Our review of Whip It.
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How the Cinema Girls Came to Be
I had always wanted to be in a book club. I loved to read and often wanted to share my thoughts on a book, or to see what someone else thought of it. I also wanted to enjoy the company of some girlfriends, and yes I will admit, I often just wanted to get out of the house for some fun every now and then. Hearing about book clubs, and seeing them on television made me think that was the thing for me.
But, the more thought I put into my book club idea I realised that books were getting a little steep in price for something I would read once, and finding the time to finish a book by a deadline may be hard now that I was the mom of 2. I also realised that the friends I had in mind for my book club were also now either moms, or very busy professionals whom money and/or time sometimes worked against as well.
Then one night I decided to curl up on my couch and watch a movie. The film I chose that night was The Notebook. Yes, you know the one. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling were welcome additions to my livingroom that night when all I really wanted to do was watch a good "Chick Flick". I had read the book by Nicholas Sparks, and thought I would try the movie as well. It was sitting there on my couch that it occured to me that so many of the books I enjoy eventually became movies. It also occured to me that my friends had often all enjoyed those same books or movies as well.
I thought about it for about a week or two, figuring out exactly what I wanted to do, and then I contacted my friends and ran the idea by them. I was happy and excited that right away they were all on board. We set up our first Girls Night Out Movie Night, and chose Atonement for our first film. It was a complete success and so much fun. The "Cinema Girls" (as we are now known) get together every two to three weeks (depending on film schedules). Not only do we enjoy the movie, but we follow it up with dinner, dessert maybe and yes sometimes even drinks ($2.99 margherita nights at Moxies). Of course lets not forget the conversation as well, its often full of laughter and wit as we discuss the film, discuss our lives, and enjoy one anothers company on a wonderful evening out.
Sometimes our film choices are Academy Award nominees, or International Film Festival darlings. Sometimes we have chosen a movie because it was a great book or a life story that we love. And yes there are even times when the movie was chosen just to have a good laugh and to lighten life up a little.
So a little idea I had while curled up on the couch on a November night in 2007, has turned into so very much more. I have met many new friends as we all continue to invite new people to join us, and as it turns out spending $4.40 on a tuesday night movie is definitely more affordable than a $40.00 hard cover book. Don't get me wrong, we all still read as well. A lot actually, as some of our movie choices have been based off of the great books we have read... like Time Travellers Wife, The Other Boleyn Girl, and don't even get us started on TWILIGHT!!!! But most amazing of all... one of our chosen movies (Julie and Julia) has now also inspired me. Like Julie I have created a blog. Where the cinema girls can share our movie schedule, our reviews and all our fun.
We hope you will perhaps follow along with us, and see the movies we have chosen each month on your own. Also, please feel free to join in on our conversations, our movie ratings, and our group no matter where you are.
But, the more thought I put into my book club idea I realised that books were getting a little steep in price for something I would read once, and finding the time to finish a book by a deadline may be hard now that I was the mom of 2. I also realised that the friends I had in mind for my book club were also now either moms, or very busy professionals whom money and/or time sometimes worked against as well.
Then one night I decided to curl up on my couch and watch a movie. The film I chose that night was The Notebook. Yes, you know the one. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling were welcome additions to my livingroom that night when all I really wanted to do was watch a good "Chick Flick". I had read the book by Nicholas Sparks, and thought I would try the movie as well. It was sitting there on my couch that it occured to me that so many of the books I enjoy eventually became movies. It also occured to me that my friends had often all enjoyed those same books or movies as well.
I thought about it for about a week or two, figuring out exactly what I wanted to do, and then I contacted my friends and ran the idea by them. I was happy and excited that right away they were all on board. We set up our first Girls Night Out Movie Night, and chose Atonement for our first film. It was a complete success and so much fun. The "Cinema Girls" (as we are now known) get together every two to three weeks (depending on film schedules). Not only do we enjoy the movie, but we follow it up with dinner, dessert maybe and yes sometimes even drinks ($2.99 margherita nights at Moxies). Of course lets not forget the conversation as well, its often full of laughter and wit as we discuss the film, discuss our lives, and enjoy one anothers company on a wonderful evening out.
Sometimes our film choices are Academy Award nominees, or International Film Festival darlings. Sometimes we have chosen a movie because it was a great book or a life story that we love. And yes there are even times when the movie was chosen just to have a good laugh and to lighten life up a little.
So a little idea I had while curled up on the couch on a November night in 2007, has turned into so very much more. I have met many new friends as we all continue to invite new people to join us, and as it turns out spending $4.40 on a tuesday night movie is definitely more affordable than a $40.00 hard cover book. Don't get me wrong, we all still read as well. A lot actually, as some of our movie choices have been based off of the great books we have read... like Time Travellers Wife, The Other Boleyn Girl, and don't even get us started on TWILIGHT!!!! But most amazing of all... one of our chosen movies (Julie and Julia) has now also inspired me. Like Julie I have created a blog. Where the cinema girls can share our movie schedule, our reviews and all our fun.
We hope you will perhaps follow along with us, and see the movies we have chosen each month on your own. Also, please feel free to join in on our conversations, our movie ratings, and our group no matter where you are.
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I thought that this was a fun "girl power" kind of movie. I liked it, but I didn't "love" it. What I would have needed to love it, I'm not sure. The cast was good, especially Ellen Page, who is a very natural actor - it's as if it takes no effort for her to act at all. She was really good. I don't think I fully understand the rules of Roller Derby, but I also know that this is not a sport I would want to try!! Still, it looks like the cast had fun making this film, and kudos to Drew Barrymore for directing the film. 3/5 for this film.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this little film. I give Drew Barrymore a lot of credit. She directed as well as having a role in the film. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, in the same way I do many "underdog" stories, or sports related films. Ellen Page seamlessless moves from the character of Juno who we loved, to Bliss. Who I also really enjoyed. She is a young actress who makes everything believable, yet in a way that does really look like she's trying at all. I also liked that even though this film is about a gritty sport like roller derby, Bliss still comes off as being very feminine, and like an "every girl". Drew should get much credit for her directorial debut. It was well acted, well edited and never once seemed slow or lacking. I think the casting was supurb as well.
ReplyDeleteEllen Page and Alia Shawcat as Bliss and Pash, and of course Marcia Gay Harden, as Blisses Mother. I'll rate it a 3.5/5.