Beautiful Creatures [Blu-ray] [2017]
T**N
“And you can verify this on Google” [uncle Macon]
This 2013 romantic supernatural fantasy begins when 15 year old Lena Duchannes arrives in the small town of Gatlin she quickly captures the attention of Ethan Wate. The two are drawn together but Ethan quickly learns that Lena possesses strange powers and their budding romance is threatened by her family's Dark powers, for upon her sixteenth birthday Lena must undergo the Claiming, a process that will decide her fate forever: Light or Dark, but can their love endure or will she succumb to the family curse.A little slow at getting to the main theme, this soon picks up the pace and when it gets into its stride its a rollercoaster of special effects and family feuds. The acting is good, but Ethans character seems a little on the weak side, but that makes him all the more mortal against the others in the story. The plot also contains a few surprise twists that can generate their own mascara moments so beware.The single disc opens to 5 trailers then goes to main menu offering play, set up [English 5.1 only, English subtitles], scene selection and special features [behind the scenes, deleted scenes and trailers]. With some dark themes and sinister special effects, this is a surprise 12 rating, out doing many 15 and even 18 ratings. The atmosphere is incredible but the overall theme reminds one of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ or ‘The Secret Circle’ you’ll almost certainly like this.
V**A
An entertains romp
I haven’t read the book on which this film is based, so I’ve no view as to how well it’s adapted. As a film, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in Gatlin in the Deep South, with strong civil war connections, the small minded southerners take exception to an incomer. Her family own a lot of land and she’s gained a witchy reputation. Local boy is besotted by her and so the story unfolds.I enjoyed the off the wall characters played by Jeremy Irons, Eileen Atkins and Emma Thompson. They remained just on the right side of plausible despite their powers and eccentricities. The story is well plotted and becomes more complex as the film goes on. Some great special effects, the main characters are well depicted; southern boy with a hankering for more and witchy one who can’t be with a mortal. Wasn’t sure it would end and I thought the final scenes were really touching. A fun romp and really enjoyed it.
D**A
good
good
M**D
teen witch boy meets girl angst thing
Not a bad film at all...sort of Southern gothic romance between a gee shucks southern boy (who reads the odd bit of Vonnegut and Bukowski) and a witchipoo from the family that owns the town. All the witches seem to be either heaving bosomed vamps or OTT bouff-haired pantomime dames (unless they're vampiresque gents). They tried to keep them apart but true love and all that. A coming of age / shall I choose thelight or the dark kinda thing. Lots of thunder and lightning. Woulda liked a bit more witchery.
A**S
A great fantasy drama
A superb fantasy drama film
S**K
Dark secrets will come to light
Teenager Ethan Wate is obsessed with his urge to finish high school and go on to college in order to leave the small town of Gatlin, South Carolina behind, until a mysterious girl begins to inhabit his dreams. When he meets Lena Duchannes, a newcomer who has just enrolled in his school, Ethan knows she is the girl in his dreams. Lena is rejected by the rest of her classmates for being the granddaughter of Macon Ravenwood, whom the town's superstitious residents consider to be a devil-worshiper. But Ethan gives her a ride anyway and they fall in love. Lena reveals to her new boyfriend that she is a witch, and that on her sixteenth birthday she will be claimed by either the forces of light or of darkness. She will remain in the light, but only if she does not remain in love with Ethan. To make matters worse, her evil mother, Sarafine, is casting spells to push Lena to the dark side. Ethan joins her in a search to find a magic spell to save their doomed love. Will the lovers succeed?I enjoyed this film it was entertaining enough, though I understand many fans are unhappy with the adaptation.Good supporting cast ,the acting was good as well, and Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert had nice chemistry as Ethan and Lena. Of course, Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, and Viola Davis gave great performances together. A nice little story about supernatural powers, good vs evil, love and the power of love. For those looking for a good fantasy movie with love, action, and funny moments, this is the film for you. It was good from the beginning to end.Acting (On all accounts) 8/10 VFX (for what there was) 7/10 Costume & Design 8/10 (Supernatural Romance, forbidden love, did it fit well in the film?) 7.5/10(My score) 7/10Overall a decent little supernatural film. Enjoy!
T**A
I will forever love this movie
All I can say is that its different, but not a classic movie that everybody has to watch either. Its just different, the storyline, characters it just (for some odd reason) always captures me. I have my favourites though the list is short this is in definitely the top 3, I have for sure watched this movie at least 10 times now, over different periods of time and will probably keep coming back to it no doubt.You have to watch it yourself and make up your own mind about it, this is just some of what I think.
C**L
Ironic
Ironic that so many films in what I suppose this genre is (teen fantasy) are nothing but vapid stories played by rote by people cast solely for their beautiful looks, and then a film comes along actually named "Beautiful Creatures" and is thoughtfully acted by talented people adding real depth to the characters they play.This was so much better than I expected it to be. Sensitive, fun, nuanced and even - I can't believe I'm going to say this about a film of witches and teenage metaphor - literary.I wasn't surprised to see in the credits that this film was both written and directed by the same person. There's clearly a lot of love gone into this film. Delightful and really glad I chose to watch it.
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