I'm not Ebert or Robert or whatever he's called, and I'm not going to start writing detailed movie reviews, mostly because I don't want to give too much away. But if you're looking for something to watch this weekend, the following list may be of interest to you.
In no particular order:
"I Am Legend" - Oh.My.Gawd. How come noone told me this movie is scary, scary, scary? I only lasted 40 minutes, half of which was spent looking away from the screen, ears plugged. And I was still unable to sleep that night. The last time I lost sleep over a movie was when I stumbled into a screening of "Silence of the Lambs". Since I didn't see "I Am Legend" to its end, I asked Mike for a synopsis, and even in broad daylight, he freaked me out. This is not a movie for the faint of heart.
"Chocolat" - I may have been the last female on earth not to have seen this Johnny Depp vehicle, which undoubtedly is part of Mrs G's nightly film rotation. For me the movie was a huge let down, only because I had just finished reading the book upon which it is based. As far as I could discern, the only thing the movie and the book have in common, is a confectionary lady. Everything else, from beginning to end, is completely and totally different. I am quite surprised that the book's author even allowed the movie makers to use the name of her book for this movie. The movie would probably have been quite enjoyable, had I not read the book first. As it is, though, I can only recommend you read the book instead, and insert Johnny Depp wherever appropriate.
"Away from Her" - I decided to see this movie based on a beautiful review by my good bloggy friend She She (drop by and wish her a happy birthday, why dontcha?). It is a fabulous film. Lovely, sensitive and deeply moving. This movie will have you in tears.
"Wild Hogs" - Awful. And that's all.
"Enchanted: In New York" - Cringeworthy, McDreamy notwithstanding.
"For Your Consideration" - This is a Christopher Guest film. I have seen all of his movies, and my favourite remains "Best In Show". Having said that, this is a very good film, and if you like Guest's wry sense of humour, you should get a good chuckle out of this one.
"Lions For Lambs" - An uneven effort from Robert Redford. I enjoyed it mostly because I agreed with its message. The movie tries very hard (too hard?), but it just didn't hit the heart the way I think its creators hoped it would. But by all means, it is not a bad movie.
"Gone Baby Gone" - I thought this was a surprisingly good first movie from Ben Affleck. The ending, in particular, was quite understated for being a Hollywood-ish movie, allowing the viewer to draw his/her own conclusions.
So there you have it. It's been a really long time since I've seen what I would call a brilliant movie. And none of the movies above falls into that category, unfortunately. But if anyone has any suggestions, I would be happy to hear them!
Happy Weekend!
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43 comments:
The only one on your list is For Your Consideration. I liked it - not as much as Best In Show, but it was good.
I would like to see I am Legend, scariness notwithstanding.
Have a great weekend!
We ended up with a copy of "Wild Hogs" in a white elephant gift exchange, and I actually watched it. It was just as you said: bad, bad, so bad. It made me want to personally kick each of those guys in their multi-millionaire 'nads.
for your consideration has been on my to see list for a while. but my favorite guest film is Waiting for Guffman, for obvious reasons
Heidi--this is so great, because in my blog today I asked for movie suggestions. Once again my Norway-residing blogger bud comes slammin' home for me :)! And I'm glad you said that I am Legend is scary because I wanted to see it, never thinking it would be scary. I don't wanna see anything that will make me need to sleep with the lights on for three nights again! Do you know that I actually saw Wild Hogs when it was in the theater? I'm so embarrassed to admit it--but at least I fell asleep about 1/4 of the way into it. It was THAT bad! I want to see Gone, Baby, Gone in the worst way--have you read that series of books by Dennis Lehane? The books are fantastic, and if you get the chance, read them. The one thing I'm for sure looking forward to is Friday Night Lights on TV tonight!!!
And I'm warning you--you will definitely be seeing me around this weekend.
I Am A Legend sounds good to me. I had never heard of it. I like scary movies.
I was wanting to watch Wild Hogs, thanks for the warning.
Have a great weekend.
It's been a long time since I've seen something I really thought brilliant either. My two favorite most recently viewed movies, although not new, were: About a Boy, and The Pursuit of Happyness (it's really spelled that way). I can't wait for Lost to start- my favorite show!
That's a lot of movies, Heidi!
I didn't know I Am Legend was scary, but I'm glad now as I can't stand too scary, and I haven't seen Silence of the Lambs to this day either. Chocolat I liked, well, at least what I remember, but I hadn't read the book. Away from Her is one I'd like to see, but again not really. AD hits our family a bit too close to home, so if I did watch it would have to be by myself.
Speaking of watching by myself, I just spent a sinfully delish 2 hours of ME TIME yesterday morning watching "Volver". Cinematography was beautiful (I've got to get to Spain again!)and the story was funny, tragic but touching at the same time. I loved it.
Happy Weekend to you too!
Oh, Chocolat is one of my favorite movies. Favorite. But, I've never read the book. Now I'm not sure if I should. (But I will, likely, watch the movie again, as I own it. Mmmm. Johnny Depp! *grin*)
I know Wild Hogs is on our Netflix list. Maybe I should make sure it's at the bottom. ;)
Thanks for the other recommendations -- some new ones to me and more to add to the queue!
I knew that I Am Legend would be scary because I've read the short story/novellette/whatever it is.
Chocolat stunk. I turned it off.
And I am near desperate to watch For Your Consideration. Whoo!
I loved Chocolat, but I didn't read the book (although it's sitting in my to read stack) which could make the difference....
I haven't had the opportunity to see that many movies the past couple of years, but G and I both enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada last Christmas. And we recently saw Enchanted in the theatre; I thought it was rather fun.
Loved Enchanted! It was such a fun little movie! But I appreciate the reviews... I might have to give a couple of those a try via my Blockbuster online. Thanks!
You had me at LOST. I cannot wait for it to start again. I have scheduled and rescheduled work trips and family commitments around the return.
Mmm. Mathhew Fox. Foxy.
I'm sorry - did you say something about movies? I got, um, lost.
"Away From Her" is my favorite movie of 2007. I agree with all of your reviews (except one)...I thought I was the only person in America who didn't like Wild Hogs. I actually walked out. And I love William H. Macey. Looking forward to GBG.
I hated Wild Hogs too. We almost went to see I AM LEGEND tonight but alas, my head still hurts.
Hoping for a less headachy tomorrow!
Hallie
Thanks for the heads up about I am Legend. I had no idea it was scary. I would have been up for days.
Love Christopher Guest and I did enjoy For Your Consideration and Best in Show, but my favourite is A Mighty Wind.
You thought Enchanged was cringeworthy? AAAACK. I loved that movie.
I cannot watch Johnny Depp - he makes me feel itchy.
Michael Clayton. Good if you're into "follow the plot movies".
I liked I Am Legend. Well, except for some parts, but then, I'm also a softie.
Going to watch "King Of Scotland" sometime this weekend. I'll let you know.
I liked Chocolat, but I loved Babette's Feast; perhaps you would like that one better.
Thanks for the suggestions. And for the scary-movie warning.
Sorry I canno help you, I am so behind on my movies it is scary!
I haven't seen any of the ones on your list yet so thank you!
Now I will have a better idea of what to get...if I ever make it to the rental store one of these days:)
Recently saw Juno and loved it! I'd like to see P.S. I Love You.
So now am I the last woman in the western world not to have seen (or read if it comes to that) Chocolat?
*I* am the one woman on earth who hasn't seen "Chocolat."
Haven't seen "Enchanted" but, since I have two daughters, I know we'll be buying it on DVD.
I've been wanting to see I Am Legend and I had no idea it was scary! Thanks for the head's up!
Isn't Chocolat sweet though?? I'll add some of those others to my Netflix Queue (however the hell you spell it lol ~ I just typed that like 5 times! hee hee).
I can't wait for Lost either!! Do you get to watch it when we do or is it delayed?
Oh, right there with you on Silence of the Lambs. Didn't sleep for two nights after I saw that one. SCARED THE PEE OUT OF ME.
I didn't know I Am Legend was scary. Good to know. Almost went to that one by myself. I would have died.
Well, there isn't much in the way of cinemas around here so the only film I've seen on your list is "Chocolat". I wonder why?!
Chocolat is a great movie. We may go to the movies tonight - or rent something. I'll let you know if I come across anything "wonderful". Have a good weekend Heidi - see ya. Kellan
Tag, Heidi--You Are It!
When you get a chance, go on over and read my "Easy Peasy" post to learn your assignment.
It won't hurt a bit, I promise :)!!
My husband wants to see "I Am Legend" so bad. I thought it sounded kinda dumb (although I'm a huge Will Smith fan). After hearing what you had to say now I REALLY want to see it.
So, my hubby thanks you. :)
Okay, I'm taking "Wild Hogs" off my netflix list right now. You're the millionth person who's told me it's bad.
I haven't seen most of the movies on here. (Yes, I live in a cave!)
Thanks for the quick reviews. Now off to update the Netflix que! heehee.
Oooh--sounds like a good list! Have you seen "Time Out"? I raved about it a few weeks ago--a really well-done French film...
I just saw Stardust and it was REALLY good. You might give it a try if you're looking for more time fillers.
Wasn't Chocolat the BOOK fantastic? So romantic. Anyway Military Man and the Middle Child just went to see I am Legend. Seriously just a minute ago they left...so great... now I am going to have a teenager scared so silly she'll want to sleep with me tonight, is that what you're telling me?
I've only seen Chocolat on your list and liked it but can't remember why? And I've never read the book.
I would rather stick pins in my eyes than see Wild Hogs - NO WAY!
Oh and have you seen "Stardust". It was sweet, wonderful and a bit dark ( I didn't let my younger 3 see it). It's worth a watch!
Oh and this is my fav review site:
www.pajiba.com It can be mean and awful but the reviews are generally great in a sarcastic way:)
I am very much anticipating I Am Legend to be rentable. I'm too scared to see it in a theater alone and no one I know will go with me.
If you like tragic romance and don't mind subtitles I recently fell in love with an Indian film called Devdas. And if you are into weird I also love Mirror Mask.
We enjoyed Wild Hogs b/c it did not require a whole heck of a lot of thought, and it kept our 2 year old somewhat entertained as well...and we didn't have to sit through some cartoon!
...isn't it funny how kids can change your views of what makes a movie watchable???
the do indeed CHANGE everything!
I am Legend: I'm too afraid to watch it. The previews freaked me out.
The kids liked Wild Hogs and Enchanted. I really couldn't get into either or Chocolat when I watched it. Maybe I will try the book.
I am Legend ... oh I need to write a post about this one! Maybe later.
I agree with everyone who recomended Stardust, although the book was much better than the movie.
Ok, so, I'm the only one on the planet who 1) Has never seen Lost and (haven't seen American Idol, either...) 2) did NOT like the movie Juno. I thought Juno was entertaining but it really bugged me because 1) real people are not as smart, clever, and witty as that 2) What? Teen pregnancy is that easy? Huh? Going through high school?
Loved, loved, loved Sweeny Todd - if you can make it through the blood, it's worth it!
Thanks for the review!
Thank you for that! I so seldom go to the movies, it's good to know what to look out for.
Oh! And Christopher Guest! LOVE.HIM. Best in Show, my favorite, second only to Waiting for Guffman. I absolutely cry over the whole dog toy for Beatrice thing.
"No, that's a bear in a, in a bee costume."
i hope you get this comment... i fell in love with the movie AUGUST RUSH if you get a chance to see it it is FANTASTIC and i am not big on movies but that one made my top ten of all time movies!
i am enjoying your blog
Smiles Laura
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