Monday, February 28, 2011

Week 9: Unknown

This week was Unknown with Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger.  I pretty much agree with Deb on this one.  It was good as far as Action movies go.  Maybe not the best but good.  Both Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger were good.  Although Liam Neeson's acting was good, he wasn't quite as believable as the spy/assassin/bad ass that some actors are.  Diane Kruger was a good match as well but I didn't think they had the best chemistry together.  Oh and January Jones was in it.  I hear about her all the time but she didn't really stand out for me at all.   

Action movies aren't my favorite type of genre but I enjoy them enough.  This one kept you on the edge of your seat and tense most of the time which makes for a good action movie.  It was also semi-confusing and riddle filled until the end.  Unlike Deb, I don't generally try to figure out a plot ahead of time.  I usually just enjoy the ride.   This one was no different.  Although I will admit that it left me with some questions at the end still. 

Overall, I think this was an entertaining movie.  If you're into these kinds of movies it's definitely one to see.  If you're not then it probably wouldn't hurt to miss it.  But one things for certain, I'm sure glad it was this instead of Hall Pass.  Thanks voters.  That was a close call. 

To Sum it up:  Suspenseful, action-packed but nothing to write home about. 

Week 9: Unknown

This week we saw "Unknown", per our followers/friends vote. This movie was an action movie with Liam Neeson as a Dr who travels to Berlin and gets in a car accident, leaving him in a situation where his wife doesn't know him and his identity seems to be stolen.

I thought this movie was a pretty good action movie. There were a few interesting car chases, a story line that weaved a web of interest and a twist that even I, the master of figuring out twists, didn't see.

The actors in the movie did a good job and seemed to fit the parts well. Liam Neeson did well and I felt his character was believable and he fit it well. Diane Kruger's character was interesting, and I think she also played it well. Really, all the actors involved were believable and played well.

I can't say that I felt this movie was exceptual, but I also feel this type of movie is for entertainment, little thought is necessary as the story simply unfolds, and a story is simply presented, told and resolved. For those action enthusiasts it was a good movie. For me the movie was just okay. I like movies that touch my soul a lot more!

An okay movie. Nothing too special, good rental.

See you next week!

Monday, February 21, 2011

You pick our next movie!

We want you to pick the next movie we see. Vote in our poll(see right column) before Friday and we'll see what you want us to see!! Movies listed are the movies we have available for our theater.

Week 8: Just Go With It

Well, I have to say...this movie will not win an Oscar :) I really like Adam Sandler, and for the most part Jennifer Aniston. However, this movie reminded me more of a movie I would watch on T.V. and not in the theater. I did find it somewhat funny and entertaining, but the whole story line was pretty far fetched from reality. Lord knows, if I don't think I could live it, I don't really like it!

Adam Sandler generally has a good sense of humor. I do feel at times he is over the top, but I tend to go more the reality. Jennifer Aniston will always seem to me more like a T.V. star, ever since "Friends", and her characters always seem to be the same. This character was no different, always the likable good girl, I actually liked her character when she was "acting" like the high class wife, as it was more entertaining. Brooklyn Decker, needs to stay with modeling. She was suppose to be the sweet, gorgeous girl, girl next door, but really she was just gorgeous and kind of nothing else to me. (Maybe a guy would disagree)

I think my favorite character was the daughter, played by Bailee Madison. She cracked me up. I have seen her in a couple of my kids' favorite disney shows, but she really hammed this one up. Pretty sad when I enjoy a child better than the whole movie.

Nicole Kidman was also in this movie, which I didn't realize before I went. I wasn't really impressed, she just seemed sort of flighty. She was suppose to be an annoying character, and she was...so maybe she was good!

I guess by the sounds of it, I wasn't really over impressed with the movie. I did think it was a no brainer, entertainer. However, would have been a better rent at home type of thing.

Overall, a light-hearted, nothing too special sort of film.

See you next week

Week 8: Just Go With It

This week we saw Just Go With It with Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.  I'll be honest, this movie didn't leave much of a lasting impression on me.  Both Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler were good and they seemed to have good chemistry with their bantering back and forth but they didn't really do it for me as far as a romantic couple.  Brooklyn Decker (aka Andy Roddick's real life model wife) also did okay.  I don't think I've seen her in an acting role before and I think she did fine.  Nothing spectacular.  Nicole Kidman was in it with a small role which I was surprised.  None of the previews showed her at all.  Her husband in the movie was Dave Matthews which I thought was funny.  And at the end of the movie (spoiler alert if you really care at all) Brooklyn Decker's character ends up with Andy Roddick playing himself.  I thought that was funny too but really that was about it for the movie.

Most of Adam Sandler's movies seem to be to an extreme as far as dumb comedy goes.  At least his earlier ones.  And I'll be honest, I usually like those.  This one was a little different because it seemed like it was more of a romantic comedy but not quite.  There were funny parts that weren't quite funny and serious parts that weren't quite serious.  It didn't really work for me at all.  The whole story line was outlandish and unbelievable.  I mean who meets someone and then within a week or so takes a whole dysfunctional family vacation to Hawaii?  There were just way to many holes in the story.  I know it was suppose to be sort of carefree and fun but it just didn't do it for me. 

I'm not sure I would really recommend this movie to anyone.  If you're in the mood for a good Adam Sandler comedy this is definitely not it.  And if you're in the mood for a good Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy this isn't it either. 

To Sum it up: Not that funny, not that believable and not sure if it's worth it.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Oscar Picks

Tiff and I added some Oscar Picks to the blog, (see the side panel) and are wondering what you all are thinking! We didn't confer before we choose, yet it looks we picked several of the same people. Leave a comment with your picks! Would love to see them.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Week 7: Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

As Deb said, we went to see Justin Bieber: Never Say Never because of my nieces.  I'll admit I wasn't really objected to it.  I mean, come on.  Hasn't every girl had her own version of Justin Bieber?  Mine came in the form of New Kids On The Block.  When I was twelve I went to my first concert and saw NKOTB in Seattle.  We drove all the way from Montana specifically for the concert.  My mom and my aunt took me and my cousin.  We jumped up and down and screamed the whole time.  I think my aunt was actually reading a book with ear plugs in. 

We could have used ear plugs at this movie.  It's amazing how crazy girls can get.  Deb was not exaggerating when she said the girls at the movie were acting like they were actually at a concert.  Screaming, jumping up and down, randomly yelling "I love you Justin Bieber".  During any other movie I would have been thoroughly annoyed.  People who talk, let alone scream, during a movie is one of my all time biggest pet peeves.  But I expected it at this movie and this movie wasn't really for my benefit so I just enjoyed the experience and pretended like I was twelve again. (Minus the screaming)

As far as the movie itself goes, it was very entertaining.  Although I don't really think a man would think so.  I think you would have had to be a twelve year old girl at some point in your life to enjoy it. I always enjoy hearing the story of people's lives.  It's amazing what some people can accomplish.  Especially at such a young age.  The movie was basically how Justin Bieber became the phenom that he is today.  The movie was leading up to his sell out concert at Madison Square Gardens.  I liked how the movie kept going back in the past while they were leading up to the days before the big event. 

Well, it may not have been my choice for our movie this week but I had a good time.

To Sum it up: Fascinating, fun and really, really loud.    

Friday, February 11, 2011

Week 7: Justin Bieber, Never say Never

I must preface this post by reminding everyone, I have 13 and 7 year old daughters.

So we went to see the documentary of Justin Bieber. The movie itself was quite an experience. We were at a smaller theatre here, and surrounded by many young girls who thought they were actually at a Justin Bieber concert. Much different than our typical movie scene. The movie was well put together, giving a good picture of Justin's beginning's and journey to the present. I really don't have much to say about the movie itself. I enjoy watching pieces on people's life, the sociologist in me. What was more intriguing to me was the actual story.

I was amazed at Justin's talent and reminded that sometimes in life things are just all lined up the way the should be, and what happens is often just the hand of God. I was surprised that his mother was so young ( a teen mother) but was greatly impressed with his family and their support and love. Very down to earth people it seemed. I also was impressed with how well his Manager has done providing a good and what seemed to be positive environment for him. I did feel a little bad for Justin at times, he is surrounded by good people, but no one his age, I am sure that is a lot of pressure for a 16 year old. But, he does seem very happy with his life, and choices and what can I say, he has talent!

All in all, if you go to the movie be prepared for screaming, crazy young girls. Makenna gave each and everyone one of them a run for their money. It was an interesting story and I was impressed with his story. Good movie to rent!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Giveaway Winner

For our first giveaway we put together a little goody bag of candy, popcorn and a $10 blockbuster gift card. Fun, right? And Deb and I had a great time hearing from all of you.

If you posted a comment on our giveaway post you got one entry in the giveaway. If you posted a comment AND you are a follower you got a second entry.



We chose the winner randomly using random.org and the winner is...


Mary Jo

Congratulations Mary Jo! Contact us so we can get your mailing information and we will get this out to you.

I hope everyone enjoyed this. Keep watching for more giveaways in the future. I already have another idea brewing.

Week 6: The Company Men

This week's movie was pretty thought provoking. The movie followed the life of 3 men in Boston who lose their jobs during the start of the recession in 2008. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper play the 3 main men. All very fitting to their roles. I am a true lover of Ben Affleck and he did a really good job in this movie. In fact, all three men did great in bringing me to the point where I felt I could really "feel" what they were going through. I like that kind of a movie! (as you all know by now). Craig T Nelson, although in the villian role, did a good job...I like him! and Kevin Costner, although only a small role, added to a very strong and powerful cast.

I think what I liked the most about this movie was that it got me really thinking about the recession and all the people who were really hit hard. I have been fortunate enough to be in the health care field, and haven't really felt the hardship so many in the higher level business world have felt. I also felt I got a good sense of what a man who must provide for his family must feel like, especially at an older age, when the thing he has worked for his whole life is pulled out from under his feet. I found that I was pretty disgusted with the whole high exect, CEO big billion dollar company leaders. I agreed with the lesson...yes we like to live that lifestyle, but can we do with less to protect some of those below us...my lesson from the movie.

Although the movie was kind of slow moving, I did find I was captured by the characters and storylines. It was depressing. Sad to think some benefit from others misfortunes, even when they worked just as hard to get where they are.

I was pleased with the ending, put a positive flair on it all! Made me feel hopeful that people are generally good, and that what really matters is family, and friends.

All in all, well written and played. I liked the cast, it was kind of slow, but I enjoyed it none the less.

Have a good week! Let us know what movies you are seeing so we can give them a try as well!!

Week 6: The Company Men

This week's movie was The Company Men. I hadn't heard a lot about this movie so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It seemed to have a full cast of well known male actors. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper and a smaller role for Kevin Costner. They all did a good job but I can't say that any of them stood out more than the others. Ben Affleck was good in it but I think he always does a little better when it's a role that is based on his real life in some way. This movie was based out of Boston so he fit in with that. I like Ben Affleck as an actor alright but sometimes he's just not as believable as he should be. This one he did good though.

The story line was basically about three men losing their jobs and how it effected their lives. All three men were living these inflated lifestyles, living excessively with high paying jobs. When they lose their jobs you almost don't feel sorry for them. Almost. They were all genuine enough that more then anything it was mostly just touching and a little heartbreaking. It seemed like they just weren't ever going to get a break. To be honest, it went on so long I thought maybe it wasn't going to be a very happy ending. And although it wasn't totally a feel good ending it mainly made you feel like the small guys won out and the big corporations got what they deserved. Well, as much as a big corporation can get what they deserve anyway.

Overall, it wasn't a real fast paced movie but entertaining enough even if it was slightly depressing. But like I said the characters were likable and you truly cared how their lives were going to end up.

To Sum it up: Touching, a little depressing and sorta slow going.