30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #25

Day 25. Movie With the Most Beautiful Scenery

Sometimes, the main reason to see a film is all about how it looks. Some films are able to create these whole other worlds that are completely beautiful. Whether it’s from the locations or CGI or the cinematography, if a film looks beautiful, it’s going to be worth watching at least once. That’s the whole point of film–they tell stories in a visual way.

• Avatar (2009)–A paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home. Written and directed by James Cameron. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver. I couldn’t find any pictures that truly give this movie justice. I think it’s just beautiful. Too bad there is so much destruction throughout the movie.

• Marie Antoinette (2006)–The retelling of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 15 to her reign as queen at 19 to the end of her reign as queen and ultimately the fall of Versailles. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman and Rip Torn. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this movie…I don’t think I cared too much for the story but the cinematography is amazing. The lavishness of the culture is exquisit. The costumes and decorations are the reason to see this movie!

• Inception (2010)–In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Marion Cotillard. I just love the weirdness and craziness to how this movie was shot. This scene below is one of the best shot scenes–it’s just so cool! I also loved seeing these dream worlds being built and destroyed.

• Edward Scissorhands (1990)–An uncommonly gentle young man, who happens to have scissors for hands, falls in love with a beautiful teenage girl. Written and directed by Tim Burton. Starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder and Dianne Wiest. Seeing the dark and twisted juxtaposed with the pastel colored suburbia is a cool mixture. There is an eery beauty to the film. I just love things like this.

•  Shutter Island (2010)–Drama set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Michelle Williams. The mysterious nature of this movie leads to some really creepy and ominous scenes.

What movie do you think has the most beautiful scenery??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #20

Day 20. Movie With Your Favorite Actress

So my all-time favorite actress is Kate Winslet!! She just picks really interesting parts and is a real person. She also has a great sense of style! My mom made my prom dress to look like the dress Kate wore to the Academy Awards in 2005. It’s by far my favorite awards dress ever!!

• Finding Neverland (2004)–The story of J.M. Barrie’s friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan. Starring Johnny Depp, Julie Christie and Freddie Highmore. I love the story of Peter Pan! This is a touching story about the man-child who never grew up.

• The Life of David Gale (2003)–A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row. Starring Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney and Gabriel Mann. The best part of this movie is that you’re not sure what to believe. Is he guilty? Is he innocent? It’s gripping.

• Titanic (1997)–A boy and a girl from differing social backgrounds meet during the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. Written and directed by James Cameron. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates and Bill Paxton. It’s Titanic…I don’t think I need to elaborate. But it was when I fell in love with the both of them. I remember seeing it in the theaters…I was 7 years old and we sat in the second row.

• Quills (2000)–In a Napoleonic era insane asylum, an inmate, the irrepressible Marquis De Sade, fights a battle of wills against a tyrannically prudish doctor. Starring Geoffrey Rush, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Caine. It’s totally crazy and disturbing in so many ways. Yet somehow you can’t take your eyes off it.

• The Holiday (2006)–Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other’s countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love. Starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black. Every character in this movie is so incredibly likable. They’re all charming even when they’re having a difficult time. So sweet and enjoyable.

What’s a movie with your favorite actress??

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 #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?

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #6

Day 6. Favorite Horror

This is the perfect category for this month. Every October, I watch 31 Halloween/horror films because I just love Halloween. I’m in the middle of this month’s list but you can see last year’s list here. I absolutely love slasher movies but most movies in the horror genre don’t really scare me so I had a hard time picking a few favorites.

• Wrong Turn (2003)–Six people find themselves trapped in the woods of West Virginia, hunted down by cannibalistic mountain men grossly disfigured through generations of in-breeding. Stars Eliza Dushku, Jeremy Sisto and Emmanuelle Chiqui. This has to be my favorite slasher film and I’m not really sure why. I just love it!

• Zombieland (2009)–A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, and a gun-toting tough guy trying to find the Last Twinkie and a pair of sisters trying o get to an amusement park join forces to travel across a zombie-filled America. Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin. The greatest zombie movie! There is a great sense of comedy while their entire world is being destroyed by zombies.

• Scream (1996)–A killer known as “ghost face” begins killing off teenagers, and as the body count beings rising, one girl and her friends find themselves contemplating the rules of horror films as they find themselves living in a real-life one. Directed by Wes Craven and stars Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette and a slew of other name actors. This movie is complete genius! Making fun of the horror genre while still being a horror movie…EPIC!! I should also point out that all four Scream movies are included in this but the first one is still the best. My favorite scene of any movie is in this one: Jamie Kennedy is sitting on the couch watching Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween yelling at Jamie to turn around because the killer is behind her. This makes you, as the viewer, yell our to Jamie Kennedy for him to turn around because the killer is behind him. It’s just so clever!

• The Cabin in the Woods (2011)–Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more han they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods. Written and produced by the fantastic Joss Whedon. Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemswoth, Jesse Williams, Fran Kranz, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Amy Acker and Tom Lenk. I had no idea what this movie was really about but I kept hearing wonderful things so I figured I’d give it a try. OMG! I was surprised by how much I liked it! And I love how Joss Whedon works with a lot of the same people over and over again. Even Andrew from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was in this movie!

• Sleepy Hollow (1999)–Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of 3 people with the culprit being the legendary apparition, the Headless Horseman. Directed by Tim Burton and Stars Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and Miranda Richardson. Anything with the Tim & Johnny bromance is amazing! Tim Burton has a wonderful eye for weirdness and I love it! So dark but yet so witty.

What are some of your favorite horror movies??