Pacific Rim

taken from hdwalldesk.com

Giant monsters.  Giant robots.  Giant, incessant use of wter CGI water.  Giant overuse of shirtless Hunnams.  Well, if you like big blockbuster movies with high action, then this is the movie for you.  Personally, I didn't really like it very much—mostly because (Newsflash) ridiculous action isn't engaging.  There were many action and random points that were verging on absurd that pulled me out of the movie. The endless build-up battles got me more annoyed than in Man of Steel.  Also, like Man of Steel, the plot was convoluted and didn't fully connect in my head.  The most interesting point of the movie remained Mako Mori's flashback and those two weird scientists' interactions.  So, let me correct myself.  If you're a guy, loves unnecessarily long battles and bizarre story lines, then this is the movie for you.  Not great.  Not bad.  But, certainly not winning. 

I Am Legend

As with Signs, this movie has just enough thrill that you're entertained but not disturbed.  I Am Legend brings a zombie-apocalypse experience without the gore—filling our dark appetite for terror without delivering any of the grotesque.  Of coarse, as with any film, the human touch is what makes I Am Legend really enjoyable and forefronts Will Smith's performance.  Humanity balances the  the story.  Surprisingly, theirs also a twist of religion that crowns reality within this world and finishes the surprising ending with a sense of hope—at least the ending or alternate ending of my version does.   

Howl's Moving Castle

taken from asia.myvi.ru

If any of you haven't discovered the beautiful gem that is Studio Ghibli, then now is the time.  They've done works such as Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, and Whispers of the Heart.  I admit that half of their movies are pretty whack, but the other half (all the ones I just listed) are really fantastic.  Whimsical, foreign, and beautifully animated, Howl's Moving Castle bends towards the odder side, but remains my favorite Ghibli film because of the quirky characters and—once again—nontraditional love story.  Howl's Moving Castle is the story of a young, homely girl swept away into the dark, mysterious rules of her world and finds hope in her own strength.  It's inspiring and reminds me a lot of a Grimm's fairytale.  Keep an open mind, watch it three times, and try to connect the plot points.  They're half the fun.

North and South (BBC)

taken from 4.bp.blogspot.com

I know that the first ten minutes of this movie are difficult to stomach—I personally blew it off after seeing the ridiculous, happy-town, shallow introduction.  Luckily, after a few months, I returned, hacked a few more minutes, and found a fabulous mini-series.  Yes, this technically isn't a movie, but running for only four, one hour long  episodes, I can watch North and South in one day.  I love this story.  Maybe because it's a mysterious, under-dog drama or perhaps because Margaret Hale is so relatable or maybe because she and Mr. Thornton's relationship is so excruciating to watch, this show is fantastic.  I admit, Mr. Thornton looks like an evil vampire-man at first, but as the story goes on us ladies will melt (especially when you realize he's Thorin Oakenshield!).  Is this a movie for guys?  Well, it's a historical drama with plenty of grim reality and minimal romantic gush.  You'll survive.  However, most of everyone out there will probably find this a very dull show.  Understandable.  But, just like in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, I live for the last five minutes, and if you know what I'm talking about, you'll adore North and South.

Chicken Little

taken from dogomovies.com

Chicken Little is one of those sorta dumb movies that you love anyways because it's just so witty and weird, you can't help it (i.e. Nacho Libre, The Lego Movie trailer).  Yet another one of the films I like to watch a lot, Chicken Little is funny for kids and adults—not in a Shrek kind of way but a Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs kind of way.  They're silly but not polluted with rude humor.  Half the fun that comes with Chicken Little is the music—and if you're thinking I'm recommending that Cheetah Girls song, you're wrong.  Weird 80s and 90s sounding stuff along with the quotable lines makes this a great movie to watch and rewatch with your family and friends.  "Give them a taste of the other white meat!"  

Monsters University

taken from schmoesknow.com

The last few years of Pixar films have been very disappointing as they've lost all the charisma, originality, and meaning that use to set Pixar apart.  Yet, I was delighted to see things turning back around in Monsters University.  Though not as good as the first, Monsters University still made for a good time and held the creative power that made the first Monsters movie so fun and witty.  Despite being a prequel, this movie played on my nostalgia, riding on my childhood during my current college life.  So, for those of you who loved Monsters Inc., Monsters University is worth seeing.  I wouldn't call it Pixar's best for one reason though: I didn't think about it much after seeing it.  Not sure why.  It's fantastic, don't get me wrong, just not memorable.  But, I look forward to seeing it again.  

One Night with the King

taken from worstpreviews.com

This is a special story.  To be honest, reading an Old Testament account doesn't normally inspire or connect with me—however, One Night with the King catches a culture, time, romance, and spirit otherwise lost in the surface-tale of Esther.  Non-conventional love story always wins me over, and, a few of the actors do a beautiful job, creating a nice sense of drama.  Unfortunately, there are a few cheesy, scenes that hurt this sense of drama, but it doesn't diminish the overall power of the film too much.  This isn't just a story of religion—anyone can enjoy the courage and love depicted in it, and see an actually well-made Bible story.