Movie #840 ........................."You Belong to Me"

Movie #840 "You Belong to Me" I really enjoyed this ---- I had never seen it before, but I was anxious to see Stanwyck and Fonda play something different from the classic movie "The Lady Eve" (filmed ironically the same year, 1941) and boy are they different in this one --- she plays a doctor who has decided never to fall in love, and he plays a rich young man about town whom no one thinks will ever settle down --- while treating him for a nasty ski fall, they fall in love.  More than 1/2 the film is very, very funny, with him not knowing how to act as a husband and sending his working wife off to the hospital every day and waiting until she gets home --- but then, silliness creeps into the film in the form of jealousy --- since she's a female doctor, she has to treat male patients (which she seems to have an overabundance of ) and he starts fights with them in the office, etc.  The first couple of times that is okay and funny, but then it gets a little old.  And then she decides to give up everything (her practice) to be with him --- and that was silly to me, too.  Thank goodness it didn't end there --- the ending was good.....just a little quick getting to.  Really, if the two main actors weren't so darn good, the script for this is kind of goofy and probably wouldn't get  a second look from anyone, but they are two actors at their peak right here and "attention must be paid" --- funny, goofy screwball comedy that I recommend if you want to see an oldie but a goodie!

You Belong to Me (1941)    I give it 4 out of 5 stars   94 min  -  Comedy | Romance  -  22 October 1941 (USA) Directed by  Wesley Ruggles Writing Credits   Claude Binyon ... (screenplay)   Dalton Trumbo ... (story) Cast (in credits order) verified as complete   Barbara Stanwyck ... Helen Hunt Henry Fonda ... Peter Kirk Edgar Buchanan ... Billings Roger Clark ... Frederick Vandemer Ruth Donnelly ... Emma

A bored and wealthy playboy, Peter Kirk, meets Dr. Helen Hunt at a ski resort, as the result of an arranged-accident by him. They are married before the snow covers that day's ski-tracks, but trouble is brewing when, because his bride is so busy with her profession, they do not even spend their wedding night together. Peter, with time and money and no profession spends his time alone in the family mansion, while his wife continues her night-and-day work. He begins to work up a fit of jealousness when he notices that most of his wife's patients are male and handsome. He decides to go to work himself and gets a job as a clerk in a department store, which only lasts long enough for writer Dalton Trumbo to insert one of his workers-unite messages, and the store workers do indeed unite and demand that Peter be fired because he doesn't need the job. He then, proving that he indeed did not need the job, buys a hospital that he and his bride can manage together.

Movie #839........................."The Secret Life of Words"

Movie #839 "The Secret Life of Words" --- I had  heard about this movie for a long time, so I was glad when my sister-in-law suggested we watch the disc I bought from a closing out Blockbuster for $1.  What could we lose?  Well, we really were touched by the film.  But disclaimer:  This is really s-l-o-w going.  For more than 1/2 the film, Hanna says very little to anyone --- in fact, it gets a bit too long for me, but then she takes a turn and starts to trust the very damaged Josef (played well by Tim Robbins) and the film starts to take off.  I was intrigued this was done by a female director, and that she is Spanish, but the main character is supposed to be  Yugoslavian and the boat they are on is in Ireland.........a little confusing where it takes place and what war they are talking about (might be Balkan War or then might be Croatian one), just like the film, you have to hunt for answers (in fact, we discussed  who the child narrator was for  quite a length of time) --- and catch it in the words --- and sometimes you won't even hear the words, but you can surmise from what isn't said.  I've seen movies about damaged people finding happiness together, but this one has some very powerful storytelling, and it is one I won't forget very easily.   Atrocities of war like these stick with us forever, as well they should.  We need to tell these stories  ----- the irony, as Julie Christie's character in this film points out, is that survivors often tell their stories on tape, for history,  but  because they are ashamed they have survived,  their accounts  are stored away because they are thought to be  too horrendous for us to listen to again.  So movies like this one need to be seen so we are reminded of what some people have gone through during these horrific wars.








The Secret Life of Words2005NR112 minutes  4 stars out of 5

After surviving the war in Yugoslavia, taciturn nurse Hanna heads to Ireland for some relaxation. But when she hears about an oil-rig accident off the coast, she agrees to tend to a heroic burn victim, who changes her life.

Cast:

Sarah Polley, Tim Robbins, Javier Cámara, Julie Christie, Eddie Marsan, Steven Mackintosh, Leonor Watling,Daniel Mays, Dean Lennox Kelly, Danny Cunningham

Genre:

Romantic Dramas, Indie Dramas, Drama

Movie #838 .........................The Santa Clause

Movie #838 "The Santa Clause" --- I knew about this franchise, but had never seen it until I visited my niece on the east coast and was informed this is one of her favorite Christmas movies, so I had to view it.  I must admit, the little boy is the movie for me.  He is wonderful, and when he isn't in the film, it goes awry --- why?  Tim Allen.  He doesn't even work well with the little kid --- the kid does most of the "doing" in the film, and that's why the movie falls flat for me.  The kid could have been in it even more to sustain my continual interest.  When Tim Allen is on the screen, I feel you are watching Tim Allen spouting off what he thinks are funny lines.  Oh, I must send kudos for the makeup, because when he gets the big Santa girth, and the chubby cheeks, Tim Allen is lost for a few seconds....until he starts talking, and then it's "here we go again" for me.  So I can't really recommend it for adults.  Now, kids would probably like the elves, and the fact that they are all little kids.  And it's nice seeing Peter Boyle in something other than "Everybody loves Raymond" --- but that's about it here.  Oh, I watched about 2 minutes of the other 2  of the franchise (yes, there is a Santa Clause 2 and 3, which is nothing new for the parents out there, I'm sure) ---but only to see how much the kid has grown.  There are  Ann Margret and Alan Arkin as Mrs. Claus's folks in the 3rd part, but I watched long enough to get the gist and moved on to something classic like "Remember the Night" or "Christmas in Connecticut" or "Going my Way" or "Bells of St. Mary's" or , of course, "It's a Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas" --- the two best, in my opinion.  So if you are looking for something to put you in the spirit of the season, maybe try a classic?  And I hope the kids of this generation cherish those films as much as we have through the years and know the meaning of "Zuzu's petals!"









The Santa Clause1994PG97 minutes  I gave it 2 out of 5 stars.

The snow hits the fan when advertising executive Scott Calvin accidentally kills Santa and suddenly finds himself saddled with jolly Saint Nick's job. While initially a Scrooge, Scott eventually becomes a true believer in this merry family comedy.

Cast:

Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz, Mary Gross, Paige Tamada, Peter Boyle, Jayne Eastwood

Genre:

Family Comedies, Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Blockbusters, Children & Family

Movie #837 ........................."This is Martin Bonner"

Movie #837 "This is Martin Bonner" is a very good introduction of characters, a plot line, and possible conflict about an area we don't see handled in films very much --- what happens to prisoners who get out of jail after being incarcerated for 12 years, in the case of one Travis Holloway, who meets up with Martin, who himself is new to the area and his phase of life.  However, the ending is up in the air..............didn't know it was coming, and wasn't very successful for me.  This film reminded me of a pilot for a show that plans to be on t.v. for several years.  It had promises of a lot of everything and gave very little.....except for an intriguing story line, and very capable actors.  I can't recommend it because the pace is slow, and to know it doesn't go anywhere, is just too cruel to suggest lots of people would like it.  Not true!  (this is nominated for the John Cassavettes' spirit award)










This Is Martin Bonner2013R83 minutes   I give it 3.4 stars out of 5.

Eschewing his old East Coast life, Martin Bonner moves to Nevada and goes to work for a program that prepares prisoners for life on the outside. But when he meets ex-convict Travis Holloway, they forge a bond that surprises them both.

Cast:

Paul Eenhoorn, Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, Demetrius Grosse, Kristin Slaysman

Genre:

Indie Dramas, Drama

Movie #836 ........................."Roberta"

Movie #836 "Roberta" was a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movie I wasn't familiar with, so I watched it on TCM the other night, and aside from the Astaire/Rogers very energetic dances, I found the plot quite boring. Usually the plots are pretty weak in the franchise, but this one focuses on two others (Dunne and Scott), so the only bright parts, I thought, were Astaire and Rogers' hoofing numbers.  They seem extra bubbly in this show, probably to keep people awake during the somewhat boring plot of the movie.  So, if watching this film, you might find yourself fast forwarding through the non dancing scenes to get to the best parts --- the musical numbers--- in this film.











Roberta1935NR106 minutes  ---I give it 3 stars out of 5

Parisian couturier and deposed Russian princess Stephanie (Irene Dunne) has her hands full when half her business is bequeathed to American footballer John Kent (Randolph Scott). Kent knows nothing about fashion, but sparks fly as the two try to learn to run a company together. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers supply some fantastic dance numbers to standards including "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "I'll Be Hard to Handle."

Cast:

Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Helen Westley, Claire Dodd, Victor Varconi, Luis Alberni, Ferdinand Munier

Genre:

Classic Movie Musicals, Musicals, Classics

Movie #835 ........................."Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Movie #835 "Hunger Games:  Catching Fire" was another winner for the franchise ----- I was worried because this  book was the least favorite to me of the 3 in the series.  It was bogged down with a bunch of victors in the tour that we were expected to know, and district people that we met on every stop, and games that were being controlled very intricately in a clock shape fashion.........very tough to picture, but it worked much better in the film, when we didn't get to know all the victors, hardly visited any of the districts, and it's so much easier to see the tragedies that are thrown their way in the games.  The movie's pace is well handled, and it was fun to see the "regulars" (Banks, Harrelson, Kravitz) mixed with some new people --- like Jenna Malone, and Jeffrey Wright and the great Amanda Plummer.  The movie has a little bit of everything for everyone, so I really think most people would find it quite entertaining.  I would recommend it and say it is every bit as good as the first one, if not better.













The Hunger Games: Catching Fi2013PG-13  4.8 out of 5 stars

After her triumph in the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen begins a new life and confronts more danger in this sequel to the postapocalyptic fable. As Katniss travels through the districts on a "Victor's Tour," a rebellion gathers steam around her.

Cast:

Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Jena Malone, Woody Harrelson,Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Amanda Plummer, Jeffrey Wright, Lenny Kravitz, Sam Claflin

Genre:

Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Thrillers, Action Thrillers, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Movie #834 ........................."Nebraska"

Movie #834 "Nebraska" is an odd film to critique. When leaving the theatre, I was asked if I would recommend it to anyone, and I said, "No, not really."  I don't know the demographic; I really don't.  I think young people might not get it and be bored --- old people, the same.  People from the midwest might find it offensive, people from a big city might find it BORING and a waste of time.  People my age may find it sad, esp. if they are dealing with their folks at this age.  And people in between might laugh at the old people with little respect for them.  So there are problems in recommending this.  I think if you look beyond the simple story, you see a lot more going on..........I don't mean the comment about alcoholics, or families that haven't seen each other all year and all they do is sit in front of a t.v. and watch football.............we've been there, done that.  I think what this film says about having dreams, big dreams, even in a humdrum job, in a humdrum little town, and that no one has the right to take them away from us.  In that way, this hero is like man of la mancha, only he comes from Nebraska, an unlikely place for someone to dream so big.  I liked it, but I must warn you, it is very, very slow, and you end up laughing at a lot of what happens because if you didn't, you would be crying probably.  You know why?  We all will be here some day, and that's the basic truth.  Don't expect a lot of plot at all, and I gave it a 3 because I found the acting atrocious (really!)  I know the point of using real people for the secondary parts works well in some movies ("Bernie" comes to mind) but they weren't good at all here, and it's uncomfortable for the audience because we could laugh at them and shouldn't.  Not in a malicious, making fun way.  Bruce Dern is excellent because he walks a thin line here ---- he's crochet and incoherent at times, but you have to catch him between the lines........there's more there ---- if there wasn't, the film would fall apart at the end.  And it doesn't.  The ending, I thought, worked well.   If you see it, I hope you feel the same.







Nebraska2013R              I give it 3 stars out of 5

When a cantankerous old boozer thinks he's won a magazine sweepstakes prize, his son reluctantly takes a road trip with him to claim the fortune. As they drive from Montana to Nebraska, they visit friends and relatives to whom the dad owes money.

Cast:

Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Stacy Keach, Bob Odenkirk, Devin Ratray, Rance Howard, Missy Doty

Genre:

Indie Dramas, Drama

Movie #833 ......................."Frozen" (animated)

Movie #833 "Frozen" is a winner that knocked me cold (excuse the pun).  Strong female characters, sisters,  with excellent singing voices, one is Elphaba,  Idina Menzel! Broadway royalty, and the other is Kristin Bell, who holds her own and has a winning personality (like the voice in "Tangled") .  The two guys vying for their love are Broadway people and do well, and the memorable snowman you've seen in all the commercials is played by Josh Gad (from Book of Mormon).  The characters are more complex than they usually are in an animated film, esp. the women.  And I applaud the gutsy story that redefines the "one true love" idea. The secondary characters are a stitch and keep the story rolling.  This is one of the best of the recent offerings by Disney, and I am ready to see it again and again.  Oh, and make sure you stay until the very end --- you'll see a last scene and a disclaimer that are pretty funny!













Frozen2013PG                          I give this 4.7 out of 5 stars.

After her kingdom is doomed to suffer from eternal winter, intrepid Anna goes on a quest to find her reclusive sister, the Snow Queen, and break the curse. Along the way, Anna teams with eccentric mountaineer Kristoff and his comic reindeer, Sven.

Cast:

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Santino Fontana, Josh Gad, Alan Tudyk, Chris Williams

Genre:

Family Animation, Family Adventures, Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Children & Family

Movie #832 ........................."The Book Thief"

Movie #832 "The Book Thief" is a gem of a film.  I LOVED the book, so I went in with some trepidation, esp. with the critiques really slamming it (they are all over the place on it) and giving it 48% on rotten tomatoes (but they are the same critiques that gave "No Country for Old Men" such a high percentage, so whatever!)  The audience is giving it in the 80s so it is being appreciated.   Just when you think this is just another holocaust film, you are wrong. It has "Death" as the narrator, and he is so matter of fact, it is very disarming..........but so effective!  This story is a small story in the vast scheme of things during this time --- a kind of reverse Anne Frank hiding story, but about so much more ----what I found most interesting is that it is from a German girl's point of view, and what happens at the end of this film is very hard to take, emotionally, but what a wallop that will stay in your mind forever.  A worthwhile story, told well, acted well, with great imagery (esp. a memorable snow man scene), and wonderful themes, one centered on the importance of the written word.  I hope it gets a nomination because it is worthy of it.  It might be again mistreated like "Extremely Loud" was last year.  Misunderstood (critics didn't even get that the lead in that film had asperger's) and just thrown into the holocaust bin of films that they've seen before.  But it isn't.  (oh, one complaint  --- wanted Liesel to show more of a change from young to old, and not just in hair style, and wanted the pace to pick up just a tad in some scenes, but these are small complaints and the reason for the 4.7 out of 5)








The Book Thief2013PG-13       I'd give it 4.7 stars out of 5

Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home.

Cast:

Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Sandra Nedeleff, Kirsten Block,Matthias Matschke, Carina N. Wiese, Hildegard Schroedter

Genre:

Military & War Dramas, 20th Century Period Pieces, Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature, Drama

Movie #831 ......................... The Place Beyond the Pines

Movie #831 "The Place Beyond the Pines" was a movie I wanted to see since I spotted the trailer.  Why?  well, Ryan Gosling, of course.  I don't want to give anything away, but I must tell all of the Gosling fans that he isn't in the whole film.   Not at all.  And when he leaves, it is VERY noticeable.  Now the director must have thought Bradley Cooper could cover up the fact that Luke (the character he plays) is no longer in the film, but he doesn't --- I don't think it's Cooper's fault, because the second part of the film is just a dud because we've seen it already, with different people.  We know the police can be corrupt, and what happens to the cops that spill that information.....I was about ready to turn this long film off, when the two teenage boys (progeny of Gosling and Cooper) appear in the third act here, and they are worth watching.  Such stunning performances from these two boys --- they just take over the film, and end it quite well ---- thematically, it deals with the sons pay for the sins of their fathers.  The scope is pretty wide here ---- I think perhaps too wide, in that it tries to cover too much time and too much stuff that has gone on during that time.  Gosling is mesmerizing as Luke, in that he has a bunch of nuances that make him interesting to watch, even though he is a very quiet  person.  This director worked with him in blue Valentine and I know he depends on improv, and that is shown here again in this film.  Scenes esp. between Gosling and Mendes are very real, and i enjoyed those.  I'm hesitant to recommend it because it is long and tries to cover too much, but if the plot below, and the comments above pique your interest, Gosling very rarely disappoints.











The Place Beyond the Pines2012R140 minutes  3.5 out of 5 stars

Luke is a professional motorcycle rider who turns to bank robberies to support his newborn son, but when he crosses paths with a rookie police officer, their violent confrontation spirals into a tense generational feud.

Cast:

Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne, Mahershala Ali, Bruce Greenwood, Harris Yulin

Genre:

Crime Dramas, Indie Dramas, Drama

Movie #830 ........................"13 Going on 30"

Movie #830 "13 Going on 30" is harmless enough, with two winning people I have always liked:  Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.  But the story is a bit far fetched and takes a lot of liberties in the whole time travel realm ---------it doesn't explain how it works, it just does.  If you can believe that, you might find the love story fun.  It's about how we can change from being a sassy, selfish pre-teen, to a more congenial, friendly, and more humane human being as an adult.  Good lesson, cute love story, a bit far fetched plot.  But winning.  I'd recommend it to people who like the Romantic Comedy genre.








13 Going on 302004PG-1398 minutes   --- I'd give this 3 out of 5 stars.

It's 1987, and geeky Jenna wants to be popular. When her 13th birthday party goes awry, and she makes a wish that she could just be 30 already, she wakes up to discover she's flash-forwarded 17 years. Now a successful magazine editor, Jenna finds out that being an adult isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Cast:

Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis, Kathy Baker, Phil Reeves, Sam Ball, Marcia DeBonis,Christa B. Allen, Sean Marquette

Genre:

Romantic Comedies, Comedy