pinartarhan.com

Fun and comprehensive entertainment blog feat. movies, TV series, actors, movie-makers, music & books: 1980 - Present

  • Home
  • Hire Me
  • Books
  • Privacy Policy

Endless Love starring Alex Pettyfer & Gabriela Wilde – A Glass Half-Full Review

Posted on March 3, 2014 Written by ripitup

Share

Endless Love movie poster
Image via lastyearsgirl.pixlet.net

When you look at this romantic drama’s 6.7 rating on IMDB (by over 3,000 people), and the reviews/rants on its board, you’d think the fans rated a 10 because there aren’t many that speak favorably of the film. Or maybe they’re not just as vocal.

But since the movie has an abundance of bashing on its behalf including the book’s author (who of course has a right not to be happy with the result), I’m here to give the movie a break.

Because guess what? It’s nothing more or less than what the trailer suggests. A sweet, sexy (yes, somehow the movie manages to be both) love story with no surprises and mostly familiar actors (feat. Bruce Greenwood and Joely Richardson as the Wilde’s character’s parents.

The glass half-empty or the glass entirely empty review would go something like this:

It’s naive, clichéd and totally unrealistic (as in overly optimistic) flick that has nothing to new to offer. But then again, when that’s not the movie’s intention at all, why criticize it about it?

Because sometimes, let’s face it, some of us get in the mood for some easy watching. Something not-depressing (I’m still not tempted to watch Blue Valentine, despite its cast), something that offers pure escapism with beautiful scenery, pretty actors, a familiar love story and some easy-to-identify with problems. (Hands up if your dad or another family member totally didn’t get your choices or personality for a long time.)

But let’s take you over the plot, and then the relaxed review (that might offer some spoilers in its defense):

Jade is an introverted, beautiful girl who realizes that she hasn’t really made an impact on anyone’s life in high school. She was bookish, and was cocooned by her parents (especially her father) after the death of her older brother.

Endless Love
Image via theguardian.com

David (Alex Pettyfer) went to the same school, harboring a crush on Jade, but never quite acting on it. His dad is a loving mechanic, and David likes staying with him and helping out.

When they finally meet, it wakes up the free spirit in Jade, and they quickly become inseparable. Her mother and brother Keith (Rhys Wakefield) are happy that she’s venturing out into the world, while her father does everything he can to stop the relationship…

*

As I said, if you want originality, surprised, twists or refreshing dialogue, this is not your movie. That said, it’s not entirely without its own merits and additions to stereotypes:

–     The beautiful, rich girl is not bitchy, stupid or popular.

–     The poor boy is hot and nice enough. And he isn’t stupid.

–     None of the main characters has a deadly/incurable disease. Yes, the older brother has died of cancer, but since he is dead from the beginning, I’ll forgive him that.

–     Only one parent, from one side, is a jerk.

–    The soundtrack is decent.

–    The music festival and party dance games are a nice touch.

–     It’ light.

–     Did I mention none of the characters have Alzheimer’s? As much as it’s a tragic disease and a reality of life, sometimes you want to get away.

Watch the trailer. Adjust your expectations. And take off your movie critic hat. You might have a good time.

 

 More on Alex Pettyfer:

Magic Mike starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey & Cody Horn

Beastly starring Alex Pettyfer & Vanessa Hudgens

I Am Number Four starring Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer & Dianna Agron

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Alex Pettyfer, bruce greenwood, endless love, endless love 2014 movie, endless love alex pettyfer, endless love cast, endless love movie review, endless love plot, gabriela wilde, joely Richardson, rhys wakefield

In Time starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried & Cillain Murphy: Fast, Fun, Romantic

Posted on February 18, 2013 Written by ripitup

Share

In Time -Justin Timberlake- Amanda Seyfried
In Time starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried & Cillain Murphy. A 2011 film. Written & directed by Andrew Niccol. Image via northernarizonanews.com

 

Jerry Maguire might have had Dorothy Boyd from hello; Andrew Niccol got me from Gattaca. He then got me again with Lord of War, with bigger impact. And while Just in Time isn’t as painfully effective and emotionally disturbing as Lord of War or as highly rated as Gattaca,  it doesn’t lack in the entertainment department. It also has a lot to show about societies and human nature.

Let’s go over the plot before I list why it is good entertainment:

Will (Justin Timberlake) lives in a world where time is the only currency. Keep getting it, and you might as well be immortal. Unless someone kills you, you’re golden – if you are rich. Oh, and you stop aging at 25. One can argue that at least you get to die pretty regardless of how.

But just like in the world there are different classes classified as zones. One of the unluckiest is where Will has lived his whole life. His father has died when he was a kid, and it is just him and his mother (Olivia Wilde) working hard, barely making through each day.

But when, in a twist of fate, Will saves the life of the suicidal rich (and old) man Henry Hamilton (Matt Bomer), he awards him his time. Unfortunately, his mother dies, which sends Will on a quest of revenge instead of living a happy, long life with his mom.

He does, however, enjoy a few perks before he can figure out a plan, including having met and attracted the beautiful & rebellious daughter, Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried), of the wealthy Peter Weis (Vincent Kartheiser). But before he gets to live life to the fullest for a little more, the time-keepers are on to him-thinking he has murdered Henry.

Time-keepers are the cops of this world, ensuring the balance. Unfortunately, led by Raymond Leon (Cillian Murphy), they are more concerned about the balance than justice. Making it his sole mission to catch Will, he leaves the young man no choice but to go on the run, taking Sylvia hostage.

While Sylvia hates her situation at first, she teams up with Will when she realizes that he only wants to live a normal (mortal) life and help out as many under-privileged and overworked people as he can.

But unfortunately, Raymond isn’t their only obstacle: “crime” boss Fortis (Alex Pettyfer) is after them, hell-bent on getting the reward put on their heads…

The good, and the better

For an action/sci-fi film with romantic elements, it is not a shallow ride at all. This is not Fast and Furious (though I do appreciate that series’ entertainment value). It tackles immortality, unfair distribution of income, friendship, morality, doing things by the book vs. doing the right thing, greed, love and beyond. It just does it at a satisfying speed, with enough decent one-liners and a good cast.

Who doesn’t want to be immortal, stuck at the beautiful (apparent) age of 25? I know I would. I also wouldn’t mind stopping aging now at 28, or 10,20,30 years later.  The issue here is how you get the “immortality”. You have as many years as your money can afford. Sure, you can die if someone kills you or you kill yourself. But watch your diet and you’re golden. But would you want to earn those years through the lives of others?

Everyone automatically gets a year after 25. Work, steal, borrow…if you can’t collect time one way or the other, you are dead as soon as time runs out.

The rich are afraid to be reckless and impulsive. The poor barely see the next day. It’s unfair, just like the real world. Money can’t buy happiness (for some), but it sure improves your living conditions.

Crime rate is higher in the ghettos, and the rich are well-protected.

It’s a little look into our world, with a twist on our genetics and the replacement currency.

Niccol is great at looking into human nature, and combining a few different natures in his films. He gives us the good, the bad and the grey (Timekeeper Raymond, Will’s best friend). He can shock and entertain as much as he wants. He doesn’t have a problem a set of famous and capable actors.

Yes, I loved Lord of War, despite it was an emotionally disturbing and thought-provoking experience. I loved Gattaca for it was a great sci-fi with substance about how far we can go with genetics and In Time is the movie to remind you that you don’t have forever. But even if you could, you need to be able to more than just breathe and look nice to feel alive.

I want to see it again, but I’m torn. Maybe I should cash in those 109 minutes for a different experience. I mean I don’t live forever right?

 

Share

Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Alex Pettyfer, Amanda Seyfried, andrew niccol, Cillain Murphy, gattaca, In time, in time 2011 movie, in time cast, in time movie, in time movie review, justin timberalake in time, justin timberlake, lord of war, matt bomer, vincent kartheiser

Magic Mike starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey & Cody Horn

Posted on November 4, 2012 Written by ripitup

Share

 
Magic-Mike-Movie-Poster
Image via seat42f.com.

Loosely based on Channing Tatum’s year as a stripper, Magic Mike tells the story of a star stripper (Channing Tatum), trying to build a different future for himself while not being quite able to stay away from the fun his profession comes with: lots of cash, easy pretty women and great parties. But he doesn’t question his choices more than he has to until he meets Brooke (Cody Horn), the older sister of Adam (Alex Pettyfer), their newest stripper. She isn’t happy with her carefree brother’s job, but he seems to be having a blast, and Mike promises to take care of him.

Of course in between trying to teach Adam the ropes, dealing with his own life crisis, keeping his promise to Brooke and his attraction towards her…he just might be in over his head.

Magic Mike is a Steven Soderbergh movie. And even though it might not seem so from the subject matter or the trailer, it is typically him-from the camera angles to the pace, from the characters that start to grow on you to the scenes you find yourself laughing along with, despite yourself.

Granted, it is lighter than Erin Brockovich or Sex, Lies and Videotape- but to me, it carries more substance than the Ocean’s series. For some reason, despite the allure of the cast, and having been somewhat entertained, I was just not that into them. And while Magic Mike has way too many stripping scenes, it comes with the territory-and it is efficiently used for laughs.

I have to confess that I’m a straight girl who finds Channing Tatum really attractive, and looking at Matt Bomer or Matthew McConaughey didn’t hurt. But pushing dollars into men’s g-strings while they give you lap dances or fake-hump you… It’s not my scene, and I’d rather women went into clubs and hook up with strangers rather than watching strippers and sleeping with them later. Yep, I am not a fan of men going to strip clubs either.

Though I have to say, Magic Mike’s stripping scenes carry theatrics, decoration and a good set of laughs-so I have a feeling straight men with open minds will have a better time with watching them than women would have watching movies’ women stripping scenes where it is just about….getting naked.

But it is definitely easy to relate to Brooke’s attitude towards Mike- her not flirting with him or not being ready to offer more than a cautious friendship. As charming and likeable he is, his profession? Not a turn on. Not for your normal girl that preferred her boyfriend got naked just for her, that is.

All in all, Magic Mike is a fun dramedy, and if anything, you should be impressed by this Soderbergh effort shot with 7 million dollars and made about $100 million more than that. You might complain that there is too much stripping, or there are scenes that contrast the happy-go-lucky/the ultimate male fantasy nature (women/cash/parties-all the time), but that is exactly the point.

And hey, McConaughey couldn’t have been further away from his romantic comedy roles, and Tatum is endearingly natural. Pettyfer proves that he really can act. Matt Bomer? Sorry, but he just serves as a pretty ornament. But he couldn’t have been bored shooting this movie…

 

Other Channing Tatum Movies

 The Vow starring Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams and Jessica Lange

21 Jump Street starring Channing Tatum & Jonah Hill: A Silly Yet Funny Ride

Also on Matthew McConaughey

The Lincoln Lawyer starring Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei & Ryan Phillippe

Matthew McConaughey : Wanna see him act? I have the movie for you…

Sex and The City TV Series – guest appearances feat. Matthew McConaughey

Share

Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Alex Pettyfer, channing tatum, channing tatum magic mike, Cody Horn, comedy, drama, Magic Mike, magic mike cast, magic mike channing tatum, magic mike movie, matt bomer, Matthew McConaughey, movies, Steven Soderbergh, steven soderbergh magic mike

Beastly starring Alex Pettyfer & Vanessa Hudgens

Posted on May 13, 2011 Written by ripitup

Share

Beastly starring Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Mary-Kate Olsen & Neil Patrick Harris
Beastly starring Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Mary-Kate Olsen & Neil Patrick Harris. 3.bp.blogspot.com

 

High school student Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) has everything he cares about: looks, money & popularity. He believes that looks are everything, and ugly people don’t really stand a chance about anything, a belief that his less than superficial, famous news anchor dad taught him.

But things stop being perfect for Kyle the moment he pisses off the wrong “loser” – the witch Mary-Kate Olsen). She casts a spell on him that is his ultimate nightmare: she takes away her looks, and makes him look as “good” his soul. So now Kyle simply looks gruesome. His dad tries to fix his appearance, and when he fails, he buys a remote apartment building for Kyle to be away from the public eye. The “promise” is that he will meet Kyle whenever he can. Of course his father misses every scheduled date until Kyle realizes that he doesn’t have anyone, apart from the Jamaican maid (Rebecca Gay Hamilton) whom he previously treated like crap, and the blind tutor (Neil Patrick Harris) his father hires to stay with them.

The good news is, the spell is reversible. Kyle needs to find someone who will love him for who he is, despite his looks, and will say “I Love You” before the year is over, or he will stay ugly forever.

And there is one person Kyle really would love to these words from: the pretty, but not-so-popular  Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) who he had briefly interacted with before the spell.  Because of her father’s drug addiction and the current trouble he gets into, Kyle persuades her dad to let Lindy stay with Kyle.

According to the story his dad feeds her, Kyle’s name is Hunter- and his dad is an old friend of her dad. As Kyle remains determined not to show his face and tries to buy her happiness, she hates the situation more and more. But Kyle learns that she doesn’t care about money, and couldn’t have cared less about how awful he looks.  As he tries more and more to make her happy, and becomes a nicer guy in general, he really falls for her. But will she fall for him in time?

**

A modern twist on The Beauty & the Beast, Beastly takes your typical high school jerk and gives him the lesson of his life after a “supernatural” event. Adapted for the screen (and directed) by Daniel Barnz (from the book Beastly by Alex Flinn), is an enjoyable film. Yes, it is light and cheesy. Yes, there are many things that could have been better. But 4.8 on IMDB? Let’s be fair. Many of the movie’s faults come from the faults of the original story – with all the lessons the beast learns, we still get a guy fall for the pretty girl. But hey, guys like pretty girls so let’s get over that.

It’d have made for a better overall moral lesson if the girl had been plainer, at least along the lines of Elizabeth Bennet (in the story/movie/series of Pride and Prejudice). It would have been better if the producers made Alex Pettyfer take off his shirt less after the spell was cast. But overall, this is a fun movie about a guy who doesn’t just experience being ugly, but he gets to learn to like and respect people regardless of their looks. He learns that looks don’t necessarily grant you love. He learns to care about others. He learns that it is so much more meaningful to build a greenhouse from scratch than go hire a landscape architect to make one for him.

It’s not goose bumps and fireworks. It’s simple good time, better enjoyed when you don’t analyze or expect too much.

It certainly isn’t ghastly, as one reviewer calls the movie. It’s just enjoyable fluff.

Recommended Romance Movies (also with Fantasy Elements)

Just Like Heaven starring Reese Witherspoon & Mark Ruffalo

( the girl goes into a coma, and only one guy can hear and see her)

 

Forever Young starring Mel Gibson, Jamie Lee Curtis & Elijah Wood

(the guy is frozen so that he won’t live to watch his girlfriend die, but he wakes up 50 years later as opposed to a couple).

 

Also on Alex Pettyfer:

I’m Number Four starring Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Diana Agron & Teresa Palmer


Share

Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: alex flinn, Alex Pettyfer, beastly, beastly book, beastly cast, beastly movie, daniel barnz, Mary-Kate Olsen, movies, romance, the beauty and the beast, Vanessa Hudgens

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

In the mood for a fun romcom novel?

Copyright © 2025 · Focus Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT