If you are as big of a fan of Leo as me, then you will watch this movie just to see him. I will give this 2 out of 4 stars because it kept my attention. But this is not the genre I consider myself an expert at.
Side Note: I netflixed this movie right after I netflixed The International starring Clive Owen, and it's funny because the blurbs for both movies are very similar. It just so happens that International was a terribly boring waste of a movie, no point...don't watch it. I will not even blog about The International that is how disappointed I was. Anyway...I wasn't very excited about Body of Lies even with the promise of Leo because I was expecting just another boring action flick.
Don't get me wrong, it was slightly boring and just another action/war against terrorism flick, but Crowe and DiCaprio made it worth that one-time viewing.
I am not a huge fan of shoot-em-up movies, desert scenes with nothing but arabs and guns, or movies about war in general. So the whole time I was trying to figure out if they were going to kill-off Leo by the end of the movie. Because, I have to say, he dies in most of his movies. But you will have to watch to find out for sure.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Stephen King's "IT"
This will be an ongoing post as I read It by Stephen King.
Stephen King has been my inspiration for wanting to be a writer. If you have not read his book, On Writing, then you should. King has some great advice and motivating stories for new writers. The key to writing, surprise surprise, is to read and write every day. You should be reading more than you are writing. King reads approximately 86 books every year. I will get there someday. But instead of living in Maine and being a hermit reading and writing, I will have a full-time job cooking in a restaurant. That is the dream anyway....
Anyway, back to the book...
I am about 180 pages into the book so far. I have not seen the movie, so I am going in with no biases. All i know about the story before reading is that there is a clown who kills people and it is quite gruesome. (I also hear that it is a little sexually disturbing)
Side Note: I first picked up this book to read during an extremely boring summer day. I was pacing my bedroom for about two hours. The book was sitting on the floor. I would look at it every few minutes and think, I can't wait til I start reading that book. The cover was very visually stimulating and there are so many pages I could not wait to conquer it. However, it was not the book I had planned to read next, but it was the only thing that would take my mind off how bored I was at that moment...so I sat and started to read.
I read the first two chapters, about 30 pages, before I found something to do. I was so into the book that I took it with me. The first 50 pages are a lot creepier than the next 200. But I guess the beginning has to be scary if you want to pull people in...mesmerizing.
So I walked around for a whole week talking about not being able to read It before I went to bed because it is too scary and I will get nightmares. It has failed to give me goosebumps since that first read.
I thought the Harry Potter books were nothing but intricate detail... It baffles me that 1000+ pages can successfully be dedicated to a horror/thriller novel. King manages to fill every section and every chapter with so much detail and still make this average plot line a good read. I am not even bored while reading (some books I find myself reading just to get to the end...counting the pages as I go) I am drawn in to every single page. Do I really need a two-page description of the geography of Derry when the same information will be mixed in with the exciting stuff in the next six pages? NO I don't, but it still hasn't deterred my reading.
King is good at writing about people and life, in this book his plot takes a back seat to the scenes he draws with the behavior and thoughts of his characters.
I just finished reading a particularly boring section about Mike Hanlon being stuck in a smokestack with a giant bird attacking him. The whole section describing his childhood is rather boring. The books excitement has slowed down.
I have now been reading for 12 days, page 275.
Stephen King has been my inspiration for wanting to be a writer. If you have not read his book, On Writing, then you should. King has some great advice and motivating stories for new writers. The key to writing, surprise surprise, is to read and write every day. You should be reading more than you are writing. King reads approximately 86 books every year. I will get there someday. But instead of living in Maine and being a hermit reading and writing, I will have a full-time job cooking in a restaurant. That is the dream anyway....
Anyway, back to the book...
I am about 180 pages into the book so far. I have not seen the movie, so I am going in with no biases. All i know about the story before reading is that there is a clown who kills people and it is quite gruesome. (I also hear that it is a little sexually disturbing)
Side Note: I first picked up this book to read during an extremely boring summer day. I was pacing my bedroom for about two hours. The book was sitting on the floor. I would look at it every few minutes and think, I can't wait til I start reading that book. The cover was very visually stimulating and there are so many pages I could not wait to conquer it. However, it was not the book I had planned to read next, but it was the only thing that would take my mind off how bored I was at that moment...so I sat and started to read.
I read the first two chapters, about 30 pages, before I found something to do. I was so into the book that I took it with me. The first 50 pages are a lot creepier than the next 200. But I guess the beginning has to be scary if you want to pull people in...mesmerizing.
So I walked around for a whole week talking about not being able to read It before I went to bed because it is too scary and I will get nightmares. It has failed to give me goosebumps since that first read.
I thought the Harry Potter books were nothing but intricate detail... It baffles me that 1000+ pages can successfully be dedicated to a horror/thriller novel. King manages to fill every section and every chapter with so much detail and still make this average plot line a good read. I am not even bored while reading (some books I find myself reading just to get to the end...counting the pages as I go) I am drawn in to every single page. Do I really need a two-page description of the geography of Derry when the same information will be mixed in with the exciting stuff in the next six pages? NO I don't, but it still hasn't deterred my reading.
King is good at writing about people and life, in this book his plot takes a back seat to the scenes he draws with the behavior and thoughts of his characters.
I just finished reading a particularly boring section about Mike Hanlon being stuck in a smokestack with a giant bird attacking him. The whole section describing his childhood is rather boring. The books excitement has slowed down.
I have now been reading for 12 days, page 275.
Funny People
This is a funny movie and suprisingly heartfelt. A movie about life. I will give this movie 2.75 out 4 stars, for now. It is subject to change based on the second viewing.
Side Note: Just before going to see this movie, I wrote a Facebook status saying, Seeing Funny People 2nite! and within 30 minutes two people had commented that this was a terrible movie. I think the exact words used were, worst movie ever and really bad. So, Heather and I had preconceived notions that this movie was going to be a bad one. Not to mention the 2:20 run time, but apparently this director, Judd Apatow, is known for making his averagely funny movies too long. He also directed Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin. My sister Stephani also came to this movie with us, this was special becuase she rarely goes to the movies.
I think because of the title of this movie (Funny People) everyone expected it to be hilarious slapstick funny. And it was funny, but it was also dramatic, or as dramatic as a comedy gets....
I think maybe audiences were dissapointed because they didn't get the usual Adam Sandler role. He wasn't the funny one in the movie and it threw people for a loop. Leslie Mann was good in this movie, but she wasn't really the one with all the laughs either. The three goof balls Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman were the ones who made this a comedy. They are the little people in the world of stand-up comedy.
The movie is about how to make it as a comedian and in life. This movie had a lot of life lessons buried within, but people were so busy being disappointed at the lack of Adam Sandler jokes that they didn't even get the message of the movie.
So, in the end, moviegoers like my sister Stephani who go with a narrow view of how the movie should be leave the theater saying, that wasn't even funny or what a waste of 5 dollars.
Me and Heather on the other hand left the theater saying I really liked that.
Sometimes I enjoy seeing my favorite actors in an unexpected role.
It was a little too long....
Side Note: Just before going to see this movie, I wrote a Facebook status saying, Seeing Funny People 2nite! and within 30 minutes two people had commented that this was a terrible movie. I think the exact words used were, worst movie ever and really bad. So, Heather and I had preconceived notions that this movie was going to be a bad one. Not to mention the 2:20 run time, but apparently this director, Judd Apatow, is known for making his averagely funny movies too long. He also directed Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin. My sister Stephani also came to this movie with us, this was special becuase she rarely goes to the movies.
I think because of the title of this movie (Funny People) everyone expected it to be hilarious slapstick funny. And it was funny, but it was also dramatic, or as dramatic as a comedy gets....
I think maybe audiences were dissapointed because they didn't get the usual Adam Sandler role. He wasn't the funny one in the movie and it threw people for a loop. Leslie Mann was good in this movie, but she wasn't really the one with all the laughs either. The three goof balls Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman were the ones who made this a comedy. They are the little people in the world of stand-up comedy.
The movie is about how to make it as a comedian and in life. This movie had a lot of life lessons buried within, but people were so busy being disappointed at the lack of Adam Sandler jokes that they didn't even get the message of the movie.
So, in the end, moviegoers like my sister Stephani who go with a narrow view of how the movie should be leave the theater saying, that wasn't even funny or what a waste of 5 dollars.
Me and Heather on the other hand left the theater saying I really liked that.
Sometimes I enjoy seeing my favorite actors in an unexpected role.
It was a little too long....
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
As I am not a big fan of the Harry Potter films (I only view them because I am such a huge fan of the books...there is also my love for movies in general) I have to give this movie 2 out of 4 stars because it is not very exciting and strays dramatically away from the important parts of this particular story.
Side Note: I saw this movie in theaters twice. Yes twice. The first time was at the midnight release...of course! Therefore, the first time I watched it I was in and out of sleep, I also could not wait for it to end. The second time was during an awkward date situation with a friend who I had never been to a movie with before. But it was A LOT better the second time around.
The Half blood Prince had more humor and better acting than the first five films. However, the cheesy tween romance scenes were a little too cheesy for my liking. Don't get me wrong, some of it was hilarious, but some of it was just stupid. I don't know why Harry and Ginny didn't end up as a couple like they should have, or why Hermione and Ron didn't have more interaction with eachother.
I would have liked to see more quidditch in this film. The celebration of the world cup is where a lot of this stuff takes place, but NO...they just left that part out.
I also don't know why they added a part to the movie that never even happened in the book (Harry getting attacked by death eaters during the Christmas holiday and the burrow going up in flames) when they could have used that time to include more things that were actually in the book and important!
If they are going to make these long drawn out films (I do like that they are long) then at least make them accurate and take the time to include parts that everyone wants to see. HINT HINT...THE FUNERAL!!
The best part of the movie, just because it was so funny, is when Harry takes the Felix Felicis potion. I didn't know Dan Radcliffe could make me laugh so hard.
Side Note: I saw this movie in theaters twice. Yes twice. The first time was at the midnight release...of course! Therefore, the first time I watched it I was in and out of sleep, I also could not wait for it to end. The second time was during an awkward date situation with a friend who I had never been to a movie with before. But it was A LOT better the second time around.
The Half blood Prince had more humor and better acting than the first five films. However, the cheesy tween romance scenes were a little too cheesy for my liking. Don't get me wrong, some of it was hilarious, but some of it was just stupid. I don't know why Harry and Ginny didn't end up as a couple like they should have, or why Hermione and Ron didn't have more interaction with eachother.
I would have liked to see more quidditch in this film. The celebration of the world cup is where a lot of this stuff takes place, but NO...they just left that part out.
I also don't know why they added a part to the movie that never even happened in the book (Harry getting attacked by death eaters during the Christmas holiday and the burrow going up in flames) when they could have used that time to include more things that were actually in the book and important!
If they are going to make these long drawn out films (I do like that they are long) then at least make them accurate and take the time to include parts that everyone wants to see. HINT HINT...THE FUNERAL!!
The best part of the movie, just because it was so funny, is when Harry takes the Felix Felicis potion. I didn't know Dan Radcliffe could make me laugh so hard.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Julie & Julia
Truly inspirational and cute. Go see it! I give this movie 3 out of 4 stars.
Side Note: I saw this movie with my father and stepmom. I also had a couple glasses of wine in me at the time. Never sit in one of the side rows of the theater. The theater was crowded and my stepmom hates sitting up close because she is snobby and high maintenance. So I was stuck sitting next to the aisle with the walkway to my right and a bar in the way of the screen. There were a group of three older men in the row in front of us without their wives...that was peculiar.
When I asked my sister if she wanted to see this movie with me she said, no way, it looks dumb. Maybe if I am really bored. Not everyone likes chef movies like you!
It is true. I do like movies about food and cooking. It is a sure way to get me in the door. But I also like Amy Adams and movies about life.
It is hard not to relate every movie you watch to your own life. I am a writer, I have a passion for food and cooking and I tend to be bored with my life and any situation I find myself in. I instantly put myself in the shoes of the main character. But this movie turned out to be very inspirational, an average woman of thirty who wanted to be a writer, but never really considered herself a writer found herself at a job that was o.k. but not her dream job. She wanted to eventually do more with her life but realized she was quickly running out of time. So what did she do? She started a hobby...and gave herself a deadline, and it worked out! She followed her instincts, her dreams and her gut and pulled through. This makes for a great movie, but it is a lot easier said than done.
Everyone says they will do something. I challenge myself to read more books than everyone I know. I challenge myself to be a food connoisseur. Some days the hobbies we pick and the goals we set for ourselves seem more fun and easier to accomplish than other days.
Meryl Streep plays the opposite personality in the film. She is outgoing, brilliant and living in a time when there is not much to be expected of a wife. Streep is also amazing at any role she is given...so really what more can I say?
I have to be honest...this movie made blogging sound fun, I guess I will find out.
Side Note: I saw this movie with my father and stepmom. I also had a couple glasses of wine in me at the time. Never sit in one of the side rows of the theater. The theater was crowded and my stepmom hates sitting up close because she is snobby and high maintenance. So I was stuck sitting next to the aisle with the walkway to my right and a bar in the way of the screen. There were a group of three older men in the row in front of us without their wives...that was peculiar.
When I asked my sister if she wanted to see this movie with me she said, no way, it looks dumb. Maybe if I am really bored. Not everyone likes chef movies like you!
It is true. I do like movies about food and cooking. It is a sure way to get me in the door. But I also like Amy Adams and movies about life.
It is hard not to relate every movie you watch to your own life. I am a writer, I have a passion for food and cooking and I tend to be bored with my life and any situation I find myself in. I instantly put myself in the shoes of the main character. But this movie turned out to be very inspirational, an average woman of thirty who wanted to be a writer, but never really considered herself a writer found herself at a job that was o.k. but not her dream job. She wanted to eventually do more with her life but realized she was quickly running out of time. So what did she do? She started a hobby...and gave herself a deadline, and it worked out! She followed her instincts, her dreams and her gut and pulled through. This makes for a great movie, but it is a lot easier said than done.
Everyone says they will do something. I challenge myself to read more books than everyone I know. I challenge myself to be a food connoisseur. Some days the hobbies we pick and the goals we set for ourselves seem more fun and easier to accomplish than other days.
Meryl Streep plays the opposite personality in the film. She is outgoing, brilliant and living in a time when there is not much to be expected of a wife. Streep is also amazing at any role she is given...so really what more can I say?
I have to be honest...this movie made blogging sound fun, I guess I will find out.
(500) Days of Summer
See it! I give it 3 out of 4 stars.
Side Note: I saw this movie with my sister (HD), who I see most of my movies with, and in one of the back rows of the theater, right behind us, was a lone viewer. A middle aged man who laughed at the same parts we did. He seemed to enjoy it.
Days of Summer is real. It's the movie you want to take your best friend to when he/she is depressed...and I mean depressed to the point of no return (or so you think at the time).
What is wrong with the everyday romantic comedy? Movies like: The Ugly Truth, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton or He's just not that Into You. These movies are funny? Yes. Romantic? Yes. But they fail to give you that feeling of hope, desire and butterflies in the stomach until the very end...then the credits start rolling.
Days of summer shows the relationship aspect. You get to see your favorite actors acting like they are in a relationship. Which is what you want to see the movie for in the first place, right?
And then it happens. The part of the movie that all the pessimists, cynics and Debbie downers want to see. They want the relationship to end!
It is justice for every girl or guy who has been dumped for someone else. They want the relationship they did not get to end. Not just end, but suffer.
I love movies that make you feel better about yourself. When the main character is so depressed and lonely, you think, I am not the only one after all.... I also like movies that feel identical to your current life situation. Suddenly you are so happy you chose to see this movie on this day because it will have this magical power to heal you of all your feelings of sadness or loneliness at that time. But it's true! movies can make you feel better about your current situation. The problem is, you can't watch movies every hour of every day...at some point you have to live. You have to let your own movie happen.
(500) Days is similar to The Breakup, starring Jen Aniston and Vince Vaughn. The reason to go and see this movie is, of course, Zooey Deschanel and Joseph (who no one really knows unless they are a fan of 10 Things).
I went because of the ratings and the cast. I was surprised to find that this movie was only showing in select theaters in the metro-Detroit area. Why is this? Why do they do these things to us? If the movie has good ratings, has been advertised on television and has a worthwhile cast, should it not be viewable in any theater, at least any large theater??
(500) Days of Summer is not a love story, but still uplifting at the same time. These things happen to everyone. LIFE happens to everyone. It is what you do after these things happen that make you who you are.
Side Note: I saw this movie with my sister (HD), who I see most of my movies with, and in one of the back rows of the theater, right behind us, was a lone viewer. A middle aged man who laughed at the same parts we did. He seemed to enjoy it.
Days of Summer is real. It's the movie you want to take your best friend to when he/she is depressed...and I mean depressed to the point of no return (or so you think at the time).
What is wrong with the everyday romantic comedy? Movies like: The Ugly Truth, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton or He's just not that Into You. These movies are funny? Yes. Romantic? Yes. But they fail to give you that feeling of hope, desire and butterflies in the stomach until the very end...then the credits start rolling.
Days of summer shows the relationship aspect. You get to see your favorite actors acting like they are in a relationship. Which is what you want to see the movie for in the first place, right?
And then it happens. The part of the movie that all the pessimists, cynics and Debbie downers want to see. They want the relationship to end!
It is justice for every girl or guy who has been dumped for someone else. They want the relationship they did not get to end. Not just end, but suffer.
I love movies that make you feel better about yourself. When the main character is so depressed and lonely, you think, I am not the only one after all.... I also like movies that feel identical to your current life situation. Suddenly you are so happy you chose to see this movie on this day because it will have this magical power to heal you of all your feelings of sadness or loneliness at that time. But it's true! movies can make you feel better about your current situation. The problem is, you can't watch movies every hour of every day...at some point you have to live. You have to let your own movie happen.
(500) Days is similar to The Breakup, starring Jen Aniston and Vince Vaughn. The reason to go and see this movie is, of course, Zooey Deschanel and Joseph (who no one really knows unless they are a fan of 10 Things).
I went because of the ratings and the cast. I was surprised to find that this movie was only showing in select theaters in the metro-Detroit area. Why is this? Why do they do these things to us? If the movie has good ratings, has been advertised on television and has a worthwhile cast, should it not be viewable in any theater, at least any large theater??
(500) Days of Summer is not a love story, but still uplifting at the same time. These things happen to everyone. LIFE happens to everyone. It is what you do after these things happen that make you who you are.
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