100 movies in 2008 / 20 books in 2008
: not so good
: okay
: good
: excellent
MOVIES
1.Ensemble c'est tout
: A french movie with Guillaume Canet and audrey Tautou. The story is simple and yet wonderful. A movie that makes you happy.
2.Hairspray
: I didn't think I would like it but I thought it was good, surprinsingly ! I loved the songs, they made me want to dance like crazy !
3. Elizabeth
: good movie, but a bit complicated and long. Though Cate Blanchett is absolutely stunning. And Clive Owen is hot !
4.The Kite Runner
: I loved it, it's a beautiful story of friendship and love. I cried at the end.
5.The united states of leland
: I'm not sure whether I liked it or not. It's very sad, but it's also very powerful at the same time. I think I need to watch it again.
6. My blueberry nights
: loved the story between Jude Law and Norah Jones's characters. Okay, it's obvious that Norah Jones is not really comfortable in front of the camera, but it wasn't a problem for me. Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz were both incredible. And Jude...yummy !
7.Juno
: LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE (and I could go on like this forever) ! Ellen Page deserves an oscar or something, she's so amazing/funny/brilliant ! I laughed so hard I almost peed in my pants ! Awesome soundtrack ! And YAY for orange tic tacs !^^
8. Elizabethtown
: cute movie ! I really liked the character of Claire, I'm a bit crazy like her (is it the name?!), and Kristen Dunst is adorable. Even Orlando Bloom was okay. Oh, an random point : chuck's and cindy's wedding is on the 24th of July, which is my birth day !
9. French Kiss
: I though it was truly boring. And the french guy's accent when he speaks english, argh, I hated it.
10. Cashback
: good story, good idea. But the first part is weird. That being said, Sean Biggerstaff is really cute, don't you think ?! :)
11. Rent
: beautiful story and great actors. I especially loved the songs 'seasons of love' and 'your eyes'. The funeral scene was so sad though.
12. My life without me
: I found it boring.
13. Something's gotta give
: not an unforgetable movie but it's sweet and funny. Nicholson and Keaton are both talented actors.
14. The Bucket List
: Predictable but good. It's a nice story of friendship and it's about travelling around the worl, which is something I'd love to do. I liked the movie.
15. Sydney White
: this is the classic teen movie : there's the smart funny girl from the small city, the hottest guy on campus who falls in love with her, the blond girl who's a real bitch, the dorks... Predictible but I love it !! I can't help it, I'm a girl !
16. Rendition
: too complicated and rather boring.
17. Sweeney Todd
: Except from the fact that I had to look away a million times because of all the blood, I really enjoyed the movie ! The songs are very good, and Johnny Depp is WOW ! I was stunned at the end, I wasn't expecting that at all !
18.Dedication
: I was expecting something else, this movie isn't like Mandy Moore's usual movies. And I found it quite weird, to be honest.
19. Feast of love
: It's a nice story, but the end it too sad. Greg Kinnear is very goo in the movie though, I really like this actor !
20. The Russel Girl
: the story is incredibly tragic and horrible but the actors make it beautiful and so human. Amber Tamblyn is amazing (I'm jealous of her hair, that needed to be said), and so is the woman who looks exaclty like Meryll Streep (don't remember her name). I also liked the way they releaved the 'incident' through flashbacks. If you like dramas, I recommend this movie.
21. Princess Diaries 2
: 100% not probable but I liked it anyway. Anne Hathaway is adorable !
22. Across the universe
: The sotry between Jude and Lucy was sweet, but I was disappointed by the movie. But it was fun to try to recognise the songs. I love the Beatles !
23.Then she found me
: it's a 'see it-forget it' movie. I give a star because of Colin Firth.
24. 27 Dresses
: cuuuute <3 <3. I really liked it, I thought it was funny and well-played. Katerine Heigl is adorable ! The scene when she tries on all the dresses was one of my favorites ! See it if you like chessy romantic comedies, you won't regret it !
25.Into the wild
: a very intense and powerful movie. I loved how optimistic the main character was, I liked his vision of the world and our modern society. It's the kind of movies that makes you thin about what your life is like, what you want to do with it...Emile Hirsh is also amazing.
26. Dan in real life
: I kinda knew I would like this movie because I looove Steeve Carell and Juliette Binoche but still, I was surprised how good the movie was ! It's a very nice story and it's funny and sweet !
27. Stardust
: not exactly my kind of movies but the story is nice and I like Claire Danes.
28. Fame
: I'm a big fan of dance movies and yet I had never seen this 'classic' before ! I liked it, but I never really was into the story. But it was iteresting to compare it to the more recent dance movies I've seen.
29. The object of my affection
: awww (my words throughouot the movie)! I liked the story, it was very sweet. Paul Rudd is a cutie !
30. Step up 2 : the streets
: I am not a fan of street dance but I have to admit, what these guys do is pretty impressive ! I have no idea how they do some of these moves. As of the story in itself, it's classic but okay. I liked the salsa scene a lot !
31. Chocolat
: Damn, this movie is a torture ! I mean, it's good, I loved it and the actors were great, but there is chocolate EVERYWHERE ! Candies, hot chocolate, chocolate cakes, chocolate sauce... aargghh !!
32.The upside of anger
: I didn't like it, I was bored most of the time. And seeing the main character always so angry and mean made me angry too.
33.Penelope
: Honestly, I thought the story was kinda stupid and 'too much'. The actors annoyed me (especially that guy who's supposed to be the 'bad guy' of the story) and I found it boring.
34. Bienvenue chez les ch'tits
: for the french people on my flist : you have to see this movie, it's hilarious ! the accent from the north of france is the best accent ever. Danny boon and Kad Merad are both excellent, you really feel how good the atmosphere on the set must have been ! It's a must-see !
35.Les femmes de l'ombre
: a very nice tribute to women who fought during WW2. Each charater has her personnality, and they are all on an equal foot. Sad but beautiful. When I see this kind of movies, I can't help but asking myself "what would I have done in that situation ?"
36.Where the heart is
: Natalie Portman is such a good actress, I can't not like a movie with her in it ! The story of this movie is classic and yet very sweet and simple. It made me feel happy; sometimes sad.
37.Evening
: I never got into the stoty and I didn't like Hugh Dancy's character, he was annoying and I wanted to slap him in the face, although I usually really like the actor.
38.Sweet November
: Beautiful love story ! I can't help it, I'm a romantic girl ! Charlize Theron is gorgeous and I liked her character a lot !
39.Ladies in Lavender
: Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are both very talented actresses and seeing them together is always a pleasure. Plus I like Daniel Brühl (especially when he plays the violin).
40.August Rush
: I'm usually not a big fan of Jonathan Rhys Meyers but I liked this movie so much that he didn't even bother me at all. The story is beautiful, the songs give you goosebumps, Keri Russel and With Freddie Highmore's performances are brilliant. I liked the idea of the boy who can hear music everywhere and in everything.
41.The other boleyn girl
: Being very interested in the period of time and in history in general, I rally enjoyed watching this movie. It's not the first one I see about the Tudors and Henry VIII, but I thought this one was very nicely done, accurate and respectful of what really happened. Natalie Portman was very impressive, as always.
42.PS, I love you
: Right after I finished watching it...I decided to watch it again ! Although they changed some parts of the story (I'm disappointed there wasn't much about Gerry's best friend John), they managed to keep this range of emotions I loved about the book, from extreme cuteness to profound sadness, with a little of crazyness and a lot of humanity. Well done. (But I still love the book better than the movie though...:p)
43.Love and other disasters
: The quiproquo was classic but still funny, and it was nice to see Matthew Rhys in something else than B&S (english accent!!). On a random note, I love Brittany Murphy's voice !
44.Just my luck
: The story is very simple and highly improbable, but it still works on me. It was nice and cute.
45.Down with love
: I loved it !! The atmosphere of the 60's, the music, all the pouns and allsuions, the dynamic between Zellweger and McGreror, hotter than ever...it was absolutely delightful.
46.The Nanny Diaries
: I never want to be a nanny again !^^ I felt really sorry for the main character at the beginning of the movie, because I kinda know how it's like to be in that situation ! As far as the movie is concerned, well it was a nice story.
47.The family Stone
: I thought this movie would be a comedy but really it's more of a drama. It is so depressing, omg. SJP is good in the role of the "strnager" though.
48.Wuthering Heights
: I knew the story already and I knew it would not be a funny movie but gosh, it was hard. Ralph Fiennes is amazing in his role (he really scared me) and so is Juliette Binoche; they're both very talented actors.
49.Aviator
:mmmpf, boring.
50.Death at a funeral
: Typically english andI loved it. Some scenes are really hilarious and I had a very good time watching this movie. I so love the british accent!
51.Strictly Ballroom
: This movie confirms that Baz Lurhmann is one of my favorite directors. Strictly Ballroom is a beautiful dance movie, the actors are really good (and HOT, as far as the guy is concerned!) and the Australian accent FTW!!
52. Fauteuils d'orchestre
: A very nice story, or rather very nice stories gathered in one film. The one of the pianist was particulary good and Cecile de France is amazing, as always. She is a ray of sunshine, as her grandmother says in the movie.
53.13 going on 30
: I like Jennifer Garner, she's sweet ! The movie is not exceptional and it's a story we've seen many many times before, but Jennifer makes it worth watching.
54.Amazing grace
: it was interesting to learn about William Wilberforce and his battle to put an end to slave trade in Egland. I like it when I learn new things thanks to a movie.
55.Something new
: loved this movie, it's so cute. I thought the issue of black people/white people was nicely approached and damn, Simon Baker is a real eye-candy !
56.Trust the man
: it's a nice story, and David Duchovny and Julianne Moore form a very good couple.
57.What happens in Vegas
: I wasn't expecting anything from the movie and I was surprised I actually liked it. It's a bit too much sometimes but it's still funny and cute.
58.I could never be your woman
: Paul Rudd is still adorable even if he triesa bit too much in the movie. And I can't believe Michelle Pfeiffer is 50 years old, she's gorgeous ! I wish I could like this at 50.
59.Over her dead body
: It's okay, not the best chessy movie I've eer seen but there's Paul Rudd, so... :)
60.Recovery
: I knew it would be depressing because the subject is tough, but I'm amazed by the actors' performances, especially David Tennant's one. He's seriously breathtaking.
61.Made of Honor
: Such a cheesy movie but gosh, I loved it ! Patrick Dempsey is adorable in the role of the jealous maid of honour and the movie in itself made me feel good, I was giggling all the time !
62.Definitly, maybe
: Very good ! I loved the cast and the story was really nice ! I loved the ending, I didn't expect it (well, sort of, but not really) !
63.Sex and the city, the movie
: Gosh, I missed SatC so much ! I really enjoyed watching this movie ! I laughed a lot, it was great ! I wanna see it again !
64.The Narnia Chronicles : Prince Caspian
: I liked the first one but this one is even better. It lasted for more than two hours and I enjoyed every second of it. I'm also very impressed by the special effects.
65.Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the cristal skull
: the stroy is a bit too much but it's a very good entertainment when you like the Indiana Jones movies. I liked the references to the previous movies !
66.Bride and Prejudice
: A bollywood version of my favourite jane austen's novel... it doesn't work for me, I found it pretty stupid.
67.Mamma Mia
: It's definitly not as good as the musical but it's still good ! It's a feel-good movie !
68.Wall-E
: AAAWWW ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ I'm in love with Wall-E ! Seriously, this robot is so adorable ! The movie is great too, very smart. It's a real slap in the face and I hope it makes people think a little bit about what they're doing to themselves and to their planet. It's definitly a must-see ! (and if you don't cry at the end it means you're not human!)
69.Faubourg 36
: I went to the premiere of this french movie and I had a really nice time; It's a lovely movie, with good ators and beautiful songs from the 30's. Gerard Jugnot (he was in the movie "les horistes") is such a brilliant actor, I like him a lot.
70.Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights
: I've always loved dance movies and this one was great. The dances are beautiful (and hot), and the main characters are very cute together.
71.Comme les autres
: A very sweet and inteligent movie about adoption for gay couples with Lambert wilson, one of my favourites frenh ators. I could talk about this subject for hours; I honestly don't see why two people who love each other and want to love and protect a child couldn't have this chance just because of their sexuality. It's so unfair (same thing for gay marriage).
72.Get smart
: I thought it was really good ! Steve Carell was excellent, for once it wasn't "too much", and Anna Hathaway was gorgeous !
73.Brick lane
: not much to say, it was okay.
74.Paris
75.Vicky Cristina Barcelona
76.Mes stars et moi
77.Le crime est notre affaire
78.Quantum of solace
79.The sisterhood of the travelling pants 2
80.Keith
81.Playing by heart
82.Miss Potter
83.The Changeling
84.Twilight
85.The Duchess
86.Un secret
87.Angus, things and perfect snogging
88. the women
89.Miss Pettigrew lives for a day
90.Cheaper by the dozen
91.Australia
BOOKS
1. Merde Actually, by stephen Clarke (sequel of A year in the Merde, in french)
: Paul west is still in France, and still has difficulties adapting to the french way of life ! HILARIOUS !
2. The thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (in french)
: beautifully written, easy to read and with a fascinating story. The end blew my mind. I read the second half in one night, I just couldn't stop reading.
3. A thousand splendid suns by Khaled Hosseini
: a must-read. The story of Mariam and Laila is fascinating, and I also learned a lot about life in Afghanistan. I loved the profound friendship between the two women, how united they are against this hostile world they are forced to live in, and the story of Laila and Tariq is also very moving. I think I'll read 'the Kite Runner' too, one day.
4. Harry Potter et les reliques de la mort by JK Rowling (in french, re-read)
: do I really need to tell why I enjoyed reading it again ?! :)
5.Twlight by Stephenie Meyer (re-read)
: my favourite of the series ! <3
6.New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (re-read)
7.Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (re-read)
8. Un secret by Philippe Grimbert (in french)
: The author tells his story and the story of his family, and this secret that lies between them like a poison. It's beautifully written, it's moving, and it's strong. I really liked it.
9.Wicked by Gregory Maguire
: Ok, so...Generally I liked it, but there are a few things that annoyed me nonetheless. Sometimes I wanted to slap Elphaba's face, and sometimes I felt really sorry for her. One think I really liked though was the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda. I know the musical and the book are not comparable, but I think I liked the story of the musical better.
10.The Island, by Victoria Hislop
: To me a good book is one that is both captivating and educational. Here the story couples the destinies of Maria and Anna, their moments of joy and their tragic ones, with a well-documented description of Spinalonga, the last leper colony in Crete. It is both interesting and moving, and it mixes reality and fiction perfectly.
11. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë
: This is one of the most perfect romantic stories I have ever read in my life. I loved the chemistry between Jane and Rochester, they are made for each other, they're soulmates. The way he talks about her, the power of his love for her, my god, it's so beautiful. I hope I will find my Edward Rochester one day too. Charlotte Brontë is a fantastic writer, the way she wrote this novel, like it's Jane herself talking to us "the readers", is simply brilliant.
12. The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss
: A wonderful story, not easy to read but so worth a try. It is a porfound reflexion on love, solitude and hope, on relationships and loss. The style is unique, the characters are interesting, and the end is heartbreaking.
13.Virgins of paradise, by Barbara Wood
(in french) : A beautiful story about three generations of women in Egypt, and a very interesting description of Egypt's traditions and customs towards women. I really enjoyed reading this book.
14.Merde happens, by stephen Clarke (sequel of Merde Actually)
: The third book is as good as the first too ! This time the main character is touring the USA, and as always, he is the unluckiest guy on the planet ever ! Delightful !
15.The Host by Stephenie Meyer
: Very good book ! It's a bit difficult to get into the story at the beginning, but once you're hooked, you can't put the book down anymore. Ian is love ! Can I have him please ?
16.Agônia by Thierry Serfaty (in french)
: I hadn't read a detective novel in a while and I enjoyed this one. Serfati is a young author but his style is very good and his characters are really interesting.
17.Rhett Butler's people, by Donald McCaig (in french)
: A very interesting book if you liked the story of Rhett and Scarlett "Gone with the Wind". This book starts before the story of "Gone with the Wind" and finishes after it, and is centered on Rhett rather than Scarlett. mcCaig did a wonderful job.
18.The blue bicycle, by Regine Deforges (in french)
: A classic of the frenh literature and I understand why; the story is simple, yet captivating (looks a lot like "gone wit the wind" at the beginning) and the heroine is exactly the kind of haracter I like in books. Can't wait to read the followings books of the series.
19.Breaking dawn, by Stephenie Meyer
: ok, so; Did I like it ? I'm not sure.I was completely hooked, I have to admit it (i finished it in three days). But I was disappointed buy some things. It was too long at times and sometimes too predictable. Still, I think it worked quite well. So yeah, maybe I liked it. Ask me again in a few weeks!
20.101, avenue Henri Martin by Regine Deforges ("lea" in english, sequel of "the blue bicycle")
: The sequel is as good as the first book, I love the characters of Lea and François, and I also learned a lot of things about life in Paris during WW2. It's both a acptivating story and an history lesson.
21.Le diable en rit encore by Regine Deforges (sequel of "the blue bicyle" and "lea")
: Loved it like the first two ! I can't wait to read the next one !
22.Noir Tango by Regine Deforges (sequel of the "the blue bicycle" etc...)
: Gosh, I really love this series ! Regine Deforges is a relly good writer, her books are very weel-written. They're easy to read but fascinating ! Once I start reading the first page, I cannot put the book down anymore !
23.Rue de la soie by Regine Deforges
LINKS
- Movies of 2007
- Review of "My sister's keeper", by Jodi Picoult
- Review of "The time Traveller's wife", by Audrey Niffenhenger
- Review of "Pride & Prejudice", by Jane Austen
-Review of "The History of Love", by Nicole Krauss