So, I just found out that they are remaking this movie. Now don’t get me wrong. I have heard all of the rumors and followed the stories. Somehow I just figured it wouldn’t ever happen. Well, it is going to happen and yes I will watch it. But before I see the remake and tarnish my image of the old one I wanted to write about the original. Confession, I am a child of the 80’s and I love 80’s movies. I am a huge Kevin Bacon (Sleepers, Apollo 13, Mystic River) fan as well. As a matter of fact I have all of the Bacon Brothers CD’s. Having said that, I love Footloose (1984) I own the DVD and have the whole movie memorized. My favorite scene is of course when Ren is dancing alone in the warehouse. There are also some really good quotable lines in this movie. John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun, Cliffhanger, Harry and the Hendersons) is amazing as Reverend Shaw and Dianne Wiest (I am Sam, Edward Scissorhands, The Lost Boys) plays his wife. The way they grow as a couple, and as individuals, is so well done. And I can’t forget about Sarah Jessica Parker (The family Stone, Sex and the City, Ed Wood) She plays Rusty and this was her first movie and one of her first roles. She is Rusty! Footloose was directed by Herbert Ross (Steel Magnolias, Secret of my Success, Undercover Blues) I am a fan of his as well. I like his movies and his directing style. Footloose was probably one of the first movies that I started noticing camera angles, wide shots, close ups, all of those kind of things.
Being a child of the 80’s of course means I enjoy those coming of age teenage dramas. I like seeing the new kid trying to fit in, his struggle with a town that is so scared of losing their kids that they go overboard to protect them. It is a tough thing as parents to know where to draw the line. They are just trying to do the right thing. As Ren says, “there was once a time for this law, but not anymore.” Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the big picture and maybe it is time for a change. Footloose is a movie that makes me think. Does music have an influence on how we behave? Of course it does. How can it not? Can dancing be inappropriate? I have heard many stories of high schools today not having prom because of inappropriate or suggestive dancing. Does that mean they shouldn’t be allowed to dance at all?
My first thought was they can not remake a classic like Footloose. No one can ever replace Ren. But, I guess it does still transfer to todays teens and I know how my kids feel about 80’s movies. They usually roll their eyes when I put one in. It would be nice for a new generation to see the story and it will be interesting to see what they do with it. In my opinion it doesn’t really need updated. It can apply to any generation.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
This movie has forever changed my view of mermaids. Well, now that I think about it, they were pretty different in the Peter and the Starcatchers books as well as in the Harry Potter books and movies. Not that that is a bad thing. Just different. I really liked the mermaids in Pirates, even though they were very scary. They were very cool.
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been a very fun one. As it usually goes I liked the first one best. It is just awesome. I know there is a lot of controversy about whether or not the other two were good. I enjoyed them all. They are just fun, I loved Will and Elizabeth and that whole story line. I do enjoy most of Orlando Blooms performances. He is fun to watch. I am not a huge Keira Knightley fan but liked her in the first two Pirate movies and she was fine in the third, didn’t really bother me.
This newest installment of Pirates is all about Jack Sparrow. In case you didn’t know Jack Sparrow is played by, and was created by Johnny Depp (Secret Window, Benny and Joon, Sweeny Todd) Huge fan of Johnny Depp right here. Lets be honest he has been the best thing about the whole Pirates franchise. Watching him play Jack Sparrow you can’t help but smile, and maybe chuckle a bit. This may have been his best Jack. I am a little biased so it’s hard to say, but he was great. Penelope Cruz (Blow, Vanilla Sky, Nine) played opposite Johnny Depp. They had great chemistry but this is acctually the second time they have worked together. She played Johnny Depp’s wife in the movie Blow (2001). So, of course she did great as the love interest. What can I say you kind of know what you are going to get with Cruz and she delivers. Feisty and gorgeous. Geoffrey Rush (Shine, the King’s Speech) returns as Barbossa and Ian McShane (Kung Fu Panda, Love Joy) joins the cast as Blackbeard, that was a fun twist.
All in all this was a fun movie with some very cool mermaids and Jack Sparrow antics. (However, I am a little bias when it comes to Johnny Depp.)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I Am Number Four
Sometimes when watching one movie it will lead me to various other thoughts. So I am not as interested in that movie as I am the other things that movie has made me think of. What can I say, I am easily distracted. This is what happened while watching I Am Number Four (2011) It is a very entertaining movie and I enjoyed it but I had this feeling I was missing something. So, I watched it a second time in an attempt to fill in the gaps in my mind. That didn't work. So, now I am going to buy the book and read it.
The book is generally better then the movie and sometimes they can even complement each other. I really like that when they go hand in hand and you can enjoy both. Goal this week - buy the book I Am Number Four.
Now back to the movie. Alex Pettyfer (Tormented, Beastly) plays John Smith or number four. He did a really good job. I enjoyed watching him; he is very interesting on screen. Note to self - keep an eye on Alex Pettyfer. It will be interesting to see where he goes. That was my other wandering thought. Watching I Am Number Four made me want to watch Beastly (2011). I found myself wondering about his performance in that role. The previews looked good and it was one I had already wanted to see but now even more so.
Enough side tracking. I Am Number Four, good movie, entertaining, cool CGI stuff and a good storyline. It was a little different and that was kind of nice for a change. I kind of felt like the end just fell back into the same old stuff but still liked it.
The book is generally better then the movie and sometimes they can even complement each other. I really like that when they go hand in hand and you can enjoy both. Goal this week - buy the book I Am Number Four.
Now back to the movie. Alex Pettyfer (Tormented, Beastly) plays John Smith or number four. He did a really good job. I enjoyed watching him; he is very interesting on screen. Note to self - keep an eye on Alex Pettyfer. It will be interesting to see where he goes. That was my other wandering thought. Watching I Am Number Four made me want to watch Beastly (2011). I found myself wondering about his performance in that role. The previews looked good and it was one I had already wanted to see but now even more so.
Enough side tracking. I Am Number Four, good movie, entertaining, cool CGI stuff and a good storyline. It was a little different and that was kind of nice for a change. I kind of felt like the end just fell back into the same old stuff but still liked it.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Shall We Dance
While visiting with a friend a few weeks ago she expressed concern over her nieces. They had said that Moulin Rouge (2001) is a beautiful love story. My friend was very upset by this comment. "That is not a love story!" she said. "It's not real, and teenage girls shouldn't view it that way." She has never even seen the movie and some of her other comments and concerns didn't really apply but that is neither here nor there. I can however see her point and I understand where she is coming from, I even agree in a way. Having said that I do have to admit that I LOVE Moulin Rouge. (Another blog maybe?) Not only that but my girls, ages 17 and 15, also love the movie. We watch it a lot.
Moulin Rouge may not be a "love story" and it may not be "real" but, Shall We Dance (2004) is. My girls and I watched Shall We Dance the other day. It is such a beautiful story I thoroughly enjoy it every time. John Clark, played by Richard Gere (Pretty Woman, Chicago, Primal Fear) is a very happily married man. He has a loving wife played by Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise, Lovely Bones, Dead Man Walking) and a loving teenage daughter played by Tamara Hope (The Deep End, Saint Ralph). He feels that something is still missing. The family is kind of in a bit of a rut. They just go through the routine of the day.
This leads to John taking ballroom lessons. In the beginning he takes lessons just to get to know Paulina. Paulina is played by Jennifer Lopez (Angel eyes, Maid in Manhattan, Monster-in-law, An Unfinished Life) He tells her, she looked on the outside the way he felt on the inside. What a statement. His daughter begins to notice how happy he is, then she and her mom begin to wonder at the change. John finds out that he loves dancing and it makes him happy. I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't seen it yet but it is very good!
About ten minutes into the movie my 17 year old daughter asked "Is he going to fall in love with his wife?" I will tell you that he does. He never really fell out of love with her but they do find a new passion. Shall We Dance is a beautiful, "real" story about marriage. It takes honesty, communication, room to grow and change to make a marriage work.
My husband and I were married at a young age. Some of the best advice my mom gave me was to give each other the time and space to grow. I believe that applies to every marriage no matter your age or how long you have been together.
One of my favorite scenes is when John and his wife Beverly finally talk about what has been going on. He tells her "The one thing I am proudest of in my whole life, is that you're happy with me. If I couldn't ..... if I couldn't tell you that I was unhappy sometimes, it's because I didn't want to risk hurting the one person I treasure most. I'm so sorry." By this point I am crying and my girls are laughing at me. This movie makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it. It didn't help that my husband walked in at that point and agreed with Richard Gere, "it's true, that is all I want is to make you happy."
Some movies have a way of becoming very personal to me. They just get under my skin and burrow their way into my being. Those are the ones I love the most!
Moulin Rouge may not be a "love story" and it may not be "real" but, Shall We Dance (2004) is. My girls and I watched Shall We Dance the other day. It is such a beautiful story I thoroughly enjoy it every time. John Clark, played by Richard Gere (Pretty Woman, Chicago, Primal Fear) is a very happily married man. He has a loving wife played by Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise, Lovely Bones, Dead Man Walking) and a loving teenage daughter played by Tamara Hope (The Deep End, Saint Ralph). He feels that something is still missing. The family is kind of in a bit of a rut. They just go through the routine of the day.
This leads to John taking ballroom lessons. In the beginning he takes lessons just to get to know Paulina. Paulina is played by Jennifer Lopez (Angel eyes, Maid in Manhattan, Monster-in-law, An Unfinished Life) He tells her, she looked on the outside the way he felt on the inside. What a statement. His daughter begins to notice how happy he is, then she and her mom begin to wonder at the change. John finds out that he loves dancing and it makes him happy. I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't seen it yet but it is very good!
About ten minutes into the movie my 17 year old daughter asked "Is he going to fall in love with his wife?" I will tell you that he does. He never really fell out of love with her but they do find a new passion. Shall We Dance is a beautiful, "real" story about marriage. It takes honesty, communication, room to grow and change to make a marriage work.
My husband and I were married at a young age. Some of the best advice my mom gave me was to give each other the time and space to grow. I believe that applies to every marriage no matter your age or how long you have been together.
One of my favorite scenes is when John and his wife Beverly finally talk about what has been going on. He tells her "The one thing I am proudest of in my whole life, is that you're happy with me. If I couldn't ..... if I couldn't tell you that I was unhappy sometimes, it's because I didn't want to risk hurting the one person I treasure most. I'm so sorry." By this point I am crying and my girls are laughing at me. This movie makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it. It didn't help that my husband walked in at that point and agreed with Richard Gere, "it's true, that is all I want is to make you happy."
Some movies have a way of becoming very personal to me. They just get under my skin and burrow their way into my being. Those are the ones I love the most!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Unstoppable
I love it when that happens! While watching Unstoppable (2010) I kept having this feeling of Deja Vu. (Ha Ha ya' get it?) At first, I thought it was just because of Denzel Washington. Not really so, there was so much of Unstoppable that reminded me of Deja Vu (2006), similar camera angles, similar color scheme, hmm same directing style? I have been watching Deja Vu quite a bit lately, very good movie. But it wasn't just Denzel Washington that was giving me that Deja Vu feeling. Come to find out it was because of Tony Scott. Tony Scott directed Unstoppable, as well as Deja Vu. I really like his style.
There are a lot of things I take into account when selecting a movie to watch. Actors, storyline and of course the trailer can play a big part, however there are other things to consider, the director, the studio, the screenwriter all of these things I look at as well. Now I can add Tony Scott to that list. I know I enjoy his movies. When you have a head full of useless information it is kind of fun when pieces fall into place like that. It makes me happy when I can recognize a certain director.
A lot of questions ran through my head while watching Unstoppable. How plausible is this really? I mean I know it is based on true events so it really happened but how much did they tweek for Hollywood? I am a huge fan of the Mythbusters and I love the episodes when they test movie myths which of course are usually busted. But hey isn't that why we love Hollywood, the larger than life explosions, the unrealistic car chases, the incredible stunts. So, naturally while watching any movie based on a true story or based on actual events I always wondered where the truth ends and artistic licensing takes over. Just curious.
Anyway, a very entertaining movie. What can I say ..... anything with Denzel Washington is going to be good. He is just amazing on screen. I also am becoming a fan of Chris Pine (Star Trek, Just my Luck) I first saw Chris Pine in Star Trek (2009) and if you want to get right down to it I fell in love with his performance just from the trailer. I watched it saying, who it that guy? And wasn't disappointed when I finally saw his performance in Star Trek. The way the relationship between Denzel and Chris grows throughout the movie is very fun to watch. Not only is the movie an action flick but it also has some very good dialog, which sometimes you miss out on in action movies. It was kind of refreshing.
There are a lot of things I take into account when selecting a movie to watch. Actors, storyline and of course the trailer can play a big part, however there are other things to consider, the director, the studio, the screenwriter all of these things I look at as well. Now I can add Tony Scott to that list. I know I enjoy his movies. When you have a head full of useless information it is kind of fun when pieces fall into place like that. It makes me happy when I can recognize a certain director.
A lot of questions ran through my head while watching Unstoppable. How plausible is this really? I mean I know it is based on true events so it really happened but how much did they tweek for Hollywood? I am a huge fan of the Mythbusters and I love the episodes when they test movie myths which of course are usually busted. But hey isn't that why we love Hollywood, the larger than life explosions, the unrealistic car chases, the incredible stunts. So, naturally while watching any movie based on a true story or based on actual events I always wondered where the truth ends and artistic licensing takes over. Just curious.
Anyway, a very entertaining movie. What can I say ..... anything with Denzel Washington is going to be good. He is just amazing on screen. I also am becoming a fan of Chris Pine (Star Trek, Just my Luck) I first saw Chris Pine in Star Trek (2009) and if you want to get right down to it I fell in love with his performance just from the trailer. I watched it saying, who it that guy? And wasn't disappointed when I finally saw his performance in Star Trek. The way the relationship between Denzel and Chris grows throughout the movie is very fun to watch. Not only is the movie an action flick but it also has some very good dialog, which sometimes you miss out on in action movies. It was kind of refreshing.
Monday, May 23, 2011
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
What a good find! I stumbled across My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (2010) while browsing through Netflix watch instantly one day. Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?, Charmed) stars as Jesse Young, an adorable waitress who has Sunday dinners with her brother and uncle. At first I was a little hesitant about giving this movie a chance. I grew up watching Who's the Boss and then loved Alyssa Milano in Charmed but she has made some ......... interesting choices. You just never know what to expect with her.
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend was a very nice surprise. It is an adorable movie and surprisingly clean. I would call it family friendly. As soon as it got over I wanted to watch it again and I wanted my daughters, 17, 15 and 13 to watch it as well.
Warning! There will come a point while watching that you are really questioning Jesse and her motives. There comes a point at which she tells the Charlie Brown story to one guy and then turns around to the other guy and says pretty much the same thing! I was furious with her and ready to shut it off. But .... I couldn't do that and just had to see how it was all going to turn out. Then I said to myself, I am going to be really upset if this doesn't end well.
My mom is a fan of the first few minutes of a movie. I have to agree with her on that. It is very interesting to see how a director chooses to begin his story. What is the very first thing he wants you to see and hear? I really like that but, I have to say that I am also a huge fan of the ending. A really good ending can save just about any movie, and a really bad ending can end something I had enjoyed up to that point. This movie has an ending worth seeing!
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend was a very nice surprise. It is an adorable movie and surprisingly clean. I would call it family friendly. As soon as it got over I wanted to watch it again and I wanted my daughters, 17, 15 and 13 to watch it as well.
Warning! There will come a point while watching that you are really questioning Jesse and her motives. There comes a point at which she tells the Charlie Brown story to one guy and then turns around to the other guy and says pretty much the same thing! I was furious with her and ready to shut it off. But .... I couldn't do that and just had to see how it was all going to turn out. Then I said to myself, I am going to be really upset if this doesn't end well.
My mom is a fan of the first few minutes of a movie. I have to agree with her on that. It is very interesting to see how a director chooses to begin his story. What is the very first thing he wants you to see and hear? I really like that but, I have to say that I am also a huge fan of the ending. A really good ending can save just about any movie, and a really bad ending can end something I had enjoyed up to that point. This movie has an ending worth seeing!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Green Hornet
Questions, should I bother talking about movies I am not passionate about? Are people interested in reading about the movies if I am not that interested in writing about them? Should I talk about it because it is a new release? Ok - I love movies and they don't all have to be some deep wonderful thing that changes my life. I can enjoy them just for the entertainment value. However, there does have to be some entertainment value.
I am capable of just enjoying a "beach movie". I learned this term once in reference to books. There is what we call a "beach book", that is to say a very easy read, not real deep, it's not going to change your life, make you cry, you could just sit on the beach and read without a lot of thought. I now use that term for movies as well. However, as I said, there does have to be some entertainment value.
Why am I rambling on about this? Because my family and I watched The Green Hornet (2011). I was not impressed. If you liked Iron Man (2008) you will probably like this one. Rich man with daddy issues, daddy dies leaves snotty son the company; son is disrespectful to everyone including himself. You get the idea, very similar to Iron Man.
Good point, it did have some, Kato is played by Jay Chou (The Treasure Hunter, True Legend) who hasn't done a whole lot. He did a wonderful job and I really enjoyed him on screen. I will have to admit that I don't know much about the Green Hornet but is Kato supposed to be so much cooler? It seemed like he was the one running the show while the Green Hornet got all of the credit?
The special effects are awesome and very fun. I didn't care to much for the directing style but that is just me. The language was a little much to deal with as well. I know that may seem odd considering some of the movies I watch. I am really not a prude about language but it does have to at least make sense and fit into the story. I felt like it was thrown in just for the sake of it. Seth Rogen (Knocked up, Superbad, Pineapple express) played the Green Hornet and was one of the writers. I had a lot of issues with the writing, the dialog, the story, as I mentioned the language, some of the jokes. Then again I am not really a fan of Seth Rogen. I know he has fans and people really like him. If you fit into that category you will really like this movie.
Don't get me wrong I like comic books and I like a lot of the movie adaptations. I really enjoyed the Spider-man movies, the Batman movies, love the X-men movies. I am just not a huge fan of the Iron Man movies or the Green Hornet. Maybe it's the snobby playboy who is so full of himself he is blind to everything else around him. I don't really know.
I am capable of just enjoying a "beach movie". I learned this term once in reference to books. There is what we call a "beach book", that is to say a very easy read, not real deep, it's not going to change your life, make you cry, you could just sit on the beach and read without a lot of thought. I now use that term for movies as well. However, as I said, there does have to be some entertainment value.
Why am I rambling on about this? Because my family and I watched The Green Hornet (2011). I was not impressed. If you liked Iron Man (2008) you will probably like this one. Rich man with daddy issues, daddy dies leaves snotty son the company; son is disrespectful to everyone including himself. You get the idea, very similar to Iron Man.
Good point, it did have some, Kato is played by Jay Chou (The Treasure Hunter, True Legend) who hasn't done a whole lot. He did a wonderful job and I really enjoyed him on screen. I will have to admit that I don't know much about the Green Hornet but is Kato supposed to be so much cooler? It seemed like he was the one running the show while the Green Hornet got all of the credit?
The special effects are awesome and very fun. I didn't care to much for the directing style but that is just me. The language was a little much to deal with as well. I know that may seem odd considering some of the movies I watch. I am really not a prude about language but it does have to at least make sense and fit into the story. I felt like it was thrown in just for the sake of it. Seth Rogen (Knocked up, Superbad, Pineapple express) played the Green Hornet and was one of the writers. I had a lot of issues with the writing, the dialog, the story, as I mentioned the language, some of the jokes. Then again I am not really a fan of Seth Rogen. I know he has fans and people really like him. If you fit into that category you will really like this movie.
Don't get me wrong I like comic books and I like a lot of the movie adaptations. I really enjoyed the Spider-man movies, the Batman movies, love the X-men movies. I am just not a huge fan of the Iron Man movies or the Green Hornet. Maybe it's the snobby playboy who is so full of himself he is blind to everything else around him. I don't really know.
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