Movie Therapy Weekend

Sorry I haven't been updating my blog.  The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a downer at the library.  I found out that my AV budget got slashed.  That is going to make my job this year very difficult.  To be quite honest, it really got me down.  I had a 3 day weekend last weekend, so I decided I would use that time to engage in some movie therapy.

The first movie I saw was It's Complicated.  Directed by Nancy Meyers, it stars Meryl Streep as Jane, a divorcee who has a reasonably good relationship with her ex played by Alec Baldwin.  One night while in New York to attend the graduation of their son, Jane and her ex end up having dinner together in a bar.  They end up in bed together.  After they return from New York, they start to have an affair.  Jane knows she shouldn't be doing this, but part of her is getting a thrill sticking it to the woman who broke up her marriage.  To add to her conflict, she starts seeing the architect who is working on her house which is played by Steve Martin.   He is a really nice guy and should be the one she should be with.  But will she?  You will have to go to the movie to find out.

This was a really funny movie.  Meryl, like always, is wonderful.  I have come to the conclusion that she could play Hitler and make him likeable.  Steve Martin is perfect as the goofy architect.  Alec Baldwin is good too but I have a word of advice for him.  If he does anymore movies that require having his shirt off, he needs to go to the gym.  That was not a very attractive site. (I believe I uttered the word "Yuck" for all those around me to hear). 

The second movie I saw was Up in the Air.  This stars my beloved George Clooney as Ryan Bingham who is hired by companys to fire their employees for them.  He flies all over the country and spends more time on the job than he does at home.  He is basically a loner.  But he likes it that way.  His company however, has decided to do some changing.  The newest employee, played by Anna Kendrick (who plays Jessica in the Twilight films) has developed a new system where all the firing can be done via teleconference.  No traveling would be required.  Needless to say, Ryan isn't thrilled about this development so he takes the new kid out on the road with him to show her what it is really like to fire someone.  He is also dealing with a casual romance with a woman named Alex (played by Vera Farmiga) who might actually cause Ryan to feel something.

Even though I love George Clooney, I was a bit skeptical about this movie.  Most movies that are nominated for a lot of awards such as this one is, I usually don't like.  Not sure why, but it is.  I actually really liked this film.  It was very moving drama that not only dealt with the consequences of putting your job ahead of everything else, but also a great commentary on the state of the economy as it is today.  George did a great job as Ryan but the real scene stealer was Anna Kendrick.  She captured the fresh out of college, ready to change the world employee beautifully.  My sentiments weren't shared by the older lady who with her husband decided to sit right next to me in the almost empty theater.  She announced to the entire theater that she thought it was a comedy.  (She also announced that she thought the theater was too cold as well).  She was wrong.

The third film I saw was Sherlock Holmes.  I was really excited about seeing this one.  And boy I was not disappointed.  Sherlock is played by the wonderful Robert Downey Jr.  At the beginning of the film, he is none too please that his partner in solving crime Dr. Watson, played by Jude Law, is getting married.  Before Watson gets married, they get drawn into one more case.  Lord Blackwood has been arrested and hanged for performing black magic.  Shortly after, it's reported that Lord Blackwood has risen from the dead.  Sherlock and Watson set out to figure out what is going on.  Also drawn into the mix is Sherlock's former girlfriend, Irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams.  She is a thief who may or may not have an agenda of her own.

I loved this one too.  I am a sucker for mysteries and there is no better crime solver than Sherlock Holmes.  Downey was perfect for the role of Sherlock as was Law for Watson.  Their relationship was just wonderful.  I won't tell the ending, but I will say, there was a nice set up for a sequel.  And I dearly hope there is.

Well there you have it. That was my movie therapy weekend.  Did it help my disposition?  Yes it most certainly did.  And I am thrilled to say my total for movies seen in 2010 is up to 5 now.