2012: Week 21: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Main Players: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel

General Gist:  7 British retirees travel to India to retire in an advertised newly remodeled hotel.  The story follows their lives in this new environment.

Deb's Take: 
There is something to be said for seasoned actors.  I know Hollywood is all about youth, adventure, and all that jazz. I think they have it wrong, it should be about acting, and experience and talent.  This movie had just that, experienced acting, talent, beauty in age and the genuine art of life.  As much as I love romance, star crossed lovers, and that whole hub-bub, I have to say, I have come to realize my true passion in movies is a good lesson.  I like the lessons, I want to learn from others' lives.  This all probably evolved from my work, I am around "seasoned" people all day long, I see where we all are headed, and I am determined to learn from my elders.

This movie had such a wonderful group of actors.  Although I didn't like Penelope Wilton's character (who really could..she didn't even like herself) I loved all of the roles and they were played brilliantly.  Each actor seemed so comfortable and did an amazing job.  I believed they actually "were" their characters.  The story wasn't anything tremendously out of control, but rather just a chronicle of life and changes that can happen at a certain age.  Changes that so many people overlook and take for granted, but the real lesson to me....Life doesn't ever end until it really ends.  (so chew on that one for a while.)

I told my mom she should get all my aunts together and go see this movie.  I don't know how much a "younger" crowd would appreciate the message, but I guess I am not so young anymore, so I did love it.  I also want to give kudos to Dev Patel and his role.  He did a great job as well, he was right up there with all those more experienced actors. 

Deb's Rate:  Opening Night

Tiff's Take:
I love it when a movie like this comes along.  One with not a lot of hype but ends up knocking your socks off.  Such an unexpected treat!  It reminds me of last year's The Way.  I remember seeing the preview for this a while ago but then forgot about it since it didn't really hit the mainstream movie world.  My in-laws actually went and saw it before I did and thought it was great.  So I had to go to see what it was all about.  I will say that this ended up being one of the best movies we've seen so far this year. 

The story was really interesting because this group of retirees goes on this adventure that you would never think people that age would do.  They throw themselves in this foreign world at a vulnerable time in their lives and for the most part thrive.  It's an inspiration really.  What an amazing thing to go out of your comfort zone so completely.  And the actors of course were phenomenal.  You really can't go wrong with a cast like this.  Also, I really enjoyed seeing Dev Patel in a less serious role then his role in Slumdog Millionaire.  (Which I loved by the way.)

Although I think this movie is more relatable to people over the age of 50, it was still enjoyable for this 30 something year old. 

Tiff's Rate: Opening Night definitely.

Preview: Looks like from some of the previews we may have some good ones coming.

2012: Week 20: What To Expect When You're Expecting

What To Expect When You're Expecting

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. 

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??

Footloose Giveaway Winner

Thanks for everyone who entered our Footloose giveaway.  The winner of the Footloose DVD, CD and t-shirt is.....

*mckenzie*

Yay!  Congrats!

Email me at rtjenki@sbcglobal.net with your mailing address and I'll get these Footloose goodies out to you.

Thanks for playing!

We have other goodies to give away so stay tuned.

2012: Week 19: The Avengers

The Avengers

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Main Players: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston

General Gist:  A team of super heroes is pulled together in order to save the earth from an attack by an unearthly enemy.

Deb's Take: 

I am not a super fan of the Super Hero movies.  Yet, after seeing this film that brings a team of super heroes together I realized I had seen almost every movie about each individual character that preceded The Avengers.  I think it might have something to do with my husband really liking these kinds of films.

 As far as Super Heroes go, this movie was good.  Sometimes the Sci-Fi stuff ends up being so ridiculous that I just can't get into the movie.  This movie...not to shabby in the Sci-Fi area.  I will say, see "Thor" before you see this movie, there are some pivotal points that may be lost otherwise.  This movie gives you good action, decent acting, a lot more comedy than I would have expected, and some Sci-Fi thrills.   Although it wasn't my type of movie, it really was a good movie and I have to say if this type of movie is your thing, you will love it.

Deb's Rate: Opening night for all you Super Hero Fans, personally I could have taken it as a Matinee

Tiff's Take:
Last year when all these Marvel movies were coming out I thought it was weird.  Why all the super heroes?  It wasn't until this movie came out that I realized it was on purpose and leading up to this one final movie.  I know, I'm pretty quick.  Good idea.  It seems right up my alley even though I'm not a big super hero fanatic.

Going to this movie made me feel a little bit like I did when I went to see Moneyball.  I felt like I was doing the movie a disservice by not knowing all there is to know about these super hero characters.  I mean, there were some of the movies that I didn't even see like The Hulk and the first Iron Man.  I sorta wish I had now.  Even though I hadn't seen them all I felt like I still knew what was going on mainly from seeing Thor since the main bad guy is from that movie.  So, like Deb said, you might want to see Thor first if you haven't.

As far as liking the movie...I'll be honest.  The first part was a little slow.  I felt like they could have reintroduced all the characters a little better.  It seemed like a hodge podge of activity at first.  It didn't start getting really good until about halfway through.  I did love the characters/actors in this movie though.  I love almost anything Robert Downey Jr. plays and I love Chris Hemsworth's Thor character.  He's probably my favorite.  Ruffalo's Hulk character was surprisingly funny too.

So what I'm saying here is if you're into this stuff you'll probably love the movie.  If you're not, you'll probably like it okay but maybe not think it's worth the hype.

Tiff's Rate: Borderline Matinee/Friday Night

Preview: We will post the winner of our "Footloose" giveaway tonight.  Next review...What to Expect When You're Expecting.

Footloose Giveaway

Over this past weekend I was at a charity event.  It was one of those fun, dress up, eat, drink and be merry kind of events that supported a good cause.  They also had silent auctions for cool prizes.  One of the prizes happen to be right up my alley.  The main prize was a years worth of free movie prescreenings.  Pretty cool right?  I immediately texted Deb and asked if she'd go in on it with me.  She said yes of course.  I mean, if we're going to go to a movie a week it would sure be nice if a good chunk of them were free.

So what's this got to do with you?  Well, the prize also included a gift basket chalked full of movie goodies.  Goodies that we thought would be perfect for giveaways here on our blog.  So without further delay, let's get right to it.

For this giveaway, we're going to send one lucky reader a DVD of Footloose (The remake.  Not the Kevin Bacon one.), the CD of the movie soundtrack and a Footloose T-shirt (it's an adult medium). 

This was a fun movie that came out last year.  Check out our reviews here.

To enter this giveaway, just comment on this post and tell us what your favorite movie with music is.  Is it a true musical with singing and all or one that just has a lot of fun music with dancing?  Or do you hate movies with music?  A couple of my favorites are Grease and The Sound of Music.  Classics.

Make sure you leave your name or a way to get a hold of you if you're the winner.  We'll announce the winner next week after our next review.

2012: Week 18: The Five-Year Engagement

The Five-Year Engagement

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Main Players: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie

General Gist:  A couple becomes engaged yet continually postpones their wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.

Tiff's Take:
This week's movie was one I was looking forward to.  Some weeks, like last one, we are struggling to find one to go to.  This week was a no brainer. 

I didn't really have any doubt that this would be a funny movie.  I wasn't disappointed.  Best of all, the previews didn't give you all the good parts.  There were so many funny scenes.  Scenes that made me cry I was laughing so hard.  Man, I love a good comedy.  I also love a good love story.  This was a decent love story but it definitely didn't match up to the comedy.  And that's okay.  It wasn't super intense or serious but enough to make it a believable relationship.

I thought the chemistry between Jason Segel and Emily Blunt was great as far as the comedy was concerned and decent as far as romance was concerned.  Pretty much like the movie in general.  There were some great supporting roles.  The sister and some of the coworkers really fed off each other well.  I agree with Deb that this would be a great date night movie.  A little romance and a lot of comedy.  It's also pretty sexually charged so keep that in mind when you pick your company.          

Tiff's Rate: Friday Night

Deb's Take:
I was looking forward to seeing this movie.  We have been seeing the previews for some time now and it looked like it was going to be pretty funny.  Jason Segal usually does a great job with comedy, and I like Emily Blunt.  This movie was not disappointing at all!  I loved the humor.  There were actually some moments when I got the giggles and even though the next scene was up I was still laughing from the scene before.  I think the humor was just a little "off" which is why I found it so entertaining.  I am weird that way.  I also liked how all the characters, not just the main players, played on each other and worked together.  I think the comedy was actually more of the highlight of the show, vs the romance part.

All that being said, it wasn't the "perfect" film for a couple of reasons.  It was a little long...I suppose depicting 5 years is going to be long, but there were some scenes that I felt were unnecessary and drawn out.  The comedy was good, the romance was slightly lacking.  The main characters did a good job of playing an engaged couple, but I am a sucker for the highest romance, and what can I say, after 5 years the romance is not so "intense", the relationship was more true to life then sappy story.  I do think it would be a pretty good "date night" movie.  Funny for the guys, without too much chic flicky stuff.

One other quick tid bit, Dakota Johnson plays in this film.  She looked so familiar to me.  She is actually the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson...just a fun fact.

Deb's Rate: Friday Night

Preview: We have acquired some prizes for our next giveaway!  Be on the look out.