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Sleepless In Seattle

March 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

sleeplessSam Baldwin (TOM HANKS) is a widowed father, who, thanks to his young son becomes the guest on a radio talk show.  He is an instant hit with all the female listeners, who deluge his Seattle home with letters of comfort.  Meanwhile, inspired by Sam's story and by classic hollywood romance, writer Annie Reed (MEG RYAN) becomes convinced that it is her destiny to meet Sam.  There is only 2 problems:  Annie is engaged to someone else, and Sam doesn't know they are meant for each other.

This is a really funny and cute movie.  The acting is so good, you forget you're watching a movie.  Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are so good together, they seem like they are really in love.   It's probably more for the female audiences, but some guys might like it. ;)

~Brooke~

Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnel, and Bill Pullman

Rated PG for some for some language.  Runtime: 105 minutes.  Year: 1993
Sleepless in Seattle (20th Anniversary Ed.) = NEW Blu-Ray Region B Sleepless in Seattle (20th Anniversary Ed.) = NEW Blu-Ray Region B Paypal US $13.37 23d 7h 53m
Filed Under: Movie Reviews, Romantic Comedy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Day After Tomorrow

February 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

day-after-tomorrow-the-2004

Global warming triggers the onset of of a new Ice Age.  As tornadoes flatten Los Angeles and a tidal wave engulfs New York City, the entire Northern Hemisphere begins to freeze solid.  Climatologist, Jack Hall (DENNIS QUAID) and his son Sam (JAKE GYLLENHAAL) and a small band of survivors must ride out the growing super storm to stay alive.

This was a very entertaining movie.  The special affects were really cool and realistic.  There is a great side story about a father and son who have drifted apart, but the dad lets nothing get in the way of him saving his son. It doesn't hurt that the father, also happens to be a world famous climatologist who the government has enlisted to help predict the killer weather before it destroys all of mankind.  The acting is really good, and they all play off of each other very well.
~Brooke~

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum, Sela Ward
Rated PG-13 for intense situations of peril. Runtime: 124 Year: 2004
The Day After Tomorrow (DVD, 2004, Collectible Lenticular Packaging) The Day After Tomorrow (DVD, 2004, Collectible Lenticular Packaging) Paypal US $5.99 1h 32m
Filed Under: Action & Adventure, Drama, Movie Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Step Up

February 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

When Tyler (CHANNING TATUM) finds himself doing community service (for vandalizing the school) at a school of the arts, he also finds Nora (JENNA DEWAN), a beautiful and privileged classically trained dancer who's searching for a temporary replacement for her injured dance partner.  Spying Tyler dancing one day, Nora decides to take a chance on him.  But as they begin training, tension builds, tempers flare and the differences in their backgrounds explode - igniting this electrifying tale about not giving up on your dreams.

This was movie was really good if you are a dancer and/or like watching dancing.  It had much deeper story line than you would think.  Many people thought it wasn't going to be that good, just a cheap ghetto dance type of movie, but it was so much more than that.  The dancing was fabulous.  And the acting was, for the most part, very good.

~Brooke~

Note from Susan:  I was surprised I found myself liking this movie.  The main character was not only from the other side of the tracks, but he was a child in foster care.  The portrayal of a foster family is shown briefly and somewhat stereo typical, but still an interesting part of Tyler's life.  Through his experiences and people believing in him, Tyler learns to believe he is capable of having a better life.  I found myself caring about the characters, and like Brooke said, it wasn't just about dancing, but the dancing was good.

Runtime: 104 minutes, Rated PG-13 For Thematic elements, Brief Language And Innuendo, Year: 2006, Starring: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Rachel Griffiths, and Alyson Stoner

"Full of energy, heart and wonderful dancing." - Jim Svejda, KNX/CBS Radio
Step Up 3 [DVD New] Step Up 3 [DVD New] Paypal US $8.74 25d 6h 38m
Filed Under: Drama, Movie Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Pride & Prejudice

February 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

pride-and-prejudice-2005When Elizabeth Bennet (KEIRA KNIGHTLY) meets Mr.Darcy (MATTHEW MACFADYEN) she thinks he is the last man on earth whom she could ever marry.  But as their lives become intertwined, she finds herself falling for the man she swore to "loathe for all eternity".

This is basically my favorite movie.  I've seen it probably 12 times. ;)   It's really funny and cute, and you don't really know what is going to happen at the end.  I think Elizabeth's sisters get a little annoying (not Jane), they always look dirty in this movie, and they are constantly laughing and throwing themselves at men.  But that is their characters, and it was how Jane Austen described them in the book, Pride & Prejudice, which I also read.  Only once though. ;)

This movie was very well cast I thought.  I don't like how some movies could have been great, except they pick a horrible actor that just ruins the movie.  Like in Superman Returns, like why pick Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane???  She wasn't funny and goofy or intriguing like the real Lois Lane.  She was kinda boring and just blah.  Anyway, I loved Pride & Prejudice, and I think youwill too.  Young kids probably won't want to see it, but it's a great family movie, since there is  no objectionable content.

~Brooke~

Starring: Keira Knightly, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn, Judi Dench

Runtime: 129 minutes, Year it came out: 2005 ,Rated PG for some mild thematic elements
Pride and Prejudice (HD DVD, 2007) Pride and Prejudice (HD DVD, 2007) Paypal US $6.99 9d 20h 44m
Filed Under: Drama, Movie Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Fireproof

February 8, 2009 By 1 Comment

Fireproof

Never Leave Your Partner Behind. . .

fireproofThis inspirational movie is not only heartwarming, but action packed and has surprising moments of humor.  Kirk Cameron really gives a very believable performance as a fire captain who is a hero in his community, but facing divorce at home.

The writing was better than I thought it would be, with believable dialogue, interesting characters, and many exceptional scenes that I will remember for a long time.  I was also surprised that the fire sequences were pretty good, not the cheap special affects I am used to from Christian films that usually suffer from low budgetitis.

There are also many humorous moments between the firemen and new recruits at the firehouse, but be forewarned:  This is not a movie about a Firehouse and its wonderful heroic men who fight amazing special effects fires by day, and hang out and show their great camaraderie by drinking beers all night.  If you are looking for that, you may want to see Ladder 49.

Not wanting to give away too much of the plot of Fireproof,  I will say that I was glad to see a tough subject dealt with, without the need of any inappropriate scenes, language, or detail that a family could not watch together.  That said, the movie is not for young kids, as it really would go over their heads, but teens on up will enjoy the movie and come away with a lot of practical advice for those entering into a relationship for the first time, newlyweds, or married couples who need to remember that their partner and marriage is important enough to fight for.  The whole 40 day Love Dare is really interesting and practical, and something all married couples can benefit from seeing played out in the film.

I have to admit, I loved this movie, seeing it first in the theater with my husband, and later on DVD with my teens.  All of us really enjoyed it, and being a family that watches many Christian films, we were impressed with this story of faith and forgiveness.

I will admit that my positive review is also taking into account the low budget, volunteer cast and crew, and faith based message that I strongly agree with.

~Susan

Rated PG

From Sherwood Pictures, the creators of Facing the Giants. Starring Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea

The DVD has many Special Features including:
Courageous Honor Begins At Home DVD/Blu-ray From Creators Of Fireproof Sealed Courageous Honor Begins At Home DVD/Blu-ray From Creators Of Fireproof Sealed Paypal US $7.99 7d 9h 48m
Filed Under: Christian, Family Movie, Inspirational, Movie Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,