Comedy: She’s the Man (2006)
A modern recreation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, where a high school girl pretends to be her brother to prove that she can make the boy’s soccer team. Amanda Bynes is hilarious in this movie, she always has that great mix of physical comedy and good lines and here she delivers yet again.
NOTE: My mom thought this movie was so funny she went out and bought her own copy!
Romance: Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Shakespeare’s comedy about a young couple in love who are torn apart by scandal and another couple drawn together by their mutual hatred for each other. This is my favorite of Shakespeare’s comedies; it’s funny and sweet, and in true Shakespeare form, it fits no particular genre.
NOTE: This is directed by Kenneth Branagh who is sort of a Shakespeare expert and the cast is amazing: Kenneth Branagh, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Kate Beckinsale, and Denzel Washington.
Kid Appropriate: Fly Away Home (1996)
A film about a young girl who’s sent to live with her father after her mother’s death and the two form a family as they share and save a family of geese by teaching them to fly south. This film is beautiful; the story is inspiring, the scenery is gorgeous, and music is an excellent complement to the visual spectacle.
Guy Appropriate: Gladiator (2000)
The story of a soldier who lost everything and became a slave and thru slavery defied the emperor by becoming the greatest gladiator in history. This film is amazing and well put together; the cast, scenery, script, and the chorography of the fights all perfectly fit into the film’s idea.
NOTE: It’s good but it’s very long and bloody, so be prepared.
Must See…SHAKESPEARE FILM: As You Like It (2006)
Another Shakespeare comedy, this film is about a girl forced to flee to the country and to protect herself, dresses as a man and in this apparel meets her true love (who thinks she’s a guy). I didn’t care for this play when I read it but it was a Kenneth Branagh film so I thought I would try it. It changed my mind about the story; its funny, sweet, and it was really interesting how Branagh took the story and set it against an Asian culture background.
Coming Soon: Penelope
Released: February 29, 2008*
A fantasy story about a girl cursed with the nose of a pig and her family’s quest to find a hansom prince willing to kiss her and break the spell. This film looks really good; it looks funny and interesting and the cast is amazing: Reese Witherspoon, Christina Ricci, James McAvory, and Catherine O’Hara.
http://www.penelopethemovie.com/
Don’t Bother: From Justin to Kelly (2003)
A movie based around the original American Idol singers. Okay, so this was on TV one day and I try not to judge a book by its cover so I decided to watch this movie; waste of time! I like Kelly Clarkson as a singer but this movie was so bad I don’t even remember the plot I just remember it was sooo cheesy and the music wasn’t classic musical material (more like passable music material).
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Week 7
Comedy: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Based off of the novels of Rebecca Wells, this film follows the life of one woman and her daughter and the mother’s three life long friends who have always been their to pick her up and put her back together again. I loved the book, but I liked the movie better because the film has a lot more focus on the Ya-Ya’s, were as in the book I felt like they almost became background characters.
Romance: Stardust (2007)
A film about a young man’s adventure to seek a fallen star and the journey that leads him to the discovery of his own strength. This film is very good; the acting is great, the scenes are beautiful, the cast is amazing (Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Claire Danes), the story is original and to top it all off, it is really funny!
Kid Appropriate: The Princess Diaries 1&2 (2001 & 2004)
These films are about a young woman who is in training to become the queen of her country and her adventures and mishaps along the way. Both films are great and very kid appropriate but the first, where she finds out she is a princess, is definitely better than the second, where she is trying to find her hansom prince. This was Anne Hathaway’s break out role and a great reintroduction to Julie Andrews; they both make you smile as you watch.
Guy Appropriate: 300 (2007)
This film is the latest adaptation of the legendary tale of the 300 Spartans who fought the entire Persian army to the death because they would not surrender. Everyone I talked to really liked this movie but I kept dragging my feet about seeing it. Finally I sat down and watched it and Oh My God!! It was awesome; the story was slick and it had the perfect combination of gritty, gruesome details with fantastical embellishments to create a great epic story.
NOTE: Fair warning, it is very violent and bloody!
Must See…KEIRA KNIGHTLEY FILM: Atonement (2007)
Based off the novel by Ian McEwan, this film follows the events of one hot day in the 30’s through the eyes of a dramatic young girl who then accuses her sister’s lover of a heinous crime. This movie was a perfect follow up film from director Joe Wright who last brought Pride and Prejudice to the big screen. I haven’t read the book, but I thought the sequence of the way events played out was interesting, the story was good, the acting was great, and the best part I thought was the music. The filmmakers took all the beats in the music from sounds of things in the background, my favorite being the beat of the typewriter keys in sync with the music.
NOTE: As with Pride and Prejudice, there is a really amazing scene in the film were there are no cuts for several minutes; it is the scene on the beach when the men are walking around while all these different things are going on.
Coming Soon: Be Kind Rewind
Released: February 22, 2008*
A comedy about two friends who decide to remake the films that they accidentally erased at their small rental shop. I’m not sure I’m going to like this movie, it looks funny but it also looks like it might be too stupid for my taste but I usually like Jack Black so I’ll give it a try.
http://www.bekindmovie.com/
Don’t Bother: Drop Dead Fred (1991)
A young woman already trying to deal with the problems in her life, now must also try and keep her crazy imaginary friend from childhood in line while he tries to cause trouble. Sounds bad I know, but a friend of mine recommended to me because she loved it and I’m sorry but I will not let other people suffer from ignorance. This was horrible! Bad story, bad acting, and worst of all it’s supposed to be a kid’s film; this is the most inappropriate, unintelligent children’s film I’ve ever seen.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
Based off of the novels of Rebecca Wells, this film follows the life of one woman and her daughter and the mother’s three life long friends who have always been their to pick her up and put her back together again. I loved the book, but I liked the movie better because the film has a lot more focus on the Ya-Ya’s, were as in the book I felt like they almost became background characters.
Romance: Stardust (2007)
A film about a young man’s adventure to seek a fallen star and the journey that leads him to the discovery of his own strength. This film is very good; the acting is great, the scenes are beautiful, the cast is amazing (Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Claire Danes), the story is original and to top it all off, it is really funny!
Kid Appropriate: The Princess Diaries 1&2 (2001 & 2004)
These films are about a young woman who is in training to become the queen of her country and her adventures and mishaps along the way. Both films are great and very kid appropriate but the first, where she finds out she is a princess, is definitely better than the second, where she is trying to find her hansom prince. This was Anne Hathaway’s break out role and a great reintroduction to Julie Andrews; they both make you smile as you watch.
Guy Appropriate: 300 (2007)
This film is the latest adaptation of the legendary tale of the 300 Spartans who fought the entire Persian army to the death because they would not surrender. Everyone I talked to really liked this movie but I kept dragging my feet about seeing it. Finally I sat down and watched it and Oh My God!! It was awesome; the story was slick and it had the perfect combination of gritty, gruesome details with fantastical embellishments to create a great epic story.
NOTE: Fair warning, it is very violent and bloody!
Must See…KEIRA KNIGHTLEY FILM: Atonement (2007)
Based off the novel by Ian McEwan, this film follows the events of one hot day in the 30’s through the eyes of a dramatic young girl who then accuses her sister’s lover of a heinous crime. This movie was a perfect follow up film from director Joe Wright who last brought Pride and Prejudice to the big screen. I haven’t read the book, but I thought the sequence of the way events played out was interesting, the story was good, the acting was great, and the best part I thought was the music. The filmmakers took all the beats in the music from sounds of things in the background, my favorite being the beat of the typewriter keys in sync with the music.
NOTE: As with Pride and Prejudice, there is a really amazing scene in the film were there are no cuts for several minutes; it is the scene on the beach when the men are walking around while all these different things are going on.
Coming Soon: Be Kind Rewind
Released: February 22, 2008*
A comedy about two friends who decide to remake the films that they accidentally erased at their small rental shop. I’m not sure I’m going to like this movie, it looks funny but it also looks like it might be too stupid for my taste but I usually like Jack Black so I’ll give it a try.
http://www.bekindmovie.com/
Don’t Bother: Drop Dead Fred (1991)
A young woman already trying to deal with the problems in her life, now must also try and keep her crazy imaginary friend from childhood in line while he tries to cause trouble. Sounds bad I know, but a friend of mine recommended to me because she loved it and I’m sorry but I will not let other people suffer from ignorance. This was horrible! Bad story, bad acting, and worst of all it’s supposed to be a kid’s film; this is the most inappropriate, unintelligent children’s film I’ve ever seen.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Week 6
Comedy: John Tucker Must Die (2006)
This is about 3 girls who’ve been played and burned by the school’s biggest hotshot and are now out for revenge. Normally, this isn’t my kind of film but for some reason I find this one hilarious! The story’s funny, the music’s good, and the girls are great!
Romance: Love Actually (2003)
This film follows a handful of different stories about love that are all connected by the people involved and all try to explain the different aspects of love. This is a great film; it’s a very good story, the cast is amazing, and it always makes me smile.
NOTE: My favorite story is the one with Colin Firth.
Kid Appropriate: Lilo and Stitch (2002)
This is a film about how a little alien helps two Hawaiian sisters form a family again. This movie is cute, funny, and the overall film fits in perfectly with the other Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King (although it is not a musical).
Guy Appropriate: Domino (2005)
A film based on the real women Domino Harvey, the daughter of an English actor who became a bounty hunter in LA. This movie is a fast paced, sharp edged, tough story that I love; it’s funny and dark and a great film.
Must See…STAND UP ACT: Ellen DeGeneres Here and Now (2003)
Ellen’s stand up show she taped the same year she made her big come back to comedy by starting her talk show and staring in Finding Nemo. This hour long stand up act is hilarious! Ellen is my favorite comedian and what I love about her act is it doesn’t poke fun at anyone in particular but rather makes fun of the things we do every day and after you see it, whenever you do something she was talking about, it makes you laugh.
Coming Soon: Definitely, Maybe
Released: February 14, 2008*
This film is about a father who tells his daughter the story of the three love interests in his life and the girl is trying to figure out which one is her mother. This looks sweet and I like the two leads: Abigail Breslin and Ryan Reynolds.
http://www.definitelymaybemovie.com/
Don’t Bother: Unfaithful (2002)
This film is about a woman who carries on an affair with a young foreign man while lying to her husband and her son about her actions. This was horrible! The story was crap, the acting was fine but it was basically porn film that they were able to get down to an R rating.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
This is about 3 girls who’ve been played and burned by the school’s biggest hotshot and are now out for revenge. Normally, this isn’t my kind of film but for some reason I find this one hilarious! The story’s funny, the music’s good, and the girls are great!
Romance: Love Actually (2003)
This film follows a handful of different stories about love that are all connected by the people involved and all try to explain the different aspects of love. This is a great film; it’s a very good story, the cast is amazing, and it always makes me smile.
NOTE: My favorite story is the one with Colin Firth.
Kid Appropriate: Lilo and Stitch (2002)
This is a film about how a little alien helps two Hawaiian sisters form a family again. This movie is cute, funny, and the overall film fits in perfectly with the other Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King (although it is not a musical).
Guy Appropriate: Domino (2005)
A film based on the real women Domino Harvey, the daughter of an English actor who became a bounty hunter in LA. This movie is a fast paced, sharp edged, tough story that I love; it’s funny and dark and a great film.
Must See…STAND UP ACT: Ellen DeGeneres Here and Now (2003)
Ellen’s stand up show she taped the same year she made her big come back to comedy by starting her talk show and staring in Finding Nemo. This hour long stand up act is hilarious! Ellen is my favorite comedian and what I love about her act is it doesn’t poke fun at anyone in particular but rather makes fun of the things we do every day and after you see it, whenever you do something she was talking about, it makes you laugh.
Coming Soon: Definitely, Maybe
Released: February 14, 2008*
This film is about a father who tells his daughter the story of the three love interests in his life and the girl is trying to figure out which one is her mother. This looks sweet and I like the two leads: Abigail Breslin and Ryan Reynolds.
http://www.definitelymaybemovie.com/
Don’t Bother: Unfaithful (2002)
This film is about a woman who carries on an affair with a young foreign man while lying to her husband and her son about her actions. This was horrible! The story was crap, the acting was fine but it was basically porn film that they were able to get down to an R rating.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
Monday, February 4, 2008
Week 5
Comedy: Bicentennial Man (1999)
Robin Williams stars in this story about a robot whose unique quality drives him to try and become more like the humans he loves. This movie is sweet and funny and the supporting cast and scenery and story are great.NOTE: My favorite character is the female robot Galatea, she has the best lines.
Romance: The Notebook (2004)
A film based of the novel by Nicholas Sparks about young love and trying to maintain that love forever. This movie is really good! The story is sweet, the actors are great, and the scenery is beautiful!
Kid Appropriate: Harry Potter (any, 1-5)
Based on the series of books by JK Rowling these stories follow the life of one young wizard and his adventures with his friends as they grow up in a world of magic. I love Harry Potter! These stories are great adventures for kids to let their imaginations run wild. The first three are perfect for kids, however the Goblet of Fire and the Order of the Phoenix start to get very dark and I would be careful about letting younger kids see them.
Guy Appropriate: The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
The continued adventures of the three musketeers, now they are old men who are about to make one last stand for the country and the king they believe in. This is a really good movie, the story is interesting, the acting is good, and the cast is amazing: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu, and Gabriel Byrne.
Must See…BLACK HISTORY: Remember the Titans (2000)
In honor of Black History Month, I picked my favorite film that deals with the issue of race, segregation, and civil rights. This movie is based of the true story about how one integrated school game to together on the football field and in turn united a town. This is a great movie, the acting was good, the writing was good, and like a perfect Disney film it teaches you something.
NOTE: The best part is Denzel Washington’s speech at Gettysburg.
Coming Soon: Fool’s Gold
Released: February 8, 2008*
A story about how a couple’s search for gold puts the spark back in their marriage. I’m excited for this film; I loved Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and I hoping that they bring the same chemistry and comedy to this film.
http://foolsgoldmovie.warnerbros.com/
Don’t Bother: War of the Worlds (2005)
A remake of the 1953 film about an apocalyptic alien invasion. Okay, I’m not a big fan of the whole alien invasion story line anyway, but I gave this a shot because I love Dakota Fanning but even she couldn’t save this film. The acting (other than Fanning) was horrible, the story stupid and unbelievable, and it was torturously long.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
Robin Williams stars in this story about a robot whose unique quality drives him to try and become more like the humans he loves. This movie is sweet and funny and the supporting cast and scenery and story are great.NOTE: My favorite character is the female robot Galatea, she has the best lines.
Romance: The Notebook (2004)
A film based of the novel by Nicholas Sparks about young love and trying to maintain that love forever. This movie is really good! The story is sweet, the actors are great, and the scenery is beautiful!
Kid Appropriate: Harry Potter (any, 1-5)
Based on the series of books by JK Rowling these stories follow the life of one young wizard and his adventures with his friends as they grow up in a world of magic. I love Harry Potter! These stories are great adventures for kids to let their imaginations run wild. The first three are perfect for kids, however the Goblet of Fire and the Order of the Phoenix start to get very dark and I would be careful about letting younger kids see them.
Guy Appropriate: The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
The continued adventures of the three musketeers, now they are old men who are about to make one last stand for the country and the king they believe in. This is a really good movie, the story is interesting, the acting is good, and the cast is amazing: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu, and Gabriel Byrne.
Must See…BLACK HISTORY: Remember the Titans (2000)
In honor of Black History Month, I picked my favorite film that deals with the issue of race, segregation, and civil rights. This movie is based of the true story about how one integrated school game to together on the football field and in turn united a town. This is a great movie, the acting was good, the writing was good, and like a perfect Disney film it teaches you something.
NOTE: The best part is Denzel Washington’s speech at Gettysburg.
Coming Soon: Fool’s Gold
Released: February 8, 2008*
A story about how a couple’s search for gold puts the spark back in their marriage. I’m excited for this film; I loved Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and I hoping that they bring the same chemistry and comedy to this film.
http://foolsgoldmovie.warnerbros.com/
Don’t Bother: War of the Worlds (2005)
A remake of the 1953 film about an apocalyptic alien invasion. Okay, I’m not a big fan of the whole alien invasion story line anyway, but I gave this a shot because I love Dakota Fanning but even she couldn’t save this film. The acting (other than Fanning) was horrible, the story stupid and unbelievable, and it was torturously long.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
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