July 19

Well once again Yolanda was first with correctly identifying "She's wonderful! Wherever did you find her? 976-BABE." from Pretty Woman, 1990 starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

Try this one: "Can't help it! A girl has her feelings. But, Dil, you're not a girl. Details, baby, Details." (hint: I've already used a quote from this film before.)

On Netflix (and on the Disney Cruise boat)

Hannah Montana, The Movie - While we were on our Disney Cruise they ran first run movies. Movies like The Proposal, Up in 3D and Bolt in 3D were shown. The "big" movie one night was indeed Up, but since I had seen it, my granddaughter Amanda and I went to the second feature which was Hannah Montana, The Movie. Although I've already reviewed Up Eric, Lisa, Wendy, Howard and Sy really liked it as well. I had little expectations for our movie, but was pleasantly surprised. Miley Cyrus is a very likable character and this predicable storyline did have a good lesson. Miley or Hannah (those in the know know what I am talking about) gets too big for her britches and her Dad (Billy Ray Cyrus in real life and on the screen) takes her back home to Tennessee. The story goes from there. She does sing in the movie and some of the same characters from the TV show are in this movie as well. It is a good picture to see with your children and young relatives.

At Your Local Theaters:

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - I have to start out by saying that I am a Harry Potter fan and have read all of the books. I've been waiting for this movie and was disappointed that the release date was delayed from the Christmas season to summer. That being said, Sy and I went to the movie and I was surprised to see the theater so crowded as it was playing on three screens in this theater alone and it was a beautiful day. This film starts with Harry, Ron and Hermione starting their sixth year at Hogswart School. It sets the stage for the final book which will be made into two movies. The relationships between the main characters and love interests were explored without a lot of special effects. A word of caution, if you haven't read the books, this film might be hard to follow. For the readers of the book, lots of it was left out, but then again the film would have gone on for at least another hour. With running time of 2 hours and 33 minutes, it is long enough, but not so long that it didn't hold my interest. (Sy did think there were a few slow spots) Most people know what happens, but some of my favorite characters have limited screen time mainly Hagrid, but Jim Broadbent playing Professor Horace Slughorn was a wonderful addition to the familiar cast. Alan Richman as Professor Snape still portrays him as the evil character so well and Michael Gambon as Dumbledore is Harry's father figure once again. True to the book and a good way to spend a hot summer afternoon.


I must give a plug to our recent vacation. As some of you know the entire Sherman clan from Virginia and California met in Disney World and spent three days at the park. Since all of us had been to a Disney park before, the Virginia contingency spent the first day at MGM. On our second day the entire group went off to Epcot. The last time I was at Epcot I was disappointed, but they must have done major renovations as we all really enjoyed it. The next day we all went to the Magic Kingdom, what is a Disney vacation without going to the original park. Our last day was spent at the Animal Kingdom. We only stayed for a few hours as we had to join the Disney Cruise. Animal Kingdom too was great. My strong recommendation is to purchase the dining plan. It is well worth the money. We all were entitled to a counter meal, sit down meal and snack each day. It will save you a lot of money and your have numerous choices. Make sure to check with the restaurants to ascertain if they accept the card. Most do and they are good restaurants. Disney is marvelous with allergies. When we mentioned that Amanda had a dairy allergy, at every restaurant the chef came out and told her if she could have the item she chose. They even had tofutti for dessert and special bread for her. We then made our way to the cruise which is a wonderful way to spend a family vacation having people of various ages and different interests. The girls had the opportunity to spend as much time in the Disney camp which started most days at 9 and went to one in the morning. There were activities exclusively for families and adults only. They even an adults only pool and cove. Evening entertainment was quite professional and my granddaughters loved seeing the familiar Disney characters and the added bonus were the Disney stars including Corbin Bleu from High School Musical fame who performed a concert. On the cruise as well th e wait staff was very attentive to Amanda's allergy to the point that they had Wendy order her dinners the night before to make sure they would be good for her.

If Disney ran the country, there would be a lot less chaos. They are so organized. We checked bags at Dulles Airport and the next time we saw them was in our hotel room on the Disney property. Next we left our bags in the room before the cruise and magically they appeared on the cruse ship and finally the last night of the cruise we left our bags outside our stateroom door and magically again they appeared at Dulles Airport. It is the best way to travel. I know I have gone on about this vacation, but when I find something that works, I like to pass it along.


Now I am back to reality, but still enjoying the movies!

Roberta

July 6

Just a short review before we head out of town.

On Netflix or Instant View



JCVD - In this film Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself as a aging action hero who finds himself mixed up in a bank robbery and a custody battle.  At

first I wasn't sure I would like it, but it does grow on you.  Van Damme is a very likable character and the story though implausible, kept my

attention.  I did watch it on my computer which is not the best to view films, but would either watch it that way or look for it on an Indie cable

station. 

July 5

If there was a prize for the most correct answers, Yolanda would be the winner, but she'll just have to settle for bragging rights.  Once again she was
correct in identifying  "I love you more than any woman's ever loved a rabbit."  came from Who Killed Robert Rabbit released in 1988 starring Bob
Hoskins.

Try this one this week: "She's wonderful! Wherever did you find her? 976-BABE."

On Netflix:

The Secret Life of Bees - Since I have been busy with catching up on my many TV episodes and going off to New Hampshire, I finally got to watch this
film.  I have to admit that Sy did not share my interest in it and didn't watch it at all.  It is an unlikely story, but still made me cry.  The all
star cast starring  Queen Latifa, Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Hudson tells the story of a little girl who felt unloved and finds it in the home of
Queen Lathifa.  It is set in the South in the 60's.  Watching this film reminds you how far we have come in the civil rights movement, but how far we
still have to go.   Would wait for this to come on TV and not even add it to your Netflix list as there are many more movies that are more worthwhile.


Rachel Getting Married - I just finished watching this film and am not sure how I feel about it.  Anne Hathaway plays a character that is so unlike
the ones we are used to her playing.  It is a tough role and she was nominated for the Academy Award for it.  Although she was good, I am not
convinced it was Academy Award worthy.  The story left me cold and certainly not feeling lighthearted.I don't think I can recommend it.  Wait for it
to come out on HBO if you get that service or regular TV and decide for yourself. 

We are headed out of town the end of this week so I am not sure if I will get a chance to post before I leave.  We won't be back until July 16 so in
the meantime, enjoy the movies.