Good Night and Good Luck

Ahhhhh, for the days when news was intelligent and well done. This was a really interesting and well done movie. David Strathairn was really convincing as Edward R. Murrow - of course, we're too young to remember Murrow, but we've seen clips and he was really amazing. The movie was black and white and the clips of that time period were woven in and it felt seemless.

Great cast, good story - Murrow takes down McCarthy. 4 stars.

Harry Potter

The long awaited Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire finally made it's appearance at theaters this weekend. Steve and I were really looking forward to seeing it!

Steve was in Columbus on Friday, so we had to wait until he got home...unfortunately by the time we had dinner and went to Interstate Park 18, (they had more theaters showing the film than our usual Tinseltown theater), it was a bit late - after 7 when we arrived at the theater.

We were in time for three shows by the time we got to the theater...or so we thought! Those three shows were SOLD OUT. BUMMER. So, we thought maybe we'd look at other theater options -- there were none. So, we toyed with going to the late movie, but they didn't start until after 10:00! I told Steve I'd spend all my time trying to stay awake and not follow the plot line of the movie at all!! It didn't seem worth it to try to stay up until 1:00 in the morning - so, we decided to wait until later in the weekend!

So, we finally got to the theater on Sunday morning at 11:30 - it wasn't too crowded, although we didn't get to sit in the center section - mostly because I really prefer to sit on the end and Steve accommodates my claustrophobia!

The show was great. The kids have grown so much and the plotline has gotten darker as Harry gets older and stronger in his magic, Voldemort has escalated his attempts to remove Harry. I loved the effects - they always seem so real that you don't feel as though you're watching fantasy at all - hats off to Industrial Light & Magic!

The book was so long that including all of the detail would have proven difficult; however, I really would have enjoyed at least some Quidditch - which other than seeing Harry, the Weasley's and Hermione in the stands, there was no action on the field. The Goblet of Fire was really an amazing effect and George and Fred Weasely's attempt to trick it were hilarious. The way the names came flying out just look so real - they do a great job of capturing the essence of the imagery. The Tri-Wizards contest was great - fortunately no dragons were harmed in the making of the film. What, dragons aren't real? Well, you might feel differently when you see the movie!

It was fun watching Harry, Ron and Hermione deal with crushes and first dances - it reminded me of how excited and yet uncomfortable I felt at those first dances!

Anyway, the movie follows the book and leaves you wanting the next installment. I give it: **** (4 stars!)

Plans for this weekend include: Harry Potter (again); Rent; and Walk the Line

Awesome movie but a little dark--Steve

Zorro

We chose Zorro as this week's feature event. We both enjoyed it. Spending two hours looking at Antonio Banderas on the BIG screen is no trial and he was on-screen plenty in this movie. For the gentlemen out there, I guess the same could be said for Catherine Zeta-Jones.

There was lots of action, and plenty of special effects to hold your attention. While this movie isn't going to be up for an Academy Award for best picture, the costumes were great, the special effects were really something and it was a fun movie.

There were two basic themes to the movie, California's achieving statehood and the importance of family. It's a fun, feel good movie with some laughs and a bit of suspense. Anyone remember "Who shot JR?" If you do, Mary Crosby has a cameo as the Governor of California's wife...haven't seen her in ages!

All in all, we had a good time and really enjoyed ourselves.

Steve also caught Zathura on Saturday. I wasn't all that interested, so he went with his friend, Bill.

Next week: HARRY POTTER!

Welcome!

Hi All!

Steve and I are happy you've stopped to visit our movie blog. Before I met Steve, I probably went to 2-4 movies a year. When the Academy Awards program rolled around, I rarely saw any of the movies that were nominated.

This year will be different. One of Steve's favorite hobbies and ways to unwind and relax is going to the movies. He likes to begin the weekend with a movie. So, generally, Friday night is movie night! We rarely miss a Friday night and if we do, we're trying to figure out how to fit a movie in over the weekend. Rest assured, we generally find time for at least one.

Steve's favorite theater is Tinseltown - fortunately there are two near us. Stay tuned for this week's movie choice and review!

Jarhead

Last week's movie was Jarhead. It was fairly enjoyable. The movie was at it's best in the beginning when the recruits were in boot camp. Once they went overseas the movie seemed to drag. I think it resembled what life is really like when you're waiting for something to happen.

Jamie Foxx was good and Jake Gyllenhaal did a nice job as well. The movie had some action, not as much as I anticipated and all in all, was sad. It shows how war tears families apart and how for some of the recruits, this was a way to get their lives straightened out. I'd give it 2-1/2 stars!