The King's Speech

December 26.

If you follow my blog you know I love the British Royals. So, you can probably guess how excited I was to see such great actors in a movie about a royal story I knew almost nothing about.

Colin Firth plays King George VI, better known to this generation as Queen Elizabeth II's father. I knew his brother was king first and that he abdicated to marry an American divorcee, which made George VI king and Elizabeth heir to the throne; but the stutter was news to me.

"The King's Speech" was a perfect movie. Charming and funny, well written and acted. The story centered around the forgotten prince's speech impediment, his strong-willed wife, and his amazing speech therapist. But in the background was the story of the struggle with his family and his duty to his country just as Hitler was taking over Germany and pulling Europe into war.

I know a lot of people don't think they care about watching a king learn how to speak but I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like this movie.

I Love You Phillip Morris

December 26.

"I Love You Phillip Morris" is only playing in one theater in Las Vegas so I'm guessing not a lot of people are going to see it. But, it's so good I really hope people find their way to the theater.

Jim Carrey is twisted, touching, and funny in this real-life story of con man Steven Russell, who, after years of marriage, decides he's gay and starts committing insurance fraud to live a new life in Miami. He gets caught, goes to jail, and that's where the story really gets started. He falls in love with the sweet, cute inmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Once out, he pulls a few more successful cons and gets caught and breaks out of jail numerous times - all in the name of love, he says.

The comedy is dark, the sex is explicit, and the story is sort of unbelievable, but it really happened, I looked it up. Although, even if it hadn't it'd still be fun to watch.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

December 25.

My final Christmas movie of the holiday season is one of the best, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." This is the third "Vacation" and my favorite of the four. The movie does a great job of showing all the good and bad parts of the holidays, mostly how you want your family around but can't stand them once they're there.

The Griswold's are great (with an age shifted Audrey and Rusty) and all the secondary characters including grandparents, the yuppie neighbors, and even Clark's boss are perfect. But, of course, the return of Eddie and Catherine in a broken down trailer really makes the movie - way back when Randy Quaid was just crazy in the movies.

I've been watching this movie since I was a kid and I can't imagine a year without seeing it.

A Christmas Story

December 25.

Ok, so I didn't start "A Christmas Story" at the beginning, but it doesn't matter. I just watched it through and then let it start again and once the kid stuck his tongue to the pole, again, I knew I'd seen the whole thing.

I didn't really like this movie as a kid. The adults are mean, the kids are mean, Randy's gross, the mom is nuts, Santa's scary. This movie just always made me uncomfortable. But I am an American and I wouldn't want to offend my fellow countrymen. So every year I do my civic duty and watch. Some of it has grown on me. The leg lamp and the Chinese Christmas dinner are my favorite parts.

TBS is taking advantage of all of us though. They know we have to watch so they show these really long commercials for their awful shows. TBS, you can stop, I won't see you again until next year.

It's a Wonderful Life

December 24.

"Look, Daddy. Teacher says every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." The most classic line in the most classic Christmas movie ever made. I love "It's a Wonderful Life!" James Stewart, Donna Reed, Clarence!

I have always liked the movie but in the last few years I really appreciate it. I think I'm a lot like George Bailey. I grew up with these grand visions of what life would be like, all the places I'd go, the things I'd see. But then one day I woke up and realized this is it. How depressing. Of course George gets to see the world if he'd never been born. He witnesses the lives of all the people he has helped and the good he has done in Bedford Falls. When he realizes he had a wonderful life it's because everyone is falling apart without him. But maybe that is how you're supposed to value your life. And in the end they do save him too.

I don't know if I will ever have that revelation, but it's nice to watch George realize how much his life is worth and that he really has accomplished so much. So no matter how depressing it appears I always feel better when George screams Merry Christmas to Bedford Falls and Zulu squeaks out that famous line.

True Grit

December 24.

I didn't see the original "True Grit" and don't really have an affinity for Westerns. But when the Coen Brothers make a movie, I make it a point to show up. And again they made an amazing movie. The story was perfect, the dialogue witty, smart, and interesting, and the actors, well they were the best part. A Coen trademark is the actors. From the lead roles or the smallest parts every person is unique to look at and wonderful to watch. "True Grit" was no different.

Jeff Bridges is very Dude, or at least his speech is, as a tough U.S. Marshall,  always drunk and a little too old to be running around the Indian territory trying to find a murderer (not that the Dude did that). Although he is great, as is Matt Damon, and even Josh Brolin, it's Hailee Steinfeld, who I've never even seen before, that I fell in love with. Her character, the 14-year-old who hires Bridges to find her father's murderer, is tough and extremely bright for her age.

This is exactly a Christmas movie,  but if Christmas is about family and gun fights in the Wild West, then why not.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

December 23.

Wow. "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" opens with a close up of a makeup-less, 75-year-old Joan Rivers and gets more revealing from there.

This documentary was filmed during what Rivers calls a slow year. She does stand up, puts on a play about her life, and stars on "The Celebrity Apprentice." There are funny moments, well, funny lines. She is funny after all. And there are a lot of clips from her career and pictures of her life, which were awesome to see. But mostly this is a sad, sad look at an insecure old woman who has had a lot of tough times.

She's candid about everything from beauty, sex, plastic surgery, her daughter, and her husband's suicide. "A Piece of Work" is a really well made documentary and you have to give Joan credit for being so open about her life.

The Fighter

December 18.

Mark Wahlberg was great as the lead in "The Fighter," but Christian Bale is the real star of this true life story about a Boston boxer and his drug addicted brother.

Wahlberg plays stepping stone boxer Micky Ward, who might have the potential for something bigger. He looks up to his crack addicted, larger-than-life older brother, Dicky Eklund (Bale), who had his moment more than a decade ago but won't let go. Micky was a child when Dicky fought (and knocked down) Sugar Ray Leonard. Dicky taught him everything he knows and is still his trainer even though he doesn't always show up. The story takes place while HBO is filming Dicky for his come back, but once he gets arrested it all begins to unravel.

The drama has many heavy moments - some of Ward's beatings are hard to watch, as is the gritty Boston family and Dicky's drug use. But Bale's performance is so amazing everyone should see it. He always puts so much into what he does, physically and mentally. All you have to do is see the real Eklund to know what a transformation the normally sexy Bale made. Make sure you stay for the credits when the real brothers appear, you'll see Bale was not exaggerating.

Although I didn't exactly like Dicky or their mother, I thought Ward showed a lot of character sticking by the family that probably brought him down.

Black Swan

December 18.

When I first saw the preview for "Black Swan" I knew I wanted to see it but I wasn't sure what exactly was going on. Was Natalie Portman turning into a swan? Was she just freaking out? Was the ballet director making her sleep with him for the part? Was someone beating her? Is Mila Kunis trying to kill her?

Now that I've seen it some of those questions are answered, but I'm still not sure what was real and what was fantasy. This is definitely more than a drama though. Maybe it's horror or at least a psychological thriller.

Either way, director Darren Aronofsky made another too-real, intense, amazing movie. He strips away all the beauty of the ballet and shows the competitive dancing world complete with bloody feet, puking uptight girls, and an aging star who can't handle being replaced. And that doesn't even touch the surface of the actual story.

Some of the beauty does come back during the last act when you see opening night, but I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say see it.

How Do You Know

December 18.

"How Do You Know" has a few unfortunate pitfalls. It's billed as a comedy and the actors are usually comedic, so obviously you go in thinking it's a comedy. But it's really more of a drama with funny moments. I still liked it though. It's probably a little too long, and maybe they go into each story a little too much. I think that's the problem with stories like this. there are three leads (plus Jack Nicholson!) and way too much going on. It could have been a television show.

To turn this back into a comedy I think it mostly needed focus and editing. The Owen Wilson character, although funny, could have been cut out altogether, or at least made to be more of a sidenote. And Reese Witherspoon, who plays an aging (31) women's softball player who's about to get cut from the team, could have been fired in scene one instead of dragging it out.

The actors are still really good, especially the scenes with Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

December 12.

I was looking for "Home Alone" on instant Netflix and couldn't find it, but I found "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" and thought well, this will be OK, I'm sure it's just like the first one except set in NYC!

It was a mistake. I barely made it to the end without going crazy. Some of the jokes are exactly the same as the first movie, which seemed stupid. I know this is a kids' movie starring a kid, but does this kid really wish to be alone again just one year after being left alone?

Whatever, it's really stupid and I should have watched any other Christmas movie.

The Tourist

December 11.

"The Tourist" should have been a good movie, maybe even great. Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in a caper through the romantic canals of Venice is a great set up. But something was missing. Chemistry, I guess.

The storyline was good enough. It starts in Paris where she is being watched by Interpol. She gets a letter from a mysterious man, hops on a train, and per his instructions picks up a look-a-like - Johnny. Depp plays a bumbling American math teacher, set against Angie's cool, very together Brit. But from here it drags. The action never really takes off (and neither do those molasses-style boat chases) and the intrigue isn't really that intriguing.

Johnny is better than Angie. He's a bit charming and a little funny. She doesn't have a moment of levity though. It's also odd to see her looking old and too thin.

La Vie en Rose

December 10.

Marion Cotillard won an Oscar for her role in "La Vie en Rose," it's set in Paris, and follows the life of the famous French singer Edith Piaf. It really has the makeup of a movie I would love ... but I didn't. I don't know the singer or her music, and maybe that's part of it, even though that hasn't kept me from liking these kinds of movies in the past. ,

Cotillard seemed like she was playing a caricature of Piaf, who had a rough childhood growing up between the streets of Paris and her grandmother's brothel. Although she had bad parents they were both talented and she started performing as a child. She seemed to go from bratty kid to bratty, famous adult without missing a beat and although I felt bad for her I didn't really like her. The whole time I kept thinking I was watching a bad sketch on "Mad TV" played by Nicole Sullivan (she really looks like her).

My other complaint is the way the story skipped around. I don't always mind this, sometimes it's a great technique and adds something to the story, but it just confused me during this movie.

Tangled

December 5.

"Tangled" is cute enough if you're an eight year old girl, I guess. It has some of those classic Disney Princess moments - princess trapped in tower by evil, old woman, Prince Charming comes to rescue her, etc., etc. And it does move into the 21 Century because Prince Charming isn't actually a Prince and no one seems to care.

But, I don't know. There were no great sidekick like "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid," or "Lion King" had and the humor didn't extend to the adult audience.

So, "Tangled" is OK but with so many great animated movies out it really doesn't cut it.

127 Hours

November 27.

"127 Hours" is hard to watch and completely worth it. It made me cringe watching the opening scenes as Aron Ralston (James Franco) greedily chugs water, ignores phone calls from his family, and leaves his apartment without his Swiss Army Knife to go hiking in Utah. I knew he was going to go, not tell anyone where, fall, and that a boulder would trap the hand he'd lose on the trip. But a part of me still hoped for a different outcome.

It didn't happen. About a half hour into the movie he fell, the boulder crushed his hand, and he was trapped. The real-life hiker filmed himself during his 127 hours in the canyon, and Franco and director Danny Boyle are among the few people who have seen these tapes.  I'm sure the video helped Franco to pull off the amazing performance he gave expressing the frustration, fear, anger, desperation, and sadness Aron felt.

There's a scene when he's standing there, hand caught, nothing to drink, nothing to eat, where his mind rushes back to the bottle of Gatorade laying in the back seat of his car. Oh, what he'd do for that Gatorade. There's nothing funny about this story, obviously, but the way Boyle tells the story I can't help but laugh. Even though there were lighthearted moments I was just waiting. I knew what was coming. The hand had to go. And he had to be the one to slice it off.

From the time I heard about Aron when he had his accident in 2003 I always said there's no way I could do it. I'd just die there in that canyon. I still think I'd die there. I don't think I would have had the strength to survive what he did (not that I'd ever have been there to begin with). But watching him, how he had given up, knew he was dead, I understand how he did it. Not the physical how, but the emotional how. The physical how, well, that's another story. Watching him snap his bones and hack away at his half dead arm, blood gushing out, just to get to the nerves, which he plucked like guitar strings as he screamed in pain. It is graphic and slow but I felt the relief with him and could breathe again.

The movie ended with a little about Aron and his life since 2003, but I still want to know more. I wonder if he will ever show the real videos? Probably not. "127 Hours" is probably intense enough anyway.

Love & Other Drugs

November 27.

"Love & Other Drugs." I don't know. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. I don't recommend it. I don't even really have much to say.

Anne and Jake are great. Good actors wasted on a below average script. They play charming and interesting characters. But the story kinda drags and goes back and forth. They are just sleeping together, they are dating, they are back to being casual, they are serious again, and back and forth. Maybe this is the way life works, it doesn't always go beginning, middle, end.

So, ehh. If you really want to see Anne Hathaway naked go ahead and see it, otherwise there's got to be something better to do.

Burlesque

November 26.

I don't know why I always get sucked into these movies. It's like I see sparkles and hear singing and think "oh, that's going to be good." But it's never good. Never ever ever.

The small town girl with a big heart and even bigger dreams makes her way to the big city. She wants her name in lights and works her way up, standing up to the established stars, proving her talent, and stunning the legend, the boy she likes, and pissing off the current star who's a massive bitch. As she makes her way into the spotlight she dates the wrong guy but eventually finds her way to the nice boy and ends up with everything.

Kinda sounds like "Showgirls" doesn't it? Nope. "Coyote Ugly?" Try again. This is "Burlesque," and it's awful. Sure, Cher and Christina can sing. The dance numbers are fun, the music is great, and Stanley Tucci can do no wrong, but, oh god, the acting, the dialogue, the story. It's so awful.

Elf

November 25.

To continue my month-long holiday movie marathon (do I have to watch them all at once to call it a marathon? I'm not, so let's move on) I turned on "Elf."

I love this modern day holiday classic and was just thinking everyone must love it, right? They don't! Rotten Tomatoes has it at 84% for critics and 73% for audience. What?!? OK, I don't think this is the best movie ever made, but how could you watch "Elf" and then say, "nah, I didn't like that" or even "ehh, that was ok?"

Will Ferrell as Buddy the (human) elf running around a wintery white NYC in bright yellow tights, what's better than that? And, a great supporting cast with James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, and so on.

I don't know Rotten Tomatoes, I think you missed the mark on this one. Viewers and critics should be resurveyed.

Miracle on 34th Street

November 24.

There's no way you can grow up with a TV and not have seen at least parts of "Miracle on 34th Street." And that's all I saw until now. Even though I'd never seen the iconic movie from start to finish I knew what happened and think I saw at least a part of each scene.

Miracle is super cheesy, maybe the cheesiest of all the Christmas movies, although there are some ridiculous things happening on the Hallmark channel. So even though the point of the movie is figuring out if this old man is just crazy or indeed Santa Claus it's still good and a great way to kick off the Christmas season, which I guess is why it's always on TV starting on Thanksgiving.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

November 22.

I've heard people say that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1"is kind of a waste. It doesn't really have a story or stand alone as a movie. I guess I see where these people are coming from, but I still really liked it.

It's beautiful, exciting, and fun. I wasn't bored, didn't think it went on too long, and wasn't ready for it to end. Watching Harry and his friends on the run was spooky and more adult than any of the other movies, which I guess it had to be since they are older, have left Hogwarts, and are running from an army of evil. All of this made it sad too. It's like the long goodbye. They are tying up loose ends, moving towards final declarations, and preparing for it to be over. I know it has to end, no one wants to see a geriatric Harry Potter, but it's still sad.

So maybe this movie is just a set up for Part 2 but it's still a must see for any Harry Potter fan.

The Trouble with Angels

November 21.

Rosalind Russell in full habit, a bunch of nuns (one with what appears to be a rifle), and a smart ass Hayley Mills ... this doesn't seem like a movie I'd be really interested in. But, my mom, the product of an all girl's Catholic school education, has been asking me to watch "The Trouble with Angels" for almost a year. So one Sunday I finally gave in and we watched.

She remembers the silly movie fondly from when she saw it in her plaid skirt and black and white saddle shoes. It must have seemed exotic to a go off to an old school and cause trouble with friends. And although I've never been to Catholic school and am about 20 years older than she was when she first saw the movie I can see its charm. Even if it is a bit flawed as movies go.

Hayley Mills, Mary, and her best friend Rachel cause, well, trouble for the sisters every chance they get. They lie, smoke, sneak out, start what appears to be a fire, and so on. The movie is cute and harmless but it goes on a little too long and the story doesn't get going until too late. And, the end comes out of nowhere.

But with all that said, young girls would probably still find fun and charm in the campy flick.

Fair Game

November 20.

"Fair Game" is about Valerie Plame (the undercover CIA Agent who got outed by people working for then-Vice President Dick Cheney). Even the poster shows Naomi Watts, as Plame, upfront. And in the background is Sean Penn, who plays her husband Joe Wilson. But Penn steals the movie. He steals every movie, doesn't he? He might be the best actor working today.

This movie is great. International intrigue. Government cover ups. Great acting. Amazing script. And it's all true. Well, you know... It's based on actual events, who knows how much is actually true.

Sometimes stories like this get completely confusing. But this wasn't at all. Maybe because it was in the papers and I knew most of the story already or maybe it was just done well. Either way it works.

Side note: the actors they got to play Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, and the rest of the Bush crew were spot on.

Due Date

November 20.

I soooo wanted this to be good. A buddy comedy with RDJ, Zach Galifianakis, and that cute dog. It should be funny right? It's not. Not enough at least.

The odd couple works but the story gets too serious and the mishaps are too out there. The two strangers get thrown off a plane together and are forced to travel together in a rental car from Atlanta to LA. RDJ is in a rush because his wife is about to give birth (that's where the due date comes in). Along the way they (mostly RDJ) are shot, drink the ashes of ZA's dead father, are in a way too serious car accident, and get detained at the Mexican border.

I usually hate movies that are made up of a bunch of misunderstandings, when each one is more ridiculous then the next. And, this is a perfect example of all of that. It's a big mess and annoying to watch.

It's too bad but this story was better the first time when it was called "Planes Trains and Automobiles." Hollywood needs to stop remaking the classics.

Prete-Moi Ta Main

November 13.

Well it happened. I finally found a French, romantic comedy I do not like. "Prete-Moi Ta Main" wasn't as bad as so many Hollywood rom-coms, but it wasn't the cute Frenchie-type that I love.

The English title, "I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single," is a mouthful! But the story is, well almost, simple. The main guy has a gaggle of overbearing sisters and an even overbearing mother who just want him to get married. So he comes up with the worst plan ever - hire a woman to pretend to be your finance, she stands him up at the altar, he is heartbroken, no one bothers him about marriage again.

Of course the plan goes wrong and he falls in love with the woman who's pretending to be his future wife. So the eternal bachelor has met his match, and so and and so on.

Red

October 24.

I don't know why old action stars are all coming back to make action movies, and still doing stunts, but "RED" wasn't bad. The cast is great and Bruce Willis is still hot.

The story is pretty simple, retired spies are being targeted by an unknown enemy and are excited to get back in the action because of how boring normal life is. And Willis picks up a love interest, Mary Louise Parker, along the way. I usually hate Parker but she wasn't bad either. I always relate to characters who wish they were doing more exciting things with their lives.

And her life turns pretty exciting once she meets Willis! Running around dodging bullets with a geriatric crowd. Exciting! John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman are all great as always, and even though they probably do more than most seniors could the movie doesn't have them jumping cars or anything crazy.

Hereafter

October 24.

Religion isn't my thing and psychics, ummm, no. So watching a bunch of people try to figure out what happens after you die seems like a big waste of time, but I agreed to see "Hereafter" anyway. I don't know why. It was set in London, San Francisco, and Paris, three amazing places, but still ...

I liked it more than I thought, even though I don't agree with the message, that there is an afterlife. I think the three stories were all interesting and kept my attention, although others in the theater didn't agree. Two old, annoying women in front of us wouldn't shut up. They hated it and made sure we all knew!

When people hate a movie why don't they just leave? I don't think I've ever walked out of a movie but I also don't say "I hate this" every five minutes. Some movies suck, some are hard to sit through but still, shut up!

The Red Shoes

October 23.

Roger Ebert tweeted that "The Red Shoes" was going to be on Turner Classic Movies and everyone must see it. So, if I must, I must. I DVRed it and every few days would look at the two-and-a-half-hour run time and think ... tomorrow. Finally tomorrow came and I realized it wasn't really two and a half hours, there were bumpers by Robert Osborne that ate up at least a half hour. Plus, as soon as it started I was hooked.

Set mostly on the stage and mostly in London it is perfect. A young composer and a young ballerina, both looking for stardom, work their way up to the top in a famous, driven ballet producer's company.

When they perform "The Red Shoes" for the first time I was thinking how the special effects, although dated now, must have been amazing in 1948. The red ballet slippers appear on the ballerinas feet instantly, I know! amazing.

Although the dancing is beautiful it's not really until the two young stars fall in love and the producer tries to put an end to it that the movie gets great. But it does get great. Thanks Roger.

Jackass 3D

October 23.

"Danger, shit, and puke. And sex appeal. That's what it's all about."

Obviously most people think the ridiculous antics of the Jackass crew are funny. The third and 3D version was #1 at the box office. And, I agree. It's funny. But walking away I'm not really thinking of the funny stunts - roller skating with buffalo, midget bar fight, and whatever they were doing with the back of that airplane - I'm thinking how disgusting this movie was. There was so much shitting, pissing, and puking it's all I can remember.

Although the 3D was an interesting element, the slow motion (which I don't remember if they used in previous movies) was what really made some stunts even funnier and even more disgusting.

I recommend "Jackass 3D," but skip the popcorn.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

October 23.

This is the way a movie about teens should be. It's smart and funny and takes a real look at how scary it is to have everything ahead of you. Your whole life, all your decision, and the potential to screw it all up. Although I'm old enough now to know that's a great place to be at the time it can seem overwhelming.

Zach Galifinakis is funny, he always is, but he's never as good playing a part as when he's just being himself. He felt a little reined in and I could have done with more of him. But this story is really about Craig. A 16-year-old who's having a hard time with school, friends, girls, parents, life. So, he checks himself into the mental ward of a local hospital.

Movies set in mental hospitals always get a lot of their charm from the supporting cast, and "It's Kind of a Funny Story" is no exception. The patients are great and full of familiar faces. (Eh hem, Daniel Faraday from "Lost.") And, being set in a mental hospital there were some similarities to the place I spend my days. Especially the lunchroom. The gray food in their cafeteria looked a lot like what you find at Ciao, the team member dining room at The Venetian. We don't stand in line for our meds, but that doesn't mean that post people aren't on them.

Nowhere Boy

October 16.

I finally took a break from France and jumped to the gritty, working-class neighborhood of Liverpool, England, circa 1955. A 15-year-old John Lennon (played by Aaron Johnson) was sort of a dork, definitely a trouble maker, and didn't seem to have much of a future, ahem ... "Nowhere Boy" was born.

The whole movie plays out over two years as John, living with his strict Aunt Mimi and secretly visiting his mother, Julia, who abandoned him when he was 6, figures out who he is and falls in love with Elvis and rock 'n' roll.

Although the end sort of turns into a melodramatic, Lifetime movie experience, I cut it a little slack because his life was melodramatic but still interesting. Plus, there was enough music peppered throughout to make me think at any moment I was going to see The Quarrymen transform into The Beatles. The movie ends when John is leaving for Hamburg, so...OK, I didn't actually get to see The Beatles. But, I did see a 15-year-old Paul and a pop-in from a teenage George.

There was definitely enough going on in this story to warrant it's own movie, but I think someone needs to pick up where it leaves off and share the next chapter. If you see it, make sure you stay through the credits for real photos of the boys during the 50s!

French Kiss

October 15.

Keeping with my Francophile trend, but too tired to read subtitles, I turned to the tried-and-true rom-com "French Kiss."

The main characters are played by Americans, but everyone else is French and about 98% of the movie takes place in France. Kevin Kline, who's always awesome, is great as the grungy, thieving French man, Luc (Luuuuucccc). And, Meg Ryan, as the soon-to-be-Canadian-ex-American, Kate, was still in her cute, girl next door phase.

I love this movie. It's funny and sweet. Beautiful shots of Paris, the French countryside, the coast, lots of wine, cheese, and, of course, kissing. Magnifique.

After I watched it I noticed I could turn the language to French. I might have to do that once I get further into learning the language.

Amelie

October 11.

Lately I've been a little obsessed with all things French, so to continue with my infatuation I put on one of my favorite French movies, "Amelie." I was just going to watch for a few minutes before I went to sleep but once I started I couldn't turn it off.

"Amelie" is set in a dream-like Paris. It's a fantasy and a painting all in one. And, Audrey Tautou is adorable as the title character with her cute bob, wide eyes, and innocent smile. It's weird to think this movie is really about a group of depressed, lonely people. I don't feel sad as I watch their sadness.

The subtitles go a bit too fast but it doesn't matter. Watching Amelie do good things for everyone around her is sweet. My favorite story is, of course, the traveling gnome. I really hope this was the first traveling gnome and it didn't start in a commercial, but either way ... nothing beats the traveling gnome! I love seeing the photos her dad gets in the mail with his head popping up in front of famous landmarks around the world.

I kinda feel like I want to watch it again right now. Maybe I'll turn the subtitles off and see if I can understand anything they are saying. I am learning French, but I'm on La Femme, L'homme, so this might be jumping the gun a bit.

Secretariat

October 10.

Stories about horse racing are always interesting to me. Probably because I have a lot of childhood memories at racetracks. Growing up about 5 minutes from Belmont Racetrack with a father who loved the ponies made it so the first time I heard the word fuck was at a racetrack and the first time I gambled was $2 to win on a horse I probably picked because it had the name princess in it or maybe Lauren. My strategy was solid. Cute names, lucky numbers, and pretty colors. I don't have any memories of winning, but I always thought it was fun.

So, when my dad heard Disney was making "Secretariat" he said we had to go even if he didn't have high hopes for how they'd handle the story. After he read a review in The Racing Form, no seriously there was a review of the movie in The Racing Form, he said he was going to hate it but we had to see it anyway.

Neither one of us hated it. I felt it was a little long, Secretariat had only won the first of three Triple Crown races when I started checking the time, but it was a good story and Diane Lane was great as the housewife/horse owner who saves the family stables. Most of the movie my dad whispered – "that's not true" "that's not how it really happened" – but even he liked it, mostly. Maybe they took some creative license, but the essence of the story is there. You root for Big Red (Secretariat) and he wins and you're happy when you leave.

The Madness of King George

October 9.

I couldn't even finish watching "The Madness of King George." I love movies about the British Royals, but this had everything I hate. King George goes crazy, obviously, and they put him in an insane asylum and torture him, which I guess was what they did to crazy people back in the day. But I don't need to see it.

There's nothing fun, sexy, or really even intriguing about this story. George's son wants him gone so he can rule, but the king is crazy so it's not really like he's going behind his back and making secret deals.

It was just sad and I didn't finish it. All this movie did was make me miss The Tudors.

La Doublure (The Valet)

October 2.

I love these silly French comedies. The funny farces seem like a throwback to 1960s romantic comedies. Nothing too serious, just good characters playing out romantic scenes in beautiful locations.

"La Doublure" or "The Valet" is the story of a wealthy married man, his supermodel girlfriend and the unlucky-in-love valet driver, Francois Pignon, who was at the wrong (or right) place at the wrong (or right) time.

A paparazzo snaps a picture of Elena (who looks so much like Heidi Klum I keep thinking it's her) standing next to her boyfriend, Levasseur and it gets printed in a newspaper. When Levasseur's wife sees it he tells her he was just passing by and sets out to find Francois who really was just passing by but is in the picture as well. Elena and Francois live together to make people think they are really dating and they even start to fool Levasseur, who set the whole thing up.

I have to find more movies like this!

Bride and Prejudice

October 2.

I haven't seen many Bollywood-style movies but I love the music, the dancing, and the gorgeous costumes. So, add all that to the Jane Austen classic and how can it go wrong?

"Bride and Prejudice" follows the story of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy almost exactly, some lines are even the same. The difference is it's set in current day India and there's a lot of singing!

I don't love it as much as the Keira Knightley adaptation or the Colin Firth miniseries, but it's still a lot of fun and an interesting take on the story.

The Social Network

October 2.

Even after "The Social Network" ended I didn't know if I liked or hated Mark Zuckerberg (the creator of Facebook played by Jesse Eisenberg), but I loved the movie either way.

David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin should never stop working together. The story of how Facebook was created by a Harvard undergrad and his friends could be told in a magazine article or story on the news, but it was was turned into an engrossing, funny, interesting movie that I think anyone would like.

The cast of young, mostly unknown, actors is amazing. And, I know people talk about Justin Timberlake being able to do whatever he wants, but I think he really can. He was great as the creator of Napster.

I don't know how accurate the story is or who I side with, but hey they're all rich, so who cares.

Bella

October 1.

The moment Jose (Eduardo Verastegui) appeared on screen I knew what the title "Bella" was referring to. Well, OK, maybe that's not what it means, but wow, the Mexican actor is gorgeous.

"Bella" is gorgeous, too. The story, which primarily takes place during one day in New York, unfolds in such an interesting way it's hard not to fall in love with all the characters and their imperfections.

Although the movie is billed as a romantic story between Jose, a cook at a Mexican restaurant, and Nina, a pregnant waitress, it's not romantic in a traditional way. It's more about love and family and the path life takes you on.

This is what an indie movie should be. Bella.

Easy A

October 1.

Ehh. That's what I think of "Easy A." It wasn't awful, there were funny moments, but I didn't exactly like it either.

Emma Stone plays Olive, the invisible girl at school until someone overhears her lying about having sex. The rumors spread and the other kids start paying attention to her. Got it. OK. She comes across as one of those above it kind of teens, but she perpetuates the lies by pretending to sleep with just about everyone at the school.

There was something really false about the characters and their motivations. And, the last quarter of the movie moves really fast - which is just a poor way to tie up loose ends. I hate that. Don't introduce so many characters or try to cram in so much if there isn't enough time to tell the stories.

About halfway through "Easy A," Olive makes mention of the best John Hughes movies every made and there is a montage of clips from these classics. This was a mistake. When you mention the best teenage movies during an average (at best) teen dramedy, it just points out all its flaws and forces the viewer to compare. Maybe the writers really thought this was as good.

I did like some of the adult characters. Olive's parents, played by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, create the family every kid should want. And her favorite teacher, played by Thomas Hayden Church, is the kind of teacher all parents should want for their kids.

In the Loop

September 26.

"In the Loop" is a quirky political comedy about the people behind the scenes during the time just before the U.S. and the U.K. entered the Iraq war in 2003.

Now, that's not really a funny topic, but the writing is smart and the story sheds light on some of the ridiculousness of the political machine.

My favorite character is Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), the British Secretary of State for International Development, who accidentally backs military action during an interview. Even though Simon has a big title and gets called up to be 'room meat' in some important meetings across the pond, he still has to deal with his constituents and their problems in small-town England.

I also love the grown-up Anna Chlumsky of "My Girl" fame. She's great in the movie and I hope she keeps acting.

Hors de Prix (Priceless)

September 25.

J'aime "Hors de Prix" at les films Francais. J'aime aussi Audrey Tautou.

Cette série adorable de film dans Monte Carlo me rappelle d'un autre film préféré qui joue le rôle principal un autre Audrey préféré, "Déjeuner à Tiffany's."

Tautou joue Irene, une femme qui date des hommes avec l'argent comme un mode de vie jusqu'à ce qu'elle va accidentellement après un barman, Jean (Gad Elmaleh), parce qu'elle confondt avec lui un client de l'hôtel. Jean tombe dans l'amour et se maintenir il se trouve une femme avec l'argent, qui fait Irene un peu jaloux.

Ce film est juste amusant avec un beau toile de fond.

**********English Subtitles**********

I love "Priceless" and French films. I also love Audrey Tautou.

This adorable movie set in Monte Carlo reminds me of another favorite movie starring another favorite Audrey, "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Tautou plays Irene, a woman who dates men with money as a way of life until she accidentally goes after a bartender, Jean (Gad Elmaleh), because she mistakes him for a hotel guest. Jean falls in love and to keep up he finds himself a woman with money, which makes Irene a little jealous.

This movie is just fun with a beautiful backdrop.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

September 25.

Most of the business talk in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" went right over my head. Even though the movie fictionalized actual current events, I still couldn't follow. But the general story wasn't hard to get into. It was just hard to get out of.

I recently saw the original "Wall Street" in preparation but I don't think it would have mattered if I hadn't seen it. They make a few comments about things that happened back then, and Shia LaBeouf wears a few 80s-inspired ties, but other than that this is a pretty current movie. Still, the movie has two big flaws.

#1. It is (painfully) an hour too long.

#2. Jake Moore (LaBeouf) is a young, ambitious Wall Street broker who is designed to remind you of what Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) was like at 25. The problem: Jake is engaged to Gordon's daughter, Winnie Gekko (Carey Mulligan), and she hates her father and everything he stands for. So I never buy into her love for Moore. She just wouldn't be with him. Plus, there's that extra dragging 60 minutes of blah that makes me givw up trying to find the reason she's with him.

Moonstruck

September 19.

It's funny watching "Moonstruck" so many years after it was released. The idea that a 37-year-old woman is a desperate spinster who is waaay too old to have children doesn't seem to make sense since Carrie Bradshaw took over New York City.

But, this crazy Italian family played by Cher, Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, and on and on ... is still so much fun to watch. They are over the top and almost cartoonish. And I don't care that the whole movie is wrapped up in a neat little package at the end. It's still great.

Le Diner de Cons (The Dinner Game)

September 18.

I was surprised how much "Le Diner de Cons" was like the American version, "Dinner for Schmucks" but how much more I liked it.

A few characters were different and they never made it to the dinner in the original, French version, but the story is the same. Pierre Brochant invites Francois Pignon (who makes models of engineering feats out of matchsticks) to a dinner party for idiots. The biggest idiot wins.

Pierre throws his back out before leaving the house, his wife walks out on him, and Francois is there to help. Although he means well, you feel for Pierre because Francois just keeps making everything worse.

The French film works better because it doesn't try to apologize for what it is. The people who invite idiots to dinner to make fun of them are mean. Pierre's wife tells him he's mean and he says, "OK, but it's fun." And, the story doesn't have a need (as American movies seem to) to be wrapped and happy by the end. There's no way Pierre and Francois are ever going to be buddies. Maybe that's why the Steve Carell/Paul Rudd version didn't work. It just wasn't believable.

The Town

September 18.

Who knew Ben Affleck would be such a good director and even a really good actor? He does both brilliantly in "The Town."

The action-packed first scene drew me in and I stayed there the whole time. The story about a gritty bunch friends robbing banks in Charlestown, a neighborhood in Boston, reminded me a lot of a Martin Scorsese film. Affleck uses a mix of great actors and real Boston people to let the viewer into the lives of these people who have never even imagined living any other way.

The story starts with a bank robbery gone awry and a hostage being taken. To make sure she's no threat Doug (Affleck) follows the hostage and starts a relationship with her. I will always get caught up in rooting for relationships like this but she has to find out that he was her kidnapper, doesn't she?

Although that is the main story there are a lot of side stories based on the relationships of the makeshift family and an additional side story involving Jon Hamm as the FBI agent out to find the group of robbers.

I'm sure this is just the beginning of Affleck's movies and I wonder if he'll ever make one set outside of Boston, but either way, I can't wait to see more.

Going the Distance

September 5.

"Going the Distance" is an OK romantic comedy. It's a lot funnier than most chick flicks but the story is a little weak.

Drew Barrymore plays a :::cough::: 31-year-old :::cough::: intern at a New York newspaper, who actually lives in San Francisco where she is finishing her master's degree. A few weeks before she's headed back home she meets Justin Long and they fall in love. Awe.

For most of the movie the two are in different cities trying to work out if they will ever really be together. It doesn't really matter. The jokes are good though. Long and Barrymore are cute and funny. And, the supporting cast of their friends and family, including Christina Applegate, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, and Jim Gaffigan, is great.

La Reine Margot (Queen Margot)

September 4.

I love movies about the Royals. Usually the British Royals, but Margot, the spoiled, slutty, sister of the King of France, who ruled while Queen Elizabeth 1 was ruling in England, has an incredibly interesting family worthy of many more movies.

"La Reine Margot" is an adaptation of the novel by Alexandre Dumas. It starts on Catholic Margot's wedding night to the Protestant King of Navarre, Henri. The wedding is a political ploy to unite France, which is split because of ... religion.

The movie isn't great. It's seems like a made-for-tv movie, low budget and too much going on for the length, but I loved the story and the characters as Dumas presented them. I hope someone will make a better quality version of this story. Maybe even a four season Showtime series.

The American

September 4.

I think I liked "The American." It wasn't what I thought, but, I didn't hate it.

It started with George Clooney and a gun fight, so I thought it was going to be an action-packed movie. Even the poster <--- shows Clooney on the run. But, it is not an action movie.

There's a lot of quiet waiting and even the gunfight scenes are quick and clean. Clooney hides out, waiting for his next assignment, in a small Italian village where he befriends a priest and a prostitute.

There's something very cool about the movie, but also something missing. Some sort of ... energy, I guess. I don't think Clooney smiles once. There's no levity.

Happy-Go-Lucky

August 29.

For the first half hour or so of "Happy-Go-Lucky" the main character Poppy's giggly silliness annoyed me. Then it grew on me. And then the movie seemed to go into a never ending series of nothing.

The description says it's about an eternal optimist who is happy about everything until her bike is stolen and then she has to take driving lessons from an instructor who is her exact opposite.

Well, all that is true. She is the happiest person ever. She has a bike. It gets stolen. She takes driving lessons from an asshole. But so much more happens. Dating, pregnant sisters, conversations with homeless men, Flamenco lessons, sex, drinking, a student (she's a teacher) who's being abused by his mother's boyfriend, and on and on and on. But nothing ever really happens.

It isn't bad exactly. But it isn't good. The acting is good. The characters are great. I really did love Poppy by the end. But, the story needs some editing and some direction. Maybe it would make a better television series.

The Kids Are All Right

August 29.

"This Kids Are All Right" is as good as the critics say it is. (95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.)

The movie's cast was excellent, with Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as a married, lesbian couple raising two teenagers and Mark Ruffalo as their sperm donor. Every character is likable at times and irritating at others. I didn't always understand their motivation or agree with their choices but that's the way we all feel about one another, isn't it? These characters are all flawed and come across as real, genuine people muddling through a unique situation.

When the older of the two kids, played by Mia Wasikowska, turns 18 she gets in touch with her mothers' sperm donor and, along with her brother played by Josh Hutcherson, the family begins to get to know him.

It seems complicated and difficult but I was rooting for this family to figure it out and make it work the whole time.