Two weeks ago we started a list of movies that we found entertaining. We shared them as we thought they might entertain you as well! It’s time to bring you the second part of that list. Grab a box of popcorn and enjoy movie time.
The Intouchables (2011) IMDB Rating 8.6
A wealthy quadriplegic, Philippe, is looking for a live-in caregiver. Philippe has a very challenging personality making him difficult to work with, as such he goes through several different workers. Philippe meets Driss, a young man with absolutely no ambitions to get hired. Philippe likes the way he is treated by Driss and they form a strong friendship.
If you like crying like a baby while watching a movie that is not sad but touching, you’re in for a treat. Prepare to laugh out loud as well, because the film is also very funny. It’s about two men with a drastically different background, from different generations, becoming friends and teaching each other about life as they know it. The film is in French so make sure the DVD you’re watching includes subtitles.
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) IMDB Rating 7.3
The Kadam family leaves India for a town in France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory’s Michelin-starred eatery. The two restaurant owners start a feud.
This film is for people who like cooking shows, cooking competitions and good movies. It is very easy to watch.If you’ve read the novel, you might notice that the plot has been adapted for the big screen but it works an interesting way. Surprisingly the film has greater depth rather than skipping important plot developments.
There’s been some criticism towards Helen Mirren in lead role playing a French restaurant owner (as in ‘They should’ve hired a French actress’), but we think she does an excellent job and is perfect for the role. As is Om Puri.
It’s a film for the whole family!
The Blind Side (2009) IMDB Rating 7.7
A homeless and traumatized boy is adopted by a wealthy family and receives care and love from them. He turns out to be very talented at playing American football and eventually finds his way to professional status.
Movie lovers are used to seeing Sandra Bullock in totally different movies, mostly comedies, but with The Blind Side she proves that she is more versatile than we think (she received an Oscar for the role).
The film is based on the true life story of Michael Oher and is a story that reaches further than a simple sportsman becoming successful. It’s about parenting, family, childhood, believing in each other and fighting stereotypes.
Some critics are annoyed by the movie focussing on Bullock’s character rather than Oher, but nevertheless, this movie is worth watching. Don’t worry if you don’t know the difference between soccer and American football, no prior sports knowledge is required to enjoy this film.
Moneyball (2011) IMDB Rating 7.6
Biographical sports drama about the general manager of a baseball team. Billy Beane and his assistant attempt to assemble a competitive team by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.
Moneyball is a movie that revolves around sport however, we can assure you that you don’t have to be a baseball fan to like it. In fact the Sentab reviewer suggesting this film to you has never watched a game of baseball and loved the movie.
Brad Pitt is pleasant to watch, not just for his good looks, but also for his acting skills and Moneyball is no exception. Jonah Hill, playing Pitt’s assistant, does a magnificent job as well, he’s usually “the funny guy” in movies, but not this time. Obviously good acting alone is not sufficient for a good movie, a fascinating plot is needed as well. This films includes both great acting and an incredible plot derived from a book written by the same author that wrote “The Blind side”. “Moneyball” is a true crowd pleaser. In fact, the only people that might be a tad disappointed are the true baseball fans as the action is mostly behind the scenes and not in the game.
Whiplash (2014) IMDB Rating 8.5
Andrew Neiman is a first-year jazz student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory. A strict and abusive conductor, Fletcher, hears him practising drums and invites him to join his studio band. It’s a great honour, but being part of the best of the best is not as easy as Andrew had anticipated.
Enough of sports movies, let’s move to music. Again, Whiplash is not your typical story of a promising musician becoming famous. This movie is a thriller that keeps you tense the whole time. It’s got colourful characters and absolutely magnificent acting. The movie highlights the amount of hard work that is put into becoming a great musician. Do you have to have talent to become a good drummer? Yes! Can you do it without deep dedication, concentration and pain? Probably not. It’s a great story and a fantastic movie. And you hear awesome jazz music while watching it, which is always nice.
An American Crime (2007) IMDB Rating 7.4
Based on a true story of a suburban housewife, who tortured and imprisoned a teenage girl into the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.
Not all stories in life are positive and inspiring. Some stories are dark, depressive and painful. An American Crime is definitely has moments of darkness and pain. Don’t watch it if you’re particularly sensitive and scare easily. It’s not listed as a horror movie but the plot is horrific enough, even though some very disturbing actual events have been left out. If it’s so disturbing, why are we recommending it? Because it is a well-made movie and despite the macabre nature, is a good film. The acting is incredible. We take our hat off to Catherine Keener, who accepted the part, because the character in the movie is a true monster.