Movie #329 - Jumanji

Jumanji
1995 - Rated PG - 1 hr 44 min
Director: Joe Johnston
Starring: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, Bradley Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth, David Alan Grier, Patricia Clarkson

This movie is another classic, although I'm not really sure how that happened.  An evil boardgame traps its players and unleashes African animals and assorted disasters at every turn.  Players can even get sucked into Africa and then spit them back out, like, 20 years later.  Yikes. 

After the movie came out, they actually made this a board game.  People want to play this?!  Ok, I know, it's not real.  But if it's not as terrifying, is it as fun?

Back to the movie... which has some lame CGI animals.  But it was the 90s, so some allowances have to be made. I guess for it's time, the special effects were top-notch.  What I can say for this movie is that the premise is original and it brings you on a fun adventure.  A great movie for kids, not necessarily adults, but if you grew up watching this one, it strikes a nice sentimental note.

Movie #314 - Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire
1994 - Rated R - 2 hr 3 min
Director: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, Thandie Newton

How doI love this movie? Let me count the ways...
     1. little Kirsten Dunst.... amazing
     2. vampires with feelings
     3. Hello, Brad Pitt.
     4. best ending possible
     5. a multi-period piece with some nice set and costume work - I can appreciate that

Honestly, this is my favorite vamp movie.  The new ones are all lame. This is the best.  And, to make it even better, it was made before vampires were trendy. So there, Stephenie Meyer.

But really.  This is a whole cast of emo, homo-erotic vampires played by really pretty celebrities who are all vamped out to look not so pretty anymore. Except Kirsten Dunst who is the world's most gorgeous little vampire.  And again, let's revisit how AH-MAZ-ING she is in this movie. Possibly her best role to date.  How unfortunate for her to peak so young, but how fortunate for us to be able to watch this performance over and over again, if we so choose.

It's not the best movie ever, I can admit that, but I think it's a great ensemble, a really creative premise (remember, this came out before "Buffy," ok?) and a unique way to tell the story. Plus, how deliciously evil is Tom Cruise? And I'm not even a big Cruise fan, but I love this performance.

Movie #285 - How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
2008 - Rated R - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Robert B. Weide
Starring: Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox, Gillian Anderson, Thandie Newton, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston

Oh, Simon Pegg.  Even when he's being a total jerk, he's so charming.  As a British writer struggling to get it together and climb to the top in New York City, Pegg's easily blinded by celebrity glitz and glamour. For example, Megan Fox.  But as Kirsten Dunst unexpectedly creeps up on his radar screen, things might have to change while his priorities shift.

This movie's nothing amazing, but the ensemble has good chemistry.  I'd never put Pegg and Dunst together, personally, but here they make sense. Weirdly.  Anyway, it's a cute movie, with lots of great Pegg moments, and I think most would enjoy it.

Movie #187 - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Michel Gondry
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst

Oh.... this movie.

I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it, and my love has not waivered.  By now, I've watched it a dozen times and I still have to go by Kate Winslet's hair color to make sure I know what point in time we're in. 

The concept of this movie - the ability to wipe away the memories of a lost love from your life - is a highly polarizing one, but a fascinating one all the same.  Would you do it? Should you do it? And what happens if during the procedure you change your mind, like Jim Carrey does? The sequence of them hiding in his early memories is so imaginative and so much fun to watch.  By the end, you're really hoping they'll win.

The best part about this movie is that it doesn't just involve the procedure.  It covers the before, during, and after. And even throws in a case of extreme after with Kirsten Dunst, who reacts to it in a way surprising for her character but not surprising in general.  To go from worshipping the process and its creator, to suddenly being its victim.  She does a brilliant job with this, and sets into motion the resolution for Carrey and Winslet as well.  I'm glad it doens't just end with them forgetting each other.  It's too far-fetched to think people who loved each other once wouldn't gravitate back to each other.  Here, it's handled very well and very realistically.

One of my faves, by far.

Movie #96 - Bring It On

Bring It On
Universal Pictures
2000 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 38 min
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union

Between slaying vampires on Buffy, Eliza Dushku was practicing cheers with Kirsten Dunst.  And as odd as it is to picture Faith in a cheerleading uniform, she makes it work :)

I love this movie and I don't care what anyone says.  I'm not a big fan of all the sequels that have resulted... Bring It On Again...etc.  Haven't seen them, but I'm pretty sure they're crap.  But the original is actually funny and enjoyable to watch.  This movie knows how ridiculous its premise is, and it embraces it.  That's the only reason it works.

Oh, and Kirsten Dunst rocks.