Daily Special: Week 21

Thanks This week included some pretty good movies from the last decade or so as well as some new releases. as we get closer to summer I think my AMC Stubs card will be going to good use.

Below are my movies of the week:

May 18

               Secretariat (Directed by Randall Wallace) After watching the second leg of the Triple Crown yesterday I figured it was time I watch this Disney true story sports themed movie again. Yes Disney does change a few things along the way but the majority of the story is true.

               Hook (Directed by Steven Spielberg) This version of Peter Pan is one of my favorites. Spielberg did a really good job at directing and the cast all turned in strong performances. I have had this on my short list to watch recently since I heard about Bob Hoskins passing away.

               True Grit (Directed by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen) While I am not a fan of all movies directed by the Coen Brothers I do enjoy most of them. This is one that I really enjoy. Great cast help to tell an exciting story.

May 19

               The Illusionist (Directed by Neil Burger) This movie includes a number of different illusions that are hard to explain but help tell a great story. Ed Norton does a really good job at playing a depressed brooding man wanting revenge.

May 20

               Son of Batman (Directed by Ethan Spaulding) The latest DC Animated movie doesn't disappoint. I read the story arc that this movie is based on last year and this was a very good adaptation.

May 21

               With Honors (Directed by Alek Keshishian) This movie recently showed up on HBO Go and when I saw that was the highlight of my day. I don't know what it is about his movie but I love watching it. I had been looking for my DVD copy for at least six months with no luck until coming across it streaming.

May 22

               Million Dollar Arm (Directed by Craig Gillespie) A true story sports themed movie from Disney? I enjoyed it even before I got to the theater. While the outcome of the movie was predictable it was still an enjoyable journey to get there.

May 23

               X-Men: Days of Future Past (Directed by Bryan Singer) While this movie a pretty good overall, I was still a bit disappointed in it. For months we have been teased with magazine covers and trailers featuring a wide variety of mutants. In the end though it seems like most of the mutants featured were barely in the movie, some only for a brief moment.

               The Majestic (Directed by Frank Darabont) Out of all his movies this is by far my favorite from Jim Carrey. It shows his more serious side while still including a fair amount of humor.

               Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (Directed by Joe Roth) This movie is nowhere near as fun as the original. I wish there was more Anthony Edwards in it. One thing that has always stuck out to me is that Lewis has a girlfriend yet still falls for and tries to hook up with another one. I didn't think nerds were jerks like that.

May 24

               War Horse (Directed by Steven Spielberg) I am very thankful that my mom called me during what I feel is the saddest part of the movie. Had she not called me then I know I would have ended up crying.

               Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (Directed by Mike Judge) I forgot how stupid this movie was. Growing up I wasn't allowed to watch the television show featuring these guys, but when the movie came out I was allowed to see it. Part of me wishes my parents didn't allow me to watch the movie again.

               The Faculty (Directed by Robert Rodriguez) I still laugh when I remember that this is a Robert Rodriguez movie. It of course has his style throughout it but for some reason it just doesn't fit with what I have come to know and enjoy from Mr. Rodriguez.

               Mulan (Directed by Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook) Thanks to a few top shelf margaritas while out at dinner with my parents I was in the mood for just about any movie after I got home including this Disney princess adventure. Eddie Murphy's Mushu has a lot of the same characteristics as his later animated character Donkey.

Days Watched: 144

Movies Watched: 247

Daily Special: Week 20

Thanks to an extra day off this week I was able to get in a couple extra movies. I got back to my all challenge original roots this week. I am itching to watch a couple of my favorites from last year in the near future.

Below are my movies of the week:

May 11

               Underworld: Evolution (Directed by Len Wiseman) This sequel to Underworld was much more violent and bloody than the original. That is one of the reasons I really enjoyed it. Well, that and Kate Beckinsale rocking the tight leather once again.

               Searching for Bobby Fischer (Directed by Steven Zaillian) I suck at playing chess but every time I watch this movie I think I can play and proceed to make a fool of myself. I have yet to try my hand at playing chess again but I can only dream to be as good as the worst player in the final tournament.

May 12

               Prefontaine (Directed by Steve James) Jared Leto does a great job as famed runner Steve Prefontaine as he goes from Olympic hopeful to activist for young athletes. This movie also covers the birth of Nike and the waffle iron.

May 13

               Dangerous Minds (Directed by John N. Smith) I remember when I thought Coolio was the greatest rapper in the world, yes I admit to not being super smart as an early teenager. Every so often there is a movie about a teacher who uses an alternative method to reach their students. This was the version I had growing up and I think it does a good job of still holding up pretty good to this day.

May 14

               Holy Man (Directed by Stephen Herek) I remember seeing this movie in the theater with my dad. It is a goofy movie with a cheesy ploy but there is still some funny moments that still make me laugh all these years later.

May 15

               Godzilla (2014) (Directed by Gareth Edwards) As this movie began I kept thinking, this has to be better than the Matthew Broderick version from the late 90's. I was one hundred percent right. The movies were complete polar opposites. My dad I both really enjoyed the special effects and plot. It felt more like a classic Godzilla movie.

May 16

               Neighbors (Directed by Nicholas Stoller) While I enjoyed this movie my least favorite parts were the ones played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. The whole trying super hard to be cool is a bit annoying. I would happily watch a sequel with just the guys from the frat house.

               Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Directed by Robert Zemeckis) It had been years since I last watched this movie. I forgot how much fun it was. I still remember my brother having a framed movie poster for the movie hung up in his room when we lived in Aurora.

               Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (Unrated) (Directed by Adam McKay) This was one of the worst movies I have watched this year. I was a bit timid about watching it because I wasn't a huge fan of the first one. A lot of the stuff just felt stupid or pointless.

May 17

               Planes (Directed by Klay Hall) This spinoff of Pixar's Cars series isn't great but I think it is one par or even a little better than Cars 2.

               Just Like Heaven (Directed by Mark Waters) It never hurts to throw a romantic comedy in to the movie mix. The cast is what drew me in to watching this movie. The supporting cast is a strong as the two leads.

               The Rocketeer (Directed by Joe Johnston) Another movie that I have not watched in years. I came across it while searching through HBO Go and figured, why not. I am glad I did because it is still one of the better "comic book" type movies from its time period.

Days Watched: 137

Movies Watched: 233

Daily Special: Week 19

Week nineteen is in the books. A busy week at work didn't allow for many extra movies. More days off are coming up soon though.

Below are my movies of the week:

May 4

               Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (Directed by Quentin Tarantino) My favorite of the Kill Bill movies. Right from the beginning it is an action packed movie with lots of blood as is expected with any Tarrantino movie.

               Timeline (Directed by Richard Donner) Time traveling through a wormhole via a set of mirrors is a bit of a stretch in my opinion. This movie was very predictable when leading up to the climax.

               Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth (Directed by Spike Lee) As a kid I was a big fan of Mike Tyson, I sucked at his NES game but I was still a fan. This one man show performed by Tyson gives new insight to his life growing up. He isn't afraid to talk about the good and bad parts of his life.

May 5

               Revenge of the Nerds (Directed by Jeff Kanew) I find it interesting that I like goofy movies like this but when it comes to similarly goofy television shows I have a hard time watching them.

May 6

               The Nut Job (Directed by Peter Lepeniotis) A lighthearted and under the radar animated film. Reminded me a bit of Over the Hedge which I really enjoy. Good selection of voice actors as well.

May 7

               Jay and Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie (Directed by Steve Stark) I have been waiting over a year to see this movie. I was not able to see it lwhen Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes took it on tour. But it is now available on VOD and I jumped at the chance to watch it. If you are a Kevin Smith fan then you will enjoy this animated adventure.

May 8

               How to Make Money Selling Drugs (Directed by Matthew Cooke) Interesting documentary about how to make a living at selling marijuana and cocaine from different levels of distribution. I don't plan on changing my career after watching it but it was still very informative nonetheless.

May 9

               Catch Me If You Can (Directed by Steven Spielberg) This was my second viewing since Thanksgiving last year. While I still enjoy the movie it isn't as good as I previously thought that it was.

May 10

               Astro Boy (Directed by David Bowers) It is amazing how Nic Cage even in animated form can still make his crazy facial mannerisms seem lifelike. Overall this is a fun animated movie from most ages.

               The Negotiator (Directed by F. Gary Gray) Both Sam Jackson and Kevin Spacey are great actors and seeing them play off one another in this movie is a joy to watch. Paul Giamatti was a nice added bonus in a secondary role.

Days Watched: 130

Movies Watched: 221

Daily Special: Week 18

Week eighteen was one of my busier weeks in some time. I am only a few movies ahead of where I was at a year ago at this point.

Below are my movies of the week:

April 27

               The Terminator (Directed by James Cameron      ) Came across this movie on Amazon Prime and decided to go for an all-day Terminator marathon. I know special effects weren't as flashy as they are today but I still had to laugh a bit at seeing the stripped down cyborg robot walking around. It looked almost like stop motion animation in a few scenes.

               Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Director's Cut) (Directed by James Cameron) This is the best Terminator movie in the series and one of Cameron's best movies in his career. The action and special effects are all there. I still get excited seeing Bobby Budnick from Salute Your Shorts in the movie as John's friend.

               Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Directed by Jonathan Mostow) The Terminator series begins to decline with this movie. While the continuity was still in place it still felt a bit disconnected. I also have a problem with PG-13 sequels to rated R movies.

               Terminator Salvation (Director's Cut) (Directed by McG) I can't believe that even after this movie was released Hollywood still wanted to make another Terminator movie. As an action movie it is enjoyable but in the Terminator universe it falls off the track.

April 28

               Blue Crush (Directed by John Stockwell) The storyline for this movie as a whole was nothing special, but the surfing scenes made it enjoyable to watch. It also doesn't hurt to have some comedy mixed in along with beautiful women in bikinis.

April 29

               There's Something About Mary (Directed by Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly) The summer this came out I was working at a movie theater and I watched this and The Truman Show at least half a dozen times each. This is still one of my favorite movie soundtracks.

April 30

               The Medallion (Directed by Gordon Chan) Wow this movie was just plain bad. Plot holes and confusing storyline all around. I love the fact that one of the characters wives turns out to be a secret agent of some kind and they don't even try to address it.

Movies watched in 30 of 30 Days. 49 Total Movies in April

May 1

               Odd Thomas (Directed by Stephen Sommers) A surprisingly fun and well done movie. This movie has been on my "Need to Watch List" for some time now. The plot mixed together with the characters make for a very enjoyable movie. This movie might come back later this year as one of my book to movie comparisons.

May 2

               The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Directed by Marc Webb) This movie had both good and bad moments. While it told a strong Spider-Man story I thought that it tried to include too much in one shot. There was a good build=up for Jamie Foxx's character Electro but then he became a secondary character it seemed like. I also think Sony tried to include too many easter eggs to keep Spider-Man fans excited.

               Meatballs (Directed by Ivan Reitman) Watching this movie I couldn't help but think that the kid that Bill Murray's character befriended looked a lot like a young Joshua Jackson circa The Mighty Ducks.

May 3

               Small Soldiers (Directed by Joe Dante) Growing up when I would play with my action figures I would pretend at times that they came to life. This movie makes that happen, and then it goes wrong. Phil Hartman is hilarious in this movie.

               Ride Along (Directed by Tim Story) I still don't understand that extreme love for Kevin Hart that people have. His humor seems too childish at times and that carried over to this movie.

               Holes (Directed by Andrew Davis) This is one of those movies that I can watch over and over again. It tells a good story from beginning to end. This movie has the best performance I have ever seen out of Shia LaBeouf.

               The Sklar Brothers: What Are We Talking About (Directed by Jay Chapman) Very funny comedy special from the twin Skylar brothers. They have been on @Midnight a number of times and I found them pretty funny so when I saw this on Netflix I knew I had to watch it.

Days Watched: 123

Movies Watched: 211