80s Movie Review - E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama/ Family/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 1982
Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace-Stone, Robert McNaughton, Peter Coyote, KC Martel, Sean Frye, C. Thomas Howell, David M. O’Dell, Richard Swingler, Frank Toth, Erika Eleniak, Michael Darrell, Robert Barton

Description: A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home-world.

Review: Aliens were ‘hot’ at the end of the 70s and beginning of the 80s. Steven Spielberg already made “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and Ridley Scott gave us the chills with “Alien”. Then comes Spielberg again with what appears to be a cute, sweet and adorable alien: “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial”. As endearing as E.T. is, we haven’t seen many aliens like that.
The adventure is for the entire family. The story is simple: Elliott is a lonely eight year old boy and befriends an alien who he names E.T. At first he wants to keep their friendship a secret, but soon his brother and sister find out.
With “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” Spielberg made an ode to youth. Kids are boss in this movie. Adults aren’t portrayed in the nicest way, except for Elliott’s mother, and the story is told from the point of view of Elliott.
The show stealer is without a doubt E.T. itself. He doesn’t only steal the show, but also our hearts. This is one of those movies that always makes me cry. And Henry Thomas also did a fantastic job, just like his movie sister Drew Barrymore who was only seven while filming.
“E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” is a delightful adventure, for young and old. It’s timeless and heartwarming. It’s a classic and one of my favorite films from my childhood. And kids today should keep seeing it!

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Miss You Already

Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette, Paddy Considine, Dominic Cooper

Description: The friendship between two life-long girlfriends, Milly (Toni Collette) and Jess (Drew Barrymore), is put to the test when one starts a family and the other falls ill.

Review: Few manage to elicit as many tears as a film in which someone is diagnosed with cancer and, after a long fight and emotional goodbye, suffers. Think of “Terms of Endearment”, “My Sister’s Keeper” and “The Fault on Our Stars”. In “Miss You Already”, we deal with two best friends, one of whom is told of the dreaded diagnosis early in the film.
The two inseparable friends, Milly and Jess, have been friends since elementary school. An opening montage shows us how their friendship started and what they have been up to together. After this we see Milly visiting her doctor and is told the bad news. She gets sich from the chemo, needs surgery. While Milly faces this disease and potentially leaving her husband and children behind, Jess is busy starting a family of her own and building a life with her husband. For years she was there for Milly and was part of her life, now she is finally at the point where she can build those things for herself. Jess is trying to find a balance between being there for her friend and living her own life, something that isn’t easy.
“Miss You Already” tries to show the disease process and its impact on relationships in a raw way. Thanks to Toni Collette’s good acting as Milly, it certainly succeeds. A great moment is when Milly shows her friend the scars from the mastectomy. It is fully portrayed and that is quite shocking, but at the same time real as so many women have experienced that moment. It also tries to paint an honest picture of the relationship between best friends, who have become dependent on each other. The men in their lives sometimes seem to take second place, which is well played by male supporting roles of Dominic Cooper and Paddy Considine.
Less successful is the unsympathetic side of Milly. In the opening montage, you can see that se used to lead a free life, be a good mother and a heartthrob with whom Jess had countless great nights out.  But from the moment of diagnosis and insufferable narcissist emerges, who expects her friend to constantly drop everything to be there for her. She also cheats on her husband because he has trouble dealing with her changed body (and the psychological aspects that go with it) and she is angry at everything and everyone around her. Pleasant is different and because of this you miss the connection with Milly. Not unimportant within this genre.
With many of these films you sometimes have to wipe away the tears or unexpectedly rush through a whole box of tissues, but that is not the case with “Miss You Already”. There is certainly an attempt to move the viewer, especially towards the end, but by that time you feel Milly’s death may have put an end to Jess’ life as a doormat, especially since Drew Barrymore knows how to portray the character warmly. Ultimately, this makes it really nothing more than a drama about the raw effects of getting cancer, without the much-needed heartwarming (and therefore emotional element) needed to move you.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

90s Movie Review - Scream

Director: Wes Craven
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 1996
Starring: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy, Drew Barrymore, Henry Winkler

Description: A masked killer begins murdering teenagers in a small town, and as the body count rises, one girl and her friends contemplate the "rules" of horror films as they find themselves living in a real-life one.
Review: Director Wes Craven has been a specialist in the horror genre. Classics as “The Last House on the Left”, “The Hills Have Eyes” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” are some of the movies that shine on his résumé. Half way through the nineties, he decided to mock his favorite genre, by making “Scream”. This film is unique in its genre, because it manages to scare the viewer, but also make you laugh. “Scream” was an unexpected success and later more movies in the subgenre of so called ‘slasher movies’ followed.
“Scream” has an almost classic opening scene, where we see student Casey Becker preparing for a movie night. She gets a call from a man who apparently dialed the wrong number. Soon Casey realizes it’s a psychopath who wants to play a morbid game of life and death. When she and her boyfriend get killed, all the students at the high school are interviewed. The attentions goes out to Sidney Prescott, whose mother was murdered a year ago. Sidney is eventually the target of the killer.
The great thing about “Scream” is, that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The characters talk about all the clichés horror movies have and with that Wes Craven separates himself from other horror directors. “Scream” is in my opinion not really a horror movie, it’s not scary enough. But it’s very entertaining and fun.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Video of the Week (35)

This girl, Lauren O'Brien, does some awesome impressions of female celebrities. Really good and really funny. Check it out!

 

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 145: Big Miracle

Director: Ken Kwapis

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 107 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Root, Rob Riggle

Description: In small town Alaska, news reporter Adam (John Krasinski) recruits his ex-girlfriend Rachel (Drew Barrymore)- a Greenpeace volunteer - on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

Review: ‘Everybody loves whales’. This is a message given a lot in “Big Miracle”. And people have been fascinated by these giant mammals for centuries. The movie is based on a true story, about three whales who trapped in the ice in Alaska in 1988.

Lead role is for John Krasinski, who plays reporter Adam Carlson, who happens to find the whales who are trapped. Soon the whales are worldwide news. To save the whales, a path has to be created to set them free in the ocean. Adam and his ex-girlfriend Rachel, who is a Greenpeace activist, try everything to save them. But it costs money and who is willing to help out?

The story is touching, but the scenario doesn’t really succeed in that area. The base of the film is historically correct but it’s still a movie. Maybe the movie would have been a bit better if it weren’t a film. Some storyline take your attention away from the actual happenings and you really don’t care about all that.

“Big Miracle” does have enough to offer in the end. It will keep the attention of young and old and it was an enjoyable film. It would have been better to keep the focus on the whales, because everybody loves whales.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Moments: E.T.:The Extra Terrestrial

This movie is absolutely timeless. When I added this movie to the top 5 of Steven Spielberg movies last thursday, I just needed to rewatch it and pick my favorite moments from the film. So here they are.

Moment # 1: Opening
A strange aircraft has landed on our planet, with unearthly creatures. We don’t really get to see what they are, only some fingers and silhouettes. People have discovered them and are trying to chase one of the creatures. When he’s almost at the aircraft, it leaves and one of the creatures is left behind.

Moment # 2: Something in the shed
Elliott is getting pizza and he hears something in the shed. When he throws a ball in the shed, something throws it back. When Elliot returns with back up, there’s nothing there. When they go back inside the house, we see fingers.

Moment # 3: Elliott discovers E.T.
When Elliott is in the bed he decides to check out the shed again. He goes into te cornfield and he sees a strange creature appear. Both are startled and start to screams and run.

Moment # 4: E.T. comes back
No one believes Elliott, but he doesn’t give up. At night, Elliott sleeps outside and the creature returns. Elliott lures him in with candy and we finally meet E.T. Elliot doesn’t know what to do, but E.T. starts mimicking Elliott.

Moment # 5: Gertie meets E.T.
Michael gets home and Elliott wants him to meet E.T. All of a sudden Gertie also walks in and she starts to scream when she sees E.T. Than E.T. also starts to scream.

Moment # 6: E.T. speaks
Gertie comes home from school and watches T.V. There’s a spelling show on and Gertie is repeating the words. E.T. is behind the T.V. and starts to talk.

Moment # 7: E.T. phone home
E.T. made something and tries to tell Elliott, Gertie and Michael what he wants to do with it. Het tells them it’s to phone home.

Moment # 8: Auch
Elliott cuts his finger and E.T. heals it.

Moment # 9: The flying bike
Elliott is trying to get E.T. to the place where he can make his phonecall. When in the woods, Elliott thinks they can’t go any further because it’s to bumpy, but the bike starts to ride itself. E.T. is making it do that and they start to fly.

Moment # 10: “I’ll be right here”
E.T. goes home. Gertie kisses him on the nose, Michael says goodbye and for Elliott it’s the hardest moment. They hug and E.T. tells him: “I’ll be right here” and points to Elliott’s head.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 9: The flying bike

In the Picture: The Characters from "Whip It"

I saw "Whip It" yesterday for the first time and just like Bliss fell in love with the game, I fell in love with this movie. I loved it! Great directorial debut for Drew Barrymore and the film has some interesting characters. I only choose the one you really get to know. Here we go.

Bliss Cavender
Played by: Ellen Page
Bliss is tired of doing whatever her mom wants. She is figuring out a way to express herself and when she finds out about the roller derby, she decided to try out. Bliss is a fighter and proves to others that she can be tough. In this sport, Bliss finds her passion and she can finally do what she wants.

Maggie Mayhem
Played by: Kristen Wiig
Maggie is the captain of the Hurl Scouts and a real team player and leader. She is the one person everyone turns to and people trust. Maggie is the one telling Bliss she could be her own hero.

Smashley Simpson
Played by: Drew Barrymore
Smashley doesn’t have it all together. She’s a bit chaotic and never on time. Smashley wouldn’t be named Smashley if she didn’t take the punch once in a while. But she also knows how to deliver them. She is kick ass, but not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Iron Maven
Played by: Juliette Lewis
Maven is a very strong woman who got succesful in the roller derby on a later age. She’s the captain of a competitive team and she feels a bit threatened by Bliss. Maven doesn’t like the fact that Bliss is being so succesful this soon, when it took her five years to get to the point she is now. Although there’s a lot of rivalry between the two, they also have mutual respect for each other.

Pash
Played by: Alia Shawkat
Pash is Bliss’ best friend and someone who you can always rely on. Pash doesn’t believe that Bliss can be tough enough for the roller derby, but with making that statement she actually pushed Bliss in the right direction. She does everything to help Bliss, but to certain limits. Pash hates to be dissappointed in her friendship.

Razor
Played by: Andrew Wilson
Razor is the Hurls Scouts’ coach. The girls don’t really listen the him, but when Bliss enters he thinks of some new strategies. Razor takes the roller derby very seriously, as of his role as coach. More than his players.

Brooke Cavender
Played by: Marcia Gay Harden
Brooke is Bliss’ mother and has it all planned out for her. She wants Bliss to enter pageants, because she would learn a lot from that and it will eventually get her a husband. Entering the roller derby is not what she had in mind for her daughter, but eventually Brooke also realizes that pageants were never Bliss’ dream, just hers.

Johnny "Hot Tub" Rocket
Played by: Jimmy Fallon
Johnny is the announcer and a bit sleazy. Basically the only thing he does is commentate on the game and then go home and throw a party for the contestants. He has a hot tub, therefore the nickname, but when the girls are in, he can’t.

Earl Cavender
Played by: Daniel Stern
Earl is Bliss’ father and understands his wife. But he chooses Bliss’side. He thinks that his daughter should be able to make her own decisions in live, whatever makes her happy. Earl actually comes to love the roller derby and becomes Bliss’ number on fan.

Favorite Character: Maggie Mayhem

Best of... Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore. She's not one of my top 10 favorites, but I always enjoy her movies. I think it's because she doesn't really care what other people say. She had a tough childhood, but got over it and made some great films. Here are some of my favorite Drew Barrymore movies.

"E.T. : The Extra Terrestrial"
This is one of the very few movies that always makes me cry. And don't you just love Drew as the little Gertie?

"Scream"
I think this is still the best "Scream" movie (although I haven't seen the fourth installment yet). Drew is in the opening scene and I think also the most memorable one. Awesome!

"The Wedding Singer"
I luv this movie! I remember seeing it for the first time and loving it. It's one of those movies I'll always watch when it's on, even though I also own it on DVD. Drew and Adam make a great couple.

"EverAfter"
I'm a sucker for romantic fairytale-like stories. Drew is just adorable and irresistable in this film. She was the reason that I watched it and I kinda loved it.

"Never Been Kissed"
I love her clumbsiness here. It's not one of her best, but certainly very funny and enjoyable.

"Donnie Darko"
A cult classic. The first time I saw it, it kinda confused me a bit. But after seeing it for the second time I knew how great this film was. "Donnie Darko" is one of the best movies ever.

"50 First Dates"
The reason I like this one is mostly because Adam and Drew teaming up again. It's not as good as "The Wedding Singer" but I liked it.

"He's Just Not That Into You"
I felt sorry for Drew's character Mary. She so deserves love and it just doesn't work for her. It's a fun film, just fun.

You're probably wondering why "Charlie's Angels" isn't on it. I'm just not a fan, although Drew's character Dylan was my favorite of the three angels. I'm really dying to see "Whip It". And her 2012 upcoming movie "Everybody Loves Whales" sounds awesome too. It also starts John Krasinski, whom I absolutely adore.

Movie Tip #35 - He's Just Not That Into You

Director: Ken Kwapis

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Justin Long, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Connelly, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johansson

Description: In Baltimore, five women and four men try to sort out the signals that the sexes exchange. Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) imagines every man she meets is Mr. Right; she gets reality checks from Alex (Justin Long), a sweet but cynical saloon keeper. Janine (Jennifer Connelly) and Ben (Bradley Cooper) seem solidly married until he chats with Anna (Scarlett Johansson) in a market checkout line; meanwhile Anna is indifferent to the pursing Connor (Kevin Connolly). Neil (Ben Affleck) and Beth (Jennifer Aniston) have been together seven years; she dumps him when she realizes he really and truly isn't going to marry her. Does he love her? And Mary (Drew Barrymore) sells advertising while searching on line for a man. Will those in love stay in love? Will those searching figure out who is and who isn't into them? Are men all that different from women?

Review: I really wanted to see this movie ever since I saw its trailer. And I loved it. I've always been a big fan of multiple storyline movies. My favourite was the one with Gigi and Alex. I also loved Beth, she's so sweet and I really felt sorry for her. Just like I felt sorry for Janine. I didn't really like Scarlett Johansson in this film, because she didn't really convince me here. Normally I love her, but now I didn't. And her character is very annoying as well. But the complete picture of this film measures up to my expectations. I really enjoyed watching it. For fans of the genre they should really check it out.

He's Just Not That Into You

I frequently check the newest movie trailers. I found the trailer of "He's Just Not That Into You". It's based on a book and it has a great cast. I watched this trailer and it looks like a funny, feel-good movie. Normaly I don't like those films (some exceptions off course), but I think I'm gonna like this one. It has a couple of different storylines (like "Love Actually") and some of those stories overlap. It's about modern day relationships and how men and women often misconstrue the intentions of the opposite sex. I'm looking forward to this movie. If you wanna check out the trailer, go to the official site of the film:
www.hesjustnotthatintoyoumovie.com
The movie will hit theaters in early February, so we don't have to wait that long. This is a movie that I can look forward to.

X Joyce