Movie Mom: Reviews by a mom for moms on new releases, DVD picks and hot TV shows.

Uninspired...

Well, that's how I feel right now.  Uninspired.  I just can't seem to write much of anything.  It's not for lack of movie watching.  We've watched The Kingdom (Peter Berg directed movie that is basically Friday Night Lights in Saudi Arabia - a good watch), Lions for Lambs (excellent performances by all - Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, with the best by up-&-comer Andrew Garfield), The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (altogether unmemorable or should I say unwatchable, which is saying a lot from someone who actually enjoyed the first two movies), The Love Guru (god awful, I said in a previous post that Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer may have been the worst movie ever, but amazingly Mike Myers has figured out a way to top it - when the "climax" of your movie is two elephants getting it on at a hockey game you know your career as a filmmaker is officially over), I Am Legend (not bad, never quite delivers on the whole thrills & chills level though), Dan in Real Life (a rare bright spot - Steve Carrell confirms that he is truly a star on all levels), Into the Wild (another bright spot, but totally haunting) & Charlie Wilson's War (completely overlooked by most of the awards from last year, but all involved shine - Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman).

I guess I'm not alone though, because pretty much all of the big-name movie critics have lamented about 2008 being a sub-par movie-going year.  I don't know if it was because of the writer's strike or even the economy, but 2008 held very few bright spots (the ones I mentioned above were actually from 2007 - of late Netflix isn't coming up with many decent DVD's from 2008).  So, I'm sending it out to all of you good people.  What were your favourite movies of 2008?  What inspired you?  What was disappointing?  I'd love to hear, so maybe, just maybe, I could be inspired too!

Something for the Kids (& Maybe a Few of us Grown-Ups) to Look Forward to...

The first trailer for Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian was released today & it certainly looks like they've upped the ante from the first movie.  Check it out below.

Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Amy Adams, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Owen Wilson, etc, etc!!  Quite a line up if you ask me.  I just love the Clint Howard mission control cameo.  And how cute is Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart?!?!

Night at the Museum 2 hits theatres May 22, 2009. (Looks like next summer's movie slate is shaping up to be HUGE...I can hardly wait!!!)

Next year just keeps getting better...

To join the likes of Harry Potter 6 and Angels & Demons, we now have the first real look at the new Star Trek installment due May 8, 2009.  Call it a sequel.  Call it a prequel.  Call it a reboot.  Call it whatever you want it still looks pretty darn cool...

I'll have to admit that I'm not really a Trekkie (strangely though, I do own a box set of The Next Generation movies.  Hmmm), so this re-load/re-vamp looks good to me (I see inspiration being drawn from the current Sci-fi show Battlestar Galactica...which I love) .  I've heard whispers of die-hard fans being upset that director & producer J.J. Abrams (the genius behind Lost) is screwing with Star Trek canon.  I guess you can't make everyone happy, & they are definitely trying to tap into a non-Trekkie demographic.  My only problem is that there seems to be just so darn many Trekkies out there, from the casual to the die-hard, that I wonder if they are going to alienate quite a few of them?  Chances are if you're that big of a fan, you'll see it no matter what.  Heck, I went to see The Phantom Menace in the theatre.  Three times.

P.S. I saw this trailer on the big screen & the movie looks just epic!!  Honestly, those bright, shiny, curved walls got me totally geeked out!!

Okay, honestly, I can hardly wait!!

Margot, popping in, because I found these two trailers & I just couldn't keep them to myself.

First up is Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince.

I love the bit of humour at the end.  Oh, who am I kidding?!!?  I love all of it!!

The second is Angels & Demons the sequel/prequel to The Da Vinci Code.  The trailer, just released on Halloween, shows what is possibly the biggest development from the first film.

No more crazy mullet for Tom Hanks!!  It is only a very, tiny glimpse at the movie, but it's Tom Hanks & Ron Howard.  They pretty much can't go wrong.

Angels & Demons hit theatres May 15, with Harry Potter not too far on its heels (but waaaay too long a wait for most Potter fans' likings) on July 17, 2009.

Movie Review - The Women

Ever in the mood for a chick flick? Well, have I got one for you.  The Women is Director/Screenwriter/Producer Diane English's (of Murphy Brown fame) theatrical film debut. The female-only star-studded cast (the first male character isn't glimpsed until the last scene) includes Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Jada Pinckett Smith, Debra Messing, and Eva Mendes. Also appearing are the fabulous Candice Bergen, Bette Midler and Cloris Leachman.

This film is a remake of a 1939 hit starring Joan Crawford. After seeing the 2008 version I am desperate to watch the original and compare. Although I enjoyed the film and was entertained, it was pretty predictable and somewhat silly. Meg Ryan was her typical cutesy self, somewhat redeemed by the end (but barely) and the other characters were so stereotypical it was often uncomfortable. Jada Pinckett Smith's loud mouthed lesbian on the prowl; Debra Messing's hippy throwback popping out babies; Annette Bening's washed up, ethically challenged career woman and Eva Mendes' sex and money crazed homewrecker held no surprises.

Although the message of friendship, independence and loyalty were consistent throughout the film they were often overshadowed by the characters' simplicity, and it wasn't until near the end of the film that another, deeper side of these women and their relationships was glimpsed.

However, if you are like me and don't get out much, this wasn't a huge issue. I got a night out with the girls, we had fun, a few laughs, and a popcorn dinner. Take it for what it is and you'll have fun too. Plus, we got to see the preview for The Secret Life of Bees. I just read the book and can NOT wait to see the film!

This review was posted by Jen.

Journey 3D Review by My Kids

As soon as we saw the ad we knew we had to see Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D! My kids are 5.5 and 9 and love a good adventure. We saw it as a family and it was a thrill from start to finish for each of us. Warning though, most 5-year-olds would be petrified.

Here's what the kids had to say:

"It was awesome! Kind of like a roller coaster but longer and with popcorn. We saw it in regular first (2D...don't ask) but the 3D was way better. I loved the part when the fish were jumping out of the water and the glow birds came. It was a great story and a really fun movie. I would definitely recommend it!" ~ J age 9

"It was scary but I like scary. I only closed my eyes when the T-Rex came because it looked like he was running right at me. I liked the glow birds and all the other animals plus I liked it when they fell and when they went on the roller coaster to get to the centre of the earth. I want my friends to see it but they don't like scary stuff so I want to go again with my brother." ~ M age 5.5

So, if you have a couple of dare devils who like a good ride we highly recommend this wild 3D adventure!

This review was posted by Jen.

Here I Go Again...and Again...and Again...

Just how many times can one human being see Mamma Mia, anyway? With Universal Pictures releasing a Sing Along version this Friday (Aug 29) the issue might just be moot.

This week, Kath & Laura discuss the eternal appeal of Swedish band ABBA and their most successful spin-off, the stage and film musical sensation, Mamma Mia.

LAURA:
When a friend and I decided to go to the cinema this past  weekend, we had a lot to choose from, some good comedies and a few new dramas. As I was reading the list and said Mamma Mia, my friend squealed, "Yes! Let's see that!" For a split second, I thought no, I'd already seen it, and I never see movies in the theatre twice.

KATH:
So really,  how many times can one person see Mamma Mia? I don’t think that’s even a meaningful question. Can a person get sick of ABBA? Or Colin Firth? No. So how many times can you see Mamma Mia? That’s an infinite number.

LAURA:
So far I'm only at two, but I'm on my way to infinity! The only thing better than Colin Firth is Colin Firth singing, or perhaps Colin Firth dancing shirtless in a fountain...this movie has it all! 

KATH:
Personally, I saw the stage show twice first-run in Toronto (I even left my exclusively breastfed 3 month old alone with her grandfather to see this show) and then I went to the film version on opening night. So that’s three, but I’m dying to see it again. In the meantime, I listen to the movie hits on my iPod pretty much nonstop (in the original ABBA version – I’m not enough of a glutton for punishment to download the movie soundtrack).

LAURA:
I have to admit, ABBA was a bit before my time. I discovered them in University, and wore out my ABBA Gold CD. I generally don't have regrets in my life, but now that I've seen the film, I do have one huge regret. Back in 2004 I earned a trip to Toronto through Tupperware (yes, I was a Tupperware Lady!) the trip included a night out at a great restaurant and tickets to the Mamma Mia stage show. With my 12 month old, breastfed daughter in tow, I decided not to go to the show. And now 4 years later I am wishing I had left her with somebody's grandfather so I could have seen it!

KATH:
My kids call me “Mamma Mia” instead of Mommy and they know all the words to many, many ABBA songs. I break into song on the phone with friends when we’re talking about the movie, or even just at apropos moments in non-Mamma Mia related conversations. Nothing like amateurs belting out “Does Your Mother Know” in stereo, a capella, on the cell phone. It gets me every time.

LAURA:
Okay, confession time. I loved ABBA in University, and actually broke up with my high-school boyfriend of three years  with an ABBA song. Yes, I actually did that. We sat in my driveway in his old rusty Ford Mustang and I told him I had something I needed to tell him, but that ABBA says it best, and I popped the cassette into the  player....

Knowing me, knowing you - aha
There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you - aha
We just have to face it, this time we're through
Breaking up is never easy, I know
But I have to go
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do

Have I got you singing? Or laughing at me as an 18 year old?

KATH:
So now Universal is releasing a Sing Along version of the movie, and I for one am thrilled. It’s kind of like a tutorial for all those lame moviegoers (there was a teenaged couple on a date beside me in the theatre who actually got up and left about 20 minutes in. Can you believe it?) on how to behave during a Mamma Mia production. You’re meant to sing along to all the songs and get up and dance to the really upbeat numbers. It’s an interactive experience. And don’t worry if you don’t know the words: it’s like  karaoke...the lyrics are flashed up as subtitles on the bottom of the screen, each word lighting up in blue at the exact, singable moment! Who knows, you may finally figure out just what they were saying in the second verse of “Voulez-Vous” after all these years. So kudos to Universal for giving that helping hand (and one more reason to go see this movie again!)

LAURA:
At our screening of the movie on Sunday night, my friend and I just decided to forget about everyone else in the theatre. We laughed, we clapped, we sang (okay, we mostly just mouthed the words) and at one point I had to physically restrain my friend...I thought she was going to dance in the aisles. So if I can possibly swing it, (and my  sister is getting married this weekend, so it may take some creative maneuvering) I am going to be smack dab in the middle of the theatre dancing and singing my heart out this weekend!

KATH:
Of course, if  you can’t make the Sing Along show in the theatres, you can do what Laura and I plan to do...create your own Sing Along Mamma Mia show on the DVD release date...a few friends...a few bottles of wine...a big-screen TV...

Here we go again!

Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince trailer...honestly this time it's real!!!

So, without further ado (because the people at Warner Bros. have created enough of that on their own)...

So, what do you think?  Definitely dark.  I just love young Dumbledore.  Also, young Voldemort is actually being played by Ralph Fiennes' nephew Hero (really, Hero?  Not setting that kid up for failure at all).  The scenes in the middle of what looks like a wheat field & then Ginny with her wand are from an added scene (not in the book) where Bellatrix Lestrange & Fenrir Greyback attack The Burrow.  Apparently this was done to amp up the fear/tension, as in the book a lot of the attacks by Voldemort's people are heard about, but not actually experienced by many of the main characters.  J.K. Rowling gave it her complete stamp of approval, so I figure that's good enough for me!!

If you happen to be going to the movies this weekend you can see this on the big screen before The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Harry Potter 6 First Sneak Peek!!!

Okay everyone, I have been waiting in anticipation for the first teaser trailer for Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince.  If you were lucky enough to see The Dark Knight on an IMAX screen you got to "see" this as well....

WHAT?!?!?  That's it, that's what we've been hearing about for weeks.  That's the big teaser?!?

Apparently, a "real" trailer is due within the next few weeks so I'll keep you posted & let you know as soon as I find it.  For now here are a few still shots to tide you over.

 

A Little Bit of Something For Everyone...

Do you ever find yourself with a date-night on your hands & you want to go to the movies, but you & your spouse can't quite settle on which one to see.  Usually my hubby wants to see a movie with some action, & a little bit of Catherine Zeta Jones thrown in for good measure.  I don't mind action, but I usually want to see the movie that has all of the buzz swarming around it.  Oh, & a little bit of Brendan Fraser thrown in for good measure doesn't hurt.  So what do you do?  Well, hopefully these upcoming movies will help to satisfy everyone's movie-going needs, it just all depends on which way you look at it.

He wants:  Action, things blowing up, & a great villain

She wants:  Oscar-worthy performances, & a love story

Solution:  The Dark Knight (July 18)

This one definitely covers all of the bases.  Action?  Check.  Things blowing up?  Certainly seems so.  A great villain?  Actually there are two (The Joker & the genesis of Two Face).  Oscar-worthy performances?  Well, you'd have to be living in a hole to have not heard at least a little bit about Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker.  Michael Caine, who stars in the movie as Alfred, was recently quoted as saying "I've been this business for 50 years, so I'm not easily impressed.  But this guy just blew me away."  There is all kinds of Oscar buzz surrounding Ledger's performance, portraying the Joker as a tortured soul as opposed to the cartoonish incarnations by Jack Nicholson & Cesar Romero that we all are familiar with.  In the very least he has taken a hold of The Joker & made the character his own.

As far as a love story goes, Maggie Gyllenhaal replaces Katie Holmes in the role of Rachel Dawes, the childhood friend & love interest of both Bruce Wayne & District Attorney Harvey Dent (aka Two Face).  Okay, okay, so "love story" may be a bit of a stretch, but come on, at least Maggie Gyllenhaal is a major upgrade from Katie Holmes.

The movie has already broken online ticket sales records & in many of the big cities will be shown non-stop for 72 hrs starting Friday (or is that Thursday, I can never figure that one out) at midnight.  Now I know I have mentioned this movie soooo many times, but I really think that it (& its predecessor Batman Begins) changed not only how we view superhero-movies, but also what we want out of them.  That is, more reality, less fantasy.

He wants:  Government espionage, thriller, & mystery

She wants:  Relationship analysis, possible love story, & some dark humour

Solution:  X-Files: I Want To Believe (July 25)

Okay, okay, so we don't really know much about this incarnation of the X-Files movie except that it is a stand-alone mystery (think of the old "monster-of-the-week" episodes) that doesn't really deal with the whole X-Files lore.  Apparently this was done to appeal to the broadest audience possible, but honestly, how many people who didn't watch one episode of the TV show are going to go shell out $10 each to see this movie?  I'm guessing not many.  But who cares about them anyway!!!  I loved this show & have always had a huge crush on David Duchovny (don't ask about the time my friends set me up with a guy solely based on the fact that he looked like David Duchovny....one word....disaster), so it's right at the top of my list of must-sees.

This movie has all of the things I mentioned above, including maybe a little bit of Mulder-Scully lovin'.  Did anyone else see the "about-to-kiss" shot in the trailer?  I want to believe in that!!

He wants:  Exotic locales, girls in bikinis, & big-name actors

She wants: Hunky (hunky?!?  What am I, 12?!?) guys, great girlfriends, & fabulous music

The Solution:  Mamma Mia (July 18)

Okay, maybe not high on most guys' lists (although my Dad does admit to dancing in the aisles when he saw the musical...oops maybe I wasn't supposed to say that), but it definitely does fill all of the criteria.  Greek Islands.  Lots of bikinis.  Meryl Streep.  Pierce Brosnan.  Colin Firth.  Julie Walters.  Now I know that some of you may question the "hunkiness" of Pierce Brosnan, but not I.  Plus, he sings!!  I love the mother-daughter dynamic in this movie, plus the "old" girlfriends who are always there to tell it like it is.  So if you can't drag the hubby to see this one, then definitely grab the girls & make a night of it.  I already have a GNO lined up to see this one.  Great movie.  Great food.  Great company.  Just what my brain needs right now.

And as far as the music goes, I am convinced that even people who profess to hate ABBA, don't really.  Honestly, how can you hate ABBA?  I mean, they're Swedish!!  Their music is infectious, & oh ya, did I mention?  Pierce sings.  James Bond singing?!?  Worth.  Every.  Penny.

So hopefully this gives you a few ideas on how to look at movies in a different light.  In the very least it might help you sell a certain movie to your spouse that they would normally not be caught dead seeing.  "Oh ya sweetie, it's got all kinds of big name actors.  And did I mention the girls in bikinis?"

 

Beware of Flying Objects

This post could go in two directions based on that title.  One being my 2 & ½ year old son’s propensity these days to throw anything & everything when something doesn’t go exactly as he would like it to (ahhh, adjusting to life with a new sibling).  The other being that the blockbuster summer movie season is officially upon us.  I’ll spare you the details on the first.

I know it is only mid-May, but the studios are already pulling out all the stops, after what has been a decidedly lackluster first 4 months of the year.  We’ve already seen the second biggest weekend opening ever with Iron Man ($100 million domestically).

First off, I don’t really get Robert Downey Jr. as a superhero.  Drug addict?  I’d buy that.  Overall prick?  I could see that.  But a comic book superhero?!?   You decide…

I for one think that the success of this movie is very telling.  We are tired of awe-inspiring superheroes.  We want flawed, real, human superheroes.  And if you like flawed superheroes, this summer will definitely deliver.

First up on June 13 is The Incredible Hulk.  What peaked my interest with this one is that Edward Norton is playing Bruce Banner.  I just love this guy.  He is fantastic in everything he does.  Interestingly, Norton has had a bit of a falling out with Marvel & is not doing any press for the movie.  Apparently both Norton & director Louis Leterrier wanted a longer, more in depth movie, & Marvel wanted a more “streamlined” version.  Check out the trailer & see what you think.

I really hope it’s great because of Norton’s involvement, but the trailer is giving me a bit of a Godzilla vibe.  Oh ya, & enough with the gothic chanting already!

Then on July 18 the much-anticipated sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, arrives.  Obviously there is a bit of a cloud hanging over this movie due to the death of star Heath Ledger.  They recently released another trailer & frankly I find it a bit haunting.

There is no doubt that Ledger was an acting genius, & that his take on the Joker can only be described as disturbing.  I hope that the people behind the movie honour him justly.

And if superheroes weren’t enough for you, we have lots more flying objects in some big new franchise releases.

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16)

I totally enjoyed the first movie, so I’m definitely looking forward to this one.  Particularly because they have upped the role of Susan (the eldest daughter), as C.S. Lewis held a peculiar disdain for teenage girls.  He felt them to be silly, pre-occupied with frivolous things like make-up & boys, & to be generally useless.  I for one am happy that the producers of this film have a slightly different view.

Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (May 22)

We’ll see if it’s the years or the mileage when Indy re-appears after a 19-year absence.  Rumour has it that George Lucas originally wanted to call this movie Indiana Jones & the Saucer Men from Mars, which lead to big fat “no’s” from the star actor & director.  Shocking!!  We’ll see how much of the “little green men” storyline remains in the final pic.

Sex & The City (May 30)

Well, speaking of flying objects.  Insults.  Cosmos.  Manolo Blaniks.  Us fans being thrown for a loop by this supposed “big twist”.  And no, apparently Mr. Big is not a marked man. So what could it be girls?!?  The trailer certainly hints at something “big”.

So gals (& maybe a few guys) what do you think of the big blockbusters coming our way?  Any that you just must see?  Any that you’ll take a pass on?   Let us know in the comments section below.  Just as a little reminder, you now need to sign up in order to leave comments.  Click on the Join Now tab at the top of the screen to do so.  It only takes a sec.

Gotta go & see what object my lovely first-born has thrown now.  Hey, at least he isn’t throwing them at his little brother.  Nope, usually just at me!