From The Past: June 1, 2007

5-3-07 The Island – This is a great science fiction/action movie that stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. I don’t want to give too many details of this movie because I know, for me, it was more fun not knowing what the movie was about at all and then slowly finding out. I will give you a hint though: it reminded me of Logan’s Run.

5-7-07 Fun with Dick and Jane – This “comedy” stars Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni. We watched this as a family thinking it would really be something light and funny. Sadly, it was neither. It’s about two people who find themselves out of work. The bills are piling up and the house is in foreclosure. No money is coming in, so they decide to begin a life of crime in order to pay the bills. Maybe I’m being too sensitive; I just don’t think it set a good example for my kids to see people stealing because they couldn’t pay their bills.

5-9-07 Accepted – This was something that Andrew talked me into watching. He loves it and finds it hilarious. I did find some humor in it, but not like he did. It’s about a kid who graduates from high school and finds himself with nowhere to go to college because they have all refused him. When he decides to create his own college on the Internet to fool his parents, he gets a surprise when students begin showing up for class. This is definitely a movie for teenagers.

5-10-07 Poseidon – This movie is a newer version of the 1972 version titled The Poseidon Adventure. I recognized a few faces, including Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, and Freddy Rodriguez. I found this adaptation to be just as enthralling as the first one.

5-21-07 Stranger Than Fiction – This is the story of a man (Will Ferrell) who constantly hears a narrative of his every move. Since no one else can hear it besides himself, it begins to affect his entire life. I found this movie to be only mildly interesting and it didn’t end the way it should have. I haven’t seen all of Will Ferrell’s movies, but those I have seen have not been impressive.

5-29-07 The Hollywood Knights – Made in 1980, the best thing about this movie is the music. Throughout the entire film, one 50’s hit after another is played in the background. It is about a 50’s gang, the Hollywood Knights who pull a lot of pranks and get into trouble with local law enforcement. All the teenagers hang out at a drive-in restaurant which the adults in the town consider a nuisance. The movie takes place on the last night that the drive-in restaurant will be open. I would not recommend this ever.

5-30-07 Music and Lyrics – This is a cute “date-type” of movie which stars Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant. Hugh Grant plays a man who was once a member of a famous singing 80’s duo (think: Wham). Whereas George Michael became famous, Hugh Grant is like the other guy who we never hear about and we don’t remember his name. Did we ever know his name? Anyway, he is asked to write a song for a famous singer even though he has never written a good song without the other half of his duo. When he meets Drew Barrymore’s character, she helps him to turn things around.

* Our son, Andrew, is in love with this movie and the songs. He has even learned to play the music on his piano.