Dead Like Me

"There's nothing like your own death to put your life into perspective."
I really like this series. It's a well written (well acted) show about the lighter side of death. Or "life after life." Is there an afterlife? For these reapers, there is. They become cosmic temps, taking souls (those who's time has come) until they too can move on....eventually (or so they hope). Somehow, they manage to make this more funny than morbid. Though the concept seems pretty depressing, it's both sad at times, and incredibly amusing. That's a great combination to me. Laughter thru misty eyes. Kind of makes you appreciate those in your life that are important. And serves as a not-so-subtle reminder not to take them for granted. So far, only 2 seasons have been made (and only one of those available on dvd to date) and no word as of yet about a 3rd season. (I hope they make a 3rd season!)

Gothika

What a spooky setting. Unfortunately, that's the scariest part of this movie, where and how it takes place. It could've been so good (if it weren't for the many unanswered questions and plot holes). But it seemed to be lacking something. It throws you into a nightmare before you really have a chance to care about any of the characters. It does happen along the way towards the end though. And somehow manages to be somewhat powerful. Near the end you kind of have a feeling what might happen (even if you can't quite predict exactly how). This movies tries too hard to be scary at the wrong moments. But in the end, turns out to be a decent story. The idea (for me about watching movies) is to escape reality for a while, and this sure took me away (to a place I wouldn't want to be for too long). This stayed with me a while after seeing it. "You can't trust someone who thinks you're crazy." Great line. This was a cryptic but entertaining ride, one that's worth seeing.

Garfield the Movie

Wow. Some things are better left ...alone. Garfield is a great comic strip, but as a movie, eh, it kind of loses something. Considering how difficult it likely was to bring this strip to the big screen, I guess it's ok as it is. But I noted some strip-to-screen inconsistencies. Like for instance, the fact that Nermal should be a kitten sized cat, and that Jon isn't supposed to be decent looking (he'd have more normal dates in the strip wouldn't he?), and Liz the vet doesn't want to date Jon, yet in the movie, she does. If you're going to bring the essence of a comic strip to the big screen, I think it's a good idea to stick to the characteristics of it's characters. Still, it was kinda cute. And any movie I can watch all the way through is ok with me. Like this one.

Laws of Attraction

Pure fluff. This is the kind of movie you watch, simply to be entertained. (that's how movies should be sometimes imo....). It's short, sweet, even amusing at times. I think in keeping this short however, the creators left out a few plot points that would've made this a little more believable. Regardless of what's missing, it has a classic happy ending that may or may not leave you wondering (are they for real?). I'd watch this again. I guess that says something.

The Virgin Suicides

A strange tale, with varying opinions about the point. (suicide is pointless, suicide is your only escape, etc.) Take from it what you will, but this one sure stayed with me. Everyone has a "dysfunctional family" tale (if you don't, lucky you!), but this is to the extreme. A movie that makes me want to read the book, but even if I don't, it stands alone. The most prevalent feeling was 'desire.' For the sister, maybe they longed for freedom, or love, or attention. For their parents, some understanding, an explanation. For those of us watching the movie, some answers! This one leaves a lot of unanswered questions, by design of the author no doubt. But as the narrative implies, there aren't any to be found. Only speculation based on personal effects that remain, and of the assumptions of those boys who knew them. What little they knew. Intriguing to say the least.

13 Going on 30

I think this was supposed to be a sweet comedy or something, but I found it to be pretty sad at times. It's hard to feel any sympathy for the girl who gets everything. Nice or not. (and starts out "not"). This movie has some good retro music (if you're into that, I thought it was great fun) and a seemingly cute-sy story line. It definitely gave the usually more active Garner a break (no fight scenes in this, heh). She seemed to have fun and cut loose. Big departure from her Alias role (except for the crying). Being 30 isn't all it's cracked up to be. I think when we're kids we believe that being older will solve all our problems. But the reality is, you have problems at all ages. They just change as time goes on. There were parts of this movie I didn't like. But I do like the idea of seeing our possible future (successes and failures) and having a chance to choose the right path to true happiness. I like happy endings. They aren't so typical IRL, and if I can only find them in movies, I'll take em'.