Look at all the movies I’ve been seeing lately!  Everyone should be so so proud of me.  Tonight I went to see Devil with my friend (I can’t think of a good nickname.  What should we call him?).  I was very happy that it was a short one because I am totally one of those people who get bored quickly.  I was afraid I’d be terrified during this movie, but it wasn’t bad at all.  It was more of a bloody death kind of movie than a creepy ghost kind.  Plus, you never really have to see any of the deaths actually happen.  I jumped only once, and it was more of a “Nooo!  Dwight!”

I predicted who the Devil was from the start, and once you witness how the first person dies, it’s pretty much the same format for the rest of the movie.  There aren’t many surprises in the hour and a half.  Again, its length kept it from getting too boring, and the ending wrapped everything up together very nicely.  I liked it.

My official rating?  3.5/5

What a long movie!  I think that might be my biggest complaint about this film.  It runs for 2.5 hours and there really isn’t a need for it to be that long.  I thought the movie itself was wonderful (I adore Chow Yun-Fat).  It had the perfect amount of teasingly adorable romance to please a viewer.  The King and I is my favorite musical of all, and I have been meaning to see this movie for a few years now.  It didn’t disappoint.  At first  I thought the length of the movie was because they were going to add in the music.  Thank God they didn’t–it would have ruined the whole thing.

If I could write a letter to the movie people (oh yea, total film major here), I would ask them to please cut out a lot of stuff regarding Tuptim and her lover–it is important, but not the main focus of the movie.  Also, some scenes with Louis can go too.  He was vastly annoying.  Sorry Tom Felton–you’re only cute when you’re older.  And hotter.

Overall I give this move: 4/5

Today I saw Kiki’s Delivery Service for the first time.  I meant to see this movie sooner, but then things started happening and you guys know how that goes.  Recently my brother got into Spirited Away and I thought there was no better time to catch up on my Miyazaki films than now.  I’m a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s films–I’ve seen quite a few of them (though I have a few more left to go).  I wasn’t disappointed by this movie!

While Kiki isn’t my favorite of his movies (that spot is reserved for Howl), I enjoyed it very much.  It’s a great movie for those who are about to set off into the world their own for the first time.  I’ve been so preoccupied with moving out and getting my MLS that it was really nice to watch a film about a young witch who is learning about herself in a strange city.  Kiki is strong, and confident, but also needs to learn a lot about the world and her place in it.  I enjoyed watching her learn her lessons.  Also, Jiji is awesome.  I’d LOVE a cat just like him.

If you’re looking for another wonderful Miyazaki film that leaves you feeling happier than when you started, I highly recommend this one (and Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro and…). My official, super professional rating?  4/5

Tonight I went to the movies with my friend Brianna (after a very embarrassing adventure in Target).  We saw Hereafter.  I didn’t know it came out tonight–I know, I know, my movie ignorance is showing.  We got tickets early, and frolicked around until it was time to see the movie.  Good thing we bought them early!  There were about fifteen other people in the theater besides us.  Oops.  I made sure to sit in the direct center of the theater.  You know, because I am obnoxious like that.

Anyway, let’s talk about the movie.  Hereafter is about death.  It follows three different people as they deal with death: one almost died, one’s family member recently died and one can talk to dead people.  At the end, like many movies with different storylines, we get to see the beautiful way the tangled vines come together to form something wonderful.

First of all, the beginning half of the movie was intense and shocking.  I gasped a lot, and was sucked into the movie as if what I was seeing was actually happening.  At one point, I remember being terrified, and realizing the entire theater was completely silent.  There was no music in the film, not one sound–no one moved in the theater.  Everything was silent.  The second half of the movie, which brings the major events together towards the conclusion, touched me in ways a movie hasn’t done in a long time.

I have been obsessed with death and dying for a few months now.  I have asked everyone I’ve come in contact with what they think happens after we die, and most people have been wonderful about telling me what they believe.  I needed this movie.  I left the theater feeling light, and feeling satisfied.  I thought it was beautiful, and careful and perfect.  The ending is truthfully hopeful, without being corny.  For me, Even though this movie was about three different people, it was really just about Marcus–and his story was told fantastically.  I sincerely recommend this movie to everyone.

My official rating? 5.5/5