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Friday, December 27, 2013

Movie Review: End of Year Movies

Back in October, I listed a handful of movies that were on my radar. Now that's it's the last weekend of the year, let's do a quick rundown of the movies I've seen in the last two months and how they fared.

Carrie - October 18: Although I'm a big fan of Chloe Moretz and think she does a great job in everything, the movie itself was not that great. It was just average, which is pretty much a cardinal sin when it comes to remaking great movies. Rating: ♥

12 Years a Slave - October 18: This wasn't initially on my radar because it seemed like too sad a movie, but I had to watch it after the great reviews. It was such an awesome story that deserves some awards this season. I couldn't believe it was a true story played beautifully by Chiwetel and the gang. It's one of two movies on here with both Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender. Rating: ♥       

The Counselor - October 25: So many great actors in this movie, which is why it isn't a total disappointment. Even though the story line was a bit pretentious and boring, there were some memorable scenes by Cameron Diaz. Sadly, Brad Pitt does not eat in this film. I was almost 100% certain that he eats in every movie he's in. There's even a website dedicated to what Brad puts in his mouth, lol. Rating: ♥♥

Dallas Buyer's Club - November 1: I've never seen Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto so skinny. Way too skinny. It's based on a true story, but this movie is mostly about the acting. Let's give Jared a medal for being the most attractive AIDS-ridden transgender on film. That boy is so pretty. Rating: ♥

Thor: The Dark World - November 8: Baby Pitt is the coolest. I see movies just because he's in them. I do the same for Ryan Gosling, JGL, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence. Is that weird? Thor was a great action movie, was pretty funny, and Loki is great. Everyone likes Tom Hiddleston right? Rating: ♥

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - November 22: I've read all the books and I saw the first movie, and I'm happy to report that the second movie was so much better than the first. It stays true to the book and it is a lot darker, which is what I like. I even felt like I was seeing the story for the first time because I had forgotten how book 2 ended, so that made the ending even better. Rating: ♥ 

Out of the Furnace - December 6: Set with a great cast of Christian Bale, Zoe Saldana, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson and more, this film is well acted and really shows the struggle of the American economy after war. Bale and Harrelson really make the movie pop with intensity and intrigue, but I didn't know what to make of the last two minutes of the film. What am I supposed to take from this? Rating: 

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - December 13: Yes, it is a weird pronunciation of the dragon's name, but that's how it's supposed to sound. I really enjoyed this second installment of The Hobbit, even though I think it was probably 20 minutes too long (almost 3 hours). If you didn't like the ending, it's just sticking to the book, much like The Hunger Games. And ladies, Orlando Bloom returns as Legolas. Rating: ♥

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
 - December 18: I don't know if I'm in the majority or the minority when I say this, but I thought the original Anchorman was one of the funniest movies I'd ever seen. The same can't be said for the sequel, but it does have its moments. I like Ron Burgundy and Brian Fantana, but didn't get many laughs from the rest of the supporting cast. Rating: 

American Hustle - December 20: It started off slow but eventually picked up with the help of a great cast and some beautiful costumes that transformed you back to the 1970s. Although it was quite funny and entertaining--Bale's elaborate combover, Lawrence's arsonist ways--I do feel like it didn't live up to its trailers. And I really want to know how the ice fishing story ends, but I think that's a mystery that will never be solved. Rating: 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - December 25: The main thing that made me want to see this movie? Hearing Of Monsters and Men playing during the trailer. Ben Stiller is Walter Mitty, a man whose constant daydreaming keeps him from living life to the fullest. An unexpected assignment gives Walter the chance to find what he's been missing. I can tell you that the main difference between Walter Mitty and American Hustle is this: I expected Hustle to be an A+ movie, but it turned out to be more B-. Mitty was expected to be C average, and ended up being B+, so keep that in mind when you're reading reviews. Even though I'm giving them the same amount of hearts, expectations made Mitty a more enjoyable film. Rating: 



Tell me your thoughts if you've seen any of these 2013 movies!
♥ - don't see | ♥ - rent it | ♥ - watch in theaters
Still on my radar: The Wolf of Wall Street & Her
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19 comments

  1. Wow Cheryl you saw a lot of movies!! I did see 12 Years a Slave and loved it!!

    HG2- I plan on seeing soon!

    AM2- I was hoping it would be good like the first one but I'll prob be wiring to rent it.

    Hope you have a great weekend pretty girl!!

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  2. Awesome movie reviews, Cheryl:) I haven't see any new movies in awhile which makes me all kinds of sad, but your list really solidified some of the choices I've made if I do get the chance, which is to see Baby Pitt in Dark World, and CF and Desolation for sure.

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  3. Most of these are not release here in the UK yet. I do have my eyes set on 12 years a slave. Looks a good one.

    xoxo
    Ivy
    http://www.purrpleivy.com/

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  4. I LOVED Catching fire!!

    btw, you look absolutely AMAZING in your Christmas post, beautiful family!!

    xoxo, KP
    Eleventh & Sixteenth

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  5. Haha did you hear about that online marketing spoof they did to promote Carrie it was soooooo funny!! And 12 Years a Slave looks good. Yes the cookies are not as hard as they look you should try making them : )

    Allie of ALLIE NYC
    allienyc.com

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  6. You're so meticulous in keeping track of your reviews throughout the year! I saw Hunger Games and now really want to read the books. The second one was quite different, and I liked it a lot. There was heart, excitement, conspiracy and twists. Since you say Anchorman (first) was hilarious, I want to see it now. And the Secret Life looks good in the trailers. I hope to see it!

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  7. I did not want to see 12 years a slave but I do love Chiwetel, such an excellent actor. I also loved Hunger Games! We may go see American Hustle on the weekend.
    Wishing you a wonderful new year. :)

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  8. Excellent review and recap Cheryl. I'm going to see The Hobbitt this week.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  9. I just watched The Hunger Games 2 and you are so right. The second movie is so much better than the first. I'm planning to watch the Hobbit 2. Thanks for sharing
    I like your blog.
    I'm following you with GFC now. Hope you can visit my blog and return the favor.

    Hi_D
    http://kintsugioflife.blogspot.com/

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  10. Hi Cheryl, this is such an excellent roundup, you're like my own personal movie critic, I haven't seen any of these but I am taking everything you wrote into consideration! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend hun!

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  11. I haven't seen the first Hunger game movie yet. I need to do that.

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  12. Wow this is a thourough review my dear! Too bad the ones you rated high are not my kind of movie. Will you do the same with tv series if you like watching them? Much much Love
    Coco et La vie en rose
    Coco et La vie en rose on Bloglovin
    Coco et La vie en rose on Facebook

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  13. My husband really wants to see Hobbit 2 but I fell asleep during the first one and I have a feeling it´s gonna happen again. Great reiews!!

    http://jezzdallasmakeup.blogspot.com/

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  14. i liked 12 yrs a slave as well
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    www.MOSAMUSE.com

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  15. Loved what they did with Catching Fire too. It was strange to watch it with someone who had not read the book and didn't know what would happen. I wish I could read the book and not know anything about it to see the film at the same time. Looking forward to American Hustle and Walter Mitty when I can fit them in too. Also Saving Mr Banks - is that on your radar?

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  16. I really wanted to see Anchorman 2 but that is a bummer that it wasn't as funny as the first one. But that often happens with sequels, they don't live up!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Le Mode Giveaway!

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  17. I have only seen one of these movies - American Hustle, which I saw yesterday. And I did enjoy it, I thought the acting was well done and it was really funny.

    I would definitely like to see Her, hopefully it will live up to the trailer, which makes it seem amazing, Arcade Fire score and all.

    Chic on the Cheap

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