2008 Top Ten

(Shannon) What better way to dive right back into the blog-o-sphere than with a top ten? Here are my top ten movies of 2008:

10. Body of Lies: It was a pretty good movie, but really what I loved about it was Leo (of course). This is one of his hottest--and I love that we are both growing old together (love the wrinkles, Leo!). Kate said it best in her Golden Globe acceptance speech: "Leo I love you. I've loved you for 13 years."

9. 27 Dresses: I've only been an official bridesmaid 4 times (I think--it's difficult to remember) but WOW did I love the closing scene where everyone was standing there in the dresses that they made their bridesmaids wear. So hilarious! Mostly I loved this one b/c it was so much fun!

8. Sex & the City: Fashion. Glamour. NYC. It was going to be difficult for me NOT to like this one.

7. Iron Man: This one was a major surprise--so much so that I saw it 2 nights in a row! I haven't done that since Lara Croft: Tombraider (which sucked but it was my first introduction to Gerard Butler). The main characters were so great and so great together. And I loved how realistic it seemed to actually be a superhero.

6. Twilight: I've said many times there there is about 30 minutes of good movie in Twilight. But WOW those 30 minutes are WORTH IT! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the baseball game. That scene is a supermassive hit for sure! I love when you first meet the Cullens (except Jasper--seriously how was he so wrong?). I love the scenery, houses, school, all so perfect. If there would've been good directing, Twilight would be #1.

5. Secret Life of Bees: Also a complete surprise--the cast was seriously amazing. The story was so touching and sweet and interesting. The only thing that was missing was a musical number from Queen, Alicia & Jennifer! How fantastic would that have been?

4. Mamma Mia: (sigh) This is such a fun movie!!! I could never, as long as I live, get enough of Dancing Queen and the way the Greek women join in and then then dance on the pier and jump in. BRILLIANT! This movie was truly for ABBA lovers but I've found that many non-ABBA-lovers liked it to.

3. Australia: This was a truly beautiful movie. The scenery, costumes, actors, camera angles!!! Obviously from my post right before this one, I was going to love this movie. And it didn't dissapoint!! It isn't going to bump Moulin Rouge out of it's #1 spot though, but it was definitely awesome!

2. Curious Case of Benjamin Button: This one and Australia were neck and neck for the #2 spot. I chose this one b/c it was unexpectedly wonderful. Above all, I loved the way this movie showed how two people loved each other, and spent their lives loving each other.

1. Slumdog Millionaire: If I talk to you very often, you probably have already heard me gush about this movie. It is sooooooo interesting and touching and different and emotional and wonderful. There is no way I could properly explain so please just go see it!!!!


NOTE: You may be wondering where Revolutionary Road or Defiance or the Reader or Doubt or many of those movies are on my top ten. I will just steal a phrase from my friend Brian and say that Utah is a cultural abyss--we don't have many movie options around here so many of them aren't here at all or came really late. So I have yet to see some. And even further still, some of these listed I'm not actually dying to see (Rev Road--sorry Leo! Don't be mad).

AUSTRALIA!!!

This is not a movie review b/c this movie does not come out until November 26. And I hate to jinx this movie....but there are 4 reasons why I'm pretty much convinced it's a sure thing:
1. Hugh Jackman
2. Nicole Kidman
3. Set in Australia
4. Baz Luhrman directing
Let me translate: one of my top ten + one of my fave actresses + my favorite place to visit (next to Paris) + the director of my all time favorite movie....are my expectations too high?

Watch this and then you decide....

The Secret Life of Bees

This is the best movie I've seen since Mamma Mia! I loved it so much!!!

Things I loved:

• The actors and acting
• The South
• It was just such a sweet, emotional story

Things I was unsatisfied with:

• I CANNOT believe in a movie like this, w/3 amazing singers-turned-actresses, that they didn't have them singing!!! Seriously missed opportunity! But the girls sure can act! I would've just loved it more if they would've thrown in a few more songs.

Overall, I'd rate this movie a 9!!! Go see it!! You will not regret it!!

Body of Lies (Shannon)

Last Friday, Amanda Romualdo (another one of my fabulous coworkers) & I went to see "Body of Lies." This is becoming quite a tradition for us--this is our 3rd Leo movie outing. :)
Of the 3 most recent Leo movies, I would rank them like this:

1. The Departed
2. Blood Diamond
3. Body of Lies

Why? Well they are all good primarily because of this:
And maybe w/a little more time and a few more viewings, I will like Body of Lies as much. But really it's not fair to compare it to those other two b/c they are all amazing movies for different reasons.

One thing I liked about Body of Lies better than the the other two was it was less violent (even though there were a few brutal scenes). And I loved the jet-setting to Jordan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Virginia, etc.

And without giving too many spoilers, I loved the main theme at the end that breaks through--Leo walks away for a bigger cause. :)

Overall I would give Body of Lies a 7.

It was a good movie and if you like middle east and/or governmental stuff w/a little hot Leo thrown in, I'd say go see it!!!! :)

The Women (Shannon)

This movie just sucked. All I can say is we picked this over Burn After Reading! WHAT WERE WE THINKING?

Overall I rate this movie a 3.

Why it didn't get a 5:

1. It seemed like they were going for the Sex & the City type relationship w/4 different women that were friends over time....but it was absolutely NOT believable in any way!

2. All of the funny punch lines were deliverd weirdly so that they weren't funny.

3. Meg Ryan cannot seem to be anything other than this one character....over and over.

Why it didn't get a 1:

1. Chloris Leachman was funny.

2. It's filmed in NYC.

3. I've blocked out everything else that was possibly good or funny.

The Dark Knight (Shannon)

I was asked by Alyssa (one of my fabulous co-workers) the other day when the Mavens were going to review The Dark Knight....and my response was "I saw it on the last day of Convention and slept through most of it and woke up only for very scary parts." So because of that: a) I hated it and b) my review won't be fair.

So instead, I asked Alyssa if she would like to be a guest reviewer, because after all, she is a writer (as you will see in a minute when you read her fantastic review).....so without further adieu.....

(Alyssa) Shannon fell asleep during this movie? I can only assume she was too exhausted from her jet-setting lifestyle to give this movie its due. So I’ll take it from here. :)

The Dark Knight is a gripping movie that draws you in from the initial scene—you should have heard the gasp in the IMAX theatre at the first frame of the rooftop. Nolan’s script drops the viewer right into the middle of the action: who are these men, and why they are robbing this bank? The answer is revealed slowly as the action explodes. The message? Viewers just have to keep up.

The action is only part of the movie’s greatness. (Although the action is awesome. The scene with the motorcycle, for example, is deftly filmed.) The true excellence lies in the performances. Christian Bale returns as Batman. While others are distracted by his throaty dialogue, it works fine most of the time. Gary Oldman (Gordon) and Aaron Eckhart (Dent) provide memorable performances. Oldman’s is particularly convincing.

Then of course, there’s Heath Ledger as the Joker. He slips into the role so effortlessly that it’s difficult to spot the actor beneath. The makeup helps with this transformation, but it merely adds to the Joker’s voice, posture, and demeanor. Any praise you may have seen for his performance doesn’t do it justice. His character brings a much-needed comedic element, even if it is dark comedy. I couldn’t stop laughing at his scene in the hospital, starting with a simple, “Hi” and continuing through the hand-washing scene.

The Dark Knight is more than just an action-filled summer movie, although it fits that role nicely. It’s a movie that makes you consider tough questions: How far can you push someone before he breaks? What is the nature of personal responsibility? How far would you go to fight evil? And, of course, why so serious?

Plus it’s really cool.

In short, it’s a movie worth seeing again and again. I give it a 9.

Why it’s not a 10. The movie is drawn out a bit long; it slows down a little once it hits the ferry scene.

Why it’s not a 5. The Joker. He’s not your stereotypical evil villain. He’s evil, diabolically clever, and funny. Who else would ask to just give him a minute when he’s pulled away from Batman? And the disturbing scene with Batman and the Joker in the cell? Sheer brilliance.

Thanks Alyssa!!!! Feel free to add your comments if you've seen it. And if you are interested in being a guest reviewer, leave a comment or email me w/your ideas. :)

Vicky Christina Barcelona (Shannon)

To be quite honest, I can't give this movie a fair review. Why? Well because it starred Scarlett Johansson and not that I didn't already know this before, but apparently I needed one final and unequivocal reminder that SHE SUCKS! Sorry to all of you that still like her...but Scoop + Match Point + Vicky Christina Barcelona = ScarJo is just DONE in my book. Seriously. She always looks like she is in a complete failure of an audition for a role.

But alas, I shall try to be fair....overall I'd give this movie a 5 (sorry Christy).

3 Reasons it wasn't a 2:

1. Penelope Cruz was brilliant! So volatile and beautiful and funny.

2. Javier Bardem was fab too. Not enough to get on to my top ten....but a very good performance! :)

3. Barcelona!

3 Reasons it wasn't a 7:

1. ScarJo

2. Girl on girl. Seriously totally unnecessary. And p.s. the movie was PG-13 so if you're a guy, don't get too excited.

3. ScarJo