127 Hours (2010)

An outdoor enthusiast gets trapped in by a boulder while climbing in the canyons in Utah. There is not a sole around and very little hope that anyone will be coming soon to rescue him. Luckily he is intelligent and was equipped with the gear needed to give him some hope of survival while stuck there. Over time the mind beings to wonder and play tricks on you. What is real and what is not? What would you resort to in order to stay alive and get out of there?

This was an amazing storyline. Being based on true story makes it even more remarkable. It is so fascinating to see that someone’s will to live is so strong that they could get through something so difficult in life.

When my husband and I watched this movie, my husband was not sure what it was about. Once he learned that it was about a guy stuck in a cave for 127 hours he wanted to stop watching. His thought, like many out there, was “boring” He was wrong and we are both glad that we decided to watch it the whole way through.

The movie could have been very slow and boring but it was the complete opposite. While stuck in the cave James Franco’s charter began to think about this life and flash back to places and people in his life. He also had a few hallucinations which added to the excitement of movie.

This movie has it all; it was funny, suspenseful, heartwarming, and even gross at times. I had to look away during one scene. I would recommend this movie. It is a must-see in my book.

The Dilemma (2011)

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James’ characters are best friends and business partners, who are about to embark on the biggest business deal of their careers with Chrysler Motors. They just need to put the finishing touches on their invention. Which as you can imagine requires a lot of focus, on Kevin James’ part. In the mean time Vince Vaughn finds out that his best friend’s wife (Winona Rider) is cheating on him. As he searches for a way to tell Kevin James, without hurting him too badly, he finds himself in some comical and difficult situations.

The tag line for the movie is “How far would you go for your best friend?” This is the perfect way to sum up the movie. Would you be willing to mess up this huge business deal, your own relationship, friendships, and even your car, just to make sure you are being honest with someone you care about?

Vince Vaughn character is very, Vince Vaughn. He was funny but not a big variation from how you have seen him in recent movies (Wedding crashers, The Break-Up, Four Christmases). The unbelievable part was that Kevin James is the brains behind their business. Without his skills to create the engine that Chrysler wants, the deal will not happen. Not exactly who you would type cast in that role. Queen Latifah was hilarious, with her talk of “lady wood.” I would have liked to have seen more of her charter in the movie.

This movie defiantly had its funny moments; however the best ones were in the previews. This is a renter no need to pay theater prices but it is a good Friday night in movie.

Saw VII

I have seen all 7 of the Saw movies. Can I say I loved every one of them? The answer would be no. Did I like more than the first one? Yes I did. I normally enjoy the twisted plots of who is connected to Jigsaw and helping him with all these kills, especially when he has been dead for the last few installments.
Saw VII was quit a disappointment. I was hoping for more thrills and even for them to leave you hanging, even though it is supposed to the final one. The acting was awful and the twist in the plot was not that shocking or even that good. It defiantly had the blood, guts and crazy ways to die that all the other Saw movies are famous for. So if that is the only reason you watch it, then you will like it just fine.
In all fairness, I did not see this movie in 3-D. That might have made it a better movie, but then again 3-D does not improve acting or the writing of the movie. I am happy this is the last one, because even thought I get excited each time a new Saw is about to be released ,I don’t know that I would went to see Saw VIII.
I would not recommend this movie unless you are just looking to see lots of blood and really crazy ways to watch people die.

Black Swan (2010)

This movie has a ton of previews so you all know what it was about. A dancer wants to lead in the ballet Swan Lake. The role takes its toll on her mental and physically. She really becomes another person while preparing from this role.

Natalie Portman is up for a Golden Globe for this role and rightfully so, she was amazing. Mila Kunis was also very impressive. Guys that watch this film will, for sure, walk away talking about how hot Mila Kunis is.

As for the actually movie, I am on the fence. I honestly don’t know I felt about it. It was not great and it ended leaving me a bit confused. However, I could not stop watching it and once it was over I was still thinking about it. If I had to grade it, I would say a C. It is worth watching but don’t pay theater prices, wait for the rental.

Warning: way more girl on girl love then I expected.

How Do You Know

So I “made” my husband go to see this Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd movie. I thought it was a pretty good movie; however my husband said it was a “decent” movie. It was a typical romantic comedy. There is not real surprise as to who Reese’s character ends up with at the end of the movie. Witherspoon and Rudd’s characters have found themselves dealing with two separate life changing issues. Both situations could really force a person into depression and total withdraw from the worlds around them. They find comfort in talking and being each other that making dealing with these issues much more manageable. Owen’s character is a typical Owen Wilson charter. You love this goofy, fun loving personality throughout the entire movie. You even like him when he is being a stereotypical jerk.
The only negative that I really have is that the movie was a little longer then it needed to be. It was almost a full two hours (with theater previews) and it could have been closer to the hour and half time frame.
This is more of a chick flick, as expected. It does have comical moments (some sexual humor) that will keep men interested. If you like movies like How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, Along Came Polly, or Four Christmas then you will like this movie too. It is not quit as geared to keeping the men entertained as The Break-up or Losing Sarah Marshall.

Case 39 (2009)

This is a considered a horror thriller film that stars Renee Zellweger. Zellweger’s character (Emily Jenkins) is a social worker. She is assigned the case of a little girl whose parents are allegedly trying to harm her. Emily feels so bad for the girl and has an immediate connection to her, so she positions to be the girl’s foster parent until a proper family is found for her.

The little girl is played by Jodelle Ferland, who has been in a number of films including; The Collector (2004), Carrie (2002) and she was in the 2010 Twilight movie, Eclipse. I am always impressed with young actors that steal the show. Jodelle played this charater very well. It is easy to like her and think she is the great child in a bad situation.

Case 39 may be one of my top 3 horror/suspense/thriller films of all times. It had a great plot with one huge shocker, which I won’t revile or it will ruin it for you. If you are looking for a Saw type movie, this is not the one for you. However if you like movies like Orphan (another favorite of mine), with a twist but a little bit of the “what the heck” factor , then this is a perfect movie for you.

I highly recommend this movie. Like I mentioned before it is a top 3 all time in the horror/suspense/thriller genre and it would make my top 10 for movies I watched in 2010.

John Caparulo: Meet Cap (2008)

If you watch Chelsea Lately or if you are from East Liverpool, OH, then you defiantly know John Caparulo. This one hour show is his stand up comedy routine from 2008. It was hilarious, my husband and I laughed the entire time. If you are up for a good laugh he is a good comic to watch. Yes he uses the F work but not in excess. Overall it was a pretty clean, funny show. You can rent it or download it from Netflix.