At the flicks

Oh, here's one: Bad Santa. Billy Bob Thornton was a scream. But don't think that's quite what you had in mind.

I've got to think about the Christmas movie too. Roan Innish was a great hit with my kids also...lovely family movie....not too cloying....

Just got one...It's a Wonderful Life.Love it!!!!

Bad Santa and It's a Wonderful Life. Great movies! I'm also a huge fan of the Peanuts movies "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and other classics like Chevy Chase's "Christmas Vacation" and "A Christmas Story" with young Ralphie who wants a Red Rider BB gun.

A Christmas Story is hysterical. I loved the pjs.

Of course, I'm easy to please. I love all the made-for-TV Christmas love stories.

It is an easy time of the year to settle in front of the tv with the family, stuffed with good food and good cheer and have a great time. Pretty much anything sentimental or humourous would do. That said I love the Muppet Christmas movie or anything with the muppets in it.

Mary, you'll appreciate this. After seeing Roan Innish, my 7-y-o fell in love with Irish folk music, so we went out to buy the soundtrack. Apparently we weren't alone, because every music store in Denver had sold out. It was nearly 2 months before we could find it.

hey Terry,glad it was so popular. Great movie all round. The kids still have fond memories of it and NOT because they watched it a gazzillion times...

I introduced my kids to the Earnest movies this past weekend with "Earnest Saves Christmas" (1988). Jim Varney was a wonderful actor and beloved by many as "Earnest P. Worrell". The kids loved him in this flick, especially when he did "Auntie Nelda", as Marty Brock's mom.

Hey Angie, I'm not familiar with the Earnest character. I guess you wouldn't know if he was a peculiarly US persona

Mary, yes he was an American actor. Check out Wiki for more info if you are interested
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Varney

Thanx Angie, that's interesting. I see his role was developed in commercials. I haven't heard of him here.

Mary, just reading up on Jim Varney, he played Jed Clampett in the movie version of The Beverly Hillbillies.

Thanx Rolanda, now if he had played Jethro I may have been interested

Where's Billy?

Hi all - I'll be interested to hear if and when anyone sees 'Australia'. I'm going next week but not sure I want to. My sister saw a preview as her step-son was an editor on the film. She said parts of it were great and parts so-so. I read in the entertainment news that Kidman is betting a trouncing in reviews. Won't comment any more until I've seen it. Happy viewing all - and Christmas movies - I can't think of a fave other than the old ones 'It's a wonderful Life' and 'Miracle on 34th Street' but having a hubby who wrestles with thousands of Xmas lights every year - Chevy Chase's Christmas lights in 'Christmas Vacation' is always memorable even if the movie wasn't. Sorry I made this post a short story!!

Yes, where is Billy?

Errrr, me again, that should read = Kidman is GETTING not betting. Oops!

I'm afraid that betting on Kidman getting a bad review does make sense....if you can find a taker...
I won't be seeing it. Much as I adore HJ, the surfeit of advertising is enough for me.

Yes, Mary, totally agree but my daughter wants me to go with her and I feel I should for my step-nephew's sake. This has been a giant step-up in his career going from TV to feature film editing.

Hi CynB, congrats on his job...sounds impressive. Hope his career does not sink with the movie.....

Here's hoping the review says something to the effect "In spite of beautiful editing, the film could not eclipse the miscasting of Ms. Kidman."

Or, a better reviewer wouldn't use the word "eclipse" incorrectly. Make that "overcome." My oops.

or even 'brilliant Aussie editor tries valiantly to save lemon'?

That's a good headline for my story.

Saw a review of Australia by a reviewer I respect and he said it was ok. The trouble when everyone hypes it up is that you expect 'magnificent' and don't like to settle for 'not bad'. The reviewer said that it had it's good points...the young boy actor was brilliant and so were HJ's abs.....sorry...that last bit was my input...

Speaking of Abs....and we were weren't we? Billy is on Sabbatical but indicated in her usual meek and mild-mannered way that the Abs in Quantum of Solace were definitely watchable....

I see that 'Australia' bombed at the US box office. Do I hear the death knoll? Seeing it for myself on Wednesday - will report back afterwards.
Now back to watchable abs............

Finally saw Casino Royale. Some fab abs there. Good flick. No outer space shenanigans. Just humans being human. Rare foray for the Bond series.

The best Christmas movie I ever saw was "Shaun of the Dead" Oops, sorry that was the best movie I saw on Christmas day. We had a quiet Christmas - just Hubby, boys and I and we rented a few movies including the above. What a hoot! We also saw Greenfingers(?) about prisoners who start a garden club, starring Dame Helen Mirren and the ever delectable Clive Owen. Also a good laugh.
Having previously said I don't like Nicole Kidman, I won't be hurrying off to see "Australia". Having also said I don't like Russell Crowe's movies - I feel I need to retract that a bit. I saw "A Beautiful Mind" on tv (wouldn't pay good money to see him at the flicks or even hire a DVD) on Sunday and I was hooked. Fabulous story and wonderful acting - Oscar winning stuff.

OMG Clive Owen, hold me back....Loved the Greenfingers(?)movie and SotD....very funny...the best zombie movie I've ever seen

I've not heard of Greenfingers. Will have to put it on my list.

Saw Iron Man with hubby last night. Just out on DVD. A hoot and a half (translation: two thumbs up). Robert Downey Jr. playing the role of his life and Gwenyth Paltrow as the moon eyed assistant. What a plus.

Can I post? Last attempt failed.

hey Terry, just confirmed it is called Greenfingers and it's one of those gentle comedies that the Brits do so well. Nothing earth-shattering happens but it puts a smile on your dial.Oh, and CO DEFINITELY puts a smile on mine

The CO is one suave one who makes me smile as well.

Ok - I'm back to report that I've finally seen Australia and, surprisingly, enjoyed it. It's not earth shatteringly good nor a classic but I would give it 3 and a half stars for sheer entertainment. NK wasn't as bad as I expected but could do without the over-the-top plummy British accent and the stick-thinness (or is that just sour grapes on my part?) The romance was a tad overdone and not entirely believable. Best points were the stunning scenery, the sensitive handling of the stolen generation and indiginous issues, and the acting skills of the evil David Wenham, the wonderful Jack Thompson and the gorgeous little Brandon Walsh.
And of course the abs of one HJ!

Who has been to see "Rachel Getting Married?" It has gotten rave reviews all over the place but a couple of friends and I went to see it and hated it! If we wanted to participate in dysfunctional family dynamics we could have stayed at home. And the price was $8.00. Bummer! Any thoughts?

Judy, haven't seen RGM but . . . dysfunctional family; Anne Hathaway. Sounds like my kind of flick. Seen A Christmas Tale? Now there's a happy family! Not.