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The Proposal

The Proposal

Opened June 19, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 47 min.
PG-13: sexual content, nudity and language

This movie is freaking FUNNY. Light on the romance and HEAVY on the comedy. Sandra Bullock is not afraid to make a complete fool out of herself and I tell you, those are probably the BEST scenes in the movie - where she's (literally in one) just letting it all hang out. She is awesome and my comedic hero! I would say this is her best movie, ever! Go Sandra!!!

I've been a fan of Ryan Reynolds since his Two Guys A Girl And A Pizza Place days. Cute, funny, sarcastic and a 6 pack - I think he may in fact be the perfect man... right along side Brendan Fraser, of course! He was perfectly cast and his comedic timing is impeccable. The chemistry between him and Sandra is spot on and totally believable. This was definitely a match made in movie heaven!

And welcome home Betty White!! Right back on the silver screen exactly where you belong. Everyone wishes they had a fiesty, witty, sweet and clever Gammy like you! The best part - she's a SMART grandma, not an elderly cliche, the butt of family jokes. Not some dottering old lady who has lost her marbles. She was an utter delight and I've missed seeing her so much. She is brilliant. Thank you, Betty, for reminding us that our eldest members are someone to be respected and not ridiculed. You're a great sport and a wonderful actress!!

Don't let the rom-com throw off the guys, this is a great date movie. One of my 16 year old son's friends went to see it and he said it was super funny and is now trying to get the rest of the guys to go see it. Now if THAT isn't a great recommendation, I don't know what is!

My overall review: probably the best comedy of the summer!

Imagine THAT

Imagine That

Opened June 12, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 47 min.
PG: some mild language and brief questionable behavior

Oh Eddie Murphy, welcome back!! I was prepared for this to be, well, horrible. Ed, you don't have the greatest track record lately, hate to be the one to break it to you. But now, you have totally redeemed yourself!!

Take note, Ed. No fat suits. No fart jokes. No gross-out humor (pancake breakfast scene is excluded for reality sake - I've endured enjoyed a similar experience with my children.) Back was the dancing, funny faces, child-like behavior, and slap stick comedy that we used to know and love.

Eddie is a father, much too busy and unable to relate to his little girl. We actually get to see his character develop and it's over a believable and relate-able series of events. He doesn't just go from out of touch jerk to father of the year overnight. And for that, the movie is awesome!! We really believe his transformation.

His daughter, Olivia, is played by Yara Shahidi, the most adorable thing I think I've ever seen. She steals every scene she is in. She's fantastic!!

Thomas Haden Church. What can I say, I think he's one of the funniest actors in Hollywood. I love this man. Not the same kind of love I have for Brendan Fraser, but more of a he'd be a really awesome Pictionary partner kinda love. He's one of those actors who, if he's in the movie, I'll go see it just for him. He's THAT hilarious. His portrayal of Johnny Whitefeather is... well... in Johnny's own words "it ain't nothin' but a thang". Yep, pretty well sums it up right there.

As for the kids, there were a couple of slow parts where the plot was being moved along... what I call a necessary for the grown ups plot-point. Sean took one bathroom break during the movie, but he also drank a medium Sprite and he had to dash for the bathroom again as soon as the end credits rolled. So I don't know if that was a real mid-movie run or an out of boredom potty run. Skye required no potty runs, but did curl up with her head on my lap for the last 20 minutes. However, both kids literally danced out of the theater, twirling and singing about how much they LOVED THIS MOVIE! So that's two little kid thumbs up.

My overall review: Eddie - the Nutty Professor, Norbit and The Klumps are all but forgotten. Good work, my man!! We will be buying this one when it comes out on DVD! A great new family favorite. Thank you.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

The Taking of Pelham 123

Opened June 12, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 44 min.
R: violence and pervasive language

This movie made me like John Travolta again. And that was something I thought wouldn't happen. So big time kudos! I've always loved Denzel, I mean, what's not to love. And he's awesome here. He pulls off the, what I thought was an, unexpected plot twist SO convincingly and with such sincerity that I was shocked. I didn't see the original with Walther Matthau, so I didn't know what to expect.

Pelham was gritty, gripping, and well, a bit gory! If you're squeemish, you might want to pass on this one. There isn't a lot, but what there is is graphic. Just so you know, you've been warned.

Can I just say that John is pulling off the quippy one-liners a la Bruce Willis. And while he's left off the Yippee-Ki-Yays... there are a hell of a lot o' Mother-F***ers! His bravado, over-the-top self-confidence and ego that normally irritates the hell out of me REALLY work in this role, as does the creep neck tattoo and facial hair. I am likin' this side of John, the creepy, asshole bad guy. He totally works it!

This movie really kept me on the edge of my seat, in a good way. I never quite knew what was coming next.

With that said, there were a couple of major plot errors that bugged the CRAP outta me. I can see where they were necessary to the whole storyline. But to me they were GLARING and it was all I could do to keep from screaming at the screen. I won't reveal what they were as to avoid any spoilers. And maybe it wouldn't bother others. I'm just a stickler for details. I know, I get a bit weird about this stuff.

My overall recommendation: if you like crime thrillers and don't mind seeing someone's brains get blown out in slo-mo, close-up, CSI forensic detail, then you are gonna love this movie!!

The Hangover

The Hangover

Opened June 5, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 40 min.
R: some drug material, pervasive language, sexual content and nudity

And you thought Tom Hanks had it bad in Bachelor Party! I don't know if this is supposed to be a remake or what, but it's all on it's own here. In case you've missed the trailers, here it is in a nutshell. Four buddies go to Vegas for one's Bachelor Party. They get drunk. They wake up the next day with no memory of the previous night's exploits. There's a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet, one of them is missing a tooth, and the groom is MIA. The movie starts at the morning after and the guys try to figure out just what the heck happened. And more importantly, Where's Doug (the groom)?!

It's one unexpected laugh after another. You just really don't know what's going to happen next. I will tell you that apparently one of the prerequisites for the new generation of comedies is full frontal male nudity. You've been warned.

This movie is outrageous, but doesn't push it quite as far as say Knocked Up or Observe and Report. I'm guessing the lack of Seth Rogan accounts for some modicum of taste here. Well, right up until the end credits. Then it's pushed passed anything I've seen outside of internet porn!! Again, you've been warned. The end credits are UBER GRAPHIC - and totally do not miss them!! May be the best part of the movie. Certainly ties it all together. But Heeelllloooooooo - they are explicit. Like XXX explicit. Just so you know. Wow.

Not seen in any of the trailers is Heather Graham. She does an amazing job - totally caught me off-guard. Her scenes are sweet and touching (and funny). Where has she been the last few years? I don't think she made me laugh this hard since Bowfinger (which, just as an FYI, is quite possibly Eddie Murphy's funniest performance ever captured on celluloid!)

Basically all of Mike Tyson's bit is in the trailer. Disappointing. But whatever. I thought maybe with the tiger, we'd be seeing a little Siegfried and Roy, but no such luck. Although, look for some other cameos in end credits!!

My overall review: I LOVED THIS MOVIE. OMG it was so funny. SO FUNNY. And like surprising funny. Shit just jumps out at you from no-where. But if you're squeemish or even remotely prudish, then I would totally skip it. Like, I will NOT be recommending this movie to my parents. And I really wish I'd sent my 13 year old out of the theater before those end credits started to roll!! I know I know, like he hasn't seen internet porn. I'm not a naive Mom... but at least I didn't PAY FOR HIM TO SEE IT! I'm totally out of the running for Mom of the Year 2009. Totally.

My Life In Ruins

My Life In Ruins

Opened June 5, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 36 min.
PG-13: sexual content

This is like the Grecian version of Sliding Doors (fab movie, by the way!! One I own and watch periodically when my life is feeling off-course. Highly recommended you grab your own copy off Amazon!) What would have happened if Nia Vardalos hadn't had a Big Fat Greek Wedding? Now we know, she would have moved to Greece and become a tour guide. And she would have hated it. Because moving doesn't change the person, just the scenery. If you're miserable in the US, life isn't going to be any better in Greece, just more culturally enriched.

This movie has the same writing and flow of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a funny romantic comedy. Only here, it's the Americans as the fish out of water. And it works. Cause we all know we're loud, obnoxious, egocentric and well, not European. My parents went to Greece recently. They nearly keeled over laughing at how accurately American tourists (themselves!) were portrayed - and they ate a LOT of ice cream!

Can someone please tell me, when did Richard Dreyfuss get so old??? I know I'm probably dating myself big time here, but wasn't it just yesterday that he was the young, know it all, college kid in Jaws? And now he's making with the Viagra jokes. God, I feel old!

My overall review: I personally found the movie sweet & funny. There's nothing new here. She even starts and ends narrating, just like she did in MBFGW. Its a very girlie chickie flickie. If you're in the mood for one, then this one will suit you just fine.

Land of the Lost

Land of the Lost

Opens today June 5, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 33 min.
PG-13: a drug reference, language and crude and sexual content

If you love Will Ferrell movies, you'll love Land of the Lost. Cause it's not so much about the movie as it is about Will Ferrell being able to be Will Ferrell. Fortunately for me, I think he's hilarious. Elf is one of my top three must watch or it ain't really Christmas movies. And so 93 minutes of Will Ferrell running around like an idiot - that's what I'm payin' for and that's exactly what I got.

There's nothing new here. This is not a cutting edge comedy. This isn't smart, particularly witty or insightful. If that's what you're looking for, you my friend, are in the wrong theater!

If, however, you think dinosaur poop, a monkeyman continually coping a feel, and Danny McBride are comedic genius - well, sit right down and make yourself comfortable. You are in for a real treat!! Slapstick. Silly. Inane. Nonsensical. Tongue in cheek. Spoof. A veritable smorgasbord of all of the above! It's Will Ferrell doing what he does best, what made him famous, and what we all come to a Will Ferrell movie expecting. He is as funny and entertaining to watch as that man you know is going to get a baseball bat to the crotch. You can't help but laugh. Sure, it's childish, perhaps a bit crude and cruel; but in the end, that's what makes it all the funnier!

A couple of trivia bits: listen for the voice of Spock, he's in there! Don't leave during the credits, about halfway thru there's a little nugget.

My overall review: this one is definitely for the Will Ferrell fans.