Beyond Belief (2007)

#129 This was a very moving and well done documentary. It follows the lives of two widows who lost their husbands on 9/11. They meet and become friends and decide to make a difference in the lives of widows living in Afghanistan.  I found myself in tears more than once, both because of the tragedy that no woman should have to go through, and also because of the strength of these two women.  Their commitment, especially during their own grief, to helping women who have lost their husbands on the other side of the world, was very touching to me.  This was most definitely worth watching. It was especially emotional to me I think because we are nearing the 10 year anniversary of that day that changed everything.  10 years ago around this time I had just gotten back from my first ever trip to NYC, and we had a whole role of film that my husband took when he visited the World Trade Center.  So many memories of that year for me, that I think its going to be hard to watch stuff like this.  However, I absolutely recommend it.
Beyond Belief

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Yes, you all know by now that I am a big Woody Allen fan.  I usually prefer movies that he actually appears in, but I have admit that lately I don't even miss him so much because they have really been pretty good anyway, even without him.  This was by far my favorite in a very long time.  I was surprised at how much I loved it, because I am not the biggest Owen Wilson fan, in fact I was sort of shocked that he would even be IN a Woody Allen movie, I just don't get the appeal I guess.  He was fantastic in this. This movie was by far one of my favorites of the year. I loved every single thing about it. It made me think, it made me laugh, I couldn't wait to get home and look up some of the artists/writers mentioned in the movie. I can't recommend this one enough....go see it. Its wonderful.  The movie seemed very much a love letter to Paris, and did make me want to jump on a plane (I don't fly...) and go there.  Its a basic plotline, the grass isn't always greener kind of thing, but its such a fun film, of course expecting you to use your imagination just a bit....I can't wait to see it again!
Midnight in Paris

Happythankyoumoreplease (2010)

#127. I really enjoyed this. I remember seeing Josh Radnor (who I love from How I Met Your Mother) on a talk show earlier this year talking about this movie and I wanted to see it right away. Its exactly the kind of movie that I love.  Dysfunctional people, looking for acceptance, love, etc...The movie was basically three short stories being told in an intertwined fashion. It follows Sam (Josh Radnor) as he finds a boy that he thinks has gotten separated from his family on the subway, he takes the kid with him, and ends up keeping him because he doesn't seem to know what else to do.  Sam has a crush on Mississippi (played by the beautiful Kate Mara) and they get involved in an interesting friendship/relationship.  Sams friend Annie (incredibly played by Malin Akerman) is a girl with Alopecia, struggling in her romantic relationships, who is being pursued by the adorably nerdy Sam #2 (Tony Hale).  The third story is a couple that are trying to decide the next step in their relationship (one of my favorites Zoe Kazan and the adorable Pablo Schrieber). I loved this movie, I thought it was heartwarming, and honest and very well written.  I hope to see Josh Radnor do some more writing/directing because this is exactly the kind of movie I love to spend my hour and a half watching!
Happythankyoumoreplease

A few more...

Here are #123, #124, #125 and #126 sorry for the multiple review posting but I thought it might be less sloppy this way!
#123 was Bridesmaids....yes, again. I took my husband for our 17th anniversary date night movie.  This time, though I still enjoyed it, I noticed a few things that I didn't love about it.  I thought the music was lacking for sure. During some of the slower moments especially, some music might have helped. I watch a lot of independent movies that don't have a lot of music during scenes, but this was more of a mainstream chick flick/comedy, I think they need a bit more music to keep the mood a bit lighter.  Also, I think its a movie I need to see with the girls.  My husband laughed, but not like I did. I don't know that he "got" it in the same way that I did.
#124-Mr. Poppers Penguins (2011) I loved this book when I was younger.  That being said, the only thing I saw that this film had in common with the book, was the name Mr. Popper and the penguins!  However, I really enjoyed this movie anyway.  We took the kids to the Drive-In to see it, and both kids actually seemed to really like it. I thought it was a sweet family film, very endearing and I loved, loved LOVED the New York setting of course.  Jim Carrey was actually heartwarming and I thought the penguins were positively adorable! I would definitely recommend this one as a family film, or fans of Jim Carrey....
#125 -X-Men: First Class (2011) I really liked this one.  I guess I am not over comic book/super hero movies after all. Perhaps they just need to be done really well.  This one was done really well. I thought the casting was perfect. I loved James McAvoy as Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Magneto. I especially loved seeing my boyfriend Nicholas Hoult as Beast. He is so adorable, I don't think I will ever get enough of him. The plot was good, the effects were good, and I thought it was a fun summer movie.  Not a bad start to the summer so far!
#126Cedar Rapids (2011) I was so excited to find this available on CinemaNow (we still have some credits with them....I do prefer Amazon on demand for our paid instant streaming stuff) so we watched it the other night. I love Ed Helms so much, and I think he is so under-appreciated.  This was the kind of movie that I really love. It was funny, interesting, well written and surprisingly sweet.  John C. Reilly who I love but has been getting on my nerves lately (NOT a fan of Step Brothers, though my husband subjects me to it whenever he gets a chance) but he was wonderful in this one.  I definitely recommend this one. A good quality comedy.

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

#123. We saw this at the Drive-In a few weeks ago and I totally forgot that I didn't write it up!  I really can't say that much about it, because I missed quite a bit with bathroom trips and trying to make it so that Chloe could see from behind me, it was quite a debacle. The movie seemed okay, kind of cute, kind of eh...I liked the first one, this one was just okay.  My son loved it, my daughter seemed to enjoy it, so I guess its good for kids!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302011/

Kick-Ass (2010)

#122 (I think...I suck at keeping track now) I am pretty sure I was supposed to like this movie. It looked so good to me when I saw the previews and I had every intention of seeing it at the theater when it was out but I never got around to it.  I finally watched it on Netflix a few nights ago, and I was very underimpressed. It could be that I am just over the whole comic book/super hero movie genre. I haven't loved one in awhile (wait...I did, but I haven't written that review yet) but I had high hopes for this one.  I didn't like it. I barely made it through the movie. In fact, I had to watch it over the course of two nights, because I started it a bit late, and then got bored and quit, deciding to suck it up and finish it because my husband watched the whole thing and enjoyed it.  I thought that both Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz (who I really adore) did a great job. I just couldn't get into the movie.  I think I am also having a hard time tolerating Nicholas Cage lately.  His character in this did nothing to improve my opinion of him. I thought it was longer than it needed to be, and I enjoyed very little of it.  Just not my thing.
Kick-Ass (2010)

Super 8 (2011)

Movie #121. I clearly need to get to work or I may never really finish catching up.  However, I am thrilled to be managing my school work, Ian's school work, planning another trip to NYC to see some shows AND at least catching up a few movies.  So we tried to take Ian to see Super 8 for a matinee on Monday but he wimped out and decided it might be too scary for him (because he is convinced the ratings systems are there for a reason LOL) so we left him home with Grandma and went anyway. SO glad I did, and now of course, I am all about trying to change his mind because this is exactly the kind of movie I want for him.  I thought it was fantastic.  Did it feel a bit copycat of adventure movies from the 1980's?  You bet.  Did I care? No freaking way. I thought it was perfect.  I thought it was just the right amount of a tribute to movies like that (ET, Goonies, Gremlins, etc...) added to some of the same type genre movies of more recent years (Independence Day, Cloverfield, Jurassic Park) to be the perfect mix for a summer movie. I will not post any spoilers because that would ruin the fun.  I will say that the kids were all fantastic. Elle Fanning is just beautiful and did a perfect job, and the main character Joe, who was played by the incredible Joel Courtney had my heart the entire time. (just looking at IMDB it appears this is his first film?? I can't believe that!) I can't tell you how many times in the movie that I thought I might hear my favorite "Goonies never say die". I loved it from beginning to end. I was on the edge of my seat, I jumped with fear a few times, I laughed, and shamefully shed a few tears too (I am a sap...)I will absolutely be seeing this one again.  JJ Abrams is a rock star! My favorite part....the fact that I didn't feel like they were selling me on a sequel.  This movie actually ended without giving me that typical, 1st in a series vibe. It started, it was fun, and then it ended without feeling like a franchise.  I was very grateful for that. I hate feeling like movies are part marketing scheme.  Perfect way to start my summer movie viewing!

Super 8

Burzysnki (2011)

#120. Okay, so I am supposed to be doing my homework this morning, when I decided to check my email in-box first.  I have a message in there from one of my cancer group Moms, who forwarded a link to this documentary that can be watched in its entirety for free until June 20.  I click the link, thinking I would watch for a few minutes and file it away on my "to-be-watched-someday-in-the-future-when-it-hits-netflix-streaming" list.  That didn't work out so well. I was immediately sucked in, and I couldn't stop watching.  This film is disturbing on so many levels.  This did not change my views about the FDA and my opinions about the pharmaceutical industry having far too much power....in fact, it reinforced my views.  This movie is about a Doctor who discovered a valid treatment for certain types of cancer.  This treatment IS being used in some clinical trials and the success rate seems to be very good. The fight this man has had to try to get this treatment to patients in the US is a crime and just disgusting to me.  Please take the time to watch this movie. It can also be purchased at Whole Foods stores across the country.  I think we need to know what kinds of things are happening in this country as far as the FDA is concerned. We need to become more proactive in this fight that is really out there.  I used to get angry about stuff like this, but now that I have been in the trenches with Chloe....I feel the need to speak my mind about it.  To share when something this powerful comes along that I think everyone needs to watch.  It is free to watch until June 20, so take a few moments and check it out, then please share if you feel so moved to tell people.  You won't be sorry.
Burzynski

Broken Flowers (2005)

I think this is #119? I need to keep better track I think, if I am ever going to finish this thing.  Okay, so I have had this in my queue for quite some time, but decided I was in the Bill Murray mood and figured it was time. I have never been a huge Jim Jarmusch fan, in fact I don't even know if I have ever made it through an entire film of his.  I might have finished Ghost Dog, and thought it was decent.  My expectations were low with this one.  I was pleasantly surprised. I can't say I would recommend this to everyone, but I can say that I was happy I watched it.  I have grown pretty fond of Bill Murray, I think he is under-appreciated, and I think he is bordering on a comic genius. This is not a comedy by any means, though it had some amusing moments. Its the story of a guy who clearly can't get it right with his girlfriend and he is sent on a quest to find the mother of what might be his son.  Its painfully quiet at times, but I thought it was a very honest performance and I really enjoyed this movie. I thought the women in the supporting roles, the women from his past all did fantastic jobs, so many great actresses: Francis Conroy, Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange...all fantastic performances as well. I think this is worth watching.
Broken Flowers

Bridesmaids (2011)

If my calculations are correct, this will be movie number 117 and 118 for me this year. I am a bit behind for sure, I can make this up though...hopefully I get to do another movie marathon this year...that should help.
Okay...so Bridesmaids. I freaking LOVED this movie.  Clearly I must have loved it, I watched it twice in a 10 day period, and would love to watch it again.  I went the first time with my friend Nancy and though I enjoyed it and thought it was gut splitting hysterical....the experience was a bit tainted by the presence of a young child a row below us.  Now I am not a censoring kind of Mom.  My kids hear curse words for sure, because I admit to have a bit of a potty mouth, and I am not even ashamed of that.  However, I don't want to watch movies with blatant sex scenes with my 12 year old son!  Its not that I really care if he sees it....just don't really want to be there at this time. My issue I guess.  This movie was rated "R"...there was a opening sex scene (albeit a funny one) and more than one vulgar sexual reference...would those fly over Ian's head? Probably...and they may have flown over this girls head as well...but she didn't look more than 11 or 12, and it made ME uncomforable having her there.  My second viewing was with my girls Steph and Jo, and this time was a lot more fun. (No offense Nancy...totally wasn't your fault...it was that pesky child!) I laughed even harder knowing what was coming. Maya Rudolph is as beautiful as ever I absolutely adore her, and the high point in my opinion, was the incredible performance by Melissa McCarthy and a nice (villainous) performance by the stunning Rose Byrne This is a great movie to see with a bunch of girlfriends. There is so much "real" in this movie, that I felt the urge to hide under my seat at times from embarrassment for the main character played by the amazing Kristen Wigg.  I also think this is not just a girl movie. I know for sure my husband would find it highly amusing and would love to see it with him at some point. I think its honest, I think its hysterical and a sweet romantic comedy (cute boy played by the adorable Chris O'Dowd as well.  Loved it.  Highly recommend it!
Bridesmaids (2011)

Can't Quit

I am sure it appears that I have given up this project.  I have decided to alter the rules I originally had given myself.  Since deciding to go back to school this semester, after not having gone to school since (yikes) 1998. The movie thing has been hard for me to keep up with.  My class just started, and I haven't really fallen into any kind of routine yet, but I do know that I am finding it hard to keep up a movie a day, and then blog about them...so that really does sound like giving up, right?  Not so!  I will still watch and review 365 movies this year.  I promise. I just may not blog them every day...I might do two in a day...I might do three...I might not do any for a few days or even a whole week. But by the end of this year, I will have done 365 reviews, no matter the cost. (I am allowing myself second viewings though...because I have to...I don't have enough time to not count them, I am on my second viewing of Bridesmaids already and planning at least one more. It just doesn't seem fair if I can't count all of them!) I just don't want this to end, and I don't see another way out at this point. I watched a few movies last week and never blogged them because I didn't have the time or commitment to sit down and write them out.  Too busy trying to figure out the new format for writing papers and submitting them for my online class!  I have not quit yet!  Just altered my project a bit.  Still counts, right??