January 26, 2013

Saturday Matinee | no. 1

After some long talks with myself, I have made an official decision.
This blog, needs something new.
Okay, so that really didn't take all that long to figure out.  My first brilliant idea for new blog content is this...

: : Saturday Matinee : :
I'll be sharing the {excellent} movies I watched during the week, with a short review for each one.

So, here goes week #1...

PG-13
Just Like Heaven | Our story begins with Elizabeth (Reese Witherspoon), a workaholic doctor.  On her way home from work she's involved in a car accident.  We're left here to wonder how serious of an accident it really was. 
Enter, David (Mark Ruffalo).  David is looking for an apartment to rent.   He finally finds the perfect apartment (perfect because it has a nice couch), but it's only available for lease on a monthly basis.  Deciding to take it, he moves into the furnished apartment.  We soon realize that David is grieving over someone as we see him letting himself go downhill.  One night, he's suddenly confronted inside the apartment by a blonde woman who insists that the apartment is hers.  And then...she disappears into thin air.  We recognize her as Elizabeth.  Just what is going on here?  Is Elizabeth dead?  Why is David the only one who can see and talk to her?  
It was basically love at first sight with this adorable romantic comedy.  Some language and one scene in particular which I skipped, but it's totally skip-able and not even necessary...which always makes me wonder why did they even put it in there?!  Anyway...I laughed, I cried, I loved this movie.  
.....

G
Ramona and Beezus | Ramona Quimby, age 8, oftentimes known as the pest and the scourge of Klickitat Street.  But at heart, she's a little girl who just wants to have fun, help her family, and stay out of trouble.  Based on the books by Beverly Cleary, this is a cute and family friendly film.
This film totally does justice to the books.  It includes the romance of Aunt Bea and Hobart, plus so many of my favorite Ramona escapades.  My mom and I watched this one together and totally loved it.
.....

PG
Yours, Mine, & Ours | He has eight kids...she has ten.  When former high-school sweethearts Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Helen (Rene Russo) meet again and decide to combine forces, get ready for fireworks and fun!   With eighteen kids trying to sabotage their parent's mistake marriage, a host of pets, and Mrs. Munion, there is never a dull moment.
A hilarious and delightful story which my brother and I enjoyed very much.
.....

PG
The Trouble with Harry | Poor Harry.  Harry is dead.  How very tiresome of him.  But who killed him?  Everyone seems to think they're to blame.  Not your typical Hitchcock thriller, this gem of a film is full of "dark" British humor and dry comedy, set in the picturesque New England countryside.  With a stellar cast including Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe, and Shirley MacLaine in her first screen role.
I, for one, very much enjoy dark humor and this film was an absolute treat to watch!
Fun Fact: you'll see a very young Jerry Mathers (Leave it to Beaver) in this film!
.....

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

Question: have you seen any "new" films this week that you just loved?  I want to know!



15 comments:

  1. I just got into watching Star Trek Original Series, rather erratically. The enjoyment of individual episodes varies, but overall I love it. And find myself loving Spock.
    And I guess I should see Just Like Heaven - IMDb keeps recommending it to me (which is not that much of a recommendation, but still), and now you.

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  2. It's always interesting to see other people's movie recommendations. Have you seen the version of Yours, Mine and Ours with Henry Fonda and Lucile Ball? That's the one we grew up with at our house. I didn't know there was another version (apart from the PG-13-rated remake).

    Thanks for sharing some of your favorite movies with us. It's always nice to find Christian reviews of older movies or ones that just aren't on the Christian review sites. :-)

    God bless,
    ~"Tom"~

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  3. Oooh, I like your idea for Saturday Matinee! I can't wait to read them each week. You've got a great start already. :)

    Lets see... The only movie I watched this week was Sleeping Beauty. My mom says I watched it when I was little, but I didn't remember it, so I'm happy that I've now seen the whole thing.

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  4. Great idea! I'm always curious to hear what other people are watching (or reading).

    I watched Just Like Heaven for the first time last night! You're right... It was totally sweet and adorable. Mark and Reese were so cute together and I will definitely be watching it again sometime. Oh, and I enjoyed seeing Bruce Banner in a little less volatile role. :-)

    Ramona Quimby was a staple in my reading diet for a very long time. Now that I've heard from a reliable source that the movie didn't butcher my beloved story, I'll have to check it out.

    I've seen this version of Yours, Mine and Ours as well as the old one with Henry Fonda and Lucile Ball. They're both really funny and entertaining, but I think that I like the older one most. Possibly because it's the best, or because I grew up watching that one, or maybe just because I had a smallish crush on the oldest Beardsley boy. :-)

    I spent the week re-watching series 1 and 2 of Merlin while I worked on some medieval doll clothes for my Etsy shop (and for my sister :-). Gwen and Morgana's wardrobes are gorgeous and very inspiring!

    ~Tayler

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  5. Hana-Marmota - Oh, I LOVE Star Trek! My dad bought the entire Original Series on Blu-ray as a family Christmas present. We're loving it so much, especially since both my parents remember watching it as kids. :)

    Tom - I haven't seen that version yet, but I have it requested from the library. I can't wait to see it, especially since Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda are two of my favorite actors!
    You're welcome:)

    Sereina - I'm glad you're enjoying it! I think it's going to be a lot of fun:)
    I have't seen that movie in years - must re-watch it soon!

    Tayler - As am I!
    Yes, I loved seeing Mark in a role besides the Hulk;)
    Another Ramona fan!! Did you read the Henry Huggins books, too? I can't wait until I have my own kids so I can share those books with them:)
    I'll probably enjoy the older version even more than this one, seeing as I love classic films so much. Definitely looking forward to seeing it! Hehe, good ol' movie crushes;)
    That sounds the perfect way to spend the week! Love that show so much, especially the costumes. Absolutely gorgeous!!

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  6. Sigh. I love Just Like Heaven. Happy sigh. Which reminds me, I need to show it to my mom this weekend. :)

    Um...I watched You Again with Kristin Bell. I liked her alot in When In Rome, so I grabbed this. Not AMAZING, but very cute. I saw Big with Tom Hanks on a ClearPlay...I know it skipped some stuff so IDK how much content was in it, but it was really cute, too.

    I'm SERIOUSLY loving this. Oh, by the way. Have you seen Pirates: Band of Misfits yet? I couldn't remember if you said you had. I just finally got it last week from the library and it's HILARIOUS, darlingest DT and Martin Freeman aside. Definitely recommend. ;)

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  7. Thanks for the reviews. I enjoyed reading them. I put a hold on The Trouble With Harry at the Library while reading. I kinda like Hitchcock films. Especially The Birds.
    Kimberly

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  8. OK, Yours, Mine and Ours with Henry Fonda goes on the list of films to see. I've only seen Henry Fonda in Once Upon A Time In The West and How the West Was Won so far, and he's among those actors I want to see much more of (together with Eli Wallach).

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  9. This is right up your sleeve! You are a treasure trove of movie reviews just waiting to be shared. I must admit, movies just never make it much into my weekly or monthly routine. Maybe when I retire I can do some catching up? From the post, I have a lot of catching up to do. That is , after I finish all of the books waiting in line!

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  10. Since we didn't own all the Henry books, they didn't get read as often as Ramona (because as wonderful as public libraries are, there's nothing like picking your own copy off the shelf), but yes, I loved Henry too!

    I know what you mean about being excited to have kids someday. I've been building a collection of my favorite books for as long as I've been earning any kind of money. Being able to homeschool my own kids and revisit all of my favorite books is a huge dream of mine, but in the mean time I get to share them with my younger brothers and sister. :-)

    I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Yours, Mine, and Ours!

    ~Tayler

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  11. Romona and Beezus - it was so cute. The actress who played Romona was brilliant and Selina Gomez did pretty well too. I LOVED IT :D Aunt Bea was so sweet and so was Hobart. They were a great couple - especially at the end when he proposed in the sprinklers. <3 it to bits. Must watch again soon.

    God Bless

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  12. movies I like and I think you would like.....
    BRAVE
    wind at my back(its a show)
    mister magorium's wonder emporium
    the tale of despereaux( its about a mouse)
    I hope you watch them!
    god bless

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  13. Ally - I still need to watch Just Like Heaven with my mom, too:)
    I just might have to check out those films. Amazing is great, but sometimes all you need is a cute film. :)
    I haven't seen that film yet. Totally need to!! It sounds completely adorable and hilarious=)
    And who can argue with DT and Martin Freeman?! ;D

    Kimberly - The Birds is one of my favorite Hitchcock films, too! My absolute favorites are definitely The 39 Steps and Rebecca. So, so good!

    Hana-Marmota - Yes, I really enjoy Henry Fonda, too. What a great actor! Ooh, Eli Wallach makes such an excellent villain!! Have you seen him in The Magnificent Seven?

    Winnie - I have a stack of books waiting in line, too. Sadly, I just don't have as much time for reading these days. Movie watching I can do, since I can be working on projects while I watch. Audio books are always an option, though. :)

    Tayler - I'm reviewing Yours, Mine, and Ours in today's Saturday Matinee. So, so cute!!

    Bella - LOVED the proposal under the sprinklers!! So cute!!

    Anonymous - I'll have to check out those movies and shows. They sound good:)

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  14. I have the book Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier on cassette tape (remember those ancient things you have to rewind ; ). It was sooooo good that I had to see the movie. But was dissapointed that the movie just wasn't as good :(

    I have to second Wind At My Back. I have seen seasons 1-5, and I just loved the character of Aunt Grace.

    Kimberly

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  15. Very late reply: Yes, I've seen Eli Wallach in Magnificent Seven and How the West Was Won; but I first saw The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and oh my, he totally steals the show there.
    Plus How to Steal a Million which is amazing end to end, and The Holiday, where his smaller part was really the most enjoyable part. Basically, I have yet to see a film where I would not like him, and he's sitting firmly among my top favourite actors, just next to Rudolf Hrušínský whom I consider the best actor in the history of Czech cinema. :D

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