So, DD and I saw EPL this weekend. I’m a huge Julia Roberts fan, always have been, so I was excited to see her onscreen again. Before I go further, if you really, really, really want to see the movie, go. Do it. But if you’re iffy? Here’s my take:

I don’t like authors who bash other authors’ books, movies etc. I want to write a positive review, yet be constructive with criticism. So here goes…

The scenery/setting in the movie is spectacular. If you’re an armchair traveler who dreams of faraway places but can’t afford the plane ticket (like me!), pay the movie fee, sit in the air-conditioned theater seat with a bucket of yummy popcorn and enjoy not having your baggage lost. Italy (a place I hope to return to one day) was gorgeous. Bali spectacular. India peaceful. And let’s face it, Julia’s character’s male counterparts in the movie weren’t at all bad to look at. Julia even meets another woman searching for herself in Italy and they have some fun moments involving ‘muffin tops’ any gal can laugh at and appreciate no matter her age.

Cons? Well, I’m the practical sort. If you’ve read my blog you know that about me. So my dislike of the movie? Had her character (based on a real book) not made certain choices etc, grown up, and just been an adult, none of the story would have taken place. Nuff said.

Despite the air-conditioning and the fantastic popcorn (of which I ate entirely too much and added to my own muffin top *sigh*), I found myself very aware of time and anticipating the moment I could get up and leave. That’s not a good sign. But the female character wasn’t someone I wanted to hang out with. She was too immature and too indecisive, making all the wrong decisions despite the impact those decisions had on her. Yes, some might argue she needed her one-year trip to grow up–or she could’ve used the money to hire a good shrink and sworn off sex or relationships until she wised up as a 30-40 something woman really ought to.

Julia Roberts? She’s fantastic. The scenery–unbelievable. The guys? HOT. The movie? Eh. If it’s really hot outside and you have a couple plus hours to kill, go for it. Otherwise, save your money. It’ll be on Lifetime soon.

Or as I overheard one lady say to her friend as they left the theater, “The book is always better.”

Kay

I am SOOOOOOO excited! Ironman 2 premiered last night and I cannot WAIT to go see it this weekend. Ironman was phenomenal, with just a hint of romantic interest between Tony Stark and his unflappable personal assistant, Pepper Potts. Well, this one is touted as being even better than the first release (That’s a big claim but we shall see. I hope so!). I’ve had a crush on Robert Downey, Jr. for way too many years than I care to admit. All the back to his early days as an actor. I hated that he became so sidelined with drugs and prison but he’s back and better than ever. Hopefully much wiser, too.

Do you have any special plans for the weekend? Do you plan to see Ironman 2?

(And on a side note:: what are you getting the mothers in your life for Mother’s Day???? :helphang

Kay

I’m a huge Robert Downey, Jr. fan and watched Sherlock Holmes last night. On a scale of 1 to 10? Eh. I give it a 6. LOL Downey was great but something was off movie-wise for me.

A friend saw Clash of the Titans over the weekend and said the movie lacked story for her, that it was all action. We have similar taste in movies and like action flicks but she said more attention was paid to the fight scenes than to keeping the movie going so I’ll probably skip.

What about you? Have you seen any movies lately? Have any you’d recommend?

Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

Kay :estrbny:

I saw Alice this weekend. I have to be honest, I had no desire to see it at all but my CP was taking her granddaughter and my daughter and to spend some girl-time with them and escape from the sadness for a while, I went, I saw, and I suppose… it was okay. LOL

Let’s just say I’ve seen better, however, Johnny Depp was amazing as always. I’ve never seen a more versatile actor.

Best of all? The popcorn was phenomenal. I wish I had some now while I watch the Oscars and try to catch up on some business stuff.

What about you? Have you seen any good shows this weekend? Movies? Do anything fun?

Kay

Anyone see the movie The Hurt Locker? I hadn’t but I watched it yesterday. My thoughts? OMG

The story is of a military team in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s very intense, very brutal and if it is at all realistic I want to say now that our veterans deserve every ounce of love, support, college aid, and medical care they need to overcome what they’re going through. Whether you believe in their presence there or not, the troops deserve our support.

Best scene in the movie? I won’t give too much away as to the plot but it follows a group of soldiers who disarm bombs. Soooo many bombs. One soldier is considered a wildcard and totally unorthodox but he’s managed to disarm over 800 bombs so give the guy credit for needing to be a little crazy. Anyway, best scene? Is a flashback of him at home in the real world with his wife and baby. They’re grocery shopping and he’s walking aisle after aisle, looking lost and disoriented. The wife asks him to pick up cereal. Easy, right? But the guy stands in the cereal aisle staring at the many boxes and you can see that he’s totally overwhelmed. Him, the guy who disarms BOMBS.

Today’s question: Do you like military books? Military heroes, whether they’re active in the book or not?

Kay