The 365 Films Challenge - Day Thirty

I’m Reed Fish

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Alexis Bledel and Schuyler Fisk

Directed By: Zackary Adler 

This is a story of boy meets girl. As a child. And dates her. And then they are betrothed. And that’s where our story begins. Reed Fish is a little Jewish boy from a small town chock-full of folks that have known him his whole life because they knew his dad who hosted the town’s only radio program, which Reed takes on the role of after his father dies. While mulling around his wedding plans, an old flame (whom annoys the SHIT out of me) comes and fucks shit up. Then Reed has an identity crisis and the film is essentially about finding out who you are as a person. This film has a particularly shocking ending, which made me appreciate the movie more than I had originally. 

It wasn’t the worst movie I’ve ever seen. The ending, which I don’t intend to spoil, made the film more interesting and led me to appreciate the story a bit more. I also did a little research after I saw the credits and noticed that the film was written by the real Reed Fish, who is actually a pretty cool dude. I tweeted him and he responded which added a level of connection to this film that I have never really felt before. It made the movie more real and down-to-earth, but that was just my personal experience. Seven and a half stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Nine

Nowhere Boy

Starring: Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Anne-Marie Duff

Directed By: Sam Taylor-Wood

This particular flick chronicled John Lennon’s life from the age of seventeen to twenty, give or take a few years. It mainly detailed his life when The Beatles were just beginning as The Quarrymen. First, I would like to say I never realized how troubled a young man Johnny was. I shed quite a few tears for him and his genuinely fucked up life. Next, I would like to say that I thought, as biopics go, the film was swell. Part of me felt that it was not the best way his story could have been told and the other part of me was happy that it was being told in the first place. I have never liked that smug bastard, Aaron Johnson, and I felt he incorporated a greater dash of douche than John actually emanated. After the first five minutes, I was only watching for Thomas Sangster who made me love Paul McCartney much more than I ever dreamed possible. I would also like to note how uncomfortable the sexual tension betwixt John and his real mother was and I like to think that, in reality, that wasn’t the case. I don’t think that his mother would have hit on him NEARLY as much as the fictional mom did, no matter how famous he was. Finally, twas a good film and I highly recommend it for any and all that have any remote interest in John Lennon. But keep in mind that this is a film and Aaron Johnson is a relatively bad actor. Eight stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Eight

The Lorax 

Starring: Zac Efron, Ed Helms, and Danny DeVito

Directed By: Kyle Balda and Chris Renaud

If you don’t know the plotline of The Lorax then please get the hell off my blog and GO READ IT. 

For those of you that were not deprived children, I will get on with my review. This movie was positively flawless film-wise, as far as advertisements were concerned I was disappointed (Stephen Colbert summed up what was wrong nicely). I felt the book was well-represented on screen and the filmmakers did an excellent job animating the film to look exactly like the illustrations Dr. Seuss originally created. Personally, I feel Teddy would have been as proud (FUN FACT! Zefron’s character was named Ted and when I realized why, I cried) as I was seeing someone in the industry remind parents and children of the dangers of consumerism, mass-production, and pollution. I cried like a baby over the preservation of the Doctor’s legacy, as well as the ultimate message of the film and the book: Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.

Twelve-billion stars.

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Seven

The Descendants

Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, and Amara Miller

Directed By: Alexander Payne

I will say right now: WORTH. ALL. THE. HYPE.

Bottom line: George deals with single parenthood as a father who doesn’t know his children. In Hawaii. And discovers that his wife was cheating on him. In Hawaii. And that she never loved him. IN. HA. WAI. I. 

This film was GORGEOUS. I will momentarily disregard George’s good looks (just this once) and say that everything about this movie was beautiful. As a Hawaiian, I feel it truly captured all that is lovely about my fair islands and it made me nostalgic for a place that I have never been to. I have, however, officially decided that if I ever have enough cash moolah to retire to the islands, I shall because they’re gorgeous and fun and ocean-tastic. As this film illustrated. 

Now that my stroke is over, I will talk about George-y. My man. He delivered (as if he doesn’t always). He was charming and adorable and he made me cry at least three times. Part of me is stunned that he did not win the Oscar, but he won the Academy so whatever. He was just truly amazing. Thinking about it leaves me as awestruck as the experience of the film the first time. I would also like to take this time to say that as much as I didn’t hate Shailene Woodley, I pity America’s youth. They are just in a downward spiral. Kids today. Oi with the poodles already. 

At any rate, I digress: GO. SEE. IT. Now. 

Also, his friends were OBNOXIOUS. Nine stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Six

America’s Sweethearts

Starring: John Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Julia Roberts

Directed By: Joe Roth

I cannot deny the fact that I initially watched this movie for Billy and John. By the time the movie was over, it was all for Billy. John and Catherine play this former Hollywood couple that has yet to release a film that was made when they were still together (incorporating Catherine’s sister portrayed by Julia into the third point that makes this love triangle) while Billy worked for the company that made the film and in order to keep his job, he must successfully release the film. So Billy sets up a press junket, Cath and John must pretend to still be in love and Julia has to mull silently in the background. Assumedly, the rest can be inferred. 

This wasn’t a terrible movie, but it was not the best film I’ve seen. By the end of the film I was just annoyed. The only redeeming quality was the comic duo of Billy Crystal and Seth Green who, surprisingly, had EXCELLENT chemistry. 

I appreciated the bit roles of Stanley Tucci and Rainn Wilson as well, so I’ll throw this dog a bone in the form of six stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Five

Kill Your Idols

Starring: Ron Albertson, Angus Andrew, and Tristan Bechet 

Directed By: Scott Crary

This was a documentary taking a look at uber underground punk music of the 1970’s in New York City and the influence these artists have had on modern ‘punk’ groups. Essentially, what was learned here was that the bad-ass bands of the 70’s (such as The Theoretical Girls, DNA, and Suicide) were hard core and fearless. They had no problem whatsoever going out on stage only knowing how to play one note repeatedly or without a set list. They were pioneers in the age of punk music. As opposed to modern punk bands (like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs [the exception to the blanket statement I am about to make], and A.R.E. Weapons) that are just trying too hard to re-create the magic their predecessors left behind. Frankly, I just wanted to punch the members of A.R.E. Weapons square in the jaw because they were total douchebags and their screen presence was lax, to say the least. Ultimately, it was a well made documentary with slightly mediocre footage and it taught me about a part of the music world that I, shockingly, had no idea previously existed. Seven and a half stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Four

Tangled

Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy 

Directed By: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard

I’m just going to skip this film’s synopsis because this is tumblr and everyone knows this basic plotline because a) it’s Tangled and b) it’s Disney so it’s not hard to figure out. And now we’re just going to jump right into the review! I must say, I enjoyed this MUCH more than I anticipated I would. When it came out and I saw the previews I thought “This is just going to be dumb, I think I can afford to skip it” but I was wrong. I mean, I could’ve skipped it because there were so many allusions to other Disney movies it was essentially like watching Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Beauty and the Beast all at the same time but, regardless of this fact, I’m glad I finally saw it. It was cute and the songs were good and it was BEAUTIFULLY animated. I kind of wanted to die it was so pretty. And Pascal was one of the best Disney sidekicks I think we have seen in a long time. He’s close to knocking Raja and Abu right out of first place on my list of favorites. I also really appreciated that Mandy Moore did her own singing. It warmed my heart a little and I can’t really explain why. The only two issues I had with the film were her hair and ZLevi. I know it’s Rapunzel and she has long ass hair and her hair is magical so it grows and whatever, but I just felt like it was too long. And, if I’m going to be picky, her teeny tiny little twelve-year old body would not have been able to support THAT much hair. But whatever, I know I have to suspend my disbelief because it’s a Disney movie. Now, ZLevi. I liked that it was Zachary Levi, I thought he did well but a part of me kept hearing Paul Rudd in his voice and then hoping that it was Paul Rudd only to remember that it was Zachary Levi. Ultimately, I liked the way they spun this particular fairy tale. The scary parts were EXCEPTIONALLY dark for a modern Disney film, which I liked and Rapunzel was a very empowering heroine (with THREE parents), which we don’t normally see from Disney and I really appreciated it. She was like Mia Thermpolis in cartoon form (personality wise). I’d say nine stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Three

That Thing You Do!

Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, and Tom Hanks

Directed By: Tom Hanks

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. This was a story all about how Guy’s life got twisted upside down and I’d like to take a moment, just sit right there, and I’ll tell you all about how he became the prince of The One-ders. He drummed for his former band, they got famous and the fame ripped them apart. Guy, the drummer, was adorkable and I loved that it was set in the sixties and therefore chock-full of allusions to The Beatles. Tom is a master (of the universe) and the dude should just write and direct films forever. It was quippy and wonderful and I felt like every single line just was Tom, if that makes any sense. I even feel like he made sure Tom Everett Scott played the main character because he was just oozing “Big” like ALL OVER THE SCREEN. He reminded me of Tom too. I also very much appreciated the incorporation of his family. The little cameos from Rita Wilson and Colin ‘Baby’ Hanks were the sweetest. This movie essentially solidified Tom in my mind as Jesus. He is, by far, one of the most wonderfully adorable humans that has ever walked this Earth. Also, Liv Tyler was the Kat Dennings of her time. Or vice versa. Steve Zahn was perfect, also. He played cutely dumb so well. Twas a lovely film and I feel like a happier person for having seen it. Nine stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-Two

Elizabethtown

Starring: Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, and Susan Sarandon

Directed By: Cameron Crowe

I moderately enjoyed this movie. Essentially, Drew got fired and his father died (the day that he planned to commit suicide). So Drew, as the eldest son of a distraught Hollie, has to go down South to collect his father’s remains and bring him back home to Oregon. On his way down he meets a “charming” (but I would really rather describe her as “obnoxious”) flight attendant Claire, with whom he becomes infatuated. P.S. Drew’s mom and his dad’s side of the family don’t get along and he’s staying in a hotel that has been overthrown by a band of hicks about to get married. I was a fan of the movie, if only because it was a Cameron Crowe film and I feel morally obligated to. It was well-written and interesting and it, like any C-Crowe flick, left the viewer taking an extensive look into themselves and questioning whether or not they have truly lived. The film ends with Drew taking a very inspired adorable beautiful road trip that, frankly, I would like to go on myself. Susan Saradon’s performance was IMMACULATE. She was absolutely wonderful as a distraught widow. She was funny and charming and when she gave her speech at the funeral, I nearly cried. The only portion of the film that really irked me was when Drew and Claire were on the phone with each other for a solid nine hours. The hopeless romantic in me jumped out the window and all I could think was “How much are they going to get charged for all these wasted minutes?” And, can we take a moment to discuss accents? BECAUSE REALLY. Orlando abandoned his wonderful English accent and donned a plain ol’ American accent and, evidently, the Nic Cage acting approach because everything he said was scratchy and half-whispered. And KIRSTEN’S ACCENT. As if I didn’t hate the girl enough already she went and spoke with a mainly-Souther-but-periodically-slipped-out-of-Kirsten-voice and it drove me NUTS. Otherwise, the movie was really good and I will grant it seven stars. P.S. The exterior shots of America were GORGEOUS. Any time they were outside, I was pleased. And I don’t even like the outdoors. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty-One

What’s Your Number?

Starring: Anna Faris, Chris Evans, and Ari Graynor

Directed By: Mark Mylod

To begin: THIS FILM WAS AWFUL. Essentially, girl reads Cosmo and finds out she’s a slut for having slept with twenty guys already so rather than continuing to slut-it-up, she finds all her ex-boyfriends to see if she can make it work with any of them. Meanwhile, this hottie across the hall becomes her best friend, they rock a very “Harry-Met-Sally” relationship (in my eyes), and her sister’s getting married. BADDA BING. The plot was annoying and predictable, the sexual tension between Chris and Anna could be cut with a KNIFE, Anna’s friends and sister were ANNOYING AS SHIT, and I cannot stand the sound of Anna Faris’s voice. The noise that comes out of her mouth when she is supposed to be talking me want to kick puppies. Finally, the sound editing was generally terrible. The music was edited in WAY TOO LOUD. The only part of this movie I enjoyed was the little joke the writers made with her essentially ‘stalking’ one of her exes, who just happens to be Anna’s real-life husband, Chris Pratt. That was adorable, the rest of the movie stunk. And of course MARTIN FUCKING FREEMAN. Dude was pretty fucking awesome. Five stars. At best. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Twenty

Down to You

Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr., Julia Stiles, and Selma Blair

Directed By: Kris Isacsson 

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. They have sex and eat cake. They worry that they met too soon. Boy talks to a spider. Lives alone. Girl gets job. Boy runs around alone. Selma Blair hangs out in there somewhere. Boy has annoying older friend that makes pornos for a living. And in between all this there was a splendid soundtrack, a bit of adorable lip syncing, and more nineties clothes than a movie made in 2000 REALLY needed. It was a pretty freaking cute rom-com though. Freddie Prinze Jr. is more adorable than I remember and the whole thing reminded me of an INFINITELY happier version of Kicking and Screaming. Eight and a half stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Nineteen 

Charlie Bartlett 

Starring: Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., and Kat Dennings

Directed By: Jon Pall 

This flick was about a troublesome adorable young man with a fucked up mother and bad home life who goes to a new school and makes an effort to help those similar to him i.e. any kid who has ever been in high school EVER. It was good. Highly stereotypical but really good. Anton was FRAKING lovely as was RDJ and Kat Dennings is indeed, officially, one of my spirit animals. I’ll give this one nine stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Eighteen 

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kieran Culkin 

Directed By: Edgar Wright

THIS MOVIE WAS PURELY AMAZING! Every thing about it. The story. The cast. The soundtrack. The costumes. THE TRANSITIONS! May I say that the transitions made me want to PLOTZ. They were absolutely one-hundred percent brilliantly beautiful. I just want to die because no other film could ever possibly top this one transition-wise. Bottom line: Dude Scott has to take down Chick Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends while meandering around with his Korean schoolgirl ‘girlfriend’ and HILARIOUS gay roommate. This movie was just wonderful. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. TEN BILLION STARS! Please and thank you. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Seventeen 

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman

Directed By: George Lucas 

May I just begin by saying that I loved this movie. I thought it was spectacular and an excellent set-up for the events to come in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. I don’t understand why I heard so many bad things about it before hand but to each his own, I guess. This episode of the Star Wars anthology follows Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on their quest for peace between the planets Naboo and Coruscant. On the way they stop at Tattooine and find the young Anakin Skywalker whom, Qui-Gon believes to be the chosen one. There are excellent battle sequences and an exceptionally creepy budding love story between Anakin and Padme and I thought this movie was marvelous. I thought it was beautifully done and that it was exciting to discover the backstory after having seen the original three. The politics that are such heavy driving forces in this film were also interesting. They gave the film an adult quality with consequences that I am interested to see transpire in the last two installations. Fuck you, Mr. Lucas and your wonderful films. Nine stars. 

The 365 Films Challenge - Day Sixteen 

The Vow

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, and Sam Neill

Directed By: Michael Sucsy

First, please don’t judge me Autumn. This was Melissa’s idea. Second, ew. Third, ew. Fourth, ew. This movie was so hipster-centric it made even me a little sick. They were artsy-fartsy kids in Chicago in love. Channing’s character first met Rachel’s in a FEDORA. A FEDORA. A FUCKING FEDORA?!?! Rachel was a POTTER. I felt like I was sitting in on Ghost for a hot minute. And they got married in an ART GALLERY. THAT THEY WERE ILLEGALLY WEDDING IN. But whatever. I’ll get over it. Bottom line: They fell in love. They got married. Five years go by. Car accident. Amnesia. Rachel goes back to the way she was pre-Channing and GO WASTE YOUR MONEY TO FIND OUT HOW IT ENDS (which, is not a stereotypical ending because this is ‘based on a true story’ and I appreciate that bit). Sam Neill plays a bad guy and I do not like seeing him in this light. It makes me pretty smad. I can’t even conceit to think about this movie anymore. All this romance in the air is making me sick. Seven and a half stars. 

P.S. There is general consensus (between me and Deanna) that Channing is just a neck with ears. This fact did not affect my review at all.