01/24/12
It’s been an unusual movie-watching week for me. Don’t get me wrong. I love movies whether on DVD, TV or in the theatre. Although three movies in a week are a little much, I had a specific purpose (besides entertainment) for watching each one. First up, “The Way we Were.”
I struggle with back-story. A writer friend suggested I watch “The Way we Were” because “it was told in back-story.” The movie started in the present, so far so good. Then went to back-story. Sweet vindication for how I structured my book or so I thought. The movie stayed in back-story for a good 15 or 20 minutes, went back to the present and stayed there. Looks like I’ve got more cutting to do.
Before making those painful cuts and because I had a free movie coming, I picked up another one. I’m a political junkie, the South Carolina primaries were coming up and I normally enjoy George Clooney’s “message movies,” so the “Ides of March” seemed like a good match. It won a Golden Globe and we’ll know today if it’ll get an Oscar nod. Talk about disappointed! I got the message all right. “All politicians are self-centered, slimy characters.” That might be true, but I’m not that cynical yet.
Friday, I went to see “Red Tails,” George Lucas’ movie on the Tuskegee Airmen. Two of my Dad’s cousins were Tuskegee Airmen, although they never saw combat, and I spent time at a Tuskegee Airmen reunion totally by accident. (Their reunion was on the same weekend, at the same hotel I was at for a business meeting.)
It’s an important part of U.S. history that needs to be told again . . . and again. I appreciated Lucas spending 20 plus years and part of his personal wealth to get the movie made and distributed and wanted to do what I could to support that type of movie making. So at 12:35 p.m., the first showing of the movie in my area, a girlfriend (who is a Tuskegee grad and showed up in school colors) and I got in line to enjoy the show.
And we did. There was a little history, a little love story and great “Star Wars” type air battle dogfight scenes. Some critics were unimpressed, “not enough history” one said. My show had about 100 people in it. Later showings were packed. Nationwide, the movie came in second for the weekend box office bringing in $2 million more than expected.
Now the conversations have begun. Not enough history? Too much? Wrong love story? No love story? The conversations will continue, but it was a great way to end my movie marathon.
How about you? What recent movie(s) have you looked forward to that ended up being a disappointment(s). Any you’ve enjoyed?
29 Responses
I can’t wait to see Red Tails! I’m not so into political movies, so I *may* watch Ides of March when it comes to cable. Never seen The Way We Were, but I can sing the theme song; does that count?
I recently saw Valentines Day, which was okay. Funniest part at the end was during the credits with Julia Roberts. I won’t say what it is but you can see it here if you want: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6tkNx77II0
I’m really excited about Haywire. Strong female lead who kicks ass? Bring it ON! Plus I’m waiting for Magic Mike… I think that’s what it’s called. Male strippers. No, I’m not shallow at all… why do you ask?
Abigail,
Sounds like you like to be entertained when you go to the movies! I’m all for that. I’m also looking forward to Haywire.
Thanks for the link.
Because they’re on some level romances, I think if I were to watch a movie this week, it would be a Disney princess movie. Always had a soft spot for Beauty and the Beast.
Disney gets me too. Have you done the 3D Beauty yet?
My boys and I recently watched “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. I was pleasantly surprised – it was actually entertaining, LOL. Then we watched “Cowboys and Aliens” and I could see why it was out of theatres so quickly
I’m really anticipating “The Woman in Black” which opens Feb. 3rd (I think?). I don’t like horror movies but this one looks intriguing, has to do with ghosts (a favorite topic of mine), and stars Daniel Radcliff, so I’m in 
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Fight Club. I thought I would hate it, but it was completely engrossing.
Missed Fight Club, but have been considering the robot fighting movie with Hugh Jackman. I think maybe I’m more intereted in Jackman since I can’t remember the name of the movie!
Claranne, I saw that Hugh Jackman Robot movie. I made my sister go see it with me. I am a former Transformer MOM and that was good because it was such a 9 yr old boy movie. my sister kept punching me in the arm for making her sit thru it. At the end, she reiterated her displeasure. So I shrugged and said, ‘hey, it was Hugh Jackman.’ She thought about it and said, yeah, you’re right. but wait for the dvd.
I missed both of those and haven’t heard of “The Woman in Black.” I saw the original “Planet of the Apes” when it came out and thoroughly enjoyed. Might do “Rise” on DVD.
What a great day to talk about movies, with the Oscar noms just out.
I’m happy to see that 4 of the 9 nominated movies are out on DVD. That’ll save us some $$$ as we try to see every nominated movie each year.
The last movie I watched was the Fright Night remake–we watched it Saturday night. I’d already seen it in the theaters. I was a HUGE fan of the original, which came out when I was in college. My sister and I must have gone to see it 5-6x. So I didn’t expect to like the remake. But it was great. I’m not really a Colin Farrel fan but he was perfect in the role of Jerry Dandridge, sexy but evil vampire neighbor. I also like how the female characters were much stronger in the remake. The mother and girlfriend were both kick-a$$, but in the original, they waited for the hero to save the day.
It is a great day for movies! Like you, I try to see the best picture nominees before the Oscars, but seldom get them all in. I also try to watch 31 days of Oscar on TCM, but never get all those in. Missed the Fright Night movies.
Hi Claranne,
So, I’m totally on your side when it comes to critics panning films because of, as in your example of Red Tails, not enough history. History is made up of small stories that became big stories. Anyone with a lick of sense can watch Red Tails and get some history out of it — what makes a great movie is the sense of the personal.
I love the topic of movies! I am a total movie wimp and want to watch them pretty much for pure entertainment. I don’t like my heroes to die at the end. I don’t want to learn a life lesson unless it’s couched in a little bit of fairy tale. I can watch the news if I want to see pure realism
The two movies I just saw are “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” and “War Horse.” I loved them both. Dragon Tattoo was not my usual kind of movie (I’m a wimp, as I said) but I’ve read all the books and I thought the movie was super entertaining. As for War Horse — was it deep? No. Was it chock full of historical accuracy — doubt it. But I got a sense of the horror of war and the power of love and got to watch gorgeous horses and have a good, happy cry. Now that’s a good movie in my book!
Glad you enjoyed the movies. I’ve been considering “The Girl,” but haven’t committed yet. Haven’t read any of the books, but the movie trailers I’ve seen make it look really intriguing. It’s interesting that the actress playing the lead got an Oscar nod this morning. Wanted to see “War Horse” over the holidays, but couldn’t get anyone to go with me. Since it’s still playing I may see it yet!
The last movie I saw was over christmas break and it was–no lie–the muppets. I’d loved the show as a kid, and my children were Elmo fans, but we were all really disappointed in the slow pace of the story-telling. And when Elmo didn’t show up we almost had a riot in the theater.
I rarely go to see movies because of the cost of tickets and babysitters. But I’d love to Red Tails in the theater because I’ve heard such wonderful things about the aerial scenes.
LOL – No Elmo? Okay, I’m boycotting
I suppose it’s because he’s more Sesame Street, but still. . . Me looooove Elmo, too!
I was gonna say – Elmo isn’t a Muppet!
Well, Elmo is a Muppet (made by Jim Henson) but there were only a handful of crossovers from Sesame Street to The Muppet Show and Elmo wasn’t really one of them. Too bad because I’d rather see Elmo than Miss Piggy — I’ve never thought she was good enough for Kermit. LOL.
I practically got “booed” in my family when I suggested seeing the muppet movie. I like to see “fantasy” movies during the holidays, but it was a no go. I hate to admit I missed “Star Wars” when they first came out. Don’t throw anything. The first time I tried to watch the first one (which is now the 4th episode?) on television and saw that opening scroll start I realized what a mistake that was. Star Wars was definitely a BIG SCREEN movie. The next time they came out at the theaters I hustled my buns down to take them in.
Claranne,
Yay! I’m so glad I surfaced today to catch the blog. I’m a Netflix whore myself. I’d rather watch a movie than anything on TV today – except Downton Abbey which has me firmly obsessed.
I plan on seeing Red Tails. I’m a huge WWII buff and love to watch movies set during the time – old and new. Robin Hood with Russell Crowe and the old musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are next in my queue. Can you say eclectic taste? But the movie I’m waiting on pins and needles for is The Hobbit. Only 11 months to go!
Just had to say I’m dying to see the Hobbit, too! My boys and I are huge Lord of the Rings fans. We recently found out that the Blu-ray set comes with hours and hours of additional footage that wasn’t on the original DVDs. So the boys and I have pooled our Best Buy giftcards from Christmas and as soon as I get a minute to get over there, we’re buying them. I’ve heard each movie takes about 4 hours to sit through though, so I have no idea when we’ll actually get to watch them. But we’ll figure it out somehow!
I’m with you, Alix. Can’t wait for THE HOBBIT either. Big LOTR fans in our household!
Talk about planning ahead. Eleven months! Way to go. Actually, after doing all “Lord of the Rings,” I’m kind of looking forward to “The Hobbit” too!
I loved The Way We Were, of course, I love Robert Redford. The last movie I saw was Warhorse. I thought it was very good, though my husband thought there were not enough war scenes. I am really looking forward to the movie, One for the Money, (Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series) which will be released on Friday. I have a feeling I will be disappointed, but I’m keeping an open mind. I have heard many times that the book is always better than the movie. The actors portraying Morelli & Ranger were not who I would have picked, but I can be persuaded.
Kathy,
I’ve been seeing ads and trailers for One for the Money and thinking if the book is half as funny as the books are, it might be worthwhile. Hope it meets your expectations.
I can’t wait to see Midnight in Paris and The Artist. Other than a wish list to see those, I mostly end up watching children’s movie with my 5 year old. We Bought a Zoo was one we thought was going to be a kid’s movie but it ended up very sappy and I bawled through the whole ending and a good ten minutes on the way home.
I really want to see Red Tails. I’m glad you said you liked it.
Great blog Clara Anne! I’m a huge movie buff and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Those two sound good to me also. I’m surprised about the Zoo. I thought it was a kids’ movie to!
When I was home we went to see Mission Impossible. It WAS AWESOME. I was screaming, jumping. Tom Cruise actually did the stunts on top of the tower in Dubai himself. But I can’t wait to see Red Tails. This weekend though I’m going to see One for the Money, Evanovich’s first book on the big screen with Stephanie and Joe Morelli! I hope it does well. I’d love to see all her books come to life on screen.
I’ve heard MI was good, but someone felt the stunts were a bit much. I like stunts though so I’ll probably see it at some point, but I’m thinking this is probably a big screen movie also. I’m looking forward to Stephanie Plum also.
If I’m going to put out a few hours and a load of cash for a movie, I want to feel good when I leave. It’s my only requirement. I can do monsters (really, some are hilarious!), drama, comedy, action…as long as there’s a happily-ever-after. Loved both the Dragon movie and the book-when does that happen? Sherlock Holmes was very good, too.
Thanks, Claranne!