2012: Week 47: Lincoln

Lincoln

Genre: Drama, Biography, History

Main Players: Daniel Day Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Tommy Lee Jones

General Gist: The story of Lincoln’s struggle to emancipate the slaves, during the civil war. 

Deb's Take: 
I am one of the least political person’s out there.  I think I have mentioned this before.  That being said, the first half of the movie was a little slow for me, I didn’t enjoy all the political bantering, games and negotiations.  I know it was all a recounting of our history, and I think that is what kept me interested.  I really was impressed with Daniel Day Lewis and his portrayal of Lincoln.  I will guess that a lot of research was done about Lincoln’s personality, and I feel like the personality came through loud and clear.  The movie was most impressive in that it covers a very short period of time, yet captures an amazing pivotal historical event, and the days around that event.  What a burden that man took on, and what a strategic way of bringing the events into play.  I did feel the acting in this movie was exceptional.  I always like Sally Field, and Tommy Lee Jones was different in this role, not as convincing as some, but good. 

I think this movie would be most suited for those people who love history, love politics and love biographies.  I am not necessarily this type of person, but the greatness of this movie was not lost on me, I know it was exceptional and give it credit, even though it wasn’t my favorite..many of you will love it!

Deb's Rate: Matinee for me, but Friday night for most

Tiff's Take:
This movie was very different from what I expected.  I thought it was more of a war movie but it was so not.  It was really about passing (is that the right term?) the 13th amendment.  It just so happens it was around war time.  So needless to say, this was not an action packed movie.  Yes, it was long and a little slow.  Yes, my dad may or may not have fallen asleep during it.  BUT, it was very interesting.  At least to me.  I'm always surprised to find that political stuff really does interest me more than I think.   

I felt like this movie really captured the behind the scenes of what may have been going on way back then.  It was fascinating to see Lincoln's personality portrayed.  What an amazing individual?!  Daniel Day Lewis totally nailed it.  As Deb said, if you're a history buff you'll probably really enjoy this.  If you're looking for action this isn't your movie. 

Tiff's Rate: Hmm...Matinee or Friday Night.  Why not, Friday Night.

Preview:  More to come as we catch up!

2012: Week 32: Hope Springs

Hope Springs

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Main Players: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell

General Gist: A couple, married 30 years, attends a week long counseling get-a-way in hopes of reviving their marriage.

Deb's Take: 

We had it all planned to see Moonrise Kingdom, then we got a  pre-screening invite to “Hope Springs” and decided free is better, (as was the whole timing of the movie) so we ended up at this movie.  I had wanted to see it anyway and it was a pre-release, I like them the best. 

This movie was not necessarily exactly what I thought it was going to be.  I knew the storyline, but for some reason I thought it was going to be funnier.  Even a bad marriage can be funny right?  Well, this movie was much more about the passage of time and what effects it can have on a marriage.  This movie was much more geared towards an older crowd, their marriage was at the 30 year mark, mine is only at 18.  I do know after seeing this movie I really hope my marriage isn’t anything like theirs, but I always find that I am a great “learn by observation” type of gal so I will take this as a lesson.

As far as the acting… Meryl Streep only gets better with age.  I am not a big Tommy Lee Jones fan, yet he did well in this movie.  I think it was his part that was convincing more than his acting though.  Steve Carell was surpising good in a little more serious role.  Really his role was minimal compared to the other two, but good none the less.

I enjoyed the venue a lot and would recommend a stop at the Armour Theatre in the Northland if you ever get a chance to go

Deb's Rate: Matinee

Tiff's Take:
Like Deb said, this movie was more on the serious side.  There were some funny parts but generally speaking it was more of a drama than comedy.  For me, this worked just fine.  I'm not sure I was expecting as much comedy as Deb so it seemed to fit my expectations.

Even though I was a minority in the theater (the average age was probably closer to 50), I have to say I really enjoyed this movie.  Sure it dealt with issues that I can't necessarily relate to at my age but I still appreciated it.  I liked how honest it was and how vulnerable the characters were.  And speaking of characters, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones were fantastic.  I was very pleasantly surprised with Steve Carell beings that he didn't have really any funny parts and he played it perfectly.  (Unlike his role in Seeking a Friend...in which I did not enjoy.) 

I do have to ask one question though.  Is there really ever a guy who does not want to have sex?  I mean really.     

Tiff's Rate: Friday Night

Preview: Winner of the Giveaway to be announced.  And a bonus review.

Week 30: Captain America

Well, this week we ventured out with my husband and son in tow for "Captain America". Seems like this last few months has been the months of super hero/comic book character movies. I will remind you all that comic book movies are not my favorite so this opinion is already somewhat biased.

If you don't know the Captain America story lines...like I didn't...it follows Steve,a young man (played by Chris Evans), who is trying to become enlisted during World War 2. He tries over and over again but is always rejected due to his medical history and super small, scrawny size. Eventually a scientist is captured by his tenacity and accepts him into a training program, where eventually he is a science experiment and becomes a huge, lean, war machine. I must put in here, that the digital reconstruction of this character was pretty cool. He really did go from scrawny to big believably.

So, after he changes to the master of all humans genetically, he eventually must take down the "Red Skull". This whole part is where my lack of liking came in. He became a war hero, but I was turned off by the whole thing. I had to keep reminding myself it was a super hero, not a real war hero. The war scenes were cheesy and I wasn't real impressed with the whole outfit, superhero, save the day presentation when coupled with world war 2. I know it was fictional, but still, I was turned off.

As far as the actors go, I love, love, love Stanly Tucci. Tommy Lee Johns fit his part to a tee. Everyone else was ok...Haley Atwell played the main female role (this movie did not pass the Bechdel Test by the way). I looked up some her previous roles, I haven't seen any of the movies she has played in before, but am very interested in seeing how she does, I see high potential. She played in "The Duchess" which is a movie I missed but think I may go rent.

Anway, for all you superhero fans, coming from a non super hero fan...I thought the movie was ok, a little slow and slightly cheesy. Coming from my husband and son, who are super hero fans, It was a good movie, better than "Green Lantern", according to my husband, but not to my son.

All in all, the theatre was packed at 3:00 in the afternoon, and most seemed pretty satisfied. Oh, and I found out later..if you stay past the credits there is a trailer for the second movie. I didn't see it, but don't feel to bad about it..my husband was bummed.

See you next week.

Week 6: The Company Men

This week's movie was pretty thought provoking. The movie followed the life of 3 men in Boston who lose their jobs during the start of the recession in 2008. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper play the 3 main men. All very fitting to their roles. I am a true lover of Ben Affleck and he did a really good job in this movie. In fact, all three men did great in bringing me to the point where I felt I could really "feel" what they were going through. I like that kind of a movie! (as you all know by now). Craig T Nelson, although in the villian role, did a good job...I like him! and Kevin Costner, although only a small role, added to a very strong and powerful cast.

I think what I liked the most about this movie was that it got me really thinking about the recession and all the people who were really hit hard. I have been fortunate enough to be in the health care field, and haven't really felt the hardship so many in the higher level business world have felt. I also felt I got a good sense of what a man who must provide for his family must feel like, especially at an older age, when the thing he has worked for his whole life is pulled out from under his feet. I found that I was pretty disgusted with the whole high exect, CEO big billion dollar company leaders. I agreed with the lesson...yes we like to live that lifestyle, but can we do with less to protect some of those below us...my lesson from the movie.

Although the movie was kind of slow moving, I did find I was captured by the characters and storylines. It was depressing. Sad to think some benefit from others misfortunes, even when they worked just as hard to get where they are.

I was pleased with the ending, put a positive flair on it all! Made me feel hopeful that people are generally good, and that what really matters is family, and friends.

All in all, well written and played. I liked the cast, it was kind of slow, but I enjoyed it none the less.

Have a good week! Let us know what movies you are seeing so we can give them a try as well!!

Week 6: The Company Men

This week's movie was The Company Men. I hadn't heard a lot about this movie so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It seemed to have a full cast of well known male actors. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper and a smaller role for Kevin Costner. They all did a good job but I can't say that any of them stood out more than the others. Ben Affleck was good in it but I think he always does a little better when it's a role that is based on his real life in some way. This movie was based out of Boston so he fit in with that. I like Ben Affleck as an actor alright but sometimes he's just not as believable as he should be. This one he did good though.

The story line was basically about three men losing their jobs and how it effected their lives. All three men were living these inflated lifestyles, living excessively with high paying jobs. When they lose their jobs you almost don't feel sorry for them. Almost. They were all genuine enough that more then anything it was mostly just touching and a little heartbreaking. It seemed like they just weren't ever going to get a break. To be honest, it went on so long I thought maybe it wasn't going to be a very happy ending. And although it wasn't totally a feel good ending it mainly made you feel like the small guys won out and the big corporations got what they deserved. Well, as much as a big corporation can get what they deserve anyway.

Overall, it wasn't a real fast paced movie but entertaining enough even if it was slightly depressing. But like I said the characters were likable and you truly cared how their lives were going to end up.

To Sum it up: Touching, a little depressing and sorta slow going.