The Dark Knight

I went to see this with Nate and his family (yes, an actual date, woo-hoo! Sorry, off-topic...) It was a pretty decent movie, but definitely one that kids should not see. Way too violent. Like Tarah, I was looking down/away for quite a bit of the movie. Even though they didn't actually show any gory stuff, it was still too violent for my tastes.
The Joker was a very disturbing character. I didn't even realize til half-way through the movie that he was played by Heath Ledger.
If you haven't seen the previous Batman movie (I don't remember what it's called, I haven't seen it yet) then some scenes will be a bit confusing to you.

High School Musical (1 & 2)

After learning that several friends/family members have also seen High School Musical, I decided not to be embarrassed, and to write a review. We borrowed HSM 1&2 from a neighbor, and I had very low expectations.

Anyway, the first one is about a really popular athlete that realizes he can sing when forced to do karaoke with a stranger at a New Year's Eve party. The stranger ends up being a new student in his school. When he and this new girl meet up again in one of their classes they talk about how great singing together was, even though neither of them ever did anything like that before. They end up auditioning for the high school musical, against all odds, because he's this athlete (and athletes don't sing and dance) and she's a brain (and brains don't sing and dance). The bad guys are the brother and sister that have been the leads in every school production.

Overall, cheesy, but I liked it. It was strange to me that they didn't actually do the musical though. Guess from the title I thought that would be part of the show.

HSM2 was definitely not as good as the first. Very cheesy, and had nothing to do with a school musical. I know I'm getting hung up on the name. It was all about school being out for the summer and having summer jobs. The whole gang gets jobs at this country club. There's a talent show. Actually reminded me a bit of Saved By the Bell (which I LOVED-I was a total Saved By the Bell junkie). Unfortunately, this wasn't as good. Seemed like the whole show was about Troy trying to kiss Gabriella (ok, that's an exaggeration).

Both shows had a good lesson, and Zoie really enjoyed them. She's been singing parts of some of the songs. I am really not the target audience for these shows. And, in spite of my not loving the 2nd one, I'm sure I'll see the 3rd at some point.

Iron Man

Jeff and I haven't been to see a movie in the theater for ages, so we decided to go yesterday for a date, and the decision was between "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones." We decided on Iron Man... and we were so glad that we did. The movie was incredible. The special effects weren't over done (as they have been in other comic book movies). And the story was actually believeable--a little over the top, but still believeable. The acting was great, and the stuff he comes up with is pretty amazing. If you do go, there is one final scene after the credits that opens it up for #2...which Jeff was pretty excited about. Jeff loved the movie, and I really liked it too. So if you have the opportunity to go, go. It is definitely a great one to see on the big screen.

The Kite Runner

We watched this movie last night. I had heard the title, and knew that it was a book and a movie, but didn't know the details. It is the story of a Afghani boy who flees with his father to Pakistan during the Soviet invasion, and eventually to the US. Most of the story is of his childhood in Kabul. He is best friends with the son of a servant in his home, but he is bullied about this relationship. He turns on his friend prior to fleeing the country because of the attitudes of others. He returns as an adult.

I don't want to give away any important details to anyone who is planning on seeing the film, but I have to say that it was very disturbing. I actually wish I hadn't seen it. Matt seemed to appreciate it, but I have a very difficult time getting images (or just insinuated ideas) out of my head. I suppose it could have been extremely graphic with the war and terrible atrocities that took place by those in power, and I'm grateful that it wasn't. The insinuated ideas are with me though.

The film definitely made me think, but it was the kind of show that I couldn't just go straight to bed afterwards. I had to read something happy and upbeat to get my mind to clear enough for sleep.

Oceans 12

I have a new favorite movie. I borrowed a few DVDs from our next door neighbor to stave off some boredom last week, and since then I have watched Oceans 12 four times. I LOVE IT! It came out four years ago, or something like that, and I had never seen it. Part of the reason for not seeing it was remembering that both of my sisters didn't like it. The reason I remembered them saying was due to the "crazy camera angles". Well, the couple of shots that are sideways last for a few seconds and didn't bother me. I love the humor in this. It seems so every day. I love the funny looks of people's faces (ie Brad Pitt's when he realizes his cell phone is gone). I love how Matt Damon is so . . . um, what's the word? Young or unsure of himself? I love his reaction to finding out their first job is being done on a agoraphobic person.

Perhaps if you didn't like it when you saw it, you should watch it a second time--just to be sure. :)

I will say that I didn't care for the French guy's laser dance, and the Julia Roberts thing was a tad over the top. I mean, they could have done the same thing for most of the characters. Oh, and I suppose the whole situation is morally wrong--you know, being thieves and all. It's just so funny though.