"Coraline"

There is something very special about stop motion animation.  It is an age old technique of creating motion pictures, but one that is constantly improving and changing, staying relevant in todays' age of visually intense films.  'Coraline' is a great example of that relevance.

The film is very dark, based off of what the author of the book 'Coraline' called 'horror for 5 year olds.'  The story is that of a young girl who discovers a door to another world where everything seems a perfect replacement to her real life, but in truth is something much more sinister. 

The artistry of this film cannot be understated.  The animation of course is superb, but the sets as well are full of vibrant colors, and everything about the film seems to come alive.  The score also is haunting, it adds to the films intense yet somehow fun nature.  'Coraline' was directed by the same director that did 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.'  They are not in themselves completely alike, but if you enjoy darker yet fun films, you will find 'Coraline' to be a perfect fit.

-David

If you do not want to be woken up in the middle of the night by your child because they've just had a nightmare, DO NOT SHOW THEM THIS MOVIE! Coraline is an excellent story that presents all the elements of a good nightmare, everything seems good at first, in fact, its better than your real life, but then events start to take a turn for the worst. You can't get away, your life is at stake, your parents have been kidnapped, yep it's all there. However, that being said, I would totally recommend this film, to children and adults alike. But if your child is susceptible to nightmares, I'd recommend watching it first. Just because the content is a bit creepy, for the reasons mentioned above.

Overall, this is a very well done film, the story line is creative, the characters are colorful, the music is haunting...and it has a positive message about appreciating and loving your family. Great movie.

-Bethany

"Confessions of a Shopaholic"

So....yea.  Not my kind of movie.  Laughed a little bit at little jokes.  Appreciated a couple of SNL alums in the film.  Overall just one of those movies that I have little interest in, but I guarnantee that Bethany's review will stand in stark contrast to mine.  I'm going to hang on to my mancard and just say...pass.

-David

Okay, I can appreciate that this is not so much a guy film, but it was still fun to watch with David, and he did laugh more than once during some scenes. That being said, this really is more of a film to watch with your girlfriends, especiallly if you can relate to the estatic feeling one gets when finding that perfect outfit that makes you stand up that much straighter and makes you feel like you can accomplish anything! Or if you've ever experienced buyer's remorse, yes, it's happened to me.

Confessions is a light-hearted, fun film with plenty of heart and quite a few laughs. Isla Fisher does a brilliant job as Rebecca Bloomwood who is just impossible to not like! She's spunky, she's dorky, and despite the dishonesty regarding her debt issues, she'll tell you like it is, if you ask. I do also appreciate Hugh Dancy, both for his acting and his British accent. (What is it about that accent ladies?) Anyway, very fun, very entertaining, I would totally recommend it.

-Bethany

"Commando"

So first let me say that the only reason we own this is because it came in a cheap three pack with two other 'Ahnold' movies that I wanted, (namely 'True Lies' and 'Predator.')  As such, I actually had never seen this movie until watching it this evening.  Lets say that I wasn't surprised by its cliche action lines and ridiculous amount of explosiveness....but I wasn't entirely disappointed either.  By itself, I would never buy this film, but I wouldn't say that my hour and a half was wasted.  I was...lets say mildly entertained.  That could be the pizza and beer I enjoyed talking however.  I don't think a synopsis of this film is necessary.  Arnold is betrayed (notice how we never use his character name...he is just Arnold,) he kills everyone that crossed him, is ridiculously accurate firing automatic weapons from the hip, and the guys he is fighting are worse shots than stormtroopers.  If you have nothing else to watch, watch 'Commando'... or maybe read a book.

-David

Commando. What can I say. The best thing about watching this movie is that we get to watch Confessions of a Shopaholic next. Okay, okay, in all honesty it wasn't that bad. Not that it's a film that will blow you away (although many of Arnold's foes meet that fate), but it did have some good one-liners, suspenseful action, and two good actresses. I really enjoyed the gal playing Arnold's daughter, who I most recognized as the actress from Charmed. I also thought the woman who becomes Arnold's side kick did a nice job, and she's apparently the daughter of Chong from Cheech and Chong. (I only know that because we looked her up afterwards.)

This isn't really my type of movie, too much killing and blowing things up, although since it was made in the 80's, much of it is somewhat comical. However, I could do without the pitchfork killing that Arnold pulls off so well.

That being said, if you like ripped Arnold, suspense, and 80's special affects, you just might enjoy this film.

-Bethany

"Clear and Present Danger"

The Jack Ryan movies are some of my favorite and this one is no exception. Money laundering, drugs, a Presidents personal vendetta, an illegal war..."Clear and Present Danger" deals with all these, lead of course by our main character, Jack Ryan, played by Harrison Ford, one of my all time favorite actors.

There are many things to appreciate about this film. To start out with, I really like how they portray Jack Ryan's relationship with his wife. When the you know what hits the fan, we see Jack sitting down with his wife where its implied that he has just told her everything that's happened. We also see him reach for her when hearing bad news and I just have to say, it is so nice to see a Hollywood movie portray a married couple so well and so healthy.

I also appreciate how these films deal with the fight for good, the importance of ethics and doing what is right, even when great risks are involved.

Overall, even though this film is very intense, if you're looking for a good intriguing, and yes, intense movie, you should enjoy this story. Oh, and James Earl Jones is in it too, which tells you its gotta be good.

-Bethany

The Jack Ryan films have always been favorites of mine.  For the longest time, "Clear and Present Danger" was my favorite until it was de-throned by "Sum of all Fears."  "Clear and Present Danger" weaves a story of politics, spooks, special ops, and Colombian drug lords.  The film does a great job of matching action and excitement with the fact that the film's hero (Jack Ryan) played by Harrison Ford is an analyst (and in management at Langley by the time this film happens.)  Ryan seems like a person that we might know, and he is someone that I connect with.  The film's antagonists call Ryan a 'boy scout' in a derrogative sense, calling him a black and white rule follower.  I appreciate this part of the character.  It is how I try to act as well, and in today's film and TV culture it seems like there aren't very many heroes that are as honourable as Ryan.  The optimism of the mid-90s is alive and well in this film.  This film makes me proud of America's clandestine services, even as the film's President and some of his staff torpedo the country's reputation and abandon some of it's troops in an illegal paramilitary war, Jack Ryan is there to restore the balance, rescue the troops, and even face congress to answer for the mistakes of others.  That in itself must have been Jack Ryan's greatest challenge ever.

-David

"Chocolat"

Chocolat. A delightfully delicious film that will make your mouth water and your hidden passions emerge. Or so the main character would hope. The story takes place in a small town in France where the people practice a Puritan style of life, specifically during Lent, cutting themselves off from any kind of pleasure, including the pleasure of Chocolate. In comes a woman and her daughter who help awaken some of the townsfolk to what they have been missing. One humorous example is a woman who finds that a specific type of chocolate helps awaken her husband's lack of passion.

Then we have Alfred Molina, the mayor of this town and the one most resistant to enjoying the passion of Chocolate. He gives a brilliant performance as does Judi Dench and Johnny Depp, who is quite nice to look at I might add.

The message of the film is summed up quite nicely at the end, an appropriate place I suppose, where the young minister speaks about how we shouldn't focus on what we shouldn't do and who we shouldn't include, but rather on what new things we can experience and who we can include in our lives. The character says it much better than I, but overall this is a very enjoyable film that will leave you searching in the cupboards for some dark chocolate to indulge in far after the film is through.

-Bethany


Chocolat is in the genre of films that I tend not to enjoy watching, but do appreciate greatly once I sit down and invest myself in it.  I suppose I would classify it as a drama, but it is one that has a deal of humor (dark though it often is,) and despite my misgivings, I find myself appreciating much that this film has to offer.  Five academy award nominations probably could have given me a clue.

'Chocolat' is the story of a little french village trying to become unstuck from the middle ages, and finding its own Renaissance through chocolate.  This chocolate is brought by a traveling choclatier Vianne, and her lovable daughter.  The duo soon find themselves at odds with the strict and overbearing Mayor of the town (played brilliantly by Alfred Molina) but they also find allies in a crotchety old French grandmother (played by Judi Dench,) and the abused wife of the town's bar owner.

Chocolat is a story that leaves one hungry not only for sweets, but also for the chance to go out and try something new, to meet new and interesting people, to have an adventure.  The priest near the end of the film puts it best when he says (paraphrased) that we should not focus on what not to do, and whom not to include, but on what to do and whom to include in our lives.  And as the narrator summed up his sermon, perhaps not the most eloquent, or fiery statement ever made from a pulpit, but certainly a message that we all can take to heart.

-David   

"Chicago"

Yet another musical in our movie collection.  This one, (a winner of 6 Oscars including best picture) is a blast to watch.  Pure entertainment.  Being a history buff, I love this film set in Chicago in the roaring twenties.  It is full of flashy lights, neon, lace, and burlesque.  It is the story of a group of women who for whatever reason have murdered their significant others, usually due to infidelity. 

The films highlights are definitely the musical numbers.  From the cell block tango (filled with scantily clad women  :)  too the lawyer Billy Flinn's show stopper "All I Care About Is Love."  I remember hearing an interview on NPR with the director of Chicago when it first came out saying that all the musical numbers were done live.  It's alot of fun seeing the sets change from the musical stage numbers back to the Cook County Jail, or the courthouse. 

"Chicago" is a blast to watch...if you like musicals.  Even if you don't like musicals, seeing a show that with this many accolades is well worth your time.  It is a great bit of entertainment, and one well worth watching.

-David

Chicago. Cabaret. Jazz. Murder. Ethics? Nah. But it sure is a lot of fun. Your in one minute, your out the next. That's the name of the game.

Top notch actors and actresses dazzle in this film. We see Roxie's journey from murderess to inmate to fame both in real time and in her imagination, where the ordinary and drab are transformed into, as Billy Flynn puts it "razzle dazzle."

Renee Z. and Catherine Zeta Jones are brilliant as Thelma and Roxie. Callous, calculating, willing to do what it takes to get what they want. And not caring who gets hurt or left behind, such as Roxie's poor husband Amos, sweet but lacking quite a bit in the brains department, who gets played more than once by Roxie and Billy Flynn. Speaking of Billy Flynn, Richard Gere shines as well, in both song and dance. And let's not forget Mama, aka Queen Latifah.

Great music, great acting, and a whole lot of fun. Just don't take any life lessons from this play.

-Bethany

"Charlie Wilson's War"

I have always been a fan of historically based films, but 'Charlie Wilson's War' breaks the mold of a traditional non-fiction film...if there is such a thing.  For those that have not seen this film, it takes place in the 80's during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, and covers the crusade of one US congressman Charlie Wilson, and his attempt to put together funds, weapons, and put them in the hands of Afghan guerrillas fighting the Soviets. 

This film came out several years after the 9-11 attacks and ensuing US invasion of Afghanistan.  In a way, the story presented in Charlie Wilson's war is a prequel to the events that led up to 9-11.  The US support of the Afghan Guerrillas seemed to stop after the defeat of the soviets, and in an ethereal scene, we hear the sound of a airliner flying overhead just after Wilson is warned by his CIA cohort that the 'crazies are rolling into Kandahar like its a f***ing bathtub drain.' 

The famous quote that says 'those that don't know history are condemned to repeat it' is perhaps cliche, but presented here as an important reminder.  As a war in Iraq winds down and we still struggle for total victory in Afghanistan, it is important that we remember that war doesn't stop hurting a country after the battles are over.  Things cannot be left to fall back into disarray after the fighting is done.  In Charlie's words and warning: 'These things happened, they were glorious and they changed the world....and then we f***ed up the end game.'

-David

This is a very important film. It tells an amazing story of a man who fought hard for what he believed was right, and Tom Hanks does an incredible job of portraying Charlie Wilson. The atrocities shown in this movie, inflicted on the Afghan people by the Russians is horrifying. Children with their arms blown off, drawn to shiny things looking like toys which are actually mines...For all the non-ethical behavior from Charlie Wilson, he obviously had a conscience where it counts.

The sad thing about this story is the end, yes, this movie doesn't necessarily have a happy ending. We see that the government was willing to spend a billion dollars to fight a covert war, but when Charlie Wilson asks for a million dollars to rebuild schools in Afghanistan, a member of the committee basically says no one cares about a school in Afghanistan. The final quote in this film speaks volumes, "These things happened, they were glorious and they changed the world....and then we f***ed up the end game." Charlie Wilson predicted that Afghanistan could be taken over by terrorists if we didn't stay involved, and that's exactly what happened.

It really causes you to think about what is important, how involved our government should get in these types of things, and perhaps how different things could be if we had worked more to build stability in Afghanistan by helping with projects such as school improvement. This movie definitely leaves you with a lot to think about.

-Bethany