This Is Where I Leave You

I have anticipated seeing This Is Where I Leave You before I even saw a trailer for it. The movie met all my expectations and was hilarious. The film is now among my favorite dysfunctional family flicks. It's right up there with Home for the Holidays, the Family Stone and the Royal Tenenbaums. The tagline is great, Welcome Home. Get Uncomfortable. I was also lucky enough to see the movie at a screening before its wide release Friday September 19th. The excellent cast is so large that not all of them are featured on the movie poster.

Jane Fonda shines as the matriarch of hilarious siblings, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, and Adam Driver. Bateman and Fey need no introduction. Stoll was Hemingway in Midnight in Paris and one of the angry passengers in Non-Stop. Driver is best know for Girls and is in the new Star Wars. Rounding out the supporting cast are Rose Byrne, Timothy Olyphant, Connie Britton and Kathryn Hahn.

The writing is fantastic. It is the kind of movie that you know you will have to rewatch so that you can catch the dialogue that you were laughing over. The screenplay was written by Jonathan Tropper, the author of the novel the film is based on. I can not wait to read the book. There is also a great soundtrack.

The movie balances snark and heartwarming in just the right way. If the tone were focused on one more than the other, the result could have been mean spirited or corny. If you love a good dysfunctional family comedy, you will really enjoy This Is Where I Leave You. 

How Do You Know

Similar to how I missed Life As We Know It in theaters, I missed How Do You Know during the holiday season. Reviews from real people that I heard were quite weak (as was the box office and critic's reviews).

That said, I really enjoyed the movie! I thought it showcased quality work from the actors in the type of roles that they shine best inhabiting -- Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Jack Nicholson and Owen Wilson. Also, supporting actress Kathryn Hahn has great give and take with Rudd. You may recognize her from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, A Lot Like Love or Win a Date With Tad Hamilton. She was pregnant while filming the movie. The movie does not follow a generic, predictable rom com plot line though I am fairly certain it was marketed as one. I am a fan of James L Brooks less successful movies. For instance, I LOVE Spanglish with Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni. How Do You Know follows an unconventional plot movement, I think to its success. The movie does not lag, it holds your attention. It is laugh-out-loud funny and has very touching moments as well.  

Thanks for being such a great host Emily, I love the Skillet Gnocchi with Spinach and Italian Sausage!