This weekend for Family Night we watched “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.  It’s a wonderful comedy directed by Rob Reiner, one that warrants a second watch.  I saw it in the theater but I wanted to see it again.  The second time I heard some of the memorable quotes that I missed the first time.

The basic plot is that Edward (Jack) and Carter (Morgan) are terminally ill with cancer.  Once the news hits them they create a bucket list… fun things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.”  Some of the things they do are skydiving, driving hot rods, eating caviar, climbing the pyramids.

Along the way their life stories come out.  Carter had always wanted to be a history teacher so he’s an avid book reader and watches the TV show, “Jeopardy.”  Edward has been married and divorced 4 times and is pretty much addicted to working and making money.  He’s quite wealthy… but he never tells us just how much.

Both of the men are transformed during their adventure together.  Carter’s wife said that “he left a stranger and returned a husband.”  Edward finally found his joy.

Here are some of the other memorable quotes from the movie:

Thomas: “I’m proud of you.”  Edward: “Nobody cares what you think.”

Edward: ” I envy people who have faith, I just can’t get my head around it.”  Carter: “Maybe because your head’s in the way.”

Edward: “Have I fired you lately?” Thomas: “Not since the Oprah incident.”

Carter: “Edward, I’ve had baths that were deeper than you.”

Carter: “You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you.”

The message I took away from the movie was from the two questions they discussed sitting on top of the pyramid:

Have you found your joy?

Have you brought joy to others?

I think these are the best way to live and judge your life.

We rate this movie 2 Thumbs Up.

Technorati Tags: jack nicholson, morgan freeman, rob reiner, the bucket list

For our last family night my son and I watched “Slumdog Millionaire.” Some movie critics called it the “feel good movie of the year.”  I would agree with that… with a warning that there are many sad and horrifying events before you get to the feel good part.

It’s set outside Mumbai, India, mostly in the slums, where orphans Jamal and his brother Salim grew up. The story follows them as they encounter gangsters, people traffikers, and police brutality.

In the end, it chronicles Jamal’s journey to find the love of his life, Latika, whom they befriended as youngsters just after their mother was murdered.  He has found her… and lost her… twice before.

It culminates with Jamal appearing as a contestant on the Indian version of the TV show, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” because he hopes Latika will be watching.

This movie is rated R and not for young children.  But hopefully watching it with teens will help them feel grateful for the abundant lives we live.

Technorati Tags: family night movie, india, slumdog millionaire, who wants to be a millionaire

My son and I revived Movie Night.  We have chosen to downsize and simplify our lifestyle so that means Netflix rather than seeing movies in the theater.

Tonight we watched the British drama “Is Anybody There?” starring Michael Caine. It’s set in a seaside English town in the 1980′s.

Edward’s parents have turned their home into a retirement home to make ends meet. It’s a little creepy, but seems perfect for Edward who is obsessed with ghosts.

Michael Caine plays The Amazing Clarence, a retired magician who checks himself into the home. Clarence is crotchety and cranky and grieving the loss of his wife.

Edward’s lonely so he befriends Clarence and badgers him into teaching him some magic tricks to impress the kids at school. Clarence agrees because he has observed Edward’s obsession with death, and avoiding his life in the present.

For Edward’s 11th birthday his mother agrees to a birthday party.  And he gets Clarence to perform a magic show.  And yes, one of the tricks goes badly wrong… fail!

In spite of the morbid setting there were many humorous moments.  And Michael Caine’s acting was superb.  Some critics called it his finest performance.

I wouldn’t really call this a family movie because of the morbid topic and the requisite sexual innuendos.  But it’s a good change of pace from mindless movies… one that will cause you to ponder how well you’re living in the present.

Technorati Tags: british, english seaside, is anybody there, magician, michael caine, Movies