Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Movie Recap!

Last summer, Blake and I moved up to DC and started getting settled in around the end of June. Blake started classes at the end of July and I started in August, so we didn't have enough time to work over the summer. This left us with a lot of time to do other stuff like watch movies! We got a membership to the local public library, which has a ton of old movies, and we started watching. We wrote this blog post back in August or so, but never got around to publishing it. So for your reading enjoyment....  Feel free to leave comments or other fun facts and movie suggestions!

Blake and I are not usually such huge movie buffs, but we've had a lot of time to watch movies this summer. We've had another motivation as well... once school starts there won't be a lot of time for movie watching. I guess we're trying to cram in as much as possible! We would now like to share our own thoughts on the movies we viewed this summer:
"The Honey Pot" (1967)
"The Honey Pot" Movie Poster
Our Summary: Set in the early 20th Century, a millionaire named Cecil Fox watches his favorite play "Volpone," and is inspired to trick three of his former mistresses into believing he is on his deathbed. He hires William McFly to play his administrative assistant and perform as his stage manager. The three wealthy women all arrive at his mansion intent on winning him over and securing his fortunes: Merle McGill is a Hollywood star, Princess Dominique is married to royalty, and Lonestar Crockett who is a wealthy Texan who travels with a nurse. As Fox and McFly act out the script, an unexpected event turns the play into a murder mystery.
Fun Fact: The actress who plays the nurse traveling with Lonestar is one of the earlier performances by Maggie Smith, who will later go on to play the part of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series!
Our Review: This movie was a little slow at first, but really ended up great! It has several twists and was fun to watch!


"Charade" (1963)
"Charade" Movie Poster
Our Summary: Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant star in this romantic comedy/murder mystery as Regina Lampert discovers her husband has been murdered and several men and an agent of the United States government are all after the money he stole during WWII and has stashed somewhere. Cary Grant's character has a close relationship with Regina, but she can never decide who to trust since he reveals many different identities. In this movie, nothing is as it seems.
Fun Fact: This is said to have been the greatest Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made.
Our Review: This was our favorite movie of all of our old movies! It has everything a good murder mystery should: twists and turns, uncertainty in the innocence and guilt of all characters, comedy, and Cary Grant!

"Manhattan Murder Mystery" (1993)
"Manhattan Murder Mystery" Movie Poster
Our Summary: Woody Allen, as Larry Lipton, and Diane Keaton, as Carol Lipton, play a far from perfect middle-aged married couple who begin to struggle as Carol suspects their neighbor of murder. At first, Larry dismisses the idea--thinking Carol is going through a midlife crisis. Their friend Ted, played by Alan Alda, believes in Carol, however, and spends much time with her as they attempt to do some investigative work. They grow closer as Larry tries to hold on to his wife and join in the investigation. In this witty mystery, you find ordinary people doing not some not so ordinary things. Maybe you should go next door and meet those neighbors after all? (I'm speaking to myself)
Fun Fact: The role of Carol was originally written for Woody Allen's wife, but after their separation, Diane Keaton was given the role.
Our Review: We loved this movie too! It was really funny. Woody Allen's character has these long ramblings that are just great. Not too predictable and fun to watch!

"There's Something About Mary" (1998)
"There's Something About Mary" Movie Poster
Our Summary: In this epitome of stupid humor, Ted (played by Ben Stiller) falls in love with his high school dream girl Mary (played by Cameron Diaz), only to have everything go wrong. Thirteen years later, Ted still thinks of Mary and decides to track her down. He hires a shady private investigator, which causes many problems, and eventually learns some devastating truths about the people in Mary's life. Follow the awkward, but love-stricken, Ted as he attempts to get what he's always wanted.
Fun Fact: We watched this entire movie without laughing once.
Our Review: We weren't impressed at all. It was dumb and stupid... not our type of humor at all. There weren't really any redeeming qualities in it either.

"Music and Lyrics" (2007)
"Music and Lyrics" Movie Poster
Our Summary: Alex Fletcher (played by Hugh Grant) is a struggling "has been" pop star from the '80's when he's asked to write a song to perform with the hottest new star in the business. Although Alex is great at composing the music and melody, he's far from a great lyricist and far from a decent romantic. He meets an interesting girl named Sophie Fisher (played by Drew Barrymore) who ends up being a natural lyricist. As they work together, sparks fly, sometimes in the form of lightening bolts thrown at each other and sometimes as feelings of love. This hilarious romantic comedy follows two people searching to fill the emptiness in their lives.
Fun Fact: "Pop goes my heart", Fletcher's fictional hit song from the '80s, is great!


Our Review: I (Catie) saw this movie a few years ago, and I begged Blake to watch it. He's not a huge fan of Drew Barrymore or Hugh Grant, so this movie had a lot to overcome from the beginning for him, BUT... He loved it! I love it too! It's funny and romantic and really cute. It's a great, don't-need-to-think-movie and will have you laughing (and singing) for sure!
"Stranded" (2006)
Erica Durance, star of "Stranded," during an action scene
Our Summary: Five girls head to an island in the Caribbean for Carina's (Erica Durance) bachelorette party. The girls charter a private boat to a deserted beach for the day, but the boat never returns to pick them up that afternoon. The next morning, they realize one of the bridesmaids has disappeared. It's not too long before they discover an unseen presence on the island determined to pick them off one by one.
Fun Fact: Erica Durance has guest starred on Smallville.
Our Review: Ok Lifetime movies are known for being cheesy, but this one wasn't that bad! There are some pretty stereotypical bridesmaids, but overall the movie packed a punch with a twist that redeemed itself!
"The Client List" (2010)
Jennifer Love Hewitt in "The Client List"
Our Summary: Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Samantha Horton, a small town Texas wife and mother to three. Her husband is injured and out of work and the bank is about to foreclose on their house. She finds work an hour away at a massage parlor, but finds out on the first day that the women who work there are more than just masseuses--the business is actually a front for a prostitution ring. Seduced by the impressive pay and unable to find other work, Horton remains at the job. When police raid the business and take her to jail, she takes a plea bargain and names 69 of the high end clientele she has serviced.
Fun Fact: This movie is based on a true story from Texas in 2005.
Our Review: Well, the movie was ok. At first one could almost identify with Hewitt's character, but then we just kept shouting at the tv to quit prostituting herself and get a real job! And there's this one horrible scene at the end that is so awful in the way it portrays women. Seriously.
"Murder in the Hamptons"(2005)
"Murder in the Hamptons" Lifetime Movie Poster
Our Summary: Generosa is a struggling real estate agent who falls in love with one of her wealthy clients, Ted. They begin a relationship and are married shortly thereafter. The relationship goes well for several years: they adopt twins, purchase a large home and another in the Hamptons. After awhile, Generosa becomes paranoid and erratic. The relationship falls apart. During the divorce, Generosa lays claim to the houses and full custody of the children. Ted acquiesces on most accounts, but refuses to give up the children. Generosa remarries a construction worker with a bad rap sheet. Conveniently, Ted is killed in his home in the Hamptons soon thereafter. All the wealth he had accumulated is transferred to Generosa and her new husband, but in a twist of events, neither of them get to keep it very long.
Fun Fact: This too is based on a true story.
Our Review: This movie was pretty good! It's also a Lifetime movie, but it didn't end all nice and neat and made you think a little bit. We enjoyed watching it!

"Singing in the Rain" (1952)
"Singing in the Rain" Movie Poster
Our Summary: In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina's latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her.
Fun Fact: The screenwriters bought a house in Hollywood from a former silent film star who lost his wealth when the innovation of sound film killed his career. This was part of the inspiration for the film.
Our Review: This is perhaps my (Catie) new favorite movie, and it's been Blake's favorite for awhile! It was so funny throughout the whole time, the music was just great, and the dancing and choreography was wonderful! Now, I get the urge to turn it on and just have it running in the background. My favorite line was Lina Lamont's "And I can't stand 'em!" Blake and I have repeated it back to each other a thousand times!

"Caddyshack" (1980)
"Caddyshack" Movie Poster
Our Review: This movie was another of Blake's favorite that he shared with me. And I loved this one too! It's cute and fun!

"To Catch a Thief "(1955)

Our Summary: American expatriate John Robie (Cary Grant) lives in high style on the Riviera, a retired cat burglar. He must find out who a copy cat is to keep a new wave of jewel thefts from being pinned on him. High on list of prime victims is Jessie Stevens, in Europe to help daughter Frances, Grace Kelly, find a suitable husband. Lloyds of London insurance agent is using a thief to catch a thief.
Fun Fact: John Robie mentions that as a youth he was in a trapeze group that traveled around Europe. In real life, Cary Grant was in an acrobatic troupe that toured around Europe (and eventually came to America) when he was young.
Our Review: Really good! I (Catie) love Cary Grant and Grace Kelley, so the combo was terrific! I loved the costumes and the storyline! Overall terrific!

"The Sting" (1973)
"The Sting" Movie Poster

Our Summary: When a mutual friend is killed by a mob boss, two con men, one experienced and one young try to get even by pulling off the big con on the mob boss. The story unfolds with several twists and last minute alterations. [this summary taken from IMDB.com]
Fun Fact: Robert Redford didn't see the movie until June 2004.
Our Review:  Loved loved loved this movie!
"Jurassic Park" (1993) 
Movie Poster for Jurassic Park
Our Summary: Advancements in genetic and scientific knowledge has allowed one entrepreneur to create an entire theme park for children with real dinosaurs. Before he opens to the public, he brings in a group of people, including his grandchildren and paleontologists. One rogue employee decides to profit by sharing information and the power goes down while many of the visitors were out on the grand tour. The fences go down and the animals come out, and it is up to the survivors to get back to safety.
Fun Fact: The full-sized animatron of the tyrannosaurus rex weighed about 13,000 to 15,000 pounds. During the shooting of the initial T-rex attack scene that took place in a downpour and was shot on a soundstage, the latex that covered the T-rex puppet absorbed great amounts of water, making it much heavier and harder to control. Technicians worked throughout the night with blow driers trying to dry the latex out. Eventually, they suspended a platform above the T-rex, out of camera range, to keep the water off it during filming.
Our Review: I (Catie) read the book and was really excited to finally rewatch the movie. I just loved it! It's even better when you think about how cutting edge the technology was! I watched the extra 30 minute 'making of the movie' and found it fascinating. We aren't necessarily huge sci-fi fans but Jurassic Park is just heart pounding and thought provoking! I'm usually a book over movie fan, but I think I liked the movie better than the book in this case. That's saying something! :)

"Arsenic and Old Lace" (1940)
Movie Poster
Our Summary: Cary Grant's character, a well-known anti-woman reporter, marries his sweetheart and prepares to leave for his honeymoon. Before he goes though, he stops by to see his two aunts... who he discovers have been euthanizing visitors that they feel were too old. The mob becomes involved and the two aunts carry on completely oblivious to the dangers.
Fun Fact: This was Cary Grant's least favorite movie because his character was quite goofy and ridiculous.
Our Review: This movie was fun and completely unlikely to happen. It might not have been Grant's favorite movie, but I thought it was fun, though maybe a little creepy with the whole euthanasia thing. Thankfully, the director or screenwriter or whatever didn't focus on it too much!

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