Movie #271 - Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
1993 - Rated G - 1 hr 24 min
Director: Duwayne Dunham
Starring: Michael J Fox, Sally Field, Don Alder, Robert Hays, Jean Smart, Don Ameche

This was a personal favorite when I was growing up.  What kid doesn't love a good adventure story told by two dogs and a cat? Especially when they have such vibrant personalities (and celebrity voices).

So does it hold up now?  Mostly, yeah.  The kids missing their pets and the pets missing their kids is still a compelling story line... but is this really believable?  I guess this does happen, the whole pets walking all the way home thing.  Every once in a while there's a story on the news about a courageous travelling pet.  I don't know any of these pets -- my dog is certainly not a potential cross-country traveller -- but it's not totally unbelievable that they're out there.

If you can believe the story line, then the movie is fun and easy to enjoy.  The three pets are characterized well and some of the lines are still funny.  Overall, this is one I can easily see myself sharing with my daughter when she's a little older.

Movie #221 - Garden State

Garden State
2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 42 min
Director: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Ian Holm, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Weston, Jim Parsons, Jean Smart, Method Man, Geoffrey Arend

With Zach Braff writing, directing, and starring in this movie, you'd think it would get more self-indulgent than it does. On the contrary, it's a well-balanced movie that takes two confused people, struggling on their own, and puts them together.  Their relationship develops fast but at a pace that still seems realistic and the connection between them is clear.  If nothing else, Braff and Natalie Portman create perfect chemistry.  At times, you feel like you're watching something almost too personal.

And even though mental health plays such a big part in Braff's character, it doesn't overtake the movie.  It's just background noise that sets up much of the action, but it never takes away from the romance piece.  These characters grow individually together and it's heartwarming to watch.