February 20, 2007
Must-See Movies
Written by Shana in Jaunty PostOne thing that drives Ultimate Sportsfan nuts is my lack of enthusiasm for food and film. When we eat dinner out, he always asks how my food was, and I inevitably say, “It was okay.”
I’m the same way with movies:
Ultimate Sportsfan: “How did you like the movie?”
Me: “It was okay.”
But I am happy to announce that I have recently seen two movies that were better than okay. And I recommend them to you (if you can find them—I don’t think they’re in wide release).
The first is Miss Potter with Renee Zelweger. It’s the story of Beatrix Potter—you know, the children’s book author and illustrator. USF and I went to see it as a Valentine’s Day date. We both really liked it. It was sad and romantic, and, if you like history (historical romance), the film showed the way the English classes were segregated, even as recently as the 1890s. Plus, the scenes of the Lake District were just breathtaking.
The second film is God Grew Tired of Us. This film just opened, and it’s a documentary narrated by Nicole Kidman and produced, in part, by Brad Pitt. It’s about the Lost Boys of Sudan. It shows the lives of 6 or 7 boys in a refugee camp in Kenya, after traveling thousands of miles to escape the war in Sudan. Then the boys come to the United States. The film follows their adjustment to life here. It was so funny and so sad and so good.
My sister is in charge of refugee resettlement for a non-profit group here in Houston, and she invited us to the film. I’m so glad we went. It really made me appreciate how fortunate I am to be living in the United States.
The next movie I want to see opens Friday, and it’s called Amazing Grace. It’s the story of how slavery was abolished in England. For a lover of history like me, I’m sure it will be fascinating.
What about you? Seen any good movies? Looking forward to anything?
5:15 am | Share This
Margo Maguire Says:
Thanks for these recommendations, Shane! We’re always looking for something good to see.
Dorothy Says:
Shana, thanks for the recommendations on the movies. I want to see ‘Miss Potter’ but like the clueless person I am, hadn’t realized it had been released yet. So thanks for the heads up about that, now I can look for it and hopefully it will be coming someplace close.
I, too, am looking forward to ‘Amazing Grace’. I have two free movie passes and was wondering what I was going to go see with them until I saw the preview of this movie. I am a lover of history and this looks like it will be a good one. It has the added benefit that it has Ioan Gruffudd in it.
What a cutie he is.
Then of course, I’m looking forward to Pirates 3 and the new Harry Potter movie!
Adrienne Says:
That “OK” line made me laugh. Whenever I’m not feeling great and my husband asks I always say that I’m feeling OK. One day he asked me what that meant, like “OK” as in everything is fine or “OK” as in nothing is on fire. I thought that was perfect. So now our joke is instead of saying things are OK, we say they’re “not on fire”.
I really want to see Miss Potter, but as we just brought home a new baby, I’ll have to wait until it’s out on DVD. Last night I saw the preview for Amazing Grace and it looks like my kind of movie as well.
Shana Says:
Miss Potter really was good. I would even see it again. I don’t have much time to see movies in the first place, so if I’d take the time to see something again, it must be good.
Has anyone else seen any good movies lately?
Rainy Says:
Shana,
Those movies will be on my must see list. We go to the movies every week so I end up seeing the good, bad and the ugly.
We saw Bridge to Terbithia last week and even though it’s geared to a younger audience, I’d still recommend anyone seeing it. It’s about a boy and a girl who are unpopular in school and create a fantasy world. It manages to combine harsh reality and the wonderful creative imagination of children so beautifully.
Dorothy Says:
Shana–
I looked on IMDB to see if ‘Miss Potter’ was playing anywhere in my area. It seems that it had a limited release here in the States and at the moment is only playing at 2 theatres….one in Dallas, TX and one in Houston, TX. So unless they have a wider release, it looks like I’ll be waiting for it to come to Netflix!!
The last ‘new’ movie I saw in the theatre was ‘Casino Royale’ when it came to a local second run theatre. Yes, I know, I am way behind in my movie going. I’d rather do that than go to the mall theatres. But the last movie I saw was ‘Some Like It Hot’ at a theatre here in town that shows older movies once in a while. It’s great to see some of the classic movies on the big screen instead of on the tv!!
Shana Says:
Dorothy, how crazy that Miss Potter is showing in only Houston and Dallas. I guess that’s why I thought it was in larger release. My parents live in Dallas and saw it, and I live in Houston.
Rainy, I want to see Bridge to Terabithia, too. I remember reading the book in 4th grade, and it had a huge impact on me.
Lacey Says:
HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE FOOOOOOOOD???
That’s prolly why you’re skinny and I’m not
Amazing Grace sounds RIGHT up my alley! Thanks for alerting me!
Robyn DeHart Says:
I really want to see Miss Potter, but I don’t think it’s anywhere around us. I remember when we were touring the Lake District that we drove past her property and the tour guide said that the great irony about Beatrix Potter was that she never really cared for children.
Shana Says:
That’s interesting, Robyn. I didn’t know that about her. And how lucky are you to have toured that area?
Lacey, you ARE skinny! And I do like food. I’m just really picky.
Clarisse Says:
I saw Music and Lyrics this weekend and it was truly funny and romantic. The trailer for Amazing Grace looked wonderful.
Shana Says:
Oh, I want to see that Clarisse! looks good–how can you go wrong with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant (well, together–separately you might go wrong).