Remember Me, My Love (Ricordati di me)

I had high expectations for this foreign film. The trailer looked good. I have seen the actors in other movies and they are good. Unfortunately, this movie missed the mark. I think it was just a bad storyline and the characters were unlikeable. All of them: father, son, daughter, and mother were just characters that annoyed me.

Don't let the trailer fool you and skip this unsatisfying movie.




Netflix Summary:

Failed novelist Carlos Ristuccia (Fabrizio Bentivoglio) works at a finance company while his wife (Laura Morante) toils as a teacher (after abandoning dreams of being an actress). With their ambitions jettisoned, the couple has instilled little self-esteem in their teenaged son and daughter, who struggle to find meaning in life. Meanwhile, Carlos rekindles an affair with a former flame (Monica Bellucci), triggering a marital and family crisis.

The Time Traveler's Wife

This movie is based on a book that I didn't read. I am sure the book is better than the movie (they always are), but I enjoyed this movie anyways. Time travel is just one of those subject matters that interest me. Like the Back to the Future trilogy with Michael J Fox.

The acting was decent, storyline understandable, and overall this romance movie was entertaining. Grab some popcorn and watch it when you get a chance.




Netflix Summary:

Due to a genetic disorder, handsome librarian Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) involuntarily zips through time, appearing at various moments in the life of his true love, the beautiful artist Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams). Also starring Ron Livingston as Gomez, the soul-stirring romantic drama was adapted from the best-selling Audrey Niffenegger novel by Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter behind the beloved weepy Ghost.

10 Things I Hate About You

I had seen this movie many years ago, but wanted to see it again with my wife. We were on a streak of watching some bad movies, then on a streak of good movies, and just wanted to continue watching decent movies.

Even though this is a corny high school romantic comedy, there are big named actors in it. They are super young in it and it is interesting to see all the movies they did after and how there professional lives unfolded. I would still give this a recommendation to watch, even though it is a bit dated.

On a side note, I have been to Seattle twice since I originally watched this movie and it was fun knowing all the landmarks and even the neighborhood this was filmed in. It made me check out my old Seattle trip photos.

Netflix Summary:

After learning that Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) is forbidden to date until man-hating older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) finds a beau, Bianca's would-be boyfriend hatches a plan: Pay moody school rebel Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to escort the churlish Kat around town. Larry Miller plays the siblings' overprotective dad in this witty farce that transplants William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" to a contemporary Seattle high school.

It's Complicated

This movie was a fun Hollywood type of movie with great big named actors. I think my wife and I needed to see a decent movie that was light hearted and this did the trick. It is funny at times and definitely makes you smile.

I am in my 40s so that might make this comedy funnier than it really is. As long as you know what you will be watching, I think you will enjoy it too. I recommend watching this romantic comedy movie.

Netflix Summary:

Ten years after their divorce, Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) enjoy an amicable friendship. When the two unite for their son's college graduation, their romance is rekindled. But Jake is married, and Jane's architect, Adam (Steve Martin), has a thing for her. Now cheating on the younger woman for whom he left Jane, Jake wants his ex-wife back. But Jane's busy getting to know Adam. Nancy Meyers(Something's Gotta Give) wrote and directed this Golden Globe-nominated comedy.

The Invention of Lying

This movie had an interesting idea. Kind of the opposite of Jim Carrey's Liar Liar. I even like most of Ricky Gervais' movies. I think the movie is funny for about the first 15 minutes, but then it starts to take itself to seriously in developing a long and boring plot.

The development of the characters only makes them more unlikeable and nonsensical. And quite honestly after 45 minutes, the movie just starts to painstakingly drag. The ending is predictable and goes in the Hollywood happy ending way, but by then it is just too late to redeem itself.

You will get a couple of laughs from this romantic comedy, but it doesn't make it worth your time. Skip it in my opinion and save your popcorn for one of Gervais's other movies.

Netflix Summary:

In a world where no one fibs, fiction doesn't exist and people take each other at their literal word, unsuccessful screenwriter Mark (Ricky Gervais) gains fame and fortune -- and maybe the girl of his dreams (Jennifer Garner) -- by saying things that aren't true. Gervais co-writes and co-directs this original comedy that co-stars Rob Lowe. Look for cameos by Tina Fey,Jonah Hill, Louis C.K. and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Prête-moi ta main aka I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single

This was a movie that redeems itself in the end. In the beginning, I didn't care for any of the characters. They were all arrogant, rude, and selfish. However as the movie progresses, the characters become better developed and you start to like them.

The whole storyline is different and completely unpredictable. Of course, the ending was done in Hollywood fashion, so that part was telegraphed. Even so, the movie was entertaining and enjoyable. I think if this was an American made movie it may have just been simply corny.

This is a French movie and requires reading English subtitles unless you understand the language. I couldn't find a preview with the subtitles.

Netflix Summary:

Successful perfume executive Luis (Alain Chabat) is happily single, but his mother and sisters want him to settle down. After they arrange a string of disastrous blind dates, Luis concocts a crazy scheme that will make his family happy without his getting married. All he needs to do is hire a girl to act as his fiancée and then dump him at the altar. But when Luis meets Emmanuelle, the plan takes a turn he never anticipated in this French comedy.

Whip It

This movie directed by Drew Barrymore comes across as a good indie movie. Ellen Page is a great talented young actress. The movie was funny at times as we watch the main character figure out what she wants to do in life.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I watched this movie. I was pleasantly surprised. Get some popcorn and enjoy it.

Netflix Summary:

Escaping her smothering mother's (Marcia Gay Harden) beauty pageant plans for her, small-town Texas teen Bliss (Ellen Page) joins an all-girl roller derby team in Austin and begins living a thrilling double life as Babe Ruthless -- a life that might catch up with her. Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut and plays fellow teammate Smashley Simpson in this smart coming-of-age tale. Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Eve and Jimmy Fallon co-star.

Up in the Air--2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee

I like George Clooney movies in general, so I am partial to liking his films before I see them. This movie would be considered a romantic, comedy drama. It does deliver a little bit of everything.

The acting was great, the storyline good, and there was even a twist in the end that I didn't see. One thing I did like about this movie is it didn't have the typical Hollywood ending. This movie did get a lot of Oscar nods:

2010 Academy Award®: Best Supporting Actress nominee: Vera Farmiga
2010 Academy Award®: Best Actor nominee: George Clooney
2010 Academy Award®: Best Director nominee: Jason Reitman
2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee
2010 Academy Award®: Best Supporting Actress nominee: Anna Kendrick

I have to say they are all worthy of them too. I do think this is a long shot to win best picture, and would be surprised if it won that category. For all the other categories, I could see all of them possibly winning.

I enjoyed the movie and am glad it got some positive recognition. Enjoy!

Netflix summary:

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) -- and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman's smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.

Dakota Skye

This was actually a very small independent movie or at least it looked like it. The acting was very good with all these new actors. It kind of reminded me a little bit like that TV series Dawson Creek. I didn't really like the main character in this movie but she does redeem herself in the end.




I guess sex in high school is extremely common in today's environment. So is drinking and doing drugs. That is depicted in this movie but not in a funny or humorous way in typical teen movies. Here it is shown more as regular life which is real and sad at the same time.

The premise of the movie is good. I like the doogie howser type voice overs even though it is very common practice nowadays.

Netflix summary:

Superpowers rarely come without a price, and for 17-year-old Dakota Skye (Eileen Boylan), the price is cynicism that stems from spotting the truth in every lie. Disengaged, she watches life go by from the sidelines … until she meets the unfailingly honest Jonah (Ian Nelson). Problem is, Jonah is her beau's best friend -- which leaves Dakota navigating the treacherous waters between friendship and romance in this well-crafted indie drama.

Overall, it was both entertaining and enjoyable to watch. I would recommend seeing it.

Man, Woman and the Wall

Yes, another foreign movie that I watched on netflix streaming. Quite honestly, the availability of foreign movies is getting better on netflix for its on demand feature. This next movie Man, Woman and the Wall was a surprise. Be forewarned that this movie does contain adult material involving sex and nudity, but if you are beyond being a prude, you might enjoy it for what it is.

The plot is strange but it does come together. It is about a neighbor (Ryu) who becomes a sound voyeur of a girl who lives next door. The girl has a boyfriend who seems nice but is actually a pervert and makes harrassing phone calls to her using modern technology. For some reason, his threats to her turns him on. The girl winds up calling the boyfriend on his other cell phone, where she requests for him to come over and he comes over as the hero and they sleep together.

The neighbor imagines what is going on based on what he hears and the movie shows images of what he thinks they (neighbor and boyfriend) look like as well as what her apartment looks like. Eventually, Ryu becomes more of just a voyeur but a full blown stalker. He becomes very obsessed with this girl and his whole life starts to revolve learning everything about her.



The story takes a twist when he learns that the harassing phone caller is one and the same as the boyfriend. This is not your normal story, but does have a Hollywood happy ending.

Netflix describes the movie:

After moving into a new apartment, geeky reporter Ryo (Keita Ohno) quickly develops an obsession with his sexy next-door neighbor Satsuki (Aoi Sola). Ryo's eavesdropping and explicit fantasies surprisingly lead to a potential relationship with his dream girl. Meanwhile, throughout the course of this highly provocative Japanese movie, Satsuki becomes increasingly panic-stricken over obscene phone calls she's receiving from an unknown pervert.

Lila Says "Lila dit ca" good foreign movie to watch

This was a French movie that I really enjoyed. The subject matter is more of a young love or first love story set in a lower class part of the city. There is also the subject of racism and shows how a person deals with it among his friends and peers.

From Netflix:

Based on a controversial French novel, Lila Says tells the story of a quiet young poet named Chimo (Mohammed Khouas) who develops a crush on the pretty, blond Lila (Vahina Giocante), a girl who recently moved into his Arab ghetto with her aunt. When the leader of a rival gang also falls for Lila, the ensuing love triangle initiates a journey of sexual discovery -- and sets off a chain of devastating events.

Lila Says

stardotstar™ | MySpace Music Videos


I used this particular video because it has the subtitles in English below. All the other ones on youtube seemed to lack them. Of course this doesn't matter if you speak French, but unfortunately I don't. I really wish I could have used a different clip, but beggars can't be choosey.

Bottom line, I enjoyed the film and would recommend it if you enjoy a good French romantic movie that doesn't have a typical Hollywood ending.

Julie & Julia gets an A+

I had low expectations of this movie based on the preview. I know it had some big talent such as Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Stanley Tucci. They are all great actors. However, there are many movies with great talent that end up disappointing. This movie did not only deliver but surprised me.

This is the netflix summary:

Amy Adams stars in this truth-inspired tale as Julie Powell, a disenchanted government secretary who decides to enliven her uneventful life by cooking all 524 recipes outlined in Julia Child's culinary classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Based on Powell's book Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen, director Nora Ephron's heartwarming dramedy also stars Meryl Streep as legendary chef Child.

It is very accurate in its description, but the execution of the movie was great. The characters are well developed and likable. The storyline has the time frames switching back and forth from the 1940s to the 2000s (after the 9/11 tragedy) which kept the pace of the movie at a good rate and engaging.

The images of France are beautiful and learning about Julia Child was actually quite interesting. I have never seen her cooking shows and knew very little about her. I do like the historic reference to the McCarthyism days in America where everyone was being accused of being a communist.

The images of New York are more closer to reality of present day America. I think it even provides a glimpse of the daily struggles most Americans are experiencing today. This is based on a true story of a new blogger becoming successful at writing.

Overall, I recommend watching this movie. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Both trailers are the same below, but the first one loads up slow. The second one loads up faster but doesn't play outside of America for some reason.

Cheers!

More about this movie

Run Fatboy Run

I wasn't actually looking for this movie and it wasn't in my netflix queue. I actually had seen the commercials a long time ago, and just thought it would be corny. In fact it was corny, but surprisingly enjoyable.

This is a predictable comedy with some actors I recognized like Simon Pegg of Hot Fuzz fame, Thandie Newton, and Hank Azaria who play the voices of many Simpsons characters.









Like I said, it is corny but funny. I caught it on cable and liked it. Hope you like it too. Cheers!

The Ugly Truth, Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler

I had very low expectations of this movie even though I like the 2 main stars. Gerard Butler from 300 and Katherine Heigl from Grey's Anatomy fame. I saw the preview and based on that I thought OK anther stinky romantic comedy with 2 currently popular stars. I had seen 27 dresses and some other lame movie Heigl was in and I think that may have influenced my expectations.

Nevertheless, it is a new movie and you can't judge it without watching it. I really thought Butler did a good job playing his character and Heigl was not the annoying Lizzy from G.A. The movie was put together well and got me to laugh a few times.

It was definitely predictable as most romantic comedies are, but the characters, actors, and storyline delivered. I would recommend watching it if you are on the fence.


The Ugly Truth Restricted Clip - The best bloopers are here

Yes Man with Jim Carrey, Bradley Cooper, and Zooey Deschanel

I saw this movie that stars Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel and Bradley Cooper. I liked the premise of the story about a guy who usually doesn't take chances and winds up going to a meeting where he learns the power of "yes". It was one of those positive motivation seminars.

Jim Carrey is sometimes annoying and he doesn't disappoint in this movie. But if you can get pass his craziness, the movie itself is very enjoyable. It wasn't hilarious but it was funny throughout the movie.



Yes Man Trailer

Defintely, Maybe

I have watched a ton of movies since my last post, but just never seem to have enough time to get in this blog to write my opinions. This last movie I watched today was a surprise. A pleasant surprise to boot.
I think it was a nice romantic movie. A chick flick or whatever you want to call it. It did make me shed a tear or two somewhere in there.

The movie stars Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin as his daughter. Ryans's character tells of his relationships he experienced during his career through the Bill Clinton years to his daughter. The daughter tries to figure out who her mother is in his story of previous girlfriends. The 3 girlfriends are played by Elizabeth Banks (his college sweetheart), Rachel Weisz (his career girlfriend), and Isla Fisher (his soul-mate).

I think one of the reasons why I liked this movie is because the characters are well developed and the story is told well. The acting was excellent by all the actors and actresses. I even think the happy ending tied it altogether and wasn't completely expected.

This wasn't a box office hit. I didn't have any expectations on this movie so it was that much more satisfying to watch. Check it out and enjoy.

The Grocer's Son

OK, I am back to this great blog. Sorry, it hasn't been as often as I like. Trust me, I am still watching a ton of movies. A movie I literally just finished watching on Netflix instant play is titled The Grocer's Son. It is a french foreign movie and has a good cast. I am not familiar with any of the actors but they all seem to play their parts well.

This independent movie is just about a family that has problems and upon the father having a heart attack, the son comes back and they basically come to terms and get closer. I recommend it if you are in the mood for a slow paced but realistic portrayal of the french countryside. Cheers!

From Netflix:

When his father suffers a stroke, Antoine (Nicolas Cazale) reluctantly returns home from the big city to his small mountain village to help out with the family business, a grocery that makes daily rounds to the town's elderly inhabitants. But when Antoine's poor manners rub the villagers the wrong way, can the lovely young Claire (Clotilde Hesme) help smooth things over? French director Eric Guirado helms this charmingly low-key film.