Diva's Runaway Review

Runaway is about a phoenix that has fallen to Earth, where she is picked up by Kanye West, who falls in love with her. However, their romance is short lived, as she chooses to leave his world before she is destroyed. The phoenix tells Kanye that what she hates about his world is the fact that people have to tear down what is different. She explains to him that if she remains with him the world will knock off her wings and turn her to stone. The only choice she has is to fly away and burn

Kanye is an…an…artist?!

Who knew? Certainly not I. He was always this crazy guy, who did and said crazy things.  As far as his music goes, I never quite thought it was much my style. So I watched this based solely on his reputation, and my expectation was that it would be wholly ridiculous.

I was only partially right. As I only got to see the last 40 minutes of the movie, that is really all I have to go on.

The Man’s an Artist…I Can’t Deny That.

First, pretty much everything about Runaway was artistic. Kanye didn’t put forth much fluff or meaningless scenes, characters, or the like. Everything from the visuals, to the dancing, and to the way he played out his music on screen had a level of symbolism and sophistication that I previously never expected from Kanye.  For example: there was a scene where Kanye was show boating for his beautiful Phoenix Lady Friend, he was performing a song and a troupe of ballerinas came in and danced beautifully. It was really amazing. It was also so well choreographed that every movement made by each of the ballerinas corresponded to the music, even though each movement was different,

The Story was Good It Just Needed to Be More Connected

That being said, the movie could have benefited with a more cohesive storyline. Now, I’m not sure if Kanye means for his album to be a concept album, which implies that each song contributes to the overall story the album is trying to tell, or if meant to just to take some songs on his album and make a movie out of them. My guess would be the latter, but that doesn’t mean the movie wasn’t any good because it was.  If I were to venture a guess, each of Kanye’s songs has a deeper meaning but they way Kanye utilized them in the movie needed more explaining.  It wasn’t until almost the end did the message of the movie become apparent, because the phoenix out right told the viewers. The story was more cohesive towards the end, by far. The last two songs flowed perfectly together, and it totally made the movie!

The Best

The absolute best thing about this movie was the Phoenix character played by Selita Ebanks.  Everything about her was awesome: her costume, her acting, and the symbolism of her character. Can you tell I liked her? She looked great. Selita Ebanks played the part with enough grace and wonder that it made it the part shine. One could tell that the symbolism of the Phoenix was really important to Kanye. However, I think the symbolism I found in it was probably different than the symbolism Kanye had of her. Well, such is the way with art, right?

The Most Awkward

The most awkward part of this movie, which is different than the most ridiculous parts (that MJ float…I’m kinda bummed I missed that), was the sex scene between Kanye and the Phoenix. It wasn’t a full blown sex scene, just glimpses of them doing the deed, but it got awkward really fast. Would that be bestiality? It was necessary for the plot progression but left me feeling weird and slightly uncomfortable.

The saddest part

They served turkey, or some kind of bird, at the dinner party and The Phoenix had this expression like they were eating her cousin. It was unfortunate.

RECAP:

PROS:

Depth. Kanye has a deeper level of artistic depth then I had previously thought possible.

Selita Ebanks and the Phoenix symbolism, which was the whole point of the movie and very well executed.  Her costume was fantastic too, by the way.

The Ballerinas were amazing. ‘Nuff said.

 CONS:

Kanye overacted a bit…

A little bit more cohesive story telling would have been nice.

The quasi-bestiality, it was just awkward.

Cousin eating, that’s just wrong.

THE VERDICT:

I wanted the movie to continue once it was over. I couldn’t believe that it was over, cause I think it only ran for about 45 minutes. It was no Dark Knight, but it was a well made, and well thought out piece of art. If you are into symbolism and a higher level of music/art or would just like to have a glimpse into Kanye’s head I’d definitely recommend it.  For me, I’d watch it again…

I’m going to have to agree with Spectre on this one. Three stars…Neil Patrick Harris. J

Diva Out!

Spectre's Runaway Review

Runaway is about a phoenix that has fallen to Earth, where she is picked up by Kanye West, who falls in love with her. However, their romance is short lived, as she chooses to leave his world before she is destroyed. The phoenix tells Kanye that what she hates about his world is the fact that people have to tear down what is different. She explains to him that if she remains with him the world will knock off her wings and turn her to stone. The only choice she has is to fly away and burn.

The visuals were stunning.

I know what you’re thinking. I just told you everything so why should you watch it? You should watch it because this short explanation doesn’t do the movie justice. While I can explain the main idea to you I cannot even begin to explain how it played out, what it looked like. The real value of this film is in its artistry. It was gorgeous. From the colors, to the movements, to the camera angles, everything about it was made to be interpreted. I don’t really know what else to say except that it was not what I would have expected from Kanye West, but it was definitely a welcome surprise.

 It’s really all about the music.

Kanye’s film is based on his upcoming album (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, set to release in November) and features songs from the album. Most of the movie is set to these songs, meaning there is only a limited amount of true dialogue. It actually works really well, as the things that happen onscreen are a direct reflection of either the lyrics of the song, or the general feeling the song is designed to evoke. It’s actually pretty cool, and is a welcome elevation from R. Kelly’s hip-hopra. 

The first half was a bit weird.

There were a few times when I was really just wondering what the heck was going on. The most memorable was a part where Kanye and the phoenix were jamming Power together and then it suddenly panned to a small Asian boy in red, running across a field, with a torch that had different colors of smoke coming out of it. Then suddenly there were fireworks and a song featuring Rihanna started playing, Kanye and the phoenix were there, and there was a parade with a float of Michael Jackson. That part lost me and I laughed at the TV, but at least I was enjoying myself right? There was also something going on with a sheep in Kanye’s backyard. I’d really like to know what that was.

The last half was the best half.

The last half was the part where we actually got into relevant conversations and a bit of humor. I mean a tiny bit but still appreciated. It’s also where you get the two best parts of the movie. Which is a segment based on the song from his upcoming album, Runaway, which he played at the MTV’s Video Music Awards. While the song is playing a horde of ballerinas come and dance to the whole song. WHOLE SONG. Get it? I wanted to point out that it’s the only full song featured in the film. I figured that might mean something.  My personal favorite part was the ending where Kanye wakes up to find the phoenix is gone and starts running after her. I mean full on running, trying to get to his lady. Does he make it? Now that I won’t tell you......unless you send me money. Then I’ll tell you.

RECAP:

PROS:

Artistry was really beautiful. Not something I had expected from Kanye

The music was great. I am now looking forward to his album.

This film was actually really deep, something to start discussions over

Ballerinas, fireballs, and some of the most serious running I’ve seen in a while

The sheep

CONS:

I did not really get the first half (except the very beginning)

Let’s just say Kanye won’t win any Oscar’s for best actor

The sheep

VERDICT:

I’m pretty sure it was designed mostly to uplift his image and get some publicity for his new album, and in that I think he succeeded. Plus I’ll admit when it ended I thought man that was it? I really wanted more, though I’m not sure why. And I would see it again, if only so I could understand it a bit better.

I’m giving it 3 hearts, a Neil Patrick Harris

We're back! Thank you Kanye!

As you should now be aware, SpectreDiva is back in business, and we actually have Kanye to thank. No, this is not a joke. for those of you who don't know, Kanye has created a short noir film based on his new album. It is called Runaway, and is premiering tonight on MTV and BET at 7 pm central time. We both decided to watch it, which is how we figured out a way to resurrect the blog. Anyway, we will be watching tonight and will post our opinions sometime in the near future. One thing's for sure, it's bound to be ridiculous.

"Blind Dating"

So, Monday night we watched “Blind Dating”. It is officially a romantic comedy, but most of the film was far from funny. In fact a lot of the film is gloomy, as Danny gets really emo (though not as bad as Cloud Strife). The worst part is that he gets that way because he can’t stand being rejected by Leeza, the girl who basically led him on even while knowing that she couldn’t be with him because she was already spoken for (technically about to go through with an arranged marriage). Yeah, we don’t like Leeza. Anyway, he took it personally, thinking she dumped him because he was blind. Yada yada yada, not really all that interesting.

There are a number of problems with this movie.

Considering the tone of the last half of the movie the overly happy, incredibly unrealistic ending just doesn’t mesh. Leeza’s family suddenly accepts Danny, and everyone dances together? Please. And then there’s the dialogue. Leeza seriously says “Who knows, if you could see me, you might not even like me.” Ugh. We don’t even want to talk about it anymore. Finally, you get a number of cliche moments like blind guy pretending not to be blind (No one notices until he tells them!!), blind guy successfully crosses busy street, typical Italian family (except Danny who looks nothing like the rest), traditional Indian family (girl going through an arranged marriage to a total jerk), and the list goes on and on. So if that does not sound cool to you then don’t watch this movie. You have been warned.

Oh and btw, there is actually literal blind dating in the film, but not as much as you might think. These dates make up some of the funniest parts of the movie, as the girls are always far from normal. However, contrary to what the trailer suggests, these dates are not really central to the plot, and are soon lost in all of the other drama. Which brings us to our next point, the movie is way too dramatic. It’s as if the writers couldn’t decide what they really wanted to do, so they piled in a bunch of stuff. Danny gets a chance to cure his blindness, he has to fall in love with the one girl who is about to be married, deal with and overcome her rejection (because he can’t be happy otherwise), and he has to only go on dates with crazy girls. Seriously, how much crap does one guy have to go through? Instead of making the movie more interesting, it just continually becomes more and more unrealistic, and long before you get to the climax you stare at the screen, scratching your head, saying to yourself “really?” Perhaps “Blind Dating” truly is a comedy, except you start laughing at it and not with it. Why oh why, could this not be the simple story of a blind man trying to find normal, uncomplicated love? Is that so hard? Was all the drama really necessary?      

This movie has some really special moments.

A happy moment for the audience is when Danny goes through with the surgery and it is a success. That moment quickly dissipates as the doctor gives him the seeing-eye glasses. This is guaranteed to cause you to burst out laughing. They are a pair of typical, bad nineties sunglasses with a weird, mechanical doo dad over one lens. They were something straight out of a low-budget, SyFy made for TV movie.

That is not to say that there weren’t good things about the movie.

A weird but appreciated part of the movie is Danny’s therapist, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. (She is actually played by Jane Seymour) She genuinely cares for him but encounters a slight problem: she cannot seem to keep her clothes on around him. Though we do not blame her; there is a large possibility ours would be coming off too. Realistic…no, understandable…maybe. 

His best friend is Jay, one of the best friends ever! He even plays Beep Baseball with Danny, which is difficult by the way. This is coming from experience. He had a nice smile and cheerful disposition. He and Danny even scammed money from the basketball players at the park together. What are best friends for, Yeeeeaaah…

What should have happened:

There’s no need for all the bull crap in the middle. Let’s stick to the plot. Honestly, we feel it would have benefited the movie for Danny’s brother, Larry, to have had an epiphany. Like “Hey maybe my sensitive, nice brother doesn’t like the same girls as sleazy, promiscuous me.” And then Larry would have gone out of his way to ask a girl he knew didn’t like him to go on a date with his brother. And the date would have gone well because she would have been a normal person! She and Danny would hit it off, and he would have had to choose between normal date girl and Leeza, if you even need Leeza at all. Honestly the movie is called “Blind Dating” and it isn’t even about that…not really.  

RECAP: 

PROS: 

It does have some genuinely funny moments

Chris Pine does a believable job of acting blind and is generally adorable

Danny’s attractive friend Jay (played by Marion H. Hall Jr.)

CONS:

Way too dramatic. 

Impossible to sympathize with love-interest, Leeza (played by Anjali Jay)

The glasses ::shudder::

There are times when the dialogue is seriously weak

Happy Hollywood ending doesn’t mesh with plot progression of the film

VERDICT:

Not horrible, but wouldn’t watch again unless we got paid for it. 

Still, way better than any Lifetime Movie Original.

We give it 2 hearts, a Joaquin Phoenix

Stay tuned for our review of
"Blind Dating"

starring Chris Pine

This is only a test

Is this thing working? Is this real life? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh