Catching Fire (2013) Review

What is better than Jennifer Lawrence playing a strong female character in a powerful movie that is a almost exactly like the book you ask? Although it seems like nothing, there is an answer. The only thing better is Jennifer Lawrence playing a strong female lead in a powerful movie that is almost exactly like the book AND has no tobacco use. That's right, Catching Fire.

            Catching Fire came out November of 2013 and if you haven't seen it yet, you clearly live under a rock. It is the second instalment in The Huger Games series and was directed by amazing Francis Lawrence. With the script following the book closely and amazing Hawaiian sets, the movie was a huge success both commercially and in the hearts of the fans.

            The movie begins with Katniss having to deal with the consequences of the previous games and trying to figure out where she stood with Peeta and Gale. Boys, though, are the least of her problems as her action sparked a rebellion in the country of Panam, and now has a big target on her back from President Snow. As the situation in the country gets worse, the more pressure there is on her to diffuse the spark. When she is unable to do so, she along with Peeta and 22 other victors get thrown back into the hunger games.

            With amazing sets, amazing scripts, and amazing actors the movie comes out beautifully. It is also an example of how successful a movie can be without promoting tobacco use. This movie was about as close to perfect as it gets with book adaptations and I highly recommend everyone to watch or re-watch this blazing movie!

Frozen Review

Magic? Check. Talking trolls? Check. Princesses? Check.  Lots of songs? Check. True love? Check. Frozen definitely has all the ingredients of a timeless Disney classic. But be not fooled - the seamless animation and audio production quality screams 2013. The magic and comedy has helped turn this modern family friendly flick to more than a box office hit - to a sort of craze in North America.

The story takes place in the magical kingdom of Arendelle, following the tale of two sisters; Elsa and Anna. Both are princesses, and the older sibling, Elsa, is no ordinary child. She has uncontrollable magical powers, freezing everything in her path - her powers end up hurting Anna during childhood. Ashamed by the events, Elsa secludes herself, and the sisters grow apart over time. More tragedy strikes when their parents, the king and queen, vanish at sea. Things get no better anytime soon - at her royal coronation Anna presents Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, a man she has just a met, as a suitor - much to the anger of Elsa - who unleashes a flurry of deadly spells in front of the entire kingdom. This propels Arendelle into eternal winters. Unable to cope with what she has done, Elsa flees. And Anna, feeling it is her fault, sets out on a journey to find her.

But the trek across a frozen Arendelle is far from easy. Luckily Anna comes across a mountain man and his loyal pet reindeer, Kristoff and Sven, who agree to help her. The trio soon adds a new friend along the way, a hapless talking snowman called Olaf - who is by far my favourite character in the movie -  and helps them find a passage to North mountain, a remote corner of the kingdom where Elsa has erected an ice palace for herself. Instead of a warm reunion upon arrival, Elsa instructs Anna to leave, fearing she will hurt her. When Anna refuses, Elsa is agitated and ends up casting a spell that freezes Anna's heart. Desperate to save her, Kristoff and Sven take Anna to the wise troll who tells them that the only way to save her is an act of true love. So they rush Anna back to Arendelle for Hans, believing a kiss from him will thaw her heart. Meanwhile Hans and his army is busy storming Elsa's ice castle, subduing and imprisoning her for "killing Anna".

In Arendelle, Kristoff and Sven head back to the wilderness as Hans reveals that he never really loved Anna but married her to seize the kingdom, leaving her to a slow death. Fortunately Elsa manages to escape prison soon and confronts Hans. And when it matters most, Anna appears just as Hans tries to deal a death blow to Elsa, getting in the way to protect her older sister. And that is the act of true love that was needed all along. Anna is saved and Elsa is able to control her powers now. Winter leaves and summer returns to Arendelle. Also, if you are concerned, Olaf doesn't melt - Elsa uses her icy magic to preserve him.

Although the movie wouldn't score a 10 out of 10 for realism, it is an admirable work of imagination that anyone can enjoy. Moreover, unlike many movies for children today, it does not feature smoking. It is good to see the producers trying to influence children to positive behaviours instead, such as saving your sister or maybe dying girl with a frozen heart by taking her to see talking trolls (although not all of us get to go on such heroic adventures everyday). But it all helps make the movie more adventurous and magical. Hence, if you haven't watched it yet, Frozen is a must add to your must-watch list.

DIVERGENT (2014)

Like every other teenage girl in this world, On Friday the 21st of March I went to go watch the movie "Divergent" I had previously read the books and with the amount of hype for this movie, I went in having high expectations.  I'm pleased to say that they were pretty much met.

The story itself is about a dystopian world that has forced a distinct system to take place. Set in what is a futuristic Chicago, the city and its people are divided into 5 regions called factions. Abnegation is where the selfless go, Amity is for the peaceful, Candor is for the honest, Erudite for the intelligent, and Dauntless for the brave. A very tight system is maintained and those who are not able to fit into it become what we call the homeless today, factionless. The story revolves around 16 year old Beatrice Prior, who on choosing day finds out that she is able to fit into 3 factions, instead of the usual one. This makes her Divergent, and makes her a threat to the system that runs solely on everyone having a single purpose. With this knowledge, Beatrice leaves Abnegation, her home faction, and joins Dauntless where she faces tremendous challenges, makes new friends, and finds herself in order to save everyone else.

The movie wasn't as good as the books, but hey when is it ever? Sometimes two and a half hours is too long for a movie, but I found this one flowed and actually worked. A couple of scenes were missing and a lot were rushed, but overall it was a very good movie and I recommend it to everyone!

It’s also a movie approved by us here at YES as it can be put into our list of movies without tobacco use. This movie is a perfect example of how to deliver a great story without adding harmful substances. A cigarette could've been added, the Dauntless are crazy, wild, and covered in tattoos and piercings, a cigarette would make sense, but choosing not has made the movie even better than it previously was.

With a powerful message, hot actors, a great story, and no tobacco use, Divergent is definitely a movie you should take the time to watch.    

      

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

           Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective the world has ever seen, and his assistant Dr. John Watson have captured the dangerous serial killer and alleged "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood. After spending some time in prison, Blackwood is hanged for his crimes. Assumed dead, his body is put in the morgue, and his case is forgotten. However, when he mysteriously returns from the dead, and goes on a "black magic" killing spree, Sherlock must, once again, take up the case. Along the way, he is accompanied by Watson, his new fiancé Mary, the Scottish Yard, and the deadly temptress Irene Adler. Watch, as he unearths the clues that will tangle him farther and farther into a huge web of murder, deceit, love, and magic.

          Sherlock is seen at various points in the movie smoking cigars and pipes. He is a major tobacco addict. His drug abuse doesn't stop there. In fact, Sherlock is known (in the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Books and some adaptations) to be a cocaine user. His reason for using tobacco and other drugs is quite unusual; he uses them to "stimulate his brain". Sherlock's mind is amazingly complicated, and it needs to be in constant use to remain as effective as it is. When he is not working a big case, he gets bored. To take his mind off it, he does many unusual things, such as shoot a wall in his room, experiment on his dog, and even intake strong drugs. He has even been known to abuse morphine!

         Although Sherlock is very unique, and in most aspects is not relatable, his reason for drug use is quite common among most addicts. He is simply, bored. To keep his mind occupied, he takes very large quantities of strong drugs, which is very unhealthy. Many people also take drugs for the same reason; out of boredom. However, Sherlock found a way to prevent himself from using drugs. He found a hobby, and became a detective, to keep himself occupied and help people in the process. Many drug and tobacco users can find hobbies too. It can be healthy for them, as it takes their mind off their addictions.

       Overall, Sherlock Holmes is a great movie, with many twists and turns. And of course, who doesn't love Sherlock's brilliant deducing skills. A combination of a great plot and a great character make this movie one to remember.          

Monsters University (2013) Review

When we talk about tobacco and its effect on society, we always tend to look at the negative things which it brings with it. However, we often miss out on the obviously positive things which can be brought upon us and society when we choose NOT to smoke. As the movie Monsters' University illustrates, smoking does not have to be involved to have fun, or most importantly, be used to overcome your difficulty or pain in life. 

If we look at the character Mike Wazowski from the movie, we can say how life can be hard but yet, there are ways to overcome your problems, without smoking. Mike had a bad start to his university career as seen, and faced several obstacles including friends and expulsion from his special program. He was, first of all, expelled from being in the scare program due to a mistake. Ever since, we saw Mike to be very depressed and annoyed with life. Although, he was not seen smoking to throw his struggles away. He was determined in being successful and did so without any sort of substance abuse or tobacco. Therefore, there are ways out from bad situations, except having to smoke or do drugs to try and forget about it. 

This movie clearly demonstrates this by using Mike as an example, as a character who had to struggle a lot to be successful and had a lot pf problems, but did addiction to smoking or drugs was not one of his problems. Furthermore, there are so many other ways to have fun and enjoy your life instead of smoking. Mike and his buddies were seen to have a blast doing all sorts of activities, competitions, games, etc., all of which were done without having to smoke, or have any tobacco involved. This movie demonstrates how you can have fun and enjoy your time, wherever you are, whatever you do, without needing to have the urge to smoke or do drugs.