Five to Watch - Prequel Movies

With “Solo: A Star Wars Story” now out in theaters, it’s time to look at all those prequels that came out over the years. I selected five prequels that are worth it to watch, but you might not know about them or they are seriously underrated or overlooked.

Monsters University
“Monsters Inc.” was a story about Mike and Sully, professional monsters who helped produce power for their city by scaring children in our world. It’s still my favorite Pixar movie. And we were surprised with a prequel instead of an expected sequel. In “Monster University” we follow the early days of Mike and Sully’s friendship while they were still in college. HI-LA-RI-OUS!

Casino Royale
“Casino Royale” was Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel. By 2006 it had already been adapted twice. Director Martin Campbell and then new Bond Daniel Craig gave us an unexpectedly poignant origin story of the most famous secret agent in the world. And for me the best Bond movie.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
This is a prequel to the highly popular TV series “Twin Peaks”. Where a young FBI field agent’s disappearance might be connected to the future murder of Laura Palmer, a teenager with a bizarre social life.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Four decades and one failed remake later, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” hits theaters and brings us one of the best and most solid trilogies ever. And it also brought us Andy Serkis’ motion-captured performance of Caesar, who is now one of the most beloved film characters.

Star Trek
When the last episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise” aired in 2005, it seemed like the end of the sci-fi series. When J.J. Abrams name was attached to a new “Star Trek” movie, it caused a lot of excitement. Abrams kept an expanded origin story of the original characters but also introduced a whole new timeline to the universe.

Me & 3 Sequel Movies

A lot of sequels came out this year, so I decided to pick some of the most interesting ones. The three I picked where actually on my top five list of movies I was dying to see in 2013.

Monsters University
Genre: Family/ Animation
Year: 2013
Director: Dan Scanlon
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Tyler Labine, Aubrey Plaza, Bobby Moynihan, Bonnie Hunt, John Krasinksi, Julia Sweeney, Bill Hader, John Ratzenberger
Description: A look at the relationship between Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) during their days at Monsters University, when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.
Opinion: I’m a huge fan of the first. Its sequel is not as good, but also hilarious. It’s filled with a lot of great new characters ans as always Mike Wazowski made me laugh out loud. Art also, my favourite of the new characters.
Favorite character: Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal)
Most memorable quote: “You don’t study scaring, you just do it” –Sully-
Best scene: The first challenge in the scare games, where they have to run through a tunnel with weird spikey things all over the place. Whenever you touch one, that part of your body swells.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure
Year: 2013
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, Toby Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer
Description: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.
Opinion: This is based on the best book in the series and the movie did it justice. It’s dark and grim and much intenser then the first one and exciting ‘till the end. Which is an open ending by the way, so now I have to wait for part 3…
Favorite character: Katniss Everdeen
Most memorable quote: “People are looking to you Katniss. You’ve given them an opportunity. They just have to be brave enough to take it” – Gale Hawthorne-
Best scene: When Katniss and Peeta are visiting District 11 for their tour, one of the citizens raises his hand and shows the symbol. The peacekeepers grab him and Katniss screams so they will stop. They take her away and de man is killed. This scene really set the mood for the film and gave me the chills.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Action
Year: 2013
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, Lee Pace, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, James Nesbitt, Steven Hunter, Dean O’Gorman, Aiden Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blacnhett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mikael Persbrandt, Stephen Fry, Sylvester McCoy, Luke Evans
Description: The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.
Opinion: I’m a big fan of the first film, but this was even better! The pace is a bit better and it’s filled with amazing scenes. And off course finally seeing Smaug the dragon, perfectly voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Favorite character: Bilbo Baggins
Most memorable quote: “It never ceases to amaze me, the gourage of Hobbits” –Balin-
Best scene: Bilbo tries to find the Arkenstone and meets Smaug the dragon.

Favorite of the 3: Though one…. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

DVD Collection Update (8)

I got some new DVD's for my collection. One new movie and some great classics. I'm very happy with these new additions!

The first film I got only cost me 1 euro. That's practically for free. It could be that it was so cheap because it's total crap, but I was always charmed by Ioan Gruffudd and ALbert Finney is a good actor.

I've heard so many great things about "Beasts of the Southern Wild". And now that I saw it myself I understand why. It's an amazing movie. Quvenzhané Wallis, the kid who plays Hushpuppy, is so talented!

I'm most excited about this one! I just loved the first movie "Monsters Inc.", so I pre-ordered "Monsters University" as soon as it was available. It's not as hilarious as the first, but still genious! And I love Mike Wazowski!

This is an absolute classic. And it's the perfect movie for the fall, because in my country that's when it rains a lot (I secretly don't mind at all). I can't wait to rewatch "Singin' in the Rain".

I always like a good detectvie story, but there is no one like Clouseau. The complete "Pink Panther" collection, with all the movies starring Peter Sellers. So none of the crappy remakes or the one with Roberto Benigni.

And finally I found "The Big Lebowski" and what a cool edition this is. It comes with a slipcover. This is such an awesome movie, with off course one of the coolest movie characters ever. They don't call him "The Dude" for nothing.

Top 5 Thursday: Upcoming Movies I'm Excited About (June 2013)

There are so many great looking movies coming out this year. Many to look forward to, but these five are my absolute favorites and must-sees.

5. This is the End
I don’t know which direction this is heading, it’s either going to be extremely funny and brilliant or simply ridiculous and stupid. I’m hoping (and secretly expecting) the first. Besides James Franco can’t do anything wrong in my eyes.

4. Monster’s University
I love “Monster’s Inc.”, it’s my favorite Pixar film. And Mike Wazowski is my favorite character from the Pixar franchise. Can’t wait to se this prequel.

3. The World’s End
I’m a fan of the combination of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright. They already brought us two amazing films, that I can watch over and over again and that are on my favorites list. In my social circle, only me and my brother understand the brilliance of these films.

2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The trailer premiered yesterday and now I’m even more excited. We got to see a lot, like Smaug the dragon. It looks more action packed then the first installment.

1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
I’ve been looking forward to see it, ever since “The Hunger Games”. I saw the trailer and it looks really awesome. It’s based on my favorite book in the series, so I have high expectations.

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, World War Z, Kick-Ass 2

Movie Trailer Sunday (66) 2013 Preview

Like last year I'm going to share with you trailers of movies I'm looking forward to seeing next year. Some of them I already shared in a previous "Movie Trailer Sunday". Here they are.

World War Z
Description: United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself.
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox, David Morse
Trailer: Trailer "World War Z"
Comment: This was actually on my list last year, but there wasn't a trailer yet. Now there is and I'm super stoked about this film.

Monster's University
Description: Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) are an inseparable pair, but that wasn't always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. "Monsters University" unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.
Director: Dan Scanlon
Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn
Trailer: Trailer "Monster's University"
Comment:

Ganster Squad
Description: Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and--if he has his way--every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It's enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop...except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen's world apart.
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Robert Patrick, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Peña
Trailer: Trailer "Gangster Squad"
Comment: I really don't want to skip this movie in 2013!

Zero Dark Thirty
Description: "Zero Dark Thirty" focuses on the black ops mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, which culminated in his death during a high-stakes raid on his compound in Pakistan.
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Jessica Chastain, Edgar Ramirez, Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, Nash Edgerton, Jennifer Ehle, Harold Perrineau, Frank Grillo
Trailer: Trailer "Zero Dark Thirty"
Comment: I heard so many great things about this film.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
Description: We follow the siblings Hansel and Gretel (Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton) 15 years after the incident at the gingerbread house. The two are now specialized bounty hunters looking to put down the cackling black-hat set.
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Peter Stormare
Trailer: Trailer "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters"
Comment: I love darker versions of fairytales!

Oz the Great and Powerful
Description: When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking--that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity--and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff, Bruce Campbell
Trailer: Trailer "Oz the Great and Powerful"
Comment: You know I love James so I have to see this. And Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz are all great too. And the visuals look fantastic. I'm in!

The Great Gatsby
Description: We follow would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.
Director: Baz Luhrman
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher
Trailer: Trailer "The Great Gatsby"
Comment: It looks amazing.

To the Wonder
Description: Marina (Olga Kurylenko) and Neil (Ben Affleck) meet in France and move to Oklahoma to start a life together, where problems soon arise. While Marina makes the acquaintance of a priest and fellow exile (Javier Bardem), who is struggling with his vocation, Neil renews a relationship with a childhood sweetheart, Jane (Rachel McAdams).
Director: Terence Mallick
Starring: Ben Affleck, Olga Kurylenko, Rachel McAdams, Javier Bardem
Trailer: Trailer "To the Wonder"
Comment: Shared it last week, but this looks so amazing!

Movies I'm lookig forward to seeing, but don't have a trailer yet: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The World's End, Kick-Ass 2, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Knight of Cups, Twelve Years as a Slave

Check This Out # 3

I found dome great things on the net again. First I found this very cool flash mob. Not just a flash mob, this actually made me cry. Just check it out...

Proposal Flash Mob

I also discovered this college website. It's based on the upcoming "Monsters University" movie, which is set in college. It's the website for the actual Monsters University. So funny.

Monsters University Website

This next thing is awesome. The Quentin Tarantino collection. It includes movies like "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs" and the both "Kill Bill" movies. And a lot of specials and never seen before footage.

I found this clip from the David Letterman show. Anna Kendrick was a guest nd she shows a special talent including a cup.

Anna Kendrick Special Talent

Let me know what you think and leave me a comment. Or maybe you have something I need to check out.

Movie Trailer Sunday (43)

This weeks trailers are about kidnappers in Istanbul, a married couple divorcing but watning to stay friends, an aristocrat having an affair, funny monsters and a charismatic intellectual known as "The Master".

Taken 2
Description: Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is a retired CIA agent with a particular set of skills who stopped at nothing to save his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) from Albanian kidnappers. When the father of one of the kidnappers swears revenge and takes Bryan and his wife hostage during their family vacation in Istanbul, Bryan enlists Kim to help them escape, and uses the same advanced level of special forces tactics to get his family to safety and systematically take out the kidnappers one by one.
Director: Oliver Megaton
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
Trailer: Trailer "Taken 2"
Comment: The first one was super exciting, so I'm kinda looking forward to the second installment.

Celeste & Jesse Forever
Description: Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) are two people who met in high school, married young and are growing apart. Now thirty, they decide to get divorced and attempt to stay best friends while pursuing other relationships. This plan is not as simple as they had imagined. Celeste - imperious, successful and driven - is convinced that divorcing the boyish Jesse is the right thing to do. Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship, even though he still is in love with her. As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship. But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous. While navigating the turbulent changes in their lives and in their hearts, these two learn that in order to truly love someone, you may have to let them go. The film is a humorous and honest examination of a broken heart and the long, hard road it takes to heal it.
Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Starring: Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, Chris Messina, Ari Graynor, Will McCormack, Emma Roberts, Elijah Wood
Trailer: Trailer "Celeste & Jesse Forever"
Comment: This looks so good, really my kind of film.

Anna Karenina
Description: Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky (Aaron Johnson).
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Kelly Macdonald, Aaron Johnson, Matthew Macfadyen
Trailer: Trailer "Anna Karenina"
Comment: Keira Knightley and director Joe Wright already made two fantastic films together, so I think this will succeed as well.

Monster's University
Description: Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) are an inseparable pair, but that wasn't always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. "Monsters University" unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.
Director: Dan Scanlon
Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn
Trailer: Teaser Trailer "Monsters University"
Comment: I know it's only a cople of teaser trailers, but this made me so excited about the movie. You know I love the first one!! When the full trailer comes out, I will probably share it too.

The Master
Description: A charismatic intellectual (Philip Seymour Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization and taps a young drifter (Joaquin Phoenix) as his right-hand man. But as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the onetime vagabond finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams
Trailer: Trailer "The Master"
Comment: I think the fabulous cast says enough, but I also think this movie isn't for just anyone.