Every year there are those movies that we never seem to notice or hear much about and for one reason or another they seem to slip under the radar and dwell in the land of cinema obscurity. This is a shame since sometimes these kinds of movies deserve more than to sit and gather dust in the annals of film. Here are a few flicks I thought to be worthy of viewing if you need a break from the usual fare.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Source

Based on the bestselling 2005 novel by Lisa See this movie virtually came and went without a flutter since it had the same opening day as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (July 15th, 2011) which just happens to be one of THE most epic movies of all time. The film is an unconventional love story about two Chinese women over the span of their lifetimes. Set in the 19th century the two women develop a secret language to communicate with each other and though they are very different from one another their friendship runs deep. Beautifully filmed and well worth the watching.

All Good Things

Source

Ryan Gosling is definitely having a break out couple years and his name seems to be on the lips of everyone these days and he could even be an Oscar contender one day soon (Have you heard of a little George Clooney production called The Ides of March?). Kirsten Dunst also seems to be a name we’re hearing a lot of these days and with her next role in Melancholia with Alexander Skarsgard one might even say she’s having a come back. In All Good Things Dunst effortlessly portrays Katie Marks, a woman who once led a carefree and happy existence. This all changes when her once doting husband David Marks starts losing it and begins to beat and terrorize her.

Set in New York during the 80′s this film is somewhat creepy thanks to Gosling’s and Frank Langella’s performance, yet it is deceivingly mundane at the same time and during the whole film you will feel a sick sense of foreboding. This film is based on  true events. It’s about a woman named Kathleen McCormack who goes missing in 1982. Her wealthy yet mentally unstable husband Robert Durst, who is heir to a real estate dynasty, was suspected of her disappearance but was never tried. Kathie is still missing to this day. Believe it or not, All Good Things is a murder mystery romance. Weird combo, yes, but it’s actually a fairly gripping movie and both Dunst and Gosling are superb. Even weirder is the fact that the real life Robert Durst actually likes the film. Well worth watching.

One Day

Source

Anne Hathaway is the current reigning America’s sweetheart and Jim Sturgess is one helluva likeable guy. This is one of those films about two people who belong together but just can’t get it together. The thing is we know it and we want them to be together and it’s frustrating that they just can’t seem to get their acts together. Based on the novel of the same name this movie has date night written all over it and it’s another movie that’s well worth watching.

What other recent movies did you see that slid under the radar that are well worth watching?

Yes, that’s right folks. Kim Kardashian’s fairy tale wedding to Kris Humphries will air on E! in a two part special. It’s going to be called Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event and will air October 9th and 10th. It makes total sense. The Kardashians have their own show on the network so it’s just obvious that they would be bringing you the event of the season.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Video Source

Can you imagine getting paid to get married? It’s being reported that the happy couple are pocketing a cool $1.5 million from People Magazine just for their wedding photos, $300, 000 from their May engagement announcement and $100, 000 from OK Magazine for the bridal shower photos. And Kim Kardashian’s mom Kris Jenner gets 10% of that, LOL! Gotta hand it to ‘em, but those Kardashians sure know how to capitalize on their celebrity. They also know how to make money hand over fist.

A Little Kardashian Trivia…

Source

Can you believe that once upon a time Kim used to be a stylist to Paris Hilton? Funny how dynamics can change, yeah? I wonder if Paris was invited to the wedding…

This isn’t Kim’s first wedding. Nope! When Kim was 20 she married music producer Damon Thomas (he worked with Pink and Faith Evans and was 10 years older than Kim!) but they divorced in 2004.

Source

In December 2007 Kim Kardashian graced the cover of Playboy and posed inside the magazine. She embraced her famous curves and told Men’s Fitness magazine, “Of course you’re nervous and want more time to work out. But I’m proud to show people who I am. You always see the typical skinny models and I’m not that and I’m proud not to be that.” Atta girl, Kim!

As big as this wedding was, how much do you want to bet that when Brangelina decides to tie the knot — even if it’s a teensy, weensy ceremony in the wilds of Africa where the bride wears a T-shirt and flip flops, the groom is in pretty much the same, and they spend 500 bucks or less on the whole shebang — how much do you wanna bet that wedding will be the wedding of the century? I wonder how much those pictures would go for? And you know Santa Angelina would just give it all away to charity.

Where for art thou, Romeo?

Oh, the lovely nostalgia of it all! I was youngish when I saw Romeo + Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the famously starcrossed lovers. Not only was that a very clever movie — kids loved the modern twist to a piece of classic literature, and having Leo DiCaprio in it didn’t hurt either! — but it also had a rockin’ soundtrack. “Kissing You” is one of my favorites from the soundtrack. But so was “#1 Crush” by Garbage, “Love Fool” by The Cardigans, “Pretty Piece of Flesh” by One Inch Punch — oh heck, it was all good!

Here’s the Romeo + Juliet track list. Which was your favorite song?

1. “#1 Crush” – Garbage – 4:47
2. “Local God” – Everclear – 3:56
3. “Angel” – Gavin Friday – 4:19
4. “Pretty Piece of Flesh” – One Inch Punch – 4:53
5. “Kissing You (Love Theme from Romeo + Juliet)” – Des’ree – 4:58
6. “Whatever (I Had a Dream)” – Butthole Surfers – 4:09
7. “Lovefool” – The Cardigans – 3:19
8. “Young Hearts Run Free” – Kym Mazelle – 4:16
9. “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)” – Quindon Tarver – 1:43
10. “To You I Bestow” – Mundy – 3:59
11. “Talk Show Host” – Radiohead – 4:17
12. “Little Star” – Stina Nordenstam – 3:40
13. “You and Me Song” – The Wannadies – 2:55

10th Anniversary re-release bonus tracks

14. “Introduction to Romeo” – Craig Armstrong – 2:07
15. “Kissing You (Love Theme from Romeo + Juliet) Instrumental” – Craig Armstrong – 3:33
16. “Young Hearts Run Free (Ballroom Version)” – featuring Kym Mazelle, Harold Perrineau & Paul Sorvino – 3:27
17. “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) ’07 Mix” – Baz Luhrmann featuring Quindon Tarver – 7:10

This post was inspired by my friend Enviromommy.

~P.S.~ What is your favorite Baz Luhrmann movie?

It’s Valentine’s Day today and because love is in the air, I am inevitably thinking about some of my favorite on screen kisses. Here they are! Happy Valentine’s Day! *happily eating chocolate*

Arwen and Aragorn have two of my favorite kisses.

Arwen and Aragorn kissing in Rivendell is the epitome of true love.

The Notebook kiss between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling was the kiss women around the world sighed and gasped over.

The Notebook kiss is one of the most passionate kisses of all time.

Harry Potter’s First Kiss.

Harry Potter and Cho share a first kiss in Order of the Phoenix.

Wall-E  and Eve

One of the sweetest moments in cinema.

Robin Hood and Maid Marion

Robin Hood and his Lady love.

Jake and Neytiri

The love between Jake and Neytiri is out of this world.

The Princess Bride

One of the first kisses I ever saw on screen and sighed over.

Bella and Edward

No matter what you may think of the movies you have to admit that this was some kiss.

Bella and Jacob

Fans waited a long time for this kiss.

Rose and Jack

The king of all kisses.

Don’t you just love love?

Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in Robin Hood directed by Ridley Scott.

This Robin Hood is an ace movie about the infamous and legendary hero Robin of the Hood. At first you may think it is a movie about his exciting exploits as an outlaw alone, however, it is much more than that. It’s a movie that depicts who he was before he was the Robin Hood we all know and love, and what forces made him into the larger than life outlaw of Sherwood Forest. We also get to meet all our faves, Lady Marion, his merry men Little John, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, and of course, everyone’s favorite villain, King John the royal runt.

This is a movie about the origins of an outlaw beloved by the people. It is a story that is gritty and very true to the medieval way of life, real historical events expertly woven with intricate English folklore. I found it a refreshing take on a famous medieval tale that has been told a thousand times before.

Ridley Scott‘s version of Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett is out today on DVD! Woohoo!

~P.S.~ This movie has a strong message of fate coursing through it. What about you? Do you believe in fate?