Movies I have Seen Recently

1.Batman Begins- (four cool points)

 This is the Batman that should have come out in '88. It was breathtaking and fabulous. I loved it! I saw it 3 times in one weekend and would see it again. I think that it would be fun to see Christian Bale continue as Batman...would even be great to redo the originals. It was dark and respectable. Bruce Wayne was believable and Alfred a father figure. It had heart and you felt it deeply. The villans were perfect. You didn't want it to end...now that is good filmmaking!

2. Star Wars Episode III-  (two points)

ehhhhh. It answered all of our questions and was somewhat satisfying but ehhhhh.  I think it explained too much.

My major issue was that I always had the impression that Darth Vader was evolving...that over years of the clone wars and probably lots of individual resistance (and the resulting light sabre duels)  made him into what he was...not one terrifying fight with his former mentor...It was too much all at once. I felt like Episode 1 dragged and was a tangent adding numerous random characters that never played out and pod races that added nothing to Anakin's character...plus everyone calling him "Ani" made me want to bust out in renditions of "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I'll love ya, Tomorrow..."

3. The Interpreter-  (3 points)

Can I just let it be known that I love Nicole Kidman. She is fabulous. I heard that Naomi Watts was also offered the part. GAG. Nicole, you are my hero. This is a great film about Civil unrest in Africa. You stop breathing in the climax. Great.

4. A lot like Love-  (2 1/2 points)

Amanda Peet is gorgeous and Ashton Kutcher is...gorgeous. These two are extremely likable allowing you to really care about their story but not wish that you were them.  It is a romantic comedy that doesn't leave you longing to date the characters. Fun for all

5.Garden State-

What the? I dunno what to say...I love artsy films but...what?

Currently Watching Band of Brothers see related

Recently Seen

1, Spanglish: three stars. Interesting but hard

2. Shall We Dance: Fabulous. Great monologue on marriage. not about what you think it will be about

3. Band of Brothers. PHENOMENAL. All 10 hours worth are amazing.

Currently Reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Urdu Edition) By J. K. Rowling, Darakhshanda Asghar Khokhar see related

Movies recently seen:

1. Bridget Jones, The Edge of Reason: Hilarious. I laughed and laughed. It had several really dramatic parts but the normal humility that almost drove me to tears with laughter

2.Ladder 49: Boring. I couldn't take the heat and so I went to bed early.

3. Vanity Fair: Artsy and beautiful but LAME. You didn't like any of the characters. You didn't care if Reese Witherspoon fell under a carriage and died...it might have improved the plot.

Recent Television:

1. Carnivale: Season Finale. I was intrigued with this shows mystery. It reminded me of watching Twin Peaks with friends in High School. In fact I think some of the actors are the same. I was curious to see how they would continue the show when this season was set to end in Armageddon.

2. My sweet 16. This MTV show is hilarious. More lifestyles of the rich and bratty. You basically follow a young man or woman (snigger) through party planning for thier 16th birthday. The whining is awful. It is kinda like Super Nanny without the Nanny.

3. Extreme Makeover and Home Edition: Making ugly things beautiful will always be a favorite of mine!

Currently in the CD Player:

Levi Smith Band: Humorous lyrics from a 20 year old who is trying for his own sound. The band held its own opening for Derek Webb this weekend in Ft. Worth. Keep an ear out for them.

Current Strange Obsessions:

1. Terry Shiavo: abbhorrence to the way she died. Thinking of becoming more political. This is being called "the Roe v. Wade of euthanasia"

2. Death of Pope John Paul II: I watched the processional to the basillica and the chanting rings in my head. I think about it and look it up on the internet. I am mourning a man I know very little about. Hmmm.

Currently Watching The Notebook By Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Joan Allen see related

Wow. Long time no type.

Here are my favorite movie picks for Feb. 2005.

1. The Notbook- Though not a fan of his books, Nicholas Sparks' novel comes alive on screen in a way his two dimensional books can never capture. Sparks' in depth character development lays the foundation for a rip-your-heart-out but leaves you smiling story of love at the cost of sacrifice. You almost don't see it coming and then BAM..you are weeping like a child amd praising God for His gifts of love. It's great though. On sale at Walmart for $14.95

2. The Village- M. Night Shyamalan does it again. A period piece love story draped in suspense and downright fear. You'll scream and want to fall in love all at the same time. This suprisingly postmodern film has had mixed reviews from those who see it as a moving contradiction. However, this is a working definition of postmodernism. Relevant Magazine says of The Village: "The film is another very moving addition to the growing Shyamalan catalog of thrillers with elements of romance, tenderness and high drama."

To quote Leonard Sweet: "Where the premodern age was predominantly either-or, the postmodern world is and/also."

Chew on that.

CD pick of the week.....or two:

She must and will go free-Derek Webb. Listen to Wedding Dress in the context of Hosea.

Here are the lyrics:

Currently Playing She Must & Shall Go Free By Derek Webb Wedding Dress see related if you could love me as a wife and for my wedding gift, your life should that be all i’ll ever need or is there more i’m looking for and should i read between the lines and look for blessings in disguise to make me handsome, rich, and wise is that really what you want i am a whore i do confess but i put you on just like a wedding dress and i run down the aisle i’m a prodigal with no way home but i put you on just like a ring of gold and i run down the aisle to you so could you love this bastard child though i don’t trust you to provide with one hand in a pot of gold and with the other in your side i am so easily satisfied by the call of lovers less wild that i would take a little cash over your very flesh and blood because money cannot buy a husband’s jealous eye when you have knowingly deceived his wife

Amy's Top Ten Christmas Movies

10. White Christmas-Though the plot doesn't propell you along you can sit back and smile as Bing Crosby and Danny Kay sing you into a Christmas Coma.

"Sisters...sisters..."

9. The Santa Clause-Tim Allen is soon going to have his name all over the Christmas movie section. This year's Christmas with the Kranks was quite hilarious but it still reminds me of his days as Santa Clause. This movie is touching and Allen's quick wit will have you rolling.

"The real question is, where are you going to get more sweaters when the circus pulls out of town?"

8. Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer- A sixtiestabulous claymation. This classic will have you suspending your disbelief and tapping your feet to the music. Fall in love with Rudolf as his pre-teen rejections send him on a quest to find purpose in life. You'll also dig the island of misfit toys...what the heck was wrong with that doll anyway?

7. A Christmas Carol- Ehhh. This one's good....maybe it is just because I am obsessed with British literature.

"God bless us, every one!"

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas- We're talking the animated one with Tony the Tiger singing "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch." Adapted from the children's book by Dr. Seuss, this is the story of the Scrooge-like Grinch who devises a plan to steal Christmas away from the cute little town at the bottom of his mountain home. It is more bizzarre and edgy than you might think, and it's an animated classic. A Christmas must watch! Later remade into an inferior live-action full-length feature film starring Jim Carrey and directed by Ron Howard. See the original - it's shorter, funnier, and more edgy.

5. A Christmas Story-From the same man who brought you Porky's comes this endearing masterpiece about a young boy and his agonizing desire to get a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Enjoyable for the adult and child alike, the film uncannily captures the hilarity of everyday life as seen through the eyes of a kid. Darrin McGavin and Melinda Dillon are noteworthy as the kids sterio-typical parents. Last year Hot Topic sold a pink hoodie with long bunny ears attatched. Anyone looking for a Christmas gift for yours truly...that'll do it!

"You'll shoot your eye out"

4. Home Alone-Christopher Columbus not only discovered America, but he also directed this popular holiday flick about an 8 year old boy left behind when his family leaves for their European Christmas Vaction. The boy, played by Macaulay Culkin, is interrupted from his stay home alone by two bungling burglars. Most of the story centers on Kevin's defense ploys which enrage the two burglars, played well by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

"Keep the change you filthy animal"

3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation- The Griswold family is back, and this time they take on the holidays with their usual flare. Of course, nothing goes the way it should, making for some gutbustingly funny scenes. For instance, Clark's Christmas lights, the family sledding expedition, or the trials and tribulations of their Christmas tree. Randy Quade's lively performance as cousin Eddy is absolutely hilarious. As opposed to most of his recent work, Chevy Chase is actually funny as the "leader" of the Griswolds. A truly funny Christmas experience.

"Why's the carpet wet, Todd?" "I don't know, Margot."

"That there's an RV. Don't go fallen in love with it now. We're taking it with us when we leave here next month!"

2. Miracle on 34th Street-Timeless Christmas story about a Macy's Santa Claus who insists he is the real Santa - which sends New York into a frenzy. Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his definitive portrayal of Santa, and Natalie Wood shines as the youngster who learns to believe. The film was remade in 1994, but with the exception of Richard Attenborough's performance as Kris Kringle, the update is a heartless attempt at the original's charm and didn't need to be made. Do yourself a favor and see the original.

1. It's a Wonderful Life-This is the film that gave us the adjective "Capraesque" by shining as Frank Capra's directorial masterpiece. This is an endearing film about the plight of the common man whose larger than life dreams of seeing the world are slowly drained by his moral obligations to his family and small town. This is an excellent film of integrity, morality and what real success in life is. This movie not only tops my Christmas list of favorite films but towers as my favorite film of all time. If you saw it as a child, see it again. It'll make it another 70 years.

"Teacher says, everytime a bell rings an angel gets his wings!"