Tired Mama's Reviews

Rachel Getting Married

For the first time in my  life, I walked out of a movie last week and asked for my money back.

Yep, I did.

I went with three girlfriends to see the movie 'Rachel Getting Married', and we actually had to leave because the shooting of the film was so random and jerky that two of my friends thought they were going to be physically ill.

I have no idea what happened in the last hour of the movie, and because the first part of it was so hard to take, you know what? I don't even care.

Run away from this one. Don't rent it, and don't go to see it.

The best parts of the evening? The company, the wine afterward and the fact that I got my money back.

Going to this movie is NOT how you want to spend your time. Honest.

Mama Mia - The Movie

My latest GNO (Girl's Night Out) was a visit to the cinema to see Mama Mia and then a stop at a local pub for chicken wings and nachos.

The movie?

If you're over thirty and can get a bunch of ladies together, go! It's lovely, mindless and will make you want to get up and sing and dance along.

It's almost EXACTLY like the musical though, so if you're looking for more plot uh, no, it's not there.

Oh, and Mr. Brosnan? You are EYE CANDY for this movie. Please, please don't sing EVER again. Just stand there, that's all we really need. Thanks.

Kit Kittredge - An American Girl Movie

Well, let me start off by saying I really like the whole American Girl Doll 'machine'. I like the quality of the dolls, I like most of the books they publish and I really like the way they market their books along with their dolls.I find the stuff expensive, heck yes, but I give most of it 'two thumbs up' anyway.

This movie though? This, I didn't like quite so much.

The story is set during the depression and the storyline follows Kit, a 10 year old wannabe reporter, who uses her budding journalism skills to help catch robbers who have stolen her families mortgage payment.

I went to the movie with three girl friends and our four daughters. The Mom's are all forty something. Our girls are thirteen, ten, eight and six.

The thirteen year old thought the movie was just dumb, the six year old told me she liked it. My eight year old liked most of the movie, but she was bored for a lot of it.

My main problem with the movie? Basically it dragged. The plot was slow, predictable and just didn't move quickly enough to keep me or the younger audience members around me entertained.

I also didn't like the way the father's were portrayed in the movie. One young boy is shown forging a letter from his deadbeat father to try and make his mother happy and even Kit's Father is shown as a weak character who spends most of his time apologizing to his daughter for not being able to provide for her.

One of the high notes of the movie is that Kit's Mom is portrayed as a strong and resilient woman who keeps the household together through trying circumstances.

My rating? I'd pass on this one until it comes out on video and, unless you're a HUGE fan of the Kit Kittredge book's you may even wish to pass on renting the video as well.

The Life of Pi - Yann Martel

I'll be honest.

About three years ago I first picked up this book and I read about half of it. I hated it. I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the story, I didn't like the idea. I just didn't get it.

Then a few months ago I picked up the book again and read it leisurely. I read it with an open mind, I had forgotten who had told me to read it and why. I managed to move outside my happy little bubble that I usually live in and guess what? I LOVED this book.

This book is a story about Pi, a sixteen year old boy who, along with this zoo-keeper father and the rest of his family, emigrates from India to South America. On the way their boat sinks leaving only Pi and a few of the zoo animals to fend for themselves on a tiny lifeboat. The story is about Pi's and the animal's survival. It's also about animals, fear, and it's pure fantasy - or is it?.

It's funny, it's unbelievable and yet, in many ways I found it sad and touching.

If you're looking for a beach book, something that requires no thought, don't go for this one. But if you've got the time to read, ponder and suspend your disbelief, pick this book up - you won't be disappointed.

Winner of The Man Booker Prize.