Inception August 6, 2010

Inception – they say it can’t be done, but can it?

There is no way to describe this movie. It is one of the most intense and ingenious movies that I have ever seen.  With all of the remakes and poorly plotted movies that have come out recently this is a very well done, original movie.

An amazing cast including Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic) and Ellen Page (Juno) take this movie “out of this world!” Cobb (DiCaprio) and his team take you on a journey through the subconscious of several different characters in a twisted and convoluted way on the journey to inception.  While Cobb’s methods into other’s dream worlds are used for stealing ideas, can they be used to plant an idea as well?

You have to pay close attention to all the different angles and dimensions that are created in this movie.  I was still thinking and contemplating this movie hours after I had seen it.  I could not imagine having the brainpower to create such a puzzle of a world.  This action thriller is definitely on my “to see again and own” list. So far this one is my top movie of Summer 2010! Go see it and let me know what you think!

Favorite Quote:

Arthur: Quick, give me a kiss!
[She kisses him and then looks around]
Ariadne: They’re still looking at us.
Arthur: Yeah, it was worth a shot.

Despicable Me July 16, 2010

Despicable Me is the must-see family movie of the Summer (although I haven’t seen Toy Story 3 yet…). This hilarious movie, starring Steve Carrell, is priceless. It’s about a villain who adopts 3 girls to help him with his scheme to steal a shrink ray from Vector so that he can steal the moon. It may sound a little ridiculous, but someone stole a pyramid, so I guess anything is possible!

Families with kids of all ages (including parents) will laugh and cry at the hilarity of this movie.  Mr. Gru, who tries to be a villain is nothing more than a pushover when it comes to the 3 girls he adopts. Featuring the voices of Julie Andrews, Jason Segel, Miranda Cosgrove and Will Arnett, this movie couldn’t be any funnier.

For parents this movie couldn’t be more relatable. No matter what you say or what you do, kids always find a way to get into things or push your buttons and before you know it, they’re on top of the fridge….or in your secret lab.

This movie should definitely be on your list to see, I would recommend this to anyone!

Favorite Quote:

Agnes: [cuddling her unicorn in ecstasy] It’s so FLUFFY!

The Guardian July 2, 2010

What an amazing movie.  This movie is probably my favorite for Ashton Kutcher. In most of his movies he plays the “I’m too sexy for my shirt” character which always turned me off and thus he wasn’t one of my favorite actors.  He really stepped it up in this movie and played a great character very well.

This movie stars Kevin Costner as Ben Randall, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, who, after drastic events is forced to take a position as an instructor at the Coast Guard School.  He increases the workload and intensity of the course, trying to make it more realistic.  He starts failing students as the days roll on, and Randall begins to butt heads with one of his students, Fischer (Kutcher). As the movie progresses more secrets about each of them are revealed and the more you know, the more you realize how similar they are to each other.  Things from each of their pasts is what holds them back but also keeps them going.

This movie is very inspiring.  Both Costner and Kutcher’s characters are very real.  There is nothing phony about them.  If you can’t relate to them personally, you know someone just like them: someone with a heart of gold and the motivation and willingness to help anyone in need.

This movie makes you think about your life and the things you take for granted. It makes you appreciate what you have and the people around you that are always there for you.

I would definitely recommend this movie, the ending will grip and inspire you.

Favorite lines:

Jake Fischer: That guy who holds all them records, is he still alive?
Capt. Frank Larson: Why do you ask?
Jake Fischer: Just thought you ought to let him know I’m about to knock his name off that board.
Capt. Frank Larson: Why don’t you let him know yourself? He’s standing right behind you.

(My actual favorite line is a spoiler, so you should just see the movie.)

Invictus June 25, 2010

Invictus is a short poem by the British poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for `unconquered`.*

This true story is very inspiring.  It takes a while to get into; the first half of the movie isn’t that interesting but I guess the story needed background.

Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, the first black President of South Africa. He wants to give the country a leader, a common interest to stop the fighting and wars and chooses the country’s rugby team the Springboks led by Francois Pienaar played by Matt Damon.

As the story unfolds, Mandela starts to open the eyes of the people of South Africa and helps them realize that they are all people, they don’t need to be warring with each other, it’s possible to get along.

Although Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman were excellent in their roles, it wasn’t my favorite movie.  It is one that I am glad I saw; I learned a lot and I appreciated it, but it’s not one I would buy or watch again.

I do think that this is a movie that everyone should see at least once. It is an eye opener. It might be hard to get through the beginning, but try, it is worth it in the end.

Favorite Lines:

Nerine: Thinking about tomorrow?
Francois Pienaar: No. Tomorrow’s taken care of, one way or another. I was thinking about how you spend 30 years in a tiny cell, and come out ready to forgive the people who put you there.

*(cited information)

Ocean’s 11 June 21, 2010

Ocean’s 11.

For a while this one was my not-in-a-specific-movie-mood-so-I’ll-watch-this-one movie.  If I didn’t know what to watch, this was put into the DVD player.

Ocean’s 11 is a great mix of everything. Action, suspense, humor, mystery, intrigue, romance and much more.

Danny Ocean (Clooney) is released from prison and immediately beings to gather his friends for a casino heist. But the thing is, it’s not one casino, it’s three, holding over $150 million the night they want to rob it. He gathers a group of 11 guys consisting of everyone from a tiny Chinese gymnast to an 80 year old retiree.

You can’t help but wish you were on the team as Saul and Danny repel down an elevator shaft and Frank (Bernie Mac) deals the cards.  Matt Damon plays an excellent character, Linus, who is just getting into the game when he is invited to join Ocean’s gang. With Don Cheadle as the bomb expert and Elliot Gould as the backer to this heist, there are always laughs and surprises right around the corner! With an unexpected ending, Ocean’s 11 is guaranteed to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat!

This is another movie I would recommend for everyone. It has a little of everything for everyone and it’s always fun, everytime you watch it.

Check it out for yourself and leave your comments here!

Favorite Quotes:

[last minute tips for Linus]
Rusty: You look down, they know you’re lying and up, they know you don’t know the truth. Don’t use seven words when four will do. Don’t shift your weight, look always at your mark but don’t stare, be specific but not memorable, be funny but don’t make him laugh. He’s got to like you then forget you the moment you’ve left his side. And for God’s sake, whatever you do, don’t, under any circumstances…

[From the other room]
Livingston: Rus?
Rusty: Yeah?
Livingston: Come look at this?
Rusty: Sure.

Hello, Dolly! June 10, 2010

You can’t get any more classic than “Hello, Dolly!” starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau.  These two, plus Michael Crawford, as Cornelius Hackl, create a hilarious movie about taking chances and putting your nose into everyone else’s business!

Dolly Levi (Streisand), a widowed matchmaker and all around (lovable) busybody can tell you anything you want to know about anything. Her nosiness gets everyone into trouble except herself as she encourages Cornelius and Barnaby to play hookie from work and plays matchmaker for them in New York while they try to avoid their boss, Mr. Vandergelder (Matthau) who also went to New York for the day.

“Hello, Dolly!” is a great family movie that many can relate to. You can’t help but think of your nice-as-anyone-but-busybody-neighbor as you watch Streisand get people in trouble by being “helpful” and your local mischief-makers as Cornelius and Barnaby play hookie and go running around New York with two beautiful girls.

This hilarious musical is a classic and I would encourage anyone and everyone to watch it!

Favorite Lines:

Cornelius: We’re gonna close the store.
Barnaby: Close the store?
Cornelius: We have to, ’cause some rotten cans of chicken mash are going to explode.
Barnaby: Holy cabooses, how do you know?
Cornelius: Because I’m gonna light some candles under them.

Our Itinerary June 6, 2010

Departures: a word with no specific end or destination.

We can go wherever we want, whenever we want, however we want.  Whether it’s through a book, a movie, an actual trip, or a nap, we all want escape from reality.

I look forward to sharing thoughts, ideas and opinions on what we will find on our journeys during our escape from reality.

Please join me on our Departures by sharing your thoughts and opinions as well.