Beastly

Four Stars: ˜˜˜˜

When I went to see this movie tonight, I had heard mixed reviews and I now understand them. This film represents a growing movement away from the extravagance that has earmarked the industry in recent years. It’s a simple but good movie. Devoid of special effects, sexual content, graphic violence, and notable stars, it merely retells a tale as old as time. A modern Beauty and the Beast, there are no surprise twists, but it was still wholly enjoyable.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“What can I say? I’m substance over style.”

“Sure, the ski mask didn’t freak me out.”

“Embrace the suck.”

Cool Runnings

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

Based on a true story, this film was one of the first in the inspirational sports genre and is still one of the best. The 1993 movie follows one of the most unlikely (and hilarious) sports phenomenons of all time: the formation of an Olympic bobsled team from Jamaica. John Candy plays a grumpy washed-up former medalist who is coerced into training tropical sprinters to run on ice in the 1980s. An all-around good time, this movie will definitely make you laugh and may even make you cry.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“You’re the kind of club-toting, raw-meat-eating, Me-Tarzan-You-Jane-ing, big, bald bubblehead that can only count to ten if he's barefoot or wearing sandals.”

“Always remember, your bones will not break in a bobsled. No, no, no. They shatter.”

“You don't see the Swiss team smilin' neither. In fact, if one of those Swiss boys ever come across a pretty girl, he probably yell, "eins, zwei, drei" and try to push her down some ice.”

Braveheart

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

This film has a permanent spot on my favorites list. Released in 1995, it catapulted Mel Gibson’s career into Hollywood immortality, as he both starred and directed it. Despite glaring historical inaccuracies (i.e., the Battle of Stirling Bridge not involving a bridge), it is rousingly patriotic and widely acknowledged as the ultimate “man’s movie.” It is a beautiful telling of love, honor, pride, loyalty, betrayal, tyranny, and freedom which can stir my soul with only James Horner’s haunting soundtrack.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“I know you can fight, but it's our wits that make us men.”

“You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom.”

“I came back home to raise crops, and God willing, a family. If I can live in peace, I will.”

Summer Stock

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

American cinema in the 1950s was obsessed with musicals and this film is one of the brightest gems produced by the era. Unfortunately, history has chosen to overshadow its radiance with Judy Garland and Gene Kelly’s other individual works. I wish they had done more together, as they make a dynamite team in this big-city-meets-small-town movie. Dust off the cultural cobwebs and get ready to be entertained! Full of gorgeous music, heartwarming romance and slap-stick comedy, it’s absolutely delightful.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“We're trying to tell a story with music, and song, and dance. Well, not just with words. For instance, if the boy tells the girl that he loves her, he just doesn't say it, he sings it. I don’t know why, but it’s kind of nice.”

“Grease paint. You can wipe it off your face but you'll never get it out of your blood.”

“We’ve been engaged for four years.” – “Oh, well don’t rush into anything.”

Just Go With It

Two Stars: ˜˜

Going to see this movie was a mistake. Not that it wasn’t funny and entertaining, but I genuinely believe it killed some of my brain cells. The basic concept for the plot is interesting, but it was very poorly executed. The humor was base and degrading, particularly to women. It seemed as though they just went with sexual innuendo instead of actually writing some real jokes. I was very disappointed that they wasted a perfectly good idea. I want my money back.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Can you act professional until I kill you off in a train accident?”

“Honey, you know how I feel about you selling your brother’s stuff on E-bay.”

“My wife beats me in front of my kids.”

The Hudsucker Proxy

Four Stars: ˜˜˜˜

One of the Coen Brothers’ first films, this 1994 satire of industry takes place in the 1950s. After the death of their president, a scheming board promotes a kid from the mailroom to run the company so that it will fail and they can buy the stock themselves. A fast-talking, career-gal reporter latches onto the story, but Norville Barnes has a few tricks up his shoe: namely, inventing the hula hoop. Potshots at big business and witty dialogue round out this corporate comedy gem, previewing the Coens later successes.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“This is a face only a mother could love—on pay day!”

 “Only a numbskull thinks he knows things about things he knows nothing about.”

 “That gag’s got whiskers on it!”

Leap Year

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

Very rarely is there a chick flick which I actually enjoy and this is one of those special exceptions. The delightful Amy Adams plays a woman (tired of waiting for her boyfriend to propose) who decides to take advantage of an Irish tradition and propose to him on Leap Day. She travels to Ireland to do so and hilarity ensues. What set this romantic comedy apart in my mind was how refreshingly clean it was for any year, but especially 2010.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Heads you win, tails I lose.”

“Just put 'em the wash; they'll be grand.”

“It comes as a severe shock to find out that you speak fluent cow.”

The Princess Bride

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

I grew up on this fairy tale and fully intend to have my children watch it as well. It has everything a story should: fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, and miracles. Full of clever dialogue and motifs, this 1987 cult-classic gets down to the nitty gritty of rescuing a fair maiden from a castle. From the fancy footwork of the duels to the repartee with miracle workers, this movie can entertain and inspire anyone! If you like the hilarious adventure in the film, you’ll also love the book.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

 “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam...”

Me and Orson Welles

Four Stars: ˜˜˜˜

I had no expectations of this film from 2008, only an intense curiosity about its unique subject. It turned out to be a fascinating exposé on one of America’s greatest theatric geniuses. I was pleasantly surprised by Zac Efron’s performance as a teenager who joins Welles’ 1937 production of Julius Caesar. The movie delves deeply into the complexities of growing up as Efron’s character learns about life, love and the theater.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Orson left just two minutes ago... he took an ambulance to beat the traffic... Well, you know, according to Orson there's no law on the books that says you have to be sick to take an ambulance.”

“Where is thou ukulele?” – “I think some a—hole doth stole it.”

“By the year of 1592, Shakespeare was already an actor, and a playwright. Records of how his stage career began have not survived. We do know that in 1594 he joined a theater troupe. Called... anyone remember? Not everyone at once now: the Lord Chamberlain's Men.”

The King's Speech

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

When this film first opened Christmas 2010, it nearly flopped before being saved by all the Oscar hype early the next year. A rare dialogue-centric plot is deliciously laced with historical detail. Unique cinematography draws in the audience and allows them to connect deeply with the characters. Collin Firth’s performance is unforgettable and beautifully supported by the rest of the cast. An essay on courage, honor, even love, this movie will certainly entertain you and may even change your life.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Do you know the ‘F’ word?” – “‘Fornication?’”

“In the past all a King had to do was look respectable in uniform and not fall off his horse. Now we must invade people's homes and ingratiate ourselves with them. This family is reduced to those lowest, basest of all creatures, we've become actors!”

“You know, I refused your first two marriage proposals not because I didn't love you, but because I couldn't bear the idea of a royal life… but then I thought, He stammers so beautifully, they'll leave us alone.”

That Thing You Do!

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜
Tom Hanks’ brainchild, this 1996 flick captures the essence of America in the 60s: rock and roll. The story of a small-town band whose song is an overnight hit takes you on tour with them and their meteoric rise to fame. The one-hit Wonders eventually crash and burn, but the movie does not. An original soundtrack drives the film and will definitely get stuck in your head. Outstanding performances by the young cast attest to the genius of their mentor, Hanks.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“I led you here, sir, for I am Spartacus.”

“Shame on me for kissing you with my eyes closed so tight.”

“Yeah, we were pretty wild up in Erie, Penn.” – “There was this one time, we stayed up way past midnight.”

RED

Four Stars: ˜˜˜˜

One of my top movies of 2010, it’s a delightful cocktail of humor and action. A band of geriatric spies comes out of retirement when they find themselves the target of assassination attempts. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren have definitely still got “it” as they take on the much younger CIA. Karl Urban and Mary Louise Parker only add to the superb chemistry of this adventure. A quirky soundtrack, fun postcard transitions, and classic cameos round out the mix.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“I am getting the pig!”

“Maldova sucks!”

“I was hoping not to get kidnapped or drugged. I was hoping you’d have hair.”

Casablanca

Five Stars: ˜˜˜˜˜

Without a doubt, I consider this to be the greatest movie of all time. It was released at the beginning of WWII, but its theme is perpetually applicable both to personal and political situations. As individuals try to survive, they must also consider what is morally right for all those whose lives they affect. I am grateful that like so many other classics, this has film has not been subjected to a remake—nobody could ever hope to compare to the original performances of Bogart and Bergman. If you have not seen this masterpiece, go! Find it now!

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”

“If someone loved you very much, so that your happiness was the only thing that she wanted in the world, but she did a bad thing to make certain of it, could you forgive her?”

“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”