Summer movies, Pt 2

I realized today that I've been out to see a lot of movies this summer so I've decided to dedicate yet another post to my new favorite sedentary hobby. I know my movie watching has become pretty intense compared to the normal school year because Fandango.com has been given its own spot on my Bookmarks Toolbar, yowza!

What follows is a breakdown of the new movies I've gone to see this summer, a suggested tagline, and a few sentences on how I feel about the movie...

Transformers - "Badass motherfuckery all over the place."
I ended up seeing this movie by myself through an ironic series of events. This turned out to be unfortunate for me because the whole first half of the movie I was squirming with awe and nearly called someone just to brag about how badass the movie was. I still want to go see this movie again because I loved it so much - the effects were amazing, the action was bomb, and I gotta love me some Shia. Oh, and Megan Fox was out of control hot, like, out of this world, way unnecessarily hot.

Ratatouille - "Disney, Pixar, Brad Bird = extreme genius."
I expected a lot from this film considering how much I adore The Incredibles, the other brainchild of Brad Bird and Pixar. Although it didn't live up to its predecessor, the movie was pretty damn good. Equal parts cute, charming, and funny, the movie was (of course) brilliantly animated, with so many scenes reminiscent of Bird it's not even funny. I actually did see this one twice and I'll definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD.


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - "Ministry of Magic much?"
Yes yes, lots of anticipation for this one. Mostly I'd just like to say that Neville's hair was surprisingly tolerable and the casting for Luna and Umbridge was remarkable. Can't wait for the special features on the DVD release!

Paris Je T'aime - "Je l'aime vraiment!"
Even though I saw this movie awhile ago and I had only gone to see it out of curiosity, I keep thinking about it, which to me speaks volumes. The whole thing was so artistic and moving that I've been tempted to go see this one a second time too, just because of the feeling I got from watching the movie. Probably another future DVD purchase...

Introducing the Dwights - "And you thought BRITISH boys were cute..."
This was another movie-on-a-whim that I had read about and had sounded interesting. For sure a good film but kinda depressing at the same time. Very cute Australian boy in it though.

Hairspray - "Don't take your Travolta-obsessed parents."
My parents are the ones in the theatre who make outrageously loud comments during the film, laugh obnoxiously at stale puns, and ask questions about what just happened. They also love to elbow me in the side when something funny happens, which turned out to be unlucky for me because I was sitting between them getting elbowed from both sides. Anyway, the movie was enjoyable (a lot of singing) and my mom will surely buy it on DVD, though I dunno if I would.

The Simpsons Movie - "The longest episode you'll ever see!"
Not bad. I wasn't impressed by any means, but I did have a good time and it was fairly classic Simpsons-brand humor with only a hint of that wacky, pop culture shit that most Simpsons episodes have nowadays. I did enjoy seeing some things that are normally too "adult" for TV. Would've liked to see more peripheral characters, but it was all good. I'll always love the Simpsons.

Becoming Jane - "I want to have James McAvoy's children."
You already know what I thought of this movie.

The Ten - "Waaaay out of control."
Even more so than Wet Hot American Summer, this film was beyond outrageous. Good overall and I definitely had some good laughs, but this movie was so diculous, it was ri-diculous. Sex with wooden dummys, Jesus Christ, and between convicted felons... Go see it though, seriously.

And that's all for now. This week I'll see Stardust, which I'm sure I'll have a few choice words for as well.

Please mum, I want some more...

Last night I went to see Becoming Jane and it was just okay. I will admit that I was partially distracted by the glory of James McAvoy, which may have kept me from appreciating the movie to its fullest, but I have no regrets. In fact, James McAvoy gave quite an enjoyable performance... I therefore dedicate this entry to Mr. McAvoy and a few other Scottish actors who have garnered my own, hard-won acclaim.

James McAvoy

Where you've seen him:

• Becoming Jane
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• Wimbledon

Why I love him:
In a very Hugh Grant-like way, James McAvoy has a sweet, endearing charm that's absolutely irresistible. Plus, who ever thought a faun could be hot?


Ewan McGregor
Where you've seen him:

• Trainspotting
• Star Wars Episodes I-III
• Moulin Rouge
• Big Fish
• The Island

Why I love him:
I know he smokes and I know he has a big forehead-mole, but I can't help it, he's so damn adorable. He sings, dances, and he's f-ing Obi Wan, come on! Yeah, I'm pretty much in love.


Gerard Butler
Where you've seen him:

• Dracula 2000
• The Phantom of the Opera
• 300

Why I love him:
Gerard's badass-factor is off the charts. He's been Dracula, a phantom, and King Leonidas. Granted, he wasn't exactly Mr. Thing as the phantom, but I can't resist a guy who sings, even if he is creepy, disfigured, and obsessed with a young girl...


Dougray Scott
Where you've seen him:

• Deep Impact
• Ever After
• Dark Water

Why I love him:
I'm not going to lie, the only reason Dougray made this list was because of Ever After, one of favorite movies (which I also just recently watched). In fact, I'm not sure that I recall him in any of his other movies, but that's alright. His single performance as Prince Henry II secures his place on this list (and in my heart).

Summer movies

Two movies come out tomorrow that I really want to see, and you should really want to see them too. Well, at least one of them. The second film might only be attractive to you if you have a vagina. Either way, these are two good films that should keep you preoccupied from going to see the simultaneously-released Bratz, just in case you were in danger of getting some brattitude.

The Ten
Have you ever seen Wet Hot American Summer? If not, borrow it from me and watch it, immediately. It's amazing.

Anyway, the creators of this brilliant comedic gem have made a new movie called The Ten. The movie features ten short stories, all based on the ten commandments. See for yourself:

Fortunately for you, despite the movie's limited release, it's playing in a couple places that are close by, so take advantage of that and go see this movie. It'll be awesome, lots of laughs I promise.

Becoming Jane

Okay, so this recommendation is a bit self-indulgent. I haven't even decided if I think this movie actually looks like it's going to be good or not, but I generally like Anne Hathaway and boy do I enjoy watching James McAvoy.

This movie is also in limited release but is still playing at more theatres than The Ten, go figure. If you want indulge your feminine side, go see this movie.

Why I love Lilo and Stitch

As is a regular habit of mine and my roommates, we had a Disney Movie Night in our apartment tonight. Tonight's feature? Lilo and Stitch, a traditionally animated feature released way back in the summer of 2002.

I had seen this movie once before when was first released. However, I don't believe that I blubbered like an idiot through the whole thing the first time around, like I did tonight. Yes, that's right, I cried... A lot. At first I was just tearing up but by the end, I just let loose and was full on crying. Thank goodness we keep a box of tissues next to the TV.

Basically, this movie is unbelievably adorable in every possible way, but never strays into the overly saccharine IMHO, the main reason I'm not a huge fan of Monsters, Inc..

You might recall the innovative ad campaign employed by Disney prior to the release of the film, including fun trailers such as the following:

From the ridiculously feisty Lilo ("I'm sorry I bit you... and pulled your hair... and punched you in the face...") to the equally lovable Stitch ("This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good." - excuse my while I die a little), the film is fucking brilliant. Beautiful watercolor backgrounds, spot-on voice acting, Elvis/Hawai'ian soundtrack, it's all great.

Although I don't recall being enamored with this film after the first viewing, it will certainly be filed henceforth under "Disney favorites" in my brain. Like Tarzan, this movie left a much better taste in my mouth after the second viewing (although I have yet to cry during Tarzan).

So, I strongly encourage you to go out and watch this movie again, it's good stuff. Don't forget to grab a box of tissue.

Paris, Je T'aime

Just because it's late and I'm feeling sentimental, I want to recommend everyone to go to see Paris, Je T'aime.

I just happened to see it advertised at a theatre here in the U-District but by the time I looked it up to see what it was about, the theatre had stopped showing it. Fortunately, it was (and still is) playing downtown by the Seattle Center in a theatre on Queen Anne. Go see it, enjoy it, and fall in love with Paris.