Movie Monday: Looking Forward to A Lot of Movies This Year

One of the first things that I realize after celebrating a new year is that movies I have been looking forward to "suddenly" got closer to the release date. And, wow, I have a shitload of movies that I am really excited to see within the next 12 months.

Without further delay (and in order of release date), I will showcase several films that have caught my interest the past few months... and maybe get many of my friends and readers to get excited for what will be future blockbusters! :-D


Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (February 17th)



I had no idea that a sequel was in the works, let alone about to be released in theaters. Maybe it's just me, but it seems as if Nicholas Cage is in a comfort zone in which all he wants to do is create sequels. However, I enjoyed the first Ghost Rider film so I am interested in watching this.

This Means War (February 17th)



Cute concept... also very possible that this will be watched by many couples following Valentine's Day.

Act of Valor (February 17th)



This will be seen by millions... especially those who have connections (or serve) in the armed forces. Kind of appropriate to release this film the same year as a presidential election.

The Raven (March 9th)



Murders based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe.... yes, please!!!!


The Hunger Games (March 23rd)



Out of all the movies I have included in this blog, this film is the movie I am looking forward to the more. I knew that the three book series was going to be adapted to four films as I read them all over the summer. If you have not read these books, I strongly suggest doing so before March 23rd. You will not be disappointed.

American Reunion (April 6th)



I find it highly amusing (and awesome) that the movie that was basically my coming-of-age film has a new chapter 10 years after I graduated high school. Talk about perfect timing. I am very excited to see the gang I grew up watching onscreen since I was fifteen years old. I expect to laugh my ass off, especially after this amazing teaser trailer.


The Five-Year Engagement (April 27th)



It's amazing, how in just a movie trailer, you can wholeheartedly understand what a couple is going through. I will definitely be seeing this, especially since Jason Segel is in it... rawr!!! ;-)

The Avengers (May 4th)



Nothing says awesome like an ultimate geek film of this magnitude. I absolutely love how several different  movies based on Marvel comics have collaborated with the same actors to form The Avengers (which was also a Marvel comic). There are a couple of this films that I need to watch (Thor, Captain America) before going to see this... most likely at the midnight showing. What? I am a geek, after all! :-P

Men in Black 3 (May 25th)



I have noticed a recent trend of creating a sequel several years after the last installment (see Scream 4, Toy Story 3, American Reunion). The formula seems to work very well, at least on my experience in film watching. I really like the concept of this new MIB film... and am excited to see it in 3D. What a way to begin Memorial Day weekend!

Rock of Ages (June 1st)



Everything I love about the 80's plus my favorite classic rock songs... one badass Broadway show. I am hoping the movie adaptation will encompass what made me fall in love with this musical last Spring. There are already plans for a group outing to see this movie, either at the midnight showing or anytime on opening weekend.

"Don't stop believing...."

Snow White and the Huntsmen (June 1st)



I like how Hollywood has taken the fairy tales I grew up watching and have given them a dark, epic setting. More like how the Grimm brothers had created these stories centuries ago. This telling of Snow White looks pretty badass to me and I love that Charlize Theron is the Queen.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (June 8th)



In the world of Dreamworks versus Pixar, I am more of a Pixar person. I do love a lot of Dreamworks films but I see that they are getting to the point where they are making just as many sequels as original films. I am not sure if I will go see this in theaters, but I know at some point this will be watched. I am a parent, after all...

Brave (June 22nd)



Oh, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, how I love you so for going Scottish. I will see this movie whether my son want to go or not. Hehehe... and yes, I am serious about that.

The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3rd)



I was very skeptical about a reboot of the Spiderman franchise, especially within 10 years of the series that starred Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Watching this trailer proved any doubts that I had out of the water. 4th of July week will be exciting for this future summer blockbuster.

The Dark Knight Rises (July 20th)



And, for the final chapter in Christopher Nolen's Batman franchise. I am curious to see if this will break the box office records that The Dark Knight did, or if it will not live up to the previous film. Either way, I will be there. I am ready to see how Anne Hathaway plays her role... since what I saw in this preview got me very excited.
The Hobbit (December 14th)



Ah, a J.R.R. Tolkein book that I was actually familiar with before the Lord of the Rings trilogy was in theaters. I am looking forward to seeing this movie as soon as it hits theaters (and then the second part in December 2013). What an epic film to wrap up the year!!!


As I said last year... who is ready to invest some money at the box office with me?

Movie Monday: Films For Fall and Winter

Good evening, everyone! I had a busy weekend so sleep was a priority over writing (and publishing) my blog earlier today.

This week, I'm going to showcase several movie trailers that will be coming to theaters in the remaining weeks of 2011 (Yes, we are down to the final 10 weeks of the year. Scary.). I am looking forward to watching many of these films (and will likely have to treat my child to a couple as well). I have these trailers in order of release date, so get ready to mark down some of these in your calenders!


The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence (Limited Release- currently in theaters)



Oh yes, there is a sequel to last year's gross-out film. Having watched the first film recently (the review will be part of my Horror themed blog next week), I am interested in seeing how things will be elevated for the 12 person human centipede (last movie was just 3). The new "villain" Martin is so disturbing in the trailer that I know I'm going to love to hate him. I tentatively have plans to see this on Friday night, so you might get a double dose of Human Centipede reviews.... if you can handle it.

Being Elmo (October 21st)



Aww... a documentary about Kevin Clash's journey as the man behind Elmo. I have to see this!!! :-D

Paranormal Activity 3 (October 21st)



Another sequel of a movie I watched recently. I haven't seen the second one, so I will skip this one for now. I have heard that they get scarier so here's hoping!

In Time (October 28th)



Intriguing concept. I might have to shell out some money to check this out.

Puss N Boots (October 28th)



A spin off of the Shrek films. It looks cute. Based on the preview, I expect to see a lot of references to Zorro and Desperado. Gotta love adult humor in kid's films! :-)

Tower Heist (November 4th)



First thoughts: this looks Oceans Eleven meets Beverly Hills Cop. I doubt it will be as badass as either of those films, but it looks entertaining enough.

A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (November 4th)



Bring on the stoners, Neil Patrick Harris, and lots of laughs... in 3D! I hope there's a Midnight showing :-D

Melancholia (November 11th)



Well, that was interesting. It certainly got me curious about seeing this movie...

Jack and Jill (November 11th)



Now I will know what it's like to see Adam Sandler dressed in drag... and act in drag. I can wait to see it when it comes out on DVD.


The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part I (November 18th)



I hate to admit this.... I'm probably going to see this in theaters. I mean, I have to see how they will portray Bella's pregnancy and the VERY graphic birth of the half-vampire baby. Considering it is rated PG-13, the birthing scene won't do justice to the book.

The Muppets (November 23rd)



I grew up watching the Muppets. Now it's my turn to show another generation (my child) why I love Kermit and Company so much.

Oh, and stare at my "future husband" Jason Segel. Yum. ;-)


My Week with Marilyn (November 23rd)



Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe. I wouldn't imagine her but now that I've seen the trailer, I think she can pull it off wonderfully. This looks really good.

Arthur Christmas (November 23rd)



I can wait until it comes out on DVD. It looks cute though.

New Years Eve (December 9th)



I think I just experienced deja vu. Take the plot (and some of the actors) from Valentine's Day, change the holiday, and you get this movie. If the next film is Cinco de Mayo, I might have to shoot myself.

Young Adult (December 9th)



This could become a guilty pleasure movie for me. I love the plot and that the main character immediately has the "popular bitch" label she gained back in high school. This is a movie that I can see as part of many Girls Night Out endeavors.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked (December 16th)



Another Chipmunk sequel. Lots of pop culture references. And Lady Gaga music is included. Dammit... this will likely be the first Chipmunk film I will see in theaters. The joys of parenting...

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (December 23rd)



Note to self: read the book before going to see this movie.


I see some Box Office hits in here. I also see a couple possible Academy Award winners. Now, to wait for some of these films to make it to the theater...

*Plays Jeopardy theme*

Movie Monday: GeneCo, 90's Oliver Stone, The Worst Play Ever, and the LA Version of Coyote Ugly

I have been delaying this blog for several weeks now, because of YouTube.

I have been following this recent copyright bill/law that affects how users can add videos to sites like YouTube. Videos that are not their own (like movie clips, music videos, etc.). I had a video on my account of a performance from Lilith Fair last year that Sony had contacted me about, since it was of an artist under their record company. They did not ask me to remove it, but to credit them and to not allow others to share or embed the video. I went ahead and deleted it.

How does this relate to today's blog? Well, this new bill/law has made it more difficult to add movie clips to the movies I review. I have spent random evenings trying to find anything I can use and almost resorted to using the movie trailers instead. It's been frustrating for me. So, if you notice more trailers and less movie clips included in my future Movie Monday blogs, you will understand why.

Now... review time!

Repo the Genetic Opera



In the not too distant future, there was mass hysteria over failed organs. Out of this crisis came GeneCo, a company that helps finance body organs to those in need. However, if you cannot pay for the organs, the Repo Man comes to repossess them. In the midst of this "revolution," a young woman named Shilo (Alexa Vega) discovers the truth behind her family and the rare disorder that's kept her sheltered her entire life.

Yes, this is a musical. A CULT musical... meaning you are either going to love it or hate it. For this girl, I have actually watched it several times now. Some of the musical talents of the actors are not the best, and some of them (Hello, Sarah Brightman) are some of the best in the business. I love how it's dark, gory, and came from Darren Lynn Bousman (who did the Saw movie series). I really liked seeing the mix of comic book animation and colorful live action sequences. My personal favorite number: Zydrate Anatomy (which I have found Rocky Horror pre-show numbers to this song... from many casts). If you can handle a rock opera styled musical with lots of dark and twisted elements, then I suggest giving this movie a try. Rating 4 out of 5 stars


Natural Born Killers



Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis) met one fateful day that forever changed the course of their lives. They fell in love and went on a cross-country murder spree along Route 666, until poisonous snakes led them to law enforcement. As they spent time in prison, media journalist Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.) wants to glorify their "legendary" status to the masses... which leads to an unpredictable series of events.

This is one of those movies I have missed watching over the years. If I had any idea that Quentin Tarantino was the writer, I would have made an effort to watch it sooner than I did. It does feel like one of his films, but it wouldn't have been as good if not for Oliver Stone. The duo created a masterful movie that encompasses a lot of the "feel" of the early to mid-1990's, especially with the use of color. I loved how well Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr. and Tommy Lee Jones did with their characters. I recommend that this movie be put on everyone's Bucket List. Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The Producers



Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) has found himself with another flop on Broadway. As he tries to sort his affairs with his accountant, Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick), an ingenious idea comes to mind. There is a way to create a flop and make more money than investing in what could be a hit. Max and Leo decide to produce the worst play possible... Springtime for Hitler. However, while coming up with a great scheme, unpredictable things happen... all the way to showtime.

I have not seen the original play or 1968 film (or maybe I have but was too young to remember) but Mel Brooks did well. To poke fun of the workings of a stage musical, then to get major success off of The Producers was absolutely brilliant. The musical is funny, has excellent comedic timing, and is extremely entertaining. For Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane to partner up in the remake (onstage and on film) was absolutely perfect. I cannot think of anyone else to play opposite each other than those two. I was also impressed with Will Ferrell and how he stepped out of typecasting to play Franz Liebkind. This is a musical that any theater person, or musical lover, needs to watch. Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Burlesque



Ali (Christina Aguilera) is a farm town Iowa girl who moves to Los Angeles to live the dream life. She is hired at a burlesque lounge as a waitress. Ali soon falls in love with the art of burlesque and aspires to become one of the dancers. When one of the dancers leaves, Ali gets an audition... and a spot in the show. While Ali adapts to her new position at the lounge, club owner Tess (Cher) is trying to figure out how to keep her business afloat, between a wealthy businessman (Eric Dane) trying to buy the property and foreclosure notices. Tess finds hope in Ali, when she surprises everyone with her standout voice.

When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I immediately thought "This is going to be the L.A. version of Coyote Ugly." Turns out I was right. This is one of those movies that is so predictable but you cannot help adding it to you "guilty pleasure" list. I think Christina did very well for her feature film debut... it's showing that she has talent in other things besides singing. I did think it was cheesy for Cher to have musical number in the middle of the movie, but it didn't surprise me. Stanley Tucci, just like in The Devil Wears Prada, does awesome as the gay assistant/buddy... and has some of the best comeback lines.

Now, the title Burlesque is misleading. Those who have been to actual burlesque shows know what I'm talking about. Burlesque is more seductive and has partial nudity. This movie is basically about Cabaret dancing. I still liked it. Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars


Next week's Movie Monday blog (or in 2 weeks... depends on how many movies I watch) will be a themed blog. I have to pay respects to horror movies in October... it just goes hand in hand. Anyway... be prepared for some horror movie goodness!!!

Movie Monday: Zombies, Bridesmaids, Competitive Teachers, Death Traps, and Sex!!!

I have a confession to make. I have not been watching any new movies the past few weeks. For one, I have been reliving my pre-adolescent days by watching The 90's are All That, a TV block on the TeenNick channel dedicated to the Nickelodeon television shows of the 90's. I also had been investing my time (and some money) at Borders (R.I.P.). Between those things, my child, and work, I have just not been into watching new movies lately.

Then, my friend Aggy posted a website link to my Facebook about a website she's been using to watch television shows that are on cable. I told her I would check it out. As soon as I got on the page, I realized that it wasn't just for television. I found a website to watch movies that are currently in theaters. After the initial feeling of guilt for gaining access to these films, I have enjoyed movies that I have debated on seeing at the theaters.

Get ready for some reviews on a lot of recent movies in the foreseeable future... including today!


Shaun of the Dead



Shaun (Simon Pegg) is at a crossroads in life. He is working at a mediocre job, his roommate Ed (Nick Frost) does not contribute toward rent or bills, and his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) dumped him over the dismal efforts he made toward their anniversary dinner. As he devises a plan to win Liz back, the townspeople have turned into zombies. Shaun and Ed find themselves finding refuge from the zombies while protecting their friends (and Shaun's family) from the same fate.

As a fan of horror movies, I have been recommended to watch this movie from several people over the past couple years. I knew it had a cult following. This is one of those movies that I fell in love with in the first five minutes. I loved the characters, the plot, and the fact that it was a comedy. I cannot find anything that I hate about this movie. Watching Shaun go to the store for a few things- while being completely oblivious to the zombie invasion- was absolute perfection. When Shaun and Ed are sifting through vinyl albums to throw at one of the zombies, I was cracking up. To think of trivial things like that while under a distressing situation is pure comical goodness. I highly recommend this movie! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Bridesmaids



Annie (Kristen Wiig) has reached a low point in her life when her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) chooses her to be her maid of honor. Annie soon realizes that Lillian's friend Helen (Rose Byrne) is trying to destroy and upstage her wedding responsibilities. As planning for the big day goes forward, Annie tries to prove to Lillian that she can handle things, despite being broke.

Hollywood is an industry where comedies are normally male driven (or features just the main character as a woman). This movie is one of the few standouts for women in comedy. I have not enjoyed a comedy like this since The Sweetest Thing (with Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, and Selma Blair). This is also the first time that I have really enjoyed a character played by Kristen Wiig. I got a lot of laughs from the bridal shop scene and the opening scene (can you say most awkward sex ever???). This movie was more entertaining than I expected. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Bad Teacher



Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) had her dream lifestyle with her fiance/sugar daddy. But when he suddenly dumps her, she ends up with nothing. When the school year starts up at the junior high, she meets a new substitute teacher, Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake). In order to impress him, she decides to get breast implants. To afford the surgery, Elizabeth gets involved in as many fundraisers as she can, which includes attempting to get the teacher's bonus for having the class with the highest state test scores. However, fellow teacher Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch) is onto her game and will stop at nothing to prove that Elizabeth is deceiving everyone.

When this movie was announced, I was in love with the concept. I also loved that I would get to see Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake together in a movie (that wasn't about ogres). Oh, and Jason Segel... RAWR!! This movie was exactly as I expected from this kind of raunchy comedy. It was interesting to see Justin Timberlake play a more timid, straight-laced guy but it worked well for him. It was pretty predictable, but I enjoyed the little twist at the ending... I didn't expect it, which made it more enjoyable to me. If you want a movie with some good laughs and a few one liners worth repeating, check this out! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Final Destination 5



While leaving for a work retreat, a group of coworkers find themselves escaping from a suspension-bridge collapse after Sam (Nicholas D'Agosto) has a premonition of their brutal deaths. Over the following weeks, each of the survivors are dying off in freak accidents. Sam realizes that there is a design and death is after them, unless they succeed in the loophole that allows them to cheat death.

Final Destination 4, in 3D, was a success... so it's not surprising that they made another sequel aimed for the extra dimension. Now, I didn't see this film in 3D but I assume it would have been very interesting to watch. It was obvious that the deaths were intensified compared to the first three films (I mean, it has to in order to keep audiences coming back). I wasn't as fond of this one but the eye surgery scene is one of the few (out of all the films) that actually creeped me out. I'm a little trepidatious about having that procedure done to me someday because of this movie. The ending was the best part, and for me to reveal why would be a major spoiler alert. You'll just have to watch it to see what I mean. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars


Friends With Benefits



Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is a workaholic. So is Jamie (Mila Kunis). Both of them get dumped by their significant others. While Dylan makes a business trip to New York City to meet Jamie for a business proposal, he decides to take the job and move across the country. Dylan and Jamie become friends and enjoy the city life together. One night, they decide to avoid all the Hollywood movie cliches and have a sex-only relationship. They both realize that even with the simplest of ideas, things become complicated and threaten their friendship.

I had made a prediction that Friends with Benefits would be better than No Strings Attached. While I enjoyed both movies, it became clear that my prediction was accurate. The jokes were funnier, the supporting cast were more entertaining (thank you Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson and Patricia Clarkson!), and overall this movie felt like it had more life in it. I loved how flash mobs were incorporated in several parts of the film (I have a fondness for them). I also got to see Justin Timberlake's ass... and it was very nice! Yes, the plot was predictable but I don't care... all that matters is that I was entertained. Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars


Oh, how good it feels to write about movies again! I apologize for having several weeks go by without a Movie Monday blog, but I promise that you will have another blog to look forward to next week! See you then! :-)

Movie Monday: A Battle at Hogwarts

The weekend is over. For many of you, it's back to the grind. For me, I have a day to relax after having four busy, yet fun days. My "weekend" started Thursday night, after finding last minute tickets to a Midnight showing of the movie I have been most excited to see this year....


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II



Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermoine (Emma Watson) are still on the hunt to find all of Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) Horcruxes. They come up with a plan to break into Bellatrix Lestrange's (Helena Bonham Carter) vault in Gringott's, with the help of one of the goblins. After a complicated journey to London, the trio find themselves back in Hogsmeade where they plan to sneak into Hogwarts to find another Horcrux. They know they don't have much time, since Voldemort will know of their whereabouts. When Harry reveals himself in the Great Hall, Headmaster Snape (Alan Rickman) leaves the school grounds. As both sides prepare for battle, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine must finish destroying all the Horcruxes in order for Harry to defeat Voldemort... or die trying.


Eight months ago, I was celebrating my 27th birthday with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I. I absolutely loved it and could not wait for Part II to come out. I was impressed to see that the first minute of Part II was a repeat of Voldemort seizing the Elder Wand. Out of all the Harry Potter films, this one was the most action packed and the most emotionally gripping. I know that a lot of you are probably thinking that it's emotional because it's the final film. While that is true, it is also very emotional for other reasons.... mainly with the montage of Snape's past memories (I was crying by the end of the montage). It was VERY well done. You know that you are watching a great film when you not only get sucked into the action, but you find yourself getting emotional over a character's feelings toward someone else.

As for the action sequences, I doubt anybody was disappointed. The scene in Gringott's was exactly as I expected (with the exception of several characters omitted from the scene- compared to the book). Once Harry, Ron, and Hermoine ended up in Hogsmeade (which was about 1/2 hour into the movie), I had a brief absence of mind in realizing that we had already made it toward the beginning of the final battle. I loved that so much of the film was dedicated to all of the activity that happens in and around Hogwarts.

Another surprise that I loved about this film was the addition of several new actors/actresses to the film series. So many smaller characters were introduced (or current characters with childhood counterparts) and each one of them contributed to the film very well. I also loved that the final film brought back so many characters from all of the films (dead and alive). It made that feeling of the final film more obvious and put a smile on my face to see each past character come back.

What I love about going to see movies like Harry Potter on opening day/night is the audience participation. I'm not talking about Rocky Horror Picture Show kind of participation, but being with a group of dedicated fans and reacting together to certain elements of the film together. For instance, one of the best lines in the final book is said by Mrs. Weasley (and had it's own Facebook page shortly after the book was released). When she said the line in the film, the audience and I cheered and applauded it. It's moments like that one that make me excited to go to Midnight Showings (and I take advantage of several each year).

Out of all of the Harry Potter films, both Deathly Hallows films were my absolute favorite. It makes me wish that Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince were also split into two films (more so Order of the Phoenix because that was really lacking a lot of what I loved about the book). For those who have never read any of the books (and I know a few friends who haven't), this final film will impress you beyond anything you've seen in the prior films. I might have to see this movie again... but this time in 3D!! Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Movie Monday: Pregnancy, Unique Individuals, Racism, Minions, and a Teen Gone Demon

Happy Monday afternoon everybody! I hope you guys are doing what you can to keep yourself cool this summer. The KC metropolitan area is under a heat advisory so I am determined to stay indoors. Knowing that today is free Slurpee day at 7-Eleven is appealing to get out of the house, but I think I will pass on the icy goodness this year. Anyway, I have five movies to review for you this week. Please, enjoy the clips and reviews!!!


Juno



Juno (Ellen Page) is a 16 year old high school student who discovers that losing her virginity got her pregnant. After considering an abortion, she decides to look into adoption. After she finds a possible family, she reveals to her parents and boyfriend Paulie (Michael Cera) of her pregnancy and her intentions for the baby. As she moves forward with the pregnancy, she deals with scrutiny by her classmates and friends and develops a friendship with the adoptive parents, Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark Loring (Jason Bateman).

I have had several friends tell me I HAVE to see this movie. I liked this movie a lot more than I thought. I really loved the friendship that Juno and Mark had with each other, bonding over music and rock bands. Juno is one of those fearless, unique people... you have to have a friend like that to make life just that more interesting. I admired her decision to give up the baby for adoption and to immediately take action in finding a family. It's not usual to see that in a 16 year old. Oh, Juno made slushees cool, unlike Glee. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Garden State



After a several year absence from his hometown, Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) comes home to attend his mother's funeral. As he is visiting with family and friends, he feels out of place and developed sporadic headaches. He decides to visit a local doctor, where he meets a girl named Sam (Natalie Portman), who has a unique way of living that intrigues him. Andrew decides to stop using all of his medications and stay in town for a few more days to spend time with Sam and his buddy Mark (Peter Sarsgaard).

I had no idea that Zach Braff had written and directed this film, but he certainly made an amazing one! It made me appreciate myself more for looking at people as awesome, unique individuals. It shows that two people with a lot of personal problems can find a relationship with one another. I loved how Sam strives to be the most unique person she could be and did not care what anyone else thought about herself. She opened Andrews eyes to a whole world of possibilities in which he was never going to be the same again. Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars


A Time to Kill



In the town of Canton, Mississippi, the community is torn apart over a series of crimes. A young black girl named Tonya (RaéVen Larrymore Kelly) is kidnapped and raped by two racist white men. The men are arrested and sit in jail until their preliminary hearing. As they are walked to the courtroom, Carl Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), Tonya's father, emerges from a closet and shoots both men to death and injures a police officer. Carl asks his friend Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) to defend him in court. Freddie Cobb (Keifer Sutherland) asks the KKK to help him and his family get the justice they deserve after his brother and friend were murdered. As the community prepares for the trial, those that are defending Carl and his family find themselves in danger.

This is one of those movies I wished was part of my junior high or high school curriculum. It is one of those movies that can lead to many discussions and easy material to use to write a term paper. The film stirred a lot of controversy in the town and made everyone question the racial implications surrounding both crimes. I thought the story was executed very well... there was just enough side story but not too much to bore or confuse anyone watching the film. You saw both sides of the crimes and understood why the the jury ended up with the final verdict. This is one of those films that should be seen at some point in a person's lifetime- preferably sooner than later. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Despicable Me



Gru (Steve Carrell) is a criminal mastermind that wishes to steal the Moon. In order to accomplish this, he must get a weapon inside the home of his nemesis, Vector (Jason Segel). After several failed attempts he finds out that Vector has a sweetness for cookies, sold by three little orphan girls. Gru decides to adopt the girls in order to execute his evil plan, but has no idea what is in store for him otherwise.

I came across this movie one night and my son walked in at the very moment I found it. He and I spent the rest of the evening enjoying the film while having fits upon fits of laughter (more him than me- I have never seen him laugh so much and so hard at a movie, EVER). The plot is easy to follow for all ages and there are a few movie/music references that all adults will enjoy. I don't see how anyone would not love the Minions, with all their silly antics. They are one of the best things about this movie. I definitely recommend this for a family night film or for anyone who is still a kid at heart. Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Jennifer's Body



Needy (Amanda Seyfried) and Jennifer (Megan Fox) have been best friends since they first played in the sandbox together as little girls. They go to the local bar one night to check out a band, and end up fleeing the building after it catches fire. Jennifer goes with the band and freaks Needy out until she shows up, covered in blood, at her house hours later. Jennifer shows up at school the next day looking like nothing happened, but has an insatiable appetite for human flesh. The entire town quickly realizes that the high school males are in danger and Needy knows why.

For a movie that has been dubbed the worst one out there... I would have to disagree. I've seen worse. I'll admit that there were many things that made me laugh in its ridiculousness, but as a whole, I was actually liking the movie. The characters in the film were extremely stereotypical when it came to high school standards. The acting was pretty decent and I thought Megan Fox did a lot better in this film than the Transformers movies. I also geeked out when there was a Rocky Horror Picture Show reference, when one of the students asked out Jennifer to go to a midnight showing. Many of you may think this film is stupid (or will if you ever decide to watch it) but I cant help but like it. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Movie Monday: Disney Movies (Including Two Currently In Theaters)

This week's movie blog unintentionally turned into a themed one. I took my son to the drive-in the last weekend of June for a double feature of Disney movies. Then, a couple days ago, I was picking out a movie to watch and realized that, it too, was a Disney flick. By that point, I decided to keep the theme going and found one more Disney movie in my collection that had gone unwatched.

Now, to explore talking modes of transportation, Jack Sparrow, a movie adaptation of a C.S. Lewis novel, and a patriotic film sequel.


Cars 2



Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) has been happily living in Radiator Springs and has just won his 4th Piston Cup, which was renamed in honor of Doc Hudson (who passed away). As he returns home, there is major news of an alternative fuel sources called Allinol and an international race has been announced to support the new product. Lightning enters himself into the race after Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) defends his friend against Italian race car Francesco Bernoulli (John Tuturro). However, Mater finds himself working with Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holly Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) as an American spy to uncover a very sinister plan that is putting all of the race cars in danger.

There is a reason why Disney/Pixar films are popular... they are always entertaining, have plenty of humor for kids and adult, and it is guaranteed to be an overall great film. This movie is a great way to introduce spy movies to a new generation (like my son). I loved that the movie focused more on Mater than Lightning. It was a breath of fresh air to see the shift in lead characters. The story was pretty easy to follow, but I can see how some younger kids may not quite understand everything that's going on with the espionage-related subplot. It was very cool to see many parts of Europe and Asia done in the world of cars.. especially Japan. I will always love and recommend Disney/Pixar films to people of all ages. This is one that I recommend you check out while it is still in theaters. Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides



Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has returned to save Mr. Gibbs (Kevin McNally) from execution. As they are reunited, Jack runs into Angelica (Penelope Cruz), a former flame and daughter to the notorious pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Both of them know Jack has a map that leads to the Fountain of Youth and force him onto Blackbeard's ship.

I will not be rating this film since I was not able to finish watching it. The movie was only halfway done by one in the morning (the night I saw it), and I needed to get my son home and put him to bed. From what I saw, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to seeing the rest. Fans of Jack Sparrow won't be disappointed but those who loved the Will and Elizabeth story may feel like something is missing from the film. I will leave this review as "TO BE CONTINUED..."

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe



There is a war and the Pevensie children are sent away to the country to stay with a Professor (Jim Broadbent). As they explore the mansion, the children decide to play a game of hide-and-seek. Lucy (Georgie Henley) seeks shelter in a wardrobe, which leads to the land of Narnia. She befriends a creature named Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy) who tells her that a woman by the name of White Witch (Tilda Swinton) is trying to take over the land and has killed those who defy her. Lucy attempts to get her siblings to come with her, but they don't believe her until they find themselves hiding in the wardrobe. As the White Witch tries to kidnap the children, they seek the true ruler of Narnia, Aslan (Liam Neeson) and decide to fight with him.

I was not surprised that Disney wanted a piece of the "book series to movies" pie. As someone who only read about 1/3 of the first book as a child, I think they did a pretty good job depicting C.S. Lewis' fantasy book. I liked that Narnia and the creatures were very natural looking, compared to looking very CGI. The only trouble I had with the film was trying not to compare it to Epic Movie, which the main storyline of the parody revolved around this film. I will learn, from now on, to be sure to see the original movie before the parody. I recommend this movie to those that loved the books and to those who love epic battle movies that want to introduce their children to something that will be enjoyable for everyone. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets



Two years after helping discover a massive treasure, Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage) is presenting pages from John Wilks Booth's diary. A man named Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) presents a missing page from the diary, which holds life-altering information about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Benjamin seeks out Riley (Justin Bartha) to help decipher the validity of this page, which leads to discovering more clues. Abigail (Diane Krueger) joins in on the investigation. Benjamin devises a plan to kidnap the President (Bruce Greenwood) to seek out The Presidents Book, which is rumored to hold the deepest secrets of the country's history... and possibly clues toward another hidden treasure.

I loved the first movie. It was a perfect blend of comedy, action, and full of historical facts about the United States... exactly what I would expect from a Jerry Bruckheimer film. However, the second one was not as good. I know that sequels try to duplicate what you love about the original and hype it up a bit. I did not see any of that with the sequel. The clues needed to find the treasure included breaking into Buckingham Palace, The Oval Office, and "kidnapping" the President to seek out the infamous book. It was on the ridiculous side. I'm definitely going to watch the original more often than this film. Rating 2.5 out of 5 stars


Happy 4th of July to my friends and family!!! Please, be smart and stay safe on this holiday! See you guys again next week for another Movie Monday blog! :-)

Movie Monday: Made in the 80's

Five months ago, I promised to you guys that I was going to do an 80's themed movie blog. I've really been delving into nostalgia over the decade a lot lately, especially after geeking out over Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" music video, which is more a blend of 80's and 90's but still... enough to get me in the mood. All I have to say is that I missed out on some pretty awesome movies over the years. You'll see what I mean...


Rain Man



Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is an underground business man from Los Angeles who travels back home to attend his father's funeral. As he gets his father's affairs set, he realizes that the $3 million inheritance is not going to him. His investigation over who will receive the money leads him to the Walbrook Institute, where he meets Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), his autistic older brother. In a desperate attempt to find a way to get the inheritance money himself, he takes his brother away from the institute and they journey back toward Los Angeles. Along the way, Charlie realizes that Raymond's autism is a blessing and a burden... which leads to many complications on the way home.

This is one of those movies that I have heard (or seen) referenced in so many other films, but had not given myself the chance to watch it. I'm glad I made this my first choice in movies for the week. I immediately dismissed Charlie as a heartless asshole and fell in love with Raymond. To see Charlie's world transform from wanting the inheritance money to needing Raymond in his life was remarkable. Both of them were able to learn from one another, which helped strengthen their bond. I recommend that this film be put on everyone's bucket list... it needs to be seen. Rating 5 out of 5 stars


Beverly Hills Cop



Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), a Detroit cop, receives a visit from his buddy Mikey (James Russo) who has been working in Beverly Hills. Hours after he arrives, he is murdered. Axel decides to take some "vacation time" and travels to California to investigate his friend's death. The Beverly Hills police department are onto Axel, and Lieutenant Bogomil (Ronny Cox) assigns Detective Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Detective Taggart (John Ashton) to follow him since he is not assigned to the case. As Axel digs into the investigation, Rosewood, Taggart, and his old friend Jenny (Lisa Eilbacher) realize he is on the right track and help him, putting their lives (and jobs) in jeopardy.

No wonder my parents love this movie (and the sequels). It is the perfect blend of comedy and action. Axel is extremely quick minded and has a lot of fun in executing his actions. He knows exactly what to say to get into whatever business he needs, and has fun doing so. He pushed Rosewood and Taggart to step out of their "by the rules" protocol in order to help them become better detectives. Axel was determined to solve the murder and nothing was going to stop him from doing so. I personally believe that everyone needs their own Axel Foley in their lives. Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

The Outsiders



In a small town, there are two opposing groups... the Socials (from the wealthy side) and the Greasers (the poor, hardworking people). Greasers Johnny (Ralph Macchio) and Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) get into an altercation with the Socials, and one of them gets killed. After seeking advice from Dallas (Matt Dillon), they flee to a nearby town and seek shelter in an abandoned barn. While getting a visit from Dallas, Johnny and Ponyboy see a fire and rescue children from the collapsing structure. The boys are rewarded as heroes, but suffer major injuries. This shifts the power in the town and the Greasers are more determined to win against the Socials in a fight in the town's park.

I admit that when I bought this movie, I had not really heard much about it. The appeal to me was all the celebrities involved in the film (including Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, and Patrick Swayze). Now that I've seen it, I understand why so many wanted to get involved. It's one of the more modern classic novels that was pushed to be made into a motion picture. There are so many life lessons that you can learn by watching this film. I really wish that at some point in junior high or high school this novel or movie would have been put in the curriculum. It is one of those movies that anyone that's coming of age needs to see. It is a beautiful film and I am glad I made the small investment in purchasing this movie. Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Beverly Hills Cop II



Two years after his initial trip, Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) finds himself back in Beverly Hills investigating the almost fatal shooting of Captain Bogamil (Ronny Cox), which is among a series of activity dubbed the "Alphabet Crimes." He teams back up with Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggart (John Ashton), who have been temporarily demoted to traffic duty by Chief Lutz (Allen Garfield). Once again, the trio find themselves in the middle of risking their lives in honor of the ailing Captain.

Oh, how two years can change things. Axel and Bogamil are friends, which makes the shooting as personal as when Axel's friend was murdered in the last film. Rosewood and Taggart have utilized what they learned from Axel. Add to that the Alphabet Crimes and you have a very exciting (and in some cases, better) follow up to the original. Everything I loved from the first film transferred over and there was enough new characters and scenarios to make it just as enjoyable. Did anyone else get as much enjoyment as I did when realizing that Chris Rock was the parking attendant at the Playboy mansion? Totally awesome! Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars


See you guys next week.... I have some great movies to review for you, which includes a couple films currently in theaters!!!

Movie Monday: Desperate Times Call for Shakespearean Sequels

Happy Monday everyone! It is the last day of spring, but for my fellow Kansas Citians, it has felt like summer for at least a couple weeks. Either it's unbearable humidity levels or severe storms that are keeping us indoors. As for me, I haven't done a lot of movie watching (between dating someone new and reading the Hunger Games series). I did, however, come across a 99 cent clearance rack at my local Blockbuster and purchased several movies (you know you would have too with that good of a deal!). So, lets review one of those purchases today!


Hamlet 2



Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) is a failed actor turned drama teacher that has been struggling to make an impact on the student body and community in Tucson, Arizona. As more school programs are cut, he gains many new students who have nowhere else to go. When Dana realizes that the drama program is next on the cutting block, he decides to pull out and finish a manuscript... a musical sequel to William Shakespeare's Hamlet. As the students are getting involved in their new production, the community and the school rally to shut down the musical, which has turned out to be highly controversial.

I had some high hopes for this film, since I was a theater student myself. I was happy that it exceeded my expectations. I loved the failed commercials that Dana filmed that was at the beginning of the film. It helped show that he was passionate about acting, even if he wasn't good at it. The rest of the exposition of the film was slow starting, but if anyone was able to continue watching the film... it got a lot better. The best part, in my opinion, was when the play actually started. The numbers were so politically incorrect but awesome at the same time. After watching the film, I had "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" stuck in my head until I went to bed. I recommend this film to anyone that appreciates theater arts and wants a non-slapstick kind of comedy. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Movie Monday: NYC Renters, An Amusement Park, Sex with Friends

Have you ever experienced times where you really want to see a movie and then find the movie right before (or right when) it starts? That moment of excitement, then to find out that it was worth finding the movie... it's those little things that make me love being a movie geek. Well, I had this happen to me twice a couple weeks ago. For both of the films, it was worth the wait. Then, last week, my mom purchased a film through Pay Per View and wanted me to watch it with her. So, without any further delay (especially with an absence of Movie Monday blogs recently), let me review my latest movie watching experiences!

Rent



Christmastime 1989. A group of unique bohemians are living in the East Village in New York City. Mark (Anthony Rapp) is an aspiring filmmaker who was recently dumped by his girlfriend Maureen (Idina Menzel) for another woman, Joanne (Tracie Thoms). Roger (Adam Pascal) is an aspiring musician who likes Mimi (Rosario Dawson), who works at the nearby strip club. Mark and Roger's roommate Tom (Jesse L. Martin) comes home for the holidays, only to get mugged in the street and is found by Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), who is a drag queen that is fighting AIDS. As they all spend the following year struggling to pay rent by their landlord/ former friend Benjamin (Taye Diggs), make a living, and (for some) fighting for their health, they realize how much can change within a year.

What a visually stimulated, character driven, and inspiring musical!!! I've always said that I want to have an eclectic group of friends full of life, dreams and love... and this movie represents those kind of people. Even though many of the characters have to deal with being HIV-positive and AIDS, they don't let that get in the way of living their lives while they still can. I know all too well how much a year can change your life, and all of the characters have gone through major changes. I also love how they blend real life scenarios with bohemian antics... it's makes the entire experience enjoyable. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Adventureland



James (Jesse Eisenberg) is a recent high school graduate who takes a summer job at the local amusement park in 1987. On his first day, he is threatened by a customer and his coworker Emily (Kristen Stewart) steps in to diffuse the situation. As the summer goes forward, James realizes he is falling for Emily, who has been having a secret affair with Brad (Ryan Reynolds), the married maintenance man. James also learns that taking the nowhere job has proven to be the perfect job to learn about love, life, and trust before he begins his life as a college student.

For a movie that's considered a comedy, I saw it more as a drama/comedy. It's also a blast from the past, so it has that wonderful, summertime and 80's nostalgia to it. The first thing I noticed about the movie was that the background sound effects for the amusement park were the same ones as Roller Coaster Tycoon (yes, I love that game and played it A LOT). I like the group of people that were cast for the movie... I can relate to all of them and they totally remind me of the kind of people that would work at an amusement park. When James tells a secret to one of his coworkers and she spreads the news like wildfire, I felt bad for Emma but also respected at how well they executed how quickly the gossip mill works between coworkers.. and to think that this was before everyone had cell phones and social networking to share news. It was all done by word of mouth. Who says you can't have fun and enjoy friends without technology??? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

No Strings Attached



Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) bump into each other occasionally after meeting at a summer camp 15 years ago. On a drunken night, fueled by Adam's father (Kevin Kline) hooking up with an ex-girlfriend of his, he calls every woman in his phone to seek out someone to hook up with sexually. He wakes up in Emma's apartment, naked, and later comes up with a plan to have a sex-only relationship with her. As time goes on, Emma notices that Adam is wanting more than that and tries to not complicate things. However, she finds herself wanting the same thing, and goes to drastic measures to hide that from him, since that will forever change their relationship with one another.

Highly predictable chick flick.... all the way to the end. Why do I still watch movies that I know how it will turn out? Well, for one the actors... and Ashton and Natalie did a pretty convincing job that they were a good on-screen couple. Two... the one liners and the jokes. This movie had a lot of really funny moments, (especially the period scene that I included as the clip) and there were some great one liners that I could find myself using in the future. Even though this one was pretty decent, I'm still holding out for Friends with Benefits (starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis) to be the better film with the same concept. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Movie Monday: Love Letters, Dean Koontz, Camp Counselors, a Musical, Gerard Butler, and Terrorists at Christmas

The weather in Kansas City has been absolutely crazy over the past week. I remember a week ago today, I was laying out on my back deck getting some color on my skin (and we were under a heat advisory for a couple days). Then the weather took a drastic change where I was dependent on a jacket to keep myself warm. Due to the coldness of the weather, I resorted in some movie watching, which six of them are featured in today's blog. I've got a nice blend of movies, some old and some new, some romantic comedies, action and science fiction- something for everybody!


Letters to Juliet



Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her fiance Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal) are vacationing in Italy. While Victor takes care of a few business matters, Sophie ventures around Verona and comes across a courtyard where women write letters to Juliet -from Shakespeare's famous play- seeking advice about love and relationships. She befriends the "Secretaries of Juliet," who respond to the letters. Sophie finds a letter over fifty years old and decides to respond to it. Before she knows it, she is on a journey with Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan) to look for Lorenzo (Fabio Testi), Claire's long lost love.

In the world of predictable chick flicks, it was highly enjoyable. Discovering that Sophie is an aspiring writer was very pleasing to me, since I love seeing movies with characters that has the same career aspirations as myself. As a Shakespeare lover, I enjoyed learning about the wall in the courtyard. I could see myself working with the "Secretaries of Juliet." The movie also honed in on my inner hopeless romantic by showcasing the beauty of the city of Verona and the country-side of Italy. I know that if I want to feel inspired or need a night with love story movies, this movie will be one of my first choices! Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Phantoms



Sisters Lisa (Rose McGowan) and Jennifer (Joanna Going) find the town of Snowfield, Colorado eerily abandoned, or that's what it seems. They discover the townspeople are either dead or have gone missing, with the exception of Sheriff Hammond (Ben Affleck) and his two deputies (Liev Shreiber and Nicky Katt). As they investigate what is attacking the town, they recruit Dr. Flyte (Peter O'Toole) to assist. What they discover is something out of this world...

I'll admit it... I wanted to see this movie because it was referenced (a lot) in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the movie was based on a novel by Dean Koontz (which I've never read any of his work... maybe I need to start). As for a standalone movie, I was a little disappointed. It felt like, for a book to film adaptation, that they cut out too much of the story and it didn't execute as well as it should have. The acting ranged from decent to good, with Rose McGowan and Liev Schreiber as the best two (sorry Affleck... I've seen you do better acting). If I ever get around to reading the novel, I hope that it executes the story a hell of a lot better! Rating 2 1/2 out of 5 stars

Friday the 13th (1980)



Camp Crystal Lake is in the midst of reopening years after a tragic accident in which a young boy named Jason drowned. As a group of young adults prepare for the campers to arrive, they settle into their cabins and enjoy each others company. However, someone doesn't like the idea of people on the property and starts killing the counselors, one by one.

I saw the remake of this film several months ago, expecting it to be not as good as the original. Now that I've seen the 1980 classic (On Friday the 13th, no less- I just had to!), I know that I was right. Since I have been playing "catch up" with 80's horror movies, I can definitely say that the decade I was born into produced some of the greatest horror movies of all time. There was enough backstory to understand why Mrs. Voorhees decided to attack the counselors (yes, major spoil alert but anyone who's seen Scream would have known that). What I really liked about this movie was that it didn't involve high school students (such a horror movie cliche) and that you never actually saw the killer in action (the camera was used to show Voorhees point of view when attacking people). Now that I've seen this, I need to start watching the sequels, where Jason is the one attacking people. Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Nine



Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a film director that is struggling to make his latest film come together just days before shooting begins. In order to get some inspiration, he seeks out his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz), his mother (Sophia Loren), his costume designer (Judi Dench), a whore from his childhood (Fergie), a journalist (Kate Hudson), and his muse (Nicole Kidman).

It took two tries to finally watch this movie from beginning to end. I got bored with it the first time, with good reason. The stage show may have won several Tony awards, but this film is less than to be desired. Many of the musical numbers were great, excellent even, but with a weak story to tell surrounding the numbers... yeah, it just didn't execute well as a feature film. I really hoped it would have been great. I was surprised that Kate Hudson had musical talents. I recommend that if you are going to see Nine to please see it in a concert hall and skip the movie. Rating 3 out of 5 stars

The Bounty Hunter



Milo (Gerard Butler) is a bounty hunter that discovers his next job is to bring in his ex-wife Nicole (Jennifer Aniston), who is a reporter that skips court to get details on a murder cover-up. Milo finds out pretty quickly that this bounty is not going to be easy, between Nicole trying to get away, a few loan sharks, and having to hide from the people responsible for the murder that Nicole has been researching.

This movie seemed like a predictable enough romantic comedy, and it was... for the most part. However, I think they went a tad overboard with sub-plots. Not only were they running away from people doing a murder cover-up, but Milo also had to deal with loan sharks for money he owed them from his gambling hobby. It just started to make the story too complicated for what should have been an easy-to-follow concept. There were a lot of really funny scenes and one-liners, so it was enjoyable in that aspect. I've just seen better adaptations of plots similar to this film. Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Die Hard



John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York police officer who is in Los Angeles to see his ex-wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and children. As he attends a Christmas party, a group of European terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), take the building hostage. John escapes to another floor of the building, where he makes contact with the LAPD. It's up to John to communicate the activity inside the building to the police and FBI while also trying to save the hostages from danger by the terrorists.

Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani would be so proud of me for finally seeing this movie! It has action, suspense, and a lot of heart. What more could you get out of a movie like this? John McClane is a great action hero and uses his common sense when under pressure (with the exception of Hans faking his accent to gain trust... and a gun). I've tasted the Die Hard blood and I want more... Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Until next week, my friends...

Movie Monday: Lawyers Are Evil.. even "Satanical"

There has been this movie that has crept up randomly in my life the past few months... through conversations with friends and regulars at the bar (funny how that happens sometimes). Then, while killing time while my son was at church (a few weeks ago), I found a bunch of clearance movies at TJ Maxx. This particular movie was there and I took advantage of the $4 price tag. I decided to watch it on Saturday afternoon and was highly impressed...

The Devil's Advocate



Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) is a defense attorney who has never lost a case. When celebrating his latest victory, he is approached by a firm from New York with an offer to help them on a case. Kevin and his wife Mary Ann (Charlize Theron) make the trip, which leads to a permanent position with the firm. As Kevin  spends time with his boss John Milton (Al Pacino), he finds himself paying more attention to work and less time with Mary Ann, who is struggling to fit into the lavish lifestyle that is expected of them. John eventually reveals to Kevin his true identity, The Devil, and proposes a plan that will forever change everything he knew about his life.

This is one of those movies that grasped my full attention in the first scene of the film. This movie was going to delve into the deeper side of things, through the thematic elements and symbolism. There are several instances where you have to pay extra attention in order to catch important pieces to the story (I recall having to rewind/ replay a couple times to make sure I caught things- like the story that Kevin's mom was telling in regards to his biological father). I sympathized for Mary Ann and the pressure that vanity had on her... others made decisions for her, especially about her hairstyle and color palette for the walls in her home. If that were me, I would be too stubborn to let that happen (especially about home decorating). Several scenes surprised me, including the love triangle sex scene and the final two scenes of the movie. I recall saying WTF quite a few times (especially when Kevin made his ultimate decision in John's penthouse). For anyone that's looking for a good thriller that's a little deeper and has excellent performances, I highly recommend this movie. Rating 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Movie Monday: Dates, Nature, Cleaning, Dancing, Ghosts, Missouri Ozarks, and a Deadly Stepfather

Last week was weird for me. For one, I wasn't feeling very well for a couple days. No, I wasn't sick, but the ladies can sympathize with me (which normally I don't have a major issue, so this was not cool with me). As I spent two days basically laying in bed, I decided to put a dent in my "movies I own but have never watched" collection. Yeah, I definitely did that.... FIVE movies (plus two that I caught while flipping channels). Needless to say, my movie geekness was very satisfied! Now, let's move forward with some great movie clips and reviews! :-)


Date Night



Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire Foster (Tina Fey) are a married couple finding themselves in a monotonous rut. In order to get some excitement in their lives (more specifically on their weekly date night), they decide to get out of the suburbs and eat at a trendy new restaurant in New York City. They take someone else's reservation, which seemed slightly wrong but harmless. However, it puts them in the middle of a series of dangerous events involving a stolen flash drive, the mob, and the NYPD.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey make a great fictional couple. I really loved the little things that they did together, like play the "what's their story?" game whenever they go out to dinner. Those little things are what makes each couple unique and what stands out for me. I got a lot of great laughs while watching this movie. The supporting cast (which includes James Franco, Mila Kunis, and Mark Wahlberg) contributed to the hilarity. Although some of the conversation during the chaos did seem a bit on the ridiculous side, I thought the story was well executed. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Oceans



DisneyNature presents a documentary (narrated by Pierce Brosnan) about the many wonders of the ocean and it's wildlife... including sharks, whales, sea lions, turtles, and crabs.

I came across this movie when my son was having trouble going to sleep. What I loved about this movie is that he and I were both very entertained (not bad for a documentary). I have a soft spot for seeing baby animals, so when the little sea lions were on screen, I could not resist saying "Aww..." The various crabs were entertaining, and my son and I were close to shouting at the screen when they fought (much like others do when watching pro-wrestling programs). I know this movie made an impact on my son, since he came home from school one day with a library book about sharks. I recommend this movie for any nature lover or someone with children that is looking for something entertaining and educational. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Sunshine Cleaning



Rose (Amy Adams) is a house cleaner that is in need of a better job to fund tuition for her son to attend a private school. Her sister Norah (Emily Blunt) is tired of holding dead end jobs and wants to do something better with her life. Both of them end up seizing an opportunity that allows them to clean up homes and businesses after crime scenes, eventually creating their business, Sunshine Cleaning.

There are several things that I loved about this movie. For one, the way that Rose and Norah were siblings with different personalities but had a close bond reminded me of my sister and I. Add their father (played by Alan Arkin) and you see a very unique family. As I saw what the sisters had to do to become a legitimate business (and perform their job), I found myself considering a possible career option that would be financially beneficial. I loved how Norah took the job at a personal level when she wanted to find out about the people that lost their lives (and kept "souvenirs" of the deceased). The story was strong and the sub-plots within the movie contributed nicely. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Dance Flick



In the world of parodies led by the Wayans family, Dance Flick is centrally focused around the plot for Save the Last Dance but also features other dance movies including Hairspray, Step Up, Fame, Flashdance, West Side Story, and Center Stage.

I have come to the realization that PG-13 parody films are utterly disappointing. I was really hoping that this was going to be better than Vampires Suck, especially since the Wayans family was behind it (I was a big fan of Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2). I was right that it was better, but not by much. It had its moments, but not enough for me to rave about the movie. Rating 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Charlie St. Cloud



Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) is a young man who has a strong bond with his little brother Sam (Charlie Tahan). He promises to practice pitching with him for an hour every day until he leaves for college. On the day the promise was made, a car accident takes Sam's life and turns Charlie's life upside down. At the funeral, Charlie flees into the woods and finds his brother (in spirit) waiting for him with a baseball and a glove. Over the next five years, Charlie fulfills his promise to Sam but their time together gets threatened when a girl named Tess (Amanda Crew) comes into the picture. Charlie finds himself falling in love but also losing the bonding time with his deceased brother.

I remember watching previews for this movie and thinking "I love the concept and I hope that it will turn out to be good!" Despite hearing poor numbers at the box office, I still showed optimism that this would be a good film.... and it was. To my surprise, this movie takes place in the Pacific Northwest, so that brought a smile to my face. I like how in the first 15 minutes, you see the bond between the brothers and the direction that their lives were headed, until the accident. When the movie moves forward five years, I noticed how isolated he became with his family, friends, and the townsfolk. I loved how Tess brought his ambitions back to his life and made him realize that he has been grieving for so long. I really liked how the movie ended (no, not going to spoil it for you, but there is an unexpected twist that threw me off guard). Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Winter's Bone



17 year old Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) lives in the Missouri Ozarks and takes care of her two younger siblings and depressed mother. When word gets out that her father has gone missing and had put their home up as collateral for his bail for manufacturing and distributing crystal meth, she goes around the county looking for any details about his whereabouts. As she is told by many people to stay out of it, she ignores them and moves forward while putting her life in danger.

This movie was good, and Jennifer Lawrence did deserve her Academy Award nomination, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. A lot of it has to do with my ex husband. He had connections and bonds with people like the ones represented in this movie. I recall a few times where I went with him and his cousin to tiny towns in Kansas (this was when we lived in Fort Scott) and hang out with people like this. It was uncomfortable to me. I respect Ree as she ventured to find her father, despite getting threatened and harmed along the way. I saw that she just wanted her family to be able to live in their home and not have any worries (aside from her mother's depression issues). Even though I wasn't that fond of the movie, I'm still going to recommend others to see it. Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Stepfather



Michael (Penn Badgley) has been away from home while attending military school. Upon his return, he finds his mother (Sela Ward) in a relationship with David Harris (Dylan Walsh), whom has already moved in. As Michael gets to know David, there are rumors circulating in the community. A neighbor notices an episode of America's Most Wanted and points out the similarities between the suspect and David. The neighbor is found dead days later, which prompts Michael to do his own investigation. As he starts to do research, he realizes that David is one step ahead of him and Michael must try to outsmart him to save his family from danger.

What I like about movies like this is that they keep the story simple and let the actions do more of the talking. There are several instances where you see something subtle happen (like a refusal to fill out personal information or get a picture taken) that I caught about David's need to hide his true self. David's unnecessary outburst of anger (like when he grabbed Michael's brother's neck for playing a video game instead of listening to his mother) was an instance foreshadowing his violent behavior. Although this movie was very predictable, the ending left me surprised.... but in a disturbing way. This wasn't the best thriller movie I have seen, but enjoyable. Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Movie Monday: Lots of Drugs (Illegal and Pharmaceutical)

Oh, Monday... why do you enjoy creeping up on everyone??? In order to possibly prevent others from having a "case of the Mondays," I hope that today's movie reviews bring some enjoyment to the day!


Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas



While looking for the "American Dream," writer Hunter S. Thompson (Johnny Depp) and his attorney (Benicio Del Toro) head to Vegas to cover a sporting event. During the journey, they experiment with a wide variety of drugs (including cocaine, ether, and marijuana... among others) and alcohol, which leads to many interesting hallucinations and random escapades.

I've been reading  Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thomspon lately, so I have had quite a bit of back story on the unique writer before watching this movie. If I didn't think that the book proved how much drugs Hunter used on a normal basis, the movie certainly did the job. Now, I'm not someone who is a drug user, but I got the general impression that the movie portrayed hallucinations pretty well. Johnny Depp did justice while cast as Hunter, especially since they had a unique bond with each other. I am already interested in seeing The Rum Diary (another of Hunter's novels which will become a film- starring Johnny Depp). Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars


Love and Other Drugs



Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a womanizing salesperson who finds himself working as a drug representative for Pfizer in 1996. While trying to bond with a physician over prescribing Zoloft to his patients, he meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a woman in her mid-twenties who has stage one Parkinson's disease. It becomes very obvious that Jamie's usual methods of flirtation and seduction will not work with Maggie, which intrigues him. They begin a friends with benefits type of relationship. As Jamie's career moves from Zoloft to Viagra, he and Maggie find themselves falling for each other.

I was warned by a friend that this movie contains a lot of nudity. Oh yeah, it did... and yes, it was quite enjoyable (for men and women). On the flip side, seeing all the hot sex scenes was a little difficult to watch, only because I am having an inactive sex life (LOL). I loved how the story of Jamie and Maggie evolved from really hot, wild sexual liaisons to a deep, emotional connection between the two. For me, both of those elements represent an ideal relationship for me. I also enjoyed watching the training process of a drug sales representative... especially with the matches. This movie surprised me since it had more substance than a normal chick flick. It was smartly written and was not cheesy. Highly recommended. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Movie Monday (Friday Edition): Summer Movie Previews

One of my favorite things to get in the mail is when Entertainment Weekly publishes their movie preview issues. So imagine my excitement when their Summer Movie Preview issue came in the mail over the weekend. A few days ago, my cousin got really excited when she found out about another Transformers film. I posted the trailer on her page, then I got inspired for a blog. So, to other fellow movie geeks out there, here are many trailers for movies that are coming out thru the end of summer!!!


Thor (May 6th)



This is just the first of many comic book to film adaptations this summer. I'm not as familiar with Thor, so this will be new (and hopefully pleasant) territory for me.

Bridesmaids (May 13th)



Yeah.... I think I will wait until its DVD release to check it out...

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20th)



I have seen Dead Man's Chest and At World's End at the midnight showings. I'll probably see this one at midnight too. I'm ready to see a new chapter in Jack Sparrow's life, plus mermaids and zombies. I am excited to see Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz together in a movie again (last one was Blow). I am tempted to drink rum during the flick (Hey, Jack would expect it) but I would rather not get kicked out of the theater :-)

The Hangover Part II (May 26th)



The boys in Thailand... yep, that's how you upstage Las Vegas. I wonder how the wolfpack will do overseas.

Super 8 (June 10th)



I saw this trailer before Scream 4... and was giddy with excitement as soon as I saw that it was an Amblin Entertainment film. Thank you, Steven Spielberg for making another movie. I hope there is a midnight showing for this!!!

Green Lantern (June 17th)



This is another Marvel comic that I am not as familiar with, but I am interested in watching. And it's not just because of Ryan Reynolds.

Bad Teacher (June 24th)



I've been waiting to see previews for this since I first saw film stills last year! I cannot wait to see Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, and Jason Segel (my number one guy on My List) work together in what I hope to be comedic perfection!

Cars 2 (June 24th)



If it's a Disney/Pixar film, it will be watched in theaters. That's how I roll. It also is a good thing that my six year old is a fan of Lightning McQueen and the rest of the Cars gang. Ka-chow!!!

Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon (July 1st)



I hope this is better than the second film. I really REALLY hope so....

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part II (July 15th)



This is the one film that I am most excited to see this summer. I'm not that fond of seeing it in 3D, but it might actually be cool to see some of the action with that extra dimension. It will be a bittersweet experience, since this is the last film of the book series. I hope they do justice to the book. Maybe we will all finally get to see Peeves the Poltergeist in a film (wishful thinking).

Friends with Benefits (July 22nd)



Earlier this year, we had No Strings Attached with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. This summer, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. I'm going for Timberlake and Kunis. :-)

Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22nd)



Comic book geeks are going to have a very busy summer indeed! Compared to Thor and Green Lantern, this one is the one that has the most hype. Either it will be the best comic book movie this summer or fall short because it was overly promoted. We shall see when box office numbers start to come in...

Cowboys and Aliens (July 29th)



I really like the concept. What if aliens invaded in the days of the old West??? It looks very promising!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (August 5th)



Get ready for some gorilla invasions... and James Franco in the middle of it all!

The Help (August 12th)



Okay, I must read this book before seeing the movie.... MUST.


Obviously I omitted several movies. I thought featuring 15 films was plenty. I will attempt to see many of these when they are still in theaters (or, even better, the drive-in... two movies for the price of one!). I am very excited for my future movie going experiences :-)

Movie Monday: Horror Edition

Ah, horror movies... once I started watching them, I couldn't get enough! Since I had planned to see Scream 4 over the weekend, I figured I would warm myself up with a couple other horror films before opening weekend. Some parts made me jump; others made me realize how some situations (on a realistic point) are truly scary. I warn you, the clips I included might make your heart accelerate...


The Crazies



In the small town of Odgen Marsh, Iowa, the residents experience a toxin that is turning them into zombie-like psychopaths. Before many of them can leave town, the army and national guard seal off the town. Four of the residents, including Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) and his wife Judy (Radha Mitchell), escape and try to get to Cedar Rapids while figuring out why recent events have forever changed their lives.

What I really enjoyed about this movie is how extremely realistic it was... in several ways. For the government to contaminate the water in a small town and see what would happen, then to seal off the town to conduct experiments on those that have been contaminated was executed very well. One of the residents communicated to David about escaping without his wife, who was trapped in one of the guarded buildings. That would really happen in a survival situation. As the experiment was going on, everyone was being tracked by aircraft, which made things more difficult for the escapees. As for the gore factor, it was good. There were several different parts that made the movie visually stimulating. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Turistas



A group of backpackers find themselves stranded in a town in Brazil after their bus goes off road and rolls down a hill. Instead of waiting several hours for new transportation, they decide to look for a place to relax. After finding a secluded area which has a beach and bar, they spend the evening meeting some of the locals. By morning, the group realizes that they have lost everything except the clothes they were wearing and must travel into town. They are lured by one of the locals they befriended and follow him to his uncle's home. However, the local has other plans for the group... which turns the vacation into a survival scenario.

If you are looking for a movie with a lot of horror and not a lot of story, this isn't the movie for you. I was actually disappointed in the lack of action in this film. Other than someone accidentally hitting his head on a rock, the "good stuff" didn't start until an hour into the film (which the movie is only an hour and a half). It seemed like the exposition was way too long, but in a way it needed to be for the audience to grasp exactly what was going to happen to the backpackers. Once the homeowner arrived, with a group of assistants, I started to get scared (I don't want to spoil the movie, but the homeowner is a doctor and his professional skills come in handy). I mean, what happened to the backpackers does happen, and it put a reality check in the film... that's what makes it scary to me. Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Scream 4



10 years after the Woodsboro murders, Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns to her hometown while on her book tour. As she is reunited with Dewey (David Arquette) and Gail (Courtney Cox) and family-including her cousin Jill (Emma Roberts)- she finds herself encountering the Ghostface Killer, but with a new, more social-network friendly twist.

Scream was my first real introduction to horror movies... it will always have a special place in my heart (much like how others would credit the original Halloween or A Nightmare on Elm Street). So when I heard of a fourth installment, I was torn. One, the films were made to be set as a trilogy; to add another film would ruin everything. Two, I was curious as to how it would reinvent the series, especially since the original writers teamed up with an *ingenious* story. To my surprise, it exceeded my expectations.

The first film poked fun at past horror films when it came to predictability and stupid decisions made by those trying to escape death. This movie did the same thing, but was making fun of the Stab films for coming up with ridiculous sequels just to make money at the box office (which made the first scene of the movie hilarious and full of gore). I loved that the movie kept me guessing and was completely thrown off as to who was behind the Ghostface Killer mask.

I don't think this movie would have done as well if it wasn't for the blend of comedic timing, extremely gory scenes, and the parallels to the first film (example- Jill's boyfriend would sneak into her room through the window, just like Billy did with Sidney). I also loved all the references to other horror films, like when a couple of the characters were watching Shaun of the Dead (that got a lot of cheering from the audience). I consider this film the second best Scream film to date and was disappointed to hear that it flopped at the box office over the weekend. I hope time changes that since I really enjoyed the film. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I am planning to do more "themed" type of movie blogs... like 80's films, movies and their sequels, etc. If you like the idea of having more Movie Monday blogs with themes, let me know. I always love getting input or new ideas!