Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

You know how a lot of movies from our childhood don't quite wind up being as amazing when we become adults? Well, I re-watched Kiki's Delivery Service (which for whatever reason, I kept calling Kiki's Great Adventure), and I'm happy to say it's just as good as it was when I was seven. Maybe even better because now I can appreciate the artwork that went into the scenery, the people. and the details. Miyazaki brings us into a charming little world that is neither really here nor there, neither in the past or the future. It's just this sweet place where even grocery shopping can seem enchanting. I will say Kiki's abruptness is not something that would fly with anyone I know (like telling your dad you're leaving for your year of training while he's packing for your camping trip!), it doesn't affect the film really. I think it goes without saying, but Miyazaki is quite the genius.

In the Republic of Zubrowka

From National Geographic, who used the image from 20th Century Fox

So I finally watched Wes Anderson's latest effort, The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). I really don't know why it takes me so long to watch movies, particularly when I love the aesthetics of the director. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but he's definitely mine. I feel like I find endless inspiration from Anderson movie stills, whether I've seen the movie or not. I swear I knew all about The Royal Tenenbaums long before I actually sat down and watched it. Same story with Moonrise Kingdom. I had this graphic saved to my Pinterest for ages of The Grand Budapest Hotel! 

Anyhow, the film is stunning, as ought to be expected, and the story was told with the same Anderson flair. You might find this movie a bit sadder than Moonrise, but it still has the same humor and comedic delivery as always. Ralph Fiennes was brilliant, and if you think of the fact that he's also Voldemort (among a trillion other amazing roles), your head might explode a little. The only thing that will make it explode more is when you find out Tony Revolori, who plays Zero, was born in 1996. 

From National Geographic, who used it from 20th Century Fox

The story is unique in its nostalgia as it presents this man, M. Gustave (Fiennes) attempting to live in a civilization that simply does not exist anymore. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a magnificent place of rich luxury in a fictional country, the Republic of Zubrowka, and the main story takes place in between the wars. The absurd and seemingly silly plot is meant to juxtapose the real horror of the war that happened and the war that will come. Small comedic moments are easily undercut by mentions of the war, and even the initial happy ending is quickly stripped away in the epilogue. If Moonrise tapped into the nostalgia of youth and adventure, Moonrise taps in the nostalgia of a time and land that simply can no longer exist. 

If anything, watch this movies for the stunning visuals! 

Big Eyes 2014

Do you watch The Hollywood Reporter round tables on Youtube? They're amazing. If you ever need an hour of sheer inspiration, put on one these. Since I'm not big in the movie circuit (I always hear about movies after they've long been out!), I only just discovered Amy Adam's latest effort with Big Eyes via the 2014 actress round table. Interestingly, all of the actresses were playing real life people, which may be an indicator of where good cinema is headed. Let's hope for less sequels and more real stories! 

Anyhow, Big Eyes ibased off of the life of Margaret Keane. The movie begins with Margaret fleeing from her first husband with her young daughter for California. She doesn't know much of the world, and, from her own admission, she hasn't belonged to herself her whole life. She can paint, though, and her paintings have a distinct doe-eyed appearance. It is when she is trying to sell her abilities in the park that she meets Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), a charming, charismatic man who sweeps her off her feet, promises her the world, and marries her quickly. He claims to be a painter himself, having studied in France. He tries to sell Margaret's paintings and when one misunderstanding points him as the artist, he convinces Margaret to allow him to sell her paintings under his own name.

The real story is so crazy, it's hard to believe it hasn't been made into a proper movie before now. Better yet, none other than Tim Burton directs it! Adams really does disappear into her character (actually, has anyone noticed how good she is at doing that? Compare Catch Me if You Can to Enchanted to American Hustler to Big Eyes), and the rest of the cast is amazing. It's a movie that reflects the real Margaret Keane--quietly strong. The ending will leave you more than satisfied (as will the real story).

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9 Recent Romantic Movies for Valentine's Day

If you're planning on movie marathoning Valentine's Day to escape the cold and cuddle with your boyfriend/girlfriend/pet/stuffed animal/a carton of junk food/ your self esteem, here's a list of fairly recent romantic movies to celebrate the day of love. All are lighthearted, the majority do not take place with young kids or high school, and none have a depressing ending. You'll laugh, enjoy the hijinks, and feel a little better about love afterwards.

VALENTINE'S DAY (2010)

I mean, of course I had to!

LETTERS TO JULIET (2010)

 Yes, the whole movie is pretty much given away in the trailer. However, the Italian scenery, Amanda Seyfried's charm, and the general cuteness of the story makes this a fun, light watch.

CRAZY, STUPID LOVE (2011)

The twist is golden. The characters are hilarious. Ryan Gosling plays a player who falls for Emma Stone. Steve Carrel and Julianne Moore are a duo. Need I say more?

ABOUT TIME (2013)

If you haven't watched all of Rachael McAdam's romantic comedies, you'll enjoy this one. You'll probably enjoy it if you have, but you'll also get serious deja vu. Of course, you also get to watch Bill Weasley be adorably awkward, and Bill Nighy is Bill Nighy (aka awesome).

NO STRINGS ATTACHED (2011)

I liked this better than Friends with Benefits. I mean, what can go wrong with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman? Plus, my girl Mindy Kaling has a small role in it, and she trolls Ashton Kutcher's character. I also saw this movie as Natalie Portman's way of keeping balance since this came out the same year Black Swan came out.

MONTE CARLO (2011)

I actually found this movie to be totally enchanting! It's a fun, fantasy-esque romantic comedy, and the chemistry between Selena Gomez, Katie Cassidy, and Leighton Meester works well. Plus you can see one of Cory Monteith's roles outside of "Glee."

WARM BODIES (2013)

What a lovely twist on the whole zombie theme going on. The book is excellent as well. It also helps that Nicholas Hoult looks like a taller, British version of my ultimate high school crush (though in the movie he has an American accent).

THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT (2011)

A light-hearted movie that looks at what happens when two peoples' career paths compete with their relationship. Also. Mindy Kaling makes an appearance. Guys.

STUCK IN LOVE (2012)

Best, Movie. Ever. Okay, maybe not ever, but it's up there on my favorites. From the dad to the three siblings, it's pure gold. Logan Lerman is absolutely perfect in this movie as well. Actually, I think I'm gonna go watch it now...

What's your favorite? I kept the movies from 2010 until now because if I even extended it to 2006, this list would be ten times longer. 

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9 Wintry Movies

I hate winter. It's freezing cold; it gets dark way too early, and all I want to do is eat creamy soup, drink copious amounts of hot chocolate, and hibernate until the first day it gets over 60 degrees. The only thing I like about winter is snow, and that's like the first day before it turns into black slush. However, this winter I have vowed to not let the dropping temperatures get the best of me. I will not get fat, I will not be lazy, and I will try to embrace the feeling of icy wind charging at my cheeks. The best way to do this? Winter movies, of course! I love Christmas movies, but I'm sure there's a trillion lists out there, so I'll keep mine to a more winter theme which also has a lot of Christmas intertwined throughout. 

BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY

The best movie ever, am I right?! I love Bridget Jones, and I love Mark Darcy, and this pretty much got me through the end of high school and a bit of college. I may or may not have reenacted the "All By Myself" scene more than once....

"I don't think you're an idiot at all. I mean, there are elements of the ridiculous about you. Your mother's pretty interesting. And you really are an appallingly bad public speaker. And, um, you tend to let whatever's in your head come out of your mouth without much consideration of the consequences... But the thing is, um, what I'm trying to say very inarticulately is that, um, in fact perhaps despite appearances, I like you, very much. Just as you are."

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Classic. So classic. So sweet. The ending makes me cry every time. George Bailey is the best, and I could watch this movie over and over again, This is probably my very favorite of the whole list. The romance of George and Mary, the friends that return, and, of course, Clarence. Good, ole Clarence.

"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."

THE HOLIDAY

I just re-watched this the other day with some villa mates. I forgot how awesome this movie is! From the idea of vacationing in an idyllic English cottage to soaking up sun in an LA mansion, it's some fun escapism with some pretty sweet romance. Can you believe this is already eight years old now?! 

 "Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend."

LOVE ACTUALLY

I literally just watched this on Sunday. It's a modern classic by far, and I could probably watch it randomly at any point in the year and still love it. I love how clever it is, and how not cookie-cutter a lot of the plots where. Of course, my favorite is Colin Firth's story line! And not only because it's Colin Firth. My only main criticism of the film is this: How on earth could Sarah let Karl go like that? If the guy makes you jump up and down in the stairwell like that, you silence your damn phone.

"It's a terrible, terrible mistake, Chubs, but you turn out to be the f***ing love of my life. And to be honest, despite all my complaining, we have had a wonderful life."

THIS CHRISTMAS

Ah the days when Chris Brown was the adorable youngster singer... This is my dad's favorite movie, so of course I have to add it here! Also, let's be honest, the whole movie could have sucked and the dance line at the end would've made it awesome. And of course, how do you not love Loretta Devine?

"Kelli: Um, this is not funny.
Lisa: No, it's not, but I'm going to keep drinking until it is."

NEW YEAR'S EVE

If you can't tell I have a soft spot for ensemble movies like this. I know they get so much flack, but I could watch them over and over again. Growing up, I always saw New Year's Eve as such an exciting night. The sparkling dresses, the anticipation of the clock striking midnight, celebrating the old, and welcoming the new... Even now that I'm older and have yet to experience an actually exciting New Years (I feel like I've always worked the next day or babysat or watched it in bed...), I still feel like there's something romantic about it. The stories here were cute, and the ending had me tearing up (as per usual...). It sells the kind of magic I love.

"...Because the one thing that turns the world from the longing place to a beautiful place...is love. Love and any of its forms. Love gives us hope... Hope for the new Year. That's what New Year's Even is to me. Hope and a great party!"

THE POLAR EXPRESS

Frankly this movie is a work of art. I remember reading the picture book as a kid and thinking the ending was just perfect, and I love that the movie managed to capture the same feeling and add more to the plot. Also Josh Groban singing at the end... I mean, c'mon. Side note: what do you think of not letting your kids believe in Santa? I'm torn, but I have a feeling I'll be a parent who still lets my kids believe. Kids should get as much magic as they can when they're young. 

"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

FROZEN

I mean, come on. You can't have a list of winter movies without Frozen. This movie was a classic the moment in came out. My elementary schoolers love it. My college friends love it, My parents will watch it with us. It makes the idea of being in an ice castle in some sort of thick winter almost appealing. The cold might not bother you anyway, Elsa, but it most certainly bothers me.

"Some people are worth melting for." 

ANASTASIA

This is tied for my favorite animated movie ever. And it takes place in winter. Who can forget Anastasia's "Journey to the Past"? Or just about every song in this movie. Or Anastasia's ever changing hair? Or the amount of sass exchanged between Dimtri and Anastasia? Or the fact that the two eloped and presumably went off to live in happiness ever after on a ship. Ah, this movie and its perfection never gets old. I used to want a blue dress like the one she wears to the opera. And the song "At the Beginning" is going to be my wedding song. My thirteen-year-old self determined that, and it's stuck throughout the years. Now it just depends on what language it will be in. 

"Sophie: "It's a perfect ending.

Dowager Empress Marie: No. It's a perfect beginning."

Am I missing any? I know, no classics like Christmas Story or The Grinch or Elf. Truthfully, while I like all those movies, they were never my favorites, and I never reached for them on my own accord. Can't believe Christmas is only days away!

all images from the internet, just edited together by me

The Concubine (2012)

I actually love this movie. I've seen it twice now, and it just gets better. If you thought Jo Yeo Jeong was absolutely insufferable in "I Need Romance," then she'll be redeemed in The Concubine. Gone is the whiny aegyo and the annoying indecision, replaced by a cold, calculating bad ass. She's so good in this movie! Yes, there's a lot of nudity. However, it serves a less erotic purpose and more of a vulnerability/ desperation one.

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The basic summary: Shin Hwa Yeon (Jo) is the daughter of a wealthy nobleman in the Joseon dynasty. The current king (Jung Chan) is currently childless, and he has not taken on any concubines. The Queen Mother, who was once a concubine herself, is not related to the king and instead has a son, Sung Won (Kim Dong Wook), who she would obviously prefer to see as the king. When she notices that Sung Won has become infatuated with Hwa Yeon, she manipulates the king into taking her as a concubine. Hwa Yeon, who has fallen in love with a lowly commoner, Kwon Yoo (Kim Min Joon), wants none of this. However, when she and Kwon Yoo try to run away in the night, her father catches them the next day (really, it wasn't the best thought out plan). In exchange for Kwon Yoo's life, she agrees to become the king's concubine. Her father agrees and then cuts off Kwon Yoo's manhood instead (ouch).

Years later, the king is dying, and Hwa Yeon has become queen after producing a male heir. Sung Won has been wandering the dynasty in heartbreak over not being able to have Hwa Yeon, but he returns upon seeing that his half brother is deathly ill. The Queen Mother is scheming to have Sung Won become the new king, and Kwon Yoo comes to the palace as Choong Young, a eunuch. When the king does die and Sung Won is king, the Queen Mother will do just about everything she can to make sure it is Sung Won's lineage that continues the dynasty and not Hwa Yeon's. However, Hwa Yeon is no weak-minded widow, and she is ready to everything she can to protect her son.

So good. There are a view plot points I have issue with, but over all the ending had me forgiving all of Jo Yeo Jeong's acting in "I Need Romance."

Why Catching Fire is SO Good...

So I saw Catching Fire last Friday. Of course I saw it within 24 hours of its premiere! Since it's my favorite book of one of my favorite young adult series (a series that seriously changed my life two years ago), I was beyond excited to see it's film version. And, I was excited for the return of some amazing actors and the ability to see some of my favorite book characters come to life. 

And I was NOT disappointed.

It did not disappoint in the least bit, and it followed the book quite closely save for a few minor details. You're going to love Peeta just a little more than you already do (and if you don't, you have no heart), J.Law is a queen, and everything is just amazing. You can tell their budget was a lot higher for this movie as well!

Favorite Scenes/Additions:

• District 11: I cried so hard at this scene, SO HARD. The image of Rue's face, the three fingers, the emotions. I cried. I didn't shed a tear at the end of The Notebook, but I sobbed at this scene. Poor Rue :( Poor old man :(
• Sam Claflin as Finnick: I was so pleasantly surprised by his acting! I have to admit I was a little skeptical about him when they first revealed Claflin as Finnick O'dair, handsome heartthrob of PanAm. However, he was absolutely fantastic, and he had an element of that Franco brother charm in him even. 
• The Costumes: This is totally where you can see they had more money to spend. The costumes of the opening ceremonies were prime. And that wedding dress...just wait and see!
• Jena Malone as Johanna: GOSH, I LOVE HER. I've loved her sass in everything in which I've seen her. I don't know that she's quite as well known as she should be, but Malone is awesome. I don't know that anyone was skeptical of her casting as Johanna, but she was awesome. So much 'tude. And...
• THAT ELEVATOR SCENE: So hilarious. Everything about it was just hysterical, especially in the midst of all the heavy drama. J.Law's face. Malone. The wink. Just perfect comedy. I'm sure I'm not the first to rave about it.
• The ending: Shit has gotten real in PanAm, as if it weren't already, and if you're only a movie watcher who never read the books, you're in for a ride. Collins did not a regular YA series create.

THE 90's Teen Movies

Guys, I love cheesy teen movies. Particularly those between around 1995 to 2003. The high hopes I had before entering high school were endless. I was convinced I'd be that pretty girl hidden behind nerdiness and some guy looking like Heath Ledger or Freddie Prinze Jr. was going to fall for how smart and witty I was and then I'd turn into some Hottie McHottie. Prom? I'd be hotter than the hottest girl at school. Senior year? I'd get myself into an Ivy with the hottest boy on my arm. He would also be like Chad Michael Murray in A Cinderella Story. We'd quote Tennyson to each other, and he'd even like my cat. It was perfect. 

Anyhow, school didn't turn out that way at all. I became more like Julia Stiles from 10 Things minus the skeevy ex trying to hit on my baby sister and no Heath Ledger to come sweep me off my cynical feet. And there was definitely no major transformation, though I do think I looked pretty damn good at my junior prom and winded up at a pretty awesome school. However, this does not stop me from straight-up loving a rewatching my favorite teen movies, so here's my throwbacks to the nineties/beginning of the new millennium. 

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

This movie is classic. The quotes, the one liners, the absolute greatness of every single cast member. Julia Stiles and Gabrielle Union in their prime. Heath Ledger before he became giant. Joseph Gordon Levitt in the role we all remembered from him until 500 Days. Even douche bag Joey Donner was awesome. I have not met a single person who does not like this movie, guy or girl, hipster or jock, douchebag or nerd. It's timeless, and it's quotes are endless. Plus, it's based off of a Shakespeare play. Gold. Pure. Gold. When Bianca has her moment at the end and the credits roll with "I Want You to Want Me"-- I can't even.  

Clueless (1995)

Guys, since when has Paul Rudd been a truly successful romantic lead? He's been okay, but nothing compares to his near heartthrobness in Clueless. I also really think he hasn't aged much in the nearly twenty years since its release. Neither has Alicia Silverstone or Stacey Dash for that matter... Anyhow, this movie didn't fall across my lap until I got older, and it's been true love ever since. It's based off of Jane Austen's Emma, popularized the term "Whatever," and gave us insight into the rich world of mid-nineties Beverly Hills. Who could forget Cher's timeless advice? Or clever comparisons? Or her terrible gaydar? Or Brittany Murphy's makeover? Cher had the confidence we all could have used a dose off in our mid-teen years, not to mention the fantastic hair and nifty wardrobe creator.