Movie Switch: Raising Helen

KW's Pick: Raising Helen. Not much to say, enjoyable enough, I guess.

My Pick: About a Boy. My husband will disagree, but I think movie is great. Similar to Raising Helen in that a child helps the main character grow up, but more melancholy. Plus I actually found the kid in About a Boy to be interesting and funny and sad, but the kids in Raising Helen, are just background to the over-rated Kate Hudson. If you haven't seen About a Boy, I highly suggested it.

Movie Switch: Gone in 60 Seconds

KW's Pick: Gone in 60 Seconds...More Nicholas Cage. And some cars, and car chases. Spoiler Alert: Everything turns out fine. And Angelina Jolie, don't even get me started.

My pick: Oceans Eleven. On all accounts a pretty similar movie--assemble cast, heist movie, etc--but I liked it so much better. When I saw Oceans Eleven for the first time, I wanted to be a con man, I wanted to plan a heist and steal from a casino. The movie is cool and sexy, and everytime it is on TV, I have to stop and watch at least part of it. (All bets are off for the sequels though, they look really bad!)

Movie Switch: Freedom Writers

KW's pick: Freedom Writers. I hate to admit it but I was set on not to like this movie. But I did. It was cliche and very similar to other teacher movies like Dangerous Minds and Mr. Holland's Opus, even Sister Act 2. But it was inspirational and charming. All around a nice feel good movie.

My pick: Million Dollar Baby. Hilary Swank really throws herself into her roles and is a great actress. Plus, Clint Eastwood is just such an icon. I only saw this movie once, but I felt like it had it all: it was an underdog, sports movie, and teacher/student movie, it was real and dramatic. Actually, writing about it makes me want to watch it again!

Movie Switch: City of Angels

KW's movie pick: City of Angels. Here's the real problem with this movie: Nicholas Cage. I don't buy this guy as a love interest, as an action hero, as a leading man, in general. The soundtrack is good though. I used to have the CD and listen to it all the time, it's now on my IPod, but after listening to the music a lot, this was the first time watching the movie. And I may have even enjoyed it, minus Mr. Cage.

My Pick: Raising Arizona. A movie I actually liked Nicholas Cage in. I think he should stick to being weird, cause he is. Plus, I heart the Cohen brothers!

Movie Switch: Double Jeopardy

KW's pick: KW suggested that I watch Double Jeopardy, starring Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones, which I finished last week. It was a thriller/action movie, and I can't say I disliked it, I can't say I liked it either. In fact, I only watched it last week, and I feel like I don't really remember it. Now, that could say something about my memory, but I'm gonna say it says something about the movie. I do remember a portion of it was set in New Orleans, which I paid attention to as I knew I would be here this week.


My pick: As far as a great movie starring Tommy Lee Jones, my pick would be No Country for Old Men. The movie while disturbing, was awesome. Here's Tommy Lee Jones closing monologue in the film: 


I was sheriff of this county when I was twenty-five years old. Hard to believe. My grandfather was a lawman; father too. Me and him was sheriffs at the same time; him up in Plano and me out here. I think he's pretty proud of that. I know I was. Some of the old time sheriffs never even wore a gun. A lotta folks find that hard to believe. Jim Scarborough'd never carry one; that's the younger Jim. Gaston Boykins wouldn't wear one up in Camanche County. I always liked to hear about the oldtimers. Never missed a chance to do so. You can't help but compare yourself against the oldtimers. Can't help but wonder how theyd've operated these times. There was this boy I sent to the 'lectric chair at Huntsville Hill here a while back. My arrest and my testimony. He killt a fourteen-year-old girl. Papers said it was a crime of passion but he told me there wasn't any passion to it. Told me that he'd been planning to kill somebody for about as long as he could remember. Said that if they turned him out he'd do it again. Said he knew he was going to hell. "Be there in about fifteen minutes". I don't know what to make of that. I sure don't. The crime you see now, it's hard to even take its measure. It's not that I'm afraid of it. I always knew you had to be willing to die to even do this job. But, I don't want to push my chips forward and go out and meet something I don't understand. A man would have to put his soul at hazard. He'd have to say, "O.K., I'll be part of this world." 

Movie Switch: Drumline

KW's Pick: Drumline was a movie KW wanted me to watch. And even though it was a few months ago, I did watch it. It was actually quite fun to watch: music, montage, and, of course, a drumline. The plot was predictable, but entertaining.

My pick: A movie I would suggest would be "The Big Chill". This movie is not similar to Drumline what-so-ever, but it does have an awesome soundtrack. I first time I saw this movie was while I was in college. I had rented and watched it one evening, and I loved it so much that I watched it again the next morning before I returned it. The movie, revolving around a grown-up group of friends, is meloncholy yet so sentimental. During the course of the film, I fell in love with the entire group of friends. I really recommend this movie, and if available, the directors interview his vision for the film.

Movie Switch: Lost in Translation

So KW watched Lost in Translation, but I didn't get a star rating from her, only a "I didn't get it."

I think this is just one of those movies, you either love it or hate it; you can either identify with one of the main characters or not; you either care what Bill Murray whispers to her in the end or not. Personally, I love it, identify with Scarlett Johansson's character, and always wonder what he said, but am so glad they don't tell you. Plus, I think the movie is very funny too. I nearly peed my pants during the seen when the escort is sent to his room, and she commands him to "Lip my stockings!" Now, I should add that I saw this movie while briefly living in Japan, making the cultural references hilarious and extremely realistic to me.But regardless, some of the scenes in the movie make me laugh out loud when I watch...most of them with no dialogue in the scene at all.

Also, I think KW would tell you she likes romantic-comedies.Who doesn't? But even though, I just said I thought this movie was funny, I would not consider it a comedy. And though some might argue this, I do classify the film as a romance. However, it is not typical. There is no cliche "get the girl" scene or cheesy passionate kiss set to music or nice, neat, happily ever after ending. In fact, both characters are married to other people, the most affection shown is through resting her pink wigged head on his shoulder at the karaoke box, him touching her foot while lying in bed together, and when he touches her on both shoulders and draws her near as he whispers to her at the end of the movie. And as far as a happy ending, we aren't sure what happens. I'd like to think that both characters to end up happy, but certainly separate.

I love this movie. Everything about it. And I would recommend it to anyone who has not seen it...but beware, there is a pretty good chance you might not like it.

Movie Switch: Broken Arrow

KW's Movie Pick: So the first movie I watched from KW's list was "Broken Arrow". Now forgive me, cause it's been a while since I watched it, but I did not like it. First of all, John Travolta. This was his follow up to "Pulp Fiction" and "Get Shorty"? I guess if he's not a mobster or dancing, he's not for me. Second of all, the rope-a-dope comeback seemed predictable and anticlimactic. Lots of exploding, and running, and boxing, but didn't keep my attention. Sorry KW, I give this one a 2/5 Stars.

My Movie Pick: I did not put this on my list to KW, but for a movie with action and double agent and exploding and all that fun action movie stuff, I would recommend "007 Casino Royale" and/or "007 Quantum of Solace". These are movies I totally loved. I'd only ever seen one other Bond movie, one of the ones with Pierce Brosnan, and I was bored to tears. But for my money, the new Bond films are as fun as they come--visually stunning (and I'm not just talking about Daniel Craig), fast paced, and bad ass. These two I would give 4/5 Stars on entertainment value alone.

Secrets of NIMH

KW watched "Secrets of NIMH" last night, and gave it 5/5 Stars. I'm glad she liked it. I don't know that she will like the next movie I gave her..."Lost in Translation".

Movie Switch

My co-worker, KW, and I both love movies. However, while discussing movies one day, we realized we both love very different movies. So we challenged each other to watch 12 movies picked by the other. Why 12? I don't remember actually, we actually set this challenge quite a while ago. We both started strong, watching each others movies and critiquing them back to the other. But somewhere along the way, we both slowed down a little more and a little more until we stopped. But now we are back at it!

KW's Movies to Me: 
Broken Arrow
Drumline
National Treasure
My Girl
US Marshalls
Gone in 60 Seconds
Last King of Scotland
Anna & the King
Freedom Writers
City of Angles
Double Jeopardy
Raising Helen

My Movies to KW:
Lost in Translation
Edward Scissorhands
Lars and the Real Girl (KW's rating was a 5/5 Stars)
Princess Bride (KW's rating was a 4/5 Stars)
Prestige
Crash (KW's rating was a 3/5 Stars
Kung Fu Hustle (KW's rating was a 2/5 Stars)
Secrets of Nimh
Inventing the Abbotts (KW's rating was a 4/5 Stars)
L.A. Confidential (KW's rating was a 2/5 Stars)
Shawshank Redemption
Stand By Me (KW's rating was a 4/5 Stars)