Movie Reviews ~ Midway and Hacksaw Ridge

This past weekend was a WWII movie weekend.

We started off by watching "Midway" on Friday night and then on Saturday we watched "Hacksaw Ridge".

We saw the preview for "Midway" while getting ready to watch a movie a few weekends ago.  When I saw it in the Redbox, I snagged it up as the hubby and I both thought it looked interesting.  I didn't know much about the Battle of Midway.  Of course, I'm familiar with Pearl Harbor and how the United States got involved in WWII but Midway was new territory for me.

The movie was great!  I love history so it especially appealed to me.  The hubby was a bit bored in some parts but I thought the whole movie was interesting, even the low key scenes that were setting up for bigger scenes.  I especially liked the whole concept of the decoders.

The movie was realistic and graphic in a "war movie" sense.  Please use caution with younger children.

"Hacksaw Ridge" is an older movie that we realized we had never sat down and watched.  I knew that it had gotten a lot of awards but, man, it was amazing!

The story of Desmond Doss was so very interesting.  I loved the movie from start to finish.  It had to be absolutely horrific to go through what our Military goes through each and every day to keep us safe and free.

Again, this movie was VERY realistic and was very bloody.  We didn't allow our 13 year old to watch it with us as I knew it would be upsetting to her.  Use caution.

Watching these movies pretty much back-to-back was a very eye-opening experience.  We didn't intend to have a WWII themed weekend but it was well worth the time.

Have you seen either of the movies?  What did you think of them?

Colletta

Movie Review ~ Paul, Apostle of Christ ~ Recommend!

Saturday afternoon we decided to take the family to the theater to see "Paul, Apostle of Christ".  We heard from some friends at Church that it was an excellent movie.

There was a bit of friction from Laken who really wanted to watch "Sherlock Gnomes" instead, but she understood that we were going as a family and were all going to watch the same movie.  I can understand this of an 11-year-old.

Here's the official trailer for your viewing pleasure:

Now for my thoughts:

Our friends from Church were right!  This was an EXCELLENT movie!  I was captivated from start to finish!

I really don't know how to describe the emotions this movie evoked.  It was a roller coaster.

There were some aspects of the story that weren't technically "BIBLICAL" as in they aren't recorded in the Bible.  But at the same time, the events were definitely things that COULD have happened.  I didn't really see anything that was "UNBIBLICAL".

Laken had lots of questions throughout the movie.  It is rated PG-13 and there were a few places that I worried that the movie might be too much for her but I'd rather her see a movie about Christians that is PG-13 than a secular PG-13 movie.  Overall, she handled it very well.

There were so many thought provoking moments in the movie.  I wish I could tell you how much it impacted me and has made me want to strive even harder to win the race.  There was so much to be encouraged by.

The ending of the movie was so emotional for me.  Tears were definitely falling.

I would definitely recommend this movie to everyone.  If you take kids, be prepared to answer questions so use your discretion on the age and maturity of the child.


So, let me know if you've seen the movie and what you thought.  If you haven't seen it yet, do you think you will?


Colletta

Movie Review ~ Wonder ~ 3/7/18

 

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Rated:  PG

 

Description:

 

Based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.

 

Trailer:

 

My Thoughts:

 

I LOVED THIS MOVIE!

 

This is one of the very best movies I have seen in a long, long time!

 

My brother and SIL had taken my nephew and Laken to see it at the theater.  When it came to the Redbox, Laken was so excited to rent it.  I knew that it had gotten good reviews and Laken really liked it, so I was excited to see it.

 

We settled in with our M&M's and Dr. Pepper and I was mesmerized!

 

There were so many heart-warming, touching scenes that I can't even start to pick a favorite but one does stick out to me as a Mom:  It was on Auggie's first day at "school" and her first day of not home-schooling him.  The family saw him off to school and then the Mom (Julia Roberts) went home by herself and sat in their home-school room.  Oh, my heart!

 

I enjoyed how the movie featured the lives of the different characters.  It gave a different perspective and answered a lot of questions.

 

You should definitely watch this movie with your family!

 

So good!

 

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Linking up Totally Terrific Tuesday,  Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, Do Tell Tuesday and Titus 2 Tuesday, Hearth and Soul, A Spirit of Simplicity,  Tuesdays with a Twist  , Inspire Me , Tuesday Talk , The Scoop, Raising Homemakers .

Tea Time ~ Movie Nights and Sloppy Kisses ~ 1/26/18

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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It has been a while since I shared a Tea Time, so I thought I'd better get back at it!

~I mentioned the other day that I've started babysitting my cousin's baby boy a few days a week.  His name is Damon and he is the sweetest little thing!  He has been so very good for me and is so pleasant.  So far, at least!  One of my favorite things about watching him is getting sloppy wet baby kisses :)

~Our new TV came!  It is so exciting to be able to sit on our couch and watch TV together as a family.  The girls have taken over the Family Room now that they can watch Netflix somewhere other than their rooms.  Next week:  cable :)

~Being that we know can sit and watch TV as a family, we had a Family Movie Night on Saturday complete with Twizzlers and M&M's.  We got three movies from the Redbox.  Dunkirk, The Dark Tower and The Mountain Between Us.  Have you seen any of these?  My favorite was The Mountain Between Us :)

~My cousin Steph's other little boy, Dex, who I've mentioned on the blog before lost his front tooth!  He wouldn't smile at me for anything until I figured out that it was because there was a tooth missing.  Such a cutie :)

~I'm very pleased to say that almost a month into the 2018 and I'm still caught up with my One Year Chronological Bible reading.  I'm in the Book of Job right now.  Not the happiest Book of the Bible, but at least I'm keeping on track :)

How was your week?
 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!
 

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Tricky's Five , Friday's Fave Five. Fresh Friday Finds, , Sweet Inspirations, Funtastic Friday .

Movie Night (2) ~ People Like Us ~ 11/1/12

A weekly spotlight of a recently watched movie.  Everyone is welcome to leave a link to a movie review in the comments!  What movie should we watch this weekend for Movie Night?

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*Sources:  Yahoo Movies "The Lucky One"*

Title:  People Like Us

MPAA Rating:  PG-13 (language, drug use, brief sexuality)

Genre:  Comedy, Romance

Run Time:  2 hours

Premiere Date:  6/29/12

Writer(s):  Kurtzman, Orci, Lambert

Director:  Alex Kurtzman

Distributor:  Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Synopsis:

Sam is a young, fast-paced salesman who reluctantly returns home when he learns his father has died unexpectedly. In the course of putting his father's estate in order and reconnecting with his estranged family, Sam discovers he has an older sister. As their relationship develops, Sam must to rethink everything he thought he knew about this family and take a hard look at his own life choices.
 

Cast

Sam Harper:  Chris Pine
Frankie Davis:  Elizabeth Banks
Josh Davis:  Michael D'Addaris

 

My Overall Thoughts:

While I liked the story told in this movie, I had hoped for much more.

Sam was quite the jerk in the beginning and I felt so bad for Frankie.

Just watching Josh's teenage actions, made me hope and pray that my girls never act that way!

MPAA Rating Thoughts:

Again, PG-13 just doesn't seem a strong enough rating.  There is some major language, Sam drinks and smokes pot with his mom, there is fairly detailed sexuality.  There are also some situations that were pretty mature also.

My Favorite Scenes(s):

My favorite scene is at the very end.  It involves an old-style home recorder and I really can't say anything more than that or I'll give too much away!


Watch This Movie With:

This is a true chick-flick and should be watched with appropriate chicks :)

Other Notes:

-  It was really strange seeing Michelle Pfeifer playing an older lady.

-  I never did quite figure out the dynamics of the two familes at once thing.  Were they at the same time?  One before the other?  It left me curious.

-  I enjoyed Olivia Wilde's small part in the movie.  She was really the only character that seems "normal".

Trailer:



My Rating:

4/5

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What are you watching this weekend?  Leave a comment or link :)

Movie Night (1) ~ The Lucky One ~ 10/25/12

A weekly spotlight of a recently watched movie.  Everyone is welcome to leave a link to a movie review in the comments!  What movie should we watch this weekend for Movie Night?

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*Sources:  Yahoo Movies "The Lucky One"*

Title:  The Lucky One

MPAA Rating:  PG-13

Genre:  Adaptation, Drama, Romance

Run Time:  1 hr 41 min

Premiere Date:  4/20/12

Writer(s):  Will Fetters (screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (Novel)

Director:  Scott Hicks

Distributor:  Warner Bros.

Synopsis:

U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive - a photograph he found of a woman he doesn't even know. Learning her name is Beth and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Cast

Logan Thibault:  Zac Efron

Beth Green:  Taylor Schilling

Ellie Green:  Blythe Danner

Ben Clayton:  Riley Thomas Stewart

Keith Clayton:  Jay R. Ferguson

 

My Overall Thoughts:

I read the book months before I had the chance to watch the movie.  Wne I read it, I knew that Zac Efron would be playing Logan's character.  I had a hard time picturing this because was hung up on thinking of Zac Efron as a "High School Musical" kid.  When I finally saw the movie, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Zac has grown up!  He pulled it off very well and banished all "HSM" associations from my mind.  lol  Especially with the....ummmm...love scenes.  Whoa baby!

I watched this movie one afternoon while I crocheted.  The kids were at school and the hubby was sleeping after working the night shift.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I would even say that I liked the movie as well, if not better, than the book.  And that is saying something!


MPAA Rating Thoughts:

This movie is rated PG-13 due to sexuality and violence.  I think they need a rating that is somewhere in between PG-13 and R because that is where I would rate this movie.  I think it was a bit too steamy for a 13-year-old to be watching but it wasn't explicit enough to be an R movie either.

My Favorite Scenes(s):

I love the scene when Logan, Beth and Ben are in the kitchen cooking and dancing.  We do that at our house so I really felt a connection.  It was a sweet, feel-good scene where a lot of character could be seen in the interaction.

I also really liked the scene with the storm and the rescue.  Very intense.

There were so many great scenes, but I don't want to give too much away!


Watch This Movie With:

I watched this movie by myself but that isn't optimal.  lol  I would have liked to have watched this movie with some of my girlfriends but it is so hard to get together with everyone's busy schedules.

It would also be a romantic movie to watch with your "SO" if you can get them to watch it with you.  I couldn't :(

Not one to watch with the kiddos, though.

Other Notes:

I do recommend reading the book first.  There is a lot of back-story and details that are in the book and made watching the movie even better.

As in most book-to-movie adaptations, there are some small and some rather large changes/differences.  I don't think they detracted from the story at all.

Be prepared to laugh and to cry.  Have the tissues handy.


Trailer:

My Rating:

4/5

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What are you watching this weekend?  Leave a comment or link :)

Movie Night Link-up, Anyone?????

 

  This is basically a feeler post to see if anyone would be interested in taking part in a weekly link-up discussing movie recommendations or (warnings!).   At our house, we try to have a weekly Family Movie Night at least once a week.  It is a wonderful time spent together as a family.  Sometimes, the hubby and I will get a movie to watch after the kids go to bed.  Every once in a blue moon, we'll actually hit the theater!   What I have in mind for this link-up is a Thursday post that recommends movies for the upcoming weekend.  It can be any genre, but nothing erotic, please!  You don't have to post yours on Thursday.   You can link-up from any day.   You can post about a movie you've seen recently, one you want to see, or even a classic that you think everyone should watch.  You could include your thoughts, likes, dislikes, target audiences, age appropriateness, rating etc.   If this would be something you would like to participate in, leave me a comment so I can get a feel for the interest.   Also, if you have any ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear them :)