Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movie – Update 3

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme of reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

5/ 100: La La Land (2016)
Jazz pianist Sebastian and aspiring actress Mia fall in love and try to support in each other as they pursue their personal ambitions and dreams. Delightful musical by director Damien Chazelle, who also directed another favorite “Whiplash”. The film is in the 1950s and 1960s style and Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have amazing chemistry and shine. The soundtrack is fantastic (it has spent many hours in my CD-player) and entered my top five right after my first watch. Check out my review HERE.
 

6/ 100: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Greg is a nerdy teen that has no friends and doesn’t fit into any social groups. And he would like to keep it that way. He only hangs out with Earl, with whom he makes crappy films based on classics. Until his mother pushes him to visit Rachel, a girl in his school that suffers from leukemia. This film is so heartfelt, honest, raw and pure. I loved every minute of it. Check out my review HERE.
 

7/ 100: The Way Way Back (2013)
To his horror, shy fourteen-year-old Duncan must spend the summer vacation at the beach house of the arrogant Trent, the new boyfriend of his mother Pam. Fortunately, his suffering is eased by a charming girl next door and a job at the local waterpark, led by bon vivant Owen. A coming-of-age film that offers surprises in terms of content and is refreshingly sincere in tone. Directors Nate Faxon and Jim Rash, who previously wrote the screenplay for “The Descendants”, take adolescent suffering seriously without getting bogged down in melodrama. Warm film with a super fun cast. Check out my review HERE.      
 
Still to watch: 93

Top 5 Thursday: Movie Cameos of 2015

Still looking back on 2015 as a movie year, I’ve started listing the best cameos in movies of that year. It was pretty tough, I had to dig deep. But here are my five favorite cameos of 2015.

5. 50 Cent (“Spy”)

The rapper has been in the acting game for a while now, but in “Spy” he plays himself while on a way to a concert near to the end of the film. Mostly alongside Miranda Hart’s character Nancy.

 

 

4. Daniel Radcliffe and Marisa Tomei (“Trainwreck”)

Radcliffe and Tomei show up in the movie within the movie. Amy Shumer’s character and John Cena’s Steven go and see it. It’s an Indie parody called “The Dogwalker”.

 

 

3. Hugh Jackman (as Wolverine in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”)

Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon had no idea if he was going to be able to snag Hugh Jackman to voice a picture of Wolverine in Rachel’s room. But when he told him about the scene, Jackman signed on.

 

 

2. Liam Neeson (“Entourage” and “Ted 2”)

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the movies, Liam Neeson makes it all a lot more fun. In “Entourage” he does something we all want to do: he gives Ari Gold the finger. In “Ted 2” he buys a box of US cereal Trix and is concerned it’s just for kids. Really funny.

 

 

1. Mark Hamill (“Kingsman: The Secret Service”)

Mark Hamill pops up as professor Arnold, a scientist that the Kingsmen send Lancelot to rescue. This mission doesn’t go that well though. And Professor Arnold ends up, well…. He explodes.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Stan Lee (“Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Nemo (“Inside Out”)

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (December 2015)

This is the last top 5 Thursday of the year 2015, and the last list for my 100 Movie Challenge 2015. I saw some new one and some really good ones. Many of the films I watched this month ended up in my favorites 2015 movies list. Here is my top 5 of films I watched for my challenge in December.

5. Moon

Especially a great one man show by Sam Rockwell. I knew I was going to like this, it’s a really good film.

 

 

 4. The Lobster

A bit weird, but maybe that’s why I love it so much. It’s definitely not for everyone, but you should give it a try.

 

 

3. Ex Machina

You except a certain thing, but you get something completely different. A surprising film, great performances, worth your time.

 

 

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I have been waiting for this movie for so long, we all have. And it was exactly what we hoped for. Great balance between nostalgia and an interesting new story. And that scene on the bridge, we all know it…… nooooooo!

 

 

1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I loved everything about this movie. Such a heartfelt, realistic and honest film.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Krampus, Rollercoaster, Mean Creek, Some Kind of Wonderful

Top 10: Favorite Movies of 2015

It’s that time of the year. Ranking all the movies from 2015 that I saw. Off course I cannot see every single movie, so there are probably some films you will be missing. And some movies that I know I will love, like “The Revenant”, “Spotlight”, “The Hatefull Eight” and “Creed” aren’t on this list because they haven’t been released yet in The Netherlands. This list is based on the Dutch theatrical releases, which also explains why there are possibly movies on the list that officially came out in 2014. Here are my 10 favorite films of 2015 (also check out my honorable mentions)!

10. Inside Out

Okay, just when we thought Pixar and Disney were running out of ideas, they brought us “Inside Out”. A smart and bold movie, with a great message. Exploring the inner emotions of a child combined with a race-against-time adventure. Great!

 

 

9. The Martian

“The Martian” is a movie I had expectations for, but I got even more than I expected. It was heartfelt, interesting and really funny. Matt Damon gives away a great performance and Ridley Scott finally directed another great film.

 

 

8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

This movie is probably on the list because I’m a fangirl, I love the books. And this final chapter gave me exactly what I wanted. This is my second favorite film of the franchise and a good ending to the movie series.

 

 

7. The Lobster

It’s a weird story: single people are taken to a hotel, where they have to find a partner within 45 days. If they fail, they are turned into an animal. Colin Farrell’s character choses a lobster. And it’s exactly this unconventional story that I love. Farrell is an actor I either love or hate in a movie and in “The Lobster” he is phenomenal. Definitely not a movie for everyone, but at least give it a try.

 

 

6. Ex Machina

I can best describe “Ex Machina” as a mix of “Blade Runner” and “Her”, but then I would still not do it justice. It’s such a strong film, with only three characters. Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson are great, but Alicia Vikander is the star. This is a movie where you expect one thing and get something completely different.

 

 

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The movie we’ve all been waiting for. We were all afraid that it was going to be bad, but it was AWESOME! J.J. Abrams found the perfect balance between nostalgia and a great new story with both old and new characters. Off course Han, Leia and Chewbacca, but also newbie heroes Rey, Finn and Po, droid BB-8 and villain Kylo Ren. And that scene on the bridge…… Nooooooo!

 

 

4. Sicario

After “Enemy” and “Prisoners” I had high expectations for “Sicario”. And director Denis Villeneuve did it! “Sicario” is a terrific thriller, with Emily Blunt as the big star. She is amazing in this film.

 

 

3. Birdman

Unfolding across two hours of backstage theater drama that play as a single take, it’s an almost impossibly complex technical achievement. And then Michael Keaton’s big comeback as actor Riggan, who once played a superhero and is now aiming for something higher. A cinematographic masterpiece.

 

 

2. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

This movie was great for us movie lovers, because of all the pop culture references. But this is also a movie that comes straight from the heart and ends up in our hearts as well. Such an honest, real film that grabbed me and touched me.

 

 

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

When I saw “Mad Max: Fury Road” in theaters it totally took my breath away. More than 30 years after leaving Max in the wasteland, George Miller returns to his signature series. I didn’t expect much at first and I left the theater overwhelmed. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is an incredible cinematic experience. A ride everyone has to take at least once in their life.

 

 

Honorable Mentions: Big Hero 6, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Straight Outta Compton

Top 10: Best Movies I Watched for My 2015 Challenge

I had a lot of fun with my movie challenge this year and I’m definitely going to start one in 2016. 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. Sicario

After “Enemy” and “Prisoners” I had high expectations for “Sicario”. And director Denis Villeneuve did it! “Sicario” is a terrific thriller, with Emily Blunt as the big star. She is amazing in this film.

 

9. My Neighbor Totoro

I love the movies by Hayao Miyazak. “Spirited Away” was already amazing, but “My Neighbor Totoro” I liked even more. Such a great animation, especially if you look at it with a creative and artistic perspective like me.

 

 

8. 12 Angry Men

A movie set in only one location and it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire runtime. This a movie like no other, the don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

 

 

7. Short Term 12

A movie that felt so realistic and honest. I could feel it through my entire body. It’s not a movie for the people who want spectacle, but a small Indie film that touches you and makes you feel.

 

 

6. The Guard

“Hot Fuzz” meets “In Bruges”, what a great crime comedy “The Guard” is. And I loved Brendan Gleeson in this film. He could finally show what he’s made off. His unconventional character, who you should actually dislike, is really hard to hate.

 

 

5. Birdman

Unfolding across two hours of backstage theater drama that play as a single take, it’s an almost impossibly complex technical achievement. And then Michael Keaton’s big comeback as actor Riggan, who once played a superhero and is now aiming for something higher. A cinematographic masterpiece.

 

 

4. Enemy

“Enemy” was a complete mind fuck. What sounded like a standard thriller, is anything but that. The movies leaves you with a lot of questions and chills all over your body. And that final scene scared the bejesus out of me.

 

 

3. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

This movie was great for us movie lovers, because of all the pop culture references. But this is also a movie that comes straight from the heart and ends up in our hearts as well. Such an honest, real film that grabbed me and touched me.

 

 

2. Psycho

An instant classic that I was pretty ashamed of never seeing before 2015. And I can now understand why it’s such an amazing film. What a great horror film by mastermind Alfred Hitchcock. Movies like this are underappreciated nowadays. Not by movie nerds like me by the way.

 

 

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

When I saw “Mad Max: Fury Road” in theaters it totally took my breath away. More than 30 years after leaving Max in the wasteland, George Miller returns to his signature series. I didn’t expect much at first and I left the theater overwhelmed. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is an incredible cinematic experience. A ride everyone has to take at least once in their life.

 

 

Honorable Mentions: Frozen, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Big Hero 6, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Take Shelter, St. Vincent, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Deux Jours, Une Nuit, Mud, Jurassic World, Inside Out, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Gosford Park, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Funny Games, The Drop, The Conjuring, The Evil Dead, The Martian, Moon, The Lobster, Ex Machina

Movie Trailer Sunday (185)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Aloft

Description: A struggling mother (Jennifer Connelly) encounters the son (Cillian Murphy) she abandoned 20 years earlier.

Director: Claudia Llosa

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Jennifer Connelly, Melanie Laurent

Trailer: Trailer "Aloft"

Comment: It looks beautiful, three actors I love watching!

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Description: A teenage filmmaker befriends a classmate with cancer.

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Starring: Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Bobb'E J. Thompson, Olivia Cooke, Thomas Mann, Ronald Cyler II

Trailer: Trailer "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl"

Comment: Just the kind of movie I need right now.

Burying the Ex

Description: Max (Anton Yelchin) and Evelyn (Ashley Greene) are a couple. Their relationship takes a nose dive once they move in together. Max discovers how controlling and manipulative Evelyn is but he’s too scared to break up with her. When fate steps in and Evelyn dies in a freak accident, newly-single Max prepares to move on with Olivia (Alexandra Daddario). His romantic life becomes complicated when Evelyn rises from the grave and sets out to get her boyfriend back, even if that means turning him into one of the undead.

Director: Joe Dante

Starring: Anton Yelchin, Alexandra Daddario, Ashley Greene, Oliver Cooper

Trailer: Trailer "Burying the Ex"

Comment: Director Joe Dante made "The 'Burbs" and "Gremlins"!

Survivor

Description: After being mysteriously framed for a terrorist bombing, a Foreign Service Officer (Milla Jovovich) must evade government capture and death by a ruthless assassin (Pierce Brosnan) in order to stop the real perpetrators’ master—and much deadlier—plan.

Director: James McTeigue

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Pierce Brosnan, Angela Bassett, Dylan McDermott, Robert Forster

Trailer:

Comment: I don't have high expectations for this one, but it does look like a thrill.

Live from New York!

Description: "Saturday Night Live" has been reflecting and influencing life in the United States for 40 years. Live From New York! goes deep inside this cultural phenomenon exploring the laughter that pulses through American politics, tragedy and popular culture.

Director: Bao Nguyen

Starring: "SNL" Castmembers

Trailer: Trailer "Live from New York!"

Comment: I love "Saturday Night Live" and I'd like to learn more about the story behind the success.