Monthly 4: October 2014

It's almost the end of the month and October (my favorite month) had some great moments.

 

1. On October 7th I turned 30, a big number! I celebrated it on October 11th with my family and friends and I had a wonderful day. My two best friends, Irene and Evelien, made a photobook for me, from the 30 years I have lived and all the great things we did together. I really loved it. I got some awesome cookbooks from my parents and season six of “Sons of Anarchy” from my brother. On the picture you can see me holding a cake, made by Natascha, especially for my 30th.

2. Finally there it was, the new season of “The Walking Dead”. What an awesome premiere! It was mind blowing. One scene really grossed me out, I almost threw up.

3. I read about the FeelGood Market (just the name alone is inviting) in a magazine and I thought this was something for me and my mom. It’s a market with fantastic food, handmade creations and music. It was so cool. There was one stand with dried fruits, which my mom and I loved.

4. My brother and I had brunch at the farmer’s market my mom works. It was all delicious home cooked food, made with fresh produce they sell at the market. And I got to spend quality time with my brother.

Best & Worst: Sandra Bullock

Of all the actresses on my favorites list, Sandra Bullock has probably been on there the longest. I just love her natural way of performing. Movie are better because of her. Bullock has a certain charm you just can't ignore. Here are my choices for best and worst movie of Sandra Bullock.

 

We just pretend there never was a sequel to this amazing action movie. Why is “Speed” so good? Because, after even watching it so many times, it still has the tension. Fun fact: the first time I saw this film was on a bus vacation to Spain.

Honorable Mentions: “The Net”, “The Blind Side”, “A Time to Kill”, “Demoltion Man”

 

This is a true abomination, what is she doing here? Even bad actors shouldn’t be apart of this film. Yuck…

Dishonorable Mentions: “Speed 2: Cruise Control”

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (October 2014)

I’m still waiting for another five star movie, but again this month none are present. Some came close and those were the best of the month. Here are my five favourites of October.

5. Withnail and I
I enjoyed it because of the sharp humor, only the British know how to do that well. Not a very spectacular film, but so good on so many levels.

4. Vertigo
This was the third Hitchcock movie I viewed for my challenge. I just love James Stewart.

3. A Late Quartet
This was an excellent movie with fantastic performances. I didn’t hear much about this film before I saw it, and that’s a shame. Because it’s really good. Especially Christopher Walken.

2. Gone Girl
Highly anticipated and for a reason. It’s a great film, well made by David Fincher. Actress Rosamund Pike was the best feature, she blew my mind.

1. Seven Psychopaths
When I saw this was directed by the guy who also made “In Bruges”, I was already sold. Not as good, but again amazing. And really funny in a dark, sinister way.

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Bay, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, The Pirates! Band of Misfits

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 26: The Bay

Director: Barry Levinson

Genre: Horror/ Thriller

Runtime: 82 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Kristen Connolly, Christopher Denham, Jane McNeill, Kether Donohue, Tim Parati, Andy Stahl, Michael Beasley, Anthony Reynolds, Justin Welborn, Lauren Cohn, Robert C. Treveiler, Stacy Rabon, Jody Thompson, Jack Landry, Andrew R. Kaplan, Stephen Kunken, John Harrington Bland, Dave Hager, James Patrick Freetly, Kenny Alfonso, Tara Polhemus, Alisa Harris

Description: Chaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs.

Review: Barry Levinson, known for his movies “Rain Man” and “Wag the Dog”, decided to make a low budget movie for a change, in the form of a found footage horror flick. And it turned out to be a surprisingly scary movie.

Levinson actually wanted to make a documentary about the polluted water in Chesapeake Bay, but got the idea of a fictional horror film along the way. The actual facts were used as the starting point of the story.

We’ve seen stuff like it before, but the realistic touch make the horror element stronger present. It’s a lot more shocking then when it was filmed in a more conventional way.

Found footage films are very popular nowadays, especially in the horror genre. From that point of view, this might not be as original. But the sources are very different. We get footage from security cameras, phones and regular cameras. Sometimes it’s a bit convenient that some situation are filmed from so many perspectives.

Sometimes Levinson uses standard and predictable shock effects, but the realistic touch and the heartbreaking moments the people go through make you forgive the clichés. There is one scene that really stands out and you actually don’t see what happens. Just the sounds and voices give you chills.

Sadly the movie misses and actual climax, the film just stops. But overall “The Bay” is an excellent horror movie.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Video of the Week (26)

This video isn't necessarily very special, but the story behind it is. A 13 year old Dutch girl named Anna always wanted to be famous. Unfortunatley she died in a car accident just a week ago. Her father wanted to fulfill her last dream, by posting this video of Anna playing the piano with the message: "Make my daughter famous!" What a beautiful thing, it's really chilling.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 25: Withnail and I

Director: Bruce Robinson

Genre: Drama/ Drama

Runtime: 107 minutes

Year: 1987

Starring: Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths

Description: London 1969 - two 'resting' (unemployed and unemployable) actors, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and Marwood (Paul McGann), fed up with damp, cold, piles of washing-up, mad drug dealers and psychotic Irishmen, decide to leave their squalid Camden flat for an idyllic holiday in the countryside, courtesy of Withnail's uncle Monty's country cottage. But when they get there, it rains non-stop, there's no food, and their basic survival skills turn out to be somewhat limited. Matters are not helped by the arrival of Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths), who shows an uncomfortably keen interest in Marwood...

Review: “Withnail and I” is the kind of movie that has a huge cult following in Britain, but surprisingly enough many people haven’t seen it yet. It concerns two out-of-work actors, Withnail and Marwood, who take a weekend break in a cottage owned by Withnail’s uncle Monty.

The humor is undoubtedly acrimonious as well as undeniably British in its sharp take on situation comedy. Despite the humor, which itself makes it worth a watch, the excellent acting is obviously of note. Richard E. Grant’s performance as Withnail is the kind of career defining performance that is all too hard to come by. He manages to express comedy, self-loathing, bitterness and humanity in what is perhaps one of the most realistic performances of the 80’s. Paul McGann is also very strong, but never keeps up with Grant. The film is more character portrait than plot, and the portrait upon which it hinges is Withnail.

I recommend this sad, funny, puzzling, tense, frustrating film for everyone. A movie you must see, at least once.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 124: Empire State

Director: Dito Montiel

Genre: Action/ Crime/ Thriller

Runtime: 90 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Angarano, Emma Roberts, Paul Ben-Victor, Jerry Ferrara, Nikki Reed, Michael Rispoli

Description: Two childhood friends (Liam Hemsworth and Michael Angarano) plan to rob an armored car depository. Detective Ransone (Dwayne Johnson) stands in their way.

Review: Apparently the robbery in the movie actually happened, the way it happened in “Empire State”. Sadly enough the movie is, despite of the source material, a very plane and bland movie.

In “Empire State” we follow Chris. His shady friend Eddie always pulls him into the bad business, while Chris wants to live an honest life. He even wants to become a cop. After he has been rejected to join the academy, Chris takes a job as a security guard. He has to protect a huge amount of money, but sees how poorly it is secured. Chris and Eddie decide to steal the money, but detective James Ransone is watching closely.

It’s actually very shocking to see how easy it is to get to the money and how they eventually steal it. Like I said before, the source material is strong. Director Dito Montiel didn’t make a spectacular film with this material. Not only the movie is plane, the acting isn’t all that great either. Liam Hemsworth could have done more than this, but it’s basically his character that’s in his way.

My biggest problem was how annoying I found the characters, especially Eddie. I didn’t feel a grind of sympathy and it was just predictable that everything was going ape shit.

“Empire State” is a film that you should probably ignore. Maybe for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Rating: 1,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (161)

Here are this weeks trailers.

The Gambler

Description: Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance.

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jessica Lange

Trailer: Trailer "The Gambler"

Comment: Lots of fucks in this trailer.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Description: When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Director: Joss Whedon

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Coby Smulders, Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Trailer: Trailer "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

Comment: I'm so super excited right now!!!

The Better Angels

Description: The story of Abraham Lincoln's childhood in the harsh wilderness of Indiana and the hardships that shaped him, the tragedy that marked him for ever and the two women who guided him to immortality.

Director: A.J. Edwards

Starring:Jason Clarke, Diane Kruger, Brit Marling, Wes Betley, Braydon Denney

Trailer: Trailer "The Better Angels"

Comment: This looks stunning and Terrence Malick is the producer.

Insidious: Chapter 3

Description: A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

Director: Leigh Whannell

Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Lin Shaye, Stefanie Scott, Haley Kyoko, AShton Moio

Trailer: Trailer "Insidious: Chapter 3"

Comment: Not a movie I will watch alone.

Always Woodstock

Description: When Neurotic, struggling songwriter, Catherine Brown's life in New York City falls apart, she is forced to confront her past when she spends the summer at her childhood home in Woodstock, New York, learning that becoming successful means becoming your true self first.

Director: Rita Merson

Starring: Allison Miller, James Wolk, Rumer Willis, Katey Sagal, Jason Ritter, Brittany Snow

Trailer: Trailer "Always Woodstock"

Comment: Probably one of those guilty pleasures.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 123: A Late Quartet

Director: Yaron Zilberman
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, Wallace Shawn

Description: Members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust.

Review: “A Late Quartet” centers around the Fugue string quartet, that travels the world successfully for already 25 years. Daniel Lerner plays the first violin, Robert Gelbart plays the second violin, Roberts wife Juliette plays the viola and Peter Mitchell the cello. Peter took a step back after his wife passing. At the start of their rehearsal Peter feels how much effort he has to put in. After visiting the doctor, its determined that he is in the early stage of Parkinson decease. Peter’s illness changes a lot in the group.
A special dynamic is unleashed. Hidden emotions, suppressed ambitions and secrets. Robert has always adapted to the quartet, but wants to play the first violin now. Juliette doesn’t back him up and a break between her and Robert is in sight. Peter is already looking for a replacement and Daniel also shows some weaknesses. Egos collide.
“A Late Quartet” has been shot in New York and the camera has made some magical and atmospheric shots that show New York at its best.
The cast is fantastic. Philip Seymour and Catherine Keener show us amazing skills and convince as the struggling couple. Mark Ivanir is solid, but it’s Christopher Walken that is brilliant. He really touched me, just with a single look. And that last scene with him and the rest of the quartet really gave me the chills.
It takes you some time to get into “A Late Quartet”, but the dialogues are strong and the characters are deep and interesting. Sober, introvert and convincing. A movie that probably will be overlooked, which is a shame. It’s a great movie.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 122: That Awkward Moment

Director: Tom Gormican

Genre: Comedy/ Romance

Runtime: 95 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis, Jessica Lucas

Description: Three best friends find themselves where we've all been - at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So...where is this going?"

Review: Everyone knows it. That moment in a relationship where you have to decide where it’s going. Is it serious or is it better to end it? All in all a great opportunity to see which goals and ambitions you both have in life. Three friends, Jason, Daniel and Mikey are at that point.

When Mikey finds out his wife has been cheating on him and leaves him, his friends do anything to get him back on his feet again. They make a pact: to stay single as long as possible. Off course, not surprising at all, love is lurking around the corner. Will the threesome go for the romance or do they stay faithful to the pact?

The careless selfish manners of the guys don’t give you much sympathy for them. They say it themselves: “They call us the selfish generation”. They are actually very disrespectful towards women and they show no ambition what so ever. This problem makes the viewers not as involved as they should be.

The humor is okay, but not of a high standard. It’s what American’s are good at: poop and sex jokes. It’s the awkward situations the guys get into that make you laugh the most.

“That Awkward Moment” looks fine and the acting is pretty good, but the lack of relatable characters and really strong humor make this movie not to the comedy it could have been. It was fun for once, but it was a pretty disappointing romantic comedy and never gets above average.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "Guardians of the Galaxy"

This was a movie I had been looking forward to since I first heard about it. It’s such an awesome movie and I love all the characters. So, why not share them with you? Here are the characters from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and I choose only to share the five members of the group.

Peter Quill aka Star-Lord

Played by: Chris Pratt

Peter was abducted from earth when he was a kid. He was raised by a group of thieves and smugglers called The Ravagers. Peter has lived a life as a thieve himself and the only thing that connects him to earth is a mix tape with classic pop songs. Whenever Peter gets into a sticky situation, he tries to joke his way out of it.

Gamora

Played by: Zoe Saldana

Gamora is an orphan and she is trained by Thanos. He used her as his personal assassin, but now she seeks revenge. Gamora is a warrior, she is lethal, righteous and she can kick your ass.

Drax the Destroyer

Played by: Dave Bautista

Drax is a warrior in search of vengeance. Ronan the Accuser has killed his wife and daughter and all he wants I to kill him. Because Drax doesn’t undertand metaphors, he sometimes comes off as dumb.

Groot

Voiced by: Vin Diesel

Groot is a tree-like humanoid and a bounty hunter. He has a very limited vocabulary. Groot can only say three words, being “I am Groot”. He has great physical strength, but is also a very kind hearted creature.

Rocket

Voiced by: Bradley Cooper

Rocket is a genetically engineered raccoon. He accompanies Groot and is also a bounty hunter. Rocket is also a mercenary and is a master of weapons and battle tactics. He is dynamic, funny and you don’t want to piss him off.

Favorite Character: Rocket

Top 5 Thursday: TV Families

My family is the best, but there are so many fictional fmailies on TV that are super awesome. Here are my five favorites.

5. The Bundy's ("Married with Children")

They are no conventional, they are not nice to each other, but somehow it's hard to hate them. Favorite member: Al Bundy.

 

4. The Griffin's ("Family Guy")

They're maybe even weirder then the Bundy's. Peter that always gets into strange shenanigans, Lois who has to deal with all that, dumb Chris, black sheep Meg, baby Stewie who wants to rule the world and dog Brian. Favorite member: Brian Griffin.

 

3. The Taylor's ("Home Improvement")

I just love this family. Tim is hilarious and his wife Jill always tries to keep him on the right track. And the three very different sons doesn't make it easier for both Tim and Jill. Favorite member: Randy Taylor

 

2. The Winchester's ("Supernatural")

We only got to know Sam and Dean very well. And they are worth knowing! What a great pair of brothers. Father John we know only just a bit and mom Mary only from the past and flashbacks. One thing is for sure: No dull moment with the Winchester's. Favorite member: Dean Winchester.

 

1. The Dunphy's ("Modern Family")

A bit quirky, but very loving family. I just love Phil's enthusiasm and Claire is a bit like me, somewhat a controle freak sometimes. Pretty but not so smart Haley, nerd Alex and adventurous Luke. WHat a great family. Favorite member: Phil Dunphy.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Scott's ("One Tree Hill"), The Teller's ("Sons of Anarchy")

Me & 3 Alfred Hitchcock Movies

Alfred Hitchcock was such an amazing director, probably the best of his generation. I hadn’t seen many of his films, only “Psycho” and “The Birds”, but I wanted more. So decided to pick three films and watch them for this item. Here are the three Hitchcock movies I watched.

Rear Window

Genre: Thriller

Year: 1954

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Cast: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr

Description: Alfred Hitchcock is pushing the boundaries of his own thriller genre with “Rear Window”. He sets you on the wrong foot and in this unique setting he does this in an excellent way.

Opinion: The movie is set in one location, on a set. That’s exciting? Hell yeah! I loved it.

Favorite character: L.B. Jefferies (James Stewart)

Most memorable quote: “Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence.“ –Stella-

Best scene: The moment where the neighbour across the courtyard sees L.B. Jefferies.

North by Northwest

Genre: Thriller/ Action

Year: 1959

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Leo g. Carroll, Josephine Hutchinson, Philip Ober, Martin Landau, Adam Williams, Edward Platt, Robert Ellenstein, Les Tremayne, Philip Collidge, Patrick McVey, Ed Binns

Description: Hapless New York advertising Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive.

Opinion: It’s a spy thriller, which obviously inspired the James Bond movies, but it also has lots of humour in it.

Favorite character: Roger O. Thornhill

Most memorable quote: “I may go back to hating you. It was more fun.” –Roger o. Thornhill-

Best scene: Off course that chase scene with the airplane.

Vertigo

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

Year: 1958

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Cast: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bell Geddes, Tom Hellmore, Henry Jones

Description: Retired San Francisco detective John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson (James Stewart) is suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Opinion: A great thriller with a twist, James Stewart is fantastic in “Vertigo”.

Favorite character: Midge

Most memorable quote: “Only one is a wanderer; two together are always going somewhere” –Madeleine-

Best scene: That psychedelic dream sequence.

Favorite of the 3: “Rear Window

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 121: Vertigo

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 1958
Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore

Description: Retired San Francisco detective John “Scottie” Ferguson, suffering from acrophobia, investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Review: James Stewart returns in an Alfred Hitchcock movie after starring in “Rear Window” in 1954. He plays detective John Ferguson, Scottie for friends. He suffers from acrophobia, which keeps him from doing his job. His lady friend Midge is caring and intelligent, but can’t charm him. When an old friend asks Scottie to follow his wife Madeleine, because he thinks she’s in danger, he becomes obsessed with her. The viewers get sucked in in his fantasy, a psychological thriller that, at that point, is no longer a thriller. But that’s where Hitchcock’s inventiveness come in.
Even though “Vertigo” lacks horror elements as seen in “Psycho”, the movie works towards a climax. Layers are added to the film, that keep it interesting. Hitchcock’s view on the man-woman relationship reaches its highlight in “Vertigo”. ‘Truth is in the eye of the beholder’ is the only positive thing when it comes to romance. Friend Midge keeps her feelings for Scottie safely hidden, but is rejected when trying to interfere with his love life. Scottie himself tries to re-create the woman of his dreams. It’s all very stylishly made, even with some psychedelic special effects.
“Vertigo” isn’t the Hitchcock movie with the most tension and excitement. It’s most of all the settlement of a platinum blonde femme fatale and the men that will do anything for her.

Rating: 4/ 5

Video of the Week (25)

Another great LEGO video. This guys really has some extra time. He decided to create famous movie scenes with lego. It amazes me how great it looks and how detailed. I would love to do this myself, I am patienced, but not this patienced! And he has more of these!

 

 

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 6

Round 6: Logan/ Wolverine (“X-Men”), William Wallace (“Braveheart”) and Tony Montana (“Scarface”)

Marry: William Wallace fights for his country, family and friends. That’s a man you should hold on to. We would have to discuss the use of blue facial paint though…

Kiss: I guess you would have wild dates with Wolverine. I don’t mind a smooch from this bearded man. I love men with beards

Cliff: A guy who’s in drugs isn’t the best catch. I will push Tony Montana off a cliff. Before he shows me his little friend off course.

Movie Trailer Sunday (160)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Miss Meadows

Description: Miss Meadows (Katie Holmes) is a school teacher with impeccable manners and grace. However, underneath the candy-sweet exterior hides a ruthless gun-toting vigilante who takes it upon herself to right the wrongs in the world by whatever means necessary. For Miss Meadows, bad behavior is simply unforgivable.

Director: Karen Leigh Hopkins

Starring: Katie Holmes, James Badge Dale, Callan Mulvey, Stephen Bishop

Trailer: Trailer "Miss Meadows"

Comment: Love the description of Miss Meadows: Pulp Fiction Mary Poppins.

In the Heart of the Sea

Description: In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Melville's Moby-Dick. But that told only half the story. Revealed is the encounter's harrowing aftermath, as the ship's surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

Director: Ron Howard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, Tom Holland, Brendan Gleeson, Jordi Molla

Trailer: Trailer "In the Heart of the Sea"

Comment: For me, anytime can be Chris Hemsworth time. Thisoks amazing and it's also by one of my favorite directors.

Top Five

Description: Andre Allen (Chris Rock) is a successful comedian and movie star whose work was recently ravaged by a New York Times critic. His fiancée (Gabrielle Union) wants him to help her with her reality show while his agent (Kevin Hart) just wants him to make his next blockbuster. Instead, he teams with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) to make a serious documentary about the Haitian revolution.

Director: Chris Rock

Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, JB Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Jay Pharoah, Anders Holm, Michael Che

Trailer: Trailer "Top Five"

Comment: Curious about this, Chris Rock doesn't only star, he also wrote and directed the film.

Set Fire to the Stairs

Description: An aspiring poet in 1950s New York has his ordered world shaken when he embarks on a week-long retreat to save his hell raising hero, Dylan Thomas.

Director: Andy Goddard

Starring: Elijah Wood, Kelly Reilly, Celyn Jones

Trailer: Trailer "Set Fire to the Stairs"

Comment: This is probably one of those movies that will not get the credit it deseves, it will be overlooked.

By the Gun

Description: Nick (Ben Barnes) is a young Boston Italian, trying to find purpose in the ideology of the mafia and finding his world turned upside down.

Director: James Mottern

Starring: Ben Barnes, Leighton Meesters, Toby Jones, Harvey Keitel

Trailer: Trailer "By the Gun"

Comment: Harvey Keitel and Toby Jones are amazing actors, but I still doubt this film. Because they are only supporting actors.

Quotables: "The Lego Movie"

This movie really surprised me, I didn’t expect to like it this much. And it’s very well made and really funny. Here are some of the best quotes from “The Lego Movie”.

Emmet: You don't have to be the bad guy. You are the most talented, most interesting, and most extraordinary person in the universe. And you are capable of amazing things. Because you are the Special. And so am I. And so is everyone. The prophecy is made up, but it's also true. It's about all of us. Right now, it's about you. And you... still... can change everything.

Emmet: Uh, guys? We're about to crash into the sun.

Batman: Yeah, but it's gonna look really cool.

Emmet: [while driving] I wanna go home!

[a house lands in the middle of the roadway and Emmet crashes into it]

Emmet: That's not what I meant!

Emmet: Hey, I can be dark and brooding too - Guys, look, a rainbow!

Lucy: [to Emmet] Come with me if you want to not die.

Lucy: Today will not be known as Taco Tuesday. It will be known as freedom Friday, but still on a Tuesday!

Bad Cop: You were found at the construction site convulsing with a strange piece.

Emmet: That's disgusting!

Benny: [suddenly appears] Hey, I'm Ben! But you can call me Benny! And I can build a spaceship. Watch this. [starts building a spaceship]

Benny: Spaceship! Spaceship! Spaceship! Spaceship! Spaceship!

Lucy: No! You can't. The skies are surrounded.

Benny: That's okay, I didn't really wanna build a spaceship. Anyway, that's

[kicks his half built spaceship and it falls apart]

 

Emmet: Isn't there a good cop?

Bad Cop: [Changes to good cop] Hi buddy! Want a cup of water?

Emmet: Yeah, actually.

Bad Cop: [Changes back to bad cop]

[Smacks water away]

Bad Cop: Too bad!

Unikitty: You need to be more friendly!

Video of the Week (24)

This week I found a video that really touched me as a teacher. Actor B.J. Novak wrote a children's book, without any pictures. This proves the power of words. And just the reaction of the children, amazing.

 

 

Movie Moments: "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"

I’ve seen this movie so many times, I don’t even need to rewatch it to tell you what my favorite scenes are. “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” is still, in my opinion, the best movie about Robin Hood. Okay, maybe not the best, but the most fun and memorable. And it has my favorite song of all-time on its soundtrack.

Moment # 1: Robin fighting, Azeem praying
After Robin Hood and his new friend Azeem have escaped, they are headed to see Robin’s father. While danger is on the way, Azeem starts praying, instead of helping out Robin.

Moment # 2: Robin’s father
Robin arrives at his father’s home and sees it has been burned to the ground. He’s looking for him and finds him…. hanging. He want to avenge his father’s death.

Moment # 3: Fighting a masked knight
Robin visits Marian, who he thinks changed very much. Then he’s attacked by a masked knight. During the fight, Robin finds out he’s fighting a woman. When he takes off her mask, Robin sees it’s the real Marian.

Moment # 4: Binoculars
Robin and Azeem see the enemy approach. Azeem hands over binoculars to Robin, who has never seen it before. When he looks through, it scares him how close the enemy has come. He doesn’t understand it’s purpose.

Moment # 5: Crossing the river
Robin thinks it’s easy to cross a shallow river. Well, think again. The people who live there, led by John Little, don’t want him to cross and they won’t leave without a fight.

Moment # 6: “I’ll cut your heart out with a spoon”
Robin has entered the walls and is planning on stealing from the rich. Along the way he meets up with Marian, who advices him to take a bath. And also the Prince John, who has a rather unconventional method of trying to kill Robin.

Moment # 7: “Keep the stitched small”
After his unlucky meeting with Robin Hood, the Prince John has a big cut on his face. He orders the doctor to keep the stitches small. Later they also added the scar to his most beloved statue.

Moment # 8: Fighting and making weapons
John Little and all his people decided to tag along with Robin’s plans. Together they make weapons, like swords and arrows, and they are thought to fight properly.

Moment # 9: The arrow
Robin Hood is known for his archery. We see it up close and personal, while from the point of view of the arrow.

Moment # 10: Friar Tuck
The jolly, singing and always drunk Friar Tuck passes by. Robin and his group try to get the beer that he’s transporting. Friar Tuck doesn’t corporate and almost gets away, but he’s not that smart.

Moment # 11: Marian visits Robin
Marian wants to see Robin, who has been taken her advice. She sees him ‘taking a bath’ and is rather hypnotized by what she sees. When Robin eventually approaches her, she doesn’t know what to say.

Moment # 12: The blow
Robin is trying to teach the villagers how to shoot a bow and arrow while being distracted. Marian wonders if Robin can. While everyone is trying to distract him, Robin stays focused. Until Marian blows gentle into his ear.

Moment # 13: The kiss
Marian says goodbye to Robin, but before she gets into the boat Marian kisses him.

Moment # 14: Brothers
Robin wants to know why Will hates him so much. He reveals that they are brothers and that their father loved Robin more than him.

Moment # 15: The hanging
Prince John has captured John Little’s son. Together Robin and his people come up with a plan to rescue him.

Moment # 16: The final fight
In order to rescue Marian, Robin has to fight Prince John. And they both aren’t willing to give up.

Moment # 17: The wedding
Off course they will live happily ever after and Robin and Marian get married. King Richard also arrives and celebrates with them.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 5 : Crossing the River