Posts filed under 'Movies'




Life As A House

 I watched this movie again last night, and it had been years since I watched it.  It is one of my favourite movies ever. It is so powerful and has such a stunning cast – Kevin Kline, Hayden Christensen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Mary Steenburgen.  And this time I was surprised to see Ian Somerhalder is in it too…the last time I watched the movie, he hadn’t starred on Lost or The Vampire Diaries yet.  The beauty of this film is the craziness of all its characters, the flawed, real rawness of their personalities.  The way everyone grows, even the people who you think are beyond redemption, is what makes it so beautiful.  Kevin Kline is just plain brilliant, as always.  He has such a gift, and plays the flawed man looking for redemption so well.  Hayden Christensen did this movie before the Star Wars trilogy, and is also brilliant in the role.  He can really act, and alongside Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas to boot.  Anyhow, if you haven’t seen it, watch it, and if you have, watch it again…with a box of Kleenex at the ready

Add comment November 3, 2009

This Is It

As I mentioned in a previous post, I had tickets to see This Is It on Sunday.  I was going with a friend who really wanted to see it.  I wasn’t really seeing it with any expectations.  Wow!  This movie blew me away.  I think over the years, all of the personal stuff that was broadcast about Michael Jackson just clouded my views about him as an artist.  I am not going to even touch on the personal stuff, except to say that in this movie he is so thin and fragile looking that it made me sad.  As an artist however, I had forgotten his brilliance.  I really don’t think there is another musician out there with the gift that he had.  I certainly am not his biggest fan, but I could watch this movie and appreciate him on a level that I think I knew about once way back when, but had forgotten.  The way he carried a melody, even when he wasn’t trying, and hit those beautiful notes, and really felt the music.  The way he danced…I mean seriously, the man was 50 years old and was moving like crazy.  So innovative!  Watching the young principle dancers all jump up and down with glee watching him perform when they weren’t on stage with him was so beautiful.  What an amazing gift he gave them that they will cherish for the rest of their days.  He was so humble, which I think I forgot.  Whenever he had a criticism or suggestion for the way a song was being played, or lighting or anything, he very kindly asked for the change and said it was coming with love.  How sweet.  He could have been a total diva and no one would have cared.  This movie reminded me how amazing MJ really was, and how much I would have loved to have seen his final concert be performed.

Add comment November 2, 2009

Two Movies and a Book

I got tickets to go see the Michael Jackson movie, This Is It, on Sunday afternoon.  I would not classify myself as a HUGE Michael Jackson fan, but I always enjoyed his music and look forward to seeing what the movie is like.  I actually don’t even know very much about what the actual movie is about so it will be a bit of a surprise as well.
 
I also just got tickets to go see the double bill of Twilight and New Moon on November 19.  I am so happy because Twilight is showing at 7pm and New Moon at 10pm.  Last year when we went to see Twilight we went at midnight, and then afterwards found out we could have gone at 10pm…so, very amazing that this year we get to see the earlier showings.  I am also really hoping that New Moon is good. I am a little anxious because the book was my least favourite of the series and had the least Edward in it, and really – he is my favourite.  Hopefully they do a good job and it is as good as Twilight.
 
Lastly, the latest book in the House of Night series came out yesterday, Tempted.  My wonderful friend picked it up for me and I cannot wait to start it!  I haven’t had a chance yet, but hopefully tonight I can curl up with it.  It is such a fun series, and I can’t wait to see what happens next…

Add comment October 28, 2009

Funeral Blues

I rewatched Four Weddings and a Funeral last night which is one of my favourite movies.  This time the part that struck me most was the reading of this beautiful poem by WH Auden.  I had to share it with you.

Funeral Blues 

by WH Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with the juicy bone.
Silence the pianos and, with muffled drum,
Bring out the coffin. Let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling in the sky the message: “He is dead!”
Put crepe bows around the white necks of the public doves.
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my north, my south, my east and west,
My working week and Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song.
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one.
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun.
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can come to any good.

Add comment October 9, 2009

New Moon Pictures

Edward

Edward

New Moon pictures!!  Thank you LA Times :-) I really just can’t wait…I only hope it is still full of Edward, because Jacob is nice and all but I am an Edward girl.

Add comment September 22, 2009

The Time Traveler’s Wife

Today I skipped out on my family to go see The Time Traveler’s Wife with my movie friend.  I read the book by Audrey Niffenegger years ago and LOVED it, so I was beyond excited to see the movie. 

I thought it was so well cast.  Rachel McAdams is so bright and sunny in this role, and Eric Bana is beautifully dark and conflicted.  I thought the time traveling effects were really well done.  The only real thing I was disappointed was that they changed the ending of the story from the book and I had really loved the original ending.  Here is a summary if you don’t feel like reading the book:

Clare is devastated by Henry’s passing. She later finds a letter from Henry which asks her to “stop waiting” for him, but which describes a moment in her future when she will see him. The last scene in the book takes place when Clare is 82 and Henry is 43. She is waiting for Henry, as she has done her whole life, and when he arrives, he clasps her in his arms.

I just thought that was magical in the book and I was sad that the movie chose not to use that ending…otherwise, I loved the movie.

2 comments August 28, 2009

Julie + Julia

I finally got to see this movie on Monday after much anticipation.  It did not disappoint.  Meryl Streep totally deserves an Oscar for her performance.  I know it wasn’t a deep, meaningful or art-housey film, but she better get nominated.  She is absolutely brilliant!  Amy Adams is good too, as is Stanley Tucci.  I thought this was a very fun film, that had me wanting to buy a copy of the cookbook and cook my way through it as well.  I even wanted to try a poached egg, which if you know me, is quite surprising :-) .  Oh and I am definitely trying out the boeuf bourgignon soon, and will let you know how it goes.  I even have the same  Le Creuset pot they use in the movie!

1 comment August 19, 2009

The Ugly Truth

Right before I went to see this movie my next door neighbour told me she hated it so much and thought it was one of the worst movies she had ever seen.  I immediately went onto Rotten Tomatoes and it only got a 15% rating there.  I was very worried.  We almost pulled out and went to see something else. 

But it was only 97 minutes long and I really wanted to see it so we went ahead and got our tickets.  And to tell the ugly truth :-) I liked it.  There were quite a few very funny parts that had me laughing out loud.  Yes it was predictable, and yes it was very crude in parts, but the funny stuff outweighed it.  I found Katherine Heigl to be kind of wooden and stiff in the role, which was surprising as I usually think she is great.  Gerard Butler was great.  The wardrobe for Katherine’s character was awful…so many bad outfits.  I think they must have been mad at her. 

So, if you are in the mood for a pretty funny movie, set your expectations low and go check it out.  I think you will be amused.

2 comments July 29, 2009

Harry Potter 6

I went to see Harry Potter 6 last night and just gushy loved it.  It was so true to the book.  I loved the way they showed the evil flying all over London at the beginning of the movie and how they painted the air of fear.  I loved seeing how the cast had grown since the last movie and how tall some of them were getting (Neville!).  Draco looks just malevolant now, he has really grown well into his character.  Harry, Ron and Hermione are as always, perfectly cast.  I jumped ten feet high at one point even after having read the book several times and knowing exactly what was coming.  I cried a lot, laughed out loud and even shrieked a bit.  Just loved the movie. 

Now, I have to add this part in – my husband saw it with me.  He is not a reader and has not read the books and actually fell asleep during the movie.  He thought it was too long and there was too much talking.  Gasp!  Yes I am considering replacing him ;-)

Add comment July 18, 2009

Movie Round-up

Night at the Museum 2 – I brought the kids to see this today because it was cheap day at the theatre and we all giggled when we saw the first one.  This one was also fun, and the kids and I all laughed.  I can’t remember the first one well enough to say if it was funnier or even as funny, but this one stood well on its own.  Amy Adams was a welcome addition, as was Hank Azaria.  Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams remain terrific!

The Proposal – I saw this with a girlfriend last night.  We had seen the preview a bunch of times and were dying for it to come out.  It did not disappoint.  It was very fun and had a great end, with some very comic and heart warming scenes.  My only complaint is how thin Sandra Bullock has gotten!  I was shocked at just how bony she is…Sandra, please start eating again.  She used to be so beautiful…Ryan Reynolds is still very hot and very fun.  Mary Steenburgen is aging beautifully and just looks fantastic

1 comment June 23, 2009

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