Film Recap - MIRROR MIRROR

I have to start off with an apology, because I wanted to post a review for WRATH OF THE TITANS too, but I saw MIRROR MIRROR first and it was sooooo bad, I just could not chance seeing two bad movies in one weekend.

Recap - Live-action version of Disney's animated classic, SNOW WHITE.

So where do I start??  Let's go w/the movie's visual aesthetic.  It literally looked like the majority of the film was underexposed.  I sincerely HOPE that the lighting in this movie is meant to visually convey how dilapidated the town is under the Evil Queen's rule, so at least the squinting had a purpose!!  But that meant, it was dark for about 70% of the movie.  So dark, that I went to customer service at AMC to ask if there was something wrong with the film projector.  I was assured that, no that was how the movie is lit.  (Please note, I have 20/20 vision.)  In the last four scenes of the movie, the director figured out the lighting.  Unfortunately, the story is not engaging enough for a viewer to want to sit there for 90mins to get to those last four scenes.  Not even the wardrobe was notable!!  The performances were solid, but honestly, who knows who Lily Collins is?????  You have Julia Roberts playing a notable villain for the first time and you give her Lily Collins to play against???  FAIL #2!!

At the end of the day, if it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage and the story was just majorly lacking here.  I would have respected the film more if it was a straight re-telling of SNOW WHITE, just in live-action, but the auspices tried to re-imagine some of the elements of the story and it was an epic fail.  (As noted by the unimpressive, $19M opening.)  They even renamed the Dwarfs!!!

If you want to see SNOW WHITE re-imagined, save your $$ and wait for Charlize Theron's SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN to arrive in theaters June 1.  They made intelligent cast choices to broaden their audience and created visuals to make the trailer look epic.

TV Recap - THE GAME

Recap - Melanie reveals her infertility to Tasha.  But I'm confused because I thought from all the comments Tasha's made in the past, she already knew that.  Also, when did Tasha and Mel reconcile??  Watching this show sometimes feels like coming into a conversation in the middle of a sentence and I think I figured out why.  The writers are not sure if this show is a comedy where the episodes can stand alone (a la The Cosby Show), where all the conflict is resolved by the end of the episode.  Or a comedy with serialized elements (like FRIEND'S Ross & Rachel being on a break or Monica dating the millionaire).  Instead THE GAME writers mix the two formats.  No bueno for the viewers like myself who are actually interested in the serialized elements they introduce (i.e. Malik's falling out w/the team and money problems; Derwin's beef with the current quaterback, Melanie's career as a doctor) and then leave by the waste-side.  There's an opportunity for this show to be the ENTOURAGE of the football world, but as much promise as it shows, it falls short every week.  It's as tragic as seeing a girl wearing a fierce stiletto shoe that she can't walk in.  Oh well, I might need a new show to watch on Tuesdays at 10PM.  Any suggestions?  I'm GAME :)

TV Recap - STYLED BY JUNE

Recap - June gives "The Baddest Bitch" rapper Trina a rocker-chic makeover and debuts her new single, "Outerspace".  I must say, I'm loving the Juniverse.  Celebrity stylist June has really shown that she can create versatile looks for her varied client list.  Highlight of the show last night, was the Stiletto Workout where poor Trina came limping into June's studio the next day complaining about her legs.  You think that's bad, try a spin class honey!!  Anyhoo - not a bad showing for episode two, although the preview for next week is some random reality celebrity.  No shade, but I almost think it would be better to see her work looks with Average Janes than D-listers, but what do I know.  It's only episode two, I'll keep watching and keep you posted.  

TV Recap - BASKETBALL WIVES

Recap - Wow.  Evelyn and Tami attempt to suss out the real from the fake between Kesha and Kenya.  The verdict's in, Kenya sews her own labels in.  Highlight of the show was Evelyn's commentary on Kenya's selective memory - "Bitch, you lyin."  That just about sums it up.

Movie Madness - THE HUNGER GAMES Review

Logline:  Based on the international best-selling book trilogy, THE HUNGER GAMES is set in a futuristic 1984-esque world, where 12 Districts annually volunteer a boy and girl to the Capitol City to fight till their death on live television.

Indeed the world was watching this weekend, as THE HUNGER GAMES raked in a whopping $155M!!  I think it's safe to say the odds are in favor of a sequel and more.  The film's director, Gary Ross (PLEASANTVILLE) truly delivers on the visual imagery here.  The Capitol City is colorfully distinct from the more dismal Districts, as is the futuristic show setting. It's not Keats, but the story is solid.  (And that's coming from someone who did NOT read the books.)  Definitely worth the $10 - $14 you will pay in the theaters, but beware, the run-time is about 2 1/2 hrs long.  Also, they're showing the trailers for BREAKING DAWN PART II and SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN, so if you do soldier up to see this movie, don't be late!!

TV Recaps - THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (aka VD)

Recap:  Alaric is cray.  Elena and Bonnie kiss and make up, while Elena and Stefan continue to inch toward reconciliation.  Meanwhile, Damon and Rebecca continue playing cat and mouse.  You can eat the angst with a spoon on this show and I love it!!  The highlight of last week's episode was:  Damon seducing Rebecca while Sage watched.  Hotness!!  Next week the get-along-gang is waging war against The Originals with a secret weapon.  Cant wait to see who comes out on top!!

TV Recaps - Mad About MAD MEN

Recap - Don Draper's still got it.  Roger's definitely lost it and Peter can't find it.  The highlight of the 2hr premiere, (which 3.5M tuned into), was:  Mrs. Draper's burlesque number of Ziou Bijou.  As always with this show, it's a slow burn, but it looks like married life is treating Don very well.  Although, Peggy is a little worried about the improvements she's seen in her boss' character.  And as always, Peter is angling for more clout in the company.  It will be interesting as the season progresses to see just how far he takes these plans and who will be for and against them.  Even more so interesting will be the return of Joan's husband.  Let the good times roll!!