Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride
PG

In spite of the fact that I have not seen this movie in years, and I mean since it was in the theater in 1991 years, I think about it a lot.  While that may seem a little odd to some, there is a good reason for it.  My oldest son, who heretofore will be known as The Athlete, is a ginormous Brad Paisley fan.  Mr. Paisley is married to Kimberly Williams, who is now officially Kimberly Williams-Paisley.  Brad Paisley has song in which he mentions going to see this movie with a date other than his now wife.  Here it is for anyone who hasn't heard the song.  It is even the very first part for the impatient. So anyway, one Friday night when we were casting about for a family night film, this one came to mind.

Does it hold up?

The short answer would be yes it does.  But when have I ever stuck with the short answer?

My kids in particular thought it was hysterical.  Even my husband, who had somehow missed seeing this before (SAY WHAT?!?!?!?!?) thought it was funny.  I confess that I did not find it as funny as I remembered it being but I had a terrific time watching my kids and husband laugh, so that made up for it.  The scene where Steve Martin is lurking around the future in-laws house is a classic and had us all rolling.

 And you know a movie is a hit when the family goes around quoting it to each other for several days afterwards.  There was a downside to the quoting thing as the one line I wish had NOT been in the movie was the most likely to be quoted.  Remember early in the film when the family is meeting the fiance and the flustered Dad says "be sure to fasten your condom"? Yeah, I didn't remember that part either.  But I do now.  Around here we just call it a teaching moment and we had the pleasure (and I use that term loosely) of pausing the movie and having an impromptu conversation of different means of birth control.  YEAH.  Note the fellow to the right for my true feeling on that.  Not a bad thing of course.  Just not a top drawer Family Night activity. 

What to know before viewing?

1) Steve Martin looks way younger upon this viewing than he did the first time around.

 2) I will save you a Google.  Yes the little brother is a Culkin.

3) I will save you a second Google.  Yes the flamboyantly gay wedding planner sidekick is the same guy from Law and Order Special Victims Unit.  Kudos to him  too cause it is such a different role and both are done well enough it took me a LONG time to place him.  He doesn't even look like he has aged.  Way to go B.D.Wong on good genes, a good cosmetic surgeon, or both.

4) Here is what Common Sense media had to say on the matter.  I think they are about right though I did let my 6 year old watch.

Three Star- "I Liked It"

Currently available on Netflix Instant Viewing.

Here is the original trailer for you viewing pleasure.

Ode To Helena Bonham Carter

Yes, I have been on break but I AM BACK with a new feature. An Ode to talent. First off Helena Bonham Carter.




I just watched Deathly Hallow Part 1 cause I had not seen it and I wanted to see the second part in the theater. She scared the crap out of me as Bellatrix Lestrange. Truly terrifying and just right.  Then I got to thinking........

 My first exposure to her was in Howard's End and she was sweet, naive, and stunning.  I loved that film.  In fact it was one of my first film loves and I think I watched it fifty times.  Helena, Emma, Anthony, Vanessa.  Sigh.  But I digress.

Of course, I just recently I saw her steely performance in The King's Speech as the Queen.  There was a woman with backbone and Helena caught it just right.  Is there nothing this woman can't do?  Anyone else love the scene where she was drinking tea in the therapist house and his wife came home.  As a movie buff and Austen fan, I got a special little thrill in seeing Darcy and Elizabeth reunited.  But I digress.  Again.









Not to mention how incredibly prolific she is. Holy Smokes! I just went to look up the name of a quirky movie I saw her in where she played a flighty Jewish mother and I couldn't find it in the long long list.

Okay, so I did eventually find it.  It is a fun little film called Sixty Six.  I might do a review of that soon so consider this is little preview.

So here is a toast to Helena!  We are glad you have graced us with your talent.

Hello my movie watching friends!

We have been on spring break! I though I would have lots of time to post but instead, I took a break. I have so many movies to review now thought that you should be seeing a lot of me in the next couple of weeks.

Happy Easter!

He is risen.

My Dog Skip............................A Dog Tail

My Dog Skip
PG

I remember when this movie came out it got a whole lot of good review and I always intended to watch it but somehow never did.  Perhaps a part of that is that it is just within the last year or so that my kids will consider a movie that is not a cartoon.  I consider this a great milestone.  LOL

I found this film to be a odd little film.  It didn't really seem to go anywhere and at the same time was a little formulaic.  WWII era boy has no friends, save an older next door neighbor who is going off to war.  Since he is lonely, his mother gets him a dog over his father's objections.  The dog does indeed, become the best friend.

What to do before viewing


1) Huge cast.  Diane Lane.  Kevin Bacon. Luke Wilson.

2) I appear to be losing my mind.  I told my kids I didn't understand the toilet on the poster.  They looked at me like I was crazy then told me there was a big scene with a toilet and that it had become a running gag throughout the film.  I have absolutely no recollection of this.  Perhaps I wasn't paying that much attention?  I have no answer for that.  I thought I was watching.  It is scaring me a little actually.

3) My kids and husband liked this one better than I did.

4) Based on a true story.  I didn't know this until the end.

What about the kids?


We watched it for family night.  Here is what the experts say.

Currently available on Netflix Instant Viewing and here.


Three Stars- "I Liked It" - truthfully I would probably give it two but the rest of my family would probably give it a four so I am splitting the difference since I might have been having a bad night.

MY DOG SKIP: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: My Dog Skip, Luke Wilson

Bottle Shock..................Based on a True Story

Bottle Shock
PG-13

How bad can it be?  I mean it has Alan Rickman it!  Who doesn't love Snape?  And it has the guy who played Captain Kirk in the latest Star Trek movie.  He can even sort of act, unlike the original Captain Kirk.  And Bill Pullman.  He was the President in Independence Day.  You have to trust him. Right?  If you were thinking all of this, then welcome to Bottle Shock.

I found this movie because the trailer was before some other movie.  I don't even remember which one but it looked like fun.  Then I discovered it was on Instant Viewing, so when we had a family get together with my parents,  (HI MOM) we all watched it.  It just the right kind of film.  Funny and light and an underdog for whom to cheer. Everyone thirteen and up found it enjoyable.


What to know before viewing


1) Best line (it's in the trailer so I'm not spilling the beans.)  Bill Pullman- "Why don't I like you?"  Alan Rickman- " Because you think I am an asshole and I'm not really. I'm just British.....and well..... you're not."

2)  It's an indie.  A well done indie.  I didn't really get the low budget feel from it.



What about the kids?


I have decided I stink at this section.  I am oddly liberal on some things and conservative on others.  I have found www.commonsensemedia.com to be very helpful on this matter.  Check them out if you have never used them before.  Here is what they had to say about this movie.  From now on I am just going to link them in this part.  LOL.

Currently on Netflix Instant Viewing and here.


Three Stars- "Liked It"


Just for fun, I am going to experiment with putting the trailer her.  We will see how it goes.

Gnomeo and Juliet...............................A Rose by Any Other Name

Gnomeo and Juliet
G

This is a real break out movie for me as it is still in the theater.  (chuckling in a bit embarrassed manner) It totally figures it would be animated as I pretty much only get to see movies I take the kids to see.  In this case it was for my youngest's birthday.  But that's okay cause this was a fun film.

Gnomeo and Juliet, voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, are garden gnomes that live in rival gardens.  The Red Hats and the Blue Hats have been feuding for as long as anyone can remember. Of course, you pretty much know how the rest of the story goes.

Yes this is a kids' film but there is plenty here for the accompanying parent to enjoy.  Shakespeare quotes, and not all from Romeo and Juliet, are woven through the entire script and it is fun to try and find them.  If you are better educate than I turned out to be, it would also be fun to figure out which plays they are from.

Some of Britain's best stars turned up to do voices.  In addition to James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, there is Maggie Smith, Micheal Caine, Jason Straham, Ozzy Osborne, Julie Andrews, Patrick Stewart, and Dolly Parton.  Yeah, that last one isn't British but she sure does have a recognizable voice.

What to know before viewing

1) Yes, I know the above poster isn't in English. I just thought it was cute.  Here is the translation for those who have an overwhelming need for the English version.  I like the other one better.

2) Tybalt is BAD.  I kept thinking I needed to go back an re-read the play because I didn't remember him being that bad.

3) My biggest disappointment in the film was that James McAvoy's voice didn't turn out to be that distinctive.  Pleasant, yes, but not distinctive.

4) Elton John's music is featured quite prominently here and is a lot of fun.  I love it when they weave existing songs into a story line.

What about the kids?


This is all about the kids.  My youngest got up half way through the film and thanked me for bringing him to see it.  LOL

Currently in theaters and eventually here


Five Stars-  "Loved It"


If you noticed this has gone to video and I have not changed it, please comment and I will fix it.

UPDATED to add- this is now on out on DVD

I've got two movies you are gonna love

And as soon as my little guy gets well, I promise to tell you all about them.