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.