There isn’t much I can say about the movie that hasn’t been said fifty times over on the Internet.  I loved it.  I thought it was better than the first one.  I am not ashamed to admit I was the only person in the theater to jump at one part (one teeny, tiny minor part that I don’t think scared anyone but me) and there was also one scene I had to cover my eyes.  It was so intense.

Now can someone answer me this… Who in their right mind thinks it’s ok to take a toddler to see that movie?  I am not talking about an infant who sleeps through the whole movie, though I don’t think I would do that either.  We are talking about a small child, so small they needed a booster seat to watch the movie, but not small enough that they wouldn’t understand the ideas and actions going on.  The movie was dark.  There was one scene in particular that involved a child and it was awful.  Horrifying.  Who would want their child to see that?  Do these people not read reviews before dragging their children to the theater or are they just too selfish in their own need of wanting to see the movie?  If it’s the latter, get a flipping babysitter. 

I know the movie was only rated PG-13 and language or sexual content was not an issue, but the violence.  Not gory violence, but dark, disturbing violence.  Some scenes were almost too much for me.  I can’t imagine seeing that as a child.  I learned this weekend that kids don’t fully understand the concept of make believe and reality until age seven.  These kids were under age seven.  I would hate to know what kind of dreams they had that night.

Come on people.  Be aware of what you are exposing your children to.  Movies are rated for a reason.

Three of the four movies watched recently were sweet, heartwarming movies.  First, let’s talk about Wall-E.  Congrats Pixar, you hit another one out of the park.  Now I am not going to say Wall-E is their best movie, but it was cute and I think this one appeals to adults the most.  There was an environmental awareness message throughout the movie that I am sure some of the younger kids missed.  Of course, maybe I am just underestimating kids today.  If you don’t have kids, I would recommend going to the matinee showing just to get the whole kid wide-eyed wonderment feeling.  The first time the robot said Wall-E in the movie about five kids repeated it.  So stinking cute.  How can you heart not melt?  I may have even teared up during the movie.  There were some touching parts, don’t laugh.

Dan in Real Life is another cute one.  I heard mixed reviews about this movie, but I love Steve Carell so I wanted to check it out.  Some of the movie is uncomfortable and almost painful to watch as the main character continues to get the short end of the stick, but it all works out and the movie delivers a happy ending.  After watching this, I just wanted to snuggle on the couch with B.  It really makes you appreciate the loved ones in your life.  And besides, how do you not love a man raising three daughters?

The last “chick” movie we saw was Definitely, Maybe.  Let me just say I think Ryan Reynolds is a hottie.  Abigail Breslin is quite the little actress as well.  The movie was funny and it was kind of an interesting twist on the typical love story.  Don’t worry male readers reader, the movie is B tested and approved.  If you are really worried about your manhood, there are three “hot chicks” in the movie.  They outnumber the one male hottie so you are ok.

And if you are really against movies that might potentially make you cry, I recommend National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.  I really enjoyed the first one and the second one delivered as well.  There is comedy, action, drama and who doesn’t love a good mystery.  Plus, you know there probably really is a Presidential Book of Secrets hidden somewhere.  They set this one up for a third installment so expect another summer hit in a couple years.

Now it is your turn.  What movie am I missing out on that I just have to see?  Now that we live seconds from a Redbox with $1 rentals, I have a feeling we will be watching many more movies in the coming weeks.  Anything to avoid that pile of boxes!

Not only is the movie so flipping good, it was made by cool people.  Cool people who post comments on the little people’s blogs.  Doesn’t it make you want to see the movie even more?  B and I are planning on buying the movie now.  That way we can quit (obsessively) telling our friends about it and just loan them our copy.  Kind of makes you want to be our friend now also?

The Man from Earth

When you think of the science fiction genre, you might also think big-budget Hollywood thriller. Science fiction films are often speculative, science-based depictions of imaginary phenomena that sometimes use special effects and futuristic technology to tell its story. The Man from Earthis a film in the sci-fi genre, but it is not your average blockbuster flick.

This film is the last work of the late, great Jerome Bixby, best known for his work on The Twilight Zone, Star Trek and Fantastic Voyage.Bixby first conceived the story for The Man from Earth in the early 1960s. He finally completed the screenplay on his death bed in 1998.

The story begins with seven friends, professors and academics from a near by college, gathering to share goodbyes as their colleague, John, mysteriously prepares for retirement. John offers up a conundrum: let’s say a man—a caveman, really—managed to survive for 14,000 years, never dying. What would he be like today? The friends, established Ph.D.s in fields including anthropology, biology, history and religion, begin discussing the puzzle, enjoying the countless questions it creates. The discussion starts innocent enough, but changes in tone as John implies more and more that the situation is not hypothetical. The friends all have diverse reactions that become more intense as they pose questions to John regarding the story he has put forth.

The entire film was shot in just over a week in a living room. For a low-key, no frills drama, its intriguing story will draw you in and it’s not one quickly forgotten. This is the story of smart people debating, hypothesizing and wondering.

With all its restraints, The Man from Earth is an unusual genre entry—no effects, no action, no cheap thrills. All the conflict is internal and all the drama is intellectual.This movie is for anyone who has intellect, is open minded and is ready for an adventure born of thought, ideas and possibilities. I do recommend you see this movie with a friend though, I guarantee you will want to discuss it.

If you rent the movie, be sure to tell me what you thought.  B and I saw it months ago and we are still talking about it.  It’s really fun to try and prove/disprove the ideas in the movie.  Enjoy!

Also, rumors of an Arrested Development movie are flying around. Apparently Ron Howard asked Jeffery Tambor (George Bluth, Sr.) and Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth) if they wanted to reprise their roles and they both said yes. I think several rumors have flown around before, but let’s hope this one is a go. I think the entire cast would be on board. I miss the Bluth family and I hope to see them on the screen again soon!

After we watched the movie, B and I had our usual review and discuss conversation. B tried to convince me that Adrienne Shelly was the same woman who played Miss Gist in Clueless. Boy was he wrong. Thanks to our friend IMDB, I was proven right once again.

 Getting back to me, I was born and raised in Texas and will always call myself a Texas girl (but not like UT-Texas, blech, BOOMER SOONER).  Thanks to B though, I am now living in Oklahoma and will probably stay here for the rest of my days.  I say thanks to B, but really the good ole University of Oklahoma got me here to begin with.  B was just a nice bonus at the end, more on that story in a later post.

I love to sing.  I will sing any song, whether I know the words or not (and most of the time I don’t).  Yesterday, while trying to hum American Pie, B pointed out that I sounded like a dying cat.  The sad part is when he did his impression of me, I realized that is actually what I sounded like.  It’s ok, I am comfortable with my tone deaf self.  I get it from my mother.

 Also, remember that episode of Friends where they play the game show, of course you do.  I have a point, just stick with me.  Anyway, you know how Rachel has favorite movie and an actual favorite movie?  Well my favorite movie is Chicago, but my actual favorite movie is Grease 2.  That’s right, I said it, Grease 2.  Best. Sequel. Ever. Made.  Don’t try and argue that fact with me, I will never budge.  Want to hear me sing Cool Rider?  C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R.

I cannot cook a baked potato, even though I remember learning how in Home Economics.  I have tried several times over the past year and I have come to accept that it’s just not going to happen for me.

I love Marciano cherries.  They are a weakness for me.  If you ever come to my house and I offer you a cherry, it is probably best you say no.  I secretly steal sips of the cherry juice.  This I get from my grandmother.  She introduced me to the cherries to begin with.  There was always a jar of cherries in her fridge, but I never saw her use them in anything.

And the last thing I will reveal (which is really no secret at all), I am a dog freak!   I love dogs.  Always have.  Every time I see a dog I feel the need to squeal PUPPY!  I wouldn’t recommend going to Petsmart with me.  I can be embarrassing.  I will sit on each aisle and grin like a nerd at each puppy that passes by.  I want to reach down and hug them and squeeze them, but I do have the common decency to respect other people’s space.  Sometimes.  If you have a Boston Terrier then all bets are off.

So those are some facts about me.  Any surprises?