Enough Said (2013)

Directed by Nicole Holofcener
Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, and Ben Falcone

by Joshua Simpkins
This is a pretty good flick to watch. Enough said!



That was my review. See ya later!



What? You’re still here? What do you want from me? A synopsis?



Ok! Ok! Relax! I’ll give you a synopsis!

So, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (JLD) plays a divorcee masseuse named Eva who meets Albert, a nice guy played by James Gandolfini (in one of his final roles). At the same party she befriends, Marissa (Catherine Keener), a successful poet whom she takes on as a client. She is also friends with Toni Collette (did I mention that). Well, Eva and Albert hit it off, and she really starts to like him, even though he’s fat, and then she finds out that Marissa is actually his ex-wife, and she uses the relationship to get info on Albert, which begins to sour her feelings for him. Until [spoiler] he finds out…and…Enough said!

For a chick flick, this is a pretty well made little film with some great acting and funny parts.  And, don't get it twisted.  This is indeed a chick flick.  JLD dresses down to believably play Eva with just the right amount of insecurity and spunk. James Gandolfini plays against type as Mr. Simple Nice Guy and he pulls it off quite well. And, Catherine Keener is really spot-on as the organized, new age (?) poet. Even Toni Collette and Ben Falcone, are great as the comic relief couple. All in all a great film. Enough Said.

This a movie made by adults for adults even though the characters don’t always act like adults in the movie. Let me rephrase, this is a movie made by LA adults for LA adults, acting like LA adults. Not that I have a problem with LA, I hear the weather is nice. One more time, maybe not as harsh, this is a movie made by LA adults for women that don’t always act like adults. I should just stop typing now before I..well..Enough said.

At least, I think I’m funny. Enough said.

FORCE THE BOYFRIEND:  7 out of 10 (He'll think its aight)

Beer Recommendation

This chick flick will go down smooth with a  smoothy, smooth

Kelso Pilsner.  While it has nothing to do with LA or even children

going to Sarah Lawrence it has everything to do with deliciousness 

and being smoothy, smooth smooth.

(Click photo to read more)

For more about Enough Said visit IMDB.

For more about Kelso Beer click here.

If you want more chick flick reviews then click here.

If you are interested in a sarcastic little dog well you better click here.

And, as always, please remember to drink responsibly.

Even Yorkies Like Chick Flicks!

Pilar Barks!

Hello, my name is Pilar and I'm a Yorkie. I enjoy watching chick flicks, although I do not like drinking beer. It's disgusting! This is my column. Ask me anything you want. But beware, I bark the truth! You can email Pilar and ask her questions at chickflixandbeer@gmail.com.

Dear Pilar,

Why does the devil wear Prada?

Jason, New York, NY

Dear Jason,

Why does the devil wear Prada?  Hmmm.  Should I even answer that question?  Don't you live in New York?  You should know this!  Prada is and will always be a popular brand!  But, I guess the bigger question is, "Why are you so interested in devil?"  Maybe you should go out and take a walk, because, honestly, you are feeling like you might be going a little dark to me.  I mean, I don't know you, and I really don't want to know you, but maybe you've always been a dark person.  My suggestion is, spend less time worrying about the devil and more time wearing Prada and I think you'll be alright.

Pilar

Hope Springs (2012)

Directed by David Frankel
Starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell

by Joshua Simpkins

Have you been married for decades? Has your marriage become stale, boring, or uneventful? Is the magic gone? Was there ever any magic to begin with? Do you and your spouse live different bedrooms? Is it time for a change? Do you want something more from your marriage? If you answered “Yes” to all these things then it just might be time for you to schedule an appointment with renowned marriage counselor, Dr. Feld (Steve Carell), in Hope Springs, Maine. He can help you turn your stuffy, worn-out marriage back into what it used to be, when you were young and in love. Run through those fields again, letting your hands brush through the tops of wild grass…wait? That’s sounds like that herpes commercial…Hmm…forget about that. Anyways, Dr. Feld can bring back the magic.

Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) have answered "Yes" to all the above questions. They have been married 31 years, sleep in different bedrooms, and barely speak to one another. They are in a rut. Kay is tired and wants something new. Arnold is unresponsive. She is unsure of what to do, until she discovers a book written by Dr. Feld (Steve Carell). Desperate to find something that works, she schedules Arnold and herself for an expensive week-long couples therapy with Dr. Feld in Hope Springs, Maine. Arnold is resistant to everything at first, but reluctantly agrees after Kay declares that she is going with or without him. Couples therapy begins and the hilarity ensues.

But, wait! You mean to tell me that there is not that much hilarity? That's not what the trailer, or marketing had me believe. I thought this was going to be hilarious! Where is the hilarity? Where is it? The truth is, this is a character study. This a simple movie about two people in a relationship. It is a movie about people talking. There are no bomb threats, no explosions, and no GGI, and not much hilarity. So, that is something that you should going into it. If you don't expect it, you might be disappointed.

A movie about people talking has got to have great acting for it to work and Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones are excellent in Hope Springs. Both actors come across as totally believable Midwestern middle-aged couple. Meryl’s performance is nuanced and subtle while Tommy Lee Jones really is that grumpy old man we see on the screen. It is perfect casting. Steve Carell is really great as the therapist, and for any "The Office" fans out there, you might find it hard to believe his performance when you see it. Somehow he pulls off not being Michael Scott. It is a tribute to his acting skills, as well.

FORCE THE BOYFRIEND: 5 out of 10 (Tough call.  If you plan on going to actual couples therapy with him in the future then let him skip it)

Beer Pairing Recommendation

(It's brewed in Maine and its strong.  For couples therapy you're going to need it)

For more about the chick flick, visit IMDB 

For more on Allagash Black, click here

Music of the Heart (1999)

Directed by Wes Craven
Starring Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett, Aidan Quinn, Cloris Leachman, with Gloria Estefan, and Josh Pais

From the critically acclaimed, award-winning master of horror film director Wes Craven comes the heart-stopping, shock filled, terror-inducing, Music of the Heart. See Meryl Streep survive a ghastly divorce! Gasp as Meryl Streep moves into Harlem! Scream as she comes face-to-face with inner city children! It is a film so frightening, so terrifying, so bone-chilling, that it changes the face of modern horror! Wait, the music isn’t scary? And, the heart isn’t bloody? You mean to tell me this is a chick flick! Now, I’ve seen everything!

For those of you that don’t know Wes Craven, he is the writer/director of such films as The Hills Have Eyes (1977), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Scream (1996). So, it is rather odd to find an “inspired by real events” chick flick lodged into the middle of his resume. Music of the Heart, stars Meryl Streep as Roberta Guaspari, a recently divorced mother of two young boys who must take a part-time job in Harlem teaching elementary students the violin. The job isn’t easy, but Roberta is tough, and stubborn and willing to make it work. She quickly learns that to survive in Harlem, and to protect her boys, she has got to stay strong. As time passes, she creates a very successful violin program that is beneficial to the community.

Meryl Streep, as Roberta, successfully carries the weight of the film on her back. She is in every scene, and as always is great. Surprisingly enough, with Wes Craven at the helm, this film does not carry too many surprises. At its “heart” it’s nothing more than a feel-good movie with a predictable plot and ending. But, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad movie. Sometimes we want to watch a positive film about people that doing great things. This is that type of movie.

So, to all the Wes Craven fans out there, unless you want to be scared, or chick flicks frighten you, don’t expect to be scared. Some chick flicks are pretty scary, though. I hear some people are scared of Meryl Streep, so go figure. I even heard she played the Devil, once. Maybe, Wes Craven was up to something after all.

FORCE THE BOYFRIEND: 4 out of 10 (He probably won't like it, unless he wants to be inspired)

Beer Pairing Recommendation

(It's a neat music inspired pale ale)

For more on the chick flick, visit IMDB

For more on the brew, click here

J-LO Triple Feature!

Happy Saturday!  In honor of J-LO quitting American Idol (or fulfilling her contract) I'm putting up the J-LO triple feature!  Just click poster to read more!  Enjoy!

 (Click Poster to Read More...)

Pilar Barks!

Hello, my name is Pilar and I'm a Yorkie. I enjoy watching chick flicks, although I do not like drinking beer. It's disgusting! This is my column. Ask me anything you want. But beware, I bark the truth!

Dear Pilar,  

What is your favorite chick flick from the collection?

Holly, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Dear Holly,

First off, let me say that I am glad a chick finally asked me a question about chick flicks. It is a breath of fresh hair, I mean, air. Second, why would you ask such a question? Everyone knows not to ask people what their favorite movie is of any kind, especially yorkies. You know, I almost answered because you were another female. But, from one girl to another, don't ever ask me, or another yorkie, that question again.  Personally, I don't really like chick flicks.  But, if I had to pick one let's say...Marley and Me.  Or...Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Girl Power!

Pilar

You can email Pilar and ask her a question at chickflixandbeer@gmail.com.

Pilar Barks!

Pilar Barks!

Hello, my name is Pilar and I'm a Yorkie. I enjoy watching chick flicks, although I do not like drinking beer. It's disgusting! This is my column. Ask me anything you want. But beware, I bark the truth!

Dear Pilar,

How should I get my wife to watch the new Batman?

Steve, Iowa City, IA

Dearest Steve,

I don't know?  How did you get her to go out with you to begin with?  You must be fairly attractive because it sounds to me like you're not very smart.  Is this the biggest problem in your life?  Trying to get your wife to see the new Batman?  Everyone wants to see that movie, so if she doesn't want to see it something else must be going on.  I think she's cheating on you.  Just kidding.  But, seriously, help out around the house a little more.  Is it too much to ask for someone to take the trash once in a while?  Help out and maybe she'll offer to go.

Get a life,
Pilar

GIRL TALK ~ Weekly Recap

Hope everyone had a great week!  We had a lot of magical Mike, which means a whole lot of Channing Tatum.  We threw in some J-Lo action, with a little bit of sass from a yorkie, name Pilar in Pilar Barks! and BAM..what a great week it's been!  Also, check out The Jane Austin Book Club (2007)...

(Click Images To Read More...)