25. 12/23/11
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
(DVD)
Finally! We may have been the last HP fans on the planet to watch 7.2, but now that we've seen it, let me say it's a very, very good thing I did NOT see it in the theater. I was a nervous wreck, and I thought I was coming down with something the way my stomach was knotting. Even though I haven't seen all the movies, I've read the books enough times to have a deep love for these characters, and I couldn't help but get all emotional by the end. Oh, Harry. You are simply such a perfect character.
24. 12/3/11
The Muppets
(theater)
I'm so happy that this was the second movie that our entire family saw together in the theater. Sure, Pudge got fidgety during it, but for the most part, Red was engaged, and JAM has been saying all evening that the movie was AWESOME. Hubby and I? We were giggling the entire time. So, so cheesetastic, so "meta," so fabulously self-deprecating. So much fun. I loved this one, and I can't wait to get it on DVD to watch again in a few months. Hopefully, this will get added to the mix of movies watched and rewatched at home. Oh, and major proud moment to hear Red singing along to The Rainbow Connection. PROUD.
23. 11/28/11
Super 8
(DVD)
I'm a nervous wreck during suspenseful movies, so thankfully, this one only had a few parts that made me shift around uncomfortably on the couch. Overall, I loved the interactions with the kids and I absolutely agree with the reviews that had compared the kids' relationships and performances with Stand by Me. Hubby said it called to mind Goonies, which is a great comparison, too. I loved the campiness, and I had even more fun reading the trivia and such about the movie afterwards online!
22. 11/26/11
Up
(DVD)
I've finally seen this now, so I can now understand the "SQUIRREL!" jokes. Wow, was this ever an emotional and sentimental flick for young kids, huh? I wish Pixar would just admit that it's making movies for adults, instead of marketing this stuff to kids with high-intensity and high-emotions. Red and Pudge had seen this before with my husband, but they still had to leave the room on multiple occasions because it was just too much for them. I enjoyed it myself, but again, I felt it was too deep to be primarily for kids.
21. 11/19/11/
Tower Heist
(theater)
Okay, this movie was pretty hilarious. Except when it was making my stomach lurch from heights and anxiety. I'm not one that's good with scenes that leave you wondering what is going to happen next, and there's a lot of that going on here. Thankfully, the humor factor is so high, and the cast really works together bringing all their comedic talent together, that the suspense was mostly tolerable. Both hubby and I laughed a whole lot! Oh, and Ben Stiller? That dude is never going to lose it!!
20. 11/6/11
X-Men: First Class
(DVD)
Yeah, not my type of movie, but hubby was watching it and I was in the room doing other stuff online. Then, I realized that I was watching the movie. And getting into it. And enjoying it. Sigh. I guess it was good fun, even for someone who had no previous X-perience. (ha.) I'll admit it, I may even watch other X-Men movies... if hubby puts another one in the DVD player.
19. 9/16/11
Easy A
(DVD)
Oh, how I love watching Emma Stone. I love her facial expressions and her understated comic timing. She's adorable, and she's got the acting chops necessary to remain a successful actress. This movie had me guffawing loudly at certain parts and definitely made for a funny movie night for me and hubby.
18. 8/21/11
101 Dalmatians
(DVD)
I had never seen the live-action version of this movie, but the kids asked for a movie this rainy afternoon, and we decided to give this one a go. It was cute enough, and who can't be happy when a bunch of dogs win over a bunch of bad guys. The younger kids took turns leaving the room or shoving their faces into my side at times, as they are wont to do during more intense scenes, but they were all quite happy with the ending!
17. 8/20/11
Resident Evil
(DVD)
Ugh. I don't care for zombie movies. I was minding my own business, working on my computer on the couch, when this movie was put in. I didn't watch the whole thing, and often blocked my view of the TV with my netbook screen, but unfortunately, I saw enough that I'll remember this terrible zombie movie.
16. 8/12/11
Crazy, Stupid, Love
(theater)
Love, love, love. Love the actors and their performances, love the story of a relationship going off track somewhere and the ways in which people may react. Steve Carrell and Julianne Moore could be anyone I know, their performances were so believable. It was funny, touching and packed a wallop of a surprise, at least for me. This is the kind of movie that makes me appreciate my own relationships and life, as well as inspires me to be better with them.
15. 7/17-18/11
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
(DVD)
Just like last year when I saw this in the theater, #18 movie of 2010, there was much jumping again. Except this time, I knew when I was about to jump. We watched it again to get ready for 7.2, which we may be seeing in the theater this weekend. I know I should prepare myself for even more jumping.
14. 7/13/11
The Princess Bride
(DVD)
What can anyone say about this classic that hasn't already been said? I enjoyed this movie today during the younger kids' naptime, and shared it with almost-11 year old JAM. He was reluctant to watch it when I told him the title, which made the opening scenes even funnier to both of us. His declaration by the end of the flick? "It's my new favorite movie." I, for one, loved revisiting so many familiar movie lines, and though I was struck by how little chutzpah the princess possesses, I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and brilliant cast. Fun stuff.
13. 7/9/11
Horrible Bosses
(theater)
Get ready to laugh- the big, boisterous laughs where your hand is partially over your mouth in an attempt to keep it down, and also a little because you can't believe what's happening on the screen. Oh yes, this one is funny. The bosses are indeed horrible- each in their own single-minded awful way. Unbelievably horrible- this stuff just doesn't happen in real life, so be prepared to suspend your disbelief a bit and do NOT ask yourself why they don't go through more traditional HR routes to solve their workplace woes. Just go with the flow, and you'll be rewarded with some slapstick, some ridiculous characterizations, and a whole lot of Jason Bateman doing what he does best- being a dry Jason Bateman. Fun times.
12. 7/6/11
Diary of Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
(DVD)
If I was an almost-eleven year old boy like JAM, I would have been rolling on the floor laughing like him. Okay, I giggled here and there, but mostly, I stayed thankful that I no longer am a kid. I hope that JAM does not use this as an example on how to be a big brother!
11. 7/3/11
Inception
(DVD)
Sure, we're only a year late to hop on this bandwagon, but boy oh boy, what a flick. I'm not a typical sci-fi/thriller kind of movie watcher, and although it sounds really pathetic, I have to admit to not wanting to have to think too much when I watch a film. I want to be entertained. So, this one was not really entertaining for me, but that's not to say that it was a bad experience. It was insanely creative, with big visual appeal (even beyond the beautiful Leo, whose acting chops are undeniable, in my humble opinion). We did pause it a couple times, at my urging, so I could make sure I was caught up or so that we could rewatch a scene here and there. I'm not sure I could tell you exactly how it all worked, but it was cool nonetheless.
10. 5/14/11 & 10/29/11
Bridesmaids
(theater)(then on DVD with hubby and friends)
Yup, three girlfriends and I went to see it, and in my opinion, Operation Raunchy Chick Flick was a smashing success. Other than the crying baby that was in the theater MUCH too long and the three/four year old sitting on his parents lap that both distracted me a bit, this was the perfect comedic movie theater experience. From the earliest scenes, I was leaning forward out of my seat, hands cupped over my mouth laughing so hard. My favorite part of the entire movie provided a hilarious scene of two women talking about sex that rivals any guy-centric contemporary comedy for the laughs it inspired. (Yeah, I had to come home and act out the conversation for hubby... oh my goodness, was that too freaking funny.) It takes a lot to offend me, so even the raunchiest stuff here came across as mild and not in-your-face grossness. (A little on-screen vomit doesn't faze me, apparently.) I liked the presentation of adult friendships, warts and all. Can't wait for this to come out on DVD so I can watch it again!
9. 4/8/11
Arthur
(theater)
When I read the Washington Post review of the new movie in the morning, I got momentarily worried, fearing that I'd be convincing friends to go see a movie that was going to be awful, but then I reminded myself of my personal tastes. I wasn't disappointed. Unlike the scathing WaPo review, I was convinced that Russell Brand's personal charm conveyed on the screen, and I thought the comedic chemistry between RB and Helen Mirren was palpable. Arthur's innocence was stronger than his cad-ness, and I appreciated the eventual solemnity that was paid toward the issue of alcoholism. But really, I was there to laugh, and that I did. Plenty.
8. 4/5/11
Fletch
(encore)
Okay, first of all, why do I remember seeing this as a kid? Thankfully, our standards have changed at least a little, because its PG rating would never fly today. (That's a topic for another post.) For me as an adult, though, this was hilarious and exactly the type of movie that I love to watch- a story to follow and try to figure out, with humor at every turn. And Chevy Chase. 1985 Chevy Chase at that- so handsome, great hair, chin dimple- my childhood crush on him came back in full force. I'm going to have to get my hands on the sequel Fletch Lives. In fact, I'm thinking a 2011 Chevy Chase Film Fest might be in order!
7. 3/18/11 and 4/1/11
Hop
(pre-release theater screening & theater)
Oh, what fun! While I didn't see this with my own children, there was a fair share of kids in the theater audience. I have to say that the laughter was coming pretty equally from the kids and the grown-ups watching. For the most part, this movie achieves what few "family flicks" do- maintain an appropriate sense of humor that is actually appealing to adults. (It's the same director as the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies, but thankfully, this script is NOT groan-inducing and over-the-top cheesy like those.) I do have to mention that I wish they didn't include two short scenes that introduce the concept of the "Playboy Bunny," including E.B. (Russell Brand voicing the young soon-to-be Easter Bunny) calling himself a "sexy bunny." I just don't think it was necessary, and thankfully was not consistent with the rest of the more child-appropriate humor. Lots of fun, and an enjoyable spring movie for families!
6. 3/15/11
Megamind
(DVD)
I watched most of this with hubby and JAM while I was multitasking online, and it was certainly cute and funny, because it was Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell and Tina Fey being Tina Fey, and that's perfectly funny, albeit a bit predictable by now. Lots of laughs and a unique storyline makes this one a good pick for a family rental!
5. 3/12/11
Get Him to the Greek
(Showtime)
Okay, here's the perfect example of a movie with gag humor (literally, since one character must have vomited two dozen times throughout the movie!), that also manages to be thoughtful about more serious topics, with some actual character development and a ton of laughs. Yup, I loved this one, and I laughed a lot! I didn't know it going in, but I wasn't surprised to see Judd Apatow's name in the end credits, which explains it all.
4. 3/5/11
Hall Pass
(theater)
I could go into all the reasons-- and trust me, there are quite a few-- why this movie offended and disgusted me, but let me just say this. Hey Farrelly brothers, you could have made a funny movie that addressed what it's like to feel a little stagnant in a marriage without stooping to the basest stereotypes of men and women in relationships, and yeah, you could even have done it with a touch of your signature gag humor. But you didn't, and this piece of crap is the result.
3. 2/26/11
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
(DVD)
Oh, this is one of my favorite movies of all time, and even though it's been FIFTEEN years since we saw it in the theater, it still is as modern and fresh as ever. There's so much brilliance in this movie with all the stuff in the background, in the sounds and visuals and the music. This has always been my favorite Shakespeare piece, and this is an amazing version of it!
2. 2/25/11
Shutter Island
(DVD)
I need to record for posterity that hubby did NOT like this one, but that was because of the suspense factor and the dead kids portrayals. I thought it was spectacular-- it messed with my head, that's for sure. I'm easily confused, though, so I read the description on Wikipedia during the movie, which probably wasn't a good idea. Suffice it to say that one should watch this movie without any previous knowledge, and just follow along for the surprises!
1. 1/15/11
Dinner for Schmucks
(DirecTV cinema)
Oh, Steve Carrell, how I adore you. This crazy cast of characters allowed for many laugh-out-loud gags and scenes, but it was always Mr. Carrell who stood out in the crowd. Like many comedies lately, this one pushed itself toward the edge of my comfort zone- not so much about 'appropriateness,' but more about the over-the-top factor that makes you groan or need to walk away for a moment. Each time that I thought this movie was heading in that direction, Steve Carrell's character would have a line that broke the tension for me, reminding me of his true comic genius. Funny, funny stuff!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Whatcha thinking?