There are a few "30 Day Challenges" on Facebook where users upload a picture or what not for each day representing a particular item for that day. While the photo challenge seemed a big egotistical to me, the 30 Day Movie Challenge intrigued me as a movie lover. I can share the movies I love with others and vice versa and provide recommendations while receiving some as well. Hope you Enjoy!
Day 1: Favorite film
Shawshank Redemption
In college while looking for movies to watch, I saw this movie called "Shawshank Redemption". I knew it was ranked very highly on the Internet Movie Database website (www.imdb.com) but the title did not seem appealing.
I watched it anyway and surprisingly my eyes were glued to my TV screen (more like computer monitor). I felt this incredible joy at the ending that very few movies made me feel and I cried. This movie was not just a "prison" movie but a life lesson in hope, friendship, optimism and redemption of course.
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
This year, even the Transformers 2 director Michael Bay admitted that his film was '"crap" (See article here). An xxtravagant budget, CGI special effects, a hot girl, fast cars, big robots, talking robots, mythical storyline, constant "funny" one liners as characters face death...need I go on?
I actually enjoyed the first Transformers movie. I was not a fan of the TV show but I found the first movie entertaining but I was not one of those counting down to the sequel.
I am one to give movies a chance. I have never walked out or contemplated walking out of a movie even if it is bad. I will watch the whole movie because my logic is I already paid so I might as well watch. This is the first movie where after an hour I really wanted to walk out. I mean really. The plot had too many things going on and not one of simultaneous plots was even worth keeping my attention. The action scenes were very muddled with no clear direction to the viewer what was taking place.
Maybe Michael Bay's admission that his movie was not good is his way of insuring us that the third installment set to come out this summer is a vast improvement. Let's hope so. I will wait for the reviews before watching.
Day 3: Favorite comedy
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Innovative in its time for its seamless integration of live action and animation, this became an instant classic when it was released in the late 80s and brought that "movie magic" that producer Steven Spielberg and director Robert Zemeckis were known for.
Part film noir, part murder mystery and part downright hilarious, this movie had sublte undertones of adult themes and humour while still appealing to kids. If you have never watched, it is a must see for adults and children alike.
Day 4: Favorite drama
American Beauty
Winner of the 1999 oscar for Best Picture, this movie ridicules the so-called ideal middle class American dream as a married father played by Kevin Spacey experiences a mid-life crisis and questions his identity as he searches for what really makes him happy.
This movie featured several promising young stars such as Thora Birch, Wes Bentley and Mena Suvari who had trouble repeating the success they experienced at the time of this film but their characters along with Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening's all are a part of film history.
Day 5: Favorite action
The Terminator
I was a fan of James Cameron movies before the worldwide smashes that were Titanic and Avatar. While Terminator 2: Judgement Day had the better action scenes and special effects, the first Terminator set up the whole story and premise that was quite revolutionary for its time.
Day 6: Favorite horror
Night of the Living Dead (1968 version)
The best all-time zombie flick creeped me out as a teen when I watched it on my local TV channel in all its black and white glory. This served to its advantage as the lack of color made the movie even more grim. The 1990 remake was not nearly as scary as this original and the altered ending was too peachy and tailor made to appease audiences.
The director George A. Romero went on to make more horror classics that also inspired remakes such as "The Crazies" and "Dawn of the Dead". These zombies did not run and with a case of rage, they were just that: zombies. For you true horror fans who are not entertained by the slasher and gruesome flicks of the "Saw" variety, this movie is for you. What scares you is not the gore but the psychological effect on the characters in a gory situation.
Day 7: Favorite animated feature
Cinderella
Remember back in the days when animation was hand drawn and not conjured up by a computer? I do not think this is the best animated feature especially compared to more recent sharp and witty films such as "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story 3" but it is the one that I watched countless times as a child and that I know by heart.
Day 8: Favorite thriller
The Fugitive (1993)
They don't make them like this anymore. We all can remember the line "search every dog house, out house.." A movie that had a great plot, superb acting and decent action for those who cannot sit through a movie without it. Nominated for Best Picture, this also featured an up and coming actress named Julianne Moore. It was Tommy Lee Jones who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. His character Deputy Sam Gerard was so popular, it took over the protagonist role in the inferior 1998 sequel "U.S. Marshals".
Day 9: Favorite musical
I did not see this in the theatres and was skeptical of it as I was not a big musical fan but when I see this at home, this blew me away. I have watched final musical sequence at least a dozen times.
The first 15 minutes or so was a bit all over the place but once Ewan McGregor meets Nicole Kidman's character, it is pure perfection afterward. I think this is the role that cemented Nicole as a true movie star without being known as Tom Cruise's wife.
Nominated for a multitude of awards, most notably Best Picture and Best Actress, this took home the well deserved awards for Best Costume and Art Direction. The DVD includes a lot of special features. If you have not seen it, see it ASAP.
Day 10: Favorite foreign film
City of God
One of the best movies you will ever see, this tells the story of a crime lord's rise and reign in a Brazilian slum also known as a "favela" and how it affected the community. Based on a true story, the grim details are told in such a vibrant and original way that we care about all the characters and makes as feel as if we are actually living in the situation.
Day 11: Favorite kid's movie
Babe (1995)
This touching tale of a farm pig was nominated for Best Picture. Both kids and adults will love, it almost makes you want to give up eating pork.
Day 12: Favorite love story
High Fidelity (2000)
Not a traditional love story in the sappy sense, this movie looks at a blossoming, peak and breakdown of a romantic relationship through the eyes of a music geek.
Not only music geeks can relate but also movie buffs or any other kind of fanatic to the way the lead character Rob (John Cusack) relates everything in his life to a certain song. I did not like it after the first viewing but grew to love it and it is one of those movies where you notice something new each time.
Not a traditional love story in the sappy sense, this movie looks at a blossoming, peak and breakdown of a romantic relationship through the eyes of a music geek.
Not only music geeks can relate but also movie buffs or any other kind of fanatic to the way the lead character Rob (John Cusack) relates everything in his life to a certain song. I did not like it after the first viewing but grew to love it and it is one of those movies where you notice something new each time.
Day 13: Favorite chick flick
Clueless
The best teen movie ever. Years into the future, our descendants will open a time capsule of the 90s and this film will be in it. It embodies the fashion of that era and the lead character Cher was the Paris Hilton before we knew of one.
Day 14: Favorite documentary
March of the Penguins
Morgan Freeman's soothing voice narrates this tale of a how penguins reproduce in the harsh weather conditions of the South Pole. It is a tale of self sacrifice, survival and love. If only all humans had the will of these penguins.
Day 15: Favorite play adaptation
Closer
I could not think of many play adaptions but Closer stood out. Some love and some hate it and the format is a bit stranger on film that it is on stage but it is hella intriguing nonetheless.
Day 16: Favorite book adaptation
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
One of the most haunting films you will ever see without trying to be scary, this Swedish film adaption of the novel of the same name is so tense that you will not be able to take your eyes off the screen. An American remake is scheduled to be released this year starring Daniel Craig. It has big shoes to fill.
Day 17: Least favorite book adaptation
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
To this day, this movie makes no sense to me and I only went to see this because of someone else. Am I not geeky or cool enough to appreciate this film? No and if you are then chances are you don't like it either.
Day 18: Film that is your guilty pleasure
Day 19: Film that made you cry the hardest
Day 20: Movie with your favorite actress
Day 21: Movie with your favorite actor
Day 22: Movie you wish you could live in
Day 23: Movie that inspires you
Day 24: Movie with your favorite soundtrack
Day 25: Movie with the most beautiful scenery
Day 26: Movie you're most embarrassed to say you like
Day 27: Movie with your favorite villain
Day 28: Movie with your favorite hero
Day 29: First movie you ever remember watching
Day 30: Last movie you watched
So Day 29 and day 30 is going to be the same movie with this challenge? Or does "Day 30" involve remembering the last movie you watched before the challenge?
ReplyDeleteDay 29 is the first move you remember watching in your lifetime while Day 30 is just the last movie you watched prior to posting.
ReplyDeletehe did the days backwards. you're supposed to start with the latest movie you watched and end with your favorite. It's a countdown.
ReplyDelete