Movie #780........................."Something Borrowed"

Movie #780 "Something Borrowed" --- okay, for a successful romantic comedy, I have a pretty low bar, because something a lot of critics accuse romcoms of being is unoriginal. I don't. At least not that much. How many times can you tell the same story, right? but there are a few variables that make the romcom work --- 1) you have to like the people involved 2) the two people have to have chemistry, something NOT written on the page 3) their problems can't be solved just by telling the truth ---- there's more to it...........4)it has to be BELIEVABLE!!! the conflict, the love, the "mess" they are in 5) they don't have to get each other, but ending should show some growth in the characters 6) equal time for both. Okay, so you have lots of problems in this one ----- the lovers are milquetoasty, Kate Hudson is annoying and it isn't believable that this guy would want to marry her. Their situation isn't believable ---- why? Because if she truly loves him, she should tell her "best" friend the truth. If her friend is a good friend, she will accept it --- eventually. If she doesn't, she wasn't a good friend anyway. There isn't any creativity in this film at all ----- thus, the title says it all --- everything is borrowed, pretty much. Compare this to "My Best Friend's Wedding" and the other is better, mostly because the two women are better ---- that's the best of Cameron Diaz in that film, and Julia Roberts is about the only person who can say the stupid lines she has to say in that movie and have the audience still like her. She's just that likable! Anyway, this one isn't anywhere near it, except it "borrows" the plot from that one. This is a don't bother. Watch the other one, instead --- even if it's the second or third time for that film, it is still better than this one! Something Borrowed 2011 PG-13 103 minutes. two out of 5 stars In this genial romantic comedy, successful single lawyer Rachel learns that her best friend is engaged to the guy Rachel has pined after for years. Rachel determines to maintain her loyalty to her pal, but things don't quite go as planned. Cast:Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield, John Krasinski, Steve Howey, Ashley Williams, Geoff Pierson, Jill Eikenberry, Jonathan Epstein, Leia Thompson Genre:Romantic Comedies, Comedy

Movie #779 ........................."Just Go With It"

Movie #779 "Just Go With It" ---- can I dismiss this 116 minutes waste of celluloid with one word? stupid? But that isn't a good word to use in a "smart" review, but I also don't want to spend a lot of time on a "waste of time" ---- not even Jennifer Anniston can save this one. Silly premise -- no surprises, except that Jennifer Anniston is in it. I feel bad that someone had to explain some of the jokes to the two kids in it ---- what they must have thought. What was Anniston thinking? What does Sandler ever think? It will be a cold day in hell before I see another Sandler film, whoever is in it with him. I got fooled once, but not again. Just Go with It 2011 PG-13 116 minutes When plastic surgeon Danny Maccabee lies to his girlfriend that he is a divorced family man, he recruits his office manager and her children to role-play as his ex-wife and kids -- generating a flood of farcical results and unintended consequences. Cast:Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson, Brooklyn Decker, Bailee Madison, Griffin Gluck, Dave Matthews, Kevin Nealon, Rachel Dratch, Minka Kelly, Heidi Montag Genre:Romantic Comedies, Blockbusters, Comedy

Movie #778 ........................"There's Always Tomorrow"

Movie #778 "There's Always Tomorrow" is a Fred MacMurray/Barbara Stanwyck film that I hadn't seen, so when I saw it was going to be on the list of Fred MacMurray films on his day on TCM, I made sure to check it out. I have always cherished this duo's relationship on screen in "Double Indemnity" and "Remember the Night" so I wanted to see another one ----this did not disappoint, except that it was more on the kids than on the two "lovebirds" --- they aren't really "lovebirds" but they think about it, and for that, the kids involved (Fred's kids) are worried about what that will do to their loving mom ---- Joan Bennett. It's kind of a sad story about a man who thinks his kids and wife just take him for granted, and a rekindling of a long ago relationship isn't helping him to feel any better about his marriage. It is amazing to me that these two very good actors can play so many different characters --- and well. If you get a chance, you might find this film entertaining, esp. if you've ever longed to change events in your life. THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW 1956 84 minutes I would rate it 3.5 stars out of 5 When a toy manufacturer feels ignored and unappreciated by by his wife and children, he begins to rekindle a past love when a former employee comes back into his life. Director: Douglas Sirk Writers: Bernard C. Schoenfeld (screenplay), Ursula Parrott (story) Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Joan Bennett

Movie #777 .........................."The Way, Way Back"

Movie #777 "The Way,Way Back" is a terrific coming of age film , and i am disheartened that it isn't getting wide release. Its cast includes the brother/sister from "Little Miss Sunshine" this time playing bf/gf ----once you get used to that (quickly), then you meet up with "West Wing's" C.J. Cregg, playing so unlike that character that your mouth will be open on her entrance ---- Sam Rockwell was all over this character,(I'd liken it to Michael Keaton's quirky goofball in "Nightshift" many years ago!)and AnnaSophia Robb is very impressive as Allison Janney's daughter, as she's been impressive since her breakout movies "Bridges of Teribithia" and "Soul Surfer" proved when she was younger. Well, she's just getting better, and she'll be so much fun to follow as she grows and matures even more! The only actor that could do a bit more is the lead, Liam James, but I'm not sure how much more you want him to do because he seems so real ---- the kids are spot on. The situations and most of the dialogue is spot on --- a shout out to the screenplay writers (Rash and Faxon, who not only act in the film, but have penned a script every bit as good as their academy award winner for "Descendants" a couple of years ago). This is a must see if you are looking for something other than the usual action popcorn picture the summer usually offers --- it is very independent in the way it is handled, the camera lingers to show you something in a scene that isn't really necessary, but if you were there, you would be looking at --- just an easygoing, realistic, episodic summer in the life of a broken family. Trust me. It's good! And it explains why we need to continue mentoring and teaching our young kids.........all of them are worth the effort, just some you have to work harder at to reach! And Maya Rudolph is just a bonus to an already very, very good message and film! The Way, Way Back 2013 PG-13 I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. A stifled teen finds his voice with encouragement from the manager of a local water park, where he takes a summer job to escape his unbearable home life with his mom and her overbearing boyfriend. Cast:Liam James, Steve Carell, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Amanda Peet, Toni Collette, Rob Corddry, Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney, Jim Rash, Nat Faxon Genre:Indie Comedies, Comedy

Movie #776 ........................."Any Day Now"

Movie #776 "Any Day Now" --- if you are an Alan Cumming fan, wow, you have to see this movie. It shows off his talent of singing, acting, the whole ball of wax. He plays a drag queen who falls in love with Garret Dillahunt (from "Raising Hope" which is another reason I wanted to see this) and they both, in turn, "fall in love" with the down syndrome kid next door who keeps being left outside his mom's door as she snorts cocaine. If the solution is obvious enough to you , that the guys should be able to adopt this kid, even after the mother signs away her rights, then you will be angered to no end as you see the court system not allow this due to their homosexuality. And the ending will pull your heart out -- well, it did to me. It's a tough movie to watch in many ways, one esp. is that Marco doesn't talk much or use his face or anything (I don't think he is acting and he does have Down syndrome) but he is so powerful in his quietness. And Cumming is soooooo expressive and wears his heart on his sleeve and is so angry, that it'll make you angry, too, I bet! Any Day Now 2012 R 97 minutes I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Rudy and Paul take in their neighbor's teenage son Marco, who has Down syndrome, when his neglectful mother throws him out of her apartment. Their attempt to legally adopt Marco sparks a court battle over gay rights in this powerful true story. Cast:Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt, Isaac Leyva, Frances Fisher, Gregg Henry, Jamie Anne Allman, Chris Mulkey, Don Franklin, Kelli Williams, Mindy Sterling Genre:Gay & Lesbian Dramas, Social Issue Dramas, Dramas Based on Real Life, Drama

Movie #774/775 ........................."7 Up"

Movie #774/775 "7Up" and "7 Plus Seven" are documentaries I've heard tons about, and I finally got to see them last night. The first one I would give 3.8 stars to --- there are 14 kids and they are all very distinct, but the one big complaint I had was that the movie expected you to memorize all their names and faces in a couple of minutes --- they need to label each speaker for at least half of the movie --- give the viewer a break! Once we can follow who is who, then we can better take in all their characteristics and what they say about their future, so we can compare notes in the future films (They are on 50+ right now, I think). The second film I would give 3 stars to for a few reasons. Once again, there should be subtitles as to who is who, but also there was too much repetition, reminding us what they said. I know that is because people are supposed to be seeing it 7 years down the line, and I was watching them back to back, but still................whole discussions were reproduced. I still like the idea of watching the kids growing and changing their focuses, their interests, and their hobbies/careers. Apted, the director, works with the quote: show me the boy at 7 and I'll show you the man, " and so far he's been fairly accurate --- the shy boy as a 7 year old is the same as a 14 year old. The African American is the major one to see a huge disparity between the rich and the poor, even at age 7 (not surprising), and the kids who went to private schools seem a little more interested in money than in other things. It's fun to see them growing, and I can't wait to see the kids in the present. Seven Up / 7 Plus Seven 1964 NR 92 minutes. "7 Up" 3.8 stars (out of 5), and "7 Plus Seven" 3 stars (out of 5) When Seven Up was broadcast in 1964, it broke new ground and became the first segment of a laborious and momentous labor of love: an engrossing chronicle of the lives of 14 students from varied social backgrounds, beginning when they were 7 years old. The first meeting with the group of wide-eyed, innocent children invites viewers to take a look at lives in the making; the follow-up film, 7 Plus Seven, checks in on them 7 years later. Genre:Biographical Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries, TV Documentaries, Documentary

Movie #773 ........................."First Daughter"

Movie #773 "First Daughter" --- looking for a film suitable to be watched by a teen (probably female?) This is a solid choice. I just wanted to see Forest Whitaker's direction, and I found it to be very good. The romantic comedy part we've seen before, so don't be watching this for how different the conflict is, because it isn't --- we've all seen the story before, but it is the way it is handled. I liked the father/daughter conflicting discussions and bonding; I liked the message about the paparazzi and their treatment to pouts and in this case, his daughter, "lucky charm." The story is well grounded, and I felt I was being taught what our first families have to go through to live in the white house --- and what price is paid by the family -------- we generally think it is all "perfect," but it isn't, by any means. The last comment I want to make is how good Katie Holmes is in this small film --- I like her in "Pieces of April" but I was beginning to think that was a fluke, because we saw her on stage in "All my Sons" and she wasn't good. Then this! I've decided she is perfect for a film camera, with those big brown puppy dog eyes that do their trick in closeups. This is a good vehicle for her, and like I said, it's a charming teen romantic comedy, and those are few and far between. First Daughter 2004 PG 105 minutes I gave it 4 out of 5 stars Samantha Mackenzie (Katie Holmes), the 18-year-old daughter of the president of the United States (Michael Keaton), insists that she be allowed to attend college like a normal kid . But when your dad's the leader of the free world, "normal" is relative. It starts well when Samantha befriends her roommate (Amerie Rogers) and falls for her handsome residence hall assistant, James (Marc Blucas). But James has a secret that could change everything. Cast:Katie Holmes, Marc Blucas, Amerie Rogers, Michael Keaton, Margaret Colin, Lela Rochon, Michael Milhoan, Dwayne Adway, Hollis Hill, Ken Moreno Genre:Romantic Comedies, Teen Comedies, Comedy