100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 78: The Way Way Back

Director: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 103 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Liam James, Steve Carell, Toni Colette, AnnaSophia Robb, Alisson Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry

Description: Shy 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) goes on summer vacation with his mother (Toni Colette), her overbearing boyfriend (Steve Carell), and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park.

Review: Duncan is a 14 year old boy, who is on his way to a beach house for the summer, with his mom, her new boyfriend Trent and the boyfriend’s daughter. Duncan and Trent don’t get along, he’s not happy with his mother’s choice. It’s going to be a long summer. But when Duncan meets Owen, who works at the local waterpark, there is a silver lining.

There are many characters in “The Way Way Back” that give the film a lot of color. Liam James, as Duncan, does a great job and so does AnnaSophie Robb. But it’s the adults that steal the show. It’s fun to see Steve Carell as the douchebag Trent. This ws the first time I wanted to slap him in the face, well performed by Carell. Allison Janney and Toni Colette are solid but my favorite character is portrayed by Sam Rockwell. He is the silly Owen, but he has a heart of gold. And he’s actually Duncan’s savior, the one who appreciates him for who he is. Rockwell really stole my heart in this movie.

“The Way Way Back” is a special film, an honest film, like “Juno and “Little Miss Sunshine”, that leave a smile on your face afterwards.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (145)

Here are this weeks trailers.

The Last of Robin Hood

Description: Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling Hollywood star and notorious ladies man, flouted convention all his life, but never more brazenly than in his last years when, swimming in vodka and unwilling to face his mortality, he undertook a liaison with an aspiring actress, Beverly Aadland. The two had a high-flying affair that spanned the globe and was enabled by the girl's fame-obsessed mother, Florence. It all came crashing to an end in October 1959, when events forced the relationship into the open, sparking an avalanche of publicity castigating Beverly and her mother - which only fed Florence's need to stay in the spotlight.

Director: Richard Glazer

Starring: Kevin Kline, Susan Sarandon, Dakota Fanning

Trailer: Trailer "The Last of Robin Hood"

Comment: Kevin Kline, love that guy!

The Prince

Description: A family man (Jason Patric) who turns out to be a tatted-out retired mob enforcer and must travel across the country to find his college-aged daughter who has gone missing.

Director: Sarik Andreasyan

Starring: Jason Patric, Bruce Willis, John Cusack, Curtis Jackson, Jonathan Schaech

Trailer: Trailer "The Prince"

Comment: Bruce Willis and John Cusack, two of my favorites, in one movie. Jeej!

Life After Beth

Description: Zach (Dane DeHaan) who is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth (Aubrey Plaza). But when she miraculously comes back to life, Zach takes full advantage of the opportunity to share and experience all the things he regretted not doing with her before. However, the newly returned Beth isn't quite how he remembered her and, before long, Zach's whole world takes a turn for the worse.

Director: Jeff Beana

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, Molly Shannon and John C. Reilly

Trailer: Trailer "Life After Beth"

Comment: I don't know if this zomcom is going to be as succesful as previous ones like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Zombieland".

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

Description: Once happily married, Conor (McAvoy) and Eleanor (Chastain) suddenly find themselves as strangers longing to understand each other in the wake of tragedy. The film explores the couple's story as they try to reclaim the life and love they once knew and pick up the pieces of a past that may be too far gone.

Director: Ned Benson

Starring: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, William Hurt, Isabelle Huppert, Bill Hader, Viola Davis

Trailer: Trailer "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby"

Comment: I love both Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy, the trailer gave me goosebumps. I WANT to see this!

Dracula Untold

Description: Vlad (Luke Evans) is a man who strikes a dark bargain to save his people and his family... and gets some nifty supernatural powers in the process!

Director: Gary Shore

Starring: Luke Evans Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon

Trailer: Trailer "Dracula Untold"

Comment: Visuals are stunning, but it's probably not one of the best movies.

Top 5 Thursday: Lifeguards from "Bondi Rescue"

I’m not often a fan of a reality show, but I’m really hooked on “Bondi Rescue”, which follows real-life lifeguards on Bondi Beach in Australia. “Baywatch” was my favourite show growing up and this is just as awesome. Handsome and nice Australian men trying to save people’s lives, I’m a fan! Here are my favourite lifeguards from the show.

5. Andrew Reid aka Reidy

Reidy got into lifeguarding because he thought it was rewarding and fun. And fun he is as well, because he’s a very likeable man. He actually has a really cool blog you should check out: http://lifeguardreidy.blogspot.nl . 

 

 

4. Daniel McLaughlin aka Beardy

It's no secret why he got his nickname, I boy do I love a man with a beard. Beardy is a Carpenter and a very good lifeguard. He also likes agood joke at times.

 

 

 

3. Jesse Pollock

Jesse is one of the newer lifeguards, who started as a trainee. He is also a very good surfer. I loved that episode where he created a human ladder or the one where he tried to catch a rat.

 

2. Ryan Clark aka Whippet

He’s been saving lives since the age of 12, which is amazing. Whippet got the nickname because he was very skinny when he was younger, like a Whippet. He likes to pull pranks, especially on Kerrbox.

 

1. Chris Chapman aka Chappo

Chappo is one of the fittest and most experienced lifeguards on Bondi. I don’t know why, but I liked Chappo from the start. When he caught a man stealing, he was so mad, but he also felt sad. His fellow lifeguards say Chappo always tries to see the good in people.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Greg Bishop aka Bisho, Harry Nightingale aka H, Quinn Daragh aka Quinno, Rod Kerr aka Kerrbox, Michael Jenkins aka Mouse

Video of the Week (9)

This week it's movie related. No, not a trailer, because I do that on sundays. I actually got this in my mailbox, a message from President Snow, the president of Panem. It's a great way to tease someone who is looking forward to "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1". Now it's even harder for me.

 

 

 

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 77: The Lego Movie

Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Action/Comedy

Runtime: 101 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Will Ferrell

 

Description: Emmet (Chris Pratt) is an ordinary Lego construction worker, thought to be the prophesied 'Special', is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the Lego universe into eternal stasis.

Review: “The Lego Movie” tells the story of Emmet, an average construction worker who never breaks any rules. Because of an unfortunate coincidence he’s mistaken as “special” and an adventurous thrill ride awaits him. With the help of master builders it’s up to Emmet to end all the evil plans of President Business.

The visuals are stunning, from the water to the clouds, everything is made out of Legos. Fun fact: around fifteen million Legos were used for the film. The characters move through stop-motion techniques and that makes it unique and authentic.

There are a lot of unexpected moments, humoristic references and a good dose of self-mockery. Iconic characters like Batman, Gandalf and Han Solo have fun ‘cameos’.

It might look like a big commercial stunt for Lego, but “The Lego Movie” is a highly enjoyable film, with humor and creativity. And the song “Everything is Awesome” is stuck in your head after watching this movie.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 76: The Spectacular Now

Director: James Ponsoldt

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Runtime: 95 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larsson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler

Description: Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) lives in the now. A high school senior, charming and self-possessed, he's the life of the party, loves his job at a men's clothing store, and has no plans for the future. But after being dumped by his girlfriend, Sutter gets drunk and wakes up on a lawn with Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley) hovering over him. She's different: the "nice girl" who reads science fiction and doesn't have a boyfriend. While Aimee has dreams of a future, Sutter lives in the impressive delusion of a spectacular now, yet somehow, they're drawn together.

Review: A first love, senior year in high school, a future with never ending prospects. “The Spectacular Now” shows us this exciting yet scary period of someone’s life. Main character Sutter is in this phase, he enjoys life and doesn’t look further then the next second. After his break up with girlfriend Cassidy, he meets Aimee. This boy-meets-girl setup starts a love story that reminds many of us of 80’s movies by John Hughes. But the authenticity makes “The Spectacular Now” excellent and superior.

The scenario by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, is based on the young adult novel by Tim Tharp. It focusses on the characters, that all have a certain depth and is filled with details. Supporting characters like Sutters strict mom and his ex-girlfriend don’t become stereotypical or annoying. It’s a sharp observation. We see the positive influences that Aimee and Sutter have on each other, but we also see their weaknesses. Director James Ponsoldt did a wonderful job, with a great style, beautiful long takes and the nuance and complexity of the characters. But we should also give credit to leading actors Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley. Teller carries the film easily and Woodley steals the show without any frills, but with a lot of warmth, intelligence and fragility.

“The Spectacular Now” can’t avoid all the clichés, but takes a sharp yet tender look at love at the end of our teenage years. A great director, fantastic acting and wonderful visuals make this movie to an authentic and memorable picture.

Rating: 4/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "The Goonies"

I hate the fact that I never saw this as a child, my childhood would be so different. Okay, maybe that’s a little exaggerating, but I would have loved it as a kid. Look on the bright side, I love it now too! And all the characters are great. I only choose the actual Goonies gang to share (+ the brother off course). Here they come.

Mikey

Played by: Sean Astin

When Mikey was younger, his dad told him about One-Eyed Willy, which inspired him to seek for his treasure. He is the leader of the Goonies and he leads them on the treasure hunt. Mike is a brave, young boy.

Brandon

Played by: Josh Brolin

Brandon is Mikey’s older brother. Although he’s always teasing him, they also have a strong bond together. Brandon is a jock, very popular with the girls, but he also wants to protect his little brother.

Mouth

Played by: Corey Feldman

He is nicknamed Mouth because he is a smart mouth. He is one of Mikey’s best friends and fluent in Spanish, which comes in handy sometimes. He has a secret crush on Stef.

Chunk

Played by: Jeff Cohen

Chunk is chronic liar, which is why most of the gang never believes him, even when he’s telling the truth. He likes to pull pranks, but has a conscience as well. He got his nickname Chunk because he always breaks stuff.

Data

Played by: Ke Huy Quan

Data got his nickname because of his inventions. He is a big James Bond fan and always carries gadgets in his trenchcoat. Although they sometimes malfunction, they have saved the Goonies many times and Data comes in handy every once in a while.

 

 

Favorite Character: Data

Movie Trailer Sunday (144)

Here are this weeks trailers.

The Expendables 3

Description: Barney (Sylvester Stallone), Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the team come face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables — but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy.

Director: Patrick Hughes

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Victor Ortiz, Glen Powell, Kelsey Grammer

Trailer: Trailer "The Expendables 3"

Comment: There is also a woman in the group this time, awesome! And again some of the biggest action heroes ever, with some great new additions.

About Alex

Description: Seven college friends reunite over a three-day weekend, after one of them attempts suicide. When the friends get together to keep an eye on Alex (Jason Ritter), the weekend that ensues will renew old crushes and resentments, shine light on bad decisions, and ultimately push friendships and relationships to the brink as the group tries to speculate when the simple life of their college years turned so muddy and complex. Sometimes irreverent, sometimes poetic, and always moving, About Alex is a searingly honest look at the changing nature of adult friendship in the Facebook/Twitter generation.

Director: Jesse Zwick

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Max Greenfield, Nate Parker, Max Minghella, Jason Ritter, Maggie Grace, Jane Levy

Trailer: Trailer "About Alex"

Comment: It looks like a movie I would watch, but the poster is horribly photoshopped.

The Good Lie

Description: A Sudanese refugee is taken in by a straight-talking American woman, Carrie Davis (Reese Witherspoon), in their new home in the United States.

Director: Philippe Falardeau

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll

Trailer: Trailer "The Good Lie"

Comment: Not a Reese fan, but this looks good.

The Judge

Description: Big city lawyer Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) returns to his childhood home where his father (Robert Duvall), the town's judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family.

Director: David Dobkin

Starring: RObert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shephard, Billy Bob Thornton, Ken Howard, Emma Tremblay, Balthazar Getty, David Krumholtz, Sarah Lancaster, Grace Zabriskie, Denis O'Hare

Trailer: Trailer "The Judge"

Comment: Chills, want to see this!

 

Felony

Description: Three detectives become embroiled in a tense struggle after a tragic accident that leaves a child in critical condition. One is guilty of a crime, one will try to cover it up, and the other attempts to expose it. How far will these men go to disguise and unravel the truth?

Director: Matthew Saville

Starring: Tom Wilkinson, Joel Edgerton, Jai Courtney and Melissa George

Trailer: Trailer "Felony"

Comment: Australian accents, yeah!

Video of the Week (8)

I'm always amazed by what people can build with lego. Once one of the kids in my class made ME out of lego, I thought that was amazing already. Well, in this video Ryan Zieglbauer and his team build The Grand Budapest Hotel, from the movie with the same title, directed by Wes Anderson. It's awesome!!

 

 

 

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1985

This is a tough year, because not a lot of my all-time favourites were made in 1985. I did manage to make a list.

5. The Jewel of the Nile

It’s the sequel to “Romancing the Stone”, which I prefer, but it’s such a fun and adventurous comedy. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner form a great duo.

 

4. The Goonies

I think every kid wants to go on a treasure hunt and in “The Goonies” that really happens. I only saw it recently for the first time. It’s kinda sad that I never saw it as a kid, but I really like it!

 

3. Clue

I always loved the board game and this movie is based on that. I just love this whodunit story, it always makes me a bit nervous. It’s just such a fun film.

 

 

2. The Breakfast Club

When you think 80’s, you think “The Breakfast Club”. Five very different teens are in detention, how can that be interesting? Well, it’s one of the most beloved movies from this era.

 

1. Back to the Future

Nowadays we have a large list of movies about time travel, but none of them can top “Back to the Future”. It’s unique and still very enjoyable. And also two of the most beloved movie characters were created.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: St. Elmo’s Fire, The Color Purple, Cocoon, Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment, Rocky IV

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 75: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Director: Adam McKay

Genre: Komedie

Runtime: 113 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, James Marsden, Dylan Baker, Harrison Ford, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Wiig

Description: With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

Review: Ron Burgundy and his wife Veronica have left San Diego behing and live in New York with their son. They work as a team anchoring for a news show. When Veronica Is promoted and Ron is fired, his life falls apart. Ron and Veronica separate and he returns to San Diego. When he manages to get a job at a 24 hour news channel, he decides to assemble to old news team.

Ten years ago “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” was a small success, but Will Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy grew to be a cult hero. The somewhat idiotic anchorman from the 70’s, with his fancy mustache and hilarious one-liners has always been popular among fans. And how happy those fans where when a long awaited sequel finally happened.

Like the first movie, the sequel is a chain of fun moments. Will Ferrell excels as Ron Burgundy and you sometimes feel ashamed for him. Paul Rudd and especially Steve Carell reprise their roles very well. How I love Brick, who is hopefully not based on a real person. Like many comedy sequels, “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” lacks pacing in the story. There are also varieties on scenes from part one and many cameos.

“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” can’t live up to the first, but it was again highly enjoyable. Just because it’s so silly and you know the characters so well. Stay classy San Diego!

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 74: The Descendants

Director: Alexander Payne

Genre: Drama/ Komedie

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 2011

Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Beau Bridges

Description: With his wife Elizabeth on life support after a boating accident, Hawaiian land baron Matt King (George Clooney) takes his daughters on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront the man who was having an affair with Elizabeth before her misfortune.

Review: There are many reasons why it’s fun to be George Clooney. Women love him, men would want to trade with him, he is rich and he has the best job in the world: filmmaking. But there are also a lot of negatives to his life. Clooney is famous, that it’s sometimes impossible for him to get lost in a character. But nowadays he decides to work with directors like Joel and Ethan Coen, Anton Corbijn and Jason Reitman. In “The Descendants” it’s Alexander Payne, and his role gave him a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination. It seems like George Clooney is more an actor then a star now.

We know Payne from tragicomedies like “About Schmidt” and “Sideways”. Like both films “The Descendants” centers a middle-aged man, who is on a crossroads in his life. They realize that they have failed and want to make it right. Matt King on the other hand, doesn’t realize he has failed. And his life is turned upside down when he finds out that his wife, who is in the hospital after a waterski accident, had an affair. Not to mention how he’s trying to be a good dad for his two daughters.

Alexander Payne finds the right balance between drama and comedy, without overdoing one of the two genres. The humor is subtle and the drama is light. George Clooney is very convincing and sometimes says it all with his facial expressions. The young Shailene Woodley is also great, with some really strong scenes. The only thing missing is and edge, what “About Schmidt” did have. It’s all a bit too neat.

Great acting, a perfect movie for award season. I liked it, it touched me.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 73: Blade Runner

Director: Ridley Scott

Genre: Science Fiction/ Thriller

Runtime: 112 minutes

Year: 1982

Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Darryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos

Description: In a cyberpunk vision of the future, man has developed the technology to create replicants, human clones used to serve in the colonies outside Earth but with fixed lifespans. In Los Angeles, 2019, Deckard (Harrison Ford)is a Blade Runner, a cop who specializes in terminating replicants. Originally in retirement, he is forced to re-enter the force when four replicants escape from an off-world colony to Earth.

Review: The plot for “Blade Runner” seems simple, but due to the development is a pleasure to watch. Who expects just science fiction is wrong. There is more than meets the eye.

The first thing you notice is the great special effects, especially when you realize this dates from 1982. Director Ridley Scott managed to present a futuristic Los Angeles. This is a good example of a classic dystopian world, which is very popular nowadays. Because of the great visuals and the music by Vangelis, “Blade Runner” reaches an iconic status.

The movie has the right pacing. It isn’t very fast, but every minute the story unravels. There is also a good balance between action sequences and more dramatic moments.

This is science fiction at its best, very close to perfection. Sadly nowadays they don’t make them like this anymore.

Rating: 4 / 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (143)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Dumb and Dumber To

Description: 20 years after the dimwits Lloyd and Harry (Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels) set out on their first adventure, they head out in search of one of their long lost children in the hope of gaining a new kidney.

Director: Peter and Bobby Farrelly

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Brady Bluhm, Laurie Holden, Steve Tom and Rob Riggle

Trailer: Trailer "Dumb and Dumber To"

Comment: I think the first was hilarious, excited about this as well!

The Interview

Description: Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show Skylark Tonight. When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-un.

Director: Evan Godlberg, Seth Rogen

Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan

Trailer: Trailer "The Interview"

Comment: We now when James Franco and Seth Rogen team up, we're up for something good.

Birdman

Description: The washed-up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Starring: Michael Keaton, Lindsay Duncan, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts

Trailer: Trailer "Birdman"

Comment: Okay, Naomi Watts and Emma Stone in one movie (I just pretend "Movie 43" doesn't exists), you got my attention. And Alejandro Gonzálex Iñárritu is one of my favorite directors.

 

Home

Description: When Earth is taken over by the overly confident Boov, an alien race in search of a new place to call home, all humans are promptly relocated while all Boov get busy reorganizing the planet. But when one resourceful girl, Tip, manages to avoid capture, she finds herself the accidental accomplice of a banished Boov named Oh. The two fugitives realize there's a lot more at stake than intergalactic relations as they embark on the road trip of a lifetime.

Director: Tom Johnson

Starring: Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Steve Martin

Trailer: Trailer "Home"

Comment: I love cute aliens.

Boxtrolls

Description: A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator.

Director: Graham Annable, Anthony Stacchi

Starring: Elle Fanning, Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Ben Kingsley, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, Isaac Hempstead Wright

Trailer: Trailer "Boxtrolls"

Comment: I love the style.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 72: The Heat

Director: Paul Feig

Genre: Comedy/ Action

Runtime: 117 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport, Jane Curtin, Taran Killam, Michael McDonald

Description: The uptight FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is paired with the foul-mouthed Boston cop Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) to take down a ruthless drug lord.

Review: The role of FBI-agent isn’t new to Sandra Bullock. She played one in “Miss Congeniality”. In “The Heat” Bullock does it again. This time she’s the serious agent Sarah Ashburn, whose only company is her neighbor’s cat. Her co-workers don’t like her because of her ‘know-it-all’ attitude. Even though her qualities as a team player aren’t perfect, her boss gives her a chance: if she manages to track a drug lord, Sarah might get a promotion. Off course it doesn’t go without the proper obstacles. This time in the form of Melissa McCarthy, as detective Shannon Mullins. She is an unconventional cop, with strange interrogation skills and a foul mouth. Ashburn and Mullins are forces to work together, if they like it or not.

The story is pretty plain, but Bullock and McCarthy manage to lift it to a higher level. They work well together and form a great duo. Bullock is great as the somewhat stuck-up Ashburn, but McCarthy steals the show. I especially like the constant offensive insults she makes.

“The Heat” isn’t surprising at all, because we all know that Mullins and Ashburn aren’t going to hate each other the entire movie. The plot isn’t the reason to see this movie. The duo Bullock-McCarthy is though.

Rating: 3 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 71: The Vow

Director: Michael Sucsy

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Runtime: 104 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams, Sam Neill, Jessica Lange, Scott Speedman

Description: A car accident puts Paige (Rachel McAdams) in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe memory loss, her husband Leo (Channing Tatum) works to win her heart again.

Review: “The Vow” is based on a real life story. In the opening scene we meet Paige and Leo, a happily married couple that doesn’t know their life is about to change forever. Their car is hit from behind and Paige smashes through the window. When she wakes up, she doesn’t remember Leo. The past five years of her life are gone. Her parents, who she hadn’t seen since she met Leo, see it as a chance to reconnect with Paige. And the man who Paige used to be engaged too, who she does remember, also turns up and makes it even more difficult for Leo.

Leo is a character that is too good to be true. Not only because of his perfect body, but also because of the love he feels for his wife and everything he does to win her back. That his recording studio isn’t doing well, doesn’t seem to bother him. All he wants is Paige.

Channing Tatum isn’t a very diverse actor, but does manage to portray Leo as believable and honest as possible. He wins over the audience easily. Rachel McAdams is perfect for roles like this. And both actors, who have great chemistry, don’t make this one of those overly sweet romance stories but a very watchable romantic drama.

“The Vow” can’t avoid the clichés that are known to the genre. And the makers know how to touch the viewers. This movie is perfect for the lovers of the genre and Channing Tatum fans. It’s an enjoyable movie that I almost hate to admit I liked.

Rating: 3 / 5

Me & 3 Philadelphia Movies

This idea just popped in my head when I realized that two movies I watched in one night where both set in this American city. That’s why I decided to go for three movie that were set in Philadelphia. One is pretty obvious. Here are my three choices of movies set in Philly.

Philadelphia

Genre: Drama

Year: 1993

Director: Jonathan Demme

Cast: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonia Banderas, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards

Description: When Andy (Tom hanks), a man with AIDS, is fired by his law firm because of his condition, he hires homophobic small time lawyer Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Opinion: I hadn’t seen this movie in a long time. I realized what a great movie this is. One of the best performances of Tom Hanks, he manages to make me cry every single time. And Denzel Washington also solid as always. When this movie came out, it was still not done to talk openly about AIDS, so this movie made a change.

Favorite character: Andrew “Andy” Beckett (Tom Hanks)

Most memorable quote: “Some of these people make me sick. But a law's been broken here. You do remember the law, don't you?” – Joe Miller -

Best scene: Joe is going over the case with Andy, when Andy all off a sudden stops to listen to the opera. He tells Joe why he thinks it’s so beautiful and loses himself in all his emotions.

Rocky Balboa

Genre: Drama

Year: 2006

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Young, Geraldine Hughes, Antonio Tarver

Description: Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) comes out of retirement to step into the ring for the last time and face the heavyweight champ Mason 'The Line' Dixon (Antonio Tarver).

Opinion: When I first heard about this, I wasn’t too thrilled to see another “Rocky” movie. I’m a huge fan of the first, but this one is also very good. I didn’t expect it all.

Favorite character: Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

Most memorable quote: “The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you're hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” – Rocky Balboa -

Best scene: The good old work out montage.

Silver Linings Playbook

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Year: 2012

Director: David O. Russell

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver, Chris Tucker

Description: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own.

Favorite character: Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper)

Most memorable quote: “Humanity is just nasty and there is no silver lining” – Tiffany -

Best scene: The dance that Pat and Tiffany perform and how they react after their (not so great) score.

Favorite of the 3: “Silver Linings Playbook”

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 2007

Some of my all-time favourites were made in this year. 2007 was a great year for film. Here are the best.

5. Eastern Promises

Such a fantastic film, great performances by Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.

 

4. No Country for Old Men

The Coen Brothers can go in two different directions and I prefer the dark humour, but this is probably one of their best movies.

 

3. Ratatouille

My second favourite Pixar film. It’s just something about that little rat, with ambitions as a cook, that steals my heart every single time. And it's amazing how great animated Paris looks.

 

2. Atonement

A perfect adaptation of the book by Ian McEwan. Wonderful film!

 

1. Hot Fuzz

The funniest film ever! This movie has it all, British humour is the best humour and I can watch this film over and over again. And still laugh at the same jokes.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Amazing Grace, Disturbia,, Rescue Dawn, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Jane Austen Book Club, Juno

Video of the Week (7)

I bumped into this really adorable hamster video. Hamsters are such cute animals. This guy made his pet hamster a miniature burritos and it just looks so cute. Just check it out.

 

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 2

Round 2: Marcus Wright (“Terminator Salvation”), Richard Jones (“Babel”) and Patrick Verona (“10 Things I Hate About You”)

Marry: Richard Jones is a loving husband, he stands by his wife at all times.

Kiss: Patrick Verona is a so-called rebel, but he has a soft spot. He’s actually a very sweet and adorable guy. Wouldn’t you just melt if he sang for you like he did in the movie?

Cliff: I don’t really want to push Marcus Wright of a cliff, but he isn’t human. He’s a terminator. If I push him, all that happens is that he breaks. I could fix him afterwards.

Movie Trailer Sunday (142)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Willow Creek

Description: Jim and Kelly (Bryce Johnson and Alexie Gilmore) venture off to find the wooded location of the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot footage from the late ’60s. Jim is making his own documentary about the hirsute beast and Kelly is there to support and help, in spite of her lack of belief in the cryptozoological celebrity. And if Jim manages to capture a Bigfoot sighting along the way, his trip is considered a win.

Director: ​Bobcat Goldthwait

Starring: Bryce Johnson, Alexie Gilmore

Trailer: Trailer "Willow Creek"

Comment: Feels like "The Blair Witch Project", hopefully it's even better.

Very Good Girls

Description: Best friends Lily (Dakota Fanning) and Gerry (Elizabeth Olsen), home for one last New York summer, make a pact to lose their virginity before leaving for college. But when they both fall for the same handsome artist (HBoyd olbrook) and Lily starts seeing him in secret, a lifelong friendship is tested.

Director: Naomi Foner

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Dakota Fanning, Boyd Holbrook, Demi Moore, Richard Dreyfuss, Peter Sarsgaard, Clark Gregg and Ellen Barkin

Trailer: Trailer "Very Good Girls"

Comment: What I'm excited about: Richard Dreyfuss!

 

The Best of Me

Description: Dawson and Amanda (James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan) are two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they've never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. Spanning decades, this epic love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances.

Director: Michael Hoffman

Starring: Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Liana Liberato, Luke Bracey, Sebastian Arcelus and Gerald McRaney

Trailer: Trailer "The Best of Me"

Comment: What can I say, Nicholas Sparks stories are a weakness of mine.

Are You Here

Description: Ben Baker (Zach Galifianakis) inherits his estranged father's fortune. His best friend, womanizing local weatherman Steve Dallas (Owen Wilson), then joins forces with him to battle the legal challenge brought by Ben's formidable sister (Amy Poehler).

Director: Matthew Weiner

Starring: Zach Galifianakis, Amy Poehler and Owen Wilson

Trailer: Trailer "Are You Here"

Comment: You know how much I love Owen Wilson.

Sharknado 2: The Second One

Description: A freak weather system turns its deadly fury on New York City, unleashing a Sharknado on the population and its most cherished, iconic sites - and only Fin and April can save the Big Apple.

Director: Anthony C. Ferrante

Starring: Ian Ziering, Tara Reed, Mark McGrath, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch, Kari Wuhrer

Trailer: Trailer "Sharknado: The Second One"

Comment: How can I not show you this. It's ridiculous, but somehow I just want te see it laugh about it.