Movie: Water for Elephants

Well, if you know of my Robert Pattinson love, it wouldn't surprise you that I've managed to see my first movie since before the girls were born: Water for Elephants. As I have told Sean countless times, I enjoyed the book and was very intrigued when I found out that a film version would be made. Rob is just a nice pretty cherry on the top.

First off, you can read my review of the book here.

I had already heard good and bad things about the film adaptation before I made it to the theater. But I decided to make up my own mind.

The good:
The film sheds light on an interesting time period and setting (old-timey circuses and carnivals are so intriguing to me!). Christoph Waltz plays a bad guy with almost no heart perfectly, and helps the viewer to understand where he's coming from (even though he is still unforgivable).  Tai the elephant plays Rosie wonderfully. You can tell she is just so smart and it is sad because there is some animal abuse that is portrayed in the film and it's just terribly sad to watch. Robert Pattinson looks pretty: tan, sweaty, period clothing (no sparkles, no white makeup, no bouffant, no red lipstick, no colored contacts), and it suits him beautifully. He looked quite handsome.

The bad:
I didn't really think Reese Witherspoon was going to be a great fit for the part of Marlena, and while she acted it perfectly well, my preconceptions of her as the girl-next-door interfered with my ability to see her for the character. And she didn't have great chemistry with Pattinson. It also doesn't help that she is 10 years older than him in real life, although she doesn't look it at all.

My recommendation:
See it, but if you like to read the book before you see a movie, take the time to do that first. But then, see it. It's sad, it's romantic. There's funny. There's action-y parts. Take your husbands because he'll just be glad you aren't dragging him to Twilight!

Movie: Holy Rollers

Now that Jessie Eisenberg is a household name, one of his older films is getting released in theaters, even though I'd seen it on my Netflix Instant Watch for ages. It's a 2010 film, so by ages, I mean several months. Anyway, I decided to give it a shot. Here's my thoughts?

Holy Rollers is about an Orthodox Jew named Sam who gets caught up in an international drug ring. In the beginning, he unknowingly takes on a job as drug mule, thinking it was innocent. He is trying to make an extra buck to be "worthy" of the girl he wants to marry. Once he find out the trips to other countries aren't as legal as he thought, he sticks around for the money. Needless to say, he gets caught up in the world of drugs and partying and pulls away from his family and religion.

You'll also spot Justin Bartha as the guy that gets Sam involved in the illegal trade. Justin is most recognizable as the groom in The Hangover and from the National Treasure movies. Ari Graynor is also great as Rachel. I only know Ari from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (the role where she vomits in a toilet in the bus station and opts to pick her gum out of the nasty toilet and puts it back in her mouth).

The film is based on a true story, which I didn't realize till the end, when they do that "what happened next" text across your screen. I enjoyed it but it was sad watching Sam get sucked further and further in.

Movie: Never Let Me Go

Fox Searchlight Pictures

I got this on Netflix a few days back. I remember hearing so-so reviews on it after one of the major film fests (TIFF maybe?) but I was curious based on the cast. The film stars Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley.

Might I add that I was amazed at how well the young actors were cast for Mulligan's and Knightley's characters? They not only looked like them (eerily so), but they also sounded like them.

Fox Searchlight Pictures

I had no idea about the plot beforehand, which made it all the more interesting once I got started.

SPOILER ALERT (and I recommend watching without reading this part) The basic story is that these three characters grow up at what seems to be a boarding school, but where you quickly discover is actual an organ farm in an alternate universe. These people have been created for the sole purpose of supplying vital organs for transplants. Once they are old enough they start the donor process, and, after 3-4 surgeries, once they have lost various body parts, they die, or "complete."

Mixed into all of this is a pretty tragic love story. Many reviewers said this film fell flat. But I was mesmerized by the general idea of the organ farms, and thought the love story was captivating and tragic. Also, the general look and feel of the film caught my attention. All-in-all, I was intrigued and enjoyed it. It made me want to read the book that the film was based on, written by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Trailer:

My thoughts on 'The Runaways'

[Just realized I should add a SPOILER ALERT!]

Last night I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of The Runaways, a biopic about the 70s girl rock band.  I have read and heard SO much about the film, including reviews, interviews with the cast and members of the band, and photos and clips from the movie.  At first it didn't exactly appeal to me. I wasn't even born when The Runaways formed and I hadn't heard any of their songs.  I also don't get into the sex, drugs and rock & roll rock star biopics.  However, once clips of the film came out, my interest was piqued, if nothing else I wanted to see these teen actors take on this kind of role.  So click on for my thoughts...

Sam Worthington in 'Details' magazine

In his new interview with Details Magazine, we get a better understanding why we (and James Cameron) see Sam Worthington as both a sex symbol and a man's man.  Sam is one of my top actors right now. I first noticed him in Terminator Salvation, and then, of course, Avatar.  I also went back and watched his film from a few years ago called Somersault where he is sporting a very lovely mullet. I am looking forward to Clash of the Titans.  Basically, I am willing to watch any film he does at this point. But anyway, it's a really interesting interview, and Sam discusses how he was living in his car when he got cast for Avatar.

All that to say, the reason for my post is the pictures.   And here they are in all their glory!! Photos by Norman Jean Roy.

Battlestar Galactica: The Plan

I finally watched The Plan tonight. I wasn't feeling too interested in watching it, but now that I have, it is like ripping a scab off an old wound, and I plan to re-watch the series from the beginning.  I don't know why I used that description; it's gross.

This movie recycles a lot of scenes from earlier on in the series.  Certain actors didn't even film new footage for the film, but were still prominent in it (such as Katee Sackhoff as Starbuck), and then scenes were built around that footage.  There was also a good deal of completely new story going on, such as interactions between a Cavil and Anders while he was running the resistance cell on Caprica.  Or one of the Simons who has adapted to human life by marrying.  I was also intrigued at the back-story we got with Sharon and her attempt to kill Adama, as well as the beginnings of Leoben's obsession with Thrace.

The straight-to-DVD release of The Plan allowed for some equal-opportunity nudity, but other than that, the film was quite similar to what you would get in any given episode. Not enough Apollo for my tastes, though.  Also could have used a little more Tight.  However, we did get the always amazing line from Gaius: "No more Mr. Nice Gaius!" again.  And plenty of Anders, which was nice. 

All in all, the movie was entertaining, but not a requirement to understand the story.  It was more just an interesting filler than anything else. But enjoyable to watch.  The few times I was lost, I had to ask Sean about what happened way back in Season 1 or 2.  That's when I decided it might be time to crack the BSG DVDs again.  Let you know how that goes.

Trailer for Inception

This has certainly piqued my interest, even though I still have no idea what it is really about! Christopher Nolan? Check. Leonardo DiCaprio? Check. Joseph Gordon-Levitt? Check. Mysterious and weird trailer? Check.

Watchmen

So I finally watched Watchmen. Emily had suggested that I keep my expectations low if I wanted to enjoy it. I am glad I decided to take her advice. I was entertained but it was beyond ridiculous on so many levels. Of course, those are not my type of movies. Those campy comic-book-y film adaptations of graphic novels.

The cast of this one was appealing to me. I loved Matthew Goode in Brideshead Revisited. But in Watchmen his accent was sketchy, sounding different in every scene. His voice is too soft and mild for an American accent. I prefer his British one. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Magician will make you forget all about the sweet doomed Denny Duquette. He is a jerk and sleaze, and while he eventually learns an important "lesson" you don't find much sympathy for him. Patrick Wilson did the same thing to me in this one that he did in Little Children. He made me watch him having awkward sex. He doesn't hold back, does he?

And do we need to discuss the naked man? I guess not, but I will say this: My husband is an animator. We know what goes into animating even a short little shot. Someone sat and stared at the fake "privates" for MONTHS on end. And then do you tell people that you worked on the animated penis? Or do you just pretend you didn't? Do you put it on your demo reel when trying to get new work? We had a long convo about it. :)

All in all, I wasn't bored watching Watchmen. But I wouldn't watch it again and I probably wouldnt' recommend it to anyone...

Twilight Experience - July 23, 2009 San Diego, CA

It isn't a secret I am quite the Twilight fan. I have written about the books (Twilight and Breaking Dawn), the movies (Twilight and New Moon trailer), and been to Twilight-related events and posted about them all. And my handful of regular readers probably already know this, but I write for a Twilight fan blog in my spare time (OK, I have a lot of spare time these days). Anyway, yesterday I attended a screening of the movie where many members of the cast appeared and got the fans a-screaming. If you won't tease me TOO much about how I turned into a 15 year old girl in the process. You can read my full account, along with pictures and video, here.

And just check out the blog, Team-Twilight in general because it is a pretty good one, if I do say so myself. Also, it's on Twitter at @teamtwilighters.

Always the consummate professional:

Seriously people?

No. Just no.

If you love the movie, this will ruin it. If you hate the movie, this is just a perpetuation of the misery.

I love the movie and don't even want to think about this. Gag.

Thanks to Jen who pointed this out the other day :)

Just something better to look at

This post is for Emily. She is tired of pulling up my blog and seeing those terrible pics of Christian Bale on the set of his latest movie. And since I haven't managed to finish the several posts I am working on because I was so busy watching SYTYCD, here is a picture to take your mind off the last one.

Christian Bale NOT looking so good...

Christian Bale continues his noble efforts to make me think he is gross. And this takes a lot of effort. First, there was that rant last year. Which I really tried to overlook. I did. I am still trying. But then with the release of Public Enemies, he has been interviewed talking about Johnny Depp. Basically, he is such a method actor that he stays in character for months during filming, never interacting with Depp on set. How can anyone resist Johnny Depp? But then, to really take it over the top, he looks like this on the set of his new film The Fighter. Why, Christian, why? I know you don't want to be a heartthrob, but you don't have to make it so hard for those of us who still love you these days.

Book: A Little Bit Wicked by Kristin Chenoweth

I just finished reading A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love & Faith in Stages, an autobiography by the funny and uber-talented Kristin Chenoweth. I already loved Kristen and reading her book jut made me love her even more (who knew that was possible?).

The book covers her life up until this point, including her adoption, how she came to be interested in music and acting, climbing the ladder of success, her relationships, her faith, and her failures. She is completely unapologetic for who she is and what she thinks and believes. I have a new-found respect for her.

But really this book is just a really funny read. Kristin unsurprisingly (and with the help of writer Joni Rodgers) is quite comedic. I laughed out loud while reading. I don't usually read a lot of biographies, but I found this held my attention. She wrote it during the run of Pushing Daisies and before it was cancelled (sniff...), but there really is something interesting to hearing about her personal experiences on stuff like Pushing Daisies, Wicked, and films.

I am not sure how much of my enjoyment of the book was because I relate to her about many things, especially her faith. And my guess is someone who doesn't share her beliefs may not enjoy all the details she discusses about religion and Christianity. But like I said, completely unapologetic for it, and that is a rarity in Hollywood and on Broadway.

If this sounds like something you MIGHT enjoy, then definitely pick it up and give it a try.

Movie: The Time Traveler's Wife Trailer

The trailer for The Time Traveler's Wife has finally been released. I have been so concerned about how they were going to pull this off. The book is amazing but I couldn't see how they could translate it to screen. The trailer looks pretty good, but I say it is still difficult to tell. What do you think?

Casting News

Here is some casting news to be happy about:

Neil Patrick Harris scored not one, but two movie roles, announced today. The first is called The Best and the Brightest, an indie comedy. The second is Beastly (a book which I did not particularly care for) and Harris is cast in one of the few roles that I enjoyed in the book. He will play a blind tutor that can't see how "beastly" Kyle has become, and accepts him. I am glad to see NPH getting some work, since I adore him as Barney on How I Met Your Mother and he was AWESOME on the Tony Awards. In fact, there is already speculation that he might host the Emmys this year, as well!




Katee Sackhoff might be dragging me back to 24 after I had given it up for good. I so adore her from Battlestar Galactica that I might have to return to the drama to check her out, now that she has been cast as a regular for the upcoming season.

Movie: Land of the Lost

OK, so Land of the Lost isn't doing so great at the box office. It fell $10 million short of its expected $30 million opening weekend take. But that is OK, because I still need to support my husband. I headed out to see it today with my husband and a couple of friends in tow.

Well, I can't say it is the best movie I have seen recently (come on, I saw Star Trek and Up!). There were some weird parts and some major continuity problems. But mainly, it was just the regular Will Ferrel schtick that we usually pay money for. I am sure people were confused weather it was supposed to be for children or for adults.

However, while it wasn't my favorite movie, there were really funny parts and some pretty good bits that make you jump. The t-rex was appropriately scary. And the animation was sharp! OK, OK, my husband did animation on this one. In fact, that is why I lived in Mumbai, India for 3 months. And I was so proud of his work. I always enjoy waiting for his name to scroll across the screen and do a proper clap and holler combination. This time his name was set apart since he was an animation supervisor. And high-five to him for his hard work and for bringing home the bacon. And for doing such a cool job.

Movie: The Reader

I finally watched The Reader for which Kate Winslet won the Best Actress Oscar this year. I was very curious to see her performance and I had heard it was great (but a bit of a downer). Kate was phenomenal, as expected. And she reinforced her positioning as one of my favorite actresses currently on screen. She never disappoints.

I was also very impressed by David Kross. I enjoyed watching him so much that when the time came to use an older actor for the part (Ralph Feinnes) that I was disappointed, and that is saying a lot since I consider Feinnes to be such a great actor.

The Reader does a good job of making you empathize with a person that really has no real empathy-inducing qualities. Instead, you see her through the eyes of a young and naive boy. It is a dark subject matter and has been quite controversial. I have started reading the book as I was hoping to get a little more insight on a couple of details in the movie. I'll let you know what I think.

Trailers to Think About

The Road

I wrote about The Road after I read it last year. It is one of my favorite books of all time. You come away from it feeling devastated and hopeful all at once. McCarthy did a stunning job writing it. I was concerned about how good the movie adaptation would be,and if it could possibly convey the right mix of despair and determination. I can't tell that from this trailer. All I can tell you is that it looks like we get to SEE why the earth is in its post-apocalyptic state. In reading the novel, you don't ever know WHY things are they way they are. Because it isn't important to the story. And I am concerned that they are trying to turn this into some sort of action thriller, which it isn't.

New Moon

I was pretty excited when this one premiered on the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday. I am among the great masses of Twilight fans and am anxious for a better movie this go round. Twilight had its ups and downs, but most agree it could have been done better. I am quite excited about some of the cast additions (Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning) and the direction that Chris Weitz will go with it, especially since he has better experience with lots of CGI (The Golden Compass). While I would say the one werewolf we got to see in the trailer isn't as amazing as Aslan was, you can tell the budget has gone up and am OK with that. I think I might like this movie better than the book since New Moon is my least fave in the series.

Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey, Jr. fans always await his new projects. I have yet to see The Soloist but it is still on my to do list. Before Iron Man 2 comes out, we'll get to see him alongside Jude Law and Rachel McAdams in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. This outing looks to be a bit different from the other Ritchie films I have seen and enjoyed (Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch). Downey is looking fine as usual in this one, and I especially enjoy the boxing scene. Check out Emily's top RDJ films post here.


9

I recall hearing about this a while back because my husband would have liked to animate on it. It is a feature-length animated film based on a 2005 short by Shane Acker (who also writes and directs this version). This doesn't look like a kids film. It is a dark, rather creepy, post-apocalyptic story about creatures given life a la Frankenstein as their mad scientist dies with the rest of humanity. The trailer looks quite intriguing.

Nine

So two films named Nine/9 coming out this year (2009, is that why?). They couldn't be any different. I have never seen Nine performed onstage, but I am vaguely familiar with the premise. When Rob Marshall's film was announced, I was concerned about the casting of Daniel Day Lewis, mainly with the singing. Seeing that I haven't seen the show, I can't give my opinion here. But he doesn't sing in the trailer so I can't see how he is, but all the ladies look great. This is quite a cast!

Movie: UP

I saw Up last. And I loved it. I cried a lot. And laughed a lot. I am not sure it was a kids' movie, really. But it was really well done, as expected. I have been a Pixar fan for ages and they never disappoint. There are certainly my favorites (Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo) and I have my least favorite (Cars), but even then, I still think of them all as really good.

Up deals with some surprisingly dark and grown up issues (death and loss). I don't generally find that I cry in animated features but this one just really got to me. I spent more time laughing but cried several different times during the movie. So that is my warning to bring tissues with you to the theater.

I would try and explain the plot, but it is kind of random. Instead, I'll just mention a few things I love about it.



Dug and the other dogs. They have collars that translate their thoughts into spoken words. But they are still done from a dog's perspective (sentences are often interrupted by an exclamation of "Squirrel!"). And I might have to buy this book.

Russell. Also termed "small mailman" by the dogs. He was really cute and sweet, and very well-animated (per my animator husband). He was excellent at unknowingly antagonizing the old geezer Mr. Fredrickson (voiced by Ed Asner).

Mr. Fredrickson himself was just a bit too old man angry. I love sweet old people but mean ones are the worst!! Of course, that is the point, and as you would expect, he comes around in the end.

Upcoming movies I want to see

I've been off the grid for a bit and this poor blog has taken the worst of it. So I am working to get back to posting. And since I have lots of upcoming movies on the brain, I thought I would list a few I am really looking forward to.

1) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I've been waiting for the release of this one since I left the theater after watching Order of the Phoenix. The latest trailer looks UNBELIEVABLE!

2) X-Men Origins: Wolverine

I really enjoyed the X-Men movies, especially parts one and two. I also really like Hugh Jackman. But I was really excited about some of the other casting on this one, too. Especially Taylor Kitsch as Gambit. I think he is about to blow up huge.

3) Public Enemies

Christian Bale & Johnny Depp. Do I need to say anything more? But I will. I also love the subject matter (John Dillinger and bank robberies and tommy guns...) and time period.

4) Terminator Salvation
Watch the trailer here. More Christian Bale. And I love the Terminator franchise. Looking forward to seeing where they go with this one.

5) Star Trek
Watch the trailer here. I don't even watch Star Trek and have never been interested in it one iota. But JJ Abrams has done what he set out to do, and that is to appeal to a whole new group of potential fans with his new interpretation.

6) 500 Days of Summer

How cute does this one look? I really like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.

7) The Hangover
Watch the trailer here. First, the reason this attracted me was Will Tippin, I mean Bradley Cooper. And, as usual, he is playing kind of the sleazy guy, but I am glad to see he is playing a main character. But this trailer actually really cracks me up. The tooth, the tiger, the baby.

8) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Watch the trailer here. I have been sucked into the Shia LeBeouf hype and really like him. Plus, I enjoyed the first film, so I'll give this one a chance.

9) Away We Go

When I first heard of this, before the trailer, I thought it would be much goofier. Instead it is just a quirky, sweet-looking little thing. I can't wait to see this one. Looks entertaining.

10) Land of the Lost
Watch the trailer here. I have seen a fair bit of this because Sean was working on it and the parts I have seen are really funny. Will Ferrel almost always cracks me up. Plus, I must support my man's work!

Movies I am maybe excited to see (can't decide):
1 & 2) I want to be able to say I am looking forward to the release of The Time Traveler's Wife and My Sister's Keeper, two of my favorite books of all time, but I am concerned about the film adaptation in both cases. Therefore, I am hesitant to put any hope into them. I'm sure I will see them both anyway.


3) The Soloist - I adore Robert Downey, Jr. and really love Joe Wright, who is directing. I just am not sure this movie actually appeals to me. I don't love Jamie Foxx. Maybe I'll just rent it unless it gets rave reviews or something.


And while I really like to support my husband and his work (I did see Alvin and the Chipmunks in the theater, and plan to see Land of the Lost), I am not sure I'll be seeing They Came From Upstairs. I'm sure we'll see it eventually but I am just not sure I can sit through it. I am not the target audience here.


Well, my list of movies to see this summer is huge! There are a few others that caught my eye but didn't quite make the list. I better start saving money now or plan on going to the 11 am shows for a discount...