The Reaping

Creepy! All the plagues looked pretty realistic, and the story was good. I thought the twist made sense and really surprised me. This movie is definitely worth watching if you want to get a good spook or jump and be freaked out by religious prophecy. Hilary Swank was good, and I think AnnaSophia Robb is really making her way in the world of acting. She's definitely a child star on the rise. And this movie is creepy and freaky, but I was able to sleep just fine after watching it. It ends well. Recommended.

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

The plot was lame, but the 3D effects were crazy cool. I didn't like the weird coloring, but I guess the 3D thing isn't perfect yet. It kind of hurt my eyes. Brendan Fraser's acting seems to be getting worse as he gets older. His acting was OK at best. The whole father/son angle that was thrown into the movie was kind of unnecessary in my opinion. And the movie lacked content. I thought it would be a lot longer with more obstacles for the characters to face. I know the whole movie is just one big fictional adventure, and it is all about family fun....I just didn't care for it in the end.

Feast of Love

Definitely powerful, but this wasn't my cup of tea. I thought the trials of romance and love in this movie were realistic, but the film was a bit choppy and the philosophical moments were too many for my taste. The acting was great (Morgan Freeman was wonderful as usual), and the sex scenes were plenty...maybe too much for some viewers (they should have called it feast of flesh). I liked the setting being in Oregon. I'd give this a 3 out of 5 rating. I don't think I'd buy or watch it again.

Sam's Letters to Jennifer (Audiobook) - James Patterson

Very emotional and heartbreaking. This was such a good listen. James Patterson really knows how to write the sentimental sappy stuff. I cried a lot, and I laughed a little. Anne Heche did a great read as Jennifer. She put a great amount of emotion into her narrating. She made it easy to picture the whole book in my head like a movie.

Jennifer's relationship with Sam was a very close one, and I kind of wish I had that with a grandparent. Sam is the type of grandmother I would like to be when I am older...except without the adultery and secrecy. When her lover was revealed at the end, I was totally surprised. It was a very good twist.

I will definitely listen to this again. I'm so glad I bought it. I wish there was a movie of this book. I hope one gets made soon.

The Pleasure of My Company - Steve Martin

Angela's choice for November was pretty good. It was a fast read and kept me interested. The main guy Daniel is strange and sweet at the same time. I liked how he worked through his issues and how he needed more important stuff in his life to distract him from the craziness. It was almost like he bored himself in to being crazy. My favorite quote from the book was on page 58. "When an endeavor is special in a person's life, others discern it intuitively and appreciate it more, like the praise a child receives for a lumpy clay sculpture." Makes me think that you should put all you have in to the things you really care about and even if it turns out not so great, others will realize that it was important to you and will understand. Nice thought.

Good book - even though I still think Steve Martin writes books that are a little...off.

Saw IV

Well John does it again, but this time he's already dead when the movie starts. The first scene opens with his autopsy and a tape found in his stomach. You think it's just the beginning. This series is so consistent. Rigg, the last SWAT member of the original police team, is the main player this time around, and all he has to do is let things happen. He has to learn to let people save themselves instead of trying to be the hero all the time. It appears that his main objective is to find detective Matthews who was captured in the second film. The ending is crazy and twisted, and, of course, the gag factor is high on the charts, but the movie's ending (as with all the other Saw movies) totally pulls a fast one on you and leaves you shaking your head and wondering what will happen next. This series is crazy but addictive in a sick way. I can't believe I want to see the next one.

Saw III

Summer's got me on a Saw movie kick. More chills and stupid pig face appearances. Seriously, though, this one kind of pissed me off. The guy who gets tested in this movie was a total jerk, and I understand he had every right to want to exact revenge on all of the other test subjects but, seriously, how could one person be so full of hate? Who could stand to watch people die in the ways the people in this film died? ...and not try to help till it's too late to help at all? Especially the guy in the last contraption. It was the worst of all....Eeeewwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Jigsaw is dying, but he's actually still going now thanks to one of the game players in this movie. The second test in this movie (the main objective of this movie) was the best, and I didn't see it coming as part of the conclusion. Jigsaw knows how to play people, and it's so twisted. And the third test in this flick starts us off on the road to Saw IV I'm sure.

Saw II

This Saw movie was even more messed up than the first. It truly is a game with Jigsaw every time, but this time around he has an accomplice doing his dirty work. I never could have guessed who it was Jigsaw chose, and I was completely fooled at the end when that person was revealed. The endings really make the movies in this series, and they trick you every time.

The game was more elaborate with eight people involved this go round, and some of them were seriously ridiculous and crazy. If people in these movies would follow instructions and play by the rules, they might actually have a chance at winning and continuing to live. The ending was really something as you see the true connection to Saw I, and it's amazing how the whole thing is so consistent with the first film. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I actually liked this movie...aside from the chills I got while watching it.

Eagle Eye

'You've been activated....if you want to live, you will obey.' Another Big Brother scenario comin' at ya again...this movie was crazy! The technology versus man thing never gets old. Even though the plot of this movie seems far-fetched, it makes you wonder about what our own military could be concocting behind closed doors.

Shia LaBeouf keeps getting hotter and hotter with each new movie. I freaking love seeing him in action flicks. He's so good at being intense and being hot! There were a few tiny holes in the plot that are easily forgettable because it's so good and, hello, it's just a movie. The beginning was kind of unclear, but it made sense after the first hour and a half when that part of the plot was finally explained. The special effects were great, the plot was pretty decent and the action and tension was non-stop. A thrill ride for sure. I would recommend this to sci-fi and action buffs.

Quantum of Solace

Another good Bond movie. So glad they made him tougher. I like Daniel Craig so much more than the last few Bonds. He's way better. I even kind of like the girls in these latest ones. They actually do something other than just sleep with him. Good action. Good story. I liked this one better than Casino Royale b/c there weren't long drawn out poker scenes. No swimming trunks shots though...Boo! The villians in these last two have had REALLY creepy eyes and stares. Yuck! Freakin' me out. Glad I'm not a spy. It would stress me out to have to decide day to day who I could trust.

Check it out!

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

This book was amazing! It was recommended to me by a co-worker, and I'm so happy I read it. Being a former clown, I'm partial to circuses and such things. Some parts were pretty messed up, but I imagine that's how it was during the depression. You get to see the darker side of the circus. I loved the story, and I was interested the entire time. It read really fast and had great characters. I want an elephant! It had good twists and funny moments. I was surprised to find that many of the events were "true" or at least circus legend from the past all mixed in together. That's cool.

Yeah Sara Gruen!

The Mist

Definitely a good monster flick. Very suspenseful and creepy. It's military science gone horribly wrong, or is it really the end of days? You'll think so when you see creatures from another world terrorize the characters in this movie. I would freak out if something happened to me like it did to the people trapped by the mist and what was waiting for them in it. Of course, there are certain monsters lurking inside the store beyond the mist as well....they might even be scarier to some.

The acting could have been better, but the special effects were outstanding, and the blurb on the front cover of the DVD box says this movie has one of the most shocking endings....I don't think it's shocking, I think it's twisted and awful. I still enjoyed the movie, though.

There is a black and white version available, and it is supposed to make the movie even more intense and entertaining as it's like a throwback to the early horror flicks and monster movies. I think I'd like this a lot better in black and white.

The Secret Life of Bees

I haven't read the book yet, but I am definitely going to now. I loved this movie. Definitely going to buy this when it comes out on DVD. Dakota Fanning was amazing as Lily. That little girl can seriously make me cry. She is such a talented young actress. Queen Latifah is perfect as August, and the rest of the cast was amazing as well. This is a beautiful story about family, faith, forgiveness and love, and if you are looking for something to touch your heart and inspire you then this flick is the one to see.

Inside Man

Brilliant bank heist. I love Clive Owen, and he was the reason I watched this movie. He's so sexy. The robbery was great, and I love the way the criminals executed all the details. It took some incredible planning, and I would have to award them for being the most creative bank robbers I've ever seen (if it were real). Denzel was in this movie, and, like I said in the not-so-distant past, I'm not a huge fan of his anymore....this movie kind of brought me back to him, though, and I'm starting to like him again little by little. Christopher Plummer and Jodie Foster were excellent supporting characters. I hope to see more Jodie movies in 2009. Good movie overall. Rent it and then decide if you want to buy.

License to Wed

It was cute at best. Very predictable. Funny. A sweet romantic comedy. Sometimes I thought that Mandy Moore's character, Sadie, was a bit too high maintenance and seemed to pull away from Ben (John Krasinski) too much. There were a few moments when I thought there was no way the two would actually still end up together because something about their chemistry was slightly off in my opinion.

Robin Williams, he did what he does best as usual. The child sidekick he had was a bit unusual, though.

A chick flick all around, but I would strongly recommend just renting this and not buying.

I love John Krasinksi. I'm so glad he's doing movies now. He's so nerdy hot!

Oh yeah...I loved the couple's apartment in this movie. It was nice and modern yet comfy and welcoming and really lived-in. I can't help that I notice that stuff. I really liked their furniture.

Saw

I never thought I would watch this movie, but our friend, Summer, convinced me that it was worth seeing. So I agreed to watch it after she bought it, and I was actually surprised at how much the film was not what I expected. There is actually a decent story behind the big game that is played with the characters' lives, and it's not as disgusting as I thought it would be. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Cary Elwes as one of the main characters.

This is a pyschological thriller, and it's actually a good one. Yep, I said it was good. It's super freaky at times, and it gets really intense. The weird pig mask was totally scary, and I could have gone without seeing it. The special effects are too realistic in this movie, it's crazy. The ending is what gets you and hooks you to the movie and keeps you thinking about it for a while after its over. It is so messed up, and I just wanted to kick myself for not having figured out what would happen at the end. It was there the whole time, and I knew it but didn't. Seriously messed up. This movie is so messed up that it makes you want to watch it again.

After the Wedding

I really enjoy foreign films...this was my first Danish pick. This movie is about an aid worker named Jacob, played by Mads Mikkelsen (love him), who has to go back to his home country of Denmark (a place he doesn't wish to return to) to meet a potential benefactor. Jacob needs to obtain funding for the orphanage he helps to run in India. After meeting this potetial benefactor, named Jorgen, both men's lives are changed forever and in a way that neither of them could have predicted. There are some very good twists. This is so different from any movie I have seen before. I couldn't predict what would happen, and I liked that. Too many movies are so easy to read these days, and this one kept me guessing about the characters and the ending. I don't want to reveal too much about the movie because it's very good, and the emotional drama will reel you in and keep you there till it's over. See it.

Get Smart

I used to watch this show on Nick at Nite with my dad, and this movie brought back all the memories. Steve Carell was a great choice for Maxwell Smart, and Anne Hathaway is stunning as Agent 99. I was pleasantly surprised at the good chemistry between the two, and I love all their witty banter. I also love Dwayne Johnson so it was nice to see him starring as Agent 23. He's really good with the facial expressions and has great comedic timing. I'm so glad he's more of a regular actor now and not just an acting wrestler. And Alan Arkin is hilarious as the chief. He's an old favorite.

The plot was interesting, the jokes were laugh-out-loud funy, the special effects were good, and I liked all the technology/gadgets. My favorite scene was the little dance competition between Max and Agent 99, and I cracked up at Agent 23's constant bullying of his two fellow goofball field agents. I watched this three times, and every time I cracked up. Definitely worth renting, buying, etc.

Nanny McPhee

What you need is Nanny McPhee!...for a fun-filled, family flick. I watched this on TV today, and I really liked it. It's very colorful and comical and British. And I'm a huge Colin Firth fan as well as a big fan of Emma Thompson so I had to see it. Kelly Macdonald also had a small but key role, and she is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine, too.

Cute but naughty children need shaping up? Nanny McPhee is just the woman for the job with her magical walking stick, snaggle-tooth, warts and unibrow. There are lessons learned and loves lost and found in this entertaining movie with it's Happily-Ever-After ending.

I'm glad I watched it. Recommended to all ages.

Lost Colony

In the 1500s, colonists on Roanoke Island disappear without a trace. No one knows what happens to them until 6 months later when new colonists (bad actors who can't pull off English accents in a period film to save their lives) come to the island from England and discover everyone missing. Perhaps the previous colonists simply joined other colonies or moved on since there wasn't really evidence of a struggle or bloodshed, but no one really knows what happened to this day. This movie leads you to believe that the previous colonists and the new ones were supposedly haunted by (horribly made CGI) viking ghosts. The new colonists can't leave the island because their ship has gone back to England for supplies, and the Indians across the way from the haunted island won't help the colony because they apparently know better.

My sister and some friends and I rented this for a scary movie girls' night. The movie started out somewhat promising. I usually get freaked out by historical mysteries like these, but, even though this movie was a bit scary at first, it lost steam pretty quickly. The plot wasn't completely horrible, but it sucked overall. I fell asleep on and off during the last half, but I didn't miss much I'm sure. The ending was confusing and much like the rest of the movie, it left much to be desired. Major thumbs down. To quote a fellow Amazon member, Jason Elin, from his review of this movie, "...I suspect the earliest colonists had a sneak peak at this movie's premiere, and the end result was mass-suicide."

Deja Vu

I wasn't disappointed in this sci-fi action flick, but there are holes in the story. Of course, that is to be expected in movies that involve time travel. I thought the plot was decent with the bomb and the murders, and it was interesting to see how agent Carlin actually caused things that he tried to prevent from happening to happen with his time travel related stunts. The end result was the same in most of the situations he tried to change. This reminded me of the book Heather and I read for September, The Time Traveler's Wife, and how Henry, the main character, said that he could go back in time but wouldn't do anything to try and change the future because what was going to happen would happen regardless of what he did or didn't do. That book and this movie both suggest that there are predestined events set in place in life, and the future can't really be altered because things are constantly already happening in the now to lead to the same ultimate end result even before it has happened. Man, that is confusing. Time travel is tricky.

I said in most of the situations the end result was the same in the movie, but the ending is where things somehow miraculously do change so the future does finally alter...for the better, of course.

Overall, I was satisfied with this movie, but I think it could have used a better supporting cast and more of a mad, mad villain. Jim Caviezel delivers a villain who appears to be just quietly crazy in my opinion, and I think that brings the intensity of the movie down a notch.

Recommended for Denzel fans and for anyone who wants to try to wrap their head around the folding time/space thing.

Then She Found Me

A few laughs, a few tears and alot of heart. This movie is about half sad and half happy. It's definitely more of a chick flick, but I think single fathers might appreciate this, too. I rented it because I absolutely love Colin Firth, and I loved him in this movie...he did a very realistic portrayal of a single father on the edge of breaking while caring for two children all on his own. Helen Hunt was wonderful as the main character, April (and as director). She delivered her lines and paced her reactions so well. I am not at the baby fever stage yet of my life, but Hunt really drew me into her character's baby drama. I felt for her and cried when she cried. This is a very touching story. The ending was so sweet and not what I predicted.

Random note - Helen Hunt wasn't that believeable to me as being only 39 years old. I couldn't get over her droopy eyes and cheeks. I still think she's pretty, though, and she has kept her figure up very well...you'll see much of it in this movie if you decide to watch.

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas - DVD

I rented this because it looked like a good old fashioned romantic love story, and I love Christina Applegate. Also, Johnathan Schaech is pretty hot in the smoldering sense. It was completely romantic and chick-flicky, and I really liked it. It's all about letting go of the past and letting yourself heal to move on in life and love.

The whole movie has kind of an overcast sadness but not in a really depressing way, and that's what made me want to watch till the end because I was sure it had to get better. It was light and humorous in several places...seeing the romance bloom between Suzanne and Matt was nice and sweet. I got attached to them as a couple.

I had a hard time accepting Matt's new love interest because of Matt and Suzanne's relationship, but in the last scene she redeems herself with the last line of the movie which was perfect, "It'll keep." That was the best choice of words for her in that scene. I haven't read the book so I don't know if that was what was said in the book, but it was the perfect ending. I do think the ending was kind of rushed, but it did suit the story.

Recommended for romantics everywhere, and if you read the book then see the movie. I've read reviews that say it's a pretty good version of the story brought to life. I'm going to read the book soon so I can compare.

Happy Birthday to you, Heather!!!

Enjoy your cake!

Love, Angel

1408

I rented this to watch for Halloween. I figured I couldn't miss with a Stephen King thriller. The movie started off strong, and I was really feeling the whole evil hotel room vibe, but halfway through there was the whole fake out escape...I think it lasted too long to get me in the evil hotel room vibe once again when Mike is brought back to the room. And after the room ordeal was all over, the ending just left me shaking my head in disappointment. I really thought there would be a twist and he'd be back in the room for more endless messed up insanity trips. That would have been a good ending.

The freakiest thing about the movie = the weird dude in the green jacket with the messed up hair and the tool. That person was a seriously jacked up character that made me jump repeatedly. Oh, and the crusty dude in the air shaft was pretty scary, too.

John Cusack's acting was really good in this, and I liked seeing him in this more sensitive, vulnerable role. He's also aging well. Samuel L. Jackson - he is good at being bad and mysterious, but ever since Snakes on a Plane I can't help but laugh and remember that famous line he belted out. You know the one. If not, see my Snakes on a Plane post from 10/22/08. Ahahaha!