The Heartland USA finally had some nice weather to do some garden cleanup, get the birdbaths filled, and just sit a spell and watch the birds. Lovely!
But I did watch the following films:
The Guardsman (1931) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021931/
Stage greats recreate their hit show on film. A curiosity, showing not only one of the greatest couples on the New York stage, but also how far technology has come since this was made. The antics they had to go through to get the voices on film must have driven great actors like these, mad.
The story is of a jealous actor thinking his wife and stage partner, is unfaithful. He devises an elaborate disguise and tries to seduce her to prove it. At the end we are left to wonder, did she or didn't she?
Very attractive people, and they do well enough to have received nominations for their performances, but the way they have filmed this made me fall asleep before it was over. Had to rewind and try again. 6/10
The Chocolate Soldier (1941) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033464/
Nelson Eddy and Rise Stevens in a musical version of the same "Guardsman" story, with the music from the title story, with a Vincent Youmans score. But they could not get permission to use the story for the film so used "The Guardsman". Works very well. Great production values, costumes, and one of the best performances Eddy ever gave. His rendition of "The Flea" in Russian, while dressed as a Guardsman Count is a highlight. He is very funny trying to seduce his wife.
Both stars have great solo arias, and the final "My Hero" is devine. 8/10 I enjoyed this version much the better.
Samson & Delilah (1948) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041838/
Cecil B. DeMille's lavish film of the story from the Bible. Hedy Lamarr is a delicious Delilah, and Victor Mature, robust and virile as Samson.
This was a road show production. When it arrived in my city, it was at one of the lavish downtown movie palaces for weeks. There was a complete traveling show of the costumes and jewelry used in the film. There was a color program. We dressed up, like we were going to a play. The music from the film was playing in the lobby and the restrooms. DeMille was a showman and gave us something special, whether it was critically acclaimed or not. I don't remember how many times I went to see it at that theater, but multiple times. George Sanders makes a great and sardonic King. Angela Lansbury is beautiful as Delilahs sister. And the magnificent scene of the temple falling down is still fine. Todays technology makes it seem rough, but for the late 40s - it was something to see! 8/10
Gone Baby Gone (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452623/
Writer/Director Ben Affleck stars his brother, Casey, in a twisted tale of kidnap and murder. Or is it? With Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, and Amy Ryan in an Oscar nominated performance. The story is of a child gone missing and the young private eyes who the grandparents hire to help the police find the little girl. Set in the working class neighborhoods of Boston, the atmosphere is captured by Affleck. He knows his way around this place and I felt the closed in, secrets, and unhappiness of some of the characters. They are not nice people. But the writer and the actors try to show that it is the 'choices' made that can make the difference. It isn't easy and sometimes doesn't turn out for the best, and then these people have to pay the price. Even our young protagonist learns maybe he made the wrong choice, for the right reason. 8/10
With some rainey and cool days predicted this week, maybe I'll want to look at more films. We'll see. Still catching up with the Oscar nominated films.
April 28, 2008
April 21, 2008
Frosty mornings, rainy windy days, and finally a good one---
---So nice to be outdoors puttering a bit. This week I watched:
Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029843/ Errol Flynn's great film that will always delight lovers of action, romance and the era of the Plantagenets in England. Good King Richard is away at the Crusades and his brother, evil King John, (Claude Rains) is taxing his subjects cruelly. Robin of Locksley takes to Sherwood forrest with a merry band of men and is soon making things difficult for the Sheriff of Notingham. Great, rousing score, lovely Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian, and Basil Rathbone, the villian to have a rousing sword fight with at the end. Restored to its' 1938 technicolor glory I give this 10/10.
Inside Daisy Clover (1965) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059314/ Natalie Wood in the title role, as a 15 year old who can sing, is discovered by a studio boss (Christopher Plummer) and turned into a Little Miss Sunshine. Robert Redford manages to bed and wed the nymphet. Also has Ruth Gordon as the dotty mother. 7/10
The Country Girl (1954) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046874/ Grace Kelly, in her Oscar winning role as the wife of a weak drunkard and liar (Bing Crosby). William Holden as a stage director, who is trying to get the guy back on his feet to take the lead performance in his new play. A curiosity now. 7/10
Hedy Lamarr month on Turner Classic Movies:
Called the Most Beautiful Woman In Films by critics and fans in the 1940s. Can't disagree.
Tortilla Flat (1942) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035460/ Awful film with Spencer Tracy at his worst, John Garfield and a slew of character actors. They are supposed to be funny, quaint and loveable, but are borish louts. 5/10 only for beautiful Hedy Lamarr.
White Cargo (1942) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035553/ When has a leading man been so loud, unpleasant and so bad? Walter Pidgeon does nothing buy shout at everyone. Richard Carlson is the new man out to Africa to a rubber plantation run by Pidgeon. How, I don't know because all he does is get angry at everyone and everything.
When Hedy finally arrived at the station in her skin - and a little cloth to cover here and there, it is a relief. Maybe she is camp to some, but to me she is beautiful, does very well vamping all the men, and you have no trouble believing they would go a little nutty over this woman. When she is on screen, your eyes can't leave her. Meanwhile we have a few minutes without Pidgeon shouting his lines. 6/10
Men in WWII made Hedy, as Tondelayo, a pinup to rival Betty Grable in her swimsuit, or Rita Hayworth in her satin nightgown. She has her longivity in the movie annals. 6/10
Good Night & Good Luck (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433383/ The recreation of Edward R. Murrow's clash with Senator McCarthy who accused everyone of Communist leanings, without any evidence. The witch hunts during the 1950's ruined lots of people. Murrow and CBS showed him up for the blowhard he was, but the network pulled the plug on Murrows See It Now program anyway. Very good. The black and white photography adds to the feeling of authenticity. 8/10
Taking Lives (2004) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364045/ Angelina Jolie is an FBI investigator looking for a serial killer. Ethan Hawke is or isn't. Kiefer Sutherland is something. Gena Rowlands is in it as someones mother. Confused and dazed. 6/10 for the Canadian scenery.
The Hunted (2003) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0269347/ Tommy Lee Jones chases Benicio Del Toro around forrests to keep him from killing anymore people. A sort of environmental film because that is what motivates the latest killings. Del Toro was trained by Jones as special ops assassin, to go in and kill without anyone even knowing he is there, but now he has to be stopped. Good fight scenes. 7/10
Now that spring has finally come to the Heartland, I hope to do some planting. I have lots of large patio pots to fill with flowers. And sitting on the glider on the patio just watching the birds. Our areas Great Blue Heron is flying over the river and coming to nest on our ponds. Love to see the graceful flight.
Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029843/ Errol Flynn's great film that will always delight lovers of action, romance and the era of the Plantagenets in England. Good King Richard is away at the Crusades and his brother, evil King John, (Claude Rains) is taxing his subjects cruelly. Robin of Locksley takes to Sherwood forrest with a merry band of men and is soon making things difficult for the Sheriff of Notingham. Great, rousing score, lovely Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian, and Basil Rathbone, the villian to have a rousing sword fight with at the end. Restored to its' 1938 technicolor glory I give this 10/10.
Inside Daisy Clover (1965) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059314/ Natalie Wood in the title role, as a 15 year old who can sing, is discovered by a studio boss (Christopher Plummer) and turned into a Little Miss Sunshine. Robert Redford manages to bed and wed the nymphet. Also has Ruth Gordon as the dotty mother. 7/10
The Country Girl (1954) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046874/ Grace Kelly, in her Oscar winning role as the wife of a weak drunkard and liar (Bing Crosby). William Holden as a stage director, who is trying to get the guy back on his feet to take the lead performance in his new play. A curiosity now. 7/10
Hedy Lamarr month on Turner Classic Movies:
Called the Most Beautiful Woman In Films by critics and fans in the 1940s. Can't disagree.
Tortilla Flat (1942) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035460/ Awful film with Spencer Tracy at his worst, John Garfield and a slew of character actors. They are supposed to be funny, quaint and loveable, but are borish louts. 5/10 only for beautiful Hedy Lamarr.
White Cargo (1942) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035553/ When has a leading man been so loud, unpleasant and so bad? Walter Pidgeon does nothing buy shout at everyone. Richard Carlson is the new man out to Africa to a rubber plantation run by Pidgeon. How, I don't know because all he does is get angry at everyone and everything.
When Hedy finally arrived at the station in her skin - and a little cloth to cover here and there, it is a relief. Maybe she is camp to some, but to me she is beautiful, does very well vamping all the men, and you have no trouble believing they would go a little nutty over this woman. When she is on screen, your eyes can't leave her. Meanwhile we have a few minutes without Pidgeon shouting his lines. 6/10
Men in WWII made Hedy, as Tondelayo, a pinup to rival Betty Grable in her swimsuit, or Rita Hayworth in her satin nightgown. She has her longivity in the movie annals. 6/10
Good Night & Good Luck (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433383/ The recreation of Edward R. Murrow's clash with Senator McCarthy who accused everyone of Communist leanings, without any evidence. The witch hunts during the 1950's ruined lots of people. Murrow and CBS showed him up for the blowhard he was, but the network pulled the plug on Murrows See It Now program anyway. Very good. The black and white photography adds to the feeling of authenticity. 8/10
Taking Lives (2004) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364045/ Angelina Jolie is an FBI investigator looking for a serial killer. Ethan Hawke is or isn't. Kiefer Sutherland is something. Gena Rowlands is in it as someones mother. Confused and dazed. 6/10 for the Canadian scenery.
The Hunted (2003) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0269347/ Tommy Lee Jones chases Benicio Del Toro around forrests to keep him from killing anymore people. A sort of environmental film because that is what motivates the latest killings. Del Toro was trained by Jones as special ops assassin, to go in and kill without anyone even knowing he is there, but now he has to be stopped. Good fight scenes. 7/10
Now that spring has finally come to the Heartland, I hope to do some planting. I have lots of large patio pots to fill with flowers. And sitting on the glider on the patio just watching the birds. Our areas Great Blue Heron is flying over the river and coming to nest on our ponds. Love to see the graceful flight.
April 15, 2008
Nims Island Notes - Galileo is the hero-----
REVIEW *SPOILERS
A wonderful film for the whole family. And just think only one explosion - a natural volcano.
Abigail Breslin(Nim) is such a sweet, natural actress that she very easily carries the title role. Nim is resourceful, brave and smart. She lives on a remote island with her father Jack Rusoe (Gerry Butler), a ocean scientist. He goes out to sea to look for protozoa on an overnight trip. Nim begs to stay behind so she can help the sea turtle hatchlings. All is well until a storm.
She handles the storm that nearly tears her home apart, putting everything back together. She gets rid of a tour boat that happens by, by rigging up a lizard catapult. She even answers a message from the author Alex Rover and climbs a cliff to check out the volcano. But when her father is still missing after the 4th day because of the storm, she succombs to being a little girl wanting her father.
The big storm ruined his sail and motor. With no tools, he has still managed to rig a pump to get the water out of the boat.
When Nim contacts Alex again saying she needs help, the writer, who is really a woman terrified of going out of her home, argues with her alter ego, Alex Rover(also Butler) the hero of the books she writes. Her fight with herself/Alex, getting out of the house to "be the hero of her own story and go help that little girl" is funny and well done.
The Animal friends who live with, and help Nim, are Selki the seal, a lizard named Fred, and Galileo, the Pelican. It is Galileo who is the hero of the story. He dives for fish for Jack to eat, and piles them in the boat. He flies back to the island and snatches Jacks tool belt away from where Nim is using it, and takes it to Jack so he can rig a sail and get back home.
As Nim and Alexandra are discussing the future, way out at sea she sees a speck and then as it grows larger, realizes it is Galileo and as he flies toward the island Nim sees the boat bringing her father. As the 3 meet on the beach, Galileo flies overhead - a friend, and the hero of this story.
Highly recommended for families and all who have an inner child. 8/10
A wonderful film for the whole family. And just think only one explosion - a natural volcano.
Abigail Breslin(Nim) is such a sweet, natural actress that she very easily carries the title role. Nim is resourceful, brave and smart. She lives on a remote island with her father Jack Rusoe (Gerry Butler), a ocean scientist. He goes out to sea to look for protozoa on an overnight trip. Nim begs to stay behind so she can help the sea turtle hatchlings. All is well until a storm.
She handles the storm that nearly tears her home apart, putting everything back together. She gets rid of a tour boat that happens by, by rigging up a lizard catapult. She even answers a message from the author Alex Rover and climbs a cliff to check out the volcano. But when her father is still missing after the 4th day because of the storm, she succombs to being a little girl wanting her father.
The big storm ruined his sail and motor. With no tools, he has still managed to rig a pump to get the water out of the boat.
When Nim contacts Alex again saying she needs help, the writer, who is really a woman terrified of going out of her home, argues with her alter ego, Alex Rover(also Butler) the hero of the books she writes. Her fight with herself/Alex, getting out of the house to "be the hero of her own story and go help that little girl" is funny and well done.
The Animal friends who live with, and help Nim, are Selki the seal, a lizard named Fred, and Galileo, the Pelican. It is Galileo who is the hero of the story. He dives for fish for Jack to eat, and piles them in the boat. He flies back to the island and snatches Jacks tool belt away from where Nim is using it, and takes it to Jack so he can rig a sail and get back home.
As Nim and Alexandra are discussing the future, way out at sea she sees a speck and then as it grows larger, realizes it is Galileo and as he flies toward the island Nim sees the boat bringing her father. As the 3 meet on the beach, Galileo flies overhead - a friend, and the hero of this story.
Highly recommended for families and all who have an inner child. 8/10
April 14, 2008
Watched 4/7-13-----
I'm beginning to think we will never have a nice warm, calm day. Either too cold or too windy to be enjoyable outdoors. Annoying. But I still have my films to keep me occupied - and in some cases - happy. This week I saw:
King Kong (1933) I was underwhelmed, again. Saw this years ago but it has never been one I wanted to see again. But for the ape, I give it - 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024216/
Dinner At Eight (1933) Great ensemble cast as only MGM could provide. Jean Harlow, Marie Dressler, The Barrymore boys - John and Lionel, Billie Burke (in her best film role IMO), and Wallace Beery all have juicy scenes and play them to the hilt. Marie Dressler is priceless and steals every scene she is in, and her scene with Jean Harlow is a 'classic.' 10/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023948/
Live Free Or Die (2006) Got mixed up and thought this was the Willis film. This one is about losers who can't get anything right on their crime spree. Not funny and no one is the least interesting. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432318/
Man Who Wasnt There (2001) Coen Bros. Billy Bob Thorton as a sour barber in a typical Coen film where nothing goes right for anyone in the film. Once was enough. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243133/
Come Live With Me (1941) Beautiful Hedy Lamarr and gawky James Stewart in what is supposed to be a romantic comedy. Wasn't funny. Urbane Ian Hunter was fine. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033477/
Ziegfeld Girl (1941) The whole stable of beauties at MGM - Hedy Lamarr again, Lana Turner, Judy Garland; in the most enjoyable of the Ziegfeld films, in my opinion. Jimmy Stewart and Ian Hunter again, and very good. Nice Busby Burkeley music numbers. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034415/
Ride With The Devil (1999) Tobey Maguire (before Spiderman) and a bunch of young actors in Ang Lees' film about the border war along the Kansas-Missouri line in the Civil War. Families and friends are on different sides, and young boys of 15 and 16 had to take sides or would be killed as traitors by either side. Filmed in the rolling green hills of Missouri, using historic sites for homes of farmers, it is a beautiful. The town of Pattonsburg, MO. was used for the burning of Lawrence, Kansas because it had been abandoned by the great flood of 1993. The whole town was rebuilt on higher ground by the decree of the Corp Of Engineers to get out of the flood plain. So Lee was given permission to fix it enough to film the raid and burning. Great scene. All the young actors are very good. Ang Lee is a genious. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134154/
Pursuit Of Happiness (2007) Will Smith and his son in a great story of a guy overcoming all odds to finding success, taking his son with him so he will never be without a father, as he himself was when he was young. Based on a true story, very heartwarming. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/
Atonement (2007) I was dissapointed. So much praise for a mediocre film. Just watched it today and was underwhelmed. But one thing it does have - a tween villain who is vindictive, manipulative and a twit. God, I wanted to slap her! While the acting was good, the film was morose, grey, depressing and disjointed. The way they went back and forth into the past was very distracting. It missed it's mark with me.
The scene that sets up the story is when Briony jumps in the pond so Robbie will have to 'save' her and be her hero. When he berates her for being such a twit and endangering them both - I think that is when she decides to get even. Maybe not even consciously. But it is all her jealousy. As smart as this girl is, I don't think she was confused at all at what she saw and what she decided to do with the knowledge. The older Briony is still trying to use innocence as an excuse.
The Dunkirk withdrawal is another confusing part - war is a mess - but for the audience, we at least should be given a clue to what the objective is. All we see is men going to and fro - to what end. Maybe I missed the dialog, but I was using subtitles - so don't think I missed it if it was there.
Acting honors for me go to the older Briony. McAvoy and Knightly were okay but nothing out of the ordinary. Young Briony was too deadpan. No expression. Maybe that is what the director wanted, but it was not effective. Her only change of expression was a smile when Robbie rescues her.
I can't imagine this film being remembered 10 years from now. 5/10 for set decoration, costume design, cinematography.
On to next week and hopefully kinder, gentler breezes - so we can enjoy the out-of-doors.
King Kong (1933) I was underwhelmed, again. Saw this years ago but it has never been one I wanted to see again. But for the ape, I give it - 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024216/
Dinner At Eight (1933) Great ensemble cast as only MGM could provide. Jean Harlow, Marie Dressler, The Barrymore boys - John and Lionel, Billie Burke (in her best film role IMO), and Wallace Beery all have juicy scenes and play them to the hilt. Marie Dressler is priceless and steals every scene she is in, and her scene with Jean Harlow is a 'classic.' 10/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023948/
Live Free Or Die (2006) Got mixed up and thought this was the Willis film. This one is about losers who can't get anything right on their crime spree. Not funny and no one is the least interesting. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432318/
Man Who Wasnt There (2001) Coen Bros. Billy Bob Thorton as a sour barber in a typical Coen film where nothing goes right for anyone in the film. Once was enough. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243133/
Come Live With Me (1941) Beautiful Hedy Lamarr and gawky James Stewart in what is supposed to be a romantic comedy. Wasn't funny. Urbane Ian Hunter was fine. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033477/
Ziegfeld Girl (1941) The whole stable of beauties at MGM - Hedy Lamarr again, Lana Turner, Judy Garland; in the most enjoyable of the Ziegfeld films, in my opinion. Jimmy Stewart and Ian Hunter again, and very good. Nice Busby Burkeley music numbers. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034415/
Ride With The Devil (1999) Tobey Maguire (before Spiderman) and a bunch of young actors in Ang Lees' film about the border war along the Kansas-Missouri line in the Civil War. Families and friends are on different sides, and young boys of 15 and 16 had to take sides or would be killed as traitors by either side. Filmed in the rolling green hills of Missouri, using historic sites for homes of farmers, it is a beautiful. The town of Pattonsburg, MO. was used for the burning of Lawrence, Kansas because it had been abandoned by the great flood of 1993. The whole town was rebuilt on higher ground by the decree of the Corp Of Engineers to get out of the flood plain. So Lee was given permission to fix it enough to film the raid and burning. Great scene. All the young actors are very good. Ang Lee is a genious. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134154/
Pursuit Of Happiness (2007) Will Smith and his son in a great story of a guy overcoming all odds to finding success, taking his son with him so he will never be without a father, as he himself was when he was young. Based on a true story, very heartwarming. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/
Atonement (2007) I was dissapointed. So much praise for a mediocre film. Just watched it today and was underwhelmed. But one thing it does have - a tween villain who is vindictive, manipulative and a twit. God, I wanted to slap her! While the acting was good, the film was morose, grey, depressing and disjointed. The way they went back and forth into the past was very distracting. It missed it's mark with me.
The scene that sets up the story is when Briony jumps in the pond so Robbie will have to 'save' her and be her hero. When he berates her for being such a twit and endangering them both - I think that is when she decides to get even. Maybe not even consciously. But it is all her jealousy. As smart as this girl is, I don't think she was confused at all at what she saw and what she decided to do with the knowledge. The older Briony is still trying to use innocence as an excuse.
The Dunkirk withdrawal is another confusing part - war is a mess - but for the audience, we at least should be given a clue to what the objective is. All we see is men going to and fro - to what end. Maybe I missed the dialog, but I was using subtitles - so don't think I missed it if it was there.
Acting honors for me go to the older Briony. McAvoy and Knightly were okay but nothing out of the ordinary. Young Briony was too deadpan. No expression. Maybe that is what the director wanted, but it was not effective. Her only change of expression was a smile when Robbie rescues her.
I can't imagine this film being remembered 10 years from now. 5/10 for set decoration, costume design, cinematography.
On to next week and hopefully kinder, gentler breezes - so we can enjoy the out-of-doors.
April 11, 2008
More films watched April 1-7
Fallen Angel (1945) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037691/ A fine film noir with Linda Darnell, the femme fatale; Dana Andrews, Alice Faye and Charles Bickford. A guy blows into a small town without a dime and swindles and cons his way into lots of trouble. Good cast makes it all enjoyable.
The Guardian (2006) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406816/ Kevin Costner and in a story about the training of the rescue teams in the Coast Guard, who go out in storms at sea and bring as many as they can, back alive. 7/10
In & Out (1997) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119360/ Kevin Kline as a college english professor who is outed on TV by a former student who has won an Oscar. Joan Cusack steals the show as a teacher he was going to marry. 5/10
Into The Blue (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378109/ Paul Walker and Jessica Alba get in lots of trouble looking for sunken treasure. Beautiful cinematography.
The Game Plan (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492956/ The Rock as a football superstar who suddenly learns he has a young daughter. Enjoyable, mainly because The Rock is so much fun to watch. 7/10
Nims Island (2008) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410377/ A wonderful adventure story starring Abigail Breslen as Nim, Jodie Foster as Alexandra Rover, and Gerard Butler in two roles, the father Jack Rusoe and the imaginary adventurer, Alex Rover. All are very good and with the beautiful island, the sea, and Nims buddies, the seal, the lizard and the pelican, it is a fun film for the whole family. 8/10
Feast Of Love (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800027/ Morgan Freeman & Greg Kinnear in what is supposed to be a romantic film, but I found it dull even with the graphic nude and sex scenes, which were not necessary for the story. 5/10
The Rat Race (1960) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054230/ Debbie Reynolds as a bitter dance hall girl; and Tony Curtis as the small town musician who comes to the Big Apple to get a job. He gets taken at every turn. In my opinion, this is one of the best films for either star. Very good look at the seedy NYC of the down and outers. 8/10
Shadow Of A Doubt (1943) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036342/ Alfred Hitchcocks great look at evil that comes to a small town, in the person on a goodlooking relative of a bankers family. Joseph Cotton in his only villian role is great. Teresa Wright as the neice, and a great cast of character actors make this a gem. 9/10
Last Of The Mohicans (1992) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104691/ The scenery is the star. Daniel Day-Lewis does a lot of running through beautiful forests. The story of the French and Indian fighting the British, with settlers just wanting to be left alone on their frontier, is rather tedious. 7/10
The Big Sleep (1946) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038355/ Great film noir with Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe. Lauren Bacall is sultry. A great cast in all the parts make this a true 'classic' of the Studio era. Can't find a flaw, except for the confused story, but who cares when it is all so enjoyable? 8/10
Finally caught up for the week of April 1 to 7. Ready for some warmer weather and spring flowers. Forsythia is finally blooming, and a few narcissus. Makes it more cheerful even if skys are gray.
The Guardian (2006) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406816/ Kevin Costner and in a story about the training of the rescue teams in the Coast Guard, who go out in storms at sea and bring as many as they can, back alive. 7/10
In & Out (1997) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119360/ Kevin Kline as a college english professor who is outed on TV by a former student who has won an Oscar. Joan Cusack steals the show as a teacher he was going to marry. 5/10
Into The Blue (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378109/ Paul Walker and Jessica Alba get in lots of trouble looking for sunken treasure. Beautiful cinematography.
The Game Plan (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492956/ The Rock as a football superstar who suddenly learns he has a young daughter. Enjoyable, mainly because The Rock is so much fun to watch. 7/10
Nims Island (2008) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410377/ A wonderful adventure story starring Abigail Breslen as Nim, Jodie Foster as Alexandra Rover, and Gerard Butler in two roles, the father Jack Rusoe and the imaginary adventurer, Alex Rover. All are very good and with the beautiful island, the sea, and Nims buddies, the seal, the lizard and the pelican, it is a fun film for the whole family. 8/10
Feast Of Love (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800027/ Morgan Freeman & Greg Kinnear in what is supposed to be a romantic film, but I found it dull even with the graphic nude and sex scenes, which were not necessary for the story. 5/10
The Rat Race (1960) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054230/ Debbie Reynolds as a bitter dance hall girl; and Tony Curtis as the small town musician who comes to the Big Apple to get a job. He gets taken at every turn. In my opinion, this is one of the best films for either star. Very good look at the seedy NYC of the down and outers. 8/10
Shadow Of A Doubt (1943) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036342/ Alfred Hitchcocks great look at evil that comes to a small town, in the person on a goodlooking relative of a bankers family. Joseph Cotton in his only villian role is great. Teresa Wright as the neice, and a great cast of character actors make this a gem. 9/10
Last Of The Mohicans (1992) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104691/ The scenery is the star. Daniel Day-Lewis does a lot of running through beautiful forests. The story of the French and Indian fighting the British, with settlers just wanting to be left alone on their frontier, is rather tedious. 7/10
The Big Sleep (1946) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038355/ Great film noir with Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe. Lauren Bacall is sultry. A great cast in all the parts make this a true 'classic' of the Studio era. Can't find a flaw, except for the confused story, but who cares when it is all so enjoyable? 8/10
Finally caught up for the week of April 1 to 7. Ready for some warmer weather and spring flowers. Forsythia is finally blooming, and a few narcissus. Makes it more cheerful even if skys are gray.
April 07, 2008
Films for first week of April----
This week I watched a lot of films. It is supposed to be spring. But here in the Heartland it is still cold, damp and gloomy. So the fireplace and my 55" HDTV kept me indoors. Here are some of the films:
Pickup On South Street (1953) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046187/
Film noir with Richard Widmark and Jean Peters. But it is the performance of Thelma Ritter in her first film, that steals the show. Story of a B-girl and a pickpocket who get involved with communists stealing secrets is taut and atmospheric. 9/10
Gregory's Girl (1981) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082477/
A gem of a film about first attempts by a gangly awkward boy to date a beautiful classmate, who is a whiz at soccer. She beats out all the boys and wins a place on the school team, demoting Gregory to goal tender. A nice look at the trials of teens trying to connect with the opposite sex. Funny and sweet. Lovely scenery of scotland. 8/10
Caught (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040221/
Fine noirish film directed by Max Ophuls with Barbara BelGeddes, James Mason, and Robert Ryan in one of his very best roles. Story of a young woman who wants wealth and marries a tycoon, modeled on Howard Hughes. Soon she finds he is not what she thought and leaves him to find work at a doctors office. Ryan is loathsome as the rich man who has an attack every time he doesn't get his way. Great performance. Fine film. 9/10
Lucky You (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338216/
Awful Rom/com about gambling - poker to be specific. Eric Bana is nice to look at but bland. Drew Barrymore is wasted. No chemistry between them. And the poker games go on and on - so boring. 5/10
The Net (1995) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113957/
Sandra Bullock as a nerd computer wiz, who fixes problems with programs for games, and who rarely visits anyone, finds her identity wiped away and a new name with her picture showing up when she tries to use her credit cards. One of the 1st films to touch on Identity theft. Jeremy Northarn is fine as the villian. 8/10
Pickup On South Street (1953) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046187/
Film noir with Richard Widmark and Jean Peters. But it is the performance of Thelma Ritter in her first film, that steals the show. Story of a B-girl and a pickpocket who get involved with communists stealing secrets is taut and atmospheric. 9/10
Gregory's Girl (1981) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082477/
A gem of a film about first attempts by a gangly awkward boy to date a beautiful classmate, who is a whiz at soccer. She beats out all the boys and wins a place on the school team, demoting Gregory to goal tender. A nice look at the trials of teens trying to connect with the opposite sex. Funny and sweet. Lovely scenery of scotland. 8/10
Caught (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040221/
Fine noirish film directed by Max Ophuls with Barbara BelGeddes, James Mason, and Robert Ryan in one of his very best roles. Story of a young woman who wants wealth and marries a tycoon, modeled on Howard Hughes. Soon she finds he is not what she thought and leaves him to find work at a doctors office. Ryan is loathsome as the rich man who has an attack every time he doesn't get his way. Great performance. Fine film. 9/10
Lucky You (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338216/
Awful Rom/com about gambling - poker to be specific. Eric Bana is nice to look at but bland. Drew Barrymore is wasted. No chemistry between them. And the poker games go on and on - so boring. 5/10
The Net (1995) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113957/
Sandra Bullock as a nerd computer wiz, who fixes problems with programs for games, and who rarely visits anyone, finds her identity wiped away and a new name with her picture showing up when she tries to use her credit cards. One of the 1st films to touch on Identity theft. Jeremy Northarn is fine as the villian. 8/10
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