Tuesday, October 5, 2010

the return

We returned last weekend from an almost 2 week trip to CA. As was expected, we had a great time and LOVED being right by the ocean. We spent 4 days at Disneyland and while it was a total blast, I'm overjoyed that we don't have to return to Disneyland again for a long while. :)

While I am sorting through pics and able to put a travelogue together, I thought you might enjoy some movie recommendations. Some are old and some are new but ones I have been thinking about and ones that everyone should at least see once.

The Ghost Writer directed by Roman Polanski. Ewan McGregor plays a ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister but in the process, uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy. My sis has read the book by Robert Harris and said it too is excellent.

This is an oldie but goodie. Empire of the Sun was one of Christian Bale's first movies. It is directed by Steven Spielberg and follows a young English boy who struggles to survive under Japenese occupation during WWII. Christian gives a mature performance and you can see how early on his dedication to his roles would make him a big star. The soundtrack is excellent as well.


This is also a movie from 1987. It was written by John Hughes but directed by Howard Deutch. So definitely some teen-angst going on. A young tomboy, Watts, finds her feelings for her best friend, Keith, run deeper than just friendship. He gets a date with the most popular girl in school but unfortunately, the girl's old boyfriend, who is from the rich section of town, is unable to let go of her, and plans to get back at Keith. I crushed major on Eric Stoltz when I first saw this movie.

I may get crucified for this but here it goes: Dear John directed by Lasse Hallstrom. It is a romantic drama, based on a Nicholas Sparks book, about a soldier who falls for a conservative college student while he's home on leave. As expected with all romantic dramas, the reviews for it weren't strong but I still really liked it. Henry Thomas is in it! That should be enough to make you want to watch. ;) The more the barriers between John and Savannah build up, becoming seemingly unmovable, the more you want to see them get back together - that's what keeps Dear John engaging until the credits roll. Plus, when it is a Nicholas Sparks adaptation, one can always expect a sandy location, star-crossed lovers and searing melodrama.

Anyone else seen these movies yet?

6 comments:

Rebekah said...

don't read the book for dear john. they completely changed it. heard the movie was excellent but NOTHING like the book. Too bad too....

i'm looking forward to seeing Ghost Writer as well. Love Ewan Mcgregor!!

Unknown said...

I also loved Ghost Writer. It's a must-see...but I wasn't prepared for the ending. Sheryl A.

Nells-Bells said...

rebekah -- did you like the dear john book? i was thinking of reading it but that is disappointing if they changed it a bunch for the movie. :(

Trent Megan and Kids said...

I totally crushed on Eric Stoltz after seeing that movie as well!! I haven't seen the other two but thanks for recommending them!!

emandtrev said...

Okay, I loved Dear John. I didn't read the book and heard I was maybe all the better for it. I cried. A lot. :)

I also loooove Some Kind of Wonderful! Some of those 80s movies are just awesome.

I really, really want to see Ghost Writer.

D.I.M. Incorporated said...

I liked Dear John, the book a lot better than the movie. That's usually how it goes. As if my husband wasn't annoyed enough to be watching the chick flick, he had to watch it while listening to me say, "Hey! That's not what happened in the book!" every 5 minutes!
Must see Ghost Writer and Empire of the Sun. Love Some Kind of Wonderful!
Can't wait to see Disneyland pics!
Also, you are my hero for braving Disneyland with 2 kids while pregnant! Go Nells! :)