Movie Review: Serenity
"JOSS WHEDON IS MY MASTER NOW," so sayeth a T-shirt or two at the screening last night of this fall's most anticipated TV to Big Screen adaptation to hit the theatres - only this time it isn't really an adaptation, but more of an homage, or episodes 12 and 13 some might say. This is on sci-fi western that has been sorely missed on the little screen by fans and those same fans herald its return to multiplexes everywhere!
Universal Studios has been really wise about the release of such an anticipated film – screen it for 6 months to all the fans out there (Browncoats) and let them spread the word – they call that marketing genius.
I do want to state that you do not have to be a fan of the show to enjoy this movie – many members of last night’s audience admittedly had never watched Firefly, and they were some of the most vocal!
This flick has some big surprises while keeping the feel of the TV show. It explained so much, yet opened up many new questions for those of us dying to know. Now if this can do some good box office money and allow us either TV or another movie, I will be a very happy camper!
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
The Little Lady Vanishes
Movie Review: Flightplan
Good, not great. I have to start by stating this fact (which should be obvious to most). You spend most of this movie trying to figure out if Jodie Foster is crazy or just plain insane. Personally, I was fitting her for a rubber room most of the movie, but I will give her credit for exercising her acting chops quite convincingly.
Now, as for plausibility - Red Eye was better at the mid-air terror plot-wise, but Flightplan was more brilliantly photographed. I was not really on the edge of my seat for this one, but I was not entirely disappointed. Now, the mystery of the plot - I figured out too early. It was not a complete waste of time or money, but you could wait for the Netflix queue for this one and not lose anything.
I would have to say that I would not mind traveling on such a lush airplane on my trips to the Philippines, but at least give me better Flight Attendants. At least for a laugh, you need to check out this article for some entertainment...it makes seeing this movie worthwhile and begs the question - "What is this world coming to?" By all means, compare the impact of 9/11 and a Hollywood movie - that makes sense?!?
Good, not great. I have to start by stating this fact (which should be obvious to most). You spend most of this movie trying to figure out if Jodie Foster is crazy or just plain insane. Personally, I was fitting her for a rubber room most of the movie, but I will give her credit for exercising her acting chops quite convincingly.
Now, as for plausibility - Red Eye was better at the mid-air terror plot-wise, but Flightplan was more brilliantly photographed. I was not really on the edge of my seat for this one, but I was not entirely disappointed. Now, the mystery of the plot - I figured out too early. It was not a complete waste of time or money, but you could wait for the Netflix queue for this one and not lose anything.
I would have to say that I would not mind traveling on such a lush airplane on my trips to the Philippines, but at least give me better Flight Attendants. At least for a laugh, you need to check out this article for some entertainment...it makes seeing this movie worthwhile and begs the question - "What is this world coming to?" By all means, compare the impact of 9/11 and a Hollywood movie - that makes sense?!?
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Wedding the Dead
Movie Review: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
The vision and creativity of Tim Burton never fails to amaze me - and this new stop-motion installment is no different.
Let me preface this review by stating that this movie is NOT for everyone. However, if you are a fan of such gems as Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas, this movie should delight you just as much.
This movie is witty and ghoulish, funny and deranged, dark and gothic. This is the Runaway Groom meets Night of the Living Dead version of animation and the irony that ensues is well worth the 90 minutes of entertainment.
The characters - all all-star voice cast – make this story what it is. The Everglots, an aristocratic family who is down on their luck (and funds) have decided to marry off their daughter Victoria to the local nouveaux riche fishmonger couple's son, Victor. After much performance anxiety, Victor runs to the woods to practice his vows. When he places the ring on what appears to be a branch, suddenly he is faced with the Corpse Bride. As it happens, she was murdered on the eve of her wedding and has been waiting for her groom ever since – thus hilarity ensues.
Honestly, this is a love story albeit a bit whacky. Every move is beautifully sculpted and beings both the land of the living and the land of the dead to life! Even the chorus-line of singing and dancing skeletons seems completely normal, yet brilliantly executed.
Take the time, but not the kids…this one is a little too goth for the younger folk.
The vision and creativity of Tim Burton never fails to amaze me - and this new stop-motion installment is no different.
Let me preface this review by stating that this movie is NOT for everyone. However, if you are a fan of such gems as Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas, this movie should delight you just as much.
This movie is witty and ghoulish, funny and deranged, dark and gothic. This is the Runaway Groom meets Night of the Living Dead version of animation and the irony that ensues is well worth the 90 minutes of entertainment.
The characters - all all-star voice cast – make this story what it is. The Everglots, an aristocratic family who is down on their luck (and funds) have decided to marry off their daughter Victoria to the local nouveaux riche fishmonger couple's son, Victor. After much performance anxiety, Victor runs to the woods to practice his vows. When he places the ring on what appears to be a branch, suddenly he is faced with the Corpse Bride. As it happens, she was murdered on the eve of her wedding and has been waiting for her groom ever since – thus hilarity ensues.
Honestly, this is a love story albeit a bit whacky. Every move is beautifully sculpted and beings both the land of the living and the land of the dead to life! Even the chorus-line of singing and dancing skeletons seems completely normal, yet brilliantly executed.
Take the time, but not the kids…this one is a little too goth for the younger folk.
Monday, September 19, 2005
It's a Wonderful Afterlife
Movie Review: Just Like Heaven
I am a sucker for romantic comedies - ask anyone who knows me. I see most of them and get some form of enjoyment from them, even if they are less than stellar; however this movie is exactly what it needed to be - fun and entertaining and highly recommendable!
Let's start with the ever-fabulous, Reese Witherspoon. I see why she feels this is her favorite of the movies she has made. She is funny and delightful as the crazy cat lady (without a cat) who had no life but her work. Elizabeth finds herself in the same outfit for days having found a hunky man (enter Mark Ruffalo) has moved into her apartment when she thought she still lived there. Unable to forcibly remove him (a funny bit of her running at him and flying out the window was good for some sniggers), she finds herself without a memory of who she is or what she does.
A movie full of twists and turns, most of which you did not see coming, this flick is refreshing and focuses on two very damaged individuals trying to learn to cope with each other as well as themselves.
A fun and humorous supporting cast includes the always enjoyable Donal Logue as the not-so-therapeutic psychologist friend and the forever Napoleon Dynomite-esque Jon Heder who has "the gift" and helps meld the otherworldly and the reality of a spirit who just won't go into the light - and believe me, they both lend plenty of levity and zaniness to this movie to help round it out.
Hardly just a chick-flick, but plenty of scenes to you make think it is, there is fun for the guys as well - especially the well-developed "hot girl" who lives downstairs and likes to dress in workout clothes or nothing at all. Enjoy, boys!
I am a sucker for romantic comedies - ask anyone who knows me. I see most of them and get some form of enjoyment from them, even if they are less than stellar; however this movie is exactly what it needed to be - fun and entertaining and highly recommendable!
Let's start with the ever-fabulous, Reese Witherspoon. I see why she feels this is her favorite of the movies she has made. She is funny and delightful as the crazy cat lady (without a cat) who had no life but her work. Elizabeth finds herself in the same outfit for days having found a hunky man (enter Mark Ruffalo) has moved into her apartment when she thought she still lived there. Unable to forcibly remove him (a funny bit of her running at him and flying out the window was good for some sniggers), she finds herself without a memory of who she is or what she does.
A movie full of twists and turns, most of which you did not see coming, this flick is refreshing and focuses on two very damaged individuals trying to learn to cope with each other as well as themselves.
A fun and humorous supporting cast includes the always enjoyable Donal Logue as the not-so-therapeutic psychologist friend and the forever Napoleon Dynomite-esque Jon Heder who has "the gift" and helps meld the otherworldly and the reality of a spirit who just won't go into the light - and believe me, they both lend plenty of levity and zaniness to this movie to help round it out.
Hardly just a chick-flick, but plenty of scenes to you make think it is, there is fun for the guys as well - especially the well-developed "hot girl" who lives downstairs and likes to dress in workout clothes or nothing at all. Enjoy, boys!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Taking Flight
Movie Review: Red Eye and Valiant
The worst part about migraines in the inability to withstand the daylight. What makes things worse is that my apartment has many windows without curtains (yes, I must remedy this). So instead of suffering at home, I decided I would kill 2 birds with one stone and see some movies. At least it is dark in the theatres, right?
First up, Wes Craven's newest thriller. Now the past few movies from Mr. Craven have not even interested me enough to spend the cash and actually leave my house. This one was different. I really enjoyed it. It was the right balance of terror and was in no way over the top. Nothing seemed predictable, and having such strong characters was refreshing.
Look - it isn't going to win any Oscars, and it certainly isn't a scare-fest like Mr. Craven's previous fare, but it is worth the time and money to get to the theatre to enjoy a good movie. Plus, it was quite nice to see that there is life after reality TV and it took the form of Colby Donaldson playing a secret service agent and doing it wuite well, I might add.
Afterwards, I walked down the hall to see the pigeon-flick called Valiant. Honestly, this was more a mission to determine if this was Maggie-friendly or not, plus it was the only movie that was starting after Red Eye (without having to wait 90 minutes).
Ewan McGregor is cute as a little pigeon who wants to be a war hero. This movie was okay for a G-rated animated flick, but better off as a rental for the kids. It had a couple of funny moments, but nothing like the Pixar films of the past...this is why I can't wait for Cars next year. I basically spent the entire movie trying to place voices instead of really following the plot, but it is all about carrier pigeons during World War II. It was cute, but it also made me happy that kids movies are usually barely 90 minutes long.
This will be a busy week for flicks, so look for more reviews to come.
The worst part about migraines in the inability to withstand the daylight. What makes things worse is that my apartment has many windows without curtains (yes, I must remedy this). So instead of suffering at home, I decided I would kill 2 birds with one stone and see some movies. At least it is dark in the theatres, right?
First up, Wes Craven's newest thriller. Now the past few movies from Mr. Craven have not even interested me enough to spend the cash and actually leave my house. This one was different. I really enjoyed it. It was the right balance of terror and was in no way over the top. Nothing seemed predictable, and having such strong characters was refreshing.
Look - it isn't going to win any Oscars, and it certainly isn't a scare-fest like Mr. Craven's previous fare, but it is worth the time and money to get to the theatre to enjoy a good movie. Plus, it was quite nice to see that there is life after reality TV and it took the form of Colby Donaldson playing a secret service agent and doing it wuite well, I might add.
Afterwards, I walked down the hall to see the pigeon-flick called Valiant. Honestly, this was more a mission to determine if this was Maggie-friendly or not, plus it was the only movie that was starting after Red Eye (without having to wait 90 minutes).
Ewan McGregor is cute as a little pigeon who wants to be a war hero. This movie was okay for a G-rated animated flick, but better off as a rental for the kids. It had a couple of funny moments, but nothing like the Pixar films of the past...this is why I can't wait for Cars next year. I basically spent the entire movie trying to place voices instead of really following the plot, but it is all about carrier pigeons during World War II. It was cute, but it also made me happy that kids movies are usually barely 90 minutes long.
This will be a busy week for flicks, so look for more reviews to come.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Maggie and Willie and Molly and May
Sorry for the delay in posting about my trip out with the kiddies, but as soon as I got back it was a non-stop barrage of work crap. Also, I decided to make the weekend a long, lazy, but productive one, so I stayed off the computer except to do catering stuff.
So I arrived in SFO late on Saturday night and was completely spent. Maggie and my brother came to the airport to pick me up and as soon as Maggie saw me, she unbuckled her seatbelt and did a little dance in the backseat - she could not wait to give me a big hug! We headed for home and I could not have been happier!
So we walked in the door and a friend of ours was there. She had come over for dinner and to see me, which was cool. I sat down for a bite of home cooking and Maggie pulled up a chair right next to me. She insisted on sitting close while I ate and tell me all about her day. I gave her the presents I brought her and she loved her toy Jeepney. She went to my room and picked out my PJs for the night (blue cloud PJs, just like her) and had me read her a bedtime story.
The weekend was great. We went to a 4-year old birthday party on Sunday and I got to watch Maggie play on the gymnastics equipment. She insisted I take lots of pictures of her and walk around with her.
After the party, we had a nice lunch of homemade pancakes and bacon (Maggie insists I make her pancakes every time I come and visit). Will was very attentive and I finally got my hands on him. He loves to stand on your thighs - it is like he is trying to jump ahead 9 months and start walking! He is SO adorable and I cannot wait until he does even more tricks next month :)
Maggie and I took an afternoon nap and she learned the benefits of an iPod. I got to help pick her up from school each day and spend the evening with her.
The worst (and also best) part of the trip was when she told me she would be disappointed if I left and to please stay. This choked me up a ton! I explained to her that in order for me to come back for her birthday, I had to go home. And after much ado, she decided that was okay. (snif, snif).
Tuesday night, after dinner and Maggie put on her PJs, she and my brother took me to the airport. She insisted on walking me to the door and giving me lots of hugs and kisses before I left. With tears welling in my eyes, I started walking to the people mover and she is standing in the motor lobby waiving and saying Bye, Buh-Bye, Aunt D! I look back, fighting back tears, and see my brother whispering to her. She then says "Bye, bye...have fun storming the castle, Aunt D!". I just started giggling and then she started giggling. It was great.
After a long overnight flight where I couldn't really sleep, I came home to find that I was locked out of my house. My mother had come over to have some furniture moved and she turned the bolt on her way out, thus keeping me from being able to open the front door. After calling my mom and waking her from a dead sleep, she drove to my rescue and let me in my house. I climbed 2 flights of stairs by the hardest (one of those with my 57 pound suitcase) and flopped into bed. I called my boss and explained that my lack of sleep would hinder me from being productive and I was going to sleep instead of going to work. I woke up almost 12 hours later!
So I am back to see my Maggie and Will in 4 weeks for Maggie's big day and I am already counting the days!
So I arrived in SFO late on Saturday night and was completely spent. Maggie and my brother came to the airport to pick me up and as soon as Maggie saw me, she unbuckled her seatbelt and did a little dance in the backseat - she could not wait to give me a big hug! We headed for home and I could not have been happier!
So we walked in the door and a friend of ours was there. She had come over for dinner and to see me, which was cool. I sat down for a bite of home cooking and Maggie pulled up a chair right next to me. She insisted on sitting close while I ate and tell me all about her day. I gave her the presents I brought her and she loved her toy Jeepney. She went to my room and picked out my PJs for the night (blue cloud PJs, just like her) and had me read her a bedtime story.
The weekend was great. We went to a 4-year old birthday party on Sunday and I got to watch Maggie play on the gymnastics equipment. She insisted I take lots of pictures of her and walk around with her.
After the party, we had a nice lunch of homemade pancakes and bacon (Maggie insists I make her pancakes every time I come and visit). Will was very attentive and I finally got my hands on him. He loves to stand on your thighs - it is like he is trying to jump ahead 9 months and start walking! He is SO adorable and I cannot wait until he does even more tricks next month :)
Maggie and I took an afternoon nap and she learned the benefits of an iPod. I got to help pick her up from school each day and spend the evening with her.
The worst (and also best) part of the trip was when she told me she would be disappointed if I left and to please stay. This choked me up a ton! I explained to her that in order for me to come back for her birthday, I had to go home. And after much ado, she decided that was okay. (snif, snif).
Tuesday night, after dinner and Maggie put on her PJs, she and my brother took me to the airport. She insisted on walking me to the door and giving me lots of hugs and kisses before I left. With tears welling in my eyes, I started walking to the people mover and she is standing in the motor lobby waiving and saying Bye, Buh-Bye, Aunt D! I look back, fighting back tears, and see my brother whispering to her. She then says "Bye, bye...have fun storming the castle, Aunt D!". I just started giggling and then she started giggling. It was great.
After a long overnight flight where I couldn't really sleep, I came home to find that I was locked out of my house. My mother had come over to have some furniture moved and she turned the bolt on her way out, thus keeping me from being able to open the front door. After calling my mom and waking her from a dead sleep, she drove to my rescue and let me in my house. I climbed 2 flights of stairs by the hardest (one of those with my 57 pound suitcase) and flopped into bed. I called my boss and explained that my lack of sleep would hinder me from being productive and I was going to sleep instead of going to work. I woke up almost 12 hours later!
So I am back to see my Maggie and Will in 4 weeks for Maggie's big day and I am already counting the days!
Tuxedo Parade
Movie Review: La Marche de l'empereur (March of the Penguins)
This is the story of annual trek of Emperor penguins as they fight the elements to arrive at their breeding ground. On the surface, I know it sounds riveting, but truly it was.
I was in San Francisco and my sister-in-law and I did our Tuesday trip to the movie theatre for the Mom's Matinee (thanks to Century Theatres) - see previous post for more info: Begin the Bat.
This was a great film for the entire family - despite the death and sex involved! Considering they are penguins, and you don't really see anything (some heavy petting and balls of fur covered in snow), it is a very tame movie. The amazing piece is how these penguins survive and keep their young alive. I was enthralled and had no idea what penguins went through to keep their species alive.
The US version of this film was narrated by none other than, the master himself, Morgan Freeman. His voice was very nurturing and really played well with the film. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested...and even if you aren't, maybe you should be?!
This is the story of annual trek of Emperor penguins as they fight the elements to arrive at their breeding ground. On the surface, I know it sounds riveting, but truly it was.
I was in San Francisco and my sister-in-law and I did our Tuesday trip to the movie theatre for the Mom's Matinee (thanks to Century Theatres) - see previous post for more info: Begin the Bat.
This was a great film for the entire family - despite the death and sex involved! Considering they are penguins, and you don't really see anything (some heavy petting and balls of fur covered in snow), it is a very tame movie. The amazing piece is how these penguins survive and keep their young alive. I was enthralled and had no idea what penguins went through to keep their species alive.
The US version of this film was narrated by none other than, the master himself, Morgan Freeman. His voice was very nurturing and really played well with the film. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested...and even if you aren't, maybe you should be?!
Monday, September 05, 2005
Posts Delayed!
Hey gang -
So as you can see, I finally got the posts published from my trip. They have been wasting away in a Word doc for too long and after a lazy weekend, I took the time to put them up. I'll post about SFO tomorrow sometime, for sure!
Thanks all for checking in while I was gone, I'm just sorry I didn't have anything up for you to read when you got here...enjoy the multi-post evening :)
--Lindy ;)
So as you can see, I finally got the posts published from my trip. They have been wasting away in a Word doc for too long and after a lazy weekend, I took the time to put them up. I'll post about SFO tomorrow sometime, for sure!
Thanks all for checking in while I was gone, I'm just sorry I didn't have anything up for you to read when you got here...enjoy the multi-post evening :)
--Lindy ;)
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