Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Vacation Mommy

The movie mommy has hit the road with the family for a summer vacation! We have only taken one long vacation with the kids before this and that was trying (March 2008) but the kids are older and better trained - or maybe we are.

We always take little weekenders but this was THE big trip. The kind of travelling tradition we will always have. Overall it has been a good trip. We had the trip to the ER but other than that, uneventful. We travelled about 7 hours the first day and arrived at my Dad's. The kids loved the beach and their uncle whom they now call "Dude." We went to the boardwalk until well after dark and the children loved the boardwalk rides. Even my son who never liked a ride that moved - a big breakthrough for him. After a weekend at "the shore" we headed to the Adirondack mountains and our family lakeside cabin or camp, as they call them up here. The kids are having a blast. They have been boating, on a train ride and today we took a ride on a paddle boat - something I first did as a baby (same boat). My son has been swimming off our dock with glee. His smile is wide and he is proud of himself - another breakthrough event for him.

This vacation has been good for our family. Our short trips have prepared us for this long one. We know what we need and don't need. The kids are at an age where they can really enjoy family activities with us.

These are just some ramblings I decided to write...in between my crushing amount of online work I have to do for school.

We head in the direction of home on in a couple days - and we are exhausted. A good vacation should always need you ready for another one!

Friday, July 11, 2008

New Reviews!

The following reviews are by the Super Mommy, special guest reviewer!

Wall*E
The Movie Mommy can attest to the fact that the Super Mommy is almost always able to find something to complain about. So imagine how shocked she was when I told her I couldn’t find a single thing to criticize about Wall*E, Pixar’s latest animated offering. From start to finish, the movie is just a gem – arguably the best the studio has put out in a string of excellent movies.

Wall*E predicts a distant future that we can easily imagine evolving out of Earth’s current environmental and social issues. Humans have literally trashed the planet and abandoned the debris-choked world for life on a luxurious starliner created by a Big Brother-style corporation. Before splitting for the stars, however, people left behind an army of robots to clean things up and prepare the Earth for eventual repopulation. Several hundred years later, all the robots have broken down. The only one left is Wall*E, an adorable little ‘bot who bears a striking resemblance to the main character in Short Circuit. Somehow, Wall*E has developed a personality and now spends his days compacting trash, playing with the only living thing left on the planet – a roach – watching a videotape of “Hello Dolly” and pining for companionship.

When another robot – this one a sleek, flying, laser-blasting Princes Leia-like character – arrives on Earth, Wall*E sees a chance to end his yearning and make a friend. Wall*E and Eve do become friends, and their bond takes the little robot on an adventure from the trash-choked cities of Earth all the way to the distant starliner that bears the last remnants of the human race. Inactivity and freedom from Earth’s gravity have turned humans into a race of sluggish, fat, sedentary creatures that seem like they would be ill-prepared for the challenge of repopulating their home world.

You could say Wall*E is a cautionary tale of the future our world faces if humans don’t clean up their act. You could interpret the film as a profound statement on the transcendent power of a simple touch. You could even view it as a story of redemption on a truly grand scale. But more than anything else, Wall*E is just good, clean fun – with a message. Kids will enjoy the animation, cuteness and slapstick moments. Adults will feel uplifted by the movie’s more grown-up themes.

Don’t wait for this to come out on DVD. Go see it in the theater. The sound effects are awesome (the first 30 minutes are dialogue-free yet brilliantly communicate the characters and situations), the animation is top-notch and the characters will win your heart.

MMMMM (out of 5)

The Walker
Almost every time I see Woody Harrelson in a movie I think to myself he was a sorry replacement for Coach and he hasn’t gotten much better with experience. But I have to give credit where credit is due; Harrelson shines in this psychological thriller set in the dirty social underbelly of Washington, D.C. Harrelson portrays Carter Page III, the son of a well-respected and long dead politician who never quite manages to live up to his father’s legacy. In his own way, “Car” is as much a mover and shaker as his father was. Carter is a “walker,” a socially adroit gay man who “walks” the wealthy, beautiful wives of Washington, D.C. politicians from fund-raiser to dinner to canasta game. When one of his canasta partners (Kristin Scott Thomas as a singularly self-centered wife of a powerful senator) finds her secret lover brutally murdered Carter’s loyalty is tested. He covers for his friend and is drawn into an ever-twisting plot that points an accusing finger all the way to Capitol Hill.

Harrelson is brilliant as the deeply insecure yet outwardly polished Carter. A stellar supporting cast includes Lilly Tomlin as the passive-aggressive, manipulative wife of a behind-the-scenes power broker adroitly played by Ned Beatty (who seems to be channeling Karl Rove). Wilhem DaFoe is the well-intentioned and powerful senator who seems oblivious to the indiscretions of his wife (Thomas). And Lauren Bacall steals every scene she’s in as the grand dame of Washington socialites – and perhaps the only true friend Carter has in the city.

The story is complex and compelling and Harrelson is a lot of fun to watch. Highly recommended for an evening of adult DVD-watching.

MMM (out of 5)

The above reviews were by the Super Mommy! Many thanks from the movie mommy and her readers.

Friday, July 4, 2008

The Student Mommy

The movie mommy has been silent of late because of school. I am now in the process of getting my Master's Degree and it is all consuming. I work full time, mommy full time and wife full time. Even though I am only taking 2 online classes...it is ALOT more work than I expected. 26 hours of video lectures, 5 book reports and 4 textbooks of reading. There are also discussion panels and group projects. ALL in 8 weeks! Like I said, more than I expected.
Basically, I am not going to see another movie until my classes are over in August. Next semester I plan on just one class and I am hoping that will free me up a bit to continue my movie watching.
I will be squeezing in The Closer, which begins it's new season this month but that will probably be it. I don't know what I would do if this was during the regular TV season...TiVo?
I am just letting everyone know that I will be doing some posts but not about any new movies. I have a guest reviewer, The Super Mommy, that will doing most of the reviews. She sees a new movie a week and is a regular renter of the latest releases. So, be expecting some good stuff on here.
Back to the studies!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Guest Reviewer!

The following review is by the Super Mommy:

OK, first let me say that The Happening is NOT as bad as you’ve likely read. Yes, I read all the reviews that basically said M. Night Shyamalan has lost his mind and finally produced the stinker that will sink his career. You know, the ones that said The Happening is not only HIS worst movie, but one of the worst movies ever. (I tend to think those reviewers never saw Gigli or Message in a Bottle and so don’t really have a good basis of comparison for saying a movie sucks.)
I went to see The Happening anyway because … well it’s M. Night Shyamalan and I’ve seen every one of his flicks on the big screen since The Sixth Sense. There are millions of worshippers like me who will go see this movie just because it’s … M. Night Shyamalan. And therein, I think, lays the heart of the problem. If anyone else had made this movie, I don’t think critics and the public would be bashing it quite so viciously.
In brief, the movie revolves around a phenomenon – a “happening” – that is inducing people to commit suicide in some very grisly ways (hence the R-rating, the only one of Shyamalan’s movies to get the rating). Elliott (Mark Wahlberg), a Philadelphia high school science teacher, goes on a spiritual journey – and physical jaunt through the Pennsylvania countryside – to keep his loved ones safe while trying to discover the cause of the phenomenon.
This movie is definitely worth seeing. It’s got a thought-provoking ecological message, a lot to say about human nature in times of crisis, and some very good performances from Wahlberg and John Legiuzamo (one of my favorite under-rated actors). And pay attention to Betty Buckley – who arrives late in the movie.
You’ve probably heard the story is dull, and I can understand how many people would think so. There are no explosions, no high-speed car chases, no profanity, no nudity and – frankly – not that much gore. How in the world Shyamalan thought he could make a summer movie without at least ONE of those blockbuster elements is truly bewildering to me. He’s not guilty of making a bad movie; he’s guilty of seriously misreading what Americans want in a summer blockbuster.
The Happening is a thinking movie, as are ALL of Shyamalan’s films. Like all his work, the movie is built on an underlying message and you have to pay attention to glean what that message is. Unlike his previous films, however, there is no punch at the end, no “Ah-HA!” moment when it all comes together. We’ve come to expect that from Shyamalan – from the revelation of Bruce Willis’ life-challenged status at the end of The Sixth Sense to the true nature of the community in The Village. That payoff isn’t present in The Happening, and critics and fans are crucifying him for it.
If The Happening truly fails as a movie – and I don’t think it does – it’s because the writer/director overestimated the maturity of his audience. After five successful films, he thought his audience had grown up enough to NOT need that final bonk over the head that sums up his movie’s message and delivers a final adrenaline spike. Apparently, he was wrong.

The above review was by the Super Mommy. The Super Mommy is an experienced movie goer, writer, mommy, reviewer and regular contributor to the movie mommy blog.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Separate Lives

With my daughter in preschool and my son in summer day camp I have come to the realization that I don't know how they are spending their days. Seems silly doesn't it? But in the past they were in small day care home environments with only a few other children (sometimes they were the only children). I would get reports on cute things they did or new things they said or experienced. Now that they are among the masses I don't get such reports. Only that they, "Had a good day."
I have to admit that I feel like an "empty nester." Once again - silly notion. But there they are...off on their own having conversations, meeting other people, even going places...without me! I have no idea what they are doing! Silly.
I worry about them but have be confident that they are being well taken care of and will know what to do and how to act. The wish of every parent to be sure...until their child is well into adulthood.
It's a little scary that I don't have total control over their lives or know how they are being taken care of. Will someone be there to cut up his pizza? Do they know she doesn't like apples?
They come home with songs and sayings that I have never said to them. And scraped knees. They also give the standard answer on how their day was, "Okay." I ask them what they did and sometimes they tell me and sometimes they don't. I really have to pry to get any real response.
They are growing up before my eyes and when I drop them off...I wonder...what are they going to do, see, say, hear and experience. I will never know.
I just have to let go...a little.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: If you can get over Harrison Ford looking like the Crypt Keeper, the references to the past Indy movies and the other worldly nature of the plot...then you can enjoy this movie. Of course Indy is gonna look old, I know it's set 20 years since the last movie. Now that we are in the 1950s there is also a new enemy...exit Nazis and enter Ruskies. The Russians are in search of artifacts that can give them an advantage...even an alien advantage over their capitalistic enemies.
I liked this movie but if you are not a fan then I don't think you will. It's basically made for fans. There are all the references to the old movies and even bringing back Karen Allen's character from the first Indy movie. There some predictable plot lines that come up involving Shia LeBeouf (least impressive role I've seen him in) that we didn't need...well, we didn't need his character at all. I don't think him being in the movie will be appealing enough for young movie goers to really go for this movie.
There is action! Good old fashioned Indians Jones action! Whips, knives, guns, vehicles, snakes, quicksand, bugs, waterfalls, booby traps...you know the usual stuff we come to expect from this type of movie. In that aspect - it will not disappoint!
The whole crystal skull thing is pretty cool and some parts of that mythos I would have liked to have seen more of but they spent so much time on set up that they didn't leave much for the actual meat & potatoes of the movie...then they rush to the ending - which was interesting.
I won't give too much away about the movie because I still recommend it.
If you are a fan - go see it! You should have seen it already! I liked it. I'm a fan.
MMM1/2M (out of 5 M's)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Classic Movie Corner

This is a new series of articles in which I will recommend a classic movie. And I mean classic! If you haven't seen these then you are missing out on what has been borrowed from to make today's great movies. It had to start somewhere and these movies are it!

One of my favorite movies is Now, Voyager (1942, Warner Bros.). Starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains (both of Casablanca fame) this movie was made at a time when actors, even what we would call super stars of today, made over twenty movies a year. Each studio, in a sense, owned the actors that worked for them. They weren't making "blockbusters" just entertainment. Bette Davis had to lobby the studio to get the part (hard to believe) and won it. It is said that she had never thrown herself into a part more and this is evident in her Oscar nominated performance as Charlotte Vale a frumpy spinster Aunt who is driven from her home by an oppressive mother and dissolving confidence and into the care of Dr. Jaquith (Rains) who tries to keep her from total breakdown by therapy and being out of her otherwise emotionally destructive environment.
After her therapy, Charlotte decides to embark, by herself, on a cruise to South America. She has totally transformed herself from absolute frump to stunning beauty (I normally wouldn't call Davis a stunning beauty). I am not a costume person but her ensembles are stunning. On the cruise she meets a group of travellers including Jerry Durrance (Henreid) whose natural friendly charm and good looks grab Charlotte's attention. Jerry notices, not a transformed frump, but a lovely woman. He is fascinated by her distance and mystery. They open up to each other and fall in love. Not in the same sense we have in movies today. There is kissing, clutching, holding...all accompanied by Max Steiner's Oscar winning score...who needs sex scenes? The sizzling scenes between the two stars are enough.
After the cruise, it is back to reality. For Charlotte it is back to face her mother and for Jerry it is back to face the problems at home that include a troubled teenage girl. Charlotte tries to go home and is brilliant the way she faces down her mother, over and over again. Charlotte is even courted by a doctor that never noticed her before even though he had been at the house for dinner parties many times. The dialogue has you glued to every scene in which Charlotte explains very carefully to her mother why she does what she does. After one such fight, her mother has a fall and then eventually a heart attack. Charlotte is filled with guilt and escapes to Dr. Jaquith's sanatorium. There she meets Tina. A teenage girl that reminds Charlotte of herself. She discovers that Tina is Jerry's daughter and decides to take an interest in her. By today's standards of viewing this might seem strange but the innocence of the times do not make it sinister at all. Charlotte helps the girl out of love for Jerry, at first, and then by her genuine love for the girl. Charlotte and Tina are victorious in their transformations and receiving love - from Jerry.
Jerry and Charlotte bump into each other various times during the film, after the cruise, and you will be on the edge of your seat waiting for them to embrace. But Jerry is still married and Charlotte has her morals. We know...that romance is not dead.
And even in the end after agreeing that they shouldn't be romantically involved...all Jerry can say is, "Shall we have a cigarette on it?" And as he lights both cigarettes in his mouth and hands one to her, she says, "Oh, Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon... we have the stars."
They don't make like that anymore.