Savvy Thinker » Comedy http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Bride Wars http://savvythinker.com/bride-wars/ http://savvythinker.com/bride-wars/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:42:30 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1197

I thought I was going to hate this movie, but I went along just because.

It turned out to be better than I had hoped.

I like both the actresses in it. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway -- what's not to like!

Toss in Candice Bergen in the sort of roles she is getting as a mature woman. She brings some authority to the role.

Chris Pratt plays a character you wish were different. My companion picked up on his character's negatives right away.

All's well that end's well. I'm glad there was a denouement. And neither Kate nor Anne was too over the top in this one, to the point where I had feared before I went to see it.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-02-25 12:18:18.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/bride-wars/feed/ 0 Review Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol http://savvythinker.com/review-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/ http://savvythinker.com/review-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:12:11 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=8231

What's to say, except I liked this movie. It is a great franchise. Tom Cruise has redeemed himself (again.)

Simon Pegg is terrific as the sidekick with humor.

Jeremy Renner as William Brandt is perfect as the analyst who turns out to be more.

I enjoyed watching Paula Patton as Jane Carter, one of the team.

Tom Wilkinson as the IMF Secretary is, as usual, terrific.

Léa Seydoux is beautiful as the cold as nails assassin who works for diamonds.

Suffice it to say that there is action, stunts you'd never want to try (much less film), more action, interesting characters, enough suspense to keep you happy, more action...a little James Bond-ish but not so heavy on the sex.

Have you seen it?
I rate it 4 out of 4 star. It's not terribly graphic, you know the good guys will win (and survive), the filming was well done, you can't complain about the theme song, instantly recognizable... There's enough humor to act as a foil to the action...

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


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Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/feed/ 0 Review One for the Money (movie) http://savvythinker.com/review-one-for-the-money-movie/ http://savvythinker.com/review-one-for-the-money-movie/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:54:29 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=8226

We went to see this at the midnight show of opening night. There weren't a lot of folks there, which surprised me, but it might have been because people were sure about the casting.

If you love the book, you will love the movie. I'd see it again in a minute, and I will definitely buy it when it comes out as a DVD.

What's not to love about a movie that makes you happy, where you know the main character is going to be OK, where there is a lot of humor, and it is fun to watch!

Casting:
Let's talk casting. I wasn't at all convinced until I saw the movie. It was perfect.

I liked the idea of Katherine Heigl, but I wasn't sure if I'd like her in dark hair. Not to worry. She looked great.

Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur was not at all who I pictured. But she got me in the first minute of her first appearance on screen. Considering Grandma Mazur is a favorite character, that is saying something.

Lulu -- well, I had thought Queen Latifah, but she is too high class for the part. But Sherri Shepherd was perfect in the part, and her getups were just like Janet Evanovich describes her.

Vinnie (Patrick Fischler) was perfect.

Now Morelli (Jason O'Mara) turned out to be a good choice. There is a lot of magnetism between him and Stephanie.

And speaking of magnetism, Daniel Sunjata as Ranger, turned out to be perfect. Many of us had thought of the Rock in this part, but Daniel couldn't be beat.

Ana Reeder as Connie, does a good job.

I didn't have anybody in mind for her parents, so they were OK. They don't have a lot of screen time compared to some of the other characters.

If you liked the book, do yourself a favor and get on down and see the movie. You know it is a terrific franchise, and I'd like to see the other books made as movies too. This one has to sell tickets for that to happen. I'd definitely go see them.

Have you seen it?
I give it 4 stars. I liked it!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Kindle 3 Kindle 3 Paypal US $75.00 6d 10h 47m

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-one-for-the-money-movie/feed/ 0 Review The Proposal http://savvythinker.com/review-the-proposal/ http://savvythinker.com/review-the-proposal/#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:23:30 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3814

Bookgirl and I went to The Proposal this morning. The theater was probably about 2/3 full -- a good crowd! And there were some men, not a lot, but a few.

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie and laughed our way through it. It was sweet, poignant, a hoot (especially Gammy (Betty White) who steals every scene she's in -- in a good way), a little raunchy (not too bad) -- just all round fun.

A summer escape. Yep, that's what it is. We get enough of the other just in the news.

You can be pretty sure it has a happy ending. Believable, but happy. Who doesn't want to see life wrapped up happily in a couple of hours?

And we saw two people who are fun to watch, not to mention all the others in the film too. Bookgirl particularly liked Mary Steenburgen as the mother. Craig T. Nelson is the father. Ryan Reynolds is easy on the eyes, for sure, as the male lead. I'd go see him again in a heartbeat. We always like Sandra Bullock. I liked the relationships within the family.

Judging from the size of the crowd, I think a lot of us are looking for happy movies that aren't sugary.

Or are a little sugary, but not like syrup.

I heard from a friend that she saw it on Sunday with a friend, and they both liked it too.

Well, sure, it's predictable. Maybe even a rehash, but hey, it's fun to watch. One quick nude scene, more suggested than actual. And more of Sandra B -- which is to be expected, even if not fair.

So there you have it! If you are in the mood, go for it! Have you seen it? I give it a 3. And a 7 for scenery. I'd like to be back in Sitka this summer.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-22 15:11:17.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-the-proposal/feed/ 0 Sydney White http://savvythinker.com/sydney-white/ http://savvythinker.com/sydney-white/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:40:06 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/09/22/sydney-white/

College Girl and I went to see this movie last night. The theater was fairly full. There were a few guys, mostly girls. A few young teens, more were older.

There was actually a smattering of applause at the end of the movie. Imagine that. And as CG said, none of the guys booed.

It's basically a cute movie. We overheard many comments like this on the way out. Even the few moms who were there with younger girls expressed surprise at how well they liked it. (It's not a movie particularly for young children. You should check it out first.)

It's a modern take on Snow White. The 7 nerds could have been seriously annoying, but they don't take it that far. For every nerd there is a silver lining, which is sometimes true to life too when nerds grow up.

Yes, parts aren't true to sorority life, that they've taken to the point of parody, but it's not gross out comedy with the exception of one nerd with sinus problems. And it's predictable in some ways and could have been better in others, but overall it was empowering, to know you can stand up to bullying.

Amanda Bynes has a lovely sense of comedic timing and an expressive face. She is fun to watch.

Sara Paxton plays the sorority girl you love to hate -- the part she played well, as a high school student, in Sleepover.

It sure beats slasher and gross out movies.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-09-22 07:51:25.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/sydney-white/feed/ 0 Review Easy A http://savvythinker.com/review-easy-a/ http://savvythinker.com/review-easy-a/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:06:40 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7177

Book Girl and I went to see Easy A last night. There was a pretty good crowd there.

Our paper gave it 3 1/2 stars, and frankly, I don't remember the last time they gave much of anything 3 1/2 stars.

It is practically an ensemble picture, when you realize how many of these actors and actresses have worked together before. Kind of like a kaleidoscope, they come together in new ways, playing the supporting actor/actress or playing the lead actor/actress.

Emma Stone plays Olive, the lead. She's a virgin with a good heart. Through a series of events, she pretends to have sex with a nonexistent college student, and the rumors get out of hand. Then for money, she pretends to have sex which makes life easier for some of the guys on her h/s campus, but complicates life for her. She begins to wear more revealing clothes and walk with more confidence.

The movie never goes into the gross-out, the way so many movies tend to go.

Amanda Bynes plays Marianne, an over-the-top, hilarious in a good way, judgmental Christian who thinks Olive needs to be saved.

Penn Badgley is easy on the eyes, for sure!

Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson play Olive's parents. They are a riot. Just the kind of parent I aspire to be. They have some great lines, played to perfect affect. When have they not!

Adoption features in the movie and the lines are funny, at least to me, adoptive parent that I am.

Lisa Kudrow plays the school counselor who has a breakdown of her own.

The entire cast was good.

Meantime one of the classes is studying The Scarlet Letter, and Olive sews the letter A onto her corsets. I liked that her teacher, played by Thomas Haden Church, was watching out for her and recognizing the changes, even if he is clueless on other fronts and even on hers.

It is very well done. I give it 3 stars.

Have you seen it?

Karin

Originally posted 2010-09-19 13:53:44.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-easy-a/feed/ 0 Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love http://savvythinker.com/review-crazy-stupid-love/ http://savvythinker.com/review-crazy-stupid-love/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:09:48 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7871

I'd heard that this was a good movie from a friend and that both she and her husband liked it, but I thought it might have been maudlin, though the reviews were all good. So I decided to see it last night with my 25 yo daughter. It was truly fun and touching.

Sometimes love trumps everything.

The story
Cal and Emily have been married for 25 years and the romance has fled the roost. Cal is totally frumpy in his clothes (I know someone like that.) Emily has an affair with David, someone in her office. She asks for a divorce. Cal is taken by surprise and is very hurt by it. Jacob takes Cal under his wing to show him how to get his manhood back -- and makes him over, somewhat like Hitch. Meantime Cal and Emily's 13 year old son thinks he is in love with the older babysitter, who is embarrassed by his attention, but thinks she is in love with Cal. Then there is Hannah, a law student, who turns Jacob down...and then...

There is an especially touching scene when Emily phones Cal (I'm not saying anything more about that.) And Cal does some things in secret to show his love for his family, which are both funny and touching.

The players aka why you should see it.

Steve Carell (Cal) has a very expressive face. He shows happiness and sorrow equally well, and he isn't over the top. I'd see him again. He is touching in this movie.

Ryan Gosling (Jacob) has washboard abs. Not only is he fun to watch, but he makes it believable. He can pick up any girl in a bar and teach Cal how to do it too, a la Mr. Miyigi. And then he meets his match in Hannah, and you see a side you never expected.

Julianne Moore (Emily) looks either old and washed out or bright and younger.

Emma Stone (Hannah) simply shines, as she does in everything. She is the reason that the 25 yo was willing to see the movie, even if it seemed like it might be an older romance.

Marisa Tomei is hilarious in her part. She is a crazed lover as well as .... you have to see it ... I didn't see how her part tied in until it did.

Kevin Bacon (David) is the Lothario that has a vulnerable side.

Josh Groban (Richard) plays Hannah's boss and love interest, but maybe...

My rating
I give it 4**** out of 5*****. It was very cute. It was touching, especially a scene with Hannah and Jacob that reminded me of a scene from Pretty Woman. It was funny and sweet.

At one point nearly everyone in the audience called out about what was going on, on screen. Of course, what was going on ultimately led to hilarity.

I didn't foresee the ending or the final ending. Neither did my daughter or my friend.

Love trumps, but you can fill in the blanks of the ending. It's tied up, but maybe not neatly.

Have you seen it?
If you haven't, do yourself a favor and treat yourself. Maybe they will make more movies like this one.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com



Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-crazy-stupid-love/feed/ 0 Review Knight and Day http://savvythinker.com/review-knight-and-day/ http://savvythinker.com/review-knight-and-day/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:51:13 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6979

Book Girl and I went to see Knight and Day when it first came out. What a fun ride!

Our paper gave it 3 *** saying that Tom Cruise made the movie. He certainly is superb in it! And he carries nearly every scene with nuances and humor and capability. But I have to hand it to Cameron Diaz too, because she is also in nearly every scene, with flawless comic timing and nuanced expressions.

Knight and Day is sort of a send up of the Mission Impossible movies. But it is not like the Airplane movies. It is more than a send-up or a comedy, though there are elements of both in the movie.

And there are plenty of fights, shoot em ups, dead bodies, car chases -- a real run for your money. There is nothing flagging about this movie.

The story
Is Tom Cruise a rogue agent? or is he the agent who will clean up the mess? We're never really sure for a long time.

He bumps into Cameron Diaz, twice, in the airport, literally, and the story is off and running. She is supposed to be on the same plane he is, but she is told the plane is full. Then she is allowed on. But funnily enough, or not, the plane is not full, and she is just about the only woman. That would have told me to get off the plane then!

She's trying to get to her sister's wedding.

Tom Cruise ends up taking her along -- or forcing her -- or saving her -- or... And to accomplish this he drugs her more than once (but it isn't creepy, it's more touching and funny). And he warns her that she isn't safe and what the bad guys will say, but they may or may not be bad guys. There is another scene where some of the bad guys give Cameron a truth serum, and it is really very funny.

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I would go see it again in an instant. We really liked Killers, but we loved this one. It has it all: suspense, romance, love, kindness, loyalty, protection, relationships, a harrowing airplane crash...a happy ending with some surprises (or not, I thought it was what it was) and the ending has another ending.

Have you seen it?
We both want to own it.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-06-25 21:57:17.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-knight-and-day/feed/ 0 Review Midnight in Paris http://savvythinker.com/review-midnight-in-paris/ http://savvythinker.com/review-midnight-in-paris/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:01:39 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7853

I went to see this movie yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. As had been said, it is Woody Allen at his best, and Owen Wilson (Gil) as a younger Woody Allen is terrific.

I wasn't so keen on the part that Rachel McAdams (Inez) played -- or that of her parents -- but it added a certain touch to the movie, including humor.

And the scenes in Paris and surroundings are Paris at its best -- day or night, rain or shine. If you haven't been, you'll want to go, and if you've been, you will be ready to go back.

The story
Gil is writing a novel after a successful career in Hollywood, writing films. He'd love to live in Paris, preferably during the 20's when Paris was filled with artists and writers. Inez does not want to live in Paris ever at all, no matter what time frame, in fact she and he have very little in common. Her mother feels like Inez; her father is a sort of boorish American, who eventually has Gil investigated (which adds humor.)

One night Gil, after drinking too much, decides to walk back to their hotel, while she goes on dancing with friends. The man of the couple is very pedantic (the word is used in the movie) and knows everything, or at least thinks he does. Inez predicts that Gil will get lost.

It is quite funny to see Gil correct the man on his 'knowledge', especially after Gil has first hand experience. Inez does not believe that Gil knows better than he does.

After wandering, Gil sits on steps and as the clock strikes midnight, he is hailed by people in a taxi right out of the 20's. And lo and behold, he is transported into the 20's, complete with all the people he hoped to meet: Hemingway, Picasso, Gertrude Stein (I wish they had used some of her one-liners!) (played by Kathy Bates), F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda, Joséphine Baker, Cole Porter, Alice B. Toklas, Salvador Dali...

You have to stay on your toes to catch all the people he meets, as well as the partial French that is spoken throughout the movie.

He meets a woman, Adriana, who intrigues him with her beauty and charm (who is the then-current lover of Picasso and the inspiration for one of his paintings) (Marion Cotillard.)

Gil asks Hemingway to read his manuscript -- he refuses, but Gertrude Stein does.

And, of course, Inez does not believe him, that he has had this experience. When he tries to take her with him, she leaves before it is midnight.

The movie moves back and forth between the current time and the 20's.

Adriana wishes to live during the Belle Epoch period -- and together she and Gil go there. She believes him that he has come from 2010, just as they have come from the 20's into the Belle Epoch era. This provides both pathos and humor.

Have you seen it?
I rate it 4**** out of 4****, even though there are parts that move slowly and parts you wish you could skip through (Inez -- though she is just this side of being too much to take.)

I'm ready to return to Paris -- how about you!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-midnight-in-paris/feed/ 0 Sex and the City 2 — will you see it? will you party? http://savvythinker.com/sex-and-the-city-2-will-you-see-it-will-you-party/ http://savvythinker.com/sex-and-the-city-2-will-you-see-it-will-you-party/#comments Sat, 28 May 2011 10:39:56 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6866

Sex and the City 2 -- will you see it? will you party?
We are looking forward to it.

Here in our city(ies), there are numerous parties planned, including several at theaters. VIP parties, no less. By invitation.

Do you have to be someone to get an invite? or perhaps, did you have to be one of the partying-dress up-types from the last movie?

I intended to go to the midnight showing, the first night/day, just slink in, unknown, and enjoy... but perhaps that is not possible.

Midnight movie madness
I like the ambiance of the midnight showings of movies. Everyone is out for a good time. Sometimes seeing a movie a second time at a more sedate showing, the audience is less into it, so the enjoyment factor ratchets down.

There is something to be said for enjoying a movie en masse, even for being one of the first to see it, instead of viewing it in the privacy of your own home, months later.

Finding a theater when traveling
It gets tricky seeing the first midnight showing when you are traveling.

A few years ago one of the Harry Potter movies came out and BookGirl wanted to see it badly. I knew she did. And we were on the road. All day I kept it in thought. She was getting more and more unhappy. I kept thinking: How the heck would we know where a movie was on the road? How could we even stop? She was thinking that it was going to be impossible and that no one knew she wanted to see it.

And her Dad just kept trekking on and on and on, later and later into the evening, oblivious. Ha! We ended up stopping about 10 pm at perhaps the only exit with a theater within a 100 miles. It was a scant mile from our hotel. (And of course, it isn't mentioned at exits.) And wonder of wonders, in the midst of heavy movie goers, we were able to get two tickets to one of the additional theaters they had opened. (Dad stayed at the hotel, sleeping with the younger sibs.) It was certainly a God-thing, serendipity at its greatest. We still talk about it.

How about you?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-05-26 07:32:18.

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