Triple the Movies!

I've been a busy girl over the last week gearing up for the Oscars. Allison and I are trying to add to our usual attempt to see all the Best Picture nominees by also seeing Best Actor and Best Actress nominations. We're using prediction websites to get a jump on the list, so I was able to see 3 movies all expected to get a Best Picture {or Best Actor/Actress} nod! Allison was ahead of me by 3 {that stinker}, so I saw 1 without her to get her lead down to 2.

Brooklyn
Plot: An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this movie. Run, don't walk, and go see this. The acting, the story, the scenery - Allison and I both just fell into the story right away and weren't ready for it to end. As we left the theater, I put myself on the library waiting list for the book. Cannot.wait.

The Martian
Plot: During a manned mission to mars, astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal Earth that he is alive.
Review: I think this was like Armageddon meets Castaway. So if you liked either of those movies {or both like me}, you'll enjoy this. Matt Damon was great, and it was definitely a feel good 'yay America!' type movie. Huge cast, funnier than I thought it would be, less over-the-top than I thought it would be. I also am now on the waiting list for this book.

The Big Short
Plot: Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.
Review: Another great movie! Allison and I both agreed it was a little too long, but it took a complicated situation and made it into great story-telling and had some unique ways of doing that to make fun of itself and make it really relatable. I'm debating reading the book but would bet my dad already has. {grin}

Of the 3, Brooklyn was my favorite, but all of them were really great movies.