicely at the box office.
But not nearly as well as the vampire in the living room, the fourth (but fortunately penultimate) installment in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn. Part One. The one we’ve all been waiting an entire year to see, the one that makes me suddenly understand the anxiety that haunts the Harry Potter fans. See, I love the Harry Potter movies, but I don’t care when they open, I haven’t read the books, and when I do see the movies I enjoy them immensely, but couldn’t possibly tell them apart. Twilight was a pure gamechanger for reasons I don’t quite understand, although if it was unique to me, seventeen million tweens and probably more Twi-moms wouldn’t also be beating a path to their local cineplex this weekend. If you’ve never seen any of the Twilight movies, all you need know is this: Bella is an ordinary girl in a brand new school. She encounters a vampire named Edward Cullen and the two fall ridiculously and irrevocably in love. All sorts of lousy things happen because of this love, and she is frightened but determined while he feels guilty much of the time. Their love is of course, forbidden, she loves him, he alternately loves her but also want to kill her. Ultimately, after three movies’ worth of life and death turmoil he proposes and here, here is where we begin with Breaking Dawn. The part where they get married, go on honeymoon and do things that they’ve never done in prior films. Which may or may not lead to even more life and death consequences. However, we’ll only see about half of those consequences because everyone’s gotta wait a year for Breaking Dawn, Part Two. Did that make sense? It’s a fun love story with a human girl, a vampire, a werewolf, and lots of really terrible wigs. Inexplicably, The Twilight Saga is pure catnip for me, so I’ll recuse myself from further commentary and say simply that I’ll see it this weekend. Maybe twice. How about you? What looks good?
Today’s poll:
1) Happy Feet
2) The Twilight Saga; Breaking Dawn
3) The Descendants
4) The Immortals
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 was AMAZING! This movie is definatly the best of the series by far. The greatest thing about it is that everytime you see it there is something new that you may not have noticed the other times. I love the part during the credits with the Volturi and when Bella’s eyes open. Definatly makes you eager to watch the next movie.
This movie does have a few flaws such as the hair color of the Vampires, but the overall product is much more clean than the other movies in the series.But come on, every movie has flaws, right? I think that the help with the details the directors get from the author definatly makes the movie more enjoyable because it incorporates her dream and how she would want it. And I love how they incorporate her into the movie which is great!
This movie over all was well put together and well done by everyone. Good Job Everyone at Summit!
i find it very disturbing that the People’s Choice seems to be the White People’s Choice. There are absolutly no Black or ethnic actors for the major catergories at all. Why is this? The only movie was “The Help” which I do not consider black and BET or the other networks that have ethnic, multicultural shows are not represented at all. How shameful!
gonna get hate from this… but anything Besides twilight saga.
Breaking dawnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!! <33333333
I love, i love you so muuch the twilight saga I’ve read the books and I love the movies as well I’m going to see it on my birthday december 5 and I’ll see it more than three or four times I’ve waited A year for this it’s going to be one awsome movie can’t wait…..
I love twilight saga I’ve read the books and I love the movies as well I’m going to see it on my birthday december 5 and I’ll see it more than three or four times I’ve waited A year for this it’s going to be one awsome movie can’t wait…..
Breaking Dawn..!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Robert Pattinson was adorable.!
For sure Breaking Dawn…. Robert Was looking Awesome..!!
The Decendants
breaking dawn is one of my favorite out of all the twilight movies. i know this is part 1 but its is the better ones not saying the first three aren’t good because i love all of them. i just find this one ten times better
of course Twilight Breaking Dawn :’) the story is interested very much. i love it <3
I have to see the twilight one!!! Go team Edward ! WHOO HOO!!!!!!! I mean, come one! HE SPARKLES!!!!!!!!!
Saw Breaking Dawn 1…still waiting for the Twilight saga to just END. Great movie but teen behavior while waiting to see it and in the theater just ruins it. I will RENT the second half of Breaking Dawn. I am tired of being injured from being shoved through doors into the theater so teenagers can run amok in the theater.
CANT WAIT TO SEE HAPPY FEET 2 and THE MUPPET MOVIE!!
LOL! We even drag our husbands to these and they grumble a little, but go, believe it or not. I’m a Twi-Gramma who has read (and loved) all the books several times (along with my husband) and we’re going to see it for my birthday today!
I love twilight saga I’ve read the books and I love the movies as well I’m going to see it on my birthday december 5 and I’ll see it more than three or four times I’ve waited A year for this it’s going to be one awsome movie can’t wait…..
oh i was amazed, sitting in my chair crying, yes it was that good. i hope you get to see it soon
i love the twilight movies and i just cant wait to see this one