Sunday, April 11, 2010

Armchair Critic....some movies

I've been looking at some movies here recently and have read two books so I will give you my opinions.

New Moon....second of the Twilight series. I'm not a fan. I got the first movie out of curiosity because I did not read any of the books. I didn't care for the first movie that much, finding too many mistakes in it (which is a past-time of mine....looking for errors that the directors should find. ) Anyway I got the first movie and it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. My granddaughter, however, loved it. So I got the second movie for her more than anything. It was even worse than the first one. Actually, this one made the first one seem excellent by comparison. They leave you totally hanging at the end....making it a movie with no ending. A shameless promotion to keep buying their movies to find out what's next. It's reminiscent of a TV soap opera. My advice is not to waste your money. However, they are so popular.....I can't understand exactly why....but their popularity seems to hold.

Then I watched The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock. I hesitated with this one because I thought it was all about football and it really wasn't. I guess it was about the capacity to love more than anything. Based on an honest to God true story with actual pictures of the people involved at the ending, its a movie well worth your time. It was excellent and I can understand why Sandra Bullock won the award for this one. You won't be sorry you watched it and will want to see it again.

Next up is The Princess and the Frog. OMG.....what a delightful movie! Its just as much for adults as it is for kids. Lots of music and feel-good scenarios. The plot line is a good one too. There is one small sad part that very young kids may tear up over so use your own judgment over whether it may be too sad for your child. Its the death of a firefly, one that plays a pretty prominent part in the movie but they even turn that into a feel-good occurrence. This is another great movie.....another Disney one, of course.

Then there is Sherlock Holmes. You know Robert Downey Jr. is an excellent actor and you either love him or hate him in movies. The original Sherlock was always quite droll but never really got himself involved in anything strenuous or any kind of fighting other than using his wit and intelligence. Sherlock has been reinvented. I like this new Sherlock.....a lot. He's not only super intelligent but he can hold his own in a fight too. There are bits of humor here and there that make his character and Jude Law's Dr. Watson most likable. The movie was very good and I really liked the fact that everything was explained.....how the crime was committed or how the escape was managed...etc. I think they are on to something here and I hope that many more Sherlock movies grace our screens. I don't think you'll be sorry for watching this one at all.

The last movie is an old one. I don't know how I missed this one. I had read the book but somehow managed to miss the movie. It, too, stars Sandra Bullock, along with Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Ashley Judd and Kevin Spacey. A Time To Kill. This is a powerful movie that revolves around the attempt murder and rape of a 10 yr old black girl in the deep south, Mississippi. It causes all sorts of problems as the perpetrators are two white men who are caught and must face justice for their crime. This movie is not for the younger set, obviously. It will leave you changed...... I know it will affect people differently, depending on your background and where you are from. It has a message to deliver. A powerful one. It made me cry and I'm not sorry I watched it.

The books I read are Breathless by Dean Koontz and A Dog's Life, An Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin. Breathless was just ok as far as I'm concerned. Koontz has certainly written much better books but this one was light reading and ended upbeat while basically setting itself up for more stories to come based along these same lines and/or the same characters. A Dog's Life was good. It was easy and fast reading, meant basically for the younger set (10 and up) , I'm sure. It intrigued me because it was the story of a dog's life told from her point of view, she was the narrator of the story. Anyone who is an animal lover will love this book. You can finish it in a day.

Well, that's it. Hope I was able to help you out if you were wondering about certain movies or these two books. I have pre-ordered Avatar so I will be watching that when its released. I hope its as good as I've heard that it is. Have a great up-coming week everyone. And....of course.....remember to ......Keep Smilin'!!

19 comments:

Real Live Lesbian said...

You've just put Sherlock Holmes on my list. I hadn't even heard about it!

Thanks for the reviews! Looks like a lot of good ones out there now!

Coffeypot said...

We saw How Train Your Dragon last night and really liked it. I recommend it.

gayle said...

Wasn't sure about Sherlock Holmes but now I am. Thanks!

ain't for city gals said...

I love reading what other people think of movies and books...I too liked The Blind Side. I really liked Up In The Air...I thought really good with a nice twist at the end. Still trying to see Crazy Hearts...hope it is as good as they say...Did you see Seven Pounds...much, much better than I thought it was going to be...

JY69 said...

I saw the "A time to Kill" movie with Sandra Bullock, but haven't seen the new one that she was nominated for. I do like her as well as her movies though!

Rae said...

Thanks for the review. I never trust the 'real' reviewers. I think their reviews are biased and I never agree. I didn't think I would like Sherlock Holmes but based on what you wrote I think it is worth a look. I agree with your other reviews. I bought the Blindside movie. It is one I will watch several times. I thought it was that good.

Holly said...

I just watched Blind Side last night. LOVED it. Heart warming and life affirming. If the real Leigh Ann is anything like the character S.B. played she is a force to be reckoned with.

I have wanted to see the Holmes movie but have not yet, maybe tonight.

I am reading the Twilight series right now, but honestly, though they aren't badly written I just can't wrap my mind around glittering vampires and why anyone would set themselves up for failure over and over and over again like Bella does. Seems stupid. I rented the DVD for the first movie and the acting was so stilted, the plot so poor and the ending so stupid I don't think I'll watch the second one.

SOUL said...

just hello :))

Respectfully Yours said...

Thanks for the reviews. I love the Blind Side too. Was wavering on whether or not to watch Sherlock Holmes. Happy week to you.

Linda Medrano said...

I liked the first Twilight okay. In fact, I thought it was pretty good. The 2nd one bored me to tears and I couldn't even finish it. Haven't seen Blind Side yet but want to. Loved Sherlock Holmes.

Koonz wrote a book a long time ago that scared the holy hell out of me about a clairvoyant woman. Can't recall the title.

Jon Katz (funny I know) writes a lot about dogs. He's great! Funny and really knows his pups. I think his "A Dog Year" was one of the best things I've ever read.

happyone said...

I haven't watched any of the Twilight movies and don't want to but I read all the books and loved them.
I'd like to see The Princess and the Frog and will put in on my list. :-)
I read Breathless and liked it. I agree though that it isn't his best book.
I LOVED Avatar but I saw it at the movies with 3D HD and I think that may have helped why I liked it so much!

Mikey said...

I love your reviews. Always honest and real. I definitely want to see Sherlock, and the Blind Side I was on the fence on. Now I think I'll see it.
A Time to Kill was a great movie and a good book too. Really powerful stuff.
Princess and Frog, we'll definitely put that on the list too. Mercy will love it.
Thanks!

ethelmaepotter! said...

Oh, I completely agree with all your movie reviews, especially Twilight.

I was loaned all the books and the first movie by a huge fan and promised her I'd read them all..what a bore! And a horrid message, I thought - basically selling your soul to the devil for true love. I don't understand the appeal of this series to mothers of teen daughters. And as bad as I thought the books were, the movies were far worse!

Stopping by to say thanks for visiting my blog!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I'm always the last person to see a movie, but Sherlock Holmes and Blind Side are both on my "must watch" list; thanks for your recommendations.

Stacy said...

We don't go to see a lot of movies at the theater, but we did make a point of seeing Sherlock Holmes. I'm with you, RDJ made major improvements on the character. But then I've always been a fan of his.

Anonymous said...

Hi Val.. thanks for the lovely comment today at my place.

I love hearing other people's take on a movie and getting their perspective. Sherlock Holmes was a 'miss' in our house but Blindside we loved.

I too wondered what all the hoopla was about the Twilight series and after watching the 1st one was hooked. The second one got a bit weird and I loved the fact that they left it with an open ending of anticipation of the next one in the series.

I haven't seen the froggy movie yet, but you have moved me to go check out a preview of it...

Enjoy your day!
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

SOUL said...

don't you worry your spidey little head there C-- ok. everything will be ok here in soul-land. doin the best we can, and not plannin nuthin stupid.
big hugz and coffee too-
happy t-day

Maria said...

I loved Sherlock Holmes, liked The Blind Side and thought New Moon was just beyond awful.

Mama Llama said...

I've been wanting to see The Princess and the Frog--the New Orleans that still is in me would like that! I am a big RD Jr. fan, so Sherlock is on the 'eventually' list. Great to have some feedback!

Happy Friday--tomorrow!--to you!

Be well, Val