Scott Photography Blog » Movies

M+M Monday XLIII – The Princess and the Frog

Scott Bush — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:54:09 +0000

Our two kids have been anxious to see The Princess and the Frog for quite some time. Being that it finally came out in theatres this past weekend, it was a perfect chance for family movie and dinner night.

Disney really did a great job with this movie! Seems like they have a formula for success and I think, hit their mark right on target. It takes place in New Orleans and the look and feel for the area and time period add a lot to the movie. Characters are well done and anyone can relate to any one of them. In the usual Disney fashion, there are the quirky and funny characters, a lead princess and a villian (among others). Also, the music not only fit in to the location of New Orleans, but really blended well with the rest of the dialogue parts. The story too was simple, but complex and has some great lessons/topics for our kids.

This will be very successful for Disney and a movie I wouldn’t miss if you have kids!

M+M Monday XLII – The House of the Devil

Scott Bush — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:55:33 +0000

As I mentioned in a previous post over the summer, HDnet Movies shows some pretty decent movies. But their biggest draw is their monthly sneak previews of movies before they are released in the theatre. With Halloween right around the corner, October’s sneak peak was The House of the Devil.

I am not the biggest horror lover and didn’t know anything about this movie. So there were no preconcieved ideas about what the movie would be. My thoughts? About a 6 out of 10. It had a good style and feel to it, which was the intention of the movie. This was to feel like a horror movie made in the 70′s or 80′s. Defintely was that! Definitely had some scary moments and was able build those up in the best way…simple music, mystery and acceptable scenarios. The biggest weak point for me was the story. Slow in the middle and not much substance to it. But then again, are horror movies supposed to be amazing stories?

Watch the trailer and decide for yourself if you want to see it in theaters or wait to rent.

M+M Monday XXXVIII – World’s Greatest Dad

Scott Bush — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:21:48 +0000

Lasst week on Verizon Fios, there was another sneak preview of World’s Greatest Dad before it was in theaters. Unfortunately, it really did nothing for me and I am glad that I did not pay for it. It is a black comedy, but really didn’t see any humor in it or really get any drama out of it. Story was pretty weak and nothing more than a weird afterschool special. I can easily see this not doing well in theaters and hitting DVD shortly.

M+M Monday XXXVII – Funny People

Scott Bush — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:12:55 +0000

Last week, with the help our kids having a sleepover at my mom’s house, Erika and I headed up to Palisades Mall for a relaxing night together. No need to rush or any plans. We had a great dinner at Chevy’s, which if you can get there for a happy hour (4-7pm), great drink and appetizer specials. Then we walked around for a bit and then went to see Funny People. Between everyone who was in it and the success of all of Judd Apatow’s other movies (Knocked Up, Superbad, 40 year old virgin, etc.). We were excited. It was a good comedy and had some hysterical parts. Adam Sandler was OK in it for me. I think someone else would have been better in the part. Seth Rogan was his usual hysterical self. But Jonah Hill really stole the show. I think anytime he said something, we died laughing. Cannot wait to see what he does next! Overall, the movie was ok. Last 25% seemed forced to me and as I have felt with some other movies, I didn’t feel bad enough for Sandler’s character to even want to see him maybe succeed with what was happening over the last part of the movie. Also think that there needed to be more of a backstory to show the past and why he wanted to try to make it work.

M+M Monday XXXV – The Answer Man

Scott Bush — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:55:15 +0000

While we had an amazing thunderstorm last night, Erika and I watched The Answer Man. We both knew nothing about the movie and I had thought it was on TV before it came out in the movies. I was correct! Verizon has a channel called HDNet Movies and will have a new movie every month before it comes out in theaters. You can see the schedule of upcoming sneak previews here.

We both thought the movie was pretty good. It has some hysterical moments and a great story. I was disappointed in the ending, but that was it for me. Not sure I would have paid to see it, but it was great to watch with my wife from the comfort of our home, as the thunderstorm lasted just as long as the movie.

M+M Monday XXXIV – UP

Scott Bush — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:45:46 +0000

Since we have had plenty of rain, we needed to do something with our kids to get them out of the house for a bit. We have all been wanting to see UP in 3D ever since it came out. It did not disappoint us at all!

As with the previous 3D movie we saw, Bolt, the 3D is just amazing! It is really unbelievable how far an animated movie has come. And with the 3D, it truely is a fun viewing experience. The story was very touching. Yes, you can hear alot of people crying and blowing their noses, mostly grownups. Kids will love all the fun characters, jokes and action. SQUIRREL! Us parents will as well, but it is the beginning and ending that will really resonate with adults and married couples.

M+M Monday XXXII – Slumdog Millionaire

Scott Bush — Mon, 04 May 2009 08:25:59 +0000

We finally got around to seeing Slumdog Millionaire last Friday! It has been a long time that we both wanted to see this movie. We heard great things about it before and after it won the Oscar for best picture. But we heard a few not so great things about it from some friends.

My view after finally seeing it…OK. Entertaining, a great story, beautiful to look at and great acting. Not Oscar winner in my book, but I can see why. I would recommend seeing it if you had the chance.

M+M Monday XXX – Amelie

Scott Bush — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:13:06 +0000

Amelie is a masterpiece of a movie! I remember seeing it in the theatre with my wife and both of us being mesmerized. The music is unique and blends perfectly with the movie. The story is wonderfully writtend. And visually? Colorful (or lack of color), great camera angles and a few other camera techniques make it great to watch.

Yet, it won no Oscars. It was up for a few (Best Foriegn Language film, Cinematography, Sound, Art Direction and Writing) but came up empty. That is very surprising as I think about it now.

If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it. Or if you have seen it, another watch on DVD is a great way to spend a night on the couch. Enjoy the trailer!

M+M Monday XXVII – Sports Night

Scott Bush — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:53:05 +0000

In the late 90′s, I got hooked on a new TV show, Sports Night. IT was a great cast, quick dialogue and great story lines. Unfortunately, it only lasted for 2 seasons despite some awards/acclaim.

I started watching it again and really think this is one of the best TV shows I’ve seen. And of course it is written by the same person who wrote ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’. That was another great show that only lasted for 1 season. Hoping to watch ‘West Wing’ sometime in the near future.

If you have Netflix or can rent this show at blockbuster, I highly recommend it.

M+M Monday XXVI – Gone Baby Gone

Scott Bush — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:08:35 +0000

A few weeks ago, Erika and I watched Gone Baby Gone on HBO HD one evening. It was very disturbing, which is not a suprise now as I see it was from the same author who wrote ‘Mystic River’. It also left you with a question at the end of the movie, “What would you have done?”.

As a parent, it is tough to watch at times. I think Erika was about to walk out of the room a time or two, but really got into it after those moments.

Here is the trailer: