Yes, the weather was awful in Chicago this weekend, so that was prime movie-watching time. However, I wasn’t jumping to see Hangover 2 or Kung Fu Panda 2, so I used the weekend to catch up on one move that’s ready to leave the theater so I had to jump on it. The reviews for this movie have been pretty awful but, I read the book so I went in with low expectations. That is not always a good sign.

Movie: Something Borrowed

Rating: PG-13

Release date: May 6, 2011

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B

Summary: Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Darcy (Kate Hudson) are life-long friends but Darcy is a self-centered, narcissistic b*tch and Rachel is the long-suffering and sacrificing one in the friendship. But Darcy doesn’t know she’s her fiance Dex’s (Colin Egglesfield) sloppy seconds. Snap, he’s in love with Rachel and the two face their long-burning feelings for each other. That can never end well.

My thoughts: There are two words to describe how I felt walking out of this movie: pleasantly surprised. Again, after reading dismal reviews, I was not sure I would even see this in theaters. But a co-worker talked up John Kraskinski’s hotness in it (as Darcy and Rachel’s platonic friend Ethan) so…that’s worth $9, if for nothing else.

And I won’t bore you with paragraphs of John’s hotness or why my uterus and ovaries woke up and said “yeah, he’ll do…nicely,” but he is just as adorable and hot in prepster gear as he was in the movie “It’s Complicated.” His character is more well-developed too, but not by much. But that’s okay because really, his character doesn’t come full circle until the second book, more on that later.

Separate from John, the main people in this movie are Dex, Rachel and Darcy in a torturous, longing stare love triangle, which seems like a no brainer. The “opposites attract” appeal of Dex and Darcy is quickly overshadowed by the total unlikeableness of Darcy (even with a token soft moment) and the obvious attraction between Dex and Rachel. Where that relationship goes is pretty predictable, even with road block plot points like “should Dex call off the wedding?” “Why can’t Rachel just tell him how she feels?” “Why can’t Rachel go after what she wants for once?” The drama and back-and-forth eats up a bit too much of the movie’s 112 minute run time, but compared to the book (a series by Emily Giffin,) it’s cut down A LOT on the whining from Rachel about her betrayal of her “best friend.”

The main issue not really addressed fully (or enough to really give girls something to relate to) is the lingering feeling from Rachel that someone as smoking “staring at the sun” hot as Dex would go for frumpy Rachel. This frumpiness is played up at any chance, but that is core issue. It’s one I’ve dealt with (and I’m sure others) so I wish that was explored more. Looking back, most of the movie is about people pining for each other within this incestuous group of friends but not saying anything.

To be fair, I haven’t read this book in a while so there may be things in the movie I don’t remember from the book, but the addition of a heart-to-heart with Ethan and Rachel was totally unnecessary and reinforced my “pining” comment above. Why filmmakers feel the need to add stuff like that in when it adds no plot value and just eats time, baffles me.

But the moment they did build to was Darcy discovering Rachel and Dex’s affair and the moments leading up to that moment are really intense and kind of uncomfortable. And then when it’s time to unleash her b*tchy, I hate you moment, Darcy kind of falls flat, in that her character is so shrewd and unlikeable that she just lets it go too easily. I expected more.

Something Borrowed is part of a series from Giffin that includes the sequel (told from Darcy’s POV) called Something Blue. That was my favorite of the two books (due to a deeper character arc and development) and not much for it is set up in this movie and that sequel isn’t locked up to be happening, just yet.

BUT, definitely stay after the movie through the credits. Why? Let’s just say, there is a secret scene that you should check out. I’m so glad Liz made us stay through the credits because I would have missed it!

Re-reading this review, I’ve been a bit harsh and nitpicky on a few things related to the movie, but again, I was really pleasantly surprised by it, and after thinking about it more, it’s growing on me too.

It’s not perfect, but if you read the book, chances are that you will enjoy it.

Verdict: Wait for DVD or Netflix, but definitely see it if you read the book (but you can still wait for DVD)

Have you read any of Giffin’s books?

I love a good laugh and last weekend, as part of my “readjustment” to not being on vacation, I was ready for one, so I grabbed my friend Liz and we went to see the much buzzed-about movie, Bridesmaids. Let’s take a closer look!

Movie: Bridesmaids

Rating: R

Release date: May 15, 2011

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B+

Summary: Annie’s childhood friend Lillian (Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph respectively) is getting married and that sets Annie on a road to shame and disaster as she serves as maid of honor in her friend’s wedding. Add in a crazy wedding party and douchebag (but smoking hot) sex buddy (Jon Hamm) and, well, I think we both know how this could end.

My thoughts: Okay, first off, I’m a little biased about this because the movie “takes place” in Milwaukee and Chicago. Two places I love. Even though everything but the exterior shots was done in California (why movies why??), it was still nice to get a little hometown love, even if it was over-the-clothes kind of love.

Moving on, this movie got a lot of buzz because it’s gross and, well, most gross-out movies don’t involve primarily women (the 2002 Cameron Diaz movie The Sweetest Thing tried, and failed), but with Judd Apatow producing, it has to be good right?

Well, the movie is gross, in that several scenes made me cover my eyes from grossness but that’s not really the heart of the movie or why I found it so entertaining. It was the awesome cast in it.

Kristin Wiig, who is pretty much great in everything, kills this movie as Annie, the only single girl in the wedding party who is personally dealing with the free fall of her personal and professional life. Her bakery closed, her British roommates are awful, she has zero money, sleeping with a douchebag (love you Jon Hamm!) and she is the last one of her friends (and the only bridesmaid) still single. You can see on her face the frustration, bitterness and anger she holds inside and Lillian’s wedding is the catalyst. All of her resentment and insecurity as her friends move on and she stays still comes out. And the scene when it does is really…biting. As a single girl myself with mostly married friends, I have been in Annie’s shoes and when the cooing, giggling and feelings of being left out explode, I related to her words and feelings more than I care to admit.

The other scene stealers for me were: Wendi McLendon-Covey and Melissa McCarthy. They are hilarious and outlandish as Lillian’s additional bridesmaids and really, every scene they were in, they made me laugh and wish we got to see them more. The final scene with Melissa McCarthy too made me laugh out loud, and hide because it was gross and hilarious at the same time. Seriously, she’s so funny in this movie.

I also really liked Chris O’Dowd, who played Annie’s non-douchy love interest. He’s an honest, sweet guy that Annie isn’t ready for but their chemistry is electric and their scenes together were really funny (I’ve never met a Milwaukee cop who is that forgiving!)

There were a few parts in the movie that dragged for me but it was a solid length (124 minutes) and was a good mix of gross, funny and sweet.

Another scene in the movie gave me some GREAT ideas of what to do (and not do) on my next flight as well. Classic stuff.

Verdict: See it, but not if you’re faint of heart.

Did you see any movies this weekend?

Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve posted here but for good reason, vacation. Yes, I’ve been gone for a little bit but I’m back and ready to start seeing movies again! And the first one back is Water for Elephants.

I’ll admit it, I’m always nervous when a movie based on a book (especially one I like) is released. In many cases, it sucks (sometimes, badly) but after seeing a few trailers for Water for Elephants, I was so optimistic. Let’s see if I was right.

Movie: Water for Elephants

Rating: PG-13

Release date: April 22, 2011

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B+

Summary: After an awful family tragedy, Jacob (Rob Pattinson) jumps on a train, only to find it’s a circus and become its traveling vet. During his time on the road, he meets the circus’ main attraction, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), and clashes with her business-savvy but psychotic husband (Christoph Waltz). Sounds like a nice little Saturday!

My thoughts: I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie. It didn’t suck but it wasn’t perfect. And I REALLY loved the book, so that praise is pretty good for me when it comes to movie adaptations :)

What I liked: The movie was visually beautiful. Rich in color, gorgeous views and excellent costumes. I wanted all of Reese’s clothes and her overall look was just flawless. I wasn’t a huge fan of her casting (I thought she was bit old for the character) but she had the “look” of Marlena that I envisioned. And shockingly, Rob wasn’t bad either! Even though he looked a little lost throughout the movie, he was a pretty good embodiment of Jacob in his youth and was strong without being cheesy. Plus, I’ve never been an Edward Cullen fan (TEAM JACOB!) but his scruffy look was HOT. Damnnnnnn.

Christoph Waltz was also really strong, but his character was a vanilla version of his Inglorious Bastards character, so it wasn’t a huge stretch, but he was entertaining to watch.

The real shining part for me was Hal Holbrook who we meet at the beginning of the movie. I won’t give anything away but his limited screen time was just, wow. The pain, anguish and life he brought was just amazing and definitely made this dead-inside girl cry at the end. I wish he was in it more.

Also, a lot of things were missing from the book, but I don’t think they were really missed. It was related to Hal’s character and I didn’t mind it being omitted.

What I didn’t like: To be honest, the whole Jacob/Marlena dynamic didn’t totally work for me. The chemistry was a little lacking, but I think it’s because I felt it was a bit rushed. Of course, the book has more time to explore and build to this but I didn’t feel a spark. And Reese’s “I love you,” felt a bit flat.

To be honest, I need to re-read the book because I think there are a few other points I’m missing but overall, I thought it was a good interpretation of the book, despite the shortcomings.

Verdict: If you read the book, definitely see it. And if not, see it too!

What about you? Did you see it and like it? How did you think it compared to the book?

I love Jane Austen and I love Victorian movies. Many times, those things coincide (cough, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, cough) but today, Charlotte Bronte is my girl and Miss Austen is taking a back seat. And I had no plans (originally) in seeing the movie I’m about to review, but TC talked me in to it and I’m glad she did. You go girl.

Movie: Jane Eyre

Rating: PG-13

Release date: March 11, 2011

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B+

Summary: Cast out from her extended family and the girls home, Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) takes a governess post with Mr. Rochester (Michael Fassbender) and finds her cold heart warmed for the first time ever.

My thoughts: This movie does NOT make me want to live on the English Heath or in 18th-Century England where it’s cold, remote and just…not very attractive. I will take my couch, central heat and standard plumbing. I mean, seriously, if that makes me high maintenance, I will take it.

But despite that, I was really pleasantly surprised by this movie. I liked it a lot. It’s dark, gothic and a little creepy at parts, almost like a haunted theme, but it really works. Wasikowska continues to do really strong work (see Alice in Wonderland and The Kids Are All Right) and she just kills it as Jane. She’s cold and withdrawn but you can see the emotion, fear and anger hidden beneath the surface. Her face is very expressive (which it needs to be) and she just knocks it out of the park. Judi Dench as Mr. Rochester’s house warden is also great, bubbly and the optimist, welcoming Jane to the house. The two work well together and sadly, we don’t see them together enough.

The real love story is with Jane and Mr. Rochester and while it is poignant and sweet (god I LOVE Victorian love stories), it seems a bit rushed. I know you have to suspend some level of disbelief in these romances but this did seem more like a stretch. But it works, the passion between them and the animated Rochester compared to the repressed Jane is really sweet. And the standard “we’re falling in love sequence” between the two is great.

For a little bit, I thought I was watching an Aronofsky movie because no one was happy and I feared it wouldn’t end happily but fortunately, it all came around. Thank god.

Verdict: Worth a day show in the theater or Netflix/Redbox, if you’re a Victorian movie fan, GO SEE IT!

I love Matt Damon. Yes, he is another one of my All-American, clean-cut guy crushes. What can I say, I have a type! And the trailer for this movie immediately grabbed me and threw me in the theater to see my cute Matt Damon in action. Oh yeah and my love/hate crush on Emily Blunt is there too. I love her as an actress (Young Victoria? Die) and hate her because she’s married to my dreamy John K. Sigh. Let’s just talk about the movie.

Movie: The Adjustment Bureau

Rating: PG-13

Release date: March 4, 2011

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B

Summary: On the worst night of David Norris’ (Matt Damon) career, he meets a charming dancer named Elise (Emily Blunt), who sets off a chain reaction in his life. Running in to Elise again has thrown David off his “path” and the men of the Adjustment Bureau are going to get that back on track. Best not f*ck with them and their notebooks.

My thoughts: Oh man I really wanted to like this. And overall, I did, but this also falls in the category of great trailer, good movie. The main theme of the movie was said to be personal choice versus social will but really, I felt it was more about fate. The kind of fate that you feel when you meet your soulmate, find what you are ultimately meant for, only to find out it might not be your real destiny. That I find to be more compelling.

Damon and Blunt have amazing chemistry. They flirt, long and swoon around one another and that feels genuine, even if their story gets a little contrived within the Adjustment Bureau plan for them respectively. Honestly, it’s a little tough to really summarize this movie because it’s a little out there and a lot of pieces to explain.

Verdict: See it but definitely a matinee or Netflix/Redbox

What did you think?