Movie Monday – Man on a Ledge, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Our Idiot Brother, X-Men: First Class

Free Redbox Code Week! So I gave Man on a Ledge a try. (Really? What kind of title is that?) I have to admit, after watching, I’m not sure what else it could have been called. Despite the uninspiring title, the movie really wasn’t half bad. I rather enjoyed it. There were a few moments, bits of dialogue, or whatnot that I felt were lacking a bit, but overall, the story was interesting – it’s more than just a man on a ledge threatening to commit suicide but if I tell you more I’d spoil the fun. If you like action, a little drama and suspense, then I don’t think this movie will disappoint.

Against my own better judgment I agreed to see What to Expect When You’re Expecting with friends last week. Girl friends of course. It’s not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. It has some cheap laughs. It’s one of those movies that most of the best jokes are already highlighted in the trailer so if you’re on the fence about seeing it, just watch the trailer and you can call it good. The movie plays out similarly to Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve where the viewer is watching the lives of a number of couples, all going through the trials and tribulations of trying to get pregnant, being pregnant, and having (or adopting) their babies. If you’re interested in seeing this movie, don’t expect much from it so that you aren’t disappointed by the flat stories and over the top stereotypes.

On the recommendation from a friend, I picked up Our Idiot Brother, a story about the lives of a family with three sisters and one brother whose idealist views tend to wreak havoc on the lives of the girls. It was quirky. I didn’t laugh out loud but it had it’s moments. I think if it hadn’t been for the cast, I might have been bored out of my mind. But I really enjoy Elizabeth Banks (also in What to Expect), Paul Rudd, and Zooey Deschanel. Their performances, as well as some of the supporting cast, were key to making the movie worth viewing for me. I can tell you Don would not have liked it so I’m glad I picked it up while he was away. 🙂

I also watched X-Men: First Class again and even though I’ve reviewed it before, I just want to reiterate, it is outstanding. I think it’s my favorite of the X-men movies. Michael Fassbender, as a young Magneto, has a bit of a Don Draper air about him that is delicious. I also love that a new spin on a known character can turn your ideas about that character upside down. I know that Magneto is the bad guy but First Class has you totally rooting for him.

Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy: Dammit, man! I’m a doctor, not a physicist!
~ Star Trek, 2009