Movie #641 ........................."Jeff, Who Lives at home

Movie #641 "Jeff, Who Lives at Home" is truly an indie film that follows the beat of a different drummer. The brothers are Jason Seigal and Ed Helms and mom is Susan Sarandon, and she has a storyline for herself. The film focuses on how every character feels trapped in a situation, trying to get up and out. As it unfolds, I tried to guess where it was going next, to no avail. It sure keeps you guessing until the very end when it ties together. I appreciated its creativity, and I think many will. But then, indie films are what I enjoy seeing a lot of, and this one is pretty good to be in the mainstream, somewhat! I give it 3.7 out of 5 Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011) R Siblings Jay and Mark Duplass direct this comedy focusing on two brothers -- one a moderate success, the other still living with Mom. A trip to the store for glue, however, turns into an encounter with destiny for the stay-at-home slacker. Genre:Comedies, Dramas, Independent Movies, Independent Dramas This movie is:Quirky Availability: DVD and Blu-ray

Movie #640 ........................."Moonrise Kingdom"

Movie #640 "Moonrise Kingdom" was a fun movie, very deadpan in its delivery, very quirky in its storyline. All the actors involved were so fun to watch, including: Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, and Edward Norton. I didn't quite give it a 5 because I thought the kids could have been a tad better. At first, they slurred their lines and were tough to get to know and like, but after awhile I just got used to them, and thought they improved as the film went along. Disclaimer: this movie is NOT for everyone. The timing is slow, the film focuses on awkward people in life going through awkward movements to get through --- it is a period piece that you never know where it is headed ---- and it is really a quirky indie. If you have liked Wes Anderson stuff in the past (Royal Tannenbaums, Rushmore, Bottle Rocket), then this one ranks right up there, perhaps their sweetest one. But once again, not everyone will fall in love with it like I did. I gave it 4.2 out of 5 stars Moonrise Kingdom (2012) PG-13 Wes Anderson's quirky drama follows the frantic search that ensues in a small New England town when two 12-year-olds fall in love and run away together. As the townsfolk hunt for the vanished kids, a storm causes even more profound communal upheaval. Genre:Dramas, Romantic Movies, Romantic Dramas This movie is:Cerebral, Imaginative, Quirky, Romantic, Witty Availability: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #639 ........................."Joyful Noise"

Movie #639 "Joyful Noise" I saw this about the same time as "Rock of Ages" and liked it more, even though the plot line was more contrived, at least one existed. And the singing was more joyful (gospel music) and the cast was more competent of a set of singers. The lead young guy, for example, is on broadway right now in "Newsies" and was Clyde Barrow earlier this year on Broadway in "Bonnie and Clyde." Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton can always sing, and the young girl from the spelling bee movie was very impressive, acting and singing. I can't say I watched it with rapt attention,as it was on in the background when I was doing other things, but I could still follow it and appreciate it for its musicality and strong theme, contrary to "Rock of Ages." 3.2 out of 5 Joyful Noise (2012) PG-13 Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah square off in this big-hearted comedy about a flat-broke town choir whose members dream of winning a national contest. However, the stars' struggle for leadership could scuttle the group's harmony and hopes of success. Genre:Comedies, Musicals Availability: DVD and Blu-ray

Movie #638 ........................."Rock of Ages"

Movie #638 "Rock of Ages" was a movie I took the movie club to today, and most of them liked it well enough. I'm afraid I found it just passable. And that was mostly due to the girl lead, Hough from Dancing with the Stars --- she is quite likable and really saved the movie for me. Tom Cruise was good, too. Quite an odd characterization, but one he would know too well --- a man damaged by his "famous" personality. It is just that the film was so uneven ---- they all seemed to be acting independently as if they were all in their own movie, with a varying tone. Hated the Alex Baldwin parts, but then I'm not a fan --- Paul Giamatti plays the creepy agent well because he's done that part so often before. Nothing new here with the plot or within the confines of the genre ---- too many songs, but some are staged quite well. Others go on, and on, and on. If you aren't a fan of the ballad, stay away. And the film is filthier and raunchier than I was led to believe. I don't think I'd recommend it to many. Not my cup of tea. Looking forward to better ones this summer. 3 stars out of 5 Rock of Ages (2012) PG-13 In the 1980s, Los Angeles' famed Sunset Strip is pulsing to a beat that attracts waitress Sherrie and busboy Drew, who fall in love and chase fame while working at the Bourbon Room, a club catering to rock royalty like Stacee Jaxx. Genre:Music Availability: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #637 ........................."Madagascar 3: Europe's most wanted"

Movie #637 "Madagascar 3" was a lot of fun, even for us non kiddies! I have loved this franchise from the beginning so it is not a surprise that I enjoyed this one so much. Emphasis here was more on plot, busy-ness, chases, peril and less on characters and relationships, which is fine, but the only reason I didn't give it a 5. Love the penguins! Love all the main characters ---- the new ones, introduced here were good, too, esp. the tigress --- I hope they just keep adding on with these characters and more in the future! Highly recommend this one --- very busy and lots of fun. I guarantee that you or someone in your party on leaving this film, will be singing: the circus song with the words: dadadadadadadada Afro, dadadadadadadada Circus, Afro Circus, Afro Circus, polkadotpalkadotpolkadotpolkadot. Cute! Rate 4.5 stars out of 5 Madagascar 3 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) PG Having ended their African adventures, Alex and his friends set their sights for New York City -- this time, hitching a ride with a traveling circus. But as they make their way through Europe, they run into their fair share of roadblocks. Genre:Children & Family Movies, Movies for ages 8 to 10, Movies for ages 11 to 12, Animal Tales This movie is:Goofy, Feel-good Availability: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #636 ........................."Pariah"

Movie #636 "Pariah" I had heard about this film long before I even saw the first trailer for it ---- it was controversial, and I guess that's the way of the controversial film about lesbianism. I was most impressed with the acting, namely the young girl and her mom. Very impressive. Script is okay, but it lacked direction in some places, and I wanted it to be tighter in focus. When it finally got to the high point, I was ready for it and it delivered a good punch. It came across as very realistic and much of an eye opener as to what a girl goes through when she has conflict in how she looks vs. how she feels about herself. I'd recommend it but not for the faint of heart! 3.5 out of 5 stars Pariah (2011) R Brooklyn teen Alike (Adepero Oduye) is a model child around her devoutly religious family, but she sheds the good-girl image to reveal a harder side during a nightclub excursion with butch pal Laura (Pernell Walker) in this coming-of-age tale of urban identity and sexual expression. With curfew looming and her parents none the wiser, Alike must catch the bus back home, where she faces the complex negotiation of her contradictory worlds. Genre:Dramas, Gay & Lesbian Movies, Independent Movies, Gay & Lesbian Dramas This movie is:Heartfelt

Movie #635 ........................."One for the Money"

Movie #635 "One for the Money" is possibly the first of a series of Stephanie Plum books put on film, with Katherine Heigl at the helm. For the first one, it's pretty mediocre --- the main leads had little chemistry, the script had few laughs, the story had so many names, I was having trouble following and it didn't matter after a while;and one exaggerated scene after another. I DID like the family, but the script just dropped them. I DID ilke the 2 prostitutes she pumps for info in the streets, but the script drops them, too. and she has a best friend who teaches her how to break through locks and shoot, but the script didn't know what to do with him. Too bad. I liked the spunkiness and the kick ass attitude she has, but the script wasn't up to standards ---- it was more like a t.v. movie (perish the thought! and not a good one, either) I rated it 2.8 out of 5 stars One for the Money (2012) PG-13 Janet Evanovich's spunky heroine, Stephanie Plum, is adrift after getting a divorce and losing her job. To make ends meet, she becomes a bounty hunter, with her first big case revolving around a high school boyfriend who may be falsely accused. Genre:Action & Adventure, Comedies, Romantic Movies, Thrillers This movie is:Romantic

Movie #634 ........................."The Hunting Party"

Movie #34 "The Hunting Party" is an odd- duck kind of movie. The opening disclaimer kind of sets the tone for the film: Only the ridiculous things in the following are true. The story seems really out there, but supposedly it happened. First to have these three guys (one a Harvard grad) go hunting in a dangerous country for the story of a lifetime with a war criminal (The Fox) is a tough one to swallow! Then there are a few other surprises that were far fetched but kept me watching. I guess that's the bottom line here. If you want to see something different, with a story , if true, quite amazing, check this out. But if you expect the screenplay to make sense and follow to a logical conclusion, don't look here. My head is still spinning over this one! 3.2 out of 5 stars The Hunting Party (2007) R Richard Gere stars as a struggling journalist who sets out with a fellow reporter and a cameraman to hunt down Bosnia's most notorious war criminal, known as "the Fox." But they become the quarry when their target mistakes them for CIA assassins. Genre:Action & Adventure, Action Thrillers This movie is:Violent, Gritty, Suspenseful

Movie #633 ........................."Perfect Man"

Movie #633 "The Perfect Man" I never thought I would like this at all ------and there were times I cringed (the actors are Hillary Duff and Heather Lochlear), and the situations are lame at times, and what was really annoying was the stretching of reality. But the film seemed to fight that urge throughout --- i.e. it seemed they would set the audience up for a stereotyped thing to happen, and something different did............I was saying throughout the film that there was NO WAY the two people who you think should get together would without going to extremes, but I think the film succeeded with an okay ending that redeemed itself ---- and the themes are good, esp. for junior high kids, I would think. Jr. High and High School are well represented. And you know my penchant for romantic comedies, so I found it pleasantly amusing, but if you are into cringing at romantic comedies, skip this one. 3 stars out of 5 The Perfect Man (2005) PG Teenager Holly Hamilton takes matters into her own hands after her single mother, Jean, suffers another painful breakup with a loser. To boost Jean's self-esteem, Holly invents a secret admirer -- the perfect man -- but her scheme nearly backfires. Genre:Comedies, Romantic Movies, Movies for ages 11 to 12, Romantic Comedies This movie is:Romantic, Feel-good

Movie #632 ......................."The Kid with the Bike"

Movie #632 "The Kid with the Bike" --- I didn't know much about this film going into it, and as it unfolded, I became very intrigued with how fragile, yet strong this little boy is. I was very impressed with him and with the directors' choices in many of the scenes to keep this a quiet film, sometimes with little dialogue. So much is said just through action. For example, the first time the woman meets this little boy at the orphan school, the little boy rides his bikes around and around her car, as if saying: please don't go, I'd like to go with you, or stay around so we can talk more. But, of course, none of that is SAID, just shown. The reason I gave it a 4.5 is the very end. I wasn't as impressed with the choice to end the film on the scene that they decided to use ---- but perhaps after I've thought about it even more, I might grow to like it more. As it was, the film is wonderful, and should be shown to kids who don't appreciate their folks as much as they should. They would after seeing this film and the bad cards dealt to this kid. Average rating: 3.68 I rated it 4.5 out of 5 The Kid with a Bike Le Gamin au Vélo (2011) PG-13 After being abandoned by his deadbeat dad, 11-year-old Cyril Catoul is virtually adopted by a goodhearted hairdresser who tries to help him. But despite her kindness, the disillusioned boy soon falls in with a young drug peddler. Genre:Dramas, Foreign Movies, Foreign Dramas, Belgian Movies This movie is:Emotional

Movie #631 ........................."Just Like Heaven"

Movie #631 "Just Like Heaven" --- this is one of my favorite newer romantic comedies mostly because of the main idea and the two leads --- Ruffalo and Witherspoon. I don't want to give anything away, but the idea that he is the only one who can see her is a very romantic idea to me ----- and the mystery of who she is and what her occupation was before meeting Ruffalo and is she dead or alive kept me watching --- even the second time (yep, I've seen it before). I'm sure it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you like romantic comedies, this is one you might want to check out. You rated this movie: 5 Just Like Heaven (2005) PG-13 Shortly after David Abbott (Mark Ruffalo) moves into his new San Francisco digs, he has an unwelcome visitor on his hands: winsome Elizabeth Martinson (Reese Witherspoon), who asserts that the apartment is hers -- and promptly vanishes. When she starts appearing and disappearing at will, David thinks she's a ghost, while Elizabeth is convinced she's alive. Their quest for the truth ultimately leads to love in this spectral romantic comedy. Genre:Comedies, Romantic Movies, Romantic Comedies

Movie #630 ........................."The Hour of the Gun"

Movie #630 "The Hour of the Gun" picks up from where the famous film "Gunfight at OK Corrall" ends, and I had never seen a film on the results of the big gunfight. The results can be summed up in one word: revenge. And if you have read many of my other movie blogs, you know how I feel about the theme of revenge ----- a very thin, derivative focus for a film, and even though I ordinarily love James Garner and Jason Robards (and their scenes were the only things getting me to continue watching this one), that really wasn't enough to keep me interested here. Yeah, the plot thickens when Earp figures out that he can't get revenge by being on the right side of the law ---- but when he discovers that, the film just goes through the hoops to the finish. If you are interested in the history of it, you might like this, but like I said, the acting is good, but that's it. 3 stars Hour of the Gun (1967) NR Notorious Wild West gunslingers Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday hunt down the vengeful Clanton Brothers in John Sturges' sequel to Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. When the Clantons gun down Earp's (James Garner) brothers, the lawman turns into a vengeful vigilante. Earp organizes a ruthless posse and brings aboard as his deputy gambler Doc Holliday (Jason Robards), who tries to keep the enraged Earp on the right side of the law. Genre:Action & Adventure, Westerns Availability: DVD