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

Seven Years Ago: Movies Meet Their Match + Meet The Book Blogger Tag

Friends! Romans! Country peeps!

"You" meaning "me".

Something crazy happened lo, over a fortnight ago, on the 19th of July. The official blogoversary of Movies Meet Their Match! All SEVEN YEARS.

I can't believe it. I know I say this every year, but this latest seemed to FLY BY. Especially because I didn't even really write that many posts. I've always been scattered but it has grown exponentially.

But do you know what else has grown? My love for all of you guys! I love that you take the time to read these crazy thoughts.

So even though we're late (which can only be expected because 7 is a weird number. Which means I love the little prime all the more, but things just get wacky, okay?), we're doing a big celebration.

And by big I mean I'm going to celebrate with the usual stats, filling out a tag, and chilling with you guys.

A trip down memory lane is falling down the rabbit hole...

If you want to see me when I'm more organized to throw a party, here are the other years: Hello book and movie fans (Original first post), One Year Ago (2017), Two Years Ago (2018),  Three Years Ago (2019), Four Years Ago (2020), Five Years Ago (+If I Was A Fictional Character) (2021), & Six Years Ago (+Behind the Blogger Tag) (2022).

Stats:

Followers: 74 

I love you guys!

All time page views: 153,156

Posts: (err, my bad) So at the time of July 19th, I had published 500 posts. But now this is the 502nd, because I had to join Western Cinema Week.

Top 3 most popular posts:

1. Book vs. Movie Review: Summer of the Monkeys

2. Emma Read-Along: Week 1 Discussion 

3. Tolkien Blog Party 2017 ~ The Tag!

I'm guessing it's because those are linked on other blogs (the hosts), otherwise I'm confused as to why those three...

My 5 favorite posts:

1. Movie Review (& Defense Of): Little Women (2019)

2. How I am like Luke Skywalker

3. Book Reviews Featuring World War II King Arthur Legends, A Boy Named Jinx, and a Skilled Dressmaker

4. My Top Ten Fictional Characters Who Need to be Protected at All Costs aka My Children, My Sons, My "Babies"

5.  The Running Wild In Impractical Outfits Tag // Seeing if I Have Any Sense of Style

Changes/YouTube videos:

Because I've been somewhat out of touch, not many changes have happened. I've only made one more YT video since my last blogoversary. And don't get me wrong, I'm pretty proud of it! I've worked on two more since then but neither is cooperating. Okay, I finished the one. I'm just running it through a few more edits (ugh, have to update all the audio files) before releasing it into the world. I'll leave a surprise to what the song and character combo it is, but just know that I was trying to have it ready for May 4th...

For quick and easy access, here are all the fan videos I've made so far:

Kylo Ren (Star Wars)

Loki Laufyson (MCU)

Rapunzel + Eugene (Tangled)

Edward + Sandra (Big Fish)

(Does anyone even know about this movie?? Because it's one of my all time favorites)

Header:

Right after my blogoversary, but darling sister FIONA spent all day making me this GOREGEOUS HEADER. I don't ever want to take it down. It's beautiful, it's fantastic (those of you who know why I'm using those adjectives, well, you know why...) and radiates the joy that comes from petals all around us. These are the benefits of having a sister who is studying graphic design.

How many of these flowered scenes do you know?

Schedule:

...I kind of forgot that I was going to have a schedule. But now that I've been reminded of that, I'm excited for it.

Look for posts on either Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

Currently about me:

I am reading: Fable - by Adrienne Young. I think this could be an interesting movie. Because right now as a book I am REALLY confused.

I am rereading: The Penderwicks - by Jeanne Birdsall. My life, my love.

I am watching: Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir, the TV show. I'm watching it in French and I love it way too stinking much. I CAN'T WAIT to watch the movie but I'm making myself finish the show first. And then I want to watch the movie in French so I'm kind of waiting for French subtitles to be an option.

I am rewatching: Sherlock. I originally watched it with my older sister and now I'm introducing my younger sister to it. I'm thoroughly enjoying it this time, unlike the first. And yes, this should explain half of the gifs in this post.

And it should also explain why this took me so long to get up. I got into a row with my computer about the gifs.

My Top 5 Favorite Books:

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

2. Holes - by Louis Sachar

3. North & South - by Elisabeth Gaskell

4. Pride & Prejudice - by Jane Austen

5. Anna Karenina - by Leo Tolstoy

I don't know, y'all, I really REALLY loved All the Crooked Saints, so I may have to readjust my rankings one day...

My Top 5 Favorite Movies:

1. Singin' in the Rain (1952)

2. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

3. STAR WARS IV: A New Hope (1977)

4. STAR WARS VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

5. Amazing Grace (2006)

These have been pretty stationary for awhile. Though the amount of times that I watch Enola Holmes may be putting it in the running...

My Top 5 TV Shows:

Yes, new category! But it seems apt because I watch so many of them. Ooops. And because this is new and you're dying to know why, I've supplied reasons.

1. Robin Hood BBC (I've written over 40 posts about it, so...no comment)

2. Julie and the Phantoms (Again, many posts have been written, so I'm shutting up now.)

3. Once Upon a Time (...can I count it if I haven't finished watching it? I don't care. I'm counting it because I love it to Neverland and back.)

4. Carmen Sandiego (Yes, this is an animated TV show. No, I will not be taking criticism at this time. I will also not be telling you how many times I've watched it.)

5. Merlin (I'm also rewatching this and it is PAIN.)

You guys know this is how I am when I talk about my favorite things.

Meet The Book Blogger Tag:

Because how else do you celebrate besides filling out tags?

Rules:

Nominated bloggers can nominate ten other bloggers

Use the same questions from the tag

Tag the original creator (Bibliomavens) and the blogger who tagged you (Sam) (thanks, dear!!)

Who is your all-time favourite book character?

OUCH. 

I'm trying to think of someone that I haven't talked about on this blog before. (Because otherwise it would be my beloved Levin, my Kostya, but I raved about him HERE.)

Right now I may have to say Inej Ghafa (from The Dregs duology, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom)? Kaz has a tragic backstory of betrayal and whatnot but INEJ. She has been through things no human should ever deal with. And yet she has a hope, a faith, and a heart. She's part of one of the most ruthless gangs in Ketterdam, but she maintains a balance and a mercy. The former is necessary for her to be the Wraith, and the latter shows that the heart is like an arrow.

The casting here? PHENOMENAL. Favorite part of the show is hands down the casting.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which book would you take with you? (Survival books do not count)

For practical reasons, Wild Bird - by Wendelin Van Draanen, because it's about a girl surviving in the wilderness. And yes, she's part of a rehab camp so the counselors are going to make sure she doesn't die, but I feel like it would be comforting all the same. And educational, giving me tips on how to find water and whatnot. And yes, I know that it says "survival books do not count", but this isn't particularly in that genre. It's a certified novel. 

For unpractical reasons of I'm-just-going-to-sit-here-and-read-for-semi-eternity, it may be something like 100 Days of Sunlight. Because I would read it all the way through. Then I would read only Tessa's chapters. Then I would read only Weston's chapters. Then I would read it all the way through. So, any with a split timeline would be entertaining, I think.

What’s your most unpopular book opinion?

Right now its probably that I didn't like The Thief - by Megan Whalen Turner. *ducks*

I felt like yelling, "You want everything to be so clever!" And it really doesn't have to be. Can we get deeper with characters instead?

I couldn't find the gif I wanted, but this duo will do.

What’s your weirdest bookish habit?

Why is this question so hard? I couldn't think of anything I haven't already talked about on this blog so asked my sister.

She said that I talk while reading a lot. I laugh and explain to myself what's happening. 

And she said that something weird is that I can read with other people talking, music/radio on. 

What character would you bring to a family event as your fake partner?

I'm kind of inclined to bring the Mad Hatter just to confirm for my family that I've gone insane, too.

But they'd see right through my charade. If I actually wanted them to believe me so they'd stop pestering me with the questions, maybe I should bring someone more moody. But there should still be a level of madness.

Okay, for some reason I would want to bring Count of Monte Cristo characters? Not that I liked them? But because they have a prestige which would really impress folks. You know what, yes, the Count has nice flair. And we would come in together in style. He's much too busy with revenge to even consider it, but if I could convince him that I will do something for him if he does this for me? But then I'd probably bail because I'm not good enough at anything to negotiate for skills.

What made you decide to start a book blog?

It was more about starting a blog where I would compare movies to books, that's why the movies meet their match. After focusing on movies for a long time I've kind of begun including books, too. Just anything with a story! And the reason is because I was always telling my family facts and opinions and they thought I should channel that somewhere.

Me whenever my sisters bring up something I should write a blog post about.

What about reading and books do you love the most?

How I can flawlessly see what's happening when I'm in the moment, but it's like a cloud because the moment you try to grab it and see it when you're not reading, you can't.

What is your field of study/desired profession/current profession?

...what does this have to do with reading?

Ahem.

I guess I have to answer...

I'm a college student who's a math major with a concentration in business and possible minors in theology and Spanish. My desired profession is to run my dad's business of managing property while be an author in my free time.

What are some book recommendations that became your favourites/obsessions?

A Series of Unfortunate Events - by Lemony Snicket : recommended by my sister Em. I used to hate it. I started watching the show to mock it. I fell in love. I'm back on the books and my sister is feeling smug.

When You Reach Me - by Rebecca Stead: recommended by my sister Fiona. This is one of those simple books where it seems like nothing big is happening but EVERYTHING is. Fabulous.

The Truth About Twinkie Pie - by Kat Yeh: recommended by my sister Fiona. ACK. Two summers ago I sat crying over this book. And I still haven't recovered. But I'm starting to get the insane idea that I should reread it. Quick, someone talk me out of this before I subject myself to more crying.

Anne of Green Gables - by L. M. Montgomery: recommended by my mom. I talked about that HERE.

A Man Called Ove - by Fredrik Backman: recommended by Sam. It's her own fault because then she had to hear me talk about how much I adore it.

The Wednesday Wars and Okay For Now - by Gary D. Schmidt: This is a conglomeration of being recommended by Sam, Sarah Seele, and The Nutmeg. I now want to read Gary D. Schmidt yearly.

Speak Easy, Speak Love - by McKelle George: recommended by Hamlette. Guys, I shouldn't love this as much as I do. But I do. It was the perfect thing to read coming out of the most recent semester.

This is how you guys have made me feel. The obsession is rolling off me in waves.

What is the book you shove down everyone’s throat?

I've gotten remarkably chill in my throat shoving experiences. I have reached a point of understanding how vastly different each of us are and how we have so many likes and dislikes that no one story can cover that for everyone.

Therefore these have two different categories. 

There are books that I think everyone should read regardless of whether they like it or not because it is an important portrayal of humanity. Like The Kite Runner. Ugh, that book is SO PAINFUL.

Then there are books that I enjoy SO MUCH that I want all my friends to read it so they understand my heart and soul. Which is currently All the Crooked Saints - by Maggie Stiefvater.

I tag... (I like that it's up to 10 instead of exactly 10. So we're doing 10 divided by 10)

Sarah Seele

In the nicest possible way.

Here's a clean list of the questions:

Who is your all-time favourite book character?

If you were stranded on a desert island, which book would you take with you? (Survival books do not count)

What’s your most unpopular book opinion?

What’s your weirdest bookish habit?

What character would you bring to a family event as your fake partner?

What made you decide to start a book blog?

What about reading and books do you love the most?

What is your field of study/desired profession/current profession?

What are some book recommendations that became your favourites/obsessions?

What is the book you shove down everyone’s throat?

Thank you SO MUCH for reading!! Thank you to those who have been here for all 7 years, thank you to those who have just stumbled across this blog, and thank you to all the in-between. You're comments and thoughts make my day. Scratch that, they make my week.

I think this calls for a dance party.

Now, dear readers, what have you been up to? Tell me all the things! Until next fictional rambling!

Chloe the MovieCritic

Six Years Ago: Movies Meet Their Match + Behind the Blogger Tag

BOOM BABY.

It's that time of year. In fact, it's that exact day: My blogoversary. Six years ago, Movies Meet Their Match was started. Insane! You guys are fantastic readers and every single comment puts me on cloud 9. Thank you so much for being here! It's been a year that I've been known as Chloe the MovieCritic, and I can't believe that long a time has passed already.

As per tradition, this post is all about reminiscing and looking towards the future! I have lots of goodies for you guys in this post, so I won't dillydally on this intro too much or I'll get emotional.

If you want to visit my past, here all the blogoversary posts I've done previously. This post you're reading is the most relevant, but there are some hilarious stories and happenings in the past ones...: 

Hello book and movie fans (Original first post), One Year Ago (2017), Two Years Ago (2018),  Three Years Ago (2019), Four Years Ago (2020), & Five Years Ago (+If I Was A Fictional Character) (2021).

Stats:

Followers: 74. You guys rock! 

You all are seriously the best.

All time page views: 114,655

Posts: 485 (this is the 486th!)

Top 3 most popular posts:

1. Book vs. Movie Review: Summer of the Monkeys

2. Emma Read-Along: Week 1 Discussion (why this one, guys?)

3. Movie Review: Despicable Me (2010)

My 5 favorite posts:

1. Movie Review (& Defense Of): Little Women (2019)

2. How I am like Luke Skywalker

3. Book Reviews Featuring World War II King Arthur Legends, A Boy Named Jinx, and a Skilled Dressmaker

4. Movie Review: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

5. My Top Ten Fictional Characters Who Need to be Protected at All Costs aka My Children, My Sons, My "Babies"

Strutting while talking about my posts.

Changes:

Each year as I review things I refine my system more. Well, that didn't happen this year because I did not review anything from July 19th 2021 to July 19th 2022. I talked about my plans for this in the future HERE and HERE, so check that out! I will be reviewing again, just when I have time and not during college. I have actually been working on a post for a few weeks that I want to publish in August of one of my reader requests, so watch for that!

One of the biggest changes from last year is my YouTube channel! I only wrote 26 posts between this year and last (which--wait for it, I'm a math major--averages to one post every other week), and that is explained by college taking my time and how I've focused a lot on this channel. I currently have three videos up, with more on the way. Check it out HERE! I make fan videos/edits for some of my favorite fictional characters. For your viewing ease, I've linked all three of them here for you to watch. SPOILERS FOR THESE CHARACTERS.

Kylo Ren (Star Wars)

Loki Laufeyson (Marvel)

Rapunzel + Eugene (Tangled)

On Sunday, *cough* when I should have been working on the aforementioned review *cough*, I created a header to go with my YouTube channel! As you can see, some of the characters I've already made videos for are on there, so reasoning goes that the remaining characters will be in future videos...Maybe. I'm not confirming or denying anything. Maybe I just love these characters and their gorgeous faces. You'll have to stick around to find out.

(I designed it, so it's...very square. I love geometry, okay? If my sister had done it, it would be more aesthetic, but for the moment I dig it. Do you guys know any of these characters?)

Now for the most important thing (if it's that vital, why did you put it at the bottom, MC? It's my blog, I do what I want). 

ANNOUNCING...

My new schedule!

Wait, MC, did you have a schedule before this?

Well, sort of. I mostly posted when I wanted to, but I would plan things out in advance. I still love this carefree air, but I've found I should hold myself more accountable than that. I have so many ideas, I want to get them all out to you guys! The new schedule is once a week in the summer/break seasons on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and once or twice a month on those days during the school year (I'm giving myself a strict schedule with wiggle room. What else would you expect?). This is the only post you're getting this week because there will be two next week with Legends of Western Cinema Week 2022! Blogathons are an exception along with any time I feel spontaneous.

Me, being ready for anything.

Currently about me:

I am reading: Insurgent - by Veronica Roth.

I am watching: Umbrella Academy. I'm about to start the third season and am terrified.

I am rewatching: High School Musical The Musical The Series. All in preparation for the third season! Did I just watch this for the first time in April? Yes. I love it a lot, okay?

Me whenever I talk about anything I love.

My Top 5 Favorite Books:

Anne of Green Gables - by L. M. Montgomery

Holes - by Louis Sachar

North & South - by Elisabeth Gaskell

Pride & Prejudice - by Jane Austen

Anna Karenina - by Leo Tolstoy

My Top 5 Favorite Movies:

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

STAR WARS IV: A New Hope (1977)

STAR WARS VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

Amazing Grace (2006)

Neither of those favorite lists have changed since last year, but all the same keep an eye on the My Favorites page for any updates.

Last year I did a tag during this blog birthday celebration to make it more exciting. I'm doing that again today with the Behind the Blogger Tag! Thanks to Sam and Violette for choosing me!

I'm ready for my close-up.

Rules:

Thank the person who nominated you.

Answer the questions.

Ping back to the creator: Ellyn of Allonsythornraxx

Nominate 5+ bloggers to do the tag.

Why did you start blogging, and why have you kept blogging?

I started blogging because I loved talking about movies and learning facts about them. My family kept suggesting blogging to be an outlet for this. I'm up to six years, so here's to six more! I have since expanded to books and stories of all kinds, but the name Movies Meet Their Match has stuck. You don't want to get me started...too late!

Words have power my dudes. AND I'M THRIVING ON THEM.

What is your favorite kind of blog post to write?

Since January I've really enjoyed my "Top Ten" posts! I get to spread the love of my favorite stories in fun little ways. I've only done one "First Impression Ramblings" post, but I have SO MANY planned for that category, you'd better hope I enjoy writing it! Then, of course, writing reviews! 

What are your top three favorite blog posts?

I already listed my top five, so this is just an excuse to list more and talk about myself. I'm so exposed...

Movie Review: Knives Out (2019)

Book Reviews Featuring a Colorful Castle, Fairy Tale Crocodiles, & a Lionhearted Math Genius, oh my!

The Fantastical and Felicitous Fictional Character Blog Tag

What are some of your favorite things to do to relax?

I don't know if I have things that I specifically do to relax. I do stuff because I have deadlines to meet or I'm being lazy. There is no in-between. Whenever I'm worked up and need to calm down I usually listen to music, so let's count that!

Then there's the daydreaming, reading, watching something, and writing.

What are three of your favorite things?

Favorite things? That's a big category! I'm taking that in the literal sense of material objects not people or animals. These are things that might be surprising to my readers...

Board/card games, puzzles, and water.

What are your proudest blogging moments?

Any time someone says they watched/read something because of my review/recommendation. It makes me all fluttery and happy! If you've done this and haven't told me, then I would love to hear it! That and reading posts I wrote awhile ago and they are still "good". I've changed so much since I started blogging (both in my style and my personality) that I usually cringe. When I don't, that's a win!

What are your hobbies outside of blogging?

What do you guys think, should I make sword fighting a hobby? Archery already is one of them, which explains why I love this character.

Not counting ANYTHING related to stories: swimming, doing sudoku or any math, talking with friends. I used to think I was boring because I didn't have many hobbies, but I've found I actually have a lot!

Describe your personality in three words

Sensitive (*cough* caring too much about everything *cough*), friendly, tired (it is a part of my personality, okay?).

Come on' MC, you could have come up with something better!

What are your top three pet peeves?

People touching their hair in public.

People saying "I know" before listening to what someone has to say.

People not obeying traffic rules by waving other drivers to go when it would all be so much faster and easier if everyone did what they were supposed to.

What is something your followers don't know about you?

Oh man, I've been trying to reveal my secrets this whole post! How am I supposed to come up with something else?

Legos have pretty much been my favorite thing since I was born. It has now paid off in math and construction studies...

I tag:

The first five people to comment on this post! This tag is a bit of an older one, otherwise I would tag specific bloggers.

And, that's me!

At your service.

Thank you guys again and again for reading this post, and post over the years! Did I reveal anything you didn't know about me? What is something most people don't know about you? What are your favorite kinds of posts that I do, and if you're a blogger, what are your favorite to write?

Have a great day!

Chloe the MovieCritic

Five Years Ago: Movies Meet Their Match + If I Was A Fictional Character

Hello, lovers of stories!

Well, another year of this blog has passed by, and my mind is reeling. Five years ago, on July 19th 2016, it all started. How is this possible? How have I been so blessed to have so many people who encourage me with all of their thoughts and comments? Thank you so much for being a part of my life! Lately I've felt especially free to express my thoughts through blogging and I really needed that. Thank you for listening to me!

How I feel when it is my blog's birthday! I'm so happy!

Because I love tradition, we're going to have an overview of what changed this year along with all the other fun activities that I do around that, but afterwards you'll get a treat that I've been planning for a long time!

This is completely unnecessary because I'm going to recap very quickly in a minute, but if you're interested, here is what I've done for past blogoversaries: Hello book and movie fans (Original first post), One Year Ago (2017), Two Years Ago (2018),  Three Years Ago (2019), & Four Years Ago (2020).

Stats:

Followers: 72 (thank you, you magnificent human beings!)

All time page views: 84,023

This blows my mind! I'm not sure which face represents me better.

Posts: 458 (this is the 459th!)

Top 3 most popular posts:

1. Book vs. Movie Review: Summer of the Monkeys

2. 100 Books the BBC think most people haven't read more than 6 of

3. Imaginary Review: a later Wizard Of Oz (1941),

My 5 favorite posts:

1. How I am like Luke Skywalker

2. Movie Review: The Grapes of Wrath (1940) 

3. Movie Review (& Defense Of): Little Women (2019)

4. Movie Review: Knives Out (2019)

5. Movie Review: Clue (1985)

(Most of these have been in the last year, so that's a good sign for the future!)

Don't worry, I'm thinking up more magical things.

Changes:

Each year I become a better blogger, so let's see what I've improved! I know that the colors create a garish combination so one year I will change that...but not this year.

All in bold, the original will be in black, 2016-17's changes are in green, 2017-18's changes are in blue, 2018-19's changes are in maroon/purple, 2019-20's changes will be in orange, and this year's (2020-21) will be in red.

MOVIE EXAMPLE: Everything is either 1-10. 10 is the best.

Disclaimer My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Some kind of movie. (The title? Is that what I mean by that?)

Based on:

(I also might have some history on the movie or book.) The movie plot. (History? What do I mean by history? If I were to put any facts about the movie it would be in the "Notes" section)

Genre:

Length:

Script: 4

Crew: Directed by: Produced by: (I added this in 2017, but took it out in 2018) Written by: (This year I condensed this. Going for simpler, ya know?)

Actors: (Starring:) 9

(Costumes: 6

Costumes by: (Only if I can find who designed them).

My favorite:) (I moved this whole section down lower to be more concise. I hope it's working...)

Cinematography:

Cinematography by:

Music:

Music by:

Notes:

(If I think there could be better actors I will put them here.) (*laughing* This never happens! I completely forgot about it)

Good Quotes: Quotability: "And I keyn't stan' 'em." (Sorry, I couldn't find any other way to get the accent right.)

Oscars won:

Storyline: Content: 2 ( I really like it to be original or if they are doing something based on a book, I will rate it on how close to the book it is.) (I gave up on that a long time ago. Did I even ever do it? If it is an adaptation of a book I will allow things to happen. This section is only for things that the rating system is based on)

Originality: (I split these categories in two do it was easier to understand).

Good For:

Age Range: (I added this because of Kara's post).

Overall Score:

Worth watching?:

Will I watch again?:

Bonus thoughts: (This is my favorite that I added in 2018, because I actually get to tell you my [spoiler free] thoughts! Can you believe that I didn't do that for so long?)

And for books pretty much the same but with:

BOOK EXAMPLE: 1-10. 10 is the best.

Disclaimer My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Book name. (See, I had the title here!)

Plot

Genre:

Characters: 7

(I will probably list my favorites)

Words/Writing Style: 3

(I like authors who use lots of words.) (*chokes on laughter* Since when has that been true? It's about the quality, not the quantity!)

World building/Setting:

Quotes: Quotability:

Awards:

Storyline: Content: 9

Originality:

(This is completely based on how I liked it. Tell me your opinion too!)

Notes:

Good For:

Age Range:

Overall Score:

Worth reading?:

Will I read again?:

Audiobook:

Bonus thoughts:

Pretty much the same.

I feel so content I can sip my tea in peace, but I'll get back to work in a minute.

Currently about me:

I am reading: The Count of Monte Cristo - by Alexandre Dumas.

I am (re)watching: WandaVision. Soon I will only be watching the Olympics!

My Top 5 Favorite Books:

Anne of Green Gables - by L. M. Montgomery

Holes - by Louis Sachar

North & South - by Elisabeth Gaskell

Pride & Prejudice - by Jane Austen

Anna Karenina - by Leo Tolstoy

My Top 5 Favorite Movies:

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

STAR WARS IV: A New Hope (1977)

STAR WARS VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

Amazing Grace (2006)

(Both of these lists tend to change, so keep an eye on the My Favorites  page for all the recent updates)

Now it is time for the moment you have all been waiting for: the big surprise!

These last five years have meant more to me than I can say. I love interacting with the blogging community and have discovered so many new stories that are near and dear to my heart through all of you.

I only have one problem, I feel like my identity here isn't quite right. I remember when I came up with the idea for this blog I was so proud of the title, Movies Meet Their Match, and my own name, MovieCritic. Looking back, that is such a naive thing to call myself. Was I assuming that I was the only movie critic in the universe? It is so stiff and formal, too. As I've gotten to know you all so much better, I want to change this into something easier for everyone.

Today I'm introducing my pen name for this blog! This isn't my real name, but I'm often called this because apparently my own name is too hard to remember. If you know me by a different name, then feel free to keep using it! I love being called MC, so I hesitated on changing this for so long because of that, but I'm sure about this decision.

Call me Chloe the MovieCritic.

I'm getting ready for my close up.

Way back in January MK had this great post where she filled out questions usually asked when creating a fictional character, but answered them with what would apply to her! Since then it became a bit of a tag with other bloggers (Samantha, McKayla, and Violette) doing the same thing. I'm here to fill you in on what I'm really like now that I have a pen name!

Whenever I write characters I have to have a playlist for them. I have one with songs that I relate to that is over two hours long, so that's a little excessive to put here. Just know that it is every Twenty One Pilots song ever.

I will be answering all of this in third person because it is way more fun.

1. Share a snippet that involves description of her appearance

 

A quiet and still room is broken by one strange girl with her constant motion. We shouldn't be surprised, as this is a common occurrence. She is bopping to an unheard melody because she has headphones on whenever possible, wearing them over her blonde slightly long hair. This hair has grown darker through the years, but she is still a typical blonde---both in appearance and aptitude. Though it isn't noticeable to anyone except her and her sisters, there is a streak that is lighter than any of the others in the front. It depends on the day, but she likes to refer to it like she is either Anna from Frozen or Narsissa Malfoy.

While she types at her computer she is wearing blue light glasses. She doesn't need a pescription, but she is almost always wearing those or sunglasses. She is notorious for always having extremely dirty glasses, but when questioned she just replies like Peter Parker does in Captain America: Civil War (2016); sometimes everything is too much and she needs to block it out. Behind those crooked glasses and under almost invisible eyebrows rest blue eyes, which go with her outfit that is almost without a doubt including the same color. She has ripped jeans from working with her dad. Currently it all goes together, but it is rare that she wears something this cohesive.

She has a hard time figuring out how to describe her other features, so she wouldn't want you bored with that. Her face is constantly peppered with acne of some kind, with a face including cheeks that always makes people think she is younger than she really is. She has the dictionary definition of a baby face. That is contrasted by her favorite part about her physical description: her height. At about 5 ft. 10 inches, she has been making people think she was in college since she was a freshman in high school. She never puts on makeup simply because it would mean she had to get up earlier, which is to be avoided at all costs. As you can see, she has a touch of laziness, but admires anyone who wants to go that extra length.

2.  5 Ways To Win Her Friendship 

1. Talk to her and roll with her weird questions. She is very used to her funky questions being answered with one word, so if you elaborate and ask your own, she'll stick by you.

2. Talk about your favorite fandoms: books, movies, music, whatever! So many of her friendships start in a connection here. Different opinions are welcome as long as you don't say that her favorites are the worst things in the world.

3. Be sincere. If you are stuck with her she will probably start telling you her life story and feelings on everything, and she wants everything to be honest from you, too.

4. Show kindness to little kids or pets. She will start making up stories of how you are the sweetest person in the planet.

5. It's not that hard. Just being alive is enough.

Give her food and she'll be the Wicket to your Leia.

(It is fun to note, that she feels like Elinor Dashwood to Lucy Steele very often. She meets someone and they immediately want to tell her their deepest secrets of their life in a relationship. Then ask her advice, and she is incapable of saying anything because she has no knowledge in this area. She doesn't mind at all, she just is amused with the regularity that it happens)

3.  Favorite Type of Weather 

An absolute snow storm. Any kind of snow is greatly loved. She gets positively frisky while dancing through the flakes, but she especially loves wandering her yard, pretending she's exploring the arctic, while you can barely see more than a few feet in front of you. Yes, she knows that she is a grown person, but she doesn't care.

 

4. Food Quirks

She will eat anything because one of her mottos is, "It's food, man". She tends to stay away from foods that are normally well loved (like pizza and chocolate). She loves putting mustard and peanut butter together or using Nutella if peanut butter isn't available.

5. How often does she smile? Would she smile at a stranger?

One time there was some debate in her dance class. During every dance they had done they had been told to smile, but some people wanted this to be a fierce dance and have no smiles at all. One girl was saying right before the show how they had to all be agreed on this because there was always one person who was smiling and threw the whole thing off...then that girl stopped in front of Chloe the MovieCritic.

"It's you! You're always smiling! You're always so happy!"

To which Chloe replied:

And everyone else is always like this:

She obsessively smiles and waves at everyone she ever sees. It's a good thing she lives in a small town because if she were in a city she would probably wear herself out within five minutes of walking out the door.

6. If she could travel anywhere in the world, where would she go? 

She is a strange one and doesn't love to travel. All the same, she wants to go to Spain, Italy, Jerusalem, South Korea, and Rio de Janero.

7. What’s her favorite food? 

She loves chili (the soup/stew, not just the straight powder), limes, corn, carrots, and sloppy joes, but not all together. She would also get along with Lemony Snicket because she thinks the best drink is root beer.

8. What is the most humiliating event of her life?

 

She has a good memory for the weirdest things, but has repressed any information regarding this.

9. What habits, speech patterns, etc. are unique to her?

(If I'm being completely honest, I wanted to do this tag solely for this question.)

She has quite a bizarre lingo that she uses everyday but never types, so it is never seen on this blog. It's also for the best that you can't hear her speaking because you are saved from her constant stuttering and slurring of words. When she gets excited she talks really quickly and no one can understand what she is saying.

She calls people: Dude, dudette, peeps, honey, and hun. This doesn't just apply to people, though. It was quite amusing when once she said, "Work with me, hun!" when she realized that she was talking to a ladder that she was trying to put in her dad's truck.

She also frequently says: yo, man, wowza, totally, nifty, neat, and sweet (that last one is a point of contention. She says "sweet" about a million times a day. Even if it's like, "Hey, MC, I'm going on a walk." "Sweet!" Anything really.)

When she feels things strongly she will start talking in Spanish because the way she learned to speak it was very rooted in emotions. Whenever she feels those emotions her mind automatically switches over. There is a lot of "¡Me encanta!" "¡Me gusta!" "¡No me gusta!" and sometimes even "Odio...".

She never noticed it until her sister pointed it out, but if she's talking to you she will probably say, "yeah?" a lot. She uses it like Canadians say "eh?".

10. Is she a night owl or morning person?

She is naturally a night owl and always has been. Right now, though, she's a bit of both, which really isn't copacetic. She gets up early for work or writing and she forgot how awesome mornings are! People are so friendly! They will return (or sometimes even initiate!) her waving and smiling. She should probably pick one, though, and stop trying to do both.

 

11. Describe your character’s personality first in one word, and then elaborate with a few sentences.

 

(I thought of way too many TOP songs that are a one word title and describe me perfectly, but decided to try to be creative)

Clear-as-mud (yes, it is one word.). She has a great memory for the smallest details yet doesn't remember anything important and will forget to do something that you told her to do three seconds ago. She loves music but doesn't want anything to do with creating it. She is completely wacky and silly on the outside and just tries to be blind to all problems on the inside. Completely chill because she is disconnected from reality, but is very sensitive to everything. As a typical Hufflepuff she doesn't care what others think too much, but will fiercely defend others besides herself.

12. What sights, sounds, and smells are reminders of this character?

Snow. Work gloves. Books. Piles of DVDs. Headphones. Laughter for no reason.

She needs a dictionary, because she needs to find more words. Because she is incapable of thinking of anything else.

13. If she was an element (fire, water, earth, air), which one would she be?

Water. For no other reason than the fact that she really loves it. Maybe because it is just about the weirdest substance in existence? It is usually cool and refreshing, a pretty blue, and cold. Very cold. She is delirious now and should drink some water...

14. Quirks:

She likes/doesn't mind a lot of things that bother other people: doing the dishes, heights, getting shots, or doing math.

If she wasn't listening to a song properly and fully appreciating it, she will restart it. Then almost immediately zone out and have to do it again.

She always has to be doing something with her hands. She can't wear bracelets in public because she will take them off and leave them places. While sitting at her computer she will squeeze anything she can see. Whether it is wax, plush hearts, rocks, paper clips, you name it!

From my perspective, she is absolutely loony. Some may dispute that, but they don't have to live with her. When she told her sister that she was "positively loony" her sister replied, "At least you're positive about it."

Ta na!
Sure, some say it's "ta-da", but I've always said it this way.

There you have it! If you want to know more about the new me, then you can check out my page "The Critic".

Thank you for supporting me all these years! Thank you to those who have been around since the beginning and thank you to those who just started following me recently. Every comment that you make improves my day so much. While I might not be on my computer all the time in the next few months, I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. 

I hope you didn't fall asleep through this huge post like I did...

Here's to five more years!

Chloe the MovieCritic