major movie redux part I

SATC

Loved it. It was everything that I wanted the movie to be. Is it perfect? No. Is Jennifer Hudson horribly miscast? Yes. Did I adore every moment of it? Abso-*******-lutely. The ladies are back, and so is NYC. For me, the show was always about the friendships between the women, and this movie really looked at those relationships. I laughed, I cried, and I left hoping for a love story of epic proportions.

Final thoughts: If you were a fan of the show, I think you will be satisfied with the movie. Do check it out on the big screen...

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

While the parents were in town, we decided to check out the new Indiana Jones, and although it was a fun (summer popcorn) movie, I found myself a little disappointed with the script. Harrison Ford is back, and fun as ever as the archeology teacher. Shia LaBeouf is fun as the young sidekick. There are some exciting action sequences, and your heart can't help but race when the theme music comes in. However, this film took a leap in a (paranormal) direction that I just couldn't quite make. I mean, that's not to say that the earlier films didn't need you to suspend your disbelief (fountain of youth?), but I just couldn't do it this time. Also, some of the action sequences were kind of ridiculous even by Indy standards. Am I glad I checked it out? Definitely. However, I just wish I could have believed.

Final thoughts: Fun, wholesome adventures for the whole family...one you must see on the big screen. Perhaps just keep those expectations low.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN

After the seemingly universal rave reviews that Caspian received, I was quite excited to go and check it out. Although I enjoyed myself, I didn't love it. There are some exciting fight scenes, and the kids have some good moments...but overall, I was actually kind of confused as to what was going on, and after awhile, gave up trying to figure it out. So, the first movie was all about how the older kids didn't believe Lucy. They learned to trust her, and were triumphant in the end. Like eight minutes into this movie, the kids don't trust Lucy. I mean, did they learn nothing from the first two hour movie they were in? Seriously. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again, and expecting different results. Older Narnia kids...you be crazy!

Final thoughts: A movie to see on the big screen....but not as fantastic as I had hoped it would be.

KUNG-FU PANDA

Pandas are cute. I mean, who doesn't like pandas? I think we all dream of wearing a panda jacket because they are so cute. I kid, I kid, reader. This movie was fun. A (fat) panda dreams of being a kung-fu fighter. There are other kung-fu fighters. A wise old turtle says that the (fat) panda is in fact the dragon warrior that everyone was waiting for to defeat the scary cat that will soon be coming to kick-ass and take names. Will the (fat) panda put down his noodles long enough to become a kung-fu machine? There are some really funny moments, in fact, I laughed out loud. I actually saw this in a theatre full of kids (ugh), with their exhausted parents, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Although the fat jokes got kind of old, the story does have a sweet heart, and is good fun for the whole family. Be warned though, the scary cat is, in fact, quite scary.

Final thoughts: Hilarious....non-controversial fun. One for the family, or when you need a good giggle.

photo credits: www.movieweb.com

major movie redux part II

BABY MAMA

So....I like funny movies, and I am obsessed with pregnancy, so BABY MAMA was a no brainer for me. Tina Fey is fabulous. What I like about her is that she is funny, smart, pretty, and dorky.....somehow, I want to both be her, and I want to be her friend. (By they by, if you haven't seen it already, you must check out 30 ROCK which is hilarious.) Anyway, a career woman who is ready to start her family, Fey hires a surrogate mother, played by Amy Poehler, to carry the child that it is going to be difficult for her to conceive. Hilarity, and surprising sweetness ensues. Greg Kinnear plays the smoothie store owner that catches Fey's eye, and Steve Martin is hilarious as the new-agey boss at her office. All in all, a fun movie, with heart and laughs...that totally satisfied my pregnancy-obsessed mind.

Final thoughts: One to see if you are a Fey fan, a rom-com fan, or just want to giggle. Add it to your net-flix list, and plan a night at home, in sweats, with a pint of ice cream.

MADE OF HONOR

Sometimes, a movie is fine. You don't love it, you don't hate it...you just like it, but then move on with your life. I liked MADE OF HONOR, but it didn't blow me out of the water. Patrick Dempsey is adorable. He is fun, and suave, and kind of scummy, but you still want him to win in the end. Michele Monaghan is cute and sweet, and you want her to win in the end. I smiled through the movie, and I was sad when the "boy lost girl" moment came. When the movie was over, I thought, how sweet, and then wandered back to real life.

Final thoughts: A cute rom-com....one to see if you are a Patrick Dempsey fan, but otherwise, check it out on TBS in 2012.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS

This movie totally cracked me up. Truthfully, I am not a huge fan of Cameron Diaz, but she has truly met her match in Ashton Kutcher in this comedy. The best friends, played by Lake Bell and Rob Corrdry, are hi-larious, and have some fabulous lines. Best quote of the night: If I could make someone dead with my mind...it would be you. (giggle) Both having crappy weekends, she because her fiancee broke up with her, and he because he as fired from his job, both head to Las Vegas for recovery. Drinking away their sorrows, they wake up the next morning, hung over and married! On their way to end the marriage, they play a slot machine (one person's quarter, one person pulls the lever) and win 3 million dollars. So, they head back to NYC, where the judge orders them to stay married and receive counseling before he will allow the divorce and splitting the money. Hijinks ensue. It totally cracked me up.

Final thoughts: So much better than I thought it was going to be, and a fun day at the movies. Again, add it to your net-flix list, and watch when you need a giggle.

SON OF RAMBOW

A sweet flick about two little boys who end up making a sequel to the film RAMBO. I know...it sounds weird, but it is really funny and sweet. A British import, this is a movie about families, friendships, and is darling, indeed. Bonus: Ed Westwick from GOSSIP GIRL shows up as a meanie older brother.

Final thoughts: Another one to add to the netflix list. Sweet and funny, this is one for movie-lovers to enjoy.

photo credits: www.movieweb.com