Monday At the Movies: A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

Monday's Movie is hosted by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie.

Sometimes I watch bits and pieces of movies. Friday was like that. My back was bothering me, sitting up was impossible, vacuuming like I planned was out of the question, shoe shopping didn't sound so good, and so I staked out a place to lie down in the living room while the animals and television kept me company. I should have read a book, I know. But I wasn't quite in the mood for that. And so the television and I got cozy Friday afternoon.


Movie: Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Directed By: Stephen Herek
Writers: Neil Landau & Tara Ison

From Netflix:

Thrilled to have Mom out of their hair, four siblings are ready to celebrate when she departs for an extended tour of Australia -- until, that is, their elderly babysitter shows up. As luck would have it, though, the woman dies on her first night. Not to worry: The eldest of the pack (Christina Applegate) quickly falsifies a resumé and lands a job as an executive assistant with a clothing company.

I missed the first half hour of this film this time around. It was actually a re-watch for me. I saw the movie several years ago when I was on a Christina Applegate kick and I've seen bits and pieces of it again over the years while flipping through the channels. It's funny, sometimes, the movies that we stop and linger on. They aren't always the ones we might expect. This is certainly not one I would think would catch my attention again, but it did.

One of my favorite comedy bits in the film is when Christina Applegate's character is being lectured by her oldest brother about how neglected he feels, not to mention all the responsibilities she's left him with while she goes off to work every day. It's a stereotypical argument you might hear between a working outside of the home spouse and a stay at home spouse. And I love how Applegate's character reacts to her coworker's attempts to seduce her. She may not know what she's doing in the corporate world, but she does know how to stand up for herself and think on her feet.

This movie would never make my favorites list nor is it one that belongs in my DVD collection, but it was fun to revisit--and to giggle at the sight of all those huge shoulder pads.



Movie: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Directed By: Colin Strause & Greg Strause
Writers: Shane Salerno

From Netflix:

Prepare for more mayhem as warring aliens and predators return for Round 2 of their no-holds-barred slugfest. This time, the intergalactic creatures do battle in a small American town, throwing local residents into harm's way. To save the planet, the humans must oust both types of unwelcome guests. This sci-fi sequel features tons of spectacular action sequences full of nifty new gadgets and gooey monster gore.

I confess that I am not a huge horror movie fan. All that blood and gore makes me burst out laughing rather than make me squirm. Psychological thrillers, on the other hand, are a different matter entirely. I have never actually seen a Predator movie. And while I liked the last Aliens movie, the ones before it made me a bit sleepy. So, why, you ask, would I sit through Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem? Good question. I can't say I have good answer. It was on. None of the other HBO movies looked good and so I thought, why not?

While I did catch this one from the beginning, I missed parts here and there as I wandered about the house visiting the animals in their various rooms, letting the dog out and then back in, and heating up my lunch. I don't feel I missed anything significant in the meantime.

I am really not sure what to say about this film. I had trouble telling apart the Predator from the Alien during the battle scenes. Colorado is a beautiful state, and I was sorry to see that it was targeted by these ferocious aliens. Lucky for the town, Reiko Aylesworth playing Kelly was home on leave from the military. She can really kick butt. She'll never be an Ellen Ripley though.

Does it make me want to go back and watch the first Aliens vs. Predator movie? No, not at all.


Movie: August Rush (2007)
Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
MPAA Rating: PG
Directed By: Kirsten Sheridan
Writers: Nick Castle & James V. Hart (screenplay); Paul Castro & Nick Castle (story)

From Netflix:

After cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and guitarist Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) share an enchanted night together, circumstances rip them apart, and the child (Freddie Highmore) produced by the union is raised by an opportunistic stranger (Robin Williams) who nurtures the boy's musical talent. Determined to find his parents, the boy -- known as August Rush -- relies on music to draw his mother and father to him. Terrence Howard co-stars.

I missed the first half hour of this movie earlier in the day. HBO was reshowing it on a different channel later that afternoon, and I caught 20 minutes of what I'd missed in the first viewing. Maybe someday I'll see the first 10 minutes.

Talk about a feel good movie. I watched the ending twice. In one day. Even so, I did not think this was a great movie, merely just a good one. I can't quite pinpoint what I did not like about it, other than I do not feel the movie and its characters were as fully developed as they could have been. Still, it was an enjoyable movie--the best I watched that afternoon. I loved the way the writers and director wove the music into the story. There is one scene in particular that especially mesmerized me, The one where Freddie's character is walking down the street, taking in all the city street sounds. Suddenly it's no longer just noise, but music.

I like Robin Williams, but he often has a habit of overdoing the comedy. He was perfect in this film, however. He was easy not to like, and yet I couldn't help but feel sorry for him too. I got the impression his character had a sad history--one that had turned him into the man he had become.

I can see myself watching bits and pieces of this one again when I come across it. And while the movie itself won't be added to my DVD collection, the soundtrack already has made it into my music library.

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The Monday Movie Meme is brought to you by The Bumbles.

This week's movie topic is all about Reunions...

What are some of your favorite reunion type movies?

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - This is one of my husband's favorites, and after he introduced it to me, it became one of mine as well.

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997) - This is one of the best reunion movies ever. Okay, so at least one of the most fun. I love the soundtrack anyway.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) - You know I had to work this one in somehow. This is the final movie in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I cry every time.

Grosse Point Blank (1997) ~ Who can resist John Cusack? In this film, his therapist convinces him to return home for his 10th high school reunion. While he's there, he can take care of a little business too, assassinating his latest target. If he runs into his old flame, even better.

The Princess Bride (1987) - When true love is involved, nothing can keep them apart.

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