movie 18

The Devil Wears Prada

Ok.  So I obviously just finished the book and I thought I could watch the movie right away on demand.  I was excited. I'm like 30 minutes into the movie right now and I'm already disappointed.  I know, that's how the movie always goes.. but seriously.  Emily is a huge bitch, which in the book she was bitchy but somewhat sympathetic.  Here she is British and very mean.  Miranda actually TALKS to Andy, which would never happen in the book.  Alex and Andy live together and there hasn't been anything about his job or the fact that they never see each other.  Lily is practically non-existant.  Andy is mousy and sad instead of being sarcastic and biting.  The current scene is one in which Andy and her people are gathered at a bar and she's actually extolling the virtues of Runway.  NO.

Where is Jeffy?  Why does Nigel have a significant role?  Why does Christian have a different last name?

Wait, Alex (is that EVEN his name? Because it's not been said yet) is a chef? Really?  No, he's a teacher.  UGH. His name is Nate?  What was wrong with Alex?

Why is Andy getting things right?  That's not supposed to happen - the Harry Potter thing is all wrong.

And now Miranda CHOSE to bring Andy to Paris? Wait.  No, Emily gets mono.  This makes me mad. It doesn't really capture the essence of the book AT ALL.

None of this is right.  Read the book.  Skip the movie.

movies 16 & 17

Both of these movies were not anything I would recommend:

The Killer Inside Me - starred Casey Affleck and Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson.  The Blu-ray case said it was "visually stimulating."  If by that the quoted reviewer meant bloody and disgusting, making me continually LITERALLY want to vomit, then yes.  Visually stimulating.  I'm just upset we paid money for it.

Badlands - we Netflixed this because we are going to the Badlands in a week.  Steve had seen it before and he wanted it.  I did NOT enjoy this.  Lots of killing, AGAIN.  I like GIRLY things.  Romantic comedies.  Chick lit.  I might ban him from choosing movies anymore, because, seriously, I can't do this killing, blood and guts.

For serious, if you like watching people be beat to death or shot in the face and slowly die, see these.  If not, no.

movie 15

Marley & Me

Ok, so I totally neglected to update my Netflix queue when I sent back my last movie and this is what came.  Now I love Jennifer Aniston, so it wasn't like I dreaded watching it, but I was like "oh, this might be lame."  I was wrong wrong wrong!!!  I really enjoyed the story, watching this couple from their wedding day, adopting a puppy, and starting/growing a family together all told through this crazy family pet.

As a cat owner I could relate to an animal getting older, how it is so intricately intertwined in your family, and how painful it can be to say goodbye.  I've had several cats and my current cat is now almost 7 years old, so the fragility of her life is always on my mind even though I know it's totally premature.

I watched alone, I laughed and I cried.  I know there is no way in hell that Steve would have watched this with me even though I don't think he would have hated it.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves animals!

movie 14

Friends With Benefits

I really enjoyed this movie!!!!!!!!!!! I looove Mila Kunis, so that worked out for me, and I hadn't seen anything else that Justin Timberlake had done, but I was pleasantly surprised.  My cousin Angela and her husband were flipping through channels and this was just starting.. They said they had seen in like five times, but it was great and watched it again.  I'm glad they did!

I like how Friends With Benefits consistently points out that movies aren't like real life while also being a movie not like real life.. In some ways it was, but it was definitely a bit satirical in the way it was made.  The movie kept my attention throughout and I would even go so far as to say I was sad when it ended!!!!

I would HIGHLY recommend this movie to men and women alike, as it has tons of appeal and even more laughs.  Go see it now!!!

movie 13

That's My Boy

UGH.  hahaha.  I was in Florida and it was a tropical storm, so we couldn't go to Universal or the beach as we'd planned, so my cousin and I drove to Clermont to see a movie.  When we got there, our choices were Prometheus,  Men in Black II, or this.  We chose That's My Boy since it was a comedy.

I really don't love these movies that were totally made for dudes.  I kind of like Adam Sandler, but mostly in his serious funny roles..  It was funny to see Vanilla Ice, though, and I guess it was basically a good movie.  The end was WEIRD WEIRD WEIRD and it was totally dreamt up by a VERY SICK mind.  That's all I will say about that.

Overall I was satisfied by the movie's intent, which was to pass time on a rainy day.  I don't think I would recommend it at all, though.

movie 12

The Haunting

so obviously i am doing VERY BADLY at watching 50 movies this year... so when this was on tv after the mets game ended, i kept it on and figured even if it was awful it would count toward my 50 so i'd win.  The Haunting was awful.  like AWFUL. now maybe you see why i don't watch many movies, i mean the majority of what i'm reviewing here is like.. awful, awful films.

i was a little surprised to be honest.  the movie is from 1999 but the production was like 1980s.  there were major names in the cast: owen wilson, catherine zeta-jones, liam neeson... i mean, did they READ the script?  did they practice their lines? the dialogue was awful.  the acting was awful.  the plot was... well, awful!

i understand this is a remake of a previous film that may or may not have been good.  i won't be finding out any time soon.. this movie was so bad i used the word "awful" 900 times in this review. please don't watch it. please.

movies 10 and 11

10 - The Pelican Brief
I watched this because it was on tv when i was in georgia, and everyone else was watching it.  not my type of movie. though parts were thrilling, overall i had a hard time maintaining my attention to it.  i have nothing more to say about that.

11. Dakota Skye
i watched this film in the airport while my flight was delayed and i LOVED it.  i liked the narration that dakota does, i liked her boyfriend even though he was sort of a loser, and i really loved Jonah.  i wish i had the kind of adoration in my life that dakota does.  i am 100% a sucker for romance, especially when there is an intense connection that has sparks and chemistry on screen.

i don't want to give too much away, so i'm going to stop here, but this was one of the best films i've seen in a long time, and i HIGHLY recommend it to saps like myself.

movie 9

The Ringer

Another movie put on us by Steve's very mature colleagues over in probation.  Ugh.  I'm not sure if this movie was supposed to make fun of mentally challenged people or point out their strengths.  I thought it was sort of offensive.  Ok, I thought it was really offensive.  Strangely, it was ALSO a waste of 94 minutes of my life.

Again, you knew from the start that there would be trouble, as the Johnny Knoxville character (Steve/Jeffy) definitely has the hots for Lynn, the Special Olympics lady.  And, as it ALWAYS seems in these movies, her fiance is a douche - a total pretty boy, a fake, and a cheater.  I swear, I'm going to start calling these films dude chick flicks because they are the exact same as chick flicks but have dumb comedy and are made for dudes.  You know he's gonna get caught cheating, and it's gonna be a disaster and boooooring.

I just want to watch a good movie.  And read a good book.  March was totally a fail.

movie 8

Made of Honor

Funny that I should have watched this after recently having claimed to have never heard of nor seen anything with Michelle Monaghan (spelled wrong, I'm sure) in it.  Still don't like her.  Maybe even like her less now.

I really thought this movie would be right up my alley, but I was a little disappointed.  It was MEGA predictable, which is usually fine by me, but in this case it was kinda boring.  Maybe doesn't help that the book I'm reading (and HAVE BEEN READING FOR LIKE A MONTH!!) is sort of the same premise - old friends and their destiny to be together.  And the book SUCKS. But I digress....

The man character - I can't even remember who played him. Patrick Dempsey? - realizes he is in love with his best friend and he wants to tell her when she returns from a month-ish long trip to Scotland.  Except she comes back, and she's engaged to some Scot who, as it turns out, is semi-royalty.  The guy is weird and you have no idea what the Michelle M character is doing with him.  You KNOW they can't go through with the marriage.  So..... Basically what transpires is like two hours of getting to that point and seeing the two people end up together.  Yaaaaay.

Yeah, I didn't really like it.  Also, I'm majorly failing at movies.

movie 7

Grandma's Boy

the people at steve's job insisted he watch this because it was "hilarious."

if by hilarious they meant totally juvenile and a waste of 94 minutes of my life, then yes, hilarious.

i have nothing more to say about this film. at least it counted toward my 50.....

movie 6

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

We started watching this movie through the Blu-ray player like a month ago but it kept buffering and we couldn't live like that, so we rented it from Netflix and finally got around to watching it tonight.  I thought it was funny.  I don't really like shooting scenes, though, they give me agita. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stars RDJ and Val Kilmer.  I think RDJ is very quirky and funny.  Kilmer was also really good.  The female lead was Michelle Monaghan, I don't think I'm familiar with anything else she has done.

My thoughts were as follows:  I did not read the book on which this film was based, so I can't say how it related.  The obvious narration was slightly annoying but you got used to it after a while.  Sometimes it was over-acted, mainly on Monaghan's part.  Val Kilmer did a great job and I think he played his part well.

Some good laughs, but overall a little confusing and I kind of kept wishing it would just wrap up already.  Clearly I lean toward chick flicks.  I'm not that interested in anything else.  That's a little sad.  Well, no, I like indie films, too.  I don't know.  Maybe if I had more patience for cinema it would be different, but I like TV shows because they are neatly 30 minutes or an hour.  Or at least it's just an installation, then you have to wait.  This is why the movie part of this challenge is so hard for me.

I digress....

Overall, I sort of enjoyed this film.  It was mysterious-ish, which is fine by me.  I didn't really figure it out but I wasn't really trying.  It was a decent Saturday night movie, and it kept my attention 90% of them time.

movie 5

The Change-Up

This movie was... I don't know.  Kooky?  Bizarre?  Not for me?  I'm not sure.  I think I enjoyed it sometimes, but other times I was like "why am I still watching?" and I think the answer is because it cost $12 at the hotel.

The Change-Up is about two guys who claim to want each other's lives, and after peeing in a fountain their wishes come true.  Sounds like 14 other movies that have already been done, like that movie with Jamie Lee Curtis where she like changes lives with her daughter or whatever.  Way to be original.  Jason Bateman's character, Dave, is a successful lawyer about to make partner.  He is married with a little girl and twin babies.  While he has a great life, he wishes he could change with Ryan Reynolds' character, who is still smoking weed all day and living the life of a bachelor.  Reynolds' character, Mitch, is an actor.  As soon as they wake up in each other's bodies, they realize that it was a mistake.  Insanity ensues for like two hours.  It's ridiculous.  How come no one notices when normally even-keeled and mild-mannered Dave begins cursing like a sailor and acting like a crazy person?  I mean, the other switch is fine really, except that Dave has to do things that make him very uncomfortable.  I think if my boyfriend started acting like a whole different person it wouldn't just be something I'd raise an eyebrow out.  I'd be like "what the hell is wrong with you?".

There were a lot of boob scenes.  There was a lot of physical comedy.  I really think this movie was for dudes.  Not for me.  I mean, I don't think it was a total waste of time, but I wouldn't really recommend it to people who, like me, generally prefer chick flicks, romance, drama, etc.  But if you enjoy antic comedies, then this would probably be fun for you.  There were laughs throughout, though mostly there was a lot of disgust.  Like in the opening scene, when Dave goes to change a diaper and the baby squirts poop into his mouth.  Not at all believable and really not funny to me.  But I suppose there is a market (of teenage boys) out there for that kind of idiocy.

I would give this film 3 stars, and that is generous of me.

movie 4

Just Go With It

So last night my mom asked me if she should get a movie from the Redbox for my visit.  I Googled some of my favorite actresses and this came up.  I had no idea what it was about, but it was vaguely familiar once I started watching it.

I really enjoyed this film!!! It was light, funny, and heart-warming.. Basically everything you expect from stars like Jennifer Aniston (don't hate me, but I adore her!) and Adam Sandler (who I can sort of take or leave, but more often than not I enjoy his performances).  Here's the thing: I'm really not into Sandler's comedic style.  I kind of get embarrassed for the characters when they are moronic, it doesn't make me laugh.  Now Sandler himself doesn't usually play that person but the characters surrounding him do.  This time, though, I found it bearable because the story was so cute although it was TOTALLY predictable.

Some things I liked a lot: chemistry between Aniston and Sandler was good!  As his assistant, Jen really connects with Adam, they play off each other and it's mostly believable.  Seriously also, Jennifer Aniston has a rockin body for a woman her age.  And she's still gorgeous.  Not that she's old but you know.  She's my favorite darling, so it's nice to see she's still fabulous post-Brad.  There is a scene later in the film when Dolf is in the hotel room and he has a swimmies tan, I almost died laughing there.  I don't know why.

As I said already I'm so not into the physical comedy (like giving a sheep CPR).  I really didn't like the Palmer character although I think I was supposed to.  She annoyed me.  A lot.  That's pretty much it.

I would DEFINITELY recommend Just Go With It to anyone looking for a mindless, funny, and heart-warming film that will please everyone.  It has enough testosterone and laughs for dudes and plenty of romance for the chick-flick connoisseur (such as myself!).  Lots of laughs, lots of smiles, and overall a nice time.

FOUR STARS :)

movie 3

The Mothman Prophecies

Okay, I admit, I've seen this before. But it was almost ten years ago and I'm certain I wasn't sober (I was almost never sober back then).  Thus seeing it again was like seeing it for the first time!  I actually read the book back in 2002 or 2003 right before I saw it the first time.  I was into the book, I found the theories about time and parallels fascinating, and of course I wanted to see the movie.  I do remember going to the Blockbuster in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for it, which was not a close walk and sucked.  But seriously I remembered nothing else.  In fact, when it was an option on Crackle, Steve (boyfriend) said "Richard Gere is in that" and I immediately responded "I've seen that, he was not".  Yet he was.  Therefore, although I have seen it before, I contend that it counts toward my 50.

As for the the film... eh.  All I remember about the first time was that I felt like there was NOTHING in common with the book.  I still feel that way.  The movie is creepy without being forthright with it's creepiness - mothman appears for a split second like twice.  The description on Wiki says it's a psychological thriller, which I guess I agree with.  I understand that some of what happened in the movie was true (the bridge) BUT even those were done with liberty - for example, more people than accounted for in the film died in real life, and the cause of failure has been determined..  The story was interesting.  The undeclared romance between Gere and Laura Linney was pretty good.  The former physics prof was really weird, though, and I found his character really, really unbelievable.  I almost wanted him to come out and say he was Indrid Cold.  But alas, no.

Overall I was pleased with my evening spent watching the movie, although at the end I felt a little unsatisfied, like a lot just hadn't been resolved.  Though some stuff WAS resolved and the concepts were interesting (Connie's dream in particular), I felt like there needed to be a little more mothman.  Don't get me wrong, those two little views of the creature weren't bad, just would have liked a little more info maybe, some later sightings info, etc.

Just as an aside, I liked that it was directed by Mark Pellington, who has directed a mountain of music videos, including what was once my favorite: "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam.  I looked up his videography history and it was impressive.  I hadn't even known he directed anything other than videos, but I always remembered seeing his name at the bottom of the "credits" on the "Jeremy" video.

I say a solid three stars for The Mothman Prophecies.

movie 2

In the Loop

This was a very funny satire of politics and war in the UK and US.  I laughed out loud lots and lots.  The plot of the film was that the US is spearheading getting involved in the Middle East and it really revolves around the British policy people and the US State Dept.

I really don't know what to say about this film except that it was hilarious.  There was a lot (A LOT) of foul language, which I am ok with but just a head up to any of the (non) people reading this blog.

I definitely would recommend this film to anyone who wants to laugh out loud for 106 minutes.  It was a really good portrayal of politics and how stupid they are, which is something I completely agree with.  Put it in your film queue!!!

movie 1

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

so, um yeah. i didn't get it. i mean i know what happened, but only at the end.  was it supposed to be like that? i have no idea.  most of the time i was just confused.  mind you, steve warned me in an advance that i was likely to be confused.  he said it would probably be "boring and cerebral" which is right up his alley and nowhere near mine.  

i enjoyed the two hours in the theatre.  the last movie we saw in the theatre was unstoppable, and that was probably over a year ago.  i very much enjoyed my nachos!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a film based on the books by John le Carre, which i am to understand is a pen name for someone who actually was a British spy during the Cold War.  the premise of the film is that there is a mole among the "circus" which apparently is the spy organization, and this dude Smiley is called out of retirement in order to figure it out.  i basically got all that.  the story is told in layers, it moves around a lot, in the past and in the present.  sometimes i had a hard time following the switching, although that is all me, and probably will not affect the casual viewer.  

anyway, i would say i was bored, but that was really only in the beginning, and then i couldn't be bored because i was very busy trying to figure out what was happening.  i think it was well worth my time, and it helped that steve explained a lot to me afterward.  i'm no dummy, i just have a hard time following complicated movie plots.  i have a short attention span.  

if you are into spy films (not spy THRILLERS.. this was no thriller though there was a handful of gore), you should see this.  also if you like confusing films that are critically acclaimed.  i will stick to shallow fluff and dark comedies :)