Movie #149 ........................."The Red Danube"

Movie #149 "The Red Danube" (1949)

Shortly after the end of World War II, British Colonel Michael 'Hooky' Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) is assigned to a unit in the British Zone of Vienna. His duty is to aid the Soviet authorities to repatriate citizens of the Soviet Union, many of whom prefer not to return to their home country. Billeted in the convent run by Mother Auxilia (Ethel Barrymore) , Nicobar, and his military aides Major John 'Twingo' McPhimister (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail, (Angela Lansbury) become involved in the plight of a young ballerina (Janet Leigh) who is trying to avoid being returned to Moscow. Nicobar's sense of duty is tested as he sees first hand the plight of the people he is helping return to the Soviet Union; his lack of religious faith is also shaken by his contact with the Mother Superior.

The story of a Russian ballerina in Vienna in 1945 who is befriended by, and falls in love with, a British Major when they meet in the convent in which she is hiding from the Russian authorities. The British Colonel turns her over to the Russians when they present a trumped-up story but discovers the lie when he sees her on a DP (Displaced Persons) train later. The Mother Superior of the convent and the Colonel set about trying to get her freed.

I give it 3 stars. It was really intriguing the first hour, her hiding in the convent, falling in love with Peter Lawford, the back and forther quibbling between the nun and the Colonel; however, after that, the film got preachy and it was about 20 minutes or so too long. I DO like all the actors (they are very capable), and the look at what was happening to British soldiers during this time period (I had never read a book on the subject nor seen a movie on it). The religious discussion, not so much, but the military mind trying to wrap itself around what was really happening to these people was heartening to see.

Movie #148........................."The Last Station"

Movie #148 "The Last Station" --- I really really liked this movie. It has so many layers, thanks to the intriguing story of this most captivating man at a turning point in his life and marriage, and thanks to the actors ---they are all terrific in getting across the many layers of their characters. What it comes down to, however, is the very personal story of a very famous and beloved writer who has been growing away from his beloved wife of 48 years, and she's doing everything to try to hold on. This very personal love story going awry is being told in the POV of the new young, very passionate (about Tolstory and his views, esp. on celibacy) Valentin, played by the very capable James McAvoy (whom I have become quite a fan of) --- he takes you on this journey through these people's lives --- how they deal with fame, how they deal with each other, how the wife HATES her husband's best friend, how she hates to see him change, how he hates to see her so dramatic, how he hates private property and being so rich, and how the daughter worships her father and hates her mother. Another layer that is also examined is the demise of the Tolstoy relationship juxtaposed to Valentin's falling in love with Masha, a Tolstoy follower. Like I said, multi-layered story that I really enjoyed. Makes me want to read more of his books (than just Anna Karenina)

Average rating: 3.436
I gave it 5 stars
The Last Station
(2009) R
Set during the last year of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy's life, this biopic explores the fractious relationship between Tolstoy (Oscar nominee Christopher Plummer) and his wife (Oscar nominee Helen Mirren), as he embraces a life of asceticism. Paul Giamatti co-stars as impassioned Tolstoy devotee Vladimir Chertkov, with James McAvoy playing the aging writer's assistant, Valentin, who is caught in the middle of various struggles.

Movie #147 ........................."How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

Movie #147 "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" had some good irreverent moments --- Simon Pegg is very funny, and I've enjoyed him and all the ladies in here in a number of movies. However, this got a bit crude and way too outlandish for me.. I felt the movie could have spent less time showing his boorish, crude, disrespectful side because it was hard to like him throughout the film --- there were just a couple of moments where he showed his humanity, not enough for me to care what happened to him and to see him as better than the people he stalks for a story. And then if the viewer doesn't really care for Sidney, then that greatly affects the love story here, as it did for me. By the end, I really didn't care. But there were some good moments, esp. with Cuba, the dog --- where have I seen that dog jumping out the window for a chew toy before? And there's a variation on that here that's very funny!





Average rating: 3.207
I gave it 3 stars
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
(2008) R
After his bent for muckraking nets him a job at a glossy Big Apple magazine, boorish British tabloid writer Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) tries to curry favor with his imperious boss (Jeff Bridges) and the synthetic glitterati Sidney covers -- with disastrous results. A co-worker (Kirsten Dunst), a ditsy starlet (Megan Fox) and a dragon-lady publicist (Gillian Anderson) are among those he alienates in this caustic comedy based on Toby Young's memoir.

Movie #146........................."The Vicar of Dibley"

Movie #146 "The Vicar of Dibley" actually could count for 5 here, because during our trip to Florida with the Bigs, we watched an episode a night, so in the course of the 4 weeks, we saw all 5 of the discs, a Valentine's gift to them. And what a hoot they are. Previously, I had watched the show hit and miss --- every time I would find it on t.v., I enjoyed watching it, but I wasn't what you would call a regular fan, but I can say now, I am a true blue Dibley fan. Love the show. Love the ensemble of crazies in the town, including the first female vicar, Geraldine (Dawn French), the female version of Jackie Gleason and as talented, if not more; Owen, the farmer who spends way too much time with his animals; Jim, who starts everything with "No, No, No, No' and then gives his answer; David, who is the conservative rich person and head of the church council; Letiticia, who mixes chocolate food with avocado dip as frosting; Mr. Pickle, whom everyone thinks is the dullest man in the community; Hugo, David's son, who is passionate about everything, including Alice and then there's lovable, naive, silly, randy Alice, who is indescribable, and who never gets any of Geraldine's jokes (which she ends every episode with). If you haven't seen this BBC show, you need to give it a chance because it is very, very funny. And it's written by Richard Curtis of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Love, Actually" fame. When we leave Florida, it's one of the things we'll miss --- well, that and the ocean and the shrimp, but Dibley sure ranks as one of the true pleasures of the trip.



Average rating: 3.836
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The Vicar of Dibley: Series 1
(1994) NR
When the villagers of Dibley heard they were getting a new vicar, they expected the prototypical calm, sedate and male head of church to which they'd grown accustomed. What they got instead was the spirited (in more ways than one) Reverend Geraldine Boadicea Granger (Dawn French), who teaches them about religion, expectations and life. Episodes include "Songs of Praise," "Community Spirit," "The Window and the Weather," "Election" and "Animals."

Movie #145 ........................."People Will Talk"

Movie #145 "People Will Talk" was a surprise. I was looking up classics I hadn't seen, and this one popped up. I ordinarily love the classics, esp. ones with Cary Grant. And netflix predicted I would give this a 4. Well, netflix, you were wrong on this one. What a snore. This was based on a play entitled "Dr. Praetorius" and you could tell the movie was a play first ----- this was way too talky. And when people talked, they just sat in one place. A big piece of blocking was for Grant to sit on a bed Indian style --- then, in the same discussion, move to his stomach, and then put his arm up to lean on..........and the discussion went on and on..........long passages until it came to a screeching halt and most of us could have guessed the big surprise, if that's what you would call it. And very little humor. I didn't even smile once in the two hours. It's funny because while I was watching this movie on my computer, I had "Ordinary People" on in the background on the big t.v., and I found myself watching that more. In fact, I was going to check to see if I rated that film yet the 5 it so surely deserves. See that one, instead of this clunker.




Average rating: 3.786
I gave it two stars
People Will Talk
(1951) NR
Dr. Praetorius (Cary Grant) is a well-liked medical professor at a dull Midwestern college who impresses those around him with his unorthodox ways of teaching. Not as impressed is Praetorius's archrival (Hume Cronyn), a conservative doctor who does everything within his power to bring Praetorius down. Out of the blue, Praetorius meets and falls in love with an unattached pregnant woman (Jeanne Crain), spiraling him into uncharted territory.

Movie #144........................"School of Life"

Movie #144 "School of Life" is a good one, esp. for families (it mostly takes place in a high school, concerning freshmen, and teachers) It was like old homeweek for me -- I knew these kids; I knew these teachers; I knew these situations. And yes, it's a bit cheesy and far fetched at times (made for t.v. movie), but mostly it was funny and winning. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this movie to kids and families------great family values about life and death, about what effect good teachers have on kids and other teachers. I liked it a lot. P.S. I really was convinced to watch it because I saw that Ryan Reynolds was in it --- and if you are a fan of his, this is a must-see.



Average rating: 3.669
I would have rated it 3.6 (but netflix only lets me do 3 or 4)
School of Life
(2005) PG
Stodgy educator Matt Warner (David Paymer) -- who's determined to carry on his late father's legacy of winning the Teacher of the Year award -- suddenly finds himself competing with charismatic new history teacher Michael D'Angelo (Ryan Reynolds) in this made-for-TV family tale. In an effort to smear the affectionately dubbed "Mr. D," Matt tails him and makes a shocking discovery that leads to an uncomfortable self-assessment and an about face.

Movie #143........................."Aimee & Jaguar"

Movie #143 "Aimee and Jaguar" just popped up on the queue today and it looked interesting so I viewed it. I was watching a Ryan Reynolds' movie earlier, but it just stopped and net flix said to pick something else, so I did. This was very powerful, and my favorite subject matter: Holocaust. The love scenes are pretty emotional and graphic, the acting is wonderful, and it is beautifully filmed. The frame (older ladies looking back at the story) is a good ploy to use ---- quite poignant for me. Makes me want to check out the book. I esp. loved the scenes where a whole room full of women is still having a good time in the face of WWII and the Nazis just outside the door. It was a refreshing pov.





Average rating: 3.611
I gave it 4
Aimee and Jaguar
(1998) NR
Based on the memoirs of Lilly Wust, this is the story of two women who fall in love in 1943 Berlin: Lilly (Juliane Köhler), the wife of a Nazi officer, and Felice (Maria Schrader), a Jewish journalist. When the two women begin their affair, they rechristen themselves Aimée and Jaguar to help avoid detection. They then set up housekeeping and try to tune out the war, but the Gestapo is never far behind.

Movie #142........................."Howard Zinn: You Can't be Neutral from a moving train"

Movie #142 "Howard Zinn: You Can't be Neutral from a moving train" has a title more exciting than this documentary. Very dry and slow. Best part was footage of Alice Walker talking about this ex-professor of Spellman College, where she attended. It's mostly him talking and he does have a turn of the phrase once in a while when he speaks about what is wrong with our country, but very little is mentioned on HOW we go about fixing it. I wasn't very much affected by this at all, nor did I feel I learned much from this film; both things I expect from a good documentary. Would I recommend it? . It isn't Harvey Milk's documentary ---- I recommend that one over this any day.






You rated this movie: 2.5
Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train
(2004) NR
Matt Damon narrates this biographical portrait of historian and activist Howard Zinn, author of the pivotal A People's History of the United States, who's been at the forefront of progressive thought in America for decades. The documentary chronicles his commitment to social change through archival materials, commentary from Zinn and interviews with contemporaries Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden and Alice Walker, among others.

Movie #141........................."She's the One"

Movie #141 "She's the One" was just okay. I usually like Ed Burns' stuff ----but the dialogue in here and some of the situations weren't very believable --- esp. the brother (Mike McGlone) --- bad actor and he just couldn't afford to be bad with the character that was written for him (partly by Ed Burns)-- a better actor might have made the guy less jerky, but the way he was played, I can't imagine Jennifer Aniston's character ever marrying him, Ed Burns ever liking him (his brother), and John Mahoney ever having him as a son.............just bad. And I don't like Cameron Diaz, but she was actually okay here because she played such a shallow character --- it suited her. The girl that Burns impulsively marries is a bit bland ---- maybe Aniston and Maxin Bahns should have switched their parts? So, I guess I marginally recommend it --- the interesting idea in the film is that here are all these relationships that started several years back and are failing, but then Burns up and marries a girl he just met and that's the best relationship in the whole film. "Serendipity" with Cusack might be a bit more intriguing with that book searching, but kind of a same idea, in a way.




Average rating: 3.193
I gave it 2.8, rounded off to 3
She's the One
(1996) R
Reeling from a breakup with his fiancée (Cameron Diaz), twenty-something New Yorker Mickey (Edward Burns, who also directed) impulsively marries Hope (Maxine Bahns) -- a passenger he picked up in his cab -- after a weekend courtship. Meanwhile, Mickey's brother, Francis (Mike McGlone), is having doubts about his own marriage to his longtime love (Jennifer Aniston). Soon, Francis finds himself attracted to his brother's ex.

Movie #140........................."Brief Encounter"

Movie #140 "Brief Encounter" was wonderful. I've been a fan of David Lean pictures for years - in fact, when searching for the best rendition of "Great Expectations" to show my students, I chose a Lean film because it was so deliciously photographed, as is this one. One critic called this film "passionate reserved" and that describes this classic love story. It still is heartbreaking, lovely photographed, and quick paced. No falling asleep during this one ---- it's just a reminder that they don't make movies like this anymore. The dialogue is Noel Coward's, stiff but it works. A modern version of this movie is a film entitled "Falling in Love" with Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro at their best. I was ready for a classic tonight, and it was a real treat.







Average rating: 3.74
I gave it 4.7 stars
Brief Encounter
(1945) NR
In this film based on a Noel Coward play, director David Lean explores the thrill and pain of an illicit romance in 1945 Britain. From a chance meeting on a train platform, a middle-aged doctor (Trevor Howard) and a suburban housewife (Celia Johnson) enter into a quiet yet passionate love affair, knowing there's no possibility for a lasting relationship. The two meet every Thursday at a small café at the station to play out their doomed romance.

movie #139 ........................."Seven Pounds"

Movie #139 "Seven Pounds" is a bit of a controversial film --- getting only 27% on rottentomatoes, I ordinarily wouldn't have seen the movie, but people were asking me what I thought about the ending, so my curiosity was piqued and I decided to take advantage of this movieblog and finally see it. I'm glad I did, but I have mixed emotions about it. It's weird how netflix oftentimes guesses correctly what I would rate the movie (in fact, I've been trying to rate as many old movies as possible to see if their predictions get even better) and they said I would probably rank it in the 3's on to 4, and that's about where I WOULD put it. Anyone who knows me and sees this ending would guess that I: 1) found it unbelievable 2) found it morally questionable 3) found it enjoyable watching it play out (to tie all the loose ends). So that's why the mixed emotions. I liked the acting (although watching Will smith wince through most of the film was a bit annoying after a while), but I must confess that I fell asleep through the opening hour and had to go back (after my nap) and rewatch it ---- so the tension was a tad too long with this viewer, and I almost turned it off. But the payoff is good to watch. So I recommend it for that patient viewer --- but be aware that you may have mixed emotions also. And that isn't bad. It makes you consider the moral issues this film brings up and that's always welcomed, in my opinion.

Average rating: 3.816
I'd give it 3.5
Seven Pounds
(2008) PG-13
Distraught over his wife's death -- and convinced that his own actions had something to do with it -- a depressed IRS agent (Will Smith) begins plotting some plan, vowing to improve the lives of seven strangers in the process. But a chance meeting with a woman who has a life-threatening heart defect (Rosario Dawson) makes him think twice when their budding relationship suddenly feels a lot like love.

Movie #138 ........................."Two Days in Paris"

Movie #138 "Two Days in Paris" was funny and winning (oftentimes in a vulgar sort of way) full of scenes that deal with the American as a fish out of water in Paris. For example, he's there for a few minutes and while his girlfriend is seeking a taxi, he tells a bunch of American tourists that they can just walk to the Louvre from the airport --- "it's only about 10 minutes to the left" -------- not true, but it's his sense of humor, and Adam Goldberg (the infamous crazy roommate that Chandler had on "Friends" ) plays that part to the hilt . Julie Delphy whom I loved in the two Ethan Hawke movies that they starred in (the movies that were big long discussions, remember?) stars opposite him and she's the charm in the film --- she directs and co-writes this, as well. It was a fun experience to watch and I loved the backdrop of Paris --- it just makes me want to see it more.






Average rating: 2.931
I gave it 3 stars
2 Days in Paris
Deux Jours à Paris
(2007) R
On their way home from an ill-fated Venice vacation, Marion (Julie Delpy, who also directs) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) stop in Paris to visit Marion's parents. But their sojourn in the City of Lights turns out to be just as disastrous as their "romantic" trip to Italy. Culture shock, run-ins with Marion's myriad ex-lovers and uncomfortable encounters with her belligerent parents conspire to make Jack feel even more estranged from his worldly paramour.

Movie #137........................."Stage Fright"

Movie #137 "Stage Fright" is a Hitchcock movie that has escaped me all these years. As it unfolded, I was liking the black and white photography, the opening that started the first minute with the heart pumping, and the idea that this young actress would put her skills to work to help her friend. Then, Marlene Dietrich made her entrance. I thought, I've seen her in a couple of films ---- she's never been a favorite, but surely she's better than this -------- so campy, so chewing up the furniture type of acting. Then, Hitch puts several musical numbers in this -----Dietrich singing -----yikes. The movie seemed to go on and on. I tried fast forwarding through the dull musical numbers, and the netflix got bolloxed up so I just had to sit through them to get to the Hitchcock end...........which WAS VERY GOOD. Wow, I can't remember reading about this movie at all when I studied Hitchcock, but the closeup of Jane Wyman's eyes at the end as the real story unfurls before her and she is in a life and death situation --- that she is no longer in her play world, but this is reality ---well, that made the film worth it. If it were all like this, well, it would have been "Birds" or "Psycho" ---but they can't all be that good, right? And this is not one of his best. And I don't think I have to see another Marlene Dietrich film again Not a fan.

Average rating: 3.577
I gave it 3 stars
Stage Fright
(1950) NR
Alfred Hitchcock takes Selwyn Jepson's novel, preserves all the thrills from the page and adds a dash of his own. Eve Gil (Jane Wyman), a drama student studying in London, learns that a friend, John Cooper (Richard Todd), has been implicated in the death of the husband of his lover, actress Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich). John has a plan to prove himself innocent, but needs Eve's help, not to mention her talent. Can they pull it off?

Movie #136........................."New York, I Love You"

Movie #136 "New York, I Love You" was a huge letdown. I was looking forward to seeing this; in fact, I saved it for Valentine's Day, thinking I'd be dazzled with a bunch of vignettes, like the companion piece in Paris, which I really liked. This couldn't hold my interest; I liked two of the stories, with a lukewarm response to two others. The best one, to me, was good because it concerned seeing Eli Wallach and Cloris Leacham playing off of each other. They represented the thousands of elderly people I've often seen walking the streets of NYC daily, and it was fun to see them work again. Another one was written by the late Anthony Minghella (in fact, the movie is in tribute to him) with Julie Christie and Shia Labeoff ------- I thought that one worked because it had a good story from beginning to end. Natalie Portman is always fun to watch, so her vignette (directed by Mira Nair) was good, along with the one she directed. But Four out of a possible 10 does not make a film I would recommend. I LOVE NEW YORK CITY, but I didn't even like this movie much. Too bad. Rent Woody Allen's "Manhattan" --- oh so much better!

Average rating: 2.975
I gave it a 2
New York, I Love You
(2008) R
A companion piece to Paris, je t'aime, this valentine to New York cleverly blends nearly a dozen love stories, each presented by a different filmmaker. From Central Park to Brooklyn and Queens, each tale features the Big Apple as a central character. The writer-directors include Natalie Portman and Brett Ratner, and the cast features Shia LaBeouf, James Caan, Julie Christie, Christina Ricci, Ethan Hawke and dozens more.

Movie #135........................."Ballet Shoes"

Movie #135 "Ballet Shoes" - I wasn't familiar with the children's classic this is based on (it was mentioned in "You Got Mail" by Meg Ryan when recommending a book at Tom Hanks' bookstore), but it was nice to be introduced to it in this made-for-tv movie. The girls struggle in life --- they are orphans --- they are poor--- they only have each other, so all that makes for a good story. The girls are stiff Brits, and you'd like to see them loosen up and be more human like so we can get pulled in more to the film, so I marginally recommend it. Nanny McPhee was better, and so was Kit Kittredge, so this was only marginally good. But if someone is looking for a movie to instill values to a young girl, this might be it. OR, of course, read the book, which is probably much better than this rendition. It's interesting to see Emma Watson as something other than Hermione, though (Harry Potter series). She plays Pauline, the acting wannabee in this one. Not bad.






Average rating: 3.458
I gave it 3 stars
Ballet Shoes
(2007) PG
An unusual explorer named Gum (Richard Griffiths) and his kindly niece (Emilia Fox) adopt three orphans -- Pauline (Emma Watson), Petrova (Yasmin Paige) and Posy (Lucy Boynton) -- and raise them as sisters in 1930s London. But the girls must fend for themselves when Gum doesn't return from one of his adventures. Together, they nurture their passions for acting, aviation and ballet in this charming TV adaptation of Noel Streatfield's novel.

Movie #134........................."Stolen Summer"

Movie #134 "Stolen Summer" I LOVED this movie! the cast is more than capable, esp. the two little boys, Bonnie Hunt is the mother and she's a stitch!, the whole catholic vs. jewish thing, the big family going to church on Sunday, the theme. BUT it's an example, to me, of a film that is misdirected. Who's the editor? Golly, cut the scenes sooner...........dialogue meanders, so the script isn't tight either. Uneven, a really great scene followed by a clunker.........whole scenes in here for nothing and the film is only 90 some minutes, so it needed better written scenes in places. But the heart of it is what sold the movie to me. It got me and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it ---- It re-reminded me what films should be doing every time you sit down to watch them. They should make you feel! Disclaimer: if you're a person who never wants to talk about religion, you shouldn't see this movie at all! But I found the subject matter refreshing.




Average rating: 3.448
I gave it 4 stars
Stolen Summer
(2002) PG
Directed by Pete Jones, this heart-tugging family drama follows the divine mission of Pete O'Malley (Adi Stein), an Irish-Catholic 8-year-old in Chicago who aims to get his terminally ill Jewish friend (Mike Weinberg) into heaven -- through religious conversion. The veteran adult cast includes Aidan Quinn as Pete's insular, disapproving father and Kevin Pollak as the genial, broadminded rabbi whose son is dying.

movie #133........................."Pineapple Express"

Movie #133 "Pineapple Express" has some very funny moments --------mostly chase scenes, which I usually deplore. It goes over the acceptable line when they have a scene where they are dealing drugs to high school students. . Otherwise, it's a pretty funny buddy movie, albeit raunchy, but the cast is very capable, including an African American school cop who is hysterical. They are best when they are running and shooting and being shot at and chased and muttering things to each other. After seeing so many dumb chase scenes over and over, this was a breath of fresh air because of its lack of respect. I think the funniest moment is when they are trying to problemsolve how to see out of the cop car window one of them poured red slurpy on, and the driver James Franco kicks his foot through the window (because he thinks he has seen that in a movie) and he gets his foot stuck. I know, dumb, but pretty funny when these guys do it. I also like some of the subtle stuff (not too much, but still some) and the opening black and white brief history of marijuana. If that doesn't get you, you might as well turn it off because you aren't going to probably like the rest.

Average rating: 3.516
I gave it 3 stars
Pineapple Express
(2008) R
After witnessing a murder involving a corrupt cop (Rosie Perez) and a drug kingpin (Gary Cole), straitlaced pothead Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) must go on the run with his dealer (James Franco, in a Golden Globe-nominated role) to escape the wrath of vengeance-minded criminals. Acclaimed indie director David Gordon Green steers this stoner buddy comedy, penned by Rogen and his Superbad co-writer, Evan Goldberg.

Movie #132........................."The Treatment"

Movie #132 "The Treatment" is a smart comedy, and those are tough to find these days. It centers on an English teacher who is trying to get his act together so he can find that perfect someone --- he thinks he's lost his one great chance at it, when a girl that dumped him but whom he still has got a thing for meets him in the street and tells him she is getting married. That's actually the start of a change in his life for the better, and it's good to watch his transformation to a worthy person to love by the end of the film. A nice slice of life about love.




Average rating: 2.965
I gave it 4 stars
The Treatment
(2006) NR
Neurotic prep school English teacher Jake Singer (Chris Eigeman) seeks therapy after he gets dumped. Along the way, he meets and woos a gorgeous and wealthy widow (Famke Janssen) while his shrink (Ian Holm) -- who may or may not be real -- badgers him with Freudian mind games. Director Oren Rudavsky's smart romantic comedy, based on a novel by Daniel Menaker, won the Best New York Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Movie #131........................."Married Life"

Movie #131 "Married Life" has my kind of cast --- a lot of favorites: Brosnan, McAdams, Clarkson, and then the very capable Chris Cooper, who is the main focus in this film. I would liken this to an oldies film from the first minute it hits the screen. Doris Day sings the opening song and the credits are beautifully and fancifully done ----- then the costumes, props, sets and lighting all add to the "Oldies" feeling, so I was liking it. And I really liked the whole idea of the oldies feel with the undercurrent of tension with some of the best actors in Hollywood, but something wasn't right. I'm not sure I can put my finger on it. Perhaps, we expect better pacing, nowadays ------that is, more happening as the film minutes tick by. Maybe the dialogue isn't quite as quick and witty as in the old days. Maybe I hAVE seen this story (or read it) many times over and it wasn't quite creative enough to sustain my interest all the way through. Not sure what it was, but I felt the same about a book I just finished reading for a book club down here in Florida. It's a Ruth Rendell book ("One Across, Two Down"--she's written others; I guess she's popular with murder mysteries), and ironially it's also about a husband trying to kill a woman (unlike the movie, it is his mother-in-law), and although I respect in both this movie and book the undercurrent of tension, and the nod to the "Oldies", neither quite cuts it on the "drawn into much" level. So I wouldn't recommend either, really. Unless the above still sounds intriguing to you ------ there ARE some surprises in both, just not sure it's worth spending 2 hours of your life watching the film (and more if reading the book).




Average rating: 2.894
I gave it 3 stars
Married Life
(2007) PG-13
When unhappily married Harry (Chris Cooper) decides to kill his wife (Patricia Clarkson) to be with his beautiful mistress (Rachel McAdams), his playboy friend Richard (Pierce Brosnan) tries to talk Harry out of it. But Richard's motives are hardly pure, and his hidden agenda soon comes to light. Directed by Ira Sachs, this taut atmospheric drama set in the 1940s also stars Erin Boyes and David Wenham.

Movie #130 ........................."The Front of the Class"

Movie "130 "The Front of the Class" - okay, it's a Hallmark film, but I loved it anyway. It's based on a true story and it is a very inspiring one about a teacher, so why wouldn't I like it? This one has a twist --- the teacher has touret's syndrome --- I didn't know much about this malady, so this was intriguing from beginning to end. The only reason I gave it a 4 and not a 5 is that the end, though inspiring, seemed a little too good to be true --- when he finally gets a class, he gets very little conflict withIN the classroom. I thought the kids would be a little tougher. Okay, a lot tougher. But I'm so happy they weren't. The teacher still teaches in the Atlanta, Georgia school system, and after watching this movie, I'd say they are very lucky to have him. His philosophy was not to let the malady win and that's quite gutsy on his part. And he stays true to that philosophy!i





You rated this movie: 4.0
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Front of the Class
(2008) NR
Despite suffering from Tourette's syndrome, Brad Cohen (James Wolk) fulfills his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher in this touching Hallmark Hall of Fame production based on a true story that shines a light on this often misunderstood disorder. As Cohen grows up, he must face friends and classmates who don't realize that he sometimes cannot control his outbursts, and a father (Treat Williams) who seems unwilling to accept his son's condition.

Genre:Dramas Based on Real Life, Tearjerkers, Made-for-TV Movies

Movie#129......................."Let the Right One In"

Movie #129 "Let the Right One In," though probably the best vampire movie I've seen, does not make it a movie you want to see. It's got stilted dialogue, long silent passages of nothing, bad acting, and its biggest fault? IT'S A MOVIE ABOUIT VAMPIRES. sorry, I'm not sold on vampires --- it's a dumb subject to me, and I guess it always will be. So guess who isn't a fan of the new Moon books/movies? Just another reason no one would ever pay me to do these movie critiques ----- there isn't enough money to make me watch another vampire movie. This is it. The end. No more.

Average rating: 3.783
I gave it two stars
Let the Right One In
Låt den rätte komma in
(2008) R
Twelve-year-old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), the constant target of bullies, spends his time plotting revenge and collecting news items about the grisly murders plaguing his town. But things change when he meets a new girl named Eli (Lina Leandersson), a misfit vampire who steals his heart. As a serial killer continues to prey on teen boys in their small Swedish village, Eli helps Oskar find the courage to stand up to his tormenters.

Movie #128........................."Blame it on Fidel"

Movie #128 "Blame it on Fidel" is the first movie in this project that I would not rate 3 or 4, but 3.5 because I had mixed feelings about it. There were things I really liked like the history lesson told through the eyes of the child, the overall theme --- a rite of passage where the girl very poignantly shows by the end of the film that she understands more what her family has been going through --- that she gets more unselfish with her life (i.e. older and more mature), the editing and photography. But what I didn't like was the rapid pace of the dialogue and the confusion occasionally with a problem of the actors looking a lot alike --- perhaps it's my bifocal contacts (though I doubt it), but I constantly had trouble figuring out who was whom --- was it the mother or the auntie --- and no one addressed each other by name and if they did, it went way too quickly. So that threw a wrench into what could have been a 4 or 5 star film..................as it was, I found it worth seeing, but not for everyone --------- I wish I knew more about the history behind the film, but it did get me to look some stuff up. Nice history lesson , albeit in the background of a wonderful coming of age film of a little girl living in Paris in the 1970's.






Average rating: 3.702
I would ate it 3.5
Blame It on Fidel
(2006) NR
Nina Kervel-Bey stars as 9-year-old Anna, a privileged young Parisian girl whose orderly, structured life is thrown into turmoil when her parents are drawn into Paris's turbulent and radical 1970s political scene. Julie Gavras (daughter of famed French filmmaker Costa-Gavras) directs this 2007 Sundance Film Festival competition entry.

Movie #127............................"Into the Arms of Strangers"

Movie #127 "Into the Arms of Strangers" was a wonderful documentary chockful of information on something about the Holocaust I knew very little about - the Kindertransport --- a month after Kristallnacht the Parliament in London volunteered to take kids from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia for safety and find homes for these kids to wait out the war. What a powerful act of mercy (U.S. couldn't get permission through the Senate to do the same thing --- makes me ashamed of our politicians) and one that had several repercussions for the kids, their parents, and their adopted parents. See this and I think you'd find it as fascinating as I did. It was just a tad long (could have been edited a bit more) but it is nicely narrated by Dame Judi Dench, which helps to move it along --- that and the visuals which were equally fascinating.


Average rating: 3.777
I gave it 4 stars
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport
(2000) PG
Filmmaker Mark Jonathan Harris's Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of an underground railroad -- the Kindertransport -- that saved the lives of more than 10,000 Jewish children at the dawn of World War II. Through interviews and archival footage, the survivors movingly recount being taken from their families and sent to live with strangers in the relative safety of England. Judi Dench narrates.

Movie #126........................."Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience"

Movie #126 "Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience" is an important film to watch ---- as one of the soldiers so well points out in his poetry ---- he said he doesn't even bring Iraq up because no one wants to talk about it. This isn't a movie for everyone, though. It harkens back to a very long verse round that one judges in Speech because most of this is recited (the voices ARE done well since they are actors reading the script) The visuals are just okay, but it mostly depends on the audial, so if that isn't your channel to experience a story, you might not get much out of this. Lots of stuff is said in here about the war experience (there are quotes by famous authors that hit home and are used for transitions that are effective, as well). And this all NEEDS TO BE SAID, so I recommend it for people who want to know the real personal story and not the one on the news for 15 seconds every night.





You rated this movie: 4.0
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
(2007) NR
Veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan recount their war experiences in this Oscar-nominated documentary, which collects the writings of soldiers and their families to give a deeply personal view of American troops' involvement in these conflicts. Various visual strategies complement the interviews and readings by such noted actors as Robert Duvall, Beau Bridges, Blair Underwood, Aaron Eckhart and writers Anthony Swofford, James Salter and Tobias Wolff.

Movie #125.........................Valentino: The Last Emperorr

Movie #125 "Valentino: The Last Emperor" although I only got through about 40 minutes, seemed all one note -----I got that his main seamstress was bitchy, that the models were nude that he dressed constantly (except for a g-string), that he was mean and temperamental to his workers and his lover, that everything was hand sewn, and that he had a love/hate relationship with his partner/lover Giancarlo. The dresses were pretty, but the dialogue was the same from one scene to the next, so I have to nix this one. I liked the music in the background for the most part, and the shows themselves looked very exciting, but the movie is a bit flat.





Average rating: 3.776
I gave it 2 stars

Valentino: The Last Emperor
(2008) PG-13
Tracing Valentino's life from his 70th birthday to his final couture show, this fashionable documentary captures the spirit of the legendary designer's influence on the style and substance of the way we look. Highlights include an intimate, behind-the-scenes peek at his relationship with longtime business partner and lover Giancarlo Giammetti, as well as an up-close and personal look at the designer's creative process.

Movie #124.........................."Sin Nombre"

Movie #124 "Sin Nombre" was a very good film, BUT very violent. In the opening moments, while the leader numbers off to 13, they beat the heck out of this little boy, as he lies on the ground bleeding. This is a movie people should show teenagers who are thinking of becoming gang members because ohmygod, it shows the results very clearly......I wanted to see this movie for a long time, since it came out earlier this year and the guys on "at the movies" said it was the best movie uptodate. Then, when they made their top 10 lists, they didn't go back to it,and I wondered if there was a reason. I just think they forgot about it, because the movies they listed aren't as intense or powerful as some of this film. So I'm glad I finally got to see it, but I would never want to see it again. Too disturbing.





You rated this movie: 4.0
I gave it 4 stars
Sin Nombre
Without Name
(2009) R
Fleeing retaliation from the violent Central American street gang he has deserted, young hood Casper boards a northbound train, where he takes refuge on top of the moving freight cars and hopes for a fresh start in a new country. Dodging authorities and other dangers, he finds a new friend in Sayra (Paulina Gaitan), a Honduran girl also making a run for the American border. Cary Fukunaga directs this exciting thriller.