2012: Week 7: The Vow

The Vow

Genre: Romance, Drama

Main Players: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum

General Gist: A woman is injured in a car accident and has a traumatic brain injury that leaves her without a memory of her last 5 years of life. She doesn't remember her husband, or their marriage. He works to rekindle their love.

Deb's Take:
I was really thinking that this movie was going to capture my heart and put me into my romance oblivion that my favorite romance movies and books often do. I was sort-of disappointed. I have to say that the acting was actually pretty good, I like Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum a lot. I feel like they had good chemistry, but I was looking for "The Notebook" or "Titanic" kind of romance. The drama, the conflict and the eventual coming back around to the ultimate love, and I never really felt that. I wanted intense, but it fell a little short of that. It wasn't a bad movie by any means, I just didn't find myself longing for more. All in all, you will get the romance, but don't expect the heartfelt story of some previous movies.

Tiff's Take:
Again, I totally agree with Deb.  Two weeks in a row!  We're starting to get back on the same wavelength.

I really wanted to just LOVE this movie.  I love Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum so no issues there.  They do have great chemistry so they were a good match.  Another plus.  And the story line seemed like it would make a wonderfully, heartbreaking, want to die in your seat kind of movie.  But the truth is, it only sort of did.  For the most part I ended up feeling really bad for Tatum's character the whole time without truly getting great closure in the end.  I just wanted more.  Although, I will say I've thought a lot about the movie since I've seen it.  Usually that's a good sign for me. But that might also have something to do with the fact that I let my imagination run wild about the "what ifs" in life. 

So I'd say it was a decent movie and if you're thinking about going to it you would probably like it but don't count on loving it.  As Deb said, it's no Titanic. 

Preview: Something a little different than our normal: "Chronicle"

Week 51: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

How is it that I get so behind in posting my reviews?  I have three movies swirling in my head right now.  These last few of the year might be short and sweet.
For week 51 we went and saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.  I was a big fan of the first one so I was looking forward to this.  Russ was a big fan of the first one too so he was actually looking forward to seeing this movie.  When he's excited about seeing a movie I'm happy because that means he'll try hard to go with me.  So this movie ended up being a date night for us sisters.  Love it when it works out that way.

This is the second installment of the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.  I totally agree with Deb.  They have great chemistry together in the movie.  I love the humor and wit.  Actually, Robert Downey Jr. has good chemistry with Rachel McAdams too even if they didn't have as big of a role this time around.  Generally speaking I love Robert Downey Jr.'s humor and he is no exception in this one.  I love the visual effects as well with the dark atmosphere and cool slow mo action shots.  It all works wonderfully.

Definitely a fun one to see in the theater. 
To Sum it up: Good action, good banter and just plain good entertainment. 

Week 27: Midnight in Paris

Well, we went a little different this week. We were headed to one movie and ended up at "Midnight in Paris". We were on our way to a different movie, and on a last minute whim I took a look at the cast/crew of this one, noticed Woody Allen directed/produced it (which I don't like Woody Allen's style) but decided the main actors were people and liked and maybe would branch out a bit.

The movie takes place in Paris, today, however, at midnight the main character, a up and coming writer, played by Owen Wilson...goes back in time to his Paris 1920's. He feels that life in the 20's in Paris is where all the best literature, writing and art happens. He is engaged to a high class, snotty woman, played by Rachel McAdams, who is stifling his dreams and finds refuge in the traveling to the past. More importantly he keeps running into all the great artists of that era. So, Okay, I am bad at history and especially when you add the arts, so although I knew the names, didn't necessarily catch all the humor. (I am guessing...since, I didn't know)

The movie was sort of quirky. Like most Woody Allen films I have seen, I wasn't impressed with the development of characters/relationships. They seem sort of weird and unsettling to me, however, due to the quirkiness of this movie, the relationships short of fell into place as necessary.

I need to mention as well, that the supporting actors in this film actually allowed me to enjoy it more. Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams were good, but the trueness of the other characters were better.

Overall, the movie was....charming.

See you next week!

Week 27: Midnight in Paris

It's July.  Halfway through the year.  That means we've hit the halfway mark with our quest to see a movie a week.  And not one week missed yet.  Awesome. 

This week we picked Midnight in Paris at the last minute.  We were going to see Super 8 but in a disorganized turn of events we ended up seeing this one instead.  (I know what you're thinking.  The Sacry sister's disorganized?  Never.  But alas it does happen on rare occasions.)

I had a little bit of an idea what this movie was about.  I didn't realize it was a Woody Allen film and didn't remember that it premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.  So that gives you a little idea of what kind of a movie it was.  I was slightly prepared for this type of movie.  Not sure if Deb was.

This movie had Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.  I like them both and I liked them both in this movie.  This was sort of a quirky movie but I think it fit Owen Wilson's sense of humor well.  It wasn't laugh out loud funny but funny in a more subtle way.  I liked it.  Rachel McAdams played a spoiled, slightly self centered, rich American.  It's not her general role but I think it fit too. 

One thing this movie made me realize is that I am not good with art and literature history.  I felt like there were so many inside jokes about famous writers or artists that I just didn't get because I didn't know who they were.  Makes you feel a little dumb.  But I still enjoyed it nonetheless.  I would say this movie was a refreshing change of pace for me. 

To Sum it up: Interesting concept, a touch of humor and a nice departure from mainstream movies.