Day 60

Movie:Warrior
Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte
Genre: Action, Drama, Sports
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: Two brothers, one a high school teacher the other a former solider, both start to train for a UFC style event without telling the other. After both beating all the odds, they end up having to fight each other in the finals.

This brings new meaning to the term sibling rivalry.
I have to admit that at first, I wanted to see this film because of two reasons, Tom Hardy and Kurt Angle.

And I have to say, Tom Hardy, who played the young clone Shinzon in the 2002 Star Trek Nemesis, is amazing and almost not recognizable in this role compared to ten years ago.  He seems to have an ability to capture the loneliness and self-centered neediness of the emotionally broken characters he has played with scary perfection.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You have to be able to forgive yourself before you can achieve your ultimate goals.

Day 59

Movie: Fast and Furious
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker
Genre: Action
Year: 2009
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: After finding out his girlfriend was murdered, a known car thief goes looking for revenge on the drug smugglers who killed her, meanwhile, an FBI agent from his past is undercover trying to bust the same smugglers.

This is the fourth movie in the film series, and nearly confusing with the title as the first movie was called The Fast and The Furious. {I actually thought I was renting the first movie but the title screwed me up}
This takes place directly after the first movie in the series completely skipping over the mythos of the second and third films.


What do I think I learned from this film?
Honor and loyalty are the only rules you should hold dear.

Day 58

Movie: One for the Money
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Crime
Year: 2012
Formant: Cinema

Plot: After loosing her job and her car, Stephanie asks her cousin to get her a job at his bail bonds company.  Soon she finds herself trying to bring in her ex boyfriend, who just happens to be a cop framed for murder.

This is based on a series of books.

It's smart, sleek and still manages to cover many of the usual basics you would expect from a crime drama.
The two leads play off each other in a way that reminded me of old McMillan and Wife episodes. 
This has the elements for the bases of a great series of films.  And Debbie Reynolds; even though she only has about 8 minutes of screen time steals the show.

I'm trying to talk about it without  spoilers given it just opened this weekend.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can do anything if you are willing to really put your mind to it.

Day 57

Movie: Fast Five
Starring: Vin Diesel, The Rock
Genre: Action
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: After breaking out of jail, a car thief and his brother in law plan  to rob the biggest drug lord in Rio.

This is the fifth film in the Fast and Furious series.
It seems to be a departure from the other four by making itself more straight up action and less to do with the idea of car culture. 

This can be watched as a stand alone film, you do not need to be aware of the first four movies at all to understand what the idea behind this movie is.
In fact, it plays more like a typical cop drama with very few car chases then you would expect.

What do I think I learned from this film?
That my mother will watch anything if The Rock is on the screen.

What that movie inspired me to do # 3

Remember the scene in Elvira Mistress of the Dark  { Day 49} where she makes dinner, only it goes terribly wrong...

The "casserole" she tries to cook is actually a spell to create a demon -Adraka Kozorol-.  Remember how she goes to use the spell again later on to scare everyone but because she changed out one ingredient, it backfires and is actually a love spell. {Elvira substitutes hamburger helper for the fulemgra}

Well, that movie inspired me to make two dishes.   {I had it on zoom and pause to get the spelling of Adraka Kozorol}
Since that was basically a nonsense recipe/spell,  I had to figure what would be a real life substitute.  That was just the first dish, then had to substitute something for the second dish's substitute.
And to top it all off, I'm vegetarian.  So the dish needed to be meat free {no hamburger helper}

The movie recipe/spell:

Adraka Kozorol 

1 edrazeba
2-3 goletra
half fulemgra
1 croterox


Additional by Elvira - spray cheese and nacho chips 


Morality Picnic = substitute the fulemgra with hamburger helper. 


My casseroles inspired by this movie:
So what I did was I grabbed my Mastering The Art Of French Cooking  by Julia Child, and randomly flipped to a page in the cookbook.   {I thought it was fitting considering this whole challenge was started because I watched the movie Julie/Julia}  I landed on the section about Gratins.   Which Julia Child describes in the paragraph above it, that any Quiche recipe can be made in a casserole dish without the pastry as a form of Gratin.

I thought that was perfect, so I made a pastry-less version of a Broccoli and Cheese Quiche Casserole.

1 medium onion 
1 cup broccoli
2 cup shredded cheese
3 eggs
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste


Blanche the broccoli, slice or chop onion, 
Put in bottom of casserole dish
Cover with cheese
Beat together eggs, milk, salt and pepper then pour over rest

Bake at 375 degrees for 40minutes (roughly depending on your oven)

My substitute recipe was a Broccoli Mac and Cheese. Only, instead of macaroni noodles, I used egg noodles.
3 cups egg noodles
2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup broccoli
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic minced


Cook and drain noodles, Blanche broccoli,
mix them together, then add the shredded cheese mixing while the noodles are still hot,
add the garlic, salt and pepper, mix again, then add milk
*Optional you may add cracker/bread/chips that have been crumbled on top
 
Bake at 350 degrees for 20minutes

Yes, my recipe does have a similar texture to the one they used in the movie doesn't it?

Day 56

Movie: Mulroney the Opera
Starring: Rick Miller, Geordie Johnson
Genre: Comedy, Musical
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: The 18th Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has his political career put to song in this satire about his time in Ottawa.

Though this was done by the  Filmboard of Canada, it doesn't pull any punches. Packed with notable Canadian faces, sadly, no one does their own singing as it is a proper opera.
For anyone who knows little to nothing about the politics of Canada in the 1980's you will find this to be a mix of fact and fiction to the point of confusion.

It runs a bare 75minutes.

What do I think I learned from this film?
I am honestly not sure I learned much of anything from this other then I had a few great laugh out loud moments. I'm not big on musicals to begin with so this was one of those "try it what do you have to loose at lest you can say you tried" moments.  I do see a proper book version of  Mulroney's biography in my near future because I'd like to know how much of this film was based on fact.

Day 55

Movie: Transylvania 6-5000
Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley Jr
Genre: Comedy,
Year: 1985
Format: DVD

Plot: Two tabloid reporters are sent to Transylvania to cover what might be a Frankenstein sighting and in the process uncover a crazy group of misfits.

This is another one of those movies I would not have thought about other then the fact it was part of my 6 pack DVD - Fright Pack.

This movie is slapstick camp at it's finest with more crackerjack jokes and one liners then you would think could be packed into a scant hour and a half.
I laughed out loud at the silliness of the physical comedy by Michael Richards and the comedic timing of both John Byner and Carole Kane.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Sometimes the tabloids get at lest half of the story right as there is a bit of truth in every rumour.

Day 54

Movie: A Bucket of Blood aka The Death Artist
Starring:Anthony Michael Hall, Justine Bateman
Genre: Comedy, Thriller
Year: 1995
Format: VHS 

Plot: A group of Beatniks hanging around a art cafe have no idea that their latest artistic genus is actually a murderer.

This is a remake of a 1959 Roger Corman movie called A Bucket of Blood.  The 1995 remake was a made for tv movie which when aired, shared the title, but was released on VHS under the alternative name of The Death Artist. 

It is silly at times, but somehow opens up the world of loner Walter Paisley. A busboy who longs to be taken seriously by the people who's world he hovers around every night. One small accident with a cat leads him to become the hottest thing the neighbourhood has ever seen. 

Even though it's a dark comedy, it still holds a stint of truth to it in how it portrays the artistic community that was reinventing itself in the mid 1990's. 

The fact that it is a remake of a throw back to a much more innocent time in film, does not take anything away from it's undercurrent of ego.  Everyone who has ever been told they were not good enough or original enough will be able to identify with the lead character's feelings of shame, loneliness and desperation.

What do I think I learned from this film?
It's never enough to put your blood sweat and tears into something, you have to be willing to stand your ground.  To say you live and die for your art is just a phrase to most people but a few do take the legend too far.

3rd Intermission

My Fav 5  Horror Films

5.   Happy Birthday To Me

4.   Amityville Horror {remake}

3. Fright Night {original}

2. The Omen {remake}

1. A Nightmare on Elm Street {original}

Everyone has their take on horror and what they love or hate about it.  I've always been a more get inside your head and make you crazy horror fan; compared to other people who love uber gore.


Maybe that's why I love reading books in the genre by H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King and listening to music by Alice Cooper. 

Til next time my Spudguns.

Day 53

Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Year: 2002
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A New York designer just got engaged to her politician boyfriend.  But before they can get married, she needs to return to her small home town and divorce her high school sweetheart.

This is another of those overly sticky sweet mega romantic comedies that seemed to be the big trend in the start of the millennium.
It's a typical wrong side of the tracks story that plays on the 'status shouldn't but does matter' themes.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can go home again, but it's going to cost you.

Day 52

Movie: How To Loose a Guy in 10 Days
Starring:Kate Hudson, Mathew MaConaughey
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Year 2003
Format TV Edit

Plot  : A reporter for a popular women's magazine is given a chance to prove to her boss that she should be allowed to choose her own articles if she can write about how women scare off men in under ten days. Little does she know that the man she's picked as her target is trying to win a bet of his own, to have her fall in love with him in the same amount of time.

This is one of those over the top stories, that plays like any other romantic comedy.  Most movies speed up the process of dating for the fact they need to fit everything into the movie. This just slaps on a smarter gimmick to do so.
I really was not that impressed with this film at all. It left me shaking my head at the screen. This is the type of movie that Kate Hudson was tailor made for but it just made me feel like I was watching the same old thing I've seen a million times over in other romantic comedies.

What do I think I learned from this film?
A man will put up with anything if he knows there is a deadline and if his job is on the line.  Some women just have all the luck.

Day 51

Movie: Hellraiser 4 Bloodline
Starring: Bruce Ramsay, Doug Bradley
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Year: 1996
Format: DVD

Plot: One family has the knowledge to create the puzzlebox that opens the gate to hell.  As we jump from the 1770's to the 1990's to the year 2127, we follow John Merchant through the centuries as he comes face to face with Pinhead.

This starts off with so much promise, but quickly gets bogged down. We're introduced to so many minor characters in the first half of the story, that by the time Pinhead makes his appearance you're wondering which way he's going to lean.

This really plays a heavy hand to the side of temptation. The gore is still there for the bloodhounds, but it lacks the mindbinding psychosis that other movies in the series have.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can not runaway from your destiny even when you really didn't ask for it. And karma is a bitch.

Day 50

Movie: Underworld 4 Awakening
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James
Genre: Horror, Action,
Year: 2012
Format: Cinema

Plot: It's been twelve years since Selene and Micheal ran away from the Lycans. And Selene finds herself in a lab as a test subject.  But she's not alone, there is a Hybrid whom she first thinks is Micheal, but soon learns is her own daughter.  The two of them then have to escape both the new Lycan army and the humans.

This one picks up at the end of part two, skipping over the third film which was a prequel.

This happened to be in 3D, and the first few minutes is so fast paced that it was a bit of a blur until my eyes got used to it.  This sort of comes back to the plot line of the original Underworld movie, which pits the Vampires against the Lycans.  The last of the Elders has been so picked to remind you very much of Viktor from the other films as well.
I expect there will be at lest one more film in this franchise given that we have been introduced to three new characters, and the storyline for the character of Micheal has been left as an open question.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can't keep a good vamp down.  When you fight a war for someone other then yourself, you never truly know who or what you are fighting for.

Day 49

Movie:Elvira Mistress of the Dark
Starring:Elvira, William Morgan Sheppard,
Genre: Comedy
Year:1988
Format: DVD

Plot: Elvira is broke dealing with a local tv station when she finds out an aunt whom she never knew left her part of a major inheritance.  She ends up going to the small town to find out not only was her aunt a witch, she also has more family; an uncle who happens to be a warlock.  Now Elvira must fight her uncle before the next full moon to see who will receive the spell book and all it's power.

 This is the first time the Elvira character has been given a movie of her own. Up till that point, she was just a horror hostess and favourite guest star on other people's shows.

One of my all time favourite movies.
It's campy but still manages to keep it's wits about it. 
You can't help but cheer for her in all the mishaps that seem to happen in this movie.  The one liners have become catchphrases in their own rights.  {I know what you heavy metal weirdos do to hotel rooms read all about it in the Star} 

What do I think I learned from this film?
Dreams come true. And you don't have to fit in to fit in, you sometimes don't even have to fit into your dress.

Day 48

Movie: Suburban Girl
Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alec Baldwin
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year: 2007
Format: DVD

Plot: A young assistant editor finds herself in a relationship with an older man and has to deal with feeling like she's living in everyone's shadow.

Based on a book

It starts off with this brilliant promise of being a larger then life New York story, only to fall back onto itself.
There is a gimmick where the lead character is tempted by a pair of leather pants more then once but keeps choosing something more formal. It's meant to show her own insecurities.  How can you succeed if you don't take the risks and keep on playing it safe?


What do I think I learned from this film?
Never doubt yourself as your first response is always the most honest.

Day 47

Movie: Mr. Popper's Penguins
Starring: Jim Carrey, Angela Lansbury
Genre: Comedy, Family
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A hardcore businessman gets a shipment of penguins after his father dies as a gift. He soon finds it's his link to strengthening the bonds between himself and his kids and ex-wife.

This is based on a children's book.

Not much to say on this other then it's a laugh out loud movie.  Jim Carrey does what he's does best which is slapstick comedy, and the birds still the show.


What do I think I learned from this film?
The bonds of a family or community are always needed, even when you're unsure of yourself

Day 46

Movie: I don't know how she does it
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: While working at a high stressed job, one woman tries to keep her marriage afloat. Meanwhile, she's started to find herself attracted to a coworker and her die hard assistant just found out she's pregnant.  All this plus dealing with her own insecurities.

This is based on a book.

Where as the original story is British, the movie is not.  It is a quick paced movie that seems to fly by without leaving any real impressions. 
I've said elsewhere on the internet that when I saw this back in the cinema that I didn't find it as I had hoped.  On this second go round, I still found that it was missing the real grab it's trailers promised.  It got tied up too sweetily and feels like they had to pull a stuffed rabbit out of a purse to make it a happy.  I would have liked more grit.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Stick to the list you'll feel better

Day 45

Movie: Perfume the Story of a Murderer
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman
Genre: Drama, Horror,
Year: 2006
Format: DVD

Plot: A young man who with a natural ability to mix perfumes, after hearing about an Egyptian tomb where a secret perfume had once been found, goes on a killing spree as he tries to create the mythical god mixture.

This is Frankenstein story. Creating something from death.

This movie is both compelling and disturbing, keeping you glued to the screen but constantly cringing.  The vampiric plot of this movie is obvious, reminding at moments of The Dark Crystal  {also a vampire movie}

The lead character has little dialog but manages to express himself with a much greater easy with just a stare.
It's based on a novel.

What do I think I learned from this film?
 You can not truly capture the soul of someone without first loosing yours.  To be a god is to be neither angelic or demonic but to be neutral, and that innocence can not be bottled for long.

Day 44

Movie: Ghostbusters 2
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-fi,
Year: 1989
Format: DVD

Plot:There is a river of slime running under New York and it reacts to the negative emotions of people. The Ghostbusters are called in to stop it and find they have to deal with the ghost that is controlling it all, which is locked in a painting.

A movie of it's decade, the sequel to the Ghostbusters has what could only be called "feel good moments"  throughout, even though I doubt they were meant to play out that way.

It takes a common horror element, the possession of someone by a god, as it's baseline but at times it almost seems like they forget about that story plot.  As it weaves in and out of a more actual paranormal ideal.

This movie was about a decade before it's time. What seemed like total comedic farce back over twenty-three years ago, has since been given serious study.
What do I think I learned from this film?
Our emotions really do colour our world. There's more on this planet then many people want to admit to.

Day 43

Movie: The Crow 3 Salvation
Starring: Eric Mabius, Kirsten Dunst
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Fantasy,
Year: 2000
Format: VHS

Plot: Alex was sentenced for killing his girlfriend, now he's back from the dead to find the people who killed them both.

This is the third film in the Crow movie series. 

It's almost a rehash of the first film, and follows too much of the same scenes.  Even with the name power behind it, it's sort of a forgettable addition to the mythos. 

Mabius comes across as being too innocent for the crimes he commits throughout the film. There is just something that does not play right with him being the vengeful character he's suppose to be.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can't always believe everything you want to believe.

Day 42

Movie: Return of the Killer Tomatoes
Starring: George Clooney, John Astin
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1988
Format: DVD

Plot: Prof Ganggreen is working on a way for the tomatoes to stay human in order to get revenge for the tomato war twenty-five years before.

This is the second in the Killer Tomatoes series. 

I have to say, I would never have bothered with this film, except for the fact it was part of a six dvd pack;  Fright Pack 


This film gives a large selection of bad pizza toppings as it's main course.  But the cheese doesn't stop there, it's all over this film.  Mostly when they "drop the fourth wall"  and "talk to the audience" with their product placement which takes nearly 7 minutes of air time. 

What do I think I learned from this film?
 Strawberry jam does not belong on pizza. 

Day 41

Movie: Twilight
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Year:2008
Format: DVD

Plot: A teenaged girl moves to a new city after her mom remarries and ends up falling in love with a vampire. Soon she finds herself in the middle of a vampire grudge match

The first of the Twilight Saga movies and based on the book of the same name.

I've read the book, seen the film and as much as I hate it; I find myself drawn to it.  Must be the vampire equivalent of flogging for your sins...
I will never understand what the appeal of a possessive boyfriend who borders on abusive like Edward or for that matter Jacob, has for young girls?
But it did breathe new life into the vampire genre. 

What do I think I learned from this film?
Love is complicated, it's confusing, and sometimes down right dangerous.  There are times when it's hard to tell when it's real and when it's just Lust. And why is it that no matter what age you are, no matter how smart you can be; you can still fall for the bad boy even when you know better.

Day 40

Movie: Dan in Real Life
Starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year: 2007
Format: TV Edit

Plot: A widower spends the long weekend with his entire family ends up falling in love with his brother's new girlfriend.

The lead character is trying to convince his daughters not to rush into anything, meanwhile, he does just that.  It's a story about how to balance your own life while still trying to stay grounded as a parent.


What do I think I learned from this film?
Love is blind and will come up when you lest expect it. 

Day 39

Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christopher Lee
Genre: Comedy, Family, Adventure, Fantasy
Year: 2005
Format: TV Edit

Plot: 5 kids find five golden tickets which allows them to  visit the largest candy factory in the world with the grande prize being one of them getting the factory.

Did anyone else think right of of Chucky when the scene near the beginning when they first go to the factory and the small world characters suddenly burst into flames?
I found this movie to be creepy and disturbing.

What do I think I learned from this film?
That not even Johnny Depp could make me like this story.

Day 38

Movie: Miss Potter
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor
Genre: Bio-Pic, Drama, Romance,
Year: 2006
Format: DVD

Plot: In 1901, a woman decides to follow her heart and get her children's story published.  Against the wishes of her family she ends up falling in love with her publisher.

This is based on the real life of Beatrix Potter, the creator of the Peter Rabbit stories.  It follows roughly the first few years at the beginning of her career.
You forget that you are watching a story about the turn of the century as the challenges that faced her seem like they could be happening now.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Never be afraid to go for what you truly love and what deeply makes you happy.

What that movie inspired me to do #2

Remember the scene in Nightmare on Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors   {Day 37}where she does the crafts and makes a model of Freddy's house...

Well back in 2001, I decided one night that I would try doing that for Hallowe'en.  It was the centerpiece for my table that year.   At the time I thought it was the most brilliant thing I'd ever done,  now all these years later when I look at the centerpiece, it's just really sad looking.

Yes it's popsicle sticks and paper mache.  I remember I spent hours on it.  Like two days trying to build this thing which now is droopy and cracked and... let's face it, would be laughed at by any 12 year old.

Martha Stewart I am not.

Day 37

Movie: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors
Starring: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkemp
Genre:Horror, Fantasy, Drama,
Year: 1987
Format: DVD

Plot: Freddy is back, this time he's targeting a group of kids in a mental hospital.  Nancy is back from the original as well, this time she's one of the doctors and the only one who understands the kids. The kids all start to die by what looks like suicides, helping to make Freddy stronger.

The Nightmare films are classic examples of a psychic vampire. Feeding off the energy of emotions.
This is also what many consider to be the end of the "horror" in the original nightmare series. (the fourth Nightmare movie started to ham it up and it carried into part 8 Freddy vs Jason)
Dream Warriors seems to pick up where part one left off, completely stepping over part 2 Freddy's Revenge.

There are moments in this film that seem cheesy even though it's meant to be taken serious, which I'm putting down to being a film from the '80s. {the dialog at times just comes across as stiffer then a doorframe}

What do I think I learned from this film?
Your dreams are what you make them and they are what makes you.  Vampires come in all forms not just the monsterous ones, but sometimes in the forms of the people who claim to be looking after you.

What that movie inspired me to do

This is where I  talk about what it is that the movie stirred in me, what kind of projects, recipes, adventures etc that it made me think would be fun.
I expect to have a few of these every so often...

Well, there is the obvious, Julie/Julia got me doing a year long challenge.  {Day 1}

Bridget Jones's Diary  {Day 30} inspired me to change my point of view on how I see myself in regards to men.  I've always said that the weight they had her at (140 pounds)  is not big at all.


The Jane Austen Book Club   {Day 32} inspired me in the past to not only create a book club, but it got me to take part online a few years ago in an all Jane Austen challenge. All the books, movies and their spin offs for a year.

All three of these films were rare occasions where I had heard about the movie having been based on a book, and was able to read the book a few days before seeing the movies.  

Day 36

Movie: She's the One
Starring: Edward Burns, Cameron Diaz
Genre:Drama, Comedy, Romantic
Year: 1996
Format: DVD

Plot:Two brothers find themselves at odds with each other. One is married but having an affair with the ex-girlfriend of the other; while the second brother has impulsively gone and gotten married to a stranger.

Not your typical comedy, in fact, it shouldn't even be considered a comedy but a straight up drama.

The storyline is fairly simple, two brothers who compete with each other all the time over everything finally end up coming head to head over the same woman, never minding that both men are married to other women.
The subject of cheating is the main theme here.  How lies can turn into a reality of their own.

I found myself checking the clock more then I thought I would, tempted at times to hit the fast forward button, but that's more to do with the fact I am just not a fan of Edward Burns at all.

What do I think I learned from this film?
When you cheat be prepared for karma to kick you in the arse hard.

Coming Attractions

January will be seeing at the cinema  the 4th Underworld movie called  Underworld Awakening which is set to be released on the 20th of the month {Jan 20th 2012} in 3D

This month also sees the release of the films A Dangerous Method, Contraband, Joyful Noise  all set for the 13th.  The 27th has the releases of Man on a Ledge,  One for the Money

DVD releases include  I Don't Know How She Does It?

February 3rd- Albert Nobbs , The Woman in Black
10th - The Vow, Journey 2 the Mysterious Island, The Safe House
17th- Ghostrider 2 Spirit of Vengeance, This Means War, 
24th- Goon, Tyler Perry's Good Deads,

DVD releases include  Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 {Feb 11th 2012}

Day 35

Movie: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead
Starring: Jake Hoffman, Kris Lemche
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Year: 2009
Format: DVD

Plot: Julian is living in the back of his father's office and is unemployed. One morning he wakes to find his father has found him a job working at a theater company directing Hamlet.  He decides to hire his best friend Vince and his exgirlfriend as the leads. Only once they get there, they find this is a version of the play involving vampires.  Soon, everyone in the crew is either a vampire or just dead.

Right off, this is almost like an answer to the Gary Oldman movie "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" {Day 21}

I first heard about this film a few years back on a horror site, but this is anything but.  It's at times a straight up slapstick comedy and it's fabulous.

Starring Canadian actor Kris Lemche (Ginger Snaps, Twitch City, Emily of New Moon) as the frightened vampire hunter, which I have to say was the big bonus for me. 
The idea that vampires would be looking for the answer to living forever without being vampires is a slight twist on a plot we've seen a fair bit the last few years in movies- where they just want to be human again- but it works in a over the top sense. 

You don't get too into any real mythos in this film, it just seems to be that they are vampires and that's about it. It's many of the minor characters from Hamlet that seem to be the inspiration for this version, which of course has the two characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as total boobs. The cult of so-called vampire hunters are a question all their own, you're never totally sure what their real agenda is.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Vampires make great writers.  There isn't much to take from this film other then not to take everything so serious that you turn it into something more then what it might be. 

Day 34

Movie: Sherlock Holmes 2 A game of Shadows
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Comedy, Drama,
Year: 2011
Format: Cinema

Plot: Holmes has started to get involved in discovering who's behind a bunch of deaths and what seems to be random crimes. He soon learns that each is a step towards a bigger event that will put the lives of all the heads of the European countries in danger. Meanwhile, Watson just wants to make sure he lives long enough to make his own honeymoon.

This is the second film in the new Holmes series.

This was done so that it could be seen as either a second film  having picked up with the storyline of Watson being engaged in the first movie, and as a stand alone as there is no real time line given as to how long the two leading men have been working apart.

The jokes are funnier then the first, the action louder and the villain slicker.
As someone who has never read the novels -only seen the old BBC television movies of Sherlock Holmes,  I have been finding this new adaptation to be a perfect duo.  Jude Law gives Robert Downey Jr. the perfect balance, which puts me in mind of old comedy duos like Abbott and Costello and Wayne and Shuster

What do I think I learned from this film?
Nothing is totally random. And to always keep your eyes open even when it seems like there is nothing to be looking out for.

Day 33

Movie: Blade 3 Trinity
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Ryan Renolds
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror,
Year: 2004
Format: DVD

Plot: The Houses have gone to the Middle East to awaken Dracula, it's up to Blade and Whistler's daughter and a rouge ex-vampire to stop them.

This is the third installment in the Blade movies.

The government has planted vampires within who are trying to set up Blade and force him to expose himself, while making the general public think he's insane.
This film opens with a kill, a conspiracy and a car chase, the best way to open an action film.

They re-established the Dracula mythos lending it a dash of the biblical story of Lucifer.

I have the double disk with the extended version as well as the theatrical version, and I have to say up until the last three minutes the extended version is better but the original theatrical ending is far superior.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Sometimes finding a god isn't always the best thing to do.

Day 32

Movie: Jane Austen Book Club
Starring: Mario Bello, Emily Blunt,
Genre: Drama, Romance,
Year: 2007
Format: DVD

Plot: Six people come together to form a book club that reads only the six novels by Jane Austen, each hosting a night at their house. Over the course of half a year, their lives mix and some find their relationships have strengthened while others have crumbled.

Each character is based on a heroine/hero in one of the Jane Austen novels - Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abby, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility- and their story is a parallel to the novel they are hosting.

This is based on a book itself, which if you've never read a Jane Austen novel or seen any of the Jane Austen adaptations; is an excellent way to be introduced to her works.


What do I think I learned from this film?
Never underestimate the power of a well written letter. And always ask yourself "what would Jane do?"

Day 31

Movie: Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason
Starring:Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant
Genre: Comedy, Romance,
Year: 2004
Format: DVD

Plot: Bridget is finally in the healthiest relationship of her life with Mark. Three months into it though, she starts to doubt if he's faithful to her when she starts to spot his new business partner always around. To make it worse, her exboyfriend Daniel has decided to get a job in the same television station as her.

This is the second installment of the Bridget Jones films, and picks up right where the first left off three months into the new year.
There is a few injokes to the first film, such as the electric sign that she walks past with her journal quotes, and the underwear scene.
The first film was based on Pride and Prejudice and this one has so many elements from Persuasion both by Jane Austen that you know it's going to be deliciously British.

One of the things I loved was the fact Zellweger was willing to gain the weight again for the role, I felt in the first film she was too fit. The fact she allowed herself to be physically softer says a lot about her dedication to the character.

One of the many reasons women identify with this story is that we've all had a few bad guys in our dating life like the character Daniel, and all hope to find a good guy like Mark Darcy.  It's being able to spot the good guy that takes skill.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Never offer to carry your new lover's suite case at the airport. If someone seems too good to be true, then they usually are.

Day 30

Movie: Bridget Jones's Diary
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance,
Year: 2001
Format:DVD

Plot: Bridget is a singleton in her early 30's and has decided to change her life, and keep a record of it for the year.  She quickly finds herself jumping back and forth between two relationships wondering if she's ever going to get it right or end up alone?

Not only is this a book to film, but it's a book-inspired by a book- that made it to film.   It's based on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and even manages to snag Colin Firth into playing nearly the same character of Mr. Darcy in both.

This is such a loved story for so many reasons, one being that it's identifiable no matter who you are.  If you've been single for any amount of time, you will see bits of yourself in Bridget.
This is a movie I watch about once a year, usually on New Year's day.  I always find myself laughing, agreeing, crying and dreaming about the situations in it.  From her making up her mind not to date creeps, to the over the top silly self indulgence of her mother, you can't help but find yourself thinking about how it relates to your own life. 

What do I think I learned from this film?
Always keep your journal locked away from the public unless you want to risk loosing those you love over something you might have said in hast.  And we all want a little bit of the bad boy mixed into a perfect gentleman.