Two Movies With Very Different Takes on Feeling Free

What, movie night 2 weeks in a row?!? Can't be! Yup...it happened. The schedules of five people somehow allowed us to hold movie night 2 weeks in a row. And with Brooke and Chuck's wedding just a week away, it's a wonder either of them were able to concentrate (ok, well at least Brooke...Chuck's probably not too worried about it!). Going into this movie night, it was a given there would be some sleepers for the second movie because pick #1 was a lengthy one. But, we made it through, Chuck and Brooke got home safely, and now we wait a few more weeks until we meet again. On to the reviews...

Titanic
Picked by: Steph
Why Picked: "Because Dave refused to watch it with me...but the rules about movie night require him to sit through it! I've always thought it was a great movie and wanted him to see it."

Brooke: Two thumbs up!
I am so glad that Chuck finally saw this movie. This is one of my favorite movies, not only for the great love story, but that it's based on an actual event that is still hard to believe really happened. Leo should have won an Oscar for this.

Chuck: Two thumbs up!
Overall it's a good movie, but very long. If you haven't seen it, you should have a snack and get comfortable.

Steph: Two thumbs up!
I've only seen this movie once before - in the theatre...so I was a bit worried that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered. Thankfully, it was better. Seriously - I am an extremely restless person and the 3+ hours just flew by.

Dave: Two thumbs up!
It was not as bad as I thought it would be. I liked the spin they put on it at the beginning. Oh, and "that iceberg was the devil"

Stacy: Two thumbs up!
I have seen this movie before a couple times. Good movie. A little too long, but a good story. I am a little shocked that everyone gave it two thumbs up! Way to go Dave and Chuck, I'm impressed. Before the movie Dave kept saying "It's this (arms spread out wide) then this (gesture of a crash)". He was soooo not looking forward to this movie, I'm glad he liked it!

Gardenstate
Picked by: Stacy
Why Picked: I think that most people, whether or not they admit it, go through periods of time when they feel emotionally empty. I can very closely relate to the character played by Zach Braff, so this movie really hits home with me. It's important for me to share this movie because I feel like it gives a little glimpse into my own head sometimes.

Brooke: Two thumbs up!
I've never seen this movie all the way though. I enjoyed it. Not a big fan of Natalie Portman, but I like her in this character. Good job Zach Braff!

Chuck: Two thumbs up!
I really like the flaming arrows, but I think it was a little sad overall. His friends remind me of high school.

Steph: Two thumbs up!
I loved this movie although I dozed off for 10 minutes (have seen it before though). Killer soundtrack!! Loved Zach Braff's character and what he stood for.

Dave: Two thumbs up!
I really like Portman's character in this movie.

Stacy: Two thumbs up!
There's beauty in the breakdown. Still in my top 3 favorite movies, even after seeing it 5 times.

The movie is very sad overall Chuck, welcome to the inside of my head (-: Having battled depression since the age of 15, I have never believed in taking medication for it. I don't necessarily want to feel the way I do sometimes, but I also don't want to be completely numb. At the end of the movie, I want to know, what do they do? How do they end up? Is her existence really all he needs to free himself from his state of numbness? Or does he just go back to it a few months down the road, leaving her a crumpled mess that probably would have been better off not ever meeting him? I want a sequel.

You Are Not Forgiven for Being a Jerk!

Being almost a month in the making, I think we were all ready for a great movie night. I got to see two movies I had not seen before - a Western and a Steve Martin comedy. Two movies that I never would have taken the time or had the desire to watch on my own. Although I was greatly looking forward to movie night, I admit I had set myself up for disappointment, assuming I was not going to care for either of the movies. Turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. And that is what this movie club is all about. Oh, and Brooke - thanks for the delicious jerk chicken, oh I mean Italian chicken! (-: On to the reviews...

Unforgiven
Picked by: Brooke
Why Picked: "I wanted to watch the movie Gene got his second Oscar for" (Gene Hackman is Brooke's great Uncle)

Brooke: Two thumbs up!
Gene Hackman rocks! I am not a big fan of Westerns, but this movie kept my attention. What ever you do, don't go cutting up any whores or Clint will kill you!

Chuck: Two thumbs up!
I like the way that he was trying to forget the past, but in the end you can't run from your past.

Steph: Two thumbs up!
I liked the movie alot - but I did not like the beatings. Clint Eastwood is a bad-ass!

Dave: One thumb up, one thumb down
I'm glad he got his revenge at the end, but sad that his friend had to die. That's all I got.

Stacy: One thumb up, one thumb down
Not a movie I would ever watch on my own, but I enjoyed it. Except for the jerk chicken getting to me!

A little slow at times, but overall I liked the characters and thought both Gene and Clint were great. It's kinda crazy that the really young kids were spontaneously left alone to fend for themselves, and all the pigs were getting sick. Wonder what they were gonna eat?

The Jerk
Picked by: Dave
Why Picked: "Just wanted to see a classic Steve Martin film"

Brooke: One thumb up, one thumb down
What was with the singing? Some funny parts but it is not what Chuck made it out to be.

Chuck: One thumb up, one thumb down
Some of the movie was funny, and some was dumb. But I would watch it again.

Steph: One thumb up, one thumb down
Funny - but also annoying at the same time. So glad Navin got to find his special purpose in life.

Dave: Two thumbs up!
If you have seen this movie, then "you're somebody now"

Stacy: Two thumbs up!
I actually really liked it! It was cracking me up! Lighthearted and so stupid really, but I was entertained. Glad I've seen it.