I know you’re all thinking that today’s blog is going to be about me reviewing all the new movies I’ve seen over the holidays, but the truth is, I didn’t see any of the new movies that hit the theaters in December. There were many I wanted to see, and I still do, and I’m hoping that January will give me the chance to get out and see those movies!
Today’s blog is actually all about YOU reviewing any of the movies you saw in December. I’m going to list the movies that I really wanted to go and see, and if you’ve had the chance to see it, I’d really like to hear what you thought of the movie, and rate it, so I can decide which movie I want to see the most. I’m sure others would enjoy hearing what you have to say about the movies, too!
As a rating system, you can use the heart Icon :heart1:, giving the movie a rating of one heart to four hearts, depending on how much you enjoyed the movie (four being you LOVED it!)
1) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. The film tells a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.
MY COMMENTS: I’m a Brad Pitt fan. I just can’t help myself. I usually really enjoy his movies and this one seems so intriguing. But, judging by the previews I’ve seen, the movie has the potential to be “slow moving” — and that’s okay, so long as it’s worth sitting through. Let me know what you thought of the movie!
2. Yes Man: Jim Carrey stars as Carl Allen, a guy whose life is going nowhere—the operative word being “no”—until he signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant: say yes to everything…and anything. Unleashing the power of “YES” begins to transform Carl’s life in amazing and unexpected ways, getting him promoted at work and opening the door to a new romance. But his willingness to embrace every opportunity might just become too much of a good thing.
MY COMMENTS: I love Jim Carrey. He’s usually pretty funny, and the trailer for this one had me laughing out loud. But is it really that funny? It also looks a lot like the LIAR, LIAR movie he did, and if that’s the case, I can wait for it to come out in video.
3. Valkyrie: A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler’s own emergency plan – known as Operation Valkyrie – these men plot to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government from the inside. With everything in place, with the future of the world, the fate of millions and the lives of his wife and children hanging in the balance, von Stauffenberg is thrust from being one of many who oppose Hitler to the one who must kill Hitler himself.
MY COMMENTS: The trailer for this movie looks really good, and I enjoy Tom Cruise as an actor. But is it as good as it looks?
4. Seven Pounds: The emotional story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers, starring Will Smith.
MY COMMENTS: Again, the previews look good and fascinating, but I’m not wholly convinced. I haven’t been able to find a whole lot about this movie, and I hear it has a surprising ending. I’d love to know if this movie is worth seeing.
5. Doubt: It’s 1964, St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is trying to upend the schools’ strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the community, and indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James (Amy Adams), a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without a shard of proof besides her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn which threatens to tear apart the community with irrevocable consequence.
MY COMMENTS: I think any movie with Meryll Streep in it HAS to be good. That woman is an amazing actress. This movie looks good, but it also looks very “dark” in tone. Not necessarily a bad thing if the movie doesn’t drag or is slow.
6. Marley & Me: The Grogans adopt the cute, twelve pound yellow Labrador, who in no time at all, grows into a 100-pound steamroller of unbridled energy that turns the Grogan home into a disaster area.
MY COMMENTS: This movie looks funny and adorable. Is it worth seeing in the theaters, or should I wait and rent it on video?
So, here’s your chance to be a critic. 
Give us your thoughts and ratings on any of the movies you might have seen over the holidays.
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
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I haven’t seen any of these movies, though I do want to see the Brad Pitt movie. Maybe “7 Pounds” though I heard it’s very emotional. I also heard “Yes Man” is very funny. And I want to see “Bride Wars” coming out next weekend.
I did see “Australia” in December and loved it. Almost 3 hours, but well worth it – Hugh! And the little boy who plays Nullah is the most adorable kid.
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Janelle, none are on my list, LOL. My family DID see Seven Pounds. There is a reason there is no info on that movie and the reason is any info will give away the entire movie. Is it worth it? They were profoundly affected. I can’t say it was “I loved it”. You know me, I have the spoilers if you want them, LOL. And as for Marley and Me, I’d never survive watching the ending. Have fun deciding!
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Janelle,
I haven’t seen any of the movies (we tend to wait for them to hit Pay Per View). But I can share what a friend said about Marley & Me:
“liked Marley and Me, but unless you are a huge dog lover, skip this one. Not a great movie.”
Gwen
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The only movie I saw over the Holidays was Quantam of Solace. I think Daniel Craig is a fab James Bond. They have finally taken out the campiness, the glib-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-anything and given his character believeability and depth. He finally feels real. He is definitely a blunt instrument especially in this movie. The only down side is that there is so much action, manic at times–from the very first scene to the end that it was hard–at least for me–to keep up with the plot. Personally I think the first two with Daniel Craig were better.
I am interested in seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button but will wait until it comes out on DVD. I had been interested in Doubt–Meryl Streep is an incredibly gifted actress–but after reading the synopsis I don’t know if I will. I thought it had an historical setting–later than the 60′s. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is fantastic. If you haven’t seen Capote, rent it!
As for the rest I will definitely wait until they come out on DVD. Except for Valkyrie. I’ll probably pass on that one altogether. There are really only a select few movies I will pay full price to see on the big screen.
Have a good day all,
Cher
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I haven’t seen any of the movies listed, but was told the spoiler for Seven pounds. Didn’t know it was the spoiler until I mentioned it in passing to someone else. The last movie I saw in the theater was Twilight, but I normally wait for the dvd. I still want to see Seven Pounds and would love to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but not sure if I’ll make it to the theater.
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I just saw “Australia’ before our latest snow storm (this is so not like this area). I liked it a lot. I would recommend it to someone (not four stars, but 3). My only complaint was that they tried to accomplish too much (ie. too many different storylines and then when you thought they tied it up, they just changed the setting). It reminded me a lot of “Pearl Harbor”, that did that, too. They also could have had less computer generated backgrounds….I did really enjoy it, don’t get me wrong.
My boys and husband liked “Despereux”. I enjoyed “Bedtime Stories” (I do NOT like Adam Sandler and was very happily surpised (3 stars)….I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it.
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Poor Janelle. I hope those commenting later have recommendations. We don’t do movies in theater either. (DH can’t sit for extended periods). We wait for DVD or cable. I’m looking forward to Quantum of Solace and Australia because..uhm…Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman. :love:
I haven’t even talked to anyone whose seen the above movies. One that’s coming out in February that’s tweaked my curiosity is Coraline, an animated film.
Have a great Monday, Jungle buddies. Back to
I’ve given myself ten days (more or less) to finish the first draft of my current WIP.
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My family saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on New Year’s Day and LOVED it. And I have all young adult boys who mostly see action flicks so this was very different for them, but they all really liked it.
The acting is BRILLIANT. The story and characters so real and funny and sad and heartwarming. Wow. If you like Brad Pitt you will like this movie.
I give it :heart1: :heart1: :heart1: :heart1:
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Good afternoon jungle friends and my wonderful plotmonkeys…
Janelle, I haven’t seen any of these movies…I have been in seclusion…sort of…anyway, I would love to see a lot of them…I am not sure about Marley & Me though…
It will be interesting to see what everyone else says…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Sorry, I did not make it to the theater to see any movies over the end of the year frenzy from Hollywood!! “Doubt” looks very dark but with Meryl Streep & Phillip Seymour Hoffman it is probably a good movie. I had no idea the time period was 1964 it looks like the 1800′s! “Australia” looks like a movie to see on the big screen. It was shot on location, I’ve heard that the scenery is spectacular including Hugh Jackman!! Valkyrie looks good, I haven’t heard anyone say much about that one. It all boils down to I’m not much help on this!! It pains me that I haven’t made it to the theater to see any of the shows as I have always been a big movie fan! My movie buddy moved away several years ago & since then I’ve never clicked with anyone else to go much & unfortunately the budget also enters into the decision. Thanks heavens for Netflix!!
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Who had time to see any films during the holidays? Not me! Before Chrisimas
was the mad rush to complete all the tasks so as to be ready for the day! After
was complete collapse in hopes of recovery from the chaos! I’m not sure I would
have seen ony of the batch you listed. Maybe Marley so as to aid Jen in beating
Brad in the box office wars! LOL! Never Pitt or Carrey or Cruise!!!!!!!!!
Pat Cochran
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Hi Janelle the only movie I’ve seen is Marley and Me. I think the trialers were very deceiving if you haven’t read the book. It appears to be a very light hearted comedy. I have read the book so I know how it ended. Despite all of that I LOVED the movie.. if you are a dog lover you can’t stop yourself from loving Marley, a cuddly yellow lab, you loves to run, chew EVERYTHING and hates thunder–which is a problem when you live in Florida. The movie follows Marley growing up and John and Jen Grogan establishing a family. Marleys antics keep the movie light but you will need tissues. :heart1: :heart1: :heart1:
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Haven’t seen any of these movies yet, but plan to go and see ‘Marley and Me’.
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I only saw the remake The Day the Earth Stood Still. I liked it alot and fun to compare to the old one. Of course, Keanu Reeves is icing on the cake.
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Hi Janelle-
I have seen both 7 Pounds and The Curious Case Of Benjamine Button. I enjoyed them both and would reccomend seeing them both.
I did have a few minor problems with the Benjamin Button story. I thought they missed the boat on the aging process. You need to see it and then I will tell you exactly what I mean…it could have been done in a better way IMHO. I have a couple other problems with the story line too but overall the movie was well done and well acted. Brad does an amazing job.
They are both somewhat sad movies so expect to shed a tear ot two.
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Thanks everyone for your comments! I forgot about Quantum and Australia — two more movies I wanted to see! Ahhhh, so many movies, so little time! :giggler
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Janelle I did see Marley & Me and well if I would have known that was going to happen I would have not watched it. Over all :heart1: :heart1: :heart1: Glad I did see it but upset me for a while.
And Seven pounds same way, guess I have problems with movies that make me feel!!! The notebook I cried for days after I seen it, but I would see it again if I needed a good cry.
I do want to see Bride wars hopefully I will get to see it this weekend.
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Valkyrie would have been good if Tom Cruise (with or without eyepatch) had more than one expression. Incensed righteousness is laudable under the right circumstances, but, gad, he didn’t flash that famous smile once in the movie. He probably could have changed the course of history if he had. (Yes, that’s a joke.)