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Saturday, December 29, 2007

Charlie Wilson's War

Charlie Wilson's War stars Tom Hanks as a whiskey drinking, womanizing Congressman with connections, who used his power and influence to the max to stick it to the Soviets big time. Now, add a rich Texas socialite who wants something done in Afghanistan, played perfectly by Julia Roberts; and a pain-in-his-boss's-ass CIA agent, superbly done by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and you have a movie well worth watching. Outstanding writing, and superlative acting.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

P.S. I Love You

Despite the all of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, mom and I were able to make it out to a movie today. **Chick Flick Alert** We chose to see P.S. I Love you, which is based on a best selling novel by Cecilia Ahern. If you decide to go see this movie, you may want to make sure to bring some extra tissues along.

P.S. I Love You is one of those painful films that makes you cry right off the bat, then lifts you up with some choice comedy only to slap you in the face with a heart-breaking flashback. But despite the extremely depressing subject matter, it still emanates an aura of hope.

The film opens with Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) and her Irish husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) fighting over a seemingly innocuous comment Gerry made to Holly’s mother. Just when the couple realizes how much they need one another, the film cuts ahead several months to Gerry’s funeral, where Holly is absolutely devastated. On Holly's 30th birthday she receives the first of a series of letters that Gerry composed during his battle with a brain tumor, which were to be delivered to Holly after his death, each ending with the phrase “P.S. I Love You.” As each letter arrives, Holly struggles with the memories of her past as her two best friends Denise (Lisa Kudrow) and Sharon (Gina Gershon), and the shamelessly blunt bartender Daniel (Harry Connick Jr.), all struggle to get her to start anew.

Ultimately, the film serves to prove that annoying adage you hear after every break-up, "‘Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.” is true. You will not be disappointed with this movie. It is not an academy award winning film, but it is a tearjerker and definitely makes you go home home and hug your significant other and be more appreciative to have them in your life.


Although this movie seemed a little long at times, mom and I really enjoyed seeing it.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Holiday

This is one that mom and I couldn't wait to see when it came out last year and it did not disappoint. After watching it again today, I remember just how much I loved this movie! It's a really good, light hearted movie, with GREAT characterization.

The Holiday is enjoyable to watch with touching and funny scenes throughout the movie. The ending is predictable, but what do you expect, it is a romantic comedy. You will leave the movie feeling good, and isn't that what movies are all about?!?!?

If you're tired of holiday films that are so stacked with so much Christmas cheer that it makes you sick, this is the perfect alternative. Light enough for some serious laughs, and with enough drama to keep it interesting to audiences, this one's a good date movie; definitely one for the collection!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Atonement

As you know, mom and I haven't been to the movies in two full weeks but we got back on track today and what a good day for the movies it was too - cold, rainy and wet, perfect conditions for sitting in a warm theater and forgetting about the weather outside.

We chose to see Atonement and we were not disappointed in our choice. This was a brilliant movie based on the 2001 novel by Ian McEwan. It begins on a light and airy note and descends into an abyss of tragedy and loss. The film, as the book, is divided into two principal sections with a short epilogue.

That story opens in 1935 in a vast British country estate where Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), a servant's son with a bright future ahead of him, is in love with Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the lord of the manor. Cecilia returns his affections, but their love is a secret.

13-year old Briony (Saoirse Ronan, later played by Romola Garai) is watching this developing relationship and when she catches them in a compromising position, on the same night a shocking sex crime occurs on the manor, she gives wrongful evidence that forever alters three lives, including her own.

It skillfully pulls itself together in the end and packs an emotional punch that justifies the movie's title and concept. It will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

This was an excellent movie! I would not be at all surprised if it were nominated for Best Picture.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Catch and Release

For the second weekend in a row, mom and I didn't make it out to go see a movie; instead, we spend our time shopping, again - 'tis the season. I feel certain that we will be back on the movie track come next weekend. There are several movies coming out soon that we have on our list...

Before you start feeling too sorry for me, that I didn't get to go to the movies, I should tell you that I did get to see a good movie that came out earlier this year called Catch and Release. Mom and I never went to see it but it was on cable Saturday night and it sounded good so I watched it.

This was a wonderful romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner, as Gray, who is struggling to deal with the death of her fiancé and the secrets she discovers that he kept from her.

I don't know how we missed this one, but I can't recall ever hearing about it. Excellent little movie! Definitely one for the collection - which apparently my husband thought I would enjoy too, since he got it for my birthday and I forgot. I'm only sorry I didn't watch it sooner but, now that I know I've got my very own copy, I can watch it any time I want.