Fall Entertainment: What to See, Read and Contemplate

The other day, I went to the movies by myself. In the middle of the afternoon! I felt so…decadent. So free! I only manage do this a few times a year, but each time I do, I feel like I’ve taken a mini-vacation. I’m telling you, it’s better than a day at the spa. Well, it’s cheaper anyway. Now that I’ve done this, I have some things to discuss with you.

What I Saw: Of course, you already know the answer to this. I saw I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, based on the novel by Allison Pearson.

This is not a movie review, per se. I just want to clearly state that up front. Personally, I don’t like reading movie reviews. I enjoy writing them even less.

All I want from a review is for someone who is sort of like me to tell me whether or not to see the film. So I’m going to make my “review” short and sweet: Yes, you should see this movie. Because, yes, you will like it. Might you find SJP’s voiceovers annoying? Perhaps. But that’s only because every time SJP does a voiceover for the rest of eternity, we will think of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. Get over it, and see this likable, holds-a-window-up-to-your-life film.

Caveat: If you’re a very busy woman -- like the main character in this movie, perhaps -- and/or can only see movies on Saturday nights with your significant other, then you can wait until it’s out on DVD. That would be okay with me. But, should you find yourself with 92 spare minutes on your hands, and simultaneously be in need of a chick flick, by all means, go for it.

Instead of me telling you what to think of the film, here’s what we’ll do. You can email me after and let me know what you thought of it. Or, better, yet, share your criticisms below. (Of the movie! Not of me, thanks.)

What I’m Dying to See: Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. Why? Because I read a very positive, in-depth analysis of the film in an erudite periodical, stating that Drive is so much more than a car chase movie? Or perhaps because the film is receiving critical acclaim for its cinematic artistry from the who’s who of Hollywood, winning Best Director accolades at Cannes? No, because Ryan Gosling is a ridiculously beautiful man. Just between you and me, I think I’m in love with him. Like, if he came over to my house and asked me to run away with him, I would seriously consider it before closing the door on him and returning to my kitchen to make lunches for my kids. (Did you see Crazy Stupid Love? No? Ohmigod, you need to.) So, this Saturday night, my husband, Brett, and I have a date with Ryan, and if Brett knows what’s good for him, he will indulge me in this by rolling his eyes and smiling his cute dimples my way as the house lights dim.

If you were to interview Brett about this, he might say that he is secure in the fact that his slightly insane wife really loves him, and that Ryan Gosling wouldn’t really come knocking anyway. He might also say that Drive looks awesome, like The Town, only without the Boston accents. He might say that he loves when the line between good and evil characters is blurred, so that morality exists on a slippery slope.

And, he might add, there’s nothing wrong with an occasional car chase.

I might say that, after seeing Drive, add Blue Valentine and The Notebook to your Netflix cue and throw yourself a Gosling-athon. You won’t be sorry.

I’m also into Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt, for similarly profound reasons.

What I’m Not So Sure About: The Artist, a new, silent, black and white film by Michel Hazanavicius. The good news about this being a completely silent film is that, since the actors are French, The Artist doesn’t require subtitles for us Americans who can’t speak French. That’s ingenious!

But seriously, I saw the preview for this film and I can’t quite decide what to make of it. Hokey? Magical? Somewhere in between? Readers: let me know if I should see it.

What to Watch on TV: I love watching television. I’m not sure if that’s a politically correct thing to say, but it’s true. I do. And sometimes, I even watch television with my children. Like, my 9-year-old son, Andrew, and I are into reality shows, from Top Chef and Showhouse Showdown to The Sing-Off and American Idol.

But I’m in need of a new show. I have some room in my line-up, now that Entourage is over. I’m thinking that what I need is funny. There are a bunch of new comedies airing this month, from Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea to Betty White’s Off Your Rocker. (No, I’m not messing with you. Sadly, these are real shows.) I caught 2 Broke Girls on CBS on Monday night, and I’ve gotta say, it was pretty entertaining. The show is written by Whitney Cummings, who will also star in her own show, Whitney, airing Thursday nights on NBC at 9:30. I’m curious. I’m tuning in. I’m also watching Up All Night, starring Will Arnett, Christina Applegate, and Maya Rudolf.

What about you? What are you watching and what have you already decided is too stupid for words?

Speaking of words, here’s something I read this summer: The Red Thread, by Anne Hood. A beautiful, touching story of several families adopting baby girls from China. The story is told from many points of view, giving you a look at the husbands and wives who wish to adopt, those that have mixed feelings, and even showing the point of view of Chinese women who have to give up their daughters.

What I’m reading next: The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. To quote Amazon, “Set during the hazy, enchanting, and martini-filled world of New York City circa 1938, Rules of Civility follows three friends--Katey, Eve, and Tinker--from their chance meeting at a jazz club on New Year's Eve through a year of enlightening and occasionally tragic adventures.” If you liked The Paris Wife – and I did – then this seems like another satisfying, historical tale. A good book group pick, too!

What’s on your bookshelf? What movies and TV shows rock your fall season? Share below.

The first three to write in will get a compilation CD of my new favorite music. (Teaser tracks: You and I by Lady Gaga – so not her standard sound -- and Flower by Amos Lee.)