Mean Creek (2004)

Wow. This was an awesome movie. These kids were phenomenal, and this story was riveting. I can't stress enough that it is not a kids movie....but these actors were real, and it was just amazing how into the story I got. It was just such a sad story, and makes you think about bullying in a whole different way. It made me uncomfortable, sad, scared, and just amazed at how wonderful all these actors were, and believable. Rory Culkin is by far the best of the clan, besides being completely adorable, he is an awesome actor. I can't wait to see more from him. The little girl too, she used to be on Port Charles, (sad that I recognized her from that long ago) I thought this was going to be just some slow independent Rivers Edge type movie...but nope, this was really good. (not that I didn't like Rivers Edge of course, but this is on a totally different level)

Music From Another Room (1998)

I feel like I may have seen some of this one before. I felt like I knew the characters a little. So either I caught bits and pieces before, or these characters were so well written that you had to feel like you fit right into this family. Jude Law was just beautiful (as always) and actually it made me wonder whatever happened to Gretchen Mol, she was so adorable, and perky, and seemed to have a lot of potential. This was an awesome cast, and a really good movie. Jude Law plays this guy who thinks he is fated to marry Gretchen Mols character who unfortunately is engaged to another guy. He gets all involved in her family, who are all very interesting characters, her sister is played by Jennifer Tilly who I always enjoy, and Jeremy Piven is in it too, just lots of great character acting...I think I might want to watch this again, possibly even buy it. Its a nice, small, but good movie. (with a cheesy song playing in the ending credits...couldn't figure that out)

The Wedding Date (2005)

Awww, I thought this was sweet. The usual wedding type movie. All the familiar plots, secrets, secrets discovered, chases, fights...etc. But this was a pretty one. It takes place in the English countryside (who can't love movies that take place here...you can almost see Kate Winslet standing in the rain looking out at Willoughbys estate...)its so pretty...and Debra Messing (though not one of my favorites) is nice to look at, and of course..Dermot Mulroney, hot man. It was also nice to see Amy Adams, I am really starting to love her, she is so adorable. This was sort of Pretty Woman meets...My Best Friends Wedding.....meets Four Weddings and a Funeral. I think I would have probably liked it even more if the actress had been someone else, but she didn't annoy me all that much in this, and besides, the character was a good one. Sweet, sappy, cheesy...all the things you want in a wedding movie.

Canadian Bacon (1995)

I wanted to like this movie. I started out having good feelings about it, moments where I just laughed right out loud. I wanted to believe it had lots of potential, mostly because I love Michael Moore, in all his arrogance....but this just didn't do a thing for me. The acting was great...the plot was amusing enough, but it just got too goofy for me, and I got bored pretty quick. I ended up reading during a great deal of it towards the end, so I can't even tell you exactly what happened. Maybe someday if its on again, I will give it another shot, but I doubt it. I have read great things about it from some people, so maybe I was just not in the mood....but I thought it was kind of lame.

Paper Clips (2004)

I know, I am a sap for these kinds of feel good documentaries...this one I had been looking forward to for a long time. I had seen the preview before something else a long time ago, and then it just never seemed to happen, never found it at the movies, never found it on video...then lo and behold one day its on HBO...so I finally watch it, and its everything I wanted it to be! Awesome, its about a group of kids in a small very white Tennessee town that as part of their study of the Holocaust, try to collect 6 million paper clips representing the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis. Its just an incredible journey, they get such an amazing response and really get to experience learning so much about prejudice. Its an incredible journey, and I recommend it to families of all ages. Its such an incredible story (wait, did I say that already) I think everyone can take something away from a movie this honest, and beautiful. Great stuff...

The Safety Of Objects (2001)

This movie was good. The book was better if I remember correctly. I think that A.M. Homes is an amazing author...also finding out that she is a writer on "The L Word" doesn't hurt, since I love that show body and soul! Okay, so this movie reminded me a bit of American Beauty, but I guess in ways I liked it better (plot for sure, I liked better, even though the whole "all is not right in suburbia" theme is the same in both...this one connected people together and you guys know how I love movies like that) cinematically, of course, it had nothing on American Beauty, but I thought the characters and the acting in this movie were far more believable. So it didn't have the pretty "rose" scene, or the nifty shot of the bag flying through the air....this one had in depth characters that you actually cared about. I love movies that seem to be little vignettes all merging together in a somewhat climactic event. This was good..plus who can hate a movie with Dermot Mulroney?? Good stuff, a downer, but still good.

Cool World (1992)

I thought I was going to hate this movie, I had read so many bad things about it...plus its not really my thing...I didn't like Who Framed Roger Rabbit either, it didn't do a thing for me. On top of all of these reasons...Brad Pitt is getting on my nerves these days. However...I must say, I actually liked this movie. I think perhaps if it had been made more recently, it might have had more success. I wouldn't say its on the same level as say Sin City or something, but I thought the animation was pretty cool, the plot was cool..hey...like the title says...its a Cool World. The plot was pretty basic, a cartoonist creator gets seduced by one of his creations, and they come to life and wreak havoc in the real world.
Yep, I thought it was worth watching, and I actually enjoyed Brad Pitts performance...this was way before he was actually hugely popular, maybe that makes a difference, less cockiness? Not sure, in any case, I actually recommend this one to anyone who likes movies a little bit different, and entertaining from an animation standpoint. It made me want to see Richard Linklaters last animated type thing...Waking Life, which I found just amazing....but thats a post for another day. This was good, the ending could have used some work...but it was cute nonetheless!

Manic (2003?)

I am doing really bad with remembering the years these movies were actually made, but I think I may have got this one right. This was a pretty decent movie. not the most uplifting, or happy story. But I thought the acting was really really great. Its about these young kids in a mental hospital. Its filmed a bit on the grainy side and really raw...a lot of bizarre camera movement, almost enough to make me feel seasick. But the story was good. It follows this young boy (played by that cute guy from Third Rock from the Sun, I have no clue what his real name is) as he is brought into the hospital and goes through his experiences there. Zooey Deschanel is one of the patients as well, and as usual, she is so amazing. I really think she has this amazing ability to seem very real in all her movies, and her emotion is always so honest. I thought it was great. Don Cheadle plays the head guy/dr. whatever he is, and he was fantastic as well. This was a pretty good, but kind of depressing look at mental illness...I am glad I didn't delete it without watching it first (my bad habit lately)

Octane (not sure)

Okay, I shouldn't even count this movie, since I missed the last 15 minutes and then came in for the last 1 minute of the movie...but I will say this....it sucked. I have no idea what posessed me to watch it, other than complete boredom...but I didn't get it. I must have missed the point in that missing 15 minutes, but I refuse to ever watch it again to see if I can figure it out. The movie "seems" to be about a mother trying to rescue her daughter (mother played by Madeline Stowe, daughter played by Mischa Barton) from some bizarre cult. I thought it was weird, beyond bizarre, just downright annoying. I had a hard time following who was where, why people were getting killed, were these people vampires? did they think they were? Why the heck do I find Jonathon Rhys-Meyers so gosh darned hot? All these unanwered questions from this movie...that clearly don't deserve to be answered...well okay...someone can answer the Jonathon Rhys-Meyers question if they really want, because I do find him extremely hot, and plan to see him as often as possible in the next few weeks, just because these brief, crazy scenes with him, reminded me of how hot he really is...Okay, so don't watch it, its bad. There you go.

My Date with Drew (2004)

okay, if anyone has seen this movie, you know why I loved it. The guy is a complete nipper. So the premise is this: This guy loves Drew Barrymore, he wins $1100 in a game show (She was actually the winning answer too!!) and decides to make a documentary, following his dream to get a date with Drew Barrymore within 30 days. The best part about it was...his serious creativity. He only had that $1100 to spend, so he buys a video camera from Circuit City (because they have a thirty day return policy)so he can return it when he is done....and he sets out trying to use his personal contacts to get this date with Drew Barrymore. I am not going to tell you anything else about it...because you have to see it for yourself of course. I won't give away the ending or all his struggles along the way...But I will say that I was rooting for this guy all the way. Take a risk, follow your dream...this guy went all out for his dream. I found myself standing and cheering for this guy to succeed. I loved this movie...all the way loved it.

Saved (2004)

I LOVED this movie. I thought it was all kinds of fun. I even liked Macauley Culkin in it, I thought he was pretty darn good. This is probably "not" for all ages....teen pregancy, kind of a slap in the face of the Christians that tend to be sort of, well...bigoted, how about that, not too harsh right?? This takes place in a very Christian Baptist high school...Mandy Moore is spectacular in it, Jena Malone as well (as the pregnant teen) but my favorite, best, most shining moment in the entire movie...is Eva Amurri (daughter of Susan Sarandon, as if you couldn't tell just by looking at her)she is fabulous!! I was so disappointed after looking her up on IMDB. to see that she hasn't done anything since this movie. I thought she was just awesome. Besides being adorable, in that Susan Sarandon kind of way, she is captivating on screen. Her character is an outcast type, (my favorite) and she is full of energy and rebellion. Awesome, awesome performance. I thought this movie was worth watching several times (which I have now done since it was on cable and everytime I catch it, I can't stop watching it) I highly recommend it. Its nice to see a "smart" teen comedy.

Jesus of Nazareth (1970 something)

This is counting for four days...started it on April 16, finished it on the 19th...each installment was 2 hours long, (ugh including commercials) I remember loving this movie when I was a kid. This time, it was a bit....long. I still loved a lot of it, namely Robert Powell was a pretty hot Jesus. Also who could not like Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdalene?? Lots of great actors in this movie. And sure, there have been better movies made, but this one really incorporates the whole life of jesus story, from before his birth to his death. Most movies only focus on the end of his life. I like this one. Its not my "favorite" religious movie...that would be The Fourth Wiseman....but it is still up there as one of my favorites...what I would like to do next time is record it, and edit it to a more manageable length, and cut out some of the stuff that I thought were over the top and just dragging it out for time. Like watching Herod in his palace lying on a couch etc...boring, long and overinvolved. Other than that...I still think this stands the test of time.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Okay, this is kind of a cheat, again..(I know, I am getting really bad at this)because technically, I have already seen this, but being that it was Easter week, and I had some health issues going on, and other various craziness....I didn't get as many movies in as I wanted to this week, so this happened to be on, so I gave it a second try. I hated it the first time. I thought the violence was gratuitous (spelled completely messed up but I have no spell check here!!!) and the subtitles just got on my nerves (not that I have issues with foreign films, but this just annoyed me)...and I still felt that way about it this time as well...however this time I think I opened my mind a little bit more and enjoyed some of the other imagery in the movie. I detest Mel Gibson, but I can see that he really put his heart and soul and beliefs into this movie, and I can appreciate that passion (no pun intended of course). I think he can be proud that he got his point across to the crowd he was preaching to. Bubba liked this movie quite a bit, I still can't say I am a huge fan, but I am more accepting of it than I was before

The Ten Commandments (2006)

I am not sure if I can even count this, but I thought I had better, since I wasted some time on it. This was the new "made for TV" version/remake of the classic (if you can call it that, I didn't like that one much either) starring Charlton Heston. This one was starring, Dougray Scott ( I think thats his name) as Moses...he did an okay job, for some reason, with his hair long like that he kind of reminded me of Antonio Banderes, but that doesn't really matter. The movie was just kind of bad, and the other reason I feel like I can hardly count it....is that I didn't even finish it, worse yet, It took me two days to watch it, so I am counting it as two fricken movies... I finally started fast forwarding to parts I was interesting in bothering with...other than those few scenes, where I thought the effects were kind of decent....the movie was just kind of bad. If you are interested in the subject matter...catch the original, or wait for a better remake!

Another Day (or two) Off ....

Okay, I had to take just one more, I realize that I took a whole week with Jedi, and I realize that I promised to watch a movie every day, so I have decided to attempt to make these days up over the summer when I have more time. I needed to take a few more days off this weekend because, we got a new baby in the house, and things have been way too hectic to sit down and watch a whole movie!!! So I will be back to a movie a day starting Tuesday, April 11....now, on to the new baby. His name is Boo, ( not my idea, but its growing on me) and he is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. He is just adorable, and is slowly creeping his way into my heart. Nobody will ever fill the space Jedi left, she was one of a kind, but this guy is just adorable, so I am going to spend a few days loving on him and will be back soon.

Mr. Smith Goes To Washingon (1939)

awwww, I really loved this sweet movie. When I see movies like this, I wonder why there aren't enough of them anymore. As much as I hate remakes (for the most part...there have been some great ones, King Kong is an excellent example) I would love to see an slightly updated version of this movie. Don't get my wrong, I realize we do not have any such thing as a Jimmy Stewart these days. He was such an amazing spirit on the screen. I don't want to say he was a fantastic actor, because for some reason, he seemed like he was probably like that in real life too. But he just glowed on the screen, even in black and white, you could feel every emotion, and you want to smile when he does. But this movie was such a great story, that it would be nice to see it done with a modern twist. I am glad I finally sat down to watch this all the way through. Its a classic I would have been sad to miss.

A History of Violence (2005)

I was pleasantly (if you can call it that...) surprised at how much I actually liked this movie. I am not a huge fan of anyone in the movie. Bubba saw it at the movies and loved it, so I told him when it was finally out on DVD I would rent it. It had some pretty decent moments. The script was well written, apparantly its based on a graphic novel, and actually got nominated for adapted Screenplay this past year for the Oscars. I thought the characters were interesting enough, Viggo Morensen was particularly good in this role, playing a man living in a small town who gets wrapped up in some violence that occurs, that may or may not (not going to give it all away) have something to do with his past. The thing that bugged me the most about this movie, is really silly....Maria Bellos hair was just nasty. I thought she was supposed to be a lawyer, but it looked like half the time she needed a shower, or had just taken one and not bothered to finish drying her hair. I didn't like her much at all, character included...she just seemed really bland. The son was great, not sure of his name but he did a fantastic job. William Hurt was good, certainly not worthy of an acting nomination in my not so humble opinion, especially taking into effect that his screentime seemed to be approximately 10 minutes, if that. Its not my usual kind of movie, but I really thought it was very good. I would actually recommend it. Great character based movie.

This Girls Life (2003)

I am seriously ashamed at myself for including this movie. This film bordered on porn I suppose. I have no idea why I actually watched it....okay, yes I do...Kip Pardue, I realize most of you have no idea who this guy is, and I am afraid to admit why I not only know who he is, but try to faithfully follow his tiny crappy roles. Let me backtrack a bit...one night, I was bored, and some stupid Sylvester Stallone movie about auto racing came on....I got sucked in to it, and the next thing you know, its on a few days later and I watch it again, and again, and again and again. I am now obsessed with this movie, and I can't even tell you how many times I have seen in, in large part because I love this guy, Kip Pardue, who plays the young up and coming racer in this movie Driven, (I think thats what it was called) so embarassangly enough, I have him on my TIVO wish list and this Porn-like movie popped up, so I watched it. Its about this girl, Moon, who is taking care of her ailing father (James Woods, playing a pretty good role as her father, who has Parkinsons)and doing so by being a porn star, she isn't ashamed of it, and actually enjoys it...somehow in the course of the movie, she starts this side business of a "sex investigator" where she hits on peoples husbands/fiances etc...because their wives pay her to, to see if they will cheat. ( I think there is a nasty TV show based on this concept too) There are relatively known actors in this movie as well, Michael Rappaport plays one of the nasty cheating husbands, Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy...yummy) plays another. Anyway Kip Pardue plays a seemingly small time actor named....you guessed it....Kip. He goes on a blind date with her, falls for her, and is waiting for her to change her mind and want to be monogomous with him. Awwww...what a sweetie. Okay, the movie, kind of bad, lots of familiar faces, not the worst script in the world, but some pretty crappy sex scenes, I expected a bit more out of them! If you are bored an its on cable, its not a complete waste of time, but I wouldn't rent it.

In the Weeds (2000)

awwww, I liked this movie. I only rented it because I really like Molly Ringwald, I think she gets a bad rap, I actually think she was talented, and underappreciated...note, I say "was" because nobody seems to get that and she doesn't do a whole lot in film anymore. I thought this was a pretty decent movie. It reminded me of that show I lost this year (one of the many....Kitchen Confidential) it all takes place in one night at a restaurant. I loved all the various interactions, small subplots etc. and I thought all the actors were fantastic. Great use of Sam Harris, another amazing talent, that mostly does Broadway, and I thought he transfered to film very well....he still reminds me of Thomas Manor, but thats my own issue. The main guy Joshua Leonard ( think is his name) was pretty adorable as well, I had just seen him in a small part in The Shaggy Dog and thought he was pretty cool, good to know he has done a bit more than that small role. And now we come to the part I am torn about...Ellen Pompeo. Everyone knows I am a huge Grey's Anatomy fan. I love the show, I couldn't breathe without it...but I have very mixed feelings about her. I think she is kind of whiny, in every movie or show I have seen her in....yet at the same time, she is starting to grow on me. She does a lot of that sad puppy dog face thing in this movie too. I don't know....ask me again in a year or so, and I will have for sure formed a real opinion on her...for now....the jury is still out. I recommend this movie, its short, sweet, and not a waste of your time.

Office Space

I have been told that this was a great movie, for years now. I just haven't had the motivation to actually rent it...well fate stepped in, and it was on Sundance or IFC can't remember which, so I decided it was finally time. I suppose I didn't really plan to like it, I have never worked in that type of office enviroment so I thought I wouldn't get the jokes etc....I do love the show The Office, but that to me is more about the characters and less about the actual office. In any case, this was much better than I expected. I actually laughed out loud several times. I am not the biggest fan of Ron Livingston, I couldn't stand him for the small amount of time he was on Sex and the City, but I enjoyed him in this, I thought he was perfect for this role. Something about this movie reminded me a bit of The 40 Year Old Virgin, though I am not sure why or how. I definetly recommend this movie, some pretty funny stuff.

King Kong (2005)

I was very sorry after watching this, that I didn't go see it at the theater. I had always wanted to, I was a huge King Kong psycho from way back...I used to play it when I was a kid, I was the girl, my bed was his hand, I would fall off the bed when he put me down etc....I know, I am a wack job. In any case, I actually liked the awful 1970's version. Hated Jessica Lange, in fact, that movie made me hate her and it took me years to actually tolerate her. But I loved Jeff Bridges, and loved him especially in that hippy looking stage. Yummy. So I had high expectations of this version, firstly because I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy and had very high hopes for Peter Jackson as director of this movie, and secondly, because I thought that will all the great advances in movie effects, this should look pretty real. Wow, was I amazed at how real it actually looked. If I didn't know better, I would swear that Skull Island really existed, and time stood still there. You couldn't convince me there wasn't a 25 foot Gorilla running around New York. I loved it. I thought it got a bit long in parts, there was almost an hour before we even get to see Kong, getting to the Island took a really long time...and the native parts were pretty frightening, I am glad that this time I watched it first before deciding if Ian should see it ( I think not...)...but overall, I thought this movie was awesome. Its exactly what movies used to be for me...magic. True magic, where you really believe this stuff could happen. The movie was set back when the original was filmed, which I thought was cool, and as much as I don't like Naomi Watts, I thought she fit the part perfectly. Great stuff...probably have to buy it to see what kind of bonus features it has.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005)

Okay, I am back...did you both miss me?? :) Okay, so after almost a week long break, to mourn the loss of my precious dog, and working on finding a new one, and some various unexpected health problems...I decided to jump back in with a documentary that I have been waiting and waiting to see. The Walmart movie. I hate Wal-Mart, everyone knows that I am sure...I won't shop there, and though I caved recently, I felt nothing but guilt and shame afterwards. After seeing this movie, you couldn't pay me a million dollars to shop at that "Jack Nasty" place. They didn't even cover some of the issues I personally have with Wal-mart, but they brought up some that I never even think about!!! Its a wonderful informative movie that shows exactly how much major damage Wal-Mart does to a community, especially the small rural communities like my parents. It also give great detail about how they scam to get away with things like treating their employees awful, screwing them on health care,the horrible overseas factories and poor underpaid workers, and their lack of environmental concern....just to name a few. I hate Wal-Mart, did I say that already??? Well I really do. I am glad I took the time to watch this, it just reaffirms my feelings about that nasty place, and I don't plan to ever shop there again. I was letting Bubba go there from time to time, but I have made him promise that no matter how tempting it is, that there is no logical reason to go there....not even to save a few dollars...its just not good enough. If enough people stop shopping there, and start speaking out against these monstrosities coming to their neighborhood.....maybe it will make a dent in their billion dollar empire. I can hope right?