The Golden Globes 2014 Nomination Snubs that Bugged Me

I absolutely love awards season for the film and television industry. I try to see as many of the films as possible and I also try to watch as much TV as possible to be cultured and be able to argue on who should win the award. But what bugs me is when a film or show is given no chance at all to win an award, and this year at the Golden Globes there are a few main ones that I'd like to point out.

1. The Mindy Project - no nominations
The first season of The Mindy Project was hilarious, but I knew it wouldn't be getting much attention of the awards side of things. However, this season has proved itself leagues better in terms of character development and writing, yet this year it got completely snubbed. The nominations for the best TV comedy include some solid choices (Parks and Rec., The Big Bang Theory, etc.) but other nominations don't seem to fit in. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, for example, was nominated yet it definitely isn't anything really special. It's not to say it's bad, but The Mindy Project is just all around better in my opinion. And Modern Family's nomination even bothers me, because the quality of that show is on a steady decline. It's still good, but it's definitely not the hilarious show it used to be.

2. Where the HELL is Monsters University?!?!
I love the nominations in the Best Animated Feature category this year, which includes Despicable Me 2, The Croods, and Frozen. But Monsters University easily easily easily beats The Croods any day. And I loved The Croods! Pixar has a standard that I feel like they may have lost a little bit the past couple of years, but they definitely got back on track. It's a shame to see that the well-written, well-animated, hilarious and emotional Monsters University couldn't scrape even a nomination. Again, I loved all the films that got nominated into this category, but this exclusion of Pixar is just cruel and stupid. Shame on you, Golden Globes.

3. Umm... How did Lana Del Rey's 'Young and Beautiful' not get nominated for Best Original Song?
The Great Gatsby had one of the best soundtracks of the entire year, yet somehow it was all just thrown out the window. This is especially the case with Lana Del Rey's 'Young and Beautiful' that added an emotional punch to the film. While I'm glad Coldplay's 'Atlas" and Frozen's 'Let it Go' got nominated, it really sucks that this chilling and haunting ballad that added flawlessly to the film's tone didn't get a second glance.

4. Lily Rabe is never nominated for her incredible work on American Horror Story
This is something I will forever be bitter about until she gets a nomination for something. Lily Rabe has constantly outdone herself on American Horror Story, bringing characters like a mother that is forever haunted by her past, a nun possessed by Satan, and now a swamp witch that has the power of resurgence. With such a variety in character and a true dedication to the show, it bothers me so much that she never gets nominated for Best Supporting Actress in TV categories. Fingers crossed that her work on Coven will finally be rewarded at the Emmy's (or else I may have to just infiltrate the system and nominate her myself...ok yeah it doesn't work like that. But still, make it happen awards shows.)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Movie Review

I am in love with the Lord of the Rings film series. The captivating scenery, well-written characters, and intriguing action scenes all combined to make a great film franchise. Now that we are the second film into the prequel trilogy, The Hobbit, things are starting to get a little less exciting. It's not to say the magic of watching these films are gone, but I just feel like so much of it is just turning into one big blur.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is relentlessly entertaining, for the most part. The visuals and scenery are of course at the huge expectations I held it at. The film making and screenplay is excellently crafted and I was constantly drawn into the film. The 3D was also brilliantly used in this installment, making even the smallest things pop off into the screen. Of course, overall, the 3D isn't completely necessary but it does make for a more captivating time. The music is also a huge plus, like it usually is. It blends beautiful harmonies we know from the previous films and adds a tint of eerie mystery, creating for some great world-building, even when we aren't aware of the huge effect the music has on us.

The script can be summed up as 'pretty good.' There was definitely nothing that really stood out to me as incredibly well-written (though the scenes with our dragon, Smaug, were fantastic and packed with increasing suspense.) I'm also usually accepting of open endings, but this ending seemed way too abrupt. I was expecting it to end after some kind of big finale, but there wasn't one, to me at least. I think this is also due to the fact that this story should not have been split into three films when they're adapting it from one single book.

Characterization has also been something that's lacking in this franchise. I know they're trying to start adding some subplots and back-stories on these characters, but nothing is solidly working. Everything feels like it's just made for fun entertainment, which isn't bad yet doesn't match the same tone nor quality as the Lord of the Rings film series did. And I think that's where a lot of the problem lies. If you go in expecting the Oscar-worthy material of Lord of the Rings, you'll likely be disappointed at the lack of depth Smaug brings. But if you go in ready for a good time filled with some great screenwriting, visuals, and world building, you'll be satisfied. B

Frozen - Movie Review

Disney is back at it, once again proving it is a king at the box office and appealing to all ages and genders. With their new animated musical feature Frozen, everything you think you know about their princess stories will be proven wrong. There's definitely a switch up in the formula, though it may not seem like it in the beginning. There are actually big plot twists in here that I didn't see coming. The film is written with such cleverness and wit that it's hard to determine just what will happen next.

The voice acting and singing is absolutely phenomenal in this film. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel lead the pack with impressive characterization in their voices along with some killer vocals. Menzel, with her Broadway background, delivers the most chill-inducing performance in the movie. However, the soundtrack is so beautifully written, filled with the happy and catchy choruses we know Disney is capable of, mixed with some heartbreaking and dark pieces that add a completely new dimension to the animated musical genre. The other standout voice was that of Josh Gad, who plays the comedic relief character Olaf, a snowman that has been given life and skips around, filled with optimism at all times.

The animation and 3D weren't too much of a standout, but that's definitely not saying it was bad. It looked incredible on the big screen and the third dimension added that chilliness of the snowy air whipping around you. Some specific shots of an ice castle and the town they live in also bring some extra spectacle with the 3D, but overall it's probably nothing necessary to enjoy this film. I will say, however, there is a clip before the movie that basically makes the 3D surcharge worthwhile, so choose how you will.

There's just something genuine and real in the storytelling of Frozen. It doesn't try to be something it's not, and it is filled with powerful themes of family and sacrifice. The original songs written for the movie were incredible, both in the well-written lyrics and the fact that they'll be stuck in your head for weeks. Overall it's a movie that will tug on all of your emotions: sadness, joy, surprise, and hilariousness. And if none of that pulls you in, I don't know what to tell you. Disney knows its audience, and knew that it needed to switch up its formula. Sure, you'll still see some things coming, but overall Frozen takes so many twists and turns you'll end up enjoying the ride rather than predict what'll happen next. A-

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Movie Review



After my year and a half of waiting after The Hunger Games ended, the highly anticipated second installment has sparked onto the screen. That's right, Catching Fire has had a hell of an opening week. With an opening of a solid $158 million and raving reviews flooding in from critics and die hard fans, it's safe to say this franchise has finally sound some solid footing.

Now, in its first week alone I have seen Catching Fire a total of four times. I went to the 8 P.M. showing, of course, and over the course of Thanksgiving break I found myself being constantly lured back into the theatre to see it again. There are plenty of reasons why, too.

In this film, everything is stepped up a couple notches. I'd like to start with the acting. The first name that comes to my mind is Jennifer Lawrence, who was also the best performance in the first film, but there's a couple reasons why she steals scenes in this movie. Lawrence has a new challenge this time around, having to show a lot of PTSD and anxiety and fear while also wearing a mask of bravery for her family and nation. Lawrence's character, Katniss, has a lot of complex character qualities that would be difficult to translate from the book to the screen, yet Lawrence does it flawlessly. Other standouts include Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, an unpredictable and unforgiving tribute reaped back into the Games, and Elizabeth Banks as Effie. But in all honesty, every single cast member was incredible and everybody brought their character to life.

The cinematography was simply amazing and added to the fantastic world building Catching Fire brought to the screen. The costumes, makeup, and set design all need to be complimented heavily as well, because without that the characters would never have reached the effect they had without them.

I could rave about all the amazing things Catching Fire did right, but the list would go on and on. But overall, it's a solid entry in the heartbreaking Hunger Games series that is packed with emotions and brings out the themes of family and corruption in governments. This franchise has the ability to do something not many young adult franchises have the capability of doing: making a political statement while creating a brutal and honest story about war and rebellion and the effects it has on family and society. This franchise is not happy or filled with love and friends like many teen series nowadays, but it has the opportunity to make a stronger impact rather than the same old sappy love stories we see every day. A+