Collateral Damage (rental)

Ok, if you can stop laughing at my long enough to read this...I think you all know I really like Netflix. One of the things I like about it is that (with the number of movies I watch each month) what the actual rental costs break down to is minimal. Because of that, I can see movies that I fully expect to not like...I just want to see just how much I won't like it. Take "The Life Aquatic" for example. I fully expected to hate it, I just didn't realize that it would become my all time least favorite movie to date. Along with that exists the possiblity that I might be pleasantly surprised.

This was not the case, however, with Collateral Damage. No surprise here, I just didn't like it. I think I was just too disturbed by the fact that I was watching my state's governor in this movie. He really was elected.......

Primal Fear (rental)

Yes, I know...it's an old one. Odds are most of you have seen this already. How I managed to miss it I have no idea. I'm glad I finally got caught up. I enjoyed it. If you haven't see it, I'd recommend it.

Bewitched

I'm not a big fan of Will Ferrell, but as a "Darren" I thought maybe. I really like Nicole Kidman...and Nicole as Samantha I thought was a good choice. Once I saw in the trailers that it wasn't a pure remake, but a remake with a little twist I thought "Yeah, maybe this will work." I was curious and had to see for myself.

For those of you who are not aware, the basic idea is this: Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell) is a movie actor trying to make a comeback from a disasterous movie the previous year. All he can get is a tv sitcom job doing the remake of Bewitched. Not wanting too much competition, he wants to get a "unknown" to play the part of Samantha. He sees Isadora (Nicole) at a book store, she does the little nose twitch, and he decides he must have her as Samantha. She agrees. The twist is Isadora is ACTUALLY a witch, trying to make a go of life sans witchcraft (ala Samantha style, she wants a "normal" life).

Did I think I'd love it? No, not at all, but I thought it would be cute and fun. I went in with what I thought were realistic expectations...
So much for my "realistic" expectations. I got bored. Apparently I wasn't the only one. I found out later Cori was sitting there planning out the week ahead!

Will Ferrell was over the top, way over the top (even for him). Nicole seemed to be talking in a higher, more surgary sweet voice than sounded natural for her. The guy who played Uncle Arthur came across as forced. It was a small role, but one that really irritated me. Other characters were ok, though :0)

I enjoyed Michael Caine as Isadora's dad. I had no idea that Shirley MacLaine was cast as the woman who played Endora. I thought it was a great move, but we really didn't get to see much of her.

However my favorite casting choice was Maria, Isadora's next door neighbor. I think the casting department has a cute sense of humor. She was played by Kristin Chenowith. So most of you are probably thinking "Well, who the hec is that?" She played Glinda the good witch in the Broadway musical Wicked (my FAVORITE musical).

I'm afraid to say this is just not a movie I can recommend. I wouldn't say it was terrible or even bad, it's just not good. Maybe a rental...? Maybe.

Now if I can just get the damn theme song out of my head!!!

Cinderella Man

Not a matinee this time! We went to see this one with a friend visiting from Sweden.

Inspired by a true story, Russell Crowe plays James J. Braddock: a once promising boxer who falls victim to the Great Depression and injuries. Is it all about boxing? Hec no. It's about overcoming incredible odds and the power that love and determination can carry.

It did start a tad bit slow in my opinion, but be patient. The boxing scenes may have you covering your eyes (ok, maybe that's just us...all 3 of us, actually). But you will find yourself pulled in and anxiously watching to see how it all ends.

Should you see it in the theater? You probably don't have to, but if you're looking for a good day (or night) at the movies you should certainly consider it.

If there are any criers in the house (you know who you are) be prepared. You'll need some kleenix.

Batman Begins

Warning: If you're afraid of bats, be prepared to cover your eyes. This is Batman afterall. That said, we both thought this was an excellent movie. Better than any of the other Batman movies...I would say my favorite out of any of the super hero movies. Very well cast across the board. Christian Bale makes a superb Batman. What is interesting is last week we saw The Machinist in which Bale was only a stick of a man. He went thru quite an impressive change. If you are going to see this (and I would recommend you do), see it in the theater.