The Huntsman: Winter’s War

I’ll admit that while Snow White and the Huntsmen had some storytelling issues, and a poor Snow White, but I still adored the show. Because Charlize Theron was amazing as Ravenna (AKA The Evil Queen). Plus it’s one of the few fantasy movies that looks how I wish a fantasy movie would look. It seems crazy that after all the advancements in technology for movies that there hasn’t been truly epic fantasies with tons of shamefully-awesome magic on the screen. Big budget fantasies tend to be more like Lord of the Rings, with more realism then over the top magic.

The Huntsman was unapologetically over the top fantasy, beautiful and stunning. A certain stylistic quality that I adore. Sure there’s been a few more after  it mainly Maleficent and Cinderella, and I supposed it’s worth mentioning Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton (which came before). 

So I have been waiting with bated breath for the trailer to drop. I’ve been following the news of the second movie. Which is supposed to be a prequel, though from the trailer I get the feeling that they could pull off a sequel. But then they’d have to drag in Snow White and I do not care to follow that particular SW’s story.

Now let’s move on to the trailer. I’ve decided to highlight a few of my favorite things/scenes (*I went over board*).

Warning: this may contain spoilers for the first movie.

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That’s right it’s all official now and the trailer and the title has dropped.

Well done Universal Pictures, well done. There are a tons of amazing things about this trailer. First off I am now obsessed with "Castle" by HALSEY, fantastic song and I had wondered how they could have topped Florence + The Machine’s impactful influence with Breath of Life.

First off, bravo from going “beauty is my power” to that epic opening line of the trailer.

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the most powerful of them all?”

Then boom! Universal owns it!

What can I say I’ve always been a sucker when a company alters the logo just a little to match the movie(s). Especially when such a subtle change is so powerful.

Then it moves on to these amazing words, to an amazing shot.

“If it’s a fairy tale you’re hoping for . . .

. . . prepare yourself for so much more.”

First off the way Emily Blunt is delivering the line in her Snow Queen persona is A-mazing. I adore this shot because it looks so human, and super creepy-magical at the same time. It’s lovely.

I really love that then it moves on to show children, which if you can recall the real Snow Queen legend she kidnaps children. It’s like this little treat that the trailer is tossing us, that this Snow Queen is going to be based in the darker part of the legend.

Not to mention that during this awesome monologue where the Snow Queen is setting up the story, it’s confirmed that we get to meet the Huntsman’s woman, AKA the pair in love. The one who was killed by the queen. And it’s freaking Jessica Chastain! It’s clearly going to be a steamy love story, and Chastain’s character is going to be a bad ass.

I loved how they reintroduced Ravenna, and her look. Charlize Theron owns this role! She’s amazing as this villainess and happens to be one of my favorites.

Stunning. She’s glamoured up Ravenna style emphasizing her power through beauty. And I actually love even more the Snow Queen’s amazing shot to compare the two sisters. Up  to this point it’s been distorted images, action shots, and teasing glimpsing. So I love that her final shot isn’t as glamorous as some of her other outfits, but it’s perfect in comparison to Ravenna. (Especially love the little “little sister” line.)

At this point it’s safe to say that I adore the glamor shots of the two sisters and how different they each are. Here’s two more of the Snow Queen and one more of Ravenna.

She’s riding a polar bear to war! (Though I think they need to polish up the affects.)

This is a more glamorous look, but I love how it look like armor.

It’s baffles me how Ravenna can look so beautiful while looking so evil. There’s black crap coming out of her mouth for goodness sake!

It’s sad that while Chris Hemsworth  was a big draw for me in the first movie the only reason I’m really mentioning him is because I love how Jessica Chastain as The Warrior’s look is so similar. They both look like bad asses.

Jessica Chastain is going to be awesome. I hate knowing that she’s going to die at some point. The Curses of prequels.

My favorite scene from the whole trailer though is that last one from Ravenna. It helps highlight her ruthlessness and powers. (Oh, and does it remind anyone else of Princess Mononoke or some of the other anime that has used this?)

Love what they did with the two evil queen’s posters, but I don’t like how it echoes of Elsa. Who was supposed to be based of the Snow Queen as well. But hey, they got to get people to watch. The huntsman and the warrior poser is cool. But I don’t like how she seems to be deferring.

I’m very excited to have the writing team behind this one. I feel like maybe the story won’t suffer as much as the first.

All right, I’m done. I couldn’t help myself! This is a movie I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while.

How about you guys? Are you looking forward to it?

Books and Babbles: Movie Edition

Only two this time.

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First up is one I’m crazy to see, seeing as most of the Dracula “reboots” have been less then stellar.

Personally I’m really excited because it’s a Legendary movie, so that means there’s some real potential. Plus, it looks awesome to me. What do you think will Dracula Untold deliver?

There’s already been a Hercules, The Legend of Hercules, release at the start of the year, and yes I’ve watched it. But this one, featuring Dwayne Johnson has captured my attention. Even the bad taste of  The Legend of Hercules, I feel like this movie may have the potential to deliver.

If this isn’t enough for you check out the other three trailers floating about. Is anyone else disappointed that Hera is never the villain? She was in the original legends. Modern worlds fear of death if you ask me. Funny since death is always such a hot character in the books.

From my fan gushing, it's pretty safe to say that I am a huge fan! This trailer definitely helps to show he dark tones of Marvel’s quirky Guardians of the Galaxy.

However, trailer 1 will always be my favorite. “I can’t stop this feeling, deep inside of me-“

Yep, finally some book movies. It feels so strange that one of the original dystopians is finally getting its movie. It’s going to be great! (Hopefully.)

The shame that I have yet to actually read The Maze Runner. Looks great though!

Now I’ll end it with The Boxtrolls, I have really loved everything that Laika studio has put out. (If the name pulls up a blank they’re the studio behind Coraline and Paranorman.) Paranorman was pretty awesome to me, and I’m hoping this movie gets more attention.

Any of these movies tickling your fancy? Or are you not feeling any of them?

Vampire Academy Official Trailer!

Despite many horrid adaptations of some of my favorite books, I never get tired of book to movies. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because the few that I just adore. Whether they follow the book to the letter, or they’re more based off the idea. Such as Vampire Dairies, Blood and Chocolate, Stardust, Harry Potter, and so on.

Ahem. Now to the on to the main event.

Finally it’s the big reveal for the first Vampire Academy trailer!

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I'm well . . . I’m excited. But to be honest it looks really tacky, and nothing like the humor of Mead’s world. It definitely comes off like the True Blood series to Sookie. Inspired by VA universe, but that’s probably where it ends.

Paranormal(ish) Movies & TV Edition!

ATUF had a post about some of the new TV shows and I thought I’d post a few of them, plus I found a few movies.

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The CW seems to be sticking with converting books to TV shows, and more power to them! Star-Crossed is one such title.

This one is supposed to be based off of a French comic set in a apocalyptic world where the earth is covered in ice. Basically a second ice age. I’ve heard how weird, yet beautiful, the comic is so I’m really curious to see how this will adapt to the big scream.

Byzantium looks really cool and I love these kinds of vampire noir. My only question: Is this part of Anne Rice’s universe of Interview With a Vampire? Or is it just the director or someone that has the connection? Really confusing.  

Sleepy Hollow, I’ve been in love with it ever since I saw that horrible cartoon version with all the music. Then I became obsessed after seeing Tim Burton’s with Johnny Depp. Yet I don’t feel really excited for this modern story that Fox is spinning. Maybe the trailer just doesn’t have enough to build it up. I’ll check it out, but I’m not expecting much.

The Originals is one that I’m really torn up about. (And now I know a spoiler about a certain couple that I’ve been secretly hoping would have hooked up this last season.) The Vampire Dairies finally got me completely and utterly hooked! But season 4 lost me. A spinoff could go a lot of places and honestly I thought VD was really starting to lose steam.

Hey, this is Klaus and New Orleans. It’s hard to go wrong.

This one I have no interest in, but I know there’s a lot of Frankenstein fans on my blog! So here is Frankenstein's Army. However, this really has nothing to do with the old school guy.

Frozen is one movie that I’ve been absolutely excited for!!! Disney’s interpretation of The Snow Queen? Yes! Yes-yes! So there. The trailer leaves some huge holes by it’s vagueness, but it made me laugh.

It is a musical which makes me nervous. Disney’s musicals haven’t been doing much for me. I miss the day of the classics. Here’s hoping this one redeems Disney. (Plus, the leaked still shots of the Queen look amazing!)

There are way more then what I’m posting hear, but I’ll save those for next week.

So I decided to leave you all with a trailer for a story we all know VERY well. Romeo and Juliet. That’s right another remake. This one is not out there to remake the story like Romeo+Juliet or the awesome Anime version. Nope this one is like a glorious tribute.

While I still think the love story is stupid I can’t get enough of it. I have high hopes for this movie as the trailer makes this look like a brand new thing that I haven’t seen interpreted again and again. Yeah!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and if you’re in the heat like me, hit the beach!

Books & Babbles: Movies

Thought it would be tons of fun to end  this week, again, with more fun movie trailers!! I’ve been really short on time so there aren’t as many this time around.

Also, a heads up. My mother is having some scary surgery so I may or may not have posts next week. If all goes well I’ll be back, if not I need to be there for her 24/7.

Hope everyone else’s loved ones are well and safe.

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OK, OK. This really isn’t fantasy themed or a book made to movie. However, it’s that kooky genre of super misfits that I have come to love in books. (No, really. There are super hero books like that in adult and YA.) So I bring you Kickass 2!!

This one is 6 souls and it looks more like a horror. But it does have quite the paranormal twist on it.

Now I leave you for the weekend with this little gem: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters!

It's so exciting. Honestly after the first one I thought they had put a giant cancel on the series. Thankfully this one looks like they took the hint and will be making it better.

For the Love of Movies

Books and Babbles is a fun post where I can share anything about books, and just babble on. Or, even babble about movies, hot topics, whatever strikes my fancy.

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My second addiction next to books will always be movies/TV shows/anime.  So it pleases me to share some fantastic trailers for some up coming movies!!

So glad they did not call this Ninjas and Cowboys.  But anyway, ninja and cowboys the truth will come . . .

Really excited for this one, I love anything with Greek mythology.  Though I’m a little worried that it’s by the guy who did 300.  I have a love hate relationship with it.  Loved it, but hated it at the same time.

Love anything that’s Underworld, I’ve never been leery about this series.  However, I am here.  This takes us 12 years into the future.  Michael and Selena somehow get captured (really how is that possible) and now humans are hunting the monsters.

Come on, the birth of the “vibrator” you know you want to watch it!

Movies With Fang and Magical Men

Books and Babbles is a fun post where I can share anything about books, and just babble on. Or, even babble about movies, hot topics, whatever strikes my fancy.
Daybreakers has enough fang for any vampire lover.  It just depends on what type of vampire lover you are.  If your a horror fan this is totally up your ally.  If you prefer vampires that sparkle this movie is not for you.  However, if you’re a vampire fan that doesn’t mind to walk the line for your beloved genre this is good.  It has original plot where the world gets a vampiric disease and everyone is turning vampire.  Humans are scarce and that’s what the Vampires feed on.  If they don’t get enough blood they turn into brainless monsters.  For the humans that have still some how managed to stay that way, life is terrible.  Constantly on the run until your caught, then nothing else matters.  Your put under and harvested for blood until you die.  
This was an edgy movie with a fantastic ending and a very unique cure for vampire disease.  If you like vampire horror, or don’t mind walking the line for your love of vampires really check it out!  Give it: 5/5

This next vampire movie, The Vampires Apprentice is glitter fan approve.  It’s a nice little jaunt into humorous vampirism.  This movie is based on the Series Cirque de Freaks, while I’ve never read it other fans say the movie stay pretty true to the book.  Just not as well paced.  Personally I think this movie did the best it could with what it had.  The movie was advertised for theatres briefly then out the door and on the shelves before any potential viewers even new it was there.  This movie was pushed out there as a dud. 
Vampire fans will find it amusing, even if the pacing is off with all the info that is crammed in.  The cast are all fine actors, and boy are they big names!  Two vampire factions duking it out, breaking up a friendship as prophetic events start to ruin a 100 years of peace.  Everything is wrapped up nicely in this movie, but they’re still ambiguous enough to say “We’ve got more where this comes from.”  This is after all based on a series of books.  Give it: 4/5

Now for magical men.
First up is Percy from Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  I was never interested in the books, and I’m still not.  The movie was a nice splice of Greek mythology and modern myths.  I felt the movie was really good and you don’t need to read the book to get it.  After all who doesn’t want to watch the children of gods battle it out in modern life? Give it: 5/5

The Prince of Persia features our second magical man, Prince Dustan.  Of course he only has magic powers when he has a blade that can turn back time. (Unless you call one heck of a nice bod to render females into drooling pools a power. Ah-hem.)  Personally I felt this movie was a bit of a let down.  It was like the director was riding on his former glory from Pirates of the Caribbean. Relaying on action, here’s a little plot, and lot’s of different ways to have the leading lady in very sexy clothes.
That’s not to say this movie isn’t fun.  There are moments when pieces of awesome humor come up, and the action is so over the top it’s awesome. So feel free to enjoy. Give it: 3/5

On another note if you haven’t watched Letters from Juliet. Really you need to.  Sure it’s predictable, but it’s one of those classic chick films.  You know the ones you secretly love.  Give it: 4/5

Have you seen any of these movies?  What did you think?