Tag: movies

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Movie Monday Uncategorized

Begin Again

Before Sunrise/Before Sunset/Before Midnight

After seeing Boyhood, we decided we HAD to watch the rest of Richard Linklater’s films. We were not disappointed with this trilogy of films about two strangers who spend one night walking around Austria, just talking and getting to know each other, followed by their interaction at two later dates. Simple and sweet. Streamed two of the movies from Amazon and rented one of them from Redbox.

 

Begin Again

We were super lucky a couple of weeks ago to get free passes to two different movies through AMC and their Stubs reward program. Begin Again was one of them, and I was totally blown away by how much I loved this movie. Witty and smart, it’s definitely one of the year’s best Indie dramas. If you’re looking to be uplifted in that authentic life-is-difficult-but-it-will-all-be-okay kind of way, this is your movie. Saw at AMC, courtesy of free passes from the AMC Independent Facebook page.

 

As Above/So Below

This was our other free movie from AMC, and as horror movie aficionados, we were super excited to see it. I wouldn’t say it was groundbreaking, but it was a fun ride, and the Paris catacombs as a setting was a nice touch. Saw at AMC courtesy of AMC Stubs and Fandango.

 

A Night in the Woods

Speaking of horror movies, we’re always on the lookout for good ones that flew under the radar. The Tribeca designation has begun to symbolize smart, innovative filmmaking in the genre, so we were anxious to give this one a try. It didn’t quite hold up to The Resolution, but it was a quality film that definitely gave us the creeps. The English moor setting was unique, and I think you’ll like this one if you’re a fan of movies like The Blair Witch. Streamed from Amazon.

 

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Movie Monday Uncategorized

What If…?

Last week’s movies for you movie buffs!

What If

We saw What If as a matinee ($6!). It’s a garden variety Indie RomCom centered around a group of hipsters and their romantic dilemmas, primarily Wallace and his attraction to best friend, Chantry. Kind of an updated When Harry Met Sally. Entertaining but not groundbreaking.

 

Locke

This movie featuring Tom Hardy was one we hotly anticipated earlier in the year, but it never made it to our theater (I’m not sure it was ever taken out of limited release). The entire movie is set in a car while one man makes an hours-long drive that becomes a transition to a life-changing event. It might sound boring, but the intensity of the story illustrates that a movie (or book or whatever) doesn’t have to be high-concept to be gripping. Tom Hardy is awe-inspiring as the average man trying to keep hold of his tightly controlled emotions during a tumultuous event that is largely out of his control. Rented through Redbox.

 

Last Love

A lovely little movie about love, loss, family, and what it means to really be alive. Michael Caine is transcendent as an American widower living in Paris. He’s just kind of going through the motions of life until he meets a young woman who ignites a long lost spark in him. This is not a romantic movie in the way you might think, but it’s lovely and beautiful and a little sad. We loved it! Streamed on Netflix.

 

Final Destination

Watched this classic with the kids because they hadn’t seen it. Way better than the follow ups, and entertaining as scary movies go. It holds up pretty well for an older movie. I think we streamed this on Amazon. Couldn’t find the trailer for the original, but I’m sure you don’t need it!

😉

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Life Uncategorized

You’re So Money

Time for this week’s movie update for all you fellow cinefiles.

😉

 

Saw BOYHOOD for our Friday matinee and it was every bit as wonderful and emotional and moving as I expected it to be. Filmed over twelve years using the same cast, the movie speaks to the universal struggle of growing up and growing older, and somehow you leave the theater feeling a little less alone on the journey. The film is in limited release (we had quite a few showings last week, only two this week, and I suspect it will be gone by next week), so jump at the chance to see it if you can.

 

Friday night we watched SWINGERS, a 90s movie featuring a young Vince Vaughn and John Favreaux. I’d seen it before, but it had been awhile and I’m glad I got to watch it with the kids. How else can we say, “You’re so money, and you don’t even know it,” to each other and get the reference? Streaming on Netflix.

 

Saturday the littlest Z and I watched DRINKING BUDDIES while everyone else was out. It was an entertaining look at the complexity of male/female friendships, although a bit slow on the pacing side. That said, it’s streaming on Netflix, and there’s something to be said for free movies.

 

We continued our late night Saturday tradition by watching the horror movie OCULUS. I was surprised by how good this one was. It was extremely well-written, with little of the gore that characterizes a lot of scary movies. Instead the film relies on psychological terror (my favorite!) and a tense round of flashbacks to the incident that shaped events in the modern day timeline. I was on the edge of my seat through most of the movie, and we all agreed that it was a win in terms of horror films. I think we might have streamed this one from Amazon for $2.99.

 

Happy Movie Watching, guys, and Happy Weekend!!

🙂

 

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Life Movie Monday Uncategorized

Compliance, Syriana, Resolution, Wish I Was Here

Since we watch so many movies in our house, I thought I’d start giving you guys a heads up on the ones we like, especially streaming since that’s a nice, low-cost form of entertainment, and I think we’re all familiar with the agony of wading through the thousands of available movie on five different streaming services.

Last weekend we got lucky with FOUR movies that are good bets all around. Following are the trailers and a brief rundown on each.

COMPLIANCE

Deeply unsettling, especially since it’s based on a true story. I couldn’t help wondering not only how much we’ve all been brainwashed into complying with any kind of authority figure, but how many young women would feel powerless in this kind of situation. Terrifying.

SYRIANA

A political thriller that explores the complex nature of our relationship with oil and the lengths governments across the globe — our own included — will go to secure it. I love movieswith intersecting story lines like this one (a la TRAFFIC).

RESOLUTION

We were looking for a horror movie and ended up with this Tribeca film about a guy who holes up with his best friend in the middle of nowhere to help him get clean. It was really disturbing, and there was tons of symbolism that I didn’t fully grasp until we read the analysis. One of those gems you feel fortunate to stumble upon.

And if you’re looking to go to the theater, WISH I WAS HERE was a fun romp through Zac Braff’s brain. It wasn’t technically perfect, but it was moving and real and I really enjoyed it. Plus, it has a an awesome soundtrack.

 

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Movie Monday Uncategorized

 “Sometimes you need to do something bad to stop you from doing something worse.”

This one’s for my fellow cinephiles. If you haven’t seen STOKER, you must. Beautiful, riveting, and twisted is only the beginning. The score is amazing, too, and I’m especially grateful for the introduction to Emily Wells, whose song BECOMES THE COLOR brings the film to a perfect close.

 

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Little Things The Little Things

Little Things – Movies

Now that I finally have a little break between writing projects, I’ve been watching tons of movies. The visual is such a nice break from the words streaming constantly through my mind. Plus, with Netflix and Redbox and all the other video and streaming services, it’s good, cheap entertainment. Make some popcorn or dish some ice cream, and you pretty much have the perfect recipe for writerly downtime.

All of which make at-home movies this week’s little pleasure.