Enchanted

Movie: Enchanted

This Disney semi-animated find-my-true-love musical "makes fun" of all the other find-my-true-love stories. Upon reflection, I thought something about this movie seemed familiar... Oh yeah, it's Shrek. Only they were ogres and these guys are human.

I think it is safe to say that David and I were the last people in America to see this movie. I heard nothing but great reviews and I was expecting great things. My sister Cassandra sings the song with her daughter and they twirl about the room.

It was cute, but I didn't find anything particularly awesome about it. (I wasn't twirling anywhere.) It does exactly what it was intended to do- make you feel good. Patric Dempsey and Amy Adams always seem to make people feel good.

What it's worth to me:

We saw it on a plane. I'm glad we saw Enchanted and not Snakes on a Plane, but I'd be lying if I said I loved it. I'd buy it on DVD if I had a daughter. But, I don't- so until I get a daughter I'll leave it be. I watched it with a tiny bottle of water and some snack mix. If I were to watch it again I would probably heat up some popcorn and grab a bag of skittles. That might make it a little better.

Miss Potter

Movie: Miss Potter


This is the "based on a true story" story of Miss Beatrix Potter, writer of lovable children's tales such as Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. The story itself is quite deserving of a screen adaptation. Beatrix is a little nutty, and could've easily ended up living alone with her picture friends- much reminiscent to a "crazy cat lady" in modern times.

Miss Potter was played by Renee Zellweger. Once again, Renee is now one step closer to pursuing her life long dream of becoming British. Although, I'm still not convinced. You know, despite her unnecessary super squinty eyes that I usually have a hard time seeing past, (get it? seeing past?! The pun on "seeing?" come on. It was funny.) she wasn't bad in this film. She was in just about every scene and I don't remember getting sick of her at all.

One actress I would love to see more of was Emily Watson. She played best friend to Beatrix and sister to Beatrix's Publisher (Ewan McGregor). I am looking forward to seeing some of her newer stuff.

There is one character that I feel that must be shared to those of you who have not seen the film. It is Beatrix's father. I searched online for a photo of him, but it is nowhere to be found. Just picture an older man with two large curly haired rats taped to his cheeks. Cause that's what it looks like. No... it doesn't. Its much, much worse. You'll see.

What it's worth to me:

I liked it. I could watch it again. I probably wouldn't watch it again soon, but I wouldn't mind netflixing it again in a year or so. I'd watch it with some popcorn and an ice water with a lemon slice and sprig of mint. Thank you for recommending it Cassandra.

Across the Universe

In honor of tonight's American Idol tribute to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, I too will pay my respects by reviewing this recently viewed Beatles musical titled "Across the Universe."

This film was the story of "Jude" and his "Lucy." Yeah, a little cheesy, but I can live with that. Jude is hot. The actors name is Jim Sturgess- I think he is going to be big. Lucy looks like every other blond actress in America. I wasn't all that impressed with her.

Now for the goods (or bads): I thought the first 45 minutes of this film were okay and if the movie would've progressed in this fashion I think I would've liked it.

Unfortunately, mid-movie, the writer, director, and producer all took a few hits of acid and the movie turned into a blur of hypercolors and cartoons. There was a point that I actually looked away from the television and thought that my friend Betsy had been by to slip some MJ in my brownies like she said she was going to do at my wedding. Don't worry- I wasn't high. It was just the movie in Technicolor to the max. I understand that the Beatles went through some drug phases and I believe that this portion of the movie was "symbloic" but, come on. Let's be serious.

Another problem with the film was the unfavorable use of songs to create the plot. The Beatles had billions of hits. I wish they would've written the story and then added the songs that corresponded. I'm pretty sure they were sitting in a room and said, "yeah, I want this song to be in there and this one... oh, and this one!.." and then they made characters and scenes that were, well, lame.

The musical did make me want to buy a Beatles album. Maybe that was the intent all along. The movie was made to sell more albums. It worked. I still have "Across the Universe" in my head- which is sad because I only know that one line and a small bit about a paper cup. I wouldn't watch it again, but if I did I would only watch the beginning and the end... unless, of course, I was high.

What it's worth to me:

Not weed. And not another rental. But maybe some itunes downloads.

Sabrena's word:

"Yeah, I feel like it's one of those movies that I'm scared to say that I don't like because the artsy people will think I just don't understand it. But, I didn't like it."

True dat Sabrena. Only- I'm totally not afraid of those artsy people.

No Reservations

Movie: No Reservations

I love romantic comedies and I love food. I love romantic comedies that base their plots around food. That is what this movie is. Classic story... Woman inherits a Kid. Kid needs a Friend. Man Friend and Woman have a rocky start until Man becomes Kid's Friend. Oh, and most of the film takes place at a restaurant.

So here's the deal. I love romantic comedies and I love food, but I didn't "love" this movie. If Randy Jackson was reviewing this movie he would say, "Yo, yo, yo. It was just alright for me, dawg." You said it Randy. It wasn't bad. It wasn't great. I much prefer the German original titled: Mostly Martha. Rent that if you want a good movie.

The casting in this film wouldn't be my first picks. I have never really liked Catherine Zeta-Jones. (Yes, I know that you think she's hot.) She has never done much for me. Her co-star, Aaron Eckhart, is alright I guess, but I can never get over the fact that he looks like he was sculpted in a toy factory. My favorite actor of the bunch is the talented Abigail Breslin. Little Miss Sunshine. If you noticed, I chose a picture for my blog that shows my liking for each actor in order of how close they appear in the photo. Go ahead and scroll up if you need to.

What it is worth to me:

I don't think I would pay to see this at the theaters- even the dollar theater. I would, however, watch it with my love after Miles has gone to bed and maybe pop some popcorn. We would make fun of most of it and I would probably end up crying at one point or another. It's a mediocre film with a feel good ending. I recommend it to my sister Cassandra and her Wade. It's much better than the Lake House.

Freaks and Geeks: The complete series

Series: Freaks and Geeks.

This televison show staged mostly in a Detroit high school was probably taken off the air due to some marketing problems as most sitcoms that have potential are. The premise of the show? Lindsay and Sam Weir, brother and sister, try to survive their high school experience as "freaks and geeks." Pretty catchy title.

I'm still undecided as to how much I really liked the show. The main character, Lindsay Weir, is a nerd who tries to become someone more edgy by wearing the same over-sized army jacket everyday and hanging out with some less than amazing potheads. She is the most disappointing character in the show. I wanted to like her, but it was painfully hard. I think of her the same way I think of Will and Grace- put Karen and Jack back on.

Sam, Lindsay's brother, and his geek squad friends Bill, the ultra-nerd, and Neil the 55-year-old-stuck-in-a-15-year-old's body jewish boy, are definitely worth watching. As far as I'm concerned the show would be next to worthless without them.

There are some young stars that play pretty small roles, but were cast well and who I wold've like to have seen more of such as: Seth Rogen- a burnout, Samaire Armstrong (better known as Anna from the OC)- a hippie, and Shia LaBeouf- the high school's mascot.

I heard a lot of hype about this show. The first episode wasn't super impressive, but it had some good moments. Each episode got progressively better and by the sixth and final DVD- I was sad it was over.

What it's worth to me:

I made a good choice by Netflixing this series, but I don't know if it was worth moving to the top of my queue for and especially in the middle of my Scrubs marathon. It took me about three weeks to watch the whole show- which is a really long time. All in all- I'd see it again, but I'm not in love with it.

Without a Paddle

Movie: Without a Paddle.

This was one of the best movies ever... to burn... in a fire.

Three morons (Dax Shepard, Matthew Lillard, and Seth Green) played three morons on a treasure hunt and we get to see their wacky adventures along the way.

I mean- come on. Let's be serious. Who makes these movies? What bunch of people sit down together and decide that this would be a hilarious box office hit. And who casted it? Some super original movie guru got Seth Green to play a short nerd and two other semi-actors to play his tall lesser-nerd friends. I'm pretty sure they just threw this script at people and signed anyone who read it.

Poor Paramount Pictures. What were you thinking?

What it is worth to me:

Nothing. Luckilly, I didn't pay to see this movie. I rented it from Sabrena's collection downstairs- even though she warned me of it's crap factor. Miles was crying during part of the film and David and I were doing other projects for the rest. I'm glad we had some other distractions. For this lack of a film, I'd have some Pepto-Bismol in one hand and maybe a good book in another. Hope you like it.

Atonement

Movie: Atonement.

Brilliant. (That was in my best British accent.)

This Focus Film set in late 1930s was well casted, acted, directed and photographed. The "porcelain pretty" Keira Knightly headed up a major role in the film as well a new shining star, Saoirse Ronan, who plays the precocious 13 year old writer whose need for drama becomes the undoing of a wealthy English family.

From the magnificent mansion to the glamorous costumes, I felt like I had stumbled into a world that only exists in Murder Mysteries and Jane Austen books. I loved it. It was romantic and provocative, embarrassing and unforgiving, sexy and horrifying, lovely and depressing.

The only part of this movie I didn't like was the man-sitting-next-to-me's nose whistling on every breath. Even with that annoyance in my ear for the duration of the film, I still felt it’s heartbreaking woe. With it’s well written twists and turns- this movie definitely deserves it's Oscar Nomination for Best Film.

What it's worth to me:

My mother-in-law watched Miles while we went to the movie, but I would easily spend money for a babysitter and a ticket. The only treat I'd bring to view the film would be a bottled water to rehydrate after such an emotional journey.