#10 years of colin firth

[sawtastic-sideblog]

Thinking about Colin Firth's "yes they fucking do" at the end of Bridget Jones Diary and just feeling so incredibly normal about it

[muiitoloko]

MASTERLIST

• Last update: 21/08/2024

Model: Date / month / year

Follow me on AO3

1 - Fanfic serie: Jealousy

2 - Wishes

3 - Scar

4 - Girls night

5 - Doctor's Appointments

6 - Relaxation

7 - Duty and Desire

8 - The Boss

9 - Fanfic serie: Honeypot

10 - I Can See You

11 - Helper

12 - Just married

13 - Traditional vs. Unconventional

14 - Secret Messages

15 - Mission: Heatbreak - PART 1 - PART 2

16 - Kingsman Chronicles

17 - Small Steps

18 - Heart to Heart

19 - Fanfic serie: My, yours.

20 - Your Protector

21 - Loyalty

22 - "Fight for me"

23 - Pool table

24 - Gears of Passion

25 - A Voice to Soothe The Night

26 - The Dutiful Father-to-Be

27 - The Price of Pride

1 - Fantasy Frames - Harry Deane

2 - The World - Harry Deane

3 - Fanfic serie: Money - Lionel Shabandar

4 - Fanfic serie: Trust - Lionel Shabandar

5 - Skype - Lionel Shahbandar

6 - Unique experience - Lionel Shahbandar

7 - The Art of Parenting - Lionel Shahbandar

8 - Who are you? - Lionel Shahbandar

9 - Fanfic Serie: Perfume of Deceit - Lionel Shahbandar

1 - At Least one Time

2 - Oh shit!

3 - Care

4 - Experiments

5 - Fanfic Serie: Smart girl

6 - (Not) Alone

7 - Punctuality

8 - Fanfic serie: Become a great artist

9 - Fanfic serie: Wrong

10 - Fanfic serie: Like father like son

11 - Fanfic serie: The Villain

12 - Beneath the Surface

13 - Daddy's little girl

1 - Chess Game

2 - The Witch and the Judge.

3 - Fanfic serie: Love?

4 - Fanfic serie: Husband's duty

5 - Your husband, Your captor

6 - Lessons in Love - Lost scene from "Love?"

1 - Inappropriate

2 - Fanfic serie: No Reponse

1 - In the Eyes of the Beholder

2 - Stress Relief

3 - Bedroom Boundaries

1 - 11 o'clock girl

2 - Beneath the Veil

1 - Fanfic serie: Difficult woman

2 - Fanfic serie: The Promise of Tomorrow

3 - Needs

4 - The Nanny's Promise.

5 - The Arranged Alliance

1 - The Grass is Greener

2 - Anniversary Ambush

3 - In control

4 - The Sweetest Mission

5 - Fanfic serie: Beneath the Uniform

1° Alan Rickman: Not early riser

2°Alan Rickman: My Commoner

3°Alan Rickman: Typecast Hearts

4°Alan Rickman: Sun and Rain

5°Colin Firth-Alan Rickman: Co-stars

6°Blow Dry/PHIL: Styled with Love

7°Before I go to sleep/BEN: Chains of desire

8°Alan Rickman: Between Takes and Waistlines

9°Sense and Sensibility/BRANDON: You are you

10°Galaxy Quest/ALEXANDER: The stall

11°Judas Kiss/DAVID: Birthday Wishes

12°Rasputin(1996)/RASPUTIN: The Princess

13°Blow Dry/PHIL: Dirty little Secret

14°Alan Rickman: Rehearsal

15°The Barchester chronicles/SLOPE: Man of God

16°Quigley down under/ELLIOTT: My control

17° Die Hard/HANS: Diamond Shadows

18°Die Hard/HANS: Bound by Chaos

19°Quigley down under/ELLIOT: Behind the barn.

20°Die Hard/HANS: Dangerous Games

21°Alan Rickman: Unscripted Love

22°Colin Firth: Behind the Veil of Stardom.

23°Harry Potter/SNAPE: Alchemy of the Heart

[alpydk]

THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT MY FELLOW WRITERS

this is a super fun tag prompt list, thanks @orangekittyenergy

tagging: @sofancydancy and @senualothbrok

Right, let's see how this goes.

Last book I read: Pride and Prejudice. Had never read it before but the whole Tim Downie cameo got me doing it. Then watched the BBC series with a friend and we swooned something major over Colin Firth. I've picked up some other books since then but just haven't found the motivation to get through them. Looking at Dark Tower book 5 as well for the last year...

Greatest literary inspiration: I'm honestly not sure. My partner is the real reader of the two of us. I've enjoyed Dark Tower, The Witcher Series (Honestly still in love with Cahir from them), and Leaves of Grass is my poetry go-to. But inspiration, going to be silly but the Hardcore series by Andy Remic (RIP), is such a great series of books. They're not the most literary genius type books but the action is cool, I love the characters. They make me want to write cool shit too.

Things in my current fandom I want to read but I don't want to write:

Smut. Honestly, my abilities with writing smut are limited. I have no patience for flowery language (yeah I write poetry but I know what I mean.) but it means when it comes to writing my own smut it is very matter-of-fact and lacks what I'm looking for. I'm also very picky about my smut due to an annoying logical brain. If you say someone moves their arm and then they move something else I see that and if I can't follow it directly I'm just going to put it down.

You can recognise my writing by:

Lots of short prose-type sentences. I like the effect of repetition and I especially like writing in a more personal talking type way. I especially love to monologue so if anyone does recognise my writing it's probably from these things. I especially love writing anything angst, it's so therapeutic and I love being able to draw out emotions from other people. I can do this with sweet fluff stuff too but angst really is more enjoyable.

My most controversial take ( current fandom):

I hate the word folds. (Not fandom relations but still.) Makes me think of a packed ham sandwich.

Fandom-related though - Astarion fans can get pretty feral over their views of his character. I get it, Gale fans are the same but I've left groups over the rabidness.

Current writing mood (10 – super motivated and churning out words like crazy, 0 – in a complete rut): Currently about a 4 but it can vary depending on the hour and the inspiration. I completed the Nana story and now feel a little lost as to what the next project will be. Ideas are escaping me.

Top three favourite tropes: The whole "enemy to lovers" thing. I mean this in a 2 people who argue and fall in love, not as in the real enemies to lovers.

Star-crossed lovers, especially if they really are both doomed. Astarion/Karlach if she is going to burn up. I love that tragic acceptance. Give me more of that.

I like a loveable rogue too. Hook from OUAT.

Share a random frustration: AU fiction losing characterisations. Once your fiction hits a point where you could replace the characters with any other from any other series I'm going to stop reading it. Great, you want X to be sub, but if he wouldn't actually act that way in canon, why are you even using him as a character? It's AU, fine but then make it OC or use another fandom. Don't force me to read through 13 chapters of semi-ok stuff just to destroy the characters so you can fulfil the soap opera-esque drama that gets you the hits. I get it's difficult but this is my pet peeve. Rant over...

[recycledmoviecostumes]

I posted 100 times in 2022

100 posts created (100%)

0 posts reblogged (0%)

I tagged 100 of my posts in 2022

#period drama - 76 posts

#costume drama - 75 posts

#the tudors - 7 posts

#sanditon - 7 posts

#persuasion - 6 posts

#pride and prejudice - 5 posts

#the spanish princess - 4 posts

#the borgias - 4 posts

#recycled movie costumes - 4 posts

#poldark - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 40 characters

#jack and the beanstalk: after ever after

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

This waistcoat was first spotted in the 1994 adaptation of Middlemarch on Rufus Sewell as Will Ladislaw. It was used again the next year on Colin Firth as Mr.Darcy in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice. 

Costume Credit: vampire-reanimator

E-mail Submissions: submissions@recycledmoviecostumes.com

Follow: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

626 notes - Posted April 23, 2022

#4

This beautifully beaded jacket was first seen on Ann Sothern as Flo Addams in the 1940 film Brother Orchid.  It was used again in the 1942 movie The Big Shot, where it was worn by Irene Manning as Lorna Fleming.

Costume Credit: Solidmoonlight

E-mail Submissions: submissions@recycledmoviecostumes.com

Follow: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

730 notes - Posted April 10, 2022

#3

See the full post

1,052 notes - Posted March 6, 2022

#2

Frances Fisher first wore this beautiful purple Edwardian gown as Ruth DeWitt Bukater in the 1997 film Titanic. The costume was worn again in a 2022 episode of Interview with the Vampire episode, where Kalyne Coleman wore it as Grace de Pointe du Lac. 

Costume Credit: Katie S.

E-mail Submissions: submissions@recycledmoviecostumes.com

Follow: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

1,229 notes - Posted October 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

See the full post

1,563 notes - Posted February 5, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[a-slut-for-smut]

*years later* thanks so much for the tag @lovelybeautifulpretty!! cant recall if i warned u before but i tend to go buckwild with these, sorry and your welcome :D

Here are top 10 fav films and surprise surprise, im just a hot mess of eclectic tastes 🤷‍♀️ in no particular order:

Robocop

This 80s masterpiece is a smart political satire/social commentary disguised as a comic book/action revenge movie that interweaves hilarious dark humor, ultraviolence and science fiction in a simple yet seamless plot. It will honestly SHOCK you just how much it has to say on American evolutions in capitalism, media influence, desensitization to violence, gentrification, and our perception of heroes, each in service of a greater conversation about identity and culture.

Atonement

I consider this film the pinnacle of an angsty/doomed romance executed perfectly on-screen: the performances, the cinematography, the music, EVERYTHING!! Funny story, me & the girlfriends went to see this in theaters expecting a typical period romance; left completely snot-dripping, bawling our eyes out. I shit you not, i felt the utter devastation from this film for WEEKS

Amelie

If there was a film to define the term "whimsy" then this is it!! Its so creatively rich, with such a fun and sweet art style in the characters, the way its filmed, the music, the romance- it'll make your heart ache for days.

Inglorious Basterds

I'm a big whore for Tarantino ever since Reservoir Dogs, but I consider film his ABSOLUTE masterpiece. The comedically distinct characters, the sharpness of dialogue, how he builds up the tension of scenes to the point of explosion with just a simple conversation- *CHEFS KISS*

Children of Men

This dystopian sci fi drama was made in 2005 but with all the social commentary woven into the background of the story, it is eerily topical in today's tumultuous political & social climate (which is very telling about us as a society I suppose). The director Alfonso Cuaron is a master at "show don't tell" filmmaking and it SHOWS. Also the tracking long shots in this film are something to witnessed, beheld even. Masterpiece.

Bridget Jones' Diary

My absolute FAV romantic comedy, i totally relate to this bumbling, epic disaster of a woman, even more so now that i'm 30+ like her. Fun fact, the plot is heavily inspired by Pride & Prejudice which is probably why i love it so much. Also Colin Firth 🥵 (which leads me to another fun fact- he was cast as Mark Darcy mainly due to the author's crush on him from his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1996 BBC miniseries which put him on the map, and rightly so. I know the film adaption is super popular, but any P&P fan NEEDS to watch this version, so so good)

Chicago

This musical ruined all theater musicals for me forever- the film adaptation is THAT good!!! The spectacle, the numbers, the PERFORMANCES- Catherine Zeta Jones slayed as Velma Kelly (also my ovaries), i love it so much that i watched it 3 times back to back on a flight i honestly couldnt get enough lol

Kung Fu Hustle

This film is Stephen Chow's magnum opus- an action comedy that blends kung-fu and all sorts of historical chinese references and homages of the directors favorite films, you can tell the passion and the fun that went into making this film and it really REALLY shows. I consider this a perfect execution of what a live-action anime could be, this film is an absolute blast and classic

Annihilation

I've got a bit of a cosmic/existential horror kink (where a form of media makes you question the world/life as we know it or triggers an existential crisis) and this film gets it RIGHT. It's a philosophical sci-fi thriller but is so much more with its themes of pain and identity, exploration of humanity's disposition for self destruction but also its unsettling visuals and soundtrack. Funny story, the sound design is so alien/unsettling that it spooked my cat from her nap and got her staring at the screen with wide eyes and an arched back trying to figure out what the eff was going on (me as well).

Also love how its an all female cast but its never mentioned in-film; just a bunch of capable women going to take care of business (i didnt even notice until my 2nd watch)- im a fan of this approach as it in effect "normalizes" this scenario whereas calling it out as if its special just highlights how it's an exception...anyway, its a horrifically beautiful film.

Sicario

Denis Villeneuve can do no wrong in my eyes (nor cinematographer Roger Deakins), a beautifully shot thriller that serves as a social commentary on how laws are meant to be broken, lines are drawn and then erased when convenient, as long as it serves a so-called greater purpose, that keeping a moral code is a futile effort. Brilliant performed and written, nuanced characters, glorious cinematography and a killer soundtrack (RIP Johan Johansson), A+++++

alright sorry for the long rambling post, cant help myself! Tagging a bunch a folks that seem alive per my notifs, no pressure of course!!!

@writebecauseyoucannotbreathe @nuri148 @your-lavender-dreams @warbarbie @levi4mikasa @onigiri-dorkk @helena-thessaloniki @misplacedgamer @lovely-apparitions @ally147writes @stalactice @vero-icon @mylienated @hellhorsedotjpg @magicalanchordestiny

[alwayscoldj]

Revisiting the Magic: Top 10 Iconic Rom-Com Movies from the 2000s

The 2000s were a golden era for romantic comedies. These films gave us memorable characters, heartwarming stories, and plenty of laughs. As we look back on this iconic decade in cinema, let's take a trip down memory lane and celebrate the top 10 rom-com movies that left an indelible mark on our hearts.

"Love Actually" (2003)

Love Actually, directed by Richard Curtis, is a beloved holiday classic. Set in the bustling city of London, it weaves together multiple love stories, each with its unique charm. With a star-studded cast and moments that tug at your heartstrings, Love Actually is a true gem.

"The Princess Diaries" (2001)

This modern fairy tale directed by Garry Marshall introduced us to Mia Thermopolis, played by Anne Hathaway, who discovers she's a princess. The story of her transformation into royalty and her charming romance with Nicholas Devereaux (Chris Pine) is a heartwarming journey of self-discovery.

"Bridget Jones's Diary" (2001)

Renée Zellweger's portrayal of the endearing and relatable Bridget Jones made this film an instant classic. Following Bridget's hilarious quest for love and her tumultuous relationship with the charming but aloof Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), this rom-com is both witty and heartwarming.

"50 First Dates" (2004)

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's chemistry shines in this unique rom-com. Sandler plays a man who falls in love with a woman, played by Barrymore, who suffers from short-term memory loss. The film's humor and touching moments make it a standout.

"Notting Hill" (1999)

Okay, we're bending the rules a bit, but Notting Hill is too good to leave out. Released right on the cusp of the 2000s, this film starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts captures the essence of romance in the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill, London.

"The Wedding Planner" (2001)

Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey star in this delightful rom-com about a wedding planner who falls for the groom. The film combines humor, romance, and a dash of chaos in a way that's both endearing and entertaining.

"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (2003)

Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey team up for this battle of the sexes rom-com. Hudson's character attempts to drive McConaughey's character away in just ten days, but love has its own agenda. The hilarious antics and heartfelt moments make this a must-watch.

"13 Going on 30" (2004)

Jennifer Garner stars as a 13-year-old girl who magically finds herself in her 30-year-old self's body. This whimsical story explores the idea of second chances and the enduring power of childhood dreams.

"The Holiday" (2006)

Nancy Meyers' delightful film, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, follows the lives of two women who exchange homes for the holidays. They both find unexpected love in their new surroundings, leading to heartwarming and humorous situations.

"Sweet Home Alabama" (2002)

Reese Witherspoon shines in this romantic comedy about a young woman who must confront her past, including her high school sweetheart, when she returns to her small Southern hometown. With humor and heart, this film captures the essence of home and love.

The 2000s gifted us with a treasure trove of romantic comedies that continue to warm our hearts and make us laugh. Whether you're a fan of quirky love stories, laugh-out-loud humor, or heartwarming tales of second chances, this list of iconic rom-coms from the 2000s has something for everyone. These timeless classics remind us that love, laughter, and a little bit of magic are the perfect recipe for a memorable movie experience.

[ainulindaelynn]

10 Favorite Movies

Tagged by @aeide, @sleeplessincarcosa, & @brasideios. Thanks for thinking of me everyone :) This was harder than I expected! I rarely watch movies for some weird reason, so subject to frequent change and in no particular order...

1. Fight Club (1999)

Just for the shock value. After finishing this movie, I immediately had to start it over and rewatch on the spot. Only other movie that’s ever done that to me was Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. I love a good concept drop that changes everything.

2. Pride & Prejudice (1995)

I’m willing to die on this hill, folks. 1995 beats 2005 at every angle. You can’t beat Colin Firth at regency drama. King’s Speech? Importance of Being Ernest? Also every moment of this film is crisp and poignant. I turn it on in the background every few years. A solid comfort movie.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Live stunts, which are CRAZY… The shot clipping. The lack of dialogue. The stylistic choices as a whole are just fantastic. And the overarching themes! Not to mention Charlize Theron. And Furiosa being an amputee! SO GOOD.

4. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001)

It’s cliche, but I’ll never stop finding new things to love about this trilogy. Or admiring Tolkien’s complete obsession and immersion in his own fictional world. The fact that entire books are made from pieced-together napkin scribblings left scattered all over his life is just writer goals.

5. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Guilty pleasure. Despite being a truly horrific dancer myself, I’m a bit obsessed with it. Being able to connect to your body like that… not a very familiar feeling for me 😂 And I have a serious soft spot for Patrick Swayze.

6. Hamilton (2020)

Cheating here, but it’s on Disney+ so I’m not apologizing. I think it takes an undeservedly rosy outlook on history, but the first time I watched this I was floored. Leslie Odom Jr. and Christopher Jackson, in particular, KILLED those performances. Unbelievably good. And I’m weirdly obsessed with the way they use dance and sound to make everything so seamless and alive, while completely in the background is just 🙌

7. Overboard (1987)

TERRIBLE movie. Do NOT recommend. Extremely problematic on every level. But somehow it found its way to the top of my guilty pleasure list and I can’t extract it. But that hard work montage? And the fact that Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are life partners ❤️

8. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

My cliche childhood horse obsession loved this movie. But my adult self loves it so much more. I’ve only recently been learning how they handled the representation. And that metaphor, folks. That METAPHOR! No clue how this got made, but I’m behind it.

9. Gladiator (2000)

Even with what I assume are egregious inaccuracies, this is such a fun movie with such a great soundtrack. I love the aesthetic. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix… the cinematography… That dagger at the end… The commentary on power. And it came out in the golden era of YouTube fanvids. I still can’t listen to this song without seeing specific sword strokes 😂

10. Rogue One (2016)

Jyn Erso is my spirit animal. I love that neither Jyn or Cassian are traditional leads. I love that the team chose NOT to go for the cliche romance, which gives it so much more character and relational depth IMO. I love that it’s hopeless and also …uplifting? And I extra love that it gives (what I perceive to be) a major nod to KotOR’s Unknown World.

Tagging @ruzzsta214, @egoborderline, @xeagle-bearerx, @raenacreates, @inlovewithassassins2, @justalittlerayofpitchblack, @newengland-shrike, @fenharel-enaste, @fanonisrealcanon, @ratcready. As always, no pressure though :)

[findusinaweek]

Top 10 movies

Tagged by @aeide​ like....29 days ago. Cool. A lot of stuff happened lately and also I had to think about this and remake the list at least 7 (now 9) times. So. This is probably not true but it has old favorites and current bias and I’ve put far too much thought into this. Under cut because of gifs causing loading/flashing. Uhhhhh. I feel weird about tagging this, since it’s been so long. I can’t remember who has done it and who hasn’t. Gonna tag folks who I don’t remember seeing. If you’ve done it, or you don’t want to, that’s cool! Sorry I took forever with it. @blue-mono​, @cataliinaa​, @whereforartthoumisthios​, @fikali​, anyone else who wants?

1) The Hours

It has music by Philip Glass! Meryl Streep plays a queer woman and that was important to me as a teenager. It’s very sad but it is always there for me when I feel bleak. It’s just a part of my psyche and I can’t really explain it at this point.

2)  Lord of the Rings 2: The Two Towers (Extended Version)

Every Thursday for about 8 years the closest group of cousins and I would watch a movie while we had our piano lessons and most of those years we just watched LOTR 2 and 3 extended versions. Every Thursday. For about 8 years. 2/4 people (including me) are most likely autistic, yes. 2/4 (not including me) can play the piano. We are very annoying about LOTR. Anyways, look! It’s Haldir! The first man I loved to die of a weapon through the head. Yeah. I love that guy. Also, this film has great french horn!

3) Pride and Prejudice (2005)

I cannot express how much I love this movie. I cannot explain all the things about it I love. I cannot. Music is by Dario Marianelli (I can play to the second page of the score to “Living Sculptures of Pemberly” on piano. It only took 5 years), Directed by Joe Wright, Kiera Knightley stars as Elizabeth Bennett. I adore the dresses, the hair, the casting, the music, the fact that Simon Wood’s hair continued growing red after filming, the statues in Pemberly, the tiling on the floors in Pemberly, the way Mary plays the piano, Georgiana, Darcy’s sideburns, the HAND FLEX, the weird pig scene, The flower Tom Hollander holds, the nod to Henry Purcell, ect. 4) Anna Karenina (2012)

Dario, Joe, Kiera, and a train walk into a movie. Do not get me started.

5) The Parent Trap (1998)

I saw this as a kid and made my mom watch it with me over and over and over again. She didn’t mind. She thinks she’s like Chessy, but she’s not. She doesn’t cook, for one. And she doesn’t wear a denim shirt. I do though. We still quote this to each other. Formative.

6) A Place Promised in Our Early Days

An earlier Makoto Shinkai movie. The plot is confusing and boring if I’m honest. The background animations are breathtaking. If you like anime but also like  realism in art, I’d highly recommend any Makoto Shinkai movie for visuals.

7) The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

Do you ever just want to eat a sandwich and listen to old italian music and watch your enemy best friend and lover drown? No? huh. Amazing soundtrack! Spy drama! COSTUMING. It makes me laugh! Henry Cavill! Solo/Kuryakin/Teller should be canon. I was pretty upset about the whole Armie Hammer thing, tbh, because I really wanted a sequel to this. But I’m ok with that not happening.

8) Fly Away Home

The first media I wallowed in. Would rewind to the scene with Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “10,000′s miles” and sit way too close to the screen. When we got it on dvd my life changed. I could just press the button!? I didn’t care about the geese, really. I cared about the deep grief this kid was having. Someone probably should have questioned why I was watching it on repeat and gotten me into therapy a lot earlier. All in all, it’s a pretty movie.

9) A Single Man

I love this movie but I gotta admit I skip around watching it. It’s so depressing, I can’t watch it all at the same time. I like the music a lot, good cello. I love watching Colin Firth be miserable. I like crying with George. I don’t give a shit about Charley (except for her house and dress. Sorry Julianne Moore.) I hate Kenny. I want to live in George’s house. I want to live there. It is the J.W. Schaffer House. It’s a modernist house built in 1949 by John Lautner. I want to lick touch that woodwork. UGH. The glass. UGH. I love it. UGH. It’s such an impractical house. UGH. It’s so dumb. UGh. I want to go lay down on the floor, surrounded by books, in that house. uGH.

10) Underworld

What a dumb movie. Somewhere in my mom’s house is a Windows XP with a folder of photos of Selene that I thought were really cool, for some reason that I couldn’t figure out. That computer also has viruses from badly pirating the movie in 2008. I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen and probably the first R rated movie I snuck. On this list because of the family computer destruction. And the ‘armor’, if you can call it that.

[cinemapremi]

Top 10 underrated Hollywood movies! Must Watch

Get ready for a movie adventure! We're diving into some awesome Hollywood movies you might not have heard much about. These films may not be blockbusters, but they sure pack a punch in storytelling. Join us on a journey beyond the usual and discover these hidden gems. Top 10 Inspiring Hindi Movies! Epic War Films: A Must-Watch List from Dunkirk to Saving Private Ryan Top Sci-Fi Films That Will Blow Your Mind! Short Term 12 (2013): Release Year: 2013 IMDb Rating: 8.0/10 Genre: Drama Star Cast: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Rami Malek Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Description: An emotionally resonant drama set in a foster care facility, exploring the lives of the staff and the troubled teenagers under their care. Fun Fact: Brie Larson's performance in this film earned her critical acclaim, foreshadowing her later success in "Room" and "Captain Marvel." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhS6tvSb0UQ&ab_channel=RottenTomatoesIndie Moon (2009): Release Year: 2009 IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama Star Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey (voice) Director: Duncan Jones Description: A thought-provoking sci-fi film where Sam Rockwell plays a solitary astronaut nearing the end of his three-year stint on the Moon. Fun Fact: Duncan Jones, the director, is the son of legendary musician David Bowie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0tKKsgip-Y&t=11s&ab_channel=MOVIEPREDICTOR In Bruges (2008): Release Year: 2008 IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama Star Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes Director: Martin McDonagh Description: A darkly comedic crime film following two hitmen hiding out in the Belgian city of Bruges after a job goes awry. Fun Fact: The film's title is a play on words, as "In Bruges" sounds like "in brugge," which means "in bridges" in Dutch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-gG2qo_l_A&ab_channel=RottenTomatoesClassicTrailers The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013): Release Year: 2013 IMDb Rating: 7.3/10 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama Star Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn Director: Ben Stiller Description: A heartwarming adventure about a daydreamer who embarks on a real-life quest of self-discovery and adventure. Fun Fact: The film features breathtaking cinematography, showcasing picturesque landscapes from Greenland to Iceland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD6cy4PBQPI&ab_channel=RottenTomatoesTrailers A Single Man (2009): Release Year: 2009 IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 Genre: Drama, Romance Star Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore Director: Tom Ford Description: An emotionally powerful drama about a college professor coping with the death of his partner. Fun Fact: Tom Ford, the director, is a renowned fashion designer making his directorial debut with this film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ell2a6o_6lY&ab_channel=RottenTomatoesClassicTrailers The Nice Guys (2016): Release Year: 2016 IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime Star Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling Director: Shane Black Description: A hilarious and entertaining buddy cop film set in 1970s Los Angeles, featuring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Fun Fact: The film's retro style and humor received praise, but it unfortunately didn't perform well at the box office. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQR5zsLHbYw&ab_channel=WarnerBros.Pictures A Ghost Story (2017): Release Year: 2017 IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance Star Cast: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara Director: David Lowery Description: A contemplative exploration of time, love, and loss, told through the perspective of a ghost. Fun Fact: The film is known for its unique and extended "pie-eating" scene, which became a talking point among viewers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19D1QeHmUdM&ab_channel=KinoCheck.com Safety Not Guaranteed (2012): Release Year: 2012 IMDb Rating: 7.0/10 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Star Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass Director: Colin Trevorrow Description: A quirky sci-fi comedy about a man who claims to have invented time travel, and the journalists investigating his story. Fun Fact: The film originated from a classified ad that read, "Wanted: Someone to go back in time with me." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73jSnAs7mq8&ab_channel=RottenTomatoesTrailers These movies offer diverse genres and unique storytelling, making them hidden gems for those seeking quality cinema beyond the mainstream. We hope you found some new favorites. These films might not have made it big at the box office, but they've got heart and soul. So, the next time you're searching for something different, give these underrated treasures a shot. Happy watching! 🎬✨ Also checkout: Read the full article

[dribs-and-drabbles]

TAG 9 PEOPLE YOU WANT TO GET TO KNOW BETTER

I was tagged by @telomeke and @wanderingrain Thank you so much both! 💖

THREE SHIPS

I presume this means my top three? Well, no surprises here:

Pat and Pran from Bad Buddy

Jack and Zhao Zi from HIStory: Trapped

Jaeyoung and Sangwoo from Semantic Error

Special shout out to Gun and Tinn from My School President who might take over one of those spots.

FIRST SHIP

Like ever ever? I don't remember to be honest (maybe Elizabeth and Mr Darcy...but the BBC/Colin Firth edition). But the one I have gone THE MOST feral over is Pat and Pran, so let's say it's them.

LAST SONG

I have the many songs from My School President on repeat.

LAST MOVIE

Cherry Magic the movie. And that was a while back. I don't generally watch movies nowadays.

CURRENTLY READING

I have a permanent residency in the Bad Buddy works on ao3...so whatever gets newly published there...but I also have two actual books on the go which I'm taking so long to get through because I hardly get any time to read: "The girl who could move shit with her mind" by Jackson Ford, and "The Brain" by David Eagleman.

CURRENTLY WATCHING

My School President, Moonlight Chicken, and Never Let Me Go. (I've also just finished 10 Years Ticket (EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT), Candy Colour Paradox, and will finish Gap The Series when the final ep finally airs...and might start Individual Circumstances soon).

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

Nothing right now but I've just snacked on a few Dark Chocolate and Stem Ginger cookies and I have a small Innocent Re[charge] super smoothie waiting to be drunk.

CURRENTLY CRAVING

Nothing food-wise since I've just eaten. But more series like My School President/Bad Buddy. And more Bad Buddy fics with one or both of them pining, bonus if the fics include resolved sexual tension but unresolved emotional tension ("The Fine Line..." has my whole heart, and "traffic was slow for the crash years" is also proving to be a great one).

ONWARD TAGS

@seeking-moonscapes @grapejuicegay @markpakin @casualavocados @baifengxis @hughungrybear @justafriend-ql @freensrcha @elnotwoods

[missanthropicprinciple]

Media consumption: March/April 2023

Some spoilers ahead!

I rewatched The Mrs Bradley Mysteries and could not be more in love with it. I’m always stunned by its quiet sophistication, even after watching it every year for the last 20 years.

Watching Bridgerton with my oldest friend (our current show) and while I find it entertaining, the fanfiction-level angst and historically inaccurate nonsense can be a bit tedious. Some of the sex is fun though.

Operation Mincemeat. What can I say. They took an incredible true story and somehow made it dull. Even with the two hand-jobs involving a character entirely created for the film. Did I enjoy the movie? Sure. But it wasn’t nearly as good as it could be, especially with Penelope Wilton and Colin Firth involved. The writing and directing wasn’t up to scratch, I’m afraid.

fucking TETRIS. I was hyped when I saw the trailer. That’s usually a red flag that it’s gonna suck. But honestly, I was so impressed by this movie. It’s gotten a lot of criticism, some of which I understand, but ultimately it was successful. 

Firstly, kudos to everyone involved. You take a complex real life story and turn it into a concise, fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable film while at the same time highlighting the dangers of living in Soviet Russia. It was a terrific balance. The editing was really fantastic. While the talent was there, the editing absolutely made it. And of course, it’s not 100% accurate to what happened. It’s not a documentary. There’s no way you could make it completely accurate unless it was a 10-part miniseries. Even Pajitnov and Rogers said they knew they’d have to make some sacrifices, the filmmakers did a good job parsing it down to a two hour film, and the film retained the emotional realism of their story. That’s pretty impressive. Also, bomb-ass music.

Egerton and Efremov absolutely killin it.

Try not to cheer when the fictional/symbolic car chase comes on. I dare you.

SPOILERS:

Season three of The Mandalorian punted Din Djarin to the side in favor of bland Mandalorian clan stuff. Almost no familiar faces popped up. One whole episode devoted to Dr. Pershing and then that plot basically didn’t lead anywhere. Sure, it set up the return of a certain villain...kind of, but it was heartbreaking and had virtually no pay-off. However, Ahmed Best made a lovely and badass appearance and Grogu “spoke” and it was priceless. Plus we got a new quote.

Ted Lasso continues to kick my ass. Not sure how I’m going to get through the next four (final?) episodes. I have so much to say that I have nothing to say. However, I am confused and stressed out and there hasn’t been as much laughter in this season.

I just…

[gwenlen-studies]

Thanks for tagging me @lizziestudieshistory! I don't post lots of original content on this blog for the moment so I'm happy to play along and I hope I'll soon post more regularly!

Last show: I don't watch any shows (except for Downton Abbey and Kaamelott and these are far too old to be an appropriate answer to t tag game) but the last movie I watched was Girl With A Pearl Earring and I just love it so much. Setting, light, tension between the characters, long-haired Colin Firth... Sign me up.

Last song: "The Game of Cards" by Maddy Prior and June Tabor, from Emma. (2020) OST. I love old-fashioned, popular songs and these days I'm always singing this one while washing the dishes.

Currently watching: So here I write the only show I actually watch and it is Miraculous, of course. I still have a couple episodes to watch before I actually catch up with the show.

Currently reading: Le Temps retrouvé by Marcel Proust (the last book from La Recherche du temps perdu. I don't want to think about what will happen when I finish this series of book I started almost 10 years ago); La Confession d'un enfant du siècle by Alfred de Musset; Une vie au Louvre by Magdeleine Hours; Manuel du bon ton et de la politesse française by Louis Verardi (a guide to good manners written in the 1860).

Current obession: The French Second Empire (hence my reading Verardi). I love this era and I started a little list of diaries and primary sources from the period that I want to read.

Tagging: @phoenixhallow, @dauen, and @immersedinfrench if you feel like it!

[weir-woods]

I’m rewatching the BBC pride and prejudice miniseries for the first time in like 10 years, and I had it so fresh in my mind that The Wet Shirt Scene  (you know the one) involved colin firth meeting lizzy while slowly walking out of the lake like some freaking Bond girl which is,,,  not what happens at all 

[adamwatchesmovies]

Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually has grown to become a bit of a modern-day Christmas staple. I can see why, but won’t be including it in my roster. With a whopping 10 different stories interwoven through its 136-minute running time, of course some of them hit. The film has its sweet moments… but are they worth sitting through all the clichés and groan-inducing, painfully predictable, been-there-done-that scenes which could’ve been left out?

Set during the five weeks leading to Christmas, the characters and stories featured include:

Rock and roll legend Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) promoting his (terrible) Christmas single at the behest of his longtime manager, Joe (Gregor Fisher).

Juliet (Keira Knightley) learning her husband's best friend, Mark (Andrew Lincoln), is in love with her days after her wedding.

Jamie (Colin Firth) who discovers his girlfriend (Sienna Guillory) is cheating on him with his brother. After exiling himself to his French cottage, he begins falling in love with his Portuguese housekeeper, Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz), despite the language barrier separating them.

Harry (Alan Rickman), who is comfortably married to Karen (Emma Thompson) but tempted by his new secretary, Mia (Heike Makatsch). He does nothing to dissuade her advances, risking everything in the process.

Karen’s brother, David (Hugh Grant), is the recently elected Prime Minister. He cannot help but notice Natalie (Marine McCuthcheon), a household staff member of 10 Downing Street. The attraction is mutual but the pressures of the office compel David to push her away.

Newly-widowed Daniel (Liam Neeson), who finds solace from his grief by helping his stepson, Sam (Thomas Sangster), win over the girl he’s fallen in love with, Joanna (Olivia Olson).

Sarah (Laura Linney), has loved her co-worker Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) for years. When she’s told the entire office knows how she feels, she finally begins to muster the courage to act upon them.

Fed up with all of his unsucessful attempts to woo women, Colin (Kris Marshall) decides - despite the protests of his best friend, Tony Abdul Salis) - to travel to America and use his British accent to pick up ladies.

John (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page) are professional stand-ins for films in the middle of rehearsing a series of sex scenes. Delighted to find someone they can simply talk to during the long, boring stretches in which they stand around naked - without it feeling awkward - a genuine attraction develops.

The stories are tied together with knots of varying looseness. Colin is a waiter at Juliet and Peter’s wedding. On the way to the airport, Daniel and his son bump into Rufus (Rowan Atkinson), an obsessive jewellery salesman whom Harry approaches in a moment of weakness. Some people work together, or live next to each other but there isn’t much connective tissue except the overarching theme of romance and the upcoming Christmas holiday. The point is, no one in this whopper feels essential, which makes the bad stories feel worse. Colin and his quest to get laid is so awful you’re a little embarrassed for everyone involved. I kept waiting for it to spring a twist upon us but no, it plays out exactly like some fantasy a 14-year-old Brit would dream up. Nearly as terrible is the tale of Juliet, Mark and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor). I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. If you've been harbouring romantic feelings for years, haven’t told the person how you feel and you just watch from the sidelines, lubricating yourself with your own tears at night, you’re not sweet. You’re a creep. It’s extra awkward that Peter plays no part in this story.

Most of the other tales are charming. Daniel working through his own grief by teaching his son about life is a highlight, as are the stories featuring Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. They both have that everyman kind of charm which makes you cheer for them and have terrific chemistry with their respective love interests. I’ll even add Bill Nighy’s segment on the “Nice List”. The rest are ok but severely hampered by the number of people and plot lines we’re supposed to keep track of. Sometimes, actors and actresses are gone for so long it takes you a moment to remember what role they play in this “epic”. When a link between the stories is revealed, you’re unsure if this is new information or something you just forgot about. There’s simply too much going on. No one gets properly fleshed, leaving your mind to fill in the gaps. Luckily for you, familiarity endears you to these people because you’ve seen these scenarios a thousand times before.

As “The Ultimate Romantic Comedy”, Love Actually leaves much to be desired. The ultimate rom-com should be universal. It should contain at least one character that isn’t young, white and attractive in a major role. How about a same-sex relationship too? Maybe that was too much to ask in 2003. What should’ve been apparent - even back then - was how overstuffed with clichés this ordeal is. Every sweet love story and appealing actor is eventually shoved aside to make room for another you like much less… making this a constant back-and-forth between satisfaction and disappointment. (On DVD, December 21, 2019)

[the-cat-chat]

March 23, 2024

Mamma Mia! (2008)

A young woman invites three of her free-spirited mom's former flings to her Greek island wedding, hoping to discover which one of them is her father.

Warning: Review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

JayBell: I'm gonna get straight to the point. I did not like this movie. I actually don't mind musicals. But in this movie, the songs did not make the story better. In fact, several times it felt like the plot moved weirdly in order to justify the addition of some of the songs. And the songs and their lyrics didn't always match the plot.

The decision making of the characters bothered me so much. The mom? She just never makes the effort to find out the father in the 20+ years? It feels selfish to do that, especially when the daughter really wants to know.

And the daughter seems incredibly immature. It's as if she's thirteen and not a grown adult. I'm so glad she doesn't get married at the end because her relationship with her fiance isn't stable. She doesn't communicate with him at all and they are supposed to be getting married?

Speaking of marriage, why on earth does the mom get married in the end to this virtual stranger? This stranger who left her in the past to go marry someone else (is he a cheater or something?? please explain).

The only character who I think is interesting is Colin Farrell. But overall, I don't think the movie is very funny, the plot isn't logical, the music doesn't match, the characters aren't sympathetic.

I found the entire experience frustrating. And I'm perplexed that sooooo many people think this is the best movie ever made. It has to be about nostalgia.

Rating: 3/10 cats 🐈

Anzie: I can’t believe I picked this. Ok I knew there was singing, but it’s ABBA that’s a totally different ball game. And sure there were times the music made me want to shove myself off a Greek cliffside- but more so it was the plot. I mean just wow. I don’t know. I want to know how all these really great actors read the script and said “this is awesome I’ll do it,” and just maybeeee bc it’s 2008 I’ll forgive them, but I’m scarred a little more each time I think about it.

The whole problem I have is with the plot. And that’s a big problem. There’s just too much. First really bad idea inviting not one, not two, but three of your mom’s ex lovers at random (shocked they showed) to your wedding that’s in like 24 hours. I need more time to get motivated to shave my legs- let alone play Jerry Springer in Greece. Next, let’s just glaze over Dominic Cooper’s very lizard boy performance- I have no clue why that’s the vibe I’m getting but dare I say dump the lizard boy. Next, the dads. I don’t know how to feel- really hate Sam’s story, could really care less about Bill? I don’t even remember if that’s his name. And Harry- I just love Colin Firth and my deep rooted love for What a Girl Wants will never die. He gets a pass. Now this mother. That could care less about figuring out which man fathered your child. Bc it undermines what she did alone. Out of choice?? Like I would love to know the backstory too on the fact that she named Sophie after Bill’s aunt there on the island and got her money???? But we pretty much know she’s Sam’s right? Since they were together longer?? And Sophie draws in the same exact style as him???? Right. Riiiggght. Ok I’m done - can’t believe they never say who it is or get a dna test. But whatever.

And what takes the cake? The wedding. Just really. I’m mad now thinking about this movie. All of it. And I have to say- this is awful and the true winner of ABBA movies is very clearly Muriel’s Wedding and I don’t really remember all of it bc I saw over 10 years ago but guess what - you even get Toni Collette, so pls, don’t even try to outmatch her.

Rating: 2/10 Cats 🐈 (1 for the Mamma Mia song, .5 for Colin Firth and .5 for that insane fever dream closing dance number)

[shutupanddeal]

My top movies of 2023

Of 103 new releases I saw this year, these were the best (and, below, the worst and the most befuddling):

10. PERFECT DAYS: Snatching beauty from the mundane is easier said than done, and easier rendered with shlock than sophistication. Wim Wenders pulls it off in this gorgeous story of a Tokyo toilet cleaner who’s attuned to the world with poetry and hard-won wisdom.

9. JOYLAND: One of many luminous shots tracks a backup erotic dancer driving home a giant cardboard cutout of his transgender frontwoman — as close as he’ll come to holding her hand in public. In this vivid Pakistani family drama, social strictures squeeze men, women, and everyone in between.

8. YOU HURT MY FEELINGS: Ordinary human relationships get so complex they make your head spin in Nicole Holofcener’s talky, thorny, funny study of the hard truths and sweet lies that populate every day. “Can you shut up and keep talking?”

7. BEYOND UTOPIA: This pained and profound documentary about North Korean defectors contains some of the most remarkable footage I’ve seen, inside one family’s treacherous attempt at escape. We see so scarcely into the journeys of millions of people fleeing disaster all around the world each year. Here is a beam of light.

6. FOUR DAUGHTERS: In this extraordinary, line-blurring documentary, a lively and haunted formal innovation unspools the story of a Tunisian family, and the moments when playing a role — mother, daughter, wife, citizen, goth, rebel, Satanist, zealot — becomes all too real.

5. BARBIE: I went in skeptical: all this just to sell toys? One of 2023’s lessons is to trust Greta Gerwig no matter what. Too many Barbie partisans damn it with faint praise as simply a fun movie (and it deliriously is). But Gerwig layers in the emotion of innocence lost and the moral rectitude of interrogating our consumerist inheritance: ballast for the fantasia.

4. ALL OF US STRANGERS: Andrew Haigh’s London ghost story has some twists up its sleeve, which makes the forthrightness of its emotion all the more bracing. Death, of course, makes strangers of us all. Love collapses the distance.

3. KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: A whole movie told through Robert De Niro’s eyewear: the chessboard reflected in the glasses of the King; the riding goggles that make him look like an owl, portent of death. One of a million details that add up to a masterpiece in Martin Scorsese’s dramatization of the clash between two worlds and two ways of being.

2. OPPENHEIMER: Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds. This is the bomb.

1. PAST LIVES: The brilliance of Celine Song’s play on inyeon is not just the wisdom of its story of love, immigration, and divided selves, but their aching visual illustration in a climactic tracking shot that moves through emotional time. Greta Lee is marvelous. Sometimes I cry just thinking about it.

Honorable mentions: MAY DECEMBER … POOR THINGS

More superlatives:

Least favorite movies: DICKS: THE MUSICAL … WONKA … MEMORY … CAT PERSON … WHAT HAPPENS LATER

Best leading actor performances:

Bradley Cooper, MAESTRO

Paul Giamatti, THE HOLDOVERS

Cillian Murphy, OPPENHEIMER

Petri Poikolainen, THE BLIND MAN WHO DID NOT WANT TO SEE TITANIC

Andrew Scott, ALL OF US STRANGERS

Best leading actress performances:

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, ORIGIN

Lily Gladstone, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Greta Lee, PAST LIVES

Julianne Moore, MAY DECEMBER

Emma Stone, POOR THINGS

Best supporting actress performances:

Emily Blunt, OPPENHEIMER

Nimra Bucha, POLITE SOCIETY

Claire Foy, ALL OF US STRANGERS

Taraji P. Henson, THE COLOR PURPLE

Rosamund Pike, SALTBURN

Best supporting actor performances:

Robert De Niro, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Robert Downey Jr., OPPENHEIMER

Ryan Gosling, BARBIE

Glenn Howerton, BLACKBERRY

Milo Machado Graner, ANATOMY OF A FALL

Best cameos

Kaitlyn Dever in GOOD GRIEF

Colin Firth in RYE LANE

Audra McDonald in ORIGIN

Margot Robbie in ASTEROID CITY

Gene Simmons in THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SHERE HITE

Miscasting couch

Jerrod Carmichael in POOR THINGS

Joaquin Phoenix in NAPOLEON

Margaret Qualley in SANCTUARY

Chris Tucker in AIR

Shailene Woodley in FERRARI

Best musical moments

Unwritten above the Sydney Harbor in ANYONE BUT YOU

I’m Just Ken in BARBIE

Piano rendition of Maneater in NO HARD FEELINGS

Japanese karaoke rendition of House of the Rising Sun in PERFECT DAYS

Murder on the Dancefloor naked ending to SALTBURN

Most unhinged moments

THE BURIAL: Jamie Foxx adds up 13 + 11 to equal 26

M3GAN: Children cheer enthusiastically for roasted chestnuts

PASSAGES: The homework assignment for a class of roughly 10-year-olds is writing like two sentences about what they did that weekend

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE: The president’s son and the prince have a romantic dance-floor stare into each other’s eyes when everybody else drops to the floor during Low

SANCTUARY: Christopher Abbott orders a Belgian waffle with passion fruit jam from room service in Denver

Best character name: Amos Klobuchar in THEATER CAMP

Best dog performance: Messi in ANATOMY OF A FALL

Best mention of Brown (tie): Using a Doritos bag as a condom in FAIR PLAY and roofie-ing the chancellor to get admitted in DICKS: THE MUSICAL

Most distressing depiction of a villainous queer Politico reporter who hangs out at coffee shops in Shaw: RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE

Best hard-charging student newspaper with a pretentious Latin motto: THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE

Where the movies took me this year: