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

I’ve already reached my 100 movies, but still I’m enjoying watching all those films. It’s not a must, it’s a joy! Here are the five best movies I’ve seen in September, which wasn’t the best month by the way (no five star ratings).

5. North By Northwest

Hitchcock did it again, another movie of his made it to my monthly top 5. I prefer “Rear Window”, but “North By Northwest” was a very strong thriller.

 

4. Unforgiven

A very good western, with a strong cast. Clint Eastwood didn’t disappoint as an actor and director.

 

3. We Need to Talk About Kevin

What a creepy kid that Kevin. This movie gave me the chills, that kid really freaked me out. I had read the book before I saw the movie and it’s pretty close to the source.

 

2. Het Diner

I never thought a Dutch movie would make it in one of my top fives, but it did. “Het Diner” was surprisingly good and it kept my attention at all times. Great thriller!

 

1. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Off course I had high expectations, but I never thought it would top the original. Like the first movie “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” amazed me with its visuals. And in 3D it was even more amazing!

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: War Horse, Cuban Fury

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 110: North By Northwest

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Genre: Thriller/ Mystery/ Misdaad

Runtime: 136 minutes

Year: 1959

Starring: Cary Grant, Eve Marie Saint, James Mason

Description: The hapless New York advertising executive Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) 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.

Review: “North By Northwest” might not be as well-known as “Psycho” or “Vertigo”, but it’s again a fantastic film by Alfred Hitchcock. Very accessible and humoristic, yet successful. It has nostalgic, but also feel timeless. And this movie was obviously the inspiration for the James Bond movies.

Hitchcock uses his usual ingredients: a perfected plot, symmetrical shots, a femme fatale and a likeable anti-hero. This time there is also room for some humor, which is very risky for a thriller. But it works perfectly.

The movie is a bit long, that’s the only problem I had with it. Because the rest is just wonderful. An absolute classic, with that unforgettable airplane chase as my personal highlight.

Rating: 4/ 5

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.