Fall break has finally arrived! We can all look forward to spending the next week at home, with family, eating lots of food, catching up with good friends … and trying to avoid inevitable boredom. Valley’s suggestion – go see a movie or two.
All week people are bound to be rushing to theaters to see the anticipated sequels “Skyfall”, the latest Bond-movie, and “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2”, the final installment in the mega-franchise. For those of you who may not have seen any of the prequels to these movies (or who just have no interest in international spies or vampires) check out some of these movies that will also be in theaters – and are definitely worth checking out.
Silver Linings Playbook: In theaters November 21
With headlining stars including Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro and Jennifer Lawrence of “Hunger Games” fame, “Silver Linings Playbook” is sure to be worth checking out. In the romantic comedy-drama, Pat Solitano (Cooper) moves back in with his parents after being released from a mental institution, determined to get his life back together by reconnecting with his ex-wife. When he meets Tiffany (Lawrence), a widow who is just as messed up as he is, they make a deal. She agrees to help him rekindle his relationship with his ex-wife as long as he does something for her in return.
This film promises good laughs and heartfelt drama, but if that isn’t enough, Philadelphia Eagles fans can at least be guaranteed lots of attention paid to their beloved birds – as Pat’s parents are die-hards determined to get their son to share the family’s passion.
Life of Pi: In theaters November 21
The much anticipated movie adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, “Life of Pi” is the movie to see if you enjoy action, adventure and out-of-this world animation graphics comparable to James Cameron’s Avatar. In the film, a grown Pi Patel recounts the magnificent tale of his survival after the ship relocating him and his family capsizes, along with the zoo-animals on board – leaving Pi stranded in the open ocean aboard a small lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a Bengal tiger, all hungry, all fighting to live. In 227 days, Pi combats fear, finds the strength to stay alive and goes on a journey unmatched that will truly amaze you.
Cloud Atlas: Now Playing
Starring many big-name actors, in particular Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, Cloud Atlas is a complex film about fate, destiny and influence of our past-lives on our futures. Six separate stories are featured, spanning multiple time periods – past, present and future – and all connected in some way. The film jumps from story to story, intertwining them all and leaving audiences breathless. Go see this movie with your family before Thanksgiving – it will definitely give you something good to talk about at the dinner table!
Think the theaters will be too crowded? (Or just too full from Grandma’s stuffing to leave the couch?) Rent a movie to watch instead! Consider these movies, just released on DVD/Blu-Ray, for that post-Thanksgiving-dinner-food-coma movie night with the family.
Ruby Sparks:
This fun, romantic comedy-drama is about a young author who is struggling to write his second novel. He imagines a woman named Ruby Sparks, with whom he falls in love while writing. Then, one day he wakes up to find Ruby in his house – not as a figment of his imagination, but a real person. Even more, he is able to manipulate her actions through his writing. Every guy’s dream, right?
Moonrise Kingdom:
The whole family will enjoy watching this film, set in 1965, about 12-year-old pen-pals become lovers who run away together – and turn the town, a small island community off the coast of New England, upside down while looking for them. The youngsters trek through the wilderness and eventually settle in a hidden cove, which they call Moonrise Kingdom. The film stars big name actors Bruce Willis and Bill Murray, who bring laughs to the screen as the missing children’s fathers.
Life of Pi movie poster credit: impawards.com
