Other Love and some Drugs

There's been much hype surrounding this film...the charismatic peddler of Viagra and the lady that steals his heart. It's right up my alley...you know that. I'm a mushball for stories like this.
I was very excited to see this movie, first I really adore Anne Hathaway - for me, she can do no wrong. She's incessantly multi-talented plus she actually seems like a very nice person. Jake Gyllenhaal is also another actor whom I've enjoyed seeing on the big screen in recent years...it wasn't always a love affair with Mr. Gyllenhaal, but you could say that he's grown on me and my appreciation of him was solidified while watching this.
The basic premise of the film, is what happens when a charming drug salesman meets his match and has to come to terms with his own sense of self, wealth, well being and love. The movie flows nicely and the balance of witty remarks and emotional triggers worked well for me. It worked even better for my husband - whom I also have to say enjoyed this movie and had some sniffly moments as well. It's a fast paced, sexually charged movie with lots of good characters, decent script and fantastic actors. I'm pleased that the movie is already shooting into awards season - who knows how it will do, but I'm glad that it's being acknowledged regardless.
I was incredibly impressed with the range of emotion displayed by both Ms. Hathaway and Mr. Gyllenhaal. They have an unprecedented chemistry - very similar to Bogart/Bacall, a connection/respect/admiration for each other as actors and people. I was very impressed with both of them. They have an ease about them and a grace with their words and actions. It seemed completely effortless, as if they had been together for decades and knew every little thing about each other. They made the film for me. That's what it was all about....the actors.
This was an actor's movie. It showcased their talents for comedy and drama even in the most simplistic and complex situations. I was pretty much sold on this film during the preview, months and months ago, but the film cemented my vision of how Hollywood is changing and how their leading men and women are adapting to the challenges. It was nice seeing a man be vulnerable and yet not wimpy. A woman be strong and yet not bitchy. Interesting...I'll have to take some lessons.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part 1

Last night my husband and I went to see the new HP film, part one of the last two films left in the incredibly successful JK Rowling series. We carefully planned our evening, so that we could try and avoid hysterical lineups, frustration and the frigid weather outside...so we arrived at the theatre at 540pm...and found ourselves sitting warmly in a dark theatre by 615pm for the 700pm show...pheew. It's always interesting going to HP movies on their opening weekends, as usually it's only dire hard HP fanatics that go and spend the time to wait in line and re-read the books 100 times (no that's silly, I've read them about 20 times a piece). The line ups are filled with people talking about the books, reading the books, giving away bits of information about the movies or just generally being super excited to see their favorite characters living out the stories on the big screen. I myself, in case you haven't realized yet...is one of these fanatics.
This movie is very true to the book...it's the only movie so far, that I wasn't disappointed in the film. I've always gone to see the movies several times in the theatres as I always get disappointed in the first viewing, I'm sure I'm the only person on the planet who WOULD sit for 9 hours in a movie theatre, so that they can put all the extra information from the books in the movies, but I do relunctantly understand why they can't. This chapter is very dark and scary and filled with death. I've been sitting here trying to sum up and give a general story line to this film, but really I know too much. Harry, Ron and Hermione set off to locate and destroy Horcruxes...Dumbledore had left Harry this task and so the three of them set off together to put the pieces in motion so that Lord Voldemort can indeed be killed at the end. Now along their way, there are house elves, thieves, death eaters, snatchers, Nagini, patronuses, young love, broken wands, the imperious curse, wizarding fables and a Weasley wedding. Sigh...and I didn't even scratch the surface. I can't go on, I'll give too much away...and if you don't understand...pick up a BOOK and enjoy the great read.
One of the criticisms of the movie, I've heard is that it can't stand alone as a film without all the HP knowledge that one should have to help you understand...I have one thing to say about all that...
OF COURSE IT CAN'T STAND ALONE...IT'S THE 1ST PART OF THE SEVENTH FILM FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE...BE REASONABLE PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HARRY POTTER - READ THE BOOKS AND THEN SEE THE MOVIE. THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!!!
There, I feel better now that I've gotten that out of my system.
The movie is an intense and very frightening 2 1/2 hours. We were going to bring our 10year old, but I'm not sure any more. For Harry Potter fans, this will be a movie to remember, well written, great effects and the kids aren't kids any more - they are more mature and can handle themselves on screen with much more realistic conviction and ease than before.
I can't believe that we now have to wait until mid July before the final chapter comes to the theatres...oh well, I guess I'll have to go back again this week to experience this one again. Who wants to join me?

Here or Hereafter

I have to say that Clint Eastwood is probably one of the best storytellers of all time. He really has his finger on the pulse of the story, how to inspire his actors to award nominations as well as developing his signature sound with his background music. I wasn't an early Eastwood fan - my husband is and has stuck by him for decades - I, myself took my own time.

'Hereafter' is a story about an American man who is able to make a "connection" with people who have passed away, a French journalist's experience in an Tsunami and a British boy's struggle with his own loss. Each storyline is poignant and interesting as they try to figure out some basic (and currently unanswered) questions about life and death...namely...what happens when we die and are those who have gone truly gone?

These aren't easy questions and I am by no means an expert in this subject, but this movie explores several different aspects of how these questions (and lack of answers) affect us all...perhaps not all at the same time, but certainly at some point in all our lives. I don't think that we have to wait until we die to understand it all...I think that people have different experiences with life and death all the time, but these are sometimes disregarded or ignored. When we, as individuals, are ready to accept the uncertainties, I think that more will become clear. Perhaps this is just 'happy, go lucky' Allison speaking, but really can you tell me for certain that I'm wrong. Anyone who claims to have any understanding with the world beyond is almost always classified as nuts and everyone rolls their eyes...but what if we are the ones who just don't get it.

When my grandfather passed away, it certainly made me feel better to think that even though his body was physically in the ground, his soul was watching from the sky or heavens and keeping a close eye on me and my family. Silly of course, one young woman's crazy attachment to her grandfather or perhaps not.

This movie pushes you to think differently about people who claim that they have 'psychic powers' or people who have had some type out out of body (0r mind) experience. Who are we to judge anyone else's experiences or knowledge without having our own to compare it to? I definitely felt more sympathetic than I normally do when dealing with things that aren't tangible to me and lord knows that I am a tangible type of gal.

Well, I apologize, I've certainly digressed enough...let's get back to the movie. The music was great...all Eastwood compositions, of course...I'm getting to love his signature, jazzy sound. The acting was effortless and smooth. It was as if Matt Damon had played this Psychic role for many, many years, tormented by his gift and not being able to accept or manage it. The French journalist, Cecile de France was fantastic. I haven't seen her in anything else so far, but I'll be checking her out on imdb.com to try to rent some of her other works. She is lovely and holds herself with such grace on screen. Twins Frankie and George McLaren were absolutely fabulous as the young boy searching for some answers and understanding about death. Clear emotions, easy transitions, it really was a pleasure to watch them on screen, together and separately. The supporting cast was also good, an aging yet engaging Jay Mohr and the always lovely and charismatic Bryce Dallas Howard just to mention a couple.
The movie didn't move fast or blind you with insane special effects, though I have to say that the Tsunami scene is absolutely horrifying and frighteningly realistic. I welcomed the movie's slow pace. It allowed me to create relationships with the onscreen characters and sympathize with each of them at different times and yet throughout the entire movie. Eastwood's direction was steady and the writing was even and unsurprising. Given the over the top explosive blockbusters that have been inundating our multiplexes recently, this was a pleasure. Emotionally draining - yes, but a pleasure none the less. What else do you have in store for us next year, Mr. Eastwood?

Homeward Bound

Three pets (Chance, a young dog unfamiliar with the world; Shadow, an aging, wise dog; and Sassy, a snobby cat) are left behind when their family goes on vacation. Unsure of what happened, the animals set out on a quest to find their family. This journey across America is very dangerous and the animals risk never seeing their masters again. The group of pets travel across forested mountains and areas of wide-open countryside, while their family searches for them in the same areas IMDb

I just thought I'd give a quick review about the movie we rented yesterday as a family. My daughters viewed it for the first time. I loved it just as much as I did the first time I saw it. I think my husband got teary like the rest of us but don't quote me on that one. Michael J Fox as Chance was awesome.

We couldn't decide if we liked Chance or Shadow better. Today all I hear from the kids is:" Can we get a golden retriever?" EVEN JON!! sigh! :)

I have to say that when the movie "Babe" came out, the animation world got really excited, it was the first time they were able to make the mouth of an animal move naturally when it spoke. Like a human would. In this movie, the mouths don't move when they speak and I like it better, it's more natural.. more real!

It's strange to use the word real when we all know animals don't speak but you get my point. :D

Letters to Juliet

When Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a young American, travels to Verona, Italy—the romantic city where Romeo first met Juliet—she meets a group of volunteers who respond to letters written to Juliet seeking romantic advice. Sophie finds and answers a letter that has been lost for 50 years, and is stunned when its author Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) arrives in Italy with her handsome but overprotective grandson (Christopher Egan) to find the fiance she left decades before.

Fascinated by Claire's quest, Sophie joins them on an adventure through the beautiful hills of Tuscany searching for Claire's long lost Lorenzo. The journey will change their lives forever, as they discover it's never too late to find true love.

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In 15 lines or less - I thought the movie was cute. It made me want to go to Italy and work for Juliet. The scenery was fantastic, I mean, you can't go wrong with Italy, it's just beautiful!

I really liked the character Claire portrayed, she's the kind of woman I'd like to be when I grow up... :-P I cried when she brushed Sophie's hair. It made me remember how important it is for a girl to have a mother to rock you gently, play with your hair and kiss your face when things get tough. I'm glad I'm here for my daughters, I hope they'll always feel the love I have for them.

To talk about Sophie's own love story in the movie - I didn't really buy it. I didn't feel fuzzy about any of the guys. I thought her fiance was kind of right, he had to research he couldn't really be taking walks holding hands. I mean, opening a restaurant is huge! It takes passion and dedication. They didn't share each other's passion so it wouldn't have worked in the long run. The romance between Claire's son and her? There was no chemistry between them in my opinion...kind of awkward actually. True love??? I don't think so.

All in all, It was an ok movie but I expected more.

And I wrote more than 15 lines....

Is it really? No! Really?? It's Avatar.

Sometimes I'm wrong. There I've said it. It does happen occasionally, so I figured when it does I should fess up and be honest. When I heard that James Cameron was making this film, I really thought that this was such a horrible idea. James Cameron...he's a decent film maker but really his scripts are horrible and are so basic. Since Titanic, I really lost a lot of respect for him and was not looking forward to this new film.

I saw the film a couple of months ago and I have to say that it didn't speak to me. I thought that the computer generated creatures and lcoations were very nice but that doesn't make a film. What about the storyline, the acting, the characters? I really felt like once again, Cameron came in and went for more expensive thrills instead of a decent story. I looked at the movie like it was an animated attempt for a comeback for Cameron...can you tell that I wasn't impressed. I saw the movie with my hubby and just wasn't into it.

When Nat suggested that we go again this past week, I thought well, ok, I'll sit through it again. Maybe I'll like it more than before if not let's sit at the back and I'll play on my iphone. Now wait for it...I LOVED IT! I sat there next to Nat and soaked up every minute of the music, the beautiful colors and interesting creatures.

I was completely enchanted with this film. I can't believe that I am writing this, but I really enjoyed this film. I thought that the nature themes that he included were very timely and appropriate. I even appreciated the writing more the second time around, but still I don't feel like Cameron's strength is in his script writing...directing yes, producing yes, writing...not so much, but I will admit that he's getting better.

This time around, the movie overwhelmed me. It conjured up all sorts of feelings and emotions. I got completley inveolved with the film, hook line and sinker. I cried. I laughed. I cried more. I smiled. I cried more. I enjoyed it and then I cried more.

I tried to understand the film as a whole and give myself completely while I watched it. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD, I'd like to show my daughter. The first thing I did when I got home was chat with my son, about how I had changed my opionion of the film. He smiled and listened to me as I described my experience the second time around. He was suprised. I was surprised. I can't wait to see it again and go back to Pandora.

Longest Date Night Ever

Every week, my husband and I go on a date night. It used to be Saturday evenings, but apparently, we were cramping my teenager's social life, so we've moved it to Sundays. Have you ever seen an early evening film on it's opening weekend on a Sunday evening? It's fabulous...there's nobody there.
Ok, I have digressed...let's get to the point...last night on our date night, I saw "Date Night" with Tina Fey and Steve Carrell. I really wanted to see something light and fluffy, so it was either "A Single Man" or this...yeah the choice was pretty easy. I went into this film, thinking that I would have a fine time, the movie would be cutzy but nothing special. What a surprise! I really enjoyed this movie. It's the story of a couple who after many years of marriage have settled into a mundane routine. They decide to shake up their weekly date night (sound familiar) at the local restaurant - where they order the same food every time (at least we go to different places) - and go and have an expensive dinner in New York City. Once at the restaurant, they are trapped in a web of mistaken identity which throws them into crazy situations. That NEVER happens on my date nights!
I was not expecting to laugh in this film, but it was pretty impossible not to. The writing is quite decent, the situations were hilarious and Tina Fey is great. I think that she is absolutely fearless comedically. Steve Carrell is still a bit bumbling for me, but he's easier to take in this film. Their chemistry got better throughout the film...the beginning was a little strange, but it all seemed to come together at the end.
One of the lovely surprises was Mark Wahlberg, who plays an old client of Tina's (she's a realtor), who is fantastic and by the way - his Hebrew is remarkable! Mila Kunis and James Franco are also funny, charming and a little scary.
It's really a story about a couple who were in danger of losing themselves and each other who end up discovering all the great things that made them fall in love in the first place. There were some parts which hit a bit too close to home, but that's what made the movie good. The thoughts and feelings came from a real place, but what they did with them was pretty impossible and some were extremely funny to watch.
Was this my favorite movie??? Well, no...but it was a fast paced, adult oriented comedy about family life that dabbled in the insane. I'm glad I watched it with my husband, there were mostly couples in the audience so it felt like the entire theatre was on a date night and it was a fun way of spending our evening. Who knew that Marky Mark (without a shirt, mind you) would be so much fun? (Ok, seriously - that was totally rhetorical)