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The Sound of Music - it's a classic. The best three hours one could spend in a day (unless you're spending the day with a significant someone, lol). I think Julie Andrews is marvellous, and Chris Plummer is simply divine. This movie has outstanding characters, all of them, and Eleanor Parker - hats off! I think I practically know the whole script. My all-time favourite moment, though, is when the kids are singing My Favourite Things after they come back from the abbey, and in the middle Maria joins in as she returns - I always get goosebumps then.
Dirty Dancing - This one's got a nostalgic, bittersweet tinge to it. I could watch it over and over, simply because I think Jennifer Grey acts out her part with so much sincerity, it's priceless. Favourite parts are, of course, all scenes with Baby and Johnny, but of course the final dance scene (I've Had The Time Of My Life) is just... My heart always warms when the first start to dance, when Johnny discreetly kisses Baby on the nose. So sweet...
The Notebook - beautiful story, beatiful movie, beautiful book. It shows love at its most tender, at its most innocent, at its most raw and passionate. And it also shows true love, that never fades away even when all else is gone (one can only remember the poignant line - It was us!). Somehow, though, I like young Noah and Allie better than adult and elderly Noah and Allie. Perhaps because I'm also a lovestruck teen :) Favourite scene here? Both love scenes, and also the scene by the beach - If you're a bird, I'm a bird.
Mr & Mrs Smith - this movie just surprises me every time I watch it. It's meant to be an action movie, but there is just so much sensuality and humor in it it becomes much, much more. The chemistry between Brad and Angelina is priceless. The movie is full of quirke, and will keep you on your toes till the end. I simply love the scene where they shoot at the enemies with their arms crisscrossed - ready to die together, fighting together. I love it man.
Boy Meets World - though technically not a movie, this show is just heart-warming. It's hilarious, tear-jerking, sweet and serious. I'd be hard-pressed to find a favourite moment, so here's all my favourites: all the moments of intimacy betwen Cory and Topanga, because they just seem so real; Shawn and Angela as well. But I think I really like that scene where Topanga realises she's truly in love with Cory, despite his having kissed another girl.
Reviews
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
Disappointing in comparison to book
I watched this movie about 24 hours after I finished reading the book, so my opinion may be slightly biased. I found that it was a generally good movie - pleasant soundtrack, beautiful scenery, and relatable actors. My main problem though was the script, I found that they took too many liberties with the script and as such the story is very different from that in the novel, which is a shame. In the film rendition, the relationship between Annie and Robert is just plain on the rocks, there is no love there, and they have cut out all scenes of lovemaking between this husband and wife. In my opinion this makes Robert much less likable, and it undermines the huge step that an affair with Tom really was. One even wonders what was the point of Annie's going back, since there was clearly no love there. Furthermore, I do not believe the budding romance between Annie and Tom was well expressed. The one exception is the dance scene - it was one of the most erotic, heart-breaking movie scenes I have ever scene, possibly the best scene in the movie. The end of the movie really strayed far from the novel and I think it's really a pity because that made the novel great. However, for anyone who hasn't read the book this would be an entertaining movie and not a waste of time.
Grey's Anatomy: Losing My Religion (2006)
Loved the episode, the season... everything about this show!
Sorry for the spoilers. I thought this was an excellent end to the second season.
I know I'm silly, but in my heart I can't help rooting for Meredith and Derek, damn nothing compares to the chemistry those two have - not Derek and Addison, not Meredith and the vet. I don't care, those two just BELONG together. Haven't seen the other seasons yet, but I do hope they eventually make it...
And, I seem to be like the only person who thinks so, but I SO did not like the Izzie-Denny storyline. It's so obvious Alex loves Izzie, and it just seemed kinda forced with Denny to me. And besides that, I always knew he was gonna die. Don't wanna be mean, but come on... the love never felt real to me. Just the last instants when Alex held her, had more meaning to me than her whole thing with Denny.
Anyhow, that's all I have to say. Loved the episode, loved the season, and above all I LOVE the show. Grey's Anatomy... Rock on!!!
Juno (2007)
My new favourite movie
Juno is, in one word, unexpected.
I've read that this is a "comedy", but to me it's more like a real-life drama. The funny bits come from the "real life" part of this great film and the witty dialogue. Some parts are funny without even trying to be. But because of the subject matter and the way it's dealt with, I wouldn't classify Juno as a comedy (unlike Knocked Up, which dealt with a similar pregnancy plot but was undeniably a comedy).
Now for the review. As I said, I was blown away by this film. The characters are so likable. I really like that Paulie Bleeker, for all his "awkwardness" and seemingly uncool looks, is the guy Juno chooses to love. It just shows that love is blind, and there really are great guys out there once we look past their shy or unassuming exterior. I also loved Vanessa - she was played perfectly as the wannabe-perfect person, but as the film goes on we realise that all of that is just nervousness and fear of disappointment, and that she really just wants a baby. But the real wowser is Juno herself. Ellen Page is wonderful. She portrays Juno's tough exterior wonderfully, but sometimes in her face we can just see all the emotions behind and that she's really only trying to be brave.
There's a wonderful plot twist in this movie, which I had genuinely not anticipated and which proved to be the difference between a good film and an awesome film.
Needless to say, I cried loads in the last twenty minutes (also because I could REALLY relate to the story).
All in all, Juno is one of my new favourite movies of all time.
P.S. The soundtrack is different - but pleasant - too, helping craft the uniqueness of this film.
Kate & Leopold (2001)
OK, but disappointing
I was disappointed upon seeing this movie. I expected something different than what I actually got. The premise is brilliant, but the result is poor. I mean, overlooking the time travel thing - it wasn't badly thought out actually - I found myself thinking that Kate and Leopold really didn't have that much chemistry. They fell in love way too suddenly to make it believable. However, Hugh Jackman pulls this film through. He made it enjoyable to watch, especially in the scenes where his character is teaching Kate's brother about women (ironic though, since he's never been in love before). I was sorely disappointed by Meg Ryan, though. This movie is good to pass time, it's OK entertainment, but it lacks the emotional appeal and chemistry of so many other romantic comedies out there.
The Holiday (2006)
Great movie
This is a surprisingly great and refreshing romantic comedy. It's not cheesy as so many others are, and it has a superb cast - no matter what anyone says about Cameron Diaz, she was excellent and likable in this film. SHe really portrayed exactly what her character AManda was about. Kate Winslet was great as well, but I found some of her performance (the excessive crying) a bit overdone. The male actors were divine, especially Jude Law. It was a stroke of genius to have made Graham into a widowed father of 2 instead of just another single guy. And the scene in the tent, with Graham, Amanda and the two girls, almost made me cry. The character of Arthur is also central to this film, he's almost like a grandfather giving all of us (not only Iris) advice. Overall this is a movie about love, but more than that, about letting go of the things that weigh you down and allowing yourself to open up to life, love and happiness once again.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Really deep, insightful movie
I started watching this movie with no great expectations. I was bored, to say the least, and it just happened to be showing on the channel I was watching. When I saw the opening credits and names like Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson and Kiefer Sutherland showed up, my interest was piqued and I started watching this film in the hopes that these great actors would deliver. And they definitely did. This was a courtroom drama, but it was also about the marine corps. It was an enthralling movie, and really got you engrossed and wondering, "Are they telling the truth?, Are they going to go to jail?" etc etc. The high points of the movie for me were the private accused of murder (I can't remember his name now) and the way he was devoted to his superior, Hal. I also enjoyed the sexual tension between Tom Cruise and Demi Moore, and would have enjoyed to see it developed a bit more in this movie. However, the ULTIMATE thought-provoker/tear-jerking scene was one of the last, when the accused are pronounced NOT GUILTY on counts of murder but GUILTY on counts of behaviour unfit for a Marine (or something like that). Then the private says, "Hal, (Jack Nicholson) said he ordered a code red, we didn't do anything wrong!" and Harold says "We were supposed to be fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. We should've fought for Willy." ANd he walks out of the courtroom with his head high. This simply goes to show that principle, rules can only take you so far, but conscience, right and wrong, are what we ultimately have to deal with. Wonderful movie, I will not soon forget it.
Interrupted Melody (1955)
They don't make them like this anymore
Wonderful. This movie is simply a masterpiece. Eleanor Parker (some may know her as the baroness in the Sound of Music) once again excels. Interrupted Melody is an inspiring, thought-provoking, heart-rending account of a farm girl's desire to be an opera singer, and the touching sacrifice of her husband for her when she falls desperately sick. Yes, there is a lot of singing in this movie, excerpts from various famous operas, but they add rather than take away from the film. I think everyone will be moved to tears by a few scenes, and the culmination of the film when she manages to walk again still gives me goosebumps. I recommend this film to all, male or female, probably not to young children as they may get bored, but certainly from teenagers up, or anyone why wants to be inspired to succeed despite the worst adversities.
Asteroid (1997)
Disappointing
I saw this movie today and was hoping for something along the Armageddon line - okay, so this kind of movie tends to be predictable, but i think it's a guilty pleasure anyway. Boy was I disappointed. The story seemed to drag on and on - every time you think it's over, it's not (surprise surprise). You can almost see the producers' brains ticking to come up with some more plot to make up the allotted time. The premise is actually quite good, and believable, but the end result is poor. I felt no sympathy whatsoever for Elliot (the son), he was just an annoying brat to me. I also could not relate to the main characters - the firefighter's wife was pretty selfish, and the "romance" budding between Jack and Lilly has NO SPARKS whatsoever. Finally, is it really realistic to believe that after such a disaster, one woman would be able to get 1) a chopper 2) her own soldier and truck to go and look for her son and father when there's like ten thousand other people needing help? I think not. Waste of time, I didn't even stick around to watching the last five minutes.
Into the Blue (2005)
Good entertainment
I didn't really know what to expect from this movie, but I was delighted by it. It starts off pretty slow (but never boring) but soon it actually has you gripping to your seat and has your heart beating (a little) faster. The characters are believable and you can actually feel for them, and there are some really awesome underwater shots. And Jessica Alba - of course - wears bikinis. I have to admit though (keep in mind I'm a 100% straight female) she is damn fine. If I was a guy, I'd watch this movie for the sole purpose of seeing Ms Alba swimming from behind. But it's a good movie - and it has a really good lesson behind it as well.