Jeremy and I have been watching a lot of movies lately. It’s that time of year where it’s too cold to go outside at night for walks around the neighborhood or for gardening in the backyard. Also, the sun goes down around 5:30pm, turning our living room into a cozy haven of warmth and light which we don’t enjoy leaving for more than a few minutes to run to Blockbuster (and maybe to get some ice cream). Jeremy’s into a good book right now, but I’m not, plus movies are something fun we can enjoy together. Unlike someone else I know, I am most definitely not a movie reviewer… But here’s what I think about what we’ve seen recently:
Super Size Me
Did you know most fast-food hamburger patties are composed of the meat of thousands of cattle? This tidbit comes from a special feature on Super Size Me where Morgan Spurlock (director, writer and experiment-conductor) sits down with Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, and just so you know, I find this piece of information very gross. I will credit this documentary with helping to knock me off my fast food habit, the one where I absolutely crave McDonalds and can’t be satisfied with any other hamburger. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this restaurant… I have fond memories of dining in Ronald McDonald land as a kid, sitting on a fake stump under a fake tree, eating the hamburger patty solo when I didn’t like the buns. Oddly enough, its greasy food has always been desirable to me even when all other foods caused nausea; I ate a cheeseburger All-American meal on my wedding day when my tummy was rocking crazily with anxiety. But, supposedly, all good things come to an end, so I thank Mr. Spurlock for pushing me over the edge. And when I begin to crave the golden arches again? Then I’ll read Mr. Schlosser’s work.
The Terminal
This movie got knocked by several critics and called slow and unimpressive by others, so we skipped watching it until now. But really, I thought it was great. Tom Hanks was fun to watch and the plot was interesting enough to keep me engaged. My favorite moment during the film? When Jeremy says, “Hey, that looks like that one actress!” Me: “Catherine Zeta-Jones?” Jeremy: “Yeah.” Me: “It is Catherine Zeta-Jones.” Jeremy: “Oh.” I think her bangs threw him off.
The Last Castle
Brook keeps adding to her DVD collection and every so often we enjoy a free movie, so this is one of her recommendations. I can’t say I would purchase it (though I’m glad YOU did, Brook!) but it was enjoyable to watch. For the past few years I’ve been really interested in the military, so the notion of a military prison, and a three star general who was sent there, intrigued me. Robert Redford and James Gandolfini were okay in their roles. I really like Mark Ruffalo, though, and imagine I’d watch him in just about anything.
Cheaper by the Dozen
No, I haven’t seen the original movie, and no, I’ve never read the book. I went into this flick (a recent Blockbuster purchase) with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. It made me laugh. It made me think with fondness about family. It made me appreciate Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt for their comedic abilities. It was fun! This is the kind of movie a diverse audience can watch, which make it a decent addition to our DVD library.
Pieces of April
This film has been added to my Top Ten favorite movies. I’m not sure what the other nine are but give me some time and I could name a few. I love this movie. I love the pacing. I love the storyline. I love the yellowed camera shots and the sometimes crooked camera angles. I especially love the acting. Patricia Clarkson and Oliver Platt give standout performances and Katie Holmes partially redeems herself for all those years of Dawson’s Creek. If you want to know what kind of movie I like, well… this is it. Good stuff.
5 Comments
bethany Nov 28, 2004 11:59 PM
RT – Good stuff. I always enjoy reading your reviews. I saw The Terminal this weekend as well…my reaction was more of a “…meh.” But I am with you on Pieces of April, which is the only other movie on your list I’ve seen (sad!), and which I also love. What an appropriate movie to watch over Thanksgiving time. :)
Renae Nov 29, 2004 10:05 AM
Okay, RT, I totally agree with you about Pieces of April–it’s one of my faves as well. But are you kidding me about The Terminal? Ay-yi-yi that was a bad movie. At one point I told Brook that my theory was that you and Jeremy hated it and didn’t want to be the only suckers that sat through it so you pawned it off on us to share the pain. Guess not, though. :)
Anne Nov 29, 2004 12:45 PM
PLEASE read Cheaper by the Dozen. It is one of the greatest books ever, and fills me with more familial joy than the Steve Martin movie ever could. (I, too, was pleasantly surprised by the movie, but it just can’t measure up to the original book… “I am not in the mood for an organ recital!”)
lindsay Nov 29, 2004 3:06 PM
yes, rebecca, you would love the book. i laughed, i cried… also, the original movie adaptation is worth a rental, if memory serves me. i haven’t seen it for a few years, but it was definitely more true to the book.
also, i actually enjoyed “the terminal,” though perhaps because i had low expectations. it had its moments–good and bad–i suppose, but, ultimately, i thought it was worthwhile. hanks, especially, did an excellent job with his character. and perhaps, most of all, i enjoyed the ending: if you can’t get the girl, you should at least get the autograph.
Sarah B. Dec 3, 2004 1:17 PM
Hey Rebecca…while reading your thoughts on Super Size Me, your description of eating McDonald’s on your wedding day suddenly jogged my memory. I had totally forgotten about that moment: taking you through the drive-thru because you were so nervous, you though you might vomit (we’ve all been there). And then, if I remember correctly, I almost killed you a few minutes later on the way to the church by running a red light (by accident, of course)!
Fun remembering those obscure, but oh so important memories!