Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 9

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.
 

29/ 100: Ghostbusters (1984)
Three parapsychologists are kicked out of college. Fortunately, just then an epidemic of paranormal phenomena breaks out. The unemployed scientists start a company that solves such supernatural problems. It’s a very enjoyable comedy, thanks to the strong script, effective special effects and dryly comic acting, especially from Bill Murray. You can check my full review HERE
 

30/ 100: Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The movie, based on a story by Annie Proulx, is about a love against the odds. During a season in the open, where Ennis and Jack watch over hundreds of sheep for work, something beautiful develops between the men. When the season contracts ends, their paths separate. Both marry, both become fathers, both try with all their might to build an ordinary existence. In vain. “Brokeback Mountain” makes the unfathomable sadness of unfulfilled desire tangible. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal work well together and you can feel their pain, of not being able to be together, because of the time they live in. The film is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Check out the full review HERE
 

31/ 100: Midnight in Paris (2011)
Successful soap opera writer Gil is in Paris with his fiancée and her parents. He is not happy, not with his career and not with his relationship. One night, to his utter amazement, he is magically transported to 1920s Paris, where he meets people like Hemingway, Dalí, Picasso and Fitzgerald. It’s a romantic comedy, exactly the way I love them. Not cliché, original, lighthearted and funny. Made by Woody Allen, showing us Paris at its most beautiful. HERE you can read my full review.
 

32/ 100: The Guest (2014)
A very strong thriller, not to many people know about, about a young man who takes on the uninvited role of protector of a small family. The title guest is an American Afghanistan veteran David, who visits the family telling them he knew their son/ brother, who has died in action. At first, David is the perfect change the family needed. But soon strange things start to happen. “The Guest” is an intelligent film, an effective thriller story, told with momentum and tension and portrayed by a fine cast of actors without any big names. Read my full review HERE
 
Still to watch: 68

80s Movie Review - Ghostbusters

Director: Ivan Reitman
Genre: Horror/ Comedy/ Action
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts

Description: Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

Review: When you’re an eighties kid, you grew up with the cartoons. And who didn’t enjoy the adventures of ghostbusters Ray, Peter, Eagon and Winston? They are a group a parapsychologists. Together they take on all the evil ghosts, monsters and creatures.
They beautiful Dana Barrett asks them for help, after she saw something strange in her refrigerator. When Peter checks out her apartment, he doesn’t really think much of it, but something big and powerful is coming to New York.
The group of ghostbusters is cast perfectly, with Bill Murray excelling as Peter Venkman. He is a master at sarcasm.  Dan Aykroyd, playing Ray Stantz, was also unthinkable in ‘80s comedies and works great together with Murray. Harold Ramis plays Eagon Spengler. You know that without them even saying his name. The big nerd amongst the group. A smaller role is for Ernie Hudson, as Winston Zedmore. Sigourney Weaver shines as the damsel in distress, who was very seductive back in the days. And a really funny supporting role for Rick Moranis, as Weaver’s geeky and clumbsy neighbor.
Although the special effects are a bit dated, it never takes away the fun. “Ghostbuster” has reached a certain status over the years, every ‘80s kid loves this. And the comedy is so strong and to the point.
“Ghostbusters” is a movie I can enjoy every single time. The movie that made me love Bill Murray and that is still funny today. 

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Netflix Friday - Volume 79

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Gladiator (2000)
A former Roman General (Russel Crowe) sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
 

Drama: Phantom Thread (2017)
Set in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcocks (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who becomes his muse and lover.
 

Comedy: Yes Man (2008)
A man (Jim Carrey) challenges himself to say “yes” to everything.
 

Animation: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with their wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
 

Romance: Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
A middle-aged husband’s (Steve Carell) life dramatically changes when his wife (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend Jacob (Ryan Gosling), learning to pick up girls at bars.
 

Horror: The Prodigy (2019)
A mother (Taylor Schilling) concerned about her young son’s disturbing behavior thinks something supernatural may be affecting him.
 

Science Fiction: Ghostbusters (2016)
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
 

Crime: The Accountant (2016)
As a math savant (Ben Affleck) uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities, and the body count starts to rise.
 

Thriller: The Departed (2006)
An undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a mole (Matt Damon) in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating and Irish gang in South Boston.
 

Documentary: My Octopus Teacher (2020)
A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.
 

Family: Beethoven (1992)
A slobbering St. Bernard becomes the center of attention for a loving family, but must contend with a dog-napping veterinarian and his henchmen.

Netflix Friday - Volume 65

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.
 

Drama: Rocketman (2019)
A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s (Taran Edgerton) breakthrough).
 

Comedy: Ghostbusters (1984)
Three former parapsychology professors (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis) set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.
 

Animation: Sherlock Gnomes (2018)
Garden gnomes, Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt), recruit renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes (Johnny Depp) to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments.
 

Romance: Top Gun (1986)
As students at the United States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in class, one daring young pilot (Tom Cruise) learns a few things from a civilian instructor (Kelly McGillis) that are not taught in the classroom.
 

Horror: Saint Maud (2019)
Follows a pious nurse (Morfydd Clarke) who becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.
 

Science Fiction: E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
A troubled child (Henry Thomas) summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home world.
 

Crime: Wild Things (1998)
A police detective (Kevin Bacon) uncovers a conspiracy behind a case involving a high-school guidance counselor (Matt Dillon) when accusations of rape are made against him by two female students (Neve Campbell, Denise Richards).
 

Thriller: The Good Liar (2019)
Consummate con man Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen) has set his sight on his latest mark: the recently widowed Betty McLeish, worth millions. But this time, what should have been a simple swindle escalates into a cat-and-mouse game with the ultimate stakes.
 

Documentary: Fantastic Fungi (2019)
Fantastic Fungi is a descriptive time-lapse journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth that begins 3.5 billion years ago.
 

Family: Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them (2016)
The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Netflix Friday - Volume 9

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.

Action: The Meg (2018)
A group of scientists exploring the Marianas Trench encounter the largest marine predator that has ever existed: the Megalodon.

Drama: The Impossible (2012)
The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Comedy: Ghostbusters (1984)
Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

Animation: Flushed Away (2006)
The story of an uptown rat (Hugh Jackman) that gets flushed down the toilet from his penthouse apartment, ending in the sewers of London, where he has to learn a whole new and different way of life.

Romance: La La Land
While navigating their careers in Los Angeles, pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and actress Mia (Emma Stone) fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.

Horror: Insidious (2010)
A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.

Science Fiction: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
When their relationship turns sour, Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergo a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories.

Crime: Dirty Harry (1971)
When a madman calling himself “the Scorpio Killer” menaces the city, tough as nails San Francisco Police Inspector ‘Dirty’ Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is assigned to track down and ferret out the crazed psychopath.

Thriller: The International (2009)
An Interpol agent (Clive Owen) attempts to expose a high-profile financial institution’s role in an international arms dealing ring.

Documentary: Amanda Knox (2016)
American exchange student Amanda Knox is convicted and eventually acquitted for the 2007 death of another student in Italy.

Family: Free Willy (1993)
When Jesse (Jason James Richter) learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killer by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 100: Ghostbusters

Director: Paul Feig
Genre: Comedy/ Action/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Ed Begley Jr., Bill Murray, Andy Garcia, Cecily Strong, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Higgins, Zach Woods, Charles Dance

Description: Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) band together to stop the otherworldly threat.

Review: The movie got a lot of negative critique, even before the movie was released. A new “Ghostbusters” movie with an all-female cast. Director Paul Feig never intended to do a remake or to copy the eighties version of the film. This movie breathes new life into the concept. In 2016 Venkman, Stanz, Spengler and Zeddmore never existed. Bill Murray even has a small cameo as a scientist that doesn’t believe in ghosts. The Ghostbusters from the 1984 and 1989 movies are not a part of Feig’s universe.
Physicist Erin Gilbert is trying to make a career at a prestigious university, but is reminded of the book she once wrote with her friend Abby Yates. A book about ghosts. Abby is still seriously investigating the paranormal, with her engineer friend Jillian Holtzmann. When there is a ghost sighting in the city, the three check it out and realize that they were right all along. When also Patty Tolan joins them, who knows a lot about the city, the four women get an office, hire the very dumb secretary Kevin and try to catch ghosts for a living.
The plot is not that different from the original film. The story is a bit bland. But the film is supposed to be a comedy. And it is a really funny film, all thanks to the great women. Melissa McCarthy is really on a roll with both physical and verbal humor. Kristen Wiig is really strong, Leslie Jones is hilarious and Kate McKinnon is crazy. I also loved Chris Hemsworth, as the dumb (yet hot) secretary Kevin. But there is also the problem. It’s definitely a women’s film, because every male character is either a douchebag or very stupid.
There are many nods to the original film and I really liked that. “Ghostbusters” got a lot of crap and not all deserved. Is it better than the original? No. It does look better, but that’s logical because of today’s techniques. I really enjoyed the film and I thought it was very funny. Sceptic at first, a little surprised and very entertained.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: 2016 Summer Movies to Look Forward to

As a big movie nerd I’m also looking out for new movies. Today I’m going to share with you the five films I can’t wait to see, that will be released this summer (june/ july/ august, US release dates).

5. Ghosbusters
Okay, I’m a little skeptical. But somehow I’m still interested in seeing it, because of the great comedic actresses (and Chris Hemsworth). I hope it’s going to be funny.

4. Suicide Squad
We’ve seen a few trailers now and I get more excited after seeing a new trailer. I think this is going to a good film and I’m curious about Jaret Leto’s version of The Joker and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

3. Jason Bourne
We don’t know that much about the new Jason Bourne film, but knowing the franchise is returning is reason enough for me to go to the theaters. I love these films and Matt Damon is fantastic in them.

2. Finding Dory
Oh how I love “Finding Nemo”. And Dory is my favorite character, so off course I’m super stoked to see a spin-off film. Can’t wait!

1. The BFG
I’m a huge fan of Roald Dahl’s children’s books. Some of them have been made into movies quite successfully. I’m very confident that Steven Spielberg created a gem with “The BFG” (The Big Friendly Giant).

They Almost Made the Top 5: Independence Day: Resurgence

Movie Trailer Sunday (229)

Here are this week's trailers.

Louder Than Bombs

Director: Joachim Trier

Description: The fractious family of a father and his two sons confront their different feelings and memories of their deceased wife and mother, a famed war photographer.

Starring: Amy Ryan, Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne, David Strathairn, Isabella Huppert

Trailer: Trailer "Louder Than Bombs"

Comment: Not really sure what to expect, but that's makes it interesting.

Finding Dory

Director: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane

Description: The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.

Starring: Ellen Degeneres, Albert Brooks, Michael Sheen, Idris Elba, Dominic West, Diane Keaton, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy

Trailer: Trailer "Finding Dory"

Comment: Can't wait!!!!

Ghostbusters

Director: Paul Feig

Description: 30 years after Ghostbusters took the world by storm, the beloved franchise makes its long-awaited return. Director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today.

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Andy Garcia, Elizabeth Perkins, Ernie Hudson, Cecily Strong, Dan Ayrkoyd, Annie Potts

Trailer: Trailer "Ghostbusters"

Comment: I was unsure at first, but this trailer made me more excited.

The Adderall Diaries

Director: Pamela Romanowsky

Description: As a writer (James Franco) stymied by past success, writers block, substance abuse, relationship problems and a serious set of father issues, Elliott's cracked-out chronicle of a bizarre murder trial amounts to less than the sum of its parts. Not long into the 2007 trial of programmer Hans Reiser, accused of murdering his wife, the defendant's friend Sean Sturgeon obliquely confessed to several murders (though not the murder of Reiser's wife). Elliott, caught up in the film-ready twist and his tenuous connection to Sturgeon (they share a BDSM social circle), makes a gonzo record of the proceedings. The result is a scattered, self-indulgent romp through the mind of a depressive narcissist obsessed with his insecurities and childhood traumas.

Starring: James Franco, Amber Heard, Ed Harris, Christian Slater, , Cynthia Nixon, Wilmer Valderrama, Timothy Olyphant

Trailer: Trailer "The Adderal Diaries"

Comment: Looks okay.

The Meddler

Director: Lorene Scafaria

Description: An aging widow from New York City (Susan Sarandon) follows her daughter (Rose Byrne) to Los Angeles in hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away.

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Cecily Strong, Jason Ritter, Michael McKean, Casey Wilson, Lucy Punch

Trailer: Trailer "The Meddler"

Comment: I love this cast!

Top 5 Thursday: Comedies from the 1980s

We’re going back in time, time for the best comedies of the 1980s. Try and compare them with today’s comedies, they are very different. They didn’t have to make sense, they just had to make us laugh. Something that comedies lack nowadays. You can also say that Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and John Candy ruled 80s comedy. Here are my favorite comedies from the 1980s (and it was really hard!!).

5. Airplane

Today there are lots of spoofs, but “Airplane” started the popularity of this genre. Nowadays spoofs are just sad, laugh-free comedies, but “Airplane” is super funny.

 

4. Ghostbusters

Who ya gonna call? Exactly! “Ghostbusters” is an absolute cult classic, a movie that will always entertain you and make you laugh.

 

 

3. National Lampoon’s Vacation

The first movie following the Griswold family. Clark, head of the family, is driving his family to an amusement park, but nothing goes according to plan. “This is no longer a vacation. It’s a quest. A quest for fun”.

 

 

2. Planes, Trains and Automobiles

A movie I watch every year. For some reason around Christmas (the movie is set around Thanksgiving), but every time a good time. Two complete strangers a stuck together because of a snow storm and Steve Martin and John Candy are the perfect duo to do this.

 

 

1. The Burbs

Maybe not the popular choice, but this is the funniest movie of the 1980s! It might not be the best movie, but it sure is hilarious! Tom Hanks knows comedy.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Police Academy, Caddyshack, Spaceballs, Uncle Buck, Big, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Money Pit, Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life, A Fish Called Wanda