2014: Week 26: Begin Again

Begin Again

Genre: Drama, 

Main Players:  Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine

General Gist:  A music executive down on his luck discovers a musician who is ready to leave the country after she is jilted by her pop star boyfriend.

Tiff's Take:
Oh boy.  Another movie with music.  This is becoming a common theme.  Going into this one, I didn't realize how much music was actually going to be in the movie.  If I had known I may have been less enthusiastic to go.  But I didn't and I was really looking forward to it.  

Even though Adam Levine, who is pretty darn mainstream, was in this, I wouldn't say this was a mainstream kind of movie.  I like that.  This movie was a tad on the quirky side.  Just a little.  And I like that as well.  It was based in NYC which I love.  It had interesting, unpredictable characters which is always refreshing.  I mostly love Keira Knightley in anything she's in a I like Mark Ruffalo as well.  They were both great in this.  Adam Levine was okay but honestly he didn't have a huge part so it was hard to say whether he was bad or good.  I can't say I'm a huge fan of Adam like my dear sister so he was just sort of neutral for me.  Actually, his character was on the annoying side but I think that was intentional.      

Despite all the singing (which if I'm being honest, I liked in this one), I really enjoyed the characters and the less conventional story.  It seems like the bad movie streak has finally ended.

Tiff's Rate: Friday Night


Deb's Take: 
I love movies with music.  This one was different because it wasn't a musical per se, it was more a movie, about music with music.  Totally different but perfectly conducted.  

Adam Lavine's movie debut, that in itself was enough for me.  He is quite a man, not to mention I like his music A LOT.   Ok, that being said, Adam was amazingly good in this movie.  Maybe because he is a singer/star playing one was pretty much like being himself, but he was extremely natural and never once did I feel like he was struggling to pull off the acting gig.  This was especially important because he was playing opposite Kiera, who was phenomenal.  Ok, her singing was decent, by no means was I floored, but the music fit her.   Mark Ruffalo did great as well.  Really not one person was disappointing in this movie.  The chemistry between all the characters was spot on.  

This movie had everything I love, relationships with deep meaning, conflict, heart, emotion, heartbreak, love...you get it.  I pretty much just melted into my seat and got lost in the story.  I liked that it wasn't a cookie cutter story, I loved the music, and I appreciated the emotions.  What a great film.   I will be going again!  Something I rarely do.  

Deb's Rate:  Opening Night

Preview: Travel might get in the way of both of us being able to go to the movie next week.  But you never know.  We have a way of making it work.  We shall see.

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!

Week 26: Bad Teacher

Bad Teacher was the movie for this week.  I have to admit I was a little more disappointed than Deb for this movie.  I wasn't expecting this movie to be great but I thought it would be funnier.  It turns out I was more annoyed with the characters than anything.

I generally like Cameron Diaz in most movies.  She usually plays characters that are easy to like.  For this one, not only did I not like her character but I was a little disgusted.  Okay, maybe disgusted is too strong of a word.  I'll go back to the word annoyed.  I was annoyed with her selfishness and annoyed with the absurdity of the story line.  I mean really, what teacher would get away with acting like her character did?  Does this mean I'm getting old?  I can't laugh at this kind of stuff anymore?  Maybe so. 

And I'm usually a fan of Justin Timberlake too.  Even he fell short for me.  The only character I thought was decent was the one played by Jason Segel.  He had a little more genuine quality to him even if he didn't have much chemistry with Cameron Diaz.  Lucy Punch's character was okay.  Dare I say, slightly annoying.

Overall the absurdity of this story should have been overshadowed by the humor.  It just wasn't for me.  I guess my funny bone wasn't working as well as Deb's for this week.

To Sum it up: Good actors who should have been funny but just plain...annoying.