EARLY RELEASE On Demand: Check your local digital cable provider.
2014. PG-13. 136 minutes. Starring Chris
Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Cobie
Smulders, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan. Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo and Joss Whedon.
Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier. [IMDb]
Nicole: Oh, man, my Fangirl is in overdrive! I can’t believe I’m going to say this but Captain America: The Winter Soldier was actually better than The Avengers. (No! Did she just…? No, she couldn’t possibly have said it, but – oh, yes – she did.) From the second this sequel starts, you better buckle up – ‘cause you’re in for one hell of a ride.
elizabeth: Well, I have never been a fangirl of any of these types of
movies. I just don’t get them blowing up everything and calling it
acting. Was there any acting or just men in tights (and I am a fangirl
of this look).
Read the rest of the review at our home across the pond, Smitten by Britain.
2013. 111 minutes. Starring: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison, Valerie Tian, Navid Negahban, and Amy Brenneman.
An art instructor and an English teacher form a rivalry that ends up with a competition at their school in which students decide whether words or pictures are more important. (IMDb)
Elizabeth: I got all giddy when I saw the trailer of Words and Pictures. A movie for adults, starring adults, about adults–who would have thought it possible? No car chases, nothing blowing up, and just the right amount of obscenities; I nearly fainted. But I’ve been fooled before; sucked into thinking this might be a movie that tells a story about two people not in their twenties, but I’m here to say this movie was a joy to watch. I was happy to see two imperfect souls make me believe again.
Nicole: I had my fair share of great teachers, but I certainly would have enjoyed counting him among them. I sat thoroughly engrossed by this film. It was like a truly great symposium led by talented artists. I felt a deep connection with these characters, mainly with Clive Owen’s Jack Marcus, because he is a man of words. But Juliette Binoche’s Dina Delsanto resonated with me as well, because she spoke to the artist who resides within me. I left the theatre feeling inspired…awakened…and wanting more.
Available on DVD & Blu-Ray September 16th
EARLY RELEASE On Demand: Check your local digital cable provider.
2014. Rated
PG-13. 125 minutes. Starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willen Defoe, and
Laura Dern.
Hazel and Gus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. [IMDb]
Nicole: Elizabeth can attest that for
about 80% of this movie I was a slobbering mess and a distinct displeasure to
be seated next to. After all, I knew this would happen; I couldn’t make it
through the trailer without bawling like a maniac. I was miserable afterward,
too; unable to shake the emotions and my eyes were puffy for a solid day-and-a-half.
That being said, I want to stress that this is a terrific movie, filled with
wonderful performances, which should be seen. Just have plenty of tissues on
hand...and chocolate. You’ll need lots of chocolate.
elizabeth: I have to say that I wanted to
see this movie, but had reservations since it is about two teens and I wondered
if the people involved could make a movie about two teens relevant to all who come to sit in the dark
for over two hours. They did. The storyline is just miserable. It makes you
think about how unfair life is. But then you witness the love of life that
Hazel (Woodley) and Gus (Elgort) have and you realize this is life. It is not
always fair, but we are here for only a blink of the eye, so what would you do
if you knew that life could end before the next sunrise? Most people live like
they have time to do everything – thus the stupid bucket list came to life.
Don’t make a damn list. Just do it. For the record, I did tear up a little. But
I get it – this is life. Life sucks sometimes. Who says we get 80-plus years?
Available on DVD & Blu-Ray September 20th
EARLY RELEASE On Demand: Check your local digital cable provider.
2014. R. 114 minutes. Starring Jon
Favreau, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Sofia Vegara, Scarlett Johansson,
Robert Downey Jr., Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, Emjay Anthony. Written and
Directed by Jon Favreau.
A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family. (IMDb)
Nicole:
Every now and then a movie comes along that renews your faith in the art of
storytelling. Chef is one such movie. I can't wait to express my enthusiasm for
this movie. I gotta get it said right now: I loved every second of this
wonderful film. From the originality of the story, to the stellar art
direction, to the ingenious casting, to the toe-tapping, hip-swaying
soundtrack--Chef adds up to one satisfyingly delectable watch.
elizabeth: Look
at this: Every time you start a review, you read my mind about what I am
going to say. Stop it! The day after we saw Chef, I posted that this movie will
make you happy, hungry and you will move your moneymaker. Someone sent me a
note asking if a moneymaker meant one’s butt. Dear Nervous Smile, yes it
does. And this is from someone who just got a new right hip. I couldn’t sit
still. It took my mind off the hunger pangs. If this movie does not get some
Oscar nominations, I will sell off my red carpet gowns. Once I buy them.
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