Rachel Getting Married

Great cast and great story

So I went to get the Blu Ray of Rachel Getting Married, and I had some preconceived notions in regards to what this movie was gonna be, especially with it having Oscar buzz with Anne Hathaway (Future Ex-Wife...) getting a Best Actress nomination. Plus with the film being directed by Johnathan Demme I was thinking this is gonna be an artsy piece of crap...

Surprisingly to say it isn't quite what I expected. As a aspiring filmmaker Demme did something unique in the drama genre in that they used a lot of follow cameras to give you the feeling that you're following the action as it's going on. Along with the improvised soundtrack that was played by a live group of musicians throughout taping it made for a unique and homey feel. The film made you feel as if you're sort of the "fly on the wall" during this weekend that this wedding is taking place.

I guess I should outline what the film is about as well... The main story is about Kym played by Anne Hathaway who is a former model who is a former drug addict, who is released from rehab for the weekend to attend the wedding of her sister Rachel (Played by Rosemarie DeWitt). The story is simple in that Kym is a narcissist who demands attention even at her own sister's wedding. But the underlying story is when Kym comes home she has to face for the first time the demons that have plagued her for so many years. So in all reality, the story is about Kym's growth as a person in this one weekend even with all the activity of Rachel's wedding happening the foreground. I won't give away some of the plot points but hopefully what I've given will be enough to at least rent it...

And of course there's the performances by a very talented cast.

Rosemarie DeWitt and Anne Hathaway

One notable performance was Rosemarie DeWitt who does an awesome job playing Rachel the distant older sister who hasn't forgiven Kym for what she's done. Albeit DeWitt was a supporting player she brought the movie together really well. You really want to hate her for the way she treats Kym, but throughout the movie you see why she reacts the way she does.

Another great performance comes from Bill Irwin who plays Paul the father to Rachel and Kym. An overprotective father who seems to shelter Kym due to all of her troubles who is very passive in his dealings with her. Irwin does a great job in being a loving father who genuinely loves both of his daughters but at the same time is covering his feelings for what Kym has done.

Deborah Winger shows up as Abby the mother of Kym and Rachel as well. She did a great job in being the aloof mother who much like Kym and Rachel's father very passive in her dealings with her children.

Anne Hathaway

Then of course there is Kym played by Anne Hathaway. There was a good reason she was nominated for the Academy Award, and I'm not just saying this because I'm a fan of hers. She gives a poignant performance where you feel sorry for her, you hate her and, then you feel happy for her when she finally faces her demons that comes to a head towards the end of the film. Hathaway does a spot up job playing the part in that she managed to be a conniving, narcissist whom you want to hate but you see she does have a big heart and genuinely does try to love people the best that she can, which backfires on her at times.

Boy I bet y'all are wondering what in the world did Kym do??? I guess you'll have to get the movie and find out... The film itself and the roles that came out of it are what actors kill to portray, because it's so real and so gritty.

Now would I suggest buying this film like I did? Probably not, but because I'm a fan of Anne Hathaway I chose to buy it. It's definitely a rent though, if you're looking for a unique film with marvelous acting and a simple yet complex story line, I'd suggest Rachel Getting Married.

Cheesy Yet Feels Like Home!

Ahh I miss them 80's style action flicks!!!

I just rented/downloaded Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia from the Playstation Network Store and watched it.  Produced by the WWE, directed by Tim Matheson, and starring Mr. Kennedy of WWE fame.  All I can say is this movie is incredibly cheesy yet reminded me of the old 80's action flicks I remember sitting in front of the TV and watching all day.  

Basically it's a flick about a fireteam of Navy SEALs who go into Colombia to recon a supposed guerilla camp that was building in the jungle.  All hell breaks loose when a peace conference between the Colombian Army and members of the F.A.R.C. are gunned down while the SEALs are reconning the area. Of course you know where that leads to...  AN AWESOME GUN FIGHT!!!  LOL!  And of course you know it's a plot to frame the SEALs and then a whole lot of bravado and ass kicking begin.  I won't tell you how it ends but overall I'd watch it again, just for the sheer entertainment value!

Starring WWE's Mr. Kennedy, this flick was filled with a lot of macho bravado that Navy SEALs don't normally show out in public.  Hence the nickname "The Quiet Professionals".  But of course it wouldn't be Hollywood if they were normal dudes...  

It's more of a rent but overall good flick to grab some popcorn and a soda or beer and kick back and relax for an hour and a half!

Between the Lines: Sara Bareilles Live at the Fillmore

Check out Sara's new DVD!  There's  a link at the bottom!!!

So...  I've taken my fandom of Sara Bareilles to the next level.  I downloaded the live concert that Sara did at the Fillmore.  I'm always afraid to check these things out because it occasionally breaks bad and the artist sucks beyond epic proportions...  I can now say that I wished I would've seen her in Las Vegas when she was at the House of Blues...  Bad call Alan,  bad call!!!  

She gave a very energetic performance from the first song to the encore.  I was impressed with her wit throughout the concert and through the little vignettes where she talks about her life and growing up in a small California town (It's Eureka, for those of you who don't know...)  Looking at the quality of the footage taken they wanted to make sure it was a good showcase of who Sara Bareilles is as a performer and through the "behind the scenes" action that they sprinkled in between the performances and sometimes cutting to an alternate shot of the song being performed on a dock acoustically.  

Bareilles' notable songs that caught my attention were the newer songs such as August Moon and a stirring rendition of Sitting on the Dock of the Bay (An obvious play to the fans of the Fillmore in San Francisco...  "Headin' for the 'Frisco bay"... Anyone?  Okee dokee... LOL!)

Overall I would say that this is a good buy for anyone who's a fan of Sara Bareilles, or anyone who wants to see a good show that doesn't rely on pyrotechnics and crazy dance numbers.  Although at the age of 29 I suppose she probably wouldn't want to engage in that type of craziness anymore...  Again overall awesome dvd even if you're not a Sara Bareilles fan, she's an example that an artist with a piano with the minimum of production can provide one heck of a performance.  

Check Sara's site here...  

Buy Sara's DVD, here...   

What a cutie, AND she can sing?