Movie #1137 ........................."Infinitely Polar Bear"

Movie #1137 "Infinitely Polar Bear" is an autobiographical movie of the director's bipolar dad, and the year he took care  of his two smart aleck daughters (somewhat) when mom went back to school to get a degree.  The director's own daughter plays the little girl (herself)  in this film (and she is very good, one of the high spots).  I felt the movie was all over the place, with pacing jumping around like bipolar --- if that was on purpose, then they succeeded, but it seemed to me to be a bit far fetched and hard to believe.  And overdone in places.    BUT  there were some endearing moments.  but on the other side of the coin, the language is really raw, and if you are a parent, I think you would think the foul -mouthed way of handling the kids very negligent on the parents' part, so you needn't see this --- or then again, it might make you feel on top of the world because you're such a better parent!   hah!  Mark Ruffalo is one of my very favorite actors, and I'm glad I fell into watching this one --- very unusual, but not a movie for everyone to see.

Infinitely Polar Bear

2015 R Rated R88 mins        I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5

rated 3.5 stars

3.5

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When his wife heads to New York for an 18-month job, bipolar Harvard dropout Cameron is left to care for their two daughters. Struggling with his illness, Cameron brings his innate creativity -- and love of his children -- to the challenge.

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky

Movie #1136 "Suddenly, it's spring"  - I watched this on TCM the other night, and it was not that good of a romantic comedy for the 1940s.  There are some so much better --- I always like watching Fred MacMurray, but Paulette Goddard isn't that funny to me.   The story was really silly --- he keeps staying on a train, getting off at stations and calling his future wife, promising her that he will get his present wife to sign some divorce papers --- Goddard, the present wife, is in a particularly bad situation because she gives speeches about how to keep your marriage in tact even during the war years --- see the problem?  I have to be truthful and say, I am writing this critique without having seen the last five minutes becauseI seriously I  fell asleep because  I was so bored. so sufficient it to say, I don't recommend this one much -- there are so many better ones, i.e.
screwball comedies that are so much more believable!

    

SUDDENLY, IT'S SPRING     1947        I'd give it 3 stars out of 5   

Fred wants to start a new life with a new wife, but it isn't easy to give Paulette the gate for another mate.

Director:

 Mitchell Leisen

Writers:

 P.J. Wolfson (screenplay), Claude Binyon (screenplay), 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Paulette Goddard, Fred MacMurray, Macdonald Carey 

Movie #1135 ........................."The Bigamist"

Movie #1135 "The Bigamist" was a movie I happen to see advertised on TCM --- female director Ida Lupino, and first woman director directing herself.  Another fun fact is that the writer-producer Marcus was married to Joan Fontaine (playing Eve Graham) but who was also the exhubby of Ida Lupino  (playing the other woman in this film) --- small world, isn't it?  But what I found most intriguing about this movie is the sensitivity it approaches the bigamy issue --- most of the time the viewer is supposed to say:  how dare he do this?  what a cad!  But this film shows a guy who possibly finds love with these two women --- they each serve a place in his life and he is able to keep both of the relationships going ---- as long as they don't know about each other!  It makes you think twice about he issue, for sure.  I would bet this was very controversial, esp. having a baby with another woman while being married to the first one!  Wow!  But it is not covered in a slimy way at all..but in a loving way.  You can tell that it is a 50's film when the judge is very clear about the consequences --- but he says basically that he didn't think that Harry did this maliciously --- he only had love in his heart for both women and did not want to hurt each one, but Harry learns that he hurts both of them deeply.  The judge suggests that maybe one might take him back, and that is left up in the air as he two women leave the courtroom while Harry looks on and "the End" comes across the screen.  I enjoyed it because it was a different angle on the subject, and the acting was good.   I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Bigamist (1953)

Approved |  1h 20min | Drama | 3 December 1953 (USA)

I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5

Director:

 Ida Lupino

Writers:

 Lawrence B. Marcus (story) (as Larry Marcus),  Lou Schor(story)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Joan Fontaine,  Ida Lupino,  Edmund Gwenn, Edmond O'Brien 

Harry Graham leads a double life and is caught out when he and his wife Eve apply to adopt a baby. They live in San Francisco but in fact, Harry has a second wife Phyllis and a baby living in Los Angeles. When Mr. Jordan from the adoption agency finds his second home Harry tells him how it came about. He loves Eve but she seemed to be more interested in their family run business and they had grown apart over the years. While on a trip to Los Angeles he met Phyllis Martin and after spending time together, he realized that he had better break off the relationship before they go too far. Unfortunately, the relationship continued and when Phyllis became pregnant, he married her. Now that he's been found out, he must face the consequences

Movie #1134 .........................."Jurassic World"

Movie #1134 "Jurassic World" was a very entertaining movie I wish I would have seen on a much larger screen than the one I did.  But even so, I enjoyed the special effects, the story and the acting.  I esp. liked watching Nick Robinson, the older boy Zach, because I have seen one of his indie films ("Kings of Summer") several times now , and it was fun seeing him and Jake Johnson (from "New Girl") in something different.  Speaking of different, the two leads, Dallas Bryce Howard and Chris Pratt were also playing leads in an action film, both different from their typical movie roles, so it was fun to watch them passionately work to save these two kids.   Finally, watching Omar Sy (the lead from a much loved film entitled "The Untouchables") as a trainer for velociraptors showed to me his capability as an actor!  Besides the acting,  the film was very scary to me because the dinosaurs look so real!  I esp. enjoyed the bubble scene with the kids.  The deaths were pretty gruesome, so parents should follow the PG 13 rating here --- in fact, one woman is picked up and dragged around in the air and shoved into water, etc.  And  watching the flying dinos make their way through the park, poking out eyes, reminded me of  the terror in the Hitchcock "Birds" movie --- always unsettling to watch for me.  But on the whole, I enjoyed everything but the ending here.  The ending seemed to go on and on with the violence........it was also hard to believe that the velociraptors would show they cared so much for the Pratt character......and where was everyone else?  Why was it left just in the hands of this one core family?  It bordered on silly and hard to believe.  Other than that, an excellent film, esp. with special effects.  These Jurassic Park movies just get better and better in that department!

Jurassic World

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-13124 mins

rated 3.5 stars

3.5

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Once a popular, state-of-the-art dinosaur-themed attraction, Jurassic Park has fallen behind the times. In response, the owners decide to design a bold new exhibit, but the terror it inspires becomes all too real after the technology malfunctions.

Movie Details

Cast

Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Johnson, B.D. Wong, Irrfan Khan,Omar Sy, Ty Simpkins, Judy Greer, Lauren Lapkus, Nick Robinson, Brian Tee

Director

Colin Trevorrow

Genres

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

This movie is

Exciting, Imaginative

Format

DVD and Blu-ray

Ratings

PG-13

Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Movie # 1133 ........................."Stars Wars: Force Awakens" (Episode VII)

Movie #1133 "Star Wars:  Force Awakens" (Episode VII)  --- I am not as well versed in the franchise as many of my friends, but I know a good film when I see one, and this is one very good film.  Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end, the film harkens back to the excellence this franchise once was, while introducing new characters and conflict (strong females!  About time!)    There are lots of surprises in plot and in  cameo appearance by all kinds of  actors (I found myself saying, "I know that voice, but who is it? " when Daniel Craig made an entrance).    There's comfort in hearing the oh so familiar teasing between Chewbacca and Hans Solo, and intriguing CGI that makes another cool bar scene (with Lin Manuel Miranda ("Hamilton") writing the music for said scene).  I don't want to say too much but sufficeth it to say that when we walked out of the theatre, we felt we had seen the best picture of the year (or maybe many years)  --- it's that good!  No one can beat the special effects , and we were able to see it in IMAX 3D which was just frosting on the cake!  This one is highly recommended!!!!

Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens

2015 PG-13 I give this 5 stars out of 5!Rated PG-13

rated 4.7 stars

4.7

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Extending the Star Wars epic's historical arc and set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, this full-throttle adventure features familiar faces and new characters, including planetary scavenger Rey and incomparable X-wing pilot Poe.

Cast

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac,Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson,Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow

Director

J.J. Abrams

Genres

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Ratings

PG-13

Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Movie #1132 ........................."I'll See You In My Dreams"

Movie #1132 "I'll See You In My Dreams"  is a sad movie --- I'm not quite sure what I got out of this film ---- except that  as you get older, you lose people and best friends (aka dogs) in your life and you are left alone...so you search for human contact with the outside world.  I'm also not quite sure who doesn't know that, but there it is. Blythe Danner is really very good in the movie ---- very low key performances, only forced when with her friends (Rhea Perlman, Linda Kay Place, June Squibb) and then it becomes a competition for who is funnier.  Too bad, because the women are all capable of a better script in their scenes..... Anyway, the best scenes are between Blythe Danner and Sam Elliott -- there is an ease about the two of them that is enjoyable to watch, almost as enjoyable as watching Blythe with Martin Starr (the geekiest geek from "freaks and Geeks")  There's a deepness to their wounded, lonely bond that draws them to each other --- some people might find it weird, since there is an age difference, or confusing ( what is their friendship all about?). But I found it the best thing about the film ---- I watched this because Danner has been talked about for possible awards in the upcoming awards season, but I'm thinking I don't agree.  Good performance, but doesn't run the gamut ---- pretty low key.

I'll See You in My Dreams

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-1395 mins    I'd give it 3 stars out of 5.

rated 3.3 stars

3.3

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With her well-ordered life thrown out of balance by the death of her beloved canine companion, aging widow Carol Petersen -- who hasn't dated in 20 years -- unexpectedly finds herself involved with two very different men.

Cast: Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott

Movie #1131 .........................."Joy"

Movie #1131 "Joy" was our new year's eve choice this year, and it was a good one --- we all thought it was a good film --- not the best this year, but very good.  Mostly, the movie falls on the shoulders of the lead actress Jennifer Lawrence, who does not disappoint.  She is relentless as the character based on the true story of the woman who invented the magic mop.  According to what I have read about the true story this film is based on, the movie is about 50% true of the story, and the rest is composites of characters in her life or the director's life.  And they are a hoot:  Mom who lives for her soap operas, Dad who is all about changing up his business and dating women so he won't be lonely, ex-husband who lives in the basement, a plumber who comes and doesn't want to leave ---- it's almost like the Vanderhof (You Can't Take It With You) household!  Meanwhile, she tries to keep them all afloat!  There's a part in here for Bradley Cooper as the QVC network guy, and when they share the screen together, their chemistry from the other work they've done together kicks in!  It's quirky, like American Hustle, but it has poignant, tense moments in it peppered with some humor like Silver Linings Playbook --- we liked it, and you might, too.  This is possible oscar contention....for Lawrence and possibly for the film.

Joy

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-13

rated 3.0 stars

3.0

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I'd give it 4 stars out of 5

After 10 years of trying to mass-market the revolutionary floor mop she had invented, housewife Joy Mangano strikes gold with a personal pitch on QVC that turns her Miracle Mop into an overnight marketing miracle.

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Virginia Madsen, Diana Lane