A to Z Movies: Star Trek

Title: Star Trek

Year Released/Rating: 2009 PG-13

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Written By: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Gene Roddenberry

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: The film's teaser trailer (welders working on the half-built Enterprise starship, amidst narration from U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Leonard Nimoy's Mr Spock) was personally directed by J.J. Abrams. Real welders were brought in to film the trailer. The words of Spock and Kennedy were taken from the 1960s (the decade where Star Trek began) and thus linked past and present, enhancing the film (as well as hinting at the time-travel). According to Roberto Orci, Kennedy's words were also chosen as he was the one who started the "space race," and so would be appropriate for a space film: "If we're going to have a Federation, it makes sense for Kennedy and his words to be in there."

Extra Trivia: To prepare for his role as Captain James Kirk, Chris Pine watched classic episodes and read encyclopedias about the Star Trek universe. However, his research was rudimentary, as he wanted his performance to be original and not an imitation of William Shatner. He based his performance on Tom Cruise's Maverick and Harrison Ford's Han Solo and Indiana Jones, heroes who Pine felt possessed the archetypal hero qualities Kirk has (humour, arrogance, decisiveness).

Once again we skipped Q for the next letter.  And this time we went for action.  I love J.J. Abram's re-imagination of the Star Trek universe.  It's fresh without compromising the original tv show and movies.  I especially love Chris Pine's Kirk.  He plays it as that arrogant bastard that somehow you still like.  It's a perfect fit.  I also love the little nods here and there to the original.  It has a nice nostalgic nod.  As much as I like this one, I am concerned about the sequel being planned.  J.J. Abrams doesn't have the best track record when it comes to continuations  He has great ideas, but then makes the show more complicated and confusing.  Hopefully he has good people to help guide the sequel.

P.S. This also appears on IMDB's Top 250 movies list.  So it's counting for my Day Zero Project also.

Best Bits:

Christopher Pike: I'm Captain Christopher Pike. To whom am I speaking? Nero: Hi, Christopher. I'm Nero. ~~

James T. Kirk: So what type of combat training do you have?

Hikaru Sulu: Fencing.

~~ Spock volunteers for what could be a suicide mission] I'm coming with you. Spock: I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it. James T. Kirk: See? We are getting to know each other. James T. Kirk: [slaps his shoulder] ~~ Christopher Pike: Russian whizkid, what's your name? Chanko? Cherpov? Pavel Chekov: Ensign Chekov, Pavel Andreievich, sir. ~~ Christopher Pike: Be careful with the ship Spock, it's brand new... ~~ Spock: Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp. Scotty: Well... James T. Kirk: Don't answer him. Spock: You will answer me. Scotty: [pause] I'd rather not take sides. ~~ Spock: Get him off this ship.

A to Z Movies: Role Models

Title: Role Models

Year Released/Rating: 2008 R

Starring: Paul Rudd, Sean Williams Scott, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Directed By: David Wain

Written By: Paul Rudd, David Wain, Ken Marino, Timothy Dowling

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Trivia: Before Danny proposes, Wheeler tells him that they have to be at Blue Valley Middle School. Blue Valley is the name of the actual middle school that Paul Rudd attended in Overland Park, Kansas.

I can't believe that I haven't watched this movie in years.  OMG!  I just love Paul Rudd.  I will watch him in anything.  And I do mean anything.  Every line he speaks is sarcastic, whether or not he means it.  It's just a beautiful thing!  And all the minor side characters are just a treat.  It makes for a great awkward moment.

PS. The creepiest scene in any movie = dinner at Chipmunk Charlie's

Best Bits: 

[from trailer] Ronnie Shields: Suck it, "Reindeer Games"! Danny: I'm not Ben Affleck. Ronnie Shields: You white, then you Ben Affleck. Wheeler: You *are* white. Danny: That's true, I am white.

Gayle Sweeny: Watch your language, Ronnie. Ronnie Shields: My language is English and this mother fucker tried to grab my junk.

Gayle Sweeny: You know what I used to have for breakfast? Cocaine. Know what I had for lunch? Cocaine. Wheeler: What did you have for dinner? Danny: Was it cocaine?

Gayle Sweeny: [Appropriately hugging Martin] *This* is a perfectly acceptable hug between a little and a big. [Hugging him from behind] Gayle Sweeny: *This* is not. Wheeler: Well, obviously we're not supposed to buttfuck these kids.

Gayle Sweeny: Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Bullshit and Dr. I'm-full-of-shit? Wheeler: In what way are we full of shit? Danny: Which one of us has the Ph.D?

Danny: No, I like to rock n' roll all night and *part* of every day. I usually have errands... I can only rock from like 1-3.

Gayle Sweeny: I know why you are here, so don't BS a BSer, Ok? Your "Presence" here, court ordered. Danny: Why did you put presence in quotes? Are you implying that we aren't here?

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Title: The Jane Austen Book Club

Author: Karen Joy Fowler

Publisher: Plume 2005

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 288

Rating:   4/5 stars   Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary; Page to Screen

How I Got It: I own it!

This is one of those books that I have tried not to read.  I was afraid that it would take my beloved Jane Austen and butcher her stories.  I was afraid it would try to be clever, but fail miserably.  For some reason, I eventually picked this up on clearance.  And I'm pleasantly surprised.  This book is more about the themes of Austen's books and how they connect to these characters' lives.  I loved  how the book was set-up.  Each month the book club meets at one of the character's houses and discusses one of the books.  Each chapter we get a person's life story and how it relates to the themes of the books.  I love the focus on themes and opinions rather than trying to recreate the stories.  And so, I ended up liking this book way more than I thought I would.

Specifically, I loved Bernadette's story.  Her unconventional life was a real treat to read.  Jocelyn and Sylvia's stories of marriage just didn't connect to me.  But Bernadette's was fun to read.  Grigg seemed like a side character with no much to really learn from him.  Allegra made me mad.  Her anger and constant pessimism really got to me.  And her treatment of Sylvia was just wrong.  Prudie's story was interesting, but then her mother died.  It seemed like after that she disappeared.  Her character comes back from the funeral, but we don't get any deep exploration of what happened and what's going to happen.  I would have liked to hear more from her, but alas none.  So some stories I liked and some not.  But overall, it was an interesting book.

Movie

Disclaimer: I saw the movie before reading the book.  While reading the book, I tried to completely block out the movie.  I did a fairly decent job of it.

In some ways, I liked the movie more.  In this case, the movie focused on less the connection to the books and more on the characters themselves.  I thought the movie did a good job at interspersing the stories with the current action and book discussions.  I especially loved the little shots of each character reading the books.  I love the atmospheric shots.  Very nice.  As to the characters:

• Allegra -- Still annoying and still my least favorite.  She is completely self-centered.
• Prudie -- She irritating, as she should be, but I still do like her character.  I feel sorry for her messed up existence.  I thought the inclusion of the affair with the student makes a lot of sense for her character.
• Sylvia -- The movie makes her more sympathetic to me.  She's much more of  a real person in the movie.
• Jocelyn -- If anything, the movie makes me like her less.  She's self-centered and oblivious, but she is caring deep down.
• Bernadette -- Less crazy than the book, and I love her more for it.  She's definitely my favorite character.
• Grigg -- Much more attractive (in every way) than the book.  He seemed like a caricature, but becomes a much more developed character in the movie.

Overall, I really like the book and the movie.  Big surprise to me!

A to Z Movies: Pleasantville

Title: Pleasantville

Year Released/Rating: 1998 PG-13

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen

Directed By: Gary Ross

Written By: Gary Ross

Star Rating:   5/5 stars

Trivia: The Native American in the test pattern behind Don Knotts changes to angry and then sad as the movie progresses.

Extra Trivia: For the sequence where Bud is applying the gray makeup to his mother, the color of the makeup was actually green. When they had to "black-and-white" the scene, the shades of green came out the best for the appropriate shades of her "gray" make-up. Conversely, when Betty first visits the soda shop, she is in full gray makeup which meant that Joan Allen was shot wearing full green make-up that is subsequently removed by Bill Johnson (Jeff Daniels).

This movie is just beautiful.  I love the story, the characters, the dialogue, the colors.  It's just an amazing movie.  I love every scene.  And I forgot how much I loved this one until J picked it for tonight's movie.  Now I remember.  And I'm so glad I did remember.

Best Bits: 

David: They're happy like this. Jennifer: No, David. Nobody's happy in a poodle skirt and a sweater set.

~~

Jennifer: [looking at boobs in mirror] I could, like, kill a guy with these things.

~~

Skip: I don't know if I ever told you this before, but I think you're just about the keenest girl in the whole school!

Jennifer: Oh, really Skip? The keenest?

~~

Jennifer: This place gives me the creeps! Did you know that the books are blank?

David: What? Jennifer: Yeah, I was in the library and I looked, and they have covers and there's nothing inside of them. David: What were you doing in a library? Jennifer: I got lost.

~~

Jennifer: Look at me! I'm pasty!

~~

[Pleasantville's first-ever rainstorm]

Big Bob: Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.

A to Z Movies: Ocean's Eleven

Title: Ocean's Eleven

Year Released/Rating: 2001 PG-13

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Written By: George Clayton Johnson, Jack Golden Russell, Harry Brown, Charles Lederer, Ted Griffin

Star Rating:  5 /5 stars

Trivia: During the several takes it took to shoot the scene in which Rusty and Linus are spying on Tess as she is introduced coming down the stairs, Brad Pitt, who plays Rusty eating shrimps from a shrimp cocktail, ate 40 shrimps.

Extra Trivia: The script was sent to Julia Roberts with a $20 bill attached. Included was a note from George Clooney that said "I hear you're getting 20 a picture now". This of course is a joke referencing Julia Roberts becoming the highest paid actress at $20 million per picture.

Classic movie!  I absolutely adore Brad Pitt and George Clooney.  Their banter is just gorgeous.  And the setup is just too fun.  And there's so many interesting people in this movie: Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Casey Afleck, Scott Caan, Matt Damon.  I love, love, love this movie so much. A great night.

Best Bits: 

Rusty: Did someone call for a doctor?

~~

Turk Malloy: I'm gonna get out of the car and drop you like third period French.

~~

Danny: Why do they always paint hallways that color?

Rusty: They say taupe is very soothing.

~~

Rusty: [on Danny walking out of prison in a loosened black-tie suit] I hope you were the Groom.

Danny: [on Rusty's attire for picking him up from prison] Ted Nugent called, he wants his shirt back.

~~

Basher: It will be nice working with proper villains again!

~~

Virgil Malloy: Are you a man?

Turk Malloy: Yes, nineteen. Virgil Malloy: Are you alive? Turk Malloy: Yes, eighteen. Virgil Malloy: Evel Knievel. Turk Malloy: ...shit.

~~

Reuben: What? Did you guys get a group rate or something?

A to Z Movies: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Title: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Year Released/Rating: 1984

Voices of: Alison Lohman, Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, Edward James Olmos, Shia, LaBeouf

Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

Written By: Hayao Miyazaki

Star Rating:   5/5 stars

Trivia: Hayao Miyazaki was so upset by the original international cut version that he sent a samurai sword to the Executive at Disney with a simple note which read: "No cuts."

The only Miyazaki film that I hadn't seen.  And I can't believe that I waited this long to watch.  I loved this movie.  An epic battle.  A hope for humanity.  Fantastical creatures.  Great characters.  And absolutely beautiful animation.  All of Miyazaki's clouds are just gorgeous.  Originally the versions released in the United States cut out many of the parts that point the finger at the humans for the destruction of the planet.  I can see why Miyazaki was so upset; that is kinda the point.  Without the realization of the destruction, Nausicaa cannot save the planet and forge a new world between the humans and the insects.  I really loved this message.  Even though all the Japanese movies are very pessimist, each one has a bit of hope in there.  With this, we now own all the Miyazaki films.  Yeah!

Best Bits: 

Nausicaä: It's so beautiful. It's hard to believe these spores could kill me.

~~

Kushana: Nice valley. Think I'll keep it.

~~

Nausicaä: Every one of us relies on water from the wells, because mankind has polluted all the lakes and rivers. but do you know why the well water is pure? It's because the trees of the wastelands purify it! And you plan to burn the trees down? You must not burn down the toxic jungle! You should have left the giant warrior beneath the earth!... Asbel, tell them how the jungle evolved and how the insects are gaurding it so we won't pollute the earth again. Asbel please!

A to Z Movies: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Title: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Year Released/Rating: 2005 PG-13

Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody

Directed By: Doug Liman

Written By: Simon Kinberg

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: When Jane is going to her first shown kill, she correctly answers a question from the quiz show Jeopardy!. This was unscripted and spur of the moment on the part of Jolie.

Extra Trivia: When the Smiths are holding hostage "The Tank",Adam Brody's character, he is wearing a t-shirt from the 1999 "Fight Club" movie,in which Brad Pitt played one of his most well known roles,Tyler Durden.

J's pick tonight.  I voted for lighter action.  Something not too serious, but with some good dialogue and action sequences.  And we picked Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  I especially love the dialogue and looks in this movie.  Jolie and Pitt have an awesome way of communicating without speaking.  I love it!  And we get Vince Vaughn popping in here and there h some great lines.  Overall, a good fun lighter action film.

Best Bits: 

Eddie: Tell me you got smart and that you killed that lying bitch.

Jane Smith: This lying bitch?

Eddie: Guess that was just wishful thinking. ~~

John Smith: [angry that Benjamin had blown their cover] You burn the picture after you get the assignment! It's the first thing you learn!

Benjamin: Oh, I must have missed that day. Just like you missed the one about not marrying the enemy.

~~

John Smith: Web of lies!

~~

John Smith: [just before running over an assassin with the minivan] These fuckers get younger every year.

~~

Jane Smith: Any last words?

John Smith: The new curtains are hideous.

~~

Martin Coleman: Shame about the red oak.

A to Z Movies: Layer Cake

Title: Layer Cake

Year Released/Rating: 2004 R

Starring: Daniel Craig, Tom Hardy, Colm Meaney, George Harris, Michael Gambon

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Written By: J.J. Connolly

Star Rating:  5 /5 stars

Trivia: In the penultimate scene at the Stokes country club, XXXX and his fellow drug dealers are eating a layer cake.

We have a ton of good movies for L, it was just a problem of narrowing them down to one.  J mentioned Layer Cake and I jumped on it.  I haven't seen the movie since it came out on dvd.  I liked it (It has Daniel Craig for goodness sakes!) and thought it would be a great British movie to watch.  Concidentally I picked up the book the movie was based on from the clearance rack at a local used book store.  Unfortunately it's still packed in one of the many book boxes in the garage.  So, I'll have to wait to read it.  The movie will just have to do for now...

To the movie... I love smart British movies.  I loved the dialogue, the set-ups, the action sequences.  They aren't all reliant on big explosions or even cussing.  It's more about the art of the conversation.  I just love that!  And I forgot how many people were in this movie.  Tons of British actors that I see all the time.  Because you know, J and I have an obsession with British movies and tv.  This movie really grabs your attention from start to finish.  I love it!

Best Bits: 

XXXX: My name? If you knew that, you'd be as clever as me.

~~

Eddie Temple: England. Typical. Even drug dealers don't work weekends.

~~

Morty: Why did you keep the gun?

Gene: I know it sounds silly now, but it was my favorite.

Morty: You better not let the other guns know you have a favorite.

~~

XXXX: I'm not a gangster. I'm a businessman whose commodity happens to be cocaine.

~~

XXXX: Everyone wants to walk through a door marked "private." Therefore, have a good reason to be affluent.

~~

XXXX: A Roman general once said, "If you want peace, plan for war."

A to Z Movies: A Knight's Tale

Title: A Knight's Tale

Year Released/Rating: 2001 PG-13

Starring: Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, Mark Addy,

Directed By: Brian Helgeland

Written By: Brian Helgeland

Star Rating:   4/5 stars

Trivia: When Chaucer first introduces "Sir Ulrich" in his speech, the crowd does not react at first because the Czech extras could not understand the speech. Mark Addy's loud prompt was what tipped them off to start cheering. This awkward moment was left in because it made the scene funnier.

Extra Trivia: The initial scene of the two knights jousting in the first scene of the movie is actually footage of Heath Ledger's stunt double in an accident. During filming of a later scene in the movie, the lance of the stunt double's opponent moved off target and hit him in the head. The double fell to the ground unconscious. The entire footage was used for the introduction.

Overall, I like this movie.  It's fun.  It's got an interesting soundtrack.  I like the re-imagined costumes.  The story is entertaining.  I like it.  I don't absolutely love it, but I own it, so that must say something.  I like Heath Ledger.  And Alan Tudyk is awesome.  But my favorite is definitely Paul Bettany.  Any scene with Chaucer is an automatic win.  My issue with the movie comes with the romantic story line.  I could so without it.  I really think we could have made a decent movie without the love story.  It's unnecessary.  And Jocelyn's character is utterly annoying.  Ever time she opens her mouth I want to smack her.  It's as if the filmmakers wanted a "feminist" (I'm using quotations, because she's really not) character but wound up with a spoiled rich girl.  She plays at the feminist until she's got him on the line.  Then she switches back to the flower.  And finally she gives him herself as a Prize (her words not mine) after the mid movie climax.  The entire character is utterly ridiculous.  And for that I took away a star.  I just try to ignore her scenes and think of it as a movie about a boy becoming a knight.

Best Bits: 

[Keeping beat for a dance lesson] Chaucer: And one and two and three and four and your hands should be light like a birdie on a branch. And one and two and three and four and Wat doesn't lead he follows like a girl. [Wat punches him. Scene changes, and Chaucer now has a tissue stuck up one nostril] Chaucer: And one and two and twirlie twirlie twirlie! And one and two and you're still getting it wrong! And one and two and three and four you can hit me all day cause you punch like a... what? Roland: A girl! ~~ William: Oi sir, what are you doing? Chaucer: Uh... trudging. You know, trudging? [pause] Chaucer: To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on. William: Uhhh... were you robbed? Chaucer: [laughs] Funny really, yes, but at the same time a huge resounding no. It's more of an... involuntary vow of poverty... really ~~ Wat: Uh, betray us, and I will fong you, until your insides are out, your outsides are in, your entrails will become your extrails I will w-rip... all the p... ung. Pain, lots of pain. ~~ Chaucer: Yes, behold my lord Ulrich, the rock, the hard place, like a wind from Guilderland he sweeps by blown far from his homeland in search of glory and honor, we walk... in the garden... of his turbulence! [crowd is silent, cricket noise] Roland: Yeah. Crowd: Yeahhhhh! ~~ Chaucer: I'm a writer. Wat: A what? Chaucer: A wha- a what? A writer. You know, I write, with ink, and parchment. Geoffrey Chaucer's the name, writing's the game. You've probably read my book? the Book of the Duchess? No? Well, it was allegorical. Roland: Well, we won't hold that against you, that's for every man to decide for himself. ~~ Chaucer: [singing] He's quick, he's funny, he makes me lots of money, Lichtenstein! Lichtenstein! ~~ Germaine: My Lord, the Count Adehmar, Son of Phillip DeVitry, son of Gilles... er... Master of the Free Companies, defender of his enormous manhood, a shining example of chivalry and champagne.

A to Z Movies: Jurassic Park

Title: Jurassic Park

Year Released/Rating: 1993 PG-13

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Written By: Michael Crichton and David Koepp

Star Rating:   4.5 /5 stars

Trivia: When the T-Rex comes through the glass roof of the Explorer in the first attack, the glass was not meant to break, producing the noticeably genuine screams from the children.

Extra Trivia: 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.

I remember seeing this in the theater and being scared out of my mind.  I didn't even read the book until later.  And once I did read it, I realized that the book is even scarier.  It's still one of my favorite films from my preteen years.

The opening scene is just fantastic.  There's no explanation.  No exposition.  Just action.  We see an encounter with one of the dinos, we don't really know which one, and the tragic results.  Obviously if we pay attention later in the movie we know that the accident happened at the Raptor cage.  Just a great establishment of tone for the rest of the movie.  Once our scientists get to the island, everything seems nice and happy.  But we should all be remembering the opening scene.  It's just great.  And the score!  Oh the score!  It's just amazing.  My favorite scene has to be with the initial encounter with the T-rex.  The rain, the mud, the Jeeps, the kids.  All so very scary.  Overall, I love it!

Best Bits: Almost all of them come from Malcolm... no surprise here.

Dr. Alan Grant: Oh my God. Do you know what this is? This is a dinosaur egg. The dinosaurs are breeding.

~~

John Hammond: All major theme parks have had delays. When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked!

Dr. Ian Malcolm: But, John. If the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.

~~

Dr. Ian Malcolm: Anybody hear that? It's a, um... It's an impact tremor, that's what it is... I'm fairly alarmed here.

~~

Dr. Ian Malcolm: Remind me to thank John for a lovely weekend.

~~

Dr. Ian Malcolm: God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs...

Dr. Ellie Sattler: Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth...

~~

Dr. Ian Malcolm: But again, how do you know they're all female? Does someone gone into the park and, uh... pull up the dinosaurs' skirts?

Henry Wu: No, we control their chromosomes. It's really not that difficult. All vertebrate embryoes are inherently female anyway. They just require an extra hormone given at the right developmental stage to make them male. We simply deny them that.

~~

Dr. Alan Grant: [holding a newly-hatched Dinosaur in his hands] What species is this?

Henry Wu: It's uh, a velociraptor.

Dr. Alan Grant: [in disbelief] You bred raptors?

~~

Tim: [after the tour car falls upside down on them at the bottom of the tree] Well... we're back... in the car again.

Dr. Alan Grant: Well, at least you're out of the tree.

~~

Dr. Ian Malcolm: If there is one thing the history of evolution has taught us it's that life will not be contained. Life breaks free, expands to new territories, and crashes through barriers, painfully, maybe even dangerously, but, ah, well, there it is.

A to Z Movies: Iron Man

Title: Iron Man

Year Released/Rating: 2008 PG-13

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Terrance Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Written By: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby

Star Rating:   5/5 stars

Trivia: The script was not completely prepared when filming began, since the filmmakers were more focused on the story and the action, so the dialogue was mostly ad-libbed throughout filming; Jon Favreau acknowledged this made the film feel more natural. Some scenes were shot with two cameras to capture lines improvised on the spot;Robert Downey Jr. would ask for many takes of one scene since he wanted to try something new. Gwyneth Paltrow, on the other hand, had a difficult time trying to match Downey with a suitable line, as she never knew what he would say.

Extra Trivia: Agent Phil Coulson repeatedly states he is a member of the 'Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division' (finally shortening it to SHIELD). In the comics, the SHIELD agency originally stood for the 'Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage/Law-Enforcement Division', then in 1991 was revised to the 'Strategic Hazard Intervention/Espionage Logistics Directorate'.

Tonight I wanted some action and not a quirky comedy.  We chose between Indiana Jones (my pick: The Last Crusade) and Iron Man.  Obviously we went with Iron Man.  I think the main reason I love this movie is Robert Downey Jr.  He is Tony Stark.  He's not an actor playing Tony Stark.  He really is Tony Stark.  In interviews Robert Downey Jr.further described his portrayal of Stark as "a challenge of making a wealthy, establishmentarian, weapons-manufacturing, hard-drinking, womanizing prick into a character who is likable and a hero."  That's it, right there.  He's an asshole, you want to hate him, and yet you still really root for him.  And speaking of, Jeff Bridges is the ultimate villain.  He's that slimy businessman that runs a bit of double dealing on the side.  He's making you money, but also has higher aspirations.  Watch out for him!  So nicely done.  I really appreciated it.  Especially since Mickey Rourke's villan in Iron Man 2 is so week.  At least Justin Hammer is fun to watch.  Definitely my favorite of the Avengers movies so far.

Best Bits: 

Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: [walking in on Stark's robots trying to get him out of the Iron Man suit] What is going on here? Tony Stark: Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing. Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: Are those bullet holes?

~~

Tony Stark: [reading the newspaper] "Iron Man". That's kind of catchy. It's got a nice ring to it.

~~

Tony Stark: Give me a scotch. I'm starving.

~~

Tony Stark: Hmmm. Your eyes are red. Tears for your long lost boss?

Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: Tears of joy. I hate job hunting. Tony Stark: Yeah, well, vacation's over.

~~

Agent Phil Coulson: I'm Agent Phil Coulson with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: That's quite a mouthful. Agent Phil Coulson: I know. We're working on it.

~~

Agent Phil Coulson: This isn't my first rodeo, Mr. Stark.

~~

Obadiah Stane: [discussing the company's future with Tony] We're iron mongers, we make weapons.

~~

Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: Agent Coulson, I just wanted to say thank you very much for all of your help.

Agent Phil Coulson: That's what we do. You'll be hearing from us. Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: From the Strategic Homeland... Agent Phil Coulson: [interrupting] Just call us SHIELD.

A to Z Movies: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle

Title: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle

Year Released/Rating: 2004 R

Starring: Kal Penn, John Cho,

Directed By: Danny Leiner

Written By: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg

Star Rating:   5 /5 stars

Trivia: There were no White Castles in the filming location so a building was trucked in.

Extra Trivia: In the scene where Harold and Kumar walk to Freakshow's house, John Cho was unaware that there was a German Shepherd in the cage next to them. When the dog barks, Cho shouts and grabs Kal Penn. This reaction was genuine.

One of my favorite silly comedies.  I just love Harold and Kumar.  They're awesome characters.  And the movie is just awesome.  The cheetah scene: Makes me giggle every time.  The raccoon scene: So absurd it's hilarious.  All the parts with NPH: downright genius, especially his exciting line.  Kumar's dream sequence with the bag of weed: a beautiful love story.  Ryan Reynolds' scene in the hospital: awkward!  So many great scenes.  And Goldstein and Rosenberg are just way to funny to just be side characters.

Best Bits: 

Harold: Doog, where's my car? Kumar: Where's his car, dude?

~~

Harold: Did Doogie Houser just steal my fucking car?

~~

Dr. Patel: I will not tolerate this business from you any longer. You have one more interview tomorrow morning, and if I hear from Dr. Wein that you are anything short of spectacular, I'll completely cut you off. Kumar: Dad, come on. Dr. Patel: Daddy is not coming on anything!

~~

Harold: [to Maria in elevator, after seeing luggage at her feet] Sure got a lotta baggage.

~~

Harold: [about to ride cheetah] This is either a really smart move or by far the stupidest thing that we have ever tried.

~~

Kumar: I forgot my cell phone. Harold: You wanna run back and get it? [both turn and look at their front door 20 feet from them] Kumar: No, we've gone too far.

~~

Kumar: So where you going to go now, Neil?

Neil Patrick Harris: [puts on sunglasses] Wherever God takes me!

A to Z Movies: The Green Hornet

Title: The Green Hornet

Year Released/Rating: 2011 PG-13

Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Tom Wilkinson, Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz

Directed By: Michel Gondry

Written By: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Star Rating:  4 /5 stars

Trivia: Asian pop star Jay Chou got the role of Kato after a video conference with Seth Rogen was set up. He was invited to do a screen test - the filmmakers did not know he was a famous singer in Asia up until the last moments.

J's pick for last night.  Before I get to the movie review, I must say we have a ton of mob/mafia movies for the letter G: Get Shorty, Goodfellas, The Godfather.  It's a bit weird...

So I am not ashamed to admit that I like this movie.  I like Seth Rogen.  I like Jay Chou.  I like Christoph Waltz (he always plays good villans).  I like the look of the film.  I like the action sequences.  I love the James Franco cameo (priceless!).  This is a really fun film.  It doesn't have the serious superhero finding himself tone that so many others do.  But I'm okay with that.  It's just Britt Reid trying to make his father proud.  And he does it in a spectacularly silly fashion.  I just love Seth Rogen.  My favorite parts are all the parallel shots.  Gondry repeats so many scenarios and setups throughout the movie.  To me, it makes it even more like a comic book.  We get frames instead of huge wide shots.  We get short snippets of action.  We get fun one-liners instead of huge conversations.  I love all those.  Overall, a good fun film.

Best Bits: 

[repeated line] Britt Reid: Let's roll, Kato!

~~

Kato: I was born in Shanghai. You know Shanghai?

Britt Reid: Yeah, I love Japan.

~~

Mike Axford: You are blowing this guy completely out of proportion.

Britt Reid: I will blow this guy in any proportion I want!

~~

Danny 'Crystal' Clear: I've got a see through piano.

~~

Chudnofsky: You said I was boring. My gun has two barrels, that's not boring.

~~

Britt Reid: Kato, I want you to take my hand, and I want you to come with me on this adventure.

Kato: I go with you, but I don't want to touch you.

~~

Britt Reid: The Green Hornet and his reliable partner, The Blue Wombat.

Kato: [smacks him]

Britt Reid: Oh! Oh man. Okay. How 'bout, um, the Red Hippopotamus? No? Not Red Hippopotamus?

Kato: Because I'm not red.

Britt Reid: I don't know. Why don't you tell me! The uh, Origamitrix...

A to Z Movies: The Fifth Element

Title: The Fifth Element

Year Released/Rating: 1997 PG-13

Starring: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker

Directed By: Luc Besson

Written By: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen

Star Rating:   4 /5 stars

Trivia: The language spoken by Leeloo was invented by director Luc Besson and further refined by Milla Jovovich. By the end of filming they were able to have full conversations in this language.

So F...  Hmm... We definitely have an odd collection of movies for F.  We sat there for about 5 minutes, I narrowed it down to three, J picked The Fifth Element out of that.  I think it partly has to do with the fact that over dinner we were talking about how many bad movies were made in the 1990s.  There are quite a load of them.  And we happened to pick a good 90s movie for our pick tonight.

You have to take this movie with a bit of camp.  Don't take it too seriously or it comes off as seriously cheesy.  That's why I like it so much.  A fun campy action film.  Complete with cheesy Bruce Willis lines and Chris Tucker being, well, Chris Tucker.  My favorite part has to be all the parallel shots.  We get the fight scene between Leelo and the nasties going on at the same time as Zorg is infiltrating the ship and Korben is watching the opera.  There are others, but that sequence is my favorite.  I just love the cuts in that scene.

Best Bits: 

Priest Vito Cornelius: You're a monster, Zorg. Zorg: I know.

~~

[Father Cornelius and Ruby Rhod see the bomb stuck to the door]

Priest Vito Cornelius: It's a - it's a - it's a - it's a - it's a - it's a...

DJ Ruby Rhod: No no no no no no. 'Cuz if it was a bomb, the alarms would go off 'cuz all these hotels have bomb detectors, right?

[the alarms sound]

~~

Korben Dallas: Whoa, lady, I only speak two languages, English and bad English.

[Leeloo continues to talk in divine language]

Korben Dallas: Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for conversation, but maybe you could just shut up for a moment?

~~

Korben Dallas: What's your name?

Leeloo: Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat.

Korben Dallas: Good. That... that whole thing's your name, huh? Do you have, uh... a shorter name?

Leeloo: Leeloo.

A to Z Movies: Easter Parade

Title: Easter Parade

Year Released/Rating: 1948

Starring: Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Peter Lawford, Ann Miller

Directed By: Charles Walters

Written By: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Sidney Sheldon, Guy Bolton

Star Rating:   5 /5 stars

Trivia: The shedding feathered gown worn by Judy Garland when she dances with Fred Astairein one number is an inside joke reference to Ginger Rogers' problematic gown dancing with Fred Astaire in Top Hat. An ostrich feather broke loose from Ginger Rogers' elaborate gown and stubbornly floated in mid air around Astaire's face.

Extra Trivia: Ann Miller danced with pinched nerves in her back. She was also taller than Fred Astaire, so she had to wear flats in her scenes with him. This can be seen towards the end of the movie. When she finishes the number "The Girl I Love" she goes behind the curtain wearing red high heels; when she comes back out in front of the audience to entice Astaire to dance with her to their old song "It Only Happens When I Dance With You", she's wearing red flats.

J had his standing meeting tonight, so I was left alone to choose the movie.  And I went with a classic, literally.  I love so many aspects of old movies.

• The outrageous costumes.  Exhibit A: Nadine organe dress in the second scene.  Who the hell would ever wear that for a night in?  But it just looks amazing while they're dancing.  I love all the costumes.  They are so colorful and intricate.  And Astaire's suits are the epitome of fine gentlemen's wear the late 1940s.
• Fred Astaire. He's not what I would find attractive looks wise.  But damn if he isn't attractive when dancing.  I just can't get over it.  I love to watch him dance.  Did you know?  Gene Kelly was to star, but broke his ankle.  That's okay, because Astaire is just amazing.
• The dialogue. So much banter.  I love it.  Sex scenes and cuss words were not allowed, but amazing banter is just peachy.  Love it! See the examples below.
• The music. I love singing along.  Oh hell, who am I kidding...  I just love musicals.

Overall it's got the whole My Fair Lady thing going on, but that's okay.  I still love it!  One of my favorites.

Best Bits: 

Don Hewes: A girl dancer has to be exotic; she has to be - a peach. Hannah Brown: I suppose I'm a lemon!

Don Hewes: Miss Brown, what idiot ever told you you were a dancer? Hannah Brown: You did.

[the bartender hands Don his drink] Don Hewes: Can you drown a brunette in this? Mike the Bartender: How tall is she? Don Hewes: Five foot six. Mike the Bartender: [filling the glass a little more] Try this.

A to Z Movies: Die Hard 4

Title:  Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard

Year Released/Rating: 2007 PG-13

Starring: Bruce Willis, Justine Long, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q, Kevin Smith

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Mark Bomback, David Marconi, John Carlin, Roderick Thorp

Star Rating:   4 /5 stars

Trivia: When introduced to an agent Johnson, McClane says: "Johnson, again?", a nod to the two agents Johnson in Die Hard, despite the fact that McClane and the two agents Johnson never spoke or met face to face.

J's choice tonight.  I was learning towards Dogma or Dark City.  He suggested Dave or Die Hard.  So we went with Die Hard.  It's been awhile since I've seen this installment.  Probably since it came out...  I'm almost always up for some good action film and this hit the spot.  I especially love Timothy Olyphant. He always play the creepy bad guy, but also the suave, could possibly be charming, bad guy.  Amazing!  And the stunts are fantastic.  The entire sequence in the refrigeration thing (towards the end) is just impossible.  And that guy, Rand, does almost all his stunts without wires.  That's just crazy!

Best Bits: 

Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car! John McClane: I was out of bullets.

Matt Farrell:[to Lucy] Wow, I know that tone. It's just weird hearing it come from someone... with hair.

John McLane [covering the webcam] You think you can, uh, find a track where he is?

Thomas Gabriel: Detective, covering the camera with your hand does not turn off the microphone.

[after the presidential montage]

Casper:That was creepy.

Trey: I tried to find more Nixon.

Thomas Gabriel: McClane? I thought I killed you already.

John McClane:  I get that sometimes.

John McClane: I know I'm not as smart as you guys with all this computer shit. But, hey... I'm still alive, ain't I? I mean, you've *got* to be running out of bad guys by now, right? Huh? Gabriel? Honestly, you can tell me. I mean, how does that work? Got some kind of service or something? Some kind of 800 number? 1-800-HENCHMEN? Oh, you know what? I bet you're still on hold with, "Can I get another dead Asian hooker bitch over here right away?"

[from the unrated version]

Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car!

John McClane: Hundreds of thousands of people get killed by cars every year. That's just like four more.

[after Lucy struggles and shoots Emerson in the foot]

Thomas Gabriel:  Jesus Christ. You got her? [Emerson nods]

Thomas Gabriel: You're sure? It's a nice effort, though.

A to Z Movies: Catch Me If You Can

Title: Catch Me If You Can

Year Released/Rating: 2002 PG-13

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tim Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams

Directed By: Steven Speilberg

Written By: Jeff Nathanson, Frank Abagnale Jr., Stan Redding

Star Rating:  5 /5 stars

Trivia: The blackboard that Carl Hanratty is writing on toward the end of the movie contains a small note at the bottom that says, "Steven and Tom's 4th project". Spielberg and Hanks had previously collaborated on Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and Joe Versus the Volcano.

First of all, the introduction to this movie is amazing.  The shadowed graphics are amazing.  I love that this is based on a true story.  And that the real Frank Abagnale consulted the film to be the most accurate.  I loved it...  The relationship between Frank Sr. and Frank Jr. is just amazing.  Frank Sr. made some bad choices in his life, but he really loves his son.  I can't help but root for him.  And the entire movie Frank Jr. is really just trying to make his dad proud.  Usually these kinds of stories make me gag, but this one really works.  Maybe it's the story, maybe the characters, or maybe the actors, but it works for me.  Best scene of the movie--the first time that Hanratty and Abagnale meet in the hotel room.  I love the look on Hanratty's face when it starts to dawn on him that the Secret Service agent might not have been the Secret Service agent.  The look on his face is priceless!  J's rating: "It's the first movie since Romeo and Juliet that I can actually take Leonardo DiCaprio seriously."  Agreed!

Best Bits: 

Paula Abagnale:  Just tell me how much he owes and I'll pay you back. Carl Hanratty:  So far, it's about 1.3 million dollars.

Tom Fox: He doesn't have a passport. Carl Hanratty: For the last six months, he's gone to Harvard and Berkeley. I'm betting he can get a passport.

Frank Abagnale, Jr: Brenda, I don't want to lie to you anymore. All right? I'm not a doctor. I never went to medical school. I'm not a lawyer, or a Harvard graduate, or a Lutheran. Brenda, I ran away from home a year and a half ago when I was 16. Brenda Strong: Frank? Frank? You're not a Lutheran?

Frank Abagnale, Jr: [when Carl catches up to him in the print shop in Montrichard] Carl? Carl! Merry Christmas! How is it we're always talking on Christmas, Carl? Every Christmas, I'm talking to you! [laughs] Carl Hanratty: Put your shirt on, Frank. You're under arrest.

P.S. J and I had a discussion other day.  Is it just us or is White Collar what happens after Frank was caught by the FBI?  Just a great show!  He's got me addicted!

A to Z Movies: Bridget Jones's Diary

Title: Bridget Jones's Diary

Year Released/Rating: 2001 R

Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent

Directed By: Sharon Maguire

Written By: Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies, and Richard Curis

Star Rating:  4 /5 stars

Trivia:  Salman Rushdie's cameo came about by total fluke. Old friend (the movie's author) Helen Fielding called him up and asked, "How would you like to make a fool of yourself?"

J had a migraine and I spent all day scrapping across town.  So, he spent some quiet, dark time in bed and I picked a movie all by myself.  After starting to read and failing to read so many BJD copies, I thought I would rewatch the movie.  All of my original ideas stood the test of time and rewatching.  Hugh Grant plays the most magnificent twat.  Renee Zellweger is still one of my least favorite actresses.  But that's okay because I adore everything that Colin Firth does.  Yes, the movie is a redone Pride and Prejudice, but that story is so great that I can forgive it.  I can even forgive Bridget's self-depreciating behaviors.  We all go through that phase at some point.  Thank god Mark Darcy is a rational steadfast man.  Plus, I get a kick out of the Tarts and Vicars party every time.

Best Bits: 

Bridget: This is an occasion for genuinely tiny knickers.

Bridget: Thank you, Daniel, that is very good to know. But if staying here means working within 10 yards of you, frankly, I'd rather have a job wiping Saddam Hussein's arse.

Mark Darcy: I realize that when I met you at the turkey curry buffet, I was unforgivably rude, and wearing a reindeer jumper.

Bridget: It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.

Mark Darcy: Natasha, this is Bridget Jones. Bridget, this is Natasha. Bridget works in a publishing house and she used to play around naked in my paddling pool.

Mark Darcy: All right Cleaver, outside. Daniel Cleaver: [half laughing] I'm sorry? Outside? Should I bring my dueling pistols or my sword?

A to Z Movies: Accepted

Title: Accepted

Year Released/Rating: 2006 PG-13

Starring: Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Blake Lively, Lewis Black,

Directed By: Steve Pink

Written By: Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Mark Perez

Star Rating:  4 /5 stars

Trivia: Lewis Black's character says the word "fuck" twice, but one was literally bleeped out in order to make the movie PG-13.

We decided to continue our hilarious comedy streak with Accepted.  Well actually, J wanted either Alien or Accepted to which I insisted on Accepted.  Really wasn't in the mood for the awesome, but slow moving Alien.  I just love the witty back and forth dialogue.  That's what really gets me in comedies.  I want a bit of Grouch Marx in there.  I want lines you have to rewind to listen to again because they are just way too hilarious.  And this movie definitely delivers it.  The only reason I knocked off a star: it gets a little too feel-good towards the end.  I mean, come on, the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington speech at the end makes me seriously roll my eyes.  But other than that, I adore this move.  And the soundtrack is freaking awesome.  Ramones the Pixies!

Best Bits:

Sherman Schrader: Yeah, cool guys. Let's start this fake college, and then we'll go start a meth lab somewhere. Come on, it's a gateway crime. That's how these things start.

Bartleby Gaines: Listen guys, there are plenty of successful people who didn't go to college. Albert Einstein. You know? Pocahontas never went to college. Corey Feldman and Corey Haim; they had a great run. Both Lewis and Clark. Suzanne Somers. Bono.

Sherman Schrader: Who was that? Bartleby Gaines: Oh, that's our mascot Sherman Schrader: A sandwich? You're the SHIT Sandwiches?

Bartleby Gaines: Hey Shrad, do you know any places up near Harmon we can rent?

Sherman Schrader: Oh, yeah I do, actually. I carry around a list with me at all times of abandoned buildings for fake colleges.

Sherman Schrader: I don't want to be here alone when the walls start to bleed!

Sherman Schrader: It was your idea to put "acceptance is just one click away" Bartleby Gaines: Yeah, you put it as "one click away"! You don't make it... clickable!

Bartleby Gaines: Schrader, what about you? What do you want to learn? Sherman Schrader: Well, B, I'm glad you asked actually, 'cause since we're going to prison, I'm gonna learn how to carve a shank out of my toothbrush.

Abernathy: Hi there! What's your name? My name's Abernathy Darwin Dunlap but you can call me A.D.D. on the account of the fact that I have A.D.D., which is attention deficit disorder. You know - everyone used to think it was just an addiction to sugar when I was 6 and my mom used to cry because she thought I would never be like a fully functioning member of society like my neighbor who has Legionnaires' disease.

Bartleby Gaines: [waving and fake smiling at girls leaving in their yellow buggy] Hey! I hate my life. I'm a huge tool. Have fun being hot.

P.S. The best scene in the movie has to be the end shot of the car blowing up.  The looks on their faces are brilliant!

A to Z Movies: The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Title: The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Year Released/Rating: 2005 R

Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Jane Lynch, Romany Malco, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, and cameo by Jonah Hill

Directed By: Judd Apatow

Written By: Judd Apatow and Steve Carell

Star Rating: 5 /5 stars

Trivia: The "beautiful old Guatemalan love song" sung by Javier to Paula translates to: When I clean my room / I can't find anything / Where are you going in such a hurry/ To the soccer game.

Extra Trivia: The entire "You Know How I Know You're Gay" scene was improvised by Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen

For our first A to Z Movies choice, we went with The 40-Year-Old Virgin.  It was a tough decision.  Just in the #s alone, we have 10 movies.  I threw out a few choices, J threw out a few choices, and we were down to 300, 12 Monkeys, or The 40-Year-Old Virgin.  I went with the final decision and chose comedy.  And I'm so glad I did.  I forgot how amazingly funny this movie is.  Besides Steve Carell (who's definitely funny), we get Seth Rogen's amazing one-liners and Paul Rudd's unique sense of comedy.  I forgot all the side characters that really make this movie.  I think I laughed out loud the entire movie.  It's just too good.  This is Apatow at his best!  A great script, great directing (or nondirecting, since they improvised a ton), and amazingly funny actors.  I'm so glad we chose this as our first movie for the month.  Tonight: on to the As...

Some of my favorite bits:

Jay: [to Andy, in a bar] All you got to do is use your instincts. How do you think a lion knows to tackle a gazelle? It's written, it's a code written in his DNA, says, "Tackle the gazelle." And believe it or not, in every man there's a code written that says, "Tackle drunk bitches."

David: [the same Michael McDonald sampler DVD has been playing on all of the television screens for the last two years] If I have to hear "Yamo Be There" one more time, I'm going to "Yamo" burn this place to the ground.

Haziz: Do you know how I know you're gay? Because you are holding each other ever so gently.

Cal: [talking about Trish being a grandma] You should fuck her and then have her send you $12 on your birthday.

David: [to a shirtless Andy, who has an incredibly hairy chest] I love your sweater. Does that come in a V-neck?

Paula: [propositioning Andy to be her 'friend with benefits'] I'm very discreet... but I will haunt your dreams.

David: Dude, you look like a man-o-lantern.

Andy Stitzer: Is this shirt too yellow? Cal: No. [pause] Cal: Tell me, what's Curious George like in real life?