Novels and Films of 2011
I've seen others on my flist do these and decided I wanted to give it a try! I say try cause I know myself and might be horrible at keeping it up... I'm going to give myself a moderate goal of 50 for each. I'm thinking movies will be easy, but novels probably not so much!
Novels
1. High Noon by Nora Roberts ***
This is the first book I've read by Nora Roberts and I enjoyed it. It was exactly what I wanted, purely entertainment reading. Didn't require much thinking and I could easily get lost in it. My only upset was that I felt it ended way too fast - I would have liked to see an epilogue or some sort of follow up.
2. One Day by David Nicholls *****
I absolutely loved this book. I had high expectations going in and really worried it wouldn't live up to them, but it was wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't already read it. Everything was timed so well and the relationship between Emma and Dexter was great. I loved their banter and the sexual tension. I could go on all day, instead I'll just say go read it for yourself!
3. In the Woods by Tana French ****
I loved this book and I hated this book, but I loved it more. LOL. The writing is just phenomenal and in the end, that won it for me. The storyline is so creative and it is hard not to get involved in the character's lives. If you like murder mysteries, then I highly suggest you read this. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I'm on to the next in the series now!
4. The Likenss by Tana French ****
I thought this book was absolutely wonderful. The storyline was intriguing and while slightly unbelievable at times, it kept me interested. I loved having Cassie as the main character and this case held me captivated the whole story. Tana's writing did not disappoint, yet again. She just has such a way with words. ::sigh::
Films (Click the title for the IMDB page)
1. Phoebe in Wonderland *****
I absolutely adored this movie. It was not at all what I expected it to be - really just above and beyond. I highly, highly recommend it. Elle Fanning is so wonderful in it, she blew me away. Far outshines Dakota. ;-) And Patricia Clarkson is amazing as her teacher. I could go on all day, but instead you should just see it!
2. The Bodyguard ***
Crazy, but I had never seen this movie before. It was a good movie - I'd give the music four stars cause I used to rock out to the soundtrack. And it was nice seeing Whitney before she messed herself up!
3. No Strings Attached ****
Just an all around fun and cute movie. I really liked the cast and thought that Ashton and Natalie had great chemistry. I'm always a sucker for romantic comedies so it was perfect!
4. Never Let Me Go *****
Such an amazing, haunting movie. Both Carey and Keira did a phenomenal job. Such an interesting plot and truly just makes you think about life. Another movie that I would highly recommend.
5. It's Kind of a Funny Story ****
I really enjoyed this one. More of a serious film dealing with depression and mental illness, but there is still a lot of humor throughout. The cast was great - I pretty much love anything with Zach Galifianakis in it. The romance between Craig and Noelle is adorable and quirky as well.
6. Due Date ****
Great, fun movie. Just good to watch and not have to think much! Also couldn't help but find Robert Downey Jr. way sexy in it. ;-)
7. The Town ***
Probably would have liked this more if I were able to pay more attention. I thought the acting was very well done and the plot was interesting. Might have to watch it again sometime soon!
8. Love and Other Drugs ***
I liked this movie, I think that was about it. I liked the premise, but I felt it was a little slow moving. Might need to add this to my list of movies to watch again - I was pretty tired when I watched it. I'll leave it at that.
9. The Social Network ****
Didn't know how I would feel about this movie, if it would live up to all the hype, but I loved it. I found all the background information very interesting and it definitely kept my attention. Plus, I have a crush on Andrew Garfield, so that helped. ;-)
10. Morning Glory ****
I thought this movie was absolutely adorable! I love Rachel McAdams and she was great in it. It was just a fun, romantic comedy and I highly recommend it.
11. Arthur *
I did not enjoy this movie. The parts I found funny were in the trailer.
12. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day ****
This movie was so cute! I had no expectations and it was just a carefree, no thought, happy movie.
13. Burlesque **
The acting in this movie was horrible and I thought the music would make me love it, but it only helped a little. It was just all around 'meh' for me.
14. I Love You Phillip Morris ****
I loved this movie! It was funny, it was quirky, it was interesting. I highly recommend this one - especially if you are in need of a good laugh!
15. Hot Tub Time Machine *
Not even really worth one star!
16. Rabbit Hole ****
I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn't fast paced or over the top - it was absolutely perfect for the subject matter. I thought it was a very touching story and the acting was wonderful.
17. Something Borrowed ***
I have never read the book so I didn't know what to expect, but it did not end the way I had expected. I'll leave it at that.
18. Crazy Sexy Cancer ***
A very touching documentary about a woman diagnosed with a very rare cancer. She interviews several other women living with cancer and tries her best at alternative medicine.
19. The Other Woman ****
I thought this movie was very well done and Natalie Portman was wonderful in it. The subject matter was delicate, but there is enough humor to carry it through.
20. Somewhere ****
At first I thought this movie was going to be tough to get through - there is limited dialogue - but I really liked it. Elle was great as Cleo and really shone through the movie.
21. Welcome to the Rileys ***
I really thought I would like this movie more than I did. I thought Kristen was phenomenal in it, but that was about it.
Novels
1. High Noon by Nora Roberts ***
This is the first book I've read by Nora Roberts and I enjoyed it. It was exactly what I wanted, purely entertainment reading. Didn't require much thinking and I could easily get lost in it. My only upset was that I felt it ended way too fast - I would have liked to see an epilogue or some sort of follow up.
2. One Day by David Nicholls *****
I absolutely loved this book. I had high expectations going in and really worried it wouldn't live up to them, but it was wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't already read it. Everything was timed so well and the relationship between Emma and Dexter was great. I loved their banter and the sexual tension. I could go on all day, instead I'll just say go read it for yourself!
3. In the Woods by Tana French ****
I loved this book and I hated this book, but I loved it more. LOL. The writing is just phenomenal and in the end, that won it for me. The storyline is so creative and it is hard not to get involved in the character's lives. If you like murder mysteries, then I highly suggest you read this. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I'm on to the next in the series now!
4. The Likenss by Tana French ****
I thought this book was absolutely wonderful. The storyline was intriguing and while slightly unbelievable at times, it kept me interested. I loved having Cassie as the main character and this case held me captivated the whole story. Tana's writing did not disappoint, yet again. She just has such a way with words. ::sigh::
Films (Click the title for the IMDB page)
1. Phoebe in Wonderland *****
I absolutely adored this movie. It was not at all what I expected it to be - really just above and beyond. I highly, highly recommend it. Elle Fanning is so wonderful in it, she blew me away. Far outshines Dakota. ;-) And Patricia Clarkson is amazing as her teacher. I could go on all day, but instead you should just see it!
2. The Bodyguard ***
Crazy, but I had never seen this movie before. It was a good movie - I'd give the music four stars cause I used to rock out to the soundtrack. And it was nice seeing Whitney before she messed herself up!
3. No Strings Attached ****
Just an all around fun and cute movie. I really liked the cast and thought that Ashton and Natalie had great chemistry. I'm always a sucker for romantic comedies so it was perfect!
4. Never Let Me Go *****
Such an amazing, haunting movie. Both Carey and Keira did a phenomenal job. Such an interesting plot and truly just makes you think about life. Another movie that I would highly recommend.
5. It's Kind of a Funny Story ****
I really enjoyed this one. More of a serious film dealing with depression and mental illness, but there is still a lot of humor throughout. The cast was great - I pretty much love anything with Zach Galifianakis in it. The romance between Craig and Noelle is adorable and quirky as well.
6. Due Date ****
Great, fun movie. Just good to watch and not have to think much! Also couldn't help but find Robert Downey Jr. way sexy in it. ;-)
7. The Town ***
Probably would have liked this more if I were able to pay more attention. I thought the acting was very well done and the plot was interesting. Might have to watch it again sometime soon!
8. Love and Other Drugs ***
I liked this movie, I think that was about it. I liked the premise, but I felt it was a little slow moving. Might need to add this to my list of movies to watch again - I was pretty tired when I watched it. I'll leave it at that.
9. The Social Network ****
Didn't know how I would feel about this movie, if it would live up to all the hype, but I loved it. I found all the background information very interesting and it definitely kept my attention. Plus, I have a crush on Andrew Garfield, so that helped. ;-)
10. Morning Glory ****
I thought this movie was absolutely adorable! I love Rachel McAdams and she was great in it. It was just a fun, romantic comedy and I highly recommend it.
11. Arthur *
I did not enjoy this movie. The parts I found funny were in the trailer.
12. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day ****
This movie was so cute! I had no expectations and it was just a carefree, no thought, happy movie.
13. Burlesque **
The acting in this movie was horrible and I thought the music would make me love it, but it only helped a little. It was just all around 'meh' for me.
14. I Love You Phillip Morris ****
I loved this movie! It was funny, it was quirky, it was interesting. I highly recommend this one - especially if you are in need of a good laugh!
15. Hot Tub Time Machine *
Not even really worth one star!
16. Rabbit Hole ****
I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn't fast paced or over the top - it was absolutely perfect for the subject matter. I thought it was a very touching story and the acting was wonderful.
17. Something Borrowed ***
I have never read the book so I didn't know what to expect, but it did not end the way I had expected. I'll leave it at that.
18. Crazy Sexy Cancer ***
A very touching documentary about a woman diagnosed with a very rare cancer. She interviews several other women living with cancer and tries her best at alternative medicine.
19. The Other Woman ****
I thought this movie was very well done and Natalie Portman was wonderful in it. The subject matter was delicate, but there is enough humor to carry it through.
20. Somewhere ****
At first I thought this movie was going to be tough to get through - there is limited dialogue - but I really liked it. Elle was great as Cleo and really shone through the movie.
21. Welcome to the Rileys ***
I really thought I would like this movie more than I did. I thought Kristen was phenomenal in it, but that was about it.