Mostly Movies

So, the weekend was fun! We spent a lot of time just relaxing and enjoying the time together but the big day was Saturday for WWH. He spent the day with one of his brothers and his dad and they took him go-karting. He LOVED it. Then I took him out to dinner at our favorite Mexican place called Botannas. After dinner we went to the bar that has the 4 mini-bowling lanes and waited for our friends and family to arrive. We had about 20 people show (I promise, pictures coming). I had to keep score all night so I was concentrating on that and totally forgot to take some pictures. But I did get a few!

We watched FOUR movies during the weekend, so that will be the majority of my post today.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium:
A cute kids movie. Not the best I’ve ever seen but some cute characters played by Dustin Hoffman (Mr. Magorium) and Natalie Portman (Mahoney) and the star, an unknown (in my book) by the name Zack Mills. The basic plot of the movie is about Mr. Magorium’s toy store and who he will leave it too when he “leaves the earth”. He is after all 243 years old! I think kids 12 and under will really like this movie.
2.5 out of 5

The Brave One:
Starring Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard this is a dark movie. It’s hard to watch, the beating scene was pretty horrible but I think it had to be done that way so that we believe or understand why Jodie Foster’s character starts taking the law into her own hands. I’ve seen Terrence Howard in a few movies lately and I’m really starting to dig him. He’s so understated in his acting and it really works for me. So, for the plot, Jodie Foster and her fiancée are walking their dog in Central Park and get brutally attacked. A changed woman, Erica Bain (Foster) tries to get back to work in an NPR-like radio gig but the anger and hurt start to transform her into a vigilante.
3.5 out of 5

August Rush:
This has got to be the sappiest movie I’ve ever seen. A feel-good movie starring Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Freddie Highmore, along with a supporting character played by guess who? – Terrence Howard of course! Here’s the plot: Two young musicians meet, fall in love, and then are separated by an dominating father, the Atlantic Ocean and time. Meanwhile a child abandoned at an orphanage lives his live through music because he feels it’s the way back to his parents. Robin Williams also has a supporting role and it’s a bad guy, I didn’t like the character so Williams hit the mark. My son and I kept rolling our eyes (it’s our thing) when a movie goes above and beyond our tolerance level for anything. This time, they were rolling because of the schmaltz. - just too much of it and far to predictable for me to enjoy. Others may love this movie but for me it’s like The English Patient – Bleck – what was everyone gushing about?
1.5 out of 5

Dan in Real Life:
I saved the best for last. I really am starting to have a crush on Steve Carell. I loved him in “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Evan Almighty” but not a huge fan of “The Office”. My son is a HUGE fan of that TV show and constantly tries to get me to watch the episodes on our DVR. I think he is way too goofy on that show and I really like him in a more serious role. As for the plot: Dan is a widow with three girls and he’s been alone since his wife’s death because he’s had such a hard time getting over her. During a family outing (do they ever say why everyone is getting together?) at his parents house (played by Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney) he meets this woman that just opens him up and lights his soul back on fire. They part not knowing if they will ever see each other again but of course they will, as she is the latest girlfriend of his younger brother. Hilarity ensues. Very heartfelt and funny from his relationships with his daughters to his close-knit, nosey family I loved every second of this film.
4.25 out of 5