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

Movie Review: Amazing Grace (2006)

Hello, everyone!!

For my movie review today, I am going to review one of my favorite movies of all time! This movie has everything, it is inspirational, hopeful, beautiful, and it has an all star cast. If you haven't seen this movie, you really need to!

This review is spoiler free, because: My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Presenting:

Amazing Grace (2006):

Based on: The true story:
'"It will soon change."
"Only if we change it."'
When in Parliament, there are many different things to think about, and William Wilberforce has become aware of the slave trade. He knows that it is a terrible thing, but isn't sure if he can stop it. His heart sings the song that his old preacher, John Newton, wrote. John was the captain of slave ships for many years, but finally repented, turned to God, and wrote the song "Amazing Grace". It would be a lot of work, and William doesn't know if he is strong enough. With the sides of Parliament against him, will he persevere or will the fight be too much to bear?
"Do you intend to use your beautiful voice to praise the Lord, or change the world?"

Genre: Biography, Period Drama.

Length: approx. 116 minutes.

Costumes: 10! They are all perfect.

My favorite: I know that whenever you see pictures from this movie, this one is featured, but look at that hat! It is pretty impressive.

Script: 8, they use the Lord's name in vain a few times (but honestly, it's what they did in those days.) They also call people bad names, but it is seen in a bad light.
"The water has been here a thousand years, how can we be late?"

Crew:

Directed by: Michael Apted.

Written by: Steven Knight.

Starring:
Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce. "You're waking me up to give me medicine, to help me sleep?"

Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner.

Benedict Cumberbatch as William Pitt the Younger.

Michael Gambon as Charles James Fox.

Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson.

Youssou N'Dour as Olaudah Equiano. "Your life is a thread, either it breaks or it doesn't."

Albert Finney as John Newton. "I don't hear the nib scratching the paper."

Ciarán Hinds as Banastre Tarleton.
Toby Jones as William, Duke of Clarence.
Nicholas Farrell as Henry Thornton.
Sylvestra Le Touzel as Marianne Thornton.
Jeremy Swift as Richard the Butler.
Stephen Campbell Moore as James Stephen.
Bill Paterson as Henry Dundas.
Nicholas Day as Sir William Dolben.
Georgie Glen as Hannah More.

Cinematography: 10! Oh, I love it! I love the scenes in nature and how it focuses on different people.

Cinematography by: Remi Adefarasin.

Music: 10, it has a lovely score, and of course, the song "Amazing Grace".

Music by: David Arnold.

Quotes: 10! I seriously could just type out the whole movie, it is that quotable. The only reason I didn't is because I ran out of room.
"Why is it you only feel the thorns in your feet when you stop running?"

Oscars won: None! They weren't even nominated for anything, but I really think they should have won as many as possible.

Storyline: 10. I feel like I haven't been the best explaining the reasons for this category. One day I'll do a post on it. Anyway, there is slavery, drinking, suggestive things, taking drugs, BUT they are all shown as bad things and are trying to get rid of them. It also has someone who has lost fingers, but it's only me who gets freaked out by that.
"If you make the world better in one way, it becomes better in many ways."

Good For: Everyone!

Age Range: I watched it when I was really little, and I was very confused. I had a feeling that it was an amazing movie, but I just didn't understand. But, I'd say that anyone who is over 10 would understand.
"Remember that God made all men equal."

Overall Score: 9.5!!

Bonus thoughts:
Oh, what a wonderful film. The all-star cast is amazing. This is the only thing that I have seen Ioan Gruffudd and Romola Garai in, but they are wonderful. I have seen Michael Gambon, Albert Finney, and Benedict Cumberbatch in other things, but these are my favorite roles for all of them. I also have only ever seen Rufus Sewell as a villain, but he does such a good job here!

Now, this movie also has such powerful religious messages.

'"You found God, sir?"

"I think He found me."'

William Wilberforce is thinking about going into the church, but all of his friends are trying to convince him to stay in Parliament. This is actually something that has been on my mind recently, so it was wonderful to once again watch it play out.
This line that Albert Finney says as John Newton is so powerful (he should have won an Oscar), that I always cry:

"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: 

I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

I cannot tell you enough times to watch it if you haven't. Go! Now! You'll thank me!

Thanks for reading! Please tell me I'm not the only person who has seen this.

MovieCritic