Happy Monday everybody! Hope everyone’s had a great weekend.
Well, it’s a fairly mellow one for me up until Sunday morning as I went to what’s called the the Mall-tour kick-off of the Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie that’s coming out on August 21. It’s the latest movie adaptation of a popular, supernatural-themed young adult novel which my three nieces are really into right now. In fact, all they talked about when I visited them last month was Hunger Games: Catching Fire and THIS movie. They’ve read most of the books by now, by author Cassandra Clare (who was supposed to attend but had to cancel due to illness), so of course I had to be at the event on their behalf!
It was quite an experience to be amongst screaming fans at Mall of America, as hundreds of fans (mostly girls of course) have been waiting for hours. The two girls at the front of the line told me they’ve actually camped out in front of the mall since noon the previous day!! I can’t post the interview yet until closer to the film’s release, but here are some pics from the MOA event. Stars of the movie, Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Kevin Zegers were in attendance for the Q&A and autograph signing. I couldn’t stop starring at Lily’s stunning black stilettos! 😀
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I didn’t see anything new this weekend, as I’ve already seen The Wolverine earlier in the week (check out my review). Apparently even with $55 mil to top the box office, it’s still the lowest opening for an X-Men franchise. Not that I’m gonna shed a tear for Wolverine though, as I’m not too impressed with the latest movie. If anything, it made me wish X-Men: Days of Future Past were to be released this year already!
Now, speaking of the X-Men franchise (easily my favorite from the Marvel canon, though it’s still owned by FOX), I did rewatch the first movie from back in 2000. Bryan Singer practically kicked off the superhero genre with his compelling comic-book adaptation, and it still holds up well to this day.
I LOVE that opening scene between Professor X and Magneto at a Congressional hearing, which sets the tone for the whole film. I love how the underlying themes of racism and prejudice vs understanding and tolerance are still relevant to this day. It’s what I LOVE about the X-Men story, and despite how I feel about the latest adaptation of its most famous mutant, I’m still super stoked for Days of Future Past. I’m even more thrilled that Singer is back at the helm this time, too!
Oh, I also rewatched Batman Year One this weekend, as my pal Ted mentioned it recently. Watch for an indulgent, wish-list post based on that tomorrow 😀
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
What did you think of the Wolverine’s credit stinger, Ruth?
Oh, I mentioned that in my review from this weekend. The post-credit scene is my favorite part!! 😀
Caught the film this weekend, but like it a tad more than you (this is still Jackman’s definitive role, imo). Thought the stinger was nicely done.
I still like Jackman in the role, but I have to say the film is disappointing. Ah well, can’t agree on everything right? I think I summarized my quibbles with it, too many to mention really, I simply can’t give it a higher score.
Yeah, it’s far from perfect, but you and I are good ;-).
You should go see The Conjuring, it’s scary but it’s not gory, kind of old school horror flick 🙂 I wish Days of the Future Past were being released this year too, can’t wait to see more Fassy as Magneto and Peter Dinklage playing a villain will be so awesome.
I’m gonna need to see that Mortal Instruments movie because Lena Headey is in it, though her role is probably really brief. Lily Collins is so pretty!
Oh yeah, Dinklage w/ Fassy teaming up being charming devils, bring it on!!!
I wish Lena Heady were in attendance, she’s awesome! Lily is gorgeous in person, and she’s quite friendly as well which is always nice.
I have been stuck in a haze of TCM land for the past few days, especially on Thursday. The previous week, the heatwave here in NY made me a shut-in and then I was resting a bit this past week.
I caught a bit of Chaplin’s Monsieur Verdoux on Saturday. I am drawing a blank on everything else; I think it has been a bunch of television programming. All educational of course 😉
Hi Iba, yeah I saw a bunch of your TCM tweets. Hey, no worries, just blog when you feel like it right? That’s cool that you manage to read some books too, 12 Years A Slave sounds excellent! Looking fwd to the film.
Now I remember! I read a few books (including starting 12 Years a Slave) and rewatched Clue.
Don’t think I’m excited with Mortal Instruments, but that’s probably because I don’t know anything about it. X-2 is still my favourite X-Men movie!!
Ahah, I didn’t know it either until my nieces pointed out to me 🙂 Yeah, I love X-2 the most as well, love Brian Cox as the villain.
I’m looking forward to your Batman Year One post =)
It’s mostly about Batman casting but yeah, I talked briefly about Batman Year One 😀
I’m not a young adult so I have no clue about this Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie. The only fantasy young adult books/films I’ve ever got into were the Harry Potter series.
Besides The Wolverine, I watched Only God Forgives and Iron Man 2, I actually enjoyed it much more than the first time I saw it in theater three years ago.
I might have to give the first X-Men film a watch too, haven’t seen it in a while, can’t believe it’s been 13 years since it opened in theaters. I still remember seeing it on the big screen like it was yesterday.
Ahah, yeah me neither Ted, that’s why it’s interesting to be amongst those screaming fans who are all half my age 😀 Curious to hear what you think of OGF, though I have zero interest in seeing it for obvious reasons.
I LOVE X-Men and X-2, both still hold up well I think. Gonna try to rewatch First Class soon as well.
Nice roundup Ruth! I was hoping to see The Conjuring over the weekend but my 2 year old didn’t want to come with me.
Thanks Chris! Ahah, what kind of dad brings his 2 year old to The Conjuring?? Good thing your daughter has some sense on her 😀
Ah, she can handle it. 🙂
I saw a behind-the-scenes featurette on The Mortal Instruments, which piqued my interest. It looks like the type of film that will be a letdown, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Apart from rewatching It’s Complicated this weekend, I also watched some old films from the ’40s and ’50s, including Chaplin’s Monsieur Verdoux, The Three Faces of Eve, and Body and Soul.
Nice! To be honest I’m not very keen on The Mortal Instruments. Seems too Twilight-y for my taste. Although I would’ve loved to see Lily up close 😉
About Wolverine, I’m a mild fan of the X-Men franchise but the Wolverine trailer didn’t really grab me. I think I’ll wait for it until I can rent it. Stoked for Days of Future Past, though.
This weekend I watched Incendies and LOVED it. My review is up now at my blog! 🙂
Ha..ha.. yeah she is very pretty!
Well the trailer is actually better than the film, ahah.
Great review of Incendies, I didn’t know it was part of the Secret Santa thing, cool! Check out my Batman casting post from yesterday, curious to hear what you think! 😀
If the trailer is better than the film, I’m not sure if I’ll want to rent it! The trailer itself was boring.
And thanks! Yep, it’s part of the Secret Santa blogathon but it’s not up on The CK yet. I’ll definitely check out your post 🙂
I think it’s cool that we both were ‘gifted’ movies that we both end up liking. I was a bit worried Nick would give me something I won’t be able to handle, ahah.
Yes, pretty cool! I was worried too.
Wow, I am so out of the loop these days. I have never even heard of that book, and yet here are hundreds of people camping out for it. 😀