<p>We wound up seeing the new National Treasure movie tonight, somewhat low-brow compared to some of the other movies on this thread. Actually, I judge a movie by whether I take a nap during it (happens a lot!), and if so, how long the nap lasts. I slept only about 6 minutes during this film - missed a car chase. The rest of it kept my attention (not exactly a ringing endorsement, I know). Weirdly, the thing I remarked on during the drive home: every one of the main characters has blue eyes, except Harvey Keitel, whose eyes are brown.</p>
<p>The car chase scene was pretty awesome, but the movie was sorely disappointing. The first was a much better movie and much better written.</p>
<p>H and I saw Atonement and enjoyed it although it was very sad.</p>
<p>S1 and roommate saw I Am Legend and warned me not to go…he said something about …zombies???</p>
<p>Deformed humanoids. I Am Legend was really, really lame.</p>
<p>Two thumbs up for Juno!</p>
<p>Son and I went to see The Bucket List this afternoon and really enjoyed it. Funny, I have such a list and have crossed a good many things off it, but many more yet to do (thankfully!).</p>
<p>
mrsperiwinkle - wasn’t it awesome?</p>
<p>I really want to see Juno. I think we’ll go this weekend. No Country for Old Men was so well done, but very violent and not for those with thin skin. I sat with my hands over my ears, knees pulled up to my chest and eyes squeezed shut for several scenes, but I’m a serious whimp.</p>
<p>I Am Legend - Thumbs down</p>
<p>Atonement - neutral</p>
<p>Juno - Thumbs up</p>
<p>Charlie Wilson’s War - Thumbs up</p>
<p>Charlie Wilson’s War:
If those who have seen this movie, Look at the movie in another light - It is a true story. Read the book.</p>
<p>I REALLY enjoyed I Am Legend. I think people who expect it to be a sci-fi movie will be really disappointed, but I’m not a fan of the sci-fi genre so that was fine with me.</p>
<p>Similar to fencersmother’s nap rating system, I judge a movie by how many times I open my cell phone to check what time it is. I Am Legend had ZERO time checks.</p>
<p>My S saw Golden Compass and said it was eh. The book was far better. He can’t say I didn’t warn him.</p>
<p>More thumbs up for Enchanted. Enjoyed Lars and the Real Girl, though I didn’t find it as wonderful as our local critic did. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (about a journalist suffering locked-in syndrome who ‘dictated’ a book by blinking an eye) is painful at the beginning, when you’re seeing via the blurry, truncated point of view of the protagonist. </p>
<p>Trying to figure out if Juno would be OK for 11 year old D (who saw and enjoyed Lars and the Real Girl). Looking forward to Sweeny, though it was hard to keep from singing along even during the trailer.</p>
<p>Atonement is my recommendation at the moment.</p>
<p>I would have been fine with taking my daughter to Juno when she was 11, but then I’m definitely at the permissive end of the spectrum where movies and literature are concerned.</p>
<p>I don’t remember what it’s rated, but I would put it at a very, very low PG-13. Obviously, there are some sexual themes, and the characters talk about sex (less than you might think) and other teen behaviors. There’s one flavored-condom joke, and a girl talking about “sausage rolls” flopping around inside boys’ gym shorts. That’s as raunchy as it gets. There are probably a few swear words, too; that would be in character for Juno. The good news is that you get a thoughtful (if often disrespectful) teen with thoughtful (if sometimes frivolous) friends and thoughtful, loving parents. There is also the insight that love and commitment can sometimes look unattractive from a teenage perspective, until you compare it to anything else.</p>
<p>H and I see about 2-3 movies annually because most of the stuff out there is garbage. However, we did see “Charlie Wilson’s War” on Christmas Eve and enjoyed it. We lived in India during the late 1980s and H traveled often to Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, etc. Quite a few memories.</p>
<p>I liked Juno a lot, but it wasn’t all that believable simply because Juno herself is far wittier and more self-aware than nearly all real teenagers are. More realistic was the portrayal of the boy - the father of the baby. That’s more the speed at which most high school kids operate.</p>
<p>I was also jarred by Juno’s (or perhaps more appropriately the script writer’s) misidentification of Juno as the wife of Zeus. Wrong - that would be Hera. Juno was the wife of Jupiter.</p>
<p>We just saw Stardust (on DVD, obviously–it’s been out forever!) and LOVED it. And we range from ages 15 to 50-something!</p>
<p>No Country for Old Men and Before the Devil Knows you are Dead - incredibly good film-making, incredibly good acting, incredibly intense, and incredible downers. Don’t miss 'em!</p>
<p>(The only upside is you will never consider your own family dysfunctional after seeing Before the Devil Knows you are Dead.)</p>
<p>I’ve been recommending Juno since seeing it when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. It’s a poignant, intelligent and adorable film and stars the offspring of two family friends so we’ve seen it several times! 
Both Ellen and Michael have been acting since they were children and are not only excellent actors, but wonderful kids, too.</p>
<p>Also, The Savages is terrific!</p>