My Picks!

This topic is very appropriate for this week, since Sunday is Oscar night! I, unfortunately, haven't seen many of the movies that are nominated, but I always look forward to the glitz and glamour of the evening. I plunk down in front of the television mid-afternoon and turn on the red carpet coverage, much to the feigned dismay of my husband. I say feigned because after awhile, he forgets that he's supposed to roll his eyes at the red carpet, and starts commenting on the clothes right along with me.

But, like I said, I haven't seen many of the nominated movies, so I can't discuss them for this week's topic: Favorite Recent Movies. So here are my picks for movies I've actually watched:

Food, Inc.
I grumbled for a long time about seeing this documentary about the state of the food industry. It had been recommended many times to me, but I was dearly afraid that I'd watch it and go bug-eyed. Not to mention, I was terrified I'd never be able to eat a normal meal again. Which turned out to be kind of true, albeit in a good way. The movie covers everything from food production, cost, trends and additives. It was eye-opening, but not in a grotesque way. It simply encouraged me to really "know" what I'm eating and make better meal choices for my family, even if it costs a bit more.

A definite must, but don't say I didn't warn you when you find yourself frozen in the middle of the organic food aisle in the grocery store!

Avatar
Oh boy, my husband resisted this one in a big way. He complained for weeks after the movie came out that it resembled a cartoon, that it reminded him of Jar Jar Binks in The Phantom Menace, despite all of our friends commenting otherwise. Finally, I bribed him with unlimited free popcorn and we went to see the movie in 3-D. Afterward, he was silent until I poked him in the ribs and said, "Well?" His words, lo, did he eat them.

Now, of course, he recommends it to everyone he meets, including random strangers.

The Hangover
OK, so this one isn't really recent, but other than Avatar, it's the last movie I saw in the theater. This time, I was the one grudgingly pulled into the movie. I thought the previews looked dumb, but (again) the repeated endorsements from friends convinced me enough to buy a ticket. I had little hope and expectation, and figured it would be a couple of hours where I didn't have to police my son. (The people next to us did not have the same thought; they brought their three year old. To an R-rated movie. I think my head exploded a bit.)

This time, I was the one munching on my words. I laughed my butt off, especially at the end. If you haven't seen this movie, you must rent it. Yes, it's stupid, juvenile and raunchy, but in the best possible way.

So that's it! I wish I could get out and see more movies, but alas, I'll have to settle for renting DVDs. My husband and I are going to rent The Cove next, a documentary about dolphins kept in captivity--I've heard it's a must-see.

Any other recommendations?