Anna Karenina

TURNED OFF!

I was on a flight when I decided to watch this movie, and the book is actually my favorite book in high school.  I remember pounding out all 600+ pages of the book.  Fifteen minutes into the movie, I realized I had no memory of the story nor the book.  Then I felt I couldn't stand Keira Knightley anymore and decided to sleep instead of trying to watch the rest of the movie.  If anyone has seen the movie and think it's worth my time, please let me know.

Django Unchained

FELL ASLEEP

I think I fell asleep multiple times during the movie.  What's worse is when you wake up, rewind, and then fall back asleep at the same point.  Then wake up, rewind, and fall back asleep again.  At that point, you have to decide whether you want to pound out the rest of the movie or whether you should stop the madness.  I chose to pound through it, and you know what, I don't regret my decision.  I did enjoy the first part of the movie though and I felt the 2nd part was off the beaten path.  Get the Redbox; don't wait for Netflix.

The Place Beyond the Pines

FELL ASLEEP

Warning - Don't fall asleep in this movie because I fell asleep twice and I woke up to a different movie each time.  Look, I realize that no one has heard or even seen this movie, but let me tell you that it stars Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, and Bradley Cooper.  You have to admit - that's an all star 'up and coming' cast plus Eva.  Plus, it currently has a 7.8 vote on IMDB.  Let me say that I enjoyed the parts of the movie with Ryan Gosling in it.  He gave a "Drive"-esque performance.  It's worth at least a Redbox rental vs waiting for Netflix.  Btw, it was a loooong movie so prepare yourself.

Broken City

FELL ASLEEP

When I started watching the movie, my first thought was, "I can't remember a bad Mark Wahlberg movie since 'The Perfect Storm...' oh wait, I can't even remember the names of Mark Wahlberg movies since Storm, but you know what, once I remember, I'll remember enjoying them."  And that's how I felt about this movie - it was a sorta decent/good Markie Mark movie, but I had to IMDB "Mark Walberg" so I could remember the name of this easily forgettable movie.  One day, with the .01% chance that someone goes, "Have you guys seen 'Broken City'?"  Everyone will give them a puzzled look and they will go, "It was Mark Wahlberg and Russel Crowe."  And I'll go, "Ahhhh I remember, but I don't remember much about the movie."

P.s. Russel Crowe has gotten fat lately.

The Five Year Engagement

ACTUALLY STAYED AWAKE

This movie was surprisingly funny.  Not continuously laughing funny, but every 5 minutes or so, there is a quip or an action that does make you laugh out loud.  This might be Jason Segal's funniest movie since "Saving Sarah Marshall."  The biggest shocker was when I found out it was an Judd Apatow movie during the credits, and that's when I went, "Aha.  That makes sense."

Battleship

FELL ASLEEP

Although I fell asleep for maybe 15 minutes watching this movie, I woke up, resumed watching it and still enjoyed it.  I don't know what it is - I like these "Armageddon" type movies.  It reminded me of the bombing sequence in "Pearl Harbor" with Cuba Gooding Jr.  That was the only memorable part of "Pearl Harbor," and this movie was like that part but extended to an hour.  While I wasn't a fan of the 2 "Friday Night Lights" characters, I did enjoy staring at Brooklyn Decker.  Of all the brainless action movies that I've seen ("Transformers," "GI Joe", any superhero movie), this was on the better side.

The Avengers

FELL ASLEEP TWICE

Not only did I fall asleep once while watching this at night, I woke up the next morning and tried to plow through it, and sure enough, I fell asleep again.  I think if you spliced the first 30 minutes of the movie with the last 30 minutes to make it a 1 hour movie, I think it would have been better.  I just didn't like the middle hour.  I also didn't know who Loki was and was confused if he was really the bad guy or not.  And I think my infatuation with Scarlet Johannson may have ended with this movie.  I don't know if it was the script or the acting, but she just wasn't good in it.  I don't know what it is with these Marvel superhero movies - they're so predictable: weak plot, lots of CGI action, some t&a here and there and you have a Marvel action movie.  Just like in the comics, DC (Batman) proves to be the alternative and better option.