Wednesday, May 14, 2008

My Version of Productivity

Inspired by my friend, Katie's, Productivity post, I thought I would list out all of the movies I've watched in the last week.

First, the most-attentive Erik and I rented "Lars and the Real Girl". It was fantastic. I would categorize it as more Steve Carell than Will Ferrell, and better than Steve Carell at that. Ryan Gosling plays a relationship-impaired man, who purchases a life-size doll who becomes his girlfriend. I know it sounds hoaky, but it is really a good story. With completely original characters and an unique story this movie is worth the time it took to watch.

Secondly, I watched "Miss Potter" with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. It is a movie based on the life of Beatrix Potter, the author and illustrator of the "Peter Rabbit" books. You can imagine how much I loved it, a movie about a woman who writes books! Loved it! The director included some bits of animation to portray how the animals (like Peter Rabbit, and Jemima Puddleduck, for example) actually came to life for Potter, and I think it worked very well. Also, it's always a treat for me to see Ewan McGregor with Zellweger as they seem to work so well together. (Reminds me of Doris Day and Rock Hudson.)

And I think there was another movie that I saw, but I can't remember what it was. However, I did finish an excellent book this week. "The Pact" by Jodi Picoult was superb and I highly recommend it.

4 comments:

The Maid said...

Loved Miss Potter, Lars and the Real Girl, not so much.

I thought it was creepy.

Maybe because I had just seen a documentary on men who really do have "relationships" with dolls. It was called "Love me,love my doll." One moron even commented that he hoped he didn't get his doll girlfriend pregnant. Oh, and in the beginning how it was more about the sex, and now they just like to hold each other. EEEWWW!

I'm sure the doll is not doing any "holding" back. Freaks.

Not that I am judging them. :)
Live and let live with dolls.

Jessie said...

Well, Lars didn't have a sexual relationship with the doll. He went out of his way to make it clear to the family that they were going to stay in different houses, and they went to church together. Which I think furthered the premise that his need wasn't physical, per se, but instead was a psychological break.

Ewwww about the guys with dolls, though, in the documentary.

April said...

I want to see both movies, so thanks for the review. Brandon rented, are you ready???? The Golden Compass (gasp!). He's such a rebel. Actually he wanted to see what all the brouhaha was about. And of course out of curiosity and eagerness to watch my celebrity boyfriend in action, I watched it too. Can you believe us? And we call ourselves Christians! So here's my review. It was a little odd. I don't think a kid would get the symbolism. I barely got it. It was a tad boring. And my boyfriend was hardly in it. But the worst part about it was this little girl's terrible grammar. That's what bugged me. And it just ends, leaving you going "Uh?? Is that it??" Did I think it was menacing? No. Would I watch it again? No. Would I let my kids watch it? Maybe Derek because he's already pretty firmly planted with his beliefs. Would I buy the books? No way. That's where the menacing comes in. So there you go. Are you going to yell at me?

Jessie said...

Of course I'm not going to yell at you, Your Highness. I did read "The Golden Compass" last fall, and it was a tad disturbing for all the reasons you alluded to. However, I respect Walden Media. Can you blame them for making a movie out of one of the most popular juvenile literature series? I can't. Just because they made a decision about what they're going to make isn't going to deter this Christian. :)

So, I was hesitant to jump on the whole, if you're a Christian you should not see The Golden Compass, thing. Honestly, you can make your own decisions about things your kids are exposed to. You get me?

As for letting the girls read the books, I'm undecided. I, thankfully, have many years before I need to decide on that. I've read a ton of books that did not necessarily further my relationship with Christ! :)