What's up?

Movie for Day 85  was actually suppose to have been posted back last week on the opening night - Feb 24th 2012- but, due to my falling down and shattering my kneecap and needing surgery,  the movie a day challenge has been on hold this past week.
I wrote up as much as I could remember from last week when I saw the film.   I hope for anyone who has been following this day by day that you have not lost faith in me, I'm still here and I'm still planning on seeing this through to the end.  I'm just going to be about five days behind schedule now.

Day 85

Movie: Goon
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Seann William Scott
Genre: Comedy, Action, Drama,
Year: 2012
Format: Cinema

Plot:Doug has not had anything in his life that he can truly call his own thing, until one night when he gets into a fight and is spotted by a hockey coach.  Next thing he knows, he's playing for the Halifax hockey team.

The amount of Canadian talent in this film is heartwarming.  Kim Coats, Nicholas Campbell, Jay Baruchel, Eugene Levy.  All big names in the Canadian film industry.
This is a sweet movie that at it's core is about a guy who just wants to know where he belongs.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Everyone is meant for something great.

Day 84

Movie: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Starring: Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1992
Format: DVD

Plot: A high school cheerleader finds out she is the one person on the planet who has been chosen to rid the world of the undead. The question is not if she's able to but if she's able to before prom?

The movie that started it all.  Campy, cheesy though never meant to be, but still one of the funniest cult vampire films ever.

I was in high school when this film first came out, and all I can say is that it summed up many of the elements of our lives at that time.


What do I think I learned from this film?
At the core of the movie, the theme is rising above where you think you are, and finding the courage to be independent. To take responsibility even when you might not think that you are ready for the task.

Day 83

Movie:The Quick and the Dead
Starring; Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman
Genre:Western
Year:1995
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A woman enters a gunfight challenge in order to get revenge on the man who killed her father.

Not a whole lot of dialog.
This was released when the western was either on it's comeback on completly on it's way out, depending on whom you talk to.  As this is one of many westerns that seemed to pop up in the early 1990's.
I have to admit, this is not a genre I normally watch, but this particular film was stylish with a solid story.

What do I think I learned from this film?
When a woman's been hurt she will do whatever it takes to free herself of that pain.

Day 82

Movie: My Big Fat Greet Wedding
Starring: John Corbett, Nia Vardalos
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Year: 2002
Format: VHS

Plot:An unhappy woman who feels stuck in her life meets the man of her dreams after finally finding the courage to stand up for her independence.

This movie was the movie that inspired women around the world a decade ago. 
It's the idea of tradition vs freedom to live your life for yourself.
The mass appeal of this film lies in the fact that you can identify with it no matter what your background is, everyone has members of their family who act like some of the characters in this film.
The idea of starting over seems to be more common with women then it does with men, to break away from the expectations we've had to deal with. 


What do I think I learned from this film?
Happiness will come if you are brave enough to make that first small step.

Day 81

Movie: Simply Irresistible
Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sean Patrick Flanery
Genre: Romance, Comedy,
Year: 1999
Format: DVD

Plot:When Amanda finds out she's about to loose her restaurant, she becomes the best chef in town and meets Tom, the man of her dreams. Only he's terrified and believes she's a witch who's cast a spell on him.

This is an upgrade/remake of For Water Like Chocolate.  The one main element it shares is how food can share our emotions. And how you can't stop fate from pairing you with the right person.

I find the ironic twist being that the character of Tom starts off  saying to his assistant that falling in love should sweep you off your feet and be magical like you have no control over the situation, then when it actually happens he refuses to accept it and blames the woman for cursing him. When in truth he knew from the moment he tasted her food she was able to open something in him he'd been afraid to have open before.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Food is the most conducive form of expression there is and the easiest way to let someone know you care about them. Men will say anything when they are afraid of themselves in order to stay in control.

Soundtracks

Some of my favourite soundtracks include  The Matrix, Dream a Little Dream,  Crow 2 City of Angels, Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Lost Boys, The Doors Original Soundtrack Recording, Practical Magic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Original Movie soundtrack, and Forever Knight vol 1 from the tv show. 
I know the last one isn't a movie, but it's still a really decent soundtrack.

So what makes a great soundtrack?  Is it the vibes the movie itself gives you or the way the selection is pieced together?  Is it an element of the characters from the movie that the songs have captured or is it to do with the generation/genre the movie/music were made?

I honestly can not even pin point what it is about each of these particular soundtracks that I love, I just do. Some of them I love more then the movies they are from.

Day 80

Movie: Only You
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Marisa Tomei
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Year: 1994
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: After being told one night the name of her soulmate by both a ouija board and a fortune teller, Faith holds on to the idea of meeting the man connected to the name for years. Then, only days before her wedding to someone else, she gets a phone call that sets her running around the world for him.

Destiny has a life of it's own, and no matter what you might do to set it in motion or go against it, you will end up on the path you were meant to be on.

I think this film works only because it takes place in a country known for romance, it's not something that would really take shape anywhere else.
After years of people surprised I'd never seen this film, I decided on a whim to rent it. I have to say, it had it's moments that were cute; but it's not something I could sit through too often. Maybe because I do believe in destiny.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You have to have faith that destiny will find you and that you should never settle for less then the ONE.

Day 79

Movie: This Means War
Starring: Tom Hardy, Chris Pine
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
Year: 2012
Format: Cinema

Plot: Two best friends who happen to be in the CIA use all their resources against each other inorder to keep the other from dating the one woman they are both involved with.

Tom Hardy.  Enough said.

I don't know if this was a Guy's film for girls or a Chick flick for guys?  It had everything you would want in a really cool movie. Action, romance, comedy, Tom Hardy... oh said that didn't I. 
I would put this film in the same catagory as the Sherlock Holmes films, and would love to see a sequel.


What do I think I learned from this film?
Men like romance and emotional moments more then they are willing to admit. Real men can be both sentimental and strong.

Day 78

Movie: Ghost Rider 2 Spirit of Vengeance
Starring Nicolas Cage, Ciaran Hinds
Genre Action,
Year 2012
Format Cinema

Plot: Johnny Blaze has been in hiding for the last few years trying to keep the Rider under control. Now, a group of priests have called on him to help them stop the devil from possessing his own son.

I was so looking forward to this film didn't even mind that it was in 3D. 
This film did not hold up to the original or my hopes at all.  It was trying to prove too much that it was based on a comic. Half the story was done to look like a graphic novel which just made it gimmicky.
The back story, was re-shot with new actors making it a full departure from the first film.

What do I think I learned from this film?
That even a cast of fabulous actors can not make a not so hot movie very good.

Day 77

Movie: A Clockwork Orange
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Warren Clarke
Genre: Drama
Year: 1971
Format: DVD

Plot: Alex and his group of friends terrorize London. Once Alex is caught and sent to jail, he bargains his way out early by allowing the government to give him an experimental treatment. Once out, he's at the mercy of society.

Based on the book by the same name.

It's been a long while since I watched this film. Years.  It was one of those cult-classics that managed to become a major element in my life in high school and college.
I have to admit, I've been reluctant to come back to this movie. Elements of this film that I used to find cool are now more subtly disturbing.  Which in itself is how I suppose it is actually meant to be.
This movie has been studied to death by professors, fans and nearly everyone who's ever seen it, so there isn't much reason for me to get too deep into this film right now. 

What do I think I learned from this film?
Everything has a price and what goes around comes around.

Day 76

Movie: Twilight 4 Breaking Dawn P. 1
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson
Genre; Drama, Horror
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Deman

Plot: Bella and Edward get married, and on the honeymoon she ends up conceiving. In a panic that the baby is a demon, they rush home to hide while they figure out what to do. This activates the werewolves who then end up in a fight over if they should kill the baby or not.

This is part 4 which is based on the book.

And now it gets good.  What can I say, a vampire film should have vampires and blood and weird stuff happening.
I liked the fact that for once the movie addressed some real folklore for the vampires, as a Dhampir  is one of the most common legends in vampire lore.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Children ruin relationships

Day 75

Movie: Midnight in Paris
Starring: Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A writer goes to Paris with is girlfriend, but ends up spending all of his time wandering the streets at night, and traveling back through time to meet his heroes.

This is a Woody Allen film, and it has the classic feel of this originally being written for him.

It's one of those movies that leaves you hanging, you never really know what it is that causes the time jump.  Is it just the fact that he's drunk and daydreaming, or has he really managed to find a tear in reality when midnight strikes?

What do I think I learned from this film?
Never give up on your dreams and never give up on your soulmate. Even when it seems like you're from two different worlds.

Top 5 Romantic Comedies

With Valentine's, I thought I would give a short list of some of my favourite romantic comedies. 




1. Emma
2. Princess Bride
3. You've Got Mail
4. Serious Moonlight
5. Must Love Dogs


Serious Moonlight,  when I look at the poster for it, I still think about old comedies from the 1950's and 1960's. It is one of those that just has a quality about it.
And I don't think it's a fluke that Meg Ryan is in two of my picks - Serious Moonlight and You've Got Mail- she's the queen of romantic comedy.

Day 74

Movie: Abduction
Starring: Taylor Lautner, Maria Bello
Genre:Action, Drama, Thriller
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: After witnessing his parents murders, Nathan and his girlfriend end up running from the CIA and a Russian Terrorist

Not much to say on this one, other then it has a solid story and is one of those that could easily be turned into a series of films.  It shows how far we've come on a technological point of view, to the point of being unnerving.


What do I think I learned from this film?
Besides the idea that maybe we as a society have taken to the extreme the idea of having everything in the palm of our hands, I learned that the dude from Twilight has a massive career ahead of him.

Day 73

Movie: The Crow 2 City of Angels
Starring: Vincent Perez, Iggy Pop
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Year: 1996
Format: DVD

Plot: After witnessing a crime, Ashe and his son are murdered. The crow then brings Ashe back to get revenge, with only the help of Sarah; an artist who'd been through this before.

This is the second in the crow movie series. It's also been my personal favourite in the series.
The soundtrack not only feeds the vibe of it, it is one of the best to have come out in that decade.
Vincent Perez plays the lead with such tragic notes, you can't help but feel like you're being pulled into something larger then it really is. 

What do I think I learned from this film?
This is the film that first inspired me to pick up a paint brush. So if I learned anything it's that it allowed the dreams to flow in their own directions. And from watching it this time around, a ghost isn't always just a ghost, sometimes it's a forgotten path.

Day 72

Movie: Twilight 2 New Moon
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart
Genre: Drama, Action
Year: 2009
Format: DVD

Plot: After Edward breaks up with her, Bella tries to recover by dating her best friend Jacob. Along the way, they learn Jacob is a werewolf and because of her past, Bella's life is in danger.

Again with the Romeo and Juliet theme.  I secretly think the world is out to make me insane.

This is the second film in the Twilight series based on the books.
I have to say, the werewolves are more interesting in this series then the vampires are.
There just seems to be more background to them, more research done on the myths.
This also introduces a great band of both Canadian and British actors like Michael Sheen{British} and Graham Greene {Canadian}.

What did I learn from this film?
Love hurts. Break ups are always going to feel like the first time. They are always going to make you feel like you should have died.  But second chances are everywhere you just have to open your eyes.

Day 71

Movie:All's Faire in Love
Starring: Christina Ricci, Ann Margret
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2009/2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: When a football player ends up failing English, his professor gives him one chance to pass the class. He must spend three weeks working at a renaissance faire.

This really reminded me of the old National Lampoon films.  It was slapstick at times and very campy throughout.

Another modern take it would seem on Romeo and Juliet, and they end up doing the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet at their talent show.

What do I think I learned from this film?
I prefer my geeks in Spock ears.  I didn't really learn much from this film. I found it distracting and it felt almost like it was wooden.

Day 70

Movie: Anonymous
Starring: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave
Genre: Drama, Historical,
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: Historians for years have been saying that Shakespeare may not have been who he claimed to be.  That he was in fact the Earl of Oxford- Edward de Vere is explored here

I was spellbound by this film.  I have admitted before that I am a fan of Shakespeare, I'm also a fan of Rhys Ifans.  So this was just cake for me.

This film brings up so many points and questions.You can not walk away from this movie without feeling the need to research the Earl of Oxford and compare his biography with the works of Shakespeare.
This opens up an explanation as to how Shakespeare was able to dig so deep into the subconscious minds of the people he wrote about, and makes reading between the lines of the times a bit more understandable. 

What do I think I learned from this film?
A writer must write because it's in their soul, even if you end up becoming the ultimate ghostwriter.

Day 69

Movie: Mermaids
Starring: Cher, Winona Ryder
Genre: Comedy, Drama,
Year: 1990
Format: TV Edit

Plot:A single mother of two moves them all to a new city after yet another bad relationship.  They then have to deal with trying to fit in and the relationships they end up in

Based on a book

This movie was remembered more for the song that was on the soundtrack then for the movie itself. It was also part of a trend of movies about the 1960's that came out at the end of the 1980's early 1990's.


What do I think I learned from this film?
A real woman is never too old to fall into a lustful life lesson.

Day 68

Movie: Old Dogs
Starring: John Travolta, Robin Williams
Genre: Comedy, Family
Year: 2009
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: On the weekend of the biggest deal of his career, Dan gets a visit from his ex wife asking him to look after their twins while she has to go to jail.  Suddenly, his career, and the career of his business partner is put to the test as neither of them know how to be dads.

This was one of those surprisingly funny films.  The it's so over the top stupid type of funny. Then again, what do you expect from Robin Williams?

I kept waiting for a big plot twist, but there just wasn't which sort of led it to be typically Disney in a classic way.
Seth Green has a supporting role in this film, and steals the show. He knows how to make the most out of even the most basic of jokes.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can not childproof life.

Day 67

Movie: Gone in 60 Seconds
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie
Genre: Action, Drama
Year: 2000
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A retired car thief has to do one more job or his brother's life is on the line, and he's only got 3 days to complete it.

This is a loose remake of a 1974 film

Personally, I like almost anything with Nicolas Cage in it.  It's fast paced and still solid enough to have a good character based story.

I know it's a dramatic film, but I didn't feel the urgency that the lead character should have felt in the first half of it.  You see the countdown every so often in this film which is suppose to make you realize how little time they have, and all I could think is why are they drinking beer and wasting time?

What do I think I learned from this film?
If at first you don't succeed try and try again.

Coming Attractions March

March 2nd 2012- Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,  Project X,
            9th - John Carter,  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, 
            16th- 21 Jump Street, 
            23rd- Hunger Games,
            30th- Mirror Mirror,  Wrath of the Titans,


At this time, I do not have any listings for DVD/Blu-Ray releases.

Day 66

Movie: Beauty and the Beast (Disney)
Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson
Genre: Music, Family
Year: 1991
Format: DVD

Plot: A prince who's had a curse put on him by a witch needs to have someone fall in love with him in order to change back.

This is the classic Disney version of the even more classic story.

This is by far one of my favourite Disney films.
I find it ironic in the fact that Belle is one of the most- if not the most- brave and independent of all the Disney heroines, and she's also the only one who- that I am aware of-  is not a princess. {I have not seen every single Disney film to come out but I've seen a good stack of them} 

Personally, even though I'm a girl, I've always identified with the Beast in this story.

What do I think I learned from this film?
There truly is someone out there for everyone no matter what you look like.

Day 65

Movie: Ghost Rider
Starring; Nicolas Cage, Peter Fonda
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Sports,
Year: 2007
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A stunt rider makes a deal with the devil, and twenty years later finds himself having to live up to his end of it.

One of Nicholas Cage's best films.

He is the master of making the weird normal.
This movie makes you want to either take up stunt driving or else take up a course in Faust as a weekend hobby.


What do I think I learned from this film?
Everything comes with a price even when you've covered all your bases.

Day 64

Movie: Breakaway (aka Speedy Singhs)
Starring: Russell Peters, Rob Lowe
Genre: Comedy, Sports, Drama, Musical
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A group of Hindu-Canadians form a hockey team. Not only do they find themselves having to prove they belong on the ice to the other teams, they have to prove it to their families.

You can not get more ethnic Canadian then this.
The movie at times is as confused as the characters that are portrayed, as it is half down home hockey night in Canada and half Bollywood musical.

I am glad to see that the musical numbers where kept to a minimum, they still could have handled the one with Drake better.  It was just so out of place.
The subtitles on this could have used a super-size too, as they were mostly white on white and very tiny.

But, those two comments were the only negative I've got. I found Breakaway to be fresh and funny.  I even gave a giggle when I saw Rob Lowe was in this as I remember seeing him do another hockey film Youngblood  back in the 1980's

What do I think I learned from this film?
You have to stay true to you no matter what. And I'm more of a hockey fan then I wanted to admit, but I am not a fan of Bollywood films.

Day 63

Movie: Underworld 2 Evoultion
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman
Genre: Action, Horror,
Year: 2006
Format: DVD

Plot: Selene and Michel are on the run after killing Viktor, the leader of her coven. Soon, they are being hunted down by William and Marcus, the brother's who's bloodline both the Lycans and the Vampires come from.

This is pretty much a shoot' em up film that happens to have a bunch of vamps and werewolves.
Much of the back story to all the characters is given in this film by a new character Tannis. His role is pretty much that of a librarian.

This is also the movie in the series that started the "Jan 20th" release trend.  The first movie was given a Sept 19th release date, but #2,3 and 4 were all either released on Jan 20th of their respective years or within a few days of that date.

What do I think I learned from this film?
You can not out run your past.

Day 62

Movie:Notebook
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams
Genre: Drama, Romance
Year: 2004
Format: DVD

Plot: Two teenagers meet one summer and fall in love, but her parents don't want them together and manage to break them up.  Seven years later, they meet again and start their romance again. Meanwhile, their story is being read by an older couple in a nursing home, in hopes it will bring the older couple back together.

Well, it starts off very dry, but about the midway point, I found myself like so many other people, crying my eyes out.
I understand now why it's been called one of the most romantic movies of all time.

I know it's based on a book, which I have not read, but there were moments in this film that just seemed pointless and cliched. I've never been a fan of Romeo and Juilet and that's really all this is, a retelling of that.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Follow your heart no matter how long it takes you to find the right one.

Day 61

Movie: Real Steel
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Hope Davis
Genre: Action, Drama, Sports, Sci-fi,
Year: 2011
Format: Shaw Video On Demand

Plot: A former boxer spends the summer with his son as they tour  with their robot boxer.

I'm not a boxing fan, but this film had me glued to the screen.

It's a heartwarming story about finding your own faith and family.  Typical in so many ways.  The fact it is a boxing story just manages to fill out a few of the movie cliches but does so in a way that you don't really mind.

What do I think I learned from this film?
Never give up on the underdog.