Day Three Recap Memorial Day Weekend Movie Marathon

 Alrighty, here's the final installment from the movie marathon weekend. I only added two more movies on that Sunday since I was kind of burnt out by that afternoon. Here we go...

Casino Royale: The idea of Daniel Craig as James Bond never really thrilled me. I mean a blond Bond? The horror! Not that I dislike Daniel Craig at all. I actually like him. Just never thought of him as the James Bond type. Additionally I've never been much of James Bond fan (although I say Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan were the two best). The movie was alright but far too long for my taste. Overall score: C+.

In Bruges: Although it has some funny quotes and parts of it totally amused me I think generally speaking this movie is overrated. I'm not saying it's bad. Maybe, like some other films, it needs to be seen more than once to really appreciate it. Can't say I'm a big fan of Colin Farrell, with the exception of his role in Horrible Bosses. Overall rating: C.

That's it for now. About to watch the next movie on the list and I may try to watch a few tomorrow as well.

Recap of Day Two of the Movie Marathon

 On the second day of my marathon I had much more time to watch movies. I started in the early afternoon after wrangling my poor pug to the groomers to get a dreaded nail trim/grinding. In total I managed to scratch four more films off of the poster. Here are my thoughts...

The Goonies: I'm sure there are plenty of you thinking how is it possible that I have not seen this movie yet, considering I was old enough to have watched it when it came out. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure of the answer. For some reason I had some pre-conceived notion that I would hate it (kind of like why I never saw The Princess Bride until 2008 or 2009...but to the dismay of a great many people I actually did hate that one). With The Goonies I found myself wondering why I had resisted watching it for so long. I enjoyed the movie, however, I'm still not a fan of Corey Feldman. Never really was. Overall rating: B+.

Little Miss Sunshine: Didn't have an opinion of this movie prior to watching. I'm not sure I had ever heard of it prior to looking at the poster. I like Greg Kinnear and Steve Carrell most of the time. It was definitely a cute movie...and I was surprised by the ending. I think my overall rating for this one is an A-. Could have been better in some places...but worth watching. 

Wall-E: Disclaimer prior to my review...I haven't watched many animated movies (Disney or otherwise) since about 1994 (after The Lion King). I'm not a fan of most of the offerings since that time. There are some exceptions but Wall-E is not one of them. I liked the main character generally speaking, however, I thought he was a poor imitation of Johnny 5 from Short Circuit. I just could not get into it and the repetitive underlying message about the dangers of climate change kind of annoyed me. It's a good message in small doses but they really hit you over the head with it in this movie. The animation itself was pretty good...no issue with that. Overall rating D+. I expect better from Disney Pixar.

Casablanca: A true Hollywood classic. My only true critique of this movie was the overuse of its most famous quote. I was under the impression it was only said once not several times in rapid succession. I liked the characters and the storyline. In some ways it kind of reminds me of another film (probably unknown to a great many people) The Battle of Algiers. But since I'm fairly certain Casablanca came first I will make the assumption that perhaps it was an inspiration for Franz Fanon (or maybe not, not like I can ask the guy). Overall rating: A.

Coming up next will be the review of the final two movies I watched that weekend. After 8 I kind of got burnt out and couldn't watch anymore.  

Night One Recap from Memorial Day Weekend Movie Marathon

 Hi all! I'm back. Should have written these next three entries sooner but I got distracted with vacation and work stuff. Another 3 day weekend so I'll catch up on the entries and try to knock a few more off of the list. 

The first day of the movie marathon (well night since I worked on Friday during the day) resulted in two movies being scratched off. I enjoyed both of them. Now for the reviews...

Dr. Strangelove: It got off to a bit of a slow start and I was questioning my judgment a bit for selecting this as the first film. However, once the basics of the story were established I found the movie pretty dang funny. Topping it off as a pleasant surprise was seeing a very young James Earl Jones in the cast. I've always liked George C. Scott. Overall rating probably a B+ (the slow start keeps it from getting an A).

Monty Python's Life of Brian: My first foray into Monty Python came many, many years ago with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Admittedly I didn't quite get the humor the first couple of times I watched it. Not a huge shock since it's often said that British humor can be an acquired taste. But once I did "get it" I loved it. I kind of expected Life of Brian to be the same sort of acquired taste. Much to my surprise I "got it" pretty much from the start and found the movie hysterical. Overall rating: A.

Next post will review day two of the marathon.

Two More off of the List

 Before I start my Memorial Day weekend movie marathon I wanted to write a short entry about the last two movies I checked off of the list. Again, you'll probably be shocked that I had not seen them until recently but that's okay. 

First up was "Pulp Fiction." I think I previously stated that I am not a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino's movies. While I don't object to some blood and violence (I do typically like action/adventure movies) I find that Tarantino's films usually go a bit overboard on the blood, gore, and violence. At least that is my opinion. Now I was actually a bit surprised by "Pulp Fiction" that it didn't go to the same extreme as films like "From Dusk Till Dawn" (or at least the 2nd half of it) or "Inglorious Basterds" (which I despise for so many reasons...none of which are relevant to this post). So for that reason "Pulp Fiction" is probably the Tarantino film I like the best. 

The second movie crossed off the list is "The Matrix." I left this choice up to a random Facebook poll as which to watch next and it was nearly a unanimous choice. Although my friends seem to overwhelmingly recommend this film I was left less than impressed (and certainly not eager to watch the next films in the series). Maybe it was because I didn't really "get it." I have to admit I was more than a little disappointed because when compared to some of the titles in this challenge it was one I actually wanted to see because so many people I know really like it. Maybe when the challenge is closer to being completed I will give it another try to see if it makes more sense with a second viewing.

With that I will end this entry so that I can start with the movie marathon in about 30 minutes. I'll write a new post reviewing tonight's selection(s).

The First 31 (WARNING! Spoilers may be included)

 Hi again! As promised the next post in this blog will list the first 31 films that I have completed on my 100 Movies Bucket List challenge. As with the films that remain to be seen, I am not sure what criteria was used by the creators of the bucket list to determine why these 100 films should constitute a bucket list. Some, as I'm sure you will agree, are perfectly logical choices (with some of them listed on the AFI's Top 100 Movies of All-Time List). I'll include a short review/opinion of each film listed below. So without further ado let's begin. The order I list them reflects the order in which they appear on the scratch off chart starting in the top and moving left to right (you can see a picture of the poster in the previous post).

WARNING!! There may be details that some would consider spoilers. I try my best to limit including them, however, not everyone agrees on what details are to be considered spoilers. Therefore a detail I consider trivial may be considered by someone else to be a spoiler. Continue at your own risk.

The Shawshank Redemption: I don't remember a great deal about the movie, except that in general I thought it was a decent movie. You can't really go wrong if Morgan Freeman is in the movie.

The Dark Knight: Second of the newer Batman films featuring Christian Bale. Also the one in which Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his supporting role as Joker. For those that have seen the Joker movie with Joaquin Phoenix, I feel like Phoenix's Joker is kind of a mix between Ledger's Joker and Jack Nicholson's Joker...leaning more to the darker side like Ledger. Also has Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. 

E.T.: One of my childhood favorites, but it has been a very long time since I have actually watched the movie. 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: I have seen this movie numerous times...including at a few of the "Live" performances (with props). Clearly Tim Curry was phenomenal in this movie. With that said (and as much as I love Tim Curry) I think there was one person who would have done a better job as Dr. Frank N. Furter...and that person would have been Freddie Mercury. 

Office Space: A comedy classic with lots of quotable lines. Despite it's humor, this is one of the movies I question as to why it's included on a bucket list with some arguably true classics (and taking the place of plenty of movies that might also be considered classics). No matter how many of times I have seen it, I always laugh.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: Of all of the Indiana Jones films, this is my least favorite. Not that it's bad, and probably to the disdain of a great many people, I actually prefer Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade featuring Sir Sean Connery (R.I.P.). 

The Grand Budapest Hotel: One of the more recently made films on the list. I saw it in the theater not long after it came out. I'm not entirely certain that I "got it." Probably one I need to re-watch in order to fully understand it.

The Notebook: Another one of the "I'm not sure why it's on the list" films. Not that I dislike the movie, but it's a pretty standard romantic film that isn't overly special in its plot. The ending was a bit of a twist that I didn't exactly expect. 

The Lion King: Here's where I probably disappoint more than a fair number of readers. I'm not a huge fan of this Disney classic. Of the late 80's/early 90's Disney animated feature films (following Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin) it's my least favorite. I did see the live action remake in 2019 and didn't hate it. 

Stand By Me: A forgotten favorite from my childhood years. Had so many of the cool childhood actors from the 80s (including one Wil Wheaton!). The pie-eating contest is probably my favorite part of the movie.

Dirty Dancing: An 80s classic that I have seen countless times. Great movie but not so great as a musical on-stage (I saw a production of it in Germany back in 2012). Who didn't love Patrick Swayze in this movie?

Jurassic Park: It's the only movie in this franchise I have bothered to watch. Saw it on the big screen when it first came out. Not a particular favorite of mine, but I didn't hate it.

Star Wars Episodes IV, V, and VI: I have yet to see any of the prequels or Episode IX, but as a child growing up in the 80s how could I not have seen the "original" trilogy. It's been awhile since I've seen Episodes V and VI, but still love them.

Schindler's List: One of the best movies on this bucket list (in my humble opinion). It follows fairly close to the book. As a European historian I have a particular interest in WWII and this remains one of my favorite movies dealing with the topic.

Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey Hepburn classic, but not my favorite film of hers (I prefer Sabrina or My Fair Lady). Nonetheless, I don't question the reason for its inclusion on this bucket list. Audrey is likely my favorite actress of all time.

Back to the Future: Hilarious 80s movie that spawned two sequels (Part II was okay, Part III was barely tolerable). Christopher Lloyd's Doc Brown is an endearing character.

Forrest Gump: Another inarguable choice for the list. Although I am far from a big fan of Tom Hanks, I always enjoy this movie (as much for Sally Field and Robin Wright). I love that you can essentially start watching at any point of the movie and not be really lost.

The Silence of the Lambs: Moments of over-the-top gore, but at least it fits with the overall plot of the movie (unlike a few others that come to mind that include gratuitous violence). Hard to have a movie where a cannibal is one of the central characters and not include some blood. 

Se7en: I can't say I like Brad Pitt much off screen, but I like a lot of his movies...especially his earlier films. Throw in Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey and it's even better. Spacey always plays such a phenomenal bad guy!

Airplane!: Slapstick comedy with memorable lines. Not my favorite comedy of all time, but certainly one I enjoy watching whenever it comes on TV.

Mean Girls: Another member of the "why is this movie on the list" club. I like the movie and enjoy watching it anytime I come across it. Doubtful it deserves to be on a 100 Movie Bucket List.

Ghostbusters: Always an entertaining flick. Unfortunate victim of an unnecessary reboot a few years ago. Not sure why Hollywood feels it needs to remake classic movies other than a lack of new, original ideas to make into movies. 

The Green Mile: Not a favorite, but I can see why it was included. At least it has a unique storyline...even if I found myself losing focus during parts of the movie.

Rocky: I liked all of the Rocky movies up to and including Rocky IV. I haven't bothered with anything since, with the exception of the first Creed movie. 

Citizen Kane: The most obvious classic movie on the list. The standard by which many films are judged and certainly way ahead of its time. I was introduced to this movie in a film class at a local community college and found myself enjoying it. Said to be loosely based on William Randolph Hearst.

American History X: Certainly not appropriate for all audiences...very graphic in nature. Not among my favorites. 

Brokeback Mountain: Questionable choice for the list at best. At worst it was 2 hours and 14 minutes of my life I can't ever have back. Not even Heath Ledger can make this movie worth watching.

Titanic: Despite knowing from the very beginning how the movie was destined to end, I still cried. I still cry at the end every time I watch it. The only regrettable thing about this movie is that someone decided it should be re-released in a 3D version. I only watched the 3D version because it was about the only thing open on Good Friday during my semester abroad in Germany (practically everything shuts down on religious holidays and Sundays). The only time the 3D produced a good effect was when the water was rushing through the lower levels of the boat.

The Pianist: The most recent addition to my list of completed movies. A very dark movie, but appropriately so given the subject matter. Not likely to watch it again.

The Truman Show: Unique storyline played brilliantly by Jim Carrey (despite the fact that I essentially loathe Jim Carrey). I can really only tolerate him in a few movies...luckily this was one of them.

The Wizard of Oz: Another classic that truly deserves to be on a list like this. Personally, I'm not a huge fan but I can enjoy watching it on occasion. Of course the movie required that certain elements of the original story be changed to better suit the big screen. People familiar with turn-of-the-century American history might know that the original book was actually a Populist allegory (look it up). I'm always amused knowing that the Cowardly Lion was based on former U.S. Senator and 3X failed Presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan.

Well...there you have it. The first 31 films on the list. Future blog posts won't likely be this long as I won't wait for another 31 to be watched before writing about them. Until next time...

Introduction and welcome to my movie blog

 Hi everyone! Welcome to my movie blog. I'll start by telling you a little bit about what this blog is going to be about and what you can likely expect. Obviously it's about movies...but let me be more specific. Although I do enjoy doing movie reviews on occasion they will not be focus of my posts...at least not at first. Instead I'm inviting you all to join me on my various movie watching challenges. The idea is pretty straightforward. Not long ago I purchased one of those scratch off bucket list posters. This particular poster includes 100 movies to see. As of today I have seen 31 out of the 100 movies listed. Below is a picture of how the poster looks with the 31 movies scratched off.

My goal is scratch off as many of the remaining 69 movies as I can. With that goal in mind I have decided that I am going to spend the better part of my Memorial Day weekend engaged in a "Bucket List Movie Marathon." I may watch a few titles as time permits in the weeks leading up to the marathon. 

I have always considered myself something of a movie buff. I love movie trivia and I can routinely quote from several of my favorite films at length. For example, I can recite a large portion of the original "Major League" movie (so many great quotes from that movie). I don't rule out entire genres, although I am far less inclined to watch horror movies...not because I am scared of them; I just generally find them lacking in a decent plot/storyline. They are also typically somewhat predictable in nature (my opinion). Probably my two favorite genres are comedy and musicals. I've been known to enjoy films that other people would probably dismiss as weird while avoiding (or disliking) many films that some people consider classics. This last part is one of the reasons why the movie bucket list poster presents such a challenge...it will "force" me to watch some movies that I have put off watching. I'm sure plenty of you out there will ask yourself "how can she claim to be a movie buff if she hasn't seen xx film." I invite y'all to share your comments/opinions of the movies I watch. I'll probably add a short review of each film (along with my overall opinion of the film).

That's about all for the introduction. The next post will provide a list of the 1st 31 movies that have already been completed along with a very short blurb about each. Then follow along as I work towards completing this challenge.

Thanks for reading!