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December Movie Reviews

Well, I did it. I saw The Golden Compass and was waiting to see flames burning through the silver screen, but I couldn’t detect anything anti-religious about the film. Actually, I couldn’t detect much of anything. I was pretty bored throughout the entire second half. I remedied this by eating a large tub of popcorn that was so saturated with butter that it leaked through the bottom of the container and made a greasy oval on my pants. Now, there are some saving graces to this picture (no pun intended considering all the bru-ha-ha) such as fighting bears, magical gadgets (i.e. the compass), Nicole Kidman’s flawless complexion, and the talented actress playing Lyra.

No Country for Old Men was replete with talented actors, but don’t go to this film if you’ve got any trouble stomaching scenes of close-up violence. MY dad called to ask me what I thought of the film and I couldn’t answer right away. “I have to think about the end some more,” I told him. It’s weird. The film is full of barren, dusty, wide-open spaces and moments of quiet. When the actors speak, their words are simple, honest, and as direct as can be. There were no special effects, no fancy directing, but razor-sharp, believable dialogue and characters you won’t forget for a long time. Did I love the film? I don’t know and you’ll understand this vague answer if you see it. Is it worth seeing? If you like marvelous acting and want to feel the dust of days-gone-by in your mouth, then go to this movie. You won’t be disappointed

Dan in Real Life is darling! I love Steve Carell in general, but I particularly like the chorus of zany family members we meet in this film. It’s funny, it’s cute, and it has several moments of poignancy. The thing I liked about it the most was that it was a comedy for grown-ups. I could relate to Dan’s challenges as a parent, his career ups and downs, and his management of his sometimes overly intimate family. Juliette Binoche is a delight and Dane Cook provides plenty of humor as Carell’s brother. The three young ladies playing Carell’s daughters are a hoot. Finally, here’s a high-quality, thoughtful comedy about real life. How refreshing!

Okay, your turn. Seen anything we should all run out and buy tickets for? Is there a film you’d advise us to steer well clear of? After ll, the relatives are going to be rolling in and my family loves going to them movies, so I’d love to hear your reviews!

P.S. - Did anyone make the butterscotch cheesecake bars?

13 Responses to “December Movie Reviews”

It’s been SO long since I went to the movies but what I’m really excited about is see the 2nd National Treasure movie. My kids are dying to see it too. In fact, I ordered a poster of the Declaration of Independence for my 7 year old son. They love all “that history stuff.”

The one movie that is a must see for the family is The Polar Express. It’s on t.v. now and I recommend seeing it at least once. It’s one of those family-feel-good movies that is so perfect to watch during the holiday season.

by debbie on December 15th, 2007 at 9:24 am
The biggest problem the nay-sayers are having with that movie is that it was written by an agnostic. That’s it. He didn’t believe in God, nor did he disbelieve in God, but they’re saying the story is full of anti-Christian messages along with the idea that, should your child see the movie, they will start burning Bibles.

I couldn’t find any problems with it either.

by Marissa on December 15th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I don’t particularly like fantasy movies, but I’m going to force myself to see “The Golden Compass”. The reason I’m going to see it is because I received four e-mails from friends and acquaintances telling me that I shouldn’t. Apparently, I really dislike censorship!

by Melissa Balsam on December 15th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Hi JB,

Thanks for the movie reviews.

I’m going grocery shopping tomorrow & will fetch the butterscotch chips along with graham crackers, as someone ate the last of the package! So I’ll be making them tomorrow or the next day.

Oh, & yesterday I gave the recipe to my favorite cousin, (over the phone) as she too was wanting something different to try this year. So your recipe will be tried out this week in Texas & Louisiana! Will keep you posted. Thanks again!

by Texas Lynn on December 16th, 2007 at 11:46 am
JB—-I’m looking forward to seeing those flics after I return from holiday visiting. They’re on my list. Thanks for your insightful comments.

by Maggie on December 16th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Debbie,

I am really looking forward to your experience with National Treasure 2. I think the premise for the first one was fantastic, but the film fell apart a bit as it progressed. I think with jerry Bruckheimer ala Pirates of the Caribbean fame in the directorial chair, this NT could be really exciting. I love it when history is allowed to breathe!

by JB on December 17th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Lynn, I can’t wait to hear what y’all thought! Have fun baking (and try not to eat too many chips

by JB on December 17th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I’d also like to see National Treasure 2. I really liked the first one, though the author in me had some issues…

JB, I made your bars last week–they were a big hit! Though I didn’t know whether they should be refrigerated–I erred on the side of caution with cream cheese and stuck them in the fridge. Very yummy!

by Heather on December 17th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
JB~ Made the bars yesterday — OMG, they’re sooo good! Rich & creamy & buttery. My dh, aka Professor Perfecto, pronounced them “pretty damn good” as he gobbled up his sample & went back for more.

I put half in the fridge & froze the rest for our New Years Eve get-together. I ate half of one for breakfast this morning & they taste even *better* the second day.

Cousin is making hers as I type. Thanks again for a great new treat, & it’s not even chocolate!

by Texas Lynn on December 19th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
JB,

I’m looking forward to National Treasure 2. I’m not a Nick Cage fan, but the first was great. I don’t get to the theater, so I’ll have to wait for it to come out on video or PPV, which means it may take a while.

And since I don’t get out to the theater, I can only recommend things that I’ve seen or that are coming to video/DVD/PPV that I want to see. (Hmm….maybe I should start a column on my MySpace page since I never seem to be able to blog.) Anyway, I really want to see the new Halloween. I’m not a fan of re-makes, but I’ve gotta see this just to see what they did to it. I’ve heard about it from someone who saw it already, and yikes! Poor Michael Meyers! Also, if you are a fan of scary movies, while I was looking for info on the new Halloween on IMDB.com, I found a movie coming out this month called The Orphanage. Now, I haven’t been able to handle scary movies for a long time now, but this is one I really have got to see.

As for TV movies, I love all the Christmas stuff…The Note is fantastic! And so is A Grandpa for Christmas (Both Hallmark).

If you are a fan of old movies (and I do mean OLD) like I am, I recommend The Al Jolson Story and the sequel. I never watched it…didn’t think I’d like it, but The Al Jolson Story was on the other day, so I thought what the heck..WOW! And then I saw the sequel was on right after it, so I sat through that too. Great movies!

HTH!

by Traci on December 20th, 2007 at 5:07 am
Lynn,

You go, girl. I sure like your hubby’s response! He sounds like a cute southern gentleman!

by JB on December 20th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Traci,

With two little kids home for the next two weeks, I”d love all the TV/DVD recommendations you can pay on me. Anyone who loves history should rent ROME, the series from HBO. Phenomenal! (But quite graphic!)

by JB on December 20th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
JB,

I’m a kid at heart….seriously…I still watch cartoons. Which reminds me….I thought the Fat Albert movie was great! I also loved The Incredibles, but it depends on the age of the kids, I think (Same with Shrek…not sure I’d want kids watching that). I really want to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. I’ve heard there is adult humor in that, too, though, so I’m not sure I’d play it for kids. Geesh…now that I think about it, unless it’s some old cartoons or old cartoon movie, there isn’t a whole lot I’d want kids watching. Even the Thomas the Train movie my oldest nephew loves is iffy…It’s fine for the most part, but the mean train calls others a name (I forget what it is), which the kids pick up on and call people and then get in trouble. Even the movie “Casper” (My favorite cartoon) bugs me because a big part of the movie is based around the fact that Casper is a ghost of a little boy who died, a fact you don’t think of when you are a small child. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how kids can change you. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought much about it, but now that I have two nephews, I am constantly thinking about it. Oh, before I forget, don’t confuse Happy Feet with March of the Penguins. YIKES! I spent over an hour watching penguins march…I drew the line when I saw two mating. Oh my oldest nephew has me hooked on the Polar Express Last time the boys were here, we watched it 10 times. I now know it by heart. I’ll let you know if I can come up with anything else.

by Traci on December 21st, 2007 at 5:50 am

December Movie Reviews

13 Responses to “December Movie Reviews”

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