Movie Reviews: Confessions of a Shopaholic and Inkheart

Confessions of a Shopaholic, Grade C

Why can't Hollywood make any decent romantic-comedies anymore? It's pretty clean cut, but that's about all it has going for it. It's a bit too cutesy for me and the acting is sub-par. And I thought the treatment of consumer debt was dealt with a bit too lightly. She lied and schemed all to hide her shopping addiction. But in the end she got the guy and cleared up her debt. What more could ask for?? Woops, I guess that's a spoiler. You don't even need to watch it now!


Inkheart, Grade B

I haven't read the book so I don't know how it compares, but I've heard the book was pretty good. I can't say the same for the movie. It's worth a look; it's a fun and interesting story, but I think the editor lost some of the movie along way. Just too many disjointed scenes that were a bit confusing. The story bringing characters to life from books just by reading aloud is a pretty cool idea. I'll have to give the book a try.

Faleste

Faleste: A capital punishment inflicted on a malefactor on the seashore by laying him bound on the sands till the next full tide carried him away. From Norman falese, sands, rocks, cliffs.

--John Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1839

In Britain, in 1810, more than 220 crimes could carry the death penalty. During this time those who were poor, including children, could be executed for "petty theft, livestock rustling, forgery, sacrilege, sodomy, postal theft, adopting a disguise, and even begging." Around 72,000 people were hanged during Henry VIII's thirty-seven-year reign (more than five a day when their population was fewer than five million! But it looks like one could avoid death if they joined up for the navy! Maybe they had it right back then...death for any offense...I think that would take care of the over-population problem. Speeding=Death, Jay-walking=Death!

Buffy Vs Edward!

For everyone who wants a showdown between Buffy and Edward here it is! Especially in the movie I found Edward a bit too stalker-boy...so here's a take on what Buffy would've done had Edward stalked her!

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Definitely a fun new take on the original "Pride and Prejudice." Throw some zombies into the mix and you've got a great story!


View all my reviews.

Movie Review: Yes Man! & Last Chance Harvey

Yes Man!: Grade: B-

This movie could've been made a lot better, less sex jokes, and more focus on Jim Carrey's change for the better. I liked the idea about how a man can change his life if he wants to. There were just a few too many side tracks along the way. So maybe worth at least one view, but that's about it.

Last Chance Harvey: Grade: B

I was pretty excited about seeing this movie since I love Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson...so I was pretty disappointed in this one. It was boring and I didn't feel the chemistry between the two leads, which odd since they had it in "Stranger Than Fiction," so maybe it was the material they had to work with. But it's worth a view just because they're in the movie.

Harvey finds himself in London for his estranged daughter's wedding while simultaneously losing his job. He runs into Kate Walker who's life is also boring with nowhere to go and voila they find love despite the odds! That's it in a nutshell!

Book Review: Jane Eyre

This is my favorite book! Charlotte Bronte's book combines feminism, gothic, and romance all into one! It's a very uplifting and moral book as well! I love Jane Eyre; she's tough as nails and is one character I can definitely look up to! Give it a try!

Sudoku

I'm officially addicted to Sudoku! It's crazy fun; it keeps your mind from going to mush as well! I hope all will give it a shot like I did and that you'll be pleasantly surprised on all the fun you'll have!

Movie Review: Up

This is an excellent family-friendly movie! I loved it! Pixar hasn't missed a beat with any of their movies. There are some grown-up themes throughout the movie, which can be discussed after the movie with kids. It's funny and touching and the 3-D was amazing!

New in Town & The Third Mummy

New In Town, Grade: B
This was a cute romantic-comedy. I'm not a big fan of Harry Connick Jr. as an actor, but he actually did really well and had some decent chemistry with Rene Zellweger. The movie takes place in Minnesota, the accent and all! Very funny! It's not one I'll buy, but it was worth seeing once.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Grade: C+
The first two "Mummy" movies were so much better, acting, story, action. It was pretty disappointing that Rachel Weisz decided not to do this movie, but if she took one look at the script....maybe that's why she didn't want to get involved. I thought there would be more action with Jet Li in the movie, but no. Most of his stuff was CGIed. I'll just stick to the first two and call it good!

Steganography

The art of secret writing, characters, or ciphers known only to persons that correspond with one another.

This is from the June 2 calendar page in Forgotten English by Jeffrey Kacirk:

Crossword Coincidence

On June 2, 1944, "as the Allies prepared Operation Overload ("D-Day" invasion of Normandy's Omaha and Utah beaches, among others, on June 6), a bit of newspaper minutia raised red flags among the military brass. During the preceding month, it seemed that crossword puzzle's in London's Daily Telegraph were disseminating secret code words to those who knew where to look. Strangely, the names Overload, Omaha, Utah, and mulberry (the nickname of an English-made portable harbor built for D-Day) were all included. Then, on June 2, the name of the naval portion of the assault itself, Neptune, appeared as a solution to "eleven across" from the previous day. British intelligence quickly moved to arrest Leonard Dawe, amild-mannered physics teacher who had written thse newspaper puzzles for the last two decades. But the authorities soon determined that these word choices were simply an incredible coincidence rather than espionage."

I love learning about these little tidbits in history!

More Movies I Like

Independence Day, Grade: A

One of Wil Smith's better action films! This was a very fun and action-packed movie! Aliens come to destroy earth and Wil Smith with Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman kick their booties with a computer virus and fighter planes! So a few plot holes, but you're having so much fun you don't even notice! It's also a great patriotic film for the Fourth of July season. The first time I saw it, I felt very proud at the end of the movie.

Clue, Grade: A

Can I just say a movie with Tim Curry and Madeleine Kahn is just awesome! A super funny rendition of the Parker Brothers' family board game. It's a classic in our family and one of the many reasons my hubby decided to keep dating me! Watch it! You'll laugh your arse off!

The Incredibles, Grade: A

Pixar studios keeps pumping out excellent cartoons and this is just one of the many! Family values, action, and super powers! Need I say more?

French Kiss, Grade: A-

This is movie was pre-cheating on Dennis Quaid Meg Ryan, which equals still quality films! This one is hilarious, charming, and cute! Her and Kevin Kline have excellent chemistry, which is very important in romantic comedies!

Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You

Grade: C
Way too many characters and story lines trying to interweave. The beginning was slow and the ending very cliche. Just one of many subpar romantic comedies being produced nowadays.

Gullatine

Gullatine: To kill or destroy. Taken from guillotine.

Last Thursday, May 28th, was the birthday Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin (1734-1814). According to Forgotten English Dr. Guillotin felt that capital punishment should be administered fairly among all citizens, whether they were rich or poor. His efforts developed what came to be known as the "philanthropic decapitation machine." Though, the machine was originally called a louisette, after Antoine Louis. Guillotin assured those doomed to die would only feel a "refreshing coolness."

His relatives eventually tried to get the French government to change the name of the decapitating machine, but to no avail, so they changed their own names instead!

Movie Reviews: Valkyrie and Mall Cop

I never really wanted to see Valkyrie: B+, I mean, we all know how it ends; they failed. So we never saw it in the theaters, but once it came out for rental I picked it up. It wasn't the best movie ever made, but it was still decently made and the story was definitely worth telling. Sad movies are sad, but they need to be told and we need to remember. I know there are many more stories like this from World War II that should be told as well. It's a good idea to take one time a year to watch movies like this...Shcindler's List, Life is Beautiful...any movie that helps you remember, so we don't ever forget what was done, so we don't repeat it again. Watch Valkyrie and remember.

Now, onto a not as serious note...Paul Blart: Mall Cop: B. Once again, not the best or smartest comedy ever made or Kevin James's best. But it was actually a pretty cute, family-friendly comedy. It's worth at least one viewing.