Eight Years Ago: Movies Meet Their Match + Ranking Benedict Cumberbatch Roles

Hello, fantastic followers and friends!

Today, July 19th, I'm celebrating how 8 years ago (as in EIGHT. I can't believe it myself so I'm clarifying) I started this blog.

I'm so excited that I'm jumping ahead of myself. If you're new here, welcome to Movies Meet Their Match! 

These last few years have been a BLAST better than fireworks so let's celebrate by looking at some stats and other festivities! Because we're going back in time, I've laced this post with some period drama gifs, so sit back, relax, and enjoy me poking fun at myself with whatever tools I have available!

Stats:

Followers: 76. You all get my undying gratitude and I am sending fist pumps and fist bumps your way.

The look of my undying love.

All time page views: 283,982

Posts: 516, this is the 517th! Which means I wrote 14 since last time!

Hey, 14 posts isn't silence!

Top 3 most popular posts:

1. Older vs. Newer Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

2. Movie Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

3. Tolkien Blog Party 2017 ~ The Tag!

My 5 current favorite posts:

1. All My Sons // 10 (+1) More Fictional Boys I Have Adopted

2. Various Family Dynamics // Lemony Snicket's centrality of siblings in stories

3. The Running Wild in Impractical Outfits Tag // Seeing If I Have Any Sense of Style

4. 5 Lessons From Cosmo Brown on How to Be the Perfect Best Friend

5. Movie Review (& Defense of): Little Women (2019)

There's nothing like going through all my old posts to make me realize how I need to respond to comments. Every single comment makes my day and I get so excited and write immediate replies in my head but of course you can't read my mind.

Changes/YouTube videos:

I actually got one review up since last year! Mind you, it was only one, but baby steps. I'm working on revamping my reviewing system because even though I love numbers they feel too objective when it comes to stories. Therefore, for my Legally Blonde (2001) review I didn't use any ratings like that but just chatted. Because I'm not set on what I want to do yet I won't muddle this post with those details but maybe I'll be able to next year, looking back.

Along with my blog posts, I was able to put up two new YouTube fan videos. I'm not currently working on one as I'm facing the equivalent of writer's block, but let me know if you have any suggestions. Here's what I published in the last year!

Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)

Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

My updated internet isn't helping with replying to comments or imbedding YouTube videos, but the links are above!

Currently about me:

This is all just "at the mo", because my mood changes every month let alone every year! This year I'm changing it up by just putting whatever comes to my head first

I am reading: I Capture the Castle - by Dodie Smith and Lodestar, the fifth Keeper of the Lost Cities, but Shannon Messenger.

I am listening to (audiobook): Conspiracy of Kings, the fourth Queen's Thief book, by Megan Whalen Turner. After all my complaining about this series last blogoversary, yes, I'm still going.

I am watching: Leverage. How is it so brilliant??

I am rewatching: Hotel del Luna and Sherlock. It's my little sister's first time through for both and I love seeing her reactions.

Me trying to look innocent when she guesses what's going to happen.

5 Favorite books:

1. Anne of the Island - by L. M. Montgomery (yes, Anne of Green Gables is still my favorite book of all time but this year I just felt like giving it a little more love because I've read it 5 times now)

2. All the Crooked Saints - by Maggie Stiefvater

3. Anne of Green Gables - by L. M. Montgomery

4. Holes - by Louis Sachar

5. Pride and Prejudice - by Jane Austen (this and North & South are always fighting over which I like better.)

5 Favorite movies:

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1947)

2. Singin' in the Rain (1952)

3. This Beautiful Fantastic (2017) (I've been thinking about it nonstop and am going to convince my family to watch it with me)

4. Cinderella (2015)

5. Amazing Grace (2006)

Favorite TV shows:

1. Hotel del Luna (the mastery in this is unmatched as I talked about here)

2. Leverage (right now I'm so addicted to these dynamics)

3. Robin Hood BBC (because it's classic)

4. Once Upon a Time (I haven't watched this in YEARS and I'm only at season 3 but I adore it)

5. Geek Girl (a post is in the works. I guarantee that)

Talking about my grand plans for posts

Ranking Roles:

Since my 5th blogoversary I've decided to make these yearly update posts a little more fun to read, usually with a tag that I fill out in silly ways. This year I figured out something to do in the spirit of celebration.

It has come to my attention that July 19th (today!) is Benedict Cumberbatch's birthday ("how do you know that, MC? Kind of creepy." Ask Wikipedia how Wikipedia knows such things). 

Crazy coincidence because you may remember by blogoversary post last year had tons of Sherlock gifs. And I didn't even know it was his birthday back then! (well, then again I was over two weeks late, so it wasn't his birthday anymore but TECHNICALITIES.)

Because he's marvelous and one of my favorite actors I decided this post could use more of him. In the form of me ranking all 9 roles of his I've seen.

9. Smaug from The Hobbit films.

Technically I don't think I've actually heard him in this role? Because I've only seen Battle of the Five Armies completely and Smaug is just roaring then. This is last only by process of elimination.

8. Major Jamie Stewart from War Horse (2011)

I ADORE this movie but the role is so low on the list because I don't really remember anything of Benedict himself? My focus is mostly on Tom Hiddleston.

7. Khan from Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Again, I haven't seen all of this so I'm probably not qualified to rank it. But I remember him being creepy and was impressed, which is why it's higher. 

6. Henry Sugar from The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

I feel like this is going to be one of those things that I rewatch a lot. It's so stinking fun. Henry has such a great character arc and Benedict really brought a Roald Dahl character to life. Which can be hard because they are so bold and written in striking and unique ways.

I love a simple fascination born out of boredom becomes so much more and Benedict helps lead the viewer along the way.

5. Frankenstein/Monster from Frankenstein

The National Theater put this up on YouTube in 2020 so of course my sister and I dived on it like vultures (sorry, I just watched The Birds (1963) for the first time so my metaphors are aviary-related for some odd reason). The really cool thing is that both Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller played BOTH characters! We watched all of the version with Benedict as Victor and a little bit of the version with him as the Monster. 

There were some really interesting artistic choices made and that's the biggest thing I remember, but Benedict really nailed the manic energy of Victor trying to create life itself. And then Victor's horror and repulsion were really excellently caught, too.

4. Dr. Stephen Strange from the Marvel Cinematic Universe

So I haven't seen all the films, but this is my blog's birthday, I get to do what I want.

The first time I watched Doctor Strange (2016), I didn't like him at all. Now I think it's quite brilliant. The time motif? THE TIME MOTIF? Brilliant. He goes through so much character growth in such a short time and that is all the more potent because it's time collapsed and actually eons for him.

The hunger for knowledge to combat what he feels are his other inefficiencies? SO GOOD. And he's such a steady figure in Avengers and only Benedict could pull it off. I go back and forth on whether I love his "American accent" or whether I hate it, but right now I'm in the swing of loving it.

3. Alan Turing from The Imitation Game (2014)

He made me CRY, blast it all.

This movie hurts because even though it's only about 40% accurate, it captures such a human part of history. Especially about a man who's been reduced to a machine.

THE IRONY.

Anyway. Like I already said, no one does manic energy like Benedict Cumberbatch. Here he's full of such genius but feels so broken and is doing everything for Christopher? The way they set up the motivation? This movie itself is a masterclass in storytelling but it would be lacking everything without Benedict.

2. Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock

Yes, his most iconic is number 2 for me. What in the world could be first?? Patience.

Rewatching this, I'm constantly in awe of the commitment to the role. Benedict isn't my favorite depiction of Sherlock but this performance is undoubtably the most soul consuming. He's deadpan and exasperated and gleeful and critical and it's an honor to watch.

Yes, we are so lucky that we live in a time that this was made. SO LUCKY.

He fills the character by being razor-sharp and cryptic but he hollows out a lonely space among all the numbers and facts.

1. William Pitt in Amazing Grace (2006).

This is just personal preference. It was hinted at in my favorite movie list.

This was the first time I ever saw Benedict and he made me laugh and cry and all around is brilliant as a best friend. He's detached and yet cares and supports while being wise and powerful.

He is the one who starts the waterfall. I can make it so far into this movie until he has to go and break me.

And iconic one-liners? Like enjoying rabbits..."in brandy sauce." And "hurrah for you." And philosophical discussion on "why do you only feel the thorns in your feet when you stop running?" MY HEART. 

Those are all the roles I've seen so far, but I want to watch:

12 Years a Slave

The Grinch

1917

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

What are your favorite roles of Benedict Cumberbatch's? How would you rank them? What do I need to watch of his next? Have I misjudged any of them?

Thank you so much for reading and celebrating with me! What were you doing 8 years ago? What do you hope to be doing 8 years from now? I just hope that you have a wonderful day!

Chloe the MovieCritic

Inklings // June 2024

Greetings, friends!

I hope you're having a good June in all accounts! I'm closing out this month with filling out the prompt from Heidi's Inklings!

How it works:

    1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt, including a link back to the original post in your post.

    2. Leave a link to your post in the comments section of the monthly post and she'll post all your links with the next prompt.

Click HERE to see all of my past entries, and click HERE to see all of the entries for this month! That second link is where she gave the following prompt:

An archery scene in book or film

Which, mwahaha, if you don't know, archery is one of my favorite things EVER. I've been obsessed with Robin Hood since I was about 6. Archery is the reason Hawkeye is my favorite Avenger and Legolas is my favorite of the Fellowship. So, of course, I immediately wanted to do a scene from Robin Hood but the problem is...there are a lot of versions. Including both film/tv show adaptations and books, I have 10+ versions under my belt.

To shake things up then, we're going with one of my favorite Pixar movies. Which claims a spot because ARCHERY. 

My pick is from the movie Brave (2012). This scene happens early on in the film and could possibly be called the inciting incident? I won't talk about spoilers for the rest of the film.

First, some context and the set-up: Three clans come with their first born sons to compete for the hand of Merida, the daughter of Lord Fergus. Merida is less than thrilled about these Highland games until she learns that she gets to choose the sport that these three lads will compete in.

Ahem.

Now onto the scene itself.

Fergus: "It's time."

Elinor: "Archers, to your marks!"

Fergus: "Aye, archers to-to-to your marks!

Elinor: "And may the lucky arrow find it's target."

While Elinor is saying this, Merida grins, looking at her own arrows as she subtly kicks them farther under her chair. We see each of the archers step up while the crowd reacts.

Fergus: "Oi, get on with it!"

The first archer---the son of MacGuffin---barely pulls back on the string and the arrow almost misses the target.

Merida, to her father: "I bet he wishes he was tossing capers."

Fergus: "Or holding up bridges."

Both chuckle. Elinor slaps at them for not taking this seriously.

Next archer---son of Lord Macintosh---is super dramatic with getting ready. Complete with hair flip and everything. 

It's a nice shot, but it doesn't quite hit the red. Which leads to a bit of a meltdown.

Lord Macintosh: "At least you hit the target!"

Young Macintosh starts screaming and wacking the bow on the ground.

Merida: "Oh, that's attractive."

Young Macintosh throws the bow over the crowd and people wait when it disappears until a hand pops up with a voice saying. "Got it!" and the crowd cheers again.

Merida: "Good arm."

Fergus: "And such lovely, flowing locks."

Elinor: "Fergus!"

Fergus: "What?"

The final archer---son of Lord Dingwall---pours out his whole quiver while trying to get one arrow.

Every time he points it at the target the arrow drifts away. 

The king finally has enough. 

Fergus: "Oh come on! SHOOT!"

The boy looks in surprise at Fergus as he lets go. The arrow hits the middle of the target. 

There's some celebration of crude types. Elinor and Fergus are staring wide-eyed. 

Fergus: "Well, that's just grand now. Guess who's coming to dinner?" (Which I just realized could be a reference)

Elinor: "Fergus!"

Fergus: "By the way, I hope you don't might being called Lady---" 

He looks over to meet the face of a dog instead of his daughter.

Merida: "I am Merida, first born descendant of clan Dunbroch."

Elinor: *stands up, muttering* "What are you doing?"

Merida tries to shoot but she's having trouble with the dress she was jammed into.

Elinor: "Merida!"

Merida: "Curse this dress!"

Elinor: "Merida, stop this!" 

The queen hurries down off the dais but isn't able to stop her daughter.

Elinor: "Don't you dare release another arrow."

Elinor: "Merida! I forbid it!"

Talk about epic. As you can guess with the movie poster, there's a lot of archery in this film but this scene is my favorite. Top tier archery is splitting an arrow.

Though, should we count how many times Elinor says the names of her husband and daughter?

Thanks to Heidi for hosting this! Thanks to all of you for reading this! What is your favorite scene in this movie? Have you ever called someone "wee lamb"? (I'm totally going to start that now)

Chloe the MovieCritic

Movie Review: Legally Blonde (2001)

Hello, friends! 

Today at last I'm breaking my hiatus of reviews. It's been a few years since I did a movie review even though the whole point of me starting this blog. But it can't be that difficult, right?

Enjoy the following spoiler-free thoughts!

Legally Blonde (2001):

Premise: When Elle Woods's boyfriend, Warner, leaves her to go to Harvard, Elle decides she's going to become the kind of girl Warner would want to marry. A serious girl, aka a lawyer. She applies to Harvard to follow in his footsteps but is met with skepticism not only because of her outfits but her whole way of living; her undergrad degree being in fashion merchandising. Can a previous sorority queen turn into a attorney?

Based on: the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and Brigid Kerrigan. Screenplay written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith

Genres: Comedy, Romance, Law and Order, Drama. It's marketed as a Rom-Com, but I don't think it really fits either of those genres, because while they are present in the set-up, it morphs into a court room drama about making all kinds of statements about the world.

Originality: I feel like this movie sparked a whole new genre which is why it's hard to place it! Another film people usually associate this movie with is Mean Girls (2004) but I don't think the color pink is a fair resemblance, because that is the only thing I see it being close to. Mean Girls is all about leaning into stereotypes to the point of destruction while this is challenging those stereotypes in a tongue-in-cheek manner. As for other films that are similar in my opinion, I can see Barbie (2023) getting some influences from this, not in a copying way but in, as I said, pioneering a new genre. I always forget about the play on words of "legally blind", but when I remember it I'm again awed by the brilliance of the concept and execution.

Length: 96 minutes.

Age Range: It's rated PG-13 for a smattering of language (from swearing to name calling) and innuendo. A portion of the film is about a court case centered around murder and affairs are accused and hinted at. In class debates can have some harsh words but they are all about learning how to have better persuasion skills.

Crew: Directed by: Robert Luketic. Produced by: Marc Platt and Ric Kidney. Cinematography by: Anthony B. Richmond. Music by: Rolfe Kent.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Davis, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, and Moondoggie (as Bruiser Woods).

Cinematography: The opening shots are well-known and are referenced in other things, for example, the show Wednesday (2022). Cinematography can help keep a courtroom story interesting and this does that without any unnecessary flairs.

Costumes: Elle is known for her style and her reputation for pink is not lying. She's not always dressed for the occasion (when lied to...) but she always goes full out.

This is what I want my hair to look like every day and I think I'm pretty successful in my effort.

Music: The first song on the soundtrack "Perfect Day" is pretty iconic, but listening to the rest of the soundtrack I couldn't remember where most of the songs came into play. That's not a bad thing, I'm just so focused on the story that I don't pay attention to the background music.

Quotability: The opening gif I have is arguably the most famous line, but there are so many other zingers! Besides the inspiration parts about not losing faith in yourself, Elle can keep the ball rolling in a conversation like no one else.

"Whoever said 'orange is the new pink' was seriously disturbed." 

Good For: Blondes! And for our non-blonde friends to get a look into our little worlds. I'm sure those in law could tell you about the accuracies for the profession, but regardless of the precision, I think this would be fun for lawyers to watch to get a new perspective and analyze why this holds up.

Worth watching?: At this point, this film is a cult classic, so understanding cultural references are enough to recommend checking this film out (raise your hand if you know what is "hard"). Besides that, there are many reasons to speak favorably of this film. Whether it's a comfort film or a "pick me up" or an inspirational tribute to fighting against the trials in the world, I believe it's worth the time.

Will I watch again?: When I first watched it I didn't fully lean into it and therefore didn't get the full experience. I thought it was okay, but no great shakes. Ever since then, though, I've been thinking about rewatching it, and when I finally got around to doing that this year it did not disappoint; my view of it skyrocketed. I definitely will watch it again in the future.

Thoughts: I relate to Elle in a lot of ways because, well, I'm blonde. And I have been treated like a Blonde---capital B!---many a times. It doesn't usually bother me because I prefer people underestimate me that have high expectations. But every once in a while I get annoyed at the stereotype and love to find power in thinking of this movie.

Part of what makes the movie so full of heart is Elle herself. Elle has so much integrity and that's why she gets along with so many people. She's brimming over with kindness! Going to Harvard is a shock because instead of people understanding her good intentions, they make mock of her. That's a hard lesson to learn, but Elle uses that power to be all the stronger for the people who need her, like Paulette. It can be very lonely to be in a place where no one has anything in common with you and it is important to find strength in your community. However, with the development of friendship between Elle and Vivian, it shows that we are sometimes too quick to judge others about outside appearances.

Elle is a diva but she's got brains! She has a higher GPA than I do. This is all about breaking the stereotypes about what is important, because her passions give her a step up in the most unexpected ways.

Don't try to fool her.

This movie is mostly about fighting against sexism, but I should acknowledge that everyone here is very privileged to be attending this school. From my one film class and my literature major graduate sister, I've learned that it's important to understand which stories aren't being told. Though I don't like the term, this could be boiled down to "first world problems". However, I think it's deeper than that because fighting against one kind of injustice always leads to questioning other social systems in the world. 

Besides, it's about working hard, which Elle does. She gives everything her all. I love that Elle finds that her passion for life can go beyond marketing and speaking for those without a voice or suffering from the same kind of social persecution.

There is also a sequel that I'm not tickled pink over because I feel it loses that sense of purpose that Elle had in the first one. It's played up more for laughing at ridiculous situations instead of calling out biases in the world.

But the world of business also has the world of marketing and franchises. There is a spin-off about twins called Legally Blondes. There have been reports of a third/a prequel.

However, further developments brings us to why I'm talking about this today. This is my entry in Taking Up Room's Seventh Broadway Bound Blogathon! 

I already commemorated my trip to Broadway this spring, but I still wanted to bring it up somehow so I decided to talk about the movie that I watched on the plane.

Besides, Legally Blonde did indeed become a musical! My favorite song is "There! Right There!" which is all about wondering if a suspect is "gay or European" based on clothing style, which is too true. The songs about Ireland are a little much for me, but my friends and I were cracking up while playing cards and listening. We also had a slight mishap while listening to the soundtrack; I was amazed that the first and second songs were so far apart! Turns out we were listening on shuffle. 

How well does the story carry over into musical form? The singing makes sense because it holds up the assumed frivolity for the sorority girls in the first song, but I'm not sure that it works for every situation. Then again, it is a musical so we must suspend our disbelief from the beginning. Of course the color palette (pink!) stands out enough to make a memorable set, I imagine. Though the props and sets people might get a little tired of it after a while (just speaking from personal experience with the color gold...).

Broadway show continuation is a make or break when it comes to the new cast. This was true for this show because it was such a big deal, there is a reality show about the recasting: The Search for Elle Woods.

All in all, the story is about looking at things from a new perspective, so even if it isn't your traditional musical, it's challenging the format and way things are done which is the moral.

Maybe the world isn't black and white; maybe we should look through those rose-colored glasses every once in a while.

Thank you to Rebecca for hosting! It's been an honor. Make sure you check out the other blog posts HERE.

Today is actually the Tony awards, so by the time I have this posted the results might already be out, but I'm rooting for Water for Elephants to win as many as it can. 

What do you think of courtroom dramas? What do you think makes for a good carryover to a musical? What stereotypes do you get put into? Thanks to all of you for reading!

Chloe the (Blonde) MovieCritic