Cool Take on an Old Story

Sherlock Holmes (somewhere between Loved It & Liked It)--I really liked this movie, and some parts of it I loved, so that's why the less than firm rating. I thought Robert Downey Jr. was great as Sherlock Holmes and I really like Jude Law's take on Watson. The rest of the cast was also good. This movie has quite a bit of action violence and some serious fight scenes which Sherlock analyzes for the "benefit" of the audience, but very little bad language and NO sex!. You see a flash of Rachel McAdams back and this is quite a bit of innuendo, but nothing too bad. And, there were no sex scenes and surprisingly the man was the one with no clothes on (necessary area covered by a pillow) and you can see that scene in the trailer. It was a fun movie and I loved how Holmes used his brains to figure everything out. This is not a surprise because after all, this is Sherlock Holmes, but Guy Ritchie does a good job in breathing new life into an old standby. This is something that also occurred in the film Star Trek with that cast & director. I liked this new take on an old story. The macabre is there, and I especially enjoyed the relationship of Watson and Holmes. Law and Downey Jr. do that bit VERY well. So, if you're looking for a good time, go see this movie. I would see it again, because I'm sure I missed things the first time around. Can't wait for the DVD.

Another Hopeful Movie

The Blind Side (Loved It)--I mentioned that Invictus was a hopeful movie, and this is another movie that qualifies. I'll admit sometimes I like cheesy movies. This one could be called cheesy, but it isn't overly so. It helps that once again it is based on a true story. Although I know there is some "Hollywoodizing" of the story, I think they got the highlights right. But, Michael Oher did know how to play football before he got to the prep school. Nevertheless, this is a story about a family that was willing to reach out and help someone that needed a boost. I thought Sandra Bullock embodied Leigh Anne Tuohy. I've seen a couple of interviews with the real woman portrayed by Ms. Bullock and she nailed it. I also liked Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy. He did a good job and could do the souther man thing because that's what he is. Plus, they used some of his music in one of the scenes but it was subtly done and therefore done well. Quinton Aaron who played Michael was the right size to play a defensive football player and didn't overplay the part. He also has a compelling story of his own that is as interesting as the real Michael's (he lost his mom and was about to be evicted, auditioned for the role, didn't think he'd get it, told them he would work security on the set if needed, and then got the part). This movie shows the good in people and that is never a bad thing. We are bombarded daily with the stress and bad news that we all face, so it's good to have something inspiring and hopeful to watch. This movie is all that.

Rating System

So it was suggested I need a rating system for my blog. So, I've been thinking about it and here are my ratings:

1. Loved it enough to Buy it
2. Loved it
3. Liked it
4. Didn't like it
5. Hated it

And to kick off the rating system, here is my review of Avatar:

Avatar (Liked it)--I really wanted to love this movie, and parts of it I did (more on that later). My sister teaches 7th grade and apparently to a seventh grader this movie is, "the greatest movie ever!" If you are 39, maybe not so much. I saw this on IMAX 3D (I loved the 3D and didn't mind the glasses). The special effects were phenomenal and really cool. Plus, I think to direct and coordinate all of the behind the scenes stuff was quite a feat. Another positive was the performances. Everyone did exactly what they were supposed to do, no big stretches, but everyone delivered. Now, I went in knowing this would be a special effects bonanza and it was. I also knew not to expect too much character development or story, and there wasn't a lot of either one of those. But, even with no expectations, I have to say by the time the film got to the Operation Pandora Freedom part, I was sort of over it. I just wanted it to end. Let the good blue people triumph or let man destroy another perfect world, just get there. I've heard this movie described as Dances with Wolves in space or Smurf porn. I think it's more aptly described as Dances crossed with Smurf crossed with G.I. Joe.

Now, I'm not saying don't see this, but if you are going to, you have to see it on the BIG SCREEN and in 3D. I think once it's out of the theatres this movie is going to lose a little of its lustre. There is no way this movie will translate as effectively on a small screen, even if the DVD is Blu Ray, the TV is HD and the TV large. This is something that has to be experience HUGE and in 3D. The only thing that should have been smaller is the length of this movie. I thought it was about 40 minutes too long. And there's a lot of scantily clad, elongated blue creatures dancing around and communing with nature, although they are beautiful (especially Sam Worthington whether he's human or avatar). The world they live on is also beautiful, Pandora and all it's wonders are a visual feast. I've been asked if younger kids should see this. It's got quite a bit of violence, a little bad language, some very scary "native creatures", and those blue people with very little clothing on, so I would say it's PG-13 for a very good reason. So, bottom line, if you want to see this, go to the theatre, wear the 3D glasses, and enjoy the special effects.

Coming Soon

Saw Avatar tonight, but have to process it all before I write my review. It's coming. . .

In the theatre

Invictus--I saw this movie on the big screen. This is a great movie! A little surprising that it's Clint Eastwood, because his movies tend to be much darker than this one is. This is a hopeful movie, and it's true, so that helps. Right now is a good time for hopeful movies.

Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors. He has played everything from an escaped slave who's become a Civil War soldier to the President of the United States and he's believable in any role he picks. I remember watching him on the Electric Company as a kid and I have liked his performances in everything from Glory to Bruce Almighty (didn't like the movie, did like Mr. Freeman). Morgan Freeman IS Nelson Mandela in this movie, and I just can't say enough good about the performance or the movie. Matt Damon, who is another of my favorites, also did a great job. He also bulked up for the role of the captain of the South African National Rugby team and that never hurts. But, in all seriousness, this film should be seen. It's about how a country that was broken started to recover and how a rugby team and the leader that turned to it started the healing process. Go see this movie. There are a couple of bad words, but nothing to offend and just the right amount of the rugby playing and competition. GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

Labels

I noticed that my posts can have labels, so I will be identifying how I watched the movie. Sometimes, actually often, I watch movies and then like them enough to buy them. This next movie is one of those and the label identifies it as such.

Julie & Julia--I loved this movie and as I mentioned above, I bought this one. I LOVE Meryl Streep. Basically I think she can do no wrong (at least lately). We watched this DVD as a family. My brother even joined us. He has a mother, two sisters, and a wife, so he's used to watching "chick flick" sometimes. But since we had the testosterone fix with Star Trek, he was game. As we started the movie, he asked, "who is Julia Child?" Thirty seconds into Meryl Streep's portrayal, he said, "Oh, I know who she is. Wow, that Meryl Streep really can play anyone." I agree. Anyone that can do this movie, Mamma Mis, and Doubt CAN play anyone and probably better that they played themselves. I though Nora Ephron did a great job combining the two stories and interweaving the plots. I admit I preferred the Julia side (thanks in large part to Ms. Streep and the wonderful Stanley Tucci), but the Julie side was also well done (with great performances by Amy Adams, Chris Messina, and Mary Kay Place as the mother). And, it made me want to cook. The food looked great. I actually want to try the Queen of Sheba cake recipe. The movie was just fun. My brother even commented that is wasn't really a chick flick because those are move "lovey". I agree. This was a movie about two women with parallel stories and they were both interesting. There are a couple of bad words and one scene of Amy Adams in her bra, but the movie is definitely worth the watch. I loved it, I bought it, and I WILL be watching it again.

And introducing. . .

I love movies. I have for as long as I can remember. My whole family does. We love to go to the movies, rent movies, and I love to buy movies. It's one of my things. I grew up in a place where there were 3 things to do every weekend: get drunk, break one of the ten commandments, or watch movies. Since I was a good girl, I went to the movies or watched videos. For me, these are my forms of escape. For 2 hours, I can time travel, meet people I will never get to know in real life and visit worlds without number. It's awesome. I disappear into a different reality for a little while and I escape, relax, and enjoy.

People are always asking me, "have you seen any good movies lately?" The answer is usually "yes", and I'm going to share my opinions of those movies here. So, let's decide what we should watch tonight.

Here is my first review--

1. Star Trek--the new one, the JJ Abrams one. I liked it. I am a bit of a Trekkie and my father was definitely one, so I check out the Trek movies. I never really enjoyed the original series, but I like the later TV incarnation and I have always enjoyed the Star Trek movies, all casts. I really liked this version. In the middle of watching the movie, I commented that it also felt like an homage to the old Star Wars movies. How excited was I when Mr. Abrams himself confirmed that thought in one of the special features. this version gave new life to an old franchise. I thought the casting was great, the action excellent, and the humor throughout the movie was spot on. Overall I would recommend it to anyone. There is the normal science fiction violence, some bad language (but not a ton), and the apparently necessary scene of two women walking around in their underwear for a few minutes (with Chris Pine in his underwear for a few seconds, as well), but it was absolutely worth the rental and I would watch it again.