Mark and I have had the opportunity recently to see two movies in the theater. Oh, actually, Mark saw a third movie with my dad. Of course I want to give you a full review of the second movie we saw, but for today, I want to talk about my favorite part of the movie-going experience.
No, not the popcorn. I’m talking about previews. I’m using the summaries from IMDB, but don’t worry. It wouldn’t be a movie post without my valuable (ha!) opinion.
My Sister’s Keeper (June 26) Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) looks to earn medical emancipation from her parents (Cameron Diaz and some guy) who until now have relied on their youngest child to help their leukemia-stricken daughter Kate remain alive.
I think the preview said the sick daughter has kidney disease not leukemia. But whatever. Both times I saw this preview, I turned to Mark and said, “Absolutely not.” And then I glared at the screen until it was over.
Because seriously? I’m pretty sure this one will make me cry. For days.
However, I hear from many (including my sister-in-law) that the book is great and the movie surely will be, too.
Public Enemies (July 1) The Feds (including a very angry Christian Bale) try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.
We’ve seen this preview twice, too. And both times, Mark turned to me wide-eyed and said, “Awwwww, yeah!” The first time, I wanted to clarify exactly why he was interested in this historical bang-bang-shoot-em-up flick. (Right – it’s a mystery!) I said to him, “Because you’re so excited to see hot Johnny Depp without the freaky makeup?”
Turns out that wasn’t what he’d been thinking. But my history- and action-loving husband is definitely going to see this. As it’s rated R – which surely means it will have more violence than I really prefer – I’m not sure I’ll go with him.
The Ugly Truth (July 24) A romantically challenged morning show producer (Katherine Heigl) is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Gerard Butler) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.
And hijinks ensue, of course. I know, I know – this will be the typical rom-com, the usual chick flick, a piece of silly fluff. But you know what else? I like that.
Besides, somebody has to support Smitty in her undying love of all things Gerard.
Funny People (July 31) When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer (Seth Rogen) under his wing as his opening act.
For me, Adam Sandler is either on or off; there’s no middle ground. I can’t tell you how often we quote Happy Gilmore or how many times I’ve watched The Wedding Singer or 50 First Dates. But Little Nicky? Anger Management? Uh, no thanks.
But his “grown-up” movies – Click, Spanglish – have been pretty good. More serious than you’d expect and not exactly uplifting, but good. And I have a feeling this one will fall into this category.
Then again, we laughed a lot during the preview, so it might be pretty funny, too. I hope it’s both – good and funny.
Julie & Julia (August 7) Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (Amy Adams) are featured in writer-director Nora Ephron’s adaptation of two bestselling memoirs: Powell’s Julie & Julia and My Life in France, by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme. Based on two true stories, Julie & Julia intertwines the lives of two women who, though separated by time and space, are both at loose ends…until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible.
Mark saw this preview first and tried to explain it to me. Needless to say, I didn’t quite get it. But then, when we saw the second movie together, this preview played again. And I. Must. See. It.
Meryl Streep is fabulous, always. And Amy Adams has really grown on me in the last couple years – I really like her. And she plays a woman in a job she hates who decides to find some meaning in her life through blogging. Hello?
I can’t wait for this one.
Post Grad (August 21) Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel) graduates from college and is forced to move back into her childhood home with her eccentric family, while she attempts to find a job, the right guy, and just a hint of where her life is headed.
Oh, look, it’s Rory! And she’s graduated from college and can’t find a job! And she doesn’t know what to do with her life! And there are cute boys!
Seriously. I will see this. It will probably not change my life. But I know I will love it anyway.
What summer movies are you looking forward to?
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"–I LOVE Harry Potter! The books are better than the movies, of course, but I still can't wait to see the 6th movie.
I'm with Mark on "Public Enemices". History + Depp and Bale in one movie? Come on!!
I also can't wait to see "Up."
And, naturally, "GI Joe". I'm kidding!!
Ha! I was just about to say you missed the most important one — "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"! :D July 17th. :) (Mary has yet to read the books, Erin — so sad…)
I agree with you about "My Sister's Keeper," Mary — no, thanks.
And "Public Enemies" doesn't sound too bad either. Lots of violence maybe, but at least it has those 2 redeeming factors of Johnny Depp & Christian Bale… and you can just zone out during those intense violence/action scenes anyway, right? ;)
I want to see "Up" too, Erin! I don't usually care about animated movies, but that one looks really cute for some reason — and I think it may have gotten 5 stars (but I could be wrong)
I don't think I've heard of any of the other movies you mentioned, Mary! Obviously I need to go to the theater again! (I went to "Star Trek" recently though — I wonder why I didn't see these previews! I suppose it depends on the type of movie you're seeing… and on that note, we should all start going to more romantic comedies/chick flicks in the theaters, because I've heard that companies are making less of them because people (women:) don't go see them on Friday nights, so they don't make money like the action flicks do… I know of at least one of my friends whose husband won't go to romantic comedies in the theater b/c he says it's unjustified but that for action movies you need the big screen… but obviously it is important to see chick flicks in the theater too! Hmph!)
Sorry, that was much longer than I anticipated!
Oooh, these movies sounds so fun to me! I'm not a big Adam Sandler fan, but I loved Spanglish. Not sure if I want to see My Sister's Keeper or Public Enemies though. But, Julia & Julia sounds good. I do like Amy Adams and you're right, Meryl is always a fab actress. Of course I want to watch Rory, um I mean, Alexis do her thing. And I agree with you… I adore Chick flick, silly fluff movies, so The Ugly Truth will be a must see. Although, I'm positive I'll have to wait until all of these come out on video.
When will you be reviewing Ghosts of Girlfriends Past? That looks really cute. Did you see He's Just Not That Into You? I'd like to rent that soon. Thanks for the movie reviews!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to see movies just because "Rory" is in it :-D. And I love Amy Adams too…I can watch "Enchanted" 10 times a day!
I heard "UP" is a REALLY good movie. My SIL went to see it and said it made her cry and laugh and was one of the best movies she's seen…high praise.
But seriously, Mary, do you take a notebook with you to the theater just so you can remember the previews to blog about them??? :-P
"my sister's keeper" is one of my all-time favorite books. i hope the movie doesn't disappoint.
Sorry, Erin and Chelley – I'm still not on the Harry Potter bandwagon. Maybe someday… :)
Brenda, I'll probably review Ghosts of GF Past in a week or two. In short, it was good for a Matthew McCaughney movie. So, if that's what you like (and…I do…), then you'll probably like it. :) Oh, and I did rent He's Just Not That Into You this weekend. I didn't love it. But I've heard other people did. So….I don't know.
HM – ha! I don't take a notebook, although that's a good idea!
Alece – I say go in with low expectations! That's usually the best way to approach a book-based movie! ;)
Hi Mary! Jumping over from Twitter…. When my girls group and I went to Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, we all said the SAME thing about My Sister's Keeper! :) And, we already have a date to see The Ugly Truth!
Mary, it's funny, when I saw the previews to "Julie and Julia" and "Post Grad" I totally thought of you! (and for the same reasons that you mentioned)
I couldn't agree with you more on your thoughts on Adam Sandler….the majority of his movies I like, but some of them were just downright awful. That said, the man is very talented!
And previews are my favorite part of a movie most often. I would love to just sit in a theater with popcorn and soda and watch previews for 2 hours!
Can't wait to see Julia & Julia! It looks excellent.