11. The Ugly Truth

Just finished streaming this from Netflix. It's a cute movie about what men really want from women and vice versa known as the "Ugly Truth", but it's actually ends up being about never knowing who you fall in love with. Katherine Heigel and Gerald Butler play well off each other. They each have some great lines and comic timing. You end up rooting for them in the end.
Open a bottle of wine and click on this cute chick flick when you need a laugh.

10. The King's Speech

The King's Speech is definitely worthy of Oscars all the way around. Colin Firth was amazing. He truly took on the role of the studdering king. I just kept thinking back to teaching speech and remembering all those vocal exercises we would do. The work that the King had to do daily to try to conquer his speech impediment must have been grueling on him. It really makes you think about what a tremedous King George VI was during WWII. The movie really connects you to his humanity and his true character. Wonderful movie and I highly recommend you see it.

9. Ramona and Beezus

All I kept thinking about as I'm watching and laughing during this movie that this will be my life in 5 years with my own girls. Julianne will look just like Ramona, but Sara will do all the crazy nonsense that Ramona does. Totally hilarious! I loved reading the Beverly Cleary books growing up and they did such a good job with the movie. I also love John Corbin as the dad. He's perfect for the role! Super cute movie that makes you just feel good all over and of course, I cried at the end. Stupid emotions of growing up get you every time.

REALITY CHECK!

This will be the title of my own personal movie whenever it gets made. I've come to realize that 211 movies in one year is just not doable for a mother of twins, who is the President of her multiples group and runs her own sewing business. I'm think 8-10 movies a month is much more reasonable and achievable. I still plan on seeing movies I've never seen from my list. I've posted my must see list on Facebook under Notes. I'd still love your comments as we watch throughout the year!

8. 500 days of Summer

Super cute movie about never knowing when you'll find that special someone. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Daschanel have such great chemistry together. I loved their quirky characters. The dancing scene after they have sex cracked me up! I liked the twists they took on the conventional concept of falling in love. Summer says it perfectly, "What if I had decided to go to the movies or arrived 10 minutes later? It's was just meant to be." In a way the movie is about never knowing what will happen as an average day progresses, so seize each moment are given.

7. True Grit

I'm getting behind on my posting. We saw True Grit last Friday night. Absolutely wonderful movie! Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon give stellar performances. But the girl who played Mattie, is amazing! So glad she is getting an oscar nomination. I'm not a huge western fan, but I really liked the movie. Greg and I said we have to see the original with "The Duke" and compare it to performance of"The Dude!" I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it yet!

6. The Hurt Locker

What an intense movie about a group of men that disarm bombs during the Iraq War. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Seeing the main character James take apart these weapons that could at any minute blow himself up was unbelievable to me. What a risk these guys take to protect others lives. At first you think he's just insane and wild, but then by the end of the movie you realize this job is who he has become, its his addiction.
I liked it, not sure if it was the best movie of last year though.

5. Black Swan

I have one word...OSCAR! Natalie Portman was absolutely brilliant in this movie. She impresses me more and more. She so deserves an oscar nod for her portrayal of Nina. I truly loved the cinamatography. Darren Aronofsky vision made me question what was real and what wasn't through to the very end, which is exactly what was happening to Nina. I did feel a bit dizzy at times as the camera is doing pirouette along with Nina. Being shot this way made it so much more intense.
It had some explicit sexual scenes and some explicit bloody gore, but it all added to her state of mind. Greg told me he wonders if ballet dancers might go through some of this in real life. I bet some do because dance is so physical that your mind and emotions struggle to keep things in balance constantly. So much pressure to be perfect. One message the movie spoke to is that its not all about being perfect with technique and training, that sometimes in order to grow as a person you have to let go and be free of yourself. Aronofsky touches on so many human cords. Very worthwhile to see.
However, I must say, I'm not too sure about letting my own daughters get into dance now. Kinda freaked me out as a mom!

4. Alice in Wonderland 2010

We meant to see this movie in the 3D IMAX, but never made it. I thought Tim Burton did the story in his zany over-the-top wacked out style, which the more I think about it, suited the story. I had a hard time getting into it once she went down the rabbit hole. I felt like the dialogue was too fast and hard to understand due to the British accent. Could be because my tired mind was having trouble keeping up.
The girl who played Alice did a decent job. I did liked the Red Queen. Helena Bonham Carter did a fantastic job portraying her. Her head was ginormous! Johnny Depp was just ok as the Mad Hatter. His eyes kept freaking me out during his scenes. But he just didn't seem into the part all that much.
I thought the costumes and makeup were great, must have been fun to do. Overall, I just wasn't into the movie. Even the Jabberwacky slaying wasn't that great. It just seemed to lack that sense of excitment and peril that adverture movies should have. It was fair. Very glad I didn't pay to see it in the 3D IMAX.

3. The Lovely Bones

I got this movie about 4 days ago in the mail from Netflix and finally got to watch it tonight. First off, I love Alice Sebold, the writer. I read the Lovely Bones several years ago and just loved it. If you haven't read it, its a must read. I thought the movie did a good job of carrying the through-line of the book and captured the essence of both worlds fairly true. Still not convinced that Mark Walhberg was the correct actor to portray her dad. Didn't seem to gel for me. The girl that played Suzie was fantastic! Exactly how I envisioned her as I was reading it. And Mr. Harvey was dead on!
My favorite scene in the book and they did it very well in the movie was when Lindsey, her sister is turning the pages of the murder layout book she found in Mr. Harvey's house and he is downstairs stopped dead in his tracks listening. Then she drops the floor board and it makes a pop sound. He's eyes go wild and the chase is on. Gave me the "Skeevies"!
The book was much better in my opinion, but most books turned into movies rarely hold up. If you haven't read it, a worthwhile movie to see. But after you see it, read the book and get back to me!

2. District 9

We just finished watching District 9. Greg had seen this movie in the theatre and said it was great. After watching it, I agree. District 9 is a science fiction movie shot in a documentary style about a group of aliens that become stranded over Johannesberg. At first, I had a hard time believing the idea of it because of the film style. However, the more I reflect back on it, the style gives us a more human connection that is similiar to South Africa's apartheid. Several scenes get your heart pumping and I ended up rooting for the aliens at the end. Our main characters help us realize that even though we are all different we need to learn tolerance. See the movie and let me know what you think.

Oh, one more thing. The exploding heads and bodies were a bit icky. Just be prepared.

1. Easy A

Easy A was a cute funny movie about a teenager in high school whose single lie about having a one night stand turns her into a promiscuous harlot around school. Her chose to play it up by sewing an A on new sexy brassiers only ends in her downward spiral. Emma Stone was so adorable. The writing was excellent and witty. We loved the references to the 80's love endings and thought the ending to this movie did them justice. I recommend seeing this charming teenage video blogging montage. Easy A gets just that..an easy A. :)

211 Movies in 2011

One of my goals this year is to watch movies. So, what a better way than to keep a list of all the movies I've seen and blog about them at the same time. I really love to watch movies, but now with having the girls it's been hard to go to actual movie without getting a sitter or waiting for Grammy to come out. So for the past three years there are a ton of movies we just haven't been able to see, along with movies I've never seen but would like to. So here's the goal: 211 movies in 365 days. This breaks down to about 4 movies a week. Totally possible, I believe. Don't you? Only movies I've never seen will be the challenge. Look for a list soon.
I'll blog about each one after I view it. I'd love to read your comments as well.
Off we go...I pray for no Rotten Tomatoes!