Monday's Movie-Yes Man

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that we really enjoyed this weekend was Yes Man with Jim Carrey.

Here are some of the details from the film:

Genre:  Comedy

Starring:  Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper

Runtime:  1 hr, 44 mn.

MPAA Rating:  PG13

Here is a summary of the film from the MSN Movie website:

Based on Danny Wallace's autobiographical book, Jim Carrey stars as a man who decides to spice up his life by saying yes to everything in his life that he would normally say no to. Fun With Dick and Jane's creative team of director Peyton Reed and writer Nick Stoller head up the production. Zooey Deschanel co-stars as the romantic interest, with Bradley Cooper appearing as Carrey's best friend. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

We always love a good comedy in our home and this one definitely fit the bill.  Jim Carrey plays the character of Carl Allen, a man who is always making up excuses to avoid spending time with his friends.  It's not until he misses his best friend's engagement party that he realizes that maybe he is missing out on some important life events.  Carl attends a seminar and makes a contract agreeing to say yes to everything.  As he starts saying yes to everything that he possibly can, he finds new doors are opening in his life.  He notices positive changes taking place with his job, his romantic interests, and with his friends.  This was a very enjoyable movie and a good reminder that we need to embrace what life has to offer before it's too late.  I'm rating this one 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Monday's Movie-Frost/Nixon

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that I found very interesting this weekend was Frost/Nixon.

Here are some of the details from the film:

Genre: Drama

Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell

Runtime: 2 hr, 2 mn.

MPAA Rating: R

Here is a summary of the movie from the MSN Movie website:

Hollywood heavyweight Ron Howard adapts playwright Peter Morgan's West End hit for the silver screen with this feature focusing on the 1977 television interviews between journalist David Frost (Michael Sheen) and former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella). At the time Nixon sat down with Frost to discuss the sordid details that ultimately derailed his presidency, it had been three years since the former commander in chief had been forced out of office. The Watergate scandal was still fresh in everyone's minds, and Nixon had remained notoriously tight-lipped until he agreed to sit down with Frost. Nixon was certain that he could hold his own opposite the up-and-coming British broadcaster, and even Frost's own people weren't quite sure their boss was ready for such a high-profile interview. When the interview ultimately got under way and each man eschewed the typical posturing in favor of the simple truth, fans and critics on both sides were stunned by what they witnessed. Instead of Nixon stonewalling the interviewer as expected, or Frost lobbing softballs as the truth-seekers feared, what emerged was an unguardedly honest exchange between a man who had lost everything and another with everything to gain. In this film, viewers are treated to not only a recreation of that landmark interview, but a behind-the-scenes look at the power struggles that led up to it as well. Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Brian Grazer team to produce a film adapted for the screen by original play author Morgan (The Queen and The Last King of Scotland). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

This was such an interesting movie that portrayed a part of our U.S. history that I would have been too young to remember. I'm sure most Americans have heard of the Watergate scandal that President Nixon was involved with, and this movie is about the interview that took place after that scandal. Not only is the movie about the interview, but also the important events that led up to that moment in history. David Frost was an Australian journalist and many of his peers did not think that he would be diplomatic enough to be able to handle an interview with Nixon. He spent months before the interview looking for financial backers to help cover the cost of Nixon's hefty fee, but it seemed that very few were willing to invest in his journalism abilities. This was a movie well worth watching, and if you haven't heard of this interview, as I haven't, I would highly suggest watching this. I'm going to rate this 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Monday's Movie-New in Town

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that we really enjoyed this last weekend was New in Town.


Here are the details from the film:

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., Frances Conroy

Runtime: 1 hr, 36 mn

MPAA Rating: PG

Here is a summary of the movie from the MSN Movie website:

Renée Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. headline this romantic comedy about an ambitious Miami executive who meets the man of her dreams and begins reassessing her big-city values after accepting a temporary transfer to the middle of nowhere. When it comes to climbing the corporate latter, Lucy Hill (Zellweger) is a good few rungs above her closest competitor; she's got ambition to spare, and she cares more about driving the latest model car and filling her closet with shoes than making friends around the office. Offered a temporary assignment restructuring a manufacturing plant in the snowbound town of New Ulm, Lucy accepts, knowing that a big promotion is just around the corner. But New Ulm and Miami couldn't be more different if they were each located on separate continents, and as Lucy warms to the locals she discovers that there's more to life than making top dollar and wearing the latest fashions. When handsome local Ted Mitchell (Harry Connick Jr.) takes an interest in Lucy, it isn't long before the whole town is abuzz with rumors of romance, and the girl from the city discovers that a bit of rural magic could work wonders for her outlook on life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

Lucy is on the fast track in the business world and climbing the ladder of success. The company that she works for has taken over a small food manufacturing plant in Minnesota and Lucy is charged with the task of going to the plant and overseeing operations and the restructuring process. After adjusting to the cold temperatures and trying to change the local's attitudes toward her, she develops a soft spot for the small community and starts to think that maybe what the corporation has in mind for this small plant is not the best idea. This was an enjoyable romantic comedy that kept both my husband and myself entertained, although parts of it were pretty predictable. I am going to rate this one 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Monday's Movie-17 Again

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that I was pleasantly surprised with this weekend was 17 Again.

Here are the details from the film:

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry

Runtime: 1 hr, 42 mn

MPAA Rating: PG13

Here is a summary of the movie from the MSN Movie website:

A former high school basketball star gets a second shot at life when he's miraculously transformed into a teenager and offered the opportunity to redefine his future. Back in 1989, Mike O' Donnell (Matthew Perry) had it all; not only was the 17-year-old senior the king of the basketball court, but college scouts were circling as well. But just as Mike's future began to glow brighter than ever before, he sacrificed everything in order to stay by his expectant girlfriend, Scarlet, and be a good father. Nearly 20 years later, Mike has just been passed over for a big promotion at work, his marriage is failing, and his teenage kids can't stand him. His dreams long gone and his family falling apart, Mike takes to staying with his best friend, Ned (Thomas Lennon), a former high school geek-turned-techno billionaire. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Mike is transported back into his teenage body and given the given the unique opportunity to relive his salad days. But while Mike may look 17 again, his thirtysomething outlook at life puts him hopelessly at odds with the class of 2009. When Mike discovers that by attempting to recapture his best years he could risk losing all the best things he ever experienced in life, the time comes to make a decision that could have a drastic impact on both his past and his future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

What a funny and enjoyable movie this turned out to be. Since I have an eighteen year old daughter in my household, Zac Efron is not a name that is new to me. But I must admit that I haven't really given this young man a second thought. As the movie begins, Mike is married with two kids at home and is starting to question the decisions that he made that originated during his senior year of high school. Mike is suddenly immersed back into his seventeen year old body, but the year is still 2009. He starts attending school with the class of 2009 and finds that he gets to learn a little more about what his kids are doing during their school days. He has an opportunity to help both his son and daughter, while they think of him as one of their peers, rather than a father. Things get a little intense when he finds himself trying to control his emotions when he is in the presence of his wife (but trying to act as just a friend to his son), and when his daughter (remember that she thinks he is just a new kid in school) starts to think a relationship could develop between them. During this time, Mike has time to re-evaluate his priorities in life and try to make things right again. This was a fun movie and was enjoyed by the entire family so I will give this 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Monday's Movie-The Man in the Moon

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that we watched this weekend that really touched my heart was The Man in the Moon.


Here are some of the details from the film:

Genre: Drama, Romance

Starring: Sam Waterston, Tess Harper, Gail Strickland, Reese Witherspoon, Jason London

Runtime: PG13

MPAA Rating: 1hr, 45mn

Here is a summary of the movie from the MSN Movie website:

In its elegiac nostalgia for the days of childhood innocence, Robert Mulligan's The Man in the Moon recalls another of Mulligan's earlier films, To Kill A Mockingbird. Set in a Louisiana backwater town in the 1950s, the film chronicles the coming-of-age of a young teenage girl. Dani (Reese Witherspoon) is a fourteen-year-old girl who shares a room with her seventeen-year-old sister Maureen (Emily Warfield). During hot summer nights, they sleep on the screened-in back porch of their home, talking about romance, the future, and the meaning of life. Moving into the house next door is a handsome seventeen-year-old boy, Court Foster ( Jason London). Court meets Dani at the local swimming hole and they are immediately attracted to each other; through Court, Dani experiences her first true and perfect love. But when Court meets Maureen, the sparks really fly and Maureen falls in love with him too. Now Maureen is torn between holding back her love for Court or accepting his love and betraying her sister. A tragic event makes Maureen's mind up for her. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:
This is one of those movies that I said to myself "Where in the world was I when this was released in 1991?" Since my daughter was born in 1991 I was more than likely busy with a new baby in the home. This was such a sweet movie that not only looks into the dynamics of sisterly responsibility, but also first love. Dani is a tomboy in the beginning of the movie but quickly changes her habits once she runs into her new neighbor Court. Although Court feels a connection to Dani, he is also conflicted because he knows that their age difference is a problem. Once Court sets his eyes on Maureen there is an instant attraction between the two. Unfortunately, Dani feels betrayed by Maureen and their sisterly relationship suffers greatly. This movie has many twists and turns between all of the family members and Court, but this heart-wrenching story has a peaceful and forgiving ending. If you missed it like I did, I suggest that you watch it! This was one of Reese Witherspoon's first movies and at age 14 you could definitely tell that she was becoming an amazing and talented actress. I'm going to rate this one 5 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Monday's Movie-The Family Stone

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that we watched this weekend that was a pleasant surprise was The Family Stone.


Here are some of the details from the film:

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson, Durmot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams

Runtime: 1 hr, 43 mn

MPAA Rating: PG13

Here is a summary of the movie from the MSN Movie website:
A woman meets her future in-laws and discovers they don't much care for her in this comedy from writer and director Thomas Bezucha. Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) is a successful young businessman who is dating Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), and has asked her to spend Christmas with his family, with plans to ask his mother Sybil (Diane Keaton) for the titular family wedding band and propose to Meredith on Christmas. Meredith is more than a bit nervous about meeting Everett's folks, and things only get worse when they arrive -- Meredith is by her nature straight-laced and a bit uptight around strangers, while Sybil and family patriarch Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) are free-thinkers who, except for Everett, have raised a family of cheerfully rebellious children, most notably younger daughter Amy (Rachel McAdams), older brother Ben (Luke Wilson), and adopted sibling Thad (Tyrone Giordano, who is both deaf and gay.

Meredith and the Stone family do not get along well at first, especially Sybil, who is appalled at the prospect of Everett giving Meredith the family's heirloom wedding ring; in dire need of moral support, Meredith asks her younger sister, Julie (Claire Danes), to join her for Christmas with the Stones. However, the plan runs into a snag when Everett's head is turned by pretty Julie, and Meredith finds herself on the receiving end of attention from slobby Ben. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

This movie was full of actors that I thoroughly enjoy so I can't believe that I waited so long to watch it. Even though this is a Christmas themed movie, I think it can be enjoyed any time of the year. For Christmas, Everett decides to bring his girlfriend Meredith home to meet his family. Unfortunately, everyone in the family seems to dislike Meredith, or is it the fact that they don't think Meredith is the right girl for Everett? It makes for a very uncomfortable holiday get-together, as the only person that Meredith can seem to carry on a normal conversation with is Everett's brother Ben. And how much worse can it possibly get when Meredith finds herself waking up in the bed of her boyfriend's brother? Oh my goodness, this movie had me both laughing and crying. I must admit that I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The twists and turns of the family events were quite predictable, but it was enjoyable all the same. I love movies that focus on family dynamics, and this one did an excellent job of that. Since we also watched Paul Blart Mall Cop this weekend, and I probably laughed more while watching The Family Stone, I can't help but rate this movie 5 out of 5 bags of popcorn!

Monday's Movie-The Haunting in Conneticut

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

I just love a good scary movie and one that we enjoyed this weekend was The Haunting in Conneticut.

Here are some of the details from the film:

Genre: Horror, Action

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Martin Donovan

Runtime: 1 hr, 32 mn

MPAA Rating: PG13

Here is a summary of The Haunting in Conneticut from the MSN Movie website:

Inspired by the frightening true-life tale of a family that moved into a converted funeral home and subsequently fell under supernatural attack, director Peter Cornwell's The Haunting in Connecticut follows the quest of a desperate mother to free her family from the grip of an evil beyond human comprehension. Sara (Virginia Madsen) and Peter Campbell (Martin Donovan) have just moved to Connecticut with their young son, Matt, when the young boy experiences a series of disturbing events that lead him to believe a malevolent force is attempting to take control of his family. Back when the home was still a funeral parlor, the original owner's clairvoyant assistant, Jonah, served as a gateway for restless spirits seeking to cross over into the physical realm. When Jonah returns to unleash a new kind of horror on the innocent family, Sara enlists the aid of enigmatic priest Popescu (Elias Koteas) in driving the evil out before it consumes her son's body and soul. At first it appears that Popescu has been successful in driving the spirits away, but then the terror becomes more intense than ever before. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

I was just saying within the last week that it is hard to find a good scary movie that isn't actually a slasher film. This is one of the better horror movies that I have seen lately, but I have noticed some reviews of this movie that indicated that people were left disappointed because it was so different from the original story. I guess the thing to keep in mind is that like other movies that are based on a true story, that is just what it is--BASED on a true story. The Campbell family has a teenage son Matt, that is battling cancer. In an attempt to make the commute to the hospital easier, they rent a home that is closer for Matt. Little did they know that this home was not only originally used as a funeral parlor, but also for someone to practice his clairvoyant gifts. Unfortunately, the spirits try to take over the home once again, until the family finds a way to stop what is happening. I enjoyed this story and it really had a good element of surprise, as I probably even screamed once or twice. As I already indicated, there are differences from the original story but I think that is to be expected. I am going to rate this one 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Monday's Movie-Evelyn

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that tugged at my heart this weekend was Evelyn.


Here are the details of the film:

Genre: Drama

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies

Runtime: 1 hr, 33 mn

MPAA Rating: PG

Here is a synopsis of the movie from the MSN Movie website:

One man takes on the Irish family law system and the Catholic Church in a bid to be reunited with his children in this drama, based on a true story. In 1953, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) was a house painter and decorator who, despite a strong work ethic, had a hard time holding on to steady work. Desmond's wife had grown tired of her marriage and her husband's financial problems, and one day walked away from her home, leaving Desmond to raise their three children on his own. While Desmond struggles to keep body and soul together for his children, his sporadic employment eventually attracts the attention of the law, and a court order sends his two sons and young daughter to separate Catholic orphanages until Desmond can prove he's capable of properly supporting them. However, Desmond discovers merely getting work is not enough to bring his children back to him, and when he learns that his daughter, Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), is having a rough time of it at the hands of several stern nuns, he becomes determined to win their custody in a court of law. Through Bernadette (Julianna Margulies), a barmaid who has caught his eye, Desmond meets Michael Beattie (Stephen Rea), a lawyer and Bernadette's brother. While Michael doesn't believe Desmond's case can be won in an Irish court, his partner Nick Barron (Aidan Quinn), an expatriate American who lost custody of his own children in a divorce proceeding, is eager to help, and they agree to take the case. However, they both realize they're fighting an uphill battle, and so they persuade Thomas Connolly (Alan Bates), a former football star who became one of Ireland's most respected barristers, to lend his knowledge and prestige to the case. Leading man Bronson also served a co-producer for Evelyn; Bruce Beresford directed, who previously collaborated with Pierce Brosnan on Mister Johnson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

Boy I have really been on a kick when it comes to watching movies based on true stories lately. Evelyn was yet another example of one man's battle against the legal system to be reunited with his children. Desmond Doyle finds himself struggling to raise his three children after his wife leaves them behind. Desmond finds himself unemployed, and during this time in Ireland, if a mother was not present and the father was unemployed, the legal system would take the children away. It was heart wrenching to see Desmond's children being taken away from the one man that cared for them. They were put into orphanages that were full of children with similar problems whose only wishes were to be returned home to a parent that loved them. The courts indicated this would only be temporary, but as time went on it was becoming more and more difficult for Desmond to regain custody of his children. It was very educational to see exactly how the court system in Ireland worked at that time, and how one man helped to set the bar for future cases that would put the interest of the children before all else. My husband and I both enjoyed this movie and I am going to rate it 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.