Monday Movie Review: The Witches

The Witches
Released: August 24th 1990
Studio: Warner Bros.
Run Time: 1hr 32mins
Source: Own
Find It: Amazon || IMBd
Summary (IMBd):

 A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.

This is more of a nostalgic review than a review review. Or maybe it's a little bit of both :)

I remember watching The Witches as a child and I found it sort of creepy and sort of interesting. One of those 90's movies that kinda just give you a homey feeling, if that makes sense.

Miss Eva Ernst is also known as "The Grand High Witch" and she's the one behind all the children missing. She doesn't eat them, no. She turns them into mice! A boy who is recently orphaned is taken to England by his grandmother to stay at a hotel. Ironically the same hotel is the same place the witches are having their grand convention. So it goes, this is the adventure of Luke whose grandmother first told him the stories as a warning about the missing children (I have to admit though, she sounded a bit crazy telling the stories) and Bruno, the first victim child to be turned into a mouse by the witches. There is one part that still creeps me out is the part with the girl who's trapped in the painting. Like what the heck. So creepy. But interesting. But creepy.

I love this movie. Sure, it's not the best thing ever but you know, I grew up with it.

Did any of you grow up watching The Witches too?

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Monday Movie Review: Christmas Cupid

 Christmas Cupid
Released: December 12th, 2010
Studio: Gaiam - Entertainment
Run Time: 90 minutes
Summary (IMDb):

Christina Milian stars as high powered Hollywood publicist, Sloane, who finds herself haunted by the ghost of her recently departed infamous client Caitlin, played by Ashley Benson (Pretty Little Liars). With just days away from Christmas, Caitlin takes Sloane on a journey to meet the ghosts of her ex-boyfriends from the past, present and future to try and guide her to true love, in a modern-day take on Charles Dickens holiday classic story of A Christmas Carol.              

IMDb || Amazon*

I was browsing Netflix late last month to build a Christmas movie playlist and they had a bunch of ABC Family movies I had never heard of, taking a quick glimpse as the blurb I added this to my instant queue (does anyone else think that word is weird?). Fast forward to last week when I was browsing my queue to watch a movie. I hadn't noticed it when I added this movie but it stars Chad Michael Murray?! Uh yeah, totally picked this to watch first.

Christmas Cupid is a lot like Ghosts of Girlfriends Past but in reverse. Sort of. And I guess Ghost of Girlfriends Past is a lot like Christmas Carol which by the way, I've never seen and I need to. 

Sloane is very involved in her job. It's pretty much the only thing she "has". She's "dating" a co-worker whos dad owns the company but who's to say if she actually likes the guy. She's not exactly selfish or against companionship, she would just rather concentrate on work than on spending time with her mom or being a true friend or surrendering to truly loving someone. I mean, nothing wrong with that if you know, you're happier that way. So her client dies in a very tragic strange way and now she's haunting Sloane with the whole "you'll be visited by 3 ghosts and you must change your ways". Of course Sloane doesn't get it. Like, duh hello. 

Caitlin was really really annoying while she was alive. She was reckless and she just didn't really "get it". But the more the movie went on, the more she seemed like a real person and the more I was sort of sad that she was you know, dead. Even though she probably would had still been a reckless asshole if she was. Patrick... well Chad you know, plays a really good heart broken / tortured soul and that's what Patrick was. He was broken over the fact that Sloane just up and left him (in the worst way, let me tell you...) and that was it. He probably never got closure or an explanation and while he was happy to see Sloane he was hesitant. 

Christmas Cupid was a pretty cheesy sort of over dramatic movie but overall I enjoyed it and I wanted to see Sloane get it together and realize that what her and Patrick was was real! I thought it was sort of ironic that Christina Milian played in Ghost of Girlfriends Past and now SHE was Conner in her own similar movie lol. Also, does anyone else think that Christmas movies are more depressing than uplifting? lol

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Monday Movie Review: Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph

Released: November 2nd, 2012

Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Run Time: 101 minutes

Summary (IMDb):

A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.

IMDb

Wreck it Ralph is about a video game character named Ralph who’s job is to wreck things in the video game he works for -- Fix it Felix. Lately Ralph has been displeased with his life and the way he’s treated by his fellow video game peers. He lives in the garbage pile by himself while everyone else lives in the penthouse and praise Felix. We see Ralph attending “Bad Guy Meetings” with other video game “bad guys” like M. Bison and Zangief from Street Fighter and Bowser from Mario Bro’s. They try to talk Ralph out of going “Turbo” and game jumping because if you die outside of your game, you don’t come back.

For anyone who grew up with Street Fighter and Mario Bro’s or with (what is now considered) retro arcade games will appreciate this film. I loved how they incorporated many different video game’s and characters. I loved the idea of the gaming train station and how characters travel from game to game through the power wires. I also really loved the idea of their society.

As much as the movie is about Ralph trying to figure out what matters to him in life and where he wants to be it’s also very much about Vanellope and her struggle to fit in with her own peers. It’s about two people from two different video games struggling with pretty much the same thing and even though their situations are slightly different THEY are not that different.

I’ll admit, I was excited to see the Sugar Rush part of this movie and I’m glad that it was a big part of it. I was fascinated with the plushie’s at The Disney Store that are scented and I was drawn the most to Jubileena (the cherry girl). The other girls don’t really play a big part in the movie, they’re pretty much Taffyta’s minions. I LOVED Jane Lynch in this, she kept her snarky sense of humor that Sue Sylvester spews out. It was amazing.

There are parts of this movie that will make your heart swell and there are parts that will make you want to sob your eyes out (it is a Disney movie after all). There are twists and major turns that you won’t see coming and Vanellope will rip your heart out on multiple occasions. Overall, I loved this movie. Maybe not as much as I loved Tangled but it’s still pretty up there. To mix a story of people trying to figure out who they are and video games? What’s there not to love?!

The best part of the movie, I'd have to say though is the  fact that DDR was incorporated into it and the song the Oreo's sing in front of King Candy's castle :P I had wished that they had put Kingdom Hearts characters in it too but Kingdom Hearts isn't an arcade game *sad face*. Still I enjoyed this movie a ton and I'm sure you will too!!

The husband and I sat though the whole credits (and I mean whole they even had someone under "Caffination") and there's nothing extra in the end. I know it's a stand alone movie but you know, we were half curious and half lazy lol.

Fun Facts!

-- During early production, Disney had Mario and Luigi set to cameo in the film, but were unable to pay the fee Nintendo had requested to use the characters. The character Fix-It Felix seems to borrow a few attributes of Mario: The overalls, accompanied/recycled 1980s 'Mario Bros.' sound bytes, and their physical movements such as jumping and spinning (which was used in later games). 

-- King Candy's voice and character design is modeled after Ed Wynn, a popular comedian and voice artist, best known as the voice of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and as Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins. [ I KNEW HE SOUNDED LIKE THE MAD HATTER!!! ]

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Monday Movie Review: Easy A

Easy A
Released: September 17th, 2010
Studio: Sony Pictures
Run Time: 92 mins
Summary (Amazon):

In this charming, critically acclaimed tale of rumors and reputation, Olive (Emma Stone), an average high school student, sees her below-the-radar existence turn around overnight once she decides to use the school's gossip grapevine to advance her social standing. Now her classmates (Amanda Bynes, Aly Michalka) are turning against her and the school board is becoming concerned, including her favorite teacher (Thomas Haden Church) and the distracted guidance counselor (Lisa Kudrow). With the support of her hilariously idiosyncratic parents (Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson) and a little help from a long-time crush (Penn Badgley), Olive attempts to take on her notorious new identity and crush the rumor mill once and for all.

Amazon* || IMDb

Easy A is a movie I remember hearing A LOT of buzz about back when it was released. But since I'm not big on movies, I never really gave it a try. It wasn't until recently when hubby was looking up movies for us to watch that he remembered he wanted to see it that he put it on our list. Also, we were curious to know what all this hype about Emma Stone was.

Olive is in a really weird situation with her friend and lies about losing her virginity. Which isn't a big deal right? One little lie to one friend. Until the whole school knows about it. The weird thing I found in this movie was the guy who totally guilted her into saying she slept with him to gain popularity. I don't know about you guys but I would never feel that guilty to do that for someone. Sure he could had went off and said it happened anyway without her consent but in the end at least she would had known it wasn't true. And this begins Olive's downward spiral.

I can see why at the time this would had been a good idea. I guess. Maybe. Okay maybe not but on the flip side, it could be a really really awful idea. Especially if you're still in high school! I mean come on! And on top of that you have a pretty dominating religious group of students (did anyone else think they were weird, in general)? Bad idea Olive. Bad bad idea! The guys who she made these deals with were really shitty people and didn't deserve her time and on the other hand, how lame do you have to be to pay someone off to pretend you slept with her? I mean, does no one think that this is sort of doesn't make sense? 

Also, this was the classic outcome of how it's okay for guys to go around saying they slept with someone but girls get the shitty end of the stick. I mean, she wasn't really denying/fighting it off but still. She could had at least... I don't know... told people to back off? Telling people to back off is different from denying it (if that's what she was avoiding).

I liked Olive. She was fiesty and she was funny and she endured a lot for such a shitty thing. I really liked the bond her and her family had, I'm sure I would have grown up better if I had been raised in a family like that. Also, Todd? What a really sweet guy. Sucks Olive kept brushing him off, he seemed to be really concerned for her through out the movie. Olive's friend  Rhiannon started the rumor? She could go play in traffic. What a bitch. Marianne? Yeah she can join Rhiannon!

The cast of characters surprised me -- Penn Badgley, Lisa Kudrow, Cam Gigandet?! Why did no one mention this to me before?! I'm a huge sucker for Cam, even if he didn't have that many talking parts (and none required him to take his shirt off).

Easy A was an entertaining movie that had a really sweet outcome. I don't get the whole hype behind it, but I did enjoy it!

Olive: Don't you think it's strange that your boyfriend is 22 and still in high school?

Marianne: Not that it's any of your business, trollop, but he is here by choice.

Olive: So it's his choice that he's a fourth year senior that can't pass any test he takes?

Marianne: No silly *points up* His. His, with a capital H. If God wanted him to graduate then God would have given him the right answers.

Olive: *laughs* I'm sorry, but, you gotta be shittin me woman.

Woodchuck Todd: *in Woodchuck costume carrying head* Hey Olive.
Olive: Oh my god! The illusion is shattered! This is exactly why they put you in the gas chamber if you take your head off at Disney World.
Woodchuck Todd: Actually I think they just, you know, fire you. You're thinking of Disneyland. Disney World is much more liberal. 

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Monday Movie Review: 500 Days of Summer

500 Days of Summer
Released: August 7th, 2009
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Run Time: 95 mins
Summary (IMDb):

An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man who falls for her.

Amazon* || IMDb

Besides hearing a ton of great things about this movie from friends, hubby and I decided to watch this last night because honestly, we needed our Zoey fix. Season 2 of The New Girl feels so far away!

The opening narration reminded me of the first episode of Pushing Daises it made me giggle lol. Tom works for a greeting card company and he's a pretty average dude. Then he meets Summer and they click. Well, sorta. She catches the attention of guys wherever she goes but she doesn't believe in true love or fate or relationships and she's perfectly happy being single and away from the "mess" of relationships. But the closer and closer she gets to Tom, the more and more he ends up wrapped up in her. And for awhile, it seems mutual.

This is pretty much, in my opinion, a movie about nothing. I mean, it's about something but nothing at the same time. It's pretty much your average relationship sob story and an ending that has you wondering what the eff just happened. I wasn't really digging the whole fast forward/rewind thing because it would jump around a lot so I stopped paying attention to what day it was and just took it as pieces of a story. And that worked out better for me.

The thing about Tom is that he let Summer walk all over him. She called all the shots. All the did was stand back and soak her in. In my opinion, there wasn't much character development I can't really say that Summer is this and that because we don't really know. But I can say that her inviting Tom to that rooftop party without saying anything else about it was pretty effen heartless.

The ending just blew my mind but not in a good way. Like seriously what the eff just happened?! Tom had ever right to be angry! I woulda threw the bench at her, but that's just me.

But this is life, and this is a great way of showing you why relationships (even the ones that you really liked) ended because like Summer says, "what always happens, life." and sometimes it's hard to remember that when we're hurting and confused. Sometimes you really like someone and you really believe this is it but it's not because they don't feel that same way. And that's okay. You might not think it is at the time, but really, it is.

-- I just woke up one day and I know.

-- Knew what?

-- ... what I was never sure of with you

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Monday Movie Review: When in Rome

When in Rome
Released: Jan 29th, 2010
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Run Time: 1h & 31mins
Source: Netflix I think
Summary (IMDb):

Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.

Amazon* || IMDb

I don't think I had high hopes for When in Rome but it was a movie I was interested in seeing and though it's not my favorite, I do find myself watching it again and again.

Beth has the worst luck in relationships and now her little sister is getting married to a guy she met while in Rome two weeks ago. Beth loves her job. Her job is her life. With this big project coming up at work and with having to fly to Rome for her sisters wedding, there's a lot of stress put on her and like in most rom-com's everything pretty much goes to shit. But that's the fun part right? Watching it go to shit then picked back up! While attending her sisters wedding she meets Nick who's clumsy and awkward and she decides to go steal some coins from a fountain. 

I personally really liked Beth. She was a little pessimistic but I liked how dedicated she was to her job and how seriously she took it. I have to admit, her pessimism did bother me when it came to Nick. It was like she was constantly expecting the worst of him without hearing him out or giving him a chance (maybe that's why you have the "worst luck" Beth, you don't give people a fair chance!) and I didn't really understand how she assumed one of the coins belonged to Nick since she never really asked him about it. I did feel really bad for her when the suitors of which she stole the coins from started pretty much stalking her especially Gale. Oh mannnn. Gale was creepy. Seriously, the guy was a mess! Haha! I felt the most sorry for Al Russo, especially his speech after Beth gives him back his coin. I liked the bond between Beth and her dad, he seemed like a good sport about the shit she was giving him. I was not not NOT a fan of Stacy. I think she went about Beth's problem all freakin wrong like really, I'd be ready to kick her in the head. And I really liked Nick. He was kind and patient even though he didn't understand what the heck was going on he was still really interested in getting to know Beth and making sure she was okay. 

When in Rome is a typical rom-com movie but it is funny and entertaining and it does leave you waiting to see if Beth will wise the heck up or will she fall back on her I have the worst luck with guys excuse!

Gale: This is crazy. I don't know whether to look at my own reflection or at you. That's how beautiful you are!

Dentist: Beth! How are you!

Beth: WHY. WON'T. YOU. LEAVE. ME. ALONE!

Dentist: Beth, it's me. Your dentist...

Nick: ... are you okay?*

LOL!

*Paraphrased that last one

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Monday Movie Review: Troy

Troy


Released: May 14th, 2004
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Run Time: 2hrs 43mins (wow, really?)
Source: Bought
Summary (IMDb):

An adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.

This was the third Brad Pitt movie I had ever seen in my entire life (the first being Fight Club, which I fell asleep during. Didn't really appreciate it the first time around and the second being Mr & Mrs Smith -- in theaters) and to be honest, when my husband (back then boyfriend) told me that was Brad Pitt who played Achilles.

Troy is the story of the attack on Troy by the Greek forces, "The Iliad". It includes a bit of the story of Helen of Troy and Paris as well.

For the record, I didn't read "The Iliad" but I did attempt to look it up on Amazon. I'm finding verse books which I have a problem reading, but if I find an actual story piece on it, I'll definitely compare.

I love reading Greek Mythology, but I find that I'm not a fan of really watching Greek Mythology inspired movies. I guess because it's mostly action and much less mythology. At least, that's how I feel. But I have to admit, I love Troy. It's a pretty badass movie. My husband introduced it to me a few years back, swore I'd enjoy it, told him I wouldn't. He was right, I loved it. I even loved the action. 

Achilles is a jerk when we first meet him. He takes orders from no one and does whatever the hell he wants. And if he's one of the best fighters, then who can say no? But I loved following Achilles, seeing another side of him. A private side that I'd like to believe was only meant for Briseis. I was not a fan of Agamemnon. He was disgusting and blood hungry. His brother Menelaus, in my opinion was a coward. Your wife left you, it takes two to tango homie, if Paris goes down, Helen should go down with him. I'm just sayin! 

PARIS. OH PARIS. You foolish, stupid, little boy! Orlando Bloom has a knack for always playing the character that fucks shit up for everyone (Elizabeth Town, Troy, Pirates of the Caribbean...), I think the only movie he wasn't a character to fuck shit up in was Lord of the Rings (he was pretty badass in that one but it might be because I have a soft spot for archers). But PARIS messes up big time right here. Homie, you you are prince, why you chasing someone's wife? The fact that Helen left with Paris sparks the war of history. 

Oh and then he kills _____. YOU #$*#$&#$*#$(*(*!!!!!!!!!!! *hellur angry faces*.

Hector, sweet Hector. I loved Hector. He was very protective of his nation, of his family. And Hector did not deserve the fate that was handed to him. I understand your protective-ness but Paris is a big boy, let him fight his own battles. Literally. Also, I'm a little in love with Eric Bana *whistles*.

Priam was a wonderful king to his people, he was a wonderful king to his family. He was a wonderful man and my heart just broke for him.

I don't know what else to say... I love this movie, these characters and the feelings the poured into their roles. It is an amazing movie. Mythology, family bonds, action, revenge and love. What else could you really ask for?

Achilles: I'll tell you a secret. Something they don't teach you in your temple. The Gods envy us. They envy us because we are mortal, because any moment may be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed. -- (My favorite line in a movie, EVER.)

Achilles: He killed my cousin

Priam: He thought it was you. How many cousins have you killed? How many sons and brothers and husbands? How many, brave Achilles?

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Monday Movie Review: 13 Going On 30

13 Going on 30
Released: April 23rd, 2004
Studio: Columbia
Run Time: 1h 39mins
Source: TV, DVD, etc...
Summary (IMDb):

After total humiliation at her thirteenth birthday party, Jenna Rink wants to just hide until she's thirty. Thanks to some wishing dust, Jenna's prayer has been answered. With a knockout body, a dream apartment, a fabulous wardrobe, an athlete boyfriend, a dream job, and superstar friends, this can't be a better life. Unfortunetly, Jenna realizes that this is not what she wanted. The only one that she needs is her childhood best friend, Matt, a boy that she thought destroyed her party. But when she finds him, he's a grown up, and not the same person that she knew.

IMDb || Amazon*

13 Going On 30 is one of my absolute favorite movies!

Jenna Rink isn't the most popular girl in school, but like every other 13 year old, she wishes she was. So when her birthday comes around, she invites the coolest  girls at school... The Sixth Chicks in hopes to score time with her crush. Everything changes when she locks herself in the closet after being embarrassed and wakes up 17 years older (yikes, that's a lot of years).

I loved Jenna, and many times through out the movie, my heart went out to her. Like any girl at 13, you want to be cool and liked. You wanna roll with the crowd, not be some on the sideline chick even if you do have the most loyal best friend in the world who would never change you. When Jenna wakes up 30 with no memory of the last 17 years, I felt for her when the person who she is now started to unravel into someone she didn't like. Even though she had no recollection of anything or who anyone in her life was, she tried to make the best of it. I think Jennifer Garner did a fantastic job of portraying how confused and panicked Jenna was the entire time.

Matty, oh Matty! I absolutely loved him. He was so incredibly sweet and kind to young Jenna. And Matty at 30? He was just as awesome. A little more stand off-ish (I mean, hello, I would be too) but he still tried to be there for Jenna even if he didn't know what the heck was going on. This the movie were I absolutely fell in love with Mark Ruffalo!

I really liked Richard, Jenna's boss and Jenna's assistant Arlene! Lucy can bite me! Haha. 

Oh and this part has got to be my favorite scene in the movie, EVER!

It was such a cute scene!!

13 Going On 30 is one of those heartwarming, super adorable movies that you just curl up with a blanket and ice cream. But not in a super depressing sort of way. Just in a I-need-me-time way. I know I've probably driven my husband crazy with how many times I've put this movie on :P

Jenna: Matty, I told you - something really weird is happening. Yesterday was my 13th birthday and then, and then today I woke up and I'm this, and you, I mean - you're that! You get it?
Matt: Are you high? You been smoking pot? Doing X? Fallen into a K-Hole? You doing drugs?

Jenna: I WANT A FLUFFY PILLOW!
Matt: *backs up and bumps into wall*

LOL

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Monday Movie Review: The Avengers

The Avengers
Released: May 4th, 2012
Studio: Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures
Run Time: 2hrs 24mins
Source: Watched in theaters
Summary (IMDb):

Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.

For the record, I'm not going to go into super Marvel background here or really give you a very coherent review regarding the movie (but I will try).

I always do this to myself, I tell myself I don't want to watch a movie (I'm not big on movies) and I wouldn't enjoy a real life people Marvel movie (I grew up with the cartoons, for some reason having real life people play these characters is just... weird) but every time I go in, I end up LOVING the movie. I dove right into The Avengers.

What I wasn't expecting was how fast paced the movie would be. 2 hours and 24 minutes? Awfully long don't you think? This movie felt about as long as a blink of an eye. It opens up with Black Widow (I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of the idea of Scarlett Johansson playing her, but she was a pretty darn good Black Widow), then switches over to Bruce Banner (I LOVE Mark Ruffalo but he didn't seem to fit "The Hulk" profile for me, but again, he was a pretty damn good Hulk) and from there you're launched into action, action, action! 

They did have a mini window to introduce the characters to you, to give you an idea of what the threat was and what they were planning to do about it. While the plot seemed a wee bit predictable, it did not effect the experience of the movie at all. 

I loved how the characters came together, I loved the action, I loved the supporting characters, I loved how deliciously evil Loki was and as with any Marvel movie, I loved the humor and snark. 

I'm not familiar with Thor but I loved his passion for Earth and how he wants nothing more but to protect Earth and its people. I don't care what anyone says, Tony Stark is the smartest asshole on the planet. I walked away from the movie with a slight huge crush on Captain America. I'm not a fan of who they casted for Hawk Eye, simply because I imagined him to be a little younger, but Jeremy Renner was pretty badass. Agent Phil Coulson? He was pretty awesome himself. 

The only thing that got me was the turn around twist they had going on with Hawk Eye and Black Widow. If you know what I mean. It's not a huge spoiler, but I still refuse to say it lol.

Even if you're not into action movies or movies with no romantic element I would still highly suggest this movie if you haven't seen it already. It's fast paced, it's entertaining, it's the perfect movie to sweep you away at the end of the week. 

Steve Rogers: Big man in a suit of armor, take that off, what are you?
Tony Stark: Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist...

Thor: I don't care how you speak. Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard. And he is my brother.
Natasha Romanoff: He killed eighty people in two days.
Thor: He's adopted.

LOLOLOLOL!

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Monday Movie Review: The Secret of Moonacre

The Secret of Moonacre
Released: Sept 21, 2010
Studio: E1 Entertainment
Run Time: 103 minutes
Source: Netflix
Summary (IMDb):

When 13 year old Maria Merryweather's father dies, leaving her orphaned and homeless, she is forced to leave her luxurious London life to go and live with Sir Benjamin, an eccentric uncle she didn't know she had, at the mysterious Moonacre Manor. Soon Maria finds herself in a crumbling moonlit world torn apart by the hatred of an ancient feud with the dark and sinister De Noir family. Maria discovers that she is the last Moon Princess and, guided by an unlikely mix of allies, she must overcome her family's pride in order to unearth the secrets of the past before the 5000th moon rises and Moonacre disappears into the sea forever.

My husband was randomly browsing Netflix and the cover image of this movie caught my eye. So we settled on watching it. Right from the very beginning, I was hooked! There's always something enchanting about a moon princess, even if I don't really know what that means.

When Maria is forced to leave her home and stay with an uncle she never knew she had, she's more than unhappy. She doesn't know where she is or who this man is and most importantly; she doesn't know what's up with that strange white horse, those bandits in the forest she's being told she can't go into or why the stars on her bedroom ceiling are moving! All she knows is that there is something very strange going on and her uncle seems to know, but isn't telling her.

Maria is your typical curious little girl who dives head first into danger just because someone told her not go there. She's brave and adventurous and pretty darn sneaky! I absolutely loved Maria, even if every time she set foot into the forest it made me cringe. I also loved her dresses (they had a sort of Wicked Musical Emerald City feel to them) and her bedroom! Oh my, how I would love a magical bedroom like that one!

Robin was also another character I really liked, from the very beginning he catches your attention, or maybe it was just me... he sort of reminded me of Rufio, but his costume was much better (Robin's, not Rufio's). The more he has to set out to capture Maria, the more you can sort of sense he doesn't want to... which makes you wonder why not? His father seems to be obsessed with seeking revenge, it's strange to wonder why Robin didn't follow in those footsteps. Even if his father seems a bit... loopy about it all.

All the characters in this movie were fantastic. There was humor, magic and secrets. I absolutely enjoyed it and I personally think it deserves more attention! If you're in the mood for a light movie about magic, then I suggest you give this a try (plus it's on Netflix right now)!

I didn't know this movie was a sort of retelling of a book -- "The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goudge, never heard of it but definitely going to get it out now!

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Monday Movie Review: Sweet November

Sweet November
Released: Feb 16th, 2001
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Run Time: 119 minutes
Source: Netflix
Summary (IMDb):

Nelson is a man devoted to his advertising career in San Francisco. One day, while taking a driving test at the DMV, he meets Sara. She is very different from the other women in his life. Nelson causes her to miss out on taking the test and later that day she tracks him down. One thing leads to another and Nelson ends up living with her through a November that will change his life forever. 

Sweet November had that sort of resemblance to older romance movies like You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle.

Nelson is having a pretty crappy day, but he also kind of comes off as a total workaholic about to have a meltdown. He loses his job, his girlfriend leaves him, and to top it all off... he meets this strange (and can I just say how beautiful Charlize's eyes are?) girl named Sara who just won't leave him alone. He doesn't really understand why she wants to help him so bad (when he insists he doesn't need any help -- but clearly he does) but he goes along with it.

I sort of have this problem with Keanu Reeves... he seems so... emotionless all the time. Sure, it worked for Matrix but I mean, man. I don't know, is it just me? I'm not saying Nelson sucked, but sometimes he was just... awkward. Sara was a fantastic character, she was full of life and everything she did was with all she had left. I admired how much she loved life. Chaz was also a great supporting character, his friendship with Sara was unique and one of a kind. I wish I had a friend like that in my life.

I loved that this movie was filmed in San Francisco, it's kind of cool to see what SF was like back then because even if it's only been 10 years (even though I feel like this movie was filmed way before 2001), SF has changed, a lot. It was also nice pointing out streets and beaches and places and me and my husband trying to shout out the location first lol. It wasn't one of those films where they say they're from a city and they're really nowhere near that city. No, this film was literally filmed in San Francisco, at least the majority. The credits say there's some filmed in Daly City (which is pretty much South City -- South San Francisco -- so technically it's sort of still SF area) and San Rafael, but it's still pretty much San Fran.

There really isn't much to say about Sweet November except that it was a cute romance about how just one month and one person can completely change your life and make you see things that you were blind to seeing before. 

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Monday Movie Review: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thieft

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Released: February 12, 2010
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Run Time: 120 minutes
Source: Bought (well, my brother bought)
Summary (IMDb):
A teenager discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods.

I admit, it took me a really long time to watch this movie. Only because I had planned to read this book, once upon a time, sometime after I had finished Twilight and I never got around to it. And I don't really like watching the movie before reading the book. But my husband decided it was about time I let that go and just watched the darn movie.

I love Greek Mythology. I mean, I LOVE it. As a child I was often seen reading almost every book on Greek Mythology I could get my hands on. I loved how there was a god or goddess for everything you could think of; beauty, knowledge, war, harvest, the underworld (I liked the idea of an underworld so much more than the idea of Hell)... it was interesting, especially coming from a Roman Catholic upbringing. I loved the stories and the tales. I was obsessed with watching Hercules and Xena, I just found it all fascinating.

Percy Jackson is based on the book (series) by Rick Riordan about a boy named Percy who's the son of Poseidon, and a demigod. After being attacked at a school field trip and being accused of stealing Zeus' lightning bolt, Percy is whisked away by his good friend Grover (who isn't who he thought he was) into a demigod training camp. It is never really explained in the movie why everyone thought Percy stole the lightning bolt but he goes on this epic journey to clear his name along with Grover and Annabeth, the daughter of Athena.

I enjoyed Percy Jackson, I liked every scene where they ran into a new god or goddess. I especially liked the scene with Persephone and Hades, wasn't one I was really expecting. The idea of the Lotus Casino was both intriguing and really really creepy. And I felt for Percy, his home situation with his mom and how troubled he must have felt finding out his dad is a god and not really understanding what that means. The frustration of being raised as a mortal and not with the advantage that the other demigod kids had. The determination that Percy had to clear his name and free his mother was admirable. 

However, I felt that there were a lot of things that were either left out, grazed over or watered down. I can't really pin point what it is, but something about the movie just threw me off. While I did enjoy it, I didn't love it. I didn't feel that sense of a complete story is what I guess I'm trying to say.

I guess that's where reading the book comes in, right? :) I might as well get to it, I'm curious to know what happens next in Percy's adventure!

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Monday Movie Review: Tangled

Tangled

Released: November 24th, 2010

Studio: Disney

Run Time: 100 minutes

Source: Theater

Summary (IMDb):

After receiving the healing powers from a magical flower, the baby Princess Rapunzel is kidnapped from the palace in the middle of the night by Mother Gothel. Mother Gothel knows that the flower's magical powers are now growing within the golden hair of Rapunzel, and to stay young, she must lock Rapunzel in her hidden tower. Rapunzel is now a teenager and her hair has grown to a length of 70-feet. The beautiful Rapunzel has been in the tower her entire life, and she is curious of the outside world. One day, the bandit Flynn Ryder scales the tower and is taken captive by Rapunzel. Rapunzel strikes a deal with the charming thief to act as her guide to travel to the place where the floating lights come from that she has seen every year on her birthday. Rapunzel is about to have the most exciting and magnificent journey of her life. 

o0.| My Thoughts |.0o

This movie captures Disney perfectly. I was itching to see this movie since they announced it but I always put it off (I'm not really into movies), but my husband insisted I just go see it. And it's Disney so I knew I had to see it eventually.

I don't know what took me so long.

This movie is amazing. Seriously. Rapunzel is an adorable character. She's good hearted, caring, curious, bouncy and she hurts. Just like everyone else. She has a lizard companion (who's name I don't remember) and he's rough and tough for such a small thing! Flynn was humorous, a selfish bandit gone good. And I think this is probably the first time you'd see that in a Disney movie. The chemistry between them was simply enchanting. And adorable. Mother Gothel was another creepy villain (The Shadowman being the first), I absolutely hated her and I hated how Rapunzel trusted her with all her might. The song that Mother Gothel sings kind of reminded me of the song Ursala sings in The Little Mermaid. Maybe it's just me, but that's what I instantly thought of.

The movie itself was, like I said, amazing. The adventure, the betrayal, the romance, it was all heart warming and made you (or maybe it was just me) feel like a big bowl of MUSH by the time the movie was over. Seriously, I was mush you guys. And like I said, I think it captures Disney perfectly. The magic, the heart warming-ness and of course, dreams can come true. That's what I was thinking by the time this movie was over, that it emphasized on going after your dreams and that they can come true.

Jackson Pearce had a vlog not too long ago that followed the Disney films and how it changed with the times and now that she mentioned it, I find that to be pretty true. Especially in this movie, Rapunzel was no damsel in distress. She wasted no time smacking Flynn upside the head with that frying pan and she knew what she wanted and how she was going to get it. That very applies to women today.

And now I'm rambling. I loved this movie and if you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for?!

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Monday Movie Review: Avalon High

Avalon High
Released: November 12th, 2010
Studio: Disney
Run Time:
Source: Netflix
Summary (Wiki):
Allie Pennington (Britt Robertson) is transferred to a new school (Avalon High) where she discovers that her new classmates are reincarnations of King Arthur and his court. Now her mission is to solve the school's mystery before Mordred wins again. 

o0.| My Thoughts |.0o

Okay, I agree, at first this movie looks kinda lame. But as soon as Miles gets on and starts talking dumb to Marco, that totally hooked me in. A nerd talking back to a bully? Go Miles! And can I just gush over Miles for a bit? I loved his character! He was "fearless" in a sense and I thought that made him super cool. I really liked Allie's character too, she always did what was right even and didn't care about anything else. I totally admired that. Lance and Jen? They coulda been a little more secretive. I mean seriously, are you guys that stupid? Totally hated Marco, wanted to grab him through the screen and beat his face in.

The plot is a bit predictable (but there is one super huge... or two, twists that I didn't see coming), the romance is a bit cheesy but overall, I really enjoyed this movie! 

Also, it's based on Avalon High by Meg Cabot! I thought that was awesome too :)

(Can I just say, not related to this review... that it's super windy here -- I'm actually writing this on the 2nd -- and the wind is scaring the crap out of me. It's like, whistling and that's not cool. Bad wind! Bad!)

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☃ Monday Movie Review: A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

Released: November 18th, 1983

Studio: Warner Brothers

Run Time: 93 minutes

Source: Bought

Summary (amazon):

This delightfully funny holiday gem tells the story of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsly) a 1940's nine-year-old who pulls out all the stops to obtain the ultimate Christmas present.

o0.| My Thoughts |.0o

I guess back in 1983, they didn't have very long synopsis lol.

A Christmas Story is one of those holiday movies that most of us grow up with (I say most because I didn't know my auntie-in-law had never ever seen it... what?)! I make it a point to watch this every year. It's probably the only holiday movie that I remember growing up with that stays the same (I watched Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and OMG, I didn't realize what a horrible message it was sending kids lol). The "trophy" lamp is pretty much a holiday icon and of course the "you'll shoot your eye out" line!

When I was younger, I wanted to test the whole tongue-on-cold thing so I stuck my tongue on the metal bar in our freezer. It stuck. I panicked, which caused me to drool and I was free! But of course as a kid, you get away with something you do it over and over and over and over until you don't get away with it. Watching back on it now, I didn't realize there was a lot of Wizard of Oz in there. You see the Wicked Witch of the West twice through out the movie. What I didn't understand was why his teacher was writing A++++++ all across the wall in Ralphie's daydream or why his friend had his tongue wrapped up in tissue.

I still find Ralphie's thoughts about all the random things that happen funny. I still think that everyone was on to something, that he could really shoot his eye out. And who makes a boy a pink bunny outfit for Christmas?! Really?!

A Christmas Story is one of those movies that will stay with you. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without watching A Christmas Story!

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☃ Monday Movie Review: Serendipity

Serendipity

Released: October 5th, 2001

Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment

Run Time: 90 minutes

Source: Bought

Summary (amazon):

Irresistible stars John Cusack (AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS, HIGH FIDELITY) and Kate Beckinsale (PEARL HARBOR, BROKEDOWN PALACE) are drawn together and take a chance on love in this critically acclaimed romantic comedy! In the course of one magical evening, Jonathan (Cusack) and Sara (Beckinsale) meet unexpectedly ... then part without expectation when she decides they must let fate determine if they are meant to be together. Years later, they are both engaged to others but cannot give up the dream that -- despite time, distance, and the obstacles that conspire to keep them apart -- they will one day meet again. Also starring Jeremy Piven (THE FAMILY MAN, VERY BAD THINGS) and Molly Shannon (SUPERSTAR, NEVER BEEN KISSED) in a stellar supporting cast -- you're destined to agree with audiences everywhere who fell for the surprising charms of this delightful big-screen romance!

o0.| My Thoughts |.0o

I discovered Serendipity one cold winter in 2001 after a really ugly breakup and it was one of the two movies that season that I would watch once a day. This one went on right before I went to bed every night. It was comforting and since then, this movie has stuck with me. It's still, to this day, one of the movies I can watch over and over and over again and never get tired. Thank goodness my husband doesn't mind! He's actually watched it so much lately (it's a great holiday movie) that we have inside jokes with the lines in the movie. We mostly quote the Nordstrom employee lol. And in 2009, the day before our wedding I finally got to eat at Serendipity. I am in love with their Frozen Hot Chocolate and their waffle fries! Delicious!

It's hard to tell you what I think about this movie because I know that this review will come out way too biased but I'll try my best!

I really like Sarah, I think she's got a good head on her shoulders when we meet her. As much as I would have fun with a random guy, I don't think I'd give him my name either. Jon on the other hand, was a little creepy. Nothing wrong with being honest and speaking your mind, but cool it a bit buddy! Oh and goodness, the elevator scene? Annoys me every time! Just sayin.

We flash forward a few years and Sarah doesn't seem to be who she was when we last saw her. I think she's given up on the whole "destiny" thing. I do wish we had seen her more at her job, or gotten to know her a little bit more in this time frame. I think her boyfriend is a weirdo but I do love the scene where they discuss his music video. I think I'm getting spoilery, I hope I'm not! The present Jon is still... creepy-ish. But in a not so creepy way. Does that make sense? I enjoy the scenes with his friend cause he's funny and he makes a ton of sense when he needs to. And like I mentioned, I always get a kick out of the Nordstrom employee. Jon's fiancée I couldn't stand. She's always mad about something or her attitude is just off. I don't know, just can't stand her.

Overall, I do love this movie and I think that if you haven't seen it yet, you should!

o0.| Favorite Line |.0o

Husband's favorite line:

"Maybe we're laying here because you wouldn't want to be standing somewhere else." (paraphrasing lol)

My favorite line:

"Crocodile shoes?"

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