Just Watched: The Sea Inside

The Sea Inside.

Wow.

Difficult.

Really glad I watched it. Its thought provoking. Ramon Sampedro, a quadriplegic, fights for his own death with dignity. Even as I write this, I am taking deep breaths. Do you know how you feel on the topic? Are you sure about that? The Sea Inside - Did it change my view: I don't know that it did. Did it change how I think about it and see it and feel about it: Yes, yes it did. Ok the side story for me. Javier Bardem, the man who played the part of Ramon Sampedro. Really beautiful. And as I'm finding all these links for this post, I'm realizing Javier is also in the movie Biutiful which is on my list of films to see. I may just move that up a notch or two on my queue. Ciao bellas!

Just Watched: Rango

Mister so very much wanted to see this in the theater. Alas, we don't go to theaters all that often so by the time we got around to making the time to go see it, it was gone from all the local places. So, we waited until it showed up on Netflix and Voila! Date night movie.

When we finally got around to watching this movie, I was personally disappointed. I am pretty certain Mister was also. It may just be one of those movies that I need to watch a couple times to 'get' all the references, but I don't think that is the case here.

I may have been turned off by what I consider the main message of the movie, "Water is the most important natural resource on this planet and wars will be fought over it." I think it annoyed me, mostly because I am (I think) pretty aware of this already. Mister and I conserve as much as possible (only large loads of laundry, rain barrels, short showers, saving they grey water in the kitchen sink when washing veggies.... there might be more, can't think of them) so - for me - it was sort of an adventure in the ABCs. My guess is that for most of the population, it won't even make much sense, nor will they 'get' the message. But I suppose the message has to start somewhere for the population who are in the dark about what water really means for humans and the planet.

Ok, that will be the end of my rant about that.... for now. Here is the other thing that turned me off about the movie, (don't judge - my blog, my thoughts) but the characters weren't cutesy and fuzzy and sweet and well, cute. I understand why they weren't those things, but I still want that in an animated film. Just my opinion.

So, go out, rent it, let me know what you think. I may watch it again and re-post if I change my mind on any of this.

It could happen.

PS - Alison: (you there?) Thoughts?

Just Watched: Despicable Me

Yeah, I can't believe I haven't posted that Mister and I watched this movie. In fact, Mister and I have watched this movie over and over again, with each other, with many sets of friends and actually listened to it playing over the sound system in our house. I have for the first time ever, downloaded ringtones, they are Despicable Me bytes. We, simply put, have loved the crap out of this movie.

I will say, that the first time we watched it, we liked it. Then, for whatever reason, we ended up with a copy of it which people have wanted to see, so, we sit down and watch it with them and by-gum (hehe colloquialisms, gotta love 'em) if we haven't liked it more with each viewing. We, and others, have found ourselves quoting the darned movie.

So, I am thinking you might get that I would recommend this CG movie about a supervillain who finds his heart in the most unlikely place - three orphan girls. They are cute and funny and I have found traits in those girls that I embody, happily. Traits that when seen outside of myself, I think are endearing and heartwarming. I am hoping I also radiate those feelings in others.

Let me know what you thought / think.

Ciao bellas!

Just Watched: The King's Speech

Yes, with Colin Firth! He does amazing things with the character. Helena Bonham Carter - not much more needs to be said - so interesting!!

King George VI. I had no idea he had a speech impediment, a stammer. Apparently he had a speech coach of quite unconventional methods. That part was played by Geoffrey Rush - again, So Interesting!

This is the story of KGVI's rise to the throne and the difficulties, associated specifically with his stammer, in getting there.

Not much more to say on it. It was a good film which was well acted that I recommend you go out and rent soon.

Just Watched: A Single Man

Colin Firth - no words. Ok, a few words. I have grown to adore this man's acting skills. And Julianne Moore, not on my list of adored actors, until of late. I've seen her in a few films recently, maybe its coincidence, or maybe she's just in a lot lately. (eg The Kids are All Right) Whatever it is, I'm liking her more and more.

A Single Man is the one day (I think) story of George, a gay man in the 1960's who has recently lost his life partner to a tragic accident. The loss he feels internally but isn't allowed to feel publicly, in the company of basically anyone in his life. Being gay in 1962 wasn't quite the same as being gay today. The only person he now has, is his former lover Charley (Julianne Moore) who is going through her own dark time and still harbors feelings for George.

Its dramatic and dark (well, to me, it was less dark and more sepia) and difficult and never brought me to tears. It took me right up to the brink of them, then pulled back and let me settle in to the story once again.

I thought it was a great movie about life and fear and lonliness and recovering from it all.

Just Watched: The Kids are All Right

Annette Benning, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowski...

Great cast.

I give The Kids are All Right 2 thumbs up.

Thought provoking.

That would be my summary of this film.

Just Watched: Catch Me if You Can

Leonardo DeCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken... need I say more?!

This isn't the first time I've seen this movie, but I hadn't seen it in a very long time. Its really a good, good movie. Amazing talend in the actors and its inspired by real events.

Frank Abagnale, Jr. doesn't have the most stable upbringing but learns amazing (if not illegal) lessons along the way. The boy is a sponge for information and has such interesting original ideas. He translates nearly everything he sees and hears into a money making scheme. He's clever enough to avoid capture for years and then smart enough to turn it into a future.

I think we all could learn something from that. Well, maybe not the illegal stuff, but, you know what I mean.

Just Watched: The Men Who Stare at Goats

I wasn't all that enthused about watching this film, but was looking for a comedy that Mister and I could watch / zone out to. We were both rather tired but when you are that tired and its only 6:30PM, you don't necessarily get ready for bed. You fill the time until, well, you know, at least 8:30 before making the "bedtime" decision.

Anyway, I had no preconceived notions going in except that I didn't think I'd like it. One of the first people you see, Ewan McGregor. Let me just pause here for reflection... ... ... I love saying his name, Ewan McGregor. Lovely Scottish accent in my head. And I love watching him act. He's pretty. And I think has talent, so that helps too. Not really much of a George Clooney fan, but he sold me in this and over the last couple years, Jeff Bridges has grown on me too. Kevin Spacey, you love to hate him in most of his adventures and this one is no different. Hmmm, the goat. Feel bad for the goats, but I remind myself that probably no goats were harmed in the filming.

So, I guess my summary is that it was an all star cast who each performed fabulously. I liked this movie. It had laughter and a bit of intrigue (as much as any comedy could) and good acting and really, in the end, had less to do with goats than the title leads you to believe. Its really a story about an 'alternative' army with a hippy (let's just use that term loosely here for the lack of a better term) Jeff Bridges leading a group of soldiers in a direction you might not think the army would go. There is the star of the alternative program and the disgruntled, much less talented subversive who causes problems. The aftermath and the fallout. Pretty straight forward. I would actually recommend it to you.

Just Watched: The Young Victoria

I just love a good period piece. This one didn't have wars or swords or bloody battles like so many seem to have. It is the story of Queen Victoria as she comes to reign and her beloved Prince Albert. Its about how their relationship begins and their ideals and goals and mostly their respect and love for each other. Mister gave it a thumbs down, a bit too girly for him. I give it a thumbs up, just girly enough.

Just Watched: Alice in Wonderland

The good news? I stayed with my game plan and didn't gain over the weekend. Quite happy about that. Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp. I didn't want to like it, but I did. It was entertaining and kept my attention. The costumes and the CG were over the top and the acting was spot on (hehe). Helena Bonham Carter - love to hate her character. Mr. Depp, well, he's similar in a lot the the 'on the edge' characters he chooses, but, I think he plays them all really well.

Just Watched: Tron and Tron Legacy

Have you ever just had a really great success? I mean, one of those times when things just start out as a normal day and progress into something really memorable. You know? I had one of those days last weekend. It was "Tron-a-Thon 2011". A fabulous group of friends gathered at our place around 11AM on Saturday morning. Everyone brought snacks and beverages and we talked and ate and watched the original Tron. You know, the one from 1982. Mister owns this movie. I love that about him. I had never actually even seen the movie until I met Mister. Anyway, we (seven of us) sat around Mister and my theater basement (the room that also serves as my workout room and my office) and talked and laughed and even guffawed through the first movie. It seems like each person saw something in the movie that no one else really picked up on, commented, then we all had a good laugh or even a thoughtful discussion about the way it was filmed, the costumes, the acting. You name it, we talked about it. We even got some great inside jokes from it. The one that sticks out in my mind at the moment is, "nice digital booty". You probably had to be there. We all cracked up.

So, then, in the afternoon, we carpooled and went to the real theater and watched Tron Legacy in 3D. Again, so much fun I can't even explain. Yes, I tried to explain a bit above, but realize now, it was probably only really funny if you were there. The moral of my story is this, the second movie would have probably not been all that great had I not just watched the first one to 'get' all the references and watching it with a group of amazing, fun friends was the icing on the cake.

Given my experience, I highly recommend the movie. Your experience may vary. Wildly.

Just Watched: Three Days of the Condor

Well, I upgraded / revised the blog template. I have hemmed and hawed about it for about a year. I just wanted to have more creative control over the look, but realized recently that I had only learned a teensy bit about being creative with it and really didn't feel like I wanted to learn any more. At least not right now.

My guess is the 'look' of this blog will morph a bit this year. For now, I just pressed the upgrade button and added a few sidebar details to get things going.

I hope you had a wonderful new year. Mister and I ended up having pizza and salad with his mother. Then we watched Three Days of the Condor.

A classic 70's Robert Redford film in which he works for the CIA, codenamed the Condor. There are no speed chases in $100K cars. There is no gratuitous nudity even though there is a 'love' scene. There isn't even all that much swearing - that I remember. Mister and I both commented on the fact that when there was a fist-to-cuffs scene, both the fighters actually look like they had been fighting - you know, messed up hair, torn clothing - neither one of them had super-ripped muscles nor did they both just happen to know karate and tae-kwon-do and ju-jitsu. It was refreshing to not be fed an ADHD high-tech film in which the end is either tied up with a nice red bow or obviously left hanging for the sequel.

It was a fantastic film. I highly recommend it.

Just Watched: Shrek - Forever After

Eh, it was ok. I'm not sad I watched it, it was better, by far, than the 3rd one. I am glad the whole Shrek thing is over though. It had run its course for me.

Just Watched: Iron Man

The idea taken from Marvel Comics. I sort of thought this movie would be more kid-centric. It was, in my opinion, definitely an adult film. I'm not a big Robert Downy Jr. fan, but he was pretty well cast in the roll and his acting was spot on. I didn't care the the Pepper character played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Or maybe I just didn't care for GP in the roll. I'm not sure. Its like this, she's running (I use that term loosely) around at the end in stillettos to save the world and she still seems -- light. You know, 'not that deep'. Even though she has the chutzpah to stand up to the Tony Stark character earlier in the film. Maybe it was the writing or my mood or who knows, maybe I was just jealous of her outfits. Didn't care for her.

Moving on. Yes, we'll see the next one, some day and would recommend the movie to others - that includes you.

Who knows, maybe the Pepper character won't be quite to grating in the sequel.

Just Watched: The Last Airbender (film non-anime)

As usual, I'm not certain how this ended up on my Netflix queu. I liked it, Mister was non-committal. Well, rather, about half way through, he was done, but stayed until the end.

I've not read the books, nor seen any of the anime. The film was pretty good. There's action and relatively unknown actors which, to me, creates more of a sense of reality. I have a harder time dis-associating big names like Angelina or Brad or Jennifer from their past characters. So, the unknowns (to me) were a nice piece of this M. Night Shyamalan film. I was drawn in very early in the film with the animatronics (I'm sure they are probably just CG at this point in time - I'm showing my age here, oh well) and the effects - the four elements (earth, wind, fire, water) being able to be manipulated by gifted individuals. And not just one or two people who can do this. There are (or were, you have to watch the film to understand) many "benders". Its the fire benders who have decided to take over the earth and of course, they have to get rid of all the other element benders in order to reign freely.

There is one person born, the Avatar, who has the ability to bend all four elements. He is essentially the spirit of the planet. He has the innate ability to bring peace. This person is reincarnated over and over and has been sought after by the fire nation for like 100 years - due to stuff - again, don't want to give too much away if you plan to watch. There's martial arts fights and spirit creatures and twists to the plot. Its complex, yet simple since it was originally written for (I think) Nickelodeon, i.e. children.

This film is the first in a trilogy - Hollywood at its money making best. Yes, we'll watch the next two as they come out on video.

Just Watched: Legends of the Fall

Mister and I had never seen this. Big surprise there! We sat down to watch it, not realizing it was an epic saga that would go on for hours! It was big and sweeping and haunting and pretty to look at and it irritated me. Look lady, get on with your own life. Dude isn't worth your time and energy. He dumped you, quite easily I might add, because he has issues. Get on with your own happiness already!

Ok, now that I've ranted. Yes, I get it - true love. There's nothing quite like it. I'm just not in the camp of believers who think you only have one soul mate. One doesn't work out, figure out what you want and move on, find another.

Anyway, Brad Pitt, pretty as ever. Good movie if you have lots of time to kill.

Just Watched: Maria Full of Grace

Its from 2004, but, I'm sure its still a very true story. "Mules" from Columbia. Its not a documentary but a feature film. Its the story of a girl in Columbia who has had enough of her job, her family, her situation in general. She meets a guy who introduces her to a guy who hires her to traffic drugs to New York. I learned stuff I never knew. I'm sure it just skims the surface of reality, but its still more information than I had before I watched it.

I would not say that I am 'proud' to be an American. (I won't go into that today, just my thing.) I am, however, glad that I live here rather than just about most other places on this planet. I think most of us take the word "opportunity" for granted. I know that I do. But I won't today and will try for tomorrow and next week. We'll see how that goes.

Just Watched: The Village Barber Shop

Fun film. Mister thought it was good albeit a bit on the slow side. I agreed completely. John Ratzenberger, of Cheers fame (Cliff), struggles with the loss of his wife and then his business partner. Along comes a spitfire with a need for stability and let the healing begin.

Shelly Cole isn't someone I'm familiar with, but she is cute and funny and believable. I think she really made this film for me.

Just Watched: Once

This film was recommended by a couple of my friends. I liked it. Mister could have done without it.

Its a Guy meets Girl movie. Both are musicians. Their story is told through their song writing and singing and recording.

I read somewhere that the actors wrote and performed the songs themselves. Interesting, thought provoking, bleak and uplifting all at once. I would recommend this to anyone who likes music and love stories.

Just Watched: Brokeback Mountain

I know, I'm, as per usual, a bit late to the game. I had some down time recently and realized I could stream this film from Netflix. I really liked this movie. I was taken aback by the epic love story. The scenery was amazing.

I am having a difficult time getting past the tragedy that is fear and bigotry in humans. I think we are all guilty to some degree at varying times in our lives.

Still makes me sad.