Month: October 2017

via GIPHY

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡♡♡

If you Liked this Movie, You’d Like: Tron, 21 Jump Street, Spy Kids 3: Game Over, Now You See Me

Nerve is one of my favorite movies of all time. The dynamic duo, Emma Roberts and Dave Franco, have great chemistry on set. That mixed with an on the edge of your seat plot produces a great movie. The basic plot of this movie is that Vee, played by Emma Roberts, is tired of hiding in her best friend’s shadow. So, when an exciting, 24 hour long online game starts, she chooses to play instead of watch. The game works like this. Watchers give players tasks to do throughout New York City, and then the players have a small amount of time to do that task. If they complete the task, the players get a monetary prize as well as the ability to stay in the game. If you fail a task, you are out of the game. The game continues until there is only one person left. Early in the game, Vee teams up with Ian, Dave Franco’s character. Together they go far enough into the game to learn its real secrets.

When I first watched this movie, I was very reluctant. I told my best friend I didn’t want to watch it because it seemed predictable and cheesy. Never have I been more wrong about a movie. I was on the edge of my seat the entire movie. When I thought something was going to happen, I was always dead wrong. This movie is so exciting to watch. If you like movies that keep you entranced the entire time, this is a great movie for you.

 

 

SMALL SPOILERS AHEAD

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite things about this movie that makes it different is its use of technology. They incorporate phones into the movie so much, and they are very important. Without the technology in this movie, it never would have ended the way it does. For one, Sydney, Vee’s best friend, would never have gotten Ty’s, the predicted winner of the game, number. This is a key plot point that seems subtle when it first happens, but it vital to the ending of the movie. Also, Vee’s friend Tommy is really in technology and is a key part in stopping the game. Had he not had the access to the “fastest internet in New York City,” Vee would have died.

My favorite scene of the movie is when Vee and Ian ride the motorcycle. It is such an exciting and well shot scene. Ian is blindfolded, so he is solely being steered by Vee. It really cements their relationship because without this scene, Vee might not have been able to trust Ian later on.

Another cute scene in the movie is when Vee must get a tattoo. The plot twist is that Ian has to choose what it is. This is such a cool moment because he chooses something that is very meaningful to her. Even though she is initially scared to get it, he helps her by doing a rap together. It is a great moment for their relationship.

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Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡

If You Liked This Movie, you’d Like: When the Game Stands Tall, Remember the Titans, A League of their Own, Moneyball (it has Brad Pitt!!!), Bend it Like Beckham, Little Giants, Race, Bring it On,

If you didn’t cry like a little girl at least three times during this movie, you’re not human. Just kidding. You’re just a stronger person than I am. This movie, which is based on a true story, is a classic example of an inspiring sports movie.

For those of you unbeknownst to this treasure, here is a brief summary. Michael Oher is a large black teenager without a home. However, Leigh Anne Tuohy sees him one day, and asks her son about him. After finding out he has nowhere to go, the Tuohy invite Michael to live with them. It is then that the football loving family gets Michael to try the sport out himself. Michael then struggles to learn a new sport, keep up his grades, and avoid his past all while living with a new family.

I first want to talk about Sandra Bullock, who is the role of Leigh Anne. Don’t get me wrong, I love Sandra Bullock and can watch Miss Congeniality on repeat, but I was always surprised at this choice of role for her. However, after watching the movie just once, it is hard to imagine anyone else living up to the role. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her performance in this movie.

A perfect pick for casting was that of Michael Oher. The football player is played by Quinton Aaron. Although not known for many other films, he is well-known just because of this sole performance.

Other interesting acting choices are Lily Collins and Tim McGraw. Lily Collins coincidentally plays Michael’s “sister” Collins. She struggles at first to be comfortable with Michael being a part of the family, but she holds her head high and goes against her friends’ opinions. Tim McGraw, famous country singer, also makes an appearance. He plays Leigh Anne’s husband. Although he is not known for his acting, I still think he does a great portrayal of his role.

VERY SMALL SPOILERS AHEAD

I think one of the most powerful scenes of the movie is when Michael is struggling to learn football. Even though he may be the ideal body type for his position (FYI I know nothing about football), he is not good at hitting people. The coach is coaching him as he does all his other players. The coach yells and screams at the players and Michael to get better. But Leigh Anne knows better. She goes over to Michael and creates an analogy that Michael can understand. The phrase that she repeatedly uses is “Are you going to protect the family?” This is a double meaning because she is comparing how he protects the Tuohys to how he should protect the football team. The comparison works and helps Michael improve his football skill.

Most People’s Rating: ♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

My Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡♡♡

 

If You Liked This Movie, You’d Like: 50 First Dates, Just Go With It, Grown Ups, Blended, or any other Adam Sandler movie (besides Click which I don’t find good)

My next movie selection is Jack and Jill starring Adam Sandler. For whatever reason, movie critics love to hate on this movie. A lot of times, this movie is deemed one of the worst of the 2010s. I would like to argue otherwise.

Here’s a quick summary of the movie. Jack works as an advertiser and wants Al Pacino to star in one of his commercials. Jill is Jack’s rather odd twin sister. She is loud, unaccustomed to social norms, and just really unique. Jack attempts to use his sister to get Al Pacino to star in his commercial.

The plot sounds cheesy, and trust me, it is. One thing that makes this film a little quirky is Adam Sandler plays both Jack and Jill. Al Pacino is also a strange choice of actor in this movie, but I just kind of rolled with it.

I love Adam Sandler, personally. I don’t know many movies of his that I don’t like. His acting skill is truly amazing. It is extremely difficult to play both main characters in a movie. Only great actors such as Jesse Eisenberg (The Double), Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor), and Nicolas Cage (Adaptation) are able to complete such a daring role.

Also, if you need a little extra motivation to watch this movie, Johnny Depp makes a surprise entrance.

 

SPOILERS AHEAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPOILERS COMING

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEWARE OF SPOILERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, if you’ve seen this movie, there’s a good chance you hated it, and have lost respect of my movie picking skills. But I truly believe this movie has such a good message that it deserves better than its embarrassingly low rating.

Al Pacino, shockingly, falls in love with loud, crazy, unique Jill. And most people will find her annoying. But Al doesn’t. When Jack asks what he sees in her, he says this: He says that Jill has watched as her brother has gotten everything. And even though she has never gotten the same things as her brother, she chooses to be happy and love him regardless. It takes a very strong and loving person to be like this, and I admire that in Jill. Jill is never overcome with sadness, jealousy, envy, or hate.

This movie grooms you to like Jack more than Jill. It makes you think Jill is needy and annoying and embarrassing for Jack. But at the end of the movie, the director slaps you in the face by making you realize how shallow you were thinking about Jill. Jill is never anything but kind in the movie. She loves her family more than anything. And most importantly, she is never afraid to be herself. Society tells you to be yourself, but then judges you when you do so. Jill is an amazing person who puts others before herself, and is a much better person than Jack in the end.

This movie teaches you about family. Jack and Jill’s odd, yet funny conversation in their made-up language towards the end of the movie is one of the best scenes. It proves that family always comes first.

And of course, who doesn’t love the last scene of the movie where Jill finds true love. ♡

So, maybe I’ve changed your mind about this movie. But if the cheese is just too much for you, I understand.