My husband, Jay, and I have loved going together to the movies ever since our first date. (An Elvis Presley film.) Over the years it’s been our habit to take turns picking out the movie. For instance, last time Jay sat through a romantic comedy and I know, the next time we go to the movies, it will be some violent thriller with plenty of car chases.
Ever since the invention of multi-theater complexes, we occasionally walk into the complex together but then split up and go see separate movies. That happened this past week. Jay really wanted to see The Book of Eli. It was one I just couldn’t bring myself to watch. So he went to see The Book of Eli and I saw Leap Year.
Even though we were in separate theaters, we both had similar experiences – we were both disappointed in the movies we saw. They weren’t awful movies, just not as great as we expected. Here’s what they were about:
The Book of Eli - Synopsis from Internet Movie Data Base:
Eli (Denzel Washington) has been on a journey for 30 years, walking west across America after a cataclysmic war that turned the earth into a total wasteland. The world has become a lawless civilization where people must kill or be killed. The barren roads belong to gangs of cutthroats who rob and kill for water, a pair of shoes, a lighter, or just for fun. Eli is a peaceful man who only acts in self defense, and becomes a warrior with unbelievable killing skills when he is challenged. After the war and the “Big Flash”, Eli was guided by a higher power to a hidden book and given the task of protecting the book and taking it to its final destination. Eli guards the book with his life, because he knows that the book is the only hope that humanity has for its future.
Leap Year - Synopsis from Internet Movie Data Base:
Anna (Amy Adams) has an elaborate scheme to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, an Irish tradition which occurs every time the date February 29 rolls around, faces a major setback when bad weather threatens to derail her planned trip to Dublin. With the help of Declan, an innkeeper (Matthew Goode), her cross-country odyssey just might result in her getting engaged. On the other hand, her adventure with Declan could have Anna rethinking her plan.
For Jay, The Book of Eli didn’t live up to his expectations. In the past Jay has thoroughly enjoyed the performances of Denzel Washington. His favorite movie of his is Man On Fire. The character in The Book of Eli was not as dynamic. He didn’t feel he could relate to the character.
I enjoyed the scenery and photography in Leap Year. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Matthew Goode. Amy Adams played Amy Adams. It was just a little too cute.
For both of us, we liked the movies but just didn’t love them. We graded them both B- or C+. Maybe you’ve had a better experience?
I am woefully disconnected when it comes to movies. I have never even heard of either of these. Too bad they weren’t better.
Thanks for the reviews! I was curious about Leap Year (I’ll wait until it comes on HBO) and although I’ve always been a Denzel fan, the premise of this one doesn’t really captivate me.
I’ve been wondering about The Book of Eli, but now I know it’s one to skip. Thanks!
I love the line “Amy Adams played Amy Adams”!!!!!
I will wait till it comes out on DVD lol I do love the experience of going to the movies…but it is just so expensive that it is hardly worth it.
The trailers for Leap Year look like the best parts of the movie so there is no need for me to see it. Have you ever seen Only You? The Robert Downey / Marisa Tomei version? I LOVED that movie for the scenery but it was super cute and very romantic. It came out years ago but I watch it again every now and then.
I think it’s funny that you go to the movies together and then split it. Sounds like something The Hub and I would do.
Denzel could stand on his head singing Zippety Do Da for the whole movie and I would be in love. But I know what Jay means – I didn’t like his role in American Gangster – the performance was great but it just seemed to be the same old theme. I appreciate the synopsis though – I had no clue what the movie was about so I wasn’t curious enough about it. Now I am.
I think it is funny that you guys go to separate movies sometimes – we go so rarely that it is a big date. Although there was once when I wanted to walk out of what we chose to see and watch something else next door.
Well, now I think I’ll just wait for those two to come out on DVD. I don’t mind watching B- or C+ on DVD, but I hate paying the full price of a ticket.
The violence in the previews for The Book of Eli convinced both of us we didn’t want to see it, and Leap Year sounded just too cutesy. Dave complains for days when we see a “chick flick” like Leap Year. “You sure can pick ‘em,” he says.
That stinks when they don’t measure up!! But they do sound like good DVD rentals in a few months!
Jason wanted to see Eli last weekend, but I was just not interested. Now, Leap Year looks like a great one to pick up at the library when it comes out on DVD. I love that you both went to separate movies. We take turns choosing movies, so we’ve never done that. Because I love my hubby so much I sat through all of Borat. Hm, maybe we should consider the separate theaters thing
I kind of like your idea of splitting up instead of the trade-off thing which is what we have done for all these years. We saw ‘Avatar” this week — and we both enjoyed it a lot, so at this point we’re even. See it in 3D if you go, it was well worth it!
My husband and I seen Book Of Eli and I would agree with your rating. Love Denzel… but basically the movie to a long time to so…. west.
Great review. We love movies too!