sam_i_amgirl Reviews

Daddy Long Legs (1955)

Judy Abbott is superior to Anne Shirley but you don't see any movies of Anne tap-a-tapping for Gilbert's heart.

[4/10 · 14 February 2013]

For a book so popular it spanned (at least) four movie adaptations over the last century and countless plays, musicals and anime series - it's a shame that the most famous adaption was SO adapted it barely resembled the original. Where the original book is witty and funny and sweet - because the leading lady is AMAZING - this version is just sweet and icky based on a may-December (or should I say, may-next-December) romance. Yes, the original book is slightly romantic, but only at the end. And the book focuses on so many societal and political issues such as the suffrage movement and equality and the class rank, that it's modern for it's time and remarkably intelligent. This 1955 adaptation - true to the anti-feminist 50s ideals - completely ignored all that and made Judy (er.. Julie) into this sexy French maiden with a geriatric playboy beau. Gross. And they accused the book of being dodgy?

If you don't compare it to the book and look at it on it's own, it has it's merits. But as a huge fan of the book, I can't help but feel that this is an insult to the author Jean Webster herself. I love Fred Astaire, but I don't like the film makers' clichéd and backward views on a classic female story. Imagine if they adapted Anne of Green Gables or Pride and Prejudice* into something like this? There'd be an outrage! Well, I'm part of the outrage for Daddy Long Legs. READ THE BOOK Y'ALL Judy is Lizzie Bennet meets Anne Shirley meets Sybil Crawley. And she's actually funny.

*Bride and Prejudice... no comment.

William & Kate (2011 TV Movie)

A disappointment during the hype of the Wedding

[1/10 · 30 April 2011]

This movie screened in my country the day after the wedding and amongst the hype I was dragged into watching this film. I think I fast forwarded through the most of it.

What bothered me the most about this film was not simply the cheesy acting, the use of American actors or the exaggeration of the plot, but the constant historical inaccuracy. From a family plagued by media distortion and lies, (a theme particularly focused on in the movie), this film did a good job of distorting the truth even further.

We don't know what happened between William and Catherine over the years they were dating, besides the few things we were told - but even those parts are presented incorrectly.

Even if the viewer doesn't regard the movie as truth to the slightest degree, they still will be disappointed by the hopeless storyline, the pathetic characterization and the fact that it's another failed attempt by an American film maker to present a British story. Only British know how to be British. Let them do the job of sharing their kingdom's story.

Red Riding Hood (2011)

A classic tale turned sour

[1/10 · 25 March 2011]

When I saw the trailer of this film I was completely put off by it's striking similarity to Twilight. But my friends invited me to go, and I thought I'd give it a chance - after all, Gary Oldman was in it, and surely his acting could save it?

I was wrong.

The entire movie was groan-worthy. The characters were weak, undeveloped - even the "surprise" twist at the end wasn't surprising because there was no prior foreshadowing to suggest (that person) could be the werewolf.

The acting was atrocious, Gary Oldman saved the movie at certain parts, but even the cheesy dialogue killed his character. Amanda Seyfried's character was as pathetic as Bella (despite her "viciousness" by killing rabbits as a child), and the two men competing for her attention (Jacob and Edward, anyone?) were as useless - by the end of the story we had forgotten their purpose. There was just no steady plot.

At times I laughed (for the wrong reasons), and other times I wanted to be sick. I'm extremely disappointed by this film. Why do people these days think that sexy damsel-in-distress fantasy stories are good? Disney Princesses are more gutsy these days!

Sanctum (2011)

Not as bad as I expected

[7/10 · 19 February 2011]

I wasn't looking forward to seeing this movie after reading the poor reviews on this site and viewing the awful trailer. Not only did it look predictable and even worse - a hyped-up James Cameron flick, I'm not into action-adventures with their clichéd and unrealistic story lines. I particularly don't like 3D (makes me nauseous) so I chose to see it in 2D - not as exciting, but viewable.

While sitting in the theatre (total audience members: 3, on a Saturday night), I cynically listed off to my friend which characters were to kick it, and whom were going to start out enemies and end up bonding just before one or the other died. Except for one, I was far off for all my predictions. This movie, despite it's faults, did have a fair amount of surprises, suspense and tension. The issue of ethics was a strong basis of the movie too - something that isn't always talked about. I didn't feel that my money was wasted to be honest.

For those who want to see a memorable and heart-felt movie: this isn't it. However it's not a bad flick at all. It's something that you don't have to think too hard about but can still enjoy without feeling like you wasted two hours of your life (like some Hollywood trash that's out there these days). Give it a chance.