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. 

Austenland

I discovered this movie while waiting in line to use a Redbox machine. The little movie poster on the display caught my eye because it featured Keri Russell and because of its name. I am a huge Keri Russell fan. Austenland is like the Jane Austen Book Club infused with Bridget Jones' quirkiness and then magnified by a dish of lithium laced ice cream. Russell's character Jane Hayes is beyond obsessed with Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and on a whim travels to a Jane Austen themed resort in England. Jennifer Coolidge co-stars as a guest that arrives at the same time as Jane. Her role is thankfully more Legally Blonde endearing and less her annoying appearances on television's 2 Broke Girls. Georgia King from the New Normal is another guest and Jane Seymour is Mrs Wattlesbrook who runs the estate. JJ Feild plays the most Darcy like of the characters and James Callis, who was also one of Bridget Jones' best friends Tom, in the movie adaptations, plays another gentleman at the estate. Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords plays a farm hand and another potential love interest.

The film is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Shannon Hale. From what I can tell the catalyst that leads Jane Hayes to Austenland in the book is less extreme than in the movie. There is a second book in the Austenland series featuring a new cast of characters. The film was produced by Stephanie Meyer and premiered at Sundance in 2013. There the distribution rights were purchased by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and had a limited release in theaters in August 2013. The DVD came out this week and is also available OnDemand and on Amazon Instant View. I am always fascinated when I have not heard of a movie and even more so when it stars one of my favorite actors. The soundtrack is also very good. What a delightful little find.

Winter's Tale

Winter's Tale is based on the 1983 novel by Mark Helprin. The film spans between 1895 to present day in Manhattan. The movie follows the story of Peter Lake, a thief who falls in love with Beverly Penn, a dying girl. This much can be gleaned from the trailer. Lake is portrayed by Colin Farrell and Penn by Jessica Brown Findlay. While the two actors have a sweet chemistry together, the movie has one insurmountable flaw. From almost the first frame, there is just too much to suspend ones disbelief.

I suspect the book is rather good, as many books that are turned into movies are. Perhaps reading the tale, it is easier to digest. Also, if the movie was marketed as fantasy of the Lord of the Rings variety, not a Valentine's Day date movie, it might give the viewer more of a warning of what they are in for. Unfortunately, the execution of the material is just not there. Many scenes are laughable because they seem so implausible. I am not talking about rom com unrealistic, I mean supernatural animals appearing out of the blue unreal. Akiva Goldman, who wrote and directed, has a fairly good track record on his previous work as a screenwriter, including Practical Magic, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, The Client, A Time to Kill, The DaVinci Code and Angles and Demons. All but Cinderella Man are based on books. He has not directed a feature film before and it is almost like he tried to use all the genres of his previous work in one film. Multiple actors from his previous adaptations appear in Winter's Tale, most notably Russell Crowe.

The cast is so strong it is really a shame that the overall result is poor. Colin Farrell and newcomer Jessica Brown Findlay give strong performances despite the writing and editing. There is also some pretty heavy-handed narration. Russell Crowe, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly, Graham Greene, and even classic film star Eva Marie Saint round out the cast. There is a bit of stunt casting that unfortunately I was aware of before seeing the movie and it would have been cool to not have known. Avoid cast lists and imdb if you insist on seeing Winter's Tale for at least that surprise.

It had been some time since I attended a screening and that is always an enjoyable experience. Thanks for sharing passes with me Emily! I wanted to see Winter's Tale but with Oscar season I was not sure if I would make it to theaters. Colin Farrell was so good in Saving Mr Banks that I was eager to see him in a starring role again. He did the best with what he had. This is definitely one to miss in theaters. Miss it at Redbox and do not pay for it OnDemand. Catch it on TNT when you are at home on a rainy Saturday afternoon doing laundry if you must at all. As it may be, sometimes a negative review can encourage one to watch, but fair warning was given.

Safe Haven

While the changes made in adapting the movie from the book were to the benefit of the film, there are still elements of the story in which it is difficult to suspend ones disbelief.

As far as how Safe Haven fits into the Nicholas Sparks film log, it's no Notebook, it is not even as strong as Nights at Rodanthe, but it is better than the worst Sparks' movies, Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember. SH is on par with Lucky One. Hot and pretty actors with a mediocre story involving similar plot points make them companion pieces. Not as good as Dear John or the Last Song. Somewhere in the middle of the Sparks Spectrum.

Overall, not a new favorite flick, not even a great movie of this genre. But it was not terrible. It is always a sweet deal to see a movie before its release, and free of charge no less. I am not betraying my demographic of young women, I just don't scoop up this stuff like it's golden honey. It has to have the goods! And not every outing is going to be the Notebook. The Vow was not even a Sparks Production but it marketed the actors (Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams) that had appeared in previously successful Sparks movies (Dear John and the Notebook) and delivered to the genre.

By the by, I submitted what was basically the first two paragraphs posted here to the website that requested my review of the movie. The following message displayed: "Your submission has triggered the spam filter and will not be accepted." Ponder that.

The Hunger Games, the Lucky One and the Five Year Engagement

I have not blogged in awhile. Life has been busy to say the least. That's part of it. I think the main reason for my delay is that the last three movies I saw in theaters were not that wonderful. Seeing the films with Dana and Kari, and watching Rum Diary with Laura was great though.

The Hunger Games
The widely anticipated adaptation of the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy was very well done. It was a great movie and was also a memorable movie going experience. I saw the film with Dana. Midway through the movie, right at a very serious and poignant scene in the story, a man walked out and yelled, this movie is messed-up, why are you here? Well, sir, maybe you should inform yourself before you go to the theater. Just because something is popular and not what you thought it would be, refrain from attempting to ruin others' time at the multiplex. Despite this interruption, I did enjoy the movie and I have only positive things to say about it. The experience of reading the book was just so powerful that even the best interpretation by a movie pales in comparison.

The Lucky One
Another book adaptation. This marks a first for me -- I read my first Nicholas Sparks novel before seeing the movie. There is a certain amount of cheese that comes with a film based on a Sparks book. There was just too much in this one. It was more A Walk to Remember and very much less than the Notebook. The acting is poor and too much of the story had been changed from the book. Taylor Schilling is a very bad actress, beautiful and very well cast in the role of Beth, but not a good actress. Blythe Danner was a highlight, as was Zac Efron's bod.

The Five Year Engagement

I was very eager see to this flick. I am a big fan of both Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. There were many hilarious moments and the extensive supporting cast including Parks and Rec's Chris Pratt and Mad Men's Alison Brie was excellent. One plot complication just ruined things for me. If you see it and you know me, you will know what I am talking about. If you enjoyed it despite some events, I am genuinely happy that you did because I could not get past it.

And on DVD...
Rum Diary
Laura and I were planning to watch the new Muppets movie but after three Red Boxes I was done searching. I know you can reserve online and there is an app for that but it all worked out. Fresh on my mind from our top five movies as friends, I saw a picture for Rum Diary as I headed back to my car, nearly defeated. The movie is based on a Hunter S Thompson's novel and is a must see for any Johnny Depp fan. The wacky exploits of an American journalist in Puerto Rico during the 1950s unfolds hilariously. There was line after line of laugh-out-loud dialogue. A very fun flick for those who would like the Hangover crossed with the Mexican, taking place in the 50s. I am also very excited to see Dark Shadows this week with Laura. I am optimistic that the film will end my slump.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

A film about the unlikely story of a government scientist unwillingly tasked with bringing Atlantic salmon fishing to the desert of Yemen may not sound the most entertaining. Premises do not always shed light on the tone and feel of a movie. I was completely charmed by this film. If you are not one to suspend your disbelief or to root for the underdog, I suspect you may not appreciate the movie in the way that I did. To me it never seemed forced, corny or cheesy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed heartily, I was invested in the characters, and I cried -- all my favorite things to experience when viewing a movie. I am eager to read the novel the film is based on. I suspect that with repeat viewings this movie will become one of my favorites.

Ewan McGregor has been number one in my top five for years and suffice to say, he is one of my very favorite actors. Right on the heels of a performance I loved in Beginners, he delivers again in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I am also a big fan of Emily Blunt and she is equally delightful in the film. Kristin Scott Thomas is a feisty government PR rep and contributes much to the movie. The wealthy sheik funding the project is beautifully played by Amr Waked. There are gorgeous landscapes throughout the movie and the film has a fun, genuine style. 

I was able to see the movie at a sneak peek with the queen of obtaining screening passes, my friend Emily. Our enjoyment of the film was complimented by a glimpse of our future. Sitting next to us, were two women in their sixties who were dead ringers for the pair of us in thirty years. Apparently in the future we will talk whenever we feel like it during a movie. Somehow they chatted not in an annoying way, but in a manner that was endearing.

Random trivia:
Conleth Hill, the actor portraying the boss of McGregor's character also stars in this year's Best Live Action Short Oscar winner, the Shore. Incidentally, the photo on imdb for Hill, is not accurate. It currently displays a picture for another actor in the Shore.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

I was concerned that this movie would be an all out cry fest. The main character is a quirky boy dealing with the aftermath of his father's death on 9/11. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock are predictably solid as boy's parents. It was a tearjerker but had more to it than that. There is a sort of quest-mystery element to the story.

The young boy Oskar is the main character of the film and Thomas Horn does an amazing job carrying the film. The role is Horn's very first acting job, he was discovered for the movie after winning Kid's Week on Jeopardy. I was surprised to find that he was 14 years old during the filming of the movie because the character seemed younger. Regardless, he did a great job. Max von Sydow is nominated for Best Supporting Actor as the silent and enigmatic man known only as the Renter. Christopher Plummer is the strong frontrunner for the statue in this category but it is clear from von Sydow's performance why he was nominated.

Eric Roth wrote the screenplay adaptation of Jonathan S Foer's 2005 book. I am a big Roth fan as he wrote the Forrest Gump and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button script. The film is nominated for Best Picture and much like its acting nod, the movie is deserving but does not seem likely to win. I am surprised that it was not nominated for the best cast in a motion picture award at the SAGs because the entire cast is so strong. Best Actress nominee Viola Davis and Jeffrey Wright both give wonderful performances in their brief scenes.

This coming Monday, the sixth of February is the Oscar nominee luncheon. This an event where all of the nominees gather, photos are taken of various categories and of all the nominees together. It is a very fun event to read about and is one I was just made aware of last year. With that, here is a whole slew of fun Oscar facts about this year's nominees:

• Two out of the nine Best Picture nominees this year are comedies: The Artist and Midnight in Paris. But Oscar hasn’t been kind to comedies — the last time a film in the genre has won the trophy was in 1998, with Shakespeare in Love. And before that, in 1989, with Driving Miss Daisy (which, let’s face it, isn’t too much of a comedy as it is). Perhaps Oscar is just overdue on their once-a-decade recognition of the genre?
• Mon dieu! What a good year 2012 is for the French at the Oscars! Two out of the nine Best Picture nominees are set in France (Hugo and Midnight in Paris), Best Animated Feature nominee A Cat in Paris is from the City of Lights, and The Artist – a film with a heavily French cast and crew — is nominated for nine awards. Strangely enough, one category that doesn’t boast a French twist? Best Foreign Language Film.
• The Artist is the first (mostly) silent film in 83 years to be nominated for an Oscar. The last time a silent film has won was way back in 1927/1928, when Wings picked up the first Best Picture statue ever awarded.
• However, we’ve seen a black-and-white film like The Artist nominated far more recently — George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck scored a nod back in 2005.
• Since 2008, The Weinstein Company has seen at least one film nominated for Best Picture every year: The Reader in 2008, Inglourious Basterds in 2009, The King’s Speech in 2010, and The Artist in 2011. While still with Miramax, prior to cofounding The Weinstein Company in 2005, Bob and Harvey Weinstein saw films nominated almost every year, starting with 1992: The Crying Game (1992), The Piano (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), Il Postino (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), Life Is Beautiful (1998), Cider House Rules (1999), Chocolat (2000), In the Bedroom (2001), Chicago (2002), Gangs of New York (2002), The Hours (2002), Finding Neverland (2004), and The Aviator (2004).
• Three out of the five Best Actor nominees starred in Best Picture-nominated films (George Clooney for The Descendants, Jean Dujardin for The Artist, and Brad Pitt for Moneyball), whereas only one Best Actress nominee starred in a Best Picture-nominated film (Viola Davis for The Help.)
• There are nine first-time nominees in the acting categories. The Best Supporting Actress category is populated with the most newbies (Bérénice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Melissa McCarthy, and Octavia Spencer), while the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor categories are filled with vets, with only one new nominee each (Rooney Mara and Jonah Hill).
• Including this year’s nod for The Iron Lady, Meryl Streep has been nominated a record 17 times over the course of her career, and has won two statues. The actress, however, hasn’t won in 29 years, bagging her last Oscar in 1983 for Sophie’s Choice. Glenn Close, up for Albert Nobbs this year, has been nominated six times and has picked up zero statues. Will either find luck this year? History says the odds aren’t in their favor: The two actresses have competed against each other in the Best Actress category twice before (in 1988 and 1989) — and both have walked home empty-handed.
• This year’s Best Director race is full of vets: Only one, Michel Hazanavicius, is a first-time nominee. Compare that to 2011, which boasted three first-time nominees in the category (Darren Aronofsky, David O Russell, and winner Tom Hooper).
• Cars 2 is the first Pixar film to not be nominated for an Oscar since the Best Animated Feature category was introduced in 2001. Quite a hit to the studio’s track record, especially when you consider six out of the eight Pixar films nominated in the past 11 years have won the Oscar.
• Kung Fu Panda 2 is the third sequel to be nominated in the Best Animated Feature category. Shrek 2 scored a nod in 2004, while Toy Story 3 bagged the win last year. Puss in Boots is the first spin-off nominee.
• Three Best Screenplay nominees have appeared in their own films this year: George Clooney in The Ides of March (Best Adapted Screenplay) and Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig in Bridesmaids (Best Original Screenplay).
• Eat your heart out, Meryl Streep. Including his two nominations this year for The Adventures of Tintin and War Horse, John Williams has been nominated for a whopping 47 Academy Awards over his long career. And though two nominations in one year might seem like a lot, Williams was nominated for three Oscars in 1974 and 1996.

The EW article I snagged these from in its entirety.

One Day

This movie far exceeded my expectations. I have always liked Anne Hathaway but two of my very dear friends do not like her and their opinions have influenced me in the last year. The movie was not well reviewed when it was in theaters and did not do very well at the box office. Hardly things I care about in movies I love or are determined to see but can be deciding factors when I am not sure if I want to see a movie or not. Bad box office and word of mouth definitely makes a movie more likely to be seen on DVD than in the theater. I had also heard that someone who read the book was not very pleased with the adaptation. Maybe it was all those precursors and lowered expectations but I really enjoyed the movie. I would very much like to read the book now as well and will be picking it up on my next trip to the library.

The story takes place on one calendar day each year over a twenty year period, a unique concept. It is about two classmates after graduation, Hathaway's character, Emma, and Dexter, played by Jim Sturgess. Patricia Clarkson is Dexter's mother and is a delight as always. By the by, what is with the name Dexter being all over pop culture lately. There's the beloved serial killer Dexter as played by Michael C Hall on Showtime and in the graphic novel its based on, the Dex in Something Borrowed, books and movie, and now the British Dexter of One Day.

It seems that my most recent movie viewings have been those that require hankies (the Vow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close). One Day is sweet, has funny moments and was very fun to watch.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I was very apprehensive about seeing this movie. In the end I am glad I saw it. I had read about the violence in the books and I know how squeamish I am. Katy was the perfect person to see the movie with because we had the same qualms but were motivated to see it. The insanity of the Bridgeport theater that led to us seeing a later showing and getting drinks, that helped too. Both of us also agreed before and after that we can not handle reading the books. The images as you read are far more detailed and elaborate in your mind than a movie. I love to read and reading a book before seeing a movie is better in that as a reader you picture the characters and scenes, not as the cast or sets in a film adaptation; reading is much more limitless. Books always have more and that's just not the kind of more I can handle, I need the limits with the type of subject matter that The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo deals with. I am happy to report neither of us had bad dreams last night. Whew. There is disturbing violence and sexual assault but thankfully in the two and a half hour plus movie those scenes are a small part.

The plotting and pace in director David Fincher's film are solid. The elaborate story and mystery are well executed. Trent Reznor is Fincher's go to musician these days and he and Atticus Ross create damn good scores. In a style similar to that of last year's Social Network, an excellent score overall. I do appreciate a quality score. The interpretation of In the Hall of the Mountain King during the scene of the Winklevoss' crew race in England, still a standout for me.

As far as the Oscar chances go for this movie, I think it will receive multiple nominations but will not win in major categories. Fincher is consistently recognized by the Academy and Reznor won Best Score last year for the Social Network (deservedly) and a repeat seems unlikely. The acting of Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara is solid but not Oscar worthy nor do I think they will receive nominations. Mara is on the short list for Best Actress but Craig is not on that list for Best Actor.

In case you missed it, the trailer for the Oscar show, is fantastic. Billy Crystal and other A-listers partnered with Funny or Die to make the promo.

Movie Night 11/4/11 Something Borrowed

If asked if I would rewatch Something Borrowed before Friday I believe my answer would have been an overconfident no. Well it was the movie selection at this week's movie night.

Primed by my non-endorsement of the movie I am confident that the other members of the movie night crew enjoyed it much more. Hearing what someone else thinks about a movie before watching it can shift your expectations. We even discussed how someone saying that they do not like a movie, can make you want to like it. I also enjoyed my second viewing much more than my first. Like my first, Kate Hudson and John Krasinski are the best parts of the flick.

I am also intrigued by discussions I have had with two friends who have read the book the movie is based on. It is actually a series of books. On that note, be sure to watch the entire credits if you watch Something Borrowed.

Movie Night 10/14/11 -- High Fidelity

I had been trying to quote High Fidelity all week and was glad when Marla agreed that it should be our movie night selection for this week.

I was surprised this week that a majority of those under age 25, have not seen High Fidelity. I think this was particularly surprising because my 24 year old sister, watched it dozen of times to my knowledge, quotes it and read/owns Cash by Johnny Cash.

It holds up, it is still a great flick. It is based on a Nick Hornby novel (About a Boy with Hugh Grant is also based on a Hornby novel). One startling thing, there was a Charlie Sheen like quality to John Cusack's character Rob that was definitely not noticeable in the pre-Two and a Half Men years. I love Jack Black in his breakout role as Barry and the movie remains SO quotable. I really did try not to quote the whole movie while it played, I tried...

- Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?
- It would be nice to think that since I was 14, times have changed. Relationships have become more sophisticated. Females less cruel. Skins thicker. Instincts more developed. But there seems to be an element of that afternoon in everything that's happened to me since. All my romantic stories are a scrambled version of that first one.
- It was like trying to borrow a dollar, getting turned down, and asking for 50 grand instead.
- Rob, I'm telling you this for your own good, that's the worst f8ckin' sweater I've ever seen, that's a Cosby sweater. A Cosssssssby sweater. Did Laura let you leave the house like that?
- I can't fire them. I hired these guys for three days a week and they just started showing up every day. That was four years ago.
- OK, buddy, uh, I was just tryin' to cheer us up so go ahead. Put on some old sad bastard music, see if I care.
I don't wanna hear old sad bastard music, Barry, I just want something I can ignore.
Here's the thing. I made that tape special for today. My special Monday morning for you...special.
Well, it's f8ckin' Monday afternoon! You should get out of bed earlier!
- Oh, is she in a coma?
- Rob, top five musical crimes perpetuated by Stevie Wonder in the '80s and '90s. Go. Sub-question: is it in fact unfair to criticize a formerly great artist for his latter day sins, is it better to burn out or fade away?
- I guess it looks as if you're reorganizing your records. What is this though? Chronological?
No...
Not alphabetical...
Nope...
What?
Autobiographical.
No f8cking way.
- Only people of a certain disposition are frightened of being alone for the rest of their lives at the age of 26.
- Hey, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm certainly not the dumbest. I mean, I've read books like "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" and "Love in the Time of Cholera", and I think I've understood them. They're about girls, right? Just kidding. But I have to say my all-time favorite book is Johnny Cash's autobiography "Cash" by Johnny Cash.
- John Dillinger was killed behind that theater in a hale of FBI gunfire. And do you know who tipped them off? His f8cking girlfriend. All he wanted to do was go to the movies.
- I want more, I wanna see the others on the big top-five. I want to see Penny and Charlie and Sarah, all of them. You know? Just see 'em and talk to 'em. You know, like a Bruce Springsteen song.
- Why'd you have to tell her about the store?
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was classified information. I mean, I know we don't have any customers, but I thought that was a bad thing, not like, a business strategy
- It's not what you are like but what you like.
- How does an average guy like me become the number one lover-man in his particular postal district? He's grumpy, he's broke, he hangs out with the musical moron twins...
- Do you have Soul?
That all depends.
- Marvin Gaye is dead. His father shot him.
- That is shocking. That is shocking.

And I could go on...

The Help

I had my concerns before watching the film adaptation of the book I loved reading. Movies based on books is a reoccurring topic in my posts. I am happy to report to those who have read the much beloved novel that this is one of the best movie adaptions that I have seen. The trailer does seem to have a light mood but the movie is as serious as the book and most certainly captures the tone of the novel. The movie is also true to the spirit of the characters. There are a few minor detail changes and some backstories are absent from the movie. Overall it was clear that spectacular care was taken to be faithful to the source material. See my book blog for the filmmakers history with the author of the book.

Big thanks to Emily for having such extraordinary luck in obtaining the screener passes for the Help. I second her statement that this was the best movie we have seen at a screener. It was also the movie that I was most excited to see. Pretty slick of me to be first in line as well.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two

The final film in the Harry Potter series was everything it should be. It was epic, it was fantastic. It was thrilling and emotionally wrenching. And that is pretty much all I am going to say.

I had the pleasure of seeing the last installment at Cinetopia with a group organized by Emily. Needless to say, this was one movie going experience where I did not have to try and remember to take a picture for my blog (as already evidenced by my previous post). We saw Harry in 3D. Not necessary but we saw the movie in the lap of every luxury available. What other way could there be to send off such a great movie series.

There are video movie posters. So the Daily Prophet, moved liked the Daily Prophet would.

I have read much about how well reviewed this entry in the Potter story and what its chances for Oscar glory are. While any acting nods and a Best Picture win is a stretch, a nomination for Best Picture and many wins in technical categories are hopefully likely.

Water for Elephants

Pre-movie items: the trailer for Anonymous is crazy-good! I highly recommend seeing it in theaters but enjoy it here if you like. Excellent song selection, may just make the trailer. The movie will be released September 30th.

I saw Water for Elephants with Laura who had read the book. When I saw a trailer with her for it, she said that while reading it, it seemed like it would make a good movie. She also said that she pictured the main character as Tobey Maguire. Take that Twilighters. Honestly, I think Robert Pattinson seemed more age appropriate for the role. Interestingly enough, Tobey Maguire's next two movies are book adaptations. The Great Gatsby remake, and as a journalist in Life of Pi.

The movie was well done, no complaints. I think if I had been a bigger fan of the actors, I would have been more into the movie. That is really my only explanation for a less than stellar review. It certainly was much better than the review in Entertainment Weekly made it out to be. The world of the circus and the costumes from the depression era were visually captivating. I enjoyed the scenes most with the main character telling the story as an old man, played by Hal Holbrook. Paul Schneider (previously of Parks & Rec) was great in his scenes with Holbrook.

There is some darkness and violence to the movie, but it is rated PG-13 so it is not too rough. My interest was held and I was entertained, wanting to know how the story ended. The score was also excellent. The old fashioned style credits were also a nice touch. Laura also said that the movie remained true to the book.

Something Borrowed

As much as I delight in Emily's fabulous ability to score movie passes (and her generosity at sharing with me) Something Borrowed is not a good movie. In the words of Emily, I am glad it was free.

It was not a matter of too many romantic comedy cliches, it was a matter of bad people who were bad friends to one another. John Krasinski is the best thing it. Kate Hudson does what she can with a thankless role.

I was so underwhelmed by this screening, that I saw it last Thursday and am just now blogging about it. I am still getting the word out there before the movie comes out tomorrow. I am waiting for Bridesmaids, it looks to be the much better of the genre.

Atlas Shrugged Part 1

I was asked last week if I had heard about the movie based on Ayn Rand's 1957 novel, Atlas Shrugged. I had not. Which of course, made me very curious. I may not care to see a movie, but I most certainly have heard of it, know who is in it and the basic premise. I immediately looked up info about the book and film. No big stars or major studios are involved with the movie. I have not read the book, but I am a big fan of the genre (see my post about The Adjustment Bureau and my random association about futuristic-dystopian fiction. I still can not help but think that I should have worked more on that one before posting).

The movie begins on September 6th, 2016. The not so distant future, is a not all that unfamiliar one. References are made to the 2009 stock market crash. However, the Dow is now below 4000 and gas is $37.50 per gallon. What successful business men remain, are disappearing and everyone is asking, Who is John Galt?

There were moments that were a bit too melodramatic. I'll give it a pass because, even though I have not read the novel, I did take away a sense that the filmmakers made every effort to be true to the source material. The movie also feels like a play at times, taken by me as another sign that the flick is true to the book. More than anything, I just want to know what happens and how it ends. The movie is Part 1 of three. I do hope that the two remaining parts will be filmed, completed and released.

The movie was completed for about $15 million, relatively low for a movie. Today the director John Aglialoro announced that despite grossing $3.1 million so far, the critical bashing it has received, has given him second thoughts about continuing on with Parts 2 and 3. Of course, there is always the book. 

Eat Pray Love

This movie, is a delight. Its emotional, deep and thought provoking, and light and fun too. Forgive me the run-on but...what stands out most to me is the idea that we can decide to shape our lives and be bold in making that decision but we will still be faced with the unexpected and the whole endeavor can be more than we could possibly imagine, good and bad. My devotion to Entertainment Weekly and my ear for all things movie and pop culture can often cause little surprises for me when going to the multiplex. I was surprised that there was more pre-journey backstory for the protagonist. Thank goodness I have not read the memoir that the film is based on yet (but I am eager to read it; very much like my experience with Julie & Julia last summer, loved the movie and read the memoir before seeing the movie for the second time). Here's to seeing the movie based on a book first and then reading the book -- greatly increases the odds of enjoying both independently.

Eat Pray Love is the true story of writer Elizabeth Gilbert's journey of self discovery -- there's a reason its been a topic on Oprah on more than one occasion. As we observe her travels, we get to go along for the ride, taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors. The problem I constantly run into in writing this blog, is how detailed to be and not wanting to give too much away. One thing I dislike about my beloved EW's reviews, is that they reveal WAY too much. So I'll touch on these details: Richard Jenkins, whom I will always enjoy because he was the dad in Six Feet Under, is excellent as Richard from Texas. All the men who cross Liz's path are enjoyable. I felt that Liz's time in India was my favorite in that it was the least seen in the promos and showed the most growing pains.
This is one of those movies that is just a pleasure to sit back and take in. ···
If I were to plan my own EPL style adventure, why not one with a movie theme, Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, a red carpet walk to the Oscars, heck while I'm dreaming, I need to devise a way to become a voting member of the academy and score all those screener DVDs. A girl can dream. Have you heard of the parody book Drink Play F*ck? Apparently Steve Carell is set to star in the movie adaptation. I'd see that.

I strongly dislike reading stories that report the success at the box office of a "woman's movie" as news. Women get excited about movies, that's NO news flash! Not only do we flock to the Sex and the Cities and the Eat Pray Loves, but we also go see Inception and the summer's latest comic book hero (ps, besides Iron Man 2, which was in May and I saw with my mom for Mother's Day, this summer is missing that element -- looks like summer 2008 was the better summer season for super heroes and Manolo Blahnik wearers -- the first Iron Man, the Dark Knight, Hancock and the first SATC flick). The state of the romantic comedy is something to report on. Granted, I am a little bit older and my standards are a little bit tougher. But Serendipity is in a whole other category than Bride Wars. This is why I'm looking forward to my next flick, The Switch. Yes, I will see anything with Jennifer Aniston and yes Bounty Hunter was AWFUL. But so was the Ugly Truth. In fact, I would argue it was worse, and the common denominator there is Gerald Butler, not a female lead. The Switch looks promising, Jason Bateman and the folks that brought us Juno, heck yea. To sum up my little rant about women and movies today, Julia Roberts, need I say more? She is one of the only true movie stars out there and she was the first woman to break the 20 million per picture glass ceiling.