Movie Review: "The Young Victoria"

"A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert."

I almost died when I saw that this movie was available to view online! Most of you know that I was named after Queen Victoria, hence the blog title, so I feel a tiny connection to her, but I've never really known her story. After watching this film and seeing some of the historic events she went through, I felt even more special to be named after such a powerful woman. I learned that her real first name is Alexandrina so we actually share the same middle name! She is also a Gemini born on May 24, 1819. She grew up an only child, her father dying when she was only 8 months old, with a domineering mother whom she refused guidance from after she became Queen of Great Britain and Ireland just a short month after her 18th birthday.

This film showed who the real Victoria was, a free spirited and strong willed woman who cared for people that were less than her royalty status. She was treated like a child, even after she was Queen, and many tried to influence her decision making, including her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne whom she was rumored to have a relationship with. The movie shows the perspectives of Lord Melbourne and her cousin Prince Albert, who both are seeking Victoria's heart. She follows her heart which leads to Prince Albert, and they get married in February of 1840. They were very happy together and ended up having 9 children.

She reigned for 64 years until her death in 1901, the longest ruling Queen to this date.

(Learn more about the biography of Queen Victoria by clicking here.)

I just loved this romantic drama, I thought it would have been boring but it really captured my interest the entire time. Historic movies always show me that although it was a long time ago and their speech and the way they dress are different, underneath it all the emotions and drama are real and comparable to today's generation. The costumes were AMAZINGLY gorgeous. Although it may not have been perfectly depicted to its true history, I thought it was very well done as a whole. Emily Blunt is an amazing actress. I loved her in "The Devil Wears Prada" and was glad she got this role. I heard this movie was rated #3 for the best movies in 2009. Hopefully Emily will win herself an Oscar!

Movie Review: "Changeling"

"Los Angeles, 1928. A single mother returns from work to find her nine-year-old son gone. She calls the LAPD to initiate a search. Five months later, a boy is found in Illinois who fits the description; he says he's her son. To fanfare and photos, the LAPD reunite mother and son, but she insists he's not her boy. The cops dismiss her as either a liar or hysterical. When she joins a minister in his public criticism of the police, they in turn use government power to silence and intimidate her. Meanwhile, a cop goes to a dilapidated ranch to find a Canadian lad who's without legal status; the youth tells a grisly tale. There's redress for murder; is there redress for abuse of power?" (courtesy of IMBD.com)

WOW is all I have to say after viewing this film! In my opinion it was very well done and held onto my interest the entire time. I'm not a huge fan of Angelina, but I really applaud her performance in this drama/thriller in addition to all of the other stellar performances. The true story exposed the LAPD for what they were in the 1920's... corrupt. It was unbelievable to me what citizens had to go through to get justice in those days. This film will make your mouth drop, maybe make you cry and cringe, but I promise you will remember this woman's story forever. I give it 5 stars. . . definitely worth renting.

Coraline

"A young girl (Fanning) walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family." (courtesy of imbd.com)

Josh and I went to see this last night in 3-D! It was imaginative and dark, a little creepy yet still humorous... and watching it in 3-D was a totally different experience, making the movie even more exciting.

I was positive this was a Tim Burton movie, which I now know is a common misunderstanding. Henry Selick directed (who also was the director for "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Tim Burton wrote and produced it) and Neil Gaiman wrote the childrens book it was based off of. Looks like they stepped out of Tim Burton's shadow for this one and I am certainly impressed! I love the creativity, like these adults somehow held on to their childhood wonders through the years and made it all come to life. Simply amazing.

Josh and I loved it and I'm not gonna lie... we felt pretty cool rockin those 3-D glasses, hehe!
Go see it- you will not be disappointed!

Slum Dog Millionaire

"The story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show's questions. Each chapter of Jamal's increasingly layered story reveals where he learned the answers to the show's seemingly impossible quizzes. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparent desire for riches really doing on the game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out. At the heart of its storytelling lies the question of how anyone comes to know the things they know about life and love." (courtesy of imbd.com)

This was an extremely powerful and captivating story- me and Josh both loved it. It is nominated for 4 Golden Globes and I'm not surprised! I would highly recommend seeing it!

Step Brothers Review

OK I have been obsessed with this movie for quite some time now. Let's just say Josh and I purchased the DVD about 2 weeks ago and I've probably watched it about seven times I loved it so much!

If you liked Anchorman and Talledega Nights, you must see Step Brothers! (Warning you though, if bad language and f-bombs aren't your style then don't go see it- if you can tune them out to appreciate the humor then definitely see it!)

Basically the synopsis is Brennan Huff (Will Farrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reily) are 40-year old men still living with their single parents. They pretty much act like they are 13. After their parents fall in love and get married, they are forced to become step brothers . Instead of moving out on their own, they decide to live together and share a bedroom. Conflicts arise as you enjoy hilarious scene after scene. This is comedy at its best, in my opinion.

Here is one of my favorite scenes... Brennan finally sings in front of Dale (This is blog appropriate- no swear words!):

This has pretty much become my favorite movie of all time-

I give it 5 stars!