I had such a fun time sharing my all time favorite movies one week during Top Ten Tuesday and was so happy with how much we all had to talk about with movies and all the recs I got! I’ve been sharing the things I’ve added to my Netflix queue but I was thinking why don’t I round up all the things I’ve been watching sporadically? I mean, movies and tv are stories too! And I just really like any form of story-telling! For more What I’ve Been Watching posts, click here!
Movies I Watched
St. Vincent
“With his parents preoccupied with their divorce, lonely 12-year-old Oliver strikes up a friendship with his war-veteran neighbor Vincent. A hard-drinking gambler with a fondness for hookers, Vincent finds his life changed by the boy’s presence.”
OH MAN. I love Bill Murray so much. SO MUCH. He’s been in some of my all time favorite movies (Rushmore, Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenanbaums, Lost In Translation) so I’ve been dying to watch this one. Will and I LOVED it. It was funny but also really tender and emotional. I didn’t realize that it was going to make me cry. I loved the relationship between Bill Murray’s character and the kid — it was so heartwarming. Bill Murray, like always, really commits to his character and made him come alive and Melissa McCarthy & Naomi Watts were really great too.
Rating: 5/5
Gone Girl
“this unsettling thriller follows the mercurial Nick Dunne, who finds himself dogged by police and caught in a media maelstrom after he becomes the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.”
I was excited to watch this after reading the book last year! I actually thought it was a pretty good adaptation. Will, who has not read the book and I told him NOTHING, really liked it and was like “WOW THAT IS NUTS.” I do think my reaction READING it was more shocked than his was watching it. I thought they handled the timeline pretty well and her journal entries. For some reason I felt like there were some things missing at the end or were different. But overall I liked it though, obviously with this kind of story that depends on a twist, reading the book takes that shock element away but it was fun to watch with someone who had no idea.
Rating: 3.5/5
Unbroken
“This inspiring tale of survival is based on the real-life experiences of Louis Zamperini, an American pilot held by the Japanese during World War II. After his plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean, Zamperini spends 47 days adrift before his capture.”
Will and I went on a date to the movie tavern to see this one. We liked it though weirdly I did not feel a MAJOR emotional connection like I expected to (though I did get teary eyed in some places). It was hard to watch at times with all the hardships he had to endure (being lost at sea + Japanese POW camp) but it did drag at some parts I thought. His story was harrowing and very inspiring and made me do some reading up on him after I saw the movie. I felt more emotional reading about him than I did watching the film. Overall I liked the film but felt it needed more to be the masterpiece it tried to be.
Rating: 3/5
The Skeleton Twins
“When near-death experiences on the same day motivate estranged twins Milo and Maggie to reunite, they’re forced to reevaluate their empty lives as they attempt to mend the long-broken bond between them.”
I really liked this one! Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader were great together! SO great. Their chemistry as siblings is what made the movie. I don’t think I’ve really watched anything with Luke Wilson in it since Bottle Rocket so that was a nice surprise because he’s great and he played a GREAT supporting role! This movie is so my kind of humor. That’s for sure. As funny as it was, it explores some heavy topics like depression and suicide in a pretty raw way plus some of their past that is explored is pretty heavy and definitely was palpable while watching. ALSO, Kristen Wiig always does the best lip-synching (Bridesmaids anyone??)
Rating: 4/5
Charlie Countryman
“A young American falls hard for a Romanian cellist whose father has recently died — and whose violent past could bring about his own demise.”
This one was a let down because it had all the makings to be a Jamie movie but I just didn’t care. It started out interesting and I was like “ooh I’m going to like this!” and then it just held my attention less and less. I finished it and was just like, “sooo that was interesting?”. I will say Shia’s performance was VERY impressive as was the cinematography but mannn I couldn’t handle this one. I like weird, quirky and offbeat movies but this one was annoying mostly because I hated the romance.
Rating: 2/5
Mud
“Two Mississippi teens meet peculiar drifter Mud and get caught up in his web of tall tales about lost love, crimes of passion and bounty hunters.”
I loooove Matthew McConaughey and also Reese Witherspoon so I was excited to watch this one. The setting was this thick, gritty entity in it of itself. I could feel the mugginess and the sweat pouring off my forehead. And Mud was this intriguing character who regaled me with his tales just as much as he did the young boys. I thought the acting was just all around great in this coming of age story! This one REALLY surprised me and I ended up falling in love with it.
Rating: 4/5
TV I Watched On Netflix
House of Cards Season 3: AHHH I LOVE THIS SHOW. I will say this season was my least favorite but those last couple episodes killed it. It’s SUCH a different season compared to 1 & 2. It’s more political maneuvering and not as much of what it was before though it was obviously going to be like that with him becoming President. Kevin Spacey continues to dazzle me.
Sherlock: I HATE EVERYONE WHO LET ME WATCH THIS AND DIDN’T TELL ME IT WAS ONLY 3 SEASONS AND 4 WON’T BE OUT UNTIL LIKE MAYBE 2016?!?!? I really liked season 1 but season 2 and 3 were PHENOMENAL. I was hooked. SOO HOOKED. Benedict Cumberbatch is BRILLIANT (same goes for Martin Freeman) and I MIGHT DIE IF I DON’T GET MORE. It’s just full of surprises and it just delights me. Their chemistry is just so PERFECT.
Have you seen any of these movies/shows? What did you think? Have any recommendations for me??
Rissi says
Sherlock is awesome. ‘Nuff said.
I’m re-watching them now (own the DVD sets) and they are just as good if not better a second time through! Glad you liked them, Jamie. My thoughts are yours exactly. 😀
Jamie says
I think I’m DEFINITELY going to rewatch before the next season….I’ll probably go crazy if I don’t!
Dara says
I found Sherlock right after series 2 ended. I binge-watched the whole two series (six episodes only!) and then I went crazy when I found out that series 3 would be out in 2013. Then I went even crazier when news came out that it had been delayed once again until early 2014! The difference was only one month, but still!
I’m over that now, though. I’m already so sick of Moffat and Gatiss that I’m not waiting for the next series. When it comes out next year, I’ll watch it, but I’m not going to go crazy like I did two years ago. Haha :p
Jamie says
THESE WAITS ARE KILLER. I can’t imagine having started earlier. I would have died haha
Nikki Robinson says
I also watched gone girl with someone that hadn’t read the book. He thought it was insane. I was kind of disappointed because I’d heard they changed the ending so people that read it would be surprised too, but I felt like there were only details from the end missing; it wasn’t some huge shocking change.
But Sherlock, YES. Definitely am so excited for the next season.
Jamie says
I was a little disappointed because it would have been nice to at least have one surprise as people who read the book! And yeah..there were minor things but I still kept thinking something was missing. I think it was the whole antifreeze vomit thing and also wasn’t he writing about it?!
Leanna says
I really want to watch Mud – it’s been on my list for ages! I didn’t love the movie adaptation of Gone Girl – adored the book – so maybe that’s why. I thought the tone of the movie was all wrong at times, and just totally OTT at others. This season of HOC wasn’t my favourite either – but I liked it overall. S1 is my fave. I LOVED Peter Russo. :((
Jamie says
Yeah I feel like people who read the book have been mixed with GG. I loved the book, liked the movie. But have heard others on far ends of the spectrum.
Yesss peter I loved him too. Next season is definitely going to be crazy I think! That last scene of this season!!!
Jessica says
Fear not, fellow Sherlock lover! They’re filming a standalone episode to get us through until the next season. It’s going to be set in Victorian London.
Jamie says
Ohhhhh really?!? When is this slated for?
Jessica says
It’s a Christmas Special that’ll air this year. I’m not sure if we’ll get it at the same time as the UK, but I think we probably will.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2937146/Benedict-Cumberbatch-Martin-Freeman-film-Victorian-era-Sherlock-Holmes-time-travelling-plot-details-kept-firmly-wraps.html
Meg says
SHERLOCK. YOU WATCHED SHERLOCK. WELCOME TO HELL. (so amazing though, right?) (I’ll spare you a Johnlock essay both bc I don’t want to blow up your comments and also because I haven’t had my coffee yet)
While I have you here, have you considered watching Empire? Because hello fantastic show. Ellis does a fantastic sales pitch, Steph is watching, ummmmm *looks around for more peers to pressure with*
Jamie says
Girrrrl at this point if you tell me, “fucking watch this” imma going to listen. I mean, the 100. Plus we like a lot of similar shows it seems!! Sooo that will be the next one Will and I check out. Wonder if it’s all on demand still!
Cat says
I just watched Gone Girl last week and… I was bored. BORED! Which is awful because the book had me forgetting to BREATHE. At least I got to see my boyfriend NPH without clothes on. Yum.
Don’t forget to watch The F Word (or What If… As If? whatever the other name is) with Daniel Radcliffe, because it was a lovely movie!
I keep seeing the St Vincent poster every time I open up Apple TV. So you might have convinced me to check it out.
Jamie says
AH SAD. I know a lot of bookish people were mixed about it! It definitely didn’t make my heart race like the book did. I think both due to the storytelling and also the fact that I KNEW. And yeahhh LOVE ME SOME NPH. Also, I’m being totally pervy but I DEF saw some Ben Affleck peen in that shower shot. hahah
OH YES I AM SO GLAD YOU REMINDED ME ABOUT THE F WORD! And let me know if you watch St. Vincent!
Cat says
Oh! PS – they are making a Sherlock Christmas special for this year. So, there will be THAT. 🙂
Jamie says
THIS IS WHAT I HEAR THANK YOU DEAR LORD.
Emmah says
I haven’t seen any of the things you listed above!
But I’d definitely recommend these (they’re on Netflix insta-watch):
-Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (tv show)
-White Collar (tv show)
-Now Is Good (movie)
-Not Another Happy Ending (movie)
-Tiger Eyes (movie)
Jamie says
I’ve been meaning to watch Tiger Eyes! Read that book forever ago as a kid!
Lisa @ Reading, Writing, and Random Musings says
I saw Unbroken and loved it (even though it does make you so uncomfortable at points). The book is better IMO though. Your reviews make me definitely want to catch Mud and St. Vincent!
I also enjoyed Sherlock! House of Cards sounds good as well….I may need to check that out soon!
Jamie says
I def think I want to check out the book! You should def check out Mud & St. Vincent. And omg HoC..yes. Kevin Spacey is AMAZING in it.
Kay @ It's a Book Life says
I have St. Vincent on my “hopefully will get around to watching really soon” list. 🙂
Welcome to the world of being a Sherlock addict. It is awesome, but also super hard because of the long wait between seasons. I LOVE Cumberbatch as Sherlock, and the dynamic between him and Freeman is phenomenal!
I am a big House of Cards fan too and I have devoured each season in like a couple of days. Surprisingly it is the only political show I watch. I never thought I would like political shows but Spacey is an evil genius when it comes to playing Underwood and I can’t get over it. I can’t wait for the next season!!!!
Jamie says
PLEASE MOVE IT TOO “WILL WATCH IT REALLY SOON. MAYBE RIGHT NOW” list 😛
AT LEAST I have a whole fandom to complain about the wait with!!!! Their chemistry…ONE OF THE BEST DUOS.
YES I don’t watch many political shows (if you count Scandal then that one) but that one is so gooood.
Allison L says
I haven’t seen any of the ones you mentioned here. I have wanted to see St. Vincent because like you I usually adore anything that Bill Murray is in. He is always so committed to the character and makes the movie worth watching. I’ve debated watching Sherlock because I’ve heard so many good things about it but I know that if I start watching it now I’ll be just like you when I have to wait to 2016 to continue it. Decisions! Decisions!
Jamie says
SHERLOCK JUST DO IT.
Melody says
Loved The Skeleton Twins!!!
Jamie says
SO GOOD.
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
Sherlock is just brutal. Once you get started you just fly through all the episodes until you realize it’s over and you want MORE. I really hope they will release the new season earlier, but I think that’s just wishful thinking. I quite liked St. Vincent. It was a nice balance between real life problems and humor.
Jamie says
YES IT WAS THE WORST. I WAS SO UNPREPARED FOR THERE NOT TO BE ANY MORE.
Samantha says
I love Sherlock! I haven’t watched Season 3 yet. I binge watched the first two seasons and then the wait for season 3 was so long that by the time it came out I was binge watching other stuff. I need to rewatch them all now. 😛
I would recommend the BBC show Spaced (if you haven’t seen it yet). It’s with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I love it to bits in all it’s quirky glory.