Ironman Thursday, May 8 2008

I have never heard of Ironman.  I know the basic superheroes, like Spiderman, Batman, Superman.  I even use to watch the Justice League cartoons as a kid, but not a true die hard comic book fan.  You know, because it is reading.  We had seen the previews where I saw my husband’s eyes glaze over and hear Black Sabbath hummed for the rest of the week.  Sadly, it has started up, again.

I went into this movie with no expectations, but only one direction: STAY UNTIL THE END OF THE CREDITS and a wonderful wealth of information will be opened up to you.  Okay, okay, can I have my popcorn, please.  I had mentioned to a couple of people that I thought it was strange that Robert Downey, Jr. was an odd choice for a superhero, but I was assured that he was perfect for this part.  I will agree, he was so very perfect for this role.

I love, love, love this movie.  I am sure we will have it in our DVD collection as soon as it comes out along with the Christian Bale Batman and Spiderman.  I came to this movie with very limited knowledge and walked away wanting more.  I have even foamed at the mouth to talk to someone about it and hit my husband’s arm repeatly when we got to the end of the credits.  All I can tell you is that my favorite actor of all times shows up.

I was shocked to learn that Jon Favreau directed the movie.  Who knew?  And I was very pleased that it all looked real.  Anything computerized or done after production was so seamless that you never had a second thought that there was really an Ironman out there saving the civilians of the Middle East.  Robert Downey, Jr. seemed very comfortable in this role and played it so well.  I had a few problems with Gweyth Paltrow, but nothing major.  I understood that she was suppose to be stiff, but there was scenes where she could have let loose on the emotions a little bit more.  However, that is real nit-picky stuff.

Everything was kept true to my vision of what a comic book story should be.  I am sure there will be the purest out there that had problems with this or that, but overall this is a great movie.  I am surprised that it wasn’t released in the summer, but I guess Ironman is the new kid on the block.  Honestly, I could go see this movie again.  It was that good and that is coming from a bored housewife that likes trashy reality TV and fart jokes.

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Showtime vs HBO Tuesday, Mar 11 2008

Showtime has caught up with HBO with regards to series television.  I originally ignored their shows, thinking that no other premium cable channel could match HBO.  But with the death of the Sopranos and Sex and the City, I was in need of something else that satisfied that hunger for something more than network or even cable network programming.  Well, I had added Showtime’s’ shows to my watching list and am thoroughly impressed. 

I have, now, caught up with Weeds, Dexter and most recently the Tudors.  The Tudors have impressed me the most.  The other shows are quite interesting and push the envelope to certain extents, but the Tudors have taken history and served it up to the masses the only way television can.  This show has everything a good soap opera should, backstabbing, political intrigue, passion, mistresses, etc, but the one jewel of the show is that it is based in historical fact.  Like many have said, “No one can write anything better than reality”. 

I have only done minor research, as far as Henry VIII’s wives and children, and have some memory leftover from my History major, but so far the fact is there.  Now, one could argue that the show has rushed things, like Henry’ bastard son’s death, but one can suggest that liberty can be given for the better good.  If there wasn’t so much nudity and sex, I would suggest this series to be shown to high school students.  I am sure they would be able to understand History much better.  Alas, I think that would not be a suggestion most school districts would take up. 

I would strongly suggest that you check out these fine Showtime shows and if you are a history buff then definitely check out the Tudors.  I wonder how far this series will go.  The Tudors ruled England for over 187 years and left many great kings and queens in their path.  This is surely TV gold for many years.

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Gone Baby Gone Sunday, Mar 2 2008

First I would like to say, BRAVO, Mr. Affleck.  Second, I would like to say that I will not be travelling to Boston, anytime soon, if those extras are an example of the residents. 

I think this movie was a good thriller and brought up an interesting question at the end.  Patrick (Casey Affleck) and his girlfriend (sorry, I can’t remember her name, but the actress was very good) are private detectives that are brought in, against the mother and police’s wishes, on a case of a missing girl.  There are lots of twist and turns and I don’t want to give too much away, because you should see the movie.  At the end Patrick is faced with the choice of doing the right thing or the legal thing.  And don’t be mistaken they are not one in the same.  When I saw the movie I thought he did the right and legal thing, but after much thought I agree with his girlfriend, and the officiers involved, that he did not do the RIGHT THING.  I strongly suggest you see this movie and make the decision for yourself. 

Ben Affleck directed this movie and did a great job.  I have to commend him on handling the subject of child molestation and death in a not in your face kind of way.  He was able to let you know what happens without having it shown to you.  I think when directors and actors stick to an area they know the story they tell is that much more powerful.  So stay in one night and see this movie, you won’t regret it. 

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JUNO Saturday, Jan 26 2008

I fell into the hype of this one.  I had to see it, because everyone said it was the greatest movie, EVAH!  After several threats of phyiscal harm and many attempts of escape I dragged my husband to this movie. 

I liked the movie, but I wouldn’t go so far as say it is the greatest.  I guess from the hype I expected to walk out of the theater knowing all the answers to life’s mysteries.  I guess I should look to deeper sources for such answers.

I think the movie played it on the safe side.  All the characters are likable, which is not necessarily a good thing.  Every movie needs a villian and even the drop out adoptive husband, played by Jason Bateman, was nowhere near being a good candidate to really hate.  Jennifer Garner’s charater was too sympathic.  There was just no getting around her martyrdom, which just made me roll my eyes instead of understanding her plight. 

The stepmother was the best, especially when she explained the truth about doctors.  I totally agree and I would put nurses in the same category, as well.  I would hope that my father would have the same reaction if I would have told him I was pregnant as a teenager.  Just enough outrage, but nothing along the lines of calling his daughter a slut.  The perfect balance.

JUNO, of course, is the perfect picture of the self confident pregnant teenager, if such a creature existed.  As much as I liked her, it was hard to believe that any teenager could remain that calm going through pregnancy and then giving up their baby.  I don’t hold it against the film, because if we want reality then we should live life and stay out of the movie theaters. 

JUNO is definitely a flat line movie.  There were no big surprises and no big emotional reactions, but it was a good movie.  So if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, then maybe you should start jumping.  You won’t miss that 2 hours at all and you might learn how a happy ending can make you feel.

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