30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #22

Day 22. Movie You Wish You Could Live In

This category was hard because I’ve already used a lot of movies that I would want to live in in other categories. Here are a few others that I would find interesting to live in.

• The Wizard of Oz (1939)–Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley. With all the magic and wonderful characters who wouldn’t want to live in the Land of Oz?? Plus I want to live in a world where randomly breaking out into song is a normal occurrence!

• Accepted (2006)–A high school slacker who’s rejected by every school he applies to opts to create his own institution of higher learning, the South Harmon Institute of Technology, on a rundown piece os property near his hometown. Starring Justin Long, Jonah Hill and Blake Lively. This just seems like the most fun college ever!

• Monte Carlo (2011)–Three young women vacationing in Paris find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress. Starring Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy and Cory Monteith. Who wouldn’t want to be mistaken for a princess and get to play dress up in some fabulous clothes…and shoes!!

• Star Trek (2009)–The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father’s legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time. Directed by J.J. Abrams. Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Karl Urban and Zoe Saldana. I want to hang out in space with these two beautiful guys.

• National Treasure (2004)–A treasure hunter is in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure that has been passed down for centuries, while his employer turned enemy is onto the same path that he’s on. Starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight. I love scavenger hunts! Living a real one could be really awesome!!

What movie do you wish you could live in??

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 Challenge: Day #11

Day 11. Favorite Kid’s Movie

Because there is an animated feature day, I’m only focusing on live action kid’s movies. Again I am still a kid at heart and still watch a lot of kid’s movies. Sometimes they just remind me of my childhood and other times I like to watch them if I’m having a bad day or I’m sick. They just make everything better.

• The Parent Trap (1998)–Identical twins, separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make a plan to bring their wayward parents back together. Starring Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson. Back when Lindsay Lohan was adorable…I miss those days. Who doesn’t love a movie about twins played by one actor who switch places? Need I say more?

• The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)–Now settled in Genovia, Princess Mia faces a new revelation: she’s being primed for an arranged marriage to an English suitor. Starring Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo and Chris Pine. I’m not really sure why I love the sequel more than the first movie (maybe it’s Chris Pine??) but I do. It’s my go to movie when I’m not feeling well.

• Jumanji (1995)–When two kids play an old magic board-game they found, they release a man trapped for decades in it and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game. Starring Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst and Bonnie Hunt. I guess I started liking suspenseful movies when I was little. And I love boardgames!! Put the two together and of course I’m gonna love it!!

• Matilda (1996)–Story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents ever and the worst school principal imaginable. Danny DeVito directs and stars along with Mara Wilson, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris. It’s a really inspiring story for anyone. I think she is just the cutest thing! Whenever I hear the song I think of this movie!

• Hook (1991)–When Captain Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams and Julia Roberts. A great twist on Peter Pan! I think Robin Williams was a big part of my childhood…I love him!

Do you have a favorite kid’s movie or a favorite movie from your childhood??