Ref: Mulhern
#34 Everything Must Go
I almost rented this one, but eventually decided it looked too depressing to watch solo. It probably lost out in favor of a repeat viewing of Leap Year, because that's how I roll.
#33 A Better Life
I wasn't familiar with this film before reading Mulhern's review. So, instead, I will tell you about...
#33 Jane Eyre
Mia Wasikowska shines as the titular governess, although "shines" isn't the type of descriptor the self-envisioned plain Jane would employ. Orphaned and cast aside, Jane endures a miserable boarding school upbringing before becoming employed as caretaker of a young ward in the grand - if isolated - Thornfield House, owned by aloof, tempestuous gentleman Mr. Rochester (Michael Fassbender, fully clothed) run by practical Mrs. Fairfax (Dame Judy Dench). While Rochester is in residence, Jane saves him from a mysterious fire and feels certain she imagines the romantic undertones she sees in his attentions. Despite her better instincts and the oblique warnings of Mrs. Fairfax, Jane and Rochester fall in love and prepare to marry - but her happiness is shattered when a dark secret Rochester has been keeping is revealed. Jane flees, becomes lost and is taken in by a sketchy clergyman, St John Rivers, and his two sisters. Hiding her identity, she begins working as a teacher at a local school and imagines a quiet existence in harmony with her newfound sibling stand-ins. However, St John demands they marry - so Jane flees back to Thornfield, which has burned to the ground, and *spoiler alert* finds Rochester, blinded in the fire set by the unhinged wife he kept locked in the house for her own safety, who died by jumping from the house as it burned. Still in love, they presumable get married and live happily ever after. Much like some other Austen adaptations, like 2005's Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre boasts excellent camera work, with softly-lit landscapes and household finery setting the scene for understated but powerful performances.
19 February 2012
2011 Movies: #36 & 35
Ref: Mulhern
#36 Cedar Rapids
For me, this film was okay, but not great. There were definitely some funny-awkward moments as Ed Helms navigated his newfound adventurous side and was exposed to the seedy underbelly of his industry. However, I would categorize it as more of a rent-it-once than a watch-it-repeatedly.
#35 The Adjustment Bureau
This, on the other hand, belongs higher on the charts. Some of us were less distracted than others by Blunt's cleavage and were thus able to better appreciate the nuanced storyline and plot twists. The Adjustment Bureau was unique and unpredictable, with elements of action, mystery and romance to satisfy a broad audience - it's a puzzler well worth the effort.
#36 Cedar Rapids
For me, this film was okay, but not great. There were definitely some funny-awkward moments as Ed Helms navigated his newfound adventurous side and was exposed to the seedy underbelly of his industry. However, I would categorize it as more of a rent-it-once than a watch-it-repeatedly.
#35 The Adjustment Bureau
This, on the other hand, belongs higher on the charts. Some of us were less distracted than others by Blunt's cleavage and were thus able to better appreciate the nuanced storyline and plot twists. The Adjustment Bureau was unique and unpredictable, with elements of action, mystery and romance to satisfy a broad audience - it's a puzzler well worth the effort.
11 February 2012
2011 Movies: Re-Scramble
Ref: Mulhern
Changing the order? Scandalous. Let's see what we've missed.
#50 Take Me Home Tonight
Take it or leave it.
#45 Cowboys and Aliens
Better than I expected - and yes, yes there were both cowboys and aliens.
#42 One Day
Better than I expected also - but be warned, it was *spoiler alert* partially soul-crushingly depressing.
#Bonus Super Bowl Puppy Bowl
A true feat of athleticism and cuteness. Bravo to all involved: puppy players, kitty halftime show performers, piggy cheerleaders, bird tweeter and hamster blimp pilots! I definitely watched parts of this multiple times.
So, to reiterate Mulhern's new rankings:
#55 I Don't Know How She Does It
#54 Hall Pass
#53 No Strings Attached
#52 Thirty Minutes or Less
#51 Bad Teacher
#50 Take Me Home Tonight
#49 Unknown
#48 The Lincoln Lawyer
#47 Paul
#46 Cars 2 (Jumping the Broom)
#45 Cowboys & Aliens
#44 Win Win (New Year's Eve)
#43 X-Men: First Class (Something Borrowed)
#42 One Day
#41 Horrible Bosses (Monte Carlo)
#40 War Horse
#39 Limitless
#38 Friends with Benefits
#37 Source Code
Woo hoo - up to 37 already! I think when we reach number one, I too will reflect back on my own suggested rankings (taking into consideration the excellent films that B missed and removing the dreck that I did not deign to watch), so stay tuned.
Changing the order? Scandalous. Let's see what we've missed.
#50 Take Me Home Tonight
Take it or leave it.
#45 Cowboys and Aliens
Better than I expected - and yes, yes there were both cowboys and aliens.
#42 One Day
Better than I expected also - but be warned, it was *spoiler alert* partially soul-crushingly depressing.
#Bonus Super Bowl Puppy Bowl
A true feat of athleticism and cuteness. Bravo to all involved: puppy players, kitty halftime show performers, piggy cheerleaders, bird tweeter and hamster blimp pilots! I definitely watched parts of this multiple times.
So, to reiterate Mulhern's new rankings:
#55 I Don't Know How She Does It
#54 Hall Pass
#53 No Strings Attached
#52 Thirty Minutes or Less
#51 Bad Teacher
#50 Take Me Home Tonight
#49 Unknown
#48 The Lincoln Lawyer
#47 Paul
#46 Cars 2 (Jumping the Broom)
#45 Cowboys & Aliens
#44 Win Win (New Year's Eve)
#43 X-Men: First Class (Something Borrowed)
#42 One Day
#41 Horrible Bosses (Monte Carlo)
#40 War Horse
#39 Limitless
#38 Friends with Benefits
#37 Source Code
Woo hoo - up to 37 already! I think when we reach number one, I too will reflect back on my own suggested rankings (taking into consideration the excellent films that B missed and removing the dreck that I did not deign to watch), so stay tuned.
2011 Movies: #43, 42, 41 & 40
Ref: Mulhern
Despite being eons behind Mulhern's reviewing pace, I will endeavor to soldier on.
#43 War Horse
I did not see this one, but I made the cat reenact pivotal scenes as I envisioned them by throwing his toys and watching him gallop after them around the living room. That was one feisty horse!
To entertain you further in the absence of any other content from me, did you read the new This Way to Delicious?
#42 Limitless
I actually enjoyed this for the most part - an interesting concept and fair execution. And we all know of my deep and abiding love for Bradley Cooper. However, the movie ended up escalating too much for my taste in the last half hour or so.
#41 Friends with Benefits
A cute story told by attractive and funny folks - what more could you want? I felt like this film's humor made it stronger than No Strings Attached. Interesting that Black Swan's Portman and Kunis went on to play the same role in essentially the same movie shortly after competing for the same role in the ballet to disastrous results. Coincidence? I think not.
#40 Source Code
I would move this one up the list, were it up to me - but, then, I have benefited from both seeing it and being asked to explain it twice. I appreciated the plot's deliberate pace and the gradual reveal of information, both within the source code and in Captain Stevens' real (or *spoiler alert* "real") world. I also enjoyed the numerous twists and turns - and the fact that each one importantly influenced and/or altered everything the audience had previously learned.
Despite being eons behind Mulhern's reviewing pace, I will endeavor to soldier on.
#43 War Horse
I did not see this one, but I made the cat reenact pivotal scenes as I envisioned them by throwing his toys and watching him gallop after them around the living room. That was one feisty horse!
To entertain you further in the absence of any other content from me, did you read the new This Way to Delicious?
#42 Limitless
I actually enjoyed this for the most part - an interesting concept and fair execution. And we all know of my deep and abiding love for Bradley Cooper. However, the movie ended up escalating too much for my taste in the last half hour or so.
#41 Friends with Benefits
A cute story told by attractive and funny folks - what more could you want? I felt like this film's humor made it stronger than No Strings Attached. Interesting that Black Swan's Portman and Kunis went on to play the same role in essentially the same movie shortly after competing for the same role in the ballet to disastrous results. Coincidence? I think not.
#40 Source Code
I would move this one up the list, were it up to me - but, then, I have benefited from both seeing it and being asked to explain it twice. I appreciated the plot's deliberate pace and the gradual reveal of information, both within the source code and in Captain Stevens' real (or *spoiler alert* "real") world. I also enjoyed the numerous twists and turns - and the fact that each one importantly influenced and/or altered everything the audience had previously learned.
06 February 2012
2011 Movies: #47, 46, 45 & 44
Ref: Mulhern
#47: Cars 2
#46: Win Win
#45: X-Men: First Class
#44: Horrible Bosses
Okay, so I didn't see any of these films - clearly B has more important things to do than take me to the movies with him. So instead, I will review four films that Mulhern did not see and would probably have ranked in this range (or below) anyway.
#47:Cars 2 Jumping the Broom
Successful city girl Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) is unlucky in love until she meets Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso). After a whirlwind romance, they're set to spend the rest of their lives together - but will their wedding survive their families?
#46:Win Win New Year's Eve
A motley crew of celebs [Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Cary Elwes, Alyssa Milano, Common, Jessica Biel, Seth Meyers, Katherine Heigl, Jon Bon Jovi, Sofia Vergara, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Abigail Breslin, Josh Duhamel, Hilary Swank, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges (as he is billed), Hector Elizondo and a whole host of special guest cameos and extras and family members of director Garry Marshall] converge on New York City just in time for one magical night. No surprises here - everyone pretty much plays to their expected type (although SJP rocks some hideous shoes, so there is that).
#45:X-Men: First Class Something Borrowed
Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) considers herself a good girl who takes good care of her flighty and effervescent best friend, Darcy (Kate Hudson) - that is, up until she *spoiler alert* sleeps with Darcy's fiancé Dex (Colin Egglesfield), a missed romantic possibility from her past. Darcy simpers, Dex waffles infuriatingly, friend Ethan (John Krasinski) provides logical-yet-ignored advice and Rachel finds herself questioning who she is and what she deserves out of life - while we find ourselves questioning why and whether we care.
#44:Horrible Bosses Monte Carlo
Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy star in this fun-loving romp through a world of glitz and glamour. On a European adventure, our heroines get left behind by the worst tour group of all time - but before they throw in the towel, Grace Bennett (Gomez) is mistaken for misbehaving socialite Cordelia Winthrop Scott and she and her entourage are whisked away to an appearance in Monte Carlo. It wouldn't be a feel-good flick without a hint of romance, a spot of trouble and some life lessons learned along the way.
#47: Cars 2
#46: Win Win
#45: X-Men: First Class
#44: Horrible Bosses
Okay, so I didn't see any of these films - clearly B has more important things to do than take me to the movies with him. So instead, I will review four films that Mulhern did not see and would probably have ranked in this range (or below) anyway.
#47:
Successful city girl Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) is unlucky in love until she meets Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso). After a whirlwind romance, they're set to spend the rest of their lives together - but will their wedding survive their families?
#46:
A motley crew of celebs [Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Cary Elwes, Alyssa Milano, Common, Jessica Biel, Seth Meyers, Katherine Heigl, Jon Bon Jovi, Sofia Vergara, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Abigail Breslin, Josh Duhamel, Hilary Swank, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges (as he is billed), Hector Elizondo and a whole host of special guest cameos and extras and family members of director Garry Marshall] converge on New York City just in time for one magical night. No surprises here - everyone pretty much plays to their expected type (although SJP rocks some hideous shoes, so there is that).
#45:
Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) considers herself a good girl who takes good care of her flighty and effervescent best friend, Darcy (Kate Hudson) - that is, up until she *spoiler alert* sleeps with Darcy's fiancé Dex (Colin Egglesfield), a missed romantic possibility from her past. Darcy simpers, Dex waffles infuriatingly, friend Ethan (John Krasinski) provides logical-yet-ignored advice and Rachel finds herself questioning who she is and what she deserves out of life - while we find ourselves questioning why and whether we care.
#44:
Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy star in this fun-loving romp through a world of glitz and glamour. On a European adventure, our heroines get left behind by the worst tour group of all time - but before they throw in the towel, Grace Bennett (Gomez) is mistaken for misbehaving socialite Cordelia Winthrop Scott and she and her entourage are whisked away to an appearance in Monte Carlo. It wouldn't be a feel-good flick without a hint of romance, a spot of trouble and some life lessons learned along the way.
01 February 2012
2011 Movies: #51, 50, 49 & 48
Ref: Mulhern
#51: Bad Teacher
Wow, this movie just came out last year? I vaguely remember seeing it with my family over a holiday of some sort, but I barely remember anything that happened. A ringing endorsement.
#50: Unknown
My assessment of this one is unknown - because I didn't see it!
#49: The Lincoln Lawyer
I typically like me some good courtroom action and investigative antics (see: My Cousin Vinny - and, hey, this film too features Marisa Tomei), and once I read a recap of this movie I recalled enjoying it for the most part - especially some of the twists and turns that made it suspenseful. I wonder what ever happened with the eponymous television show...
#48: Paul
I'm have no shame in admitting that I had no desire to see this. (This from the one who watched New Year's Eve...)
#51: Bad Teacher
Wow, this movie just came out last year? I vaguely remember seeing it with my family over a holiday of some sort, but I barely remember anything that happened. A ringing endorsement.
#50: Unknown
My assessment of this one is unknown - because I didn't see it!
#49: The Lincoln Lawyer
I typically like me some good courtroom action and investigative antics (see: My Cousin Vinny - and, hey, this film too features Marisa Tomei), and once I read a recap of this movie I recalled enjoying it for the most part - especially some of the twists and turns that made it suspenseful. I wonder what ever happened with the eponymous television show...
#48: Paul
I'm have no shame in admitting that I had no desire to see this. (This from the one who watched New Year's Eve...)
2011 Movies #55, 54, 53 & 52
Ref: Mulhern
And here we are, back for another round of assessing and second-guessing the films of 2011 as ranked by Mulhern. I've already fallen behind on my shadow blog, possibly due to the fact that I've been too engrossed in reading the work of the best new gourmet food writer in Minneapolis. (And how about that American flag jacket, folks?)
Diving right in...
#55: I Don't Know How She Does It
In keeping with last time around, I have not seen this film (believe it or not, I wasn't the impetus for B's viewing it). I did read the book a number of years ago. The people are British in that version but the bit about the pie is in there (only I can't remember if it was in fact a pie or some other dessert).
#54: Hall Pass
0-for-2. I do not approve on principle.
#53: 30 Minutes or Less
0-for-3! "You're two minutes late, dude."
#52: No Strings Attached
Finally, I'm in it to win it! I liked both this version of the timeless more-than-friends tale and its (deservedly) higher-ranked counterpart that benefited from a bit more fizz. But hey, I liked Valentine's Day, too, so there's no accounting for taste.
[Speaking of Valentine's Day, I did in fact watch New Year's Eve on New Year's Eve day (noon showing rather than midnight) after a couple of mimosas... So much for being unpredictable. Don't worry - we'll talk about this again later.]
And here we are, back for another round of assessing and second-guessing the films of 2011 as ranked by Mulhern. I've already fallen behind on my shadow blog, possibly due to the fact that I've been too engrossed in reading the work of the best new gourmet food writer in Minneapolis. (And how about that American flag jacket, folks?)
Diving right in...
#55: I Don't Know How She Does It
In keeping with last time around, I have not seen this film (believe it or not, I wasn't the impetus for B's viewing it). I did read the book a number of years ago. The people are British in that version but the bit about the pie is in there (only I can't remember if it was in fact a pie or some other dessert).
#54: Hall Pass
0-for-2. I do not approve on principle.
#53: 30 Minutes or Less
0-for-3! "You're two minutes late, dude."
#52: No Strings Attached
Finally, I'm in it to win it! I liked both this version of the timeless more-than-friends tale and its (deservedly) higher-ranked counterpart that benefited from a bit more fizz. But hey, I liked Valentine's Day, too, so there's no accounting for taste.
[Speaking of Valentine's Day, I did in fact watch New Year's Eve on New Year's Eve day (noon showing rather than midnight) after a couple of mimosas... So much for being unpredictable. Don't worry - we'll talk about this again later.]
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