Low Maintenance, High Standards

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 30: Your Least Favorite Movie 

• Superbad (2007) — very rated R trailer. Beware.

I hate this movie.

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 28: What Movie Changed Your Opinion About Something?

Honestly, I don’t watch too many documentaries, and it would take more than a scripted film to change my beliefs or opinions on something, especially on a moral or political level. (And a lot of the documentaries I have seen only solidifies the opinions and beliefs I already hold.) My beliefs and opinions are not just based in faith but also education. So my answer will possibly be more shallow than this question probably intended, but….

• My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

When Julianne Potter’s (Julia Roberts) long-time friend, Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) says he’s engaged to 22 year old Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz), she realizes she loves him herself… and sets out to get him, with only days before the wedding. (IMDB)

This film actually changed my mind on the whole “speak now or forever hold your peace” concept. I used to find it a thing of romance and true love, the kind you see in those romantic comedies. But when I saw this film for the first time when I was about ten years old, I realized how truly selfish it is. You should tell the person way before the altar because it’s not just about you and your feelings; this includes a third person’s life and future as well.

And while you have time before the wedding day to tell him/her how you feel, so does the person you love. If you haven’t said anything before the “I do,” you have to realize that neither has he/she, which should tell you all you need to know about how he/she feels.

My Favorite Scene: I Say a Little Prayer for you…

The 30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 28: Movie with the Best Soundtrack PART II (Artists) [I stayed away from musicals. And my choice is based on the fact that the soundtrack, I believe, best enraptures the essence of the material. Yes, I’m on my fandom high, but I think even objectively, this soundtrack nails it.]

• The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 & Beyond (2012)

Abraham’s Daughter - Arcade’s Fire
Tomorrow Will Be Kinder - The Secret Sisters
Nothing to Remember - Neko Case
Safe & Sound - Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars (above)
The Ruler and the Killer - Kid Cudi
Dark Days -  Punch Brothers
One Engine - The Decemberists
Daughter’s Lament - Carolina Chocolate Drops
Kingdom Come - The Civil Wars
Take the Heartland - Glen Hansard
Come Away (to the Water) - Maroon 5 feat. Rozzi Crane
Run Daddy Run - Miranda Lambert & Pistol Annies
Rules - Jayme Dee
Eyes Open - Taylor Swift
Lover is Childlike - The Low Anthem
Just a Game - Birdy 

The 30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 28: Movie with the Best Soundtrack

• PART I (Instrumental) - Gone with the Wind (1939) - TARA’S THEME

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 27: What Is Your Favorite Classic Movie (besides Gone with the Wind)?

• Roman Holiday (1953)

Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) embarks on a highly publicized tour of Europian capitals. When she and her royal entourage arrive in Rome, she begins to rebel against her restricted, regimented schedule. One night Anne sneaks out of her room, hops into the back of a delivery truck and escapes her luxurious confinement. However, a sedative she was forced to take earlier starts to take effect, and the princess is soon fast asleep on a public bench. She is found by Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American newspaper reporter stationed in Rome. He takes her back to his apartment. The next morning Joe dashes off to cover the Princess Anne press conference, unaware that she is sleeping on his couch! Once he realizes his good fortune, Joe promises his editor an exclusive interview with the princess. (IMDB)

My Favorite Scene: “Is this the elevator?”

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 26: What Movie Is a Guilty Pleasure?

• Winning London (2001)

When Chloe and Riley Lawrence (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) are invited to London to participate in the international Model U.N. competition, they enjoy seeing the sights and head over heals romance with cute british boys of course. (IMDB)

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 25: A Movie Many Would Not Expect You to Like

• The Hangover (2009)

A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him. (IMDB)

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 24: What Is Your Favorite Documentary?

• March of the Penguins (2005)

A look at the annual journey of Emperor penguins as they march — single file — to their traditional breeding ground. 

In the harshest place on Earth, love finds a way. (IMDB)

My Favorite Scene: “At last, the family is together.”

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 23: Who Is Your Favorite Male Character From Any Film? 

Han Solo (Harrison Ford in the Star Wars Saga)

(I also have to mention the impression Josh Hutcherson has still left on me as Peeta Mellark.)

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 23: Who Is Your Female Favorite Character From Any Movie?

Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind)

(Though, quite honestly, Katniss Everdeen is a serious contender thanks to the brilliance of Jennifer Lawrence.) 

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 22: What Is an Underrated Movie?

• Calamity Jane (1953)

Deadwood, Dakota Territory, is largely the abode of men, where Indian scout Calamity Jane (Doris Day) is as hard-riding, boastful, and handy with a gun as any; quite an overpowering personality. But the army lieutenant she favors (Philip Carey) doesn’t really appreciate her finer qualities. One of Jane’s boasts brings her to Chicago to recruit an actress (Gale Robbins) for the Golden Garter stage. Arrived, the lady in question appears (at first) to be a more feminine rival for the favors of Jane’s male friends…including her friendly enemy Wild Bill Hickock (Howard Keel). (IMDB)

My Favorite Scene: A Woman’s Touch

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 21: What Is an Overrated Movie?

• Avatar (2009)

When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge’s intentions of driving off the native humanoid “Na’vi” in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na’vi people with the use of an “avatar” identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora. (IMDB)

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 20: Who Is Your Favorite Actress?

• Dame Julie Andrews

30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 19: Who Is Your Favorite Actor?

• Hugh Jackman