Friday, January 11, 2013

MOVIE MOVIE WEEKEND: SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD & CRAIGSLIST JOE

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I am happy to present two movies to you for possible viewing this weekend. Both are available on DVD, and they share my beloved theme of the interconnectedness of humankind.

The first is Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World. I can't remember if Favorite Young Man recommended this movie to me, or if I saw it mentioned on someone's blog. Anyway, if you suggested that I see this movie, I thank you.

An asteroid is going to collide with Earth, destroying everything and killing everyone. As Dodge (Steve Carell) enters the true final days (not the Mayan apocalypse), his wife jumps out of their car and runs. She simply disappears, leaving Dodge to try to cope with the end by continuing his work at an insurance company and by hanging out with friends who have gone wild.

Then Dodge meets his long-time neighbor, Penny (Keira Knightley). They've never spoken before, but they set out on a journey together as the city in which they live erupts in violence.

Although this plot certainly isn't happy go lucky carefree comedy, I like it. Dodge and Penny connect, and in turn, they connect with some other people who want to spend their last days of life in peace and harmony.

I also love Steve Carell's performance in this movie. He's not crazed and ridiculous. This Steve Carrel is calm and thoughtful -- more like his role in Little Miss Sunshine, the film that first brought Carrel to my attention. After I saw Sunshine, I started watching The Office. I loved the way the character of Michael Scott developed and changed and improved as a human being.

Keira Knightley is fine, and beautiful, of course, but it was Carell who really caught my eye.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World has The Janie Junebug Seal of Approval. However, if you're depressed, this movie might not be right for you. How you feel about it may depend on the mood you're in. I felt good at the beginning of the movie. The plot made me a little sad, but the lovely moments transcended the sadness.

The second film I present for your consideration is a documentary called craigslist joe.



Filmmaker Joe Garner sets off on a 31-day journey with a cameraman, a cell phone, a laptop, no food nor money, and little clothing. His goal is to see if he can use craigslist to find a community that will allow him to survive his journey.

I don't want to reveal too much about what happens to Joe, but I will tell you that this is a quiet movie with tender moments. Joe Garner seems truly touched when he encounters kindness.

craigslist joe also earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Approval.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for these two fine recommendations. The weather is bad so we just might take in a movie this weekend.

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    1. When the weather is nasty, it's a great time to pop in a DVD. Gosh, I wonder if some people still have VCRs.

      Love,
      Janie

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  2. Both sound interesting; I heard about the first movie, but not the second. I'll have to look for both to watch sometime. Enjoy the weekend!

    betty

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  3. I think the craigslist one seems quite interesting, with the cold we're having here, it just might be a movie weekend..:)

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    1. How cold is cold for you? Floridians start to feel chilly when it dips below 70. When it's in the 50s we think we'll freeze to death.

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  4. They sound like good movies if only I had the time to watch a movie

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  5. Dontcha ever watch movies that make you laugh and feel good? Have you seen the movie "I.Q."? (Walter Matthau and Meg Ryan) It's a romantic comedy, and one of my favorite feel-good flicks. And how about "Boomtown"? That isn't a comedy, but it IS the only movie I've ever watched that caught me completely by surprise. When my hubby and I watched that one, we got so excited at the ending, we actually cheered! Don't get me wrong. I do occasionally enjoy a good drama, but I'm a bigger fan of feel-good stuff and happy endings. I usually get my full quota of drama in the news. And natch, we watch a lot of action adventures. (Or my hubby watches, while I look at the screen and think about something else...HA!)

    Oh, and YES, "some people" DO still have VCRs. WE do. (But then, we also have an 8-track...)

    Happy weekend.

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    1. I definitely watch movies that make me laugh and feel good. "craiglist joe" didn't make me laugh, but it made me feel good. I've seen "IQ" a couple of time. It's adorable. I've never heard of "Boomtown," but it might end up in my netflix queue. Oh, how I wish I still had an 8-track. My tapes are in a cabinet, longing to be played.

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  6. I do, indeed, have a VCR. Actually, it's a combo VCR/DVD. I just ordered the Steve Carell flick.

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    1. I used to have one of those combos. The DVD player stopped working. I kept it in case I wanted to use the VCR, so now it's in the linen closet, collecting dust.

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  7. Okay, I'll queue 'em up.

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    Replies
    1. I'm honored that you respect my seal of approval, without which, I know you would never watch a movie.

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  8. Will you be my friend for the end of the world?

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    1. Of course. You don't even have to ask. I will always be here if you need me.

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  9. I've never even seen the Craigs list Joe movie. But I do love Carell. My brother did work on his house here, said they are very nice people. :)

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    1. It's lovely to hear that a celebrity is nice. I'm always sad to hear about rude celebrities because it's the fans who give them their careers. On the other hand, some of them are hounded nearly to death by the paparazzi.

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  10. I saw the first one and really liked it more than I ever expected. Carell was excellent! Totally agree with you on that one.
    I haven't seen the other one but found it on the instant movies on Netflix and am gong to go watch it right now. :)
    Thanks, Janie!

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  11. I really enjoyed Seeking a Friend. And I'm adding Craigslist Joe to my wish list.

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