Comedy: Saved! (2004)
This film is about a young ultra-Christian girl who upon finding out her boyfriend is gay decides to try and “save him” by having sex with him but all that does is get her pregnant. This movie is a dark comedy with an all-star cast that delivers; it’s funny, sweet, and it has a good message in the end about acceptance and religion.
NOTE: It pokes fun at Christians, but my campus minister used it in one of his forums, so it’s all in good fun.
Romance: Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Baz Luhrman brings his acidic style to this romantic musical about a young writer and a dancer at the famous Parisian bordello at the turn of the century. This movie is great, it’s funny, sweet and sour, and it keeps you in a constant state of awe by the fantastic artwork.
NOTE: My favorite number is the tango Roxanne.
Kid Appropriate: The Sound of Music (1965)
Based on a real Austrian family, the film creates a musical about a young woman sent to be the governess for seven children and who in teaching them to sing and love, and finds love in their father. This movie still makes me smile when I watch; it’s funny, entertaining and the music and the scenery are beautiful.
Guy Appropriate: Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3
The adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and his two friends, Elizabeth Swan and Will Turner, as they fight for their right to be free and to live their lives as they please. All three films are good pirate films with lots of comedy, action and adventure, and special effects (with even a little romance thrown in) but my favorite is probably still the first one because it is the simplest and most focused of the three.
Must See…BAZ LUHRMAN FILM: Strictly Ballroom (1992)
A story about finding love in the competitive world of ballroom dancing. This film was Baz Luhrman’s first and it is hilarious! Despite using every cliché in the book, you end up with a sweet and funny film that is even a little sarcastic about the people in Australia who live for the world ballroom dancing!
NOTE: Baz’s mother was a ballroom dance instructor, so he’s not making fun of it, he’s just finding the comedy in taking it too seriously.
Coming Soon: Leatherheads
Released: April 4, 2008*
A comedy about early days of football and two men trying to legitimize the game while fighting over the same woman. This looks really funny and I like both George Clooney and Renée Zellweger.
http://www.leatherheadsmovie.com/
Don’t Bother: You Got Served (2004)
Another of the countless dance competition films. First of all, the name of this film sucks! Second of all, it was so unimpressive I don’t even remember what the “story” was about. And finally, as I said in the plot explanation there are a million other films out there like this and I have seen some of them that are more worth your time: Step Up, Save the Last Dance, etc.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Week 10
Comedy: Miss Congeniality (2000)
A female FBI agent goes undercover as a beauty contestant to stop a serial killer. Not only are the leads funny in this film, but the beauty contestants provide an entertaining background for this crazy comedy that has some great lines and great physical moments as well.
NOTE: This is also one of my top five films.
Romance: Cold Mountain (2003)
Based on the novel by Charles Fraizer, this film follows two southern people trying to sustain their love during the civil war while trying to defend themselves on their respective fronts. This movie is stunningly beautiful, the script is amazing, the acting fantastic, and the overall film is insanely good.
NOTE: The cast in this film is packed with stars: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Natalie Portman, Eileen Atkins, Brendan Gleeson, Donald Sutherland, Giovanni Ribisi, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Baker, and Jena Malone.
Kid Appropriate: Little Women (1994)
The film version of the classic story by Louisa May Alcott about the four March sisters growing up and finding out about love and life. This film is perfect, the music, the scenes, the cast, and the story are all perfect choices to adapt this classic novel into a wonderful film.
NOTE: Another all-star cast: Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Gabriel Byrne.
Guy Appropriate: V for Vendetta (2005)
This movie is set in a future where the government has total control and one man who hides behind a Guy Fox mask is determined to create change. This movie was great, the story is interesting, the actors are good, and the action is great.
Must See…FILM BASED ON A NOVEL: I Am David (2003)
This film is based on the novel by Ann Holm called North to Freedom, and is about a young boy who has spent most of his life in a work camp during WWII and when he finally escapes he goes on a journey to find freedom. This movie was an amazing find; it’s compelling, beautiful, simple, appropriate for older children, and it will make you cry.
Coming Soon: Under the Same Moon (La Misma luna)
Released: March 19, 2008
This story follows the adventures of one young boy on his journey from Mexico to America to find his mother who has been working there to make a life for them both. This looks really good, America Ferrera is in it and the little boy is really cute, and when I watch the preview I get a little choked up.
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/underthesamemoon/
Don’t Bother: Van Wilder (2002)
A National Lampoon movie about a college kid who rules the school and his crazy escapades. This was disgusting! I won’t go into details but it is a horrible movie with one scene in particular that makes gag when I think about it; don’t waste your time!
A female FBI agent goes undercover as a beauty contestant to stop a serial killer. Not only are the leads funny in this film, but the beauty contestants provide an entertaining background for this crazy comedy that has some great lines and great physical moments as well.
NOTE: This is also one of my top five films.
Romance: Cold Mountain (2003)
Based on the novel by Charles Fraizer, this film follows two southern people trying to sustain their love during the civil war while trying to defend themselves on their respective fronts. This movie is stunningly beautiful, the script is amazing, the acting fantastic, and the overall film is insanely good.
NOTE: The cast in this film is packed with stars: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Natalie Portman, Eileen Atkins, Brendan Gleeson, Donald Sutherland, Giovanni Ribisi, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Baker, and Jena Malone.
Kid Appropriate: Little Women (1994)
The film version of the classic story by Louisa May Alcott about the four March sisters growing up and finding out about love and life. This film is perfect, the music, the scenes, the cast, and the story are all perfect choices to adapt this classic novel into a wonderful film.
NOTE: Another all-star cast: Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Gabriel Byrne.
Guy Appropriate: V for Vendetta (2005)
This movie is set in a future where the government has total control and one man who hides behind a Guy Fox mask is determined to create change. This movie was great, the story is interesting, the actors are good, and the action is great.
Must See…FILM BASED ON A NOVEL: I Am David (2003)
This film is based on the novel by Ann Holm called North to Freedom, and is about a young boy who has spent most of his life in a work camp during WWII and when he finally escapes he goes on a journey to find freedom. This movie was an amazing find; it’s compelling, beautiful, simple, appropriate for older children, and it will make you cry.
Coming Soon: Under the Same Moon (La Misma luna)
Released: March 19, 2008
This story follows the adventures of one young boy on his journey from Mexico to America to find his mother who has been working there to make a life for them both. This looks really good, America Ferrera is in it and the little boy is really cute, and when I watch the preview I get a little choked up.
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/underthesamemoon/
Don’t Bother: Van Wilder (2002)
A National Lampoon movie about a college kid who rules the school and his crazy escapades. This was disgusting! I won’t go into details but it is a horrible movie with one scene in particular that makes gag when I think about it; don’t waste your time!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Week 9
Comedy: A League of Their Own (1992)
A film based of the actual 40’s baseball league for women. This is one of my top five films, it’s funny, sweet, and it’s full of baseball! Penny Marshall is the director and she does a great job leading this all-star cast around the diamond!
Romance: A Very Long Engagement (2004)
A young woman, unable to except the death of her fiancé in WWI, sets out on a journey to discover the truth and finds some interesting contradictions. This is French language film with best production value I’ve seen. The story is interesting, the look is beautiful, and in an interesting twist Jodie Foster plays a French woman who shares a secret with the young woman.
Kid Appropriate: Anastasia (1997)
This is a fantasy musical dramatization that plays on the myth of the princess that might have survived the assassination of the last royal family of Russia. This movie is amazing! It’s beautiful, it’s funny, the music is good and it always amazes me that it’s not a Disney movie!
NOTE: Bartok the bat is my favorite character, he is hilarious!
Guy Appropriate: Charlie’s Angels 1&2
Remakes of the old 70’s TV show about three female private detectives who use their skills to save the world! While the leads are all female, I think that these films have enough action, comedy, and sex appeal to satisfy guys. They’re not the highest quality films, but they are fun and entertaining and I actually like the second better than the first.
Must See…WOMEN’S HISTORY: Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
In honor of Women’s History Month, this week’s film is about the suffrage movement in the United States. This was an amazing movie!!! The acting was awesome, the music was interesting, and the cinematography and editing were brilliant!
NOTE: My favorite line: “In oranges and women, courage is often mistaken for insanity.” (It makes more sense when you watch it).
Coming Soon: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Released: March 7, 2008
A middle-aged nanny is fired from yet another job and so she decides to try something new; the social secretary of a young American actress involved with three men. As Miss Pettigrew helps her young friend sort out her life, she finds romance of her own. This looks funny and sweet and I like both the leads: Amy Adams and Frances McDormand.
http://www.focusfeatures.com/home.php
Don’t Bother: The Sandlot 2 (2005)
Twelve years after the original film, a new group of kids, including some girls, have come to play on the sandlot and have their own adventures. This film is crappy remake of the first, the kids are not near as funny or interesting, the story has no original value, and it is not worth sharing the name of classic kids film.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
A film based of the actual 40’s baseball league for women. This is one of my top five films, it’s funny, sweet, and it’s full of baseball! Penny Marshall is the director and she does a great job leading this all-star cast around the diamond!
Romance: A Very Long Engagement (2004)
A young woman, unable to except the death of her fiancé in WWI, sets out on a journey to discover the truth and finds some interesting contradictions. This is French language film with best production value I’ve seen. The story is interesting, the look is beautiful, and in an interesting twist Jodie Foster plays a French woman who shares a secret with the young woman.
Kid Appropriate: Anastasia (1997)
This is a fantasy musical dramatization that plays on the myth of the princess that might have survived the assassination of the last royal family of Russia. This movie is amazing! It’s beautiful, it’s funny, the music is good and it always amazes me that it’s not a Disney movie!
NOTE: Bartok the bat is my favorite character, he is hilarious!
Guy Appropriate: Charlie’s Angels 1&2
Remakes of the old 70’s TV show about three female private detectives who use their skills to save the world! While the leads are all female, I think that these films have enough action, comedy, and sex appeal to satisfy guys. They’re not the highest quality films, but they are fun and entertaining and I actually like the second better than the first.
Must See…WOMEN’S HISTORY: Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
In honor of Women’s History Month, this week’s film is about the suffrage movement in the United States. This was an amazing movie!!! The acting was awesome, the music was interesting, and the cinematography and editing were brilliant!
NOTE: My favorite line: “In oranges and women, courage is often mistaken for insanity.” (It makes more sense when you watch it).
Coming Soon: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Released: March 7, 2008
A middle-aged nanny is fired from yet another job and so she decides to try something new; the social secretary of a young American actress involved with three men. As Miss Pettigrew helps her young friend sort out her life, she finds romance of her own. This looks funny and sweet and I like both the leads: Amy Adams and Frances McDormand.
http://www.focusfeatures.com/home.php
Don’t Bother: The Sandlot 2 (2005)
Twelve years after the original film, a new group of kids, including some girls, have come to play on the sandlot and have their own adventures. This film is crappy remake of the first, the kids are not near as funny or interesting, the story has no original value, and it is not worth sharing the name of classic kids film.
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/
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