42 Rated: PG-13

Cat Says:

I have to start this off by saying that I'm a baseball fan. Ok, so that's putting it lightly. The Yankees won the Series the year I was born and I've been hooked ever since. I have very fond memories of sitting on the sofa with my Dad and watching many a baseball game, coming to love the Cubs as well as the Giants along the way. He was a Dodgers fan...I loved him anyway. I was a Yankess fan...he loved me anyway.  Our 12 year old plays ball as well. My Dad would be proud of how good he is and how we still love the game. 

The love of the game. That is what this movie is about. How one man, Branch Rickey, played here by Harrison Ford in a stunning performance, saw in injustice in the game he loved so much and needed to make it right. How he picked one player, Jackie Robinson, played here to perfection by Chadwick Boseman, to make the stand...for the love of the game. 

The story is told with respect, with reverence and with a certain brashness from time to time that will make you wince. The "N" word is not glossed over here. The abusive treatment is barely touched upon but they tried to get it across that he did, indeed, suffer this abuse each and every game...and persevered. The story also made sure to make it clear that those who chose on the side of discrimination and hate found themselves out of the game. This was an important lesson to my 12 year old Little League playing son. You see, my son is half black. If not for people like Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson my own son wouldn't have the same Big League dreams that millions of other American boys have today. So, yes, we teared up more than once. We beamed with pride more than once and yes, we did wince more than once. 

The story follows Rickey's decision to bring up a black baseball player and make a stand to the final game before heading to the Series. All of this is history. You can read all about it. There are no big surprises, not sudden twists in the story. You know the legend that is #42. The only number ever to be retired in baseball. Today is Jackie Robinson Day. The only day where players all across the leagues wear the #42. So that the love of the game is the only important thing. Not the color of the player's skin. 

Due to the subject matter and the slow way the story is told this movie is for 9 and up. It does feel a bit slow at times but the acting is amazing. The story is worthy. It's a 9.5 out of 10 for me and my family. We will own this one the day it comes out on Blu-Ray...and yes, we'll be buying the edition with all of the extras included. See this one on the big screen. Then watch it again when you bring it home. Yes, it's that good.

Barbara Says:

The movie `42' was a really good watch for my friend Jackie and myself. The theater was full and people were clapping at parts and hissing at others. It was a commentary on how far we have come as a people. I am not a fan of any sports and most definitely not baseball.  But I so enjoyed this movie of not just one mans rise over the stupidity of  people but those who helped him do it. 

Harrison Ford for one was very good.  In fact,the acting in this by everyone was top-notch.  At one point you see a young boy watching how these people are yelling names (one of which is his father) and so he starts to yell the same. But it was clear he was not sure of this course.  

This film was mainly about the rise of Jackie as a baseball great but it gives us at the end some of what happened to the other main characters too. Some got their just rewards.  Putting labels on people because of their color, religion, where they live, money they have is just plain stupid and shows an extreme lack of feeling for humanity.  This story gives me hope for our future though. If only because it shows us that people can become better human beings and look upon their fellow travelers through this world with clearer eyes and a warmer heart. Make time to go see this film as it is well worth your effort. It is a piece of history that should never be allowed to be forgotten. Out of 10....a 10.

The Big Wedding Rated: R

Barbara Says:

I give it a   9 out of 10 and only because it was so predictable at times.  But for sheer enjoyable fun with great lines it was a very good time. It had a different take on a family gathering for a wedding.  Divorced couple with 3 grown children.. One of whom is adopted from a South American mother just so he can have a better life but stays in full contact with said mother and sister. Ex-husband is living with ex-wife`s life long time friend,. One son (a doctor) is a virgin and adopted son has never told his mother that his adopted parents got a divorce. She is Catholic and he feels she would be very upset.  This movie has very talented actors doing their work very well and having a lot of fun at it too. There are scenes that simply cracked my friend Jackie and I up. The whole theater was laughing so hard at times I think I missed some stuff. Maybe have to see it again.     There is one I will remember. ` My mother is a part time Lesbian '.       Followed by 'Well,I think my brother is somewhere having sex with my sister'.       Definitely an adult movie but so much fun to watch.  Take the time and go have some fun of your own.

Cat Says:

Unexpectedly we ended up with a Date Night so my husband and I went to go see The Big Wedding. We are both DeNiro and Keaton fans so we thought we'd give it a try after seeing the trailer. 

The story is about a family and their three kids. The mom (Diane Keaton) and dad (Robert DeNiro) have been divorced for a decade. The mom's best friend (Susan Sarandon) is now the Dad's girlfriend. This is not an issue until the youngest of the three kids, an adopted son (Ben Barnes), is getting married and his biological South American, and very religious Mom is coming for the wedding and doesn't know that the Mom and Dad are divorced. He asks the Mom and Dad to pretend to be married just for the weekend so his Biological Mom won't find out. This causes many issues with Dad's girlfriend since they have been living together for 8 years and has a whole host of issues with this arrangement. Add in an older daughter (Katherine Heigl) who is having marital issues and a middle brother (Topher Grace) who is turning 30 and still a virgin and the adopted son's hot biological sister and you have lots of reasons to stick with the many facets of this family. 

It is funny, vulgar, gross, serious, touching and sad all wrapped up in one. It earns it's R rating with graphic sexual situations and dialog as well as nudity, drinking, and swearing. But it does a great job of pointing out that no one is perfect but you can still be perfect for each other if you are willing to work it out, take others feelings into consideration and do what is needed to work things out. 

If your dollars are limited then you could wait till DVD to watch this one but it is worth a visit. We gave it a 7.5 out of 10. Cute, funny, touching and worth seeing but there isn't any new ground here and while I'm sure I will watch it on tv when it comes on cable, I won't rush out to own it.

Tory Says:

I went with one of my girlfriends to see The Big Wedding. I don’t think either of us have laughed that hard in a long time!!! I also think it was just “not girly” enough that my husband would have enjoyed it as well!

Basically the movie centers around a couple who is getting married. Her parents are rich and sort of crazy, his parents are divorced and his father has a long-time girlfriend who happens to be his ex-wife’s best friend! The groom’s parents have 3 children: A daughter having marital and fertility issues, an almost 30 year old son who is a virgin having hormone issues and the groom who is adopted and marrying the woman he loves. Well the groom’s birth mother is coming over from Columbia for the wedding but she is VERY religious and doesn’t know the people who adopted her son, are now divorced. So the groom convinces his parents to pretend to be together for the weekend and the comedy begins!

I loved the message this had about adoption. It was wonderful that he kept in contact with his birth mother and that he actually has three mothers! It’s not about blood, it’s about love! My favorite relationship was actually the daughter and her brother: the virgin, doctor son! Their banter was CLASSIC! This film is hilarious and heartfelt but verbally explicit. I think a must see for anyone who thinks their family can be a bit nuts…let’s face it, that’s most of us!

It SERIOIUSLY earns its “R” rating. There is language, innuendo and nudity! If you can put away any prude-ish feelings, I think everyone would find it funny! It gets 9 out of 10 for me. Only losing a point for predictability. 

The Bourne Legacy Rated: PG-13 (DVD review)

Cat Says:

With so many movies coming out this past year I had to let a few slip through my fingers and wait for DVD. The Bourne Legacy was one of those. I finally got to watch it today and, honestly, I'm kicking myself for waiting. There were so many really great scenes that would have been even better on the big screen.

So lets address the elephant in the room here. Where is Matt Damon? Where is Jason Bourne? Last we saw he was floating in the river after being shot off of a New York building. We see him start to swim away and it lets us know he's still alive. So where is he for this film? He's there. This film is set concurrently to the end of the last Bourne film. It picks up where Bourne meets the journalist in London. It really needs the viewer to remember that film so as you see the CIA, and other teams, start to respond to all that is going on you can follow the timeline that is happening to the other Treadstone members as well as Jason Bourne. 

Now. This film. Aaron Cross is part of Treadstone. He's out in the middle of nowhere when the walls of Treadstone start to come crumbling down so he has no idea what is going on. He is Bourne 2.0. Part of a group of agents that have been medically modified and have to take meds to sustain the benefits of these modifications. The problem is that Cross is running out of meds so he heads back in from the field. He meets up with another agent he thinks is a handler so he can get the meds he needs. Then "they" try to kill both agents and Cross is now on the run. Still needing meds he runs for the doctor who has always done his check ups hoping she can help him. But her life is crumbling down around her ears as well and before you know it Cross is helping the doctor and the doctor is helping Cross and both of them are on the run. 

How they outwit the bad guys, who resort to sicking Bourne 3.0 on Cross, and find their way to freedom is what is so much fun in this film. Jeremy Renner, who plays Aaron Cross, is, as he proved in MI:4, quite capable as an action star. With Rachel Weisz, who plays Dr.Marta Shearing, they make for a wonderful team. Her confusion and efforts to cope come across as genuine. His fast thinking on his feet is what we have come to expect from a Bourne character. Edward Norton, as one of the chasing bad guys, is hardly used and a missed opportunity in this film but maybe they are holding back his character for the next movie in this series. The film ends pretty much where the last Bourne ended with Jason Bourne escaping NYC and Cross and the Doctor escaping their pursuers, if only for a short time. We'll find out where this leads us. 

The entire point of this film is to show that there are lots of other stories that were triggered by the downfall of Jason Bourne within the Treadstone community and now in this enhanced version of Treadstone. Plenty of different angles to explore here. I decided to go check out the feedback on this film and found that while it did as well as the first Bourne film it didn't do as well as the last one so people considered it a flop. That is a mistake. If you loved the first three films then give this one a shot. It opens up and answers some of the questions the last movie left unanswered. I give it a solid 8 out of 10. I'm hopeful they will pull Damon back in for one more, even if it's just a small part of the Cross story.

The Host Rated: PG-13

Tory Says:

Let me start by saying I read the book and as usual the movie is NEVER as good as the book. However, this was a great film! I’m a fan of the Twilight Saga but I didn’t have any interest in The Host. Then I saw the preview for the movie and thought “Wow. I should try the book before that comes out.” So I did. I’m not a fast reader but I pushed myself to read all 619 pages in less than a week! Basically this film is like someone put the book on fast forward. Enough about the book. I thought the film was excellent!

The plot of this film is pretty simple. An alien race has taken over Earth by injecting themselves into human bodies.  The alien or “soul” forces the human mind out and take over their host. One of the strongest souls is named Wanderer but when she is injected into her host, Melanie (the human mind) doesn’t leave.  Instead of searching Melanie’s memories for the location of the human resistance, Wanderer bonds with her and goes in search of Melanie’s family.

I thought they did a pretty good job with casting. Saoirse Ronan was fantastic! This was the first film I had seen her in and I was impressed with her emotional range. (In my opinion, not too many people can pull off having an alien in their head!) I think my favorite part is that it isn’t “an alien movie” like I thought. It actually has a strong family story line and even romance! Also, it didn’t feel like a “teenager” film the way The Twilight Saga did at times.

Special effects were minimal but fantastic! The way you can tell a soul is present instead of a human is by their eyes. Both the souls and the eyes were well done! (As my husband said “Stephenie Meyer certainly likes her contact lenses!”) There is nothing too scary or graphic in it. Any violence is mild. I think as long as they can understand the concept, they could see it…so probably 10 and up. I really enjoyed it and will probably own it. There were some bigger things missing from the book and I don’t agree with all of the casting choices but I would still give it a solid 8 out of 10.

Cat Says:

I will start off by saying I have not read the book. The people in front of us had and I overheard the guy saying that they seemed to follow the book pretty closely but that's all I have on that. I took the 12 year old with me and while he liked it he said it had too much "love story" and not enough action like he'd been hoping. 

Quickly, the story opens on this girl, Melanie, late teens to early 20's, getting "taken" by the aliens. But once she wakes up again the "soul" of that body soon learns that the girl has not actually left that body yet and has some ability to control her. This is a new feeling for the soul, which calls itself The Wanderer, who has never encountered this in a body before. Soon she begins to understand how important it is for Melanie to get back to her family. Her boyfriend and her little brother have run to a hiding spot to join up with more family and The Wanderer wants to help Melanie get back. Unfortunately there is one "Seeker" who is determined to find them and take them so this complicates it all. 

The story of how The Wanderer and Melanie join up, convince her family that she is still inside the occupied body, and that the aliens are not all bad while dealing with the issue of the Seeker who wants The Wanderer back, is what fills up the two hours nicely. There are definitely points where you feel badly, not only for Melanie who wants her boyfriend and life back but also for The Wanderer who has fallen in love herself and wants a life for herself as well. 

I won't give away too many details only to say that the writer of Twilight seems to have done a much better job with this one even if the theme is a familiar one. She tends to love to write about severe complications in a social and in a relationship forum and plays on the same themes. However, unlike Twilight (nope, not a fan here of that series), the acting is very good, the relationships feel genuine as do the emotions. You "hear" Melanie with voice-over which, at times, bugged me but I can't think of another way around that issue so it is what it is. I don't have much bad to say about it. It was a bit slow at times and it's a small story so both of those tend to keep it from being "great". But I really did like Saoirse Ronan in the title role and William Hurt as head of her family is perfect which isn't any sort of surprise. Mike Irons and Jake Able, who we remember from Percy Jackson, are well cast as pivotal humans against the aliens and Diane Kruger is good as the very motivated Seeker. The few special effects they use are really good and look completely real so absolutely no complaints there.

I give this an 8 out of 10. The PG-13 rating is based on the violent encounters with the Seekers as well as some mild romantic scenes. If you have a kid who loved the book then chances are the movie will be fine. However I think the rating of 13 and over is a good one simply because the story is the focus here, not the action, and that might be boring to younger members of the family.  

Jurassic Park 3-D Rated: PG-13

Barbara Says:

Having watched Jurassic Park when it first came out and many times over the years I was excited to see it on the big screen again.  But to see it in 3-D was something I really looked forward too.  It did not disappoint.  Even knowing what would happen in the next few moments my friend and I would jump with tension.  It was a very well made film and the many years since has not changed that.

So many times I will watch an old film and remark that it is funny where it is not supposed to be and that a scene was not very well done. Cannot say that with this one.  But this movie brings home another point:  that just because you can do it does not mean you should. Some things were meant to stay in the past and some things should never be copied.

   

Jeff Goldblum is very good in this movie as a person who tells the rich guy he has made a mistake and that mankind will pay for it.   Which they do and that is where our "fun" comes in because it is so good to say I told you so (except in Jeff's place where he is almost eaten) and to have this great conversation on the way home about reproducing some species that were lost a long time ago. 

Thankfully this park was on an island and the awful meat eating creatures were confined there. We had a very good time and I hope you go renew some memories or better yet make new ones. I give it a 10.  Just as or better then when I saw the first time.

Admission Rated: PG-13

Tory Says:

Sadly, I was not as impressed with this as I’d hoped I would be. I thought Tina Fey and Paul Rudd what a great duo for a comedy. They will both just be hilarious. Little did I know, it was more serious than that!

Tina Fey is on the admissions board for Princeton and Paul Rudd plays a teacher who loves to travel and has stopped to teach at a small school. In the school is a very unusually gifted child believed to be Fey’s son she gave up for adoption at birth. Fey and Rudd end up falling for each other even though they had no plans on it at all and it isn’t appropriate being that she's on the admissions board.

I wasn’t upset that I saw this film and I loved what it had to say about adoption and kids not having to be "perfect" to be accepted but I wish I would have seen just ONE preview that made it look heartfelt or serious because 70% of the time, it was. The kid who plays Paul Rudd’s son was adorable and probably the best part of the film for me! Like I said, I enjoy Fey and Rudd but even they didn't seem to have their whole hearts in this.

There is comedy in it and most of it is funny but if you are looking for the next “Knocked Up” or “Bridesmaids” go see something else. I love Paul Rudd (I have since Clueless) but this isn’t a favorite of mine. It was “just ok” for me. There wasn’t enough comedy for it to be considered a real comedy and there wasn’t enough drama for it to be serious so it fell a little flat. Not all the humor is appropriate for kids so I would say at least 14 and up if not older. Honestly, unless you were “dying to see this one” then I would pass altogether. It gets a 6 out of 10 from me because I won’t see it again but I love the two main actors and what it had to say about adoption and acceptance. 

Olympus Has Fallen Rated: R

Barbara Says:

On a scale of 1-10  I give it a 9-1/2. Only because there is always some general who does something stupid.  The action gets started and hardly even slows down.  Lots of blood and killing point blank. So if you are one who stays away from violence-then stay away from this movie.  But as far as I am concerned you would miss a good one. 

Butler is an action star of the first order and does a very credible job of this movie. In case you have not seen the promo`s this is about the White House and everyone in it  being taken hostage. Then the bad guys (and they are really bad guys) doing whatever it takes to hold it.   Mainly against one lone guy who knows every corner of the White House like the back of his hand. One who never says die but just keeps going. I would certainly pray we have guys like that if similar stuff should really happen here. Because if Generals really are as dumb as movies make them out to be, we are in trouble. So for those of you who like a good action flick I recommend this one .

Cat Says:

I'm an action flick junkie. Yup, I see it all and have very low requirements for a good one that makes me happy. Basically I require good gun battles, which this one has, a few car chases, not much of that here, and the bad guy has to go down in a stunning display, yup, that happens here. This doesn't mean that it doesn't have to be a fun ride. It does. But it does mean I can suspend my disbelief for the two hours I'm watching it. This one makes that easy enough to do most of the time.

Gerard Butler plays a Secret Service Officer who, due to a tragic accident while on Presidential Detail, ends up 18 mos. later, working in the Treasury Department behind a desk. He's not so happy about this turn of events and would really like to get back into the White House. He just didn't imagine that his chance would come when a bunch of North Korean terrorists invade and take over the White House. 

Due to a well planned attack (and this is where we have to suspend our disbelief because the holes in this plan and how we know these things work in real life are big enough to drive a garbage truck through) they are able to take out the forces guarding the White House. Butler's character is able to shoot and dodge his way in and, since he doesn't belong there, the bad guys don't know he's there for quite some time. 

The small hand to hand battles that occur as Butler battles his way to the President are fun to watch with some great fight choreography. I love the fact that this character gets beat up over and over again and, unlike most action films, he actually acts like he IS beat up! By the end of the film he looks like a barely alive walking wounded man because the character would be if this was real. I really liked that over the films that make it seem like the film star is, basically, untouched. 

The President, Aaron Eckhart, is a good guy. There are insider bad guys to hate, insider good guys to love (can we all just admit that Morgan Freeman is wonderful???) and even an adorable kid to pray to safety. They don't muddy the film up with a love story or an affair of some sort. The main character is married but it's kept to the side, as it should be. 

There are no lag times either. This is well paced and keeps you going every step of the way. But here is where my warnings come into play. They really tried to make this as realistic as possible. For instance, after the terrorists take out the front of the White House they go from body to body and shoot them in the head to make sure these agents are not getting up again. The gun/knife fights are like this. You don't go to shoot the guy in the leg or cut up his hands, you go to kill the guy so he doesn't get back up again. 

My currently Call of Duty obsessed almost 12 year old admitted that it was "ultra violent" and that he didn't expect it. But that is exactly why I took him to go see it. Video games tend to desensitize it. The act of killing. This film opened up a very nice discussion about the reality of war and killing and what it really means to be in a hand to hand combat with someone you have to kill or you will be killed. And that it's a far reach from a video game to the reality of war. The game is supposed to be fun, war is a nightmare. So if you are not trying to get that concept across to your kids then you may want 14 and up to see this and keep the little ones at home. 

Due to the holes in the tactical concepts (yes, I read a bit too much and know that a good deal of those holes would be easily patched up or avoided in real life) I had to take a point away from this one. I still give it an 8.5 out of 10. It's a fun ride, Butler is great, the action is fun and yes, the bad guy gets it in the end. Works for me!