Movie #123........................."The Libeled Lady"

Movie #123 "The Libeled Lady" is a classic I hadn't seen before. I sought it out because I'm such a fan of "The Thin Man" series and I had read that Myrna Loy and William Powell had been in other films, and this is one of them. And then one of my very favorite ( and I think the best male actor in the 40's) Spencer Tracy and you have a great, great film. At first, however, I was put off by a scene between Spence and Jean Harlow (I've never been a fan of hers). She was wooden and said all her lines the same (she's the reason the move just got 4 stars from me). She gets a bit better, but it's kind of funny how they work around her limitations ---- In fact, at the very end Myrna Loy explains that she felt neglected by Tracy, etc. stuff that the actress should have gotten across with her acting, I think. Oh,one last thing --- besides the triad of great acting, the film had one of the best screwball comedy scripts I've come across in a long time ---- one that maybe should be remade....one that romantic comedies and t.v. shows should take a second look at and model. The reason why is that the characters and the plot aren't stretched so much for humor so that we don't believe they are real people any more............they don't have to be, and you can see that in this film. Also, if you are tired of romantic comedies where relationships are built on pure lies, and then in the last couple of minutes everything is straightened out and the two are now in love (?), well, forget that. This film teaches you that you have to come clean and be truthful and it'll be the best thing you can do for any relationship. So put all this together,and you have a film that was a delight to see on the long plane ride from Chicago to Florida. And I highly recommend it.



Average rating: 3.837
I gave it 5 stars
Libeled Lady
(1936) NR
This Oscar-nominated classic film directed by Jack Conway stars Spencer Tracy as Warren Haggerty, a newspaper editor who's prone to postponing his nuptials to Gladys Benton (Jean Harlow) and who faces an even greater problem when he's sued by a woman (Myrna Loy) who claims she's been libeled by his publication. Haggerty hatches an intricate plot to put the woman in her place before she can bilk the paper for all it's worth.

Movie #122........................."11:14"

Movie #122 "11:14" was an interesting exercise in filmmaking. It's short, concise, shocking in parts, fast paced, lots of young, very capable actors, quirky thriller. And I didn't guess the ending and how they all tied together. It's some strange town depicted here, hard to believe, but that wasn't what it was supposed to be about. It's a tad gross in parts, a bit violent, but if you enjoy independent, rather different films, this one is for you. I've been thinking about it ever since I saw it --- this one lingers a bit. It's kind of like "Crash" in its editing, but less poignant.




Average rating: 3.307
I gave it 3 stars
11:14
(2005) R
Five seemingly random story lines intersect at precisely 11:14 p.m. in this innovative drama-thriller written and directed by newbie filmmaker Greg Marcks. Even though they're strangers, Buzzy (Academy Award winner Hilary Swank), Mark (Colin Hanks), Cheri (Rachel Leigh Cook), Jack (Henry Thomas) and Eddie (Ben Foster) will become a part of one another's lives -- even if it kills them. Patrick Swayze and Barbara Hershey co-star.

Movie #121........................."Public Enemies"

Movie #121 "Public Enemies" ---- beautifully photographed, but lacks heart. I know, it's a gangster film, what do you want? Well, I have seen most of the Cagney/Bogart/George Raft/ etc. films of the 40's and 50's and I expected more than color here. I guess I expected another "Bonnie and Clyde" and this is so far from it! Although there's a death scene that could maybe come close to rivaling it ------yep, we are able to make the violence that much more, but what about the story? Okay, I did like being at the Paramount in one scene --- that was cool. I did like (again) Cotillard (in fact, now I've liked her in everything but her first film "La Vie en Rose" (or whatever), Depp was okay --- although I wanted more to his character (maybe there wasn't anything, but I always expect more from Depp because he's one of the best that's around, in my opinion. There is ONE scene I liked ------- the guy is so cocky and so much underestimates the police that he walks right into a police station and looks at his picture on the wall and asks what the baseball score is ---- baiting them to catch him? It was a great moment --- and I wanted to see more, but then this wasn't a Scorsese film. So it was okay. It should be nominated for some tech awards, but won't win because it's Avatar's year. Oh, one last thing I liked: that he became a dinosaur when robbing banks --- that the crime world got that much more sophisticated and he was a liability to know him toward the end of his time --- and I thought that was a twist that I didn't know about! Thanks, Michael Mann, for that and the straightening out of that legend of the woman in red!




Average rating: 3.461
I gave it 3 stars
Public Enemies
(2009) R
In the shadow of the Great Depression, criminal minds are thriving -- notorious men like John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), "Baby Face" Nelson (Stephen Graham) and "Pretty Boy" Floyd (Channing Tatum) -- and it's up to J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and the FBI to bring them down. Michael Mann directs this gritty crime drama based on the book by Bryan Burrough. Christian Bale, Giovanni Ribisi and Leelee Sobieski co-star.

Movie #120........................."When Did You Last See Your Father?"

Movie #120 "When Did You Last See Your Father?" was a very emotional film for me; it struck a cord --something in this father-son and mother-son relationship that I could identify with. The dying of cancer is a common theme in films nowadays, but the way this film was photographed/edited, It kept me intrigued until the last moments (it moved me to tears, and I'm thinking this is the first one of the 120 that has --- not that I try to dodge that or look for it, just an observation --- I'm thinking independent films might consider it a "lame" thing, perhaps manipulative or contrived if a film goes there --but I don't agree.....it's icing on the cake to me at times, depending on how it is handled --- and this was quite good) It's the editing and acting that shine here ---- I just saw Colin Firth in "A Single Man" and he's so good, esp. in the quiet moments (many in that film) , but better here because there's more to do and he works off of beloved Jim Broadbent so well --- the dad reminded me of my dad, the duplicitous nature of the man ----- charming everyone but his own kids, and I guess that was the familiar cord struck here for me --- how to love a person who is seemingly loved by everyone else and whom you know loves you, but the feeling is just not there for you. The last editing move, where the 19 year old son (who has almost as much screen time as Firth, who plays him older) goes off to college and is hugged by a tearful dad whom he resents -------- and then as the camera turns around them hugging, it changes to Firth saying his final goodbye to his dad...............it was quite good and quite emotional and cinched the movie for me. When I went to rottentomatoes to see what they said, it got a 73%, which is good, but someone said the pacing was slow. Hah! That person should see "No Country for old Men" --- now that's meaninglessly slow, in my opinion. On the contrary, I appreciated the constant movement from young to old to young to old constantly in the film. In fact, sometimes the attitude was "hang on --- see if you can follow it here!" and I embraced the style!





Average rating: 3.143
I gave it 4 stars
When Did You Last See Your Father?
And When Did You Last See Your Father?
(2007) PG-13
When his father (Jim Broadbent) becomes terminally ill, Blake Morrison (Colin Firth) struggles to come to terms with the charming but duplicitous man he really was, reliving the memories that shaped their relationship through a series of flashbacks. As Blake travels between his wife and two children in London and his childhood home, his emotional difficulty is mirrored in the agony his father confronts as he succumbs to the cancer.

Movie #119........................."Incendiary"

Movie #119 "Incendiary" was all on the shoulders of Michelle Williams who never fails to amaze me. This is definitely a movie about the close bond between son and "mum" and she and the film get that across so well. It also is about how your life can change in one moment (the explosion at the soccer stadium, in this film) --- I was impressed with how layered the characters are in the film, but the pace would start and stop and not enough info was given to the audience along the way to make me give it the 4 stars. I DID like it and appreciate the conflict, just could give more info and be less manipulative (some of the happenstances were unbelievable to me) . At rottentomatoes the big complaint is that there was nothing new here, but I thought the personalized story dealing with terrorist attacks and fear was a new AND important subject matter for today's films and I welcomed that here.






Average rating: 2.993
I gave it 3 stars
Incendiary
(2008) R
Director Sharon Maguire's powerful drama stars Michelle Williams as an adulterous young housewife struggling to come to terms with the deaths of her husband and infant son after they're killed in a terrorist bombing at a London soccer game. Crippled by grief, the widow seeks comfort through affairs with two men (Ewan McGregor and Matthew Macfadyen), inadvertently putting herself in the midst of a dangerous love triangle.

Movie #118........................."Lovely Bones"

Movie #118 "Lovely Bones" is not good, and with Peter Jackson at the helm, it should be. I liked the book, but I didn'r love it because it wasn't what I thought it would be ---- it was less Susie and more fixed on how the mom and dad could never be the same, and the story followed Susie's brother, sister, & grandma, & how everyone was touched by her death. The book interspersed that with a very taut murder mystery, following how the police and Susie's dad finally find Susie's murderer. So that's quite a bit to get accomplished in one movie, and what Jackson chooses to spend a lot of time on is what he thinks is the hereafter (actually a way station before the hereafter) , and it's one icky place. It's pretty in parts, but in other parts, it's full of scenes where Susie (who already has had a horrendous death (thanks to Peter Jackson NOT showing that as detailed as the book) ) is forced to run, scream (sometimes wordlessly), see her murderer's bathroom and all her blood, walk through water and almost drown, she's crying.........and it goes on..........I thought, if this is what happens when someone goes through an awful death, what's in store for those of us that don't? It was really creepy, and I don't think Jackson wanted to get that across, but that's what this viewer got from it --- very disturbing. Which leaves the murder mystery, right? wrong! That part doesn't make sense --- how do they know it's Mr. Harvey? There were clues that led them to the unveiling of this monster in the book, but the clues don't exist here. Put all of the above with a choice of slowly pacing most of the scenes, and you have one long, convoluted film. So my suggestion is to read the book --- I know, not original. Maybe some people might like this --- I know Peter Jackson fans of the "Lord of the Rings" films probably will like some of the imagery as dark or ephemeral as they are, but i think this will be the last Peter Jackson movie I see. I just don't get him. But a shout out to S. Tucci, who plays a very creepy guy here, and now I can see why he was up for a Golden Globe. I don't think I'll ever forget Mr. Harvey. Really creepy!





You rated this movie: 2.0
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The Lovely Bones
(2009) PG-13
When 14-year-old Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) is murdered, she watches from above as her family deals with her tragic death -- and as her killer prepares to strike again. Torn between vengeance and healing, Susie's loved ones are forever changed. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz star in Peter Jackson's adaptation of Alice Sebold's riveting best-selling novel; Susan Sarandon and Golden Globe nominee Stanley Tucci co-star.

Movie #117........................."A Single Man"

Movie# 118........................."A Single Man"

Movie #118 "A Single Man" is all Colin Firth, a man suffering from grief, for a lost love who happens to be a male lover of 16 years. Very slow, very sad, because it ticks off the minutes as he readies himself to end his life at the end of the day, and you meet all the people he sees in that day. I wanted to like the film much more because I felt for this guy so much, but it just was so slowly paced that it was hard to sustain interest in his life. Just a real downer --- Dave said we should have watched it on New Year's Eve!




Average rating: 3.855
I gave it 3 stars
A Single Man
(2009) R
This stream-of-consciousness, 1960s-era drama centers on a day in the life of George Falconer (Golden Globe nominee Colin Firth), an English-born, Los Angeles college professor reeling from the recent death of his lover of 16 years. Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directoral debut with this luminous film, which is based on Christopher Isherwood's novel. Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lee Pace and Nicholas Hoult co-star

Movie #116........................."The Wackness"

Movie #116 "The Wackness" saunters about with this "I don't care" attitude that it becomes quite disarming ---- it's a coming of age picture like no other --- how many of them deal with the main character who is a drug dealer? A psychiatrist who is less mature than one of his patients and takes drugs in lieu of his psychiatric advice? They become best of friends and actually help each other mature throughout the film. The movie is really wacked out, but if the subject matter and A LOT of pot smoking and drug taking and nudity don't offend, you might find it quite quirky and entertaining to watch. The film is definitely of a time period--- newly elected Mayor G's attempt to clean up the NYC streets, and the look and music of the film give it a style that helps you understand the characters and where "they are at" --- I think I shall always remember Sir Ben's Squires character and his advice, "Baby Steps, Luke!"

Average rating: 3.409
I gave it 4 stars
The Wackness
(2008) R
In the midst of a midlife crisis, psychiatrist Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley) forms a relationship with teenage drug dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck), who trades his product for therapy sessions. Luke falls for the doctor's daughter, and the doctor falls for Luke's teen friend (Mary-Kate Olsen). Drugs, depression and relationships drive the action of this comedic sophomore effort from director Jonathan Levine, which won an audience award at Sundance.

Movie #115 ........................."Numb"

Movie #115 "Numb" is a very different love story, and I kind of liked it. Now, I must say it is very low key and a bit of a downer, because of the story line --- it's about someone suffering from depersonalization who tries to find a cure ---- with various doctors, various pills, various exercises --- he tries everything, and he still comes out the same ---- depressed and detached from life. The humor is low key and quirky, too, esp. the section with Mary Steenburgen (the psychiatrist crazier than her patient) , but I learned quite a lot about the syndrome, and it made me more empathetic to people who have conditions that they suffer through the cures for. Not for everyone, but it's likeable, like Matthew Perry.





Average rating: 2.902
I gave it 4 stars
Numb
(2007) R
Film and TV star Matthew Perry brings his trademark satirical gifts to this romantic comedy, also starring Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen and comedian Kevin Pollak. Obsessive loner Hudson Milbank (Perry) is an emotionally deadened screenwriter who seeks salvation from his libidinous psychiatrist (Steenburgen) -- until he meets Sara (Lynn Collins), who just might be the only one who can save him from himself.

Movie #114........................."Now Voyager"

Movie #114 "Now Voyager" has always been one of my very favorite romantic movies. For me, it cemented a love I've had for Bette Davis ever since. We often think of her as playing hard, mean, and domineering characers, but you see none of that in this film. She's gentle, shy, fragile, struggling to do right, and so much in love. This is about becoming stronger due to love --- about sacrifice and true love -- about truly sharing your life with someone and through that becoming two better people (symbolized by the shared cigarette bit that this film is known for) -- it covers it all, and its message still stands strong after all these years.





Average rating: 4.005
I gave it 4 stars
Now, Voyager
(1942) NR
Bridled by an autocratic mother, Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis) borders on a nervous breakdown. But when a psychiatrist (Claude Rains) persuades her to drastically change her life, she blossoms into a self-possessed woman. The newly confident Charlotte takes a voyage, where she falls in love with the unhappily married Jerry (Paul Henreid). Though their romance is doomed, Charlotte finds solace in helping Jerry's emotionally unhinged daughter.

Movie #113........................"Cheers for Miss Bishop"

Movie #113 "Cheers for Miss Bishop" is a female "Mr. Holland's Opus" but not near as exciting. It's a long movie steadily building from her first professorial job at the college to her retirement gathering, but I wanted to see more of what she did IN the classroom throughout the years. It referred to the changes she found she had to make as the years went by, but didn't really SHOW them, which I wanted to see more. The poor woman evidently was too busy and involved with her students (although you didn't see that, either) that she lived alone (as an unmarried woman) most of her life -----i.e. until her cousin died having a baby and she was left to raise that little girl, and that little girl's little girl, as well. But once again, it didn't deal with the problems of juggling job and family during that time period. Just not enough here to make interesting --- but the retirement party was a nice tribute to the profession of teaching, and I respected that.

Average rating: 3.045
I gave it 3 stars
Cheers for Miss Bishop
(1941) NR
This nostalgic drama follows the life and career of Miss Ella Bishop (Martha Scott), a beloved Midwestern University teacher whose former students gather to pay tribute to her at a retirement ceremony honoring her 50 years of dedicated service. Based on a novel by Bess Streeter Aldrich and told via flashback, the film also stars Sterling Holloway, Rosemary DeCamp (in her big-screen bow) and Edmund Gwenn as the college president.

Movie #112 ........................."My Life As A Dog"

Movie #112 "My Life as a Dog" is a quirky, rite of passage film. This is the movie that brought Lasse Halstrom, swedish director, to the attention of moviegoers, and a rewatching of it reminded me of how much fun it was to watch the first time. It's very episodic but honest in its storytelling, and I so enjoyed it and the little boy, who will always be memorable to you after watching this film.

Average rating: 3.86
I gave it 4 stars
My Life as a Dog
Mitt Liv Som Hund
(1985) NR
This Oscar-nominated gem offers an honest depiction of the often-confusing nature of childhood. Shipped off to live with his uncle for the summer, 12-year-old Ingmar finds unexpected adventures with the help of the town's warmhearted eccentrics. These experiences give him the strength to accept his life and eventually enjoy childhood.

Movie #111..................................."Nine"

Movie #111 "Nine" the musical directed by "Chicago's" Rob Marshall was marvelous! I don't know what the critics are saying, but I responded to this on every level. First, technically, it is amazing! AMAZING! Marshall takes what would be boring people or songs in Guido's life and springs them into action by the editing, the staging, the lighting, the choreography, the casting, everything worked for me! I esp. liked his wife Maria Cotillard, who up until now, I thought was way over-rated as an actress, but boy is she good here! And Judi Dench, what a pleasure to watch her in a musical number (her roots). I was most amazed with Daniel Day-Lewis, but I'm not sure why I'd be surprised -----he seems to embody every character he plays from Christy Brown to Gangs of New York to There Will Be Blood --- he is probably the best actor we have now and it's so much fun to watch him play Guido, a part that at one time solely belonged to Raul Julia. When I heard that Guido was being played by Lewis, I was surprised --- glad that it wasn't someone untalented like Antonio Banderas (who last played it on broadway) but worried that Lewis couldn't sing ---- but it was fine. Rob Marshall proved what we've known about casting musicals for a long time --- choose the people who can best "act" their way through the songs, and pepper the cast with better voices on the songs that need only voice (like the Fergie one). And that's what he did here. I also reacted emotionally to the movie when I never did to the show itself ----- maybe I was too young when I became acquainted with the show, and Guido is closer to my age now, but because of this movie , I understood his plight (maybe it was the way the story was told) ---- I could feel for the guy who is always expected to do the next show better than the one he just finished.....to be involved in a project that zaps everything out of you and the people who love you that are around you. If any of this sounds interesting to you, then I think you'll respond to it as well as I did. And who cares what the critics say about this one and make sure you see it!

Average rating: 3.253
I gave it 5 stars and proud of it!
Nine
(2009) PG-13
Movie director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) is in the throes of a midlife crisis, struggling to write his film while juggling relationships with wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), mistress Carla (Penélope Cruz), muse Claudia (Nicole Kidman), producer Lilli (Judi Dench) and his mother (Sophia Loren). Rob Marshall (Chicago) helms this musical based on the Broadway smash; Stacy Ferguson and Kate Hudson co-star.

Movie #110 ........................."Mambo Italiano"

Movie #110 "Mambo Italian" tackles all kinds of important issues, but in a goofy, humorous way. Issues like: how do you tell your family that you are gay? can you live your life in a closet if your partner is a cop and doesn't want everyone to know he's gay? what do you have to do if your dream to be a writer doesn't seem to be going anywhere? how do you live with two overbearing parents? how do you meet prospective gay partners if you don't want to hang out in gay neighborhoods or meet at gay bars? I thought all these issues were well chosen and I really enjoyed watching them play out in this movie, with a lot of winning characters. I recommend it, but be aware that it gets "goofy" sometimes. Oh, and no subtitles. It takes place in Canada, of all places! Just part of its goofiness. Oh, and wait until you see one of its highpoints that takes place in the church confessional! enough said.

Average rating: 3.423
I gave it 4 stars
Mambo Italiano
(2003) R
When Angelo (Luke Kirby) announces he's moving out, his old-fashioned, Italian-immigrant parents, Maria and Gino (Ginette Reno and Paul Sorvino), nearly have a fit. After all, dutiful sons are supposed to stay home until they're married. But when they discover he's rooming with his buddy Nino (Peter Miller), they settle down. That is, until they discover the two are actually a couple, a scandal that brings "agita" to everyone in the family.

Movie #109 ........................."Diminished Capacity"

Movie # 109 "Diminished Capacity" - well, I certainly have seen worse, but not with as many people that I like and respect in the cast. It's slow (it's about an uncle who has Alzheimer's and his nephew who is suffering from a concussion who are trying to sell a baseball card at a card sale, so what would you expect?), and there are way too many wacked out characters to try to interject humor and energy who just make those parts pass the stupid line, but there's some charm and sweetness that you can't deny this film. And it's written with a super love for the cubs and Chicago (that's why I watched it --- today in the Trib I had read that the Steppenwolf Theatre had its own film company now and this was the first movie it made) which I found most enjoyable; in fact, there's a scene in here where the Cubs get beaten by the Cardinals (again) in one of those grand slam endings (when the Cubs were winning by two runs) and it's great fun to see the Cub fan take his radio, swear at the Cubs ("why do you do this to me year after year after year, the names change, but it's always the same") and slam the radio to the ground and stomp all over it --- it's in there for Cub fans all over the world. if that sounds endearing to you (or funny), you gotta see this, because I think you'd be the audience who 'gets" this film. But it is uneven and downright ridiculous in some scenes. But Cub fans know what that means. They' d "get it".





Average rating: 2.931
I gave it 3 stars
Diminished Capacity
(2008) NR
Afflicted with memory loss himself after a head injury, Cooper Zerbs (Matthew Broderick) still has plenty of brain function left to worry about his beloved Uncle Rollie (Alan Alda), a baseball memorabilia collector suffering from Alzheimer's disease. When he discovers a priceless card in Rollie's possession, Cooper takes his uncle on a road trip to Chicago to sell it. The proceeds, he hopes, will secure Rollie's future. Virginia Madsen co-stars.

Movie #108........................."The Heartbreak Kid" (2007)

Movie #108 "The Heartbreak Kid" (2007) is not near as good as the first one. But not a surprise - caught this on t.v. yesterday when I was on the mend from the food poisoning and didn't recognize it when I went by it and decided to finish watching it. Wasn't in my queue because I had no interest in seeing a remake of a film that I thought worked the first time --- and I was right. It takes an exaggerated situation and blows it out of proportion even more. So crosses the stupid line? oh yeah. But I AM glad in a way I saw it because just yesterday I was watching "At the Movies' Worst Movies " show and they mentioned Malin Akerman being in two of the films -- and I had never heard of her. So now I know who she is. She seems talented enough,but if she continues in the bombs she's been choosing to act in, she might be a sign of an automatic two-star movie from now on!




Average rating: 3.212
I gave it two stars
The Heartbreak Kid
(2007) R
The Farrelly brothers loosely adapt the 1972 hit of the same name into this romantic comedy starring Ben Stiller as Eddie Cantrow, a newlywed who marries a dreamy woman (Malin Akerman) only to learn on his honeymoon that she's a total nightmare. As the discovery sets in, Eddie meets the real girl of his dreams (Michelle Monaghan) … but what to do now that he's already married? Jerry Stiller, Carlos Mencia and Rob Corddry co-star.

Movie #107........................."Talk of the Town"

Movie #107 "Talk of the Town" - let's see, Jean Arthur as a teacher choosing between Ronald Coleman (judge) and Cary Grant (a charming young guy on the run wrongly accused of a crime) trying to find the right criminal before the town hangs Grant --- what's there not to like? And the romantic comedy part works extra well because you really can't tell whom she will end up with until the very, very, very end --- which makes sense since Director Stevens filmed it with both endings and this is the one that the test audience chose. Cool story, cool ending, cool movie. A classic I had bought because of the three actors, esp. the golden-throated Ronald Coleman, and now I'm glad I have it in my library.




Average rating: 3.756
I ranked it 4 stars
The Talk of the Town
(1942) NR
The dashing Cary Grant stars in The Talk of the Town -- his last collaboration with director-producer George Stevens -- as Leopold, an activist wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. To avoid execution, Leopold breaks out of jail, hoping for the chance to prove his innocence. He meets a legal scholar and his girl, who end up helping him find justice … and perhaps even love.

Movie #106........................."Answer Man"

Movie #106 "Answer Man" doesn't have all the answers. It's an indie romantic comedy so how creative can it be? You know where it's going as soon as you meet all the people, but the very capable and charming cast makes it seem new to us. I tried to find out the history on this one because it went from being nominated at Sundance to going right to T.V. and then to France this past year and most recently to play on demand at netflix....so what's the story? I couldn't find that answer either, but I think it might be the subject of religion that it tries to tackle. Maybe a little too controversial? So if poking fun at the questions of God, Heaven and Hell would insult you, this movie is NOT for you. I found it easy to watch and care about the charismatic characters that we follow in the film so I found it very enjoyable.




Average rating: 3.332
I gave it 4 stars
The Answer Man
Arlen Faber
(2009) R
Reclusive author Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) -- who's intentionally been out of the spotlight since he penned an inspirational self-help book two decades ago -- finds himself in need of spiritual healing in this quirky indie romance. Though everyone still looks to Arlen for answers, he's an emotional cipher without a clue … until he meets an angst-ridden, overprotective single mom (Lauren Graham) and a recovering alcoholic (Lou Taylor Pucci).

Movie #105........................."Tell No One"

Movie #105 "Tell No One" is a very, very good French mystery film. The story is taut and leads from one surprise to the next. There's a little bit of nudity in the opening (well, hey, it's French) so I was worried it would be a stereotype love romp or a violent sex murder thing, but was completely surprised when it unravelled its somewhat intelligent mystery. It was nice to see Kristin Scott Thomas again in an all French film, and I liked it so much that I intend to look up the director and see if I can find more of his/her work to add to my queue (uh oh, and me at 500 again!)






Average rating: 3.669
I gave it 4 stars
Tell No One
Ne le dis à personne
(2006) NR
Eight years ago, pediatrician Alexandre Beck (François Cluzet) was the prime suspect in his wife's murder. He's put all that behind him, but now that two dead bodies have been found near his home, he's suspected of wrongdoing once again. The case takes an unexpected turn when he receives an anonymous e-mail showing his wife alive -- and eight years older -- instructing him to "tell no one." Kristin Scott Thomas co-stars.

Movie #104........................."It's Complicated"

Movie #104 "It's Complicated" was a lot of fun, esp. if you like/respect the 3 main leads --- Meryl Streep and Steve Martin are asked to go out of their comfort zone, esp. Streep, but she's fun to watch when she does that ----- she's just that good and she is always able to bring people and scripts up to her level. Even Alex Baldwin, who is playing the guy from 30Rock which is okay because this film underlines what he is good at ----- being a big blowheart, so he's the one crawling through the bushes, etc. And the film works well because of that. I thought the movie would be a bit funnier from what I had heard from others but it had charm --- that's the word I would use, "charm". Not surprising since director Nancy Meyers scripted "Private Benjamin" and "Baby Boom". (both I loved) I'm not sure it's for everyone, but it's hard to please everyone in one , anyway, but I was part of the target audience and I'm here to say I enjoyed it. It also was more poignant than I thought it would be and I welcomed that, as well. It got across that the journey to love is complicated--- ain't that the truth?






Average rating: 3.844
I gave it 4 stars
It's Complicated
(2009) R
Ten years after their divorce, Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) enjoy an amicable friendship. When the two unite for their son's college graduation, their romance is rekindled. But Jake is married, and Jane's architect, Adam (Steve Martin), has a thing for her. Now cheating on the younger woman for whom he left Jane, Jake wants his ex-wife back. But Jane's busy getting to know Adam. This love story is complicated indeed -- and fun.

Movie #103........................."Witch Hunt"

Movie #103 "Witch Hunt" was






Average rating: 3.756
I rated it 2 stars
Witch Hunt
(2008) NR
Sean Penn narrates this documentary that chronicles the story of John Stoll and other residents of Bakersfield, Calif., who were wrongly convicted in the 1980s of child molestation and other crimes. Recounting how an overzealous district attorney coerced children into testifying against their parents -- including accusations of devil worship -- the film examines how these families have struggled to cope with the emotional fallout.

Movie #102........................."Paris, Je T'aime"

Movie #102 "Paris Je T'aime" is very creative --- in only about 110 minutes it strings together 18 short films (about 5 minutes each) representing some of the best actors and directors in the business of making films. Of course, with that many, a viewer would like some over others, but on the whole I liked most of them ------ The Alexander Payne one was my favorite because it felt most real to me (it was a photojournal of a woman about my age visiting Paris alone and discovering a lot about herself); I found Juliet Binoche's heartbreaking, Natalie Portman's surprising, Ben Gazzara and Gena Rowlands with Depardieu as the waiter very poignant, others sad, others scary, others just odd (like the two mimes with the odd kid), but most of them very endearing and worth watching. I recommend this, esp. to see the sights of Paris. I so much want to go see this city some day!





Average rating: 3.72
I give it 4 stars
Paris, Je T'aime
Paris Je T'aime
(2006) R
Paris comes to life in this whimsical patchwork of 18 five-minute shorts united by a common theme -- love in the City of Lights -- and helmed by an international cast of filmmakers, including Gus Van Sant, Olivier Assayas and Alexander Payne. Natalie Portman plays an American actress who captures the heart of a blind student; Juliette Binoche is visited by a ghostly Willem Dafoe; Bob Hoskins solicits a prostitute's advice on pleasing his wife.

Movie #101.........................."Extract"

Movie #101 "Extract" has Jason Bateman in the starring role, and Kristin Wiig (SNL) as his wife, and Ben Affleck as his bf, so that's enough for me to give it 3 stars. It was close to 4 stars, being very funny, but 1/2 way through it started to go flat until it got focus back again to finish well. The flatness included a scenes with a cameo of Kiss' Gene Simmons which must have been funny to somebody, but not me --- in fact, the scenes might have been funnier with the weight loss guy Gene Simmons instead. This movie is by the Beavis/Butthead/Family Guy/Office Space guy, and another Office Space it is not, but it IS funny in parts --- a bit slow paced, but quirkiness and good actors who get across dumb, goofy working- class characters make it a movie that was, for the most part, fun to watch.





Average rating: 3.104
I give it 3 stars
Extract
(2009) R
Encouraged by his friend, Dean (Ben Affleck), factory owner Joel (Jason Bateman) considers escaping his problems -- an assembly-line accident, a potential lawsuit and a sexless marriage, for starters -- by taking up with the gorgeous new temp, Cindy (Mila Kunis). But does Cindy have something nefarious up her sleeve? Kristen Wiig and J.K. Simmons co-star in writer-director Mike Judge's (Office Space) latest work-set, comedic social commentary.

Movie #100........................."Trust"

Movie #100 "Trust" is not funny at all, and yet it's billed a comedy, and that's partly why I chose to watch it tonight for my 100th film. I gave it 30 minutes, and all I saw was a bunch of negative people slapping each other, and verbally abusing each other. I don't need to watch that on the screen. Not my cup of tea. Don't bother. The big reason I was watching it was that Adrienne Shelley was in it. I became a fan of hers when I watched "waitress" (she was the sidekick and had written the film). At the time "Waitress" came out, I was also saddened in reading about her early death. I am sorry such a young talent is gone now, but this can't be one of her finer efforts. I think I saw that already in "Waitress."

Average rating: 3.62
I gave it one star
Trust
(1990) R
Maria (Adrienne Shelly), a Long Island high schooler, is having a thoroughly bad time. Her father's dead from a heart attack, partly caused by a slap Maria delivers after he goes ballistic when she admits she's pregnant. Plus, her boyfriend is MIA. Enter grenade-toting electronics whiz Matthew (Martin Donovan), who may be her meant-to-be. Hal Hartley's achingly honest film pairs two misfits in a strange tale of love, hope and redemption.

Movie #99........................."The Page Turner"

Movie #99 "The Page Turner" is a very different film. It's quiet, it's steely, it's gutsy. It all revolves around one very tiny moment in a little girl's life that changes the course of her life; then, years later she sees she can get revenge, and goes for it --- and she proves that all good things come if you wait. And she waits, and waits, and waits, so it's a quiet, psychological thriller, but without the blood and guts that usually accompany that genre. Critics have compared it to a Hitchcock film --- it isn't that good, but it's still very stylish, and I can honestly say I've never seen a movie quite like it. But not everyone will like its slow pace. One thing that keeps it going, though, is the piano music that propels one scene into the next. That was a nice touch, esp. on this particular subject matter.



Average rating: 3.373
I rated it 4 stars
The Page Turner
La Tourneuse de Pages
(2007) NR
As a child, pianist Melanie's (Déborah François) dream of studying at a prestigious musical conservatory is shattered when the chairwoman of the jury (Catherine Frot) distracts her during an audition. Years later, a coincidence leads to Melanie's employment in the woman's household, and she finds herself in the perfect position for revenge. Directed by Denis Dercourt, this stylish psychological drama co-stars Pascal Greggory.

Movie #98........................."Footsteps in the Dark"

Movie #98 "Footsteps in the Dark" is an oldie but a goodie, with Errol Flynn as an upper class husband who happens to be a mystery writer on the side, and not even his wife Brenda Marshall (my mother's look alike) knows. All of a sudden, after years of falling cops on their cases, he is thrown into one and accused of murder. Now, his skills come to the test and he needs to not only prove his innocense but keep up his integrity as the good writer he is. It was a rapid-fire mystery comedy, and I forgot how much I love those. So if you ever get a chance to see this on TCM (which I did this a.m.), take it because its so much fun to see Errol Flynn in a suit rather than the Robin Hood costume he's so much known for!

Movie #97........................."Taking Woodstock"

Movie #97 "Taking Woodstock" is not really an attempt of esteemed director Ang Lee to historically stage the events that occurred at Woodstock, but rather it is a coming of age film (and I'm a sucker for those) that happens to come about due to the young guy helping to set up this historical event in his backyard. I give it 4 stars because I thought it was very funny, but it is very slow-paced and the viewer has to wait for the jokes, which are often character generated. It also has a lot of nudity, bad language, and the after effects of drugs. A quirky thing about this film is that there are a lot of small parts played by bigger actors; for example, look for Liev Schreiber as a transvestite security agent. Nice legs!





Average rating: 3.195
I gave it 4 stars
Taking Woodstock
(2009) R
A twentysomething man (Demetri Martin) finds his life forever changed in the summer of 1969 when he offers up his parents' motel in the Catskills as a home base for Woodstock organizers and helps the show go on by donating an all-important music festival permit. Ang Lee directs this fresh take on 1960s counterculture based on Elliot Tiber's memoir by the same name. Eugene Levy, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirsch and Jeffrey Dean Morgan co-star.

Movie #96........................."Sherlock Holmes"

Movie #96 "Sherlock Holmes" I saw early evening and my head is still reeling, an amazing rendition, good special effects/cg, entertainment in every way, and most people would find it a wonderful escape film, as did I. My only complaint with the film is the overuse of fight scenes. Now, in an action flick, that's more than expected, but I didn't expect as much in a Sherlock Holmes film, where attention is to detail, using the brain and not the fists, well, at least not as much. In the books, isn't he a fighter of the mind? an astute observer, so far off the charts in intelligence that we needed Holmes just to follow the story? Not so much here. He's more the mentalist/ psych (per t.v. shows) , an observer, but he does some not- so -smart things at times, and this viewer was surprised, and a little disappointed with that. But that only made it a 4 in my eyes --- it's still great fun!




Average rating: 3.868
I gave it 4 stars
Sherlock Holmes
(2009) PG-13
Robert Downey Jr. stars as the legendary London sleuth Sherlock Holmes, joined by Jude Law as dear Dr. Watson, in this Guy Ritchie reinvention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's oft-adapted detective series. Based on a comic book by producer Lionel Wigram, the story follows Holmes and Watson as they face off against the villainous Blackwood (Mark Strong). Rachel McAdams co-stars as quick-witted beauty Irene Adler.

Movie#95........................."Taking Chance"

Movie"95 "Taking Chance" is an important film to view; originating on HBO and Golden Globe nominated, it's based on a true story concerning one soldier's journey back to his home town while escorting a 19 year old fallen soldier from the Iraqi war. It goes through all that goes into escorting a dead soldier, from preparation of the body, to retrieving his effects, to boarding the various planes, to making sure his casket is draped with the exact flag, etc. At one point, the lt. col. sleeps next to the casket because it is forced to stay there until the next morning when it will catch a connecting flight. Just as the presence of the fallen soldier's casket gives pause to passengers on the plane, to workers in the airport, etc., the film gives pause to us, the viewer, and it should. This is a film we should all see, and give pause and thank god for everything these soldiers have done for us, and continue to do for the love of their country.




Average rating: 4.171
I gave it 4 stars
Taking Chance
(2008) NR
Based on an article by Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, this HBO original film tells the story of Strobl's emotional experience traveling across America as a volunteer escort officer for the body of fallen 19-year-old marine Chance Phelps. Along the 2004 journey to Phelps' hometown in Wyoming, Strobl (portrayed by Emmy nominee Kevin Bacon) witnesses -- and is moved by -- acts of respect by everyday Americans.

Movie #94........................."Up in the Air"

Movie #94........................."Up in the Air" is a smart romantic comedy (one of my favorite genres) so I found it thoroughly enjoyable. The only reason for the 4 stars is the one or two questionable things that happen to propel the story to the end that are tough to believe. Otherwise, I found the "His Girl Friday" witty banter a welcome in comparison to the silly dialogue still ringing in my ears from "Hangover" the night before. It's the dialogue, editing, and charismatic acting by the three leads (and throw in Jason Bateman, as well) that put this film well ahead of the rest for this genre.






Average rating: 3.966
I gave it 4 stars
Up in the Air
(2009) R
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up major miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) -- and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Jason Reitman's smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman as Bingham's boss, Craig.