Movies

As I like from time to time, to pretend to be a movie critic, here's a somewhat lengthy list of movies I've watched recently that I enjoyed and you might too.

Belle 

I had seen a trailer for this movie and it had interested me, and I finally got the chance to watch it. It was so good! If you are a fan of anything Jane Austen or Downton Abbey this one will be right up your alley. 

"Belle is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Captain. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield and his wife, Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England."

Into the Woods

Jess and I went and saw this one snow day when school was canceled and it thankfully coincided with me having the day off. If you are not really familiar with the story line, fair warning, it's not exactly the perfectly perfect fairy tales Disney has painted in most of our minds. It's definitely the rough and dirty, not always so pleasant Grimm Fairy Tale versions. So there was some mature themes, and parts that I wish they had left out, almost as much as I wish they had left out Johnny Depp, but overall, if you are looking for a good, more comical replacement to Les Mes, this is it. Additionally, the director was determined to use as little CGI as possible and it certainly shows, all the filming locations are absolutely gorgeous. A feast for your eyes and your ears. Plus, Chris Pine.

"Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them." 

The Interview

I'll keep this one brief as I have no doubt everyone has heard plenty about this movie... But we, like many others, did our civic duty on Christmas Eve and watched this movie. It was pretty funny, not the funniest movie I have ever seen, but funny. Dave, on the other hand, said he laughed so hard he thought he was going to pass out because he wasn't breathing. Yeah, he was laughing quite hard. Good times. P.S. This is also now on Netflix so you really have no excuse.

What If

This was one I originally didn't have much interest in, but heard a lot good things about it, so I decided to give it a shot. It was a pain to track down at Red Box, it seemed to be always sold out, but I finally got my hands on it! It was funny and cute and I loved loved loved the ending. And bravo to Radcliffe for playing a role where I didn't think about Harry Potter the entire time. 

The Giver

I had my doubts with this movie, as the trailers did not look all that enticing to me and I am generally not a fan of dystopian type stories. But I was a huge fan and it really touched me. I found myself in tears (happy tears) a few times, and I can't wait to read the book which is now high on my to-read list. I just kept thinking about how grateful I am for this whole wonderful world that our Heavenly Father blessed us with and these wonderful lives we get to lead and all the emotion, both pain and joy we get to feel. It was definitely one of those story lines that I kept thinking about for days after having watched the movie. 

"In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world."

Interstellar

I watched this one quite a while ago, so it's not really a new movie, but I don't think I ever posted my review. This is another one that I kept thinking about and pondering on, particularly because supposedly in certain aspects of it, the science was accurate, which makes it all the more crazy. A bit on the long side, but very interesting.

And saving the best for last..

American Sniper

Dave has been a bit Chris Kyle obsessed since he read his book about a year ago. I have yet to read the book as it's not exactly one that I stomach well, but after seeing the movie I think I will have to just read it. The movie was very powerful, telling the true, tragic story of a true, modern day American Hero. Bradley Cooper did an amazing job, he really did a great job of getting into character and not seeming like himself at all. He put on 40 pounds of muscle and sported a slight gut to look more like Kyle. Which personally I thought looked great on him as I am a fan of a burly man. lol - Also, Mr.Cooper, please keep the beard, always. I was probably the youngest person in the theater, it was filled with older veterans. When the movie ended the entire theater was so somber and quiet. The sadness and respect in the room was absolutely tangible. A must see. RIP Chris Kyle.