2009 Movie Reviews

April

High School Musical 3 * * *
I couldn't WAIT for this movie to come out on DVD since I missed it in the theater. But I was sadly disappointed. I like HSM 2 the best. HSM 3 just didn't have catchy enough songs (although I like "I Want It All" and "Last Waltz") and the plot seemed to be a regurgitation of past conflicts (Troy doesn't want his future chosen for him! Gabriella hates always saying goodbye!) I love the wholesome goodness between Troy and Gabriella's relationship, but I felt like they should have been a little more physical - I mean, they've been together for 2 years and they are seniors. Look at what Bella and Edward were doing at this point!

And yes, sad commentary that I am a grown woman totally into HSM. Am I alone in this?

Eagle Eye * * *
Totally a copy-cat of I, Robot - which I really like. Intriguing concept; totally unbelievable. I, Robot at least is set in the future and is completely fantasy, so your suspended disbelief is possible. Eagle Eye is set in the present and is trying to play it off like this could actually happen. But Shia LeBoeuf is funny and has good comedic timing!

Ocean's 13 * * * * *
I'm a huge fan of the Ocean's Trilogy. This one may in fact be the best one. I'm undecided. But someone give Matt Damon another Oscar. Seriously, watch him play Jason Bourne and then Linus one right after the other. You'll be impressed too.

Enchanted * * * *
Target had it on sale for $10, so I bought it. I love it, especially the song "How Does She Know?" You'll have it stuck in your head for a week after you see it, too. Plus, who doesn't like looking at Patrick Dempsey for an hour and a half?

May

Twilight * * *
I watched this in the hotel on my Mommy Vacation. It was the second time I'd seen it. The first time was in the theater, where I was so caught up in the excitement of seeing the book on screen that I overlooked all the cheesy parts. But watching it for the second time exposed how lame it really was. However, I watched all the behind-the-scenes features and even watched the movie AGAIN with the commentary on. I recommend this to everyone. First of all, because the commentary is hilarious. Second of all, because you will realize how great of actors Robert and Kristen really are when you hear them on the commentary. So after all that time I invested into the movie, I decided that, yes, in fact, I do like it. It will never be as good as the book, but I think they did a pretty good job considering.

Cheaper by the Dozen * * * * *
I have decided that this is one of my all-time favorite movies. Bonnie Hunt and Steve Martin are some of my favorite comedians. The first time I saw the movie, however, I did not have kids of my own and thought the kids were being pretty selfish about their parents no longer being able to be there for every event in their lives now that they were doing things that they wanted to do with their careers (that they had put off for those bratty kids to begin with).
But now that I have kids and I want a big family and I think that being a mom is the best thing in the world, I get it. And I love how the parents approach the chaos of their kids with humor. My favorite part: when Bonnie Hunt is snuggled in the bed with all 12 of her kids. Kinda makes me want to have 12 kids too. (But not really!)

Breakfast at Tiffany's * *
After watching this movie, I thought, "What's the deal?!?" Michael fell asleep - he didn't even have the motivation or the desire to see it through to the end. I get that it's an iconic movie, but only because it's based on a book by Capote. And because Audrey wears that iconic black dress. For being an English major, I really don't like what's considered "Classic Literature." Does anyone really like this movie and want to defend it?

June

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events * * * * 1/2
I finally got my BF to read Harry Potter (FINALLY!), so I owed her reading her favorite series, A Series of Unfortunate Events. I like the books, but surprisingly I like the movie even more. Jim Carrey is, of course, hilarious, and the children do a great job as well. Plus, I like some of the changes that movie made better than the books. Specifically moving the wedding scheme to the end, and adding the continuity element of the spyglasses and the secret club the Baudelaire parents were in. Even though I enjoy the books, I'm too much of a literalist to be absolutely in love with them (stupid, pragmatic self!), so the changes the movie made brought the series a little more reality for my liking. If you watch this, you MUST watch the DVD extras about Jim Carrey creating the Olaf characters. I swear, they just turn the cameras on and say "GO!" to that man. Who can write a script for him? My favorite part? When his theater troupe comes over and he "improvs" for them. The extras on the DVD extend this scene. Worth watching!

An Ideal Husband * * * *
Since a recent Ensign article listed Oscar Wilde as an author the refined read, Michael and I decided to once again watch our favorite Oscar Wilde film. The English accents are a little hard to understand sometimes (though beautiful to listen to), and Julianne Moore is a little annoying (but her character is too). But the movie is wonderful. Funny, entertaining, enlightening... and Rupert Everett should have won an Oscar for his performance. He makes the movie.

Just Married * * *
Ok, it is a stupid, mindless, romantic comedy. It does have Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphey. (People think I look like her by the way. What do you think?) But it's actually funny. And Ashton and Brittany play well off each other. And there's actually enough genuinely touching parts that I tear up. But it's a little one-sided. It seems only Ashton is the idiot, and poor Brittany has to put up with his neanderthalism to make the relationship work. Plus, it's a little crude at times.

Runaway Jury * * *
A good John Grisham adaptation. Of course my conservative nature doesn't allow me to fully appreciate a story about liberal views on gun control, but I like the change from the book to gun control from tobacco. It seems a little more relevant and up-to-date. The movie is well acted and suspenseful.

July

Wolverine * * * *
Ok, we actually saw this one in May, but I forgot to review it then, so I'll add it now. This was one of our not-very-frequent-now-that-we-have-kids trips to the movie theater. I really liked this movie. I thought the plot was well thought out and told seamlessly. I liked the character development, and even the lack of character development in some parts - the writers knew what was crucial info and what could be left out. And of course I loved watching Hugh Jackman for hours on end. He is my ultimate heartthrob. The movie was a little violent for my taste, even for a comic book movie. But it wasn't enough to make me squirm (like 24) or want to get up and leave. The violence is the only reason I didn't give the movie 5 stars.

17 Again * * * *
This is what Michael and I saw on our one and only "gone at bedtime" date. We went to the "cheap theater" - where tickets are only $2.50, but the only show time is 7:00. We haven't been able to go to this theater yet, because we had never left the girls at bedtime before. So what a treat!
The movie was great. Again, don't mind looking at Zac Effron for hours on end either. (Am I really shallow? Typing that two times in a row makes me feel like some celebrity-obsessed teenager...)
Anyway, the movie had a good story about loving what you have and being loyal to your family, blah blah blah. And I believe all those things. I just don't like it when Hollywood tries to teach me these values, especially when they are put in the subtext of an illegitmate pregnancy, premarital sex, and other things Hollywood's selling. And it made Michael and I TERRIFIED to ever send our girls to high school. So for the moral lesson shadowed by no morals, I can't give the movie 5 stars either.
But I do recommend it. You should go see it just to watch the guy that plays the "best friend." It's the funniest role I've seen in a long time. Michael and I were both laughing out loud, REALLY LOUD, for most of the movie.

Bride and Prejudice * * * *
Who doesn't love a good Bollywood number? Lots of colors, catchy songs, fun dancing, and wholesome. It's a Bollywood version of Pride and Prejudice, and really well done. It's engaging, and of course Michael loves the girl that plays the lead (Aishwarya Rai). He thinks she is one of the most beautiful women on the planet. (See! I'm not the only shallow one...)

Tristan & Isolde * * *
Michael watched this with me and admitted it was better than he thought it was going to be (I originally got the movie to watch alone while he was out of town - one of my "chick flick" movies I knew he'd never want to see). It was well done - although the story in the beginning was hard to follow. It's the earliest version of a "star-crossed lovers" story. Although it's more like King Arthur, because it's more like a "star-crossed love triangle." The girl that played Isolde was GORGEOUS and very believable in the role. James Franco played Tristan, and, as Michael put it, we saw a lot of "James Franco brooding" throughout the movie. Yet again, the story sells that sex and physical attraction are the roots of real love. The story seemed pretty sophomoric and shallow. But that's what young people think love is. Or at least what you do when you're in love. But I was happy with the ending. Much better than a Romeo and Juliet ending.

Bride Wars * *
Ugh. I don't even know why I gave it 2 stars. Maybe I should have just given it 1. The story was shallow, the concept was ridiculous, but I loved Kate Hudson's hair and totally coveted it the whole movie, so I guess I'm as shallow as they are (as all these movie reviews seem to be proving). The worst part to me was that they tried to show that Anne Hathaway's character had grown and matured and was better off without her fiance. All I saw was a girl who got more and more evil and petty and drunk - these traits are admirable?

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 * * * 1/2
I loved SOTTP 1, and was excited to see this one. (Another one of my Michael out of town girly movies. He was out of town a lot this month.) I liked this one too, but for different reasons. The girls were older, more mature, and dealing with a lot heavier stuff (at least I thought so). Plus, Bridget's story is really close to my heart and brought me to tears. I could have had just hers and Carmen's stories and been happy. But I was happy with Lena's ending. (I don't want to spoil it for all of you who I know are going to run out and watch it immediately!)

August

Bourne Series (Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum) * * * * *
I watched these at my parents' house with my dad. They are some of the only movies my dad can stand watching (the others include Walk the Line, Mean Girls, and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen - hilarious, right?!) I LOVE the Bourne series. Identity is great, but Supremacy is my favorite. Although that scene where he jumps in threw the window in Ultimatum is great, too. I love Supremacy because there's hardly any dialogue. They don't feel the need to "explain" things to you. My dad and I talked about Bourne vs. Bauer. We decided Jason would kick Jack's butt - and do a heck of a lot less talking, too.

Pirates of the Caribbean * * * * 1/2
I LOVED this movie when we saw it in the theater years ago. Fell in love with Jack Sparrow right away (and didn't every other woman in America?). I would love to give the movie 5 stars, but it has Keira Knightley in it. And you all know how I feel about Keira Knightley (or you should).

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest * * *
This movie is just the filler between the 1st and the 3rd. I feel like they got a little ambitious with plot and couldn't keep it all together very well. Plus I hate the whole Davy Jones' ship/heart/tentacle face bit. But Johnny Depp steals the show, yet again.

Australia * * * 1/2
Two words: Hugh Jackman. And four more: With his shirt off. The movie was a little much - it is a Baz Luhrmann film - and was sometimes hard to follow. There were also some parts that were disturbing. And I'm sure how I feel about the "moral" of the movie. But Baz definitely knew the appeal Hugh would bring to the movie, and he wasn't inconspicuous about it. And Hugh Jackman with his Australian accent - *SWOON!* Maybe that's why I had a hard time following the movie...

Celine Dion: Live in Las Vegas * * * * 1/2
We got this after SYTYCD - because Mia Michael's choreographed the whole show and we wanted to watch the dancing. Plus Michael loves Celine. And I like her. Michael actually went to the show in Vegas when it was still there. So he wanted to show me the magic. Turns out, I really liked it, too. But the dancing wasn't all that great. I wanted more out of it.

September

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End * * * *
It took us three nights at the beach to finish the 3 hour movie, but it was fitting, because we'd be at the beach during the day thinking about pirates, and in our hotel room at night watching pirates. I really like this series, although it gets REALLY COMPLICATED with all the different plotlines, motivations, and deceptions. It's one of those movies Michael and I have to pause every now and then to discuss, just to make sure we're understanding what's happening.

The Skulls * * *
This was a movie Michael and I LOVED when we were in college. It's a total "college movie" - and now that we're not in college, we can't remember why we loved it! It's funny to me to see "respected" adult actors taking part in "high school" or "college" movies. When I was in college, I watched the movie thinking "this is a modern-day version of secret combinations." Now I realize it's a hokey story trying to be suspenseful.

Antitrust * * 1/2
Yet again, another "college movie" Michael and I loved in college that we now realize is pretty dumb. But if you've never seen it before, it is reasonably suspenseful. They did a good job keeping you hanging. But the acting is SO over-the-top.

HEAVILY EDITED The Little Mermaid * * 1/2
I know these movies are necessarily made for 2-3 year olds, but there are thousands of 2-3 year olds watching this everyday. It is SO SCARY! Seriously, even for a 9 year old, kinda disturbing. Although knowing what 9 year olds are watching these days, a 300-foot-tall Ursula getting stabbed and dying while she looks like she's being electrocuted probably isn't that disturbing. However, this is the one Disney movie I am adamantly morally opposed to. I watched it a million times growing up, memorized it, and was never negatively influenced by it... but I feel like times have changed and there are more voices out there trying to tell kids these days to "follow your heart" and "do what YOU want" and that parents are old-fashioned and out of touch. Take that how you will...
Anyway, a friend gave us a copy, and now that Shaelyn is obessed with Ariel, I let her watch a heavily edited version of The Little Mermaid. It condenses the 90 minute movie to all of about 20 minutes. But the songs are GREAT - which is why I gave it 2 1/2 stars.

HEAVILY EDITED Beauty and the Beast * * * *
I love this movie, but yet again, not really appropriate for my 2 year old. So she gets the same editing job done on this one as well - and watches about 20 minutes of this movie, too. She loves "Be Our Guest" and sings it constantly. It's amazing how little of the movie there is to watch that doesn't show the beast being "beastly."
(Now all my local friends are thinking "I'll never let Shaelyn watch anything at my house for fear of getting the wrath of the overly sensitive, overly analytical Shelley...")

October

Horton Hears a Who! * * * * 1/2
I loved this movie. I didn't give it a 5 simply because I don't want to just be handing out 5's willy-nilly. In my opinion, it's not really a kids' movie. I think older kids might like it for the animation, but the plot, humor, and acting are all geared toward adults. And I have to say, Jim Carrey may be crude sometimes, but he is a comedic GENIUS!

Blue Crush * * *
Ok - Chick Flick alert! I watched this while Michael was out of town. It's one of my guilty pleasure movies, like Save the Last Dance and 10 Things I Hate About You. When we were at the beach last month, I just became obsessed with watching the surfers. And they aren't really surfing - out on the North Carolina shore. HA! But Blue Crush does a great job showing the surfing life style. It's very authentic. And it makes you want to grab a surfboard, quit your day job, and spend your days wiping out!

Step Up * * * 1/2
Another chick flick I watched without Michael. And it's exactly like Save the Last Dance - getto guy, ballerina girl, drive by shootings, hip hop meshed with classical dancing... but with one major difference. This movie has REAL DANCING! I loved it! If you are from the dance world (or appreciate the dance world) - I recommend it. It made me want to get out my leotard and ballet shoes, quit my day job, and spend my days sweating and pirouetting.

EDITED Aladdin * * * *
Ok, I seriously had this movie memorized growing up. And watching it now, years later, I'm still able to quote verbatim most of the movie. Sad what my brain holds onto. There was surprisingly very little I had to fast forward. Just anything with Jafar. Which wasn't that much. Of the 80-minute movie, I probably only had to fast forward about 20 minutes total.

Mary Poppins * * * *
I heart musicals. Especially musicals with Julie Andrews. And musicals that sing the line: "Although we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid." Who can't get behind that?!?
PS - Shaelyn has all these songs memorized too. Her fav? Chim-Chim-Cheerie.

November

With Michael being out of town for most of the month and our fall shows keeping us busy, we really didn't watch any movies this month. Except we re-watched Wolverine. And it was so much better on DVD. You can fast forward the too-violent parts and see Hugh Jackman with his shirt off as many times as you want! I mean, I wasn't supposed to say that part out loud. The extras were lacking - there weren't any. And Michael and I are extras ADDICTS!

So here's a run-down of the fall shows we're watching:

The Amazing Race * * * 1/2
Not my favorite season, but LOVE THIS SHOW! I'm rooting for the Globetrotters (they are hilarious!), but picked the father/son team to win it all. I enjoy watching Cheyne and Meghan race, and think Ericka's sassy charm is slowly unraveling into whiney and annoying. The challenges have left some to be desired (where are the big cheese wheels rolling down the hills?!), but it's always entertaining to pretend like you're on the race and bicker about what task you would do and how well (or not well) you would do it.

So You Think You Can Dance? * * * *
Of course, favorite show right now, but not my favorite season (again)! Last year, I was annoyed at all the contemporary dancers they put on the show and thought I was bored at the lack of variety. This year I remember why I liked last year so much - because everyone could DANCE last year. To all the choreography. And good dancing is just better to watch than varied dancing.
That said, I LOVE Russell and his amazing krumping skills! And Victor is talented. But no one has yet moved me. At this point, I'm more passionate about the dancers I HATE: Bianca (the tapper), Ashleigh and Ryan (the married ballroom couple), Mollee (the looks-14-year-old), and Noelle (who is also now injured). And a season without Mia?!?! (Is that really true?) - what will I do?
And about the judges/choreographers... I will DIE if Paula Abdul comes on the show to judge. Ugh! And I feel like Adam Shankman has realy come into his own as a judge. Did you hear him this week? Hilarious!

The Office * *
Ugh! I'm pretty much done with this show. I know, I know, they want to push the envelope - and they've succeeded. They've just pushed it too far this season. Which makes me sad, because I (like every other woman in America) love the Jim/Pam storyline, and even love laughing at Michael's antics, Andy's kookiness, etc. But enough is enough people! I'm not sure if I'll watch any more episodes this season.

How I Met Your Mother * * *
Now, obviously Barney is totally raunchy, but in a way that doesn't offend me as much as The Office. Can't really explain that one. And there was one episode this season that offended me. But this show makes me laugh more than any other sitcom on t.v. Plus it's just so creative. And I love Neil Patrick Harris.

December

The Brothers Bloom * * * 1/2
I love Mark Ruffalo. He's one of my favorite Rom/Com actors. It doesn't hurt that he's acted opposite two of my fav actresses (Reese and Jennifer...). So I thoroughly enjoyed him in this movie. It's a keep-you-guessing movie, made to be "post modern," so it looks a little crazy at times. But I liked the crazy. And it did keep me guessing. I wasn't sure what was going on til the very end. It is one of those movies Michael and I had to continually pause to make sure that we were keeping up with it, though.

New Moon * * * *
LOVED. THIS. MOVIE. Loved it! It is in a totally different league than Twilight. Taylor Lautner is amazing (and not because he's such a cutie - he really actually doesn't do anything for me). He's just a really good actor in this movie. And though I'm NOT "Team Jacob" in the books, I was for this movie. His and Bella's relationship was totally believable and sweet.
Other reasons to love this movie:
* Robert Pattinson is hardly in it
* "Face Punch" - enough said
* Jessica is hilarious!
* Bella's "hole in my chest" is not as nauseating as it is in the book
* The wolves are awesome

The Time Traveler's Wife * * * *
Saw this on the plane while flying home after Thanksgiving. So I really didn't get to see the whole thing. But what I saw I really liked. So we've added it to our Netflix cue to watch uninterrupted at home. It was definitely a thought-provoking tear-jerker. And I just love Rachel McAdams (and so does Michael...)