Tag: movies

  • Feeling Brave? 

    Feeling Brave? 

    Here Are 5 Horror Films to Keep You up at Night

    If you’re a fan of horror films and watching movies where someone’s chopping another’s body like they’re short on meat for dinner, we cannot be friends. Fun fact about me: I got kicked out of the AMC for excessive screaming when watching Insidious. Excessive screaming. Isn’t that the point of these films? 

    I never like to think of myself as a weak-hearted and generally very wussy person, but there are exceptions…horror films. I don’t care if this is “the best horror film you’ve seen in forever.” I don’t want to hear the plot, Karen; I am fragile. When I do feel brave enough-which is unfortunately very rare- I do insist on recommendations to ride out what I like to call the “brave wave.” Do I ultimately enjoy the film (that I’ve watched with five other people in the room)? Yes, of course. Do I regret it when I’m lying in bed and my husband’s working late? Yes, absolutely.

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    The thing is, I’ll rewatch the film because hey, now I’ve grasped the plot and there’s no way I’ll be surprised again. If anything, it should toughen me up a bit, but no. I become jumpy all over again. 

    As exciting as my life story as a horror film hater is, there are a few films that have caught my attention and had me on the edge of my seat…and digging my nails into my partner’s arms. I have a love-hate relationship with these films, and if you’ve got the guts, be sure to add them to your watch list. 

    Insidious: Chapter 3

    When anyone asks for a movie recommendation, this is my go-to, because 1) I want them to recognize how brave I am and 2) it’s the first horror film I’ve ever seen. There are four of these films combined, but having only watched this one, it’s safe to say I don’t want to watch the rest. 

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    In this chapter, the main character, a teenage girl named Quinn, wishes to contact her deceased mother. She locates a psychic to help her perform the connection, but everything backfires when an evil spirit answers her call and creates physical damage to her and her surroundings. Expect a few screams to jump out of you, a couple of squeals, burying your face in a pillow, and more than a few sleepless nights. Till this day, if I hear a knock through the wall, I leave the house. Yes, I know, weak.

    It Follows

    This movie was a bit easier to live down. It took a couple of weeks, but eventually, I got over it. Our main character Jay becomes the recipient of a “fatal curse” after intercourse with her date. 

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    You see, the curse could only be passed on to another through sex. Jay begins to see figures of strangers or friends follow her wherever she goes, and no one can see them but her. This ultimately makes her look insane in front of her friends. If it touches you, you die, so Jay and her friends go on the run, hoping to leave it behind. As her friends begin to see what Jay sees, they realize it’s impossible to get away from it, and killing it is the solution. If you want bonus points, watch this in the dark, and whatever you do, don’t look behind you. 

    Don’t Breathe

    Rocky’s dream is to move to California to create a better life for her and her sister. Short on money, she and two of her friends decide to break into the home of a Gulf War veteran who is rumored to have a safe packed with cash. They quickly discover the blind veteran isn’t as vulnerable as he looks. Packed with suspense, gore, and confined spaces, you’ll have goosebumps throughout this suspense thriller. 

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    The audience is left with two choices: should they kill the old man and get away with it or the old man kills them? Both seem to be morally corrupt. 

    A word of advice? Make sure to take a deep breath every once in a while because this film is not for the faint-hearted. 

    The Invisible Man 

    Imagine being haunted by something you can’t see but can see and touch you. The brilliant Elisabeth Moss has once again outdone herself in this captivating horror/thriller masterpiece. 

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    Nowadays, most horror films have a supernatural element, but The Invisible Man is truly a horror that stands out due to its Sci-Fi element. Thanks to her riveting performance, the main character’s fears and hopes will become yours throughout the film. The music soundtrack keeps you in a deep trance as the camera slowly spans across the room, sending chills down your spine. Following its notorious ending, you can’t help but wonder who the real monster is but I can tell you this, lions, tigers, and bears, isn’t it. 

    The Autopsy of Jane Doe

    This is one of those psychological horrors that you can’t stop thinking about all day. It’s true what you’ve heard; most of the plot is predictable but an incredible storyline, nonetheless. 

    As father and son coroners perform an autopsy on an unidentified woman, questions keep piling up. As the majority of the film is shot from the inside of the morgue, the atmosphere remains eerie, and of course, the creepy sound effects always come at the exact moment. Overall, it’s worth a watch as the suspense will have you biting on your nails. Be warned, though, this is the type of horror flick that will cause you to lose sleep. 

     

  • Movies to Keep an Eye Out for in 2020

    Movies to Keep an Eye Out for in 2020

    Good God, it seemed like 2020 was NEVER coming, and if you’ve heard of all the movies that are releasing this year, then you know we’ve waited far too long! People, you know how long I’ve been waiting for Disney to make a Mulan live-action film? I’ve survived this long solely for that reason. Other than Mulan, Marvel’s Phase Four will kick off, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back with Bad Boys, Matthew McConaughey in The Gentleman, and Sophia Lillis in Gretel & Hansel. I’m a sucker for fairytale turned horror films. It’s a much anticipated year for the entertainment industry and cinema lovers everywhere, and I’ve gathered the perfect list of movies, so you don’t miss out on anything. 

    Get ready to mark your calendars, folks; these movies are a must-see.

    Mulan

    Yes, I would put a Disney first. My generation was raised on Disney, and to see an Asian female character take the spotlight was all it took to convince me of the strength all women withhold but forced to keep down because…well, society. Yes, I interpreted that from a child’s movie. Directed by Niki Caro, this fantasy-war film stars Liu Yifei and is set to release March 27, 2020. If you’re not familiar with the epic tale, Mulan is the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, and when the Huns invade China, she takes his place in battle disguised as a man. Her determination and quick wit are what keep her going on this journey to embrace her true potential and make a nation proud. 


     

     

    No Time To Die

    The 25th installment of the James Bond franchise is titled No Time To Die and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective). Daniel Craig is back for the role and informed Entertainment Weekly it would be his last time playing the iconic character. Alongside him for the first time ever is a female 007 agent, played by Lashana Lynch and a new villain played by Academy Award winner Rami Malek. After leaving active service for some time, Bond gets approached by Felix Leiter, a friend, and CIA officer. He enlists him to search for a missing scientist. When it becomes apparent that the scientist was abducted, Bond sets a plan to find him regardless of the dangers the mission holds. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Jungle Cruise

    Get ready to see Dwayne Johnson everywhere this year, because his name pops up in several movies releasing soon. Along with some impressive actors and actresses, the film is based on the Disneyland theme park ride. If you’ve never been on the ride, it’s a small riverboat that steers through a jungle filled with wild animals and reptiles. The movie is similar, but obviously with a plot and supernatural element. The captain of the riverboat, Frank (Johnson), accompanies a scientist (Emily Blunt) and her brother (Jack Whitehall) on a mission to find the Tree of Life, which is believed to possess healing powers. All while competing against a German expedition and surviving the jungle’s wilderness. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Gentleman

    Alright, alright, alright! You’re either a huge fan of Guy Ritchie’s work or…you can’t stand it. Matthew McConaughey stars as Mickey Pearson, who runs a successful marijuana empire in London. When he decides to cash out his business, people’s true intentions come to light as they scheme and use blackmail to undermine him. It’s Ritchie, so expect car chases, gunfights, gangs, and a thirst for blood. Expect to see some legendary actors, including Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Promising Young Women

    It’s rare to receive a score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, but this provocative thriller did just that. Write-director Emerald Fennell has presented women everywhere with the story of Cassie Thomas (Carey Mulligan), a med school dropout. Her dreams of becoming a doctor were derailed when a tragic event derailed her future. An event that somehow shaped the rest of her life. She lives with her parents and works at a coffee shop, which seems like the typical aftermath of any dropout, but Cassie has a secret, a double life she leads at night. 

     

    Film critics are going crazy for the cruel over the top truth. Teen Vogue states, “A stellar performance from Mulligan paired with an ambitious vision from Fennell comes together to create a story that’s a bold takedown of rape culture and those that defend it.” Believe me, when I say, you don’t want to miss out on this one. 

    Bad Boys For Life

    Instagram was taken by storm when Will Smith announced he’d be playing Genie in Aladdin, but when we found out we’d be getting another Bad Boys? People lost their minds. While Micheal Bay did not direct the third film, it’s still packed with action, adventure, and of course, comedy. I mean, it’s Smith and Lawrence. In the sequel, the wife and son of a Mexican drug lord are set out to kill anyone involved in his downfall. One of those people is Miami Detective Mike Lowrey (Smith). He teams up with partner Burnett (Lawrence) to bring the culprits to justice. Will everything go as planned, or will the two end up screwing up with their new tactical squad?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Gretel and Hansel

    Trails of bread crumbs, candy houses, wicked witches, and a dark forest. This is not the first Gretel and Hansel, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Sophia Lillis is a fantastic actress who made her breakthrough in the horror film It and It 2. She has starred in a few other movies afterward, including this one. After their mother slowly loses her sanity, Gretel and Hansel pave their way into the dark forest, hoping to fend for themselves. 

    Practically starving, they come across a table of stranded food outside what looks like an abandoned home. After the owner invites them in, they soon start to suspect that her hospitality is bound to come with a cost. 

     

  • Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

    Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

    One of the downsides of growing up in Southern CA is that we didn’t get much rain. We would experience light showers, but it was never so intense so that we had to stay inside. My childhood consisted of several trips to Venice beach and so many Disneyland visits to the point where I got tired of it. Yes, the happiest place on earth became the most dreaded place on earth for me.

    It wasn’t until I got hitched that I started to come up with indoor activities for my partner and me. Rain or shine, my husband wouldn’t leave the house unless it was work related. This took a significant toll on me considering I’m such an extrovert and need my daily dose of outdoors.

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    So what did I do?

    That’s right; I made a list. Because lists are fantastic and whoever invented them needs to be worshipped like a god.

    Here are your indoor activities for rainy (or sunny) days!

    Movies Marathon

    Harry Potter. Boom, there’s your movie marathon idea. I joke, but seriously, it’s the first thing that comes to mind.

    If you’re a movie person, it’s time to fire up that VCR (people still use those, right)? Load up on your favorite snacks and grab your favorite person, even if that person is you. It’s time to cuddle up under your Spongebob wool blanket and watch your favorite films.

    Don’t forget the popcorn. It’s not a movie marathon unless you’ve eaten three buckets of popcorn by the end of each film.

    Read a Book (or maybe two or three)

    Anybody else have a shelf full of books they haven’t even started reading yet? Yup, that’s me. The guilt engulfs me every time I watch Game of Thrones for the bazillion time. You’d think I would have at least read the books because of my obsession with the series.

     

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    But sadly, I am not wired that way.

    A good book, a cup of tea or coffee, and a comfortable armchair are all you’ll need to have the perfect rainy day.

    Spoil Yourself

    Two words. Spa day. I mean, why not? Everything can be made at home! The face and hair masks, foot soak, bath bomb, and even your infused (ok, spiked) drink. Here you will find all the DIYs you need to pamper yourself!

    Turn Up the Heat (In the Kitchen)

    I’m just going to go ahead and say it. I’m a monster in the kitchen.

    And by a monster, I do mean everything’s a competition for me. Even if there is no competition at all, I compete with myself.

    Self-driven is the word you’re looking for here. Pretending that I’m on Iron Chef is the only sure way to guarantee five-star food and a burnt/cut finger/hand. But you have to admit; time flies while you’re in Gordon Ramsay mode. It’s true what they say. You are your own worst critic.

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    Remodel your Home!

    You finally have an excuse to move things around. If you have some portraits you want to hang, some carpets you want to lay out, or some DIYs you want to show off, now’s the time to do it. Let’s be honest, if you don’t get it done now, you never will.

    ….and 5,6,7,8!

    Got a Wii? Time to have a dance-off. If not, YouTube choreography videos and learn all the moves to Single Ladies. Hey, you never know when you need to break out in dance, and what says “I know what I’m doing” more than Beyonce?

    Answer:

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    The list goes on and on. You can try painting, building a fort, have a scavenger hunt, online shopping, writing a novel, or something as simple as baking cookies. No matter what you choose to do, just make sure you’re not sitting around all day!