I used to get a lot of joy out of reviewing movies here on this blog.
Now I just get joy out of going to them.
Over my very long holiday break, which I supposed I would spend writing an article, I traveled much, I was very sick, along with the rest of my entire family (biological and chosen), and I used that as my excuse to go see four movies currently playing in movie theaters. This is noteworthy because I have not seen a movie in a movie theater since my child was born. Last Oscars-season sucked for me. I am the sort of person who will go see any movie playing especially if someone else is paying for it. "Romantic" relationships have been sustained for me by spending long times at the movies. Yes, the syntax in that last sentence was creative, and only I know what I meant; my point is, da films are crucial.
Movies I clocked over the break:
The Hobbit
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Quick & totally unnecessary reviews:
Hobbit: seen with BFF 1, enjoyed, stunned that it ended mid-story. If I remember correctly, Tolkein's Hobbit was a relatively short book. I read it in Jr. High School and hated it. Must re-read. Very glad to be teaching Beowulf this term, because thanks to this movie, my students may have greater appreciation for the Anglo-Saxon epic which features many of the same elements: gold-hoarding dragon, women-excluding community of back-slapping/mead-drinking warriors.
Les Mis: seen with BFF 2, lurved, other than Russell-who-can't-Crow and high-warbler Seyfried. My love of productions of this story goes back to the Pantages Theater circa 1989. I have the entire Original London Cast Recording memorized. I have multiple worn-out garments featuring young Cosette's face. I wish I had more critique of this movie version... but that's lurve for you.
Lincoln: I am historically idiotic, but didn't Lincoln outlive two of his sons? I kept measuring this movie against Seth Grahame-Smith's inspired book Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. The movie kind of fell short.
Silver Linings Playbook: unconventional love story that ends conventionally. Sometimes (but not with regard to X-Men) I wish I was Jennifer Lawrence.
3 comments:
1) You totes saw a movie in the theater with Miss M when she was about 2 months old: the final Harry Potter. How could you forget the magic that was mommy-and-me movie going in Bellevue?
2) Beowulf? Do tell. I'm currently teaching Don Quixote. For the third time.
Ha! I neglected to mention the very LOUD Harry Potter movie (putting things in perspective since I was nursing).
You know, I keep hearing my students say (in passing) "I loved Beowulf"...
I do not remember having that reaction back in 1993 or whenever I took the Early Brit Lit Survey at SPU. I start those courses tomorrow, so I will post an update.
Don Quixote????
You know, for someone who loves movies so much, you are much harder on them than I am! Of course, I absolutely refuse to see Silver Linings Playbook even though it stars the unconventional Jennifer and the gorgeous Bradley...because I thought I could not stand the author. whom I thought was Nicholas Sparks. But I have been corrected and will definitely watch on DVD. Because you know how fascinated I am by mental illness.
Maybe you are harder on movies and I am harder on books?
(Miss you)
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