Mommy Brain

(The Soloist was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr. and Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx star in an extraordinary and inspiring true story of how a chance meeting can change a life. The Soloist tells the poignant and ultimately soaring tale of a Los Angeles newspaper reporter who discovers a brilliant street musician, with unsinkable passion, and the unique friendship and bond that transforms both their lives. The remarkable performances make for an unforgettable experience in what is hailed as a “courageous and uncompromising film” (Gene Shalit, Today).

In The Soloist, Robert Downey Jr. stars as LA columnist Steve Lopez. Lopez writes columns about life in Los Angeles, and comes across a homeless man who is a brilliant musician. Nathaniel Ayers attended Julliard to study the cello, but during his second year of school, developed schizophrenia. The voices in his head drove him to the streets, but his illness and his homelessness don’t change the fact that he is immensely talented. Lopez befriends Ayers, and both of their lives are changed forever.

This movie is about friendship – its joys and its limitations. Both men turn in excellent performances, as does Catherine Keener, who plays Lopez’s ex-wife. I loved this movie – not only was the story inspiring and heart-wrenching, but the soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous.

The Soloist will be available on DVD on August 4th. The DVD special features include: “An Unlikely Friendship: Making of The Soloist; deleted scenes; commentary by director Joe Wright; and more.

(Dragonball: Evolution was provided to me for the purpose of this review.)

Based on one of the most popular Japanese manga series of all time, Dragonball: Evolution follows a young warrior on an epic adventure to discover his destiny…and save the world from the forces of darkness.

For his eighteenth birthday, mild-mannered Goku is given a mystical Dragonball, one of only seven in existence, which combine to grant a perfect wish to whoever possesses them. But an ancient warlord named Piccolo has escaped eternal imprisonment and is on his own quest to gather the Dragonballs. Goku must enlist the help of his friends—and the power of his evolving martial arts skills—to defeat Piccolo before it’s too late! Packed with spectacular visual effects, high-flying action, and over an hour of hard-hitting extras, Dragonball: Evolution Z-Edition brings the legend to life as never before!

Noah’s Review: I thought this was a good movie, but it seemed like they were just making up the story as they went along – some of it didn’t make sense or fit very well. 4 stars.

Jonathan’s Review: It was a really good movie. My favorite part was when the Dragonball GoKu turns into a monster. 5 stars.

Josiah’s Review: I liked the movie because it was cool when the GoKu turned into the monster and it was really fun. 5 stars.

Dragonball: Evolution will be available on DVD on July 28th. The DVD special features include: eight deleted scenes, featurettes, gag reels, a music video and much more.

Sorry I didn’t have a links post last Friday – I was too busy having fun! My sister Debra drove over from Silverdale with her three kids and we spent all day Thursday and all day Friday playing in the sun. Then Saturday, my kids had Tae Kwon Do seminars in the morning and a Tae Kwon Do tournament in the afternoon. In a very hot dojang stuffed full of people and sweaty kids. I was glad to get out of there!

On Sunday, I came down with the little gift my sister left for me – stomach flu. It wasn’t horrible – for me. Kevin, however – well, he had a rough time of it on Monday and Tuesday. Poor guy.

This week has been slightly less busy. Natalie got her hair cut – I’ll have to post pictures, because it’s adorable. I went to the gym three times this week so far. I’m embarking on a program called the Extreme Health Makeover – but that’s too big of news to be an aside and demands a post of its own in the next few days.

I’m posting this Thursday evening, because tomorrow morning we are heading south to Spokane to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! We have been so excited to see it, but last week was way too busy. I was hoping it would come to our teeny one-screen theater this weekend, but it didn’t, so we’ll drive the 60 miles south and see it at what my kids call “the big theater.” I’ll be sure to let you know what we think of it. Have any of you seen it yet?

Saturday we will spend the day at the lake, weather permitting. Sunday, we have been invited to a friends’ home for a BBQ. Should be a fun weekend. What are your weekend plans?

Here are the links I’ve saved to share with you:

~ Tim Hawkins is becoming one of my favorite comedians.

~ Brian Regan is another favorite.

~ Speaking of comedians, there is still time to enter my contest to win a Jim Breuer DVD.

~ The trailer for the upcoming season of House has me ready for fall.

~ Any mother who has had an inferior mother complex will appreciate this comic.

~ Nothing makes my day like a funny baby video.

~ This blog is dedicated to the forgotten items left in books as bookmarks.

~ I love these recycled book handbags!

~ Like mother, like daughter: Natalie has her first author interview posted on her review blog – with Lisa Samson.

~ Great post: They’re On Their Own: Why I’m Not Paying for My Kids’ College.

At Books and Movies lately:

~ Book Review: Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman.
~ Book Review: Lost in Austen: Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure by Emma Campbell Webster.
~ Book Review: Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.
~ Self-analysis: sexual content in books.
~ Book Review: The Way Home by George Pelecanos.
~ Monday’s Movie Review: The Changeling.
~ Book Review: The Sister by Poppy Adams.
~ Favorite YA fiction, part two.
~ Book Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike.
~ Monday’s Movie Review: The Proposal.

(Dollhouse, Season One was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

In a city of millions, many souls get lost… Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents a glimpse into a world where the wealthy, powerful and connected come to play when Dollhouse Season One becomes “active” on Blu-ray and DVD July 28. From the mind of Joss Whedon, the creator of groundbreaking cult favorites Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Firefly, Dollhouse stars Eliza Dushku (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Tru Calling) as Echo, just one member working for an illegal underground organization that implants employees with false memories and skills in order to perform various missions and dangerous tasks. These “dolls” can become anything that anyone desires; a lover, a fighter, an assassin, even a best friend. Once their assignment is complete, their memories are wiped clean and they are released back into the Dollhouse to cohabitate with their fellow colleagues under the watchful eye of those in charge. But Echo is slowly starting to become aware of herself and her surroundings… and one outsider will stop at nothing to bring the entire Dollhouse down.

Dollhouse Season One includes intense and stunning supporting performances from Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense, Rushmore), Harry Lennix (State of Play, Across The Universe), Amy Acker (Angel), and Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica). The Blu-ray and DVD includes all 12 original episodes and tons of bonus features including the never-before-seen standalone episode “Epitaph One,” the original unaired pilot “Echo,” deleted scenes and seven making-of featurettes.

Kevin and I missed Dollhouse when it aired, and I’m glad we waited, because it would have been hard to only watch one episode at a time! This series has a unique premise and fantastic performances from the entire cast. While there are a couple of episodes that were a bit slower than the others, most of them are full of action and incredibly intense. The last few episodes spiraled down to a finale that has me wishing we didn’t have to wait until the fall to see what happens next.

Dollhouse, Season One will be available on DVD on July 28th.

(Coraline was provided to me by Special Ops Media for the purpose of review.)

From the Director of The Nightmare Before Christmas comes a visually stunning stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D! Discover how the filmmakers and artisans created the magical handmade world of Coraline, exclusively in this 2-Disc Collector’s Edition!

Coraline Jones is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door that leads her into a world that’s just like her own…but better! But when this fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her “other” Mother tries to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness and bravery to get home.

The kids and I have been so very excited to watch Coraline. The book is one of our favorite read-alouds of all time. And unlike most book-to-film adaptations, this one was really good. There are a couple changes from the book, but they didn’t effect the overall story or characters.

The voice cast was extremely well-chosen: Dakota Fanning as Coraline, Teri Hatcher as both mothers, the hilarious British duo French and Saunders as Misses Spink and Forcible. (Which does bring me to my one caution: the burlesque show the Misses put on is quite risque. Of course, it’s claymation, but at one point a very buxom woman is in pasties and panties.)

The kids all enjoyed it enough to watch it twice in 24 hours time – once in 2D with me, and again in 3D. It’s nice to be able to recommend a book-to-movie film for a change.

Coraline will be available on DVD on July 21st. The Two-Disc special edition special features include: deleted scenes, a making-of featurette, and a featurette about the voice cast.

(Echelon Conspiracy was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

When Max Peterson (Shane West) receives a series of mysterious cell phone messages that promise him untold wealth, he soon finds himself the victim of a deadly international plot. Chased by a lethal team of government operatives, Max races across the planet in a desperate attempt to unravel a conspiracy that threatens the stability of the entire world. Ed Burns, Ving Rhames and Martin Sheen co-star in this techno-charged, edge-of-your-seat action thriller!

Echelon Conspiracy is a fun, action-packed thriller, and I’m not sure why it didn’t get much press. It may not have the most original plot, but the idea of a computer surveillance conspiracy was strong enough to keep me fully engaged for the whole film. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shane West in anything before, but I hope that his career takes off – he’s talented and photogenic.

After so many seasons of Martin Sheen as President Josiah Bartlett, it was fun to watch him play a Senator who thought that US citizens’ privacy was a little thing to sacrifice for the greater good of non-stop surveillance of every person on earth.

If you like thrillers in the vein of Enemy of the State and Eagle Eye, then you will enjoy this one, too.

Echelon Conspiracy will be released on DVD on July 21st.

(Leverage as provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Leverage is a slick and crafty drama folowing a team of expert thieves who take down corrupt corporations in elaborate high-tech schemes.

Insurance investigator Nate Ford (Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton) exposed scams and recovered stolen items worth millions. But his life hit the skids when his insurance company allowed his ailing 8-year-old son to die. Years later, Nate gets even as the leader of a specialized team of thieves, computer experts and con artists who right corporate and governmental injustices against honest citizens. To expose corruption, Nate will do wrong for all the right reasons – he will provide Leverage.

Between TNT and USA, we may never need to watch network television again! (Just kidding – I couldn’t live without House and Bones and Lost.) But here is yet another cable channel series that is seriously entertaining. The team of con artists and thieves that make up Leverage is full of eccentric characters and loners that have never played nicely with others, but that enjoy the idea of working together to stick it to the man.

Each character is perfectly cast for an ensemble that has chemistry that reminds me of <Burn Notice and NCIS – two of my other favorite series. Their escapades are sometimes dangerous, sometimes hilarious – but they always involve helping people who have been exploited and cheated. It’s fun to watch a show in which the corrupt rich and powerful don’t always get away with the garbage they pull.

I only wish we got TNT in our basic cable package – because I hate that we have to wait till next year to watch season 2. Sigh.

Leverage: The First Season will be available on DVD on July 14th. It comes in a 4-disc set, with special features that include several behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes.

(Pink Panther 2 was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Inspect the unexpected when five-time Golden Globe-nominee Steve Martin (Father of the Bride) springs back into action as the blundering French police officer, Inspector Jacques Clouseau, in the all-new Pink Panther 2 available on Blu-ray Disc (BD) with Digital Copy June 23 from MGM Home Entertainment. Co-starring Oscar-nominees John Cleese (Rat Race) and Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Eleven), Yuki Matsuzaki (Letters From Iwo Jima), Emily Mortimer (Lars and the Real Girl) and Bollywood sensation Aishwarya Rai (The Mistress of Spices), The Pink Panther 2 is the side-splitting sequel to the worldwide hit The Pink Panther, based on the 1964 original starring the legendary Peter Sellers. After a thief known as “The Tornado” allegedly steals a variety of precious items, including France’s beloved pink panther diamond, an “international dream team” of detectives band together to crack the case. Slowing down the process is the team’s leader, Inspector Clouseau, the highly unintelligent officer who has a way of missing the obvious until he somehow stumbles onto the truth.

We are big fans of the original Pink Panther movies, starring Peter Sellers. I didn’t really care for the first remake starring Steve Martin, but the kids thought it was funny. This sequel is actually funnier than the first, and boasts an all-star cast to boot.

The dream team of investigators includes Alfred Molina and Andy Garcia. The villain’s attorney is played by Jeremy Irons. There were more genuinely funny moments in this one. My only beef is the crude humor – there are a couple of instances of humor that is the type that only adolescent boys find funny, and we could do without in our house.

Pink Panther 2 will be availble on DVD on June 23rd. The two-disc DVD includes a disc of Pink Panther animated shorts.

(Morning Light was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Experience a riveting and inspiring true-life adventure aboard the high-tech sloop Morning Light. Fifteen rookie sailors have one goal in mind – to be part of her crew, racing in the most revered sailing competition on Earth, the Transpac Yacht Race. From start to finish, it’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions and physical challenges, beginning with six months of intense training. Only eleven will survive to race in the grueling 2,225-mile Transpac. Matching wits and skills against experienced pros and the unforgiving, unpredictable Pacific Ocean, these young men and women develop a powerful bond and prove how dedication, teamwork and an unyielding spirit can overcome the greatest of odds.

Roy Disney decided to give fifteen college students an unbelievable experience – the chance to crew a professional sailing vessel on a race across the Pacific. The fifteen chosen ones were trained for six months. They then had to choose a skipper, who in turn had to choose a crew. Only eleven were chosen; the other four were alternates.

The idea for this documentary was intriguing, but the execution was somewhat less thrilling. I wish they had focused more on the stories of each student, given us a reason to know them each individually and care about the outcome of the race. The focus was mostly on the experience of training and racing – which was interesting – but the emotional element was missing.

Morning Light is available on DVD now. The DVD special features include: “Stories from the Sea” with host Jason Earles; and “Morning Light: Making the Cut” – as aired on ESPN.

(Confessions of a Shopaholic was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Get ready to fall in love with the adorable Becky Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) in the hilarious romantic comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic. Living in glamorous New York, Becky desperately wants a job writing for a high-fashion magazine. She gets her stilettos in the door when she gets a job writing a personal finance column at a sister publication. Much to her surprise, her column, “The Girl in the Green Scarf,” not only becomes a hit, but she falls head over high heels for her overworked yet handsome boss (Hugh Dancy). But Becky has a secret that leads to some hilarious high jinks that could unravel it all. From the best-selling novel, and featuring the perfect comedic cast, it’s the feel-good must-have romantic comedy you’ll fall in love with over and over again.

I enjoy watching romantic comedies. Yes, I know they’re formulaic and predictable, but if they’re funny and romantic, that’s all I care about. Confessions of a Shopaholic was just that – and the kind of movie I have been in the mood to watch lately. When things are crazy-busy, or stress-making, I like to watch a movie that will make me laugh and feel good. I have a few old favorites I fall back on, but it’s always nice to find a new movie that will fit in that category.

Kevin even watched this with me. He didn’t complain once, and he even laughed a couple of times. He did, however, put disc two of Band of Brothers on after we finished so he could reset his testosterone levels.

I loved Isla Fisher as Becky Bloomwood. I also enjoyed Krysten Ritter as her best friend, Suze. Some of you will remember her as Rory’s artsy friend, Lucy, in Gilmore Girls. Hugh Dancy was gorgeous, as always, and he can act, too. There’s also a terrific supporting cast: John Goodman and Joan Cusack as Becky’s parents, John Lithgow as the magazine owner, Kristen Scott-Thomas as the editor of the fashion magazine, and Wendie Malick as the militant leader of a Shopaholics Anonymous group.

There were lots of funny moments and also lots of “ah….” moments, and it was a fun way to spend the evening. If you like rom-coms, you should definitely check this one out.

(I haven’t read the book the movie is based on, so if you’re a fan of the series and want to know how accurate it is, I have no idea.)

Confessions of a Shopaholic will be available on DVD on June 23rd. The DVD special features include bloopers, deleted scenes, and the “Stuck With Each Other” Music Video by Shontelle featuring Akan.