Movie #534 ........................."The Muppets"

Movie #534 "The Muppets" is a goofy, feel good movie, and I saw it with two kids (one Age 13 and one Age 7, and they both giggled and laughed through the whole thing. It's so terrific that this movie will reintroduce the wonderful world of Muppets to the new generation of kids --- it's been so long. Some parts were a bit too silly, but then the Muppets always pushed the envelope in that category ---- and all the characters are here, plus they introduce Walter, a new one who has a rather unusual talent that he displays toward the end of the film. Very enjoyable, and I esp. liked "Party for one" song with the ever talented Amy Adams and Miss Piggy (who seems a bit off here, maybe because it isn't Frank Oz? hmmm)





rates 4 out of 5 stars
The Muppets
(2011) PG
When Kermit the Frog and the Muppets learn that their beloved theater is slated for demolition, a sympathetic human, Gary, and his puppet roommate, Walter, swoop in to help the gang put on a show and raise the $10 million they need to save the day.
Genre:Children & Family Movies, Kids Music, Family Comedies
This movie is:Goofy, Feel-good

Movie #533 .........................."Stone"

Movie #533 "Stone" is a character study with a bit of a twist. Halfway through the film, I was feeling that I had seen the film before, just not acted as well as this one --------then, as the Deniro character becomes less sympathetic and immoral, the Norton character switches places and becomes more sympathetic, as he becomes more spiritual, philosophical and pensive. The plot device that is used (basically it's the wife) seemed stale to me, and so demeaning to women that I just didn't care for that part at all -------but I did like the acting of both men -----they are very capable, and they work really well together (they've worked together on another film that was better than this - it's called "The Score") .





3 out of 5 stars
Stone
(2010) R
Edward Norton plays a convicted arsonist who hopes to get out of prison early by putting to work the seductive talents of his beautiful wife, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich). Robert DeNiro plays the parole officer who is the target of the couple's cat-and-mouse scheming. John Curran (The Painted Veil) directs this subtle psychological thriller based on the play by screenwriter Angus MacLachlan (Junebug).
Genre:Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Mysteries, Psychological Thrillers
This movie is:Dark, Suspenseful

Movie #532 ........................."Murder By Death"

Movie #532 "Murder by Death" is a fun parody of all those murder mysteries we've seen through the years with detectives like Charlie Chan, Nick and Nora Charles, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, & Sam Spade. Neil Simon's script manages to put them all in one room as they are summoned by one Mr. Twain (Truman Capote) to figure out a murder in his house that hasn't even been committed yet. Just to show you how crazy the story/film is, the butler in the film can't see, and the cook can't hear or talk, so can you imagine how they serve dinner? Enough said. This is one crazy comedy, and I found it most enjoyable.





You rated this movie: 4 out of 5 stars
Murder by Death
(1976) PG
Following an Oscar-nominated script penned by Neil Simon, millionaire Lionel Twain (Truman Capote) invites the five most brilliant private eyes to a dinner that turns into a murder investigation with a million-dollar prize going to the one who solves the case. The all-star cast includes Peter Falk, James Coco, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith and Eileen Brennan, all playing characters based on famous literary detectives.
Genre:Comedies, Thrillers, Satires, Crime Thrillers, Mysteries
This movie is:Campy, Goofy

Movie #531 .........................."Cheap Detective"

Movie #531 "Cheap Detective" was just okay --- it's a parody of Bogart films , including "Casablanca," "Maltese Falcon" and "Big Sleep" but it moves kind of slow, and because it has just one guy (Falk) moving from one girl to the next (or they move to him scene after scene), it gets a little repetitive. One crowning moment of glory, I think, here is when Neil Simon (writer) changes the ending of "Casablanca" to the ending the audience would probably most want to see, BUT it becomes glaringly obvious that after we see it, we really don't like it. I DID enjoy that scene, but the rest seemed just okay, and not as funny as I thought it would be, since it is penned by Neil Simon.




You rated this movie: 3 out of 5 stars
The Cheap Detective
Neil Simon's The Cheap Detective
(1978) PG
With the requisite abundance of plot twists and creepy characters, playwright Neil Simon skewers film noir in a parody that combines scenes from Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon. Lou Peckinpaugh (Peter Falk), a private dick implicated in the murder of his partner, hunts down missing diamond eggs at the behest of Mrs. Montenegro (Madeline Kahn). Meanwhile, memorable cameos abound from Ann-Margret, Scatman Crothers and Abe Vigoda.
Genre:Comedies, Thrillers, Satires, Crime Thrillers, Mysteries
This movie is:Goofy, Suspenseful

Movie # 530 ........................."J. Edgar"

Movie #530 "J. Edgar" could be a lot clearer narrative to enhance the history lesson taught through this man's life. As it is, we can only guess at what fills in the empty spaces the narrative leaves as it weaves together (I think) the Lindbergh story in the 30s with the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 to the end years of Edgar's life as he dictates his thoughts to 3 journalists (I think, once again, I'm guessing because each of the journalists looks like the other, and Leo himself, looks relatively the same from the 30s to the 50s, makeup could be more differentiating, but I guess most of us have heard just how bad the make up is in the film --- not that bad, but could help the story along a bit more) I am a HUGE Leonardo DiCaprio fan, but this isn't his best -----he, once again, emerges himself into this character, and sounds and looks, surprisingly, like J. Edgar. Not knowing J. Edgar himself, I'm not sure how "dead on" Leo is, but the character he creates here is forced, mean spirited, power hungry, not clear in thought, full of anger management problems. I left the movie wanting to know so much more -----he seems complex, but not all the answers are here, by any means. The supporting characters are good, but nothing that wowed me or stood out ------ capable, just like the movie was. Capable, but I felt with Eastwood at the helm, and Leo as the main character, I guess I expected a much better film.



You rated this movie: 3.8 out of 5
J. Edgar
(2011) R
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this riveting biopic as J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime FBI director as notorious for his overzealous methods of law enforcement as for the rumors regarding his cross-dressing and close relationship with protégé Clyde Tolson.
Genre:Dramas, Gay & Lesbian Movies, Biographical Dramas, Dramas based on real life, Gay & Lesbian Dramas, Political Dramas, Social Issue Dramas

Movie #529 .........................."Footloose" (2011)

Movie #529 "Footloose" (2011) does not have near enough dancing. And the photography of the dancing is atrocious with the camera shots focused mostly above the waist, or too close to see their feet. And why get rid of the original soundtrack with a sure hit, number after number? But the biggest problem? There isn't enough dancing in it at all! I heard they remade the film to focus on the dancing ? so where was the dancing? By now, I guess you have figured that I found this a mediocre remake, and you're right. This Ariel was better than the original, but that's the only nice thing I can say. I would recommend renting the original and leave it at that!




3 stars out of 5
Footloose
(2011) PG-13
This musical remake of the infectious 1984 hit finds dance-lovin', big-city kid Ren MacCormack stuck in a small town where dancing is illegal. As he rebels against the town and its influential Rev. Moore, Ren falls for the pastor's lovely daughter.
Genre:Musicals
This movie is:Sentimental

Movie #528 ........................."Elling"

Movie #528 "Elling" is a very delightful, oddball comedy about an odd couple of misfits in Norway. It's kind of like "Boys Next Door" (if you haven't seen that one, don't bother with this one, until you see that one, which is much better and a 5 star film). The reason I saw this right now (it's been in my queue for a long time) is that a theatre in Chicago was offering a play based on this film, and the ad reminded me that this is a film I wanted to be introduced to, so I rented it, and I'm glad I did. The two oddballs are so likable, even with all their quirkiness (which there is a lot of!) and so are all the other people they run into along the way. By the end of the film, they have really grown, and it's fun to watch that growth slowly but surely occur throughout the film. I recommend this quirky film ---- the quirky characters and scenes will grow on you, I think.




4 out of 5 stars
Elling
Me, My Friend and I
(2001) R
Per Christian Ellefsen and Sven Nordin play the shy, retiring Elling and the imposing Kjell in this Norwegian movie about two mentally challenged friends who battle adversity and find their place in the sun. When the two become roommates, they attempt to create a life for themselves outside the confining, but protective, walls of the hospital. Petter Naess directs this Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film.
Genre:Comedies, Dramas, Foreign Movies, Foreign Comedies, Dramas based on a book, Foreign Dramas, Scandinavian Movies, Dramas based on contemporary literature, Norwegian Movies

Movie #527........................."Tower Heist"

Movie #527 "Tower Heist" is a very enjoyable, entertaining movie from start to finish, bus esp. the ending. The people fit their roles, and it's always fun to see a good heist film, like Italian Job, The Bank Job, or Hot Rock. This is truly topical humor and an echo of our rough economic times, and that made the film even more satisfying to me. And I went with the whole family, ages 12 to 84 and we all came out liking it ----- who could ask for anything more. I recommend it --- it's tough to find something as satisfying as this is in the movie theatres these days!



I rate it 4 out of 5 stars
Tower Heist
(2011) PG-13
When a group of workers at a ritzy Manhattan condo realize their boss has swindled them out of their pensions, they vow to reap their own justice. With the cooperation of the building manager, the group devises an ingenious plot to recover the funds.
Genre:Action & Adventure, Action Comedies, Adventures, Crime Action & Adventure
This movie is:Goofy

Movie #526 ..............................."In Time"

Movie#526 "In Time" is a sci fi thriller with a very good concept, beautiful cinematography from one of the greats, Roger Deakins, and a worthwhile theme, with some chuckles along the way. BUT the script and directing and the pacing, oh my. You could almost hear the thuds in between lines. And the clunky lines ---- there were so many, it got to be funny. And the holes in the script? If the whole idea is NOT to waste time, why does the young girl run around through the whole film in super high heels. Just goofy stuff like that happens..........was there no "are you kidding" meter being used on the script, because it was needed. Still, I found it okay ------maybe it was the 3 positives I mentioned in the start. Maybe it was because we don't see sci Fi very often any more, so it was kind of fun to watch a whole world created in front of us. Or maybe it was Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfred. But they needed more from the script and the director. So go to this one at your own risk. You may like or you may not, but it does show that we shouldn't worry so much about being immortal!



In Time
(2011) PG-13
In a near future where aging stops at 25, time is the new currency and the wealthy can live forever. When Will Salas inherits decades of life from a wealthy murdered man, he's pegged as the suspect by the corrupt Time Keepers, who enforce the law.
Genre:Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Thrillers, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Thrillers
This movie is:Suspenseful