Movie #402 - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

2004 - Rated PG - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Brad Silberling
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Catherine O'Hara, Billy Connolly, Meryl Streep, Luis Guzman, Jamie Harris, Craig Ferguson, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Adams

Hey, little Emily Browning... before you were that girl from Sucker Punch! As the eldest Beaudelaire child, she's quick-witted and self-assured here.  Also caring to her kinda-weird younger siblings.  The family unit formed here is believable, which makes the movie really work.

With a cast of big-named stars parading by, it would otherwise be very hard to focus on the point of this movie.  Carrey's Olaf is big, bold, and pretty eccentric. Over the top, as is his usual. Billy Connolly gives a nice, heartwarming Uncle Monty and Meryl Streep's worry-wort Aunt is a joy to watch as well.  But the focus stays nicely on the kids, who pass through this Series of Unfortunate Events with gusto. Poor things.

I did like this one -- although I haven't read the books -- and I had hoped the franchise would carry on, turning more of the books into movies.  It doesn't seem like that's going to happen (seven years later), so if I want all those questions answered -- what is the deal with the spyglass? -- I guess I'll have to read the books.  Maybe they'll make good bedtime stories for my kids some day.

Movie #209 - For Your Consideration

For Your Consideration
2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 26 min
Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, Ed Begley Jr, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Jane Lynch, Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachael Harris

This is my least favorite of all the Christopher Guest & Co. movies. That said, it's not that bad. It's just not as good as his others, so it's a bit disappointing.

In this mock-umentary, Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, and Parker Posey star in a movie that generates quite a bit of Oscar buzz for them.  It's meant to be a revealing and comical look at the road to Oscar, and of course, the road that fails to reach the Oscar.  The performances are good, but overall the movie is lukewarm.  You feel bad for them, rather than root for them, especially O'Hara's Marilyn Hack.  And Christopher Guest isn't in this movie nearly enough. Not my fave, not by a long shot.

Movie #69 - Best in Show

Best in Show

Castle Rock Entertainment

2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 30 min

Director: Christopher Guest

Starring: Parker Posey, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Bob Balaban, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Ed Begley Jr., Fred Willard
I can't help it. Next to Guffman, this is my favorite Christopher Guest and company movie. The characters are great, the dogs adorable, and the utter seriousness with which they handle difficult situations is hillarious.

Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins are probably my favorite characters, with Parker Posey and her hubby a close second. And of course, who doesn't love a good Jane Lynch character? Before she was Sue Sylvestor, she was kicking dog butt and taking names as Butch's butch dog handler Christie Cummings.

So if you always wondered what the "real" world of dog shows was all about, this mockumentary is one you can't miss. It's fun, it's funny, and it's full of that usual Guest charm.

Movie #67 - Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice
Warner Bros. Pictures
1988 - Rated PG - 1 hr 32 min
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder

Here's another example of a movie that's so classic it's on TV all the time. I feel like I just watched this movie a couple of weeks ago, probably on TV, and just because, "Hey, Beetlejuice is on..."

Before Tim Burton directed Michael Keaton in Batman and Batman Returns, he paired up with him on this weird one. I did not know this until, well, about five minutes ago when I went to IMDB for the year. Something in his performance as Beetlejuice said to Tim Burton, "Hey, man. I'd make a sexy Batman." I'm not sure what, but there must've been something there, however tiny.

Anyway, who doesn't love this movie? It's a lighthearted look at death, the afterlife, haunted mansions, and old-school goth culture as demonstrated by an adolescent, pre-shoplifting Winona Ryder. And every time I watch this movie I remember Catherine O'Hara is in it. I have to admit that I also sing "Day-Oh" right along with them.

Here.... you can sing along too!

Movie #44 - Away We Go

Away We Go
Focus Features

2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 38 min

Director: Sam Mendes

Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels

This was another first watch for me and I was pleasantly surprised. There's a very humorous but heartwarming feel to this entire movie. It's chock full of comedic actors playing fun (sometimes outrageous) characters as Krasinksi and Rudolph travel around the country trying to find the right place to settle down and raise their baby together. From the eccentric parents to the weird hippy cousin (Maggie Gyllenhaal - who is hysterical), all the classic archetypes are here.

As for the happy couple themselves, their story perfectly sums up how terrifying the prospect of becoming a parent can be. Everyone, for his or her own reason, freaks out about it. These two definitely have their reasons, and then grapple with them beautifully. I really enjoyed this one!

And also, it was my last "A" title!! Hooray!