Saturday, November 29, 2008

Date Night Review

Every year when the hubby and I run out and do our Christmas shopping for the boys we try and make a day out of it. We tackle all the shopping and then unwind with a nice dinner and a funny Christmasy movie.

This year we were a little pressed for time. We called Todd's mom over at the last minute because after the boys had so easily picked out their favorite toys at the store earlier in the day we wanted to rush back and get them that same day before they were sold out. Thankfully, she made it to our house by dinner time. We rushed out the door, spent less than a half an hour piling up the gifts in the cart, and hastily threw them in the back of the car. We had less than an hour to find a place to eat, drive twenty minutes to the movie theater, and get there early enough to find good seats for the 7:20 movie showing that we had already purchased tickets for online.

After debating the pros and cons we opted to eat at Taco Bell. Not exactly what we had been hoping for, but it was quick enough that we could make it to the movie theater with time to spare. We ate our crappy fast food and hustled on over to the theater.

We had plenty of time to grab popcorn and soda (yes, we had just eaten. ya got a problem with that?) and find the best seats in the house. We snuggled down in our seats, played the trivia, and my favorite, watched the coming attractions. After the rush of the day I was more than ready to enjoy a good laugh.

Then our movie came on. Four Christmases.If you are looking for a light and funny Christmas movie this just might be the one. This movie kept the hubby and I laughing the entire time. I was laughing so hard as certain points that there were tears running down my face. The surprising pairing of Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon works to the comedy's advantage with not only their comedic timing but also the visual affect of them together. He is so tall and dominant next to a petite little Reese that the two even standing next to each other look funny.

My husband and I are HUGE Vince Vaughn fans. I think I have been since Swingers. I really don't know if you can go wrong with a comedy when he is in it. The man could read the phone book and it would be funny. I was pleasantly surprised by Reese's comedic chops although a few scenes in the beginning did feel a bit more acted than others.

Add in a few more big name stars like, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Jon Favreau, Tim McGraw, Mary Steenburgen, and Dwight Yokem and you can see you have a full cast. Each of the talented actors had their opportunity to shine in this hilarious movie. From the cage fighting brothers to the cougar mother, there are scenes that I'm sure you will be walking out of the theater talking about.

Sure there were a few downsides to the movie. The plot was fairly typical and predictable, it was vulgar in some points (but I'm sorry, I thought it was hilarious-cause I have that kind of sick sense of humor sometimes), and a little overwhelming at times. But at only an hour and twenty-two minutes it really did keep my attention and I was laughing in just about every single scene.

If you are looking for the romantic, feel-good movie of the Christmas season this is not it. Maybe try one of the classics. Or something newer like Love Actually or Serendipity. Four Christmases is a comedy. And they do it well.

Sometimes you just want to go to a movie to laugh a lot, think a little, and leave feeling happy. And this movie did that for me. If you are looking for a hilarious, shallow, fun Christmas movie this is the one for you.

25 comments:

Not Your Aunt B said...

Date night sounded fun! There's nothing wrong with Taco Bell. I love having fourthmeal there!

Scrappy said...

Thanks for the review. I think I might just have to take my hubby to this tonight after we finish our shopping. Laugh until I cry...I could use some of that!

ewe are here said...

Sounds like a good date night.
We need more of those... and the movie sounds light and entertaining, a good holiday flick.

Megan said...

Dave & I are definitely going to see this movie! I hadn't realized it was already out!! :) And I CANNOT watch a movie in the theater without popcorn and soda..no matter how much I just ate!

carrhop said...

Yeah! Glad to know the movie was able to live up to the previews! Of course, I had hoped Vince Vaughn would have a chance to shine--sounds like a great date night!

Blessings!

Robyn said...

Glad date night went fairly well. As for the review, unfortunately I think Bolt is next on our list. We rarely get date night.

Rachel said...

Fun!! i've been eying that movie and I'm glad to hear a good review of it! Thanks honey :-)

I'm so happy y'all had a good night out together. mwah!

Cassie said...

I really want to see that! I laugh every time there is a commercial for it, it just looks hilarious! I love Vince Vaughn too.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see that one. I'm glad to hear that it would be worth it.

Mom24 said...

Yeah! I love a 'real person' review. thanks. I am very jealous of your evening, it sounds wonderful.

Mom24 said...

Love the new design by the way.

Rima said...

Are you telling me that there is no Santa Claus????

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Thanks for the review...now I just need to find time and a sitter and I'm set!

Anonymous said...

what a cool tradition--Mr. D and I do something similar. thanks for the movie review:)

Chris said...

Thanks for the recommendation -- My wife has seen Twilight and I'm hoping for James Bond, but we need something in the middle. Sounds like this may be it.
Nice to see you guys were able to get out for a date night -- it's important to remember that we are still husbands and wives (not just moms and dads).

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Sounds great! I love Reese Witherspoon.

Chaotic Joy said...

Awesome. So much fun. WE manage to weasel a babysitter once during the Christmas season and maybe get to milk lunch out of it too. But not normally a movie. Lucky you.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a great night! Can't wait to see that movie. I have to put it on the list along with Twilight and HSM3 for Meg of course. ~grin~

Jaysi said...

I'm so glad that you loved the movie...it is on my list. I can't wait to see it now. I am impressed that your x-mas shopping for your kids is done. I haven't even started!

I think you need a do over on the dinner though. Maybe you could throw in another movie too...just for fun!

dawn klinge said...

My husband and I were just trying to think of the last non-kid's movie we saw together in the theater....we can't even think that far back! ;) This looks like a movie we'd enjoy. Thanks for the review.

Amy said...

I want to see it! Especially since the premise reminds me so much of our holidays running around visiting all our families!

imbeingheldhostage said...

That's good to hear, I've been hearing the critics trash the movie and they never seem to like what I do. I'm glad you had a great night out-- and Loving the template!

Congrats on completing Nablopomo!!

RiverPoet said...

Oh, see I'm just the opposite. My hubby and I saw the movie last night and when it was over (though there were a few places in which we giggled), we looked at each other and said, "Meh...not so much."

I guess if you're a huge Vince Vaughn fan, I could understand it, though. Glad you had a terrific date night. That's what counts! To me, any date night is a good date night. I love going out with my hubs...

Peace - D

Kristen said...

Glad you had a great date night! Taco Bell and all. Hey, at least you got to eat your own food, without sharing, or making sure other's weren't throwing theirs. Sounds perfect to me! :)

painted maypole said...

should I tell you that I saw
vince vaughn in the flesh at a bar in Los Angeles... the one they frequent in Swingers (and darn, I can't think of the name... it's on Vermont in Los Feliz....)

cause I did. ;)

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson