Movie #421 ........................."Tom Jones"

Movie #421 "Tom Jones" is the last movie on the list of best pics that I hadn't seen, and I can't say I enjoyed this one either. I'm not sure why except that the "outrageous comedy" they mention below, I didn't see at all. I might have chuckled a little. I guess I don't like movies that have womanizers as main characters. And I have to admit, I didn't quite see the end --- fell asleep. And really didn't ever want to go back to see the end. I can't believe this was the best of 1963, but then again, I guess we need movies like these to make us thankful for a year that brings us "Black Swan," "Social Network," "Toy Story 3" and "The King's Speech." But I am glad I saw this movie because I can now say that I have seen all the best pictures from 1927 to 2010. And I'm ready for another year of good films, but I can't say it has started out well.





3 stars
Tom Jones
(1963) UR
Based on Henry Fielding's novel, this four-time Oscar winner (including Best Picture) also scores points for outrageous comedy. Orphaned as an infant and adopted by Squire Allworthy (George Devine), the devilishly handsome, womanizer Tom (Albert Finney) truly loves only one: Sophie. His adventurous attempts to woo her lead him to London, where a duel with a jealous husband lands Tom in prison, and only the secret of his birth can save his life.
Genre: Classic Comedies, United Kingdom, Romance Classics
This movie is: Steamy, Romantic, Witty
Format: Streaming (DVD availability date unknown)

Movie #420 ........................."Cavalcade"

Movie #420 "Cavalcade" is one of two movies left to watch to be able to say that I have watched all the best picture winners through the years since 1927. This one is a stinker and I have to admit that I never finished it. It was torture. I can see maybe why it won (1930s movies aren't any good?) with its epic story telling, but oh my goodness, there are sooooo many movies that are so much better than this one. I am also not a fan of Noel Coward --- a short comic scene that we always took out to do called "Actor's nightmare" makes fun of Noel Coward plays --- all talk and very melodramatic. I prefer that kind of show, making fun of Noel Coward, than having to sit through one of his shows being done badly. The best thing about this movie was..........wait, I really didn't see anything good about it, so enough said.






I gave this 1 star
Cavalcade
(1933) NR
Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard star under Frank Lloyd's Oscar-winning direction in this nostalgic adaptation of Noel Coward's play. The film follows two English families through love, loss and change during the turbulent period of 1899-1933. From the Boer War through Queen Victoria's death, World War I and the Depression, the upper-class Marryots and working-class Bridges never lose hope. The film also won the Best Picture Oscar.
Genre: Drama, Classic Dramas
Format: DVD availability date unknow

Movie #419 ........................."Cimarron"

Movie #419 "Cimarron" was one of the last three movies that I needed to watch to be able to say that I have seen all the Best pictures since 1927 when "Wings" won. This is the 1931 best picture, and I have to say that I dislike 1930's films --- mostly because I find them still in that evolutionary state where the directing/acting seems quite sham-like and over done; this one was like that with Mr. Dix. However, I did like the early Irene Dunne (though she is better later on in her career). There are two really effective scenes in this rather long western (which is not my favorite genre either, so you better believe I was only half watching this after a while). In a very early scene it shows the land rush of 1889 --- I think I've seen shots of this in montages of "great scenes" and it is worthy, to be sure. Another scene I liked was the last scene between husband and wife. I was surprised of this kind of a sophisticated theme for the time period, but it has been handled so much better in other films (like "World Apart" with Barbara Hershey --- a parent due to adventure or fight of the cause, neglects family)




I gave it 2.5 stars
Cimarron
(1931) NR
Director Wesley Ruggles' sweeping adaptation of Edna Ferber's classic American novel was the first Western to win the Best Picture Oscar. Richard Dix stars as Yancey Cravat, a larger-than-life pioneer and newspaperman who moves his family to Oklahoma during the land rush of 1889. Irene Dunne co-stars as Yancey's long-suffering wife, who displays true grit after her husband deserts the family in search of further adventure.
Genre: Classic Westerns, Dramas Based on Classic Literature, Dramas Based on the Book
Format: DVD

Movie #418 ........................."Cedar Rapids"

Movie #418 "Cedar Rapids" has good and not-so-good in it. The good? Ed Helms is quite congenial and has a lot of talent, and John C. Reilly, well, he's one of the few who could play this part and still remain charming. This was actually a good film for Anne Heche, whom I haven't liked in a film in a long time. Now for the bad? The script isn't tight --- there are gaps, and the film is hard to believe in parts; it's raunchy and most everything Riley says is derogatory against women, but there are some good laughs and most importantly, the film is a sweet comedy. The film also made me think more kindly about insurance agents, and small town thinking.




Save
Average rating: 3.664
I give it 3 stars
Cedar Rapids
(2011) R
Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Miguel Arteta directs this delightful fish-out-of-water comedy that also features Sigourney Weaver, Rob Corddry, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.
Genre: Comedy
This movie is: Goofy, Raunchy, Quirky
Format: DVD availability date unknown

Movie #417 ........................."Gasland"

Movie #417 "Gasland" --- excellent and very instructional documentary about the problems with Natural Gas drilling --- people who live in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, most particularly, are suffering from the results, and according to the movie, it will be affecting all of us very soon ---- it's on its way to NYC, if they accept the drilling. This movie was as instructional as "The Cove" (documentary win last year at the Oscars) was last year, but this is more universal of a theme. You gotta see this to believe it. It's very revealing --- it should be neck and neck in this category with "Exit through the Gift Shop" and "REstrepo" --- who knows about the other two, because John Q. Public cannot see them anywhere yet --- that's too bad. It would be nice to see these movies that are nominated BEFORE the academy awards!




I gave it 4 stars
GasLand
(2009) NR
In this Oscar-nominated documentary, director Josh Fox journeys across America to examine the negative effects of natural-gas drilling, from poisoned water sources to kitchen sinks that burst into flame to unhealthy animals and people. Is natural gas a viable alternative to the country's dwindling energy resources, or do the potential harmful consequences outweigh the positives? Fox's film raises these and many more probing questions.
Genre: Science and Nature Documentaries, Political Documentaries, Indie Documentaries
Format: DVD

Movie #416 ........................."The Life of Emile Zola"

Movie #416 "The Life of Emile Zola" --- until I saw this movie, I never really heard of this writer Zola. I saw this movie because it was one of the 4 Movies that won Best Picture for Academy Awards that I have not seen, and now I'm down to 2. Once again, this is just a mediocre film to me, a viewer in 2011. I can understand its value at the time. This Zola is very brave --- a real gutsy writer who will go to his death to prove the government is corrupt --- he delights in writing about it. And this passion causes ultimately his death (an adversary closes up the chimney one evening and he dies of carbon monoxide poisoning for his belief that a soldier by the name of Dreyfus, who has served several years in prison, is innocent of the accusation that he committed treason) His final speech is not nearly as inspirational as others like Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" or Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird," but this is, after all, a 1937 film, and for that reason it does a good job of getting this character across --- all his passions and all his talents and all his beliefs. A nice biography of someone I knew nothing about ---- and Paul Cezanne was a best friend, so I learned a little bit more of him, as well. Wish there was an Emile Zola now!




I gave it 3 stars
The Life of Emile Zola
(1937) NR
Paul Muni stars as French writer and social activist Emile Zola in a biopic that won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (snagged by Joseph Schildkraut, who plays Capt. Alfred Dreyfus).The film tracks Zola through his friendship with Paul Cezanne (Vladimir Sokoloff), his efforts to expose social ills that plagued France's lower classes, and his battle against the anti-Semitic scapegoating of Dreyfus.
Genre: Classic Dramas, Biographies, Political Dramas
This movie is: Inspiring
Format: DVD

Movie #415 ........................"Frankie and Johnny Got Married"

Movie #415 Frankie and Johnny Got Married" is a fun movie for someone like me. I was looking for something that would be on the lighter side, and I saw this in my instant queue and I thought: this is a movie for me, and it was. It concerns people who are married and working with each other, and they are working on a play, no less. Could it get any better? I'm not sure that there is much of a audience for this type of film, except for me, but I found it very enjoyable ---- it told me nothing new, but that's because we worked on so many shows. But to those out there that want to learn or be reminded of all the things that go in to putting on a show, from memorizing lines, getting costumes, selling tickets, and working so closely and so much with people night and day, then this is the movie for you. A good watch.




I'd give it 3 stars
Frankie and Johnny Are Married
(2004) R
Filmmaker Michael Pressman and his wife, Lisa Chess, thought that working together on a production of the famous play "Frankie and Johnny at the Clair de Lune" would work wonders for their careers and inject excitement into their marriage. They got much more than that, including an out-of-control co-star, mounting bills and a relationship on the brink of disaster. Watch how the events unfold in this fictionalized account of their experience.
Genre: Showbiz Comedies, Romantic Comedies, Indie Comedies
This movie is: Romantic, Witty
Format: DVD and streaming

Movie #414 ........................."The Special Relationship"

Movie #414 "The Special Relationship" I found very intriguing. I know it's one writer's idea of what went on behind closed doors during very turbulent times between these two leaders --- Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, including England's problem with the IRA, Kosovo, and the Monica Lewinsky scandal and possible impeachment of Clinton. All of these things test their bond, and it's interesting to see it change through the years. I have NEVER liked Quaid, but I noticed that he lost himself in this film, and I started looking past who he was and saw him as Clinton -- I was amazed at how similar he was to Clinton, and Sheen as Blair is true brilliance. I enjoyed him as Blair in "The Queen" and to be sure, I want to see the third in the series of him playing this spunky leader (the movie is supposed to be entitled "The Deal") He really brings Blair to life. And I would be remiss not to mention the great Hope Davis as Hillary. Nice casting --- nice job. What I really liked about this film is that it shows the good and not-so-good traits in thse people --- Morgan, the writer, can really humanize these possible bigger-than-life people that we only know from headlines. The Golden Globe nomination was right on here.




Donna gives it 4 stars
Our best guess for DONNA: 3.5 stars
Average of 16,122 ratings: 3.4 stars
The Special Relationship
2010NR 88 minutes
Screenwriter Peter Morgan (The Deal, The Queen) delivers a third film centered on the career of British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) with this political drama chronicling Blair's relationships with two U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Dennis Quaid takes on the challenge of portraying President Clinton, with Hope Davis co-starring as then-First Lady Hillary Clinton in this Emmy nominee for Best Made-for-TV Movie.

Cast:Michael Sheen, Dennis Quaid, Hope Davis, Helen McCrory, Adam Godley, Mark Bazeley, Chris Wilson, Lara Pulver Director:Richard Loncraine Genres:Drama, Political Dramas, Dramas Based on Real Life, United Kingdom, Warner Home Video Format:DVD

Movie #413 ........................."God of Love"

Movie #413 "God of Love" is the American contribution to the live action category of oscar nominated films 2011, and it was pleasurable viewing. (4.5 stars) You can instantly recognize it is American --- it is quirky and gets to the point in one minute --- a goofy singer (easily recognizable with big hair) in a band is madly in love with the female drummer who has it bad for the guitarist, who won't have anything to do with her because he is best friends with the goofy singer. While he sings, he throws darts masterfully --- told you it was quirky. Anyway, he comes across magic darts and the rest is a quirky, mystical love story. Liked it a lot --- seemed off the cuff in execution of dialogue, very charming valentine's day fare and very enjoyable.

Movie #412 ........................."NaWeWe"

Movie #412 "Na Wewe" is a Belgian short live action film nominated for an Oscar 2011. It was the one I liked the least (I'd rate it a 3) but only because we saw a lot of this in "Hotel Rwanda" but it had an interesting surprise twist concerning how universal music is -- it becomes quite clear throughout this film, just how there really should be no more borders because we are a little of this and a little of that, etc. and you can't prevent it --- with how we are socially interacting, and the influx of traveling, we should be becoming more universal --- you can no longer put one clan on the left and the other on the right. It's just a matter of us changing our minds about this, and a film like this helps. So even though, out of all 5 entries in this category, this one was my least favorite, it still was worthy of watching and very, very good. Very tense throughout.

Movie #411 ........................."The Crush"

Movie #411 "The Crush" is a delightful live action short that is nominated for a 2011 Oscar. It deals with a little boy who has a crush on his teacher, but he finds out she recently got engaged. He decides to do something about it. Really well done ---- has some suspense, but a nice winning ending. I give it 4 stars, and a close second to the others we saw yesterday in the live action short category. This was a great idea to show these, Sundance. Hope you continue doing it.

Movie #410 ........................."Wish 143"

Movie #410 "Wish 143" was my very favorite live action short (oscar nominated for 2011) --- but it was a close race. This one had a little of everything --- a great premise: Make a wish foundation goes to this Irish lad of age 16 or 17? to ask what his wish is, and he says he wants to have sex before he dies (he has a tumor that is growing in his lungs -- the doctor keeps comparing it to fruit ---size of kiwi, then a peach, finally a grapefruit --- it breaks your heart) Make a wish can't do that, they say, and even his main mentor, a priest, says he can't help. The boy tries to leave the hospital but a busdriver won't let him on the bus with liquids "it's attached to my vein, for God's sake" he yells at him..........there are funny moments, there are teary, break-your-heart moments, a complete package here. And the young man and the priest give unforgettable performances here. I give it a 5. What a wonderful short film that does everything it needs to do, and more.

Movie #409 ........................."The Confession"

Movie #409 "The Confession" is the first movie we saw yesterday at the Sundance theatre that is Oscar nominated for live action short 2011. It started rather whimsical and funny --- it concerns a little boy (about 9?) riding his bike to school out in the country about to make his first communion and first confession. He finds he has nothing to say --- he goes down the list and he really has nothing. His friend, who is more devilish, decides to help this boy "sin" so they cook up a plan that goes terribly awry and just continues to descend spiraling into tragic consequences. The end is very powerful but very disturbing. I would rate this film a 4, and if you get a chance to see it, it's worth the time spent. Well filmed, the kids are effective, and the mood perfectly executed.

Movie #408 ........................."Day & Night"

Movie #408 "Day *& Night" was the best of the animated shorts nominated for Oscars for 2011, in my opinion, and it's pixar. It was the movie that was attached to "Toy Story 3" this year, so chances are good that you saw it already. Two blobby characters, one night and the other day, point out why one is better than the other --- like Night shows fireworks, and Day shows a bathing beauty on the beach. They agree to disagree, and this to me is the most topical theme -----esp. in the united states when we can't agree on anything --- we seem to revel in our differences, and it has to dawn on us soon that we have to move on and both search for compromise if we are ever gonna get anything done! I give this one a 5 --- the theme is the best, the visuals are A+. Congratulations, Pixar! But the oscar rarely goes to us, so this should be interesting in this category.

Movie #407 ........................."The Gruffalo"

Movie #407 "The Gruffalo" is the 4th in the series of animated shorts nominated for an Oscar in 2011. This one was slow and really the worst of the bunch, in my estimation. Yet it has all the actors attached to it, doing voices, people like: Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, and Robbie Coltrane. A mom is telling the story of this mouse who is so afraid of the owl, the snake, and the third animal (can't remember right now) that he makes up a boogie animal --- a gruffalo, who then appears and scares him (I guess the theme is not to make up stories, or be careful what you wish for) -- anyway, it was way too slow and unoriginal to be in the league of the other movies in this category, in my opinion.

Movie #406 ........................."The Lost Thing"

Movie #406 "The Lost Thing" is the third animated short nominated for an Oscar in 2011. Boy, this was soooooo good (DAve's favorite) about people being so busy that they don't pay attention to the small "things" any more. Well, he's at the train station and he sees this "thing" so he takes it home. It bothers his folks so he puts it out in the backyard, but he can't leave it there so he takes it to the department of odds and ends. However, a sweeper goes by him and says, if you don't want this "thing" scrapped" take it here......and hands him directions, which he follows and when he finally gets to the destination.............well, I don't want to tell you too much, esp. the ending, but the film certainly gets its theme across. It is very nostalgic, and the renderings are just perfect for that theme -- and so is the music. Everything is picture perfect here and I would give it 4.5 stars.

Movie #405 ........................."Let's Pollute"

Movie #405 "Let's Pollute" is the second animated short I saw today that is nominated for an Oscar in 2011. Very enjoyable tongue in cheek film, in the guise of an infomercial on how TO Pollute! It's hilarious and certainly gets its point across. The animated part of it is just okay, but it is full of very witty edits and moments in the film. I'd rate it a 4. Lots of fun!

Movie #404........................."Madagascar: a Journey Diary"

Movie #404 "Madagascar: a Journey Diary" is nominated for oscar for best animated short 2011. It was the first one I saw today in the program of animated shorts, and one of the most amazing, possible THE most amazing. In fact, I would give it the best award except for the weak script. By the time it was done, not sure what the story was, but the music, the drawings, the backgrounds, the editing --- the unique movement of the film, was all electrifying, and I would love to see it again, and again, and again. The movie literally danced across the screen. But here's the plot: A guy is traveling and is invited to a party --- he must take a couple of buses and a boat to get there, and when he does, he finds out it is really a funeral -- but it is attached to a party! so all is well! I would rate this movie a 4 --- very enjoyable, and if you get a chance to see it, I also think you would enjoy watching it "dance."

Movie #403........................."Dogtooth"

Movie #403 "Dogtooth" is like watching a crash occur --- you don't want to watch but curiosity pulls you to it. This is full of abuse, which is NOT something I usually watch, but since this is nominated for an academy award, I thought I should stick to the end. I was glad I did because up to the last moment, I would have given the film a one or zero star, but the last minute moved it up a whole notch. Aside from the ending, the movie is full of disgusting scenes. Here, let me describe one to you: a father catches his daughter watching some porn films (that he uses in his relationship with his wife), and as he is chewing her out and asking questions, he is putting duck tape around the videotape ---- for what, you are wondering. Then, all of a sudden, he is hitting her on the head with his hand attached to the tape --- boom! boom! boom! Enough! That's just one of many scenes full of abuse. According to critics that gave this film 90% on rottentomatoes.com, this is supposed to be a comedy ---- are you kidding? Well, this viewer missed it (oh, there are some comical scenes like the father explaining that rabbits are killer animals and the kids are to stay away from them) but the majority of this is just disturbing. Let me put it this way: If you enjoyed watching "Happiness" then I guess you might like this one --- otherwise, stay away from this "too dark for words" movie.




DONNA's rating: 2 stars
Average of 32,092 ratings: 3.1 stars
Dogtooth(Kynodontas)
2009NR 93 minutes
In this Oscar-nominated Greek drama, siblings who grow up cut off from the world -- homeschooled and reliant on one another for entertainment -- create their own idyllic alternative universe, which is shattered when their father lets in an outsider. Sex enters the picture when dad begins bringing home a female security officer to satisfy his son's libido ... and suddenly nothing is the same within the highly idiosyncratic family unit.

Cast:Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, Aggeliki Papoulia, Mary Tsoni, Hristos Passalis, Anna Kalaitzidou, Alexander Voulgaris Director:Giorgos Lanthimos Genres:Foreign, Foreign Dramas, Greece, Greek Language, Foreign Art House, Blu-ray Language:GreekThis movie is:Cerebral, Raunchy, Mind-bending Format:DVD and streaming (Blu-ray unknown)

Movie #402 ........................."In the Name of the People"

Movie #402 "In the Name of the People" was an okay lifetime movie. I got hooked on it last night before I went to bed. I respect the main actors and I really got interested because of the ability of the little 13 year old daughter of the murderer on death row --- she looked like Margaret O'Brien and she could put on the waterworks really well. The dialogue was a bit stilted, and the story line a tad implausible (the murderer asks the grieving family to raise his daughter who will be left alone if he is put to death), but the acting kept me watching. I have to admit, I didn't make it all the way to the end (last 10 minutes), but I saw enough to rate it a 3, and if you see it on the listing for Lifetime movies, it's worth the effort to check it out, if the story line sounds interesting to you.





I give it 3 stars. Not available on Netflix.
John Burke (Scott Bakula) has committed the ultimate sin by murdering a teenage girl, and now he’s paying the price on death row. As the deceased’s grieving mom (Amy Madigan) advocates for John’s execution, her husband (Richard Thomas) seems to bond in a father-figure way with the killer’s 13-year-old daughter who will be orphaned if her dad gets the chair. This murderer’s last request is going to be a doozy that throws everyone involved for a loop

Movie #401 ........................."The Illusionist" (2010)

Movie #401 "The Illusionist" was just okay. I dragged Dave to the theatre to see it, since it is nominated for best animated film this year, and I'm here to tell you I enjoyed "Tangled" ever so much more so I'm wondering why it wasn't nominated. Boo to the academy! This one, due to its quiet, withdrawn, awkward characters (old man and a young girl who values his magic tricks)keeps an arm's length away from its audience. Even though it is beautifully fully drawn (no gimmicks here, no 3D), it is very stoic --slow --- boring in parts. And the biggest fault it has is it doesn't say enough about what is going on -----so even though it surprises and sometimes makes you laugh, it lacks meaning behind what is going on. However, it IS beautiful and there is a little charm about it. But it would be boring for kids, I think.



3 stars
The Illusionist
L'Illusionniste
(2010) PG
Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature, this wistful tale follows the fading fortunes of aging illusionist Tatischeff , who's forced to perform in obscure venues as his act is eclipsed by the growing popularity of rock bands. He gets an emotional lift, though, from a wide-eyed girl named Alice, who thinks he possesses magic powers. But Tatischeff's "sleight of hand" efforts to impress her with expensive gifts may lead to his financial undoing.
Genre: Animation for Grown-ups, United Kingdom
Format: DVD availability date unknown

Movie #400........................."Rabbithole"

Movie #400 "Rabbithole" -- I saw the play, one of the few people in the theatre that probably could say that, so I knew what it was about. I was seeing it because Nicole Kidman is up for an academy award for best actress, and boy she is good --- everyone is here, Dianne Wiest (her mom), the sister, Sandra Oh (the group therapy person), and Aaron Ekhart (the hubby). The movie is about grief --- every bit of it, and this film shows most of it, with aplomb. The group sessions, the blaming, the folding of the clothes and giving it away, the hurt, the despair, there isn't a beat that doesn't ring true to me, but then I haven't gone through what these people have to go through. I think the statistic is that 90% of husbands and wives who lose a child do NOT stay together, and this movie shows you why it is a deep hole you are suddenly thrust into, incapable at times of crawling out. For a film on such a sad subject, I think it has a good share of humor and other moments that somewhat try to balance all the sadness out --- but, audience, beware -- this is a very sad movie. In comparison to the play, I thought this had more answers, and it seemed more of a finished product. And it got me thinking a lot! And this is a topic I have thought about a lot anyway, so that's a credit to the film and its actors and its screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire's original script (this is a pulitzer prize winning play first, and that helps).




I gave it 4 stars.
Rabbit Hole
(2010) PG-13
In this raw drama based on David Lindsay-Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) grapple with the realities of life eight months after the death of their 4-year-old son, Danny. Even with Becca's well-meaning mother (Dianne Wiest) offering comfort and weekly group therapy always available, the couple go about their own secret ways of coping. John Cameron Mitchell directs.
Genre: Indie Dramas, Tearjerkers
This movie is: Emotional, Dark
Format: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #399........................"127 Hours"

Movie #399 "127 Hours" I can say this was one of the most uncomfortable films I have ever sat through -------and by myself, couldn't convince Dave to see this with me. And I don't blame him. But I thought, well, I'm a big Franco fan, and I love most of what Danny Boyle has directed ---- he's always edgy, so I thought what the heck. Yikes. What can I say about this? Lots of blood, lots of quiet moments, lots of times to turn away from the screen. But now for the good stuff --- unbelievable the makeup and acting changes in Franco, music and driving beat - tremendous, photography: man, Boyle knows how to move that camera around to make 127 hours very intriguing ---- this is a tough one to recommend or not. Sufficeth to say, it isn't for everyone, not even 1/2 of the population. It's just a tough watch. And I still can't believe what that guy went through, and I feel like I was there with him --- but the story is just that amazing! And talk about driving a theme at you --- I didn't dare forget my phone today as I left the house --- in fact, I don't think I ever will. So thanks, Danny Boyle, for that, and for an unbelievable watch. Can't say I'll ever see the likes of that again!




I gave it 4
127 Hours
(2010) R
From director Danny Boyle comes this harrowing tale of real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston (James Franco), who literally cuts himself loose from danger -- and lives to tell about it when sliding rock pins his forearm under a boulder during a climb in Utah. To stay alive, Ralston resorts to his basest survival instincts. The film scored Academy Award nominations in the Best Picture and Best Actor (Franco) categories.
Genre: Suspense, Dramas Based on Real Life, Mountaineering & Climbing
This movie is: Exciting, Inspiring, Suspenseful
Format: DVD and Blu-ray unknown

Movie #398........................"My Best Friend"

Movie #398 "My Best Friend" --- I liked this quiet movie a lot. Not a lot of action, but a French movie about a man who is all work, with no "best" friends. He's an auction dealer, and his assistant makes a bet on a beautiful antique that he can't come up with a "best" friend in a few days. Meanwhile, he strikes up the beginning of a friend relationship with a taxi driver who is a trivia expert -- I was a sucker for the Millionaire gameshow being used as the frame of "Slumdog Millionaire" and it is used in the ending of this film, and I found that enjoyable once again. A nicely written film, quiet and whimsical and I enjoyed it a lot. The main guy was the same guy I enjoyed watching in Cache with Binoche. I recommend this for a nice easy movie --- "Black Swan," which I saw again today, as the opposite type of watching.




You rated this movie: 4
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My Best Friend
Mon Meilleur Ami
(2007) PG-13
So single-minded is antiques dealer François Coste (Daniel Auteuil) that he's failed to make a single friend over the years -- a point his business partner (Julie Gayet) is willing to wager on. With a prized Greek vase at stake, Coste must find a best pal in 10 days or pay up. The arrogant Parisian turns to a gregarious, lowbrow taxi driver (Dany Boon) to teach him how to make friends in this buddy movie (without the buddy) from Patrice Leconte.
Genre: Foreign Comedies, France, French Language
Format: DVD and streaming (HD available

Movie #397 ........................."Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup"

Movie #397 "Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup" is typical of what documentaries have become --- everyone has an agenda, and this one is the "Investigation of the Truth" of 9/11 --- what really happened. I thought I knew, and I still do, according to what the disputers of this movie say on the internet. The film tries to stack the deck for us to think that our government had something to do with what happened on 9/11. Okay, I'm one of the first to admit that I hated every minute of the Bush years (counted down the days he remained in office, heck the minutes!) , and that he is, of all the presidents, yes even Nixon, my least favorite. But what this movie's underbelly suggests is really unthinkable to me. The film starts with Hitler, suggesting that his group (under the guise of rebels) might have staged a coup so that the government would welcome his party in the months to follow; then, the film suggests other such situations in world history; then, it goes to Roosevelt and tells us again that he had to have known about Pearl Harbor before it happened, etc. etc., it shows Kennedy's assasination (to suggest the government might have done that, too?) to Bush --------and they suggest that he knew it was going to happen? Well, Dylan, I think suggests that that is why the secret service did not rush him out of the school building on the fateful day of 9/11. REally? That's too hard to believe, but it did bring up a good question. Why did the Secret Service not move him out of the school he was in at 9 a.m., the time of the attacks? Why didn't they think that Bush was in danger? heck, that the school he was in was in danger? why were they so sure? Dylan is saying because he might have known beforehand (or someone else might have known) I thought maybe it could have been a way not to freak out the public or maybe it was a mistake on the secret service's part? But of course neither one was suggested, as we watch Bush calmly reading to little kids. Then, the film moves to the war games that were being played at the various installations in Washington, d.c. at the time of the calls on the World Trade Center that day --- so that it was confusing when the first call came in if it was a game being played or the real thing. Why did they pick that day to play those war games? I had never heard that one before. The whole Pentagon thing was discussed, and that seem really farfetched. This documenter Dylan Avery (who has few credentials, according to the internet) suggests that maybe it wasn't a boeing that ran into the pentagon (no film footage of it, no debris, etc.) and whatever was flown (a fighter plane?) had to have been flown well (the guy the commission said flew it couldn't even pass flight school) and the maneuvering of the plane would have taken special skill, plus where it hit the pentagon would give the least damage --- because the area was the only place in the pentagon where it was double insulated. That was weird to me ---- Not that it wasn't a boeing, because that seemed farfetched, but the fact that if it hit the pentagon anywhere else, there would have been many more lives taken that day. Then, the film moved to the plane in Pennsylvania and that seemed farfetched (again) to me --- I'm not sure his point there, but I think he was trying to tell us that there was no evidence at all of the plane or any debris at all. He kept comparing it to all the other planes that have ever gone down before --------but maybe that plane was aiming for the ground, and all the other planes have always had pilots that were trying to SAVE the plane. He didn't bring that point up. Anyway, then he goes to the towers, which bottom line, he suggests had explosives from the inside (the controlled demolition theory) --- what he uses for support? Well, not engineers (they say that the buildings COULD have collapsed straight down from the force of impact and fire.) His point is once again, it has never happened like this --- a building collapsing straight down in that quick amount of time, due to fire. He had two witnesses, one interviewed in the film, who said they HEARD explosions over and over in building 7 before they left it and it collapsed (at 5:20 that night --- I don't even remember hearing about that building collapsing) He showed the news footage where these people said it to newspeople, and then, what is really creepy, a few days before the commission concluded that there were no witnesses for the explosions, the one guy dies unexpectedly ----------just like in the movies. Avery never brought up what happened to the other witness. But it was a bit creepy how that guy disappeared. One more dispute is that of Stephen Jones, a physicist (he seemed to have creditable education) who studied debris from a woman's desk who lived across the street from the World Trade Center. He found stuff that would be found in a demolition explosion. It got really technical in that part of the film. And knowing that Engineers have no credence in this finding does not support Avery's axe that he is grinding here. I had heard about this movie --- it got around on the internet, and there were several editions of it (this is evidently the last one), and it seemed far fetched from the opening to the closing, but.............and that's the lingering but.............there are questions that remain, that the commission didn't cover. And I mentioned them above. It makes you think, and I definitely wanted to search the one guy who just turned up dead all of a sudden. That still creeps me out. The whole idea behind this movie creeped me out. The one thing I keep thinking about that was said in this movie (and I don't know if it's true, I should probably check find that, too) is that even vice president Truman didn't know about the Manhattan Project until he was president. Very scary. So if you like this kind of thing, here it is. If you'd rather not open up "that kettle of fish" then don't bother. If you wanted to know what all the hubub was about (like me), go to it. Now I know what the controlled demotion theory for 9/11 is. But I don't think I saw anything that changed my total way of thinking about 9/11. This guy puts Michael Moore to shame!





I gave it 3 stars.
Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup
(2009) NR
Informed by footage from Sept. 11, interviews with experts and new evidence, filmmaker Dylan Avery argues that the world hasn't heard the full truth behind the terrorist attacks and urges citizens to demand accountability from the U.S. government. In this provocative documentary, Avery also takes a sobering walk through other infamous historical events, such as the Vietnam War, and what role politicians have had in their creation.
Genre: Political Documentaries, Historical Documentaries, Indie Documentaries
This movie is: Controversial
Format: DVD

Movie #396 ........................."There Goes the Neighborhood"

Movie #396 "There Goes the Neighborhood" should be entitled, don't waste your time. Yes, there are a lot of comic actors in it, who usually turn in excellent performances, yes the idea sounded good (a heist picture about a doctor in a prison who is told where a buried treasure is, and the prisoners in the next cell find out, too, so it's every man for himself), and yes, it has a couple of funny moments (thanks mostly to Catherine O'Hara, Hector Elizondo and Chaz Palmentierri), but it's a don't bother --- we saw it and saved you the trouble. You're welcome.



2 stars
There Goes The Neighborhood
(1992) PG-13
An all-star cast heads this slapstick comedy that follows befuddled psychologist Willis Embry (Jeff Daniels), who learns from a dying prisoner where he hid his millions of dollars in stolen loot. Unknown to Willis, two scheming cons also hear the confession. Willis goes to the suburban New Jersey home of Jessie Lodge (Catherine O'Hara) to dig in her basement for the money, while the criminals, who get the wrong address, hold the neighbors hostage.
Genre: Dark Humor & Black Comedies, Heist Films
This movie is: Goofy, Quirky, Feel-good
Format: Streaming

Movie #395 ........................."The House Bunny"

Movie "395 "The House Bunny" --- I hadn't seen this film, and it was on t.v. last night, and I watched the ending and recognized Emma Stone (from "Easy A" with red hair), Colin Hanks (from "Orange County and he's Tom's son) and Anna Faris (whom I had seen in a stint on SNL and thought she was talented) and thought, I should watch this some time and then, as it so often happens on t.v., they show on encore of it! So I ended up watching it. I like romantic comedies, and although this is short on the romance, it still lingers in the background, and I'm not convinced that Colin and Anna would ever make past a third date, the film still had funny moments, esp. attributed to Anna and Emma Stone. The way the two of them play the lines, they have the belief that they are reciting Shakespeare --- and even though the main character probably never heard of Shakespeare, she still has a lot good going for her that is infectious, mostly the optimism. Which I know can get obnoxious after a while, but she breaks that stereotype of the dumb blonde and shows that even though she is far from book learned (that humor gets old, but luckily they don't depend on it) , there's a lot good in her. And I loved her passion! She always jumped into stuff body first! (and what a body!) The ring of girls includes the girl who played Nora in "Nick and Nora's infinite playlist" and Rumer Willis (Bruce and Demi's offspring) ---- the others are way over the top and don't probably need to be mentioned. So what it comes down to is that there is no new ground here, but because the film has some winning performers in it, it might be an interesting look see for you. But if you had the opportunity to see "Annie Hall," (or maybe even the first Legally Blond), I'd take that opportunity instead. But how can you not chuckle at some of the things that come out of the House Bunny's mouth: "The eyes are the nipples to the face." or "Kindness is just love with its workboots on" --- you have to give them a plus for some of the lines! Oh, P.S. I stopped when I was channel clicking because I thought the red-headed girl was Lindsay Lohan, and it turned out to be Emma Stone. Hmmmm. That should give incentive to Lohan to graduate from Rehab and go out and get back her acting career before a lookalike (who might be more comically talented) gets it instead of her!





I give it 2.6
The House Bunny
(2008) PG-13
When Playboy bunny Shelley Darlington (Anna Faris) gets evicted from the mansion, she's a woman without a country -- until she meets the sisters of Zeta Alpha Zeta, a sorority on the brink of losing its campus chapter. The Zetas need Shelley's makeover expertise so they can attract a new pledge class -- otherwise, their house goes to rivals Phi Iota Mu. But the Zetas have something Shelley needs, too: the confidence to be herself.
Genre: Comedy
This movie is: Goofy, Romantic, Feel-good
Format: DVD and Blu-ray

Movie #394 ........................."The Last Song"

Movie #394 "The Last Song" is, yes, presidctable. Wait, I predicted that SHE would sing the last song in the church at the end, and I was wrong -- it was an instrumental. Otherwise, pretty much from the trailer (and knowing someone will probably die or have a fatal disease since it is a Nicholas Sparks' novel), it was just a fill in the dots movie. That being said, how was the acting/tech end of it. I actually don't hate Miley Cyrus and think she is somewhat talented --- well, this movie made me not want to see her in another film. She makes the most horrid faces --- maybe it was the character she was playing, but there was anything likable about her, and I was surprised because she seems down to earth in interviews. What about the others? Well, I always like Greg Kinnear --- not enough of him in the film ---- the boyfriend and the brother were the best parts of the film. Seriously! So this is not a rousing round of excitement for this film. In fact, it's a don't bother --- unless you have nothing better to do. Oh, I did learn about sea turtles and that was good! and that it is PG --- that's another good part of the film.





You rated this movie: 2
The Last Song
(2010) PG
Miley Cyrus has top billing as 17-year-old Ronnie Miller, a rebellious former piano prodigy who doesn't hide her hostility after being sent off to spend the summer in Georgia with her estranged father (Greg Kinnear). Rebuffing her dad's attempts to reconnect, the aloof Ronnie begins to thaw when she meets beach volleyballer Will Blakelee (Liam Hemsworth). Kelly Preston also stars in this contemporary tearjerker based on the Nicholas Sparks novel.
Genre: Teen Dramas, Teen Romance, Tearjerkers
This movie is: Emotional, Sentimental, Romantic
Format: DVD, Blu-ray and streaming

Movie #393 ........................"Restrepo"

Movie #393 "Restrepo" is a military documentary, so let me start by saying this would not be one I would automatically watch being in one of my least favorite genres. That being said, it IS nominated for an academy award this year for best documetnary (up against the previous movie (#392) that I just reviewed, so I made myself sit down and stream it last night. This movie would be tough to take sitting in a movie theatre because of the tension, the REAL shooting, etc. I must say the filmmaker does a great job of not showing us any real death scenes (thank god), but the danger (and yes death) is there --- it pervades every scene and it is difficult to watch. I felt so torn in the whole movie --- I have read the books (and highly recommend) Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones into Schools" so I know a bit about the terrain in Afghanistan (and I watch the news daily), but I didn't know just how deadly the Korangel Valley (in the Kunar Province) (soldiers call it "Death Valley") was -- the photographer embeds in the 2nd platoon which decides to do something about the on and off again shooting by the Taliban in this area. Their goal is to put a stop to it once and for all -- but they learn it's not that easy because part of the problem is that some Afghani people take money from the Taliban to shoot at our soldiers ---- they get in the way of the fighting --- and as a result, losses occur to our soldiers plus the Afghani people (some innocent, some not) that could be prevented. We see several times our soldiers addressing the folk in the valley on what to do and not to do -----There's so much here that you would never see in a glossy hollywood war picture that makes the film good and in some ways hard to watch. The down time is full of nonessential pieces of dialogue that isn't good movie watching, yet you mustn't take your eyes off the screen because something harmful might happen to them next. I felt all kinds of turmoil while watching, and questions kept popping up in my head: what SHOULD we be doing to prevent our soldiers and the Afghani people from getting hurt? What allows me to watch this in the confines of my cozy living room while these men are putting themselves in so much harm's way? This should be required watching for everyone ---- or should it? How do they get up every morning and face this whole thing? Why do they? One gunner guy was saying that while he was growing up he could never EVER have a gun and that his parents took away a water gun because they found out it was called a "gun" -- and now he's doing this! Made me think twice about that situation. Another soldier likened this type of warfare (in this valley) to Vietnam (because of the sneaking up attacks, and buying off the local folk) that you don't know who the enemy is all the time. I found the movie very hard to watch, but very enlightening. And it's like no other war movie you've ever seen. Tough, Tough, Tough. And how does the academy compare it to the other films? That will be interesting come Oscar Night. You almost need to honor our soldiers' work in Afghanistan by honoring a filmmaker who tries to instruct his audience as to what is happening. Just a footnote that the movie and the base are named after a fallen soldier and he's the one you get to know through the other soldiers in the film. Restrepo. Remember the name. May he and the other 49 soldiers who have lost their lives there live in peace.



I rate it 3.6
Restrepo
(2010) R
Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm, teamed with photographer Tim Hetherington and spent a year embedded with the Second Platoon in Afghanistan, chronicling the hard work, fear and brotherhood that come with repelling a deadly enemy. Hunkered down with the soldiers in one of the region's most strategic valleys, the filmmakers uncover the dark humor, sleepless surreality and constant anxiety of war in this Oscar-nominated documentary.
Genre: Military Documentaries
This movie is: Violent, Emotional, Dark, Gritty, Suspenseful
Format: DVD, Blu-ray and streaming (HD available)

Movie #392 ........................."Exit Through the Gift Shop"

Movie #392 "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is rather an odd documentary. It starts out to be a documentary of street art , but then ends up to be about this would-be filmmaker who becomes a pop artist (maybe?) who might just be crazy. But that's the question throughout the whole film ---What is creativity? Is there insanity involved? Is there obsession? What makes something art? I found this very intriguing --- the film itself was a bit slow in the beginning and then at the halfway mark it seemed to take off and I finished watching the film with my mouth opened --- it's just that amazing! Really, can't fault the film except that the first 1/2 hour could be even more of a creative approach to get across the street art --- it seemed to be one-note, and the only interesting thing was watching the film guy nose his camera around the art work --- that's why in the street artist and the filmmaker change places, that's when the movie becomes exciting ---- at least to me. I recommend it, and It is a nominee in the documentary category for the academy awards this year. I only hope I can see the others, too, if there as good as this one!




You rated this movie: 3.8
Average of 325,319 ratings: 4.2 stars
Exit Through the Gift Shop
2010R 86 minutes
Amateur filmmaker Thierry Guetta's project to chronicle the underground world of street art takes a fascinating twist when he meets Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, in this Oscar-nominated documentary. Unimpressed with Guetta's footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties while Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist and -- much to Banksy's surprise -- immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.

Cast:Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Thierry Guetta, Rhys Ifans, Space Invader, Jay Leno, Joshua Levine Director:Banksy Genres:Documentary, Indie Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries, Art & Design, Painting, Miscellaneous Documentaries This movie is:Witty Format:DVD and streaming (HD available)