#2: Casino Royale

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Plot

Like all other Bond classics, Casino Royale highlights a dark, dangerous mission of Secret Agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) Even though this Bond was made much later than the first movie, the story was actually the first Bond book written by Ian Fleming. However, in this particular film, Bond ventures out on his first mission as a 007 operative with MI6. Armed with this new title, Bond hunts an A-list arms dealer - Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen).

With the help of both the head of MI6, M (Judi Dench), and other techies, Bond follows Le Chiffre's associates to the Bahamas and then Miami. Once there, Bond casually saves an entire airplane from a fatal explosion with his usual pizazz and flare. Then, Bond meets accountant Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). While following Le Chiffre's actions, Bond and the rest of MI6 become aware that he has set up a poker game at Casino Royale in Montenegro with a $10 million buy-in. This is where Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) arrives. Vesper, an accountant for the British government, is supposed to help Bond with the money aspects of the game. But, things get a little complicated.

Of course, there's always a Bond girl. And Vesper is the Bond girl. But, this relationship is different for Bond. He actually falls in love with Vesper...and she with him. Through kidnappings, death threats, and intense decisions, Bond and Vesper survive their tests as a couple and make it out alive. But, life as James Bond isn't always rainbows and butterflies. The ending is so good (when I mean good, I mean good! How could this movie have been my #2 ranking, if not?) that I can't even begin to describe it, you'll just have to watch it yourself.

Favorite Character 

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M - She's so mysterious you don't even know her full name, you just get one initial! As the head of MI6, M stands on the responsibility of secret agent's lives and their missions to destroy evil geniuses (literally) and their diabolical plans, all while trying to keep the people of Great Britain safe in their homes. One might expect someone with this kind of responsibility to be a little nuts. And she is, and I kind of love her for it. She's not afraid to yell, in fact, she does it quite often, and she speaks her mind, for people would lose their lives if she didn't. M's particular interest in James Bond is very prominent and it is obvious that the two have a special bond...pun intended! M almost acts as the mother he never had while still trying to be his scary boss.

Favorite Scene

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Hands down the poker game. You can literally see and feel the tension rising. Men in black tie tuxedos drinking strong cocktails mixed with sweat as millions of dollars are in the hands of one of the most dangerous arms dealers in the world. Spectators watch anxiously on the sideline as each player deals his cards and bet even more of their chips. Of course, Bond and
Le Chiffre are naturally the best players. But, skill doesn't get Le Chiffre everywhere when playing poker with a man like James Bond.

Favorite Quotes 

"I'm sorry. That last hand...nearly killed me." (James Bond)
"Christ, I miss the Cold War!" (M)
"There's not enough room in this elevator for me and your ego." (Vesper Lynd)
"The name is Bond, James Bond." (James Bond)

Link to Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5WHj0bZ2Q

Do you think Daniel Craig is a good Bond? What other Bond actors stand out to you? 

#3: Father of the Bride

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Plot 

In this family-orientated film, George Banks (Steve Martin) deals with the fact that his young daughter, Annie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), is growing up, she is about to get married. George openly disagrees with Annie marrying Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern) due to their age, his profession, and even his background.

Wishing to have her wedding at her childhood home, Annie and Bryan plan to wed at the Banks' household, at the expense of George's insanity. Driven mad (naturally) by expenses, decorations, and even a new wedding planner (Martin Short), George seems to only find comfort in his wife, Nina (Diane Keaton). Nina's optimism and positive attitude about the aspects of their daughter's wedding help keep George sane.

Fathers everywhere can relate to George Banks: he's dealing with his twenty something year old daughter getting married to a complete stranger quite well. Throughout the span of the movie, George's relationship with Annie strengthens and becomes bitter sweet as the pair reminisce over Annie's childhood and await the new chapter in their lives now that Annie will become a married woman.

This film is perfect for a family of all ages. Every father knows (or will know) George's position, every mother sympathizes with Nina, and every daughter awaits to be her own version of Annie. With a little tears and a lot of laughs, The Father of Bride brings joy to all its viewers.

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Favorite Character 

Nina Banks - Her calm, cool, and collected attitude saves both George and the rest of the Banks family as the wedding approaches and nerves begin to set in. As the mother of the bride, Nina should naturally be the one to "freak out"; however, she perfectly collects herself and shows a bold face. Nina Banks perfectly models a woman that knows how to balance everything - from a wedding, from a budding daughter, to a slightly insane husband. Could you imagine your mother as calm and collected as Mrs. Banks on your wedding day?

Favorite Scene 

That last goodbye to Daddy after the reception is what every daughter

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thinks about on her wedding day. What will he say? Of course he's going to cry! Annie Banks missed her's, and George didn't get to say goodbye face-to-face. However, when Annie calls from the airport specifically for her father, a daughter cannot help to feel for her. This scene perfectly captures a beautiful father-daughter relationship. George's words to Annie are full of fatherly love and show that he is ecstatic for this new chapter in Annie's life as a married woman.

Favorite Quotes

"Well, that's the thing about life, is the surprises, the little things that sneak up on you and grab hold of you." (George Banks)
"Annie was all grown up and was leaving us, and something inside began to hurt." (George Banks)
"This was the moment I'd been dreading for the past six months. Actually for the past 22 years." (George Banks)
"What is this, 1958? Give the little wife a blender!" (Annie Banks)

Link to Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKSmMr0uOHk

Do you like this newer version of the film or do you prefer the Spencer Tracy/Elizabeth Taylor version from 1950? 

#4: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Plot

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The beginning of the series is a classic; it creates a perfect opening, develops the young characters, and really allows the viewers to dive into the new series. Based on the book by J.K. Rowling (which you all probably know already), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone follows eleven year old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) in his journey as a first year wizard-in-training at Hogwarts: A School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

However, Harry Potter is not like all the other first years; he is famous in the Wizard World. Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), a rogue dark wizard, murdered Harry's parents when he was an infant; however, Voldemort failed to murder Harry. Now, Harry lives as the only wizard to have survived the death curse.

At his arrival at Hogwarts, Harry meets friends Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). These new friends create an everlasting bond that will carry them through their years at Hogwarts and many years to come.

In his first year, Harry and his friends encounter a dangerous situation: a large three-headed dog guards something in a restricted corridor of the castle and one of their infamous professors, Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), seems to be very interested in it. With the help of a little magic and a lot of luck, Harry, Hermione, and Ron decide to risk their lives to discover what is beneath the trapdoor underneath the dog's paws...only to find out that it is Voldemort.

Favorite Scene 

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Once they have arrive in Hogwarts' gates for the first time, the first years are placed into one of four houses by a sorting hat. However, this sorting hat is no ordinary hat but a talking leather headpiece with a vulgar personality. Harry, of course, does not seem to mind which house he is placed into; however, each house has a certain meaning that he is unaware of. The other first years, on the other hand, are very much aware of this little secret, for they are all very nervous to be placed. As both Ron and Hermione are placed in Gryffindor, Harry takes his seat beneath the Sorting Hat. This time, the hat has some trouble deciding between Gryffindor and Slytherin. It's like choosing between black and white or sweet and sour. All in all, Gryffindor is absolutely perfect for Harry and he joins his new family there.

Favorite Character

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Hermione Granger: a smart, clever, and very blunt young girl. She is a teacher's pet, works tirelessly on academics, yet tags along with Harry and Ron through their mischief. Her intelligence aids them in their endeavors and she always seems to get them out of trouble no matter the situation. All in all, she's relatable. Hermione's the girl that's not afraid to hang out with the boys but also knows where her priorities lie when it comes to school.

Favorite Quotes

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to your friends." (Albus Dumbledore)
"Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed - or worse, expelled." (Hermione Granger)
"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." (Hermione Granger)
"You're a wizard, Harry." (Hagrid)

Link to Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFqCdNRHqQ

Does this movie do the first book of the series justice? 

Is there anything they left out/added in that adds to the quality of the film? 

Which film in the Harry Potter series is your favorite? 

#5: The Family Stone

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Plot

Ranking in at number 5, this family-orientated film dominates the big screen. With its all-star cast, including Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rachel McAdams, The Family Stone portrays a typical family Christmas at the Stone's. Sybil Stone (Diane Keaton), the matriarch of the family, loves Christmas because five of her children venture back to their childhood home for the holiday. The movie revolves around the fact that this year the eldest son, Everett (Dermot Mulroney), is bringing his fiancé-to-be, Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), to the annual get together. Meredith, to say the least, is not cut from the same mold as the rest of the Stones. She is conservative, uptight, high maintenance, rigid, snooty, and serious. 

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Meredith does not receive a warm welcome, especially from Sybil and daughter Amy (Rachel McAdams). They just don't think she's right for Everett. Faced with the cold reception, Meredith begs her sister, Julie (Claire Danes) to join her to take the pressure off. But, bringing in her beautiful, kind-hearted sister is a further complication. 


Underlying the family drama with Meredith is the revelation that this is likely to be Sybil's last Christmas as she is dying of cancer. Throughout this drama, each of her children, in their own way, discover her secret. 

In the end, The Family Stone makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you want to watch it over and over. 

Favorite Character 

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Amy Stone - She is the hard-headed and cruel sister, youngest of the Stones. She has no tolerance for Meredith and has no difficulty with letting her and everybody else know. But even Amy has to see the good side of Meredith when Meredith gives everyone the same gift for Christmas: a picture of Sybil while pregnant with Amy. Rachael McAdams' Amy is easy to love and easy to hate - which feeling did you have for her character? 

Favorite Scene 

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Dinner at the Stone house. What begins in laughter, ends in silence; with a little bit of yelling in between. The second Stone son, Thad, and his partner Patrick, discuss their plan to adopt. Everyone seems very excited for the couple. Meredith, on the other hand, questions their position on nature vs. nurture, which leads into a discussion that reveals her bigotry and homophobic attitude, ultimately digging an enormous hole for herself with the Stone family. The scene ends with Sybil throwing a fork at her deaf gay son insisting to him that he is more normal than anyone at the table.

Favorite Quotes

"You've had a charmed life, kid." Sybil Stone 
"I'm sick, honey. And you can't fix it. Not even by getting married." Sybil Stone 
"Hey, I know this is probably a tall order, but I need you to do me a favor, and try not to be so perfect." Sybil Stone 

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Link to Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wM0Zn3493o

How would you, as an outsider, deal with the Stone family at Christmas time?