Side Effects
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Main Players: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones
General Gist: A woman's life falls to pieces when the side effects of her medication get the best of her.
Deb's Take:
Fun little facts. Rooney Mara's family is really big in the football NFL world. She earned her degree in international social policy and psychology. Her older sister is also an actress.
The reason I looked her up is because she is sort of a freaky actress. I first saw her in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and now in this movie. I don't know what I expected to find out about her personal life, maybe that she was a troubled teen who lived on the streets, under a bridge, until she was discovered by an agent who gave her a break and she still lives in a small studio apartment in downtown Detroit. HA..look her up, that is so not her story!
Anyway, what I think that says about her, is that she is a pretty good actress, because I truly believed she was a very troubled individual in this movie (as well as Dragon Tattoo). This movie was not what I expected. In fact I had a coat ready in case I needed to hide my face. Not that kind of movie. The other thing, I sort of pride myself on being able to figure out the twists in a movie. This one had me jumping around all over the place, up to the end I wasn't really sure what was going to happen. Like I said, Rooney was good. Jude Law was pretty good too, and Catherine Zeta-Jones really impressed me. I am always a little surprised at her talents.
All that being said, the movie wasn't bad. I think it wove a good thriller weave of webs. I can't say it was anything magnificent, but it was entertaining. Not one that will rate up there with my top 10, but could have been worse!
Deb's Rate: Matinee
Tiff's Take:
I was excited about this movie because I LOVED Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I thought she portrayed Lisbeth Salander perfectly. And Lisbeth Salander is probably one of my favorite fictional characters so it makes it easy to like Rooney Mara too. Following my logic? I know, sometimes I have a hard time separating fiction and reality.
Well, the previews for this leaves you very confused. Who is the bad guy or good guy or what really happens? At least that's how I felt watching them. The movie almost leaves you just as confused until the very end. And even then I think I'm still a little confused. So does the good guy (and by guy I mean guy or girl-I don't want to spoil it) end up being the bad guy when it's all said and done? I'm not an over thinker when it comes to my movie watching so I didn't sit and ponder it too long but this movie definitely keeps you on your toes. Isn't that what makes these movies good?
It was a really interesting story and the actors really played their parts well. Especially Rooney and Jude. Channing Tatum was just okay I guess. His role was more minor then I thought it would be. Honestly his part could have been played by anyone and it wouldn't have made much of a difference. I still love Rooney Mara even if she seems to be drawn to slightly disturbing characters. Maybe that's why I like her. And when it comes to suspenseful thrillers, I think this one hit it right on the head.
Tiff's Rate: Friday Night
Showing posts with label Catherine Zeta-Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catherine Zeta-Jones. Show all posts
Friday, February 15, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
2012: Week 51: Playing for Keeps
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
2012: Week 22: Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Drama
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Drama
Main Players: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman, Paul Giamatti
General Gist: A musical set in the late 80's about a girl from a small Oklahoma town who moves to Hollywood to live her dream of becoming a singer.
Tiff's Take:
Let's just state the facts here. I'm a product of the 90's. I'm not a huge fan of musicals. (Remember my Joyful Noise review?) So you can imagine what I might think of this movie. Well, you can bet you're wrong. What an interesting little turn of events.
I was prepared to be slightly entertained but cringing at the style, music, etc. the whole time. The first scene starts out with a cheesy little rendition on a bus. Let the cringing begin. But after I got through the initial shock of watching a musical it all went up hill from there. First of all, I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed all the songs. Even though I did most of my growing up years in the 90's I was familiar with 80's music. So I obviously knew all the songs. In the movie, let's just say they were so fun. The way they were put into the scenes were great. And I think because I am not a product of the 80's I dug the way they poked at the 80's just a little between the more serious stuff.
As far as the actors, I thoroughly enjoyed Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand. I love their sense of humor. Catherin Zeta-Jones was great. Malin Akerman was great. Tom Cruise surprisingly worked for me. His over exaggeration of a slightly washed out 80's rock idol was spot on. Again, I think I liked the way they poked fun. Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta were okay, nothing special, but didn't ruin it for me definitely.
I thought this movie was a good mix of serious/humor/making fun of and overall a fun movie to watch. Who would have thought? Now what did my 80's loving sister think? Ha!
Tiff's Rate: Friday Night (I'm actually shocked I'm writing that!)
Deb's Take:
I am a product of the 80's. I love 80's music, I still listen to 80's music (to my children's demise) I work out to 80's music, I have so many memories when I hear those 80's tunes. So, I loved loved loved the music in this movie. It was sort of difficult hearing a different voice to these songs as the actors sang the music, but all in all they did well. As far as the movie itself, I am a little on the fence. I know it was suppose to be a spoofy type movie, and it was, but they threw in a relationship that was a little too serious with Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta. I just didn't like the blend of "Let's do overkill on the 80's" and "now lets add this somewhat serious yet cheesy relationship". That wasn't the kicker though, I just did not like Tom Cruise in his role. Man, he drove me crazy. He is not Rock Star material. I didn't even like him in his role if they were trying to make him look dumb and bad, it was distracting to me.
On the flip side, I think Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand were hilarious. Stupid funny of course. Also, like I mentioned I liked the music. I liked especially how they played on the music, pitting two songs against each other at times. Now, remember this is the pop rock of the 80's, so don't expect some out of control 80's flashback of best music, just the stuff that always came on the radio.
So do I sound committed one way or another? Ha, that was just the kind of movie it was.
General Gist: A musical set in the late 80's about a girl from a small Oklahoma town who moves to Hollywood to live her dream of becoming a singer.
Tiff's Take:
Let's just state the facts here. I'm a product of the 90's. I'm not a huge fan of musicals. (Remember my Joyful Noise review?) So you can imagine what I might think of this movie. Well, you can bet you're wrong. What an interesting little turn of events.
I was prepared to be slightly entertained but cringing at the style, music, etc. the whole time. The first scene starts out with a cheesy little rendition on a bus. Let the cringing begin. But after I got through the initial shock of watching a musical it all went up hill from there. First of all, I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed all the songs. Even though I did most of my growing up years in the 90's I was familiar with 80's music. So I obviously knew all the songs. In the movie, let's just say they were so fun. The way they were put into the scenes were great. And I think because I am not a product of the 80's I dug the way they poked at the 80's just a little between the more serious stuff.
As far as the actors, I thoroughly enjoyed Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand. I love their sense of humor. Catherin Zeta-Jones was great. Malin Akerman was great. Tom Cruise surprisingly worked for me. His over exaggeration of a slightly washed out 80's rock idol was spot on. Again, I think I liked the way they poked fun. Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta were okay, nothing special, but didn't ruin it for me definitely.
I thought this movie was a good mix of serious/humor/making fun of and overall a fun movie to watch. Who would have thought? Now what did my 80's loving sister think? Ha!
Tiff's Rate: Friday Night (I'm actually shocked I'm writing that!)
Deb's Take:
I am a product of the 80's. I love 80's music, I still listen to 80's music (to my children's demise) I work out to 80's music, I have so many memories when I hear those 80's tunes. So, I loved loved loved the music in this movie. It was sort of difficult hearing a different voice to these songs as the actors sang the music, but all in all they did well. As far as the movie itself, I am a little on the fence. I know it was suppose to be a spoofy type movie, and it was, but they threw in a relationship that was a little too serious with Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta. I just didn't like the blend of "Let's do overkill on the 80's" and "now lets add this somewhat serious yet cheesy relationship". That wasn't the kicker though, I just did not like Tom Cruise in his role. Man, he drove me crazy. He is not Rock Star material. I didn't even like him in his role if they were trying to make him look dumb and bad, it was distracting to me.
On the flip side, I think Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand were hilarious. Stupid funny of course. Also, like I mentioned I liked the music. I liked especially how they played on the music, pitting two songs against each other at times. Now, remember this is the pop rock of the 80's, so don't expect some out of control 80's flashback of best music, just the stuff that always came on the radio.
So do I sound committed one way or another? Ha, that was just the kind of movie it was.
Deb's Rate: Ok, I will give it Friday night. And considering it probably opens on a Friday night, you might as well go.
Preview: There's a good chance we'll be seeing Snow White and the Huntsman. Has anyone seen it yet?
Preview: There's a good chance we'll be seeing Snow White and the Huntsman. Has anyone seen it yet?
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