The Help

I have to admit to having an attitude - and not a good one - about this movie. After seeing the previews I thought "Uh huh - here we go - another movie rewriting history, with the white girl coming along to save the poor black folks." Yes, I admit it. That was my knee jerk reaction. I wasn't sure I would even see the movie.

But it's opening day and I couldn't resist. I snuck off to check it out and this is one of the best movies I have ever seen!

What a tremendous story with an amazing cast! It is skillfully acted, skillfully directed, skillfully written. It stars the very talented Viola Davis, and Emma Stone and Octavia Spencer. Sissy Spacek has a small but key, powerful, hilarious role. And the amazing Cicely Tyson is here to light up the screen. Bryce Dallas Howard plays the evil Hilly Holbrook - I just can't say enough for the outstanding acting. There are just no weak links. Viola Davis needs to walk away with an Oscar for her part, IMO. But then so could 3 others in this movie - the acting is wonderful.

It takes place in Jackson Mississippi in the 60s and gives us a first hand look at the laws and racism that was blatantly commonplace. The three main characters form a unlikely and very dangerous friendship at great risk to themselves and their families, to shed light on the injustices and try to make the world a little bit better. We go along on this trip with them, through the ups and downs and realizing the dangers and the reasons.

The story is layered and sneaks up on you at times. And I'll admit to one other thing - I laughed so hard and shed tears at least 3 times - all in the same movie. As a rule I do not cry at movies. Even when they're sad, even when they're very very sad - it's still just a movie. But this one got me not once, not twice, but three times. I believe it's powerful.

Pueblo Tinseltown was the place. There was a good sized crowd (especially for a Wed. afternoon!) and it roared with laughter several times, and was silent many others. Ryne sold me the ticket with a smile and David served up fresh, hot popcorn and sprinkle cheese. A great movie experience. I ran off alone to check this out but may have to go back with others and see it again.

I gave this one a "5". Go see it!

Captain America

Put off seeing this one in favor of Cowboys and Aliens - wow what a mistake THAT was!! Captain America comes after a string of not so great - not even good - super hero movie disappointments, but thankfully this one gets things back on track!

This is another in the line of Avengers movies (Hulk, Thor, Ironman) and it's a good one! The story is solid, the characters are excellent and the actors and visuals - wonderful. Tommy Lee Jones is refreshingly himself - the witty, the natural, the best lines in the movie Tommy Lee Jones!

Stanley Tucci is another favorite - nice to see his talents used here. And of course the star of the show - Chris Evans - with his spectacular pecs and abs, some very good acting, and some lovely special effects with him in the first half of the film.

And as usual, there is a cameo of Stan Lee! :) Always fun to note those.

There is action, a great villain (played by the super talented Hugo Weaving), humor, and fun. What else do you go to a super hero movie for?

Several of the other Avengers have become a "Meh" but now I'm amped for The Avengers to come out! May 2012. Be there or be square.

When you go see Captain America, stay past the (really) long credits for a sneak peak at The Avengers. It, of course, stars Samuel L. Jackson. Funny, I thought of him several times during this movie, but a little redder than usual. ;)

This one gets a "5"!

Pueblo Tinseltown was the place. Ryne was at the ticket booth and everyone was doing great for a fairly busy (rainy) Wednesday.

Winnie the Pooh

Earthdaughter Sarah and I took little grandpeople Jayla and Kevin to see this. It was Jayla's first theater movie! The little ones were very excited and behaved beautifully. The movie is only 65 minutes long, and just the perfect time for this age (4 - 5). Just long enough to be fun but not so long that they're bored and wiggly.

I was so happy to see all of the favorite classic Winnie the Pooh characters here - all in place - voices sounded right, all following the original book. It is a fun, happy, interesting, sweet homage to the classic. What a relief that they did such a good job and didn't veer off into New territory and mess up a really good thing.

Lots of little people in the theater and lots of laughter so it was clearly holding their attention.

This was a very fun movie experience.

Tinseltown in Colorado Springs was the theater. Hot, fresh popcorn and sprinkle cheese. It's always fun to see this theater now and then because it's so much larger than ours.

We all gave this one a "5".

Super 8

Super 8 = Super GREAT! What a movie!

We gave this a "5" - just wanted to say that up front! This is vintage wonderful Spielberg at his best! Think ET meets Stand By Me... and another one. Don't want to spoil anything. It spares no expense with phenomenal effects and visuals - the "production value" is intense.

This movie has it all - it's interesting on a human level - there are no less than 5 storylines going on all at once but it's not complicated or convoluted - they all work. They just add layers and create the 'real world' feel.

The action is fabulous, the pacing is great - the stories are interesting and the humor is ever present and sprinkled throughout.

There are many nods to little inside jokes - I know I want to see this again and hope to catch more of those along the way. Anyone living through the 70s will pick up on several right away that are neatly tucked in. I couldn't help but think that one of the main kids featured just had to be Spielberg himself when he was a kid, with his obsession for films. The characters are very genuine.

Stay after the credits - there's more to see that you won't want to miss.

What a great movie! We loved it. A "5"!

Pueblo Tinseltown was the place - Caleb cheerfully sold us our tickets, Renn made sure we got hot fresh, Orville Reddenbacker popcorn (and sprinkle cheese) from the lovely new big poppers. Everyone was great - wonderful movie experience!

True Grit

We normally avoid the theater during the holidays and this year was no exception - almost ridiculously so :( But thank you for the emails and Facebook pokes - yes I'm alive and yes we've been back to the movies and have a couple to share with you! :)

I heard they were remaking True Grit some time ago and was really unhappy about it. As a child I saw this movie and loved it - that's right - I saw myself in the role of Mattie Ross, of course, and it was one of the few westerns I truly enjoyed. The Duke was the star, it's a great story. Why mess with that success? I poo-pooed to anyone who would listen.

OH BOY am I eating those words. (not eating poo-poo, thankfully) What a great movie! Even without John Wayne, even without the original script, even even even. What a great remake.

The Coens (Ethan and Joel) did this (No Country for Old Men, O Brother Where Art Thou) and they did it right. First, they stuck to the original story without messing it up - good. They added much richer and more authentic dialogue from the book - very good. They cast with an amazing hand - Very very good. And they added that Coen magic touch - a bit more real, a bit more grisly, just a little truer and grittier.

I'm not a big Jeff Bridges fan and have not gotten on the bandwagon of his fairly recent success, but darn if he isn't really good as Rooster Cogburn. I didn't want to like him in this.... but I have no complaints of any kind. He did it right. He's more flawed and uglier and odder than John Wayne - and it really works.

The star of course is Hailee Steinfeld (there's a 't' in that one - not Seinfeld) who just runs away with the movie. She's superb as Mattie Ross.

Josh Brolin also stars in a hysterical half witted role that he plays to the tee :D

It's just a great movie. We gave it a "5".

Pueblo Tinseltown was the place. Our marvelous hot fresh popcorn was served up with a big smile and friendly words from Mariah. A nice day at the show!

Ironman2

Finally saw it! After being a huge fan of the first one I just couldn't wait for the second. I started hearing some rumblings that it "wasn't as good", etc but don't believe it! This one is a great movie! :)

Everybody wants on the Ironman train these days! Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johanssen, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Garry Shandling - there are big names in this one! And they all deliver. Everybody does an amazing job. Scarlett Johanssen is a surprise, not what you think and I'm not entirely sure I like her in this type of role but she does an awesome job.

Jon Favreau directs this one (again) but also writes himself into a larger part! He's got Ironman fever too, apparently!

Mickey Rourke is our villain and he's a GREAT one! A superhero movie with a weak villain will fail - no question. Rourke comes off tough and intense and just what you want in a really good villain. :) Ironman is soon going to be known as the Great Comeback vehicle!

Robert Downey Jr. is once again wonderful. The effects - great. There were a few story points that got muddled, a little more complicated than the first. And there is some setting up in this movie for the upcoming 'Avengers' movie - where supposedly they will be pulling together many of the superheros onto one fighting team - The Hulk, Ironman, Capt. America, etc. I've been hearing that's the plan for some time but the Ironman franchise is such a run away hit and does so well standing alone, it's hard to imagine them trying to tuck Ironman back in with a team now.

The first Ironman was the best, I think everybody will agree - simply because of the newness, the surprise factor. This sequel gives it a good run for the money though. I loved it. I plan to see it again before it leaves the theater.

It gets a '5'! Didn't change my life but it's a cool movie and a fun time.

This Is It

I'm very happy to introduce a Guest Reviewer today - Mara Gordon. She watched and reviewed the film about Michael Jackson - This Is It - for us today. Thank you, Mara! :)

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When earthmom asked me if I would like to write a review of the film, This is It! I was thrilled, but not for the reasons you may expect. Not because I think of myself, in anyway qualified to critique a documentary film for it's cinematography, editing, directorial skill, or sound engineering. Nor am I in any position to decide whether you should or shouldn't go to see this film. Instead, it had everything to do with the 46 years I have spent as a die hard Michael Jackson fan.

While watching This is It! I found myself experiencing the same sensation I have when seeing a film for the second time, knowing the ending, but somehow hoping that this time the villain will be caught early enough that the good guy lives. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I see it, the ending never changes. That's just not the way life works. At the end of This is It! Michael Jackson is still gone.

As a small girl, I watched the Jackson 5, and wished I could sing and dance like Michael. He was so cool, so smooth. The way he would spin around and dip his hat like a grown-up in a little boy's body was incredible. MJ, as Michael was later often known, was only six months older than me, yet he was light years ahead of me in cool. He was my first crush. Sitting on the floor watching him perform “ABC” and “I'll Be There” while his older brothers backed him up was amazing. This is it! captured some of that magic.

When This is It! came out in theaters I was unable to see it for reasons that are irrelevant, but I was determined to watch it when I had access to a quality sound system coupled with a good screen, and not on my laptop. That opportunity came last night when I brought the DVD to a friend's home who has 5.1 surround sound and a 48” screen. After dimming the room lights, and adjusting the volume, I was ready for the performance of a lifetime. MJ had never let me down.

First, the dancers who were selected for the tour were highlighted. They choked up as they described their reactions to getting news of their selection. They understood that not only was this a huge career opportunity. It was also the chance to work with a legend, and a great artist. Once again, I was left with a sadness, knowing the inevitable outcome to the story. What had each of these young people risked to come to this tour? To get so close to something, and then a phone call ended it all. Were they able to use this as a platform to find other work? I also wondered if they had known that this was going to be Michael Jackson's final rehearsal, would they have dressed better that day? Would they have put on lipstick?

Michael was a teacher. His ear for music; his instinct for what would move his audience; his sense of rhythm were his gifts to his students – and he gave them freely. He respectfully encouraged and pushed his dancers and musicians. There was one young woman in particular, a lead guitar soloist, who was not hamming it up enough. MJ kept telling her that this was her time to shine. When she eventually got what he was telling her, she was remarkable. That gift will stay with her forever.

In one scene, Michael pauses right before the big crescendo at the end, and says to someone off camera in explanation of why he is singing the way he is, “I'm saving my voice”, and I almost started to cry. He then sang the ending beautifully, but not in the way I know he would have if he had known he was doing it for his fans. And, that is really what I would have to say about much of the music in the film. I loved every second of it, but I wanted him to belt out every song as if he were doing it for the last time – and he knew it!

Up

I dragged earthdad to this movie. Have to admit it - and I sold out by promising to go see "Drag Me To Hell" if he would just tag along to "Up". The deal was made. And so we went. He was sure he was just putting in the time going to see a cartoon, but boy was he wrong.

This movie has nothing going for it that most adults normally are attracted to. A cartoon, an old man, a fat little boy scout, possibly a talking dog. But it really, truly works.

'Up' has a true and deep story, it is touching, it is funny, it is silly, it is beautiful to look at with a feast of gorgeous graphics, and it just works. I don't remember ever getting teary eyed while watching a cartoon, not until now.

Ed Asner is the lead role voice (Carl Fredricksen), with Christopher Plummer as the voice of Super World Adventurer, Charles Muntz. We had a hard time placing the voices but I did catch Delroy Lindo in a small role.

Without giving anything away, this movie may be a little hard to explain to small children. I'm not sure how they would take some parts, and the beginning moves a bit slowly. It certainly does take off when it takes off, though. The action scenes rival any live action film and you'll find yourself tensing up in your chair right along with the characters!

This is a wonderful movie.

Pueblo Tinseltown was in great shape today - new faces that were working hard and doing well and made the trip very enjoyable.

A big "5"!

Star Trek

Long anticipated! Unfortunately we had to miss Opening Day due to an illness and then Mother's Day weekend.... we finally got to the show on Monday. We went to the first matinee, me in my Borg t-shirt, like any good self-respecting dork. Unfortunately there is no Borg Collective in this film but that didn't take anything away from a very, very good movie.

This is the prequel to the tv series and to all of the Star Trek movies - all of our favorites show up and they're very young. Just starting off in the StarFleet and just meeting one another. That entire aspect was really fun and entertaining. We see how relationships were formed, how Kirk's team was created that formed the U.S.S. Enterprise crew.

Chris Pine is the newcomer who plays James T. Kirk. He does a fabulous job. Great balancing act between good acting with a little side order of Ham - an essential ingredient that William Shatner provided in large doses for the role. (Our son, Josh, had a roommate who managed a restaurant in LA and a couple of years ago he hired Chris. Talk about journeying where No Man Has Gone Before - that's a warp speed leap in one's career in a very short time! Go Chris!)

The script is very well crafted - it provides a really satisfying experience to fans. Enough of each character is there, enough of the original story is there, enough of the beloved lines are there, to be true to the franchise. But they also give us some new information, fill in a few gaps, add a little - that's the fresh spin on things that, along with the fresh new faces, promise a whole new generation of Trekkies to come.

Young Spock is played by Zachary Quinto - who does an excellent job but I kept finding myself thinking he's just not 'right'. I think that's only because I dearly wanted to see the young Leonard Nimoy once again. "An unrealistic and illogical expectation, Captain."

All of our favorites are here - Sulu, Bones, Chekov, Uhura - all played spectacularly. All felt 'right'. My favorite of all, tho, was Scotty - which added that extra zing of life and humor that really balances out the whole film. Simon Pegg (a favorite actor since 'Sean of the Dead' days) did a superb job.

Without giving anything away (I hope).... Leonard Nimoy is in this movie and Thank God for that. It would have been sacrilegious to have a Star Trek remake without him. It also goes to show you who the true star of Star Trek has been, and will always be, all of these years. It never was Shatner.... Nimoy was always the crowd drawer and Spock the most "fascinating" individual. An original Aspergian to be sure.

One drawback and one notable change -

During the fight scenes and action scenes the direction resorts to Shaky Cam - a method of filming that we both just hate. My opinion of Shaky Cam is that it's a weaker method of filming. If your scenes and your backgrounds and your actors do not have enough going for them, then just shake the camera alot (or make the scenes very dark) so the audience is left to imagine most of the scene. The theory here is that their imagination will be many times better than what you've got to show them, so just let their minds fill in the gaps. I dislike that, and it causes me to feel physically ill when I watch a movie that shakes quite a bit. This one brought up that motion sickness feeling several times. At one point I looked away from the scene. For that reason I won't be watching the movie multiple times.

The notable change - we are treated to the famous line "... to boldly go where no man has gone before" however it's now changed to "... to boldly go where no one has gone before". Fascinating.

I've heard this movie compared to 'Ironman', and as a confirmed Ironman fan I take exception to the comparison. It may do as well at the box office but that's where the similarities end. I paid to see Ironman in the theater several times - something I never do - and would gladly watch it many more times with full enjoyment. That was a fun, well done, fresh movie. Star Trek is well done in it's own right but not like Ironman.

The effects, backgrounds, CG, all of the pretty stuff was really beautiful. The inside of the U.S.S. Enterprise was all pretty and clean and shiny and new. What we see of it was fun, but there's not much shown of the inner workings.

We give this one a '4.5' which rounds up to a '5'. The one drawback is that Shaky Cam thing. If not for it I'd go with an enthusiastic '5'.

Pueblo Tinseltown was bursting at the seams. The helpful and friendly concession stand worker, Eden, did a real good job. Popcorn was fresh!

Watchmen

Watchmen on Opening Day! Oh Yeah! :)

I dragged earthdad - he thought it was a cartoon and I knew it was based on a comic but neither of us were familar with that comic or the book or anything about it. All I knew is that our son, Adam, is a big Watchmen fan and has been waiting for the movie! So where was he today? Not sure - I haven't even seen him to yet to rub it in that we went!

This movie was fabulous - we both LOVED it. Walking in knowing next to nothing about it was not a problem. When it starts I felt that it was odd - unusual. I also felt impatient with it in general for around 15 minutes or so. Be warned if you experience the same thing... it passes. The direction is gorgeous, the script is excellent, the actors are wonderful, and this movie is not in a hurry. You get pulled in and then it wraps itself around you and soon you realize you really care what's going on.

Yes, I started to believe that these super heroes are real, and in our real modern day world (circa 1985) and that it's all possible!

Several times you're thinking the characters are knock offs - this girl looks like Zena and that guy is Clark Kent but in his costume he's Batman....except they're not. They're humans, no actual super powers (except for Dr. Manhattan) but they each have a story. Very compelling stories. Rorschach was the most annoying to me at first and later became the most dynamic, the most compelling and the most interesting of the bunch. He remained true to his character, something I admire about the writers.

This movie may be from a comic but it IS rated R - and for many reasons. Graphic bloody violence and nudity and naughty bits - several sexual situations. DON'T make the mistake of thinking "comic" and send or take kids.

The story was layered and very interesting - we were drawn in and stayed there.

Giving this one a 5!

Tinseltown Pueblo did a decent job - they seem short of help so there was a wait for the popcorn but it was fresh!

Coming attractions - we're going to see the new Wolverine movie that's on the way. Funny how one scene he walks through a hallway scraping his hand-knives along the walls like Freddy Krueger. I want to see this movie: Wolverine Meets Freddy Krueger! (Don't fall asleep, Wolverine......)

Slumdog Millionaire

GO SEE IT!

Rent it - own it!

There's nothing else to say about this one! An amazing story, a more than amazing cast set in incredible settings - you just have to see it.

We drove to Col Springs for this one since the local Tinseltown didn't get it. Of course after it started winning Oscars, everyone now has it! :D

I'd like to go back and see it again. There aren't that many classics but this movie is one. NOT to be missed.

EASILY a 5!

Ironman

WOW!

Summed up in one word - there you go - it's "WOW!" What a great movie!

Adam and I went today (he's 24 so you get an older female/younger male perspective) and we both loved it! We look forward to all of the superhero movies and many are disappointing. This one was different in that I don't remember Ironman cartoons and didn't know the story, and that Robert Downey Jr. is the main character. That alone is worth going to have a look!

The action is great, the writing is great (many good laughs that are unexpected - the best kind), the effects and imagery are just amazing! We spotted a cameo of Jon Favreau and only after the movie was over did we realize that he directed it. He did a great job.

No one is out of place here - Robert Downey Jr is fabulous - snarky when he should be, funny, not over the top, strong, really great performance. Jeff Bridges plays an older, evil character and it's the best I've ever seen him do. Clarence Howard was his usual excellent self.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Ironman's assistant. We were a bit torn on this one, I thought she was perfect and Adam didn't like her so much. She is supposed to be capable yet a bit awkward and mousey and she played it very well. Feminine but quiet, I can't see any other actress in that part that would have done better.

The only place where the plot gets thin is when we're asked to believe that the enemy is just incredibly stupid. It made me think of Hogan's Heroes and how dumb they painted the Nazis - similar thing here with Afghanistan soldiers. You have to allow some creative license in there but when you do, it all moves smoothly along.

This is a modern day story with plenty of things ripped from the headlines as far as war and weaponry and war mongers profiting off suffering. It's also the most entertaining movie I've seen in a long, long time. It's a bit long but kid safe for older kids who would sit through it and stick with the story.

This one gets a '5'!

We got served our fresh popcorn by Super Theater Manager Shane and it was a great time at the movies!

Edited to add - Robert and I went to see this one again a few days later! It's definitely a movie you can enjoy more than once. I think I'd like to see it yet again, and that NEVER happens!

Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the Dead


This is the best movie we've seen in so long! It is genius. It is basically a satire on zombie (Dawn of the Dead movies) and it's a great one - when it's supposed to be funny it's hilarious. What takes you by surprise is the amount of sense it makes - and that the scary parts are actually scary (which you just can't believe but they are!) and the touching parts are actually truly touching. Every single person in the cast does an incredible job - you find yourself actually believing this really could happen.

The acting - superb - the script - amazing - the direction - fabulous. This is a very cool movie. We would like to see it again!

Had to travel north to Colorado Springs Tinseltown for this one - but it was worth it! Good popcorn and much larger theater - great movie!

Overall Rating.... Dare I give a 5 to a satirical horror movie??? YES! 5!

EDITED TO ADD - Several years later this movie is still an all time favorite. We had to buy the DVD and we've enjoyed it over and over again. That's the true test of a classic!

Hero

This is a breathtakingly gorgeous movie. It may very well be the most beautiful movie we've ever seen. The artistry in each scene is amazing. In a way you have the feeling of an opera - the drama, tragedy, love, all emotions here are very deep and the textures and colors are staggering.

The gist of this is a story told mostly in flashbacks of how one man, defeating 3 warriors, managed to accomplish this feat. Jet Li (Romeo Must Die) is the star. The other actors and actresses were absolutely amazing - in fighting, in acting, in every way. They are mostly Chinese known - except perhaps for Ziyi Zhang, who was in Rush Hour 2.

Hero is done in the old Asian movie tradition - there are some scenes where people fly, which is an odd thing to me but quite common in the old movies. And in these scenes it works - it's the flashbacks where things are remembered so supernaturally (yes, I really did leap so high I went right onto the roof!) but the reality fight scenes are more down to earth.

Will you love this movie? If you love martial arts movies -yes. If you love art - yes. If you are romantic or appreciate the deeply moving experiences of humans - yes. If you are political and see what it takes to unify an entire country - yes. Pretty much the answer is - yes. :)

Pueblo Tinseltown was the theater - popcorn was fresh - it was a great day.

Overall Rating - a 5! Your mouth will drop more than once at the feast for your eyes.

The Notebook

Love stories are not our normal cup of tea for movies - we tend to lean toward the horror, action, even comedies first. We saw everything (except Garfield) there was to see first, and even then debated going for this one but we went. We heard it was a tearjerker.

I don't know what conspiracy in the universe is after my title, but I was formerly The Person Who Never Cried At The Movies. Fahrenheit 9/11 changed that, and The Notebook has erased that title forever. Being told it's a tearjerker before going nearly guarantees there will be no crying for me. It's like being told I'm about to jump out and yell "boo" and you will be scared. But this one got me. And got me good.

Where to begin? Nick Cassavetes directed this gem. It's directed beautifully. But it's the story, and the actors who make this thing live. Nicholas Sparks wrote the novel, which is a surprise because he also wrote Message in a Bottle and it was lousy. Maybe something was lost in the translation, or the screenplay on that one.

The casting really made the movie. James Garner (who will forever be Rockford to me) is wonderful, as is Gena Rowlands (Taking Lives) Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls) plays Allie, and just blew me away. After seeing Mean Girls, where she is indeed a very mean girl in a crazy comedy - this character could not be more different and she pulls it off with ease. Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers - hohum - and Remember the Titans - hohum) just runs away with the role of Noah. I say hohum to those other movies because him in them was just hohum. Him in this role - amazing. He is perfect for it. He is amazing in it - he doesn't say or do too much of anything. He has a very strong presence that speaks volumes beyond words.

It's very hard to say what I want about the story because I have one firm rule and that's to NOT give away the story here. Suffice it to say, this story is funny where it should be, sweet where it should be, very true to itself and very deep. I think in all the love stories ever, this one is at the top of my list for the most endearing and the one that really truly defines what love is. That's a LOT to say for a movie, but this one delivers.

Robert and I were both very moved. We saw bits of ourselves in the characters and we were both deeply touched. What an amazing movie.

Overall rating - 5 Crazy, I know - it's a love story for cryin out loud! But it's a 5 in our book.

(Popcorn was GREAT!) Pueblo Tinseltown

Supersize Me

Josh (24) and Sarah (15) and I went to see this one in Colorado Springs at Kimball's, which is one of the last remaining old wonderful old original old movie theaters around.

This is a GREAT movie!! I believe strongly that every human, especially every American human, should have to sit through this movie at least once! This guy, Morgan Spurlock, eats 3 meals a day for a month at McDonald's after getting complete checkups from 3 doctors, total blood workups, weighed, measured, tested before, during and after exercising. He gains over 20 pounds, his liver begins to fail, he has all kinds of problems and nearly calls off the whole experiment because his health fails so fast. It's just simply amazing.

Interspersed between the days of his experiment are interviews with interesting people relating to fast food, and statistics. You will learn a ton without hardly realizing that you're learning anything. It's entertaining, shocking, amazing - it's simply eye opening.

For those who read "Fast Food Nation" - you will be cheering. I've tried to get people to read that book and people for the most part don't like to read. This is the perfect movie for THOSE people. Everyone needs to see this.

We gave it a 5 - yes a FIVE!

We ate freshly popped popcorn (they use a healthier safflower oil that is really light) and they provide white cheddar sprinkle cheese! (I got the idea from Kimballs and I buy it at the grocery store to take into other theaters now) I will not be able to ever look at another McDonald's meal, ever. I usually avoid it anyway, now that feeling is tenfold.

Shrek 2

Okay, It's true - I went back the very next day and saw Shrek 2 again! This time with my son, Josh (24) and daughter Sarah (15). It was SO GOOD! I laughed just as hard - in fact I found so many more things I'd missed the first time to laugh at! (look at what's written on the love potion bottle.... and notice what the prince finds in his medieval happy meal)
This is truly a wonderful movie. All ages will appreciate different things in this one. Antonio Banderas is amazing as Puss N Boots, Julie Andrews has a small but dignified role as the Queen, John Cleese is outstanding as the King. Of course Mike Myers as Shrek and Cameron Diaz as Fiona. What a great flick.

OKAY - here's the thing - there is MORE after the final credits! A piece about Donkey and Dragon. BOTH times I saw this movie I waited a bit, expecting there to be something at the credits but they rolled on a black screen so I did leave. BOTH times! Imagine my upset when I heard there was more after the credits!

So today (5/28) Robert and I saw The Day After Tomorrow. As we were leaving we passed the Shrek 2 theater and ducked in, it was only a few minutes from the end so we waited to see and sure enough - there was a cute bit after the credits. So stay in your seat all the way to the end!! :)

We all give this movie a 5! (yes I know I also gave The Passion of the Christ a five, and that's a bit disturbing, but they got that rating for different reasons!!) ;)

Kill Bill Volume 2

We were SO looking forward to this one! Who wasn't!? Ever since Kill Bill we've been in that cliffhanging suspense mode - what happens next? What happened before? Why did the massacre at the wedding chapel take place? Is there a baby? Who else gets killed? What happened to that amazing sword? And does anyone ever Kill Bill??

Well folks, all questions get answered, in this - the most satisfying and fascinating 'sequel' ever made. It's not really a sequel - Volume 2 was filmed at the same time as the first part, and it was all meant to be one long movie, which makes perfect sense - it fits together that way. But it ended up too long, so why not just get paid twice for everyone to come back and see the second half?

Robert and I saw this one and we were amazed at how long it actually is - like 2.5 hours or more, but the mark of a great movie - it didn't seem long at all. We were engrossed, we were loving each scene - the time flew by.
David Carradine (best known from Kung Fu days on tv, and a host of lesser, and I mean lesser, movies) easily has the role and performance of a career in this movie. As does Darryl Hannah (Splash) - another face we don't see very often at all. These two just got a huge career jump start compliments of Quentin Tarentino.

Uma (Pulp Fiction) is wonderful, as always. She goes through a lot in these two movies. The casting was so amazingly done - it's hard to single out roles. Michael Madsen is just great as Bill's brother. Chia Hui Liu plays Pai Mei, a kung fu master that we adored watching.

Michael Parks (originally from Then Came Bronson) has a double role - one character in the first movie and another in the second. See if you can pick him out. He does such a tremendous job with each character - you will not even know it's him.

The bottom line is we're martial arts movie fans - and Robert used to love to watch the really old martial arts movies in LA, in theaters full of Chinese fans where he was the only non-Asia in the room. Quentin Tarantino must have been hiding out in those same theaters because he's a huge fan of that genre. We love his combination of the old school martial arts, the hip music, the mesmerizing scenes, the amazing characters that each have depth and a life of their own.

In Kill Bill Volume 2 there is much less blood than the first one. Much more story line. It is no less fascinating, and it touches on many levels.

This movie is fun, exciting, satisfying, intriguing, and original. It's a keeper - one you could sit through several times and enjoy each time.

We gave it a 5! A great movie!

Pueblo Tinseltown was the theater. Fresh popcorn and lots of it!

The Passion of The Christ

Robert and I saw this the first weekend it came out. We had no preset expectations going in. Mel Gibson really did a lifetime achievment with this movie. It is amazing.

James Caviezel played Christ, and did a great job. This is one movie that is difficult to review, because it's so much more than this movie. I've heard and read so many things and other reviews about it - some say too violent, some say it's wrong because it causes people to hate Jews - none of those are right. The movie is as factually accurate as humanly possible (those who have read The Day Christ Died, as I have, as well as the Gospels will agree) and because it's so accurate, and really did happen, it just is nothing short of stunning.

My advice to anyone who sees this - don't judge it. Don't judge the acting, or the costuming, or the violence. Just wonder about the whole thing and ask yourself if there's a message here that you need to take away. This movie will stay with you for quite some time - as it should.

It gets a rating of 5 - a truly Great Movie.