Movie #174........................."Fantastic Mr. Fox"

Movie #174 "Fantastic Mr. Fox" was a bore from start to finish. And I should like it: it has Clooney, Streep, Murray, and it's directed by Wes Anderson, written partly by Noah Baumbuch, but then I didn't get Murray's Life Aquatic movie either --- it left me cold just like this one. Yet, I LOVED Royal Tannebaums, so go figure. And I usually love Roald Dahl, too. I've been waiting to see this movie, and I'm so glad I didn't spent $9 to see it in the movie theatre now because....... I don't get it. I didn't think any of it was funny. Dave and I kind of looked at each other and said, "What the heck" and that was that. If you are looking for excellence in animation, see "Up" that's all I have to say. Or any of the Wallace and Grommit films , which this film looked like it was stealing from.




Average rating: 4.05
I gave it 2 stars
Fantastic Mr. Fox
(2009) PG
When Mr. Fox's nightly raids on three nearby farms raise the ire of the selfish farmers, he must outwit the men's increasingly outrageous plans to catch him in this animated adaption of the Roald Dahl book. As the farmers' schemes take a toll on his hungry family, Mr. Fox must find a new way to get his paws on the bounty. Wes Anderson directs, and George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray and Anjelica Huston lend their voice-over talents in this Oscar nominee.

Movie #173......................."Moscow, Belgium"

Movie #173 "Moscow, Belgium" was an unsual love story between a woman of three kids whose husband left her for a younger woman. That's not what is unusual. He still pops in and out of her life because he's not officially divorced. Along comes a trucker whose truck she runs into one morning at the supermarket. They cuss each other out, but when she tells him off very succinctly, he finds an interest in her and they start to date. She starts to feel good about herself, but that's just when her husband wants to come back to her. It's a cute indie film. I'm not sure it is "one of the 10 best foreign films of 2009" but it was well acted, esp. the woman and the trucker.




Average rating: 3.198
I gave it 3.2
Moscow, Belgium
Aanrijding in Moscou
(2008) NR
When harried mother of three Matty (Barbara Sarafian) causes a fender bender with twentysomething Johnny (Jurgen Delnaet), their flirting blossoms into an unlikely affair. But when Matty's estranged husband, Werner (Johan Heldenbergh), declares that he wants back in her life, she must choose between old, familiar love and the uncertainty of starting life afresh. Christophe Van Rompaey directs this comedy.

Movie #172 ........................."We Are Marshall"

Movie #172 "We Are Marshall" was on t.v. last night and it was in my queue so I decided to watch it. It starts with a whole bunch of action and conflict with the tragic plane crash. From there, it's a lot of football, crying, and loud talking by Matthew McConaughey (who looks most comfortable in this part so I'm thinking that shyness and charisma and genteelness I've ever seen from him was all an act) . I didn't get much from it ---- I guess if I knew more football I would have understood why they were having a difficult time playing the game and the pressure the freshmen faced after the struggle to be allowed to just play. I don't think the acting was good enough to draw me into the film because I ended up not feeling close to anyone in the film. So I guess I'm saying it's okay, but esp. for all those people out there that want to watch football in a movie. I prefer this year's "Blind Side" for my football fix.






Average rating: 3.931
I would give it 3 stars
We Are Marshall
(2006) PG
After a plane crash takes the lives of most of Marshall University's football team, new coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) must rally the surviving players and a grieving community to victory in this inspiring drama based on actual events. The film follows Lengyel and his assistant coach (Matthew Fox) as they try to renew Marshall's football program and help the close-knit West Virginia town of Huntington find new hope.

Movie #171........................."Wonderful World"

Movie #171 "Wonderful World" is comparable to last year's "The Visitor" with Academy Award nominated Richard Jenkins in the lead. Both films are quiet, character-driven films, with a strong message, crossing cultural ties, nice even performances from everyone involved,and music as a strong influence in both films, and they are both far from blockbusters ---------they are slowly paced, but they both take their times to get across strong themes and layered characters. In that way, they come across as indies, but they have bigger names in their casts. They probably would both be overlooked, too, if people didn't search these two films out. Even though "The Visitor" has the edge, I would recommend both of them for people that don't need the speed and shoot 'em up energy of the blockbuster, and enjoy more the quiet study that takes time to unravel. Gotta love Matthew Broderick, even though it takes him the whole movie to smile in this one.





Average rating: 2.794
I gave it 3 stars
Wonderful World
(2008) R
Dejected, divorced and jobless, Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) is not inclined to see his glass as half-full. But when his roommate falls ill and Singer must host the man's Senegalese sister (Sanaa Lathan) in their apartment, his outlook begins to change. Darkman writer Josh Goldin makes his directorial debut with this drama (which he also wrote) about the attitude-adjusting romance that blossoms between Singer and Khadi.

Movie #170........................."Shutter Island"

Movie #170 "Shutter Island" is Scorsese's latest film, and it is not his best, nor is it Leo's best. In fact, the more I thought about this movie, Leo as Teddy Daniels didn't work for me (until the last quarter of the film). Without giving anything away (which would be a crime for me to do that if anyone is reading this who hasn't seen the movie), a more of a Jimmy Stewart actor or even Gregory Peck (more sober) would have fit this part more. If you have seen this movie, I would love to hear what you have to say on a one-to-one so facebook or e-mail me and we'll have a dialogue, but all I will say is: there are lots of plot twists (most I saw coming, a couple I was ashamed I didn't guess); the supporting actors were very good; the film is beautiful; the film steals quite often from Hitchcock; and I know Scorsese has a reason for everything, but he had us wondering quite a bit here in some of the edits and choice of angle shots. Anyway, I probably would have given it a 3.9 but it was so close to 4, I just thought I should round it off. I liked it, but with some reservations, and one big one is the length of the movie. It's way too long, in my opinion, for the set up. But the ending is a nice pay off. E-mail me what you think. I'd esp. like to talk to someone who read the book.




Average rating: 3.843
I gave it 4.00
Shutter Island
Ashecliffe
(2010) R
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by his own troubling visions and by Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley). Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer and Max von Sydow co-star in director Martin Scorsese's plot twist-filled psychological thriller set on a Massachusetts island in 1954.

Movie #169......................... "Troubled Water"

Movie #169 "Troubled Water" is my first Scandinavian movie and it was cool. What an intriguing story that kept me enthralled through the whole thing. Halfway through, the POV changes, and we see the other side of the coin, and at first I didn't want to see it because I cared so much about the main guy, but when you see the other side it makes the overall story so much more effective. The ending was so emotional, I was making sounds while I was watching it in bed on my computer with my earphones and woke Dave by mistake (oops!). This is the second movie I've watched in a row that Netflix didn't guess correctly what I would rate it --- I found that intriguing, as well. I highly recommend this, and the organ music in it is beautiful, too. And the acting was so good! The woman who plays Agnes acts/looks like Helen Mirren, and the lead guy looks like Ryan Gossling ---- and what a powerful character he portrays in this film. Overall, the film brings up questions of parenting, atonement, forgiveness (God's and for each other), are people allowed to have a second chance, and more.





Average rating: 3.347
I'd give it a 5
Troubled Water
DeUsynlige
(2008) NR
After serving time in prison for murdering a child, Jan Thomas (Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen) takes a job as a church organist and becomes involved with Anna (Ellen Dorrit Petersen), a pastor and single mother -- but the crime he insists he didn't commit still haunts him. Jan keeps his past a secret from Anna, but when a local woman (Trine Dyrholm) recognizes him as the convicted killer of her son, his new life is threatened in this tense drama.

#168 ........................."Serious Moonlight"

Movie #168 "Serious Moonlight" is quite different from other romantic comedies, mostly because it's a dark romantic comedy, and those are very rare. I guess I'd compare it to the "War of the Roses" in its tone ---- the script is quite different though, and the acting here is so much better than "War of the Roses." I guess those were the two main reasons why I really found it entertaining. It was difficult to watch in spots (when it got serious), but those were rare moments. I have always been a fan of Meg Ryan, Tim Hutton, Kristin Bell and Justine Long, so it was fun to watch all of them in this film effort. But this is a huge warning to audiences. It is dark, dark, dark, dark and very independent in its use of one set and reliance on the dialogue and script and the acting. It's dedicated to Adrienne Shelley (a film writer/actress who was killed after putting together the wonderful film "Waitress") , and I think she would have been proud of it.





Average rating: 2.819
I gave it 4 stars
Serious Moonlight
(2008) R
When Louise (Meg Ryan) discovers that her husband, Ian (Timothy Hutton), is about to run off to Paris with a much younger woman, Sara (Kristen Bell), she does what any self-respecting wife would do: She duct-tapes him to the toilet, which is where he remains when their home is burglarized. The plot only gets thicker in this dark comedy helmed by first-time director Cheryl Hines and penned by Adrienne Shelly.

Movie #167........................."3:10 to Yuma" (1967)

Movie #167 "3:10 to Yuma" (1967) is a different kind of part for Glenn Ford, who plays the bad guy in this one. Here's the history on this one for me. A while back I rented the Russell Crowe/Christian Bale version of this flick, but I found it so tedious and boring the first half an hour that I stopped it and decided to rent the original. Then, I watched the original and decided the opening to this one was boring, too, and I barely made it to the end. Therefore, the set up for the story must be slow......once the two guys meet, the story starts to sizzle a bit, and I did enjoy the very ending. The scenes with Ford and Heflin were good, but I wouldn't recommend this to many people. There are sooooo many better classic westerns like "Shane," "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," "Stagecoach," any of the Ford films, just to name a few. Rent those instead.






3:10 to Yuma
Average rating: 3.573

I gave it 3 stars
3:10 to Yuma(1957) NR

When the town marshal offers a bounty for outlaw Ben Wade (Glenn Ford), Dan Evans (Van Heflin), a poor rancher hit hard by a crippling drought, takes the job. His wife pleads with him to save his own life by letting Wade go free, but for Evans, it's a matter of principle as well as money. He takes Wade and begins the dangerous trek to the station.

Movie #166......................."The Maiden Heist"

Movie #166 "The Maiden Heist" is a quirky film with three of my favorite quirky actors, which increases the quirkiness factor in this flick. Macy doesn't have his clothes on a lot of the movie, and Walken stares at the "Lonely Maiden" piece of art with his bulging big eyes. Morgan Freeman just giggles at them , most of the time, and Marcia Gay Harden dons a huge New Jerseyish accent as she whines to Walken her husband about going to Florida for a vacation. Piece of trivia about this film: the "Lonely Maiden" is not a true work of art --- it was painted for this film, actually, so don't bother googling it. Overall, the film is rather slow-paced, but if you enjoy the characters like we did, we didn't mind the goofy plan and the bumbling, crazy final actions they commit to steal the works of art. It was a cute film to see with a bunch of people, and we found it quite a tease. And , of course, we enjoy heist films, so this one goes on the list as one of the goofiest.







The Maiden Heist
Average rating: 3.023
I gave it 3 stars

The Maiden HeistThe Lonely Maiden(2008) PG-13

Over the years, museum security guards Roger (Christopher Walken), Charles (Morgan Freeman) and George (William H. Macy) each fall in love with a particular work of art in their care. But now, the new curator is shipping out all three works in an overhaul of the museum's collection. Desperate to save their favorite pieces, the men hatch a plan to steal them before they can be shipped away. Marcia Gay Harden co-stars.

Movie #165........................."The Invention of Lying"

Movie #165 "The Invention of Lying" was a one-joke premise of a film. Lots of jokes actually went thud as they went by, and the pacing was slow. There were a few good moments when it took on a satirical tone (like what would commercials be like in a society that didn't lie), but it didn't seem to want to go there for long ---------it went into romantic comedy mode, and in that mode it was just passing..............barely. I watched it in a room with several people and none of us laughed out loud, just a few chuckles. So if you are looking for a few chuckles in a film, I guess this might suffice. Otherwise, seek elsewhere for comedy. (P.S. the cameos are the best part to me)





I would give this movie 2.6.
The Invention of Lying
This Side of the Truth
(2009) PG-13
In a world where no one fibs, fiction doesn't exist and people take each other at their literal word, unsuccessful screenwriter Mark (Ricky Gervais) gains fame and fortune -- and maybe the girl of his dreams (Jennifer Garner) -- by saying things that aren't true. Gervais co-writes and co-directs this original comedy that co-stars Rob Lowe. Look for cameos by Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K. and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Movie #164........................."An Unfinished Dance"

Movie #164 "An Unfinished Dance" is a bit hoaky, but if you like ballet dancing, you'll like this. It's so exciting to see Cyd Charisse, so young, doing straight ballet (for those who don't know Charisse, she's the dancer in green in the featured dance with Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain" --- who can forget rubberlegs!) Anyway, here's the story (it's so old netflix didn't have it) Margaret O'Brien is an 8 year old dancer in a company where she idolizes (from afar) the prima ballerina (Cyd) and along comes the prima prima ballerina, the star. Because Meg sees her as a threat to her idol, she plans to turn off the lights for a distraction and accidentally opens the trap door (that is some trap door that would be triggered by a lightswitch, but it's a hoaky movie, what do you expect). As a result, she causes a career-ending accident for the main ballerina, which opens up doors for Cyd. Meanwhile, Cyd becomes engaged to this guy who wants her to quit! And she goes along with the idea! What is with that? Margaret after hating the prima prima lady, starts to like her and idolize her for her bravery, because the woman continues to stay in ballet, mentoring the younger set, one of which is Margaret. When Margaret goes up for a duet spot with Cyd, the prima chooses her to get it --- but jealousy ensues. Elinor Donaghue (from "Father Knows Best" and "Andy Griffith Show") wants the part so she threatens to tell the prima prima that Margaret had something to do with her accident. I won't say how it turns out, but there's lots of cool costumes, great dancing, and crying, of course, my little Margaret O'Brien (who forever will be Tutti to me!) I liked this because I enjoyed watching the little girls dance, esp. Margaret and Elinor. It isn't something that you can learn just for a movie (not even you can do that, Meryl Streep!) And there must be some fancy editing going on to let us believe these two little female stars can do all the dancing that is required of them in this movie. A fun old movie (1947) about ballet, if anyone is still interested in that!

Movie #163........................."Everybody's Fine"

Movie #163 "Everybody's Fine" is a lot like "About Schmidt" except it has Robert De Niro in the father role ---- and I like him so much better than Nicholson. Just a personal preference. This also deals with a dad who has recently lost his wife and he's, well, lost and lonely. He plans a gathering at his place but none of his 4 kids show up, so he decides to tackle a cross country train trip to surprise each one individually. And boy does he surprise them. Pretty sad, when they have little time for him, when he spent all of his life working to raise them. But that's what this movie is about! How we take our folks for granted. And we expect too much from our kids. How we need to listen in life more. How we lie to our folks to save them grief, but maybe we shouldn't. How we lie to our kids to save them from grief and maybe we shouldn't. A true slice of life, this film is, and I enjoyed it --------it brought me to tears, very moving high point. I even liked the Paul McCartney song at the end and wondered why that wasn't nominated for best song (instead of the one from "Paris 36")). I recommend this film --- hey, it's got DeNiro. Most of the time, that's enough. And here is no exception.





Average rating: 3.35
I gave it 4 stars
Everybody's Fine
(2009) PG-13
Frank (Robert De Niro) just lost his wife, and without their mother by his side, Frank's grown children aren't compelled to visit for the holidays. So he hits the road to visit them -- collecting various revelations and learning about himself along the way. Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell and Melissa Leo co-star in writer-director Kirk Jones's family tale, an update of Giuseppe Tornatore's 1990 Italian film.

Movie #162........................."The Damned United"

Movie #162 "The Damned United" is a different movie for me ---- a soccer film. But what interested me is 1) the unbelievable Michael Sheen was doing yet another real person in film (previously Tony Blair and Frost) and 2) same writer of both those films penned this movie. Because of those aforementioned factors and more, this is a good movie. While probably not having wide appeal at first look, when one studies the character of Brian Clough, one can see a train wreck --- a good coach but doomed by his illimitable ego. When he finally gets to the BIG show, he steps into it, and we watch the wreck as it happens. It has a great ending, too, and one worth waiting for. And not too much soccer --- at least not enough to put a nonfan off. But above all, it has Sheen. If you don't know him, you gotta see Frost/Nixon, The Queen or this. You'll be blown away by this guy's talent! Rottentomatoes gave this %94. So why wasn't it nominated at the last Academy Awards? I liked it as well as "Invictus"? and they were very similar. Except for the tones --- "Invictus" was more a feel good picture.





Average rating: 3.494
I gave it 3.7 stars
The Damned United
(2008) R
Arrogant Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) helms England's soccer champs Leeds United in 1974 alongside confidant and assistant manager Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), but he manages to bungle the deal in a mere 44 days, winding up fired. Written for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and based on David Peace's critically acclaimed novel, this fictionalized account of the notorious sports legend co-stars Jim Broadbent.

Movie #161........................."Intermezzo"

Movie #161 "Intermezzo" is a pure romantic drama (contrary to romantic comedy), and it's nice to see one again, esp. since holiday isn't making them anyore. This one introduced Ingrid Bergman to America and what a splash she makes on the screen. It's doubly fun for me because I've always been a Leslie Howard fan (yes, I admit, I wanted Scarlet to get Ashley Wilkes through GWTW). So this makes a nice romance that's doomed from the start. I won't say anything else except that rottentomatoes gave it 100% ---- I wouldn't go that far, but it is a good one to see if you are looking for pure romance. They are few and far between these days.





Average rating: 3.448
I gave it 4 stars
Intermezzo
(1939) NR
How apt that this beautiful film is named Intermezzo, a term that connotes a short musical piece played between two longer movements. Ingrid Bergman takes on the role of the romantic interlude, Anita Hoffman, a young pianist who comes between violinist Holger Brandt (Leslie Howard) and his wife (Edna Best). When Brandt and Hoffman go on tour, they can't help but fall in love, leaving a wrecked marriage in their wake.

Movie #160........................."Ghost Writer"

Movie #160 "The Ghost Writer" has been hailed as a terrific film (rottentomatoes.com gave it 81%), but I found it to be so-so. It's been called "Hitchcockian." In the way it is shot, in the look of the film and the use of atmosphere, that seems quite spot on ---- but it does have two faults: the pacing (it's rather slow, and yes you can accuse Hitchcock of that, esp. in his earlier fare) and the main character played by Ewan McGregor. Not much his fault, but the character is pretty silly to me --- I know he's supposed to be James Stewart-like, the common man, but he's more stupid than that. Example: In one big chase, he finally gets away, and what does he do? He looks back -- this might not sound stupid to the reader, but to the viewer of the film who knows that the bad guys (if they see him) could get out the same way he did, he appears goofy. Like a lap dog, he open doors whenever he shouldn't, he tells possible bad guys where he is, he goes wherever anyone tells him to -- I wanted to say "duh" several times, but then if you see him that way throughout the film, it makes the ending somewhat poetic justice. I won't give anything away, but my favorite moment was the very end. So maybe we were supposed to see him as stupid. The problem is that there's less empathy for his character, then; he doesn't seem to be trying so we just see him as man in a mess ad infinitum. I'm surprised critics are hailing this film so much. I didn't think there was much new here at all, except for the ending, and for the use of the GPS (which Hitchcock would have used, if available in his time, in a New York minute). Polanski, you've done better. This is just okay.





Average rating: 3.668
I'd give it 3.5 stars
The Ghost Writer
The Ghost
(2010) PG-13
A writer (Ewan McGregor) stumbles upon a long-hidden secret when he agrees to help former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) complete his memoirs on a remote island after the politician's assistant drowns in a mysterious accident. In director Roman Polanski's tense drama, the author realizes that his discovery threatens some very powerful people who will do anything to ensure that certain episodes from Lang's past remain buried.

Movie #159........................."Coco before Chanel"

Movie #159 "Coco Beore Chanel" has Audrey Tatou and I love, love, love Audrey (Amelie) Tatou, but she didn't save this film for me. It was slow with very little story until the last half an hour. Very litle conflict and slow pacing makes a dull film. It's cool that she brought a very simplistic, masculine style to women's fashion, and that she was a feminist with a capital F. The love story is very anomalous and could have used a bit more explaining. But just a bit too slow for my money. Makes me want to see what comes After Chanel,now.




Average rating: 3.548
I'd give it 3.3 stars
Coco Before Chanel
Coco Avant Chanel
(2009) PG-13
Audrey Tautou stars as legendary French designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in this lively biopic that explores the fashion icon's storied ascension from orphan to seamstress and cabaret singer and ultimately, the queen of Parisian haute couture. Alessandro Nivola plays Arthur "Boy" Capel, Chanel's lover and influential business investor who makes a lifelong impact on the young woman. Anne Fontaine directs this Oscar nominee for Best Costume Design.

Movie #158 ........................"Happy Anniversary"

Movie #158 "Happy Anniversary" is supposed to be one of those 1950's on the edge comedies, with David Niven as a "tipsy" husband (well, that's the way TCM described him) married to Mitzi Gaynor (? whoever thought that would work) with daughter Patty Duke (she's about 9 or 10) who announces to everyone on some t.v. show that her parents had premarital relations-----"whatever that is, " she says to the audience in dismay.... why anyone would think any of this is funny is beyond me. I ordinarily LOVE David Niven even in bad movies, but put him with the rest of the people in this, drinking all the time and slurring his words or just kissing Mitzi Gaynor's neck, with a script that gives him very little otherwise to do, makes a wreck of a film. I usually love older movies, but this one is embarrassing to watch so my recommendation is: don't bother watching this one! See "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" instead. Or "Bishop's Wife" or "Seaparate Tables" or any other David Niven movie!

I give it 2 stars.

Movie #157 ........................."Song to Remember"

Movie #157 "Song to Remember" is an old movie I watched on the plane today on the way to Arizona because I had teevoed a copy of it from TCM. I had never heard of it, but I was interested because it was supposed to be about the love affair between Frederic Chopin and George Sand (a female writer, very rebellious, strong female). One of my favorite movies I have ever seen is on the same topic, and it's entitled "Impromptu." So it was interesting to see how the relationship was handled here. Cornel Wilde played the sickly, very naive, passionate genius Chopin(Hugh Grant, I think in the other one) while Merle Oberon played George Sand in this one ( Judy Davis in "Impromptu"). I want to resee "Impromptu in the near future, but from what I remember it was a lovely love story, with the conflict centered around Frederic's health. This one was centered around the Polish liberation and a teacher (played by the ever talented Paul Muni)who had worked with Frederic since he was 5 years old and who also believed in the cause. According to this film, Frederic was greatly upset with the way the Poles were being treated, and he travelled to Paris with his teacher so he could make money and send it back to the cause. Once there, George Sand takes Chopin on as her protege and she takes him to Majorca so they can both do their thing as far as the arts. Since this is an old movie, we only imagine they are sleeping together --- that part is never mentioned. Anyway, he leaves his beloved teacher behind, for several years. He gets sick there but continues to write great music. As long as he creates, Ms Sand thinks that is good enough ----- she seems more of the philosophy that you do art for yourself, and she thinks if he goes on tour, he'd make money, but he doesn't need to, and she doesn't think his health is good enough to withstand the stress of the tour. Meanwhile, his teacher and people back home think that he should do a tour and take the money and give it to the cause. You can guess the end. Because I don't remember this teacher or the cause from the beloved movie "Impromptu," I plan to see it again soon. I would rate this movie a #3. It was interesting and had LOTS and LOTS of Chopin music. But it seemed predictable and simplistic in its approach. But I had never seen Paul Muni in this type of performance, so that was a special bonus here.

Movie #156........................."Paris 36"

Movie #156 "Paris 36" I watched this because it was nominated for best song, and though I liked it, I'm still wondering 1) why was it nominated? and 2) what made the music that special in this film? and 3) why the academy went out of its way to snub Sir Paul McCartney with this nomination? and 4) which song was really nominated? and do the French really have such bad lyrics to all their songs? You should see most of the lyrics here. The movie has a lot of musical numbers, and yes, the music is pleasant to listen to (mostly with accordions to give it the Paree style), but ohmygod the lyrics are a hoot ---- so I waited through the whole movie for the AA nominated song, and never found it, so I guess I'll get introduced to it tomorrow at the awards ceremony. maybe? Anyway, from the Netflix synopsis, I didn't expect this movie to have any substance, but surprisingly, it did. But I've seen the story before --- fascist with money gives three guys free reign in a theatre in Paris (1936) because he's in love with a girl who secretly loves one of the guys --- there's a comic who slams jews (when he IS one!), there are women who are forced to sleep around because they need jobs, there's beating up of people, shooting --- lots of drama here for a musical, so it kind of came across as a French "Cabaret" --- I'd say very meaty and quite enjoyable for most of the time. Except for those crazy lyrics to the songs!





Average rating: 3.222
I gave it 3.4 stars
Paris 36
Faubourg 36
(2008) PG-13
When a neighborhood music hall closes down, a trio of unemployed friends (Gérard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac and Kad Merad) vow to bring the business back from the dead by staging a musical they hope will be a hit. If their gamble pays off, they'll have the money to buy the theater for themselves -- and the power to control their own destinies. Christophe Barratier directs this Berlin Film Festival selection set in 1930s Paris.

Movie #155........................."Bright Star"

Movie #155 "Bright Star" or what I would subtitle as "Don't Bother" --- yikes, this is a boring film with no chemistry for the leads. And it's Jane Campion's? THE Jane Campion of "The Piano"???? And I've sat through many a boring film, and I even count "A Room With A View" as watchable and somewhat enjoyable, so I don't think it's me. This film is slow, plodding, dull and I shan't waste any more time in this blog on it! (ooh, Jane Austen would be proud of my last sentence!) If the intent of this film was for the viewer to wish that John Keats would die sooner, then mission accomplished here. I for one don't think I'm going to make it to his death scene. nope, I didn't. turned off at 81 minutes, mid coughing!



Average rating: 3.229
I give it 1 star
Bright Star
(2009) PG
Critically acclaimed Australian filmmaker Jane Campion helms this drama detailing the passionate three-year romance between 19th-century Romantic poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) -- who died tragically at age 25 -- and his great love and muse, Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Much of the story was inspired by Keats's poetry and the actual love letters the pair exchanged. Thomas Sangster, Paul Schneider and Kerry Fox co-star.

Movie #154.........................."The Cove"

Movie #154 "The Cove" is a wow documentary, and I don't say that very often. If you have read some of my blog, you might have picked up that documentary is not one of my favorite genres, but this one was amazing. It's "riveting" as the synopsis in netflix says. Because everyone who tries to film the "cove" area in Japan gets arrested, the major advocate of the dolphins (who ironically does it because he feels guilty for starting the whole ball rolling, since he was the first trainer for the t.v. show "Flipper") gathers together a group of people who are in the tops of their fields to film the atrocities being committed. As a result, the structure of the film becomes an Ocean's 11, with them devising these ways to film without the bad guys finding out. With pure gutsiness, the viewer wonders: will they be able to shoot this? And when we see the actual footage, finally, it's ohmygod moment in film that will be hard to ever forget. The movie makes you want to get up and do something, and that's what I think film is all about. So please take time to see this one. It's a must see!



Average rating: 4.098
I gave it 5
The Cove
The Rising
(2009) PG-13
This riveting, Oscar-nominated documentary follows a group of animal activists to a scenic cove in Taijii, Japan, where they use surveillance equipment to capture footage of a secretive and heavily guarded operation run by the world's largest supplier of dolphins. As the daring group risks their lives to expose the horrifying truths behind the capture of dolphins for the lucrative tourist industry, they also uncover an environmental catastrophe.

Movie #153........................."An Education"

Movie #153 "An Education" is yet another movie that has been nominated for academy awards (acting, best picture and writing), and it is deserving, but it won't win any of them, I don't think. Not that it isn't worthy, because it is oscar-worthy; although it is pretty plain and covers the same ground many films cover, it is done competently, and the acting is superb, esp. the lead, Carey Mulligan - it's her movie and she holds her own, even with the likes of Emma Thompson and Alfred Molina. The film has a good script (penned by Nick Hornby) , beautiful 60s costumes, & nice looking Paris and London locations. But this year with explosives and blue folk, the academy will hardly notice. Consider it lucky it got a nomination, and it is a movie you want to see on the subject of how important education is to a person's life. And what kind of education should we be talking about.




Average rating: 3.946
I gave it 4 stars
An Education
(2008) PG-13
Jenny's (Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan) Oxford-bound teen life is undistinguished in 1961 London until she's given a different kind of education after being immersed in the beguiling but hazardous world of cultured and much-older David (Peter Sarsgaard). Even Jenny's father, Jack (Alfred Molina), is intrigued by him, but her school's unimpressed headmistress (Emma Thompson) works to keep Jenny's entire future from crumbling under David's influence.

Movie #152........................."Food, Inc"

Movie #152 "Food, Inc" is a rock solid documentary about the food industry. Very clear, the study very thorough, gives reasons behind the changes. Here are some facts from the film that we should know: 1) we have an illusion of choice of foods -- food industry is run by about 4 main companies: Tyson, Smithfield, Monsanto, Purdue; 2) the food industry is mass produced in factories 3) corn is the main commodity and since they've been feeding corn to cattle, they get e.coli. and instead of taking them off of corn and feeding grass to them, they figure out high tech ways to cure the problem (and these ways sometimes make us sick) 4) we are now engineering our foods so they won't go stale, and we mostly use corn, which is a starch ---- the corn makes the animals fat quickly so that's why it's used. Our food industry's motto is faster, fatter, bigger, cheaper and unless that changes, we're in BIG trouble 5) obesity problem and diabetes are results of this food industry and the price of food has to do with the obesity problem --- cheaper foods have become the unhealthy ones and the ones picked first in the supermarkets 6) People who have been in charge of the testing of the food industry are owners of the big companies (thank you, Goerge Bush, for part of that) . Then, at the end of the film, they give us things we should do, so I intend to read labels more, buy food in season, buy more organic foods, and perhaps plant a garden ---- if we can ever stay in one place long enough. I highly recommend this very informative film. It's well done. But it's not for the squeamish --- tough to watch the mistreatment of animals.




Average rating: 4.172
I gave it 4 stars
Food, Inc.
(2008) PG
Drawing on Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation and Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, director Robert Kenner's Oscar-nominated documentary explores the food industry's detrimental effects on our health and environment. Kenner spotlights the men and women who are working to reform an industry rife with monopolies, questionable interpretations of laws and subsidies, political ties and rising rates of E. coli outbreaks.

Movie #151........................."Crazy Heart"

Movie #151 "Crazy Heart" kicks off Oscar week, where all the movies that I'm watching have probably been nominated, and this was just okay, which is disappointing because it's been nominated for best actor for Jeff Bridges. This acting job and really the whole movie was much like "The Wrestler" last year, minus the great father daughter scene in the latter film. I'm really surprised this is nominated for best actor because it's pretty plain of a part --- not very showy, shows little effort. It looks to me like a career nod here, and although actors have gotten oscars for that before, it's usually for something a tad more worthy. Anyhow, if you are looking for something different here, you won't find it. And the script lacks those meaty emotional scenes that might make you like this guy more. Here's an example. Jeff Bridges goes to her place to beg to be forgiven --- he calls her name. She has this big scene and explains to him that she can't forgive him and closes the door. The camera, mind you, is mostly on her in this scene. She has most of the lines; she has the big acting moments here. So when it's his turn in the scene and he now is supposed to show the audience how he feels about the previous discussion, what does he do? He calls her name again --- in the same way. Can the writer figure out a way to show how this character is supposed to feel? And if the writer doesn't do it, can the actor make any more choices here to show what he just went through? to show his reaction to her closing the door? to show the futility of the relationship? hmmm. I think whoever decided to nominate Christopher Plummer for supporting actor for "Last Station " made a huge mistake --- I don't think he can beat Christopher Walz, but he could have beaten the best actors in that category. A shame. Plummer is older, has 180 pieces of work on IMDB, his first nomination is this, one of the most overlooked actors of all time, and in my opinion more worthy of an award this year. so overall? See "Last Station" rather than this one.





Average rating: 3.867
I'd give it 3.8
Crazy Heart
(2009) R
When reporter Jean Craddock (Oscar nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal) interviews Bad Blake (Golden Globe winner Jeff Bridges) -- an alcoholic, seen-better-days country music legend -- they connect, and the hard-living crooner sees a possible saving grace in a life with Jean and her young son. But can he leave behind an existence playing in the shadow of Tommy (Colin Farrell), the upstart kid he once mentored? Robert Duvall produces and co-stars.

Movie #150 ........................."Blue"

Movie #150 "Blue" is a terrific film about one woman's journey through grief. Juliette Binoche is a wonder to watch act -- she's that good. And right from the get-go, the film is one of those gems filmically, as well ---- it's a beautiful film that depends on all the technical elements to get the story across. She's such a quiet person who doesn't wear her thoughts or feelings on a sleeve; she's more an onion whom the audience peels one layer at a time as she and the viewer learns how to deal with all the sadness and loneliness. It was a tough movie to watch, but well worth the while. I highly recommend it.





You rated this movie: 4.0

Blue
Trois Couleurs: Bleu
(1993) R
When a young Frenchwoman (Juliette Binoche) tries to uncover her famous composer husband's secret life, her steps take her alternately closer to and further from the truth on a journey that ultimately leads to self-discovery. In this first installment of Polish cinematic genius Krzysztof Kieslowski's "three colors" trilogy, Blue stands for "liberty" (as in the French national motto) and is the first color of the red, white and blue French flag.