Mud

I liked this movie, but felt like it could have been much better.  Two boys out boating on the Mississippi River find an island and start exploring.  After looking around, they realize there’s someone living on the island – who they later find out is a fugitive named Mud.  After hearing all of Mud’s tales, they wonder if he really is a bad guy - or if it was just circumstances and love that got all tangled up and caused a bad situation?  Should they help him hide from authorities and the bounty hunters after him or turn him in?  And should they help him reunite with the love of his life, who is partially the reason he’s in this situation?  For a movie with a murderer and people after the guy, it felt REALLY SLOW and LONG!!! I liked it OK, but it just never totally grabbed me.  Overall, it really was a story about love and can be viewed on many different levels, for sure!  I think people can let it affect them as much as they allow or want it to.  So yeah, I liked it, but didn't think it was the greatest movie ever. I think it's one of those movies I'll like more the more I think about it, though......

Mud

When I read the reviews on this movie I was very excited.  They said it was “emotional,” “heart tugging,” a “thriller.”  All I thought about it was how lllooonnngggg and sssllloooowww it was!  I didn’t come away from the movie with the same feelings Eric had for it.  You know how sometimes a movie can suck you in – hook line and sinker?  Well this one just sunk – to the bottom.  I just didn’t buy the storyline.  As Eric told you about the plot, for me, there were too many little stories in the big story.  There’s the story of why Mud was hiding out, the story of why he killed the man, the story of his love for his girlfriend, the story of the boys and the one main character, Ellis and his parents having martial issues and his 14 year old crushes which he thinks is love. Is it a love story? Is it a thriller? Is it a coming of age story?  What it is – is too much.  Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s Matthew, maybe we just don’t have a love affair with each other.  But whatever it is – all I can really say about his movie is “eh” no biggie.  You got me to sit through it – but it doesn’t really matter to me if I see it again.

 

The Big Wedding

What do you get when you put really big name actors into a movie with a lackluster story line? Junk!  Ok – maybe I’m being a little hard on this movie but it really wasn’t very good – at times it even reminded me of the American Pie movies for the older generation. Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton play a divorced couple with 2 grown kids and an adopted Portuguese son.  Robert De Niro is shacking up with his girlfriend, Bebe played by Susan Sarandon, who also is the best friend of Diane Keaton.  The family is together because their adopted son is getting married.  But, he didn’t tell his very religious biological mom (who speaks no English) that his adoptive parents aren’t married so they have to pretend to be married for the weekend.  On top of this, the other son is a virgin trying to lose his virginity with the adoptive brother’s sister and the real sister is having a marriage crisis which also results in a father daughter crisis. (not to mention the game of who’s sleeping with who and that includes the neighbors!) Did you get all that?  Many of the jokes fell flat, the language and the sex scenes were like “really” and the whole mood of the film felt so junior high.  There were just a few “heart tug” moments but the whole movie was just lame and I’m glad I didn’t pay money at the theaters for it.

Pain & Gain

I actually watched this one twice because I couldn’t believe it was as bad as it seemed – and I did like it better the second time.  This movie is the true story of some “not too bright” bodybuilders that decide they’re tired of their lives and deserve to live the “American dream” – and instead of working hard, getting an education and working their way up the ladder, they decide it would be a lot easier to just kidnap and steal the wealth of somebody who’s already rich!  I know I shouldn’t have expected much when the infomercial wisdom that gets Mark Wahlberg’s character all pumped up to go through with it is “Don’t be a don’t-er, do be a do-er”…  I’m not really sure what to think of this movie.  It was rude, crude, almost obnoxious and makes light of a very serious crime that actually happened.  You almost feel sorry for the very people committing the crime instead of the victims – and that doesn’t seem right!  If you can suspend all belief of what’s right and wrong, aren’t easily offended and just want something that is actually kind of funny at times, you might like it, but I wouldn’t bet on it!

The Walking Dead Season 3

All you zombie fans have no fear – The Walking Dead Season 3 is now out on DVD!  I have watched this AMC series since the first season and each season gets bigger and “badder” than the last!!  All your favorites continue on their quest for survival  but this season also brings some unexpected deaths of favorite characters that you either love to hate or just loved.  I believe this is still one of the most thrilling series on television.  Rick and his crew continue to struggle with life and death situations and none of characters are the same people they were in the first season.  The writers continue to evolve their characters with deeper emotions and situations that they have no control over.  Never fear, there are still lots of zombies for the eye to behold and as for me - I can’t wait for October to continue my journey with the characters.

 

Tyler Perry’s Temptation

I try to like Tyler Perry’s movies because for the most part – the family oriented ones always have a good message in them.  But they always seem to fall flat for me and this one was no exception.  The story is of a husband and wife, Judith and Brice, who have been married since high school.  They have created a home and a life for themselves and everything seems to be in place as it should be.  But Judith finds her life restless and their marriage a little stale.  In her office one day walks a good looking billionaire, who flashes his smile and seduces her with all the charm, attention and words she’s needing to hear.  This is the start of the temptation and seduction of a married woman.  Tyler Perry’s movies come across very strong in his convictions but almost to the point of shoving it down your throat and I hate to say that – because they are generally, stories of morality.  The message of the movie shows how adultery can hurt a marriage and the sad facts of a broken home.  But it also has some really cheesy lines and at times falters in the acting and the emotions it wants you to feel.  It wasn’t a bad movie but it was just too much clichéd lines and acting that I’ve already seen.

Summertime

It seems like the summertime always brings a down time for new DVDs that come out.  The producers are pumping up the action at the theatres to peak your interest in the latest blockbusters and there are some great summer movies to go see on the big screen.  We are always looking for new things to watch and sometimes – there isn’t much that fits our interest.  But never fear, new items will be coming out by the handful in August and September.  So until the next DVD comes out for us to blog about – keep enjoying your summer!