Thursday Thirteen - I love my DVD

Since becoming a parent, the chances of me seeing a first-run movie in the theatre run from minimal to nil. The DVD has become my best friend.

The bonus is that our local library has a wonderful selection of all sorts of films, and are starting to get their DVD's almost as soon as the video rental store. So my choice has been to go the free route.

While I cross my fingers that I will actually be able to watch the Sex and the City movie in a dark theatre, here's a selection of the most recent 13 DVD's, along with mini-reviews, that I have watched in the comfort of my own family room:

1/ Dan in Real Life: watched this last night. I love Steve Carell, and Juliette Binoche - yes, a quirky combination, and it was an ensemble film including other familiar faces such as Dane Cook (?!), Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney... Usually when there are so many name actors, it works against the film, but it was such a pleasant surprise. A funny, touching love story about family, parenthood and finding love again in the wrong places.



2/ Atonement: Just *Wow*. What an epic; Keira Knightley was beautiful, James McAvoy's performance so heartbreakingly poignant. I love a great love story, and this was a very romantic film. Also about how one mistake can set off a chain of events with impact to last a lifetime.



3/ There Will Be Blood: I wish I could figure out how the audiocast works - I would demonstrate my best impression of Daniel Day Lewis in this film. I'm told by hubby that I'm pretty good - mind you, it helps to have had a couple of beers ahead of time. An amazing actor; crazy intensity - what a well-deserved Oscar.



4/ Juno: I really liked this movie. The performances were quite real, despite the fact that I doubt there are teenagers who talk like that in real life. Maybe I just haven't met any. Oscar nominations again, were so well -deserved, as were the wins. Yay for Canadian content.


5/ Away from Her: Another great film, although hard for me to watch. We've experienced Alzheimer's first hand in this family. Although it was indeed a love story, I watched it without hubby; I could not imagine seeing my spouse forget me and fall in love with someone else. Oy. Yay again for Canadian content - go Sarah!


6/ The Lives of Others: Won the 2006 Best Foreign Film Oscar. I loved this film, not knowing much about Stasi, and what went on in East Germany before the wall came down. Fascinating depiction of what a horrible situation it was, and how even the hardest people are human.


7/ Music and Lyrics: Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant? I usually like both of them individually, but here - no chemistry. Sorry. Sat through it and cried but not for the right reasons.


8/ Shopgirl: I love Claire Danes - she just shines in this film. Jason Schwartzmann - I have really liked him since Rushmore - really quirky actor. But Steve Martin creeped me out a bit in this role. Although I'm sure these things happen all the time, but the older man/ sugar daddy thing was a bit disturbing for me. Funny moments though, courtesy of Jason.


9/ The Queen: Helen Mirren IS Elizabeth in this film. Perfectly portrayed.



10/ Conversations with Other Women: Aaron Eckhart and Helena Bonham Carter were great in this movie. It's a talking film, and it's basically just the two of them. The filming in split screen is unique, and the tension between the two of them is palpable. Acting is superb.


11/ Mistress of Spices: Beautiful Aishwarya Rai, hunky Dylan McDermott. Lovely depiction of the mystical, with romance. But didn't quite do it for me. No chemistry either. Maybe I kept trying to imagine myself in her place ... as if!



12/ Bread and Tulips: Very cute Italian movie about a housewife who feels under appreciated by her husband and two sons, and takes off on a "vacation" of sorts. She meets up with a hilarious cast of characters, and finds herself again.

13/ Good Luck Chuck: Huh? Yeah, me too. Couldn't get past the first half of it. Dane Cook is really such a goofball and annoyingly so in this one. I think there must have been NOTHING on the shelves that day.

Happy Thursday!