Angels & Demons

Grade: A

Premise: This is the prequel to "The DaVinci Code" (although the movie, references "The DaVinci Code" as being first). Robert Langdon is summoned to the Vatican to help find the four top replacements for the Pope before they are killed by members of an ancient underground organization. Anti matter created by the hadron collider is set to explode and demolish the Vatican by midnight.

Recommend?: I thought this book was much better than "The DaVinci Code" book and this movie is a lot stronger than the other movie. It is a faithful adaptation of the book. This time around, Tom Hanks' portrayal of Robert Langdon was true to the book character. The movie itself had a nice balance of action and puzzle solving. I would recommend it to watch. I don't think I need to see it again.

Angels & Demons, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Dan Brown, Ewan McGregor

Star Trek (2009)

Grade: A

Premise: We are put back to the time where all our favorite Star Trek characters are just joining Star Fleet. There is a big baddie out there from the future who is threatening to blow up all the federation planets. Kirk and the team must stop him.

Recommend?: Oh heck yes! I like Star Trek but am not a "trekkie" per se. I loved this movie. Strong on action, story and character building. The whole time-space thing was a little tough to swallow but just go with it. I could see it again.

Star Trek,
Chris Pine,
Zachary Quinto

Mad Men (Season 1, Disc 1)

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Rating: A

Set in 1960’s on New York’s Madison Avenue.  This series focuses on the world of advertising – when it was okay to smoke freely and sexual harrassment wasn’t an issue.

I’ve only watched the first three episodes but I love this show.  I may have to buy the entire series just because Netflix is taking too long!

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The Dark Knight

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Rating: A

Premise:  Batman and the new DA are trying to fight the mob and the Joker.

Recommend:  YES!  I went in overly critical of the fuss surrounding Heath Ledger’s Joker and let me tell you, it is not overly-hyped.  He was fantastic.  The movie is really violent and some scenes are a disturbing but I loved it.  I thought it was better than Batman Begins.  Everyone in it was great (except Maggie Gyllenhaal, who wasn’t terrible but miscast).

Technorati Tags: The Dark Knight, Batman, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman

Sex and the City (2008)

Rating: A

Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte & Miranda are back!   We pick up four years after the end of the series and find out what they've been up to.   Big is in it too... *sigh*

Loved it!  It wasn't a perfect movie by any means but it was a great catch up for any fan of the show.  There were lots of laugh out loud moments.  They did a great job of moving the characters forward while retaining what we love about each character.  Now I want to watch all the seasons again.  Don't know if you would like it if you didn't watch the series.

Technorati Tags: Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth, Carrie Bradshaw

Iron Man

Rating: A

Tony Stark, man who made his millions designing weapons for the military, finds out that the company has been selling his weapons to militant groups.  He does something about it.

I've never been interested in superhero movies, but this movie was AWESOME!  I would actually see it again and probably will be buying the DVD.   It was fun and humorous without being cheesy.  Robert Downy Jr was cast perfectly as Tony Stark and really made the movie.  Gwyneth Paltrow & Jeff Bridges were also great  (GP usually bugs me but I thought she made a good Pepper Potts).  Go see this!!!

Technorati Tags: Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, Jon Favreau

The Kite Runner

Rating: A

Story of a Kabul born man living in America, who goes back to Afghanistan to bring home his best friend's son.

I thought this movie was beautiful. I haven't yet read the book so I don't know how it compares, but due to this movie I'm no longer reserving "A" ratings for movies I'm going to buy. (although I might buy this one so I can lend it out) The actors are exceptional and the story is very moving. There are some hard scenes in it so even though there are children in it - it may not be appropriate. Lots of subtitles. I would have picked this as a Best Picture contender. It did get nominated for Best Score.

Technorati Tags: The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini, Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Homayoun Ershadi

Chocolat

Rating: A

A mysterious woman brings sexy chocolate to a small french village and disrupts their orderly lives.

I watched this movie last night for the first time in a while (thank you DVR!) and forgot how delightful it is.  Johnny Depp is sexy as hell as pirate Roux.  I must buy this one.

Technorati Tags: Chocolat,Juliette Binoche,Johnny Depp,Judi Dench

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Rating: A

Miss Pettigrew is a governess that takes a job as a social secretary to a flighty actress.  In the course of the day, she lets loose and finds love.

I loved this book and the movie was a great adaptation.  The ending changed a bit but made more sense for a movie and was a little more satisfying.   Everyone played their roles well with special props going to Frances McDormand and Ciaran Hinds.  It's another must-buy when it comes out on DVD.

Technorati Tags: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,Frances McDormand,Ciaran Hinds,Amy Adams,Lee Pace,Shirley Henderson

High Fidelity

Rating: A

A record store owner deals with his life, love and breakups using Top 5 lists.

I had never seen this movie before and a co-worker lent it to me.  I loved this movie!  John Cusack is adorable.  It's a must-own for me.

Technorati Tags: High Fidelity,John Cusack,Joan Cusack,Jack Black

Into the Wild

Rating: A

A young man gives up everything to live a life of solitude in the Alaskan wilderness.

So while I was watching the movie, I was thinking that I could take it or leave it.  But as I'm sitting here after it's ended - I can't stop thinking about it.   The fact that it was a true story makes it more thought provoking.  You'll want to talk to your parents after its over.

Technorati Tags: Into the Wild, Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook, Jon Krakauer, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Chris McCandless

Atonement

Rating: A

A young girl witnesses a scene between her older sister and a young man.  She misinterprets the scene and sets off a series of events.

That sentence sucks but if I tell you more, it will give away the movie.   I thought this movie was wonderful.  The ending was so unexpected and powerful.  James McAvoy is turning into one of my favorites.  In my opinion, this movie should have won Best Picture.  I loved "No Country" but this was hands down better. Go watch this movie.  Now.  

Technorati Tags: Atonement, Kiera Knightly, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan

Death at a Funeral

Rating:  A

British comedy that takes place during the day of the funeral of the patriarch of an English family. 

OMG - this movie was a scream!  There is nudity and adult themes in it so please watch it before you show it to kids.  As with most British movies, you really need to turn the volume up to catch the fabulous dialog.  It takes about 1/2 hour to get moving but once it does, you won't be able to walk away.

Technorati Tags: Death at a Funeral,Matthew Macfadyen,Keeley Hawes,Rupert Graves,Peter Dinklage

Juno

Rating: A

A teenage girl gets pregnant and finds a new set of parents for the baby in the PennySaver.  On the surface, the new parents seem great, but end up in splittsville.  Somehow this movie still has a happy ending.

Loved this movie.  All the actors are great - especially Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner.  The dialog is outstanding.  Will probably buy it.   If you are on the fence about seeing it - go see it.

Technorati Tags: Juno, Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Rating:  A

This is the story of the former Benjamin Barker who had his life taken from him by an evil Judge.  When he returns to London after a 15 year imprisonment, he is so focused on revenge that he can't see what is right in front of him.

I thought this was wonderful and disturbing.  The volume of blood had me with my fingers over my eyes.  Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter were wonderful.   Such a haunting story.

Technorati Tags: Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Alan Rickman

We Are Marshall

Rating:  Solid A

This is a football movie that is not about football.  The cast is wonderful and the story is so sad - made even sadder by the fact that it is a true story.  Bring plenty of tissue as everyone watching will be crying like a little girl throughout the entire thing!

 

Technorati Tags: We are Marshall, Matthew Fox, Ian McShane

The Odd Couple (1968)

Rating:  B+

I had never seen this movie.  I really enjoyed Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau in "Grumpy Old Men" so I thought it would be a kick to see something they were in before I was born.  The acting is superb - especially Jack Lemmon and his OCD cleaning.  The beginning is a little dark but it gets really good.

 

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The Lives of Others

Rating:  A

This is set in the 80's in East Germany.  The "stasi" are secretly watching the theater people (writers, directors, actors) in an effort to eliminate any artists that speak out against the government.  When a writer is under surveillance, the officer watching him starts to have second thoughts about what the government does to people. 

This is an excellent movie.  Should be watched by everyone so as not to forget what can happen when you don't live in a democratic state. 

Technorati Tags: The Lives of Others, German

Conspiracy (2001)

Rating: A

This movie should be seen by anyone old enough to understand the horror that took place in that 2 hour meeting.   It made me nauseous watching it.  To see how little the people at that table suffered in the end really pissed me off.  I'm completely disturbed.

As a film, it was really well done and well acted.

Technorati Tags: Conspiracy, Colin Firth, Kenneth Branaugh, Stanley Tucci

Hairspray (2007)

Grade:  A

Premise:  A stocky teenager aims to appear as a regular on the Corny Collins show.  With a little help from her friends, she makes that dream come true and, in the process, integrates the dance show.

Recommend:  YES YES YES!  This is such a fun movie.  John Travolta and Christopher Walken steal the show - they are hysterical.  The music has you practically dancing in the aisles.  Fantastic!  Amanda Bynes has a surprisingly good singing voice and was adorable as Penny. 

Technorati Tags: Hairspray, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes