"Crazy, Stupid, Love." (2011); "Lymelife" (2008); "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend" (2010); "What About Bob?" (1991); "Breakfast with Scot" (2007); "Bad Teacher" (2011)

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) - I like the cast a lot for this movie (although Gosling seems to have a weird look to me; don't know why, sorry dude) so of course I liked the movie. Emma Stone is a doll and I'm pretty sure she's what we all hoped Lindsay Lohan would have been. *zing!* I like it when movies have a bit of interconnectedness to it. That might have just given the movie away. Or maybe not. I'm trying to put voodoo confusion on you right now. You are getting very sleeeeeepy..... as sleepy as I am writing thizzzzzzzz. Okay, I'm back. The movie was fun but like many Hollywood movies, it hijacked an important social event (and several other social situations) so the characters could show the drama of their plight. I understand as a writer that 'they' say to up the ante and raise the stakes but it's a little old and predictable, that trick. I do recommend the movie though as the characters and situations were fun.

Lymelife (2008) - I'll be honest. I thought I was picking out a documentary about Lyme's Disease which someone in my life has. But I still liked the movie and it was fun to see some of the other members of the Culkin family. It was dramatic of course but enjoyable. I don't have tons to say about it except that the tone is a little heavy. If you like the 70's era, this would be one of those. Some notable players: Cynthia Nixon, Alec Baldwin (playing an a-hole), Jill Hennessy and Timothy Hutton as well as the aforementioned Rory Culkin and Kieran Culkin.

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (2010) - This is one of those Lifetime-esque movies that almost hurts to watch. I watched it on hulu to kill some time but of course had to finish it. Let's just say that the plot was the reason I watched and then it turned on me and insulted my intelligence and my personal belief system. Yeah. I mean the twist was okay but it was the weepy 'poor me' moment that completely ticked me off. That and the ulterior storyline didn't show conflict so how would that have sold within that story. It's kind of a gag-worthy story and the character played by Alyssa Milano is not likeable nor believable. I wasn't able to connect to her enough to care about her. So, yeah, I might tell you to pass up on this one unless you'd like to watch it and bitch about it with me. ;)

What About Bob? (1991) - I'm sure I've mentioned this movie several times because it is one of my all-time favorite movies. I am mentioning it this time however it terms of it's MPAA rating. It's rated PG. If any of you have ever seen it and know it well, you will realize this mainly comes into play for the elaborate string of creative cuss words utilized to demonstrate Tourette's Syndrome. I watched it most recently with my parents and my nephews (ages 12, 9 and 6) who now have a more active vocabulary because of it. This movie is perfectly crafted. It shows the complete turn-around of a psychiatrist into someone who is insane. Brilliant. What I just found from the trivia page probably helped character-wise: "According to Richard Dreyfuss, he and Bill Murray did not get along during filming."  Other tidbit: "Woody Allen was suggested for the role of Leo Marvin." - What a completely different movie THAT would have been! It's worth noting that the 6 year old did not have the attention span necessary for this movie but still found the funny parts funny. The older two really enjoyed it. So, hooray for educating the younger generation, even when it includes putting their precious ears at risk for bad words. I may be hearing from my brother on that one... ;)

Breakfast with Scot (2007) - I'm a fan of movies that focus on non-heteros and I put this one at the top of my movie queue after seeing the trailer on another recently-watched non-het movie (2 points to the reader who can guess which one that was). This movie was less campy than I thought it was going to be and I really appreciated that. I also appreciated that it didn't rely on the upcoming business trip to "up the ante" AND I liked that even the most unlikeable of characters was not made into a demon but actually just another human with a complex system of needs. His girlfriend wasn't even a throw-away character and we were able to respect her because of it. I liked the story and the manly-men gay guys that break the mold of what society expects a gay man to be. The message is pretty clear without being overwhelming or distracting. I thought it was a nice movie and would recommend it for sure!

Bad Teacher (2011) - I've got to say... this teacher is my new hero. I LOVED this movie because it was a great, under-appreciated vehicle to show a "bad girl" in action. It is so uncommon to see roles for women that are nitty-gritty and allow them to be the slacker without having to do a complete 180 to become the proper women that society demands. We need more movies like this. This movie was excellent. It was cleverly funny and so so wrong in all the right places. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the cameos/roles by Phyllis Smith, John Michael Higgins, Molly Shannon and Eric Stonestreet. AWESOME. This movie didn't do too well and I attribute part of it to the aforementioned sexism present in Hollywood and society in which women aren't allowed the 'fun roles'. But I loved it because the film and Diaz's character were unapologetic and got away with murder. The movie was zany and not realistic but I could deal with that because it has character and spice. Totally recommend this movie.

"Despicable Me" (2010), "Father Ted" (TV), "Rango" (2011), "Rosemary's Baby" (1968), "Krazzy 4" (2008), "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952), "Assassination of a High School President" (2008), "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (2001)

Despicable Me (2010) - Okay, since I now own this movie, I should probably stop mentioning it in my blog. But I do love it so. My dad said it was the cutest movie he's seen in a long time and my work-mom's hubby shed a few tears too. This is most definitely a 'dad' movie. I'm sure many fathers out there can relate to finding importance in realizing there is more to life than what you knew before you had kids. And that with all the trials and tribulations that kids bring, it's still worth it. I think that's pretty sweet and it's a very fun flick with some goofy characters. I like the crazy contraptions that Gru has and his Minions are pretty cool. I need me some minions for sure.

Father Ted (TV Series 1995-1998) -  YES, it's a TV show, but it's hilarious and worth noting. My parents and I individually and together watched the first season DVD, thanks to my library. It's amazing... a BBC show that makes fun of Roman Catholics that my parents were able to laugh at. Obviously, it must not have been tooooo offensive, but I'm sure some of it was. But at least they were able to laugh at it and be jolly. I highly recommend this series. Obviously, I've only season 6 episodes, but they were awsome. Some I saw more than once. The jokes are pretty great. Not completely wholesome and obviously both religious and anti-religious people were able to find humor in it, so it's a definite win!!

Rango (2011) - Something most definitely was being smoked during the creation of this movie and I'm told one should be smoking something while watching it to fully appreciate it. I was not smoking anything and had my nine year old nephew with me at the dollar theatre. He liked it. I found it strangely philosophical at points and the characters were downright creepy-looking for the most part. I suppose it's a nice change from the standard bubbly fake-looking characters we normally see in kids' movies. But I'm not too sure this was a kid's movie. There were plenty of jokes for adults but that's how you fill the seats. It was an odd movie. I guess that's the best way to say it. Oh and long. Which was not helpful to my tiny bladder. Cuz Lordisa knows I can't miss a movie if I can't pause it! Watch this one at your own risk.

Rosemary's Baby (1968) - I put off watching this movie because I knew anything dealing with pregnancy had to be creepy. Oh, gee, did I say pregnancy? I meant the devil. And I had a devil dream not too long ago, so that didn't make me any more excited to see this one. But I knew I had to because it's one of those "important" films. Yeah, it was creeeeeepy. I started watching it at one of my jobs when I wasn't required to do much and got about an hour of it watched. And then when I was able to finish watchint it at home, I made sure to watch it in the living room because I was not able to invite the devil into my bedroom... he had already appeared there in a nightmare. Eeps. Okay, so the movie. Yeah, I would NOT be inhabiting any haunted witchery type place, no matter how cool the setup. And one obviously must set boundaries with the neighbors. But to not be able to trust your own spouse is also scary. Ugh, so not cool. I suppose you have to watch it. It's kind of an obligation, you know.

Krazzy 4 (2008) - What better to follow a scary movie than a Bollywood feel-good flick? Obviously it's not on the required watching list. And I suppose I can't even say it's good. It follows the typical pattern for B-wood movies, minus the love-fest and a great deal of song and dance. It follows four mental patients who have to get their doctor back after she's been kidnapped. And of course it asks us, what defines 'crazy'? Good question, I suppose. Not very deep, but always great escapism.

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) - This also happens to be a very long movie (made longer by the four phone calls Mom had to answer, requiring the 'pause' button) but it was a good watch. There really is nothing like the circus and this brings it into your living room. My mom and I particularly liked the tiny dogs dressed as elephants! CUTE! Of course, brace yourself for typical 50's movies gloss and story lines. But the spectacle is worth it. Also, has my new favorite dialogue.... here is my paraphrased version: Brad: "Women are poison." Angel: "Yes, but it's a beautiful death." SCORE.

Assassination of a High School President (2008) - This movie was predictable, but clever. There were some good zingers in there. I do recommend this one, despite predictability because it was well-done and had some great references and funny moments. Yeah, that's all I'm gonna say.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) - I was first introduced to this movie by my brother and his wife when I was so young and impressionable. Okay, I was probably in high school or maybe even college. Most likely high school. But this movie is pretty great. It takes a person usually on the outskirts of society and puts them forefront and Hedwig forces you to deal with the reality of his life. It's a great movie that speaks of duality and trying to find your other half but coming to terms with yourself as you are. There are a LOT of songs in there, but they are pretty good. Origin of Love is of course a favorite.

So, I hope you have found something to watch here. Leave me comments on your thoughts on the above movies, if you've seen them, or recommendations to me for similar movies. Basically, I just find movies at the library or from Facets. Go, little guy! :) Peace out, homies!