Five to Watch: Movies Under 2 Hours

These days, it seems like every movie is two hours or even longer. Some go up to 3 hours and over. And I can understand that you want to watch a film, but don’t have the time or energy to watch a long movie. There are in fact a lot of movies that are under two hours and I decided to select a few. Here are five picks for movies that are under 2 hours and might not be on your radar.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Seventeen-year-old Nadine is a moody outsider. Only her history teacher and best friend Krista can get her approval. Nadine’s world collapses when Krista starts dating her brother Darian. The formula of “The Edge of Seventeen” is well-know, it’s a high school film, but it’s so well-executed. It’s an honest teen dramady with vile dialogue, great pace and a lot of heart.

It Follows (2014)
With a simple yet original idea, director David Robert Mitchell delivers a layered and intelligent horror film. Jay’s brand-new boyfriend gives her a curse after they had sex for the first time. From that moment on she will always be haunted by an entity, that changes shape, and wants to kill her. “It Follows” has dreamy images of Detroit’s suburbs in decay, a Carpenter-like synthesizer soundtrack, nerve-wrecking slow chases and some well-planned scare moments make for a haunting feeling that will haunt you for a long time to come.

All is Lost (2013)
Only one actor, a few lines of text and a boat as the backdrop. Does that captivate you for an hour and a half? Absolutely. Director/ screenwriter J.C. Chandor proves that he can create a blood-curdling thriller without dialogue and an ensemble cast. Robert Redford, 75 during the shooting of it, delivers one of the greatest performances of his career and an unnamed sailor who ends up in a storm and has to survive. “All is Lost” convinces as an adventure film ans as a study in minimalism.

Sing Street (2016)
Dublin in the 1980s. Colin tries to escape his forced family by starting a band. He wants to impress the mysterious girl of his dream. It’s a comic music drama, with an awesome soundtrack and the cool 80s as a backdrop.

Short Term 12 (2012)
“Short Term 12” is your typical American indie film. Twenty-something Grace and Mason work in a shelter for underprivileged youth and in the meantime try to maintain a somewhat difficult relationship with each other. If you take the well-know elements for granted, you will discover a gem of a film, full of warm hearted characters, compelling drama and an authentic-looking insight into the youth care sector.

Top 10: Best Movies I Watched for My 2015 Challenge

I had a lot of fun with my movie challenge this year and I’m definitely going to start one in 2016. 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. Sicario

After “Enemy” and “Prisoners” I had high expectations for “Sicario”. And director Denis Villeneuve did it! “Sicario” is a terrific thriller, with Emily Blunt as the big star. She is amazing in this film.

 

9. My Neighbor Totoro

I love the movies by Hayao Miyazak. “Spirited Away” was already amazing, but “My Neighbor Totoro” I liked even more. Such a great animation, especially if you look at it with a creative and artistic perspective like me.

 

 

8. 12 Angry Men

A movie set in only one location and it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire runtime. This a movie like no other, the don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

 

 

7. Short Term 12

A movie that felt so realistic and honest. I could feel it through my entire body. It’s not a movie for the people who want spectacle, but a small Indie film that touches you and makes you feel.

 

 

6. The Guard

“Hot Fuzz” meets “In Bruges”, what a great crime comedy “The Guard” is. And I loved Brendan Gleeson in this film. He could finally show what he’s made off. His unconventional character, who you should actually dislike, is really hard to hate.

 

 

5. Birdman

Unfolding across two hours of backstage theater drama that play as a single take, it’s an almost impossibly complex technical achievement. And then Michael Keaton’s big comeback as actor Riggan, who once played a superhero and is now aiming for something higher. A cinematographic masterpiece.

 

 

4. Enemy

“Enemy” was a complete mind fuck. What sounded like a standard thriller, is anything but that. The movies leaves you with a lot of questions and chills all over your body. And that final scene scared the bejesus out of me.

 

 

3. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

This movie was great for us movie lovers, because of all the pop culture references. But this is also a movie that comes straight from the heart and ends up in our hearts as well. Such an honest, real film that grabbed me and touched me.

 

 

2. Psycho

An instant classic that I was pretty ashamed of never seeing before 2015. And I can now understand why it’s such an amazing film. What a great horror film by mastermind Alfred Hitchcock. Movies like this are underappreciated nowadays. Not by movie nerds like me by the way.

 

 

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

When I saw “Mad Max: Fury Road” in theaters it totally took my breath away. More than 30 years after leaving Max in the wasteland, George Miller returns to his signature series. I didn’t expect much at first and I left the theater overwhelmed. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is an incredible cinematic experience. A ride everyone has to take at least once in their life.

 

 

Honorable Mentions: Frozen, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Big Hero 6, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Take Shelter, St. Vincent, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Deux Jours, Une Nuit, Mud, Jurassic World, Inside Out, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Gosford Park, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Funny Games, The Drop, The Conjuring, The Evil Dead, The Martian, Moon, The Lobster, Ex Machina

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

I saw a lot of 2015 movies, some really good ones. Here is my list of movies I watched for my challenge in November.

5. Spectre

I was so excited about the movie, but I heard so many bad things about it I went in with hardly any expectations. I don’t understand why some people didn’t like it, because I really did! It’s a great Bond film, especially that opening scene!

4. Straight Outta Comptonv

What a fantastic film. Based on a true story. And even with so many unknown actors, it was great. I think nobody saw this coming.

 

 

3. The Martian

Matt Damon rocks! A very good film, with some unexpected humor in it as well. Well done Ridley Scott.

 

 

2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

The one I was looking forward to this month. The last film in the series, the final chapter. It was amazing! I think this might be my second favorite of the franchise.

 

1. Short Term 12

Such an honest and real story, this movie really grabbed me. A perfect film. I could really relate to the story and the characters, a definite must see!

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Three Days of the Condor, Junebug

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 146: Short Term 12

Director: Destin Cretton

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 96 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Bearitz, Rami Malek, Alex Calloway, Kevin Hernandez, Lydia Du Veaux, Keith Stanfield, Frantz Turner, Diana Maria Riva, Harold Cannon, Silvia Curiel, Melora Walters, Bran’dee Allen, Danny Roper, Elyssa Gutierrez, Garryson Zamora, Michael Marto, Patricia Barrett, Tanya Marie A. Bitanga, Zoe Wilkens, Angel Amaral

Description: A 20-something supervising staff member (Brie Larson)of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend (John Gallagher Jr.).

Review: Grace (Brie Larson) works in a shelter for teens. Short Term 12, which is the name of the shelter, is a safe haven for the teens as well as for Grace. Grace lives for the young adults and takes care of them with enthusiasm and heart. But she is also haunted by an awful past. When Grace finds out she is pregnant and a new girl enters the shelter, it brings her back to her own past. Like the teens, Grace has to face it.

“Short Term 12” feels so real. The characters are realistic and in a short period of time director Destin Cretton lets us get to know the main characters very well. The acting is very natural and convincing, both the adults as the teens.

It’s amazing that this is the directorial debut for Cretton and actress Brie Larson is on her way up. “Short Term 12” is an overlooked film and it should get more praise. For a small Indie film, “Short Term 12” can easily outshine many big blockbusters. I loved this movie!

Rating: 5/ 5