Cin’s Movie Critiques

Is anyone else ready for winter to just be done and over with??  I’m sick of it.  Gray skies, gloomy days, wet and slushy when I walk, chilling wind blowing right through me, I want it all to just go away!  It seems that about this time every year I notice my mood starts to match the weather.

And then spring begins to tease us…giving us a day here and there, with the sun blazing in the sky, and a day with just jackets to play in the park.  But then boom!  Another blizzard comes rushing in, laughing at the fools who actually thought winter was done.

However, tonight I had fifteen minutes of waiting to do.  The sun had gone down, and there I was, all alone in my car, when I saw one single snowflake flutter down out of the pitch black sky.  And then another fell, and another, until the entire black sky was filled with glittery white flakes, and before I knew it, the black was gone and all I could see was the snow.  It was breathtaking and magical. 

For a moment there, I actually wished that winter was not coming to an end.  But, it was just for a moment.

Catch and Release

Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis.  Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language.  2006, Romantic/Drama.  Cin’s Critique: 2 *

I went to this movie for two reasons.  Reason number one: I am a fan of Jennifer Garner.  Anyone else like Alias?  I thought it was an excellent TV series, until Sydney and Vaugh got together, then it got pretty boring.  Isn’t that the way it goes?  Every TV series falls apart when the long awaited romance actually happens.  Take for example Wings, Gilmore Girls, Frasier, Friends to name a few.  Anyway, I’m getting off the subject here.  Second reason I went to this movie: I was expecting a light hearted romantic comedy.  That just wasn’t the case.  The movie was advertised as a romantic comedy, but was overwhelmed with drama, drama, drama.

Catch and Release is about a woman trying to piece her life back together after her fiance dies.  She finds out some unpleasant things about him, such as his ongoing hidden affair and the child that came of it.  As she tries to accept these things, she begins a romance with one of her fiance’s best friends.  The moral to the story ended up being that sometimes the most unexpected events lead us to find ourselves in a way that couldn’t happen otherwise.

Although the moral to the story was a good one, the movie was bogged down with too many dramatic and highly unlikely situations.  Perhaps if it had been marketed using the correct genre, the audience could go in with a better idea of what to expect from the movie and be less disappointed.

Catch and Release is not on my “recommended” list, however, if you like Jennifer Garner, give 13 Going on 30 a try, it was an excellent romantic comedy that will not disappoint. 

You know, I was going to lead up to Valentines Day with several posts suggesting romantic movies to watch. Movies like Only You, Sweet November, Pretty Woman, The Wedding Planner, The Lake House, Serendipity, The Runaway Bride, Somewhere In Time, An Affair to Remember, City of Angels, Summer Magic, Ghost, Return to Me. However, the desire quickly faded and turned into an urgent need to suggest movies like Dooms Day, Nuclear Attack, End of the World, Love Sucks, Romance Is a Lie, I Wish We All Would Die, Fairy Tale Endings are Pathetic, and Valentines Day Massacre. But while trying to find information on these movies I came to realize that none of them exist! Hmmm…funny, I’m sure I’ve heard of them somewhere, I really would have liked to watch them this year! Oh well…

So, instead of watching a movie, I made myself a cheesecake. Yep. True love in a pan. It has been very satisfying, gratifying, and pleasing. Those of you out there that are going to dinner with your sweetheart, you got nothin’ on me! I’ll let you in on the true secret of happiness and share my recipe…here is a Valentine from me to you:

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice

Mix with blender until smooth and pour into prepared graham cracker piecrust. Set in refrigerator 4-5 hours and serve with your favorite fruit pie filling for topping. My favorite is raspberry, but cherry and blueberry are also delightful. Enjoy!

I was so excited to receive my first review request! I acted right away and rented The Abyss in response to Rusty’s request for a classic science fiction movie. This is the first science fiction movie I ever saw, so it seemed old enough to be a classic to me! However, after watching it, I think I missed the mark a little, so I will try again another time to watch and review something a little more classic and a little more science fiction for you Rust.

The Abyss

Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Rated PG-13 for language and some scenes of action. 1989, Science Fiction/Adventure/Thriller. Cin’s Critique: 3 ½ *

I would have been 13 when this came out, I remember my older brothers watching it and telling me to leave the room when there was a scary part. That seems funny now, because my 3 and 5 year olds watched it with me today, and I never had them leave once! (They’re brave you know…) So, this is the first time I’ve watched it since I was young, and I was delighted with it. It was suspenseful and mysterious.

The Abyss is about a team that goes under the ocean to look for a lost nuclear submarine, and also discover what they think is an alien species living underwater. Needless to say, things are a little scary below the surface, it’s dark and dreary and cold. Not only are these people fighting the fear in their own minds of just being down there alone, they are afraid of whatever is out there in the water.

This was a great movie. A thriller, without being too scary. Science fiction, without being too far out there. Action/adventure without big explosions and special effects. With a great ending! Those of you that have watched this one, leave a comment and let me know how you liked it. (I’m especially wondering how those older brothers remember it.)

The Painted Veil

Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber. Rated PG-13 for some mature sexual situations, partial nudity, disturbing images and brief drug content. 2006, Drama/Romance. Cin’s Critique: 4 ½ *

“Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people.”

When a doctor discovers his wife is having an affair, he forces her to accompany him into a cholera-infested village in China. There he delves into helping the people, and she discovers how to be unselfish.

This movie had a visual ambience that invited the audience into the story. It was set in the 1920’s; the costumes and sets were beautiful. You followed the characters through large homes, small streets, and into the Chinese countryside. The scenery was breathtaking, and the moral to the story was just as amazing. This wasn’t a story about lovers; it was a story about how to love. I left the theater feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the grandeur. You know a movie is great when it leaves that weight in your chest, reminding you that you are one small part of a very large world. Go see this one on the big screen!

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Fellowship of the Ring 2001, The Two Towers 2002, The Return of the King 2003. Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images. Fantasy/Action/Adventure. Cin’s Critique: 5 *

Whether you have read the books or not, these three movies are some of the greatest ever made. Proof that my opinion is shared: all three movies were nominated for or won hundreds of prestigious awards, (to have a look at all the awards go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/awards), with the last movie winning every Oscar category it was nominated for, 11 in all!

When I think of the movies I often feel that The Fellowship of the Ring is my favorite of the three. Yet while I watch The Two Towers and The Return of the King, I feel that they are my favorite movie of the trilogy. Each movie is so different and has a life of it’s own. I love that as the story intensifies the characters keep stepping up, proving themselves time and again. That as evil becomes more prevalent, friendship and good still unite the main characters.

The movies are beautiful to watch. The scenery is breathtaking, the costumes are perfect. The sets and structures of the cities are on a grand scale with no comparison. The actors portray emotions and feelings with such reality that you actually feel what the characters are feeling. I cannot watch the part where Liv Tyler cries for Frodo without crying with her.

These movies have it all: action, drama, romance, comedy, suspense, and a good moral to the story, all with an underlying urgency that make the hours pass like minutes. Clear your day, turn off the phone ringer, and watch all three movies in a row. It will be a day well spent!

Akeelah and the Bee

Keke Plamer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett. Rated PG for some language. 2006, Drama. Cin’s Critique: 4 *

I remember the one and only spelling bee I participated in. I was in fourth grade. I don’t remember how far I made it, but I do remember the word I missed. Platypus. Yep, as in duck billed platypus. And yep, I’ve known how to spell it ever since.

This was a great family movie! Even though it wasn’t animated, my 3 and 5 year old boys watched it with me and stuck through most of it. Hunter started spelling words that he knew, and Colton got out his pencil and paper to “write”. It made me look forward to the time when I’ll be helping them learn the word lists for their own spelling bees.

Akeelah and the Bee is about a girl from an inner city school that has to enter the spelling bee as a consequence for missing too much class. She is afraid to do well; not wanting to be labeled a nerd or a know-it-all. However, with the help from her spelling coach (Fishburne), she finds within herself the desire to make and achieve her goals. This was an inspiring movie that I would recommend watching with your family. My favorite part of the whole show was this quote:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest of the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

Because I Said So

Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore and Lorelai Gilmore!  Rated PG-13 for sexual content.  2007, Romantic Comedy.  Cin’s Critique: 3 1/2 *

Yes, Lorelai Gilmore made it to the big screen.  Being a fan of Gilmore Girls, I was happy to see Lauren Graham in the cast.  But sadly, she acted exactly like Lorelai, I was disappointed that her character was no different than in the TV series.  Talked fast, smart remarks, same body language…oh well.  Let’s get on with the movie review…

A mother interferes with her youngest daughters love life by setting her up with a man she approves of.  Yes, the daughter is oblivious to the whole scheme, and falls for the chosen man.  However, she also meets someone else the mother does not approve of.  Which one will she spend the rest of her life with?

This was a cute movie, lighthearted and alotta laughs.  I’m a romantic, so, don’t expect me to give any romantic comedy a bad review, I’ll recommend them all!  I liked Diane Keaton in this film, she’s very good at playing the neurotic mother, her’s was the best character in the show. 

Sling Blade

Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, John Ritter. Rated R for language, including graphic descriptions. 1996, Drama. Cin’s Critique: 4 ½ *

“One of the bes’ movies I seen in a long time, I reckon, uh hum.”

So first, a thanks to Rusty for recommending this movie to me. I had never even heard of it, how’s that for a shocker? I watched it without really knowing what it was about, and was blown away! I loved this movie! (Did you notice the rating up there? 4 ½ * equals “I loved this movie.”)

After serving 25 years in a mental hospital for killing his mother and her lover, a man returns to the town of his childhood. Being mentally challenged, it is difficult for him to make it on his own. He befriends a young boy, and basically the movie is about the friendship they develop. Not much really happens during the movie, it is a drama drama. It was 2 ½ hours long, yet it was not slow. It silently built to a climax that was very predictable, but that was not a drawback. Rather, it led me to ponder the events that took place and the meaning of it all.

I’m not a fan of Billy Bob Thornton, however, he did an amazing job in the lead role. It took me a while to even realize that was him on screen, I kept waiting for his character to appear! There were many thought-provoking pieces to this movie. I highly recommend it, and want to hear from those of you that have seen it.

Braveheart

Mel Gibson.  Rated R for brutal medieval warfare, language, and nudity. 1995, drama/war/biography/action. Cin’s Critique: 5 *

Braveheart is my favorite movie of all time. Has been for eleven years standing, no other movie has even flirted with my notions. I remember seeing this movie in the theater. I remember how intense it was to watch it on the big screen. I laughed, I winced, I cried, I pondered it for days. I went back and saw it again. And still, many years later, after seeing it at least a dozen more times, it has the same effect on me. I am awestruck at how powerful this movie is.

Braveheart is the story of William Wallace, the Guardian of Scotland in the early 1300’s. It is the story of a common man, who rose against English oppression to fight for his country’s freedom. The movie begins when Wallace was a young boy and his father was killed by the English. It tells the story of why he chose to fight. It takes you through several battles. It tells of Wallace’s capture and execution. This movie has it all; a timeless love story, humor, strength, action, battle scenes, victory, defeat, and most of all, the message to fight for what you believe in.

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

“Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.”

“Every man dies. Not every man truly lives.”

“They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.”

I never tire of seeing this movie. If you haven’t already, give it a try, you will not be sorry. It is inspiring and thought provoking, it will have an impact on you. I hope you love it, like I do. And please, leave me some comments on this one, I’d love to hear what you think!

For more on the history of William Wallace go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace