Pineapple Express

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Pineapple Express
Where:  rented from Blockbuster
Why:  We both wanted to see it

I'm a Judd Apatow, gross comedy movie fan.  This movie wasn't his typical lots of swearing, 'maybe this should be rated more than R' type movie.  It was really, really funny, but it wasn't openly funny.  It seemed like all the characters were just winging their dialog.  A lot of random stuff was said under their breath.  I think if I saw this movie a 2nd or 3rd time, it would be even funnier b/c I would hear more stuff.

Dale (Seth Rogan) is a process server.  He drives around and hands out court appointed papers.  It's an easy job that allows him to drive around and do the 2 things he loves:  smoke weed and listen to AM talk radio.  He's been recently buying weed from Saul (James Franco - almost unrecognizable from his Spiderman roll).  Saul was a weird character.  He seemed pretty intelligent, and he loves his grandma, but he's also a drug dealer and kind-of a moron.  Regardless, his Jaws t-shirt from the '80s and his Zumba pants.  (if you're a football fan, you know what I'm talking about!  Actually, they're not really Zumba brand, but they have that Zumba feel to them).

As Dale drives out to a big house to serve some papers, he sees a cop and a guy shoot somebody.  He freaks out, drops his weed (he's smoking 24/7!) and drives away (hitting the cop car in the process).  Unfortunately, the guy who murdered somebody was the head drug dealer in town.  Even more unfortunately, the weed he dropped was the infamous Pineapple Express weed.  Only one dealer in town had it - Saul.  So now Dale and Saul are on the run!  They can't go to the cops, because they are in on it!

The rest of the movie shows them on the run for the next 2 days, until the big showdown in a huge drug warehouse.  Dale and Saul are unlikely heros, but they manage to come out ok.  See this movie for the hilarious banter between Dale and Saul, for Dale's hilarious girlfriend, and even more hilarious father of the girlfriend!

One big bummer - that snazzy song from the previews is nowhere to be found.

John Tucker Must Die

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  John Tucker Must Die
Where:  @ home - recorded off cable
Why:  It looked cute

This movie was a big ball of cheesy fun.

John Tucker is the hottest guy in high school.  He's dating the head cheerleader (duh!).  He's also dating the head of the school paper.  He's also dating another stereotypical teen - the earthy, vegetarian.  The 3 girls find out about each other, and they formulate a plan to get back to John Tucker.

Kate, the new girl in town, has no friends.  I find this IMPOSSIBLE to believe b/c she's incredibly hot (Brittney Snow).  She's also super smart, and hangs out with a nerd-ish boy with curly hair.  He just happens to be John Tucker's younger brother.

The 3 ditched girls convince Kate to 'fake' date John Tucker, then break up with him and break his heart.  She goes along with it, b/c she's happy to finally have some friends.  The girls help her become even hotter, and teach her classic dating techniques.

I'm sure you can see where this is going ...

As teeny bopper as it may sound, it was actually a quality movie.  It has a happy ending, but it doesn't end in your typical teenage fashion.  If you can find it on cable, and you are looking for some giggles, check it out!

CHiPs 99

Who: Bill
What: CHiPs 99
Where: Old tape recorded when it first aired
Why: One of my favorite childhood shows was "CHiPs"

CHiPs--an acronym for California Highway Patrol-- originally aired from 1977 to 1983 on NBC. The show followed the adventures of motorcycle officers Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Erik Estrada) as they patrolled the vast Southern California freeway system and surrounding streets. High-speed chases, spectacular slow-motion car crashes and plenty of light humor along with John Parker’s memorable theme song and a disco soundtrack by film composer Alan Silvestri (starting in the second season) made CHiPs a very popular show with young viewers for most of its six years. In October 1998, 15 years after the last episode, cable network TNT brought back most of the original stars for a reunion movie clearly designed for those who watched the show either in its first-run era or during the years of reruns that followed. The movie was called CHiPs 99, even though it premiered in the fall of 1998.


In the movie, Ponch has returned to the CHP, teaming up with Jon (now a Captain) to investigate the theft of high-end automobiles. The story is reminiscent of the first episode’s main plot back in 1977, right down to a similar opening chase sequence. Helping out Jon and Ponch are their former Sergeant-- now Commissioner-- Joe Getraer (Robert Pine), former Officer and now Detective Grossman (Paul Linke), Officer Baricza (Brodie Greer) and just-promoted Sergeant Bruce Nelson (Bruce Penhall). Along for the ride are newer recruits Officer Roulette (Paul Korver), Office McFall (David Ramsey), helicopter pilot Stormy (Sean Holland) and Jon’s wife Officer Sandy Baker (Stacy Randall). Special cameo appearances are made by Garry Marshall, Stephen J. Cannell, Judge Judy Sheindlin, CHiPs creator Rick Rosner, and infamous celebrity lawyer Johnnie Cochran.

It is great to see Ponch and Jon back together again, albeit a little older, a little wiser and a little heavier… or in Ponch’s case, “paunchier”. It’s actually a testament to the excellent on-screen chemistry of Estrada and Wilcox which makes this movie and the original series fun to watch. Although CHiPs appealed especially to kids and teens, CHiPs 99 acknowledges that audience is now grown-up. That maturity level is reflected in scenes involving serious danger and the use of mild profanity in a few scenes. Additionally, the movie provides appropriate closure that was missed when the series ended.

When Wilcox left CHiPs in 1982, it was thought that Estrada’s higher popularity would be enough to sustain the show. But viewers quickly missed Jon and CHiPs reached the end of the freeway a year later. For that last year, Ponch was given new partners, first Bobby Nelson and then brother Bruce. It is noteworthy that Tom Reilly, who played Bobby, proved to be a difficult person on the set and his arrest for drunk driving and drug possession led to his role being significantly reduced. The well-liked Penhall effectively became the new co-star. For fans of the series, a rescue scene in the movie involving Jon and Bruce takes on added significance as the two never appeared together in the series.


While no further CHiPs reunion movies were produced, a feature film starring Wilmer Valderrama as Ponch is being planned for later in 2009. In the meantime, CHiPs 99 may occasionally air on TNT. It's worth catching if you find it and a definite "thumbs up".

The Messangers

Who:  Amber
What:  The Messangers
Where:  at home - recorded off cable
Why:  My Friday the 13th scary movie marathon!

This movie was more 'thriller' than horror.  It was scary, but it's wasn't a bloody gore fest.

The movie opens with a mother, teenage girl and a young boy running thru their large farm house from spooky Grudge-like apparitions.

Fast forward 5 years, and a family is moving in to the farm house.  The teenager, Jess (the girl from Twilight) is obviously not thrilled about moving from Chicago to middle of nowhere North Dakota.  Bad things start happening to her, and only here, so of course her parents don't believe her.

At first this seemed like a typical super natural thriller.  You know, the house is alive type of movie.  But throw in a little surprise ending, and it was pretty good!

Stay Alive

Who:  Amber
What:  Stay Alive
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  Part of my Friday the 13th horror movie marathon

I had never heard of this movie before, but I found it on the Chiller network.  It said it stared Frankie Munez, so I figured I'd give it a try.

The plot is some what ridiculous, but this movie really scared me.  Maybe it was because I was watching it on Friday the 13th, it was dark outside, I was all alone, and I found 2 cats on my back porch (I don't have a cat).

Anyway, this movie opens with a guy playing a video game called Stay Alive.  Actually, he's a video game tester, so this game isn't even out yet.  He dies in the game, and it freaks him out a little bit.  1 hour later, he's dead in real life.

Another group of hard core gamers start playing the game, and they are in trouble too.  The game is actually based on a real legend of some freaky lady who liked to kill young girls.

Long story short, a couple of gamers die, while the rest figure out how to face this wacko lady, with a little help from the video game.  The spirit lady was kind-of freaky, and there were a lot of startling scenes (like scary stuff jumping out from nowhere).  If you like scary movies, then you might want to check it out.  Otherwise, you can probably pass.

Gran Torino

Who: Scott & Kerri, with some friends of ours
What: Gran Torino
Where: Showplace 16 Rockford IL
Why: We got a call, 'let's go to the movies' so we went!


I've been wanting to see this movie, but haven't had the chance to get to the theatre. I figured I'd have to wait til the DVD. I am glad we went.

This movie had a lot of funny moments, wrapped in a very serious film. Clint Eastwood plays a widower who does not get along with his neighbors, his kids, his grandkids, his priest.. you get the picture. Old Curmudgeon doesn't even begin to describe him. He's living in the house he raised his family in, and the neighborhood is now mostly Chinese Immigrants, but it's the gangs that are the real problem. He doesn't set out to be a hero, he really just wants to be left alone, and for people to stay off his lawn.

When the older cousin of the teenage neighbor (Tao) insists that Tao join his gang, things go bad. Tao is a quiet kid who doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, except he knows he doesn't want to be in a gang. There are no men in his life, his mom and sister are constantly bossing him around. He is very much in danger to being lost to the gangs, until Walt steps in.

Tao's mother feels Tao owes a debt to Walt (Eastwood), so she makes Tao work for Walt. Slowly Walt starts to warm to Tao, and especially Tao's sister, Su. In the course of events, Walt ends up saving both of them at different times from gang activity. Su and Tao do eventually befriend Walt, even against his will, he cares for them as well.

I do not want to give away the ending, it's very powerful, and in some ways shocking. But you leave that theatre with a "Wow." There was a lot of funny stuff through the entire film, I know when we watch it again on DVD, there's going to be a lot more dialogue we pick up on since there was such laughing in the theatre! But once you get to the end of the film, it was dead quiet in the theatre.

I'd heard this was a great film, although I think it's even better than I'd expected.

Freddy vs. Jason

Who:  Amber
What:  Freddy vs. Jason
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  The 3rd movie in my horror movie marathon

This movie was cheese ball city - but if you are a fan of either Freddy Krugar (Nightmare on Elm Street) and/or Jason Voorhes (Friday the 13th), then you must see this movie!

The movie starts out with Freddy's back story.  They even show clips from his old movies!  Basically, the kids on Elm Street have forgotten all about him, so he's lost all his power.  His plan is to have Jason start killing people in Elm Street, then everybody will think he's back ... start to remember him, and *wham* his power will be resorted!  Then he can get rid of Jason, and continue killing kids himself.

Of course, the first to go are the slutty teens and the underage drinkers.

There is a quality back story with our main girl (somebody I've never seen before), her doctor father who works in a mental hospital and her boyfriend from 4 years ago who disappeared, who was actually in the mental hospital (although she didn't know that).

The kids and a young cop realize what is going on, and devise a plan to bring Freddy out of their dreams and into real life so Jason can get rid of him.  Let the serial killer showdown begin!

Who will win?!?  I'll never tell ... although the new Friday the 13th movie came out last weekend, so maybe that gives it away a little bit.

The Other Boleyn Girl

Who: Lola
What: The Other Boleyn Girl
Where: 60" of Blu-Ray in my family room
Why: It was cheap on the Blockbuster used shelf



So...my first attempt at Yakking!!!

This movie is the story of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. It stars Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johannsen and Eric Bana. The movie is based on a book by Phillipa Gregory. A book that Ms. Gregory says to be fact, but is actually a fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Boleyn.

I am not one of those people who read a book, and immediately discount the movie version. I am, however, a person who nitpicks when a movie is incredibly different from the book. There are not enough nits in the world for me to pick to account for the differences from print to screen in this movie, but I digress, I am here to talk about the movie.

This is the story of Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary. The Boleyns are a power hungry bunch, and the daughters are used to gain "favor" with King Henry. They become King H8's Holly and Kendra I guess. Henry wants a son to be his heir, and his wife, Catherine of Aragon cannot give him one. Mary becomes Henry's mistress and mother of a son who will never be king. Anne uses her feminine ways to get Henry to break from the Catholic Church, divorce Catherine and marry her. She really loses her head over this guy...

For the women, this movie does not have enough "romance". For the men, nothing blows up. The movie moves along at a quirky pace. The gay men are neutered. The straight men are neutered.

I'd rent it if you had nothing else to add to your Netflix queue. And didn't want to be bothered with reading the book. And aren't a stickler for historic accuracy.

Some Wierd Trivia though...

• The neckalce that Natalie Portman wears in the movie (a B with pearl teardrops) is the same one Ugly Betty wears on that show.


• At one point in the movie, Natalie Portman's Anne utters the Star Wars Line "you're my only hope" it made me chuckle.

Pineapple Express

Who: Liz and Robert
What: Pineapple Express
Where: home
Why: we wanted to
Well, I have to be in the mood for movies like this and I sort of enjoyed it. The whole premise of this movie is this stoner, is about to serve a asubpoena to this guy and he watches the guy murder someone! This is after he has just picked up some new type of pot from his dealer. Well, it is all about trying to not be found by the guy who murdered the person and what happens to the stoner guy, ( I forget the names of the characters) and his drug dealer and the drug dealer’s drug dealer. It was such a farce because with all the shooting going on, people should actually be dead, but similar to a cartoon, these folks live and actually walk around! Without medical intervention- I mean this doesn’t happen in real life.
The funniest part of the whole movie was dinner with the stoner’s girlfriends’ parents. I really laughed out loud at that part, but the rest of it was just kind of stupid.
If you are in the mood to just laugh and put aside all normal ideas about the way things happen, then this movie is for you.

Final Destination 2

Who:  Amber
What:  Final Destination 2
Where:  I own it on DVD
Why:  It's Friday the 13th

I love horror movies - and the movies in the Final Destination series scare the poop out of me.  I think it's because they are so 'real'.  I mean, there are people dying right and left, which is unrealistic, but they are dying from 'real' things.  There isn't a zombie, or a killer shark, or a maniac with a chainsaw.  They are falling off ladders or getting in car crashes.

This movie starts out with a girl (wow - I already forgot her name.  It's AJ Cook - who plays JJ on Criminal Minds) going on a spring break with 3 friends.  She gets on the highway, and all of a sudden a huge log falls off a logging truck.  The truck screeches to a hault, more logs fall off, and there is a huge pile up.  Her car is flipping over and over.  Many people are killed in the crash.  A burning semi truck is headed right for her upside down car ... then she wakes up.  She's had a crazy vision of what is about to happen.  Sitting at the green light, about to merge on to the highway, she realizes all the cars behind her will all crash with her.  She turns her car so nobody can get by.

Of course, all the cars stuck behind her at the light are totally annoyed ... until they realize she saved their lives ... or did she?

You see, when it's your time to go, it's your time to go.  Death has a plan.  So one by one, each person who was supposed to die in the car crash is killed.  The spooky (and gross!) thing about this movie is the way they die.  Like I said, it's no maniac killer, it's just life.  Every day life is killing these people.

I can't wait to check out the 4th movie in this series.  I think it comes out this year.

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd

Who:  Amber
What:  Dumb and Dumberer:  When Harry Met Lloyd
Where:  @ home
Why:  Bored

This movie wasn't as lame as I expected.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I didn't pay a dime for it, but it wasn't a complete waste of my time.

Also, how much money does Eugene Levey have?  He's in every horrible movie ever made!

So this movie starts with Harry (some unknown actor) and Lloyd (some other unknown actor who looks a lot like Jim Carray) as they run into each other (litterally - *smash*) on their way to high school.  Harry has been home-schooled by a super over protective mother, and Lloyd is just a moron.

The school principal, Eugene Levey and the lunch lady (Sheri O'Terri - what ever happened to her?) are planning to form a bogus special needs class so they can get a huge check from the government.  Of course, Harry and Lloyd are the perfect set of morons to start a class.  They find a bunch of other slackers and foreign exchange kids, and form a special needs class - where absolutely no work get done what so ever.

Mildly amusing things happen.  Of course, on accident, they show the entire town that the principal is a lying jerk.  Overall, it was kind-of a cute movie.  I mean, Harry and Lloyd weren't complete morons.  They really cared about each other.  Also, I must admit, the soundtrack was pretty rockin!

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Where:  @ home - we own it on DVD
Why:  It recently celebrated an anniversary (20 years maybe?)

This movie is soooooooooooooo good.  If you haven't seen it, you will be amazed.  Especially when you think about the fact that it was made in the late '80s.  The effects are pretty impressive.  I mean, when you watch an 80's movie, you can totally say, "arg - nice '80s effects!", but not this movie.  It's totally seamless between the animated characters and the human characters.

The story revolves around Roger Rabbit (a cartoon rabbit) and Eddie Valient (a human detective).  Eddie used to enjoy working for 'toons', until a toon killed his brother.  Dropped a piano on his head.

Well, Eddie is down on his luck, and gets involved in sleuthing around the death of RK Maroon - one of the main lovers of toons.  If RK's will doesn't show up soon, anybody will be able to buy Toontown!  Will Eddie get over his hatred of toons to help them out (RK Maroon was supposed to will Toontown to the toons!)?  Or will a piano get dropped on his head, just like his brother?

What's fun about this movie is all the cartoon characters.  You'll see Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop,  Dumbo, Yosemite Same and hundreds more!  You could probably watch this movie a zillion times and still not catch all the cool background stuff.

Best line of the movie:

"What's the password?"

"Walt sent me"  

(as in Walt Disney!)

Freaky Friday

Who:  Amber
What:  Freaky Friday
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  It's a cute movie

Say what you want about Lindsay Lohan, but she was one super cute (and really good) child actor.

And, as usual, I forgot the character's names already.  So it's Lindsay and Jamie (as in Jamie Lee Curtis!).

Lindsay is a typical 17 year old.  She is really smart, but into rock music (not your stereotypical stupid teenager).  She thinks her mom is ruining her life.  Jamie Lee is a widower about to be remarried.  She is a psychologist, and a very calm, collected woman.  Her 17 year old is a little too wild for her tastes.

At their wedding rehearsal dinner (at a Chinese restaurant) they have a huge mother daughter blow out.  Their waitress offers them a fortune cookie to calm down.  Little to they know, the fortune cookie is magical!

When they wake up the next day, they have switched bodies.  They realize this, but they can't tell anybody - people will think they're nuts.  "Suuuuuure mom - you've switched bodies with your daughter.  Riiiiight!"  Lindsay has a huge test at school this day, and Jamie is getting married the next day!  Gross - Lindsay can't pretend to be her mom and get married, b/c you know what happens on your wedding night.

I'm sure you've all heard this story before.  They both struggle thru the day, learn valuable lessons, and live happily ever after.  But how Jamie Lee Curtis takes on Lindsay Lohan's characteristics, and vice versa is really cute!  Even though I'm sure you can predict the ending, I still recommend this movie.  I'm sure you can find it on Disney channel.

New In Town

Who: Rochelle & Bob
What: New In Town
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: It was the only decent looking movie at the time we were there.

Fish out of water saves small town... sound familiar? No originality here other than it was a women instead of a man in the starring role. Harry Connick Jr. was super handsome and acted very well but didn't have enough lines to really show his stuff. Renee Zellweger looked weird in this movie. She had a cute hair cut but all her close-ups made her face look morphed or something. Her character is on a career track in Miami and is sent to Minnesota to make big corporate changes in this small town factory. What do you know it is cold in Minnesota compared to Florida and she learns that these small town people have a big heart and they just can't close the plant! It was a cute story and had a few funny moments but the pace of the movie was so slow and so predictable. This would have made a great Saturday afternoon USA network or Lifetime movie. I can't believe an Oscar winning actress would need to do this kind of movie. Mildly disappointed and entertained.

Leatherheads

Who: Bill & Melanie
What: Leatherheads
Where: On DVD from Netflix
Why: Melanie wanted to watch it.

Leatherheads tries to be two movies in one: A sports comedy and a romantic comedy. It doesn’t do poorly at either level, but somehow I felt that it should have been better. It certainly boasts some A-list talent.

In the 1920’s, college football was thriving, while pro football was little more than a joke with its loose rules and general disinterest from the general public. Aging player Jimmy “Dodge” Connelly (George Clooney) of the Deluth Bulldogs aims to change the pro’s poor perception by convincing popular college football player-- and alleged World War I hero-- Carter “Bullet” Rutherford (John Krasinski from The Office) to join the Bulldogs. Rutherford’s playing skills begin to bring in spectators and it attracts the interest of Chicago newspaper reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger), who is out to prove that Rutherford’s war heroism is bogus. Soon, Littleton finds herself the object of affection with both Connelly and Rutherford. Who will she choose? And will she end up writing the potential expose of the decade?

Leatherheads was originally developed as a straight sports movie. When Clooney acquired the script, he made numerous changes mostly by adding the romantic comedy aspect. He also became the film’s director and co-producer. Given Clooney’s track record and coming right after his critically praised award-winning Good Night and Good Luck , it would be assumed this would be a wildly successful movie. But it was not. The film garnered mixed reviews and failed at the box office. Perhaps it was Clooney’s attempt at doing a combination sports/romantic comedy, or maybe it was Zellweger’s not-totally-convincing interpretation of a female newspaper reporter in the 1920’s (were there any female reporters during that time, and if so, were they writing about sports?).

Leatherheads is still a mildly entertaining movie and a decent choice when you can’t decide if you want to watch a film with romance or a film about football.

The Muppet Movie

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  The Muppet Movie
Where:  @ home - Jonathan owns it
Why:  I felt like watching it

Even though this movie was made in the 70s, it seems so timeless.  I mean, besides the 70s fashions.

This story chronicles how all the Muppets became friends and became movie stars!  Kermit meets a Hollywood agent in his swamp and decides to go to Hollywood to audition for a part.  On the road he meets Fozzie Bear (after Fozzie bombs at a comedy club).  Luckily Fozzie has a car, so off they go!

They run in the the Electric Mayhem band (Zoot is my favorite!), Gonzo & Camilla (a chicken), Miss Piggy and Rolf.  They also run into Doc Hopper, who is opening a chain of french fried frog leg restaurants, and he wants Kermit to be the spokesman.  Of course, Kermit is not interested, but Doc Hopper is obsessed!

Throw in a TON of 70s stars (honestly, I didn't recognize most of them - except Steve Martin and Richard Pryer) and a ton of classic songs ("Someday I'll find it, the rainbow connection ...") and you have a classic movie!

The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Who:LaRelle
What: X-Files: I Want to Believe
Where: my living room
Why: I love X-Files


Well I finally got around to watching this movie. I'm surprised it took me so long considering when the series was on tv it was practically my religion. Although I was kind of putting it off because I had heard very mixed reviews on it and that a lot of die hard fans were disappointed.
Well I wasn't disappointed at all. I thought the story was decent. Yes, it didn't really go too far into the supernatural stuff that the show used to....there were no ghosts, or monsters or anything like that......but the show wasn't always like that.
And the best part was just seeing Mulder and Scully on screen together again. David Duchovny (hottie!) and Gillian Anderson always had incredible chemistry together on the show, and they still have it. I wish that there would have been more "inside jokes", so to speak, related to the tv series. There were a couple of things at the very beginning related to Mulder's character, but it would have been more enjoyable if they had thrown more in throughout the movie.
I wasn't a huge fan when I had heard that Amanda Pete was going to be in this movie because she kind of annoys me...but she actually wasn't too bad. And Billy Connolly was very good in his role as a psychic priest.
So overall it was done pretty well. I'd definitely recommend it if you were a fan of the tv show at all. And even if you weren't it can stand alone, and is a decent thriller/drama type movie.

Zodiac

Who: Bill
What: Zodiac
Where: The Movie Channel-- offered free during January
Why: Portions of the movie were filmed near my hometown.

During the late 1960’s-early 1970’s, there were a series of unsolved murders in the San Francisco Bay Area. The suspect identified himself as the “Zodiac” through a number of taunting letters mailed to local police and area newspapers. To date, the case technically remains unsolved, although there is strong evidence of who was the actual culprit.

Zodiac follows the intense investigation by the police and newspaper reporters, focusing primarily on San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), who takes an interest in the case after deciphering some of the cryptic codes in the killer‘s letters. Also covering the story is Chronicle writer Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.). Early scenes alternate between the reporters and the investigators that include San Francisco police detectives Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and Bill Armstrong (Anthony Edwards), Vallejo Police Officer Jack Mulanax (Elias Koteas) and Napa County Sheriff’s Officer Ken Narlow (Donal Logue). The latter half of the movie follows Graysmith’s near obsession with the “Zodiac” as he writes a book on the case, in which he concludes the killer was a man named Arthur Leigh Allen (played in the movie by John Carroll Lynch). Allen was identified as a suspect and interviewed by detectives in 1971, but despite strong circumstantial evidence, there was never enough physical evidence to charge him with the "Zodiac" crimes. Allen died in 1992.

At almost three hours, Zodiac covers a lot of detail and many years (1969 to 1991), but holds your attention. The period detail is impressive thanks to excellent digital photography and realistic computer-generated effects shots. There is some blood seen when three of the actual Zodiac murders are depicted early in the film, but these are more suspenseful than horribly graphic (it still may disturb some viewers). One way to approach the movie is by seeing it as an expanded R-rated version of Law and Order. So if you have the time and enjoy a good (true) mystery, Zodiac is highly recommended.

Slumdog Millionaire

Who: Liz
What: Slumdog Millionaire
Where: AMC at Pleasure Island
Why: I really wanted to see it,heard it was good and had the day off!
I absolutely loved this movie! It kept your attention, wasn't too violent, and had a compelling story. One older couple did leave towards the beginning, maybe they didn't like the subtitles. I didn't mind them, though from where I was sitting, I had to lean forward to see a few of them. It was really crowded for a Thursday afternoon!

This movie was about a "Slumdog", Jamal. Jamal and his brother Salim, grew up in some large city in India, they mentioned Mumbai and Bombay, but I couldn't tell where they grew up.
It starts out with Jamal being questioned about how he is winning at "Who wants to be a Millionaire". Apparently the police think he is cheating. So the movie tells the story of how Jamal knew all the answers with the flashbacks of his life.
When Jamal and his older brother, Salim are young, they live in a horrible slum and their mom gets killed and they go off and live on their own. They meet this girl, Latika, and she and Jamal bond. They are like maybe 10 and 11. Then they get picked up in a "orphanage" raid. This guy takes them to live on a "farm" with all these other kids and they have to go out begging for money every day. I don't want to give too much away, it was really intense and they got away, but just Salim and Jamal, Latika let go of Jamal's hand as he was on the train.........
The rest of the story is about the atrocities of Jamal and Salim's life and Jamal's quest to find Latika. I loved the way the present day and the flashbacks were interwoven.
It was mostly in English, except for when they are children and then most of those scenes are subtitled.
The ending was excellent, I won't tell you whether he wins it all or loses it all, but it's a movie, so you can probably figure that out!
Like I said, I really enjoyed this and can understand why everyone seems to like it!

Smokin' Aces

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Smokin' Aces
Where:  @ home - recorded off cable
Why:  Nothing else to watch

Ok - can somebody explain this movie to me?  I understand most of it, but the ending was a little confusing to me.

Backing up, this movie was really good.  I really enjoy movies with 400 characters, like this one.  Also, I dare you to find Matthew Fox.  He's in 1 scene for about 5 minutes, and I didn't recognize him at all.

Ok, so there is a super mega mob boss who is offering $1 million dollar to any hit man who can kill Jeremy Piven (he plays such a great scummy Vegas loser).  So there are 4 sets of hit men who are on the case, as well as the FBI, who really need Jeremy Piven to testify against this super mega mob boss.

The hit men are awesome!  There is a crazy guy who loves torture.  A master of disguise guy.  3 low life Vegas bail bonds guys (they are way out of their league).  A set of girls (Alicia Keys is one), and a set of 3 INSANE brothers (seriously, they are insane).  Throw in Ray Liotta and Ryan Reynolds, and you've got yourself a drool-fest!

All these players head to Reno to find Jeremy Piven.  And I'll stop there ... I don't want to give anything away.  Since everybody gets to Reno when the movie is only 20 minutes in, you know nobody will kill him right away.  So there are a million twists and turns.  And the ending ... well, I'm going to need a little help with that.  Somebody explain it to me!

Hotel for Dogs

Who: Grandma Terry & Mitchel
What:  Hotels for Dogs
Where: Beloit Theaters
Why: Cause I'm the crazy puppy lady!

Ok, I just cant let a dog movie go by without seeing it and I'm usually never disappointed....And once again, I wasn't.   This story is about two kids, brother and sister, that are foster kids.   The  foster parents are Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon, total losers!!!!   They have visions of being rock stars, and basically they are just skanky.   Of course they are mean to the kids.  They kids have taken in a stray dog, which is totally darling and  I want him, but they have to hide him from the foster parents.   The little boy is sort of an engineering genious and makes all these cute inventions up.  They have a run in with local dog catchers and all hell breaks loose!  Without giving the plot totally away, lets just end with saying things all work out....big surprise!   Lots of touching moments, absolute darling dogs, loved the long haired dachsunds and the Neopolitan Mastiff.  I give this two paws up!!!

Paul Blart Mall Cop

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Paul Blart Mall Cop
Where:  some random theater in Tampa
Why:  We had 4 hours to kill before a hockey game

I've seen this trailer 100 times.  I laughed every single time Kevin James slid behind that mall location finder, and he misses, so he does a bunch of little *squeak squeak squeak* slides.  But I was afraid all the funny scenes were in the trailer, leaving nothing for the movie.

Let me start out with, I was in a pretty bad mood, and I wasn't excited to see a movie.  This movie totally cheered me up.  I was laughing a lot!

This wasn't just a stupid movie about a stupid fat mall cop.  We really get to know Paul Blart (Kevin James), his daughter, his mom, his work situation, his medial issues, and I really felt for the guy.  Also, even though he is just a mall cop, he really enjoys his job, and he's really good at it.

What was weird was all the funny scenes from the trailer WEREN'T funny anymore.  But there was plenty of other funny parts.  I really like comedies, so I loved this movie!  It wasn't a stupid comedy, it had a lot of heart to it.  I highly recommend checking it out!

Valkyrie

Who: Jay and Liz
What: Valkyrie
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: wanted to enjoy an afternoon movie


So we saw Valkyrie today. I really wanted to see “Benjamin Button” but it was showing too early to work out for us today. Jay suggested Valkyrie and I agreed. Well, silly me. I knew that it was historical, but I didn’t realize that it would be like I was back in history class. It was one loooong history lesson.
Tom Cruise played Colonel Staufenberg, a German colonel who wanted Hitler dead. The whole movie was how he tried to get that accomplished and the consequences of his actions, after he thinks the task has been completed. I, of course, am not a big history buff, so I had no idea that some German’s tried to kill Hitler while he was in power. According to the movie, some 15 attempts had been made to assassinate Hitler. The notes said that this was the last attempt prior to Hitler’s death. Jay knows his history and said Hitler fell out of power quickly because Staufenberger’s bomb killed a number of generals and this caused a lot of problems for Hitler.
The music was good and the woman who played Staufenberg’s wife was beautiful. I loved the way they wore their hair back in the 40’s. Um, Tom Cruise did a great job, too, even though this was really not my type of film. I didn’t mind that everyone spoke English without an accent, actually I like it better, I mean who can understand those crazy accents anyway? I really liked that Eddie Izzard was in the movie too, I enjoy him. It really was a good movie, if you like historical movies.

Buying the Cow

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Buying the Cow
Where:  @ home - recorded off cable
Why:  We just finished tiling the kitchen, and we needed to lay down on the couch

This movie was very random.  I have never heard of it before, I just randomly found it on cable.

If you like Ryan Renyolds, and you want to see him naked quite a few times, then I highly recommend this flick.  Unfortunately cable made his butt all 'fuzzy', but it was still enjoyable.

This movie revolves around Jerry O'Connell and his girlfriend, the hot chick from Billy Madison.  Jerry can't commit, even thought they've been dating for 5 years.  The hot chick goes to NYC for a fashion related job, and tells Jerry to make a decision to propose, or she needs to move on.

Jerry's problem goes back to when he was 18.  He saw a pretty girl in an airport and it hit him like a lightning bolt.  He gave her his address, and they wrote letters back and forth all summer.  However, this pretty girl was only 11 (but looked 16).  When the 11 year old's dad found out, he put a stop to the letters.  Years later, Jerry can only think of this mystery lightning girl.  He's never had that "wham" feeling with any other girl.

As he's pondering what do to about his current girlfriend (who is super hot), he sees a different girl in a diner and more "lightning" hits him.  He can't believe it.  It's the same feeling (different girl).  Too bad as he runs to the bathroom to hyperventilate a bit, the girl is gone.

Hijinks ensue as Jerry tries to find this mystery woman.  Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds is getting naked, another friend is getting married, and the girlfriend is getting a promotion and might move to NYC for good.

The plot thickens big time when we find out who the other friend is getting married to!  Will Jerry ever find this mystery cafe girl?  Or will he eventually track down this mystery airport girl?  Maybe he realizes his girlfriend is who he really wants to be with.  Stay tuned ...

Gran Torino

Who: Liz and Jay
What: Gran Torino
Where: Regal on I-Drive (Pointe Orlando)
Why:Jay wanted to see it
This was a serious drama! I went because Jay wanted to see this movie or “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (or something like that) and I refused to see it. I don’t like sci-fi and I draw the line at ridiculous movies that I think are pretty far-fetched! I wanted to see “Marley and Me”, I know, I am odd.
Anyway, so I agreed to see Gran Torino, as this was a choice we could basically agree on. I like Clint Eastwood, so off we went. We went to Pointe Orlando, since our son banned us from going to the Loop! He is 13 and doesn’t want to be greeting his old, obnoxious parents in the movie theatre or any where in the vicinity. You have to pay for parking at Pointe Orlando, but the movie theatre validates! Remember to bring your parking ticket!
I thought the movie was okay, I mean, I am definitely not a real critic, who “knows” her movies. I think they gave this movie high marks. I am not a big fan of random scenes in movies and a few scenes just didn’t make sense to me. I mean, Clint plays this hard ass guy and in one scene, he is totally out of character, going to the neighbors house and sitting and chatting and eating with the other guests. That didn’t make sense and the scene with the neighbor girl and her “date” walking down the street and encountering the “thugs” was sort of just thrown in there, too.
To me, it was simply a movie with some action and raw scenes. I wasn’t that thrilled.