Netflix Friday - Volume 79

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Gladiator (2000)
A former Roman General (Russel Crowe) sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
 

Drama: Phantom Thread (2017)
Set in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcocks (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who becomes his muse and lover.
 

Comedy: Yes Man (2008)
A man (Jim Carrey) challenges himself to say “yes” to everything.
 

Animation: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with their wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
 

Romance: Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
A middle-aged husband’s (Steve Carell) life dramatically changes when his wife (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend Jacob (Ryan Gosling), learning to pick up girls at bars.
 

Horror: The Prodigy (2019)
A mother (Taylor Schilling) concerned about her young son’s disturbing behavior thinks something supernatural may be affecting him.
 

Science Fiction: Ghostbusters (2016)
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
 

Crime: The Accountant (2016)
As a math savant (Ben Affleck) uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities, and the body count starts to rise.
 

Thriller: The Departed (2006)
An undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a mole (Matt Damon) in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating and Irish gang in South Boston.
 

Documentary: My Octopus Teacher (2020)
A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.
 

Family: Beethoven (1992)
A slobbering St. Bernard becomes the center of attention for a loving family, but must contend with a dog-napping veterinarian and his henchmen.

10s Movie Review - Crazy Stupid Love

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, John Carroll Lynch, Analeigh Tipton, Joey King

Description: A middle-aged husband's (Steve Carell) life changes dramatically when his wife (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob (Ryan Gosling), learning to pick up girls at bars.

Review: Filmmakers have tried so many times to create a romantic comedy that is liked by women and men. But they have only managed to succeed a couple of times. “Crazy Stupid Love” is one of them.
Cal is a decent, good 40 something guy, with a solid job, nice kids and a beautiful wife. During a nice dinner with his wife Emily, she surprises him with a request for a divorce. Because she slept with someone and they have drifted apart. Cal doesn’t know how to handle the situation and goes to bars, sobbing about his failed marriage. In that bar there also happens to be Jacob, a handsome, smooth talker that can score any woman any night. The two meet each other and Jacob decides to help Cal rediscover his manhood.
Cal and Jacob are the central figures in “Crazy Stupid Love”, but there are other characters struggling with love in many shapes and forms. And it’s one of the strongest elements of the film. All those different characters and their different feelings and emotions, they make sure everyone can relate to someone in this film. “Crazy Stupid Love” is fresh and has some surprising moments.
Every member of this cast seems perfect for their role. There is not one star, they are all equally good. And the humor and drama is in perfect balance.
“Crazy Stupid Love” is probably one of the best film to watch on a date.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Movies for a Girls Night

I just love a night in with my girlfriends. And than especially with a big bucket of popcorn and a pile of films. Here are the five perfect movies for a girls night.

5. Bring It On
Cheerleading is not a thing in The Netherlands and if it were, me and my friends certainly wouldn’t be on. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like the drama. “Bring It On” is a fun chick flick, no brains necessary.

4. 10 Things I Hate About You
“10 Things I Hate About You” is one of the few chick flicks I’m not embarrassed to say I love, because it’s actually a really good movie.

3. Crazy Stupid Love
This is a girls film, that is also suitable for men. So my male friends will probably enjoy this film too. And it has depth. I love this film and it has a great cast.

2. Easy A
Me and my friend Inge love to watch this movie together. Some other friends don’t really understand our love for it though. But be honest, “Easy A” is a fantastic comedy.

1. Bridesmaids
A film for girls with girls. The female version of “The Hangover” they call it. But trust me, “Bridesmaids” is much better!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Dirty Dancing, Notting Hill, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Miss Congeniality, Briget Jones’ Diary, Coyote Ugly, The Devil Wears Prada

Top 5 Thursday: Movie/TV Womanizers

I really don’t like a womanizer, I really don’t. But in movie and television shows, well, I still don’t, but at least their fictional characters and they are enjoyable to watch. Here is my top 5 of movie/TV womanizers.

5. Jacob Palmer (“Crazy Stupid Love”)

I think I couldn’t even resist Jacob, even with those cheesy pickup lines.

 

 

 

4. Joey Tribbiani (“Friends”)

One simple line does it for him: “How you doin’? Joey isn’t very smart or rich, but he is charming, handsome and kind of sweet.

 

 

3. Charlie Harper (“Two and a Half Men”)

A middle aged man, heavy drinker, jingle writer. Doesn’t sound like the perfect man right. Still Charlie concurs beautiful women all the time.

 

 

2. Barney Stinson (“How I Met Your Mother”)

Barney isn’t picky, his women preferably need to be pretty and under 30. That’s it. And everyone is wondering how he manages every time. Just follow the ‘rules’.

 

 

1. James Bond

How could he not be number 1? He is the biggest womanizer in movie history. He hooks up with at least three women every movie (with off course the occasional exception) and all beautiful women too. Women are his weakness.

 

 

The Almost Made the Top 5: Hank Moody (“Californication”), Alex Hitchens (“Hitch”), Alfie Etkins (“Alfie”), Steve Stifler (“American Pie”), Tony Stark (“Iron Man”), Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli (“Happy Days”), Giacomo Casanova (“Casanova”), Templeton ‘Face’ Peck (“The A-Team”),

Top 5 Thursday: Breakup Movies

We’ve all been there: bad breakups. In movies it’s also a common theme and here are the five best movies about breakups.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Jason Segel wrote this very touching and funny comedy, that also happened to be hilarious. Oh and yeah, this is that movie where Jason Segel gets naked.

 

 

4. Silver Linings Playbook

There’s nothing sadder than watching someone refuse to accept the end of a relationship, but that’s what makes the burgeoning romance between Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence’s manic lovebirds so powerful. It’s only once Cooper’s character learns to let go of the woman who abandoned him he can see the woman who’s right in front of him.

 

 

3. Crazy Stupid Love

Love can go crazy, make you crazy, it simply makes people crazy. After his wife wants a divorce, because she slept with her boss, Cal Weaver befriends playboy Jacob. Jacob teaches him how to talk to women and how to get a woman home. It’s such a great comedy, with a fantastic cast.

 

 

2. (500) Days of Summer

It was a sleeper hit. “(500) Days of Summer” alternates between the good and the bad moments between Summer and Tom, even though they seem like the perfect pair.

 

 

1. High Fidelity

Rob Gordon is going through yet another breakup and he even lists his top 5 breakups of all-time. And that’s why it got my attention. “High Fidelity” isn’t just the best breakup movie, it’s one of the best movies ever.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: The War of the Roses, Blue Valentine

Top 5 Thursday: Emma Stone Movies

As you might know I have a little bit of a girl crush on Emma Stone. She is fantastic, charming, funny, talented and sexy. Here are my favourite movies of Emma Stone.

5. Gangster Squad
Although it wasn’t as what expected, I did like “Gangster Squad”. Emma’s role isn’t that big, but memorable.

4. Crazy Stupid Love
I knew I was going to like this when I saw its trailer. And I was right, because this movie is so much fun. And that’s not just Emma, it also has Steve Carrel, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore in it.

3. The Help
The most touching movie on the list. This touched me, heart and soul. “The Help” makes you go through all kinds of emotions, it makes you laugh, it warms your heart, it makes you cry. I love this movie.

2. Zombieland
This is so bad-ass! A bunch of people, who give themselves names of states, cities or regions, kill zombies for survival. “Zombieland” is such a cool movie.

1. Easy A
I didn’t think much of it when I read the synopsis, but I fell in love with it when I watched it for the first time. Emma is such a star in “Easy A”, not to mention her movie parents Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarckson, who are hilarious.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Superbad, he Amazing Spider-Man

Top 5 Thursday: Ryan Gosling Movies

Ryan Gosling is one fine actor. Not just because he is ridiculously gorgeous, but because he is a fantastic, talented performer. He chooses his roles very carefully and that leads to some wonderful films. Here are my favorites.

5. The Notebook
I think everyone wanted to marry Noah Calhoun after seeing this movie. I know I did. This movie is so sweet it hurts your teeth, but I love it.

4. Half Nelson
He is a bit troubled, but I like his role as a teacher. He is a better teacher then person, I like the friendship between him and Drew.

3. Crazy, Stupid, Love
A movie I knew I was going to love when I saw its trailer. Gosling and Steve Carrel are great together and what about Ryan and Emma Stone!

2. Blue Valentine
Not just another lovestory. Far from that. Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling have perfect chemistry which makes it believable and realistic.

1. Drive
LOVE IT! Gosling rocks this movie. It’s brilliant, I mean really brilliant. Love the cinematography, music, acting. It blew my mind when I first saw it.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Fracture, Gangster Squad

In the Picture: The Characters from "Crazy Stupid Love"

I rewatched this movie recently and I liked it even more after watching it a second time. I also got time to dissect all the characters, so here they are.

Cal Weaver
Played by: Steve Carell
Cal just found out that his wife Emily wants a divorce, because she slept with someone else. After moving in to his own appartement, Cal goes to a bar where he meets Jacob. After this meeting Cal decides to change and to stop sobbing about Emily. Cal is very honest, goodhearted and he will never stop loving Emily.

Jacob Palmer
Played by: Ryan Gosling
Jacob wants Cal to rediscover his manhood. He wants him to change. To be more like him, a womanizer. Jacob is a smooth talker and can get any woman he wants… but Hannah. When he meets Hannah, his view on life changes and he regrets who he used to be.

Emily Weaver
Played by: Julianne Moore
Emily cheated on Cal with a coworker. Emily says that she and Cal had already drifted apart, but when Cal really leaves she realizes how much she loves him. Emily is a very supportive mother and loves Cal deep in her heart.

Hannah Weaver
Played by: Emma Stone
Hannah is a recent law school graduate and is expecting her boyfriend to propose to her. Instead he offers her a job and that’s when Hannah decided it’s time for a change. She goes to meet Jacob in the bar, where she earlier rejected him. Hannah is not like other girls. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and she is out of the ordinary.

Robbie Weaver
Played by: Jonah Bobo
Robbie is the only Weaver boy and madly in love with Jessica, his babysitter. Unlike his dad Cal, he fights for Jessica and will continue until he won her over. For a kid his age Robbie is pretty smart and wise.

Jessica Riley
Played by: Analeigh Tipton
Jessica is the Weavers babysitter. Although Robbie has had a crush on her for a while, Jessica is trying to ignore him. She made clear that she’s not interested in him. Jessica only has eyes for one man: Cal. And now that Emily is out of the way she thinks she stands a chance. Jessica is naïve, but kindhearted.

David Lindhagen
Played by: Kevin Bacon
David is the guy that came between Cal and Emily. He’s a bit of a sleezebag and he’s trying to find his way into the family. Robbie doesn’t really like him, Cal doesn’t and soon no one will.

Kate Tafferty
Played by: Marisa Tomei
Kate and Cal meet each other in the bar and she’s Cal's first girl after Emily. Kate appreciates Cal for his honesty and goes home with him. Cal promises to call her, but he doesn’t and when they meet again it doesn’t end well for Cal. Kate is a very unstable and emotional woman.

Favorite Character: Hannah Weaver

Top 5 Thursday: Emma Stone Characters

I love Emma Stone. After seeing here in "Zombieland", where I discovered her, I wanted to see more of her. She is awesome!! Here are my five favorite roles.

5. Jules from “Superbad”
She's great as Jonah Hill's crush Jules. She's a nerd magnet, but she sincerely likes him. And she's actually believable while acting nice to him.

4. Hannah from “Crazy, Stupid, Love"
Hannah is a smart woman who knows what she wants, but she isn't always sure when to put it out in the open. I love her together with Jacob.

3. Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan from “The Help”
Skeeter is determined to reach her goal and she wants to tell everyone her story. Or actually the story of the black help. I admire her strength and the way she believes in herself and how she knows what is really important in life.

2. Wichita from “Zombieland”
Wichita is simply kick-ass. She seems tough on the outside, but on the inside she's a kind and sweet woman.

1. Olive Penderghast from “Easy A”
My favorite Emma Stone character. I love her wit, intelligence, sense of humor, intellect and kindness. Olive is one of the best characters ever written for film and I adore her. Everything about her.

They almost made the top 5: -