cinephile saturday: wild target

I know what you're thinking. 

What the heck is this movie and why have you never heard of it?

Wild Target is an English film that Zach and I rented a while ago.

I will pretty much watch anything Bill Nighy wants to make. 

He's my favorite part of Love Actually, and also my favorite part of the Underworld movies. He's a dude. Completely awesome. We were watching Graham Norton and this movie was mentioned, so when it was available On Demand, we went ahead with it. 

It's really funny... if you like British humor.

The part where the three main characters all meet had us in stitches, but I can see where someone who isn't familiar with British humor wouldn't find it terribly funny.

Of course, Emily Blunt is adorable, Bill Nighy kind of steals the show and Rupert Grint is surprisingly non-Ron and holds his own on screen with these two. Which, I must say, I was surprised by. I kind of thought he would either be a carbon copy of Ron or that he'd go completely off the reservation. 

Neither thing happened.

All in all, y'all, it's a really fun movie. 

Rent it for a good time ;)

images sources: {poster, rupert&bill}

cinephile saturday: sunday bonus

Cowboys & Aliens

Iron Man director Jon Favreau's latest outing, Cowboys & Aliens, is more than it seems. On the surface, this is a fun summer movie, full of special effects, big names (!!!) and plenty of shooting and explosions. 

Beyond what you expect to see, you will be delighted by the humanity you find in each and every one of the characters on film. Daniel Craig's Jake Lonergan is a man without a memory, and watching him try to find who he is, what he is and where he belongs is captivating. Harrison Ford's Colonel Dolarhyde is a foil for the film itself. Dolarhyde is one particular type of character when the audience first meets him, and maybe not the most likable one at that, but as the film progresses, we see flashes of the humanity in him and it is beyond touching. Sam Rockwell's Doc and Olivia Wilde's Ella make for great additional characters, each with their own struggles. 

While the two main competing parties in the film don't seem to go together, the story actually works quite well. Without a doubt, the film is a Western... but, with aliens. It seems highly redundant of me to say that, as though the title didn't make it clear enough. However, understand here that even the motivation of the aliens is very much keeping in the context of a traditional Western film. They aren't coming to harvest humans for a slave race on their home planet, or something silly and out of place like that. In addition, while the aliens do serve as the final and ultimate antagonist in the film, they take a backseat during the flesh of the film and defer instead to the dynamic between conflicting human parties, which is genius.

Beyond meshing together two traditionally separate and unrelated genres, this film also presents the audience with the image of each of the traditional Western film characters, but puts their own spin on them as well. Yes, there is an oil/cattle/something baron. But he has more to his story. There's an outlaw. There are Native Americans. There's a saloon owner, a mousy guy who can't shoot a gun. There's a motherless child and a spoiled child, a preacher and a conflicting gang leader. All the elements of the Western are in place, but each and every one of the characters, while embodying all that their stereotypes of the past say they would, they push those boundaries and dare to become something more. 

All in all, Favreau did a surprisingly good job of making this movie about more than special effects and big names. For a summer blockbuster-type film, this one has a little dose of something extra. 

((PERSONAL ASIDE))

I liked this so much more than I expected to.

Probably my third favorite movie of the summer, behind Captain America and X-Men. It shocked me with its humanity and character development. 

Also. 

Daniel Craig's bum is featured pretty prominently in quite a few shots and it's just not at all a bad thing. 

And Harrison Ford is one bad mother. 

As per usual.

image sources: {poster, behind}

cinephile saturday: proper reviews

A flop. 

And a hit. 

The Warrior's Way.

The Warrior's Way, which seems to be intended as Korean star Dong-gun Jang's vehicle for introduction to western cinema, was an ill-constructed, poorly thought out movie.

Beyond it being painfully obvious that this film was intended to bring Jang to Hollywood proper, the casting remains sketchy at best. Geoffrey Rush, who is a delight in most all of his roles, is similarly likable in this, but the character himself is almost too simple for someone of Rush's talent. It could have been played by anyone with ease, and it was a disappointment to see him wasted in such a pathetic way. Along the same lines of tragic miscasting, Kate Bosworth is almost too hard to watch. Her accent is so phony it seems as though she is trying to play a parody of the character, which makes her very out of place with the rest of the story. All around, her character is flat and bland. The audience is clearly supposed to connect with her, the poor victim trying to avenge her family, but her blind ignorance and stupidity, not to mention disregard for the community that took care of her after her family's demise makes her hard to root for. 

Jang himself is a delight. His stoic manner in the film is befitting the character, and he plays it well. The little nuances of his relationship with baby April are sweet and simply done, which makes him the only character in the whole film who is likable for all the right reasons. However, that alone does not make the movie worth the film it was shot on. Which, in truth, is almost a shame, as a successful film would have allowed us to see more of Jang. 

The film itself, beyond the characters and the cast, is silly enough and at times I can't tell whether or not it is taking itself seriously. And that? That's the problem.

Pass on it. Unless it's on HBO, or one of our movie channels, or you're seeing it for free, it's not worth the green money you'll spend.

Inglourious Basterds.

Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds is cinema at its finest. It is a film made by a lover of film for fellow film lovers. Filled with beautiful imagery, complex characters, masterful performances and a brilliant story, this period outing is one every WWII film fan should see. 

It is hard to pick out what element of this film is the best. The casting is sheer genius. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz are perfect foils of each other and watch these two dynamic actors play amazingly complex characters is truly enjoyable. The supporting cast deserves as much credit to the success of the film as its two main players. Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, and Daniel Bruhl are all amazing. It is hard to decide whose performances are the best, with the exception of Waltz. His portrayal of Colonel Hans Landa is filled with subtlety that is rarely seen on screen today. The flicker of emotion, the tiniest change and Landa has gone from a laughing, jovial houseguest to the infamous Nazi officer he is reputed to be. 

As is typical of Tarantino, this film will have you laughing at moments when something truly heinous is happening. His art is brilliant and slight, and while you may not appreciate every piece he has done, this one truly shines. His nod to other great WWII films will win over any lover of films portraying that era. Without a doubt, the quirks of Tarantino's directing style do more to enhance this story than anything else. The whole project shows how long, hard and carefully he worked to prepare this film and make it all that it could be. Special mention should be made of the fact that less than forty percent of the film is in English, all a tribute to the genius of its director. There is something beautiful, almost poetic in the language of the film, and to watch the characters seamlessly transition from French to German to English and back again, with carefully articulated and crafted dialect and diction makes Tarantino's vision much clearer to the audience. 

When you walk away from this, you will feel something, guaranteed. If anything, you will not soon forget the image of a younger Shosanna running from Landa, framed in the open doorway of the farmhouse. 

((PERSONAL ASIDE:))

I am not one to say that I am moved by film. I don't really take a lot of stock in the idea that simply viewing a movie will change ones outlook, or change their opinions or their lives, to be frank. However. I first watched tis movie by myself one night on my iPad. I bought it off iTunes to see my darling Michael Fassbender in his breakout roll. That's that. I had a gift card, I figured what the hell? If I watch it once and hate it, then I spent less than I would have going to see it in the theatre. I laid on the couch with my headphones in and was rapt the entire time. My pulse quickened, my heart fluttered, I wanted to stand up and cheer. I wanted to yell and shout and exclaim. The first thing I said to Zach the next day was that he had to watch it. That he had to see it. That I finally *got* it. I can honestly say, I have not had a film make this kind of impression on me since I was 12, and it has only happened once before that. Once with my initial introduction to Kelly's Heroes as a child, and the second time when I was in my new home in Australia for the first night and we found Singing in the Rain on television. I don't expect MOST of my friends to love this movie with the passion that I do. But truthfully, This movie has wormed its way deep into my heart. Who'd have thought that at 25 two of my top 3 favorite movies of all time would be WWII films?

Image Sources: {warrior's way, inglourious basterds}

cinephile saturday: captain america

Y'all. 

You all know how I feel about X-Men. And Michael Fassbender. 

Even the Fassbender Factor could not keep X-Men in my top spot for the summer. 

It's all about Captain America: The First Avenger. 

I.

LOVED.

THIS.

MOVIE.

I realized the other day that I've "loved" everything I've seen this summer, with the exception of Bad Teacher (see the "fassbender factor" link). Probably because I will only pay money to go see movies I know I'm probably going to enjoy. Yes, that means big summer blockbusters. 

But. I will say that nothing else I've seen this summer can quite hold a candle to this movie. 

The cast was great.

GREAT.

When The Avengers comes out next May? I'm telling you, ONLY RDJ won't have to work hard to be overshadowed by Chris Evans. He was perfection. There is no other word for him in this movie.

The cast around Evans was great too. I actually have watched so many of these actors in my (ahem, let's get a little embarrassing!) Masterpiece Theatre versions of Jane Austen's books. Hayley Atwell I first saw in Mansfield Park, as the detestable Mary Crawford. Dominic Cooper, besides Mamma Mia!, was the loathsome Mr. Willoughby in Sense & Sensibility. And J.J. Feild, who also plays the baddie in one of my Fassbender films, Centurion, I first noticed as the darling Mr. Henry Tilney in Northanger Abbey. Yes. I have actually watched EVERY one of Jane Austen's stories in some fashion, and I happen to own... all of them. Yep. MOVING ON.

I also happen to L-O-V-E Stanley Tucci and Tommy Lee Jones. I think the cast as a whole was a big part of why I loved this movie so much. I think it's worth going to see, even if you're not IN LOVE with the comic book super heroes. It's got a really fantastic story, the artistic direction behind the film is brilliant and the way they incorporated elements from other Marvel/Avengers films was brilliant (hello, the whole Odin's Cosmic Cube thingy and Tony Stark's dad!). 

I think it was a little more gritty than Thor was, so I'm more apt to let Liam see Thor, Captain America might have to wait a little while.

All in all. 

Favorite movie of the summer.

And I don't see anything that's coming out any time soon dethroning it.

Image Sources: {poster, collage}

cinephile saturday: harry potter part 7.2

I'm sure you all knew this one was coming.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.

Let's be honest.

The movies are great.

They are not as good as the books. 

Having said that, I really love some of the films. I really love some of the books. 

I don't really care for some of the films. I could leave a book or two. 

This was definitely a spectacular way to end the series. We also saw it in 3D (we've seen a few in 3D this summer, and this 3D I liked a lot but Transformers 3 was the best utilization of it, hands down!), and the battle at the end was in-sane. 

I don't think there's a lot to say about this movie. I mean, if you like Harry Potter, you know what's going to happen, you know what's been going on, you know you'll enjoy it. I will say, this is hands down the most action packed of the 8 films (I'd say though, that the 4th and 5th films are right after...), and visually, one of the most stimulating. The acting is really great because they showcase some of the better actors (Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter) in the Potter franchise in really poignant ways. 

Alan Rickman. Best part of the movie. 

That's all. 

Also, it's not my favorite of the HP films. If I ordered them... 

Favorite ----> Prisoner of Azkaban

Deathly Hallows Part I

Goblet of Fire

Deathly Hallows Part II

Order of the Phoenix

Sorcerer's Stone

Half Blood Prince

Least Favorite ----> Chamber of Secrets

There you have it.



Oh.
Wait.

SO.
There's a movie coming out in January that has MY number one from my Freebie Five AND Zach's number one from his in it. Together.
Here's the trailer: Haywire.

Did y'all SEE what's wrong? DID YOU?

HOW am I supposed to want to see this movie where Zach's female CLEARLY kills MY male? Just. Not. Okay.

{image source: poster}

cinephile saturday: rentables

So.

Today we're going to cover a couple of movies I rented last week. 

First up is Beastly with Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer. 

Now, I know this guy is supposed to be super arrogant and a complete pain in the arse to work with, but he is a darn good actor. I liked him better in I Am Number Four, but maybe it was just that IANF is a better film. Dude's got a movie coming up where he plays Channing Tatum... costarring with Channing Tatum. I mean... come on. 

Alex Pettyfer aside, this movie is fine. I am not a big VH fan, so I thought she was kind of annoying the whole time. Mary-Kate Olsen and Neil Patrick Harris were my favorite parts of the film. NPH was really funny, and MKO was just magnetic. You can't take your eyes off her while she's on screen. I think the one issue I have with this film is the turn around of Kyle. It doesn't really feel real. He's just all of a sudden from one extreme to the other and there's no middle ground. I need middle ground in my transformation stories. 

All that being said, it's worth renting if you're spending a girly night at home,  or are in desperate need of  a teeny-bopper romance. I probably won't watch it again.

Next up.

Oh yeah.

TROLLHUNTER.

If I'm being honest, I decided I loved this movie LONG before I got to see it. 

We rented it via On Demand's "See it before it's in theatres" section. 

The movie is Norwegian, subtitled in English and features a university film crew of 3 who are tracking what they believe to be a bear poacher. Instead, he turns out to be a Trolljegeren (TrollHunter). They don't believe him, so they follow him around, filming what he does. 

It's so. much. fun.

I loved it. Zach fell asleep. But like I said, I knew I was going to love it before I saw it. I saw previews and I fell for it, hook line and sinker. I would recommend this to no one, but I will probably buy it. The scenery made me weepy, and I loved seeing my childhood fairy tales turned into a movie. I would say, if I'm allowed, that I think this movie perfectly embodies Norway. 

(just, don't come after me for the bucket of Christian's blood.)

There you have it. 

Movies to rent. 

Or not to rent. 

I'm just trying to help out.

{image sources: beastly, trollhunter}

cinephile saturday: transformers: dark of the moon

Over the long weekend, we took in a movie.

Not shockingly, it was Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

It's Zach's favorite movie of the summer, and I will admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

The 3D was really, really incredible. Worth seeing just for the effects.

Without giving too much away, at one point some soldiers are gliding through a city using wing suits and the effect is just insane. 

I did agree with my friend MM, it was a leeeeetle bit too long. 

And I thought a lot of the stuff at the beginning was extraneous. I love the parents in the other films, but they just seemed a little out of place in this one. They didn't belong... in my mind. 

Also, I hate Patrick Dempsey, I always have for some reason so it wasn't hard to watch him as a bad guy and really root for his comeuppance. And the cars. Oh myyyyyyyy the cars. 

That 459 is enough to drive anyone crazy. 

I think it's worth seeing, especially if you enjoy this kind of movie. 

It's fun and the story is better than it's been in the past. 

I did miss the roommate, he was so funny in the second one. 

But yeah.

Far and away Zach's favorite movie so far this summer.

Still hasn't debunked X-Men for me!

{image source: transformers}

cinephile saturday: 3 for 1

So I'm writing this at 3:00 in the morning on Wednesday. 

I've already seen 3 new movies to me since then, so I thought I'd write the post while they're still fresh in my mind. 

Also, I can't sleep.

We are just getting stuff taken CARE of! Ha!

Sunday last, we went and saw Bad Teacher with a couple of our friends, who both happen to be teachers. 

It was fine. I mean, I guess I'm glad I saw it, but I wouldn't buy it, or even rent it again. 

I think it's a whole lot funnier if you are a teacher, because you've had experience with all the characters in the film. I mean, you've got to have worked with the over-zealous freak, the mousy doormat, the ignorant one... You know. 

Or whatever.

It has firmly taken the bottom spot on my list of movies I've seen this summer. But.

I will say this.

Cameron Diaz was funny. I thought Justin Timberlake was just annoying. There was no charm to the character he played, and that's no fun. Also, I needed more Jason Segel. If the sole reason I'm willing to go see a movie is because of one of the actors, he better be in the film a little bit. 

I didn't love it.

It kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.

So, instead, on Tuesday, my hubbers volunteered to stay home with Liam while I ventured out to Alamo at West Oaks for one of the last screenings of X-Men: First Class.

Yes, again.

It's still my favorite movie of the summer. 

And helllllllo, Erik! 

The man does a turtleneck SO much justice. SO much.

If you wanna read what I thought about X-Men: First Class, click that link.

Tuesday NIGHT, we rented a couple of movies. 

Or rather, Zach and I rented one, and when I couldn't sleep, I rented another. 

First, we watched Sucker Punch. 

We enjoyed it. 

I can safely say this is not something I would recommend to most of my friends. 

At first, it was a little hard to follow, and it was also a little creepy that Baby Doll didn't talk until about 25 minutes into the film. 

Since she's the main character.

It was a little odd to see Vanessa, the Disney darling, running around in next to nothing, cursing and shooting and fighting. Refreshing, though. 

I dunno, I don't feel like I can really communicate much to you about this movie.

 I think if you watch the trailer and are all excited, rent it. If not... eh, maybe leave this one alone. 

We agreed, we wouldn't buy it, but we're glad we saw it. 

And we'd watch it again, should it come out on HBO in a year. 

After Zach went to bed, I rented Red Riding Hood. 

 Let me say, if you like Twilight, but want better actors, you'd like this. 

I love Gary Oldman, and his Father Auguste is properly fanatical scary. 

Amanda Seyfried is what you'd expect and her two men Shiloh Fernandez (who I think looks just a leeeeetle bit creepy) and Max Irons are much more serviceable than you'd think. 

Also, Max Irons is Jeremy Irons' son. The boy is talented. 

And cute.

I was a much bigger Henry fan than Peter. 

It's definitely not scary, and I'd say it's probably one you'd want to watch sans hubby. 

It's a girl movie, I think. 

Okay, so as of 3:40 on Wednesday morning, that's what I've got for you. 

I'm expecting to add one more to the report before I post this on Saturday, since Transformers: Dark of the Moon came out today. 

Y'all, I realize I watch a lot of movies that my friends don't want to watch, but I love what I love. And thank goodness, that's what they put out during the summer. 

{image sources: bad teacher, erik, sucker punch, red riding hood}

cinephile saturday: cars 2

Cinephile Saturday is actually ON Saturday this week. WHOOP!

Tonight, all 5 of the Clarks (I'm including my in-laws!) went to see Cars 2 at the Alamo. Shocking. I know. 

(as I write this post, I'm diverted by Jonah Hex on my TV. It's a God-awful, terrible movie. But my goodness, i will watch a horrible movie to watch Michael Fassbender. ESPECIALLY as hot as he is in this one. Moving on... oh. le *sigh*)

I have to say, I'm hugely biased towards the Cars films. 

I myself happen to be a car racing fan ...

or. 

Rather, I'm a Formula 1 fan. 

Regardless, I like car racing. I watch car racing. 

So the Michael Schumacher Ferrari cameo in the first one? I quite literally squealed in the theatre and jumped half way out of my seat. 

I did have a squeal and jump and yelp moment in this one too, taking place right at the beginning. We will get to that momentarily.

Not shockingly, this sequel was NOT as good as the first. Hubs thought it felt like just a money grab. Sadly, I must say I was a little disappointed that the racing element was much more limited. Of course, they still have plenty of those references, and more so for F1 fans this time around. Which I'll explain in a sec. Regardless, I enjoyed the film. I enjoyed all the car trivia and the little things that make the movies so fun for people who just enjoy automobiles (right here, TopGearHead!). 

My favorite part, though, were the cameos.

Namely, Crabby the Fishing Vessel, Lewis Hamilton and David Hobbscap. 

David Hobbscap was voiced by David Hobbs, who is a former F1 driver and a current F1 commentator. I watch him on Sundays on Speed. I recognized his voice as soon as he started talking, and just don't think they could have picked a more perfect car to represent him. He's awesome.

Lewis Hamilton is a current F1 driver and a past F1 World Champion. He drives for McLaren-Mercedes right now and is a prat. Don't you love that Disney & Pixar even gave the car Lewis' actual little tooth gap? I recognized that car right off. I knew Lewis had done a voice for the movie, so I wasn't shocked to see him.

Crabby? Oh, Crabby was my jump and squeal moment. I recognized him the instant that FV flashed white. It's the FLIPPING NORTHWESTERN from Zach's favorite TV show (and one of mine, I must admit!) Deadliest Catch. And not only that!? It was VOICED by the Captain of the FV Northwestern, Sig Hansen himself. Yes, I flipped out. Squealed. Upset my child. Incoherently babbled to my husband while giggling and pointing at the screen. Mostly, I was ecstatic because the Hansen brothers (Sig, pictured, Edgar and Norman) are my FAVORITES on Deadliest Catch, and the they're Norwegian. You know how much love I have in my heart for Norwegians. 

SO. 

All in all, I think moms won't be bored when they take their kids to this movie.

I think a lot of them won't get the joy out if it that I do.

I thought that about the first film, too, though. 

I guess I just love my Cars. 

P.S. If ANYONE finds a Diecast version of any of the above 3 vehicles I posted, I will pay you back for it :) I must have them. 

{image sources: poster, crabby, car lewis, car david, real david, fvnorthwestern, sig, real lewis, mclarenf1}

cinephile saturday: the women

Shockingly

(and I do mean shockingly)

I didn't see anything this week that I haven't seen before. 

Nothing new.

I know. What's going on?

However, I've decided that on weeks where I don't have anything wonderful and new to post about, I'm going to feature movies I think are worth mentioning. Mostly, that means I'm going to highlight a classic film that I love. 

Once in a while, it'll be something that really bears recommending (ie Wild Target or Pan's Labyrinth). 

Be looking for those two titles featured in future.

TONIGHT, however, we're going to talk about one of my all time favorite movies, from the great George Cukor. 

THE WOMEN.

(1939)

I LOVE this movie. 

The ingenious thing about this film is that there are NO MEN in it at all. No shots of them on the street as the ladies pass, no male drivers, no husbands seen, NO MEN AT ALL.

But.

The film is, in its own way, all about men. 

It's just genius. 

Pure, wonderful, amazing genius.

The main three stars are Norma Shearer (center), Joan Crawford (left) and Rosalind Russell (right).

I am no huge fan of Shearer, and I think Joan Crawford is one of the most despicable women ever (remember that movie Mommie Dearest? Oh yeah- she IS the ACTUAL Mommie Dearest. Freaking psycho!). BUT. Rosalind Russell is a complete comic genius in this film. And the supporting cast is wonderful. I love Paulette Goddard as Miriam and Joan Fontaine (Olivia de Havilland's little sister! And the star of the Hitchcock classic Rebecca!) as Peggy. They're wonderful, and Marjorie Main as Lucy is just too funny.

Interestingly, this movie has been remade twice.

Once in 1956, when they made it a musical, added MEN to the cast and renamed it The Opposite Sex.

That movie is a disaster. From start to finish, and it doesn't help that I'm supposed to feel for June Allyson when all she does in every movie she's ever made is made me want to scratch out both my ears and my eyes. Just can't decide which first.

The SECOND remake was in 2008. They changed up the dynamic of the women, kept the cast all female (with one STUPID exception) and kept the original title.

This movie is also a travesty. Of course, Meg Ryan does Mary Haines NO service, and they took Rosalind Russell's funny, catty Sylvia Folwer and turned her into Annette Bening, who just feels aawwwwwful about everything. I really, truly, hate this movie. I'm offended by this movie. 

Truthfully, the original 1939 film stands the test of time.  And it is perfect. These two remakes are terrible because the original cannot be improved upon. It's like trying to remake The Wizard of Oz or Casablanca. It cannot be done. It should not be done. 

Oh. And if you're dying for Mary and Sylvia's Jungle Red nails- Nars has some! I'm ordering as soon as it's back in stock on Sephora. Yes. I will tell everyone too.

SO. IF your husband has gone to bed early, or if he's out of town, find a way to rent this movie. Or DVR it the next time they run it on TCM. 

I doubt you'll be disappointed. 

{source: poster, j|n|r}

cinephile saturday: x-men first class

One day late...

(because I knew we were going to the movies tonight)

We saw X-Men: First Class this evening. 

I've been excited about this one since they first started announcing the cast, and grew even more excited after seeing the initial previews.

Admittedly, I love movies based off of comic books. And I used to watch the cartoon when I was a kid. 

I've also been really disappointed with all 4 of the previous X-Men movies (mostly due to casting... the Wolverine movie was tragic, though.), so I was trying to contain myself.

Cautious optimism.

Somebody this summer is going to miss the mark (I'm afraid it might be the Green Lantern...) but this movie definitely DID NOT.

It was really, really great.

It's supplanted Thor as my favorite movie of the summer.

It also will be hard to beat. 

I'd say it's not even just for people who love Stan Lee or Marvel or the X-Men. We went with my parents and brother and both my mom and dad really enjoyed the movie, and they've not got extensive experience with the characters or their stories. 

The visual effects put all the others to shame, and the acting is su-perb. I'm NO fan of the McAvoy, but he was very good. OF COURSE, Michael Fassbender was amazing. Need you ask? Nope, cause he's just awesome. Between MF and Kevin Bacon, the scenery was thoroughly chewed up (that's my husband's term. Anyone who is captivating or particularly fantastic in a film he says "chewed up the scenery."). They really did steamroll the film. It was a strong supporting cast, too. 

I loved it. LOVED it.

I don't think we own any of the other X-Men movies, but I do believe we'll be buying this one. 

Or rather, I will be buying this one. 

Fassbender. TOPS of the five. Tis true. 

ALSO. Cameos. AWESOME. 

{sources: james, michael, team} 

cinephile saturday: hangover II

Lordy, I love me some Hangover.

I went into the theatre not expecting to love The Hangover Part II as much I did the first one, and I was more than pleasantly surprised. 

Of course, I was going in knowing my favorite character is an ancillary character...

(I'd heard many a lady complain that Doug-oh-Dougy-Doug-Doug didn't get enough screen time, but to be honest, I think he was in the sequel more than the first one!)

Regardless of the Bartha factor, the movie was really, really funny. 

I have a serious soft spot for Thailand (holla! favorite vacation ever!), so I was already loving the location of the sequel more than the original.

That being said, the format is pretty much verbatim from the first film, but it works. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and I'm glad they didn't tinker with it. 

The song Stu sings is definitely funnier in the first one, but "Living Here in Allantown" was definitely giggle-inducing. Plus? The Tyson cameo? Classic.  

I think if you haven't seen the first, rent it before you go to see this one. I think it makes the second one funnier, when you already know what they went through in the first one. Also, you'll understand more of the backstory and the dynamic between Mr. Chow, Allan, Stu and Phil (and Mike Tyson). I think that's important for this film.

Having said that. I'll definitely buy this. 

We have The Hangover on DVD, and when this comes out, I'll probably buy the Blu-Ray 2-pack that they'll inevitably put out, knowing suckers like me are ready to eat it up.

Also, 2/5 of my Freebie Five are in the film. What's not to love?

sources{h2, doug}

cinephile saturday (+2 days)

Inaugural CINEPHILE SATURDAY post!

Woot woot!

It's two days late because I didn't realize it would be a Saturday post at first, and secondly because I knew we'd be going to the movies today.

*** I AM NUMBER FOUR ***

I liked what I was ABLE TO WATCH of this. 

(no rant on EnTouch, promise)

I like Alex Pettyfer, thought the Glee chick was a little whiney. Oh, and I'm a fan of the Timothy Olyphant. Dunno why, just like him.

All in all, I felt like this was aimed at the tween crowd. There were scenes in it that were just "cool for coolness' sake." It was fun.

*** THOR ***

I would say THIS has been my favorite movie of the summer (so far). 

I lurved this movie. I love Kenneth Branagh and I think he did a WONDERFUL job directing this film. 

{insert visions from Much Ado About Nothing here}

I love Chris Hemsworth. Oh hello, he's GORGEOUS and SO funny!

I love Stellan. I WISH that Stellan's son (helllloooooo ERIC!) had been cast as Thor, but it's all good.

I cannot say enough about this movie. I'm pumped for it to come out on Blu-Ray and I know it'll be one Liam and I watch over and over and over again.

Oh- and I would totally let him watch this because the language isn't bad, there's no sex, nothing gory or bloody. It's won-der-freaking-ful.

*** PRIEST ***

 We watched this while the rest of the US was watching Bridesmaids. 

This movie is JUST what Zach and I love in a film.

It's a pure action movie based on a graphic novel. 

It stars Paul Bettany (I love), Cam Gigandet (I lurve) and Karl Urban (I luuuuuurve). 

Also, BEYALL makes an appearance, as does Phil Collins' daughter.

And Maggie Q. Who's arguably the most under utilized gorgeous Asian lady in movies.

If you like VAMPIRES (not "vaaaaampires") and action, post-apocalyptic stuff, you'll enjoy this.

We're totally gonna buy it. 

And we'll watch it regularly.

It's totally a Blu-Rayer.

*** IP MAN 2 ***

This is the sequel to a fantastic movie.

I resisted the HELLO out of the first one, but really, really enjoyed it. 

This one wasn't dubbed, it was in Mandarin and had English subtitles, which cut down on the distraction factor. The story is good, Bruce Lee makes an "appearance," and it is refreshing to see the a$$hole characters not be American for a change. 

If you like Kung Fu movies, you will absolutely LOVE this.

If your man is into Kung Fu movies, he will talk about this for days.

I liked it, Zach loved it, I'd recommend it to people who don't have an anti-foreign film stigma. 

 *** KUNG FU PANDA 2 ***

The most recent film we've seen, this was pretty darn good as sequels go.

It's NOT as good as the first.

If you haven't seen the first, you need to. It's so, so, so, so good. 

I have all the words memorized.

This really continued the story in a nice way, it wasn't a random forcing of a story that had a solid ending. I loved the family dynamic of the story line and it was fun to see the Five and Po back in action. I was a little disappointed there wasn't more Shifu, since he's one of the best parts of the first film. And Dustin Hoffman's such a hoss. 

It's good, great for kids (L sat through MOST of it) and has a good moral. I think Kung Fu Panda (and its sequel) rival anything Pixar has going. And THIS is from a Disney PURIST. 

*** PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES *** 

I'm a Pirates junkie. Like, when we go to Disney World, I geek out big time. Our favorite picture from our honeymoon is with "Jack Sparrow" in front of the ACTUAL Flying Dutchman.

Pirates GEEK. 

But this one is FANTASTIC.

It's better than the second and the third, easily. 

I got REALLY tired of the Elizabeth/Will story line, so having them gone was just dandy in my book. Also, Barbossa was in the movie- and if you know me, you know I love me some Captain Barbossa.

Zach appreciated that they gave the gentleman folk some better eye candy in this one.

Also, we loved that Jack was more the Jack from the first movie. This is just... really good.

It doesn't rely as heavily on computer generated enemies, so the acting can really show through. It's not gimmicky, it's just so good. So good.

And who wouldn't be thrilled with two hours of wild abandon?

{part of what made this movie going experience so great was that we saw it at the Alamo Drafthouse, and they played Michael Bolton's Digital Short beforehand. IF you don't know what I'm talking about (besides me worrying about what planet you live on), you need to google that}

Kay, I officially LOVE Cinephile Saturdays.

It makes me feel like I'm being a little constructive with my movie loving self.

BEWARE!

We're seeing Hangover 2 tomorrow, so that'll be on the blog on Saturday coming.

There will be many, many, many an update in this category this summer. We're eagerly awaiting Cowboys & Aliens, Captain America, X Men: First Class, The Green Lantern, Cars 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Bad Teacher, Conan the Barbarian and Fright Night (David. Tennant. People. DAVID TENNANT.)

See? We are SUCH movie dorks.

And yes, if you haven't seen The Hangover, get your arse to iTunes and rent the sh*t out of it. You won't regret it. 

sources: {i am number four, thor, priest, ip man 2, kung fu panda 2, pirates of the caribbean}