Melissa's 2015 Movie Watching

I've been wanting to take a deeper look at the movies I've been watching, and while I've searched and searched for a movie blogging site that looks acceptable, I have yet to find anything. LibraryThing is the place that fits. So, until the time that I find a good site, this will be my first Movie Watching thread. This is mostly for my own benefit, but if there is anyone out there reading this, please feel free to lurk, and/or direct me to a site you think would fit these needs :)

If you are interested in the actual books I am reading, refer to Kassilem's (Melissa) 2015 Reading

Movies Watched in 2015

Below will be a condensed list of what I watch, while in the posts below I'll put my thoughts and reviews.

January:
1. Mona Lisa Smiles
2. X-Men
3. How to Train Your Dragon 2
4. Conan the Barbarian
5. Avatar
6. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - The Egg of the King
7. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 - The Battle for Doldrey

February:
8. Geography Club
9. War Horse
15. Feast
16. A Single Life
17. The Dam Keeper
18. Duet
19. Footprints
20. Me and My Moulton
21. Bus Story
22. Sweet Cocoon
23. The Bigger Picture
10. Antarctica: A Year on Ice
11. Mr. Peabody & Sherman

March:
12. Life of Pi
13. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
14. Big Hero Six
24. The Theory of Everything
25. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
26. Guardians of the Galaxy
27. The Other Woman
28. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
29. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
30. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

April:
31. About Time
32. Into The Woods
33. Limitless
34. Lucy
35. When the Game Stands Tall
36. The Book of Life
37. 22 Jump Street
38. Anna Karenina
39. Eat Pray Love
40. Blackfish
41. Age of Adaline

May:
42. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
43. Underworld: Awakening
44. Avengers: Age of Ultron
45. Iron Man
46. Iron Man 2
47. Iron Man 3
48. The Avengers
49. Pitch Perfect 2
50. The Four-Faced Liar
51. Godzilla
52. Fifty Shades of Grey
53. The Good Lie
54. The Book Thief
55. We're the Millers
56. Vampire Diaries: Season 6
57. Supernatural: Season 10

June:
58. Cinderella
59. Exodus: Gods and Kings
60. Ex Machina
61. Dracula Untold
62. Across the Universe
63. 300: Rise of an Empire
64. Creation
65. Dead Poets Society
66. Edge of Tomorrow
67. Elysium
68. Forrest Gump
69. Girl, Interrupted

July:
70. Game of Thrones: Season 5
71. The Fault in our Stars
72. Jurassic World
73. 27 Dresses
74. The Fountain
75. Warm Bodies
76. Wild
77. The Giver
78. Stranger Than Fiction
79. This is 40
80. World War Z
81. Hotel Rwanda
82. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
83. Monuments Men
84. Schindler's List
85. The Maze Runner
86. The Last of the Mohicans

August:
87. The Kids Are Alright
88. Lawrence of Arabia
89. 12 Years a Slave
90. The Hours
91. Guns, Germs & Steel
92. Back to the Future
93. The Book of Eli
94. Dinosaur
95. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
96. Gravity

September:
97. Back to the Future II
98. Back to the Future III
99. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
100. Daybreakers
101. The Croods
102. A Bugs Life
103. Gone Girl
104. The Breakfast Club
105. Bambi
106. The Black Cauldron
107. Drumline
108. DragonHeart
109. 10 Things I Hate About You
110. A Clockwork Orange
111. The Fox and the Hound
112. The Emperor's New Groove
113. Evolution
114. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
115. Eyes Wide Shut
116. Her
117. Julie & Julia
118. Jump In!
119. The Incredibles
120. Jumanji
121. Lilo & Stitch
122. The Lion King
123. Interstellar
124. Lady and the Tramp
125. The Land Before Time
126. Kingsman: The Secret Service

October:
127. Kingdom of Heaven
128. Peter Pan
129. Pocahontas
130. The Kite Runner
131. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
132. Magic Mike
133. Brother Bear
134. Brave
135. March of the Penguins
136. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
137. Merlin
138. Pacific Rim
139. Beauty and the Beast
140. Moulin Rouge!
141. Raise Your Voice
142. The Reluctant Dragon
143. Neighbors
144. Perfect Blue
145. Fantasia
146. Fantasia 2000
147. Penelope
148. Pompeii: The Last Day
149. Pan's Labyrinth
150. Seventh Son
151. The Pursuit of Happyness
152. Shaun of the Dead
153. Hercules
154. Aladdin
155. Robin Hood
156. Stardust
157. Spirited Away
158. Up
159. WALL-E
160. Wreck It Ralph
161. Transformers
162. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
163. Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon
164. Transformers: Age of Extinction

November:
165. Rent
166. The Reader
167. Tuck Everlasting
168. Requiem for a Dream
169. Whiplash
170. Naruto: The Last
171. Boruto: Naruto the Movie
172. V for Vendetta
173. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
174. X-Men 2
175. X-Men: The Last Stand
176. X-Men: First Class
177. X-Men: Days of Future Past
178. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
179. The Wolverine
180. Spartacus: Blood and Sand
181. Spartacus: Vengeance
182. Spartacus: War of the Damned
183. Dollhouse: Season 1
184. Jurassic City

December:
185. Ender's Game
186. Dollhouse: Season 2
187. Titanic
188. Jurassic World
189. Alice in Wonderland
190. Cast Away
191. The Big Bang Theory Season 1
192. Drop Dead Fred
193. Inside Out
194. The Big Bang Theory Season 2
195. A Walk in the Woods
196. Attack on Titan
197. The Day After Tomorrow
198. Wreck it Ralph
199. The Big Bang Theory Season 3

1. Mona Lisa Smiles (2003)
Genre: Drama
Minutes: 117
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 1950s Wellesley girls to question their traditional social roles.

Thoughts:
My mother said I would like this movie and she was right. I've just spent the last five years in school working towards a bachelors degree so it was nice to be able to connect to women getting an education. I don't know much about directing, but I thought it was directed very well. It held my attention the whole time.

Which X-Men is on the list? Also, I loved both How to Train Your Dragon movies; hope you enjoy the second :)

2. X-Men (2000)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 104
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Re-Watch)

Summary:
Two mutants come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.

Thoughts:
I couldn't get my internet to work so I had to pick something off my own shelf. This was the one that I thought I would be the most into. After watching 'X-Men: Origins' I feel like there is more to the story here than given but the latter was always my more favorite. This is an older one but the story is still good. I've always been a sucker for superhero movies.

>5 Kassilem: "I've always been a sucker for superhero movies."
Same.

>4 kgriffith: Hi Kristen! Welcome. I wasn't sure if anyone would find this thread interesting. I've just posted the X-Men. It's the original 2000 movie. As for the How to Train Your Dragon, I really liked the second one. I wasn't sure how'd it go because I generally don't like the Disney sequels. but I did like this one. I think I might have to go buy them :)

I am a Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks fan, and honestly have a hard time discerning between production companies when pressed. I love well done animation, whether old school, total CGI, or blended. I also love superhero films, from X-Men to Spider-Man (both recent iterations) to Batman (yeah, even the crap ones) to Superman (can anyone even keep track of that series anymore??).

Ah, production companies. Myself as well. I'm really bad at caring who made the movies. It sounds like we like a lot of the same things in movies. :) I bet we're going to have some great conversations!

3. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 104
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.

Thoughts:
I might just have to go buy this movie and it's prequel. I wasn't sure about this movie because I generally don't like the sequels Disney makes for their movies. But this one was as good as the first 'How to Train Your Dragon'. I like dragons, and I like vikings, and I like rebel characters. Well these movies have all of those. Plus it has a happy ending, which is nice sometimes. :) I love the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, and while some of the other character's actions are over the top, it is a little funny when you let yourself just enjoy it. Recommended.

4. Conan the Barbarian (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Minutes: 104
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A vengeful barbarian warrior sets off to get his revenge on the evil warlord who attacked his village and murdered his father when he was a boy.

Thoughts:
I first came across this movie because of the actor, Jason Momoa, who plays a role in the Game of Thrones. I've never been able to get into the comics based off of Conan the Barbarian nor read the books so I thought might as well get a little of the story. I don't think I got much. It's like watching some of the X-Men movies and thinking you'll get the story of Logan, the Wolverine. There's just too much literature. Anyways, as a movie, I thought it was okay, but it didn't really pull me in. The romance wasn't too much which was refreshing but the evil against good was a little too solid evil against solid good. The movie is gruesome, but not as gruesome as some other war/warrior movies. But plenty of blood, and a few disturbing scenes in the slave camps. Overall not a bad movie, but not a great one either.

Super awesome! I'm so glad you're doing a movie thread! :) The only one I've seen so far is X-Men, but I'll probably watch How to Train Your Dragon 2 eventually. Thanks for the recs! :

Welcome Sara! Thank you for the idea! I never would have considered it if not for you. I've got a big list of movies I've been putting together while I was in school and too busy to watch movies so I'm hoping to watch quite a few in the next couple of months.

You're welcome. :) And I can't wait to see what movies you have lined up! The next best thing to books is just vegging out, I say. ;)

5. Avatar (2009)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Minutes: 162
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Re-Watch)

Summary:
A Paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.

Thoughts:
I've heard that a lot of people didn't like this movie. I don't know why because I love it. Maybe they don't like it because they can find faults in it. I'm not looking for the faults. I'm looking to see how it makes me feel and this movie pulls on the heartstrings. Also, I like that the movie is partly about integrating into a different culture, something I will be doing myself later this year. I enjoyed Jake's change of character throughout the movie and his development in the culture. Maybe the fantasy element pulls me in, but I really like this movie. I highly recommend the movie if you haven't seen it yet.

Yeah, I haven't seen Avatar, so I'll take that recommendation on. :)

:) Enjoy!

6. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - The Egg of the King (2012)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 76
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Re-Watch)

Summary:
He trusts no one, only his sword.

Thoughts:
I recommend watching this in Japanese with English subtitles. I always like the original voice actors better rather than when they find English actors to voice but that could just be me. This is another favorite movie of mine. It's based off of Japanese manga Berserk which is also one of my favorite manga series. The animation is pretty good, and realistic enough, and I just love how it all came together from the books to these renditions. It's a short movie but that's expected since the producers are taking an arc from the books that only lasted a few volumes and turned it into three movies. But if you're a Berserk fan like me, you wont mind a bit. This series/movies have it all: love, betrayal, friendship, war, blood, emotion. I might have to go back and reread this series again soon after this. Highly recommended if you enjoy realistic awesome anime.

7. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 - The Battle for Doldrey (2012)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 80
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Re-Watch)

Summary:
For three years, Guts believed his mission was to pursue Griffith's dream together with him. But in order to become Griffith's equal and truly be called his friend, Guts realizes he will have to leave the Band of the Hawk. At the same time, a bloody battle to capture the impenetrable Fortress of Doldrey from the Empire of Chuder is about to begin. The Band of the Hawk will face an army 30,000 strong!

Thoughts:
This is the second movie in the Berserk arc. And yes I think I will turn to rereading the manga series after watching these. This second movie is better than the first in my opinion. Sure there is a lot missing in these movies from the series but I thought they got all the really important, story- changing scenes right. The movie ends on a big cliffhanger and not so good news for most of the characters, so have the third movie on hand.

8. Geography Club (2013)
Genre: Comedy, GLBT
Minutes: 80
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
At Goodkind High School, a group of students of varying sexual orientation form an after-school club as a discreet way to share their feelings and experiences.

Thoughts:
This was a nice PG gay movie. There's a little bullying but overall nothing bad happens except a few broken dreams. A great movie to watch when you're feeling like you need a little gay but don't want the oppression, prejudice, drama, and terror that can be associated with those coming out stories. The movie is based off a book I haven't read but I might have a go at it after this movie. Great music in the movie as well.

>20 Kassilem: I had no idea they made a movie of the book. I haven't read the book, but still. I'll have to see if we have it at work. I'm glad it's watchable. :)

:) Hope you enjoy it!

9. War Horse (2011)
Genre: Drama, War
Minutes:146
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on.

Thoughts:
This was another great movie tonight. I've always loved horses in movies and have bemoaned their use in war and their deaths. This is a heat-wrenching movie, and a lot of horse and people don't live to the end. But something about this movie that I really liked was that the were people seen around the horses that cared. I think my favorite scene is when two soldiers from opposite sides meet in a truce in No Man's Land to free the horse stuck in bared wire. Just people following their country's orders and trying to survive. Not enemies. It's a long movie but well worth the watch if you can stand war movies.

>22 Kassilem: I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Too bad we don't have it at work though. :( I'll keep an eye open for it at Half Price Books.

>23 Kassilem: I think my mom saw that one and really liked it. I kind of have the same opinion--"I've always loved horses in movies and have bemoaned their use in war and their deaths."--and that's the main reason why I couldn't watch it with her. Never mind that I could watch Saving Private Ryan without any problem. But War Horse...no, I'll probably have to skip that one. :( Thanks though! :) I might read the book, though.

Oops. Sorry Sara! I have a bad habit of flying through the threads sometimes and then forgetting that I wanted to reply to things at a later date.... Anyways :) I didn't know there was a book for War Horse. I might have to look that one up too myself. And yes, there is something fundamentally different to watch horses or other animals in war than it is to watch humans killing and dying in those same wars. I can't say exactly why, but there's something different.

10. Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2013)
Genre: Documentary, Adventure
Minutes:91
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
A visually stunning chronicle of what it is like to live in Antarctica for a full year, including winters isolated from the rest of the world, and enduring months of darkness in the coldest place on Earth.

Thoughts:
This was a great documentary. There's something about putting yourself in a situation that is guaranteed to change you that fascinates me. I suppose especially now that I will be putting myself into a situation like that. Nothing as extreme as Antarctica, but still. I loved the picture of the movie. The views the camera crew caught were breathtaking, especially those of the sky in the winter. My god, I have never seen so many stars in so many different colors. I really enjoyed listening to the workers talk about how they have changed and what is really important in life.

11. Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes:92
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
The time-travelling adventures of an advanced canine and his adopted son, as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created.

Thoughts:
When your friend, her daughter, and you have just finished a great homemade meal and are tired and want nothing to do but sit, what do you do? Watch a movie of course. So my friend pulled this one out because she thought I would like it. I did; a lot! Not enough for me to go out and buy it but I really got a laugh out of it. I really liked Mr. Peabody's jokes and the lesson inherent in the movie. A great movie for the kids and parents.

>25 Kassilem: No worries! :) I do the same thing. It's time-consuming keeping up with threads sometimes. Yeah, I forget who wrote War Horse (ETA: Michael Morpurgo), but all I hear are good things about it. Just an FYI: it's aimed at the juvenile crowd. I hope you like it! :) Funny thing, I was just at a book sale today and bought the DVD of it for my mom. :D How weird is that?

>27 Kassilem: That one looks cute! :) I haven't watched any animated kids movies in a looong time. I need to dig through my stash and rewatch some oldies.

That is a little weird :) The little coincidences in life are awesome sometimes!

When my friend first pulled it out and said I'd like it I wasn't sure, but then I should give her more credit. She's got a two year old and so she watches a LOT of animated kids movies nowadays. She knows the good ones :) I kind of want to go watch some old Disney movies myself. Lion King was an all time favorite of mine. Or even further back to The Land Before Time. Movies like that.

Oh, yeah, it's fun when little coincidences like that happen. :)

Omg! I love The Land Before Time! :) My sister and I could quote that movie for years (my poor mom!). Guess who my favorite character was, even though she was just evil! Hmm, some of my favorite oldie animated movies: The Last Unicorn, The Dark Crystal...probably some more. As for old Disney movies: Cinderella (my mom said I was obsessed with the mice in the movie--lo), Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Rescuers, The Water in the Woods, Return to Oz (one of the few sequels that I loved more than the first, imho), The Little Mermaid...can I just say all of them? :D

Haha, of course you can say them all!

I think my favorites were Land Before Time, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Anastasia, Mulan... those are the ones that come to mind. Someday I'll buy them. Some of the newer animations I love though and have bought are Tangled, Prince of Egypt, Finding Nemo, The Road to El Dorado, Treasure Planet and Tarzan. Yes! I haven't actually seen The Last Unicorn or the Dark Crystal. Ill have to look those ones up. :)

And you're favorite character must have been Sara. I can;t open your link so I'm guessing but she was one of my favorites too. :)

I think I've maybe seen half of the ones you listed. *hangs head in shame* Anastasia's another good one! :) I forgot about that one. And Tangled was definitely fun. No worries about The Last Unicorn and The Dark Crystal. Those came out in the 80's, I believe.

Bummer about not being able to open the link! :( But you are right about my favorite character being Sarah. It's a pic of Sarah on top with that stupefied-looking white boy at a rave thinking: "The girl in Land Before Time is named Sarah, because she's a tri-Sarah-tops." Not so funny when I type it out. I think it's just that guy's goofy face that does it for me. Oh, found him. This guy:

Ha! Tri-Sarah-Tops. That's awesome :)

12. Life of Pi (2012)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Minutes:127
Audience: PG
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.

Thoughts:
This was an amazing story and movie. I'll have to be sure to read the book it is based off of as well, as that can only be just as good too. This really is a journey of self-reflection and survival. It touched me, and while I didn't cry I kind of feel like I should have, if that makes sense. It's a beautiful movie. Highly recommended.

13. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Minutes:122
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals - Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.

Thoughts:
This was a fun movie. I've been craving exotic places and experiences so I took my mom and I out to see this movie. It didn't disappoint. Watching this makes me want to go to India. It has a lot of famous, good actors and the scenery was exhilarating. I loved that the movie focused on the good and funny. There is a character that is dying and for the last half hour of the movie I kept expecting her to die. She didn't and the last scene was her realizing that she still has hope and can keep going, which I thought was a perfect ending. I'm really glad the director didn't end the movie on the sad note I was expecting. It made the movie even better. Very good movie. Very funny adult humor. Recommended.

14. Big Hero Six (2014)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes:102
Audience: PG
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

Thoughts:
This was such a cute movie. I loved it. I don't even know what to say except that. Watching it makes me wonder if there's a comic out there that this was based off of since movies based off of comics is really big nowadays. The ending seemed to hint at that type of hero comic story. Anyways, love the graphics, love the bond that forms between Hiro and Baymax, and love the comedy.

I forgot that I watched a bunch of academy nominee short films in February. I didn't realize that imdb.com had the info on them. Since they are technically movies I'll include them here. Late, but here.



15. Feast (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short, Comedy
Minutes:6
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
The story of one man's love life is seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed bite by bite through the meals they share.

Thoughts:
A US film. Loved this short film. It was my favorite pick out of all the short films I saw that day. Great graphics, great story in six minutes. :)



16. A Single Life (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short, Comedy
Minutes:3
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
When Pia plays a mysterious vinyl record single, she suddenly knows how to travel through her own life.

Thoughts:
A Netherlands film. Loved the gist of the short film. Graphics were okay.



17. The Dam Keeper (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short, Drama
Minutes:18
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A young pig with an important job, and a new friend who changes everything. In a desolate future, one small town has survived because of a large windmill dam that acts as a fan to keep out pollution. The dam's operator, Pig, works tirelessly to keep the sails spinning and protect the town, despite abuse from classmates and an indifferent public. When a new student joins Pig's class, nothing will be the same again.

Thoughts:
A US film. This was a complex short film with a lot of lessons about bullying, friendship, anger, love, etc. I had to sit on it for a while but in the end I liked it.



18. Duet (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short, Romance
Minutes:4
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A celebration of life through the hand-drawn line.

Thoughts:
Loved the graphics. Not much to it though. But charming in it's own way

And here's some more short films from February.



19. Footprints (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short
Minutes: 4
Audience: G
Rating: 1/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A man follows footsteps in search of a mysterious visitor to his house.

Thoughts:
Graphics were not to my taste. The story was just nonsense. I didn't find any humor in it.



20. Me and My Moulton (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short
Minutes: 14
Audience: G
Rating: 2/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A personal animated story about a girl which wishes for a bicycle from her parents, but gets something completely different, showing the different reality in which children and grown ups live in.

Thoughts:
I didn't care for the graphics but the story was a little cute. Not something I would normally watch however.



21. Bus Story (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short
Minutes: 11
Audience: G
Rating: 1/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Our protagonist dreams of becoming a bus driver in order to cruise down quiet country lanes and connect with nature, her young charges and their parents. But her idyllic view of her new job is sorely tested after she meets her surly boss, named Killer, and discovers that winding roads can prove treacherous in winter, especially with a faulty clutch.

Thoughts:
Not to my liking at all.



22. Sweet Cocoon (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short
Minutes: 6
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A plump caterpillar can't get into her cocoon without the help of two friendly beetles.

Thoughts:
Very cute. Great graphics.



23. The Bigger Picture (2014)
Genre: Animation, Short
Minutes: 8
Audience: G
Rating: 1/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
'You want to put her in a home; you tell her; tell her now!' hisses one brother to the other. But Mother won't go, and their own lives quickly unravel as she clings to life.

Thoughts:
These graphics were very unique but a little weird for me. Painted scenes with arms coming out of them. A story about taking care of your elderly parent. Touching but the way it was displayed killed it for me. Still, praise for the uniqueness.

Wow, quite a bit of shorts! :) I'll have to try some of those. For a second, I thought you meant this Feast (your #15 movie) and was surprised you'd watch it. It's good, but well...kind of gross and graphic. ;) Oh, and just curious: how do you usually watch short movies--online or rent them, check them out, etc?

Yea it was a lot. Actually I went and saw them all together at the theater. They were all nominated as the best short films of 2014 I think, and the theater was doing a feature with them all and the whole family went to see it. Something novel and different was the thought. :) Those are the only short films I've ever seen to tell the truth.

As for that other movie, I think I'll pass :) I don't mind gore in historical movies and war movies but I've never been good with monster gore.

>40 Kassilem: That's so cool! :) I should check out our local art theater and see if they show those kind of movies, too. Thanks for the idea. And congrats on getting your cherry popped with short films. ;D I've seen a few and really miss watching them.

LOL! I'm not offended you don't want to see that one. I liked it, but yeah, it's not for everyone. :)

Pursuit of Happiness is my all time favourite , apart from that Gladiator , beautiful mind is also good movie

>41 saraslibrary: Haha thanks!

>42 allwintaylor: All three of those are favorites of mine too :) Speaking of, I just watched The Theory of Everything and I think i might like it as much as Beautiful Mind!

24. The Theory of Everything (2014)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Minutes: 123
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.

Thoughts:
This was a wonderful movie. And apparently it's based off of a book; I might have to get my hands on that. The acting in this movie was superb, and the story so heart-touching. I didn't really know much about Stephen Hawkings before this beyond the very basics. It is fascinating to watch a person defy the odds against them, to live and keep hoping. I feel deep respect for Hawkings. And his wife. That was a very dedicated, very hard life she led for a very long time. Very inspiring. This movie is highly recommended.

25. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 101
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
When a kingpin threatens New York City, a group of mutated turtle warriors must emerge from the shadows to protect their home.

Thoughts:
This movie was okay but predictable. Scientist that turns bad and wants to use his and his partner's research for something unmoral, like money. The person that fist appears trustworthy. I did like the turtles, and how they all had their own unique personalities and sizes. It's great what graphics can do these days.

26. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 121
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe.

Thoughts:
I'm not really a huge sci-fi fan, I'm coming to realize. But this movie was pretty great. I was waiting for the clique romances and corny jokes, but it actually all came across funny. Marvel Studios is usually good about making interactions between characters realistic in a other world way. I will definitely be watching the sequel to this movie, due to the foreshadowing at the end of this movie about the main character's unknown father.

I'm not sure if it was you or not, but "Thank you!" for recommending Detention to me a long, long time ago (last year? the year before?). And if it wasn't you, sorry. :) Cool movies, btw!

:) Don't think it was me. But I'm glad you liked it anyways!

>27 Kassilem:
and
>36 Kassilem: I've watched these two since I last popped in on this thread, too :) Both were such fun! I also skimmed your star ratings of the others we've both seen and 100% agree - will come back soon for actual recs, but I'm finally on a reading jag again now that I'm over my death plague!

>48 Kassilem: :D Oops, sorry. Well, thank you for some good movie recommendations anyway. ;) *trying to cover up her blunder*

>49 kgriffith: Glad you're feeling better! And that's great that we agree on movie ratings. I'm looking forward to sharing more of what I watch!

>50 saraslibrary: :)

27. The Other Woman (2014)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Minutes: 109
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(ReWatch)

Summary:
After discovering her boyfriend is married, Carly soon meets the wife he's been betraying. And when yet another love affair is discovered, all three women team up to plot revenge on the three-timing S.O.B.

Thoughts:
This movie popped up on TV the other night while my friend and I were looking for something to watch and we stuck with it. I remember liking the movie when I first watched it and it was still as good this time around. Cameron Diaz & Leslie Mann are both great actresses and I loved seeing them together in this movie. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was set up to be a douche in this movie which I get but I hated because I love him in Game of Thrones. Oh well. Good movie. Lots of laughs.

28. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Minutes: 98
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

Thoughts:
It's spring break and that means family movie nights. Now that I'm home from my trip I can join in. This one was on the plate and I wasn't terribly excited for it but I quickly got in the groove and enjoyed the movie. It's been a while since I've seen the first and second and so I forgot that I like a lot of these characters, as well as the historical aspect inherent in a movie set in a natural history museum. I was never a big Ben Stiller fan but I thought he did well in the movie. It makes me sad for Robin Williams, seeing him in this movie. :( But overall, good family movie.

29. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 105
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A substance, designed to help the brain repair itself, gives rise to a super-intelligent chimp who leads an ape uprising.

Thoughts:
I started to watch Dawn of the Planet of the Apes then had to stop ten minutes in and rewatch this first prequel first because it's been a few years since I've seen it. I forgot how much I like this movie. I'm an anthropologist so of course the fact that the movie is about apes and their intelligence was a immediate appeal. I also enjoyed the science and the idea of facing the disaster resultant of good intentions. Life. I will probably buy this movie at some point.

30. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 130
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Ten years after a pandemic disease, apes who have survived it are drawn into battle with a group of human survivors.

Thoughts:
This was another great prequel to the original series. I really enjoyed it and thought it was directed very well with how the story plays out. I don't know if this story was scripted somewhere in the original series, but the fact that it was an ape who began the warwas a great move in my opinion. It made real the fact that evil and good is just a perspective, that it's not all black and white. These apes were very human like in their facial expressions, which makes me wonder how they made the movie. I don't think they used real apes. Real apes just can't make those expressions, I don't think. But with technology nowadays you don't have to and they still look real. One of the reasons I couldn't like the original Planet of the Apes series as much as I wanted to, was because it was too easy to see the people underneath the costumes and masks. I love movie technology nowadays. :)

31. About Time (2013)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Minutes: 123
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

Thoughts:
This was such a great movie! Very British, very funny, very thought provoking. Nothing dramatic happens, just life. But the way you end up thinking about living through life day by day because of this movie, it's kind of like an epiphany. Both Glesson and McAdams did a wonderful job in this movie. Great, great movie.

32. Into the Woods (2014)
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Musical
Minutes: 125
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.

Thoughts:
I was warned about this movie. And they were all right. It was an odd movie. I usually really like musicals, but this one fell flat. There was only two songs I sort of liked. Lots of awesome actors but not a great movie.

33. Limitless (2011)
Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Minutes: 105
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
With the help of a mysterious pill that enables the user to access 100 percent of his brain abilities, a struggling writer becomes a financial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with lots of dangers.

Thoughts:
Good thriller. Awesome idea. Didn't work perfectly for me, but I enjoyed it. I would have liked to see more on how he kept the ability while being off the drug. I do like the concept, and have had multiple discussions about it with friends and the implications using more of our brain would have. Kind of mind blowing.

34. Lucy (2014)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Minutes: 89
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Thoughts:
I remember watching the trailor to this movie a while ago and being washy on if I wanted to watch it or not. I think the violence was getting in the way to tell the truth. I'm glad I did get to it however. It was shorter than I anticipated but it was a thought provoking and interesting movie. Violent, yes. Thriller, yes. But interesting. Beyond the imagination really. And we can't even say if this version of what we think would happen is right. That's the ironic thing. But a very well made movie.

35. When the Game Stands Tall (2014)
Genre: Drama, Sport
Minutes: 115
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
The journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur, who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.

Thoughts:
This was a pretty good movie. Perhaps if I was more into football I would have liked it more. As it is, sports just aren't my usually thing. I did like the ending. That was well done. :)

As always, I love seeing what you've watched and reading your reviews. :) I think the only one I've seen so far is Limitless, which I saw years ago and really liked. Lucy is one I keep checking out work, bringing home, forgetting about, returning...repeat. ;) I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.

:) Thanks Sara! You will get to it eventually. We always do at some point :) It's an interesting one.

36. The Book of Life (2014)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 95
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

Thoughts:
What do you watch when it's rainy and gloomy all day, you're all tired, and you need a movie that four family members will all watch together: this movie. Not bad. Kind of cute actually. I didn't so much like the block-like animation, but I did like the Mexican culture thrown in. A nice family movie to watch.

37. 22 Jump Street (2014)
Genre: Comedy, Action, Crime
Minutes: 112
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college.

Thoughts:
I laughed my way through this movie. I don't know why I found it so funny but I thoroughly did. :) I also loved the gay references throughout the movie and the bromance that was going on. Maybe it was watching Channing Tatum act that silly because he's usually portrayed as a macho hero nowadays. These actors worked very well together. Awesome comedy here.

38. Anna Karenina (2012)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 129
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
In late-19th-century Russian high society, St. Petersburg aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the dashing Count Alexei Vronsky.

Thoughts:
Interesting movie. I read the book a few years ago and couldn't really get into the story which is why I wanted to see this movie; to see if I could get a grasp on it better. Turns out yes and no. I was able to appreciate scenes much better seeing them in this form, but there was so much lost from the books in this adaption. Still the book was some 1,000 pages and this movie is only two hours long; that's a lot of things not able to fit. Glad I got to watching this but that's the peak of my curiosity now.

39. Eat Pray Love (2010)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 133
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself".

Thoughts:
It's an inspiring movie. I loved the travel. And a lot of people could learn a thing or two about finding balance in their live, myself included. Julia Roberts did a great job. I definitely think this movie deserves a rewatch every couple of years to really take in all that it has to offer. Recommended if you like culture and travel or even if you feel like you're in a rut in your life. It's entertaining and educational.

40. Blackfish (2013)
Genre: Documentary
Minutes: 83
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.

Thoughts:
This documentary was put together after Dawn, a trainer at Sea World was killed by a bull orca, Tilikum, who had previous deaths to his name. I had no idea. I don't even know if I heard the news about the most recent death. I was never, still am not, very good at keeping up to date on the news. Watching this documentary about it all and especially about the captivity of these very intelligent and emotional mammals was sickening. It really made me aware of what was going on. It reminded me of the feelings I had after visiting a cat sanctuary just recently - you are able to get within five feet of these giant tigers and lions, which was amazing. And yet to make that happen, the cats were enclosed in incredibly small enclosures. I did not like how seeing that made me feel. Same here. You rip a baby whale from it's pod, it's mother, where it has miles and miles of ocean to swim in and then put it in a concrete box, and I just can't see it going anywhere but downhill from there. Its exploitation. It's slavery. I am deeply disturbed. And I am deeply grateful that I watched this documentary. It has opened my eyes.

41. Age of Adaline (2015)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 110
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A young woman, born at the turn of 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After years of a solitary life, she meets a man who might be worth losing her immortality for.

Thoughts:
I went and saw this one in theaters. I don't usually like to go to the theaters because of the crowds and outrageous costs now-a-days, but I do with family and on occasion when I really am excited to see a new movie. This was one. It turns out it wasn't quite what I expected but I found I still liked it quite a bit. I don't like the blurb for the movie however, because its not like Adaline has any control over her predicament. False advertisement there. But again, a entertaining and fascinating movie.

42. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Minutes: 133
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name.

Thoughts:
A good thriller. I've never been a huge fan of these movies but every once in a while I like a good action thriller. There's crazy technology in this movie; makes me wonder if we actually have that kind of thing really. Kind of mind-blowing what implications that means if we really do. :)

43. Underworld: Awakening (2012)
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Minutes: 88
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrior Selene leads the battle against humankind.

Thoughts:
If you're into urban fanasty - vampires and Lycans, etc - then this is a series for you. I remember not liking the last movie that much but this one was enjoyable. From the ending, it sounds like there might be another movie after this one too. Lots of gore and violence of course.

44. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 141
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(New)

Summary:
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.

Thoughts:
Awesome movie. Awesome characters and awesome humor. Nuff said :) But really I quite enjoy this team of superheros. Always have. I didn't like some of the individual hero movies and I loved some, but having them all together is a whole 'nother thing. I will be sure to buy this movie and add it to the first.

45. Iron Man (2008)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 126
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, an industrialist creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight against evil. This leads him to conflict within his own company.

Thoughts:
Iron Man marathon. Had to do it after watching the new Avengers movie. Loved it like always

46. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 124
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy.

Thoughts:
Loved

47. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 130
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

Thoughts:
Good ending to the story. Be aware that the events in this last movie occur after the events of the first Avengers movie. Now I'm gonna have to go watch that movie too. :) Recommended series if you haven't seen it before.

48. The Avengers (2012)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 143
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.

Thoughts:
Loved this movie as well. There were some things that I had forgotten about so it was nice to see it all again. It got me thinking out the chronology of the Marvel movies however so I went looking and I found out there are a lot of mini-series or short movies that were made. Probably explains why some of the characters seem like they are suppose to have a back story, like I'm missing something. Turns out I was.

49. Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
Genre: Comedy, Music
Minutes: 115
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(New)

Summary:
After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

Thoughts:
I've always loved singing and dancing movies. I remember really liking the first Pitch Perfect so I was excited to see this one. I laughed my way through the movie along with everyone else in the theater. Only recommended if you've seen the first movie. And probably not for everyone.

50. The Four-Faced Liar (2010)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Minutes: 87
Audience: NR
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Two couples in their twenties, who are struggling to find substance and meaning in their lives and relationships, meet by happenstance in a New York City Irish tavern called The Four-Faced Liar.

Thoughts:
This was an interesting gay film. Kind of mellow. I'm not sure why the rating is so high. We don't even see any nudity. I enjoyed the characters and the message: enjoy life and the people in it who make you happy. Don'y get stuck in what you think should happen.

51. Godzilla (2014)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 123
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

Thoughts:
This is my first Godzilla movie. All I knew about him was that he was a very very large reptile who rampaged down a big city. I have no idea if that is right or not, but I liked this version where he is a ancient being that restores balance. I liked the movie a lot more than I expected to. Must be the action/sci-fi mix.

I don't know if it was just me, but I couldn't see the covers of the movies you'd seen. Now I can. Yay! :) Nice list of movies! The Four-Faced Liar looks especially good. I'll have to see if we have that at work. Thanks!

That's weird. I wonder why... And you are most welcome :))

Not a clue. My computer probably. :) It's a dinosaur, but I love it.

52. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 125
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
Literature student Anastasia Steele's life changes forever when she meets handsome, yet tormented, billionaire Christian Grey.

Thoughts:
I wasn't going to watch this movie. I read the book and was really worried the movie wouldn't be able to carry the same intense emotions and complex plot, but my friend told me I needed to give it a try. The movie actually did pretty well. It follows the book very very well. The look of the movie characters also grew on me where before I did not like how they looked. Interesting. I'm glad it wasn't just a movie about sex.

>82 Kassilem: I've been meaning to finish the book, and now after your review, I definitely want to watch the movie. Thanks for convincing me! :) Though I wouldn't have had a problem with it "just" being about sex. ;) (Btw, the score and soundtrack for it are both pretty good, if you're into that sort of thing.) Thanks again! I'm adding it to my Amazon wishlist.

Haha. Yea sometimes it's just what you need right? I'm glad I could convince you! It certainly deserves a try. I need to go read the next two books now. :)



53. The Good Lie (2014)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Minutes: 110
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A group of Sudanese refugees given the chance to resettle in America arrive in Kansas City, Missouri, where their encounter with an employment agency counselor forever changes all of their lives.

Thoughts:
This was such a good movie. And moving. And heartbreaking. It's another one of those movies that brought to my attention something I really didn't know anything about; that I feel I should have. I need to do some research now. As for the movie, I loved watching these individuals learn to adapt to a different culture and yet retain their own history and values. I loved watching the love between these brothers. Highly recommended.

>84 Kassilem: Good luck with the sequels! :)

54. The Book Thief (2013)
Genre: Drama, War
Minutes: 131
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.

Thoughts:
This was a touching story and very well done. I loved that it stuck to the book, especially by keeping Death as the narrator. It also does a good job of showing civilian life in Germany before and during the war. I don't think I've seen it's like before; usually you just get the life of the soldiers. This is touching in the fact that it shows simple basic human decency, found everywhere and anywhere despite the terror and wars.

>86 Kassilem: I've been wanting to watch that one for the longest time. I'm glad you liked it. :)

>87 saraslibrary: Watch it! it's good :)



55. We're the Millers (2013)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 110
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A veteran pot dealer creates a fake family as part of his plan to move a huge shipment of weed into the U.S. from Mexico.

Thoughts:
We were looking for a comedy so we grabbed this one. It was okay. It has some funny parts in it and some stupid parts in it. Nothing I would watch again but it was a good laugh while hanging out with friends.

56. Vampire Diaries: Season 6 (2014-15)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Minutes: 903
Audience: TV-14
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A teenage girl is torn between two vampire brothers.

Thoughts:
This season ended really well in my opinion. There are always episodes that are so so and then there are episodes that are really really good. There was a lot of the latter in this season. There's always something new and shocking happening. You never know who's going to die and whose going to make a reappearance. I don't know what direction the show if going to take now, but I'm sure I'll be watching the next season.

57. Supernatural: Season 10 (2014-15)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Minutes: 1012
Audience: TV-14
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Two brothers follow their father's footsteps as "hunters" fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the earth.

Thoughts:
I've been thinking for a while that this show has been going on for too long. But they keep ending seasons on cliffhangers and then have to follow through with explanations. I don't know what they're doing for season 11, if they are doing season 11. That's a long career for these actors, which by the way are doing a great job. It's been sort of fun to watch them grow as actors as well as characters for more than a decade. I'm still watching because I enjoy the characters. Overall, not a bad season.

Awesome movie and TV watches! :)

58: Cinderella (2015)
Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Minutes: 105
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

Thoughts:
I thought this movie was pretty cute. It followed the innocent fairytale storyline exactly but the actresses and actors did a great job bringing it to life. The actress was very beautiful in my opinion as well. I also think it’s cool that the actors and actresses from Game of Thrones TV is getting spotlight roles like this. Go Game of Thrones. And go Cinderella. Well done.



59: Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 150
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

Thoughts:
I also liked this movie. It’s also another that follows the storyline of what I know very well. I thought of it as a grown-up version of the movie The King of Dreams. The effects were good and it was an enjoyable movie to watch on the plane ride to Africa.



60: Ex Machina (2015)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 108
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I.

Thoughts:
This was not what I expected. But I liked that it wasn’t expected because then it would have been sort of cliché. I enjoyed the twists. It was much shorter than I thought it would be too but that adds to the subtle point the writers and directors are making here. Very intriguing.



61: Dracula Untold (2014)
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
Minutes: 92
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
As his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom.

Thoughts:
I liked the story. The film itself could have been handled better in regards to the way some scenes were filmed, in my opinion, but in the end I enjoyed the movie.



62: Across the Universe (2007)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Musical
Minutes: 133
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The music of the beatles and the Vietnam war form the backdrop for the romance between an upper-classAmerican girl and a poor Liverpudlian artist.

Thoughts:
Not sure what I expected here except music I already knew, but I ended up enjoying the storyline too. At times it was a little too pysicidelic for me, with whole scenes in inverted colors for example. But I love the music and while I can’t relate to the setting in this film personally, I know it was a big movement. Glad I finally got to this one.



63: 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
Minutes: 102
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
Greek general Themistokles leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy

Thoughts:
I never really had an inclination to watch this movie, because I assumed it wouldn’t be as good as the first one, which I’ve found happens a lot when you make a second movie based only on the fact that the first movie made a lot of money. While I got the vibe a little bit here, it wasn’t as bad as I had expected. I enjoyed the history and story. Don’t know if I would recommend it though.



64: Creation (2009)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Minutes: 108
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
English naturalist Charles Darwin struggles to find a balance between his revolutionary theories on evolution and the relationship with his religious wife, whose faith contradicts his work.

Thoughts:
I liked this movie. I’m an anthropologist so of course I like the movie. It’s about Charles Darwin. :) But I thought it was directed well too. It’s not an exciting movie unless you get really excited about science, but it’s a pretty powerful movie about the war between religion and science on a personal and familial level. Well done.



65: Dead Poets Society (1989)
Genre: Drama
Minutes: 128
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
English teacher John Keating inspires his students to discover their love for poetry and seize the day.

Thoughts:
This was a powerful movie about teaching young boys how to think for themselves, something that in the time and setting was not well taken. Powerful and sad. But I loved how the directors ended it. I found that the boys a looked very similar which threw me off a few times when I thought the person speaking was someone else than who they were, but I managed. And the fact that this movie had Robin Williams in it made it awesome! This is a movie I would recommend. Very powerful.



66: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery
Minutes: 113
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A military officer is brought into an alien war against an extraterrestrial enemy who can reset the day and know the future. When this officer is enabled with the same power, he teams up with a Special Forces warrior to try and end the war.

Thoughts:
I had no idea what this movie was about before I watched it, so it was all a surprise. I enjoyed it. The idea of time travel has always been fascinating to me, and this time travel had an interesting twist. Nice idea. The execution of the idea came off pretty good too.



67: Elysium (2013)
Genre: Action, Drama
Minutes: 109
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
In the year 2154, the very wealthy live on a man-made space station while the rest of the population resides on a ruined earth. A man takes on a mission that could bring equality to the polarized worlds.

Thoughts:
This was an interesting idea: basically a dystopia. I am used to reading those but not used to watching them. It was an enjoyable experience. It was more violent and gory than I expected but a lot of movies nowadays turn out that way. Intriguing idea.

>92 Kassilem: Nice variety of movies, Melissa. :) I think the only one I've seen is Dead Poet's Society. And you're right: some of the actors do alike to the point you get them confused with each other. For some reason, I sometimes get this movie mixed up with School Ties (another all-male boarding school movie, but ST deals more with football and antisemitism).

I've been wanting to watch the Dracula movie, but I was kind of worried it would suck (no pun intended). Hmm, I still may give it a try...sometime.

:) Give it a try



68: Forrest Gump (1994)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 142
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidently been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him.

Thoughts:
This movie has so much hype that I knew sooner or later I needed to actually watch it. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I kept getting the trailer for The Green Mile mixed up with the trailer for this movie. I liked the movie and the storyline. Tom Hanks did a fantastic acting job, but I can’t think of an instance where he didn’t do a fantastic job. :) There were some corny moments but there were also some “holy-WOW” moments as well and everything in between was pretty good. So if you haven’t seen this movie, watch it. Don’t be like me and instigate a room full of silence when you say you’re in your twenties and have never seen Forrest Gump :)



69. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Minutes: 127
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Based on writer Susanna Kaysen’s account of her 18-month stay at a mental hospital in the 1960s.

Thoughts:
This movie has been on my to-watch list for many years. It was not what I was expecting when I first saw the trailer; but not in a bad way. It’s a very controversial topic – mental disorders. Especially in the sixties where the movie setting takes place; I expected an institution that did not treat the women well. That was not the case; the institution in the movie was depicted very well. Instead the movie was more about human vulnerability and strengths/weaknesses. It’s an interesting movie.



70. Game of Thrones: Season 5 (2015)
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Drama
Minutes: 550
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(New)

Summary:
Several noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros.

Thoughts:
I knew this season was going to end on a really emotional cliffhanger. It did and I felt heartbroken afterwards. But heartbreak is the norm on Game of Thrones. It followed most of the storylines in the book fairly decently. However the TV show is not completely caught up with the books minus a few scenes that I’m not even sure they will include. It makes me wonder what will happen now. Beware lots of gore, nudity, torture, psychological trauma, and of course emotional heartache. And yet still, I recommend it.

71. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 126
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Two teens, both who have different cancer conditions, fall in love after meeting at a cancer support group.

Thoughts:
This was a good movie. Better than I was expecting. Shailene Woods did an impressive job. I thought I would cry more than I did because I knew going into it that it was a heartfelt movie, but eh. The book is better like always, but I would recommend this movie. There are some great lines.



72. Jurassic World (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 124
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(New)

Summary:
A new theme park is built on the original site of Jurassic Park. Everything is going well until the park's newest attraction--a genetically modified giant stealth killing machine--escapes containment and goes on a killing spree.

Thoughts:
I never imagined I would be able to see this movie in theaters while in Ghana but the opportunity presented itself in the capital and I took it because I was really looking forward to this movie. It turns out I probably would have been okay waiting until someone came to Ghana with a copy because it wasn’t that good. Full of pretty cheesy one lines. What I did like about it is the concept even if it wasn’t pulled off very well. And of course the fact that it’s about dinosaurs, which I’ve always been fascinated with. Overall I’m glad I got to see it and I’ll probably watch it again but it certainly could have been a much better movie.



73. 27 Dresses (2008)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Minutes: 111
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
After serving as a bridesmaid 27 times, a young woman wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister's side as her sibling marries the man she's secretly in love with.

Thoughts:
This was a cute movie on a mediocre scale. Good story, nice romance, it just didn’t have any umph to it. Pretty tame. Good if you just want to veg on a couch or bed somewhere.



74. The Fountain (2006)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 96
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 2/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
As a modern-day scientist, Tommy is struggling with mortality, desperately searching for the medical breakthrough that will save the life of his cancer-stricken wife, Izzi.

Thoughts:
This movie confused the hell out of me. I had heard that it was one of those movies that blows your mind by the end of the story, but I didn’t get any of that. I only got confusion on what was really happening. Was it all in his head. Which of the three plot lines was the real one? If they were all real, why was the guy the same guy each time. I don’t think enough was explained, at all. I feel like I need to go online and find a explanation of the movie now, and not a the good kind of way.



75. Warm Bodies (2013)
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance
Minutes: 98
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
After a highly unusual zombie saves a still-living girl from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion events that might transform the entire lifeless world.

Thoughts:
Okay this movie was really cheesy and pretty stupid all around. But it was kind of cute too. I was warned beforehand so I was expecting the stupid part. What I liked was R’s thoughts mostly. Those were the funny parts. I’m curious about the book now at least.



76. Wild (2014)
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama
Minutes: 115
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A chronicle of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy.

Thoughts:
This movie makes me want to take three months and backpack a trail, which is pretty good because not many things could make me want to do it. It helps that I know I could do it now, at this point in my life. Let’s say I watched this movie at the right point in my life. It was a very inspirational movie. The inspiration was cut up between scenes from the character’s past, but in a way that’s inspiration too, because it shows how far she has come and why what she is doing is so crucial and beneficial for her. I kind of wish I could see what happens next, once she’s finished her three month hike. I’m curious to see exactly how the change in her affects her life. I’m hoping some of that is in the book, which I plan to read.



77. The Giver (2014)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 97
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.

Thoughts:
I loved the book that this movie was based off of. The movie was pretty good as well. Better than I was expecting. Makes me want to go back and reread the book and the sequels. Not too bad, and it followed the book pretty well from my memory of events.

>94 Kassilem: LOL @ Don’t be like me and instigate a room full of silence when you say you’re in your twenties and have never seen Forrest Gump.

Believe it or not, but you're not the only one who hasn't seen Forrest Gump. I've run into some adults who haven't for whatever reason--they're not into movies, they hate Tom Hanks (what??), etc. But I'm with you: it's a great movie! :)

>95 Kassilem: I had the same thought on 27 Dresses--there was no "umph" to it. Still, it's a cute romantic movie, something I don't really watch a lot of, but I liked the actors in it.

I'm glad you kind of liked Warm Bodies. :) I really liked it, cheese and all. For me, it was just the right mixture of zombies, Romeo and Juliet-ness, and humor. I haven't read the book either, and I'm super curious if it's as funny. Judging by the cover, it looks a bit darker.

I brought The Giver home for my mom to watch, and she seemed to like it ok. Or at least she didn't say she hated it, so I guess that's a thumbs up from her. :)

>96 saraslibrary: :) I agree with all you say :) thanks for stopping by! I love to hear what you're thinking.



78. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Minutes: 113
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
An IRS auditor suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to affect his entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death.

Thoughts:
As a writer myself, this movie struck a chord with me. I enjoyed the idea immensely, and the actor did a good job pulling the idea off as realistically as possible. There were a few small things here and there that didn’t tickle me so much, but the movie overall was enjoyable.



79. This is 40 (2012)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 134
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Pete and Debbie are both about to turn 40, their kids hate each other, both of their businesses are failing, they’re on the verge of losing their house and their relationship is threatening to fall apart.

Thoughts:
The summary makes this movie seem depressing but it actually wasn’t too bad. There were moments where I began to wonder if I wanted to continue, usually when the teenager was screaming and being angsty. I just really wasn’t into that. But the rest wasn’t too bad. Not really great but perhaps that’s because I’m not close to be 40 and can’t relate as well. Overall, not as bad as I was expecting but not as good as I was hoping either… (Added: I just found out that this movie is supposed to be the sequel to Knocked Up. Now some things make some more sense. It puts it into a whole different light now. I wish I had known this before I had watched it.)



80. World War Z (2013)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror
Minutes: 116
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.

Thoughts:
I liked this movie better than I expected to. But unfortunately it still gets three stars because I just don’t like zombies that much and these zombies were pretty horrifying. It’s not really anything like the book, but that too was expected just from the differences of how that book was written to how a movie is directed. It’s got a great soundtrack!



81. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Genre: Drama, History, War
Minutes: 121
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.

Thoughts:
This movie makes me sick, for what happened; for the incredulous capacity of cruelty in humankind. The movie itself was well done, and depicted the horror of the event very well. I didn’t cry which surprised me because I expected to. But I suppose that was because I usually cry when the characters cry a lot. These people were too busy trying to stay alive to cry too much. Watching this makes me want to read more on the genocide so that I understand what happened fully. I’ve only read a little literature on it. It deserves to be known and remembered. It’s a heartbreaking movie, but I highly recommend it, to remind ourselves what has happened, and what can be allowed to happen; or not.



82. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 109
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.

Thoughts:
I’ve been putting off watching this movie because the previews I’ve seen for it made it look like it would be pretty stupid. It wasn’t as bad as I feared but the humor was not my kind of humor. It worked for me in the book, but not so much in the movie. It wasn’t a horrible movie but it wasn’t great either.



83. Monuments Men (2014)
Genre: Drama, War
Minutes: 118
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners.

Thoughts:
This was a great movie; and it’s based off of a book which is based off of a true story. I had no idea all of this had happened during the World War. It’s amazing the history that you don’t learn about because an education system didn’t think it was important enough. I’ve never heard any teacher or professor mention these events, not even my art history professor in high school. It’s a shame because this information is inspiring; and shameful. The movie had some great actors involved. I enjoyed it thoroughly.



84. Schindler’s List (1993)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Minutes: 195
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
In Poland during World War II, Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.

Thoughts:
Like Monuments Men, this is another movie based on a true event that I was not even aware of. I really enjoyed the semi-history lesson and the character development here. I didn’t think so before, but I think that Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes kind of look alike. With both of them in this movie, I had a few moments, especially in the beginning, where I got confused as to which character was being shown. The movie itself was directed wonderfully. But that’s expected because it was directed by Steven Spielberg. Highly recommended.

85. The Maze Runner (2014)
Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 113
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they’re all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape.

Thoughts:
I was warned that this movie was not that good. I think it started out okay but the ending left me pretty confused. I believe that was partly intentional, so that it would lead into the next movie, and/or get readers to read the book series. But more about the world would have been good, maybe more about what Thomas remembers. It’s an okay movie. I may read the book, or I may not.



86. Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 112
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Three trappers protect a British Colonel’s daughters in the midst of the French and Indian War.

Thoughts:
I tried to read this book when I was fifteen years old. Tried being the key word. After having watched this movie, I will definitely be giving the book another try. I feel like there is a great story here. As a movie I am of the opinion that it could have been done better, but since I don’t know the story beforehand I can’t say if the movie followed the book well enough, or if what happened really is the story. I suppose I had expected more. Not a bad movie though. It makes me want to watch more movies on North America in the 1400-1600 hundred centuries. I love learning about native American culture.



87. The Kids Are Alright (2010)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Minutes: 106
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their father into their family.

Thoughts:
I wasn’t expecting this. I think I was expecting the father to come in and all would be alright. As in the father kind of becomes part of the family. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. I suppose the way things happen in the end shows a different but still powerful message about how fathers are not always needed; it just threw me for a loop. It’s a lesson on not going into a movie expecting to already know what will happen. I like the concept. I liked this particular story less. But enjoyable in its own way.



88. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama
Minutes: 216
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Follows a brilliant, flamboyant and controversial British military figure and his conflicted loyalties during wartime service.

Thoughts:
Wow. I didn’t know how epic this movie was going to be. Or how long… As an anthropologist I loved seeing Lawrence immersing himself in the different culture. I also loved seeing the character relationships that developed throughout this movie. They were very complex and not necessarily healthy which made for a complex story. It was great to see Peter O’Toole as a young man since I’ve only ever seen him on his later years. I highly recommend this movie.



89. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Minutes: 134
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Thoughts:
Slavery is so sickening. We’re the only animal on the planet that treats our own species with such contempt, and it is totally incomprehensible to me. I expected this movie to be bad, to show the real rough side of slavery. It had its moments but overall it was not as sickening as it could have been. That allowed for some processesing instead of just abject disgust. Recommended if you think you can handle it.

90. The Hours (2002)
Genre: Drama
Minutes: 114
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
The story of how the novel “Mrs. Dalloway” affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives.

Thoughts:
I forget why this movie was on my to-watch list; maybe because of the depression/suicide topic. I was never clear to me when I watched it that it was about Virginia Woolf the writer but after watching it, I think it was. I don’t know hardly anything about that author so I can’t reliably say. The movie itself was mediocre in my opinion. It didn’t really hold my attention that well unfortunately. Perhaps if I had read the book it was based off of first, it would have been different.



91. Guns, Germs & Steel (2005)
Genre: Documentary, History
Minutes: 54
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
A PBS documentary concerning Jared Diamond’s theory on why there is such disparity between those who have advanced technology and those who still live primitively……..

Thoughts:
I’ve been meaning to watch this documentary ever since I read the book Guns, Germs & Steel. Obviously it is not as good or detailed as the book, especially since it was only 54 minutes all together. But I think it did a good job of summarizing, with some good visual scenes to catch the viewer’s attention. Good topic and info.



92. Back to the Future (1985)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 116
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
A young man is accidently sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.

Thoughts:
Here’s another movie that people are always shocked to hear I haven’t seen. So I felt it was about time I watched it. It was pretty enjoyable, in a cute way. I now recognize all the references , such as Great Scott. I’m not really into the older movies, being a fan of the digital effects of the 21 century, but they are beginning to grow on me.



93. The Book of Eli (2010)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 118
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

Thoughts:
I liked this movie in the end. I can’t even point out solid reasons why, just that I did. The blurb makes it seem like the book in the movie will save all the problems. It doesn’t and probably wouldn’t but still the journey to get the book to where it will be safe makes sense once we see where and what that safe place is. Denzel Washington does great here. I hardly recognized him in the beginning.

94. Dinosaur (2000)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 82
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
An orphaned dinosaur raised by lemurs joins an arduous trek to a sanctuary after a meteorite shower destroys his family home.

Thoughts:
I enjoyed re-watching this. I saw a copy of it and immediately had to watch it again. Its short but sweet with a good lesson about teamwork and karma. And it's about dinosaurs which I've been fascinated with for as long as I can remember. A little volient for young kids but otherwise great for everyone of any age.



95. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Minutes: 88
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Hansel & Gretel are bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. As the fabled Blood Moon approaches, the siblings encounter a new form of evil that might hold a secret to their past.

Thoughts:
I was told this wasn't a very good movie but that it was okay when you just want to sit back and veg. I concur. Not a great movie But entertaining in it's own way. The story sounds like it would be great written out in book format with detail. Here, in the movie, not enough character development or good dialogue is present. But entertaining.

96. Gravity (2013)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Minutes: 91
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after a catastrophe destroys their shuttle and leaves them adrift in orbit.

Thoughts:
Not a long movie but an intense one. Which it was meant to be as a thriller. It kind of makes you think about how vast space is and has you wondering if astronauts ever do get lost drifting in space. It's interesting to think about. I like how the movie ended - that was a good spot to do it, and there were some spectacular views shown in the movie. I think I was more interested in how this movie was made than the actual movie itself but I would recommend it.

I saw this movie as a telling of resurrection or re birth. Many Egyptian themes in the movie. First her name Ryan as pertaining to Orion. Dying on the space station ISS pertaining to the Egyptian Goddess of Resurrection ISIS. Many other visual symbols. In the end her coming out of the ocean slowly standing erect.

>102 zell: That is interesting! I had no idea. :) But i can see it now, now that you've pointed it out. Very interesting

97. Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 108
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985... without interfering with his first trip.

Thoughts:
Is it kind of weird that I am watching this for the first time IN 2015? I had to laugh when I heard the year in the movie. Not quite what it looks like but hey... :) The first part of this movie dragged for me for some reason but the second part of the movie had me cracking up. I enjoyed it so much I had to go watch the next movie right after this one, especially after seeing that it was set in the Old West.



98. Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 118
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
Enjoying a peaceable existence in 1885, Doctor Emmet Brown is about to be killed by Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen. Marty McFly travels back in time to save his friend.

Thoughts:
Glad I watched these, even if it took me forever to get to them. I absolutely loved the part where they switched phrases; Marty used the phrase "Great Scot" and the Doc replied with "I Know. Heavy huh?" It's the little things like that make perfect scenes.

99. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 95
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A young adventurer named Milo Thatch joins an intrepid group of explorers to find the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis.

Thoughts:
I saw something online about how Kida is the best animated princess and ever since I've been looking forward to watching this movie again. I'd forgotten how great some of these characters are. Fun fact - the voice of Milo is Michael J Fox, the actor who plays Marty in Back to the Future, the movies I just watched previously. Weird coincidence. :) I've noticed that the villain in the end looks a lot like the villains in these animated adventure movies - he bears a likeness to the villain in Tarzan. Interesting.



100. Daybreakers (2009)
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Minutes: 98
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
In the year 2019, a plague has transformed almost every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.

Thoughts:
Another rewatch. I forgot how gory some of the later scenes are: beware. Watching this makes me nostalgic for reading Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. I might just have to go do that. At least the first few books. This movie is pretty short but it gets it's point across.

101. The Croods (2013)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 98
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.

Thoughts:
This was a great movie. I loved it and will probably watch it again. I really enjoyed see an animation on "cave men" (most likely Neanderthals). I have already recommended it to my family to all watch together. Glad I got to it. :)



102. A Bug's Life (1998)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 95
Audience: G
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A misfit ant, looking for "warriors" to save his colony from greedy grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe.

Thoughts:
I haven't seen this movie in YEARS. I remember it used to be my little brother's favorite movie when we were kids. I didn't really remember if it was funny or not or if I would enjoy rewatching it but I thought because of that very reason I should rewatch it. It was great. Funny and good entertainment.

103. Gone Girl (2014)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Minutes: 149
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

Thoughts:
I knew this movie had gotten a lot of talk about it. I can see why. I'm sure that a lot of people did not like the way this ended. I didn't really like the way it ended. I wonder if the book sheds anymore emotional and psychological light on husband's decisions. I feel it was glossed over a little here for dramatic effect, and I would like more info. I can't say that I really like the movie - it's disturbing in many ways - but it was very well done nonetheless which is why I gave it such a good rating.

104. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Minutes: 97
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought.

Thoughts:
Been meaning to watch this one for years. I don't think I related to it like those that recommended it to me thought I would. I think I have read too much, on too many things that are more serious and/or disturbing than this for it to really garner a reaction from me. Don't know why precisely but this movie wasn't all that entertaining for me. Oh well.

105. Bambi (1942)
Genre: Animation, Family
Minutes: 70
Audience: G
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The story of a young deer growing up in the forest after his mother is shot by hunters.

Thoughts:
Another one I haven't seen since I was literally a kid. I have forgotten how musical the movie is. It reminds me of the Fantastia 2000 clip about the deer in the forest with Mother Nature. This is a short, very simple movie. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would based off of what I remembered.



106. The Black Cauldron (1985)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 80
Audience: G
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A young boy and a bunch of misfit friends embark on a quest to find a dark magic item of ultimate power before a diabolical tyrant can.

Thoughts:
I'd forgotten much about this movie, and really only remembered watching it once as a kid with my brother and being freaked out by the end. This is so clearly classic fantasy - the farm boy who finds the magic sword, the princess, the evil tyrant, the faeries. I didn't realize it was based off of Lloyd Alexander's books, but now that I remember how classic fantasy this is, it makes perfect sense.

107. Drumline (2002)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Minutes: 118
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A band director recruits a Harlem street drummer to play at a Southern university.

Thoughts:
Ah this movie reminded me of my marching band days. I really miss it now, even if I don't miss the high school that went along with it. Great movie with an important lesson.

108. DragonHeart (1996)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 103
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
The last dragon and a disillusioned dragonslaying knight must cooperate to stop an evil king who was given partial immortality.

Thoughts:
I picked this movie up based solely on it's title and the fact that it had something to do with dragons. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Turns out I may have just found a jem. I enjoyed this immensely. It was awesome to see Dennis Quaid in hero/knight action and David Thewlis in villain action - and looking so young. Great story, good graphics, highly entertaining.

>92 Kassilem: Super late to the party, but I had no idea what to expect going into Ex Machina (my brother picked it out), but I was blown away. Not right from the start, but gradually as the film progressed. It's definitely one that you remember, and the more I thought about it at the end (the limited cast, sets, etc), I found it to be brilliantly done, especially for a directorial debut.

109. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Minutes: 97
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A new kid must find a guy to date the meanest girl in school, the older sister of the girl he has a crush on, who cannot date until her older sister does.

Thoughts:
I hardly remembered this movie it's been so long since I've seen it. Ah, what a great love story. I don't know why I love it so much but I do. And it was so nostalgic to see Heath Ledger again. I miss that actor. Julia Stiles was great here as well. Great movie.

>112 kgriffith: Hi! Welcome. Me too! A friend recommended it. I was definitely not expecting what I got. I'm still thinking about that movie. Firstly because it was my first movie in Ghana, but secondly because, damn... it's a heck of a thought provoker. I didn't realize it was a directorial debut. That's pretty neat.

110. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 136
Audience: X
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
In future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge is jailed and volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society's crime problem - but not all goes according to plan.

Thoughts:
Wow. This is a... interesting movie. For it's time and era I see why the maturity rating is so high. There's a lot going on here. It makes me interested in reading the book perhaps to get a better look and detail at the moral aspects of this which I assume the book does better at analyzing. Not something I will ever watch again, but an interesting idea.

111. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 83
Audience: G
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Two childhood friends find themselves forced to become enemies.

Thoughts:
I'd forgotten how musical these Disney movies used to be. This was cute. I remember it not being my favorite. I think it was more the briefness of the movie itself. The lesson is simply and strong. Friendship shouldn't be determined by who you're told you're supposed to be. And friendship can happen between the two unlikeliest pairs. I'm content to sit on this one for another decade or so. By the way, I think the voice for Boomer the woodpecker is the same one as the voice for Tigger in Whinne the Pooh. Boomer has the same laugh.



112. The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 78
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.

Thoughts:
This movie always made me laugh. This time was no exception. I like the story of a selfish character learning to be humble and here it is so comical that the meanest of the character in the beginning doesn't really affect my mood like it would in a detailed book about the topic. Krunk is my favorite. Best villian sidekick ever. If you haven't seen this movie, watch it. No matter your age. :)

113. Evolution (2001)
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 101
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A fire-fighting cadet, two college professors and a geeky but sexy government scientist work against an alien organism that has been rapidly evolving ever since its arrival on Earth inside a meteor.

Thoughts:
I picked this movie up because of the title. However when I saw the cover for the movie I got worried that it was going to be some silly alien movie and almost threw it out. It wasn't as silly as I worried it might be. It was actually very interesting, even if the evolution part of the movie was only half, if that and the other was a budding romance and male posturing to one another. But entertaining. I'm glad I gave it a shot.

114. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 91
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A deformed bell-ringer must assert his independence from a vicious government minister in order to help his friend, a gypsy dancer.

Thoughts:
I forgot how good this movie was. I might have to add it to my list of Disney movies to buy for my shelves. I also forgot how much I like the Disney songs. I might have to go find these songs as well. Great story here. I ALSO might have to go find the book this is based off of.

115. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Minutes: 159
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A New York City doctor, who is married to an art curator, pushes himself on a harrowing and dangerous night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife admits that she once almost cheated on him.

Thoughts:
This movie might need a second rewatch to fully understand all that is going on here, but I probably wont give it the rewatch. In essence it is a movie about the difference of lust/sex and love. But it's subtle. The movie did not grab my attention all that well however. It was well directed, I could see that, but the story didn't interest me. Not in the right mood perhaps. It's a long movie so being in the right mood would be important.

116. Her (2013)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 126
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need.

Thoughts:
I had heard that a lot of people didn't like this movie much. I highly enjoyed it. The idea is fascinating. I can really see our society moving into something like this, and this situation happening. Seriously. It makes you think about artificial creation and evolution a lot in regards to the internet and how much information is now only a click away. Very interesting. Good movie.

117. Julie & Julia (2009)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Minutes: 123
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
Julia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.

Thoughts:
This was a great movie! Boy did it make me miss all that yummy food though. It makes me kind of want to be a good cook just so I can make all that food - alas that will never be me. But that's okay because I can just watch movies like this and enjoy the art of cooking from afar. I enjoyed how this movie ended with Julie fully remembering why she took upon the task of making all those recipes. I didn't realize this was a movie based off of a book - if it's as good as the movie I'm sure it is a great book. Meryl Streep is wonderful as always and I enjoyed Amy Adams' role. Recommended movie.

118. Jump In! (2007)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Minutes: 85
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A teenager is pressured by his father to become a boxer - but a local girl introduces him to the very different sport of rope-jumping.

Thoughts:
This is such a fun movie. Sometimes you just need to watch a movie that has nothing but good in it. No evil villains, bullies who become tame, and great music. I was never a big jump roper myself, but this makes it look like fun. And hard work. I enjoyed the acrobatic moves the most. Disney TV movies are recommended if you just want to veg with some good high school stories.



119. The Incredibles (2004)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 115
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.

Thoughts:
I forgot how fun this movie was. I've always loved superhero movies, and this one is special. Great cast, great moments. I might have to add this one to the buy list.

120. Jumanji (1995)
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Minutes:104
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
When two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man trapped for decades in it and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.

Thoughts:
I remember this movie scared the crap out of me when I was younger. Not so scary anymore. :) Love Robin Williams. It was pretty interesting to see Kirsten Dunst as a child too. I forgot that she acted as a child. I thoroughly enjoyed this rewatch and recommend it to movie watchers who are in for a little thrill.

121. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 85
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A Hawaiian girl adopts an unusual pet who is actually a notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive from the law.

Thoughts:
I forgot how cute this movie is. Another Disney that will have to go on the to-buy list now that I remember how much I like it. I do remember not liking the sequel as much, but this one has got a fair amount of Disney's great life/family lessons in it. I like the Hawaiian cultural ring to it as well. Not something you see all that often.



122. The Lion King (1994)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 89
Audience: PG
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Lion cub and future king Simba searches for his identity. His eagerness to please others and penchant for testing his boundaries sometimes gets him into trouble.

Thoughts:
This movie has already been on my to-buy list for years. But I haven't seen it for years and I absolutely LOVED rewatching it again. It reinforced all my love for the movie again. And there is such great music. I couldn't help but sing along to all my favorite songs. I remember my brother and I were obsessed with this movie when we were little, pretending our chicken nuggets and green beans were beetles and worms. It's even greater to watch this movies as an adult and pick up on all the things you never do as a child. Highly recommended to everyone, any age.

123. Interstellar (2014)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 169
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
A team of explorers travel through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity's survival.

Thoughts:
I always liked dystopia and apocalyptic movies - the world is ending or something has happened and humanity is in danger. And it's the job of the scientists to find the solution or cure. Add in a hunk who can pilot the ship, or be the muscle and you have an adventure. One that I usually find fascinating. I wish there was more inforamtion on how humanity got to the point that it did, but other than that, I was thoroughly engaged during the whole three hours of this long movie. Recommended.

124. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 76
Audience: G
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt.

Thoughts:
I remember not liking this Disney movie that much. I'm glad I did a rewatch though to refresh on the good parts, but it still isn't one of my favorites.



125. The Land Before Time (1988)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 69
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
An orphaned brontosaurus teams up with other young dinosaurs in order to reunite with their families in a valley.

Thoughts:
Great movie. I love dinosaurs so that's the first awesome. Second, this is at heart a story about friendship between anyone. There shouldn't be limits on who can be friends and who can't. And the adventure is always a plus to most films. Very cute. Recommended for any child in any household - with the adults watching behind the child as well of course :)

126. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 129
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Thoughts:
I wasn't sure I would like this movie. Spy movies don't get my blood going that often. But this one was pretty good. I liked the comedy. Probably won't watch it again, but it was a nice movie to watch at the end of the night. :)

127. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 144
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people.

Thoughts:
I don't know how I missed so much when I watched this movie the first time. I must not have been paying too much attention because I feel as if this is the first time I've watched the movie, really understanding what was going on. Or perhaps I was young when I watched it first. I have learned a lot more about history since then as well. The music score is gorgeous and the actors/actresses all did very well. Well done.

128. Peter Pan (1953)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 77
Audience: G
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Wendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.

Thoughts:
This was never a favorite of mine when I as little and watching Disney movies all the time. Can't say for sure why. I suppose I never invested in Peter. Plus I didn't really like the songs all that much. All still stands the same after rewatching it now.



129. Pocahontas (1995)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 81
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
An English soldier and the daughter of an Algonquin chief share a romance when English colonists invade seventeenth-century Virginia.

Thoughts:
Another Disney movie I will always love. I know quite a bit more about the story of Pocahontas now, so the movie's ending is actually quite sad now. But I love this rendition. And the music. And the whole story. I'm a sucker for native american stories/lore/movies. This one is high on the list.

130. The Kite Runner (2007)
Genre: Drama
Minutes: 128
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.

Thoughts:
This movie did the book justice but the book will always be better. But that is always the case. This movie refreshed me on the story, which will pull on your heartstrings without you even being aware of it. Great imagery, great directing. This story has some history behind it that is good to know before watching the movie, but not necessarily needed. Recommended.

You watch a lot of good movies!

>131 oliviabaxter04: I second that. :)

Melissa, I love your little Disney binge going there. It's been a long time since I've watched an animated movie, especially The Land Before Time. I used to love that one as a kid. As always, great list! :) I think I've maybe seen 1/2-3/4 of them. And that's funny Back to the Future 2 takes place in 2015. Great timing on that one!

>131 oliviabaxter04: Thanks! They told me I would watch a lot of movies in the Peace Corps. They were right :) Volunteers here all have a pretty good collection. Not sure what I'll do when I run out of movies on my hard-drive though. Go beg some more off of my closest volunteer I suppose. :)

>132 saraslibrary: Thanks Sara :) I've really enjoyed the Disney binge. They are not long and since I've seen them all before I can just chill and do some cross-stitch while I watch them. :) And October is the month that Marty comes to 2015 so only a few weeks and he'll appear! I found it really ironic that I ended up watching that movie for the first time this year. :)

131. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Minutes: 103
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A murder mystery brings together a private eye, a struggling actress, and a thief masquerading as an actor.

Thoughts:
I forget who recommended this movie to me and why, but it was pretty good. I didn't expect to see Robert Downey Jr., so that was a nice surprise. Not something I would watch a second time, but it was pretty funny and worth the first watch. If you like comedy and crime put together this might be right up your alley.



132. Magic Mike (2012)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Minutes: 110
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A male stripper teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money.

Thoughts:
I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would! The summary leaves things to be desired in a good movie but the actual movie itself was beyond just two male strippers have a good time. I liked how Mike's story ended. Plus the dancing, and stripping, was really good. Every girl has got to give this one a try at some point. Just indulge yourselves.

I am planning to watch BTTF 2 on its official anniversary date. I keep thinking it's November, but it's maybe October. Need to check on that. It is really good timing! You're right.

And also, wow. You deserve to watch movies in the Peace Corps. Work hard, binge watch awesome movies hard.

>135 oliviabaxter04: I can't remember which month. I think October because I saw a meme about it, but now that you say Novemeber, that does sound familiar. *Shrug.* I'm not working too hard yet - still waiting for my teaching to get underway, but I'm looking forward to the hard work. :)



133. Brother Bear (2003)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 85
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
When a young Inuit hunter needlessly kills a bear, he is magically changed into a bear himself as punishment with a talkative cub being his only guide to changing back.

Thoughts:
Cute movie. Good lessons. I forgot that Elton John sang songs for this newer Disney. Always loved Elton's Disney songs.



134. Brave (2012)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 93
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.

Thoughts:
I guess I was in a bear mood. This is another great Disney movie. I really love watching Elinor as a bear. She cracks me up every time. I also really like the heroine as a warrior rebelling against marriage. Perfect story for me. I think maybe this is a movie I should buy since I like it so much.

135. March of the Penguins (2005)
Genre: Documentary
Minutes: 80
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A look at the annual journey of Emperor penguins as they march -- single file -- to their traditional breeding ground.

Thoughts:
What a interesting movie! I had no clue about all these facts on penguins. Truth be told I never thought much on penguins. They all seemed rather dull to me. This movie has taught me better. These Emperor penguins go through a lot in one year, and they keep doing year after year. This really makes me want to watch more documentaries on animals, to learn all that I didn't know before. Go National Geographic.

136. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Minutes: 91
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
King Arthur and his knights embark on a low-budget search for the Grail, encountering many very silly obstacles.

Thoughts:
I don't know why this movie is so funny - it's really not - but I died laughing watching it again. I might have to go buy it just for those bad days where I need a good laugh, cuz it's bound to cheer me up. I just caught it this time around but these actors all play dozens of characters. Pretty impressive.

137. Merlin (1998)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Minutes: 182
Audience: NR
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
The legendary wizard tells his story of his war against Queen Mab of the Sidhe and his creation of Camelot.

Thoughts:
This was a TV Mini-series. I grabbed it because of it's title. I have always been a fan of the Arthurian legends/myths. This one was okay. The story is there, but the filming wasn't quite what I had been hoping for. Not too bad, but I am a product of my generation with high end graphics and competitive directing. I will have to find some books or newer versions of the story to sooth my Arthur cravings.

138. Pacific Rim (2013)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 131
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of Moment)

Summary:
As a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate effort to save the world from the apocalypse.

Thoughts:
Interesting movie. I like the idea and premise. And I like the robots more than I thought I would. But the story of the characters could have been better. There wasn't much fleshed out, not enough emotion I guess. It just didn't pull on my heartstrings as much as it was probably supposed to. But great graphics!



139. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Minutes: 84
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Belle, whose father is imprisoned by the Beast, offers herself instead, unaware that her captor to be is an enchanted prince.

Thoughts:
An all time favorite Disney of mine. A classic tale. Beautifully done.

140. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Minutes: 127
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A poet falls for a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical, with music drawn from familiar 20th century sources.

Thoughts:
Wow! The person that recommended this movie to me didn't tell me how good it was. Or if they did, I just didn't get it at the time. I love musicals! And this was a fantastic one. Ewan McGregor is downright adorable in this movie as well. Highly recommended if you like musicals.

141. Raise Your Voice (2004)
Genre: Family, Music, Drama
Minutes: 103
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A girl from a small town heads to the big city of Los Angeles to spend the summer at a performing arts high school.

Thoughts:
I was in a singing mood this day. I remembering liking this movie more the first time I watched it, but I was young that first time and I liked Duff. She looks so young now. This is a nice film about music, one that will be sure to make you cry.



142. The Reluctant Dragon (1941)
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Minutes: 74
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Humorist Robert Benchley learns about the animation process at Walt Disney Studios while trying to find the great man himself to pitch him the idea of making a cartoon about a shy dragon.

Thoughts:
This was one of my all time favorites as a kid. I still love it. I've never seen the beginning part where Benchley is wandering around Walt Disney Studios however so that was a pleasant treat to watch before reminiscing with my childhood.

143. The Neighbors (2014)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 97
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
After they are forced to live next to a fraternity house, a couple with a newborn baby do whatever they can to take them down.

Thoughts:
I was told that if I liked 22 Jump Street I would probably like this movie. I didn't really like it all that much. Nice for a day of vegging in bed, but not really my style of humor. Although the fight scene between the boys towards the end was pretty funny. Won't ever watch it again, but don't regret it either.



144. Perfect Blue (1997)
Genre: Animation, Horror, Mystery
Minutes: 81
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A retired pop-singer-turned-actress' sense of reality is shaken when she is stalked by an obsessed fan and seemingly a ghost of her past.

Thoughts:
I was not expecting this. Granted I didn't realize it was a horror mystery. I was just told I should watch it. Not really my cup of tea. The movie was trippy. I was confused until the very end, and even then I feel like I still have questions and need to rewatch it to pick up on all the answers. I think this effect might have been intended. Interesting anime. Nothing I would watch again.

145. Fantasia (1940)
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Minutes: 125
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A collection of animated interpretations of great works of Western classical music.

Thoughts:
I remember loving some of these renditions as a child. Watching it now, it can see exactly how much I missed in those renditions that were more boring back then. And only now do I feel like I can appreciate the music behind the animations. I'm glad I watched this one again.



146. Fantasia 2000 (1999)
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Minutes: 74
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
An update of the original film with new interpretations of great works of classical music.

Thoughts:
You can't watch the first Fantasia without watching the newer version. The animation is much better and more diverse after sixty years. And I love the songs that are picked.

147. Penelope (2006)
Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance
Minutes: 104
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A modern romantic tale about a young aristocratic heiress born under a curse that can only be broken when she finds true love with "one who will love her faithfully."

Thoughts:
This was cute. I wonder if this is based off a story or myth. It seems probable.

148. Pompeii: The Last Day (2003)
Genre: Drama, History
Minutes: 60
Audience: TV-Movie
Rating: 5/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A dramatized recreation of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

Thoughts:
Pompeii always fascinated me. I learned extensively about it in college, so I was surprised by the little facts that I had forgotten since then. It makes me want to revisit Pompeii, climb Mt. Vesuvius again. :) I really enjoyed how this movie ended - the last line. "Vesuvius has never again erupted with the same volcanic force as on that hot summer day in A.D. 79. According to the experts, Plinian eruptions of this scale only happen every 2000 years. The next one is due." And this time there is 3 million people living under it, not just Vesuvius and Herculaneum. Great movie if you are interested in Roman history.



149. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, War
Minutes: 118
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
In the falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.

Thoughts:
I was expecting monsters and horrible creatures chasing children around. Instead I got human monsters, human cruelty, which leaves me more traumatized. The movie was good but I don't think I liked it. Watching the ending, I couldn't decide if I was happy or sad for the girl. There was too much death, too much cruelty. I did get a refresher on my Spanish which was nice since I haven't spoken it or heard it in more than a year.

150. Seventh Son (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Minutes: 102
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
When Mother Malkin, the queen of evil witches, escapes the pit she was imprisoned in by professional monster hunter Spook decades ago and kills his apprentice, he recruits young Tom, the seventh son of the seventh son, to help him.

Thoughts:
I thought maybe this would be a movie based off of Orson Scott Card's series, but I don't think it is. Although I haven't read all the books yet so perhaps it is based loosely. I'll pretend otherwise. If it is based on the book the book would be much better. But as itself, the movie wasn't too bad. I enjoyed the fantasy aspect even if I didn't invest in the characters all that much.

151. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Minutes: 117
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

Thoughts:
This is such a touching movie. There is a lot of bravery going on here and resilience. I don't know that I could do what this man did. Had to do. Almost makes you want to cry. If you haven't seen this movie yet, I highly recommend it.



152. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Minutes: 99
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

Thoughts:
Better than some of the zombie movies I've seen. Not really my kind of humor but it's got a kind of charm if you're in the mood for it. The movie doesn't make you think there will be gory scenes but there is, although in today's world, it probably doesn't compare to many other supernatural/monster gory scenes. Overall, not as bad as I was expecting.

153. Hercules (1997)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 93
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The son of the Greek Gods Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it.

Thoughts:
Love this movie. And the songs! I need to go find these songs for my ipod now.



154. Aladdin (1992)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 90
Audience: G
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
When a street urchin vies for the love of a beautiful princess, he uses a genie's magic power to make himself off as a prince in order to marry her.

Thoughts:
This is one of those movies that I couldn't remember how much I liked it. I had this idea that it wasn't one of my favorite Disney movies. I don't know why because it's great. Man, I miss Robin Williams. This is another classic Disney that I need to put on my shelves.



155. Robin Hood (1973)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 83
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The story of the legendary outlaw is portrayed with the characters as humanoid animals.

Thoughts:
Humanoid animals were never my favorite but I do like this story. And the dialogue was pretty good for a children's movie. Now that I've watched so many Disney movies all around the same time I can pick out actors/actresses by their voices now. It's kind of interesting at how voices are reused from movie to movie.

156. Stardust (2007)
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Minutes: 127
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.

Thoughts:
This was such a fun movie. My sister told me I would like it and I did. So fantastical and a little corny, but such charm. I really enjoyed watching it.



157. Spirited Away (2001)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 125
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.

Thoughts:
This is kind of like a Japanese version of a Alice in Wonderland. Lots of crazy shit happens. But the girl grows on you and by the end of the movie I really enjoyed her. I didn't realize it before but the voice of Lin is the same voice as Meg in Hercules. Funny. Anyways, if you like anime, this is a good one to put under your belt.



158. Up (2009)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 96
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Seventy-eight year old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his home equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.

Thoughts:
This is such a cute movie. I forgot how cute it is. You don't get a lot of animation movies about elderly characters. Great to watch during a thunderstorm. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it yet.

159. WALL-E (2008)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Minutes: 98
Audience: G
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
In the distant future, a small waste collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

Thoughts:
This is a great sci-fi movie. And idea of what we can become, and a warning to take care of our earth. There is only the one after all. It's great how two robot's who can't necessarily speak can be so expressive. I really enjoyed the part with WALL-E is showing Eva around Earth. Two cultures meeting together and trying to understand one another. Perfect! Great movie.



160. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes:101
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.

Thoughts:
Wow. This was an awesome movie. I'm not that big of a video gamer, and I was never big into arcade games but I like them well enough and have been surrounded by them enough to appreciate this movie. I can't decide if I want to own this one or not. I might have to give it a go sometime soon again to check. Definitely one that I won't forgot.

161. Transformers (2007)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 144
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
An ancient struggle between two Cybertronian races, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, comes to Earth, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a teenager.

Thoughts:
Great movie, like I remember. I haven't seen the newest one so I decided to rewatch the first three before getting to it. The graphics really make this movie what it is. The action scenes are on point, and fantastic to watch. Even if you don't like transformers, this is a movie to watch.



162. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 150
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers' war.

Thoughts:
This movie is where the humans come in and start to mess things up. Of course. Action scenes are great, as always. I would have liked to no more about the autobots that came to Earth after Prime's call. Where did they come from, where where they hiding? A fun action packed movie.



163. Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 154
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.

Thoughts:
Man, I feel Sam's pain. There was some great moments here. It's never explained by Sam has Mikayla's dog, which is odd. But I like Carly, the new girl. She's beautiful, of course. They have to have a beautiful girl running around in the mayhem for aesthetic appeal or something. :)



164. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 165
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Autobots must escape sight from a bounty hunter who has taken control of the human serendipity: Unexpectedly, Optimus Prime and his remaining gang turn to a mechanic, his daughter, and her back street racing boyfriend for help.

Thoughts:
I wondered if this movie would continue the story of Sam. I thought in the beginning they might have. Mark Wahlberg could sort of be seen as an older Shia LaBeouf. But no, I saw I was wrong early on. The humans pissed me off in this movie, but I think that was the point. Although, perspective. Still, though. Human's are cruel. I hear that there is another movie, a fifth Transformers in production. Wow. I wonder how far they think the story can go. The dinosaurs in the end were kind of cool although when Prime rode them, that made me cringe. They just had to throw that in. Overall though, the movie was better than I was thinking it would be from the reviews.

165. Rent (2005)
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Minutes: 135
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
This is the film version of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical about Bohemians in the East Village of New York City struggling with life, love and AIDS, and the impacts they have on America.

Thoughts:
I first watched this as a teenager so it was nice to see it again as an adult with more knowledge of how life works. I really like musicals so that's an instant plus. The story is sad and great. There is wonderful romance here but great tragedy as well. Recommended if you enjoy musicals and gay themed films.



166. The Reader (2008)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 124
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

Thoughts:
I was not expecting this. It makes you think, really think, about those who were guards at the concentration camps. There were thousands of workers. Did they know what they were doing? What choices could they have made. You always hear about the holocaust from the point of the Jews, not from the Germans. I'm deeply fascinated now. The movie itself was interesting. Kind of slow but very thought provoking. More nudity than I was expecting: see the R rating :)

167. Tuck Everlasting (2002)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Family
Minutes: 90
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
A young woman meets and falls in love with a young man who is part of a family of immortals.

Thoughts:
I was aware that Disney made this movie. But seeing the interwoven 'Lessons' reminded me of the Disney Channel. I ended up fast forwarding between those lessons because I couldn't stand to be interrupted for teenage ideas on how the world works. Probably my mood today. It's a movie that a small girl might like. It had it's charm, but I wasn't really impressed.



168. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Genre: Drama
Minutes: 102
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions become stronger.

Thoughts:
I always wondered where the song came from. I didn't expect it to come from this type of movie. but after watching it, I can see how it fits. It's a disturbing movie about addiction. In regards to research for the book I am writing where one character is addicted it was fantastic. As a look on the life of real life humans in the world going through these same things, it was horrifying.

169. Whiplash (2014)
Genre: Drama, Music
Minutes: 107
Audience: R
Rating: 3/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.

Thoughts:
This was an intense movie. I can't say I endorsed Fletcher's way of producing fantastic musicians. Maybe it pushes them to be better but he's also giving them serious emotional stress. Not a movie I would watch again but it wasn't bad. Just interesting in a way that I didn't quite like.

170. Naruto: The Last (2014)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 112
Audience: NR
Rating: 3/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Hyuuga Hanabi, the younger sister of Hyuuga Hinata is kidnapped by the alien Ootsutsuki Toneri, and a disheartened Uzumaki Naruto must put himself together to help his new found love save her younger sister. Naruto's abilities are put to the test when he loses his most powerful form - the Sage of Six Paths cloak.

Thoughts:
I didn't really like this latest Naruto movie. Too much focus on Naruto and Hinata as a couple, a couple I never liked in the first place. Oh well. Good graphics.



171. Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015)
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Minutes: 95
Audience: NR
Rating: 4/5
(New)

Summary:
It's been some years since the end of the Shinobi War. Naruto Uzumaki is the 7th Hokage of Konohagakure, in this new era. His son, Boruto Uzumaki, will soon enter the Chûnin exams, alongside Sarada Uchiha and the mysterious Mitsuki.

Thoughts:
This was a fun and exciting movie. I'm glad I got to watch it! There was the small mini series that Kishimoto wrote about the children, but it was very short so I enjoyed seeing this rendition. It was well done. I don't totally understand the reasons behind Naruto and Boruto's interaction, and had hoped it would be explained, but it wasn't. I'll just have to make it up myself. :)

172. V for Vendetta (2005)
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Minutes: 132
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
In a future British tyranny, a shadowy freedom fighter, known only by the alias of "V", plots to overthrow it with the help of a young woman.

Thoughts:
I remember watching this movie when I was younger and I didn't quite get out of it what I think I was supposed to. This time I did. I'm not usually into the murder mystery investigations, but I like that this was about the murderer, and that the watchers are all rooting for him. It's a thought-provoking movie, the one that stays with you forever. Recommended if you haven't seen it.

173. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography
Minutes: 330
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed through the gates onto the sand.'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus: Gannicus in a more ruthless time before Spartacus' arrival where honor was just finding its way into the arena.

Thoughts:
This was a fantastic prequel to the TV show. I remember when this first came out I didn't want to watch it because I was too involved in the show and didn't want the interruption. But someone told me that if I loved the show, I would love this prequel too. I did. And now I want to rewatch the three seasons again. This way I can see it all in chronological order.

174. X-Men 2 (2003)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 134
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The X-Men band together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President's life, while the Mutant Academy is attacked by military forces.

Thoughts:
It's been a while since I've watched this movies so I thought it was time for a marathon to finish what I half started at the beginning of this year with the first X-Men movie. This movie was great, like I remembered. I forgot how crazy Wolverine's hair was, though. :)



175. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 104
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, and the Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier's former ally, Magneto.

Thoughts:
Great movie! Nuff said.



176. X-Men: First Class (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 132
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start World War III.

Thoughts:
I forgot how funny this movie was. It was great. I'm glad I'm doing this marathon now. All of these movies together puts things together in a way that I didn't understand before. It's great. I'm looking forward to continuing with this.

177. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 132
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Thoughts:
I really liked this movie. I liked that there was both generations in this movie, where it could have been just a story of the first generation. And since Wolverine is my favorite character, I enjoyed that he was such a central character in this story. It was cook to see some of the characters from the original series all grown up too!



178. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 107
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A look at Wolverine's early life, in particular his time with the government squad Team X and the impact it will have on his later years.

Thoughts:
As I said, Wolverine is my favorite X-Men character so this movie was awesome. I've seen it a lot of times now, so the fantastic edge has dimmed. But this is still great. Now that I'm doing the marathon I wonder if some of the kids at the end of the movie are characters featured in the First Class movie. The blonde girl could definitely be the blonde woman that's in X-Men First Class. Who knows. But interesting to connect possible dots. :) I'm really excited for the new Deadpool movie coming out!



179. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2013)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 126
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
When Wolverine is summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, he is embroiled in a conflict that forces him to confront his own demons.

Thoughts:
I think I liked this movie better this time than I did the first time I watched it. I think it was just very different from the other X-Men movies, and the story seemed lacking, but after watching all the other movies all together, I find that it's like a side movie, something that is like eye candy for those who like Wolverine.

180. Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography
Minutes: 715
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Watch the story of history's greatest gladiator unfold with graphic violence and the passions of the women that love them. This is Spartacus.

Thoughts:
After watching the prequel season, I have to come rewatch this season, see all the things that were alluded to before. There were a few things I had forgotten. What I didn't forget was how much I loved this TV show. I grieve again for the main actor and his fate. I enjoy this portrayal of ancient Rome. It's much more real and gritty than people used to think of the Roman Empire as. I love the way these actors/actresses talk as well. Very historical. Highly recommend; just beware the 300-esce blood splatters everywhere, intense war/slave gore and explicit sex scenes.



181. Spartacus: Vengeance (2012)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography
Minutes: 550
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Watch the story of history's greatest gladiator unfold with graphic violence and the passions of the women that love them. This is Spartacus.

Thoughts:
Season two is a little more disappointing because of Andy's disappearance, but after a while you get used to the new guy. he does very well and he looks enough like Andy that it's not too much of a shock. This time around, having seen it before I transitioned better. I also get many more hints and lines, having watched the prequel now. In the prequel I almost felt bad for Asher. Now I can only say, he got what he deserved. I really like Glaber in this season as well. even as the "villain" to our hero he always struck me as a very thoughtful man, who lets his pride get the better of him. Great season. The first season will always be the best but this one is pretty good.

>134 Kassilem: I'm glad you liked both Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Magic Mike. Years ago, when my coworker told me Channing Tatem was coming out with a bio movie, I just laughed and said, "No way am I watching that!" But when it finally came out, I was eating crow. That dancing was amazing! Not to mention it was pretty hot, but I was just blown away by the choreography.

>137 Kassilem: I never thought I'd say this about an animal documentary, but I hated it! Those camera operator just watched as those baby penguins were eaten! *weeps*

>143 Kassilem: Bummer about Neighbors not being a repeat movie, but at least you didn't hate it. :)

Omg, yay! I finally met someone else who's seen Perfect Blue, not that I really liked the movie (I think I gave it a 3/5 or 2/5 too), but yay! :) And you're right: it's hella confusing and trippy.

>145 Kassilem: I liked that one, too, even though it's been years since I've seen it.

>146 Kassilem: I really liked Pan's Labyrinth, but again you're right--the human cruelty is much more traumatic than any monsters they could've shown. I still remember the part where one of the bad guys hammers a guy's nose with a bottle. I think I stopped breathing for a second; it was so unexpected.

>153 Kassilem: I loved The Reader--the movie and the book, though I can't remember now which I read/watched first. Great cast, and like you said, thought-provoking.

Omg, there are so many others I've seen that you've listed, but I'd be here all day "Oh! Oh"-ing and "I love that one!" :) Keep 'em coming!

:) I love your comments. Thanks.

I didn't realize Magic Mike was a bio movie. What that based off of his life? Wow! And that scene in Pan's Labyrinth with the bottle and the nose - I had to look away because I was so disgusted and horrified. I don't know why that was so shocking and horrible since I've seen a lot worse in movies/TV shows like Spartacus. But like you said, it was so sudden and unexpected. I've picked up a few new movies from other volunteers to watch but it'll probably be mostly TV shows for the rest of the year. I've got a bunch filling up my external drive that I want to watch. Then I can delete the ones I wont watch again and open up more space for more movies :)

182. Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography
Minutes: 550
Audience: R
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Watch the story of history's greatest gladiator unfold with graphic violence and the passions of the women that love them. This is Spartacus.

Thoughts:
This is such a good ending to the series. We all knew from the beginning that Spartacus did not survive the war, but we root for him anyways and grieve when he falls. It was handled so beautifully though. I think this third season is on par with the first season even if many would argue with me over the matter. Like Glaber, I really like Crassus. But not many TV characters can compare to Spartacus, Quixus, Ganacus and Agron. All characters very well played. Now I need to go read up on the whole ordeal, all three servile wars; a history lesson inspired by this amazing show. :)

>163 Kassilem: You're welcome. :) Yep, from what I've read and seen about the first Magic Mike movie, it's loosely based on Channing's life as a stripper. How close some of the scenes are to his past life, who knows? But if you google him, you'll find some old photos of him, possibly taken from people at his shows. He was certainly a cutie!

Yes, that scene in Pan's Labyrinth was shocking. Maybe because the protagonist was a young girl, I didn't think it'd be so violent, but I think that's part of why I liked and admired it. It was a great movie, yes, but they didn't try and make it into a happy fairy tale, especially the ending, which is anything but happy.

That's actually a good idea to make copies of movies and sort them out later. Best of luck getting through the ones you want to watch! :)

>165 saraslibrary: Thanks!



183. Dollhouse: Season 1 (2009)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 585
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A futuristic laboratory assigns different tasks to its various residents, who then have their memories erased upon the completion of their assignments.

Thought:
This is an intriguing series. It took me a few episodes to get involved in the show but now I'm pretty involved. This premise reminds me of a dystopia novel that I really liked about how older people borrow younger people's bodies. Here, it's the justification that these people use to sleep at night that is fascinating. You know they are going to be proven wrong. I can't tell exactly what's going on with Echo. There's times where I'm sure that she's hiding something but that's all it ever is, hints that are never confirmed. Maybe next season? And the last episode... that was weird. I wonder if the next season is suppose to happen before that time jump or after. It explains things but at the same time it leaves even more questions. Probably a hook to get viewers to watch the next season. Well I'm invested. I'll be watching the next (last?) season.

184. Jurassic City (2014)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Minutes: 88
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 2/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Prehistoric animals emerge from a science lab and tear up most of Los Angeles.

Thoughts:
Wow. I was warned that this movie was a joke. It was. The dinosaurs were clearly animated, and very poorly in this day and age. Not enough money? The story line was pretty horrible too. Save yourself the trouble and don't bother watching this one.

>167 Kassilem: Duly noted. Skipping. :)

185. Ender's Game (2013)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Minutes: 114
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
Young Ender Wiggin is recruited by the International Military to lead the fight against the Formics, a genocidal alien race which nearly annihilated the human race in a previous invasion.

Thoughts:
Well the book is way better, but I expected that. It did make me remember certain parts of the book that I had forgotten since it's been a while since I've read it. Makes me want to go reread the book and then the books that follow which I never got to. Basically that's all this movie did for me. But I suppose it was a good enough rendition. :)

186. Dollhouse: Season 2 (2010)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 585
Audience: R
Rating: 4/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A futuristic laboratory assigns different tasks to its various residents, who then have their memories erased upon the completion of their assignments.

Thought:
This was a good concluding second season. It seems to be split in two with the first half dealing with the development of Echo and the second half dedicated to the path towards the world we saw in the last episode of the last season. Adele was a pretty good character; very ruthless but very clever. Topher is one of my favorites. I love his brainy humor and the way he laughs at himself. I also really liked how he developed as a character in this season. The ending twist with who was the top partner came as a surprise, and not one I think I liked. But it did give us a big climax. A good series and I'm glad I finally got around to it.



187. Titanic (1997)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Minutes: 194
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind, but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.

Thoughts:
This was on in the teacher's lounge this morning, and most of the teachers found some excuse to sit down and watch most of it. I admit that I missed the beginning but I watched most of it, the important part - the second half where the ship hits the ice berg and sinks. I remember I bawled the first time I saw this movie because of the drawn out horror of what happened to the people on that ship. Even now I could feel the emotions trying to tighten up my throat. This movie does a fantastic job and portraying what happened. Very good acting. I know people laugh or complain, saying that the floating door could have held both of them at the end, or other things that couldn't have physically happened but the movie is supposed to play with your heartstrings. Very good movie. Glad I stumbled upon it today.



188. Jurassic World (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 124
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A new theme park is built on the original site of Jurassic Park. Everything is going well until the park's newest attraction--a genetically modified giant stealth killing machine--escapes containment and goes on a killing spree.

Thoughts:
It really does matter who you watch movies with. Your company determines how you take a movie sometimes. The first time I watched this movie I was with four guys who laughed and joked about parts of the movie. It colored how I viewed my viewing. Now, watching it alone, I find that I liked the movie better this time around. Sure you can find flaws and laugh at corny lines but for entertainment factors, this movie was very entertaining, like the three movies before it. I just recently found the fanfiction fandom for Jurassic World and have been reading up on some fan stories and then had to come back and rewatch it. I'm glad I did.

189. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Minutes: 108
Audience: PG
Rating: 3/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.

Thoughts:
I didn't remember watching this movie which is why I picked it up. I remember now why I didn't remember this movie. It's not that good. I did like the fact that it dealt with the original story and expanded on it, instead of just retelling the story. But the rest... well I didn't really like the story in book format that much either. Too weird.



190. Cast Away (2009)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 143
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A FedEx executive must transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island.

Thoughts:
This is a great movie. It really makes you think about what is needed for survival and what isn't. And how spoiled humans are nowadays with our technology. I wish this could have been a book so that details like the diet and how it affects the man could be discussed. And more on the readjustment going back into civilization. There's only hints here in the movie. Very well done, production and acting all together. I think I remember Tom Hanks had to go through some serious stuff to film this movie and look like he'd actually lived on an island for four years. Highly recommended if you haven't seen the film yet.



191. The Big Bang Theory, Season 1 (2007)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 374
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they know about life outside of the laboratory.

Thoughts:
I have been told several times that I needed to get my hands on this show and that I would love it's intellectual humor. I do! I absolutely love it. I'm really looking forward to more of these shows.

192. Drop Dead Fred (1991)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Minutes: 103
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 2/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A young woman finds her already unstable life rocked by the presence of a rambunctious imaginary friend from childhood.

Thoughts:
This movie wasn't actually that bad, but I didn't really enjoy it all that much. Drop Dead Fred grossed me out a little too much. My OCD and neatness just couldn't take all the chaos that came in his wake. I have nothing against imaginary friends though; I had one myself once upon a time. But the movie didn't really do anything for me. Oh well. On to more movies recommended by friends.

193. Inside Out (2015)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 95
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Watch List)

Summary:
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Thoughts:
This was a really cute movie. I loved how it made something so normal in life have such a fantastical reason. Awesome for the family night movie. Recommended.

>170 Kassilem: Yeah, I know people love to make fun of Titanic, but I really loved it at the time. I think my family and I went and saw it on Christmas when it came out in theaters. (It was one of those few that was age appropriate for everyone.) I'm glad you stumbled across it, too. :)

I was planning on watching Jurassic World, but I think I heard about the dinosaur-on-dinosaur carnage and was kind of turned off by it, even if it is CGI. I even brought it home for my mom to watch (checked out from the library), but even she wasn't into watching it. *shrugs* Oh well, I'm glad to hear it's still pretty good. I remember liking the previous Jurassic movies.

>172 Kassilem: What?? You didn't like Drop Dead Fred? :o I know I didn't recommend it to you, but I used to love this movie as a kid. Poor Fred. ;)

>173 Kassilem: I second the recommendation on that one. :) It's a cute movie!

>174 saraslibrary: Hey Sara! Thanks for all the comments again. I think the Drop Dead Fred just clashed with my OCDness and neatness. I just cringed at all the chaos he ensued. If I'd watched it when younger maybe it wouldn't have had quite the reaction it did with me. I did have an imaginary friend once myself :)



194. The Big Bang Theory, Season 2 (2008-2009)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 506
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they know about life outside of the laboratory.

Thoughts:
I love this show. I'm so glad I got my hands on it. I just laugh and laugh. Highly recommended if you like science. I watched some of this season with my parents who also enjoy it and found that I got a lot more references than they did but that is probably because I know more about comics than they do but even still this is for all adult ages. I think everyone can get something enjoyable out of this show. Highly recommended.

195. A Walk in the Woods (2015)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 506
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
Spur of the Moment)
Summary:
After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends.

Thoughts:
This was a simple good movie about backpacking. I enjoyed it, having backpacked myself. I espeically liked the ending where they realized that even if they didn't finish the trail they still could say they walked it. Perhaps an older audience will enjoy it even more than I did.



196. Attack on Titan, Part 1 (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Minutes: 98
Audience: NR
Rating: 3/5
(Spur of the Moment)

Summary:
In a world where giant humanoid Titans prey on humans, Eren joins the scouting legion to get revenge on the monsters who killed everyone in his town.

Thoughts:
I wasn't originally gonna watch this movie having seen the anime and read the manga. After going through those, I wasn't sure this would stand up to the the awesomeness of those. it didn't. :( I recommend watching the anime. This version can only do so much.



197. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Minutes: 124
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
Jack Hall, paleoclimatologist, must make a daring trek across America to reach his son, trapped in the cross-hairs of a sudden international storm which plunges the planet into a new Ice Age.

Thoughts:
This movie was as good as it was the first time. There's some people now who say that our world nowadays is not so different from the world in the beginning of this movie. Yikes! Loved the actors/actresses. Loved the premise. Great movie.



198. Wreck it Ralph (2012)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Minutes: 101
Audience: PG
Rating: 4/5
(Rewatch)

Summary:
A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.

Thoughts:
I had my parents over recently and we were looking for a nice short movie to watch to wile away the hours so we picked this one. It was cute this second time I watched it as much as it was the first time. Glad I found this movie.



199. The Big Bang Theory, Season 3 (2009)
Genre: Comedy
Minutes: 506
Audience: PG-13
Rating: 5/5
(Recommended)

Summary:
A woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they know about life outside of the laboratory.

Thoughts:
It's as great as the first two seasons. I'm loving the ending of this season, although I am wondering what it going to happen. I think I heard that Amy is a main character in the late seasons, so there is bound to be some changes. There were some really funny episodes in this one. Am loving it.

Well this concludes my movie watching for 2015! If you would like to follow me to my 2016 thread, please follow the link: https://www.librarything.com/topic/210697