The Fall Film Challenge: Bonus Reviews #1

10/19 - Rio (2011) - Anne Hathaway

3 out of 5 stars

Such a cute movie.  The characters (mostly birds) were hilarious.  The snowy beginning was my favorite part...and the musical numbers were great, too.  My niece and nephew would love it...and maybe even learn about some new tropical animals!

10/19 - Delivery Man (2013) - Vince Vaughn

2 out of 5 stars

Vince Vaughn is NOT my favorite.  He typically annoys me in films, but he wasn't too terrible in this one.  The premise itself was just a bit too much for me.  A sperm donor with hundreds of kids looking to collectively reunite with him.  I mean, really?!?  Pretty outlandish.

10/19 - The Croods (2013) - Nicolas Cage

3 out of 5 stars

Another great animated film.  I loved the grandmother.  Classic.  Each member of the family was interesting in their own way though.  I enjoyed that the story focused on the female daughter.  Girl power, right? :)

10/20 - This is 40 (2012) - Megan Fox

2 out of 5 stars

I thought this would be SO much better than it turned out.  I love Paul Rudd, but he was disappointing in this one.  The whole movie was kinda lame, but I did like the story line involving the two main characters and their parents.  Interesting to see those dynamics play out.  There were funny moments, but I guess I just expected a little more.

10/20 - A Thousand Words (2012) - Eddie Murphy

1 out of 5 stars

I like Eddie Murphy, but this movie was a huge fail.  It was just bad - from beginning to end.  I couldn't wait for it to be over.  Nothing really felt funny...and it was boring.  He could have been so much more creative in letting others know his issue, but I guess that would have defeated the goal of this terrible movie.

10/22 - Get Hard (2014) - Will Ferrell

1 out of 5 stars

Kevin Hart is the ONLY thing that saved this movie.  I detest Will Ferrell so I knew this wasn't going to be pretty.  I did not find most of it funny at all.  Instead, several scenes were just flat out offensive.  And it was SO predicable. I can't recommend this one even for the handful of laughs Hart provides.

10/23 - Son-in-Law (1993) - Pauly Shore

3 out of 5 stars

Pauly Shore.  Wow...definitely took me back a few years with this movie!  Enjoyable film for sure.  It had goofy humor, but it was done in a funny way.  My favorite was when Pauly attempted to learn the ways of the farm.  Too funny!!

10/25 - Say Anything (1989) - Ione Skye

3 out of 5 stars

It was nice to sneak a drama in there after mostly watching comedies.  I enjoyed this film, but found myself annoyed with the characters.  They weren't really likable either.  I was glad to see some twists and turns which definitely kept me interested.  I'd always heard things about this movie so I am happy that I was finally able to check it out for myself!

10/25 - Mona Lisa Smile (2003) - Maggie Gyllenhaal

5 out of 5 stars

Why did it take me over 10 years to watch this movie?!?  It was phenomenal.  I absolutely loved it.  The characters were great - diverse, but the same.  I really enjoyed getting to know each person and all their dreams and struggles.  I don't cry in movies ever, but this one caught me with a tear in my eye.  Maybe because a part of me identified with some of the characters.  Or maybe because I had just gotten attached to them and didn't want the story to end.

10/25 - Woman in Gold (2015) - Katie Holmes

5 out of 5 stars

Another fantastic film!  It didn't take me near as long to get around to watching this one though.  I knew when I saw previews for it that I would like it.  I really enjoyed how it flashed back and forth from present day to the past.  The backstory was honestly more interesting to me than the present day issues at hand.  I knew it was based on a true story so I assumed a happy ending was in store.  The story behind that ending was so very interesting and exciting though.

10/26 - Passengers (2008) - Patrick Wilson

4 out of 5 stars

I love a good psychological thriller...and this one certainly qualified.  I knew there was going to be some big twist, but I kept trying to figure it out until the very end.  I got close.  Real close, but I didn't have all the pieces figured out before they were revealed.  Definitely enjoyed this one!

10/27 - White House Down (2013) - Channing Tatum

2 out of 5 stars

I just couldn't fall for the ridiculousness of this movie.  I wanted to like it, but it was just too far fetched.  I've seen more secure supermarkets than what they portrayed in the White House at the beginning of this movie.  It was just all a little too much.  I did like the little girl though.  She was brave...and smart!

10/29 - Starsky & Hutch (2004) - Owen Wilson

2 out of 5 stars

I won't lie, I laughed at parts of this one.  But the majority of it was just pure stupidity.  I absolutely can't stand Owen Wilson so that also made this one a bit difficult to stomach. In the end, I recommend passing on this one unless you just want something mindless to watch.

After watching the first half of the bonus movies, things shook out even across the board.  I really enjoyed a few of them, thought most of them were ok, and really hated a few.  Here's to hoping the second half held a lot more winners than losers!!

Andrea :)