Playing for Keeps
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Main Players: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Noah Lomax, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones
General Gist: A father who is also a retired professional soccer player, works to become a more prominent figure in his son's life.
Deb's Take:
I liked looking at Gerard Butler. He is pretty nice looking and has a nice accent. He looked good without his shirt on. I think that is the best thing I can say about this movie.
The movie was sort of discombobulated. There were a lot of known actors, almost like the movie knew it was lacking in some way, so they wanted some big names to make up for it. I really just didn't like the way the relationships jumped all over the place. Oh, there were funny parts, and nice romantic parts, but honestly, it was pretty unbelievable. That is coming from the sister who falls for any romantic twist out there...the sister who falls for the whole "drama" of relationships, who loves the star crossed lovers story, who roots for the underdog...so I guess what I am saying is...it wasn't that great. Sort of just blahza to me. I have definitely seen worse but it could have been so much better.
Deb's Rate: Don't Bother
Tiff's Take:
I couldn't agree more with Deb's review. This movie really fell short in every way. I actually can't believe the actors in this agreed to do it. They acted well enough but the story line was just awful. I didn't believe any of the relationships or the situations. There were holes and flaws all over the place. And the chemistry wasn't great between anyone. The funny parts were just so so and the "touching" parts weren't really touching at all.
So, maybe just don't go to this one at all. And if you have already then I'm sorry that you wasted your time.
Tiff's Rate: Don't Bother
Preview: Closing down the year, but a few more to come.
Showing posts with label Dennis Quaid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dennis Quaid. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Thursday, September 13, 2012
2012: Week 36: The Words
The Words
Genre: Drama, Romance
Main Players: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Jeremy Irons
General Gist: A writer finds someone else's story and publishes it as if it's his own work.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Main Players: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Jeremy Irons
General Gist: A writer finds someone else's story and publishes it as if it's his own work.
Tiff's Take:
This movie had a really interesting concept. It was like a story within a story within a story. I should mention it was a little confusing too. Generally speaking I thought it was a decent movie. The story was good, the acting was good and the chemistry between the actors were good. But...I felt like there was information missing here and there. Or maybe just depth. I don't know. It just didn't have that emotional pull like I thought it would. It left me wanting a little more. And did I mention it was confusing? Unnecessarily so.
I thought Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana had great chemistry but Dennis Quaid and Olivia Wilde just didn't seem like a great fit.
So this one was sort of neutral for me. Not bad but definitely not great. Probably not worth going to the theater for this one.
This movie had a really interesting concept. It was like a story within a story within a story. I should mention it was a little confusing too. Generally speaking I thought it was a decent movie. The story was good, the acting was good and the chemistry between the actors were good. But...I felt like there was information missing here and there. Or maybe just depth. I don't know. It just didn't have that emotional pull like I thought it would. It left me wanting a little more. And did I mention it was confusing? Unnecessarily so.
I thought Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana had great chemistry but Dennis Quaid and Olivia Wilde just didn't seem like a great fit.
So this one was sort of neutral for me. Not bad but definitely not great. Probably not worth going to the theater for this one.
Tiff's Rate: Rent It
Deb's Take:
I really was expecting more from this movie. The previews were misleading to me. I expected a love story, intertwined with an authors challenging dilemma. Well, I suppose that is what it was about,..kind of. The movie was slow. I felt like I got lost in boredom at some points. I wasn't really buying the relationships and the plot was weak. I feel like the movie could have been good, but it was a story, about a story book, about a story...too many stories. (lol...side note, I didn't read Tiff's review, as I usually don't, before I wrote mine..sometimes our conversations is just too similar!!) The worse part was the ending. Nothing was wrapped up, nothing seemed to be resolved and all in all I was disappointed.
The actors did okay in their parts, but I think it's hard to act a poor movie sometimes. I also think the premise behind the movie could have been quite intriguing if written better. All in all I expected more and got less. I actually don't have a whole lot to say because I just really didn't like it.
Deb's Rate: Don't Bother...read a good book instead!
Preview: "Won't Back Down" is on the docket this week.
Deb's Take:
I really was expecting more from this movie. The previews were misleading to me. I expected a love story, intertwined with an authors challenging dilemma. Well, I suppose that is what it was about,..kind of. The movie was slow. I felt like I got lost in boredom at some points. I wasn't really buying the relationships and the plot was weak. I feel like the movie could have been good, but it was a story, about a story book, about a story...too many stories. (lol...side note, I didn't read Tiff's review, as I usually don't, before I wrote mine..sometimes our conversations is just too similar!!) The worse part was the ending. Nothing was wrapped up, nothing seemed to be resolved and all in all I was disappointed.
The actors did okay in their parts, but I think it's hard to act a poor movie sometimes. I also think the premise behind the movie could have been quite intriguing if written better. All in all I expected more and got less. I actually don't have a whole lot to say because I just really didn't like it.
Deb's Rate: Don't Bother...read a good book instead!
Preview: "Won't Back Down" is on the docket this week.
Monday, May 21, 2012
2012: Week 20: What To Expect When You're Expecting
What To Expect When You're Expecting
This movie had a lot key actors. Both men and woman. This was one of those movies that follows several (5) different couples yet they all are connected somehow. I was a little surprised because the movie was actually quite different than I expected. (kind of like having children!) The previews really played up the comedy, funny aspect, but I didn't really feel like this movie was a comedy as much as a Drama. There were funny parts for sure, but the whole meaning behind the film and the relationships dominated more than the comedy. I did like that, as I do like drama, but I think the advertisements were trying to draw in the male audience, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were slightly disappointed. I think this was a little bit more on the chick flick side.
I liked the acting, Elizabeth Banks has a great scene that many woman may be able to relate to, and I think the men all did well portraying life as fathers and fathers to be. My favorite "relationship" was played by Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford, however, a few storylines hit on that sort of , roll your eyes, kind of dumb. I liked the message the movie was sending...are we ever really ready to have kids? Not bad for a pre-screening.
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Main Players: Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick, Brooklyn Decker (these are the main females, there are waaaay to many main players to list them all...)
General Gist: Five interconnected couples are followed through the ups and downs of pregnancy and experiences of expecting a child.
Deb's Take: This movie was another one of our many pre-screenings. We are having so much fun! We got to experience a movie at AMC Mainstreet regular theatre. (vs the Cinema Suites). Very nice theatre, comfy chairs and a nice set-up of stadium seating.
General Gist: Five interconnected couples are followed through the ups and downs of pregnancy and experiences of expecting a child.
Deb's Take: This movie was another one of our many pre-screenings. We are having so much fun! We got to experience a movie at AMC Mainstreet regular theatre. (vs the Cinema Suites). Very nice theatre, comfy chairs and a nice set-up of stadium seating.
This movie had a lot key actors. Both men and woman. This was one of those movies that follows several (5) different couples yet they all are connected somehow. I was a little surprised because the movie was actually quite different than I expected. (kind of like having children!) The previews really played up the comedy, funny aspect, but I didn't really feel like this movie was a comedy as much as a Drama. There were funny parts for sure, but the whole meaning behind the film and the relationships dominated more than the comedy. I did like that, as I do like drama, but I think the advertisements were trying to draw in the male audience, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were slightly disappointed. I think this was a little bit more on the chick flick side.
I liked the acting, Elizabeth Banks has a great scene that many woman may be able to relate to, and I think the men all did well portraying life as fathers and fathers to be. My favorite "relationship" was played by Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford, however, a few storylines hit on that sort of , roll your eyes, kind of dumb. I liked the message the movie was sending...are we ever really ready to have kids? Not bad for a pre-screening.
Deb's Rate: I waiver a little here....A good girls Friday night out, but a Matinee for you couples.
Tiff's Take:
I think I might be just a tad bit harsher with my review then Deb. Like Deb, I felt like the previews were really playing up the comedy in this movie. Going into the movie that's what I was expecting. I left feeling like it was just so so. There were more serious parts to this movie which I think would have worked really well with the funny parts but both were just a little lack luster. The comedy could have been much funnier and the drama could have been more relatable. I don't think I really felt a connection to many of the characters and their stories. Also like Deb, I liked the relationship between Anna Kendrick's and Chace Crawford's characters the best. They really had great chemistry. On a side note, I have to say that every time I see Anna Kendrick in a movie I like her more and more. I'm not sure what it is.
Don't get me wrong, I thought this was a decent movie. There were good laughs and even a time when I got teared up but this movie had so much more potential. Unfortunately it left me a little disappointed.
Tiff's Rate: Matinee
Preview: Might be struggling to find something this week. Any suggestions??
Tiff's Take:
I think I might be just a tad bit harsher with my review then Deb. Like Deb, I felt like the previews were really playing up the comedy in this movie. Going into the movie that's what I was expecting. I left feeling like it was just so so. There were more serious parts to this movie which I think would have worked really well with the funny parts but both were just a little lack luster. The comedy could have been much funnier and the drama could have been more relatable. I don't think I really felt a connection to many of the characters and their stories. Also like Deb, I liked the relationship between Anna Kendrick's and Chace Crawford's characters the best. They really had great chemistry. On a side note, I have to say that every time I see Anna Kendrick in a movie I like her more and more. I'm not sure what it is.
Don't get me wrong, I thought this was a decent movie. There were good laughs and even a time when I got teared up but this movie had so much more potential. Unfortunately it left me a little disappointed.
Tiff's Rate: Matinee
Preview: Might be struggling to find something this week. Any suggestions??
Friday, October 14, 2011
Week 41: Footloose
Last week we went to another pre-screening. Free movies are cool. We saw the remake of Footloose. I was a little younger than Deb when the original came out so I probably don't remember it to the extent that she does. I wasn't in my teenage years yet so it didn't stick with me quite as much but of course it was a well known movie of my youth. I mean who didn't see Footloose? (Except maybe Russ. I'm not sure he even saw all the Star Wars movies when they came out. *gasp*)
Like Deb said, they pretty much stuck to the original concept in almost every way except just to give it an updated feel and maybe a little more ethnicity. As a remake, I think it worked just fine. All the actors they chose were good. I totally agree that the dancing was on a much higher caliber this go around. Although I do think random acts of dancing in a movie must have been more acceptable and less cheesy then they are now. Taking out frustration and aggression against the man by dancing in a warehouse by yourself was uncomfortable and slightly embarrassing to me. I don't remember feeling like that when I saw the original. It all just seemed way cool back then. I guess that's the difference from being 7 versus 33.
Julianne Hough was cute and perfect for her role as was Kenny Wormald. Ditto for Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell. Overall the casting was good and the movie was fun and entertaining. I don't think anything will compare to the original but do they ever?
To Sum it up: Good cast, fun dancing and overall entertaining.
Like Deb said, they pretty much stuck to the original concept in almost every way except just to give it an updated feel and maybe a little more ethnicity. As a remake, I think it worked just fine. All the actors they chose were good. I totally agree that the dancing was on a much higher caliber this go around. Although I do think random acts of dancing in a movie must have been more acceptable and less cheesy then they are now. Taking out frustration and aggression against the man by dancing in a warehouse by yourself was uncomfortable and slightly embarrassing to me. I don't remember feeling like that when I saw the original. It all just seemed way cool back then. I guess that's the difference from being 7 versus 33.
Julianne Hough was cute and perfect for her role as was Kenny Wormald. Ditto for Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell. Overall the casting was good and the movie was fun and entertaining. I don't think anything will compare to the original but do they ever?
To Sum it up: Good cast, fun dancing and overall entertaining.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Week 41: "Footloose"
We jumped back about 26 years this week and went to the remake of "Footloose". The original movie came out in 1984, I was 14, the same age as my oldest daughter. I think this is the first movie I have seen remade, that I actually remember the first one exceptionally well. Who wouldn't as a 14 year old girl.
This remake was pretty impressive. I think the thing that I noticed was that this time around the actors appeared to be dancers, taught to act, vs Actors taught to dance. In fact I read a clip from the choreographer who said that he had to have the dancers tone it down because they were suppose to be portraying teenagers who didn't have a background in dancing.
The two main actors, played by Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald, could dance...and are professional dancers. It definately was apparent that these two actors were dancers, I know I didn't know anyone who could dance like that in high school with no formal training. However, that wasn't the point of the movie, and the fact that these kids could all dance (even Willard, played by Miles Teller, picked it all up pretty fast.) was pretty cool when watching the movie. Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell(I swear that woman doesn't age) did great as the parents, but there is something to be said about having to fill the shoes of Jim Lithgow and Dianne Wiest.
I think the best way I can describe the movie is this...it's the same "Footloose" with less clothes, better dancing, sexier, and heavier language...pretty much just caught up to the times. The movie was good and I think my 14 year old daughter will remember it as an icon for her time as well...but give me the original with Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, there is something to be said for the old sentimental.
See you next week.
This remake was pretty impressive. I think the thing that I noticed was that this time around the actors appeared to be dancers, taught to act, vs Actors taught to dance. In fact I read a clip from the choreographer who said that he had to have the dancers tone it down because they were suppose to be portraying teenagers who didn't have a background in dancing.
The two main actors, played by Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald, could dance...and are professional dancers. It definately was apparent that these two actors were dancers, I know I didn't know anyone who could dance like that in high school with no formal training. However, that wasn't the point of the movie, and the fact that these kids could all dance (even Willard, played by Miles Teller, picked it all up pretty fast.) was pretty cool when watching the movie. Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell(I swear that woman doesn't age) did great as the parents, but there is something to be said about having to fill the shoes of Jim Lithgow and Dianne Wiest.
I think the best way I can describe the movie is this...it's the same "Footloose" with less clothes, better dancing, sexier, and heavier language...pretty much just caught up to the times. The movie was good and I think my 14 year old daughter will remember it as an icon for her time as well...but give me the original with Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, there is something to be said for the old sentimental.
See you next week.
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