A Movie Week in Review

As soon as the babies are put to bed around 8:30pm it’s party time!!!  Just kidding; but it is our time to enjoy some inappropriate for children movies.  We have been in the habit, even before having children, of finding amazing new and old movie gems and vegging out in front of the tube well into the night.    

One of my many remarkable talents, that are completely useless, is being able to pick the best movies based on the cover.  I know, I know, never judge a book by its cover; but it’s a movie and it totally works for me.  I have a 99% satisfaction rate, maybe.  My husband on the other hand, is attracted to anything with dirt or an explosion in the background and we end up with floppers like ‘Monsters’ and can never get that time back.  The following is a list of incredible movies; some new and in theatres and most of them on Netflix available right now.  So, if you have Netflix or a video store near you, get some popcorn and Milk Duds and prepare to be satisfied.   

First up, ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt; this one is currently in theatres.  I’m not a big Matt Damon fan because he’s been rolling out too many man-only movies and I’m a girl, but I gave it a chance because I loooooooooooove Emily Blunt.  It was really good.  It wasn’t too romantic or too far-fetched where the girl is all about the sex and completely attachment free like in ‘Love and Other Drugs’; such bull.  The ballet was beautiful; it was suspenseful, had a fresh theme and a great ending.

We literally just watched ‘Chloe’ last night on Netflix with Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Amanda Seyfried.  I must admit this was a pick of my husbands.  Looking at the cover you can see why he chose it.  I was a little perturbed by all the nudity and lesbian scenes, but overall the movie was actually really good.  This ended up on my good movie list because the end had me up thinking all night.  A good movie should make you think in a really subtle and smart way.  It was suspenseful and when I would expect it to get over the top, it was delightfully realistic.  I give it one and a half thumbs up. 

Another great Netflix find, ‘City Island.’  Now this was just downright funny, fresh, unexpected and a little bit sexy.  I enjoyed all of the characters and growing up around an Italian family from New York, could really identify with the ridiculousness of the family problems.  This is an absolute must see.  It starred a great mixed cast with Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies and Steven Strait just to name a few. 

‘Goya’s Ghosts’ ~ I really enjoy period pieces based on true stories because they are so much more tasteful than movies set in real time or the future.  Romance is still alive and sex is hinted instead of sprawled out like a XXX film.  Nudity never bothered me much before, but it’s just so common it gets on my nerves.  I find it’s usually put in a movie in abundance to cover up bad plots and women can see through that; not interested.  Anyway, it starred Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman and Stellan Skarsgård.  I must admit it was strange, a little horrible, surprising, sad and had hilarious undertones; like a dark, twisted humor that had me in stiches towards the end.  If you’re in the mood for something a little dramatic with amazing actors and actresses set in the late 1700’s, this is a good one for you. 

Last but not least, ‘Young Victoria.’  This is another period piece set in the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule.  I snuck this one on while Jaime was working on a computer project and we both ended up enjoying it.  It was romantic, annoying, troubling, a little dramatic, based on an amazing true story and by the end, I was crying.  It’s not that they made it horribly sad, it’s the attachment to the characters and the real information they give at the end.  It was really wonderful and beautiful; I was lost in the clothing.  I can’t get enough!  This is another film with Emily Blunt (love) and also with Rupert Friend and Paul Bettany.

So, that is my review based on our most recent finds and should hopefully get you through any boring nights you might have over the next week.  If you have any suggestions on amazing films you think I may want to watch, please feel free to comment; I’m constantly on the lookout for a good film.