The Great Gatsby (2013): Movie Review

The Great Gatsby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: May 10, 2013
Duration: 2 hr 22 min
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher
Rated: PG-13
How I Watched: Cinema
Watch Count: 1

Synopsis provided by Fandango:

An aspiring writer falls under the spell of an aloof millionaire with designs for the young scribe's unhappily married cousin in director Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's celebrated novel. It's the spring of 1922, and wide-eyed Midwesterner Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) has just moved to New York City in pursuit of the American Dream. Settling into a home next door to wealthy Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), Carraway grows increasingly fascinated by the elaborate parties held at his new neighbor's estate. Meanwhile, across the bay, Carraway's cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) flounders in her marriage to philandering aristocrat Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Inspired by the debauchery on display at Gatsby's wild parties and the lives of the wealthy elite, Carraway begins putting pen to paper as it gradually becomes clear that his cousin and the millionaire share a complicated romantic past that remains unresolved. Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, and Elizabeth Debicki co-star.

May 18, 2013
I was a little apprehensive to go watch this movie. That's why I waited for a week since it opened to go and see it. My apprehension stemmed from the novel. I mean, I gave Fitzgerald's novel a 2 star rating for heaven's sake. I really didn't like the novel that much. But, I really liked the movie a lot.  I think Luhrmann's take on the twenties, the vibrancy and almost unrealistic images of Gatsby's mansion and parties, filled the hole that the novel couldn't quite grasp.  It's funny, what really stood out to me about Gatsby's mansion weren't the chandeliers, portraits, fancy hallways, or luxurious pool but the grass.  For some reason, that bright green, I mean really green grass caught my attention the most.  I have no idea why.  Anyways, the whole movie was a pretty picture to foresee.  I just read the book again for school so the quotes were fresh in my mind.  Me and my sisters always went "ooh there's a quote" or "there's another one" and "oh, oh I know what he's/she's going to say."  Luhrmann did an appropriate job of staying true to Fitzgerald's novel.

What I Liked:

• The soundtrack. A lot of critics and fans have said that the music took away from the movie because it was modern music with rap and stuff. I say phooey to that. The music actually enhanced the movie and made it more likable for modern day movie-goers (like me!).
• The contrast between Long Island's extravagance and the debauchery of the valley of ashes. This is such an important part of the book so I was glad that Luhrmann got this spot on.
• The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. Those eyes were really well done and it kinda looks the eyes on the cover of the book.
• The tea scene. The funniest scene in the movie where Gatsby is so nervous to see Daisy again because it's been 5 years. It was so funny when there was a knock on the door and Nick answered it to find Gatsby soaking wet, in a suit mind you. Another comical moment is when Gatsby is fumbling and bumping into things and breaks the clock, so funny.
• The scene at the Plaza Hotel. This is the climax of the movie and it was done well. For some reason, I thought it was funny how Gatsby lost it and went off on Tom yelling "Shut up, Shut up, SHUT UP!" After that, he tried to get back to his calm and controlled "gentlemanly" manners.

What I Disliked:

• Tom. I hate this character. As I said in my book review of The Great Gatsby, Tom is very sexist, racist, a cheater, and an overall bad person. I really don't like him.
• Daisy. Like Tom, I really dislike Daisy. No wonder Daisy and Tom are married, they fit each other perfectly being so very careless and retreating "back into their money or vast carelessness." Daisy plays Gatsby like a fiddle throughout the whole movie. Even though I knew this was going to happen because of the book it still irked me throughout.
• Gatsby's death. Again, even though I knew this was going to happen, it deadened the ending of the movie for me.
• The ending (or lack thereof). They didn't show Gatsby's father or the funeral which was really important. I felt like Luhrmann just tied up the ending a little abruptly because of how long the movie is (2 hr 22 min, what a really long movie).

Overall, The Great Gatsby is a good movie. It's not a great movie but it isn't bad either. I enjoyed seeing it and wasn't bored that much (I expected to be bored more often because of the book and how insanely long the movie is). My Verdict: Watch it; maybe wait for DVD release.

Django Unchained: Movie Review

Django Unchained
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Western
Released: December 25, 2012
Duration: 2 hr 45 min
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Rated: R
Watch Count: 1

Synopsis provided by Fandango: 

A former slave and a German bounty hunter become unlikely allies in the battle against a tyrannical plantation owner in this western from visionary director Quentin Tarantino. Two years before the Civil War pits brother-against-brother, German-born fugitive hunter Dr. King Schultz (Academy Award-winner Christoph Waltz) arrives in America determined to capture the outlaw Brittle brothers dead or alive. In the midst of his search, Dr. Schultz crosses paths with Django (Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx), a freed slave and skilled tracker who seeks to rescue his beloved wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie (Academy Award-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio). Once Django has aided Dr. Schultz in coralling the Brittle brothers, the two team up to capture some of the most wanted men in the South. Meanwhile, Django never loses sight of his mission to free Broomhilda from the treacherous slave trade before it's too late. Upon arriving at Candie's nefarious plantation, dubbed Candyland, Django and Dr. Schultz discover that slaves are being groomed for gladiator-like competitions by Candie's malevolent right-hand man Billy Crash (Walton Goggins), and together they skillfully work their way onto the compound for a closer look. But just as Django and his partner locate Broomhilda and plot a daring escape, Candie's house slave Stephen (Academy Award-nominee Samuel L. Jackson) catches wind of their plan, and informs his master of the betrayal. Now, as a clandestine organization attempts to back them into a corner, Django and Dr. Schultz will have to come out with pistols blazing if they ever hope to free Broomhilda from Candyland and the clutches of its vile proprietor. 

May 21, 2013
I didn't realize how long Django Unchained is. It's a frickin' long movie. Way longer than The Great Gatsby, and that's saying something. I watched this movie around 8:30 and then ended way late. I was so tired that I went to sleep before it was finished and watched the rest the next morning. Granted, it might have been so long 'cause I had a ton of interruptions like phone calls, people at the door, and whatnot. Well, here is my character overview/review:

Django

I liked Django good enough. He was a good hero. I thought it was hilarious when he got to pick his own clothes and chose to wear that blue suit.

 Overall, I was intrigued by Django's story.

Dr. King Schultz

Schultz is definitely my favorite character. He's really funny and not to mention compassionate.
















Calvin Candie

Leonardo DiCaprio did a really good job as Calvin. The character he played was despicable but he played it really well.

Broomhilda

I really like Kerry Washington as a an actress. I especially like her in Scandal. So, I was excited to see her in Django. But, I was kinda disappointed that she wasn't in it much and she didn't really speak. Other than that, she did well.

Stephen

   
















Here's some stills from the movie:

My Verdict: Watch it but beware for a long 2 hr 45 min movie. There's also lots of graphic violence and swearing.

Your turn: What did you think of the movie? I'd love to hear. So, post in the comments!!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: Book Review

Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Brontë
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fiction, Gothic, Romance, Bildungsroman, Classics
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: first in 1847; this version August 15, 2006
Pages: 578
Read Count: 2


Synopsis provided by Goodreads:


A new edition of one of Penguin's top ten Classics-the novel that has been "teaching true strength of character for generations"
(The Guardian)

A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre has dazzled generations of readers with its depiction of a woman's quest for freedom. This updated edition features a new introduction discussing the novel's political and magical dimensions. Having grown up an orphan in the home of her cruel aunt and at a harsh charity school, Jane Eyre becomes an independent and spirited survivor-qualities that serve her well as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him whatever the consequences or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving her beloved?

April 27, 2013
** spoiler alert ** There are few books that I read for school that I actually enjoy.  Jane Eyre is one of those books.  I really like Brontë’s story that deals with a strong female in the Victorian Era where women essentially had no rights.  Women were subjugated to one role, to have a lot of babies and make sure the family life is run smoothly.  Women were basically expected to be weak and helpless, incapable of making decisions beyond her family.  With the character of Jane, Brontë incorporates the trials and tribulations of a woman stuck in a time where she’s expected to keep quiet and go with the status quo.  Jane does the opposite.  That’s why I love Jane Eyre.  Here is my character overview/review:

Jane Eyre


The protagonist, Jane, is described as “plain and small.”  Her physical representation contrasts to how her inner character is.  Jane is not plain and small, she is strong and brave.  As a child, Jane is more outspoken and fiery.  Jane learns from Helen Burns that going through life as very passionate and outspoken can sometimes hold you back.  Keeping that passion and fire inside while having a reserved, yet strong-willed nature outside will help you tremendously in life and society.  Jane does just that.  Jane goes through so much and she takes the harder and longer road.  Leaving her first true home, Thornfield Hall, and leaving her first and only true love, Rochester, is a testament to Jane’s will.  Making these tough and heartbreaking decisions actually made her happily ever after that much sweeter.  As you can see, Jane is my favorite character in the novel.

Mrs. Reed


Mrs. Reed.  What can I say?  What a cruel, cruel person.  What kind of aunt abandons her niece and ships her off to school?  I mean, she also lets her kids terrorize Jane as a child and blames Jane for everything.  No wonder why Jane hated her aunt, especially as a child.  Well, all I have to say is karma’s a bitch.  It caught up with her in her in the end.  Didn’t it Mrs. Reed?  Her rotten son John ends up broke and dead and she dies herself.  Her daughters didn’t end up so bad though.  The one positive thing I can say about Mrs. Reed is that it made Jane strong.  The difference is Jane didn’t become stronger because of Mrs. Reed, she became stronger in spite of Mrs. Reed.

Edward Rochester


Rochester is one of the romantic interests for Jane.  More accurately, Rochester is the only love interest for Jane.  St. John is in such a small part of the novel and the fact that he is her cousin really made me think eww, even though I know that it was more common back then.  But still, eww.  Anyways, I didn’t really like Rochester at first.  He was really brash and rude to Jane.  However, as I kept reading, Rochester grew on me.  He made some really selfish decisions, though.  Like, almost committing bigamy just to be with Jane.  You can look at it both ways though.  One way it’s really touching and shows how much love he has for Jane.  The other, it shows that he’s selfish and a liar and will do anything to make Jane his.  I’ll go with the latter.  If I’m in a relationship I wouldn’t want my significant other to lie to me, no matter what, and I certainly wouldn’t want him to commit bigamy.  Overall, Rochester realizes that he has to be unselfish to be with Jane and subsequently be happy.  So, I give him props because, let’s face it, Jane Eyre wouldn’t be the same if Jane didn’t have her happily ever after with Rochester.

St. John Rivers


To me, St. John is very cold and rigid.  As Jane says, he doesn’t know how to love, at least like her or Rochester.  I’m saying this in the aspect of a romantic interest for Jane.  As a friend and person, St. John is actually very nice.  A great example is when he lets Jane stay with him when she is homeless and starving, not even knowing who she is.  I think St. John cares for Jane but can’t offer her a life of true happiness like Rochester.

My next step is to watch the 2011 movie.  Hopefully, it lives up to this wonderful book.

Favorite Quotes

“I would always rather be happy than dignified.” --Jane

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” --Jane

“Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.” --Helen Burns

“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!” --Jane

“If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.” --Helen Burns

“I am not an angel,' I asserted; 'and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself. Mr. Rochester, you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me - for you will not get it, any more than I shall get it of you: which I do not at all anticipate.” --Jane

“‘No sight so sad as that of a naughty child,’ he began, ‘especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?’
‘They go to hell,’ was my ready and orthodox answer.
‘And what is hell? Can you tell me that?’
‘A pit full of fire.’
‘And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?’
‘No, sir.’
‘What must you do to avoid it?’
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: ‘I must keep in good health and not die.’” --Jane and Mr. Brocklehurst

“You — you strange — you almost unearthly thing! — I love as my own flesh. You — poor and obscure, and small and plain as you are — I entreat to accept me as a husband.” --Rochester

“Reader, I married him.” --Jane

View all my reviews

Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection

Review for Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection coming soon.