Monster Squad (1987)
A young group of monster fanatics attempt to save their hometown from Count Dracula and his army of monsters.
Director:
Fred Dekker
Stars:
Andre Gower,
Robby Kiger,
Stephen Macht |
See full cast and crew »
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeZs0B0mjXY
From my S.O.'s collection; watched with him.
The movie was cute enough. Andy used to watch it a lot when he was little and I can see why. It's empowering to kids, especially misfit kids. There was some questionable parts about watching girls undress and taking photos. The part with the older guy was a nice touch, especially in relation to his knowledge of real monsters. And the two smallest kids were super-cute. Most of the monsters had their own uniqueness, which was good. Check out the writer... Shane Black... yup! He did okay for himself. :) I would say there was some unbelievable bits but considering the type of movie, I guess I'll just have to let it slide.
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbA63a7H0bo
Rented from the library; watched alone.
Just recently, I read each book in the series and then watched the movies. This movie stayed most faithful to the book, leaving out the least amount of things. It was interesting to see how they adapted the book into a movie, and although we didn't see any of the Capitol/Gamemaker stuff in the book, I thought it enhanced the narrative for the screen, especially since so much of the book was in Katniss' mind. I cried at the Rue scene both while listening to the audiobook and during the movie. Oh and during the movie at Prim's screams. I thought the movie was a riveting portrayal not only of the fictional events, but of the general injustice that happens in the world, the disparity of living conditions. It may have been several years since this film came out and since the book did too, but I'm glad I waited to get as much of it as once, so I would be equally familiar with all of them... and not having watched/read the first one a billion times more than the others. Although I had some knowledge of the concept of the film, and some of the events like Rue's dying, the film still had surprises. There were a couple things that weren't the same as in the book (such as the mutts) and Cato's monologue but that was excusable. The two genres, novel and film, have their own set of challenges, and I was pleased with both. I had known Philip Seymour Hoffman was in the film, but I thought he was going to be Haymitch. I didn't find Peeta's actor to be what I envisioned, but I was okay with Gale since he seemed strappingly handsome. ;) Lenny Kravitz was a bit of a surprise. I wonder if he was a fan of the books. I watched the Behind the Scenes stuff on the DVD and thought the relationship between Jennifer Lawrence and "Mr. Kravitz" was pretty cute. (She's friends with his daughter). It looked like the whole cast had a great time. I thought that Jennifer Lawrence did a great job, but I enjoy her in most roles she does, and in the honesty/goofiness she portrays in interviews/real life. Okay, that may be enough for now!!
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8cKdDkkIYY
Watched with family from their Netflix account.
Color me less-than-impressed. Basically Keanu Reeves has a serious face on the entire movie and it's questionable if he or the other guy is supposed to be the hero, or if they take turns being the main character. Plus it took quite a time before it was clear that guy wasn't married to the leader's daughter. The trailer music feels like a lie. I like a good martial arts/eastern story, but this was just too silly for me. Probably a good portion of it was because it felt like Reeves just wanted to play samurai. If it had been an Asian actor in there, MAYBE I would have liked it a bit better, but I doubt it. The funny thing is that a lot of commenters on the trailer video mentioned the tattooed skeleteon man was in the trailer longer than he was in the movie, and that's basically true.
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzGXqJSDJ8
Rented from the library; watched sola.
There were a few more changes in this film from the book, but I'm having a hard time recalling, since it's not as ingrained in me as some superfans. I know some of the stuff with Snow in the office and the kiss that was recorded (time-wise). Madge was left out. Getting locked out of the district by the fence, the runaways at the lake. Katniss seeing Peeta's drawing in the training center. But I still enjoyed the film.
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1piB0xIkvUU
From collection of my S.O. Watched together.
An interesting slice-of-life in the beginning, but hard to watch once they get sent to the detention center. Made me want to beat the shit out of Kevin Bacon, so that means it made you understand the characters and put yourself in their places. It was hard to tell the boys apart or at least to correspond them to their grown-up characters. This is an example of how film can show us other worlds that we never want to see.... as a reminder that our reality isn't the only reality in this world.
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfuTz2pT7tQ
From the collection of my S.O. Watched together.
This is fun and silly and the right kind of goofy spoof. It was interesting to have the audio in English AND the subtitles too because there were some disparities. I generally like to have the audio in the native tongue and the English subtitles, but I'm not sure how the DVD menu was setup. Anyway, good for a laugh, if you like absurdist/eastern/tongue-in-cheek comedy genres.
Director:
Writers:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeZs0B0mjXY
From my S.O.'s collection; watched with him.
The movie was cute enough. Andy used to watch it a lot when he was little and I can see why. It's empowering to kids, especially misfit kids. There was some questionable parts about watching girls undress and taking photos. The part with the older guy was a nice touch, especially in relation to his knowledge of real monsters. And the two smallest kids were super-cute. Most of the monsters had their own uniqueness, which was good. Check out the writer... Shane Black... yup! He did okay for himself. :) I would say there was some unbelievable bits but considering the type of movie, I guess I'll just have to let it slide.
_______________________________
The Hunger Games (2012)
Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the
Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death in which two teenagers from
each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete.
Director:
Gary Ross
Writers:Gary Ross
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbA63a7H0bo
Rented from the library; watched alone.
Just recently, I read each book in the series and then watched the movies. This movie stayed most faithful to the book, leaving out the least amount of things. It was interesting to see how they adapted the book into a movie, and although we didn't see any of the Capitol/Gamemaker stuff in the book, I thought it enhanced the narrative for the screen, especially since so much of the book was in Katniss' mind. I cried at the Rue scene both while listening to the audiobook and during the movie. Oh and during the movie at Prim's screams. I thought the movie was a riveting portrayal not only of the fictional events, but of the general injustice that happens in the world, the disparity of living conditions. It may have been several years since this film came out and since the book did too, but I'm glad I waited to get as much of it as once, so I would be equally familiar with all of them... and not having watched/read the first one a billion times more than the others. Although I had some knowledge of the concept of the film, and some of the events like Rue's dying, the film still had surprises. There were a couple things that weren't the same as in the book (such as the mutts) and Cato's monologue but that was excusable. The two genres, novel and film, have their own set of challenges, and I was pleased with both. I had known Philip Seymour Hoffman was in the film, but I thought he was going to be Haymitch. I didn't find Peeta's actor to be what I envisioned, but I was okay with Gale since he seemed strappingly handsome. ;) Lenny Kravitz was a bit of a surprise. I wonder if he was a fan of the books. I watched the Behind the Scenes stuff on the DVD and thought the relationship between Jennifer Lawrence and "Mr. Kravitz" was pretty cute. (She's friends with his daughter). It looked like the whole cast had a great time. I thought that Jennifer Lawrence did a great job, but I enjoy her in most roles she does, and in the honesty/goofiness she portrays in interviews/real life. Okay, that may be enough for now!!
______________________________
47 Ronin (2013)
A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.
Director:
Carl Rinsch
Writers:Carl Rinsch
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8cKdDkkIYY
Watched with family from their Netflix account.
Color me less-than-impressed. Basically Keanu Reeves has a serious face on the entire movie and it's questionable if he or the other guy is supposed to be the hero, or if they take turns being the main character. Plus it took quite a time before it was clear that guy wasn't married to the leader's daughter. The trailer music feels like a lie. I like a good martial arts/eastern story, but this was just too silly for me. Probably a good portion of it was because it felt like Reeves just wanted to play samurai. If it had been an Asian actor in there, MAYBE I would have liked it a bit better, but I doubt it. The funny thing is that a lot of commenters on the trailer video mentioned the tattooed skeleteon man was in the trailer longer than he was in the movie, and that's basically true.
____________________________
Catching Fire (2013)
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after
their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the
Districts of Panem.
Director:
Francis Lawrence
Writers:Francis Lawrence
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzGXqJSDJ8
Rented from the library; watched sola.
There were a few more changes in this film from the book, but I'm having a hard time recalling, since it's not as ingrained in me as some superfans. I know some of the stuff with Snow in the office and the kiss that was recorded (time-wise). Madge was left out. Getting locked out of the district by the fence, the runaways at the lake. Katniss seeing Peeta's drawing in the training center. But I still enjoyed the film.
_____________________________
Grey Gardens (1975)
An old mother and her middle-aged daughter, the aunt and cousin of
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, live their eccentric lives in a filthy,
decaying mansion in East Hampton.
Stars:
Edith Bouvier Beale,
Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale,
Brooks Hyers |
See full cast and crew »
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mumWYU5aHBU
FULL MOVIE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXxm2y3ehdQ
Watched online with my S.O.
This movie is all sorts of uncomfortable. Like watching a trainwreck. The original trailer paints it quite differently as a 'beautiful portrayal of a mother and daughter'. Um, no it felt a bit exploitative to me. Watching two mentally unbalanced women living together, stuck in the past, and more often than not, screaming AT each other in a stilted theatrical manner of yesteryear. And seeing all of the merchandise online afterwards glorifying it? Ugh. Little Edie walked around with a sweater wrapped on her head and fed the raccoons that snuck into the house, destroying the wall. But I can't say I was completely appalled by these women. After watching this, you got to understand their thought process a little better. I even told Andy that THIS is what would happen to my mother and I were we to be cooped in a house with no human contact and only our pets. Some level of craziness would ensue at least, but nothing like this. While interesting, and perhaps an important look at the mental imbalances that some people do endure, it was disheartening to watch, especially not knowing if they received any of the proceeds from the film or anything else. That being said, we plan to watch the motion picture version tonight, so expect to read up on that next time :P
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mumWYU5aHBU
FULL MOVIE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXxm2y3ehdQ
Watched online with my S.O.
This movie is all sorts of uncomfortable. Like watching a trainwreck. The original trailer paints it quite differently as a 'beautiful portrayal of a mother and daughter'. Um, no it felt a bit exploitative to me. Watching two mentally unbalanced women living together, stuck in the past, and more often than not, screaming AT each other in a stilted theatrical manner of yesteryear. And seeing all of the merchandise online afterwards glorifying it? Ugh. Little Edie walked around with a sweater wrapped on her head and fed the raccoons that snuck into the house, destroying the wall. But I can't say I was completely appalled by these women. After watching this, you got to understand their thought process a little better. I even told Andy that THIS is what would happen to my mother and I were we to be cooped in a house with no human contact and only our pets. Some level of craziness would ensue at least, but nothing like this. While interesting, and perhaps an important look at the mental imbalances that some people do endure, it was disheartening to watch, especially not knowing if they received any of the proceeds from the film or anything else. That being said, we plan to watch the motion picture version tonight, so expect to read up on that next time :P
________________________________
Sleepers (1996)
After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a
detention center where they are brutalized; over 10 years later, they
get their chance for revenge.
Director:
Barry Levinson
Writers:Barry Levinson
Lorenzo Carcaterra (book),
Barry Levinson (screenplay)
Stars:TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1piB0xIkvUU
From collection of my S.O. Watched together.
An interesting slice-of-life in the beginning, but hard to watch once they get sent to the detention center. Made me want to beat the shit out of Kevin Bacon, so that means it made you understand the characters and put yourself in their places. It was hard to tell the boys apart or at least to correspond them to their grown-up characters. This is an example of how film can show us other worlds that we never want to see.... as a reminder that our reality isn't the only reality in this world.
_______________________________________
Shaolin Soccer (2001)
A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a
soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.
Director:
Stephen Chow
Writers:Stephen Chow
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfuTz2pT7tQ
From the collection of my S.O. Watched together.
This is fun and silly and the right kind of goofy spoof. It was interesting to have the audio in English AND the subtitles too because there were some disparities. I generally like to have the audio in the native tongue and the English subtitles, but I'm not sure how the DVD menu was setup. Anyway, good for a laugh, if you like absurdist/eastern/tongue-in-cheek comedy genres.
_______________________
9 (2009)
A rag doll that awakens in a postapocalyptic future holds the key to humanity's salvation.
Director:
Writers:
Pamela Pettler (screenplay),
Shane Acker (story)
Stars:
Elijah Wood,
Jennifer Connelly,
Crispin Glover |
See full cast and crew »
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGqUB2iXbhM
From my collection, watched with S.O.
This was not quite the movie I thought it would be. Quite a bit darker and definitely not for kids with all the corpses around. Not quite the 'normal' Tim Burton movie but has plenty of elements related to him. It was okay. I was glad the female character was kick-ass. :) Yay for strong female characters, even when animated.
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGqUB2iXbhM
From my collection, watched with S.O.
This was not quite the movie I thought it would be. Quite a bit darker and definitely not for kids with all the corpses around. Not quite the 'normal' Tim Burton movie but has plenty of elements related to him. It was okay. I was glad the female character was kick-ass. :) Yay for strong female characters, even when animated.
________________________________
St. Vincent (2014)
A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend
and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives
next door.
Director:
Theodore Melfi
Writer:Theodore Melfi
Theodore Melfi (screenplay)
Stars:
Bill Murray,
Melissa McCarthy,
Naomi Watts |
See full cast and crew »
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dP5lJnJHXg
Watched for $2 at a small town theater with my S.O.
I'd wanted to see this film since I saw the trailer because I really like Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy (I even wrote a film script I'd love for her to be in... so pass that along if you can ;) teehee). The film was pretty dang good. Well-rounded, imperfect characters. The little boy Jaeden Lieberher did an AMAZING job of portraying that innocence. I just wanted to protect him every time I saw him. Oh and the fluffy kitty made me squeal too. I LOVE Chris O'Dowd so it was fun to see him too. It seemed like he got to be his crazy self. For those of you with Hulu, check him out on Moone Boy and The IT Crowd.Oh, and yes I recommend this movie.
Stars:
Watched in theatre
Stars:
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dP5lJnJHXg
Watched for $2 at a small town theater with my S.O.
I'd wanted to see this film since I saw the trailer because I really like Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy (I even wrote a film script I'd love for her to be in... so pass that along if you can ;) teehee). The film was pretty dang good. Well-rounded, imperfect characters. The little boy Jaeden Lieberher did an AMAZING job of portraying that innocence. I just wanted to protect him every time I saw him. Oh and the fluffy kitty made me squeal too. I LOVE Chris O'Dowd so it was fun to see him too. It seemed like he got to be his crazy self. For those of you with Hulu, check him out on Moone Boy and The IT Crowd.Oh, and yes I recommend this movie.
____________________________________
Mockingjay (2014)
When Katniss destroys the games, she goes to District 13 after District
12 is destroyed. She meets President Coin who convinces her to be the
symbol of rebellion, while trying to save Peeta from the Capitol.
Director:
Francis Lawrence
Writers:Francis Lawrence
Stars:
Watched in theatre
I had a hard time figuring out where the story was beginning. I guess that's the downfall of reading all the books and watching the movies all at once. Although to be fair I read, then watched, read then watched each movie. It felt like this one left out more than the others, or changed it up more. The presence of Effie and NOT the prep team, the raining in the stairwell during evacuation, the firing at the Capital, the broadcast with Snow, Finnick not giving Katniss a rope, more deterioration in the relationship between Gale and Katniss. This one was 'okay'. I really just want to watch the second one and re-read the books and re-watch the movies, just to get a more clear picture in my head. This wasn't a 'stand-alone' movie, that's sure.
________________________________________
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien
construction crew, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his
friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
Director:
Garth Jennings
Writers:Garth Jennings
Stars:
From the personal collection of my S.O.; watched together
This trailer is probably the most accurate portrayal of a movie I've ever seen!! lol. I hadn't read the book, but this tells me it's probably written in the same high-intellect but silly vein. As much as I love Zooey Deschanel, she often gets cast as the pretty, quirky girl, usually, as is Hollywood's norm, opposite men too old for her (like Will Ferrell in Elf - 13 year difference). I had to look up this, and it seems that her male love interest is 9 years older. Okay, not the worst, but still. Also of note... just as in Elf, Zooey had a scene in which she was showering and the male character entered the room to talk. Odd. Anywho. This was an absurd comedy that takes light the idea of other worlds and the search for the 'answer'. Enjoyable.
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