Movie #829 ……………………."The Delivery Man"

Movie #829 "The Delivery Man" -- I enjoyed this, even though critics seem to come down hard on it ---- not sure why.  It has some good moments, very poignant ---- but not as funny as other Vince Vaughn films. We chuckled at a few spots, but I seem to remember those same spots in the original (I saw "Starbuck" at the Milwaukee film festival last year, so this is a repeat to me, somewhat).  Cobie Smulders was more memorable as the girlfriend, and I thought the acting was better all around, with the brothers, with Chris Pratt, with the father…………..they took more time to get across how they cared about this loser of a guy that Vaughn is playing --- and he is a loser --- I don't think in the whole movie that he safely and in a timely manner dropped off the meat he is supposed to be delivering!  But he's a nice loser guy, and Vaughn does those characters well.  Many of the kids he befriends work well,too,  with memorable faces and moments so you feel as an audience member that you are getting to know most of his kids.  One in particular, Britt Robertson (the "Murderer of Love" shouter in "Dan in REal Life") really shines in her part, and whoever played Vigo.  I wonder if this is a first:  the director is the same from the Canadian one to the American one --- and I wish I remembered the other film more so that I could pinpoint the distinct differences, but I can't --- One thing I noticed in the synopsis of the other film is that his dad was attacked by the bad guys in the first one --- and I didn't see that in this newer version.  Other than that, very, very much alike.  And I liked the other one a lot, so I enjoyed this one, as well.   If you are looking for an easygoing film that will entertain you in the 100+ minutes, this is the one for you.  It isn't going to be nominated for an academy award, but it isn't chewing up scenery, either.  Realistic rendition of a very absurd idea ---- being a father of 653 kids!  But it works!








Delivery Man2013PG-13                      I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.

After learning that he's fathered hundreds of children, former sperm donor David Wozniak discovers that dozens of his offspring now want to meet him. Meanwhile, David's current girlfriend is also pregnant and uncertain about their future together.

Cast:

Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Britt Robertson, Jack Reynor, Bobby Moynihan

Genre:

Late Night Comedies, Comedy

Movie #828 ……………………."Dallas Buyers Club"

Movie #828 "Dallas Buyers Club" was an entertaining  biopic, explaining the FDA's slow work on okaying medicine during the Aids crisis in the 1980s, and how one man tried to get those "Not- Illegal" just "not- FDA- approved"drugs for himself and the others suffering from the effects (while making a buck, of course --- he's no angel!).  The movie takes a while to get to that part of the story (first, we have to sit through a glimpse of  his seedy life and his diagnosis and his reaction to it (not good)), but when it gets to the nitty gritty, the story moves more quickly and with more focus ---- we can see him in a drunken stupor just so many times ---- the guy isn't very likable through most of the film, but he's played very effectively by a sure-to-be-nominated Matthew McConaughey (if not for this film, then for his earlier film "Mud" --- what a year for this guy!) and supported by another possibly nominated actor Jared Leto, who plays Rayon -- reminded me of Angel in "Rent" --- .  This film is not for everybody ---- the language is raw, the sex scenes are many, there's hardly a minute he doesn't have a cigarette or drink in his hands, but the story is an important one to tell.  So I recommend it for the non-faint of heart.  It's gritty, shot on a dime (sure to be nominated for spirit awards for indie film), but worthy of the money that was spent on it --- and in this day and age, that's saying a lot!







Dallas Buyers Club2013R                   I gave this 4 out of 5 stars

Loosely based on true events, this drama follows Ron Woodroof, who refuses to accept he'll die in 30 days when he's diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. He extends his life and eventually helps many other AIDS patients by smuggling medications from abroad.

Cast:

Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Dallas Roberts, Griffin Dunne, Denis O'Hare, James DuMont

Genre:

Indie Dramas, Social Issue Dramas, Medical Dramas, Drama

Movie #827 ………………………."Letters to Jackie"

Movie #827 "Letters to Jackie" was a special on TLC that I taped and watched the week of the 50th anniversary of his death, and I thought it was really well done. While famous people were reading individual letters sent to Jackie (there were some  800,000 sent in a matter of a couple of months), the film showed a variety of pictures, video, etc, including home pictures , some in color, some in black and white.  There were all kinds of people that sent letters, and it was a very impressive documentary that I recommend to anyone who wanted to get a feel of the times, and the emotions that we felt during the tragic week following President Kennedy's death.  If you want to see it, let me know.  I have a copy you can view.





Letters to Jackie2013NR                  I gave it 4 out of  5 stars.

In the traumatic weeks following President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, nearly a million condolence letters were sent to widow Jackie. Working with this massive trove, contemporary actors narrate some of the most affecting messages.

Cast:

Bérénice Bejo, Demián Bichir, Jessica Chastain, Chris Cooper, Viola Davis, Zooey Deschanel, Kirsten Dunst,Anne Hathaway, Allison Janney, John Krasinski, Melissa Leo, Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Ruffalo, Octavia Spencer, Hailee Steinfeld, Channing Tatum, Betty White, Michelle Williams

Genre:

Documentary

Movie #826 …………………….."Diana"

Movie #826 "Diana" --- I went into this film not knowing what it was going to cover, and I came out more informed on what the most famous person on earth was like ---- at least for am important portion of her life --- that time she was in love, perhaps for the only time in her life, to a heart surgeon, prior to her death.  The film "shows" what it is like to be so famous and not have anyone looking out for you, like security people, etc.  How she has to wear disguises, climb over fences, and sneak in to places to live her life…….and maybe more importantly, what it is like to love someone so famous that you lose your own identity in the process.  Naomi Watts was very impressive playing such an iconic person as Princess Diana, but I felt she "got her" --- the shyness in her mannerisms, the looking down or away whenever she is in the spotlight --- those eyes that can penetrate through you when she is talking to you.  What an amazing woman, and although this film represents a small portion of her life, it just very well could be the most important because for one brief shining amount of time she was in love, and loved by someone else.









Diana2013PG-13                           I would give this 3.8 stars out of 5

Princess Diana, the world's most-watched woman, struggles to find herself after her painful divorce. In the two years before her death, she embarks on a vital campaign to ban landmines and on a passionate love affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.

Cast:

Naomi Watts, Naveen Andrews, Douglas Hodge, Geraldine James, Charles Edwards, Daniel Pirrie, Cas Anvar, Juliet Stevenson, Laurence Belcher

Genre:

Biographies, Political Dramas, Romantic Dramas, Drama

Movie #825 ……………………."The English Teacher"

Movie #825 "The English Teacher" --- I chose to see this for a number of reasons; mostly the title and subject matter intrigued me.  The opening hour I found to be very amusing and entertaining ---- Julianne Moore was a single woman who was teaching high school English, and she meets up one day (in a funny set up) with one of her most talented writers she ever had in her class -- he is depressed because he's never been able to sell his first play, and she suggests to put it on in his old high school ---- the film seemed to be talking to me personally, at that point.  But then, soon enough, the film goes awry, dealing with a sexual rendezvous between the teacher and the student (right in the classroom, oh my) and silly cat fights between the females in the show and the teacher because of the illicit relationship with the playwright, and then there's the father of the playwright (Greg Kinnear) who is disappointed in his son, and that adds to the depression of the young guy.  That story was a bit more viable to me and I think should have been the main thrust of the film, instead of the sex part.  The film finally got back to the topic, to make it worthy of recommending it ---- That plot thread and Nathan Lane make the film worthy of watching to me.










The English Teacher2013R91 minutes     I give it 3.7 stars out of 5

Devoted small-town English teacher Linda yearns for love. Enter Jason, a former student whose career as a Broadway playwright didn't pan out. When she persuades him to stage his play at the school before giving up, love -- and controversy -- arises.

Cast:

Julianne Moore, Michael Angarano, Greg Kinnear, Lily Collins, Nathan Lane, Fiona Shaw, Norbert Leo Butz,Jessica Hecht, Charlie Saxton, Nikki Blonsky, Sophie Curtis

Genre:

Romantic Comedies, Indie Comedies, Indie Dramas, Comedy

Movie #824 ……………………."12 Years A Slave"

Movie #824 "12 Years A Slave" was one of the most difficult films to sit through, and I realize it should be, considering the subject matter.  But THIS IS NOT A MOVIE FOR EVERYONE, and it is being toted as a movie YOU HAVE TO SEE.  No, you don't.  Dave walked out about 20 minutes before the end, and I followed two minutes after.  I stood in the foyer and watched the end (he took a pass) If this is a history lesson (as has been advertised), it's too bad that you couldn't show it in the classroom.  I realize you need to show whippings and other mistreatments, but for 15 minute scenes?  I know it is important to know what happened, but the eyes and stomach can take just so much. Okay, enough on the difficulty in watching, now to the acting……….wow!  I guess everyone is going to need to learn how to pronounce this actor's name because he is definitely a shoo-in for a nomination for best actor, along with Fassbender for supporting…..Brad Pitt was Brad Pitt (I hardly ever get overexcited if he is in a movie -- seems he spent all of his energy on a few parts (like "Seven" or "Thelma and Louise") but the young girl Lupita Nyong'o is amazing!  so is Sarah Paulson as Fassbender's wife.  So the acting is really good ---- the story gives very little moments of uplifting ---- only one white person comes out okay, so be aware you will feel very ashamed after seeing this movie, but once again, that's the intent.  I'm glad I saw this movie, but once again, I need to say it is a tough watch.  And I didn't feel like we were covering new ground in the film at all.  One thing I really did like, though, is the intelligence behind it ----- a lot of quietude in the film, but a lot said in the quietness.  I also liked how the camera stays so long on one subject, like Solomon's face, which shows man's inhumanity to man so well all throughout the movie.











12 Years a Slave2013R       I give this film  3.7 stars out of 5.

The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.

Cast:

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o,Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, Garret Dillahunt, Scoot McNairy, Quvenzhané Wallis

Genre:

Biographies, Dramas Based on the Book, Pre-20th Century Period Pieces, Drama

Movie #823 …………………….."Hidden in Silence"

Movie #823 "Hidden in Silence" was a made-for-t.v. movie that I found in a Walmart bin. It looked intriguing to me because it is about one of my favorite subjects --- the holocaust.   It was a bit different from other stories because it was a polish catholic girl who was hiding 13 jews in German occupied Poland.  I don't know if it was me being overly tired while watching this, but I never felt emotionally drawn into the film.  I am a big fan of the lead girl, Kellie Martin, ever since I was a dutiful watching of a t.v. show was in called "Life Goes On" with Patti Lupone and a downs syndrome kid named Corky.  Loved that show.  Anyway, she was good, but I think the script was lacking.  Many times things went by and weren't explained, and that's usually okay if there are enough hints of what is going on……….when there are too many names and too many people to follow (with not enough information given about the people), this audience member loses interest, and I did that occasionally in this film.  I don't care how tired I am, if it is a good movie, I soldier on and watch every bit of it…………nod dice here.  So I don't really recommend it.  It's nice to know it is a true story, and we find out at the end what has happened to all the people, and that was my favorite part.  But watch "Schindler's list" instead, or all the other movies that are on the subject and are done so much better.  "Playing for Time" comes to mind, too.  It is an Arthur Miller play that was put on film, and it is terrific!









I give it 3 stars out of 5.

Hidden in Silence (1996)

TV Movie  -  90 min  -  Drama  -  6 March 1996 (USA)    

Director:

 Richard A. Colla

Writer:

 Stephanie Liss

Stars:

 Kellie Martin, Tom Radcliffe, Marc Warren | See full cast and crew »

Poland 1939, shortly before invasion of the German troops. To save their belongings from the Nazis, the Jewish family Diamant transfers them to their 17-year-old catholic maid Fusia. In return Fusia provides them with food until the ghetto is dissolved, and then hides 13 people in her loft for over two years. However, as the front approaches and two German nurses take quarter in Fusias apartment everything seems to be in vain

Movie #822 ……………………."House of Cards" (the rest of the first season, episodes 2-13)

Movie #822 "House of Cards" the rest of the season.  I wrote on the first episode, and at that time I really didn't think I would  watch the rest of the season, but then people were saying that I should continue watching, and I had company over to the house who wanted to see the first one, so I  ended up watching the first episode  again.  That's when Dave got interested, and we just continued watching because we got hooked by the second one.  It became something we did on the weekends when there were long amounts of time where we were at home and available to watch bigger chunks of the show.  There's so much evil in the show that it somehow draws the viewer in. It is well acted and intriguing, but there aren't very many characters who have a moral compass at all ----------maybe one?   You want these people you elect to be worried about people, but that is the farthest from their minds.  This does not bode well for our elected officials at all.  Put this together with what we learn on a daily basis about our own Congress, and ……….well, it's very overwhelmingly sad.  Very sad.









House of Cards2013TV-MA4 discs / 13 episodes      I give 4 out of 5 stars

Ruthless Congressman Francis Underwood and his ambitious wife Claire will stop at nothing to conquer Washington D.C. in this dark political drama, winner of three Emmy Awards with nominations including Best Drama Series, Best Director, and Lead Actor.

Cast:

Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, Michael Kelly, Sakina Jaffrey, Kristen Connolly,Constance Zimmer, Sebastian Arcelus, Nathan Darrow, Sandrine Holt, Michel Gill, Elizabeth Norment, Mahershala Ali, Reg E. Cathey

Genre:

TV Dramas, Political Dramas, TV War & Politics, Television

Movie #821 ........................."Cadillac Records"

Movie #821 "Cadillac Records" had some great musical  moments with Jeffrey Wright, Beyonce and Mos Def playing Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry, respectively.  And Adrian Brody as Leon Chess, the one who decided to record all of these fine singers on his Cadillac label in the 50s, is great, as he usually is.  However, the script has gaps, and it never gets its rhythm in sync ---- the characters are well acted, but we are left wanting even more information on all of these very talented and complex people.  I found myself looking each of them up on the computer to get more info on each famous person this film was introducing us to.  It's amazing to me that all of these famous people's careers were launched in Chicago and with this one label.  So many crossover records being made here, and you can actually see footage of a concert for Chuck Berry, where it all of a sudden didn't matter if one side of the audience was white and the other black, because they immediately lifted the cords and took to the stage because he was universally liked by both races.  There are some very good moments here, just not enough.  And what's left is some really, really good music in the film.









Cadillac Records2008R109 minutes                         I would give it 3 stars out of 5

The sounds of 1950s Chicago color this drama based on the true story of a bar owner who signed a lineup of future legends to his fledgling record label. He crosses paths with Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Etta James, changing the face of pop music.

Cast:

Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Beyoncé Knowles, Gabrielle Union, Mos Def, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Cedric the Entertainer, Columbus Short, Norman Reedus, Tammy Blanchard, Shiloh Fernandez, Eric Bogosian, Joshua Alscher,Osas Ighodaro

Genre:

Showbiz Dramas, 20th Century Period Pieces, Dramas Based on Real Life, Drama

Movie #820 ........................."Enough Said"

Movie #820 "Enough Said" ---- this film was just okay, and I feel the critics have over-rated this one.  I feel that way because of mostly the Julia Louis-Dreyfus character  --- to me, she's playing a lot like "old Christine" from her t.v. show, where she does a lot of really stupid things, but we are still expected to like her.  In that show, I tended to put up with a lot more stuff from her because it was this outlandish comedy, and I would tell myself that she wasn't actually hurting anyone by her silliness, but this film is a bit different.  I don't want to say too much about it, esp. about  a big turn of events that happens in the middle, even though it is pretty obvious if you have seen the trailers for the film.  Knowing the turn before seeing the film  hurt the experience of the film for  me, that and not liking a lot of people in it.  However, I feel the film has a lot to say on several subjects:  one is the relationship of mother to child, when that child has been the only thing in your life for years and she is now going off to college; another is the relationship between ex husbands and wives, and what the ex says about the partner now that he has moved on.  And still another topic I found interesting is what happens when you are  in a relationship where you start to see the bad habits of the one you have fallen in love with  and a friend or relative might point out more  faults in this loving partner when you don't see them ---- then all of a sudden, that's all you see --- how do you get past that, or do you?  these are all subjects I thought about after seeing the film, and that's good for a film to make you think like that.  But it is the only thing I really "liked" about it --- that, and Gandalfino, and knowing that this was his last film made me want to see it .  He comes across as a real person here, and he was the best part of the film for me ---------and i have not been a fan of his up until now.  Credits say "for Jim" at the end, and it's a nice tribute, and it made the film more likable for me.  But it isn't one I would recommend to everyone...........it's a nice adult comedy, though, and very naturally acted.  It's just not believable entirely with the Dreyfus character to me.










Enough Said2013PG-13                 I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini star in this charming comedy about a divorced woman venturing into a relationship with a sweet man. But things get tricky when she discovers the man she's dating is the hated ex-husband of her new best friend.

Cast:

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Eve Hewson, Tavi Gevinson, Michaela Watkins, Toby Huss, Anjelah Johnson, Amy Landecker

Genre:

Indie Comedies, Romantic Comedies, Comedy