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 #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??