30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #27

Day 27. Movie With Your Favorite Villain

• Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988)–John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save wife Holly Dennaro and several others, taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. Starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia. There is something about Alan Rickman that makes an awesome bad guy. He’s freaky and so badass! LOVE HIM!

• Cruella De Vil in 101 Dalmatians (1996)–A woman kidnaps puppies to kill them for their fur, but various animals then gang up against her and get their revenge in slapstick fashion. Starring Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels and Joely Richardson. I think that Cruella De Vil is one of the best Disney villains! I was even her for Halloween one year. Glenn Close does a great job bringing this animated character to life that she is forever known in my mind as Cruella.

• Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (1991)–A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims. Starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. I think this is self explanatory. I mean he eats people. He’s so good at being so freaking creepy!

• The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008)–When Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent launch an assault on the mob, they let the clown out of the box, the Joker, bent on turning Gotham on itself and bringing any heroes down to his level. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman. Health brought it all to this character. The creepiest part of this character was all the little ticks and mannerisms.

• Hilly Holbrook in The Help (2011)–An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African-American maids’ point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis. Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain. She isn’t as evil as the rest but there is a more real-life evil to her. She totally got what was coming to her!

Who’s your favorite movie villain??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #16

Day 16. Favorite Book Adaptation

I used to be a big reader but not so much lately. I really only wanted to add movies that I’ve read the books of. The books are usually better than the movies but there can still be good movies to come from books.

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999/2012)–An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world. The book and the movie were written by Stephen Chbosky. He also directed the movie starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Nina Dobrev, Nicholas Braun, Paul Rudd, Mae Whitman, Melanie Lynskey and Joan Cusack. I was lucky enough to see a preview of this movie with a Q&A with Stephen Chbosky afterwards. He informed us that we were actually the first paying audience of the movie! How awesome?! I think this is a great adaptation because you have someone who wrote the book, making the movie. Obviously he wants what’s best for his story.

• The Hunger Games (2008/2012)–Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for the latest match. Suzanne Collins wrote the book and cowrote the screenplay with director Gary Ross. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland. Having a teen book that is that gruesome is hard to turn into a film without making an R rating. Somehow they were able to keep a low rating and still show the horror that their world has come to. I’m a little skeptical about the sequel changing directors, so we’ll just have to see where it goes.

• Harry Potter Series (1997-2007/2001-2011)–The stories chronicle the adventures of a wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry’s quest to overcome the Dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. The books are written by J. K. Rowling. The movies star Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Evanna Lynch, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and so many more. Even though there are so many things missing from the movies and the books are a million times better, these movies bring a visual telling of the stories. To actually see what this world looks like and watch the action unfold is amazing and with such great special effects.

• Alice in Wonderland (1865/2010)–19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The book is written by Lewis Carroll. Tim Burton directs. Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman. I love how crazy and trippy the book is and that is exactly what Tim Burton the genius did with this movie!

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958/1961)–A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building. Truman Capote wrote the book. The movie stars Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Another favorite movie of mine. I love the elegance that Audrey Hepburn brings to every role she does!
  

• Out of Africa (1937/1985)–In 20th century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter. The book was written by Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen (actually my great great aunt). Sydney Pollack directs. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star. Ok so I had to add this even though I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. But it was nominated for so many awards and I know so many people who love the book/movie that I figured I would add it. Plus how cool is it that I’m related to her??

What do you think is the best book adaptation??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #15

Day 15. Favorite Play Adaption Independent Films

I’ve seen and read a lot of plays but not many that have been made into movies…or good movies worth seeing. I don’t feel like doing this one and I felt that there was a major category missing: indie movies. I’m obsessed with independent films but I have a hard time comparing them to bigger films in each category…they deserve their own. Sorry it’s so many, I just couldn’t cut it down so here goes.

• Bottle Shock (2008)–The story of the early days of California wine making featuring the now infamous, blind Paris wine tasting of 1976 that has come to be known as “Judgment of Paris.” Starring Chris Pine, Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman. Wine, Alan Rickman, Chris Pine with long hair…what more could you ask for in a movie?

• HappyThankYouMorePlease (2010)–Captures a generational moment-young people on the cusp of truly growing up, tiring of their reflexive cynicism, each in their own ways struggling to connect and define what it means to love and be loved.  Josh Radnor writes, directs and stars along side of Malin Akerman, Zoe Kazan and Kate Mara. Josh Radnor is just amazing!! I love Ted Mosby!!

• The Amateurs (2005)–Citizens of a small town, under the influence of a man in the midst of a mid-life crisis, come together to make an adult film. Starring Jeff Bridges, Ted Danson, Joe Pantoliano and Lauren Graham. A hilarious film with extremely quirky characters making a porno…just so freaking funny!!

• Trucker (2008)–A trucker, leading a life free of depth and on the way to nowhere, is forced to make a decision about her aggressive loner 11-year-old son whom she openly deserted ten years previously. Starring Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion and Benjamin Bratt. I seriously love Michelle Monaghan in this movie. She plays a good tough woman.

• Wild Target (2010)–A hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief may change his plans. Starring Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Grint. A great mixture of comedy and action. Watching the characters figure out what is going on is the highlight of the film.

• Ruby Sparks (2012)–A novelist struggling with writer’s block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence. Zoe Kazan writes and stars along side of Paul Dano, Chris Messina, Annette Bening and Antonio Banderas. So freaking adorable!! I love knowing that these two (Zoe and Paul) are dating in real life and Zoe wrote it for them to play these roles. It’s a great look at how people are in love with the idea of someone and not that actual person.

• Sleepwalking (2008)–The drama follows a 12-year-old girl’s struggle to come to terms with her mother’s abandonment. Starring Charlize Theron, Nick Stahl, Dennis Hopper, and AnnaSophia Robb. This movie is a bit haunting as a young girl tries to figure out what to do when her mother leaves. She develops a real child/parent relationship with her uncle who really wants to do good by her.

• Win Win (2011)–A struggling lawyer and volunteer wrestling coach’s chicanery comes back to haunt him when the teenage grandson on the client he’s double-crossed comes into his life. Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy. Starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor, Melanie Lynskey and Alex Shaffer. There is something so real about getting caught up in doing something bad for a selfish reason and learning to be a better person. It’s a remarkable cast!

• Bachelorette (2012)–Three friends are asked to be bridesmaids at a wedding of a woman they used to ridicule back in high school. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, Rebel Wilson, Adam Scott and James Marsden. It’s a great portrayal of realistic girl friendships…girls seem to have this relationship that is competitive yet they are always there for one another. My favorite part of the whole movie though is the relationship between Lizzy Caplan and Adam Scott’s characters…maybe it’s because I loved them in Party Down but yeah. So fucking funny!!

• Dirty Girl (2010)–It’s 1987 and Danielle, the high school ‘dirty girl’, is running away. With her is chubby, gay Clarke, a bag of flour called Joan and a walkman fill of glorious ’80s tunes. Starring Juno Temple, Jeremy Dozier, Milla Jovovich, Mary Steenburgen, William H. Macy and Tim McGraw. I love this movie! I think that Juno Temple is going to be a huge star!!

What are some of your favorite independent movies??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #9

Day 9. Favorite Musical

I am a big Broadway brat…I think I’ve seen around 60 shows. I’ve always been a fan of musicals–acted in a few when I was little, did drama club in high school, etc. Narrowing it down to 5 favorites in this category was tough!!

• Funny Face (1957)–Fashion photographer Dick Avery, turns a Greenwich Village unknown into an international supermodel. Starring Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson. This is one of my favorite movies! I love Audrey Hepburn in everything she did but especially this movie. She’s s’wonderful and s’marvelous.

• Chicago (2002)–Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn’t going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago. Starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and John C. Reilly. Everything about this movie is perfection…especially John C. Reilly singing Mr. Cellophane. Oh gosh now it’s gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the week.

• Grease (1978)–Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? Starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing. Seriously who doesn’t love this movie? It’s by far the best musical ever! I sing along with every song whenever I watch it. Which seems to be at least every few months! Oh and whenever I get the chills, I feel the need to sing…”I’ve got the chills they’re multiplying!”

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)–The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a. Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman. Ok so this movie is basically the cast of Harry Potter and Johnny Depp. This musical has a special place in my heart…I went to see it on Broadway for my sweet sixteenth birthday. It might be one of the best stage to movie adaptations ever! It feels like a stage production with the fake blood and all. Who knew Johnny Depp could sing?

• Annie (1982)–A young orphan girl’s adventures in finding a family that will take her. Starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett. Nobody can resist a little red-headed orphan girl with an adorable mutt who is overly optimistic. The music is great and Carol Burnett is the perfect villain.

What is your favorite musical?