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Friday, June 8, 2012

Beastly

  
 
Sadly, this modern take on Beauty and the Beast was disappointing. I was hoping for something more magical, something that didn't look like a set (my son's words) and maybe a little twist on the old tale. But no such luck. There was absolutely nothing twisty, no chemistry between the two love interests, and a dad (Peter Krause from Six Feet Under) I could barely choke down: when his son turns ugly, he sends him to Brooklyn with the Housekeeper. 

The story was pretty lame: cute boy, after being cursed with ugliness for being a dick, discovers that only love will lift his curse (and really, is he ugly? I beg to differ...). He is sent away with the housekeeper, mopes, then saves pretty girl's father and demands girl in payment, which girl's dad amazingly goes along with (as if!), love blooms, curse is lifted, happily ever after.

Unfortunately, whoever wrote the script, especially some of the dialogue, really needs to go back school, and the actors weren't good enough to make it work. Even Neil Patrick Harris (who plays the blind tutor - try not to laugh) seemed bored with his role. The only believable character, surprisingly, was Mary Kate Olsen who plays the witchy, goth girl who curses beastly. I think she might have had a little fun with the role. 

I give it a C, and that's probably being kind. My son sort of watched it with me but found his phone and the new bird ap he downloaded more interesting. 

The good news is I've got Sherlock, Season One coming next :) 

Now, tell me, what have you been watching?
 

 

26 comments:

  1. I was thinking of watching Beastly, but now you've given me second thoughts! I haven't read the book, either, though I imagine it's better. I've been watching True Blood lately, about which I always feel ambivalent. It's pretty gross, yet I can't turn it off :/

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  2. Nope, doesn't appeal at all.
    People keep telling me I have to watch Sherlock. At some point this summer, I'll probably break down and give it a try.

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  3. Hadn't heard of this and now I know not to bother. Thanks.

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  4. I saw it on video. Wasn't about to pay to see it. Eh. You pretty much nailed it. The best showing was Olsen. And I adore Neil Patrick Harris, but it was almost like they just filmed him being himself. The rest was like a bad high school play. And I haven't read the book on which it was based (just couldn't get into it) but as I understand it the Beast character in the book, gets transformed into a great hulking furry monster, vastly different from the movie.

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    1. Mostly it was disappointing because it could easily have been better. And yes, it WAS like a bad high school play!

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  5. Aw...too bad. I haven't watched it yet, but I was hoping to. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Marcy.

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    1. Watch it so you'll know what NOT to do: no twists, predictable plot, dialogue no one would ever have, and characters who aren't quite believable.

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  6. Sherlock, Sherlock, Sherlock! It will redeem your recent viewing disappointment. I'm a bit of a Sherlock fangirl at the moment. :))

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  7. This movie has no appeal for me so I don't plan on watching it. Sherlock sounds much better.
    Seeing several movies this weekend!

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    1. looking forward to your reviews on said movies :)

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  8. Yes. This movie was really bad. Except for Mary Kate Olsen.ha She creeps me out anyway.

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    1. yeah, she was pretty creepy looking, deathly actually.

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  9. Oh my, Sherlock will not disappoint!

    I found Beastly pretty boring, but I don't fit their demographic at all.

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    1. I probably am their demographic and I still thought it sucked.

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  10. I haven't heard much about this movie. None of the usual stuff that would gain my interest, at least. You're breakdown - especially the part where the dad gives up his daughter as payment are you serious??? - kind of didn't help the situation but at least it's a good heads up.

    I'm still obsessing behind Hulk and "Puny God".

    Been told that I MUST watch this show called Scandal so that will be my next thing to catch.

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    1. well, remember it was supposed to be a modern re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, in which a man gives his daughter to the beast to help his family and said daughter agrees. But...well, let's just say the fairy tale and the Disney movie were way better. Way.

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  11. I held out high hopes for the movie, but I was disappointed. I'm glad I didn't shell out money for it (I saw it on cable). I love updates of classic stories, but this one stayed too close to the original in ways that just don't work today.

    I keep coming back to them. When they work, they're so much fun. (Syndey White comes to mind.)

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    1. I got it through Netflix but I was still hoping it might be fun. Oh well.

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  12. I have not heard of this movie. Did see the Avengers and LOVED it. Got to see it after a long day in the kitchen, and the movie was a perfect way to end the work day.

    As for your question on my blog ... yeppers. That is really how we paid for the computer. I kid you not, it was all money saved from couponing.

    Not too shabby.

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  13. Ooh! Love Sherlock! Season two was awesome! Love your new header!!

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  14. I've seen this on the DISH guide a couple of times, but never could get motivated enough to tune to it. Glad now that I didn't! :)

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  15. Yeah, I had to write an alternate ending after I watched it. That's how disappointed I was. If he'd actually looked like a beast, like in the book, it might have made more sense.

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  16. I have never even HEARD of this movie and I LOVE NPH. Oh well. I'll just forget I heard about it now.. :) Sherlock. Swoon... Seriously.

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