Movie #1101 ........................."Key to the City" (1950)

Movie #1101 "Key to the City" was just okay, bordering on the boring side.  I was quite disappointed because I love Loretta Young and Clark Gable --- but I hadn't seen them paired together.  I felt there was very little chemistry, and the characters were set up to be polar opposites so that we would be oh so surprised they ended up together --- go figure!  They seemed to be playing caricatures of the real  people so the humor was way exaggerated --- gee, their first outing they end up in jail, and for a Harvard gradate (she) that is way too atypical!  Too stereotypical for my money, and I have to admit I fell asleep in the middle some where --- I LOVE classic romantic comedies, but this isn't one of them.

Key to the city 1950    101 minutes      black & white 

I would give it 2.8 stars out of 5.

At a mayors convention in San Francisco, ex-longshoreman Steve Fisk meets Clarissa Standish from New England. Fisk is mayor of "Puget City" and is proud of his rough and tumble background. ...  See full summary »

Director:

 George Sidney

Writers:

 Albert Beich (story), Robert Riley Crutcher

Stars:

 Clark Gable, Loretta Young, Frank Morgan

At a mayors convention in San Francisco, ex-longshoreman Steve Fisk meets Clarissa Standish from New England. Fisk is mayor of "Puget City" and is proud of his rough and tumble background. Standish is mayor of "Winona, Maine", and is equally proud of her education and dedication to the people who elected her. Thrown together, the two opposites attract and their escapades during the convention get each of them in hot water back home.

Movie #1100 .........................You're Not you

Movie #1100 "You're Not You" is not a movie i would recommend to everyone because it is very difficult to watch a vibrant person who succumbs to ALS, but what I thought was the upbeat in the whole sadness of the situation was the focus on the caregiver.  This is a subject on lots of people's minds these days, since our loved ones are living longer and we are put into that position oftentimes.  Well, the caregiver here has very little focus at the beginning and gets a purpose in her life by helping out the Hillary Swank character "go gently into that good night" --- she literally blossoms when she is caring for  Swank, while helping her keep her dignity.  In that way, the film stands out from the typical subject matter and has an upbeat part to the tragedy.  The two women perform strong acting jobs here, and hats off to Dushamel the husband who represents all the people who can't do what the caregiver does .  This is a sad movie, but a sad one with a purpose.

You're Not You

2014 R Rated R102 mins   I would give this 4 stars out of 5.

rated 3.8 stars

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Finding her life upended after being diagnosed with a fatal illness, classical pianist Kate inexplicably hires flighty college student Bec as a caregiver. Though they're polar opposites, they forge a bond -- which grows stronger as Kate deteriorates.

Cast: Hilary Swank, Emmy Rossum, Josh Duhamel,

Movie #1099 ........................."Central Park Five"

Movie #1099 "Central Park Five" was a worthwhile documentary to watch, but it was way too long for the information it dispensed with.  It depends upon the interview method of getting across its information, and it didn't deviate from that much.  Don't take me wrong ---- this is a really good story, but it gets long and boring after awhile just interviewing one person after another.  Sorry, I don't recommend it, even though it has a pretty high percentage on rotten tomatoes.

The Central Park Five

2012 NR Rated NR119 mins    I would give it 3 stars out of 5

rated 3.9 stars

3.9

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This piercing documentary examines the case of five teenagers, all African-American or Latino, who were convicted of the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park in 1989. Years later, the confession of the real rapist set the jailed men free.

Cast: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam,

Movie #1098 .........................."Badlands"

Movie #1098 "Badlands" is a film I have heard a lot about  --- lots of high praise for this first film by Terrence Malick, who went on to do a film I think is better:  "Days of Heaven."  There's a narrator in both of them, and they both have beautiful photography and wonderful music that propels the film from one moment to the next.  They also both have strong acting from young newcomers --- in this film, it happens to be Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, whose relationship dominates the screen.  It's almost a mystery that permeates the storyline, because as a viewer you are trying to figure out what is the reasoning for Sheen's shooting of the 6 innocent people in the film.   And what is the reasoning she stays with him for so long!   We get why he shoots  the first one, her father --- he clearly stands in the way of the dreams of the  James Dean wannabe.  The dad (Warren Oates) won't let him take his daughter away from him ---- she's only 16 and very naive.  One scene she even makes a comment about her first sexual experience:  "Is that all there is?"  And Sheen says, "Don't ask me."  They are so blasé as they run from authorities on their shooting spree ---- it's such a weird cinematic decision to write it and play it that way.  I prefer the spunked up "Bonnie and Clyde" film that puts some life into the antiheroes, even in their death scene.   Here, they are quiet, awkward, brooding, all traits hard to put life into , so there are definitely some slow, quiet, nothing- happens moments.  But that's when you marvel at the cinematography or music.  I would give it 3.8 stars out of 5 ---- nice start for Mr. Malick on s shoelace budget to boot!

Badlands

1973 PG Rated PG95 mins           3.8 stars out of 5 (and the rating should be R)

rated 3.3 stars

3.33

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Young garbageman Kit Carruthers (Martin Sheen) and his girlfriend, Holly (Sissy Spacek), kill Holly's father in South Dakota and hit the road on the run from the law. Writer-director Terrence Malick's script (for his feature film debut), based on real murders committed by a couple in 1958, does not judge its characters as they make their way to the Badlands of Montana, leaving a trail of senseless and random murders in their wake.

Cast: Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates

Movie #1097 ........................."Iron Petticoat"

Movie #1097 "Iron Petticoat" is the only movie that paired Bob Hope and Katherine Hepburn, and I say "thank God"!  This was not funny, and for a comedy that is deadly.  In fact, the two leads appeared to be in two different movies ---- Hope was doing Hope (like in the Crosby/Hope road pictures), fast talking his away, this time around London.  And falling in love, supposedly with Hepburn?  his equal?  No way.  She, on the other hand, was playing the film full tilt as a drama about a woman being discriminated against by the government she really believes in (other than that one flaw).  Hepburn tries to do service to this mess of a film, but it doesn't work.  Of course, they kiss and become a couple by the end of this 1956 comedy, but no one believes it --- even Hope and Hepburn don't.  There are way too many good movies with these two, that you don't have to waste your time watching this one where they are unmatched and uncomfortable.  

"Iron Petticoat "    (1956)   87 minutes

Director:

 Ralph Thomas

Writer:

 Ben Hecht (screenplay)

Stars:

 Bob Hope, Katharine Hepburn, Noelle Middleton

Captain Vinka Kovelenko defects from Russia, but not for political reasons. She defects because she feels discriminated against as a woman. Captain Chuck Lockwood gets the order to show her the bright side of capitalism, while she tries to convince him of the superority of communism. Naturaly, they fall in love, but there's still the KGB, which doesn't like the idea of having a defected Russian officer running around in London

Movie #1096 ........................."Aloha"

Movie #1096 "Aloha" is a don't bother film.  Where to begin?  Cameron Crowe did this mess?  The Jerry Maguire/Almost Famous Cameron Crowe?  What was the central focus here?   Okay, first, it lacks that.  Next, the music is so annoying, and loud --- can't- hear- some -of -the -dialogue kind of loud.  It wastes the talent of its super talented cast --- Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, and John Krasinski --- yep, all of them are in here, all of them I love to watch in their films, but this one  ---nope!  And Rachel MacAdams is so good, even in her scenes, but for naught.   Even the little boy in St. Vincent is fun to watch in here, but does the director use him much?  nope.  I never laughed, so if it was supposed to be somewhat of a comedy, it failed there to me.  Is it a conflict about space?  beats me.  I guess so.  Since there seemed to be a lot of angst over some launch, but ask me if I care.   Sorry, this is probably an incoherent blog on this movie --- but it is fitting for an incoherent film.  If it is a love story, I missed where it took a big turn for this guy to change completely from what he was to someone else who loves this gungho soldier.  So, like I said at the beginning, don't bother watching this mess.   That's probably why the film was so readily available at the red box machine.  Word is out on this one --- the %19 it got on rotten tomatoes is deserving!

I'd give it 2 stars out of 5.  And that's because of Rachel McAdams and the little boy, and a good scene with the little girl.

Aloha

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-13105 mins

rated 2.6 stars

2.6

Returning to Hawaii to coordinate the launch of a revolutionary weapons satellite, defense contractor Brian Gilcrest reconnects with an old flame. Before long, however, he's distracted by the alluring Air Force officer assigned to be his escort.

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams

Movie #1095 ........................."Morning Glory" (1933)

Morning Glory 1933       74 minutes

I'd give it 3 stars out of 5

When a naively innocent, aspiring actress arrives on the Broadway scene, she is taken under the wing of several theater veterans who mentor her to ultimate success.

Director:

 Lowell Sherman

Writers:

 Howard J. Green (screen play), Zoe Akins (from the play by)

Stars:

 Katharine Hepburn, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Adolphe Menjou 

Movie #1095 "Morning Glory" with Katherine Hepburn won her the first academy award of her career, and if you watch the the film, you can see why.  She plays this goofy, cute, dreamer of an actor----she is too naive to see the corruption of the people around her, and her ambition helps to blind her to some of it, as well.  There's not much to the story at all---- the only AA nom. went to her, and it is obvious why.  I didn't like the film much at all, but if you speed through it to her monologues, you might like this oldie.

Movie #1094 ........................."Suffragettes"

Movie #1094 "Suffragettes" is  an excellent film.  I have seen others on the subject, one in particular "The Iron Jawed Angels" with Hillary Swank and Angelica Huston, but this one focuses on one particular woman who isn't gung-ho from the start, but it shows how she gets brought into the cause by others, and by the situation in her place of work and at home.  The film pulls at our heartstrings a couple of times;  there is an uncomfortable force feeding scene of a prisoner in another scene; overall, there's a good picture of what it was like to be living in 1912 in London --- a time period of huge inequality for women and their fight to make things more even.  Yep, there's a lot of male bashing, but there are some of the husbands who support their wives in the fight.  I would rate this 4.5 because I wanted a bit more info in certain places, and maybe a little more lightness in some of the scenes?  I also wanted to see an ending to the Gleeson character who is a cop who stalks Carey Mulligan's character.  Technically, the film was well done, esp. the highpoint ---- I got pulled into the situation from the get go, and I was constantly questioning how far I would go for my principles.  These women were surely brave and deserved to have a movie studied their "deeds" which went way beyond their words (a line from the film)

Suffragette

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-13

rated 3.5 stars

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Dreaming of the right to vote, working-class Maud eagerly joins the early feminist movement. But when the peaceful protests of the suffragettes accomplish nothing, they're driven to more radical methods of effecting change.

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Meryl Streep

Movie #1093 .........................Love the Coopers

Movie #1093 "Love the Coopers" I would rate this 3.8 and recommend it if you are looking for a nice film to bring the family to (not little kids, though, because they wouldn't get it).  This film is a bit more serious than the trailer suggests -- several poignant moments, and on that level, the film works well, I felt.  The actors are all capable, and the film is presented a tad differently to make it different than other films on the same subject:  dysfunctional family gatherings at holidays.  The film is narrated by Steve Martin, and that sometimes adds to the humor.  I laughed out loud several times because the writer has several comic moments that work, but there are those that don't --- like a character running through a hospital corridor knocking over christmas gifts, trees and lights --- way overboard.  However, there are some very witty dialogue moments, esp. in the discussions between Ellie and Joe (the soldier) , and Grandpa and the waitress.  There are two teens that are a stitch, and a couple of little kids, one esp., that acts way beyond his years (and the littlest has a catch phrase that is inappropriate for little ones to say).  The only weak link I felt, and the reason I would not give it higher points is because of the mother and the dad.  Now you have Diane Keaton and John Goodman, 2 more than capable actors, stuck manufacturing a reason they are in the film --- their conflicts didn't ring true --- I think with a little tweaking in some of their discussions (maybe less words said to each other might help), it would have been much better --- The overall idea of him leaving her during the holiday season is a good one, but the rest of what they argue about seems silly at times.  And how can I forget the cop (Anthony Mackie) and the shoplifter (marisa Tomei, who usually chews up scenery). Their scenes are well done and again on the serious side for the most part.  The summary line Alan Arkin says about the family gathering rings true and poignant and really states the theme succinctly, and it reminds us just why we gather with our families year after year after year.  It also redefines what makes a family..............yes, a lot of stuff is tied up a tad too neatly by the end, but some is left in the air, and I liked that about the film, as well.  I recommend it and plan to suggest to my family to see it at Thanksgiving or xmas time when we are looking for a film to bring the family to.  P.S.  the critics have not been kind to this film, but then they very rarely are kind to comedies that I enjoy --- they tend to rave about "Hangover" etc.  I don't really trust critics to judge my comedies, but  I like word of mouth, so I hope some people give this a second look if they depend on critics.

Love the Coopers

2015 PG-13   107 minutesRated PG-13

rated 3.5 stars

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Holiday memories will never be quite the same for the Cooper family after their all-generation Christmas Eve gathering becomes a hilarious whirlwind of confusion brought on by unexpected visitors and domestic high jinks.

Cast: Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei, June Squibb, Diane Keaton, Ed Helm, Anthony Mackie, Amanda Seyfried , John Goodman.

Movie #1092 ........................."America"

America

2009 NRRated NR89 mins (it was pretty clean, very suitable for teens and up)

Psychiatrist Maureen Brennan (Rosie O'Donnell) encounters a heart-wrenching case in her patient America (Philip Johnson), a teenager filled with rage after years of parental neglect, sexual abuse and foster care red tape, in this made-for-TV drama. As Dr. Brennan and America sift through the turmoil of his past and move toward healing, memories of Mrs. Harper (Ruby Dee), a kind and strong woman from his childhood, help America on his journey.

I would give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Movie #1092 "America" came across as a very "real" film, with real people: a boy who survived foster care system with much baggage, the counselor who tries to pull him out of his depression, and a young girl who is a cutter. I felt it was very well done, even though I had seen this kind of story before in play or movie form. What made this a tad different is that there was the realness factor that was very stunning --- you could swear these people were your neighbors or in my case, students I have come across in my classroom. However, when the main character was asked to delve deeper for dramatic scenes, I felt he could have done better there. Otherwise, it's well done on a very important subject --- the foster care system in the U.S.

America

2009NRRated NR89 mins

IAverage rating: 3.534

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Psychiatrist Maureen Brennan (Rosie O'Donnell) encounters a heart-wrenching case in her patient America (Philip Johnson), a teenager filled with rage after years of parental neglect, sexual abuse and foster care red tape, in this made-for-TV drama. As Dr. Brennan and America sift through the turmoil of his past and move toward healing, memories of Mrs. Harper (Ruby Dee), a kind and strong woman from his childhood, help America on his journey.

I would give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Movie #1092 "America" came across as a very "real" film, with real people, a boy who survived foster care system with much baggage, the counselor who tries to pull him out of his depression, and a young girl who is a cutter.  I felt it was very well done, even though I had seen this kind of story before in play or movie form.  What made this a tad different is that there was the realness factor that was very stunning in the film.  However, when the main character was asked to delve deeper for dramatic scenes, I felt he could have done better there.  Otherwise, it's well done on a very important subject --- the foster care system in the U.S.  

Movie #1091 ........................."Black or White"

Black or White

2014 PG-13 Rated PG-13121 mins

rated 3.4 stars

3.4

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I'd give this 2.8 stars out of 5

Still reeling from his wife's death, Elliot Anderson struggles to maintain custody of his biracial granddaughter when her grandmother begins pushing to have the girl sent back to her father -- a crack addict Elliot blames for his daughter's demise.

Cast: Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Jillian Estell

Movie  #1091 "Black or White" is a very uneven film ---- lots of the scenes that are supposed to be funny, aren't, and lots of the dramatic ones fall flat or come across melodramatic (esp. the big fight scene at the end when Costner has to be pulled out of his pool.  There are script problems, for sure, and the actors can't seem to rise above them.  Octavia Spencer and Costner seem very uncomfortable in their parts, like they are doing this film for the money, and you can tell.  There were parts I did like, though.  I esp. like the topic and the theme --- that it takes a village to raise a child.  The idea of a white grandpa raising his biracial  granddaughter and then being in conflict with her black grandma seems to me a believable conflict in this day and age.  It is a real problem that needs attention ---- is love and good intentions enough to raise a child well, esp. when you are drinking every day like this man.  In that way, the movie is interesting, but I'm sure I fell asleep somewhere in the middle of it, and when I awakened, I couldn't tell I missed anything.  So I don't recommend it.  But the black tutor is a stitch!

Movie #1090 ........................."Spectre" (2015)

Spectre

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-13

rated 3.5 stars

3.5

James Bond continues his run of romance and foreign intrigue in this tense thriller that pits him against the global terrorist organization SPECTRE. Already battling political interference, MI6 and Bond must again take on their most implacable foe.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux

I would give this 3.7 out of 5 stars, the movie is 2 hours and 48 minutes

Movie #1090 "Spectre" is possibly the last Daniel Craig contribution to the James Bond oeuvre, and it's good.  Not as good as Skyfall, to me, but still a nice possible ending for him, if it does end.  This James Bond that D. Craig has been playing is fallible --- he can't seem to beat up the big guys or figure out how to do it; he pulls out an instrument that could possibly be used as a weapon,  and it doesn't work; he gets his hair mussed up a bit; he just doesn't use women at his whim, but he actually falls in love... So in many ways, he is playing just one of many action figures that are out there in film land, but he still looks impeccably dressed throughout the film, he still has that love of cars and gadgets, he still has that sense of humor, and he still orders his drinks the same and says his name the same... We all know that if the evil guy is sinister enough and holds our interest, that's a big part of liking the particular bond film, and in this, Christoph Walz does a very good job.     The opening sequence is well done (though a bit long, I felt) and the chase scenes are marvelous, sets are many (6 countries, I counted, which is low for this franchise), 150 plus stunt people were hired on for this film and they were amazing!  And that's why I go to Bond films.  To say, "how did he do that?"  and you can do that a lot here, so go see it, if you are looking for a good film in the James Bond genre.

Movie #1089 ........................."The Best of Me"

The Best of Me

2014 PG-13 Rated PG-13118 mins        I would give this 3.8 out of 5 stars

rated 2.8 stars

2.8i 

In this wistful drama, sparks reignite between former high school flames when they return to their hometown decades later for a funeral. But painful memories of the past may prevent them from having a future together.

Cast: Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Liana Liberato, Luke Bracey

Movie #1089 "The Best of Me" was an okay movie.  Critics don't seem to like Nicholas Sparks' books to movies, but I have liked many of them:  The Notebook, The Vow, and the Longest Ride are three that I esp. liked, and now I would add this one.  Yes, it is a bit formulaic (like there is usually someone dying in it, there's always the main characters jumping into water with a love scene to follow, etc.)  but I usually like the storyline --- and this one was easy to watch and become involved.  The two main characters are likable, and so are their young counterparts.  Those two kids (Liberato and Bracey were wonderful!  in fact, after the film, I immediately went to IMDB to find out what else they have done because they really brought this love story to life!  And yes, it is a love story concerning the concept of the soulmate, and because I buy into that premise, I really enjoyed the film.  However, if you dislike Nicholas Spaks' books or movies based on his books, and if you dislike  romances, this isn't for you.  What drives the characters here is love, actually first love, and that's tough to believe that first love is that strong to exist through the years, but it worked here, I thought.  It's not Notebook, but it still deserves to be in the upper deck of Sparks' books made into film.  I liked it.

Movie #1088 ;......................."And So It Goes"

Movie #1088 "And So It Goes" is a good film ---- not sure how the title indicates that at all.  Bad title, good film.  But for me, how could it go wrong, really, with Diane Keaton and Michael Douglas as the older couple, one a curmudgeon (guess which one that is?)  and Frances Sternhagen providing the reality check --- she's a hoot!  And a cute little girl that is in need of some love.  Yep, you've heard the story before, but under the direction of Rob Reiner, it manages to turn out okay.  By the end, even through some clunky scenes/lines and predictable predicaments the script throws Michael Douglas's way, it managed to get to me --- made me a believer.  It's good, esp. if you don't mind good acting along with the predictability.

And So It Goes

2014 PG-13 Rated PG-1394 mins -- I would give this 4 stars out of 5

rated 3.0 stars

3.0

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When he's obliged to take over the care of a previously unknown granddaughter, wealthy and self-absorbed Oren is suddenly in need of major help. His neighbor Leah comes to the rescue -- not only bailing out Oren but also capturing his heart.

Cast: Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton, Sterling Jerins

Movie #1087 .........................Tim's Vermeer

Movie #1087  "Tim's Vermeer" was an excellent documentary on a very odd subject.  The movie was about this inventor, Tim, a friend of Penn and Teller's (it's directed by them) who  wants to test a theory he has about Vermeer's paintings --- he thinks the reason his stuff looks so detailed and photographic is that Vermeer used a camera obscure and a mirror to create his images, which is a controversial way of thinking about the older artists.  If he did, then is it still art?  or was he a scientist AND an artist?  or just a scientist.  Tim takes 7 months to recreate Vermeer's music room, without being able to pain -- but by using the theory above.  He doesn't pretend to think it's better or even equal to Vermeer's work, but the creation and the movie itself is astounding.  But this movie isn't for everyone........it's a bit slow and tedious, like the method he used to recreate Vermeer's work, but to those interested in the subject, the film is astounding.  Take it from there.

Tim's Vermeer

2013 PG-13 Rated PG-1380 mins   I would give this movie 4 stars out of 5.

rated 4.0 stars

4   

Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, directs this absorbing film about inventor Tim Jenison's quest to solve one of art's greatest mysteries: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography?

Cast: Tim Jenison, Penn Jillette, Martin Mull,