Showing posts with label Leonardo DiCaprio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leonardo DiCaprio. Show all posts

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Holiday Season Movies: A Quick Summary

We're back!

We took a little break in 2013, but we decided we really missed our weekly movies. We didn't like being out of the loop.  Mostly, we missed the time we spent together going to the movies. So here we are.

Before our first official review for 2014, we thought we'd give you a little breakdown of the movies we saw over the holidays.  There were some good ones in there we think are worth mentioning.  Five movies in less than a month. Guess we are coming back with a bang!

Frozen:
Deb:  This movie was the best Princess Disney movie I have seen in a very long time.  The music was superb, the concept was different and it was about sisters!! I would give this one an Opening Day review.  You and your kids will love it.

Tiff:  I really liked this movie too but the beginning story line was a little rushed and weak.  From an adult standpoint.  My kids however, loved it.  I liked the idea that true love wasn't just a romantic concept.   I give this one a Friday Night rating.

Saving Mr. Banks:
Deb: So different than what I thought it was going to be. I love a true story.  This one made me want to go out and buy the Mary Poppins Series.  Great acting.  (not necessarily a kid movie, they would probably get bored.) Friday Night at its best.

Tiff:  This was definitely a deeper movie than what you think you're getting into.  Very well done and acted.  Agree with Deb, not a good kids movie.  Definitely worth a Friday Night.

The Wolf of Wall Street:
Deb: WOW, WOW and WOW.  Pushing movies to their limit in more ways than one.  I did really love it! Great Acting, Crazy out of control story.  (Lots of nudity, sex and drugs so be aware).  Friday Night Rating from me.

Tiff:  This movie was dirty and wrong but so very good.  Lots of sex, lots of drugs and more than a  little uncomfortableness.  Make sure you go with an appropriate companion.  Leo was really great in this.  I give this an Opening Night.  

American Hustle:
Deb:  Think 70's at its height.  Great job with setting the stage, costumes and personalities.  The movie did get a little long for me, the story was lengthy but I never guessed how it would end.  Matinee

Tiff:  Didn't get to see this one.  Maybe I can check it out on Netflix someday.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty:
Deb:  This one was Quirky at best.  I have a hard time with movies that push the limit on reality.  This one did, but the relationship was endearing and the message was positive.  Great Rental     

Tiff:  Didn't get to see this one either.  Wasn't super interested.  I guess I'm fine with missing this one.


What movies did you see over the holiday that you think are worth mentioning?

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

2012: Week 14: Titanic

Titanic re-released in 3D

Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction

Main Players: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton, Gloria Stuart

General Gist: Do I really have to explain? I think not.

Tiff's Take:
It's probably not a shock to hear that we went to see the re-release of Titanic in 3D last week. I was really excited to see it again. And by again, I mean the 10th time in a theater. You heard me right. I saw this marathon of a movie 9 times in the theater when it originally came out in 1997. What can I say? I was an impressionable, college teenager who loved a good tragic story. Apparently a slightly more cynical, 30 something mother of two can enjoy a good tragic story just as well. At least this one can.

I don't think I need to go into the movie itself and the actors and how wonderful everything was. Either you've seen it or you haven't. And if you haven't you probably won't go this time around. If you have seen it and wondering if you should see it this time around I would say go for it. (Oh, and if you were too young to see it the first time, then definitely go this time. It would be interesting to hear what a younger generation thinks.) I was curious if I would feel the same awestruck, tragic sadness I felt first time around. Let me tell ya, I was surprised by how much I did. I had forgotten how much I really love this movie. I mean really love it. I will say though that the 3D aspect of it didn't really do a whole lot for me. It was just as good without it.

Tiff's Rate: First time around definitely an Opening Dayer. This time around still worth a Friday Night rating.

Deb's Take: As you know from my list of favorite movies, this movie was one, and I have to say I am pretty sure it is actually my number 1 movie of all time. Unlike Tiff, however, I didn't see it 9 times in the movie theatre, actually, I own this movie, and have watched it through once in the theatre, and several bits and pieces at home. So..this was only my second full viewing.
What can I say about this movie to give it justice? The actors were perfect. The chemistry between Kate and Leonardo was amazing. The sound track is captivating. If you haven't seen this movie, you really missed out on something special. My 8 year old is enthralled with it. She is a hopeless romantic just like me, and the first time she saw it she had so many questions and was so interested in the details of the Titanic. I do have to remind her the actors aren't real. It probably isn't the best movie for an 8 year old, but she is in love with it now. We went to an exhibit about the Titanic because of this movie. The story is so heart wrenching yet so interesting. We knew we couldn't go wrong with this movie. I still cry when I see it....

Deb's Rate: Opening day, then of course, that would have been 15 years ago.

Preview: Not sure yet! But mom comes in town this weekend!! YEAH

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Week 46: J Edgar

This week we were slightly influenced by Tiff's father-in-law and decided to got see J Edgar. Not much explaining to do...a movie about someone's version of his life.

My ignorance of politics, government and the like came forward again as I watched the movie, mostly because I didn't realize the extensive influence he had on so many different areas, the card catalog systems, finger printing, FBI development...all very interested and intriguing.

J Edgar was played by Leonardo DiCaprio. I like the way movies keep the actors in the same role for a full length of life, the make-up artists are amazing. DiCaprio did a good job in this role, I think the hardest part was J Edgar was portrayed very oddly. He came across as slighly mental. Maybe he really was that way, but I never would have guessed it based on his accomplishments.

His "partner" and second hand man was played by Armie Hammer, again, watching him age over the years is pretty amazing.

I don't feel like I can say too much about the movie itself without giving away the details (that apparently a lot of people already knew, I just didn't) The actors were extremely believable, the story was pretty intriging, and the make-up was impressive. Hoover's character was sort of creepy though. Whether or not his character was accurately depicted I am not sure, but if it is, he was a "different" sort of man, but then of course many people say the "brilliant" people of the world are the closest to the craziest.

Overall decent movie, not necessarily my cup of tea, but good.

See you in a few!

Week 46: J. Edgar

We went and saw J. Edgar for week 46.  My father-in-law really wanted us to go see this one for obvious reasons being a former FBI agent and all.  He actually saw it the night it came out and was curious what my take would be.  His take wasn't very good.  I haven't had a chance to talk to him about it yet though.

First of all I should mention that if I didn't marry into the family I did I probably wouldn't be able to tell you who J. Edgar Hoover was.  That's the sad truth when it comes to my knowledge of certain US history.  I get ridiculed on a daily basis from my husband.  Can I confess something else?  Even though I have been apprised of who J. Edgar Hoover is I wouldn't bet my life on the fact that I could have told you who it was if I was put on the spot.  I'm just being honest here. 

That being said, I really had no idea what to expect with this movie.  I had no prejudices one way or the other.  Because of this I will say I was completely shocked with the turn of events.  Obviously, this is someones opinion of J. Edgar Hoover so you really don't know what is fact or fiction but wow.  This was one colorful guy.

This movie portrayed Hoover as ruthless, egotistical, paranoid, a mama's boy (almost to the point of creepy) and gay.  I had no idea.  I can't say this movie really gave an opinion one way or the other about the FBI in general.  It was more about Hoover as a person.  And I wouldn't say it was the most flattering depiction.  Leonardo DiCaprio played Hoover and he was fantastic.  I heard there was Oscar talk for his role.  I think it would be well deserved.  Judi Dench played his mom, Naomi Watts his secretary and Armie Hammer as his "second in command".  All did great. This movie was sort of dark and creepy but I would recommend it.   

To Sum it up: Well done, well acted and very fascinating.