How did we even see what was happening?? A Sixth-Sega Sense?
5. The Club
Honestly, this thing did a pretty good job of protecting our crappy Toyota Corolla on the mean streets of Washington DC. However it did nothing to prevent my Bill Withers CD from being stolen.
Here’s the thing: I’m in love with love. Lucky for me, 2018 was a banner year for romance at the multiplex. From rom-coms to dramas to YA adaptations, this was the first year in a long time where it felt like movies were being made for a 35-year old woman raised on John Hughes and Meg Ryan, and not teenage boys raised on video games and comic books. Sure, those movies were there, but for once it felt like women had been given a seat at the table. Most of my favorite movies will probably not make it onto any other critic’s best-of list. And that’s okay with me. But if you’re really into romance, great storytelling, and cool set design, you’ll be happy with these picks. Let’s raise a glass to my Top Five Films of 2018!
Never in a million years did I think this movie needed to be remade. Judy and James did it perfectly, Barbra and Kris stunk the place up, and….I’ll admit to never seeing the very first one. But Bradley and Gaga- WOW. So much romance, so much great music, so much tragedy- even the large man behind me in the audience let out a heaving sob. My favorite movie this year (perhaps in several years).
This picture says it all. Literary forgeries, Melissa McCarthy in her bravest role to date, and a sad, touching friendship with the most charismatic man in New York City. Perfection from the very first word.
Kevin Kwan’s book trilogy was one of my favorite literary joys of the past decade, so let’s just say my expectations for this film were high. I’m happy to report that I loved every second of this frothy cocktail of a film, and can’t wait for the sequel. More Kitty Pong!!
Not much romance here, but the mid-century sets more than made up for it. I want to check into the El Royale and stay awhile. Particularly if shirtless Chris Hemsworth is there trying to sign me up for his cult. I’m in!
5. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Image Credit: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, 2018.
This YA adaptation gave me all the feels, proving to Netflix that the market for romance is alive and well. Plus, Noah Centineo pretty much made my year when he saved that bowl of popcorn. Swoon!
Was it just me, or were movies REALLY good this year? Maybe filmmakers are finally realizing that people want to watch unconventional love stories, fabulous 1950’s clothes, and exotic locations. Maybe writers are realizing that everybody’s mad, and it’s time to say something about it. Whatever happened in Hollywood to make such an incredible year of pictures, I say keep it up. As hard as it was to narrow down my list of favorites, I’m finally able to settle on my Top Five Films of 2017. Cheers!
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Image credit: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, 2017.
Take all the rage I feel about social injustice/violence against women/police misconduct, bottle it up, and give it to Frances McDormand to turn into a Molotov cocktail of a film. This is the movie I desperately needed this year.
2. Call Me By Your Name
Image credit: Call Me By Your Name, 2017.
Is there anything more beautiful than summer in Italy? Maybe this love story.
3. Phantom Thread
Image credit: Phantom Thread, 2017.
1950’s couture gowns, Daniel Day Lewis, and the sexiest breakfast order ever.
4. The Shape of Water
Image credit: The Shape of Water, 2017.
I didn’t expect to fall for a slimy underwater creature, but damn it Guillermo Del Toro- you got me. More Douglas Sirk-inspired romances and six-pack abs please!!!
5. The Florida Project
Image credit: The Florida Project, 2017.
This film still haunts me, months later. If you’re not angry about the state of poverty and child welfare in America, you obviously haven’t seen tiny masterpiece yet.
*Honorable Mentions: Dunkirk (sound editing like WHOA), Good Time (um, hello Robert Pattinson, can you please be in all the movies now?), and Baby Driver (that soundtrack!!).
Maybe you have a friend who likes movies and cocktails. Maybe you have no friends and want to drink alone while mainlining Scorsese films. Either way, Cinema Sips has your back with this handy gift guide. Cheers!
1.I Lost It at the Video Store: A Filmmakers’ Oral History of a Vanished Era by Tom Roston (forward by Richard Linklater)
Top filmmakers reminisce about the halcyon days of video rental. Essential reading for anybody who remembers the phrase “Be Kind, Rewind”.
2. Set of Coupe Glasses
You’ll be styling like Myrna Loy with these vintage-inspired glasses!
3. Road Soda: Recipes and Techniques for Making Great Cocktails, Anywhere by Kara Newman
If you love to travel like I do, you know that trips can only be improved with the right cocktail. Whether you’re glamping in the desert or just can’t take another mediocre glass of chardonnay at the hotel bar, this book has you covered.
4. Outdoor Movie Projector
Ever dream of watching Moonrise Kingdom under the stars? Or maybe Cinema Paradiso in a rainstorm? You need this projector (and a date).
5. Ice Ball Mold
Exactly what your old-fashioned has been missing. Cubes are so 2016.
True story- the one and only time I’ve ever been carded and turned away from a movie was High Fidelity (DVD/Download) in April 2000. I was 16 years old, a recent transplant to Central Pennsylvania, and stunned to find myself smack dab in the Bible Belt. For months afterward, I waited impatiently to see what erotic, taboo tales awaited me in the R-rated and undoubtedly-risque High Fidelity. Imagine my surprise and outrage that not only was there nothing “R” about it, but also that I was unnecessarily delayed from seeing what would become one of my all-time favorite films.
My Top 5 lists on Cinema Sips are a direct homage to this comedic gem, so in lieu of a proper plot description I think it’s more appropriate to list off my Top 5 High FidelityScenes:
When John Cusack plays the new Beta Band LP in his niche Chicago record shop, causing all the customers fall under its spell. Perfect music moment.
Lisa Bonet sings “Baby I Love Your Way” by Peter Frampton. I too, always hated that song. And now I too, kinda like it.
Jack Black berating a customer for wanting to buy a copy of Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You”. In answer to his subquestion, it is definitely better to burn out than to fade away.
The making of a Top 5 List of songs about death. This is absolutely a conversation I want to be a part of.
Barry Jive and the Uptown Five singing “Let’s Get it On”. And just like that, Jack Black the Movie Star was born.
Although the Nick Hornby novel this film was based on is set in London, I love the decision to set the movie adaptation in Chicago. The city itself becomes like another character in the film, so to that end we should definitely celebrate this midwestern metropolis with its namesake drink. While watching High Fidelity, I recommend drinking a classic Chicago Cocktail.
Chicago Cocktail
2 oz Brandy
Dash of Triple Sec
Dash of Bitters
1 oz Champagne
Stir Brandy, Triple Sec, and Bitters together in a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe, and top with champagne.
If you happen to find yourself celebrating Record Store Day later this month, don’t be too put off by the employees at your local vinyl shop. They actually do know a lot about music, so let them make suggestions. They may not be able to give relationship advice, but if you’re looking to find a band that picks up where Echo and the Bunnymen left off, they’ve got your back. Cheers!
As 2016 comes to a close it’s time for my annual Top Five list. Full disclosure, I didn’t get a chance to see everything (sorry Moonlight), but I saw a lot, even some I wished I hadn’t (lookin’ at you The Lobster). This is always a tough list to make, but these five films were the ones that entertained me the most in 2016. Yes Manchester By the Sea is great, but it sort of made me want to sit in a dark closet and never come out. Thank heavens La La Land was around to pick up the pieces. In ranking order, my Top Five Film picks for 2016:
1. La La Land
Image credit: La La Land, 2016
True story- I left the theater and my cheeks ached from smiling so much. This musical about struggling entertainers feels both timeless and fresh, and reminds me of why I love movies. Simply stunning!
2. Arrival
Image credit: Arrival, 2016
This intelligent sci-fi film isn’t about aliens, but rather about communication. I’ll never look at language the same way.
Chris Pine, where have you been?? Nobody else could make a dusty bank robber in West Texas look quite so appealing. Quit hiding behind Star Trek and be the actor I know you can be!
4. The Edge of Seventeen
Image credit: The Edge of Seventeen, 2016
Hailee Steinfeld makes my Molly Ringwald-forged heart beat once more in this homage to classic (read- good) teen films.
Was I the only one who saw this? If so, that’s a shame because this Ryan Gosling/Russell Crowe LA noir comedy was witty, sharp, and energetic. I’ll watch these two together any time, any place.
Happy Election Day! I know, the future of our nation rests on the results tonight. However, I felt it time to weigh in on an even more important topic- fictional presidents. There have been so many memorable performances, making it incredibly hard to choose. Nevertheless, here are my picks for Top Five Movie Presidents. They may not be who I’d want in office (except you Michael Douglas!!) but they are the most memorable:
Ah, Bill Pullman. Or is it Paxton? No, it’s Pullman. He’s the voice of reason in an otherwise campy doomsday fest. He will not vanish without a fight!!!
Is this supposed to be Bill Clinton? With the accent of a Bush? Either way, his performance is smarmy and perfect, and gives America a sense of what the rest of the world thinks of our elected officials.
He’s handsome, he’s single, he’s a Democrat- what more could a girl want? Oh, he also gives fantastic inspirational speeches, wants to pass meaningful gun legislation, and still gets nervous around a beautiful woman. *sigh*
My latest television obsession, HBO’s Vinyl, has gotten me thinking of all the great Andy Warhol portrayals in cinema. John Cameron Mitchell plays him on the TV show (unfortunately not very well), but throughout the years there have been some fantastic, creepy, and just plain weird versions of the eccentric pop artist. This week, I’m highlighting the Top 5 Andy Warhols, in ranking order.
I like to think of this as “Whimsical Warhol”. Bowie seems slightly stoned, like the looney old man down the street who wandered out without his nurse.
Full disclosure: I am not a professional film critic. I know what I like, and if you read this blog, you know that tends to include a lot of Rom-Coms and Dramas, and not so much Action and Sci-fi. So while I liked Mad Max: Fury Road more than I thought I would, and Hateful Eight was a FANTASTIC three hours of blood spatter and Ennio Morricone music, they didn’t make the cut. So here they are, my Top 5 Movies of 2015, in ranking order.
Brooklyn
Image credit: Brooklyn, 2015
Saoirse Ronan is all grown up in this wonderful movie about an Irish immigrant beginning her life in 1950’s Brooklyn. A love triangle, pretty clothes, and fun accents- yes please!
Carol
Image Credit: Carol, 2015
I knew just by the trailer that this would be one of my favorites of the year, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are fantastic as star-crossed lovers, and even Kyle Chandler holds his own against the powerhouse that is Blanchett. Plus, fabulous 1950’s clothes and martinis are always the way to my heart.
I hate to make yet ANOTHER pick based on costumes, but good lord these are fantastic. The buttons! The gingham! I died. Carey Mulligan is wonderful as classic heroine Bathsheba Everdeen, and the men who court her aren’t too shabby either. This picturesque film of 19th century England makes me want to move to a farm with my border collie and raise sheep (if I can do it wearing one of Carey Mulligan’s costumes).
I didn’t expect to like this MacGyver-in-Space film from Ridley Scott, but I was pleasantly surprised! Matt Damon is back in fighting form as an astronaut trapped on Mars, and the supporting cast adds levity and heart to the story. Really, I just like movies about smart people. Growing potatoes and harvesting water on Mars is pretty smart.
5. Joy
Image credit: Joy, 2015
Susan Lucci. And that’s all I have to say about that.
*Disagree? Go ahead, tell me what your favorites are!
With Thanksgiving upon us, I know I’ll soon be in the market for a good excuse to relax after the big meal. If you’re willing to commit to a comfy sofa, and total radio silence from relatives, I suggest you select a stellar movie trilogy and settle in for the night. What follows is my list of Top Five Movie Trilogies. These will get you past the initial food coma, through leftovers/second dinner, and eventually cocktails and pie. Timing is key. Cheers!
I’m not typically one for action flicks, but when it includes Matt Damon and glamorous European capitals, I can’t resist. More tortured and damaged than Bond, Jason Bourne could be any one of us. You know, anyone with insane “kill a man with his bare hands” skills.
This trio of movies featuring Danny Ocean and his crew of Hollywood A-listers will certainly keep you awake even after the tryptophan begins to take effect. And with scenes of Brad Pitt CONSTANTLY eating, you may feel the urge to join him. Go right ahead.
Perhaps an unconventional choice, but sometimes a person just wants something small, intimate, and wonderful. Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight are quite possibly the most romantic films ever made, and I can’t think of anyone better than Jesse and Celine to share an evening with. Je t’aime.
I’m including the original Star Wars trilogy because I fear there might be a mutiny among my readers if I didn’t. Contrary to public opinion, yes I have seen Star Wars, and sorry, it’s just not my thing. However, watching the original trilogy films back-to-back is the only way I would want to see them again. It keeps you in the moment, tuned in, and invested in the fantasy. Plus, young Harrison Ford. Enough said.*
(*Gotta admit, if my only goal is to watch 6 hours of Harrison Ford, I’d personally opt for the Indiana Jones trilogy instead. But I know- Star Wars is a big deal).
Cinema Sips 