Friday, December 7, 2012

MOVIE MOVIE WEEKEND

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I have two fine movies for your consideration today. Both became available on DVD recently.

The first is Ruby Sparks (2012), starring Paul Dano as Calvin, a novelist who suffered an early success. Now, how can he live up to his first novel?

But then Calvin starts writing about a girl named Ruby, who comes to life. As their relationship develops, Ruby wants a life of her own. She stays out at night, leaving Calvin alone.

So he simply re-writes her, and Ruby becomes clingy, not wanting to let Calvin out of her sight. No matter what goes wrong, Calvin can change it by sitting down at his typewriter.

This movie is interesting and unusual. Paul Dano is a fine actor.

Ruby Sparks has The Janie Junebug Seal of Approval.

Our second possibility for your viewing enjoyment is Dark Shadows (2012). I love, love, love this movie. How could I not adore it? It's Johnny Depp, directed by the great Tim Burton.

As the movie began, I thought, meh, not living up to expectations. But after Barnabas Collins (Depp) is unearthed and rescued from the coffin in which he has rested for two centuries, the fun begins. It's now 1972. Barnabas must deal with the deterioration of his family's business and wealth and help his dysfunctional ancestors.

And while he performs this function, he copes with his vampirish need for for blood.

Although a bit bloody at times, but not in a horrifying slasher movie way, overall  Dark Shadows is campy and hilarious.

Barnabas Collins: What is your age? 
Carolyn Stoddard: Fifteen. 
Barnabas Collins: Fifteen, and no husband? You must put those child-bearing hips to good use, lest your womb shrivel up and die. 

Barnabas's activities are accompanied by the music of the early '70s. Particularly amusing is when Barnabas sees Karen Carpenter performing on television and attacks the TV set, exclaiming that she is a tiny sorceress concealed inside.

The one aspect of this movie that's a bit off is Helena Bonham-Carter. She's wasted in the role of the psychiatrist.

However, the costumes and the set are perfect, and Dark Shadows has that great Tim Burtonesque look. Tim Burton continues to impress me as a true auteur, and my Johnny is the perfect Barnabas.

Dark Shadows has The Highest Janie Junebug Seal of Approval.

Dee, in spite of my approval of these movies, I don't think you would like them. Rita, I'm not absolutely positive, but I think you might enjoy them.

Happy viewing to you all! Please don't wear yourselves out with holiday "festivities." I hope you enjoy your families and don't overdo the activities. If cookie baking is too much of a chore, then go to the bakery. Buy a few small gifts at The Dollar Store and wrap them in newspaper -- unless your name is Elvis Aaron Schulz. 

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

25 comments:

  1. Hi Janie .. certainly the Tim Burton - Johnny Depp one intrigues me .. I think I'd get that ...

    Cheers and good to know about .. Hilary

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  2. My beloved Netflex told me that I would give Dark Shadows a 3.3, and Ruby Sparks a 3.8. I'll try Ruby first.

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  3. How did I totally miss that Burton/Depp movie hitting the theaters? These both sound up my alley. Thanks for the recs. :) So how is it you prefer Mr. EAS to wrap his gifts, hm?

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    1. I don't know how you missed Johnny, but it's not too late to see him. Is there such a thing as a bed movie with Johnny Depp directed by Tim Burton? And EAS should wrap my gifts in diamonds.

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  4. I thinks I'll be checkin' out the Ruby Sparks...

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  5. Hmm... the first one sounds a little wired. But can watch the one with Johnny Depp.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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    1. Johnny is beautiful even in the pasty-white makeup used for his vampire role.

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  6. I wish I could rewrite some people in my life to make them just how I want them! LOL!

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    1. Oh, it sounds nice, but watch the movie and you'll see it doesn't always work so well for Calvin.

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  7. It was a hot flash... that was how she dealt with them.... Strip to bra and panties and lie on the cool linoleum tiled floor.

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    1. Happily, my hot flashes have diminished with the arrival of cooler weather.

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    2. Why "happily"? When cool weather arrives, that's when you can USE them "personal summers".

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    3. Since we don't have truly cold weather in Florida, the cool weather simply makes me more comfortable.

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  8. Dear Janie, I don't know how it has come to past that you know my movie-tastes so well, but as I read your two movie reviews, I was thinking, "No, I don't think I'd enjoy this one about the writer" and then when I got to the Johnny Depp one I was initially interested because Depp is one of my three favorite male actors (along with Matt Damon and Tom Hanks). But as I read the review I thought again, "NOt for me."

    And then your highlighted message comes and I think, "Wow! That woman has got me pegged!!!!" Peace.

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    1. Blogging makes close friends out of strangers.

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  9. Ruby sounds interesting... I'll have to check it out. I was not a fan of Dark Shadows though... it just didn't suck me in right away and lately if a movie doesn't do that, well... I'm sleeping.

    Did catch Rise of the Guardians at the theater with the kids... FANTASTIC!! Be sure to catch it when it comes out.

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    1. Dark Shadows didn't grab me right away. It took a little time, but you work so hard that if something doesn't interest you immediately, then that's that.

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  10. I think Ruby Sparks was only recently released in theaters here. I haven't seen it I have wanted to see Dark Shadows. I don't handle blood well though, although I do know it's supposed to be more of a 'comic' blood, I'm not sure if I should risk it. Thank you for the reviews!

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    1. Dark Shadows has very little blood. All I can remember is some very fake looking blood around Barnabas's mouth. I think there were a couple of other bloody moments, but I just plain can't remember them. It was the humor and Johnny's performance that stood out for me. But you know yourself and what you can handle.

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    2. Maggie, I just re-read my review and saw that I wrote that Dark Shadows is bloody at times. How quickly I forget what I've seen and even what I've written.

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  11. I'm skimming posts--so very far behind--but had to put in my 2 cents. I saw Dark shadows and it cracked me up! Of course, I also love Johnny Depp--even though he's made a few movies I haven't liked. I haven't seen the first one but I am putting it on my list. Thanks, Janie!! :)

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Got your panties in a bunch? Dig 'em out, get comfortable, and let's chat.