It's the weekend. The weather is going to BEAUTIFUL tomorrow. And this is a good thing because I am throwing a nice big party. I've been busy, busy, busy all week with cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and lots of running around. I just finished cleaning the bathroom for my guests. Do you think it's a bad thing to make my kids hold it until tomorrow night? Okay, I'm kidding, but seriously....little boy's and going to the bathroom with bad aim just means I'm going to be cleaning again tomorrow, doesn't it?
So, the food is ordered and the bar is stocked. In honor of the party, this week's Five Faves are....movies with great party scenes!!
Okay...let's Party On!!!
Five:
REVENGE OF THE NERDS-
This movie has a few party scenes, but two stands out. One is when the Tri Lambdas decide to throw a kick ass party, but...they are nerds. They invite the nerdiest Sorority, Omega Mu's and everything starts off awkward. It's a room with a bunch of wallflowers. Of course things kick in and the Nerds indeed throw a kick ass party. The other party scene in when they are at the fair and they have to perform before the crowd. Yeah....you know that song....no?
"Clap your hands everybody and everybody clap your hands. We're Lambda Lambda Lambda and...Omega Mu. And we come up here on stage tonight to do a show for you...."
No? Anyone? Just me?
Four:
CAN'T HARDLY WAIT-
This is a great movie about that last night of high school. All different kinds of characters gather at a house party and we get to see them and laugh at them as they interact with one another. From the Jocks to the Stoners to the Geeks to the Wanna Bes. The best are Seth Green who is a poser and Ethan Embry who has finally worked up is courage to tell the girl of his dreams how he loves her. So many people are in this movie. Watch this one just to see how many you recognize.
Three:
WEIRD SCIENCE-
Classic 80's movie where two geeks create their own beautiful, supermodel of a woman. The twist is she has super powers and can grant wishes to them and herself. When she insist that they throw a party so they can mingle and impress girls, everything goes haywire from her turning the kitchen blue, freezing the grandparents, and bringing in the craziest motorcycle gang. A young Robert Downey Jr. plays one of the bullies and Bill Paxton will forever be remembered as big brother Chet.
Two:
DAZED AND CONFUSED-
Another end of the school year party with a lot of famous faces that you might recognized. It's 1976 and the party is just groovy. Great soundtrack, great lines, and just all around a great movie.
One:
MAMMA MIA-
Just for that final scene where they are all dancing and the water bursts but they keep on partying. It's ABBA, you can't go wrong. It's a feel good movie that will have you wanting to party after seeing it and just dance the night away.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday's 3 Line Review
Earthquake-
This movie was so bad, it was good. Were we really supposed to believe that Ava Gardner was Lorne Green's daughter? DH and I had quite a few laughs watching this one.
You Don't Know Jack-
Made for HBO story of Dr. Death-Dr. Jack Kevorkian. It was interesting and played out both sides of mercy killings very well. Al Pacino was unrecognizable as Dr. Kevorkian and should be up for a Golden Globe.
DragonHeart-
Dennis Quaid as a medieval dragon slayer and Sean Connery as the voice of the last dragon alive. You can't go wrong. This movie is fun and entertaining and anything with Dennis Quaid in it wins big with me.
Away We Go-
Two soon to be parents travel the country, looking for a place to call home and raise their daughter. I really, really wanted to like this movie but in the end found it to be a bit dull. The scene with the anti-stroller, family bed only, crunch hippie mom (played wonderfully by Maggie Gyllenhaal) was great though.
Terminator Salvation-
Like Dennis Quaid, I also have a thing for movies with Christian Bale in it. This is the sequel (or is it prequel?) for the Terminator franchise where we are introduced to the war against machines with John Connor leading it and trying to find Kyle Reese. Best part is Ah-nold's appearance.
Mighty Ducks-
An all time kiddie favorite with Emilio Estevez coaching a bunch of misfit kids on a hockey team. Think Bad News Bears on ice. Very light, predictable, and enjoyable.
Father of the Bride-
I named this one my favorite wedding movie of all times last week. To my surprise it was on over the weekend and I enjoyed it yet once again. "Welcome to the nineties, Mr. Banks!"
The Lovely Bones-
For fans of the book, this movie can be considered a disaster. Take the book out of the equation and you have a half way decent story with some beautiful filming of the after life. Saoirse Ronan is a brilliant little actress as the haunting, murdered teen who watches over her family and friends and I predict big things for her.
An Education-
Nominated for Best Picture, it deserved the nomination. The story of a young, British schoolgirl who has the world waiting for her, falls for a much, much older, charming, con artist of a man. This movie is very simple, but brilliantly played out.
This movie was so bad, it was good. Were we really supposed to believe that Ava Gardner was Lorne Green's daughter? DH and I had quite a few laughs watching this one.
You Don't Know Jack-
Made for HBO story of Dr. Death-Dr. Jack Kevorkian. It was interesting and played out both sides of mercy killings very well. Al Pacino was unrecognizable as Dr. Kevorkian and should be up for a Golden Globe.
DragonHeart-
Dennis Quaid as a medieval dragon slayer and Sean Connery as the voice of the last dragon alive. You can't go wrong. This movie is fun and entertaining and anything with Dennis Quaid in it wins big with me.
Away We Go-
Two soon to be parents travel the country, looking for a place to call home and raise their daughter. I really, really wanted to like this movie but in the end found it to be a bit dull. The scene with the anti-stroller, family bed only, crunch hippie mom (played wonderfully by Maggie Gyllenhaal) was great though.
Terminator Salvation-
Like Dennis Quaid, I also have a thing for movies with Christian Bale in it. This is the sequel (or is it prequel?) for the Terminator franchise where we are introduced to the war against machines with John Connor leading it and trying to find Kyle Reese. Best part is Ah-nold's appearance.
Mighty Ducks-
An all time kiddie favorite with Emilio Estevez coaching a bunch of misfit kids on a hockey team. Think Bad News Bears on ice. Very light, predictable, and enjoyable.
Father of the Bride-
I named this one my favorite wedding movie of all times last week. To my surprise it was on over the weekend and I enjoyed it yet once again. "Welcome to the nineties, Mr. Banks!"
The Lovely Bones-
For fans of the book, this movie can be considered a disaster. Take the book out of the equation and you have a half way decent story with some beautiful filming of the after life. Saoirse Ronan is a brilliant little actress as the haunting, murdered teen who watches over her family and friends and I predict big things for her.
An Education-
Nominated for Best Picture, it deserved the nomination. The story of a young, British schoolgirl who has the world waiting for her, falls for a much, much older, charming, con artist of a man. This movie is very simple, but brilliantly played out.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sequels, Prequels, and Remakes
I believe I come from the age of sequels. I was a young child when Star Wars came out. It did so well and became such a favorite that they followed it up with Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi...well, you get the idea.
Suddenly, everyone was doing sequels. We have been bombarded with sequels ever since. From Freddie to Jason to Indiana to Jaws to Superman and so on and so on and so on. There were a couple of good sequels and so many bad sequels.
When they running out of ideas or the original actors just didn't want to do it anymore, they began the prequels. Then spin-offs. Then remakes. I'm pretty sure somewhere out there, there is a sequel to a prequel of a spin-off that was a remake! It just got out of control. People say there are just no original ideas out there anymore. I beg to differ. I think that Hollywood just does not want to risk investments because let's face it...sequels, prequels, and remakes mean good money.
Some sequels need to be there. You started it, now we have to finish the story and then let it be. Harry Potter is a good example. Hopefully, JK Rowling has some clause in her contract that states that when Harry Potter's story is told and finished, LET IT REST. We don't need to know about the Weasley Family and their adventures. We don't need to see Harry's parents fall in love, marry, have Harry, and fight the evil Voldemort. And we sure as heck don't need to see some Brokeback Mountain style story with Dumbledore.
Twilight is another example. Sure, I know...I know...the movies aren't really that good, BUT they have us committed. The story is not finished. They can finish it...and LET IT REST. I don't need any stories about Edward's early years because you know they are going to have to recast Robert Pattinson. He's just not looking 17 anymore as it is. Recasting ruins everything for me. And I don't need to flash forward and see how Jacob turns out.
So, this brings me to Star Trek. I was not a Star Trek fan. Not anything specific against the franchise. It's just that I became so dedicated to Star Wars at an early age that I felt that becoming involved with Star Trek would just be like cheating on Star Wars.
I saw one Star Trek movie in the theaters. My uncle had taken my cousin and I to see Wrath of Kahn. The only thing I remember about that movie was that the little guy from Fantasy Island was NOT in it and I had sat in a wad of gum and left with Hubba Bubba all over the seat of my knock off Sergio Valente jeans.
I was all about Star Wars. I was all about Han Solo. I would day dream in school that the Millennium Falcon would come and Han Solo would tell me that I was a long lost Jedi and rightfully belonged in a galaxy far, far away. Of course I would convince Han that Leia was no good for him and we would dump Luke and Leia in some trailer park where they could live happily ever after together (because we all know that was a possibility in Empire and don't tell me they are twins) while Han and I would go off to fight the Dark Side.
I am still about Star Wars. I have skeletons in my closet. Okay, they are actually Star Wars figures and twelve inch dolls in my closet. I'm a thirty something year old woman with boxes of mint condition Star Wars toys in her closet. In my living room there is a Darth Vader Snow Globe and Boba Fett figures and a Han Solo Bust. Oh, and a small replica of the Millennium Falcon.
There just was no room for Star Trek in my Star Wars obsessed mind and heart. And then the prequels were announced and I was so excited. It was a lesson learned. Prequels will disappoint you. Sure, it was nice to see Yoda again and to visit Tatooine. We anticipated the birth of Darth Vader. And Samuel L. Jackson was kinda cool as the Jedi with the purple saber. But it was prequels and they just didn't live up to the original Holy Trinity of Star Wars movies.
When I heard they were going to do a new Star Trek movie, I rolled my eyes. How original. Not that I cared. I mean, I didn't like Star Trek. Besides, wasn't Shatner and Nimoy getting too old for this? At least George Lucas didn't force Ford, Hamill, and Fisher to return.
Then I heard that they were recasting Kirk and Spock and the crew with a younger, hipper cast. Again my eyes rolled. So they are remaking it? Not that I cared, but isn't that an insult to the original cast?
Then I heard it was a prequel. It would be about the early years of the Enterprise. Ah....well...again...great big eye roll. Been there. Done that. And it didn't really quite work.
But, as a Movie Junkie, I was curious and I put it on my Netflix queue. It arrived in the mail the other day. And I watched it. Twice.
It worked. It's very odd, but it is a prequel since it tells the story of how the crew of Enterprise came together. It's kind of also a sequel since Nimoy does reprise his role as the older Spock who comes from a time warp. And since it involves a time warp and the Star Trek history was changed...it's also a remake then. Everything every Trekkie has ever known can now be thrown out the window because, thanks to time travel, an alternate reality has been set. BRILLIANT!!
Bravo! They pulled it off! The movie is funny and action packed. They kept things familiar and didn't change much. The uniforms are the same. The ship is pretty much the same. I think that is where George Lucas went wrong with the Star Wars prequels. He changed so much that it just wasn't familiar to us fans. Gone were the X-Wings and Tie-Fighters. So many new species were introduced (Jar Jar Binks and Watto, anyone?) when he should have stuck to Wookies, Ewoks, and the Mos Eisley Band. Even the wardrobe was different. Princess Leia had minimal costume changes whereas Padme Amidala broke records.
With Star Trek, everything is still recognizable. It makes the fans feel at home again. The casting was pretty good too. Especially Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto (who is the perfect younger Spock), and Simon Pegg. Eric Bana is unrecognizable as the villian Captain Nero.
This prequel/sequel/remake is what I believe to be a perfect example of a movie that is NOT based on an original idea. It stayed familiar, which makes the Trekkies happy. It has a young cast, which can help creat a new generation of Trekkies. And by using the time warp storyline, it creates a whole new history that us non-Trekkies can follow and enjoy. And it's funny in that one-line, cocky way that Han Solo was and has action and a very surprising touch of romance. It was good. It was really good. It made me feel like the six year old who first discovered Star Wars and what was great about it. I watched it twice. I want to buy it and own it.
So, with shame, I am now somewhat of a Star Trek fan. They are making a sequel for this prequel and I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about it. I'm not saying that I'm going to start buying Star Trek memorabilia. If given the choice, I would rather pilot the Millennium Falcon over the Enterprise. I still believe if they were in a showdown, Han would kick Kirk's ass and Jedis will rule over Vulcans. And there is no villain like Boba Fett. But, I will now welcome the viewings of Star Trek movies in my home. And I will not feel like I'm cheating on Star Wars. And I will enjoy Star Trek.
Suddenly, everyone was doing sequels. We have been bombarded with sequels ever since. From Freddie to Jason to Indiana to Jaws to Superman and so on and so on and so on. There were a couple of good sequels and so many bad sequels.
When they running out of ideas or the original actors just didn't want to do it anymore, they began the prequels. Then spin-offs. Then remakes. I'm pretty sure somewhere out there, there is a sequel to a prequel of a spin-off that was a remake! It just got out of control. People say there are just no original ideas out there anymore. I beg to differ. I think that Hollywood just does not want to risk investments because let's face it...sequels, prequels, and remakes mean good money.
Some sequels need to be there. You started it, now we have to finish the story and then let it be. Harry Potter is a good example. Hopefully, JK Rowling has some clause in her contract that states that when Harry Potter's story is told and finished, LET IT REST. We don't need to know about the Weasley Family and their adventures. We don't need to see Harry's parents fall in love, marry, have Harry, and fight the evil Voldemort. And we sure as heck don't need to see some Brokeback Mountain style story with Dumbledore.
Twilight is another example. Sure, I know...I know...the movies aren't really that good, BUT they have us committed. The story is not finished. They can finish it...and LET IT REST. I don't need any stories about Edward's early years because you know they are going to have to recast Robert Pattinson. He's just not looking 17 anymore as it is. Recasting ruins everything for me. And I don't need to flash forward and see how Jacob turns out.
So, this brings me to Star Trek. I was not a Star Trek fan. Not anything specific against the franchise. It's just that I became so dedicated to Star Wars at an early age that I felt that becoming involved with Star Trek would just be like cheating on Star Wars.
I saw one Star Trek movie in the theaters. My uncle had taken my cousin and I to see Wrath of Kahn. The only thing I remember about that movie was that the little guy from Fantasy Island was NOT in it and I had sat in a wad of gum and left with Hubba Bubba all over the seat of my knock off Sergio Valente jeans.
I was all about Star Wars. I was all about Han Solo. I would day dream in school that the Millennium Falcon would come and Han Solo would tell me that I was a long lost Jedi and rightfully belonged in a galaxy far, far away. Of course I would convince Han that Leia was no good for him and we would dump Luke and Leia in some trailer park where they could live happily ever after together (because we all know that was a possibility in Empire and don't tell me they are twins) while Han and I would go off to fight the Dark Side.
I am still about Star Wars. I have skeletons in my closet. Okay, they are actually Star Wars figures and twelve inch dolls in my closet. I'm a thirty something year old woman with boxes of mint condition Star Wars toys in her closet. In my living room there is a Darth Vader Snow Globe and Boba Fett figures and a Han Solo Bust. Oh, and a small replica of the Millennium Falcon.
There just was no room for Star Trek in my Star Wars obsessed mind and heart. And then the prequels were announced and I was so excited. It was a lesson learned. Prequels will disappoint you. Sure, it was nice to see Yoda again and to visit Tatooine. We anticipated the birth of Darth Vader. And Samuel L. Jackson was kinda cool as the Jedi with the purple saber. But it was prequels and they just didn't live up to the original Holy Trinity of Star Wars movies.
When I heard they were going to do a new Star Trek movie, I rolled my eyes. How original. Not that I cared. I mean, I didn't like Star Trek. Besides, wasn't Shatner and Nimoy getting too old for this? At least George Lucas didn't force Ford, Hamill, and Fisher to return.
Then I heard that they were recasting Kirk and Spock and the crew with a younger, hipper cast. Again my eyes rolled. So they are remaking it? Not that I cared, but isn't that an insult to the original cast?
Then I heard it was a prequel. It would be about the early years of the Enterprise. Ah....well...again...great big eye roll. Been there. Done that. And it didn't really quite work.
But, as a Movie Junkie, I was curious and I put it on my Netflix queue. It arrived in the mail the other day. And I watched it. Twice.
It worked. It's very odd, but it is a prequel since it tells the story of how the crew of Enterprise came together. It's kind of also a sequel since Nimoy does reprise his role as the older Spock who comes from a time warp. And since it involves a time warp and the Star Trek history was changed...it's also a remake then. Everything every Trekkie has ever known can now be thrown out the window because, thanks to time travel, an alternate reality has been set. BRILLIANT!!
Bravo! They pulled it off! The movie is funny and action packed. They kept things familiar and didn't change much. The uniforms are the same. The ship is pretty much the same. I think that is where George Lucas went wrong with the Star Wars prequels. He changed so much that it just wasn't familiar to us fans. Gone were the X-Wings and Tie-Fighters. So many new species were introduced (Jar Jar Binks and Watto, anyone?) when he should have stuck to Wookies, Ewoks, and the Mos Eisley Band. Even the wardrobe was different. Princess Leia had minimal costume changes whereas Padme Amidala broke records.
With Star Trek, everything is still recognizable. It makes the fans feel at home again. The casting was pretty good too. Especially Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto (who is the perfect younger Spock), and Simon Pegg. Eric Bana is unrecognizable as the villian Captain Nero.
This prequel/sequel/remake is what I believe to be a perfect example of a movie that is NOT based on an original idea. It stayed familiar, which makes the Trekkies happy. It has a young cast, which can help creat a new generation of Trekkies. And by using the time warp storyline, it creates a whole new history that us non-Trekkies can follow and enjoy. And it's funny in that one-line, cocky way that Han Solo was and has action and a very surprising touch of romance. It was good. It was really good. It made me feel like the six year old who first discovered Star Wars and what was great about it. I watched it twice. I want to buy it and own it.
So, with shame, I am now somewhat of a Star Trek fan. They are making a sequel for this prequel and I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about it. I'm not saying that I'm going to start buying Star Trek memorabilia. If given the choice, I would rather pilot the Millennium Falcon over the Enterprise. I still believe if they were in a showdown, Han would kick Kirk's ass and Jedis will rule over Vulcans. And there is no villain like Boba Fett. But, I will now welcome the viewings of Star Trek movies in my home. And I will not feel like I'm cheating on Star Wars. And I will enjoy Star Trek.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday's Five Favorites
In honor of nine years with my DH, today's Friday's Five Fav's are movies that have something to do with weddings. Either the whole movie is focused around the wedding or there's a great wedding scene or the movie leads up to a wedding.
Number 5-
MURIEL'S WEDDING-
All Muriel wants to do is get married. She just wants to be a bride, but she doesn't even have a boyfriend. This Australian movie is so funny and quirky with it's off the wall characters. And the ABBA soundtrack makes it even better. Toni Collette is great in this movie as the awkward Muriel, but Toni Collette is great in everything she does.
Number 4-
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING-
I can so relate to this movie. Though we are not Greek, my mother's side is Italian and I know my fourth cousins ten times removed or something like that. My father is German/Irish and comes from a family of ten. My DH...very small family. His family was smart that way. This movie had a lot of laughs for me. And besides, John Corbett was just adorable in this movie. I also can never look at another Bundt Cake again without thinking of this movie.
Number 3-
WEDDING CRASHERS-
Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as two overgrown frat boys and meet women by crashing weddings. Christopher Walken is great as the father of the bride where the boys get sucked into spending the weekend with the family, but Bradley Cooper steals the show as the suspicious, snotty, and snobby boyfriend of Wilson's love interest. Isla Fisher is also a hoot and Will Ferrell is outrageous. This is a wedding movie that guys can enjoy too!
Number 2-
THE WEDDING SINGER-
If you haven't seen The Wedding Singer, you've been living under a rock. It's Adam Sandler. It's cornball weddings and wedding songs. It's the 80's. It's a classic. And the song Grow Old With You should be an instant wedding song classic.
Number 1-
FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1991)-
This has to be my favorite. It's cute, Steve Martin is funny, anyone planning a wedding can relate. But most of all...it has one of my top quoted lines. There is one line that I have been quoting to my father for years. You see, my Dad is stuck in the late sixties, early seventies. Whenever he is amazed by something or says that something is impossible, I simply quote Martin Short. "Welcome to the 90's, Mr. Banks." Even today, in the new millennium, I still quote that line. This is also one of those movies that no matter how many times I have seen it, if I'm flipping around and it's on, I will watch it again and again. It's funny, charming, warm, and can even make you get that little catch in the back of your throat.
Number 5-
MURIEL'S WEDDING-
All Muriel wants to do is get married. She just wants to be a bride, but she doesn't even have a boyfriend. This Australian movie is so funny and quirky with it's off the wall characters. And the ABBA soundtrack makes it even better. Toni Collette is great in this movie as the awkward Muriel, but Toni Collette is great in everything she does.
Number 4-
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING-
I can so relate to this movie. Though we are not Greek, my mother's side is Italian and I know my fourth cousins ten times removed or something like that. My father is German/Irish and comes from a family of ten. My DH...very small family. His family was smart that way. This movie had a lot of laughs for me. And besides, John Corbett was just adorable in this movie. I also can never look at another Bundt Cake again without thinking of this movie.
Number 3-
WEDDING CRASHERS-
Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as two overgrown frat boys and meet women by crashing weddings. Christopher Walken is great as the father of the bride where the boys get sucked into spending the weekend with the family, but Bradley Cooper steals the show as the suspicious, snotty, and snobby boyfriend of Wilson's love interest. Isla Fisher is also a hoot and Will Ferrell is outrageous. This is a wedding movie that guys can enjoy too!
Number 2-
THE WEDDING SINGER-
If you haven't seen The Wedding Singer, you've been living under a rock. It's Adam Sandler. It's cornball weddings and wedding songs. It's the 80's. It's a classic. And the song Grow Old With You should be an instant wedding song classic.
Number 1-
FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1991)-
This has to be my favorite. It's cute, Steve Martin is funny, anyone planning a wedding can relate. But most of all...it has one of my top quoted lines. There is one line that I have been quoting to my father for years. You see, my Dad is stuck in the late sixties, early seventies. Whenever he is amazed by something or says that something is impossible, I simply quote Martin Short. "Welcome to the 90's, Mr. Banks." Even today, in the new millennium, I still quote that line. This is also one of those movies that no matter how many times I have seen it, if I'm flipping around and it's on, I will watch it again and again. It's funny, charming, warm, and can even make you get that little catch in the back of your throat.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Thursday's 3 Line Reviews and One Heck of a Movie
Now, I know I do the 3 Line Reviews every Thursday and I'm sticking with that because I enjoy. It's a challenge to review a movie in just three lines. However, last night a movie came along that I simply cannot review it in just three lines. It was that good. It would be unjustified to try and be gimmicky with only three lines. So, this movie is getting more.
But...first the Thursday's 3 Line Reviews of all the movies I watched during the past seven days.
THE RIVER WILD-
Suspenseful filmed in the beautiful wilds of Montana and Oregon where Meryl Streep is an ex-river guide/mom who is needed to take two seedy characters down (up?) the rivers. Meryl Streep's weakest role, which is still saying a lot because she is brilliant. Kevin Bacon does bad guy well and John C. Reilly reminds us that there is more to him than campy Will Ferrell partnered movies.
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS-
Odd ball movie with odd ball characters played out by good cast including Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, The Wilson Brothers, Angelica Huston, and Danny Glover. Has some very funny moments and some dark moments. Different and weird, but held my interest.
TWISTER-
Classic disaster movie done right. The storyline is a little corny, but the effects and Bill Paxton steal the show. Flying cow goes down in movie history as one of the most memorable scenes ever.
TED BUNDY-
Cheap, tasteless, tacky movie about the real life serial killer. This movie is a disgrace to Ted Bundy's victims and completely disgusted me on how they felt they needed to add "hip" filming and sorority girls in underwear, jumping on the bed, and having a pillow fight. Michael Reilly Burke's portrayal of Ted Bundy was clownish and almost laughable, yet just the thought of the actual events of this serial killer kept me up the whole night.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE-
Having never seen this "classic", I decided it was time and was some what disappointed. The "disturbing" scenes were just there to shock you and unfortunately in today's day and age, the shock value just isn't there anymore. I did think the story was interesting and the whole movie was different, but did anyone else think the actors were shouting throughout the whole movie?
THE FIFTH ELEMENT-
After putting this movie in last Friday's 5 Favorites for most colorful movie, I saw that it was on and as I said last week...I cannot resist watching this movie. Bruce Willis is great as he deadpans his one liners and Chris Rock is hilarious as the flamboyant DJ from the future. This movie is sci-fi that is fun, colorful, and unique.
JOE SOMEBODY-
Dull and boring. Tim Allen is a man who challenges the work bully to a schoolyard fight and suddenly gains respect and fame at work. The only shining moments are scenes with Jim Belushi as ex-action star turned drunk martial artist Mr. Miyagi wannabe.
GET SMART-
As a fan of the original television show, I really wanted to like this movie. Steve Carell tries and has a moment or two, but mostly comes across as annoying and Anne Hathaway is miscast. The only laugh out loud moments I got all came from Alan Arkin.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND-
One of the better movies I've seen in a long time. Russell Crowe plays mathematical genius John Nash who is recruited by government officials to help crack Russian Codes. This movie has a wonderful twist that is revealed in the middle of the movie, so the second half deals with the twist and I loved that.
MOTHMAN PROPHECIES-
Based on real events, this movie is eerie and creepy. You never see the boogie man, which makes it a little scary. In the end though, the movie is just a tad bit of a let down.
LA VIE EN ROSE-
The story of French singer Edith Piaf who went from being raised in a brothel and the circus to singing on the street corners to international fame. Was very disappointed in this movie as it flashed back and forth and there were flashbacks within flashbacks and it seemed to even flash sideways and inside out. Marion Cotillard was excellent but her make-up made her look like a cross between Mommie Dearest and a circus clown and I don't believe it did the real Edith Piaf any justice.
A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD-
A very simple story of a very strange three way relationship between a flamboyant gay man, a bohemian/punk straight woman, and a lost and confused bi-sexual man. I thought this movie was touching and warm and loved Sissy Spacek and Colin Farrell. This was an enjoyable surprise for me.
FOUR CHRISTMASES-
Mindless and mildly humorous. If you have nothing else better to watch, then watch this one. I do love Vince Vaughn but thought Reese Witherspoon was miscast and looked and acted older than she actually is.
And now, for the movie that I felt deserved more than three lines. A movie that went it ended I looked at DH and declared "Brilliant!!!"
I'm slowly working my way through the big Oscar movies. I have seen The Blind Side, Precious, Up, and Inglorious Basterds. Last night it was time to watch District 9. I was simply blown away.
District 9 is a very simple sci-fi plot. Aliens are stranded on Earth for 20 years and put in a slum...a camp in South Africa. They live lower than humans, they act lower than humans, they are treated lower than humans, but are they lower than humans?
Some scenes are shot in documentary style. Others look like news footage. The rest is an action/sci-fi movie and it all comes together in one great, entertaining movie. The CGI effects of the aliens are the best I've ever seen. They looked so real. At least to me. My son, who was up with a horrid case of allergies and watched it with us, declared they were fake looking. But I disagree. And the aliens were not cute or cuddly or innocent looking. They were ugly brutes who acted like ugly brutes.
In the movie, it is decided by some government/big corporation bigwigs that it is time to evict the "Prawns" from their slum housing in District 9 to a new district away from Johannesburg. As the newly promoted official, Wikus Van De Merwe is overly confident in his status and abuses his authority to evict the Prawns, but of course things get out of control.
There was not one big name actor or actress in this movie. This movie relies on the effects, the story, and some unknowns to carry it and it works. Sharlto Copely, who plays Wikus Van De Merwe, was amazing. He went from a weaselly, sniveling, cowardly, awkward, brown nosing, geek to a rugged, dirty, sweaty, action filled man of survival. If I were watching this movie in pieces, I would have never guessed it was the same actor or the same character. He deserved more recognition for his work.
The only flaw this movie has is its over use of the F word. I have no complaints of the violence, the blood, the gore that comes with this movie, but when every line contained one or more F word, it just got a little ridiculous. Then again, I'm not from Johannesburg and I've never been, so maybe this is how they talk over there? Maybe the F word is used like that and not considered the offensive word it is over here? I don't know. I think I'm just trying to find a reason as to why the script contained it so often. I'm talking more than a Quentin Tarantino movie.
But other than that, as I told DH, this movie was brilliant. So far it is my favorite of all of 2010 Oscar Nominations that I have seen. This is the movie that I recommend for this week.
But...first the Thursday's 3 Line Reviews of all the movies I watched during the past seven days.
THE RIVER WILD-
Suspenseful filmed in the beautiful wilds of Montana and Oregon where Meryl Streep is an ex-river guide/mom who is needed to take two seedy characters down (up?) the rivers. Meryl Streep's weakest role, which is still saying a lot because she is brilliant. Kevin Bacon does bad guy well and John C. Reilly reminds us that there is more to him than campy Will Ferrell partnered movies.
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS-
Odd ball movie with odd ball characters played out by good cast including Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, The Wilson Brothers, Angelica Huston, and Danny Glover. Has some very funny moments and some dark moments. Different and weird, but held my interest.
TWISTER-
Classic disaster movie done right. The storyline is a little corny, but the effects and Bill Paxton steal the show. Flying cow goes down in movie history as one of the most memorable scenes ever.
TED BUNDY-
Cheap, tasteless, tacky movie about the real life serial killer. This movie is a disgrace to Ted Bundy's victims and completely disgusted me on how they felt they needed to add "hip" filming and sorority girls in underwear, jumping on the bed, and having a pillow fight. Michael Reilly Burke's portrayal of Ted Bundy was clownish and almost laughable, yet just the thought of the actual events of this serial killer kept me up the whole night.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE-
Having never seen this "classic", I decided it was time and was some what disappointed. The "disturbing" scenes were just there to shock you and unfortunately in today's day and age, the shock value just isn't there anymore. I did think the story was interesting and the whole movie was different, but did anyone else think the actors were shouting throughout the whole movie?
THE FIFTH ELEMENT-
After putting this movie in last Friday's 5 Favorites for most colorful movie, I saw that it was on and as I said last week...I cannot resist watching this movie. Bruce Willis is great as he deadpans his one liners and Chris Rock is hilarious as the flamboyant DJ from the future. This movie is sci-fi that is fun, colorful, and unique.
JOE SOMEBODY-
Dull and boring. Tim Allen is a man who challenges the work bully to a schoolyard fight and suddenly gains respect and fame at work. The only shining moments are scenes with Jim Belushi as ex-action star turned drunk martial artist Mr. Miyagi wannabe.
GET SMART-
As a fan of the original television show, I really wanted to like this movie. Steve Carell tries and has a moment or two, but mostly comes across as annoying and Anne Hathaway is miscast. The only laugh out loud moments I got all came from Alan Arkin.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND-
One of the better movies I've seen in a long time. Russell Crowe plays mathematical genius John Nash who is recruited by government officials to help crack Russian Codes. This movie has a wonderful twist that is revealed in the middle of the movie, so the second half deals with the twist and I loved that.
MOTHMAN PROPHECIES-
Based on real events, this movie is eerie and creepy. You never see the boogie man, which makes it a little scary. In the end though, the movie is just a tad bit of a let down.
LA VIE EN ROSE-
The story of French singer Edith Piaf who went from being raised in a brothel and the circus to singing on the street corners to international fame. Was very disappointed in this movie as it flashed back and forth and there were flashbacks within flashbacks and it seemed to even flash sideways and inside out. Marion Cotillard was excellent but her make-up made her look like a cross between Mommie Dearest and a circus clown and I don't believe it did the real Edith Piaf any justice.
A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD-
A very simple story of a very strange three way relationship between a flamboyant gay man, a bohemian/punk straight woman, and a lost and confused bi-sexual man. I thought this movie was touching and warm and loved Sissy Spacek and Colin Farrell. This was an enjoyable surprise for me.
FOUR CHRISTMASES-
Mindless and mildly humorous. If you have nothing else better to watch, then watch this one. I do love Vince Vaughn but thought Reese Witherspoon was miscast and looked and acted older than she actually is.
And now, for the movie that I felt deserved more than three lines. A movie that went it ended I looked at DH and declared "Brilliant!!!"
I'm slowly working my way through the big Oscar movies. I have seen The Blind Side, Precious, Up, and Inglorious Basterds. Last night it was time to watch District 9. I was simply blown away.
District 9 is a very simple sci-fi plot. Aliens are stranded on Earth for 20 years and put in a slum...a camp in South Africa. They live lower than humans, they act lower than humans, they are treated lower than humans, but are they lower than humans?
Some scenes are shot in documentary style. Others look like news footage. The rest is an action/sci-fi movie and it all comes together in one great, entertaining movie. The CGI effects of the aliens are the best I've ever seen. They looked so real. At least to me. My son, who was up with a horrid case of allergies and watched it with us, declared they were fake looking. But I disagree. And the aliens were not cute or cuddly or innocent looking. They were ugly brutes who acted like ugly brutes.
In the movie, it is decided by some government/big corporation bigwigs that it is time to evict the "Prawns" from their slum housing in District 9 to a new district away from Johannesburg. As the newly promoted official, Wikus Van De Merwe is overly confident in his status and abuses his authority to evict the Prawns, but of course things get out of control.
There was not one big name actor or actress in this movie. This movie relies on the effects, the story, and some unknowns to carry it and it works. Sharlto Copely, who plays Wikus Van De Merwe, was amazing. He went from a weaselly, sniveling, cowardly, awkward, brown nosing, geek to a rugged, dirty, sweaty, action filled man of survival. If I were watching this movie in pieces, I would have never guessed it was the same actor or the same character. He deserved more recognition for his work.
The only flaw this movie has is its over use of the F word. I have no complaints of the violence, the blood, the gore that comes with this movie, but when every line contained one or more F word, it just got a little ridiculous. Then again, I'm not from Johannesburg and I've never been, so maybe this is how they talk over there? Maybe the F word is used like that and not considered the offensive word it is over here? I don't know. I think I'm just trying to find a reason as to why the script contained it so often. I'm talking more than a Quentin Tarantino movie.
But other than that, as I told DH, this movie was brilliant. So far it is my favorite of all of 2010 Oscar Nominations that I have seen. This is the movie that I recommend for this week.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
We Met At The Movies
On this day, I married my best friend. That was what our little "theme" was was. There was a sticker on the envelopes that said the whole marrying best friend quote. Our invitation was a little boy giving a little girl a flower. But our real theme was the movies.
DH and I met at the movies. He was the usher. I was the candy girl. The other candy girl was his girlfriend. We'll ignore that part. This was back when popcorn was freshly popped and we had to wear bow ties. Then I left my candy girl position and didn't see him for seven years.
Seven years later, he walked into my store and I knew...this was it. We dated, bonded over our love and appreciation for Star Wars, Jaws, and Indiana Jones. We anticipated the release of Phantom Menace together. We remained loyal to George Lucas despite that darn Jar Jar Binks. We claimed that we were going to name our first born son Quint (though I liked Brody better). It was love.
And then came the wedding. With all the planning and running around, my main concern was picking the right music for the important parts of the party. And it had a theme. The Movies.
Three weeks before the wedding, I called our DJ with our list of songs we had chosen. The bridal party and parents were to introduced to the instrumental theme of Top Gun. We were to be introduced to Star Wars (of course!!! What other song would do?) Our first song was Stand By Me, one of my all time favorites. Our second song, where the DJ asked people to come out on to the dance floor and join us was How Do I Live from Con Air. We were to eat dinner to Disney songs. We were to cut the cake to the theme of Jaws. And our very last song was NOT to be the classic, iconic last wedding song of all wedding songs-Donna Summer's Last Dance-but rather...I've Had the Time of My Life.
The DJ paused, chuckled, then said "You realize all those songs are from movies?"
Yes, Mr. DJ. We met at a movie theater. It was a secret little theme. I was curious to see if anyone else would pick up our pattern of songs and music from movies.
A couple of people did. Some people didn't know that we met at the movies and asked if our song choices were something that meant something to us or just purely coincidental. We smiled and nodded and told them. "We met at the movies."
Even our honeymoon was influenced by the movies. We had no interest in Europe and both are not really lie around on the beach all day people. Neither one of us had ever been to Disney World, so we were off to Orlando like two little kids. As fun at it was seeing Mickey, Minnie, and all those Disney Princesses and Princes and Animals and Tea Pots...it was at Disney Hollywood Studios were we were just amazed.
The Indiana Jones Show! Star Tours! And the Greatest Attraction I think of any theme park...The Great Movie Ride. If you have never been on this ride, it is simply a must. First of all, the ride is approximately 20 minutes long, so this means being off your feet and in air condition, which is a welcome thing in Disney. As you sit in the tram car, you are whisked from scene to scene to scene of different movies. All the characters are right there, in animatronics, from Alien to Casablanca to Indiana Jones. The greatest scene of all is Munchkin Land. Little Munchkins pop out everywhere, singing, in glorious color, looking a bit too real. Then a loud rumble and smoke and the Wicked Witch appears, making her cackling threats. The whole thing is just wonderful.
And now, it is 9 years later. A lot has happened in 9 years. We lost some very precious, close family members which makes it hard to look at our wedding pictures. We gave birth to our two wonderful, amazing kids who makes life more interesting than any movie ever could.
We've moved and remodeled. Got rid of our old, beat up Sentra. Have a truck and mini-van sitting in our driveway. We've seen the other two Star Wars movies and decided that the original three will always be the best. Been through four couches and five dogs (three are still with us today). He's been through many work locations and I wrote two novels. We've been rich and we've been broke. We made it back to Disney with our kids and revisited our happy memories with them and created newer and better ones. We've cried a lot. We've fought and slammed doors. We've laughed even more.
All because, we met at the movies.
Happy Anniversary, Honeybunch!!!
DH and I met at the movies. He was the usher. I was the candy girl. The other candy girl was his girlfriend. We'll ignore that part. This was back when popcorn was freshly popped and we had to wear bow ties. Then I left my candy girl position and didn't see him for seven years.
Seven years later, he walked into my store and I knew...this was it. We dated, bonded over our love and appreciation for Star Wars, Jaws, and Indiana Jones. We anticipated the release of Phantom Menace together. We remained loyal to George Lucas despite that darn Jar Jar Binks. We claimed that we were going to name our first born son Quint (though I liked Brody better). It was love.
And then came the wedding. With all the planning and running around, my main concern was picking the right music for the important parts of the party. And it had a theme. The Movies.
Three weeks before the wedding, I called our DJ with our list of songs we had chosen. The bridal party and parents were to introduced to the instrumental theme of Top Gun. We were to be introduced to Star Wars (of course!!! What other song would do?) Our first song was Stand By Me, one of my all time favorites. Our second song, where the DJ asked people to come out on to the dance floor and join us was How Do I Live from Con Air. We were to eat dinner to Disney songs. We were to cut the cake to the theme of Jaws. And our very last song was NOT to be the classic, iconic last wedding song of all wedding songs-Donna Summer's Last Dance-but rather...I've Had the Time of My Life.
The DJ paused, chuckled, then said "You realize all those songs are from movies?"
Yes, Mr. DJ. We met at a movie theater. It was a secret little theme. I was curious to see if anyone else would pick up our pattern of songs and music from movies.
A couple of people did. Some people didn't know that we met at the movies and asked if our song choices were something that meant something to us or just purely coincidental. We smiled and nodded and told them. "We met at the movies."
Even our honeymoon was influenced by the movies. We had no interest in Europe and both are not really lie around on the beach all day people. Neither one of us had ever been to Disney World, so we were off to Orlando like two little kids. As fun at it was seeing Mickey, Minnie, and all those Disney Princesses and Princes and Animals and Tea Pots...it was at Disney Hollywood Studios were we were just amazed.
The Indiana Jones Show! Star Tours! And the Greatest Attraction I think of any theme park...The Great Movie Ride. If you have never been on this ride, it is simply a must. First of all, the ride is approximately 20 minutes long, so this means being off your feet and in air condition, which is a welcome thing in Disney. As you sit in the tram car, you are whisked from scene to scene to scene of different movies. All the characters are right there, in animatronics, from Alien to Casablanca to Indiana Jones. The greatest scene of all is Munchkin Land. Little Munchkins pop out everywhere, singing, in glorious color, looking a bit too real. Then a loud rumble and smoke and the Wicked Witch appears, making her cackling threats. The whole thing is just wonderful.
And now, it is 9 years later. A lot has happened in 9 years. We lost some very precious, close family members which makes it hard to look at our wedding pictures. We gave birth to our two wonderful, amazing kids who makes life more interesting than any movie ever could.
We've moved and remodeled. Got rid of our old, beat up Sentra. Have a truck and mini-van sitting in our driveway. We've seen the other two Star Wars movies and decided that the original three will always be the best. Been through four couches and five dogs (three are still with us today). He's been through many work locations and I wrote two novels. We've been rich and we've been broke. We made it back to Disney with our kids and revisited our happy memories with them and created newer and better ones. We've cried a lot. We've fought and slammed doors. We've laughed even more.
All because, we met at the movies.
Happy Anniversary, Honeybunch!!!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Everybody Mambo!!
Today started off as a miserable day. It was just one of the mornings where you either want to crawl back into bed and tell the world to go to hell or get out of the house and hope the fresh air will clear your head. I chose the latter and it turned into a miserable afternoon involving a long, uphill walk to a kiddie baseball game where it threatened to rain the whole time. And then my son and I had to wait for DH to pick us up. The closest spot to the parking lot was right on the water. It was cold, grey, windy, and an occasional drizzle. We had to wait for over 20 minutes. And there were no bathrooms. And it was cold. And damp. Did I mention it was COLD???
But, things are about to look up. The day WILL get better. My kids are now safe and sound and warm at Nana's house where they will spend the night. I am off to take a hot shower soon, to get rid of the chill that has nestled deep down in my bones and to get ready. We have a party tonight. An Adults Only Party.
The best part? It's right next door to my house. No driving. We can party it up like it's 1999...or like we are 19 years old, then stumble down my neighbors stoop, cross the lawn, and stumble into our house.
The second best part? The theme. I loved themed parties. I am KNOWN for themed parties for my kids and I'm getting a kick out of a themed party for grown ups. The theme is "CUBAN".
I don't know much about the Cuban culture. I know Ricky Ricardo was Cuban. I know there was a big hoopla over a little boy years ago who survived to American shores trying to escape from Cuba. I know of Cuban Sandwiches- they are so delish and awesome with pork, ham, cheese, mustard, pickles all pressed together. I'm pretty sure the Mojito comes from Cuba. And I know of a little movie called The Mambo Kings that has a Cuban theme running throughout the movie.
The Mambo Kings is a really good movie that was released in 1992 and starred Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas (in his first English speaking role) as the Castillo Brothers who leave Cuba to try and make it big in the Latin music world. Armand Assante is the older brother who is the one behind their big musical dreams. Antonio Banderas is pining for an old love back in Cuba.
The music is great. Especially "Beautiful Maria of My Soul", which is somewhat haunting. There are scenes that involve the brothers with the original star from Cuba, Desi Arnaz. These scenes are great and if you are a fan of I Love Lucy, which I am, you will enjoy it. Desi Arnaz is played by his son, Desi Arnaz Jr. When the Castillo Brothers land roles on I Love Lucy, they cut back and forth between Desi Jr., the Castillo Brothers, and the queen of comedy herself- Lucille Ball.
This movie is a great tribute to the 50's, Lucy and Desi, Latin music, and Cuban American families and friends everywhere. This is one of those movies that not everyone has heard of, but worth checking out. Whether you like Latin music or retro costumes and settings, you might enjoy this little movie.
I know, I know....I was inspired to write about a movie that was Cuban based and you are thinking I should have written about Scarface. I'm sure that was one of the most famous Cuban characters of all times. But, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. See...this Movie Junkie has never seen Scarface. Oops. Don't worry. It's on my list of "Classic Movies Every Movie Junkie Should See". I will get to it one day.
I'm off. Gotta start to get ready for a brighter (and warmer!) day! I'm off to drink some Mojitos and eat some Cuban Sandwiches and I'm off to Mambo the night away!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
