Rachel Getting Married

My friend Jen and I recently saw this in New York City. I could tell we weren't in Minneapolis because people laughed all the way through the film and in Mpls I'm afraid there would have been awkward silences. It's a strange film. I loved some parts and hated others.

First, it's filmed like someone is using a camcorder half the time. And it feels a bit like you're at a second cousin's wedding whom you hated. Sometimes the people are extremely boring and drone on.

There are great scenes with Anne Hathaway however. She really is as great as the critics say...when they let her have the screen. I recommend waiting for the rental so you can fast forward through the boring parts because there is a really interesting storyline around the intricacies of family and how we hurt most those we love the most.

New fall TV shows

Karen recently asked for my opinions on the new shows. I haven't watched that many this year (and I changed jobs so I don't see the pilots anymore) but Life On Mars is great. It's about a cop who was sent back in time to 1973. I don't know why, but I have this fascination with the 70s on TV. I guess I must be fascinated with the pea green upholstery or it just takes me back to childhood. I'm not usually into cop dramas but the writing on this show is fabulous. And the main actor, Jason O'Mara, is wonderful.

Another new show I like is Fringe. First, it's from JJ Abrams, who can write no wrong in my opinion. Second, it stars Joshua Jackson, who, as Pacey, was always my favorite high schooler on Dawsons Creek.

Burn After Reading

The Coen Brothers do it again! This movie is in the Fargo genre, if you loved the humor of that movie. It is wickedly and disturbingly funny with a little violence thrown in for laughs (it has it's wood-chipper moments).

Brad Pitt is hilarious as a beautiful, "blonde" gym trainer. Frances McDormand is great as his sweet, dingy partner in crime. George Clooney is another Coen brothers regular who is great with Tilda Swinton, who's at her bitchy best again. And then there's John Malkovich, who kinda steals the show and is just delightfully tortured and funny. There really isn't one thing I hated about this movie! It's probably my favorite Coen brothers yet.

Vicky Christina Barcelona

That's it, I'm done with Woody Allen. I just don't get his movies. All the characters were so interesting in this, I really got into them. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are the best (except that I couldn't get that picture of Javier as Anton Chigur out of my head and kept waiting for him to start shooting people).

Just when you start getting into the movie and anticipating the ending, it just ends abruptly. And stupidly. It is so frustrating!!!!!!! I invested all that time into these people to have them turned into predictable drones. Ugh! But if you're a Woody fan, maybe this is what you like about him?

The Dark Knight

This is a fabulous movie. Heath Ledger deserves all the kudos he's gotten. He's absolutely fabulous in a terrifying way. Christian Bale is also fantastic in a haunting way. But it's not a movie for the kiddos cause it's creepy. It really doesn't feel like a superhero movie at all. For instance it's so different than Iron Man, which I also loved.

I'm back

I got two responses to my cry for help so I guess I'll keep doing this awhile.

In case you're living under a rock and haven't heard, I wanted everyone to know that the premiere of Twilight has been moved up to 11/21. Don't miss it!!

ANYONE OUT THERE?

Does anyone read this? If not I'm closing it down.

Wanted

It's funny that Angelina is so prominant on this poster because James McAvoy owns this movie. He's wonderfully intense as usual and burns up the screen.

This is not the kind of movie I usually go to, but James McAvoy drew me in. And it was so worth it.

It's sort of like Pulp Fiction in that it has a dark sense of humor while being a serious action flick. And yes the action is "out there" like the Matrix. Those two things with James and Angelina (who I do like as an actress) make for a pretty good movie. I recommend it!

Iron Man

I'm not usually an action movie fan but this one I loved. Maybe because Robert Downey Jr. is naturally a tortured soul and so he does that part so well in movies. He does it wonderfully here. He's electric on screen. And the movie was written more around the characters and the plot and less on "blowing things up".

Gwyneth Paltrow also stars, but more as eye candy. They definately set her and RDJ up for a sequel.

Great Sex

A friend, who knows I see a lot of movies, asked me, “Would I still enjoy the Sex and the City movie if I didn’t watch the TV show?”

To that I have two answers.

First off, I’m so sorry that there are women out there who haven’t seen this show. It’s a female right of passage to watch this show. It celebrates and empowers women and their messy lives and relationships. It’s like a good friend who gives great advice. And you don’t even have to like New York to enjoy it, because the stories and characters with their problems and their joys resonate no matter where you live.

My second answer is this: if you haven’t seen the show, you would probably still enjoy the movie. You might think it funny and clever. But you wouldn’t go from laughing hysterically in one minute to crying hysterically the next like a SATC veteran. And that’s sort of like giving a really expensive bottle of wine to a beer drinker.

I purposely did not read the reviews because I didn’t want to know what they had to say. Michael Patrick King didn’t write this movie or the series for the critics. He wrote it from the heart (he had to have been a woman in another life). He wrote it for us. And it was AMAZING. Absolutely amazing.

He was completely true to the characters. He didn’t contrive ridiculous plot twists to invent drama. He just let nature take its course the way things would really have worked out if these were real people, with real, every day issues like the rest of us. It was wonderful to watch and I hope to see it 10 more times.

TWILIGHT

My friend Nancy told me two weeks ago about this book she'd read called Twilight. I had never heard of it before. Now I'm hooked and I can't stop reading the books (there are three so far, number 4 is out this month).

The story is about a high school girl, Bella, who falls in love with a high school boy, Edward, who just happens to be a vampire. A good vampire. But the focus is not on the sci-fi angle, it's a love story and it's amazing. The way this woman writes had me hooked from the very sentence to the last. I read it in one weekend and it's over 600 pages (although it's a fast read because the writing is simple and the type large). I can only plagerize Entertainment Weekly magazine to sum it up best. The writer said that he could "feel Bella breathing" when he read the book, and it's so true. You feel like you're there. It's amazing.

I also just read that the writer, Stephenie Meyer, is a Morman housewife and these are her first books. They are written for a young adult audience, so there's no sex in them (in fact it's interesting how the vampire angle has allowed her to avoid that). And I have to say that the books are actually better for it. The connection between the two main characters is so hot that sex, written poorly, would make it cheesy.

Lastly, they have made the first book into a movie that premieres on 12.12.08 (the movie poster is above). If anyone wants to go with, Nancy and I will be in line at 6am.

THE OTHER version of the BOLEYN GIRL story

I saw this movie first (which I believe I panned here) and then I read the book. Just read the book if you've done neither. They ripped the story to shredds for the movie and it's horrible. The book is soooooo much more interesting.

P.S. I Love You ... Not

I really wanted to like this film since I loved the book, however was completely lost the first bit of the movie and actually had to go back and watch it again to figure out all of the little parts. Don't think I am that slow, but it really jumped all over the place. I think my lack of attention might of had something to do with the home office heckling the movie and me telling him to shut up already.

Normally I like Hillary Swank, but not so much this time. Didn't mind the Irish guys, they were actually quite nice.

What Happens In Vegas

I went with a bunch of girlfriends and we had a blast! What a fun chick comedy! Notice I didn't say Chick Flick, because it's not just a romance, it's a good mixture of hilariously funny and edgy antics and romance.

Cameron and Ashton both do this kind of physical comedy very well so it's just fun to watch them. And the chemistry between them is great! There were five of us and we all laughed non-stop!

Speed Racer

This is a great movie for kids ages 3.5+. The reviews were mixed so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was great! If you've read the reviews, the following should address them.

The consumer reviews said it was too long at around two hours...but the action is so constant and the scenery so colorful that no one cared. And I felt the storyline moved fast. My 3.5 year old son was glued the entire time (I can't say that for even Cars, his favorite movie ever). And the car action/racing is really cool...the cars flip and jump so it's more animated than that other Car movie (which, again, we love).

A few patrons complained that they said the word "hell" four times. OH MY GOSH, not HELL?!? I didn't even notice it if they did say it (but then most of you know my college roomate Jen and know that I'm immune to such things).

Other people complained that the movie was violent, that a boy got "beat to a pulp" and they almost fed him to viscious pirajna. Again, let me reiterate that this movie is very cartoony feeling so while these things did happen (although I'd say the guy was just roughly slapped), they didn't seem extremely scary or violent to us. Neither of my kids said anything about it during or after (it is a very brief scene).

So again, we loved it. It was a fun and interesting storyline that kept us glued to our seats. I usually fall asleep in even the most interesting kid movies but this one kept me awake!

Made of Honor

I didn't have high expectations for this movie but I thought, what they hey, it's Patrick Dempsey...love that smile! But I was pleasantly surprised. It was an above average chick flick. And the plot wasn't a rip off of My Best Friends Wedding, a horrible movie.
If you're looking for some brain candy and a couple of hours of kicking back and enjoying the scenery (Patrick and the scenes in Scotland), I recommend this one!

Baby Mama

This movie is hilarious. It's Judd Apatow on estrogen. It's hilariously written and acted. It's not Oscar material, but man is it hysterical. Tina Fey rocks!

Empire Falls

Consider this an addendum to my earlier rant about Paul Newman...I just watched the HBO film Empire Falls on DVD. He and wife Joanne Woodward star and exec produce. It's got a stunning all-star cast (Ed Harris, Robin Wright Penn, Helen Hunt, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Aidan Quinn, Josh Lucas and more). Of course I'd have to imagine all those folks would work for free for the chance to work with Paul and Joanne. I know I would.

But as always, Paul is amazing. The entire film is beautifully done. It's based on a Pulitzer-prize winning novel that was adapted by the writer in a smart and unique way that sucks you right in.

I highly recommend it!

Best new website ever

Our friend Karen commented that we were her connection to the outside world, as she has no DVR or Cable...well Karen, I'm here to brighten your world. I have discovered Hulu.com. This is a joint website of NBC and Fox that allows you to view every TV show and movie they've ever produced FOR FREE. They'll also let you manipulate the shows and link to them on your website, which only Susan knows how to do. I'm not that smart.

They don't just have new shows, they have your old childhood favorites, like Fantasy Island, Facts of Life, Newsradio. And if you miss an episode currently showing and *gasp* you don't have a DVR (hello???) you can go to this website to watch it. This could be as life changing as my DVR. View on!

Paul Newman

Paul Newman is my favorite actor. Tonite I watched another of his movies (that I hadn't seen previously) and cemented that conclusion.

I watched The Absense of Malice, costarring Sally Field, directed by Sydney Pollack. It's the eyes. They are magic. And not just the color, but the intensity. It's what always gets me with good actors (see my previous post on James McAvoy). You feel like they are going to pierce you any minute. Even during a light hearted, funny moment, the eyes are so intense.

This movie was from 1981. He was nominated for an Oscar for it and I highly recommend it. And not just because of him. It was well written and crafted (thank you Sidney Pollack) and Sally Field was very very good. It helped to redeem her in my eyes for the Smokey and the Bandit(s) (not that I didn't enjoy those, they just weren't great acting).

Other great Paul Newman movies that you must see include The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. These are wonderful because of the added bonus of Robert Redford, my second favorite actor for all the same reasons. These two together are a powerhouse of intensity and fun.

But my all-time favorite is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, with Elizabeth Taylor, in one of her best roles. They are both at their sexiest and most intense. The movie gives you a real feel for who Elizabeth Taylor used to be in Hollywood. Their sparring is wonderful to watch.

Charlie Wilsons War

The strength of this movie is in it's cast. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman...some of the greats of our generation. They are just plain fun to watch.

And in a season where everything else is so HEAVY and violent, this flick is a little more light hearted and fun (although it does have a serious backdrop). You actually get in some laughs.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the best actor in this film though. He is a wonderful character actor and he plays this part so enthusiastically that's it's amazing to watch.

Since I don't think it's even in theaters anymore, I highly recommend you rent this one.

No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men is the latest from Ethan and Joel Coen adapted from a Cormac McCarthy (The Road, All the Pretty Horses) novel. I can't even begin to explain what a trip it is for the viewer.

As usual, when exiting a Coen brother film, I seriously questioned what type of childhood could these two have had in St. Louis Park, MN that made them the way they are.

You end up not knowing what to feel when the screen abruptly goes black and the movie ends. I actually really, really liked this. Dan loved it and we had some good debate on the way home, again as usual after a Coen film.

Javier Bardem is disturbing from first scene, you truly believe his character Anton Chigurh has no soul, his eyes are dead and he is almost robotic with his actions. You begin to believe he isn't human, but eventually you realize he is very human in body only.

Chigurh is the source of so much violence in the movie and eventually you don't even see the violence at his hands. In fact, by the end of the movie the Coen brothers stop showing Chigurh's acts, almost as if they know the viewer will fill in the blanks for themselves.

Josh Brolin has redeemed himself from his Goonies turn in 1986 and plays Llewelyn Moss who has had a hard life and makes some very bad decisions which affect his entire family and anyone he comes in contact with.

The movie builds the characters so very carefully bit by bit and you are there on the edge of your seat every step of the way.

The movie doesn't leave you after you walk out of the theatre it stays with you, I actually had nightmares about this movie and the air tank Chigurh carries days later.

It is an amazing movie which will be at the top of the list for Oscars when the time comes.

The Choice - Nicholas Sparks

Picked up the latest Nicholas Sparks novel "The Choice" at the library Sunday. I didn't even remember that I had requested it - must have back in May - that is how long it takes to get the latest release for these type of books.

"The Choice" tells the story of Travis and Gabby.

Yep. That's about all I have to say. It is a fast read.

I liked Sparks' first novel "The Notebook" in 1998 - however I just am so not into books like these anymore where everything fits together just right at the perfect time. It is as if he is just going through the motions for a million dollar screenplay.

Maybe I am being a bit cynical on a New Year's Day night, but when I read I am looking for more, I felt like I never got to know either Travis or Gabby and felt closer to their dogs.

Happy New Year.

Juno. Like the city in Alaska?

Shelly and I went to Juno this afternoon and we both loved it. Absolutely loved it. It is the brainchild of local Mpls blogger Diablo Cody and was never dull.

It is an odd little tale of a strange girl named Juno (after Zeus' wife - talk about big shoes to fill) who finds herself in a bit of a pickle after becoming pregnant from one encounter with orange tic-tac eating/best friend/boyfriend Paulie Bleaker.

Everyone in the movie is perfectly cast, especially Juno - she is portrayed by Ellen Page and she is phenomenal. Talk about taking acerbic wit to a new level, she always has the best lines and gives the impression she is wise beyond her years, but in the end she is just a scared 16 year old from Minnesota who has enough sense to know she isn't ready to be a mom.

Allison Janney (from the West Wing) has some of the other best lines as Juno's stepmother Bren and Jennifer Garner (who Shelly and I both love from our Alias-obsession days) does a realistic portrayal of Vanessa who is waiting for a child. Her character I didn't really like at first, but by the end of the movie you were so rooting for her and her life.

Another one of my favorites Jason Bateman plays Vanessa's husband Mark who ends up as a complete antithesis of how Vanessa evolved for the viewer. Loved him in the beginning - maybe more in the middle and by the end I couldn't stand the Kurt Cobain wannabe, commercial composer loser.

Like I said, go see Juno - it is so very good.