Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

I didn't know Winnie Mandela was such a guerilla.
One thumbs up.

Blue Jasmine

When I grow up, I want to be a Woody Allen heroine (even though they are pretty flawed... especially this one).
One and a half thumbs up and a hashtag #firstworldproblems.

Shame

Michael Fassbender. Shame. Wow.
One and a quarter thumbs up, because I loved how poetic the piano score over the dramatic scenes was, but an unexpected lol moment for when he somehow feels the need to wipe the toilet seat before he stands up anyway to jack off.

Grease

Now both mum and dad are exclaiming at how fat John Travolta has become!
One thumbs up, and further realisation at what a drip Sandy is.

Her

This is all equal parts creepy, and frightening (computers should NOT be self-aware!)
One and two-thirds thumbs up; and I am having an existential moment, because if you take Descarte's 'I think, therefore I am' as true, then she does exist because she is thinking and evolving... but she also does not exist. Hmm...

12 Years A Slave

I came into this movie with no idea what it would be about (well partly, because the title does give it away) - but I came out thoroughly impressed.
One and a half thumbs up, incredulous points that there is another Steve McQueen, and SHUSH glares for the old ladies behind us who do not know how to whisper.

Wolf of Wall Street

Cannot... find... videos/images of Leo paralysed rolling.
One obscene thumbs up, but it could have cut out half the self-indulgent baller scenes because there was no need for it to be so long (that's what she said!).

The Blind Side

Hmm Sandra Bullock won for this - a much more warm feel-good movie - than say, the dramas that would normally be standard Academy award fare.

One thumbs up. 

Four Weddings and a Funeral

So she's not as bad as I thought she was, but I still do not like Andie MacDowell.

One thumbs up for being both realistic and unrealistic, but then half a thumbs down because... well, Andie MacDowell.

Hotel Chevalier

I think this is the most naked Natalie Portman has gotten on film.
One and a half thumbs up, and French accordian points for 'Where did you go to my lovely' which I have loved ever since this short film some time ago.

Dallas Buyers Club

Lost, late, wet and fidgeting in a full length poncho - this was a good night for the open air cinema... NOT!
One damp-shrivelled thumbs up.

The Book Thief

Well I already knew it was going to happen... but I basically cried a lot throughout the movie (as I do with anything related to the Holocaust etc.)
One thumbs up because it was affecting without ever getting too soppy or romantic, and shiny hair points for Leisel who has the best pigtails ever.

Bully

This makes me feel so sad and very helpless.
Just shy of a full thumbs up, but add on seven plus mounted deer heads from the Smalley household.

Saving Mr. Banks

What an utterly difficult and miserable woman.
One thumbs up, because if the bright clean cut faces of Jason Schwartzman and BJ Novak playing piano and singing Mary Poppins tunes don't cheer you up in a wholesome way, then you are also a miserable person.

The Devil Wears Prada

When I was putting the DVD in, I had to take out another DVD titled 'VIP entertainment 2, 2013'.... oh god I hope that was NOT a porno my parents were watching...
One and a half thumbs up, because even though I had the worst work day professionally, I watched this and came out thinking 'well at least my job doesn't suck that much.'

Notting Hill

So cliched but the 'I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her' scene, with Julia Roberts quivering her lips and putting on that brave smile, is just so resonating.
Two thumbs up!

The Wedding Date

Hmm 'Secret' by Maroon 5 is a rather sexy song.
Zero thumbs (because meh), but some lol points for 'Gavin from Friends's glowing chest hair.

August: Osage County

My mother is almost like Meryl Streep in this movie... and that is not a good thing.
One and a half thumbs up in particular for the dinner scene, and special points to Julia Roberts telling Meryl Streep to 'eat that fish BITCH'

The First Grader

It was when he said that he was no better than a goat, because a goat cannot read or write its own name - that was the part that got me.
One thumbs up.

About A Boy

This is where I learnt how to pronounce Ibiza.
One and three quarters thumbs up, as I've just decided this is a fun witty movie I can watch over and over again, that is not a rom-com.