30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #30

Day 30. Last Movie You Watched

I’m so sad to say that this is the last day of my movie challenge. I’ve enjoyed doing this challenge so much…maybe I’ll find another challenge to do in a few months or so. Let me know if you have any suggestions. My thoughts are maybe a tv or photo challenge. Anyway here’s the last day of the movie challenge!

• Butter (2012)–In small-town Iowa, an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman in their town’s annual contest. Starring Jennifer Garner, Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman, Ashley Greene, Alicia Silverstone, Ty Burrell, Rob Corddry and Yara Shahidi. Yes this movie is all about butter sculpting but I loved it! There is such an emphasis on the characters and their relationships that make this story so touching. They are crazy yet so endearing. The cast is wonderful! Definitely recommending this movie!

• Now and Then (1995)–Four 12-year-old girls grow up together during an eventful small-town summer in 1970. Starring Christina Ricci, Rosie O’Donnell, Gaby Hoffmann, Demi Moore, Thora Birch, Melanie Griffith, Ashleigh Aston Moore and Rita Wilson. This is one of my all-time favorites and it didn’t really fit into any of the other categories so I figured I would watch it and mention it here. It’s a great coming of age story with all the fun and weirdness of being a kid/preteen.

• Gone Baby Gone (2007)–Two Boston area detectives investigate a little girl’s kidnapping, which ultimately turns into a crisis both professionally and personality. Based on the Dennis Lehane novel. Written and directed by Ben Affleck. Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan. I’ve seen this movie a handful of times but it was the 99 cent rental on iTunes so i figured I would watch it again. I really love Ben Affleck behind the camera! He did a wonderful job with this film as well as The Town. I’ve also heard great things about Argo. I can’t wait to see it.

• Save the Date (2012)–Sarah begins to confront her shortcomings after she rejects her boyfriend’s hasty proposal and soon finds herself in a rebound romance. Meanwhile, her sister Beth is immersed in the details of her wedding. Starring Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Mark Webber and Geoffrey Arend. My girl crush right now is Lizzy Caplan and I just love everything that she does. This movie moves slowly but it’s an interesting look into a woman’s resistance to relationships.

• Riding in Cars With Boys (2001)–A single mother, with dreams of becoming a writer, has a son at the age of 15 in 1965, and goes through a failed marriage with the drug-addicted father. Starring Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Brittany Murphy, James Wood and Lorraine Bracco. This is another favorite of mine that I sometimes forget about because it is pretty sad. I love Drew Barrymore and I think this is one the best roles she’s ever played.

What was the last movie you watched??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #14

Day 14. Favorite Documentary

I’ll admit that this is not my favorite genre of film. I find many of them informative but not always entertaining. I feel like I have to pay too much attention or that I’m being forced to watch the movie which makes me least likely to enjoy it. These are a few that I was actually entertained during or enjoyed for some reason.

• How to Die in Oregon (2011)–In 1994 Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. At the time, only Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands had legalized the practice. This film tells the stories of those most intimately involved with the practice today–terminally ill Oregonians, their families, doctors and friends–as well as the passage of an assisted suicide law in Washington State. Directed by Peter Richardson. I saw this at the Sydney International Film Festival two summers ago and it was one of the saddest and disturbing things I’ve ever seen. They weave the personal stories of the people wanting physician-assisted suicide with the legal aspect of it all. Truly touching.

• My Date with Drew (2004)–An everyman with $1,100 to his name decides to use the money and the next 30 days to get a date with the girl of his dreams…Drew Barrymore. Brian Herzlinger co-directs and stars. This guy is just sweet and naive enough for this to work. If it were anyone else, this whole journey would be boring or annoying. Also it seemed to come at exactly the right time. Now with all the social media, it would be too easy or just flat out ignored. You pull for this guy to meet Drew through the whole movie.

• Catfish (2010)–Young filmmakers document their colleague’s budding online friendship with a young woman and her family which leads to an unexpected series of discoveries. This was marketed as a scary/horror type movie. It actually focuses on how the internet becomes a facade for people who aren’t exactly happy with how their real lives are going. Your identity online can be completely different from who you really are and your online friends will believe it because they don’t really know you in the real world.

• Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)–A documentary that chronicles Katy Perry’s life on and off-stage. I am a Katy Perry fan but after this movie, I loved her even more. The movie is more than just following her on tour. It explores her as a whole person: her journey to achieve her childhood dream, her family life and her relationship with Russell Brand. Seeing all these different sides to a superstar turns them into a real and relatable person to the public. I cried so much throughout this movie and found it super fun all at the same time.

• Super Size Me (2004)–While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald’s food for one month. I’ve had to watch this in so many classes in high school and college that I’m pretty much over it but still figured I’d add it here since it is pretty eye opening. But the part that sticks out the most in my mind is when Morgan says that when he has kids, every time they pass a fast food restaurant, he’s gonna hit them so they won’t want to eat fast food. I thought that was pretty funny.

Do you have a favorite documentary??

 

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #4

Day 4. Favorite Drama

• We Bought a Zoo (2011)–Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo. Cameron Crowe directs. Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson star. I’m a sucker for a good family film, through in some animals and a cute kid and I’m gonna love it!

• Beyond Borders (2003)–An epic tale of the turbulent romance between two star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the world’s most dangerous hot spots. Stars Clive Owen and Angelina Jolie. Not only does this movie have a tortured love story, it also focuses on the issues that surround Cambodia. It’s a touching story that really shows Jolie as more than just an action star.

• The Departed (2006)–Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy’s identities. Martin Scorsese directs a star studded cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga and Alec Baldwin. Everything about this movie is fantastic!

• Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)–The “real” story of Cinderella. A refreshing new take on the classic fairy tale. Stars Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston and Dougray Scott. I think this is my favorite version of Cinderella. I love the wardrobe for the movie!

• The Breakfast Club (1985)–Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought. John Hughes writes and directs. Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald star. By far the best teenage/coming-of-age story! Still relevant and always will be!!

What are your favorite dramas??