Titanic (RiffTrax version)

Who: Bill & Melanie, and Melanie's co-worker/friend Liesl
What: Titanic-- The RiffTrax version
Where: On DVD, with RiffTrax commentary via Liesl's computer
Why: Who thought "Titanic" could be funny?

It's a sure bet most everyone (including myself and Melanie) has seen Titanic, the story of Jack and Rose-- he's poor and happy, she's rich and unhappy. They fall in love aboard the ill-fated Titanic. The ship hits an iceberg and it sinks. Jack dies. Rose lives. A depressing movie. But a MAJOR hit that brought Director/Producer/Co-Writer/Co-Editor James Cameron 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture for 1997.

RiffTrax has its basis in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 series. RiffTrax's head commentator Michael J. Nelson was a host and writer on that show. With RiffTrax, you can download audio commentaries for selected movies from their website (for a fee) to your computer, and play them in sync with the movie. Such is the case with the recent addition with Titanic to their play list. Nelson, along with MST3K veterans Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett, offer their "riffs" on everything from the characters (especially Jack, Rose and her snobbish fiance Caledon Nathan Hockley) to implausible situations, the ship's ultimate tragic fate, and the music as it concludes with an outrageously off-key rendition of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On". We finished the movie full of tears-- from laughter. Hard to believe this could be done from such a melancholy movie such as Titanic, but somehow RiffTrax pulled it off. Some of the comments do fall flat but more often than not, they're on target.

Movie fans looking for a different "perspective" than the usual cast and crew commentary might want to check out RiffTrax.com.

Couple's Retreat

Who: Rochelle and her Tupperware Co-Workers
What: Couple's Retreat
Where: Regal at The Loop
Why:  Living dangerously by going out on a week night after work!

I was skeptical that this was going to be a perverted movie.  It had its moments but overall it had a good message about being in a committed relationship.  It had some really funny moments and some predictable ones.  Silly kid things, barely dressed men, overweight men, uptight men, etc.  A lot of making fun of the guys.  I think it had some guy-funny moments too that I didn't find funny so it must have been a guy thing.  Such as a Guitar Hero play off that seemed to last forever.  This would be a great movie to rent.  What was really surprising is that Vince Vaugh was a co-writer.  He is a funny, creative guy.

Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What: Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj
Where:  on cable
Why:  Kal Penn is normally funny

Oh wow - this movie was not very good.  It was a cookie cutter movie you've seen 100 times. But if you enjoy British accents, that might be a good excuse to check it out.

If you remember Van Wilder, the hilarious movie staring Ryan Reynolds and Tara Reid, you might remember Van's sidekick Taj.  Actually, you probably don't remember him, because he was barely in the movie at all.  When Van Wilder came out, Kal Penn (probably best known for his Harold and Kumar roles) was a no-name actor.  But when he became immensely popular, he decided to make this piece of junk film.

Taj is a graduate student/teacher at some English University.  His father also attended this university, so he's pumped to pick up where his pimp father left off.   First stop - super awesome fraternity.  In cookie cutter format, the frat boys are total jerks and kick Taj and his bull dog out.

His only option is 'the barn', a building full of misfits (the nerd, the guy who doesn't talk, the hot girl (I'm not sure why she's a misfit) and a crazy Scottish soccer fan.   Taj teaches the kids about self respect and standing up for yourself … blah, blah, blah.  Of course, they throw a massive party and all the stuffing English people attend, which makes the snobby fraternity crazy mad!

Did I mention there is also a university wide competition to win 'The Cup"?  Seriously, this movie is Revenge of the Nerds all over again.

In typical cookie cutter format, Taj steals a girl away from the snobby frat (Revenge of the Nerds again!), the frat boys play a prank on Taj to make the girl mad at him, blah, blah, blah. You've seen and heard all this before.

Blue Streak

Who:  Amber
What:  Blue Streak
Where:  cable
Why: I can watch this movie over and over

I've seen this movie 100 times, and I'll probably watch it 100 more.  It's one of those movies where I can just have it on in the background, and it's still hilarious.

Martin Lawrence (in his hey day) is a bank robber.  A heist goes wrong when his partner turns on him.  Martin escapes by entering a building that's under construction.  He hides a giant diamond he was stealing, then the cops find him.

Fast forward 2 years, and Martin is out of jail.  First stop - go back to that building that was under construction and get that diamond.  Unfortunately that once under construction building has been completed … into a police station.  He can't just stroll in there and head up to the 3rd floor.  He tried to fake deliver a pizza, and that doesn't work.  So he turns to another con-man who makes a bunch of fake IDs for him, and a phony police career as a new transfer.

Since Martin is a criminal, he knows how criminals work.  The minute he walks into the police station, they get a robbery call.  He just wants to get his diamond and get out of there before they realize his police record is 100% fake.  Instead he gets thrown with a partner (Luke Wilson), who's a quiet, nerdy guy, but he's smart.  With Martin's genius criminal mind, he is solving crimes left and right.  With in the hour, he's promoted!

He tries to weasel out of police work, so he has time to search the air ducts for his diamond.  Of course he eventually finds it, and drops it in a huge pile of drug evidence.

Queue the action car chase scene with the FBI as Martin works 'undercover' to recover his diamond.  Everything is for this diamond!

Will Luke Wilson figure out that Martin is a bogus cop?  He's pretty smart, but he's also pretty gullible.  How about the double crossing partner of his ... where is he after the bank robbing gone bad?  I'm sure he's after the diamond as well (hint, hint). 

Find this '90s movie on cable.  I guarantee you'll laugh.

High Anxiety

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  High Anxiety
Where:  @ home on DVD
Why:  Jonathan picked it

So I'm sick on the couch, and my husband pulls out High Anxiety, a Mel Brooks movie.  I can't stand Mel Brooks.  But it's his birthday, so I have no complaints.

This movie wasn't half bad.  Normally Mel Brooks movies are unwatchable for me.  But this one wasn't too bad. I might even agree to watch it a second time!

It's a semi-parody of 3 Alfred Hitchcock movies: The Birds, Psycho and Vertigo.

Mel Brooks is a psychologist, taking a job as head doctor of a prestigious psych ward.  The previous head doctor was about to implement some changes, and he mysteriously died.  The head nurse is Cloris Leachman, who is unidentifiable at the ugly (and thin!) nurse.  She's a bad dude, who pretty much runs the joint.

Now, I was pretty sick on the couch, so I wasn't paying 100% attention to the movie, so I might have missed a couple plot points.  But Cloris Leachman is trying to run the entire mental institute by killing off anybody who gets in her way.

Mel Brooks heads to San Francisco to attend a conference.  A lovely lady breaks into his room.   She's the daughter of somebody who has been kidnapped by Cloris Leachman.  Que a HILARIOUS psycho-based shower scene (I admit - I laughed at somebody Mel Brooks did.  I hate to admit that) and a pretty funny The Birds based scene.

Have you seen the classic disaster movie The Towering Inferno?  Then you'll recognize the hotel that Mel Brooks stays in!  Those elevators are famous around the world! (or maybe just famous in my mind)

Mel Brooks is framed for a murder while in San Francisco.  It's crazy Cloris Leachman, trying to get rid of him with out actually killing him.  Stuff happens, yadda, yadda, yadda. Mel Brooks saves the day, and sings a funny song.

I can't say I "recommend" this movie, but I can't recommend anything Mel Brooks (even after seeing this decent movie, I still don't like his stuff) ...

50 Pills

Who:  Amber
What:  50 Pills
Where:  Comedy Central
Why:  Kristen Bell is in it

This movie was not very good.  I saw "Kristen Bell" on my DVR, so I figured I would give it a try.  I liked her in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

The movie opens with the main character (I already forgot his name - that's how forgettable this movie was - I'll call him GUY) talking to the camera.  Talking directly to the camera is tricky to pull off, and he is not pulling it off.

Guy is going to college in NYC for the first time.   His roommate is a super stud, and Guy is mesmerized by him.   Guy seems like an idiot, even though he's got a full ride college scholarship.  Guy and roommate throw a huge party on day 1, it gets busted, and they are on probation.  One more slip up, and Guy's scholarship is gone.  Instead of not partying, they just sneak around a lot.

When Guy gets back from Thanksgiving break (his mom is played by the woman boss in 40 Year Old Virgin - she is just great!), he finds a note on his room.  The roommate got caught throwing a party, so that means Guy's scholarship is gone.  Really NYC college?!?  If your roommate throws a party over Thanksgiving break, you penalize the roommate who wasn't even there ... riiiiight.

Anyway, so the roommate offers Guy 50 pills of ecstasy and his pager.  He can sell them in 24 hours to get some cash to stay in school.

Really?  50 pills of ecstasy at $20 a piece is going to pay for school.  Wake up Guy - that's not enough money for college.  Plus the cute girl that likes you (Kristen Bell) doesn't approve).

He starts selling the drugs to funny and odd people.  Watching that part of the movie was amusing, but the rest was a waste of time.  Of course Guy blows it with the girl, but they get together at the end.

Blah!

The Proposal

Who: RR and Bob
What: The Proposal
Where: AMC PI
Why: Birthday Date Night--I picked the movie!

You probably saw a glimpse of this movie being advertised. It stars Sandra Bullock as, Margaret, a high-power publishing executive. She is on the verge of a huge deal with an author who hasn't done an interview in years and she got him on Oprah. At the peak of the deal coming together, her boss let's her know that since she didn't finish her immigration paperwork she is being deported back to Canada. In a last minute ploy to save her job and stay in the US she tell her boss that she is engaged to her assistant Andrew, played by Ryan Reynolds. He agrees to the marriage after he learns that she is really his only ticket to an Editor position and a better career. They go to the immigration office to fill out the appropriate papers and are confronted by a skeptical nerdy agent. He challenges their relationship and threatens to blow their cover and deport her and jail and fine him.

In an effort to prove their relationship is real, the couple goes to Alaska to meet Andrews parents, friends, and family. Upon arrival Margaret is the obvious fish out of water but learns that Andrew's family is wealthy and soon finds herself being one of the girls and loving being a part of the family. Over the course of the weekend the couple learns about each other as preparation of the grilling they will get through the immigration process. Gradually the focus shifts from all attention on Margaret to Margaret learning that Andrew is actually a great guy. The rest would ruin the movie so you will have to go see it.

I was expecting this movie to be very predictable and just another comedy-romance. I was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There were some very funny moments and as always, Betty White, really steals the show! It was a bit predictable but it was still entertaining. If there isn't anything else showing that you are interested in and you want to see a movie this is a good fill-in.

The Strongest Man in the World

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  The Strongest Man in the World
Where:  @ home on cable
Why:  Classic Disney!

In the age of steroids in sports, this movie is a little less funny than it probably was back in the '70s.   I mean, these kids are eating cereal spiked with some sort of crazy science formula, and they can suddenly clean and jerk over 1000lbs.  But I digress ...

Disney has taken us back to Medford College (which, I believe was the setting for another Kurt Russell Disney classic The Smartest Man in the World).  The dean of Medford is a total bonehead, and he needs to cut costs quickly.  Getting rid of the super cool science professor should do the trick!  He's always spending way too much money to silly science experiments.

Walking into the science classroom, he find a cow.  He is flabbergasted!  (He's pretty much flabbergasted the entire movie).  The Dean causes a ruckus, which causes the cow to go a little nuts, and 2 science experiments get mixed together and spill into some cereal.

Pan to the next day, when Kurt Russell is eating cereal.  His head hurts, he winces, and smoke comes out of his nose.  Pretty weird huh?  He tries to tie his shoe, and he tears the laces right off.  He pulls the doorknob right off the door.  He dunks a basketball and breaks the rim right off!  What the heck is going on?!?

It's the cereal mixed with science experiment!  It made him incredibly strong.  He tells the dean, who immediately goes into nutso mode.  This could make a ton of money for the school. He takes the "spiked" cereal to the head of the cereal manufacturer, eats some, and demonstrates how strong he all of a sudden is.

Naturally, the cereal manufacturer is thrilled.  And, naturally, she challenges a rival cereal manufacturer to a weigh lifting match.  She can't loose with her 'spiked' cereal!!  (how silly is this movie)

Of course, things don't go as planned.   The Medford kids are all really scrawny, the rival college guys are professional bodybuilders.  Medford is getting crushed in the competition, because the cereal mysteriously doesn't work anymore.

Can Kurt Russell save the day?!?

The Parent Trap

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  The Parent Trap
Where:  Fort Wilderness campfire movie
Why:  I've never seen this movie!

I highly recommend this movie to everybody.  This is the version from the early 90s staring a new actress … maybe you've heard of her … Lindsay Lohan.

Say with you will about current Lindsay, but little 11 year old Lindsay Lohan is adorable and a wonderful kid actress.

Halley is a tomboy from California.  Annie is a proper girl from London.  Both are *ironically* sent to the same summer camp.  When they first lay eyes on each other, they are stunned.  Besides Annie's long hair, they are identical.  As 11 year old girls go, being identical is not cool, so they dislike each other.  Silly camp pranks ensue, and Halley and Annie are sent to the "Isolation Bunk".  Stuck all alone, they eventually being buds and talk about their lives.  Halley has a father but no mother.  Annie has a mother but no father. Their birthday is the same … dum, dum, dum … they are related!!

Since neither one has met the other parent, they decide to switch places.  Halley learns a fake British accent and Annie cuts her hair, and the switch is on!

Neither parent knows what's up, the Halley's cook and Annie's grandpa seem to think something is off.

A problem arises when the father is remarrying a 26 year old bimbo!  The girls must stop it and get their parents back together.  They all meet up in California and the parents are totally shocked, but pleased to see the family is all together again.  A ruckus at a hotel pool and a camping trip gone awry, and everything is happily ever after (in true Disney style).

This movie is very sweet, and little Lohan is adorable. The mother is played by Natasha Richardson, who recently passed away.

Bottle Shock

Who: Bill & Melanie
What: Bottle Shock
Where: Borrowed the DVD from our neighbor
Why: It takes place in the Napa Valley

In 1976 the Napa Valley had an emerging reputation of growing high quality grapes, which resulted in some outstanding wines. But outside of a handful of wine connoisseurs, few people were aware of this. Bottle Shock tells the story of a small family-owned winery called Chateau Montelena, and how its wines and other California-based wines (many produced in the Napa Valley) "shocked" the world when they bested the more-established French wines at a blind taste testing known as The Judgement of Paris.

Filmed primarily in the Napa Valley (with nearby Sonoma being used for scenes taking place in Paris), Bottle Shock is an entertaining and enjoyable story with a unique blend of actors of past and present "vintage": Bill Pullman as Jim Barret (owner of Chateau Montelena), Chris Pine as son Bo Barret, Alan Rickman as Steven Spurrier (the man who organized the blind taste test), Rachael Taylor as Samantha, Freddy Rodriguez as Gustavo, Eliza Dushku as a street-smart local bartender named Jo, and Dennis Farina as Maurice.

I was raised in Napa, so anytime I hear of a movie that takes place or was filmed there, it immediately gets my interest. Bottle Shock was one such film. It premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and had a limited run in theaters. Most people probably still have not heard of the movie. It is worth seeking out, not only for its compelling story, but for its incredible cast. In particular, Chris Pine wasn't well known when Bottle Shock was being filmed. That has since changed with his acclaimed performance as the young James T. Kirk in the recent re-launch of the Star Trek franchise. His comes from an acting family: mother Gwynne Gilford has had small roles in TV shows and movies over the years and father Robert Pine is best-known from co-starring in the long-running series "CHiPs". Eliza Dushku has appeared in many popular movies such as True Lies, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and a recurring role in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. She is currently starring and co-producing in Joss Whedon's latest television series Dollhouse. Rachael Taylor has appeared in a number of recent movies including the 2007 blockbuster Transformers.

Because Bottle Shock is about wines and wine-making, one enhancement to your enjoyment would be to watch the movie with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir-- preferably from the Napa Valley of course. Salud!

Leatherheads

Who:  Jonathan and Amber
What:  Leatherheads
Where:  @ home - recorded off HBO
Why:  It's about football

While I won't classify this movie as "great" nor in the "I will watch it again category", it was an enjoyable flick.

In the 1920's, professional football is crap. It's played on cow pastures, nobody is making any money, and teams are folding like crazy. On the other hand, college football is super awesome, and over 40,000 people show up to watch it!

George Clooney (Dodge) has been playing pro football forever. His team is about to fold. When he hears about how many fans college player (and war hero!) John Krazinski (Carter) has, he has a brilliant idea. Invite Carter to play for the Duluth Bulldogs, and all his fans will flock to pro football.

Carter agrees to a huge salary, and the fans arrive!  Pro football is becoming super awesome.

Did I mention Carter is also a war hero? America just loves him. He's cute, a great athlete and an all American hero. Although his war story seems a little too good to be true. A bunch of Germans just dropped their guns and gave up for no reason. The Chicago Daily Tribune is suspicious.

Send in Renee Zellweger (Lexi Littleton). She travels aroaund with the now super famous Duluth Bulldogs and tries to get the REAL story out of Carter. Meanwhile, Carter is falling for her, and so is Dodge.

Who will Lexi pick?  Will the world ever find about about Carter's real war story?  Can old man Dodge (he's like 45 and still playing football - impressive) survive the new, faster game of pro football?

Side note:  Randy Newman (of Pixar fan - "You've Got a Friend in Me") did all the piano side music in this movie.  Watch the scene in the bar, and you'll see Randy playing his piano.  You go Randy!

The Hangover

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  The Hangover
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  It's got "Andy" from the office

I love a good 'ole raunchy comedy (Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), and this movie was no exception.  It was raunch and hilarious!

Doug (the sidekick from National Treasure) is getting married.  He is headed to Vegas with his 2 best friends (Bradley Cooper who is so cute and Ed Helms) and his future brother in law, who looks like a cave man.

They check in to a huge hotel suite, do a few shots to toast the evening then .... it's morning.  The room is trashed, a chicken is walking around, a tiger is in the bathroom, a chair is slightly on fire, a baby is crying from the closet and Doug is nowhere to be found.

The 2 best friends and the brother in-law try desperately to remember what happened the night before, but they have no clue.  Cutie pie Bradley Cooper is wearing a hospital wrist band, so they start there.  As the day goes on, and Doug is still lost, the boys discover more and more about what happened last night.  

Why is Ed Helms missing a tooth?  Why is Mike Tyson in their hotel room?  Whose baby is this?  And where is Doug?!?

As the boys drive around Vegas following their clues, each gag is funnier and funnier than the first.  If you love comedies, I highly recommend this movie!

I think the credits were actually my favorite part of the movie.

Up

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  UP
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  It's Pixar!

I had been seeing previews and photos for UP for about 8 months now.  Since it was Pixar, I knew it would be good, but I wasn't so sure about the story and if it would be as good as all the other Pixar movies.

And, as a friend mentioned to me today, if I told you the plot and the funny scenes of the movie, it would just seem ridiculous and lame.  But the movie is WONDERFUL.

Maybe because I'm such a sap for seeing movies with cute old couples who have been happily married for ever ... or maybe because my life is kind-of like Carl and Elle Fredrickson.  They are happy to be around each other, and they happily just live their lives.  They aren't really extravagant or noteworthy.  They just build a home for themselves and enjoy being married.

If you don't really want to see UP, or if you're embarrassed that you want to see UP, but your friends won't see it with you, I highly encourage you to at least watch the first 15 minutes.  After that, you're ok to leave.

Also, the classic Pixar short film before the the movie is adorable.  I think it might be my favorite yet!

Go see this movie immediately!!!  Adults will love the romance, kids will love the adventure.  It's a win/win!

Blind Dating

Who: Jaclyn
What: Blind Dating
Where: At Home
Why: Netflix

Blind dating is about a man named Danny who has been blind since birth (he was born 3 months early). He is desperately seeking love and his brother Lorenzo tries to set him up with all the trashy women he knows. Danny doesn't like any of them and gets mad at his brother.

Danny is due to be part of an experiment to allow him to see and in the process, ends up falling for a girl who works as a receptionist at his doctor's office. However, this girl is already engaged. 

It's a cute fluff story about how a man with self esteem issues overcomes his fears to find happiness. Sounds cheesy, but I was amused.

Mamma Mia!

Who:  Amber, Jonathan and friends
What:  Mamma Mia!
Where:  Leu Gardens, Orlando FL
Why:  It was outdoor movie date night!

I've always been curious about this movie, but I know Jonathan would never want to see it. Thankfully, his work friends were all going to a local garden to watch their monthly "date night" outdoor movie - and it was Mamma Mia!

20-year-old Sophie lives with her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) in Greece Donna runs a a cute and rundown hotel. Sophie is about to get married and wants her father to give her away. The problem, she has no clue who her father is. After reading her mother's diary, she discovers that she "got busy" with 3 guys the same month 20 years ago. One of them must be her father!

So, what does any bonehead 20 year old do - invite all 3 of them to the wedding. The moment she sees "her dad", she'll just know ... right?

Wrong! All 3 guys are pretty cool, and she has no idea. The 3 guys finally figure out what is going on, and they all 3 assume they are her father. Donna is mortified all 3 of these guys are staying at her hotel.

Hilarity ensues, Sophie's fiance is getting jittery, but the wedding goes off with out a hitch. Not! Come on, this is the movies remember?

The entire time I was dying to find out which guy is Sophie's dad is! It was such a suspenseful movie! Is it cutie Pierce Brosnen (sp?). Some crazy hippy guy with eye tattoos on his knees and butt (yes, we see some old man butt). Or the business suit guy who just might be gay.

Did I mention that every 10 minutes, somebody would break out into singing an ABBA song? It was pretty clever how all these random songs fit together to make a movie musical.

If you like cheese ball weddings and cheese ball music, then I recommend this movie. It was fun, cheesy and the location was gorgeous!

Live Free or Die Hard

Who:  Amber
What:  Live Free or Die Hard
Where:  @ home, I own it on DVD
Why:  It's a classic!

NYPD Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) randomly receives a phone call from the FBI to drive NY hacker named Matt Farrell (Justin Long) down to Washington. Turns out there was a hack in an FBI computer system, so they would like to question all hackers who are on the "list".

Right when John gets to Matt's apartment, a group of men show up and try to kill John and Matt. Of course, McClane manages to get them both out, and kill a bunch of the bad guys in the process.

As it turns out, a group of terrorists have hacked into EVERYTHING - shutting down airports, traffic lights, social security, everything!

Thankfully, Matt knows enough about hacking and can help McClane shut them down. But not with out some crazy adventures! Since the hackers can see everything (there are cameras everywhere you know), they are making it extremely hard for our 2 heros. McClane kills more bad guys and gets him self out of unbelievable situations (seriously - they were a tad unbelievable).

The final straw is when the hackers kidnap Lucy, McClane's college age daughter. Yippe-ki-aye - let's go rescue her!!!

If you love action movies, then this is a MUST SEE. There are some great action and fight scenes. Did you know you can blow up a helicopter with a car? And Justin Long and Bruce Willis work really well together. Bruce Willis is an old school dude, and Justin Long is a young whipper snapper. But their banter back and forth is hilarious!

MONSTERS VS ALIENS

Who: Kerri, Mitchel, & Emily
What: Monsters Vs Aliens
Where: Showplace 14
Why: Spring break, and the kids have been stuck inside with crappy weather!


After being struck by a meteor on her wedding day, Susan changes to "the attack of the 50 ft woman mode" She's taken to a secret government facility which houses some other monsters.

When the government discovers aliens have landed, their only defense is 'the monsters'

Chaos ensues, people learn lessons. A fun time for all.

The animation is well done, we didn't get to see it in 3-D because we live in Podunk Illinois and they don't do that 'fun' stuff I can see where some of the shots would have been great in 3D though.

There were LOTS of famous voices, Reece Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Hough Laurie, Will Arnet, Paul Rudd, Seth, Rogan, to name a few. I hardly recognized Keifer - he did a great job, and Rainn Wilson was hilarious as the alien. Seth Rogan as B.O.B was great fun too.

I took Mitchel, my 13 year old autistic son, he's STILL laughing over it. The kids in the audience loved it, and there was enough humor to keep the adults engrossed in it.

Run Fatboy Run

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Run Fatboy Run
Where:  @ home
Why:  Jonathan owns the DVD

Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) is a lazy and slightly overweight guy. 5 years ago, he left his 8 month pregnant fiance Libby (Thande Newton) at the alter because he was too scared to get married. Ever since, he's been a great dad to his son and he's regretted his decision. He really loves Libby.

When he discovers that Libby has found a hot new boyfriend, Whitt (Hank Azaria), Dennis tries to make his move on Libby, even if that means befriending Whitt. Whitt is good looking and in shape - he even runs marathons!

In order to prove to Libby that he's a worthy man, Dennis vows to also run the marathon.

Now, this sounds pretty cheese huh? Running a marathon to impress a woman. But the story is pretty solid. Libby and Dennis both admit that running a marathon won't the love back "on". But the running scenes are pretty funny, and it's really a moving story. I highly recommend it!

Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
Where: @ home off cable
Why:  B/c we were going to watch his roast pretty soon

This movie wasn't as bad as you're thinking. Granted, it was bad, and I'm REALLY glad I watched it for free (while I was making lunch), but it wasn't awful.

Larry The Cable Guy plays a big city health inspector (filmed in Orlando - you can clearly see Lake Eola and the city hall building!) who loves visiting all his mom 'n pop diner friends and crazy ethnic restaurants. Being a healthy inspector means free food!

His easygoing, fart when ever you feel like it, life is turned upside-down when he's assigned a new partner, a very masculine girl named Butins. Oh man, he loves that last name of Butins! She's a rookie "agent", who loves the rules. Larry is ... well, he's just Larry.

Every super fancy restaurant in town is getting poisoned. Going undercover, and wearing his trademark no sleeved shirts, Larry and Butins (who is totally disgusted by Larry) attempted to break this case wide open, or Larry will be fired!

Along for the ride is a cute waitress and Larry's boss, none other than Biff from Back to the Future. Remember in Back to the Future when they put make up on high school aged Biff to make it look like he was 40. Seriously, that make up artist deserves a Lifetime Achievement award because real life 40 year old Biff looks exactly like make-up'ed 40 year odl Biff!

'Git-R-Done!'

Idiocracy

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Idiocracy
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  Jonathan's brother recommended it

Jonathan's brother kept going on and on about Idiocracy the last time we hung out with him, so I was thankful that I found it on my DVR. It was a decent movie, but not one I'll be raving about. I'm glad I didn't pay any money to watch it.

The opening is hilarious. It talks all about how stupid people easily out-breed the intelligent, which will eventually create an dysfunctional society. 

Army librarian man Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) and prostitute Rita (Mya Rudolph) are guinea pigs in a military hibernation project.  They are put to sleep in a chamber, and they will be awaked 1 year later.  Joe is picked because he is the epitome of average.  If you look at a bell graph, Joe will be right in the middle.  Unfortunately, the experiment is forgotten when the officer in charge is arrested, and the Army building where Joe and Rita are sleeping is bulldozed over.

500 years later, their hibernation chambers are jarred open by a  garbage avalanche.  Joe is disoriented and confused.  After seeing the date on a magazine in a doctors office, he is stunned to find himself in the future!

Since all the "stupid" people have been doing all the breeding the past 500 years, the world is a very "stupid" place.  Everything is misspelled and dirty.  The doctor Joe visits gives him a diagnosis as "retarded".

Long story short, even though Joe was totally average in 2005, in 2505 he is BY FAR the smartest person in the world.  Will Joe use his superior intellect to save the world from what has happened to it?  Or will Joe find Rita, track down a time machine (or time "masheen" as it's now spelled), and make it back to his century?

Look for a lot of cameo appearances by all of Mike Judge's friends (the writer/director of Office Space).