Taken

Movie: Taken (2008)
Starring: Liam Neeson

I was very excited to watch this movie when I first heard about it. I'm happy to say that it did not disappoint :)

Taken is about a man, Bryan, who has spent his life focusing on his career as a spy at the cost of his marriage. Stuck in the middle is his daughter, whom he adores, and is trying to make up for lost time with now that he is no longer working. Protective and devoted, he is leery when his daughter says that she has been invited to spend the summer with her friend in Paris. He ignores his intuition and he decides to sign the papers to give her permission to go abroad......it's a decision that he soon regrets.

What I Did Not Like About This Movie:

- Bryan's ex-wife, Lenore, (played by Famke Jansen) is the biggest most ignorant bitch of a mother on the planet. When Bryan is being logical about being worried about his SEVENTEEN year old daughter spending an entire summer abroad, Lenore just keeps yelling at him about being a "bad father" and about being a control freak. Oh! OHHH! I'm sorry....excuse him for worrying about his daughter rather than be like you and say "Yes! Go! It'll give me the whole summer to focus on myself! Pedicures and drunken binges!! Yayyy!" And on top of this, Lenore keeps important details about the trip a secret from Bryan. Hmmm....maybe the fact that your marriage failed isn't so much about him working but more because you're just a mega-bitch who uses bullying and verbal insults to get your way :/

- Something happens to one of the main players in the film and then it is not ever mentioned again. I would have liked it better if at the end of the movie they mentioned this person again to kind of tie up some loose ends to let us know whatever happened to them. That is really my main dislike about this movie....

- Way too much of the movie was just too convenient for me....It wasn't very believable that things could actually turn out that way BUT that is why it's a MOVIE! This didn't take away from the experience for me, though....just....I dunno....yeah....too convenient.

What I Liked About This Movie:

- ACTION! ACTION! ACTION! From very early on in the film, once things get rolling, it's non-stop action and is full of plenty of violence and badassery! :D

- Liam Neeson is a MACHINE!!!!! That is all I'm going to say! This guy is amazing in this movie!! I cant even imagine how many hours of training he had to complete to be able to pull of some of the moves that he does in this film....UNBELIEVABLE!

- The storyline is great and it deals with an issue that is not really talked about enough (human trafficking). It keeps your interest throughout and I personally was never left bored.

- The best dinner scene ever....EVER.....in ANY film, is in THIS movie! haha You'll know what I mean when you watch it :) NO MERCY! I love it. This scene just shows that Bryan will stop at nothing to get the information that he needs in order to save his daughter's life.

- I actually learned some good tips from this movie on what to do and not do when put in a situation of possibly being kidnapped and also on just how to be smart in not giving out too much information about yourself to people that you do not know. Most of what got the girls in trouble had to do with them being young and immature but it could really happen to anybody who is just not being careful and not on guard.

Rating:
- I give this movie 4.5 out of 5 hearts. I liked it very much but there were some holes in the storyline that took away from the overall movie for me in the end. <3<3<3<3

Paris, Texas

Movie: Paris, Texas
Starring: the dad from Pretty in Pink - Harry Dean Stanton


Okay, this movie was just weird....First of all, the reason that I was first drawn to it is that it was STARRING Harry Dean Stanton. Usually he just plays supporting roles or just very small roles (like the old man in the bar on You,Me, and Dupree)...I was curious as to how he would handle the lead. He actually did an amazing job with what he was given to work with. I didnt know what to expect from this movie but it left me with a numb feeling lol It was kind of like the feeling that you get after someone says something SO stupid that you are just complete taken aback by it....your brain is jumbled up and you are shocked that that kind of ignorance exists in this world....yeah, that's how I felt when it was over....I just sat there staring at the tv thinking "What in the world just happened?"

The movie is about a man who has been wandering through the desert for four years after leaving his wife and son. His brother ends up finding him randomly....I mean seriously, VERY randomly....like just driving down the road and "oh THERE you are!" after four years kind of random..... So the movie takes you through his journey of trying to remember his family as well as trying to reconnect with people from his past.

What I Did Not Like About This Movie:

- This movie had the potential to be very good but it was SOOO SLOW that I had a terrible time focusing on it. The script was full of so much garbage that it took away from the main point. It was almost 3 HOURS LONG!!! It could have been better if they made it HALF as long only focusing on the important things.

- The little kid in the movie was not very likable and it made me not feel sorry for him that his dad didn't remember him.....I would probably want to wipe him from my memory, too. He was just super annoying and whiny. Near the end of the movie, however, he becomes more likable but by then I had already decided that I didn't like him so it didn't matter :/ lol

- Maybe it was just me but throughout this movie I was left wondering what in the world was even going on?! It moved at a snail's pace......but then at the end, everything is EXPLAINED to you in the absolute LONGEST SCENE in ANY MOVIE, EVER! I hate when a movie is so confusing that it necessitates an ENTIRE scene to just explain what you just watched! Literally, the main character just sat there in a chair explaining basically EVERYTHING! If I can't just watch the dang movie and know what is happening then it just makes for a bad movie in my humble opinion....I understand a little mystery, that is great. But for the entire movie to make no sense and to have to be explained to me by the actors is ridiculous.

- The aunt in the movie had a really annoying accent....it was unbearable to listen to at times :/ ugh

What I Liked About this Movie:

- The way that this movie was filmed and the different artistic liberties that were taken made it almost seem as if it were filmed 2 years ago, not 26 years ago. They used a lot of symbolism in the movie, which I enjoy.

- The character development of the main character was not that bad.....it was a little weird and a little bit too fast for me but still....They had good ideas for this movie, it just did not come together well....

Rating:

I probably will never watch this movie again unless I am being tortured in a foreign country somewhere which in that case I am sure that they have this movie ready and waiting to be played in cycles. I give it 2 out of 5 hearts....I would give it one but I'm giving it 2 simply because it was ahead of its time in the way that it was filmed....it still looks modern....♥ ♥

Serendipity

Movie: Serendipity (2001)
Starring: John Cusack & Kate Beckinsale

Okay, if you know nothing else about me, one thing that you should know is that I am one of the biggest John Cusack fans that you will ever meet. That being said, this movie is my favorite of any movie that he has ever done!

Serendipity is not just a love story...it's way more than that. It follows the lives of Jonathan Trager (Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Beckinsale) after they have a chance meeting in NYC one day where they fall in love. Years go by, they're both engaged to be married, but they never quite forgot about eachother....and that's where the search begins....



What I Don't Like About This Movie:

- Nothing. Sorry :P I just can't think of anything. It is one of my favorites of all time! :)


What I Like About This Movie:

- From the very beginning, I am in love. The very first song that you hear in this movie is my favorite Christmas song :) ("Cool Yule" - Louis Armstrong)

- The storyline is amazing and has a great pace.

- The movie is set in NYC, which is one of my favorite places on earth (that I've been to so far). This movie makes me want to be there at Christmastime so bad I cant stand it! :)

- This movie is why I own a copy of "Love in the Time of Cholera" By: Gabriel Garcia Marquez with my name and phone number in the front! (you'll understand when you watch! lol)

- The music in this movie is breathtaking....I love the soundtrack and have listened to it over and over again!! The songs are just so beautiful and unique....

- The tagline to this movie is "Destiny...with a sense of humor"...I could not have said it better myself. The movie could have been made to be serious but I'm so glad that it wasn't! Sara's best friend is Molly Shannon and Jonathan's is played by Jeremy Piven and they keep you laughing throughout! :) John Cusack's delivery of each and every line is PERFECT and adds to the comedic aspect of the film. And Sara's fiance' is hilarious without even meaning to be lol If you watch this movie, the part where he is watching a music video that his band made is one of my favorites...

- This movie really fills you with hope for true love and the power that it has to make everything work out the way that it is supposed to in the end....

- It's a movie that I think that everyone should see....I know several guys who even love it so it's not just for girls by any means....It is hard to even write a review on this movie....it's just one of those movies that you have to SEE to really understand anything about it....it can't really be explained....Anyone who has ever really truly been in love and felt it in the deepest part of themselves and then lost it will be able to relate to this movie so well! And anyone who hasnt - this movie gives you HOPE! <3

Rating:
I give this movie a 10 out of 5 stars!! And you know when I do that it means that it's in my absolute TOP favorites of any genre :) AMAZING!
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Full Metal Jacket

Movie: Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Starring: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, & R.Lee Ermey

Let me start off by saying that I am not a fan of most war movies so I was not sure how I was going to feel about this one. However, this movie does not really focus on the "war" part. Instead it focuses more on the characters themselves and how they interact with each other and personal challenges and changes that they face throughout the war.

Full Metal Jacket follows a young man, known to his friends as Joker, from his very beginning day of training in the Marine Corp and up through Vietnam. The movie is split up into two segments: the first segment follows Joker, another soldier called Pyle, and others as they are put under the harsh training of Sgt.Hartman (played by R.Lee Ermey). The second part covers Joker as he is sent into the war as a correspondent. You see how Joker himself changes from beginning to end based on his experiences.

What I Did Not Like About This Movie:

- Some of the slurs in this movie are really bad, however, I realize that they are relevant to the times of when the movie was suppose to be set. Just be warned that this movie may be offensive to some viewers :)

What I Liked About This Movie:

- I liked that this movie had a little bit of everything....It was funny in parts, sad in others....it had action, drama, everything that makes a movie GREAT! It covered all the bases! :)

- I LOVED the character development in this movie!!! It was the best that I've seen yet! The movie specifically follows Joker's development throughout but I also really thought it was interesting to see how Pyle was effected by his surroundings and how he changed.

- There was one scene in particular that was a turning point for Joker that was very dark. I just loved how it was shot (no pun intended). There was also another darker scene that I would consider a turning point for Joker that was dark....i loved the blue lighting used in that scene and the music....just very creepy....

- R.Lee Ermey is HILARIOUS as Sgt Hartman!!! He did such an amazing job but I don't know if that's to say that he's an amazing actor since playing this role was not a far cry at all from what he does in real life. Either way, though, I loved him in this movie!! I thought he did a great job! :)

- I loved the relationships between all of the guys....and Animal Mother was my fav soldier! :) This guy was outta control but in the best, most entertaining way possible!

Rating:
I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. Certain aspects of it were a bit too violent for me but it's a war movie so that is to be expected! Overall, though, the storyline is great, the character developement is amazing, and it has something for everybody :) Not bad at all....

<3 <3 <3 <3

The Strangers

Movie: The Strangers (2008)
Starring: Liv Tyler & James Hoyt

This movie is one of my more recent thriller favorites. The thing that I like most about this movie is that it is believable. At the beginning of the movie you are told that it is based on a true story. That statement is both true and false. The Strangers draws inspiration from two separate true events, including the 1969 Manson murders as well as a crime that happened in the director's neighborhood when he was a child. The book "Helter Skelter" also played a role in the storyline of this film. Some have wondered if the film is also loosely based on the Keddie murders, which happened in 1981. The filmmakers have neither confirmed nor denied this.

The Strangers is about a couple, Kristen and James, staying in an isolated vacation home after attending a friend's wedding. In the early hours of the morning they receive a knock on the door from a strange visitor. Little did they know that this odd occurrence was just the beginning of the longest, most terrifying night of their lives when their home is invaded by three strangers, all wearing creepy masks. It is in these early morning hours that Kristen and James learn just how far they will go in order to survive.

What I Don't Like About This Movie:

- As I have in the past, I will list this in my 'What I like..' section as well as the 'What I Don't Like...' section. **SPOILER ALERT!!** I both love and hate the ending of this movie. I love it because it is not your typical Hollywood ending. I hate it, however, because it is truly horrible and heart wrenching. I absolutely cannot bear to watch it. I watched it the first time that I saw the movie but every time since I always stop it right before things come to a head and then I'm done. We each have our own level of what we can take. We each have things that bother us more than others.....the ending of this movie is one of those things for me

- James and Kristen do not listen to each other and this is annoying for me. This is the only part of the movie, at least for me, that did not seem that believable. At one point, before they realize that someone is actually in the home, Kristen sees someone outside and tries to tell James about it and he does not believe her. She is visibly shaken by what she has seen but James does little to comfort her. He basically from the beginning just tells her that she is overreacting. Maybe it's not so much that it's not believable for me (because I realize that this is how some couples are with each other), but for me it was an annoyance.


What I Liked About This Movie:

- I don't even know where to begin....First of all, something small: THE MUSIC. I love the soundtrack to this movie!! It does not contain your typical thriller movie music. All of the songs in the movie are very laid back and comforting but creepy at the same time. They couldn't have picked better songs to go with each of the scenes. They all fit perfectly. They would not have been my first choices but that is what I like about it. They're unexpected but they work so well.

- The suspense in this movie is unbelievable!! You are kept on the absolute edge of your seat from very near the beginning of the movie until the end credits begin to roll. You never know when the killers are around or where they could be because they are literally all over the property at different points in the movie. Some of the scariest parts in the movie are when James and Kristen can see the killers but the killers either don't know that they are there OR they know that they are there and it's all part of the game for them. Either way, AMAZING!!!! If you like to be scared then I suggest watching this movie at home alone, late at night, with all of the lights off! You will not be disappointed!

- In many thriller type movies the filmmakers will go over the top with blood and gore and screaming and big chase scenes....They will add action and a lot of noise to get a reaction from their audience. This movie is the complete opposite. The filmmakers have used subtle sounds and brief imagery to bait their audience in. From anything as small as a wind chime on the porch to a creak of the floorboards....it leaves you constantly wondering "Is that them?"....The knocks on the door are even creepy in the way that they were delivered....and the way that the killers speak is almost a whisper at times.....I felt that this helped me to better put myself in their place because these are all sounds that most of us have heard late at night. Our hearts start to beat fast, our eyes dart around, and we wonder to ourselves "What was that?! Is someone there?!" You have that same feeling throughout this movie!! :)

- As I mentioned before, one of the things that I like the MOST about this movie is that it IS so believable. It was believable to the point that after watching it I started Googling Kristen and James' names because I wanted to know more about what happened. As with the subtlety and familiarity of the sounds used in the film to instill fear and suspense into the audience, I found the believability of the story itself to be the most terrifying thing of all.

- The pace of the movie was great and the storyline flowed very well.

- The acting in this movie is fantastic! Liv Tyler is such an under appreciated talent. I wish that she did more thriller type of movies because she can act scared with the best of them!!

- I told you that this would be in both the 'like' and 'dislike' categories....I loved the ending of this movie!!!! It was perfect. If it had ended any other way it would have taken away from the entire film....

- I like the irony of the setting as compared to the situation/circumstances....The home in the movie is very warm and cozy looking....It actually relaxes me even just thinking about the laid back,comforting feel to the place....but then you have a situation happening within it that is ANYTHING but.....

- While we are on the subject of irony, I absolutely LOVE the different looks of each of the killers in the movie!!!!! Two of the three masks that they wear are very playful and childlike, which adds to the creepiness of the film....And on the subject of the masks....the wardrobe throughout this movie is great....Every character in the film seems to be unified in their dress....And speaking of dresses (lol), Liv's dress at the beginning of the film is gorgeous :)

- If I could only tell you ONE thing to note before watching this film it would be this: When you think there is nothing going on and everything is quiet and the killers are nowhere to be seen.....look a little closer ;)

- I love that the filmmakers took so many chances with this movie!!! They did not use your typical music for a thriller movie, they did not go heavy on the action, they did not go for the blood and gore that most do, and they did not make the ending what I believe most people would have wanted the ending to be....They chose subtlety over "in your face" horror....If I could liken this movie to anything it would be the absolute softest touch followed by the biggest punch in the face that you have ever had in your life. This movie goes there and I respect any filmmaker who is not afraid to stray from the norm!!

Rating:

This is the type of movie that I can watch over and over and over again (and I have!!) I easily give this movie a FIVE out of FIVE hearts and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an AMAZING thriller!!!

<3<3<3<3<3

Texas Chainsaw Massacre II

Movie: Texas Chainsaw Massacre II (1986)
Starring: Bill Moseley, Dennis Hopper, and Caroline Williams


I do not even know where to begin explaining how AMAZING this movie is!! I am a parnormal investigator so it takes a lot to scare me....I have pretty much seen and heard it all....but this movie had me absolutely terrified from beginning to end! If you know anything about me, you know that I love a good horror movie but I am very hard on them in my reviews for the most part....this one is definitely a MUST SEE for anyone who loves the horror genre. If you love this movie, as I do, you should definitely check out Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpes (Rainn Wilson is in it...you cant beat that;) and The Devil's Rejects, which pay homage to this horror classic. If this is not the most twisted and messed up movie (but in the most terrifying and best way possible) that you have EVER seen in your entire life then you must truly be made of steel.

In this movie, a Texas radio host is doing her show one night when two hoodlums call her raising hell while they're out driving and causing trouble around town. While on the phone with her, Leatherface and the rest of the Sawyer clan (famous for their killings in Texas Chainsaw Massacre I) show up where the boys are and saws them to pieces while the radio host and her entire radio audience listen on. The local sheriff, who has his own history with Leatherface and his clan, asks the radio DJ to play the recording of the attack on her show a few nights later in order to try to make the killers come out of hiding....and boy do they ever....

What I Liked About This Movie:

- EVERYTHING!

- The story line of this movie moves at a great pace. It has just enough suspense but it is never to the point where you get bored waiting....

- Leatherface and the rest of the his clan are all AMAZING! Their costumes, their accents, their makeup, EVERYTHING about them makes the whole movie a scream!!! They are all absolutely terrifying but also can be funny with how absolutely ignorant they are lol

- You cannot talk about this movie without specifically mentioning Bill Moseley and how absolutely amazing and what an unbelievably talented horror actor he is!!!! In this movie, Bill Moseley plays Chop Top Sawyer, one of the members of the infamous Sawyer clan. From his very first scene in the movie you know you are dealing with an actor who is not afraid to cross any boundaries!!! From his very first scene, he is terrifying and disgusting in all of the best ways. As I mentioned before, Rob Zombie made House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects in homage to these films....in both of these films you will be able to see Bill Moseley at it again pulling all the stops as Otis! He is one of the most versatile horror actors as far as his appearance...I know that you can do a lot with makeup but my goodness....he looks like a COMPLETELY different person in every film that he is in! I cannot say enough about his performance in this film....he is one of my favorite actors of all time! He is one of the most under appreciated talents of our time! http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0608405/

- This movie does not even look like it was filmed in 1986....it looks so much like the cinematography that was used in The Devil's Rejects/House of 1000 Corpses that I feel more like I'm watching a 21st century horror movie, rather than one filmed 24 years ago.

- The blood and gore in most horror movies is usually very cheesed up....this movie, however, makes it all very realistic!! I was very impressed with every gore scene. I was left cringing throughout!

- While the killers are each very similar they each also have their own unique qualities....Chop Top is the just crazy off the wall one who truly gets enjoyment out of all aspects of human suffering, Leatherface is the one who has somewhat of a heart and even a bit of a conscience over what he and his family are doing....he understands that it is wrong but he wants to please his family, Grandpa is just disgusting. Period., etc. I love how different yet united they all are.

- Decaying human corpse body shields!!!! 'Nuff said!!!

- The music throughout the movie is great. Especially the song playing during the ending credits. I have always loved it when horror movies end with a cheery-sounding song :)

- Their home where they keep the bodies and their "chop shop" is so intricate in its design! So creative and so terrifying!!!!

- Those of you who know me know that my biggest fear is cannibalism. So most of the time when a movie includes cannibalism it is an automatic ratings dropper for me. However, it was tastefully done (excuse the pun) in this film so it actually upped the rating for me! :) One of the most disturbing scenes of any film that you will ever see in your entire life is in this movie. That is all that I am going to say....I dont want to spoil any of the fun for you ;)

Memorable Quotes:

Chop Top Sawyer: Who are you?

Sheriff: I am the lord of the harvest!

Chop Top: What's that? A health food bunch?

haha :)

What I Did Not Like About This Movie:

- It had to end sometime :( Truly amazing! I love a movie that is not afraid to "go there". Easily in my top 5 favorite horror films of all time....possibly even of any film genre.

Rating:

- Out of FIVE hearts, I am giving this movie TEN...that is how much I loved it! :)
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Clash of the Titans

Movie: Clash of the Titans (1981)

Okay, let me start off by saying that I am in no way,shape, or form a fan of most Sci-Fi (especially cheesy, 80s Sci-Fi) which makes it a miracle that I made it through this entire movie without falling asleep. However, part of this process is to expose ourselves to movies/genres that we may not have otherwise watched. That being said, my review should be taken with a grain of salt. It was good for what it was and overall I was actually impressed with how much I did not completely hate this movie :)

What I Liked About This Movie:
- I have had a long time interest in mythology and it was interesting to see certain aspects of that played out.

- The wardrobe was impressive, especially for it to be 1981.

- The movie had a little of everything. Action, humor, romance, revenge,Adventure, etc. It had something for everybody.

- This will be on both my "like" and my "dislike" list....the special effects were so bad that they were HILARIOUS :) However, I tried to put myself back into 1981 and for that time period the special effects were actually VERY good!

- Every creature in the movie brought something new and different to the table....None of the creatures even resembled one another in their movements or behavior. So I loved the creative aspect shown in that....

What I Disliked About This Movie:

- As I said, this would be in both my "like" and "dislike" section.....The special effects were VERY bad lol....I realize that at the time they were probably pretty amazing and believable. However, I have been spoiled by modern technology and therefore found the effects to be laughable. This was bad and hurt my experience with the storyline because a serious scene would come up where there was a fight with a creature that looked like it came out of a box of Cracker Jacks and instead of having the reaction of "Oh no! I hope he kills him! He's so scary!" (which is I'm sure what the director would have wanted)...I instead had the reaction of "omgosh! That's HILARIOUS! haha!". It was campy but in the best way....It wasn't really meant to be, it just became that way....which is kind of a shame because like I said before, the creatures were all pretty amazing and creative even for that time period.

- Their manner of speaking in this movie made it hard to follow the storyline at times.

- The acting was actually really great in this movie....but there were times when some of the actors were WAAAYY over-acting :/ It added to the cheese factor.

Something That I Found To Be Interesting:

The movie was rated PG, however, MAYBE 6 minutes into it, there was full on boobage-BAM!- Right in your face.....And right after that it showed a totally naked lady walking down a beach. It was just interesting to see how our rating system has changed through the years! That would NEVER be rated PG now....

Rating:
- I did not LOVE this movie but I will give it 2 out of 5 hearts and that is only because of the effects & acting <3 <3