Category Archives: Saturday Matinee

Saturday Matinee – A Walk To Remember

A Walk to Remember

A Walk To Remember

Have you ever dated somebody who is a total opposite?

This was a sweet movie about two teenagers who are total opposites. Landon is a popular guy in high school. When a prank against a fellow student goes totally wrong, he’s forced into punishment by the principal. The punishment includes tutoring other students, assisting the janitor, and participating in the high school play. He finds himself working with Jaime in the play, by playing the lead role opposite hers.

Jaime is not well-liked at school. A preacher’s daughter and a loner, she finds solace looking at the stars and having goals and dreams about her life. Jaime also has a deep faith in God.

Jaime and Landon’s lives take an interesting turn when he goes to her for help in learning his lines for the high school play. They find themselves attracted to one another, which causes a sticky situation in Landon’s life since it doesn’t help his image to be seen with a girl like Jaime.

However, there’s a startling, unique reason why Jaime should not fall in love.

I enjoyed this movie. I especially liked how this movie showed how two opposites can become attracted to one another. If you’ve seen this movie, I’d love to hear your thoughts about it!

Have you ever dated somebody who is a total opposite of yourself? If so, what happened? Please share with a comment!

***I also wanted to add that this movie reminded me of the young adult books written by Lurlene McDaniel. It also reminded me of a novel I read a LONG TIME ago called P.S. I Love You.

 

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Need a good, emotional romance? Try John’s Quest, on sale now for 99 cents!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

 

 

Saturday Matinee – Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can

Have you ever run away from home (or know someone who has)? If so, how did you manage to make a living?

This movie was great! I think I enjoyed it so much because it dealt with counterfeiting checks and dishonest behavior. Frank Abernathy is an extremely intelligent and troubled teen. When his parents get divorced, he runs away from home, but, he’s able to make a living with his shrewd mind and dishonest behavior. He poses as a Pan Am airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer. He was able to con his way through these roles and he was just a teenager!

While conning his way through these occupations, Frank would create checks and cash them. He also charmed the women he met (like the bank tellers), engaging them in flattering conversations so that he could gain their trust.

I really enjoyed this movie because it was exciting and I really wanted to see if Frank would get caught by the end.

This movie was based upon a true story and it starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

So, have you ever run away from home (or know someone who has)? If so, how did you manage to make a living?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee – Wicker Park

Can you imagine being followed around by a former love interest?

Matt is engaged to his fiancée, Rebecca, and is about to embark on a business trip to China. At a restaurant, he believes he hears the voice of Lisa, his former love interest. Lisa disappeared two years ago and Matt’s always wondered what’s happened to her.

During a series of events, he thinks he spots Lisa various places and you find out more about the history of Matt’s and Lisa’s love affair though flashbacks.

I was so bored with this movie that I couldn’t finish watching it. I think the story moved too slow, and I just couldn’t get into the story.

If you’ve seen this movie, did you enjoy it? If you enjoyed it, it’d be interesting to hear why you liked it.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

 

Saturday Matinee! – Meet Joe Black

What would you do if Death came to claim you? How would you spend your last days – right before your 65th birthday?

That’s the premise of the movie, Meet Joe Black. “Joe” aka “Death” has come to claim the life Bill Parrish, a millionaire business tycoon. During Bill’s last days, he struggles to come to terms with his imminent death while spending more time with his family.

“Joe” “takes” the body of a man who was recently hit by an automobile. Before this man was killed by an automobile, he meets Susan, Bill Parrish’s daughter. Susan is quite taken with the young man, but, they make NO plans to meet again before this stranger is killed by an automobile (unbeknownst to Susan).

When she meets the stranger again, at her father’s dinner table, she’s confused because she doesn’t realize that the stranger is no longer himself, but, that Death has taken on the body of the deceased stranger.

I thought the chemistry between Joe and Susan was amazing and very deep. I enjoyed this movie, but, since it was a fantasy (and I’m not a big fan of fantasies), I was a bit confused at the end.

***SPOILER ALERT!!

 

 

If you’ve seen this movie, maybe you could clear something up for me. What happens at the end? Joe takes Bill Parrish away, but, then he reappears as the deceased stranger we saw in the coffee shop at the beginning of the movie? Does Death have the ability to grant the coffee-shop guy his life again? Is one person’s life exchanged for another?

So, what would you do if Death came to claim you? How would you spend your last days – right before your 65th birthday? Leave a comment!

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/johns-quest.jpg

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee! If Only!

If Only

If you had to choose a day in your life to re-live all over again, which day would you choose, and why would you choose to relive that particular day?

I saw IMDb’s Ultimate Romantic Movie List recently. This movie is listed as #1, but Titanic is #2. Although I did enjoy this romantic movie, I have to admit that it DOES NOT top Titanic!

Ian, a British businessman, is emotionally neglectful toward Samantha, his girlfriend. Feeling like a second-class citizen, Samantha is unsure if their relationship will work. Ian adores Samantha, but, does not understand why she’s upset with his actions. Clueless, Ian wants Samantha to know that he adores her, but, he doesn’t know how to show her how he feels. When Samantha dies in a car accident, Ian is stunned when he’s miraculously given a second chance to prove his love.

This movie had a slight science-fiction/whimsical slant. Since Ian is given a second chance to relive the previous day, the movie kind of reminds you of the film GROUNDHOG DAY.

I loved how Ian did his best to make his second chance count. The surprise ending will make you sit up and realize that it’s important to show the ones that we love how we feel about them.

If you had to choose a day in your life to re-live all over again, which day would you choose, and why would you choose to relive that particular day?

If you’ve seen this movie, I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts about it!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee! Breaking Dawn Part 2!

Why is the Twilight series so popular?

I saw Breaking Dawn Part 2, yesterday, at nine o’clock in the morning. I didn’t even realize movies were open so early!

This movie stayed pretty true to the novel, Breaking Dawn.

Bella awakens and she’s now a vampire! Hungry for blood she goes on a search for food in the woods, along with her husband Edward. Edward has to try and tame his wife’s desire to feed on humans. Meanwhile, Bella’s and Edward’s child, who is half mortal and half vampire, is mistaken for full-vampire child (an immortal child). This mistake places their child’s life in danger. An immortal child is extremely dangerous because of the child’s tender age, the youngster is uncontrollable in society.

As usual, there’s fighting, werewolves, and just plain weirdness…after all, it’s Twilight. It’s an entertaining weirdness though. I enjoyed the movie about as much as I enjoyed the book. There’s a brilliant scene near the end that I’m sure will have you on the edge of your seat.

So, why do you think the Twilight series (both the books and the movies) is so popular? Leave a comment!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee! The Secret Life Of Bees!

The Secret Life Of Bees

Have you ever run away from home? If you did, what happened after you left?

I reviewed the novel, The Secret Life Of Bees, recently. The movie stayed true to the book, for the most part. Lily doesn’t feel loved at all. When her abusive, non-emotional father punishes her for something she did not do, Lily figures she’s had enough. When their housekeeper, Rosaleen, is arrested for an altercation with some white men, Lily breaks Rosaleen out of jail, figuring she’s going to get killed. They run away,  ending up in a small town, a town affiliated with Lily’s  deceased mother.

Set in the sixties, this movie deals with issues of racial unrest, coming of age, and religion. Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by a family of sisters (May, June, and August). The sisters make their living from the honey they produce at their beehives, set on their vast acreage of property. August becomes a mentor to Lily, teaching her about life and the beekeeping business. Lily also meets Zach, August’s employee and a friend of the family. Lily is drawn to Zach as she searches for answers about her deceased mother.

This movie was pretty good. I enjoyed watching it. I especially like how Lily’s character grows and matures throughout the film.

So, have you ever run away from home? If you did, what happened after you left?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee! Snow White And The Huntsman

Could you imagine your mother dying, and then your father marries a wicked woman who murders him?

When Snow White’s mother dies, her father, the king, marries a beautiful prisoner of war. Snow White finds the new queen beautiful, but, after the wedding, it’s revealed that the new queen is actually a wicked, vampire-like evil creature who gains her youth from sucking the life from others. After killing the king, the queen imprisons Snow White in a tower. Most think that the king’s daughter is dead, and Snow White is locked away for years, coming of age, far removed from the rest of the population.

Meanwhile, the queen sucks the life out of everything. Nature, plants, etc. die because of the queen’s evil powers. The people are miserable, unable to stop the queen and her evil power over the land.

When Snow White escapes from her cell, the queen hires a drunk, grieving huntsman to find Snow White in the evil forest. She’s determined to find Snow White because her magic mirror reveals that Snow White is now the fairest of all the land.

I enjoyed this movie. It was kind of strange watching a movie about Snow White that was geared toward adults. This was NOTHING like the Walt Disney version! While Snow White is in the woods, now being protected by the original huntsman, she encounters all sorts of things, including a wicked troll, dwarfs, an enchanted forest, and fairies.

The special effects were amazing! I also thought that this movie is an example of good over-coming evil. I also thought it was interesting that Snow White, each day while imprisoned, speaks the Lord’s prayer. You get the impression that Snow White is chosen to save her people, and she has God by her side while she combats the throes of evil.

Overall, a pretty good movie.

So, could you imagine your mother dying, and then your father marries a wicked woman who murders him? Have you seen this movie? If so, did you enjoy it? Leave a comment!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee! Worlds Apart

***Note – this is a foreign movie with English subtitles.

Can you imagine being ousted from the only church you’ve ever known and shunned by your family? Can you imagine being left all alone in the world? What would you do if you were in this situation?

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a devout Jehovah’s Witness. When she goes to a party at a club, hosted by her J.W. friend, Thea, she meets Teis. Teis doesn’t believe in God and he finds Sara’s religion extremely confusing and unfair. Since she is not allowed to date Teis, she meets him secretly, lying to her father that she is out late with Thea doing homework.Teis is smitten with Sara, and he questions her beliefs.

When they are out on their first date, Sara runs into her brother, whom she has not seen in over a year. Teis is disturbed by the conversation he hears between Sara and her brother. Afterwards, Sara reveals that her brother was expelled from the J.W. congregation, and her family is no longer allowed to talk to him. If a practicing J.W. is caught speaking to an expelled (disfellowshipped) member, then the practicing J.W. risks being expelled him/herself.

In the midst of Sara’s romance, her parents go through their own trials. Her father has been unfaithful, and her parents are now separated. The children don’t understand why their mother won’t forgive their father for his sins since he’s repented and is sorry for what he’s done. Sara and her two siblings agree to stay with their dad because they feel he is the parent who is doing what is “right” – repenting. They feel their mother is “wrong” for not forgiving their father for his sin.

When their mother moves out, Sara discovers that her mom had other reasons for moving out on her own. Her mom wants to be able to secretly see her son who was expelled from the church – it’s easier for her to do this when she’s living in her own place.Sara and Teis’s romance deepens and soon, they move in together. Sara convinces her mother to lie for her, stating that Sara’s living with her mother instead of Teis. However, the elders in her congregation find out about Sara’s transgression and things get out of hand from there.

I didn’t really have a positive opinion about Sara’s JW friend, Thea. Thea initially encourages the romance between Teis and Sara, plus, Sara meets Teis at Thea’s party. Then, after encouragement from Thea, Sara secretly starts meeting Teis, then Thea goes to the elders with information about Sara’s romance. I felt as if Thea was setting Sara up for a big downfall – I think Thea wanted Sara to fail as a J.W.

This movie was based upon a true story. Since I was raised Jehovah’s Witness, I can say that the things portrayed in the movie were accurate in regards to the religion. I enjoyed the movie, and if someone wanted to know more about the JW faith, I’d recommend they watch this flick. However, like most foreign films, I wished for a better ending. Foreign movies don’t always end like American movies – meaning, a nice happy ending and all of your questions answered. I felt that Sara needed to find the truth, the real truth of Jesus Christ, having a close relationship with Him.

The ending of this movie kind of reminded me about this book that I reviewed a few years ago. After this woman was expelled from her congregation, she was left with no religion, and I think that’s sad. However, I think that after a J.W. is expelled from their church, I can understand them being leery of all religions since they’re taught that all non-J.W. churches are bad/evil.
So, if you were Sara, how would you have dealt with being shunned by your church and family?

Saturday Matinee! Revolutionary Road

Can you imagine packing up your family and relocating to Paris – without having a job? Would you do it?
That’s what April suggests to her husband Frank. Frank loves Paris, and has dreamed returning to that European city. Frank hates his office job, so April suggests they pack up their two children, sell their house, Frank can quit his job, and they can relocate to Paris. April offers to work while Frank “finds himself” by discovering what he wants to do once they move.
I had a hard time getting into this movie. I thought it was kind of slow – slow and a bit confusing. Granted, I was sick with a temperature while I watched it, so, maybe that affected my opinion. There were some flashbacks, and I was kind of confused when I saw that April was an actress at the beginning of the movie. Then, I’m assuming it flashes back in time to April and Frank meeting at a party. April’s acting career is not mentioned again, which is odd. (Unless, I missed their mentioning it.)

April and Frank are not a happy couple. They argue all the time, but, it’s hard to pinpoint their source of discontent. They have two children and live in a quaint home on Revolutionary Road. They’re living the American Dream, and others think highly of April and Frank Wheeler. They even become friends with their real estate agent and her adult psychotic son – a son who has the ability to accurately guess people’s problems and emotions.

This movie reminded me of a foreign film. I’ve noticed that foreign films don’t always make a lot of sense. I know that Frank and April are not happy, but, it’s hard to figure out why. Frank is disgruntled with his job, so he finds solace with a girl in the typing pool. April is a suburban housewife who takes care of the house. Her love for Frank has dwindled – she also finds brief solace in the arms of her next door neighbor. It appears this movie is about lost dreams? I felt there should have been an event….or SOMETHING to explain why this couple is so unhappy.
I was also confused about the ending. April and Frank have a HUGE ARGUMENT, and then, the next morning, April is acting like the perfect wife, making Frank’s breakfast, as if the events of the previous night never happened. Weird…
When I saw April acting totally different than she had the night before, I thought…”Ahh, she’s scitzophrenic.” I figured she had a split personality and that would explain the whole reason of discontent within their marriage – she was really TWO personalities. That was a totally wrong assumption!
Another thing I noticed, which was also a bit weird – Frank and April’s children are not shown very much. You see them breiefly, maybe, two times?

I’m thinking that if I read the book, some of the loose threads in the story could be explained?  Such a tragic story, tragic and sad. I doubt I’ll watch this movie again.

I felt that the author of the book/movie was trying to get his point across that the American Dream is not all that it’s cracked up to be. I wish I could’ve written a better movie review, but, this is the best that I could do considering I felt the movie was very incomplete. I only watched Revolutionary Road because I loved Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. I was very disappointed in Revolutionary Road. This movie was a far cry from Titanic.

Have you seen Revolutionary Road or read the book? If so, what’d you think about it?