2012: Week 30: Step Up Revolution

Step Up Revolution

Genre: Drama, Romance

Main Players:  Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Peter Gallagher

General Gist: The daughter of a wealthy developer wants to be a professional dancer much to her father's demise.  She meets a local boy who's neighborhood is in jeopardy because of her father.  Dancing ensues. 

Tiff's Take:
We chose this movie because my eldest niece begged us to take her to it.  Okay, she didn't beg.  She asked nicely and we said sure, why not.  I mean who doesn't love a good dancing movie?

First, I want to preface my review by giving you a few facts about myself.

• Me and my family are addicted to watching So You Think You Can Dance (or SYTYCD as they say).  My husband, my kids, all of us.  Seriously.  We love it.
• I have not seen Step Up 2 or 3 and it's questionable whether I've seen the first one all the way through.  I just don't remember.
• Unlike Musicals, I enjoy a good dance.  Just leave out the singing and I dig it.

Whether these little tidbits are relevant to my review is up to you.  Let's continue.

The dancing in this movie was really cool.  I'm mean so cool.  A lot of the choreographers and dancers were ones from SYTYCD.  The main girl, Kathryn McCormick, was from SYTYCD so this was her first acting debut.  She did pretty good for being a dancer.  The actual story line was well...did I mention this movie had great dancing?  Okay, so the story didn't do anything for me.  The relationships were a little weak.  You know, it's okay though.  The dancing was entertainment enough and isn't that really why you would go to this movie in the first place?  

Tiff's Rate: Matinee

Deb's Take: 
As Tiff mentioned, my oldest couldn't wait for this movie to come out and go watch. My oldest is a dancer, a good one..  I grew up with my mother who loves to dance.  I remember sporadically my mom just turning on music and breaking out in dance.  She still loves to dance and has passed the passion down. 

This movie was extremely entertaining, and utterly amazing.  I can not believe how good people can dance.  I am amazed at what the human body is capable of doing.  This movie really had some awesome dancers.  I think the thing that amazed me the most though, was that the main male character, Ryan Guzman, was actually a MMA fighter in the past.  I wonder where he learned to dance?  I watched Kathryn McCormick on SYTYCD and it was cool to see her act in this movie.  She too is  a great dancer.

The movie itself was pretty good.  The acting was nothing amazing, the story line was a basic movie plot and simplistic, but I think the movie wasn't meant to be noticed for it's acting as much for it's dancing.  I loved how they "mobbed" the city.  If you like dancing this is a winner.

Deb's Rate: Friday night....a must see on the big screen.

Preview: I guess we better get that popcorn giveaway like we promised huh?

2012: Week 29: Safety Not Guaranteed

Safety Not Guaranteed

Genre: Drama

Main Players:  Aubrey Plaza, Jake M Johnson, Karan Soni, Mark Duplass

General Gist:  A man places an ad looking for someone to time travel with him.  A magazine employee and two interns go on assignment to investigate.

Tiff's Take:
This was sort of a weird, quirky little movie.  But I have to say I enjoyed it.  The main character, played by Aubrey Plaza, is someone who has never really fit in and it trying to find her place in life.  I thought her character was great because she was funny yet awkward yet sincere.  Actually, that's a great way to describe the whole movie itself. 

The concept of the movie was a tad bizarre but it all worked.  You follow this journey of four people who are looking for something they are missing in their lives.  The interaction between the relationships was interesting even if you didn't really like the people or relationships.  Mark Duplass' character was the oddest of all.  Through the whole movie you're trying to figure out what his deal is.  I'm not sure you really get a good answer at the end but it all seems right.  I'll warn you, if you're someone who likes everything wrapped up in a nice little package then this movie might just drive you crazy.  But for me it was good. 

Tiff's Rate: Friday Night

Deb's Take: 
We had a friend join us this week for the movie.  Thanks for coming Chris!  Let us know what you thought of the movie!!  This movie held some interesting characters.  The whole movie was a little on the odd side, but I felt like the characters were made to be odd and pulled it off well.  I really enjoyed Aubrey Plaza and her character, I would like to see her in her "Parks and Recreation" as I hear her "dead -pan" style makes the show.  I think it did in this movie was well.  Really, all the characters were sort of humorous in their own way.  It was an off sort of humor, but good. 

I think the thing I didn't like about the movie was the ending.  I liked how all the relationships built up, I liked the interactions that took place, I liked the acting...I just didn't like the ending.  Call me a non-believer, maybe that was the problem, I am one of those people who like my movies wrapped up at the end, like Tiff mentioned.  I am on the fence though, it was good until the last 5 minutes.  SO..as my rate says, I am on the border.

Deb's Rate: Matinee bordering on Friday Night

Preview: "Step up Revolution" is on the books for my dancing daughter

Winner of two movie tickets:

 Chris...you are the lucky winner!! 

Hope you enjoy the movie! 

Thanks for playing ladies!

2012: Bonus Review: Week 28.5: The Dark Knight Rises/Giveaway!

The Dark Knight Rises

Genre: Action, Adventure

Main Players: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordn-Levitt, Michael Caine

General Gist: The last of a trilogy...Batman...need I say more?

Deb's Take:  So….My sweet dear sister was able to get free screening passes to this movie, playing on the IMAX,  and so graciously gave them to me and my husband to use since our kids were out of town and she knew my husband was sort of stoked to see the movie.  I thanked her so profusely as I knew it would be a fun date.  Plus, I think deep down neither of us (my sister and I) were really too excited about seeing this movie and so we didn’t feel like we would be missing out if we didn’t go as our weekly movie..Let me tell you….We were sooooo wrong.

As you know, I am not real gung ho about super hero movies.  I usually leave those to my son and husband.  I have gone to more in the last year than ever in my life though, and I think I am getting a better taste for what is good and what isn’t.  This one totally rocked the house.  It probably helped that it was in the IMAX theatre, but all around it just was super  cool.  I have to say, I was tired when we left to go to this movie, some small little part of my brain was secretly hoping that the screening line would be too long and we wouldn’t get in so I could go back home and call it a night.  Well, the line was super short…the theatre was almost empty actually..and I am so glad we went.

Every actor in this movie was perfect for their part.  Both my husband and I agreed we were a little concerned that Anne Hathaway wasn’t going to be able to pull off “Catwoman”  well, she did, and I no longer see her as the “Princess Diaries actress”.  This could be a really long post if I stated all the good in this movie, action, cool cars, good adventure, action, action, action….but I won’t.  The only downfall…Tom Hardy’s character, “Bane”, was hard to understand sometimes.  I chalked it up as my poor hearing, but my husband said the same thing, and I heard some 20 somethings say they couldn’t understand him either, (he did have a weird mask on mind you).

I think you should go if you like adventure, and if you like Batman especially.  I liked it so much I am willing to give someone two passes to go see it!  I want to share!  So, tomorrow, Friday, I will pick a winner but you must post either here or on our Two Sisters  facebook  page the answer to this following question…I will pick a winner randomly from all who post…Who are three actors who have played “Batman” in the past?

Deb's Rate: Opening Day


Preview: We're thinking a popcorn giveaway.

2012: Week 28: The Intouchables

The Intouchables

Genre: Drama

Main Players: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot,

General Gist: After an accident that causes him to become a paraplegic, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects as his caretaker.

Deb's Take: 
For those of you readers who may not know too much personal information about me, I am an Occupational Therapist.  (No that doesn’t mean I will find you a job).  My interest in this movie came from that fact.  Also, it is based on a true story, another high interest fact for me.

This movie was in French and subtitled.  I have never been to a movie with subtitles before, (I am not truly schooled in foreign films.)  I was a little worried because I am such an emotional movie watcher.  I am like the pitcher in “For the Love of the Game.”  Everything around me fades away and I am privately immersed in the film.  Thinking I was going to have to read subtitles while trying to immerse was questionable.  I found over time that the movie wasn’t too hard to get into even with reading the dialogue.  I was slightly distracted but all in all wasn’t too bad. 

I loved the story behind this movie.  The idea of seeing how two men,  from very different lifestyles, became friends and were able to influence each other so greatly.  I liked that the story was down to earth.  I liked that the movie reminded us that injury is not about pity, but rather life is life no matter what form or fashion it takes.  The movie had some good funny parts, but mostly it was just a meek story telling script.  I think that was maybe it’s only down fall, or maybe my downfall from being Americanized.  In the United States our movies are becoming bigger and bigger, more glitz, more glam..this movie was simple, yet the message was powerful.  There really wasn’t a lot of “acting” in my eyes.  The drama wasn’t there.  The movie kind of reminded me of “The Way”(you will remember one of my favorites from 2011.)  It was a good movie, but don't expect a lot of edge of your seat, high climax sort of stuff. 

Deb's Rate: Matinee

Tiff's Take:
I too was a little concerned about the subtitles with this one.  At first I found myself noticing having to look down to read them but by the end of the movie I didn't even realize I was doing it.  So don't let that scare you off from seeing this movie.
As Deb said, this movie definitely was not your typical Hollywood bigger is better movie.  Deb said that this was a downfall for her.  In my opinion, this was a reason I liked it so well.  Don't get me wrong.  I love big, hyped up movies.  I admit it.  I do.  But, I also love movies that are off the grid.  A little different.  A little artsy.  And I guess a little foreign.  There's something refreshing about it every once in a while.

The two main actors, Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy, were fantastic and had great chemistry.  They're sort of an unlikely pair that worked so well together.  The story itself was real.  Again, just like Deb said, it was simple yet powerful.  The lack of "drama" really added to the real factor for me.  What can I say, I loved it.              

Tiff's Rate: Friday Night or Opening Day??  Why not...Opening Day.

Preview: We're thinking a popcorn giveaway and yet another bonus review. 

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!

2012: Week 27: People Like Us

People Like Us

Genre: Drama,

Main Players: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Hall D'Addaro, Michelle Pfeiffer
General Gist:  While settling his father's estate young man learns of a family secret and works to come to terms.
Deb's Take:   Tiff is on vacation so I am riding solo for the review this week.  Well, not exactly solo, my husband picked the movie this week so I went with him. 

The best way I can describe this movie is to say it is a different kind of love story.  You know I love a good love story.  While generally it’s the whole romance that captivates me, I have to say, just a good old story about emotions, love, and relationships hits the spot too.  This movie wasn’t  intense, or edge of your seat, it was just emotionally touching.  I feel like the actors were perfect in their roles.  Chris Pine did a great job, Elizabeth Banks never really disappoints and Michelle Pfeiffer  fit her character well.   Michael  Hall D’Addaro did well for a young kid too!   I guess I can’t say this movie was by any means exceptional, outstanding or over the top amazing, really….I just really enjoyed it.  I liked the message, the story line and the way it all played out.  Good choice dear husband…good choice.

Deb's Rate: Friday night

Preview: The sisters reunite after 3 weeks of vacation!

2012: Week 26: Magic Mike

Magic Mike

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Main Players: Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn, Cody Horn

General Gist: A male stripper shows a new recruit the ropes while trying to find purpose in his life. 

Tiff's Take:
How many of you ladies have been to a male strip club?  Is it common?  Am I in the minority of women who haven't experienced that?  I've always felt like I would be super embarrassed and uncomfortable at a strip club.  I think after seeing this movie, my instincts would be right.  Not that this movie was embarrassing or uncomfortable but it did give you a good idea of what it would be like.  Well, minus really hot, famous actors.

First, I want to say that just the act of going to this movie was fun.  There was a buzz in the air.  Women from all over were getting in line to go.  Nothing like the hope of seeing a naked Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum to bring us all together.

The movie did not disappoint.  Good(looking) actors, hot bods and totally entertaining.  The story line, especially the relationship aspect, could have left a little to be desired but let's be honest here, no one was going for the relationships.  Matthew McConaughey was perfect as the self absorbed, stripper turned club owner.  I don't think they could have cast that part better.  And Channing with the rest of the boys were a hit.  You get to see a LOT of skin and a LOT of gyrating so be prepared.  I got to go with a friend (thanks Ginelle!) so it was fun.  Deb got to go with our mom.  Let's see how that went.     

     
Tiff's Rate: Friday Night - definitely for the entertainment factor

Deb's Take: Just like my dear little sister, I too have never been to a male strip club.  Interestingly enough, my mom did buy me and a couple of my friends tickets to a male review (which is what they are called) for my 18th birthday.  We chickened out and didn't go.  I guess both Tiff and I hold that embarrassed gene.

This movie is what I would call entertaining.  I am not talking about entertainment in the cultural arts form, but rather entertainment in the appreciation of the male body art form.  These males definitely see their bodies as art and have worked very hard to make them that way.  My husband often says that the female body is like a work of art and should be appreciated.  (I think I have mentioned that before) well, I agree completely, in regards to the male body, and these males bodies were just that! Appreciated.

As far as the movie itself, well, it was solely eye candy, six back abs, naked butts and pump and grind..the story line was lacking, the romance was blahhhh and really I think they just threw that in for good measure so they could call it a movie and rate it R vs calling it "girls night out with some hot actors."  Due to the fact I have never been to a male strip club, yet have heard some good stories, I think the movie did a good job of placing that actually scenario in it's true light.

As far as going with my mom, before I walked in I had to just put it in my mind that the movie was going to be a lot of naked, sex and body.  I  pretended I was just sitting alone watching my own personal dance show.  Oh and my mom's response to the movie.."Wow, Channing Tatum is really a good dancer."  wink wink

Deb's Rate: Friday night- Girls night out for sure!

Preview:  It will be just Deb next week.  Tiff's turn for a vacation!