Notes on a Scandel --A

To preface my review I have to state that I adore Cate Blanchett, love everything she does!
So the movie stars Cate and Judy Denche. The plot is disturbing though! The married teacher and the affair with the student. I appreciate how they go beyond the teacher and pull in more then one main character. I think the character development was really good. There was a good, not overwhelming twist that worked well. You wanted to see how it turned out. Maybe because the plot is not so far fetched?? 4 art classes out of 5.

Thirteeen (R)

Here I am watching Thirteen four years later. It was good and scary, no doubt, but also a little bit monotonous.

That said, I'd give it 4.5 "Thank god I have a boys" out of 5!

Jesus Camp (R)

I love me a documentary. Some of my all-time favorite movies are documentaries. I found this one disappointing, though. They had a captivating topic, no doubt; but they didn't do much with it, in my opinion.

It's a fascinating topic that someone could have done something brilliant with. I didn't think this was brilliant.

2 obligatory playings of "Going on up to the spirit in the sky" out of 5

In Summary... (J)

I know that I am about to have my movie critic card taken away from me because of my lack of posting. I suck. Plain and simple.

Jesus Camp: I was in the same house with this movie. Does that count? Wine got in the way of actually watching it but it is on my list.

A Scanner Darkley: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder, and a bunch of other famous faces that you will not see. This is a futuristic movie done in some CG that makes everything a cartoon, sort of... it is hard to explain. We watched the movie for a half hour and then I made Josh start it over so I could work a little harder at following the story. Interesting, with a good twist. Deals with addiction and drugs and deception. Once I got over the damn cartoon effect, it was a good movie. The further I get away from it, the more I like it. I guess you have to chew on it for a while before it sinks in. 3.5 blue flowers out of 5.

The Dark: Maria Bellos in a thriller about the typical thriller BS. Mother/daughter relationship is strained. Dad is the coolest (and hot). Daughter disappears on Mom's watch and she becomes obsessed with finding her. Enter a ghost that becomes a real person (you heard me) and tries to become the "new" daughter. Then some weird folk tale tells a story that teaches the mother how to get her daughter back but then it falls apart. The ending doesn't make sense and I think the producers knew it because they included an alternate ending on the DVD. Didn't help. And why does the herion always have to go to the small town public library to research how to deal with their ghost? Then they always run into the knowing but oblivious friendly lady librarian that shed light on the situation. Or did Maria talk to the sheppard? Who cares, same thing. 2 lemmings out of 5.

An American Haunting: Annie reviewed this one back in October or November and I'm just getting to it. I liked it. I liked the twist but am unsure how a ghost was generated from... well, I may have said too much. I guess it is based on actual events but that confuses me too, but cannot elaborate because I don't want to be a spoiler. Worth the time and I always enjoy Sissy. 4 hot teachers (who would be considered pedophiles in modern day) out of 5.

Charlotte's Web: I forgot how much I loved this story. Dakota Fanning is ugly and thank god she is not in this enough to ruin it. Julia Roberts is great and the supporting cast of animals are great too! I love it. Plus, now I can excuse any spiders as friendly to the kids. It is a great trick. 5 words out of 5

For Your Consideration -A

I had high hopes for this one. It is a Christopher Guest film and I just think he is the funniest guy around (Best in Show, Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman). This one was just OK, didn't love it and didn't hate it. About a movie being made - funny premise, someone mentions Oscar buzz and then everything that happens afterwards. They do a great job of poking fun at the TV entertainment magazine shows. Acting was good, idea was good, just didn't crack me up like his other movies.
2 Purim celebrations out of 5.

Rumor Has It --A

NOT a rental, was on HBO one afternoon when I was taking a load off. Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner and a hysterically funny Shirley McClain. Oh holy bad movie with no plot and bad acting and how did this ever get made? OK, first the premise. Jennifer finds out mom had her about 8 months and a couple weeks after the wedding and that mom had taken off the week before the wedding to hook up with Kevin Costner in Mexico, and then came back and married dad. She finds out that The Graduate is actually based on her family and that Shirley McClain is the 'real' Mrs Robinson! Again Shirley is the only redeeming part of this movie. So Jennifer tracks down Kevin, the man who has slept with her Grandmother and Mother and she thought at one point was her dad so what does she do........SHE SLEEPS WITH HIM!!! Chills up the spine, vomit in the mouth, wtf? Do not waste your time watching this movie, watch paint dry or grass grow, you will get more out that then this load of crap. 0 pieces of poop out of 5.

Jesus Camp --A

SCARY! Documentary about recruiting evangelical children and this camp they go to. OK, for one, it takes all kinds to make the world go round. Now with that being said, these kinds are kinda beyond my comprehension. Religious zealots? Understatement! It was very interesting through out and intriguing and sometimes you just had to shake your head in hopes of understanding. Colorado Springs is like the mother ship homeland of evangelical Christians and my in laws live there. Next time I go I will let you 2 know. In case I don't return please alert law enforcement, but verify first that they are not evangelicals too! I would love to revisit the few kids they focus on in about 5 years to see where they are in their life and spirituality. Worth the rental. 4 speaking in tongues children out of 5.

The Devil Wears Prada (R)

I just went back and read your review, Annie. I agree! Totally enjoyable! I put it in last night planning to watch it for an hour or so. I was enjoying it so much that I stayed up past 11. Yawn. Meryl Streep was GREAT. The clothes were fun to watch. Anne Hathaway did a great job portraying a young woman's transformation. It was light to the point of silly in some ways, and superficial sometimes, but people like Streep kept it going and made it worth watching.

3.5 smarmy journalism freelancers out of 5!

The Prestige (R)

Here's our lone San Diego hotel room rental -- after the second night we decided to brave the grumpy bub and stay out past the retirees' dinner time. The Prestige has Jack Hughman and Christian Bale, a delectable combination, as dueling magicians. The Prestige is the final part of a magic trick and the twist at the end was pretty darn surprising. It's better than The Illusionist but not super great -- just perfect for a night trapped at home (or hotel). I was surprised to see Scarlett Johanssen in such a minor role but thought that minor role was just right for her (not a fan).

3.5 top hats out of 5

Casino Royale part deux (R)

I :heart: James Bond. Not Daniel Craig, mind you; he's nice but he's no James Bond.

The second viewing, this time on the small screen, was nearly as enjoyable.

5 Angolian love knots out of 5

Children of Men (R)

I stayed awake!

The brit brought it home a bit concerned that I'd find it too science-fictiony, an event we've experienced more than once with his movie picks. This is good, though. The future is here and it's grim and barren. Along comes a wee miracle and it's up to the good Mr. Clive Owen to take care of that miracle.

Somebody told G that the action starts at the :30 minute mark and they were right. Watch out for that! And, Annie, you might get a kick out of the scene around 1:22 (I think that was it) ... you know, because of May 20 and all of that.

4.5 asking my husband "what did that funny English person just say?" out of 5

The Good Shepherd (R)

The Good Shepherd was the second movie rental during our trip to Seattle (gotta love the kid who happily goes to bed at 7:30 ... until you're out of town and realize you'll be trapped in the hotel room from about 7 pm on and you'll go out of your mind by night three unless you'd prefer a visit from the grumpy bub the morning after a late night ... unless you're in San Diego and have a suite with the world's most perfect window blocking curtains EVER and the bub sleeps happily until 8:30 nearly every morning making your vacation really even more perfect than you ever could have hoped for and giving him the opportunity to sit in a hotel bar and sip a Shirley Temple at 8 pm while we waited for our table) and it sucked. Now, technically I fall asleep during 80% of the movies I view at home (and 20% of those I view in a theater), but this one put me to sleep with its boring boringness.

2 "thank the lord almighty's that we didn't see this on Christmas Day" out of 5. My Matt Damon crush of 1997-8 is officially over.

Borat (R)

We watched Borat in our hotel room in Seattle two (three?) weeks ago. I fell asleep 30 minutes into it but not because it wasn't funny. I'm simply known for falling asleep during movies, especially when my head is comfortably resting against the brit's chest. I enjoyed the first 30 minutes and really enjoyed the brit's recounting of the remaining minutes the next morning, especially the hand gestures and his retelling of the gassy-ass-on-face scene.

I'd give it 4 naps out of 5 apparently.

The Night Listener -A

Robin already reviewed this. We only watched half of the movie before Sean wanted to turn it off, I would have kept going though. Sean said it was too depressing. Not enough to go on to rate this one.

The Groomsmen -A

Written and stars Ed Burns, also Jay Mohr, Jon Leguizamo, Matthew Lillard and Donal Louge (?), oh and Brittney Murphy. If you are familiar with Ed Burns movies (The Brothers McMullen, She's the One) then you know this movie. His films all kinda seem and feel the same for me. This one is Ed is getting married to Brittney and now his buddies are in town to stand up in the wedding. Cue the adulterous brother, the cold feeted groom, lots of drinking, and doing the right thing by the end of the film. If you have seen Brothers McMullen, you have seen The Groomsmen. 2 pregnant fiances out of 5.

Jackass II unrated -A

Not my idea. I had to turn away at certain times because I could not believe they were doing what they were doing. This movie is all about gross and the gag reflex. I figure my life would still have been complete had I never seen this film. I will not deny that I did laugh out loud a couple of times but not enough to recommend. 1 blood sucking leech out of 5