View Date: 11/27/09
This movie starring Julia Stiles and Shirley Maclaine is about three girls with an absent father who live with their eccentric grandmother. Stiles’ character has left home and established herself with a job and apartment, trying to have a normal life compared to the one in which she was raised. She is embarrassed when introducing her new boyfriend to her family, and then tries to mold her family to her idea of what a family is supposed to be. This, of course, leads to tension until she comes to realize through tragedy that she has a loving, caring family, no matter how crazy the situation might be.
I had never heard of this movie, but it came recommended to me by my mother so I decided to give it a shot. Of course there are the standard plot elements of family tension, and I could really feel for Carolina’s embarrassment by her relatives. But Shirley Maclaine’s presence and humor took this movie to a different level. She could have you laughing out loud with some of her antics, and even though they were scripted, no one could have pulled it off as perfectly as her. The tragedy I mentioned above really struck me and I had a hard time trying not to sob uncontrollably.
10 words or less: Recommended, even if you’ve never heard of it.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Shorts
View Date: 11/25/09
Shorts is, as the name implies, a series of short stories wrapped together in one movie. They all center on a rainbow-colored rock that makes wishes come true for whoever is holding it. Things get fun, interesting, and a bit out of control when the kids of the neighborhood use it, but total chaos ensues when the adults get a hold of it.
I received this the day it was released on Netflix because my daughter had been asking to see it again for months. Even she thought it wasn’t that good when she rewatched it. It was really pretty bad, even for a cheesy kids movie. There is so much better out there. The trailer looked so good, but I was left utterly disappointed.
10 words or less: Ranks really low for recent kids releases.
Shorts is, as the name implies, a series of short stories wrapped together in one movie. They all center on a rainbow-colored rock that makes wishes come true for whoever is holding it. Things get fun, interesting, and a bit out of control when the kids of the neighborhood use it, but total chaos ensues when the adults get a hold of it.
I received this the day it was released on Netflix because my daughter had been asking to see it again for months. Even she thought it wasn’t that good when she rewatched it. It was really pretty bad, even for a cheesy kids movie. There is so much better out there. The trailer looked so good, but I was left utterly disappointed.
10 words or less: Ranks really low for recent kids releases.
The Shape of Things
View Date: 11/25/09
This movie, starring Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd, shows the stars playing college students who meet in an art museum. Weisz plays an art student who sets about cleaning up the loveable schlub presented by Rudd. He winds up losing weight, buying new clothes, and getting more active. His engaged best friend has some issues with the new girlfriend, but Rudd’s character is so blindly in love that he ignores any negative comments, believing that they are made just because of the dislike for her. In the end, he probably should have listened to his friend.
I picked this movie because I am a big fan of Paul Rudd. That being said, I will not likely watch this movie again. It was an OK story, but the characters were more like caricatures. The ending was a huge surprise, and totally threw me for a loop. I wanted to just jump through my screen and strangle pretty much each of the four main characters at least once throughout the course of the movie. I would normally classify that as a good movie, but something just rubbed me wrong about this one. Either way, I can say that I’ve seen it and I don’t have to see it again.
10 words or less: Definitely not my favorite Paul Rudd flick.
This movie, starring Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd, shows the stars playing college students who meet in an art museum. Weisz plays an art student who sets about cleaning up the loveable schlub presented by Rudd. He winds up losing weight, buying new clothes, and getting more active. His engaged best friend has some issues with the new girlfriend, but Rudd’s character is so blindly in love that he ignores any negative comments, believing that they are made just because of the dislike for her. In the end, he probably should have listened to his friend.
I picked this movie because I am a big fan of Paul Rudd. That being said, I will not likely watch this movie again. It was an OK story, but the characters were more like caricatures. The ending was a huge surprise, and totally threw me for a loop. I wanted to just jump through my screen and strangle pretty much each of the four main characters at least once throughout the course of the movie. I would normally classify that as a good movie, but something just rubbed me wrong about this one. Either way, I can say that I’ve seen it and I don’t have to see it again.
10 words or less: Definitely not my favorite Paul Rudd flick.
Step Up: 2 the Streets
View Date: 11/23/09
This sequel to the very good Step Up was essentially the reverse of the first movie. Two dancers from different sides of the tracks meet and develop both professional and romantic relationships. This time, however, the dancing is primarily street or hip hop as opposed to more classical forms.
This movie really surprised me with how enjoyable it was. I am a sucker for good dancing, but this was exceptionally well done. I went in thinking that this movie couldn’t live up to the first, but I was pleasantly mistaken. The story was a bit predictable but good nonetheless. And I could watch the dance scenes all day long. I turned this on thinking that it would be something that I could do other things while watching it, but I wound up not being able to tear my eyes away.
10 words or less: Love a surprisingly good movie, especially a sequel.
This sequel to the very good Step Up was essentially the reverse of the first movie. Two dancers from different sides of the tracks meet and develop both professional and romantic relationships. This time, however, the dancing is primarily street or hip hop as opposed to more classical forms.
This movie really surprised me with how enjoyable it was. I am a sucker for good dancing, but this was exceptionally well done. I went in thinking that this movie couldn’t live up to the first, but I was pleasantly mistaken. The story was a bit predictable but good nonetheless. And I could watch the dance scenes all day long. I turned this on thinking that it would be something that I could do other things while watching it, but I wound up not being able to tear my eyes away.
10 words or less: Love a surprisingly good movie, especially a sequel.
Vantage Point
View Date: 11/22/09
This movie shows a single event, specifically a terrorist attack, from the vantage of 9 different people. You get to see it from the likes of a tourist, a child, a security officer, and the terrorist group. All of the stories intertwine in unexpected ways, and more is learned from each part of the story.
I really enjoyed this movie, particularly how the stories wove together. It exemplified how each person has a different viewpoint of the same situation. In other words, for each person observing an event, the tale will be recounted that number of times in different ways. The acting was wonderful, which is good considering it was chock full of renowned actors. The last story seemed a little rushed, but also a little forced, kind of like the writers knew they had to wrap up all of the storylines but only knew how they wanted to end a few of them. This said, the ending felt a little contrived and weak to me. But overall, the movie was very exciting and well-presented.
10 words or less: Exciting with good acting.
This movie shows a single event, specifically a terrorist attack, from the vantage of 9 different people. You get to see it from the likes of a tourist, a child, a security officer, and the terrorist group. All of the stories intertwine in unexpected ways, and more is learned from each part of the story.
I really enjoyed this movie, particularly how the stories wove together. It exemplified how each person has a different viewpoint of the same situation. In other words, for each person observing an event, the tale will be recounted that number of times in different ways. The acting was wonderful, which is good considering it was chock full of renowned actors. The last story seemed a little rushed, but also a little forced, kind of like the writers knew they had to wrap up all of the storylines but only knew how they wanted to end a few of them. This said, the ending felt a little contrived and weak to me. But overall, the movie was very exciting and well-presented.
10 words or less: Exciting with good acting.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Rathkeltair
View Date: 5/15/10
Rathkeltair is a Celtic rock band from Florida who frequently tour Scottish, Irish, and Celtic festivals. My first time seeing them was at the Fair Hill Scottish Games. They blend Celtic music including traditional bagpiping and the tin whistle with rock and unique piping.
Check them out at www.rathkeltair.com
Rathkeltair is a Celtic rock band from Florida who frequently tour Scottish, Irish, and Celtic festivals. My first time seeing them was at the Fair Hill Scottish Games. They blend Celtic music including traditional bagpiping and the tin whistle with rock and unique piping.
I have known of of the piper Neil Anderson for years as he was originally associated with the great Celtic rock band Seven Nations. I also own several of his solo albums as The Antipyper. He has one of the most incredible and unique voices in music today, so when he sings it sends chills down my spine. But not nearly as much as when he pipes.
He was announced around the fairgrounds as the Jimi Hendricks of bagpiping. He is one of the few people coming up with truly new music for the bagpipes today. I also never knew until today that electric bagpipes even existed. I originally thought he was using them so he could both pipe and sing at the same time. But no, it was something even more amazing...he played both the pipes and the tin whistle at the same time, one in each hand!
The music overall was wonderful. The band had a great chemistry on stage. The songs were really catchy and often quite funny. I was definitely singing along by the end.
You should definitely try to catch these guys if you ever get the chance. They have a website, so go out and support these guys. They are just that good.
10 words or less: Neil Anderson is a piping GOD!
Check them out at www.rathkeltair.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)