Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...

The Princess Bride is the total package. Don't believe me? Go watch it and then we'll talk. Already watched it and still disagree? I'm not sure we can be friends. :D

The Princess Bride is a wonderful story, not only of Grandfather and Grandson, but of true love and true friendship. This movie is full of comedy from the beginning. Timeless, this movie is turning 25 this year and still a cult classic and family favorite!

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/

The stories interwoven in this movie are beautiful written (William Goldman, both book and screenplay). There are the lovers separated by the Dread Pirate Roberts, the two oddball friends Inigo Montayo and Fezzik, the betrayal of both the six-fingered-man, Count Rugen and the evil Prince Humperdinck. Elements such as the fire swamp, Miracle Max, and mountaintop swordfights make this movie incredibly interesting to watch. It is filled with action, humor, and wonderful writing.

Violence, Sex and Language:

Compared to Hollywood's standard today this movie is not violent. However, in the light of my own standards and the fact that I have many children of different ages in my life... This movie does have elements that are not appropriate for children. I'd say this is a 12+ movie. There are many swordfights, stabbings, fists thrown, torture, etc. None of it is over the top, but again, with children in mind I'd carefully consider the impact it may have on their little hearts and minds.

Violence: 2 out of 5

Sweet kisses and loving glances is all you will see in this movie. Yay - another point for Hollywood. (Although I'm not sure it counts since the movie is 25 years old... :)

Sex: 0 out of 5

I do not recall any language in this movie. I have seen it hundreds of times and nothing comes to mind. That is not to say the occasional word isn't there. I just cannot remember it/them. There is some light suggestive humor thrown in here and there.

Language: 1 out of 5

End Point: See this movie. Buy this movie. Watch it again. And again. And yet again. Laugh your head off and enjoy the benefits of a happy and light heart!

~Sarah

Contagion

WOW. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. Barricade yourself in your house! Don't eat unfamiliar foods or associate with unfamiliar people. Take your kids out of school. PANIC!

These are the things that will run through your mind after watching this movie! Suspenseful and intriguing from the very beginning, this movie keeps you guessing the entire time. I was constantly thinking of possibilities and the variances. Besides wonderful acting and an interesting plot, this movie has a lot of heart as well. The characters are going through the worst imaginable scenario and to watch how they all react differently is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Matt Damon gives an especially moving performance as a dad on the edge of sanity after the ordeal he is forced to go through.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/

The moving story lines and scary this-could-happen reality grips you from the first moments of the movie. Moving smoothly between multiple story lines and cities, the script effortlessly tells the all-to-possible story of life and loss that our culture provides with each advancement of technology. We accidentally create something terrible, then we engineer something to fight it to the point that our bodies become immune. This movie makes you stop and think about your everyday life, the germs you come into contact with, the ways that you can get sick, the ways that you can spread germs to everyone around you.

Violence, Sex and Language:

The movie is not violent in that the way we usually think. There are a few disturbing scenes as people succumb to the virus and seize, foam at the  mouth, etc. There is one scene in which hungry people start a riot in effort to get the food for their families. This movie is void of major fight scenes and bloody or gory content.

Violence: 1 out of 5

Sex:

This movie has absolutely no sexual content. Scary - yes. Sexual - no. Two point for Hollywood. :D

Sex: 0 out of 5

I do not recall any language in this movie, but I believe there was. I was so wrapped up in figuring the whole thing out that I didn't hear half of what was said. I would catch myself in mid-thought; I would have tuned out a few minutes of the movie in my own though process. This is one you may want to watch more than once. Many characters say D--- and S---, but I couldn't tell you when or who or where. Again, I was in my own thought bubble. That being said, I think I would have to rate the language as follows:

Language: 2 out of 5

End Point: Contagion is a great movie. It makes you think about your actions, your children's actions, the actions of those around you. It may leave you cautious for a few days, but caution never hurt any body, did it? You'll have to watch to find out...

~Sarah

Tale As Old As Time...

Beauty & The Beast is a childhood classic and favorite. The new showing in 3D was SO worth the nine bucks it cost! When I was five, I had a small obsession with Beauty & The Beast. And by small, I mean HUGE!!! I had the raincoat, backpack, magic play mirror, nail polish, hair brush, barbie of both Beauty and the Beast (Which changed into the Prince :) T-shirts, shoes, socks, pajamas, hats, mittens, sheets, comforter.... You name it; I had it! It was my very favorite movie, and to some extent it still is.

The story is timeless! The animation, beautiful. The morals and values, somewhat questionable, but generally good. The best part of the re-showing in 3D? I got to watch it with my God-daughter who is five. She was able to see it on the big screen the same way I was when I was five. I LOVE that we were able to share that experience and have that special something in common.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101414/

The story of loss, love, and redemption touched me even more as an adult than as a child. I have to admit that I cried at the end when (Spoiler  Spoiler  Spoiler) the Beast is transformed into the Prince. The re-animation with 3D is superb on this scene by the way. The nine bucks was worth it right there! Another note-worthy scene is the opening, where the wooded meadow leading to the castle is shown. A-MAZ-ING!!!!

Violence, Sex, and Language:

There are a few scenes of violence. Nothing major, but reviewing this with children in mind, some scenes might not be appropriate. Gaston of course is rough and tumble, tossing people around and shoving his sidekick frequently. Several punches are thrown and many violence actions during the 'have fun storming the castle' scene. (Yes, yes I did throw a little Princess Bride in there!) Overall, it is comical and not scary in nature. There is also the scene at the end (Spoiler  Spoiler  Spoiler) when Gaston is trying to kill the beast. The beast get cut and is bleeding, and is stabbed from behind, again with bleeding. There is also a scene toward the beginning when the wolves attack him and he is bleeding.

Violence: 2 out of 5

Being a Disney movie for children, there really isn't anything sexual in this movie. I'd be pretty concerned if there was. Besides the overly exaggerated swooning of the blonde-headed triplets, there isn't anything akin to sexuality. Romance, yes. Sexuality, definitely not.

Sex: 0 out of 5

I cannot think of any possible damaging language with the exception of "fool", "idiot", and "loon". It's clean of any actual language, as a decent kids movie should be. Back in '91 Hollywood understood that. Hopefully they remember that soon.

Language: 0 out of 5

End Point: If you haven't seen this movie, you should. If you haven't seen it in 3D, you should jump at the chance, especially if you have a little gal in your life. You won't regret it, I promise. The timeless story is worth every penny. Have a great week,

~Sarah

The Ramen Girl

The Ramen Girl has been on my radar for a while, but for whatever reason, I had not sat down with a warm bowl of ramen and watched it. Well, the nasty weather last Monday gave me that chance. I tell myself I do not like Brittany Murphy, but that being said, I have seen almost all her movies. I think I'm confused. For a girl who is portrayed as an airhead, she sure has a lot of depth. This is the second movie I have seen where she grew up, had a lot of heart, and showed grace and love to those around her. This movie is the wonderful story of a girl who is lost and finds her inner strength and self.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0806165/

After being abandoned by her jerk boyfriend in Tokyo, she finds her self in a Ramen Shop owned by a couple. Here she is given compassion by the wife and sarcasm from the husband. In a wonderfully written love/hate relationship, both the sensai and student find the inner person that they lost. This movie is a new favorite of mine. The Japanese is in subtitles, as you can see above. However, the majority of the movie is in English. Those parts that are in Japanese add to the movie and do not distract.

Violence, Sex, and Language:

Many objects are thrown at this poor girl; boxes, soup ladles, rags, food, etc. The Ramen Shop owner and sensai has a temper. One of Abby's friends ends up with a black eye (scene not shown) as a result of her line of work. There really isn't room for violence in a story about noodles. :)

Violence: 0 out of 5

The main character Abby has two boyfriends during this movie. Both have bedroom scenes, but not horribly revealing ones. Also, Abby runs out into the road wearing only a towel, but it's more heartbreaking than anything else.

Sex: 2 1/2 out of 5

A favorite phrase of the Ramen Shop owner is "What the H---!?!". He says this many, many times. Nothing else comes to mind.

Language: 1 out of 5

End point: This is a wonderful heartfelt movie that shows how love goes beyond the language we speak to each other. Love is action and the inner spirit of a person, which as a Christian, I have through Christ. If you haven't given this movie a chance, please reconsider.
~Sarah

Holmes, Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows is wonderful. Not only does it give us all another dose of wit and humor, danger and drama, it gives us a lot of heart. Without being mushy the movie shows the great bond between Holmes and Watson, which is tested and ultimately strengthened. By the end of the movie you really want to go hug your best friend and say, "Thanks for putting up with me and being there even when I'm crazy." This is a story about two best friends at the end of the day. Two best friends who know how to have a fight! This movie is action packed from the get-go. Speeding trains, crazy identities, and explosions galore. There are two particular scenes that go back to the first movie, when Sherlock is boxing. The filming of his thought process is amazing; that slow motion move - genius. This second movie sports two of these amazing game-changing scenes; I could watch them repeatedly for hours. They are absolutely stunning! One is a chess like sequence in which Holmes plans an attack all in his head, seeing each varying possibility. The other, a chase scene through the woods with explosions and bullets flying! Again, so stunning!

     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091/

Violence, Sex, and Language:

Holmes has a tendency to get into fights. Awesome, slow motion, hold-your-breath fights. While there are a few bloody noses and crunched bones, the fighting is more entertaining than turn-your-stomach, with one major exception. (Spoiler  Spoiler  Spoiler) There is a point, like all good action movies, where it seems the bad guy will win out. Holmes is hanging by a hook in his shoulder and being tortured. It hurts. A lot. It's not fun to watch. You need to watch closely however, or you will miss a very important clue!

Violence: 3 out of 5

While both Holmes and Watson have love interests, it is not a major part of the movie. I can't even say it's on the back burner; it's hardly even a thought. There are sweet pecks from Watson to his fiance from time to time, and one moment between Holmes and his gal. There is really no sexual content in this movie! Yay! One point for Hollywood!

Sex: 0 out of 5

Holmes and Watson live in a late 1890's and early 1900s world. The language they use is just different. Some words that we consider 'bad language' was normal day to day talk for them. I cannot pin-point any memorable language, but I do know there were words from time to time. Overall, not to bad.

Language: 1 out of 5

End point: This is an amazing movie. You should go see it. Maybe more than once.

~Sarah

The Adventurous New Year

Hello and welcome to Been There ; Scene That! I am so looking forward to 'meeting' you all and advising your movie watching! I love movies, but I am sometimes disappointed with the range of reviews available. I have watched many a movie because a friend suggested it, or because the review was good, only to walk away from the movie with a frustrating 2 hours wasted. I have also missed out on cinematic gems because of the same reasons. This blog is to help those of you who share my taste discover good movies. Honest reviews, humor and sarcasm, and heart is what you'll get here. If you don't see what you're looking for, email me and I will get right on it. My friend Tommy will be joining me as a guest blogger and we will regularly be posting on one anothers blogs. For instance, I personally will not watch scary movies. It just wont' happen, but Tommy probably will, so I'll shoot you all a link to his blog asap. Example: I may write a guest review of the upcoming The Vow (starring Rachel McAdams) on his blog, while he may guest post on In the Land of Blood and Honey.

Get it? Good. Moving on...

For my first post on this blog, and the first in the new year, I was wanting to review New Year's Eve. However, the theater had other plans. It was showed out (meaning it was too early a showing). Plan B: We Bought a Zoo! Sold out! So on to Plan C. What is showing in the next 20 minutes? Answer: MI 4: Ghost Protocol!

     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229238/

I am not a fan of Tom Cruise and I have not seen the first three movies. I know, I know. *GASP* That being said, it was an awesome movie. I will definitely be watching it again, and soon. It was two hours of intense action. Lots of fighting, lots of towering tall building acrobatics, and lots of concussions. My only complaint (Spoiler   Spoiler   Spoiler) is that Mr. Josh Holloway is not in the entire movie. In fact, he is not in most of it. I was very disappointed. Mr. Simon Pegg is in the entire movie however, and the humor that ensues makes up for it. Kind of. Simon Pegg is no Josh Holloway, but I'll take what I can get. Paula Patton also delivers an awesome performance and is new fav.

Violence, Sex, and Language:

Well, it is a MI movie, so yep, there are a few punches thrown and people shot. Bloody noses, and people being drop-kicked out of buildings. You know, the usual all-in-a-day's-work kind of thing. However, the violence is not over the top or grossly exaggerated.

Violence: 3 out of 5. 

There are no sex scenes in the movie; The only thing that comes remotely close is a hilarious scene with Paula Patton where she beats a guy up more than 'seduces' him, but I wouldn't consider it a 'sex scene'. (Spoiler  Spoiler  Spoiler) He ends up in a choke hold, shot with a tranq and passed out. There is some mild banter between her and this character. Patton does change out of her evening dress while riding in a speeding sports car, showing quite a bit, and she and another character kiss. Overall, quite a clean movie for sexual content.

Sex: 2 out of 5

The language was pretty clean. The only thing that I can remember hearing is "No S---" from Tom Cruise as he's hanging from a hotel window...

Language: 1 out of 5

End point: If you haven't seen this yet, go see it now. I have to say, I have a feeling MI4 definitely beats New Year's Eve hands down.

Happy New Year everyone, and I cross-my-heart promise that future posts will be shorter.
~ Sarah