Movie Title - "About Schmidt"
Date Viewed - 9/29/10
Ratings - I give this film 4 waterbeds out of 5, and the DH is going with 3.5 waterbeds out of 5
I originally saw this film when it was in theaters, and I remember walking out disappointed. After loving "As Good As It Gets," I was eager for another Jack Nicholson triumph. I think I built it up too much at the time. Upon second viewing, I really see the beauty in it. Nicholson plays the title character, Warren Schmidt, who starts to re-examine his life upon retiring. Hope Davis plays his daughter, Dermot Mulroney is his future son-in-law, and Kathy Bates is Mulroney's mother. Great casting. I don't want to reveal too many plot details, in case someone reading this (and is anyone reading this???) hasn't seen it yet, but after a long journey, Warren feels like his life has amounted to nothing. Yet, in the very last scene of the film, he finds a little bit of meaning...and he cries. I'll admit it, I cried a little, too. It is a touching moment. Nicholson is a consummate actor. DH felt that the film was too long and too depressing, but still said it was good. I think that's why his rating is lower than mine. The pacing of the film, IMHO, is perfect...it sets a Midwestern sort of mood. Oh, and the score is fabulous! I loved it so much the first time around, that I bought the soundtrack. Kudos to Rolfe Kent for his original score and his use of the Satie classical pieces. We split a frozen dinner tonight, and I would say that's rather appropriate, considering Schmidt's future in-laws. The film is more inspiring than that, though. I hope that, after seeing it, people will think about how they can make a difference and find meaning in life.
Up Next? "Airheads"
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Detour...To a Sort of Island - "About a Boy"
Movie Title - "About a Boy"
Date Viewed - 9/26/10
Ratings - We both give this film 3 units-of-time out of 5
This wasn't supposed to be our next film, but it was on the clearance rack at Marshall's, and it comes right before "About Schmidt" alphabetically, so here we are. For me, this movie was over-hyped. I had heard about it for years...the sleeper-hit with the great script...a good vehicle for Hugh Grant. I was decidedly under-whelmed. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Thus, it falls right in the 3-rating territory. The story had a lot of predictability, even though the acting was pretty good. Rachel Weisz is barely in the film at all, but Hugh and Toni Collette put on strong performances. We're supposed to feel sorry for the kid (Marcus), but honestly there were times where I totally understood why all the kids pick on him. If I were Will (Hugh Grant), I would've just slammed the door in his face. I read on IMDB that the music that ties the storyline together in the original novel was the music of Nirvana...I think it was a poor choice to change that in the film. Perhaps they couldn't get the rights to Nirvana's music, or maybe the screenwriters were worried that the film would seem dated if they used grunge rock, but I think that music would've made a lot more sense. DH said he remembered the movie being a lot better the last time he saw it. I enjoyed seeing Hugh Grant looking snarky-sexy as always, and I liked Will's struggle with being an "island," but it didn't do much for me otherwise. Glad the next movie that combines Hugh Grant and Christmas music will be "Love, Actually."
Up Next? "About Schmidt" (Take 2)
Date Viewed - 9/26/10
Ratings - We both give this film 3 units-of-time out of 5
This wasn't supposed to be our next film, but it was on the clearance rack at Marshall's, and it comes right before "About Schmidt" alphabetically, so here we are. For me, this movie was over-hyped. I had heard about it for years...the sleeper-hit with the great script...a good vehicle for Hugh Grant. I was decidedly under-whelmed. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Thus, it falls right in the 3-rating territory. The story had a lot of predictability, even though the acting was pretty good. Rachel Weisz is barely in the film at all, but Hugh and Toni Collette put on strong performances. We're supposed to feel sorry for the kid (Marcus), but honestly there were times where I totally understood why all the kids pick on him. If I were Will (Hugh Grant), I would've just slammed the door in his face. I read on IMDB that the music that ties the storyline together in the original novel was the music of Nirvana...I think it was a poor choice to change that in the film. Perhaps they couldn't get the rights to Nirvana's music, or maybe the screenwriters were worried that the film would seem dated if they used grunge rock, but I think that music would've made a lot more sense. DH said he remembered the movie being a lot better the last time he saw it. I enjoyed seeing Hugh Grant looking snarky-sexy as always, and I liked Will's struggle with being an "island," but it didn't do much for me otherwise. Glad the next movie that combines Hugh Grant and Christmas music will be "Love, Actually."
Up Next? "About Schmidt" (Take 2)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Penguins, Walruses, and Dan Aykroyd?? - "50 First Dates"
Movie Title - "50 First Dates"
Date Viewed - 9/19/10
Ratings - Both of us gave this film 3.5 peanut butter cups out of 5
It's strange to me that I gave this movie the same rating as my DH, since I used to be kind of anti-"50 First Dates," while he and my mom used to try and convince me this was a really cute and funny film. DH is a huge Adam Sandler fan, so we will be watching almost all of his films at some point in this series. Most people have also seen the other Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie, "The Wedding Singer," and at first I found myself making comparisons...there's even a version of the song "Hold Me Now" in both. Both movies are kind of typical in the sense that boy meets girl, boy and girl fall for each other, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl in the end. That's why I don't think either film really warrants more than a "4" rating (we'll see if I change my mind about "The Wedding Singer" later...probably a couple of years from now). This movie has some really dark moments, though, each time Lucy (Barrymore) is reminded of her accident and the resulting memory loss. That darkness is contrasted with Rob Schneider's zaniness as Henry's (Sandler's) best friend. I happen to love the really ridiculous and immature humor of Sandler's earlier films, so I was happy to see that kept alive a bit in this one. I also found myself being totally girly in my enjoyment of the romance. Sometimes I hate the estrogen factor, but I can't help it. DH has seen the whole film a few times, but I don't think I'd ever seen the beginning before, so I had no idea Henry was actually a jigalo before he meets Lucy. I also had no recollection of Dan Aykroyd playing her doctor. Overall, an entertaining movie, but probably one that we'll still end up watching in pieces when it's on cable, rather than going to the trouble to pop in the DVD.
Up Next? "About Schmidt"
Date Viewed - 9/19/10
Ratings - Both of us gave this film 3.5 peanut butter cups out of 5
It's strange to me that I gave this movie the same rating as my DH, since I used to be kind of anti-"50 First Dates," while he and my mom used to try and convince me this was a really cute and funny film. DH is a huge Adam Sandler fan, so we will be watching almost all of his films at some point in this series. Most people have also seen the other Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie, "The Wedding Singer," and at first I found myself making comparisons...there's even a version of the song "Hold Me Now" in both. Both movies are kind of typical in the sense that boy meets girl, boy and girl fall for each other, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl in the end. That's why I don't think either film really warrants more than a "4" rating (we'll see if I change my mind about "The Wedding Singer" later...probably a couple of years from now). This movie has some really dark moments, though, each time Lucy (Barrymore) is reminded of her accident and the resulting memory loss. That darkness is contrasted with Rob Schneider's zaniness as Henry's (Sandler's) best friend. I happen to love the really ridiculous and immature humor of Sandler's earlier films, so I was happy to see that kept alive a bit in this one. I also found myself being totally girly in my enjoyment of the romance. Sometimes I hate the estrogen factor, but I can't help it. DH has seen the whole film a few times, but I don't think I'd ever seen the beginning before, so I had no idea Henry was actually a jigalo before he meets Lucy. I also had no recollection of Dan Aykroyd playing her doctor. Overall, an entertaining movie, but probably one that we'll still end up watching in pieces when it's on cable, rather than going to the trouble to pop in the DVD.
Up Next? "About Schmidt"
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I'm Going to Yamo Burn This Place to the Ground - "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"
Movie Title - "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"
Date Viewed - 9/15/10
Ratings - Me = 3.5 out of 5 action figures, DH = 4 out of 5 action figures
This is a movie we were both pretty familiar with...I remember that this was the first time we were really introduced to Judd Apatow and his cast of characters. After I first saw "Anchorman" (to be viewed later in our film journey), I thought Steve Carell was definitely a breakout star, and this film proves me right. Having seen this movie a few times, there are a few scenes that always make us laugh: "Yamo be there," the chest waxing, speed dating, "You know how I know you're gay?", Jane Lynch singing about the soccer game, french toast, "putting the pussy on a pedestal," etc. There are top-notch improv comics in this film, not to mention Leslie Mann's hilarious breakout performance (it went kind of downhill from there, huh?). My complaint is really just the length. If it was a little shorter, I think I would've given it 4 out of 5 action figures, instead of 3.5. Also, I found there were some slower moments, and I never buy the Andy/Trish romance (DH finds that pairing a little weird, too). The version we own on DVD seems to have a few extra scenes that I don't remember seeing in theaters...probably due to their graphic nature. At its heart, though, this movie does have a message about what makes a great relationship, and how sex can change things. Oh, and the ending is pretty classic...strange, but classic.
Dinner was something the DH made, and it was delicious, so just like Andy in this movie, he's a great cook. Definitely not a virgin, but a great cook, ha ha. Up next? We can't find "50 First Dates," but we knew we did own it at some point (DH is a huge Sandler fan), so we're planning on buying it again and watching it.
Date Viewed - 9/15/10
Ratings - Me = 3.5 out of 5 action figures, DH = 4 out of 5 action figures
This is a movie we were both pretty familiar with...I remember that this was the first time we were really introduced to Judd Apatow and his cast of characters. After I first saw "Anchorman" (to be viewed later in our film journey), I thought Steve Carell was definitely a breakout star, and this film proves me right. Having seen this movie a few times, there are a few scenes that always make us laugh: "Yamo be there," the chest waxing, speed dating, "You know how I know you're gay?", Jane Lynch singing about the soccer game, french toast, "putting the pussy on a pedestal," etc. There are top-notch improv comics in this film, not to mention Leslie Mann's hilarious breakout performance (it went kind of downhill from there, huh?). My complaint is really just the length. If it was a little shorter, I think I would've given it 4 out of 5 action figures, instead of 3.5. Also, I found there were some slower moments, and I never buy the Andy/Trish romance (DH finds that pairing a little weird, too). The version we own on DVD seems to have a few extra scenes that I don't remember seeing in theaters...probably due to their graphic nature. At its heart, though, this movie does have a message about what makes a great relationship, and how sex can change things. Oh, and the ending is pretty classic...strange, but classic.
Dinner was something the DH made, and it was delicious, so just like Andy in this movie, he's a great cook. Definitely not a virgin, but a great cook, ha ha. Up next? We can't find "50 First Dates," but we knew we did own it at some point (DH is a huge Sandler fan), so we're planning on buying it again and watching it.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Boodles, Murder, and the Devil - "101 Dalmatians"
Movie Title: "101 Dalmatians"
Date Viewed: 9/10/10
Ratings: Both of us gave this film 3.5 Paw Prints out of 5
One wouldn't expect a children's film to be filled with so many dark references, let alone a Disney film. The DH and I hadn't seen "101 Dalmatians" in years...perhaps since childhood. My memories were of Cruella's evil eyes and the Colonel. DH remembered the story a bit, but that was all. The film is retro '60s chic with a great style, but fairly mediocre animation, especially by Disney standards. The music is quite good, although I think most people remember "Cruella de Vil," but not "Dalmatian Plantation." This movie scared me a little as a child, and why shouldn't it? Cruella, along with Jasper and Horace, are planning to murder the innocent puppies and skin them in order to make coats from their fur. Cruella even mentions the various ways they could murder them: drowning, hitting them over the head, smothering, and poisoning. Her telephone has a small devil-head on it, and she's often referred to as the "devil woman." Still, we laughed a few times, and got excited when we recognized some of the dogs from "Lady and the Tramp" among the animated crowd. The use of cockney English slang is interesting, and it lends a lot of authenticity to the London setting. A "boodle," according to Wikipedia, is a street term for money or booty. Oh, and apparently even poor people can afford a maid.
Incidentally, we did eat some pancake puppies at Denny's after watching this movie, so I think that qualifies as themed dining. Up next? "The 40 Year Old Virgin"
Date Viewed: 9/10/10
Ratings: Both of us gave this film 3.5 Paw Prints out of 5
One wouldn't expect a children's film to be filled with so many dark references, let alone a Disney film. The DH and I hadn't seen "101 Dalmatians" in years...perhaps since childhood. My memories were of Cruella's evil eyes and the Colonel. DH remembered the story a bit, but that was all. The film is retro '60s chic with a great style, but fairly mediocre animation, especially by Disney standards. The music is quite good, although I think most people remember "Cruella de Vil," but not "Dalmatian Plantation." This movie scared me a little as a child, and why shouldn't it? Cruella, along with Jasper and Horace, are planning to murder the innocent puppies and skin them in order to make coats from their fur. Cruella even mentions the various ways they could murder them: drowning, hitting them over the head, smothering, and poisoning. Her telephone has a small devil-head on it, and she's often referred to as the "devil woman." Still, we laughed a few times, and got excited when we recognized some of the dogs from "Lady and the Tramp" among the animated crowd. The use of cockney English slang is interesting, and it lends a lot of authenticity to the London setting. A "boodle," according to Wikipedia, is a street term for money or booty. Oh, and apparently even poor people can afford a maid.
Incidentally, we did eat some pancake puppies at Denny's after watching this movie, so I think that qualifies as themed dining. Up next? "The 40 Year Old Virgin"
Our Little Project
My husband and I own over 300 movies...321 so far, not counting live concert films or made-for-TV movies/miniseries. We'll probably buy more before this project is over. When we recently realized that some of them were unopened, or that one of us hadn't seen certain films that the other one loves, we decided to take action and watch them all. It could take over 6 years if we only watch one movie per week, so we're going to try to watch a movie 2-3 nights a week. It all begins with "101 Dalmatians," and at this point it will end with "Young Frankenstein" (we don't own "Zorba the Greek" yet). If possible, we'd like some part of our dinner that night to be themed with the movie we're watching, but that probably won't always work out. Anyway, we can't wait to see some films already, and are dreading others. Hope we see it through to the end!
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