and the rest of the last...

Okay, sorry...dinner break!
Addicted to her Love (2006) not great..not really even good. I don't even know why I watched it!
Rory O'Shea Was Here (2004) this on the other hand was really good.
Happy Accidents (2000) and this one...I really really liked. Marisa Tomei just makes me smile.
Morning Glory (2010) This was better than I thought. I am surprised actually that it didn't do better at the movies.  I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Falling Up (2009) how could you not like a movie where these things happen: Snoop Dogg is in the movie...as a door man, a man dies playing hand ball in the park....and Annette O'Toole works in a porn video store. Awesome. Oh, and Joseph Cross is pretty adorable too. I found it pretty amusing, a little predictable, but worth watching.
The Myth of the American Sleepover (2011) I will admit, part of the appeal of this for me was that it was filmed in Michigan.  Besides that though...I actually really liked it. Its super tiny and independent, if that's not your thing, you might not want to watch this. If you do...its totally decent.

I may squeeze one more movie in tonight if I can get my Netflix to work!! If I don't come back....Happy New Year everyone!!!

A few more....

I have decided since my plans fell through for tonight, I would update this blog one last time for the year and make a fresh start next year (with maybe a little less expectations on my part...being a student is harder than I thought it would be) My final count this year of movies (with a few that I probably forgot to count) was 175. less than half of what I was hoping for!  Oh well...tomorrow is another day.
Here are the remaining movies I watched this year with just a few words about them...
Footloose (1984) I loved this movie, I still love it. I wouldn't even see the new version because of my love for the original. I might change my mind someday...not so far
Cars 2 (2011) not as bad as I expected it to be...actually kind of cute.
The Smurfs (2011) again, better than I thought it would be.
Fright Night (2011) loved the original, loved this one. David Tennant in leather pants...that is all.
The Muppets (2011) cried like a baby through much of this movie. I have always loved The Muppets. Losing Jim Henson was devastating for me and this movie really paid great tribute to an incredible man and his creations.
The Help (2011) Haters can hate. I enjoyed this.
Hugo (2011) This movie deserves its own post, but I don't have the energy. I can't tell you how much I loved this movie. Its everything that movies should be. I saw it in 3D, which was incredible, not sure how important that was.  Any true movie lover will enjoy this movie. If you don't, I would be seriously surprised. My favorite movie of the year by far.
Ides of March (2011) Interesting...nice to look at. Wasn't as predictable as I expected it to be. Worth watching.
An Inconvenient Truth (2006) had to watch it for a class, I really enjoyed it, not at all as boring as it looked. Scary and entertaining at the same time.  Good stuff.
Win Win (2011) Awesome. Loved it! Paul Giamatti is one of my favorites and this was a great movie.
The Hangover Part II (2011) eh...didn't love it. Not nearly as funny as the original.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) good enough to me that I saw it twice.
New Years Eve (2011) Eh...not good enough to see twice. Maybe I am getting picky about my chick flicks, or at the very least, ones that take place in New York City. This wasn't that good. at all.
Mission Impossible- Ghost Protocol (2011) great fun! Exciting, good story and acting was great. Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner were welcome additions, and I don't care what people say, I like Tom Cruise.
Nothing like the Holidays (2008) Good holiday movie, touching....worth watching.
Ceremony (2010) I barely remember it so it must not have been great. I think I found it mildly entertaining, but not wonderful.
Leap Year (2010) I watched this as a joke. It is NOT the cute Amy Adams movie, its some sex movie that was boring and bizarre. I have no idea why I watched the whole thing...it was like a train wreck I just couldn't look away.
Paradise Now (2005) Watched it for a class, it was really good!
Adrift (2009) foreign movie with Vincent Cassel, it was pretty good. I enjoyed it.
Rabbit Hole (2010) heart breaking, raw but very, very good.

Need to take a break, will come back later to do the last few!

abandoned ship!

Yes, I realize I have not posted since August. Social Statistics took over my life and I didn't have time to watch a movie, let alone write a review.  I hate that I let this blog go, and didn't finish what I started. I would say I am going to try again next year, especially with January right around the corner. But I don't want to have to go back on my word. I will say that I will do my best to check in from time to time, especially when I have watched something special enough to share. I know now that with school, I just don't have time for a movie a day anymore.  That being said...one of my classes next semester is Crime and Cinema...so who knows!
I will leave you with a brief recommendation for the incredible series
Downton Abbey
The first series is available from Instant Netflix, the second series will air on PBS starting in January. I was sucked in within the first 15 minutes of the show, and watched the entire series over a weekend. I loved it so much I really could have just turned around and started the whole thing over again. I hope you will give it a try!  It is my goal to review a few more movies before the year is up....but I wouldn't make any bets on it!

Entres Nos (2009)

#149 Wow. That's all I can say. I won't give anything away, because I think the power of this film for me...was what I found after the movie, and it wouldn't have been the same experience had I known about it going in.  This movie was, at times, difficult to watch. However, the underlying feeling of hope and survival made it tolerable. The movie is about a young woman Mariana who is brought to American by her restless husband. After being in the country only two weeks, the husband leaves them alone in NY with nothing.  It was harsh and stressful, but also beautiful and strong. Paola Mendoza who plays Mariana, is incredibly beautiful and I didn't realize until after the film that she also co-wrote and directed it.  The two kids were super talented, and I thought this movie was absolutely fantastic.  I highly recommend it. Best part is...its available for instant streaming on Netflix, so go ahead...give it a shot!
Entres Nos (2009)

Last but not least...

The last of the catch up posts!
#147 - Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock very interesting. Just reaffirmed my desire to someday go to Burning Man. I have been thinking about it for a few years now, and realize its probably not my thing, but I can't help myself. I want to go.  I feel like if I don't try it, I am really missing something big!  The documentary was actually really well done and very interesting and I can totally recommend it, even if you have no interest in Burning Man whatsoever!
#148-The Exploding Girl (2009) I loved this so much, its actually my second time viewing it. I realize its not for everyone, so I hesitate to really recommend it in general. Its a very quiet, very small independent film that basically just takes you through a week in the life of Ivy, a girl home from school on what I assume is Spring Break.   I thought this was beautiful. I thought Zoe Kazan (who I have really come to love) was incredible and I will probably watch this again at some point because I really just loved everything about this movie.

I think that about catches me up. I can't think of any others that I have watched that I forgot to blog. I hope to keep up from now on...

And a few more...

I ran out of time last night to finish my post so here are the rest, and lets hope I can be more consistent from now on!
#143 - Company (2007) This is a wonderfully filmed version of a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company. It is WONDERFUL and its on Instant Netflix, and if you like musicals, you should absolutely watch it.
#144 - Winnie the Pooh (2011) Cute. Chloe didn't make it through the whole thing without getting up and wandering. It was only an hour long thankfully, don't know if I could handle any longer of a movie here. Ian, my 12 year old, seemed to find it far more amusing than my husband thought he should. It was cute. I love Pooh.
#145 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) Okay, this one probably deserves its one post but I just don't have time. I will just say this.  I wish that every book that I loved, could be turned into a movie this good. I cried like a baby through a whole lot of it, and I can't wait to see it again.  Awesome.
#146 - Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) Loved this. I really really loved this.  Not just because Ryan Gosling takes his shirt off more than once, though I admit....that didn't suck.  I just really liked the story. I thought it was well written. The characters were easy to relate to, and it was pretty darn funny too.  Good movie, I recommend it.
I have a few more but have to wait until tomorrow to post them. I feel like I am almost catching up here. Hope I can keep it up!

Weak....

I know...this has been pathetic, its been over a month since I have posted, and I always pledge to do better and end up doing worse. Now I am convinced you all think I am just a liar!  I have been watching a TON of movies though and will list them all here now and try to catch up some other time. Start fresh for August maybe?? Okay so....in no particular order...
#135 Larry Crowne (2011) - cute.  Love Tom Hanks...I don't seem to tire of him. Julia Roberts I can sometimes do without but she wasn't bad here. Nice chemistry I thought.
#136 You Again (2010) not as bad as I expected it to be...could be that I love Kristen Bell and well.....Sean Wing was in this for brief glimpses....and it made me miss American Idiot so much. I laughed a few times.
#137 -139 ( counting this as 3 because it was 19 freaking episodes and I watched them all in a 3 day span) My So-Called Life (1994-1995) This was my favorite show for a very long time.  Watching it again so many years later made me come to a sad realization...now that I have children I find myself relating more to the parents than I ever did before. Its a whole different show for me. Still love Claire Danes and though Jared Leto as Jordan Catellano was still as beautiful as ever....this time I didn't get it so much...her obsession with him.  Brian Krakow had so much more to offer!
#140 For the Bible Tells Me So (2007) This was actually really very good. A documentary that documents several families that have strong religious beliefs and they each find out that they have a child that is homosexual.  It was heartbreaking and beautiful and inspiring at the same time. I highly recommend this one.
#141 Loving Lampposts (2010) this was just okay for me. It was basically an overview of people's experiences with autism.  I thought it was an awful lot of information and too wide a variety of views with not enough time dedicated to each one...it was alright.
#142 Which Way Home another heartbreaking but excellent documentary about unaccompanied children that try to get into the US. Really made me think...

Kurt and Courtney (1998)

#134 Eh...didn't work for me.  I remember hearing lots of buzz about this movie when it was first out. I remember hearing it was controversial...that Courtney Love was trying to stop it from being shown, etc.  I thought it was interesting in that it really riled people up and the filmmaker was seldom successful in getting what he wanted in the movie...because of that, the contents were weak I thought.  Its clear that there is a lot of controversial theories surrounding the apparent suicide and death of Kurt Cobain.  This movie just doesn't prove anything solid though, except that people seem to be hiding something, maybe even lots of somethings.  The lack of solid information, and even the fact that he wasn't allowed to use Nirvana's music...kind of put a damper on the mood of the movie for me.  Watching him try to get the movie was made was interesting, but not interesting enough for me to really recommend this to everyone.  It was just okay.
Kurt and Courtney (1998)

Super 8 (2011)

#133. Yep, Super 8 again.  I was so happy when I saw it was playing at our local Drive-In with Transformers...my plan was to sit and enjoy Super 8, then sleep through Transformers once it started.  Someone decided it would be smarter (not sure who that would be, but they are clearly NOT my friend) to put Transformers on first, so Super 8 didn't even start until well after midnight, meaning...we didn't get home until almost 3 that night! I really wanted Ian to see this and he was still resistant even when it first started.  I encouraged him to give it 20 minutes, if he still didn't like it, we would wait until it comes on DVD, and if he did like it, we could still leave and go home to bed, but that I would take him back to a real theater to see it.  After the train crash scene I turned around to him and said, so are you ready to leave then?  He looked at me as if I had two heads "Um...NO...we are staying" so we ended up watching the whole thing there.  He loved it. I loved it again as well, seeing it a second time, I can see how people thought the train scene to be a bit over the top, but I think thats the kind of scene that you really get into when you are a kid. Ian loved that part.  I still loved the characters and actors most of all, but I still loved the nostalgic feel of the movie. I still think this is a can't miss movie for the summer!
Super 8 (2011)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

I really have no words. This was a fluke for me, I really had no intention of seeing this movie. Though I find Shia LaBeouf totally adorable, at least on screen, this series does not appeal to me.  Way too much banging and clanging of giant vehicle/creatures.  Not my cup of tea.  That being said, the parts with the actual actors, especially the interaction between Shia's character, Sam Witwicky and his parents played hilariously by Kevin Dunn and Julie White, really kept me entertained.  I think that John Turturro is great in this series, and its always nice to see him.  This wasn't as bad as I thought, but I swear it was 7 hours long...it comes in at a VERY long 157 minutes....and it really felt like it was even longer.  I think if it had been at least a half an hour shorter, I would have enjoyed it more. I will say that because some of it was filmed in Detroit, I enjoyed spotting things that looked familiar, so for that it was almost worth the price of the ticket! If you are a fan of the series...you might enjoy it. If you are not...its might feel like torture.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Veronica Mars (TV series 2004-2007))

#130-131: I know, I know...it shouldn't count. But I loved this show more than anything I have seen in a long time and am counting each season as one movie, because seriously? They were long seasons and I spent most of my week off from school work engrossed in this incredibly well written, gone-too-soon TV show.  Unfortunately it has been removed from Netflix instant, however, I have found that you can watch both season 2 and 3 online at the WB website...but you MUST start with Season 1, because...well you just must. Kristen Bell is brilliant here, I fell in love with her within minutes and was sucked in immediately.  The acting is great, its witty dialogue, great storyline and many twists and turns.  Really just an awesome show. Why it didn't last longer, and how I missed it when it was actually on, is totally beyond me.  But really...you should watch it, I am highly recommending it, at least seasons 1 and 2, I haven't finished 3 yet, but I felt it was lacking a bit so far...
 Veronica Mars

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