Edith (Dana Gaier)

Despicable Me (2010)

Chick 1 says:

Very excited about this time traveling romance from Richard Curtis and I was not disappointed

I love most of what Curtis has written.  Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, the screen play for Bridget Jones’ Diary, even a lovely little episode of Doctor Who (which I secretly hope got him thinking about time travel for this one).  I knew he’d bring heartwarming humor, romance, and poignancy with just the perfect amount of British snark.

I don’t want to spoil the story.  Just know that Gleeson and Nighy play father and son in a family where the men can travel in time.  What’s lovely is that Gleeson’s character is such an ordinary bloke with an ordinary life.  This is what Curtis does best, embracing both the immense value and the heartbreak of things that we all experience.

Up and comer Domhnall Gleeson (Hi, Bill Weasley!) carries the burden of this story on his skinny but capable shoulders.  Rachel McAdams is enchanting and her chemistry with Gleeson is sweet.  And for heaven’s sake, go see anything Bill Nighy is in.  Anything, I tell you!  Don’t argue; just watch it!

Bottom Line: Bring your tissues and leave feeling inspired to enjoy your life without the benefit of time travel.

Jess (Zooey Deschanel)

New Girl (2013)

Gandalf (Ian McKellan)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Gonzo (Dave Goelz)

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

Chick 1 says:

The idea of this movie always intrigued me.  Seemed like a good idea but the more I saw of the ads the more the movie itself seemed…meh.  Unfortunately, my suspicions were accurate.

First let me say that Oz is gorgeous.  The sets, costumes, and most of the visual effects are a treat.  There are a lot of great ideas here, some clever thoughts on how the Wizard came to be.  And I have to admit the final resolution was satisfying.  But getting there was a slow painful trip.

One of the biggest problems is the combination of James Franco and his character and I’m not sure which is the real problem.  Yes, Oz (Oscar Diggs) is a self-centered, ambitious, amoral con-man but lots of protagonist start off in that condition.  That’s usually the point of a good story, that the hero should grow and learn.  But there is so little to like in Oz and it’s a long time into the movie before we see some sincerity in him.  Even his early attempts to be “good” are motivated by self-survival and personal gain. And as we get closer to the end when Oz is supposed to be maturing, Franco’s acting just comes across as smarmy.  What I assume was supposed to be a sweet smile just made me go, “Ew, stop.”

It seems the filmmakers are trying for a type of fantasy sweetness with a nod to old style acting but it makes the film lack subtlety.  You can have a sweet-tempered good and evil story but still have layered and textured characters.  Michelle Williams as Glinda the Good Witch is OK.  Her acting is fine and the character does occasionally have a clue but toward the end she descends in “I believe in him. Blah blah blah.” territory and completely confirms Mel Brooks’ theory that  ”Evil will always triumph because good is dumb.”  This especially applies to poor Mila Kunis who flounders around like Natalie Portman in the Star Wars movies, a case of good actress with crappy script/direction.  Even just a few minutes after meeting her I was thinking, “Can a witch be this stupid?”  Rachel Weisz is the only one who manages to escape somewhat unscathed.

There are a few moments that resonate like the story of the china doll.  And the finale is fun, especially the final tie-ins to the original Wizard of Oz movie.

Bottom Line:  Unless you are a big Wizard of Oz buff or love great visual effects, stay away.

Madame Suzanne (Claire Maurier)

Amelie (2001)

Chick 2 says:

Overall Concept: B-   Saved a C by a slight twist at the end I actually didn’t see coming.  Otherwise, take Sparks’ same ole formula, insert new hot actors.  There is obviously something appealing about this tired old formula, because they keep making ‘em and we keep seeing ‘em.    

Acting:  B+  

Script: C    Sparks is not much for an in-depth backstory and wants to get straight to the luv.

Cinematography:  A    I always want to live in these charming Southern towns.

Hotness of Cast:  A++

Wardrobe: A   Realistic, but makes me want a coastal vacation.

Location/Setting:  A

Climax:  B-    Dramatic event without a lot of drama.

Chick 1 says:

I’m  foregoing the live blog this year as it keeps me from actually enjoying the show itself.  Instead I’m tracking random thoughts that pop up during the night.

5:34pm – While 9-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis is not short on attitude, I do love that she picked her dress because it was “sparkly and fluffy” and that she didn’t let a stylist talk her out of  carrying a puppy purse named Sammy.

5:45pm – It’s Daniel Radcliffe!  Cutiepie!  And, bless his heart, one of the few people shorter than Ryan Seacrest.

5:59pm – How cute is it that Joseph Gordon-Levitt came with Sally Fields?  I’m always surprised how low his voice is.

6:18pm – So 49-year-old Helen Hunt looks old and 75-year-old Jane Fonda looks fabulous!

6:47pm – We’ve been on this remote location with still photos for a while now.  Did E! News loose their live feed?

6:49pm – Oh, ABC started at 6:30 this year instead of 7.  Bummer, their red carpet coverage is never as good.

6:50pm – I take it back.  Hugh Jackman picking up Kristen Chenoweth and his wife in each arm is pretty cute.

7:05pm – Oh my gosh, I love Adele and her accent!  I can’t understand a word she’s saying.

7:07pm – Oops, audio difficulties.  Guess you don’t cut Sandra Bullock off so you can adjust your settings.

7:40pm – Nice!  Seth McFarlane you’re winning me over. Long but very funny opening.

8:05pm – Hellooooo Avengers!  That’s a whole lotta yum.

8:27pm – Wow, I didn’t know you could make James Bond so boring but this montage…zzzz…

9:19pm – Great Sound of Music gag!

10:03pm – Well hello, Barbra.

10:32pm – I like Seth McFarlane but this is becoming a rather boring telecast.

10:44pm – Oh, Jennifer Lawrence, I think you’re the most authentic person in the room.  You make even a fall work for you!

10:45pm – Smart and funny intro for Meryl Streep.

10:51pm – Daniel Day-Lewis is eloquent and charming as always.

10:53p – How fun!  Michelle Obama.  I really like her.

11:02pm – Seth/Kristen, you guys are cute but we’re tired, please don’t expect us to sit through you closing number.

11:03pm – High points (Seth’s humor, some of the musical numbers) and low points (boring montages, some of the musical numbers) make this year a mixed bag.  What were your favorite moments?

See ya next year!

Chick 1 says:

I was introduced to this little ditty by one of the animators at my office.  One of this year’s Oscar nominees for Animated Short Film, it’s a whimsical example of claymation at its finest.