May 22, 2008 was a day that I will remember for quite a while. My boyfriend and I went to the Washington DC area to visit my sister. We arrived early enough to catch a film at the independent movie house in Old Town, Alexandria, Va.
Being a fan of independent movie theatres, locally owned restaurants and unique privately owned stores, I was excited to be going to see a film at an old movie house. I had visions of the Vogue Theatre of Louisville, KY (which is no longer in existence), or the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington (truly one of the best independent movie theatres/performing arts centers in the country). My excitement was very quickly quashed as I approached the ticket sales counter. There was a sign glaring at me informing the patrons that each ticket holder must purchase one concession item. OK, I quickly forgave this rudeness thinking here is a guy trying to survive against the Cinemarks, National Amusements, and AMC's of the world. So we paid $4 per soda and another $4 for a bag of self served popcorn and we climbed the stairs to see our 7:30 movie - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Oh I forgot to tell you that the soda's were also self serve and if you wanted a refill it was an additional $2. After $47 on tickets and concessions, we proceeded to our theatre. I use the term theatre loosely!
Theatre #2, was a converted balcony of an old single screen theatre. My guess is it was once a vaudeville movie house, but I don't know for sure. Anyway, I digress, back to the description of the theatre: The screen was the kind you had in grade school that pulled down out of the ceiling, the speakers were Bose surround sound home theatre speakers. Yes, Bose has a great quality product (I personally own a Bose CD player), but these speakers were what one would have in their home not in a movie theatre. Because the high end home theatre sound was being driven much harder than they were designed for, the sound became very distorted and at times unintelligible. My cup holder (yes it did have that little luxury), was covered in chewing gum and as you walked down the stairs on the left hand side of the seats, the last stair was cracked and weak. Oh do not let me forget...there were no fire sprinklers in this theatre, nor was there a fire curtain near the screen and the aisle and stairs were certainly not lit in the dark. I hope you are getting the picture!
Lastly, the movie....Like I said we went to see Narnia at 7:30 p.m. I think our movie finally started about 8:10 p.m., and no there were no previews! However we did clearly hear, from the other theatre, downstairs, Indiana Jones. By they way, Have you read the Iron Man review? I said I saw it as a fluke....well the fluke was when Narnia started it was actually Iron Man - yes ladies and gentleman the first 15 mins of Iron Man I saw at no charge - oh but wait, yes I did pay for those 15 minutes, I was raped at the concession/ticket counter with their outrageous prices.
After a few four letter words (mostly the F word) uttered by the projectionist, concession stand soda jerk, and theatre manager and possibly owner, (all the same guy), Narnia started. As I said in the film it was a good movie. However the film would have great in a real authentic movie house and not this joke called a theatre.
Oh I cannot forget to mention all the crap lying around this place - the owner must be a pack rat, there is stuff stuffed in every corner of this place! Literally this theatre is a fire trap just waiting to ignight!
The two absolutely great bonuses of the evening is we met some very nice people from Virginia Tech who were seated in the row in front of us, and the second being that this goes down in the memoirs as another very memorable experience i have shared with my sister!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sex And The City
Carrie and the girls are back together for this full featured climax of the very successful and very missed HBO series. Full of shoes, fashion, drama and of course men. The movie picks up a few years after the conclusion of the final episode.
Is this a film for everyone, probably not. I do think that having watched the series, one will enjoy this film much more than someone who has no idea what a cosmo is and is wondering who Milano Blahnik instead of wishing they owned a pair of their own. However the writers did a great job at the beginning of the film providing a complete concise synopsis of whos who and whats what, so even if you have never watched the show, you will caught up in a jiff.
I must confess I have struggled with writing this review, simply because I certainly don't want to give away any of the story that may ruin the watching experience for you the reader. So I will simply say that Sex and the City is a celebration of friendships, the type that no matter what you do or where you go there are some bonds that will never be broken! Sex and The City is a grand way to spend some quality time with your girlfriends! I went with my one of my oldest girlfriends, Kristin and I must say it was truly time well spent with the one person who knows me better than anyone in the world. Is Sex and the City a full price movie, it is, it is also a matinee film, or a watch at home flick. Just be sure that when you watch this movie it is with your girlfriends old and new - you will appreciate them more!
Is this a film for everyone, probably not. I do think that having watched the series, one will enjoy this film much more than someone who has no idea what a cosmo is and is wondering who Milano Blahnik instead of wishing they owned a pair of their own. However the writers did a great job at the beginning of the film providing a complete concise synopsis of whos who and whats what, so even if you have never watched the show, you will caught up in a jiff.
I must confess I have struggled with writing this review, simply because I certainly don't want to give away any of the story that may ruin the watching experience for you the reader. So I will simply say that Sex and the City is a celebration of friendships, the type that no matter what you do or where you go there are some bonds that will never be broken! Sex and The City is a grand way to spend some quality time with your girlfriends! I went with my one of my oldest girlfriends, Kristin and I must say it was truly time well spent with the one person who knows me better than anyone in the world. Is Sex and the City a full price movie, it is, it is also a matinee film, or a watch at home flick. Just be sure that when you watch this movie it is with your girlfriends old and new - you will appreciate them more!
Iron Man
The true acting genius of Robert Downey Jr. is what makes this action adventure marvel comic adaptation truly enjoyable.
In his first blockbuster role in a very long time, Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), goes full throttle and creates an action character that is smart, funny, sensitive and possesses a conscience.
I saw this film literally as a fluke. I am not a big comic book character movie fan, but this one comic book adaptation that is well worth every penny of a full price movie ticket. The adaptation is set in modern day under modern circumstances. It has a plot that is suspenseful and well developed. As I like to say, it flows and flows well.
The only negative I can say about the film is I had hoped for another adventure to be coming out sooner rather than later. If Robert Downey Jr. can maintain the adrenaline and chemistry with the camera, he has a long career ahead of him as Iron Man. However there is one caviat - the writers have to write as well as they did for this film.
Enjoy!
In his first blockbuster role in a very long time, Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), goes full throttle and creates an action character that is smart, funny, sensitive and possesses a conscience.
I saw this film literally as a fluke. I am not a big comic book character movie fan, but this one comic book adaptation that is well worth every penny of a full price movie ticket. The adaptation is set in modern day under modern circumstances. It has a plot that is suspenseful and well developed. As I like to say, it flows and flows well.
The only negative I can say about the film is I had hoped for another adventure to be coming out sooner rather than later. If Robert Downey Jr. can maintain the adrenaline and chemistry with the camera, he has a long career ahead of him as Iron Man. However there is one caviat - the writers have to write as well as they did for this film.
Enjoy!
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Well, exactly how old is Indiana Jones? The only answer I can come up with is to old to be doing action adventure - Indiana Jones should stay in his class room enjoying the daily challenges of academia. But one can say that ole' Indi is old enough to be cynical and full of sarcastic one liners in his latest adventure.
If you are an Indiana Jones fan you may enjoy the film, but I promise, you will not enjoy it as much as you have have the movies that preceded this one. Unlike the other movies, Harrison Ford is not really in his character. This is one of the few times I have seen Harrison Ford, acting instead of morphing into his character.
In previous films the plots were detailed and much more developed than this one. As I said it is full of one liners that will make you giggle. However, if my memory serves me correctly, the Indiana Jones series was an adventure fantasy series with some laughs scattered throughout. This installment seems like it is trying to be a comedy with some adventure tossed in for kicks.
As for the plot, it flows, however is slightly choppy, it certainly does not have the fluidity as the previous films. The one positive for the plot is how the film ended. It was left completely open for the development of a new series with a new hero but along the same genre of the Indiana Jones Series.
My least favorite character in the film, that honor would have to go to Cate Blanchett, who plays the villian - and not a very good one. Her German accent has a bit to be desired - in fact actually it is over the top like much of the film.
The unfortunate truth about The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is technology has caught up with the story. Throughout the movie there was never a question in my mind that they were ever on location anywhere, the entire film looked like a movie set. In some of the action scenes you could see the "green screen" outline around the actors just like you see the weathermen giving tomorrow's forecast on the late news.
I know I have not given the most glowing of reviews, but I did enjoy the film. It is a big screen, surround sound, full audience kind of flick. The bigger the audience the more you will enjoy the show.
If you are an Indiana Jones fan you may enjoy the film, but I promise, you will not enjoy it as much as you have have the movies that preceded this one. Unlike the other movies, Harrison Ford is not really in his character. This is one of the few times I have seen Harrison Ford, acting instead of morphing into his character.
In previous films the plots were detailed and much more developed than this one. As I said it is full of one liners that will make you giggle. However, if my memory serves me correctly, the Indiana Jones series was an adventure fantasy series with some laughs scattered throughout. This installment seems like it is trying to be a comedy with some adventure tossed in for kicks.
As for the plot, it flows, however is slightly choppy, it certainly does not have the fluidity as the previous films. The one positive for the plot is how the film ended. It was left completely open for the development of a new series with a new hero but along the same genre of the Indiana Jones Series.
My least favorite character in the film, that honor would have to go to Cate Blanchett, who plays the villian - and not a very good one. Her German accent has a bit to be desired - in fact actually it is over the top like much of the film.
The unfortunate truth about The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is technology has caught up with the story. Throughout the movie there was never a question in my mind that they were ever on location anywhere, the entire film looked like a movie set. In some of the action scenes you could see the "green screen" outline around the actors just like you see the weathermen giving tomorrow's forecast on the late news.
I know I have not given the most glowing of reviews, but I did enjoy the film. It is a big screen, surround sound, full audience kind of flick. The bigger the audience the more you will enjoy the show.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
On May 22 I had an experience that I don't think I will likely repeat in the future. I went to see a film at the Old Towne Theatre in Alexandria, Virginia, (was visiting my sister). Unfortunately, I went to see the 2nd volume in the fantasy series; The Chronicles of Narnia, at this theatre. NOTE: If in Alexandria do not attend this theatre - there will be a review of its own within the blog.
The second installment of the Chronicles of Narnia was as amazing as the first. Because the stories between the first and the second are very different it is almost like not watching a sequel. The Pevensie siblings return to the enchanted land of Narnia that they left one year before. Well a year by our clock it was only a year, however several hundred years have passed in Narnia. Besides the heroes and heroines returning, the only other characters, from the first movie, that make an appearance are The White Witch (Tilda Swinson) and Aslan.
Do you need to see the first to enjoy the second. Not necessarily. It would be helpful in understanding the beginning of the film, however within the first 10 - 15 minutes, you should be almost up to speed and enjoy this fast moving, beautifully filmed movie. If you have read the Chronicles of Narnia you will see a few embellishments with the story, but overall the movie plot is true to the written story.
This is absolutely a full price, big, screen film to be enjoyed in a modern clean theatre, (see Old Town Theatre Review).
The second installment of the Chronicles of Narnia was as amazing as the first. Because the stories between the first and the second are very different it is almost like not watching a sequel. The Pevensie siblings return to the enchanted land of Narnia that they left one year before. Well a year by our clock it was only a year, however several hundred years have passed in Narnia. Besides the heroes and heroines returning, the only other characters, from the first movie, that make an appearance are The White Witch (Tilda Swinson) and Aslan.
Do you need to see the first to enjoy the second. Not necessarily. It would be helpful in understanding the beginning of the film, however within the first 10 - 15 minutes, you should be almost up to speed and enjoy this fast moving, beautifully filmed movie. If you have read the Chronicles of Narnia you will see a few embellishments with the story, but overall the movie plot is true to the written story.
This is absolutely a full price, big, screen film to be enjoyed in a modern clean theatre, (see Old Town Theatre Review).
Sunday, May 4, 2008
What Happens In Vegas.....
How often have you been to a romantic comedy and there is way too much drama and not nearly enough comedy (Baby Mama) and you leave the theatre sorely disappointed? The let down will not occur with "What Happens In Vegas..." Even down to the last few moments, the movie will deliver chuckles. I saw a sneak peek of the movie tonight and thoroughly enjoyed the 99 minutes in the dark.
The story line is simple. Type A girl gets dumped, slacker guy gets fired, they meet, hook up in Vegas and win $3 million on a slot machine after they have drunkenly married ..... that is in the first 15 minutes of the movie and there's still a lot of movie left to be watched and enjoyed.
The movie is predictable but cleverly written. The humor at times is dry and subtle and then there are moments of in your face laughs. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher deliver nice performances with the assitance of a great supporting cast.
By the way, bravo to the promotion department, when they created the previews/commercials they did not show all of the best parts!
This is absolutely a full price movie!
The story line is simple. Type A girl gets dumped, slacker guy gets fired, they meet, hook up in Vegas and win $3 million on a slot machine after they have drunkenly married ..... that is in the first 15 minutes of the movie and there's still a lot of movie left to be watched and enjoyed.
The movie is predictable but cleverly written. The humor at times is dry and subtle and then there are moments of in your face laughs. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher deliver nice performances with the assitance of a great supporting cast.
By the way, bravo to the promotion department, when they created the previews/commercials they did not show all of the best parts!
This is absolutely a full price movie!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Momma Baby
So sorry for the delay in blog postings. I went to Europe back and March and when I got home I had to pay the bills from the trip. Needless to say the movie fund was sorely depleted.
Well tonight I went to see the comedy staring Amy Pohler and Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live fame. The movie is good, not exactly what I expected, but it was worth using the free movie ticket I had received from my Star Pass (a rewards program though National Amusements).
The worst thing about the movie is that if you see the commercials you have seen the funniest moments. At the end of the film I was left wondering if there was more to the film that ended up on the cutting room floor that might have given the plot a little more depth, a few more laughs and developed the characters more thoroughly. Just as an example, in the credits of the film there was a credit for the daughter of Greg Kinear's character (Rob) whom was never introduced to the audience. The character was mentioned but she was never really seen. Hmmmmm.
Anyway, is this a full price movie - absolutely not .... but it is worth a matinee admission.
Well tonight I went to see the comedy staring Amy Pohler and Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live fame. The movie is good, not exactly what I expected, but it was worth using the free movie ticket I had received from my Star Pass (a rewards program though National Amusements).
The worst thing about the movie is that if you see the commercials you have seen the funniest moments. At the end of the film I was left wondering if there was more to the film that ended up on the cutting room floor that might have given the plot a little more depth, a few more laughs and developed the characters more thoroughly. Just as an example, in the credits of the film there was a credit for the daughter of Greg Kinear's character (Rob) whom was never introduced to the audience. The character was mentioned but she was never really seen. Hmmmmm.
Anyway, is this a full price movie - absolutely not .... but it is worth a matinee admission.
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