The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - A Review

You should probably go see this. If we have similar taste in movies at all (and if you aren't sure if we do infact share similar tastes, then please familiarize yourself with these past reviews), then you'll most likely enjoy this movie.

Basic Thoughts

• The first half hour? Wasn't really into it. There were a lot of imagined sequences during the beginning, which I expected, but I didn't love them. Up until the Benjamin Button one, which was great and got me to loosen up a bit, which made the rest of the movie much more fun to watch..

• Obviously, Parks and Recreation (and Party Down) are both amazing amazing shows - but casting Adam Scott as the new boss? Hated him. And not the character, I get that he's supposed to be unlikable. But he did such a weirdly bad job of playing him. It distracted me with how poor a choice that was. Only thing I'm gonna complain about.

• You know how I (and others) complain so much about how long movies are? I wanted this one to be longer. I think that's just based on how much I liked the story, but I really wish it had kept going or had included some scenes that probably got cut.

• Personally, I love it when the trailer song is actually used in a scene in the movie. I can't stand it when trailer song choices are just an afterthought that have nothing to do with the story.

• Sean Penn, you're great. Everything needs more Sean Penn. It was such a tiny role and I love that it was his.

• Kristen Wiig, even when you're not funny, you're a delight. Keep that up.

• If you're an average, middle-aged, not UN-attractive man who's looking to separate himself from the crowd, you know what you should do? Get a bit of a tan. It always tricks me into thinking you're better looking than you are. Honestly. Ben Stiller tricked me into thinking that with this movie. I found myself inwardly asking, "Wait... is he a raging babe right now? Uh oh, he IS." I also found myself asking those same questions with Steve Carell in The Way Way Back. And the only real similarity was their calming tan skin. Just a thought.

• I just re-read these points and I realize I haven't told you really why I thought it was so good. I think it's harder to express that when something is sort of well done and you just want to leave it at that and not over-think it. I really enjoyed it, though.

And if you're thinking that I would've loved this no matter what because of Kristen Wiig, you're wrong. (I don't know what the hell to think of The Spoils of Babylon - I just... I don't think I get it? Anyway, that's another topic.)

Mitty! Go see it!

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New Year's Movie To Watch - Radio Days

I wish there were as many New Years movies as there are Christmas movies. This is probably the one I like to watch most (a close second being Dick Tracy) around this time of year. There isn't really one reason I enjoy it so much, it's just a warm kind of movie.

Some people might tell you to watch When Harry Met Sally (meh) or, god forbid, New Year's Eve (shudder) - but thankfully, I am not amongst those "people".

Oh! And one that’s not exactly “warm” - but still a good movie? A Simple Plan. So good! Especially if you’re in the mood for a good drama. Love this movie.

(And speaking of New Years, there will be a few New Year's Eve/New Year's Day specific posts coming up. What will they consist of? Well, how to ensure a prosperous year, of course!)

Christmas Movie To Watch - Batman Returns

Okay, calm down. I know there are a billion other, way-more-Christmasy movies I could suggest here - but you already know about those! And hopefully you're aware of this one as well. But if not? Watch it! 

It can get sickening to watch the gooey, heartfelt Christmas movies over and over each year (with the exception of Scrooged, I could watch that every year until I die and be quite content), so maybe mix it up and give this a watch.

And I'm not into comic books* or superheroes at all, but the sight of Gotham City? Fuck, it's so gorgeous. What a beautiful place to live. And with the snow? Get out of here, so lovely. 

*Archie Comics are an exception obviously, those will always be delightful to me.

Food Matters Documentary

I really wish I'd posted this last week, since from December 1st until later on today, you can see this documentary for free on their site. Here's the link. 

Thankfully, the lovely Jenn suggested it to me and I just finished watching it. Verdict? Great. You really should see it. It's basically about nutrition, vitamins and, well, it's about so much more. If you can spare some time, just go watch it now. I'm going to try and find a streaming link for it as well if you're reading this after December 10th.

Overly Simple Thoughts After Seeing It

1. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely going to be drinking a jug of water each morning right after I wake. I'll update this in a week to report on how that went and if I felt any different/better. (UPDATE: You have to do this. It was messed up. In a good way.)
2. Cashews can help depression? Will keep that in mind.
3. I'll look into this further, but it seems like Niacin is the greatest sounding vitamin known to man. I'll try it out and, again, report back.

These are just small things that stuck in my head after watching it, but a lot of other parts really stayed with me as well. Such a good documentary. Definitely as good as Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. 

Trailer

The Snowman

Have you seen this before? It came out in 1982 and I'd never even heard of it until today. And man, it's really beautiful. It's based on the 1978 children's book by Raymond Briggs. It's completely wordless (like the book), with the exception of one song. (Why is there a weird David Bowie introduction? No idea.)

If you can spare twenty-five minutes, give it a watch. I'm definitely going to play it for my nieces when I'm in Canada for the holidays.

And one last thing? Man, I miss animation like this. I really do. I can't really put into words why that is. Logically, it's probably because I associate it with my own childhood but maybe not. It just looks so much more beautiful to me than anything that's getting released for kids today.

Movie To Watch - Breakdown

This movie is fantastic. I saw it for the first time when it came out (fuck, about sixteen years ago) and just re-watched it the other night. Still fantastic. Everything about it is perfect. (Not fun fact: for the longest time I thought it was Jeff Bridges and William Petersen (Grissom!) in this movie - and it's obviously not, but rather Kurt Russell and J.T. Walsh.) 

The premise still terrifies me: "A couple is driving across the country when they find themselves stranded in the middle of a desert with nothing around. The woman takes a ride with a friendly trucker to a small diner to call for help, but after a long time, the man becomes worried. He finds that no one in the diner has seen or heard from his wife. When he finds the trucker who gave her the ride, the trucker swears he has never seen her." Does that not sound terrifying?! The twelve year old me couldn't handle how awful that sounded. Anyway, great movie. See it if you haven't. It's on American Nexflix. 

Hocus Pocus

All of my Octobers include this movie. I first saw it in theatres when I was eight. I went with my brothers and some church friends (we had church friends when we were kids) and I cried my eyes out at the end and they all laughed and pointed at me (yeah, even the church kids). It was the first time that a movie made me cry and I'll never forget that. I didn't care that much about all of them laughing at me, 'cause I was more struck by the thought of, "Why aren't these mutants WITH me crying right now? Probably 'cause they're teenagers and their souls are dead."

Anyhow, this movie is great. It will always be great. And I swear this will be the only Buzzfeed "article" that I tell you to go read, but if you've ever liked this movie then go read this. I love everything about that list. 

This gem is only $7 on Amazon. Get on it.

Horror Movie Tip

Everyone either loves or hates horror movies, I've come to learn. While I certainly do not love them (with the slight exceptions of say The Blair Witch Project and, oh, the brilliant April Fool's Day) , I have learned not to hate them all as strongly. 

Reasons Why You're Allowed To Hate Them

• They're just too loud. No one needs that.
• When you're either falling asleep or walking those ten feet from your car to your front door or walking alone at night - you will inevitably think of something you saw in a horror movie once. Am I alone in this? This is a thing people do, yes?  And thus, you will become slightly... on edge. This feeling is awful. 
• The sight of so much blood makes your stomach feel rough. 

Reasons You're A Loser For Hating Them

• It's just a movie, dummy. Grow up.

Those first points are all acceptable reasons to hate these movies. However, at some point in your life, you will encounter someone (friend or mate) who loves them. What to do? Stand your ground and never see them? No, that's silly. (I'm looking at you, Paul AND Jenn). The surefire way to NOT become frightened when watching a scary movie is this: plug your ears. I swear to God this works. Obviously you still hear what's going on, but the fact that it becomes a bit muffled after you plug those ears? Totally tricks your brain into not feeling as much (if any) fear. I would tell you to close your eyes as well, but c'mon. We're adults.  

Try it out if you think I'm wrong. Swear it'll work. And have you seen April Fool's Day? Man. Get on that.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead - A Review

You need to watch this documentary. It's about this man who decides to do a 60 day juice cleanse, but then it becomes about a lot more - involving other people as well. Is that description vague? I hope it is. Just vague enough so you might be intrigued into seeing it. 

Honestly, it's just a crazy good film and ridiculously... heartfelt. Maybe that seems like the wrong word choice, but I'm sticking with it. There's this one man Phil in it that is just... I love him. You really have to see this. The whole thing can be viewed on YouTube here.  

Why did I enjoy it so much? Man, I wish it were one thing that I could place and tell you. But it was a lot of things. The fact that it started out as being about one idea with one specific man, and then turned into so much more? That's probably it. And everyone apart of it seemed so genuine and, as lame as it is to say, inspiring. Absolutely no reason not to see this one, guys.

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The Imposter - A Recommendation

“A documentary centered on a young Frenchman who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years.”

— IMDB

You need to see this movie. I just watched it last night and man, it's really good. I don't really want to give away too much information, so I'll just leave it at that description above. I'd never heard of the documentary OR the story when it happened in real life, so maybe that's why I was so blown away? Or maybe it's just a really good watch. My brother Robbie told me to see it, and I was skeptical at first because, well, he likes almost every movie out there. I was going to list some of the worst ones he's liked, but realized that might be a bit rough to do since I'm really trying to commend his taste right now.

See it. Now.