Movie

The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014)

Nine Lives of Christmas

The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014)

Director:

Mark Jean

Starring:

Brandon Routh

Kimberly Sustad

Stephanie Bennett

Plot:

After a stray cat adopts Zachary, he meets Marliee and realizes the single life is not as fulfilling as he thought it was.

Review:

So if I was ever an actress one of my goals would be to star in a Hallmark movie. That and a Law and Order episode. But I’m weird. What are the odds that Brandon Routh is weird too? I feel kind of bad for him, I thought he was a good Superman, but I haven’t watched him in a movie since then.

A fair amount of product placement going on here. They weren’t in your face about it, so that was nice. But it was still very much there. Hmmm…maybe I need to go shop at Wal-Mart.

The story was cute and not as bad as other made for TV Christmas movies. The relationship moved fast, but then who could blame her? They did kind of push the cliche being in a relationship negatives that Routh was afraid of, but I kind of see what they were going with there.

I liked this Christmas movie but probably not enough to add it to my Christmas routine.

3/5

Inside Out (2015)

inside-out

Inside Out (2015)

Director:

Pete Doctor

Ronnie Del Carmen

Starring:

Amy Poehler

Bill Hader

Lewis Black

Plot:

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Review:

Wow that movie was darker than I expected it to be. I don’t consider that a negative it’s just an observation. I really don’t think most children would have picked up on it, though. It was more for the adults.

I found myself crying throughout the whole thing and really wished my daughter was awake so that I could hug her. I’m apparently hormonal right now lol

It was a cute movie, I thought the concept was cool, but I don’t think I need to own it. Definitely watch it if you haven’t, but at your own leisure.

4/5

Tomorrowland (2015)

tomorrowland

Tomorrowland (2015)

Director:

Brad Bird

Starring:

George Clooney

Britt Robertson

Hugh Laurie

Raffey Cassidy

Plot:

Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.

Review:

It makes me sad that this movie bombed and no more will be made. It has such a ridiculously positive message and I loved it so much.

I read that critics felt it had pacing issues, but I honestly don’t know what I’d change. One minute it was balls to the wall action, the next it was lots of talking, but that’s what the story called for and I don’t think it made it bad. I never got bored, I never wondered when it was going to be over, I just wanted more.

My favorite part was near the beginning when Britt Robertson’s character was being told by the cast of Stargate: Atlantis (not really they were her teachers) that the world was basically fucked in every possible way and she asked how do we fix it. I loved that.

It’s silly to say but the movie resonated with me and it could very well be my favorite movie of the year. Definite buy and re-watch and hopefully indoctrinate my daughter.

5/5

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Pitch Perfect 2

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Director:

Elizabeth Banks

Starring:

Anna Kendrick

Rebel Wilson

Hailee Steinfeld

Plot:

After a humiliating command performance at The Kennedy Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

Review:

I watched the first movie, I know I did, but apparently it was before the website. I vaguely remember liking it and that’s probably how I’m going to remember this one as well.

It was cute. It seemed to have some pacing issues where it was too slow at a couple parts and then sped through others. It’s a lot of people to follow so it’s going to move fast.

Favorite part was the underground acapella competition. Was not expecting to see all those comedians and the Packers, it was a strange combo, and hilarious.

I don’t really think this series needs any more movies, but it looks like they’re making another sequel, so we’ll see what happens.

3/5

V for Vendetta (2005)

V for Vendetta (2005)

Director:

James McTeigue

Starring:

Hugo Weaving

Natalie Portman

Rupert Graves

Plot:

In a future British tyranny, a shadowy freedom fighter, known only by the alias of “V”, plots to overthrow it with the help of a young woman.

Review:

I use to have a V doll that went through the entire V speech, including climactic music. Yeah. I’m awesome.

I’ve evidently watched too many British shows recently because Natalie Portman’s accent bugged me. Never has before so I decided to just ignore it. She’s a fine actress, but apparently her British accent needs work.

It took one man with a particular set of skills and a wide spread broadcast to motivate a nation. It’s a beautiful idea.

The feeling and the speeches, everything in this movie elicits a rebellious reaction in me. I just watched a TED talk about how the world isn’t as bad as we think and yet now I feel the desire to over throw a government.

I thought of this movie because of the recent action movie list, but watching it again I realize there aren’t that many action scenes. They’re there and pretty awesome, but the movie is about a message not about kicking ass.

It’s been a while since I’ve read the comic and all I remember is that it was pretty brutal.

5/5