a SMALL look at the movies

Up In The Air

2010-01-02T09:58:00.002-06:00

Up In The Air (another George Clooney film) is also quite excellent. It is not particularly fast paced or that laugh out loud or that serious. It is just plain old good.

Up In The Air gets two kernels for being a good solid film.

The Blind Side

2010-01-02T09:53:00.002-06:00

The Blind Side is the wonderful true story of how football player Michael Oher got to where he is. Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw do an excellent job playing the parents and Quinton Aaron played the lead very well. The movie is touching and funny and uplifting and I recommend it.

The Blind Side gets three kernels for being a well rounded and excellent film.

Sherlock Holmes

2010-01-02T09:47:00.002-06:00

Sherlock Holmes stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in the latest version of the detective. The film is noticeably directed by Guy Ritchie. I expected it to be pretty wonderful, but was rather disappointed. Some parts of the plot seemed completely unnecessary and Robert Downey Jr. was difficult to understand at times.

Sherlock Holmes gets one kernal for being a bit of a let down.

Avatar

2010-01-02T09:44:00.002-06:00

Avatar is an amazing movie in one regard and a rather average movie in another. In terms of plot there is not much going on with the film. It is not that original or surprising in any way. However, visually the film is second to none. I watched the film in 3D and have not yet seen it in regular viewing, but I think it would still be amazing. It is definitely worth a watch.

Avatar gets two kernels for being visually amazing, but average in plot.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

2009-12-31T09:33:00.004-06:00

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a Roald Dahl story made into an awesome stop animation film. Some of the voices include George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray. I would imagine children may enjoy it, but I found it rather humourous for adults as well.

Fantastic Mr. Fox gets two kernels for being very entertaining.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

2009-12-08T22:01:00.002-06:00

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (abbreviated version) Jacob or Edward? That's the question. For the record. Jacob (for being young) is pretty hot. Edward is creepy looking but right for Bella. That is my opinion. I really don't even think there is any more to say.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon gets (this is really hard and if I did half kernels it would be 1.5, but...) one kernel. It did a pretty good job of depicting the book, but I just don't think it is that good.

Law Abiding Citizen

2009-12-08T21:53:00.002-06:00

Law Abiding Citizen (abbreviated version) is one of the many recent Gerard Butler movies. The man seems to be in everything these days, but I must say that the range of his characters are quite impressive. I mean, can you even believe that the same actor played the Phantom of the Opera, lead guy in 300, dead husband in P.S. I Love You, The Ugly Truth guy, and Law Abiding Citizen? That is RANGE!
The movie is about a man whose family is murdered and after the murders are not sentenced to the satisfaction of the husband he decides to take justice into his own hands. I really enjoyed this movie. It had cool explosions and action and death scenes, but it also brought up some moral and judicial questions that got you thinking.

Law Abiding Citizen gets two kernels - good combination of action and actual plot as well as another great performance by Butler.

The Informant!

2009-12-08T21:46:00.005-06:00

The Informant (abbreviated version) stars Matt Damon and is amazing - in case you were wondering. I will say straight up that I am incredibly bias b/c I love Matt Damon. I thought this movie was so very funny. It is the 'based on a true story' story of the highest ranking whistle blower in US history that worked as an informant (hey, that's the title :P) for the FBI. What makes this movie so great is Damon's character is a little looney and the audience gets to hear his internal dialogue. And believe me, you want to hear his internal dialogue because it is hilarious and completely random. It was a lot like listening to a bunch of Jack Handey moments...there was something about how horrible the texture of an avocado was and who would want that in their mouth?

The Informant! gets three kernels - LOVE IT! And I am biased and lots of people would probably enjoy it but not to the extent that I did.

The Invention of Lying

2009-12-08T21:40:00.002-06:00

The Invention of Lying (abbreviated version) is a Ricky Gervais comedy. The title pretty much sums up the general plot - the thought of telling a lie has never entered into someone's head, until Ricky's character. The thing is, even though these people haven't discovered lying yet, does that mean that they HAVE to say EVERYTHING that they are thinking? I mean you would think that if you didn't lie you would at least just not admit stuff...but, whatever. It was fairly funny seeing what a world without lies would look like. For example, the name on the retirement home read: A Sad Place For Hopeless Old People.

The Invention of Lying gets two kernels for being fairly funny and at times even satirical, but not really that amazing.

Jenniver's Body

2009-12-08T21:27:00.004-06:00

Jennifer's Body (the abbreviated version). Diablo Cody's attempt at a teen horror movie. Amanda Seyfried was awesome as per usual. Megan Fox played the hot girl...big surprise there. Adam Brody was incredible hot and eye liner is clearly his friend. Also, he kind of looked like Brandon Flowers, so that's a plus. Also, VMars fans will enjoy finding a co-star reunion in this movie.

Essentially the movie is about witchcraft gone awry in which Megan Fox's character turns into a male eating machine.

Jennifer's Body gets one kernel - just read a synopsis, you'll get the semi-interesting plot and it won't take as long.

A Perfect Getaway

2009-10-05T17:50:00.003-06:00

A Perfect Getaway is an excellent movie if you are looking for a cheap thrill...or maybe just some beautiful Hawaiian scenery.

The basics of the plot are as follows: Cliff (Steve Zahn) and his new bride Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are on their honeymoon in Hawaii. They have planned to go on a hike to a secluded beach. On the way they meet a couple that they get bad vibes from and there is an awkward moment. They then learn that a couple on their honeymoon as been murdered on one of the nearby islands and it is suspected that a couple committed the crime. On their hike they meet another couple, Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez) who, for various reasons, they also find to be a little suspect. As the tension has seemingly got as bad as possible a police helicopter comes in and arrests the bad vibes couple Cliff and Cydney met on the way. This temporarily relaxes the remaining two couples...that is until the twists and turns really begin.
Plot twist written in white. Hi-light it to see. Through the video camera that Cliff and Cydney have been carrying around, Gina sees that the two are not who they say they are. They were the ones that murdered the honeymoon couple and then took their identities. By this time Cliff has already pulled a gun on Nick, but we have already been told a few times that Nick is REALLY hard to kill. After a bit of a standoff with the four of them the police are called by Cydney who you believe is going to accuse Gina and Nick to be the real killers. At the last minute she admits that Cliff is the one behind everything and it is revealed that he is the guy that Cydney told Gina about in a story where she broke character and actually talked about her life...a guy that is very messed up and dragged Cydney down for a long time. Nick and Gina get their happy ending.
Overall I really enjoyed this movie. It is true that I had fairly low expectations so maybe they were pretty easy to blow away, but the movie did it. I thought it had enough suspense/action moments and not all of the twists and turns were that obvious to me. There was also a nice about of comedy.
A Perfect Getaway gets two kernels - cheap thrill with some comedy that exceeded expectations.

My Sister's Keeper

2009-10-05T17:41:00.002-06:00

My Sister's Keeper, the cry your eyes out movie based on the book of the same name.

I have not read the book so I can not compare the two (though I have read up on some of the differences). I can say that the movie is pretty good. I went to it with some friends, kleenex in pocket, and we prepared to cry over the sad cancer story.

While nothing was particularly surprising in the movie (except maybe that I didn't cry as much as others or as much as I thought I would) it was enjoyable to watch. Enjoyable in the sense that it was incredibly sad and well acted. Cameron Diaz played the mom who just couldn't accept her daughter's fate. Sofia Vassilieva, who played the dying daughter Kate, was also really good in her role. Of course Abigail Breslin was excellent as ever.

My Sister's Keeper gets two stars - a family tragedy that is enjoyable to watch but not overly original.

Inglourious Basterds

2009-09-16T21:06:00.003-06:00

Inglourious Basterds takes place a long time ago...in nazi-occupied France. It is Tarantino's latest work and it is awesomeness in a movie. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Tarantino, in case you were wondering, for the simple reason that I have not really seen any of his movies (I know, I suck, I should fix it, whatever). I have seen Inglourious Basterds though (twice even) and me likey.

I don't really want to get into the plot too much because I don't want to ruin it and it might get complex and confusing. Basically there are two plots that eventually come together. In one, Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) leads a group of Jewish-American soldiers who are in the nazi killing business. In the other, a Jewish survivor, Shosanna (Melanie Laurent) plots some revenge.

All of the acting is excellent. Laurent does a great job at being sympathetic. Christoph Waltz, as Col. Hans Landa, is wonderfully evil and crazy. And Pitt makes an excellent crazy accent guy. His accent was so wonderful and it pretty much caught me off guard every time he spoke.

There were some typical Tarantino death scenes...or what I have been told are typical Taratino death scenes, but I didn't find it overly violent. I thought it had a great balance between sad, funny, and violence.

Inglourious Basterds gets three kernels - simply wonderful.

Julia & Julia

2009-09-15T20:45:00.002-06:00

Julie & Julia is a really entertaining movie...or should I say movies? Amy Adams plays Julie Powell. A woman in a job that gets her down living in an apartment that gets her down. The only thing she finds enjoyable is cooking. Meryl Streep plays Julia Child. A woman who finds herself in France (b/c of her husband's job) with nothing to keep her busy except for food. Julie decides to cook her way through Julia Child's cook book to get her through a year of her life. Julia decides to take cooking classes and finds her true passion.

The movie follows the story of the two women. Julie, over her year of cooking and blogging and finally living her life. Julia, over many years of cooking and try to write her cookbook that would eventually inspire so many.

Both Adams and Streep to a great job at endearing themselves to the audience. Stanley Tucci also did an excellent job at playing Paul Child.

Julie & Julia gets three kernels - entertaining on many levels.

District 9

2009-09-06T22:58:00.003-06:00

District 9 - I only barely knew what this movie was about before I went to it. I learned that it was about aliens who came to earth and were living in kind of an alien ghetto. That is all I knew. The concept is kind of neat. A ship full of aliens ended up over Johannesburg twenty years earlier (than the movie). A company, I guess you would call it, took control and created a neighbourhood for the aliens. It turned into kind of a slum city with a weird sort of hierarchy and black-market (for things like cat food...a delicacy, don't you know). When the movie picks up, the aliens need to be moved to a different area...a more spacious kind of city, which in reality is a concentration camp.

Wikus, pretty much the main character along with one of the aliens, is in charge of the relocation. The rest of the plot I will put under white...hilite to read. Wikus accidentally infects himself with a black substance that is essentially turning him into one of the aliens. The substance was supposed to be used as fuel to get the ship going so they could return to home. The company kidnapped Wikus to perform experiments on him and after escaping he teams up with the alien. They form a friendship out of necessity and that's about all I'll say.

Now to the reaction/thoughts part of the movie. I found that besides the beginning, the pace of the movie did not vary at all. As a result, it kind of felt 5 hours long! Not so fun. It was pretty much just gore and death and shooting and vapourizing. There were a lot of disgusting moments in this movie.

District 9 gets one kernel - could have been a really cool movie if the story had had more depth, but it was just not enjoyable to watch at all.

Land of the Lost

2009-08-16T10:13:00.002-06:00

[I have put off posting on the last three movies I've seen. As a result they will probably be shorter and less detailed because I can't find my notes.]

Land of the Lost is a movie that I have pretty much nothing to say about. You should know that I am not a huge Will Ferrell fan. I do like a lot of his movies, but I do not like everything he does. This movie falls into the not like side of his work. It is mildly entertaining, but I do not feel that I had a lot of enjoyment from it.

Essentially, Dr. Rick Marshall believes that travel through space and time is the key to science. He has found a way to go through a space-time vortex and as a result finds himself in a world of very freaky things (along with this two co-stars). Hilarity is supposed to ensue, instead the occasional chuckle ensues.

Land of the Lost gets one kernel - I am glad I only paid $2 to see this movie though Will Ferrell fans may like it a whole lot more.

Public Enemies

2009-08-16T09:54:00.002-06:00

Public Enemies is based on the true story of John Dillinger (and other public enemies) and the efforts to bring them to justice, led by Melvin Purvis. Some time has passed since I've seen this movie, and while I still feel like it was pretty good, I also think that there were some flaws. It seems to me that there were just too many characters. Some of them you got to know briefly and others were around for quite a while, but it was difficult to remember their name because so many were flying around in the story.

Johnny Depp did do a good job portraying Dillinger. Marion Cotillard, in her role as Billie Frechette, was also very good. Christian Bale was perhaps a little forgettable as Melvin Purvis. I think a number of people could have done the role just as well or better. I wish the plot had allowed for more depth into the character of Purvis, as he is so important but we really know nothing about him.

Public Enemies gets two kernels - pretty good movie with good acting, but something keeping it from being great.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

2009-08-16T09:22:00.002-06:00

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is actually pretty good. I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this movie, but it was fairly entertaining. Matthew McConaughey, who plays Connor Mead, is obviously good at playing the jerk that sleeps with as many women as possible but is actually a nice guy deep down. We've seen him do it a dozen times before. The main love interest, Jenny Perotti, is played by Jennifer Garner. Like several of her other roles, Jennifer plays a strong independant woman who is quite admirable.

The plot to this movie is essentially this; Connor Mead is a womanizer. He goes home for his brother's wedding and finds the ghost of his uncle, played by Michael Douglas, who taught him to be a womanizer. Uncle Wayne is there to warn Connor that he should change his ways cause if he doesn't he will end up miserable and alone. In order to convince Connor, three ghosts show up. The best ghost was probably the one from the past. She was a complete eighties teenager and funny. I was surprised to find out she was played by Emma Stone (who was Jules in Superbad). I won't bother telling you the end of the plot...I am sure you can pretty much guess what happens.

The hightlight of this movie was definitely Lacey Chabert, who played Sandra the bride. She pretty much played the funniest bridezilla ever. She would completely freak out, like lose her mind kind of freak out, and then calm down to a level of calm that isn't really normal. It amused me greatly. Lacey Chabert usually amuses me greatly though (Mean Girls, anyone?).

The only other I wish to mention is how even though I completely failed and figuring out who the bridesmaids were, I feel the need to share the knowledge I googled. One bridesmaid is from Grey's Anatomy (the episode with the two Amish girls in which Silver from 90210 plays the one with cancer and this girl plays the one without). The other bridesmaid is Amanda Walsh, you know, the MUCH MUSIC VJ (I believe the youngest they've ever had). I remember thinking how adorable she was. Anyway, that is all. Though there is one other bridesmaid I remember nothing about her.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past gets two kernels - worth the price of a second run movie as it is entertaining, but oh so very predictable.

earth

2009-06-22T19:24:00.002-06:00

earth is amazing. Let me just start by saying that. So much cute and breathtaking beauty. Now a tiny step back.

earth is a British-American-German documentary kind of film. It was apparently made in 2007, but not released until this year in North America. The film follows, through the course of the year, three families: polar bear, elephant, and humpback whale. Of course there are many other animals in the film as well.

As there is no real plot to speak of I don't have too much to say about the specifics of the film. It is so incredibly visual. I will say that if you are worried that James Earl Jones is going to be telling you that global warming is evil and we are all killing the planet for the entire film, stop worrying. I think global warming, or climate change, was only specifically mentioned three or four times.

One of the things I kept thinking during, and especially after, was how amazing it would have been to film all of the amazing animals. It seem as though they played a very observatory role and did their best to not interfere with any of the animal life. It clearly took a lot of time and money to put the film together, but I think it was well worth it. I very much recommend this film as it is gorgeous to watch, gives you some interesting facts (like, the boreal forest contains 1/3 of the world's trees [I think I remembered that right]), and is only 90 minutes if you have a short attention span.

earth gets three kernels - wide audience appeal and overwhelmingly beautiful.

UP

2009-06-20T11:33:00.002-06:00

UP (seen in 3D). The short before the movie Partly Cloudy was really good. I've never seen a short in the theatre before. This was also my first 3D movie experience.

The story is about an elderly man, Carl, who shared a dream, with his now deceased wife, to fly their house to a far away land that an explorer (Charles Muntz) claimed to have been to when they were children. Carl finally decides to go for it and begins to fly his house. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, a boy named Russell comes on the journey with him.

The two actually reach their destination and come across some unusual things. The first being this strange large bird (the reason Muntz returned so he could bring it back and prove himself to be not crazy) that Russell names Frank. The second are dogs that can speak thanks to a collar they wear (one that Muntz invented). One of these dogs, Dug, helps Carl and Russell. As for plot I will leave it at that, cause I am not sure I can explain it any better.

I will say that the dogs were awesome. Very much how I imagine dogs to be thinking and to hear it verbalized is great. Carl and Russell's friendship is also great to watch.

I felt like they could have maybe done more with the 3D, but I guess it is good they weren't relying on it to hold your interest.

UP gets three kernels - really good story; funny and heartfelt.

I Love You, Man

2009-06-20T11:16:00.003-06:00

So I fail at posting lately and what seems like a really long time ago I saw two movies which I will now post. They will be brief and without much detail. Sorry.

I Love You, Man is about Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) and his quest for a best man-friend. Peter has always been friends with the ladies, but not really any guys. When he gets engaged, Peter realizes that he has no one to be his best man. His search ends when he finds Sydney Fife (Jason Segel). Sydney is the kind of guy that wears UGGs with shorts and a wife-beater to walk his dog on the beach where he refuses to pick up the dog's poop. He is very unlike Peter in most ways, except for their shared passion for the band RUSH. That's right, there is a ton of Rush in this movie. Their friendship has its ups and downs, but ultimately they work things out.

I must say that I really enjoy Paul Rudd. Especially when he is awkward in a very endearing sort of way (like Mike on Friends). At one point he gets up the courage to call Sydney to set up a man date and the message he leaves is so wonderful. It is how I feel everytime I try to leave a phone message for someone.
I also really enjoyed the brother (Andy Samberg). The married couple that faught all the time (the husband, I just realized, is Pete from Friends...huh) and the slightly crazy single friend (who totally could have been played by Kristin Wigg) were also enjoyable.
There were parts which were more awkwardly inappropriate rather than funny, for me anyway, but overall it was pretty good.

I Love You, Man gets two kernels - pretty funny, but not the best thing since sliced bread.

Star Trek

2009-05-31T11:28:00.002-06:00

I don't really know where to begin with Star Trek. In the interest of full disclosure I will tell you that I am familiar with the original series, but have not seen any episodes in a really long time and I don't rememeber many of the details. I will also tell you that I loved this movie. If you are not familiar with Kirk and the gang and still want to see the movie I wouldn't worry about thinking you will be a step behind. Because the story takes place at the beginning you don't need any prior knowledge. That being said, if you have prior knowledge you will be able to pick up on some of the smaller details.

I will avoid giving away plot (mostly cause I saw it a week ago and don't want to screw up any of the details) and stick to observations. While I don't remember all of the original characters very well, I was able to pick up on some of the mannerisms that the new actors included in their characters. Chris Pine plays an excellent Kirk (and has such pretty eyes). He is a lady's man that is not quite as corny, but still includes the crossed leg pose in the captain's chair. Zachary Quinto also does an Spock. Besides managing the balance between logic and emotion well, he also worked in the Spock raised eyebrow. Chekov was so amazingly adorable. I loved his accent and am pretty sure he was not that awesome in the tv show. I also enjoy Leonard Nimoy very very much and am glad he was in the movie. Oh, also Eric Bana plays a Romulan and while he seemed kind of familiar I had no idea it was him until after the movie. Cameron from House and Winona Ryder also briefly appear.

I would definitely recommend this movie to people because it has great action, but also quite a bit of comic relief worked in. A really good mix of styles. Also, if you do care about Star Trek characters it is really cool to see how they all came together.

Star Trek gets 3 kernels - good action, good comedy, and Chekov's wonderful accent.

Taken

2009-05-31T10:11:00.002-06:00

I don't have a heck of a lot to say about Taken. Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is a former CIA kind of guy who has retired so that he can spend more time with his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). At first you kind of get the impression that she is roughly 7 to 9 years old. Then he gets to her birthday party and you see that she is turning 17. However, when they bring out a horse for her and she jumps up and down, runs over to it, and jumps on she totally looks like a 7 year old and continues to act like one throughout. She runs everywhere with arms and legs flailing. It really makes me wonder.

And now back to the actual plot. Kim really wants to go to France with her friend and eventually her dad agrees even though he is worried about her. She goes and while on the phone with her father she sees her friend get TAKEN (hey, there's the title) and then she gets taken as well. Bryan immediately goes all CIA on the kidnappers. He finds out that the people who took her are going to sell her into the sex trade and he has 72 hours before it is a hopeless search.

Neeson kicks some ass and is involved in a few car chases that seem to be missing something (not sure if it was the editing or music or what, but they were kind of boring). Eventually he finds his daughter and all is well. Aww, how nice.

Taken gets one kernel - Liam Neeson is alright in the movie, but you might as well wait until you happen to see it on tv.

Angels & Demons

2009-05-24T10:11:00.002-06:00

If you know the book Angels & Demons, or are familiar with either form of The Da Vinci Code, then you know this is a complicated plot. Instead of giving you much of the actual plot I will stick to observations. I don't want to ruin anything, and I am too lazy to go into the detail that would be required to fully explain the end of the movie.
Your short plot synopsis: Vatican in trouble. Robert Langdon smart. Robert Langdon help Vatican.

In regards to the movie v. the book:

As I am pretty sure you are aware, Angels & Demons comes first in the book form, but the movie made it a sequel to The Da Vinci Code. This has very little impact on the movie except for the fact that the Vatican already has more of an opinion of Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks).

The movie also leaves out or changes a few of the characters. In the book the director of CERN (yes it is a real thing) plays a pretty vital role and I was looking forward to seeing him on screen. However, in the movie the director is mentioned once and his plot responsibilities are put on another character. Besides the time aspect the movie also may have cut the role of CERN out of the plot substantially because they had been less than thrilled with some of the things said in the book and were perhaps insistent that the same misinformation was not included in the movie. The movie also kind of rushes through the first part of the plot, which I get cause of time restraints, but I was looking forward to seeing it play out how I had it in my mind while reading.

The other change that I can think of that was rather noticeable to me was how they changed the relationship of the scientists. In the movie Vittoria (Ayelet Zurer) and her research partner were just partners. In the book they are father and daughter. This is a small change, but it adds so much more to her character. Not only is she helping Langdon cause she doesn't want the antimatter to annihilate, but she is also seeking revenge on her father's killer.

In regards to just the movie:

If I try to ignore the fact that there is a book that was changed to fit the criteria of a movie then I have few complaints. Tom Hanks didn't have the groos hair like in the last movie...he was however wearing a speedo for abou 30 seconds. Ayelet played a really good Vittoria. The best performance of the movie would have to go to Ewan McGregor for his role as Comerlengo McKenna. He had a few speaches and he delivered them well...very captivating. I also enjoyed seeing the papal conclave at work (though you do get more details in the book).

The only other thing I want to mention about this movie is the ambigram. Ambigrams are awesome. Essentially they are a word that is written in a way that you can flip it and still read the same word (or sometimes a different one). There are many different kinds and properties of an ambigram. The 'villain' in this movie is a group called the illuminati (which appears as an ambigram). They use a few others in the movie as well. I find them fanscinating and suggest you pick up the book and flip through it until you find them (or read the whole thing if you really want to). Also of note, the title Angels & Demons was designed as an ambigram for the first edition of the book.

Angels & Demons gets 3 kernels - intersting plot, good action, and ambigrams are cool.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

2009-05-23T16:18:00.003-06:00

First I would like to say that I am a fan of the theory of these origin movies. The character's futures have mostly run out of interesting, but there are lots of good stories from the past that will be entertaining.
I guess this whole entry is kind of a spoiler if you don't want to know the history of Wolverine...and if you are already familiar with him you probably don't care at all. If you don't want to know then just stop reading now.

We meet Logan (Hugh Jackman) as a young boy who is ill and he quickly finds out that he has a half brother, Victor (Liev Schreiber), and that they are both mutants. They grow up together and fight in many wars and eventually become part of this elite mutant fighting team led by Stryker. Logan decides that he's had enough with all the killing and leaves to live his life in Canada (where he came from, btw).

After some other mutant related stuff as well as some fighting and some death, Wolverine tries to seek revenge on Victor (there I left some details out). This is where Stryker convinces Wolverine to get injected with the metal. Logan then learns that Stryker is trying to make a super mutant of sorts by taking powers from mutants. Logan gets involved in fighting this super guy. At the end Stryker shoot Wolverine in the head, while this will not kill him it will make him lose his memory. TA DA. WE NOW KNOW WHY WOLVERINE DOESN'T KNOW WHO HE IS!!!

Highlight of the movie: Ryan Reynolds as Wade. He was hot and funny.
Lowlight of the movie: WillIAm has some weak acting skills. It looked like he was reading and was really stiff when in the background.

I also really enjoyed meeting Cyclops and Xavier. I did not enjoy the rat that spent about a minute on Schreiber's arm. Overall there was good action and some cool mutants. It was probably a better movie than the last two X-Men.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine gets three kernels - it answered questions, was well acted for the most part, and was just plain entertaining.

17 Again

2009-05-03T15:28:00.003-06:00

17 Again, also known as 17 For The Second Time (but that just doesn't have the same ring to it), is Zac Efron's latest movie and Matthew Perry's latest attempt at not being forgotten about. Seeing as Perry is only in the movie for about 10 minutes it would be a stretch to call it a Matthew Perry movie. It is also the movie in which Leslie Mann pretty much steals the show.

Basically, when Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry and Zac Efron) was about to play a really important 'the scouts are watching you' high school basketball game he got some shocking news from his girlfriend Scarlett. Jump many years into the future and we find Mike (Perry) married Scarlett (Mann) and they have two kids. Oh yeah, Mike hates his life. He meets a strange old man that doesn't seem to exist in the real world and then he falls into a crazy spinning water hole thing.

Next thing we know, Mike (Efron) is 17 again (Hey! That is the title of the movie.) A rather amusing fight occurs between Mike and his friend Ted...Ted, who owns an insane amount of movie memorabilia (mostly Star Wars and Lord of the Rings). The two come to the conclusion that the old man was his spirit guide and the only way Efron can go back to being Perry is to set things right...which he later decides will be accomplished by helping his children Alex and Maggie.

Mike makes friends with his son by helping him with his basketball game, helping him get on the team, and helping him have courage to talk to the girl that he likes (head cheerleader). Winning his daughter's friendship is a little more difficult, but essentially he tries to get her to realize that her boyfriend is an ass.

In the process of becoming friends with his children, Mike also builds a new relationship with Scarlett. A very awkward and yet hilarious relationship. Some of the best moments in the movie are definitely between Efron and Mann.

Before I get to spoiling the ending, the humourous B plot in the movie is the relationship between Mike's friend Ned and the principal from the school (Jan from The Office). Ned tries many tactics to win her affection (mostly by buying stuff) but she is having none of it. He finally convinces her to go out to supper with him and he is trying to be all fancy and impressive but he is just a huge dork so it is not working. Ned tries to explain that he is just a dork and makes a reference to LOTR. Jan corrects his reference and the cheesing 'falling for each other' music begins. They start speaking Elvish to each other (which the moving mistakenly calls Elfish) and you know they are meant to be. They are pretty great together in their scenes.

On to the end of the movie...which is rather predictable yet still enjoyable.

Mike is due in divorce court, but he has not changed back yet so young Mike and Ned show up to read a letter. By this time Scarlett is already thinking that Efron is somehow Perry. As he reads the letter, Scarlett is clearly touched by it and asks for a delay in the proceedings. She looks at the piece of paper the letter was on and it is just a note she had written...this is confusing to her.

At the basketball game, Mike gets a chance to relive the game he walked out on so many years ago. Just as the game starts, Scarlett realizes that Efron is most definitely her husband and runs out. Efron follows her and turns back into Perry. They kiss and all is well. We then see that Mike is the new coach of the basketball team and that Ned and the principal are still together...and wearing elf ears in bed. Lovely.

Funniest nerd joke of the movie:
Principal: You can plunder my dungeon any day.
Ned: I'll bring the long bow.

17 Again is a pretty wonderful movie. It has a lot of laughs in it a well as some depth when it came to the story. I really enjoyed Zac Efron (and in case you are wondering I am not a High School Musical fan). The only thing that really made me wonder about this movie was, will Michelle Trachtenberg ever age? I mean Buffy had to be about 10 years ago and she looks exactly the same. Also, when they showed the actors' pictures from their youth hers looked like a current shot. What up with her?

17 Again gets three kernels - it will make you laugh for many reasons and the actors are all quite enjoyable. While the story has been done to a certain extent (13 Going On 20) it still seems like a pretty original plot.

One Week

2009-04-19T10:31:00.002-06:00

One Week is about Ben's (Jashua Jackson) final effort to find the meaning of life. Ben is a teacher who is diagnosed with cancer and told that with radical treatment he still does not have a very good chance at survival. On his way home from the doctor he sees a motorcycle for sale and buys it. Ben has decided that before he has to face his cancer, before he has to become a patient, he will try living his life and perhaps realizing a dream of becoming an author.

Ben takes off from Toronto, heading West, an a typical road trip movie ensues. As an audience we also get to enjoy the Canadian scenery (that made me really want to travel more in the country myself) as well as the cool and sometimes just plain odd roadside attractions (Camel, Paperclip, Banff, Hell's Gate, Nickel, Giant Hockey Stick, and the Stanley Cup). Ben also meets some people along the way that help him discover something about himself or his situation. One of them played by none other than Gord Downie! Ben also runs into two Newfies (perhaps the movie's way of working in the East Coast that Ben ignores on his trip) who are biking across Canada to win a case of beer (each) and are looking for a Canadian Tire. A truly priceless moment.

Eventually, Ben finishes his trip from Toronto to Tofino and must return home to face his current situation.
SPOILER: The movie is narrated and at the end we learn that the narrator is readin Ben Tyler's book One Week. He realized his dream of becoming an author before he died.

One Week gets two kernels - it is a nice movie to watch and take in the scenery, but it is ultimately a little forgetable and some people may find the lack of action a tad boring.

Friday the 13th

2009-04-19T10:14:00.002-06:00

It appears that I did not take any notes on Friday the 13th, but I really don't think it was necessary. To help explain the quality of the movie you should know that it came out in theatres on Friday, February 13th. I watched it at the second run movie theatre (Rainbow) on Friday, March 13th. Not promising.

I have very little to say about this movie. Basically there were a lot of boobs and some comic relief. Oh, and a lot of death. It was ultra-predictable (the brother and sister always survive in horror movies!) and the moments that I am guessing were intended to be scary came off laughable.

At one point earlier in the movie we see a guy operating a wood chipper...which clearly meant that someone was going to die via wood chipper later on. The best thing I can say about this movie is that they did not disappoint me in this.

I am about to spoil the end...but is it really a spoiler when everyone sees it coming? The most frustrating part of the movie is when the brother and sister finally escape Jason by jamming him in the wood chipper they then decide to unjam him and throw him in the lake. Brilliant move guys, brilliant move.

If you've actually read this blog before you may have noticed that I did not link any of the actor's names to their imdb pages. I'd like to think of this as me doing them a favour so as to not further connect their names with this movie.

Friday the 13th gets one kernel - I only paid $4 and it was mildly entertaining as a sort of slasher/comedy.

Twilight

2009-04-19T09:47:00.003-06:00

I know it has been a REALLY long time since I've posted. I apologize. I haven't really gone to that many (only 3), but still...

First up is the movie Twilight, based on the book of the same name written by Stephenie Meyer. Luckily I took notes about this movie or I would remember almost nothing. Basically the movie isn't that good (if you look at it as solely a movie with no book attachment) and I am glad I read the book first, because the movie does not leave you with the impression that the book is that great. When looking at the movie as an adaptation of the novel I would say that it did a good job of getting the story across without cutting out important information or making seemingly random changes (looking at you Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1&2).

I thought the acting was pretty stilted and some of the speeches were almost painful to watch (particularly the one at the end in the hospital room). I also thought the running scenes were rather poor. Edward (Robert Pattinson), Carlisle, Jacob's Dad, and Chief Swan were all not as I had imagined. I know Edward is this gorgeous guy, but I thought he would be gorgeous in a less obvious way (if that makes any sense at all). Carlisle kind of gave me the creeps and yet he is supposed to be this really friendly genuine guy that everyone loves. Jacob's Dad I had pictured much older...I kind of remembered him more as a grandpa for some reason. I also thought Chief Swan would be older and maybe a little tubby and a little more lost without his daughter. All that being said, I thought that Bella (Kristen Stewart) was really good. Though fairly minor characters, Jessica and Eric were perfect!

Before I give my kernel rating I must admit that I am a fan of Buffy the Vampire slayer and at times I found it hard to grasp this new definition and the new rules of vampires. I got over the whole glittering in the sun thing...it is a fairly creative reason that vamps aren't out in sunshine, but there were a few inconsistencies that I felt brought the whole thing down a little.

Oh, looking at my notes there were a few other things I wanted to mention...in quick points!
- The baseball game was cool to see because it is an interesting concept that, for me, was hard to visualize from just reading.
- The movie had some good music moments; opening song Full Moon and Collective Soul's Tremble for My Beloved.
- The moment where Edward read mind's in the restaurant was truly great.
- I can't believe they felt the need to recreate the cover of the book in the movie (hands holding apple). I just about died of a corn overload.
- I haven't read past the first book, but Jacob is totally a werewolf, right?

Twilight gets two kernels - it stays pretty true to the book, even if it does so in a very stilted poorly acted (or possibly directed) movie. Also, I know some major Twilight fans (of the books) that really like the movie so I might get in trouble if I just give it the one kernel.

Upcoming Movies

2009-03-08T16:02:00.002-06:00

The Arrested Development movie has been rumoured for quite some time, however, I have recently heard that the cast is on board and progress is being made. I suggest you get excited, but don't hold your breathe...you might just blue yourself.

Scream 4 is in the works! I am kind of a fan of the Scream movies cause while they are cheesy, they are totally self aware of their cheesiness. The movie will bring back the ghost faced killer after a ten year absence from the screen.

On April 24th the Soloist is set to come out. I am excited about this because it means I won't have to see the trailer every time I go to a movie. I've seen that thing about 15 times...not even exaggerating.

April 22 marks the opening of Earth (a documentary about EARTH!). It looks like it will be a spectacular and beautiful nature movie.

As you may have noticed I haven't gone to a movie in quite awhile. Partly because I've been busy and partly because I kind of overdosed on movies in Jan./Feb. I am sure I will get to one within the week though.

Post-Oscar Talk

2009-02-23T19:33:00.002-06:00

I enjoyed the Oscars. Hugh Jackman was a pretty good host, but kind of absent. I did really like his musical tribute to the nominated films. It was stellar. It was also strange that one presenter, or set of presenters, announced like three awards. My enjoyment also had something to do with my correct predictions of 13 awards.

I correctly predicted:
Supporting Actor, Heath Ledger
Leading Actress, Kate Winslet
Animated Feature, WALL-E
Art Direction, Benjamin Button
Cinematography, Benjamin Button
Costume Design, The Duchess
Directing, Danny Boyle (SM)
Film Editing, SM
Makeup, Benjamin Button
Original Score, SM
Visual Effects, Benjamin Button
Screenplay, Adapted, SM
Screenplay, Original, Milk

I wasn't overly surprised about any outcome. I was a little disappointed in the sound categories of all things...I really thought that WALL-E was the obvious choice.

Did anything shock you?

81st Academy Awards

2009-02-22T23:43:00.002-06:00

Starting with some red carpet, here are the awards:

Kate Winslet is beautiful and should win. That is all.

Taraji P. Henson quite possibly had the best performance in Benjamin Button. Unfortunately she will not win.

Mickey Rourke is talking about his dog dying and how he had a tux made and he has it with him. It is so incredibly sad.

They are talking with Meryl Streep now. I used to hate her and then I saw Doubt. I like her now.

Hugh Jackman is welcoming us. I am afraid he is going to cheese it up. He says that this is his first year hosting...I am not sure if he will get a second. He has created his own opening number to pay tribute to the movies. Anne Hathaway helps him out with Frost/Nixon. The Reader consists of a large group dance...he didn't have time to actually watch the movie. So apparently Hugh Jackman can be funny.

I think something went horribly wrong with the curtain opening before the supporting actress montage. What is Whoopi wearing? And what is Tilda wearing?
Actress, Supporting - Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

Steve Martin and Tina Fey. They rock.
Screenplay, Original - Dustin Lance Black (Milk)

Screenplay, Adapted - Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire)

Jack Black and Jennifer Aniston are introducing the 2008 movie yearbook, starting with animation. Jack Black made everyone feel awkward when he made a Dreamworks/Pixar joke.
Animated Feature - WALL-E (Andrew Stanton)

Short Film, Animated - La Maison en Petits Cubes (Kunio Kato)

Sarah Jessica Parker and Daniel Craig announce (these two are getting a lot of screen time doing three awards)
Art Direction - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo)

Costume Design - The Duchess (Michael O'Connor)

Makeup - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Greg Cannom)

Robert Pattinson and Amanda Seyfried introduce the romance movies of the year.

Ben Stiller (as Joaquin Phoenix) and Natalie Portman come out to announce
Cinematography - Slumdog Millionaire (Anthony Dod Mantle)

Jessica Biel looks really weird. I think her dress has a growth on it. She wasn't really there for anything interesting.

Judd Apatow does a short for the comedies of 2008.

Short Film, Live Action - Spielzeugland (Toyland) (Jochen Alexander Freydank)

Hugh Jackman is talking about how musicals are back...he is going to sing now. Beyonce is now joining him. They are singing GREASE!!! and many other musical numbers from Oscar movies. Zack Efron and Vanessa Hudgens and Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper also join them. It was alright, but lasted too long.

Now (just like the women) five previous supporting actor guys come out to announce that Heath Ledger has won. Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken, Kevin Kline, Cuba Gooding Jr., and an old guy who's name I missed.
Actor, Supporting - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
His father, mother, and sister accept his award and give a really nice speech.

Bill Maher comes out after the montage of Documentaries.
Documentary Feature - Man on Wire (James Marsh and Simon Chinn)

Documentary Short - Smile Pinki (Megan Mylan)

And now for the 2008 Action movies.

Will Smith, who apparently loves action movies, will now tell us who won
Visual Effects - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, and Craig Barron)

Sound Editing - The Dark Knight (Richard King)

Sound Mixing - Slumdog Millionaire (Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, and Resul Pookutty)

Film Editing - Slumdog Millionaire (Chris Dickens)

Eddie Murphy is presenting Jerry Lewis with the humanitarian award.

Now they are playing the original scores and Zack Efron and Alicia Keys tell us that
Original Score - Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman)

Original Song - Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman and Gulzar)

Liam Neeson and Freida Pinto announce
Foreign Language Film - Departures (Japan)

Queen Latifah introduces the in memoriam...oh, and she sings. Her dress is not flattering. This is horrible because they keep puling back so you can't read the names at all. They are not doing these people justice.

Reese Witherspoon is pretty and announcing
Directing - Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Sophia Loren, Shirley MacLaine, Halle Barry, Nicole Kidman, and Marion Cotillard announce
Actress, Leading - Kate Winslet (The Reader) I am very happy for her.

Robert De Niro, Ben Kingsley, Anthony Hopkins, Adrien Brody, and Michael Douglas announce
Actor, Leading - Sean Penn (Milk) Penn's speech was really good!

Steven Spielberg announces
Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire (Christian Colson)

[sorry if anything was incoherent...I did not edit]

81st Academy Award Predictions

2009-02-22T14:55:00.002-06:00

Actor, Leading
Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler"

Actor, Supporting
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"

Actress, Leading
Kate Winslet in "The Reader"

Actress, Supporting
Amy Adams in "Doubt"

Animated Feature
"WALL-E"

Art Direction
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Cinematography
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Costume Design
"The Duchess"

Directing
Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire"

Documentary Feature
"Trouble the Water"

Documentary Short
"The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306"

Film Editing
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Foreign Language Film
"Waltz with Bashir" (Israel)

Makeup
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Original Score
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Original Song
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E"

Best Picture
"Milk"

Short Film, Animated
"Presto"

Short Film, Live Action
"Auf der Strecke (On The Line)"

Sound Editing
"WALL-E"

Sound Mixing
"WALL-E"

Visual Effects
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Screenplay, Adapted
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Screenplay, Original
"Milk"

Do you agree? Disagree? Who do you pick?

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-22T13:55:00.003-06:00

The movie Slumdog Millionaire contains a lot of contradiction (even the title itself). The story centres around a young man, Jamal (Dev Patel), who is an uneducated boy from the slums of Mumbai and yet he knows all the answers on a trivia show. He also has no interest in money and yet he is on a show that's purpose is to make the contestant rich.

The movie begins with Jamal getting questioned, and by questioned I mean tortured, because he is suspected of cheating his way through the show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Once the torture stops Jamal tells his life story which explains how he knew the answer to each question. Through his stories we are introduced to his brother Salim (Mudhur Mittal) and his love Latika (Frieda Pinto). We also see the incredibly hard life that Jamal has led. Once the police officer is convinced that Jamal has not cheated he is let go so that he may return to the show to answer the final question. Through his story we find out that the reason Jamal is on the show is so that he may find Latika.

Jamal is faced with a question that is also from his past, but he does not know it. When he and his brother were younger they called themselves the Musketeers. They were Athos and Porthos. When Latika came into their lives Jamal said that she could be the third, but they did not know the third Musketeer's name. Jamal's final question: In the Alexandre Dumas novel The Three Musketeers there is Athos and Porthos, what is the name of the third Musketeer?
(a) Aramis (b) Cardinal de Richelieu (c) d'Artagnan (d) Planchet. Jamal still did not know the third Musketeer's name so he had to use his last lifeline. [I got the answer right, did you?]

*Spoiler*

Jamal phones his brother (the only number he has), but Salim had given his phone to Latika. She answers and Jamal has already won since he has finally found her. Neither of them know the answer and so he takes a guess, (a) Aramis. He wins the money and they are able to run away together.

I loved the way that this film is designed in that we discover how Jamal's life experience has given him the answers to questions on the show. I did find that the scenes where he was actually in the studio were a little odd in that they stuck out stylistically from the rest of the movie.

Slumdog Millionaire gets two kernels - a great story concept, but there was something that held it back from being an amazing movie.

Push

2009-02-22T13:21:00.003-06:00

Push is kind of a hard movie to describe. I could either tell you every detail and you may get it without seeing the movie or I could tell you almost nothing. I am going to go with the almost nothing because the Oscars start soon and I still have to write about Slumdog Millionaire.

Essentially, there are certain people in the world who have extra abilities. The three main abilities featured in the movie are: pushers (people who have mind control and can make you believe anything), movers (people with telekinesis), and watchers (people with precognitive abilities, they can read people's intentions). There is a group called Division that are experimenting on these people to try and enhance their powers.

The story revolves around Nick (Joel Gretsch), a mover, who is approached by Cassie (Dakota Fanning), a watcher, for help to find a case. Carver (Djimon Hounsou), a pusher, from Division is also watching Nick to find the case. Kira (Camilla Belle), a pusher, has been injected by Division to maker her powers stronger and she is the only one to have survived. She ran away and now Division is looking for her. At the end everything is straightened out, except for the fact that there is a whole lot of excessive plot and complications. It is quite packed with action and has a kind of cool concept. That is about it though.

Djimon should stick with being the moral centre of movies rather than the bad guy...he is much better at being the good guy.
It was nice to see Dakota Fanning all grown up.

Push gets one kernel - cool concept, but not delivered well. Worth a watch when it is on tv.

The Reader

2009-02-21T22:12:00.002-06:00

*SPOILERS* will be written in white

The plot of The Reader is essentially this: In 1958, a young man named Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes)falls in love with an older woman, Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), and the two proceed to have a several month long affair. The two create a pattern of reading, bathing, and sex. This continues until Hanna unexpectedly leaves.

While we see this part of the story, we are also seeing a more present day Michael. He is clearly detached from those around him and has been permanently impacted by his relationship with Hanna.

The next time that we jump to is 1966. Michael is now a law student and in one of his classes they are covering a war crimes trial. This particular trial is for a group of female guards who, while on a death march, let hundreds of women burn to death in a church. Much to Michael's surprise, Hanna is one of the defendants. Michael must now confront his feelings for Hanna with the new information that she was a guard for the S.S. Now for the big secret part that I don't want to ruin, so drag your cursor to read. Along with the discovery that Hanna was an S.S. guard, Michael also discovers that Hanna is keeping a secret that she is more ashamed of than her Nazi past. When a letter is produced in court that is said to have been written by Hanna, and she will not write a sample to prove it wasn't her, Michael (and hopefully the audience) puts together the pieces to explain Hanna. Michael always read to her, Hanna would get the sick women to read to her in the camp, she would not produce a writing sample to prove some innocence, and she could not take a work promotion because it meant office work...all because Hanna is illiterate. This new information completely shifts your perspective of Hanna's character. She pleaded in court that she had no choice but to join the S.S. For Hanna this was true because she would have had to admit illiteracy when she turned down her promotion. It is amazing to think of the power that her shame of being illiterate had over her. Because she did not want to give a writing sample she admitted to the majority of responsibility for the church fire. As a result, she was given 20 years in prison while the other women got 4 years. After a few years have gone by, Michael starts sending Hanna cassette tapes of him reading books. He figured out his illiteracy and while he didn't say anything to change the outcome of the trial he still felt like he had to do something for her. Hanna greatly enjoyed the books on tape and eventually started to read along with them to teach herself how to read and write. When Hanna's release date comes up Michael is contacted so that he may help her adjust to the new world. The day before her release he goes to see her. She is thrilled to see him and to be able to thank him for the books, but when she realizes that they can't go back to their previous relationship of him reading to her she clearly does not wish to leave the prison. She goes back to her cell and hangs herself. Hanna has left all of her money to the survivor of the church fire who was the main witness in her trial. Michael takes the woman the money, and she does not want it. Michael decides that he will give it to a Jewish charity that focuses on adult literacy.

The Reader is a very good movie (better than I had expected). It is amazing how Hanna's secret has such power over her and it is quite exciting to see her overcome it.

Two quick notes: You will see A LOT of Kate Winslet in this movie. There is one sickening in he pit of your stomach scene where Michael walks through an old camp.

The Reader gets three kernels - a very powerful story and well acted.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2009-02-14T10:28:00.003-06:00

*Spoilers* Unless you've read the book, then I can't really surprise you with anything.

Confessions of a Shopaholic is based on the book of the same name written by Sophie Kinsella (it actually combines book one and two of the series). Essentially it is the story of Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), a woman who enjoys shopping more than anything else in the world. She is endearing and incredibly delusional (the mannequins talk to her and help her justify her unjustifiable purchases).

Rebecca's dream is to work at a fashion magazine, but sadly the job is out of her grasp. Instead, she manages to get hired at a finance magazine that is owned by the same company, because once you are in the family you are in. I am completely blanking on any of the specific line, but a rather hilarious receptionist gives Rebecca this career advice. Anyway, she gets hired at this magazine where there is a really cute editor, Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy). Without knowing it, Rebecca is exactly what Luke has been looking for...in a writer. She is able to relay financial advice in a way that people can actually understand (by comparing it to shopping). Her first article, written under the pseudonym The Girl In The Green Scarf, is so popular that it makes her a sort of star.

This is where the spoilers come in (written in white, drag cursor over to read):
Pretty much Rebecca and Luke fall in love and everything is going wonderfully until Rebecca's debt collector finally catches up with her...on television. Rebecca has been lying about everything and Luke was crushed. Rebecca then gets offered the job she initially wanted at the fashion magazine. However, at this point she has had a break through and has realized that she truly is a shopaholic and that fashion magazines were part of her problem. She turns down the job and gets all of her shopaholic support group friend, and her nutty parents (played by John Goodman and Joan Cusack), to help her sell all of her clothes...including the iconic green scarf. Through the sale, Rebecca is able to pay off her debt, apologize to her friend Suze (Krysten Ritter), and show Luke that she is more than lies and shopping. And of course Luke was the one that bought the green scarf, so Rebecca didn't have to part with it in the end. To wrap up, Luke started his own business (on the earlier advice of Rebecca) and she works for him as a columnist.

I am a big fan of the books, however, I haven't read them in a few years and forgot nearly all of the details. I can't really speak as to how closely the movie follows the book (except for the fact that the main story in the books is set in England). Whether you know the books or not, Confesions of a Shopaholic is a very entertaining movie. Isla Fisher is so wonderful and very Rebecca Bloomwood-esque. I hope they do a sequel that covers the second two books.

Confessions of a Shopaholic gets two kernels - a really enjoyable and fun movie.

Milk

2009-02-12T21:59:00.000-06:00

*SPOILERS*

Since Milk is a biopic there aren't really any spoilers (unless you know nothing about Harvey Milk). The movie begins with the only major plot point and then goes back to the beginning of the story. If you don't know anything and you don't want to know before seeing the movie then maybe just don't read this one. Just skip down to the very bottom with the rating.

Milk opens with a newscast announcing the murder of San Francisco Mayor Geroge Moscone (Victor Garber) and city Supervisor Harvey Milk (Sean Penn). We then see Milk telling his life story into a tape recorder. He starts with his 40th birthday and meeting Scott (James Franco). Soon after meeting, the two move to San Francisco and open up a camera shop in the Castro District. Milk quickly becomes part of the political scene. While he does have trouble getting elected right away, he is able to organize the the homosexual population into an influential power. Milk even becomes allies with the Teamsters when he helps them boycott Coors.

After Milk is finally elected as a city Supervisor the main battle he must deal with Anita Bryant & Dade County and Proposition 6. Proposition 6 made it mandatory to fire gay teachers and any other public school employee who supported gay rights. While it seemed that Proposition 6 was a lost cause it ended up being defeated by more than 1 million votes.

Now to the assassination. Dan White (Josh Brolin) is a fellow city Supervisor. White and Milk tried to use each other for votes, but neither of them really gained anything from their efforts. White eventually resigned (saying he was not paid enough to support his family). After trying to get his job back and not being allowed to he went a little off his rocker. White then snuck into city hall and shot and killed both Milk and the mayor.

The movie doesn't really go into this part, but you may have heard of the famous Twinkie Defense. Dan White's trial is where this comes from. Essentially White blamed his behaviour on an increase of junk food. White was charged with two counts of manslaughter. His sentence led to the White Night Riots (which the movie also doesn't go into, but I find it all very interesting).

Before I get back to the actual movie I have one other side story. One activist that Milk kind of recruited to work for him named Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch). He was particularly good at organizing a crowd for a rally or a protest or whatever. In real life, he is also the creator of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. The NAMES Project is the largest community arts project in the world. It was created to memorialize all those who have died from AIDS related causes and there are currently 44 000 individual memorial panels. It was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the last time it was fully displayed was in 1996.

Now back to the movie. Though I really don't have much else to say. Just that Milk is a very interesting story and definitely one worth telling/knowing. It is also interesting to think that Proposition 6 was defeated, and yet roughly thirty years later Proposition 8 passes. Just saying.

Some quotes.
"Don't knock it until you've tried it." - Milk, regarding being homosexual.
"If a bullet should enter my brain, let the bullet destroy every closet door." - Milk

Milk gets three kernels - a great story with really good acting.

Revolutionary Road

2009-02-07T14:52:00.004-06:00

[contains spoilers...reveal of the plot ending will be in white]

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are together again. This time they are not on a boat and the ending is not known by everyone before they see the movie. There is, however, talk of a trans-Atlantic boat trip, sex in a car, and Kathy Bates.

Revolutionary Road, the latest movie by Sam Mendes, is a story of a couple in 1950s suburbia. Rather then depicting the Golden Age of the Utopian suburbs, Mendes shows us a kind of dystopia.

The movie opens with April (Winslet) and Frank (DiCaprio) falling in love across a crowded room. I know...not cliche at all. The next thing we know they are unhappily married with two kids. April was studying acting and is now in the occasional play when she is not trying to keep up the suburban dream. Frank had not decided what to do in life and now he is taking the train into the city in his gray suit (a la Sloan Wilson's The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit) with all of the other husbands to go to a job that he can't stand. Neither of them like the situation they are currently in, but find it difficult to think of a solution to their oh so common but oh so never talked about problem. April finally decides that to fix their marriage and their lives they should sell everything, Frank should quit his job, and they should move to France. She could get a job with a government agency and Frank could just sit around and decide what he wanted to do in life. April convinces Frank of the plan and when they tell their friends it is clear that the plan is considered revolutionary by everyone else. April puts all that she has into making the plan work, while it is clear that Frank does not appreciate how others are looking at him when he says his wife is going to work and he is doing nothing.

The rest of the plot is spoiler material:
Frank discovers that April is pregnant when he finds a home abortion device in the cupboard. Frank is outrages and April just wants the plan to go ahead without anything to stop them. After some fighting it is decided that they will keep the baby and not go to Paris. April is crushed and Frank is still miserable. After one of their fights, April makes Frank a nice peaceful breakfast before he goes off to work. She is obviously pretending that everything is okay (this is the time that I start to really worry about what she is going to do) and she is pretending in a really eerily way. As Frank goes off to work, April phones where her children are staying to say that she is still feeling unwell but to tell her children that she loves them. She mechanically moves about the house as she boils water and sets up the stage for her abortion. She knows that she is too far along to do it safely and when she won't stop bleeding she phones for help. The movie ends with people talking about the couple and with Frank watching his children play at the park.

Special mention to Michael Shannon for playing the neighbour's crazy son. He provides most of the comic relief as well as being the only other person to understand Frank and April's plan.

The emotions of these characters practically oozed off of the screen. Both Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio were amazing in their roles. I also really enjoy when the title of a movie really means something. Not only is Revolutionary Road the name of the road where their house is, but they also tried to take a revolutionary road in their lives.

Most memorable line goes to April during one of her fights with Frank:
And you know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is however long they've lived without it. No one forgets the truth Frank, they just get better at lying.

Revolutionary Road gets three kernels - superb acting that turns an ordinary story into something extraordinary.

The Wrestler

2009-02-01T13:44:00.005-06:00

*SPOILERS*

I am very unsure about how to start talking about The Wrestler [perhaps because I have waited nearly a week to write this]. I guess I will just jump into the plot.

Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a wrestler who lived his glory days as a wrestler in the 80s and now he is just trying to live the rest of his days...never letting the past get too far away. Randy continues to wrestler when he can, though it is clearly taking a toll on his body, and he also works a second job which allows him to barely make rent for his trailer. We see Randy looking quite at home in the ring, even when the ring is in a local rec centre. However, whenever Randy is in the 'real world' he seems uneasy. After a particularly grueling match, in which staples were involved, Randy suffers a heart attack and wakes up in the hospital after surgery. Randy is informed that he is not to wrestler anymore. From here Randy must struggle with the new life that has been assigned to him. he moves to working at the meat counter at the grocery store...dealing with customers and everything. I must say that I thought he was a good deli counter guy. For awhile anyway. Randy also takes this opportunity to try and reconcile with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). As a peace offering he buys her a hideous green jacket, that only a father like Randy could like, and they actually spend some time together. Unfortunately, it is not long before he screws up. The scenes between Randy and Stefanie are quite emotional, and they really help to add another dimension to the story. In one particularly heartbreaking line to his daughter, Randy says, "I'm an old broken down piece of meat and I deserve to be all alone, I just don't want you to hate me." *tear*

Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), the local friendly stripper, is going through a parallel situation. She has made her living from her body and now her body is failing her (in that her customers find her age unappealing). Though really she is still smokin' hot. In Randy's attempt to retire from wrestling, he tries to build a relationship with Cassidy. In a way they seem to be a natural pair; as they both hate the 90s, love the 80s, and can no longer do what they know. My only complaint about Cassidy's character is that we do not get to see more of her story independent from her scenes with Randy.

Randy tries his best to live his new life as the meat counter guy, but can never get his mind off wrestling. Before his heart attack a rematch was scheduled between him and The Ayatollah (they had had a famous match years earlier). It was supposed to be a last chance to truly relive his glory days. In a last minute kind of epiphany, Randy decides that he must wrestler one last time. Before the match Randy gives a wonderful speech talking about how he has been told that he is washed up and has basically become irrelevant. However, as long as the fans show up he is going to keep going because the fans are his family. END OF MOVIE SPOILER IN WHITE: During the match it is clear that he is struggling to continue. He manages to finish the fight, and his life, by climbing the ropes for one final Ram Jam.

I feel the need to say that I am not a wrestling fan. It is one of those things that I just don't find entertaining. However, not being a fan of wrestling or not knowing much about it does not make this movie any less interesting. I was lucky enough to sit next to someone who is a wrestling fan, so I was informed whenever an actual wrestler was on screen.

This seems to have gotten kind of long, but I have one last thing to say. I loved the style of the movie. The Wrestler, to oversimplify, is a really depressing story. Because the subject is wrestling, it would have made sense to go all glossy and cheesy in presenting the story. Instead the movie is showing the real gritty side of things and the style definitely reflects that. The audience spends several minutes throughout the movie watching the back of Randy's head as he walks and grunts and struggles through his life. Mickey Rourke absolutely deserved his Golden Globe, and an Oscar would certainly not be out of the question.

The Wrestler gets three kernels [I was initially considering two kernels, but in writing about it I realized how much I actually liked it...the movie grows on you] - amazing acting and a story that transcends wrestling.

Defiance

2009-01-31T19:42:00.003-06:00

Defiance, directed by Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond - which is also an excellent movie), is the story of the Bielski brothers and the community that they organized.

Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), Asael (Jamie Bell), and Aron (George MacKay) Bielski escape being killed or rounded up by running into the forest. Aron quickly finds more fellow Jews who have managed to escape to the forest. Tuvia (the oldest brother) decides that they would have to try to make the best life they could in the forest, and that they would turn no one away from their village. Zus (the second oldest) decided to join the Soviet partisan group that was in the area, and he left the original Bielski camp.

The film mainly follows the Bielski partisans in their struggle to survive. The population grew as the partisans smuggled hundreds of Jews out of a nearby ghetto. As the population grew, so did the complexity of the group's organization. Everyone was forced to give up their possessions for the benefit of the community and everyone was expected to use their skills to benefit the good of the community. It was a struggle to survive, but the forest community was the only place that Jews could be free. It was the only place where they could keep their humanity. A scene that I found especially poignant was during Asael's wedding. As the happy couple was dancing and the whole community was celebrating and being 'normal' we see Zus setting up a bomb on a Nazi supply line. While the community was successful in maintaining their humanity, they were never very far from the war.

The movie ends with a bit of a battle scene and the final relocation of the community.

The true facts listed at the end of the movie tell us that the Bielski partisans lived in the forest for over two years. 1 200 people survived until they were able to leave the forest (most of them being women, children, and elderly). In the last place that the partisans settled in the forest, they were able to build a hospital, school, and nursery. Tuvia and Zus both ended up in the United States where they started a business together.

Defiance is a wonderful (based on true story) movie that depicts a little known story that deserves to be known by more people. It is a story about survival, about humanity, about brothers, and about community.

Defiance gets three kernels - a quality movie that is definitely worth seeing.

Doubt

2009-01-25T21:13:00.004-06:00

John Patrick Shonley, writer (both screen and original play) and director, delivers an outstanding story about a priest accused of molesting a student at St. Nicholas school in 1964. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Flynn - the man at the centre of the accusation. Amy Adams stars as Sister James - the young nun who first believes something is going on between the Father and a student. Meryl Streep is Sister Aloysius - the Principal of the school and the one who is determined to remove Father Flynn.

Doubt opens with Father Flynn's sermon on doubt. Here we learn that, 'Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone.' Essentially, Sister James (Adams) is a new teacher at the school where Sister Aloysius (Streep) is the strict (strict would actually be an understatement) principal. Sister Aloysius has told Sister James to be on the lookout for anything unusual relating to Father Flynn. It would appear that Sister Aloysius does not trust him. After Sister James witnesses some suspicious behaviour the two nuns confront Father Flynn under the pretext of the upcoming Christmas concert. This scene not only tells us a great deal about Father Flynn as he tries to avoid the real subject at hand, but we also learn that Sister A. is extremely old fashioned and thinks Frosty the Snowman is downright heretical. Oh, and so are ballpoint pens...just so you know. After Father Flynn explains himself to the satisfaction of Sister James, Sister A. is left to get rid of him herself.

It is around this time that the mother of the child, Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis), is brought into the film. Approximately seven minutes later Mrs. Miller leaves the film. Viola Davis is nominated for an Oscar for this role. While I found her performance good, I don't think I would have ever guessed it was Oscar good.

With no support from the child's mother, Sister A. is forced to continue her crusade alone. She is determined to look after her students and will stop at nothing to make sure they are protected from Father Flynn. [In case you don't want to know the ending I will put it in white. Drag cursor over to read.] After Sister A. lies about phoning a former parish, Father Flynn agrees to request a transfer. She gets her way and seems happy, however, in the end she confesses to Sister James that she has serious doubts.

I must say that the cast in this movie is phenomenal. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Flynn very well. Because we are never 100% sure about his actions, he has to be both likable and despised. Meryl Streep is excellent as the 'stuck in the past' Sister Aloysius. She appears to be hard on her students and rather unreasonable about everything, however, we also see her caring and even protecting a fellow nun who is going blind. Amy Adams is also excellent in her role as Sister James. She effectively portrayed someone a little uneasy and yet also steadfast in her faith. My favourite Amy Adams/Sister James moment is when Father Flynn is loading up his tea with sugar, to the horror of both women, and when asked if she wants sugar she blurts out that she never has sugar...not that there is anything wrong with sugar...followed by an awkward smile.

Doubt gets three kernels - a good movie with excellent actors that is definitely worth a watch.

Bride Wars

2009-01-22T22:29:00.005-06:00

I should preface this review by saying that the night I went to this movie I had spent a good chunk of the day at a wedding expo (where I didn't even win any prizes...how unfair). I had seen the real life glimmer of Bridezilla in many eyes and I must say that Bride Wars takes the whole Bridezilla mentality to a new level.

Bride Wars stars Anne Hathaway (Emma) and Kate Hudson (Liv). Bryan Greenberg (Nate), Chris Pratt (Fletcher), and Steve Howey (Daniel) play the three leading guys.
The plot is fairly basic. Emma and Liv have been best friends for many many years (or BFFs as the kids might say), and they both get engaged around the same time. Naturally, they are each others maids of honour and when a scheduling conflict means that one of them has to give up the dream wedding at the plaza all 'wedding' gloves are off. They each get replacements and wage battle on each other. For the most part the plot is predictable and most of the funny lines in the movie were already repeatedly shown to us in the previews. I did however learn that formerly chubby girls are tough because they are made of steel and splenda.

Anne Hathaway plays a fairly likable teacher that has spent most of her life trying to make other people happy...until her wedding day when she finds out that she has a backbone after all. Kate Hudson, on the other hand, is the overbearing crazy lawyer who realizes she doesn't have to be perfect all of the time. After all, her fiance prefers to have a human wife because the other ones are too hard to blow up. Her character's over-the-topness provided the majority of chuckles. Just a brief aside, if you are familiar with young Goldie Hawn you may have noticed that Kate looks pretty much identical to her mother.

The men in the movie, much like grooms at a wedding, didn't really garner that much attention. You may however notice, as I did, that all of the men in the movies come from a tv background. Bryan Greenberg as the oh so lovable Jake from One Tree Hill, Chris Pratt from Everwood, and Steve Howey as Van from Reba. I would say that Steve Howey did the best job (though I think he probably also had the most lines).

I attended this movie (as I did the wedding expo) with my two bridesmaids. One thought it was a crime against womanhood and the other was not sure it was necessary. I fall somewhere in the middle. It was a fun movie and had enough chuckles to keep me entertained. I learned some valuable wedding lessons; like you don't alter Vera Wang to fit you, you alter yourself to fit Vera Wang. However, to be honest I expected a little bit more from the story.

Bride Wars gets one kernel - funny, but I could have waited for it to be on tv

81st Annual Academy Awards Nominations

2009-01-22T12:52:00.001-06:00

The nominations are out. Closer to award night I will of course post my predictions, but for now go here http://oscars.com/nominees/?pn=nominees and check out who got nominated and who got left out.
Feel free to post thoughts for discussion.

Role Models

2009-01-20T20:39:00.005-06:00

- Directed by David Wain, and featuring Paul Rudd (Danny) and Seann William Scott (Wheeler)

When I first say the commercials for Role Models I thought it looked funny, however, I also thought that all of the funny moments were probably in the commercials. This was not the case.

Danny (Rudd) and Wheeler (Scott) travel around to schools giving anti-drug speeches while peddling the energy drink Minotaur. After an incident involving a minotaur shaped truck and a horse statue, Danny and Wheeler are required to serve 150 hours community service at Sturdy Hands (a big brother/big sister kind of organization). Danny is paired with Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, better known as McLovin), a kid who loves nothing more than to participate in LAIRE (Live Action Role-playing Explorers). Wheeler's kid, Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson), is a little more outspoken and outgoing. For me, the beginning part of the movie when we are introduced to the men and the boys was lacking a little bit. The only scene that stands out for me is when Danny decides to speak out against the almighty Starbucks when trying to order a large coffee.
Danny: "No venti is twenty. Large is large. In fact, tall is large and grande is Spanish for large. Venti is the only one that doesn't mean large. It's also the only one that's Italian. Congratulations, you're stupid in three languages."
This is also the scene where I learn, from Beth (Elizabeth Banks), that venti is large because a venti is 20 oz. It makes so much sense...though just calling it large makes sense too.

Anyway, after all of the characters are introduced and the guys start to connect with their kids (whether through LAIRE or KISS) the movie gets much funnier. What makes the movie more than just okay is that there is more to it than just the funny. I am not saying it is intellectual or even that deep, but the four main characters do grow and mature and it is really nice to watch. Without getting into the whole end of the movie, so as to not ruin the plot, I just want to say that the four have to enter their own country into the big LAIRE battle. They get all dressed up as Kiss (because Wheeler is obsessed) and their country's name is Kiss-My-Anthia. Hehe.

The supporting cast in the movie was a bit of a mix for me. Augie's parents were entertaining, but mostly they provided moments for Danny to be entertaining. Jane Lynch played Gayle, the founder of Sturdy Wings, and was at times a little much. You should also know that Gayle used to have cocaine for breakfast and lunch, and she is BS-proof so don't even try to BS her...cause she used to have cocaine for breakfast and she is BS-proof. Yeah.

So I really have no way to tie this in, but I just want to share another line from the movie that amused me. Wheeler is rocking out to some Kiss, when Danny changes some of the lyrics a bit.
Danny: "No, I like to rock 'n' roll all night and part of every day. I usually have errands...I can only rock from like 1-3."

Oh, and if someone says something about your whispering eye you might want to watch Role Models to find out what they are talking about.

Role Models gets two kernels - funny movie and probably worth a second viewing.

Synecdoche, New York

2009-01-18T02:30:00.004-06:00

Here we are. My first movie of 2009. Maybe I should not have picked Synecdoche, New York to start out the year. It is kind of a hard movie to explain, or even just talk about, without getting a little confusing. I will just start with the basics. Synecdoche, New York is Charlie Kaufman's latest movie, staring Philip Seymour Hoffman (Caden Cotard - a director), Catherine Keener (Adele - the wife), Michelle Williams (Claire - the actress), and Samantha Morton (Hazel - the box office girl).

Now I guess it is time to explain the plot. This is the very tricky part. You may or may not know that Charlie Kaufman is also the man behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. If you have seen this movie you may understand why I am clearly stalling to get to the plot description. I really just want to tell you to go watch it yourself and end this post right now, but I guess I should say a little bit more.

Basically, Caden Cotard (Hoffman) is a director who is married to an artist, Adele (Keener), and they have a daughter. Adele has a show of her tiny tiny paintings opening in Berlin and she decides to take their daughter, Olive, with her and leave Caden behind. Caden then wins a grant that allows him to finally do his own work, and he chooses to create a large theatre piece that develops throughout the rest of the movie. Caden starts rehearsals for his show and casts Claire (Williams) as one of his many actors. From here life goes on and rehearsals continue and the piece develops. Essentially Caden is recreating his life through theatre. He keeps casting people, including an actor to play himself, to act out scenes from his life. These include his marriage to Claire, the deaths of his parents, and cleaning his ex-wife's apartment. As the piece progresses more characters and more layers are added. Eventually it becomes a challenge to distinguish Caden's fictional world from his real world. Of course being a Kaufman film, there are a few, and by a few I actually mean many, peculiarities along the way. For instance, a house that is constantly burning and an actual rose pedal falling off of a tattoo.

Philip Seymour Hoffman was wonderful playing the, sometimes, endearingly neurotic director. However, I would also like to mention the excellent job that Michelle Williams did playing the slightly ditzy and kind of adorable Claire. Samantha Morton, as Hazel the box office girl and one of Caden's love interests, was equally as wonderful. Her character stood out to me as quirky, which is saying something in this movie, and generally cute. While watching the movie I couldn't quite place her, but I now see that she played Harriet in Emma and Jane in Jane Eyre.

Synecdoche, New York gets two kernels - quality movie and worth the money.

66th Annual Golden Globes

2009-01-11T22:30:00.006-06:00

Instead of starting the year with a movie review (because I have yet to see one in 2009), I will start this blog off with a look at the Golden Globe Awards.

Let us start with a look at the red carpet.

- Miley Cyrus gets caught doing the 'strapless dress tug' that is oh so common at all award shows. Her speaking voice really irritates me, and I am not sure she is the classiest girl.
- America Ferrera is chatting away and I thought I liked her dress until I saw the ugly mess that the bottom part is.
- Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!...the ! is part of the title, I don't love the movie that much) is great. Pretty, and obviously nervous. Too bad they made her talk about Meryl Streep.
- Blake Lively (LOVE) with her dad. Her dress looks a little small, me thinks. Also...her real life dad looks awefully similar to her Sisterhood dad. I bet it is him. *checks sources* I am right. Her real dad is also her movie dad.
- There is much talk of Heath Ledger.
- Drew Barrymore looks kind of odd...or maybe strange is the right word. I like her dress though.
- Jeremy Piven appears to still be alive despite the mercury poisoning...I am sure Entourage fans are pleased.
- Will Arnet. I miss Arrested Development.
- Kate and Leo!!! I am very excited to see Revolutionary Road. They say they wish to see each other win. Aww, they are cute.
- I am going to go out on a rather short limb and say black and grey/silver are this year's colours. J. Lo., in her gaudy backless gold, missed the memo.
- Nancy O'Dell just dropped the boat when she insisted Sting was nominated when he is only presenting. Way to keep on top of all things entertainment.
- Pierce Brosnan was just asked if singing in Mamma Mia! was difficutl and replied it was easy. I am guessing he never actually watched his singing performance. Pierce + singing = Bad.

Now that actual awards begin.

-J. Lo. in the previously mentioned dress announces the first award. Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture goes to Kate Winslet (The Reader). She looks very pretty this evening...even though she is extremely flustered at the moment.
- Sting looks kind of...how should I put this? Let go. He is telling us Bruce Springsteen (The Wrestler) won for Best Original Song-Motion Picture. During the nominee shots Miley Cyrus stuck her tongue out at the camera. She is SO NOT CLASSY enough to be at the GG Awards.
- This year's second generation performer helping hand out awards is Rumor Willis (Demi and Bruce's daughter).
- Tom Wilkinson (John Adams) for Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini Series, or TV Movie.
- Laura Dern (Recount) for Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini Series, or TV Movie. She was sitting far back but really booted it up to the front, much appreciated Laura Dern.
- Don Cheadle has no hair. He is also introducing the clip for Burn After Reading. Love that movie.
- Anna Paquin (who I hardly recognized b/c she is a little older and much more blonde) wins Actress in TV Series-Drama (True Blood, a show I've barely heard of and never seen).
- Confessions of a Shopaholic commercial was just on. Very exciting. I recommend that you read the books by Sophie Kinsella and then go watch the movie when it comes out.
- Best Animated Feature Film is Wall-E.
- Sally Hawkins wins for Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy for Happy-Go-Lucky. I've never heard of her or this movie...and the voice has nothing to say about her as she walks up. I care not to google her at the moment.
- All of the actors tend to say the GG Awards are their favourite b/c there is food and wine and they are short. The problem with this is people sit at their tables and talk and make noise and don't seem to be able to quiet themselves quickly when onair. Also, the camera pans the crowd and people are often not looking photogenic or they are furiously texting someone. Then again...maybe that isn't a problem.
- Jake Gyllenhaal introduces the clip for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and I will tell you your not so interesting-interesting fact of the day: the girl who played the young Daisy (Blanchett) in Benjamin Button also played the daughter of Pitt and Blanchett's characters in the movie Babel.
- Best Mini Series or TV Movie goes to John Adams.
- Demi Moore tells her daughter not to hunch and then announces the winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Director Chris Nolan accepts Heath Ledger's (The Dark Knight) award in front of a standing audience. As well as a few words, they play a clip from the movie.
- Best Foreign Language Film goes to Waltz with Bashir (Israel).
- Best Actress in a Mini Series or TV Movie goes to Laura Linney for John Adams.
- Screenplay Motion Picture winner is Somon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire.
- Amy Poehler (who is apparently getting her own show) and Patrick Dempsey announce that Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) wins for Best Actor in TV Series-Comedy or Musical. During my efforts to find out about Amy Poehler's show I found out that they are making a second Hoodwinked movie. This pleases me.
- Paul Giamatti (John Adams) wins Best Actor in a Mini Series or Made for TV Movie.
- Best TV Series-Musical or Comedy winner is 30 Rock. Tracey Morgan is accepting the award b/c apparently he had a deal with Tina Fey that if Obama won then Tracey would be the new spokesperson for the show.
- Another little not all that interesting-interesting point that I've recently heard is that Mamma Mia! has passed Titanic as the highest grossing movie in the UK. I was suprrised too, but I guess they really like ABBA.
- Best Original Score-Motion Picture winner is A. R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire).
- Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical, or Comedy goes to Tina Fey for 30 Rock. Hehe, Tina tells us that she is a huge fan of the Hollywood Foreign Press and that she had all of their action figures when she was growing up. She then addresses some people on the internet who do not like her...by telling them ot suck it. I love Tina.
- Martin Scorsese presents Steven Spielberg with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for outstanding contribution to the entertainment field. They play a montage of basically all awesome films. Spielberg talks about being inspired to make his first movie and about the importance of being a mentor.
- Winner of Director-Motion Picture is Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire).
- Best Actor in Motion Picture, Musical, or Comedy goes to Colin Farrell (In Bruges).
- Sacha Baron Cohen talks about the financial crisis and how it is hurting the celebrities: Victoria Beckham hasn't eated in three weeks, Charlie Sheen was forced to have sex with women without paying, and Madonna had to get rid of one of her personal assistants (so sorry Guy). The Madonna/Guy joke produced some displeased murmurs.
- Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy winner is Vicky Christina Barcelona.
- Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road) wins Best Actress in Motion Picture-Drama. Yay. I am very excited for her. She is so freaking flustered and I love her.
- Mad Men wins the Best Television Series-Drama.
- Best Actor in Motion Picture-Drama goes to Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler). This win is greated by many many applause. Rourke thanks a lot of people for helping him get back in the biz. He also thanks his dogs for always being there for him (awww).
- Best Motion Picture-Drama (nominees are: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, The Reader, Revolutionary Road, and Slumdog Millionaire). Slumdog Millionaire wins.