Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Leap year

I really, really enjoyed this movie. My hubby can't help but watched with me because he noticed that I'm so "super-kilig" . It's a beautiful travelogue through Ireland with the infectious Amy Adams and the amazing (and underrated) Matthew Goode. Honestly, this is one of the best romantic comedies I have ever seen. It doesn't try to be more than it is, it's just simply a funny and uplifting story, very well told.

"Leap Year" is a delightful and innocent romantic comedy. The sweet and gorgeous Amy Adams shines in every scene and Matthew Goode shows a perfect chemistry with her. Mathew Goode was incredible as Declan! Made me want to head off to Ireland to find me a "leprechaun"...LOL! I love the looks that Declan gives, and he's so funny! As a girl I have to mention, this guy is amazingly cute...making a nice accent as well. I loved the story line! I have always loved love/hate relationships, and this one did not disappoint! This movie is a classic that I will cherish forever!

I can only recommend for all of you to watch this....love the idea of "what would you take with you in 60 seconds if there would be a fire"...

WATCH IT! And have fun...... Let the image and the tagline arouse your curiousity...he..he...

I think this movie will qualify as a Road film because the story unfolds while they're in road trip.

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Sydney White

My apology to Marce Kikamz for not joining TCP for several weeks because of our recent moving- there's still no internet connection and there are still lots of clutters that needs my attention. Anyway, I have free time after lunch so here I am joining again.

I could give you Sydney White if you want a movie that is just an easy-going chick flick with a nice message and decent humor. It got 7-8 hearty laughs out of me. There's a fun concept going on here. It's short and sweet. Oh, did I mention the likable characters? If you're a nervous parent with a kid (especially a daughter) begging to see a movie before the next family, friendly film comes out then I suggest to send them off to Sydney White. It's the closest you'll get to "wholesome" . It's not a kid's movie though so for you teens biting your nails over this, can just sit back and enjoy. It deserves a chance. Go in with an open mind. So if you walk out disappointed, odds are you hate 90% of all good chick flicks or you tried to hate it. And if you're somebody who's still got the bitter taste in your mouth from the crude, rude and dumb comedies such as Mr. Woodcock and Good Luck Chuck than Sydney White will be a predictable, yet harmless good time at the movies to make it better.

Sydney White stars popular actress Amanda Bynes (one of my favorite young actresses) as the new girl in an elite college sorority. The Kappa Sisterhood is made up of a group of size 2 beautiful clones, all praising their mean-spirited leader, Rachel Witchburn (Sara Paxton).

As Sydney's popularity rises, Rachel begins to feel threatened by her. And so begins a story of rejection; acceptance and love. Sydney meets the handsome Beta fraternity leader Tyler (Matt Long) who is besotted by the good-natured Sydney.

With seven new geeky friends in the vortex house, Sydney decides to run for student president. Some good clean comedy ensues. Sydney White is a teen girl's dream movie; lots of romanticised idealism and a warm-fuzzy ending .


It's definitely a girl movie, I'll give you that, so if you can't put up with the silliness and the cheesiness, you will not enjoy it. But if you're a girl looking for a cute movie with a lot of harmless fun, this will hit the spot. This is one I will definitely buy on DVD and watch when I need something light and fun.

Not the most artistic of film making and not a whole lot of focus on in-depth characters and originality, but as a former teenage girl, I will happily give this adorable little film 8/10 for sheer sweetness, a good heart, and a passion for doing the right thing. Sometimes we just need that girly spunk.

21

"21" is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. The story evolves on Ben Campbell who's a young, highly intelligent, student at M.I.T. in Boston who strives to succeed. Wanting a scholarship to transfer to Harvard School of Medicine with the desire to become a doctor, Ben learns that he cannot afford the $300,000 for the four to five years of schooling as he comes from a poor, working-class background. But one evening, Ben is introduced by his unorthodox math professor Micky Rosa into a small but secretive club of five after he was impressed of Ben's math's skill-students Jill, Choi, Kianna, and Fisher, who are being trained by Professor Rosa of the skill of card counting at blackjack. Intrigued by the desire to make money, Ben joins his new friends on secret weekend trips to Las Vegas where, using their skills of code talk and hand signals, they have Ben make hundreds of thousands of dollars in winning blackjack at casino after casino. Ben only wants to make enough money for the tuition to Harvard and then back out. But as fellow card counter, Jill Taylor, predicts, Ben becomes corrupted by greed and his arrogance at winning which lets his feelings get in the way, and it also puts Professor Rosa, as well as the group, on the radar of a brutal casino security enforcer, named Cole Williams, who holds a personal grudge of some kind against Rosa which threatens to undo everything the students have learned and earned.

The movie had suspense, a solid plot line, scattered funny scenes, and a good ending . It's entertaining so better watch it.

Minority Report

Tuesday Couch Potatoes' topic this week is about movies based on books. I choose a movie based on a Philip K. Dick short story, Minority Report. The story is is about a cop in the future working in a division of the police department that arrests killers before they commit the crimes courtesy of some future viewing technology. John Anderton has the tables turned on him when he is accused of a future crime and must find out what brought it about and stop it before it can happen.

This movie is a perfect blend of action, suspense and thrills . The plot is intelligent and fresh. Tom Cruise is fantastic, Colin Farrell is amazing, as well as Samantha Morton. Spielberg again proves that he is the master of cinema. A truly great director. I'll agree, the ending was a little too happy, but not worth complaining about. This film is simply a entertaining and yet realistic glimpse of what our future may look like, as advertising becomes more advanced and intrusive. The film creates many moral questions and issues, and should leave you thinking. Is being arrested for doing something you actually haven't committed yet fair? It is worth seeing again and again. I can say it is one amazing movie.

Pretty Woman

Who's the pretty woman? Aside from me , I'll feature the other pretty woman, Julia Roberts . Today's theme for Tuesday Couch Potatoes is all about the movies of Julia Roberts.

Pretty Woman is the first movie of Julia Roberts that I've watched when I'm still in elementary. This romantic comedy made her known which grossed $463 million worldwide. Maybe all TCP entrants know already the story of this movie. To tempt you if you haven't seen it, it is a story of a feisty, good-hearted hooker named Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) who is hired for a week by a wealthy businessman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere)to serve to serve as his escort at a number of business related social functions. Needless to say, the relationship doesn't stay 'just business' for long.

What can I say that hasn't been said? This immensely popular, modern fairy tale romance is a fantastic, funny, charming and romantic film that was a big hit. I can't resist watching it every single time it comes on TV.

For me it's a great Cinderella movie...don't miss it.

an entry for:

Justice at any cost!

I'm pro-life but watching Law-Abiding Citizen where Clyde’s (Gerard Butler) wife who was molested and brutally murdered before his eyes as well as his young daughter by one of the two leering psychopaths who break into his home, I'm gritting my teeth and wanted that psychopath be died in an instance!

I'm against the decision of the district attorney Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) who cuts a plea bargain with the other in order to guarantee that at least one of the perpetrators gets the death sentence without consulting Clyde! The one who murdered the wife and the child is the one who was chosen to only serve five years and it's really frustrating!!!! and this is where the story starts.

Cut to 10 years later – Nick now has a 9 year old daughter and the death row inmate is about to be executed. What should be a standard death by injection goes horribly wrong in a scene that will probably have you cringing in your seat at least a little. Soon after the bad guy who only served five years gets put in a compromising position by Clyde – and he is going to have a very, very bad (last) day.

One thing leads to another and Nick determines that Clyde is the guy behind both deaths. In a scene that frankly makes no sense other than to show Gerard Butler’s naked butt, the cops capture him and take him in. It soon becomes clear that Clyde wanted more than revenge – he wants to expose the corrupt justice system where compromises are made and the letter of the law sometimes leads to injustice.

Murders of those involved in the plea deal continue to take place even with Clyde behind bars, where he makes a series of odd and interesting requests – all of which turn out to be made for very specific reasons. Of course the big mystery is how these things continue to happen despite the fact Clyde is behind bars – who is his accomplice? Unfortunately the longer this goes on, the bigger the shovel that is needed to dig out the answer to this question, and the solution is hard to swallow.

Gerard Butler basically chews the scenery and Jamie Foxx isn’t given a whole lot to do here other than look and act solemn.

The movie is very violent, at times quite funny (Gerard gets some great lines that had the audience laughing out loud) and has at least one scene that comes at you out of nowhere with a hell of a punch. The ending seals the deal and really left me pretty cold (unfortunately).

So while the ending is pretty unsatisfying, I had a lot of fun for most of the movie. So overall if you’re into this sort of film and you’re a fan of Gerard Butler and/or Jamie Foxx I recommend Law Abiding Citizen.

entry for:

Inspector Clouseau is back!

Today's theme at Tuesday Couch Potatoes is about Spy/Espionage. I choose for today's entry a spy film which is in the form of comedy.

If Pink Panther I makes you laugh while the actor tries to solve the mystery of the lost diamond called the "Pink Panther" the Pink Panther II was even better in my own opinion. It was quick,the plot very interesting,I was easily absorbed(I did not realized how the time passed). The presence of Aishwarya Rai enticed me to watch this movie. She's surely making her way through Hollywood.

Read the plot first:

After having been rewarded for solving the mystery of the Pink Panther Diamond, inspector Jacques Clouseau has been assigned to minor tasks by his boss inspector Dreyfus so as not to have him in his way anymore. Unfortunately, the famous pink panther diamond has once again been stolen as have many other artifacts in a series of burglaries around the world. His past success will enable inspector Clouseau to be part of the dream team comprised of the greatest detectives of the affected countries, where he will be able to display his numerous talents across the world (source).

The first thing I notice about this movie is its immense screenplay that makes me relax and enjoy the movie till the end without even turning my face away from the screen. Steve Martin is absolutely superb in his dialogue, body language and gestures which he is naturally gifted with.

If you like some serious comedy along-with for your ticket money, its worth a shot.It's really a good entertainment for the entire family. How good it feels to laugh- that kind of laughter that is rare good, pure and clean. As expected, though Clouseau always appears bumbling and incompetent just like in Pink panther I, but he alone interprets the clues to solve the crimes. How? See it for yourself.

Here are some spy films (comedy, or a good-humored action thriller) I watched and enjoyed them too :
1. Agent Cody Banks- Frankie Muniz, Hilary Duff
2. The Spy Next Door- Jackie Chan
3. Nancy Drew- Emma Roberts
4. Sherlock Holmes- Jude law, Rachel MacAdams
5. Who am I?- Jackie Chan
6. The Tuxedo- Jackie Chan, Jennifer Love Hewitt
7. Code Name: The Cleaner: Cedric the Entertainer, Lucy Liu
8. If Looks Could Kill- Richard Grieco
9. Stormbreaker- Alex Pettyfer
10. The In-Laws- Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas

She's just a Bridesmaid

This week's theme of Tuesday Couch Potatoes is about wedding. My first choice would be Father of the Bride but somebody already features this so I'll settle with 27 Dresses- a girl who always a bridesmaid but never as a bride, not yet.

Jane (Katherine Heigl) is idealistic, romantic and completely selfless...a perennial bridal attendant whose own happy ending is nowhere in sight. But when younger sister Tess (Malin Akerman) captures the heart of Janes' big boss with whom she's secretly in love, Jane begins to reexamine her always-a-bridesmaid lifestyle.

The movie is great- it features James Marsden (a fine man who looks good in sneakers) and Katherine Heigl who is a pleasure to watch, as she has the kind of crowd-pleasing, no-nonsense presence that could ground any film, so 27 DRESSES greatly benefits from her comedic skill and charm. While the film features all of the hallmarks of chick flick fare (wacky best friend, dress-up sequence, obnoxious but strangely attractive love interest) the story often veers into territory that may leave some feeling it stretches even the romantic comedy standards for suspension of disbelief. Heigl deserves comparisons to Julia Roberts for her sheer likability, and like PRETTY WOMAN, women will likely watch 27 DRESSES as a pleasant diversion--aware of the fantasy, but still delighted by the attractive lady in the different outfits.

One thing I learned from this movie- Learn to say "NO"!

an entry for:

Knights of the South Bronx

Knights of the South Bronx is based on a true-life tale about how a businessman-turned-teacher uses chess to inspire inner-city kids. Ted Danson starred in the inspiring true story of inner-city English teacher David MacEnulty, a true story of heroism and inspiration. The movie depicts one man’s struggle to better the lives of underprivileged children from the South Bronx. By teaching these children chess, he transforms their lives and the lives of thousands of other kids, their families, and their neighborhoods

In Knights of the South Bronx David MacEnulty strenuously argued that chess was not just a game but a set of mind skills that would enable children to face challenges they would encounter in their lives. They not only learned the art of competition, but triumphed by beating private school teams across the entire country.

This movie was excellent. I didn't look at anything technical, only how this teacher was there for his students. As a teacher myself, this movie reminded me once again the real reason on why I teach. I wish I'll be a teacher like David MacEnulty. I wish there'll be more David MacEnulty who will be there for the students both in disappointments and the victories. All in all I enjoyed this movie. Also, I loved the way the Ted Danson (David MacEnulty) used the game of chess to get the students motivated and so intrigued with the game, but also the way he insisted that "all homework" must be done and completed before all chess matches. I feel that all students and teachers should view this movie. It shows there are teachers who care for students, though they are few in numbers, they are out there...and I am here!!! And also, I think there should be more movies made in this fashion to tell the students there are people willing to go the distance for them!! Take for instance the woman who donated 4,000 + dollars so the team could go to nationals, or the kind gentlemen who graciously gave Mr. Mason the money needed for clocks. I would like to do something in this nature but my income don't support me yet..he..he.., but I would like the students of our nation to know although teachers that care are scarce, they are out there!

an entry for:

Life is Beautiful

Life is beautiful is an unforgettable fable that proves love, family and imagination conquer all.

In this World War II tragicomedy, famed Italian funnyman Roberto Benigni (The monster) portrays Guido, who moves during the '30s from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora (Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife). Dora likes Guido, but she remains faithful to her pompous fiancé, so Guido has an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle (Giustino Durano). Flash forward five years later and we see Guido owning a bookstore he manages with his wife and son Giosué. It's almost the end of World War II, but that makes the position of Jewish-Italians all the more precipitous. One day, the Germans come to take away Guido and his son. His wife, not being Jewish, chooses to go along. After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp,Guido takes a huge risk by treating the whole exercise as a joke. He explains to his son that they've just bought tickets to take part in a contest to win a tank (not a toy one, but a real one, thought of which lights up Giosué's eyes) and proceeds to concoct an imaginative and humourous explanation for the happenings around, and to, them in the German concentration camp.

All of the things Guido asks Giosué to do are in the interest of saving Giosué. I learned here that laughing in the face of adversity is the best way to triumph over it.No such piece of art has ever before combined laughter and tears of sadness in me before and that is the miracle of the movie.

Life is really beautiful as you watch Guido's relentless efforts to make a lovely exciting experience of the concentration camp to his son. You get exhausted just watching him going through his painful day and yet you smile as he speaks to his son and makes him laugh. This is a story of how a father applied various levels of creativity and sacrifice to protect a son in a Nazi camp. One can go on forever describing the creativity of this movie, but one will not be able to capture all its beauty in writing.

Watch how this beautiful story ends.

an entry for Tuesday Couch Potatoes : For the Love of Family

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Battle of Terra

Today's topic for Tuesday Couch Potatoes is about "for the love of Nature". What comes first into my mind is the movie "Avatar". This movie could truly moved any nature-lovers heart.For anyone who loves nature and astonishingly beautiful plants and animals, the experiencing the world of Pandora was like entering a dream-come-true.

I won't make "Avatar" as my entry today coz I'm sure everybody has seen it already. Let me share to you my entry: Battle for Terra.

When the peaceful inhabitants of the planet Terra come under attack from humans in search of a new home, the friendship between a human pilot and an alien girl may hold the key to saving both races. Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) is an alien girl living on the planet Terra. The Terrians are a gentle race of extraterrestrials that have no need for war, and harbor a deep respect for nature. When Earth's natural resources began to dwindle, the human race established colonies on Venus and Mars. Although that solution worked temporarily, tragedy struck when the colonies on Venus and Mars attempted to declare independence from Earth, and all three planets were destroyed in the ensuing war. Now, humankind's only hope for survival is to reach Terra. The few remaining humans have developed a machine that will make Terra habitable for them yet poisonous for Terrians, and while the human council is dedicated to finding a peaceful means of coexisting with the Terrians, the General Hemmer (Brian Cox) is fast losing patience. When heroic human fighter pilot Lt. Jim Stanton (Luke Wilson) crash-lands on Terra while chasing Mala into uncharted territory, the empathetic alien girl saves his life, and an interspecies friendship is forged. But time is running out for both the humans and the Terrians, and when General Hemmer stages a military coup d'état, the stage is set for a battle that threatens to destroy both species . (plot source here)


The story has both action for the younger crowd and solid characters and plots for adults. I really loved how the lead in this movie is a female heroine who is a role model to young girls out there. It's about how one can be caring and empathetic as a female, but it's also perfectly acceptable to be intelligent and have passions for building telescopes, repairing flying aircrafts, experimenting with mechanics and engineering. There are not many movies where the lead female character is caring, witty, smart, and cool. Being a teacher who works directly with the future youth of Thailand, I really see the value of this encouraging message.

The story builds up the suspense and drama as the Terrans and humans face each other.

The movie also has important environmental, ecological, and social co-existence themes woven naturally into the story.

The 3D effect is excellent and adds a whole new dimension to the movie-going experience.

Overall, it is a wonderfully done movie!

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: The Forgotten

What if one day you were told that everything you knew, everything you loved, everything you remembered never really happened? The film starts out several days after a plane crash with a grieving mother, played by Moore, trying to get over the death of her son. When she finally seems to be doing better, strange forces seem to be trying to cause the children to be forgotten, and therefore giving the mother no other choice but to find out why.


The Forgotten is a 2004 American psychological thriller film, directed by Joseph Ruben and starring Julianne Moore. The majority of the movie was filmed in New York City.

The moral lesson that I learned from this movie is that the bonds between mother and child can never be broken. A mother's love for her son save the life of his son. She never gave up even others had given up already. She follows her motherly instinct. Telly refuses to deny her son's existence. She is choked and ordered to give up her first memory of her son; the first time she saw him as a newborn. But she recalls her pregnancy and the being who has been experimenting on her is 'blown away'. She then finds herself living her normal life with her son again, though she remembers everything that has happened.

The acting was serviceable, with Julianne Moore turning in a "Riplyesque" performance (whether this is good or bad depends on your perspective) but Gary Sinise basically walks through the movie (while bearing an eerie resemblance to Steve Jobs in the beginning). The other actors move the plot along, but nothing worth saying anything more about.

Oh, this movie has one of the best "jump in your seat" auto scenes .