Week 36: Warrior

Ok! Just got home from seeing our weekly movie "Warrior" I have to say one thing first..if you don't read any other part of my review read this...THIS MOVIE TOTALLY ROCKED, it was like "Rocky" on steroids. (and if you are too young to know about Rocky ask your parents.)

So, we went to a prescreening of this movie tonight, thanks to our AMC Stubs reward card it was free. Granted, it was a movie I had been interested in seeing, but never believed I would put it in my top 5 of movies I have seen this year. Yes, it is right up there with "The Help" and "The Kings Speech"

If you haven't seen anything about this movie a general summing up of the movie: Two brothers, a broken home, an alcoholic father, a supportive yet concerned wife, supportive manager and MMA (mixed martial arts) tournament. Yep, everything a good story is made of!

So, I don't even want to give any details past what you will see in previews, so I won't. I will tell you about the actors..Nick Nolte--great job! Fit the part of the recovery alchoholic father perfectly. Joel Edgerton, one of the brothers...he was goooood. He was touching, lovable, likeable and good looking. Tom Hardy, the younger brother. He was dark, mysterious, moody, and quite muscular. Jennifer Morrison..brought the female role to the picture. She played the wife well and as a woman you could relate. Frank Grillo-supportive manager- I loved this guy. He was inspirational, believable and made me want to train for a marathon!

Why did I like this movie so much? It had everything I love about a good movie...the emotion, the relationships, the competition and the edge of your seat action. I loved that the main characters were not the super movie stars everyone has seen, but under the radar kind of actors. I loved that I didn't know the ending, and it ended just like it should.

What else can I say. GO SEE IT! Take your spouse, take your friend...take your sister. I can't imagine you would be disappointed! Did I forget to mention...I loved this movie!!

Week 35: One Day

I was looking forward to seeing One Day as well.  The previews made it seem like it was going to be a really good love story.  It didn't really end up being one. 

Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess played the main characters.  I'll admit I'm not a huge Anne Hathaway fan.  I'm not really sure what it is but I just don't love her.  Jim Sturgess was someone I've never seen before.  I can't say I was overly impressed.  I don't know if it was his character or just him but he didn't really do it for me. 

I agree with Deb in that this movie seemed like it should have been really good.  It had potential to be really good I think but it fell short.  I didn't realize it was a book until after the fact but I can see why the movie seemed disjointed because of it.  There were gaps and holes galore.  The relationship didn't seem quite developed and neither did the characters themselves.  It might have been okay if I had read the book first but without reading the book it just left me with questions.  I think this was probably your classic book to movie flop.

To Sum it up: High expectation but low results.   

Week 35: "One Day"

I was super excited to see this movie. All the previews made me think this was going to be a super romantic, make you fall in love again type of movie. I was gravely disappointed. So the movie trailers make you think you are going to a movie where there are two friends, played by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, who have this super lover/friend connection, and on the same day each year they get together to "bond"...or something like that. Well, that wasn't the case. These two friends were just that, two friends, with questionable feelings towards each other, who were in communication all the time, and never seemed to become the couple they both secretly wanted to become.

The story line could have made a wonderful movie...However, I felt like I was sitting in a movie, that was made from a book, that I didn't read and so I was missing too many details. The connection of friendship, lovers, enemies ect. just never was strong. I think the book probably had a lot of inner thoughts, which can't be portrayed on film, making the movie disconnected and lost.

I was totally bummed...I thought I was going to get to see a movie I could fall emotionally into. Instead I left feeling disjointed and disappointed.

I would say...read the book and hope it's better than the movie. Next review: The Warrior, we have free screening passes to this tomorrow night, yah! A free movie!!

Week 34: 30 Minutes or Less

Well, this week was not the greatest. We went and saw 30 mintues or less, and I would have to say the "less" is the correct. The movie is about a guy who is pretty much not doing anything with his life, he gets kidnapped, a bomb gets strapped to him and he has 24 hours..(so why the 30 minutes!?!?!) to rob a bank and get the kidnappers their money.

The two kidnappers were played by Danny McBride (he also played in "Your Highness", another movie we were not impressed with if you recall from week 15)and Nick Swardson (there was a preview before the movie this week with him in it..it looked kindof weird stupid too) Anyway, they ruined the show for me. Their characters were dumb, raunchy and immature (granted they were suppose to be, but really??? beyond the calling)

The main guy, played by Jesse Eisenberg, was better, but he was kind of odd-weird. He was sort of funny, sort of immature, and sort of lost. Mediocre to bad for what he is capable of. His best friend, played by Aziz Ansari...cracked me up. If it wasn't for him, I would have completely hated the show. Granted, the whole premise of the show could have made a good comedy. There were just too many stupid parts that ruined it for me.

I decided as I sat there watching the movie, my age is definately showing. I think the 18 year old men of the world probably would love this show. Why, I wonder, do I feel that way?? I think it's the new humor of that generation...(the 18 year old men generation) "Your Highness" had the same stupid humor, that wasn't real funny, and was sort of confusing...I think 18 year old men would like that movie too...Hey, I am not bashing on the 18 year olds of the world, just saying...I am not 18 anymore, and I never was a man soooo...not the most enjoyable movie.

All in all, don't waste your money or your time, there are so many better things to do then see this movie...like maybe take out the trash, do the laundry, or walk the dog....

See you next week!

Week 34: 30 Minutes or Less

So this week was 30 Minutes or Less.  Hmm...what to say about this movie.  I should start by saying this wasn't exactly our first choice for the weekend.  One we were going to see didn't have the right times and the other one had spousal conflicts.  (Talk about demanding husbands.  Geesh.)  So alas, we saw this movie.

Now in all fairness, I don't really think this movie was targeting me and my sister.  The intended demographics were probably closer to 17 or 18 year old boys.  I sort of figured this going into it but I also thought it would be funny enough that it wouldn't matter.  Actually, I'm curious if my brother Keaton saw this. He might like it a lot. 

So two of the main guys were Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network guy) and Aziz Ansari (Can't think what he's in but you would recognize him).  They played two guys being forced to rob a bank.  They were a little bit of a weird duo in this because they were funny but serious at the same time.  This kind of comedy can totally work but for whatever reason it totally didn't.  I couldn't figure out if it was stupid funny or serious funny.  You know what I mean by the difference right?  And I also felt like Jesse Eisenberg had to dumb himself down for this role. 

The other two guys played by Danny McBride and Nick Swardson were just awful.  Again, it was a strange mix of are they slow in the head or criminal masterminds.  And they were crude and a little disgusting so that just added to the confusion. 

So, I guess what I'm saying is don't waste your money unless you fit in the demographics mentioned above.  Don't get me wrong.  There were some funny parts but they didn't make up for the rest of the movie.  

To Sum it up: Funny but not funny. Okay actors but not good acting.  

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 32: The Change up

Well, the Change Up was our movie this week. We took our husbands and made it a date night. Knowing Ryan Reynolds, and Jason Bateman I knew this movie was going to be borderline offensive. Luckily, neither Brian or I are easily offended, and find things rather funny more often..so...we were ready for a good date night!

As Tiff said, (usually I don't read her posts before I post, but this time I did for some reason) this movie had a lot of crude humor, vulgar words, sex, and nudity. I am beginning to believe may be a standard for many men! The saving grace of the vulgarity was that it was funny to me. Ok, as usual, some unnecessary indecencies, but all in all funny.

The character's changing places was a little distracting to me at first because I kept kind of forgetting they were suppose to be the other person. I do really like Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman and their over the top humor. They did perfect in these roles.

Leslie Mann seemed to play the main female character, and I remember from past movies that she wasn't always so impressive, but this time she did good. I liked her portrayal as the wife and enjoyed her quick wit. I think it's her voice that gets me sometimes....

I think the main thing I liked about the movie, was behind the crude humor was a message that was important. A lesson was taught in the mix of the laughing and craziness, and I always think that is an important part of any movie I am going to pay and see. Ok, so sometimes just going and laughing is a lesson in itself, but this time the movie actually had a lesson.

I would say, see this movie with your bestie or your hubby/significant other, and be prepared to not be offended..it will make the whole experience even funnier.

See you next week

Week 32: The Change-Up

This week we saw The Change-Up.  We had the joy of seeing this movie with our hubbies.  A good one to see with them too.  This is definitely not a see with your mom type movie.  It's heavy on the swearing and nudity.  There was potty humor galore.  Basically this was right up Russ's alley.

All the previews pointed towards a good comedy but I'll tell you at first I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  Ryan Reynolds character was awful at first.  Or maybe it was that Ryan Reynolds himself was awful at first.  Before the two changed places he acted more like a mentally challenged adult then the drug-doing irresponsible adult that he was suppose to portray.  Good thing that only lasted for a small part in the beginning.  After they switched places it was all good.  Super funny the whole way through.  Oh and did I mention nudity?  Lots of nudity.  Did I mention Russ liked it?

Jason Bateman was the other guy doing the switching.  He was good from beginning to end.  I absolutely love his humor and so far I have never been disappointed with him.  He was the perfect person for this character.  Loved him.

The two main female characters were Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde.  Both good but not a whole lot to their characters since it was mainly about the guys.  Although Russ would say they played a major part beings as both of them were naked at some point.  Did I mention Russ...oh never mind.

I would say if you get offended easily don't see this one.  If you don't then be prepared to laugh continuously throughout the movie.  Don't tell anyone but Russ said he thought this was better than The Hangover.  *gasp*

To Sum it up: A lot of profanity, a lot of skin and dirty, dirty humor. 

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.