Pull It Together..saddest movies ever made

Hi my name is Desirae, and I am emotional movie-watcher. Look, I cry a lot during movies. If you know me, this is not BIG NEWS. I cry during movies at all times, sad parts, happy parts, insprirational parts...the list can go on and on.

What I wanted to do here was put in writing my top 10 tear-jerker movies, and why they deserve to be on my top 10. Some I've seen time and time again, others- only 1 or 2 times because its SO sad I refuse to put myself through it all over again. Since I am an emotional shlub, I'll inclue "honorable mentions' at the end, which means they were still so sad, just not top ten worthy. Unless you have been living under a rock recently, some of these might be spolier alerts. If so, sorry I'm not sorry. Ok, ready? Here we go..

1. Armageddon- I still remember seeing this for the first time in high school and my eyes were basically swollen shut afterwards. my ex boyfriend thought it would be best If I wear sunglasses on the way out. If your a big daddys girl, this movie will RIP YOUR HEART OUT. "I dont want to miss a thing" never sounded so depressing.

2. Seven Pounds- DAMN YOU WILL SMITH. I had to choose between this and Pusuit of Happyness, which both made me cry. But this one is depressing unlilke the ladder, so here we go. Will Smith is a man w, big time.He killed his wife and kid in a car accident (accidentally, of course) so he spends the whole movie meeting people he is going to give his organs to before he kills himself. The last scene with Rosario Dawson where she meets Woody Harrolsens character where he received Will Smiths' characters eyes is TRUELY heart wrenching.

3. Beaches- This movie is the ultimate friendship movie, showing how friendships can change throughout the years. I remember watching this movie as a little girl with my mom. I recall knowing what was happening in the last 15 minutes of the movie even then. What other movie captures the esscence of how it will feel when your best friend dies? *chills* I dont even want to go there.

4. Cast Away- Most of you might think this is a wild card on my list. Have you seen this movie? Tom Hanks' character is so sad, so lonely, so deserted, you know who he makes friend with? A volleyball. Can you imagine being that desperate? I cant. I remember watching this movie, and when he loses Wilson forever. "WILSON!!!!" UGH! NO!!! HIS BEST FRIEND?! I bawled. To this day, if I watch Cast Away on TV, I fast foward the "Wilson" part. F that.

5. Rudy- I am a big sucker for sports movies, and a LOT of them make me cry. But nothing quite compares to watching Rudy. Ive seen it a million times as a little girl. Its a huge underdog movie to believe in. AND (like most sports movies) its based on a true story. I dont care. You can put me in the last few minutes of the movies, where they put Rudy in for a few minutes and i will lose it. The story plus the music which accompanies the beautiful scene, is so amazing.

6. Titanic- Yeah, WHATEVER. Talk Shit. I dont care. I've seen this movie a bazillion times and it still pulls major heart strings. When the mom is putting her kids to sleep because shes poor and cant afford to get on a boat? Tears. When Jack and Rose say their final goodbyes on that big wooden door? Tears. When you see in the end Rose going to "heaven" where Jack awaits her? TEARS. Titanic is sad, dude.

7. Gladiator. AW. GLADIATOR. This is one movie where I can be placed right in the middle and I will watch it to the end. I am not even a Russell Crowe fan. When Maximus dies at the end, and you see him walking into the field toward his family, as his hand drags across the wheat- OMG I CANT DO IT..ILL CRY NOW...what a fantastic, beautiful movie. Every time I see it, I cry for Maximus.

8. Steel Magnolias- Most of you gents have probably never seen this flick. I dont know if my husband even has. It's right up there with Beaches. Julia Roberts plays the amazing shelby with a funny group of friends plus her mom (they ARE the steel magnolias)who must deal with her death once she dies. My best friend, Lauren and I think this movie is the end all, be all of movies about friendships. (My colors, are blush, and bashful!)

9.Marley and Me: I saw this on Christmas Day when it came out with my sister and husband. I remember telling them,"yeah! its about a CRAZY dog and a family, haha!" NO.Thats not even half of it.It's about a couple who adopts a dog, yes, and then grow a family and 15 years later the dog gets sick..and eventually is put down in the arms of his owner. UGH!!!! Look, I have a dog. Most of you do! Seeing this movie will just devastate you. My sister and I were wailing so bad during the last 30 minutes my husband was genuinely concerned. And when I left I had that hicupping cry that happens when you cry too hard and you wear yourself out. These days I steer clear of Marley & Me.

10. Million Dollar Baby- I went and saw this movie with Matt the day it won the Academy Award, and it made me appreicate it that much more. Hilary Swank plays Maggie, a poor, female boxer who by the halfway point of the movie, convinces Clint Eastwoods' character to be her manager. She starts out shitty but ends up being a short term amzing female boxer. She eventually becomes paralyzed due to a freak accident where Clints' characted puts her stool up right where she gets sucker punched- and she ends up paralyzed from the neck down. Her family abandones her, and she tries to kill herself by biting her tongue off. Clint ends up euthanizing her right before finally telling Maggie the meaning of a nickname he had given her, "Mo Chuisle", Irish for "my darling, and my blood," if you can make it through this movie without a tear I assume you are a robot.

Honrobale Mentions (meaning, I cried my eyes out during these movies, just could not fit them in: Terms of Endearment, Friday Night Lights, The Notebook, Braveheart, Legends of the Fall, The Help,)

Did I miss any sad, depressing movies? Leave them in the comments section!

xox

Hide yo Kids

Kidnapping movies scare me. I can sit through demons and ghosts all day long (they scare me too) but there is something about watching a child get kidnapped that seriously chills me. On a rainy Thankgiving morning, the Dovers' visit their close friends for the holiday. They both have six year old daughters as well as teenage kids. They are busy having dinner and the two girls never return. Enter Jake Gyllenhaal, who lets just be clear- he plays an amazing cop/detective/investigator, right? I love him. He's tatted up and sports a facial tick as detective Loki (I just saw him on Inside the Actors Studio and he did this because he says intelligent people usually have ticks- fun fact) and it definitely adds to the saddness of his character, "whats up with him?" you'll find yourself pondering throughout the movie.

Not for long. The movie keeps you on freakin pins and needles the whole damn time. I felt like the theatre should of given me a Xanax with my movie ticket. Ever see Argo? Rememebr how it felt seeing that movie? It applies here as well. Luckily, I had a few cocktails previously, otherwise it probably would of been worse for me. I dont want to spoil much more of the plot, so I wont. I'll just try and focus on the highlights:

Hugh Jackman is really good here. He plays, to me, the epitomy of what a father would be like if his daughter was missing. His emotions are raw..he brought me to tears several times. How he chose to deal with these emotions, probably not the best way to go. Biggest Eye Roll Moment of the movie? The few (DAMAGING!!!) mistakes he and Jake Gyllenhall make during the movie. UGH. I know its a movie but I was silencing scolding them for their amatuer mishaps. But I disgress, I dont know how I would deal if I were in this situation in real life. I probably would of been Maria Bello (Hugh Jackman's wife) in the movie, grieving and asleep. There are LOTS of good supporting roles from Terrance Howard, Viola Davis and Paul Dano (CREEPY) that make the movie even better.

I LOVE when movies far exceed my expectations, and this was one. Go see it.

Oscar Predictions 2013

I LOVE award season. I love the red carpet, I love seeing the stars all dressed up and talking about their movies. I was in LA this weekend, and while walking through Hollywood, I got to see that they were already setting up for the red carpet event this Sunday. Bleachers were already set up for fans to watch their favorite celebrities walk the red carpet in million dollar dresses and jewlrery. What I would give to be in those bleachers! However, award season is not just about the red carpet, it's about the best of the best films that are recognized throughout the year. Now they dont always get it right-a lot of the the times I am dissapointed in the movies that are nominated, but this year is not one of those years. I saw A LOT of movies that are nominated this year. A few I already reviewed (Les Mis, Silver Linings, etc) but many I have not. With a full plate this winter, I decided to hold off on writing a big review for some of these movies, and instead do a whole blog on my Oscar Picks instead. So, here they are.

Actor in a Supporting Role
I never saw Lincoln or The Master, but I did see the rest of the nominees in this category. I absolutely loved Chris Waltz in Django (he's honestly awesome), but I am going with Robert DeNiro in Silver Lingings Playbook. As a sports-obsessed father who is trying to understand his son who is suffering from mental illness, he was just fantastic. He reminded me of a much softer Jack Focker, and there is one scene in the movie that really made me choke up, no one can argue he rocks, and therefore I think he should walk with the Oscar.

Actress in a Supporting Role
As much as I love every actress in this category, it doesn't matter.If you follow awards season 2013, you know it's Anne's year. She deseves it too- her performance in Les Mis is SO good. I cried so hard during the 5 minute 'I Dreamed a Dream' because she made me believe how sad and desperate she was. If it was not going to be Anne, I think I'd go with Helen Hunt in The Sessions. It was a cool movie where she plays a sex surrogate to a handicapped man so he can lose his virginity late in life. It was funny, and endearing. It also will always be a fond memory movie experience because it was the first movie I ever saw by myself in the theatre. Yeah, I did it. It was something I always wanted to do and it was fun! Alcohol helped. But moving on...

Actor in a Lead Role
Also a shoe in this year is Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln. I never even saw the movie and I know it's his. In the trailer alone I thought, "Holy Crap." He's going to get that Oscar and if you ask me, DDL is a bit of a bad ass! If he was not in this categor I think I would go with either Hugh Jackman or Bradley Cooper. They were both so good in their movies, so much that I am happy I do not have to choose between them!

Actress in a Lead Role
I saw two of the 5 nominees, Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence. I love Jessica Chastain, and Zero Dark Thirty was AMAZEBALLS, but Jennifer Lawrence made Silver Linings for me. She made me laugh and cry and for a character that can be so easily disliked onscreen, she still made 'Tiffany' likeable, and thats tough to do. I hope she gets it (plus her award speeches are hilarious). I really, really wish I would of seen The Impossible with Naomi Watts, because all I hear is how amazing the movie was and how good she was in it. It stopped playing in Sac a week or so ago- boo.

Best Picture
Of the 9 nominees for best picture I saw 5. Django, Silver Linings, Les Mis, Zero Dark Thirty, and Argo. I could EASILY make arguments to why Silver Lingings or Zero should win, but you know what movie was better than all of them? Argo. The fact that Ben Affleck was shunned for a directing nod for this movie is beyond me. I don't feel like a lot of people saw this movie either, which is too bad, because it is without a doubt the best movie I saw this year. People might say that based on my posted reviews I might saw SLP was my fav-it's just not true. Argo was just so damn intense-i didnt really know how to review it. But it definitely was my favorite, well acted, directed, everything.

The Oscars are on Sunday evening! You can make your own picks on Oscar.Go.Com

Les Miserables

I read on the Les Miserables website that over sixty million people in fourty two countries have seen this world wide hit. Thats a lot of people. Why didn't anybody tell me?! I like musicals. I liked Grease, Rent, I loved Wicked. So when I dragged my sister to go see Les Miserables, (she, not a fan of musicals OR Anne Hathaway-more on that later) I knew I'd come out of it a fan.

It's a bit hard to describe the movie without wanting to tell the whole story in itself, so please, bear with me. The movie starts in 1815 with Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) just getting out of prison, after serving a nineteen year sentence. He tranforms himself (under a new identity) into a great man eight years later, becoming a mayor and owning a facotry. Russel Crowe plays Javert, the prison guard who is on his tail throughout the movie. Anne Hathaway stars as Fantine, who works at the factory and is thrown out on her ass once its discovered that she's been sending money to a child she had out of wedlock (Cosette). She is then forced to turn to prostitution so she can send money to her child's caregivers. I'll end there, I just can't go any further, and it's something you need to experience for the first time by youself. If you know the story-I am sure you know what I'm sayin'.

On to the good stuff. No one shines in the movie quite like Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. I know Hugh Jackman has theatre experience and his voice is lovely. Oh! Side note-all the singing in this movie is done live, not pre recorded and lip sync'd like most film adaptations are. The director (Tom Hooper) wanted his actors to sing live to the camera, to capture the feel and emotion of each song. I thought Hugh Jackman might burst an artery watching him sing. Amanda Seyfried (she plays the adult Cosette) has a very pretty voice as well. I was impressed. Anne Hathway sings the amazing song, 'I Dreamed a Dream' and the emotion on her face, the sadness, is overwhelming. I'm pretty sure the whole movie theatre (plus myself) cried with her. I love Anne Hathway, she is hands down one of my favorite acrtresses, and although I have not seen all the other would be contenders yet, I think she deserves an Oscar for her role. My sister always thought she was odd looking, but after seeing her in the movie, I think I may have made her an Anne-fan (although she will probably deny it after she reads this). Biggest Eye Roll Moment? Every time I had to hear Russell Crowe sing. I'm sorry but the guy just seems awkward and forced every time he opened his mouth. Maybe I am being biased, he is the bad guy after all, and I never usually like him in anything (besides Gladiator, but who doesn't like Gladiator?).

Guys, I know, you're probably all thinking blah blah blah why would we want to see this?! I feel ya. Even a hottie like Anne Hathaway is not going to get you in, because she's not really hot in this movie-quite the opposite actually. But you know what? There is actually a lot of action and laughs in this movie. Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen provide much needed comedy relief as the crooked inn keepers who watch after Cosette. I'm sure if your a guy, this probably is not going to be your thing and I get that. Hell, even girls sometimes dislike musicals. But this is a movie you should eventually see, because it is very good and deeply moving, and it has to be if it's been seen by so many people around the world! Guys, you might score points with a chick if you take her to see this one! I said might.

Silver Linings Playbook

I had wanted to see this movie ever since I saw the trailer a few months ago. I'm sure that the song I love so much (The Lumineers, 'Ho Hey') in the trailer had an influence on me, or maybe it's just the fact that I'm a HUGE Jennifer Lawrence fan. Whatever, it worked. I'm a big sucker for romantic comedies, and this is by far one of my favorites to date.


Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper)is a bipolar ticking time bomb, who has just been relased from a mental hospital after almost beating to death the guy his wife was cheating on him with. Biggest Eye Roll moment of the movie? The guy his wife was sleeping with is old and bald. WTF?! Sorry, not believable, its Bradley Cooper! You can't find someone who at least has all their hair? End rant. Anyways, Pat arrives at home with his parents (Jacki Weaver & Robert De Niro) upbeat, enthusiastic, and terribly manic as he is prepared to transform himself, physically and mentally in order to win his wife back.

Enter Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). She is a girl in the neighborhood, a newly widowed girl who is also a little off her rocker. She's been busy sleeping with everyone at work after her husband dies, but now she too is on the road to redeeming herself. She and Pat form a quick bond, and after a little blackmail on Tiffany's side, Pat agrees to enter a dance competition with her.

The movie is ridiculously funny. Bradley Cooper is a hopeless mess, most of the time you want to slap him because he's so over the top crazy, but it's really hard because he's also really...good looking. Those blue eyes suck you right in! He rocks the short hair and beard too, which if you know me, is my thing. I won't sell Jennifer Lawrence short either, she's gorgeous. I still find it hard to watch her be anyone but Katniss (if you don't know you better ask somebody!) but she is very funny and after a second, I was in love with Tiffany.

Let's talk supporting characters. Rober De Niro plays Pat Sr. and he almost steals the movie. He has OCD big time when it comes to the Philidelphia Eagles, and it's kind of sad, but mostly funny. I haven't seen him be as funny or endearing since Meet the Parents. Oh and remember Chris Tucker? He's in this movie too! Where the hell has he been?! It's been 15 years since he was in anything non Rush Hour related! It was good to see him, and he brings a lot of comedy into the film.

There are a lot of good movies out there right now, and a lot of them are big Oscar contenders. Not sure if this one will get a nod for acting, but it should. Pat and Tiffany have an interesting chemistry that is fun to watch. As I recently just told a friend of mine regarding a certain Tiffany and Pat in my life, apparently crazy is still in.

Where ya goin? Flying somehwere?

Let me tell you something people, this movie will make you NOT want to do two things: drink and fly. I had to get on a plane the day after I saw this movie, and it was not my favorite flying experience to date. Whip (Denzel Washington) is a pilot who struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. He awakens in the morning, still drunk and does some coke a few hours before he has to fly. This is the first 5 minutes of the movie-and also garnered my biggest eye roll moment of the movie-must the hot stewardess be completely naked through the first 5 minutes? Your man will love it, I suppose. Anyways, if you saw the trailer you know what goes down (ooh spoiler alert-the plane crashes, sorry!) and the movie is basically the aftermath of what happens to whip.

He struggles with his addictions big time. There are parts in the movie where I was honestly thinking, "get your shit together dude!" But hey, an edgy Denzel is my favorite Denzel ( a la Training Day, I guess?) The anticipation of Whip getting his act together (or not) is not an easy one. Especially when he has a drug dealer like John Goodman, who I must say is hilarious in all his scenes. He's serious about what he does, but funny at the same time (he tells one of the black body guards watching Whip, "go watch the door, Cee Lo!).

There is also a sub plot that involves a recovering heoin addict Whip befriends named Nicole. I spent half the film thinking it was Jessica Chastain (from The Help), but its not, and her part in the film seemed kind of boring and unneccassary anyways. I would absolutely recommend this movie, just maybe not before you travel, or have wine night with the girls. The again, Denzel is the in the movie...

The Best Bad Idea

Argo is the real movie about the fake movie. At the height of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, six people had escaped the US embassy from takeover and its Tony's (Ben Affleck) job as a CIA extractor, to get these six people out of hiding in Iran back home safely. SO, how does he choose to do this? By posing that he and the other six are part of a film crew in Iran to shoot a science fiction movie. They have everything to back it up: real producer, story boards, script, etc. Now all Tony has to do, is train these six escapees on their temporary identity long enough to not be pubicly excuted since the Iranians know they are missing. Sound crazy? That's because it is! Thats basically all I can tell you about the movie's plot-and there is so much more to this movie. It is seriously intense, pretty much from beginning to end. I spent the majority of the movie trying to keep my shit together, and it was pretty tough. Thank goodness for John Goodman (as a hollywood makeup artist) and Alan Arkin (hollywood producer), in between fits of biting my nails off, they provided lots of good one liners (Argo fuck yourself). I have always loved Ben Affleck, to me he has always been a bit underrated. He's on a nice little roll with his directing and starring in his own films, though (The Town, Gone Baby Gone). This time around, I have to admit it was weird not seeing him in a Boston-area heist involving cops and robbah's, but it still worked, and I definitely liked Argo more than I thought I would!