This movie takes you on the incredibly unique adventure of a man named Benjamin Button, who ages backwards.  Thanks to special effects, Brad Pitt plays Button for most of his life.  That consistency really helps you invest in Button, and you find yourself looking forward to every step in his journey.

Brad Pitt really impressed me in this movie.  His acting has rarely blown me away, but I think Button stretched his acting chops since he had to play multiple characters.  Even though he’s the same person, he went from an old man to a young man in his 20’s.  That’s a lot of transformation to cover!  I also really enjoyed Cate Blachett’s performance as the love of his life, Daisy.

Since there’s a long life to tell, the movie is pretty lengthy (close to three hours).  However, you’re so connected to all of his adventures, loves and losses you don’t realize the movie is that long.  Let me give you fair warning though that due to his unusual circumstance, this movie may leave you feeling a bit sad.

Who to take to this movie: any adult you love

Don’t see this movie if: you can’t sit still for three hours straight

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History hits the silver screen again this winter with Frost/Nixon.  Taking place in the 1970’s, this dramatic Ron Howard film retells the post-Watergate controversial television interviews between former president Richard Nixon and British talk-show host David Frost.  Nixon’s motive is to set the record straight, but Frost and his investigative team have a different goal in mind: to give Nixon the trial he never received for Watergate.

Frank Langella plays Nixon, and man does he do a great job.  From his mannerisms to his voice, he nails Nixon.  Nixon was a clever speaker, but it was amazing to see Langella play him so humanly at his most vulnerable moments.

I was not aware of these interviews before seeing the movie, and I was still fully captivated from start to finish.  To watch someone from another country drill one of our nation’s Presidents to uncomfortable perspiration and regret was breathtaking.  Great acting + captivating script = excellent movie in my book.

Who to take to this movie: history buffs

Don’t see this movie if: you need action to stay awake in the theater

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Sean Penn is creating awards buzz for his riveting portrayal as Harvey Milk in this Gus Van Sant film.  Milk was California’s first openly gay elected official, but it wasn’t an easy trek to get there.  Starting out as a closeted man working for corporate America, he picks up his things and leaves for San Francisco with his lover Scott, played by James Franco (Pineapple Express, Spiderman movies), to start a new life and no longer be afraid to be out.

I can understand why people are talking about this movie.  Not only was Penn extraordinary to watch as Milk, but everyone else in this film played their characters so honestly and so real that I was truly captured by everyone’s performances.  From Emile Hersch (Into the Wild) as the young, passionate campaign assistant to Josh Brolin (W.) as the nemesis to Milk in office, everyone deserves to be recognized for their acting.

This historical replay takes you back to the 1970’s, a changing time for our country.  When watching this movie, you feel like you’re right along with Milk for his struggles and achievements.  Not only do you witness superior acting, but you also see one of the biggest movements in our nation’s history on the big screen.

Who to take to this movie: adults who like historical dramas

Don’t see this movie if: you’re not a fan of independent film directors

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This movie tells the tale of the world’s worst dog, a yellow lab to be exact.  Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson play the married couple who buy him as a pup, and the movie shows the dog’s entire life.  Yes, that includes beginning to end, so let me give you fair warning that if animal movies make you cry, you better bring lots of tissue with you to this one!

I never read the book, but my family, friends and fellow movie goers I overheard said that the movie was just as good as the book.  So from that, don’t be afraid to see this movie if you haven’t read the book.  I took the chance and laughed and cried throughout the journey of Marley with his family.

I thought this was Aniston’s best movie performance.  I enjoyed watching her grow in her relationship with Wilson as a wife to a mother.  I grew up with dogs, and they played a big role in my memories as a child, teenager and young adult, and this movie showed how much a pet can impact your life. 

Who to take to this movie: pet lovers

Don’t see this movie if: you don’t like dogs or you can’t handle seeing the end of a dog’s life

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Adam Sandler stars in the family friendly comedy Bedtime Stories.  Steering away from his usual crude comedy, Sandler plays a hotel maintenance man named Skeeter who has bigger dreams for himself.  He has to baby-sit his adorable niece and nephew for a week, and since his old man used to tell him bedtime stories, he wants to do the same for the two kids.  Turns out that their stories come true…

Skeeter’s dad used to own the hotel he now works at.  The new owner promised his dad that one day Skeeter could run the place, but that’s not how his life panned out.  Once Skeeter finds out the kids dreams come true, he tries to manipulate his future in his favor, but the kids throw funny curve balls along the way to steer him off course a bit.

This movie surprised me.  I’m so used to Sandler’s old ways that I wasn’t sure how he’d pull off an action packed family comedy, but he did.  With the combination of cute kids, imaginative stories, comedic relief from Sandler and Russell Brand, and a love story with Keri Russell, this movie is sure to please anyone in your family.

Who to take to this movie: friends/family who enjoyed stories growing up

Don’t see this movie if: you don’t like to use your imagination

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1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
48 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Preparation:
Heat oven to 375°F. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and salt; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour and baking soda. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls (if dough is too soft, refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes). Roll balls in 1/4 cup sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until very lightly golden brown. Immediately press 1 chocolate kiss in center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely on wire racks.

I saw Seven Pounds last night, and I’m still breaking it down in my head.  Starring Will Smith, this film is very heavy and covers a lot of ground.  It takes a while for you to actually figure out Smith’s back story and why he’s helping the seven strangers in the film. 

Smith plays an IRS agent named Ben Thomas.  He has seven people picked out that he wants to help, so he pays each of them special visits throughout the movie.  One of them is Woody Harrelson, who plays a blind telephone meat salesman and piano player.  Another is Rosario Dawson, who portrays a woman with heart problems.  Dawson turns into his love interest in the film, and their blossoming relationship was very beautiful to see.

This movie takes you on an emotional roller coaster, making you laugh, cry, feel anxious and confused.  Even though I still have unanswered questions, I enjoyed the film.  All of the actors did a great job, and Dawson truly shined.

Who to take to this movie: people who like complex storylines

Don’t see this movie if: you want to avoid crying during the holidays

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Jim Carrey is back as his goofy ol’ self in the comedy Yes Man.  Similar to the storyline of Liar Liar, Carrey is forced to do things he normally wouldn’t want to do in order to better his life.  Even though he doesn’t give an award winning performance, he sticks to what has worked for him in the past: his physical humor.

It was nice to have Carrey back to his comedic roots.  His rubber face, funny voices and goofy physical action all play a large part in making this movie work.  If you’re asking yourself why pay to see another version of Liar Liar, I want to make it clear that he doesn’t repeat any of the situations.  From bungee jumping to playing Dance Dance Revolution in a bar to attending a Harry Potter themed party, this movie is more of a fresh, positive take on the forced action concept.

Zooey Deschanel plays his love interest, Allison.  She’s a spontaneous young woman, and she digs Carrey’s lifestyle of saying yes to everything.  Not only did they look good together, but their acting chops complimented each other as well.  It was nice to see a funny woman keep up with Carrey.

Who to take to this movie: someone you’d like to take on a date

Don’t see this movie if: you don’t like Carrey’s physical humor

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NoNo’s Café stopped by the Dom and Jane show and brought us a delicious New Orleans inspired breakfast!  We enjoyed some cajun grits, scrambled eggs with cheese and tasty potatoes.  With their ever-changing menu of recipes they have created, along with those collected over the years from family, friends & acquaintances, you never know what you’ll get (they rotate seven menus!), but you can be sure it will be delicious. Visit them online at www.nonoscafe.com, or better yet, in person at 3005 W. Countyline Rd. in Littleton, just off C-470 & Santa Fe.

The whole Madonna/Guy Ritchie divorce settlement story, which was followed by a retraction, has a back-story. It was Madonna’s longtime rep who revealed the numbers in the settlement, and that apparently made Ritchie livid. It also violated an agreement between the former couple. Ritchie then forced Madonna to retract the figures and they jointly issued that retraction on Wednesday.
 
Madonna and her ex, Guy Ritchie, are calling the singer’s longtime rep a liar. Liz Rosenberg reported on Monday that Madonna would pay Guy Ritchie up to $92 million in “one of the largest payouts ever in a divorce settlement.” But yesterday the two released a joint statement saying that they are trying to keep their divorce dignified and Rosenberg’s statement was misleading and inaccurate. … (more…)