If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you probably know how horrible my Internet speeds have been this past week. When most of your movie collection is digital, this makes watching movies a tad bit difficult. I was afraid that my Summer 2015 Movie-A-Day Challenge was over before it started!
Fortunately, I had enough films gathering dust on Blu-Ray to watch early in the week and the stars aligned and my connection finally cleared by the weekend, allowing me to complete week one! So, without further ado, I give you a recap and my thoughts on week one of my Summer 2015 Movie-A-Day Challenge!
Monday: Kingdom of Heaven – Extended Edition
I’d been waiting for an excuse to sit down to this historical epic for a long time now since I’m a huge fan of Ridley Scott’s work and I find the Crusades fascinating. Orlando Bloom gives a remarkably intense performance, demanding the audience’s attention, while the supporting cast (especially Edward Norton) puts in admirable performances. Battles are appropriately grand and bloody.
Unfortunately, the plot moves too quickly at times while moving too slowly at others. Interesting characters are introduced only to be killed moments later or forgotten entirely.
Ultimately, Kingdom of Heaven is a decent way to spend an afternoon or an evening, but it is not as great as it could have been. Although, I must give the writers and director credit for not sugar coating the actions of either side of this dark chapter in human history.
Tuesday: The Muppets (2011)
I’ve long been a casual fan of The Muppets, so I was interested in seeing Disney’s take on Jim Henson’s lovable puppet characters. The Muppets was quite enjoyable, although rough in a few places. There are more than a few scenes that are downright cringeworthy (especially in the beginning), but once the original cast of Kermit, Fozzie, and gang get involved the movie makes a turn for the better. It never outdoes the “good ol’ days,” but comes close enough.
Completely silly and not for the deeply serious, The Muppets is perfect watching for a family movie night.
Wednesday: Bridge to Terabithia
The wife had long sung the praises of Bridge to Terabithia from the many times she watched it while working at a day camp. While I agree that Terabithia does strike a resonating emotional chord, I felt that the plot moved far too quickly in some places, seeming as though important scenes were cut out at the last second.
However, the story is serviceable enough and stands as a testament to the importance of imagination. Bridge to Terabithia can also be seen as a way to introduce kids to the notion that while grieving is needed following a tragedy we must not let ourselves be controlled by grief. If for nothing else, The Hunger Games fans may want to watch to see a young Josh Hutcherson run through a forest dodging monsters long before Peeta Mellark would do so as a representative of District 12.
Thursday: Big Hero 6
Disney has always been a favorite of mine, so I was excited to finally see Big Hero 6, the first time the House of Mouse had adapted a Marvel property into a more traditional animated film. While the film was a lot of fun to watch (many laugh out loud moments) and strummed that same emotional chord that Bridge to Terabithia played so well, it too suffered from pacing issues.
One moment, Hiro is being introduced to a group of brilliant college students. Immediately following this introduction, these students are willing to drop everything to help him develop what amounts to a large-scale science project merely because he is their friend’s brother. Shortly thereafter, the students are ready to become super heroes at Hiro’s whim.
Happily, those pacing issues do not undo the many heartfelt laughs and sobs I experienced while watching Big Hero 6. I foresee watching this new Disney classic many times in the years to come. Anyone would be wise to include this family friendly hit in their collection.
Friday: The Godfather
As I said in my introduction post, The Godfather was one of the big reasons I wanted to do the Summer 2015 Movie-A-Day Challenge. I wanted to finally see the film that many call the greatest of all-time for myself. Now I understand why Francis Ford Coppola’s classic is held in such high regard.
This twisted American fairy tale is nothing short of amazing. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and James Caan all put in the performance of a lifetime. The cinematography was beautiful. The story is one of both triumph and tragedy in equal measure; a tale of rising into power while falling into corruption.
Honestly, there is nothing that I can say that hasn’t already been said thousands of times before. So, instead of getting in depth and gushy, I’ll simply suggest those who have not seen The Godfather before should rectify that immediately.
Saturday: The Godfather, Part II
After being so thrilled with The Godfather, I knew I had to watch its sequels the following two nights. I was most excited for The Godfather, Part II, a film some call “the greatest sequel ever.” Sadly, I’m afraid it was (to me) the most overrated sequel ever.
Don’t get me wrong: The Godfather, Part II is a very good film. Al Pacino is just as amazing as before as Michael Corleone, as is Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen. Robert DeNiro as Vito Corleone was most impressive, especially considering that the actor would inevitably be compared to Brando. The cinematography was on par, if not better, with its predecessor.
Sadly, it was the plot of The Godfather, Part II that I found lacking. I enjoyed the flashbacks and learning the Corleone family history, especially seeing how Vito’s need for revenge parallels Michael’s own, but many of Michael’s scenes needed to be trimmed. Far too much time was spent on fluff, such as the passing around of the golden telephone. The worst offender is the Senate hearings. There was no reason for those portions to go on as long as they did.
If The Godfather, Part II had undergone just a little more editing, it would have been an excellent film. Instead, it settles for very good.
Sunday: The Godfather, Part III
I went into The Godfather, Part III more than a little apprehensively. Not only had I been (slightly) disappointed with Part II, I also knew that this was considered the worst of the entire trilogy with some calling it a downright abomination. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by Part III. It is assuredly the lesser of the three films, but it is in no way a bad movie.
Al Pacino doesn’t have the same sinister magic that he had in previous installments, but he is still excellent as a Michael Corleone that is desperately seeking redemption. Talia Shire, while good in her limited role in the previous two films, really shines in this one as a sort of “Godmother” role. Yes, Sofia Coppola is just as bad as everyone always said she was, but the rest of the cast is serviceable, although Robert Duvall’s absence is really felt as the movie goes on. The cinematography isn’t quite as good as the previous two films either, but that likely has to do more with the sharper images as of a result of better technology since Part III was filmed almost twenty years after Part II.
Really, the biggest issue is, again, the story. The concept is interesting: a crime lord attempts to find redemption for the sake of his children and his family’s legacy while being pulled back into the “business.” Unfortunately, the concept is lost in a sort of convoluted mess that just muddles about for much of the film. Fortunately, the narrative is salvaged by a gut-punch of an ending that gives Michael a sad and appropriate end.
So that’s it for my first week of the Summer 2015 Movie-A-Day Challenge! Why did you think of my choices and/or opinions about them? Have movies you’d like to suggest for week two and beyond? Tell me in the comments, on Twitter, on Facebook, or on Instagram!
Gosh, I wish I had time to watch a movie every day. I haven’t seen the majority of those, but my kids watch Big Hero Six over and over again. The parts I saw of it were pretty cute.
I liked all of these pics overall, however I will never watch Bridge to Terabithia again. One horribly sad time was enough for me. It’s a good movie, though!
I love these picks! I’ve seen them all except Kingdom of Heaven. Big Hero 6 is one of my favorite movies of all time.
Interesting choice of movies and very well written reviews
This sounds like an awesome idea. I could probably do it at night when my kids are in bed. My TV show watching is always late. I haven’t seen any of these movies you’ve listed. I feel awful, I feel like everyone’s seen the godfathers and here I am totally clueless! This is a fun idea!
The Godfather 1 and 2 are some great ones. I also remember the whole world being disappointed when The Godfather part III came out.
I liked the 2011 Muppets movie. It was pretty cute. Not as good as the classic Muppets, but it was good.
Congratulations on watching the classic Godfather trilogy and I definitely agree the original was by far the best, but isn’t it always? Big Hero 6 is on our must see list this summer too!
Now all of these are some really great movies! You brought back some memories!
That reminds me that I really wanted to see Bridge to Tarabithida. I need to check it out.
This is a great list of movies to watch. Big Hero 6 is a really good movie.
A movie a day sounds fantastic. I love your selections this week!
All great movies. I feel a Godfather marathon coming on.
I love love love Bridge to Terabithia. I remember watching it as a kid and crying every time
Movies at home are my favorite things to do on rainy nights. My favorite genre is Horror, thankfully I have a very understanding mom who let me watch it when I was young and I still watch them to this day and they sadly never scare me, but they are still so much fun to watch! LOL ๐
We finally just saw Big Hero 6, a fun movie! Will have to check out some of the others on your list that we haven’t seen yet.
My husband would love being able to watch a movie a day. I would just love to be able to watch a single movie not intended for the ages of 1-5.
I love this line up! I recently saw Big Hero 6 and loved it.
This is a challenge my family would adore! We all love family movie nights. Thankfully, my kids are ok with a pretty wide variety of movies.
Those are great picks for movies. Reminded me how good the bridge of tarabitha was.
We do a movie a week, so I don’t get to squeeze many in. I still have to see Big Hero 6!
You definitely have an eclectic bunch for your first week! Good choice on Big Hero 6, my kids love that one
What a great movie week! We LOVED Big Hero 6! Even though it made me cry it was a great movie!
Oh man! I have had numerous Godfather marathons in my life. So. Much. Fun. Big Hero 6 was such a great movie.
Can’t wait to hear what you think about The Bridge to Terabithia book. So good.
Two of my kids cried during Big Hero 6. It was good, but geez. A little intense.
This is a great idea to watch a movie a day. This is a great list of movies. I loved Big Hero 6.
I’d love to watch a movie a day! You picked some really good ones too!
I’ve seen all of them but Kingdom of Heaven… I love Orlando Bloom and not sure how I missed this movie, but I’m going to watch it soon! I loved all the GodFather movies! And who doesn’t love The Muppets?!?!
Great movie choices. I have to disagree with the Godfather II – The hearings is when Kate realizes that he IS truly a heartless mobster. This is also when we know that he will do what is needed to keep his secret or to stay out of jail It’s a turning point from the Michael you loved to the Michael who we hate to love.