Even though you can't hear, LISTEN TO THIS!

Do you guys remember the episode of American Idol when Seacrest offered a congratulatory high five TO A BLIND GUY?

A similar experience occurred last week when one of my dearest (and most intelligent...) friends was discussing her two thumbs up! for the movie 127 Hours.

Julie: "Saw 127 Hours this weekend and give it two thumbs up!
A tip for moviegoers: skip the snacks and drinks - particularly anything yellow like Mt. Dew. Just sayin'."

Unabashed Me: "that's kinda like seacrest throwing up his HIGH FIVE! for the blind guy..."

Just sayin'.

Day 1: I have no legs

There's something to be said about revisiting things you adored, were fascinated by, or that captivated you as a teen or young adult, as an adult. A grown adult. With kids. And a career. And graduate degrees and stuff. Where staying up past 10:00 pm is considered asinine.

I recently revisited the movie Kids for the first time since I was a mere 20 years-old living in Virginia Beach. My life back then involved waiting tables to stay alive and rolling pennies to make rent. Meanwhile, purchasing a bag of grass took about as much forethought as blinking.

Several friends and I snuggled (whether we wanted to or not) on my sectional to take in my inaugural movie club pick. I'm certainly not someone who selects a film involving The Rock or Jackie Chan - I have no idea why I chose those two names to describe what I don't like in a movie. I'm sure both possess qualities in their acting career that really appeal to many movie buffs. Or not.

Side note: Inception was shit no matter which way you slice it.

Whether our own free will or not, the opening scene of Kids? Set the uncomfortable, seat-shifting, gag-reflexing, eye-rolling tone for the 91 minutes each one of us unpleasantly endured. Some of us peered through the fingers we veiled our eyes with while others turned their heads in utter disgust. No matter how we reacted, each one of us simultaneously rattled off how many reasons why THAT IS JUST SO WRONG!

And I still love it.

Impatience

My toes are screaming for exposure to sunlight; to feel the tender caress of freshly cut blades of grass. My impatience for summertime warm weather is getting a little more intense than I'd like.

When the weather is cool and uncomfortable - or wet as it has been for the last few days - Egan and I are prone to staying inside playing Memory or watching Jimmy Neutron or Happy Feet over and over again. Allie and Gil, in contrast, are their father's children. Cold, overcast, 42 degrees and persistent preciptation? LET'S GO FOR A BIKE RIDE or better yet CANOE!

I've painted my toes black. Come on summer, let's go. I'm ready.

Rules of Attraction

Lions Gate has been known to offer us intellectual films worth a stimulating discussion to follow and this, a shallow, supposedly set in the 80s but totally applicable to today, Less Than Zero-esque drug-induced exploitative satire of socialite eastern college kids' existence, is just that but candy coated with a side of superficial handed to you on this plate right here...with a kick ass soundtrack now in my iTunes.

Four out of five for no required thinking, just watching.

Me and You and Everyone We Know

I'm still trying to figure it out, but this movie is some sort of artistic message all about poop?

Honestly, I can't rate this movie.

Junebug

With the exception of the thought-provoking, artistically curious cinematography throughout, the Sling Blade-esque artist, and the enchanting Brit main character, don't waste your time.

Two out of five.

Hard Candy or Move to the Top of Your Queue

Holy Mary Mother of Awesome Movies - this is by far one of the best mind-bending thrillers I've seen in a long, long time which has me thinking either a) my mind is in fact bent, b) I enjoy sitting on the edge of my seat watching in disbelief as a young girl tortures a much-older-than-she man's testicles threatening castration, or c) this was a phenomenal movie that encompassed all things I look for in a kick-ass indie psycho thriller.

C. Five out of five.

Sweet and Lowdown

Hmmmm...Not a lot to say about this one except if you like Sean Penn in anything other than Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Dead Man Walking, you may tolerate his phoney guitar-synching in this harmlessly eccentric portrayal of jazz guitarist Emmet Ray through the eyes of Woody Allen.

Two out of five.

Bridge to Terabithia

Although I loved it and shed some tears, my two oldest were a wee young for this terrific tale of two unique, artistic, and totally adorable outcast kids finding themselves within their imaginary world of Terabithia.

Four out of five due to misleading trailers attracting a younger crowd than appropriate for.

My first one-liner movie review: Sherrybaby

Such a gut-wrenchingly realistic portrayal of a young, desperate, drug addicted single parent who just got out of prison -no place for such offenders- , looking to regain control of her life and custody of her daughter, I had to shower when it was over.

Five out of five. For sure.