Movie Review: Begin Again (2013)

Plot:A chance encounter between a disgraced music-business executive and a young singer-songwriter new to Manhattan turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.

Rating: 7.5/10

Everything about this movie just screams romantic comedy – the title, the posters, the plot, everything. It has Adam Levine in, and no one in their right mind would actually think Adam Levine in any movie could be a good idea – the man is obviously a talented singer, but his artistic capabilities obviously run towards being behind a mike and not in front of a camera.

Begin Again was such a solid, entertaining film to watch that I am surprised it didn’t get a whole lot more press when it was released. I am such a fan of Mark Ruffalo – he is a good, dependable actor that manages to develop his characters and make you believe in them. His character in here has so many problems – a career that is falling apart, a daughter who is acting out to catch the attention of her missing father, a wife who has lost all hope in him and his own alcohol addiction that is making his situation that much worse. When he meets Keira Knightley’s character, he is moved by her music and hopes to produce her, but, nursing her own heartbreak and having a fairly large amount of artistic arrogance about her art, there is a whole lot of dancing around each other before they settle on a really unique idea (watch the movie to find out what it is)

What a really liked was:

As mentioned, Mark Ruffalo. He is my favorite guy and I should give more effort into watching movies with him in.

Keira Knightley, who, for once, didn’t irate me and had (if it is her own), a really good singing voice.

Adam Levine: Not only was there a fair amount of teasing about how he succumbed to what the music industry expects from an artist, but he acted quite well. It is really interesting to see how clean cut he appears when you put him in some decent clothes and hide all those (fascinating) tattoos.

The score – I actually would really like it as part of my collection. The music is thoughtful, unique and sad.

The development and pacing of the plot, and the end. The end had me mildly annoyed and confused, but that has since cleared and I appreciate it now. The development is never really concerned with getting your approval and does what it wants, and the characters progress naturally throughout the movie that makes you understand them a bit better.

I am really happy and really surprised by the way the film worked out in the end. It was glorious to behold!

Have you seen Begin Again? What did you think?

May 23, 2016May 22, 2016 by Natasha Categories: Movies, movies, Review, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: Adam Levine, Begin Again, Hailee Seinfeldt, Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, movie, Movies, music, Reviews 2 Comments

March to May: Watched, Read, Loved

I was all over the place with this post , claiming that I would do some monthly rundowns. I was planning to, I really was, but as you know life is a busy little bastard and all you can do sometimes is hold on for dear life and hope not to fall off the wagon.

In Cinema:

I’ve been to cinema quite a lot the last couple of months. There were a few films I wanted to watch before the internet spoiled everything, and for the most part I walked out relatively pleased.

1. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice

The biggest problem with Batman vs. Superman? It lacked heart. Not all films should be lighthearted, but BvS had no comic relief and no passion – you need either of the two. I didn’t hate it though, but I do think that DC should have worked a little harder if they really plan to have a fighting chance in an environment so dominated by their biggest rivals.

2. The Huntsman: Winter’s War 

I will definitely watch this again – it is easy, comfortable watching, not necessarily great but it was quite fun. It also contains my husband, and that can’t be ignored!

3. The Jungle Book

Beautiful and charming, it impressed me with its gorgeous CGI and traditional storyline. Not my favorite Disney live action film, but it was good nonetheless. I am still the most excited for Beauty and the Beast next year. I CAN’T WAIT.

4. Captain America: Civil War

Woohoo!! This was so great! It probably deserves a higher score from me, because on reflection I had a blast with it.

At Home:

Blindspot:

March: Love Actually – it was OKAY. Not really my favourite romantic comedy and I won’t be watching it again.

April: Home Alone – not gonna lie, I hated this. I am way too old for this shit

May: Warrior Sooo good, but not something I’d recommend as a pick me up.

Other films:

Begin Again (2013) – I really enjoyed it! It is surprising and not really as close to a romcom as it might sound, and I especially enjoyed the track.

The Fast and The Furious (2001) – This way Throw Back was the best and entertaining. I had the best time even though it is as ridiculous, gawdy, a murky story line and terrible acting. It’s all about investing in the future films, you see.

Wild Child (2008) – Wild Child is a favorite movie of 2008 for me. It has everything – the teenage drama, the love story, the gorgeous hero, friendship, everything! I had to force myself not watching it again right after!

Series:

I’m rewatching The Vampire Diaries at the moment and having a complete and utter blast.  I stopped half way into Season two to focus on exams, but I am so onboard getting my ass to season 7 eventually! Can we just say #teamDamon all the way?!

Reading:

Last Chance Salloon (Marian Keyes) – hmmm, not my favorite Marian Keyes. It was good in some places but it took me ages to get through it – long, laborious reading.

Me Before You (JoJo Moyes) – surprising and good, well thought out, not overly sloppy.

The Welcoming (Nora Roberts) – for the life of me I can’t write a review on this for some reason. It is very bland, definitely some of Nora’s most basic work. It isn’t bad or offensive, just pretty tame and nearly put me to sleep in some places.

I finally finished Big Magic after months of searching for it! I’d love to read it again, with a highlighter and a note pad.

Currently also reading:

Evening Class by Maeve Binchy. – this book is a real drag, to be honest. I don’t get why the author is compared to the likes of Marian Keyes – Binchy writes books that make me fall fast asleep. I thought perhaps this book was different from the other one I read by her, but it is shockingly the same – the exact same format and story if you take away all the frills.

Collaboration:

I reviewed over on T9M’s site The Help (2011) – such an awesome flick!

I also reviewed for Kim and Drew‘s 80’s blogathon – When Harry Met Sally – what a great film, definitely worthy of a classic status.

What have you been up to?

May 20, 2016May 19, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2016, Life, Life Lately, UncategorizedTags: Alan Rickman, Alex Pettyfer, Anthony Mackie, Batman, Batman vs Superman, Begin Again, Ben Affleck, Bill Nighy, Billy Joel, Blindspot 2016, Books, Captain America: Civil War, Charlize Theron, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Colin Firth, Damon Salvatore, Don Cheadle, Emilia Clarke, Emma Roberts, Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Evening Class, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavil, Home Alone, Hugh Grant, Ian Somerhalder, Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, JoJo Moyes, Keira Knightley, Last Chance Saloon, Liam Neesn, Liam Neeson, Life, Life Lately, Love Actually, Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Mark Ruffalo, Martin Freeman, Martine McCutcheon, Me Before You, Meg Ryan, Michelle Rodriguez, monthly rundown, Nick Nolte, Paul Walker, Robert Downey Jnr, Rowan Atkinson, Sam Claflin, Sebastian Stan, The Fast and the Furious, The Help, The Huntsman: Winter's War, The Jungle Book, The Vampire Diaries, Tom Hardy, Viola Davis, Warrior, When Harry Met Sally, Wild Child 2 Comments