Movie #755 ........................."Roxie Hart"

Movie #755 "Roxie Hart" is the film based on the play, way back in the 1940s, and of course the play and film "Chicago" is the same story, just with music. This didn't seem to be as good as the remakes, maybe because by now the story is stale to me, and "Chicago" is so much funnier. However, I must say, again I'm impressed with Ginger Rogers, who plays Roxie here. She does a little tap thing on metal stairs, that was a cute bit --- I heard from the TCM guy after the film, that Gwen Verdon wanted those metal steps in the play, but that wish never came true. And oh boy, the courtroom scene misses that one song where she sits on her lawyer's lap while he tells her what to say. It was fun seeing all these character actors like Spring Byington, Phil Silvers, and Bill Frawley (from I Love Lucy fame) Roxie Hart 1942 NR 75 minutes I'd give this 3 stars out of 5 Ambition trumps murder in this satire based on the play "Chicago." Ginger Rogers stars as feisty Roxie Hart, who's so thirsty for notoriety she doesn't care that she's accused of a heinous crime. Tabloid reporters fall at her feet for every bit of seamy gossip, which Roxie happily supplies to remain in the limelight. Even her lawyer (Adolphe Menjou) sees her case as a shortcut to fame, but things turn grim when it seems Roxie may be convicted. Cast:Ginger Rogers, Adolphe Menjou, George Montgomery, Lynne Overman, Nigel Bruce, Phil Silvers, Sara Allgood, William Frawley, Spring Byington, Ted North Genre:Classic Comedies, Classics

Movie #754 ........................."Smashed"

Movie #754 "Smashed" is like "When a Man loves a Woman" with a twist --- they are both about female alcoholics and their descent into degradation......the twist here is that the marriage seems to work only when they are drunk ---- when the woman tries to go to AA and stop drinking, it is very tough being married to an alcoholic. She also has this other life of teaching little kids and when they see her hung over one day and vomiting, they think she's pregnant and she doesn't want to tell them the truth so she continues living that lie. As you can see, everything is pretty tense ---- love life, social life, teaching life, etc. Scenes were tough to watch, esp. the drunk ones. So this is not for the faint of heart. The two actors, Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul (from Breaking Bad) are very competent, and I would look for more work of these two in the future. Smashed 2012 R 85 minutes I'd give this movie 3.8 stars out of 5 Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and lots of drinking. When Kate decides to sober up, her new lifestyle brings to the surface a troubling relationship with her mother, her employer and Charlie. Cast:Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Mary Kay Place, Kyle Gallner, Bree Turner, Mackenzie Davis, Patti Allison Genre:Indie Dramas, Indie Comedies, Drama

Movie #753 ........................."The Kings of Summer"

Movie #753 "The Kings of Summer" is a great film we saw at the Phoenix Film Festival! I could go on and on about this one ------the acting is terrific, including the three amazing boys whose careers I now intend on following (Nick Robinson as Joe, Gabriel Basso and Pat, and Moises Arias as Bilagio (almost steals the movie!What a memorable character), and Megan Mullally, Alison Brie and Nick Offerman in the family roles, and other comics in smaller roles. The script is amazing and full of lots of funny, memorable lines. The film never gives the impression that it thinks itself as funny ---- everyone plays it with sincerity and the humor comes from the characters and realistic dialogue and actions. If you can't tell, I LOVED this (so did Dave), and I told the director on the way out that someday I wanted to own it so I could show it to all my friends, too! He said, "thanks and let everyone know that" so I give this a BIG THUMBS UP. Roger Ebert would have loved this one --- I'm that sure of it being a winner! The Kings of Summer 2013 NR (I'd rate it pg-13) 5 stars out of 5 stars!!!! This is a winner! Chafing under his widowed father's control, Joe Toy invites a friend and an offbeat new kid to help him build his own house in the nearby woods. Now that the trio is finally free from parents and responsibility, what's next? Cast:Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie, Mary Lynn Rajskub Genre:Indie Comedies, Comedy

Movie #752 .........................'Bully"

Movie #752 "Bully" was a very good documentary following 5 different families who have had to deal with bullying in some way or another. Schools come across basically very inadequate, and that isn't good.........and I wish the movie had more answers. But it is good about exposing the problem, and the major point on that is for the victim to LET OTHERS KNOW IT IS HAPPENING before it is too late. I liked a couple of the stories more than the others, esp. the one showing this boy Alex who is being bullied as the cameras follow him for this film. It is very difficult to watch, to see him change from a happy-go-lucky kid to a scared, insecure individual who just wants friends and doesn't have a clue how to get them. How can we as a society stop the problem? That's the big question; I just wish it had more answers. P.S. even though the language is raw at times, this film should be shown in every school at least once---- every kid and parent should see this one and discuss it with each other -- the problem is that important! Bully 2011 PG-13 99 minutes I give it 4 stars out of 5 Exploring the subject of school bullying from a personal angle, this eye-opening documentary tracks the stories of five different families whose children are struggling to defend themselves on a near-daily basis. Genre:Social & Cultural Documentaries, Documentary

Movie #751 ........................."Butter"

Movie #751 "Butter" is pretty dark in places. pretty silly most of the time. mean spirited. It's tough to laugh at lines Jennifer Garner says when she is so mean most of the time. It's a rare actress that can still get you to care about her, even when she's so mean (I think of Rachel McAdams in "Mean Girls" doing just that very successfully) Hugh Jackman is misused and underused, as is Ty Burrell. But oh my goodness, Olivia Wilde steals this movie. I have never thought much of her, but she is a stitch (foul mouthed and mostly inappropriate in most of her scenes, though). And the african american little girl is great, and I don't even see her name in the credits ---maybe her name is Kristen Schaal? Anyway, she is amazing in this. Otherwise, it's a wash. I can see why it wouldn't be popular in the movie theaters, and I'm not sure I had to see it, except that I heard it was controversial, and I wanted to see what the hubub was about. You don't really need to see it. It isn't that funny --- I think it was supposed to make fun of people like Sarah Palin ------ but if you laugh at her anyway, you don't need to see this film. Butter 2011 R 90 minutes I gave this film 3 stars out of 5 When a gifted butter sculptor announces his retirement, his ambitious wife sees her hopes for future fame -- and the presidency -- melt away. She sets out to take up the mantle, but soon learns how cutthroat the world of pro butter sculpting can be. Cast:Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, Olivia Wilde, Rob Corddry, Ashley Greene, Alicia Silverstone, Hugh Jackman, Kristen Schaal, Pruitt Taylor Vince Genre:Indie Comedies, Spoofs and Satire, Dark Humor & Black Comedies, Comedy

Movie #750 ........................."Take This Waltz"

Movie #750 "Take This Waltz" is a good indie film. What intrigued me is seeing Michelle Williams on the cover of this DVD with Seth Rogen. I looked at it and surprisingly knew NOTHING about this film,nor ever heard about it. What a slice of life ---- and very believable. I read some critiques about how inadequate some people think Seth was in the film, but I didn't see it. I thought it took him places he had never been before, and I applaud whenever an actor tries to stretch his chops. But, you know....this is Michelle Williams' film all the way --- every move she makes, every word she says, she proves she is one amazing actress. Her facial expression demand that you watch her...........I've heard the expression that the actress "makes love to the camera" and this would be a film that shows this. She is amazing, and just for that you might want to check this out. I just wish that some of the discussions she has with the guy across the street had more sentences they finished...............sometimes, the audience is asked to guess what the actors are really saying. But on the whole, I really liked the film, and this one will stay with me for a long time. Very believable, sad romantic film. Take This Waltz 2011 R 116 minutes I give this 4 out of 5 stars Filmed in Toronto, this intimate, unflashy romantic drama portrays a happily married woman who experiences a sudden and strong desire for another man. Further complicating the situation, the object of her desire resides just across the street. Cast:Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, Sarah Silverman, Jennifer Podemski, Diane D'Aquila Genre:Romantic Dramas, Indie Dramas, Indie Romance, Drama

Movie #749 ........................."Being Flynn"

Movie #749 "Being Flynn" was a bit disappointing and bland for a Robert DeNiro/Paul Dano film. Oh, I don't mean that there aren't arguments and confrontations between father and son --- in fact, all the time. But it gets redundant and the plot line plods along ---- you can't even tell when you are at the high point because it seems like all the other arguments ---- they all blend together. DeNiro still manages to get across a character, albeit he chews up scenery, but he still manages to be a believable homeless person throughout the film. I wanted to see even more variety from him (which I know he's capable of doing, since I think he is the best working actor around), but the script is confining in that department. I read a review that said this was a breakout part for Paul Dano ---- where has that critique been? I've been enjoying Paul Dano's performance since watching him as a little boy, growing up before out eyes ....in film. He has an equal adversary here (as he did in "There Will be Blood" with Daniel Day Lewis) but once again, the script could give him even more to do. He surfaces as the universal character here, and if you step back and think about it, it is a very sad movie. Makes you happy for what you have, even if you weren't dealt the best mother or father in the world. Being Flynn 2012 R 101 minutes I give it 3 out of 5 stars A young man employed at a Boston homeless shelter comes upon his long-lost, destitute and alcoholic father while at work one evening in this subtle, emotionally charged drama based on the acclaimed memoir by poet and playwright Nick Flynn. Cast:Robert De Niro, Paul Dano, Julianne Moore, Olivia Thirlby, Lili Taylor, Wes Studi, William Sadler, Dale Dickey, Thomas Middleditch, Chris Chalk Genre:Indie Dramas, Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature, Biographies, Drama