Movie #618 ........................."I Don't Know How She Does It"

Movie #618 "I Don't Know How She Does It" is a fun film with a sufficient amount of comedy with a more than adequate cast, including the secondary characters. It's based on a british book with a script that is kind of glib like "sex in the city" without the sex. As a result it seems to be a strong female story explaining to men and everyone else what it is like to try to do it all. She learns that "a woman who spends her life trying to be a man is a waste of a good woman." It's a gentle comedy with a lot of humanity, of course, because the center of the piece is Sarah Jessica Parker and she brings all that to the table --- along with Greg Kinnear. They are both very likable and lovable and therefore the film comes across that way, as well. If you are looking for a light comedy, this would be it. I gave it 3.6 out of 5 stars I Don't Know How She Does It (2011) PG-13 In this affable yuppie comedy, Kate Reddy is a successful executive, wife and mom whose personal and professional lives hang in precarious balance. When Kate takes on a new job challenge, she and her brood have some serious prioritizing to do. Genre:Comedies This movie is:Feel-good

Movie #617 ........................."Larry Crowne"

Movie #617 "Larry Crowne" was such a waste of talent of Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks, I can't say enough about that. Slow, pushed on us, awkward, not very funny, the list goes on...............can't recommend it. There are so many other good movies out there. Secondary cast is cute, but that's about all I can say about it. Don't waste your time on this one. I gave it 2 out of 5 stars Larry Crowne (2011) PG-13 After he's laid off from his longtime job at a soulless retail giant, average middle-aged guy Larry Crowne decides it's time to change his life by heading back to college, where he finds a new perspective -- and a new romance with a professor. Genre:Comedies, Romantic Movies, Romantic Comedies This movie is:Sentimental, Romantic Availability: DVD and Blu-ray

Movie #616 ........................."Martha marcy may Marlene"

Movie #616 "Martha Marcy May Marlene" is a movie I was waiting to see from the first time I heard of it. I have always been interested in how people get drawn into cults, what goes on in these groups, and what motivates them to finally leave and how they do that. None of that is really truly explored here because of the choices in how this film is put together ----it goes back and forth from now to the paste, and doesn't follow an organized pattern. That added to the eeriness and tenseness of the tone because one never knows when it will go back to the past, so sometimes you have to look at the environment, or the people she is with, or the clothes she is wearing. So the film keeps you on your toes. But I wish it would have gone more in depth about certain things (like the questions I asked above). It would have been nice to have gotten more of a history of the two sisters, as well. And their family life --- where was mom? how about dad? What sort of brainwashing techniques were used on her ---- we see the results but how exactly did they get her to do the things she was doing? A very intriguing topic, a very impressive acting job from both sisters, but the script seemed inadequate in answering a lot of questions. Ending is especially strange because we aren't exactly sure what happens ---- I read a comparison of the ending with Silkwood's ending, but no way. That was so much more effective because you KNEW what was happening and you couldn't believe it! This one has way too many questions to be as effective. If anything above has piqued your interest, I say see it for yourself; otherwise, this is a skip it! I gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) R After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy, and Lucy's well-to-do husband, Ted. But the brainwashing Martha endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Genre:Dramas, Independent Movies, Independent Dramas This movie is:Emotional, Dark

Movie #615 ........................."Outside the Law" ("Hors-la-loi")

Movie #615 "Outside the Law" ("Hors-la-loi") won the 2010 best foreign film academy award and the epic scope of it and the acting of the three main guys are deserving. It concerns the algerians fight for freedom from France from the 1930s to 1960s. The film follows three boys who grow to men who all play a role in the algiers fight for independence. They are all motivated by the opening scene, when they were little boys and their land was taken away ---- a very powerful scene, and the film has many of these, but overall the film is long, and it doesn't explain enough, nor give more historical background to what is happening so we as an audience could care more ---one big theme is that in order to get independence, the brothers have to do very violent, awful things --- kind of a hunger games theme, so quite relevant now. But because they kill so much, it is tough to remain liking them unto the bitter end --- and after awhile, there's just a lot of shooting and we don't care as much. So I'm in the middle on this one --- I can see why it got an award, but I don't recommend it to many people.





I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
Outside the Law
Hors-la-loi
(2010) NR
Left without a home in their native land, three Algerian brothers (Jamel Debbouze, Roschdy Zem and Sami Bouajila) split from their mother and seek out strikingly dissimilar lives. But fate won't keep the siblings apart, eventually summoning them all to Paris for a reunion. Director Rachid Bouchareb's momentous drama -- set amid Algeria's post-World War II fight for independence from France -- earned an Oscar nod for Best Foreign Language Film.
Genre:Dramas, French Movies, French Dramas
This movie is:Controversial, Dark, Gritty

Movie #614 ........................."The Double"

Movie #614 "The Double" was a good thriller. I'm thinking that I really haven't seen a Richard Gere movie that wasn't good, so I'd add this to the list. Both he and Topher Grace do a nice job of moving the film along. It isn't very groundbreaking, as far as espionage films go, guessed the first surprise, but the one toward the end seemed way out there, so that diminished the 4 stars I was going to give the film. There are some holes in the script, one in particular bothered me about the spy they are looking for --- they say they know that he always comes back to the scene of his crimes, but if no one knows who he is and what he looks like, how do they know that about him? Just one of many questions I had throughout the movie, but because the actors are good, I kept watching it to see how it would play out. I would recommend it to people who like action films, and esp. Richard Gere. Good part for him in this one.





I rated it 3.5 stars out of 5
The Double
(2011) PG-13
Retired CIA agent Paul Shepherdson joins young FBI agent Ben Geary to track down a Russian assassin who has seemingly returned after the Cold War. Old conspiracies quickly resurface, embroiling the pair in deeper and deeper peril.
Genre:Action & Adventure, Thrillers, Action Thrillers, Crime Action & Adventure
This movie is:Dark, Suspenseful

Movie #613 ........................."The Big Year"

Movie #613 "The Big Year" is the movie about "birding" with Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson, and although it says on the netflix website that it is a "feel-good" movie, it is pretty bland. I liked it a little due to the subject matter ---- orinthology, and I marveled at how the directors took a very bland subject and made it into a film, but I think I laughed out loud once --- and with these three guys, I was pretty surprised about that! Music used every bird song it could, and it still needed an injection or something to make it more interesting. The best part was the credits where they displayed all 755 birds that were seen by the winner of the big year competition! That was cool and interesting to me!




I rated this 3 out of 5 stars
The Big Year
(2011) PG
Inspired by Mark Obmascik's nonfiction book of the same name, this high-flying comedy concerns a trio of competitive bird watchers who vow to win a contest by spotting and recording as many avian species as humanly possible.
Genre:Comedies
This movie is:Feel-good

Movie #612 ........................."Bon Cop, Bad Cop"

Movie #612 "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" The positives are so many: the action film aspect, the love/hate between the two cops, the humor, the blowing up stuff, the serial killer, the violence, the language and raunchiness, all the fights, the relationship with one cop and his daughter, and the other cop and his son . I esp. liked that the film becomes a study of the French language (which I'm trying to learn film by film before I go on vacation to france in October) with the language in and out (from subtitles or none), the banter back and forth will keep the audience on its toes . I esp. liked the scene where one cop is instructing the other how to say swear words and what the guy they are putting in their car is saying derogative about them. There are some negatives, though --- the story isn't new at all nor the mystery ---- the format/genre is no new ground either, and it's very violent and raunchy (esp. in language) --- and I think we do some things better than the French in this genre (see below).

However, there's much you can learn from the film ---------I didn't realize there was this feud between Toronto and Quebec ------- that not everyone spoke French nor understood French in Canada (duh for me, huh?) --- I'm starting to see a huge difference in U.S. films and French films ----French seem to enjoy more so the type of comedy that is way over the top (Jerry Lewis like) ----- we have that kind of humor but not in an action film like this ------ Another thing I prefer in U.S. films is that I think we do better editing in the mystery aspects ---- U.S. has more of a handle on it (our audiences are less lenient about pacing ---- we like it fast-paced)--- and there is a line that is passed here that American films would not pass and that's in the treatment of the prisoner ---- the blowing up is way over the top and not as acceptable to U.S. audience. But that's what makes it a new experience for someone like me to watch --- so I recommend this to anyone who is looking for something a bit goofy, but definitely raunchy and violent. Not for everyone, but I personally enjoyed the experience. Kind of like our "Shaun of the Dead" to me.





I'd give 3.9 stars out of 5
Bon Cop, Bad Cop
(2006) NR
This action comedy shows what happens when two cops with opposing ideologies -- an English-speaking officer from Toronto and a French-speaking one from Montreal -- are forced to work together to solve a crime. The duo's investigation of a demented serial killer stalking the Ontario-Quebec border coupled with their vastly different approaches to the law make for a unique brand of thriller. Erik Canuel directs.
Genre:Action & Adventure, Action Comedies, Action Thrillers, Crime Action & Adventure
This movie is:Goofy, Suspenseful

Movie #611 ..........................."Woman in the Fifth"

Movie #611 "Woman in the Fifth" was the last film we saw this year for the Phoenix Film Festival and it was just so so. I was looking forward to seeing this because it had Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas, and it was partly French and took place in Paris, but it was definitely the seedy part of the city, and the plot left something to be desired. The movie is based on a novel that was quite controversial............ some people didn't like the ending, and I'm afraid, I subscribe to that philosophy, as well. It took a turn I didn't quite swallow, and therefore, left me feeling empty about the film. That is not to say that there are some very good scenes here, very memorable moments that get across the desperation this writing is going through being a stranger in a strange land, trying to re-connect with his ex wife and little girl, who are now living in Paris. Kristin Scott Thomas is always interesting and her scenes work fairly well, along with a new woman in the writer's life who is Hungarian. Very international cast, seedy goings on, and a dumb ending. What else can I say? I might skip this one, if I were you, unless you are a huge Ethan Hawke fan and want to see an atmospherey type film.




Average rating: 3.333
I rate it 3.5 out of 5
The Woman in the Fifth
La Femme Du Vème
(2011) R
When Yankee scribe Tom Ricks moves to Paris to be closer to his daughter, he quickly finds the City of Lights to be a special and miserable place. Robbed and broke, Tom slowly climbs out of le gutter with the help of a beautiful and kind new friend.
Genre:Foreign Movies, French Movies
Availability: DVD availability date unknown

Movie #610 ........................."Apartamento ad Atene" (Apartment in Athens)

Movie #610 "Apartment in Athens" won the best world cinema picture award at the Phoenix Film Festival 2012, and we saw it last night and found it quite good. During the Nazi occupation of Greece, a German officer establishes himself in the house of an Athenian family, totally disrupting their life. Based on the novel "Apartment in Athens" written in 1945 by G. Wescott. The mood is tense throughout, and the actors all embody their characters. It isn't on the Netflix list yet, but if it ever gets there, this might be one you want to see. I've seen almost everything on the Holocaust, and this was a new story for me. I'd rate it 4 out of 5.

Movie #609 ........................."Small, Beautifully Moving Parts"

Movie #609 "Small, Beautifully Moving Parts" was another movie I got to see at the Phoenix Film Festival , and it won the festival choice for the festival. Sarah is pregnant and feeling uncertain, despite her boyfriend's pure enthusiasm. A committed tech-geek, she fears she is more interested in ultrasound technology than in what's being ultra-sounded. When her sister lures her to LA for what ends up being a terrorizing baby shower, Sarah keeps her rental van and hits the road in search of the source of her anxiety, her estranged mother, now living off the grid. It was funny, poignant, but slow moving, sometimes for naught. However, it serves up a nice look at one woman's coming of parenthood in the age of technology. And it's well done. I liked it, and would recommend it to anyone who finds the above story intriguing. I would rate it 3.4 out of 5.

Movie #608 .........................."The Intouchables"

Movie #608 "The Intouchables" --- saw this gem of a movie at the Phoenix Film Festival after seeing two previous ones and this was by far one of the best movies of the three (could be one of the best films I've ever seen!) We LOVED this one! And it's the movie that was missing from the Academy Award nominated films for 2012 --- one that should have won because there is very little wrong with it (no negatives, I could think of) It's a french film (the second most popular in France of all time, and the actor beat out Dujardin (artist) for the Cesar Award this year (French Academy Awards) and he is sooooooooooooo much better!. It was also cool to see Francois Cluzet as Phillipe (loved his Cesar-winning performance in "Tell no One," another film I loved) who looked so much like Dustin Hoffman throughout the film. Driss (Omar Sy) is so winning that you can't take your eyes off of him --- he's that good in the film, and the film talks so much about opposites attracting, how we should treat paraplegics, how you need a sense of humor in the thick of tragedy; you also learn some history of France and how they treat their minorities, etc. Can't say enough nice about this one, and one big question surfaced in the theatre when it was done. Why wasn't this movie released in the united States, and we are hoping they do release it because it is wonderful, and we highly recommend it!




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The Intouchables
Intouchables
(2011) NR
In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss -- a young Parisian petty criminal -- to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.
Genre:Comedies, Dramas, Foreign Movies, Foreign Comedies
This movie is:Understated, Witty

Movie #607 ........................."Mysterious Skin"

Movie # 607 "Mysterious Skin" is a movie I found too gritty for me, and I must admit that i never finished. Once I knew where it was headed and that it was taking way too long to get to the point (I never even got to Levitt's entrance) I turned it off. the topic? sexual abuse, and the movie crosses the line for me when I see little actors having to show the topic ---- the first half an hour (and who knows how much longer?) were the little kids having to deal with a pedophile, and I just don't need to see that. So I give this movie a 1 as a warning for those of you out there who were thinking of renting it. I say, don't bother. In fact, while I was trying to watch the thing, I was checking out the credentials of the director and I'm not sure I'd ever see anything by this guy.




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Mysterious Skin
(2004) NR
Gregg Araki's riveting drama, based on a novel by Scott Heim, brings together two unlikely heroes: a young man who works as a prostitute and another who's convinced he was once abducted by aliens. But it seems they have unspeakable tragedy in common.
Genre:Dramas, Gay & Lesbian Movies, Independent Movies, Gay & Lesbian Dramas
This movie is:Violent, Gritty

Movie #606 ........................."6 Month Rule"

Movie #606 "6 Month Rule" was an amusing romantic comedy we caught at the Phoenix Film Festival starring Blayne Weaver who also directed it. He plays this guy who has several rules about dating, and one is esp. the 6 month rule --- always break up with them before 6 months or you'll just experience tragedy, and he tries to teach this to his best friend, Martin Starr (from "Geaks and Freeks," "Superbad," and "Knocked Up") who has just recently been dumped. Meanwhile, he meets a very different girl --- one who just might break HiS heart and he seeks advice. The film never covers new ground, really, but it is well executed as it moves from one dumb situation he gets in to another ---- that's a big problem here, the main guy is really tough to like, so when he fails, we don't really care. But you might find this amusing, esp. if you are younger than I am and still dating, and you might just find the lead guy charming ---- who knows. I give it 3.6 out of 5.

Movie #605 ........................."How do you write a Joe Sherman song?"

Movie #605 "How Do You Write A Joe Sherman Song?" is a second film seen by us at the Phoenix Film Festival 2012, and we found it quite enjoyable. The lead guy who wrote the movie and directed it is none other than Joe Sherman, who also wrote all the music. He looks like a young Stephen Sondheim and sings like Mandy Pantinkin and boy can he play the piano!!! He wants to write the most original next hit musical on Broadway, and he's talented enough to do that (we think we might see this particular movie made into a musical on Broadway some day) but he's now busy putting in his time ----- goes to play for auditions (one funny moment is when some careless girl comes to the tryout and tells him to change the key 2 seconds before he is to play --- he says you aren't supposed to do that, she whispers what am I supposed to do, and he says, "You shouldn't be trying out in a key you can't sing" and the end result? he ends up playing it! He also gives voice lessons at home, and meanwhile he's writing his show. Well, he lives with a woman who goes from one audition to the next, yet she's very talented in the big 3 --- acting, singing and dancing, and she still can't find a show! And her live in boyfriend is a writer so there's an expectation that he write a show, heck even a song for her! And she sings about it while he plays in the living room. It's very creative how the songs are woven into the movie, while not getting too hokey about it! Anywhere, one day at an audition for an off broadway show Joe is asked to write, a bluesy type singer comes in and moves Joe's heart through music! She gets his music and he wants to write more for her and he does! She becomes his muse, and thus a big conflict --- whom should they cast in the show --- his very talented girlfriend or the new muse? Joe learns a lot more than he figures in this movie, and we found it a lot of fun. It won a couple of awards at this festival, and we think you might be seeing it on the netflix queue in the future, but not right now --- not yet. I would rate it 3.8 out of 5, very creative and well executed. A few negatives, though, one in particular is a lot of extra dialogue that wasn't necessary, so the film tended to lag in a few places.