My Word

[rating: 3.0]

I love Catherine Zeta-Jones. Yes, I know I am a woman but she is such a classic beauty I can’t help but stare at her. She also isn’t the type who projects a lot of self-admiration. She seems humble and comfortable with herself too, which anyone would admire. With that said, this movie was very slow and a bit boring, so I have my reservations about it. Here’s why…

In my opinion, (and this is my blog so, whatever!) the male lead just isn’t very good looking. Sorry Aaron Eckhart. He also seems like a bit of a casual jerk in this movie, and nobody I would take seriously. The story moves along pretty slowly and much of it is way too predictable.

A tragedy changes Kate, our main character’s life as it does her young niece, Zoe played by that wonderful little actress, Abigal Breslin. You may remember her from Little Miss Sunshine. She is a sweetie. They must learn to adjust to life as it will be and then a love relationship gets thrown into the mix. The story is set in a restaurant and some egos and other savory items get dished up again and again throughout the story making it pretty dull. (Note to editor – you should have taken 20 minutes off somewhere.)

As always, a change of heart saves the day and voila – we have cooked up a happy ending. It was a bit to syrupy (pancakes were involved so I am trying to be clever) for my taste. I have seen worse (Atonement) but I have seen a lot better. Still, it was nice to see Miss Zeta-Jones up close and personal so I remain placated instead of cantankerous.

[rating 1.5]

I must have missed something…but I don’t care to go back and find it. This movie was “el stinko” as far as I am concerned. If you want to get depressed, angry or enjoy being flash backed and flashed forward so many times you get motion sickness, then by all means go see Atonement. I would rather watch The Simpsons or Family Guy – any day of the week.

This  movie was painful in so many ways. Perhaps it was a good book but if you choose to watch this, you should ask God if he will accept your time trying to watch it as your own personal atonement for whatever you may have done to offend your fellow man. Watching this tragedy was like doing penance although admittedly, the acting is pretty good. At least the main character, Robbie, is nice looking enough.

Sorry, but Keira Knightly needs to gain weight. Her back looks like something reminiscent of a starving refugee and the woman has no chest. I had more upfront in 4th grade. Not that this should matter but I had to stare at something and engage in some imaginary fascination so that I didn’t doze off during the more than 2 hour-long wait for the story to get interesting, which it never did.

Bottom line: I don’t like movies where the good guys finish last. Oh, no wait. Instead, they are just finished. Didn’t like this and wouldn’t tell my loved ones to waste their money. Sorry Hollywood and all you sophisticated critics. It was just a droll bore.

[rating: 4]

The old Disney is back! Walt would be so happy. Enchanted is the type of Disney movie I remember as a kid and the kind that is entertaining for both kids and adults. Fantasy collides with reality in New York City as it’s the evil step-mother number all over again. (My opinion is that a love story with laughs is sure to be a winner.) What took the studio so long to get back to what worked in the first place?

What you say? No boobs, swearing, sexual activity (well, there is kissing but it is only when true love is involved – serious business) to make you scratch your head and say, “This is a kids movie?” Yes, yes, yes and it is very refreshing! You will laugh, get a little nervous, root for the good vs. evil and feel all warm and fuzzy as you enjoy Enchanted with the kids.

This is a very great movie for the whole family (with a testy Susan Sarandon as the wicked stepmother), and my family will probably be adding this one to our DVD library when it’s released. We took our three kids and seven of their cousins to watch it and when it was all done, I looked down the row to see them all giving me the thumbs up sign. I agree. Go ahead and buy your ticket for Enchanted. It is a charmer.

….And you might get to see the previews for Alvin and the Chipmunks. I can’t wait to see that one – it looks very funny and cute. I see a whole line of singing chipmunk stuffed animals and on the toy store shelves already.

[rating: 3.5]

This 2006 release stars one of my perennial favorites, Denzel Washington, in this thought provoking, somewhat sci-fi production. It has its share of guns and blood, but there it has a good guy and a bad guy with a love story wrapped around it. What was refreshing is that all the main good guy (and girl) characters are shown as really good folks and we can root for all of them.

There is a futuristic twist that grabs and keeps your attention and little things that happen during this part of the story come back later with depth, making my kids, who are teens, shout out, “That’s why those letters were on the ….” Lots of other little hints are left like breadcrumbs to lead us to the end of the story. I love an end with a twist and this one does not disappoint. Not going to win any all-time awards but it’s a pretty good show all around and it certainly entertains. Go ahead and rent it!

All Time Family Favorite from 1987 [rating:5 stars]

You have heard of comfort foods. It is the same with the movie, “The Princess Bride”. Watching it together as a family is a tradition that binds us, reminds us of our collective history and thus, provides security within that framework. Yes, its absurdity and silliness rocks us and soothes us. There are no surprises, no bad words. It is comfort viewing.

If you have never seen it, and you like “silly,” you must go rent it. We all know certain lines by heart. At any time, any one of us could be prompted to pop some off at the least little bit of provocation. The rest will join in and giggle. Observers will scratch their heads, look at each other blankly and confirm that yes, we indeed are crazy. Lines like, “Anybody want a peanut? Be quiet, and I mean it.”

Or there is Miracle Max and his diagnosis of being “mostly dead,” which is different form all dead, or the rodents of unusual size, the pit of despair, the cliffs of insanity, the fire swamp, and the undying power of true love. To us, are all metaphors for family life: We need to laugh at life’s absurdities and trust that love always triumphs. And we all hate Prince Humperdink – that really keeps us together.

There is one line that we all know and repeated as if we are falling down a big hill while saying it. We are sending a message to each other in code – “Aaaas youuuu wiiiiish!” Get the movie and find out for yourself. I highly recommend it. Rent it ASAP!

You’ll be glad you’ve seen it. Anybody want a peanut?