Terms of Endearment 1983

My Quick Thoughts:  Looking at the list of films released in 1983, I can't believe this is the one that won.  Sure it was a good story about a mother and daughter and relationships, but not academy award quality in my opinion.  It was neat to see some pretty famous actors (Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow) in their younger days, but Debra Winger was kind of annoying.  I remember an episode of Roseanne making a joke about her once, and now that I have seen her in a movie, I know what they were talking about ;)

Favorite Quote: "Don't worship me until I've earned it."

Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was three years old, so I was probably watching Sesame Street and eating cookies.

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  A Christmas Story

Ben Hur 1959

My Quick Thoughts:  I was dreading having to watch this movie. I didn’t think I would like it at all; however, I did end up enjoying it. The four hour length is something I could have done without, but you can see why this movie is considered an epic. Any movie that starts with an overture has got to be big. I was never a fan of Charlton Heston as a person, but I didn’t mind him in this movie. If a person I detest can make me root for him in a movie you know that is talent. I will probably never watch this movie again due to its length, but I can see why it is such a classic.

Favorite Quote: "Hate keeps a man alive.  It gives him strength."

Overall Rating: C (it would have been higher if the movie was shorter or I had a longer attention span)
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  Wasn't born yet :)

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Sleeping Beauty

The Departed 2006

My Quick Thoughts:  The opening lines and the opening song of this movie make you think "oh my, I'm in for a wild ride," but unfortunately the energy of the film slows.  I own this movie on DVD and have started to watch it probably 10 times, but have actually only seen it all the way through a couple of times.  The best part of this movie is Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin.  They fit the role of Boston cop perfectly, and have so many funny one liners.  Mark Wahlberg says things to people in this movie that a normal person would never dream of saying, but have thought it many times before.  Unfortunately Mark Wahlberg's role is not that big and Alec Baldwin's is even smaller.  Overall I would say this movie is just OK, nice style, great music, a couple of wonderful supporting roles, but a bit to long and the small roles outshine the actors in the larger roles. 
 
Favorite Quote: "I'm the guy who does his job.  You must be the other guy."

Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  This movie came out the year I started teaching.

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Little Miss Sunshine

American Beauty 1999

 

My Quick Thoughts:  I have always loved this movie.  It is such good story telling.  I enjoy movies that focus on families and human relationships way more than special effects movies or movies that tackle world issues.  This movie takes the story of the dysfunctional family to the extreme.  It's also about fighting with what image you want to put out for the world to see verses what your life really is like.  This movie is filled with strong memorable performances.  I first saw this movie 16 years ago (holy crap), and to this day every time I see a real-estate agent I immediately think of Annette Bening and the Real-estate King.  This movie also features Kevin Spacey at his best with one of the greatest job firing scenes I've seen.  "For you Brad, I've got five."  

 
Favorite Quote: "It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself."

Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  This movie came out the year I graduated high school, which may be why I have such a connection to this movie (three of the main characters were high school kids).
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Stars Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.  HAHA!!!!! Just kidding.  I am going to call this year a tie between American Beauty and October Sky.  I think American Beauty is the better movie, but October Sky has a very special place in my heart.  It was a movie about following your dreams that came out at a time in my life when I was trying to figure things out, oh and of course it introduced me to Jake Gyllenhaal.  Interesting fun fact.  Both of my favorite movies from 1999 star Chris Copper in a supporting role :)

Birdman 2014

 

My Quick Thoughts:  Birdman is about an actor struggling to regain or hold on to the stardom that he had in the 90s, when he starred in a series of million dollar grossing movies about a super hero.  He is now trying his hand on the Broadway stage, so that he can feel relevant again.  This movie was filled with really strong performances that were well deserving of their Oscar nominations.  I loved the style of this movie.  It was very fast paced and things were always happening.  If you blinked or looked down at your popcorn bucket you might have missed something.  My favorite part of the movie was the score.   The entire score of the film was a drum solo, which I found was the main thing that grabbed my attention in the movie, and kept me focused.  Having said all of that the story was maybe a little too artsy for me. I most definitely can appreciate the art of this movie, but it really wasn't my cup of tea.
 
Favorite Quote: "Get that smile off your face, you're freaking me out."

Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was an old lady living in my house with my boyfriend and my dog wondering why the world is so obsessed with their cell phones and if 35 years old is too young to retire ;).
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Although I really enjoyed Boyhood, the movie that came out in 2014 that I will probably add to my DVD collection and watch over and over again is This is Where I Leave You