Saturday, July 24, 2010

Two Movie Reviews

At the risk of copying my good friend Renee over at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot, I have a couple of movie reviews for you! (Hope that's OK, Renee!) I really enjoyed one of these movies especially, so I wanted to share my thoughts with you! =)

Kindergarten Cop

Here's a description from Amazon.com: "Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as an undercover cop posing as a kindergarten teacher in order to catch a dangerous criminal. Once he wrangles his young charges, as well as the affections of a beautiful teacher (Penelope Ann Miller), he prepares for a final showdown with his intended prey in this "Totally enjoyable" (Ralph Novak, People Magazine) action-comedy from director Ivan Reitman."

My Review:

The current "governator" of California can be rather fun to watch in movies! I enjoyed his performance in this movie, and there were certainly some cute parts in the story. (The movie focuses a lot, after all, on a kindergarten class!) However, there were a lot of parts in this movie that I didn't like. For example, the movie includes language, violence, and some crude references. There is also a "bedroom" scene, where Schwarzenegger walks in on his work partner and her fiancee. Nothing is really shown, but it's still an awkward and rather inappropriate moment.

Overall, while there were some funny lines and a sweet romance within this movie (and I thought the principal was hilarious!), I just didn't really get into it and was turned off by some of the more negative aspects of the movie. I can't say for sure how each one of you would enjoy it, but I would recommend it only for adults who are looking for an interesting escape with a little bit of comedy.

Kate & Leopold

Here's a description from Amazon.com: "Meg Ryan (YOU'VE GOT MAIL) and Hugh Jackman (X-MEN) are paired as star-crossed lovers who discover that passion and chivalry never go out of style! When a rip in time brings together a charming 19th century bachelor and a thoroughly 21st century woman, the potential for an old-fashioned modern romance ignites! Also starring Breckin Meyer (ROAD TRIP) and Liev Schreiber (SCREAM 3)."

My Review:

I loved this movie! This is one cute romantic comedy--full of charm and great characters! I was intrigued by the concepts of time, and I was delighted by the manners and kindness of Leopold. It raises the questions: Why did chivalry have to die? And how can we bring it back? Please tell me! =)

While there are many humorous moments throughout the movie, especially imagining what it would be like for someone from the past to actually experience the modern world, there were also some great concepts and messages touched on during the story. For example, the definition of integrity and its importance is addressed, and it really reminded me of how many ways there are to sidestep the truth. How important it is to remain in God's Word and evaluate every decision we make!

And another message of the movie deals with the desires of our hearts. Do we work at what we love, or do we settle for a job that will simply provide money but not fulfillment? We all have a purpose, and this idea reminds me of a well-known quote which says, "Don't spend so much time making a living that you forget to make a life." This life is so short, and what really matters is what is done for God's eternal glory.

From thoughts on "the pretzel of time" and how inconceivable it is, to the simple beauty of a timeless romance story, I found myself enthralled with this movie! Several characters really captured my heart, and I enjoyed time-traveling with them. I must say that there is some language in this movie, as well as scenes with people drinking alcohol, but other than that it was great and I really recommend it for all you romantics-at-heart out there! Both deep and witty, I think this is a movie worth watching again and again!

~Click HERE to see Kindergarten Cop on Amazon.com, and click HERE to see Kate & Leopold on Amazon.com.~

10 comments:

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Oh. My. Gosh. Kate and Leopold is my all time favorite movie! I absolutely loved the story even though the time pretzel thing confuses the heck out of me to this day! LOL! Ummm and in my opinion Hugh Jackman never looked better. *Sigh*:-P

p.s. feel free to copy away

XOXO~ Renee

Amber Holcomb said...

Renee,

Oh, we are definitely in agreement! :D Kate & Leopold was a GREAT movie--I LOVED it! I found the whole "time pretzel" thing intriguing and almost beautiful in the sense that everything works out the way it is supposed to. ;) And...YES! Hugh Jackman was quite handsome and charming in this movie. I'll join you with my own sigh of bliss: *sigh of bliss*

And thanks for letting me copy! ;)

~Amber

Bluerose said...

Kate is Leopold is also one of my favorite movies ever!!! I'm a huge Hugh Jackman fan, though! :)(My favorite actor!!)
I was so happy that I got to trade for it not too long ago on swaptree! Now to collect all the x-men movies! :)

Project Journal said...

Never seen Kate and Leopold, but I saw Kindergarten Cop a loooooong time ago! Lol...all the "bad" stuff totally went over my head but I really liked it because it was somewhat relatable for me I guess since I was a kid.
Hannah

Mary Bast said...

Kate and Leopold is beautiful. Meg Ryan is gorgeous, Hugh Jackman is the essence of yummy, and I love love LOVE the romance in it!! :) I've been hooked on both of them ever since I saw When Harry Met Sally and X-Men, so both of them together was like an entire box of Russell Stover's without the calories! :D And the concept of time travel is always fascinating to me as well--to ponder that time truly is relative, and that love can transcend it, taps into a part of my subconscious that I yearn to seep into present reality. I mean, how awesome would it be for Mr. Darcy to suddenly appear in real life?

And I know what you mean about chivalry! When a guy opens a door for me, I feel like a quintessential lady. :) Movies like that simply reaffirm how special chivalry is...

Have a fab day! :)

Mary ^_~

Michelle said...

It's been years since I watched Kindergarten Cop. I admit I didn't notice the bad stuff, but then again I watched it during my pre-Christian days.

I LOVE Kate and Leopold! Definitely one of my favorite movies. You've made me want to watch it again. I believe I will be checking to see if the library has it.

Amber Holcomb said...

Bluerose,

Yes, it's a fabulous movie! I'm so glad you got to swap for it, too! ;)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Hannah,

The kids are definitely cute, and I could see how it would be fun to see the scenes in the kindergarten class as a kid! ;) Like I said in my review, it's hard to say how everyone would take it (I guess some people might consider me to be over-reacting to some of the negative aspects), but I just wanted to make sure that if anyone was interested in watching it they knew what to expect (especially parents who might want to show it to their kids). But it was a pretty funny movie!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Mary,

I love the way you put it, Mary! ;) Kate & Leopold is a beautiful movie, and I like the Russell Stover's illustration!!! And yes, having someone like Mr. Darcy come to the future would be pretty amazing! I think having someone like Henry Tilney or Mr. Knightley come to the future would be awesome, too! ;)

Your comment is lovely, and how fun that we have similar taste in movies and that we both appreciate chivalry. ;) Hope your day is great, too!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Michelle,

I could have been a bit critical of Kindergarten Cop, but I guess I just wanted to make note of what to beware of for those who wanted to know. ;)

And I'm so glad my review made you want to watch Kate & Leopold again! That makes me really happy. :D Hope you enjoy seeing it again!

~Amber