The First Little White Lie

Several of my friends have raved at how good the romantic comedy "The Invention of Lying" was so I went to see it alone last night. I was very upset at the first few minutes of the movie when the background was laid. It begins in an alternate reality, a town in which no one every lied. There is no fiction of any kind and no religion. The concept of not telling the truth had not even come up yet. Everyone spoke exactly what they were thinking and just blurted it out. It seemed like a really stupid and mean movie. But, I try to always finish a movie so my opinion is based on the whole picture.

Then it happened. Someone told a lie and all of a sudden the movie became worth watching, and funny, and sensitive, and the moral became clear and I loved it. I also love the star being an average guy not some hot, sexy hunk. Ricky Gervais is a funny, chubby, normal looking nice guy and he did a great job in the lead. Jennifer Garner has huge lips! Sorry, she looks great with her tall slender shape. Her character was on the shallow side looking for her perfect genetic match so they would have perfectly beautiful babies.

Rob Lowe with his beautiful blue eyes and perfect hair and physique was unusually cast as the gorgeous jerk. It is hard to hate him in anything, but in this role I had to. So he did gets a B+.

I started thinking how easy it is to lie, and people will believe you because they want to, even today. So maybe we should start telling little white lies to make people feel better about themselves and their situation, like Ricky did in the movie. Confusion sets in when we weave those tangled webs. It sounds good in theory, but I think honesty is still the best policy.

Trivia

Ricky Gervais wrote this witty little movie, directed and produced it and then narrated and starred in it. Hats off to you Ricky. Good job! I am forever one of his biggest fans.

There are many reviews out there that really bash this movie. Some say the story is seriously anti-christian, and I say it is comedy and has nothing to do with religion. If anything, it gives a positive suggestion of what life after death might be like. I recommend it as a fun romantic comedy.

New Look for New Moon

With Chris Weitz on board as the new director, this installment of the Twilight Saga has a new look and follows the book much closer than the original movie. Although imdb.com only gave it 4.5 stars, I would give it a 6 compared to the 8.5 which I gave the original.


This movie is also very good. I love the storyline about the werewolves and Jacob's friendship, but I miss the connection between Bella and Edward. I missed the romance and the frustration they always felt although there was some towards the end of the movie.

I think Robert Patinson's fame is short-lived. He is good as Edward but he is not all that great looking and his skinny body does nothing for me. It feels like he is constantly posing for a photo shoot and he wears way too much makeup.

Don't get me wrong I still want Bella and Edward to be together and this is a very intriguing saga. The introduction of Dakota Fanning as an evil vampire with red eyes was a little weak. I look forward to her developing her character in the next movie.

Taylor Lautner as Jacob, the buff werewolf, was the star of this sequel with his beauty, constant friendship and strong animal like qualities. When he took his shirt off for the first time, a young girl in the audience screamed and soon many others made noises too. It reminded me of young teens swooning at an Elvis concert. He is gorgeous to look at and his sensitivity to Bella is quite attractive.

The Volturi family and their special powers was a little confusing to me, and the solution to their situation was a little unbelievable, but if you read the books, it may have been clearer. I am sorry to say I have not read the books.

This movie leaves me with questions unanswered like how can you take pictures of vampires and why is Bella's mind so special?

I am not a teenager anymore but I really enjoy this series. I look forward to new information about the characters being revealed and how Bella will eventually be turned.

Trivia

Bella wears a moon stone ring throughout the saga.

This director never made a vampire movie or any sequel of any kind before. Not bad for a beginner.


All of the boys who played the werewolves were of indian descent and were required to present proof of such to be in the move.

Talent Does Run in The Family

It Runs in the Family

This 2003 remake of an unsuccessful 1994 movie is a bit more appealing with a cast full of royalty, namely Kirk Douglas’s family. The story looks at a dysfunctional but prominent family in New York, including three generations of Grombergs, all strained relationships who live very separate lives.

Although it has a light tone and some humor, this movie deals with very serious issues: aging, illegal drugs, adolescent fighting, career changes and ultimately death.

Michael Douglas produced this comedy-drama with his father, Kirk Douglas who was 86 years old, only seven years after his actually having a stroke.

Cameron Douglas plays Michael’s son, Alex, a college student who struggles with drinking and drugs, and learns some hard lessons. Fine acting for a beginner.

Diana Dill, Michael’s real life mother and Kirk’s ex-wife plays the patriarch’s wife as a lady of grace and stature. I felt she wasn't even acting but just playing herself. Lovely lady. Bernadette Peters plays Michael’s psychologist wife. Although this is a somber role for Peters, she dose a fine job as a betrayed wife and loving mother.

In my opinion, the main weakness in this movie is that it does not allow you to like or even care about its main characters. There is just too much noise and too much going on to get to know anyone until the movie is half over. When tragedy brings the family together, the ending is quite surprising leaving you with good feelings of love, understanding and reconciliation. After the first half was over, I really started to enjoy the relationships and the plot. I no longer checked the time or wondered how much longer before it was over. Although a slow start, I do recommend this one, especially to see the Douglas family work together.

Trivia

Director Fred Schepisi said he was concerned about Kirk’s voice and his strength; ready to use Michael’s voice and digitally alter it if necessary. Although it was hard to see Kirk struggling with the effects of his stroke, he was able to finish his scenes without too much difficulty, and with the professionalism of a star of his magnitude.

Not terribly successful, the movie only grossed $7.5 million compared to Michael’s next film, “The In-laws,” which grossed $20 million.

Jersey Girl

Sorry folks, I couldn't get to the movies again this week, too much homework and papers due. So I caught this on cable TV. I heard it was awful but I started watching it and I got caught because the story started out pretty good.

Ollie (Ben Affleck) is a successful music publicist who loses everything, including his wife (Jennifer Lopez) who dies and leaves him a single dad to raise a beautiful baby girl. The daughter looks like Jennifer Lopez must have looked as a child. She is played quite charmingly by Raquel Castro.

Ollie and his daughter move in with his feisty father (George Carlin) as Gerty grows up, about 7 years. Liv Tyler plays Maya the new friend, for now, for Ollie. Maya sees the world in a fresh and fun way and helps Ollie to see what is really important in his life.

Kevin Smith wrote most of this screenplay in a couple months, set it aside and forgot about it. He was friends with Ben Affleck and happened to mention it to him. Affleck read it and liked it and Smith finished writing it quickly and specifically for Afflect to play the part of Ollie.

This is just a sweet little story about love and loss and finding out what is really important in life. I liked it.

English Literature Revisited

When there is nothing to entice me to the dollar movie, I stay home and watch older movies I have purchased from Joy Junction for $1.00 or I rent them from the library for free.

This week a friend and I watched a film made in 1987 with two of our favorite actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench, called "84 Charing Cross Road."

Although the author, Helene Hanff, took many artistic liberties while writing this book in 1970, it is based on her true story - about an American publisher who purchases classics and collectible books from a bookstore in London, and through their letters of twenty years, develops intimate and caring relationships with Frank, the chief buyer and his wife (Judi Dench), and all of the bookstore employees.

Obsessed with the English classics and knowledge of such that would put us all to shame, she orders them from a quaint little shop that specializes in out of print books. A friendship and intelligent and funny conversations ensue in the form of letters. Historical facts are enticingly visited such as Winston Churchill, the coronation of the Queen and the black market of food during World War II.

Anne Bancroft (The Graduate) plays Helene and narrates the movie wonderfully. Helene's tough, witty and sometimes sarcastic demeanor was creatively captured by Bancroft, who I imagine was very much like her character in real life.

We were both surprised at how much we enjoyed this movie. I highly recommend it. There is a little romance, a lovely drama and Anthony Hopkins at his best (and also with hair).


Trivia

The bookstore was called Marks and Co., and is now a local bar so the store was built on a sound stage in London. There is a plaque on the bar wall commemorating the book.

The Time Traveller's Wife - Here Again Gone Again

I have thoroughly enjoyed any other time travel movies I've seen, especially "The Time Machine." So, when I heard about this one, I was excited, but honestly, it does not live up to its predecessors. It is a not much more than a sweet love story with a strange story line.

I really wanted to believe all this timetravel stuff, but the director just doesn't give enough information to convince me. He does tell us the hero has a genetic anamoly which causes him to time travel at any time to any place, but he often visits the same places and people in his life. I could not understand how the 49 year old and the 39 year old could be present at the same time. Somethings are better left alone and suspension of disbelief is necessary.

This movie is about deep, satisfying true love, patience, relationships, and a little about time travel.

After many failed relationships and full of frustrastration, artist Audrey Niffenegger wrote her debut novel in 2003, and after selling several million copies, it was transformed into a movie.

Borne in Melbourne, Australia, Eric Bana (Prince Hector in Troy) is another one of those dark, serious looking actors who looks mad or angry even when he is happy. It is had to believe he recieved awards for his stand-up comedy. He wanted to be a race car driver, but said, acting will do.

Canadian actress, Rachel McAdams was absolutely adoreable as the understanding and patient wife. Too patient if you ask me. I'm looking forward to her new movie "Morning Glory," with Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford about a morning show producer to be released soon.

Whale Rider - Another big fish story

Since I have not had time to get to the dollar movie this week, and cannot forsee having the time for a while, I pulled out an older movie I have been meaning to watch - Whale Rider. It had such wonderful reviews and won so many awards, I was really expecting a lot. Too much I guess because I was really disappointed.


This is a sweet little story, (not a true story as I first thought) about a little girl who questions why she can't do everything a boy can do and more, and then she goes and does it.

Set in modern day New Zealand, this story follows the daughter of the chief, who has little value, because the son, who died,would have been the next chief of the village. Paikea Apirana, Pai as she is called, sets out to prove she does have value and she can do everything the boys do, like learn the old language, the songs and chants, the stick fighting and then she rides a whale after coaxing him to leave the beach. They all think she has drowned but survives and she becomes the new chief.

It seemed just to unbelievable to me, I guess my imagination was on fall break because my skepticism kicked in so often, I could not really enjoy the movie.

The cinematography of the ocean was beautiful and the music was also very nice. The innocense of the girl and the lack of acting credentials most of the cast had was not a drawback. It was refreshing to see real people interacting as they actually would in a situation.

I am sure there are many people who could really enjoy this movie, to them I say rent it. It is a quaint, realistic view of a modern day village that still believes in the old stories and myths.

Trivia

The author of the book,Witi Ihimaera, wrote this story because he has a granddaughter and they were discussing about why heroes were always boys, so he used his cultural background to create a beautiful story and made the hero a girl, writing the entire book in three weeks.


The 13 year old girl in the lead was not an actress, Keisha Castle-Hughes, was just a school girl. The director, Niki Caro, wanted an average, pre-pubescent girl. She won an award for newcomer of the year, not to mention all the other awards the movie won.


The movie crew built (carved) the 60 foot boat used in the movie and then gave it to the people of the town, many of whom were used as extras in the movie.

It only cost $6 million to make this movie, which is very little to us, and it shows, but to New Zealand, it was a lot; the community was really behind this project. It grossed $41 million.

Scary Harry Potter

The Harry Potter series is not just for kids any longer and it is definetely not for young kids. I was scared to death in a few scenes. One of them had demons dragging Harry to the depths of a lake in a cave. This is not for young children of which there were many in the theater. There were even several 1 and 2 year old babies crying through the whole move. Please, leave your kids with a sitter or stay home and rent the movie!

I confess I have never read the Harry Potter books. Because of my weak eyesight, I like to say, "I've seen everything ever written." I have not even seen number 5 or 6 in the series, but I was able to understand almost everything in this new film, "Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince."

One bit of trivia I found regarding author J.K. Rowling is that she demanded that the principle cast be british and subsequent casting be from the country as written. I like her spunk.

The young wizards are growing up and their romantic and sexual urges are just like any other normal teens. This is their fifth year at Hogwart's school and I wonder how many more years till they gaduate? Not only are they becoming talented wizards, but they are now also mystery solving sleuths.

The imagination and special effects of the series has made this enterprise a multi-billion dollar venture, $5.4 to be exact, and there are two more films to come. Actually it is one film which will be called Part 1 and Part 2.

There are some special effect I never tire of - I still love the picture frames with moving pictures and the way they can tidy up a room by making inanimate objects fly. The memories in bottles is imaginative by sticking your head in water to see them and coming out dry is too weird to me.

The cinematography is superb. The way the camera slowly moves into a scene, provides a vignette to tease us, and then slowly leaves the scene is amazing. I feel as if we are stealing a glimpse of something we should not be privy to.


I love the previews before the movies, and this time I noticed something very interesting. It was a trailer for "Fame" the remake of the old television series about a dance school. They modeled the trailer after "Harry Potter" by suggesting it is magical, teaches all kinds of spells and it has a school that teaches you to fly. How is that for trying to cash in on Potter's fame? I actually am looking forward to this movie, the series was very well done with high energy dancing, passionate dancers and intelligent kids with their eyes on the future, but I see absolutely no resemblance to Harry Potter.
.

The Ugly Truth about Relationships

Is it true, men only want sex? They put up with all our sissy female desires just to get what they want. It is according to Mike Chadway, the shockingly honest and extremely popular talk show personality, played by the gorgeous Scotsman, Gerard Butler, who delivers "The Ugly Truth" on late nite television.

When the beautiful, but lonely, show's producer, Abby Richter, played by Katherine Heigl, needs help capturing what she thinks is the perfect man, Mike offers to lend a hand. He tells her to laugh at all his jokes, don't be controlling, dress sexy and learn how to flirt. She catches a man alright but is he the perfect man? You'll have to go see this at the dollar movie this week.

This may be a modern comedy, but the story is follows the old standard "how to catch a man" flick. It's not great but it is fun for both sexes and both these body beautifuls are a sight for lovesick puppies everywhere.

The subject of this movie stirs up some real strong emotions in us girls who were talking for hours about the ugly truth or just the plain truth.

Chadway said there is no such thing as a man who is sensitive, compassionate, likes to take long walks and will really listen to what a woman has to say. I disagree, there must be a few real gentlemen left, they can't all be cavemen, can they?

There's Proposals and Then There's Proposals

Every now and then I need a good comedy. Sometimes life is so serious and stressful, I need to let it all out with some good strong belly laughs, and that's just what I got with "The Proposal." The whole theater must have had a rough week and needed to relax because they bellowed in unison and it felt good.

Sandra Bullock is wonderful as the witchy boss and Ryan Reynolds is sweet and funny as her assistant that is duped into marrying her. This is one of her funnier movies since "Miss Congeniality" which I really didn't care for.

I love to see women my age who still look great, and Mary Steenburgen who played Andrew's mother, does. She plays the perfect mother, compassionate, sweet and tough.

The Alaskan setting provides some great cinematography and comedic cultural clips.

Crash proved to be one of her better movies winning her three awards. I still need to see it sometime.

Trivia

Bullock speaks fluent German having lived in much of Europe in her early years with her parents. Also, she is extremely allergic to horses.

Although Bullock's movies are not all that great, they are usually quite funny and her leading men are usually very nice looking, like Harry Connick, Jr. in "Hope Floats." What a great romance!

Sure, this story was kind of silly and this was definitely a chick flick, but it was so much fun. If you don't question anthything and just go along for the ride, I guarantee, you will come out feeling a less stressed and a smile on your face.

Julie & Julia - Adoreable Newcomer

I must admit that I never cared for Julia Child. From my perspective she was an old woman who looomed large over the cooking area and let her guest on the show do all the work. But, after seeing the movie I have a new respect for her. It took 8 years and many rejections to get her book published. That's what I call perseverence.

She's not French?
I was very surprised to find out she was not even French. What's with the heavy accent if she only lived there a couple years?

Amy Adams as Julie is adoreable. I have never seen her before but I like her. She is cute and fun and very real. I think we will be seeing a lot more of her very soon.

Meryl Streep as Julia is another wonderful performance for this very talented actress. I love how she is able to develop accents to fully become her characters. I'll never forget her in The French Lieutenant's Woman and Sophie's Choice. What amazing talent!

The story line was exceptional. I loved flowing between their two lives, one in the past in France and one present day, New York, I think. I loved crossing time and space to see their lives simultaneously.

Apparently this movie was taken from two memoirs and is mostly a true story. I always appreciate reality.

Criticism - Not Really
The only thing I would have liked to see was more of her life. This story ended with her publishing her book. I would have liked to see how she got her television series and learned more about her later years.

Overall, this is a very good movie and well worth seeing, not only if you love to cook but if you love blogging, butter or business. This movie has a lot to offer. Bon Appetit!

Terminator: Salvation or Sacrifice

Admittedly, I am not a "Terminator" fan. I saw the first one and it was memorable only becuse of Arnold's famous line and "Beauty and the Beast's" heroine, Linda Hamilton. When my friend suggested we see this one, I agreed only because there was nothing else at the dollar movie I wanted to see and I did appreciate Christian Bale in both "Batman" movies. Bale's dark, mysterious nature was perfect for the superhero in black leather, but as the human hero of this latest save the world from destruction film, his dark side never let in enough light to allow us me warm up to him. I was disappointed in Bale's performance and found myself caring more for the baaaad, death row inmate played by the beautiful blue-eyed Australian with a great voice, Sam Worthington. Though it is a suporting actor role, it is a great character who is given a second chance to do some good with his life, and Worthington deserves kudos for his performance. I can't wait to see him in the upcoming "Clash of the Titans," where we are sure to see more of his toned, tanned and buff body.


The amazing little mute with gigantic hair won me over at her first puppy dog stare. As the inmate's companion Jadagrace Berry portrays a young homeless survivor who is smart and sensitive and will tug at your heart trings without speaking a word. She is magical.

You know a character is miscast when you find yourself trying to replace them in the movie. Connor's wife was so poorly cast, I found myself looking for another love interest for him, someone who would make him smile and lighten up a little, and with whom there was some chemistry.

Regrdless of my lack of enthusiasm for this movie, you fans of the series will love it. The action is fantastic and the story is very good with some surprising twists you don't see coming. I wondered if Arnold would channel his catch phrase, "I'll be back" and I wasn't disappointed.

Welcome Trekies and The Next Generation of Trekies!

When I was a teen I was allowed to stay up late so my mother and I could watch the original Star Trek series together. Then came all the movies and spinoffs which continued to engage my imagination. Today, I am a Trekie less the costumes, conventions, and the language. I do not speak Klingon or any other alien language. I anxiously awated this pre-quel, but, with great skepticsm. How could there ever be another Captain Kirk or Spock. Their friendship glimmered with unusual intelligence, wit, humor and a bond no humans have expereinced since, except maybe Alan and Denny on Boston Legal. I am happy to report after just a few minutes of watching Kirk's boyhood pranks and can-do anything spirit, I was hooked. The casting for Kirk and Spock was right on, and even more so, was the actor who played Bones. I smiled and laughed at the same witty sarcasm the original doctor delivered. To think that Bones is no longer with us still tears at my heartstrings. The plot was exciting and believeable. The integrating of Leonard Nimoy as the original Spock was genious and appreciated. Maybe, they will do the same with Shattner!

I only have two small criticisms about this movie. It was uncomfortable and unbelievable to see Spock kissing Lt. Ohura (sorry for the spelling), especially when I recalled Kirk and her having a little fling in an early episode. I think it took years of Spock exploring his human side to be able to express himself in a kiss, but I guess we needed some SEX since Kirk seemed a little placid in his youth.

Introducing all of the major characters from the original series in one time frame was just too unbelievable to me. I did not know they were together from the very beginning and I find it a little hard to conceive that they all met in the same moment in time. Oh well, I will suspend my disbelief for the time being to be able to enjoy this wonderful movie again and again.

I am happy to believe there will be another sequel, and I look forward to filling in the blanks from the lives of my favorite spaceship and crew. You know in my late 20's, I actually put together a model of the Enterprise with a working light on the bridge. I can't wait to continue their ongoing mission and, " boldly go where no one (p.c.) has gone before."

I would be interested to hear what you all liked or disliked about the movie and to read your suggestions for future story lines.

Welcome Movie Buffs

Ah, The Movies! There's nothing better than escaping this maddening world in a movie theatre for a couple hours or right at home on your dvd player. Whether your genre is drama, fantasy or comedy, etc, we can explore these new adventures in viewing together right here.Hello and welcome to all my new blogging friends. I hope this discussion is entertaining but I also wish to make you think about the movies in different and insightful ways. Our entire culture is ingrained in the movies and in the choices we make we can learn a lot about ourselves by watching them with an open mind, intellectual discernment and through a reality-filtered lens.
Debra Knoll