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

Another month has passed and I reached one hundred films for my challenge. But I’m still going to continue, maybe I can reach 200? Here are my favourites of the month of august.

5. Mr. Morgan’s Last Love
“Mr. Morgan’s Last Love” really surprised me pleasantly. It’s such a beautiful story and I loved the chemistry between the two leading characters.

4. Philomena
A heartfelt story and great performances by Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. Better than I thought it would be.

3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Most people think it’s better than “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”,, I think it’s just as good. Very well made and Caesar is the big star of the film. Amazing how Andy Serkis can make you so connected with an ape.

2. Rear Window
Although it’s a very simple set-up, “Rear Window” is such a good thriller. Hitchcock is a master and I loved this movie.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy
Before seeing “Guardians of the Galaxy” I just knew I was going to love it. It met every expectation I had and it truly amazed me. I want to see it again, I loved it that much I can’t wait for it to be released on DVD.

They Almost Made the Top 5: American Hustle, Let’s Be Cops

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 91: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Director: Matt Reeves

Genre: Drama/ Action/ Adventure

Runtime: 130 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Calrke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Judy Greer

Description: In the wake of a disaster that changed the world, the growing and genetically evolving apes find themselves at a critical point with the human race.

 

Review: In “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” it’s ten years later then the happenings in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. Almost all of mankind was wiped out due to a deadly virus. While the survivors are trying to rebuild their lives, they didn’t have any contact with the apes. And vice versa. They are almost out of power and they have to search for a power source. While they are looking for that, they cross the territory of the apes. And the apes have evolved further and their population has grown.

Leader of the group is Caesar, who we saw in the previous film bonding with a human. He hasn’t lost complete trust in humans en he wants them to live a life of peace, no war between people and apes. Caesar is even willing to help them, but not all the apes in his group feel the same way. One of them, Koba, has lost all his faith in humanity and is willing to fight for survival.

In “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” they use the performance capture technique. It amazes me that there were no real apes in this film, that’s how real they look. Every expression and movement looks realistic. This film has great visual effect.

Andy Serkis, who plays the role of Caesar, has worked with this technique many times. And as always, he’s the expert. He does an amazing job and you really empathize with Caesar. And the bond that is built between the apes and some of the humans is very convincing and it really touches you. In “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” there is not one bad side, it’s a two way street. The moral is that you should never totally focus on one side of a story.

This movie, directed by Matt Reeves, is worth your time. It looks amazing and is very exciting and touching. If I have to choose between “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, I can’t.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Summer Movies I'm Excited About

There are a lot of upcoming movies I’m looking forward to this summer. Here is a list f the five I’m most excited about.

5. The Expendables 3

There is just something about all those muscles in one movie. And this time again, there are new men added to the cast, like Antonio Banderas, Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson.

 

4. Lucy

I just love a kick-ass Scarlett Johansson. The trailer looks stunning. Luc Besson is a fantastic director and I can’t wait to see this film.

 

3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I don’t have to wait that long, because next week it will premiere here in the Netherlands. I can’t wait to see how Cesar and his ape army are going head to head with the humans.

 

2. Guardians of the Galaxy

This looks so awesome, I really want to see it right now!!! It’s highly anticipated and there is a great special about this movie in the new issue of Empire Magazine. That makes it even more interesting.

 

1. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

I is very delayed, we wanted to see this much earlier. I hope it’s worth the wait, because the first “Sin City” was an absolute masterpiece. I’m looking forward to this movie the most.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Foxcatcher, Jupiter Ascending

Movie Trailer Sunday (133)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Description: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo and Judy Greer
Trailer: Trailer "Dawn of the Planet of te Apes"
Comment: I loved the "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and this looks great as well.

Sex Tape
Description: When Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz) first got together, their romantic connection was intense, but ten years and two kids later, the flame of their love needs a spark. To kick things up a notch, they decide to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea, until they discover that their most private video is no longer private. With their reputations on the line, they know they're just one click away from being laid bare to the world... but as their race to reclaim their video leads to a night they'll never forget, they'll find that their video will expose even more than they bargained for.
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper and Rob Lowe
Trailer: Trailer "Sex Tape"
Comment: Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel are both at their best in comedies.

Palo Alto
Description: Palo Alto weaves together three stories of teenage lust, boredom, and self-destruction: shy, sensitive April (Emma Roberts), torn between an illicit flirtation with her soccer coach (James Franco) and an unrequited crush on sweet stoner Teddy (Val Kilmer); Emily (Zoe Levin), who offers sexual favors to any boy to cross her path; and the increasingly dangerous exploits of Teddy and his best friend Fred (Nat Wolff), whose behavior may or may not be sociopaths.
Director: Gia Coppola
Starring: James Franco, Emma Roberts, Jack Kilmer, Nat Wolff, Zoe Levin, Claudia Levy, Chris Messina and Val Kilmer
Trailer: Trailer "Palo Alto"
Comment: James Franco wrote the novel. I never read it, but it seems like a great story.

The Drop
Description: When lonely Brooklyn bartender Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) uncovers a drop of a different sort in the form of a battered pit bull puppy that he rescues from certain death, he comes into contact with Nadia (Noomi Rapace), a mysterious woman hiding a dark past.
Director: Michael R. Roskam
Starring: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Matthias Schoenaerts, John Ortiz, Ann Dowd and James Frecheville
Trailer:Trailer "The Drop"
Comment: This was James Gandolfini's last film.

Lucy
Description: Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman
Trailer: Trailer "Lucy"
Comment: Scarlett kick butt!