And we're rolling...again.

It's that time again--another movie review post! I'm going to dive right in:

The Tourist


I didn't get this one. And that doesn't mean I didn't get the storyline--because I did--but I didn't understand why this movie came to be in the first place. The plot was a bit too far fetched to be that cool, and although I love Johnny Depp, he had absolutely no chemistry with Angelina Jolie. What a weird couple...and lukewarm action comedy.

Super 8


I liked this one quite a bit. Did you like the Goonies growing up? You'll probably like this one. It has that same feel, and while it is a bit goofy during the sentimental parts, it just makes you feel good. Plus, the special effects lend to being a little jumpy--but not too freaked out, which is excellent.

Red


Maybe I didn't give this one a fair shot, since I was feeling really sick and headachey when I watched it. However, I didn't make it halfway through. It's not that it was bad, really...just boring. Kudos to John Malkovich, though, as his character was pretty decent.

Contagion


Want a movie to make you feel even worse about life and more freaked out about your own illness? Watch Contagion. In all fairness, I was in a crappy mood while I watched this one as well, and it's not exactly slated as a pick-me-up. I will say this: I enjoyed the way it was put together, I felt they brought in some good developments and I thought the ending was powerful and poignant. (Is it bad that I'm still partial to Outbreak, though?)


Puncture

So I don't watch a lot of rated-R movies. My personal choice is that I have to think the movie merits overlooking the crassness in the film. That being said, and although there were a few minor sketchy scenes and a ton of language, I thought this movie was worth it. The story was and is an important one, and I thought they portrayed it well. Gripping...and hauntingly sad as well. Good job, Chris Evans. Although, if you want to see an actor really go through withdrawl symptoms in a horribly realistic way, watch The Basketball Diaries. Leonardo Dicaprio was amazing. And yes, he actually is a good actor--once you take away that horrible role he had in Titanic.

Mr. Popper's Penguins


Even as I rented this, I thought it was a mistake. I think the only reason I watched it the entire way through was because of the penguins. I remain firm on my stance that with a penguin and a basset hound, I'd be set. This movie, however, was trite, obvious and ...just not very good. It's like Jim Carey is suspended between his Ace Ventura days and his breakthrough roles like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Man on the Moon. It's just not believable, and makes you wonder why you should care.

Just Go With It


I actually was quite pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this movie. Was it like all the other Adam Sandler romantic comedies? Yes. Were the jokes just the same? Of course. But I can't help it. I still laugh at his humor. And the love story that developed was cute. Sure, you could pretty much replace it with 50 First Dates. But I like that one as well, so I don't mind.

Chasing Liberty


I had this one in a four-pack I bought awhile ago and for some reason, thought I watched it. I swear there is another movie out there that is very similar with Katie Holmes. But anyway. What can I say about this movie? It was your typical "no way would that ever happen yet I'm going to fall for it in the end because he's cute and I want life to be perfect" sort of movie. And that's that.


I'm stoked because my law professor is going to lend me some seasons of Numbers to watch, since I'm running out of excitement for movies. I've also been going through my Big Bang Theory seasons and Burn Notice as well...and I decided that Parks and Recreation is my new favorite comedy, along with New Girl.

Maybe I should work harder on sleeping.

What do you all think? Any of these you loved? Hated? Recommendations?

Lights, Camera...Really?

"Yes, movies ! Look at them? All of those glamorous people - having adventures--hogging it all, gobbling the whole thing up! You know what happens? People go to the movies instead of moving! Hollywood characters are supposed to have all the adventures for everybody in America, while everybody in America sits in a dark room and watches them have them!"  -Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie




 Yeah, well...I still am watching a ton of movies lately. For the current time, I am okay with watching other people have adventures. Provided they are good. Here's what I've been watching lately: 

How Do You Know?


This movie was truly horrible. It was so boring that I stopped approximately halfway through. I honestly didn't even find Paul Rudd redeeming in this movie. For shame, Reese Witherspoon. For shame.

The Kids Are All Right


This was another disappointing movie. Although I appreciated the emotion shown between Benning and Moore as they navigated through the rocky waters of marriage, how did watching so many sex scenes help me understand its complexity? Also: why is lesbianism so cool? It's nearly hipster. I don't get it.

 Midnight in Paris


I am not generally a fan of Woody Allen movies, but this one was delightful. In fact, I'd call it whimsical. That's right, whimsical. I thought Owen Wilson was a perfect fit, and loved this take on a person escaping--and then returning to a reality better suited to himself.

Something Borrowed

I'm getting sick of how every romantic comedy revolves around transgressions. People actually do fall in love without cheating on their partner. And Kate Hudson's character was absolutely abrasive. (P.S.: If you've seen Bride Wars, you know her character, and vise versa. It saves you the trouble.)  However, Jim is so lovable...and I couldn't help but be charmed by the romance budding. Even though parts brought back painful parallels...I've seen it three times. Sigh.

 The Help


This movie was incredible. One of my friends told me that she had never laughed and cried so much in the same movie, and I'm willing to second her on that opinion. Watch it. Watch it now.

The Switch


I feel that romantic comedies are hitting a low point where there are no new ideas, and the only ideas that get regurgitated are the bad ones. That being said, this was fairly decent. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between father and son.

Captain America

I'll admit it: I watched this movie purely to watch Chris Evans. And I'll say this: it was your typical superhero movie. It engaged me when it was on, and now it's done and I don't feel the need to watch it again. Side note: I've noticed that the X-Men movies are an exception to this. Why is that?

Crazy Stupid Love


Welcome to another of my new favorite movies. Witty, touching and absolutely hilarious. I love it when the climax makes you laugh so hard that you can't stop. And another note: is Emma Stone not the prettiest, funniest actress to come out on the scene? I just love her. 

True Grit


You know how a good movie will stick with you for awhile after you watch it? When the message and emotion resonates with you, it's something good. However, I'll be up front right now and come clean that I didn't watch the original. For all you John Wayne fans: how did this version fare compared with the original? 








That's all for now, folks. More is on the way, as I continue to plow through other movies on my list. What do you all think? Did you love or hate any of these?