THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS

RYAN: "The Men Who Stare at Goats" is the new George Clooney flick, but the real star is Ewan McGregor, my favorite actor ever.

CAROLINE: I'm sorry, honey, but Ewan was so wrong for this movie. I didn't buy his character at all. And he needs to polish his American accent.

RYAN: What? I'm shocked! I thought his accent was great, and the whole time I watched him, I was thinking, "This is exactly how I want to see him." I loved him in this role.

CAROLINE: Well if it's any consolation, I didn't love George Clooney either. Basically, I didn't like the movie at all. I dozed a few times, in fact.

RYAN: I thought the other stars, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey, were great; did you like them at least?

CAROLINE: Totally. They felt very right in their roles. And the movie does have some funny moments. I just thought the story was weak and disjointed. I know it's based on real events, but they weren't strung together well.

RYAN: I thought it was really funny, especially knowing these ludicrous things the military was doing are true. That made it have much more of an impact for me.

CAROLINE: But they handled it in such a jokey way that it felt like a farce. They should have been exposing the absurdity of it all in a serious way.

RYAN: That's a really good point. I'm not sure why they handled it that way. But everyone just looked like they had so much fun making this movie. And George Clooney is known to be fun on set.

CAROLINE: Part of my issue is probably because I caught an early screening of George Clooney's other fall movie, "Up in the Air," the day after seeing this, and I liked it so much more that it's beyond comparison.

RYAN: I don't know if it's fair to compare two movies just because they share the same star; however, if you just didn't enjoy "Goats," I'll just have to accept it.

CAROLINE: It's definitely a very different movie, but if you're going to see a Clooney film this year, "Goats" is not the one to see. It was just lame. I felt like they took a cool, interesting premise and made a bad movie out of it.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's a light, comical view of something that really happened in our military and it's pretty shocking. I normally can't stand war or army movies, but this one is a comedy about the paranormal as opposed to a full-out battle movie.

CAROLINE: I thought I would be into it too, but it really disappointed me. It was only half well cast and the story just didn't work. We're gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.

-- RATING --

Trailer Tuesdays!

RYAN: I'm simultaneously excited and scared to see "2012," the new disaster movie from Roland Emmerich. It looks so nightmare inducing.

CAROLINE: I couldn't agree more. The special effects look incredible, but I'm not sure I need to see another apocalypse movie. They're always depressing and they make me have dreams of buildings collapsing.

RYAN: I mean, are we all really supposed to believe that the world as we know it is ending on December 21, 2012?

CAROLINE: It's one of those silly old Mayan prophecies, and if they're as accurate as Nostradamus's predictions, then we should be just fine. Since 2012 is only three years away, I'm sure Hollywood thinks it's a good time to capitalize on the world's fear of The End.

RYAN: I'm not sure we need another disaster movie.

CAROLINE: Totally. I like that John Cusack is in it; but haven't we seen "I Am Legend" already?

RYAN: [laughs] It's a little strange that this movie is coming out during Oscar season; to me it has the look, feel and tone of a summer blockbuster. But I'm psyched to see it nonetheless, even though I don't think John Cusack is a Will Smith type. Check out the trailer here:

CAROLINE: Next up is "Pirate Radio" starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and a bunch of Brits including Bill Nighy. For some reason, this movie doesn't really appeal to me.

RYAN: I'm not interested either. Maybe it's a boy movie.

CAROLINE: [laughs] It's about DJs who broadcast from a boat after their radio station bans rock n' roll, and it should appeal to us given our radio experience. But it's got zero buzz and there are too many other good movies out for me to care about it, even though it's directed by Richard Curtis.

RYAN: I enjoy Philip Seymour Hoffman but he's not the kind of actor I love so much that I'll see anything he's in.

CAROLINE: Apparently this movie has been reworked and re-titled since coming out in the U.K. That doesn't seem like a good sign, but judge for yourself. Here's the trailer:

PRECIOUS

CAROLINE: The much anticipated Mariah Carey/Mo'Nique movie, "Precious," is out in theaters in limited release, and it's been endorsed by none other than Tyler Perry and Oprah herself. This movie has been causing quite a stir in the film community ever since Sundance.

RYAN: I really wanted to see this movie and had heard so much about its dramatic effect, but it's very disturbing. What Precious goes through is absolutely horrendous.

CAROLINE: We've all heard by now about how Oscar worthy Mo'Nique is, which I didn't really see until the very end of the movie. After that, I was like, "Someone hand this woman an Oscar."

RYAN: I thought she was phenomenal throughout.

CAROLINE: Fine, but the other actors were just as good. The girl who plays Precious, Gabourey Sidibe, was great, and Paula Patton as her teacher was simply fabulous, not to mention breathtakingly gorge. Even Mariah was really good.

RYAN: I'll give you Paula Patton and Mariah but I thought Precious was only fair. She has no real acting experience, LBH.

CAROLINE: Exactly my point. She did a great job considering it's her first movie ever.

RYAN: I just thought Mo'Nique was riveting from her very first line. I will be angry if she doesn't get nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

CAROLINE: This movie is a disturbing look at poverty, abuse, incest, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, welfare, you name it.

RYAN: It's such a sad story. It's aggravating, frustrating and terrifying all at once. Can you just please confirm for me that it's not based on a true story?

CAROLINE: It's not; it's based on the novel, "Push." But I think the director, Lee Daniels, is arguing that there are girls like Precious everywhere even though no one wants to acknowledge or accept it.

RYAN: After seeing this movie, I definitely feel like my life has been wonderfully sheltered and protected. It makes you feel pretty lucky that you don't live like this poor girl. This movie goes to deep, dark places.

CAROLINE: It really stays with you. We saw this over a week ago and I still think about it a lot. The overall message of the film is uplifting though, so there is some happiness. But it takes a while to get there.

RYAN: It's definitely not for people who want escapism.

CAROLINE: This movie was actually more well made than I expected. I kept hearing about how it's this small indie with an unknown actress in the lead, etc... but it's quite well done. It looks good and it's shot well.

RYAN: I loved the soundtrack too.

CAROLINE: My only quibble is that it's about twenty minutes too long. It felt like it ended a few times. I thought it was over, but then it kept going.

RYAN: I got a little restless too, about three-quarters of the way through.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: Seeing a movie like this makes me realize why I love sci-fi and fantasy so much. I'd rather see a movie about a magical world than such a depressing one. I don't think I'd elect to sit through this movie if I didn't have to. I'm glad I saw it, but I don't want to go out of my way to recommend it because it's just painful to watch.

CAROLINE: Yes, but it's such quality film-making, and the acting was stellar. If there were an Academy Award for Best Ensemble, this would have to win it. Maybe it'll win the S.A.G. Award in that category. I agree that it's hard to watch, and if you went into this movie not knowing what it was about, you would be appalled. But even though it's about abuse of almost every kind you can imagine, it's ultimately such a wonderful story that I think it's worth seeing if you can handle it.

-- RATING --

Box Office Results

1. "A Christmas Carol," $31 million.

2. "Michael Jackson's This Is It," $14 million.
3. "The Men Who Stare at Goats," $13.3 million.
4. "The Fourth Kind," $12.5 million.
5. "Paranormal Activity," $8.6 million.
6. "The Box," $7.9 million.
7. "Couples Retreat," $6.4 million.
8. "Law Abiding Citizen," $6.2 million.
9. "Where the Wild Things Are," $4.2 million.
10. "Astro Boy," $2.6 million.

CAROLINE: As expected, the big animated spectacle, "Disney's A Christmas Carol" took the #1 spot this weekend.

RYAN: I thought it would be a lot higher though.

CAROLINE: It's just so entirely too early for a Christmas movie.

RYAN: But it's never too early for an amazing movie.

CAROLINE: You really need to settle down. Not everyone is as gung-ho about this director as you are.

RYAN: I do wanna see it again in the theater.

CAROLINE: Well you have plenty of time until Christmas.

RYAN: 'Tis true.

CAROLINE: Meanwhile, "This is It" hasn't made $100 million yet.

RYAN: I wonder if it will. It should. People really need to see both of these movies in the theater.

CAROLINE: Barely anybody got out to see "The Box," regardless of Cameron Diaz.

RYAN: Now I'm curious to see it just to find out how bad it really is.

CAROLINE: I think I'll trust the bad B.O. to speak for it.

DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL

RYAN: After seeing "A Christmas Carol," all I can say is, "Now that's a movie!"

CAROLINE: Well, it's an animated movie. I'll give you that. It's in 3D and the animation itself is pretty incredible.

RYAN: It's phenomenal! Robert Zemeckis's technique is so fabulous. The characters look real, and you can see the actors' facial expressions in them. And Jim Carrey gives an amazing performance. If the goal of a movie is to transport you into another world, then this one really does it.

CAROLINE: I don't usually like animated movies, but this one is good. A lot of it has to do with the story; it's such a classic that no one will ever tire of it. I wish they'd gotten to the ghost part quicker. The beginning dragged a little for me.

RYAN: It didn't drag for me at all, but I'm biased because this is from my favorite director, Robert Zemeckis. I appreciate and study every shot.

CAROLINE: Any thoughts on the 3D? It was cool but it didn't wow me.

RYAN: I thought it would be a little more impactful. It was good in the scary moments though, which there are a few of. I think we just get desensitized to the 3D when we're watching movies like this.

CAROLINE: I'm glad you mentioned the scary parts because there are definitely some scenes that would freak out little kids. It's a creepy movie, especially when those Ignorance and Want kids come out from under the ghost's skirt.

RYAN: I loved that about this movie. There were parts that scared me just as much as "Paranormal Activity." But it's a delightful kind of creepy. I think if Charles Dickens were alive to see this movie, he'd be bursting with joy.

CAROLINE: It stayed very true to the story and reminded me of seeing the live-action version when I was younger. I'm a little confounded at this movie's release date though. Don't you think it should be coming in three weeks or something? I'm not ready to hear Christmas carols just yet.

RYAN: That's a good point. I guess they're getting on the bandwagon with all the department stores who are marketing Christmas earlier and earlier every year.

CAROLINE: I just don't want people to resent it. I think I would have liked this movie a little more if I'd seen it in December and was already feeling the Christmas spirit.

RYAN: I, for one, am going to see it again in the theater and I can't wait. Can we talk more about Jim Carrey for a sec? He was so good. And I love that the same actor has now played Scrooge, the Grinch and the evil Count Olaf in the Lemony Snicket movie.

CAROLINE: He voices several of characters in this movie; Scrooge at every age plus all three ghosts. It must have been a lot of work for him.

RYAN: Especially considering Robert Zemeckis's technique of filming the actors and then animating over them. I also really liked Gary Oldman as Bob Cratchit. Robin Wright Penn has a little part too.

CAROLINE: Also listen for Cary Elwes and Colin Firth.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's a spectacular movie and a must see on the big screen in 3D. I can't say enough good things about it. It's a perfect movie.

CAROLINE: I think you're taking it a little too far. It's enjoyable, but to me no animated movie can compete with a live-action one. They even have a whole separate category at the Oscars.

RYAN: I just think this is the kind of movie they could re-release around the holidays every year. I'd totally go back to the theater and see it again ten years from now. How many movies can you say that about?

CAROLINE: I obviously didn't enjoy it as much as you did, but I did like it and I thought it was quite good as far as animated movies go. But it had the built-in great story already, so that helped. The animation is incredible; it's amazing what they can do these days. So, as much as I'm capable of enjoying an animated film, I enjoyed this one.

-- RATING --