‘Julia and Julie’ is a movie about two chicks but it is not a chick flick. Really.

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The Trav & SHE movie of the week: Julie and Julia
“Julie and Julia” is playing at the Malco Cinema 12 and the Carmike 14 in Fort Smith, and the Malco in Van Buren. Link here for ticket info and show times.

SHE: We had a few movies to select from this week – “G.I. Joe,” “Julie & Julia,” “A Perfect Getaway,” or head to NWA to see “The Hurt Locker.” Trav & SHE decided on the Meryl Streep and Amy Adams film, “Julie & Julia.” Sure, at first appearance, “Julie & Julia” may appear to be the stereotypical “chick flick,” but you would be wrong. What makes a movie a “chick flick” anyway? A film starring women? A film without violence? C’mon now, let’s give our stereotype generalizations of men and what they like to rest for a bit. Men can enjoy a smart, funny movie headlining two women in a film written by Nora Ephron, who also wrote “You’ve Got Mail,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “Silkwood.”

Trav: The pickings were a little slim for this week. I almost feel the need to turn in my Man Card for skipping “GI Joe” to watch “Julie & Julia.” Knowing the upcoming Trav and SHE movie watching schedule, we were due a quiet and light-hearted movie. SHE is right; men can enjoy a smart, funny movie headlining two women. It’s just that we’d be be more apt to buy a ticket for “Julie & Julia” if it was about Julia Roberts instead of Julia Child.

SHE: This movie resonates with people on many levels. Both women are searching for personal fulfillment, and both find comfort in food and cooking. Julia, played by Meryl Streep is asked by her husband, played by Stanley Tucci, “What is it you really like to do?” She immediately responded, “Eat!” Streep did a fabulous job of recreating Julia’s passion and enthusiasm, not just for food and cooking, but for life. I would have loved to hang out with Julia. She’s funny, competitive, and fearless!

Trav: Streep is a living acting legend that does a fantastic job as Julia Child. She makes Child seem endearing and passionate. I wouldn’t mind an invite to one of her dinner parties.

SHE: Amy Adams, as Julie, brings a performance as the what-am-I-doing-I-hate-my-job-and-I-just-turned-30 that was subtle enough not to make you hate her. Julie asks, “What do you think it means if I don’t like my friends?” and you feel her pain. I personally connected with Julie’s character who finds comfort in cooking: Chocolate Bavarian Cream Pie, Bruschetta, Artichokes with Hollandaise, etc. Fortunately, Julie has someone to help her eat all that food. Julie’s husband Eric is played by Chris Messina, who does a terrific job.

Trav: Even though Amy Adams doesn’t share a scene with the living legend that is Meryl Streep, she absolutely steps up her acting game for her role as Julie Powell, the disenchanted office worker turned blogger that tries her hand at every recipe in Child’s renowned book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”

SHE: The movie is positively laugh out loud. There was much more laughter in the theater while watching this than any other movie I’ve seen lately, save for “The Hangover” and maybe “Funny People.” The scenes in France made me want to travel to Paris and I’m a sucker for New York. About half way through the movie I thought, this is a really good, entertaining film. And, it’s not a “chick flick.” Plenty of people, of all kinds, will enjoy this movie.

Trav: Maybe I was in a good mood during our viewing of this movie but I was laughing at everything. I’m still laughing at the use of the Talking Heads "Psycho Killer" during the scene where Powell makes Homard (lobster) a l’Americaine (the recipe requires a live lobster). Using such a dark song used in a feel-good movie was brilliant.

SHE: Be warned, you will leave the theater HUNGRY! You may go home, cook, eat, and ugh, have a restless night because you ate too much. Not that I would know, I’m just sayin’. I entered the theater with 5 requisite snacks but had no time to eat any of them between all of the laughing and drooling. “Julie & Julia” gets 5 out of 5 from me. I would see it again. And anyone interested in starting a cooking club, you know where to find me.

Trav: The main thing that worried me about watching “Julie and Julia” was the dual story lines set 60 years apart. Ephron does a great job with both story lines and made a really good movie. I went in thinking this would be just another boring movie championed with the difficult task of keeping me entertained. I kept asking myself, "How can a movie about Julia Child and a thirty-something foodie-blogger be engaging?" The movie delivers the entertainment with great acting and a surprisingly enjoyable story. This is a really good movie that kept me entertained all the way through. The movie is worth the price of admission. It gets a 4 out of 5.

PREVIEWS
• 9 (Sept. 9)
SHE: A Tim Burton animated film that is post-apocalyptic where all of humanity is threatened. I’m not too excited about it but like how the release coincides with back-to-school. Also, all the characters have numbers as opposed to names. Hmmm, reminds me of a TV character I am often compared to – and I’ll treat the first person to name that character to lunch!

Trav: Finally, an animated feature that I’m actually looking forward to watching. This looks great, but knowing Tim Burton is behind it guarantees my ticket purchase. A tv character with a number instead of a name … no idea. However, I’ll buy SHE lunch if she can tell me who Seven of Nine or Caprica 6 is.

• Fame (Sept. 25)
SHE: I believe Trav actually became scared when I nearly jumped out of my seat. I am so excited about this movie!! Sure, say what you want but I grew up with the original 1980’s musical and the TV show. Debbie Allen will be playing the principal, and watch for Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullalley, and Bebe Neuwirth. Trav may be a Pottermaniac, but I will be at the theater with my leg warmers on Sept. 25!

Trav: The preview actually built up some anticipation for the movie. What can I say? It looks like it will be an okay movie. Seeing SHE all giddy did freak me out. If SHE doesn’t show up clad in leg warmers for our viewing of Fame, I’ll let our readers know.

• 2012 (Nov. 13, 2009)
SHE: End of the world, blah blah blah. Redeeming factor is John Cusack but that’s probably not enough for me. Count me out.

Trav: Movies with global catastrophes are a favorite of mine. It’s not because I want to watch the world end, it’s just that I enjoy all the special effects, over-the-top writing, weak attempts at humor, and general the unbelievableness associated with it all. I cannot wait for this one.

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Trav can can be reached at [email protected]

SHE can be reached at [email protected]