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.