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.