Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 25

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 or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.

81/ 100: The Burbs (1989)
Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) is in need of rest and spends his vacation in his boring, decent suburb. But then the Klopek family movies into to his neighborhood. They behave a bit strangely, and strange noises come from their house at night. Together with his neighbors, Ray sets out to investigate. “The Burbs” has been a family favorite for years, a film my brother and I can randomly quote from. It’s not a perfect movie for most, but for us, it is the funniest thing out there. Check out my full review HERE.

82/ 100: Little Women (2019)
Yet another film adaptation of Louise May Alcott’s famous book, but in my eyes the best ou there. Aspiring writer Jo (Saoirse Ronan), one of the four March sisters, is the focus, but director Greta Gerwig shows remarkable sympathy for the ambitious Amy )Florence Pugh), who was has always been the “wrong sister” in other adaptations. Emma Watson plays eldest sister Meg and Eliza Scanlen plays introverted Beth. And Timothee Chalamet seems to be born for the role of Laurie. HERE you can read my full review.

83/ 100: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Monsieur Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), the flamboyant concierge of five-star Hotel Gran Budapest tries to stay out of the hands of the fascists in 1932 along with lobby boy Zero (Toni Revolori). The silly characters, variegated colors and hyper-realistic setting, that director Wes Anderson is so known for, are all present.  Just like the dry-comic humor. And Ralph Fiennes is energetic and has perfect timing. Check out my full review HERE.

84/ 100: The Usual Suspects (1995)
Excellently acted crime story in which five criminals meet in a cell and, before being innocently released, decide to work together. Leader is the charistmatic Keaton (Gabriel Byrne). Gradually, the come in contact with the mysterious master criminal Keyser Soze. This film marked the breakthrough for actor Kevin Spacey, who also received an Oscar for his role. “The Usual Suspect” is one of the movies that everyone loves, I literally don’t know anyone who doesn’t. Check HERE for my full review.

Still to watch: 16

Oscar Predictions 2015

I'm going to give it a shot again. Today the nominees for the 87th annual Academy Awards were announced and I've been predicting the winners for a couple of years now. So this year is no different. Some really great nominees this year, but as usual I don't agree with every all the winners. So, here are my prediction on who will win and who I think should win the awards.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Should Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel" or "Whiplash"

Would Win: "Boyhood"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Should Win: Benedict Cumberbatch for "The Imitation Game" or Michael Keaton for "Birdman" 

Would Win: Eddie Redmayne for "The Theory of Everything"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Should Win: Rosamund Pike for "Gone Girl"

Would Win: Julianne Moore for "Still Alice"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Should Win: J.K. Simmons for "Whiplash"

Would Win: J.K. Simmons for "Whiplash"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Should Win: Emma Stone for "Birdman" or Keira Knightley for "The Imitation Game"

Would Win: Patricia Arquette for "Boyhood"

Best Achievement in Directing Should Win: Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Would Win: Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"

Top 5 Thursday: Wes Anderson Movies

I came to the conclusion that I’m a huge Wes Anderson fan. As a creative person, I love his style of filmmaking. I decided to watch and rewatch all of Anderson’s film and then pick my favourites. Here is my top five of Wes Anderson movies.

 

5. The Darjeeling Limited

For most people this movie ends up at the bottom of the list, but I really liked it. It might surprise many that I choose this over “The Royal Tenenbaums”. The three brothers, the décor of beautiful India, the road trip, I enjoyed it all.

 

 

4. Moonrise Kingdom

Just the detailed décor and the witty, sweet and quirky characters and humor alone makes it a great movie experience. “Moonrise Kingdom” is a Wes Anderson movie you can’t miss if you’re a fan.

 

 

3. Rushmore

One of Anderson’s earlier films, but definitely one of his best. I loved Max, who wants to be an adult but isn’t.

 

 

2. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Ever since I saw the trailer, I knew I was going to love this movie. No doubt about that. And I was right, “The Grand Budapest Hotel’ turned out to be my number 2 film of 2014. It looks beautiful and the cast is amazing.

 

 

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Anderson brought one of my favourite children’s books to life and he did it in his own, unique way. I love this movie, it’s also one of my all-time favorite movies.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Bottle Rocket

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

Top 5 Thursday: Movie Playlist of the Year 2014

I decided to do something new, I’ve never done this before. I wanted to make a list of the five coolest, most awesome songs in movies of 2014. And it took me a while to go through all of them, because movies this year brought us some great songs. They might not be the most popular songs, you won’t find all of them in the charts, but that doesn’t take away any of their awesomeness. Here is the playlist.

5. Mr. Mustafa by Alexandre Desplat (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”)

Alexandre Desplat is an amazing composer and he made some wonderful music for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, one of the best movies of 2014 and also one of my faovrites of the year. Fun fact: he also wrote music for this year’s “Godzilla”, “The Monuments Men”, “Unbroken” and “The Imitation Game”. Does this man ever sleep?

 

 

4. Lost Stars by Adam Levine (“Begin Again”)

I loved this movie and its soundtrack. This song I just can’t get out of my head, it’s so good! Not a Maroon 5 fan, but Adam Levine nails this song!

 

 

3. Anthonio (Berlin Breakdown Version) by Annie (“The Guest”)

This synthy, John Carpenter-esque cut was part of one of the nicest surprises of the year. From a distance, “The Guest” looked like a fairly standard genre piece, but it was so much more. And Dan Stevens also is one of the biggest breakthrough stars of the year.

 

 

2. Everything is Awesome by Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island (“The Lego Movie”)

There are earworms and then there is “Everything is Awesome”. So catchy that the mere mention of its name can instigate mass chanting, it’s hard to believe that it was created by people.

 

 

1. Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2”)

It may be overshadowed by “The Hanging Tree”, but this is the best song of the soundtrack. And my favourite song of this year’s movie playlist.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Solomon by Hans Zimmer (“12 Years a Slave”), Love me Tomorrow by John Newman (“Edge of Tommorow”), Old Man by Neil Young (“The Expendables 3”), Come and Get Your Love by Redbon (“Guardians of the Galaxy”), Hero by Family of the Year (“Boyhood”), American Interior by Gruff Rhys (“American Interior”), We Build This City by Starship (“The Skeleton Twins”), The Hanging Tree by Jennifer Lawrence (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1”)

DVD Collection Update (17)

Ten new ones in my collection. So pleased with them and some lukcy breaks as well. Here they are.

 

First I got a movíe I've been wanting to see it since I saw its trailer. It never played in our theaters, but when it was released on DVD I immediately bought it. And I loved "Nebraska", especially Bruce Dern. He's just great.

"Philomena" is also a movie I've been waiting to see and it also didn't disappoint me. Judi Dench is so good and together with Steve Coogan she forms an amazing duo.

This is just amazing!!! "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is a true art piece. Wes Anderson has become one of my favorite directors.

Finally my country released it! The second part of season 13 of my most beloved show "CSI". That great episode, where Sara is suspected of murder, is on this. I think that's a great episode. And the one where Neal McDonough guest stars, is also awesome.

This was the Lucky break. I bumped into it, knowing I really forgot about this comedy series. "The IT Crowd" is so hilarious, I watched the entire series in just three days. Don't you just love Moss and Roy?

Finally saw it yesterday. I think I expected more, but it was still an amazing movie. I especially liked Amy Adams and Christian Bale. Great performance by Jeremy Renner too.

I'm craving to see "Jurassic World" but because I have to wait for that, I decided to still that hunger by getting "The Lost World: Jurassic Park". Off course not as great as the first, but I love this as well. I just love dinosaurs!

Don't know if "Premium Rush" is any good, but I bought it because of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Yeah, guilty!

"Julie & Julia" is such a feel good film, it makes me smile. I like both Meryl Streep and Amy Adams in their roles, but also Stanley Tucci (who I wish I knew in real life). And all that delicious food....

Last I got season 6 and 7 of "Waking the Dead". Only two more to go and my collection is complete.

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

I didn’t watch that many new movies this month, but there were some films I will love for the rest of my life! Here are my favorites of this month.

5. Blue Jasmine

I loved both Cate Blanchett and Sally Hawkins in this movie. Their performances were amazing. I really liked “Blue Jasmin”.

 

4. Hunger

With this I have seen all three movies directed by Steve McQueen and starring Michael Fassbender. It’s not my favourite, but it definitely a movie you should put on you ‘to-watch’ list. Great acting, great cinematography and camerawork.

 

3. Nebraska

I wish Bruce Dern got more leading roles, he proved he’s worthy of it. And Will Forte, normally the funny guy in silly comedies no one wants to see, really surprised me in his more dramatic role. I liked “Nebraska” and director Alexander Payne can add another great movie to his resume.

 

2. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson movies are growing on me. This guys has become one of my favourite directors and every time I think I have seen it all, he amazes me again. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is amazing!!

 

1. Intouchables

This movie touched me in every way possible. Such a beautiful film, one that everyone should watch. If this doesn’t do anything to you, even a little bit, you’re not human.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Girl Most Likely, A Million Ways to Die in the West

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 83: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Director: Wes Anderson

Genre: Comedy/ Drama

Runtime: 101 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, Lé Seydoux, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, F. Murray Abraham, Harvey Keitel, Tom Wilkinson Mathieu Amalric

Description: The adventures of Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.

Review: You love his work or you hate it. Where most directors want to be as realistic as possible, Wes Anderson does the opposite and makes everything look artificial. In “The Grand Budapest Hotel” we can again see this and it’s another highlight in his career. A mix of diverse genres leads to a crazy adventure.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a story within a story within a story. The three time fazes are all filmed in different formats and color schemes. We start in the eighties, when we see a girl with a book and a key walk up to a statue of a deceased author. Next we make a leap back in time and we see that same author, talking to the audience, telling us how the story of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” started. Then we jump to the sixties, where we see the young author in that hotel, meeting owner Zero Mustafa. He tells the story and that’s where all the madness starts. At the start of the 1930’s the hotel was hot and happening. Especially rich, elderly ladies love coming there. Does it have anything to do with the charming and charismatic concierge Gustave H.? Through the eyes of the young Zero, who is thought by Gustave, we see how everything works in the hotel. When one of the guests, Madame D, dies under mysterious circumstances, Gustave inherits the pricey painting ‘Boy with Apple’. His fascist son Dmitri isn’t happy about that.

The cast is filled with many great actors. Most only have a small role. Some are common faces in Wes Anderson films, like Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Owen Wilson. Ralph Fiennes is the one carrying the film. He does it so well. On one hand he is this super slick charmer, but he can also be vulgar and crafty. And his comedic timing is just perfect.

Besides comedy “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a mystery, action thriller and a romance. But most of all it’s a tribute to the days gone by. As no one else Wes Anderson mixes reality and fiction together. It’s like a storybook coming to life.The result: a hilarious and unique film, like only Anderson can make, perfected in every detail and filled with great characters.

Rating: 5/ 5

Video of the Week (8)

I'm always amazed by what people can build with lego. Once one of the kids in my class made ME out of lego, I thought that was amazing already. Well, in this video Ryan Zieglbauer and his team build The Grand Budapest Hotel, from the movie with the same title, directed by Wes Anderson. It's awesome!!

 

 

 

Movie Trailer Sunday (109)

Here are this weeks trailers

Belle
Description: Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mabatha-Raw) is the illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.
Director: Amma Asante
Starring: Gugu Mabatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson, Tom Felton, Matthew Goode
Trailer: Trailer "Belle"
Comment: I always like costume dramas, because of the romantic atmosphere.

The Awkward Moment
Description: Three best friends find themselves where we've all been - at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So...where is this going?"
Director: Tom Gormican
Starring: Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Imogen Poots, Meckenzie Davis, Jessica Lucas
Trailer: Trailer "The Awkward Moment"
Comment: Looks like fun.

Non-Stop
Description: An air marshall must spring into action aboard an international flight.
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Nate Parker, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy
Trailer: Trailer "Non-Stop"
Comment: Since "Taken", Liam Neeson has turned into a respectable action hero.

Endless Love
Description: The story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart.
Director: Shane Feste
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Gabriel Wilde, Robert Patrick, Bruce Greenwood, Joely Richardson, Rhys Wakefield, Emma Rigby
Trailer: Trailer "Endless Love"
Comment: A story that has been done a billion times, but still seems to find my interest.

The Grand Budapest Hotel
Description: The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson
Trailer: The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Comment: My favorite of this week. This looks hilarious, typical Wes Anderson kind of humor. Love it already!