Showing posts with label 30 Days With The Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 Days With The Movies. Show all posts
30 Days With The Movies
Wednesday, November 14
Day 25
Ahh, Wednesday …Hump Day they call it…the middle of the week…it’s downhill from here.
But today brings with it something really special – No nothing in the delivery column today…but I did have the screening for the new and final Twilight film, Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
Those of you who have read my earlier reviews or listened as I’ve discussed will know, I haven’t been the biggest fan of this series. There were a couple in the beginning that were ok, but Breaking Dawn - Part 1 was not fun to endure, at lest for me.
So after a busy day with no dinner…I waited in the way too long line for a bucket of Popcorn (yes…a very healthy dinner). And marched into the theater to experience the newest Twilight film.
In fact I sat next to a couple of my local colleagues and they had not seen all the films….I had…(is that a good thing, or a bad thing???)
Before the film got underway, my musing was about why they didn’t go the 3D route on the film. Everyone is doing it, and they are going to sell a zillion tickets regardless of the price….why no money grab on this one? (I said it half in jest, but it is a good question).While the first 20 minutes of what followed reminded me of everything I really disliked about Part 1, it did find a way out of the darkness and into the light.
When the film was over one of the two colleagues even clapped wildly…(I don’t know if he was mocking others who did or really enthused…but I like to say he was enthused….makes for a better story).
And so it was over.
The movie, the series and another night at the movies had all concluded around 9PM that evening.
On the way out, I was greeted by the sign outside the theater that displayed what we had just seen….but it wasn’t true!
See the sign below.
I know my mid 80s dance movies…and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 was Breakin’. (Again…not sure whether that was a bad thing or not.)
I finally determined I’m Team Alice for the Twilightfilms….Ashley Greene, I can’t wait to see what you do next.
You’ll have to wait for the review to see what I thought of it…but it was no Breaking Dawn: Part 1.
Tomorrow I get to see something I’ve really been waiting for, Silver Linings Playbook. Plus ????
Until then…
Sit Back, Relax and Save Me A Seat!
p
30 Day With The Movies
Tuesday, November 13
Day 26
So the day had one screening in the theater on the schedule, but that wasn't going to work for me.
Sometimes, especially at this time of year, being a husband, a dad and a film critic (plus other work that yours truly does to pay the bills) can make me need to be more places than possible at the same time.
The screening was an early evening meeting with Red Dawn. Sorry, I'm a fan of the delightfully kitschy original....WOLVERINES, so I was looking forward to see where this new film would go. BUT, sometimes it's more important to play the other roles...so instead of getting out to Red Dawn, the journey was to the "Go West" Fine Arts Night at my daughter's school.
She was ecstatic to see me sneak in just before their class lined up to come to the gymnasium. And I was elated to spend the evening with someone so special. Sure she's only in third grade; but the memory of this Fine Arts Night will ... I'M SURE ... long outlast my memory of Red Dawn.
And so I live with my decision...and I'm comfortable with it! Sorry FilmDistrict and Red Dawn. Thanks for the opportunity to attend the screening and I regretfully apologize for not getting out to see your film.
Now...when I arrived home, after this early evening bonanza. (with of course a stop at the local Culver's restaurant for ice cream) I was greeted by a slew of packages. I guess awards season is in full bloom.
The packages that waited from me contained a total of 35 different films. The bulk of the films were from the good folks at Magnolia and Magnet. There was also a small package from Oscilliscope.
Now are all the films in the package award worthy? Probably not...but the awesome thing is that these smaller studios see the importance of getting copies in our hands. They are proud of all their titles, the good, the bad and the ugly. That is AWESOME! I applaud the efforts of Magnolia, Magnet and Oscilliscope. I've long said that many of the studios could learn from this that just being able to see, or take another look at titles released earlier in the year is a benefit that we don't forget.
And so it goes...the day was filled more with delivered movies and family time....but I'll have big news tomorrow....as the screening of Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 is on my agenda....what will I think? Well my earlier films reviews are well known...and have led to angst among some fans...but I am all for being open minded for what this might feature.
So there ya have it...not every day is a whirlwind at the movies, but every day in LIFE is a whirlwind of it's own.
Sit Back, Relax and Save Me A Seat
p
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Tuesday, November 13
Day 26
Sometimes, especially at this time of year, being a husband, a dad and a film critic (plus other work that yours truly does to pay the bills) can make me need to be more places than possible at the same time.
The screening was an early evening meeting with Red Dawn. Sorry, I'm a fan of the delightfully kitschy original....WOLVERINES, so I was looking forward to see where this new film would go. BUT, sometimes it's more important to play the other roles...so instead of getting out to Red Dawn, the journey was to the "Go West" Fine Arts Night at my daughter's school.
She was ecstatic to see me sneak in just before their class lined up to come to the gymnasium. And I was elated to spend the evening with someone so special. Sure she's only in third grade; but the memory of this Fine Arts Night will ... I'M SURE ... long outlast my memory of Red Dawn.And so I live with my decision...and I'm comfortable with it! Sorry FilmDistrict and Red Dawn. Thanks for the opportunity to attend the screening and I regretfully apologize for not getting out to see your film.
Now...when I arrived home, after this early evening bonanza. (with of course a stop at the local Culver's restaurant for ice cream) I was greeted by a slew of packages. I guess awards season is in full bloom.
The packages that waited from me contained a total of 35 different films. The bulk of the films were from the good folks at Magnolia and Magnet. There was also a small package from Oscilliscope.
Now are all the films in the package award worthy? Probably not...but the awesome thing is that these smaller studios see the importance of getting copies in our hands. They are proud of all their titles, the good, the bad and the ugly. That is AWESOME! I applaud the efforts of Magnolia, Magnet and Oscilliscope. I've long said that many of the studios could learn from this that just being able to see, or take another look at titles released earlier in the year is a benefit that we don't forget.And so it goes...the day was filled more with delivered movies and family time....but I'll have big news tomorrow....as the screening of Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 is on my agenda....what will I think? Well my earlier films reviews are well known...and have led to angst among some fans...but I am all for being open minded for what this might feature.
So there ya have it...not every day is a whirlwind at the movies, but every day in LIFE is a whirlwind of it's own.
Sit Back, Relax and Save Me A Seat
p
30 Days With The Movies
Monday, November 12
Day 27
Monday's are always one of those days -- but on this day I have a couple of deadlines pressed up against me and they will probably cause me to miss one of the two screenings on my agenda. (The Impossible and Life of Pi) Wish they were both in the afternoon -- that would work for me....but instead I end up having to miss the morning screening. The Impossible will have to wait.
But my afternoon is filled with Life of Pi. And to think no ACTUAL pies were harmed in the making of this picture...except maybe in the craft services area. But the number of Pi (I remember it as 3.14 -- and it goes on, makes an appearance in the film!)
Instead, the story told in 3D with a couple of the local critics in attendance is the afternoon entertainment. A visual spectacle from director Ang Lee, we'll have to wait to talk about it further. But it definitely IS worth seeing in 3D and is an amazing story, told in all its visual glory.
The day featured no new arrivals, well it was a postal holiday anyway and after watching a bit of the Milwaukee Bucks/Philadelphia 76ers game (yea I know there are only like 3 teams in the NBA) I decided to get another movie in for the day.
During the game however, did some Facebook page updating and blog updating and man...there's a lot of stuff to do... plus put up this week's issue of the Home Screening Room -- though I held that to go live until Tuesday morning.
But what did I catch after all was said and done, and what was the last title to get in...Safety Not Guaranteed. Had been wanting to see this for some time as when it originally screened in the market there was a schedule conflict with another film and I had missed it. And let me say this about the film. There aren't many people out there cooler than Mark Duplass. Ok, so I absolutely am a junkie on the FX series, The League...but Duplass is clever and brings witty yet fun films to the screen that will make you think while you enjoy. The story of a "purported" time traveler that could just be someone that is paranoid will not interrupt the space time continuum. Instead you will just simply enjoy the ride.
So ends, yet another day on the journey....hopefully you have been enjoying the ride thus far...hopefully we'll have some more stories to tell in the future.
Tomorrow, could be a down day....I have one screening on the schedule, but Red Dawn will have to wait as my daughter has her Fine Arts Night and Dad needs to be a Dad first!
Sit Back, Relax, and Save Me A Seat!
p
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Monday, November 12Day 27
Monday's are always one of those days -- but on this day I have a couple of deadlines pressed up against me and they will probably cause me to miss one of the two screenings on my agenda. (The Impossible and Life of Pi) Wish they were both in the afternoon -- that would work for me....but instead I end up having to miss the morning screening. The Impossible will have to wait.
But my afternoon is filled with Life of Pi. And to think no ACTUAL pies were harmed in the making of this picture...except maybe in the craft services area. But the number of Pi (I remember it as 3.14 -- and it goes on, makes an appearance in the film!)
Instead, the story told in 3D with a couple of the local critics in attendance is the afternoon entertainment. A visual spectacle from director Ang Lee, we'll have to wait to talk about it further. But it definitely IS worth seeing in 3D and is an amazing story, told in all its visual glory.The day featured no new arrivals, well it was a postal holiday anyway and after watching a bit of the Milwaukee Bucks/Philadelphia 76ers game (yea I know there are only like 3 teams in the NBA) I decided to get another movie in for the day.
During the game however, did some Facebook page updating and blog updating and man...there's a lot of stuff to do... plus put up this week's issue of the Home Screening Room -- though I held that to go live until Tuesday morning.
But what did I catch after all was said and done, and what was the last title to get in...Safety Not Guaranteed. Had been wanting to see this for some time as when it originally screened in the market there was a schedule conflict with another film and I had missed it. And let me say this about the film. There aren't many people out there cooler than Mark Duplass. Ok, so I absolutely am a junkie on the FX series, The League...but Duplass is clever and brings witty yet fun films to the screen that will make you think while you enjoy. The story of a "purported" time traveler that could just be someone that is paranoid will not interrupt the space time continuum. Instead you will just simply enjoy the ride.So ends, yet another day on the journey....hopefully you have been enjoying the ride thus far...hopefully we'll have some more stories to tell in the future.
Tomorrow, could be a down day....I have one screening on the schedule, but Red Dawn will have to wait as my daughter has her Fine Arts Night and Dad needs to be a Dad first!
Sit Back, Relax, and Save Me A Seat!
p
30 Days With The Movies
Sunday, November 11
Day 28
Ahh, the first Sunday of the stretch.
Sunday's are always hard during this stretch. I should be watching movies, but instead find a way to watch 6 hours plus of NFL football. As a Sunday Ticket guy, I get a chance to enjoy all the goodness that the NFL has to offer (and all the badness too, I guess). Andrew Siciliano takes me through the afternoon with the Red Zone Channel and all is well.
This Sunday also featured the terrible lack of Yahoo Sports for their "fantasy football" options. Talk about frustrating...don't hear anyone talking about it, but there isn't a better way to get crushed in the fantasy football world than having your systems crash one hour before games kick off. UGH!
Got through the day -- the two teams I follow the most... the Green Bay Packers had the day off and the San Diego Chargers managed to lose in Tampa. Oh well....best get at least one movie in before the day gets away from me.
After dinner and getting the daughter to bed, I sat down with The Imposter. This documentary will tell the story of a boy from Texas that had gone missing who years later appears in Span.
A fascinating story and if you have EVER watched similar on Dateline or 60 Minutes or ???? You'll have to check this film out. It has the ability of telling a story that seems blatantly obvious where it is headed, only to have a hard left and leave you wondering if you have figured it out. You can't write this type of drama.
And since this was Sunday, I wanted to mention another film. Faith based films have truly been revitalized in theaters. A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate to be offered a chance to see Undaunted: The Early Life of Josh McDowell. Those of you who know who McDowell is will immediately drawn to the rest of this piece; those of you who don't know McDowell...let me take a minute to see if I can make this interesting for you.
Josh McDowell was introduced into my life through the book, More Than A Carpenter. A man who needed to do the research to see if Jesus Christ was a real individual. A short, easy read...it really is a stunning piece for all those who want to learn about faith.
McDowell's story is something that you couldn't write. That's the story that is told in the film Undaunted that has actors playing the young McDowell and his family while the real man narrates. It is amazing that someone with all the issues he had as a boy and through young adulthood that he could be such a strong spokesperson for Christianity. Now is Undaunted a really good movie, well not the best. It's ok, but not overly great. HOWEVER, is this a great teaching and evangelizing tool, undoubtedly. Faith based movies are not for everyone...but if this is your cup of tea, give it a chance.
And that said, I move out of a now gloomy Sunday. It started in the 60s and quickly became windy and rainy with weather that will make me want to stay and watch movies. Good thing too...this is getting a bit busy.
Tomorrow, I've got two on the schedule...but....deadlines may keep me from one I REALLY want to see.
Sit Back, Relax and Save Me A Seat.
p
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Sunday, November 11
Day 28
Ahh, the first Sunday of the stretch.
This Sunday also featured the terrible lack of Yahoo Sports for their "fantasy football" options. Talk about frustrating...don't hear anyone talking about it, but there isn't a better way to get crushed in the fantasy football world than having your systems crash one hour before games kick off. UGH!
Got through the day -- the two teams I follow the most... the Green Bay Packers had the day off and the San Diego Chargers managed to lose in Tampa. Oh well....best get at least one movie in before the day gets away from me.
After dinner and getting the daughter to bed, I sat down with The Imposter. This documentary will tell the story of a boy from Texas that had gone missing who years later appears in Span.
And since this was Sunday, I wanted to mention another film. Faith based films have truly been revitalized in theaters. A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate to be offered a chance to see Undaunted: The Early Life of Josh McDowell. Those of you who know who McDowell is will immediately drawn to the rest of this piece; those of you who don't know McDowell...let me take a minute to see if I can make this interesting for you.
Josh McDowell was introduced into my life through the book, More Than A Carpenter. A man who needed to do the research to see if Jesus Christ was a real individual. A short, easy read...it really is a stunning piece for all those who want to learn about faith.McDowell's story is something that you couldn't write. That's the story that is told in the film Undaunted that has actors playing the young McDowell and his family while the real man narrates. It is amazing that someone with all the issues he had as a boy and through young adulthood that he could be such a strong spokesperson for Christianity. Now is Undaunted a really good movie, well not the best. It's ok, but not overly great. HOWEVER, is this a great teaching and evangelizing tool, undoubtedly. Faith based movies are not for everyone...but if this is your cup of tea, give it a chance.
And that said, I move out of a now gloomy Sunday. It started in the 60s and quickly became windy and rainy with weather that will make me want to stay and watch movies. Good thing too...this is getting a bit busy.
Tomorrow, I've got two on the schedule...but....deadlines may keep me from one I REALLY want to see.
Sit Back, Relax and Save Me A Seat.
p
30 Days With The Movies
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Saturday, November 11
Day 29
The days in the life of a film critic are not always exciting. And this Saturday would be no exception.
A couple things on the agenda for the day included waiting for the arrival of my Directv installer to upgrade my home to the whole home experience. Exciting, yes...kinda cool and now the whole home is ready for HD. That and a a daddy daughter night led me to watching Parking Wars (which yes, she suggested) along with Pizza and Root Beer floats.
When she was asleep...I was kinda exhausted...seems like it had something to do with the fact I was up past 230 the night/morning before.
So a boring update, yes...maybe we can get one or two in tomorrow.
Though I was excited to see the notice from Relativity films that they are campaigning Act of Valor to those of us in the BFCA for our Best Action Film category. Even if you weren't a huge fan of the movie as a whole, you can't deny the action there is outstanding. An interesting reminder from Relativity.
Sunday holds, football...plus a couple movies if I can get them in...and Monday starts 6 movies in 6 days (though I may miss one or two because of other commitments.)
Hopefully more of substance tomorrow.
Sit back, relax and Save Me A Seat!
30 Days With The Movies
Friday, November 9
Day 30
I've done this in many years....always a different number of days...but all leading up to one thing...the nomination ballot deadline for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
So let me take day 30 to explain how this works...
For the next thirty days I'll be documenting a bit of what I do...trying to tell you the movies I've seen, the experiences I've had and just relay the craziness that is this time of year.
I'll be catching up with some films for the first time, I'll be taking another look at some of the best of the year to see where they fall, and I'll even squeeze in a couple for fun along the way.
There won't be any reviews in this piece, but I may mention some other things about the films that I'm talking about. There will be well over thirty films seen by me in the next month...and that is the fun.
So what did I watch on this day? As a dad and a husband, unfortunately it can't be all movies for fun...and commitments had me doing a lot of work around the house...but even while I do that, of COURSE I had to have some things on. For me on this day...only stuff for fun. Went back and watched one of the best comedies of the year 21 Jump Street as I worked until I couldn't stand anymore. Yep, sometimes...it isn't as easy as just non-stop movies.
Sit back, relax and Save Me A Seat.
READ MORE
Friday, November 9
Day 30
I've done this in many years....always a different number of days...but all leading up to one thing...the nomination ballot deadline for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
So let me take day 30 to explain how this works...
For the next thirty days I'll be documenting a bit of what I do...trying to tell you the movies I've seen, the experiences I've had and just relay the craziness that is this time of year.
I'll be catching up with some films for the first time, I'll be taking another look at some of the best of the year to see where they fall, and I'll even squeeze in a couple for fun along the way.
So what did I watch on this day? As a dad and a husband, unfortunately it can't be all movies for fun...and commitments had me doing a lot of work around the house...but even while I do that, of COURSE I had to have some things on. For me on this day...only stuff for fun. Went back and watched one of the best comedies of the year 21 Jump Street as I worked until I couldn't stand anymore. Yep, sometimes...it isn't as easy as just non-stop movies.
Sit back, relax and Save Me A Seat.