The Amazing Backstory of an Amazing Superhero

Film: The Amazing Spiderman
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans
Director: Marc Webb

I loved the cinematography used throughout the film and I regret that I was not able to watch it on the big screen in 3D. I can just imagine how amazing some of those scenes must have been in 3D!

I enjoyed the story and I liked how it went a bit more in-depth about Peter Parker's past than other movies have. One thing I did not like was how fast the movie went in the beginning. I would have liked to have seen a bit more about Peter's relationship with Uncle Ben and Aunt May. After that, once the action picked up, the pace was set right throughout the rest of the movie.

As for the acting, I was actually surprised at how well Andrew Garfield played the role of Spiderman - although  at some parts he did seem a bit, for lack of a better word, awkward. I was unsure of what to expect from Emma Stone, but I think she did an amazing job. I might actually go back and find some of her other movies so I can watch them.

The Shawshank Redemption

Film: The Shawshank Redemption
Actors: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton
Director: Frank Darabont

This film is one of my favorite movies from the past. The Shawshank Redemption is a classic and I get a thrill every time I watch it. Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors and he does an incredible job in this movie. I enjoyed the suspense and the fact that it made you think. The plotline is intense and the story has depth. I like movies that challenge you intellectually and have meaning.

And That's a Wrap...

So my five month movie challenge has come to an end today. I am not sure if I will do it again next year, but this year was an interesting experience. It was not until I rid myself of the pleasure of watching movies that I realized how often I do it. There were so many moments during the past five moths where I was felt like watching a movie and then I realized that I couldn't. I was able to spend a lot more time doing more productive things and getting ahead on all of my work. After seeing this, I have decided that although I do not plan on giving up movies completely, I will certainly cut down my time spent watching them. I will be more aware and will try and limit my time so I can do more productive things. Hopefully I will be able to stick to this goal and be able to get things done, but still indulge in my passion.

A New Logo and a New Lead Human

Director Michael Bay announced last week that Mark Wahlberg will be the new star of the latest film in the Transformers series. He will be replacing former Transformers star Shia Labeouf who said that there wasn't really much more of the story of Sam Witwicky to tell. Although Wahlberg will be a playing a completely new character, the story will still continue four years after the last movie.

I actually did not go and see the last Transformers movie ('Dark of the Moon') because I was told that it was long and drawn-out and I felt that it would be very repetitive. I felt that the storyline would be too much like the last ones. That is why I feel that it might be a good move to introduce a new character. It might make it a bit more refreshing and induce less deja vu.  Let's hope Wahlberg can revamp this series (with a little help with a sleek new logo, this might actually be possible).

More information can be found here:
http://www.technologytell.com/entertainment/8484/mark-wahlberg-joins-transformers-franchise/

Bucket List #7: Lincoln

Film: Lincoln
Actors:Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Director: Steven Spielberg

I love history - especially American history. Judging by the trailer this movie brings history to life with its drama and action. Hopefully with the right amount of drama and historical accuracy, this movie will make our country's history all the more fascinating through the eyes of one of it's greatest presidents. I'm sure the cinematography will be amazing, thanks to Mr.Spielberg and that will help history come to life even more. I am amazed at how accurately they got Daniel Day-Lewis to look like Lincoln and I have always liked Joseph Gordon-Levitt so I am looking forward to watching them portray these historical figures.

Bucket List #6: A Good Day to Die Hard

Film: A Good Day to Die Hard
Actors: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch
Director: John Moore

They are adding a fifth movie to the Die Hard series. I need to re-watch the first four before I go see this one in February 2013 because I know I loved them, but the details are getting a bit hazy. I think I am also starting to mix up some of the plot-lines.

As far as the trailer for this movie, I enjoyed the action, but I am not so sure about the plot. I can not seem to find a plot-line for this movie based off of the trailer. The only bits of information that I have gathered is that he goes to Russia and works with his son. Hopefully in the actual movie, the plot is not completely concealed by the action and the movie will have some story.

I also hope that this movie does not become completely technological as the fourth one did. I feel like the basis of these movies is McClane using his intuition and the abundance of technology in the last movie somewhat spoiled that.

Bucket List #5: Skyfall

Film: Skyfall
Actors:  Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem
Director: Sam Mendes

I have always been a Bond fan. My favorite Bond is Sean Connery. I am actually quite surprised at how little the new Bond movie has been promoted. I knew it was coming out sometime soon but I didn't actually see a trailer on T.V. until today. I am surprised they didn't start promoting it earlier.

The action and the plot in Skyfall seem intense and I excited to see what new tricks they will come up with... although I am still puzzled as to how they could just replace the classic vodka martini with a Heineken!? You can't just get rid of "shaken, not stirred"! It is one of his catchphrases. Next thing you know, they will be scratching "Bond, James Bond" from the script as well.

    

Bucket List 4#: The Bourne Legacy

Film: The Bourne Legacy
Actors: Jeremy Renner, Scott Glenn, Edward Norton
Director: Tony Gilroy

I have seen all of the Bourne series, but I got a bit bored towards the end, so I don't really remember much about them. At first when I heard that they were making another Bourne movie, I decided that I did not want to see it at all and it was just ridiculous to make another one. Then I found out that Matt Damon was not going to be in it, I was even more annoyed. After watching the trailer, I have changed my mind. I love Jeremy Renner (especially as Hawkeye in the Avengers and as William Brandt in Mission Impossible) and I feel like it might be okay without Damon. The plot also seems like it is refreshingly different from the others. I like how it is somewhat of a continuation of the others, but it is completely different. Hopefully it will shed some light onto the past of Jason Bourne as well, seeing as it looks like it will be all about the organization that made him who he was. The action scenes also seem pretty intense and, based off of the trailer, it looks like they have forgone the shaky, homemade video camera angles that the other movies in the series were known for. I am excited to see this movie and see how Renner will do in a role like this.

The Rascals of my Childhood

One of my all-time favorite movies when I was a child was The Little Rascals. This is a classic and will hopefully be a favorite for generations. I could watch it today and still laugh myself silly throughout the entire movie. It is a cute movie because the main cast is made up of all children and there are many moments in the movie where there is a meaningful lesson being explained. The best part is that the children are hilarious and they teach through the comedy. I wonder where these actors are today...

Movie for old people? I think not...

Film: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Actors: Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel
Director: John Madden

The last movie that I watched in theaters before I took up my movie challenge was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. When I walked into the theater with a group of my friends, the seats were filled with mostly elderly couples. After seeing that, I thought maybe I made the wrong choice and I should have joined my other group of friends who were going to watch The Avengers for the third time. In the end, I decided to stay since it was based in India and I am an Indian so I thought I might actually enjoy it. That was a good decision on my part.

The movie is about a group of elderly British retirees who end up at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which is an old peoples home in India. It is about the stage in their life where they look back and reflect upon their life and also make changes as to who they are. To me, this was a very inspiring theme/message.

I enjoyed seeing India and it's beauty and how it was portrayed in the movie. India is a somewhat dirty country, but this movie was able to capture the true majesty of the country. They were able to find the glory in the landscape as well as the culture and portray it to the American population in a beautiful manner.

I love elderly people and my Grandfather actually lives with us (as per Indian custom) and so I truly enjoy spending time with him. Therefore, I really connected with this movie. I could not imagine having my Grandfather living alone at an old peoples home. Thus, I was really struck by the characters in the movie and what they were going through and was inspired by their stories. I also loved all the actors in the movie (particularly Judi Dench and Maggie Smith).

Bucket List #3: Taken 2

Film: Taken 2
Actors:  Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
Director: Olivier Megaton

I am sure I am not the only one looking forward to this movie. Liam Neeson is a brilliant actor and the prequel to this movie was amazing. It was suspenseful and though-provoking with the right amount of action. I am not sure if there really can be a sequel to Taken though since in trying to do so, I feel like it may end being being a very similar plot. Sequels that have the same plot tend to get very boring very fast. Hopefully this will not be the case with Taken 2. I have hope that Neeson will bring something refreshingly different to the big screen on October 5, 2012.

Bucket List #2: Trouble with the Curve

Film: Trouble with the Curve
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, John Goodman
Director: Robert Lorenz

When you walk out of a sports film, you usually come out feeling inspired and elated. They make you feel like anything is possible. I was catching up on last weeks episodes of the Ellen Show today and one of the guests was Clint Eastwood. He was promoting his new movie, Trouble with the Curve. It is his first movie in a long while where he has only acted and not directed as well.

The story is about an elderly baseball recruiter who is getting ready for one last gig with the help of his daughter. It seems like it will be one of this inspiring stories with a moving message about relationships and persistence.

With a interesting mix in the cast like Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, and Justin Timberlake, I don't know what to expect. Hopefully it will be refreshing rather than cliche.

Just Keep Swimming...

Finding Nemo is one of my favorite animated films. The storyline is great, the characters are amazing, and it is a great movie for all ages. The characters really bring the story to life and make the entire move one humorous adventure. I also like how you learn a lot about all the different animals while you are on this huge ocean adventure. Not only do you learn random facts, the story is also very inspiring. The fun doesn't have to end there though. Now you can experience the great adventure in 3D! I am sure this will make the entire experience all the more enjoyable.

The Cast Behind the Bullet-Proof Vests

This is by far my favorite Criminal Minds picture. Throughout the past seven seasons of the show the cast has changed a bit, but the cast in this picture is my favorite. They include A.J. Cook (JJ Jareau), Matthew Gubler (Dr.Spencer Reid), Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner), Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan), and Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss). The dynamics of the team and how they work together is amazing. I love how they are like a family unit and always have eachother's backs. They actors bring life to the characters and the entire show just comes together because of this. Although the concept of the show is a bit dark in nature, the charters seem to lighten it up a bit and make the show enjoyable. At the end of the last season, Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) left the show. Jeanne Tripplehorn (Alex Blake) will be taking her place on the new season. I am not sure how I feel about this because Agent Prentiss played a pivotal role on the show and I am not sure how the new character will fit in with the dynamic with the team. I guess we will find out on September 26 when the new season begins!

Princess, Superhero, or Cartoon Character?

I love Anne Hathaway. I know a lot of people who don't, but I must say that she is one of my favorites. To be fair, I haven't really watched any of her "not so appropriate movies" and so my opinion may be skewed. Last night I really wanted to watch a fairy tale movie (yes, sometimes a girly movie is allowed!) and it made me think of Ella Enchanted. I love her in that movie. Another one of my favorites with Hathaway is Princess Diaries 2. I was a bit skeptical of her playing the role of Batwoman, but it seems like she did a pretty good job. It is amazing how she can go from playing Batwoman to being a princess to starring in a movie like the Devil Wears Parda and to being a voice of a character in an animated movie. It takes talent to take on multiple roles that are so different. I think it is Hathaway's simplicity and adaptability that makes her a great actress.

Bucket List #1: The Amazing Spiderman

Film: The Amazing Spiderman 
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans
Director: Marc Webb

Number one on my movie bucket list is the Amazing Spiderman. I don't know how I will feel seeing Andrew Garfield playing the role of Spiderman. I love Tobey Maguire and I think that he played an amazing Spiderman. Let's hope that I can say the same about Andrew Garfield. As for Emma Stone, I have always liked her and I think that she would be able to do well in such a role. I wish I could have seen the movie in 3D in order to get the full effect but hopefully the cinematography will be decent enough for me to get the same amazing experience at home. Overall, after reading many reviews, it seems like the special effects and cinematography were amazing. I also saw a lot of people refer to it as "fun". I like how in the previous Spiderman movies they were still able to add a bit of humor throughout and I am hoping to see the same in this one. Don't let me down Marc Webb!

Hi. My Name is Shivani... and I am a Movie Addict

I will admit that I have an unhealthy obsession with movies. I have recently taken a pledge to not watch movies for four months which ends on November 28, 2012. This being the case, I have created this blog in order to keep track of all the newest releases and which ones I want to watch after November 28. I will also look back at my favorite movies and see what makes them so great.