Well, I did it. I managed to successfully watch 100 movies from April 3, 2010, to December 31, 2010, that I had never seen before. I have a sneaky suspicion that only a very select few actually read / cared about my movie blogs, but that's okay. I made a goal for myself, and I was able to achieve it. By doing this goal, I was hoping that I would be more open towards watching various movies that I have never seen before. Anyway, thanks to those select few who actually cared enough to read my random movie blogs.
Movie Recap:
April - Love Happens, Hope Floats, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Fox and the Hound, Date Night, Fathers' Day, About a Boy, Can't Buy Me Love, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Groundhog Day, Where Angels Fear to Tread.
May - All of Me, Say Anything, Fun With Dick and Jane, The Man Who Knew Too Little, Lost In Austen, Being John Malkovich, Letters to Juliet, The Lake House, Ice Age 3, Time Traveler's Wife, Sleepover.
June - A Walk To Remember, Six Days Seven Nights, Junebug, Jane Austen Book Club, Killers, Shrek Forever After, America's Sweethearts, Forget Paris, Toy Story 3, James and the Giant Peach, Lost in Translation.
July - Addicted to Love, Eclipse, Bend It Like Beckham, All About Steve, Whip It, Martian Child, Last Chance Harvey, Run Fat Boy Run, Squid and the Whale, Kate and Leopold, Margot at the Wedding, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
August - Where The Heart Is, Anywhere But Here, Erin Brockovich, The Box, Ever After, Anastasia, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Eat Pray Love, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, Rain Man.
September - Music and Lyrics, Ocean's Eleven, Rush Hour, Going the Distance, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Where the Wild Things Are, The Pelican Brief, Duplicity, Easy A, Evening, Clueless.
October - Hot Tub Time Machine, No Reservations, Great Expectations, Sweet Revenge, Ed Wood, Love and other Disasters, Prince of Persia, Some Kind of Wonderful, Runaway Jury, Old School, Wings of the Dove.
November - Crazy / Beautiful, 28 Days, Mona Lisa Smile, The Stepford Wives, Thelma and Louise, Stepmom, Grown Ups, The First Wives Club, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Adventureland.
December - The Bridges of Madison County, A Guy Thing, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Lady and the Tramp, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Something's Gotta Give, Year of the Dog, Get Him to the Greek, Chicago, The King's Speech, Silk.
Personal Favorites that I watched:
About a Boy, Lost In Austen, Toy Story 3, Erin Brockovich, The Wings of the Dove, Some Kind of Wonderful, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and The King's Speech.
- Mandy
Friday, December 31, 2010
Silk movie review
December 29, 2010 - #100/100
Silk (2007)
In 1862, the son of the mayor of a French village, Herve Joncour (Michael Pitt), is invited by the silk entrepreneur Baldabiou (Alfred Molina) to travel to Africa to bring healthy silkworm eggs for his factory. Herve first marries his beloved bride Helene Joncour (Keira Knightley), and then he travels in the long journey. He succeeds, makes a substantial fortune, and is invited to travel again to trade silkworm eggs in a longer journey to Japan. He is received by the local baron in a secret spot and falls in love for his Chinese concubine. Herve returns to Helene, but remains obsessed with the concubine. One annoyance about this movie is that, when he travels to Japan, the people speak Japanese, but the movie fails to supply the viewer with subtitles. Therefore, I had no idea what they were saying. Another annoyance is the fact that the pace of the movie is extremely slow. It takes a long time for things to occur, which causes the viewer to lose interest. So, I didn't think that this movie was that great.
I gave this movie 3/10 stars on imdb.com.
Silk (2007)
In 1862, the son of the mayor of a French village, Herve Joncour (Michael Pitt), is invited by the silk entrepreneur Baldabiou (Alfred Molina) to travel to Africa to bring healthy silkworm eggs for his factory. Herve first marries his beloved bride Helene Joncour (Keira Knightley), and then he travels in the long journey. He succeeds, makes a substantial fortune, and is invited to travel again to trade silkworm eggs in a longer journey to Japan. He is received by the local baron in a secret spot and falls in love for his Chinese concubine. Herve returns to Helene, but remains obsessed with the concubine. One annoyance about this movie is that, when he travels to Japan, the people speak Japanese, but the movie fails to supply the viewer with subtitles. Therefore, I had no idea what they were saying. Another annoyance is the fact that the pace of the movie is extremely slow. It takes a long time for things to occur, which causes the viewer to lose interest. So, I didn't think that this movie was that great.
I gave this movie 3/10 stars on imdb.com.
The King's Speech movie review
December 27, 2010 - #99/100
The King's Speech (2010)
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI (Colin Firth), the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stammer and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Throughout many years, Bertie's wife, Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), and his speech therapist help him to find the courage to overcome his stammer. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war. At a first glance, the movie may seem to be slow paced, but this idea is masked by the wonderful acting and storyline. It is a very touching and inspiring story, which will continue to inspire you each time you think about it. I had to drive 45 minutes to an hour just to find a theater that was showing this movie, and I can definitely say that I was not disappointed at all. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it again.
I gave this movie 10/10 stars on imdb.com.
The King's Speech (2010)
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI (Colin Firth), the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stammer and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Throughout many years, Bertie's wife, Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), and his speech therapist help him to find the courage to overcome his stammer. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war. At a first glance, the movie may seem to be slow paced, but this idea is masked by the wonderful acting and storyline. It is a very touching and inspiring story, which will continue to inspire you each time you think about it. I had to drive 45 minutes to an hour just to find a theater that was showing this movie, and I can definitely say that I was not disappointed at all. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it again.
I gave this movie 10/10 stars on imdb.com.
Chicago movie review
December 26, 2010 - #98/100
Chicago (2002)
Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the sexy vaudeville star who murders her husband and sister after finding them in bed together. Roxie (Renee Zellweger) is the wannabe vaudeville star who kills her lover after finding out he was never going to make her famous. Enter Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the greasy lawyer whose goal is not only to have his clients acquitted, but to make them legal legends. Billy, who apparently likes Roxie's angle (He tried to kill me) better than Velma's (I blacked out and can't remember a thing). With help from Matron Mama Morton (Queen Latifah), both women fight for the spot as Chicago's most famed murderess, but there's only room for one legend. To be quite honest, I had no idea what this movie was going to be about. I knew that it was a musical, but I didn't know that it was based around murders. The songs were great, the dancing was great, and the acting was great. Overall, I thought that this was a very good movie.
I gave this movie 9/10 stars on imdb.com.
Chicago (2002)
Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the sexy vaudeville star who murders her husband and sister after finding them in bed together. Roxie (Renee Zellweger) is the wannabe vaudeville star who kills her lover after finding out he was never going to make her famous. Enter Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the greasy lawyer whose goal is not only to have his clients acquitted, but to make them legal legends. Billy, who apparently likes Roxie's angle (He tried to kill me) better than Velma's (I blacked out and can't remember a thing). With help from Matron Mama Morton (Queen Latifah), both women fight for the spot as Chicago's most famed murderess, but there's only room for one legend. To be quite honest, I had no idea what this movie was going to be about. I knew that it was a musical, but I didn't know that it was based around murders. The songs were great, the dancing was great, and the acting was great. Overall, I thought that this was a very good movie.
I gave this movie 9/10 stars on imdb.com.
Get Him to the Greek movie review
December 20, 2010 - #97/100
Get Him to the Greek (2010)
English rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) relapses into drugs and booze after a break up and a disastrous record. In L.A., Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) works for a record company. Aaron's boss gives him a career making task - to bring Aldous from London to L.A. for a concert in 72 hours. That day, Aaron's girlfriend Daphne tells him she wants to finish her medical residency in Seattle. Aaron's sure this ends their relationship. In London, things aren't much better: Aldous delays their departure several times, plies Aaron with vices, and alternates between bad behavior and trenchant observations. Overall, I thought that it was a decent movie. I've never been a huge fan of these types of comedies, but I didn't think that it was as bad as some of them that I have seen in the past.
I gave this movie 5/10 stars on imdb.com.
Get Him to the Greek (2010)
English rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) relapses into drugs and booze after a break up and a disastrous record. In L.A., Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) works for a record company. Aaron's boss gives him a career making task - to bring Aldous from London to L.A. for a concert in 72 hours. That day, Aaron's girlfriend Daphne tells him she wants to finish her medical residency in Seattle. Aaron's sure this ends their relationship. In London, things aren't much better: Aldous delays their departure several times, plies Aaron with vices, and alternates between bad behavior and trenchant observations. Overall, I thought that it was a decent movie. I've never been a huge fan of these types of comedies, but I didn't think that it was as bad as some of them that I have seen in the past.
I gave this movie 5/10 stars on imdb.com.
Year of the Dog movie review
December 14, 2010 - #96/100
Year of the Dog (2007)
Peggy (Molly Shannon) is single, childless, in her 40s, and is a lonely executive assistant. Her dog Pencil is the love of her life, and when he dies after eating some sort of toxin, Peggy's life spins out of her control. A friendly staff member at her vet's calls about an abused dog, which he recommends she adopt. She adopts the dog, and also finds herself attracted to this fellow. She becomes a vegan and even supports animal-rights causes. Saving dogs and other animals become such a passion that her mental health and her job may be in danger. I didn't think that this movie was as funny as I was anticipating, especially since Molly Shannon is the main actress, and she generally takes on funny roles. Perhaps I didn't understand the true meaning of the movie, but I just didn't like it that much. I had a hard time trying to stay concentrated. Therefore, this is probably not a movie that I'd like to watch again.
I gave this movie 4/10 stars on imdb.com.
Year of the Dog (2007)
Peggy (Molly Shannon) is single, childless, in her 40s, and is a lonely executive assistant. Her dog Pencil is the love of her life, and when he dies after eating some sort of toxin, Peggy's life spins out of her control. A friendly staff member at her vet's calls about an abused dog, which he recommends she adopt. She adopts the dog, and also finds herself attracted to this fellow. She becomes a vegan and even supports animal-rights causes. Saving dogs and other animals become such a passion that her mental health and her job may be in danger. I didn't think that this movie was as funny as I was anticipating, especially since Molly Shannon is the main actress, and she generally takes on funny roles. Perhaps I didn't understand the true meaning of the movie, but I just didn't like it that much. I had a hard time trying to stay concentrated. Therefore, this is probably not a movie that I'd like to watch again.
I gave this movie 4/10 stars on imdb.com.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Something's Gotta Give movie review
December 13, 2010 - #95/100
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Sixty-three year old Harry (Jack Nicholson) has a reputation for dating girls a third his age. While taking Marin (Amanda Peet), his latest fling, back to her beach house for the weekend, he is taken aback when her mother Erica (Diane Keaton) unexpectedly turns up. From the very beginning, it is easy to tell that Erica doesn't care much for Harry. Suffering a heart attack while romancing Marin, Harry finds himself housebound with Erica, which turns out to be his only companion. As they grudgingly get to know each other something starts to stir, though as the hospital doctor, named Julian (Keanu Reeves), who treated him has taken a shine to Erica, Harry could have serious competition. Overall, I thought that the acting was pretty good, and the storyline managed to keep my attention. Personally I feel that Nancy Meyers usually tends to write intriguing story lines, such as Father of the Bride, The Holiday, It's Complicated, etc. Anyway, I thought that it was a pretty good movie, and I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Sixty-three year old Harry (Jack Nicholson) has a reputation for dating girls a third his age. While taking Marin (Amanda Peet), his latest fling, back to her beach house for the weekend, he is taken aback when her mother Erica (Diane Keaton) unexpectedly turns up. From the very beginning, it is easy to tell that Erica doesn't care much for Harry. Suffering a heart attack while romancing Marin, Harry finds himself housebound with Erica, which turns out to be his only companion. As they grudgingly get to know each other something starts to stir, though as the hospital doctor, named Julian (Keanu Reeves), who treated him has taken a shine to Erica, Harry could have serious competition. Overall, I thought that the acting was pretty good, and the storyline managed to keep my attention. Personally I feel that Nancy Meyers usually tends to write intriguing story lines, such as Father of the Bride, The Holiday, It's Complicated, etc. Anyway, I thought that it was a pretty good movie, and I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie review
December 12, 2010 - #94/100
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace (Will Poulter), where they meet up with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship called The Dawn Treader. Along the way, they encounter a strange fog, which seems to be causing issues in Narnia. In order to get rid of the fog, they must locate the seven original Narnia swords, which were bestowed to seven Lords. So, it then becomes a quest to find the seven Lords, and to place the seven swords at Aslan's table in order to get rid of the strange fog. Overall, I think I liked the two previous Narnia movies better. But, I think that's mainly due to the fact that I thought that the two older Pevensie children were good actors, and they only make short appearances in the third movie. Even though I prefer the other movies to this one, I still thought that it was an entertaining movie. Sure, the acting wasn't as great, but the storyline managed to keep my attention. Therefore, I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace (Will Poulter), where they meet up with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship called The Dawn Treader. Along the way, they encounter a strange fog, which seems to be causing issues in Narnia. In order to get rid of the fog, they must locate the seven original Narnia swords, which were bestowed to seven Lords. So, it then becomes a quest to find the seven Lords, and to place the seven swords at Aslan's table in order to get rid of the strange fog. Overall, I think I liked the two previous Narnia movies better. But, I think that's mainly due to the fact that I thought that the two older Pevensie children were good actors, and they only make short appearances in the third movie. Even though I prefer the other movies to this one, I still thought that it was an entertaining movie. Sure, the acting wasn't as great, but the storyline managed to keep my attention. Therefore, I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
Lady and the Tramp movie review
December 11, 2010 - #93/100
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Lady is a pampered Cocker Spaniel who lives in the ritzy part of town. Everything is great until Jim Dear and Darling, who are Lady's owners, have a baby. Jim Dear and Darling take a vacation, so Aunt Sarah and her two scheming Siamese cats come to stay and take care of the baby. Lady is thought to be vicious and is muzzled and put outside. Tramp comes to her rescue. Lady runs away with him only to be caught by the dogcatcher. Once Lady is rescued from the pound by Aunt Sarah, she is angry with Tramp. But, many various things occur, and Tramp eventually gets caught by the dogcatcher. It is then time for Lady to figure out a way to save him. Overall, I thought that it was a pretty cute movie. After all, it is considered to be a Disney classic. But, when compared to other Disney classics, I can think of a few others that I prefer over this movie. Even though I would choose others over this one, I still wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Lady is a pampered Cocker Spaniel who lives in the ritzy part of town. Everything is great until Jim Dear and Darling, who are Lady's owners, have a baby. Jim Dear and Darling take a vacation, so Aunt Sarah and her two scheming Siamese cats come to stay and take care of the baby. Lady is thought to be vicious and is muzzled and put outside. Tramp comes to her rescue. Lady runs away with him only to be caught by the dogcatcher. Once Lady is rescued from the pound by Aunt Sarah, she is angry with Tramp. But, many various things occur, and Tramp eventually gets caught by the dogcatcher. It is then time for Lady to figure out a way to save him. Overall, I thought that it was a pretty cute movie. After all, it is considered to be a Disney classic. But, when compared to other Disney classics, I can think of a few others that I prefer over this movie. Even though I would choose others over this one, I still wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood movie review
December 10, 2010 - #92/100
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Playwright Siddalee Walker (Sandra Bullock), on the verge of opening a new play, gives a magazine interview in which she discusses her unhappy childhood. Her mother is furious and cuts her off. Her mother's friends, who formed a secret society called the Ya-Ya Sisterhood during their childhood days, kidnap Siddalee from her New York apartment and take her home to Louisiana, where they explain why her mother mistreated her with help from the secret Ya-Ya scrapbook, and many various flashbacks. Personally, I had an extremely hard time focusing on this movie. I remember many years ago trying to watch it, but I only managed to watch 30 minutes of it before falling asleep. To me, the storyline was not intriguing at all. In all honesty, it's hard for me to even explain what this movie is even about because I had such a difficult time trying to focus, but failed in doing so. I think it's safe to assume that I don't plan on watching this movie ever again.
I gave this movie 2/10 stars on imdb.com.
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Playwright Siddalee Walker (Sandra Bullock), on the verge of opening a new play, gives a magazine interview in which she discusses her unhappy childhood. Her mother is furious and cuts her off. Her mother's friends, who formed a secret society called the Ya-Ya Sisterhood during their childhood days, kidnap Siddalee from her New York apartment and take her home to Louisiana, where they explain why her mother mistreated her with help from the secret Ya-Ya scrapbook, and many various flashbacks. Personally, I had an extremely hard time focusing on this movie. I remember many years ago trying to watch it, but I only managed to watch 30 minutes of it before falling asleep. To me, the storyline was not intriguing at all. In all honesty, it's hard for me to even explain what this movie is even about because I had such a difficult time trying to focus, but failed in doing so. I think it's safe to assume that I don't plan on watching this movie ever again.
I gave this movie 2/10 stars on imdb.com.
A Guy Thing movie review
December 3, 2010 - #91/100
A Guy Thing (2003)
When Paul (Jason Lee) wakes up the morning after his bachelor party, he finds himself in bed with a strange woman named Becky (Julia Stiles). Paul presumes that he must have cheated on his fiancée named Karen (Selma Blair). Therefore, guilt leads him to try to cover it up within the week before the wedding. But, of course, many various things occur. At a party that is being held for Paul and Karen, Paul learns that Becky is Karen's cousin. Also, after spending some more time with Becky, Paul realizes that he has feelings for her. He then needs to figure out whether he wants to be with Becky or with Karen. Overall, it was a decent movie. The plot didn't seem to be fully developed, and it wasn't exactly as funny as I thought it was going to be, but it wasn't that bad. It managed to keep me entertained.
I gave this movie 5/10 stars on imdb.com.
A Guy Thing (2003)
When Paul (Jason Lee) wakes up the morning after his bachelor party, he finds himself in bed with a strange woman named Becky (Julia Stiles). Paul presumes that he must have cheated on his fiancée named Karen (Selma Blair). Therefore, guilt leads him to try to cover it up within the week before the wedding. But, of course, many various things occur. At a party that is being held for Paul and Karen, Paul learns that Becky is Karen's cousin. Also, after spending some more time with Becky, Paul realizes that he has feelings for her. He then needs to figure out whether he wants to be with Becky or with Karen. Overall, it was a decent movie. The plot didn't seem to be fully developed, and it wasn't exactly as funny as I thought it was going to be, but it wasn't that bad. It managed to keep me entertained.
I gave this movie 5/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Bridges of Madison County movie review
December 1, 2010 - #90/100
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
The path of Francesca Johnson's (Meryl Streep) future seems destined when an unexpected fork in the road causes her to question everything she had come to expect from life. While her husband and children are away at the state fair in the summer of 1965, Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) happens turn into the Johnson farm and asks Francesca for directions to Roseman Bridge. Francesca later learns that he was in Iowa on an assignment from National Geographic magazine. At first, she is reluctant, but she eventually agrees to show him to the bridge. Eventually, she falls in love with him, and has a brief affair with him. But, she doesn't go with him because she doesn't want to leave her family. Once she dies, journals are found by her children, explaining everything that happened with Robert. She leaves a special request in her will, and her children must decide whether to honor their mother's final wishes or not. Overall, I thought that the movie was pretty good. Parts of it seemed to move kind of slow, but I thought that Meryl Streep did an outstanding job, as usual.
I gave this movie 8/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
The path of Francesca Johnson's (Meryl Streep) future seems destined when an unexpected fork in the road causes her to question everything she had come to expect from life. While her husband and children are away at the state fair in the summer of 1965, Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) happens turn into the Johnson farm and asks Francesca for directions to Roseman Bridge. Francesca later learns that he was in Iowa on an assignment from National Geographic magazine. At first, she is reluctant, but she eventually agrees to show him to the bridge. Eventually, she falls in love with him, and has a brief affair with him. But, she doesn't go with him because she doesn't want to leave her family. Once she dies, journals are found by her children, explaining everything that happened with Robert. She leaves a special request in her will, and her children must decide whether to honor their mother's final wishes or not. Overall, I thought that the movie was pretty good. Parts of it seemed to move kind of slow, but I thought that Meryl Streep did an outstanding job, as usual.
I gave this movie 8/10 stars on imdb.com.
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