Aside from raining all the time, January was quite awesome. I think it’s the first time I really can focus on award season. I watched Golden Globes (including the red carpet) and People’s Choice Award, also Oscar nomination announcement. I also catch up some Oscar nominated movies and they were amazing. I think maybe I watched my number one movie for 2014 this month. What’s more awesome was I can watch the non-2014 amazing movie like Oldboy and sweet ’80 teen movie, Sixteen Candles. Starting Blind Spot with one of Audrey Hepburn movie too, Charade.
Managed to post Retrospective for 2014, Favorite 2014 Soundtrack , what 2015 movies I look forward and my thoughts about Golden Globes award. Also new feature : Fine Visuals, first featuring The Grand Budapest Hotel. It summoned to be a productive month.
Like having a blank page, I decided to renew the monthly recap by making it more practical and removing the banner. Also, categorized the movies I loved, liked and mixed feeling/disliked. Here’s the whole recap :
Reviewed & Loved :
Birdman (2014)
Whiplash (2014)
Charade (1963)
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Impressed :
Nightcrawler (2014)
It’s not new for Jake Gylenhaal to star ‘dark’ movies, but it’s the first time he really wowed me. In Nightcrawler, he is an ambitious camera person searching for crime footage for morning news. This movie emphasizes how sometimes human neglect their humanity side and more concern to their own being, which in this movie to get the crime footage so fresh even the police arrive at the crime scene. It’s the haunting feeling watching how someone can be so ambitious they do anything, even if it can risk their own life. Outstanding performance by Gylenhaal. Score : 8
Wild (2014)
It’s so refreshing to see Reese Witherspoon again with a great survival true story, which she also produced. I find myself inspired by this story. I’ll review it soon.
Oldboy (2003)
After watching several outstanding movies, you thought you can’t be surprised anymore. But this movie definitely can. It’s twisted, definitely disturbing, sick, sad and romantic at the same time. Awesome performance by Min-sik Choi, the lead. I don’t think I should see the remake version (released in 2013). Score : 8
Liked :
Sixteen Candles (1984)
I admit I wasn’t appealed to the story at first, but I know it will be a great movie for teen girls as it revolves around the teenage world and guy crush. But the ending saves everything. Several big actors starred and haven’t had their big break, like John Cusack. Score : 7,5
Da Vinci Code (2006)
It was a great thriller and revealed some major facts about one religion. I enjoyed it and it’s nice to see Audrey Tatou in an American movie, with Tom Hanks too. Paul Bettany was convincing and in his character. Score : 8
Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2014)
A TV movie about a true story of a daughter (Christina Ricci) accused of murdering her parents. It’s an enjoyable and light thriller, but not at all cheap. Ricci was bold and appalling. I loved the short video insertion of the murder spread in the movie. Score : 7,5
The Grandmaster (2013)
Loved the cinematography and how Wong Kar-Wai made the martial arts to be beautiful in motion. Never seen Zhang Zi Yi being so tough and fearless, but also calm. Also Tony Leung Chiu Wai’s performance. But I find it too heavy on the story and history. Score : 7
The Kite Runner (2007)
Beautiful story about friendship and dealing with your mistake, also dedication. Also, about growing up and standing up for yourself and what you believe in. The background story made the movie felt grand and bigger. Score : 7
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Just Okay / Average / Not Good :
Trip to Italy (2014)
I might expected too much for Trip to Italy to be one of my favorite culinary movies. Literally watching Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on their trip to Italy. Rather than doing the usual life-lesson-learned-through-road-trip, the movie just simply tells us the laid back trip of two good friends through Italy; their landmarks, beautiful views and culinary. There was some dreary moments between the two guys talking (mostly when they are chatting between their meals), but I admire how this movie firmly telling a story about a journey in a foreign land without drama and just good company, and the climax just the best moments in your vacation. Score : 6,5
The Aviator (1985)Predictable love story about a spoiled and troubled woman and hunky pilot having a plane crash and stranded in the woods. Score : 5Austenland (2013)
I understand the premise and the concept could make a funny movie about a woman desperately seeking for Jane-Austen-kind of love. Though seem exciting, the place Austenland was a little bit terrifying for me. Kerri Russell was a little goofy and it’s refreshing, but it needs to have a Drew Barrymore kind of a leading woman. Score : 5,5
Top 3 :
- Birdman (2014)
- Wild (2014)
- Oldboy (2003)
Other Posts this month :
- Fine Visuals : The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
- Soundtrack Pick : The Theory of Everything (2014)
- Anticipated 2015 Movies
- The Golden Globes 2015 Winner List & Thoughts
- 5 Favorite Soundtrack 2014
- If You’re Lucky : 2014 Retrospective
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Readers, what’s your favorite movie this January? What movie you want to watch in February?
