Tag: movies

Monday Movie Meme – Illness

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Feature Presentation…MONDAY MOVIE MEME
This week’s movie topic is all about Illness…Share on your blog movies that contain a form of illness as its theme or feature a character who is sick or diseased, linking back here at The Bumbles.
  
I generally steer clear of movies that will make me cry, but here are a few that snuck up on me.
 
1. Terms of Endearment (1983)  Cried like a baby when I saw this.  Of course I was a baby at 12, but still.  The cast was excellent and the story, well, it’s the first movie that came to mind when I saw the topic, so it’s stayed with me all these years!
 
2. Moulin Rouge (2001)  If you like Broadway musicals, like I do,  then you’ll like this one about a terminally ill star in turn of the century Paris.  Loved pretty much everything about this one.
 
3. The Apartment (1960)  This is a favorite of mine.  Shirley MacLaine’s character overdoses on sleeping pills and must stay in Jack Lemmon’s character’s apartment.  Funny and sad or sad and funny.  Either way it worked for me.
 
4. Erin Brockovich (2000)  Sort of a sad yet feel good movie about terminal illness.  There is someone to blame and they must pay!  If only all illness was so easy.
 
5. While You Were Sleeping (1995)  I know I list this one a lot, but it does fit this category perfectly since there would be no story unless a main character is in a coma.  And it’s an illness movie with no sad parts, not an easy feat!
 
So, do you have a favorite movie about an illness?  (Seems like a strange question, right?)
 
 
 
 

 

Monday Movie Meme – Building

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Feature Presentation…MONDAY MOVIE MEME
As in life, movie characters are often building something new.  Visit The Bumbles to read more entries or to join in the meme yourself.
  
1. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) A classic that is a must see.  They built it and they destroyed it, but why?  You’ll have to watch to find out.
 
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)  What is Andy building?  And where did he get that tool in prison? 
 
3. Bringing Up Baby (1938)  Classic Hepburn and Grant.
 
4. Dinner for Schmucks (2010)  The movie was so-so but Barry’s hobby of using dead mice for making iconic scenes was funny.
 
5. Take a few minutes and enjoy this scene from Modern Times (1936).  Charlie Chaplin is testing an eating machine.
 

Monday Movie Meme – Transformations

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Feature Presentation…MONDAY MOVIE MEME

This week’s movie topic is all about Transformed Characters…
 The movies are always giving us characters who undergo some sort of change during the story’s arc. These changes aren’t always for the better – that’s what makes them so compelling.  Visit the The Bumbles for more choices.

 
 
I’m focusing on the positive transformations today, it’s a new year why not? 
 
1. Vivian from Pretty Woman (1990) is the first that comes to mind.  It wasn’t love that transformed her from a hooker to future college student, it was that someone believed in her.  Edward gave her confidence in herself and in the end he also gave her the fairy tale she dreamed of..
 
2. Charlie Babbit from Rain Man (1988) transformed from selfish ass to caring brother after the death of his father.  A cross country trip with  his autistic brother teaches him that money isn’t everything, something too many never seem to learn.
  
3.  I was never a high-powered career woman, but as a new mom I can appreciate Baby Boom (1987) even more. When faced with an impossible choice J.C. doesn’t shirk from responsibility, she meets it head on with attitude. 
  
4. I think the fellowship of nine from the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003) were all transformed in some way by the epic journey and battle against evil, especially Frodo.
  
5. And I leave you with this unforgettable transformation by Sandy in Grease (1978).  I have to think she was responsible for more than one teen girl falling prey to an eating disorder.
  
This week’s movie topic is all about Transformed Characters…
 The movies are always giving us characters who undergo some sort of change during the story’s arc. These changes aren’t always for the better – that’s what makes them so compelling.  Visit the The Bumbles for more choices.

2010 Movie Favorites

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I love movies and with an infant in the house it is nice that watching movies is something I can share with my husband and still take care of the baby.  So, I’m sure 2011 will bring more moving watching and less book reading.  This year I’ve added reviews of some of my favorite movies- Only You, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, A Few Good Men, Four Weddings And a Funeral, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Romancing the Stone, Silence of the Lambs, Pride & Prejudice miniseries.  The rest of my favorite 100 movies is here.  It’s an ongoing project.

I also keep track of movies I see for the first time in my monthly 5 word reviews.  This year I watched 63 movies and here are my favorite 10 with their 5 words…

Inception with Leonardo DiCaprioDreams. Orginal. Ending Greatly Debated.

WALL-E with Ben BurttEndearing Robot Saves 2805 Earth.

(500) Days of Summer with Zooey DeschanelQuirky Charming Original Un-Love Story. 

State of the Union with Florence AuerPolitics Sure Hasn’t Changed Much.

The Hurt Locker with Jeremy RennerWar. Iraq. Bombs. Tense Thriller.

Extract with Jason BatemanFunny. Bateman & Affleck are perfect.

Penelope with Christina RicciSweet Piggy  Fairy Tale.  Fun.

Sunshine Cleaning with Amy AdamsCrime Scene Cleanup Made Heartwarming.

New in Town with Renée ZellwegerSweet Romantic Comedy. Minnesota Flavor.

Avatar with Sam WorthingtonMust see 3D.  Visually stunning.

December 5 Word Movie Reviews

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If you’ve seen any of these movies leave me your 1-5 words in the comments and I’ll add them to the post.  Or, if you are feeling ambitious and want to do this on your own blog leave me a link in the comments and I’ll add it to the bottom of the post.   Of course,  you can always just comment.

(2009.  Cast- Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn)           Grade B+

Crime Scene Cleanup Made Heartwarming.

Touching sister story. Interesting setting. (Nolatari)

Cute and quirky. Adams ‘shines.’  (Heather)

(2010. Cast- Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, James Franco, Mark Wahlberg, Common, Mila Kunis)     Grade B+

I’ll Watch Tina in Anything.

Always bad idea swiping reservations (Kay)

Steve Carrell Perfectly Adorable  Husband (Beth)

Crap your parents get into…  (Heather)

 (2010.  Cast- Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Teri Polo, Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand, Jessica Alba)     Grade C-

Should Have Stopped At Two.

(2010. Cast- Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler)     Grade C-

Unlikeable Chracters in So-So Story.

A bit sexist, no chemistry.  (Heather)

His charm is his weapon.  (Tony)

Monday Movie Meme – Comic Books

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Feature Presentation…MONDAY MOVIE MEME
This week’s movie topic is all about Comic Books…Share on your blog those comic book characters and collectors in film that you prefer, linking back here at The Bumbles.

I’ve never been into comic books, so my favorite movies based on comics are the basics.  I first fell in love with  I loved the first two movies. 

And while I liked Michael Keaton’s Batman I didn’t love the movies until Christian Bale came on board. I like the darker side.

I also like  and. And I did enjoy The Punisher for some reason.  Any comic book readers out there?  Did I miss a great one?

Christmas Movie Quiz

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It’s the last week for Round 4!  The top point earner and one randomly chosen quiz participant will both get a prize, so if you haven’t participated before do it today so you have a chance to win! 

These quotes were all taken from popular Christmas movies.  Just tell me which ones.  Each one is worth 10 points.  Because everyone is so busy you have until next Tuesday(12/21) to submit your answers.  Winners will be announced next Wednesday.

Here are the rules… 1. Open to everyone.  Play once or every week, that’s okay.  I’m happy to have you here today.

2. No cheating.  No googling, other internet searches or looking at other commenter answers.  Yes, we’re going by the honor system

3. Your first answers will be the only ones accepted.

Last week’s quiz here.  Current Leaderboard here.

1. I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!  A Christmas Story

2. Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?   National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

3. This is *Christmas*. The season of perpetual hope. And I don’t care if I have to get out on your runway and hitchhike. If it costs me everything I own, if I have to sell my soul to the devil himself, I am going to get home to my son.   Home Alone

4. Merry Christmas, you beautiful old savings and loan! Merry Christmas, you beautiful beat-up old house!  It’s a Wonderful Life

5. Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind… and that’s what’s been changing. That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I can do something about it.   Miracle on 34th Street

6. Look, Charlie, let’s face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It’s run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.   A Charlie Brown Christmas

7. We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.   Elf

8. Happy birthday! Hey, I said my first words. But… But snowmen can’t talk. Ha ha ha, come on now, what’s the joke? Could I really be alive?   Frosty the Snowman

9. Ah, Christmas. The time for Santa Claus and his eight flying rein-bear.  A Muppet Family Christmas

10. You’ll never fit in! Now you come to elf practice, learn how to wiggle your ears, chuckle warmly, go hee-hee and ho-ho, and important stuff like that. A dentist! Good grief!   Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Monday Movie Meme- Family Dynamics

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Feature Presentation…MONDAY MOVIE MEME
You’re only as interesting as the family you come from. Many of us spend a lot of time hiding those “interesting” family moments! The movies are filled with dynamic families creating all sorts of food for thought and sources of laughter. Share on your blog the families the movies portray that struck a chord with you.
Visit the Bumbles for more movie selections.

1. While You Were Sleeping (1995) I love this movie as much for the great Callaghans as for the love story.  Peter Boyle, Glynis Johns, Jack Warden, and Micole Mercurio were the glue that held this story together and made every scene fun to watch.  I loved the leads too (Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman and Peter Gallagher) but the family was the fourth main character.  This is #25 on my Favorite Movie list.

2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) The Portokalos family must come to terms with their daughter not marrying a Greek, but the audience just gets to sit back and smile, thankful that they are not our family.

3. Meet the Parents (2000) So, how bad can things really go when you take home your boyfriend for a family wedding?  Pretty bad if the head of that family is Jack Byrnes and the boyfriend is Gaylord Focker.  With a name like Focker you just knew there was going to be trouble.  This movie makes me laugh, a lot.  The second one not quite as much, but still funny.  I’m hoping the one coming out this month with the Focker children will be funny too.  This is one of my top 10 Favorite Movies.

4. Dan in Real Life (2007) This is one of those big family movies where all the kids and grandkids get together and hijinks ensue.  I am an only child, so these movies always make me wish I’d had a sibling or two.  This movie was funny, but tackled  more serious issues too.

5. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) I thought I’d add one movie that wasn’t a comedy.  This movie was all about complicated family dynamics and it has powerhouse performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.  Another one on my Favorite Movie list.

Do you have a favorite family in film?

November’s 5 Word Movie Reviews

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If you’ve seen any of these movies leave me your 1-5 words in the comments and I’ll add them to the post.  Or, if you are feeling ambitious and want to do this on your own blog leave me a link in the comments and I’ll add it to the bottom of the post.   Of course,  you can always just comment.

(2009. Cast- Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., JK Simmons)                 Grade B+

Sweet Romantic Comedy. Minnesota Flavor.

 Terrible. Stopped at 25 minutes. (Nolatari)
Renee, Harry, meh. OK plot.  (Heather)

 

(2006. Cast- Josh Hamilton, Ayesha Dharker)                Grade B+

Funny Culture Shock Love Story

 

A man in a ragged blue shirt with his wrist in a cast, and his arm around a smiling bearded man holding a bulldog that is wearing a protective cone around its neck.(2010.  Cast- Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx)    Grade B-

Funny But Not Funny Enough

Vulgar, not funny, and annoying.  (Heather)

 

(2009. Cast- Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall                     Grade C

Depressing and Bleak.  Barren Wasteland.

Troubling and dark, enjoyed journey.  (Heather)

 

(2007. Cast- Shia LeBeouf, Sarah Roemer, David Morse, Carrie-Ann Moss)     Grade C-

Nosy Hormonal Teen Causes Trouble

Unexpectedly enjoyable. Morse is scary! (Nolatari)

 Entertaining Rear Window teen remake.  (Heather)

Monday Movie Meme- Travel

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This week’s movie topic is all about Movies That Make You Want To Travel…
(Visit The Bumbles for more travel choices)
  
So this week it’s all about movies that make us want to travel.  I loved our trip to Italy (as I’ve mentioned a lot lately) and there are a few movies that take me back and make me want to fly back immediately.  Summertime (1955) is a great movie to see the magic of the city.  Loved it.  Casanova (2005) is a so-so movie but I loved seeing the city in its glory days.  Both Only You (1994) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) both gave screen time to the canal city.  Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) and Roman Holiday (1953) are favorites that highlight the other two places we visited.How about these pictures from our time in Venice to get you in the mood?
 
I want to visit England someday.  Maybe it’s the Jane Austen movies like Pride & Prejudice (miniseries and 2005 movie) or Mansfield Park (1999) that first piqued my interest.  And the period movies like Miss Potter (2006) and Sherlock Holmes (2009) were fun.  I also like the more standard fare like Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994),  Bridget Jones’s Diary(2001) , and Notting Hill (1999). 
 
Do you have a favorite movie that makes you want to travel?