watch it: 21 jump street

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Notable Cast Members: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Ice Cube, Rob Riggle, Ellie Kemper, DeRay Davis

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (rating rationale)

Plot Summary: Schmidt (Jonah Hill) has his brains going for him. Jenko (Channing Tatum) has his braun. At the police academy, the two set aside differences from high school and join forces to help each other become police officers. In the process, they also become best friends and partners. After screwing up their first attempt at a major arrest, the deputy chief (played by Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman) reassigns them to an undercover operation located at 21 Jump Street. The two prepare to go undercover at a local high school in order to stop the spread of a dangerous new drug (while living with Schmidt's parents in the house he grew up in). However, they accidentally mix up their newly assigned identities, and Schmidt, who was an academic outsider in high school, gets in with the popular crowd, while Jenko, who was an all-around jock unconcerned with learning, makes friends with the nerds. Add in the fact that their police work is not always top-dollar, and you get some hilarious, action-packed entertainment.

Personal Thoughts: I loved this movie! It's one of the funniest movies I've seen in awhile - definitely the funniest since Bridesmaids. I know I usually like most movies I review, but I claim it's not that I like everything and it's more that I am just good at spending my time on movies I like...although most people tell me it's the first option. I know I'm not alone on my 21 Jump Street opinion, though! Dan thought this movie was hilarious and worth seeing in theaters, as did a few other people with whom I discussed the film. That being said, if you enjoy movies like Superbad, Stepbrothers, Pineapple Express, Your Highness, etc., then you will probably enjoy 21 Jump Street. If you didn't like at least one of those movies, you may not like 21 Jump Street. If you can't handle violence, you might not like 21 Jump Street (or at least will need to avert your eyes for a few moments). A lot of my favorite movies are ones like the four mentioned above, and I am excellent at averting my eyes at any violence that gets to me, so I did enjoy this movie! Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have an excellent rapport as weirdly-matched best friends, display awesome comedic chops, and nicely play the "serious" moments without any cheesiness. The supporting cast is superb, especially Dave Franco and Ice Cube. The story is a bit off-kilter, but just grounded enough. If you're looking for a movie to crack you up while also blowing stuff up, 21 Jump Street has got you covered.

watch it: big miracle

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Notable Cast Members: John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Ahmaogak Sweeney, Ted Danson, Kristin Bell, Dermot Mulroney, Vinessa Shaw, Rob Riggle, James LeGros

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (rating rationale)

Plot Summary: In 1988, Adam Carlson (John Krasinski) was on assignment in Barrow, Alaska as part of his "Adam Around Alaska" series for his Anchorage news station. Shortly before Adam was ready to depart, he and his young native Alaskan friend, Nathan, discovered three gray whales - a mom, dad, and baby - trapped in the ice. Adam's ex-girlfriend Rachel (Drew Barrymore), who also happens to be a major Greenpeace activist, immediately begins campaigning for serious rescue efforts. Her cause is helped when NBC picks up the story and airs it nationally. Suddenly, the country is experiencing whale fever. The U.S. government, major oil companies, Barrow locals, and reporters and volunteers from across the U.S. band together to rescue the whales. The movie is based on a true story.

Personal Thoughts: I loved this movie! To be fair, I had a feeling I would going into it as I (a) love John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristin Bell and Ted Danson, (b) the film takes place in Alaska, a major place on my "To Visit" list, (c) the movie is all about animals, and (d) the film is based on a true story and even features excellent Cold War tension and cheesiness. All that being said, the movie did not disappoint. John Krasinksi and Drew Barrymore had a wonderful chemistry and did excellently in roles that fit them well. Ted Danson was deliciously evil yet human as an oil baron, as was Kristin Bell as an aspiring journalist. All of the greater supporting roles, such as James LeGros and Rob Riggle as helpful inventors, were well-done and enjoyable. The story itself was compelling and poignant. A big softie, I didn't even wear masacra to the theater (despite the fact that I wanted to look cute since it was a date with Dan) because I knew I would cry at some point- which I of course did. The movie definitely ended on a positive note, though, along with some fun credits that included information about what happened to the main players in the rescue once it was completed. Overall, the movie was touching, funny, and interesting, and I highly recommend it.

watch it: red tails

A couple weekends ago Dan came up from Columbus to visit. We love history (we both earned degrees in social studies education), and thought the new movie Red Tails looked interesting, despite its possible cheesiness, so we went to the theaters to see it.

Notable Cast Members: Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (rating rationale)

Plot Summary:

While the Tuskegee program in the military allowed African-Americans the opportunity to be trained as pilots and take part in the U.S.A.'s WWII efforts, it did not initially allow them to participate in missions that put them in direct action against the enemy. Red Tails tells the story of these talented men and how they fought both the Axis powers and segregation within the U.S. military while stationed in Europe.

Personal Thoughts below the movie poster & CONTAINS SPOILERS

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Personal Thoughts (WITH SPOILERS):

I went into the movie knowing there would be cheesy parts based on what I saw in its trailer. I did not mind most of the cheesy parts of the movie. In fact, what could have been the cheesiest parts of the movie were not cheesy at all because of the amazing acting ability of Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Terrence Howard (Gooding, Jr., plays Major Emanuelle Stance, who leads the Red Tails, and Howard plays his commanding officer, Colonel A.J. Bullard). The parts I had the major issues with were the very beginning and the very end of the movie. The beginning of the movie made me cringe. It was poorly done, feeling like an awkward simulation rather than the opening of a story. The ending was just plain terrible. As far as I know, while this movie is inspired by true events, it is not actually based on any real individuals (please correct me if I am wrong!). That being said, I do not understand why the writers of the movie chose to conclude the story the way they did. Killing off the pretty much the only likable character not played by Terrence Howard or Cuba Gooding, Jr., or at least the only other character they clearly wanted you to cheer for, and then abruptly ending the film was like someone unexpectedly splashed my face with cold water. I think I actually turned to Dan in the theater and said, "What the hell?!" I did not feel that was a unnecessary turn of events for the story or the way to let it end. It pretty much ruined the movie for me. All that being said, I would not recommend seeing this movie in theaters. I wouldn't pay for a rental to watch it again, either (although if I had never seen it and had only paid $2 at Redbox to see it I wouldn't have been mad). I might settle in to give it a second chance if I ever happen to come across it on TV.

things I've been meaning to blog about, watch it edition: 2011 movies

Today the 84th Academy Award Nominations were announced. Full of opinions, I went to write a blog post about my thoughts when I realized I had not done a full recap of the movies I had seen in 2011 and my overall rating of them (like I did for 2010). Better late than never, right? Especially since some of these have been nominated for an Oscar and a lot of them have or will be released on DVD soon. So, without further delay, today I'm posting about my favorite 2011 movies, and tomorrow I'll be discussing the Oscar nominations. Here we go!

My Top Movies of 2011*

(three instead of five because I saw

less movies this year than in 2010)

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Bridesmaids - This movie will always be one of my all-time favorite films. It makes me laugh, cry, and cry from laughing no matter how many times I see it. It is an excellent story about female friendships, the ridiculousness of weddings, and believing in yourself. Awesome writing and amazing acting (my full review can be found here)!

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

The Help - First of all, if you haven't read The Help, then you need to stop what you're doing and start right now. Once you've finished reading it, you then need to watch the movie immediately. The acting in this film was truly outstanding. Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis certainly give the knockout performances, but Emma Stone, Allison Janney, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek, and Jessica Chastain are all superb. The film tells an important and compelling story that everyone needs to hear, and does so with both hilarity and dignity.

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Super 8 - I feel as though this movie was highly praised when it was released and then quickly forgotten, and I can't understand why. It takes place in the 1970s and is presented in a way that it really does feel like a classic Steven Spielberg sci-fi adventure movie (the best comparison I can say is that Super 8 is like a higher-quality The Goonies). The young actors were wonderful and their adult counterparts provided the perfect balance. It has everything a movie should: suspense, humor, action, love, friendship, family, mystery, stretches of the imagination, etc. Definitely worth a viewing - or a few!

Close contenders: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, 50/50, and The Muppets

*All the 2011 Movies I Have Seen & My Ratings

(five star movies are in bold and were the only
consideration for the my top three movies of the year list)

No Strings Attached ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Take Me Home Tonight ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Your Highness ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bridesmaids ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Thor ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

X-Men: First Class ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Super 8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bad Teacher ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Green Lantern ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Transformers: The Dark of the Moon ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Captain America: The First Avenger ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cowboys and Aliens ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Horrible Bosses ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The Help ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

30 Minutes or Less ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

50/50 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Moneyball ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The Muppets ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

What movies did you see in 2011, and which were your favorite?

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

watch it: my 25 days of christmas

Source: bing.com via Kelly on Pinterest

White Christmas

Source: ivillage.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Source: nydailynews.com via Kelly on Pinterest

A Christmas Story

Source: empireonline.com via Kelly on Pinterest

A Charlie Brown Christmas

For as long as I can remember, with the exception of a two-year period during my college years, my family has not had cable/satellite TV. When I did have cable at home and in my college dorm room, I greatly enjoyed ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. And as silly as it probably sounds, those Christmas specials are probably the number-one thing I miss about having cable TV. I just loved being able to turn on the TV on any given December evening or weekend and be bombarded by truly wonderful holiday specials. It just made the holiday season feel that much more nostalgic and fun. So this year, I decided to make my own 25 Days of Christmas list and then work my way through it. Check it out! Let me know what favorites of yours made the list, and which ones didn't that you think I should make an effort to see. The photos above feature just a few of the classics I included.

things i've been meaning to blog about, watch it edition: fall movies & new tv series

After I started a job in Columbus, life got very hectic and I took an unplanned break from this blog. Since leaving that job and moving again, I've returned and recommitted to regularly blogging at Beagle & Bear. Part of that returns includes a blog series called "Things I've Been Meaning to Blog About," which is made up of posts I intended to publish in summer or early fall but haven't yet. This post is the last of that series.

Source: trailers.apple.com via Stéfanie on Pinterest

Movie: 50/50 (pictured above)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

See it if you enjoy: laughing and crying at the same time, taking a stand, friendship, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anna Kendrick.

Movie: Moneyball

Rating*: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

See it if you enjoy: baseball, rooting for the underdog, true stories, and Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Did you see either of these films? What did you think?

Source: Uploaded by user via Misty on Pinterest

TV Show: 2 Broke Girls (pictured above)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Watch it if you enjoy: strong female characters, non-stop jokes, New York City, and Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, and Nick Zano.

TV Show: New Girl

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Watch it if you enjoy: the movie No Strings Attached (the creator of the show also wrote that film), close male-female friendships, stories about roommates, and Zooey Deschanel, Jake M. Johnson, Max Greenfield, and Lamorne Morris.

Source: cinemablend.com via Jeanette on Pinterest

TV Show: Up All Night (pictured above)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Watch it if you enjoy: comedic looks at parenthood and marriage, shows like The Office or Parks and Recreation, characters with ridiculous egos, and Will Arnett, Christina Applegate, and Maya Rudolph.

TV Show: Last Man Standing

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Watch it if you enjoy: family-oriented sitcoms, issues and antics between sisters, the Midwest, and Tim Allen, Nancy Travis, and Hector Elizondo. (Note: I probably wouldn't watch this show if I wasn't home on Tuesday nights and had cable, but I'm glad I do! It brings me back to the glory days of Home Improvement without being exactly the same thing).

Source: google.com via Sara on Pinterest

TV Show: Pan Am (pictured above)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Watch it if you enjoy: anything to do with the 1960s, drama that includes both action and romance, exotic settings, and Christina Ricci, Mike Vogel, and Kelli Garner.

TV shows that have been cancelled already that I actually liked: ABC's Charlie's Angels reboot, NBC's The Playboy Club

TV shows that I've heard are good and I want to watch but haven't been able to yet: Suburgatory, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, and Whitney.

What fall shows have you been watching? What do you think?

* (rating rationale)

watch it: happy halloween!

Source: sharethefiles.com via Kelly on Pinterest

What are you doing tonight? I will be handing out candy at home and then playing some pub trivia with friends. For both events I will be dressed up, of course (as will my adorable BFF Madison)!

While handing out candy, I like to watch my favorite Halloween specials and movies from when I was a child. My absolute favorite is the one pictured above, Scooby Doo Meets the Boo Brothers. I also enjoy It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!, Hocus Pocus, Ernest Scared Stupid, Beetlejuice, Little Monsters, Double, Double Toil and Trouble, and The Addams Family. If I can get the old VHS tapes to work, I might even watch some of classic 90s TGIF Halloween episodes! What Halloween specials are your favorite?

things i've been meaning to blog about & watch it: movies i saw this summer

Source: google.com.au via Holly on Pinterest

Movie: Bad Teacher

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

See it if you enjoy: ridiculously inappropriate humor, characters with no moral qualms, and Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, and Justin Timberlake

Movie: Captain America

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

See it if you enjoy: superheroes, the WWII-era, hopeless romanticism, and Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, and Stanley Tucci

Movie: Cowboys & Aliens

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

See it if you enjoy: alien encounters, the Wild West, mystery, and Olivia Wilde, Daniel Craig, and Harrison Ford

Movie: Green Lantern

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

See it if you enjoy: superheroes, alien encounters, special effects, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

See it if you enjoy: the Harry Potter series, coming-of-age stories, British accents, and Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint

Movie: The Help

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

See it if you enjoy: women's issues, the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s, stories focused on families, and Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Bryce Dallas Howard

Movie: Super 8

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

See it if you enjoy: the 1970s, alien encounters, The Goonies, Kyle Chandler, and fresh faces

Movie: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

See it if you enjoy: the Transformers franchise, extended action sequences, conspiracy theories, and Shia LaBeouf, Patrick Dempsey, and Josh Duhamel

Early in the summer I wrote full reviews of the following movies: Thor, Bridesmaids, and X-Men First Class.

Did you see any of the movies on my summer movie list? What ones, and what did you think?

watch it: x-men: first class

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Movie: X-Men: First Class

Viewed: June 2011, in theaters

Notable Cast Members: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Rose Bryne, Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Frost, Nicholas Hoult

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (rating rationale)

Plot Summary: What caused the X-Men to come together? A mutant villain named Sebastian Shaw. In the 1960s, mutant Eric Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) wants to avenge his mother's death, who was killed at the hands of Shaw. The CIA, who wants to stop Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) from successfully starting a war between the Soviets and the U.S., asks Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), both a mutant expert and a mutant himself, to help track him down. Together, Charles and Eric recruit other young mutants to join the fight against Shaw, becoming close friends along the way. But will the battle against Shaw cause them to grow closer, or will it tear them apart?

Personal Thoughts: While X-Men: First Class is a prequel to the X-men trilogy, you don't need to have seen all the movies to understand the plot (although it does make it a bit more fun). I really enjoyed this movie. I thought the acting was great, the story interesting, and the special effects awesome. It is a great entry into the X-men film franchise and into the comic book movie genre in general. I definitely recommend seeing it!

watch it: bridesmaids

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Movie: Bridesmaids, 2011

Viewed: in theaters (twice!), May 2011

Notable Cast Members: Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jon Hamm, Chris O'Dowd

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (rating rational)

Plot Summary: Annie (Kristin Wiig) is having a tough time. Her dream business, a bakery, went bust and she's basically broke, she lives with a weird brother and sister pair, she lets her emotions feed into her job at a jeweler's, and she allows herself to be duped over by the same jerk again and again. Then - BAM! She finds out her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), is getting married. Equally happy and horrified for her, Annie agrees to be Lillian's maid of honor. Annie soon finds herself at odds with fellow bridesmaid Helen (Rose Byrne) over who cares for Lillian more, as well as the skyrocketing cost of being involved in the wedding (which doesn't seem to concern anyone else, except Lillian's father). Along the way, a distance seems to develop between Annie and Lillian, right when Annie could use some advice and love from her best friend the most. Bridesmaids is an excellent film - a hilarious portrayal of female friendships, the insanity of planning weddings, how being an adult sometimes just plain sucks, and how you always have it in you to turn your life around.

Personal Thoughts: My top ten favorite things from the film (no spoilers, & in no particular order):

1. The scene on the plane.
2. Annie's roommate and his sister.
3. Officer Rhodes (played by Chris O'Dowd).
4. The scene in the bridal gown shop.
5. John Hamm's jerk-of-a-man Ted.
6. The scene with Annie and Helen in the car.
7. The scenes with Annie in the jewelry shop.
8. Wilson Phillips.
9. Melissa McCarthy as Megan - comic gold!
10. Annie's mom (played by Lynne Marie Stewart).

I highly recommend this film. Don't worry, guys will definitely enjoy it, too (just ask this one)! Can't wait for the DVD!!!

Have you seen Bridesmaids? What did you think?

Want more Kristin Wiig? Check out this collection of some great SNL skits.

watch it: thor

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Movie: Thor, 2011

Viewed: May 2011, in theaters, in 3D

Notable Cast Members: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, and Clark Gregg

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (rating rational)

Plot Summary:

Let me first say you don't need to know a thing about the Thor comic books in order to understand the movie. It is pretty good at introducing necessary background information in the beginning and explaining what you need to know in order to follow the story along the way. Basically, the universe has nine realms. Earth is one of those nine realms. Asgard, the home of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), is another. Thor is a brillant but arrogant warrior, and his foolish actions anger his father, King Odin (Anthony Hopkins). He is banished to Earth, where astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her friends help him adjust. Meanwhile, an evil plot takes ahold of Asgard and threatens to harm Earth. What will Thor and his friends do?

Take Note:

Now, if you are a superhero movie fan like myself, you probably know that Marvel is going to be making an Avengers movie in the near future (parts of which will be filmed in CLEVELAND! woohoo!). You also probably know that Marvel has a reputation for putting scenes after the credits of their films, and that their most recent films' post-credits scenes are what set up the connections between various movies' storylines (for example, the post-credits scene at the end of 2010's Ironman 2 is linked to Thor). Thus, since Thor is a key member of the Avengers, there is a scene after the credits of Thor that gives a hint as to what the plot of the Avengers movie might be. Remember how I said you didn't need comic book background to understand Thor? (and really, you should remember, I just said it up above. C'mon, people.) Well, I lied a tiny bit. You do need comic book knowledge to understand the post-credits scene. Luckily, I have a knowledgeable big brother to turn to in this situation, who shed some light on the scene for me. So, if you see Thor and are confused about that scene, feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I'll do my best to help you out! : )

Personal Thoughts:

This movie was definitely enjoyable. Action-packed, humorous, and even a bit romantic at some points. I personally love Natalie Portman and Kat Dennings, and Chris Hemsworth is pretty easy on the eyes, so that made the film more enticing for me. However, it the plot itself is a bit more fantastical and complex than previous Marvel superhero films, so here's my recommendation: If you are a fan of superhero films, it is worth seeing in theaters (in 3D or not). If you are not a huge superhero film fan or fantasy isn't your thing, then I would wait for DVD, or see it in theaters for a matinee or not in 3D to save you some cash.

Have you seen Thor? What did you think? Do you like superhero films in general?

watch it: movies of 2010

Hello, everyone! How are you? Finalizing your New Year's Eve plans? I am excited to ring in 2011! For many reasons...one of which, for me as a big film fan, is the arrival of awards show season and a whole new year of movies! In the meantime, I present to you my Overview of 2010 Movies : )

My Top Five Best Movies of 2010*

The Social Network
Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Rashida Jones

I saw this movie in theaters twice - and I rarely see movies in theaters more than once. I love this movie about the creation of Facebook and the legal conflicts that ensued. The writing is outstanding, expertly telling a story that is both funny and serious through flashbacks and deposition scenes. The acting is top-rate - every actor is perfect in their role, expertly handling and executing the light-hearted and heavy parts of the story. The music and cinematography are so well-done, they're like more supporting characters - adding to the story in a way that it wouldn't be the same if they were gone, but they don't overwhelm you or take your attention away from where it should be. Amazing, amazing, amazing. This movie deserves every award it's nominated for. (picture source)

Toy Story 3

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack

As People magazine pointed out, Toy Story 3 proves, if anything, that Pixar simply cannot make movies anymore. They make instant classics, masterpieces of the film world, not just of the animation and children/family genres. As a young woman who was just beginning elementary school when the first Toy Story arrived in theaters and is currently in college, this movie was especially poignant for me. Andy is about to leave for college and is trying to decide what toys to give away, which to keep, and which to take to college with him when the toys accidentally get dropped off at a day care center. This movie made me cry three times. THREE TIMES. And I still want to watch it over and over. A must-see for people of all ages. (picture source)

Easy A
Emma Stone, Penn Bagdley, Amanda Bynes, Aly Michalka, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson

I know this movie is classified as a teen comedy/romantic comedy, which generally aren't critically acclaimed and don't make top "movies of the year" lists, but this isn't a typical teen or romantic comedy. It's not just funny, it's super witty and its brand of funniness is of an irresistible, off-beat nature. The story is basically an unique, modern-day retelling of The Scarlet Letter, going beyond the basic boy-and-girl, party-scene formula so many teen movies fall upon. Emma Stone is fantastic, excelling at both humor and more dramatic scenes (so good, in fact, she's been nominated for a Golden Globe). The supporting cast is superb, adding to the humor and drama without overpowering Stone's lead. I highly recommend seeing this film. (picture source)

Date Night
Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Mark Wahlberg,
James Franco, Mila Kunis, Taraji P. Henson

Again, I realize that comedies are usually not placed on "top movies of the year" lists very often, nor are movies that were released in the first half of the calendar year, but Date Night was awesome. It starred two of the funniest actors today, Steve Carell and Tina Fey, who rocked the humorous, action-packed, and sensitive parts of the film and provided the audience with the believable chemistry of a couple who's been married for some time. The supporting cast did a great job, especially stand-outs James Franco, Mila Kunis, and Mark Wahlberg. The story is crazy and of course unlikely, but extremely fun. I highly recommend it to fans of Carell and Fey and to those in search of a fun movie night. (picture source)

Shutter Island
Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley,
Michelle Williams

I have to admit, I struggled quite a bit in choosing my final top movie pick - I was debating between Shutter Island and Inception, and I was not going to pick both and have two mind-twisting, Leo thrillers on my list. I ultimately chose Shutter Island because (a) I'm a sucker for the underdog and (b) it was UNBELIEVABLE. Don't get me wrong, Inception was mind-blowing as well and most definitely a must-see, but I was highly impressed by Shutter Island. As someone who is in no way a fan of the scary movie genre, I was surprised at my ability to handle the story of Shutter Island - it's more a suspenseful thriller. I appreciated the acting of Leonardo DiCaprio and the always-wonderful Mark Ruffalo, as well as the direction of the great Martin Scorsese. The end is moving, terrifying, and mega-intriguing all at once. Not a movie to watch by yourself or super late at night, but definitely one to see. (picture source)

*All the 2010 Movies I Have Seen & My Ratings
(five star movies are highlighted purple and were the only
consideration for the my top five movies of the year list)

When in Rome ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Daybreakers ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Dear John ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Valentine's Day ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Shutter Island ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cop Out ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Alice in Wonderland ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Green Zone ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Bounty Hunter ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Hot Tub Time Machine ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
How to Train Your Dragon ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Date Night ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Kick-Ass ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Back-Up Plan ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Iron Man 2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Letters to Juliet ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Get Him to the Greek ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Killers ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Toy Story 3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Eclipse ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The Last Airbender ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Despicable Me ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Inception ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Sorcerer's Apprentice ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Other Guys ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Eat Pray Love ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Going the Distance ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Easy A ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Social Network ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Due Date ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Unstoppable ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Harry Potter 7 Part I ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Love and Other Drugs ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Tangled ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
TRON: Legacy ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
True Grit ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Full 2010 movie list found here
Some other Top Movies of 2010 lists: MSN, NY Times, Chicago Tribune, Moviefone

What movies that you saw in 2010 were your favorite? Your least favorite?

watch it: movie marathon

Hi, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. I sure did! Over the past several days, I've spent time cuddling up next to the boyfriend and watching some movies - one of the best activities for snowy vacation days, in my opinion. I would like to give you a brief round-up review of the movies we watched (I'll use Netflix's rating system: 1 star = hated it, 2 stars = didn't like it, 3 stars = liked it, 4 stars = really liked it, 5 stars = loved it). Here you go!



TRON: Legacy (2010)
Starring Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I took the boyfriend to see this movie as part of his Christmas present, as he is a huge fan of the original Tron. He LOVED this movie (he'd give it 5 stars). I enjoyed it. The special effects were super cool (especially in 3D), the music was great and appropriate, and the acting was well-done, especially by the always-outstanding Jeff Bridges. I was just a bit confused by some of the plot points (but less confused than I would have been if I had not been given a summary of the original Tron before seeing Tron: Legacy). Overall, I would recommend seeing it if you're up for something fun and exciting. (Picture source)

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Generally speaking, I am a sort of Coen brothers fan. I have also been wanting to see this movie for sometime. That being said, I really enjoyed this movie. Jeff Bridges, of course, was excellent, as was John Goodman. The supporting cast members did well in their roles. The story was a bit odd, but isn't that the point with the Coen brothers? It was funny and also somewhat sad. I'd recommend it to fans of Fargo and movies like it. (Picture source)

Away We Go (2009)

John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The boyfriend got me this on DVD for Christmas. I was super excited because it has been in my Netflix queue for months. Turns out, it was an excellent gift since this movie is now one of my all-time favorites. It is AMAZING, just laugh-out loud hilarious, romantic, sad, and poignant. It is beautifully written and wonderfully executed - great chemistry between Krasinski and Rudolph, and awesome supporting characters. This movie is a must-see for anyone who has or wants "a family of their own" someday. It also has an excellent soundtrack. (Picture source)

True Grit (2010)

Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Okay, so it was kind of a Jeff Bridges weekend with a side of Coen brothers. In my defense, True Grit is an excellent movie. I discussed the movie with my mom, who has seen the John Wayne original, and apparently it has adapted to a large extent. I'm guessing the changes were successful in large part to the actors chosen for the film - Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon are hilarious, tough, smug, and sensitive, and Hailee Steinfeld is all-around OUTSTANDING (if you don't believe me, just check out all the awards and nominations she's receiving). The movie itself is much more violent than I expected for a PG-13 rating, and more sad than I expected. However, the acting definitely makes it worth seeing. (Picture source)

Did you watch any movies over the past few days? What did you think? Stay tuned later this week for my Best Movies of 2010 post! : )