What Movie Did I watch Today

I watch a lot of movies (I usually watch one every night!) and write about them. Sometimes, I think I'm living vicariously through the films I watch. Did you know you can borrow movies from the library for FREE? Some people don't and that's why I'm telling you. I love movies and I hope you do too.

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Life of Pi

I read this book in high school and was so excited to watch the movie! What a beautifully crafted movie. So many stunning visuals - it will take your breath away. It's a visual masterpiece and fully deserving of the Oscar for Best Cinematography. 

What an ambitious project this would be. I applaud Ang Lee for undertaking it. He did such a great job at capturing the essence of the story. Suraj Sharma as Pi did an excellent job as well. It must have been incredibly difficult to act all by yourself. 

I recommend you lost yourself in this beautiful film on some rainy fall evening. If you'e already seen it, I think it would be worth the re-watch. Also,l if you haven't read the book, read it. You'll appreciate the movie more. 

My rating: A+

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

If you are need of a good laugh, look no further than Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. It is seriously one of the funniest movies out there. In fact, I think it definitely outdoes the first two in the series. 

It's colorful, and vibrant and energetic complete with clever lines and "adult humor" that goes over the heads of everyone under, let's say twelve.

Who knew the circus could be this fun? (Not me...I went to the circus when I was younger and it wasn't that fun at all). 

Fun for the whole family! Pack up the family van and head to the couch.Popcorn is a must. 

My rating: So fun! 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Silk

Despite the advice from my friend Paul who told me this movie "sucked" my sisters, my Mom and I watched this at my Grandma's house. I can still hear him saying "I told you so".

I have to say I am in love with Keira Knightley's hair in this movie and with the garden of lilies they plant infront of her house. I WANT that. Also just a FYI, her grown up son is played by the voice of Arthur the aardvark. My sisters and I laughed so hard,., Good old Arthur. 

I thought there were some very pretty scenes. But despite being visually pleasing, it still "sucked".

My rating: Save yourself an hour and 48 minutes and watch something else. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Anna Karenina

This book remains one of my favorite books of all time. I think it captures the range of human emotions and all the complexities of the heart so perfectly. All the characters are so complicated and have so many layers that it's hard to classify them as "good" or bad". I found myself liking and hating each of them in turn.

In terms of the movie, I think Joe Wright did it with a clever eye. The scene transitions are genius.

I'll never understand why British accents are suddenly the universal accent for anything foreign. Oh, a story set in Russia? Let's make it British accents as an acceptable alternative. 

I thought Keira did a good job in portraying Anna's vulnerability, doomed beauty, intense longings, passion for love and her endless struggle for fulfillment. Domhnall Gleeson likewise did an excellent job though I think he had considerably less to work with. 

My rating: A book you can read over and over again and a movie you can watch over and over again. Simply put, it's a story that will continuously have something to teach you. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

The Producers

I watched the original version and enjoyed it. I watched this version and I enjoyed it too. Which one I enjoyed more, I could not say. 

i think the first one was funnier but nothing beats Will Ferrell's Hop-CIop. My whole family was in stitches. The Spring Time for Hitler sequence might have been a little funnier in the first one.. "I was born in Dusseldorf and that is why they call me Rolf" = best line ever. 

I love how Matthew Broderick loves musicals. And Nathan Lane too. I just love men who sing in general. 

My rating: Not a movie that I'd want to watch every day or even every year but I'd watch it again...someday. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

The Phantom of the Opera

This is, and always will be, one of my favorite musicals. I saw the movie in theatres when it first came out and then I was lucky enough to see the live show on Broadway, New York.(What a delight that was!)

I know that there are critics you complain the movie is a mess and yeah, maybe there are a few plot holes that explaining (Where the heck does Raoul run to during Think of Me?) but the music is just so beautiful, I find it easy to ignore all that and just enjoy it.

I love Gerard as the Phantom. Apparently he had to train for three years to be able to sing (some may argue he may have needed more time). I'm just glad it wasn't Hugh Jackman. I don't think i could bear his nassaly voice belting out Music of the Night. I love Emmy Rossum as Christine although I could do without her breathless talking. Her singing is lovely though. And Patrick Wilson! Who knew he could sing - not me. 

Did you want Christine to choose the phantom or Raoul? I used to always be team Raoul but after watching it again last time, I'm all about the Phantom. (Other than the fact that he is a murderer)

My rating: This is a movie a musical-theatre lover and then some will want to watch over and over again. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Everybody's Fine

I'm surprised that this is classified as a comedy because I actually thought it was quite sad. It makes me feel sad for parents who have grown up kids and for anyone going through the harsh realities of growing up. Sometimes, there is really nothing as beautiful as parental love. 

It shows some of the trials of family life and how badly astray people can go. It skims the surface of some big issues but doesn't delve too much into detail into the parts that would make you uncomfortable. In that sense though, it almost leaves you feeling like you missed something. 

My rating: It made me sad. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Thor: The Dark World

I enjoyed Thor The Dark World more than the first Thor. I thought it was funnier and more focused in its funniness...if that makes any sense to you. It's just more convincing and not just wishy-washy weak laughs. Even the action scenes are better. 

Can someone please explain the ending to me? How does Loki survive?! (He always seems to be surviving even when I think he is dead). But this time, I am very stumped.

I was so disappointed when Loki turns bad at the end. I was so excited that him and Thor were getting along, then I was crushed when he turned bad, overjoyed when I found out he was just faking it and then crushed again when Odin's body turned into Loki smirking. There's nothing I love more than a villain who redeems himself, especially out of brotherly love. (How adorable is that?)

I don't really see the chemistry between Natalie and Chris. It just doesn't cut it for me. I almost wish they didn't end up together. 

My rating: You won't be bored. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Thor

Okay before you say anything (not that anybody actually ever does say anything) yes, I know that I am watching these out of order. (I'm dumb). 

This was actually my second time watching Thor but I haven't seen it for a few years. I liked it a lot better this time round. The first time, I thought it was just dumb but I was able to just enjoy the humor this time. At least it's aware of it's own silliness....so you laughing with it and not at it. 

I get a kick out of seeing Josh Dallas (Prince Charming in Once Upon a Time) and his horrific accent! Geez, it made me laugh so hard. 

"Another!"

My rating: Enjoyable...somewhat. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 was certainly a step up from Iron Man 2 but still, not a gold star in my books. Once again, it was redeemed by the one, the only Robert Downey Jr. Oh and Harley. Harley was also a definite benefit to the film. In fact, the scenes between him and Tony were my favorite. 

I thought the Ben Kingsley twist was nice but at least it was something about the movie that wasn't entirely predictable. I have never been a huge fan of Rebecca Hall and this was no exception. 

Oh, and nice appearance by Adam Pally. The Mindy Project, anyone?

My rating: Better, but not much better. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Iron Man 2

My sister and I are slowly but surely working through our Marvel movie Marathon. We said we would watch them all this summer...looks like that won't be happening. Anyway, we watched Iron Man 2. I was so disappointed! The only thing that made me sit there for the full 2 hours was the hilariousness of the one Tony Stark. (Thank you Robert Downey Jr!) 

I think the main problem was that the "bad guy" didn't make you feel anything. He didn't scare you or make you feel triumphant when he was beaten. Seriously, was that the best they could do? What a sad attempt to create an antagonist. Absolutely no development. I didn't even understand what his motives were. (This is assuming the original "Bad Guy" was Ivan.) 

It's wayyyy worse than the first Iron Man and I didn't even think Iron Man 1 was that great to begin with. They were probably relying on the popularity and success of the first one to drive ticket sales. Blah!

My rating: Nuh-uh! 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Aladdin

  In honor of the late Robin Williams, my sister and some friends watched Aladdin. Aladdin remains a childhood favorite of mine. I remember my dad let me stay up later than my sisters when we were young so that I could watch it. 

Aladdin is everything I love about Disney. The colors, the characters, the songs, the energy.,..it's all so perfect. And Aladdin's voice...ahh, so good. 

If you have anything to complain about this movie, I don't think we can be friends. We probably wouldn't understand each other. 

My rating: One of my favorites. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Last Night

These are the kind of movies that bug me because there is no satisfying conclusion! It leaves you hanging and wondering and God Forbid, thinking, about it. But I don't want to imagine the ending...I want to know. So it was a frustrating end to an already frustrating movie. 

During the movie, I put my ear in seasalt and water to clean a recent piercing I got (But you really didn't need to know that...I was just giving you a back story). ANYWAY I watched it by myself because I wasn't going to torture my dad to sit through it with me. 

I think it attempts to showcase the emotions and complexities of the human heart but i don't think the execution fulfills it's aim. How will the human heart confront temptation? Will love prevail? Guess what, I didn't really care. The movie couldn't get me to care (except for at the end WHEN THEY DIDN'T TELL US THE CONSEQUENCES.) 

I guess they keep it realistic. It's a 36 hour window into the lives of a married couple and after those hours are up, the blinds are drawn and we have to guess the rest. Poo. 

My rating: Don't watch it. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Killing Kennedy

Killing Kennedy gives the background story of the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy. It cleverly contrasts the lives, decisions, and trials of President Kennedy and former Marine Lee Harvey Oswald. 

When the little boy saluted his dad, I have to admit I teared up. I didn't expect to, but I did. I felt an overflowing amount of emotion for Jacqueline Kennedy as well. (Ginnifer Goodwin was picture perfect for the role!) 

A lot of the movie must be speculation considering that Oswald was killed before he could testify. They did try to show his underlying motivations but you  must take them with a grain of salt. 

I'm excited to watch JFK and see how the movies compare. Has anyone seen it? What did you think? 

My rating: It thought it was well done. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Death Defying Acts

One cloudy summer morning, I laid on my bed and watched Death Defying Acts. It tales the (fictional?) story of how Harry Houdini offers $10,000 to anyone psychic who can tell him his mother's last words and falls in love with said psychic. It's a story of deception. Try not to let it fool you..it's not as magical and wondrous and grand as I'm sure Houdini's real tricks were. 

It's interesting enough to watch but not very educational if it's all made up. 

My rating: I wouldn't waste my time on it. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is one of the better movies I've seen in a long time. It's the kind of movie that has the ability to captivate you from start to finish. It's the kind of movie that makes you think. It's the kind of movie that you can't tear your eyes away from. 

I watched The Shawshank Redemption with my dad under the recommendation of my sister's friend. I watched the trailer before the movie and right away I new Thomas Newman had composed the music (Little Women, anyone?) 

It's an enchanting display of fabulous acting, It's a gritty tale but I think at the heart of it, there's hope. It delves into a complicated range of human emotion as it explores the heart's capacity to love, to be cruel, to dream. 

I guess what it ultimately teaches us is that if the truth isn't enough to get you through whatever hell you're going through, sometimes perseverance combined with a little bit of hope is. 

My rating: A movie worth watching. 

[whatmoviedidiwatch]

Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday is so sweet it may as well give you diabetes. Starring Audrey Hepburn, in one of her first roles, it tells the story of a Princess' escape from her royal duties with charming reporter Joe Bradley. The ending may have you hitting your pillow in frustration (or maybe that's just me) because life can be awfully unfair...if we're being realistic. 

Yes, the movie gives you a perfect fairy tale day as it sweeps you into its romance - rides on a motorcycle, dancing under the stars - but then it wakes you up from the beautiful dream and gives you reality. 

Still, apart from the ending, it is hard NOT to like this movie. It's charming and fun and lighthearted and Audrey Hepburn is absolutely adorable. And let's not forget Gregory Peck. 

If you waited as long as I did to watch this classic, get a move on! You don't know what you're missing (Or maybe you do now that I've just told you).

My rating: Certainly!