From the mind that brought you The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional, and The Transporter comes another big action film with car crashes, explosions, plenty of gun play and enough fist to cuffs violence to satisfy even the most picky of appetites. So what separates Lockout from the rest of Luc Besson's films? Lockout takes espionage, insane prisoners, witty comebacks and Guy Pearce, and smashes them all together into a maximum security space prison that is hurtling towards Earth - and makes it look good.
The Premise
Snow is an ex-CIA operative accused of treason against the United States in this futuristic action movie. The only way he can guarantee his freedom is to rescue the President's daughter who has been taken hostage aboard a maximum security prison that is floating in outer space.
My Take
Ex-CIA operative Agent Snow has been set up to take the fall for the murder of another undercover operative. Meanwhile, the President's daughter, Emilie, is on board the MS-One that is orbiting around Earth. The MS-One is a maximum security prison for the worst of violent offenders, however Emilie is there on a humanitarian mission. She wants to be sure the prisoners are being treated fairly. While Snow is being incarcerated on Earth, Emilie is being taken hostage during a savage prison uprising in space. When news of the takeover reaches Earth, Snow is offered a "Get Out of Jail Free" card if he will save Emilie. Of course, things aren't always as they seem. Snow has his own agenda once he is in orbit. One of the items on his agenda is locating his ex-partner, Mace, in an effort to clear his name.
Guy Pearce always has been and always will be one of my favorite actors. I never miss an opportunity to watch him in Memento. Pearce plays the snarky, yet somehow charming, Snow that has more interest in finding his ex-partner, Mace, than he does in saving the President's daughter. Emilie, played by Maggie Grace, is the aforementioned President's daughter. Grace begins the movie with a quiet strength reserved for women in power and ends with the appropriate toughness allowed after the ordeal that her character goes through. I enjoyed Maggie Grace's character grow. I've seen too many movies where writers start to write a strong female lead and halfway through, something happens and she ends up forgetting how to do everything for herself. Not to sound to women's lib-y or anything, but there you go.
Alex and Hydell are our two resident bad guys on board the MS-One. Alex is smart and calculating. His brother, Hydell, is just pretty nuts. Vincent Regan, from 300 fame, plays Alex with a cool calm that makes you wonder what he did to land himself in maximum security prison. Then he goes and kills someone without blinking an eye and the mystery is solved. Joseph Gilgun, whom I remember from This is England, plays Hydell, who is quite the opposite from his brother. He acts on impulse and is hard for Alex to trust. Mace, Snow's soft-spoken ex-partner, is also on board. Tim Plester's sympathetic portrayal of Mace, who has made it there quite by accident, goes to show you that you don't have to have a large part to make a memorable impact in a movie.
The Verdict
True, the movie was a bit predictable, but if it had gone any other way I would have been disappointed. I felt that the special effects were a bit lacking on the Earth sequences but looked great in the space sequences. For example, the car crashes were weak, but the space explosions were strong. Overall, it was a good way to spend some time on a rainy afternoon. I give Lockout 7/10 prisoners, just don't shank me.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
25 of My Favorite Sappy Romantic Movies
Well it's February and Valentine's Day is upon us once again. If you find yourself wondering what sappy romantic movie you should watch with your significant other (or by yourself) I have put together a list of my favorites. As with my Halloween and Christmas lists, I invite you to share with me your favorite lovey-dovey movies and I will compile the suggestions I get from comments here, on Face Book and on Twitter in another, reader inspired list, at the end of the month.
Without further ado, 25 of my favorite sappy romantic movies of all time...
Always (1989)
This movie is a real tear jerker. I can't watch it without crying and I know exactly what's going to happen. Always is a movie that is a little bit ghost story, a little bit action story, and a lot of heart and soul.
Say Anything... (1989)
One of my absolute favorites, Say Anything... is about first loves, high school politics and determination. Lloyd Dobler falls in love with Diane Court, a girl that is supposed to be way out of his league. But together, they make it work. I hope they are still together.
The Princess Bride (1987)
It's inconceivable to me how anyone could not like this movie. It has everything. Sword fights, princes and princesses, romance, revenge, giants, pirates and rodents of unusual size.
The Notebook (2004)
Another movie that makes me cry, The Notebook is a story about love that has lasted true the ages. It has been time tested and now, in the twilight of their years, an elderly man is still committed to his wife who has Alzheimer's Disease. He tells her the story of their love over and over, knowing that she will never fully remember him.
Casablanca (1942)
A classic love story, Casablanca shows the conflict between former lovers and their desire to be together. This movie gave us one of the most famous lines ever, "We'll always have Paris."
The English Patient (1996)
Love stories don't always give us a happy ending. The English Patient is full of tragedy, adultery, plane crashes, pain and sorrow. But Count Laszlo couldn't have loved Katharine Clifton any more than he did and that's what makes it a great love story.
Gone With the Wind (1939)
The Civil War was a turbulent time in American History. One of the things I love best about Gone With the Wind is Scarlett O'Hara. She is a Southern beauty with a fiery temper and a manipulative personality. She meets her match in Rhett Butler. They are like fire and ice, not meant to be together, yet a perfect complement to one another.
Pretty Woman (1990)
A Cinderella movie for hookers! But seriously, what girl doesn't dream of a man rescuing them from whatever situation they are in, sweeping them off their feet and living happily ever after?
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
I love movies that address romantic love versus arranged marriages. I think we are spoiled, in a very good way, in that we can choose our partners. In this movie, Shakespeare and Viola have to sneak around to be together. Even though their love won't last, she inspires one of his greatest creations.
The Graduate (1967)
Mrs. Robinson, the original cougar. The Graduate is such a great movie. Emotions run high when a young man has an affair with an older woman and then falls for her daughter.
Up (2009)
The first fifteen minutes of the movie sum up how I want my entire marriage to be. Two people completely in love and entirely devoted to each other. The rest of the movie is all about the little old man trying to complete their last goal of going to Paradise Falls and finding a unique bond along the way.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
This is an unconventional love story, but I adore it. Lars tells his family that he has met someone. The 'someone' that he has met is a life-sized doll, but Lars loves her and treats her as a real person. Eventually his family and the entire town does the same.
Secretary (2002)
Another unconventional love story, Secretary takes on the idea of not only an employee-employer relationship, but a sadomasochistic relationship. Lee Holloway meets Mr. Grey and together they find love while pushing boundaries and the expectations of those around them.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" The epitome of the story about a bad boy and a good girl trying to make their relationship work, Dirty Dancing is a sexy movie that has been copied time and time again.
Overboard (1987)
Overboard is able to make you laugh at love. And you should be able to laugh together. Joanna Stayton is a terrible person. She hires carpenter Dean Proffitt and then refuses to pay him for the work he does. Later, she falls overboard and suffers from amnesia. Dean is able to convince her that she is his wife. A story of revenge turns into a story about love.
Footloose (1984)
What's a senior prom without dance? Ren is rebellious, but only because he loves to dance. Ariel is just plain rebellious. Together they make an explosive couple that take on Ariel's bible-thumbing minister father and a town that is ready for a change.
Love Story (1970)
I think this movie gets made fun of a lot of times, but Love Story takes a different route by exploring what happens when a spouse is terminally ill. It strikes a chord with me because of the reality of our life after stroke.
Love Actually (2003)
This movie was a collaboration of several actors and several stories. It follows the lives of different couples that are in different stages of their relationships. Some couples are falling in love, others out of love and some are seeking love.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Frances buys a home in Tuscany after an infidelity breaks up her marriage. She briefly finds love in a man, finds lasting love in friendship, but most importantly, finds love in herself. This may not necessarily be a romantic movie, but it is, nonetheless, a love story.
In Her Shoes (2005)
Another movie that is more Chick Flick than romantic escape, is In Her Shoes, but I still love it and highly recommend it. Two sisters who could not be more different go there separate ways only to be reunited by a grandmother they never knew they had.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
A movie that proves you can come home again. Even after heartbreak, it is possible to heal and try again. Especially if you're ex-husband is Josh Lucas. Just sayin'.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Two damaged people meet and become friends. They slowly begin to heal each other, but their friendship is not without its problems. Pat is determined to reconcile with his ex-wife even though Tiffany is falling for him.
Warm Bodies (2013)
This is probably the best Zombie movie / Romeo and Juliet movie ever. Even the coldest heart can be started again by the right person. It's a love story that crosses very unusual boundaries and proves that one person can change the world.
Enchanted (2007)
Enchanted is a love story that parents can enjoy while the kids are also being entertained. It's the story of what happens when a classic story book princess collides with the real world. She finds a love better than in the stories when a real life man and his little girl take her in.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
In 13 Going on 30, a little girl learns that friendship is better than popularity. Jenna Rink makes a wish at her thirteenth birthday party and wakes up a thirty year old woman. She discovers that in this life, she made some bad decisions and only wants her one true friend, Matt, back.
Don't forget to add to the list! I will compile a list of reader's favorites at the end of the month!
Without further ado, 25 of my favorite sappy romantic movies of all time...
Always (1989)
This movie is a real tear jerker. I can't watch it without crying and I know exactly what's going to happen. Always is a movie that is a little bit ghost story, a little bit action story, and a lot of heart and soul.
Say Anything... (1989)
One of my absolute favorites, Say Anything... is about first loves, high school politics and determination. Lloyd Dobler falls in love with Diane Court, a girl that is supposed to be way out of his league. But together, they make it work. I hope they are still together.
The Princess Bride (1987)
It's inconceivable to me how anyone could not like this movie. It has everything. Sword fights, princes and princesses, romance, revenge, giants, pirates and rodents of unusual size.
The Notebook (2004)
Another movie that makes me cry, The Notebook is a story about love that has lasted true the ages. It has been time tested and now, in the twilight of their years, an elderly man is still committed to his wife who has Alzheimer's Disease. He tells her the story of their love over and over, knowing that she will never fully remember him.
Casablanca (1942)
A classic love story, Casablanca shows the conflict between former lovers and their desire to be together. This movie gave us one of the most famous lines ever, "We'll always have Paris."
The English Patient (1996)
Love stories don't always give us a happy ending. The English Patient is full of tragedy, adultery, plane crashes, pain and sorrow. But Count Laszlo couldn't have loved Katharine Clifton any more than he did and that's what makes it a great love story.
Gone With the Wind (1939)
The Civil War was a turbulent time in American History. One of the things I love best about Gone With the Wind is Scarlett O'Hara. She is a Southern beauty with a fiery temper and a manipulative personality. She meets her match in Rhett Butler. They are like fire and ice, not meant to be together, yet a perfect complement to one another.
Pretty Woman (1990)
A Cinderella movie for hookers! But seriously, what girl doesn't dream of a man rescuing them from whatever situation they are in, sweeping them off their feet and living happily ever after?
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
I love movies that address romantic love versus arranged marriages. I think we are spoiled, in a very good way, in that we can choose our partners. In this movie, Shakespeare and Viola have to sneak around to be together. Even though their love won't last, she inspires one of his greatest creations.
The Graduate (1967)
Mrs. Robinson, the original cougar. The Graduate is such a great movie. Emotions run high when a young man has an affair with an older woman and then falls for her daughter.
Up (2009)
The first fifteen minutes of the movie sum up how I want my entire marriage to be. Two people completely in love and entirely devoted to each other. The rest of the movie is all about the little old man trying to complete their last goal of going to Paradise Falls and finding a unique bond along the way.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
This is an unconventional love story, but I adore it. Lars tells his family that he has met someone. The 'someone' that he has met is a life-sized doll, but Lars loves her and treats her as a real person. Eventually his family and the entire town does the same.
Secretary (2002)
Another unconventional love story, Secretary takes on the idea of not only an employee-employer relationship, but a sadomasochistic relationship. Lee Holloway meets Mr. Grey and together they find love while pushing boundaries and the expectations of those around them.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" The epitome of the story about a bad boy and a good girl trying to make their relationship work, Dirty Dancing is a sexy movie that has been copied time and time again.
Overboard (1987)
Overboard is able to make you laugh at love. And you should be able to laugh together. Joanna Stayton is a terrible person. She hires carpenter Dean Proffitt and then refuses to pay him for the work he does. Later, she falls overboard and suffers from amnesia. Dean is able to convince her that she is his wife. A story of revenge turns into a story about love.
Footloose (1984)
What's a senior prom without dance? Ren is rebellious, but only because he loves to dance. Ariel is just plain rebellious. Together they make an explosive couple that take on Ariel's bible-thumbing minister father and a town that is ready for a change.
Love Story (1970)
I think this movie gets made fun of a lot of times, but Love Story takes a different route by exploring what happens when a spouse is terminally ill. It strikes a chord with me because of the reality of our life after stroke.
Love Actually (2003)
This movie was a collaboration of several actors and several stories. It follows the lives of different couples that are in different stages of their relationships. Some couples are falling in love, others out of love and some are seeking love.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Frances buys a home in Tuscany after an infidelity breaks up her marriage. She briefly finds love in a man, finds lasting love in friendship, but most importantly, finds love in herself. This may not necessarily be a romantic movie, but it is, nonetheless, a love story.
In Her Shoes (2005)
Another movie that is more Chick Flick than romantic escape, is In Her Shoes, but I still love it and highly recommend it. Two sisters who could not be more different go there separate ways only to be reunited by a grandmother they never knew they had.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
A movie that proves you can come home again. Even after heartbreak, it is possible to heal and try again. Especially if you're ex-husband is Josh Lucas. Just sayin'.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Two damaged people meet and become friends. They slowly begin to heal each other, but their friendship is not without its problems. Pat is determined to reconcile with his ex-wife even though Tiffany is falling for him.
Warm Bodies (2013)
This is probably the best Zombie movie / Romeo and Juliet movie ever. Even the coldest heart can be started again by the right person. It's a love story that crosses very unusual boundaries and proves that one person can change the world.
Enchanted (2007)
Enchanted is a love story that parents can enjoy while the kids are also being entertained. It's the story of what happens when a classic story book princess collides with the real world. She finds a love better than in the stories when a real life man and his little girl take her in.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
In 13 Going on 30, a little girl learns that friendship is better than popularity. Jenna Rink makes a wish at her thirteenth birthday party and wakes up a thirty year old woman. She discovers that in this life, she made some bad decisions and only wants her one true friend, Matt, back.
Don't forget to add to the list! I will compile a list of reader's favorites at the end of the month!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
If you have seen any horror ever, then you will have some modicum of appreciation for Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Brilliantly written and executed, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is not your typical horror movie. It takes all the preconceived notions we have have about the Appalachian Mountains, hillbillies, and college frat boys and turns them on their head. Brought to by Zombieland director, Eli Craig and co-written by Eli Craig and Morgan Jurgenson, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is a definite hidden gem.
The Premise
Best friends Tucker and Dale are heading up to their cabin in the woods for a little relaxation. After an ill-fated encounter with a group of college kids, they inadvertently take an unconscious woman home. Because of this, the collegiate group assume the duo are murderous hillbillies and resort to violent tactics to rescue their friend. Unfortunately, all their rescue attempts backfire and they all begin dying off around Tucker and Dale's property.
My Take
All Tucker wants to do is go up to his newly purchased vacation cabin ("it's a fixer-upper"), get a few chores done, sneak in a little fishing and hang out with his best friend Dale. All Dale wants to do is one day meet a nice girl and settle down. All a group of insanely good-looking college kids want to do is go camping in the deep woods of the Appalachian Mountains and not be murdered by a bunch of blood thirsty hillbillies. Everyone could have had what they wanted had it not been for one simple misunderstanding at the last gas station on the way out to their final destinations.
College kid Chad puts the idea in his friends' heads that Tucker and Dale just might be the dangerous murderous hillbillies that they are trying to avoid. After an accident while night swimming, Tucker and Dale are forced to save an unconscious and drowning Allison while the rest of the college friends run screaming from the hillbilly duo. This sets off a chain reaction in which each friend tries to save the perfectly safe Allison and ends up dying an unnecessary, however hilariously gruesome, death in the process. Unfortunately, the friends die on Tucker and Dale's property, feeding the illusion that the two friends are savage killers.
Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, portray Tucker and Dale. They may as well be best friends in real life, they play off each other so well. Tudyk takes the reigns as the (slightly) better looking and (slightly) smarter Tucker as Labine takes the passenger seat as more dimwitted Dale. Every situation they get into, no matter how absurd, becomes completely believable as the pair draw you into the story with their quick quips and complete commitment to each other. While he could be, and at times is, altogether angry with Dale for dragging him into their predicament, Tucker is still trying to bail them out. You could even say this is a movie about true hillbilly friendship.
Meanwhile, in the college camp, Chad, played by Jesse Moss (who I thoroughly enjoyed in Ginger Snaps), is so busy trying to blame Tucker and Dale for kidnapping Allison (portrayed by the lovely Katrina Bowden) that he can't open his eyes long enough to see the truth. However, Allison has learned that Dale is a true gentleman and sweetheart. Also during the interim, chaos has broken loose. Kids are impaling themselves on spears, chucking themselves into wood chippers and running into ludicrously sharp branches. It doesn't end there. Brandon Jay McLaren (who I currently enjoy watching as I get caught up on The Killing), Christie Laing, Chelan Simmons, Travis Nelson, Alex Arsenault, Adam Beauchesne, and Joseph Allan Sutherland round out the talented cast as the inept college kids.
The Verdict
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil gives a nod to several horror classics from the past. If you are a fan of the genre, then you should be able to pick them out. This is one of the few movies we subject our guests to on a regular basis. If they haven't seen it, we cue it up just to have an excuse to watch it again. I give Tucker & Dale vs. Evil 9/9 college kids.
The Premise
Best friends Tucker and Dale are heading up to their cabin in the woods for a little relaxation. After an ill-fated encounter with a group of college kids, they inadvertently take an unconscious woman home. Because of this, the collegiate group assume the duo are murderous hillbillies and resort to violent tactics to rescue their friend. Unfortunately, all their rescue attempts backfire and they all begin dying off around Tucker and Dale's property.
My Take
All Tucker wants to do is go up to his newly purchased vacation cabin ("it's a fixer-upper"), get a few chores done, sneak in a little fishing and hang out with his best friend Dale. All Dale wants to do is one day meet a nice girl and settle down. All a group of insanely good-looking college kids want to do is go camping in the deep woods of the Appalachian Mountains and not be murdered by a bunch of blood thirsty hillbillies. Everyone could have had what they wanted had it not been for one simple misunderstanding at the last gas station on the way out to their final destinations.
College kid Chad puts the idea in his friends' heads that Tucker and Dale just might be the dangerous murderous hillbillies that they are trying to avoid. After an accident while night swimming, Tucker and Dale are forced to save an unconscious and drowning Allison while the rest of the college friends run screaming from the hillbilly duo. This sets off a chain reaction in which each friend tries to save the perfectly safe Allison and ends up dying an unnecessary, however hilariously gruesome, death in the process. Unfortunately, the friends die on Tucker and Dale's property, feeding the illusion that the two friends are savage killers.
Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, portray Tucker and Dale. They may as well be best friends in real life, they play off each other so well. Tudyk takes the reigns as the (slightly) better looking and (slightly) smarter Tucker as Labine takes the passenger seat as more dimwitted Dale. Every situation they get into, no matter how absurd, becomes completely believable as the pair draw you into the story with their quick quips and complete commitment to each other. While he could be, and at times is, altogether angry with Dale for dragging him into their predicament, Tucker is still trying to bail them out. You could even say this is a movie about true hillbilly friendship.
Meanwhile, in the college camp, Chad, played by Jesse Moss (who I thoroughly enjoyed in Ginger Snaps), is so busy trying to blame Tucker and Dale for kidnapping Allison (portrayed by the lovely Katrina Bowden) that he can't open his eyes long enough to see the truth. However, Allison has learned that Dale is a true gentleman and sweetheart. Also during the interim, chaos has broken loose. Kids are impaling themselves on spears, chucking themselves into wood chippers and running into ludicrously sharp branches. It doesn't end there. Brandon Jay McLaren (who I currently enjoy watching as I get caught up on The Killing), Christie Laing, Chelan Simmons, Travis Nelson, Alex Arsenault, Adam Beauchesne, and Joseph Allan Sutherland round out the talented cast as the inept college kids.
The Verdict
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil gives a nod to several horror classics from the past. If you are a fan of the genre, then you should be able to pick them out. This is one of the few movies we subject our guests to on a regular basis. If they haven't seen it, we cue it up just to have an excuse to watch it again. I give Tucker & Dale vs. Evil 9/9 college kids.
Monday, January 6, 2014
The Angels' Share (2012)
Are all criminals bad? If given a second chance can they do something good? In The Angels' Share, a group a ne'er do wells are looked down on by society and few would give them a second chance. Least likely to lend them a hand is the group's community service leader, whose love of whiskey gives them the inspiration they need.
The Premise
Robbie is sentenced to community service just before he becomes a father for the first time. Community service leader, Harry, takes Robbie under his wing and together, with a few new friends, they learn what makes a good whiskey. When a too good to be true opportunity presents itself, Robbie and his friends act on it, hoping to make better lives for themselves.
My Take
Set in Scotland, The Angels' Share is about Robbie, a young man with a checkered past who now wants to try to do right by his girlfriend and newborn son. While sentenced to community service, Harry, who is in charge, acts as a much needed father figure to him and a few other youths. He takes them on their first tour of a whiskey distillery. After that, Robbie, Rhino, Mo and Albert begin teaching themselves more about whiskey.
Paul Brannigan was brilliant as the down on his luck Robbie. He and girlfriend Leonie, the talented and beautiful Siobhan Reilly, want to get Robbie out of his old violent lifestyle and into a good job so he can support his new family. John Henshaw plays the wise and fatherly Harry. Harry sees something in Robbie and accidentally helps him find his talent in whiskey tasting.
When Robbie and his friends Rhino (William Ruane), Mo (Jasmin Riggins) and Albert (Gary Maitland) learn of a cask of whiskey going up for auction that could be worth a fortune, they hatch a plan to steal the contents before anyone has a chance to taste it. Of course, even the best of plans have a hitch.
Director Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty bring The Angels' Share to life with this cast. It was humorous and touching and moving. It's not always easy to make an audience root for a bunch thieves. But in the end you find yourself hoping they get away with it.
My Verdict
As soon as we saw a preview for The Angels' Share we knew it would be a movie we would enjoy and, gratefully, we were not disappointed. There was some mild violence and language, but the language was disguised with a thick Scottish brogue which somehow makes it charming to this American's ears. I give The Angels' Share a sturdy 3/3 bottles. "One to keep, one to give away and one to share with friends." Cheers.
The Premise
Robbie is sentenced to community service just before he becomes a father for the first time. Community service leader, Harry, takes Robbie under his wing and together, with a few new friends, they learn what makes a good whiskey. When a too good to be true opportunity presents itself, Robbie and his friends act on it, hoping to make better lives for themselves.
My Take
Set in Scotland, The Angels' Share is about Robbie, a young man with a checkered past who now wants to try to do right by his girlfriend and newborn son. While sentenced to community service, Harry, who is in charge, acts as a much needed father figure to him and a few other youths. He takes them on their first tour of a whiskey distillery. After that, Robbie, Rhino, Mo and Albert begin teaching themselves more about whiskey.
Paul Brannigan was brilliant as the down on his luck Robbie. He and girlfriend Leonie, the talented and beautiful Siobhan Reilly, want to get Robbie out of his old violent lifestyle and into a good job so he can support his new family. John Henshaw plays the wise and fatherly Harry. Harry sees something in Robbie and accidentally helps him find his talent in whiskey tasting.
When Robbie and his friends Rhino (William Ruane), Mo (Jasmin Riggins) and Albert (Gary Maitland) learn of a cask of whiskey going up for auction that could be worth a fortune, they hatch a plan to steal the contents before anyone has a chance to taste it. Of course, even the best of plans have a hitch.
Director Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty bring The Angels' Share to life with this cast. It was humorous and touching and moving. It's not always easy to make an audience root for a bunch thieves. But in the end you find yourself hoping they get away with it.
My Verdict
As soon as we saw a preview for The Angels' Share we knew it would be a movie we would enjoy and, gratefully, we were not disappointed. There was some mild violence and language, but the language was disguised with a thick Scottish brogue which somehow makes it charming to this American's ears. I give The Angels' Share a sturdy 3/3 bottles. "One to keep, one to give away and one to share with friends." Cheers.
Monday, December 23, 2013
More Cristmas Movies You Should Watch
In 25 Christmas Movies You Should Watch I brought you my family's favorite holiday movies and invited you, my readers, to share with me your favorite holiday films. A hearty thanks to all who participated and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!
So here we go, in no particular order...
Bad Santa (2003)
Nothing could be more Christmas-y than robbing department stores, right? And who has more access than Santa and his little helper? Throw in a little sex, a lot of alcohol, and more than a few swear words and you've got Bad Santa.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
After witnessing his parents' slaughter at the hands of a man dressed as Santa, Billy enters an orphanage only to be abused by the nun in charge. As a grown up, Billy has to take the place of an ill Santa in the store in which he works. He cracks under the pressure and goes on a murderous rampage all the way back to the orphanage.
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas (1977)
How dare I forget my husband's favorite Christmas classic on my original Christmas list? Jim Henson created Emmet Otter's world complete with otters. porcupines, lizards, rabbits, snakes, bears, opossums, and so much more. A take on "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, Emmet and his mother each sacrifice something in order to have a chance at giving the other the best Christmas present ever.
Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is one of those few all-star cast movies that I think works really well. Sometimes these movies end up being a big pile-up and sometimes they are just right, with stories weaving in and out of each other without that messy crash ending. One of the things I really liked about this movie is that it affects all types of people at all social levels, stages of life, and parts of their relationships.
This may not have been a big list, but it was definitely a very eclectic list. I don't think we've left any genre out on this one. Thanks for playing along! Merry Christmas! And look for my favorite love stories coming in (when else?) February.
So here we go, in no particular order...
Bad Santa (2003)
Nothing could be more Christmas-y than robbing department stores, right? And who has more access than Santa and his little helper? Throw in a little sex, a lot of alcohol, and more than a few swear words and you've got Bad Santa.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
After witnessing his parents' slaughter at the hands of a man dressed as Santa, Billy enters an orphanage only to be abused by the nun in charge. As a grown up, Billy has to take the place of an ill Santa in the store in which he works. He cracks under the pressure and goes on a murderous rampage all the way back to the orphanage.
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas (1977)
How dare I forget my husband's favorite Christmas classic on my original Christmas list? Jim Henson created Emmet Otter's world complete with otters. porcupines, lizards, rabbits, snakes, bears, opossums, and so much more. A take on "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, Emmet and his mother each sacrifice something in order to have a chance at giving the other the best Christmas present ever.
Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is one of those few all-star cast movies that I think works really well. Sometimes these movies end up being a big pile-up and sometimes they are just right, with stories weaving in and out of each other without that messy crash ending. One of the things I really liked about this movie is that it affects all types of people at all social levels, stages of life, and parts of their relationships.
This may not have been a big list, but it was definitely a very eclectic list. I don't think we've left any genre out on this one. Thanks for playing along! Merry Christmas! And look for my favorite love stories coming in (when else?) February.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
The Brass Teapot (2012)
What could be better than a genie in a bottle? A teapot that gives you money, of course. It gives you an unlimited amount of funds, provided you are willing to give something in return. After all, you can't get something for nothing. Ramaa Mosley's, The Brass Teapot, is a well executed tale about greed, envy, pride and love.
The Premise
Alice and John are a young married couple struggling to make ends meet. They come across an antique brass teapot that magically gives them money. The catch is, they have to experience pain in order to get paid. With big dreams and high expectations, they push their limits and find out just how far they are willing to go for the big pay off.
My Take
I have been a big fan of Juno Temple since Dirty Girl (2010). Since taking notice of her, I have realized just how many movies I have seen her in and just how versatile Juno really is. In The Brass Teapot, she plays Alice. Alice is educated and looking for a job but wants to start anywhere but the bottom. Therefore, she remains unemployed. Michael Angarano is Alice's husband, John. He is working as a telemarketer and is doing the best he can to make ends meet. Angarano has grown so much since I first saw him in Sky High (2005), which I absolutely loved. Together, they make the perfect couple. It is clear how much they love each other, despite the problems they may be having.
Alice comes across an antique brass teapot and takes it home. She discovers, by accident, that if she gets hurt the teapot produces money. From there, John and Alice do some funny, crazy, and kinky things in order to see the teapot pay them for their efforts. Eventually, they are able to move into the neighborhood they always wanted to live in, have the parties they always wanted have, eat in the restaurants they always wanted eat in, and fit in with people they always wanted to fit in with. This means nearly forgetting the true friends that they already had, played by Bobby Moynihan and Alia Shawkat, whom I just saw in The To Do List. Alice and John are chased by Jewish brothers (Thomas Middleditch and Bob McClure), a curious Chinese man (Steve Park), and greedy landlords (Billy Magnussen and Crisitn Milioti). All why trying to be happy emulating their richer friends, Payton and Ricky (Alexis Bledel and Ben Rappaport).
The Verdict
This movie was perfectly cast. Juno Temple and Michael Angarano were perfect together as Alice and John. They were fearless as actors and loving as their characters. They portrayed a couple that went to the brink of disaster but somehow managed to hold onto each other in the end. The supporting cast did their jobs wonderfully. All of the actors, especially Moynihan and Shawkat, were touching and funny in such an effortless way that they blended in seamlessly with landscape of the movie. The Brass Teapot was sexy, absurd, and a wonderful allegory about greed, pride and love. I give The Brass Teapot 5/5 dollars.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
The To Do List (2013)
I enjoy a good sex comedy. Combine that with a coming of age flick, and you get Maggie Carey's The To Do List. The To Do List is a movie about letting go of your insecurities and learning more about yourself as you explore sex and friendships. Mistakes happen, hearts are broken, and memories are made as Brandy Klark feels her way through her last summer as a virgin.
The Premise
Brandy Klark is ready to lose her virginity before going off to college in the fall. With the help of her sister and her friends, she makes a To-Do list of all the things she needs to do to get her ready for her first sexual experience with the very lusty Rusty Waters.
My Take
The girls who played Brandy Karl's friends stood out and stole many of the scenes they were in. Their characters were perfect examples of high school girls trying to be grown ups. Alia Shawkat played friend Fiona and Sarah Steele played friend Wendy. They were the perfect comedic compliment to Aubrey Plaza's rendition of very a serious and studious Brandy Karl. All three girls worked together to form a cohesive unit of horny teenagers exploring sex in the early 1990's.
Scott Porter was the object of Brandy's affection as he portrayed life guard, Rusty Waters. He was everything a girl could want as her 'first'. He was tall, blond, tan and played the guitar. And he was a college boy, to boot. Cameron was the cute, but platonic, boy in the story. Played by Johnny Simmons, Cameron was used for some of Brandy's sexual experiments but ended up having his poor little heart stepped on when he when discovered that Brandy had her eyes on a hunkier prize. Simmons was hilarious and was able to hold his own against the more experienced Bill Hader, who played a prominent role in the movie as the teens' boss at the neighborhood pool.
Adding to Brandy's sexual escapades were Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg, and Donald Glover. Rachel Bilson and Connie Britton gave her some sound, and sometimes not so sound advice, along the way. Clark Gregg played Brandy's stodgy and traditional father. It was nice to see him play something other than Agent Coulson in the Marvel franchise.
The Verdict
The To Do List was well written, well directed, and well acted. There weren't any weak links as far as the cast goes. It was a cute coming of age story about a girl who had trouble letting loose. Sometimes, the main character felt a little hard to relate to, but Aubrey Plaza managed to make her charming and likable. Likewise with Connie Britton's portrayal of Brandy's mother. I give The To Do List 4/5 friends with benefits, because, while it wasn't perfect, the direction and the cast made up for any imperfections.
The Premise
Brandy Klark is ready to lose her virginity before going off to college in the fall. With the help of her sister and her friends, she makes a To-Do list of all the things she needs to do to get her ready for her first sexual experience with the very lusty Rusty Waters.
My Take
The girls who played Brandy Karl's friends stood out and stole many of the scenes they were in. Their characters were perfect examples of high school girls trying to be grown ups. Alia Shawkat played friend Fiona and Sarah Steele played friend Wendy. They were the perfect comedic compliment to Aubrey Plaza's rendition of very a serious and studious Brandy Karl. All three girls worked together to form a cohesive unit of horny teenagers exploring sex in the early 1990's.
Scott Porter was the object of Brandy's affection as he portrayed life guard, Rusty Waters. He was everything a girl could want as her 'first'. He was tall, blond, tan and played the guitar. And he was a college boy, to boot. Cameron was the cute, but platonic, boy in the story. Played by Johnny Simmons, Cameron was used for some of Brandy's sexual experiments but ended up having his poor little heart stepped on when he when discovered that Brandy had her eyes on a hunkier prize. Simmons was hilarious and was able to hold his own against the more experienced Bill Hader, who played a prominent role in the movie as the teens' boss at the neighborhood pool.
Adding to Brandy's sexual escapades were Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg, and Donald Glover. Rachel Bilson and Connie Britton gave her some sound, and sometimes not so sound advice, along the way. Clark Gregg played Brandy's stodgy and traditional father. It was nice to see him play something other than Agent Coulson in the Marvel franchise.
The Verdict
The To Do List was well written, well directed, and well acted. There weren't any weak links as far as the cast goes. It was a cute coming of age story about a girl who had trouble letting loose. Sometimes, the main character felt a little hard to relate to, but Aubrey Plaza managed to make her charming and likable. Likewise with Connie Britton's portrayal of Brandy's mother. I give The To Do List 4/5 friends with benefits, because, while it wasn't perfect, the direction and the cast made up for any imperfections.
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