Sherlock Holmes

The talents of three great actors drew me to this flick. Jude Law is eye candy. Robert Downey Jr. impressed me in Ironman so I assumed he would be fabulous in this film. Rachel McAdams is one of my favorites thanks to her comedic timing and her ability to be believable in any part. The combo of these three actors definitely added to the goodness of this movie.

I was actually pleasantly surprised that this movie actually had a good plot and was true to the storyline of the Sherlock Holmes stories. The previews had gotten me worried that this wouldn't be the case.

The movie is action packed and I would suggest you see it! Excuse the shortness of the review. I don't want to spoil!

Avatar

This movie was surprisingly amazing. I really am not one to enjoy sci-fi but I loved this movie! James Cameron has always impressed me as a director and this recent work shows his brilliance. His eye for detail and imagination with cinematogrophy was impressive. The storyline is basically about US military in the future going to another planet in order to find fuel, seeing that earth has ran out of fuel. Unfortunately, the fuel they find on the planet, Pandora, lies beneath a civilization. In order to harvest, they must find a way to have the natives move. The use of science comes in as scientists come up with a way to communicate and deal with the natives safely with the use of high tech avatars. Basically, they are genetically engineered beings who can be contolled remotely. The movie follows the conflicts and adventures the controllers encounter while running the avatars.

I would give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars.

The Blindside.

Last night I saw this movie. It is simply amazing. It is the true story of Michael Oher who plays left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. Basically, it is about a woman, played by Sandra Bullock, who helps a teenager who is homeless. I was reminded that sometimes all a kid needs to succeed is one adult who believes in them. This movie really hit my heartstrings because Michael reminded me of so many of my students. I pretty much cried during most of the movie, which is a good thing!

Sandra Bullock is an amazing actress and again does an amazing job. I think that with each movie she does, she gains more of my respect. She can play any part and pulls it off amazingly. I would give her performance in this film a 15 out of 10.

The movie recieves two thumbs up and a Gingerbread Shake of awesomeness!

All About Steve...

The first thirty minutes or so of this movie, I sat there wondering what the heck I was thinking by wanting to come to this movie because it was the stupidest movie I have seen in a while.

It got better as it rolled along and I actually thought it was majorly funny in parts. People falling into holes is just funny and Sandra Bullock is always fun to watch. I was glad I did not pay full price for this movie, but I think I might have even saved 50 cents and waited for the Redbox!

I give this a two out of five stars!

New Moon and Transformers 2

Not really a matching pair but I have seen these movies in the past two weeks.

New Moon was very good. And that isn't just because some certain werewolf is shirtless most of the movie. There was a lot of action and you could totally tell they had a lot more money to make this movie compared to the first one(visual effects were much better!). I like to get the visual in my head as I am reading the books. I just started reading Eclipse because I was inspired by this movie to again get into the books. Of course, the movies are exactly like the books but I enjoy them. I don't even like vampires but these movies are awesome. I actually took the picture above at a Red Robin the day after seeing the movie.

I have noticed that I have hard times writing reviews seeing I forget everything. Maybe I am not very good at this.

It took me about three weeks to watch Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It was jam packed with action but I still kept falling asleep, but that sleepiness was thanks to winter getting her not the quality of the movie. There is a cheesy love story jammed into the action which makes it nice. I also love the Bumblebee Camaro! I would buy one. Optimus Prime's character was further described as he is know as one of the loyalty of transformers. He saves Sam, Shai Labuff's character. I like Shai even if he is too young for me. I would totally tell you to watch this movie but make sure to watch the first one first! You should always handle sequels this way!

My Life in Ruins

Picture courtesy of redbox.com
This a cheesy and cute movie. I found myself laughing often by little jokes or comments in the movie. This is a really soft-hearted and enjoyable movie. It is made even better by the scenery of Greece. I now really wish I were in Greece. What a beautiful place. I need a trip to the beach. You should watch this movie, but who am I to tell you what to do?

Entrapment

We joked around last night that the only reason my Utah Dad was watching this movie was to watch Catherine Zeta-Jones do the part with the lasers. It was pretty funny.

This is a great movie. Again, if you have never seen it, go see it. It is a very good action/suspense movie. You never truly know what is going to happen. It is awesome for anybody who loves a good heist movie! Classic!

Sunday night at the Bills is always fun because we will often take in a movie. LOVE IT!

Pawn Shops.

No. Pawn Shops is not the name of a movie that was recently released but instead are great places to pick up DVDs. I went to a pawn shop with my friend, Alyssa, here in Vegas and it was fabulous. Not so much fabulous for my pocketbook but it is fabulous for my DVD collection. I bought ten, yes ten, DVDs for two dollars each. Smashing deal. I was hesitant at first to buy so many but then remembered something that my wise sister once said: "They are cheap, why not buy them?" I figure this is great advice, even when one is poor. Okay, maybe not always the greatest advice for poor people but in this case it was very applicable.

For you, wonderful movie blog readers, this hopefully will mean that you will be reading more movie reviews of classic and good movies. I sure do love my movies!

Ghostbusters and What About Bob?

It is a tradition that when up in Salt Lake at the Bills' house on Sunday evening we watch movies. Last week was Ghostbusters and this week was What About Bob? Both of these movies are classics.

It was fun to watch Ghostbusters because I had recently been in NYC. I recognized lots of buildings and places and that made it extra special. I was also pretty surprised that I remembered a lot of the movie. I knew pretty much all of the lines. Crazy. I remember being very scared of that movie when I was younger. Now I just laugh at how it tries to be scary but it really isn't because pretty much the technology is outdated. If you haven't seen Ghostbusters, shame on you; repent by watching it this week. If you have seen it, it might be time to go and reminisce via the movies.

What About Bob? is a hilarious movie. I love that in the end the shrink becomes the crazy one. Oh wait, maybe he was crazy from the beginning. I showed clips of this movie to my students a few weeks ago to demonstrate OCD. Classic. This is a great laugh movie so watch it. Again, if you have never seen it, shame on you; get to it! If you have seen it watch it again!

Movies are awesome!

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Picture found at: redbox.com

I highly enjoyed this movie! In the beginning, there is some racy stuff. I.e scantily clad people and lots of sexual indiscretions. It isn't bad bad but it is there. Basically, you are supposed to hate Matthew McConaughey's character because he is a womanizer.

McConaughey's character doesn't treat women well. His uncle was a womanizer too and taught McConaughey's character everything he knows about just using women. Eventually, McConaughey's character is visited by three ghosts(just like the Dicken's story) but with a twist. He is visited by The Ghost of Girlfriends Past, The Ghosts of Girlfriends Present and the Ghost of Girlfriends Future. He eventually learns his lesson thanks to seeing himself and his jerky ways.

Jennifer Garner is also in the movie and I always love the movies she is in. It is still hard to not see her as Sydney in Alias.

I would totally recommend this movie. It is cute and funny and romantic. Three good things.

Duplicity.

Photo courtesy of redbox.com

This movie is very worthy of your time. Julia Roberts is as good as she has ever been and Clive Owen is way cute.

Both actors play spies who are trying to figure out a company's big secret. The storyline is confusing much like Mission Impossible. I actually had to watch this movie twice because the first time my head hurt from trying to figure things out and I fell asleep because I lost the ability to focus on figuring stuff out. I think that whole having to figure stuff out actually makes for a good movie.

There is also a love storyline in here that makes this movie perfect to watch as a couple. The men will be happy with the espionage and the women will love to watch Clive and the romance!

Definitely, watch this movie!

Labor Pains

I have always liked Lindsay Lohan in film. I think she is very talented even if she has quite a colorful real life.

This movie is not worth a picture, nor is is worthy of your time to watch it. Skip this movie. It is lame. Basically, Lohan's character fakes being pregnant in order to not lose her job. Lies, lies and more lies. This movie basically sends the message that it is always better to lie than face the truth. I give it a lame thumb down.

The Soloist

Photo found at: http://images.redbox.com/Images/Full/TheSoloist_2603.jpg

This was a very enjoyable movie. Maybe that is because secretly I want to be a journalist and this is all about a journalist. The movies basic synopsis is an LA Times writer finds a homeless man playing the violin on the streets. And this playing isn't just screeching, it is amazing playing. The journalist eventually finds out that the homeless man was once a Julliard student but had left due to mental illness. Basically, the journalist tries to save the man by finding him opportunities to do music again.

I really like Robert Downey Jr. in this movie and have recently become a fan of his because of Ironman. My favorite scene of Mr. Downey's was when he got teary eyed. There is just something about his brown eyes and tears. Jamie Fox did an amazing job playing a homeless man with mental illness. He was very personable and believable. I also enjoyed his wardrobe in the movie. It was fantastic.

It is nice to watch lots of movies. I guess this is the only good thing about my little illness so far. It is day two of missing work. I hate missing work when I think I shouldn't be. When I take personal days, it is so different.

Anyway, I would totally recommend this movie the next time you get to the Redbox!

Fast & Furious

Photo courtesy of imdb.com

This movie is typical of the Fast and Furious saga. Lots of action, a little bit of a storyline and lots of fire, cool cars and crashes.

I love Vin Diesel. Not because I think he is a very talented actor but because he is fun to look at. He is buff and there is just something about his voice that gets to me. Paul Walker is also eye candy to me so I got to have two men that I like to watch in one film.

Other than that, sometimes I have problems with the whole making criminal activity okay and fun. That is exactly what happens in these movies but it is made okay because Walker's character happens to go undercover because he is a cop. Yes, undercover work is important but I don't think letting criminals go just because you develop a relationship with them is okay. Just as a judge at the end of this movie says one right doesn't cover up all the wrongs committed. Diesel's character is wanted by the FBI and Walker's character tries to get him off because he helps him bring down a drug lord. Yeah, Diesel is still a criminal after all. I don't like that part.

I do like the cool cars driving around at warp speed and the fiery crashes when they don't drive so well. That would be the highlight of this movie and all of the Fast and Furious movies. I didn't realize that technically this is the fourth movie in the sequence. I think I missed two.

I enjoyed the movie as I sat lifeless on my couch as I was feeling a little under the weather today. It was fun to watch and if you are looking for an adventurous and light on the drama movie, this movie is for you!

Awakenings

Photo courtesy of redbox.com

If you are movie buff like me, you still may have missed this movie. I rented this 1990 movie from the Redbox last night. I didn't realize it was so dated and was actually pleasantly surprised by it. It stars Robin Williams and Robert De Niro and was directed by Penny Marshall.

The movie takes place in New York City in a mental hospital. Robin Williams' character, Dr.Sayer, tries to figure out why many of the patients are in a coma like state. He researches and researches and eventually finds a drug that he thinks may bring the people back from their catatonic (or asleep) state. Robert De Niro plays patient Leonard Lowe, who is the guinea pig with the drug. After it does work on him, the whole mass of people are prescribed the drug.

Basically, the movie is an encouragement to our own awakenings. We, the living(normal), sometimes forget what things we are blessed with, even just the freedom to take a walk anytime we want!

I won't give much more about the movie away but I really think that it is worth the dollar to rent this movie. Robin Williams always amazes me with his ability to be serious in film because I always just expect him to be zany. De Niro pulls off a mental patient phenomenally! Good acting, good message, over all: A good flick.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Photo courtesy of: http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2009_The_Time_Traveler's_Wife_photo3.html

This is a great movie. Unless you are like my friend, Janette and you judge movies based on how much you cry in them. She hated the movie because she cried a lot. I didn't cry at all, so the crying actually will be on an individual basis.

The movie is based on a great concept. This man is a time traveler. I don't believe that time travel actually needs nudity to happen but in this movie it does, so be warned there is some skin here and there.

Basically, it was a love story where a guy falls in love with somebody from a different time. For me, this is sometimes a creepy thing because when they meet he is like in his 40s and she is like six. That is a little weird but I guess later on when she is older and they fall in love and get married it works.

If you notice, I don't tell you much about the movie because I would hate to ruin the story line for you.

Rachel McAdams is great in this movie. She is pretty much great in any movie she does. Eric Bana is cute. That was nice because eye candy in a movie is always nice!

I guess I don't have much to tell you about this movie but this is a great movie. I would say you totally should watch this movie.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Photo found at: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/night_at_the_museum_2_escape_from_the_smithsonian/

If you are looking for a very serious, live changing movie, this one is not for you. If you are looking for a fun and adventurous movie, this is your movie.

Many people want to automatically compare this movie to the first Night at the Museum. I sometimes have a hard time with this because I compartmentalize movies and judge them solely on an individual basis. If I were to compare though, it was almost as good as the first one. I guess sequels are usually not quite as good as the first, so it is normal.

The whole idea around the movie is that the characters of the Museum of Natural History(in New York City), that come to life at night, have been moved to storage in lieu of more hip exhibits. It is Ben Stiller's character's(Larry Daley) job to go and save them because they get into a little trouble with other retired exhibits in the storage at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Larry teams up with Amelia Earhart played by Amy Adams in order to save the characters. Again, Adams does an amazing job and her Earhart is so believable. Have I mentioned that Amy Adams is brilliant? Stiller is also good. He certainly plays an amazing comical role and his timing is great. I thoroughly enjoyed their adventures to save the museum.

I would recommend this movie highly if you need a break and don't want to be too emotionally taxed by a movie. It is a perfectly adventurous comedy.

The Escape of the Movies and Julie and Julia

photo found at: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/julie_and_julia/

You stand in line for what sometimes seems like hours and finally have a ticket to the show. You walk past larger than life posters of famous people who truly are larger than life. The smell of buttery popcorn wafts through the air inviting you to spend even more money in order to enjoy the whole cinematic experience. A young man in a silly black vest and bow tie greets you, rips your ticket in half, and gently guides you to the theatre, which is usually in the furthest corner of the building. Excitement builds as you walk to your seat, which if you are lucky, lies in the second row. You know the row I am talking about: the one with the bar in front of it especially made for you feet. You sit down and patiently wait for the commercials to end and the lights to dim. You almost forget what movie you have come to view because you are so distracted by the future releases of movies. Then the previews come to an end and you are whisked away into another time; another place. A place where good things often happen to deserving people. In the dark it is safe to experience true emotion, whether that be laughing out loud or crying real tears. The movie theatre is a true escape. For two hours you sit and become friends with the characters. You laugh with them. You cry with them. All of your troubles are in a different sphere and even just for a few hours they don't seem that bad.

This is what the movies mean to me. I have an escape every time I sit down and immerse myself in the story. I figure I go to a lot of movies and I feel I am pretty good at knowing which ones are good and which ones are not so good. Of course, each person brings different experience and preference to the cinema and these are just going to be my biased reviews. Take them at face value. I rarely will skip a movie because some critic says it was only worth one or two stars. I like to make my own judgement of movies. I hope you are willing to do the same. I am not the boss of you and your movie viewing. I am but a guide and you are the judge. I hope you enjoy this blog and find it to be a good reference.

Get out and Escape to the Movies!


Review of Julie and Julia staring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams:

The more movies I see that feature these actresses, the more impressed I am by them both. Meryl Streep didn't win me over in Mama Mia! Of course that was one heck of a cheesy film and serious acting wasn't intended. It was a fun part for her but I didn't find any depth in the acting. In Doubt, the seriousness of the subject only added to Meryl Streep's depth. In The Devil Wears Prada, I could only love Streep's character even though she was anal and often mean. In Julie and Julia, again I saw how amazing Streep's skills truly are. She got the voice, and the body actions of Julia child down completely. Amazing work. Some may be put off by the voice of Child but it was completely necessary to pull the part off. Delightful. It was awesome to see Child as a real person not just somebody on TV who loved to throw around ingredients and be silly in the kitchen. She was a strong woman who loved hard and was passionate about making a difference in the world.

Ever since I saw Amy Adams in Enchanted, I was just that, enchanted by this young actress. Not only is she beautiful but she has amazing comical timing and can play many parts. I loved how she was able to poke fun at Disney's idea of Princesses as she was so innocent and charming in that movie. In Doubt, she played a nun, and was believable. She was able to be serious and not just a candy type actress. In Julie and Julia, she plays a New York woman who is trying to find meaning in her life. She hates her job and just feels like she need more excitement in her life in order to be viewed as successful like her friends appear to be. She takes on the challenge of: "364 Days, 524 Recipes." Her goal is to blog about her experiences of cooking the recipes from Julia Child's book: Mastering the Art of French Cooking and doing all the recipes in a year. (The book is well over 700 pages!)

The food in the movie looked so yummy. It made me almost want to try to cook some of the recipes myself, even though I don't really enjoy cooking all that much. It was almost as I could smell the wonderful aroma of the good food. It was fun to see how Child's life developed as she found purpose through cooking and to see how Julie's story reflected the same healing through cooking. I love how passion can help develop people.

I won't give too much about the movie away but here are a few of my favorite quotes:

Julia: "Shouldn't I find something to do?"
Paul Child: "What is it you REALLY like to do?"
Julia Child: "Eat!"

Julie: "I could write a blog; I have thoughts."

There was also an awesome conversation between Julia Child and her sister which went something along the lines of: We were expected to marry Republicans and have lots of babies, but we were too tall! I thought that was hilarious.

I would give this movie a thumbs up and recommend it as a real feel good movie.

view the trailer at: julieandjulia.com