365 Film Challenge | Film #19: Serenity

I love Firefly. And so, it only makes sense that I love Serenity. I am touched by the fact that the fans rallied for the show so much that they made a film to wrap things up. That’s dedication and passion. Watch Firefly then watch this movie. But fair warning, remember that Joss Whedon is the creator. So expect heartbreak and hilarity all mixed together.

365 Film Challenge | Film #18: Like Crazy

It’s a beautifully done film. Seriously. It’s fairly simple, but these two actors (Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones) take this love story and just really sell it. The musical tone of the film is wholly wonderful. And Jennifer Lawrence has a small role in it as well. Watch it.

365 Film Challenge | Film #17: What’s Your Number?

I vaguely remembered seeing the trailer for this and thinking it was something that I would probably enjoy on some level. (I love me some chick flick.) Also, it’s basically a rather more “slutty” and less cheesy version of Lucky 7 (the television movie where 7 is the magical number because that was what the female lead’s dying mother had told her). But I was in the mood for Joel McHale, so I watched it. You see Joel’s butt and Chris Evans nearly naked. Those are your reasons to watch this.

365 Film Challenge | Film #16: The Muppets

Another nostalgic movie that made my 5-year-old self smile. And the 24-year-ld in me appreciated the humor and celebrity cameos. And not surprisingly, I did start crying because you realized that the love for the Muppets has not died off yet.

365 Film Challenge | Film #15: Janie Jones

There are two ingredients to getting me to like a film, and those are music and family relationships. Abigail Breslin surprises with her beautiful voice. And it’s a wonderful thing to watch as the introduction of the long-lost daughter teaches this broken musician a little something about unconditional love and growing up.

365 Film Challenge | Film #14: The Adventures of TinTin

This movie held such a nostalgic note for me. Though I only vaguely remember the comics, it’s just nice to see classics being remade. I really like that they kept it animated because you can do a lot more with this genre. The story itself is indeed an adventure. I’m not sure I was able to follow it fully, but it was certainly entertaining.

365 Film Challenge | Film #13: Down with Love

I absolutely love this movie. Not only is it a musical, which makes it an instant win with me. It’s also just so cleverly written. Okay, slightly cheesy. But it’s meant to be. It certainly doesn’t take itself seriously, and it’s a great movie to watch if you want a pick-me-up. Ewan McGregor and Renée Zellweger had come off of being in Moulin Rouge and Chicago, respectively. And it was back when a ton of musicals were coming out. (I wish that phase would come back, personally.) Wonderful movie. Go watch it.

365 Film Challenge | Film #12: Meet the Robinsons

Oh man, if there is ever a way to make me cry, it’s to tell the tale of an orphaned child finding a family to belong to. Not to mention, this film also promotes the idea to never give up on your dreams, to not be bogged down by your failures – to “keep moving forward.” Yep, waterworks galore. Get a Kleenex ready.

365 Film Challenge | Film #11: Real Steel

When I first saw the trailer for this film, I thought it was a ridiculous idea. What is the point of fighting robots? (Although, not many movies have a point these days. C’est la vie.) But color me surprised when I found that there were some rather sweet moments, and that it’s a story of a family reuniting. I’m not saying that this is the best work of drama, but I have always been a sucker for parent-child bonding. And the son’s bond with Atom, the robot, reminds me of the bond between the kid and robot from The Iron Giant.

365 Film Challenge | Film #10: In Time

There are just so many familiar faces in this film that I had to watch it…eventually. It’s got a futuristic concept where instead of money, the currency is time. So the rich live forever, while the poor die soon after turning 25 years old. The film’s got romance, social commentary, action, and drama. And very good-looking people.

365 Film Challenge | Film #9: Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre has got to be one of my favorite period romances. I took a special trip to watch this when it was first released at limited theatres. Mia and Michael gave such a beautiful performance. Though I still somewhat prefer the Masterpiece Theatre miniseries with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson, this is a very close second. If they had been able to spend as much time, I think that it is very likely my order of preferences could have been switched.

365 Film Challenge | Film #8: Our Idiot Brother

I always intended to watch this film at some point since it stars so many of my favorite stars, but with a title like Our Idiot Brother, it wasn’t exactly calling out to me to watch. But then I saw Hart Hanson Tweet about how amazing it was. And he was totally right. In this movie, you’ll find that Ned is less of an idiot and more of a guy who just really wants to believe in the best of people. And unfortunately, it takes his three sisters (and the other supporting characters) the bulk of the film to realize just how wonderful a person their brother is. That maybe they can learn something from their “idiot brother.”

365 Film Challenge | Film #7: Priest

I only knew of this film because Maggie Q mentioned it in some interview for Nikita, one of the many shows I watch. I knew it didn’t get great reviews, but it was a film I hadn’t seen yet. It’s supernatural in nature, involving vampires and vampire killers (priests and priestesses). I am also a huge fan of Paul Bettany, whom I’ve loved since A Knight’s Tale. It’s got action and drama that is set in a fictional world, where grotesque vampires are amongst the humans. Lots of ass-kicking, which I always like. Decent enough for the genre.

365 Film Challenge | Film #6: Rio

I had this on my to-watch list for a while, waiting to be in the mood to watch it. My friend, who is more selective in in her movies, finally convinced me to watch it. And I loved it. It has romance (both of the avian and human species), humor (Pedro and Nico’s musical talents are perfect), and an environmentally-friendly message. Definitely worth a watch.

365 Film Challenge | Film #5: An Affair to Remember

I haven’t watched this film in such a long time, but it’s definitely a classic. I remember being curious about it after watching Sleepless in Seattle and hearing them mention it. My favorite quote has definitely got to be in the end, when Deborah Kerr says, “It was my fault. I was looking up. You were there.” It’s just so romantic. And in addition to the wonderful Deborah Kerr, there’s Cary Grant – an actor that everyone, regardless of generation, needs to familiarize themselves with. (Fun fact: His real name is Archibald Leach. And in one of his films, he actually references it. A+ to the person who knows which film!)