2009 Movie Rentals.....rate 'em!

[alicia-w]

I've never heard of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. I will have to check it out!

We're watching Brokeback Mountain @ 8 tonight.......I'll let you know how we like it. I suspect I'll give it a two thumbs up from all I've heard. One member in our family saw it and she cried (Nina). Couldn't wrangle another family to go to the theaters with me though (save for the dog!). So I waited for it to go to rental.....

Mary

It stars Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406158/

http://www.gofishpictures.com/prizewinner/

http://evelynryan.com/Site/evelynryan.html

[Miss Mary]

We watched 2 movies this weekend:

Guess Who - Good. Very funny, but also similar to Meet the Fockers. Parts of it just reminded me of that former movie. It was the very type movie that will likely have a sequel (when the main characters, a couple, get married). Ashton Kutcher stars, as does Bernie Mack (who really steals the show, IMO).

Flight Plan - Excellent, if you like suspenseful movies. Lots of plot twists and turns. The viewer doesn't know what to make of many scenes. Not for young viewers.

Mary

[alicia-w]

I didnt like either one of those movies at all. And Flight Plan was just ridiculous.

We watched The Bee Season, Pride & Prejudice, and North Country. All great movies.

[Miss Mary]

March of the Penguins - excellent documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. Sad at times but this is Mother Nature, at her worst and best and brutal wx conditions. Awesome scenery. Glad we finally watched it (thank goodness Blockbuster has no late fees, I just dropped it in the return box).

Did anyone know they're making the animated Farce of the Penguins? "Plot Outline: A mockumentary the illuminates penguin survival and mating rituals, as well as one bird's search for love while on a 70-mile trek with his hedonistic buddies." It stars all the male actors from Full House. A message board for it on IMDB claims Bob Saget created it (and of course lends his voice).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0488539/

Not sure I want to see that one! It's still in the editing stage.

Mary

[Miss Mary]

Pride & Prejudice was really good. It was a little odd watching this compacted 2 hour version though. Things moved so fast, but I still enjoyed it a lot and will watch it again.

I absolutely LOVE the A&E 1995 version with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. It's one of, if not the the best movie I've ever seen (and I've seen it multiple times).

Funny story about P & P. I went to Blockbuster to rent a movie called The Pride Winner of Defiance, Ohio" (special request from hubby):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406158/

The clerk said it was on the new release wall still. Sure enough there it was. Ah but my eyes can be deceiving. I flipped the box over and read about the love story, thinking why on earth would MY husband want to see this movie? But I rented it. Came home, told the family after dinner tonight, we start the movie. I joked it was a story dad surprised me at wanting to see! Then I realized, oh no, I got the wrong movie! Right away, Nina said oh P & P is a wonderful movie, I've seen parts of it but not all. I'd like to see it!

So we had a chick night in the basement, sans the dad/hubby. He did a hrrrrrmmmmmpppphhhhh (as if he can't believe how dingy I can be at times!).

Long story short, I just LOVED this movie Kelly! OMG, it's just so good. And now I want to see the A & E mini-series version. And read the book. All in one week I might add. I hope I can find the mini series version on DVD rental.

The story reminded me a little of Anne of Green Gables. Two main characters fighting growing attraction for eachother. I found myself rooting for Lizzy and Mr. Darcy (whatever is his first name!).

What was I guess so neat was I stumbled into this story, completely unaware of the books, how it ends or anything! I felt transported back in time.

So, that said - Pride & Prejudice - excellent rating!

Mary

[alicia-w]

we watched Syriana the night before last. Very good movie and I was quite PO'd at the end.

[southerngale]

Hey Miss Mary - glad you loved it! Jane Austen has written some wonderful stories.

Have you found the A&E version yet? Just so you know....the A&E version is much longer, but it is truer to the book. There's nothing wrong with the recent version...I liked it very much and it had to be shorter to make it to the theater. The A&E version pays much more attention to detail and after seeing it several times, I always notice something new each time.

If you want to try another great Jane Austen movie, you might consider Emma, which also comes in a theater version starring Gwyneth Paltrow and an A&E version starring Kate Beckingsale. They're about the same length and I prefer the Gwyneth Paltrow version on this one, but they're both good. I think you'll really enjoy it.
Another great one is Sense & Sensibility starring Emma Thompson & Kate Winslet. My sister also recommends Persuasion, starring Amanda Root, but I haven't seen that one yet.

Btw, I don't know how they rent the A&E version of P&P, but I suspect they will break it up into 2 or possibly 3 separate DVD rentals. Since I'm pretty sure you'll want to see it more than once (even if you're not the kind who needs to own movies, you'll want to see it again just to take it all in), the price has dropped considerably in the last few years. My local Target keeps it stocked regularly, so it's pretty easy to find. It's quite popular. Here it is on Amazon. I don't know if they still do, but Sam's Club had it a few months ago even cheaper. Anyway, you'll find it if you're interested.

Here's a tip in case you haven't discovered this already. If you're like me and find the late 18th century dialogue hard to follow sometimes, try this: turn on the subtitles or your closed-captioning (I prefer sub-titles). You may want to watch it once without them so you don't miss this fantastic movie trying to read the captions. However, you pick up so much more dialogue with the captions, particularly those hard to make out comments. It takes a little practice, but I've been using them so long that they're not a distraction to me and I can easily watch the movie, only glancing at the captions if I have a hard time making something out. In fact, I use them every time I watch a movie now.

Anyway, let me know how it goes. I'd love to know your thoughts after you see it.

[Miss Mary]

Kelly - the A&E version of P&P was checked out but at least I know they have it available at Blockbuster. Sometime soon I hope to watch it - both discs are in one rental. So that's reasonable!


While there, we rented: Failure to Launch - cute movie. I'd have to give it a good rating. I'm not a big fan of Sarah Jessica Parker but she grew on me in this movie. I thought her kooky roommate in it was funnier. The parents are a riot! If you're looking for a funny, light hearted comedy, rent it. You won't regret it. While SJP and Matthew M. are the big stars in this movie, I actually liked the supporting cast better!

Mary

[Miss Mary]

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio - starring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson - Very good movie.

True story of a stay at home mother, with 10 kids, who's a former Journalist. She begins "contesting", sending in jingles and ad pieces, for contest prizes. She's a wonderful mother to her large family, while the dad is an alcoholic, with anger issues. Unfortunately, this is her lot in life since the police and her parish Priest don't do much to intervene, so in order to make ends meet, she enters contest after contest. Set in the 50s.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406158/

There is a moral to the story but it's sad too. A local critic touted this film, since it was set in Ohio and is a true story. That's why we wanted to see it, although there's been very little press about it.

Mary

[alicia-w]

Good! You DID see it. When I saw it was in Ohio, I immediately thought of you. It is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time and I hadnt heard a word about it! Just picked it up off the shelf.

[Miss Mary]

alicia - I enjoyed Prize Winner, I thought it was a good movie. If nothing else, it certainly makes you appreciate our everyday conveniences and being able to pay the bills. I felt so sorry for her each week as she tried in vain to pay the milkman. I was hoping he'd give her credit and then in the end, she'd pay him back, with a hefty tip. When the little boy cuts off all the tulip tips in the neighbors' flower beds b/c they were pretty, your heart just breaks for her. When she was trying to leave for the second attempt to visit friends, we found ourselves just shouting - leave, leave otherwise something will go wrong! Back then a 100 mile trip was a big deal. Another comparison to our world today. 100 miles is nothing!

I actually love to find rare gems like this. We've found a few all on our own. One is called Pecker, starring Christina Ricci. Oh a few more great films with very little press, just can't think of their titles right now.

Mary

[HurriCat]

Speaking of Bill Murray - he did one years back called The Razor's Edge (?) - Anyways, he's excellent in this serious role, but the movie is so you'll want to find the writers and just slap their little faces.

[Miss Mary]

Does anyone have several just released movie rentals to recommend? You know, on that sea of new releases up at Blockbuster, that's always mobbed by people? I get so confused if I don't know what's worth my money or time, is really good or so-so! Please contribute....thanks! This means anyone - even newcomers to this topic. The more the merrier!

Mary

[Miss Mary]

We watched 2 more movies this weekend (since it's so hot and humid out!):

Rumor Has It - disappointing. Not Jennifer Aniston's standout role, obviously. Perhaps it was the character she was playing. I found myself rooting for her fiance (played by Mark Ruffalo), to knock some sense into her. I won't give more details away in case anyone is hoping to see this movie. Shirley MacLaine was superb in this movie! I found myself attracted to Kevin Costner again...LOL My youngest daughter asked - just who is Kevin Costner? Even when I said he was once considered a hunk (ie, Johnny Depp or George Clooney caliber), she didn't believe it! Anyway, the movie isn't very funny and it's kinda sad at times.

Betwitched - good movie. Heard it was disappointing but for some reason, i got into the story. Shirley MacLaine was in this movie, ironically. Funny how when we watch 2 movies in one weekend, there's a repeat actor in both. What's up with that? I thought Nicole Kidman was great in this role and she reminded me many times of how Meg Ryan would have played the role of Samantha Stevens.

That's it.....we're movied out for now.

Wondering if anyone has seen Find Me Guilty, starring Vin Diesel? If so, is it any good?

Thanks.

Mary

[Regit]

Narnia was a fantastic movie. Nanny McPhee was also surprisingly good. I also enjoyed Failure to Launch.

I recently watched Panic Room (though I think it was released in 05). It ranks as one of the three worst movies I've ever watched.

[Miss Mary]

Regit - thanks for feedback. I'm not even aware of Panic Room but if I see it at Blockbuster, I'll keep looking!

I still feel that way over Open Water. A complete and utter waste of our time. Such a disappointing plot, story, acting, and ending. I see it in the $4.99 Previously Viewed bin at Blockbuster. I'm sure unsuspecting viewers are thinking - cool, 2005 meets Jaws. Wrong. Jaws had a plot!

[Miss Mary]

Hey Miss Mary - glad you loved it! Jane Austen has written some wonderful stories.

Have you found the A&E version yet? Just so you know....the A&E version is much longer, but it is truer to the book. There's nothing wrong with the recent version...I liked it very much and it had to be shorter to make it to the theater. The A&E version pays much more attention to detail and after seeing it several times, I always notice something new each time.

If you want to try another great Jane Austen movie, you might consider Emma, which also comes in a theater version starring Gwyneth Paltrow and an A&E version starring Kate Beckingsale. They're about the same length and I prefer the Gwyneth Paltrow version on this one, but they're both good. I think you'll really enjoy it.
Another great one is Sense & Sensibility starring Emma Thompson & Kate Winslet. My sister also recommends Persuasion, starring Amanda Root, but I haven't seen that one yet.

Btw, I don't know how they rent the A&E version of P&P, but I suspect they will break it up into 2 or possibly 3 separate DVD rentals. Since I'm pretty sure you'll want to see it more than once (even if you're not the kind who needs to own movies, you'll want to see it again just to take it all in), the price has dropped considerably in the last few years. My local Target keeps it stocked regularly, so it's pretty easy to find. It's quite popular. Here it is on Amazon. I don't know if they still do, but Sam's Club had it a few months ago even cheaper. Anyway, you'll find it if you're interested.

Here's a tip in case you haven't discovered this already. If you're like me and find the late 18th century dialogue hard to follow sometimes, try this: turn on the subtitles or your closed-captioning (I prefer sub-titles). You may want to watch it once without them so you don't miss this fantastic movie trying to read the captions. However, you pick up so much more dialogue with the captions, particularly those hard to make out comments. It takes a little practice, but I've been using them so long that they're not a distraction to me and I can easily watch the movie, only glancing at the captions if I have a hard time making something out. In fact, I use them every time I watch a movie now.

Anyway, let me know how it goes. I'd love to know your thoughts after you see it.

Kelly - I finally, finally saw the A & E 1995 mini-series version of Pride & Predjudice. I loved it! It was very well done. I gave up on Blockbuster, both stores near me have had it checked out for weeks. One clerk finally told me he suspects the customer who has his store's rental is planning on keeping it. She'll likely never return it and pay the previously viewed price. Sigh.....so next I began calling the library. They had it at a branch 20 minutes away. I just asked them to hold it and picked it up Tuesday. I must admit to fast fowarding over certain parts so I could see more of Lizzy and Darcy, since my family was home and well, they are not into this story (husband and my youngest daughter). It is funny though, I carried the P & P DVD box with me at Blockbuster hoping a clerk could find it reshelved incorrectly (before I heard about the customer probably keeping it) and I ran into a woman oh in her 30s, she stopped and had to tell me how this P & P movie is her favorite of all time. Going on and on about it! After we talked, and I heard about the rather inconsiderate customer not returning it, I wondered if it was her! Since the clerk says she's in there every day just about.....

Long story short, I watched it and liked it very much. I have to say I like Colin Firth better as Darcy but I like Keira K. better as Lizzy. I can also see where certain scenes in last year's movie were not quite accurate, they were clumped together and if you loved the book, they were not at all like the 2005 movie. Get past that and I would have to say I like both versions. I just wish the 2005 version had more romance substance (a real honest to goodness kiss and a wedding!), not implied.

Guess how much it cost me to check this out from my library? $1! And I get to keep it for 10 days. Can't beat that.

Mary

[GalvestonDuck]

Capote -- if you've seen "In Cold Blood," you've seen this movie. Basically, it was the whole retelling of the story as Capote wrote it and talked with the killers. It was pretty much the same as watching "Cross Creek" (about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings). It's a remake of "The Yearling" with the author's own story intermingled in the telling. Sure, it was a well-acted portrayal of Capote by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and perhaps he deserved his Oscar. But it wasn't anything spectacular and my best friend and I both had to keep rewinding every once in a while, asking "What'd he just say?" because PSH's voice was too overdone. Did Capote really talk like that?

Sordid Lives -- Imagine if "Steel Magnolias" took place in Texas. There's very little action, but lots of talking and gossip among a handful of very stereotypical Southern characters. There's a comical scene where Delta Burke's character and a co-star put their own "Thelma & Louise" spin on things by asserting revenge on their husbands (no violence, just humiliation). I only rented it to see Olivia Newton-John though. Basically, she's in less than 10 minutes of the movie (four scenes in all, two singing). She plays the white-trash, bleach-blonde (they dyed her roots black for the effect), gum-chewing, honky-tonk singing, fresh-out-of-jail ex-girlfriend of the woman whose funeral the movie is centered around.

[HurricaneHunter914]

Saw "Cars" Last week. Really good movie with funny, sad, happy, and romantic moments all put into this great movie.

[feederband]

Watched Glory Road last nite...Really good..