Connecticut Wedding Photographer : Alissa Dinneen Photography

he's just not that into you (the movie)

I've been so busy lately, when I'm home relaxing I don't feel like leaving the house. I thought Netflix would be a good idea, home delivery of movies sounds ideal to me. 

My first movie that I watched was he's just not that into you. I'm a HUGE  SATC fan, and I read the book, he's just not that into you when it came out. The book was sparked by a SATC episode where Miranda was told when making excuses for a guy, that "he's just not that into you." Then, there was the movie. To be honest, I liked the book, but it could have  been shorter, by the middle it just seemed repetitive to me. Long story short, don't make excuses for men, when they're into you, you'll know it.

I have to say, I really enjoyed the movie (and the reviews weren't fantastic). As I was watching it, and John was on his laptop probably looking at sports scores, but he eventually put it down and joined me. There were several characters (Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Bradly Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Connolly, and Justin Long--seriously loved them all in this movie) and story lines to keep me in intrigued. I say, watch it! It is cute, enjoyable, honest, funny, and real. 

Movie Night with Mark Wahlberg (& Joaquin Phoneix)

There is nothing better than making some popcorn and watching a movie in the comfort of your own home. I've recently watched a fantastic film, that I hadn't even heard of, with Mark Wahlberg in it. The movie is titled We Own the Night. It's so good that I watched it a couple of times!! I highly recommend it. The movie also stars Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, and Robert Duvall. Also, if you are an Entourage fan such as myself, I believe Turtle (played by Jerry Ferrara) has a small roll as a cop in it.

Instead of trying to describe the movie, I thought it was easier to have the trailer do that for me. 

So after watching that movie, I found another Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoneix movie, so I had to watch it. This movie is titled The Yards. It was good too, but it's hard to beat We Own the Night.

21: The Movie

I recently went to the movies to see 21, which is inspired by the true story of Jeff Ma. Ben Campbell (Jeff Ma's character, played by Jim Sturgess), a shy, brilliant MIT student who learns how to count cards, play black jack, and goes to Vegas to earn cash for Harvard Medical School. The movie also stars Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth.

I really enjoyed 21; it has an interesting story line, had an element of suspense, and a great ending. It had my attention from beginning to end. I recommend it, at the movies or as a rental.

I always wonder how movies are made, and this one takes place in a city that doesn't stop and revolves around gambling--they're not shutting down the casino floor for a movie. Most of the gambling scenes took place in a new hotel on the strip, Planet Hollywood. I'm guessing that they shot this before the hotel opened last April.

Here's the trailer if you're interested;

Movie Night

Tonight I declared movie night and rented several movies at blockbuster. I just finished watching a very cute, warm and fuzzy movie, and HAD TO spread the word. The movie's title is Dan in Real Life with Steve Carell and Dane Cook (amongst others). I highly recommend it. Don't let the non-flashy, funny DVD cover throw you off--it's a great movie.
Dan in Real Life

I also bought Steel Magnolias one of my all time favorite movies, it was sitting by the register just waiting for me to pick it up. Every time I watch it, I think the ending is going to be different. Sometimes I skip the ending in hopes for the best. I love the big hair, the chit chatting in the beauty salon, the bridesmaids dresses, the armadillo red velvet grooms cake, southern accents, Weezer, the "blush and bashful" (i.e. pink and pink) color scheme of the wedding, I could go on. It's kind of a go big or go home 80's wedding extravaganza. Oh, and it's a good story/interesting story. I'm off to watch it.

Alissa's Tops Picks for Wedding Flicks

There really aren't that many moments in life that are better than witnessing two people get married. I am so fortunate that my career is capturing these moments.

Now that it's January, I will soon be experiencing withdrawls from photographing weddings. This brings me to my latest idea for a blog entry, my top picks for wedding flicks.

Here is a list of my favorite wedding movies of all times--feel free to leave a comment with other movies if you feel I've left any out, I'm always looking for a good movie to watch.

1. Steel Magnolias
2. Father of the Bride
3. The Wedding Date
3. Wedding Crashers
4. Sweet Home Alabama
5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
6. The Wedding Planner
7. Meet the Parents
8. My Best Friend's Wedding
9. The Wedding Singer

Hopefully 27 Dresses will make the cut, it's out this Friday.
27 Dresses

1-24-08 update -- I took my mother to see 27 Dresses this past Friday, it was super cute--it's got to be in my top five!!

Knocked Up (Movie, not me)

I just got back from seeing Knocked Up. I thought it was so cute (cute, cute) and funny--like laugh out loud funny. It was so worth seeing in the theaters.

Without giving too much away, Knocked Up is about a one night stand, that turns into a pregnancy. After getting promoted Alison goes out to celebrate with her sister, and ends up taking Ben the stoner home.

Just as side note, I'm a huge Grey's Anatomy fan, it's my show. And I must admit, I'm not an Izzy Stevens (Katherine Heigl) fan--she irritates me. I loved Katherine Heigl in this movie, she was great!!