I was given a free two month trial for Lovefilm, a U.K online renting website. Here are the films I managed to rent in the past two months and a short review.
Aladdin ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
What can I say? Absolutely wonderful! We all say about how we grew up with Disney films, but watching them again as an ‘adult’ helps relive the memories (and allow us to understand the story which we probably didn’t grasp the first time round.) Aladdin is a classic, a beautiful film, well-written and the characters are charming. I adore it.
Mean Girls ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Another classic. I’ve seen Mean Girls a dozen times but it still is very funny. It definitely does not have a deep picture or any life-changing, but it’s clever, witty and hilarious.
The Tourist ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
I think the critics were just nasty about this because it isn’t as bad as it is. Yes, it did star Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp which ultimately means it could have been amazing. I admire them both, but, no, it didn’t live up to the action-packed thriller the audience was hoping for. However I thoroughly enjoyed it, and saw few flaws to the film. I love Depp and Jolie which perhaps makes me biased though.
Little Miss Sunshine ✮
Is this meant to be a feel good film? I found it miserable and extremely over-rated. I actually cringed at some scenes and although I stuck it out to the end, I swore to myself it was something I could never watch again!
Love and Other Drugs ✮
Extremely disappointed and appalled at this film. It’s very frustrating and was hard to follow. A different side of Anne Hathaway is revealed, and it’s not pleasant. Note to readers: Do not watch with your parents.
Letters to Juliet ✮
Appalling acting from the leads in this. Amanda Seyfried was so dull I wanted to rip my eyes out. It’s not romantic or funny, just very VERY boring!
Amelie ✮
I only wanted to see this because of the hype that it’s known for, and I must admit I only watched the first half hour. I felt uncomfortable and wasn’t sure where it was going. Perhaps it does get better but I had enough.
The Social Network ✮✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Perfect in every way. Been dying to see this film for months and it was beyond my expectations. Very entertaining, thought-provoking and fascinating. Loved both Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield’s performance. I recommend it!!
Never Let Me Go ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
More Andrew Garfield in this one, if your a fan like me. A beautiful but twisted and heart-breaking story. I was aching throughout. It’s a heavy downer and I recommend it highly but it’s so haunting. Watch it and weep.
Dear John ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
I did not read Nicholas Spark’s novel but I understand that the film is not as good as the book. I enjoyed this film greatly but did not cry (much.) Amanda Seyfried’s acting was much better here and the relationship between her and Channing Tatum works well.
Spirited Away ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Lost for words for this one. Again, I rented this one out because of the hype. I was so impressed. It’s magnificent, enchanting and persistently fascinating. Definitely a film not to miss.
The Emperor’s New Groove ✮ ✮ ✮
Slightly let down by this one? It was not as good as I remembered it being when I first saw it in the cinema in the year 2000. It’s smart though, a great script, just didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought it would.
Oliver and Company ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Seen it before but wanted to watch again for old time’s sake. I am very fond of this film, perhaps more for nostalgia’s sake rather than it being a brilliant show. Love the songs in it and think it’s so sweet. One of my favourite animations ever.
The Hurt Locker ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Not my type of film at all, because it was originally rented for Dad and Mum to watch. But surprisingly, it’s incredibly powerful, exciting and I’m not gonna lie, the suspense was GOING TO KILL ME in some parts. Fantastic!!
The Princess Diaries ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Really took to the classics this month. It’s a sweet, delightful comedy which you can watch with little concentration. Very predictable, but it’s nice.
National Treasure ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
As ludicrous as it all seems, it is entertaining, captivating and funny. I’ve seen this many times and it doesn't get old. Think Riley Poole makes it for me.
Driving Lessons ✮ ✮
Truthfully only watched this for the luscious Rupert Grint but that didn’t even do it. Didn’t enjoy this much, I didn’t even finish it. It was not what I was expecting I’m afraid.
It’s a Boy Girl Thing ✮ ✮ ✮
Seen this a dozen times but still continue to enjoy it’s cliché but hilarious acting from both the guy and the girl. The story line isn’t anything new but it’s worth a watch.
Super Size Me ✮ ✮ ✮
A fascinating documentary on an American man who only eats McDonalds for every meal for a month. Didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know: McDonald’s makes you obese. Through the use of other video clips, art work, facts, figures and visual images makes Super Size Me very informative and interesting.
The Bucket List ✮✮
I was encouraged to watch this but I didn't enjoy it as much as I was expecting to. It was fine watching it once but wouldn't want to see again.
Hercules ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Wonderful film! Again it was nice to actually understand the story properly. Love Love LOVED it.
101 Dalmatians ✮ ✮
Rather disappointed with this one, as it was a childhood favourite and did not live up for my maturity. This is the live version starring Glen Close as Cruella - which may I add, looked very scary. The script is poor and it’s very tedious to watch.
I’m A Cyborg, but That’s OK
This looked much more appealing than what it was. I didn’t watch it all, but later I realised that Korean Pop Star Rain has a role. Now that’s just annoying. Think I’ll attempt to watch it again.
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I did watch it. It was very weird indeed. I found Rain unattractive. Yeah, that weird.
It was based in a mental hospital, where a girl was sent because she thought she was a cyborg. I don’t really know what to say about it, it was bizarre but was interesting and endearing too. I will give it ✮ ✮ ✮ stars today.
Coco Before Chanel ✮ ✮ ✮
I think this would be much more interesting if it focused more on Coco Chanel’s career than her life before it. Not very enlightening either, Audrey Tautou isn’t very convincing. It was only in the last few scenes did I actually enjoy it.
24 films in two months. Not bad.
Also note I watched films that were not part of my LoveFilm subscription too, so indeed, I watched many films this summer.
I wanted to watch more but I’m afraid to say I ran out of time.
- Claudia
