“But Robert Downey Jr. IS an alcoholic superhero!” exclaims my friend, and that is the true success behind this movie. Just as Soon I Will be Invincible is the perfect superhero novel, Iron Man is the perfect superhero movie. Funny, touching,–did I mention that Robert Downey Jr. is in it?–fast paced, and with lots of gadgets.
If I had one more sentence I would finish with “Well worth two hours of your time and $10.00 of your money.”
I watched this movie first when I was 13 and fell in love with it so I have seen it many times. Viewing it now, I am simultaneously seeing it at ages 13, 17, 19, 22, 27 and 33. I saw it at a retreat and there were more people watching it by the end of the movie then at the beginning; it’s a magic movie that way–it pulls people in.
I love Frances McDormand and Amy Adams but I didn’t love this movie. Was it because I didn’t have enough money to buy popcorn? The costumes and the sets were fabulous, but I just couldn’t get into the story.
Just as Jim Carrey was the person to play a live action cartoon character in The Mask, so is Amy Adams the actress to play a fairy tale character transported to New York City. Enchanted was so enchanting, I walked out of the theater without my purse. Though I am disturbed at the trend of the soon-to-be-cast-aside-girlfriends having thick black eyebrows.
I got the complete series from the library and I love it. I missed it the first time around because I was in college and had no time for tv, but it’s almost better that I’m seeing it now. The pilot was filmed during my senior year in high school and it’s like a free pass back to adolescence for me. I also have the added bonus of now being halfway in age between Angela and her parents and I can see both perspectives.
The writing is smart and funny and perfectly captures the dramatic, self-centered, grandiose thoughts that are so cringe-worthy when rereading your own journals, but so delightful when someone else is thinking them. A perfect example from “Why Jordan Can’t Read”:
“Love is when you look into some one’s eyes, and suddenly, you go all the way inside, to their soul… and you both know, instantly. I always imagined I would fall in love, nursing a blind soldier. Who was wounded in battle. Or maybe while rescuing someone in the middle of a blizzard, seconds before the avalanche hits. I thought, at least, by the age of fifteen, I would have a love life. But, I don’t even have a “like” life.”
The only thing better than the writing is Claire Danes’ delivery.
The characters are also incredibly realistic for a television series. The main character is confused about who she wants to be, the “bad girl” isn’t one dimensional and the “maybe bi” character doesn’t collapse under gay stereotypes. The parents don’t just flit in to deliver the moral message once per episode, they have their own struggles and bad judgments during the crucial split-seconds of parenting.
And the clothes! My god, the clothes! There was a whole ugly floral thing going on in the 90’s I had completely blocked out of my brain. It’s wonderful to see what was actually being worn. And the flannel! And the baby doll dresses with the little clip in the back! And the flannel baby doll dresses! In episode two Rayanne is wearing a flowery long skirt and black Converse high tops, a look I wore at least once a week through high school and during college.
I’m excited to see what happens as the series develops. And I rejoice that complete series are released on DVD.
Beautiful animation throughout this grim and funny movie. Spunky young heroine, smart and acerbic grandmother, wise parents all come together to get through war. The best use of “Eye of the Tiger” since Rocky III.
Not much dialog makes for a tense, bloody and incredibly beautiful film. Very fun bit parts with actual Texans. How can such a horrible man have such a kind smile?
A sophisticated Chicago art gallery owner visits her husband’s North Carolina family. Amy Adams steals every scene. A subtle and tender film.
Charlie Wilson won the war and lost the peace. All three actors did a fabulous job and the writing was snappy. I’ve never been so happy to see surface-to-air missiles.