"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"

When has there ever been a movie franchise (let alone one that's based on books) as successful as Harry Potter? I remember when the books were super popular when I was in high school and I refused to read them (mainly because they were super popular). I can't remember exactly why I decided to read them, I think curiosity finally won out. The books don't get any good until book 3 (movies are the same, in my opinion) - and then they continually get better with each book (and again with each movie).
Who could have known those kids cast as the leads those many years ago would actually grow into very credible actors? Anyhow, the movie...
It has all built up to these 2 hours and 20 minutes and what a climax it is. Now, I'm usually not a big book vs. movie person - they're such different mediums that I don't think comparison is really fair. However, there were some things I missed: the timing of Neville's heroism (I know why they did it, to build up tension, but I feel like it's a bigger moment for Neville in the book), and going back into the headmaster's office after it's all done and the reaction Potter gets from all the old headmasters).
Other than those two things though, it was SUPERB!!!! I balled like a baby, I'll admit it. A few times. The music is perfectly intense where it needs to be. The "last stand" at Hogwarts is fantastic! The break-in to Gringott's had me on the edge of my seat. The two things with the most emotional resonance were the Resurrection Stone with his family (though his poor dad didn't get much of a moment with him) and Snape's memories. Gah! Alan Rickman is one of the most talented actors out there, and I always thought he was oddly sexy. But I digress. The way the imagry combines with the acting and just the revelation of the truth is overwhelming! LOVE IT!
So, if you actually haven't seen it yet, get a babysitter if needed and go!
I only wish I could have seen it in a full theatre (we went to a matinee) - I'm sure there was much clapping and whooping (especially when Mrs. Weasley calls Bellatrix a B****!), but when there's only 10-15 people in a huge theatre, there isn't usually too much vocalized reaction :)

I feel the same was about the movie as I did about the last book:
This is soooo much better than a Harry Potter movie/book deserves to be!

By that I just mean that it excedes all previous installments by so much that it really is only bound to them by the material of the story and not by the calibur of presentation.

9/10 Stars

3 fantastic independent films!

I often worry about watching any independent films, you know, with the lack of MPAA ratings and such. Also, some of them tend to apparently believe that you need to be avant-garde or raunchy and "cutting-edge" to be good. So, I stick to those that are recommended, or you can tell by the trailers will be okay. Speaking of trailers, I've included the trailers as well.

Anyhow, I've recently watched three very different, but all superb indies.

1. "An Education"

Firstly, this has a stellar cast - Carey Mulligan (one of the Bennet sisters in P&P), Olivia Williams (who I loved in Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse"), Alfred Molina, and Rosamund Pike (also from P&P, she's so luminescent!), and the superb Emma Thompson. Those were just the names I recognized.

Carey plays Jenny, a 16-soon-to-be-17-year-old student working toward being accepted into Oxford. You're not quite sure how much of this is because she wants to, or her father (Molina) wants her to.

Then she meets David Goldman, an adventurous man over twice her age. David is played beautifully by Peter Sarsgaard (and by beautifully, I mean it's a nuanced and complex performance). Jenny gets caught up in David's world with his friends Helen (Pike) and Danny (played by Dominic Cooper, who seems to just ooze sex appeal with no apparent effort).

I have to admit, I got concerned that this was glorifying what I saw as a potentially dangerous and very inappropriate relationship, but, without spoiling anything, it's not.

I really enjoyed this and found it very touching.

7 out of 10.

2."Sweet Land"

This movie was so fantastically realized! "Twilight" fans will know Elizabeth Reasor, but only by name. She is wonderfully unrecognizable as German immigrant, Inge, who has come as a postal bride for Olaf, a Norwegian farmer in rural Minnesota. The problem is she has arrived post World War I and Germans are viewed with, at the very least, suspicion, if not outright hostility. Alan Cuming is uncharacteristically subdued as Frandsen, Olaf's more outspoken friend. He's married to level-headed Brownie, played by Alex Kingston (who, I guess, was on ER).

Listen, all the performances in this movie are exceptional, from the accents that almost everyone has (American, German, Norwegian, and in between), to the quiet yet compelling realization of their divers characters. But, above and beyond all these is Tim Guinee, who plays quiet Olaf. To have very few lines and have to act almost everything out through looks and reactions, but still get across what you need to is so underappreciated it's almost laughable. His performance is sweet, but strong, a bit naive, but smart. I just can't see enough good things about him - just watch this sweet sweet love story.

Be warned the first 9 minutes are a bit jumbled and a little confusing. Let me save you some headache. An older Lars, at the death of older Inge, remembers when Olaf died a few decades before that Inge told him about how they met. Then you get into the actual story. Get past the first 9 minutes (watch it, it comes around in the end), but just hang in there.

8 out of 10 stars

3. "Arranged"

I cannot say enough good things about this film. Rochel, an orthodox Jew, and Nasira, a Muslim, both work at an elementary school in Brooklyn. We first see them at a meeting where they are all learning how they'll have to deal with many cultural differences in the student body. They strike up a friendship that only strengthens when they both go through their culture's different paths to a somewhat arranged marriage.

It's a quiet movie about two women who want to be strong and also honor their culture, religion, and heritage. If you've ever been on the receiving end of "helpful intolerance" (you know, those people who try to help you escape what they see as an oppresive and unsatisfactory life), you'll empathize when the principal tries to chat with these two teachers and "help" them out. Having said that, there aren't any bad guys (not even the principal) - just people with different lifestyles and viewpoints trying to interact and get along. It does all this without being maudlin, it even pokes fun at it a little when Rochelle and Nasira are at a park and their younger family members are playing and Nasira says, "someone should be shooting a world peace commercial right now."

A beautiful movie! 9 out of 10 stars.

"Cassandra's Dream" Review

"Two London brothers are hard-up for cash, and both have girls to look out for, too. When rich Uncle Howard comes to town and agrees to help them out, he admits his finances are under investigation, and he asks them to do him a favor and "take care of" an old business relation to keep his trouble under wraps - he says that they're family, and since he always takes care of them, the least they could do is help him out this once, as they're the only ones he can trust." (quoted from summary on IMDB)
What follows is the ethical dilemma they face and how each one handles it.

This movie is superbly written, directed, acted... everything. Why don't they make movies like this more often? It's edge of your seat suspense, but the suspense comes from wondering what the characters will do and how they will cope with it. It's smart suspense. The actor's performances are gripping, but real and never overdone, the music is so good I didn't even notice it (that's a superb score, when it adds to the mood of the moment without calling attention to itself). I've only ever seen one other Woody Allen film ("Matchpoint") which in my mind was mindlessly dull and pointless and somehow managed to get an uncharismatic performance out of Hugh Jackman (Seriously?! How do you even acheive that?). Obviously I'm no expert, but I do feel confident in saying this doesn't feel like a "Wood Allen film" at all, and that's a compliment.

This would be a good date movie because the guy would enjoy it as well. My husband did. Here's the trailer -



Seriously, rent this! It didn't get a lot of attention when it came out, but much more's the shame for that!

This should be mandatory viewing for everyone!

I'm a little behind the times on most things - I just barely saw "Supersize Me" (which came out in, what, 2004?). I haven't had McDonald's in years (the last time was at a birthday party and both my daughter and I were feeling queasy on the way home), so I think their stuff tastes gross anyway, but I think a lot of what Morgan Spurlock discovers also applies to other fast food chains (which I do frequent a little too... frequently).

Basically he goes on a diet of eating Mcd's 3X a day for a month. The only food he can eat has to come from them. The weight gain is expected but still a surprisingly high number, I think it's his cholesterol that shoots up like 200 times what it was before he started, his liver ends up resembling that of an alcoholic's and is close to shutting down. I honestly don't think this is mostly about weight, it's about health. Even if someone is skinny it certainly doesn't guarantee that they're healthy.

What really struck a chord with me, though, was the portion of the film on school lunches and the politics of why our kids are being served processed chemicals for lunch with junk food as a side. Then add in the fact that physical ed is being cut out in many instances. This is the state of our education? That those who are supposed to be teaching our children can't even reason out that physical activity actually stimulates brain activity? The healthier you are physically, the better you are able to focus mentally.

They actually found a charter school that was specifically for troubled kids (you know the ones that get kicked out of all the other schools). Now, they had a police officer who had to break up numerous fights daily. I kid you not - they changed the lunches they serve to come from a company who serves freshly made veggies, made from scratch lasagna, etc and cut out all soda, sugared drinks, and junk food. After the next 2 years of having NO fights, the cop asked why they still had him there! And the kids tried harder academically and did better. Makes you wonder - do YOU know what YOUR kids are being fed for lunch? One girl at the normal schools was getting an order of french fries and milk and said "Well I've got my calcium and my vegetable". Now, maybe she was joking, but there were several kids who only got chips and cookies for lunch.

Do I think this means that we shouldn't EVER eat processed foods or fast food? Maybe in theory, but I know it won't stop me. But I DO think that we should be aware that such chemically processed stuff is NOT good for us and can have harmful side effects, especially in excess.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to finish my oatmeal Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie :)

Has it really been a month since my last post? And a movie review

Not that anybody missed me :) I've been so focused on catching up on my hours at work that I've had little time for anything else. Or energy (such as cleaning my bathrooms, putting laundry away (hey, let's face it, we're lucky it gets done)). Anyhow, here's a review at least for what turned out to be a surprisingly good movie:



"Triston + Isolde" - I ignored this when it first came out and quite a while afterwards, assuming it to be a preteen cheesefest of a sappy romance. I'm happy to report I was mistaken.
It's a smartly written romance with characters who do noble and mature things. Yes, they make mistakes, but when faced with the personal consequences, they "man up". I love that the characters aren't black and white ("this is the good guy so everything he does is sympathetic and good, this guy standing in the way of their love is mean therefore making their love affair more justifiable to the audience" you know, that tripe). James Franco, Sophia Myles, and Rufus Sewell bring pathos and reality to their characters. This is supposed to be the legend/story that Romeo and Juliet was based on, though there isn't any definitive version. If you want a good romance, I definitely recommend watching this if you didn't catch it the first time around, or rewatching it if you did.

The movie I am most in love with

A few years ago I was looking up music by a composer whom I love and stumbled across clips from this movie put to a song of his. It looked so beautifully shot that I decided to rent if from the Library. Then I actually bought it (which speaks volumes in and of itself considering the cheapskate that I am) and proceeded to persuade everyone I could think of to borrow it. I have watched it countless times and some have borrowed it more than once just to watch it again. As my neighbor said, "I have never wanted two people to touch so much". It's a period drama which means that it can and does acheive unparalleled sexual tension while all clothes remain on and, as you might infer from the above quotation, very little contact actually happens.
Doesn't hurt that it stars Richard Armitage. One of the best things about this mini-series is that it has epic romance, but it has so much more than that as well. All the actors are top notch (I expect no less from BBC), the music is hauntingly beautiful, well directed, great screenplay.
Unfortunately the original video that led me to this great discovery has been taken off of YouTube (*grumble grumble stupid copywright police*)so, just for you, my handful of readers, I searched endlessly to find a new one that does it justice. I skipped over all that had contemporary songs (pet peeve of mine) and found one that has a song from the movie itself. As I post this, I think I'll watch it again and drool over Mr. Thornton.
I present you with BBC's fantabulous mini-series, "North & South"

Okay, so I'm a huge nerd... And?

This is fanmade and amazing. I kept thinking "how did they get this to look like it's from a real movie?" Well, that's because all of it is. This person took footage from a bunch of stuff and made it look like it was all from one movie. Orson Scott Card had a link on his website saying this was the best one he's ever seen. Here's to hoping the real movie does actually happens and turns out well. And comes out within the next decade (It's been "in the works" for forever!) *fingers crossed*

"House of Mirth" movie

This is based on one of my all-time favorite novels of the same name written by Edith Wharton (one of my favorite authors actually who also wrote "Age of Innocence" and "Ethan Fromme"). It follows the tragic decline of Lily Bart who believes she wants to marry a rich husband more than anything, but cannot seem to follow through with it. This is no Austin (no offense, I do love me some good Austen). The wit is sharper, the relationships more ambivalent. While Lily is self absorbed and a bit of a fortune hunter, she is without guile and a little obtuse about the impression her actions give.
Enough about the actual story... the movie! Gillian Anderson plays Lily. I would not have imagined her for it, but thank heavens I was not in charge of casting! Who knew this woman could ACT?! It proves "Bleak House" wasn't some fluke. I cannot say enough good things about her. She is able to go from youthful energy, and determination to bleak, lost, but ever dignified.
Laura Linney plays Bertha Dorset, who personifies everything I most despise about this kind of society (facetious and devious). Dan Akroyd does surprisingly well. And Eric Stolz (with whom I am not familiar) plays Lawrence Selden, a man Lily cares for and likes, but isn't rich enough to provide her with what she wants in life. Not that he's knocking her door down to marry him.
It's a very quiet movie and being familiar with the story as I am, I can't help but think if you weren't, some changes in time and circumstances might be a bit confusing. Also, the director seems a little self indulgent sometimes, especially in his transition from New York to the Dorset's yacht. But, stick with it. It's so painfully beautiful and poignant and most of the confusion is cleared up sometime in the next scene. The library has it (that's where I got it from). It came out in 2000, though I think the only other version is a 1918 :)
I remember when I read this book I lamented that it wasn't a movie. Well, it was, I just didn't know it. I'm so glad I found out! Make sure you watch the deleted scenes, because the first scene between Lily and Lawrence got cut down and is much better at the longer length.

GO RENT THIS MOVIE!!!

It's a must watch for any fan of period film. It isn't a great trailer, to be sure (when will they make great trailers for these great movies?!) but, just to get a taste (Can I please have Gillian's hair as a wig?):

Saints and Soldiers

I had seen this when it first came out, but saw it at the library and decided to pick it up again. I'm so glad I did! This is honestly one of the best war films ever! What is so great is that it has top notch acting (whoever knew Kirby Heyborne could actually act?!) , moving but not cheesy script, great camera work and directing, is suspenseful, has incredible sound effects especially given the paltry budget, doesn't sugar coat the violence, but it also isn't gratuitously gory.
It smartly eschews political overtones. It isn't anti-war or pro-war, but it also importantly doesn't paint the soldiers in a negative light. The conflicts and friendships that occur during the movie are compelling and believable. I would highly recommend this as a great date movie if you haven't already seen it, or even if you have. The guy will of course like it (it is a war film after all! there's guns, grenades, blood, etc), but I believe girls would too. (Or, maybe I'm just slightly odd... scratch that - of COURSE I'm odd, but I still think girls would enjoy this. at least smart ones) :) There's enough humor to keep it from being too dark, but not so much that you lose the emotion. In fact, I honestly believe that humor can be one of the strongest tools to get you to care about the characters and be more emotionally invested in their fate. Here's the trailer, I wish there was a better one. They did get "the movie guy" to do the voice over, but I think the trailer is one you would parody to no end, but it will at least give you a glimpse of the awesomeness that is this movie.

Wait? You seriously HAVEN'T seen "Inception" yet?

With musical genius Hans Zimmer scoring the movie like this...



how could you not think this movie awesome on the merit of the music alone? But we all know, that isn't all there is. Check out this surprisingly intense fight scene with Joseph Gordon Leavitt (which was done with a set that was ACTUALLY rotating while they were fighting and no stunt double for Leavitt!)






I would give this 9 out of 10 stars. Only knocked down for one thing that I didn't like (which I can't say as it's kind of a heads up spoiler). If you are one of the few people who hasn't seen this yet, do yourself a favor and GO! DiCaprio has managed to make it out of his teen heartthrob status (*shudder*) and become a huge talent. And of course this movie has Cillian Murphey








And anybody who knows me will attest, I have a slight obsession :) He came on screen and Ethan leaned over to me "Hey, look! There's your boyfriend" If only. ;)

movies and tv shows

BBC almost never goes wrong with period films (maybe with the exception of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" - see further down). This "Emma" is by far (with the excpetion of maybe "Clueless") the BEST adaptation of the book by Austen. There's a BBC version with Kate Beckinsale, and I think she does wonderfully and the Mr Knightley has the right characterization, but (and I admit this is shallow) he really isn't a looker, so it isn't AS enjoyable as it could be :). Emma in this one is perfectly portrayed by ROMOLA GARAI. She's well-intentioned, but youthful and sometimes a bit oblivious. And not to mention Mr. Knightley!!!! Check this out:

Now, come on, who wouldn't want to watch that! AND he has the character down. As much as I do love Jeremy Northam, his portrayel in the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow is too... I don't know... flirtatious and indulgent - he never truly lectures her, which she's always accusing him of doing.
I rented this one from the library, there's a bit of a wait for those of you who go to the same library system, but SOOOO worth it! But make sure you get this version!

Speaking of Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Really interesting story... I've never read the novel, but I watched two versions. A&E's version from 1998 with the incomparable Justine Waddell in the title role (Wives & Daughters, Great Expectations, The Woman in White). I loved it! It was a bit more clear (which I hear the book is not) on her role in the big "occurrence". I just love watching her, I think she's so fascinating to watch.

Tess is basically of poor relations, but her father discovers their family used to be aristocratic and there seems to be cousins still in existence who are well off. Tess goes to work for them and there meets Alec who falls in love with her and seduces/rapes her (the big "occurrence"). She flees home, not to much support from her family. She then starts out on her own for a job. She finds one and meets Angel. What could be a happy ending isn't so simple though. Should Tess tell Angel about what happened with Alec? If she does will he still love her? To watch her strange life and tragic events unfold and how she copes with them is hauntingly beautiful.

Now, as mentioned above, there is another version. BBC also adapted the novel in 2006 I believe. I didn't recognize any of the actors in this one and the big event in this one is more ambiguous, in keeping with the novel. The characterizations were all very interesting. This Tess seemed to be much more naive than Justine Waddell's. Which is in keeping with the character herself. It was different enough from the other one to still be interesting. As noted earlier, I do have one qualm... the very graphic (at least to me) sex scene. If I see naked butts in motion - I'm done. It's one scene toward the end of the movie. I personally found it gratuitous, but if you wouldn't then I would still recommend seeing it.

But, if you only have time for one, I suggest Justine Waddell's. Speaking of which, she is in a Masterpeice Theatre adaptation of "Anna Karennina" which is one of my all time favorite novels, but our library doesn't have it. If by some miracle there is someone out there who does have it or knows someone willing to lend it out, please let me know!

Now on to TV shows... "The Mentalist". It just started its third season, but I watch on DVD, so I don't have to endure the suspense week to week (not to mention I have to watch on a portable DVD player, I don't have a TV by my work computer). Simon Baker plays the lead, and come one it's almost worth it just to watch him for an hour! But on top of rugged good looks, he's also very talented! Basically he plays Patrick Jane, a former tv psychic. Jane was doing an interview on TV and told them how he was helping out the police on the side to catch a serial killer and belittled him on national television. This killer, Red John, decided to teach Jane a lesson and killed his wife and child. Jane then admitted himself a fraud. He wasn't psychic, just incredibly observant, which allowed him to pass as psychic. He now helps the police with investigations, but his main goal is still to catch Red John. It's listed as a drama, and it is, but it isn't as dark as other crime dramas. Jane is good at what he does, but he also likes to create drama and doesn't always have (okay never has) great tact. Do yourself a favor and rent the first season on DVD, if you don't love the first episode, you probably wouldn't like the rest. SOOOOOO worth it though!

The movie you cannot not see!!!

"The Painted Veil"

I basically have no words. I've always thought Naomi Watts was a brilliant actress, and Ethan has told me that Edward Norton was a great actor - which gave me high hopes. How does that usually turn out? Big dissapointment. But, this lived up to and exceeded my high expectations. A beautiful story, beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, with a gorgeous score. I felt it was mostly about Kitty Fane (a naive, selfish, immature adult) growing up. I loved every minute of it (maybe not the butt, but you know...)

Make sure you have your tissue box ready!!! And as the title of the post implies - you must see this movie!

Here's the link to the trailer, if you haven't seen it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oevR8c35Qk

"Brigham Young" movie

No, "Brigham Young" isn't new (hardly), it was made in 1940 and it is black and white; however, I found it very interesting. It's about the LDS prophet Brigham Young, obviously, and his leading the mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake valley. I knew about it because my dad had mentioned that there was a movie in which Vincent Price played the prophet Joseph Smith. I'm a big fan of Price and was intrigued by the idea.

I really could go on and on, but nobody would read it... suffice it to say, there were no LDS people involved in coming up with the idea to make this movie (though they did consult the church through Elder Widstoe during script drafts and filming), but I found it to be a very researched, very respectful film. It did take some artistic license for dramatic purposes (the biggest being Brigham Young's struggle to believe that he himself had been called of God as the next prophet), but I am still amazed, days after having viewed it, that it was at no time cynical of the mormon pioneers or leaders (even the fictionalized leader who is an appeaser and tries to claim leadership of the church himself).

And the actor who plays Brigham Young has an uncanny resemblance to pictures. And an LDS man who was consulted had been a young boy when Young was a very old man said that the actor not only physically resembled Young, but even had some of his mannerisms down.

Anyway, I rented it from the library and I would recommend it to anyone interested in seeing a respectful non-mormon film about a revered mormon prophet.

What do you mean you don't care what I think about movies?

I found yet another great Masterpeice Theatre period movie (really? aren't almost all of them great?) Now, this isn't like "North and South" great, but it's a more unconventional love story. It's called "Daniel Deronda" and it's worth seeing for the haunting music alone. Daniel meets and is drawn to Gwendolyn Harleth (nice last name don't you think?), but the story takes a different route. Gwendolyn is unabashedly selfish and determined to get what she wants out of life. (She does have some redeeming virtues). She is forced by circumstances into an undesirable marriage with Henleigh Grandcourt, but she is still drawn to Daniel and they strike up a friendship. But, she finds out about Daniel's involvement with a talented jewess whom he rescued from drowning. This thing is beautifully acted, well-written, and based on a victorian novel by George Eliot that created quite the stir when it came out.

The other period movie I saw was "A Room With a View" which definitely wasn't as boring as I remember the book being. I thought it was a light and cute film and lots of fun to watch. This one is the 2007 version (there a few different versions). It was really short (only 1 1/2 hours I think), especially compared to the epic period movies I like watching. I would recommend this for a cute happy movie.

Smart movies

I can't even remember all the movies I've watched, but these gems came to mind. Thank heaven for refreshingly smart screenplays, acting and directing!
"Serenity"
This is technically science fiction, so it may not be for everyone. But, I loved it! The writing on this is so smart. The villain is complex and has very fascinating motives and is creepy. It's an interesting and original idea. And like all good sci-fi it's really more about moral decisions and about characters. And if you need a little incentive to watch it, Joss Whedon wrote and directed it. He's the creator behind "Buffy" and "Angel".

"Stranger than Fiction"
I love love love this movie! Will Ferrell is able to acheive what Jim Carrey never really was - you forget that he's a comedic actor. He gives such a sincere performance. The script on this thing is just beyond awesome - it's so clever. And Emma thompson as the quirky writer makes me smile. This is a must see. It's rare that I like contemporary settings, but this is wonderful.

"The Holiday"
Speaking of it being rare for me to like a certain genre - contemporary chick flicks (aka romantic comedies). This movie had so many earnest cheesy (some cliche) moments, but I LOVED every second of it! And the cheesy parts really almost felt like they were laughing at themselves, which redeems them. The characters are typical in having no qualms sleeping together, but apart from that they were so wonderful. And I have to say, tiffany, if you're reading this, the diaz-law kissing scene, a must watch (esp. after our conversation at playdate) If you haven't seen this, take this from a person who's very skeptical about chick flicks, RENT IT NOW!

more movies of late

So, it's pretty pathetic that, loving musicals as I do, I had never seen "The Bandwagon" or "Silk Stockings". So, I decided to rent those, being as I'm a big fan of Cyd Charisse, and boy! wow, I'm so glad I did. These are now up there with "Singing in the Rain" for favorite old-time musicals...

This was the first pairing of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse and they put into the movie a lot of Fred's fears about dancing with Cyd (that she was mostly ballet, and above all, that she was too tall for him to dance with). Michael Kidd's choreography in this is wonderfully new to the time it was made. Man alive, I miss choreography that's subtle sexy. This musical is a great blend of the requisite cheesiness, but also, some really great dancing and fantastic performances all around. The Girl Hunt Ballet is so jazzy, I love it!

Cole Porter music, Fred Astaire, and Cyd Charisse equals fantastic fun! I've loved Porter's music ever since I was involved in my high school's production of "Anything Goes". It's so catchy. His lyrics are kinda dirty sometimes, but you know, in a very classy way ;) I love love love "Stereophonic sound", a song about how you have to have gimmicks in order to get an audience to go to a movie. Astaire was 57 when he did this movie, but he was still a ladies' man through and through. Great great stuff!

Rogers and Hammerstein may be very very famous for their musicals, but I didn't like this one at all. Maybe I wasn't expecting such a jerk of a lead character. Some of the music was fun, but the way they sang it in the movie, I'm not a fan of trying to be operatic and being more worried about sounding good than getting the emotion of the song across. I'm sure this is heresy, but I just didn't like it.

"Twilight"

I'm sure most have seen it. So, what did you all think? I really enjoyed it. I want to see it again, now that I know what to expect. Voice overs are difficult for me sometimes and I think the special effects suffered from the budget (especially the sparkling and the moving fast), though the story is more about the characters than the special effects.
I really loved the soundtrack (awesome), I think the casting was spot on, I was surprised at how much I laughed, the contacts looked super cool - much better than I thought they would - chemistry between Kristin and Rob was great, great kissing scene, really loved Cheif Swan.
Fave funny parts:
when Bella walks into class for the first time and the fan blows her scent to Edward
Mike asking her to prom
Bella's introduction to the cullen's (esp. Edward's mortified expression)
Edward meeting Charlie officially

movies of late

I watch movies on our portable dvd player while I'm working to keep myself sane. Just in case you were wondering how I had so much "free time" to watch movies :)

I don't know what to make of this. I almost wanted to say it's a cute kids movie, but it really isn't. It was okay, but I'm not sure who I would recommend it to.

The new Sense and Sensiblity... hmmm. There are things I liked for sure. I'm usually really good about forgetting about expectations (I enjoyed the 2005 version of P&P and also loved the colin firth), so I don't know what to say. The Emma Thompson version of S&S is just such the quintessential period film, practically perfect, that it's difficult to not compare other versions. I will say that the second time watching it, I liked it better. And it was interesting to see "Mr. Headstone" from "Our Mutual Friend" as Colonel Brandon. Still like the Emma Thompson version much better. In fact, if you haven't seen either, rent the thompson version (with Alan Rickman (a much more mysterious Colonel) and Kate Winslet).

I'm on a Scarlet Pimpernel kick, what with watching bootlegged vids on youtube of the broadway cast of the encore performance (can anyone ever hope to equal Douglas Sills? I think not!). So, I was curious about this version. I was prepared to very much dislike it, but was surprised. There are some things that might bother a fan of the story. Richard Grant seems an unlikely casting choice of Sir Percy (given his dark hair, and I must admit, he's not really a looker), and also the casting of Marguarite (She is very much not what I would have expected). And there are some plot holes, and some stupid moves on the part of the league (such as calling him percy in a "stage whisper" in France). But, I do like the casting of Chauvelin (Martin Shaw) and Grant grew on me. His characterization and delivery of the lines won me over. The dialogue is fun and witty. Be forewarned, it shows more of the darker side of the story, such as the absolute calousness of the revolutionaries and some of the english aristos, so it's darker. Also a warning, while it was on TV (A&E to be exact), it does contain a few instances of some witty dirty talk. I really enjoyed watching the three episodes I rented from the Library (though IMBD says there are five) and would definitely recommend them. They were adventurous and fun and the chemistry between Percy and Marguarite is lovely, too.

Steve Carrell movies

So, I guess I've been on a Steve Carrell kick lately. I just watched "Get Smart" and then "Dan in Real Life" and absolutely LOVED both of them!

"Get Smart" was one of the funnist movies I've seen in a long time. I loved that Maxwell Smart wasn't some bumbling imbicile who unintentionally does a couple things right. He's acutally really smart and what he does wrong comes from his inexperience and also not wanting to get shown up by a girl. Lots of funny lines and I so enjoy watching Carrell more when I don't have to feel embarrassed for him (as much as I love "The Office" it's still difficult for me to watch sometimes)

"Dan in Real Life" is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this movie. I'm always wary of something that's supposed to be the "feel-good movie of the year" or some crap like that, but this trancends such a trite phrase. First thing I loved, it's family-centered. His family are all good normal people and try to be nice to each other and support each other. I love that this is a romance of two middle-aged people. I love that the comedy is balanced by reality. I personally think the cover is really dumb looking, but not everything can be perfect. I'm sure everyone else has already seen this, but if not, DO!

"Persuasion"

BBC went back and did ALL the Jane Austen (except for Pride & Prejudice, of course) in 2007 and this was the first one I've watched of those. The good thing is that Cpt. Wentworth is much much better looking in this adaptation than the other ones for sure. And he's a really good actor. (not necessarily in order of importance) ;) If you aren't familiar, this one is basically that Anne was persuaded not to marry Wentworth because he was poor and had no connections. She has grown to deeply regret the decision. Well, it's 7 or 8 years later, and he is now very wealthy indeed, and amazingly single. They are thrown together through circumstances and now we get to enjoy hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and romantic longing (everything good about Austen). It's a very quiet movie, even for a period film, but it's a very quiet story originally as well. I thought it was well done and it's worth seeing for the score alone - beautiful music!