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A Month of McAvoy

This summer I embarked on a mission: to see every James McAvoy movie ever made.  Can you please tell my husband that I really do have goals.

Prior to this little McAvoy Film Festival (Yes, I know I’m a dork for calling it that) I had already seen Becoming Jane, Narnia, and Atonement, and I was hooked.  I needed more McAvoy and I needed it badly.  Here is what I thought of the movies I saw this summer:

Starter for 10:  I’d like to thank John for recommending this movie to me.  He said it would be perfect for my “McAvoy fix” and I have to agree.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much with this one.  It appeared to be a ”B” movie (even though one of the producers was Tom Hanks) and it didn’t get much praise or hype when it came out. 

I’d have to say this is the one that I enjoyed probably the most out of all his movies.  I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy, and although this isn’t the cream of the crop in that genre, it was fun to watch.

It was about a guy who is starting his first year in college and is obsessed with starring on a television quiz show.  There is a lot of romance and plenty of cute moments like this:

If you like romantic comedies, and more importantly British humor, you will probably enjoy this one.  The soundtrack was really good too, since it has a ton of really fun alternative rock 80’s music.   

My overall rating would be 4 STARS ****

 

 The next McAvoy movie that I saw this month was Wanted.  I had high hopes for this movie since I had heard so many great things about it.  Don’t you just hate when a movie is over-hyped. Most hardly ever live up to the expectations put on them and this movie was no different. 

I knew going into it that it was an action/adventure movie, and although this isn’t typically my favorite genre I knew what was coming and I wasn’t expecting Becoming Jane.  I was just hoping for a fun, fast-paced movie with lots of scenes like this:

 

Sadly, even this scene couldn’t save this movie.  There was way too much violence in it for my taste.  I don’t like to see my McAvoy being beaten to a bloody pulp and that was a BIG part of the movie.

Plus, it was one of those movies where certain scenes are just plain ridiculous.  You know what I’m talking about.  The scenes where everyone should be dead but surprisingly the two or three main characters in the movie somehow miraculously survive.  I really can’t stand when that happens.  My husband and I found ourselves laughing hysterically during some of the more serious action sequences because they were that absurd. (My apologies to anyone who may have been distracted by our cackling.)  Truly, this movie is just beyond stupid. 

I would give Wanted 2 STARS ** (Ok, maybe 2 1/2 because now that I’m thinking of it there was this sequence of the movie with James in a pullover sweater (I love pullovers on guys because they just look like they are inviting you to hug them.  I know that is very weird.) and he just looked amazing for a good chunk of the movie, so 2 1/2 STARS.

Here is the pic of said sweater but he doesn’t look very cuddly in it here:

 

Our McAvoy movie watching took on a more serious mood with the next flick.  We finally got around to seeing The Last King of Scotland.  I say “we” but I really mean that “I” finally got around to seeing this movie and my husband agreed to sit next to me after much begging and pleading.  Surprisingly, he isn’t a big fan of movies like this even if they do star adorable Scottish actors.

Although I didn’t love this movie, I am glad that I took the time to watch it because I really didn’t know a whole lot about this period in the history of Uganda. I guess that makes it sound like it took place a long time ago, but it was really just the 1970’s. 

Although James did a phenomenal job in his role as the fictitious personal physician to dictator Idi Amin, I’d have to say that Forrest Whitaker completely blew me away with his performance.  He was able to make you like the character of Amin while at the same time fearing him.  He deserves all the praise and awards that he received for this role.

Like Wanted, this movie has its share of violence and torture.  It was very difficult to watch in parts and there are a few scenes that wil stay with me forever (although I wish they didn’t).  I wouldn’t say this movie was as good as Hotel Rwanda or Blood Diamond (other depressing Africa movies) but I did enjoy it enough.  In keeping with the trend, here’s a pic of McAvoy from the film:

My final rating would be 3 STARS ***

 

Lastly, we watched the much lighter and family friendly Penelope.  I liked this movie for what it was-fluff. 

I guess it was trying to be a modern fairytale about liking yourself for who you are. 

I probably would have never watched it if it wasn’t for this:

 

 

His eyes just looked extra gorgeous in this movie. I’m not sure why. Was it good lighting? Was he wearing contacts?   I don’t know but I was just mesmerized by them.  Not too crazy about the hair, though.  (James, please don’t ever wear it like that again, ok?  Thanks.)

Anyway, if you are in the mood for something light and romantic, this movie fits the bill.  My kids just thought it was ok.  I guess there weren’t enough talking animals doing kung fu in it for their liking, but I really did find it an enjoyable watch.  I only have one complaint (other than his hair).  Why didn’t he have his Scottish accent in it?  There were a lot of people with accents in the movie.  Why did he have to put on a fake American accent.  It annoyed me the whole time. 

I’d still give it  4 STARS ****

Well, you would think that I’d be all McAvoy’d out after watching all these movies but I’m not.  I think that is the problem with cute (and talented) actors, they just leave you wanting more and more.  Kind of like a drug, or Coke Zero.  Good thing I have this videoto keep me from going into withdrawl.

I put a new poll up in my sidebar.  Vote and then leave me a comment letting me know your favorite McAvoy movie. 

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