"War Horse"

... movie about a horse that goes through World War I and survives!  Bought on a whim my an old farmer who recognized it as a quality thoroughbred, raised and trained by the farmer's son, and then unfortunately sold to the Army when the family needed money, the horse named Joey goes to war.

 

Good movie, liked seeing the difficult situations unfold and resolve themselves, but.... a little too long for a first date movie.  Do recommend renting it, just be prepared for it to be a movie about a horse and not war for those wanting an action, shoot'em up, war movie.

"The Sitter"

Jonah Hill leads the cast in this movie about a twenty-something man who volunteers to babysit for his Mom's friend out of guilt. But, when he gets a call from his girlfriend about a party that could lead to him getting way past "third base", he decides to bring the kids along!

 

Funny moments much on the lines of Jonah's other movies,... meaning lots of references to sex, profanity, etc,...  This one does not make the first date movie list.  Was entertained though but we liked Super Bad, too.  Also, would consider the storyline to be a more recent version of the one used in "Adventures in Babysitting".

"We Bought a Zoo"

Movie based on a true story of a writer and recent widower played by Matt Damon.  Missing his wife, needing a change for him and his two kids, he decides to move to the country.  In this case "9 miles from the nearest Target Store".  Worse, he buys 18 acres and a house that is actually a zoo staffed by a skeleton crew of zoo keepers.

 

Not a bad movie, easily a safe first date movie.  Moreover, we do like Scarlett Johansson's movies.  So this one makes this list of "likes" as well!

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Movie based on the book of the same title.  Not much to say other than we did not watch the whole movie.  Too slow and worse, confusing to follow.  Do not recommend as a first date movie.

"Hunger Games"

Checked out the movie based on the book "Hunger Games".  Easily makes the first date rating.  Some differences in the movie compared to the book.  Still did a good job with it!  Now are they going to follow more movies based on books two and three!

"Rum Diary"

Johnny Depp in a movie set in 1950's Puerto Rico.  Taking on a job with a Newspaper, Johnny works (more like drinks a lot of rum) his day job....

 

Sorry "Sports Fans" could not get past the first 45" of the movie.  Called it short and put in a different DVD.  This one is not a first date movie!  Don't subject your budding relationship to this movie, else suffer the consequences!

"In Time"

Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried in a movie where people are allotted 1 year to live after they turn 25.  That one year is used like money.  You spend it to pay for things like food as well as work to earn more.  Depending on how you manage your time, you can live forever or die suddenly.

Good movie, safe for a first date.  But, have to admit a weakness for Amanda's movies.  Also, did like Cillian Murphy in his role as a "Time Keeper".

"Double"

Richard Gere and Topher Grace play a retired CIA Agent and an FBI Agent, respectively.  They are teamed together to find "Cassius" - a Russian Hitman/Agent, that has come out of hiding and killed an US Senator. 

Richard was responsible for tracking down Cassius' team of assassins.  He succeeded in neutralizing them except for Cassius. Now retired, he is satisfied with leaving things "as is".  Topher is a young FBI Agent who earned a Master's Degree writing a thesis on Cassius' exploits.  Now that he has resurfaced what better team to assign the case than Richard and Topher!

Hold as a first date movie as the movie drags a little at times; let's not start a first date with moments that drag along... hint, hint, hint.  But, do check it out.  Was entertained and enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot.

"What's Your Number"

Anna Faris and Chris Evans in a comedy about love and finding that one and only!  Except Anna becomes fixated with the number of men she slept with in the past. Funny movie with entertaining moments.... Would hold off as a first date movie. But, would rent it afterwards!

"Flypaper"

Patrick Dempsey, Ashley Judd, and a host of others in a comedy about a bank robbery gone wrong.  Lots of twists and turns.  A funny movie that rates a first date.  Like how things unfold as described by Patrick Demspey!

"Real Steel"

Hugh Jackman in a movie about a down and out ex-boxer dealing with family issues (ex-wife dies, gains custody of their young son), money issues from losing robot matches, and personal issues like being less self-centered.  Liked the futuristic "Robot Style Boxing".  Thought it would be corny but was pleasantly surprised!  Giving this one a First Date Rating!  Don't pass the chance to rent this one!

"Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

Daniel Craig plays Mikeal Blomkvist in this murder/mystery based on the book with the same title.  Convicted of libel and forced to distance himself from his Magazine, Mikael takes on a job to investigate the disappearance of a young girl from a rich family.  The twist is that it happened over 30 years ago, the body was never found, and he is hired by the family patriarch – Henrik Vanger.

 

Liked the book, liked the movie,... but better hold off as a first date movie.  Graphic scenes may snip a budding relationship before it can start!

"Ides of March"

Ryan Gosling and George Clooney in a movie about a Governor's election run for President.  George is the Governor; Ryan is a key lead in the Campaign Management Team, not quite the Campaign Manager but is his right-hand man.  Things are going well until some "political moves" are made that create mistakes, lead to pitfalls, and even death! Liked the movie, save for the ending... could have done better with it.

 

Hold off on watching it as a first date.  Rule of thumb: "Don't watch movies about politics for a first date!"

 

"Killer Elite"

Jason Statham takes the lead in his role has a mercenary for hire.  Blackmailed into killing enemies of an Omani Sheik, he and his team begin "taking out" certain British SAS soldiers responsible for the deaths of the the Sheik's sons.

 

"B-Movie" with a lot of potential.  Kept watching because it was based on a true story and I like Jason's movies normally.  Else, don't see this one for a first date!

"Contagion"

Movie with Matt Damon, Gwenyth Paltrow, and others that shows viewers how quickly a contagious person can affect others.  In this case, millions throughout the world become sick and die.  While this disease rages, doctors and scientists work feverishly to find a cure.  In parallel, a panic sets in and people get violent!

 

Good movie but do pick another one for a first date given the theme of this one (also there is reference to a extramarital affair)!

"The Kings Speech"

Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush star in a movie about King George VI and a Speech/Linguist Teacher, charged with helping the King overcome his stuttering!  Did not know that King George had a speech impediment.  Colin does a great job as the King.  Geoffrey does equally (if not better) as the Teacher!  Liked the movie; safe first date movie.  And, being just under 2 hours long, you have time to do other things that may possibly lead to that next date!

"Apollo 18"

... documentary like movie of the last space mission to the Moon.  Covert operations and secrecy has kept this mission from the public for years.  But, with the recent discovery of video footage, the movie lends credence to other reasons why the US has chosen not to return to the Moon.

 

Good movie that kept viewers interested in the ending.  But, would not rate this one as a first date movie.  Hold on this one for now and pick a different one to watch with that special someone.

"Lincoln Lawyer"

Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe star in this crime drama.  Matthew is a lawyer, who works in a Lincoln Town Car.  He has a driver to take him places since he lost his drivers license.  Ryan is a rich kid accused of assaulting a prostitute.  Ryan's mother hires Matthew to get him out of jail.

 

Good movie, okay first date movie,... just tread lightly since the movie is about a man who beats women.  Liked the twists and turns.  For more details check it out on IMDB.

"Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

Another in the Mission Impossible franchise.  Not a big fan but actually liked this one.  A few twisting and turning and light-hearted comments from Simon Pegg.  Glad to have watched this one at the theater, just did not like the late night time (chosen by my significant other). Consider it a a safe first date movie!

"Everything Must Go"

Will Farrell takes the lead role in this IFC style movie.  Accused of sexual harrassment, he is let go from his job.  Divorce looming in the near future and banned from his house, he ends up living in his front yard.  Forced to sell his belongings, he decides to sell everything!

Good movie for viewers who like independent films.  Would wait as a first date movie. Do watch later though.... If you like IFC!