For my final passion blog, the movie I will be reviewing is Bridesmaids, which was released in 2011. This movie stars Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Bryne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Rebel Wilson. This movie is super funny, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a funny movie to watch. 

   In her mid-thirties, Annie Walker is a single, underachieving, down-on-her-luck woman. The recession caused her bakery to fail, wiping off her funds and driving her boyfriend away. She no longer enjoys baking, works a demanding, low-paying job at a jewelry store, and lives with strange British immigrant brothers Gil and Brynn in the same flat. The affluent and egotistical Ted treats Annie like an object in their casual sexual relationship. Her longtime closest friend Lillian is the only source of happiness in her life. Lillian wants Annie to be her maid of honor when she and her fiance Doug become engaged.

   Annie meets Lillian’s bridesmaids at the engagement party: Rita, her long-married, cynical cousin; Becca, her innocent, recently wed coworker; Megan, Doug’s raunchy, foul-mouthed but nice sister; and Helen, the wealthy, snooty trophy wife of Doug’s boss. Instantly envious of one another’s relationships with, Lillian, Annie, and Helen compete with one another for her attention.

   Before visiting an upmarket wedding boutique, Annie takes the bridal party to a Brazilian steakhouse. Later, Helen uses her connections to get the bridal party inside because Annie forgot to make a reservation. The entire group, with the exception of Helen, who opted not to eat, starts throwing up and having uncontrollable diarrhea while trying on gowns, with Lillian urinating in the middle of the street while wearing a wedding dress.

   Helen’s vacation to Las Vegas is chosen over Annie’s proposal for a bachelorette party at Lillian’s parents’ lake estate. Annie buys a ticket in economy class because she can’t afford first class and is too proud to let Helen pay. Helen offers Annie medication and alcohol to help her overcome her severe fear of flying, but Annie starts to have hallucinations and has a mental breakdown that results in her being detained by a U.S. Air Marshal. The group boards a bus to return home after the jet makes an emergency landing. Lillian accepts Annie’s apology but determines that Helen should take charge of organizing the bridal shower and wedding.

   State Patrol officer Nathan Rhodes, who gave Annie a pass on a penalty for her malfunctioning brake lights, becomes a close friend of Annie’s. Despite Annie’s opposition to the notion, Nathan, a frequent patron of Annie’s bakery, persistently urges her to start a new bakery. Nathan presents her with baking goods after a passionate night together, but Annie panics and leaves quickly.

   As Annie makes her way home, a collision occurs caused by her still-broken taillights, and the other driver flees. To Annie’s dismay, Nathan is the responding officer, and he chastises her for not changing her taillights or taking charge of her life. Soon after, Ted shows up to give Annie a ride, and Nathan storms off in disapproval. Nathan’s behavior leads Annie to decide she wants better for herself and she leaves him.

   Annie withdraws, but Megan’s presence inspires her to regain control of her life. Annie picks up baking again, fixes her car, and makes an effort to make things right with Nathan, but he ignores her. Helen shows up at Annie’s home on the day of the wedding, pleading for assistance in locating Lillian, who has vanished. Helen apologizes to Annie and admits, with tears in her eyes, that while people admire her for her ability to create parties, she is lonely in her marriage and lacks true friends. They discover Lillian hiding out in her own apartment with some reluctant assistance from Nathan. Lillian had gotten overwhelmed by Helen’s lavish wedding planning and her fear of abandoning her life in Milwaukee. Lillian and Annie make amends, and Annie returns to serving as the maid of honor. 

   Following the wedding, Annie and Helen become friends. Additionally, Annie and Nathan make up after Nathan suddenly shows up to pick her up after the wedding (an act that is presumed to have been planned by Helen). After kissing, Annie and Nathan get into Nathan’s police car and drive off.

    I really like this movie and would totally recommend it.

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    This week I will be reviewing another musical movie – Mamma Mia. I absolutely adore this movie and love singing the songs with my sisters. Mamma Mia stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, and Christine Baranski. Mamma Mia includes songs all by the group – ABBA. Mamma Mia was filmed on an island in Greece and showcases the beautiful islands. As always, if you haven’t seen the movie, the following part contains spoilers. 

   Bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan reveals to her bridesmaids on the island of Kalokairi that she has invited three men to her wedding in secret without informing Donna, her mother. They are the three men, architect Sam Carmichael, travel writer Bill Anderson, and banker Harry Bright, with whom her mother had been around the time of Sophie’s conception. She believes that after spending time with them, she will be able to identify which is her father, and she expects that he will give her away.

   The three guys arrive that day. She explains that she sent the wedding cards, not Donna, but she doesn’t say whether she thinks one of them is her father. They reluctantly consent to remain hidden after she conceals them, and Donna spies on them. She is shocked to see her former lovers there and orders them to depart. She admits to Tanya and Rosie that she is genuinely unsure of which of the three is Sophie’s father. Sophie finds them on Bill’s sailboat, and they tell Sophie stories of Donna’s carefree youth. Sophie tries to tell her fiance, Sky, about her plan but gets too nervous.

    When the three men show up at Sophie’s bachelorette celebration, Donna becomes worried, but Rosie and Tanya reassure her that they will be taken care of. Sam and Harry start to doubt their trip after Sophie chooses to have a private conversation with each of the men. Bill reveals to her that Donna got the cash for her house from his great-aunt Sofia. In the process of convincing herself that Bill is her father, Sophie asks him to give her away and keep it a secret until the wedding. Shortly after Sam and Harry each take Sophie aside to tell her that they are her father and that they will give her away, Sophie’s joy is short-lived. Donna tries to console Sophie in the morning and makes a promise to call off the wedding; Sophie responds angrily by saying she only wants to escape her mother’s mistakes. When Donna and Sam try to talk about the wedding, they both discover they still have feelings for one another.

   Sky confronts Sophie after she apologizes to him for her behavior and begs for his help. Donna reveals to Sophie as she gets ready for the wedding that her mother abandoned her after she fell pregnant and that she is incredibly happy to have Sophie. Donna says she will give away Sophie. Sam catches up with Donna as they make their way to the church, and she tells him how devastated she was to lose him. Sam reveals at the wedding that he broke off his engagement and went back to discover Donna with another man (Bill). The three men each consent to be Sophie’s father in proportion to one-third, and they all concur that they do not want Sophie’s paternity to be established. Sophie proposes to Sky that they put off their wedding and travel the world. Donna accepts Sam’s proposal after learning that he is now separated and that he has loved her all along.

   I would totally recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch a fun musical with an interesting plot.

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   The movie I am going to be reviewing today is entitled Pitch Perfect. I love this movie and love watching it with friends or family. The songs are super catchy and fun to sing along to. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good laugh. This movie stars Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson, Adam DeVine, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks. If you have not seen the movie, the next part contains spoilers. 

   The Barden Bellas, an all-female a cappella group from Barden University, lost to the Barden Treblemakers at the acapella finals due to junior member Aubrey Posen throwing up on stage during their performance. Four months later, aspiring DJ Beca Mitchell is enrolled as a Barden University student on her father’s advice, a professor there, even though she had no desire to go to college and preferred to spend her time creating song mash-up mixes. She receives an internship at the school radio station, where she meets Jesse Swanson, another student, and singer.

   Seniors and current co-leaders Aubrey and Chloe ask Beca to join the Bellas at the university’s activities fair, but she refuses. Finally, Chloe persuades Beca to try out, and she does and officially joins the Bellas. Fat Amy also joins the Bellas, and she and Beca become very close. Jesse meanwhile joins the Treblemakers.

   The Bellas compete in Regionals, and, at Aubrey’s request, they perform the same song that got them to the Finals the year before. Despite their stale program, the group finishes second, moving them to the Semi-Finals. Jesse and Beca fight after Beca gets arrested at the competition for accidentally breaking a window. Beca urges them to be more daring, but Aubrey is adamant about playing the same medley a third time. As a result, Beca changes some of the songs while they are performing.  

   Beca receives a harsh reprimand from Aubrey for doing this and is accused of sleeping with Jesse, a rule violation that entails expulsion from the Bellas. When Jesse overhears and tries to refute it, Beca snaps at them both and leaves the Bellas. The Bellas finish in third place, which prevents them from moving on to the Finals despite the judges and audience appreciating Beca’s improvisation. Another group is disqualified, and the Bellas are allowed to proceed to the Finals thanks to Jesse’s roommate Benji’s discovery that the head of the group is a high school student. After spring break, Beca attempts to make things right with Jesse, but he rejects her, saying she has turned everyone who loves her away.

   Chloe challenges Aubrey during the Bellas’ practice. Beca then returns, offers the Bellas an apology for altering the set without Aubrey’s consent, and begs for another opportunity. Beca rejoins the group after the Bellas have a heart-to-heart discussion and become their leader. Chloe learns she can sing bass notes now that her spring break node removal procedure is complete. As a result of a job offer to sing backup for John Mayer, Treblemakers leader Bumper decides to quit the group. After Bumper’s departure, Jesse convinces the Trebles to accept Benji, who had previously been turned down despite a strong tryout, as Bumper’s replacement.

   A contemporary piece composed by Beca and featuring “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” a song from Jesse’s beloved movie, The Breakfast Club, is performed by the Bellas at the Finals. This serves as a more persuasive apology, and she and Jesse kiss after the show. Chloe’s improved bass note-hitting ability makes the Bellas’ performance sound broader and more dynamic. The Bellas capture the national championship after narrowly defeating the Treblemakers.

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   I will be reviewing a little different type of movie this week, entitled “Instant Family.” It stars Mark Wahlberg, Rose Bryne, Isabela Merced, Margo Martindale, Julie Hagerty, and Octavia Spencer. I have seen this movie numerous times; the first time I watched it was with my mom and sister. We all collectively cried, and I call every time I watched this movie. So I would recommend it to anyone who needs a good cry. As always, the next part of my post will contain spoilers. 

    Married couple Pete (Wahlberg) and Ellie (Byrne) are considering adoption after being told by their family that they would never think they would have kids. Subsequently, they enroll in foster care and go to a fair to meet foster kids. Ellie talks about how she would be reluctant to take in a teenager but is overheard by fifteen-year-old Lizzie (Merced), and the couple is impressed. They speak to the social workers and learn that Lizzie has two siblings, ten-year-old Juan and six-year-old Lita. They also know that the sibling’s mother is a drug addict in prison. 

    After remeeting with the siblings, they decide against adopting but are pushed to adopt after their family admits they didn’t think they could do it. The siblings move in, and many problems arise, including Lizzie rejecting Ellie’s parenting. Pete’s mother takes the kids to Six Flags, but Lizzie leaves to spend time with friends, leading to Pete grounding her. 

   Juan inadvertently shoots a nail into his foot the following day as Pete and Ellie confront Lizzie as she tries to leave while still being grounded. Lizzie starts to like Pete and Ellie after seeing them comfort Lita and hurry Juan to the hospital. After Pete fixes Lita’s doll during Lizzie’s soccer game, Lita calls Pete “Daddy.” Ellie enters Juan and Lita’s room at night after overhearing Juan having a nightmare. Juan said, “Good night, Mommy,” after Ellie had comforted him. Ellie is quite happy. 

   Pete and Ellie meet Carla, the mother of the children, who has just been released from prison and is eager to see her kids again. Pete and Ellie express their concerns, but the social workers explain that the fundamental objective of the system is to preserve intact families and that the kids might be given back to their biological mothers.

    Carla’s interactions with her kids disrupt the family; as a result, Pete and Ellie become frustrated and demotivated. They find Lizzie exchanging inappropriate pictures with a boy named Jacob, and they are appalled. 

   When Pete and Ellie take the kids to school the next day, they confront a student named Charlie, thinking he is Jacob. After realizing he is not Jacob, Pete asks Charlie if he knows anyone named Jacob who has been hanging out with Lizzie; Charlie responds that Jacob is the school’s 22-year-old janitor. They beat him up, and he is taken into custody alongside Pete and Ellie after unintentionally leaving Juan and Lita in the car alone. Sandy informs Pete and Ellie that they must reassure Lizzie of their love when they get home after posting bail.

   Later at the sibling’s hearing, the judge reads a statement from Lizzie that describes Pete and Ellie’s activities unfavorably. Ellie is not permitted to read her statement, and Carla is given custody of the kids. Although Lizzie is prepared to leave them, Juan and Lita do not want to. The following day, Karen and Sharon show up to inform the children that Carla will not be picking them up because she did not show up the previous morning. They also disclosed that Carla was using drugs again. Pete and Ellie pursue Lizzie as she cries and flees, heartbroken. They affirm their love for Lizzie, and the siblings are officially adopted four months later. 

   I would rate this movie a ten out of ten because it is heartwarming, funny, and sad all at once!

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   The movie I will review this week is “Superbad.” Superbad was released in 2007. This is one of my all-time favorite movies. The film stars Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogan, Bill Hader, Emma Stone, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Something cool about this movie is that it is loosely based on an experience Seth Rogan and his friend Evan Goldberg had in high school. Rogan and Goldberg are who the named of the main characters are named after. If you haven’t seen the movie, the next part contains spoilers. 

    Seth (Hill) and Evan (Cera) are high school seniors who are best friends. In their home ec class, Seth is paired with Jules (Stone) and gets him invited to a party at her house. Seth, who has a crush on Jules, promises to supply alcohol for the party with the plan of using his friend, Fogwell’s fake ID. With this goal in mind, Evan also promises his crush, Becca, a specific type of vodka. Fogwell, aka McLovin (his name on the fake ID), successfully buys the alcohol, but as he leaves the store, he gets punched by a robber. Cops; Slater (Hader) and Michaels (Rogen) arrive at the store leading Evan and Seth to believe Fogwell got caught.

   Seth is then hit by a car, and the driver, in exchange for not being told on, promises to get Seth and Evan alcohol from a different party. At the party, they try and steal alcohol but end up getting into a fight with a bunch of men high on cocaine. They then flee the party. Meanwhile, the cops bond with Fogwell and drink with him while driving around. 

   Seth and Evan argue about going to different colleges, and then Seth is hit by another car. This time it’s the cops who then plan to pin the accident on Seth. The three boys then escape with the alcohol and make their way to the original party. 

   At the party, Fogwell accidentally tells Seth he and Evan will be roommates next year. A mad Seth tells the party the stories of the night, which gives him instant popularity. Evan’s love interest Becca tries to have sex with him, but because she is drunk, he refuses. Fogwell and his love interest go upstairs to hook up. Seth tries to kiss Jules, but she refuses because he is drunk, and she doesn’t drink. Seth then passes out and gives Jules a black eye inadvertently. The cops bust the party, and Seth and Evan try to escape. They interrupt Fogwell and his love interest which causes her to run away. They explain to Fogwell how upset they are that he ran away. They recoil and admit that they know Fogwell used a fake ID but want to show him that cops can have fun too. They end up faking arresting Fogwell to make him seem cool. 

   The next day, Evana and Seth become friends again when Seth tells Evan that he knew Evan and Fogwell were going to be roommates all along. They go to the mall and are reunited with Becca and Jules.

   I love this movie and find it incredibly funny. This movie receives a lot of praise, and I believe it is rightfully given. I would recommend this movie if you haven’t seen it already. 

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The movie that I have decided to review this week is called “White Chicks.” White Chicks is one of my all-time favorite movies, and my sisters and I love to quote all of the funny scenes. This film was released in 2004 and starred Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Jaime King, Frankie Faison, Lochlyn Munro, and John Heard. I would definitely recommend this movie for a night in with friends or if you are in need of a good laugh. The next part contains spoilers for those who haven’t seen the movie. 

Marcus and Kevin are FBI agents working on a case to catch drug dealers whose product is disguised as ice cream. Their plan fails when they mistake an actual ice cream man for the drug dealers. Their boss is mad at them and grants them a second chance, and all they have to do is chauffeur two shallow wealthy sisters to a fashion event in the Hamptons, as there has been a string of high-profile kidnappings. On the drive over, they get into a car accident, and the two girls, Brittany and Tiffany, have minor facial injuries. Because of this, they don’t want to attend the fashion show, but Marcus and Kevin disguise themselves as the girls to participate in the fashion event because they are still fearful for their jobs. 

Marus and Kevin are introduced to Tiffany and Brittany’s friends, Lisa, Karen, and Tori, and they meet their rivals, Heather and Megan. The sisters are also being monitored by two other FBI agents and their boss, who are pretending to be hotel staff. A basketball player begins to hit on Marcus/Tiffany, and Kevin starts talking to a reporter named Denise. At the annual charity auction where some of the girls are auctioned off as dates, the basketball player “wins” Marcus/Tiffany, and they are forced to go on a date while Kevin does on a date with Denise. The agents pull multiple antics to be with Denise as Kevin and for Marcus as Tiffany to avoid the basketball player, and they are brought to the attention of their coworkers.  

Marcus and Kevin learn that Heather and Megan’s father i behind the kidnappings and they plan to stop them. However, after learning they were being impersonated, the real Tiffany and Brittany arrive at the party. Marcus’s wife, who thinks she is being cheated on, also arrives at the hotel. The other FBI agents figure out that Brittany and Tiffany are being impersonated, and they try and expose them but confuse them for the real girls, and instead, they get suspended from the FBI. Kevin and Marcus get fired after their boss discovers their schemes. 

In order to get their jobs back, they try and expose Heather and Megan’s dad for the kidnappings. They redisguise themselves as the girls and participate in the fashion show run by the kidnappers. More confusion arises when the real sisters perform in the fashion show as well. The real sisters are kidnapped, Marcus and Kevin fight to get them back, and the kidnappers are arrested. Marus and Kevin end up becoming friends with Tori, Lisa, and Karen, who admit that they liked Brittany and Tiffany more when they were really Marcus and Kevin. Marcus and his wife end up back together after they clear up he wasn’t cheating, and Kevin begins a relationship with Denise.

I really enjoy watching this movie, and my sisters and I always get a good laugh out of it!

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