Monroe and I both went to see the Time Traveler's Wife opening night. Here is our joint review of the movie. There are spoilers.

Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams

Movie description from Yahoo: Clare has been in love with Henry her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated: Henry is a time traveler--cursed with a rare genetic anomaly that causes him to live his life on a shifting timeline, skipping back and forth through his lifespan with no control. Despite the fact that Henry's travels force them apart with no warning, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love.

ames: So Monroe, what did you think of the Time Traveler's Wife? For myself, I really enjoyed it! It was faithful enough to the book and Eric Bana is no hardship to watch for almost 2 hours. LOL

Monroe: LOL you're totally right on the Eric Bana AND how well they stayed close to the book!

First off the casting:
Eric Bana as Henry-
Mmmm...wow. First off when I found out he would be Henry I was totally excited. You dont picture Henry being a pretty boy. You picture a dark and handsome man thats rough around the edges. I flet he played true to Henry- you know being a very unique person, passionate, tough yet caring, eccentric even! Perfect cast for me!

Rachel McAdams as Claire-
PERFECT! OMG RM always plays in movies that are very deep with meaning. Her acting is always spot on with me and I believe she truly brought Claire to life. Claire was a girl who grew up rich, she could care less and so therefore she was not your typical snob. She did things her way and too was a very passionate person.

I love how they kept so close to the book! I was super worried about that. Now of course it being a movie they have to skip over a lot but I flet they kept with the original rawness of the book. The cursing, the sex, the time traveling. Nothing was sugar coated in my eyes. OH and how cute was Alba...I could just put her in my pocket! She almost made me want a little girl of my own...notice how I said ALMOST! ;op

ames: Oh man - Alba was definitely a cutie! And I like that scene when Claire asks, who's Alba playing with? And Henry is like "Alba." LOL

What about that little girl that plays a young Claire? She was the cutest!

Eric Bana as Henry was definitely spot on. And I'm not saying that just because I think he's the best. LOL Eric is a really gifted actor and him and Rachel McAdams were wonderful together. Rachel is so beautiful and she's definitely one of my fave actresses too. They both did an excellent job.

The movie was very faithful to the essentials of the book - and all the other stuff needed to be sacrificed. That stuff makes for a good book for sure, but it would definitely bog a movie down. This movie was about Henry and Clare - and the book was about them but also all the people around them. So yeah, I'm glad with this adaptation (also b/c Gomez had such a small role - did not like Gomez' character in the book and I do not like the actor who played him LOL).

Monroe, how do you think people who haven't read the book will like the movie? I was thinking about that last night.

Monroe: That's kinda a heard question to answer being I have read the book. Hmmm...(anyone reading this that has seen the movie but not read the book feel free to answer this one) BUT I
think they would still really like it. I went with two girls last night to see it. One had read the book, one hadn't. The one who had read it loved it! She was pretty much saying the same stuff we are BUT I will say the girl who hadn't read it did like it however DIDNT CRY?!?! lmao how could you not?!?!? I guess I could say that they would like it...would it be earth shattering...not to all but I still think not knowing everything about it they would still really enjoy it. Which to me shows a good movie. They didn't leave the important stuff out that only a book reader couldve filled in if that makes sense. Ill compare it to Twilight book/movie. Loved the movie but I flt if I hadn't read the book I would be confused about the emotion between the two. I would've questioned why they felt so strong, why he acted as he did...etc. So I would say they did a better job at keeping things close and understandable!

I know this is totally out of order but how did you like the ending? Obviously its a bit different than the book but how did you like it?

ames: Ok, my feelings about the book really affected how I saw the movie. Plus the movie did skip over Claire's childhood and so the movie doesn't do a good job of explaining how big a role Henry had in Claire's youth. And that plays a huge part of the book and it explains why Claire loves Henry. Because in the movie...we're told she loves him, but we don't know why really. And Henry loves Claire because she makes him feel safe.

Ooh! Another thing I didn't like was that they made Claire out to be the aggressor and get herself knocked up. LOL But in the book, it was just something that happened and no one planned that a younger Henry would do what he did. You know?

I liked the ending - it was a hopeful ending. The ending of the book made me bawl my eyes out. You?

Monroe: LOL VERY TRUE! I believe Claire does have an aggressive nature BUT she didn't act upon it when it concerned her getting pregnant. They did skip a lot of why Claire fell in love with Henry...one thing I wouldve loved to see was when that guy in her childhood hurt her and Henry beat the crap out of him and tied him to a tree. Ya that wouldve shown a little more, you know him caring for her and protecting her. I loved when he went to 6 year old Claire and she was jealous of whoever he marries! lol too cute!

I LOVED the ending! NOW I wouldnt say I loved it more than the book b/c honestly I loved how the book ended even though it might be confusing to others I felt it was natural and honest. Not what you would expect. In the movie I felt it was as equally good. It was hopeful and your heart swelled with love. And how about after he left and Claire and Alba just look at eachother with tears in their eyes and all of a sudden Alba smiles, almost a reassurance to her mother that they will be ok. OMG Im getting choked up right now! And they folded the clothes...I was waiting for her to say "ok lets go put the clothes back in the woods" or something like that! lol ;o) Like he would come again!

Wait I forgot to ask...you cried right???

ames: Well I cried when it was New Years and the things that happened happened. LOL I don't want to give it all away you know. And at the very end, I got misty eyed. It was a very hopeful ending.

Claire being jealous of herself was sooo cute.

I also love the wedding - the way things worked out. That was one of my favorite part of the books, when they get married. AND hello? When Henry is checking out his new hair cut? He looked so hot right at that moment. LOL

I've read a few reviews of the movie and some of the reviewers seemed grossed out by a grown up Henry kissing Claire as an older teenager. So I'm thinking maybe its a good idea that all the stuff that happened to Claire as a child was glossed over. You definitely need to read the book to understand what happens between Henry and Claire.

Monroe: See remember thats how I told you I got the book...I had never heard about the book but my boss knew I read a lot and he was reading it and got to the part where they kissed and he was like NO!!! And stopped reading it. I think a lot of those people who thought that probably didn't read the entire book...idk. She was older...in his head he was like I wont take advantage of her, but in a way was kinda hot buy seeing his wife younger. Mind you she was what...17?

But ya they did haze over that situation. BUT I loved their first kiss when she was 18! :o)

ames: Well for me - it doesn't really show in the movie that Henry is already married to Claire by the time he goes back to see her when she's younger. I don't know, I think some people might not see it until they get married. That he's married to her, so he's seeing his wife - not some random younger chick in a meadow. LOL

I loved their first kiss too. They did a good job with the special effects of making people younger and older. It was good.

Monroe: Ya I SO loved when he traveled for the wedding and she walks down and her has gray hair. lol LOVED THIS MOVIE!

ames: Me too. So what grade would you give it? I'm giving it an A-.

Monroe: Same here...super good with very little flaw! :o)

Starring: Eric Bana, Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill
Genre: Comedy
Rating: B-
Eric Bana's Performance: A+

As soon as I saw that Eric Bana was in this movie, I knew I was going to see it. And oh man, he's freaking hilarious!

But first, everyone else. Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a successful comedian who has just found out he's dying. Trying to cheer himself up, he goes to a comedy club and after a disastrous set, is impressed by struggling comedian Ira. So George hires Ira as his assistant (keep him organized, write some jokes) and these two begin to form a friendship. George at first keeps his disease (a form of leukemia) hidden from everyone but Ira tells him that he's got to tell other people eventually. So George starts tellings others and the most important person he tells is the one that got away, a former fiancee whom he cheated on. By telling her he's dying, it gives them an opportunity to let each other know that they still love each other and that Laura, in an attempt to find someone opposite of George, ends up marrying a cheating scumbag anyway (Eric Bana).

But then George, who has been taking experimental drugs, discovers that he has gotten better and he decides to go after Laura. And then we see how much almost dying has affected George.

Ok. So Funny People definitely had some funny parts. But the whole friendship thing between George and Ira gets overshadowed in the last half by George and Laura. Ira is still around, trying to do the right thing, but that kind of blows up in his face. However this movie for me has always been about Eric and omg his character is such a spaz! Eric's character, Clark has been married to Laura for a while now and he's a businessman who is dealing with companies in China. Laura confesses to George that Clark has cheated on her. So you're all ready to hate him when he finally appears in the movie (in the last 45 minutes I'd say he shows up - and then proceeds to steal the movie for the next 25 minutes). *sigh* Eric Bana is really funny.

In the end though, the movie as a whole is kind of uneven. The first half is good, then when George detours with Laura, the whole vibe of the movie is kind of lost. But it's not horrible. I still had some good laughs and if you're a fan of Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen or Eric Bana, go see this movie.

Two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious Father and Uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life--and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the King. Initially, Mary wins King Henry's favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him two illegitimate children. But Anne, clever, conniving and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry's wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Despite Mary's genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a King--one driven by ambition, the other by true affection--England is torn apart.

I liked the movie. I thought it was pretty good. I've heard the book is better though. One day I'll read it.

My favorite scene has to be when Catherine runs into Mary and Anne. She just puts Anne in her place. Although after watching season 1 of The Tudors, I have a soft spot for her. I also liked when Catherine scolded Henry. What was it she said, "All for a girl who denied you." (I tried looking for the quote but I couldn't find it."

Anne was a bitch is the movie. She really made me want to slap her silly and I kept thinking, "You're gonna get yours so enjoy it while you can." And I swear, in the coronation scene, where Anne has her robes, crown and scepters, I almost expected her to starting jumping up and down and laugh all evil like.

As for Mary. I felt bad for her. She didn't want to be Henry's mistress. Then she ended up falling in love with him only to see Anne manipulate her way into Henry's bed. But no matter how horrible Anne was to her, Mary stuck up for her sister.

I give this movie a B.

And Ames, your man Eric Bana was pretty hot in the movie. I think he needed more screen time for sure.

Starring: Eric Bana, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Kirsten Scott Thomas

Running Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes

Movie Description from Yahoo! Movies:

Two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious Father and Uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life--and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the King. Initially, Mary wins King Henry's favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him two illegitimate children. But Anne, clever, conniving and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry's wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Despite Mary's genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a King--one driven by ambition, the other by true affection--England is torn apart.

Movies based on books very rarely match or outshine the original format. There are a few exceptions (Lord of the Rings for example) but I'm sorry to say, The Other Boleyn Girl, starring my man, the Eric Bana, does not fit in the exceptional category. tsk tsk

Based on the novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory, tOBG was a big let down. I'm still glad I saw it though - I'm that big a fan of EB. But having just finished the book-the way this movie should have been was fresh in my mind.

First of all, the movie was choppy. The book covers 15 years of Mary Boleyn's life, and this is not conductive to a 2 hour long movie. A mini-series, a la Tudors, would have been more preferrable. (Especially with EB in it - LOL) So compounding the choppiness of the movie was the big chunks of missing information. And there was no sense of closeness between Mary, Anne and their brother, George.

I'm going to give the Other Boleyn Girl a C-. Read the book instead.