I have discussed my nostalgia for my cassette tape of theme songs from the “Disney Afternoon” lineup and I am a human being on planet Earth so, of course, I love Beyoncé. That being said, it should come as no surprise that this video is my new favorite thing. The creator of this video and I should probably be best friends.
If you like than should have put a “woo-ooo” on it.
– Ellen
Avengers: Age of Ultron – I have been pretty open about my bias for Marvel in the past and my level of excitement for this movie was heightened by watching all of the 10 preceding Marvel movies in the months leading up to the release of this second team up of our heroes but I have tried to not let this bias affect my reviews of this movie when people have asked for it because while I LOVED this movie I can recognize that it is not without its faults because, and I don’t know if this is on Marvel or Joss Whedon, but they just bit off a lot more than they should have because in the course of this movie they are already dealing with six Avengers, introducing (SPOILER) some new Avengers, and doing some major setting up for not one, not two, not three, but FOUR upcoming Marvel movies, four if you count both Infinity War movies and just felt like too much and the movie struggled for it because there was exposition just whizzing by to make room for all of these components, but that being said the jokes were on point, the action was awesome, and Ultron made for a great villain due to the performance from James Spader and Paul Bettany was great as… a new character.
Pitch Perfect 2 – I will always throw it in my friends’ faces that I had to drag them to go see the first movie with me on opening night because I knew it was going to be good before it became the “surprise hit” that it was but it is this very “surprise hit” factor that debilitates the sequel because I think this second film is as good as the first, it just lacks that fresh feeling of the first film but isn’t that the case with any sequel because here the jokes are still aplenty, the girl power vibe is even more prevalent, and the music is probably better than in the first if not at least having more of it and isn’t the music really the best part of movies like this, it’s just like dance movies where the only reason I really like them is for the dance scenes and not really the story, at least with this movie you get a pretty enjoyable story, as well.
Mad Max: Fury Road – There are plenty of extensive treatises on this movie that will discuss this movie much more eloquently that I will or could in this run-on sentence but I will still endeavor to convince that this movie is freaking awesome because it is and you should see it (see what I meant about the eloquence) but if for no other reason than seeing the most awesome car chase sequence ever should you see this movie because it is basically a two hour car chase and making the car chase even more awesome is the fact that it is, for the most part, all practical effects which, being the rarity that is today, makes it stand out even more and the other thing that you are hearing about with this movie is that it is the first feminist film and that is not without credence because, despite the title, this is a film led by a female saving females who are being objectified by males, so does it get much more kick ass feminist than that?
Verdict: Mad Max is the best overall movie, Ultron is essential viewing for being able to keep up with the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe that also happens to be fun, and PP2 is definitely a fun movie but only you can know if it is worth it for you to see it in theaters.
– Ellen
Maybe you can’t tell from this blog, but I am a bit of an indoor kid, so I will be spending most of summer bingeing “crap” television (i.e. amazing television) and going to the movies. Granted, the “official” summer movie season has already begun and at least three movies that would have made this list have already come out: Avengers: Age of Ultron (awesome), Pitch Perfect 2 (fun), and Mad Max: Fury Road (epic awesomeness). But I’m getting the list out before June, which seems like the actual start of summer, so cut me some slack.
Honorable Mentions: Vacation (July 29), Magic Mike XXL (July 1), Dope (June 19), Mr. Holmes (July 17), Paper Towns (July 24), Minions (July 10), The Fantastic Four (August 7)
10. Masterminds (August 19) Not a lot out for this one yet, but a movie starring Zach Galifianakis and Kristen Wiig as bank robbers and Jason Sudeikis with a ‘stache? That will at least guarantee a good time even if it ends up not being any good.
9. The Diary of a Teenage Girl (August 7) The trailer for this Sundance darling just dropped this week and it seems to be my brand of quirky and weird. I am also a sucker for a good coming of age summer movie. I am not going to even touch the skeevy Alexander Skarsgard, even if I may want to with some degree of shame.
8. Spy (June 5) The track record of Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy teaming up for a summer comedy is pretty stellar and I am quite excited to see a comedic Jason Statham and Jude Law. The summer season is not a place for your broody period dramas. Give me a lot big action sequences or a lot laughs and I’m happy. I get both with this one.
7. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (July 31) Little bit about my family, my dad is a pilot and any time there is a plane in a movie, he is bound to be complaining about the inaccuracies. Any time I see that trailer with Tom Cruise hanging off the side of that plane, I can hear my dad screaming in my head. The M:I movies may be a bit inaccurate, but they are always a good time.
6. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (June 12) I recently went to an even where they were handing out promotional items for this movie. I was quite pleased to be intrigued by the trailer for the movie that is plastered on my new towel and beach chair. Another quirky coming of age story (see number 9).
5. Jurassic World (June 12) If you know me at all, it will come a surprise that I am putting Chris Pratt at number five, but even the glory of Chris Pratt leading a pack of velociraptors apparently couldn’t surpass my excitement for the top 4.
4. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (August 14) Guy Ritchie movies tend to have a particular cool vibe that speaks to me and this one looks even more fun than most. The movie looks good, but do you know what looks really good? Henry Cavill.
3. Inside Out (June 19) Even better than Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy’s track record is Pixar’s. A Pixar movie fronted by Amy Poehler about a teen girl’s emotions is sure to be an Ellen-pleaser if maybe not a crowd-pleaser, but it will probably be a crowd-pleaser, too.
2. Ant-Man (July 17) I feel like I can just leave it at “Paul Rudd in a Marvel movie”, but I’ll try to say a little more. The movie may have a bit of a storied production process, but remember that at this same time last year everybody was referring to Guardians of the Galaxy as “that Marvel space movie”.
1. Trainwreck (July 17) Bit of a disclaimer: I recently binge watched all of Inside Amy Schumer, so I am on a bit of Amy Schumer kick. The movie is also getting some good buzz from it’s SXSW premiere. At this point in my life, Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in a romantic comedy is probably going to be number one in my book, so I just went ahead and put it at number one.
– Ellen
There is not one male character in this movie I wouldn’t happily spawn with. And yeah, I’m including Tim Blake Nelson.
-Whitney
My Dearest, Darling, Lovely Whitney,
Words cannot express my exuberance upon the receipt of your letter. Your aptitude for the written word is quite unparalleled. I think often of our time together with great fondness.
I imagine that this was swiftly followed by a viewing of some film featuring Sir Brendan Fraser. As I remember, for you, his superior was never met back in those days.
I mean, how could it?
My time has been spent caring for a certain Mr. Steve Rogers.
I’ll let you decide which Steve Rogers I am talking about? I will give you a hint, though. This Steve Rogers delights in waking me up in the morning to go potty and not for more, ahem, enjoyable pursuits.
Most of this month has been spent getting through the season finale… season. It has been exhausting.
Also, reading more stupid/wonderful romance novels than I would care to admit, but here is an accurate reenactment.
You would think that amidst all this CRUCIAL reading and TV watching I could have maybe found time to keep writing, but…
Also, and this is of the utmost importance, I need to know when you are coming to visit me. This will be an accurate reenactment:
Think about and know that I miss you quite dearly.
Everlastingly yours,
Ellen
It’s hereeee…
-Whitney
My Dearest Ellen,
Gracious, how long it’s been! Why, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of your radiant company since we danced together at your brother’s wedding. Too long by half, fair cousin.
(I do apologize for the inclusion of Sam’s wayward eyebrow. Those things have no concept of personal space.)
Enclosed is a picture of me, being just too Kevin Bacon for my own damn good.
As so much has happened since we last tore it up, I beg only a few short lines to fill you in…
I started taking better care of myself.
I’m seeing someone new…
(#wordplay)
I’ve made Pinterest my prison wife.
I have resolved, many times, to watch less TV and dedicate myself to my studies. A resounding triumph, obviously.
.
And now I’ve moved home for the summer, where accommodations are decidedly less expensive.
I hope that this letter finds you well, and still the baddest of mama jamas.
I’ve also included an artists rendering of what you and I will look like in 20 years. I hope you are as trilled with the results as I am.
Yours Ever,
Whitney
Fangirly 