Maybe you’re looking to save a few bucks or the current theater choices just aren’t cutting it. Whatever the case may be, sometimes it’s just as nice to sit at home and watch a good flick. Take a look at this week’s picks for some At-Home Alternatives to the weekly cinema options.
Instead of This is 40: Knocked Up
This is 40 is a sequel of sorts to Knocked Up. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles from Knocked Up in a movie that shows their characters trying to reignite their marriage. Knocked Up shows some of the issues the characters are having back during the time period of that film. Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl starred in Knocked Up, but will not be in This is 40. And I’m sure that Director Judd Apatow made the right decision by not bringing back Heigl. However, Rogen is reason enough to watch Knocked Up.
Instead of On The Road: Howl
On The Road is a film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s classic Beat Generation novel. On The Road is probably the most recognizable work of this time. Another famous piece from that time is Howl. Written by Allen Ginsberg, Howl is a poem manifestation of the Beat Generation. The film version is draped over James Franco as Allen Ginsberg reading his poem aloud to a gathering of people and shows a court preceding that took place to determine whether or not Howl was too obscene to have been published. The film is very well made and features a lot of experimental film elements, and will be a good introduction to the Beat Generation.
Instead of Jack Reacher: Knight and Day
From the trailer at least, it seems that the character of Jack Reacher is similar to the character that Tom Cruise portrayed in the movie Knight And Day. In both films he’s an ex-government, very dangerous man who is being hunted down by people.
The Words (2012)
The Words stars Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, Zoe Saldana, and Jeremy Irons. Dennis Quad stars a novelist reading his new book aloud to a group in a bookstore. The movie tells the tale of a writer and woman, played by Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana, who have recently married and gone on honeymoon. While on their trip, Saldana’s character buys a brief case for Cooper’s. Cooper’s character has been trying to get a novel published for a while, but has been unsuccessful. His luck changes when his wife finds a piece inside the briefcase that she mistakes for her husband’s writing. She submits it for publishing for her husband, and for a while, he becomes famous off of a stranger’s work. Things begin to get hairy when the stranger finds out that his story has been published without his consent under someone else’s name.
True Grit (2010)
True Grit is the Coen brother’s adaption of the novel of the same name. It was filmed to closer to the novel in comparison to the original adaption, starring John Wayne. In the Coen’s version, Jeff Bridges stars as Rooster Cogburn as he helps a young girl (played magnificently by Hailee Steinfield) as she attempts to seek revenge for the murder of her father. The murderer is played by Josh Brolin and plays the role very well. It is very easy to hate his character. Rounding out the cast is Matt Damon, as a Texas Ranger who is also after Brolin. Damon gives a very likable performance. The movie has a storytelling pace, but the performances of the actors really help drive the film.
True Grit Netflix Synopsis: After drifter Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) murders her father, 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) hires alcoholic U.S. Marshal Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help her exact revenge. The disreputable lawman still has grit, though, and mounts an epic search. Joining the duo on their quest is a Texas Ranger (Matt Damon) who’s also hunting for Chaney in this updated Western that received multiple Oscar nods, including Best Picture.
What do you plan on watching this week, at home or otherwise? What do you think of my choices?