Anastasia
“Ra-Ra-Rasputin, Russia’s sexiest love machine”
Don Bluth, Gary Goldman (1997)
It looks very nice, I like the songs, especially the main theme that comes back several times. I also enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters. The superb animation makes it worthwhile, even if the villain is a bit of an afterthought.
Hook
“If Rain-Man and Mrs Doubtfire did acid”
Steven Spielberg (1991)
I’ve seen it so many times, but I gotta say it still works on me. Some stuff I picked up only now, like the almost “horror-movie” moments up until the abduction, now I know why it made me scared as a kid.
And obviously Dustin Hoffman’s performance is a joy to behold.
Mamma Mia!
“The name’s Singer, Imma Terrible Singer”
Phyllida Lloyd (2008)
It’s a fun and light-hearted movie, but I don’t like what they’ve done with most of the songs (I love ABBA). Like some, I believe Dancing Queen is one of Abba’s saddest songs, and here they transform it into a girl fun fest. It seems like only Amanda Seyfried is a good singer out of all of the cast.
Pierce Brosnan is truly bad, and I don’t think Meryl Streep does a good job at all.
Spirited Away
“Japan’s weirdest bathhouse”
Hayao Miyazaki (2001)
Out of all the Miyazaki films, it’s definitely among the weirdest. It’s still a feast for the eyes and truly beautiful at times (the train travelling at night). Not my favorite but I like it a lot.
The Love Bug
“Christine for kids”
Robert Stevenson (1968)
Like other old Disney movies, it’s good entertainment, but it drags on at times.
Music & Lyrics
“Pop! goes my heart”
Marc Lawrence (2007)
I know it’s not the best movie, but can’t help loving it (I’m also a sucker for Rom-Coms). The music in it is probably why I love it so much. It parodies and pays homage to 80’s music, but all the songs are actually excellent, and I listen to the soundtrack often.
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore have good chemistry, and there are good secondary characters. The parody of Britney Spears is also spot on.
From Up on Poppy Hill
“Love thy sister”
Gorō Miyazaki (2011)
I was very pleasantly surprised at how much this movie touched me. I didn’t really enjoy Gorō Miyazaki’s Tales from Earthsea (though it’s been more than 10 years, I’d have to see it again), but this one absolutely enchanted me from start to finish. One of the best Ghibli movies.
Notting Hill
“A movie star goes inside a crappy bookstore, You’ll never believe what happens next!”
Richard Curtis (1999)
Among my favorite Rom-Coms. It’s cheesy as hell, but I can’t help it, this movie makes me feel good.
The Castle of Cagliostro
“Stay away from giant clocks”
Hayao Miyazaki (1979)
The only Hayao Miyazaki movie that I had not watched, and I had a great time. It’s a bit weird because characters are already established, but it doesn’t matter at all to follow the story. It has some beautiful moments and the environments are so rich and detailed you want to go there.
Four Weddings and a Funeral
“Technically it should be three weddings and a Funeral”
Mike Newell (1994)
Another one of those cheesy rom-coms that I adore. A very weird thing in this one is the absolute absence of details about the characters’ life. We only know they’re friends and they go to a lot of weddings. It has very fun times, some sad times, and the great boy-finally-gets-girl-in-the-rain moment.
Arrietty
“Attack on Sick Boy”
Hiromasa Yonebayashi (2009)
As usual with Studio Ghibli movies, I liked it a lot. It’s enchanting, thrilling and moving. I was very impressed with how the movie makes you feel the scale difference between humans and little people.
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