Top 5 Thursday: Michael Fassbender Movies

Michael Fassbender is one of the best actors of the moment and also one of my favorites. He has a vibrant charisma, is handsome, convinces in every role and shines on screen. Here are my favorite Michael Fassbender films.

5. Frank
It’s one of the weirdest films I have seen in a while, but weird in a good way. It’s a brilliant film. Not for everyone, but Indie movie lovers will embrace it. Like I did.

4. 12 Years a Slave
Fassbender plays a relentless man, a villain, in “12 Years a Slave”. You know an actor is good, when a normally charming and likeable actor turns into a tiran and makes it believable.

3. Jane Eyre
It’s one of my favorite classic stories and I really love this adaptation of the novel. Fassbender is so good and irresistible in “Jane Eyre”.

2. Inglourious Basterds
It’s an alternative history story, one of my favorites by Tarantino. Fassbender’s role isn’t major, but big enough to be memorable. He has a very important role in the infamous bar scene.

1. Shame
Before I went to see this film, I never thought I would like it. Let alone love it as much as I do now. The film is made so beautifully, the story is more than just a man and his sex addiction. It has many layers and Fassbender is brilliant in “Shame”.

They Almost Made the Top 5: X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Apocalypse, Hunger, The Light Between Oceans, 300

Top 5 Thursday: Supporting Females in Drama Films

We always focus on the main man or woman in a film, but today I’m putting the supporting characters in the spotlight. Females in drama films to be exact.

5. Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley in “The Imitation Game”)
A very smart woman standing strong doing a man’s job. Joan Clarke believes in Alan Turing and his ideas, she holds the team together.

4. Pam (Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler”)
Pam is the highlight in Randy Robinson’s day. A mother by day, a stripper by night. But there is more to her than meets the eye.

3. Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams in “Spotlight”)
Sacha Pfeiffer was one of the people that revealed shocking news about the catholic church. She is working with men, faces people who share with her very disturbing stories. But Sacha stays strong and only wants one thing: to let people know what really happened.

2. Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o in “12 Years a Slave”)
Patsey is a brave woman. She has to go through so much and still manages to keep smiling. And she keeps doing her job as no other, better than the men doing the same job.

1. Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain in “The Help”)
Celia Foote is an outcast, but her enthusiasm, good heart, naïve look at the world and kind intentions should brighten everyone’s day. She is the only woman (besides Skeeter) that really appreciates the help she gets.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander in “The Danish Girl”), Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams in “The Fighter”), Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer in “The Help”), Iris (Jodie Foster in “Taxi Driver”), Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”), Lynn Margareth Bracken (Kim Basinger in “L.A. Confidential”)

Top 10: Favorite Movies of 2014

I got to see a lot of 2014 movies, so this year I will make a favorites list of the year. Off course I didn’t get to all the movies of this year, because that’s impossible.  I didn’t see “Boyhood”, for no apparent reason. Some 2014 movies are coming out next year in The Netherlands, like “Birdman” or “The Imitation Game” and there are also some movies on this list that officially came out in 2013, but in my country it was 2014. Let’s get started, here are my favorite movies of 2014.

 

10. Edge of Tomorrow

The most recent view of this list. I wasn’t stoked about this at first, I didn’t see it in theaters. Now I regret that, because it was AWESOME! Finally the Tom Cruise action movie we were waiting for.

 

 

9. The Guest

It sounded so standard, but it was anything but standard. What I got was a solid thriller that had elements of “Drive” and 80s horror/ thriller in it. John Carpenter didn’t help making this movie, but it was like watching one of his creations. “The Guest” was amazing and thank God for Dan Stevens.

 

 

8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Ceasar made it to my list. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” was just as good as “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. It’s something about apes, I’m captivated every time. And I know it’s probably never going to happen, but give Andy Serkis an Oscar! This man is a genious.

 

 

7. Begin Again

This was such a sweet film, I was literally smiling the entire runtime. The soundtrack is great and I just loved this film. When I read the synopsis I thought it was going to be mediocre, but it was so much better.

 

 

 

6. Nightcrawler

I was curious, I wanted to know what this was about. “Nightcrawler” was a surprisingly good movie, I didn’t see that coming. And Jake Gyllenhaal gave away such a mind blowing performance. He really got lost in his role.

 

 

5. The Lego Movie

I your title song is called “Everything is Awesome”, you better be awesome. And that’s exactly what “The Lego Movie” is. I never thought I would love it as much as I do. I’m didn’t even play with LEGO that much as a kid. I enjoyed this so much, I have watched the movie three times already this year.

 

 

4. 12 Years a Slave

If this movie doesn’t touch you, you’re a robot. Ever inch in my body felt the pain and the suffering of Solomon. Such an amazing movie, goose bumps.

 

 

3. Whiplash

Oh how I loved this movie! I heard so many great things about it and I totally agreed with all of those people. Seriously, J.K. Simmons in this film, if his character was real he would scare the sh** out of me.

 

 

2. The Grand Budapest Hotel

This year I discovered that Wes Anderson is one of my favorite directors. His movies are a piece of art, they look amazing. I wish I had his creative mind. I enjoyed “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and Ralph Fiennes’ performance is one of the best of the year. I’m actually missing this movie on a lot of 2014 movie lists. Maybe they aren’t Wes Anderson fans.

 

 

1. Guardians of the Galaxy

I didn’t know anything about the heroes in this film before seeing it. Each one of them stole my heart and I’m a fan of “Guardians of the Galaxy”. It’s understatement if I say I adored this movie. I even think it’s the best Marvel movie so far!

 

 

Honorable Mentions: Her, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part, Neighbors, Locke

Top 10: Best Movies I Watched for My 2014 Challenge

I had a lot of fun with my movie challenge this year and I’m definitely going to start one in 2015. But first I’m going to share my ten favorite movies that I watched for my challenge. Please note them, because if you haven’t seen them yet, you must. Also check my honorable mentions, the movies that almost made my top 10 list.

10. Shame

I never thought I would love “Shame” as much as I do. Normally I would skip a movie about a man with a sex addiction. I’m glad I didn’t, because it’s so much more than that. Michael Fassbender was so good in this movie, seriously Oscar worthy.

 

 

 

9. Prisoners

I recently rewatched it and it left me the same as the first time I saw it: gasping for air. A totally unexpected thriller, that captivated me from beginning ‘till end. Wonderfull performances by Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, but also Paul Dano did a good job.

 

 

8. 12 Years a Slave

If this movie doesn’t touch you, you’re a robot. Every inch in my body felt the pain and the suffering of Solomon. Such an amazing movie, goose bumps.

 

 

7. Whiplash

Oh how I loved this movie! I heard so many great things about it and I totally agreed with all of those people. Seriously, J.K. Simmons in this film, if his character was real he would scare the sh** out of me.

 

 

6. The Grand Budapest Hotel

This year I discovered that Wes Anderson is one of my favorite directors. His movies are a piece of art, they look amazing. I wish I had his creative mind. I enjoyed “The Gran Budapest Hotel” and Ralph Fiennes’ performance is one of the best of the year.

 

 

5. Intouchables

I’m a bit ashamed that it took me this long to finally watch “Intouchables”. I only heard good reviews about this movie and all I can do is agree. It’s an amazingly touching, endearing movie.

 

 

4. Guardians of the Galaxy

I didn’t know anything about the heroes in this film before seeing it. Each one of them stole my heart and I’m a fan of “Guardians of the Galaxy”. It’s understatement if I say I adored this movie. I even think it’s the best Marvel movie so far!

 

 

3. The Way Way Back

I have a selection of films that I watch whenever I want to feel happy, like “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Happy-Go-Lucky”. Now I can also add “The Way Way Back” to that selection. Ever since I watched it, I rewatched it twice already.

 

 

2. The World’s End

I knew before watching it that I was going to love it. The combo of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost works every time and I love this movie. I sure don’t hope this trio is going to stop making movies together.

 

 

1. Jagten

This movie really took me by surprise and it was an absolute winner for me. After the movie ended, I couldn’t stop thinking of it, it really grabbed me and got under my skin. It’s always great to get into a movie not knowing anything about it and then be speechless in the end. Fun fact: this was the first movie for my challenge that I gave a 5 star rating.

 

 

Honorable Mentions: Begin Again, Rushmore, Rear Window, The Lego Movie, About Time, Captain Phillips, Nightcrawler

Me & 3 Steve McQueen Movies

I bought all three off his movies on DVD, only realizing later that they were all directed by Steve McQueen (and also all starring Michael Fassbender). So the perfect opportunity to use it for this item.

12 Years a Slave

Genre: Drama

Year: 2013

Director: Steve McQueen

Cast: Chiwetel Ejifor, Michael Fassbender, Lupito Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson

Description: In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejifor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Opinion: I was overly excited to see this and when I did it left me breathless. Such a beautiful movie, an unbelievable story that really grabs you. Really, if you don’t cry during this movie, you’re not human.

Favorite character: Patsey (Lupito Nyong’o)

Most memorable quote: “I don't want to survive. I want to live” –Solomon Northup-

Best scene: It might sound cruel, but the scene where Patsey get whipped was the one that grabbed me the most. Definitely the best scene of the movie, that showed everyone how cruel Edwin Epps was.

Shame

Genre: Drama

Year: 2011

Director: Steve McQueen

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan

Description: In New York City, Brandon's (Michael Fassbender) carefully cultivated private life -- which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction -- is disrupted when his sister (Carey Mulligan) arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.

Opinion: I heard many things about it and frankly I thought it was going to be a movie just about sex. Well, it’s a lot more than that. It’s a fantastic film, realistic and mesmerizing. Michael Fassbender does a wonderful job.

Favorite character: Brandon Sullivan (Michael Fassbender)

Most memorable quote: “We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place.” –Sissy Sullivan-

Best scene: When Brandon hears his sister is having way too much fun with his boss, he decides to go for a run. It’s a very long shot, following him down the streets of New York.

Hunger

Genre: Drama

Year: 2008

Director: Steve McQueen

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Liam Cummingham

Description: Irish republican Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) leads the inmates of a Northern Irish prison in a hunger strike. Favorite character: Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender)

Most memorable quote: “I have my belief, and in all its simplicity that is the most powerful thing.” –Bobby Sands-

Best scene: Where Bobby Sands is talking to Father Dominic Moran. It’s a very long scene, with them just talking and the camera in the same position for all this time. Great scene.

Favorite of the 3: “12 Years a Slave”

DVD Collection Update (16)

It's been a while and there are a lot of new movies in my collection. Some classics, some newer movies. Here they are.

First I got "The Goonies", a movie I never saw before. I wished I saw it as a kid, it would've been so great. But now, as an adult, I still love it. I think kids these days wouldn't like it as much as 80's and 90's kids.

An absolute classic, I never saw it and I feel a little bit ashamed. It's a science fiction movie everyone should see. Now I finally did and I think it's really good. I'm not as enthusiastic as most people, but I can see the appeal.

Another classic, even older, is "North by Northwest". I think everyone knows that airplane scene, including me, but I've never seen it before. It's still waiting on my shelve to be played and I'm really curious. It's one of Hitchcock's finest.

"Hunger" is Steve McQueen's first directed movie and I heard a lot about it. I can't wait to watch it, the trailer looked amazing.

EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! It was such a fun film, not just for kids, are you kidding me? I love the references and the cameos. It's so much fun!!!!!!

I just knew I was going to love this movie, because it's just my kind of film. A great mix of drama and comedy, both genres not overpowering. And I have a little crush on Sam Rockwell after watching "The Way Way Back", because his character stole my heart.

"Shame" really surprised me, I didn't think I was going to love it this much. I gave it a five star rating!

I didn't think it was possible, but "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" is even sillier then te first. Not as funny, but still worth your time. That's if you like the sillyness.

With owning "12 Years a Slave" I mentioned all the Steve McQueen movies in one post and with that I also own all three films. I loved this movie.. Seriously, if you don't cry over this, you're a robot. Even my friend Irene, who doesn't even cry on a relatives funeral, teared up. Well, she's also pregnant, so that's also a reason why she might be extra emotional.

Quotables: "12 Years a Slave"

This movie left me speechless, what a beautiful film. It amazes me how Solomon Northup survived this misery. Seriously, if you didn't shed a single tear during this movie, you're a robot. Here are some of the best quotes from the film.

Solomon Northup: I will not fall into despair! I will keep myself hardy until freedom is opportune!

Clemens: If you want to survive, do and say as little as possible. Tell no one who you really are and tell no one that you can read and write. Unless you want to be a dead nigger.

Mistress Epps: You will remove that black bitch from this property, or I'll take myself back to Cheneyville. Edwin Epps: Back to the hogs's trough where I found you? Do not set yourself against Patsy, my dear. Cos I will rid myself of you well before I do away with her.

Solomon Northup: [Upon meeting his family again after 12 years] I apologize for my appearance. But I have had a difficult time these past several years.

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

February was a great month, I saw some awesome films! Some of them actually made my favorites list. Here are the best movies I saw this month for my challenge.

5. Lincoln
A great biopic by master director Steven Spielberg. The length of the film doesn’t bother me and Daniel Day-Lewis is outstanding as Abraham Lincoln.

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I never thought I would eventually put this on my list. It was different from any other teen movie. This film has so many layers and fabulous acting as well. I should read the book too.

3. Rush
I didn’t think I would like it this much, because I’m not a Formula 1 fan. But Ron Howard, who is also one of my favourite directors, did an awesome job. He’s at his best when he tells someone’s true story. And fantastic acting by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl.

2. Prisoners
A movie I only heard good things about, so I was pretty sure I was going to like it as well. Well, I loved it. So surprising and such great acting. And that ending…

1. 12 Years a Slave
I was looking forward to seeing this film for such a long time and it was worth every penny. What a fantastic film! It really grabbed me and if you don’t shed a tear, you’re not human.

They Almost Made the Top 5: End of Watch, The Lincoln Lawyer