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.