Follow-up on yesterday’s follow-up.

I saw 17 Again with my Dad who has Alzheimer’s Disorder.  We both enjoyed the movie.  A good movie with a good message.  Yes, it’s being compared to other movies…It’s a wonderful life, Freaky Friday, etc.  But It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic.  You can’t hear that message enough times.

Why do I care so much about this movie.  Because I love the message.  I think the real message is to Fathers.  Dad’s spend more time with your kids.  Your Kids need you.  Good message don’t cha think?  Timely at the least.  Any who, I hope you see the movie and if you love it as much as me, please leave a comment!

Follow-up on yesterday’s post. 17 Again, a movie review.

Yesterday I wrote a post about a new movie that came out Friday, April 17th.  In watching a number of other movie reviewers I see that they are critizing the movie because it is so much like other movies, like Freaky Friday for example.  

There is one point about this movie that is completely original.  It points out how important it is for Fathers to be present to their families.   Without spoiling the movie for you, the film has a mature point that Parents can learn from.  It’s really not a teenage fluff movie, as I have seen reported in other reviews.  Alls I can say is that the reviewers are not open to hearing the message of the movie, so they say things like 17 Again, and again and again without ever mentioning the poignant message.  Go see this movie is you have a family and remember your children need you.  I know you Moms know this, I’m just not convinced that the Dads are aware of this fact.

“17 again”, a movie review…

 

Saw “17 Again” today and just loved it.  The theatre was filled with middle aged people.   So I guess that speaks to a movie whos time has come.  Especially if you’re a baby boomer.

Rotten Tomatoes Users gave 17 Again a 61%.  Rotten Tomato Critics gave this movie a lousy 43%.  Let’s check out Reelz channel and see if the scoring is dismal there as well.    Reelz Channel Users gave 17 Againa promising 7.  So that’s good.  I’m disappointed with the scoring from Rotten Tomatoes.  Myself I gave this movie four (4) out of five (5) stars.  It definitely was a fun movie to watch.   

This is Zac Efron’s first movie without Disney’s branding.  I thought Zac Efron did a great job in the movie.  Zac wasn’t the only one giving an outstanding performance.  Leslie Mann was also very funny and a effective actor.  My favorite part is when Leslie Mann’s character (Scar) started playing with Zac Efron’s Character’s face (Mark) and she manipulated his face like it was playdoh or clay.  Very funny watching ZacEfron’s face turn beet red. 

Well, I’ve got to run.  So sorry this blog is so short today.

Sunshine Cleaning, a movie review

My Dad with Alzheimer’s Disorder and I set-out to see a new movie tonight; we were thinking perhaps Hanna Montana.  No we’re not fans.  My sister and Brother in law were leaving me alone with dad and suggested we watch a Doris Day movie.  I physically could not do this.   My sister C thinks these movies are good for Dad.  I do not.  We were born and raised on Doris Day movies as a kid and I had a very had time with reality after being indoctrinated with them.  And later learned to purge Doris Day from my system out of sheer necessity.

So Dad and I decided to go see a movie, any movie will do.  And so we started out for the theatre after dinner.  Dad had a bathroom emergency so we were about 20 minutes late for the movie and they wouldn’t let us in the movie.  So we went to see another movie instead. . . Sunshine Cleaning.   Believe it or not, Dad had another bathroom emergency.  So we nearly missed the beginning of this movie as well.   Aargh!  This has got to be at least Dad’s third bathroom emergency today. 

Earlier today, a tornado touched down in our area.  I had just gotten Dad to his Senior Center, and learned that a tornado had touched down.  The Senior Center was all locked-up (I don’t know what they did with the Seniors).  So my Dad and I headed into the church basement to wait out the storm.    The church basement was filled with preschool children in nursery school.  Dad had a bathroom emergency – we got him to a bathroom just in time.  And then they started marching the children into the bathroom, until the danger had passed.  I don’t know what it smelled like in there, but I’m sure it wasn’t good.  Fortunately, we escaped the danger of the Tornado to live another day (Yeah!).  I went about my chores for the rest of the morning. 

Anyway back to Sunshine Cleaningwith Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin and Steve Zahn.    It was a quality performance, referred to as a Dark Comedy on Rotten Tomatoes.  Funny, I though it was art imitating life.  I love both Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.  They were both spectacular in this movie.  Remember Amy Adams from Enchanted?  She has proven herself an outstanding actress.  Emily Blunt you might remember from The Devil wears Prada as she starred opposite Merly Streep and Anne Hathaway.  I love Emily Blunt in this movie, her American accent is nearly perfect in this film.  Who can forget Alan Arkin from Little Miss Sunshine, what a great actor!

Rotten Tomatoes Tomato meter gave this movie a 70%, Reelz Channel Users gave this movie an 8 out of 10 stars.  I concur.  It is a good movie.  I won’t reveal the story line, but it is definitly a movie, women will relate to.  Although it’s not a typical chick flick which usually shows the heroin climbing an insurmountable mountain and conquering it’s peak against all odds.  This movie has a more realistic feel to the heroin.  You’ll be happy to know that our Heroin does conquer and reign against all odds by the end of the movie.  And yes there’s hope for all of us!!  Smiling.

Dad didn’t really couldn’t say if he liked the movie or not.  I think he forgot about the movie as soon as he saw it.  But he was happy to be spending time out and about.  We had a good time together and that’s what it’s all about!

Dreamworks Monsters vs. Aliens, a review.

Went to see the new movie Monsters vs. Aliens last night.  Good family movie.  My Dad with Alzheimer’s Disorder (AD) enjoyed the movie.  I originally started to see all the new G movies designed for children when my son was just a toddler.  Then I realized that some of the best movies fell into this category.  Now my son is 16 years old and I still make a point to see all the latest kids movies.  

Honestly, the word is, it’s worthwhile to see this movie at an IMAX theatre.   Especially, if you’re into seeing the 3D animation. 

This movie was directly produced in a  stereoscopic 3-D format instead of converting the film into 3-D after it is finished, which added $15 million extra to the film’s budget.  Which roughly means that this film will cost you an additional $2.00 per showing because you will be forced to purchase a pair of 3D glasses at the ticket counter.  Even if you already have a pair of 3D glasses that you purchased when you saw Coraline.  Hey, they had to pick-up up the extra dollars somewhere. 

Yahoo! Movies users gave this 3D animation movie a B+, the Rotten Tomato meter gave this animation a 72% out of 100%.  I would have given this movie a C+ or three out of five stars.  It was a cute movie.  But wasn’t necessarily tailored to fit an adult audience.   The were a lot of humorous mentions about X files and Area 51.  And let’s face it, it does cater to a children’s audience. 

Nothing scary about it.  The monsters were cute and lovable, and at most you had an opportunity to understand how they feel.  You’ll feel like you know about how it feels to be Monsters locked away, and never to see your family again.  Catch the children’s theme?…   The primary theme of the movie was to believe in yourself.  A good theme for children of all ages. 

I’m sure all the animation artists out there are simply ga-ga over the films offering.  But if money is tight, I would skip the 3D movie and see the straight show.  Save yourself a couple of dollars.  You’re not going to miss anything. 

My brother is an animation artist and my son is an aspiraing artist.  So I make it a point to see all the new animation films, so I can “try” and participate in their conversations.

You’ve got a friend in me.

You’ve got a friend in me
Just had an opportunity to go see Clint Eastwood’s Grand Torino movie one more time.  And I’ve got to say once again…That is one great movie.  Clint Eastwood really shines in this movie.  And I’m sorry to see that he didn’t get an Oscar nod for this movie, at least I don’t think he did.  But at least Clint Eastwood was recognized in Changling with Angelina Jolie.  I didn’t see the movie, but if Clint was involved in it.  I’m sure it was good. 

When the road looks rough ahead
I am happy with the actual Oscar winners especially Slumdog Millionaire and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  Both movies, I really loved their message.  But you know I REALLY liked the message in Grand Torino as well.  Now there is a powerful message for our time.  I loved the ending, where the main character figured out a way to fix the problem with the gang ruling the neighborhood and it involved laying down his life for his friends.  That is a good message. 

And you’re miles and miles
And you know, we’re in such a state right now in our country.  And these times call for sacrifice.  Sure the country is going to be okay.  But there will be a price for such an important goal.  We’re going to need to change our ways and recognise that somewhere along the way, we let our greed get the better of us. 

From your nice warm bed
It’s too bad we live in a world where we are forced to choose the best.  Can we not just say – all these movies had powerful messages and deserve recognition?  Of course when I choose a movie, I choose it for it’s message.  Can’t all the movies share the recognition?  Not the keen directing or camera shots.  I really only care about the message. 

You just remember what your old pal said
Here are the movies that I saw that deserve recognition for both their messages and their excellence in films:    The order of the movies is not a reflection of their standanding in this group of pictures.  They all deserve recognition for excellent morals standards, in a time when most people seemed to have forgotten where their moral rudder can be found. 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gran Torino
Slumdog Millionaire

Boy, you’ve got a friend in me
Sorry, I didn’t see Doubt or Changeling or any other great movie.  But I do intend to see these movies as well.  As I hear they are also good movies. 

Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me
Cheers to Clint Eastwood for his dedication to directing, creating and writing of good movies.  I’m lifting a glass to you!

Many thanks to Randy Newman and the Toy Story Lyrics.

Clint Eastwood shows us how its done in Gran Torino!

Okay, Wow!!  What a movie.  I’m actually considering seeing this movie a second time.  Which I never do, unless I love the movie.   Don’t worry No Spoiler Alert Here.   This movie will make you react physically before you see the end. 

My Dad (who struggles with Alzheimer’s) and who is also a Korean War Veteran (like Walt Kowalski, in the movie; played by Clint Eastwood).   I’m hoping my Dad will really enjoy the movie, as he has so much in common with the main character (age 78, recent widower, Korean War Vet – yada, yada, yada).  My Dad loves the movie and notes memories of the 1st Calvery Division in the Korean War; of which our character has served.  [Editor Notes:  My Dad, more and more as he loses his mind to Alzheimer’s, relives his experiences in the Korean War.  Recently when my sister K called, he told her, that bullets were flying over his head, the chinese were out to get him…(you get the picture)].

Never having been a fan of Clint Eastwood before (I Know!!!), I certainly am one now.  Being the girl that I am, I simply side-stepped the rough, gruff movies characters of the past.  Now, however I am ready to take them on, because I understand them much better now.  -After being enlightened by Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.

Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a rough, tough elder man who has become irrevelant while he still lives.  He doesn’t communicate well with his family.  He mostly sits on the porch of his home, smoke cigarettes and drinks beers from his coolers.  When you first observe Walt Kowalski, you’d call him a racist.  But later on in the movie, when he begins to colide with others around him in events, beyond his control, you realize the real truth about Walt Kowalski.  A shaman in the story line reads him and tells him his truth.  The character reacts strongly. 

Through-out the movie the character Walt Kowalski crashes into parts of our American landscape that has changed radically over the years.  Refusing to accept the changes, and trying to live his ideals is what endears the character Walt Kowalski to us as an audience. 

Please see this movie, you will enjoy it.  Make sure you take a date, and plan dinner afterwards.  Make it a movie event!! 

Rotten Tomatoes gave this movie a 76%, while the movie mob users gives this movie a 9 out of 10.  I do give this movie 10 out of 10 stars, it is Oscar worthy (as if I have any idea what that means)!!

Parents, it is an “R” rating, no children.  But Mom’s and Dad’s if you have a teenager who is smart and with-it, I believe you should see it together.  At least I plan to see it with my 16 year old son, when I can.

Oh, before I forget, I should tell you that my Dad, absolutely hated the ending.  The ending I admit is genius.  I didn’t see it coming. – But that’s me…  My Dad wanted to see an absolute shoot-out!  And Clint Eastwood rides off into the sun set.  That’s all I can say without ruining the movie for you.  Enjoy!!  See you again later!

The Reader

I saw “The Reader” today at the local Theatre, Rotten tomatoes gave this movie a 6.4 and Reelz Movie Viewers gave this movie a 9 out of 10.  Today I learned that Kate Winslet won a Golden Globe for her supporting role in the movie.   Believe it or not, the movie itself got me thinking about justice more than anything else.  Justice in the sense of Auschwicz and justice in the sense of Abu Graib.  And what exactly justice is to most people.   I thought about how the victims of WWII were not just the Jews.  But the Germans as well.  Just as with Abu Graib.  The Soldiers who were prosecuted for the torture of the prisoners were just following orders.  It baffles the mind when you think about who really deserves the blame for the injustice of the world.   The only answer that I come to is that the blame cannot be placed with certain on anyone.  I’m not one who has studied these things and understands these issues profoundly.  The movie itself was truly engaging and held your attention for it’s entirety.   I would probably give this move a high score.  Like 9 out of 10 stars.  The storyline was very provocative.

Something that was said in the movie really struck me.  And I paraphrase…It matters not what we think or what we say.  It matters only what we do.  I hope I always remember this.  And that I become a doer instead of a thinker.

Slumdog Millionaire

What can I say about this movie?  Do you need a wake-up call?  Are you so deeply engrained in the American Culture that you have no idea how others around the world live?  You need to see this movie. 

Slumdog Millionaire hasn’t received a lot of popular advertising.  It’s people are overseas in India.  And yet this movie has made it thus far to our Theatres.  I promise you, if you see this movie, it will wake you up and open your eyes.  Go see it.  You may not have another opportunity. 

Slumdog Millionaire is a typical rags to riches story told in gritty Indian style.  The slumdog Jamal starts out life after seeing his mother’s senseless brutal murder for being a muslin, in the garabage dumps of Mumbai.  He later is recruted and trained to beg for money from tourists.  His trainers seeks to maim him as a way to earn more money, and he escapes only to return to more peddling and begging as a small five year old child. 

This is a must see movie.  As soon as I read the reviews I knew I must see this movie, and I was not disappointed.  My dad saw the Movie with me and watched the entire movie AND remembered it the next day.  Remembering something 24 hours later is something Dad usually has a difficult time doing. 

Slumdog Millionaire is very entertaining and interesting.  Did you know that India has it’s own version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”  It does, and our little Slumdog gives us a good bit of entertainment during two shows.  My rating is 9 out of 10 stars.  It is indeed that very good.  I hope you see it and enjoy the movie.

My favorite Movies of all times….

When I think about it, I can only think of two movies that fall into the categories of my favorites.  And they are “Fried Green Tomatoes”(1991) and “Steel Magnolias”(1989).  I fell in love with both these movies years ago.  My favorite character in “Fried Green Tomatoes” was Iggy played by Mary Stewart Masterson and the older Iggy was played by Jessica Tandy.  Both played their parts well. 

My favorite character in “Steel Magnolias”  was played by Sally Fields.  Many times in my life I drew parallels with this movie.  Mostly while raising my son.  When Sally Fields character gave that speech about wanting to run for her daughter, because her daughter couldn’t run…  I felt that for my son, so many times and in so many ways.   Only it wasn’t about my son running, ….Oh you know what I mean…

These movies have a few things in common.  They are about female friends in the South.  What I find endearing is the way the women show their love for each other and how they laugh off their problems with each other.   I’m kind of weird like that, I love really sad, heart-felt movies.  Why?  You tell me.  I think it’s because I know we’re all crying together.  And it reminds me that we’re all human.  And the same things touch our hearts. 

And that reminds me of another movie that I truly love for pretty much the same reasons “Places in the Heart”(1984).  I LOVED that movie.  What I loved most about it was how all those people in that movie, pulled together during really difficult times and made life much more bearable for each other.  I really appreciated that aspect of the movie.  Sally Field’s Character opened her home to boarders to earn money to keep her farm going; after her husband was killed in a freak accident of sorts.   One of her boarders was a blind man played by John Malkovich.  Even the blind man helped run the farm by preparing meals for the family.  Every one in the boarding house helped Sally Field’s character harvest the cotton in time for the bailing contest.  And then of course at the end of the movie where they are all sharing in Holy Communion together in the church, even the main  character’s dead husband and the man who accidentally killed him – reciting “Peace of Jesus”.  That’s how I imagine life will be in heaven.  I wonder if it will really be like that?  The lion laying down with the lamb. 

Okay, now you REALLY have got me started, I remembered ANOTHER movie that I love and also shares the same communal points as the three previous movies that I’ve mentioned.  “Where the Heart is” (2000).  And here is where I must draw the line on my favorite movies of all times.    In truth, that’s all I remember as favorite movies go. 

My favorite character in this movie is ‘Sister’ played by Stockard Channing.  I just loved her honesty and kindness.  I imagine that is how the best of us might welcome a lost little lamb in their community like Novalee Nation.  Talk about bad raps, Novalee Nation hit the jackpot when she dated and married Willy Pickens who drops her off at Walmart and leaves her there when she is eight months pregnant.  Novalee finds her way through the world and ends up on top while her boyfriend Willy ends up at the bottom of the garbage heap.  Too sad.  If you haven’t seen the movie, I highly recommend it. 

So, so far we have four movies all about Southern women struggling with life; finding ways to laugh at their follies and in the end being successful at their endeavors.