Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 2

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.
 

3/ 100: Whiplash (2014)
Outstanding music film in which young, ambitious jazz drummer Andrew takes on his demanding and ruthless teacher Fletcher. There is no false note in this exciting and gripping film from director Damien Chazelle, who presents the music world as a sports arena in which only the most fanatical survive. “Whiplash” convinces from beginning to the long-winded, emotionally crushing ending. And J.K. Simmons created one of the most terrifying movie characters in cinematic history. Check my review HERE.
 

4/ 100: Gran Torino (2008)
After his wife dies, the temper of Walt Kowalski, a Korean veteran, retired factory worker and racist grump, is tested: his children want to put him in a nursing home, and a squeaky-clean pastor keeps coming to ask if he wants to come to confession. When his Asian-American neighbor boy tries to steal his beautiful classic Gran Torino, Walt gets into a fight with a local youth gang. Clint Eastwood stars and directs the film. “Gran Torino” is an exciting, compelling, relevant drama, which is my favorite Eastwood directed film to this date. Check my review HERE.
 

Still to watch: 96

DVD Collection Update (20)

Another update, some really cool movies and series to add to my collection. Here they are!

Off course I had to get "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1". I can't wait for the final movie. This movie I really liked, but I think the bigger audience will appreciate it more when the last chapter comes out.

This season was the final chapter of the series. I really hated "Sons of Anarchy" ending, but it was time. I think that it had to end. Lots of people died in this last season, some characters we really come to love over the years.

"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" was really criticized, but I don't understand. It was a good movie. Okay, it was the least one in the series, but it was very enjoyable and beautifully made! Screw those people, I love it.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" was on of my favorite 2014 movies. This is just awesome, so it had to be in my collection!

Oh how I love "Intouchables". Such a beautiful movie, it makes me happy!

"Cloud Atlas" was a pretty confusing movie, so time to rewatch it. And I also bought it because I can add another Tom Hanks movie to my collection.

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is also favorite of 2014. I slightly prefered it too the first movie. It just shows how amazing this superhero is, he is actually my favorite superhero. And Chris Evans is just amazing as Cap.

Haven't seen "Chef" yet, but I already know I'm going to love this film. I just love these tyes of movies. And it has a great cast. And I love food.

"Whiplash" is a movie I had to have in my collection. When I first saw it, I wanted to get up in cheer, that's how good it was!

 

I'm a big fan of the Disney cartoon "Beauty and the Beast" and I can't wait to see the live action version it. Untill then I have to do it with the French "La Belle et La Bête". I haven't seen it yet, but it looks like a darker version of the fairytale.

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

The first month of the challenge. I saw some new movies and some older ones. It was a pretty good month, especially because it's only the beginning. Here are my favorites of the month.

5. The Interview

So much controversy about this movie, even before it came out. “The Interview” was really funny and I enjoyed both Seth Rogen and James Franco. They are a great duo.

 

 

4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

Well, in this series it seems like the movies get better and better. “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” is the best film in the franchise.

 

 

3. Frozen

As a Disney fan, I just loved “Frozen”. And the songs have been in my head ever since. “Frozen” is and old school Disney film, with great songs and showstoppers.

 

 

2. Birdman

This is a cinematographic masterpiece. What a fantastically made movie and Michael Keaton finally gets the role he deserves. Also Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Edward Norton and Zack Galifiniakas did a wonderful job.

 

 

1. Whiplash

I stood up and cheered when I saw “Whiplash”. What a fantastic movie! And J.K. Simmons, his character terrified me. “Whiplash” is such a good movie, I will watch this many more times.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Skyfall, The Imitation Game, Fright Night, Mission: Impossible 3

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 6: Whiplash

Director: Damien Chazelle

Genre: Drama/ Music

Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2014

Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, Damon Gupton, Max Kasch, Suanne Spoke, Charlie Ian, Jayson Blair, Kofi Siriboe, Kavita Patil, C.J. Vana

Description: Promising young drummer Andrew (Mile Teller) enrolls at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor (J.K. Simmons) who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.

Review: Musicians will always fascinate us. There a many biopics about famous musicians, but the rough way to the top is seldom showed. Director Damien Chazelle wrote a script about this. It was well received as a short film, so he got the permission to make it into a full length movie.

The prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York is the start for many great musicians. Young Andrew Neyman practices every day and night on his drums to be a part of it. During one of his session, the infamous teacher Terence Fletcher spots him. He invites Andrew to play in his exclusive band, as an alternate drummer. Quickly Andrew learns that Fletcher has a unorthodox teaching method and he will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.

The intense atmosphere makes “Whiplash” a wonderful movie experience. A well written script gives the lead actors the chance to show their qualities, and both take it home. J.K. Simmons is truly brilliant as Fletcher. It’s hard to see an actor. I seldom saw such an awfull person in a movie, that was so mean and harsh. He terrified me. Miles Teller confirms why he is a rising star.

“Whiplash” is one of the best movies about music. The discipline that is needed to make it in this business. even if you’re not a music fan, it’s a great joy to watch this psychological game that is played. Damien Chazelle delivered a new classic.

Rating: 5/ 5

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