Cast: Abigail Breslin (Andromeda 'Anna' Fitzgerald), Sofia Vassilieva (Kate Fitzgerald), Cameron Diaz (Sara Fitzgerald), Jason Patric (Brian Fitzgerald), Evan Ellingson (Jesse Fitzgerald), Alec Baldwin (Campbell Alexander), Joan Cusack (Judge De Salvo)
For complete info see IMDb's My Sister's Keeper page.
If I hadn't read the book, I probably would have enjoyed the movie a lot more. Don't get me wrong - the movie is very moving and still worth seeing. I think they did a wonderful job with the cast and addressing most of the issues in the book. Like all good books that become movies, a lot of the story from the book is missing in the movie version of My Sister's Keeper. Some of that is barely missed. I think they did a great job with the movie (overall) until near the end of the story when they totally butchered the ending.
Since I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone (whether you have or haven't read the book), I'll simply say this. The ending is drastically different in the movie and doesn't have even close to the same powerful impact as the ending in Jodi Picoult's book.
If you're interested in the story and love to read, pick up a copy of My Sister's Keeper. The movie is decent, but not as good as the book. Definitely worth renting from Netflix.
Grade: B
Labels: 2009, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, book, Cameron Diaz, drama, Jason Patric, Joan Cusack, movie, tear jerker
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast Abigail Breslin (Olive), Greg Kinnear (Richard), Paul Dano (Dwayne), Alan Arkin (Grandpa), Toni Collette (Sheryl), Steve Carell (Frank)
For complete info, see IMDb's Little Miss Sunshine page.
It's easy to see why Little Miss Sunshine was nominated for Best Picture (and the other categories). This movie manages to be hilarious and dramatic at the same time. The cast is amazing. Little Miss Sunshine has an original plot and tells a story about a fairly strange family with a lot of relatively normal problems. In spite of the uniqueness of the family and some of their interactions, it's easy to relate to some of their problems and the way they handle everything life throws at them.
If you missed Little Miss Sunshine in a theatre, it's on DVD now - check it out.
Grade: B+
Labels: Abigail Breslin, comedy, drama, movie, Toni Collette
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:20 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kate Hudson (Helen Harris), John Corbett (Pastor Dan Parker), Joan Cusack (Jenny Portman), Hayden Panettiere (Audrey Davis), Spencer Breslin (Henry Davis), Abigail Breslin (Sarah Davis)
For complete cast, see IMDb's Raising Helen page.
Far from Oscar-winning, but Raising Helen was a really cute movie about a single woman whose life is turned upside down when she is given custody of her sister's children when her sister and sister's husband die in a car crash.
I was surprised by how touching this movie was. I thought it would be too sappy to be touching, but it was very well done. The cast is wonderful and the story is cute. Definitely a good idea for a rental. With no special effects, you won't be missing anything by not seeing it on the big screen.
Grade: B
Labels: 2004, Abigail Breslin, comedy, drama, Joan Cusack, Kate Hudson, movie, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 3:45 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Mel Gibson (Rev. Graham Hess), Joaquin Phoenix (Merrill Hess), Rory Culkin (Morgin Hess), Abigail Breslin (Bo Hess), Cherry Jones (Officer Paski)
For complete info, see IMDb's Signs page.
M. Night Shyamalan presents another movie worthy of watching on the big screen. He's so good with stories. This story wasn't quite as good as I'd expect from him, but it definitely kept me interested throughout the movie, which says a lot. The cast is amazing and this movie about messages from aliens is a good Sci-Fi mystery/thriller. I definitely recommend renting this one if you missed it. Of course, I'll watch anything M. Night Shyamalan puts on the screen. I think he's wonderful!
Grade: B+
Labels: 2002, Abigail Breslin, drama, Joaquin Phoenix, M. Night Shyamalan, Mel Gibson, movie, mystery, Rory Culkin, sci-fi, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams