Rogue One: A Review (SPOILER FREE)

Well of course I went and saw this! But what did I think?

I believe that a lot of people were confused that this was NOT an official Star Wars movie. It was not an official episode (it takes place between ep3 and ep4). It didn't even have a title scroll at the beginning (which was a little bit of a bummer, but I understand). It was a stand-alone film and does not cross over with the films of the trilogy. See, George Lucas created a canon story and only certain things are allowed to actually fall into that canon. While other stories can be created in the universe like the Clone Wars TV series, books explaining aliens and stuff, etc., those thing fall into the universe canon, but not the saga canon. George Lucas was very explicit on what was allowed to be part of the canon story and what was not. This film was literally a fan fiction. It was filling in some plot holes and untold stories. That is what fan fictions do; someone other than the original author(s) put out stories filling in gaps, expanding on universes, etc.

I just felt I had to clear that up because there seems to be a lot of people confused about it.

Anyways, my opinion? Very good. I mean, it was not quite on par with the regular films, but it was still entertaining. Allow me to explain...

Basically, I thought the plot was a little contrived, generic, and predictable. There weren't really any surprises or twists to really get me engaged in it. Most of the characters were pretty bland too, even the likable ones. It relied on references to the original Star Wars to get viewers excited rather than making the original content actually good and memorable.

That is my major criticism. Other than that, I thought it was a very well put together and entertaining film. I did say that the plot was a bit predictable and generic, and admittedly, I wasn't that into it at first, but by the end, I was on the edge of my seat. It has a pretty intense climax.

I also said that the characters were a little bland, and I stand by that. I don't remember any of their names except maybe the main character. However, there are a few stand-out ones: the robot was very enjoyable and funny, and if I had to pick another, perhaps the blind priest guy. He was pretty entertaining to watch and had some good lines.

The visuals were completely off the charts. The battle sequences were amazing! I was really noticing the cinematography during the space battles; it kept reminding me of the Star Tours ride at Disneyland, where you really feel like you're flying right along with everyone. I totally enjoyed it! And then the effects to get some of the characters from A New Hope in there when the actors have since aged or died. I mean, wow!

I'd say if you're a big Star Wars fan, check it out. It fills in some time gaps and plot holes (especially a certain one that fans often bring up). It's mostly just a little filler movie, but still entertaining. If you know nothing of Star Wars, you will be SO lost. Like I said, most of the entertainment value relies on references to the other movies.

So yes, I liked it. I'd give it an 8/10. (But that's prone to change after a second viewing.)

Movies That Everyone Has Seen But I Haven't

Some of you may know that I recently undertook a feat; a feat to watch as many movies that I could think of that I had never seen before. However, it was not just any movies I had not seen, it was an exclusive list. They had to be classic movies, iconic movies, famous movies, and/or movies that everybody has seen and always talk about. (No "so bad, it's good" or anything like that.)

Some people may say this was a waste of time, but I do not see it that way. Movies are a form of art and a form of storytelling, two things I greatly admire. And classic/iconic/popular movies are labeled as such for a reason. I am interested to see what makes them stand out. I want to understand the references I hear in pop culture, by my friends, in the media, etc. I want to see for myself what makes them so great that they are worth quoting, parodying, and/or lasting through the ages.

This is the list I created and the order I watched them in, sequels that I happened to watch are not included. (Keep in mind, there are some rated R movies on the list. I did not watch the original cuts. I watched cleaned up versions either on VidAngel or of my family's own making) I will star my favorite ones. BEWARE this is a very long list:

*Psycho

Wow, did this movie impress me! Even though I knew the twist, I was still wrapped up in the story and intensity of it. The pacing is excellent and the tension is perfect. No wonder it's so iconic. Of course some of the effects are a little dated, but it all sort of flows with the style of the movie. That shower scene though! 8O

*Jurassic Park

I was a little surprised at how much I liked this movie. I mean, I expected to like it, but I REALLY liked it. It totally sucked me in. All it basically is is genetically-grown dinosaurs wrecking havoc on an island, but man, the pacing is set up so flawlessly. I was enthralled by it. I caught all the iconic moments and good gosh, I love that T-Rex!

Jaws

A pretty standard horror movie and since I knew how it ended, I was not too surprised by anything. It's just a shark attacking people. This film is so famous because it made people afraid to go in the water and convinced everyone that sharks are man-eaters (even though they're not). There are some pretty intense moments though. And that theme song will always be so haunting.

*Titanic

I was determined to stay away from this movie because I hate sappy love stories. However, this film is so much more than that. It's got action, humor, disaster, and more. Before now, I had basically watched this movie through the internet (spoofs, pictures, clips, etc). Despite this, I was still caught up in the story and characters. And even though you know what's going to happen (spoilers: the ship sinks XP), you still root for the characters and are on the edge of your seat.

Sixth Sense

I knew the twist to this one too. However, unlike with Psycho, that sort of took away from the experience of it. It was a little slow-moving and depended mainly on mystery and suspense. However, since I knew everything, there was not much to keep me entertained. A lot of the scares were centered around creepy imagery that in my opinion wasn't that bad. But again, most of the "scariness" was supposed to be attributed to the unknown. The major twist ending would've been a good one if I hadn't known it, but I did, so I was underwhelmed by the whole experience.

The Shining

Brady watched this one with me and we had such a long discussion about what it all meant. It was so baffling. There was so much hidden meaning. I wish my mom would've watched it so she could help us out (but it's not her type of movie). It's a lot more than a straight up slasher (which, there's barely any murder at all), it's a psychological tease. If you want more than that, there's a lot of creepy images too to freak you out as well. Actually, I did not find it all that scary. It was more trippy than anything else. Just because of that one scene where Jack comes ripping through the door with the axe, it's suddenly labeled as a slasher.

Inception

Good grief, this movie hurt my brain! I am usually pretty good at following plot lines, but this one had so much going on that I had to actually pause the movie (more than once) to read a detailed plot summary on the internet in order to figure out what the heck was happening. However, once I got it figured out, I enjoyed it. The visuals were extraordinary! I believe that is why this film gets so much attention.

*The Mummy

I remember walking in on my mom watching this when I was little on a particularly freaky scene where a man dies in a rather gruesome manner and I was scarred for life (or until now). I never wanted to watch the movie ever. Clearly I have changed my mind. Gotta love this movie though. It's like Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider. Dem special effects tho XD. The over-the-top story, ridiculous set-ups, cheesy lines; it's a fun adventure and great action.

Zombieland

This might've been cheating because I don't think this movie is THAT famous/classic/popular. But I've heard enough people talk about it for it to get it on my list. In a word: funny. I often watch adult comedies and find them only semi-humourous because they depend largely on sex jokes and shock humor. This one did not have a ton of that. It was very witty, but also goofy. I found myself actually laughing a lot.

*Die Hard

I found that I completely misjudged this movie. I had it in my head that it was an espionage film; that Bruce Willis was a secret agent or something, chasing down some terrorists through the country and we'd be following him on his adventures. Nope. He's a cop and it all takes place in one night in one building and he's all on his own, sneaking through the building, trying to stop the terrorists. It was pretty good. Alan Rickman was phenomenal as Hans Gruber, the villain. I was pretty into it.

*Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

I am ashamed it took me this long to finally start this series. As a nerd, I of course know the basics of it and can have a standard conversation with someone about it. Like with Titanic, I had basically seen the movie(s) through the internet. However, I always felt like a sham because I had never actually sat down and watched any of them. I would talk about them and pretend I liked them, but I was basically the definition of a "fake fan." Finally remedied! And yes, I enjoyed it.

Now You See Me

Similar to Die Hard, I sort of misjudged this movie. I knew it was about magicians robbing a bank, but I thought we would be following the magicians from their POV, not the FBI agents who were trying to catch them. But I enjoyed it. I suppose seeing it from an outsider's POV makes it more intense because you never know what's going to happen. And the twist certainly threw me through a loop.

Miss Congeniality

I'm not sure how famous/iconic this movie actually is, but it seems like every person I know has seen it. It was pretty funny. Nothing to write home about though. It was as predictable as can be. But I do always enjoy Sandra Bullock. It was a cute little flick, but nothing superb.

Silence of the Lambs

Good nightly, this had some messed up crap in it! The thing is, the story actually seemed realistic. In a lot of movies the murderers, villains, or whoever seem outrageous and unbelievable. The guys in this movie still did horrible and outrageous things, but it was believable because of context and motive. The real life grittiness of FBI investigations is brought to life in this movie. They don't miss a tick. And there's nothing cliched about it. I can't think of a single thing I predicted before it happened. The suspense between Clarisse and Dr. Lector is very real. If you have a queasy stomach, I would not recommend this movie.

Beetlejuice

I was highly entertained by this movie. Definitely a Tim Burton film (before he started getting repetitive and boring). No Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter though! *gasp* Guess he was still working out his formula XP. I could see why this movie put him on the map though. Back then, his style was not a norm, so the visuals were very stylistic and interesting. The plot was a lot of fun too; quirky and entertaining. And now I know why whenever someone actually says "Beetlejuice" they always say it three times.

The Birds

Alfred Hitchcock again! What a bizarre movie. That's really all I have to say about it. The tension it builds whenever the characters walk past the birds while they're not attacking is probably the best part. Although the attacking birds is certainly intense, the tension while they're not is far worse. If you have a fear of birds, you will definitely find this film horrifying. If you don't, you'll more likely find it strange like I did.

Mad Max: Fury Road

I was actually cracking up for a lot of this movie. There's the genre of "chick flick" where all the cliches are geared towards women, hoping to make them squeal, flutter, giggle, cry, and all that. This movie was the complete opposite of that. It was (pardon my French) a "dick flick." It was geared towards men to make them pound on their chests, grunt, roar, fist bump, and everything else. I mean, for crying out loud, there was a vehicle that followed them around with a guy playing a flaming electric guitar! He served no purpose except to add random awesomeness and to get you psyched. It was hilarious! And the plot was just as ridiculous as I've heard. They literally drive out into the desert only to drive right back again. And that's it. But MAN is it so epic getting there! The action is amazing, the stunts are phenomenal, the effects are totally boss. Awesomeness! *pumps fist*

*When Harry Met Sally

I really enjoyed this movie. It centers around the question, "can a man and woman be just friends?" I love that question. I was surprised at how great Billy Crystal's and Meg Ryan's chemistry was. The whole movie was very realistic, set over a span of several years, playing out like a real relationship with ups and downs. Very funny, very sweet. Of course the classic line, "I'll have what she's having." (Everything leading up to it was cut out of my version, but I got to hear the line.)

*V for Vendetta

Like others on this list, I misjudged this movie. I thought it took place in the past like during the Victorian era or something. Nope, it's in the future. I guess it was just the costume of V's and the fact that he uses swords and daggers. I really enjoyed this movie! I was totally into it even if it was a little cliched and predictable at times. I was completely sucked into the story. It is not an action story (though there is some included), it's about the corruption of government. It's sort of 1984 meets The Mask of Zorro. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

*The Goonies

I did not know a whole lot about this show before watching. I just knew it was about a group of kids and that it was a classic comedy from the eighties. That was about it. I found myself laughing out loud several times, not just smiling or chuckling to myself. It was a pretty entertaining story. Cheesy? Yes. Stereotypical and cliched? A little. But still fun and enjoyable.

*Taken

I was really into this movie. It was intense, it was action packed, it was a lot of fun. I was actually laughing at how kick-butt the main character was. I mean he was like Batman without the mask and cape. He would literally just beat up an entire room and walk away without a scratch. It was pretty enjoyable. I always love a good spy (sorta) film.

*Count of Monte Cristo

OMG this movie was so amazing! I love swashbuckler, adventure, revenge stories. So good! Man, I just loved how it all played out. The way everything rounded out in the end. The way everything was planned with such precision. Yes! I can see where The Mask of Zorro got a lot of inspiration from (and that's one of my all-time favorite movies).

*The Breakfast Club

The classic '80's film. I was very entertained. I wondered how someone could make an entire movie out of one day in detention and keep it interesting. John Hughes did it. The acting was phenomenal. Everyone played their character to a "T", bringing their stereotypes depth and character. I laughed, I cried, I was moved. I'm not exactly sure why it's called The Breakfast Club though. I mean that's what they call themselves at the end, but... why? Why was that the name they decided on?

*Matrix

I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I thought it would be like Inception (I've often heard the two compared). I could kind of see that, except this one was so much cooler and a lot easier to follow. It was such a clever idea. This is the kind of post-apocalyptic story I like. The one thing that bothered me was that it never explained WHY Neo was "the one." They kept saying that he was and said that they had been searching for him for years and found him at last, but how did they know it was him? I guess that's a nit pick though. I really enjoyed the movie!

Caddyshack

What even was this movie? So dumb! XD All the characters are ridiculous and memorable, each story is funny, and so many of the jokes are priceless. I will admit that I was not screaming with laughter at everything, but there are some laugh-out-loud moments. The stupid gopher. Ha! The freakin' Baby Ruth in the pool was probably the best part though. I was dying!

Terminator

I had seen the second movie before, but not this one. My verdict... the second one is better. While this movie was not bad, it was a little bland. There's not very great action; just a lot of shooting and uninventive car chases. The story is pretty interesting, I will give it that (but I already knew everything because I had seen the second one). However, it was nothing that earth shattering. Maybe back in the day it was which is why it's so popular now. It is one of those movies you just have to watch though. "I'll be back."

Edward Scissorhands

Tim Burton again! This movie surprised me. I expected to be underwhelmed, because it's such a bizarre concept, but I actually really enjoyed it. It was a very sweet film. The character Edward, was such an interesting individual; curious, well-intentioned, shy, misunderstood. And the way he was treated by everybody enraptured me as well. I continuously expected one thing to happen because that's what always happens in other movies with misunderstood characters, but then it didn't. Always a nice surprise. I keep forgetting that Tim Burton wasn't always a cliched, repetitive, boring, over-the-top filmmaker.

The Godfather

Finally, all the references, spoofs, parodies, quotes, etc. that I've been hearing all my life make sense! Of all the movies on my list, I'd say this one might be one of, if not THE most iconic. Literally everybody has heard of this movie. It did not disappoint. I really want to talk about it in depth, but obviously that would spoil it. I'll just say that watching one of the main character's transitions was super compelling. As I said before, everyone is familiar with this movie, so I caught all the iconic moments, but I was not underwhelmed by anything. I was actually excited by it all. Since it's an older movie, it is not as exciting and/or gruesome as today's crime movies (even thought it's rated R, it's more on the level of a PG-13).

Grease

The original High School Musical. Literally, both movies have the exact same set up (except they play out and resolve a bit differently). I knew the plot to this film and had heard the songs so many times (I even knew the Grease Lightning dance), but I just never got around to actually watching it. Now remedied. Basically, the plot annoys the crap out of me, but it's told in such a charismatic and enjoyable way that I had to love it anyways. Horrible character development, annoying/stupid characters, ridiculous ending, but gosh darn it those songs are just so flippin' catchy!

*It's a Wonderful Life

Loved this movie! Such a feel-good film. The message is so good: it's not about worldly possessions or what you can do for yourself, your good deeds and selfless acts will always pay off in the end. For an old film, the acting isn't too corny most of the time. The black and white does not take away anything from the enjoyability, it almost adds to it. It's sweet, entertaining, moving, romantic, and of course, wonderful. I was left grinning at the end, tears in my eyes. So good!

Anne of Green Gables

One of my dad's favorite films/characters. He's always talked about how he loves this show. I've seen bits and pieces of it through the years, but this is the first time I've sat down to watch the whole thing. I can see why my dad likes it so much. Anne is so dramatic and has such a way with words that is so funny and enjoyable. I was also interested in watching her grow up. Usually in movies, you can see the makeup, obvious hair dye, or whatever in order to make the actors look older/younger. In this case it looked like a genuine transition from a little girl to a young woman using little tricks of different hairstyles, clothes, and probably some simple makeup. I was impressed with the overall story and was very compelled by the character.

*Airplane

I was laughing so hard at this movie. It was so dumb! But it was clever dumb not just mind-numbingly stupid. The jokes were really well thought out and hilarious. I don't think there were any jokes that I didn't at least chuckle at. This is how parodies should be handled. "Parodies" nowadays just take something familiar and then exaggerate it and make it stupid. While that's one example of a parody, there's so much more that can be done. This movie was a perfect example. Clever jokes, hilarious dialogue, knowing what to poke fun at, puns galore! (Of course the classic line: "Surely you can't be serious." "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.")

Pitch Perfect

One of the more recently-released movies on my list. I've gotten away with not seeing it for a while until the sequel came out and then everyone was talking about it again and I was at a loss. Anyways, I enjoyed it. It was a little cliched and predictable, but hey, sometimes that's just fun to watch. The music is great; I love acapella! (But seriously, what was with all the acapella puns? They weren't even puns. They were just adding "aca" onto the beginning of words. "Aca-scuse me?", "aca-politics, "aca-awesome", or whatever.)

2001: A Space Odyssey

What to say about this movie... So long! Honestly, it could have been told in an hour and a half or even less, but it was 2 1/2 hours long! I think it had potential to be an interesting and engaging story, but I was literally asleep for 3/4 for it. It's not an adventure story like one would think. It's sort of like watching one of those deep, intellectual poems play out on screen. So much meaning and depth behind everything that's happening... when something is actually happening. No exaggeration, it takes them fifteen minutes to go out into space, remove a damaged piece of equipment from a satellite (like just slip it out of a compartment), and then come back again. The effects in the spaceship are pretty cool though with the anti-gravity and stuff. The stuff with HAL 9000 were probably the most engaging and interesting parts.

The Notebook

Like with Titanic, I had been avoiding this movie for so long because I'm not all about sappy love stories. I mean, I love romance, but there's a difference between cutesy and sweet, and angsty and over-dramatic. Nicholas Sparks is the worst with this! But... I will admit it was not that bad. It was interesting enough, but it was mostly a lot of smooching and "I love you! No I don't! I have to choose! Ah! Drama!" And there were a few things that just did not make sense at all (but I won't go into them). The two main actors had really great chemistry though. I could totally buy their romance so it made it engaging.

Nacho Libre

This is one that I really feel awful about going so long about not seeing. I have always felt left out whenever people quote it, but I just have never gotten around to watching it. I have often heard it compared to Napoleon Dynamite and yeah, I can kind of see that. It's sort of got that same random humor. This film has more of a distinguishable plot though. I thought it was pretty funny and enjoyable. Kind of stupid sometimes, but that was the point and it managed to get a laugh out of me.

Good Will Hunting

A very... intelligent movie. Lots of films, books, TV shows, and other stories have tackled the abused/orphaned child idea, but this took it to a whole new level and really nailed it. It never resolved anything too easily. All the different relationships between the characters were brilliantly set up and the acting was phenomenal! I still don't really know what "how do you like them apples?" is supposed to mean though.

Young Frankenstein

Oh, Mel Brooks. I don't exactly know if this was a clever spoof, but it certainly wasn't dumb. There were some moments that I was busting a gut, but there were more moments where I was simply chuckling. I can't think of any jokes that fell flat though. I thought this movie was going to be a straight-up spoof of the Frankenstein movies, but it had its own story with original characters and everything. It still spoofed the movies, but there was plenty of original content. In short, I was amused by it.

*Predator

At first, I was not that impressed by this movie, it just seemed like just another action film. But then as it went on, I got more and more into it and by the climax, I was totally on the edge of my seat. I knew that this movie involved an extraterrestrial being that was hunting the characters, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. I have to say that its abilities and design were rather inventive, frightening, and fit with the movie. It was not your typical alien invasion story. I very much enjoyed it.

Fight Club

Everyone knows what the first rule of Fight Club is, right? This was an interesting movie. It had many fascinating concepts involved and I was intrigued by how it all played out. However, I was a bit confused by what the message was supposed to be. I think it was saying something like "let go of yourself and be free", but then the main character was attempting to extinguish his free side in the end. So it sort of contradicted itself. And then, while it was a well put together movie, well acted, and interesting, I did not get the greatest feeling from it. Now, I have watched some messed up, violent, crazy movies these past few weeks, but they have all had a good/reasonable moral in the end. The characters and/or audience walk away with something. A character always overcomes a weakness or trial, and if they don't then we can learn from their mistakes. This movie... not so much. I was unimpressed with the mixed, almost wicked message it was sending. I think also, part of the problem was that there was not one really good (or innocent, for lack of a better word) character in the whole movie to balance everything out. Everyone was corrupt in someway, so it was difficult to really care about anybody and the things they did/said. (I didn't mean for this to turn into an essay.) The twist is a really good one though. I knew it just like I knew all the other ones on my list, but it was still good. I was busy wondering how it would all work out in the end and I have to say that The Sixth Sense handled its similar situation a little more cleverly.

Pretty in Pink

Another John Hughes film. I feel horrible for saying so, but... I was a bit unimpressed by this movie. It was barely funny, it made me mad or uncomfortable more times than not, and the two leads had zero chemistry. The story wasn't even inventive. It was just about a girl trying to date a guy above her social status in high school. There should have been something else going on to spice it up a little. If not, then at least there should have been some interesting dialogue or jokes. (Come on, it worked with The Breakfast Club!) Take something potentially boring and make it not so. Oh well. I always appreciate the silly 80's cliches which I spotted several of... that's basically all I can think of that I really liked about this movie. I guess her friend, Duckie, was pretty enjoyable. He had more personality than whatshisname that she was dating. (And she wasn't even pretty in pink. That was the most hideous dress even by 80's standards!)

*Casablanca

"Play it again, Sam." That line is not actually in the movie! Different versions of it is ("Play it!", "Play it, Sam.", "Would you play it again?"), but not that actual line. It's like the "Luke, I am your father" of this film. Anyways... I actually really enjoyed this movie. I expected to only mildly like it, to get bored at some parts, for it to be a little slow because of its age, but then I would be entertained by other things and reasonably satisfied by the end. However, I don't think I was ever bored once throughout the entirety of it. The story was very engaging and the characters were interesting and fun to watch. The acting was a little hokie sometimes because it is an old movie, but it did not take away from the story and just added to the old fashioned tone. I really enjoyed it and would probably watch it again.

*Braveheart

What can I say about this movie? Winner of five academy awards... I can see why. While some of the fictional stuff was pretty standard and predictable, at least for an epic, the rest of the film was absolutely stunning. I mean, those battle sequences were brutal! I now can fully appreciate people always talking about this movie having some of the greatest major fight scenes put on the big screen. I was really into the story, the makeup and costumes were great, the music totally set the tone, and the message was a really good one. Well done! (But, my goodness! All I could keep thinking for a large portion of the film was "those poor horses! D:" I was legit focusing on their well-being in several scenes because seriously, they're just pawns in the battles.)

Citizen Kane

This was another movie where I knew the twist. Well, it wasn't really a twist, but everything sort of hung on the ending. It was all about figuring out what "rosebud" meant... and I already knew what it was. The movie was still pretty good though. I can understand how it was pretty ground-breaking for its time; the way this guy's life is told through different people's points of view, news reels, etc. It's basically just a character study on this one guy, Charles Kane, as a reporter tries to uncover the meaning of his final words. It was interesting enough. Although I was not super enthralled by anything, it still kept me watching. It probably would've been more interesting if I hadn't already known what "rosebud" was.

The Da Vinci Code

I shall dub this "The Exposition Movie." This movie was just okay. It wasn't bad by any means, but it wasn't anything great either. If you're all into religion, you'll probably be greatly offended by it because it knocks on all things religious in every way possible. The story itself was a little dry though. It was just an average treasure hunt without very innovative clues. 3/4 of the film was characters sitting around and explaining history, legends, and myths. It kind of reminded me of National Treasure, except at least National Treasure managed to tie history and fiction almost seamlessly together without seeming too outrageous. This movie, however, would be like, "hey, you know all that stuff you know about history? Yeah, it's all wrong. This is what really happened..." It was certainly a clever idea and I was rather interested at points, but it just did not live up to its potential. The acting is what saved it a lot for me. Tom Hanks and Ian McKellen definitely added to its enjoyability.

The Help

I'm not sure how iconic or popular this movie actually is, but I've heard about it from enough people (beyond my social circle) for it to make my list. It was very enjoyable. I really felt for all the characters in each of their situations. The 60's, man. Crazy times. I was sort of expecting some over-the-top drama, exposing the mistreatment of the colored people in those days, but it was a simple story about the struggles of maids of upper-class people in the South. It hardly ever got over-dramatic, it had its moments, but it kept itself in check. The characters were enjoyable, the plot was engaging, and the story was moving.

*Groundhog Day

I expected to enjoy this movie somewhat, but I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Even when it started out, I was like, "eh, whatever." But then after the first day looped, I got sucked in. I loved the different phases the main character went through in his situation: confusion, carefree, desperation, depression, joyful, etc. He had a great character arch and I really believed he had changed by the end. It did not seem forced at all. The comedy was not stupid, forced, or over-the-top, the romance actually worked given the circumstance, I loved how he chose to live each day differently. I just really enjoyed it!

*Gone with the Wind

(Fun fact: this is the first movie to ever have a swear word in it: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a d***.") Probably the longest movie on my list. It was nearly four hours long! It was so good though! I never got bored. I loved how complex and believable the characters were. There was not one over-arching story, per say, it was mainly following the characters' lives and their relationships with one another as they experienced different trials and tribulations, particularly through the Civil War. It was all very fascinating and entertaining. Scarlett was perfectly irritating and yet so real, because I actually know people like her, and Rhett may just be my new favorite character. I loved it all!

Alien

I will say that this movie kind of starts out slow, but once it gets going, it's pretty good. It definitely got me with those jump scares if nothing else, but it did build tension and suspense very well. And I actually feel quite satisfied that I saw the scene with the alien bursting out of the guy's chest (as disgusting as it was). I will never stop wondering why there was a cat on the ship though.

*Karate Kid

Man, I would totes watch this one again! It was so epically awesome, but in a cheesy, hilarious way. There's just something about the 80's that gets you so into these stories of empowerment and conquering the impossible. I haven't seen the remake, but I know that it didn't do so well. I feel like it was because it's honestly not that great of a story. The original is so popular because it has a certain charm about it with it's cheesiness, awkward acting, over-the-top characters, and silly lines. As dumb as it was sometimes, it was still really good and I really enjoyed it.

Shaun of the Dead

An interesting satire. Yes, a satire, not a parody or a spoof. A satire is a commentary on something relevant through use of irony and exaggeration. They tend to be a little more clever than spoofs which merely imitates something through humor. This is why these movies are classic/iconic! Anyways... I feel like I need to watch it again to fully appreciate all the subtleties scattered throughout. That's the thing with British humor, it's not as blatantly in-your-face, obvious as traditional Hollywood. It's a lot more subtle and clever. At first glance, I'd say it was a pretty laid-back film, almost boring but then that's the beauty of it. You don't expect a zombie film to be boring and it's making fun of that. But then there's so many subtle jokes throughout that (like I said) I need to go back to catch them all.

Rain Man

I was not quite sure what to expect from this film. I always hear people doing impressions of the Rain Man, but that has been the extent of my contact and knowledge. At first, I was a little bored/put off by it, but as it progressed, I was really quite charmed. It was a sweet, emotional ride and didn't end the way I expected. I always love Dustin Hoffman! He's phenomenal! (He won an Oscar for this performance.)

West Side Story

I am surprised by how many of the songs and scenes I actually knew. I mean, I was aware that I knew one or two things (like "I Feel Pretty" and the tough guy finger snapping), but I knew like half the movie. I guess that attests to how iconic it is. It was pretty good, although I still think its source material is kinda stupid no matter what setting/time frame it's in (Romeo and Juliet). But still, the musical numbers were a lot of fun, the sets and costumes weren't half bad, and the story is iconic (whether it's ridiculous or not).

*Dead Poets Society

Oh man, this movie was AMAZING!!! It touched me deep, especially as an English major. I actually got teared up a couple times. I loved, loved, loved its message; it's okay to be something other than what society expects you to be, follow your passions, you are unique and special, go make life extraordinary. And the fact that it emphasizes the importance of studying English, the arts, etc. just makes me so happy. They are just as important as becoming a doctor or a lawyer. Great movie with phenomenal acting. A+

Planet of the Apes (1968)

I actually expected to not like this movie very much, but I was surprisingly really into it. I knew the twist ending, but it did not ruin it at all since the story did not depend on/circulate around it. The makeup/costumes for the apes was of course a bit hokey and unrealistic, but I thought it wasn't half bad for the time period. It was a very interesting story; watching men being treated as animals, with one man trying to prove his intelligence and origins. It had some interesting, deep questions and studies on mankind. And gotta love that iconic line: "Get your filthy hands off me, you d*** dirty ape!" Gave me chills.

*Peter Pan (2003)

I was expecting this movie to be kind of dumb and cheesy, but it was actually really good. The acting was pretty good even for child actors, the sets and costumes weren't half bad, the effects were surprisingly stellar for the early 2000's, and the story was the straight-forward Peter Pan story; no creative "fresh" twists on anything. Peter Pan is a very fun, whimsical adventure and that's exactly what the movie gives us. It does get a little cheesy sometimes, but not annoyingly so. It's endearing. It really manages to capture that magical feel that I really love (it's why I love Disney). I loved Jason Isaacs as Captain Hook! He was one of my favorite parts. He was so good!


Anchorman

This is considered one of the funniest movies of all time. I guess I can see that. It's not THAT funny on the first viewing, but it's one of those movies that you'll be quoting non-stop after a few viewings. It's got some great one-liners. I didn't realize how many scenes and quotes I was already familiar with. There's actually a few quotes that I use in my regular vocabulary that I think originated from (or at least was popularized by) the movie and I didn't even realize it (i.e. "that escalated quickly", "I'm in a glass case of emotion", "I immediately regret this decision"). It's hilariously random. I'm sure I'll be seeing it again sometime in the future.

Avatar

I remember when this movie came out it was the HUGEST deal. It was all anybody ever talked about... and yet I never saw it. I guess I can see what all the fuss was about. It is very visually stimulating (which, if I recall correctly, was what everybody was fussing about). The story itself is not all that creative. It's literally just recycling old plots from Pocahontas, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Last of the Mohicans, and other environmentally friendly movies; except this time it's in space! However, the visuals, designs, special effects, etc. were off the charts! The world that was created was extremely creative and fascinating, full of original ideas. It made the not-so original story much more interesting than it should have been.