Movie #219........................."Faithful in My Fashion"

Movie #219 "Faithful in My Fashion" is a black and white film, still another TCM movie on a Wednesday night tribute to Donna Reed, and it was one I hadn't seen, and I'm glad I did. It's not a classic by any means, but it was very refreshing in the story it was telling. I can honestly say it was different from most romantic comedies I had ever seen. Oh, not with the deception on one of the party's part, but on the reason why she was doing it. Here's the premise: Jeff (Tom Drake) returns after being gone for 4 years in the war, and he immediately goes to the store he used to work at, and to see the woman he used to work for, whom he has been carrying a torch for ever since he left ---- and he's been sending her money and he's ready to marry her ---- in his mind. she, Jean (he calls her Chunky? It's Donna Reed, not chunky) sees it a different way ---- he's a guy she dated a few times before he left for the war ---- a hero who now comes home and whom she doesn't want to let down, and neither do the quirky employees at the store --- there are 4 of them led by Edward Everett Horton, along with Spring Byington and Margaret Hamilton (the wicked witch of the west) and they convince Jean to pretend the past fours didn't happen, and that in the four years Jeff was gone, she did not get a huge job boost, she didn't change her apartment, and didn't get engaged - oh my. It's cheesy, chaotic, goofy, but its heart is in the right place. And Tom Drake and Donna Reed play the two characters so sincerely, you can't help but root for them to work it all out. Cute film. I give it 3.7 stars.

Movie # 217........................."Confessions of a Shopaholic"

Movie #217 "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is one of few romantic comedies that totally misses its mark to me. I hated it. Not much that redeems it --- the dialogue is inane, the characters are unlovable and they lack charm, and the plot is stupid --- yes, it passed the stupid line and in about only 15 minutes or less of viewing. I had just told someone yesterday that I couldn't remember a romantic comedy that I didn't like, but then this shows up!! And I was disappointed because there are so many big names in here: Joan Cusack, john Goodman, Christine Ebersole, and esp. Hugh Dancy --- so disappointing (had they really read the script before they signed on???) . Don't waste your time. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

Average rating: 3.34
I gave it one star
Confessions of a Shopaholic
(2009) PG
With dreams of writing for a top fashion glossy, shopping addict Rebecca (Isla Fisher) begins working for a financial magazine pushed by the same publisher. But as her career skyrockets, she struggles to pay off overwhelming bills -- and manage her love life. Joan Cusack, John Goodman and Krysten Ritter co-star in this glittery rom-com based on the best-selling series of Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella.

Movie #218........................."Valentine's Day"

Movie #218 "Valentine's Day" is kind of like an Americanized version of "Love Actually. In fact, at times it's funnier, but not as poignant or well acted as the former film. There aren't the meaty Emma Thompson breakdowns in this one, but there is also a kid who is missing his mom (his real valentine) , and two best friends that you know will get together eventually . It has faster editing and movement from one person to the next and many more characters than Love Actually. What a cool idea to take one day and show how silly, romantic, cheesy, loving, serious, crazy, deceptive (and more ) we can be when hit by Cupid's arrow. There were some neat, ironic casting with Topher Grace and Ashton Kutchner in the same film (but not sharing screen time) , Shirley Maclaine kissing Hector Elizondo in front of herself on the screen kissing her leading man, and speaking of Elizondo, he's sharing another film with Julia Roberts, but not being in a scene with her here. There are some in jokes from other movies they've done with Garry Marshall, and watch for Marshall's wife who has a key line in a hospital scene. I recommend it, but I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.






Average rating: 3.788
i gave it 4 stars
Valentine's Day
(2010) PG-13
In this Los Angeles-set comedy from director Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman), the tripwires of modern love are exposed in a carousel involving relationships and the single life on the most romantic day of the year: February 14. Proposals, infidelity, loneliness and more are explored. Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper and Patrick Dempsey lead a star-studded cast.

Movie #216........................."Leap Year"

Movie #216 "Leap Year" is a romantic comedy much like many others, two people hate each other, on a journey they learn a lot about themselves and the other person, discover they are soulmates, and come together at the end of the journey --- a 5 star film that set this path was "It Happened One Night." This is no "It Happened One Night." But a huge gauge for me if it's a good romantic comedy is that at the end of the film, I feel I will miss the couple and I truly believe they are in love --- And this film has all that and more, including drop dead beuatiful scenery (it is all filmed in Ireland), cute secondary characters, and a good theme on trying to live your life without regrets. I buy that, I buy the couple (the Irish guy is terrific -- want to see more of him, and Amy Adams never lets me down), and I buy the film.





Average rating: 3.709
I gave it 4 stars
Leap Year
(2009) PG
Anna (Amy Adams) chooses February 29 to propose marriage to her "perfect" boyfriend, Jeremy (Adam Scott), sure he'll accept because of an Irish custom. But after meeting charming innkeeper Declan (Matthew Goode) en route to Dublin, Anna must evaluate her original plans. Anand Tucker directs this charming romantic comedy about finding what one really wants in the most unexpected places. John Lithgow co-stars.

Movie #215........................."Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown"

Movie #215 "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" has a witty script, and such a flow to it ------once it gets started. It took me two times starting the movie --- had trouble getting into it, but once it piqued my interest (about 15 minutes in it or so), the film took off for me and it was a continual delight as each calamity builds on to the next one! Love the people in it, too. Kudos to Almodovar, the director. His stuff never fails to amaze me --- but for different reasons. This one was a hoot, and now I understand the big poster that Dave's sister Kate owned with all the characters from this film. It has been in my Saved queue for netflix until Netflix got a hold of it, and I'm so glad I waited to see it! Thanks, Kate, for this one!




Average rating: 4.068
I gave it 4 stars
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios
(1988) R
After being dumped by her lover, Iván (Fernando Guillén), Pepa (Carmen Maura) finds her life -- and the lives of those around her -- spiraling out of control in this madcap farce from acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. As Pepa tries to contact Iván, her friend Candela (María Barranco) reveals her involvement with a terrorist, Iván's wife visits with loaded guns, and Iván is about to board a plane that Candela's boyfriend plans to hijack.

Movie #214 ........................."Ransom" (Glenn Ford one)

Movie #214 "Ransom" is not the Mel Gibson one and boy is it better. Glenn Ford is the dad, Donna Reed (whom I was named after) is the mother, and they handle the melodrama so much better than the remake of this classic film. I just caught this again on TCM the other night, and although I have seen it before, and also the remake, there's something about this one that keeps my interest so much more. First, the acting is so much more believable --- what an intensity these actors need to be in through THE WHOLE movie with their son being kidnapped almost at the very beginning of the film. And all the twists and turns. What I liked about this original rendition is the relentlessness of the father to hold his ground, and not budge in giving in to the kidnapper --- he refuses to pay and turns the tables on the kidnapper, and he is so convinced that paying will bring harm to his son and perpetuate this crime further. This father is so brave to stand up to everyone ---- the police, the journalists, his family, and esp. his wife. It's intriguing to watch him stand firm. Second, if I can remember the differences between the modern and the classic, I think the classic was braver in its stand on NOT paying off kidnappers --- mostly because it could be ---- that stance in a film with Mel Gibson (high profile) would be a bit chancey in this day and age. So i guess what I'm saying is that this film is worth a second look (or a first, if you haven't seen it). But I'm giving it 4 stars because it does go into the melodrama a bit ---- I just think you won't mind it because it IS so well acted by Ford and Reed.

Movie #213 ........................."Letters to Juliet"

Movie #213 "Letters to Juliet" has Vanessa Redgrave, and it is shot in Verona and Siena (both of which we traveled in this past November), and Amanda Seyfried has the biggest eyes I have ever seen. I wanted to say something nice before I then wrote that the script is cliched, the guy they got to be Redgrave's grandson is a stick (actingwise and every other wise) , and personally, I think she would have had a better chance with the other guy (and that's not giving any of it away!) I DO think the set up is a cool idea, and I had a tear in my eye (sorry, romantic comedies are my very favorite, cliches and all) in the most romantic moment of all in the film --- that scene worked for me, but the end................oh please! Did I say the film scenes that work are with REdgrave and anybody but the stick?





I gave it 3.3 stars
Letters to Juliet
(2010) PG
By responding to a letter addressed to Shakespeare's tragic heroine Juliet Capulet, a young American woman (Amanda Seyfried) vacationing in Verona, Italy, sets in motion a series of events that leads her -- and the missive's lovelorn author (Vanessa Redgrave) -- in search of romance. Directed by Gary Winick, this deeply tender and uplifting drama also features Gael García Bernal and Franco Nero.

Movie #212........................."As It IS in Heaven"

Movie #212 "As It Is in Heaven" is a tribute to the power of music. It's an orchestra leader who due to unexpected problems goes back home and becomes a choir leader. The group becomes a true family, all connected with their love for music, but they bring baggage to the group --- there's a woman who is being abused by her husband, there's a guy who has mental disabilities, another one has a loose reputation, etc. But somehow the goup becomes unstoppable in its goal to get better. The film becomes a bit melodramatic at the end (its one fault), but the rest is very poignant, well acted, well shot, a worthwhile movie to see. I can see why it was nominted for an academy award for foreign film. Oh, incidentally, the lead guy is playing Blomquist, the lead in "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo," and he's excellent!



Average rating: 3.96
I gave it 4 stars
As It Is in Heaven
Så som i himmelen / As in Heaven
(2005) NR
This Oscar-nominated Swedish drama tells the story of Daniel Dareus (Michael Nyqvist), a small-town boy who escaped his tiny village to become a famous conductor. A tragic mishap sends him back home in search of a fresh start, and he ends up leading the local choir. Frida Hallgren, Helen Sjoholm and Lennart Jahkel co-star in writer-director Kay Pollak's (Children's Island, Love Me!) heartwarming tale.

Movie #211........................."Lonesome Jim"

Movie #211 "Lonesome Jim" was a slow one. Liv Tyler and Casey Affleck and his brother Kevin Corrigan all seemed to be having a contest on who could be the most boring, laid back, pausey (is that a word?) person in the film! Holy Smokes, it was like watching paint dry. But Mary Kay Place, the mom, was so cute, she made the film somewhat endearing. Dialogue is mumbled, there are long, long pauses, no facial expressions, yep, definitely a slice of life film. So if you hate those, don't go near this one. But it does have that reality thing going for it --- It just went on as if you were looking through a window and watching this family. Another positive is the good ending. Very poignant and fitting.





Average rating: 2.615
I gave it 3 stars, but if I could, I would have given it 2.8
Lonesome Jim
(2005) R
After several failed attempts to make it on his own, 27-year-old Jim (Casey Affleck) decides to move back to Indiana and live with his middle-aged parents (Mary Kay Place and Seymour Cassel) and younger brother (Kevin Corrigan). But just when it seems as if he's destined to regress, he meets a beautiful single mom (Liv Tyler) with a 10-year-old son (Jack Rovello) who thinks he'd make a great dad. Acclaimed character actor Steve Buscemi directs.

Movie #210........................."The Goodbye Girl"

Movie #210 "The Goodbye Girl" is one of my favorite in this romantic comedy genre. Why? Crackling Neil Simon dialogue, realistic sittuations (i.e. it doesn't have both people lying to each other through the whole film for the comedy0 , it handles the subject of dumping with aplomb, Richard Dreyfuss and the little girl are outstanding and Marsha Mason isn't bad. it has a good plot that I equally enjoyed on stage when it was turned into a musical (with Martin Short and Bernadette Peters), and I enjoyed it in a second viewing (which breaks my philosophy that there are so many movies, that I really don't need to see any of them more than once! ) so I guess I'm saying this is a must-see some time in your life. It's very good. "Annie Hall" beat it for best picture, but it's still one of the best!





Average rating: 3.691
I give it 5 stars
The Goodbye Girl
(1977) PG
Ex-Broadway hoofer Paula (Marsha Mason) lives with her daughter in the New York flat of her most recent lost love -- who has sublet the place. Enter brash actor and sublessee Elliot (Richard Dreyfuss, in an Oscar-winning performance), who doesn't have the heart to oust mother and child. A mismatch from the get-go, Paula and Elliot are mutually contemptuous. But that changes when his vulnerability shows after a wretched theatrical debut.

Movie #209........................."Blind Date"

Movie #209 "Blind Date" is an unusual movie, a one of a kind. There are some good choices here: to have the dead daughter narrate, to cast the illuminating Patricia Clarkson (the Ingrid Bergman of our time), and Stanley Tucci, who is always interesting to watch; to film it and make it look like a visual dream; to use dialogue that is intelligent (although, does anyone who sees it once understand every line of dialogue spoken here?) It's claustrophobic in that it is filmed in mainly one set (except for a strange bathroom scene toward the end --- still thinking about that one) I only recommend this movie to people who want a very unusual film viewing experience, who don't get upset if they don't understand everything, who are interested in the part that role playing can play to alleviate pain, & who want to watch two excellent actors who are possibly at the peak of their craft. But this is slow as molasses in pacing, so most people won't give it 10 minutes, I'm thinking.






Average rating: 2.001
I gave it 3 stars
Blind Date
(2007) NR
Middle-aged married couple Don (Stanley Tucci) and Janna (Patricia Clarkson) are torn apart by their daughter's accidental death. No longer able to relate to each other, they reconnect when Don begins placing personal ads for Janna to respond to. They both role-play their parts, pretending to be strangers, a facade they hope can repair years of damage to their relationship. Tucci also directs this remake of Theo van Gogh's 1996 film.

Movie #208........................."Monsieur Hire"

Movie #208 "Monsieur Hire" I had heard about for years, and then I wasn't in the mood to see anything tonight, and I came across it and wow am I ever glad I did. The average rating was 3.3, but I thought it was a 5 (rottentomatoes gave it 100%). I must admit, though, in the opening I was thinking: this is a famous French film? the main character is strange, he's a voyeur, this is odd. I couldn't predict one scene to the next, and as one scene unfolded into the next, my eyes became riveted to the screen. One critic called it "a gripping thriller, with erotic undertones" and I thought that pegged this, if anything could. As the character and plot get peeled away , you start thinking that you are watching a master film maker at work. I highly recommend it, but you have to get past the first couple of scenes, and then jump on and ride this thriller to the end of the line. You won't be disappointed.






Average rating: 3.343
I gave it 5 stars
Monsieur Hire
(1989) PG-13
Reclusive middle-aged bachelor Monsieur Hire (Michel Blanc) spies nightly on his seductive neighbor, Alice (Sandrine Bonnaire), through her undraped windows. She seems to welcome the attention … until a 22-year-old woman's nude corpse turns up in the vicinity. Suspicion quickly falls on the voyeuristic Hire, and an erotic game of cat and mouse unspools -- with a twist -- in this spellbinding French thriller from director Patrice Leconte.

Movie #207........................."Romper Stomper"

Movie #207 "Romper Stomper" can obviously be compared to other violent films such as "American History X" or "A Clockwork Orange," and when comparing this movie with either, it comes up short. I personally am one of the few students of film who disliked "A Clockwork Orange," but as violent as "American History" was, it left a huge impression on me --- and there are scenes in there that I will never, ever forget. It gives reasons for the skinheadedness; it shows the workings of the whole group, it shows how they get pulled in and how they feel about that, etc. This film just shows the violence and how it can escalate when these skinheads finally get their comeuppnce and get attacked by a ton of asians who have had enough. The skinheads (one of which is Rusell Crowe) are so despicable, in the scene where they are attacked, you almost root for the Asians. I'm not sure that was supposed to happen. There is one guy (Davey, played by Daniel Pollock, who in real life threw himself in front of a train after this movie was done) who apparently tries to leave with Crowe's girl and you can guess how popular that move is. Too much violence and not enough theme in this one. But it is intriguing to see Crowe at work and you know watching him that he's a star in the making. The intensity of the film is amazing, but that's the nicest thing I can say about this way-too-violent film.





Average rating: 3.319
I give it 3 stars
Romper Stomper
(1992) R
Russell Crowe rose to fame for his portrayal of Hando, a cold and ruthless racist who heads up a local gang of skinheads spreading violence in Melbourne, Australia. When their favorite pub is bought by a Vietnamese group, they plan an all-out war. But the Vietnamese are prepared to fight back, and Hando's gang begins to weaken because of internal jealousy spurred by a love triangle with best friend Davey and their female companion, Gabe.

Movie #206........................."Reefer Madness"

Movie #206 "Reefer Madness" is billed a cult classic; I think it's just a badly made film that you will laugh at about the evils of Marijuana. you laugh at it because it's so silly. I imagine a bigger audience will help you laugh even more --------and geez, there's tremendous amount of smoking. Lots of prosletizing, too. I chose it because we were traveling all day and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stay up for a long movie --- this was only 60+ minutes. But if you are looking for an old classic that's done really well, choose "The Blob" or 'The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes." The topic is intriguing the way it is tackled, though. Gutsy for its time.





You rated this movie: 3.0
Reefer Madness
Tell Your Children / Dope Addict / Doped Youth / Love Madness / The Burning Question
(1936) NR
This 1936 propaganda film took on a life of its own when the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws dug it out of the Library of Congress in the early 1970s. Since then, the movie has become a cult hit among modern audiences, who appreciate the story line's comedic value. In short, a group of teens seduced by the power of "reefer" take a few puffs -- and instantly become psychotic killers, jazz addicts and whores.

Movie #205 ........................."The Devil & Miss Jones"

Movie #205 "The Devil & Miss Jones" I give 4 stars to; it's an oldie but a goodie I had never seen. Here's the synopsis:
Tycoon John P. Merrick (Charles Coburn) is startled to see an effigy of himself hanging on the front page of the New York Times, courtesy of union organizers at Neeley's Department Store, which Merrick didn't even know he owned. On a sudden impulse, he goes undercover there as a shoe salesman. Soon he's so involved in the lives of his fellow employees (especially one young couple (Jean Arthur and Robert Cummings) and a delightful single woman his own age whom he falls in love with ,the lovely Spring Byington), that he learns what it's like to be on the other side of the money. The story we've seen a lot (esp. Sullivan's Travels comes to mind, with the disguise bit), but it was refreshing that the conflict was not what I thought it would typically be ---- that he had lots of money and everyone would resent that he had been lying to them this whole time. That was gone in one edit (in fact, I went back to the moment to make sure I hadn't slept through it), and the conflict was more about what he should correctly with his money. I liked that, and the theme plus the great actors (I'm always a sucker for Jean Arthur) made it a good old film.

Movie #204........................."Iron Man 2"

Movie #204 "Iron Man 2" is a nice action film, good summer fun. It has terrific repartee between Tony Stark and Pepper, good conflict with politicians vs. Stark, throw in Scarlett Johansson kicking up a storm, and of course the niftiest suit ever, able to assemble in three seconds flat. Amazing. Then add ILM effects, Skywalker sound, and a good script (that scared me in parts --- at least the possibiliy of drones in the military) and you've got some mighty nice entertainment to look forward to. Liked it a lot!






You rated this movie: 4.0
Iron Man 2
(2010) PG-13
Wealthy inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) -- aka Iron Man -- resists calls by the American government to hand over his technology. Meanwhile, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) has constructed his own miniaturized arc reactor, causing all kinds of problems for our superhero. Sam Rockwell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson co-star in director Jon Favreau's sequel based on Marvel comic book characters.

Movie #203........................Chuck & Buck

Movie #203 "Chuck & Buck" is indeed an indie and falls under the realm of "Uncomfortable" kind of humor, but this one is a tad different. It's uncomfortable in so many ways, but also has a poignant ending. I'm a Mike White fan, so this was an easy pick for me -------- I thought it would be like the play "The Nerd" but it has a homosexual undertone to the whole film that added a whole new dimension to "awkward" ---- I don't want to give too much away, but I'll say this: it isn't for everyone, but some people might find a lot they do like about it. And did I say I found the last couple of minutes very rewarding? So I'm in between on this one. A 3.






Average rating: 2.999
I gave it 3 stars
Chuck & Buck
(2000) R
An offbeat film about 27-year-old Buck (Mike White) reuniting with boyhood friend Chuck (Chris Weitz), who decides -- evidence to the contrary -- that they're still best pals. This fascinating look at the weird chemistry of attachment and obsession gets darker as a rebuffed Chuck begins to stalk Buck, who'll need a huge No-Pest Strip to end the one-sided infatuation.

Movie #202........................."Easy Virtue"

Movie #202 "Easy Virtue" I liked a lot. In fact, I was thinking of giving it a 5 (it is at least 4.4 or 4.5), but I did fall asleep through it once or twice (not the fault of the film -- I was really tired), and so I need to say that it is a bit talkie and dry in humor. Disclaimer: It IS a drawing room comedy, but it's one directed by the brilliant film maker of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." To quote Cole Porter it truly "misbehaves" . (One scene in particular dealing with a dog (dog lovers might not like it, but then again who knows?)) I have never ever scene on the screen and I thought it was a scream! As far as casting, there seems to be an argument on rottentomatoes. No one could fault Firth and Thomas (that's a given), but Jessica Biel's casting is controversial. I am of the opinion that she wasn't quite good enough for the role, (it seemed to be a major reason why it only got 51% on rottentomatoes), but the other people are soooo good. And gosh, she tries. She just looks and sounds so modern, and it really isn't supposed to be. Another disclaimer is that it's based on a Noel Coward play (that I'm not familiar with), but who as a writer is usually brilliantly subtle in humor, but sometimes you aren't sure if you should laugh or say, "oh my!" So if all this sounds good to you, check it out. It has some great themes it explores, and a helluva ending. One they set you up for, but once again, you watch it play out and either laugh or say, "oh my!"





Average rating: 3.089
I gave it 4 stars
Easy Virtue
(2008) PG-13
American widow Larita (Jessica Biel) meets John (Ben Barnes), a wealthy young Englishman, in France and impulsively marries him. But when they visit his family at their country estate, Larita receives a chilly reception from her virulent new mother-in-law (Kristin Scott Thomas). As she waits impatiently to move on with life in London, Larita forms a subtle bond with John's father (Colin Firth) while John falls further under his mother's spell.

Movie #201......................."All I Need"

Movie #201 "All I Need" is a first for me. It's the first movie I've seen that got o% on rottentomatoes.com --- out of 7 critics who did see it, none of them liked it. hmmmm. Well, I don't think it was that bad. And it is only 7 people. I have to admit, I watched it halfheartedly. I was proofreading the newsletter that we've been working on for a week, and I knew where the movie was going. It was odd, though, so I'm not sure why it never got me to put things down and actually watch it. 1) it dealt with a 17 year old (Elijah Wood, playing the same kind of guy as in Everything is Illuminated) falling in love with an older woman (Franka Potente, whom I like a lot) 2) he keeps typing (not on the computer, but on a real typewriter!) notes to his dad, whom he never really got to know and his mom won't talk to him 3) he calls his mom by her first name and he has a weird relationship with her --- he's almost parenting her because she drinks so much 4) the weirdest people live in his apartment 5) watching Mandy Moore coming on to Elijah Wood was strange because she's supposed to be so religious of a person in real life 6) he goes to college, but is scared away by some guy in the parking lot and his roommate, and so he just lives in he college town. 6) he has so many fantasies that sometimes you get them mixed up ---- I liked that part, and actually I liked the strangeness, but I guess the leads are playing their parts so low key that the film never seems to go anywhere. But if you are looking for quirky, this is it. Not so much so, that it's funny (I think I laughed out loud once) but I smiled a lot and nodded like "oh that was a cute scene" kind of attitude. But only once in a while. See Everything is Illuminated. Much better.




Average rating: 2.855
I would give it 2.8
All I Want
Try Seventeen
(2002) R
Teenager Jones (Elijah Wood) has opted not to go to college and is instead renting a room in a boarding house to work on his writing skills. Soon, Jones finds himself dividing his time between two women: a young actress named Lisa (Mandy Moore) and a photographer named Jane (Franka Potente). After Jane's ex-boyfriend arrives to help her recover from a car accident, Jones begins to understand just how much he cares for her.