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The Box – Cameron Diaz and James Mardsen

July 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Imagine a middle class couple who are overextended on their credit cards and not sure how they are going to continue to afford the lifestyle they love, but can't pay for.  This may describe you or some you know.  The Box is a story of such a couple who finds a box with a button on their doorstep.  Soon afterwards, a grossly disfigured man, Frank Langella, shows up and claims that all their money problems can be over. . . with the push of the button.

There is a catch.  The Box stars Cameron Diaz and James Mardsen as Norma and Arthur Lewis, who soon find themselves with a agonizing temptation that leads them down a path of no return.  The action, visuals, and dialogue, are quick and make you uncomfortable as you watch and listen to the unthinkable situation that the couple finds themselves in.  But even more uncomfortable may be the nagging question in the back of your head:  what would you do?

The Box is a strange, strange film, that is like no other I know of.  Based on the 1970s short story called "Button, Button" by Richard Matheson, the movie also takes place in the 70s which would explain the wallpaper.
The Box (Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy) Cameron Diaz, James Marsden NEW The Box (Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy) Cameron Diaz, James Marsden NEW Paypal US $6.96 26d 1h 40m
The Box, DVD, Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella Mint Movie The Box, DVD, Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella Mint Movie Paypal US $5.99 2h 8m
The Box (DVD, 2010) Cameron Diaz, James Marsden The Box (DVD, 2010) Cameron Diaz, James Marsden Paypal US $1.99 21d 6h 11m
Filed Under: Thriller Tagged With: , ,

Gossip The Movie (2000) – James Marsden & Kate Hudson

April 8, 2010 By 1 Comment

GossipposterDoes an innocent rumor, started as a class project, have the potential to cause murder on a college campus?  Watch Gossip and you will never view a rumor as innocent or gossip as something to pass the time.

Three college students who are best friends and roommates decide to start and track a rumor and see how far it will go in short amount of time.  Is it possible that one of the three has an ulterior motive and is trying to even an old score?  Beautiful and rich, Beau and Naomi (Joshua Jackson and Kate Hudson) are chosen as the focus of the rumor, which sooon spins out of control.

The consequences are quite shocking, and very unexpected.  Some reviewers have painted this movie as another "pretty rich kids doing bad things to each other" film that were quite popular for a bit.

Gossip is so much more if you look.  For one thing, I don't like movies like this.  Usually no point, other than to show us young pretty actors portraying how shallow the young,rich and beautiful can be.  Gossip, on the other hand is all of us.  The neighbors, your coworkers, your sister, and even your friends from church.  The movie doesn't get too deep, but my thoughts did.  An ugly rumor, for whatever reason started, probably will not end well.

The movie takes this to the extreme, but the plot will keep you guessing until the end.  It does not wrap up nicely and has some truly unexpected moments.
Gossip (DVD, 2000) Gossip (DVD, 2000) Paypal US $8.00 21d 16h 46m
GOSSIP (2000) *NEW DVD FREE SHIPPING************ GOSSIP (2000) *NEW DVD FREE SHIPPING************ Paypal US $10.99 23d 8h 7m
Gossip (DVD, 2000) Gossip (DVD, 2000) Paypal US $6.99 23d 3h 35m
Filed Under: Drama, Thriller

Pay it Forward DVD Haley Joel Osment

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Pay it Forward

Have you ever wondered if one idea could change the world? Imagine if you did a favor for someone and instead of asking them to pay you back, a common request, ask them to pay it forward. You actually ask them to pay it forward to three other people, who in turn pay it forward to three more people, who then find three more, and – well, you get the idea.

Is a global outpouring of decency and kindness really possible in today's world of skeptics and selfishness? Junior High student Trevor McKinney thinks it is possible, and takes on the idea for a school socail studies project.

Haley Joel Osment plays Trevor, who starts a chain reaction of kindness and good deeds for his social studies project.

This bittersweet and uplifting tale was directed by Mimi Leader, the director of another good, and often overlooked movie, Deep Impact. Yes, I know, many people feel it was too mushy and unrealistic to compete with other end of the world action favorites like Armageddon, but I liked it for its ability to show how ordinary people can save a life through the selfless act of putting someone else first.

Pay it Forward is based on the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and also stars Academy Award winners Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. Spacey plays Trevor's troubled social studies teacher whose emotional scars may be worse than the physical ones, and Hunt plays his mother, who could use the kindness of strangers herself.

How much impact can one heartfelt idea really have?

Buy the DVD, watch it, and pass it on. . .

“Remarkable! Deeply Moving!” - Jeffrey Lyons, WNBC TV, New York
NEW - A Walk to Remember/Pay It Forward NEW - A Walk to Remember/Pay It Forward Paypal US $6.99 26d 16h 1m
NEW--Pay It Forward (DVD, 2001) KEVIN SPACEY, HELEN HUNT NEW--Pay It Forward (DVD, 2001) KEVIN SPACEY, HELEN HUNT Paypal US $7.45 20d 16h 16m
Pay It Forward (DVD, 2001) Kevin Spacey, Helent Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, NEW! Pay It Forward (DVD, 2001) Kevin Spacey, Helent Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, NEW! Paypal 0 Bid US $3.99 1h 17m
Filed Under: Drama, Inspirational, Movie Reviews, Thriller Tagged With: , , , ,

Psych DVD TV Show on USA

August 8, 2009 By 1 Comment

Psych is a comedy detective series on USA TV, beginning its 4th season on August 8th - tonight!  The show stars james Roday as an amateur detective with "heightened observational skills" and incredible instincts that allow him to convince the Santa Barbara Police Department that he is a psychic.  The show also stars Dule Hill as Shawn's best friend and straght man, who reluctantly becomes his partner in crime.

Psych can be absolutely hysterical, with many constant running jokes, and a very funny cast of characters.  The crimes are always played with a twist to keep you guessing until the end.  The show has many things going for it, but it is really the camaraderie between Roday and Hill that make this a favorite show of many and one of the highest rated shows on USA.

I really am a movie person myself, but I always make times for the one show I watch, Psych.

This is a show that will have you laughing, even at all the silly things that Shawn says.  And there are constant references to pop culture that make it lots of fun to watch with others.  Here is an example of some of the funny quotes from the show:

"My pilot's license? It's out back in the Cessna. Or perhaps you're referring to my license to kill. Revoked - problems at the Kazakhstan border. I'd give you the details, but then I'd have to kill you... which I can't do because my license to kill has been revoked."

Lt. Lassiter: We found prints-
Shawn: Was he in a "Little Red Corvette"?
Gus: Or "Under the Cherry Moon"?
Lt. Lassiter: We found finger-prints!

"Are you a fan of delicious flavor?"

Gus's Secretary: There's a Lieutenant Crunch here to see you sir.
Gus: Lieutenant Crunch?
Sean: Actually I've been promoted. It's Caption Crunch now.

If you have missed Psych up until now you can get all the seasons on DVD and catch up.  Season 4 starts in a few minutes so I will finish this post and get a spot on the couch.
PSYCH THE COMPLETE SERIES SEASONS 1-5 BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED 20 DVD SET PSYCH THE COMPLETE SERIES SEASONS 1-5 BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED 20 DVD SET Paypal 11 Bids US $50.00 17m
Psych - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2007, 4-Disc... Psych - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2007, 4-Disc... Paypal 1 Bid US $6.99 17m
Psych: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, 2011, 4-Disc ... Psych: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, 2011, 4-Disc ... Paypal 1 Bid US $13.00 28m
Filed Under: Comedy, Thriller, TV Show Tagged With: , , ,

Donnie Darko DVD

August 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Part horror movie, part psychological-thriller, throw in some comedy and Donnie Darko left me guessing as to what it really wanted to be.  Both scary and funny, Donnie Darko was a movie I normally wouldn't want to see, but my teens are in a "dark" phase.

I really must tell you that this is probably one of the most over analyzed films on the internet.  I am not kidding; do a search of anything like:

  • Donnie Darko themes
  • Donnie Darko analysis
  • Donnie Darko interpretation
  • Donnie Darko explained

and the list goes on. . . You will be absolutely shocked at the number of pages that comes up.  So I don't think I need to add to the collection of amateur film essays on the hidden or not so hidden messages of this film.

We've got the emotionally disturbed teenage boy, the demonic over-sized rabbit who visits him and gives him messages and bad deeds to do, the new girlfriend who is on the run from an abusive step father, the town nut who may have all the answers, and a huge host of others who are in and out of Donnie's life.

The rabbit is quite scary, the deeds are quite bad, and  ending is quite shocking.  Does it have some deep message I am not getting?

No, I just don't want to ruin it for you. . .
Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut (Blu-ray Disc, 2011, 4-Disc Set, 10th... Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut (Blu-ray Disc, 2011, 4-Disc Set, 10th... Paypal US $13.49 4d 15h 9m
Donnie Darko Blu-ray Disc 2009 2-Disc Set Jake Gyllenhaal Drew Barrymore goth Donnie Darko Blu-ray Disc 2009 2-Disc Set Jake Gyllenhaal Drew Barrymore goth Paypal 0 Bid US $3.99 2h 32m
Donnie Darko (Blu-ray Disc, 2009, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen) Donnie Darko (Blu-ray Disc, 2009, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen) Paypal US $9.00 5h 53m
Filed Under: Horror, Thriller Tagged With: , , , , , , ,