Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (November 2017)

I saw a lot of newer film and with that some really great ones too. Here are my favorites for my challenge for the month of November.

1. Lion
A heartfelt and touching story about a young boy getting lost from home. Years later it still haunts him and he starts a search for his biological family. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman are rock solid in “Lion” and I think this is one of the best films of the year.

4. Mother!
I love Darren Aronofsky’s movie, even if he always makes me feel miserable. If I have to describe “Mother!”, I really can’t. You have to experience it yourself. What I do know, it’s that it’s pretty disturbing, fucked up actually. Not for everyone, but I really loved it.

3. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Skeptical at first, another Spider-Man movie. Did we really need that? It appears to be yes! Tom Holland is a breath of fresh air, the Peter Parker that we needed. I love his enthusiasm.

2. The Beguiled
Let’s hear it for the girls! Sofia Coppola directs and she got her signature all over this movie. She is back! And all the actresses are amazing. A very strong story, well performed by all the actors. Also Colin Farrell holds up great between all those fabulous women.

1. Thor: Ragnarok
The first two movies are not the best un the MCU, but still enjoyable. Director Taika Waititi turned it all around and gave us “Thor: Ragnarok”, one of the best movies in the MCU! More colorful, in every way of the word. What a great spectacle and so unexpectedly funny!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Little Evil, Toni Erdmann, Murder On the Orient Express, Lady MacBeth, The Founder

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (October 2017)

A pretty mediocre month for movies. Did some rewatches, but also watched some crappy ones. Thank goodness for a few good film. Here are my favorites, that I watched for my challenge for the month of October.

5. Need For Speed
I thought it was going to be a sad repetition of the “Fast & Furious” movies. Well, no. It was more enjoyable then I expected it to be. And Aaron Paul….

4. Ghost in the Shell
This movie is mostly great because of its visuals and because of Scarlett Johansson. I don’t think it’s a very memorable movie, but I’m definitely happy about watching it.

3. Starter For 10
I like these stories. Nothing special, just a boy next door kind of story. And I really enjoyed it.

2. Going in Style
This film could easily be super cheesy. But it’s a really good comedy. Zach Braff did a good job directing, but if it weren’t for Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, it would just be like any other comedy. So much fun!

1. Boyz n the Hood
What a good film. I love the nineties vibe, strong story and solid performances. Never saw it complete, I’m glad I did now.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Little Evil

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (September 2017)

This was a good month, because I saw a bunch of fantastic films. Here are my five favorites.

5. The Hitman’s Bodyguard
A super funny and harsh action comedy. I loved Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds, apart and together. They make a great duo. And that scene with the nuns alone is reason enought to see it again.

4. Hidden Figures
A very inspiring story, about three black women making a change while working at Nasa. Based on a true story, rooting for women!!

3. It
Since I hate clowns, this was a big deal for me. The old "It" movie doesn't scare me anymore, but this is one of the scariest films I've seen. And also one of the best horror movies of the past years.

2. Brimstone
I'm a little proud to be Dutch now, because it was made by a Dutch director and has Dutch roots. It took him about 8 years to finish it and it was worth the wait.

1. Sing Street
I loved, loved, loved "Sing Street". The 80s time period, the 80s music, the characters, the story. It's so good. And I didn't even know about this film. One of the best films of 2016.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Life

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (August 2017)

I watched some pretty good ones this month. Here are my five favorite films that I watched for my challenge, for the month of August.

5. To the Bone
A Netflix movie that got a lot of criticism. I don’t think that critique is right, they found that this movie glamourized eating disorders. It really doesn’t. It’s a heartbreaking story and very well acted by Lily Collins.

4. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
A film that is best when you watch it without any information. Shot in black and white, great music, really stylish.

3. Sausage Party
Silly yet brilliant humor. It’s an animation, but for adults. And adults only, because it’s pretty raunchy.

2. Don’t Breathe
What a surprising and original horror thrill we got here. The film kept me on the edge of my seat at all times, it really is a film that takes your breath away.

1. War for the Planet of the Apes
The third movie in a trilogy is often the worst. In this case, the complete trilogy is solid and I simply can’t pick a favorite. “War for the Planet of the Apes” is a war movie, without all the epic explosions and clichés. And boy did I cry at the end!

They Almost Made the Top 5: -

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (July 2017)

I didn’t watch that many new films this month, but I did see some really awesome ones. Here are my favorite films I watched for my challenge, for the month of July.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
That’s how few new movies I watched this month, that this film is in the top 5. It’s not a really good film, but entertaining. Same old, same old.

4. Jackie
A truly great performance by Natalie Portman. And interesting to look at Jackie Kennedy’s life as the first lady.

3. The Big Year
In my opinion an under appreciated film. A comedy, without you rolling on the ground of laughter. I like how they kept that low key. And the phenomenon of birding is fascinating. And the cast is great!

2. Victoria
The biggest reason why this film is so good, is because it’s one long take. It’s really hard to do that, for both the director and the actors. It only took them three takes to complete this film.

1. Baby Driver
I was in the company of some friends and I was the only one that LOVED “Baby Driver”. I guess it’s always hard to understand a genius, because that is what Edgar Wright is. Its editing perfection, fantastic soundtrack and a good cast. So far, this is my favorite film of the year.

They Almost Made the Top 5: -

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (June 2017)

I know it's not Thursday, I'm a little late to the party. But I wanted this top 5 to go up. Here are my five favorite film that I watched for my challenge, for the month of June.

5. El Faro de las Orcas
A Netflix film I stumbled upon by accident. But I’m glad about that, because its’s a beautiful film. And since orcas are my favorite animals, it’s super special for me.

4. Split
I always stood by M. Night Shyamalan, even though he did make some stinkers. With “Split” he is finally back and proofs that he is an amazing director. James McAvoy is fabulous in his role and I loved the ending.

3. Wonder Woman
I always love a strong female lead, but when the characters is also physically strong, it’s double awesome. “Wonder Woman” is the film DC needed (and I needed).

2. A Cure for Wellness
The movie got mixed reviews, but I really loved it. It was already one of my most anticipated films of 2017 and it didn’t disappoint me. I don’t understand the hate for this movie, but the few people who love it as much as I did, I do get.

1. Annie Hall
When Woody Allen is on a roll, I love him. He directed and starred in “Annie Hall” and I loved everything about his film. And Alvy Singer, the character Allen plays, is basically me. I’m Alvy Singer’s long lost sister.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Okja

Top 5 Thursday: Kick-Ass Female Characters of the "Star Wars" Franchise

We still have to wait until the end of 2017 for a new “Star Wars” film and everyone is always focusing on the male characters of the films. I decided to list my favorite female characters of the franchise, because they matter just as much.

5. Padmé Amidala
Although the prequels are universally hated by many, there is one bright spot: The mother of Darth Vader’s kids, Padmé Amidala. Be honest, without her we wouldn’t have Luke or Leia.

4. Maz Kanata
She may have had only a minor role in “The Force Awakens”, but with her sharp tongue she left an unforgettable impression. Even on a hero like Han Solo. And she is also something to trust, because she was trusted to keep Luke Skywalker’s light saber safe.

3. Jyn Erso
Jyn isn’t a damsel in distress nor is she a great jedi. She is a rebel with a job to do. And nothing is going to stop her from doing it. Jyn is not afraid to fight dirty, hides her emotions and is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of hope alone.

2. Leia Organa
Leia is probably one of cinema’s most iconic characters ever to be created. A princess that fights her own battles.

1. Rey
Every new story needs a hero. And for this trilogy we get ours in the form of Rey. A scavenger from a desert planet. She eventually accepts the force within, while at first against the fate laid out before her.

They Almost Made the Top 5: -

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (May 2017)

It wasn’t a very good month for new films. So I had to take some mediocre film for my top 5 as well. Here is my top 5 for the month of May.

5. Loft
Better than the Dutch version, but still not amazing. It’s a solid thriller and it has a somewhat surprising ending.

4. Bright Star
Sometimes it drags, but the theme is interesting and it looks really beautiful.

3. Cold in July
The start of the film is amazing. Promising. It eventually turned into a more average crime film, but still a really good movie.

2. The Zookeeper’s Wife
A touching story, it grabs you. Jessics Chastain is amazing in “The Zookeeper’s Wife”. Really beautifully made with Chastain as the big star carrying the film.

1. Alien: Covenant
A very good sci-fi film, better than “Prometheus” and a great build up to the original franchise.

They Almost Made the Top 5: -

Top 5 Thursday: Movie Moms

Sunday is Mother’s Day and I thought it would be fun to share the best movie moms with you. Here are my favorite mothers in movies (not necessarily good moms, but very iconic).

5. Jules & Nic (Julianne Moore and Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”)
Two moms, lesbian moms, who have two kids together. Super cool. One relaxed and a younger soul, the other serious and strict.

4. Mom (Kathleen Turner in “Serial Mom”)
Probably the worst mom to have, because whenever you do something to her kids or family, she will kill you. Literally!

3. Rosemary Penderghast (Patricia Clarkson in “Easy A”)
For me, Rosemary Pendergast is iconic, because of her parenting style. She is modern, hip, sometimes a bit awkward yet a chill mom to have.

2. The Bride/ Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman in “Kill Bill Vol.2”)
Thinking her daughter has died, after she was in a coma for four years, motherhood eventually comes natural to her when Bride first meets her daughter Bebe.

1. Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”)
Sarah Connor is traumatized by something nobody believes really happened. She is estranged from her son John, who brings her right back into that nightmare she once fled. But this time the Terminator is here to help Sarah. And Sarah does everything to save her son.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Betty Mahmoody (Sally Field in “Not Without My Daughter”), Helen Parr/ Elastigirl (Holly Hunter in “The Incredibles”), Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton in “We Need to Talk About Kevin”), Sophie (Meryl Streep in “Sophie’s Choice”)

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (April 2017)

Here are my five favorite films that I watched for my challenge in the month of April.

5. Love & Mercy
I never thought I would love this movie, simply because I was surprised by the complexity of Brian Wilson’s story. And John Cusack proofs again why he is one of my favorite actors. This is such a great performance.

4. Get Out
This is definitely going to be one of the best movies of 2017. It’s a horror movie that can’t be put in a box. It’s original, surprising, disturbing, creepy. You can’t compare it to anything else out there. And come to think that it was directed by a comedy man.

3. What We Did On Our Holiday
I never heard of this film before I saw it. It is so funny and heartfelt. An indie film that flew under the radar and a film that more people need to see.

2. Coraline
I love stop-motion films and “Coraline” is definitely one of the best out there. It’s dark, but something for children to relate to. Really beautiful.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
I simply knew I was going to love this sequel. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is the most fun you will have at the movies: humor, action, adventure, great characters. I definitely didn’t disappoint.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Sufragette, The Light Between Oceans, The Accountant, Beauty and the Beast