Lawn Chair Guy | Five Short Scenes About Me, My Friends + God

This was Fences , a film that never eclipsed the No. Maybe this is smart economics from the theaters' perspective. But these movies just shouldn't be selling out. It'd be like planning to attend a Wednesday night Indians-White Sox game, in April, with Josh Tomlin on the mound, and finding no tickets available. It's not because these films don't deserve bigger audiences. But that's why luxury seating, and the resulting reduction in auditorium capacity, is a problem. The same factor which is making non-blockbusters sell out when they shouldn't is eliminating non-blockbusters from the lineup when blockbusters come to town.

Because movie theaters make their money on refreshments which are fiendishly consumed by early-arriving patrons at hotly anticipated releases ; and because movie theaters have every right to maximize their profits by maximizing crowd size on the weekends of hotly anticipated releases; and because, thanks to oversized luxury reclining chairs, auditoriums now seat roughly half as many asses as they used to, theaters must now devote twice as many screens to showing hotly anticipated films.

Check your local listings this weekend. You'll notice that, to make room for the big-money premieres, indie films and middling performers get sacrificed. In extreme cases, everything else gets sacrificed. Israel Esquire will share a single screen at these venues this weekend.

Or maybe they'll disappear entirely. Beyond the fact that having more than one option at a multiplex is preferable from a consumer's perspective, the continual presence of many and diverse voices enhances the vibrancy of the art form. If we're serious as consumers and advocates about supporting an environment where diverse voices can thrive in the film industry, we must choose to hold studios accountable. With our ticket-buying habits, we can help send the message that women and people of color need to be represented on both sides of the camera in major blockbusters.

But it also means supporting films at lower levels. Cinema, like the United States itself, has a shrinking middle class, and luxury seating may accelerate its demise. The luxury lounge chair represents a new hierarchy of values where "comfort" is prioritized at the expense of movies themselves, not to mention the enjoyment of communal viewing. My argument's final tentpole is perhaps the least stable. Or, in any case, it's the one on which I've received the most pushback from friends.

Recall that just about everyone I've talked to about this tells me I'm smoking something. But it's the crux of my personal objection. It is the idea — the fear, really — that the reclining luxury lounge chair may be too comfortable. I first encountered this fear at a press screening for 's Arrival , which would become my favorite film of the year. Viewed on Valley View's XD screen, the experience was marvelous, breathtaking even. But it was sullied by the fact that, two seats over, another local film critic was audibly snoring, conked out in the warm and cozy comfort of his recliner.

Above, I mentioned the sensation of entering an auditorium and observing rows of recumbent adults, who are typically not only thumbing their mobile devices, but also mindlessly ingesting the nachos or popcorn atop their bellies. I do this too. It's the closest approximation of the bloated Buy N Large consumers of Pixar's Wall-E that America has yet produced, and that's a comparison we should all regard with real disquiet, if not horror.

Nevertheless, far and away the most popular argument I hear in favor of the reclining seats is that they are really comfortable. They are, I'm told, super comfortable. They are exactly what they purport to be: Seat warmers make it cozy, AMC makes comfort easy! These luxurious recliners are cozy, comfortable and spacious, adjustable to multiple positions and include padded footrests. Regal guests can rest and relax in these movie theatre recliners, becoming further immersed in the movie while experiencing this luxury environment. The seats are supposed to help us "kick back," "sink in," "rest and relax.

I agree with my friends who insist that these seats provide unprecedented comfort. I just don't feel that's a percent positive thing especially when seats at the major chains were already pretty daggone comfortable. When I go to the movies, lounging is not at all what I'm trying to do. I note without irony or cheek that we describe ourselves in states of eagerness as being "on the edge of our seats. We look forward to it.

And I don't know about you, but accidentally falling asleep in a "luxury environment" is not how I "further immerse myself" in a movie. In fact, it's the opposite. It's how I further immerse myself in a chair. I think this is why I have no bones whatsoever — yet! Those advances seemed designed to improve movies themselves.

Not so with luxury seating. Even if they're not designed specifically for this purpose, luxury reclining seating makes it easier to ignore the movie. Among other things, they make it easier to keep social media browsing discreet, and they make it easier to snooze.

An Argument Against Luxury Seating at the Movies | Features | Cleveland Scene

I myself drunkenly snoozed through a late-night screening of 's Ant-Man at Ridge Park Square, which I'm not proud of. They also make it much harder to quickly jet to the bathroom. Spoken to a friend as he was being loaded into an ambulance after suffering a heart attack; he was comatose upon arrival at the hospital and never regained consciousness. I love you, too. Bush , American politician, 41st president of the United States Note: Said to his eldest son, George W. Bush , before his death. The corruption of the state shall fall.

Governor Taft, you will not be re-elected. The rest of you, you know where you can go. John William Byrd, Jr. Byrd told his family he loved them and that they should keep fighting the death penalty. Lord Byron , British poet. I went the distance. Steve Byrnes , an American television announcer and producer. Final words sent from a tweet. Min qibal rabi alkaebati, laqad kunt najihatan.

By the Lord of the Ka'bah, I have been successful. Ali ibn Abi Talib , cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, ruling over the Islamic caliphate from to This was spoken after being hit on the head with a poisoned sword, while leading the Morning Prayer, by Ibn Maljam, a fundamentalist. C [ edit ] Acta est fabula, plaudite! The play is over, applaud! This is the phrase said at the end of Roman plays. You too, my child?

Suetonius himself, however, actually discounts these claims, and asserts that Caesar said nothing as he died, apart from a groan. His definite last words according to Suetonius were instead, Ista, quidem vis est! Why, this is violence! I can't see anything. I've got the bows up… I'm going! Donald Campbell , British speed record breaker who broke eight absolute world speed records.

Final radio transmission from Bluebird K7 as she lifted from the surface of Conniston Water, flipped bow over stern and smashed to pieces on the lake surface in January Campbell was attempting to set a new world water speed record exceeding mph. His first run was mph. The crash occurred on the return run.

Had he completed it, it would have been fast enough to set a record exceeding mph. This is not the end of me. Nose broken at last interrogation. My time is up. Was not a traitor. Did my duty as a German. If you survive, please tell my wife… Who: Wilhelm Canaris , member of the July 20 plot , his last note before execution to the man in the cell next to him. It's me, it's Buddy… I'm cold. Truman Capote , writer. Why is it, is it the strength of the seam, or the wealth of the seam, that you continue to send men into work in such a dangerous environment?

Richard Carleton , reporter for National Nine News. During a media conference that was held at Beaconsfield, Tasmania on 7 May , Richard Carleton asked this question to Matthew Gill mine manager of the Beaconsfield mine , in light of the Beaconsfield mine collapse. When Gill declined to answer the question, Carleton walked away and suffered a heart attack; he was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital. So, this is death. Thomas Carlyle , Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher. Andrew Carnegie , steel magnate and philanthropist.

Spoken to his wife whom had bid him goodnight. What a beautiful place to die. John Carradine , an American actor, best known for his roles in horror films, Westerns and Shakespearean theatre. He died from multiple organ failure at Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Milan, Italy at age Hours before he was stricken, he had climbed the steep steps of Milan's Gothic cathedral, the Duomo. Don't abandon my Indians! Kit Carson , American frontiersman.

His final words have also been reported as " Adios, compadres. George Washington Carver , an American botanist and inventor. Ho vissuto come filosofo, e morto come cristiano. I have lived as a philosopher, and die as a Christian. Giacomo Casanova , an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice. So much wasted time. We got a bad fire! Let's get out - we're burning up… Who: An Apollo 1 astronaut, probably Roger Chaffee. All three crew members perished in a launchpad fire, You see, this is how you die.

Coco Chanel , French fashion designer of women's clothes and founder of the Chanel brand. Approaching dissolution brings relief. Neville Chamberlain , British prime minister. Graham Chapman , comedian of Monty Python fame. Spoken to his adopted son who had just arrived at the hospital. Tell [Carl] Mays I'm okay. Cleveland Indians' baseball player Ray Chapman. Chapman had been accidentally hit in the head by a pitch from Carl Mays, and died from complications of a skull fracture This was thirty-two years before batting helmets were first worn Pittsburgh Pirates, , and fifty years before Major League Baseball had made them mandatory To this day, Chapman is the only Major League Baseball player ever to die as a direct result of injuries sustained during a game.

I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the world. Charles I , King of England, on the executioner's block, 30 January You must pardon me, gentlemen, for being a most unconscionable time a-dying. Charles II , son of the above, After all, it belongs to him. Comedian Charlie Chaplin , d. Yo no quiero morir, por favor no me dejen morir. I don't want to die.

Please don't let me die. Due to a severe respiratory infection, he was unable to speak for several days before his death. According to Venezuelan general Jose Ornella, he mouthed these words before suffering a massive heart attack and dying. U menya ne bylo shampanskogo v techeniye dolgogo vremeni. I haven't had champagne for a long time. Anton Chekhov , playwright, His doctor had given him champagne after all other attempts to ease the symptoms of death from tuberculosis failed.

Take a step forward lads - it'll be easier that way. As this earth will suffocate me, I implore you to have my body opened so that I will not be buried alive. Play Mozart in memory of me—and I will hear you. Frederic Chopin , Polish composer and pianist. He had a neurotic fear of being buried alive. The first quote was written on a note some hours before his death. The second quote was spoken to his physician when asked if he was suffering greatly; he died about two hours later. The third quote is what Chopin reportedly murmured on his death-bed The opera reader , Biancolli, , p.

In keeping with Channel 40's policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts and in living color, you are going to see another first — attempted suicide. Christine Chubbuck , year-old anchorwoman who, on July 15, , during technical difficulties during a broadcast on WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida , said these words on-air before producing a revolver and shooting herself in the head While she drew the gun on camera, the technicians quickly cut the video feed, but the gunshot could be clearly heard.

She was pronounced dead in hospital fourteen hours later. I'm so bored with it all. This was spoken before slipping into a coma and dying nine days later. Nihil propriis quid facis, latro, autem non tentant recte ut interficias me. There is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try to kill me properly. Cicero , Roman statesman and orator. These words are directed at Herennius, his assassin by order of Marc Antony, triumvir and co-ruler of Rome.

Herennius was a centurion. So remember, just when you think all the sounds of dogs barking, people mowing their lawns and children screaming are driving you mad, they may just be keeping you sane! Dick Clark , American radio and television personality. From a blog post nine days before his death. While not his last spoken words Clark had difficulty speaking due to a stroke he experienced seven years prior , they were the last words he made to the public.

Henry Clay , an American lawyer and planter, politician, and skilled orator. Spoken to his son.

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Harrison appears to be J. So here it is! Historians dispute the cause of her death. Many believe it was not an asp that she used to commit suicide, but rather some makeshift poison. A Life I have tried so hard to do right. Grover Cleveland , 22nd and 24th President of the United States, died Montgomery Clift , actor.

I'm tired of being the funniest person in the room. Del Close , improviser, teacher and comedian, d. Kurt Cobain , an American musician who was best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Nirvana Note: Cobain was quoting Neil Young lyrics when he wrote this line in his suicide note. The full context of the note is available online. Il marche vers moi, sans se presser. Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking towards me, without hurrying. Jean Cocteau , French writer, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker.

I love you all. Natalie Cole , an American singer-songwriter, and actress. Spoken to her younger twin sisters. I love you and my head hurts. Gary Coleman , an American actor, voice artist, and comedian. Can you get a shot of this gun? On 20 June , Collinson was supervising the demolition of a bungalow that had been built by Albert Dryden without planning permission. After a BBC camera crew arrived, Dryden produced an unlicensed pistol, and Collinson invited the crew to focus on it. Dryden was subsequently arrested after a stand-off and was found guilty by a jury of murder and three counts of attempted murder, being sentenced to life imprisonment with a tariff of 13 years.

I curse you Corwin and all of Salem! Giles Corey , while being crushed during the Salem witch trials because he would not answer the court. The first line was said while being crushed during the Salem Witch Trials for refusing to answer the court. After long hours of pain, Corey then uttered the second quote and died. Lady, you shot me! Sam Cooke , after being shot to death at the Hacienda Motel now the Star motel. Calvin Coolidge , 30th President of the United States, to a carpenter working on his home.

Coolidge is also said to have been quoted near his death: My sentence is just: I deserve my fate. And may God have mercy on my soul. Chris Cornell , an American musician and lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave. The first line was the last thing Cornell said to his fans after performing his last song with Soundgarden at a concert.

Within 60 minutes later, he was on the phone with his wife, slurring his words and repeatedly saying the second line before hanging up. Count of Nychlenborch , Frisian freedom fighter. After being stabbed in the chest near the heart-area by unknown assassins, the old count asked who did it; on which the assassin replied: Noel Coward , playwright.

Died of natural causes. We're looking in… we're overlooking the Financial Center. Kevin Cosgrove , a victim of the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was connected to a dispatcher, and he said the above phrase when the South Tower collapsed after it'd been hit by one of the airplanes used in the attacks. No, my pain is too much, Fazila. I can't make it, I'm in too much pain. Either one was spoken to her assistant, Fazila Aswat, after she tried to encourage Cox to stand after an attack. She later died of her injuries. It don't matter; I figure I licked the Rock anyway.

Bernard Coy , convicted criminal, shot while trying to escape Alcatraz prison known as "The Rock" Dammit, don't you dare ask God to help me! This comment was directed towards her housekeeper who began to pray aloud.

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That was a great game of golf, fellers. Bing Crosby , American singer and actor. He was playing the whole 18 holes of golf, even when his doctor said to only do nine. It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. Crowfoot , chief of the Siksika First Nation.

British occultist, mystic, poet, mountain climber. This is open to debate, because some sources report Crowley dying alone, and others claim that he said Sometimes I hate myself. Francis "Two Gun" Crowley , an American murderer and career criminal. That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted. Louis Francis Cristillo , an American actor and comedian.

Published newspapers reporting his death have him asking the nurse to move him onto his side, and report last words as being "I think I'll be more comfortable. Spoken regarding a toy gun he was holding, in the toy section of a Wal-Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio. Je ne le veux pas. I don't want it. Marie Curie , Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist.

She had been offered an injection to ease her pain. Let's get these last few reds then head on back to camp. I killed the President because he was the enemy of the good people, the good working people. I am not sorry for my crime. He said the second line as he was being strapped on the electric chair. D [ edit ] You got me. John Dillinger , infamous American bank robber. This may be an apocryphal quote.

Dillinger died when a bullet passed through his brain, leaving him little opportunity for final speeches. You know, I'm not frightened. It's just that I'll miss you all so much Roald Dahl , Welsh novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot.

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First line said to his family. He then appeared to have lost consciousness, and the nurse decided to inject him with a lethal dose of morphine to ease his passing. After she did, Dahl said the second line right before dying. I don't care if I live or die. Go ahead and kill me. Jeffrey Dahmer , serial killer. According to fellow prisoner Christopher Scarver, who admitted to beating Dahmer to death with a "preacher bar" part of a weight machine , these were his last words.

Where is my clock? Jack Daniel , an American distiller and businessman, the founder of the Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey distillery. Mon seul regret est que je parte devant ce rat, Robespierre! My only regret is that I'm going before that rat, Robespierre! Georges Danton , a leading figure in the early stages of the French Revolution and the first President of the Committee of Public Safety.

The last line is a humorous comment on his famous ugliness. I am not the least afraid to die. Charles Darwin , an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory. But if a man touch them, he should be armed with iron and the staff of a spear; and with fire they shall be utterly burned in their place. I'd like to let you all know, despite the situation -- I know all of you are still convinced that I'm the person that killed your father, your son and your brother, but I am innocent.

The incident that happened that night was not my fault. I did not have a gun that night. I did not shoot your family member. But I am so sorry for your loss. I really am -- sincerely. All I can ask is that each of you look deeper into this case, so that you really will finally see the truth. I ask my family and friends that you all continue to pray, that you all continue to forgive. Continue to fight this fight. For those about to take my life, may God have mercy on all of your souls.

Troy Anthony Davis , high-profile death row inmate. Davis was executed by lethal injection in Georgia on September 21, for the murder of Officer Mark Allen MacPhail, despite serious doubts about his guilt that lingered on prior to his death. First Officer James Dillard Note: During take-off of American Airlines Flight , the Engine separated. Prior to the Black Box failing, Dillard was heard saying these words. Shortly afterward, the Plane crashed into the ground, killing all onboard including Dillard.

That guy's got to stop… He'll see us. James Dean , American actor. Words said before dying in a car accident. Miss, I got what I really went for. Jeremy Wade Delle Note: After this troubled teenager left his Texas classroom under the pretenses of obtaining a late pass, he returned with a gun, uttered these words, and committed suicide in front of his classmates.

The incident was later immortalized in the Pearl Jam song "Jeremy. Spoken via cockpit radio after transmitting a four digit code. He suffered a stroke on a walk near his home, and asked to be laid down on the ground. Mais comment le diable pensez-vous que cela pourrait me faire du mal? But how the devil do you think this could harm me? Denis Diderot , French encyclopedist, upon being warned by his wife not to eat too much. Little Cousins, Called back.

Letter to Louise and Frances Norcross, May Emily Dickinson Selected Letters. I'm going to heaven. Bo Diddley as he lay dying on his deathbed with his family surrounding him. I'll finally get to see Marilyn. Joe DiMaggio , talking about his former wife, Marilyn Monroe. Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom Who: Scrawled on a piece of paper.

To this day, nobody knows what he meant by it, not even Kurt Russell, who was 15 at the time. This is the fish of my dreams. Dodds had caught a lb. He turned to a stranger, said this quote, then fell into the river and died of a heart attack. The salmon was barbecued and eaten at his wake. Ioann zhe uderzhival Yego i govoril: No Iisus skazal yemu v otvet: Uslysh'te eto seychas, pozvol'te! But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me?

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: Do not restrain me! The majority of the quote is the verses Matthew 3: Don't let them put me in one of those bags, I might suffocate. Darragh Doyle spoken before dropping a live grenade at Omaha Beach. Hit the water, hit the water, hit the water! The helicopter stalled and plummeted into the Hudson River while Jane was still on the air, unintentionally broadcasting her final moments all across the metropolitan New York City area. The helicopter's other occupant was seriously injured, but survived.

Remember the death penalty is murder. They are taking the life of an innocent man. My attorney, Ron Kuley, will read my letter at a press conference after this is over. That is all I have to say. Executed by injection, Texas. You are going to hurt me, please don't hurt me, just one more moment, I beg you! Madame du Barry Do you hear the rain? Do you hear the rain? Jessica Dubroff , seven-year-old pilot speaking to her mother by telephone as the engines revved for takeoff, she and her flight instructor crashed minutes later in rough weather, April 11, Farewell my friends, I go to glory!

Said before she got in her car to go home.

Her scarf got caught around the wheel and strangled her instantly as the driver took off. Stopping for a beer, be there when I can. Final text sent to Jackass co-worker Bam Margera, before getting involved in a car crash that would claim his life. This… this will hurt someone! Budd Dwyer , Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, before he placed the barrel of a. The press conference was held on what was to be the day before his sentencing. William Smith the witness whose testimony was critical to Dwyer's conviction said he lied under oath to get a lighter sentence.

E [ edit ] We are running on line north and south. Earhart famously disappeared on a flight over the Pacific. The above is the last confirmed radio transmission to her headquarters before vanishing. Radioed to Andy Pilgrim while driving caution laps with 21 laps to go in the Daytona , waiting for the last start in the race that took his life. The rest of the conversation was as follows: Earnhardt- "So, you got any advice for me here coming up? Corral My work is done. Written in his suicide letter. So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me.

I'll see you at the movies. Final paragraph of his last public blog post, written two days before his passing. It's very beautiful over there. Spoken to his wife as he lapsed in and out of consciousness. There is debate over if he meant the afterlife, or the view from his window. In einem kurzen Weilchen, meine Herren, sehen wir uns ohnehin alle wieder. Das ist das Los aller Menschen.

In a short while, gentlemen, we'll meet each other, anyway. That's every human's fortune. Before his execution on the 1st of June in Jerusalem. When Einstein died on April 18, he left a piece of writing ending in an unfinished sentence. These were his last words: I've always loved my wife, my children, and my grandchildren, and I've always loved my country.

I want to go. Eisenhower , 34th President of the United States. Valerie was the name of his wife at the time of his death. Papa, I hate you. Carmen Ellis, a three-year-old girl, beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend. Was ist mit mir geschehen? What has happened to me? Elisabeth, Empress of Austria , stabbed to death on September 10, All my possessions for a moment of time.

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Elizabeth I, Queen of England , d. Are you all right? Belinda Emmett , Australian actress. Spoken to her sister, Lesley Arthur. This is the happiest moment of my life. George Engel , anarchist, union activist Note: Shouted before his execution at the gallows. Now why did I do that? General William Erskine Note: Said after he jumped from a window in Lisbon, Portugal in Leonhard Euler , Swiss mathematician and physicist.

Tony "Spaghetti" Eustace, Australian mobster. Eustace was found by two schoolchildren who were returning home from sports training on 23 April He had been shot six times in the back outside the Airport Hilton in North Arncliffe and was lying beside his gold Mercedes, bleeding profusely. He was rushed to hospital. Police attempted to speak to him, but Eustace only said those words, and died a short time later.

His sister doesn't really have a story of her own but acts as a catalyst for dialogue. His father has a sad and cute little story of his own thrown in for good measure as well. The movie uses many open shots of lakes, beaches, stars and so on to romanticize everything in the film from something as prominent as the protagonists' relationship to even minor details.

This movie is like an advertisement. You want to have a relationship like this, you want to live in a place like this and you want to be as happy as all of the perfect people in the movie. Anything that does go wrong is soon shown as a good thing because it showed how much characters loved each other or it helped in some way that wasn't obvious at first. The dialogue is cheesy, but the actors are competent enough and do sell the emotion.

Especially on Benjamin Walker's part playing Travis, I admit he turned out to be pretty likable even after being initially unlikable. I even felt a little for him in the final act. Whether they are phoning it in or not, I believe that the actors do a good job here. Nothing ground-breaking in terms of film acting but nothing illusion breaking either. The writing does feel is lazy, as we fall back into elements taken straight out of the ten previous installments of this 'franchise. Being predictable, full of exaggerated emotion and attempting to be as romantic as can possible be, The Choice is a hit or miss.

See it or not. If you don't see it you're certainly not missing out too much, but if you want to see it, then by all means see it and you'll get what you expect. It's better than Safe Haven and not as good as The Notebook. But honestly that's just splitting hairs. You've seen this before, but if it's your type of film, you'll probably enjoy it. Over all, I personally found the story to be somewhat lacking in originality, but the characters to be somewhat likable and the third act to be somewhat emotional despite being predictable and rushed.

This movie's no masterpiece, but it's not offensive either. This one has dogs! On a scale of 1 to 10, "The Choice" PG, 1: Maybe I should clarify. It's a fact this is the 11th Nicholas Sparks book to come to the big screen and that's significant. Although the most popular Sparks adaptation is 's "The Notebook", the author's big-screen streak started at the end of the last century with the Kevin Costner starrer "Message in a Bottle".

The film that rounds out Sparks' first cinematic decathlon is 's "The Longest Ride". But who listens to the critics, right? I like to think you're reading this review because the Movie Fan FB page is run by movie fans and for movie fans. We've enjoyed the Nicholas Sparks movies that we've seen to varying degrees, of course — including "The Longest Ride" his last one before this one but "The Choice"?

He has a boat, he's handy with a hammer and he loves animals so much that he became a veterinarian. Are you swooning yet? He's also handsome and charming — and he knows it. His new neighbor is Gabby Holland Teresa Palmer. Naturally, she lives right next door. All the better for Travis and Gabby to eyeball each other. Gabby is pretty and has a killer bod. She's smart enough to be a medical student, assertive enough to complain when the noise level next door interrupts her studying and she's a fairly deep, spiritual person.

She also loves animals. She and Travis each have big dogs, a female for Gabby and a male for Travis. Other than their pets, they have very little in common and their personalities often clash. Their first encounter includes Gabby yelling at Travis and Travis telling Gabby that she bothers him. In spite of or maybe because of all that, of course, they fall in love.

And if you think that's a spoiler, then you probably don't know who Nicholas Sparks is and probably wouldn't be going to see this movie anyway. It also won't come as a surprise to most Movie Fans that Travis and Gabby's romance quickly becomes more complicated than simply some differences in temperament and the way they see the world. For starters, they're both already in relationships with other people. Gabby is practically engaged to the kind and handsome young Dr.

Shep Tom Wilkinson , who owns the veterinary practice where Travis works. Of course, sooner or later, Monica is going to come around again and Ryan is going to come back home. The movie emphasizes the cute over the cuddly. The problems start with Sparks' over reliance on an increasingly tired formula, Bryan Sipe's unrealistic, immoral with all that cheating and deception and sometimes silly script and Ross Katz' uninspired direction, but the biggest problem is the two romantic leads.

Walker seems to be borrowing too heavily from the Matthew McConaughey Book of Southern Charm, and, especially at certain angles, Walker looks distractingly like a young Liam Neeson a perception just reinforced by seeing his character's sister played by the same young woman who played Neeson's daughter in the "Taken" films.

For her part, Palmer doesn't do anything to make herself more alluring when her character starts to show interest in Walker's character — or even make any effort to seem likable. Their acting is barely passable and, even worse, they have about as much on-screen chemistry as a couple of empty test tubes. As bad as all that is, the portion of the movie after the film's titular dilemma is revealed, but before THE choice is actually made is interminable.

I was looking for a good movie on Amazon Prime, this one had 5 stars so thought it would be pretty good. The first 15 minutes are completely predictable - like they used a romance movie template. The girl's dog, which appears to be a golden retriever and looks much too old to have puppies, is pregnant and she blames his dog. Supposedly she's only lived next door a few days. Miraculously her dog has puppies within a week or so should have been 2 months. He comes over to help with the birth - she disappears, then they cut back to the dog.

And, imagine that - the dog had chihuahuas - yep, not even newborn ones, but ones with wide open eyes, tails wagging, and ears in the air. I'd suspect they were at least 6 months old. Had to quit watching, I'm embarrassed for the production company and director.

They marry, have kids and there is an accident and one of them has to make a life and death Choice. Hey, you did see the title of this, right? Just like you need - from time to time - a really good, tasty cheeseburger you also need — from time to time- to watch a really good love story to let you know there is more to life than that really good, tasty cheeseburger. This goes along at a good pace as the relationship builds with good flirty dialogues and really good serious dialogues later on.

If truth be told we see that the serious dialogues prove to be the real winners in here. Also, the intensity in Travis' eyes from time to time when he looks at Gabby reminded me of the intensity of Bubba Watson's pro golfer eyes as he contemplates his next shot. And it is here we see something more real than was anticipated. And, of course, because Gabby is very pretty, the chemistry between them is spot on.

It was nice to see Tom Welling as Ryan, the boyfriend before Travis. I hardly recognized him as he had bulked up to such a degree he could now play Superman he played a young Clark Kent in the TV Smallville series. And Tom Wilkinson as Shep, Travis' doctor father. This is very enjoyable and yet, we know an accident will happen later on and someone has to make a choice and everything is intensified.

Keep a box of Kleenex handy as you are going to need it. And Ryan does punch Travis. Yes, but nothing graphic. Watching paint dry, by-the-numbers sesht 5 February Well, welcome to the assembly line. I did ask for it, heading to this one on the big screen in this season, but then, perhaps not, since Sparks has had decent flicks to his credit, not the least being 'Message in a bottle', or 'The notebook' even 'A walk to remember' had its moments, to be fair. First, the good parts, which barely pass muster: Vampire hunter'n and Kristen Stewart stand-in Teresa Palmer , lush visuals and locations, across the Carolinas or what stands in for those albeit low-rent to a T, supporting actors slumming for their paychecks Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Grace And I confess, Palmer and Daddario are easy on the eyes, while there's something about Grace From the predictability of the plot, to the very badly written lines how did the actors keep a straight face for most of it Won't deny she's got talent, or a frigging good agent.

There's something about the time she spends on the screen that just This outing of her's is no different. In spite of the decent parts described above, this one's predominantly a complete waste of time, effort and money This movie is beautifully filmed, powerfully themed and is a fun movie for us "great unwashed" who like a feel-good movie. It is not about people in hopeless poverty, or kafkaesque losers who try to beat the mafia.

Set in stunningly beautiful North Carolina, it is the story of a lonely, ladies man who meets "the one". She is his neighbor who is a type AA and obviously, they clash. Over the course of time a complex, beautiful relationship develops. I know that's box office poison, anymore, because people try to think they're more intellectual if they like subtle, nuanced depressing movies. Travis and Gabby get through courting's vicissitudes and make a beautiful life together. Travis learns to be monogamous and Gabby learns to enjoy life. They get married, have children and then the sky falls in.

Travis is crushed, because he has been running from God. He has to solidify shaky relations with his believing Father and make The Choice. Yes it has a happy ending. Yes it makes you laugh and cry. Is that really so bad, or so plebeian? My husband and I had the opportunity to win screening tickets to "The Choice". Having seen several Nicholas Sparks book-to-movies before I knew what I was signing up for.

The first half of the movie was slow and rather bland, with stilted dialogue, characters who remained devoid of any development, and wooden acting on the part of Teresa Palmer. She grated on my nerves for most of the film until I realized her speaking style was the same as many young women throughout the USA. The real star of the film, however, was Benjamin Walker. His authenticity and easygoing attitude shone through every scene he had. The second half of the movie picked up the pace, the tugging at the heartstrings, the laughs, and was thoroughly more enjoyable; At that point, it seemed as though the movie wasn't trying so hard to impress the audience.

Like I said, once you've seen a Nicholas Sparks movie, you sorta know what to expect. There were a few highly memorable scenes where the dialogue and acting surpassed the tropes and formulas- namely the kitchen scene, and the confrontation at the dockside restaurant. Overall, it was an enjoyable movie if you want a love-story that you know will do its best to make you tear up. Keep an eye out for Benjamin Walker; I hope to see him in more projects. Oh, one more thing: Chihuahuas are not at all similar to Golden Retrievers. As someone who worked in the animal field, I don't understand how the director and crew didn't make more of an effort when the dogs and veterinarians figured so prominently in the plot.

Honestly I had high hopes for this since I enjoyed the book but I hated this movie. I feel like the main characters had no chemistry whatsoever and it felt like they had known each other for a nanosecond before Travis was adamant that he loved Gabby. At least in the book their relationship was developed more so you actually could believe they were in love. I found it hard to get past Travis' ridiculously overdone southern accent, everyone else in the movie has a relatively normal sounding accent that is believable.

It sounds like a stereotypical hillbilly accent and was just so off putting. Also, when Gabby's dog has puppies, the newborn 'puppies' were clearly at least a few weeks old. Anyone who has actually seen newborn puppies know that those dogs looked nothing like they should have. With a budget of millions it's ridiculous that they couldn't find some actual newborn puppies to put in the movie.

Ridiculous error aside, I thought this movie was boring and completely unbelievable. They could have spent more time on actually developing the characters and made the movie a little longer. Even my Mom who is a sucker for sappy romances and all things Nicholas Sparks thought this movie was awful.

This is definiteley one of the worst renditions of a Nicholas Sparks book I've ever seen. I watch chick flicks very often and I almost never care about how mealy and predictable they are. It's easy to watch and dream away with these kind of movies.