Kris Kristopherson Flashback - A Star Is Born

Today was the perfect day to spend a few hours in front of Netflix.

Teach was downstairs working in the garage. Handsome was playing XBox and Goddess was playing with her dollhouse. Perfect time to catch a "me" movie. Not one I have to watch because of the kids or the husband, but one I WANT to see.

I am a child of the 70's and 1976 was the movie that changed what I found hot! It had been Shawn Cassidy and Donny Osmond until the day I saw A Star Is Born. Just 10 years old and after seeing Kris Kristopherson in I was hooked. The hair, the eyes, the clothes, I was smitten.

Was it just me or did anyone else have the hots for Kris?

He was like what I pictured Jesus Christ would look like in 70's clothing.

My sisters and I loved the soundtrack and listened as often as possible. We loved Barbara Streisand as much as our parents and knew every song. When I am cleaning the house or doing dishes I throw in my rendition of Queen Bee. Damn I love this song!

The black, black widow is sittin' in the middle of the web,
it's the fly she seeks.
You may be her lover but you never will recover, 'cause
she ain't had a bite for weeks.
You think your the same, 'cause you got the same name,
but the widow has a mobile home.
Remember what I told you, she got eight arms to hold you,
and she's never gonna let you roam.
She'll tuck into bed and truck on your head, then she'll
wrap you as a midnight snack.
So if you see a spider, don't you sidle up beside her
Why'd you think the widow's wearin' black?

Queen bee, baby
Pray that you may be left on your own, uh huh
Nothin' she'll give you, gonna outlive you, uh, uh, uh
But the queen bee's never gonna be alone. Uh huh.
Long before Atlantis there has been a praying mantis and
you knows why he's on his knees.
He may have religion but he's just a sittin' pigeon if a
woman even starts to tease.
He won't even quibble if she has a little nibble on his neck,
what a way to go.
And now you done and torn it! You been messin' with a
hornet, she's a blue-blooded wasp, you know.
And just as you do it, she'll inject you with a fluid that you
ain't even got but none.
You're the meat on the plate, not even first rate, she's
gonna feed you to her seventh son.

Just like the Queen Bee, baby
Pray that you may be left on your own,
Nothin' she'll give you, gonna outlive you, uh, uh, uh
But the queen bee's never gonna be alone. Uh huh. Uh huh.

So, in conclusion, it's an optical illusion, if you think that
we're the weaker race.
Men got the muscle, but the ladies got the hustle, and the
truth is staring in your face.
The mother bear stalks, and the queen of the hawks, is the
one who brings home the bread.
The lion that is regal, and the bald headed eagle, need a
woman just to keep them fed.
But come the evenin', we're like Adam and his Eve, inside
the garden. Hear the serpent's sound?
It's so frustratin', when you're really into matin', and there
ain't a lovin' man around.

Whoever wrote this story
(it's so frustratin', when you're really
into matin', and there ain't a lovin' man around)
Throw out the glory
(it's so frustratin', when you're really
into matin', and there ain't a lovin' man around)
Bring in the men (give me them and I'll swing)
Write me a sequel
Give me an equal, oh, oh, oh
And I'll give that man
I said I'm give that lovin' man
I said I'm gonna give that lovin' man
I'm gonna give him that lovin' sting! Zap!



If you have not seen A Star is Born (not the original with Judy Garland), and you like Barbara and musicals. Give is a go.

John Norman Howard (Kris) is a reckless big time rock n' roller. His drinking and antics are getting the better of him and his career is suffering. He meets Esther one night when he drunkingly walks into a club where she and her back up singers are doing their thing. After creating drama she sneaks him out the back door.  They fall in love. He thinks she has real talent and gets her on stage during one of his shows and applauds as the audience and press love her. Her career is taking off just as his is crashing. She wants him on the road with her, her people want him to hang back and let her fly. She is special and he knows it.  He takes matters into his own hands to make sure that her career stays strong. The ending always has me sobbing.  Sometimes love just isn't enough.

Streisand is her typical 70's great! Kristopherson gives an amazing performance as a suffering artist. Great movie!  Golden Globes for both as best actor and actress and best motion picture musical.

The fire of Barbra Streisand. The magnetism of Kris Kristofferson. The reckless world of big-time rock 'n' roll. All three bring a new passion and timeliness to A Star Is Born, one of the screen's classic love stories (previously filmed in 1937 and 1954) and winner of five Golden GlobeO Awards, including Best Picture, Actress and Actor (Musical/Comedy). Paul Williams, Kenny Loggins, Leon Russell and others worked with Streisand on one of the most popular song scores ever, topped by the Streisand/Williams Evergreen winning the Academy AwardO and Golden GlobeO Award as 1976's Best Original Song. Their teamwork resulted in a box-office triumph as well as "a considerable achievement" (Clive Hirschhorn, The Hollywood Musical).

Remember Me - Amateur Movie Review

In the summer of 2001, New York college student Tyler (Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga) is still feeling lost from the tragedy that has strained his relationship with his father when he meets Ally (Emilie de Ravin, TV’s “Lost”), a girl who understands his pain. The last thing Tyler’s looking for is love, but through their passionate relationship, he finds new possibilities for happiness. It’s an unforgettable story about the power of the heart, the strength of family, and the importance of treasuring every day of one’s life.

What I Can Tell You:

Rob Pattinson was in this movie and I was going to see it regardless of anything. I wanted to see if he could be someone other than Edward for me. The movie was very well done. It is a story of redemption, love, loss, and past pain.

I cried about four times during this movie. The movie has 3 different storylines. Tyler and his family, Tyler and Ally and Ally and her Father.

I think that if you are thinking this is a "Twilight fan" movie you are very mistaken. It is worth a watch. You will feel for the characters. It is a very deep, moving story of two families who have gone through loss and are dealing with it the best way they can. Each of them in their own way.

My favorite relationship is of Tyler and his sister Caroline. Tyler is a big brother, protector, father figure in Caroline's life while she appreciates him and acknowledges his faults but respects him.

Without giving away the ending, the last 10 minutes are done wonderfully. Edited without shoving the inevitable down our throats to make old wounds rip open to bleed again.  In the end, we all just want to be remembered.

Great movie.

Shutter Island - Review

We recently got Netflix. It is awesome.

Last night we watched Shutter Island starring Leonardo DiCaprio

World War II soldier-turned-U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by his own troubling visions and by Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley). Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer and Max von Sydow co-star in director Martin Scorsese's plot twist-filled psychological thriller set on a Massachusetts island in 1954.

Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley, Elias Koteas, John Carroll Lynch

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Why You Should See This Movie: Leo DiCaprio and the supporting cast!

What I Can Tell You:
This isn't one of those movies you can put on and do things. You need to dedicate 2 hours and 18 minutes to it! Based on the book Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.

I thought the movie was awesome. Leo is fantastic.Mark Ruffalo who I always appreciated is a great wing man.

The Year, 1954. Leo plays Teddy Daniels, a US marshal who is sent to Shutter Island (a hospital/prison for the criminally insane) with his new partner Chuck to investigate the disappearance of a patient Rachel Solando.

Teddy has flashbacks and dreams of his wife and the war that that haunt him both while asleep and awake.

About an hour in I turned to my husband and said I got it figured out. I did! I was right. But, the last 5 minutes of the movie had me scratching my head. It was the one line where Leo/Teddy says, "Which would be worse, to live as a monster or die as a good man?"
 
Now that the ending has been presented to me, there are many clues through the movie that nicely set up the twist. I really want to watch it again to see the twists unfold and see more than I saw the first time.


Since my reviews whether sponsored or otherwise are 100% honest, I have to admit there was about 20 minutes of the movie that I had to watch through my closed hand. It wasn't a consecutive 20 mins but a total of, where I couldn't "see" the images on the screen. Anything to do with children "not breathing" is really hard for me. I refuse to have these images imprinted on my brain so I mostly just ask my husband if it is OK to look.

Michelle Williams was awesome and disturbing at the same time.

Some memorable quotes that sat with me later were:

Chuck Aule: You okay boss?
Teddy Daniels: Yeah fine, I just ah, I just can't, can't stomach the water.

Warden: We wage war, we burn sacrifices we pillage and plunder and treat at the flesh of our brothers and why? Because God gave us violence to wage in his honor.
Teddy Daniels: I thought God gave us moral orders.
Warden: There is no moral orders as pure as this storm. There's no moral order at all. There's just this: can my violence conquer yours?

Dolores Chanal: Set me free.

I think this movie is a 5 out of 5 stars. Great thriller, mystery. Very, very well done.

My Eclipse Review - The Twilight Saga - Amateur Movie Review

This past weekend, Clary and I headed out at the very last minute to see Eclipse. We strolled off hand in hand, giddy with expectation and excitement. It was one of our favorite books of the series and we were extremely READY to see it.

Both of us are early birds so we had at least 20 minutes to kill before the movie started. The theatre was ours for the first 15 minutes than others started coming in. The first was a chick by herself. The next a couple. Clary couldn't control herself and said something like, "hooray a guy." He said, "I was dragged". The next group were 4 women in their 40's. They sat right in front of us and like the die hard fans we are, (nothing was going to stop us from hearing every word in the movie which is why we waited 2 weeks to see the movie. We wanted NO NOISE.) we moved! Oh, yes, took our asses and snacks and moved 5 rows away from the hen house.

Another couple came in, Clary started singing "You are not alone!" Then another couple right before the movie started.

We held hands waiting for the movie to start. We do not speak during movies even when home. All talking commences after the movie. You would think we hated each other or at least didn't know each other.

So, with that huge unnecessary build up, the movie starts.

What I Can Tell You:

• Bella is still unexcited about absolutely everything
• The movie felt rushed
• Edward is hot but hardly seen
• It should be illegal for Jacob Black to wear a shirt ever
• It should be illegal for any of us over 35 to lust after 18 year old Taylor Lautner
• Charlie is hardly seen
• There is way too much story for the 2 hour, 4 minute movie.
• Back stories, new characters, missing dialogue and more.
• If I didn't know the story, I would have been very confused.
• The wolf pack look like they need some sandwiches. They are all skinny

• It does not appear that Kristen Stewart is having a relationship with either of these guys outside the movie. The kisses were total movie kisses.
• Rob and Kristen share some awkward hugs and kisses.
• There was so much missing dialogue and some of it was changed or said by different characters. 
• I loved it regardless of all the short comings. Some things just don't translate well to the screen. I am happy to see it come to life and can't wait for Breaking Dawn.
• The scenes with the wolfs are so cool.

• We couldn't stop talking about the change of Victoria. Bryce as Victoria's role is so small, why did they find the need to change her from Rachelle?
• Jacob is so much funnier in the book
• Jasper is hotter this time around
• I am still Team Edward

• We would have loved to see more scenes of the Wolfs and vampire practice fighting
• We smiled during the Jacob/Edward/Bella Scenes

I am not sure if they used the Barbie dolls or the real actors for this shot but it totally looks like a bunch of Barbies to me.

Bree is so cute!

If I had two hot, devoted, would die for me guys in love with me, I would not be wearing this face.

Just saying!

Wait......I think I see a sorta smile here.  I stand corrected.

If you read the books, don't expect to love the movie. Go in excited for your beloved book to come to life, then go back and read the books. That is what I am doing.

However, I will be snatching up Eclipse on DVD as soon as I can!

The Book Of Eli - Amateur Movie Review

In a post-apocalyptic world, a lone hero (Washington) guards the Book of Eli, which provides knowledge that could redeem society. The despot of a small, makeshift town (Oldman) plans to take possession of the book.

What I Can Tell You: My husband and I watched this last weekend. While I really liked the movie, my husband really didn't care for it. He is a huge Denzel Washington fan (his favorite actor) but really thought the movie wasn't that good. I on the other hand. Loved it!

It is different and at the end we both discussed something we didn't realize until the very end. The movie is slow, quiet but strong.  I loved Gary Oldman!

I also loved Mila Kunis. It was great seeing her in something different than Forgetting Sarah Marshall or Extract and That 70's Show. She looked like Angelina Jolie as Lara Craft. Who knew she could be an action star? Loved it.

Check out her total hotness!

The Book of Eli was a great movie and I highly recommend it.

All About Steve - Amateur Movie Review

Eccentric crossword-compiler Mary Horowitz becomes infatuated with TV news cameraman Steve. Encouraged by Steve's fellow journalist Hartman Hughes, Mary starts to follow Steve around the country.

What I Can Tell You: I can totally understand why Sandra got a Razzie award and an Oscar in the same year for worst and best actress, respectively.

While it seems the movie could work, Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Hayden Church, Ken Juong, it just kinda didn't.

Bradley Cooper is extremely likeable, almost too much so. In one scene when he is supposed to look shocked he looks very excited to see Mary! In this scene actually.

Sandra in her crazy red boots, weird, mullet, blonde hair and sexy legs just is over the top which is what they were going for but it just fell short of funny. It was a train wreck that I couldn't wait to be over.  Stalker Mary is just too weird for words and while I loved the first scene feature Sandra and Bradley on a blind date that never happens the movie was un-savable.

 

It wasn't so bad that I would say never see it, but don't pay for it. Borrow it from the library like I did.

Check out this gag reel. Can't say I blame Sandra for wanting to throw her head into Brad's crotch every take.

The movie was nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Director (Phil Traill), Worst Actress (Sandra Bullock), Worst Screenplay (Kim Barker), and Worst Screen Couple (Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper. The film won for Worst Actress and Worst Screen Couple.

 

Movies and More Movies

Sorry I have been gone so long! I was in the hospital from May 24th Until June 9th. Since being home, I have watched so many movies.

The first one up for Amateur review is Legion with Paul Bettany

Legion:
When god loses faith in mankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner and the archangel Michael (Paul Bettany).

AT A REMOTE DESERT TRUCK STOP, THE FATE OF THE WORLD WILL BE DECIDED. EVIL'S ARMIES ARE AMASSING. ARMED & UNITED BY THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, A GROUP OF STRANGERS BECOME UNITTING SOLDIERS ON THE FRONTLINES OF THE APOCALYPSE. THEIR MISSION: TO PROTECT A WAITRESS & HER UNBORN CHILD FROM THE DEMONIC LEGION.
What I Can Tell You: 
I have a Paul Bettany thing and I have an angel thing. The previews with chiseled tummy and big, black wings was just hot so I was really excited to see it.

Paul is an Angel who will stop at nothing to protect the unborn baby of a waitress. There are some creep scenes like an old lady who crawls across the ceiling, twitching heads of the people set forth to kill the waitress as part of God's request.

It was just kinda OK. I watched it and enjoyed it but afterward felt that if Paul wasn't in it, I would could have hated it. Paul and his calm, soothing voice, with big black wings and massive guns is worth the watch. Mr. Jennifer Connolly can protect me anytime.

This scene kicked ass

The Fountain - A Review

Product Description

Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Past, present, future. Through time and space, one man embarks on a bold 1000-year odyssey to defeat humankind's most indomitable foe: Death. Hugh Jackman plays that man, devoted to one woman (Rachel Weisz) and determined to protect her from forces that threaten her existence. His quest leads him to a Tree of Life...and to an adventure into eternity. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) directs, continuing his string of imaginative, involving filmmaking with a tale alive with ideas and filled with astonishing vistas.

Hugh Jackman was the reason I decided to try out this movie. Thankfully, my library had it and I didn't have to pay anything to see it. Thankfully!

The movie has some visually stunning scenes. There is Hugh; bald, hair, sitting, criss, cross, apple sauce, but to be totally honest. I had not friggin idea what was going on. Are we in the present, past, future, non-existence???? What? What? What?

So, premise as I (the amateur reviewer) sees it is, Tomas, (Hugh) spends his whole life trying to save his wife (the love of his life). Beautiful right?! Well, I think the films desire to be artistic makes it too complicated or maybe I'm just an idiot.

I give this 2 out of 5 Stars. Mostly because...of the beauty of the visuals.

The Haunted Airman: A Movie Review

Product Description
Flight Lieutenant Jugg (Twilight's Robert Pattinson), confined to a wheelchair after being wounded in action, arrives at a remote mansion in Wales to recuperate. Suffering from terrible nightmares and visions, he suspects the methods of his psychiatrist, Dr. Hal Burns (Julian Sands). His beautiful aunt, Julia (Rachael Stirling) seems to be the only person he can trust – until circumstances make him doubt even her intentions. Based on the novel “The Haunting of Toby Jugg” by Dennis Wheatley.

For obvious reasons I borrowed this movie from my library. Hello, Rob Pattinson in a bathtub, getting a sponge bath! Plus, I want to see him as someone other than Edward Cullen.

Well, let's just, say this...his character smokes too much. The movie moves too quickly. Every time I blinked it was a new morning.

So, Jug, gets injured after getting hit in the back during a mission, while in flight. He is now confined to a wheelchair and his aunt drops him off at this secluded home to get better.

If you are a Rob fan, you will love it because Rob is in the movie from beginning to end. But, as a fan of movies...well...the movie leaves you scratching your head. Is he a victim?
Is he losing his mind?
Honestly, I have no friggin clue.

The story is based on "The Haunting of Toby Jugg" (1948) by Dennis Wheatley (famous for thrillers and occult novels in the 50s and 60s).

Umm....let's see. I give this a 2 out of 5 stars but only because Rob was in it and he does a great job of brooding and acts like a guy trapped in a wheelchair, unsure of his new life.

Movie Weekend Recap

For someone who doesn't watch much TV, I spent the last 4 days watching movies. My library had some new releases that I wanted to check out.

17 Again

The only reason to see this movie is Zac Efron. The premise is cute. What would you do differently if you were given to live your life over? Would you make the same choices you did the first time around?

While the premise has been done a bunch of times, this movie falls short. It was just kind of slapped together and while there are semi cute moments I could have missed this and been OK with it. Although the message of "you are in fact living your best life right now" was not lost on me. Everything happens for a reason is a saying most of us use for a reason.  I give it 3 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis: If you somehow had the chance, would you do your life over? Thirtysomething Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) would. Then one mysteriously magical moment, Mike gets his chance. He’s suddenly back at Hayden High where he’s the star (Enter Zac Efron) of the basketball team, a total hottie, and a classmate to his own teenage kids…which gives Mike a chance to go from not-so-good dad to really cool friend.

The Proposal (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy)

This was an OK movie. Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock are both very likable. What's not to like about Ryan Reynolds? (after all he did star in Maria's Eye Candy spotlight in 2006).

I found it funny that through the whole first 20 minutes of the movie Sandra Bullock's character (Margaret Tate) is supposed to be the boss from hell. "The wicked witch is on her broom" and "here it comes" are IM's sent throughout the office whenever she is on the move. I am here to tell you that Ms. Tate is far from the boss from hell. I know, I've experienced some of the worst.

Margaret is about to be deported back to Canada and Andrew (Ryan) her assistant is sucked into marrying her so she can keep her from losing her Visa. While the storyline is mediocre it is the cast that keeps you watching. Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds and Betty White are fantastic in their satire and Mary Steenburgen and Craig T Nelson round out the stars of this movie. All of these stars have the likeability factor going for them. The Casting Director knew exactly what they were doing. 4 out of 5 Stars

Amazon Product Description:  Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) terrorizes her publishing house co-workers with her abrasive, take-no-prisoners management style, especially her overworked assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds). But when Margaret is threatened with deportation to her native Canada because of an immigration technicality, the quick-thinking exec announces that she and Andrew are engaged to be married. Ambitious Andrew agrees to go along with her scheme—if there’s a long-awaited promotion in it for him. Everything is going according to Margaret’s plan, until an overzealous immigration official makes it his business to prove that the couple’s engagement is bogus. To demonstrate her commitment to her new fiancé, Margaret agrees to celebrate the 90th birthday of his colorful grandmother (Betty White) — in Alaska. The editrix’s type-A ways put her at odds with her eccentric future in-laws with hilarious consequences, until the Paxtons teach Margaret a thing or two about family.

Sunshine Cleaning

I really was looking for something fun and noticed this was under comedy so I grabbed it. I am here to tell you that there is nothing funny about this movie. Are comedies supposed to make you cry?  Two sisters whose mom commited suicuide open a business together. They clean up after a death, murder or sucide.  Blood, vomit, body fluids, maggots you name it, they clean it. Finding the humor? Neither did I!

Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin all are remarkable in this movie but I was seriously looking for something to make me laugh. 

Acting wise amazing. Storyline great! Looking for a good movie check this out. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are some of the greatest actresses out there right now. 5 out of 5.

Amazon Product Review: Academy Award® Nominee Amy Adams, Golden Globe® Winner Emily Blunt, and Academy Award Winner®Alan Arkin find an unexpected way to turn their lives around in this “colorful, refreshingly quirky comic drama” (Leah Rozen, People). Desperate to get her son into a better school, single mom Rose (Amy Adams) persuades her slacker sister Norah (Emily Blunt) to join her in the crime scene cleanup business to make some quick cash. With the help of their ill-fated salesman father (Alan Arkin), they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, finding themselves up to their elbows in murders, suicides, and… specialized situations. But underneath the dust and grime they also come to discover a true respect for one another, and create a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family.

Grey Gardens (HBO)

I watched this last night and wasn't really excited about it.  When I snatched it from the table to put it in, I thought grrr..."so not interested". That is before watching it. Since last night I have talked to over 5 people about Grey Gardens. 


All I can say is WOW!!! Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange were amazing! This true story of two relatives of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy who were aristocrats until their lives took a dramatic turn after Edith Sr's husband left her and  how they slid from 1930s high society to sharing rotting living quarters with litters of cats and raccoons. Amazing performances by both. I had to keep reminding myself that I was watching Drew Barrymore.  This is her best by far. 

Grey Gardens, which won 6 Emmys last night including Best TV Movie. Last night Grey Garden's took home a Golden Globe for best mini-series or motion picture made for TV and Drew got the award for best actress in a mini-series or motion picture made for TV.

Funny that they won as I was watching this movie. I give this movie 5 out of 5 Stars.


"It is very easy to keep the line between the past and the present."

Product Description

Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens tells the tender, intimate story of an eccentric mother and daughter (both named Edith Bouvier Beale aka "Big and Little Edie"). They were raised as Park Avenue débutantes but withdrew from New York society, taking shelter at their Long Island summer home, "Grey Gardens ." As their wealth and contact with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp on reality. They were reintroduced to the world when international tabloids learned of a health department raid on their home, and Jackie swooped in to save her relatives. Based on the lives that inspired the Maysles Brothers' classic documentary.

More reviews coming tomorrow

Amateur Movie Review - I Love You, Man

 My library has a decent DVD collection. The other day I was there and borrowed, Little Einsteins for my daughter and something for myself.

I Love You, Man was a complete surprise.

Paul Rudd is likable and while the other guy on the cover looked familiar, I couldn't place him.

The premise is cute. Cute guy, cute girl are getting married and while she has tons of friends, he has zero! She never realizes this because well, they are only dating 8 months. We all know it is pretty normal for two people in a new relationship to spend all their free time together but really, she has never met his friends?

She has tons of friends and when he overhears her talking with them about the wedding being unbalanced and how foolish they will feel walking down the aisle alone. So Peter (Paul Rudd's character) sets out to make friends. When he finally befriends Sidney (the other guy on the cover that I couldn't place) his life changes.

We all know that making friends as adults is never easy. Most people have their good friends in place before they set into marriage so watching Peter TRY to make friends is hysterical.

In A Nutshell: Paul Rudd has the likability factor in everything he does. He is the poor man's Tom Hanks.  Jason Segal, I know from Freaks and Geeks and more recently Forgetting Sarah Marshall, is another likable actor. He reminds me of an ex-work associate, Nelson who is a really funny man. So much so, that sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not watching Nelson. I believe they could be twins. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, watching Peter and Sidney turn into friends was so fun. There were a few times when I felt foolish after realizing how much I was smiling. Thankfully I was alone.

This is a great buddy movie, male or female we all make friends the same way. What was different about this buddy movie was how cute I found it. Watching two grown men who are social opposites find each other in this big world and hang the way young boys do was adorable. There is one part when they jam together that made me think of my own girlfriends and when we used to make movies on my video recorder circa 1989.

I give this

Amateur Movie Review - The Orphanage

Last night my husband and I watched The Orphanage against my better judgement.

My sister-in-law spoke very highly of this movie so when finding nothing else, I borrowed it from my library for my husband to watch.

Certain that I wasn't going to want to watch due to disturbing images and it being a horror movie with children (my least favorite) I got my computer and sat down with Webkinz and Picnik to edit some photos.

According to Rotten Tomatoes website - Consensus: When it seems like every horror movie nowadays is a remake or a grisly exercise in sadism, The Orphanage is a breath of fresh air for critics and audiences alike, seamlessly blending in a poignant tale of loss with the scares and blood.

Personally, I would prefer the blood. This movie about a mother, Laura whose adopted son Simon disappears. Laura now lives in the orphanage that she lived in as a child. Laura is determined to fix up the abandoned house and open it as a refuge for ill children. But from the moment she returns, the past begins to haunt her. It isn't long before she begins to see the children who she used to play with as a seven-year-old. And when Simon goes missing one afternoon, she's convinced that they have taken him hostage. What follows is a murky descent into Laura's mind, where she doesn't know what is real and what is a figment of her tortured imagination.

My sister-in-law's quote to me was "you will like this movie. It is about a mother's love for her child." Ok...well that is true..it was about that

But.....

Spoiler alert - spoiler alert - spoiler alert

Laura finds Simon dead in the house. While holding her dead son, she takes her own life by taking pills. She dies, her son stands, asks her to stay and take care of all of them while all the other dead orphans laugh and surround her while she plays Peter Pan's Wendy to a bunch of "Lost Boys."

Maybe this is art. Maybe this is an excellent made, thinking horror movie. But to me, it is a sad, horrific movie about a women who takes her own life while holding her dead son.

I couldn't watch this movie without seeing my son and myself. I cried at the end because of the mother's grief and the dead of the boy. What kind of horror movie makes you cry????

Chotskies gives this a B- for movie goers but for me personally it gets a big fat F!!!

Twilight the Movie with Bek and Ree

Bek and Ree went to see Twilight last night check out our discussion. If you don't know what Twilight is, lift the rock you are living under and walk to a movie theatre right now!! That's an order.
FULL OF SPOILERS

Ree says: Whenever you are ready...I have my chat open
Bekkah says: Let's DO THIS!!!
Ree says: So...I believe that you.....Hated it
Bekkah says: LMAO! No way!
Ree says: Loved it??? Really? I am shocked
Bekkah says: Well, let's not get carried away here....love is a STRONG word.
Ree says: Ok...Did I like it or hate it?
Bekkah says: It's REALLY hard to guess whether or not you liked it. I half wonder if you're middle of the road like me...meaning that you may have found it to be an entertaining flick, not meant to be deep or powerful, but just...fun. I also was feeling...
Ree says: Yes! Exactly.
Bekkah says: a bit disappointed that it had the potential to be FANTASTIC, but unfortunately it kinda fell short. I also wonder if...I would have enjoyed it a bit more if we weren't surrounded by REALLY young kids. They were giggling at EVERYTHING, even when it wasn’t really appropriate...that nervous/pre-pubescent giggle kept reminding me that we were watching a teen-flick!!! Which of course totally prevented me from losing myself in it.
Ree says: Yes..I felt that especially the love of Edward and Bella seemed juvenile. If you hadn’t read the book you would never understand why they love each other so deeply seemingly overnight.
Bekkah says: Yup, not nearly as emotionally intense as the books.
Ree says: Yes exactly. She was saying that she knew she loved him and I was thinking why? I also don't think the movie showed why he loved her.
Bekkah says: Yeah, it seemed as though it was all moving too fast...as if one day he hated her and the next day they were madly in love?!
Ree says: Yes...and...Where was the charming, charismatic Edward? Although I found him extremely sexy at times his reactions were laughable. To quote my niece...his face made him look like he was constipated
Bekkah says: I completely agree...every time he tried to look 'troubled' he ended up looking like he was about to vomit?! LMAO! Or that...
Ree says: It did movie too fast. I kept telling my niece that it had to move quickly or it would have been an 8 hour movie. Exactly...vomit. I had to stop myself from laughing because honestly I wanted to love it and him.
Bekkah says: I know, I did too, but it just wasn't happening for me.
Ree says: Really??? So this Edward wasn't sexy to you? Oh...crap and his standing in her room in the book was romantic but in the movie it was a bit stalkerish. Another disappointment was Jacob.
Bekkah says: OMG, TOTALLY! That completely weirded me out!
Ree says: Jacob was a pivotal character. He was the reason Bella put together what Edward is. So where was he?
Bekkah says: I half wonder if I never really got into it because of all the 'kids' sighing and giggling throughout the entire movie...those were times when I kinda wished I was home watching it in The Batcave!
Ree says: If you didn't read the book you wouldn't understand why there is a Team Jacob.
Bekkah says: But in the books, did Jacob get that much time developing his character in the first one?? Or wasn't it more so in the 2nd book that he really got some 'face time'??
Ree says: The ahhhhs, especially when Edward first appeared on screen were so funny. I loved it.
Bekkah says: HA! And sometimes they would have that nervous giggle going even when it was inappropriate?! Edward was about to suck venom out of a bite mark and there were chickies sighing EVERYWHERE!?!?!
Ree says: Or when Carlisle came on and someone said, "Now that is what I'm talking about
Bekkah says: BWAHAHA! I didn't hear that! Did you hear the girl next to me singing along to E.V.E.R.Y. song off the soundtrack!?!?!? Holy Prep-Work!!!
Ree says: Sighing over the most uncomfortable scene for me. His face was weird
Bekkah says: Dude, EVERYBODY'S face was weird!!
Ree says: Half the time his mouth was lopsided and his face did strange things but...
Bekkah says: Seriously...most UNattractive cast EVER! What was up with the perpetually SURPRISED look on Jasper’s face?!?!?! Total deer in headlights...
Ha! Get it...Deer...vegetarians...nevermind :\
Ree says: all in all...Edward was HOOOOOTTT!!! Do you think they were unattractive????
Bekkah says: Alright...he was...OK...that's all you'll get from me.
Ree says: Ha I get it. That is one of my favorite lines Sexy baby!
Bekkah says: Uhm...yeah...although Alice was kinda cute and he fit the 'pixie' description from the books.
Ree says: That was another thing
Bekkah says: jes?
Ree says: Alice and Bella’s friendship was totally missing from the movie. Alice tells Bella, we are going to be such friends or something but that was the extent of it. Everything that leads up to the prom was completely gone.
Bekkah says: Yup, I'm assuming that will become a bigger story in the next movie.
Ree says: What happened to Angela? She is supposedly Bella’s closest friend. Ahhhh...there was so much missing but I absolutely loved it and would have gone into the next theatre and watched it all over again
Bekkah says: I think they were probably trying to cram a lot of stuff into two hours and just had to let some things spill over into the sequel.
Ree says: True...and I didn't hear the singing girl. Was she the one who said, "he has nice teeth" when Jacob was on?
Bekkah says: eheheeee! Probably...
Ree says: Also, the cheesy, campy style was interesting considering that I didn't feel the book was cheesy or campy.
Bekkah says: He DID have nice teeth though...
Ree says: He does. He's a cutie
Bekkah says: There was one thing that I totally hated.... I hated it in the book and I hated it in the movie...the scene when Bella is leaving home and is SO nasty to Charlie. Even when reading it, it seemed so over the top and cold-hearted. She could have easily come up with an excuse to leave without being so horrible to him!
Ree says: The part where Bella always looked pissed off and she smelled something bad?
Bekkah says: HA! that too.
Ree says: Speaking of Charlie...he was a cutie. I didn't picture him somewhat hot
Bekkah says: He was okay, in a lumberjack, maple syrup, backwoods kinda way... Me neither, for some reason I pictured a beer belly and receding hair line?!
Ree says: The part where Carlisle is talking to Edward because he is trying to get him to stop drinking her blood cracked me up. It was the worst! Me too!
Ree says: Exactly. Police Chief...too many donuts. Hahahah
Bekkah says: Exaaaaaactly!
Ree says: I always liked those lumberjack types
Bekkah says: I'd take the lumberjack over bug-eyes-Jasper.
Ree says:I also liked Emmett. He looked like a big teddy bear. The newbie? He looked ready to shit himself
Bekkah says: YES! Emmett...and poor dude had like two lines throughout the entire movie!!
Ree says: Lie he had the runs and was afraid to move for fear he would shit in his pants
Bekkah says: HA! Of course, how did I not make that connection?!
Ree says: See. That's why I'm here.
Bekkah says: Thank goodness! What did you think of the Meyer cameo?? Like you mentioned, Stephen King, M. Night Shyamalan have cameos in their films...and I think Stan Lee always works himself into the films he produces. It usually doesn't bother me, but...
Ree says: I loved that! I loved it because everyone said, "that's Stephanie"
Bekkah says: I dunno...for some reason it kinda annoyed me that she was in it...it totally distracted me and she looked...out of place and uncomfortable.
Ree says: The chick hasn't been around forever and that just shows me how much the internet played into the movies success. What I did love about the movie is
Bekkah says: Definitely...her face is everywhere these days. Good for her!
Ree says: I think that Robert and Kristen did manage to get the essence of Bella and Edward. I liked them together on screen and thought that they did a good job of depicting the characters. Bella was at times annoying because she just seemed like a silly teenager who had fallen in love with the unattainable guy with the 90210 hair.
Bekkah says: I like them too. They weren't what I had envisioned after reading the books, but I think they did pretty good. Besides... Being a fan of the books, it's almost impossible to not enjoy at least some aspects of the movie. It's always pretty cool when you finally get to see locations and characters, living and breathing, when previously all you were working off of was a mental picture.
Ree says: I have spoke to 2 others one loved it but she did not read the books. The other read the books and was disappointed mostly because she felt that Edward was supposed to be the hottest guy but she didn't feel that Robert was hot enough to play Edward.
Bekkah says: I'm with the last friend...I enjoyed the books, but I was a smidge bit disappointed in the movie. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I thought Edward could have used some gym time prior to filming... Wasn't he chiseled in the books?!!?
Ree says: I think that we can't possibly picture the hottest guy. What is hot to you may not be hot to me. He is what is hot to Bella.
Bekkah says: True that...
Ree says: He said that he was working out like crazy but dropped too much weight and they asked him to stop. In the book did he shimmer in the sun? I don't remember
Bekkah says: I heard he dropped a lot of weight, but not that he was working out...I read somewhere he looked emaciated. Yup...totally shimmered....
Ree says: My niece said his stripped name is Sparkle
Bekkah says: ehheee....niiiiiice! Did you notice he has two songs on the soundtrack?
Ree says: I personally love the movie, can't wait to see it again. No, I didn't. Ummm...interesting
Bekkah says: They're...interesting :\
Ree says: What did you think of the three vampires?
Bekkah says: The villians?
Ree says: Yes. Did they do the characters justice?
Bekkah says: Well, what little interaction we had with them, I thought they did great.
Ree says: Wasn't her mom hotter in your mind
Bekkah says: YES! She looked a bit...weathered...
Ree says: I read that the budget was small, there was no green screen on this movie. Everything was done my stunts and pulleys, no big effects.
Bekkah says: I kinda liked that though....
Ree says: I kind of like that
Bekkah says: HA!
Ree says: Yeah. I wonder if they the next one with a bigger budget will overdo the effects
Bekkah says: I wish you had finished Breaking Dawn already..DAMMIT! Would love to discuss right now what I DISLIKED about the books, but also how some of those issues were resolved by the end...it gave me a better understanding of where Meyer was trying to go with the plot and character developments.
Ree says: Someone who didn't read the book will have no disappointments with this movie.
Bekkah says: I'm sure it'll they'll have more impressive action scenes, but hopefully they'll know their target audience enough to realize it would be wasted on us!
Ree says: Meyer writes so descriptively that you can't possibly transpose that to the screen which is where I think we are all disappointed.
Bekkah says: You're probably right. As usual, I'm having a hard time feeling the same enthusiasm for the movie when the books kicked so much ASS!
Ree says: She is so detailed in her books that it would be impossible to act that out. I know. Like Stephen King, she writes a vision on our heads with the amount of detail that we don't need a movie to see it play out. His movies don't do well either
Bekkah says:Plus, I think that because she so vividly describes the characters and events we all have our own mental picture of what would be perfect. As you said before, the film couldn't possibly satisfy everyone's idea of how this story should look visually.
Ree says: Even the Cullens home wasn't as grand as I thought it would be.
Bekkah says: OMG! Yes...I was totally expecting some modern looking mansion...The cooking scene was cute...
Ree says: We won't be able to discuss Breaking Dawn until next month since I am refusing to pick it up. I loved that!
Bekkah says: BAAAH! You suck.
Ree says: I am not ready to let them go
Bekkah says: Me too! They were so excited...
Ree says: Stephanie is putting the next series on-hold indefintely
Bekkah says: Aaahh...probably not a bad idea. Spacing it out might work better anyway
Ree says: I loved the line where they ask "Are we even sure she is Italian?" Then "her name is Bella"
Bekkah says: HA!
Ree says: I am going to need my Edward fix. I want Edward to stand in my room and watch me sleep. Me and 500,000 other teenagers.
Bekkah says: I loved all of the graduation caps on the wall.
Ree says: Yeah that's right
Bekkah says: HA! Get in line!!
Ree says: Me too. Cute! "Inside joke"
Bekkah says: And that Edward is '17'...for 'a while'
Ree says: Haaa.. How long are you watching me sleep? "Only a couple of months"
Bekkah says: C-R-E-E-P-Y!!!!!
Ree says: That's me babe. Creepy
Bekkah says: Ahahaha
Ree says: I enjoyed the ending
Bekkah says: So, I think it’s pretty obvious what the appeal is for teens…but why do you think it’s also able to connect so strongly with so many adults??? Is it just Edward's 'hotness'?!
Ree says: People who didn't read will know that Victoria is ready to avenge.
Bekkah says: Definitely. That ending had sequel written aaaalll over it.
Ree says: I think Vampires are sexy but...I also think this is like Titanic without the ocean liner, iceberg, and him dying at the end.
Bekkah says: Aaah, yes...excellent analogy!
Ree says: We are all romantics at heart
Bekkah says: "I'll never let go" and she pulls his frozen hand off her and lets him sink.
Obviously it’s the fantasy element…as well as the danger/excitement , but I think it’s also the newness and innocence of Bella and Edward’s relationship. It’s a peek back to a time when everything seemed so intense and full of promise/possibilities.
Ree says: Who wouldn't want a guy to be so drawn to you that they couldn't possibly be without you. "My personal heroin"
Bekkah says: Uhm...ME! I need space, yo!
Ree says: Not me...."You don't know how long I've been waiting for you Bella!"
Bekkah says: Okay...THAT was kinda sweet! You could definitely feel how lonely he had been before she arrived.
Ree says: Exactly. He was alone in a home full of pairs just waiting for his imprint
Bekkah says: Night and day without having someone...while Rosalie had Emmett and Alice had Jasper. Yup.
Ree says: Exactly.
Bekkah says: I have to say though...I'm nervous about... the next movie...I wasn't crazy about that book, so I'm hoping that maybe I'll have the reverse opinion.
Ree says: So....to sum it all up Siskell...you liked it but...
Bekkah says: I like it, but it could have had more substance too it. I also had to remind myself that technically I'M NOT the target audience, so some of the things that I would have LIKED to have happened...couldn't because of that.
Ree says: For me...it was romantic. The movie will never be what the book is...it is not possible. One of the best things about the written word is that we all see our own movie. Now when I read Breaking Dawn I will picture Kristen and Robert as Bella and Edward. Yeah like...yo...Bella and Edward Get down to some business. The kiss was hot, "I want to try something"
Bekkah says: On my star rating (1=horrible, 2=entertaining, 3=excellent, 4=earth shatteringly fabulous) I give it a two...
Ree says: but...this chick would like to see the adult version. If I use your scoring I give it a 3 because I would see it again and probably again after that.
Bekkah says: Oh, yeah!
Ree says: I also loved the innocence of them just laying in the grass together. Cute. So...would you see it again??????
Bekkah says: Yup, and all the 'silent' cut scenes of them sitting and talking...just getting to know each other... Yes, most definitely. In fact, I'm looking forward to watching it again.
Ree says: Yes...loved that...that was how the writer wanted us to see them developing their relationship in a short period of time. Oh...cool..let's go
Bekkah says: Exactly. We were to assume that their bond strengthen over time... AHAAHAA!!
Naw, man...we wait for it to come on PPV, then we spark up the batcave! Vampire wine is on me. Not literally, of course.
Ree says: How hot was it when he stopped that van??? Dude hot! His intensity of trying to save her and then him being pissed off at her clumsyness at the class trip.
Bekkah says: But did you think Edward was HOT!?!?!
Ree says: Oh...speaking of on you. I owe you. I thought that he was hot
Bekkah says: Another chat session to discuss Breaking Dawn?!
Ree says: Oh hell yeah.
Bekkah says: w00t! Bekkah just sent you a nudge.
Ree says: K...so you didn't think he was hot?
Bekkah says: Sorry, got a bit excited there.
Ree says: That scared the shit out of me. Holy hotness batman
Bekkah says: Honestly, he was...in a very different and original kinda way...
Ree says: To borrow a Bek phrase. Yes. Not conventionally hot, but hot.
Bekkah says: Exaaactly!
Ree says: We agree??? That is crazy
Bekkah says: I would NOT throw him outta' my bed
Ree says: Oh hell yeah and that grey peacoat hot!
Bekkah says: Giiirl, us agreeing happens more and more every daay!!
Ree says: The car driving, hot.
Bekkah says: Okay...now you're just out of control! The coat was FUGLY...
Ree says: I loved it
Bekkah says: I mean COME ON!? Ahahahaa!!
Ree says: Do you think anyone else will read our gibberish
Bekkah says: Probably not...but they SHOULD!
Ree says: I am sitting her laughing
Bekkah says: We crack OURSELVES up! Me too
Ree says: J, wants to know what I am laughing at
Bekkah says: Did you tell him me??? He laughs at me all the time too...i can take it!
Ree says: I think I am laughing because I am 42 years old drooling over a 23 year old actor with my girl.
Bekkah says: Eheheee!! yeah, that IS kinda humorous!
Ree says: He thinks we are crazy for chatting alone, just the two of us
Bekkah says: OMG...so does OHIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Men...humpf.
Ree says: It's the best. They suck and they are not Edward, so there..plllltttttt
Bekkah says: Oh, certainly NOT. Funny...I read an interview with Robert Pattison...He said... "Who knew every girl's dream guy would be driving a Volvo." I'm not sure why I found that so damn funny, but I did...
Ree says: Everyone loves vampires. Not sure if it is because of the Volvo...
Bekkah says: Or his hot pea coat?
Ree says: Crap...Also, loved when he asked her "say it out loud." He can't read her so he needs her to say it.
Bekkah says: Yeah, but for some reason I was thinking of Sam Kineson yelling out...
Ree says: Also, why was the guy in the restaurant thinking about a cat?
Bekkah says: say it, say it, SAAAAY IIIIT!!
Ree says: Hahaha....miss Sam
Bekkah says: LMAO! I dunno, the cat guy freaked me out! Me too
Ree says: OK...so....let's wrap this up....I loved it
Bekkah says: Yes, please...the 2nd harry potter awaits us in the batcave!! I enjoyed it. And I will definitely go to see every sequel they decide to make with you, then chat about it.
Ree says:I give it 3 out of 4 bite marks
Bekkah says: after 24 hours of pent-up frustration from not being able to talk about it.
Ree says: Hell yeah...enjoy Harry. Tell Ohio thank you.
Bekkah says: 2 out of four bite marks.
Ree says: I know it. Ok...
Bekkah says: Hi to Teach and the kiddies!
Ree says: Thanks for your time, the books and going to the movie
Bekkah says: My pleasure!
Ree says: peace out
Bekkah says: word
Ree says: yo. buh bye

Amateur Movie Review - Then She Found Me

I was privileged enough to review a DVD through from Family Review Network. I love watching movies because honestly it is a rare occurrence in my life these days.

I heard Bette Midler was in the movie and signed on very quickly. If Bette is there, so am I.

Then I heard this was the directorial debut of Helen Hunt. Interesting! Who didn't love her in Mad About You?

Ok, the movie, yeah I am a chronic digressor.

The movie is about April (Helen Hunt), a NY kindergarten teacher who is approaching 40. With her biological clock ticking she learns she is pregnant by her juvenielle soon to be ex-husband (Matthew Broderick) after she falls in love with Mr. Right (Colin Firth).

The "Then She Found Me" part pertains to April's bioloical mom (Bette Midler) who finds her after April's adoptive mom (the only mom she ever knew) dies.

The movie a total chick flick touches on (biological clocks, adoption, artificial insemination, and the rights of birth mothers. There are great performances by the all star cast, but it was very soap operaish to me.

The movie is a supposed comedy but I didn't see it as one. I thought the story was good, very realistic, great cast, strong performances, and a good overall message. After saying that, this is not a movie that will stick with me long after the next movie comes along.

Chotskies gives this a 3 out of 5 star rating.