Toy Story 3.... a little depressing

Due to my son, the film choice of last weekend was 'Toy Story 3,' Pixar's new animated feature. Carson loves Buzz; when he sees him his face lights up and you can hear him repeat "Buzz, Buzz," for the next 20 minutes. Of course I could not deny him the opportunity to see Buzz on the Big Screen, (can you believe this is only the 2nd film Carson has been to- I'm starting him off slowly).

It has been since 1999, 11 years since 'Toy Story 2.' A lot has happened in my life since then, and I say this because I connected with this story and the fun characters on a whole new level. On a grown up, mommy level, finding myself in tears through half of the film.

Pixar has become a little morbid, I started feeling this way after watching the opening sequence in Pixar's last film 'UP.' But it became very clear in 'Toy Story 3' that they have become a little depressing- or again, maybe this is just the 'grown up, mommy level' I am talking about.

Overall I thought the film was good. Not as exciting as the 1st, or as great as the 2nd, but good. The story, like I said, was a little depressing. Andy has grown up, he will be leaving for college and has to clean out his room; deciding which toys to keep and which to throw away. There are only a few of them left after all these years. I started to cry the first five minutes, when this last group of toys create a plan to try and get their owner Andy to touch them one more time. I felt and ache watching Andy decide wether to get rid of them or not. I remembered Frankie and Fayann, my stuffed animals, and my baby cabbage patch doll I saved all this time, through garage sales, moves, and now I have pulled them out for Carson to play with. I need to have a little girl now to play with the over twenty barbies I still have.

The story continues, this last group of toys finding themselves suddenly at a pre-school. The film kinda became an 'Oceans 11' meets 'The Godfather' meets 'Mission:Impossible', with Lotso the bear as the ring leader, and Ken barbie doll his #2. I don't think there was one child watching this film that could have possibly understood all the underlined meanings. Really, this was a cartoon made for adults. I was even shocked at the language used. 'Idiot' is not an extremely bad word, but if Carson said it I'd wash his mouth out.

As the film neared the end, the ache in my heart increased and I tried to hold back even more tears. Woody, Buzz and the last few toys that had survived together all this time find themselves the closest to death they had ever been. I could no longer hold back as Buzz gives up fighting for survival and takes Jessie's hand. They stare at each other and nod, acknowledging that this will be the end of their little toy lives. Jessie reaches out to Woody, who finally gives up the fight also. They all hold hands, squeeze together and calmly face death head on. I couldn't believe what I was watching. I couldn't believe this was the end. Thank god for the claw. But even as they were saved before they melted away, I couldn't believe Pixar had put such a heart wrenching scene in this film. It was like watching Bambi's mother die all over again, I am 28 years old and still scarred from that.

Oh, and I wasn't going to mention it, but Buzz is 'Latino Buzz' through half the film. It was actually the only time I laughed. My true feelings about this though would have to be its own blog.

I give the film a B-. Will Carson be watching this film when it comes out on video, probably not. He can watch the first 'Toy Story' all he wants though, with an uplifting message and more comedy.

A Tribute to Tom Cruise

Bringing us a blockbuster hit nearly every year since 1981, he has given us over 30 films, rated one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world, made history being the first actor to star in five consecutive films that grossed $100 million, averaging $60 million per film with a winning smile to fall in love with, it is none other than Tom Cruise.

His new film, co-starring Cameron Diaz, 'Knight and Day' was just released yesterday June 23rd. Is this the comeback Tom has been hoping for? Not that Mr. Cruise is doing bad, but lets face it Cruise, you went a little crazy there for a second, you don't have Robert Pattinsons hair, and Valkyrie didn't do so well.

I am interested in seeing the results of this new film for Tom, but what I am really interested in is my little conspiracy theory surrounding this film and 'Killers' that was realesed only a few weeks ago. 'Killers' starred a much younger, fresh cast, Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Hiegl, with basically the same plot as 'Knight and Day'. Though Ashton nor Katherine do not have the experience Diaz and Cruise do, and no one can pull off action like Tom, I still think it was a ploy to release 'Killers' in hopes to ruin a little of the excitement for 'Knight and Day.' Cause who really wants to see the same film twice, especially if the first time around wasn't that great!

I am rooting for you though Tom. I am willing to forget about the couch scene, your love for scientology, and the fact that you may be too old for me now, but is the film community ready to accept you back 100%?

To continue the tribute to Tom, my top 5 Cruise films:

5. Mission:Impossible

4. Rain Man

3. A Few Good Men

2. The Firm

And my #1 Tom Cruise Film:
1. The Last Samuri

So, if you go and see 'Knight and Day' this weekend, I hope you enjoy it and I hope it is better than 'Killers'. I can't wait to see it myself, but I am not going to go in with high expectations!! Good luck Tom!!
And enjoy the movies!!!

TOP TEN

I put together my 'Top Ten' favorite films, from 10 to 1. Maybe reading through my list will help you decide on a film to rent this weekend......

10. GHOHSTBUSTERS

"Ray. If someone asks if you are a God, you say, "Yes!"

9. BANDITS

"You're gonna knock over a bank with a Magic Marker? What are you gonna do, write on 'em?"

8. SOMEONE LIKE YOU

"There are a few things sadder in this life than watching someone walk away after they've left you, watching the distance between your bodies expand until there's nothing.... but empty space and silence."

7. LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall."

6. THE MUMMY

"You better think of something fast, because, if he turns me into a Mummy you're the first one I'm coming after."

5. TALLADEGA NIGHTS: RICKY BOBBY STORY

"I pretty much wake up in the morning and piss excellence."

4. BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY

"I like you, just the way you are."

3. TOMBSTONE

"I'm your huckleberry."

2. ROBIN HOOD, PRINCE OF THIEVES

"You! My room 9:30. You! My room 10 o'clock, and bring a friend!"

Last but not least, of course. My Number 1 for 1o years. Will another film ever take its place? Probably not!

The one and only:

1. GLADIATOR

"Are you not entertained!"

Movies from the weekend....

This weekend I was taken to 14th century England, a very CGI wonderland, and I drove a DeLorean. It was a very eventful weekend.

I decided to rent 'Robin Hood Prince of thieves' starring Kevin Costner, to compare it with the newly released 'Robin Hood' starring Russell Crowe. I have to ask first, Do you remember Disney's animated version of 'Robin Hood'? I would watch that film over and over again growing up. It was my #1. I recently rented it for Carson, but he wasn't too impressed. Anyways, Kevin Costner's 'RH' was similar to the animated version, which is one of the reasons I guess I liked it so much. I haven't seen the Costner version in many years, and now being older with a little bit more film knowledge, I still fell in love. Watching it made me realize many things, especially when comparing it with Russell's 'RH'. What every film needs, and what Costner's 'RH' had, was Morgan Freeman. Pairing Mr. Freeman ( he played Azeem the great one) as Costner's side kick was the best decision the Director and Producers could have made during the whole film. The whole film was perfectly casted. Costner and Freeman worked so well together, believable as true friends willing to die for one another and their beliefs. This is definitely what Russell's film was lacking, a true friendship, a true understanding of why the men stood by each other to fight. It really lacked the comradeship between Robin Hood and his men. Costner's film really showed the audience that Robin Hood and his men fought for a noble cause. Robin Hood was a little selfish, of course wanting more than anything to avenge his fathers death, but by the end of the film you saw it was to free his people, and for love. Russell's Robin Hood on the other hand was a man who walked in front of his men, the leader, with an 'you-do-what-I-say-and-I-will-ask-your-opinion-when-needed-but-I'll-never-need-it-cause-I-am-too-perfect' kinda attitude. I didn't understand why I did not like Russell's film when I first saw it, until I saw Costner's again. Now I understand perfectly, it was lacking the personal connection between Robin Hood and his men. 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves,' Costner's film, receives an A.

Moving on, cause I go could write an essay on the comparison of those two films.

After leaving Sherwood Forest, I found myself falling down a hole into Wonderland. I must be honest and tell you that I decided to rent this because Johnny Depp played the Mad Hatter in the film. I guess also because anything Tim Burton does is pretty imaginative and impressive. As I began to watch the film I realized I should have done some research before hand. A little spoiler here, but the film is a sequel. A sequel to the Animated version I guess, because it was stated over and over again in the film that Alice had been there before when she was younger, even showing flashbacks including painting the roses red. So, this was a sequel, and I did not like it too much. I did like the cast. It was almost a tribute to Alan Rickman weekend. He plays the Sheriff in 'Robin Hood: p.o.t.' and the Caterpillar in Wonderland. Depp's Hatter was kinda creepy, even more so than his usual characters. I enjoyed the actress who played Alice, Mia Wasikowska. I had not seen her in anything else before this. The film was perfectly casted, but I did not enjoy the plot and was bored, but it was visually entertaining, even so I give the film a C.

Finally, I joined Michael J. Fox in 'Back to the Future III.' The one with cowboy boots and gun fights, and though this final chapter of the films is not as enjoyable as the first 'Back to the Furture,' it was still pretty entertaining. Just the idea alone to be able to travel through time. It is the same feeling as if you were to watch 'Peggy Sue Got Married.' Or even 'Mr. Destiny.' We all have something we wish we could do over, or go back and change. So, I think that alone are reasons why people enjoy films such as 'Back to the Future.' What can I give this film but an A. Back before movies were competing to see who could create the most CGI scenes, 'Back to the Future' was the real thing. Those were real flames at the end of the movie lighting up the street from the DeLorean. That's when I think film sets must have been real exciting. Though cheesy, 80's films were still great and super creative without CGI, and 'Back to The Future' is proof. The 80's weren't so bad after all. Thanks Mr. Spielberg!

KILLERS!

With electronics taking over the world, everyone twittering, face booking, emailing, texting, it came as no surprise when the 'King of Twitter,' Ashton Kutcher announced he was going to film the first 13 minutes of his new film 'Killers' on premiere night and share it with the world over the Internet. The film had yet to be released to critics, no junket, nada. What a smooth decision on his part I think, good tactic, cause I gobbled it right up and followed Mr. Kutchers instructions and watched the first 13 minutes and at the end I was dying to see more! I wonder how many others fell into the trap? I wonder if they hired someone to sit and calculate and track how many viewed the online taping, if they can figure out if this might be the best new way to attract people to come and see a new movie. Because like I said, it got me there.

Side Note: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz just wrapped up a film called 'Knight and Day.' They released a trailer for this film last year. 'Knight and Day' is produced by 20th Century Fox, 'Killers' by Lionsgate. 'Knight and Day' is about a couple being chased down, together they fight to stay alive- sound familiar? Wait a minute I just saw this film, but with Kutcher and Heigl. In the end what film will be better? It's Cruz vs. Kutcher.

Back to 'Killers'. So, after watching the first 13 minutes I rushed off to see the film. I was excited, so many ways the film could go, and with Kutcher already half naked in the first 5 minutes I knew it could only get better. But..... I was wrong.

While Kutcher can be super charming, and Heigl is perfect as the timid, coy, girl next door, the story was too predictable and I had seen every scene all before.

They did bring Tom Selleck back from the dead, and his never changing perfect mustache. But, even he looked bored with his role.

And was it not enough that this couple was being gunned down by who they thought were friends, that the writers felt the need to add a baby to all this commotion. It was as though the writers didn't quite know where to take the story, so just as TV series add a baby to the mix to try and spice things up, so did this film. Wasn't working for me. Didn't really seem necessary.

The fight scenes were good. But as I watched them I began to think: In an interview Ashton Kutcher states that he wouldn't go through glass during the shoot, but every other 'stunt' he did. So basically Ashton is in this 1 hr 40 min. film for approximately 20 minutes. Enough time for us to see him half naked and fake driving.

The best part about the film was that it was just the right length of time. Just when I was searching for my phone to see the time, it ended, and I was happy.

The Second best part of the film was, well, the ending. Now this is a huge SPOILER, in the end Selleck and Kutcher realize they are one in the same, both killers, both secretly working for the government. That is when the funny moments came, and I think that's where the film should have taken off. Selleck and Kutcher = Killers! Now that sounds like an entertaining movie.

I give this film a C. Kutcher and Heigl made a good team and I enjoyed them, but the story line has been overdone, overwritten, overplayed. Hopefully this film doesn't ruin the chances for 'Knight and Day.' And hopefully Cruz and Diaz give us some surprises. Just so I can compare the two I must go see that one next!

Sex and the City 2

I love any chance to get together with the Ladies, and dinner and a movie is the perfect 'Ladies Night' out. What better movie to go see than 'Sex and the City 2,' right? Now, I went into this film with low expectations, and I had really enjoyed the first one. But the reviews that I read were not making this total chick flick sound good at all. Just FYI, do not read reviews before going to see a movie. I usually don't, but I couldn't resist this time.

The ladies and I got to the theater in plenty of time, some of us thinking the place would be jammed packed with stiletto's and 'vintage Valentino,' whatever that means. Maybe this was my first mistake, I do not know enough about fashion to have fully understood the film? Anyways, the perfect seats were taken, right smack in the middle. Too bad it wasn't for a film like 'Robin Hood' or 'Eclipse.'

The film begins two years after the first film. Rundown- Carrie is married to Mr. Big and finding marriage can get a little boring, and she still dresses funky, and who the hell is the hair 'artist' on this set? The red head, BTW- my second mistake may be that I don't know the characters that well. So, the red head is a woman trying to make it in a mans world, with her new boss the #1 wall in her way. Samantha is old and is desperately trying to make us believe every man in the world still wants to have sex with her. And the Brunette wanted children, has them, then discovers it's more work than she expected. I can honestly say that the one positive comment I have to say about the film, and I mean one, is that I could relate a little to each of these women. But I had to really search through all the big hair- over-the-top-wardrobe changing-male organ-sand dunes to find it.

Carrie is finding that married life isn't always 'sparkles', and what married woman hasn't realized that. Then at the part of the film where the Director must have realized this horrible story has gone on too long, he then tries to cram everything into an ending, where Carrie comes to the conclusion that it is ok to lay on the couch and watch TV on a work night.

I enjoyed the red heads story. I would have liked to have seen more about this story. One of the films problems was that they tried to give the audience so much that we got too little of everything.

I could absolutely relate to the brunette when she finally had a breakdown about her children. No shit they are a lot of work, favorite line "I don't know how people without help do it!?" I wanted to slap her, life must be so hard for her, a stay at home mom, with a nanny, in a gorgeous home wearing Vintage whatever, baking cupcakes, ironing the wrinkled 100$ bills. Pick your screaming baby up and cuddle her for crying out loud.

Oh, and Samantha. I have to say that creeping up to my 30's I have days where I long to be 21-22 again. When my breast were still 'up', my butt a little firmer, and I could eat donuts all day and not gain a pound. So, I could relate to Samantha not enjoying getting older.

Here are a couple of questions: Why were they in Abu Dabi again? How many times can you change outfits in the middle of the desert? Do women really want to see breasts through out a film? How about the male genitals?

I think there will be some women that do not like the film at all, and some that will laugh so hard they cry while watching it. I did not enjoy it too much. If I could erase it I would. As my friend Emily suggested, who is a huge fan of the series and of the first film, she would just like to pretend this second film never happened. This was the last chance for SATC to gain a new fan, but I didn't know the characters names before and I have no need to want to know them now.

Overall I give the film a D+. Yes I could relate, but I was super bored doing so. And no one should ever have to see Liza Minnelli do that again, though she's looking pretty good for 80.

A day at the Movies....

(the story has come to a slight standstill. I really don't know what happens next.... yet. Stand by.)

If I was a film critic I would have to give the 'Robin Hood' flick a B maybe even a B-. I know, shocking. Now, my scale is on a 1 to 10 spectrum; 10 is the film 'Gladiator'. I compare everything to this film, and why shouldn't I, it is the best. 'Gladiator' contains every element a film should. It has everything someone would want from a film, especially for women. Action, Drama, comedy, danger, excitement, half naked men. Believe it or not but all films are geared towards women. Even the non 'chick flicks' like 'Gladiator' are targeted towards us. I truly believe that a writer is able to use their imagination to create a story to a certain extent, meaning they also have to think of what will bring in the money. What I am trying to say is more women than men go to see a movie. Right? I mean, when was the last time you heard a bunch of men plan out a 'guys night' to the movies? Ok- you got me, maybe to see 'Star Wars'. But seriously, more women than men go to the movies. And if you are a man at the movies, and not having your special 'man night,' then chances are you were brought to the movies by a woman. Women bring the money in. Women are the ones buying the magazines when a film star is on the cover, women are the ones who plan trips to the movies, log it into their calendar. I am getting off track, you get the point. Films are geared towards women. So, as I watched 'The Hurt Locker' last night I began to compare it with the best film 'Gladiator,' and I am sorry to say but not even half way through I would have only rated it at a 5/ C almost C-. Now, what was impressive was that the story felt so true, so real. And even more impressive it was a Woman telling the story. The Director of the film, the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director and Best Film, Kathryn Bigelow, even stated at the Oscars that critics could not believe how well a woman told this story. To create that kind of emotion, and to have your actors so believable is well worth A Best Director Oscar. But I do have to wonder, with politics and money ruling even the smallest of businesses, how much politics and money rule at the Oscars. It was time for a woman to win Best Director. Here comes my conspiracy theory, or maybe not. Again, I have gone off track. The whole point of this blog was just to say, 'The Hurt Locker' was alright. Should it have won Best Picture, No. 'Avatar' was way too impressive not to have won. Did Ms. Bigelow deserve Best Director, Yes. Do I think she might have gotten it through a little well thought out political plan, Yes. Overall I give the film a B-.