I like movies. I see a lot of movies. Lots of times I even write about movies... that is what you will find below this post.

Anything I've ever written that has to do with movies, dvds, awards etc. is here for your perusal.


I'm going to do my best to try and update a bit more often with my reviews... What I find happening (sad as it may be) is I'll pre-screen a movie and I come home and discuss it on MSN or AIM with people and the "need" I had to TELL THE WORLD my opinion sort of vanishes. Sorry.

That being said... all of my PERSONAL entries (that yes, are posted to this livejournal account) are friend locked. Add me and I'll gladly friend you in return.   See you at the movies!

Don't get what this list is about?  Read THIS ENTRY in my journal for the explanation. 

THE LIST:

January:
1.  The Last Unicorn --DVD//Netflix (January 2nd)
2.  Austin Powers the Spy Who Shagged Me --DVD (January 3rd)
3.  The Curious Case of Benjamin Button --Theater (January 4th)
4.  The Spirit --Theater (January 4th)
5.  Bedtime Stories --Theater (January 5th)
6.  Hook --TV (January 5th)
7.  On The Town --TV (January 8th)
8.  Open Season --DVD (January 8th)
9.  The Mighty Ducks --TV (January 10th)
10.  Bride Wars --Theater (January 11th)
11.  Shrek the Third --TV (January 16th)
12.  The Other Boelyn Girl --Netflix (January 16th)
13.  Cashback --Netflix (January 17th)
14.  Seven Brides for Seven Brothers  --TV (January 17th)
15.  Gran Torino --Theater (January 19th)
16.  Weeds Season One  --Netflix (January 19th/20th)
17.  Paul Blart:  Mall Cop  --Theater (January 21st)
18.  Weeds Season Two --Netflix (January 21st/22nd)
19.  Superman Returns --DVD (January 24th)
20.  The DaVinci Code --TV (January 25th)
21.  Notorious --Theater (January 26th)
22.  Hairspray --TV (January 29th)

February: 
23.  Inkheart --Theater (February 3rd)
24.  Underworld:  Rise of the Lycans --Theater (February 3rd)
25.  Coraline 3-D --Theater (February 4th)
26.  He's Just Not That Into You --Theater (February 4th)
27.  Taken --Theater (February 5th)
28.  Click --TV (February 5th)
29.  Sky High --TV (February 8th)
30.  Princess Diaries 2 --TV (February 8th)
31.  Pink Panther 2 --Theater (February 9th)
32.  Oceans 13 --TV (February 10th)
33.  Zoom: Academy for Superheroes --Netflix (February 12th)
34.  Confessions of a Shopaholic --Theater (February 12th)
35.  Happy Gilmore --TV (February 15th)
36.  Sweeny Todd:  The Demon Barber of Fleet Street --DVR (February 16th)
37.  High School Musical:  Senior Year --DVD (February 19th)
38.  High School Musical:  Senior Year --DVD (February 20th)  *YEAH TWICE IN A ROW*
39.  Grease 2 --TV (February 21st)
40.  Smart People --Netflix (February 22nd)
41.  Serenity --Netflix (February 22nd)
42.  Fired Up! --Theater (February 25th)

March:
43.  The Boondock Saints --Netflix (March 2nd)
44.  Watchmen --Theater (March 5th)
45.  High School Musical:  Senior Year --Theater (March 6th) *AGAIN*
46.  Race to Witch Mountain --Theater (March 11th)
47.  The Last House on the Left --Theater (March 11th)
48.  Underworld --DVD (March 20th)
49.  Underworld Evolution --DVD (March 20th)
50.  Horton Hears a Who --DVD  (March 26th)
51.  Monsters Vs. Aliens in 3D --Theater (March 26th)
52.  Chariots of Fire --DVD (March 28th)
53.  The Dark Knight --DVD (March 30th)
54.  A Very Long Engagement --Netflix (March 30th)

April: 
55.  Adventureland --Theater (April 1st)
56.  Twilight --DVD (April 4th)
57.  Dick Tracy --TV (April 5th)
58.  The Goonies --TV (April 5th)
59.  Spaceballs --DVD (April 7th)
60.  Observe and Report --Theater (April 9th)
61.  The Ten Commandments --TV (April 12th)
62.  Dragonball Evolution --Theater (April 15th)
63.  17 Again --Theater (April 15th)
64.  Earth --Theater (April 20th)
65.  Obsessed --Theater (April 23th)
66.  Memoirs of a Geisha --DVD (April 24th)
67.  Legally Blonde --TV (April 26th)
68.  Accepted --TV (April 26th)
69.  X-Men Origins:  Wolverine --Theater (April 30th)

May:
70.  Lord of the Rings:  The Return of the Kings --DVD (May 2nd)
71.  Star Trek --Theater (May 7th)
71.  Hocus Pocus  --Theater (May 9th)
72.  Girl with a Pearl Earring --DVD//Netfix (May 10th)
73.  WInd Talkers --TV (May 11th)
74.  Pleasantville --Theater (May 13th)
75.  Entourage Season 1 --DVD//Netflix (May 15th)
76.  Ironman --DVD//Netflix (May 16th)
77.  Troy --TV (May 17th)
78.  The Princess Bride --TV (May 18th)
79.  Rookie of the Year --TV (May 18th)
80.  Night at the Museum:  Battle for the Smithsonian --Theater (May 24th)
81.  Hannibal Rising --DVD//Netflix (May 27th)
82.  Charlie Bartlett --DVD//Netflix (May 31st)
83.  The Adams Family --DVD (May 31st)

June:
84.  Weeds Season 3 --DVD//Netflix (June 9th)
85.  Stardust --DVD//Netflix (June 10th)
86.  Dream Girls --DVD (June 12th)
87.  Imagine That --Theater (June 12th)

MOVIE LIST 2009:

What's this?  A new movie list.  Why yes, that's exactly what it is.  My friends and I have a contest where we see how many movies we can watch in a year.  I succeeded in surpassing my 2007 count in 2008 with a grand total of... 59 movies.  That's really below average for the other participants in the contest, but I'm still content with my number since they saw some really SHITTY movies... that I refused to see.  The official rules of the contest are as follows.  Only movies that are RELEASED during the 2009 year may be counted.  All movies MUST be watched for their full duration IN a movie theater then recorded in the book.  Meaning when I go watch all the movies that came out at Christmas and didn't get to watch, they won't count for the 'official' contest.  BOO.  QQ

So... that's the reason I keep a separate list (on my live journal).  PLUS... this year I've got a new twist to the contest.  I'm not going to JUST keep a list of what movies I watch at work but what movies I watch PERIOD.  msucal and I will BOTH be keeping track of the sheer number of dvd's/movies/whateverelse it is we watch.  Feel free to participate as well.

RULES:  

1.  Movies watched must be watched from start to end for it to be added to the list.  Movies MAY be watched on TV (with commericals and the various editing that networks are prone to do) and then added to the list, or they may be watched in a movie theater or on dvd. 

2.  Any movie watched more than once may be counted more than once on the list.   (DVD's etc.)

3.  FULL SEASONS of Television Shows may be added to the list (if rented and watched/bought on DVD, streamed online, watched on tv) but may only count as one entry.  The entire season MUST be watched for it to be added.

Calli.  BRING IT ON.  

Anyone else want to play?  You're more than welcome too.  :)  Start keeping a list and pin it at the top of your journal and comment on my entry to let me know <3

That's right folks, a new year, a new list. This list, is a modified version of the list that is a part of the contest myself and my fellow co-workers have started. It will contain every movie I have seen in a movie theatre during the year 2008. The competition list, which is carefully recorded and kept in the office of the movie theatre follows a particular set of rules. One of those rules being that only movies RELEASED in 2008 can be on the list. If you'd like to play along, then by all means start a list of your own and pin it to the top of your journal. Change the date to say January, 01, 2009 and click the "Date Out of Order" button.

Can you see more movies than me? On a side note, my number, 41 for last year is actually quite small, the high score went to Joey who had over 150 movies... in one year.

1. 27 Dresses
2. Horton Hears a Who
3. 21
4. The Forbidden Kingdom
5. Baby Mama
6. IronMan
7. What Happens in Vegas
8. Speed Racer
9. Made of Honor
10. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
11. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
12. Sex and the City
13. Kung Fu Panda
14. The Happening
15. The Incredible Hulk
16. The Love Guru
17. Get Smart
18. Wanted
19. Wall-E
20. Hancock
21. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Story
22. Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D
23. The Dark Knight
24. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
25. Step Brothers
26. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
27. Pineapple Express
28. Mamma Mia!
29. Tropic Thunder
30. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
31. Fly Me To The Moon 3-D
32. The Rocker
33. Cirque Du Soleil: Delirium
34. The House Bunny
35. Disaster Movie
36. Brideshead Revisited
37. The Women
38. Burn After Reading
39. Ghost Town
40. Igor
41. Lakeview Terrace
42. Eagle Eye
43. Nights in Rodanthe
44. Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
45. City of Ember
46. The Express
47. Max Payne
48. Sex Drive
49. High School Musical 3
50. The Haunting of Molly Hartley
51. Madagascar 2
52. Role Models
53. Quantam of Solace
54. Bolt 3-D
55. Twilight
56. Australia
57. Four Christmases
58. Yes Man
59. The Day the Earth Stood Still

So I never use cuts for spoilers right?  I'm going to use one for this movie... JUST THIS ONCE.  Only because M. Night Shyamalan (what a name) is known for clever little plot twists and the end of his movie and just blurting it out wouldn't be fair.  SO yeah... THE CUT HAS MAJOR SPOILERS about the film... which I'm rating a 6/10 I think... maybe a 5/10 because it's not really my 'type' of movie. 

Alright. I'm actually posting, and it's a review. I might try and whip up some Ironman and Speed Racer commentary as well but for now. PRINCE CASPIAN. If you don't want plot spoilers than stop reading. Get it? Got it? Good.

Alright, this movie is LONG. I mean the run time (including trailers and full credits) is over three hours. Yes... THREE HOURS. It's been awhile since I've read the book, and am too lazy to run into the other room to get it out of the bookshelf, but I remember enough of the plot to know that the second hour of the film (where the children invade the castle) is NOT in the book. Why was it necessary? Most likely because the directors are inserting more biblical allegory in it for discussion amongst parents and their children/youth groups etc. One of the reasons the first movie was so successful was because of the biblical allegories that C.S. Lewis wrote into the story. At work we had special screenings JUST for church groups, and they held discussions afterwards. (Pain in the bum to work those... but again... made the film TONS of money). If you were looking for it, then you'll notice it. Peter's pride and arrogance was his downfall, Aslan's breath, the water at the end... can all be tied if not directly to biblical stories, then to morals and the like that parents might like to teach their children... and so on and so forth.

As for the acting, eh... Prince Caspian is pretty, and has an accent. What more do you want from a hero? The children are... the same as before, just older. Susan and Caspian share some 'steamy' gazes (and even a kiss at the end --sans the tongue ^_~) which was not a plot in the C.S. Lewis version of the story. Leave it to Disney to put a romance in a story that had none, though I was surprised about the kiss. Disney didn't dare have the lead stars of their famous High School Musical TV Movie kiss until the sequel. Gotta keep that squeaky clean image after all. (I'll just NOT comment on the Miley Cyrus photos of late XD). I found Edmund to be enchanting this movie (instead of a pissant like in the last one) Lucy to be irritating, Peter to be... well arrogant and a bit EMO and Susan... to be Susan-ish. I will whine about the fact that they had her in make up (eye liner and lipstick) throughout the entire film and it didn't look at all natural... but that's me nitpicking. Shocker.

I honestly thought the film was too long. That would be my biggest complaint. I get why stuff was added, it did strengthen the story, showing the faults of the children for not believing that Aslan would return, but the film dragged on... and on... and on, seemingly without not making much headway.

I will say that I adored the little mouse (Richicheep? again not getting my book to look up how it's spelled) with his accent and his feather. Oh how I loved the feather.

There are several things I also want you to notice. Basically all the random Harry Potter references you can make. (THIS REALLY GETS INTO SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE FILM SO STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT MASSIVE SPOILERS). The boy at the beginning of the film who talks to "Phyllis" is Harry Potter... if HP were a Hufflepuff. Uh... the trees at the end... the Whomping Willow ain't (yes I said ain't) got nothing on them. The Griffins that fly the children to the castle... can we say HIPPOGRYFFS?! Hell, even the castle looks like Hogwarts with the long bridge that was added in the last few movies... Hum Hedwig's Theme in the theatre during this part... I dare you.

Also... because I couldn't help myself and I was in an empty theatre save some other people I work with, when Caspian has a sworn drawn and is contemplating killing his uncle (DOES HE DO IT? WHO KNOWS... oh wait, I do... not telling) I want you to repeat this line. WRITE IT DOWN IF YOU NEED TO.

"You kill my father, prepare to die." That's right, a Princess Bridge reference. With Caspian's accent... it's perfect :3

So... I guess that's all. If you liked the first one, you'll probably like this one, but it DRAGS (hell, I thought the first one dragged on as well) but if you don't want to sit in a crowded theatre, wait a week until Indy 4 opens, everyone will be seeing that instead.

Review complete. Whoa, I impress myself, it's only been... 3 months. -_-

Sorry if it lacked my usual panache, I'll try and update a bit more often. I know I keep saying that... and not doing it. FORCE ME TOO. *yawn*

Wow, I really need to pick it up. Four freaking movies in three months? I'm so far behind everyone else in the contest. I blame my car... well the patch of ice I hit that made my car not-drivable at night (the best time to see movies!) Yes, my accident happened on the 20th of February. I attempted to drive to class despite the roads being quite unmanageable. Blah. Because my car is fairly old, and my grandfather insisted that a family friend work on it... the parts had to be ordered and still aren't in. When they DO get in, then my car can finally be fixed. Heaven only knows when that will be. It's put a real stint in my movie going plans. I've yet to see The Other Boelyn Girl, and when I did go home for a dentist appointment I didn't have access to my parents cars to go see There Will Be Blood or No Country For Old Men, both of which were playing at the theatre I am oh so gainfully employed during the summer months.

Random note though, Amy was super happy to see me when I showed up for a short visit (to pick up my girl scount cookies...yay!) wanting to know when she could put me back on the schedule. Does this mean they are short handed and that I can finally get bumped up to staff leader... and not have to wear the crappy vest and bowtie? Cross your fingers. I hope so! Oh, then Joey called to make sure I hadn't fallen off the face of the planet. I hadn't, all was mostly well.

So... my LJ has been neglected as of late, this is mostly because I've started to VLOG. Yikes. Yes, I've joined countless hours watching videos on youtube (mostly other vloggers) and decided that I wanted to do it as well. So... I started and most of the stuff I'd probably write about in my LJ ends up shortened into vlog format. I'd also like to think that the fact that I am housebound until my car is fixed is another reason I've neglected my LJ as the thing I most enjoy writing about... I have no access to. :(

THEN... I had an epiphany (thus the 'then' in ALLCAPS appeared?). My LJ was mostly movie related and well, my passion for movies cannot be summed up in short 4 minute vlog; there are so many movies to talk about and so much to comment on. I mean, I didn't even DO a post after the Oscars. (In short: way too many 'tributes' but what can you expect with the writer's strike ending so soon before the show, I enjoyed John Stewart but miss Billy Crystal (who just turned 60!) the clothing was eh... and uh... most of my picks were correct). So, I'm going to continue to do some movie-type related posts here... starting with... my list of movies I'd like to see for Spring/Summer 2008. Basically Feb-May release dates. Why May? Because it's my birthday month (p.s. I want presents so get on that) and June is the start of "REAL SUMMER" in my own head at least.

Without futher ado... the list... and hush, I don't write too much... OR DO I?

The Other Boelyn Girl
--I'm a big fan of the book, actually the sequels to the books (The Queen's Fool and The Virgin's Lover) and am curious to see how it will translate on the big screen. Not to mention it's got Scarlett in in. How can you not adore Scarlett Johansson? Or at least want to scratch her eyes out for being so gorgeous.

Jumper
--I'm not gonna lie. I think it looks awful, but I still want to see it. I've got a soft place in my heart for really bad action/super hero type movies. Don't believe me? I saw BOTH Fantastic Four movies in theaters...of my own free will, despite them being SO awful. (Well... I didn't pay for my ticket, maybe that was part of the reason...*shifty*) p.s. Hayden Christensen...Samuel L. Jackson? Yes plz.

Stop Loss
--I don't like movies about war. I don't like movies about Iraq. I don't like movies about the war in Iraq. I go to the movies to escape the ho hum doldrums of real life, not to have their issues magnified into a "political statement." Still, I'd see this. Now I know what you're thinking, it's because of Ryan Phillippe isn't it? NO. Hahaha. Joseph Gordon-Levitt FTW. He trumps Phillippe in my book. (p.s. He's supposedly playing Cobra Commander in the new GIJOE flick... SCORE!)

Step Up 2 the Streets
--HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA. No really. Okay, I've heard that the dancing in this is amazing. I'd give it a shot, if I were with say, my sister... or another female who would appreciate hot boys dancing and flirting with equally attractive girls while trying to overcome adversity. (I've also heard that it was not bad from several people whose opinions I mostly trust. Though having seen the promo posters for this, I think I'd sit through the entire movie pondering if it was STEP UP 2: The Streets, or Step up 2 the Streets. Yeaaaah.

21
--Mmmm Kevin Spacey. Oh and we've got Jim Sturgess who stared in Across the Universe which had to be... just the most brilliant thing I've seen in a good long while. These two people alone are reason enough for me to see the film. Kevin Spacey rarely if ever disappoints me throw in some counting cards in Vegas for high stakes and I'm game. I'll even ignore the fact that it has Kate Bosworth (aka the craptacular Lois LAME Lane). Yeah, not a fan of hers.

Smart People
Ellen Page's next film. Enough said. Oh... plus we get Thomas Haden Church. Every time I see him on screen (or hear him as he does a ton of animated voice work... all I can think of is how much I loved Wings.

Not included? Penelope. Because my sister and I are going to see it tomorrow.

Leatherheads
I am not a big fan of the Clooney, but this looks... funny. Plus I love period films and while this isn't a true "period" film... it's got an all star cast and like I said... it LOOKS funny. There isn't enough slapstick comedy anymore.

Baby Mama
So remember a little film called Mean Girls? Don't lie, you like this film. EVERYONE likes it even if they won't admit it. This movie is a different concept but has the same great people behind it, I'll gladly give it a go.

SPEEDRACER
HOMGHOMGHOMG. FINALLY. Okay, I was addicted to these cartoons when I was a kid. ADDICTED. I was very skeptical when I heard it was finally getting made into a film but having watched the trailer I realized that this movie was going to be SO MUCH FUN. Plus we've got Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci AND Matt Fox and John Goodman and Susan Sarandon... HOMGHOMGHOMG. To let you know how excited I am about this? I took a picture of Emile Hirsch in his speed racer garb and it's been my wallpaper on my phone for over two months. Shush, I'm not a geek. :3

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
--the first Narnia... I didn't like it at first, couldn't sit through the first 15 minutes finding it so very slow, but forcing myself to watch it I found that I rather enjoyed it, not for the message but because the kids and the talking animals were just SO DARN CUTE. Caspian looks much better, just because the movie looks a little darker. My opinion of this will probably change when I actually WORK the premiere. It's bound to be a hell-ish month of May at the Carmike.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
--Harrison Ford is perhaps the sexist man alive. I'm skeptical about how this one is gonna turn out but I'll shell out the $8.50 for a ticket on opening night. Not to mention it opens on my birthday... obviously it's fate... that the movie won't suck. *crosses fingers*

AND... THAT IS ALL. FOR NOW.

Let's begin.  I saw Atonement with Jill about a week ago.  The theater was really quite crowded and our seats were subpar.  Oh how I hate crowded theaters.  :(  Perk though, I was with Jill?  She always gets drug along to see the 'artsy' type films I tend to like.  She puts up with them and me, like a good friend should. 

Now then... Atonement was everything that advertisments make it out to be, an epic romantic drama.  Do not expect a happy ending however, if you go in wanting a fluffy happily ever after, you'll be disappointed.  Briony Talis, (played by 3 different females over the course of the film) at 13 years of age accuses Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) the son of the family gardner (turned educated gentleman) of raping Lola Quincey (Juno Temple) a young friend of the family visiting for the summer.  Due to a series of events, including a letter that Robbie wrote and never intended to send, he is arrested and sent to jail.  Robbie, harboring feelings for Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), makes them known to her just shortly before he is taken by the police.  Knowing that Robbie's arrest was a mistake, Cecilia leaves her family and becomes a nurse, moving to London just as the first world war begins.  Robbie is released from prison to serve in the army.  We are treated to glimpes of the couple meeting as time allowed, though war does make it rather difficult.  (Who would have thought?!)  Briony, guilt ridden by what she has done, gives up her writing and becomes a nurse, training in the same ward her sister had.  She attempts to seek out her sister to apologize for what happened but to no avail.  Eventually she tracks her sister down and visits, begging for forgiveness.  Does she get it?  That's something I cannot tell you, you'll have to see the film.  I also won't tell you how/why it is Cecilia and Robbie never see each other again.  The actual name Atonement is just that.  Briony is trying to atone for the sins she commited fueled mostly by a young girls jealously. 

The film itself is beautifully made.  The cinematography, especially during some of the war scenes is dramatic and seams so very real.  Costuming is just as important.  I'd kill to have the green dress Cecilia is wearing at the dinner party where Robbie is taken.  The only thing I disliked was how disjointed the story seemed at times.  You would view an event through the eyes of Briony, then view the event as it actually occurred.  This skipping back and forth didn't confuse me, but seemed to upset the pace of the movie.  Then again, perhaps it was because I figured out who the real rapist was during his first scene of the film.  (I have a knack for guessing plots and such -_-).  Also the scoring, was punctuated with the clack of a typewriter.  It's fitting as Briony is a writer, but it's over done in film.  I was expecting more grand music, or music from the era and there was very little of that. 

The acting itself was amazing.  Briony's role was split into 3 parts.  Age 13 was played by Saoirse Ronan,  age 18 was played by Keira Draten Romola Garai.  She is my personal favorite in the film, even though Saoirse Ronan got the Oscar nod.  Vanessa Redgrave played the "old-woman" version of Briony who was giving a television interview regarding her book "Atonement," based on real events in her life.  I have no comments to make in regard to them other than they were all brilliant, for different reasons.  And, to wrap this up, I can't NOT talk about James McAvoy.  I've been an avid follower of his ever since I saw The Last  King of Scotland.  That and he's pretty.  He's one of my new obsessions, he's not nearly as bad of an obsession as James Marsden is but well... yeah.  I think I have a thing for guys with blue eyes.  Oh, and it was nice to see Keira Knightley with a bit more weight put back on. 

So in conclusion... see the film if you think it looks like something you would like.  There are several shocking or scandalous bits that made me giggle or gasp.  It was not at all what I was expecting, I was expecting the happily ever after ending I guess.   The fact that they don't end up in the end together does upset me a bit, and the fact that Briony's act of contrition for ruining the happiness of two people is to write a book... uh yeah no.  I'd give it a B+.  It will be on the top 10 list sheerly for the fact that it was a beautiful film.  The parts I don't like, are overweighed by the prettyness of the film and the ensemble acting. 

Finally. Oscar Nominations have been announced! Heres hoping they don't go down in a blaze of WGA strike glory like the Golden Globes did. >_<  Anyways... What will follow is the list. My PERSONAL picks will be listed, as will what I think will actually win. What I want and what the Academy wants... always two separate things.

Best Picture: Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood

Sara says: Juno,  Academy will say: No Country for Old Men

Actor: George Clooney, Michael Clayton;  Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood; Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street ; Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah ; Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Sara says: Johnny Depp,  Academy will say: Daniel Day-Lewis, POSSIBLY Johnny Depp... he'll get the "George Clooney award" ie. Clooney got it for having a 'great year' it was his time, not because the movie he was nominated for was all that great. Johnny Depp could have this happen for him.

Actress: Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age ; Julie Christie, Away From Her ; Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose ; Laura Linney, The Savages ; Ellen Page, Juno

Sara says: Ellen Page,  Academy will say: Cate Blanchett for the same reasons that apply to Johnny Depp, second choice would be... Marion Cotillard

Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford ; Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men; Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild ; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War ; Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Sara says: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Academy will say: TOUGH CHOICE... I'm thinking Tom Wilkinson for Michael Clayton

Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There. ; Ruby Dee, American Gangster ; Saoirse Ronan, Atonement ; Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone ; Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Sara says: Saoirse Ronan, Academy will say:  Tilda Swinton (of Cate Blanchett if she doesn't win for Best Actress, she's going to get one award... even if I will it so!)

Director: Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly ; Jason Reitman, Juno ; Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men; Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood

Sara says: Joel Coen and Ethan, No Country for Old Men,  Academy will say: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood


Cinematography:  The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,  Atonement, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,  No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood

Costume Design:  Across the Universe, Atonement, Elizabeth: The Golden Age , La Vie en Rose, Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Adapted Screenplay:  Atonement, Away From Her, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood

Original Screenplay:  Juno, Lars and the Real Girl,  Michael Clayton, Ratatouille, The Savages

Okay, so, being the anal retentive person that I am, I've gone and added IMDB links for all the movies/actors that are nominated, for the picks that I've already made.  I've also added 4 new categories but have not made predictions.  These 4 happen to be my favorite categories, and based on who wins adapted/original screenplay the best picture nominations will play a role in who wins.  (Should I really think there is so much science or a formula in guessing this stuff?!  Don't answer that.)  So, I know I've not done the full list like I promised, but frankly I think I've hit the big contenders... and it will have to do.  Besides, when I watch the awards... my picks on what the academy will choose change as each award is handed out.  Perk of having your film nominated several times.  It will get an award but not the one you were expecting or wanting. 

Do I really have to wait a while 24 days?!  *pout*

Finally... the top 10 list is coming. I've seen Atonement, which means I can make my top ten movies for 2007. I'll do it later though... and also write my review for Atonement, which will fall on the list, if only because I adore James McAvoy.

Why can't I do it now? Because the PRINTER I bought... didn't come with a cord to connect it to the computer. Yeah. No joke. Damn HP. I shouldn't be surprised though. Anything to get more money out of me as if the almost $90 for the printer wasn't enough. So yeah, got to go buy the damn cord and the drive to town is... lengthy. (Subtext: rawr).

Oh... and I need to clean my room. I've been back at my school residence for over a week and haven't unpacked. The piles of clothes might eat me soon. -_-" At least I dusted off my desk when I set up the new printer though and organized it? That's something... right? *shifty*

Aaaaand randomly because I'm in a mildly ranting type mood. The new quidditch rules are so lame, bonurfles are going to be the BANE of our existence next season, and mixed teams was the worst idea EVER. I repeat... EVER. (If you don't understand this rant, then you were not meant to... and don't worry... it's not worth explaining...XD)

OH... and sortingsoonyay!

Alright. Juno. I saw this on Saturday and have since then been trying to get a review written... my cold however has kept me from doing much of anything. Other than laying around the house in my jammies with a box of tissues and hand sanitizer. Yeah. Oh, and breathe right strips. I look like a crazy person with my air-dried and not straightened hair under a toboggan with breathe right strips on my nose. -_-

Also, because I am still feeling kind of ill I'm probably not going to be as thorough as I usually am what with the linking to IMDB.com and such. Though my anal retentive streak will probably have me editing it in when I feel better. Yeaaah. Now then... to the review.

Juno was fan-flipping-tastic it is definitely on my top 10 list of movies for the year. I've not YET made the list for 2007 because well, I have not seen Atonement (I ADORE James McAvoy... ever since Last King of Scotland... Narnia, not so much and Romola Gara is SO cute too). I am holding out on making the list until I check the theatres at school to see if it is playing or not, since it was only playing at one lousy theatre at home. I doubt it will be but meh, I'll give it an honorable mention spot on the list as it is getting really late in January.

I need to stop writing in run-on sentences and following them with fragmented sentences. /random

Anyways, Juno was probably the most well written comedic-film I have seen in a very long time. It is quirky and endearing and everything a comedy that isn't purely 'toilet-humor' should be. Not that I'm saying 'toilet-humor' is bad, every once in awhile we need some of that. (Superbad anyone? XD) Juno reminded me of a cross between Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine. Juno had the great 'catch-phrase' lines that made Napoleon Dynamite such a hit but it also had a heart to it a la Little Miss Sunshine.

I will forever go around asking people if they are the mac to my cheese, because that's totally boss. :3

So yes, Napoleon Dynamite with a plot... what a concept. Oh well, and there is the whole pregnancy thing. Basically Juno (Helen Page aka Kitty Pride of X3), named after the greek/roman goddess and not the Alaskian city gets herself knocked up by Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera of Superbad). She thinks about getting an abortion but can't go through with it, and in the end decides to have the child and give it up for adoption. The parents she selects, a well to do couple played by Jennifer Gardner and Jason Bateman, are unable to have children of their own despite numerous attempts. That being said, I won't tell you much more as it WOULD ruin the plot.

Helen Page is utterly adorable, despite having a bit of a mouth on her. She's not like the other girls which is perhaps why she is attracted to Paulie Bleeker a knobby kneed cross country runner. Paulie is endearing to me because I knew a Paul who was very awkward much like the Paulie in this film and well... I lived with cross country runners all through undergrad and yes, they did wear shorts like that. *snickers* She would probably be the stand-out actor of the film but this is really an ensemble piece. Not one actor really shines above the rest, and they all work very well together. They are believable and that is the true mark of a well made film.

As for the run-time, it was just under two hours (with full trailers and such) and the film seems to breeze by. The music as well is excellent, not only Juno's eclectic tastes in the film but the score and the opening title sequence which is partially animated. Also the closing scene where Juno and another person who I won't mention because it's a spoiler sing is adorable. I need to stop using the words endearing and adorable but that's the only way to describe this film. Honest!

All in all, this is a must see. If you MUST wait for it to come out on dvd I suppose I could live with it but honestly, this is one of the films you WANT to see on the big screen. Make sure you don't drink an entire soda because getting up for a pee-break mid film would be SO lame. I also think that this is NOT a 'chick' film. It has romantic elements to it, but the sheer comedic elements, while not vulgar (enough with the T&A jokes in a film kk?) should entertain anyone with a decent sense of humor.

My advice, see a late evening show on a school night. On the weekends it will be crowded with prostitots (middle school aged girls/pre-teen ho's) and their shenanigans will definitely ruin the experience. Don't let them distract you from the film.

There, a review. It's crap but I'm sick so do forgive me... I am also upset that my cold kept me from seeing The Bucket List on Monday afternoon. QQ Hopefully I'll talk Jillie into it this weekend... after 27 Dresses that is. CHICKFLICKFTW. *shifty*

In lieu of writing a review for One Missed Call because you know, I refused to see it, I thought I'd link you some other reviews instead. Save yourself the trouble and DO NOT go see this movie.

Tomatometer Watch: One Missed Call Gets Billed a Zero Percent
Already a strong contender for worst-reviewed movie of the year.
by Alex Vo | January 07, 2008

During the 1990s, America made just two major remakes of Japanese movies: Last Man Standing and Godzilla. But ever since The Ring made $128 million and a few careers in 2002, J-Horror remake fever has gripped the studios (whilst giving critics a gnarly case of J-Jaundice). The latest remake, One Missed Call, opened to a strong $12.5 million over the weekend and an equally strong zero percent Tomatometer.
Based on the 2003 Takashi Miike movie, One Missed Call images cell phones as instruments of terror instead of the never-inconvenient tools they are today: If a victim answers their phone (presaged by an ominous ringtone), they'll get a recording of their imminent death. With no press screenings beforehand, critics were unable to spread the word of One Missed Call's merits until the day of its release, which includes, according to Ken Fox from TV Guide, "dull scares, [a] sloppy ending and a pair of unconvincing, leaden lead performances" from Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon.

eFilmCritic's Brian Orndorf likens the movie to "a swift kick to the groin," while John P. McCarthy of Box Office Magazine calls it "so tedious that Alexander Graham Bell would have difficulty staying awake." Those Film School Rejects agree: "It's as if Vanilla Ice wrote the script, sampling elements from The Ring and The Grudge with a dash of Pulse sprinkled in."

More choice calls amongst the 40+ reviews:

Slant Magazine: "[The] original 2003 One Missed Call was second-rate techno-phobic J-horror tripe, meaning that Eric Valette's even lousier American remake is something like the next generation of suck.

Chicago Tribune: "If you missed the first One Missed Call, made in Japan in 2004, you now can miss the American remake."

Onion A.V. Club: "About as fresh and vital as a fifth-generation dub of The Star Wars Holiday Special."

The only recent comparable wide release is August's Daddy Day Camp, which plumbed the depths down to a one percent Tomatometer.

Rotten Tomatoes Review Link

Now then, the only reason I've even bothered linking this... is because well, after picking up and thumbing through Joey's Entertainment Weekly when I was at work, and thinking back to Hostel and "horror porn" as the genre was dubbed it has me curious. When was the last time you were honestly SCARED in a movie? I'm not talking about jumps and suspense, I mean SCARED like... The Birds scared... really freaked out after a movie? It seems like every genre of movie in Hollywood is floundering... Sci Fi for instance is redoing the same things, over and over again. Horror doesn't seem to be fairing much better. Rather depressing isn't it that we can't come up with any originality.

Props to 3:10 from Yuma though, they revitalized the Western with a new spin... hopefully our beloved horror genre will fair the same thing. We can only hope. If not... maybe they'll at least learn to stop making crap like this.

Against my better judgement, I saw P.S. I Love You this evening. Originally the plan was to watch One Missed Call and pre-screen it for the Friday showing. After 30 seconds in One Missed Call I had to leave. I just... couldn't watch that movie. It's like... The Ring but with a freaking cell phone. Gah. So... I stuck my head into P.S. I Love You. I'd been avoiding this movie because of it's extremely long run time. It was about two and a half hours I think. Luckily I skipped the previews and it didn't seem unbearable. Not like National Treasure had a few days before.

I don't know what it was, but I spent this whole movie sniffling, and holding back tears. It really was quite depressing. That or the cold that I have developed (YEAH I HAVE A SLIGHT FEVER NOW) is making me over emotional. I think that might be it. Anyways, the basic plot is that Hilary Swank (our protagonist in the story) looses her husband Gerard Butler (SPAAAAARTAAAA... sorry, a 300 moment there) when he dies of a brain tumor. He writes her a series of letters prior to his death which she is to open when he passes on. She does, follows his directions in them, and LA DE DAH... LEARNS to live and hopefully love again.

Suffice it to say, I'm not a huge Hilary Swank fan. I am however a fan of Gerard Butler talking with an irish brogue and being shirtless most of the movie. Who wouldn't be? Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Bates and James Marsters (SPIKE! weeeeeee) are also endearing for various reasons. I've always had a thing for Harry Connick Jr. and even though he gets the shaft in the end (worst movie ending ever for something billed as a romantic movie by the way...but I won't spoil it) I can't not say I'm glad to see him in a movie. I will however say that I did not like him with his long-ish hair looking always disarrayed and the perpetual five o'clock shadow was... yeah. Where is my well groomed and suave Harry Connick Jr.?!

Without totally ruining the ending or the plot, I'd just like to say that this movie was... cute. If you want a good cry, then RENT this movie and eat a bowl of chocolate ice cream in your jammies. It isn't as tearjerking as oh say... The Notebook but I think if you are feeling overly emotionally... which apparently I am, it will bring a tear to your eye. If you are male, do not watch this movie. If you are bored and are female, do not drag your bestmates, your boy-thinger/whatever to the theatre. It isn't really worth the price of the admission. Rent yes, theatre... eh... no.

That being said, I need to stop writing this. I don't think I am at all coherent, but if you want ask me about it when I'm not fever-ish then go right ahead. XD

Oh... and if you ever say to me "You're my Harry Connick Jr." (having seen this movie of course) I might just cry. Joey had someone say this to him. How depressing. :(

OH... and I got a cute purse today when I went shopping, and new flannel jammies. /random I'm feeling a picture post coming on soon. SO BEWARE.

Toodles. (That's such a funny word! lawlz.)

2007 List of Movies:

Okay, so this is a list of every movie I’ve seen this year. Yes, I’m keeping track. Why? Because there is a competition at work...that’s why. I also kind of like having it on display because it shows how much of a life I really don’t have.... or you know, how obsessive I am about movies... whichever. So, it will stay at the top of my page until 2008, and then I shall start afresh.

1. Apocalyto (2006 release seen in 2007)
2. Charlotte’s Web (2006 release seen in 2007)
3. Dreamgirls (2006 release seen in 2007)
4. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006 release seen in 2007)
5. Night at the Museum (2006 release seen in 2007)
6. Freedom Writers
7. Children of Men
8. 300
9. Catch and Release
10. Epic Movie
11. TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
12. Blades of Glory
13. Disturbia
14. In the Land of Women
15. Spider-Man 3
16. Georgia Rule
17. Shrek the Third
18. Knocked Up
19. Ocean’s Thirteen
20. Hostel II
21. Surf’s Up
22. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
23. Nancy Drew
24. Evan Almighty
25. Ratatouille
26. Transformers
27. License to Wed
28. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
29. Hairspray
30. The Simpsons Movie
31. No Reservations
32. Becoming Jane
33. Sidney White
34. 30 Days of Night
35. Dan in Real Life
36. A Bee Movie
37. The Golden Compass
38. Enchanted
39. I am Legend
40. Charlie Wilson's War
41. National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Oh... and there will totally be awards given at the end of the year... *beams*

Who need’s Oscars when you’ve got my picks (fyi, I almost always do an Oscar pick and guess correctly anyways... so ner)

Time for another review. Two in a row. Are you impressed? I am. (You should be).

Now then, I rather like the first National Treasure and well, when it came on television late last night I watched the ending. I had been planning on seeing National Treasure: Book of Secrets when the hype at work died down (it's been selling out) but well... seeing the first one again made me want to see Book of Secrets all that much more. I'd been hearing mixed reviews about it, but gave it the benefit of the doubt. I've always been rather fond of Nicolas Cage ever since City of Angels came out, and the film melted in the theatre and I never got to see the ending... until several years later. (HOW DEPRESSING WAS THAT?!) Still, I've never really fancied him to be an action hero, so seeing him in National Treasure was rather refreshing. It was action-y but HE wasn't an action hero type person. It was brains over brawn and well... I do so adore that mantra.

Also, the fact that I have a history degree, and am drawn to anything with a historical foundation (even outlandish stories of treasure seekers) makes this film a draw for me personally. For the most part they are historically accurate and even when they aren't, they make it all seem convincing. Convincing enough that is. I'm not going to nitpick historical facts in a film that was created to be entertaining. All you Tolkein-geeks who do that to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings need to be shot... in the foot.

The plot itself is a bit slow. Thomas Gates, great (great, great?) grandfather to Benjamin Gates was originally thought to be a hero of the American Civil War, by refusing to decode a page in John Wilkes Boothe's journal that would lead to a city of gold. Presumably the Confederacy would use the gold to rise once again. However, a mysterious page from Boothe's journal is unveiled and in order to clear his great (great, great?) grandfather's name... Ben and entourage must find and prove the existence of the lost city of gold. From here the action begins...

*PLOT SPOILERS BEGIN NOW* (thought you should know)

Gates breaks into Buckingham palace and finds a secret compartment in the Queen's desk. Is it bad that the entire time this was going on, I was snickering to myself thinking of how disapproving Helen Mirren (who stared brilliantly in The Queen) would look at the situation. Turns out Mirren plays Gates' mother. This leads them to the Oval Office where they find a seal, for the President's Book of Secrets. Gates then kidnaps the president (yeah... THAT PRESIDENT) to ask him about the book. He tells of the books location, they find the book and from there they are off again, to the hills of... Yeah, not going to tell you that. They find the treasure and... the day, and Gates reputation is saved.

Oh, I suppose that's really the end of the plot spoilers. Meh.

Seems all a bit complicated doesn't it? Following all those clues then spending another 45 minutes actually getting to the treasure? In total the movie is only 2 hours long, but the animated short before it as well as the copious amount of trailers made this seem much longer. I can sit through long movies, but well... this movie, while action packed, and well written just seemed a bit slow. Like it took forever to get to the treasure. I also find it far to convenient that Gates mother (played by Mirren) is one of the handful of scholars in the country that can read an obscure native american language... one of their clues. I'll allow it though because who doesn't LOVE Helen Mirren. Honestly, name one person. She's deliciously brilliant, if not all that believable crawling through a cave, getting dirty.

Justin Bartha who plays Riley Poole is much better used in this film than in the last one. He provided a modest amount of comic relief in the last film, but this one... the role he played seemed much bigger. The dry sarcasm is entertaining and is needed to counter the seriousness of the potentially life threatening situations. The jokes tend to pop up at unexpected moments (God Save the Queen...any one?) Frankly, without the humor he provides... the film would be so flat as Nicolas Cage gives a solid performance but not a DAZZLING end all be all performance. Not only does he provide a plot point in the film, he's nice to look at. *winkwink* The same goes for Gates father, played by Jon Voight.

The only other real complaint I have with the film is the ease in which Gates kidnapped the president...and well the fact that he didn't get caught almost immediately THEN was fully pardoned. I doubt that in today's society, what with terrorism and the fear it creates Gates would have ever gotten that close to the president, much less, got him alone. Alas, it's the movies and they do ask you to suspend some part of reality when you enter the theatre. Still, they travel from Washington to the place of the treasure (a fair distance apart). Do they drive... are they not watched... or are they really that good at blending in. Flying would be out after kidnapping the president...right? I feel that I am having to suspend my belief just a bit too much for this to be believable.

In conclusion, if you liked the first National Treasure, you'll like the second... and probably the third. Cryptically the president asks Gates to look at page 47 in the secret book, and then cryptically once again asks him about it when they meet again after the treasure is found. No doubt the final film in the trilogy will be just as entertaining as the first two (producer Jerry Bruckheimer does have a high success rate after all... if we look at Pirates as an indicator) and I can be thankful that UNLIKE PotC this film has a plot of it's own and does not merely set up for a third movie.

If you want a bit of action, go see the movie, but come late and avoid the trailers and the animated short. That's the best advice I can give you. ^_^

Solid B- rating.

*boogies*

Be forewarned this is a review of Charlie Wilson's War... and it's not behind a cut. If you don't want the plot spoiled for you, then stop reading? Then again, it's history... so well, it's something you should (in theory) already have a grasp of. Unless you are Canadian... then you fail at life. Unless your Andie... then I love you. *heart*

Anyways... when I first started my journal I really wanted to do a lot of reviews because well, I see A LOT of movies. I have rather slacked in that department. I think the only thing I did review was Hairspray... and maybe The Simpsons Movie. I pretty much fail at life. It could also be that I've not had time to see anything worth reviewing which is mostly true. Do you really need a review for Enchanted? I think not. Charlie Wilson's War however... was really enjoyable. I know that many people avoid political films, I myself do actually, but this isn't the quintessential political film. It isn't Syriana or the Jennifer Garner flick, The Kingdom which was fairly well made but just not my cup of tea. Yes there are politics but there is not a liberal or conservative agenda being presented... it shows politicians for what they are. (Worthless mostly).

The story opens with Charlie Wilson a congressman from the great state of Texas. Charlie has a fondness for women and booze, in that order. His greatest accomplishment as a Congressman was managing to get himself elected 6 times... and nothing else. I found this line in the movie to be hilarious thanks if part to Tom Hanks excellent acting abilities, more on that later though. Tom Hanks as Wilson, is approached by the sixth wealthiest woman in Texas (Julia Roberts) who is passionately involved in the Afghanistan war AGAINST the Soviet Union. 1980's politics...anyone? Anyone at all? She sends him to meet with the president of Pakistan who in turn sends him to a refugee camp on the Pakistan border. Moved by the stories the deposed Afghan people tell him... he sets out to supply them with the money and weapons they need to defeat the United States greatest enemy... the Soviet Union.

What follows, is just how he did that... through legislation and the help of the CIA (Philip Seymour Hoffman) he created the most successful covert operation that the United States has probably ever pulled off on such a massive scale. He raises a budget from 5 million dollars to 1 billion and in the end, the Afghan people defeat the Soviet Union. The film however ends on a somber note when he is asks for 1 million dollars to help with school repair and is refused by the US government... because no one 'cares' about the war now that it is over.

The film ends with a quote... "We won the war but we fucked up the end game..." or something quite similar to that as I can't remember the exact phrasing. This, while somewhat crass in true Charlie Wilson fashion, reminds people that the reason the Middle East is the way it is today is partially our fault. WE trained the men who would later train terrorists. We supplied the weapons to Afghanistan for the war effort to defeat the Soviets. We however did nothing to help repair the country that was devastated by war. Politics aside as I do not like to preach politics, my own or anyone else's... it's a somber reminder that the Middle East didn't just 'happen' that we had a hand in it's development... or lack-thereof.

As for the acting, TOM HANKS is back. I was so disappointed in The Terminal and The DaVinci Code but he is amazing in this film. Acting the part of a true southern gentleman, besides being a booze hound who refers to his all female staff as 'jailbait' you can see that he truly cares for the fate of the Afghan people. He also has a subtle humor that works well with Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is accused of being crass at times, but well... he doesn't lie about it, it is simply who he is. A side most politicians would hide, he merely nods his head, says something flippant and goes back to work.

Julia Roberts on the other hand. Meh. I swear I am the only person alive who does not like this woman. Her acting was fine, but the eyelashes and make up they have her in, on top of the peroxided hair... Meh. I hated the way she looked and well, I didn't find her religious zeal, that her character supposedly did have, to be all that genuine. Then again, like I said... I'm not a Julia Roberts fan (unless it is My Best Friend's Wedding the only film of hers I like) so my thoughts on her shouldn't really matter as she is a focus in the film but not THE central focus as the trailers have made her out to be. I'm also biased in that regard. Those of you who LOVE Julia Roberts will probably disagree with me, but I just don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal about her.

I'll refrain from talking about Philip Seymour Hoffman because I love everything he does, this included. If you like him, you'll love his performance in this film. I do however, before I end this little ramble, need to mention Emily Blunt and Amy Adams both of whom appear in the film. You'll remember Emily Blunt most likely from The Devil Wears Prada with Anne Hathaway. She appears only briefly in the film but well... I love her, and I love that she was even in a film of this magnitude. You can't call a film with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts one that doesn't have magnitude, it just isn't possible... so props to her for being apart of it. I hope she is seen by a wider variety of audiences and gets bigger roles in the future. The same is true of Amy Adams who plays Wilson's chief aide. Amy Adams who starred in Enchanted is just... adorable. There is no other word to describe her. She however steps out of that adorable role into one of a confident woman, who (obviously hired for her looks) is extremely smart and very dedicated to the congressman. Her performance is quite excellent and again, like Emily Blunt I am glad she is getting lots of screen exposure.

That aside... I've nothing else to say on the movie, other than to recommend it to you. If you have the time, forgo seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks or even National Treasure and buy a ticket for this instead. I assure you the crowd will be a bit more subdued (no rowdy teenagers please?) and I think that you'll enjoy it. It's not filled with so much political jargon you can't understand it, and seeing Tom Hanks actually act worth a damn again... well worth the price of admission in my book. Not that I paid or anything. Hey... it's a perk of my job! *shifty*

That's all. Have a very Merry Christmas. Oh and those of you who do go to the movie theatres on Christmas, please remember that the employees who work so that YOU can see a movie are not spending their holiday with their family. So don't be an asshole. This has been your asshole Public Service Announcement of the day.

*loffs*

Don't see it. Ever.

I want to gouge my eyes out that movie was so wretched.

I saw it with Joey and Megan and to use Megan's words because they are so perfect, "If I could murder a movie, I'd murder this one."

It was SO, SO, SO bad. Steve Carell can't even save it.

Great review huh?

I know, I know... I said I’d do my The Simpsons Movie review but I’ve been meaning to do a Hairspray review as well, and eh... I’ve got the feeling that if I don’t take care of the Hairspray one first, it will never get done. So, there is your warning. If you don’t want spoilers about the movie then stop reading now. Remember that no cut thing? Yeah, this is it. Anyways, I can’t honestly think of anyone who doesn’t know the basic plot of Hairspray anyways or why ANYONE would have not seen the 1988 John Waters version, for which the Broadway Musical (and this production was based). I’m full of useless movie knowledge and yes, I did link to IMDB, but eh... I knew this stuff w/o looking at the IMDB pages. I just like to think I’m thorough in presentation. Moving on.

I am a fan of musicals, on stage and of course the movie variety has a certain appeal. My favorite movie of all time is Singin’ in the Rain just in case you were wondering. As a theatre guru, musicals, even the cheesiest Rogers and Hammerstein are special to me. Does this mean I like everything I see? No not really, though I’m sure some of my friends would disagree as I seem to have liked everything musical-ish I’ve seen in the past few years. This actually means that I’m a bit more overcritical about what I see. Higher standards perhaps? Eh.

I was a huge fan of the original Hairspray released in 1988, and had heard good things about the Broadway adaptation, but had never actually listened to the songs like I’ve done with other shows... Avenue Q anyone? That aside, I remember seeing the first trailer for the movie when I returned home for the summer to the Carmike, the craptacular theatre I am gainfully employed by. I remember being so thrilled because not only did it have James Marsden, Zac Efron AND Christopher Walken in it (all whom I’m mildly obsessed with for various, not to be mentioned reasons). It was so bright and colorful and just made me smile when watching it.

Also note that my theatre is the only one in the area with DLP digital picture, and while I hadn’t realized what a difference in quality it was until I had to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on film. It really does make or a better show. COLOR IS AMAZING. *shifty*

I grew more excited when we got a series of 8 vinyl wall hangings to put up. A larger than life James Marsden for me to stare at? YESPLEASE.

The night finally came where I got to pre-screen the movie. I watched it with Joey, Sean, Cathy and Ashley. Joey and Ashley both work with me, Sean and Cathy are friends of Joey’s. Not that you care...? Joey and Sean are both gay, not that it matters to me, but it helps to explain their reactions/personalities...imo.

As the movie played, I was entranced, smiling from ear to ear and humming along to the music as best I could. Laughing at John Travolta in drag dancing like his fat suit and heels were non-existent. Laughing at Sean and Joey as they kept on a running monologue, adding even more humor to the situation. (I’m sorry, but I’m spoilt, I can’t stand seeing non digital shows in crowded theatres where I can’t talk and text because it will irritate people around me... pre-screenings are the only way to see movies)

Nikki Blonski, the girl cast as Tracey is perfect. She’s sweet, has a wonderful voice and is fun to watch on screen. Michelle Pfeiffer looked amazing, and sang even better. I had vivid Grease 2 flashbacks. She looked classy and put together and was deliciously sinister. I had been a bit worried when I’d seen the promotional shots for Stardust. She just looked a bit aged in those posters. Then again, that was probably the intent. Not my place to question. Christopher Walken, as usual is brilliant and funny...and he exhibited his dancing skills in his number with John Travolta. My one complaint is that during said song (which I’ve listened to about twenty times since Ashley burned me the soundtrack) is that it sounds like he and Walken are laughing throughout the whole song, as if they realize just how absurd they both are.

The only real complaint that I had after leaving the theatre was with Queen Latifah, who got excellent billing for this movie, and with John Travolta and his Edna-voice. Queen Latifah and her costuming (beehive wigs?!) were just over the top. She was made too much into the voice of the cause. Not sure if I’m explaining myself well enough but it seemed like her ONLY purpose was to fight back against the tyrannical station manager (Michelle Pfeiffer). Something about it all irked me. Itw as her cause yet, Nikki was the rebel fighting it? Moving on as I can’t compose a coherent thought...

As I said, John Travolta was amazing, his costuming was fantastic and as Ashley said when he was dancing in the “Welcome to the 60’s” number... ‘He’s a BEAST.’ Yes, indeed. The only odd thing is the accent he switched to and from. It was not Baltimore-ish but was Californian surfer mixed with a bit of Southern Hospitality. It just... was off. Certain words, WARSH (wash) for instance didn’t fit. Is this nitpicking? Probably. But if it’s the only fault I’m finding, does it let you know how much I LOVED this movie. I totally did.

Now then, before I ramble on further (DAMN this was a long ass post), I’m going to tie this up with a nod to Rikki Lake and Jerry Stiller who both were in the original movie and had cameos. I’m also going to tentatively rate this as number 4 on my list of summer movies. (The top 5 will be released at the end of August, or maybe before if I get around to posting it sooner! ^^”)

So yes, if you love musicals, or want to see John Travolta in drag, or maybe you just want to fangirl Zac Efron (or James Marsden <3) then go see the movie. You won’t be disappointed. The infectious pop/oldies rock is superb and the lyrics are catchy. Notice the lack of a plot summary too ^_~ not much spoiler-ing here when you don’t really give one of those eh? It's a happy movie that will have you dancing in the aisle (no really...we did this >_>) or singing as you leave the theatre.

Apologies in advanced any misspellings/missing words as it is quite late and I can’t be effed to proof this mess. NIGHT <3