I picked up the expression "Aspie Angel" from an Autism/Asperger's support group I joined. People with Asperger's Syndrome are referred to as Aspie's. My son, Bill, has Asperger's Syndrome. He is beautiful, sweet and brilliant. Everyone adores him. He is not like other kids - normal kids, that are referred to as Neuro Typical or NT. He is not NT. He is unique. True, all children are unique and special but a child with Asperger's is not only that but they see the entire world as a unique place and through their unique eyes. Asperger's Syndrome is on the Autistic Spectrum but carries it's own special markers.
Recently, I attended a conference with Temple Grandin, a brilliant inventor and author with Autism/Asperger's that was recently featured in an HBO film and Tony Attwood, the leading expert in Asperger's Syndrome. There were over 1400 people in attendance - parents, teachers, mental health professionals and adult Aspies. It was an emotional journey. I found myself interviewing an adult Aspie and telling him my fears of what lies ahead for my son. I also spoke to a woman with a 3 year old boy that she feared had Autism. I told that between about 2 1/2 and 6 were the worst times for us and that things would get better. I told her how well Bill was doing now but that the road was very hard and that she could do it if I did. I felt strange doling out advice but I felt I had too.
There were parents with children older than my son and they shared their experiences. I felt hope in myself.
While Temple Grandin was finishing up her speech, I snuck out so I could be in line for her to sign her book. Standing at one of the book dealers I spotted a white haired man giving autographs. It was Tony Attwood. The man I drove 6 hours to see. He was autographing a book for the book dealer. I stood next to him and thanked him for being there. I told him how far I came and he commented he came all the way from Australia to be there. I thanked him. I asked him if he had time to sign books later. He said he didn't know but would sign one for me. I pulled my book out of my backpack and he signed it. As I handed him the book I started to cry. I told him that I thought he wrote his book, "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome", about my son. He was very gracious.
I didn't think my son was classic Autistic as he was first diagnosed. Some things didn't fit in to that diagnosis. Yes, he was high functioning but not exactly. Something was different about him. Something about his socializing, speaking and moving was not all autism. Dr. Attwood's book described Bill exactly - as unique and as unique as everyone with Asperger's Syndrome is.
Temple Grandin said, "If it wasn't for people like me, all you socialites would still be sitting around in caves talking to each other." To love an Aspie is to get that quote. In the opinion Ms. Grandin and Dr. Attwood there would be no silicone valley, inventors, engineers, spelling bee winners, actors, directors, animators or geeks without the wonderful world of Aspergers. Maybe not true for all but Dr. Attwood referred to the "Antique's Roadshow" as "spot the Aspie." For those of us that love and know an Aspie those comments are funny. The obsession with a subject, attention to detail and awkward social skills fit many we know in those professions. You can giggle out loud now, if you want.
Dr. Attwood also said there was cure for Autism! Put the person with Autism or Asperger's in their room and close the door. When they are in their room alone they do not have Autism! Once again, feel free to giggle, if you understand.
People ask me when I knew something was "wrong" with Bill. I never thought it was vaccines, birth issues, etc. I have a video of him in an exersaucer at 6 months old just bouncing and bouncing for an hour straight. Could have been then. When he didn't talk at 18 months, 20 months, 24 months or 2 1/2 years old. Could have been then too. His diagnosis was when he was almost 5. It was heartbreaking. I refused to give up on him. When was 3 or 4 and was just so terrible I didn't want to look at him - I did not want to give up. He was beautiful, sweet and smart. I knew he was really in there somewhere.
BUT now I have a renewed sense of hope from this conference. I learned that Aspies are probably the ones that are okay and the rest of us NTs just have to catch up. Maybe they are the next step in our evolution. In a world that has replaced real social lives with social networking. Maybe that is true.
Bill is 6 1/2. He is in 1st grade and the sky is the limit. If I read this to him, he would ask what the limit of the sky is. That is why I love him.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Despicable Me (guest reviewer!)
Despicable Me is being reviewed by a guest reviewer - the Super Mommy! The Movie Mommy thanks the Super Mommy for this timely review.
I recently read a review of Marmaduke that bemoaned the fact there’s nothing really new under the sun when it comes to kids’ movies. And after seeing my share of sweet but uninspired kids’ movies this summer, I was inclined to agree. That is, until we saw
Steve Carrell (of The Office and Horton Hears a Who) voices the lead character, Gru, a “super-villain” who lives in an awesomely scary-looking house sandwiched amid the cookie-cutter houses of suburbia, with a host of “minions.” Gru’s minions are the cutest animated characters since Wall-e, and they bring a lot of personality and humor to the film. Gru’s fearsome facade masks a sad upbringing at the hands of a singularly unsupportive mother (voiced by, of all people, Julie Andrews). Like any misbehaving child, Gru hatches ever-escalating “evil” exploits to win his mother’s approval and attention.
When a younger, competing super-villain (Vector, voiced by Jason Segel) steels Gru’s thunder by pulling off the heist of the century – swiping the Great Pyramid of Giza – Gru decides it’s time to pull out all the stops and show up this newbie by … wait for it … stealing the moon. While plotting his greatest exploit yet, Gru turns away from his door three cute-as-heck little orphan girls who are out selling cookies to raise money for their orphanage. Turns out, however, the tykes are integral to his moon plans – Vector has a sweet tooth and the girls are Gru’s ticket into his competitor’s inner sanctum, where Gru plans to steal a shrink ray essential to his plot. While Gru sees the girls as his ticket to successfully stealing the moon, the tots – Margo, Edith and Agnes – have other plans, namely to turn Gru from “superbad” into “superdad.”
Carrell, Segal, Andrews and the actresses who voice the three girls (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher) do a great job conveying all the humor and emotion the storyline demands. And the animation is on a par with Pixar’s best – character facial expressions, in particular, are masterfully executed.
Like any good children’s movie, Despicable Me has plenty of cute characters, a heart of gold, ample laughs for adults and kids (including a hilarious fart joke), and an important message to convey about the nature of family and love. Parents will relate to Gru’s struggle to accept his transformation from the super villain that he always thought he was (Who were you before you had kids?) into a responsible, nurturing parent. And everyone will be charmed by the girls’ moxie and the minions’ cuteness.
But it’s the creative plot that really gives the film its originality, and sets a stage for all those familiar kids’ film elements to play out in a new, fun and exciting way. How can an evil – “despicable” – character like Gru turn into a father for three little orphan girls who desperately want one?
Maybe Gru, like many of us who always thought of ourselves as improbable parents, isn’t quite so “despicable” – or inept – as he thinks he is.
MMMM1/2 M's (out of 5)
Friday, July 2, 2010
ECLIPSE (the only review you need to read!)
On a lovely Friday morning I hit the early showing of Eclipse. The phenomenon that is the Twilight saga is not without merit. The books are just...well...okay. The movies, so far, have improved upon Stephanie Meyer's work. I attribute this to the fact that she did not write the screenplays. Moving on to the movie! (Note: I am not going to go into who the characters are, etc. I am going to assume you have some inkling of the story so far.)
Eclipse: The Twilight saga, by definition meaning long heroic story, continues with this third installment. I loved it! The writing and definitely directing have all improved in this movie. And, well, the saga continues...
Eclipse picks up where New Moon (which I also liked) left off. Edward proposed to Bella, Jacob Black is a werewolf (as is all the studs in his tribe) and Victoria is on the lose still looking to have Bella for lunch. Things are pretty much the same at the start Eclipse. Bella wants to become a vampire so she can stay with Edward forever and his condition is that they get married. She, of course, sees the only reason a recent high school graduate gets married is because she is knocked up. There is a very funny scene with Bella's father, Charlie, as she asks him about the merits of marriage. He starts to have the "talk" with her about sex and she is not into it. Little scenes like this in the movie I find to make the characters seem real. The thing I like about the Twilight movies are that they make the teenagers seem like teenagers - at least to me. They are not stereotypical teenagers but just kids. That is refreshing! Their biggest worry should be the prom and graduation. Bella on the other hand has a lot more to deal with, like knowing vampires and werewolves, but those teenage things still are at play.
Some nice things that are in the book and the movie are the backgrounds of some of the Cullen family like Jasper and Rosalie. As well as some stories of the Quileute tribe on the history of the shape shifting wolves (basically they are not werewolves in the traditional sense) and their early encounters with "the cold ones."
On the horizon there is trouble as someone is creating a "new born" vampire army that will be bent on Bella's destruction. There is a little visit from the Volturi and an uneasy truce between the Cullen's and the werewolves to protect the town of Forks and Bella. There are some great werewolf/vampire fight scenes at the climactic battle that is very satisfying for the guys in the audience (of which there are few!).
Part of this wonderful vampire action might be in part to it's director, David Slade, who also directed Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. I consider 30 Day of Night to be quintessential vampire movie viewing (also reviewed on this blog). His direction says a lot about this movie. Not only his ability to direct action and gore but to have the individuals react with believable emotion.
I did think that the Eclipse book was the weakest of the series and really could have been one big book with Breaking Dawn (that is why I am not impressed by her writing...she is not concise enough). I hope that Slade directs the next one and brings his magic!
There is always the question asked of which camp or team I am with - Jacob or Edward? I will make this easy - Dr. Cullen! He is more my age and, after all, he's a doctor.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
Eclipse: The Twilight saga, by definition meaning long heroic story, continues with this third installment. I loved it! The writing and definitely directing have all improved in this movie. And, well, the saga continues...
Eclipse picks up where New Moon (which I also liked) left off. Edward proposed to Bella, Jacob Black is a werewolf (as is all the studs in his tribe) and Victoria is on the lose still looking to have Bella for lunch. Things are pretty much the same at the start Eclipse. Bella wants to become a vampire so she can stay with Edward forever and his condition is that they get married. She, of course, sees the only reason a recent high school graduate gets married is because she is knocked up. There is a very funny scene with Bella's father, Charlie, as she asks him about the merits of marriage. He starts to have the "talk" with her about sex and she is not into it. Little scenes like this in the movie I find to make the characters seem real. The thing I like about the Twilight movies are that they make the teenagers seem like teenagers - at least to me. They are not stereotypical teenagers but just kids. That is refreshing! Their biggest worry should be the prom and graduation. Bella on the other hand has a lot more to deal with, like knowing vampires and werewolves, but those teenage things still are at play.
Some nice things that are in the book and the movie are the backgrounds of some of the Cullen family like Jasper and Rosalie. As well as some stories of the Quileute tribe on the history of the shape shifting wolves (basically they are not werewolves in the traditional sense) and their early encounters with "the cold ones."
On the horizon there is trouble as someone is creating a "new born" vampire army that will be bent on Bella's destruction. There is a little visit from the Volturi and an uneasy truce between the Cullen's and the werewolves to protect the town of Forks and Bella. There are some great werewolf/vampire fight scenes at the climactic battle that is very satisfying for the guys in the audience (of which there are few!).
Part of this wonderful vampire action might be in part to it's director, David Slade, who also directed Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. I consider 30 Day of Night to be quintessential vampire movie viewing (also reviewed on this blog). His direction says a lot about this movie. Not only his ability to direct action and gore but to have the individuals react with believable emotion.
I did think that the Eclipse book was the weakest of the series and really could have been one big book with Breaking Dawn (that is why I am not impressed by her writing...she is not concise enough). I hope that Slade directs the next one and brings his magic!
There is always the question asked of which camp or team I am with - Jacob or Edward? I will make this easy - Dr. Cullen! He is more my age and, after all, he's a doctor.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Rental Reviews!
I am a bit behind but the following will review The Wolfman, Invictus, From Paris With Love, Horsemen and The Princess & The Frog. Feel free to comment!
The Wolfman: I am not exactly sure what this yawner was supposed to do. Was it a tribute movie? Re-telling? Re-make? Or Mess? I will go with the later - a mess. Most people are familiar with Lon Chaney, Jr.'s original 1941 version of The Wolf Man. It has been what all others have been based on. A version that brought to the American collective psyche the curse of being a werewolf. The werewolf lore has been in everything from Wolf to Underworld to the Twilight series and back again. The full moon makes all of us just want to howl...it's natural.
What is not natural is this boring movie that is supposed to retell the lore of the werewolf. Much like the 1941 original there are mysterious Gypsies, wild eyed townspeople with pitchforks and damsels in danger.
Benecio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins almost look embarrased as they trudge there way through this movie. The changing into the werewolf is no great special effects and then to have them look like the l941 version almost looks silly. It worked for that movie but not for a modern take on it.
Predictable and plodding I was sorry that this movie could have gone in many interesting directions but didn't. And a small scene in the beginning with Max Von Sydow tells us nothing but we longed for him back on the screen.
Rent the original and the many good werewolf movies that have come since. The fact that Lon Chaney, Jr. was a suffering soul his entire life will make the original more poignant by far.
YAWN. (No M's)
Invictus: Clint Eastwood does it again as he directs this powerhouse of movie. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon are brilliant as two men who have different motivations on winning the world rugby cup for the new country of South Africa.
Some Americans do not remember what apartheid is and that is a shame or what a man like Nelson Mandela meant to an entire nation. Some in South Africa saw him as a terrorist and others a patriot (as those often go hand in hand, depending on the side you are on). If you need a refresher on those difficult times then I recommend it before watching this movie BUT it is not necessary for the enjoyment.
Mandela (Freeman) as the newly elected president of South Africa wishes to ease tensions and bring a truly divided country together. He is not out to win a popularity contest with his own party or the party before his. He wishes for a unified South Africa. He realizes that sport can do that. He focuses on the South African rugby team. This team was very popular among South Africa's whites but not blacks. The black South Africans saw the team as a symbol of the old regime. Mandela saw it as an opportunity to have all sides cheering for a common win - a world cup. He enlists the help of the team's captain, played by Damon, and puts him in motion to make it happen.
An inspiring movie that will have you cheering in the end and believing that maybe we can all make some kind of peace in the world.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
From Paris With Love: I enjoyed this movie in the same way I enjoyed The Long Kiss Goodnight. Clever script and lots of action with a great cast encourages you to just sit back and enjoy the ride. The previews made me in now way interested. John Travolta with a goatee and bald? No thanks! But I am so glad my husband got this. We watched it several times and even kept it an extra night.
A thriller with an incredible body count, you must watch and listen as you are taken for a ride, literally and figuratively, and you don't know who to trust or even what the truth is. Travolta is some kind of government agent that is to train a new guy, Jonathon Rhys Meyers, in how it works. Travolta's character lets the the new guy in a bit at a time, just enough to confuse him and draw us in.
Great fun and is worth the rent.
MMM 1/2 M (out of 5 Ms)
Horsemen: Dennis Quaid is what I like to call a "reliable" actor. He has done a few duds but the guy works at his craft and works hard. I have seen about 3 movies in the past 3 months he has been in. I am eagerly awaiting his Jeff Bridges moment at the Oscars. It won't be with this movie but he has been creating an abundant and varied body of work that this can fit into.
Quaid plays a dental forensic police specialist that is first called into a case because there were teeth found at what appears to be a murder scene with cryptic messages in blood written around. He begins to work on it but doesn't think anything of it until more bodies start turning up. Then it becomes an obsession.
Through his research he realizes that the murders are related to the story in the book of Revelations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. There are many twists and turns and you will probably figure it out but it is a nice little thriller. Then end could have been tidied up better but it works.
I will warn you that it is pretty gruesome.
MM 1/2 Ms (out of 5 Ms)
The Princess & The Frog: This is a fun animated movie that takes a new twist on an old story. It is cute yet will keep the interest of any adult that has to sit down with their princess to watch it. The music is catchy and you be on the edge of your seat (with your kids) as you wonder if the good guys will prevail. This is Disney...so you know how that goes. Not the best animated movie of the year but worth watching and buying for your own princess to enjoy - over and over!
MMM 1/2Ms (out of 5 M's)
The Wolfman: I am not exactly sure what this yawner was supposed to do. Was it a tribute movie? Re-telling? Re-make? Or Mess? I will go with the later - a mess. Most people are familiar with Lon Chaney, Jr.'s original 1941 version of The Wolf Man. It has been what all others have been based on. A version that brought to the American collective psyche the curse of being a werewolf. The werewolf lore has been in everything from Wolf to Underworld to the Twilight series and back again. The full moon makes all of us just want to howl...it's natural.
What is not natural is this boring movie that is supposed to retell the lore of the werewolf. Much like the 1941 original there are mysterious Gypsies, wild eyed townspeople with pitchforks and damsels in danger.
Benecio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins almost look embarrased as they trudge there way through this movie. The changing into the werewolf is no great special effects and then to have them look like the l941 version almost looks silly. It worked for that movie but not for a modern take on it.
Predictable and plodding I was sorry that this movie could have gone in many interesting directions but didn't. And a small scene in the beginning with Max Von Sydow tells us nothing but we longed for him back on the screen.
Rent the original and the many good werewolf movies that have come since. The fact that Lon Chaney, Jr. was a suffering soul his entire life will make the original more poignant by far.
YAWN. (No M's)
Invictus: Clint Eastwood does it again as he directs this powerhouse of movie. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon are brilliant as two men who have different motivations on winning the world rugby cup for the new country of South Africa.
Some Americans do not remember what apartheid is and that is a shame or what a man like Nelson Mandela meant to an entire nation. Some in South Africa saw him as a terrorist and others a patriot (as those often go hand in hand, depending on the side you are on). If you need a refresher on those difficult times then I recommend it before watching this movie BUT it is not necessary for the enjoyment.
Mandela (Freeman) as the newly elected president of South Africa wishes to ease tensions and bring a truly divided country together. He is not out to win a popularity contest with his own party or the party before his. He wishes for a unified South Africa. He realizes that sport can do that. He focuses on the South African rugby team. This team was very popular among South Africa's whites but not blacks. The black South Africans saw the team as a symbol of the old regime. Mandela saw it as an opportunity to have all sides cheering for a common win - a world cup. He enlists the help of the team's captain, played by Damon, and puts him in motion to make it happen.
An inspiring movie that will have you cheering in the end and believing that maybe we can all make some kind of peace in the world.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
From Paris With Love: I enjoyed this movie in the same way I enjoyed The Long Kiss Goodnight. Clever script and lots of action with a great cast encourages you to just sit back and enjoy the ride. The previews made me in now way interested. John Travolta with a goatee and bald? No thanks! But I am so glad my husband got this. We watched it several times and even kept it an extra night.
A thriller with an incredible body count, you must watch and listen as you are taken for a ride, literally and figuratively, and you don't know who to trust or even what the truth is. Travolta is some kind of government agent that is to train a new guy, Jonathon Rhys Meyers, in how it works. Travolta's character lets the the new guy in a bit at a time, just enough to confuse him and draw us in.
Great fun and is worth the rent.
MMM 1/2 M (out of 5 Ms)
Horsemen: Dennis Quaid is what I like to call a "reliable" actor. He has done a few duds but the guy works at his craft and works hard. I have seen about 3 movies in the past 3 months he has been in. I am eagerly awaiting his Jeff Bridges moment at the Oscars. It won't be with this movie but he has been creating an abundant and varied body of work that this can fit into.
Quaid plays a dental forensic police specialist that is first called into a case because there were teeth found at what appears to be a murder scene with cryptic messages in blood written around. He begins to work on it but doesn't think anything of it until more bodies start turning up. Then it becomes an obsession.
Through his research he realizes that the murders are related to the story in the book of Revelations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. There are many twists and turns and you will probably figure it out but it is a nice little thriller. Then end could have been tidied up better but it works.
I will warn you that it is pretty gruesome.
MM 1/2 Ms (out of 5 Ms)
The Princess & The Frog: This is a fun animated movie that takes a new twist on an old story. It is cute yet will keep the interest of any adult that has to sit down with their princess to watch it. The music is catchy and you be on the edge of your seat (with your kids) as you wonder if the good guys will prevail. This is Disney...so you know how that goes. Not the best animated movie of the year but worth watching and buying for your own princess to enjoy - over and over!
MMM 1/2Ms (out of 5 M's)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Quickie Reviews
Just some quick reviews of some recent rentals:
Shutter Island: Don't waste your time or brain power trying to figure out this poor excuse for a thriller. You will figure it out in the first 5 minutes and spend the rest of the movie trying to get to the point. And wonder why you are continuing to watch it. Good actors wasted in the Martin Scorsese flop.
The Tooth Fairy: The Rock delivers in this fun for the whole family movie. Somewhat predictable but with enough fun surprises to keep you happy. I recommend buying this for the whole gang. Surprisingly clever and creative. You will all want to watch it again!
The Road: Great performances but a bummer, as a father and son fight for survival in a post apocalyptic not-so-distant future. Viggo Mortensen devours the screen with this award worthy performance. I thought it was too much of a bummer to recommend it for everyone. Check with me first to see if I think it is for you.
Edge of Darkness: Nothing wrong with Mel Gibson showing all his age and wrinkles in this vigilante thriller. No one and nothing is as it seems as Gibson's character searches for the killer of his daughter. Corporate greed and the evil face of government makes for a good conspiracy as well. The bad guys under estimate Gibson's character as some schlub city detective but it is canny intuition as a cop that gives him the edge. Nicely done.
Shutter Island: Don't waste your time or brain power trying to figure out this poor excuse for a thriller. You will figure it out in the first 5 minutes and spend the rest of the movie trying to get to the point. And wonder why you are continuing to watch it. Good actors wasted in the Martin Scorsese flop.
The Tooth Fairy: The Rock delivers in this fun for the whole family movie. Somewhat predictable but with enough fun surprises to keep you happy. I recommend buying this for the whole gang. Surprisingly clever and creative. You will all want to watch it again!
The Road: Great performances but a bummer, as a father and son fight for survival in a post apocalyptic not-so-distant future. Viggo Mortensen devours the screen with this award worthy performance. I thought it was too much of a bummer to recommend it for everyone. Check with me first to see if I think it is for you.
Edge of Darkness: Nothing wrong with Mel Gibson showing all his age and wrinkles in this vigilante thriller. No one and nothing is as it seems as Gibson's character searches for the killer of his daughter. Corporate greed and the evil face of government makes for a good conspiracy as well. The bad guys under estimate Gibson's character as some schlub city detective but it is canny intuition as a cop that gives him the edge. Nicely done.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sex and The City 2
The following review is by The Beauty Alchemist, famous for her fashion and make up advice and has a fantastic blog: www.thebeautyalchemist.blogspot.com.
Sex and The City 2 was eagerly awaited by the shows many fans all Spring. Last week it finally hit theaters. I've been a fan of the show from the beginning. For me it was all about it being located in NYC and the fashion. Yes, the friendships resonated too. I've been friends with my oldest/dearest friends since high school or earlier , so those bonds I know and love. We weren't too much like those girls( my fashion obsessed-ness aside) but they sure are /were fun to watch.
Sex and The City 2 was eagerly awaited by the shows many fans all Spring. Last week it finally hit theaters. I've been a fan of the show from the beginning. For me it was all about it being located in NYC and the fashion. Yes, the friendships resonated too. I've been friends with my oldest/dearest friends since high school or earlier , so those bonds I know and love. We weren't too much like those girls( my fashion obsessed-ness aside) but they sure are /were fun to watch.
The racy parts, the silliness, often flew right by me as I was waiting to see what new piece of jewelry Carrie would wear each week. I was also an Aiden fan. Big often annoyed me. He didn't deserve Carrie then and always seemed a bit patronizing to her. Aiden was free, easy and less a larger than life, too stuck on himself boyfriend like Big. Big grew up in the last movie and was a far more enjoyble presence in this installment. He gets a little of his ways handed back to him and that may be a good thing. Aiden shows up in the new film and tempting as he is, by this point we know where Carrie should be. She, on the other hand, isn't quite as sure.
The sequel mostly is very much about those friendships. The deep ties that as Samantha says, are never broken . " We are soulmates ". The friends are the ones who listen, who get each other tipsy to make unburdening oneself easier , who take care of middle of the night emergencies and who sometimes have to tell each other to stand down.
The movie also though, is about marriage. What is a good marriage, what is right in a marriage and how do you keep the "sparkle" years later when the TV comes into the bedroom instead of the title's Sex. These looks at marriage , Carrie and Big especially, are not done for jokes or camp, but serious and thoughful . They make you laugh, because if you know a man, then you will get it and shake your head knowingly, but they aren't "funny". Carrie and Big have been married 2 years and like all couples have settled into their life , changed some and are also still trying to figure some things out.
The camp comes in the desert scenes. It's mostly funny but there did come a point when Samantha's lewd jokes hit a saturation point for me. Everyone in the audience , though, laughed every time.
Some reviewers have hit at this movie because in our economic times it is portraying such excess, when few have that these days. Yes, that's true. It's excess to the max and frankly I wouldn't have it any other way. It's escapism. I can't book a 5 star resort for a week or have my dearly wanted Lady Dior bag, but that doesn't make me enjoy the film any less. 10 years ago, did I have more disposable income, yes. Did I have the money for a Dior bag, still no. So some things change, some stay the same. I love seeing the fashion, the decadence on screen. Isn't that what movies are for ? Besides, Carrie ends up finding the cutest shoes in the souk in for a whole $ 20.00 . " $ 20.00 ? For shoes ?" from the woman who made Manolo Blahnik a household name.
The other reviewer complaint is the depiction of muslim women in one scene where a group of ayaba clad ladies lead Carrie & Co. into a back room and show them their full on designer wares under their robes. Many feel this is just a sad excuse for a scene and demeaning to the Muslims . Now I cannot quote anything and am far from an expert here but I do recall reading an article on Dubai when it first became the big deal of ultra riche locations and interviewed were many local women who while they could not wear designers clothes on the outside, carried the most expensive handbags , wore the chic-est shoes and were all for shopping the western designer stores. So without an actual women living there telling us her experiences, I am not sure any of us can make solid pronouncements here. Now, the scenes were Samantha flaunts herself in the souk, well I agree, that was too much. No matter your feelings towards a countries ways, you have to respect them when traveling there just as you would expect American ways to be honored here. This is one place the movie went awry.
You don't have to have seen the series or the previous movie to enjoy it, but it might help to have some background. They do a nice little montage of what's happened to the ladies years previous to get fans new and old up to speed.
Sex and The City 2 is a overall a romp and the ultimate chick flick. Do not even think about taking your guy to see this. Fun and a perfect weekend wind down with a best friend or 2 which is exactly how what I did. I left the theater smiling and fighting the urge to go shopping.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Good Gore!
I don't go for modern horror - no Saw, Ring or I know what you did last summer - do it for me. I was never really into Jason or Freddy that much either. But horror done right is horror done right and Legion and Daybreakers are good spooky fun. And available to rent!
Daybreakers takes place in a not so distant future where a "virus" has turned most of the population on Earth into vampires. Things were fine as long as there was plenty of blood donors, so to speak, around. When a blood crisis occurs it turns this otherwise civilized world on end (oil anyone?). I do mean "civilized." Other than the fact that everyone is a vampire - things hum along like they do now. Daybreakers has a clever story, bloody effects and a reliable cast of actors including Ethan Hawke and Sam Neill (a personal fav!). This story could have been just some gorefest but it is clever and well thought out. The vampire story has been told and re-told but when a different take is taken - it's a treat.
I will tell you there is a good amount of blood, bloodletting, eviscerating, feeding and blood curteling screams. If you are used to that kind of stuff and don't wince then you are going to be fine. If you are squeamish, I can't recommend this unless you can keep that at bay. That is too bad because it is a great movie!
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
ps. Other vampire movies that are outside the usual vampire box - 30 Days of Night and Let The Right One In. Both movies have been reviewed on this blog. Also, available to rent.
Legion appeals to me because I am interested in all kinds of religious mythos movies. I will watch any kind of TV, movie or documentary about the holy grail, the stigmata, shrouds, etc. I have always found that stuff fascinating! So, watching a movie about angels bent on the destruction of human kind and one angel who won't let that happen is right up my alley.
Legion follows the angel Gabriel as he casts himself out of heaven and cuts off his wings, to protect a young pregnant waitress at a desert truck stop. Of course, the truck stop is in the middle of a deserted desert. The waitresses unborn child is apparently going to restore God's hope in mankind. There are other folks in the restaurant as well - the owner, his son (in love with the waitress), a couple traveling with their obnoxious teenage daughter, the cook and a young man who is just passing by. The fun in this kind of thing is always guessing who is going to be knocked off first in some horrific way! And this movie does not disappoint! Dennis Quaid, as the restaurant owner and Paul Bettany, as Gabriel, lead the cast through lots of zombies, gore and high body count. This movie could have been corny but really has enough to keep it from going there. It is often predictable but has a few surprises. And wait until you see how the angels use their wings as weapons. It's wicked. Once again - not for the faint of heart or stomach.
MMM (out of 5 M's)
Daybreakers takes place in a not so distant future where a "virus" has turned most of the population on Earth into vampires. Things were fine as long as there was plenty of blood donors, so to speak, around. When a blood crisis occurs it turns this otherwise civilized world on end (oil anyone?). I do mean "civilized." Other than the fact that everyone is a vampire - things hum along like they do now. Daybreakers has a clever story, bloody effects and a reliable cast of actors including Ethan Hawke and Sam Neill (a personal fav!). This story could have been just some gorefest but it is clever and well thought out. The vampire story has been told and re-told but when a different take is taken - it's a treat.
I will tell you there is a good amount of blood, bloodletting, eviscerating, feeding and blood curteling screams. If you are used to that kind of stuff and don't wince then you are going to be fine. If you are squeamish, I can't recommend this unless you can keep that at bay. That is too bad because it is a great movie!
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
ps. Other vampire movies that are outside the usual vampire box - 30 Days of Night and Let The Right One In. Both movies have been reviewed on this blog. Also, available to rent.
Legion appeals to me because I am interested in all kinds of religious mythos movies. I will watch any kind of TV, movie or documentary about the holy grail, the stigmata, shrouds, etc. I have always found that stuff fascinating! So, watching a movie about angels bent on the destruction of human kind and one angel who won't let that happen is right up my alley.
Legion follows the angel Gabriel as he casts himself out of heaven and cuts off his wings, to protect a young pregnant waitress at a desert truck stop. Of course, the truck stop is in the middle of a deserted desert. The waitresses unborn child is apparently going to restore God's hope in mankind. There are other folks in the restaurant as well - the owner, his son (in love with the waitress), a couple traveling with their obnoxious teenage daughter, the cook and a young man who is just passing by. The fun in this kind of thing is always guessing who is going to be knocked off first in some horrific way! And this movie does not disappoint! Dennis Quaid, as the restaurant owner and Paul Bettany, as Gabriel, lead the cast through lots of zombies, gore and high body count. This movie could have been corny but really has enough to keep it from going there. It is often predictable but has a few surprises. And wait until you see how the angels use their wings as weapons. It's wicked. Once again - not for the faint of heart or stomach.
MMM (out of 5 M's)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
SHREK Forever After
I was not on board with the first two Shrek movies. I didn't think they were all that and in fact, I thought the first one paled in comparison to the real brilliant animated film of Monsters Inc., released the same year. In spite of my low opinion on the wildly popular green giant - I watched the second one and then with great delight watched the third one. Shrek the Third redeemed the series for me. I know some folks that didn't warm up to it but I think you would have to be a parent to understand Shrek's anxiety of being a new parent and the baby humor that ensued. I wondered - could they do it again? A resounding - "yes!"
Shrek Forever After is great fun! Michael Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas are back to lend their voices to the leading cast. Like the other Shrek movies there is humor in it for kids and definitly for adults to enjoy. And much like the third installment it deals with parenthood. In Forever After, everyday life is the same for Shrek: babies waking him up, feeding them, changing diapers and being interrupted every time he wants time to himself. Ah, parenthood! Shrek misses his old life as a scary Ogre and makes a deal that would change his life and everyone elses. Shrek finds himself the George Bailey of Far Far Away and at first, it is fun being scary again but then misses his family. No one knows him - not Donkey, Puss or Fiona. Shrek must figure out a way to make things right.
Alternate universe plots are always fun! Who doesn't like Spock with a beard? Red head Olivia? Well...anyway...with an alternate world a filmmaker can really have some fun with the familiar characters.
Shrek Forever After is a real treat. Go see it, laugh and feel good afterwards. I took my 4 1/2 year old daughter who wondered why I was laughing so hard at some of the scenes. Maybe when she is a Mommy she'll understand.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
Shrek Forever After is great fun! Michael Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas are back to lend their voices to the leading cast. Like the other Shrek movies there is humor in it for kids and definitly for adults to enjoy. And much like the third installment it deals with parenthood. In Forever After, everyday life is the same for Shrek: babies waking him up, feeding them, changing diapers and being interrupted every time he wants time to himself. Ah, parenthood! Shrek misses his old life as a scary Ogre and makes a deal that would change his life and everyone elses. Shrek finds himself the George Bailey of Far Far Away and at first, it is fun being scary again but then misses his family. No one knows him - not Donkey, Puss or Fiona. Shrek must figure out a way to make things right.
Alternate universe plots are always fun! Who doesn't like Spock with a beard? Red head Olivia? Well...anyway...with an alternate world a filmmaker can really have some fun with the familiar characters.
Shrek Forever After is a real treat. Go see it, laugh and feel good afterwards. I took my 4 1/2 year old daughter who wondered why I was laughing so hard at some of the scenes. Maybe when she is a Mommy she'll understand.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Iron Man 2 Reviewed by The Movie Sith
Iron Man II (No Spoilers here)
As sequels go, IM2 really delivered for me. This can be directly attributed to the return of the director and most of the cast, one replacement and three notable additions.
Cast - It's difficult to ignore the talent level Marvel Studios has pooled into this franchise. The performances are top notch. Cheadle is more than adequate in Howard's shoes, adding to the "buddy" feel of the relationship. All the chemistries were in sync, Downey Jr. is good with everyone. Rourke, Rockwell and Johannson all pull their weight.
Plot - While I miss the impact of the "newness," these characters have a lot to say and they get the job done. Ultimately the protagonist's challenges balance out, reminding me in Stark's world of corporate plight is as real as the physical and internal struggles he faces. Make no mistake...this film is no Dark Knight. The comedic moments make up most of the finest exchanges and are delivered flawlessly. For the younger audience the pace may lag around the half-way point but there was no "filler," the script was very tight.
Have fun with Iron Man II. It's one more stone in the monument Marvel is building as they bring their Mightiest Heroes to life.
3 out of 4 stars
The movie mommy humbly thanks the Movie Sith for his review. The Lord of Comics and Master of Artistic Novelty is welcome to review on this blog anytime!
As sequels go, IM2 really delivered for me. This can be directly attributed to the return of the director and most of the cast, one replacement and three notable additions.
Cast - It's difficult to ignore the talent level Marvel Studios has pooled into this franchise. The performances are top notch. Cheadle is more than adequate in Howard's shoes, adding to the "buddy" feel of the relationship. All the chemistries were in sync, Downey Jr. is good with everyone. Rourke, Rockwell and Johannson all pull their weight.
Plot - While I miss the impact of the "newness," these characters have a lot to say and they get the job done. Ultimately the protagonist's challenges balance out, reminding me in Stark's world of corporate plight is as real as the physical and internal struggles he faces. Make no mistake...this film is no Dark Knight. The comedic moments make up most of the finest exchanges and are delivered flawlessly. For the younger audience the pace may lag around the half-way point but there was no "filler," the script was very tight.
Have fun with Iron Man II. It's one more stone in the monument Marvel is building as they bring their Mightiest Heroes to life.
3 out of 4 stars
The movie mommy humbly thanks the Movie Sith for his review. The Lord of Comics and Master of Artistic Novelty is welcome to review on this blog anytime!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sherlock Holmes
In order for me to write this review I must give you some background on the character and you will see why I am trashing this crappy movie.
Sherlock Holmes is a well loved literary character dating back to short stories that began in 1887 and written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes appeared in 56 short stories and 4 full length books. In 1887 they were published in a magazine and the readers looked forward to the exploits of Holmes. The interesting thing about the Holmes' stories is that they were set in the period they were written. Sherlock Holmes was brilliant, a drug addict, recluse and scared his land lady on more than one occasion with his strange goings on in his flat. He also had one of the first recorded Bro-mances* with his faithful friend, Dr. John Watson. No sidekick was more loyal to his friend or put up with as much but Dr. Watson was no fool. Dr. Watson was himself a decorated war veteran and well known physician. During the course of the stories, Watson went from being a housemate to Holmes to having his own established practice and getting married. Watson is a key figure in all the Holmes' adventures because he narrates all the stories from his point of view. Watson's view of Holmes' strange and brilliant behavior is what brings a human angle to an otherwise unlikeable man like Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was above all an English gentleman. This something that may be lost on someone today but to carry oneself and to be recognized as a gentlemen in those times was key to success. Holmes had clients that were royalty and often well to do and that would not have been the case for the character of Holmes in the new Sherlock Holmes movie.
Sherlock Holmes: Robert Downey, Jr. was wise to follow up his Iron Man success with another big movie. His big comeback was important and it is always important to keep that momentum going. I guess is the movie. But I think this movie is a total dog. True, I am a literary Sherlock Holmes fan but I am willing to watch different portrayals and there have been some brilliant ones, such as, Frank Langella and Jeremy Brett. This version of Holmes is so far off the mark that it should have been called something else. True, this Holmes does have the powers of observation but with the attitude of a frat boy, not a gentleman. I would rather watch the Mentalist with Simon Baker on Thursday nights. Baker's character is easily a modern day Sherlock Holmes and truly pays homage to a gift of figuring people out just from observing them.
The plot of Sherlock Holmes is so muddled that I can't even describe it. Something about secret societies, black magic and even a toss in of Dr. Moriarty (Holmes nemesis) as a tease. A sequel is in the works - I don't know why. That was like having a sequel of Steve Martin's Pink Panther (which they did!) - totally a waste.
I don't want to you think my review is totally biased because I am a Holmes fan of the first order. I am okay with changing up. J. J. Abrams took a huge undertaking of keeping true to Star Trek lore yet adding his own slant to it and brilliantly. I was willing to give it a chance as I was with Superman Returns. Like Superman and Captain Kirk, some characters deserve respect. If you are not going to do that - change the name of the character. The former Mr. Madonna (Guy Ritchie) has not impressed me with this outing.
You don't have to be a big reader to get into Holmes. If you want to see the most true portrayal of Sherlock Holmes then get the BBC series of the same name with Jeremy Brett. There is also a filmed stage version with Frank Langella which is also very good.
Don't waste you time with this rubbish.
BOMB! (No M's)
*Bro-mance: Describes the complicated love and affection shared between two straight males. They are so close that they seem like a couple. (Urban Dictionary)
Sherlock Holmes is a well loved literary character dating back to short stories that began in 1887 and written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes appeared in 56 short stories and 4 full length books. In 1887 they were published in a magazine and the readers looked forward to the exploits of Holmes. The interesting thing about the Holmes' stories is that they were set in the period they were written. Sherlock Holmes was brilliant, a drug addict, recluse and scared his land lady on more than one occasion with his strange goings on in his flat. He also had one of the first recorded Bro-mances* with his faithful friend, Dr. John Watson. No sidekick was more loyal to his friend or put up with as much but Dr. Watson was no fool. Dr. Watson was himself a decorated war veteran and well known physician. During the course of the stories, Watson went from being a housemate to Holmes to having his own established practice and getting married. Watson is a key figure in all the Holmes' adventures because he narrates all the stories from his point of view. Watson's view of Holmes' strange and brilliant behavior is what brings a human angle to an otherwise unlikeable man like Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was above all an English gentleman. This something that may be lost on someone today but to carry oneself and to be recognized as a gentlemen in those times was key to success. Holmes had clients that were royalty and often well to do and that would not have been the case for the character of Holmes in the new Sherlock Holmes movie.
Sherlock Holmes: Robert Downey, Jr. was wise to follow up his Iron Man success with another big movie. His big comeback was important and it is always important to keep that momentum going. I guess is the movie. But I think this movie is a total dog. True, I am a literary Sherlock Holmes fan but I am willing to watch different portrayals and there have been some brilliant ones, such as, Frank Langella and Jeremy Brett. This version of Holmes is so far off the mark that it should have been called something else. True, this Holmes does have the powers of observation but with the attitude of a frat boy, not a gentleman. I would rather watch the Mentalist with Simon Baker on Thursday nights. Baker's character is easily a modern day Sherlock Holmes and truly pays homage to a gift of figuring people out just from observing them.
The plot of Sherlock Holmes is so muddled that I can't even describe it. Something about secret societies, black magic and even a toss in of Dr. Moriarty (Holmes nemesis) as a tease. A sequel is in the works - I don't know why. That was like having a sequel of Steve Martin's Pink Panther (which they did!) - totally a waste.
I don't want to you think my review is totally biased because I am a Holmes fan of the first order. I am okay with changing up. J. J. Abrams took a huge undertaking of keeping true to Star Trek lore yet adding his own slant to it and brilliantly. I was willing to give it a chance as I was with Superman Returns. Like Superman and Captain Kirk, some characters deserve respect. If you are not going to do that - change the name of the character. The former Mr. Madonna (Guy Ritchie) has not impressed me with this outing.
You don't have to be a big reader to get into Holmes. If you want to see the most true portrayal of Sherlock Holmes then get the BBC series of the same name with Jeremy Brett. There is also a filmed stage version with Frank Langella which is also very good.
Don't waste you time with this rubbish.
BOMB! (No M's)
*Bro-mance: Describes the complicated love and affection shared between two straight males. They are so close that they seem like a couple. (Urban Dictionary)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Avatar
I am sure that almost everyone reading this review has already seen Avatar but if you haven't you might find this useful and if you have - I welcome your opinion.
Avatar: I didn't get to see Avatar in the movies. And after awhile it had this E.T. effect on me. I didn't see E.T. in the movies because of the insanity over it. It was kind of a turn off. I was sorry I didn't see E.T. in the movie theater and I am sorry I didn't see Avatar as well.
Avatar is not at all what I expected. Just in case you missed it - an avatar is a genetically grown body of the indigenous people of this far away planet. The trick is that this avatar is genetically linked to the human gene donor. Ala the Matrix, the humans are cerebrally linked to their respective avatars so they can go among the natives and try and negotiate with them. That would be to negotiate the natives off of their land so that greedy corporate types can mine some special ore that lies beneath. One of the humans decides that the natives are right to defend their lands and so the story goes. The story is sometimes familiar and a super huge message that Americans know so well. The natives of the planet, Pandora, seem familiar as they have a deep connection to all living things and refer to themselves as the "people." Indigenous people of the Americas know all to well this story. They too were the "people" and thier connection to mother earth was as a strong a bond as the people of Pandora. The U.S. will have to carry that burden of embarrassment forever and in my opinion, deservedly. Too bad there were no avatars when the Spanish, English and French arrived on North America.
James Cameron's story even has the humans on Pandora building schools to teach the People english. Sounds familiar? The advantage of the People in this case is that they are like 10 feet tall and can crush a human very easily. The evil humans do have weapons of stupid destruction and are not afraid to use them.
Avatar goes between the expected typical movie stuff to the deep suffering of it's lead character, Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation). Worthington as well as Sigorney Weaver do well with the human element of Avatar (the only humans you root for) and make it well worth watching. It was hard to get used to the animated world of Avatar. I thought it would be distracting and sometimes it was. I still knew it was animation and not people I was watching. Not that I can't be drawn into animated story and characters it was just...weird. Hard to explain.
I did find myself cheering at the end, getting misty and fully enjoying this movie. I can see why it was nominated for movie of the year. But big spectacle, in my opinion, does not a winner make. (I didn't think Braveheart should have won for that reason. Good movie but a big movie was what made it a winner. )
You can watch Avatar with the entire family. Enjoy!
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
So far I have seen every Oscar nominated movie from last year except Precious. When I ask people if Precious was a good movie the reply is that it is a "hard" movie to watch. They can't really seem to put "good" in with that. When I do see it, eventually, I will post a review. But right now I am not into watching "hard" to watch movies.
And my winner for best movie is...next blog post will talk about that.
Avatar: I didn't get to see Avatar in the movies. And after awhile it had this E.T. effect on me. I didn't see E.T. in the movies because of the insanity over it. It was kind of a turn off. I was sorry I didn't see E.T. in the movie theater and I am sorry I didn't see Avatar as well.
Avatar is not at all what I expected. Just in case you missed it - an avatar is a genetically grown body of the indigenous people of this far away planet. The trick is that this avatar is genetically linked to the human gene donor. Ala the Matrix, the humans are cerebrally linked to their respective avatars so they can go among the natives and try and negotiate with them. That would be to negotiate the natives off of their land so that greedy corporate types can mine some special ore that lies beneath. One of the humans decides that the natives are right to defend their lands and so the story goes. The story is sometimes familiar and a super huge message that Americans know so well. The natives of the planet, Pandora, seem familiar as they have a deep connection to all living things and refer to themselves as the "people." Indigenous people of the Americas know all to well this story. They too were the "people" and thier connection to mother earth was as a strong a bond as the people of Pandora. The U.S. will have to carry that burden of embarrassment forever and in my opinion, deservedly. Too bad there were no avatars when the Spanish, English and French arrived on North America.
James Cameron's story even has the humans on Pandora building schools to teach the People english. Sounds familiar? The advantage of the People in this case is that they are like 10 feet tall and can crush a human very easily. The evil humans do have weapons of stupid destruction and are not afraid to use them.
Avatar goes between the expected typical movie stuff to the deep suffering of it's lead character, Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation). Worthington as well as Sigorney Weaver do well with the human element of Avatar (the only humans you root for) and make it well worth watching. It was hard to get used to the animated world of Avatar. I thought it would be distracting and sometimes it was. I still knew it was animation and not people I was watching. Not that I can't be drawn into animated story and characters it was just...weird. Hard to explain.
I did find myself cheering at the end, getting misty and fully enjoying this movie. I can see why it was nominated for movie of the year. But big spectacle, in my opinion, does not a winner make. (I didn't think Braveheart should have won for that reason. Good movie but a big movie was what made it a winner. )
You can watch Avatar with the entire family. Enjoy!
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
So far I have seen every Oscar nominated movie from last year except Precious. When I ask people if Precious was a good movie the reply is that it is a "hard" movie to watch. They can't really seem to put "good" in with that. When I do see it, eventually, I will post a review. But right now I am not into watching "hard" to watch movies.
And my winner for best movie is...next blog post will talk about that.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Rental Reviews!
Today I am reviewing The Blind Side and The Lovely Bones. I am afraid that all my reviews will come about a month after the movie is released to video because I do Redbox. The commie movie execs and other large retailers don't like the fact that Redbox won't gouge the video viewing public, so are holding back new releases at least a month. Next week will be Sherlock Holmes!
The Blind Side: Best movie of the year? Nah. Feel good movie of the year? Sure. The fact that this movie was nominated at the Oscars makes me look for why it should have been. It was certainly better than District 9 and Hurt Locker. As you know may know, my opinion of a good movie involves the progression of some kind of plot and caring about the characters. I don't ask a lot from a movie.
The Blind Side does not disappoint in my criteria of enjoyable movie watching! Based on a true story of, current NFL player, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), this is his rise from living on the streets to finding family, football and success in what appears to be a heartless world. Sandra Bullock plays the rich socialite that takes the teenager into her home. This is Memphis, Tennessee and even though they don't show how hard it was for him to fit into a white upper class private school, it does not deter from the enjoyment of the movie. This is a feel good movie after all.
But because it doesn't show the prejudice he surely encountered as well as how hard it must have been on the other two children in the household that attend the school - I found it slightly lacking. This is not a meaty movie or even a message movie - just, dare I say it again, feel good movie.
Virtual unknown Quinton Aaron, plays the big young man with heart and an honest portrayal. He doesn't say much but when he does say it - you believe him. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for this performance. I admit it is her best performance to date. Little Sandra is all grown up and acting. But an Oscar? Not for this one performance. She will need a body of work (ala Jeff Bridges) to really get the respect she is working for in Hollywood.
I enjoyed this movie and it left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
MMM M1/2's (out of 5)
Other feel good movies I suggest: The Last Mimzy and The Astronaut Farmer.
The Lovely Bones: I always find it a shame to waste real talent on a movie especially the talents of Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Michael Imperioli and Susan Saradon. But this movie has done it!
Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy) directed this plodding tale of a murdered girl that is stuck in the afterlife and slips in and out of the real life. Setting this movie in the 1970s was a good idea because it did drag out the murder investigation. There were no profilers, DNA testing or a missing children's database. I think that was clever and we know Mark Wahlberg wears (or doesn't!) the 70s well. That is where any creativity ends.
M. Night Shyamalan it ain't although it is trying hard to be through suspense. It also isn't What Dreams May Come, a brilliant movie about the afterlife (but have several boxes of tissues handy and be feeling emotionally strong).
I can't recommend this movie even with the cast.
M (for the cast) (out of 5 Ms)
The Blind Side: Best movie of the year? Nah. Feel good movie of the year? Sure. The fact that this movie was nominated at the Oscars makes me look for why it should have been. It was certainly better than District 9 and Hurt Locker. As you know may know, my opinion of a good movie involves the progression of some kind of plot and caring about the characters. I don't ask a lot from a movie.
The Blind Side does not disappoint in my criteria of enjoyable movie watching! Based on a true story of, current NFL player, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), this is his rise from living on the streets to finding family, football and success in what appears to be a heartless world. Sandra Bullock plays the rich socialite that takes the teenager into her home. This is Memphis, Tennessee and even though they don't show how hard it was for him to fit into a white upper class private school, it does not deter from the enjoyment of the movie. This is a feel good movie after all.
But because it doesn't show the prejudice he surely encountered as well as how hard it must have been on the other two children in the household that attend the school - I found it slightly lacking. This is not a meaty movie or even a message movie - just, dare I say it again, feel good movie.
Virtual unknown Quinton Aaron, plays the big young man with heart and an honest portrayal. He doesn't say much but when he does say it - you believe him. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for this performance. I admit it is her best performance to date. Little Sandra is all grown up and acting. But an Oscar? Not for this one performance. She will need a body of work (ala Jeff Bridges) to really get the respect she is working for in Hollywood.
I enjoyed this movie and it left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
MMM M1/2's (out of 5)
Other feel good movies I suggest: The Last Mimzy and The Astronaut Farmer.
The Lovely Bones: I always find it a shame to waste real talent on a movie especially the talents of Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Michael Imperioli and Susan Saradon. But this movie has done it!
Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy) directed this plodding tale of a murdered girl that is stuck in the afterlife and slips in and out of the real life. Setting this movie in the 1970s was a good idea because it did drag out the murder investigation. There were no profilers, DNA testing or a missing children's database. I think that was clever and we know Mark Wahlberg wears (or doesn't!) the 70s well. That is where any creativity ends.
M. Night Shyamalan it ain't although it is trying hard to be through suspense. It also isn't What Dreams May Come, a brilliant movie about the afterlife (but have several boxes of tissues handy and be feeling emotionally strong).
I can't recommend this movie even with the cast.
M (for the cast) (out of 5 Ms)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
TV Review: Fringe
Fringe is one of those shows that creeps up on you. I am a Bones fan and have been seeing commercials for the following show, Fringe, for a couple years now. Never really gave it much thought. In 2008 when the show premiered, I would usually switch over to CSI after Bones and then watch Eleventh Hour. Fringe looked kind of X-Files-ish but with more action and with watching Eleventh Hour, I thought I would get enough of the "out there" factor. I thought Eleventh Hour would be more cerebral and that is what I was looking for. Eleventh Hour only last 18 episodes and I was disappointed to see it go. I had overheard some chatter at work about Fringe but never really got hooked on it. Until...
While watching the most recent cliffhanger of Bones, in February, I stuck around and watched Fringe. WOW! Why on Earth did I wait this long to watch this show? Just one episode of this show had me hooked. I had a slight idea of some of the working relationships of the characters by just bits and pieces of episodes I may have seen but it was enough to be completely sucked into the episode and the series. Hard to believe that one episode could do that but then again, the master, J. J. Abrams is one of those responsible for this show. Never a Lost fan but certainly a Star Trek fan, Abrams has won me over.
Fringe is like X-Files but they have a budget and are not hidden in the basement of the FBI building. Really, the only thing that makes them alike is the fact that there are strange things going on around here and someone has to get to the bottom of it. The twist is they are under the Department of Homeland Security which probably makes the freak-squad able to move more freely around and into freaky business of citizens.
The series centers around three characters an FBI agent - Olivia Dunham, a scientist - Dr. Walter Bishop and his son, Peter Bishop, who works as an FBI advisor. The dynamics between the three is interesting and really come to a head in the first episode that I watched. Since I haven't watched the show since the beginning I cannot comment on how they all came to work together but I'll catch up on that later.
The writing, editing and camera work is excellent. The actors are the kind you have seen before but can't put your finger on it. Anna Tory (Olivia Dunham) has probably the smallest resume with some small and large TV time but no big roles (much like Emily Deschanel of Bones). Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop) is probably more familiar as he has worked steadily and did teenage TV and movie roles including Dawson's Creek and Scream 2. John Noble (Dr. Walter Bishop) should be the most familiar to viewers although you may not recognize him because he has done many character roles, most notably the very creepy Denethor in The Lord of The Rings: Return of The King. All of them working actors that seem to have fallen into a good thing - good for us.
It is not too late to start watching Fringe. I see a long life ahead of it and I plan on sticking around until the end.
Fringe is on Thursday nights at 9pm EST on Fox (after Bones). See local listings for exact time and day in your area.
While watching the most recent cliffhanger of Bones, in February, I stuck around and watched Fringe. WOW! Why on Earth did I wait this long to watch this show? Just one episode of this show had me hooked. I had a slight idea of some of the working relationships of the characters by just bits and pieces of episodes I may have seen but it was enough to be completely sucked into the episode and the series. Hard to believe that one episode could do that but then again, the master, J. J. Abrams is one of those responsible for this show. Never a Lost fan but certainly a Star Trek fan, Abrams has won me over.
Fringe is like X-Files but they have a budget and are not hidden in the basement of the FBI building. Really, the only thing that makes them alike is the fact that there are strange things going on around here and someone has to get to the bottom of it. The twist is they are under the Department of Homeland Security which probably makes the freak-squad able to move more freely around and into freaky business of citizens.
The series centers around three characters an FBI agent - Olivia Dunham, a scientist - Dr. Walter Bishop and his son, Peter Bishop, who works as an FBI advisor. The dynamics between the three is interesting and really come to a head in the first episode that I watched. Since I haven't watched the show since the beginning I cannot comment on how they all came to work together but I'll catch up on that later.
The writing, editing and camera work is excellent. The actors are the kind you have seen before but can't put your finger on it. Anna Tory (Olivia Dunham) has probably the smallest resume with some small and large TV time but no big roles (much like Emily Deschanel of Bones). Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop) is probably more familiar as he has worked steadily and did teenage TV and movie roles including Dawson's Creek and Scream 2. John Noble (Dr. Walter Bishop) should be the most familiar to viewers although you may not recognize him because he has done many character roles, most notably the very creepy Denethor in The Lord of The Rings: Return of The King. All of them working actors that seem to have fallen into a good thing - good for us.
It is not too late to start watching Fringe. I see a long life ahead of it and I plan on sticking around until the end.
Fringe is on Thursday nights at 9pm EST on Fox (after Bones). See local listings for exact time and day in your area.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Hurt Locker: The Poem
I have had many debates over the movie The Hurt Locker. A good movie but in my opinion not Oscar worthy. Below is the poem of the same name. And it is more profound, deep and penetrating than the movie could ever hope to be.
The Hurt Locker
Nothing but the hurt left here.
Nothing but bullets and pain
and the bled out slumping
and all the fucks and goddamns
and Jesus Christs of the wounded.
Nothing left here but the hurt.
Believe it when you see it.
Believe it when a 12-year-old
rolls a grenade into the room.
Or when a sniper punches a hole
deep into someone’s skull.
Believe it when four men
step from a taxicab in Mosulto shower the street in brass
and fire. Open the hurt locker
and see what there is of knives
and teeth. Open the hurt locker and learn
how rough men come hunting for souls.
- Brian Turner
The Hurt Locker
Nothing but the hurt left here.
Nothing but bullets and pain
and the bled out slumping
and all the fucks and goddamns
and Jesus Christs of the wounded.
Nothing left here but the hurt.
Believe it when you see it.
Believe it when a 12-year-old
rolls a grenade into the room.
Or when a sniper punches a hole
deep into someone’s skull.
Believe it when four men
step from a taxicab in Mosulto shower the street in brass
and fire. Open the hurt locker
and see what there is of knives
and teeth. Open the hurt locker and learn
how rough men come hunting for souls.
- Brian Turner
Return of the movie mommy!
Dear blog readers,
The movie mommy is BACK! Yes, after a loooong winter and hiatus, I have returned to do my duty as your movie, video, TV, music, sports, kid advice and general overblown know-it-all that you have come to know and love!
I had a tough fall, to say the least, and that is why I took a break. Deaths in the family, work, school and my son starting school put some stressors on my life that all came together in the fall. It took a while to get my head back together but after many video rentals (Red Box, baby!!!) and the dismal Oscars - I decided I was once again needed!
I rent a lot of movie and therefore most of my reviews will be from rentals. I will do my best to make them timely. The next movie I plan on seeing at the movies will be Iron Man 2 (yes!!!!) and that should kick off the summer movie season nicely.
Hang in there and watch for my posts!
Thanks for reading in the past and thanks for reading in the future!
hugs and kisses,
the movie mommy
The movie mommy is BACK! Yes, after a loooong winter and hiatus, I have returned to do my duty as your movie, video, TV, music, sports, kid advice and general overblown know-it-all that you have come to know and love!
I had a tough fall, to say the least, and that is why I took a break. Deaths in the family, work, school and my son starting school put some stressors on my life that all came together in the fall. It took a while to get my head back together but after many video rentals (Red Box, baby!!!) and the dismal Oscars - I decided I was once again needed!
I rent a lot of movie and therefore most of my reviews will be from rentals. I will do my best to make them timely. The next movie I plan on seeing at the movies will be Iron Man 2 (yes!!!!) and that should kick off the summer movie season nicely.
Hang in there and watch for my posts!
Thanks for reading in the past and thanks for reading in the future!
hugs and kisses,
the movie mommy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
