By now, you know I love movies. I saw terrific previews for McFarland, USA and knew I had to see it. We all love movies where the underdog wins. Plus, it's about a Mexican community which I identify with as a Mexican.
The only big name star in the movie, was the polarizing Kevin Costner. I love his voice and movies. The movie is based on a true story; my favorite! Costner plays hot-headed football coach, Jim White whose temper gets him fired...a lot!. Yet, again his family of four has to move to another town for work, McFarland, California. There he helps coach football and teaches science and P.E. His hot-head gets him fired from football. His family struggles to get used to a new town. As he drives, he sees high school students run really fast. There, he gets the idea to form a cross country team. Valente Rodriguez, from the George Lopez show, plays the funny principal who okays Jim starting a cross country team. His first recruit is a boy he protected on the football team which got both of them kicked off. That boy helps him recruit more, including the three Diaz brothers, including slow Danny. Danny, Coach White explains will be the teams anchor.
The hard working kids get up at literally the crack of dawn to help their families pick fruits and vegetables in the fields, go to school, run, then help in the fields again. White wakes up one morning and helps in the field all day to see what their lives are really like. He gives the boys hope that with cross country they can go to college.
Focusing on cross country causes Coach White to miss his daughter's birthday. With the help of his new friends and the Mexican community, he gives her a Quinceañera. This celebrates her becoming a woman.
His team loses it's first competition, but learns from it and trains to do better. All their hard work pays off and they qualify for state finals, despite many ups and downs along the way. The team grows to respect Coach White. They end up winning state with the support of their community. All the boys end up going to college. Coach White leads several more cross country state titles before retiring. Most of the guys on his first team, live and work in that same community, most even teaching at local schools. They continue to run with the cross country team to stay connected. My friends and parents really liked it. A bonus is the fun Mexican music throughout the movie. Pretty sweet story! Check it out.
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Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Media 1
Since school finished, I've been catching up on media.
I watched Paul Walker's newer movie, Brick Mansions. As much as I like him, the movie was kinda meh.
I read the book, the Giver over break last year and liked it. It reminds me of a mix between Hunger Games and Divergent. I wish there was more than just the one book. I thought the movie, was pretty neat too. The actor who plays Jonas, is believable and interesting.
I also saw, When the Game Stands Tall which stars Jim Caviezel and Laura Dern. I really Like Jim Caviezel from the Count of Monte Cristo and the Passion of the Christ. This movie, has a lot of twists and turns. It's about a high school football team with an 150+ game winning streak. They have a coach that works to instill values and the sense of family into his players. He works to balance coaching, his health, and family. It was a pretty long movie, but I'd definitely recommend it.
A funny music video I found:
I watched Paul Walker's newer movie, Brick Mansions. As much as I like him, the movie was kinda meh.
I read the book, the Giver over break last year and liked it. It reminds me of a mix between Hunger Games and Divergent. I wish there was more than just the one book. I thought the movie, was pretty neat too. The actor who plays Jonas, is believable and interesting.
I also saw, When the Game Stands Tall which stars Jim Caviezel and Laura Dern. I really Like Jim Caviezel from the Count of Monte Cristo and the Passion of the Christ. This movie, has a lot of twists and turns. It's about a high school football team with an 150+ game winning streak. They have a coach that works to instill values and the sense of family into his players. He works to balance coaching, his health, and family. It was a pretty long movie, but I'd definitely recommend it.
A funny music video I found:
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Trailers
Not often do I see a trailer for a movie that I really want to see, but I'm dying to see Unbroken:
Aren't you dying to see it too?! Not only is it about a Olympian, it's also covers his time as a prisoner of war. Sounds interesting to me!
My best friend wants me to see "Into the Storm" with her, but I think it looks too scary! I can't watch anything remotely scary without screaming.
So, what's the verdict? Do either of these look interesting to you?
Aren't you dying to see it too?! Not only is it about a Olympian, it's also covers his time as a prisoner of war. Sounds interesting to me!
My best friend wants me to see "Into the Storm" with her, but I think it looks too scary! I can't watch anything remotely scary without screaming.
So, what's the verdict? Do either of these look interesting to you?
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Movies
During my long flights to and from Ireland, the best thing to do, other than sleep, was to watch free movies.
I'd been wanting to see the Delivery Man and finally did. It stars Vince Vaughn and the chick that plays Robin on How I Met Your Mother, Cobie Smulders. I thought it was really funny, but also touching. Check out the trailer and let me know what you think.
American Hustle was also on my list of movies. I really like Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams, so I had to see it. Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, and Bradley Cooper are in it too. I really didn't like the movie; I felt like I wasted roughly two hours. It would probably be called a drama and it was lame at that. Check out the trailer and see what I mean:
Somehow, I missed seeing The Amazing Spider-Man when it came out in 2012. I really liked the original Spiderman movies with Tobey Maguire, so I wasn't sure what I'd think about the new ones. This one was different, because there was no sign of Mary Jane or best friend, Harry. In this movie, Spiderman's love interest is Gwen Stacy. In the last series, Gwen Stacy was his college classmate and girlfriend of his nemesis. She was also the police chief's daughter. Yes, she was blonde in that one too. This one features Hollywood stars like: Emma Stone, Sally Field, and Martin Sheen. I really liked Sally Field as Aunt Mae. So, yes, I did like it. Here's the trailer:
What new movies have you seen?
I'd been wanting to see the Delivery Man and finally did. It stars Vince Vaughn and the chick that plays Robin on How I Met Your Mother, Cobie Smulders. I thought it was really funny, but also touching. Check out the trailer and let me know what you think.
American Hustle was also on my list of movies. I really like Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams, so I had to see it. Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, and Bradley Cooper are in it too. I really didn't like the movie; I felt like I wasted roughly two hours. It would probably be called a drama and it was lame at that. Check out the trailer and see what I mean:
Somehow, I missed seeing The Amazing Spider-Man when it came out in 2012. I really liked the original Spiderman movies with Tobey Maguire, so I wasn't sure what I'd think about the new ones. This one was different, because there was no sign of Mary Jane or best friend, Harry. In this movie, Spiderman's love interest is Gwen Stacy. In the last series, Gwen Stacy was his college classmate and girlfriend of his nemesis. She was also the police chief's daughter. Yes, she was blonde in that one too. This one features Hollywood stars like: Emma Stone, Sally Field, and Martin Sheen. I really liked Sally Field as Aunt Mae. So, yes, I did like it. Here's the trailer:
What new movies have you seen?
Friday, March 21, 2014
Catching Up on New Releases
I finally saw the movie, the Internship with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. It was about two laid off salesmen who apply for and get accepted as interns at Google. They have little to no tech skills and get in a group with other outcasts. With those two actors I expected a funny movie, but it wasn't as funny as I'd hoped. It also had some inappropriate scenes that didn't add to the movie or plot any. It definitely wouldn't be a movie you'd watch with kids. Against all odds, the group finally gels and they excel on team challenges. In the end, despite all the challenges, the team wins and are offered jobs at Google. Happily ever after.
I've been wanting to see the movie, the Book Thief and I finally rented it. It's set during the time of WW2. It takes place in Germany. A mother takes her two kids by train and on the way the son dies. Apparently, she was taking both kids to be adopted by a German couple in their 50s. The wife is disappointed to not have a son. The little girl, Liesl can't read, so her new dad teaches her. She makes friends with a boy at school who is her neighbor, Rudy. Soon her family takes in a Jewish young man, Max. They do this because the boy's dad died saving the life of the girl's father. The father, Hans has promised to help the family. They nurse Max back to health. He lives in their basement. They barely have enough food to eat.
Liesl loves to read and steals a book from a book burning. Her mother does the laundry for a rich leader and Liesl returns the clean laundry. The wife lets her read books in their giant library. The leader finds out and fires her mom from the laundry job. So, Liesl crawls in their library window and "borrows" books.
Max becomes ill again and Liesl reads to him as he's unconscious. Hans gets sent into war. Max gets better, but realizes he must leave for the safety of the family. His leaving is hard on everyone especially Liesl. All the town has to go for safety to shelters for air raid drills. Liesl tells stories to pass the time to her neighbors. Bombs hit one night while everyone is sleeping in their homes. The whole town is reduced to rubble. People dig in hopes of finding someone alive. Liesl is pulled from the rubble. She soon finds the bodies of her parents who have been pulled from the rubble. Rudy is pulled out. He starts to confess his love for Liesl, but she tells him to rest. He dies.
Two years later, the story picks up. Liesl works in the business of Rudy's dad. One day, Max walks in. The story ends by saying that Liesl had a great life. Such a good movie; I encourage you to see it!
I've been wanting to see the movie, the Book Thief and I finally rented it. It's set during the time of WW2. It takes place in Germany. A mother takes her two kids by train and on the way the son dies. Apparently, she was taking both kids to be adopted by a German couple in their 50s. The wife is disappointed to not have a son. The little girl, Liesl can't read, so her new dad teaches her. She makes friends with a boy at school who is her neighbor, Rudy. Soon her family takes in a Jewish young man, Max. They do this because the boy's dad died saving the life of the girl's father. The father, Hans has promised to help the family. They nurse Max back to health. He lives in their basement. They barely have enough food to eat.
Liesl loves to read and steals a book from a book burning. Her mother does the laundry for a rich leader and Liesl returns the clean laundry. The wife lets her read books in their giant library. The leader finds out and fires her mom from the laundry job. So, Liesl crawls in their library window and "borrows" books.
Max becomes ill again and Liesl reads to him as he's unconscious. Hans gets sent into war. Max gets better, but realizes he must leave for the safety of the family. His leaving is hard on everyone especially Liesl. All the town has to go for safety to shelters for air raid drills. Liesl tells stories to pass the time to her neighbors. Bombs hit one night while everyone is sleeping in their homes. The whole town is reduced to rubble. People dig in hopes of finding someone alive. Liesl is pulled from the rubble. She soon finds the bodies of her parents who have been pulled from the rubble. Rudy is pulled out. He starts to confess his love for Liesl, but she tells him to rest. He dies.
Two years later, the story picks up. Liesl works in the business of Rudy's dad. One day, Max walks in. The story ends by saying that Liesl had a great life. Such a good movie; I encourage you to see it!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
The Giver
While most people I know read the book, the Giver in high school, I was never required to read it. It was on the list of books that are going to be made into movies, this year. I read a little about the book and thought it sounded interesting. It was a really easy, short read. Roughly, 175 pages. Took me under a week to read it.
It's about a community where you get matched with a spouse if you want one, you request kids and get them (no more than two), and you're all told from an early age what career you'll follow. You're not allowed to ask questions and everyone blindly follows whatever expectations are placed on them in regards to their job. If an infant isn't progressing fast enough, they're "released." Everyone assumes that means they're turned over to another community, but no one really asks. Once someone gets old, they're also "released." Finally, someone accepting a new position challenges the "way it's always been." It had a decent ending, but everyone who knows me, knows I'd have liked more closure. :)
Also, on the list of books being made into movies was, A Long Way Down. I tried it and only made it a couple of pages in. It was a bit too dark for me.
Now, I'm reading, Allegiant, the last book in the Divergent series. Love those books; can't wait for the movie!
Are you reading anything new? Anything interesting? Share!
It's about a community where you get matched with a spouse if you want one, you request kids and get them (no more than two), and you're all told from an early age what career you'll follow. You're not allowed to ask questions and everyone blindly follows whatever expectations are placed on them in regards to their job. If an infant isn't progressing fast enough, they're "released." Everyone assumes that means they're turned over to another community, but no one really asks. Once someone gets old, they're also "released." Finally, someone accepting a new position challenges the "way it's always been." It had a decent ending, but everyone who knows me, knows I'd have liked more closure. :)
Also, on the list of books being made into movies was, A Long Way Down. I tried it and only made it a couple of pages in. It was a bit too dark for me.
Now, I'm reading, Allegiant, the last book in the Divergent series. Love those books; can't wait for the movie!
Are you reading anything new? Anything interesting? Share!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Classics
I generally watch a lot of movies, but somehow I hadn't seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail and also Braveheart. Friends realized I'd never seen Monty Python, so we watched it. I really liked it; I laughed the whole time. My mom would hate it; like she hates Mr. Bean and Dumb and Dumber. ;)
Tonight, I'm watching Braveheart. This thing is long. Watching it alone probably isn't the best idea. It's sad that he lost his love. I didn't see him and the princess; wow! I didn't cry, though it was a bit too sad for me to be watching alone.
Currently, it is snowing and my car is covered in more snow than I thought we'd get.:( It's still snowing!
Tomorrow, I will be trying out a new Pinterest recipe that I've been dying to try. I'll share the recipe, pictures, and reviews. Thankfully, it looks like a fairly simple recipe with a reasonable amount of ingredients. :)
Tonight, I'm watching Braveheart. This thing is long. Watching it alone probably isn't the best idea. It's sad that he lost his love. I didn't see him and the princess; wow! I didn't cry, though it was a bit too sad for me to be watching alone.
Currently, it is snowing and my car is covered in more snow than I thought we'd get.:( It's still snowing!
Tomorrow, I will be trying out a new Pinterest recipe that I've been dying to try. I'll share the recipe, pictures, and reviews. Thankfully, it looks like a fairly simple recipe with a reasonable amount of ingredients. :)
Monday, December 30, 2013
More Movies
I also recently rented Battleship. It wasn't quite like the board game I played back in the day, but it was pretty action-packed. It kind of reminded me of the Transformer movies. It was definitely science fiction. :)
I finally hit the theater and saw, Saving Mr. Banks. I'd heard it was a tear-jerker, but wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it had to do with Mary Poppins and Walt Disney. I felt like it was pretty sad, actually. I didn't cry, but left feeling kind of sad. It tells two parallel stories, that of the author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers and that of the making of the Mary Poppins movie. I left thinking about how each person is battling/sorting through something we don't know about. So, maybe we should try to be understanding.
I finally hit the theater and saw, Saving Mr. Banks. I'd heard it was a tear-jerker, but wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it had to do with Mary Poppins and Walt Disney. I felt like it was pretty sad, actually. I didn't cry, but left feeling kind of sad. It tells two parallel stories, that of the author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers and that of the making of the Mary Poppins movie. I left thinking about how each person is battling/sorting through something we don't know about. So, maybe we should try to be understanding.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Catching Up
I've been wanting to watch the movie, the Silver Linings Playbook and I finally watched it. Having a family member with mental issues, the movie hit close to home. The main character's family was pretty dysfunctional. It was a pretty funny movie, but it definitely earned its R rating for language. Oh, and there was dancing in it which I love. It had Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, and Jennifer Lawrence in it. I love Jennifer Lawrence, so I'd like to see more of her movies. :)
Monday, November 4, 2013
Movies
I've been watching more movies recently.
I totally loved 42, as in liked it so much I may buy it and I RARELY buy movies. It made me realize to some degree how good the good ol' days were, in terms of morality. In the movie, the manager of team got fired for having an affair. I wish good morals were praised in society now. Am I the only one?
I never saw the original Red Dawn, but the newer one with Chris Hemsworth was really good, but then again I am a Rocky and Rambo fan. I blame my love of those movies on my dad; we had to bond over something. :)
The movie, Snitch was really good, but then again, I can't think of many movies by the Rock that I didn't like.
I totally loved 42, as in liked it so much I may buy it and I RARELY buy movies. It made me realize to some degree how good the good ol' days were, in terms of morality. In the movie, the manager of team got fired for having an affair. I wish good morals were praised in society now. Am I the only one?
I never saw the original Red Dawn, but the newer one with Chris Hemsworth was really good, but then again I am a Rocky and Rambo fan. I blame my love of those movies on my dad; we had to bond over something. :)
The movie, Snitch was really good, but then again, I can't think of many movies by the Rock that I didn't like.
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