Okay, so it's another Jennifer Aniston movie. Her character reminds me of the one in The Good Girl. She's dowdy, weird and has no personality in this movie.
Someone said to me that no matter what they do to her, Jen will never look bad. I thought she looked like crap. As she was supposed to. So good going girl.
Anyway, the movie was interesting. It was more about relationships and not really about money. But I suppose the title wasn't just about money.
There's three very different married couples and then there's Jennifer who's alone; she's a maid because she quit her job as a teacher. She's struggling emotionally and wants a no-brainer job. Her friends try to justify her maid status by making excuses for her but wonder whether they'd be friends with her if they hadn't met her in their early less successful years.
All the couples struggle with their own issues. Some problems gets resolved, some don't- true to life.
It wasn't a depressing movie but it wasn't uplifting either. It was kind of - yeah that's life and there are parts that are good and parts that are bad. But in the end we have our friends or hope to have our friends.
I'm not sure it should have won any awards but it was an interesting movie. And it had a good cast.
Worth the money rating: $$$
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
X-Men- The Last Stand
This was a summer blockbuster. I was at Kinkos and I said I'd come back to pick up my stuff after the movie and the guy said, "You're going to go see X-men, right?" And I said, "Yeah, how did you know?" And he said, "Everyone wants to see that movie." I agreed.
I was excited watching a screen of mutants. The powers were cool and you wanted to know what happened to Jean and the Phoenix.
The storyline made you think, "Is it better to fit in or be happy that you're special and have unique powers?" Seems when you're different from the masses, you're persecuted. I guess all of us have had times when we were ridiculed for being different or thinking different- like high school.
I'm glad the mutants in this movie were humane. It is insane to wipe out differences. That's what creates progress.
As for the actors in this movie, they looked like they were having fun and they made you care about them. The screen was action-packed and you couldn't help but route for the mutant guys with the battle they were about to face.
Even if you're not a pure entertainment junkie, be a mutant and see it anyway.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
I was excited watching a screen of mutants. The powers were cool and you wanted to know what happened to Jean and the Phoenix.
The storyline made you think, "Is it better to fit in or be happy that you're special and have unique powers?" Seems when you're different from the masses, you're persecuted. I guess all of us have had times when we were ridiculed for being different or thinking different- like high school.
I'm glad the mutants in this movie were humane. It is insane to wipe out differences. That's what creates progress.
As for the actors in this movie, they looked like they were having fun and they made you care about them. The screen was action-packed and you couldn't help but route for the mutant guys with the battle they were about to face.
Even if you're not a pure entertainment junkie, be a mutant and see it anyway.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
The Da Vinci Code
Just saw this movie. It was boring. I read the book knowing nothing about it but the book was worth it. I'm a huge fan of Ron Howard and for the most part the cinematography was really good. Obviously the locations were beautiful but the chemistry between actors was not.
Tom Hanks played the scholar, Langdon, but with little emotion. In tune with the character, but I wish he would have shown more charisma or machismo or something throughout the movie. His counterpart's character, Princess Sophie, was cute but not convincing as a problem code-deciphering heorine . I don't know why really, she just didn't make me feel anything one way or the other.
This movie seemed flat in general. I heard through the grape vine that it wasn't very good. But I wanted to see the locations and how the cripple actually explained the holy grail on the big screen. I preferred Ian M's character more in X-men as Magnito but he clearly outdid his co-stars in this movie. Perhaps he had the more interesting role. Playing the villian is always more fun and interesting, so the actors say on Inside the Actors Studio.
I suppose the hype for a movie and the controversy probably made expectations high for most people. I didn't have high expections going in but I was still bored. About 4 or 5 people walked out of the movie, they were so bored. I haven't seen that since Moulin Rouge; I think 1/2 the crowd walked out in the first 1/2 an hour of that movie. This one, they waited till the middle and packed it in.
I give Ron Howard kudos for making the movie. He knew it would be judged harshly by religious critics as well as movie critics and book buffs. Perhaps he should try making Angels and Demons into a movie. I'd like to see the Vatican diamond burning on the big screen.
The movie does make you want to see Paris though, so maybe they could re-edit it and use it for a tourism video.
Worth the money rating: $$$
Tom Hanks played the scholar, Langdon, but with little emotion. In tune with the character, but I wish he would have shown more charisma or machismo or something throughout the movie. His counterpart's character, Princess Sophie, was cute but not convincing as a problem code-deciphering heorine . I don't know why really, she just didn't make me feel anything one way or the other.
This movie seemed flat in general. I heard through the grape vine that it wasn't very good. But I wanted to see the locations and how the cripple actually explained the holy grail on the big screen. I preferred Ian M's character more in X-men as Magnito but he clearly outdid his co-stars in this movie. Perhaps he had the more interesting role. Playing the villian is always more fun and interesting, so the actors say on Inside the Actors Studio.
I suppose the hype for a movie and the controversy probably made expectations high for most people. I didn't have high expections going in but I was still bored. About 4 or 5 people walked out of the movie, they were so bored. I haven't seen that since Moulin Rouge; I think 1/2 the crowd walked out in the first 1/2 an hour of that movie. This one, they waited till the middle and packed it in.
I give Ron Howard kudos for making the movie. He knew it would be judged harshly by religious critics as well as movie critics and book buffs. Perhaps he should try making Angels and Demons into a movie. I'd like to see the Vatican diamond burning on the big screen.
The movie does make you want to see Paris though, so maybe they could re-edit it and use it for a tourism video.
Worth the money rating: $$$
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Annapolis
It was a few months ago when I saw this, I think. This movie wasn't memorable. It had some fatal flaws. It tried to be too much like An Officer and a Gentleman. And who can really be better than Richard Gere? The acting was horrible, not sure if it was the material or the lack of emotion on screen. Sure army life is tough everyone knows that. But where' the human story we can all route for?
The actor from Spiderman and the girl from Fast and the Furious co-star. There wasn't much chemistry between the two and there was no sex scene so wasn't sure why this attraction element was added to the film, well maybe I do. I think it's just so they could rip off the pick up scene from Top Gun where Maverick doesn't know who his teacher is and tries to pick her up in a bar. Only Top Gun had that singing and it was 1000 times better.
Okay, unless you want to waste $11 bucks. Skip it altogether.
Worth the money: $ 1/2
The actor from Spiderman and the girl from Fast and the Furious co-star. There wasn't much chemistry between the two and there was no sex scene so wasn't sure why this attraction element was added to the film, well maybe I do. I think it's just so they could rip off the pick up scene from Top Gun where Maverick doesn't know who his teacher is and tries to pick her up in a bar. Only Top Gun had that singing and it was 1000 times better.
Okay, unless you want to waste $11 bucks. Skip it altogether.
Worth the money: $ 1/2
Glory Road
Not sure what the guy's name is who plays the lead, Joshua something from Sweet Home Alabama. He plays a basketball coach who wants to lead a AA school to victory. In order to coach in this premium league he has to go to a HS that offers very little money and conviences. What he finds is something money can't buy - heart. He takes a group of rough players and teaches them the skills to be better men on and off the court. It's based on a true story and offers some good excitement and lots of mellodrama including racial tension.
It's an uplifting story. Just as in life, in the movies, you want to see people who've worked for success obtain it. You already know the ending but it's entertaining to get there. You may cry a little, and laugh a little, just the kind of stuff a movie should have you do every once in awhile.
Worth the money: $$$$
It's an uplifting story. Just as in life, in the movies, you want to see people who've worked for success obtain it. You already know the ending but it's entertaining to get there. You may cry a little, and laugh a little, just the kind of stuff a movie should have you do every once in awhile.
Worth the money: $$$$
Inside Man
Clive Owen is sexy in this new bank robbing film. He plays your not so typical head bank robber who takes on Denzel Washington, a negotiater with the NYPD, who wants to make Detective 1st grade. What I like about this film is that there's no sex scenes to break up the momentum of the movie. And it's about two things, what are they robbing from the bank? And how is a past wrong, righted? What kind of guy is Clive Owen's character? You have to watch to find out. Can a bank robber be good and bad?
Jodi Foster is in this movie for like 10 minutes. I could have lived without her role because I don't feel her reason for being in the film isn't what made the movie compelling. It's a guessing game at a leisure but sort of tense pace. It's entertainig enough to have you watch till the very end but you may guess the ending before it comes.
If you're a Denzel fan or Clive or even Jodi, you'll enjoy it.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
Jodi Foster is in this movie for like 10 minutes. I could have lived without her role because I don't feel her reason for being in the film isn't what made the movie compelling. It's a guessing game at a leisure but sort of tense pace. It's entertainig enough to have you watch till the very end but you may guess the ending before it comes.
If you're a Denzel fan or Clive or even Jodi, you'll enjoy it.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Harry Potter
Well, we're on movie 3? or is it 4? I've seen them all, and this one wasn't my favorite. Not sure if it's because the actors are older or that the story lacked in places.
Sorry, but I haven't read any of these books but I'm sure there is a debate as to which is better. But I'm sure the book was great compared to the movie.
In the Goblet of Fire, Harry finds himself in the Tri-Wizard Tournament which is a skills competition between a school of girls, a school of rough boys and Hogwarts. The challenges faced at the different stages of the tournament bring out Harry's virtues and fears. He faces Lord Voldemort again. Lives are lost. And Harry gets his first crush.
I would have liked to have seen more of the romance but I guess at 14, what is there to tell?
The adults in this film like Alan Rickman as Professor Snape are great. Although I do miss the old Dumbledor. The special effects are fun and well done.
The ending was flat.
Worth the money: $$$
Sorry, but I haven't read any of these books but I'm sure there is a debate as to which is better. But I'm sure the book was great compared to the movie.
In the Goblet of Fire, Harry finds himself in the Tri-Wizard Tournament which is a skills competition between a school of girls, a school of rough boys and Hogwarts. The challenges faced at the different stages of the tournament bring out Harry's virtues and fears. He faces Lord Voldemort again. Lives are lost. And Harry gets his first crush.
I would have liked to have seen more of the romance but I guess at 14, what is there to tell?
The adults in this film like Alan Rickman as Professor Snape are great. Although I do miss the old Dumbledor. The special effects are fun and well done.
The ending was flat.
Worth the money: $$$
Pride and Prejudice
This movie was awesome. Jane Austen's novel was brought to life on the big screen, exactly as it should be. Keira Knightley was a believable "Lizzy" and Mr. Darcy, Mathew Macfadyen or "MM" was Mr. YuMMy- well in a brooding, dark sort of way. His eyes gave way to his soul- a bitter-sweet guy. Just the kind we all want to be our Mr. Darcy in real life.
Anyway, it's sad to think that's all women had to think about was finding a husband but this tale is certainly entertaiing. The time period costumes were fun and I liked hearing Knightley banter with her quick wit, hurried speech and that twinkle in her eye. This is probably the best role I've seen her in. Much preferred to her Excalibur role, though Clive Owen was one hot Arthur. Which would have motivated me to be in that film as well.
It's a fun tale of love for the holiday season. Eat it up, but remember you can always purge after the holidays are over if you're not of that sort.
Worth the money: $$$$
Anyway, it's sad to think that's all women had to think about was finding a husband but this tale is certainly entertaiing. The time period costumes were fun and I liked hearing Knightley banter with her quick wit, hurried speech and that twinkle in her eye. This is probably the best role I've seen her in. Much preferred to her Excalibur role, though Clive Owen was one hot Arthur. Which would have motivated me to be in that film as well.
It's a fun tale of love for the holiday season. Eat it up, but remember you can always purge after the holidays are over if you're not of that sort.
Worth the money: $$$$
King Kong
It was 11p.m. Friday night when I went to see this movie. Who knew it was 3 hours long? Needless to say, it wasn't worth staying awake for.
I didn't see the original King Kong. But the famous scene of him being on the Empire State Building everyone knows. This movie was laughable. I say that because Naiomi Watts was over the top as the "beauty" in this movie. The scenes she shares with King Kong seem somewhere out of a storybook Disney movie while the others seem like a Jurassic Park re-do.
The special effects are quite good in areas, and unbelievable (being bad) in other area. I found myself laughing through the island scenes and the savages found on Kong's island were from yet another movie it seemed.
The ending was flat and overdramatized. It all seemed like a bad silent film and the dialogue made it worse.
This is the first time I've seen Jack Black cast in a more serious role but I'd rather watch him again in School of Rock.
This movie is a loser. And not worth your attention for 3 hours no matter what hour you start.
Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2
I didn't see the original King Kong. But the famous scene of him being on the Empire State Building everyone knows. This movie was laughable. I say that because Naiomi Watts was over the top as the "beauty" in this movie. The scenes she shares with King Kong seem somewhere out of a storybook Disney movie while the others seem like a Jurassic Park re-do.
The special effects are quite good in areas, and unbelievable (being bad) in other area. I found myself laughing through the island scenes and the savages found on Kong's island were from yet another movie it seemed.
The ending was flat and overdramatized. It all seemed like a bad silent film and the dialogue made it worse.
This is the first time I've seen Jack Black cast in a more serious role but I'd rather watch him again in School of Rock.
This movie is a loser. And not worth your attention for 3 hours no matter what hour you start.
Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2
Monday, October 03, 2005
Flightplan
Jody Foster's character reminds me of the character she played in "Panic Room". An over-protective mother. We don't know if she's crazy and imagining her daughter on board the plane or not. So the set up of the movie for 3/4 is only about that. Everyone looks suspicious. Then the truth comes out. For a blah ending at best.
This is a boring movie though Foster tries to make it believable. And the script lacks dialogue as well as action. It's just Foster yelling at everyone and panicking.
There are some good actors here, not to mention Christianson from Traffic and the guy from Garden State who's one of Braf's friends. Can't remember his name. But their roles were just not at all interesting as support actors.
It did pass the time but I'd wait for this on rental. It's not worth 11 bucks to see it.
Worth the money rating: $$$
This is a boring movie though Foster tries to make it believable. And the script lacks dialogue as well as action. It's just Foster yelling at everyone and panicking.
There are some good actors here, not to mention Christianson from Traffic and the guy from Garden State who's one of Braf's friends. Can't remember his name. But their roles were just not at all interesting as support actors.
It did pass the time but I'd wait for this on rental. It's not worth 11 bucks to see it.
Worth the money rating: $$$
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Two For the Money
Matt fans will love this movie. So will Pacino fans.
Two for the money is about Brandon (McConnahey) an X-college football star that needs a new occupation due to a bad injury, so he gets a part time gig placing bets for people at a small company. Due to his success, Pacino offers him the big time and he brings him to NY. Pacino's character is very much like the one in THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. He gives McConnahey choices that lead him down a dark path and in the end McConnahey has to choose between his soul and money.
Rene Russo is in this film for a short time. Luckily she's not naked like in THE THOMAS CROWNE AFFAIR. Though that was a good movie for obviously other reasons. Her role is less than secondary. I don't know why she's really in the movie at all. I am glad this movie has no sex scenes at all. What it does have is lots of football and not so surprising insights on the gambling game.
This movie plays a formula with some fun witty words. When you're up you're up, when you're down, you're really down.
I like Matt and Al too much to be down on this film. It's not the most original story I've ever seen but I'm a betting kind of gal, so I say, take a chance.
Worth the money rating: $$$ 1/2
Two for the money is about Brandon (McConnahey) an X-college football star that needs a new occupation due to a bad injury, so he gets a part time gig placing bets for people at a small company. Due to his success, Pacino offers him the big time and he brings him to NY. Pacino's character is very much like the one in THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. He gives McConnahey choices that lead him down a dark path and in the end McConnahey has to choose between his soul and money.
Rene Russo is in this film for a short time. Luckily she's not naked like in THE THOMAS CROWNE AFFAIR. Though that was a good movie for obviously other reasons. Her role is less than secondary. I don't know why she's really in the movie at all. I am glad this movie has no sex scenes at all. What it does have is lots of football and not so surprising insights on the gambling game.
This movie plays a formula with some fun witty words. When you're up you're up, when you're down, you're really down.
I like Matt and Al too much to be down on this film. It's not the most original story I've ever seen but I'm a betting kind of gal, so I say, take a chance.
Worth the money rating: $$$ 1/2
Friday, September 23, 2005
Red Eye
Wes Craven's Red Eye was not so great. I wanted to like this movie because I loved his Scream movies but here's wasn't a ton of gore in this movie or enough suspense to make it very engaging or scary. I thought Rachel McAdams wasn't bad but there wasn't enough of the storyline for her to work with to make it interesting. I didn't expect it to be Nightmare on Elmstreet but it was too cutsie for me.
McAdams plays a woman who works at a five star hotel in Miami who goes to Dallas for her grandmother's funeral. There she runs into a nice guy (the psych doctor in Batman Begins) in the line waiting for a delayed red eye flight. They chat for awhile and end up sitting next to each other on the plane. Nicities turn into an assassination plot with her father as collateral. McAdams has to choose between her father's life or someone else's. On the plane she tries more than once to get away but is stopped by her tormentor and counts the minutes before the flight lands.
The ending is somewhat reminscent of Scream where Sydney says, "Not in my movie." But not as good. No surprises or intricate plot twists. Way too predictable.
I don't feel as though any of the characters were developed enough for me to care. The man who plays McAdams' father is flat. Previously he was King Agamemnon in TROY. I can only imagine that this actor didn't have enough lines or scenes for us to really care about him.
Anyway, you can wait for this one on rental. And if you fall asleep before you finish, you don't have to worry about missing anything.
Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2
McAdams plays a woman who works at a five star hotel in Miami who goes to Dallas for her grandmother's funeral. There she runs into a nice guy (the psych doctor in Batman Begins) in the line waiting for a delayed red eye flight. They chat for awhile and end up sitting next to each other on the plane. Nicities turn into an assassination plot with her father as collateral. McAdams has to choose between her father's life or someone else's. On the plane she tries more than once to get away but is stopped by her tormentor and counts the minutes before the flight lands.
The ending is somewhat reminscent of Scream where Sydney says, "Not in my movie." But not as good. No surprises or intricate plot twists. Way too predictable.
I don't feel as though any of the characters were developed enough for me to care. The man who plays McAdams' father is flat. Previously he was King Agamemnon in TROY. I can only imagine that this actor didn't have enough lines or scenes for us to really care about him.
Anyway, you can wait for this one on rental. And if you fall asleep before you finish, you don't have to worry about missing anything.
Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Peace One Day
Tuesday September 20th is the eve of a day of peace that the whole world celebrates. Jeremy Gilley (Dir./Prod./Writer Peace
One Day) chronicles his mission to get the world to agree to observe one day a year without fighting and bloodshed.
I saw this documentary last year and it was a moving film. It was amazing how much he had to go through to get governments and leaders to agree on one date in Sept. I recommend everyone to see it if they can this year.
Learn more at www.peaceoneday.org
e-mail: info@peaceoneday.org
One Day) chronicles his mission to get the world to agree to observe one day a year without fighting and bloodshed.
I saw this documentary last year and it was a moving film. It was amazing how much he had to go through to get governments and leaders to agree on one date in Sept. I recommend everyone to see it if they can this year.
Learn more at www.peaceoneday.org
e-mail: info@peaceoneday.org
Monday, September 19, 2005
God of War
I probably wouldn't have gone to see this movie but one of my friends wanted to go. It ended up being pretty darn good.
In the war-filled times we live in, this storyline really hits home and leaves you to wonder who the War Lords really are- those that sell guns or those that direct people to sell guns.
Nicolas Cage plays a second generation Russian from Little Odessa in NY who wants to do more with his life than live in his neighborhood, so he sells his first gun. This opens him up to selling to bigger players- Russian mafia- and ultimately to rulers of nations to meet their political agendas.
My friend who saw this with me said the movie felt like a documentary. I agree it had that quality. It literally takes you through a decade of political upheaval and truck/plane-loads of guns in remote locations. It's crazy how the selling of weapons was always a constant whether countries were at war or not at war. That's a frightening thought.
Cage marries his dream girl and has a cute as a button kid. But can't seem to keep it all together but enjoys the game so much he's willing to sacrifice them. He's also pursued by a law-abiding, rule-following detective played by Ethan Hawke. Although Hawke is only in the movie for short periods of time, I thought his performance was good. Much like his character gone hard in Training Day. He also symbolizes the futility of stopping corruption when it is so ramped and backed by governments.
This movie portrays what a man that sells weapons has to give up and what he has to gain. And how can he justify selling weapons to countries that will kill women, children and even themselves?
This movie was well shot with gritty scenes reminiscent of Traffic without the wobbly hand-held style camera work. I also liked how beautifully, corrupt the locations looked and how all of it seemed unbelievably real. Probably because war is real and whether it's a movie or not, the truth about its effects can't be hidden.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
In the war-filled times we live in, this storyline really hits home and leaves you to wonder who the War Lords really are- those that sell guns or those that direct people to sell guns.
Nicolas Cage plays a second generation Russian from Little Odessa in NY who wants to do more with his life than live in his neighborhood, so he sells his first gun. This opens him up to selling to bigger players- Russian mafia- and ultimately to rulers of nations to meet their political agendas.
My friend who saw this with me said the movie felt like a documentary. I agree it had that quality. It literally takes you through a decade of political upheaval and truck/plane-loads of guns in remote locations. It's crazy how the selling of weapons was always a constant whether countries were at war or not at war. That's a frightening thought.
Cage marries his dream girl and has a cute as a button kid. But can't seem to keep it all together but enjoys the game so much he's willing to sacrifice them. He's also pursued by a law-abiding, rule-following detective played by Ethan Hawke. Although Hawke is only in the movie for short periods of time, I thought his performance was good. Much like his character gone hard in Training Day. He also symbolizes the futility of stopping corruption when it is so ramped and backed by governments.
This movie portrays what a man that sells weapons has to give up and what he has to gain. And how can he justify selling weapons to countries that will kill women, children and even themselves?
This movie was well shot with gritty scenes reminiscent of Traffic without the wobbly hand-held style camera work. I also liked how beautifully, corrupt the locations looked and how all of it seemed unbelievably real. Probably because war is real and whether it's a movie or not, the truth about its effects can't be hidden.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
I usually don't see horror flicks unless they're slasher films like Scream but the courtroom aspect of this movie intrigued me so I said what the hell- and because my friend made me go so she'd have someone to scream with.
Anyway, this is supposedly based on a true story about Annaliese Michel, a woman from Germany who died after priests spent eight months trying to exorcise demons from her body. According to the movie, Brunner (the defense attorney) handed over her case files so that this movie could be made and Emily Rose's story could be told.
Erin Brunner (Laura Linney) is hired to represent Farther Moore (Tom Wilkinson) against prosecutors who say Emily Rose's death was a negligent homicide based on medical evidence. As you know, exorcism is not based on medical facts but on spiritual factors, and Father Moore needs to find a believer in an agnostic Brunner in order to win his case.
As the tale unfolds through courtroom witnesses, a normal Emily Rose, 19, going to college for the first time, starts behaving strangely and is diagnosed to have everything from epilepsy to schizophrenia and is given medication by physicians in order to cure her condition. Her condition worsens and she leaves school to join her parents. Her parents being devout Christians believe Emily is possessed. They trust their fate to God and to their parish priest, Father Moore.
The Vatican doesn't want Father Moore's testimony to cast shadows on the church and Linney is hired by them to make sure she tries his case with the least amount of publicity. As series of events happen and Linney learns more about Emily Rose's case and she finds her faith tested by more than demons—her bosses, her common sense and her instincts.
I have to be honest, I thought the courtroom scenes were quite good except for Campbell Scott who plays the DA but he comes off flat and odd looking with a mustache. His lines weren't that good but he just was wrong for the part altogether. I didn't believe he was a compelling Christian DA. On the up-side Linney and Wilkenson held up about equally in their performances.
The scenes of Emily Rose going through the exorcism are reminiscent of THE EXORCIST of course and any other creepy movie you've seen regarding this matter. There are less special effects and more psychological stuff going on in this movie, so although 1/2 the time my hands were over my eyes, I didn't miss the storyline.
The end of the movie was interesting. It left you to think about what you believe not only as a Christian but also as a human being when it really comes down to it.
I'd say see this movie even if you're a scary movie wimp like me. I enjoyed the trial scenes and message of this movie. And you can always go see it with someone who makes you laugh and reminds you that it's just a movie and not real life- or is it?
Worth the money rating: $$$
Anyway, this is supposedly based on a true story about Annaliese Michel, a woman from Germany who died after priests spent eight months trying to exorcise demons from her body. According to the movie, Brunner (the defense attorney) handed over her case files so that this movie could be made and Emily Rose's story could be told.
Erin Brunner (Laura Linney) is hired to represent Farther Moore (Tom Wilkinson) against prosecutors who say Emily Rose's death was a negligent homicide based on medical evidence. As you know, exorcism is not based on medical facts but on spiritual factors, and Father Moore needs to find a believer in an agnostic Brunner in order to win his case.
As the tale unfolds through courtroom witnesses, a normal Emily Rose, 19, going to college for the first time, starts behaving strangely and is diagnosed to have everything from epilepsy to schizophrenia and is given medication by physicians in order to cure her condition. Her condition worsens and she leaves school to join her parents. Her parents being devout Christians believe Emily is possessed. They trust their fate to God and to their parish priest, Father Moore.
The Vatican doesn't want Father Moore's testimony to cast shadows on the church and Linney is hired by them to make sure she tries his case with the least amount of publicity. As series of events happen and Linney learns more about Emily Rose's case and she finds her faith tested by more than demons—her bosses, her common sense and her instincts.
I have to be honest, I thought the courtroom scenes were quite good except for Campbell Scott who plays the DA but he comes off flat and odd looking with a mustache. His lines weren't that good but he just was wrong for the part altogether. I didn't believe he was a compelling Christian DA. On the up-side Linney and Wilkenson held up about equally in their performances.
The scenes of Emily Rose going through the exorcism are reminiscent of THE EXORCIST of course and any other creepy movie you've seen regarding this matter. There are less special effects and more psychological stuff going on in this movie, so although 1/2 the time my hands were over my eyes, I didn't miss the storyline.
The end of the movie was interesting. It left you to think about what you believe not only as a Christian but also as a human being when it really comes down to it.
I'd say see this movie even if you're a scary movie wimp like me. I enjoyed the trial scenes and message of this movie. And you can always go see it with someone who makes you laugh and reminds you that it's just a movie and not real life- or is it?
Worth the money rating: $$$
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
The 40 year old virgin
I saw this at least a week ago. I think I was in a good mood when I saw this but... I didn't love this movie. I thought parts of it were funny but it was pretty much formula the whole way. Maybe I just hate male virgins. Who knows.
Anyway, I forgot the character's name and the actor who played him. But obviously the story line is about a guy who never lost it. He collects models and action figures and rides a bike- doesn't drive. I'd say virigin doesn't have to equal geek but in this case, I guess they're synonomous.
So once his virginity is announced at the electronics store he works at, his co-workers are on a mission to get him laid. Of course, they give him bad advice about relationships and sex. And he ends up pursuing one woman who sells things on E-bay.
The ending is sappy and basically the whole movie is stupid. But if you like sappy, stupid movies this one is for you.
If I had to choose between this and Wedding Crashers, it's Wedding Crashers hands down. I just thought this movie was boring and again stupid. But I did hear that he got a real waxing and filmed it live- guess that's worth something
Worth the money rating: $$$
Anyway, I forgot the character's name and the actor who played him. But obviously the story line is about a guy who never lost it. He collects models and action figures and rides a bike- doesn't drive. I'd say virigin doesn't have to equal geek but in this case, I guess they're synonomous.
So once his virginity is announced at the electronics store he works at, his co-workers are on a mission to get him laid. Of course, they give him bad advice about relationships and sex. And he ends up pursuing one woman who sells things on E-bay.
The ending is sappy and basically the whole movie is stupid. But if you like sappy, stupid movies this one is for you.
If I had to choose between this and Wedding Crashers, it's Wedding Crashers hands down. I just thought this movie was boring and again stupid. But I did hear that he got a real waxing and filmed it live- guess that's worth something
Worth the money rating: $$$
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Must Love Dogs
I remember Diane Lane in Streets of Fire when she was like 18 with the guy from the Eddie and The Cruisers movie- Michael Peir (Pare?) whatever and The Fabulous Stains where she played this screwed up rock-n-roller (if my memory serves me correctly.)
Seems odd that she's playing a divorce or Mom- she was a mom in JACK with Robin Williams where he plays a boy who's body grows up unbelievably fast but his mind doesn't. Anyway, Lane plays a divorce, here, with the typical nosey large family who keeps trying to set her up. Her sister puts her profile on Perfectmatch.com and she embarks on the world of dating again. One of the men she meets is her father- weird- and the other, John Cusak. He has been recently divorced and is scared as well to get back on the dating scene but seems to find Lane a charming mess when he meet her for the first time in an awkard first date with their dogs at the park.
The movie goes through miscommunications and you don't really know why these two people like each other. They go out on a few dates. Maybe this is real for the movies and perhaps in real life, but it wasn't compelling enough for me to root for them to be together.
This is a cute movie. A time passer. Definitely a video rental when you want to wear your jammies and eat some Ben and Jerry's not because you're feeling bad, but because you just feel like watching a movie and eating full-fat ice cream.
I've been a Cusak fan forever since, Say Anything, Better Off Dead and The Sure Thing are my favorites. He plays the same characters all the time- that nice guy with some quirks who you can lose your virginity to, talk all night with, pound a beer in a hotel room to CA with, who'd still respect you in the morning. After being on the dating scene, finding someone who cares about you is exactly what this movie tried to tell you. But it'd probably be more fun to go out there and experience this for yourself. Unless, of course, you were on a date watching this movie.
Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2
Seems odd that she's playing a divorce or Mom- she was a mom in JACK with Robin Williams where he plays a boy who's body grows up unbelievably fast but his mind doesn't. Anyway, Lane plays a divorce, here, with the typical nosey large family who keeps trying to set her up. Her sister puts her profile on Perfectmatch.com and she embarks on the world of dating again. One of the men she meets is her father- weird- and the other, John Cusak. He has been recently divorced and is scared as well to get back on the dating scene but seems to find Lane a charming mess when he meet her for the first time in an awkard first date with their dogs at the park.
The movie goes through miscommunications and you don't really know why these two people like each other. They go out on a few dates. Maybe this is real for the movies and perhaps in real life, but it wasn't compelling enough for me to root for them to be together.
This is a cute movie. A time passer. Definitely a video rental when you want to wear your jammies and eat some Ben and Jerry's not because you're feeling bad, but because you just feel like watching a movie and eating full-fat ice cream.
I've been a Cusak fan forever since, Say Anything, Better Off Dead and The Sure Thing are my favorites. He plays the same characters all the time- that nice guy with some quirks who you can lose your virginity to, talk all night with, pound a beer in a hotel room to CA with, who'd still respect you in the morning. After being on the dating scene, finding someone who cares about you is exactly what this movie tried to tell you. But it'd probably be more fun to go out there and experience this for yourself. Unless, of course, you were on a date watching this movie.
Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2
Saturday, August 06, 2005
The Dukes of Hazzard
I used to love this show when it was on TV. Beau had this soft accent with curly blond hair and Luke was the nice guy. They both wore tight Wranglers and muscled up some fun craziness in a boring, Sourthern town. I hated Johnny Knoxville as Luke. And this movie had zero charm. It missed what the original series had- that fun Sourthern appeal and little bit of mischief.
I suppose when a single story-line show tries to be an hour and 1/2 long movie, it most doubtely would be boring. This movie dragged and was just plain stupid. The only scenes I liked were when the scenes would freeze and the voice would come on and ask a question for emphasis— like in the original series. I thought Jessica Simpson looked good but acted stupid as usual. She's no Catherine Bach. But I thought she was better than the other actors in this movie because she didn't try to be something she wasn't. She was just eye candy in the movie; wish the boys would have been better looking. Their scenes on an Atlanta campus just didn't seem to fit the premise of this movie. It took it out of Hazzard County and into modern times— not at all like the backwards hillbilly type vibe it should be.
The General Lee was the best part of this movie and some of the car stunts were fun. I thought this movie would be a fun ride in general but sorry Charlie, this movie is a total stinker even if you loved the original Dukes of Hazzard.
Worth the money rating: $
I suppose when a single story-line show tries to be an hour and 1/2 long movie, it most doubtely would be boring. This movie dragged and was just plain stupid. The only scenes I liked were when the scenes would freeze and the voice would come on and ask a question for emphasis— like in the original series. I thought Jessica Simpson looked good but acted stupid as usual. She's no Catherine Bach. But I thought she was better than the other actors in this movie because she didn't try to be something she wasn't. She was just eye candy in the movie; wish the boys would have been better looking. Their scenes on an Atlanta campus just didn't seem to fit the premise of this movie. It took it out of Hazzard County and into modern times— not at all like the backwards hillbilly type vibe it should be.
The General Lee was the best part of this movie and some of the car stunts were fun. I thought this movie would be a fun ride in general but sorry Charlie, this movie is a total stinker even if you loved the original Dukes of Hazzard.
Worth the money rating: $
Friday, July 29, 2005
The Island
This movie was a loser. I say that because it seemed like a rip-off of The Matrix— not the action scenes but the people for spare parts idea, like food for the machines in pods etc.
Anyway, Johanson and McGregor are hot actors but not very good actors in this film. McGregor is a clone who starts questioning the artificial world he lives in which he address to the almighty doctor that runs an underground shelter world where McGregor lives. McGregor and Johanson have an attraction to each other and when she learns that she is chosen to go to the Island by the weekly lottery, he stops her from going. He had learned earlier that day that there is no Island. It's an illusion and he fears for Johanson's life, so they leave the underground shelter community chased by a bounty hunter and his associates.
They get out into the real world assisted by a friend with the idea that they should find their real counterparts to tell them that they, as clones, are real people and that surely their extinction should be stopped. The pursuit ends by McGregor going back to the arificial world where her came from. There we find out whether or not the Doctor who created these clones really has a "God complex" and whether or not his money making insurance policies should be elimiated.
Guess who wins. Snore. There were a ton of action scenes and it was sort of entertaining but the bad storyline just made everything mediocre for me. So, if it's 1000 degrees out like it was the day I saw this, it's worth it going to the movies, even if it's a bad movie.
Worth the money rating: $$$
Anyway, Johanson and McGregor are hot actors but not very good actors in this film. McGregor is a clone who starts questioning the artificial world he lives in which he address to the almighty doctor that runs an underground shelter world where McGregor lives. McGregor and Johanson have an attraction to each other and when she learns that she is chosen to go to the Island by the weekly lottery, he stops her from going. He had learned earlier that day that there is no Island. It's an illusion and he fears for Johanson's life, so they leave the underground shelter community chased by a bounty hunter and his associates.
They get out into the real world assisted by a friend with the idea that they should find their real counterparts to tell them that they, as clones, are real people and that surely their extinction should be stopped. The pursuit ends by McGregor going back to the arificial world where her came from. There we find out whether or not the Doctor who created these clones really has a "God complex" and whether or not his money making insurance policies should be elimiated.
Guess who wins. Snore. There were a ton of action scenes and it was sort of entertaining but the bad storyline just made everything mediocre for me. So, if it's 1000 degrees out like it was the day I saw this, it's worth it going to the movies, even if it's a bad movie.
Worth the money rating: $$$
Monday, July 25, 2005
Wedding Crashers
Even if you're not a wedding lover, you'll find this movie fun and sort of unexpected.
I love Owen Wilson and he plays his loveable self in yet another "guy" movie. The charm he brought to Shanghai Noon shines through in his romantic scenes as he fumbles through finding love. Vince Vaugh plays the funny best friend to Wilson and the two crash weddings just to get laid but find that they may be in over their heads.
A high class wedding is the finale to their wedding crashing escapades. Vaugh finds a crazy young woman and Wilson finds a reserved but fun-loving girl. Through the course of spending time with the two women, who belong to the same well-to-do family, they get into one mishap after another. Some of the scenes were really funny and I don't want to ruin them for you, but it was silly and surprising and just the stuff real life is about- when you're a wedding crasher.
It's an entertaining, feel-good movie that you can watch with your buddies and just have a good time.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
I love Owen Wilson and he plays his loveable self in yet another "guy" movie. The charm he brought to Shanghai Noon shines through in his romantic scenes as he fumbles through finding love. Vince Vaugh plays the funny best friend to Wilson and the two crash weddings just to get laid but find that they may be in over their heads.
A high class wedding is the finale to their wedding crashing escapades. Vaugh finds a crazy young woman and Wilson finds a reserved but fun-loving girl. Through the course of spending time with the two women, who belong to the same well-to-do family, they get into one mishap after another. Some of the scenes were really funny and I don't want to ruin them for you, but it was silly and surprising and just the stuff real life is about- when you're a wedding crasher.
It's an entertaining, feel-good movie that you can watch with your buddies and just have a good time.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
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