146/365

Run Lola Run (Lola Rennt)

Tom Tykwer

1998

★★★ out of 5

My twitter friend Glen recommended me Run Lola Run, but the Netflix version was a dubbed one.  Since I really hate dubs, I waited till I could grab a version on DVD.  I loved the looks of the film…and I really enjoyed the flash forwards of the characters that Lola runs into.  This movie is visually awesome…and the pacing with fitting music was great.  Thanks to my friend for suggesting this film to me!  If you like thrillers and visually interesting crime movies, check this one out.  

145/365

Moonrise Kingdom

Wes Anderson

2012

★★★★★ out of 5

Well, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I loved this film.  Anderson’s style is fantastic as usual…but this time he did a few small things that were uncharacteristic of his movies.  He used blocking really well in this film….and I loved noticing the people in the background of the shots (like in the top row of images).  Wes Anderson’s trademark wit is constant from pretty much every character…and the film just felt more magical compared to anything he’s done before.  I will admit that something did feel a bit off that kept this from being a top favorite, but perhaps with more viewings that will change.  I had to drive a hour and a half to Hollywood by myself to catch the midnight premier, since none of my school friends are Anderson fans.  It was the only theatre on the west coast that had a showing this early and I knew that I had to catch it as soon as I possibly could.  I loved the two main characters……the styling, the color (all very strong points of Anderson’s films and I highly suggest it to any fans of his or perhaps people who just like a good (and quirky) love story.  

And now….my Top Favorite Wes Anderson films list (since I’ve now completed his filmography for the moment)!

1. The Royal Tenenbaums (my favorite film..though Eternal Sunshine keeps butting heads with this one for my top spot)
2. The Darjeeling Limited
3. Rushmore
4. Moonrise Kingdom
5. Fantastic Mr. Fox
6. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
7. Bottle Rocket

I can’t wait to hear about his next project.  It probably won’t be for another three years or so…but one can dream.  I am so happy with this film and what came from it…definitely worth the waiting.  

144/365

The Producers

Mel Brooks

1968

★★ out of 5

I originally saw the remake (with Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, and Will Ferrell) so I was surprised to see this wasn’t really a musical.  Even though the story is the same…it felt like two different movies.  The musical is more stylistic and stage-y with the musicals and equally over-the-top characters, but for some reason I like it better that way.  A lot can be said for this one in it’s originality and iconic lines, but I just enjoy the 2005 version better *cowers from purists*  But if it makes some people feel better, Mel Brooks did write and produce the 2005 version, so in a way he still had A LOT to do with both films.  I think this series of movies will be based on what you grew up with, or if you prefer musical numbers.  Either way, I love the premise and story…and the Springtime for Hitler song is so damn catchy.  

Oh, and tomorrow night is the big night.  I am going to a midnight premier for my favorite director’s new film….so the post will be up Friday morning.  :)  So so happy and excited for tomorrow night!

143/365

Catch Me If You Can

Steven Spielberg

2002

★★★★ out of 5

In honor of Leo’s newly released trailer for The Great Gatsby (it looks BEAUTIFUL…I am a big Baz Luhrmann fan thanks to this 365 film challenge), I decided to watch a movie I had in my 365 collection for awhile now.  This reminded me of a more “historical” version of I Love You Philip Morris, since Jim Carey lies with the same ease that Leo’s character does.  Apparently this is based off a true story and I think it’s crazy that a man was able to go through all of these different careers and lives.  The opening scene was well done (one of my favorites so far) and I really liked the time period that the movie is set in.  It was a little hard to believe that Leo’s character was only as old as 19…but whatever.  The casting throughout was great, and it was funny seeing little cameos from Elizabeth Banks and Jennifer Garner.  I liked the story and the suspense of Leo constantly changing his life story through intricate lies and sometimes with sheer luck.  Another great Spielberg film.  

142/365

Babel

Alejandro González Iñárritu

2006

★★★★ out of 5

In my psychology class our teacher wanted us to sit down absorb ourselves completely into something for the entire time.  So I decided to watch a movie that I had heard would benefit from full-attention sitting.  Typically I write my post as I go along…or at least the tags and the main information, but this time I turned off everything, tuned our everyone, and just sat and watched this film.  There was so much to take in, and so much intensity from the entire film that I am still processing it.  I loved the four different stories woven together and as time went on they became shorter and shorter.  

There is a lot of criticism over Rinko Kikuchi’s storyline..and yes, it does feel a bit out of place from the story that other three lines are telling…but it’s still about communication.  I had no problem with it whatsoever (and Kikuchi is beautiful in this role).  This was a very long movie to sit through entirely engrossed in it, but I absolutely loved it.  I feel like this is one I can watch over and over and still get more information every time.  A beautiful film..not for everyone that’s for sure…but worth the time checking out if you enjoy cinema or ensemble pieces.  I felt completely invested in every character in this film…a rare feat for modern cinema I feel.  

141/365

Minority Report

Steven Spielberg

2002

★★★★ out of 5

This movie had such a great concept and it pulled me in from the start.  The idea that you can prevent a crime from happening is a dream…and they do very well to hammer home the idea of choice once your “fate” is determined.  I do not know how Spielberg does it, but every time I watch a film from him I get sucked in till the very end.  I’m curious about the ending controversy….and I can see it going either way, but never the less, I enjoyed this movie a lot.  

140/365

Dark Shadows

Tim Burton

2012

★★★ out of 5

As a person who just simply loves Tim Burton movies (except Alice..that was a nightmare) it takes a lot to make me really dislike one of his films.  I went into this movie expecting it to be the worst ever..since a lot of the film reviewers I watch had huge rants about it…but I found it to be a fun Tim Burton movie.  A lot of the scenes reminded me of a mix between Sweeney Todd (especially the By The Sea number) sets and it also had a slight Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feel.  I didn’t mind the all-over-the-place 70’s soundtrack (it was quite fun) and the costumes were great.  Is this Burton’s best, not by a long shot….but if you’re craving a bit of Burton flair check it out.  Perhaps wait for a DVD release if you can wait that long.  

by the way, Eva Green was simply beautiful…and I really enjoyed the look of Bella Heathcote, the actress who played Victoria.