Daily Archives: December 29, 2009

Mini Reviews: It’s Complicated

IT’S COMPLICATED (in theaters)

A late-50s woman finds herself having an affair with a married man… who happens to be her ex-husband.

2009, Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and John Krasinski, nominated for 3 Golden Globes

An Affair to Remember… or Maybe Just Enjoy Once

Director Nancy Meyers is at it again with another fun romantic comedy.  You can’t go wrong with Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep, and Steve Martin was a great guy as usual, in the tradition of such favorites as Roxanne (if you haven’t seen it- do).  I’m not going to deny my natural John Krasinski bias (we are best friends after all- see example below from Brief Interviews with Hideous Men Q&A in Cambridge), but he was a fantastic addition to an already excellent cast.

On the downside, the movie was too long and wandered unnecessarily.  She’s with her ex-husband, she’s not with her ex, she’s with him, she’s not with him, she’s with him again, sort of, but also with her architect, she’s with him, she’s not.  As much as it is a cliché, the typical 1) fall in love 2) break up 3) get back together plotline works well for a reason– its simple and to the point.

Though it is aimed primarily at the Baby Boomers, it is a movie that any age will enjoy.  The ending was a let down for me, but on the whole, it was a fun movie to see once.

Bottom Line: One of the cuter romantic comedies I’ve seen this year and the cast makes it worth the price of your ticket.  3/5 stars.

Colorado Recommendations: Zoo Lights and The Carousel Dinner Theater

For all of you Colorado residents out there, I have two excellent recommendations.

First of all, let me recommend the Carousel Dinner Theater.  The 17 years I was living in Colorado, mom and I kept saying we should go to Carousel, but we never got around to it.  Since I left, I realized it is one of the coolest and most unique things Fort Collins has to offer.  Last May, I bought tickets for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, one of my favorite musicals.  Carousel was not to disappoint.  The food is amazing and there is not a single bad seat in the house.  The performers were amazing and even better—they serve you your food!  Coffee and dessert were served at intermission (let me also recommend the toasted almond cheesecake- my favorite).  In August when I was home I went to High School Musical with Angelo—another great experience.  On Sunday, mom and I went to see White Christmas and it was absolutely fantastic!  (The holiday ham was the best ham I have ever had).  Now every time I’m home I’ll be checking to see what’s on at Carousel!  Be sure to check it out.  Tickets are only $44—and that includes both dinner AND the show.  What a deal!  Upcoming shows include Annie, A Chorus Line and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.


http://www.adinnertheatre.com/

Another recommendation—Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo –another thing I missed while I actually lived in Colorado.  On Monday, I went to Zoo Lights with mom and aunt Lucy and it was well worth the $8 ticket price and 2 hours of very cold fingers.  The Zoo was absolutely covered in lights and many of the animal houses (elephants, giraffes, reptiles, etc.) were still open.  There were dozens of stands set up selling hot chocolate and “hot spirits.”  Well worth the drive to Denver—just make sure and bundle up before you go!

http://www.denverzoo.org

Enjoy!