All Consuming : Cyclone

not her best (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 14:39:00 GMT

by Anita Shreve

This is listed under Virginia Barber but I read a hardcover that was listed as Anita Shreve. Anita Shreve is my favorite author EVER and this book was a huge disappointment. There wasn’t enough character development for me. I thoguht maybe because I was reading it when people were around kept me from properly engaging in the book—but all of her other books suck me in so quickly and thoroughly that normally I don’t notice what’s going on around me. Not so with this book. I didn’t care about Charles or Sian and overall it wasn’t a believable story.

A review of "Over the Hedge" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:21:03 GMT

Over the Hedge

by Karey Kirkpatrick

It was a pretty cute movie. I laughed out loud several times, but I thought some of the things were extreme (the bear saying “I’ll KILL YOU” was pretty creepy, the crazed homeowner lady was creepy, and other things). I hated the focus on junk food being so darn yummy, as it all looked really nasty to me. The portrait they painted of your average American was pretty dead-on, though. I didn’t really see a big message there, as the one that was intended for audiences (don’t lie, stick with your family) wasn’t really strong. Anyway, a cute movie.

A review of "V for Vendetta" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:20:15 GMT

V for Vendetta

by James McTeigue

I went into this movie almost totally blind. The only thing I “briefed” myself with was a quick skim of Ebert’s review. The movie was NOT what I expected but I also enjoyed it for that very reason. I thought at times it was a bit self-indulgent (maybe that’s not even the right term), i.e. where he asks her dance, when she kisses the mask, etc. Except I wanted all of those things to happen and so I was happy that they did, but surprised because I didn’t think it was “that kind of movie”. I liked all of the talking. And did you ever stop to think—we see terrible things happen to our national monuments in movies but never really see these things happen to British things? So it was interesting to see everything that happened in this movie. #1 thing I was grateful for: she didn’t look under the mask.

A review of "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:19:27 GMT

X-Men 3: The Last Stand

by Brett Ratner

I have some complaints but it was overall very entertaining. I wish they had more character development. It seems like there are so many characters that we only get to see the ensemble and don’t get to spend much time with each person. B and I agree that each movie could easily be three hours and we wouldn’t care; we want to see more, more, more! She’s heard talk of a spinoff featuring Wolverine and I think that would be ideal! Adam says each character should have their own movie, at least one that focuses mostly only them. I agree! I want to know all of their backstories. I know that they have really detailed pasts and everything—I want to know everything! So, that’s my only gripe. MAKE THEM LONGER!

A review of "X2 - X-Men United (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:17:39 GMT

X2 - X-Men United (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)

Also loved this movie. A good sequel to the first one. I liked that we saw more of Mystique and also Wolverine. I love when he says “Holy shit!” to the chick who has claws coming out of her nails. :) His character is just really fun and hot. Y’know.

mmmm... Wolverine... (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:16:48 GMT

X-Men

Hello, FABULOUS. Mimi is taking us to see X-Men 3 tomorrow and I realized: I had never seen X-Men all the way through, and had never seen X-Men 2. After watching last night I don’t think I had ever seen the first movie all the way through. LOVED IT. I loooove Wolverine. Yum, yum, yum. It was really entertaining and I never once thought of falling asleep!! That says a LOT about a movie for me these days. And I don’t know how Anna did this, but she did: she made B pick. She said “Okay, Batman, or Wolverine?” B picked Wolverine. I would have to agree.

A review of "The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:16:05 GMT

The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)

by Fernando Meirelles

I fell asleep while first watching this movie, so I used the date that I finished it. Even though I watched it in “pieces” I was still really moved by this movie. It was poignant and I loved the cinematography. I cried at the end. It evoked a lot of emotion and in my book that’s a great movie.

white & retarded (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:14:59 GMT

Never Die Alone

by Ernest R. Dickerson

This was our other gangsta-themed movie, with DMX in it. I was so confused while watching it because I kept saying “That’s DMX? Isn’t he younger? I don’t get it.” God, I’m so white and retarded-~~I was thinking it was Ja Rule. They both have those distinctive, rough and low voices. Anyway, a weird movie. I liked the style of it but as far as plot and characters go~~-not the greatest. I don’t feel like I wasted 2 hours of my life, but I wouldn’t watch it again. You do get to see some DMX ass, if you’re into that.

A story about "Baby Boy"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:14:07 GMT

Baby Boy

Unrated, because I fell asleep a half hour into it. I’m going to finish it eventually though.

a perfect mix!! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:12:59 GMT

Four Brothers (Widescreen Edition)

by John Singleton

I’ve seen this movie before, and loved it. Links to previous movies: John Singleton, the chick who played Jerry’s wife, and Terrence Howard (hello! he’s in EVERYTHING!). I would say this is one of my all-time favorite movies. I love all of the characters, it’s totally badass, not too gory, but still violent in an enthralling way. HELLO Mark Wahlberg. (The walking-across-the-frozen-tundra scene is so hot.)

feel the fragment? (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:10:25 GMT

Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (Widescreen Edition)

by Jim Sheridan

Okay, so while watching it I thought “I thought this would be better” but I didn’t think it was horrible. After sleeping on it and thinking about it some more, it was pretty fucking terrible. 50 Cent is actually pretty dorky looking-he wasn’t hot until the VERY LAST scene. I liked that “Eko” from Lost was in it, but his character sucked. WTF was up with the one dude who was so totally a black ripoff of Marlon Brando playing the Godfather? It was seriously annoying. And the girl he fell in love with-PUHLEASE. She had way too much class to want to go with him, who when asked says “I’m a gangsta.”

I fell asleep JUST BEFORE a naked shower fight scene in prison, apparently there were a lot of dicks flapping around but I missed it and Adam wouldn’t rewind it (we always have to go back for tits, so WTF?). I also love how they say that this movie ISN’T based on his life, YET his character (“Marcus”... in real life his name is Curtis) was also shot 9 times, once in the cheek, was a rapper, etc etc. I’d say it was pretty closely tied to his life or at least what he perceived his life to be. And is it just me… or is it creepy how he talks without moving his teeth or lips? I realize it’s an acquired skill from the jaw wiring, but gosh.

And finally, my favorite part of the whole movie, where we all went “EEEW!!!” including Adam: “Marcus” says to his woman, “Feel the fragment?” (in real life 50 Cent still has a piece of the bullet that went through his face lodged in his jawbone) When his girlfriend reaches into his mouth to feel it, he sucked on her finger. It was NASTY.

whoop that trick (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:09:01 GMT

Hustle & Flow (Widescreen Edition)

by Craig Brewer

This kicked off the beginning of our themed movie week! The movie started off slow. In the beginning Adam paused it to say, “Can you guys understand a WORD of what they’re saying!?” We all just kind of said “Well, no, kind of, not really, sort of” and then pressed play and moved on. Once we got past the cheesy “trade this keyboard for some weed” scene where he’s dubbed “Stevie Wonder”, it got good. That part was just a tad too hokey. But it was HILARIOUS because the beats that were built into that little keyboard were the same beats that OUR keyboard had growing up: Adam said they were his, too. Like I told B, who knew what potential we had for discovering great songs with that little Casio? Unfortunately we never got past just feeling cool that we could hit a button and hear that beat in 1993. Anyway, I enjoyed the movie and we’ve been singing “whoop that trick” and “it’s hard out here for a pimp” ever since. I didn’t expect much from this film and I got a lot out of it.

cutesy! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:05:41 GMT

Just Like Heaven (Widescreen Edition)

by Mark Waters (VIII)

Just a really cute romantic comedy. There were several parts where I laughed. The best part for me was when they showed Jon Heder in the bookstore, and a stained glass version of my tattoo was hanging behind his head—just like the one I got in San Diego! Anyway, definitely worth watching, and Reese is super cute.

A review of "Walk the Line (Widescreen Edition)" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:04:42 GMT

Walk the Line (Widescreen Edition)

by James Mangold

Fabulous movie. I thought Joaquin was amazing (and quipped to Adam that we MUST name our children fabulous names-I mean, Joaquin and River… I aspire to that) and so was Reese. We were pretty tired so it felt as though the movie dragged on and on, but it really didn’t. I didn’t realize Johnny Cash’s live was so tumultous. Adam and I both HATED his first wife-although I heard on the radio that the kids from that marriage hated the movie and said their mother was nothing like that. Maybe she wasn’t like that after they finally divorced. Anyway, a really great movie and I’m sorry I didn’t see it in the theatre (it wasn’t for lack of trying!).

set a new course! (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:03:03 GMT

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World (Widescreen Edition)

by Peter Weir

Okay, Russell Crowe is always a pleasure, but this movie was just kind of “eh”. I’m on the fence about it. It gets you thinking about all of those huge ships and how amazing it is that they would arrive where they meant to, and safely—I mean, how is that possible!? B asked how they found their way and I said “HELLO, compass!” But truly, it’s amazing. I only had to watch through a blanket a few times. And of course the ending was fab. “The doctor? He died three months ago. I thought you knew that.” “SET A NEW COURSE!” (I’m ad-libbing, but you get the gist.)

perhaps people hate it, because they can identify all too well with it... (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 22:01:58 GMT

Crash (Widescreen Edition)

by Paul Haggis

Oddly enough, this was the only movie I got to watch that was nominated for Best Picture before the awards show-and it’s the one that won. A really thought-provoking film. The way everyone interconnects is fabulous. B and I both agree that we love Don Cheadle. Sandra Bullock says so many things in this movie that I hear on a daily basis-this movie is REAL.

you do not even realize!! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 21:58:33 GMT

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Widescreen Edition)

by Doug Liman

I had seen this before, but B hadn’t, so we watched it together. Brad and Angelina are of course hothothot, and the movie has funny moments. My favorite part of the whole movie is when Vince Vaughn yells, “YOU DO NOT EVEN REALIZE!” Makes me giggle thinking about it…

A story about "Sin City"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 21:57:17 GMT

Sin City

This is my kind of movie. I don’t know why I waited so long to see it! I thought it would be super gory, but in B&W, the gore factor fell by the wayside. Plus, it’s just not that gory. Very watchable. I don’t know if this helped it along or what, but I happened to be very heavily under the influence of some delicious Riesling. I think it heigtened the experience and made it that much better. Just saying!

the stats! the stats!! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 21:54:52 GMT

Super Size Me

Seriously an eye-opener. I’ve heard people say that it wasn’t that extreme and enough bad things didn’t really happen to him. HELLO, liver shut down? 30 pounds of sugar in ONE MONTH? 10 pounds weight gain in ONE WEEK? It was a big deal. And I feel stupid for saying it, but I had Chicken McNuggets over the weekend. I only felt better about it because since the documentary, they changed them to all white meat. But I kind of feel grossed out by that now…

A review of "Cinderella Man (Widescreen Edition)" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 21:53:45 GMT

Cinderella Man (Widescreen Edition)

by Ron Howard

I wanted to see this when it was out in theatres, but, I never got around to it. I know it did horribly in the theatre but I hope it does better on DVD. I really liked both Renee Zellweger and Russell Crowe in this; of course, I’ve always liked Crowe… (think Gladiator). It was just good entertainment, w with the right mix of heart and fight scenes. It was pretty formulaic, but, worth watching again (which I might do, because I think Adam wants to see it)

A review of "South Park - The Passion of the Jew" (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Cyclone) — Wed, 31 May 2006 21:52:44 GMT

South Park - The Passion of the Jew

by Trey Parker

Okay, I don’t really count this, but I figured I would mention it anyway. We rented this South Park DVD and I fell asleep during it. Some things on South Park are gems, and other things are just really dumb/offensive (i.e. the whole thing with Mel Gibson at the end… I didn’t get it).