Movie #70........................."Crazy Love"

Movie #76"Crazy Love" is a documentary that tells the complete story of a truly crazy love-hate relationship between two "crazy" people. I sat in awe as this story unfolded............the basics are that this girl meets this guy, he stalks her, she starts to date him, sees that he is abusive, and then meets someone else, he's jealous, and then hurts her, is put into jail for it, and then boy gets girl at the end (?) yep, true. The story is so twisted it's comical, sad , shocking, emotional, all in one. And the story is told using the badkcrop of the 50's and 60's, so you get a lot of the history of times, as well. Good documentary, odd story.

Average rating: 3.405
I gave it 3 stars
Crazy Love
(2007) PG-13
This documentary from director Dan Klores chronicles the disturbing true story of an obsessive relationship gone awry in 1950s New York between Burt Pugach, a married lawyer, and his twentysomething mistress, Linda Riss. In a shocking reversal of the traditional "woman scorned" formula, it was Pugach who came unglued when Riss broke up with him -- and the subsequent fallout made headlines across the country.

#69........................."Barbershop 2"

Movie #69 "Barbershop 2' is a sequel to the wonderful original "Barbershop" film --- and to me it looked it. It seemed they took the parts they didn't get into the first film and put them in here and made up a new conflict. I was working on my computer through it, and I never spent more than a couple of minutes following it. The characters are wonderful, but there was nothing new here, so I'd say, stick with the first one for the best hair styling. Oh, and maybe check out the female version. I expected to see Queen Latifah and crew in here much more than one scene, but the one scene made me interested to add Beautyshop to my netflix queue (oh no, I'm supposed to be cutting down the queue not adding to it).



Average rating: 3.234
I gave it a 2.
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
(2004) PG-13
Calvin's barbershop is open for business -- again -- in this sequel to the hit film Barbershop. Stylist Gina (Queen Latifah) serves up the sass at the beauty shop next door, while Calvin (Ice Cube) once again struggles hard to keep his father's shop and traditions alive. This time, he's fighting against urban dEvelopers looking to replace "mom & pop" establishments with soulless and bland name-brand chains.

#68........................."In the Time of Butterflies"

Movie #68 "In the Time of Butterflies" is an example of hollywood taking a wonderful book and not doing it justice in film. I just finished read this gem, and the decisions that were made on how to get it across on film were not well thought out. We needed to be introduced to each of the girls (like in the book) and get a little background on each, instead of just focusing on Selma Hayek and being thrown into the action from the beginning. I found it confusing, disjointed, without a clear narrative line -----I have to admit I was tired when I was watching it, but if it was a good movie, it would draw me in anyway. It was a "pretty" film, but I found it very inadequate in showing you the story of Trujillo and the murdering of the "butterflies" (Mirabel sisters). Read the book for the complete story. I highly recommend that.


At Home
You rated this movie: 2.0

In the Time of the Butterflies
(2001) PG-13
Salma Hayek steps out in a weighty, serious role as Minerva Mirabel, a resistance fighter against the popular dictatorship of Leonidas Trujillo (Edward James Olmos) in the Dominican Republic. The tempestuous Minerva leads her sisters Mate (Mia Maestro) and Patria (Lumi Cavazos) into the burgeoning resistance movement after the dictator murders their father. Hunky Marc Anthony plays Hayek's radical boyfriend.

Movie #67........................."Cant Buy Me Love"

Movie #67 "Can't Buy Me Love" has an interesting premise but blows the characters way out of proportion so you don't like either one very much and don't care about their relationship which is supposed to be growing. But that's a problem with romantic comedies. Dempsey is not a bad actor, and of course, his genuiness is what got this part, but even he can't get you to believe. Oh, I wish there was a high school setting where the one geek kid tells off the football player in front of everyone in the cafeteria and tells him if they could just be themselves things would be better. I WANT so badly to believe it, and for a few minutes I do, but they the characters do something sooooooooooooo unbelieveably stupid and mean and then the movie's theme comes crashing down again. So I can't recommend it.


Add
Average rating: 3.769
I gave it 2 stars.
Can't Buy Me Love
(1987) PG-13
Tired of being an outcast, nerdy high school senior Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey) offers his life savings of $1,000 to the most popular girl in school, cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson), in exchange for dating him for a month. Mancini reluctantly accepts Miller's proposal, but as the weeks progress, she gradually grows to like him. The charade, however, thrusts Ronald into the "cool" crowd, compromising his values and relationships.

Movie #66........................."Roberta"

Movie #66 "Roberta" has Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers as secondary people? Who cares about the love affair between the leads Irene Dunne and the guy? I had never seen this before, just numbers, and boy did I miss some good tapping. This movie has probably the best expressive tap dance on film...........they actually talk to each other using tap steps and it was hysterical to watch. So I guess what I'm saying is do yourself a service and rent this sometime (or catch it on TCM, like I did) and fast forward through the main story and see the Astaire/Rogers bits and you'll get your money/time's worth.



Average rating: 3.678
I rated it 4 stars
Roberta
(1935) NR
Parisian couturier and deposed Russian princess Stephanie (Irene Dunne) has her hands full when her partner dies, leaving half of their business to American football player John Kent (Randolph Scott). Kent knows nothing about fashion, but sparks fly as the two try to learn to run a company together. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers supply some fantastic dance numbers to standards including "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "I'll Be Hard to Handle."

Movie #65........................".Wendy & Lucy"

Movie #65 "Wendy & Lucy" is a typical indie film, quiet, slow, nice character development, a bit short on plot. Tough to sustain interest here, woman gets caught stealing in a supermarket (for dark food, no less) and loses her dog out of the deal --- since she's homeless (on her way to Alaska for job) it's that much harder to find that dog, but she spend the movie trying. The ending isn't much of a surprise, but a bit hearbreaking. I can see why it was lauded for being "nuanced" but it's just too slow to recommend. I actually put it on my list when I heard it referred to by a movie critic --- we'll see more of these films as a reflection of our economic woes.

Average rating: 2.928
I give it 2 stars
Wendy and Lucy
Train Choir
(2008) R
With earnest hopes for a fresh start, Wendy Carroll (Michelle Williams) sets her sights on a high-paying job at an Alaska cannery. But her journey takes a heartbreaking detour when her beloved dog, Lucy, goes missing and her car decides to conk out in Oregon. There was a time when Wendy had nothing to lose, but now she could lose everything. Kelly Reichardt directs this nuanced drama that was nominated for a Best Feature Independent Spirit Award.

Movie #64........................."Precious"

Movie #64 "Precious" is a gem of a filn, but very intense. You are on the edge of your seat, and uncomfrotable, from the get go. Mom is so abusive, there was shouting in the theatre I attended today. I liken it to "Billy Jack' in audience response, and that adds to the uncomfortability factor. Both women (Precious and her mom) should be nominated for their acting --- made it very believable, and so incredibly sad about the cycle of abuse. I can't remember emotionally responding so much to a film in a long time. See this one, but have a strong stomach!


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Average rating: 4.086
I gave it 4 stars
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Push
(2008) R
Viciously abused by her mother (a riveting Mo'Nique) and pregnant by her father, Harlem high schooler Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) has an unexpected chance at a different life when she enrolls in an alternative school. Teacher Blu Rain (Paula Patton) encourages her, but Precious must battle unimaginable barriers everywhere in her life. Lee Daniels directs his drama that features appearances by Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.

Movie #63........................."He Was Her Man"

Movie #63 "He Was Her Man" is a James Cagney/Joan Blondell romance and with these two, it would have to be tough love.........and it is. Saw this on TCM the other morning and it caught my eye, because supporting actor Victor Jory was playing an Italian named Nick and his accent was so bad, it caught my eye (and ears). Anyway, it was a poor man's "Casablanca' where the guy loves the girl so he gives her up for her happiness. This time, Cagney goes to a sure death because he doesn't want her to be in harm's way..............which is a far cry for him, who started out as a very selfish manipulator at the beginning of the film, who thought he would never fall in love. So, in that way, it was a nice love story with very little demonstrative love. They never even say the words, but the viewer knows it. and it works, for a 1934 film. But oy vey, the accents!!!!!



plot summary:
I give it 3 stars

Flicker Hayes informs the police after he sets up two men to be caught in a phony robbery attempt, because they were responsible for his going to prison. Dan Curly escapes, but the other kills a policeman and goes to the chair, so Dan wants two hitmen to get Flicker, who plans to leave the country. But he meets down-and-out Rose Lawrence, an ex-prostitute looking to hitch a ride to a small fishing village in the south to marry a Portuguese fisherman, and Flicker decides it would be a nice place to hide. After he seduces Rose, Flicker stakes her to a bus ticket and goes with her. But he's been spotted by Pop Sims, who follows them and reports Flicker's whereabouts to Dan. Meanwhile, Rose falls in love with Flicker, who is unaware that the hitmen are coming to kill him.

Movie #62........................."Agony and the Ecstasy"

Movie #62 "Agony and the Ecstasy" was just the agony to watch. Where was the story? I thought it would be great to hear the story behind the painting of the sistine chapel ceiling (since I was just there, standing in amazement looking at it a few weeks ago), but there was no story...............boring! didn't see the conflict. Perhaps I fell asleep (because I am still suffering from jetlag) but the only thing I noticed was 1) the very loud religious music in the background and 2) the pictures of the sistine chapel that they wouldn't let us take when we were there. So I recommend the movie to anyone who wants to see the pictures. Actually, I bought some postcard ones, so just let me know and I can lend them to you and you won't have to waste your time on this Charlton Heston film. There's really only one Heston film I've ever liked: "The Greatest Show on Earth" about circus people, and in that one, I just put up with him, but adore Jimmy Stewaart as the clown. Check that one out instead of this drivel.


At Home
Average rating: 3.688
I rate it one star
The Agony and the Ecstasy
(1965) NR
Renaissance artist Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) begrudgingly paints the Sistine Chapel for imperious Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) in this adaptation of Irvine Stone's novel. While the novel covers Michelangelo's life from birth to death, the film focuses on the battle of wills between the perfectionist artist and the impatient Pope who commissions (and eventually commands) Michelangelo to paint the famed chapel. Diane Cilento also stars.

Movie #61........................."Adam"

Movie #61 "Adam" is a quiet gem that I recommend. It concerns an Asperger Syndrome guy who wants desperately to fit in ---- to find love ------ to be accepted. As the movie points out, those with this syndrome CAN and sometimes DO find these things and he's smart enough to know that and to try to achieve his goals. He meets up with Beth who lives in the same apartment complex , and her journey through this film is an interesting one, too. She's attracted to Adam's uniqueness, genuineness and naivete, but is troubled that the school counselor says he's not datable material with social problems. She likes him so much she can almost live with that ----- and together they share many great things; that is, until the rest of the world comes crashing in. There's a subtlety in this film that I welcomed. More movies like this should be made and seen by those who would appreciate its honesty, quirkiness and genuineness.

Average rating: 3.838
I give it 4 stars.
Adam
(2009) PG-13
When beautiful teacher Beth (Rose Byrne) moves into a nearby apartment, strangely awkward Adam (Hugh Dancy), who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, breaks through his limited social abilities and flirts with the young woman in this moving romance. Beth responds to Adam's unusual courtship, and as they overcome the obstacles to intimacy, they learn how to face life's other challenges. Max Mayer directs, while Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving co-star.

Movie # 60........................."The Proposal"

Movie #60 "The Proposal" was a pleasant surprise. Aside from them glaringly filming this movie on the east coast and then painting the mountains in the background and passing it off as Alaska, I found the couple here (Bullock and Ryan Reynolds) to have lots of chemistry (heard from an interview that they've been good friends for years and you can tell they like and respect each other) and to be equally strong and most importantly to me to be believable ---- the hardest obstacle to get over in a romantic comedy is the gradual falling in love part and I was happy to see that there's a lot of film time spent on that here and the actors are good enough and likable enough that we believe they are moving from respect to care to finally love. Yeah, we are supposed to believe it all happens in a weekend, but that's the problem with the time element and once again, they are just that believable so the audience doesn't bother with the problem. Then, the director made sure to have a whole cast of people that were really good at what they had to do (Mary Steenburgen (mom), Craig T. Nelson (Dad) and the ubiquitous Betty White (Grammie) who incidentally does this character so well, that if they ever gave AA's to comedies, she just might get a nod at a nomination (but they don't). And the bad guy is a stitch too (he's a tony winner from broadway, the very competent Dennis O'Hare), playing the immigrations service guy. There's usually only one or two romantic comedies that work per year "Dan in Real Life", "Lars and the REal Girl" are two that come to mind in the past couple of years,and you can add this to the short list. It works, and it works because it's a good script , believable characters, chemistry between the two leads, and good, good comic timing from the actors. It's not easy, yet they make it look that way. Good for Reynolds and Bullock! and the female director Anne Fletcher. (I liked her other one, too, "27 Dresses" but not near as much, but then that was Heigel's fault in that one)






Average rating: 3.991
I gave it 4 stars
The Proposal
(2009) PG-13
When she learns that she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported back to her native Canada, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her. Directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses), this romantic comedy also stars Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen as Andrew's parents, Joe and Grace, and Betty White as the outspoken Grandma Annie.

Movie #59........................."My Life in Ruins"

Movie # 59 "My Life in Ruins" not good. It's a good idea (though not original) to show beautiful scenery and have a female guide who is trying to impart some learning into the lives of her clients, but.............and that's a big but.........you have to have a strong female, and this one isn't. It's not that the actress Nia Vardalos isn't competent, because I think she is very natural, but she comes across as a bubblehead in this, and the clients............ohmygod. If they were at all likable or universal, this film might have taken off a bit when they finally arrived in the picture, but they aren't. They are goofy, oddball, stretched way beyond believability to ever be liked. I turned it off after the first 20 minutes, went to "Proposal" to re-watch that one, and then came back and hadn't missed a thing. She gets the busdriver. You could have guessed that in the first set of lines between the two. Good, now you don't have to watch this mess, or should I say "ruins"?







Average rating: 3.344
My rating is 1.
My Life in Ruins
(2009) PG-13
Love takes root amid the ruins of ancient Greece in this rom-com starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Richard Dreyfuss and Rachel Dratch. Greek-American travel guide Georgia (Vardalos) is so distracted by what's going wrong as she leads a motley crew of tourists through some of Greece's most historic sites that she almost misses out on a chance for romance with her hunky bus driver (Alexis Georgoulis).

Movie #58........................."The Ugly Truth"

Movie #58 "The Ugly Truth" is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. And did I say bad? I Love romantic comedies --- one of my favorite genres --- and I have to admit I've sat through many groaners ---- this genre I find has a hard time showing anything "new" -- it doesn't use computer gimmicks and let's face it, we all have had our own experiences ------so I don't usually expect newness --- there's a formula for romantic comedies and critics have to acknowledge that. Knowing this,from the very opening where the director and actress are trying to show rapid-fire (a la "his girl Friday") dialogue, they fail miserably. never got to the end of this --- oh wait, I did have the balloon scene on (I think it must be at the end) where the "lovers" who have NO chemistry are locked in a balloon and on t.v. --- what WILL they say and do? hated it.
The Ugly Truth
Average rating: 3.75
I gave it a one star

The Ugly Truth(2009) R

Chauvinistic morning show commentator Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler) makes his perpetually single producer (Katherine Heigl) the subject of a series of romantic tests in order to prove the theories on relationships he espouses on his segment called "The Ugly Truth." But will his experiments help her find love, or is she just a hopeless case? Cheryl Hines co-stars as an unflappable anchor in this rom-com from the team behind Legally Blonde.

Movie #57......................."Cheri"

Movie#57 "cheri" was a nice romantic film. How could it miss with costume clothes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend (from Miss Palfrey at the Claremont) Good looking people, good looking scenery (the French countryside) , good looking clothes.... What I was surprised about is that it really delved into some serious subjects about aging and how your body changes, and that conflict of an age difference between two people who are in love but there are so many years that separate them. A good story but it's not for everybody. It's definitely a romance.






Average rating: 2.805
I gave it 3 stars.
Chéri
(2009) R
When French courtesan Madame Peloux (Kathy Bates) sets her pampered son, Cheri (Rupert Friend), up with middle-aged fellow courtesan Lea de Lonval (Michelle Pfeiffer), she wants to ensure he learns all about lovemaking from the best. But the affair lasts for years, creating problems when it's time for Cheri to marry a wealthy woman. Stephen Frears directed this romantic drama, which is based on a novel by Colette.

Movie #56........................."Moon"

Movie #56 "Moon" I saw on the plane coming to Italy. Had a slow start, but once another Sam Rockwell appears, the film takes off. I thought it was a bit long for the story, but after the halfway mark, I was sucked in and watched it intently to the end. Well acted for Sam Rockwell (not my favorite actor, at all) and Kevin Spacey is always fun to experience (he's a hal-like robot in this one). I gave it 4 stars.




Moon(2009) R

As he nears the end of a lonely three-year stint on the moon base Sarang, astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) begins to hear and see strange things. It's not long before Sam suspects that his employer -- the conglomerate LUNAR -- has other plans for him. Featuring Kevin Spacey as the voice of a robot, this sci-fi thriller also stars Matt Berry and Kaya Scodelario. The film was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival.

Movie#55........................."Whatever Works"

Movie #55 “Whatever Works” is the latest Woody Allen flick , and even though it again touches on the same theme about how you should get love whenever and wherever you can (and justifies his relationship with his young stepdaughter), it finally finds a good mouthpiece for all the Woody Allen lines (well, other than Woody Allen) in Larry David. He’s a walking germaphobe who sings Happy Birthday 2 times every time he washes his hands to make sure he has done it thoroughly enough. He limps due to a failed attempt to jump out a window (he landed ona canopy), and he’s really down on life ---- in walks Rachel Evan Wood who plays Pollyanna Melodie, a 19 year old who needs housing ----- and she gets it and more from Boris (Larry David). Humor is found everywhere in the film --- discussions between Boris and Melodie (because he is so smart and she’s NOT; Boris and his friends, Patricia Clarkson and Ed Begley, Jr, Melodie’s parents who find him a thoroughly bad choice for their daughter, etc. If you like Woody Allen, it’s one of his better ones. If you aren’t a fan, I don’t think you’ll like it as much as I did




I gave it 4 stars.
Whatever Works
(2009) PG-13
While falling for a young Southern belle (Evan Rachel Wood), an aging New York City eccentric (Larry David) finds himself caught in a series of bizarre situations involving the girl's parents and his own Greenwich Village group of pals. Written and directed by legendary filmmaker Woody Allen, this romantic comedy also stars Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Kristen Johnston, Michael McKean and Henry Cavill.

Movie #54........................."Flawless" (2007)

Movie #54 "Flawless" (2007) is inferior to the 1999 one with Robert DeNiro, as a homophobic cop recuperating from a stroke with the help of his flamboyantly gay neighbor. This one is a heist film and boy is it slow and tedious and 'terribly British" in its mannerisms and tone. Demi Moore and Michael Caine play it in one note until the last 20 minutes when it comes alive, when you find out just what they did with the diamonds they had taken from a stuff bank. I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone -------there are so many better heist films. This just has a good last 20 minutes. So I recommend the other "Flawless" ---- the better one with Robert DeNiro.

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Average rating: 3.391

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Flawless(2007) PG-13

On the eve of his retirement, a disgruntled British janitor (Michael Caine), angry over his company's refusal to pay an insurance claim for his ailing wife, persuades an unhappy American executive (Demi Moore) to join him in a jewel heist. The two subsequently hatch a daring plan to steal the gems from their employer, the London Diamond Corp. Michael Radford directs this crime drama set in 1960s London and loosely based on actual events.

Movie #53........................."21"

Movie #53 "21" a smart script and a well- acted film with the two leads being Kevin Spacey and James Breugess (from "Across the Universe"). And it even taught you how to count cards --- well, at least the basic idea. It had me interested the whole way ---- a little violence, but if you don't get bored at all watching the whole "show" in the casinos at Vegas, this film is for you. I recommend it.

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21(2008) PG-13

Struggling to come up with medical school tuition, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) turns to one of his professors (Kevin Spacey), who trains Ben and five other students to become card-counting experts with the intent of swindling millions out of Las Vegas casinos. Kate Bosworth also stars in this cautionary tale based on the nonfiction best-seller Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions.

I gave it 4 stars.

Movie #52........................."Duck Season"

Movie #52 "Duck Season"----Barton Fink as a comedy? dumb, dumb, dumb. Long passages of two kids playing with their hair, looking up at the ceiling, playing video games, showing the footage of the video games, the electricity goes out and more sitting around. I sat through 30 minutes --- 30 minutes of my life that I have now lost watching this movie ---- and it's in black and white, no less. Why? I missed the point here, but then I don't get why there's a duck season either................and this film got 90% on rottentomatoes.com (It's a wonderful life got 93% so something is wrong!) so I guess that website CAN be wrong. I fast forwarded it to the end and you'll never guess what the last shot is? the one boy leaves to go home, and the other sits and looks at the ceiling (tick, tick, tick) and then just leaves the room and the camera stays shooting the couch (tick, tick, tick) Give me a break!

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Average rating: 2.999

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Duck SeasonTemporada de patos(2006) R

What begins as another ordinary, quiet Sunday spirals into a chaotic adventure for two teens left home alone. Equipped with their usual video games, best friends Flama (Daniel Miranda) and Moko (Diego Catano) settle in for a pleasant, if predictable, afternoon. But an unexpected encounter with an alluring adolescent neighbor and the intrusion of an idiosyncratic pizza deliveryman conspire to make the day a memorable occasion.

I gave it one star.

Movie #51........................".A Guide to Recognizing Your Saint"s

Movie #51 --- let's first start out by pointing out that this movie is NOT for everybody: every other word is the "f" word; it's very violent; it uses hand held camera technique (like Raging Bull); people interrupt, don't finish their thoughts, abusive to each other, etc. But there's so much TO value, as far as film. The acting is superb: Shia Labeouf and Robert Downey, Jr play the same part (Dito, young/old), Dianne Wiest and Chaz Palminteri are the parents, and an amazing young actor who plays the dog walker, are the ones who shine ----- the message is so strong, yet multi-layered because the film is bathed in realism. And effective? the high point is done with quick edits, like pictures being taken, a very powerful technique that just draws the audience in. It's certainly about how violence breeds violence and how it's tough to separate yourself from your roots. It was a sundance movie that I had heard a lot about and I'm certainly glad I got a chance to finally see it. And Labeouf and Downey have really never disappointed me, yet (but then, I haven't seen Labeouf in those transformer movies, yet).

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Average rating: 3.166

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A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints(2006) R

Robert Downey Jr. stars in director Dito Montiel's autobiographical coming-of-age drama set in blue-collar Queens, N.Y. While his young friends all seem to end up as junkies, inmates or corpses, Dito (Downey) miraculously escapes the same fate. He attributes that to divine intervention from a group of "saints," who are the same friends whose path he tries so hard to avoid. Dianne Wiest, Chazz Palminteri, Shia LaBeoufand Rosario Dawson co-star.

I gave it 4 stars.

Movie #50........................."Gracie"

This movie is predictable, about soccer, the lead seems a bit too mean-spirited, unbelievable at times, and overall not too inspiring. The back story to this movie seems more interesting --- I guess it was a labor of love, written, produced and acted by the Shue family ----taking place in their home town at their high school (Columbia H.S. in NJ) , the film is dedicated to the brother in the family, William Shue, who died accidentally by falling out of a tree at age 26. Evidently, Elizabeth always wanted to play soccer with the boys, and this shows just how difficult that dream can be for a female. I just wish I cared more about the people IN the film, instead of behind the scenes. If I had a daughter, I'd have her see it, but I just think it scratches the surface, and I wanted it to go deeper ------in fact, I almost turned it off after 10 minutes, but then I rethought and kept ploughing through. It never moved me, nor pulled me in, and it wanted to. I really didn't care for any of the people enough, I guess. But I would think some people would like this for the journey it takes a young girl through to reach her dream of playing soccer on the boys' team ------- or, better yet, having a female team some day, like we have now! And for that, it should be applauded.

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Gracie(2007) PG-13

After a tragedy, 15-year-old Gracie (Carly Schroeder) channels her grief by fighting to get girls into varsity soccer in this inspiring drama. Despite her passion and resolve, she's blocked on all sides as she argues for the right of women to play competitive soccer. The film -- set in 1978 -- is based on the real-life story of actress Elisabeth Shue (playing Gracie's mom), who championed the cause of women's sports as a teen.

I gave it 3 stars.