The Last Airbender

Pam: Okay, I'm breaking the mold a little here by reviewing a movie out in theaters, but it's needed. It's definitely needed. I'm starting to wonder who M. Night Shyamalan pissed off in Hollywood, because it seems to me that everyone is out to destroy him. Even rottentomatoes.com rates The Last Airbender at 8% approval. I can't believe it, because this movie is good. Let's get a little perspective here - this is a movie based on a cartoon which takes place in a fantasy world, that is not Earth, nor is it based on Earth's timeline. Another piece of information to keep in mind: this movie is based on a children's cartoon! Yes, that's right - children! If it seems lacking in features that appeal to adults, then that seems appropriate, doesn't it? One criticism on rottentomatoes.com was an "incomprehensible plot." Huh? My two six-year-old daughters sat and watched rapturously the entire movie and understood everything. I loved this movie and don't understand the criticisms.

It's Complicated

Pam: Two fine actors make this movie fun to watch. I love Alec Baldwin's comic sharpness and lovability and of course, Meryl Streep is perfection as a capable yet vulnerable divorcee. Many perspectives are presented and it's easy to understand the situation from all sides. For example, you understand the feeling of being carefree and taking a risk from Jane's (Streep) point of view. She's had to be the strong single parent for so long while building her own business, that it feels like time to cut loose for her. She giggles as she tells her best friends about sleeping with her ex-husband and you can enjoy her naughtiness. But then, other factors begin to play into this unfaithful scenario. You hear about her grown children's pain as they experienced their parents' divorce years ago. Not much time is spent on this, but it is geniune emotion. You see Jake's (Baldwin) wife and stepson and how his infidelity affects them. You see the affair begin to take on a domesticity that has long-term implications that Jane is not ready or willing to have in her life again, just as she has gained her independence both emotionally and financially. The fun, silly romp turns serious and the couple begins to see how their actions affect others. A funny turn from Steve Martin, who has the job of the thankless possible (appropriate) boyfriend for Jane. John Krasinski plays Jane's future son-in-law who ends up knowing more than he wants to know about some of Jane and Jake's indescretions, which makes for some comical moments. 3.5 stars out of 5

Spread

Pam: This was recommended to me on blockbuster.com, I guess because of Ashton Kutcher, but it was not very good. Let me clarify this - it wasn't very good as far as plot and believability, but if you're an Ashton Kutcher fan and want to see him and Anne Heche get it on (quite a lot), then you might think it's a good movie. I stopped watching it after about 2/3 of the way through, and Nelson watched the end and he said it was okay. Kutcher plays a male prostitute who hooks up with wealthy women who support him by giving him a place to live, a car to drive, clothes and some respectability. He ends up with Heche who ends up falling for him. He falls for another younger girl and tries to break it off with Heche who goes a little wacko. I won't tell you how it ends, because I don't really know. Rent this one at your own risk. 1.5 stars out of 5

Crazy Heart

Pam: I find it hard to believe that anyone ever really changes - especially a washed up alcoholic singer/songwriter who decides one day that he's ready to become sober to win back a woman he loves. There's no one who can cause that kind of change within another person, and it's certainly not believable in this movie. That being said, the movie is pretty good. The beginning is difficult to watch as Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) ruins his performances and life with hard drinking. His agent has a hard time booking him anywhere, so he ends up playing in a bowling alley and other various honky-tonks along the way. He gets a call one day that reveals something deeper about this character: we find out that his one-time protege is now a major star and Bad's agent wants Bad to open for him. What a dilemma he faces. ("A Star is Born" anyone??) On top of that, he's falling for a much younger girl who has been doing some interviews with him. A series of events illustrate for us the downward spiral of Bad's life until he's left with nothing - AA calls this "hitting bottom." It's nice to see Bad at the end where some things work out for him and some don't. The movie has some cliches, but the jewel is Bridges' performance. He makes the cliches believable. 4 stars out of 5

Role Models

Pam: This movie is from 2008, and I resisted renting it because it looked like a movie along the lines of Judd Apetow's over-the-top, sometimes profane, gross-out humor, but I was wrong. It is a little profane, and believe it or not the profanity comes from an eight-year-old little boy, which plays funny rather than offensive. In fact, that kindof sums up the whole movie: what could potentially be offensive comes off as very funny. A lot of that has to do wtih the tone of the movie, which is respectful, even as it makes fun of its subject matter. For example, Jane Lynch plays a reformed drug addict who runs a "big brother/big sister" type of organization and when she describes her former plight with drugs, it's believable and funny. These two guys join her organization as part of their required community service and take on "little brothers," one of which is the little boy who curses and insults these two at every opportunity. The other "little brother" is a geek (McLovin' from Superbad) who, to the dismay of his parents, is into role playing. There is a lesson to be learned and that is do what you love, no matter what other people think. If medieval role playing is your bag, then go for it and be the best costume-wearing, foam-sword wielding knight you can be. Fun movie. 2.5 stars out of 5

Sherlock Holmes

Pam: I love it when a movie is marketed as a "re-imagining" or a "re-interpretation" because what they're saying is, don't expect the movie to honor the original characterizations or plotlines. At least they're warning you. If you're a major Sherlock Holmes fan, don't expect a faithful rendition, but if you're a fan of a good adventure story, you're in luck. There's a couple of positives to this movie: first, Robert Downey, Jr. is quirky, funny, and smart, although some of his investigation methods are a little questionable (was the original Holmes so weird? maybe so...), and second, Guy Ritchie is directing. If you're a fan of Ritchie's other movies, then you'll like this one. It's got the same frenetic energy, snappy dialogue, and dark atmosphere but it's a little more polished than some of Ritchie's other work. The plot is a little silly, but just go with it and have fun. Jude Law is a respectable Mr. Watson who frequently gets put out with Holmes, but stays around for the action. Rachel McAdams is miscast as a potential adversary/love interest for Holmes - she's just too "apple pie" to be walking the streets of 1800's London. Good movie overall - fun and entertaining. 3.5 stars out of 5.

Up In The Air

Pam: I really, really wanted to love this movie. And I did, up until Ryan (George Clooney) walks up the steps of Alex's brownstone. Up until that point, I was rooting for Ryan and Alex - a couple who seem to find a connection in a world of fast paced travel and jobs that keep them disconnected, especially from people they love. Ryan takes pride in his frequent flyer miles and enjoys hanging around in the fancy lounges at the airports he passes through - turns out to be not much of a life. His sister is getting married, and it's hard for him to even have a meaningful conversation with her about her life because he doesn't really know her. Then he meets Alex and finds a soul mate - she seems as lost and lonely as he is, and more importantly, just as eager to find a connection. Throughout all of this, Ryan is asked to train a new recruit, Natalie, on how to fire people at companies that are downsizing. She is eternally optimistic about life and love, and is a great foil for Ryan. You wonder - will he change her, or will she change him? The ending was a shock and a disappointment at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I understood and appreciated it. One of Clooney's best performances and well-deserving of the hype at the Oscars. 4 stars out of 5

The Princess and the Frog

Pam: Every Friday night we have Family Movie Night at our house. We let the kids eat dinner in the front room (a major rule breaker!), or at least have popcorn and a drink and we all watch a movie together. We did not see this in the theater, so I put it on our Blockbuster queu. It's about time Disney created a princess of color, and they did a beautiful job with this one. The setting of New Orleans, LA is perfect for tying in many different influences: voodoo, bayou, cuisine, big daddy's money, and a poor working class daddy. The time period is turn of the century, but the ideals and opinions of the princess are decidedly modern. She wants to open her own restaurant using her dear daddy's gumbo recipe, which is symbolic of the varied mixture of cultures represented in the Louisiana society. Her best friend is the white daughter of a family that her mother cleans house for (hmmm?) who is set on marrying a visiting prince. The hilarity ensues at the girl's engagement party - the humor comes from a mixture of magic and mistaken identities. There are cute side characters, one of my favorites being a lightening bug named Ray. Sweet story with a good message - classic Disney. 4 stars out of 5

Love Happens

Pam: Aaron Eckhart has always been one of my favorite actors, ever since Erin Brockovich. His character is very interesting in this movie - he's not comedic, and is rather serious as he's dealing with the death of his wife. The viewer doesn't know the whole story, and you won't until the end, so some of his behavior is a little hard to understand at first, but he does keep your interest. Jennifer Aniston spends the whole movie letting him know how they are not suited for each other, and yet continues to spend time with him. It makes you wonder why he pursues her, but maybe he's just looking to make a change in his lonely life and she's the one he chose to try it out on. Her break-up at the beginning of the movie with her live-in boyfriend seems a little contrived, and I would have appreciated more time spent exploring her sense of betrayal and sadness, but that would have made her less available for Eckhart's character, so in movieland, she resolved those feelings rather quickly. There's a great supporting appearence by Martin Sheen, another of my favorite actors. Overall, the movie is watchable, but I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it. 2.5 stars out of 5

Zombieland

Pam: You'll have to be in the right frame of mind for this one, and if you are in the right mindset, it's really funny. The world is full of flesh-eating zombies, except for the narrator, Jesse Eisenberg (reminds me alot of Michael Cera), who gives the viewer his rules for staying alive in this post-apocolyptic world. Luckily, he comes across another human survivor played by Woody Harrelson. They pair up for some pretty hilarious adventures, but like I said, you have to be in the mood for a bit of campy gore and violence. Bill Murray has a very funny cameo appearence - don't get up for a coke or a pee, or you'll miss it. 3 out of 5 stars

Law Abiding Citizen

Pam: Jamie Foxx cuts a fine figure as a district attorney in this movie that pitts him against a "law abiding citizen" turned criminal. Gerard Butler is an okay actor - there's something about him that seems disingenuous, but a lot of people really like his movies, so maybe it's just me. Could be that he's gorgeous to look at, but eventually you have to act if you're going to carry a movie. Although it starts out with a lot of suspense, this movie begins to unravel toward the end. About half way through, I started looking at Nelson saying "no way, there's no way he could be doing that." Once I started doing that, the movie lost me. I kept watching because Jamie Foxx is engaging and it was fun watching the interplay between him and Butler. I will warn you, the ending is far fetched and will probably disappoint, but it wasn't a complete waste of my time. 2.5 stars out of 5

A Serious Man

Pam: The Coen Brothers wrote and directed this movie, and it has their quirky flair. This "serious man" is a professor at a college in the midwest somewhere and has a series of bad things happen to him that seem to test his faith. He's a Jew and seeks advice from three rabbis who don't seem to help him much. He's dealing with a troubled brother who lives with him, a daughter that doesn't want much to do with him, a bratty son, a wife who wants a divorce, a betrayal by a best friend, a threatening neighbor, and on and on. It's funny in a dark way, typical for the Coen brothers, but in the end it's a little depressing. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

HERE IT IS: THE TOP 5 can you stand it?

Nelson: Well tonight we are giving you our top 5 movies all time. Due to a small glitch, I had to come up with a number 5, I had a movie on my list twice, I wonder who can guess which one, hmm?!?!?!?!?!?
5. "Notting Hill" I really love this movie, as I stated earlier I had had a movie on my list twice, but this movie would have made my list if I hadn't thought I already had 35, and it is definitely one I would grab on my way to the bomb shelter, I can watch it over and over. It always gets me at the end when they are on the bench and she is pregnant. 5+ stars
4. "The Godfather" Classic storytelling here, great cast, and story. Really strong enough to be even higher on my list because I can watch it anytime. The way Michael is drawn in, is compelling, at one point he wants nothing to do with the family business, then all of a sudden he is in. By the third movie he wants out desperately, but , "everytime I think I'm out, they drag me back in." 5 bajillion stars.
3. "Avatar" I have seen this movie twice, in a few years after I have seen it 10-20 times it will work it's way to the top I am sure. As I came out of the theatre I said it was the best movie I have ever seen, and I still believe that but I do not have enough time invested in it yet to be no. 1 here. 5+ stars
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. This is the trilogy, all three movies together because really if you have 6 -8 hours to kill, it is really just one long well thought out and acted movie. Each one is as good as the last, not like some trilogies or sequels that are just not as good as the original. The fault there is that the first movie is typically written to stand on its own, and since it is a hit, they have to manufacture more story to make more money. I wish I could tell all you readers how hard it is to sit here and type with an English major over your shoulder. This one as well 5+ stars
1. This is also a trilogy, The Bourne Trilogy. I know that some of you may be let down by my choice, but if I could only take these 3 movies with me into solitary confinement for a few years, i would be ok with that. I really enjoy the action, drama, romance, scenery, locales, plot, just everything. The story is so intricate and well thought out, Matt Damon is at his best here. 6 stars, so really off the chart, for me.

Pam:
5. "It's a Wonderful Life" - Jimmy Stewart filmed this movie right after he returned from WWII, and was hesitant to do the love scene with Donna Reed, but you'd never know it. The scene of Mary and George kissing and embracing while on the phone with "Hee Haw" is beautiful and passionate and sets the stage for the rest of the movie. Nelson says this movie is comparable to "Family Man," but I disagree. This has an almost horror element to it in that George gets to see what the world would be like had he never been born. It's almost like the Angel of Death scene in "A Christmas Carol," where Scrooge is horrified by his own gravesite. Imagine seeing your mom, but she has no idea who you are. Scary. This movie helps me put my problems into perspective - and realize I have so much to be thankful for. Watchability: 5 stars Emotional Appeal: 5 stars
4. "Love Actually" - All the story lines in this movie are interwoven in such a wonderful way that it took me a few times watching it to get it all figured out. It shows love in all forms from young adolescents to newly marrieds to a mature couple facing infidelity. There's only one story line I don't like out of about eight that run through the movie, but the rest of the movie is so good, I'm willing to sit through those few scenes. This movie makes me cry every time: once when Emma Thompson's character realizes her husband has been unfaithful and she sits in her bedroom listening to Joanie Mitchell's song "Both Sides Now." Meanwhile, in the other room, her husband and children sit under the Christmas tree waiting for her to return, unaware that anything is wrong. It's a feeling I can identify with - women who are mothers and wives sometimes have to suppress the pain and keep going for the sake of the family. My heart hurts for her in that scene. The other scene is at the end in the airport when Liam Neeson and his stepson meet up with the little boy's girlfriend and she plants a kiss on the boy's cheek. What's so uplifting is the boy's faith in love. He believes, and so do I. W: 5 stars E.A.: 5+ stars
3. "Sex and the City" - These are my girls, whose lives I have followed since the beginning of the series. In my mind, I have sat at breakfast with them gossiping, and I have been out on the town with them drinking cosmos. They're my fantasy of what girlfriends should be. This movie has all the payoff I was looking for: I got to see how everything turned out for all four women. The joy and the pain in the scenes is so real, I felt like it was happening to me. When Carrie goes to Mexico and sleeps for days in the condo, I thought, that's exactly what I would have done. It shows that the pain of her breakup was real and that it lasts and it takes time to heal and recover. I cried when Miranda and Steve met on the bridge, I cried when Charlotte told Carrie she was pregnant, I cried when Carrie and Big met in the closet. Jennifer Hudson adds a lot to the mix of sisterhood as Carrie's assistant. Wouldn't mind seeing her again in the next movie. W: 5+ stars E.A.: 5+ stars
2. "Star Wars" trilogy - There are some things that are not all that great in this series: Ewoks, Jar Jar Binks, Hayden Christiansen's acting...but despite these faults, these movies are nearly flawless to me. I love the idea of the Force and that there is something possible for humans besides warfare and hatred. W: 5+ stars E.A.: 5 stars
1. "Lord of the Rings" trilogy - I agree with Nelson, these movies really fit together as one long film and if you've got the gumption, try sitting down and watching them all back to back. To understand the world created in these movies, it's important to have read the books written by J.R.R. Tolkien. He wrote his own Elfish language, drew maps and atlases of locations and worlds, wrote family histories and mapped family trees, and outlined various races and groups of people. Of course a movie would never be able to reveal all of that, especially to a casual watcher, but these three movies come close. Every aspect is perfect: attention to detail, a true adaptation of the books, accuracy, scenery, casting and acting. Special effects are seamless - I never really noticed them, which says a lot. Viggo Mortensen's characterization of Aragorn is perfect - he's the reluctant hero, humble yet fierce, a true leader ready to sacrifice what's needed, and in love with a beautiful, powerful Elfin princess, Arwen. It's Arwen's love, passion and vision that carry Aragorn through the worst battles and moments of self-doubt. I think she is the true heart and soul of these movies. Beautiful, inspiring, and my favorite. W: 5+ stars E.A.: 5+ stars

Counting down 10-6 tonight

Nelson: It gets hard to align these top movies because each one is really a number one for me on some level.
10. "The Matrix" and I don't mean the trilogy, I mean the first movie of the trilogy, it was far and away the best one I felt. I could lump them together because really I like to watch them all and own them all, but the first one was my favorite. I enjoyed the religious theme running through this movie in that Neo was like Jesus in the future matrix world, and he was sacrificed for the good of all men. Great special effects. 5 stars
9. "Animal House" This movie will always hold a dear place in the hearts of all the kids who went on the basketball trip to Lousville and somehow the chaperones got the idea that it would be ok to take us to this movie, what a mistake on their parts, but at least I got to see the best movie I had ever seen up to that point of my life. I think I was in 10 th grade, and this movie was AWESOME!!!!! Perfect cast, perfect story, perfect everything. As Randy Jackson would say 5 bajillion stars.
8. "Star Wars" Here I will take the latitude of lumping the entire 6 movies of "Star Wars" together, although I feel the first one (in its time) was the best of all of them. Again, perfect cast, perfect story and just very well done. This movie made sci-fi as a genre cool for me. Luckily our kids love these movies as well and we watch them as a family often. 5 bajillion stars.
7. "Love Actually" I recommend this movie a lot to people, and many say they have never heard of it. If you have not watched this movie you have missed a treat, it is smart and funny and poignant. It tells a story of lives that are interwoven, and how love can be , and should be. We cannot watch this movie with our children, there is nudity and sexuality in it, so it is not for kids, but Pam and I watch this movie several times a year, I cry at certain parts every single time. This movie also has some very good music in it. I recommend this move (once again as Randy Jackson would say) 100 bajillion percent. 5+ stars.
6. "Family Man" This is a modern telling of "It's a Wonderful Life" where Nicholas Cage's character gets a glimpse of what his life may have been like if he had made one different choice in his past. He goes to sleep in his penthouse apartment, one of the richest and most successful merger men on the planet, and wakes up with a family and financial struggles, real life. I also recommend this movie early and often, if you have not seen it, you are missing out on a great one. 5+ stars

Pam:
10. "Bourne Trilogy" - I am including all three together, even though I liked the first one best. I never would have thought Matt Damon would fit the role of action hero, but he is a BAD ASS in these movies. The idea that he has all these skills, but can't remember his identity is fascinating - it's like he just keeps surprising even himself. I like Franka Potente as his girlfriend - she's both vulnerable and a source of strength for him. W: 5 stars E.A.: 4.5 stars
9. "Ironman" - This movie totally surprised me. Just like Matt Damon, I would never have cast Robert Downey, Jr. as an action hero, but he delivered. The special effects in this movie were dynamite - I love the detail and engineering the designers put into the Ironman suit - really great. Story plays out a little weak at the end, but who cares? It's Ironman. W: 5 stars E.A.: 4 stars
8. "Family Man" - I've already reviewed this movie on this blogsite, so I won't say much more here other than this is a family favorite. Something I didn't mention before - I love Jeremy Piven in the role of Nick Cage's friend in his "glimpse" of life in the suburbs. Through his best friend's eyes, he gets to see what kind of person he could have become. The love story is simple and sweet, and I almost always cry at the end when he realizes the life he loves is really just a dream. W: 5 stars E.A.: 4.5 stars
7. "Avatar" - Very rarely will a movie leave me speechless, but this one did. Nelson and I saw it in 3-D when it first came out, then we immediately took the kids. The scenery, the story, the special effects, the imagery were so beyond anything I had ever seen before that I couldn't find words to describe it, so the kids had to see it. The social message is good, but it does kindof hit you over the head. W: 4.5 stars E.A.: 4.75 stars
6. "Gone With the Wind" - As a child, I was convinced that I was really a southern belle who had found herself somehow mistakenly trapped in modern day times. I remember thinking, where is my nanny? My cook? I should have somebody here taking care of me. I longed to walk along magnolia-lined lanes leading up to my plantation home, or sip lemonade while lounging on a wide porch in the shade. This movie fulfills all my childhood fantasies of the old south, along with exposing the harsh realities of slavery and war. Is it realistic? No, but I love it. Will I ever understand Scarlett and her obsession with Ashley? No, but I still love her. The movie has held up over the last 70 years, and that's a mark of a classic. W: 4.5 stars E.A.: 4 stars

Ok, 15 - 11 counting on down

Nelson: I was told I am counting down the wrong way so tonight I will try to do it right 15 - 11.
15. "Elf" I am like a broken record on these top movies of mine, but once again: perfect cast, perfect story, perfectly acted and perfectly directed. This is one of the few Will Ferrell movies that is not over the top, we watched this movie about 6 times before Christmas, the funny thing is we watch in dead summer too. From here on they, to me, are all 5 stars!!!!
14. "Batman Begins" Had been waiting for a long time for someone to get the Batman story right, and this movie did it. The Batman movies from the 90's were good entertainment, but really good movies, this Batman movie was a GREAT movie. I really find myself just entranced by how Batman trained and what drove him to be who he had to be, Christian Bale IS BATMAN! 5 stars
13. "IRONMAN" Who knew at the time just how Robert Downey JR would do carrying a movie, he was coming off some pretty bad problems, he proved he could bounce back and be a star. This movie was great, great special effects, great acting, cast, directing... Jon Favreau told this story like a master from behind the lens. I was left wanting more and it was not a short movie, thank goodness the second one is coming out the spring, none to soon, if it is good.
12. "Goodfellas" A masterpiece of storytelling, and it is a true story. I watch this movie as often as possible, and thoroughly enjoy it EVERYTIME!!!! 5 stars
11. "The Hangover" This movie almost made my top 10, and I have only seen it once, I do not yet own it, but will some day. This is a laugh out loud movie and very entertaining. I loved how the story was told, it worked so well. Great cast and story. 5 stars

Pam:
15. "Sense and Sensibility" - Emma Thompson won best adapted screenplay for this movie, and it shows. The story, by Jane Austen, is intricate and prolonged, but that's what gives the movie the beautiful payoff at the end for Elinor Dashwood and her Edward. Directed by Ang Lee, the views of the English countryside are sumptuous. The performances are subtle and interesting, especially the Colonel, who pursues Elinor's free-spirited younger sister played by Kate Winslet. Watchability: 4.5 stars Emotional Appeal: 4.5 stars
14. "The Godfather" - I was six when this movie came out in 1972, and growing up, I never watched it. Nelson and I bought the box set and watched it together a couple of years ago. I haven't seen it over and over again, and I can't quote lines from it like some people can, but I did appreciate the beauty of the film. It is a classic. W: 4 stars E.A.: 4 stars
13. "Under the Tuscan Sun" - This movie follows Diane Lane into the next phase of life after a miserable divorce. Normally uptight, she throws caution to the wind, travels to Italy, and buys a villa. What I love about Diane Lane is that she is so refreshingly normal - she makes mistakes, she is hopeless, hopeful, devasted and rejuvenated all at the same time. I love watching her grow through the pain of her divorce into a woman who is master of her life. W: 4.5 stars E.A.: 4.5 stars
12. "Star Trek" - I jumped on the Star Trek train with Jean-Luc Picard and the Star Trek: The Next Generation shows back in the early 90's, so I don't have the kind of lineage all the way back to the original show that hardcore trekkies have, but I do love this franchise. This movie opened with a thrilling and emotional sequence that had me in tears before the movie ever really kicked in - I knew then I was hooked. The casting was brilliant in this movie from Kirk, to Bones, to Scotty. The only unbelievable thing was the romance between Spock and Uhura (huh??) but it wasn't a big story line and I ignored it. I also didn't believe that Kirk as a punk, renegade Academy student could get promoted within a few weeks (days?) to captain, but whatever. He's Kirk, right? W: 4.75 stars E.A.: 4.5 stars
11. "Groundhog Day" - If I could summarize my view of the world, of religion, and our purpose on Earth, it would be this movie. Yes, that's a bold statement, but hear me out. The only way Phil could break the cycle of living the same day over and over again was to become a better person. I always think of Phil's days as lifetimes for humans - it takes us lifetimes to perfect being human - going through stages of denial, grandiosity, manipulation, and rebellion. When Phil realizes he's on Earth to serve others and to self-actualize, he finally "gets it." I love toying with the philosophical and spiritual implications this movie offers. W: 4.5 stars E.A.: 4 stars

The top 20 starting with 20 - 16

Nelson:
16. "The Cowboys" John Wayne, the MAN. This has always and always will be my favorite John Wayne movie. The kids in the movie were all cast perfectly, in fact the entire cast was perfect, and the story was well written and acted. A lot of John Wayne movies get a little goofy at some point in the movie with some long drawn out fist fight set to riduculous music that is supposed to be funny, not in this movie. This story is shot straight and nothing is done over the top. I just got this one at Christmas and the kids and I have watched 3 or 4 times, we love it. 5 stars
17. "Unbreakable" M. Knight Shamalan's first movie, and Bruce Willis as an everyman super hero, does it get any better than that. The ONLY disappointing thing about this movie is that Bruce Willis' character could have run for a few sequels, I just wanted MORE of this new super hero, unfortunately only one movie. I love a movie where the bad guy gets what he deserves if the movie is believable and this one was. We own this one as well, and I enjoy it everytime I watch it. 5 stars
18. "Terminator" I will not lump this in withthe other 2 sequels, this movie was the best of the 3 by far and stands alone as a great movie. I have enjoyed it I'm sure over 30 times, at the time the special effects were tops, now they are a little dated, but I look forward to watching in the future. 5 stars
19. "Gladiator" Russell Crowe as a gladiator in Rome, does it get any better than that? I guess there are 18 movies better, but once you get up in this area, they are all great for me. We own this one and I have watched it several times and enjoy it over and over. Again, you may see a theme with me, the bad guy getting his due. I rate this one 5 stars as well.
20. "Black Hawk Down" This movie is on regular tv often, I do not own it, but I watch it whenever I find it on. It is much better uncut with no commercials, and I keep hoping one Father's Day to get it, maybe this year? I actually got to meet the helicopter pilot Mr. Durrant, he spoke at my sister's nursing graduation, he went through hell. Those Mogadishu bad guys swarmed like rats and interspersed themselves with the general population so the soldiers couldn't deal with them in a normal fashion. Whole new kind of warfare developed, door to door search and destroy, the kind I assume we are forced to use in Iraq and Afghanistan today. If you haven't seen it, it is worth seeing just be ready for some violence, a lot of emotions are stirred up when I watch it. 5 stars.

Pam:
20. "Casino Royale" - This is the version with Daniel Craig. Pierce Brosnan has always been one of my favorite Bonds because of his finesse and polish, but Craig brings a roughness and a rawness to the role that brings out a whole new dimension to the character. The storyline is interesting, especially the poker game. The appearance of the American agent, Felix Leiter, at the gambling table always pleases me - he's a cool customer. Watchability: 4.25 stars Emotional Appeal: 4 stars
19. "Parent Trap" & "Freaky Friday" - This is a Lindsey Lohan double feature at our house that I could watch over and over again. Whatever happened to that sweet little girl that could act? Oh well... I guess I love these movies because of the nostalgia factor, but they are both really good movies and well acted. I cry every time in "Parent Trap" when Jessie, the housekeeper, realizes she's cooking dinner for Annie, the long lost twin of Halley. The rehearsal dinner scene in "Freaky Friday" where Jamie Lee Curtis (with her daughter's spirit inside her) is toasting her future husband (really her stepfather) is heartfelt and makes me cry every time. W: 4.5 stars E.A.: 4.5 stars
18. Any Pixar animated short or film - We love them all and have them all. I went to see the original "Toy Story" in the theatre all by myself and loved it. The kids and I have watched and loved them all since then. W: 4 stars E.A.: 4 stars
17. "Michael Clayton" - This movie didn't get much publicity and didn't make a big splash, but I really liked it. George Clooney plays the title character and just nails it. He's a "fixer" for a law firm where one of the partners has actually decided to tell the truth about a chemical company the firm is representing. The firm has assumed the partner is having a breakdown, so Clayton has to "fix" the damage done. The problem arises, though, when Clayton realizes there's much more to the story. How he works his way out of the quagmire is fascinating. W: 4 stars E.A.: 4.25 stars
16. "Shakespeare in Love" - I absolutely love historical movies (as Nelson says, put a costume on 'em and have 'em speak in a British accent, and she'll love it...) and Shakespeare. This movie fulfills lots of fantasies of who Shakespeare was and who might have been his muse. The dialogue is a treat - see how many references you can find to other Shakespeare plays. Loads of fun and beautiful to watch. W: 4.5 stars E.A.: 4 stars

Ok 21 - 25

Nelson: Tonight is 21 - 25, then tomorrow we will be into the top 20 for us.
21. "Caddyshack" - This is a classic comedy and came out when I was in High School. The cast is superb, and the comedy is top notch, top notch. Caddyshack II was terrible but this one was great. I loved Rodney Dangerfield, and Chevy Chase and can watch this movie over and over. 4.5 stars
22. "The Godfather II" - This one, the prequel/part two was a great movie, not as good as number one in my opinion however. I liked seeing The Don's rise to the top and how his family was started and grew, and also to see Michael's assention tot he top, but number 1 will always be better to me. 4.5 stars
23. "Ocean's 11" - The cast is great, the story was too, but the acting beat both of those. The story based loosely on the first Ocean's 11 was much more stylized and well put together. 4.5 stars
24. "School of Rock" - Loved Jack Black and his interaction with the kids. I enjoy this movie over and over again and we watch it with the kids monthly. The song at the end is phenomenal, I just love it all. 4.5 stars
25. "It's a Wonderful Life" - I'll probably catch hell for this not being higher but it really is a personal and family favorite, however if I were to go into a bomb shelter with only 20 movies I might not choose it, makes me cry everytime. However the story is worth watching and timeless, but I have a newer variation I personnally like better. 4.5 stars

Pam:
25. "Once" - This movie snuck up on me - I wasn't sold on it at the beginning, but the longer I watched it the more enchanted I became. There are no big names in this movie, just beautiful music, subtle, natural acting and a lovely story. W: 3.5 stars E.A.: 4.25 stars
24. "Blue," "White," "Red" Trilogy - I'm going to cheat from here on out by grouping movies into trilogies and series - sorry, but there's just too much to include in a list of 35, plus the movies work together in themes and storylines, such as these. If you watch them in order, you will see glimpses of characters from other stories. For example, in one scene at a courthouse, you see a woman in the background from another movie walking in for a court appearance in a different courtroom. Cool stuff like that. Each film has a theme that corresponds to the colors of the French flag, plus the color palette of each movie matches its title. Of the three, "Blue" is my favorite. It stars Juliette Binoche as the wife of a famous composer who hides one of his darkest secrets. W: 4.25 stars E.A.: 4 stars
23. "John Adams" - Okay, I'm cheating again. This was a series on HBO, but I watched it on DVD as a movie, so that's the way I'm going to review it. I love historical movies, especially ones as authentic as this one. There is no need to overdramatize the story of Revolutionary America - it's one of the most amazing stories of mens' (and womens' - thank you, Abigail Adams) ideas manifesting themselves into a new nation ever told. Absolutely thrilling - I cried in the scene where the representatives from the colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. I felt their fear as they participated in this act of high treason, and yet they did it because it was right. W: 4 stars E.A.: 5 stars
22. "A Walk on the Moon" - Another Diane Lane movie, who stars along with one of my all-time favorite actors, Viggo Mortensen. It's set in the summer of 1969 at a family campsite. Lane is a housewife camping with her husband and children who meets Viggo, a hippie who's passing through. Do I agree with her infidelity? No, but that's not the point. This movie is exploring women's liberation on a very personal level at a time when it was socially unacceptable. I love Diane Lane in this movie - watch how her hair and clothes change as the movie progresses - she blossoms. W: 4 stars E.A.: 4.25 stars
21. "Eastern Promises" - This one stars Viggo Mortensen as a Russian mobster who encounters Naomi Watts. This one had me hooked until the end - I couldn't figure it out and I loved that. Beautiful, quiet movie that made me think. W: 4 stars E.A.: 4.25 stars

Top 26 -30

Nelson:
30. "Christmas Vacation" - I typically watch this movie a few times around Christmas and I still laugh out loud throughout the movie. The casting of this movie is spot on for every character and this is one of the best National Lampoon movies. 3.5 stars
29. "Good Will Hunting" - I do not own this movie but wish I did because this movie really gets to me, I have an emotional reaction whenever I watch it. I haven't seen it without commercials and uncut in years, but maybe someone will get it for me one day for Father's Day or something. 4 stars
28. "North Dallas 40" - For me the most realistic true sports movie ever made, the only thing I critisize it for is I wish it had more actual football action. I watch this movie every year after the football season, I love the dialogue between the palyers and coaches, really hits home as true. 4 stars
27. "Field of Dreams" - This movie makes me cry like a baby at the end when he gets to interact with his dad, he gets a second chance. The really sad part is that my dad is still here and we don't take the time to know each other very well. the emotions just really overtake me with this movie. 4.25 stars
26. "Finding Neverland" - Here is another movie that really touches me on an emotional level. The movie portrays the inspiration the author of Peter Pan may have had, the family he interacts with moves him to another level in writing that classic tale of a boy who never grows up. 4.25 stars

Pam:
30. "A Little Romance" - This came out in 1979 and was Diane Lane's first movie. I remember watching this movie when I was a young girl of 13 and loving the whole romantic notion of Diane, an American, falling in love with a French boy. Laurence Olivier was in this movie also, sort of an instigator/go-between for the young lovers. Sweet movie. Watchability: 3.5 stars Emotional Appeal: 3.5 stars
29. "Batman Begins" - This movie shows a realistic beginning and explanation for all of Batman's seemingly superhuman abilities, plus I really like Christian Bale - too bad he's such a jerk in real life. W: 3.5 stars E.A.: 3 stars
28. "School of Rock" - Jack Black is just hilarious in this movie - only he could deliver some of the lines in this movie and have it be funny. I loved the fish-out-of-water storyline, especially since I'm a teacher. The language is a little questionable (some of the kids say "ass" repeatedly) but we watch it with our kids and we love it. W: 4 stars E.A.: 3 stars
27. "Elf" - Will Farrell carries this movie completely - he strikes just the right chord of innocence and silliness so that Buddy the Elf is not over-the-top, but actually believable. Zoey Deschenel is great as his love interest. She's jaded enough to be realistic, but is won over by Buddy's exhuberence. She also sings beautifully. The scene in the department store of Buddy decorating is fun. I also loved the "Lord of the Rings" reference toward the end of the movie, when Santa's sleigh is stranded in the park, and the horseback police are pursuing him. Hilarious. W: 4 stars E.A.: 3.5 stars
26. "Transformers" - I was never a Transformers fan as a kid, but the movie was fantastic. I liked Shia LaBoeuf in this role trying to win the heart of Megan Fox. His car, Bumblebee, becomes a beloved character in the movie, and I was upset when Bumblebee got hurt at the end. Probably the best part was watching the vehicles transforming - great special effects. W: 4 stars E.A.: 3.5 stars

TOP 35 STARTS TONIGHT !!!!

Pam and Nelson: We've been asked by a couple of friends what our top movies are. Pam and I have made our lists based on a couple of criteria: watchability and emotional appeal. Watchability means being able to watch the movie and it never gets old. If it was playing on TV, we'd watch it; if there was nothing on TV, we'd rent it or get it off our shelf. Emotional appeal means we like the way the movie makes us feel when we watch it. We'll each give you five a night over the next week.


Nelson: So, here we go: I will be listing my 35 - 31 movies tonight.
At number 35 I have "The Cheyenne Social Club." This was a good western that starred Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda. I just remember seeing this movie early in life and always liked it. This one gets 3 stars.
34. "Open Range" Pam really gives me a hard time about this movie, but I like it for several different reasons. I enjoy the cowboy part of it and the scenery, but what really gets me about this movie is the idea of someone standing up to a bully. If you haven't seen it check it out, 3 stars.
33. "Midnight Run" This movie has 2 heavyweights in Charles Grodin and Robert Deniro playing in really believable comedic characterisations. I have always liked this movie and watch it several times a year. When Grodin gets going at Deniro it is so funny, 3.5 stars.
32. "Jaws" Need I say more? Everyone has seen it and after I saw it I was afraid to even swim in a lake. I enjoy the banter on the boat and at the time that shark looked so real, now it looks so fake, but oh well. I give this one 3.5 stars as well.
31. "Transformers" I enjoyed this one because it had a lot of great special effects and we have enjoyed this one with our kids. This one is on our shelf along with "Midnight Run" and it gets 3.5 stars as well.
Five more tomorrow.

Pam: At number 35 I have "Unbreakable." I liked the idea of a superhero secretly taking out the bad guys with an arch enemy being his exact opposite in strength and ability. I would have liked to have seen a series of movies with Bruce Willis. Watchability: 3 stars Emotional appeal: 3 stars

34. "Inglorious Basterds" I really liked Brad Pitt in this movie. Lots of suspense and a fictional ending that will make you cheer. Watchability: 3 stars Emotional appeal: 3 stars .

33. "The Matrix" When this movie came out, I had never seen a movie that dealt with such a different idea as this - very metaphysical and it made me think about my perception of reality as a human. W: 2.5 stars E.A.: 3 stars (I liked the oracle)

32. "The Hangover" Just plain funny - these are the guys you want to hang out with. W: 3 stars E.A.: 3 stars

31. "The Sound of Music" A classic that can't be denied - I always cry as Maria walks down the aisle. The girls love this one, especially Ellie. W: 4 stars E.A.: 3.5 stars

"Management"

Nelson: I wasn't too sure about this movie. I like Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston, so I went in expecting to like it. I did like this movie, however I had some problems with believing there could actually be a situation where Jennifer Aniston would be attracted to a guy working in a hotel, but Steve Zahn was so good as a love struck guy I ended up rooting for him. You have to suspend your ideas that she would never do that, and the fault there is in the casting. Jennifer Aniston is not believable as someone who is not attractive and therefore has not had to deal with guys being attracted to her. This character would be much more believable played by someone else, but if you can get over that hurdle then this is a really good movie. It is just a story about how their lives intersect and work out over about a year or so. There are no explosions, no hostages, no police chases, just a simple story that was worth watching. I was waiting for a payoff at the end, and got it; although .... I almost gave something away. At the end, whose hand should that have been, watch it and see if you agree with me (his). I recommend this movie and give it 3.5 stars.

Pam: Jennifer Aniston co-produced this movie and I guess she wanted to star in it, but like Nelson said, it really was miscasting. The first time Aniston and Zahn get together would be much more believable if she had been a little more homely and a little more overweight - in other words, not quite so attractive. It's difficult to believe someone as cute as her would be desperate enough to go after Zahn in the laundry room of his motel. If you can make it through the first 20-30 minutes, you'll be rewarded with a believable, satisfying ending. I'll give it 3 stars.

"Couples Retreat"

Nelson: I was really looking forward to watching this movie having seen all the commercials for it over the past few months. I am a fan of most of the cast from this movie. I was not disappointed, this is a laugh out loud movie in several scenes. Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau work really well together and Faizon Love is one of their boys as well. The couples seemed convincing and the humor was real life. Vince Vaughn is at his best when he has his one-liners as commentary on what is going on around him. The last 30 minutes or so seemed rushed, like the movie was ready to be finished and wrap everything up. If you want to laugh, this is the movie for you. I would definitely highly recommend this movie. The story goes like this, a couple is having trouble in their marriage and arrange for a 4 couple retreat in Eden, an island paradise. They go in thinking the couples workshop is optional, but soon find out that it is mandatory. All 4 couples work through their issues in counseling, resulting in some funny scenes. I would give this movie 4 stars.

Pam: The one thing that appealed to me about this movie was that the humor was based in reality. If you're married, divorced, have kids, or are trying to have kids, you will be able to identify with the scenarios and dialogue among the couples. What happens a lot is that writers don't rely on the inherent humor of comical family situations - they try to put couples in wild, over-the-top situations to force "comedy." I was really afraid this was going to happen in this movie - I had visions of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," but was pleasantly surprised to find the humor gentle and close to home. I especially liked Justin Bateman's character, who I felt at times was channeling my inner control freak that I try to keep in check (at least most of the time). Great movie - I laughed out loud - I highly recommend it. 4 stars.

"The Taking of Pelham 123"

Nelson: Pam was unable to watch this movie with me and I couldn't wait any longer to watch something to blog for ya'll, so here we go. This movie has big stars in it, John Travolta and Denzel Washington, along with other big names in back up roles, but I didn't find much new here. There is some stylized quick camera shots in the first half of the movie, but basically it's the same old movie we've all seen before. Kidnappers take hostages and demand a ransom, there is another background ripoff going on as well but I was not particularly impressed with this movie. As I said, I had already seen this play out in other better movies through the years. I would not say it is a bad movie, but I cannot really recommend it either; if it is all that is left at the blockbuster then you might try it out, but don't expect to be wowed. I would give this movie 1.5 stars.

"This Is It"

NELSON: "This Is It" was a very good tribute to the music Michael Jackson gave to all of his fans. Unfortunately his untimely death took him away from his fans before his "last curtain call" as he said. This was to be his final concert tour although now we will never know. What you get to see are weeks of film shot of rehearsals for the upcoming tour which was to begin just days after he was lost. I myself was a huge fan of his, and even got to see him live at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN in 1978. I had pushed my way down with a buddy of mine and we were only about 10 people deep from the stage. What a show and what a showman he was. He was there as Michael Jackson and The Jacksons, which included his brothers who also performed that night. His legal troubles caused me to sort of pidgeon hole Michael into a category other than musical genius, and I often wondered what was going through his mind with all the cosmetic surgeries and the whitening of his skin; my kids sometimes don't believe the young Michael and the later Michael are the same person. Ellie tonight said she liked young Michael better. This movie is very good, but I would have liked to see him perform live, even if they had recorded the final concert. We'll not have that chance, so this is as close as we will get. He looks really good, no signs of health problems at all. I will recommend this film to anyone who ever enjoyed Michael Jackson's gift of entertainment; he was a musical genius and a wonderful dancer. I give this movie 3.5 stars.

Pam: This is a cross between a documentary and a concert movie showing MJ in rehearsals with his band and dancers. He is a legend and knows his music and the type of show he wanted to give to fans and that really comes through in this film. With someone as iconic as MJ, it's ridiculous to think we know even a little of what he was like in real life, but there was one scene that was revealing. Michael's earpiece wasn't working properly and he stopped the rehearsal and made a comment that it sounded like someone was pushing a fist into his eardrum, then quickly followed that with the statement, "I say that with love, with l-o-v-e." It was interesting, because for a second, I got a sense of who he really was as a person. A glimpse of the "real" rather than the performer or the superstar. I am an old school MJ fan - I don't like most anything he did after Thriller - even Thriller was a little too commercial for me. I did enjoy seeing this footage, although I kept getting the urge to go to my computer and search YouTube for the clip of him on stage in his white glove doing the moon dance across the floor...ah...the good ol' days. 3 stars.

"The Invention of Lying"

Nelson: "The Invention of Lying" started out as a fun and funny movie, I REALLY wanted to like this movie too, just like the last one we watched, "The Ugly Truth" for many of the same reasons. I like Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner, and it was an all star cast but once I got into the movie I realized something that was either intended or not about the premise and it bothered me a bit. You see, in the world the characters in this movie live in, no one is able to lie and therefore anything that is said is considered the gospel truth, PUN INTENDED because in their world no one had written "The Bible" and there was no concept of an afterlife, or any religion and that was a large hurdle for me. Ricky Gervais is the first man to be able to lie and he really enjoys his new found ability and even tells of a man in the sky who is the ultimate creator and how the afterlife will be great because we spend eternity with our loved ones in mansions, but why would a liar have to be the one to consider these possibilities? There were some very funny scenes where people tell the truth about what they are thinking and what they are or have been doing, but the whole religion thing was a problem for me, and I am not a religious fanatic but I do believe in heaven and hell and that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and my faith tells me that that is not a lie, nor is it made up. If they had not made the fact that there was no religion in a no lying world, I probably would have enjoyed this movie more and maybe I am making more of it than I should, but since this blog is my opinion, then I have given it. I give it 1.5 stars for being an ingenious concept and funny, but I would not recommend this movie.

Pam: It's a funny premise: everyone tells the absolute truth and no one thinks to question anything you say because they don't understand the concept of lying. It creates some pretty funny scenes between a couple on a first date (what if people said what they were really thinking rather than trying to be nice and polite?), and an inept boss and his secretary (wouldn't you love to say all those things you're thinking, but can't say out loud?)But along with no lying, screenplay co-writer Gervais has also created a world with no imagination, no creativity, and no religion. Wait a minute, what's the message here? Does that mean that religion is based on a lie? Once the movie crosses over into this territory, its purpose becomes a little fuzzy. Is it still a comedy? Is it social satire? Is it a comment on people's gullibility to believe anything told to them by hypocritical priests or ministers? Is it a comment on how the screenwriter thinks religion was really founded, by someone making up a fantastical story? Once the movie lost its focus, I lost interest. If you're willing to endure the commentary on religion, there are some funny scenes, but overall, I would not recommend this movie. 1.5 stars

The Ugly Truth

Nelson: Well, "The Ugly Truth". I really wanted to like this movie, I like Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler but it only had a few funny moments in it. Of course those two end up together after starting out hating each other. But it was somewhat enjoyable watching them interact. I guess I didn't hate it, but I really wouldn't recommend it, I give it 1.5 stars.

Pam: This movie was terrible. Like Nelson, I really wanted to like this movie, but there's not much in it that's likable. After the first 29 minutes, I got up and told Nelson I wasn't going to watch any more, but I got drawn back in by a little witty dialogue between Heigl and Butler. Unfortunately, it dissolved into such silliness and improbability that I just couldn't suspend disbelief long enough to go along with the plot any further. I did finish the movie, but I wish I hadn't. I give it 1 star.

The Hurt Locker

Nelson: This movie is a look into the lives of an EOD Unit in Iraq. You get an inside look at how life in a high adrenaline job in Iraq really is. Very Realistic portayal. Not a really entertaining movie but I liked it. The best Iraqi War movie so far, best war movie since "Saving Private Ryan" but in a totally differnt way. "Saving Private Ryan" was a movie with a story, "The Hurt Locker" has no real entertaining story just a realistic look at the Iraqi War through those characters' experience together doing their jobs. I would give it 3 stars.

Pam: The feeling I got for the American soldiers in parts of this movie reminds me a lot of how I felt watching "Blackhawk Down." The soldiers are at the mercy of natives who obstruct their efforts to protect them. I kept asking "why? I just don't understand." Can you imagine how the soldiers feel who must face this every day for months, sometimes years at a time? How futile their jobs must seem?

The image of the general in charge of security on Pandora in the movie "Avatar" sprang to mind warning the soldiers about the natives and expressing his fervant hatred and mistrust of them. I, as an American, don't want to invision soldiers hating the natives they are trying to protect, but damn, when I see a movie like this, I'm thinking, hand me the gun and I will shoot the guy myself. That's the mark of a good movie, though, to get me emotionally involved at that level. It's powerful, intense and won't bring a smile to your face, but it'll get you thinking. I recommend it. 3.5 stars

"YEAR ONE"

Nelson: Well we watched "Year One" tonight. It has several of our favorite stars in it and we were not sure what to expect. It had several laugh out loud moments, but the time line for history is way off and the story was nonsensical. As I said I did laugh out loud several times but I find that I cannot really recommend this movie unless you just want to blow an hour and a half and have a couple of laughs. I do not plan to watch the movie again but am glad I did. I would give it 1.5 stars.

Pam: I don't think the intention was for the timeline to be historically accurate; I think the writers wanted to play with different scenarios and ancient beliefs. Our silly and inept hunter/gatherers (Jack Black and Michael Cera) are thrown out of the tribe and head off to the "end of the world." They soon discover there is no end of the world, but a thriving, populated world just over the nearest mountain. They encounter Cain and Abel, Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham expounding on the virtues of circumcision, and Abraham denouncing the evils of Sodom. There's also Roman soldiers, slaves, evil kings, and incompetent high priests. There's some crude humor, debauchery (they do visit Sodom) and the quest to lose virginity, so I would say even though it's rated PG-13, it's not suitable for young kids, unless you're ready to explain circumcision. I agree with Nelson: 1.5 stars

Way Back Wednesday

Nelson: As posted on Facebook couple of days ago, we have "Year One" but we will probably not get to that until tomorrow or Friday. So I thought maybe I'd suggest a movie we both liked but saw some time ago. If you haven't seen "Family Man" you have missed a great, underappreciated movie. It is like a modern day "It's a Wonderful Life" where Nicholas Cage's character gets a "glimpse" of how his life may have been different if he had made a different choice in his past. We watch this movie a couple of times a year, and yes we own it. We'll get "Year One" done shortly. Thanks.

Pam: Not really looking forward to Year One. I'll probably laugh at Jack Black, though, because I'll be thinking about how funny he was in School of Rock, one of our family favorites. Michael Cera's schtick gets a little old pretty quick, but I don't know, maybe it'll play off Jack Black's outrageousness - who knows? Anyway, as for Nelson's Way Back Wednesday pick, I'll have to agree, it's definitely one to own. I can identify with Tea Leoni's character in both worlds - the real one, and the "glimpsed" one. In the real world, she's a dynamic, independent business woman with a lot on her plate and loving it with no need for a male counterpart in her life. Makes me wonder sometimes what my life would have been like had I not gotten married and had children - would I have been that successful or happy? Doubt it. In the "glimpse," she's got two small kids, lives in the suburbs, works as a non-profit lawyer, sometimes cleans the house and eats large pieces of chocolate cake at 10:00 p.m. while trying to balance the checkbook. I can relate! I've always liked Nick Cage, even in his bad movies, but in this one he's particularly engaging as a crass unemotional corporate shark who doesn't even realize there's anything missing in his life until he gets a "glimpse" of what things might have been like if he hadn't left his old girlfriend standing in that airport all alone. A really good one to watch around Christmas.