College Road Trip

Who:  Amber
What:  College Road Trip
Where:  on a flight from Honolulu to Houston
Why:  It's a Disney movie.

This movie is everything you expect it to be:  a cheese ball, unrealistic, Disney, family cute-fest.  Martin Lawrence doesn't look old enough to have a daughter in college, but the actress playing her mom did.  She and Raven really looked alike.  And (no offense) Raven is a really big girl!  It was kind-of refreshing to see actually.

As Raven and her WAY overprodective dad go on a road trip from Chicago to Washington DC, Disney overdid it with the gags.  Of course the car gets ruined right away.  Then they get a ride with the crazy dad/daughter combo (Donny Osmond - he was cute in this movie!), get a ride with some Japanese tourists, sing and dance in a choreographed number and skydive.  Oh, I forgot, get locked in jail.

I must say, the ending really surprised me.  It was very sweet and touching.  It actually almost made me cry.

I'm glad I didn't pay to see this movie, but it was still worth my while.

The Barefoot Executive

Who: Bill
What: The Barefoot Executive
Where: Recently aired on Turner Classic Movies
Why: Classic Disney comedy fun with Kurt Russell and a chimp

In the 1960’s and 1970’s some of the most successful Disney live action films were family-friendly slapstick comedies. Thanks to repeated airings on The Wonderful World of Disney and later on The Disney Channel, these movies became semi-classics. One of them is 1971’s The Barefoot Executive. Kurt Russell stars as Steven Post, a young but ambitious mailroom clerk for the low-rated UBC Television Network (whose logo is a combination of ABC’s lower-case letters, the CBS eye and NBC’s original “living color” peacock). Post aspires to be a programmer and thinks he has a better idea of which shows would work on UBC as opposed to the flops the network puts on the air. When his girlfriend takes in a neighbor’s chimpanzee, Post discovers the chimp has a knack for picking out the top-rated programs. Using the chimp’s TV watching abilities as his own, Post quickly moves up the corporate ladder to become a top UBC executive and hailed as a programming genius. But will it last? Do Disney movies have conflict and ultimately a happy resolution?

A solid supporting cast backs up Russell which include Joe Flynn as Francis X. Wilbanks and Harry Morgan as E.J. Crampton (love those pompous-sounding character names!). John Ritter appears in one of his first major roles as Wilbank’s suspicious nephew Roger, Wally Cox plays Wilbank’s timid but sympathetic chauffer Mertons, and Heather North is Post’s girlfriend Jennifer. By the way, cartoon lovers may recognize two of the voices: North is better known as Daphne in the long-running Scooby-Doo cartoons, and Cox was the original voice of Underdog.

If you’re looking for some non-offensive, good Disney comedy fun, The Barefoot Executive is a pretty good way to spend a couple of hours on a lazy weekend afternoon.

Step Up 2 The Streets

Who: Amber
What: Step Up 2 The Streets
Where: airplane from Houston to Honolulu
Why: I love street/break dancing!

I had 4 movie options to watch on my flight, and I chose this one first. I love break dancing and dance music! I've never seen Step Up 1, but I assumed I could follow the plot easily. Actually, I doubt the movies have anything to do with each other.

Honestly, I was disappointed in this movie. I've seen MUCH better dancing on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. I think I only said, "wow (check out that move)!" twice. The main girl was an ok dancer, but I really wasn't overly impressed. In face, the best break dancer was her nerdy school friend, and we only see him bust a move once!

The story was lame (girl has 1 more chance to stay in her town before her guardien kicks her out, joints a private dancing school, get's kicked out of her street "crew", forms a new school "crew" to challenge them to a dance off, school expells everybody for street dancing ... everybody learns a lesson in the end and everybody wins), but you don't watch dancing movies for the plot, you watch them for the dancing!!! Overall, I was kind-of bummed.

Plan 9 from Outer Space

Who: Bill
What: Plan 9 from Outer Space
Where: Turner Classic Movies
Why: One of the worst movies ever made

This is one of those films most everyone has heard about, but not necessarily seen. When it was recently shown on Turner Classic Movies, it gave me the opportunity to judge its dubious merits. There have been countless bad movies that have been made since Ed Wood's "Plan 9 from Outer Space" came out in 1959, and this certainly ranks among them: bad acting, bad writing, bad editing, and just an overall bad production. And yet, it was wonderful-- as a comedy. All the laughs are unintentional, of course and one marvels at the lively perfomance of Bela Lugosi-- who had been dead for three years at the time of the movie's release. His inclusion came from a few test scenes he had filmed prior to his death. The rest of his role is played by Tom Mason, who was the chiropractor for Ed Wood's wife and bore absolutely no physical resemblence to Lugosi!

All in all this was an entertaining film, if one is to go in not taking it seriously at all. Give yourself a treat and check out this awful movie.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Who: Jaclyn
What: Indiana Jones 4 (for short)
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: Everyone else was doing it...

Ok, let me first start off by asking, "why!?"! Why was this movie made? I know a lot of IJ fans were wanting another one, as well as George and Steven wanting to make one, but COME ON! At 2 hours and some odd minutes, this could have been cut down to one hour, maybe one and a half.

It's a few years after his last "adventure/crusade" and Indy is captured by Soviets in a plot to find this so-called "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". Cate Blanchett is wonderful as Irina Spalko, the leader of this communist group. She is completely obsessed (yet sometimes really annoying) with finding the crystal skull that seems to have power over people and is somehow a magnet.

There are a lot of funny moments in this movie, including Indy finding out he has a son, played by Shia LeBeouf. But the effects are not great. Gone are the old-time stunts that made movies more exciting and in their place, CGI effects that are so fake.

This movie is not like any of his past quests because he's not looking for some typical ancient artifact (well, not really) but rather alien remains/objects that somehow have something to do with Area 51. He spends only minimal time in Area 51, but the atomic bomb testing is priceless.

This movie rips off every Pirates of the Caribbean movie and some National Treasure moments as well. Now, some may argue that since the "idea" or maybe even the script for IJ4 was started some 15 years ago, that these movies stole from IJ...but I'm thinking no.

Vantage Point

Who: Amber & Jonathan (& Amber's parents)
What: Vantage Point
Where: Adult Recreation Center (on Kwaj)
Why: It's movie night!

This was the greatest type of movie for me! The president of the US is shot as he's giving a speech in Spain, and this movie shows 5 or 6 different vantage points (hense the title) from different people. Media people, Secret Service people, people in the crowd, etc... Since each person saw different things, they (kind-of) work together to find out the people who did it.

Normally I am totally confused by fast moving movies with twists and turns. I'm ususally like, "who is that guy?" "what just happened" "huh?". But since this movie showed the president getting shot 6 times (litarally!) I was totally able to follow the entire thing.

There were some great twists and turns. None of it was predictable at all. I highly recommend this movie!

P.S. I Love You

Who: Amber
What: P.S. I Love You
Where: on a flight from Honolulu to Kwajalein
Why: Only movie on the flight

I remember seeing previews for this movie and thinking, "lame!" It looked like Hilary Swank's husband dies, and then he sends her letters helping her date other men quickly.

But it was nothing like that. Her husband does die of a brain tumor, and he does send her letters and packages, but it's just to help her get a grip on life with out him (they've been married for 11 years). She does not go out and get freaky with anybody, she is very realististly grieving for her lost love. It was a very sweet movie! Too bad it made me cry, and that is embarrasing on an airplane!

For the Love of the Game

Who: Monica
What: For the Love of the Game
Where: Home
Why: B/C I love this movie, it's on the faves list.

Sports and romance, you can't go wrong. Throw in adorable Kevin Costner and sweet Kelly Preston, it's a hit. Billy is an old (in pro baseball world) baseball hero who randomly runs into Jane on the highway. He invites her to a game, their romance begins. In between games, travel and life their romance continues to bloom. Billy gets hurt badly, his baseball team is sold and wants to let him go. There is a ton of romance, some baseball, big drama and great main characters. I LOVE this movie! I watched it twice today!! When did this come out, the 90s I believe. Timeless story!!

Beach Party

Who: Monica
What: Beach Party
Where: Home
Why: B/C I love old movies, musicals & it was $2 on sale

I love these old movies, any old movie. The Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon movies are fantastic. The music is so fun and if you like old stuff, this one wont disappoint. There are characters from the other ones, "Beach Blanket Bingo" for one. I hadn't seen this one before, but am glad I bought it and will put it with the fun old musical collection. Plot: Kids on the beach surfing, dancing, fighting with "bad" guys, singing and falling in love.

27 Dresses

Who: Monica
What: 27 Dresses
Where: Home this time, in the theater when it came out.
Why: I enjoy chick flicks-

My Mom & I saw this when it was out at the theater. Since I had gift cards for Target from my class, I decided this was a movie I wanted to own. It's chick flick material and has a cutie in it!!

Katherine Heigle plays Jane, who has been a maid of honor 27 times. Thus the 27 dresses. She loves weddings, reading about them, planning them and being in them. She already has her own planned, though there is no one to make her dreams come true. She is madly in love with her boss, though he hasn't got a clue. Then her sister, Tess, arrives in town and steals the show. She & Jane's boss start dating and they are engaged before we know what's happening. Jane steps in as maid of honor and has to help plan the wedding of the one she longs for.

Meanwhile she's met Kevin, played by James Marsden (The Notebook, Hairspray & Enchanted) and he's found her story of maid of honor 27 times news worthy. He writes wedding stories in the paper and Jane lives for his articles, though she doesn't realize it's him who writes them until later on. He turns her story into an article and she doesn't appreciate that, on we go.

This is obviously a huge chick flick and Andy refused to watch this one. He said it was way off the "chick flick" chart and no way! I love the cast though and will watch anything with James Marsden over and over. The scene where she's trying on all the dresses is enough to keep me watching it! Very funny!! I'm not yet putting this on my list of all time favorite sappy movies, but I'll continue to watch it and see how I feel.

Oh and the extras on this are pretty good. They talk about weddings and how every little girl dreams of her day, then how different everyones dreams are. There is a section about the "Running of the Brides" at Filene's Basement and that is a neat story in itself. (I always thought it was Eilene's Basement) Anyway, I enjoyed all the extras!

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Who: Kerri & Mitchel
What: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Where: Theatre
Why: We wanted to see it

I enjoyed this movie very much, probably because I had not read this book before, and I was able to just enjoy the movie and not wonder 'how will the do this, and that' like I did the last one.

The special effects were well done and did not distract from the story. Eddie Izzard was great as the very brave mouse warrior, Reepicheep.

There was a sword fight that reminded me of Knights Tale the way they sped up the frames, that was cool, although there wasn't the same soundtrack. The main fight was very "Helm's Deep" even with Uruk-hai and trees.

There was enough comic relief, but also lots of death, it is much darker than the first, but I do think it is a better film. It takes place one year after their return to England, and the children are still adjusting to being children again. They are summoned back to Narnia where 1300 years have passed, and all hell has broken loose and they must help return Prince Caspian to his rightful throne that his evil uncle has overtaken. I very much enjoyed the character, Susan, brave, and got right into the fighting with the boys.

If you are a fan of fantasy or Narnia, you'll enjoy this.

Bride of Chucky

Who:  Amber
What:  Bride of Chucky
Where:  at home - free HBO weekend
Why:  I enjoy horror movies

This movie was supposed to be a GIANT ball of cheese right?  I mean, this is the 5th or 6th Child's Play movie?  Is there another movie about Chucky's offspring?  Oops - did I just ruin the ending?

I haven't seen many of the old Child's Play movies (I think I've only seen the original), but I bet there were lots of references to other plot lines.  Jennifer Tilly is pretty funny as Chucky's bride.  And the damsil (sp?) in distress is a young Katherine Heigel.  I can't honestly recommend this movie to anybody, although I'm slightly curious what happens in the next movie.  How will Chucky come back to life for the 8th time?!?

American Wedding

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  American Wedding
Where:  at home - recorded off cable
Why:  It sounded decent

Man, this movie was awful!  I admit, I wanted to keep watching b/c I kind-of wanted to see what moronic thing the boys would do next, so I guess the producers did their job.  Plus I was curious to see if Tara Reed, Chris Kline, that curly haired girl, and the rest of the gang from movie 1 came back for the wedding (don't waste your time - they don't.  They knew what was good for them).

The open scene did me in.  Jim and Michelle are at the fanciest eatery I have ever seen.  And what does she do ... climb under the table, pull down Jim's pants, and ... well, in typical American Pie fashion ... you know the rest ...

The rest of the movie was just as lame.  Stiffler and the 2 other guys hire some strippers.  Of course they have the party at Jim's parents house, b/c they are out of town.  Right?  Right?!?  Oh no, Jim's parents brought Michelle's prude parents over?  How will the boys get out of this one?  I could go on and on with this crappy nonsense.  Maybe I'm getting too old for crappy movies.  Or maybe this movie was just crappy.

When a Stranger Calls

Who: Amber
What: When a Stranger Calls
Where: at home - recorded off cable (free Showtime weekend???)
Why: I liked the original

I really enjoyed this movie! It's not your typical horror, slash-em up movie. It is kind-of slow, but very suspensful. It was about 1 solid hour of the babysitter in a house, getting creepy phone calls. Sounds like a snooze fest, but I was on the edge of my seat. You don't actually see the bad guy until about 10 minute left in the film. Super creepy!

I couldn't remember what happens in the first movie, so the ending was going to be a suprize to me. I liked the 'real' ending. Then the director threw in 1 extra scene, that was pure crap! Boo to that.

Most remakes from the '80s seems kind-of cheesy (this original movie was from '79). Since everybody has a cell phone now, none of the "problems" teens had in the '80s wouldn't be a problem b/c they would have a cell phone. This movie addressed those issues and handled them quite well.

I hope they make a remake of the sequel (from the '80s), When a Stranger Calls Back. The scene with the bad guy in the brick room - I will remember that scene for the rest of my life!

Along Came a Spider

Who: Monica
What: Along Came a Spider
Where: Home
Why: B/C it was $2 on sale and I LOVE any movie based on a James Patterson novel.

This is based on the novel, by the same name, by author James Patterson. His stories never disappoint me. This movie came out in 2001, which was really before I got into reading the novels. Detective Alex Cross is the main character in these crime thrillers, there's a HUGE series! I encourage anyone to read them, they are FANTASTIC and EASY reads!! This is actually the 2nd novel/movie in the series, right after "Kiss the Girls".

Detective Alex Cross is played by Morgan Freeman and he's awesome. His side kick in this one is a Secret Service Agent, played by Monica Potter. It's a great crime thriller if you love that kind of thing. The special effects in the first scene are laughable though, I didn't realize how bad they were until I watched it this time.

If you haven't seen it, rent it sometime. If you have to choose though, read the book, it's better!

De- Lovely

Who: Monica
What: De-Lovely
Where: At Home
Why: B/C it was $2 at a movie sale and I saw it once and liked it.

Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd tell the story of composer Cole Porter. He wrote many songs & musicals in the 1920's, including "Kiss Me Kate" and "I've Got You, Under My Skin". He was rather eccentric and came from a wealthy family. He was married for 35 years to a lovely lady named Linda, whom he adored. They were more best friends than anything though, she was totally in love with him and he loved her. She knew going into their marriage that he was bisexual and he wasn't giving up his lifestyle on the side.

Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morissette among others perform in this movie. It has great music, but wont rate anywhere up there in the list of favorite musicals. I enjoy the story and love Ashley Judd, but this is one I'll trade in for movie credit and buy another one.

Cinderella Man: The James J Braddock Story

Who: Monica & Andy
What: Cinderella Man: The James J. Braddock Story
Where: At Home
Why: B/C it was only $2 at a sale and Andy likes this boxer's story.

This is NOT the movie with Renee Z. in it, this is an actual biography kind of story. It still has actors in it, but it's more of a factual account of the story and the "characters" giving little interviews about what was going on all through the story of their lives. If you enjoyed the movie and enjoy biographies, this was well worth 45 minutes of your time. I'm guessing you wont see it out and about though anyway.

It also has 3 or 4 of the actual boxing matches on it, pretty neat.

Iron Man

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Iron Man
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  everybody else saw it opening weekend!

I had no inkling to see Iron Man.  It's not like I was totally opposed to it, but I could've lived with out seeing it.

Now that I have seen it, I feel the same way.  I did enjoy myself.  I laughed out loud a couple times.  Iron Man is a pretty cool guy.  But my life would've still been complete with out seeing this movie.

It was really ingenius (sp?) how and why he made the Iron Man suit in the first place.  I liked how this movie REALLY gave you a lot of back story.

I still have a lot of questions.  How could he walk around in the original suit?  How is the bad guy walking around in a suit 4x as big?  Why did the bad guys have him build a weapon, when they could just buy a weapon?

Make sure you stay for the ending of the credits!!!

What Happens In Vegas...

Who: Jaclyn
What: What Happens In Vegas...
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: Another $6 A.M. Cinema (thanks AMC!)

This was a cute/funny movie. Normally I can't stand Cameron Diaz but she was tolerable in this, even if she did look like a $5 hooker. The story is about two people down on their luck, Joy and Jack who are played by Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. They both decide to go to Vegas to get away from their troubles and the end up meeting and marrying each other after a drunken evening. Of course, once sober, they realize it was a horrible mistake until Jack wins a 3 million dollar jackpot and then it's a different story.

The movie is very predictable but still hilarious. Ashton is typical Ashton and that works out pretty well. He doesn't do 'serious' very well, i.e. "The Butterfly Effect".

Each of their best friends stole the show in my opinion. Their snappy rips on each other are priceless. And if you do see it, stay through some of the credits as there are little "extras".

My Kid Could Paint That

Who: Monica
What: My Kid Could Paint That - Documentary
Where: My House
Why: B/C I was interested AND it was $1 @ Hollywood Video Sale

This was a documentary I'd heard about a year or so ago. Since I work with kids, I was interested in seeing what all the buzz was about. When I found it for $1, I couldn't go wrong. I enjoy documentaries anyway.

Marla is (was at the time) a 4 year old little girl who loved to paint. Her Dad dabbled in painting himself and at an early age Marla was given her own canvas, brushes and paint. She loved to paint and did it all the time. Her paintings were abstract, full of vibrant color and really quite beautiful. A friend hung her painting in their coffee shop where it created a buzz and eventually sold for a couple hundred bucks. One thing led to another, paintings sold, a newspaper article was written and then this 4 year old little girl had her own showing in an art gallery.

Then the media got involved and the controversy began. 60 minutes did a story on her and it was all downhill. There was rumor that her Dad either did, polished or directed her painting. The camera crew had footage of her Dad getting frustrated with her painting and she never was filmed doing an actual painting beginning to end. Was it all a hoax and were these people making money on a lie?

Then someone decided to do this documentary about it all, they practically moved in with the family. The more the story gets involved, it's more a story about a story of what happened. More so than the story of a 4 year old little girl painting. Then there is the whole thing about who can really judge or place a value on abstract art? Is it all relative? Very interesting discussions.

Anyway, if you have an hour and a half to enjoy a documentary this is a good one. The little girl is adorable and all that happened is kind of crazy. I enjoyed it and am glad I watched. I'm still not sure if I think she did all the paintings on her own or not and the documentary leaves you to draw your own conclusion.

Made of Honor

Who: Amber & all her co-workers
What: Made of Honor
Where: AMC theater at Downtown Disney
Why: Boss took us to the movies. Yay!!!

This movie was a lot of fun. McDreamy is always fun, and the girl (Michelle something) was cute too. I liked her a lot actually - she wasn't a super model, just a normal, fun girl. Plus she had some cute outfits.

I was (and always have been) annoyed by characters in movies who go overseas for a short period of time, then come back to the states engaged. I mean, come on! Who gets engaged after only a couple weeks of dating? Plus the Scottish guy wasn't even cute!

This movie did have a couple "guy" moments. There was a lot of basketball played (with some short shorts!) and some unicorns flying out of butts. But overall, I would recommend this movie for "girls's night out".

And I'm sure we can all guess what ends up happening at the end ... "Who thinks these 2 should not be wed? Speak now, or forever hold your piece ..."

Lars and the Real Girl

Who: LaRelle
What: Lars and the Real Girl
Where: my living room
Why: because I really wanted to see it and then a friend suggested it so I bumped it up on the netflix list


Ok, for starters, I'm sure we all agree that Ryan Gosling is a hottie. Yes? And really that's all you need to know. ;)
Ok, seriously....this movie was fantastic. It's not at all what I expected. It was much more deep of a movie than I thought it would be and kind of thought provoking. It was really a very sweet movie and I thought all the actors did a fantastic job. Especially Ryan Gosling. I don't remember if he got nominated for anything during award season, but he certainly should have been.
The film score was awesome also, if you enjoy that kind of thing. I'll definitely be buying it.
I highly recommend this movie. You all should definitely rent it. =)

Facing the Giants

Who: Rochelle & Bob and friends
What: Facing the Giants
Where: stinky AMC Pleasure Island
Why: It was a group outing and it came recommended

Are you ready for some football? This is a great movie because it has something that appeals to men and women. It is the story of a coach and a small football team as they go up against a superior team. It shows how the coach motivates the players to do something bigger than themselves--to pull together and rely on a higher power to win the game. The whole time the coach is trying to do the right thing with his team he and his wife are struggling with infertility, finances, and his desire to be a good provider. This is a total tear-jerker but you still feel really good when the movie is over. It isn't an Oscar winning actor performance but the screenplay is award worthy. You don't see enough of these good-natured films in the theaters. Now available on DVD or at Blockbuster. Two Thumbs up!

Hellboy

Who: Ambe r& Jonathan
What: Hellboy
Where: @ home - free HBO weekend!
Why: Jonathan picked it out

During my free HBO weekend, I recorded every single movie I could find. Hellboy was one of them. I've never read a Hellboy comic book, so I don't know how badly they butchered the story (knowing other comic book movies, people always complain about that).

This movie was BIG TIME cheesy. Hellboy (Ron Pearlman - that guy from the Beauty and the Beast TV show) said 1/2 his lines are regular dialoge, and the other 1/2 as lame action movie quips. For example, if somebody was on fire, he's say, "looks like someone likes it hot!". Super groan!

And Hellboy has a love interest? And she's hot (Selma Blair)? Sure, she's got super powers like him, but come on! No offense Hellboy, but you're red, have horns, you have one giant hand and one normal hand and you're like 400lbs (of pure muscle, but still).

There was some sort of plot, which I didn't really follow very well. Something about Nazis and WWII. Don't get me wrong, it was kind-of a fun movie. I'm just glad I saw it for free on TV.

First Daughter

Who: Monica
What: First Daughter
Where: Home
Why: Because I needed to put in another favorite while I worked on scrapbooks

I know that this movie was a total flop at the box office in 2004, there are only a handful of souls on Earth who appreciate it. I get it. I am one of those few that consider it a serious favorite and it's in my "favorite box" of DVDs. It's another movie that goes in and plays for a few days at a time while I'm working around the house.

It's one of those fairy tale, appeal to a younger crowd, chick flicks. Katie Holmes (whom I of course adore b/c I'm a Dawson Creek fan too) plays the President's daughter who is off to college and just wants to be "normal". Her Dad, Mr. President (Michael Douglas), sends her off with her own set of secret service agents. She meets a wonderful guy who treats her as just another normal girl and romance sets in. The wonderful guy, played by Marc Blucas, is absolutely a doll!! Turns out though, he's one of "them". He's a secret service agent under cover. She finds out, gets into all sorts of trouble that's captured by the press and well.... there ya go!

If you aren't into cheesy fairy tale, chick flick stories you better skip this one. If you can't appreciate Katie Holmes as a sweet President's daughter, you'll for sure hate it. If you can get past all of that though, watch it, it's a sweet movie! I LOVE it!!!

Sweet Home Alabama

Who: Monica
What: Sweet Home Alabama
Where: My couch
Why: Because it IS pretty much my favorite movie of all time now!

If you know me well, you have already heard that this is pretty much my favorite movie ever. If there isn't anything on TV, this is what I put in. Andy makes fun of me for it all the time. It stays in my DVD player for days and days, playing about 3 times a day while I go about my day.

It's a quirky, chick flick with two cute boys and set in the south. How can you go wrong? Reese Witherspoon (who is adorable as a southern chick) plays Melanie Carmichael/Smooter who is becoming a big fashion designer in New York. She has pretty much disowned her roots while trying to fit in. She becomes engaged to political hottie boyfriend Andrew, played by Patrick Dempsey. The only little hitch is she has to return home and try to convince her husband to give her a divorce. Her husband, Jake, is played by yet another favorite hunk of mine, Josh Lucas. How can you go wrong I ask??

There's much talk of fried pickles, homemade jam, babies in a bar, settin' a cat on fire, stealing fish from a pond, coon dogs, tippin' tractors and romance to boot.

I LOVE this movie!!!!!!!

Nacho Libre

Who: Hiromi
What: Nacho Libre
Where: Few years ago at the movie theater when it came out.
Why: Because I love Jack Black in baby blue stretchy pants with bright red accessories .

This movie is about a monastery cook, Ignacio (Jack Black), who grew up as an orphan himself in a small village somewhere in Mexico and who had a lifelong dream of becoming a real heroic luchador (masked wrestler) despite the opposition of people around him. His dream of becoming a luchador was crushed many times, because wrestling was forbidden by the monastery. Ignacio was looked down upon by the other monks for being an orphan himself and wanting more in life than a path to be a good monk. His letdowns refueled his passion to be Nacho Libre (masked luchador he created) by night to fight to earn money to take care of the orphans so they can have better food at the orphanage. Becoming Nacho Libre in secret at night gave Ignacio a sense of norm, who he is and his purpose in life. At the end of the movie, he proves himself and to others that he is somebody other than a pitiful cook and fulfills his lifelong dream of becoming a real hero who genuinely takes care of his people.

Although I dislike wrestling matches, I saw a television commercial for this movie and decided I wanted to see it. In fact, this movie was more than just wrestling matches. It was about music, food, culture, friendship, fashion, aiming for one man's dream and finding his purpose in life, etc.

Role casting was amazing!!! I felt like I was watching a well-made documentary, because all characters were very natural in their acting and very believable.

In contrast to many of today's movies that are filled with ongoing sound and CG effects, Nacho Libre stands out in a hue of simplicity. This movie is beautifully edited, thus it instantly became one of my favorite artistic cinemas.

I recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates simple yet artistic cinematography.

Comedy - yes.

Romance - yes, pure love.

Violence - yes, there are wrestling matches (rough actions) in the movie, but they are not gory or gruesome.

Music - awesome! I even have the soundtrack.

Casts - awesome.

Story line - super great!

Overall - an instant classic!

Cold Comfort Farm

Who: Jaclyn
What: Cold Comfort Farm (the 1995 version)
Where: At home
Why: Giving it another shot

"I saw something nasty in the woodshed!"

My friend made me watch this movie when it came out 13 years ago. I hated it. I didn't understand why she thought this movie was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So, as I was going through Netflix, looking for new victims, I saw this one and figured I'd give it another try. After all, I am older now, maybe it would make more sense.

Set in 1930's England, the premise of this movie is that the main character, Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) ends up having to live with relatives who live on Cold Comfort Farm. Her cousins are crazy, her aunt refers to her only as "Robert Poste's child" and her great-aunt keeps ranting about seeing "something nasty in the woodshed" when she was little.

The whole family is fit for the loony bin. But, with Flora's help, they start to find their callings,(and a bathtub).

I can't say that 13 years later, the clouds opened up and the world made sense by seeing this movie again, but it was more enjoyable than it had originally been.

Failure to Launch

Who: Amber (& Jonathan)
What: Failure to Launch
Where: at home - more free Showtime!
Why: I wanted to see it when it came out in theaters, so I was excited to get it for free!


Typical cheesy girly movie. Sarah Jessica Parker is always fun (I'm excited to see the Sex and the City movie!!!). I also really enjoyed Matthew McConaughey's 2 slacker friends in this flick - the cutie sidekick from National Treasure (Justin somebody?) and the jerk boyfriend/fiance from Wedding Crashers. Since I saw this for free on cable, I can honestly say it was worth every penny! If you've seen "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", this is basically the same movie with a different leading female. I'll probably watch it again when it comes on Comedy Central in 3 years.


Did I mention we see some naked butt? Way to go Terry Bradshaw!!!