Monday, January 30, 2012

ONE FOR THE MONEY

Movie: One for the Money
Jan's Rating: B+
Time: 1 Hour 46 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: As you probably already know, "One for the Money" was taken from Janet Evanovich's first "Stephanie Plum" book. There are now 18 books out and I hope they make a movie of each one. Cousin Bonnie and I ssw this movie today and I was pleasantly surprised that they got the characters so "right". Kathryn Heigl did an excellent job playing Stephanie Plum, Sherri Shepherd was Lula, Jason O-Mara was Joe Morelli, Daniel Sunjata was Ranger, Patrick Fischler was Vinnie, and Debbie Reynolds was Grandma Mazur. I like Debbie Reynolds but she did not really fit the role of Grandma Mazur. Cloris Leachman would have been perfect. The relationships between these characters was captured just like the book characters. Whether you have read the books or not, I think you will enjoy this movie.

Friday, January 27, 2012

JOYFUL NOISE

Movie: Joyful Noise
Jan's Rating: A
Time: 2 Hours

Jan's Opinion: I went to see this movie today and it was a joyful surprise! I absolutely loved it! Best musical since Mamma Mia! I seldom cry in movies but I had tears of joy running down my cheeks at the end. The storyline between Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah was so good, and the love story between Queen's daughter and Dolly's grandson so sweet, and the music just kept your toes tapping. I just hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

WAR HORSE

Movie: War Horse
Jan's Rating: C-
Time: 2 hours

Jan's Opinion: OK, folks, I did not want to see this movie because I don't like movies where animals or children are mistreated. However, my friend, Patty, has a fractured elbow and can't drive so asked me to take her to see it. I covered my eyes for a lot of the movie. It would have been a good movie if it weren't for the mistreatment of the horses - hence, the "C-" instead of an "A-". I understand they weren't REALLY mistreating the animals but the movie sure made it look like they were and that was too much for me. In my opinion, it certainly does not deserve an academy award.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE

Movie: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Jan's Rating: A-
Time: 2 Hours 9 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Cousin Bonnie and I saw this movie yesterday afternoon and we both really enjoyed it. It was different than I thought it would be as the story wasn't about the attack on 9-11, but a key the little boy finds in his Father's closet after he is killed, and how the boy feels that he must find what that key opens, that it is a puzzle his Father left for him to solve. Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks have relatively small roles in this movie as the story mainly revolves around the little boy "Oskar", played by Thomas Horn, a 14-year old, who has never acted before. In fact, the producers saw him on "Teen Jeopardy" (where he won) and called him in to read for the part of "Oskar". This young man is just brilliant and will go far someday, no matter whether he chooses to act for a living or become a doctor, like both his parents. I gave this movie an "A-" instead of an "A" because I thought the movie ended unfinished. I won't tell you why because it will ruin it for you, but after you see it, let me know if you agree.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

IRON LADY

Movie: Iron Lady
Jan's Rating: C+
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Jan's Opinion: My friend Laura and I saw this movie today and both gave it a C+. However, Meryl Streep's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher deserves an A+! What an incredible actress she is. The movie starts out slow and we both kept dozing off. It bounces back and forth between an old Margaret Thatcher and her memorories of when she was younger and was Prime Minister, showing the good and the bad. When she did well, they loved her but when the country wasn't doing well, they hated her. Kind of sounds like the United States. Anyway, the story was a bit boring at times but the acting was something special to see. She definitely deserves the Oscar this year, and her makeup artist also deserves an award.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

JACK AND JILL

Movie: Jack and Jill
Jan's Rating: C+
Time: 1 Hour 39 Mins.

Jan's Opinion: Cousin Bonnie and I missed this movie when it was at the regular theaters so we went to see it today at the $3 movies at Cincinnati Mall. Adam Sandler did a good job playing the part of twins - he was Jack and his sister, Jill. Katie Holmes played the quiet role as his wife. It was a cute and entertaining movie but we felt the passing of gas was a bit louder than it needed to be. Glad we paid $3 instead of $7.25.