Eat Pray Love

I think I could rename this movie: Boring Stupid Long. I didn't like Julia's character at all... enough that I started really disliking Julia Roberts. I wanted to shake her and tell her how selfish, clueless, and silly she is. It took her a year of traveling to amazing places to learn... what? Nothing? Some tidbit of life that the rest of us knew when we were born? Maybe I'm being too hard on the movie, but I'm trying to figure out how someone can make a year of being in some of the most beautiful and amazing places in the world the most boring story ever? Makes me glad I never wasted my time reading the book. 1 star.

Sherlock Holmes

We were finally able to make it to the theatre to see Sherlock Holmes... yay for vacations! I thought it was decent adventure flick, and fun enough to watch. There was a lot of slow motion fight scenes and some different effects. I liked the pieces coming together at the end. They did leave it WIDE open for a second Sherlock Holmes though, which kind of bugged me. I don't like big gaping holes left at the end. 3.5 stars.

Emma

I just watched the last segment of this movie online (I forgot AGAIN to watch it on TV on Sunday) and I love love love love loved it. I loved it. I can think of three versions of Emma off the top of my head, and I'd definitely say this is my favorite. I also love the one with Kate Beckinsale, and the one with Gwyneth Paltrow would be the bottom of the three. It's alright, but doesn't compare to the other two in my opinion. I thought the acting was very well done, I felt everything clear to my heart, and the scenery was incredibly gorgeous. So, if you're a Jane Austen nut like me, watch this one. I want to buy it, but I can't afford the $35 right now. 5 out of 5 stars.

When in Rome

I really didn't know what this movie was about before I went, but it has Kristen Bell in it, and I love Kristen Bell. More specifically I love Veronica Mars, but that's beside the point. Anyway, it was a lot silly, especially when they pulled Pedro into the mix to go along with Jon Heder's character (and I liked Napoleon Dynamite, so you know it's a bad gag). There were some funny parts, some frustrating parts, and it wasn't one of those melt your heart romances, BUT it was an okay show, and if you're out with the girls for your birthday it makes it even more fun, and this sentence might never end. I'll give it a 2.5 out of 5.

All About Steve

Quirky crossword puzzle maker Mary falls for Steve on their first blind date... unfortunately he doesn't feel quite the same way about her. She takes his brush off literally and follows him across the country, refusing to take "go away" seriously.

This movie had a few funny moments, although it wasn't nearly as funny as Miss Congeniality. It mostly seemed silly, and it seemed that somebody Mary's age would be a little less naive... I enjoyed Thomas Haden Church because of fond memories of watching Wings. If you have nothing else to see, it probably won't kill you. 2.5.

Alvin & the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel

When Dave lands in the hospital, the chipmunks are left in the care of Dave's sister's grandson? (I think). Anyway, they go to school, learn about popularity, and meet the "Chipettes". It's okay... the chipmunk voices (especially Alvin's) really grate on my nerves, and it grosses me out a little bit to watch rodents running around, but if you're a kid, you'd probably like it just fine. I'll give it 2 out of 5.

Mindy's Top Tenish

In no particular order...

Pride and Prejudice (A&E)

Anne of Green Gables

Dan in Real Life

Return to Me

Napoleon Dynamite

The Man From Snowy River

Lonesome Dove

Beauty and the Beast (Disney)

The Princess Bride

Duplicity

This guy and this girl, who you have no idea who they are, are maybe in love, and maybe not, and they do some sort of scam together (you think... but you can't really tell what's going on). How's that for a description? Confusing? Well, welcome to the movie. The first hour I had NO IDEA what was going on at all. The second hour (yes this movie drags out over 2 whole hours) I understood slightly more... enough to mildly wonder what was going to happen. I hate movies that make me feel lost the entire time, and this was one of them. I'll give it a 1.5 out of 5. And the .5 is only because Clive is a nice looking man. Otherwise it would only get 1.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I read this book a little while ago, so I knew exactly what would happen. The movie did a good job of putting the book on the screen, and it was well acted. The story is a little bit slow... they're making a movie out of a book you can read in one sitting after all, but it's worth watching. The story is about an 8 year old boy who is the son of a commandant in the German army. They move to a place he thinks is a "farm", but is really a concentration camp (Auschwitz). It's interesting to see perspectives from the "other side" and to see how these different characters react as they learn truths about what they are doing. I can't say much more than that, because I don't want to spoil anything... but I would say that you should all see this. 3.5 out of 5.

Did You Hear About the Morgans

We went to see this one on our anniversary. I was hoping for funny, and there were a few funny parts, but it didn't quite make it. A New York couple whose marriage is on the rocks witnesses a murder and they have to be put into the witness protection program... in Wyoming. It reminded me of "For Richer or Poorer" with Kirstie Alley and Tim Allen, but that one was actually a lot better. It's probably worth renting, and if you go into it expecting a so-so movie, you'll probably be just fine. 2 1/2 stars out of 5.

Old Dogs

Hmmm... not much to say about this one. A guy finds out he fathered two kids... twins. He has to "babysit" them in the middle of a great big business deal. You can probably guess the rest. If you like REALLY silly movies, with unbelievable "funny" special effects, and over the top slapstick violence, and really weak predictable plot lines, then you might like this one. I laughed a couple of times, but I was mostly trying to be polite. I didn't want to tear my eyeballs out, though, so if you have to sit through it, you probably won't die. Maybe 1 1/2 stars out of 5.

Julie and Julia

I really loved this movie. I watched it late last night all by myself and just relished every moment. I loved the scenes in Paris, and the houses in it, and I loved watching the cooking. I loved the relationships these women had with their husbands. I enjoyed both story lines... Julia Child finding herself and learning to cook in France, and Julie finding herself and learning to cook from Julia's cookbook. Meryl Streep (who I normally don't like very much) was fabulous. Amy Adams was fabulous. The thing is, I know most people wouldn't even like this movie at all, so I can't say to go and see it. :) For me, it's 4.5 stars out of 5.