Day 186: ParaNorman

Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) can talk to the dead and everyone in town finds him massively inconvenient. When an old curse threatens them all, he does his best to save them despite being terrified.

I always hate when people just dismiss bullying as something kids do and so it doesn't really need to be taken seriously. Norman was lonely and every day he had to deal with people making fun of him because of something he couldn't control. His family aren't supportive at all and he doesn't really have anyone to turn to. Even though he is the town outcast, he still does whatever he can to help them. I know he's not actually real but I really liked Norman. People can be so awful to each other but I like that some people don't let that stop them from doing good.

7/10

Day 153: 50/50

Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) doesn’t smoke, drink or drive because they’re all dangerous and so when he gets cancer, it puts the danger of those into perspective. His best friend is there for him in ways particular to friends (trying to get him laid, using the cancer to hit on cute women, etc.) and he considers his relationship with his parents from a different angle, which seems to lessen the tension.

I’ve never had anyone close to me be seriously ill so I have no idea what that must feel like. It seems like it would be such a difficult thing to deal with. Kyle (Seth Rogen), Adam’s best friend, is his normal self around Adam and he doesn’t let the whole cancer thing affect what they get up to. Adam is eventually frustrated because he thinks Kyle isn’t taking it seriously but he learns that Kyle has been reading up on how to be there for him and he understands. Kyle has probably found it so difficult to deal with the fact that his friend could die very soon but he knew that what he’s feeling can’t get in the way of the friendship because it’s not about him, it’s about Adam. I liked Kyle and his unapologetically way of being honest. He seemed like a genuine person.

The balance between humour and sadness is well done here. The lighter aspects don’t seem forced and so it helps to feel the darker parts in a stronger way. I liked the film. Good and sad, what more could you want?

8/10

Day 140: Up In The Air

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) spends the majority of his life on planes, flying all over America. When faced with the possibility of no longer being able to do that, he panics; it is all he knows and he loves it. But he comes to realise that maybe there is more to life than endless freedom.

I’ve always thought that it must be exciting to have the freedom to go anywhere without any responsibilities or restrictions, it always seemed like anything might be possible that way. But I’m not sure I believe that now, and the film does a good job of showing the change. People don’t want to be tied down in their lives and it’s natural to dream about being able to just take off and leave it all behind. But at the same time, people do want to be tied down. They want stability and someone to share a life with. Maybe it’s better to think of the stable aspects of your life as a base, or a starting point. And you can still be free and do the things you dream about, but you can always come back to the people who care for you and who allow you to be yourself.

8/10

Day 117: What To Expect When You're Expecting

Babies are happening; people are having them, adopting them, and sadly, losing them. Becoming a family is a different experience for each of the couples in the film but it helps them come together.

The couples are all linked in some way and are all getting to grips with their pregnancies. I liked that it wasn’t really all that easy for them and that they fought because then they got to say everything they needed to say and could come together again knowing more than before. They helped each other through the difficult times and it means they’ll be better prepared for the even harder times to come.

Pregnancy seems like such a stressful and uncomfortable time and I’m just in awe of people who do it. And a little scared. Pregnant women scare me, I don’t know why. I remember when my sister was pregnant and my little nephew was kicking away in there and I could feel him kicking. It was the most intense thing I have ever felt, I can’t even really put it into words. There was a tiny person in there and he was making sure we all knew it, especially his mum. Whenever I watched films and saw people feeling the baby kick I never really got it but then when I felt it for myself, it was honestly just the most breathtaking thing. Although I suppose if I was actually pregnant and felt the baby kick it might be more breathtaking but it really was amazing. Anyway, I guess the film has made me think that I want a baby, oh dear.

Right, so I totally thought this film was going to be rubbish, I don’t know why but I really thought it was going to just be boring. But I actually liked it. I mean, I probably wouldn’t watch it again but I wouldn’t avoid it.

7/10