Date and Switch (2014)

Date and Switch is a comedy movie directed by Chris Nelson, and mainly starred by Nicholas Braun as Michael, Hunter Cope as Matty, Dakota Johnson as Em and Greg as Zach Cregger. The film is more about friendship no matter what kind of person you are, or what your preferences in life.

Nicholas Braun is a veteran actor since he showed up to many Disney movies/shows during his teenage years. He's 25 years old, I should say because this movie is like a teenage movie and he just don't seem to fit for me on this film by his age but on-screen he doesn't look like he is 25 years old bachelor. I mean, he looks like a typical high school boy as what he should be on this film. His adoring smile and his 6'4'' height out-stand on this movie especially when he walks to the hall or when he is with his friends.

Hunter Cope, an actor and writer, played as Matty. He's a gay guy here who's afraid to come out to his best friend, Michael not until one night when things started to roll the dice. I can hardly find a biography on him on google but he seems to be famous because he had shown up to movies and TV series.

Michael, a straight guy, who unknowingly has a gay best friend, Matty. They were best of friends since they were 3rd graders. Still untouched or virgins who made a pact to help each other get laid before prom.

One typical Friday night when they went to a party, both Michael and Matty broke-up with their girlfriends. Michael's reason is that her girlfriend doesn't want to have a physical expression of bond or sex with him whilst Matty explained in a more vague way about how mess he was but it's meant for something else and it's about his sexual identity, perhaps.

Later that night, they made a chocolate brownie mixed with a metric ton of weed. This is for their prom girls to get high and get laid later on. But after awhile, Matty asked Michael for a drive and when they reached this old lot, Matty came out to him that he was gay like he was hiding it since childhood. Michael, who seemed not to believe of what he said, completely perplexed, responded to Matty that they were cool but things shifted a bit for awhile. And that's where their friendship starts to crawl and climb the stairs of genuine and understanding relationship.

I could say this is not a gay movie but just about zappy and happy flick buddies.I mean, Matty's personality or identity is just a spice to make their friendship move to the next level like how are you going to accept your friend if he's lying to you or hiding from you for years but the thing one was hiding for is worth hiding for as well?

In real life, Michael's character could be hard but if the person is more exposed and aware of such personality, I think he could easily accept this fact like if you're more open and sophisticated, you can get along to them easily as well as on Matty's gay character.

One thing I don't like about some points in the plot is when Michael played a horrible song on stage during prom night and made a speech to save the friendship he has with Matty. Like his speech does not give that much of an impact and it's somewhat premature. I wanted to have more statement that could be quotable or that will make a great flesh for the movie.

This movie will teach you more than just friendships but also teach you on how you are going to accept the person as what they are and who they are.

I recommend to guide younger viewers on this film since there are sensitive yet funny scenes along the whole duration especially on the first part of the movie. It will take an hour and a half so, a bottle of drink and good food for this one.

A 7.5/10 rating for this one.

Thank you for reading and check the trailer by clicking this youtube link, Date and Switch Trailer.
Picture copied from IMDB.

Frozen (2013)

Frozen is another 3D animation movie released by Walt Disney Pictures, directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and mainly featured the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Santino Fontana. The film tells more than just an animated story. You could learn so much about love, honesty, loyalty, courage and friendship.

The movie started when mountain men, little Kristoff and his donkey are singing a song while trying to harvest some ice for living. I found that they made a good start for a disney movie. The song ain't that familiar to me, maybe because it's an original song but I found it good and vocally entertaining.

Kristen Bell voiced as Princess Anna of Arrendelle on the movie. The animated person of her is gorgeously looking and has this princess-like figures, well-drawn, I should say. Her voice suits well to the character since princesses of Disney pictures have to be soft and cohesive. I found that she really did a good job voicing behind Anna since the whole vocal performance is enormously genuine. Her voice is spunky, fearless, innocently awkward at times but those made her Princess Anna. I've seen some video clips of her in a studio where she and other casts recording and they were naturally brilliant.

Idina Menzel voiced as Queen Elsa of Arendelle, older sister of Princess Anna. Her voice is innately queen-like and I found her power voice really amusing when she sung "Let It Go" which rocketed on the music industry for weeks. Many doesn't know her but her amazing vocal talent made her more famous than ever. She is a Broadway actress and her role in the film is just perfect for her.

Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Santino Fontana voiced as Kristoff, Olaf and Hans, respectively. They sung few songs in the movie and I didn't know they could really sing until this movie came out.

Princess Anna played so many parts in the movie . She is the younger sister of the Queen, playful and free-spirited, who wants to play with Elsa all the time but since the incident happened, when she insisted her elder sister play with her ice power in the ballroom hall, Anna fall from the slopes Elsa made and when Elsa was trying to save Anna, Elsa accidentally hit the head of Anna that made a few strands of her hair turned white and knocked her up.

Their parents know some good friends in the forest or legendary trolls who know how to treat Anna. The shaman leader, Pabbie treated Anna but he has to remove the knowledge and memories of magic to fully stabilize her condition. And Pabbie told the Royals that there's not only beauty with her power but danger as well.

By then, the two who were the best of friends all day and night turned to be away from each other. Their parents and Elsa know that it's no good to be around with other people again since she can't control her power that much which could be fatal to herself and her family. Elsa being away for years with the kingdom and the people she cares about made time to enhance and control more of her power.

Anna tried and tried each and every day to be in contact with Elsa but failed every turn since Elsa doesn't want to happen again that traumatic experience she had with her sister during childhood, leading Anna to believe her sister despised her.

One day, when the queen and king were gone for a trip during the teenage years of Elsa and Anna, a powerful storm struck that night putting their lives to an end. Anna and Elsa both weeping and mourning for their loss but during the funeral, Elsa didn't go out, instead, cried so hard within her room.

Three years later, Queen Elsa was crowned as the new queen of Arendelle since she has reached the right age for the throne. By this coronation, Arendelle should invite other royals from other islands to celebrate this extravagant and marvelous festivities.

During the celebration, Anna met the prince of southern Isles, Hans who is the main antagonist of the movie. As the two were trying to know each other, Hans asked Anna to marry him. When Anna said yes, she and Hans immediately asked for a blessing from Queen Elsa. When Elsa refused to give their proposal a blessing, Anna became furious to her sister and believed that she was really despised by her own sister. While Anna arguing her sister, Elsa was petrified and uncontrollably iced the floor to separate Anna from her. Everyone in the ballroom hall was shocked especially Anna who had been skeptical for years why her sister was hiding in her closet for long.

From that moment, Queen Elsa went away from the kingdom which made the weather of Arandelle in extreme winter. Anna who knows that her sister won't hurt her followed Elsa to the north mountain where the ice castle built by the Queen of Snow. Along the way of Elsa to the north mountain, she unexpectedly made the snowman, Olaf who has been an ally of Anna till the end of the story. And while Anna searching for her sister to stop the extreme winter, she met Kristoff, the ice harvester at a store. From that moment, Kristoff decided to help Anna in exchange for the carrots and some tools.

When Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Donkey reached the ice castle of the Queen, Anna decided to talk to her sister first because she really believe that her sister won't hurt her. After a moment of argument, Elsa accidentally hit Anna with her ice power through her chest which weakened the heart of Anna. And a little later, Elsa made a giant, ice monster to get rid of them so that they won't be hurt by Elsa since she still can't control her power due to unknown fear.

Kristoff, Olaf and the Donkey took Anna to the legendary trolls to treat Anna again but Pabbie can't help her but said, "Only true love can thaw a frozen heart." This quotable phrase is the highlight of the movie, the only way to help Anna from her horrible condition.

The moment Kristoff and Olaf knew about Pabbie's advice, they had to take Anna to the Kingdom of Arandelle so that Hans, Prince of Isles will kiss her through her lips since Anna told them she wants to marry Hans. But when Anna reached the castle, Kristoff wasn't permitted to enter the gates and they failed to treat Anna since Hans confessed that she doesn't love her and used her to steal the throne.

Elsa was captured and put into cell but her power doesn't stop her. Hans still trying to prey the Queen and the moment he saw her on the outskirts of town, he lied to the Queen that Anna was dead due to her uncontrollable power. The Queen fell down in the ice and suddenly stopped the extreme winter and while she was crying down, Hans is trying to kill her by his sword. Anna on the other hand went out of the town to find Kristoff because after contemplating who she really loves, she knew it was Kristoff. But when the weakened Anna out there trying to find Hans, she saw her sister on the other side when Hans trying to kill her. Hans sliced Anna instead of Elsa but Anna turned to ice which broken his sword.

After that moment, Anna is slowly turning to a strong and free-spirited individual again. Remember that the only way to treat her is for the act of true love will thaw her frozen heart. That behavior she had is already an act of true love to her sister. And through that brave act of Anna, Elsa knows how to control her inborn power. Elsa then stopped the horrible winter, making the whole kingdom of Arandelle in good condition in terms of weather.

The sun is now rising and Olaf was given his own clouds by the Queen in exchange for his brave alliance to Princess Anna. Hans now has this new sled Anna owes during the whole search and rescue encounters which made him happy but what was even happier than it is when he knows he loves Anna. Kristoff and Anna kissed passionately, all people in the kingdom rejoiced as the Queen turned the base of the castle like an ice arena where everyone could enjoy it without having a bad weather. All were happily ice skating the ground and that ended the beautiful adventure of Anna and Elsa on this movie.

One thing I just don't like about the plot is when Elsa made the giant monster which almost killed her sister and her friends. That is not something you want to do with your siblings, right? Elsa could have had a lesser punishment or counterpart of that encounter.

I learned that you should not be afraid to go out. Yes, you may feel alone but freedom will be all in your soul. It's cliche to say but it's true. It may be hard to do but once you do, you feel like you can do everything without the fear of hiding something. Fear of the unknown encounters.

I wish to have a sequel on this movie because this is one of my favorite disney movies aside from The Lion King, Mulan and Tarzan. A 9 out of 10 for this movie.

I recommend you should prepare for this one, food, comfortable seat as this would take almost 2 hours duration. And I recommend to heed on the movie sharply because there are phrases or thoughts which are really quotable for this movie, and not just quotes but thoughts learn upon.

Thank you for reading my review.

Click this for the Frozen Official Trailer.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

The Hunger Games trilogy continues to catch fire last November 2013 with its second installment, Catching Fire directed by the Grammy award winner, Francis Lawrence. Starred by the three primary and most payed actress and actors in the film industry, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne.

The movie started when Katniss Everdeen trying to hunt some animals in the woods and suddenly joined by Gale Hawthorne which gave her bow in complete stretched with the arrow. This first scene is a good appetizer for the viewers as it hypes and catches the viewers attention. 

Hunger games is the annual and traditional game in which two tributes, boy and girl will volunteer or be forced to represent their own district. There are twelve districts of Panem and all pairs will go to capitol each year to practice and embrace the bloody game. Everyone of them will be moved to kill 23 tributes as there will be only one be crowned as victor. Every 25th year of the games, the President of Panem, this time's Snow, will select a card from a box made from the original establishment of the games that makes the rules of the reaping be changed. 

This time, the tributes should come from the pool of victors from each district. Unfortunately, there were only 3 victors present of District twelve, Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch Abernathy. Remember, a boy and a girl should represent as tributes and that means, Katniss will be selected again as tribute. Haywitch was drawn by Effie Trinket as her role is to escort and draw names during reaping. Expectantly, Peeta volunteers for Haymitch in order to continue protecting and loving Katniss in good times or bad times.

Jennifer Lawrence portrayed an amazing role in this film which proves that her recent academy award is worthy enough, though she had a bad circumstance while getting and climbing up the stairs for the award. Her fall in the ceremony didn't stop her to impress and make trends on twitter in this movie. That scared and vulnerable Katniss she portrayed makes her more of an actress. The way she shows fearlessness and tenderness of each scene especially that moment when they had to visit each districts after winning the 74th hunger games made me stunned and choked with astonishment.  

Josh Hutcherson performed a  good act as well as he plays his role as sweet and romantic baker boy. He admires Katniss so much in this film and always been putting his feet ahead to protect Katniss even if his life is an exchange for her. He is developing so much in this role compared to other movies I've seen of him. I thought his role is not that complicated as he has this innate charm and softness that maybe most of us won't see. 

Liam Hemsworth plays as Katniss Everdeen's hunting partner and best friend. He has more scenes on this installment compared to the first one of the trilogy. The best part of him for me is when he was bloody beaten by one of the peacekeepers from the capitol as he was trying to save other civilian from their district. Well, he has beaten for this reason which is different when you read the book He put so much courage on this film as what Gale should be on this movie. He has also this innate charm to contain and portray such roles like this.

Other characters portrayed good roles as well like Elizabeth Banks who just naturally enact that elegance and beauty as Effie. Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, middle-aged drunkard who hates the capitol genuinely knows where to stand on this film and to which extent they should play his role together with Donald Sutherland as ruthless President Snow who possessed innate total power over his subordinates.

The amazing sound and visual effects of the movie feeds the viewers' starvation of astonishment. The fashion statements and the setting of the game were even better than the first installment. I was rooting for more visually feasting scenes especially when Katniss and other tributes were in the practice hall or studio because I thought it was premature to have that scene when Katniss shooting virtual enemies by her bow and arrows, I mean, I want more scene like that to other tributes. Anyhow, it was really stunning to see when Katniss turned around with this wedding dress turned into a mockingjay dress which surely angers President Snow as this will be another form of rebellion.

The story line is really good because I've never been bored ans sleepy during the whole duration. That moment when Peeta announces the whole Panem that they are going to have a baby really is shocking. I mean, if I hadn't read the book, I would really be shocked by that encounter. When Katniss was struggling to contain her emotion when the game is about to start and her tube was being lifted up while seeing Cinna beaten up by some peacekeepers because of the rebellious idea or dress he made for Katniss. When Katniss and his allies were striving to dodge the poisonous air in the arena and how they managed to fight the monkeys which were really scary. That amazing idea or theory discovered by Wiress in order to prolong their lives in the arena and how Beetee came up the idea to destroy the arena. And that moment when Peeta was electrocuted by the force field he didn't know and how  Finnick Odair performed cardio-pumonary resuscitation procedure.

Overall, the story was completely entertaining as the actings and good effects intertwined together making the film great in a way. I missed to watch this movie on big screen due to some inevitable tasks and so I end up watching it on DVD. I recommend to prepare some food upon watching this movie as this will run for approximately two hours. You'll need some good speaker or music to imbibe the spirit of the film and don't forget to be comfortable watching this one. You won't regret seeing this movie though it will frustrate you by the end of the movie but the sequel is ongoing so don't worry. An 8/10 rating for this one.

Thank you for reading my review.