The Last King of Scotland

Who: Jaclyn
What: The Last King of Scotland
Where: Home
Why: Netflix

I had never heard of this movie before but my friends swear by any and all things James McAvoy so into the Netflix queue it went.

It starts off in 1970 and is based on true events in Uganda. James McAvoy plays a doctor (Dr. Nicholas) who decides to get out of Scotland and travel to a place he pin points on a globe, which turns out to be Uganda. He ends up helping villagers and falling in love with another doctor's wife, which quickly fizzles when she turns him down.

The President of Uganda comes to speak to the people and then later requires the help of Dr. Nicholas when he has an accident and hurts his hand. Impressed by the way the doctor handled the situation, the President offers him to be his personal physician. At first, Dr. Nicholas says no but eventually takes the position...and in turn is his closest advisor as well.

The longer the doctor is with the president, he starts to see his dark side. Turns out, the president is an evil dictator who has thousands of people murdered. Including one of his wives that the doctor ended up sleeping with. (That was a gruesome scene).

Overall, it was an interesting movie but just a bit too long and bloody.

In Bruges

Who: Jaclyn
What: In Bruges
Where: At Home
Why: Netflix

I saw one preview for this movie back in the day and then I never saw it come to the theater. If it did, it must have been there for five minutes. It looked good or at least appealing from the trailer so I Netflixed it.

Ken and Ray are two hitmen who are hiding out in Bruges, which is in Belgium. Ken loves the sights and is trying to get Ray to enjoy the historical parts of the town, but Ray can only whine and complain about Bruges and how stupid it is. For instance:

Ken: Coming up?
Ray: What's up there?
Ken: The view.
Ray: The view of what? The view of down here? I can see that down here.
Ken: Ray, you are about the worst tourist in the whole world.
Ray: Ken, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn't, so it doesn't.

This goes on forever...Ray knocking Bruges and everything in it. He insults just about everyone and is completely infatuated with a dwarf he sees on a movie set.

It's not clear (to begin with) as to why they're held up in Bruges, just that "Harry" who is apparently their hit boss, told them to be. It's revealed later that it's because Ray has to be punished for something he did and Harry believed he was doing something good for Ray before he's killed.

I guess I liked this movie. I had a hard time understanding it...I'm usually really good at understanding accents but I had captions on for the whole movie and it takes away from the film when you have to read everything. This movie has its funny parts but there's also a plethora of swearing...I've never heard so many F-bombs per sentence.

Kung Fu Panda

Who: Jaclyn
What: Kung Fu Panda
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: Ellen had free movie passes

This movie looked good yet cheesy when the previews first rolled out, but I embraced my inner child (as did Ellen) and we said "we should see that sometime". Well, we figured we were being smart when we waited for much of the hype (and children) to die down but we were not that fortunate. There was a pretty full house...and most were LOUD CHILDREN!

Anyway, this is a very cute movie about a panda named Po who dreams of being a Kung Fu fighter. His father wants him to carry on the family business of noodles. When the time comes where the "Dragon Warrior" must be named to fight a past enemy of the Kung Fu master Shifu, Po wants to see who it will be.

When Po finally reaches the palace, it turns out he is destined to be the Dragon Warrior and Shifu thinks he's a joke. However, after much deliberation, he finally believes he can train him to be a warrior and does.

I laughed many times during this movie. Sure, some parts are only humorous to 5 year olds, but it does have stuff for the older kids too.

Airplane!

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Airplane!
Where: @ home - Jonathan owns it
Why: Jonathan wants to sell it on ebay!

I'm guessing you will either find Airplane! hilarious or you will think it's the lamest thing on the face of the earth. Some of the jokes I don't even get ("he never had a second cup of coffee at home"), but it's still so darn funny.

I love how Leslie Neilson (the king of parody movies) is pretty much the only guy who's playing it straight. His voice tone is the same the entire movie, but he's saying hilarious stuff with a straight face - which makes it twice as funny.

From the main characters "drinking problem" (he forgot how to use a cup) to Kareen Abdul Jabar as the co-pilot ("have you ever been in a Turkish prison" -Captain) to the classic '70s dance movies ... I think everybody should see this movie at least once. You'll love it! (or you'll hate it). Just don't watch it before you go on an airplane trip. Your co-pilot might be a blow up doll

"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only"

P.S. I Love You

Who:LaRelle
What: P.S. I Love You
Where: my living room
Why: because it was next on my cue from netflix

Ok....I put off watching this movie for quite awhile. I had heard several people say that it was quite depressing. And I figured I would wait till I was in the mood for a depressing movie.
Then, recently, I'd heard a few people say that it wasn't depressing at all and that it was a great movie.
Well....they were, in fact, wrong. It was a great movie.....but definitely depressing.
But actually, in talking with Hillary, I think it really comes down to your personal experience. It's about a woman dealing with the loss of her husband. If you have lost somebody close to you I think it will tend to hit you harder and be more depressing. I'm guessing that the people that told me it wasn't sad have not had the unfortunate experience of losing somebody close to them.
But that being said....I highly recommend this movie! I laughed out loud a few times. And yes, I did cry through several parts of it. Just be prepared to be sad while watching it. But it does have a bit of a happy ending.
And girls....it has Gerard Butler and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in it. Really that's all that needs to be said. =)

Slither

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Slither
Where: at home - free HBO weekend!
Why: It has "Pam" from The Office in it!

I remember seeing previews for this movie a couple months ago. Then it disappears from theathers in about 24 hours. I should've trusted the theater goers. This just wasn't a very good movie. It's kind-of one of those movies that just ENDS. I was sitting on the couch thinking, "ok, I guess I'm done watching ..."

The movie is about a giant slug who falls from outter space, and tries to take over the world, starting with one tiny town. Of course, the slug is defeated, but not until crawling into people's mouths and shooting stuff into their stomaches. Plus, "Pam" is only in like 2 movie scenes!!!

Even though I saw this movie for free, I still felt kind-of ripped off. It wasnt' worth my time. I was really hoping for a scary horror movie. Instead I got put to sleep.

Step Brothers

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Step Brothers
Where: AMC at Pleasure Island
Why: Inlaws were going to see Get Smart, and we had already seen that twice in theaters.

I have been seeing previews for this movie forever, and I figured you can't go wrong with Will Ferrell and John C. Reily (sp?) - the 2 guys from ... shoot, I can't think of the movie ... that race car movie.

This movie was really funny. I was actually crying from laughing so hard. Although, let me warn you, it was rated R for a reason. I think the director just said, "ok, improvise some hilarious dialog and make sure to swear at much as possible." It was pretty much non stop swearing.

In short, Will Ferrell and John C. Reiley are 40 year old losers who still live at home. Their parents get married, and move in together. At first the man-boys hate each other, then realize they are exactly alike. Hilarity ensues.

Stay for a short scene after 1/4th of the credits are over.

Futurama The Beast with a Billion Backs

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Futurma The Beast with a Billion Backs
Where:  @ home - Jonathan bought it on DVD
Why:  The animated series Futurama is genius!

I could've waited to see this movie (for free) on TV - but it was still pretty funny.  If you saw the 1st Futurama movie, it ended with a tear in the space time continum (sp?).  This movie carries on where that one leaves off (although, no need to see it to follow along), and a space creature comes thru the tear in space.

It's a creepy octopus guy who latches on to everybody's necks.  The best part about this movie is all the random characters from the TV series who come back.

If you love Futurama, you'll love this movie.  If you casually like Futurama, then I would probably pass, or wait until it's on Comedy Central.  This cartoon movie was also REALLY long.  Most animated movies are only about 1 hour long; this one seemed to go on forever.

Blades of Glory

Who: Amber (& Jonathan)
What: Blades of Glory
Where: at home - free Showtime weekend!
Why: I love Will Ferrell!


I think I'm the last person on the planet to see this movie (I even saw Semi Pro before this). The plot is Will Ferrell and that kid from Napolian Dynamite are banned from singles figure skating. There is some riduculous non-rule that allows them to compete as a pair (even though they are both men). Unfortunatly, Will Ferrell and Napolian Dynamite hate each other.

I assumed it would a typical insane Will Ferrell sports movie (more bizarre actions, not so many sports scenes) - and it was. If you enjoy Will Ferrell, then you will enjoy this movie. If you enjoy Will Ferrell in spandex, then you will REALLY enjoy this movie. And, I'm sure I'm just a gullible movie watcher, but were they really doing most of their own ice skating? It sure looked like it. Then again, it sure looked like Two Face really had 1/2 his face melted off in The Dark Knight. I really want to watch some DVD features (if somebody would let me borrow their DVD, that would be great!).

Music and Lyrics

Who: Bill and Melanie
What: Music and Lyrics
Where: DVD from Netflix
Why: Melanie wanted to see it

I don’t remember seeing much publicity for Music and Lyrics when it was released in February 2007. It apparently did not do very well in theaters and that is a shame, because Melanie and I thought it was really good when we recently rented the DVD. In fact, this is a great movie to watch with your loved one.


Alex Fletcher was one-half of a 1980’s pop group called, well, POP! After going solo, his career faltered and in recent years has been increasingly singing at high school reunions, theme parks and county fairs. He agrees to help a popular young singer (and a fan of POP!’s songs) named Cora Corman on a duet. Trouble is, he can only write music and not lyrics. Soon after he meets Sophie Fisher, who just happens to be an excellent writer but doesn’t know it. The two collaborate on a new song-- Alex composes the melody and Sophie contributes the words. It turns out to be a great creative partnership, while at the same time the two gradually fall in love.


Music and Lyrics is a romantic comedy, but thanks to Hugh Grant as Alex, never becomes too syrupy. He always seems to have a snappy one-liner at the ready, doesn’t seem to mind being labeled a “has-been” and somewhat enjoys performing for his devoted but aging female fans. Drew Barrymore is well-cast as Sophie, unsure of herself and on the rebound of a failed romance. Both actors also have excellent chemistry. All this combined makes this movie very enjoyable to watch. As a bonus, Grant turns out to be a pretty good singer-- and Barrymore herself isn’t too bad for the small singing she does. Music and Lyrics begins with a “flashback” to POP!’s glory days. The music video “POP! Goes My Heart”-- which is also a bonus feature on the DVD-- is very effective in its simultaneous homage and parody of 1980’s pop music videos. Its quite funny and appropriately over-the-top.

Adding support to the strong leads are Brad Garret as Alex’s manager Chris Riley, Kristen Johnston as Sophie’s sister Rhonda and newcomer Haley Bennett as Cora Corman.

A strong cast with two excellent leads and a good story. You too may find yourself singing the praises of Music and Lyrics.

Mamma Mia

Who: Joanne and Mom
What: Mamma Mia
Where: the mall theater
Why: I have to admit, I love Abba!

I never went to see the theatrical version of this because I felt that building a musical around music that already existed was hokey. And you know what, it was. However, if you let yourself be drawn into the hokiness of it all, you, like me, may find yourself laughing and singing, getting choked up and dancing in your seat. I went to see Meryl Streep sing. And her performance did not disappoint. She has a lovely voice. And I bought into her free-spirited hippiness. Christine Baranski has a number called "Does Your Mother Know" that made me smile through the whole thing!

I loved the juxtaposition of the daughter (adorably played by Amanda Seyfried) and her friends and the Mother's (Streep) and hers. And there are some lovely touching scenes about mom letting go of her daughter. Yep, I teared up! The "dads" in this movie played by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard definitely do NOT have great singing voices but oh are they entertaining!!

Also notable was the stunning location and very well done lighting in this movie. Made me want to go to Greece!!

My advice is to go to this movie to enjoy the feeling that you get from it. It is silly; it is campy and at times over the top, but it is thoroughly entertaining. You leave the theater with a HUGE smile on your face. I have to look for my ABBA's Greatest Hits CD while I anxiously await the DVD release.

P.S. Stay for the credits!! :-)

The Dark Knight

Who: Kerri Scott Emily & Mitchel
What: The Dark Knight
Where: At the crappy little theatre in Beloit, because the good theatres sell out
Why: It's Batman - and we had to say goodbye to Heath Ledger

Could be slight spoilers if you don't know the basic characters of the series, but I tried to remain vague...


I am a fan of 'comic book' movies, I am not however a HUGE fan of the first round of Batman movies. I liked them, yes, but they were rather 'cheesey.' Not to say I don't like cheesey, I'm a fan of cheesey (except in football). But I never became 'attached' to them like other movie series.

What I loved most about this movie is that Gotham was filmed in Chicago and it had a 'real world' feeling. You felt that these people, characters, and places were real. It was not some stylized green screened 'fantasy world.' That, along with Heath Ledgers brilliant and creepy Joker made the danger, and the fear seem real.

Ok, I realize there's also a guy running around in a batsuit, but it is the movies.

This was also not some over the top Tommy Lee Jones Two Face - Aaron Eckart's character was very sympathetic - even after he changed. And I liked how they created him - and the effects for his face.

Back to Heath... if you didn't know it was him, you may not have figured out who the actor was. He became the Joker, the voice, the mannerisms, Very creepy - they never really fleshed out why or who he was - but I think that was a brilliant choice. It's scarier when you don't know the villian, you don't know what's motivating him and there's no 'magic movie scenario' which will turn him back good. He is bad for the sake of bad. He is motivated by nothing more than just 'enjoying his job.' A villian with nothing to lose is one you can hardly beat.

Michael Caine and Morgan Freemen were back - both excellent actors adding nice weight, and even some comediac lines. Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel. She did a good job, but there's something about that actress that doesn't always smack for me, but I think she fell into the story nicely and it wasn't so "hey that's a different actress" through the whole movie.

I thought the first one with Christian Bale was a good film, this sequel - Tops it. I don't often say that. It could be Batman's "empire" if you know what I mean.

Go See this movie. Now. Don't wait for the DVD.

Into the Wild

Who: Bill and Melanie
What: Into the Wild
Where: DVD
Why: We were told this movie was “inspiring”. It isn’t.

SPOILER ALERT-- DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS.

The good news: Into the Wild features an all-star cast including Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt and Hal Holbrook.

The bad news: Into the Wild is a seriously depressing movie which was produced, directed and co-written for the screen by Sean Penn, who used to be semi-talented before he decided to force his unsolicited political opinions on everyone.

Here is the basic plot: Christopher McCandless (played by Hirsch) becomes disillusioned with his family and society. He hikes deep into the Alaskan wilderness where he eventually dies alone. The end.


Okay, there is more substance to the movie. He meets interesting people along his journey, he actually enjoys abandoning his comfortable past and all the while plots a future move to become a world-champion Speed Racer… okay, maybe not that last part.

It doesn’t matter if many critics loved Into the Wild. We hated it.

Revenge of the Nerds III

Who: Amber (and sometimes Jonathan)
What: Revenge of the Nerds III - The New Class
Where: at home - recorded at 3am off some random cable channel
Why: Why not?!?

Arg - a movie with "the new class" in the title?  Too lame!

Although, this movie wasn't a complete waste of my time. Most of the original nerds are back, or make an apperance.  Plus, it had a cute little message at the end. If you liked the first movie, then give this one a shot. It's also hilarious to see the 'high tech' devices the nerds are so proud of. Floppy discs - slow down nerd-ling!

Side note: I read somewhere online that they doing a remake of Revenge of the Nerds the original. Eeeek!

The Hills Have Eyes II

Who: Amber
What: The Hills Have Eyes II
Where: at home - free HBO weekend
Why: I loved the first Hills Have Eyes (the original - well, the remake of the true original)

I kept hearing how awful this movie was - but it really wasn't a total waste of my time. Granted, the first one is 1000X better (yes, one thousand), and I did see this for free on HBO, but I'm not asking for that hour and a half back of my life! Was it a little lame - sure!

Was it a everything you want in a fun/random horror movie (lots of blood, lots of gore, lots of *eeeeeeeek*? Yes!

P.S. I highly recommend seeing the Hills Have Eyes I before seeing this movie. You don't really have to, but it does reference things that happened in the first one. Plus the first movie is just really, really, REALLY good. It has a plot, really great characters (a loving American family), plus lots of blood and gore.

Mary Poppins

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Mary Poppins
Where: @ home on DVD
Why: Jonathan picked it out

I've seen Mary Poppins about 100 times (it used to be my favorite Disney movie - recently beat out by Bedknobs and Broomsticks), but I realized something. Mary Poppins is kind-of a jerk!

I mean, the kids are sad and ask her a question, and all she can answer with is "spit spot". And "Practically Perfect in every way"? She's kind-of full of herself!

Regardless, she still rules! And I could watch 2 straight hours of Dick Van Dyke doing his "Step In Time" song. And Mr. Banks (David Tomlinson - also from Bedknobs and Broomsticks) rules! I was very sad when he died a couple years ago.

If you haven't seen this movie (for shame!), or if you haven't seen it in a couple years, it's worth your 2 hours. If nothing else, just watch "Feed the Birds" and "Step in Time".

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Where: at home - on cable (although we own it on DVD too, so why were we watching it on TV with commercials?)
Why: Why not - it's one of the best movies ever!

First of all, who hasn't seen this movie?!?  (Actually, I know my friend Katie hasn't seen it - that just blows my mind!)

In my opinion, this is the best Indiana Jones movies out there. Normally introducing a "random father" into a successful movie franchise would be cheesy and super lame, but this somehow works.

I'm also a sucker for movies involving mazes and obstical type courses. "Only the penetant man shall pass".  Priceless!  Now, since he finds the correct cup and drinks the water (oops - did I just ruin the ending?), shouldn't he have eteranal life?  They just kind-of blow over that fact and end the movie with them riding off into the sunset.

Side note:  Jonathan just bought a tiny Lego set from this movie.  It has a Lego Indy and the more adorable Lego Sean Connery!!!  They are on the motorcycle with the little side caddy for Sean Connery.

Wanted

Who: Jaclyn
What: Wanted
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: I indulged my friend Sandy who LOVES Angelina. (Barf!)

Let me start by saying that I'm only blogging this because I felt bad (for Amber) that I've been neglecting the blog. I didn't really want to talk about this movie because it was AWFUL.

This was one of those movies that during it, you're looking at your watch and/or pondering if you'd really feel bad if you spent all that money and left during it. Well, I sucked it up and went with only the first. Like I said, Sandy loves Angelina...I couldn't ditch her while she was enjoying eye candy. Though the next Dane Cook movie that comes out, she owes me.

The movie is about...well...I wasn't really paying attention. Just kidding (sort of). It's about a group of "elite" assassins who are trying to rectruit this every day shlub who's life sucks. They lure him in saying his father was a top assassin (who he never knew) who was apparently killed by another assassin that broke away from "the group" and went rogue.

Morgan Freeman (who was the only reason this movie was tolerable) was the group's leader and he basically tells his team who's next to die. He gets the names from some super secret loom that feeds him the names and he decodes them. In theory, certain people are set to die to keep balance on the planet. Ooookay.

Anyhoo...turns out there are some plot twists and people you think are good are bad (ooh shocker) and vice versa. It all ends up being really loud and bloody.

Save your money and time kiddies. If you must see it, rent it.

The North Avenue Irregulars

Who: Bill
What: The North Avenue Irregulars
Where: DVD
Why:An enjoyable Disney comedy

It is my opinion that one of the most underrated live action Disney comedies is The North Avenue Irregulars. Released in 1979, it came out at a time when the Disney Studios was attempting to broaden the appeal of their live action films, which had a reputation for relying on past proven formulas such as animal-themed adventures and wacky slapstick comedies. It isn’t that there was anything wrong with them, but these “G” rated formats had become stale with the release of blockbuster movies such as Jaws, Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind which made Disney films look quaint and old fashioned.

The North Avenue Irregulars succeeds in not only being enjoyable, but is a movie which grown-ups will likely find more entertaining than the kids. Edward Herrmann leads an outstanding cast that includes Cloris Leachman, Susan Clark, Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine, Michael Constantine, Ruth Buzzi, Alan Hale and more.
Herrmann is the newly installed minister of the North Avenue Presbyterian Church. To his dismay, he soon discovers the town beholden to organized crime. So he decides to go after the mob with his own mob-- consisting of some of the congregation’s women! The fun comes from watching the minister and his fabulous females go after the bad guys which all culminates in a wild chase finale. In the midst of all this, be forewarned there is one scene that might make you question how it ended up in a “G” rated Disney movie: Valentine’s character dresses as a prostitute (!) while clumsily investigating a bar being used as a booking joint.


Aside from a basic DVD release several years ago (no bonus features of any kind such as cast interviews or a theatrical trailer), The North Avenue Irregulars has rarely turned up on television. But if you ever see it listed for an upcoming airing, its worth watching. An all-star cast playing characters you just may care about, and solid comedy make this a winning Disney movie.

Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle
Where: @ home on Comedy Central
Why: Watched it between innings of the Rays game

I've never been a pot head, nor stayed up all night craving White Castle - but I still find this movie hilarious. I think it's one of those movies where it gets funnier and funnier with time.

Parts of it are completely are moronic, like the escaped cheetah and hang gliding off a cliff in New Jersey. Are their any cliffs in New Jersey? Just ignore that and run with the rest of the hilariousness. Especially Kumar's wedding fantasy with a huge bag of pot.

I labeled this post "hot guys(s)", because I think Harold is a cutie!

Fast Food Nation - I've lost my appetite!

Who: Katie
What: Fast Food Nation
Where: Home - rented via Netflix
Why:  Two or three years ago, I read Fast Food Nation, which is a non-fiction eye-opening study of the fast food industry from the marketing to a stomach turning journey of how things get from cow to hamburger patty.  The fact that this was turned into a full length feature film was surprising to me so I rented it without seeing the trailer.  The film, in collaboration with the original author, made a fictionalized tale highlighting the key issues in the fast food industry - marketing, teenage workers, poor quality meat, and undocumented workers in harsh/unsafe conditions.  Overall, the film covered these points and wove them into a story.  However, the fictionalized portion of the film left me wondering if audiences would think this was over dramatized, exaggerations.  

All though true to the slaughter process, I turned green enough reading the book and seeing all the blood and guts was enough to insure that red meat is back off my diet again for awhile.

Fast Food Nation is not necessarily a film to be enjoyed.  The book is a much better told story and much more detailed.  The ensemble cast included cameos by Bruce Willis, Ethan Hawke, and Avril Lavigne amongst others, but the stunt casting seemed forced and unnecessarily distracting.

The Darjeeling Limited

Who: John & Tammy
What: The Darjeeling Limited
Where: @ home
Why: We had been trying to watch it all weekend (roommate's Netflix)

I'm generally a sucker for a good indie flick and I had seen the trailer for this one awhile back. It gets off to an awkward start with a short film "Hotel Chevalier" in which Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman have about the most ungraceful love scene ever imagined.

The film itself opens with a seemingly strange cameo of Bill Murray unsuccessfully chasing down a train named "The Darjeeling Limited." I will say Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrien Brody make for a hilarious trio. They travel through India (mostly on the before mentioned train) on a quest to reunite and solidify their bond as brothers and more importantly as friends.

If I had to rate the film, I would give it a slightly above average 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. It doesn't leave you with some grand ideal or lesson learned, but still somehow feels complete by the time the last frame flickers out. All in all if you enjoy indie flicks, I would recommend catching this movie over a weekend matinee at home.

And if indie flicks aren't your cup of tea, I would say move along there's nothing for you to see here. Besides, you can always catch the next blockbuster at your local AMC this coming weekend.

Monsters Inc.

Who: Monica
What: Monsters Inc.
Where: Home
Why: B/C I bought the 2 disc version a month ago and hadn't watched it yet.

Last night I pulled out my brand new 2 disc version of Monsters Inc. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the extras on these movies and couldn't wait to see what goodies I'd find in Monster world. I decided to watch the movie first, I think it's been a few years since I've seen it.

Every time I watch a Disney movie, I am always joyously surprised about how much I adore each and every one. I have favorites yes, but they are all amazing in their own way. Sulley (John Goodman) has to be one of the most lovable characters ever created by Disney, despite the fact he's.. well, a monster!! Mike (Billy Crystal) is a hoot and full of energy, just like Billy Crystal. Randy Newman songs and music run throughout, there is nothing greater in Disney films than music that sets the stage, tugs at your heart strings and sticks in your head for days!!

The detail in these movies are fascinating when you stop to notice!! I do love Pixar despite many "old school" Disney traditionalist who'd want to shoot me with that confession. There is something to be said for both kinds of animation I believe. The details in monster world are crazy: door knobs that are horns, paperwork and posters around that are designed for monsters, the props/characters that go into the "other worlds" when the monsters step out of monster world, the kids rooms and on and on and on... It's just one of the things that sets Disney movies out of the league with all the others!

The plot: Mike & Sulley are best friend monsters who work at the energy company in Monstropolis.. To get energy for Monster world, they must capture screams of children in our world, the monster in the closet. Then the worse thing to ever happen, happens .... a CHILD gets into Monster World!!! The monsters are terrified and much chaos follows. The child, Boo, is the cutest thing ever. Her unintelligible babbles (and singing when she's on the potty) are the sweetest sounds! There are things to make you laugh out loud, a plot to be solved and some touching moments as well.

If you haven't seen the "out takes" at the end of this movie, you have missed something incredible. I think this is my favorite part of Disney movies, when the characters have out takes. Are you kidding, who thinks of this stuff?? I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! It's in the details...

Then there is the bonus material. This may very well be my favorite bonus material of all time. It lets us look around the Pixar buildings where it all happens, the secret room (that even Roy Disney has visited) is just craziness. The monkey, what's with that? You get to see how much work goes from story boards and pencil drawings, to animation and character development, to adding color, details, shadows and lightning. It's a crazy process and I have no idea how people are so creative. I am thankful they are though! I loved each and every minute of the extras and watching the movie again with commentary on. So much to soak in.

If you haven't pulled out a favorite Disney animated movie lately, do it, you wont be sorry!!!!

Seven

Who: Monica & Andy
What: Seven
Where: Home
Why: B/C it was on and we had nothing else to do.

We had by far, the laziest 3 day weekend on record. We watched parts of a ton of movies on TV, "Seven" being the only one we caught in full. I know I've seen this movie when it came out, but I had forgotten EVERYTHING about it! It's funny to look back at a Brad Pitt movie when he was just arriving to be a Hollywood Hunk. I don't adore him as much as others, but he does a great job in this movie. Morgan Freeman is always fantastic, especially when he plays a detective/police kind of part. I totally forgot Gwyneth Paltrow was in this and Kevin Spacey too!!

The plot goes something like this. There is a killer on the loose (who we don't "see" until the end) and we eventually find out that there will be 7 murders. The murderer is following a sort of random pattern with murdering someone to represent the 7 deadly sins. (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Rath, Envy, Pride) Will all 7 murders get completed before he's found?? You must see the movie.

It is a great story, not "edge of your seat" kind of suspense though. It did make me nervous a little and for those kind of movies, that's a good sign. It has a certain gore factor, though it's pretty few and far between times when you see that. The end is a little shocking the first time if you haven't seen it, I totally forgot and tried to guess through the entire last 20 minutes what was happening. (Andy reminding me to knock it off and enjoy the movie)

Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Who:  Amber
What:  Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Where:  at home - DVRed off Chiller
Why:  Why not?!?

This is the 'infamous' Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie with Renee Zelweger and Matthew McConnegh (sp?).  Let me tell you - Matthew makes a great bad guy!  We all know he's a little nuts in real life.

This movie started out decent (cheesy - but decent).  A group of students get lost driving home from prom and run into Leatherface (who is now a cross dresser?) and his group of normal looking adults.  I was confused why the normal adults were living in filth with Leatherface, but they were.  The 2 prom boy teens die immediatly.  The slutty girl takes a good beating, and we really don't see her die completely.  Renee Zelweger (the good girl) fights back, and escapes!

The writers didn't really do anything for the ending.  It ends the same as the original (I think - or am I forgetting?).  Renee Zellweger runs out of the woods into a road and gets picked up by a passing car.  Leatherface screams and swings his/her chainsaw around and around in circles.

Unless you really like crappy horror movies, take a pass on this one.

Get Smart

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Get Smart
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  Jonathan wanted to see it

This movie was HILARIOUS!!!  I can't recommend this movie enough.  I'm guessing it was rated PG13 (a guess), but there was little to no swearing, no nudity or sexual stuff.  There were guns and violence, but nothing graphic at all.  Fun for the entire family (over the age of 6).

I have no recollection of the TV show, so I have nothing to base this movie on.  I assumed Steve Carrell would play a bumbling, moronic FBI type agent who would constantly almost get himself killed and blow the mission.  But he was nothing like that!  He was a super smart agent who was a great shot with a gun.  I think he saved his partner more times than she saved him.  He was a little bumbling, but nothing over the top.

A great supporting cast including The Rock, Alan Arkin (who was kind-of a moron), a giant Russian guy, David Koeckner, the dad from Everybody Hates Chris, and more.  Again, I can't recommend this movie enough - just good old fashioned fun.

And a shout out to the guy who was SNORING really loudly in the theater for about 1 minute.  Was the movie keeping you awake sir?

Cheaper by the Dozen 2

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Where:  at home on FX

Why:  I saw the original and I was curious about the sequel

First of all, kudos for EVERYBODY from the original coming back for the sequel.  It's always annoying when they try to replace people from the sequel and we're not supposed to notice.

I'm always annoyed by people in movies doing things that are sooooooo stupid.  And Eugene Levy and Steve Martin were sooooooo stupid.  They were 2 guys who have been competing against each other since high school.  Of course, each family is annoyed with their dads, because they are acting so childish.

Minus the lame fathers, the moms and kids were so sweet and adorable.  I know it's all Hollywood, but I hope my family is half as cool as Steve Martin's family.  And it was nice to see Carmen Electra have a normal role in a movie.  She was Eugene Levy's trophy wife, but she was really nice, polite, sweet and smart.  More kudos!

Dodgeball

Who: Amber
What: Dodgeball
Where: at home - Jonathan owns it
Why: Everything about this movie is classic - it's sports, Vegas, Vince Vaugh, Justin Long, etc ...

Love, love, love Dodgeball!   It's one of the few movies I can watch over and over and over.  Maybe it's Vince Vaugh as a good-guy cutie (I have a crush on him). And Justin Long (the Mac computer guy) getting smacked in the face and the crotch (again, and again, and again - watch the special features!) makes me smile.  Maybe it's because I'm not a guy, but getting hit in the crotch with a dodgeball makes me laugh out loud everytime.  Give Jason Bateman more screen time Hollywood!  This guy is pure gold.  And why isn't "The Ocho" on my cable provider?!?