Family Movie Night
This past weekend saw the Golden globes hand out their awards and next will be various guilds until we get to Oscar Night!
As a movie person, I get really excited about this night and I feel bad when I have not seen all of the movies. But this year I am taking the bulls by the horn.
Rooney Mara and Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network," picture from IMDb.com
As of the 18th, you can start your rental road to the Oscars with Golden Globe Best Movie winner, The Social Network. Jesse Eisenberg stars as the Harvard student who came up with Facebook. This is how he wheeled and dealed (sort of), lost friends, gained business associates and became the youngest billionaire.
All the critics have raved about this movie, talking about Eisenberg’s accurate portrayal and Justin Timberlake’s incredible performance. As much as I do not know about computer programming, I want to see this movie for the story.
Another movie that is destined for a Best Movie nomination is Inception starring Leonardo Di Caprio and directed by
Leonardo Di Caprio in "Inception," picture from IMDb.com
Christopher Nolan. The story is about a man who can steal ideas as people are sleeping. However, Di Caprio is not able to go home to his children. That is when he is offered a deal to plant a suggestion in someone’s head in exchange for redemption.
What makes this movie fascinating, besides the premise alone, is the special effects of the ever-changing dream world. With a tug of the hand scenes can instantly change. It is incredible to watch along with the emotionally charged story. I was able to get through one hour before I had to turn it off. I plan to rent this movie again.
Grown-up Andy looking at his favorite toys, Picture from IMDb.com
Finally, I hope that Toy Story 3 will get nominated for Best Picture although I suspect it will be placed in Best Animation as a consolation prize. I find this movie to be a thrilling story of growing up, regrets, a little action adventure and, finally, rebirth.
Now if none of these movies appeal, let me suggest The Other Guys starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as two NYPD detectives who hate each other. Luck shines on the caustic partners as they discover a case that could make them into the big-time cops they dream of being.
This is a PG-13 movie, not suitable for the younger members of the family. It looks like a whole lot of fun besides the opportunity to ogle Mark Wahlberg’s abs that were put into shape as he got ready for The Fighter.
Will Ferrell and the hot, hot, hot Mark Wahlberg in "The Other Guys," picture from IMDb.com
Let the world know about your latest pick for Family Movie Night and drop a note below.
Notes from Rumbly Cottage 
I watched the Golden Globes, too, and am looking forward to the Oscars. I haven’t missed them in years. I always try to see as many of the best picture picks as I can — but usually not till after the Oscars. I definitely try to see the winning movies, at least. Wanting to see The Social Network, too. Maybe this weekend.
The Social Network in on my agenda for this weekend as well.
I, too, am a movie lover…I used to work for a film company the dealt with “classics” to rent to schools and universities, Kit Parker Films…LOVE MOVIES.
Oscar night, before kids, always featured me, on the couch, first with a plate of 8 or 9 crepes filled with lemon juice and powdered sugar, then a HUGE bowl of popcorn…
it was my own date night with myself…to “ooh and ahhh” over the whole spectacle…
blessings
jane
I will probably make White Sangria again to serve on Oscar night. Last year the menu was frou-frou pizzas, the year before was Imperial Chicken. This year, who knows yet? We have to get through the Super Bowl. If it is not the Bears, I am not sure what the husband is going to do despite Black Eyed Peas being the half-time act.
We’ll probably rent Inception this weekend. It sounds like one of those movies (and there are many) that will have me wondering what’s going on before it’s even half over. Maybe you can explain it to me after you’ve seen the whole thing.
I need to see the rest of the movie but I am planning on The Social Network tomorrow with the hubby. Tonight it is a penquin surfing moving.
I think the remake of True Grit is very good if you haven’t seen it.
This is one that I am putting on my list as well as Black Swan.
Yeah, Inception is on my must-watch list. I saw a British movie called ‘The Kiing’s Speech’ last night… probably one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. It had the likes of Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth. Don’t their popularity in America but they are big here. Cheers, K
I thought you were in the U.S. but I think Geoffrey Rush is somewhat popular, especially with those who know good acting when they see it. I even loved him in The Banger Sisters.
I love movies but don’t tend to watch award shows, just catch up with the headlines the day after.
Sadly, I just couldn’t get into Social Network at all. I think I got about half way through it and gave up.
I started watching Inception but wasn’t sure what it was about so got a tad confused but I’ll give it another go now!
Sometimes a movie needs a second go. The first time I saw Lilo and Stitch, I hated it. Thought it was truly dumb. Watched it later when it came out on video and was entranced. You just never know.
THe Social Network is definitely worth seeing. I was particularly impressed me Justin. Everytime i see him in a movie i expect hm to suck, but so far that hasn’t happened. Inception is also a good one. Toy STory 3 i haven’t seen yet, but i plan to. I saw the OTher Guys a while back, and found it enjoyable. Certainly not the most profound movie ever, but its a good action comedy
Btw i did another Vampire Academy related post.
As much as we need the high falutin’ movies to make ourselves think, other days we need the biggest piece of fluff we can find.
I saw King’s Speech last night. Colin Firth was amazing. Not a family movie but a great movie for grownups.
It is on my personal list of movies I want to see. Colin Firth is simply good.
I vote for Mark Wahlberg’s abs! Wait, what are we talking about? I got a little distracted at the mention of him. I saw The Fighter and think it was excellent! Not just for Marky Mark. Saw The Other Guys, too. Will Ferrell cracks me up.
Toy Story 3 is wonderful – and I saw it just after my youngest left for college, so had to fight back the tears.
Inception left me utterly confused. As my youngest said, “I don’t think you’ll like it, Mom, There’s too much thinking involved.” What, exactly, was he trying to tell me?
Have not seen The Social Network. Really didn’t have any interest in it. But now I feel obligated since it got so many Golden Globes.
When are the Oscars? I never realize the date until the day before or the day of!
Had to look it up. February 27th. Can they give Mark Wahlberg’s Ab’s an Oscar. They were great in Date Night.
Yesterday the husband went to Rent Social Network and it was gone. We saw It’s Complicated instead and because I refused to see Eat, Pray, Love.
They can and they should give Mark Wahlberg’s abs an Oscar. I don’t think I saw Date Night – adding it to the Netflix queue immediately!
Meryl Streep grates on my nerves – I will never watch Mamma Mia. But I thought It’s Complicated was pretty funny.
Speaking of grating on the nerves, good decision about Eat, Pray, Love. It was torture! Among the many reasons, I quickly tire of Julia Roberts flashing her toothy horse-like smile and laughing her bwaa-ha-ha laugh. (Ouch! I am so mean sometimes – but I have liked her in other films). Anyhoo, I hung in there for Javier Bardem’s appearance in the film. First time I saw him was in The Sea Inside or Mar Adentro. Good film, one of my favorites, but not a good pick for Family Night. Requires a box of Kleenex.
Elizabeth Gilbert and her husband own a store, Two Buttons, in New Jersey. Their website is far more entertaining than Eat, Pray, Love. I hope to go there some day, and visit all of the cute shops in Frenchtown.
http://www.twobuttons.com/
O … M … G! I just realized I watched Mamma Mia and wrote a post about it. So, let me rephrase. I will never watch Mamma Mia again. Forgetting that I saw it says a lot, doesn’t it?
http://bighappynothing.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/mamma-mia/
All I can say is that seeing Greek women sing and dance on a boat dock really helped my depression last year. I watched it a bunch while I was out of work. I would clean house and watch it. Must have been funny to see me suddenly belt out “Yes, I’ve been broken hearted” with a feather duster in my hands.
I apologize. Please take a swing at Meg Ryan in French Kiss or Kurt Russell in Captain Ron. I’ve watched those movies over and over again because they always make me happy and always cause me to crack up. I hope you used the feather duster as a mic, because that’s what I would have done (if I could sing). I am craving baklava now … hmmmm. Eating that always makes me really happy.
hmmm, baklava….
OMG! Toy Story 3 totally deserved to get the Oscar for best picture. I love this movie so much and I totally agree with you!
Whether it will be nominated or not is to be seen soon. It is a great film, period.
I saw Toy Story 3 last night on DVD and I loved it. Buzz was so cool in his Italian mode, he was just awesome and the ending became all happy with his last dance.