Julie & Julia (2009)

Release Date:
August 7, 2009

Director: Nora Ephron
Writer(s): Nora Ephron (screenplay), Julie Powell (novel)
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Language: English
Runtime: 123 mins

Cast
Julia Child: Meryl Streep
Julie Powell: Amy Adams
Paul Child: Stanley Tucci
Eric Powell: Chris Messina
Louisette Bertholle: Helen Carey

Review


The lives of Julia Child and Julie Powell parallel each other through this film despite this parallel occurring in different periods of time (Julia in 1949, Julie in 2002). Julia discovers her passion for cooking during this time and pushes to publish a cookbook. Julia on the other hand decides to cook her way through Julia's cookbook and blog about her experience. This movie appealed to my love for cooking and food. It almost made me want to follow in Julie's footsteps, almost. Meryl Streep did an awesome job portraying Julia. She was charismatic, warm, cute, funny and oddly enough, very sexual (that made me chuckle). It's a simple movie, with a simple premise, how the love of food affects these characters. I liked it, but it's definitely a cuddle on the couch flick.

Favorite Quote
Julia Child: Don't be afraid!

Up in the Air (2009)

Release Date:
December 23, 2009

Director: Jason Reitman
Writer(s): Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner (screenplay), Walter Kim (novel)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Language: English
Runtime: 108 mins

Cast
Ryan Bingham: George Clooney
Alex Goran: Vera Farmiga
Natalie Keener: Anna Kendrick
Craig Gregory: Jason Bateman
Kara Bingham: Amy Morton
Julie Bingham: Melanie Lynskey

Review


Ryan Bingham travels the world firing employees for companies without the balls to do it themselves. In an effort for his company to cut costs they hire Natalie Keener who recommends terminating workers via the Internet. Through the film he seeks to prove Natalie wrong. My favorite thing about this film is how realistic it is. In the world we live in, life f**ks you over and over again. Ryan cares about those he is firing which is ironic since he hadn't developed relationships with those in his life. The growth these characters experience draw you in and holds you until the end.  

Favorite Quote
Natalie Keener: He broke up with me by text message.
Ryan Bingham: Wow. That's kind of like getting fired over the Internet.