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

00s Movie Review - Gran Torino

Director: Clint Eastwood
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Brian Haley, Geraldine Hughes, Dreama Walker, Brian Howe, John Carroll Lynch, William Hill, Brooke Chia Thao, Chee Thao, Choua Kue, Scott Eastwood, Xia Soua Chang, Sonny Vue, Doua Moua, Greg Trzaskoma, John Johns, Davis Gloff, Thomas D. Mahard, Cory Hardrict, Nana Gbewonyo, Arthur Cartwright, Austin Douglas Smith, Conor Liam Callaghan, Michael E. Kurowski, Julia Ho, Maykao K. Lytongpao, Carlos Guadarrama, Vincent Bonasso, William C. Fox    

Description: Disgruntled Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) sets out to reform his neighbor, a Hmong teenager who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: a 1972 Gran Torino.

Review: Detroit is not the same anymore. The neighborhoods that used to belong to the elite white people are now overwhelmed  by immigrants. Aggressive gangs of Latinos and Asians fight it out. It’s not that strange that Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, is constantly complaining and growling. The Korean War veteran sees his neighborhood aggravate every day. Since his wife’s death, there isn’t any joy in his life. His two sons want him in an elderly home, but Walt is still active. It’s painful to see how distant father and sons are. Walt does find a purpose in his life again, which comes from an unexpected angle.
“Gran Torino” focusses on the difference between two cultures in Detroit. Walt doesn’t want anything to do with the new Asian neighbors. Especially not when the sixteen year old Tao tries to steal his Gran Torino. When he later saves Tao, from violent relatives, Walt is given presents as a thank you. Tao was given the task by his nephew to steal the car, as a test, but Tao doesn’t want to be a part of that gang. Walt doesn’t understand why the family is giving him so much attention, until he talks to daughter Sue. She manages to get on his good side. To make up for his mistake, Tao starts working for Walt.
An old formula: Two different people, in character and age, become friends. Walt teaches young Tao some valuable lessons and Tao makes sure Walt opens his heart. Clint Eastwood takes on the leading role, but also directs. And he does this wonderfully. It’s my favorite Eastwood directed movie. His opponents, Bee Vang and Ahney Her, also show us a strong performance.
Although “Gran Torino” uses this formula, it does work. This is thanks to the ending and how Eastwood plays with the different emotions. The theme of life and death is clearly present, which touches you.
“Gran Torino” is a wonderful film, that will leave a mark.

Rating: 5/ 5

Five to Watch - Movies with Unlikely Friendships

With “Green Book” now in theaters and it being nominated for a lot of big awards, it’s time for me to take a look at those film about friendship. Not just any friendships, but unlikely friendships. People you wouldn’t expect to become friends in the first place. Here are five films I think are not as well-known or deserve more attention, that focus on an unlikely friendship. And I think you should definitely give them a shot.

Warm Bodies
“Warm Bodies” takes the done and redone zombie apocalypse plot in a comical and innovative new direction. Creating an endearing and empathic look at a zombie’s inner monologue. “Warm Bodies” doesn’t only focus on the lingering emotional capacity of zombies, but also on the healing power of love. The film follows a growing relationship between zombie R and Julie, as well as the friendship between R and fellow zombie M. These two relationships are practically the definition of unlikely.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
It’s a British historical-drama, based on the novel of the same name. This Holocaust drama, explores the horrific realities of a World War !! extermination camp from the point of view of two 8-year-old boys. One of the boys is a son of the camp’s Nazi commandant and the other is a Jewish inmate. The forbidden friendship shared between a young Jewish inmate and the son of a commandant surely has its consequences, terrifyingly so as a matter of fact. But through the eyes of innocent, unrealized children such a taboo relationship doesn’t seem so strange anymore. In fact, it seems exceedingly natural and appropriate.

Lost in Translation
The film revolves about a recent college graduate and an aging actor, who develop an unorthodox relationship after a chance meeting in a Tokyo hotel. In spite of a rather dramatic age difference, the two find themselves facing similar struggles, both philosophically and emotionally. Bob and Charlotte are both in unhappy marriages, attempting to cope with the lack of intimacy and compassion that the both deal with from their significant others. But their relationship isn’t only unique due to their similarities, the connection they share resonates with many and stays with you long after the film reaches a close.

Gran Torino
Sometimes a friendship needs to overcome a more serious barrier, such as the bigotry of racism of Walt Kowalski in “Gran Torino”. In the film, as Kowalski’s neighborhood changes her becomes more bitter and insular, until someone threatens the only thing he has left to care about: his car. When his shy teenage neighbor Thao is pressured into trying to steal the car by a local gang, Kowalski steps in, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood. When Thao’s family force him to make up for the attempted robbery by working for Kowalski, it sets into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives.

Due Date
Up-tight architect Peter Highman and aspiring actor Ethan end up having to travel cross-country together after the pair of them are kicked off their plane and placed on a no-fly list. Two mismatched guys forced to go on a road trip together, it sounds so simple, yet it is delightful. Ethan might be just the friend that Peter needs in his life.

DVD Collection Update (15)

I got some classics, a personal favorite and some TV shows. I'm proud of all of them. And this was also an oppurtunity to show off my cute owl statue!

First I got "Spirited Away". I don't know why, but suddenly I wanted to see some Anime. I had heard so many things about this director and I decided to just pick this up. I was amazed when I watched it and also a bit ashamed that I hadn't before.

"Gran Torino" is my favorite Clint Eastwood directed film. It's not a spectacular movie in happening, but it left an impact on me. It's a fantastic film!

I haven't seen it yet, but as a movie fan you just need to see "The Great Excape". I know some of the classic scenes from the movie, but I never saw it. Looking forward to it, but I'm waiting for the perfect moment. It's a very long movie you know.

I finally got season 13, part 1 of "CSI". Here you can't buy a complete "CSI" season, it's sold in two parts. Annoying, but it does look great on my shelve.

I'm loving this show, ever since my mom accidentaly bought me a season of "Waking the Dead". I'm hoping to eventually get the entire collection. The Dvd's aren't very expensive, so I probably manage that goal.

Top 5 Thursday: Clint Eastwood Directed Movies

Clint Eastwood is a great actor, but an even better director. So this list only includes movies that Eastwood directed.

5. Invictus
It’s a very inspiring story and I just love Morgan Freeman in his role as Nelson Mandela. Eastwood did a great job telling this unbelievable story.

4. A Perfect World
I haven’t seen this movie in a while, but it’s a great film. Kevin Costner was a hero of mine back in the days.

3. Million Dollar Baby
I didn’t think this movie would make me cry in the end, it has a very dramatic twist.

2. Mystic River
This is a character study, with interesting people and fabulous acting. Such a gripping story.

1. Gran Torino
I absolutely love this movie, it’s his best. It’s really hard to direct a movie, but he also play its lead character. Such a fantastic film with a heartbreaking ending.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Changeling

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 2008

The most recent year so far for my top five of movies from a certain year. It’s 2008. An what a great year it was for film.

5. In Bruges
It’s Colin Farrell surprising me in this fast paced black comedy, about two assassins who’re laying low after one of them mistakenly kills a young boy instead of his mark. And Ralph Fiennes is fantastic as the coldhearted boss. I laughed so hard!

4. Happy Go Lucky
Sally Hawkins shines as Poppy, a London schoolteacher who is probably the happiest person on Earth. Some will hate her for it, but I loved her and this witty comedy.

3. The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke was nominated for an Oscar and took home the Golden Globe. His best performance so far and there is no single misstep in Darren Aronofsky’s drama.

2. Pineapple Express
When I first heard about this I thought it would be silly. Well, it is, but it’s a good kind of silly. Seth Rogen and James Franco are an awesome duo and how loveable was Franco as stoner Saul Silver?

1. Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood played the most miserable SOB on screen that year (a racist Korean War veteran), but he turns into an unlikely hero worthy of tears shed. That's a stunning accomplishment. I love this movie!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Cloverfield, Untraceable, Definitely Maybe, The Other Boleyn Girl, Horton Hears a Who, Get Smart, The Dark Knight, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Burn After Reading, Slumdog Millionaire, Frost/ Nixon, Marley & Me, Wall E, Milk