Twilight: Eclipse

her view:

Honestly, I wasn't excited to see this movie. There were some, I'll be kind, flaws in the first two movies that made it hard for me to work up any much enthusiasm to see this movie. Nonetheless, Friday night saw me taking in a late show with a girlfriend. Surprisingly the late show was busy-it's been a few weeks since it opened so we weren't expecting much of a crowd. At least it wasn't a theatre full of screaming teenage girls-there were some couples in the crowd, and I felt bad for the men.

***Note: guys, go see Predators, I promise you'll like it better!***

I was pleasantly surprised: they fixed most of the flaws from the other films, and injected some humour. Well done! I am now convinced that Edward may be the appropriate choice-I've always been pro-Jacob for the movies and pro-Edward for the books-and I am conflicted in the choices now. Good job guys!

There was enough eye candy for me to stay interested, and Kristen Stewart didn't annoy me nearly as much as she did in the previous films; although I was distracted by her fake eyelashes, and I hate that Rachelle Lefevre was replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard. They should have made the "scheduling conflicts" work-Bryce's hair looked like a wig, and the role was quite a bit smaller than it could have been if Rachelle had remained in the role. Those were the only big things that bugged me about this movie, so that's not too bad!

I enjoyed Twilight: Eclipse enough to want to re-read the books to refresh my memory on the way the series ends. Breaking Dawn part one apparently comes out in November 2011, so I'll have some time to get worked up about it again. Maybe next year, if they have a marathon showing of the movies before they play the newest release I'll find a way to get there with a group of friends. Maybe.

3 out of 5 icicles

---C

His View

I decided to watch the first 2 Twilight movies on DVD and I'm happy I did. As a guy I would not spend money to see them in the theater...UNLESS...I wanted to make my wife or girlfriend happy! Sorry guys I think some of you will have to see this movie...UNLESS...you can help/encourage a Girls Night Out! Then plan a Guys Night Out and go see Predators!

The one thing I like about the Twilight movies is the whole Native people can shape-shift thing!

But the acting in the first 2 movies was VERY bad and I'm getting tired of teenage coming of age movies now that I'm getting older.

So you guessed it I didn't see the pile of crap movie and I hope I don't have to see it on DVD. I'm rating this movie on the first 2 so...

0 out of 5!

--I

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

her view

First, I am not a huge, die-hard fan of Nick Cage. Nevertheless, there are very few movies that he's in I will not see. A bit contradictory, I know, but he picks good movies and is usually in them with good actors. This movie was the same. A great plot, barely reminiscent of the Disney vignette of The Sorcerer's Apprentice featuring Mickey Mouse from Fantasia, it was engaging and fun to watch. Jay Baruchel is my new favourite actor-he's funny and intelligent and easy to watch. He's a great foil for Nicholas Cage, and provided some much needed heart & comedy to this movie. I think that without him, this movie wouldn't be as magically.

Jay plays Dave, a 20-year old physics student trying to overcome a life changing event that occurred when he was 10. In his travels, he happens across the girl of his 10-year old dreams in a first year physics class he's teaching. Can we say this first encounter was awkward!? His next meeting is with Nicholas Cage's character, Balthazar, after he's pulled himself out of an urn that's dropped 20 stories and goes looking for Dave. Unfortunately, Balthazar isn't the only one released, nor is he the only one looking for Dave. He also isn't the first to find Dave. oops.

I found myself lost in this movie. I rooted for Dave, I cheered on Balthazar and booed Horvath (the bad guy). I cared about the characters, and appreciated the jokes in the movie. I recommend the movie for light hearted fun and a good story. The acting wasn't always fantastic, but it was good enough that I didn't feel cheated. It distinguished itself from the cartoon, and yet included a scene or two that reminded of the genius of the first.

4 out of 5 icicles

---C

His View

The Sorcerer's Apprentice features Nicolas Cage as a secondary character. Nicolas Cage is a Sorcerer looking for an apprentice that is destined to become the next Merlin. Cage is all the reason I would need to love this movie but Cage's career, I feel, is slowing down.

The movie is centered around up and coming comedic actor Jay Baruchel's character the Apprentice. Jay Baruchel's career has been heating up in the last ten years with leading man roles in How to Train Your Dragon (voice), and the Trotsky. Baruchel, I feel, is the star to see in this film so if you like any of his past work you will love The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

No, this is not a traditional guy movie but it is a funny movie that you should grudgingly go to with your girlfriend or wife. I enjoyed it but feel it may be a better renter on the small screen despite the great CGI and big movie feel we have come to expect from Director Jon Turteltaub, Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and Disney.

For the hard core magic fans you may feel a little silly watching this movie because it's not a Dungeons and Dragons type magic world but King Arthur meets modern day convenience type magic. Modern day people or non-magic users can't see most of the magic so conveniently normal people can't see much of the craziness that is being cast.

Warning!!! there is a love story to this movie and frankly I felt it got in the way! Especially since the love interest in the movie can't act to save her life. Her blond hair for this movie looks very silly...you know silly like seeing Jessica Alba with blond hair.

Sorry to say I give The Sorcerer's Apprentice only

3 out of 5 icicles.

---I

Everybody's Fine

her view:

Wow. To begin with, everybody is NOT fine. The children are spread out and not talking to their father the way he would like and he's lonely after the death of his wife. They are all lonely after the death of their center of the world; the lingering impression I have from this movie is sadness. Robert DeNiro is brilliant as always, and this role made me see him in another light. For some reason, when I think of him I don't think of him as a friendly, warm father. It's more Meet the Fockers than it is meet the guy who loves his kids and wants only their happiness.

The movie is full of melancholy and loneliness and painful, hand clenching moments that made my heart heavy and made me cry. It was fantastic! I love the movies that make me feel so strongly about the characters, even if it means I use more tissues than are absolutely necessary. I felt like it was my own father I was seeing disappointed by my actions, and at the same time it made me happy that that is not my life.

I enjoyed the movie. I loved the message and the belief that there is something to learn from the overall theme. I am liking this new side of DeNiro, it makes me appreciate him and want to see more of his work. There were some other big names in the film, but they made less of an impression than I thought they would.

Good acting, emotional investment in the characters and a worthwhile message.

out of 5 icicles

---C

His View:

“Everybody's Fine” was advertised as a happy happy movie about a widower that decides to visit his children around the country. Turns out “Everybody's Fine” is a very serious movie about a family that becomes separated by barriers setup to protect a father from becoming worried about family troubles. Robert DeNiro plays the somewhat distant father looking to forge a new relationship with his grown children 8 months after the death of his wife.

Right from the start of the movie you begin to get a sad feeling as the widowed DeNiro prepares for a visit from all his children. One by one the children cancel for one reason or another prompting DeNiro to make surprise visits to his children against his doctors wishes.

Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell portray the roles of his children. We begin discovering that his children are hiding things from him as he travels around the country. Along the way the sadness of it all sets in like a thick fog on a sunny day. You can't help but feel the sadness growing.

Now if you're not into tear jerk movies then steer clear of “Everybody's Fine”!

Girls try to get your guys to watch this movie because there are some great learning experience about being a father.

Guys if you don't want to ball your eyes out in front of your woman then watch this great movie on your own.

For those of you Girls and Guys that watch this movie and don't find it touching and sad...you need to get in touch with your feelings.

DeNiro gives a stellar performance. Despite the other star power in the movie their roles seemed understated in comparison to DeNiro.

No action but a lot of emotion I give “Everybody's Fine”
out of 5 icicles

--I