Bonus Review: Week 27.5

The Amazing Spider-Man

Genre: Action, Adventure

Main Players: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Sally Field, Martin Sheen

General Gist: Pretty sure everyone knows the general gist.....

Deb's Take:   My son really wanted to see this movie, so my husband and I were able to take him for a “middle child” date.  (My husband was looking forward to it as well).  I hadn’t planned on going initially, but getting to spend time with the family and going to a movie go hand in hand. 

It seems like I have seen so many “super hero” movies in the last two years  I wasn’t really sure how this one could be any different than the last 30.  Actually, it really wasn’t in my eyes.  Same story, different actors, different scenes, better graphics, stunts etc….So, I will take a look at the actors..I do like Emma Stone.  She is just a sort of down to earth, “real” person kind of actress.  She made the chemistry of the romance work.  Andrew Garfield was so-so.  He did fit the whole broken teenager role of Spidey, but I wasn’t sold on his macho attitude and romance abilities.  I think who I liked the most was Sally Field, and not because this role was amazing, but because I just love her!  I was shocked to see her and Martin Sheen in this remake, who would have guessed.

All in all, the movie was…Spiderman, nothing too special for me.  I will tell you that my son liked it “better than any other Spider Man movie because it actually followed the true storyline of the comics.” My husband agreed.  Again, lost on me, but oh well, still a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my boys.

Deb's Rate: Matinee

Preview: The sisters reunite after 3 weeks of vacation!

Week 33: The Help

This week we saw The Help.  Yay!  A movie I was really looking forward to.  I love movies that I'm looking forward especially on opening weekend.  It doesn't get any better than that.

This movie was filled with a great cast.  Emma Stone played Skeeter.  At first I wasn't sure how much I would like her in this role.  Honestly, I hadn't seen any of her movies until I saw Crazy, Stupid Love a few weeks ago.  She was great in that and she was great in this too.  I guess my completely uneducated opinion about her has now changed.  I'm a fan.

Some of the other actors were Viola Davis (Abileen), Octavia Spencer (Minny), Bryce Dallas Howard (Hilly), Jessica Chastain (Celia) and smaller roles by Allison Janney (Charlotte) and Sissy Spacek (Missus Walters).  This movie was chalked full of wonderful actresses.  And let me tell ya, they all were so good in their roles.  I would say Minny really stole the show followed by the few scenes with Sissy Spacek. 

If you haven't read this book, you should.  It is so good.  Of course the book is almost always better than the movie but this movie really did it justice.  When I saw the previews I thought it was going to be too light-hearted compared to the book.  And it was in parts.  There were some really good funny parts but it also had it's serious moments.  A really good mix. 

To Sum it up:  Funny, heart-breaking and packed with a bunch of strong women.

week 33 "The Help"

We have been waiting to see this movie since we read the book. I was pretty excited as the book was good, and I felt a movie could probably capture everything it needed to make the movie as good. As usual, the movie wasn't as good as the book...Movies just can't get all the fun details, and I like details! However, this movie was better than most about getting close to the book.

I think the thing that really made it for me was that the characters in the book pretty much matched the movie characters. Sometimes the movie characters are just so off I can't get into it, this time I was not disappointed.

Emma Stone did a great job as Skeeter. Bryce Dallas Howard did a great job as Hilly, and I actually found myself more intrigued with Ceclia's role because I liked how Jessica Chastain played her. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were the real winners for me though. I felt like I was walking through the book with their characters. KUDOS!!!

For anyone who hasn't read the book, or seen the movie yet, this is truly an inspiring story. I will say, the book will "close up" the story a little but better than the movie did. Everything ends as it should with no real questions...the movie left a few loose ends.

Great movie for all. My 14 year old daughter even said she liked it pretty well, and she is a hard one to please. See you next week.

Week 31: Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Last weekend we saw Crazy, Stupid, Love.  Let me tell ya, this was such a good movie.  Amist all the super hero movies, this was a wonderful change of pace.  It was chalked full of great actors too.  The main characters were Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and a few others like Kevin Bacon and Marisa Tomei.

I had a good feeling about this movie.  It looked like a classic romatic comedy and I was pretty sure I would enjoy it.  I had no idea I would love it as much as I did.  First of all, it was really funny.  Not just sorta ha ha funny but laugh out loud can't stop smiling sort of funny.  On top of being really funny it was super touching as well. 

Steve Carell played Cal, a middle aged man who just found out his wife cheated on him and wanted a divorce.  Julianne Moore played the wife.  The thing about this relationship I liked is that it was so genuine.  They had these issues but they still loved each other but they didn't know how to make it work.  It seemed more true to real life then most movies.   

Then there is Emma Stone who played Hannah.  She is this smart, soon to become lawyer that realizes she's not leading the life she really wants.  She meets Jacob, played by Ryan Gosling, who is this major player and decides to see what he has to offer.  And might I add that he is ridiculously hot in this movie.  He's definitely on my top five list after this one.

Both stories mingle together in different ways and it is just fantastic.  I can't say enough of good things about it.  One of my Facebook friends described it like this, "I just found it to be downright charming. Well done, funny, and with a lot of heart and soul."  Well put.  Much better than what I can come up with.  I am just an accountant after all. 

To Sum it up: Hilarious, touching and one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time. 

Week 31 "Crazy Stupid Love"

Week 31 hit the spot!! I was in the mood for something funny, something that would capture my emotions, something leaving me longing for more. "Crazy, Stupid Love" was out choice and it was exactly all of that and more!

This movie stars Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianna Moore and Emma Stone. I am having a hard time putting into words exactly what I thought of this movie. After the movie I turned to Tiff and said "yes, that is what I wanted to see, it's nice to see something I really liked again for a change"

It seems like a lot of movies lately have been leaving me questioning if maybe I liked movies so much in the past because I didn't go once a week. This movie made me a believer again!

Ok, so Steve Carell was super funny, he played a somewhat serious role, but his sense of humor was perfect. Ryan Gosling was impressive. I mostly remember him from "the Notebook" (which I loved) and this time his character was different, but still got me all tied up in knots. Emma Stone and Julianne Moore played their parts well. I was super impressed with Emma Stone and excited to see her in "The Help". Another note worthy actor was Jonah Bobo. He cracked me up! Reminded me of my 11 year old son.

Basically the movie had me laughing, it captured that whole "falling in love" feeling, sucked me in to the whole emotional rollercoster of love, life and marriage, and was touching in a happy way. I am sure it only proves I am a little dysfunctional that I liked this movie so well, but it was definately what I needed!

All in all, I would say take your spouse, laugh, fall in love again and remember to not take another day for granted! See you next week. P.S. I don't feel like I can tell you exactly what it is about without giving too much away...so just go!