OK, here we go...

I don't get out to the theaters to see first run movies as much as I used to (that in itself will be a topic for another day), so when I do get that chance I want to make the most of it.  Recently, I saw a movie that definitely did not let me down.

   Juno is a comedy about teenage pregnancy.  I know what you might be thinking, "There's nothing funny about teenage pregnancy."  Well, actually it is a comedy revolving around a teenage pregnancy and it is handled in a mature way.  It is the type of movie that I really enjoy because it is a strong screenplay which is character driven with first class dialogue.

  The title character is played by Ellen Page (who I only recognize as playing the Kitty Pryde character in the last Xmen movie).  She plays the Juno character to perfection.  Also in the movie and featured on the movie poster is Michael Cera.  He is probably best know for his role on the tv show Arrested Development, but also was the star of the movie Superbad (*this movie will be a topic for a future posting all by itself because I thought it was fantastically funny).  The characters in Juno really make this movie shine.  Juno's parents are played by Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons who do just a magnificent job.  Also making this ensemble complete are, in my opinion, two very under-rated actors.  That being Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.    Garner is best known for her role in the tv series Alias and as Ben Affleck's wife.  Jason Bateman is fantastic as usual in this role.  In fact, I might do an entire posting on Bateman at some point because he really does not get enough credit for what he can do.  There is even a cameo by Rainn Wilson (who plays Dwight on the tv series The Office) as the drug store clerk who sells Juno her pregnancy test(s).

All in all, a really enjoyable movie.  I intentionally did not want to give away too much of the story because I hope you all go check it out, if you have not already.  At a time where I feel the movie industry is not giving us a whole lot of quality that also entertains, Juno really stands out as something special.  It is nominated for 3 golden globe awards including Best Picture and now gets the Old School seal of approval.  If you want to find out a little more please check out the IMDB listing for this movie:  www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406

Thanks for reading.  If you like where this is heading, please bookmark my blog and be sure to check back regularly.  I appreciate any comments/feedback.  I also welcome your ideas, suggestions & questions which I can address in future postings.  Keep them coming!

If you read my first posting, you will see that it ends with the "Quote of the Day" and you will find that this will be a regular feature for each of my postings.  I feel there can be a lot to learn in the words of others.  I use such quotes to gain motivation and/or understanding within my own life and hope many will be meaningful to you as well.

In addition to the quote, I will also have a "Download This" feature within each of my postings.  This is in my effort to promote some music that I feel that you may enjoy.  This will give you some insight into my musical tastes which are quite diverse.  Let me know what you think once you listen to them.  You will also find that these often will have an Old School slant to them.  I will try to make sure each of these songs are available on iTunes.  I hope you all have iPods or MP3 players because they really give you access to music and music is quite powerful to me.  That leads me to today's quote.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "Music is my weapon.  I believe in music, in its spirituality, its exaltation, its ecstatic nobility, its humor, its power to penetrate to the basic fitness of every human being." -Henry Cowell

DOWNLOAD THIS:  "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin" by Colin Hay.  Colin Hay was the lead singer of the 80's band Men at Work.