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Archives for : Chloe Grace Moretz

Movie Review: “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” Provides Solid Jokes in a Lackluster Story

Oh sequels…rarely are they ever better than the first.  And sadly, “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” falls right into this stereotype.
 
After loving “Neighbors,” it pains me to say that this sequel didn’t deliver the way I’d hoped. The first film was more than just a hilarious comedy. There was originality and relevance to the plot. New parents struggled to stay hip and young while maintaining adulthood. Young frat boys struggled to grow up and prepare for the real world. All this plus some of the best slapstick comedy I’ve seen in years.  Unfortunately, “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” basically uses the same template, but just switches a few things so that it may not be completely obvious that they are recycling material.
 
In “Neighbors 2” Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) have just found out they are pregnant with a second child. With the new baby on the way they decide to move to a better home. They soon buy a new house, and though they’ve got interested buyers for their old house, they must wait 30 days until deal is final. This allows the buyers to come by whenever they like and make sure everything with their potential new home is fine.
Seeing as the house next door has been empty since they got rid of the fraternity that lived there in the last film, there should be no problem…Oh but, wait!
 
Meet our new group of troublemakers: Shelby (Chloe Grace Moretz), Beth (Kiersey Clemons), and Nora (Beanie Feldstein). All three of these girls had planned to pledge an existing sorority. But when they find out that under national Greek rules sororities can’t throw parties and the all frat parties are sexist and degrading, they decide to create their own female empowered sorority! With the help of a former frat brother, Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron), these girls find their new home right next to Mac and Kelly.
 

As the girls begin to throw loud parties, Mac and Kelly think of new ways to once again get rid of their neighbors, essentially leading to the same plot.

Of course this time around with it being girls, we get to see how women handle a take down. This includes one of the most disgusting scenes involving used tampons.

To be fair, “Neighbors 2” has plenty of laughs, mostly thanks to Zac Efron. But it’s hardly enough to disguise a weak plot and a handful of forced jokes. At least in the previous film, I liked the fraternity. At some points I even rooted for them to succeed. They were funny and enjoyable to watch, which is the complete opposite of this group of girls. As talented as Chloe Grace Moretz is, this character had to be one of her worst. She comes off as a ditz, annoying, and unlikable. I would have much rather seen more of Teddy’s old frat brothers, Pete (Dave Franco), Garf (Jerrod Carmichael) and Scoonie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). It’s a shame we only get a brief “where are they now” moment with these guys.
 
Though there is a clear attempt at making this story different with a solid, original conclusion, you can’t help but just wish they had refrained from ever making this unnecessary sequel.

Rating: 2.5/5

“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” Trailer HD

Quick Review: “Dark Places”

DARK PLACES marks the second film adaptation of a Gillian Flynn novel. And no, it’s not a GONE GIRL sequel. This film just proves once again that Flynn knows how to capture her audience with intricate story-lines that keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Quick Review: “Laggies” Charms But Only Scratches the Surface of Its Alluring Premise

Director: Lynn Shelton

Writer: Andrea Seigel

Stars: Keira Knightley, Chloe Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell

In the throes of a quarter-life crisis, Megan (Keira Knightley) panics when her boyfriend proposes.  Taking an opportunity to escape for a week, she hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika (Chloe Grace Moretz), who lives with her world-weary single dad (Sam Rockwell).

“Laggies” tells a familiar tale of kids trying to grow up too fast, and adults trying to avoid growing up at all.

Moretz continues to appeal with her charismatic performances, while Knightley manages to transition from annoyingly naive to endearingly confused.  And Sam Rockwell, who is best known for playing the slacker (i.e. The Way, Way Back), takes on the role of a mature adult that’s pushing everyone else to grow up.

Overall “Laggies” is a cute film, especially during a time where the most intense Oscar baits are being released.  It is just frustrating when a story fails to reach its potential of being more than the typical “chick flick.”  Had the film dug a little deeper with Megan and explored the concept of why a woman is still acting like a child in a slightly more serious light, this movie could have been a real stand out.  Instead, “Laggies” chooses to be content with being a fun, yet average Rom-Com.

“Laggies” opens in theaters November 7.

 

Dallas: Win Passes to a Special Advanced Screening of “Laggies”

LAGGIES

Monday, October 27, 2014
7:30 PM
AMC NorthPark 15
8687 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75225

To enter and win passes for this screening you can either go to www.gofobo.com/rsvp and enter this code: TCFLIX7JT6

OR

Direct Link – http://l.gofobo.us/wmON9HAZ

Synopsis

Overeducated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarterlife crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind – while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their new grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart (Mark Webber) proposes, Megan panics and– given an unexpected opportunity to escape for a week – hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika’s world-weary single dad Craig (Sam Rockwell).

Lynn Shelton, whose unique directorial voice created such astutely observed comedies as YOUR SISTER’S SISTER and HUMPDAY, crafts a sweet, coming-of-age romantic comedy about three people who find their lives intertwined in the most unconventional way. Keira Knightley shines as Megan, a rare female slacker hero who shows us that while you never stop growing up, you can choose stop lagging, and start living on your terms.

OPENING DATE:          Opens in select theaters Friday, October 31, 2014

Rated R for language, some sexual material and teen partying.

Movie Review/Interview: “If I Stay”- An Adolescent Romantic Tear-Jerker

It’s no surprise that big studio production companies are quickly grabbing hold of the rights to as many young adult novels as they can.  The fan base is already there.  Give them a “best-seller” and a good looking lead, and you may just have the next Twilight or The Fault in Our Stars.

Tweens are thirsting for romance that they can live vicariously through, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s latest drama will quench every young girl’s desire.

If I Stay is an adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller.  The film centers on Mia Hall (Moretz), a straight-lace, gifted cellist who lives in Oregon with her ultra-hip parents, Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard), and her little brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies).  One day while Mia is practicing in school, Adam (Jamie Blackley), an up-and-coming rock star, passes by and it’s love at first listen.  Be warned now, if you’re in theater with any teenage girls, Adam will cause swooning and sighing.  The two go through a jagged relationship, proving that classical and rock doesn’t make for a smooth mix.

Priorities shift for Mia when she is invited to audition for Julliard but, her music and Adam become the least of her worries after a horrific car accident has caused her to fall into a coma. Anxious to know the fate of the rest of her family, Mia has an out of body experience. Her spirit roams the hospital halls and she eavesdrops on her loved ones as they try to cope and pray for her to make it through surgery.  As her future begins to be uncertain, Mia is faced with a choice.  She must decide if the life she’s waking up to is one worth living.

Call me a cheesy romantic, but I enjoyed this film.  I am fully aware the one liners, “I see you,” and “why me?” will have plenty of people rolling their eyes.  But there are certain qualities in a teenybopper romance that can always salvage the movie.  The key element is your lead.  Chloe Grace Moretz is a thriving young talent, and since I first saw her in 500 Days of Summer, she has only flourished in her career.  Whether it’s a success like Kick-Ass or a flop like Carrie, Moretz masterfully performs in all of her projects.

Of course, what’s love without believability?  Moretz and Blackley’s chemistry is hardly that of comparison to Hazel and Gus (The Fault in Our Stars), but it translates well here.  Mia and Adam’s relationship isn’t forced, we get to watch them grow as a couple and care for their story, a missing quality from many recent love stories.

There is more to If I Stay than just the romance.  The film also touches on how some people in your life don’t necessarily need to be blood related to be your family.  If I Stay may pull at your heartstrings and shed some tears, but think of this film as more of a “doesn’t-hurt-to-see” versus a “must-see.”

Rating: 3/5

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