"Defending Your LIfe"

This DVD - "Defending Your Life" - written by and starring Albert Brooks is a great conversation starter. Some friends recommended this and I just got around to finding a copy at the library. It also stars Meryl Streep who (as always) does an incredible acting job and is able to portray her character with genuniness and believability.

Daniel Miller (played by Brooks) is celebrating his birthday in his brand new car when he's distracted and crashes head-on into a bus. The next thing we know Daniel is in heaven where he's defending the life (not too successfully) he lived. During his "free" time he meets Julia (played by Streep) who is successfully defending her life and everyone she encounters truly enjoys spending time with her.

What does "Defending Your Life" involve? It means showing you lived a full and fearless life and, if you can't, you return to earth and try again. After meeting Julia, Daniel doesn't want to return to earth but wants to go on spending time with her.

This is a humorous and thought-provoking movie and I do recommend it for everyone!

pazt

"My Sister's Keeper"

"My Sister's Keeper" is a movie based on New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult's novel of the same name. It is directed by Nick Cassavetes who also directed "The Notebook" and "John Q."

The story centers around Anna portrayed by Abigail Breslin -- a remarkable and brilliant young actress who always gives her best to her roles. Anna is a young girl born into a family with an older brother and an ailing older sister, Kate, who has leukemia. Although Anna herself is not ill, she might as well be since she was conceived as a "donor" for Kate. Anna has been probed and prodded from birth and undergone medical procedures designed to save Kate's life. Anna's activities are also restricted by this and she longs to be a normal young woman participating in normal pursuits. When Kate needs one of Anna's kidneys, Anna balks and hires an attorney (a great role for Alec Baldwin) to seek medical emancipation allowing her the right to make all medical decisions regarding her own body.

Anna's decision rips her family apart. Her mother (played to perfection by Cameron Diaz) gave up her law practice to care for Kate but returns to the courtroom to fight Anna's right to medical emancipation. Anna's brother already appears to be on her side -- helping her hock a piece of jewelry to pay her attorney. Anna's father, who I believe already saw her as an individual apart from her sister's medical needs, begins to view her in a new light as he recalls the physical and emotional pain Anna has endured in order to help Kate -- who Anna does dearly love.

Joan Cusack portrays the judge assigned to hear this unique case and brings great depth to her role as a judge who is also a mother who has suffered the loss of her own child.

This movie would be a good starting place for a discussion about family relationships, love, loss, and much more.

Cassavetes has brought together a spectacular cast to tell this story that is not only emotionally gripping but full of love and moments of light heartedness plus a totally surprise ending. Please don't let the subject matter deter you from watching this one -- It's well worth seeing in my opinion.

pazt

Salt

When the movie, Salt, came to the theaters last year, I heard mixed reviews about it but I was determined it was a movie I wanted to see and rate myself. I put myself on the waiting list at our library and finally was able to pick it up, bring it home, and view it. I was not disappointed.

Angelina Jolie plays a CIA operative who is accused of being a sleeper agent (or double agent for Russia) after years of proving her loyalty to the U.S. and the CIA. Early on in the movie she is on the run and we're left to wonder - "Is she or isn't she?" You'll have to find out for yourself.

Don't miss the special features at the end of the DVD -- particularly, director Phillip Noyes radio interview. He's almost as interesting as the movie and I definitely want to make sure I see his movies -- past and future.

An interesting side note is the fact that about the time the movie was released was when 11 individuals were accused of being "sleepers" in the U.S. and were sent back to Russia. My husband and I were left to ponder what happens to someone so acclimatized to the States and who has spent so little time in their home country when they're forced to leave their life here?

"Salt" is an action packed movie and Jolie makes a believable heroine - enjoy!

pazt

P. S. I Love You

"P. S. I Love You" was a DVD I checked out from the library and my spouse and I watched it several weeks ago on one of our movie-at-home date nights. It's a love story -- serious but funny -- and I liked it so well that I am trying to decide if I want to add it to our personal DVD library so we can watch it over and over like some of our other favorite romance movies. It boasts an all-star cast that includes Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow, Harry Connick, Jr., and Kathy Bates. When we watched the additional scenes (or ones that didn't make the final cut), I wish they'd left them in as they added so much to the story. This movie is based on the bestseller by Cecelia Ahern which I think I may now need to read. Although the movie has its sad moments, it is mostly about joy and hope and new beginnings and I highly recommend it.

pazt

"Gran Torino"

If you, like me and my spouse, thought you didn't want to see this Clint Eastwood movie, please rethink your position. After several of our book club friends recommended this movie to us, we decided to pick up a copy at our local library to view. Wow! What a movie! I won't spoil the story by telling you more but be prepared for relationship transformations. ( This is my second viewing of this DVD and, if you'd like more details, you will find them in my April 29th posting.) If you're a car buff, you may also enjoy watching the "Special Features."

pazt

"On A Clear Day" DVD

This has been on my list of movies to see since I saw previews for it at the movie theater. Although I didn't make it back to the theater to see it, it was a recent date night movie and I enjoyed the way it wove a serious theme with some light moments. When Frank Redmond (played by Peter Mullan) loses his job, he decides to swim the English Channel as a personal challenge. In the meantime his wife is trying to pass the test to become a bus driver. As they each strive to reach their goals and keep what they're doing secret from one another, challenges arise in their relationship and with their son and his family. Frank has the support of his friends and eventually his decision to swim the English Channel brings the family together in a way that brings unexpected healing to old wounds.

pazt

"No Reservations" DVD

After seeing part of this movie on television one night, I wanted to watch it from beginning to end so picked it up at our local library for a recent date night. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Kate) stars as a workaholic master chef who is suddenly responsible for her orphaned niece (Abigail Breslin)and is clueless as to how to relate to a grade schooler. Actually, she's clueless about relationships in general!

Kate's employer makes seeing a therapist a condition of her continuing employment but Kate seems to enjoy cooking for her therapist more than talking about her issues. When a new chef is added to the kitchen and Kate thinks he may be threatening her job, tensions and romantic sparks fly! However, the path is not smooth and Kate has some learning to do along the way to true love and new parenthood. It's a charming movie with some great acting.

Be sure to check out the special features after the film. I found it fascinating to learn how much time the cast had to spend in kitchens with chefs to appear realistic in playing their roles (and they do!). When host Marc Summers visits the set for an episode of his food network series, Catherine Zeta-Jones admits she doesn't cook in her private life.

pazt

Campion Mysteries on BBC Video

03/30/10

I was able to locate the complete first season of Campion at one of our local libraries so this is the end of these mysteries for our date nights. "The Case of the Late Pig" is part of the first series as well as "Look To The Lady," "Police At The Funeral," and "Death Of A Ghost." Campion appears to have aristocratic breeding that allows him to mix well with society while trying to solve cases.

In "Look To The Lady" he finds himself mixed up in witchcraft as well as murder while trying to keep an international ring of thieves from destroying a prominent British family.

In "Police At The Funeral" Campion is called to an English country home to solve a bizarre murder at the urging of an old school friend who handles the family's legal affairs and is engaged to one of the younger members of the family. While Campion is staying with his friend, another murder occurs at the family's home and the matriarch of the family insists Campion move into the house to solve the murder and keep the rest of the family safe.

"Death Of A Ghost" finds Campion mixing with art lovers at the posh estate of a friend. However, shortly into the evening a murder occurs and Campion is on the case again.

03/15/2010

I found "Campion The Complete Second Season" and it turns out it is also the second and final season of the Campion mysteries -- what a disappointment! It consists of four DVD's/mysteries: "Sweet Danger," "Dancers in Mourning," "Flowers for the Judge," and "Mystery Mile." Each is different in its own way and a fun way to spend an evening trying to solve the mystery. The first two are 107 minutes long and the last two are 108 minutes long so each is just right for our Friday night "date night." Check your local library to see if they have copies.

02/11/2010

If you're a fan of the BBC mystery series, you've probably seen Margery Allingham's sleuth, Albert Campion,brought to life (played by Peter Davison of All Creatures Great and Small as well as Doctor Who fame). Brian Glover plays Campion's loyal but slightly irreverant manservant in this mystery series set in the 1930's.

My spouse and I watched "The Case of the Late Pig" last week while we were on holiday and it's a fun murder mystery with lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end as to who were the "good" guys and who were the evildoers. Even with all the mysteries to solve, there's a little romance thrown in to make the story even more interesting. I'm off to look for the whole season series so I can see how the romances sort out in addition to trying to solve additional mysteries.

pazt

The Librarian

March 15, 2010

My spouse and I watched the last of "The Librarian" movie series in February and we're both disappointed it's come to an end. We hope there's another one in the works! This last one is "The Librarian Curse of the Judas Chalice" and joining the cast this time as the female lead is Stana Katic. If she looks familiar, it's because she plays Detective Kate Becket on ABC's "Castle." For those of you who are enjoying the latest interest in all things vampire, this movie has one! Another fun movie!



02/01/10

Here we are already at the beginning of a new month -- Where did January go?!

For the holidays my spouse and I gave ourselves a membership to the 24 Hour Fitness just down the street so we can walk on the treadmill no matter what the weather is like outside -- a big plus in rainy Washington state.

What makes the walking bearable for me is plugging in ear plugs so I can listen and watch the TV screen in front of me while I walk. Since we usually only walk 30-40 minutes, however, I'm either catching the end of a show, the middle of a show or the beginning without knowing how it ends.

Last month I saw the end of one of "The Librarian" movies with Noah Wyle and found it to be so much fun that I've had to check them out. So far I've watched the first two DVD's in this movie series. They're action, romance, and spoof/comedy all rolled into one with some terrific acting. In addition to Noah Wyle (of ER fame) playing the lead, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtin, and Olympia Dukakis have recurring support roles.

The first one is "The Librarian - Quest for the Spear" -- a TNT original movie.
The second one is "The Librarian - Return to King Solomon's Mines" from the producer of "Independence Day." Noah's co-star on this one is Gabrielle Anwar and her role in the movie is reminiscent of the type of character she plays on the TV series, "Burn Notice."

If you're looking for pure escapism mixed in with fun and adventure, I highly recommend both these movies. Now I'm off to find the third one!

pazt