Best of 2014...brought to you in 2015

Hello everyone and welcome to the first blog of 2015!  Happy New Year’s Day everyone!  My name is TheCinemaChick but you knew that already.  I’m sorry this was not written and posted earlier but it seems that a severe cold that I had for 2 weeks has come back with a vengeance.  I lost my voice due to a very sore and swollen throat.  However, I will get through this so you can learn what my top 14 of 2014 are.  You've seen the worst, so now it’s time for the best.

Let’s just jump right into it, shall we?

                Before I begin, I’ like to say that I saw a grand total of 45 films this year.  Two of them I will never speak of again because they were quite disgusting.  Overall, I’d call 2014 a good year.  It was great but it wasn't horrible, it was more in between.

                And now, in no particular order:

1.       12 Years a Slave

This one was just rough.  I wasn’t sure if I could even finish it at some points but the story was just amazing.  It deserved all the awards it got and it brought us Lupita Nyong'o.  I’m telling you, she’s going to be huge in the future.  If you can get through the stomach churning scenes of torture and the uneasiness of the blatant racism that took place in that time, I definitely recommend it.  The entire cast puts forth an outstanding performance and this film should be marked as one of the greatest movies in recent history.

2.       Saving Mr. Banks

I honestly didn't expect to like this one.  It’s a nice, light story about the woman who wrote “Mary Poppins” and how that story came into being.  Tom Hanks dazzles as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson really captured P.L. Travers’ personality.  I think this would be a great movie for the whole family.  It’s clean, it’s wholesome, even if there is a few scenes with smoking and a few scenes that some may find disturbing.

3.       Godzilla

I’m not a huge fan of this franchise but I was interested in seeing this reboot.  After seeing the older one with Matthew Broderick, my hopes were not high on this one.  However, the acting was top notch and the music was absolute perfection.  In my original review, I raved about how the score successfully set the tone for the entire film and I stand by that.  It’s definitely worth a watch but I think it needs more Bryan Cranston.

4.       A Million ways to Die in the West

I am so embarrassed to like this one.  It’s rude, it’s crass, it’s disgusting but it’s so funny.  I laughed so hard and I have watched it several times since.  You’ll feel bad for liking it but it is just so funny.  And then there’s Neil Patrick Harris…he’s going to pop up in this list again…I seriously hate myself for living this movie so much.

5.       Begin Again

This movie wasn’t anything spectacular.  It was a love story about a broken hearted girl and her rock star boyfriend.  I wasn’t wowed by it, but I will say this.  I have a new found respect Keira Knightley.  She sings all the songs on the soundtrack and she’s good.  True, she’s not spectacular but I adored her voice.  It’s so soft, so dainty but the lyrics packed a punch.  It was a nice, refreshing movie, a break from the over hyped, big budget stuff that had come out.  I enjoyed it and again, I recommend giving it a look.

6.       Guardians of the Galaxy

Who didn’t love this one?  It’s by far not my favorite Marvel film.  That honor goes to the Thor franchise because I love the visual effects and settings.  Sorry, but Asgard still leaves me in awe when I see it.  But this one seemed like a more down home kind of adventure.  I know, no one’s seeking out a mystical orb with an infinity stone, but the characters were relateable.  Gamora had an overbearing father and wicked sister, Peter Quill was a thief trying to earn a buck and Drax wanted revenge on the man who killed his family.  They were the last people you’d expect to work together and it just came together.  I do look forward to the sequel and hopefully more Rocket.  And remember, I am Groot.

Also, Lee Pace.

7.       In Your Eyes

This one is on Netflix as we speak.  Go watch the most original love story I have ever seen and I loathe and abhor romance movies.  Joss Whedon, you are an amazing man for giving us this beautiful film.

8.       Chef

I loved how fast paced the food scenes were.  Overall, it was just fun to watch and it made me want to learn how to cook the Latin foods I saw.  It was also so cool to see the cross country road trip to learn about the nation’s cuisine.  The father-son relationship felt very natural, which made the film more enjoyable.  Nothing felt forced and it all just flowed organically.  True, I still don’t like Sofia Vergara because I think she is overexposed (in many senses of the word) and she’s too flamboyant.  Having seen her role on television and this one, they seemed identical: a whiny wife.  She’s the only thing that detracted from the movie.

9.       Into The Woods

I won’t go into too much detail since I did post my review a few days ago.  The music, the atmosphere, the casting, all perfection.  It drags at times and the plot gets a little muddled and the entire third act feels tacked on but I still enjoyed.  Meryl Streep, I envy your acting and singing skills now.

10.   Gone Girl

This movie was so creepy.  I’d read the book so I knew what to expect but seeing it on screen was so much more intense.  The amount of time and effort Amy put into faking her own death and vanishing is astounding.  I genuinely hated her at the end.  I felt so sorry for the people’s lives she ruined.  Neil Patrick Harris was great as the oblivious but supportive ex who tries to help Amy out but he has a horrible fate.  Seriously, Neil Patrick Harris can do no wrong.

11.   Frankenstein

Honestly, I wasn't even sure if this one counted since it was a re-broadcast of a live play from Britain.  Then I figured, well, I saw in a movie theater.  Benedict Cumberbatch played The Monster and he nailed it.  That play…I wish it was on DVD because I do want to see this over and over.  I also want to see it again because of the alternate casting.  Cumberbatch, along with Johnny Lee Miller, switched roles so they both played Frankenstein and his Creation.  If you get the chance to see it, jump on it.

12.   Big Hero 6

I loved this movie.  It was a beautiful blending of California and Japanese culture.  The ending caught me by surprise and almost had be in tears.  It was sweet at times and the main characters were awesome.  Believe it or not, this is based on a Marvel comic so there is a Stan Lee cameo.  There is also an end credit scene which was both hilarious and slightly gross.  It’s meant for children but there are some dark moments mixed ink, so it works for everyone.  Use your own discretion on this one.

13.   Penguins of Madagascar

It was really mediocre but there is some awesome wordplay in the film.  The puns are so bad it hurts but I still laughed at them.  Plus, penguins.

14.   The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Let me start by saying, this was my least favorite film of the trio.  It was jumbled, overrun with bad CGI and personally I think it was just bloated.  The battles themselves were exciting but the film focused more on everyone being mad at Thorin, who’s going insane looking for the Arkenstone.  I wasn't satisfied and it left me wanting more.  The Tauriel-Kili love story feels so forced that I wish she have never been brought on.  I can’t hate a Tolkien film.  It could have been trimmed down a bit and been improved.  The death scenes were heartbreaking and when Thranduil fights, it’s quite breathtaking.

Also, Lee Pace.

That’s all for 2014!  There’s a bunch of new films coming out in 2015 that I am dying to see.  You know me, I’d never miss a Marvel movie, so you know I will be one of the first in line to see the new Avengers film.  I’m also super excited to see Pitch Perfect 2, Mad Max, Jupiter Ascending, the live action Cinderella and Pan.  The list could go on and on, trust me.  There is 12 months of movies to see and I’m just one girl who wants to see them all.

I hope you all stick with me in this new year of adventure, action, horror and comedy as I will do my best to bring you all the reviews I can.  We’re in this for the long haul, guys and gals.

I’m TheCinemaChick and I am quite possibly medicated for my horrible cold.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

 What's up everyone, I'm the only and possibly only film critic you know as TheCinemaChick and I've got some good news and bad news. The good news is that I have seen the newest Captain America film, so that's what I'll be talking about in this review with minimal spoilers. The bad news is that I will not be reviewing “Noah”.


Let me explain. First and foremost, I am not comfortable discussing religious matters because everyone's opinion is different. I might inadvertantly offend a reader, which I assure you, is not my intention in any way shape or form. Second, because there are many interpretations of how this story happened, there's a chance I will offend again. And finally, after speaking with several people, I have come to the conclusion that this movie is so wrong that it's out of my league. I know the story of Noah but this...pretty much the only accurate thing about it was Noah's name and that he had an ark.


Here is a brief list of things I find wrong about “Noah” (potential spoilers):

• the stone angels that look like a cross between the Ents from Lord of the Rings and prehistoric Transformers
  
• implied incest
  
• possible cannibalism (I'm not sure on this one. The scene was short but I'm fairly certain someone was carried off and killed for meat.)
  
• sexual innuendo (Methuselah makes several comments about “picking berries”)
  
• actual sex
  
• Russell Crowe playing a Biblical character
  

I have discussed that list with three people, two of which I have had serious religious discussions with before. They all agreed that the movie makes a great drama but if you want to see an accurate story about the Bible, this is not it. Skip this one and check out “The Ten Commandments” instead.


Now, let's move on to a far more positive subject. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” hits theaters today and I can say in all honesty, this one needs to be seen. Every Marvel fan should see it. Because of the new found popularity in 8 PM showings the day before release (what's up with that?), I saw it in a double feature last night, along with the first in the series. Let me go on record saying that the first one is not my favorite movie. It's pure exposition with very little action so for me, I find it almost painfully slow. It's just a huge setup for “The Avengers”, where he gets a chance to shine. Even then, he wasn't my favorite character because he was so “apple pie, all American good boy” and he never really strayed from that.


Fortunately, that changes in “The Winter Soldier”. Steve Rogers (still played by Chris Evans) is still that good old boy you love but when the action starts, he becomes hardened, a little darker. Needless to say, I finally see the why women think Captain America is so attractive. I like that his character has a little more depth to him. He's more relateable and less...perfect. Even better, he's got a sense of humor. Steve is no longer this lost little puppy trying to get by. It's good to see that he's better adjusted to the times and he's learned the wonders of the internet. I like seeing his progress, but that he's also still catching up. It's sort of cute.


If you've seen the previews, you know something big is going to happen in this film. You know that Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) returns and that we have the introduction of a new villain, The Winter Soldier. I won't spoil who it is for you but come on...it's really obvious. IMDB tells you who it is and the name itself should be a clue. Winter Solider...hmm...what could that mean...I won't tell you who it is. I'll leave that to you to discover. While I'm on the topic, the reveal is both awesome and heartbreaking. When Steve realizes who his enemy is...you just want to hug him and give him a cookie.


**Semi-spoiler: If you haven't seen the first “Captain America” OR “The Avengers” (and if you haven't, why haven't you?) DO NOT see “The Winter Soldier”! There are connections you will not be able to make if you haven't seen the previous two films. Trust me on this one guys. You MUST see those before seeing this one.**


Also, if you've seen the previews, you know that someone dies. I won't say who but keep one thing in mind...not everything is as it seems. That becomes a highly important thing to consider about halfway through the film.


Let's go into what I didn't like because surprisingly, there aren't that many things I hated. Like with many Marvel films, it takes a little while for the action to get started and the first act does drag by a little. There are some really lame jokes, a lot of comments about Steve's love life and other little things that don't seem to fit in. It's ok, it adds some light touches to a film that gets increasingly darker but it just gets old fast. Some of the effects didn't wow me like I had hoped and here's a huge question I have. Where the hell are the Avengers? I mean, I'm sure Tony Stark or Bruce Banner can spare some time to help Steve.


They're all a part of SHIELD, right? Even though things get really tangled (again, spoilers if I say how), surely Tony or Bruce could spare a few days to lend a hand. Hell, Thor could help out since he's on Earth now. And no, that's not a spoiler since “Thor: The Dark World” has been out since November is currently on DVD and Blu-Ray. I have a digital copy. But even then, why couldn't the other Avengers step in and help a little? I get that this is Steve's movie, but Natasha is present throughout. Why shouldn't his friends get a little action in this one? There's only one brief mention of the Avengers that you can't miss.


Also, don't forget to be on the look out for Stan Lee's cameo.


The film is roughly two hours and fifteen minutes long, which, in some cases, feels like an eternity. In this case, it feels like it's maybe half that. Even with the first act being a bit sluggish, the second and third act increase in intensity to the point where you are so absorbed in the story that you don't notice the time. The film creates an atmosphere of mistrust, danger, mystery and fear. They emphasize the idea of disbelief. Who can you trust? Who is your friend? Are you really safe when you're in your own home?


I honestly really enjoyed this film. Fry and I were guessing the entire time, trying to figure out, who was behind the whole thing, who did what and just what would happen. For the most part, we were wrong. We enjoyed the little twists and turns the film presented us with. The final confrontation had both of us on the edges of our seats, even if we basically knew what would happen. The characters are enjoyable, especially the addition of The Falcon or Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). He adds some humor and he seems to get along really well with Steve Rodgers. In fact, Mackie and Evans had great chemistry, like they're best friends off screen and this was just an extension of that.


Hey Marvel...please bring Sam Wilson back. Don't let his story be over yet.


And, as with every Marvel film, there is a post credit scene. Actually, there are two, post credit and mid credit. The post credit scene is really vague and possibly sets up for a spin off movie. I'm not sure if it was a happy, sad or angry scene but...if it does become a separate movie, I'd like to see it. The mid credit scene...oh my goodness, I was so excited to see it. This sets up the story for the next Avengers film. It features two very important (and somewhat controversial because of the casting choice...I'll get to that in a moment) characters that will play a huge part in upcoming movies. No matter what, stay for the credits!


About the casting controversy...in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Evan Peters plays him and people are not happy about that. They also hate his character design, which I don't see a problem with. HOWEVER, in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he's played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. I'm kind of wondering how this is going two work out. Now I'm really curious...


I'm not going to lie, I loved “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and recommend it to anyone who's interested. Remember, you need to see the previous two films in order to understand some things in this one. The story gets really intense at some points and it really gets you hooked. It's already taken in over seventy five million in box office revenue overseas and I'm confident in saying that this weekend alone, it will take in over thirty million domestic.


What's next on my list? I have no idea! Perhaps I'll tackle an issue I've just noticed about the Marvel movieverse. Maybe I'll go into a “Back to Basics” and take a look st some of my favorite films. I know Kit Kat and I are planning on writing a Trailer Trash together where we look at the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer. After that...I still don't know. I'd like to see Oculus, the paranormal thriller starring Karen Gillan better known as Amy Pond. By the way, she is a very tall woman. She's also really sweet and I'm glad she came out to the Dallas Sci Fi Expo.


Speaking of conventions...the Dallas Comic Con is approaching and guess who's coming? Stan Freaking Lee is coming! THE STAN LEE! And I splurged on a Premium ticket so I have all the perks and privileges that come with it, including a VIP lounge.


I would also like to announce that this will be my final con. The prices are shot up, cosplays take a lot of time and money and honestly, it's no longer worth it. When I get the chance, I will attend the San Francisco Comic Con, the penultimate con for all nerds like me. Other than that, consider this my retirement from cosplay. I had fun and I will miss it, but again...the costs aren't worth it anymore. If I'm ever invited to be a media guest because I'm a blogger and I do podcasts, I think I could qualify. Don't worry guys, I'll add a link to the podcasts so you can enjoy them too.



I'm TheCinemaChick and look for me in the upcoming Avengers. I'll save the world with my super snark powers.

Stoker

 What's up guys? I'm the girl who seriously needs a hobby, TheCinemaChick. I check out all the weird, indie, underground, hipster films, along with the big budget blockbusters. My last review was a lesbian coming of age story set in France. So what could I possibly be looking at this time? Well...this one is less sexually explicit but a lot more...weird. You'll see when I post my warnings for this one.


Also, briefly, if I get a little off topic or ramble on and on, I sincerely apologize. I have a nerve condition and it causes me a huge amount of pain. As of right now, I have taken a very strong painkiller, so I tend to get a little wordy. On the plus side, that should make things a lot more interesting.


**Warning: This film involves murder, sex, rape and implied incest. It's not graphic but most of it does happen on screen. I will try not to get into too much detail but I like to give a heads up when I have touchy topics.**


Now, let's discuss the movie “Stoker”. It has nothing to do with Bram Stoker, the original Dracula though that was an inspiration for this story. To my surprise, the screenplay was written by Wentworth Miller. If you don't know who he is, he was a breakout actor in the TV show “Prison Break”. He's also famous for being an openly gay man in Hollywood, which I respect. I had no idea he had such amazing talent when it came to writing. I am impressed with his skills and if he writes something else and has it adapted to film, I will gladly watch it.


“Stoker” is definitely not for everyone. It's weird, it's creepy and it's twisted. As I mentioned in the warning, there is some implied incest. I'll get to that in a bit. See, it starts off with India (Mia Wasikowska) and it's her eighteenth birthday. Her world is shattered when she learns her father has died in a tragic car accident. Her uncle Charlie shows up under mysterious circumstances. So, India and her mentally unstable mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) let weird uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) stay with them. I'll explain why he's weird in a bit.


So, strange things start happening. The caretaker Mrs. Garrick and Aunt Gwendolyn suddenly disappear. India later finds Mrs. Garrick in the basement freezer when she goes to get some ice cream. India is a really smart kid and realizes Charlie is a killer but does nothing about it. She just keeps this to herself. Things take a turn when she stabs a class mate in the hand with a pencil and another boy, named Whip takes an interest in her. Back at home, India sees her mother and and her uncle getting a little too close. This upsets her so she goes to a nearby diner. Whip happens to be there and they go into the forest to make out.


Why is there always a conveniently placed forest in the movies? Also, how come when someone goes into said forest, you know something bad's going to happen? It's like one of the worst cliches ever when it comes to a thriller. Ok, moving on. So India has a change of heart, bites Whip and tries to run away. Well, it seems Whip isn't happy with this and tries to take advantage of her. Fortunately, creepy uncle Charlie happens to show up and save her. He takes his belt and manages to break the young man's neck. The freaky part: Whip is laying on top of India when his neck snaps backwards. They bury the body in the garden, which in itself is disturbing. There are several round boulders that seem out of place but this is when we find out it's a graveyard. All of the rocks are over murdered people, including Aunt Gwendolyn and now Whip.


Now, if you don't want to read this part, I won't blame you. It gets a little...wrong. Once all that is taken care of, we get a scene of India in the shower. This is her sexual awakening. As she washes off the dirt from burying a body, she remembers the way Whip died and she becomes aroused by this. I'm not kidding. The thought of his neck getting snapped turns her on so much that she masturbates to the point of orgasm. I was extremely uneasy at this point.


India soon finds out that stalker uncle Charlie had been in a mental institution until her eighteenth birthday. When he was released, her father Richard, offered Charlie money, a car and an apartment in New York in exchange for staying away from his family. Furious, Charlie kills Richard by bludgeoning him then staging the car accident. Why was he locked away, you might ask. Because it turns out there was another uncle. It seems there were three brothers, Richard, Charlie and Johnathan. Out of envy, Charlie kills Johnathan by burying him alive. Seriously, this murder was all because he was jealous. And that, dear readers, is why he is creepy uncle Charlie.


So, as any normal human being would react, India is horrified. She is repulsed and angry to learn that the man she has gotten so close to is the reason she's lost her father. I should also mention that she was very close to her father. The following day, Sheriff Howard swings by, asking if she knows anything about Whips whereabouts since he's been reported missing. Charlie covers for India and apparently, she completely forgives him. They get close, like far too close. This is where the implied incest comes in. It never states that something happened between them or not, but it's obvious there is a sexual attraction between them. It comes to a head when Charlie takes off her old saddle shoes and slips a pair of high heels on her feet. I'm not sure how that's sexual but if you watch the movie, it makes sense.


However, Evelyn, who really isn't present much during the film, finally catches on. And she's furious. I wouldn't blame her. If my brother in law was coming on to my daughter, I'd be upset too. But then it gets really weird again. Evelyn goes off on India, telling her that she hopes she suffers. Then she starts getting intimate with Charlie. If there's one thing I've learned from this film so far, it's this. DON'T BE ALONE WITH CREEPY UNCLE CHARLIE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!
Well, he tries to strangle her. Luckily, India is a good shot and Charlie gets shot in the neck. She and Evelyn bury him and it seems the movie is over.


Nope.


India takes the car Charlie had and decides to leave for New York. Sheriff Howard pulls her over for speeding. She says she was hoping to get his attention then stabs him in the neck with garden shears. He stumbles into what I assumed was a wheat field but she simply gets her shot gun and follows him.


This movie is not for everyone. In fact, I don't recommend it unless you can handle intense thrillers with taboo undertones. I was highly uncomfortable throughout a good portions of the film and I genuinely wanted it to be over. Don't get me wrong, Mia Wasikowski is an amazing actor and she is incredible in “Stoker”. The entire cast was wonderful. The script was perfect. It's another one of those films I don't want to sit through again but it was worth seeing. There's something about the vaguely macabre look to it that drew me in.


It explores the taboo side of life without going overboard with it. I liked how it captured the essence of a dysfunctional family by showing how cold Evelyn and India could be towards each other. Evelyn genuinely wanted her daughter to suffer and India at one point ripped out some of her mother's hair. Charlie is a constant menace, providing a source of tension throughout the entire film. Overall, I love the Hitchcock feel it has and while the content is unsettling, it's presented in a really good manner. If you think you can get through this, go for it. It's not action packed, it's not super exciting but it's constantly eerie. The mystery surrounding creepy uncle Charlie will draw you in and keep you guessing until the end. Unless you read this then watch it. In that case, I've spoiled the entire movie for you and you have no need to sit through it now.



I'm TheCinemaChick and I might be located in your town at this very moment.

Disconnected

 Hello everyone, I'm your friendly neighborhood absentee film critic, TheCinemaChick! I know, I know, I promised I'd stop being such a slacker but you know...things happen and I slack off. Well, it's not like I just decided to stop doing this. I'm taking a class (yes, the same class, no snarky remarks please) so that's eating up a huge portion of my time. I've also begun working out, which is actually turning out to be something I'm enjoying. And, lets see...I've been working on another blog, Curves, Chicks and Clothes, which is about fashion and self image. Also, you know...boys. Yes, boys again. And once again, it's a younger guy. Since I prefer anonymity (which is ironic since I've made vlogs before), I'm not going to talk about them. And in case you're wondering, no, I am not dating multiple boys, I just happen to have two in my life. Before you tell me I'm a hypocrite, one of them is my little nephew. He and I have an attachment.

Plus...I've just been really depressed about my mom again. I was ok for a while, but something in me changed and I'm just always sad about her. Like, I went shopping with Fry last night and there were a ton of mother's day cards and gifts. One sign said “Don't forget Mom this Mother's Day”. I know it's designed to be universal but it still felt like a punch in the chest.

Needless to say, I am not over her death.

Enough of my wonderfully depressing personal life. Let's move on to the real reason you (hopefully) still click on this blog. You want to know about movies. And today, I have one that I actually saw several months ago. However, due to a contractual obligation, I was not allowed to talk about it until its official release, which was on April 12. I have been dying to review this one guys. I seriously loved it. Fry didn't care for it, but we are quite different.

I was invited to an early showing of this film, so it was a rough cut. Almost no music, no sound effects, some minor editing errors, things of that nature. Even though it wasn't the final draft, I still loved it because it is very relatable.

Ladies, gentleman, nerds...everyone, let's discuss the limited release film, “Disconnect”.

Don't worry if you've never heard of this film because very few people have. It doesn't have much star power in it, but it's not the actors you should be seeing it for. “Disconnect” is three stories that are sort of intertwined and they are all about the negative impact technology has had on our lives. While I do realize the irony of discussing this while using a blog that you read on a computer, I still see how some people can see how it is a problem. Let me explain the three stories and you'll get a better sense of what I'm talking about.

Alexander Skarsgard and Paula Patton play the married couple Derek and Cindy Hull. They have lost a sense of intimacy since the loss of their child. Derek spends his time gambling online while Cindy becomes involved in a chat room. Both of them are shocked when they suddenly have no money. After hiring a private detective, they learn the potential thief is in a neighboring city so they decide to confront him. When they learn he too was a victim, they have to reevaluate their plans.

Rich and Lydia Boyd (played by Jason Bateman and Hope Davis) are living in two separate worlds. He is a lawyer who spends more time on his phone than with his children while she is trying to bring the family together. Abby and Ben (Haley Ramm and Jonah Bobo) are typical teenagers. Abby loves being around her friends and texting while Ben is an introverted musician. Life gets turned upside down when two of Ben's class mates decide to torment him, leading to a revealing photo of Ben being sent to everyone in school. Humiliated, he attempts suicide, but Abby finds him and saves him before he dies. The rest of the family has to cope with this but also try to figure out why he would do such a thing. Rich discovers who is behind it and tries to get answers.



Nina (Andrea Riseborough) is a reporter who is trying to expose a certain website that hires underage teenagers to perform sexual acts on camera. She befriends Kyle (Max Theirot) and they become somewhat attached. He wants to escape the life and try to make something of himself. Nina offers to help, but secretly just wants her story. They end up have a romantic attraction but when the FBI steps in, he sees that she is using him. He flees with the other teens but Nina tries to come after him, to save him. Things to a huge turn when Kyle refuses her help, saying he knows that she only wanted to use him and that he plans to stay where he is. Nina is hurt and Kyle leaves with the other teens, giving a final glance back to her. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs plays Harvey, a small but crucial role as the man recruiting the teens to his website.

What I loved about the movie is that almost everyone can find something that they either agree with or relate to. Perhaps you know someone who has been a victim of identity theft. Maybe you've been cyber bullied. Or a friend of yours has a gambling addiction. I don't know, but then again, I have my own connections to this film. I have been cyber bullied many times because of what I look like (another reason I prefer to remain hidden). We use the internet and cell phones and tablets every day, but do we ever think about the negative actions that could come from it? Look at Rich and Lydia. They were completely out of touch with their children. Derek had no idea his wife was confiding in others about their marital issues.

Its almost like asking “Are we safe at all anymore?” People can attack us online and make things worse, thanks to things like photoshop and even Facebook. Certain websites are specifically designed to humiliate people. There are millions of teens like Ben out there, not all of them with siblings like Abby to save them. Ben's fate is also left unclear. The last thing we see is Abby laying on his hospital bed as he remains unconscious with a breathing tube. I don't know if he died or if he pulled through.

My favorite thing about “Disconnect” is the style in which it was presented. As the movie progresses, it becomes more fluid and less jerky. It starts over very disjointed. The transitions are rough so its like watching one story then being shoved into the next and repeated.

This isn't going to be a major blockbuster. In fact, you probably won't see it in theaters. However, I honestly think “Disconnect” is worth the watch. It's relatable and it will break your heart before repairing it and ultimately breaking it again. To me, its one of the best films I have seen in 2013. Others will disagree, but to each their own. Like I said, Fry didn't care for it, but I honestly loved it. All I ask is that you make your own opinions.

I'm TheCinemaChick and I could possibly be barefoot right now.

...but I'm not. I'm actually about to go see Fry.