Recent Movies!

 You guys, it's been YEARS since I've posted a "movie post" here. Because it's been YEARS since I've watched enough movies to have enough material to do so. 

But recently, I've been on a movie kick. That's right, I'm all about movies. Especially 2000s setting, and 1980s setting, and especially romcoms. But, there are other movies outside that genre sprinkled in here and there. 

There are SO many movies I've seen recently, I'm keeping the reviews rather short. More like review snapshots. 

Clueless (1995)

So, here are my opinions, short and simple. 

I'm greatly interested if you have watched any of these, and if you would rate it similarly to me. 

Here we go!

Say Anything (1989)

• The Notebook (2004) - 2 out of 10. Boo! Didn't like it. I can see why it's such an iconic flick... But not for me. Too many character problems. And wHyYy are we romanticizing cheating.?!.?!
• Say Anything (1989)- 7 out of 10. Really sweet movie. Great music. I loved their relationship. This movie was maybe a little slow, but that's what you appreciate about it as an older movie. Not everything meaningful happens all at once. With this movie, I could slow down, appreciate their relationship progression, appreciate the time period, and appreciate the plot as it unfolded to something memorable, vulnerable, and meaningful.
• The Breakfast Club (1985) - 4 out of 10. This movie gave me that sickening feeling of dread in my stomach as when your family is fighting all around you and you can't stop it and can't get out. But, maybe that was the point. Weird ending, too.
• Pretty in Pink (1986) - 5 out of 10. A pretty good movie that I heard about after watching The Breakfast Club because the same actress was in it. It was a great picture of being a teen in the 80's, and later I heard that Molly Ringwald had a say in who was cast as her romantic interest based on who she would realistically be attracted to, and I think that is pretty interesting. 
• Pitch Perfect (2012) - 5 out of 10. Hilarious. Iconic. Great actors. But, kind of gross. Also, a cappella isn't my thing. 

The Breakfast Club (1985)

• Almost Famous (2000) - 2 out of 10. This movie wasn't bad, it was just "meh", and had weird pacing and just felt like a nostalgia dump for nostalgia's sake. I honestly don't have much else to say about it.
• Clueless (1995) - 9 out of 10. So cute! The age difference is a little weird, but overall I really liked this movie and thought it was cute, iconic, and funny.
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)- 8 out of 10. One of my new favorite rom-com couples. But the second hand embarrassment was rough! Also Matthew McConaughey is way hotter than I ever realized he ever was, LOL!
• Love, Actually (2003) - 8 out of 10. A very charming movie with lots of great British actors. Inappropriate at some parts. But very iconic and sweet movie. 
• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) - 4 out of 10. Funny, iconic. Also stupid. VERY quotable. A lot of talent from Carrey. 

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

• Letters to Juliet (2010) - 10 out of 10. A rewatch from my childhood. The perfect rom-com, no notes.
• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) - 10 out of 10. My husband and I adored this movie. So sweet and heartfelt. A movie about friendship, hardships, and all of life's and love's twists and turns. The love of romance and the love of family. We loved this movie. 
• Age of Adaline (2015) - 2 out of 10. Stupid, took it self way too seriously, tried so hard to have meaning when it didn't have much at all. Shallow, bland, just dumb. Also, Blake Lively. Ew. 
• Last Holiday (2006) - 10 out of 10. This is a trailer I saw when I was a kid and I never watched it until now. Worth it, loved it. Adorable. Hollywood has changed so much for the worse since they made movies like this. Was nice to go back in time. 
• Groundhog Day (1993) - 10 out of 10. A classic. Even my husband loved it. Adorable. Thought provoking. Timeless. A philosophic and comedic gem. A must see!

Letters to Juliet (2010)

• Big (1988) - 9 out of 10. Cute, classic, funny, and endearing even if the relationship is weird cause he's a kid. But it's one of those classics that you can't help loving due to the acting, the charm, the interesting plot, the humor, and the characters. You gotta watch it.
• Million Dollar Baby (2004)- 9 out of 10. Extremely sad and deeply emotional. Makes you think of life and living it. It was also incredibly acted. 
• When Harry Met Sally... (1989) - 10 out of 10. How could anyone not like this movie? I love the friends to lovers plot. The conversation is so interestingly and charmingly written. You can't help but be enveloped in it like a warm hug, as if you were there with them. You HAVE to see this one. 
• What Women Want (2000) - 8 out of 10. Honestly I liked it. It was pretty cute and it was a lot like Groundhog Day, in that the selfish misogynistic male main character learns to think of others, think of women as more than just objects whose sole purpose is his pleasure, and be a better person in the end. 
• Uptown Girls (2003) - 9 out of 10. This movie was a gem. Sad, beautiful, though-provoking, funny. A story of two girls and the coping mechanisms they use to escape the difficulties in their lives, finding an unlikely but unique friendship in one another during a time when both of their lives take unexpected turns. A beautifully sad and satisfying movie. 

What Women Want (2000)

• Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1985) - 8 out of 10. The most "80's" movie I've ever seen! The clothing, the music! A complete blast, and perfect sleepover movie material. 
• Failure to Launch (2006) - 5 out of 10. While I liked the actors, this movie is not my favorite. I liked Matthew McConaughey with Kate Hudson better (in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which is beloved and iconic). And there were too many "funny" bits that didn't make sense to the main plot, which I found irritating. Like, what do the animal bits have to do with anything..?? I'm assuming they are a metaphor, but it's just weak and stupid. Do better! 
• The Intern (2015) - 6 out of 10. I liked this movie for the most part. The characters were adorable, and I always love Ann Hathaway. Overall it didn't have that "spark" or "X Factor" that made me LOVE it. Perhaps it was a bit unsatisfying, even boring a little? It seemed like things didn't escalate in a way that would have made it more engaging. But I LOVED the main old guy as far as his character (man, he was so cute!), and Ann Hathaway as far as her acting. Meh, it was just ok.
• The Help (2011) - 10 out of 10. Obviously a winner, anyone who's seen it knows. A must see, and great adaption from the book (which I've also read)!
• Material Girls (2006)- 4 out of 10. This one was "meh" for me. It was fun, and cute in some ways, and I liked their 2000s attire. But, neither the plot, characters, nor anything else wowed me, or make me love it in any way. It was just ok. Hillary Duff is always fun, though. 

The Intern (2015)

• Forrest Gump (1994) - 9 out of 10. I watched this at first when I was 16 years old and loved it. Through the years online I heard a lot of hate about it, and assumed my opinion was faulty due to my naivety and young age. But I watched it again as a seasoned adult, and I still really love it. Sure there are some problems, especially with Jenny. But it's such a classic and so lovable in many other ways, and the main message is not lost on me, and I believe is illustrated very well. Can't not watch.
• Of Mice and Men (1992) - 5 out of 10. This is one of those stories that they make you read in high school as a commentary on deeper symbolism. It was fine, although not my type of movie. It was made well, I can say that.
• Leap Year (2010) - 6 out of 10. A very cute movie! Halfway through I realized I had seen it when I was a kid or teenager. But it was pretty good as far as romcoms go. I just love Amy Adams so she always influences my scoring. 
• Chocolat (2000) - 8 out of 10. I liked this movie. It was sweet and comfy, with unique meaning. Also, it was interesting to see such a young Johnny Depp. 
• Mean Girls (2004) - 6 out of 10. An iconic teenage drama. Was fun to watch although inappropriate at times. Although I was homeschooled, I could appreciate the enduring relatability to the American high school experience and the satirical humor that came with it. 

Chocolat (2000)

• Arrival (2016) - 10 out of 10. The type of movie that changes how you think about life, love, and time. I wish I could watch it again for the first time. A strong premise, good acting, well-written, deeply emotional and meaningful plot. Also, Amy Adams. 
• 12 Angry Men (1957) - 10 out of 10. A must see classic. Another movie that makes you contemplate your own choices and who you are as a person. I liked it a lot. 
• Easy A (2010) - 5 out of 10. A clever drama in which I love Emma Stone as she's very talented. Much like Mean Girls, this movie satirically paints a picture of the high school experience in a funny and bold way. I liked it for what it was trying to be. 
• Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) - 8 out of 10. This movie is a great time capsule of the heyday of the American Mall experience. And it ACTUALLY made me laugh, and warmed my heart too. Honestly, you gotta watch it if you never have. 
• Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998) - 6 out of 10. This was a rewatch from my childhood. This was an interesting movie to rewatch as an adult. When you're a kid, you are entertained by watching a dog playing football. But when you're an adult, you see a single mom making hard decisions, a family trying to adjust to life's difficult changes, and a scarred little kid trying to cope. There's something for everyone, even me (and I'm not a sports fan).

Well Friends, that's all we have for today. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts, and I will see you all again soon! 

~ Amaris // ☆