Movie #149 ........................."The Red Danube"

Movie #149 "The Red Danube" (1949)

Shortly after the end of World War II, British Colonel Michael 'Hooky' Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) is assigned to a unit in the British Zone of Vienna. His duty is to aid the Soviet authorities to repatriate citizens of the Soviet Union, many of whom prefer not to return to their home country. Billeted in the convent run by Mother Auxilia (Ethel Barrymore) , Nicobar, and his military aides Major John 'Twingo' McPhimister (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail, (Angela Lansbury) become involved in the plight of a young ballerina (Janet Leigh) who is trying to avoid being returned to Moscow. Nicobar's sense of duty is tested as he sees first hand the plight of the people he is helping return to the Soviet Union; his lack of religious faith is also shaken by his contact with the Mother Superior.

The story of a Russian ballerina in Vienna in 1945 who is befriended by, and falls in love with, a British Major when they meet in the convent in which she is hiding from the Russian authorities. The British Colonel turns her over to the Russians when they present a trumped-up story but discovers the lie when he sees her on a DP (Displaced Persons) train later. The Mother Superior of the convent and the Colonel set about trying to get her freed.

I give it 3 stars. It was really intriguing the first hour, her hiding in the convent, falling in love with Peter Lawford, the back and forther quibbling between the nun and the Colonel; however, after that, the film got preachy and it was about 20 minutes or so too long. I DO like all the actors (they are very capable), and the look at what was happening to British soldiers during this time period (I had never read a book on the subject nor seen a movie on it). The religious discussion, not so much, but the military mind trying to wrap itself around what was really happening to these people was heartening to see.

Movie #148........................."The Last Station"

Movie #148 "The Last Station" --- I really really liked this movie. It has so many layers, thanks to the intriguing story of this most captivating man at a turning point in his life and marriage, and thanks to the actors ---they are all terrific in getting across the many layers of their characters. What it comes down to, however, is the very personal story of a very famous and beloved writer who has been growing away from his beloved wife of 48 years, and she's doing everything to try to hold on. This very personal love story going awry is being told in the POV of the new young, very passionate (about Tolstory and his views, esp. on celibacy) Valentin, played by the very capable James McAvoy (whom I have become quite a fan of) --- he takes you on this journey through these people's lives --- how they deal with fame, how they deal with each other, how the wife HATES her husband's best friend, how she hates to see him change, how he hates to see her so dramatic, how he hates private property and being so rich, and how the daughter worships her father and hates her mother. Another layer that is also examined is the demise of the Tolstoy relationship juxtaposed to Valentin's falling in love with Masha, a Tolstoy follower. Like I said, multi-layered story that I really enjoyed. Makes me want to read more of his books (than just Anna Karenina)

Average rating: 3.436
I gave it 5 stars
The Last Station
(2009) R
Set during the last year of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy's life, this biopic explores the fractious relationship between Tolstoy (Oscar nominee Christopher Plummer) and his wife (Oscar nominee Helen Mirren), as he embraces a life of asceticism. Paul Giamatti co-stars as impassioned Tolstoy devotee Vladimir Chertkov, with James McAvoy playing the aging writer's assistant, Valentin, who is caught in the middle of various struggles.

Movie #147 ........................."How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

Movie #147 "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" had some good irreverent moments --- Simon Pegg is very funny, and I've enjoyed him and all the ladies in here in a number of movies. However, this got a bit crude and way too outlandish for me.. I felt the movie could have spent less time showing his boorish, crude, disrespectful side because it was hard to like him throughout the film --- there were just a couple of moments where he showed his humanity, not enough for me to care what happened to him and to see him as better than the people he stalks for a story. And then if the viewer doesn't really care for Sidney, then that greatly affects the love story here, as it did for me. By the end, I really didn't care. But there were some good moments, esp. with Cuba, the dog --- where have I seen that dog jumping out the window for a chew toy before? And there's a variation on that here that's very funny!





Average rating: 3.207
I gave it 3 stars
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
(2008) R
After his bent for muckraking nets him a job at a glossy Big Apple magazine, boorish British tabloid writer Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) tries to curry favor with his imperious boss (Jeff Bridges) and the synthetic glitterati Sidney covers -- with disastrous results. A co-worker (Kirsten Dunst), a ditsy starlet (Megan Fox) and a dragon-lady publicist (Gillian Anderson) are among those he alienates in this caustic comedy based on Toby Young's memoir.

Movie #146........................."The Vicar of Dibley"

Movie #146 "The Vicar of Dibley" actually could count for 5 here, because during our trip to Florida with the Bigs, we watched an episode a night, so in the course of the 4 weeks, we saw all 5 of the discs, a Valentine's gift to them. And what a hoot they are. Previously, I had watched the show hit and miss --- every time I would find it on t.v., I enjoyed watching it, but I wasn't what you would call a regular fan, but I can say now, I am a true blue Dibley fan. Love the show. Love the ensemble of crazies in the town, including the first female vicar, Geraldine (Dawn French), the female version of Jackie Gleason and as talented, if not more; Owen, the farmer who spends way too much time with his animals; Jim, who starts everything with "No, No, No, No' and then gives his answer; David, who is the conservative rich person and head of the church council; Letiticia, who mixes chocolate food with avocado dip as frosting; Mr. Pickle, whom everyone thinks is the dullest man in the community; Hugo, David's son, who is passionate about everything, including Alice and then there's lovable, naive, silly, randy Alice, who is indescribable, and who never gets any of Geraldine's jokes (which she ends every episode with). If you haven't seen this BBC show, you need to give it a chance because it is very, very funny. And it's written by Richard Curtis of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Love, Actually" fame. When we leave Florida, it's one of the things we'll miss --- well, that and the ocean and the shrimp, but Dibley sure ranks as one of the true pleasures of the trip.



Average rating: 3.836
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The Vicar of Dibley: Series 1
(1994) NR
When the villagers of Dibley heard they were getting a new vicar, they expected the prototypical calm, sedate and male head of church to which they'd grown accustomed. What they got instead was the spirited (in more ways than one) Reverend Geraldine Boadicea Granger (Dawn French), who teaches them about religion, expectations and life. Episodes include "Songs of Praise," "Community Spirit," "The Window and the Weather," "Election" and "Animals."

Movie #145 ........................."People Will Talk"

Movie #145 "People Will Talk" was a surprise. I was looking up classics I hadn't seen, and this one popped up. I ordinarily love the classics, esp. ones with Cary Grant. And netflix predicted I would give this a 4. Well, netflix, you were wrong on this one. What a snore. This was based on a play entitled "Dr. Praetorius" and you could tell the movie was a play first ----- this was way too talky. And when people talked, they just sat in one place. A big piece of blocking was for Grant to sit on a bed Indian style --- then, in the same discussion, move to his stomach, and then put his arm up to lean on..........and the discussion went on and on..........long passages until it came to a screeching halt and most of us could have guessed the big surprise, if that's what you would call it. And very little humor. I didn't even smile once in the two hours. It's funny because while I was watching this movie on my computer, I had "Ordinary People" on in the background on the big t.v., and I found myself watching that more. In fact, I was going to check to see if I rated that film yet the 5 it so surely deserves. See that one, instead of this clunker.




Average rating: 3.786
I gave it two stars
People Will Talk
(1951) NR
Dr. Praetorius (Cary Grant) is a well-liked medical professor at a dull Midwestern college who impresses those around him with his unorthodox ways of teaching. Not as impressed is Praetorius's archrival (Hume Cronyn), a conservative doctor who does everything within his power to bring Praetorius down. Out of the blue, Praetorius meets and falls in love with an unattached pregnant woman (Jeanne Crain), spiraling him into uncharted territory.

Movie #144........................"School of Life"

Movie #144 "School of Life" is a good one, esp. for families (it mostly takes place in a high school, concerning freshmen, and teachers) It was like old homeweek for me -- I knew these kids; I knew these teachers; I knew these situations. And yes, it's a bit cheesy and far fetched at times (made for t.v. movie), but mostly it was funny and winning. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this movie to kids and families------great family values about life and death, about what effect good teachers have on kids and other teachers. I liked it a lot. P.S. I really was convinced to watch it because I saw that Ryan Reynolds was in it --- and if you are a fan of his, this is a must-see.



Average rating: 3.669
I would have rated it 3.6 (but netflix only lets me do 3 or 4)
School of Life
(2005) PG
Stodgy educator Matt Warner (David Paymer) -- who's determined to carry on his late father's legacy of winning the Teacher of the Year award -- suddenly finds himself competing with charismatic new history teacher Michael D'Angelo (Ryan Reynolds) in this made-for-TV family tale. In an effort to smear the affectionately dubbed "Mr. D," Matt tails him and makes a shocking discovery that leads to an uncomfortable self-assessment and an about face.

Movie #143........................."Aimee & Jaguar"

Movie #143 "Aimee and Jaguar" just popped up on the queue today and it looked interesting so I viewed it. I was watching a Ryan Reynolds' movie earlier, but it just stopped and net flix said to pick something else, so I did. This was very powerful, and my favorite subject matter: Holocaust. The love scenes are pretty emotional and graphic, the acting is wonderful, and it is beautifully filmed. The frame (older ladies looking back at the story) is a good ploy to use ---- quite poignant for me. Makes me want to check out the book. I esp. loved the scenes where a whole room full of women is still having a good time in the face of WWII and the Nazis just outside the door. It was a refreshing pov.





Average rating: 3.611
I gave it 4
Aimee and Jaguar
(1998) NR
Based on the memoirs of Lilly Wust, this is the story of two women who fall in love in 1943 Berlin: Lilly (Juliane Köhler), the wife of a Nazi officer, and Felice (Maria Schrader), a Jewish journalist. When the two women begin their affair, they rechristen themselves Aimée and Jaguar to help avoid detection. They then set up housekeeping and try to tune out the war, but the Gestapo is never far behind.