My Redbox Picks

You probably remember that I posted about a few summer movies I wanted to see. Well some of them I got to see! Some of them I'm still waiting. But I've got to say that right now, there are several movies at Redbox that are fantastic, a few from that summer list. And if you have to choose between $10 or $2 for a movie night, the latter isn't so bad, even if you have to pop your own popcorn. Here's what I recommend:

6 Period Dramas That Aren’t Jane Austen

With a penchant for period dramas, I've seen a good deal of them, movies and TV series alike, from many time periods. Usually the ones I like best are set in the Regency era, but that doesn't mean they're all concocted by Jane Austen! In my experience, there are lots of wonderful stories with wonderful characters that go beyond the Bennet sisters. So if you're looking for a good show to lose yourself in (and coddle your Downton Abbey deprivation) this Fall, here are a few of my favorite period dramas that aren't Jane Austen.

2016 Summer Movies

It's time for another movies roundup because there are so many movies coming out this summer that I want to see! Some of them have been long awaited. A few are new found stories. In any case, it looks like there's going to be lots of good stuff coming out over the summer, which in Casey speak means lots of good movies that aren't one bit superhero related. And it's about time! Let us all jump for joy!

6 Rainy Kisses That Aren't From The Notebook

I'm going to made a confession. I'm not a huge fan of The Notebook. Maybe it's because I'm not a bandwagon person so when everyone else went crazy about it, I went in the opposite direction. (And before you raise a ruckus, yes I have seen it and yes I cried at the end when they both died.) But there is something about a kiss in the rain that has always been and will probably always be romantic. Who knows why because really, kissing in the rain is cold and wet and kind of inconvenient. But hey, it's them and not us so it's okay.

Since I don't have The Notebook on my regular movie rotation, I've gotten my rainy kiss fix from elsewhere. Here are six movies that include them and, in my opinion, are much more satisfactory:

Singing In The Rain - You can't write a post about rainy movies and not include this one. The rainy kiss may not be steamy but it provokes one of the best songs about rain ever which is good enough for me!

The Young Victoria - I just love this rainy kiss because it isn't a newfound love kiss or a after all this time kiss. It's a newly married, I'm-so-happy-to-be-yours kiss. And it's just wonderful.

Breakfast At Tiffany's - When I first saw this movie, all I could think about was how the cat was probably squished. Now that I have a cat, I still think about Holly's Cat, but I also think about how sweet it is that Paul loves Holly despite her unpredictable moods and runaway attitude.

Enchanted - Believe it or not, the best kiss in this movie is not the kiss that wakes up the princess. It's the kiss in the rain after they've defeated the villain and almost died. Because who wouldn't kiss well after a near death experience!

The Quiet Man - Yes, I already raved about this movie last month. But it has a rainy scene too where there are not one, but TWO kisses, each as meltable as the next.

Little Women - Okay so this version of Little Women doesn't have the kiss at the end. You'll have to go to the 1994 version for that. But I grew up with this rendition and in my opinion the look they have for each other with these lines absolutely satisfy: "I have nothing to give but my heart so full and these empty hands." "Not empty now."

Do you have a favorite rainy romance that I missed?

(Top image via We Heart It)

Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

If you've known me long, you know that I'm a die hard Pride and Prejudice fan. I've read the book quite a few times, I have four versions of the movie (though Colin Firth wins hands down), two soundtracks and some of the sheet music for piano. I've even been gifted Lizzy and Darcy silhouette cookie cutters! In the words of Jane Hayes (Austenland), "I know Austen's books intimately."

I've known of the existence of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book probably since it was published, though I never got around to reading it. However when I finally discovered the movie's release date, my mind was made up. I was positively going to see this movie. The opportunity presented itself after the February Watkins Birthday Party and several of us traipsed off to the late showing. Since then, I've had several people ask me what I thought (knowing the P&P fan I am). So I will do my best to convey my opinion without spoilers.

First things first, where the basic Pride and Prejudice story goes, the movie got it right. With some very minor tweaks to make the story fit under two hours, they did an excellent job keeping Jane Austen's beloved tale intact. Second, I was very impressed with the lack of blood in this movie! Every other zombie movie I've seen has included excessive blood wherever possible as well as incredibly disgusting creatures. While I still wouldn't recommend PPZ to the queasy of heart, the zombies weren't the stuff of nightmares and there was really only one excessively bloody scene. Now let's talk about a few of the characters.

Ah Lizzy. Lily James was another big reason this movie was a must for me. Just like her roles in Downton Abbey and Cinderella, she took Elizabeth Bennet from the book and put her on the screen. Well... an Elizabeth who has a physical fighting talent as well as a sharp wit. I was so pleased with her character and I felt like she really brought the Pride and Prejudice and zombies themes together.

Ah Mr. Darcy. The stuff of romance and daydreams. Except Sam Riley wasn't... Sure he played the brooding zombie slayer well. Yeah, he did get all the important lines right. But he's not at all good looking in my opinion. His pale face and gravelly voice belongs with some villain, NOT the model of so many romances. So that was a major disappointment. Also, at one point in the movie, they had him stripped down to his shirt and trousers and jump into a lake. Excuse me, that's Colin's bit and he did it a thousand times better than you. My sister-in-law and I couldn't stop laughing in the theater.

Most people probably wouldn't say that Mr. Collins is their favorite Pride and Prejudice character, but Matt Smith encapsulates the bumbling clergyman so completely, it almost made up for the Mr. Darcy Disappointment. It was awesome to see the former Dr. Who on the screen in the first place, but to embrace all the quirks and pretentiousness of Mr. Collins made him even more likable. He had the most quotable lines and was probably the most awkward and wonderful Mr. Collins I've ever seen.

In the end, I would give PPZ a 7.5 stars out of ten. It would make a great movie for the boyfriend or husband who thinks that Pride and Prejudice is boring. You'll both be on the edge of your seat!