#240. Toy Story 2

"You're right, Prospector. I can't stop Andy from growing up...but I wouldn't miss it for the world."

In this Toy Story, Woody was captured by a greedy toy collector, Al McWiggin. He makes new friends with Jessie the Cowgirl, Stinky Pete, and Bullseye the horse whilst Buzz and the rest of the gang have set out to rescue him.

The whole time watching this movie, I kept debating whether or not I saw it when I was a kid. I know I saw the first one and loved it, but this one I couldn't remember as much. Some parts seemed familiar, but it had to have been at least 9 or 10 years ago if I did see it. What I loved about this movie though, was that anybody can watch it and enjoy it. Whether it be kids or their parents or teenagers, Toy Story 2 has such a moving quality about it that everybody can relate to.

Though I love all of the characters, Rex the dinosaur has always been my favorite. He has such a lovable personality and innocent spirit that I adore!

Out of all three Toy Story movies, this one is probably the weakest, but still a wonderful film none the less. I'm giving the character aspect of the movie a lower score than I usually would, because some of the new ones I felt were somewhat unnecessary. But the magical essence of the original characters were captured just as well as the first Toy Story. This movie proves very worthy of being classic Disney! I'll give it an 8.2.

Characters: 8.7/10

Acting: 8/10

Storyline: 7.6/10

Entertainment Value: 8/10

Immediate Rating: 8.2/10

Total Score: 40.5/50

#241. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

"I swear, if you existed, I'd divorce you."

I thought this movie had a very unique concept. Two hours spent in the life of a dysfunctional couple, coping with their misery in company of another. Not much of a plot, but a very interesting concept indeed. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf was incredibly exhausting with all of its mood swings and yelling and laughter. In one phrase I would say it was like "beating a dead horse".

You get tired of the same four characters' voices, as well as the constant drinking and the ice clinks in the glasses, but I guess that was the point.

My favorite character was George (played by Richard Burton) because I didn't think his acting was over dramatic like all of the others, which I liked. Though I'm guessing this melodramatic acting was probably well looked upon at the time in these old movies, I appreciated that he seemed to have the most believable persona of the four. 

And don't get me wrong, I enjoyed watching this movie greatly. I just feel worn out with a slight head ache, as if I have a hangover or something after watching it. I guess that goes to show just how much this film can drag you in. My immediate rating is a 7.2.

Characters: 7.6/10

Acting: 7/10

Storyline: 7.3/10
Entertainment Value: 7.8/10

Immediate Rating: 7.2/10

Total Score: 36.9/50

#242. Spartacus

"I am Spartacus!"

Though this movie was terribly long (over three hours), I actually thought that it was very good and worth the watch. All the scenes had significant meaning, so it just wouldn't have been the same movie if it were cut shorter. And it wasn't boring either, like most movies of its runtime. I thought that many parts of the film were emotionally captivating, and that the plot was very interesting.

The movie was about a man named Spartacus who was born and raised a slave. After meeting and falling in love with a slave woman named Varinia, he leads a revolt with the other slaves in a cry for freedom from Rome. Meanwhile, senators Gracchus and Crassus are using the rebellion as their own battle for the rise to power.

It's pretty much a toss up in terms of my favorite character, but there was something about Antoninus (played by Tony Curtis) that I really liked. I also thought Jean Simmons who played Varinia did a great job with her part. I would usually say that this is not my kind of movie, but Spartacus proves to be an exception. I'll give it an immediate rating of 7.

Characters: 7.2/10

Acting: 7.5/10

Storyline: 7.3/10
Entertainment Value: 7/10

Immediate Rating: 6.9/10

Total Score: 35.9/50

#243. Shaun of the Dead

"We have to get out of here. If we don't they'll tear us to pieces, and that is really going to exacerbate things for all of us."

Shaun of the Dead is by far the best horror comedy I've ever seen, and was absolutely hilarious all the way through!! There were so many great lines in this movie that had me laughing out loud. It reminded me a lot of Zombieland, a movie I saw last year and I also loved, but I thought this film was even better!

The plot is basically about a 29 year old man that just lost his girlfriend, and is determined to win her back. In the midst of this, zombies have taken over the city, and Shaun must try to save himself and his loved ones before they themselves turn into the living dead.

I had two favorite characters in this movie; one being Shaun (played by Simon Pegg), and the other was Ed, Shaun's best friend, (played by Nick Frost). They both were hilarious, and I loved the chemistry between the two as well.

 In conclusion, I pretty much thought this movie was awesome. Simple but classic plot, hysterical scenes (my favorite being the part where they're killing zombies to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now"), and great comedic timing. I've found my love for British humor! I'll give this movie an 8.8/10.

Characters: 7.8/10

Acting: 8.3/10

Storyline: 8.5/10
Entertainment Value: 9/10

Immediate Rating: 8.8/10

Total Score: 42.4/50

#244. Ikiru

"Life is brief. Fall in love, maidens,
Before the crimson bloom fades from your lips,
Before the tides of passion cool within you,
For those of you who know no tomorrow."

Believe it or not, Ikiru took me three days to watch. I started watching it on Saturday, but the video I found kept messing up and it took me forever to find one that would actually play all the way through.

Thankfully, though, I did watch all of it, and I'm fairly glad I did. Though a lot of it was hard to relate to through the Japanese language (with English subtitles), I feel like I understood the message of the movie loud and clear. The plot was about a bureaucrat named Kanji Watanabe who spent thirty years of his life doing absolutely nothing at his job. Upon finding out he has stomach cancer, he finally starts living his life.

Though I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters in this movie, I'd say my favorite was Toyo Odagiri, played by Miki Odagiri. She was a female employee who worked with Watanabe, and spent time with him months before his death. I liked her because I thought she was one of the only characters with any personality at all (besides Watanabe), and I felt that she added a lot to the plot.

Overall, I thought Ikiru was touching, yet depressing. A great concept, and a movie thats storyline makes it definitely worth watching. My rating is a 7.9/10.

Characters: 6.8/10

Acting: 6.8/10

Storyline: 7.5/10
Entertainment Value: 6.8/10

Immediate rating: 7/10

Total Score: 34.9/50

#245. Monsters, Inc.

"Kids these days. They just don't get scared like they used to."

I've probably seen Monsters, Inc. about ten times in all, but it's been quite a few years since that last time I watched it. I absolutely love kid movies, and the ones I watched during my childhood will always have a special place in my heart; Monsters, Inc. being one of them. The plot is simple, yet classic. It's about a mega-company that's goal is for monsters to scare children; their screams generating energy for the city. All goes well until one child escapes from her room, and into the reluctant hands of master of scare James Sullivan and his best friend Mike Wazowski.

My favorite character was Boo (voiced by child Mary Gibbs). I don't think she said one English word the entire movie, except for "Kitty" of course, but she has such an adorable charm that I love!

Overall, I think this movie is beyond clever, with enchanting characters and a very touching conclusion. I give it an 8.7/10.

Characters: 8.8/10

Acting: 8.5/10

Storyline: 8.5/10

Entertainment Value: 8.8/10

Immediate rating: 8.7/10

Total Score: 43.3/50

#246. Shutter Island

"This is mental institution, Marshall, for the criminally insane. Usual isn't a big part of our day."

I saw this movie in theaters a few months ago, so I already knew everything that would happen and what to expect. That didn't take away from the suspense though; the thrilling scenes scared me just as much as the first time I saw them.

What I don't like about this movie is that I feel that most of the characters lack distinctive personalities, but of course, the plot definitely makes up for that. The basic gist of the story is that U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels and his partner, Chuck Adule, have set out to investigate the disappearance of one of the patients of a hospital on Shutter Island. There's bounds more to the story, but I couldn't say anymore without giving the good parts away.

I wasn't too fond of the characters of this movie, as I said, but for my favorite one I guess I would choose Teddy Daniels (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), because he really did have an excellent performance and did and amazing job with the role he was given. I also thought Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) was a very good supporting character.

I have to admit, I liked this movie a lot more the first time I saw it. I originally rated it a 9/10. It's still very good, but after watching it a second time around and noticing more details, I realize that's it's not perfect. My rating now is an 8/10.

Characters: 6.8/10

Acting: 8.3/10

Storyline: 8.6/10
Entertainment Value: 8.7/10

Immediate rating: 8/10

Total Score: 40.4/50