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.