All About Steve

When it comes to this movie, the poster says it all....And thanks to Bradley Cooper, I was excited for this movie. And of course, he didn't disappoint. :)

But overall, it was completely average. I like Sandy--but I didn't think it was a shining moment for her. She's past roles like this. Thomas Hayden Church was great....

It had some funny moments but overall it was about a 5. I would recommend going to see Star Trek again at the dollar theater instead of this one. :) Or go to it for a few good laughs, but nothing else very memorable.

The Time Traveler's Wife

This is my favorite movie of the summer!!! I was most looking forward to it than any other--actually for over 2 years!! And so I was worried that I wouldn't love it--especially when I started hearing the reviews were bad.

But this movie was MAGIC!!! How often do we get to see a movie that we have the highest of expectations for--and then it overdelivers???? This was that movie for me!!

I LOVE Eric Bana.....it's not fair that men get hotter as they get older!

And I LOVE Rachel McAdams....she is probably my most favorite actress right now....

When I read the book, it felt it was extremely moving! But I can't say it was my favorite book ever because it was WAY too devastating!!! Seriously I just wanted it to be different!!

And that leads me to the reason that I loved the movie so much: It FIXED all the problems of the book!!!!!! It didn't necessarily change the ending, it just made it less devastating and more happy--it ended on a happy and positive note!

My favorite scenes were the ones where Henry would travel in and out of Clare's life, and other people wouldn't necessarily know. The book did this too but I'd forgotten some of the most clever and interesting parts. So good and so perfect!!
I MUST go see it again immediately!!!! I have no idea if people who haven't read the book would love it this much. But I loved it so much--I am giving it a 10!!!

Public Enemies

I think one of the main reasons I didn't really care for this movie is Johnny Depp. For me, he is like Christian Bale--neither of them would ever make my top 10. And I realize I am one of few females who feels this way.

And oh my gosh I just remembered, while searching for photos, that Christian Bale was also in this movie! hahahahaha That's how memorable he was!

Alas, I really didn't care for 101 ways to shoot 'em up! I loved the scenes w/Marion Cotillard & Johnny (although she is definitely still on my 'wait and see' list). I wanted much much more of the fabulous and romantic life of a bank robber!!! And I wanted much much much much MUCH less of all the shooting scenes.

If they would've followed my idea even just a little, this would've been one of the better "date" movies of the year b/c it would've satisfied both men and women. Too bad, so sad. I'd give this movie a 6.

Up

I often say I don't really like kids movies--which is silly b/c I pretty much love them all when I actually watch one. Up was sooooo cute! And I actually teared up several times--just a sweet story!

The coolest thing about this show is how the kids loved it (I went w/Zane & Zoey), but how there seemed to be at least as much matierial for adults! I thought it was super clever & enjoyable!

Away We Go

Yay I finally have the chance to catch up on all these movies that I've been wanting to blog about!

Awhile ago (probably close to 2 months?), I saw Away We Go w/Hill & my Mama. I didn't really want to see this but, well I see all kinds of movies so I thought why not?

I didn't really like it at all. I thought it was too overdone--like trying too hard to make the next Juno. But you can't purposely create magic like that--it just seems to happen by chance.

It just wasn't really good or funny. Well there were a few funny moments--like Allison Janney. She's always hilarious!And I also loved the part where they give Maggie Gyllenhaal a stroller and push her kid around in it! So awesome!

But really this movie was a disappointment--don't waste your time!

Whip It

This quite possibly might be my new favorite movie of all time.....I can't wait!

The Ugly Truth & Funny People

I'm not going to really bother giving my opinion on these movies b/c they were not made for me or people like me. I was reminded once again that when you see previews for a movie for months and months beforehand, it's probably an advertising ploy to make at least something back on a crappy movie (the ugly truth). If Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler cannot even save a movie, well there's a serious problem. This picture was the only really funny part of the movie. :)

But I digress from my original intent. Apparently people like stupid movies w/crass humor. And while there were some good laughs, overall I left both these movies thinking "that sucked." Indeed there was a bit of similar humor in the Hangover but in these movies it seemed out of place and totally gratuitious.

Except Eric Bana. As usual, he was perfect.

And this brings me back to my #1 movie gripe these days: why don't they properly show you in the trailer what the movie is all about? If they would do that, all these problems would be solved!!!

p.s. this may show my age, but I don't think Seth Rogen is funny AT ALL!

Julie & Julia and 500 Days of Summer

Just when I think there is no hope for the movie industry....I see these two completely fantastic movies a week apart. Is it really that hard to make a movie like this? Different + meaningful = fantastic!!! I know, I know, it's my own fault for filling my movie repitoire with all the crap that I've been seeing lately, many of which are still sitting in my drafts b/c I don't feel motivated to review them.....

But these two movies are a beacon of light!

500 Days of Summer was just sooo good. I actually started wearing bows around my ponytails (one more example of how my job comes in handy....I want to wear ribbons--good thing I have 100 spools to choose from!). But the "You Make My Dreams Come True" production number is what really stole my heart. Oh how clever and fantastic that was. I must ask myself---why don't more movies catch on???

This movie was a very solid 9!!! Can't wait to see it again!

Then last night I saw Julie & Julia. I was really very neutral about this movie, from the beginning. It looked cute but that's about it. And I don't know if it's just Meryl Streep...but I suspect it is actually a lot more than her that made this movie memorable. There were a lot of really touching moments--I actually teared up a time or two (and not just because the girl next to me wouldn't share her XL Diet Coke)!

Loved her sister. Loved Julia & Paul. I definitely liked their storyline better than Julie & Eric but theirs grew on me too. It was such a sweet and thoughtful show---I'd also give it a 9.

Watchmen (Alyssa)

Long time, no review! I figured it was past time to do another guest movie review. So here it is—I decided to tackle Watchmen. Yep, another graphic novel movie, but I couldn’t resist. My sister Michelle introduced me to the comic, and I have to say it’s worthy of the acclaim and awards it has received. The story is detailed and layered, the characters rich and multidimensional. The movie does a pretty good job of telling the story. It’s better than I expected.

The story starts like this: it’s 1985 in a New York in which Nixon is still president and America prevailed in Vietnam. The threat of nuclear war is an ever-present reality. Starting in the 1930s, a group of people took up masks to fight criminals. Other masked heroes followed their example, and they continued until the Keene Act outlawed masked vigilantes. The movie starts just before the death of a vigilante called The Comedian. The rest of the movie focuses on one man’s investigation into that death and what it uncovers.

Watchmen is no typical superhero movie. Only one character has superhuman powers—the rest are men and women who fight crime for a variety of reasons. The “heroes” are fully realized people with strengths and weaknesses. Some don’t seem heroic at all. It’s fascinating, gritty, and unforgettable.

I’ve seen both the theatrical version and the director’s cut. The director’s cut is the stronger of the two. It includes more violence, but it also makes the scene transitions smoother and offers more character moments. Whichever version you view, this movie is not for the faint of heart. The movie includes nudity and sex, though neither seemed overly gratuitous. (Actually, I take that back—one shot was added to the director’s cut, and it seemed completely unnecessary.) The violence is stark and vivid, so much so that there were moments when I had to look away. If you thought The Dark Knight was dark—well, it’s like comparing late afternoon to midnight. Watchmen plunges viewers into a world of midnight black. It is a very dark world.

Despite its darkness, light shines through. The budding romance between two characters offers sweet moments. Dr. Manhattan’s sequence on Mars is another high point.

Most of the characters are well cast. I especially appreciated Patrick Wilson as Dan Dreiberg and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach. Billy Crudup (Dr. Manhattan) and Malin Akerman (Laurie) also turn in fine performances. Matthew Goode offers the least satisfying performance, but in general the cast works together beautifully.

The movie was not a box-office triumph. I suspect some fans wanted an undeviating adaptation, something that’s not possible based on the medium. A few scenes are even stronger in the movie; one notably during the prison sequence when Rorschach enters the men’s room and the door closes and swings open behind him, offering glimpses of the confrontation to come.

On the other hand, traditional moviegoers want straightforward heroes and villains, which you won’t find here, and a feel-good ending. By the time Watchmen ends, the movie doesn’t provide all the answers—it raises questions like this . . .

What makes people become vigilantes?
Does the end justify the means?

Who watches the watchmen?

. . . and leaves viewers to reach their own conclusions.

So, who watches the watchmen? I did, and I’ll watch it again: 8 out of 10.

The Half-Blood Prince

Oh how I love love love all things Harry!!!! I am still a little bit sad that I've already seen this movie. Why? Well firsts are just so important. For example, I remember the first time I saw the Backstreet Boys in concert like it was yesterday--but do I remember the 10th? 15th? 20th? I think you get my point.

I often think: "I will only get to do this once, for the first time." The 2nd time is never as good.

Thankfully, the first time seeing HP6 was anything but a disappointment!!!!! How do you make a near perfect series even better? Invite Harold Zidler to play an important role! (If you are lost, see Moulin Rouge's IMDB cast list). Seriously Jim Broadbent could not have been more perfect! And I am so thankful that Harry is so big in the UK so that they have their pick of all the best actors.

Case in point.....
For me, magic always happens when these 3 are on screen together....

Plus Ron gets hotter with age (I always love the ginger's)!
And I'm even more thankful for Ron since all the eye candy that was previously included in these movies disappeared (Jason Isaacs & Ralph Fiennes). Ok So I know I just grossed some of you out by saying that Voldemort is hot. But really I can see right through those nose slits and peer into the eyes of Count Almasy!!!

This was one of my favorite scenes.....this kind of stuff is what really makes these movies sing....so unexpected, clever and funny!

And then this.....the saddest moment in the movie....not only because someone special dies (you're welcome from not "spoiling") but also because these two realize what lies ahead.....

Oh how I love you Harry! Thank you for being the best ever and please hurry up and finish movie 7, part A!

My Sister's Keeper

This movie was one of the biggest cry-fests that I've ever seen. I remember crying this hard in the English Patient--which is one reason I loved it--it simply made me FEEL! But that was only the end--this movie keeps the same feeling pretty much throughout.

Probably my favorite thing about this movie is that you got to see how it would feel to be each of the family members. I just can't even imagine going through that together.

Oh and how I love love loved Taylor! That part of the story was so perfect and sweet! The ending was lovely--I totally recommend seeing this movie and I am excited to see it again!

The Hangover

I'm not saying that I saw the Hangover....I certainly am not saying that I saw it two nights in a row. But I will say that I've "heard" that is so completely hilarious!!!! I've also heard that it is so completely random--how did they know that those weird things would be funny???

If I were going to see this movie, the #1 reason would of course be Will Tippin (some of you know him as Bradley Cooper). If you haven't seen ALIAS, shame on you!!! Watch it and you will know what I am talking about. I have wanted him to be a big star for almost a decade now.....and it makes me soooo happy to look at his IMDB account and see it full of movies (click "All About Steve" on the sidebar).

Seriously these guys were so hilarious that I even thought for a few minutes that I might thank them by buying this.....

State of Play

I was just struggling to remember where I was when I saw this movie when I remembered Shiloh saying at the end of it: "That's right--the liberal press saves the day from the totally corrupt government." hahaha I laughed outloud! It's just a movie, Shiloh! :) A movie that I liked pretty much everything about. I liked Russel Crowe and his relationship w/Rachel McAdams--just truly coworker stuff. In fact, I loved all the ladies....

Even the Princess Bride was great. Loved all the actors now that I think of it. It was a great story. In fact, the only thing I didn't like was how they tried to make Ben & Russell and the Princess Bride the same age.
Seriously????? College roommates? And then I have to remind myself what I said to Shiloh--it's just a movie. It was good anyway. I would say this movie was a solid 8.

My Life in Ruins

I had pretty low expectations for this movie and I ended up totally liking it! Nia Vardalos was totally buggin' in the beginning but I thought her metamorphosis was really fun and believable. Plus there were lots of awesome scenery like this.....

Richard Dreyfus was awesome and so were lots of the funny people on the tour. I thought it was entertaining and fun....and a really different romance!
It wasn't too obvious or cheesy--and these two seemed to be very well matched. I would probably rate this movie a 7 or 8--it was really enjoyable and I would recommend seeing it--it was a nice surprise.

The Proposal

I loved soooooo many things about this movie! Probably in this order:
1) Alaska
2) Ryan Reynolds
3) Sandra Bullock
4) Betty White!

5) and lots lots more.....

I loved it when the tables turned and Andrew took charge--so unexpectedly funny.

And I loved every scene in Alaska--Alaskan Kennedys--that was hilarious!!! Plus I love Sandy's outfit in this scene...
The ending totally surprised me--twice! Oh and I loved Andrews family too--from the previews I thought they were going to bug but they were very endearing and funny.

This is one of the better romantic comedies I've seen in awhile--I totally want to see it again so I would give it an 8, maybe an 8.5. If nothing else, Ryan is HOT (waaaaaay too hot for ScarHo).

Plus look at that necklace!