Movie #484 ........................."Waiting for Superman"

Movie #484 "Waiting for Superman" -- I was told this was "Crap," and it would make me angry on the one hand; and on the other hand, it was one of the best documentaries ever made (Oprah) and that it was good because it got best documentary at the Sundance award. Well, I saw its worth --- it is a well made documentary full of graphics, pertinent interviews (we follow a couple of kids), diversity in age of interviewees, some conflicting views, etc. It seems a bit weighty against unions, but I was thinking that there was a reason for that --- in an effort to bring out both sides equally (Michelle Ree, the woman in D.C. who wanted to get rid of tenure vs. the President of Afta) it was the longest section of the movie ---- I also didn't like the graphic depicting teachers opening heads of their students and pouring in information --- in fact, I would resent that a lot if I saw that as the only side presented, but it wasn't. This documentarian did an earlier doc. on how wonderful teachers are --- that they are a national treasure, so I know he doesn't have an ax to grind here (like an earlier doc we saw called "Race to Nowhere," which I really thought had an ax to grind, and it wasn't filmically close to this one in quality) Therefore, I think he was really searching for an answer. In typical fashion, he dumps out a bunch of problems (like we don't know them) in the opening 40 minutes, and then goes to a major one he sees: the teacher's union and the government. I think this movie offers a bunch of ideas that teachers and parents and others could chew on --- and I would suggest we don't dismiss this film because it doesn't exactly go along with our thoughts on a solution, and instead talk about it and come up with our own solutions, because Lord knows we need changes in our educational system. I thought an undercurrent theme in this was that education really hasn't changed since the 50s and shouldn't it? And if it takes putting tenure back a few more years to fix it, let's do that! Something needs to be done and we need more films about the topic! One more thing --- I was told this was a huge supporter of charter schools, and that's not true, either. It shows that some charter schools are being successful with some kids, but mostly it shows how awful it is to sit and wait for your name to never be called ---- very sad. It just serves as an impetus to get things done so we don't have kids disappointed in their schools!





I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
Waiting for "Superman"
(2010) PG
Dynamic documentarian Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) weaves together the stories of students, families, educators and reformers to shed light on the failing public school system and its consequences on the future of the United States. In this Sundance Audience Award winner for Best Documentary, Guggenheim deftly examines the options to improve public education and provide America's teachers and students with the help they need.
Genre: Documentaries, Political Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries

Movie #483 ........................."Ice Age 2: The Meltdown"

Movie #483 "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown" is a very entertaining film. There are some sequences in it that are rapid fire and well crafted for animation. It has lots of heart, good humor (esp. with Sid), and as it says below, it is a feel good film --- doesn't go for the potty humor at all --- fun for adults and kids, I should think, so I highly recommend it for family entertainment. The story seems secondary, though, to the entertainment factor. I can't even tell you what the plot was --- it was so thin; I got the conflict, that there's a continual meltdown that is wreaking havoc on the animals who are used to being in the cold (like the Mammoth) or don't like water (like the tiger). They are searching for safer grounds, and friendships are made on their trek.





I give it 3.6 stars out of 5
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(2006) PG
Diego (voiced by Denis Leary), Manny (Ray Romano) and Sid (John Leguizamo) return in this sequel to the hit animated movie Ice Age. This time around, the deep freeze is over, and the ice-covered earth is starting to melt, which will destroy the trio's cherished valley. The impending disaster prompts them to reunite and warn all the other beasts (including characters voiced by Drea de Matteo and Queen Latifah) about the desperate situation.
Genre: Children & Family Movies, Movies for ages 5 to 7, Movies for ages 8 to 10, Animal Tales, Family Features, Family Feature Animation
This movie is: Imaginative, Feel-good

Movie #482 ........................."Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"

Movie #482 "Harry Potter& the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" was a very effective ending to a super effective franchise, in my opinion. I have enjoyed the myriad of quirky characters Harry has encountered, not to mention him and his steadfast friends, Hermione and Ron. I have thought each of these books, that I have read, were wonderful reads, and that no one could possibly put them on the screen, and then I would leave the theatre after seeing the movies in superb amazement that the job was accomplished. I have been frustrated that none of these movies have really gotten the recognition they deserve from the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and maybe since this is the last one, they might take a second look. It isn't the best one, in my opinion, because to me that would be the "Prisoner of Azkaban" followed by the ""Order of the Phoenix" and the first two, and then the last ones. Anyway, there were parts better than others within the movie itself ---- I esp. liked the final confrontation between Harry and the evil force, which I don't usually like in action films, but it was quite entertaining and tense in this one. However, I wish we would have seen Ginny more, wish the twins' tragedy would have been made more of, wish we understood why it was 19 years to get to the last scene, wish there were more of the long line of professors that showed up in this last part, and more Hagrid. But there was so much to like that the film was still very fun and satisfying to watch and appreciate. I recommend it. And esp. Anyone who thinks that their kids shouldn't read these books or see the movies, might want to see this because the themes are quite strong, and it does the franchise proud! We'll miss you, Harry Potter! Our modern day Yoknapatawpha County!





I rates this 4 stars
Harry Potter the Deathly Hallows: Part II
Harry Potter 7: Part II
(2011) PG-13
In the second installment of the two-part conclusion to the überpopular Harry Potter series, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), continue their quest to vanquish the evil Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) once and for all. Just as things begin to look hopeless for the young wizards, Harry discovers a trio of magical objects that endow him with powers to rival Voldemort's formidable skills.
Genre: Children & Family Movies, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Movies based on children's books, Family Features, Fantasy, Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Movie #481 ........................."Courtship of Eddie's Father"

Movie #481 "Courtship of Eddie's Father" is one of my favorite films, so I sat down and watched it again. The chemistry between Eddie (Ronnie Howard) and his dad (Glenn Ford) is right on. The film is so touching in dealing with the grief the dad and son are going through. Enter Shirley Jones, always one of my favorite actresses, playing the complex neighbor across the hall, Glenn Ford's wife's best friend ---- who is going through her own grief. There's chemistry there between her and Glenn Ford, too. Throw in Roberta Sherwood, Jerry Van Dyke, and Stella Stevens in adorable and funny secondary roles, and you've got one great film. I recommend this gem to everyone. Can't get much better, in my opinion.





I rate it 5 stars out of 5.
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
(1963) NR
After Tom Corbett's (Glenn Ford) wife dies, Tom's young son Eddie (Ronny Howard) has definite ideas about who he wants his father to marry -- namely, Elizabeth (Shirley Jones), the kindly young divorcee living across the hall. Tom, however, is dating frosty socialite Rita (Dina Merrill), and that could put a crimp in Eddie's plans. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the movie spawned a popular TV series in the early 1970s.
Genre: Children & Family Movies, Classic Movies, Comedies, Romantic Movies, Movies based on children's books, Classic Comedies, Romantic Comedies, Classic Romantic Movies, Classic Children & Family Movies, Family Comedies
This movie is: Emotional, Romantic, Feel-good
Availability: DVD

Movie #480 ........................."Born to be Bad"

Movie #480 "Born to be Bad" has Loretta Young and Cary Grant, two of my favorite actors, together in "Bishop's Wife" which I really enjoyed. Then, I discovered this title with the two of them and decided to watch it. It was only about 75 minutes long, but I guess I was so tired from washing windows all day that I fell asleep through 20 minutes of it, so I had to do one of those "see the end and go back to the middle" with this. I'm glad I did. Loretta Young plays a rather cheap (esp. for 1934) woman who sleeps around to have enough money to raise the kid she had when she was 15. Enter Cary Grant who accidentally runs into the kid with his car. He sees it as a chance to do some good for the kid and his mom (whom he falls in love with) and she sees it as a chance to get a hold of money for the rest of her life. I think the script could have spent more time on him falling in love with her and her with him --- but because they are such good actors, they were able to pull it off, somewhat. I liked it.





I gave it 3 stars out of 5.
Born to Be Bad
(1934) NR
Letty (Loretta Young) is a young mother who has her son taken away from her after she's determined an unfit mother. Malcolm Trevor (Cary Grant) and his wife Alice (Marion Burns) agree to take over guardianship of the boy, hoping to provide him with a stable home. Yearning to get her child back, Letty decides to seduce Malcolm -- a task that proves more difficult than she had hoped.
Genre: Classic Movies, Romantic Movies, Classic Romantic Movies
This movie is: Sentimental, Romantic
Availability: Streaming and DVD

Movie #479 ........................."She's So Lovely"

Movie #478 ........................."Student Seduction"

Movie #478 "Student Seduction" was one of those lifetime movies --- it happened to be on in the background while I was working on a project, and it caught my attention. I found it interesting. It was about this high school senior who had the hots for his science teacher, and because he had a lot of money, he thought he could have everything he wanted --- so he went after her --- he had some problems with females his age because he seemed to have anger management problems, etc., so he thought the teacher would be easier? How foolish that was! She had him arrested, and then he (along with the powerful wealth of his family) turned the tables on her, and she ended up losing everything, including her reputation and her job. It was pretty interesting and somewhat believable, in comparison to some of the other stuff that is on this station. So if you come across this film on the Lifetime channel in the future, it might be worth your time to watch it. I would give it a 3.5. Story was interesting to me.

Movie #477 ........................."Guy & Madeline on a park bench"

Movie #477 "Guy & Madeline on a Park Bench" --- cute title, a don't bother film. What the heck was that about? Not enough dialogue for me! and I get the black and white, but the graininess in this day and age was just annoying. See "Manhattan" --- much better! This was just annoying. no plot. I watched it because it was one of the shortest ones in my queue, hmmm, should rethink that next time. And I think this was recently commented on by the Ebert show? Well, I'm saying, don't bother!


I gave it 1 star
Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench
(2009) NR
Black-and-white verité meets the charm of the classic Hollywood musical in writer-director Damien Chazelle's romantic drama about a jazz trumpeter named Guy (Jason Palmer) who's perennially falling in and out of love. After connecting with the shy Madeline (Desiree Garcia), Guy embarks on a quest for a more gregarious paramour, but through a series of twists and turns punctuated by an original score, the two lovers seem destined to be together.
Genre: Dramas, Independent Movies, Musicals, Romantic Movies, Independent Dramas, Romantic Dramas, Romantic Independent Movies
This movie is: Gritty, Romantic, Understated
Availability: Streaming and DVD

Movie #476 ........................."Cars 2"

Movie #476 "Cars 2" is okay, not as good as the first one mostly because it centers on just Mater. I do like the spy part, but there were just too many car races and crashes for me --- got bored through that, but the rest was entertaining. I like the love story in the first one, too, and although it is continued here, it is way in the background to Larry the Cable Guy. Kid in front of us was mesmerized, kid behind was talking most of the time, so 50/50 your kid would like it? I think most kids would because the one behind was too young to take to the movies just yet.



I give it 3.8 stars
Cars 2
(2011) G
Owen Wilson once again voices speedy race car Lightning McQueen in this peppy sequel to the animated hit Cars. When he heads off to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix, Lightning also rolls straight into a case of international intrigue.
Genre: Children & Family Movies, Movies/TV for ages 5 to 7, Movies/TV for ages 8 to 10, Movies/TV for ages 11 to 12, Family Adventures, Family Comedies
This movie is: Imaginative, Family-friendly, Feel-good
Availability: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #475 ........................."Sleep, my love"

Movie #475 "Sleep, my love" --- love Claudet Colbert and Robert Cummings. This is a nice mystery, along the lines of "gaslight" and well acted by all the leading characters. There's a funny sister of Ribert Cummings thata adds the comedy, along with a strange Eurasian wedding stuck in the middle of the thing ----- to move the love story along? not sure, but it was funny when Colbert has a tad too much to drink. Sirk always knew how to direct, and this one is a good, old mystery that works most of the time!





I gave it 4 stars
Sleep, My Love
(1948) NR
Late one night, wealthy New York socialite Alison Courtland (Claudette Colbert) awakens on a Boston-bound train with no memory of how she got there. Richard (Don Ameche), her architect husband, says she shot at him the night before, an accusation that doesn't quite ring true. He brings in a psychiatrist (George Coulouris), whose methods drive Alison to the brink of madness. Is she truly going insane, or is it all a ruse? Robert Cummings co-stars.
Genre: Thrillers
This movie is: Dark, Suspenseful
Availability: Streaming

Movie #474 ........................."The Bad Seed"

Movie #474 "The Bad Seed" is truly a classic creepy film --- it's a well acted campy film. I liked it so much when I first saw it (when I was little) that I used it in speech time when I was coaching. Its memory has remained with me forever, and it was fun to sit down and rewatch it and introduce it to others. In the hands of a cast of overdone bad acting, this would be an awful film, but what happened was all the actors from the tony award winning show on Broadway replayed these parts on film ---- the mother, daughter and Mrs. Dagle are the best --- and the ending is well worth the waiting through some lengthy discussion on crime and kids. There's even a classic line in the credit telling you not to reveal the ending of the film! hah! truly a classic! and one I recommend for its creepiness!





I gave it 5 stars
The Bad Seed
(1956) NR
Grade-schooler Rhoda Penmark (Patty McCormack) is sweet, smart … and inherently evil! After a school chum dies during a picnic, no one suspects Rhoda, except the janitor (Henry Jones) of her apartment building. But when Rhoda's mother, Christine (Nancy Kelly), finds out that her own mother is a cold-blooded killer, she begins to suspect Rhoda might be the victim of some faulty genetic wiring. Based on Maxwell Anderson's play.
Genre: Classic Movies
This movie is: Suspenseful, Scary, Understated
Availability: Streaming and DVD

Movie #473 ........................."Trapped in Paradise"

Movie #473 "Trapped in Paradise" is a silly film like Dumb and Dumber --- in fact, same kind of characters. Dana Carvey is a bit too silly for me, and I never like Nicolas Cage, so that was a given here. It started out okay, like a bank heist gone funny, but then that just faded away. This is a don't bother film, unless you are looking for just a few laughs.




Trapped in Paradise
(1994) PG-13
Crooked brothers David (Jon Lovitz) and Alvin (Dana Carvey) are sprung from jail and hook up with their third partner in crime, brother Bill (Nicolas Cage). Three-time losers, the larcenous siblings know that crime doesn't pay, but that doesn't stop them from knocking over a bank in the small burg of Paradise. What they didn't reckon was that fleeing Paradise would be much harder than stealing the loot!
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedies, Action Comedies, Crime Action & Adventure
This movie is: Campy, Feel-good
Availability: Streaming and DVD