You Again

Movie: You Again

Cast: Kristin Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Kristin Chenowith, Betty White, Victor Garber

Genre: Romantic Comedy

I saw it on: October 2, 2010

Synopsis: Marni’s (Kristin Bell) brother is marrying Joanna, her high school nemesis.  It also turns out that Marni’s aunt had a bitter high school feud with Joanna’s aunt.  Joanna has not changed and still treats Marni like crap – but only does it when no one can see.  Naturally, everyone thinks Marni is being petty and unfair when she complains of Joanna’s behavior.  When the aunt and the mother join the fun, things get really ugly.

Kristin Chenowith has a great role as a wedding planner.

My two cents: I had mixed feeling about this movie.  I get a little tired of movies where one character is so over-the-top evil but no one except a single victim seems able to notice it.  But, Kristin Bell is such a favorite of mine that she (along with Kristin Chenowith) rescued it for me.  If you get a chance to see it on TV, I would give it a shot.

If you see this movie, make sure you watch to the very end when Betty White and Cloris Leachman meet up.  That scene alone makes the movie worthwhile.

Chain Letter

Movie: Chain Letter

Cast: Nikki Reed, Keith David, Ling Bai

Genre: horror, slasher

I saw it on: October 2, 2010

Synopsis: A group of high school friends receive a chain letter text message on their cell phones.  Anyone who fails to forward the message, meets a grisly end.

My two cents: I was not exactly enamored with this movie.  It seemed to me that they just wanted some excuse to show people being torn apart or killed in other grisly ways.

I would definitely skip this one unless you are really in to slasher films.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Movie: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Cast: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, Eli Wallach, Susan Sarandon

Genre: drama

I saw it on: October 3, 2010

Synopsis: After serving ten years in prison, Gordon Gecko is getting out.  He takes a young but ambitious trader (Jake, played by Shia LaBeouf) under his wing.  Gecko does not know that Jake is engaged to his daughter (played by Carey Mulligan).  The movie tracks Gecko’s quest to return to the top of the heap by doing whatever it takes to whoever gets in his way.  

My two cents: I had never seen Wall Street, so I watched it the day before I saw this movie.  I felt that this was much better than Wall Street.  Gordon Gecko is SUCH a heartless bastard.  You just know you can never trust anything he says.  Watching the traps he sets and the traps that are set for him and seeing who gets caught and who skates was great.

Most definitely worth seeing.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Movie: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Genre: animated adventure

I saw it on: October 3, 2010

Synopsis: Evil owls are kidnapping young owls and brainwashing them – all in a quest ot take over the world.  Some of the good owls escape and go looking for the island of Ga'Hoole where a guardian owls live.  They join forces to fight the bad owls.

My two cents: Not my favorite movie.  I found very little in this that actually got me interested.  I guess that might be because I am about 50 years past the target age group.  Oh well, can’t like ‘em all.

Case 39

Movie: Case 39

Cast: Renée Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper

Genre: horror

I saw it on: October 3, 2010

Synopsis: Emily (Renée Zellweger) is a social worker.  One of her cases (number 39) is a young girl by the name of Lilith.  Emily is horrified by the conditions of Lilith’s home and how her parents treat her.  Things come to a head when the parents try to kill both Emily and their daughter.  Emily takes Lilith into her home and ultimately adopts her.

Then “things” start happening that make Emily starts seeing Lilith in a different light.

My two cents: I had heard nothing about this movie – and never heard anything about it after seeing it, which kind of baffles me.  I thought it was a terrific horror film.  Not a genre I have ever seen Renée Zellweger do before – but she did it great.  Lilith reminded me of the evil little girl from “The Bad Seed” – but with a few supernatural powers thrown in.

If you are into horror, this movie is one you will want to see.

Let Me In

Movie: Let Me In

Cast: Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Richard Jenkins

Genre: horror, vampire

I saw it on: October 4, 2010

Synopsis: This is an American re-make of the 200 Swedish language film “Let the Right One In”.  A new twist to vampire movies.  Chloe is a 12-year-old vampire.  She befriends Owen and gives him a hand in dealing with some school bullies and Owen tries to help her out.

My two cents: A great vampire movie. My favorite line is when Owen first meets Chloe and asks her how old she is.  Her response: “Twelve. But... I've been twelve for a very long time.”.  The relationship that develops between these two is really touching.  And for those who like some vengeance – when the schoold bullies seriously gang up on Owen, the retaliation of Chloe is something to behold.

Well worth seeing.