I enjoy a play on words

Blind Dating.
This movie was adorable. It was kind of uneven at times with the whole experimental surgery mixed with the Indian culture mix etc. made it sometimes a little draggy. But overall it was very lighthearted and sweet and Chris Pine was just gorgeous (I mean cmon a blind guy with the most piercing eyes ever, smart play casting director!). Overall it was a pretty unique storyline and a nice twist on the typical romcom. Some of the humor was obvious some of it was sweet which made it a pretty great flick overall. Recommended for date night definitely.

<3

Into the mind of Alexander Supertramp

Into the Wild.
This is one of the most fabulous movies I have seen in quite some time. Not just a fascinating story but the actual movie was very well made and interestingly told as well. Normally I'm not a Sean Penn girl but as a director he impressed me beyond belief. Honestly my only qualm about the movie was the opening titles, I don't know why but the text and color just didn't seem to mesh. This is such a fabulous journey to watch unfold and the cast of quirky characters was just brilliant. Its quite philosophical so if that isn't the your cup of tea you might not like it but if you can appreciate a good true story and a brilliantly shot movie then absolutely check this one out. I cannot say enough about how beautiful this movie was.

<3

Nothing like a Naked Russian Mob Death Match

Eastern Promises was on the HBO last night. I was intrigued when like 3 minutes in a guy is getting a shave but some other Russian little mob squirrel comes in and like graphically cuts his throat. We are talking see the gash blood squirting out. Like I said intriguing.
Now I'm a huge fan of The Departed so maybe it was just the quality of movie or the differences between the Irish mob and the Russian mob, I still can't figure it out, but this one was just not fabulous. It was interesting, the twisty turn of the finding out who the baby daddy is and bringing him to justice, is Viggo really that bad? it had its moments. Then there was the interesting weird things the semi-slow kid getting hacked while taking a piss, the naked steam bath death battle, the awkward kiss at the end. It wasn't horrible but I wasn't too excited or sad when it ended either. I guess you have to like movies like this to really like it.

Eulogy

I had a free rental on my account so I chose this offbeat black comedy looking piece. I was not disappointed by my free rental (I generally am not), this ensemble comedy is certainly dark but if you can appreciate that its impossible not to love this dysfunctional family. The casting is genius, the situations are genuinely funny and the spin at the end is just icing on the cake when it comes. Only rent this if you truly appreciate a well crafted comedy of the darker persuasion. Otherwise you will just be wasting your time trying to "get it".
I loved it.
<3

Mrs. Henderson Presents

This is the first movie in perhaps forever that I have not finished watching. I did not like it that much that I could not even finish watching it. The story seems interesting but Judi Dench is grating and boring I couldn't stand it.

Try and watch it if you must but I think its horrible. And all of that really bad nudity for no reason. What a waste.

American Gangster

I was pleasantly surprised with this one. At first when I saw it was almost 3 hours long with Denzel as a gangsta I was a wee bit concerned. But once I was in it I didn't want it to stop. A very fascinating story especially since it is based on a true story. Now how much was fact or glammed out for the movie I'm not sure but I bought it. Everyone loves a good thug movie and this one had the unique perspective of the gangsta but also the men trying to bring him down and I thought the balance of both of those was good. Pay special attention to the text at the very end of the piece because I think that is just the neatest twist and that has to be factual so I thought that was fab.

Thug it out because its a good one if you are willing to give it the time. <3

oh Man.

So finally went out to visit the theatre with the madre to see: The Women. Certainly not my first choice but I never pass up a chance to sit in the theatre and eat over buttered popcorn. There were some high points to this flick for certain. The overall components and reactions etc. in the movie were very dead on, I thought for the most part it was pretty accurate to the generic female experience. Now I don't agree with taking back a repeatedly cheating husband/partner etc but the emotions, reactions, rawness of that is pretty real. Also I thought it was fantastic that they managed to keep men out of the entire movie. Not only do you not ever see or hear the main men in the movie there are never any men in the background or extra shots, that is just admirable to remember that the whole way through.
Now that being said the negatives: it was very cliche, the acting made it seem real but it was the same story you have heard before the same twists and turns so it was perhaps more lifelike than other chick flicks but it was horribly unoriginal chick flick. Also it was the women but the movie focused only on Meg Ryans and Annette Bennings characters and Debra Messing & Jada Pinket Smith were just kind of there, it was kind of confusing to why the 4 of them were even friends etc.

so its pretty much an uneven predictable piece but it was worth the price for the cheap laughs and knowledge that it is a chick flick.

<3

Slacker City

First and foremost I cannot believe the neglect I have projected onto this blog. Seriously as soon as my schedule becomes the least bit hectic.....Luckily I have only neglected the review flicks for you, there has been no shortage of viewing.

So let us begin....

21 -
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.
Perhaps the only memorable, unpredictable thing about the movie. But maybe that is just because I don't' play cards, or count them, so therefore I wasn't expecting such an odd, funny catch phrase. Decent cast (what ever happened to Kate Bosworth?!?!? she sort of has been fading into oblivion) but the story was predictable to a point that it made it slightly dull.

I'm Not There -
Now if you do not appreciate Bob Dylan please do not waste your time or the movie makers time watching this. First off its an intense adaptation of his life, not a biography but a reincarnation of the most memorable, important and unique parts of his life and aspects of his personality. So if you are someone, such as my mother, who has no like for the great Mr. Dylan you will not only be bored but confused and frustrated. If in fact you are a true blue Bob babe then you should be absolutely enthralled by this flick. The cast is just beyond words, in the fact they all came together but also that they are all on their game. Just the concept of taking a life and de-constructing the re-constructing it in such a way is so absolutely beautiful it still has amazed me. Plus check out the soundtrack too if you enjoy the movie it is just sick. All of the greatest tracks by this mesmerizing poet recreated by some of the best most unique people in the industry.
I loved it but I love Bob Dylan. Choose this one wisely it is meant to be appreciated not watched casually.

What Happens in Vegas -
HILARIOUS. Now not the best comedy ever. Certainly predictable. Certainly not Cameron Diaz's' career highlight (although perhaps one of Ashtons, he's funny but finally able to mix it perfectly with his sweet/sensitive persona. debatable). Still SUPER fun. Especially the very last scene when you think its over. I laughed for about 20 minutes just on that 2 minute scene alone. Well worth checking out for date night, girls night or just a great laugh to cure the long work week blues.

National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets
There is something magical about these movies. Unfortunately I'm still pondering whether it is in fact something wonderful within the actual movie or if its just a marvel how they make such a oddball movie and get people to love it. There were certainly great additions to the cast...ed Harris is always a dream.....Dame Helen does no wrong.....yet it wasn't a home run. The plot was more obscure and almost less believable (if possible) this time around. (I mean the key point where they find the fantastic opening lever to the secret cave under the hidden eagle on the rock and suddenly this well hidden cave opening is revealed as the boulders fall away one at a time.........seriously) Despite all of the overacting, the uncertainty of plot and other nuances that upon reflection detract from the quality there is this suspension of belief that occurs because of the breakneck pace. There is just enough action to distract you from the weak points so that the journey becomes the fun instead. Good family movie, decent sequel but skip it if you think you are getting some sort of history lesson or quality action flick.

Lars and the Real Girl
I ADORE this movie. I cannot even remember the last movie I saw that pulled so profoundly on my heartstrings. Certainly the entire premise of the movie is ridiculous. Very isolated small town, semi-anti-social young man orders sophisticated sex doll and pretends with whole hearted certainty that she is his girlfriend. If you can overcome that and actually commit to the film it does not disappoint. From opening to closing credits it is a film-goers dream. Amazing cast, brilliant story, dramatic journey through the ranges of human emotion I just could not get enough of the honest heart put into and emitting from this movie. If you don't see this movie you are truly missing out. I loved Lars.

Be Kind Rewind
This movie is so ridiculous I couldn't get enough of it. Now this is like a trippy movie a la Eternal Sunshine only it doesn't take itself the slightest bit seriously. A weird but truthful look at perception, community and defining art it is a sweet movie. If you aren't a fan of more independent comedies this one might be over your head but even if you find yourself more easily swayed by the low-brow humor of big budget comedies you will at least appreciate the silliness in the attempts to re-make some classic movies. Depending on your genre taste will greatly depend on your response to this off-beat comedy

The Bucket List
Now I just think Jack Nicholson is a gem. I also personally think that Morgan Freeman is an instant key to a movies success. However, I sincerely felt that The Bucket List fell flat. The storyline was believable (well maybe not the exact odds of the exact same things happening but the concept of accepting fate, age, place in life etc), the acting was par but it just wasn't what I would expect. Here is a movie where you have the opportunity to take 2 of the greatest actors of the generation and show them in something unique to them, looking at the end of human life and the coping we do within it. While the adventures and what not were fun to watch and the laughter between to two seemed truly effortless I just was in a constant state of feeling like something was missing. Whether it was that it took too long to move on to a certain point or that the lines didn't seem to fit the characters there was just always something half done about the piece. A decent popcorn flick but don't expect any fireworks.


I vow to be more diligent <3

Sisterhood and Dirty Pants

Had a wonderful treat today. I got to catch up with my cousin whom I only get to see when I'm in town and who I adore. We are the only primas on that side of the family tree so its always a blast when we get together. Today's adventure was going to the mall to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Now I by no means want to endorse this as a "good" movie. As an ensemble piece its horrible....it starts new story lines for all 4 main characters and half follows through on them, if at all.

Yet I loved this movie, just like I'll admit it I loved the first one. For some reason despite repeatedly noting throughout the flick that there were flaws in the story lines and character development I fell in love with those underdeveloped characters. I think its obvious that this is only a movie for girls, (kudos for the boyfriends who endure it and the fathers who take their families for a night out) I don't think it can be appreciated by anyone lacking in estrogen. Despite its pitfalls as a work of cinema, there exists an indeterminable reason within the film that creates a feeling of sisterhood in the universal self-discovery within womanhood that makes this a great femme flick.

<3

Did anyone think else think it was akward when they said at the start of the movie that the pants weren't to be washed and then once they caught you up you realized its been like 4 years since they got the pants?!?!?!?!? um gross.

Who doesn't love a good drug dealer movie?

Mi madre rented Charlie Bartlett for family movie night. Not that bad. First of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Robert Downey Jr. comeback, if he keeps it up (which shouldn't be hard with the smart, good Hollywood friends he is making) it will be one of the absolute best comebacks in Hollywood history. With that I also find it interesting that in everyone of his comeback movies he seems to be a boozer semi-crazy because of it....maybe that is the key: play up what you know.??? So Charlie tries to take on the problems of American youth by doing counseling, going to his high-priced upper-class psychiatrists and then dolling out the pills to his classmates. In the process....gets in trouble, falls in love with the Principal's daughter, loses his virginity, gets arrested, almost gets shot, makes a ton of new friends etc.... Semi-predictable but still fun enough that you don't really mind.

<3

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 tomorrow!!!!!!!!

I love the Tenenbaums and fail to see the appeal of Moulin Rouge

Bogo at the video store if my favorite part of the week. I picked up the Royal Tenenbaums which is probably in my top 5 movies I've seen this summer. It was hilarious but not a side splitter. It had an all star cast but not in the typical sense. Perhaps it is my adoration of the quirky dry comedies or just that I have been starved for a good indie but this one just was a perfect mix of sweet ironic comedy. I've never really seen any other Wes Anderson pieces before but I'm a huge fan of this one and look forward catching up on what seems like a perfect mix of director-viewer. If you have yet to see it I suggest you immediately rent it...Luke Wilson in love with his sister, Owen Wilson crashing weddings in Indian make-up, Ben Stiller in jogging suits, Gwyneth Paltrow actually being funny with only 9 fingers....I don't know how you can't love it.

Now my free rental I did not love...or really even like. I finally broke down and rented Moulin Rouge after hearing again on some countdown that it was both great musical and love story. I highly beg to differ. First of all Nicole Kidman was so over the top and not in a good way. Ewan McGregor has no sex appeal at alllllllll..... a little big when he sings on top of the elephant but then its lost for the rest of the piece. The modern songs in a historical setting was interesting but over done. Maybe I was just missing the key piece to appreciating this whole ordeal but basically I was bored and very excited when it was over. I would skip it.

License to Bore me.

Interesting story.
I pinched a nerve in my shoulder in the shower the other day. Horrible feeling if you've never pinched a nerve. Plus anyone who knows the slightest about anatomy your shoulder region is huge so subsequently I could not move the left side of my body from the waist up for the rest of the day (it was killer trying to get the rest of the shampoo out of my hair).
Since I could not accomplish anything I actually set out to for the day I had nothing to do but lay on my back and pop pain pills and watch tv.

that is how it came to be that I actually watched License to Wed. Not by choice. Because I was incapacitated for 8 hours. That is the only reason it was alright to watch this lame-o movie.

First of all. Robin Williams was funny. Back in the day. And let me tell you folks back in the day is not today. Personally I think he should go back to making family comedies (a la Mrs. Doubtfire, Hook etc.) and doing raunchy stand up on the side. That was when Williams was at his finest. The only thing we get from this movie is that he can deliver the lightening fast amount of lame, predictable jokes. Did I chuckle at them? Sure. Was it mostly because I was on a bunch of high dose pain pills? Most likely.

The comedy overall is rather predictable. Originally the storyline sounds promising, a young super preppy super adorable couple wants to get married in the bride-to-be's old church by the pastor she grew up with. Insert larger than life marriage course. Madness ensues. Overall though it was the typical cheap chuckles, lets watch them have their first fight, lets watch other couples who have gotten married and now hate each other fight, lets watch Williams really make us question if he is that creepy priest. I had heard that the mechanical babies the couple gets saddled with were the highlight of the movie. Even those were predictable and not as exciting as promised.

Now granted I did not hate this movie. The original plot line alone warranted it a higher ranking as did its young hot B list cast (although WHAT was up with all the Office people in the same movie....totally killed it) made it watchable and enjoyable. But it did by no means cancel out the lame factor. The highlight was obviously Ben writing his wedding vows in the sand. That's like epic love story shit right there. Even that was ruined. Instead of focusing on the romantic gesture and having him read them too us or something they have the woman rush down and run all over it before we even get to enjoy the fleeting chance for a little romance.

All in all if you get incapacitated physically, asked to watch it with a friend/significant other, or have literally nothing else to do one day then License to Wed should make you enjoy yourself. And for those of us not getting married in one of those pseudo-strange churches like in the movie (Were they catholic or new age I couldn't tell) you can at least breath easy at the end knowing you will not have to be subjected to that one day and simply go though the traditional church ceremony routine.

Why So Serious?

FINALLY saw The Dark Knight this past weekend (holding out for a fabulous movie-going partner = well worth the wait!)

First of all hands down the best Batman movie ever. It makes George Clooney as batman look lamer then ever. It was gritty and raw, witty and comical but with a deep message and some of the finest performances from this cast ever....(granted Christian Bale has few other good roles to compare with but we'll take it.)
Aaron Eckhart was a surprise in this piece....I adore his acting but he took it to a new level and showed his amazingly underrated versatility throughout the 2.5 hours of the piece. His boyish charm makes you swoon in the first half and then once they rescue him with the screaming and ugh just breaks my heart and scared the shit out of me.
Maggie Gyllenhal...thank god they gave this woman a new starting role in a big-budget flick because her talent has been long-overdue for some widespread recognition. Unfortunately Rachel meets an unfortunate demise so hopefully some other great franchise will pick her up because she is so saucy and I love her.
Morgan Freeman - any movie is automatically 20 times better if you simply put Morgan Freeman in it. Enough said.
Michael Cain - I enjoy him as Alfred, he gives him this great back story almost accidentally. Plus the whole scene where him and Batman are walking out of their makeshift Batcave as the lights go out is perhaps the most visually appealing section of the entire piece
Heath Ledger - I mean what else can you say that hasn't already been said. This is the performance of an unfortunately short lifetime. Just the voice and cackle alone could have sent him into a new realm but with all of his work he is not content on making it new but putting it in an untouchable sphere. The new look of the Joker. The eerie and constant licking of the lips. The fact that he has almost no back story because he is constantly saying different things about the scars and the opening sequence just shows that he is the man wanting to "see the world burn". He's funny (nurses outfit = genius), scary as all else and its just one of the scariest villains because he just seems in his own head. Also there is some heavy irony that they just leave the Joker hanging out over the building.....leaving us hanging since there will never be another Joker.

So 2.5 hours is a liiiiitle long but you don't really notice it until you get up and your bones are so weary from sitting in the movie theatre seats not because of boredom. There are great surprises, great quips and great action sequences. Plus with all those little surprises there is a great underlying look at anarchy, control and human nature which personally I find incredibly interesting in modern times. It'll be difficult to follow this one up especially with all of the real life drama surrounding it and the fact they almost made perfection for the series....as we've seen with many other super hero movies the more you make the worse they get (hellllooo Spider man THREE....gross). Lets just enjoy how darkly twisted The Dark Knight was.

I'm officially a Jane Austen addict.

Mansfield Park FINALLY the idiot who stole it from Blockbuster returned it so that I could then steal it :-)

First off let me just state that this is supposedly Jane Austen's favorite of all her books. While I have the book still on my reading list I must say I was a little underwhelmed having just read Pride & Prejudice and falling deep into the rabbit hole that is loving Mr. Darcy. That being said the most recent movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was heavily altered and embellished from the actual text making me angry at motion pictures for ruining the essence of the piece. Perhaps that would make this adaptation of Mansfield Park superb if it keeps better to the actual text....but if not then it was just a lot more drawn out and boring.
Once again we see Austen's heroine Fanny Price (lets just pause for a quick chuckle at name choice) a poor poor women who falls in love with someone above her rank. That being bad enough the bad boy of the film, higher up in $ and status then than her true love falls for her and proposes just as her true love proposes to someone else. What is a poor girl to do?
Despite not having the quick tongue and wit of other Austen leading ladies I didn't care for the way the director made Fanny speak to us in the camera....it made it too modern for a period drama and at times awkward. That being said this is far funnier than other Austen adaptations but less dramatically romantic then say Emma or P&P. Still a solid piece and as always a great story basis from the incredible Ms. Austen.

Definitely, almost forgot it.

Goodness me the most recent of these watches was a little piece called Definitely, Maybe.
The very fact that I forgot it from my list should foreshadow my views on the piece.
Don't' get me wrong it gets 2 stars just because I could watch Ryan Reynolds for 2 hours any day....however, this was not as good as I had thought it would be. I was quite excited for this to come out on DVD in order to enjoy what was supposed to be one of the best romantic comedies of the year....yet watching it I was underwhelmed. It has a phenomenal cast, an interesting premise, some comedic moments but somewhere in between all of that it just fizzles out. I love a good love triangle mystery and adore father-daughter movies but once you figured out who it was you were frustrated then when you figured out who he truly loved and should have been with all along they didn't give you enough to satisfy having to wait over an hour to find out the answer. A valiant effort and others have swooned for it but I'd go with a classic even a cookie cutter over this drawn out affair.

p.S Ryan Reynolds is barely without his shirt too further adding to the disappointment of the flick. But Isla Fisher delivered so she could make the men still come out for it.

<3

How dependent on technology I am....

So there has been quite a delay in postings but not in movie watching. Currently my laptop is once again in the possession of the Geek Squad because they set my computer up in a way that every so many months something they set up on there as a necessity crashes and renders it unusable. So I am without for quite some time.

Mad Money:
Better than I thought. First off the story is borderline predictable but the cast just makes it so over-the-top you hardly notice. I love 99.89% of what Diane Keaton chooses to do and I love how much more loose and fun she has become with her roles as she matures. I even liked Mrs. Tom - super- crazy- Cruise in the piece. Fun to check out and pretty mellow making it decent for almost all ages.

Stick It:
Again another sort of cookie cutter athletic flick that still made me pay attention with some key elements. First who doesn't love watching Kurt Russel fall off a trampoline? Plus they did an incredibly interesting things with the visuals here taking it from a teen angst gymnastic coming of age movie you have to choke down to a teen angst gymnastic coming of age movie that was stomachable because of the unique way they shot it. Worth checking out if you have tweens around or are in need of a family night appropriate flick.

Hancock:
Now I love Will Smith don't get me wrong but this was just middle of the road for him. It wasn't his best and it wasn't his worst. The first half of the film was just genius....taking a line from his more recent successes everyone knows that you put Will Smith in a movie and he will carry it for you so by focusing just on him as Hancock they sucked you in fast, plus it was hilarious because in the age of all the serious superhero remakes its always fun to see what happens when a hero falls from grace. Now fast forward to about 3/4 of the way through the movie when they really start revealing the back story between the two super heroes. Then it gets fuzzy and starts on the decline, quickly. First of all I enjoyed the idea of there were two superheros of their kind left in all the world, Charlize being the strongest (girl power!) but then the fact that they are both in danger if they stay close to each other because they have no powers blah blah seems to contradict what happens when they fight each other the two times before and then when he leaves to save both their lives we eventually come to find out that they both still live in the same city. So the only two superheros left in the WORLD have to be apart but still wind up in the same CITY. I don't know either I was thinking too much into it or the writers of the script weren't thinking enough into that one. All in all the first half is hilarious and the action still makes it worth the ticket price on a lazy afternoon in the summer when you want to get out of the sun.

To Die For:
I stumbled upon this one completely by happenstance. It was starting on HBO one morning when I got up and the cast instantly intrigued me. Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck...yum. So out of a sheer mix of curiosity/boredom I watched...and immensely enjoyed. This is one of those kind of cult movies, where it isn't the best known movie for any of the stars and most of the general public would never recognize it by name but its just phenomenal (ala Donnie Darko etc.) Nicole Kidman was chilling as the suburban housewife/weather girl who dreams of taking her career bigger and is capable of manipulating and doing anything to try to get her way. Its just a gratingly funny little piece presented almost as a documentary which just further makes it genius. I liked it a lot and think its worth watching especially if you are a fan of any of the main actors.

The Jacket:
I like to indulge my Psychology minor from time to time with a good psychological movie. Luckily HBO was playing The Jacket this month so that I could get my fix. This movie was one of the more trippy thrillers I've seen in awhile...and even to say thriller may be an overstatement because while its intense and weird its a more patient piece, the suspense lying within the subtlety. I loved Adrian Brody he took you there and then some. Plus Daniel Craig as his criminally insane buddy was a really nice surprise, almost didn't' recognize him...which should be the goal of every good actor. This one comes highly recommended, a very good psychological-mystery-thriller-menagerie.


Blockbuster finally got in my copy of Mansfield Park and The Dark Knight and Mama Mia come out this week so hopefully many more reviews to come next time I find access to the Internet.

Keep on keeping on <3

Am I THAT neurotic?

Well I finally won my battle with Blockbuster and they gave me a copy of Annie Hall to watch. And eh.

Now don't get me wrong hands-down one of the most unique and interestingly layered flicks I've perhaps ever seen. With that being said I was quite unsure how the two lovers managed to make it through the entire flick without their combating neuroses exploding. Really this is an honest story and a solid look at life and the defining relationship in one's life. I'm a huge fan of talking straight on to the camera and breaking down the fourth wall so I was very pleased with that feature throughout the frames. While its flash forwards and backs were more masterfully handled than an episode of LOST I just couldn't get over the characters personalities. They went from believable quirky slight neurotics to a level where I really didn't care what happened to them either way as long as they stopped talking.

Overall an amazing Woody Allen arguably still his best and still one of the best/most honest relationship movies. Plus it was a super treat to see a SUPER young Diane Keaton & Christopher Walken (Woody Allen still squirrel-ly and a bit creepy hmmm)!!!!! Absolutely worth a watch as long as you realize the hour and a half can seem like a long time if you are not as neurotic as the characters.

Happy Birthday America <3

Rethinking all future internaional travel.....

Got my weekly documentary fix this week with Ganja Queen the story of Shapelle Corby the young woman traveling from Sydney to Bali who was arrested and later sentenced for smuggling in drugs. The film follows her detainment, trial and a brief aftermath after her sentencing. She maintains that the drugs were not in her case when she left Australia but they were found in them upon arrival in Bali. Normally the punishment in Bali for smuggling drugs is death so its quite a dramatic piece following a 27 year old single woman traveling internationally. While certainly this isn't a common thing it uncovers flaw in both Australia and Bali legal systems and the impact issues like this that exist in international travel. Certainly eerie, eye-opening and in no way short on the drama.
Highly recommended interesting film blocking in the frames and just such a shocking story.

Hmmmm. <3

I'd be Ralph Finnes English Patient ;-)

So Blockbuster babe was totally hot and right in recommending The English Patient. I want to believe that he recommended it as a hint-hint foreshadowing of future rendezvous but either way this movie was phenomenally sexy.

I will mark it down half a star because it was a little lengthy, certainly not made of the faint hearted modern movie-goer who desires fast paced story lines. If you are patient though, there are wonderful little plot twists in both of the main story lines. This is just one of those epic cinematic achievements with a stellar cast and an intense storyline filled with drama, passion and action. Really a gem that deserves all the awards it received.

Can I just say even though he's a wee bit crazy-in-love at times Ralph Finnes is super duper sexy. It would be seriously hard to choose between him and Colin Firth. Love it.

Post Script: Gentlemen pay close attention to the final letter reading, that is what women crave in romance. Sure its reversed a bit in the flick but if you did stuff like that...jotting down little soul shaking notes to us we would just melt melt melt. <3

I dont' know if I like men named Charlie

Good Luck Chuck:
Wow. now usually raunchy comedies aren't my absolute favorite because they are not generally intelligent but I needed a pick me up so I thought I would go for the cheap laughs. Unfortunately Good Luck Chuck was not lucky enough to get even my most low-brow chuckles. Dane Cook started off sweet and funny but got over-the-top even for him. Jessica Alba was actually not nauseating for the first half but then tried much too hard to make her act believable totally ruining the performance. Even the raunchy humor was so odd that is wasn't funny. Skip this at all costs.

Charlie Wilson's War:
This was an interesting history lesson. Especially in light of our modern situation it was a neat-o look at one of the many factors that lead to it. This was one of my favorite-least favorite new genres: the absence of a genre. It was funny, but not a comedy. There was action, but not actively pursued by the main characters. It was dramatic to a degree but not a drama. Because of that it may seem to move a little slowly or haphazardly to some people, especially those fans of strongly situated genres. On the whole though it was a fabulous cast, hell I even liked Julia Roberts a smidgen more after this one. Plus any other Phillip Seymour Hoffman fans will enjoy his rogue portrayal with a little sarcastic humor mixed in.

Up next:
The English Patient. Courtesy of my irregular recommendation from my lover at Blockbuster. <3

Georgia does not rule

Oh Georgia Rule. If I wasn't' so bored I would have just continued to not watch you. Unfortunately I was bored and had nothing to do and you were on HBO tonight.

Skip this please. I mean I do know some acquaintances and sadly some friends who enjoy flicks like this and even Lindsey Lohan. But I will try to forgive them since most of them look over my obsession with Johnny M. First its much too easy for LaLohan to keep playing such slutty characters and pretending she can reform. Plus the story line. Is she lying? Is she not? Is she lying about lying? Oh my! At first I thought it was a really interesting story but as it continued it was super forced and kinda awkward. And who is this movie supposed to be for??? Its rated R so it is not for Lohan's typical tweens looking for a horrible role model but its a little juvenile for an adult audience. Hmmmm. Maybe that is where it went wrong. Not the worst movie of this type but I was happy it didn't take enough brain matter to follow. Therefor I finished my knitting project and so I gave it a better review because I got to do that.

Also I found the need to re-watch the last season of Veronica Mars because I totally ended up missing the last few episodes because they changed the time and then cancelled it but anyways I'm so glad V and I have been reunited. That was just such a good show....a little corny.....but still really whip smart and funny. i can't believe how stupid the CW is. So anyways if you've never seen the show (first - what the frack?!) Kristen Bell is just the coolest TV heroine in forever and its a great concept so rent or steal or hell even buy the DVD's and check it out yo.

Weddings, Funerals, Documentaries and Period Drama

so finals have bogged me down and kept me from blogging in real time so lets play my favorite game : catch up.

Four Weddings and a Funeral:
First: thank God they stopped putting Andie MacDowell in movies. yuck.
Second: thank God they keep putting Hugh Grant in romantic comedies, I've never met a romcom of his I haven't loved. He is sitting on Park Place and Boardwalk of romcom's here and across the pond. People should just stop making cheesy rip-off chick flicks if they don't have him in them. I adore him
Third: This is a British/European comedy so keep that in mind if you want to check it out. This being said it is a witty type of humor not the low brow scatology we are used to in our Western flicks. So while it isn't gut busting it is sweet and funny in a subtle way.
Plus: I'm addicted to all things European right now in my preparation to travel across the pond so that might has swayed my opinion of it.

Tristan & Isolde:
Surprising. Not one of the better known period romance/action/dramas but worth watching. James Franco really needs to be put in more movies. One because of his smoking hot body and how sexy he is in sweaty fight scenes (even if covered with layers of armor) and Two because he just has that sexy stare and voice that is the stuff of Hollywood legends. This was a really interesting historical flick and I liked it. Great sexy love story for the ladies but great fight scenes for the men. Its also quite appreciated that they didn't try to glam it up because its a love story it was lovely but gritty at the same time.

Ocean's Thirteen:
Now I DID NOT like Ocean's 12. Mostly I think Julia Roberts is lame and overrated so there was that. Second I didn't think the story line supported making a sequel, it just didn't seem to really matter. Now they should have just skipped to O13. Not that this one really HAD to be made it was no less a nice little throwback. It was classic and classy but cheesy in the best way. I mean start off the cast is fab fab fab. It is always nice to see some of Hollywood's best actors and the best understated actors team up, not only doing good acting but not taking themselves too serious either. (I mean the Oprah scene and telling Rusty to "settle down and have some kids" yuck it up Clooney.) The story obviously leaves a little to be desired and some of the performances were downplayed but its a great flick because its intended to be a feel good, funny, lighthearted piece. Mission accomplished. (Also pay careful attention to the Casey Affleck & Scott Caan's characters...not main characters but some of the best chemistry and funniest bits)

Resolved:
Okay I'm going to go a lot more intellectual on you because I've gotten hooked on HBO's Documentary series. This weeks was Resolved which follows two high school debate teams as they attempt and then compete in the National debate competitions. One following tried and true methods the other trying to reinvigorate the system. This is now one of my top 5 documentaries for sure. It was serious but had like animation in perfect balance. I loved its play on the history and evolution of the club but how it affects modern education and students. Really heartfelt but factual and worth watching because it doesn't really even feel like a documentary.

Off for a week so until we meet again <3

Bah Bah Bumba

so nothing new lately....finals so cut into my movie watching time.

I'm excited about "The Happening" even though M.Night has grown to make me distrust his directoral tastes I love Marky Mark and he makes anything sexy and scary at the same time.
"The Incredible Hulk" I'm torn. I know I don't like the Hulk storyline but its Edward Norton so how can I resist??? On the one hand half of it is his smoldering sexual seductiveness on the other hand I would have to watch him morph into a super ugly green dude and possibly forever associate him with that image. Hmmmmmm.

I watched Freedom Writers again today. Maybe its because I'm a little bit of a writer. Maybe its because I teach English but I just adore this movie. Sure its a little cheesy, sure its made by MTV so its not THAT great, sure it seems a little cookie cutter stereotype at times but its fabulous. Mostly because its all based on a true story. Anyways watch the movie. I'm in the process of the book so I always have to push reading too! If you haven't seen it you should.

Coming attractions:
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Oceans 13
Tristan & Isolde or something I can't pronounce.

CL<3

Football, Politics and Elizabethan sex scenes.

So lets catch up my movie loving friends.

Elizabeth:
First lets just recognize how awesome Cate Blanchett is. Now lets mention how creepy Geoffery Rush is in a non-comical role. Next we will acknowledge how the only role Joseph Finnes is good in is when he is in a period piece as the sexy love interest who is later found out to be a married liar. That is basically Elizabeth. It has a killer opening, insane costumes but all the history bogs it down at the end. I'm not sure now if I would be willing to give the sequel a chance except for Clive Owen is in is so it might just jack up the sex appeal to the piece. All and all it was a good period drama that presented an interesting look at one of most prominent female figures ever as she rose to power.

Wag the Dog.
Maybe I'm just tired. Or maybe I've seen too many movies. Lately all of the movies I've seen have seemed to have these really strong starts and then just trail off into their own mediocrity. This was a super interesting piece and a nice situational comedy. At the same time it kind of dragged because it is almost quite true to real life. Personally it was interesting because it is a lot of the time what we joke about as happening behind political doors but presented on the screen as fact. Dustin Hoffman saves this because he is just soooooo hilarious I love him to death. Unique little flick with a pretty true to life plot line. Worth renting.

We Are Marshall.
I'm a sucker for all movies that are inspirational and somehow involve students and education so I obviously checked this one out. First of all Matthew McConaughey is hot buttt when he isn't all sweaty and shirtless he is kinda annoying. He talks out of the side of his mouth and not just for this role but this time it was all I could focus on for some reason. Other than that it was a sweet movie and I appreciated that it wasn't like oooh we solved our differences and now we win. It was just accurate historically which I appreciated and therefor it got a higher rating than if it had taken the cheesy Hollywood re-write avenue.

HBO Documentary series begins this Monday with a little piece on Roman Polanski carrying on every other Monday for the rest of the summer @ 9 pm. Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out.

Hollywood loves Homosexuals and wanna be gangstas

Lets play catch-up. Apparently when you go out and see a fabulous movie the next few you watch at home are horrible. Hopefully since I watched three sub-par flicks in the last few days I'll be treated to another new gem.

Alpha Dog:
Oh my gosh this is the sorest excuse for a gangsta flick ever. I love love love emile hirsh but oh man this movie was stupid. The really good part was how funny Justin Timberlake was trying to act. That was good stuff. So I liked all the witness text and stuff like that cinematically but based on true stories I like to believe should be more exciting or at least believable. This adaptation was neither.

Brokeback Mountain:
okay. I am very open minded with my movies. Not much gets to me or bothers me but this one gave me the creepies. I'm sorry but just because something is controversial doesn't make it good. The shots were beautiful....the "romance" was graphic.....ledger was a wonderful actor but this is not an epic love story. I mean please they are cold and lonely and sleep together.....true love? Hmmmm.

Running with Scissors:
Another strange adaptation of a true story. I have to give this one credit because it was so ridiculous it was believable. There are this very interesting contrast between the dark/twisted truth in the story to the funky upbeat soundtrack that worked incredibly well. I laughed, I had my heart touched but its definitely not one I will probably ever watch again. Kinda good kinda blah.

Just some cautionary renting tales <3