The weather was very nice, with only a few storms. So I was able to do some shopping, and have lunch out and also watch movies:
Juno (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/
Oh. Puleese! This was one of the 5 best of 2007? Egads, what about "300" - innovative, creative, and new. This was like a TV Saturday film for the high school crowd. Oh yeah, I get it! That's who this was for and they think it is profound. Yikes, I feel for the world as we know it. 5/10
P.S., I Love You (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431308/
Enjoyable romantic drama that I watched again with the Cecelia Ahern commentary about the way her book was changed for the film. Very good job by all concerned. 9/10
An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (1997-TV series) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138899/
An interesting mystery from the PBS Mystery Theater with Diana Rigg doing intro and wrap. Early work with a small role for Gerard Butler. He already could command the screen. Camera loved him. Story about a pregnant private detective who finds the Docs are running a baby adoption ring. 8/10
Fools Gold (2008) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770752/
Beautiful scenery - live and inanimate. Dear daughter decided we had to rent this. She loves the MM guy - and the scenery of what she thought was the Bahamas. Turns out it was filmed in Queensland, Australia! It was gorgeous - aqua blue water and white sand, palm trees, blue skies and white clouds. Oh and Matthew McConaughey was cute - in a bummy kinda way. Kate Hudson is getting boring. She needs a makeover. Did Donald Sutherland just need a paycheck? Or did they all just want a vacation? The yaught was to die for and I wouldn't mind spending a few months on it and swimming in that water. And get paid. 6/10
Singing In The Rain (1952) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/
A true "classic" in every sense - and a perfect as they get. Gene Kellys' best. Debbie Reynols is so cute you wanna cry. Donald O'Connor steals most of the scenes he is in, and ditto for Jean Hagan. The gorgeous Cyd Charisse's dances with Kelly are some of the best on film. Millard Mitchell, never better as the beleaguered studio head. All in all, a pleasure to watch every time I get out the DVD, or watch on TV. 10/10
The Pilots Wife (2002-TV) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289390/
Christine Lahti makes this story of a crash at sea, and her lost husband(John Hurt) who had secrets, watchable. 7/10
Betsy's Wedding (1990) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099128/
A favorite, with Alan Alda the frustrated father; Madeline Kahn, his wife; Molly Ringwald their daughter, Betsy, who is getting married; Joe Pesci, the bother-in-law from hell; Catherine O'Hara, his wife who gets even; and best of all - Ally Sheedy, the other daughter who is a cop; and Anthony LaPaglia, as Stevie Dee, who is crazy about her. Their story and unusual romance is the highlight of the film. All in all, a pleasure for a June day. 8/10
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/
Do you see a trend? June - Weddings? This was such a fun film of a large frump, who gets the handsome guy, that it made tons of money in theaters around the world. Proving that there is a big audience for comedies for women of a certain age. This big Greek family are fun and we like being around them. 8/10
Woman In White (1948) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040974/
What a cast! Eleanor Parker, Alexis Smith, Sydney Greenstreet, Gig Young, Agnes Moorhead, John Emory and last but not least, John Abbott, as the most delicious invalid ever put on screen. He is a buffet of nerves and ailments, who can't abide the slightest noise - unless he makes it. The story is based on the Wilkie Collins novel, considered the first true mystery story. A mansion, rich beautiful heroine, her companion cousin, the artist tutor, and such an array of unusual guests in the house, plus 'the woman in white' running about the grounds, make a fun hour and a half. 8/10
Telefon (1977) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076804/
The cold war is on hold, and somehow a madman has decided to use the plot to blow up installtions in the USA for his own purposes. To the rescue comes Charles Bronson from Moscow, and Lee Remick from the USA. The plot is interesting, the Stars are having a good time, and so are we. Scenery pretty too. 8/10
July is upon us. Here in the Heartland USA, that means Hot! Air-conditioning and iced drinks! And movies.
June 30, 2008
June 23, 2008
Action films, a Mystery, and romance
As we get to Summer, and steamy days, it's time for the ice water and the mindless fun of action and romance. This week I watched:
Tulsa (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041994/
Susan Hayward as an Oklahoma oil baron as ruthless as she is beautiful. 7/10
Batman (1989) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/
Michael Keaton, as Bruce Wayne, Batman, and Jack Nicholson as The Joker, make this version one of the best. Kim Basinger is the girl photographer who gets in dires straights and must be rescued by our Hero. Joker saying "where DOES he get those wonderful toys?" about Batmans escape by wires is a highlight. Many witicisms and funny bits among all the action. Good summer fair. 8/10
The Morning After (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091554/
Jane Fonda, as Alexandra, wakes up after a black out from drinking, in bed with a corpse. As she dresses and scrambles to get out of the loft apartment, she becomes aware that there may be someone in the place with her and it isn't just the cat. Jeff Bridges as a laid back guy with a broken down 'classic' car becomes her helper - or is he? Her estranged husband, hair salon owner Raul Julia, is also understanding and comes to her aid - or does he? Very enjoyable mystery with lots of set pieces and good acting. 8/10
Moon Over Parador (1988) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095654/
Richard Dreyfus as an actor filming in a South American country, who is given the job of impersonating the look-alike dictator, who suddenly died of a heart attack. The security chief (Raul Julia, again) recruits the actor for just one day, which of course, turns into a year. Sonia Braga is the mistress who teaches our fish out of water how to rule. The dance lesson is so funny and their scenes together are just lots of fun to watch. The final scene of Braga standing in front of the enormous moon as the wind catches her hair and her long white scarf and skirt, with the great music - perfect. A favorite for summer. 8/10
Alexander (2004) 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
I tried to watch this last winter, but couldn't get into it. This time, I did watch it all and still think it is awful. The scenes of the battles, shot from a distance, are so badly done, I sat there shaking my head. Colin Ferrel does not look like a conquerer of anything. 5/10
Live Free Or Die Hard (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337978/
Good summer action film. John McClane is alive and well and takin' care of business. Yi-pee-kiyae! 9/10
Shooter (2007) 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822854/
Mark Walberg as a trained assassin who is recruited to come out of retirement to assist in finding and taking out a shooter who is going to kill the President of a foreign country. Only the plot is not what it seems and Walberg ends up being the prey. So-so action film, but the story is very confusing. 6/10
I have Juno on my coffee table ready to watch. And my next "classics" lined up from my own collection. Summertime!
Tulsa (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041994/
Susan Hayward as an Oklahoma oil baron as ruthless as she is beautiful. 7/10
Batman (1989) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/
Michael Keaton, as Bruce Wayne, Batman, and Jack Nicholson as The Joker, make this version one of the best. Kim Basinger is the girl photographer who gets in dires straights and must be rescued by our Hero. Joker saying "where DOES he get those wonderful toys?" about Batmans escape by wires is a highlight. Many witicisms and funny bits among all the action. Good summer fair. 8/10
The Morning After (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091554/
Jane Fonda, as Alexandra, wakes up after a black out from drinking, in bed with a corpse. As she dresses and scrambles to get out of the loft apartment, she becomes aware that there may be someone in the place with her and it isn't just the cat. Jeff Bridges as a laid back guy with a broken down 'classic' car becomes her helper - or is he? Her estranged husband, hair salon owner Raul Julia, is also understanding and comes to her aid - or does he? Very enjoyable mystery with lots of set pieces and good acting. 8/10
Moon Over Parador (1988) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095654/
Richard Dreyfus as an actor filming in a South American country, who is given the job of impersonating the look-alike dictator, who suddenly died of a heart attack. The security chief (Raul Julia, again) recruits the actor for just one day, which of course, turns into a year. Sonia Braga is the mistress who teaches our fish out of water how to rule. The dance lesson is so funny and their scenes together are just lots of fun to watch. The final scene of Braga standing in front of the enormous moon as the wind catches her hair and her long white scarf and skirt, with the great music - perfect. A favorite for summer. 8/10
Alexander (2004) 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
I tried to watch this last winter, but couldn't get into it. This time, I did watch it all and still think it is awful. The scenes of the battles, shot from a distance, are so badly done, I sat there shaking my head. Colin Ferrel does not look like a conquerer of anything. 5/10
Live Free Or Die Hard (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337978/
Good summer action film. John McClane is alive and well and takin' care of business. Yi-pee-kiyae! 9/10
Shooter (2007) 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822854/
Mark Walberg as a trained assassin who is recruited to come out of retirement to assist in finding and taking out a shooter who is going to kill the President of a foreign country. Only the plot is not what it seems and Walberg ends up being the prey. So-so action film, but the story is very confusing. 6/10
I have Juno on my coffee table ready to watch. And my next "classics" lined up from my own collection. Summertime!
June 16, 2008
Between storms
I watched the following films this week, between storms with lots of lightning and thunder:
Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443680/maindetails
Slow, pretentious, and worst of all, boring. I went to sleep. You know the saying "between truth and the legend, I'll take the legend." If this was to set the record straight, it was dull and uninteresting. Casey Afleck was weird, and seemed to hardly be able to rouse himself to say the dialog. Brad Pitt was weirder. I guess he was showing that Jesse was going bonkers. They only thing I give points for is the scenery. Pretty and the fields of grasses were authentic. But the winter scenes of the hill country covered in PINE is nothing like any place in Missouri. We have hard wood trees and lots of cedar(juniper) but few native pines. Stupid mistake. But pretty scenes of Canada. 5/10 for the cinematography.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/
Interesting story of how one congressman from Texas became interested in the situation in Afghanistan back in the time when the Russians were invading and managed to get appropriations raised to fund arms for the guerillas. Tom Hanks is good in the role of a glad hander who can get things done because he is owed so many favors. Julia Roberts is fine as a Texas power broker hostess with the mostess. 8/10
Video Tape:
Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/
Matthew Broderick as Ferris who decides to take a day off from school with his girlfried and his best friends and car. Great individual scenes as the trio go from place to place around Chicago. Most fun is getting involved with the parade, with Ferris on the float singing "twist and shout." Jennifer Grey is hilarious as his sister and her encounter at the police station with Charlie Sheens spike haired biker is hilarious. Always watch this one at the end of the school year, just for fun. 8/10
The Witch From Nepal (Qi yuan-1985) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089861/
Chow Yun Fat is gorgeous and has two pretty ladies - his girlfriend - and the witch who he finds after he is injured on holiday. Fantasy and horror and who cares what it is about. Chow is in almost every scene, and that's good enough for me. 8/10
Gambit (1966) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060445/
One of my favorite caper films. Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine and Herbert Lom star. Love it. 9/10
The Journey (1959) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052950/
Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr star in a story about the cold war and the uprising in Hungary in the 1950's. All star cast make for a good time getting them all across the border into Austria. "The kiss" between Kerr and Brynner is one of the best build ups in films. Very tense and erotic. No tongue, no nudity, but *WOW* 9/10
That Certain Age (1938) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030854/
Deanna Durbin, Jackie Cooper, Melvyn Douglas star in a story about a newspaper owner and his star reporter. They all end up at the country home of the publisher and the teen aged daughter of the house (Deanna) gets things all muddled up so she can staighten it all out in the end. Deanna sings 3 lovely songs, and is her cute self. 8/10
Satellite:
Four Brothers (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430105/
Another violent story about 4 boys brought up by a teacher, who return after she is murdered. Filmed in Detroit, the locale is a character in the story. I got tired of the same scenes over and over. It got so I couldn't keep track of who was who. And didn't care. 6/10
Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443680/maindetails
Slow, pretentious, and worst of all, boring. I went to sleep. You know the saying "between truth and the legend, I'll take the legend." If this was to set the record straight, it was dull and uninteresting. Casey Afleck was weird, and seemed to hardly be able to rouse himself to say the dialog. Brad Pitt was weirder. I guess he was showing that Jesse was going bonkers. They only thing I give points for is the scenery. Pretty and the fields of grasses were authentic. But the winter scenes of the hill country covered in PINE is nothing like any place in Missouri. We have hard wood trees and lots of cedar(juniper) but few native pines. Stupid mistake. But pretty scenes of Canada. 5/10 for the cinematography.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/
Interesting story of how one congressman from Texas became interested in the situation in Afghanistan back in the time when the Russians were invading and managed to get appropriations raised to fund arms for the guerillas. Tom Hanks is good in the role of a glad hander who can get things done because he is owed so many favors. Julia Roberts is fine as a Texas power broker hostess with the mostess. 8/10
Video Tape:
Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/
Matthew Broderick as Ferris who decides to take a day off from school with his girlfried and his best friends and car. Great individual scenes as the trio go from place to place around Chicago. Most fun is getting involved with the parade, with Ferris on the float singing "twist and shout." Jennifer Grey is hilarious as his sister and her encounter at the police station with Charlie Sheens spike haired biker is hilarious. Always watch this one at the end of the school year, just for fun. 8/10
The Witch From Nepal (Qi yuan-1985) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089861/
Chow Yun Fat is gorgeous and has two pretty ladies - his girlfriend - and the witch who he finds after he is injured on holiday. Fantasy and horror and who cares what it is about. Chow is in almost every scene, and that's good enough for me. 8/10
Gambit (1966) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060445/
One of my favorite caper films. Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine and Herbert Lom star. Love it. 9/10
The Journey (1959) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052950/
Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr star in a story about the cold war and the uprising in Hungary in the 1950's. All star cast make for a good time getting them all across the border into Austria. "The kiss" between Kerr and Brynner is one of the best build ups in films. Very tense and erotic. No tongue, no nudity, but *WOW* 9/10
That Certain Age (1938) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030854/
Deanna Durbin, Jackie Cooper, Melvyn Douglas star in a story about a newspaper owner and his star reporter. They all end up at the country home of the publisher and the teen aged daughter of the house (Deanna) gets things all muddled up so she can staighten it all out in the end. Deanna sings 3 lovely songs, and is her cute self. 8/10
Satellite:
Four Brothers (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430105/
Another violent story about 4 boys brought up by a teacher, who return after she is murdered. Filmed in Detroit, the locale is a character in the story. I got tired of the same scenes over and over. It got so I couldn't keep track of who was who. And didn't care. 6/10
June 09, 2008
Mail, Lions, Blood & Sex
This week was spend outdoors finishing planting containers for the porch and patio. Too tired to watch whole films so stuck to reruns on TV, except for these four:
You've Got Mail (1998) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/
A remake, for the computer generation of "The Shop Around The Corner" which is the name of Meg Ryans book store. She is being forced out of business by a megastore and its' owner, Tom Hanks. But they are communicating by email every day, and finding they are soul mates. The leads are so charming, it is fun to watch them. Pleasant. 8/10
Lions For Lambs (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891527/
Robert Redford as a college prof. Meryl Streep as a columnist. Tom Cruise as a powerful Senator she is interviewing. Absorbing story of how the news media and men in power seemed to turn a blind eye to any problems of invading other countries, with religion and culture we knew very little about. And the central point of the students who are safe, out of it all, not asking questions, glib and protected by the few and brave. Good story. 8/10
There Will Be Blood (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469494/
Wellllllll! I finally watched "There Will Be Blood." A very unpleasant story about an unredeemable man. Daniel Day-Lewis is good at making you hate the guy. So I guess he deserves his Oscar. But I don't love that he got it. :(
All through the film, I kept thinking, "he sounds like John Huston in "White Hunter, Black Heart." Same accent, same throaty delivery.
The film was well made. Cinematography fine. I agree with those who said it needed some cutting - scenes just went on too long. And some scenes were just sort of stuck in for no purpose.
I guess it boils down to the fact that there were no characters that I would want to spend any time with ever again, so I'll never watch it again.
And the ending was apropo - a pool of blood spreading over the bowling lane - the crazy man exhausted with his 'work' - and his butler there......to what? Clean up his mess? 6/10
Sex & The City (2008) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/
Went to the first show yesterday with my 2 daughters, who both were fans of the show. I had never seen the TV show. But we all *loved* this film!
Kim Cattrall's Samantha was the hightlight for me. Great delivery of very clever dialog. And Gilles Marini"s Dante was amazing, I'm tellin' ya - amazing! Do you suppose he had a "fluffer" like is talked about? Great bod! I don't think it was too long. Nothing I could find to cut - seemed like all the scenes were needed. Loved the fashions, although never in a million years would they ever find their way on anyones back here in 'River City', half way to nowhere.
Applause at the end - even for the early crowd. Now this is a great way to start my summer movie going. Haven't been inside my multiplex since seeing Gerard Butler in "Nims Island" opened. Hope there are some more comedies and/or good mysteries among all the action stuff.
Yeah, the fella's have their Indy, and the gross out comedies. We gals get four mature, successful babes, who know what they like! 9/10
Hurray for summer fun.
You've Got Mail (1998) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/
A remake, for the computer generation of "The Shop Around The Corner" which is the name of Meg Ryans book store. She is being forced out of business by a megastore and its' owner, Tom Hanks. But they are communicating by email every day, and finding they are soul mates. The leads are so charming, it is fun to watch them. Pleasant. 8/10
Lions For Lambs (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891527/
Robert Redford as a college prof. Meryl Streep as a columnist. Tom Cruise as a powerful Senator she is interviewing. Absorbing story of how the news media and men in power seemed to turn a blind eye to any problems of invading other countries, with religion and culture we knew very little about. And the central point of the students who are safe, out of it all, not asking questions, glib and protected by the few and brave. Good story. 8/10
There Will Be Blood (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469494/
Wellllllll! I finally watched "There Will Be Blood." A very unpleasant story about an unredeemable man. Daniel Day-Lewis is good at making you hate the guy. So I guess he deserves his Oscar. But I don't love that he got it. :(
All through the film, I kept thinking, "he sounds like John Huston in "White Hunter, Black Heart." Same accent, same throaty delivery.
The film was well made. Cinematography fine. I agree with those who said it needed some cutting - scenes just went on too long. And some scenes were just sort of stuck in for no purpose.
I guess it boils down to the fact that there were no characters that I would want to spend any time with ever again, so I'll never watch it again.
And the ending was apropo - a pool of blood spreading over the bowling lane - the crazy man exhausted with his 'work' - and his butler there......to what? Clean up his mess? 6/10
Sex & The City (2008) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/
Went to the first show yesterday with my 2 daughters, who both were fans of the show. I had never seen the TV show. But we all *loved* this film!
Kim Cattrall's Samantha was the hightlight for me. Great delivery of very clever dialog. And Gilles Marini"s Dante was amazing, I'm tellin' ya - amazing! Do you suppose he had a "fluffer" like is talked about? Great bod! I don't think it was too long. Nothing I could find to cut - seemed like all the scenes were needed. Loved the fashions, although never in a million years would they ever find their way on anyones back here in 'River City', half way to nowhere.
Applause at the end - even for the early crowd. Now this is a great way to start my summer movie going. Haven't been inside my multiplex since seeing Gerard Butler in "Nims Island" opened. Hope there are some more comedies and/or good mysteries among all the action stuff.
Yeah, the fella's have their Indy, and the gross out comedies. We gals get four mature, successful babes, who know what they like! 9/10
Hurray for summer fun.
June 02, 2008
Westerns, The Sea and violence---
This week was one for outdoor activities. So not as many films, but the quality was pretty good! I saw:
Fort Apache (1948) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040369/
The first of John Fords cavalry films, all starring John Wayne and made in the Monument Valley of New Mexico and Utah. Great cinematography. 9/10
Rio Grande (1950) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042895/
The final film of the trilogy about the cavalry. Maureen O'Hara costars for the first time with the Duke - John Wayne. Great cast and good story. 9/10
Down To The Sea In Ships (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041313/
A favorite in my collection that I watch every year of so. Lionel Barrymore is Capt. Bering Joy, taking his grandson to sea for the first voyage, even though he is past retirement age. Richard Widmark is the young guy the company wants on the voyage for insurance and the Capt. puts him in charge of the boys 'schoolin'. Wonderful characters, great story and the ships never looked better. 10/10
Angels In The Outfield (1951) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043286/
A little girl from an ophan home sees angels helping her team and their blustery manager, Paul Douglas. Janet Leigh is a smart reporter from the womans page assigned to get something 'interesting' to women from the team. Not too good, but not too bad. Just ho-hum. 6/10
Sling Blade (1996) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117666/
Very interesting story and an unrecognizable Billy Bob Thorton. A retarded man is released from an insane assylum he has lived in since killing his mother and her lover when he was a boy. Turned out with nothing and nowhere to go but the lawnmower repair shop where he is to work. His employer will let him sleep on a cot in the shed. He wanders around his home town and is befriended by a young boy who takes him home. The boys mother invites him to live in their garage. The story becomes increasingly hard to watch as, with dread, you realize what will happen. I give it an 8/10
No Country For Old Men (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477348/maindetails
Tommie Lee Jones is wonderful as the old sheriff trying to make sense of the senseless killings in the drug deal that went bad. He can't and it is through his eyes and sensibilities that we are seeing this story.
Out on the brown and tan windswept plains of west Texas, a young man (Josh Brolin) out shooting comes upon 5 or 6 vehicles and through his scope sees no one alive. When he gets to the area, all are dead and there are bags of drugs, and after following a trail of blood to a man, he finds a satchel full of money. Does he take it? Of course. And sets in motion a manhunt with a madman(Javier Bardem) after him, plus various and sundrae lawmen and others. One is Woody Harrelson as a bounty hunter sent by the big wigs to get the drugs and money back.
A violent film, lots of killing, but the setting and the stars make it worth watching. And as a bonus, a few laughs. You can't help it - it's a Coen film, after all! 9/10
Time for beer, ice tea and/or the beverage of choice and another film. Not a bad deal at all.
Fort Apache (1948) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040369/
The first of John Fords cavalry films, all starring John Wayne and made in the Monument Valley of New Mexico and Utah. Great cinematography. 9/10
Rio Grande (1950) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042895/
The final film of the trilogy about the cavalry. Maureen O'Hara costars for the first time with the Duke - John Wayne. Great cast and good story. 9/10
Down To The Sea In Ships (1949) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041313/
A favorite in my collection that I watch every year of so. Lionel Barrymore is Capt. Bering Joy, taking his grandson to sea for the first voyage, even though he is past retirement age. Richard Widmark is the young guy the company wants on the voyage for insurance and the Capt. puts him in charge of the boys 'schoolin'. Wonderful characters, great story and the ships never looked better. 10/10
Angels In The Outfield (1951) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043286/
A little girl from an ophan home sees angels helping her team and their blustery manager, Paul Douglas. Janet Leigh is a smart reporter from the womans page assigned to get something 'interesting' to women from the team. Not too good, but not too bad. Just ho-hum. 6/10
Sling Blade (1996) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117666/
Very interesting story and an unrecognizable Billy Bob Thorton. A retarded man is released from an insane assylum he has lived in since killing his mother and her lover when he was a boy. Turned out with nothing and nowhere to go but the lawnmower repair shop where he is to work. His employer will let him sleep on a cot in the shed. He wanders around his home town and is befriended by a young boy who takes him home. The boys mother invites him to live in their garage. The story becomes increasingly hard to watch as, with dread, you realize what will happen. I give it an 8/10
No Country For Old Men (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477348/maindetails
Tommie Lee Jones is wonderful as the old sheriff trying to make sense of the senseless killings in the drug deal that went bad. He can't and it is through his eyes and sensibilities that we are seeing this story.
Out on the brown and tan windswept plains of west Texas, a young man (Josh Brolin) out shooting comes upon 5 or 6 vehicles and through his scope sees no one alive. When he gets to the area, all are dead and there are bags of drugs, and after following a trail of blood to a man, he finds a satchel full of money. Does he take it? Of course. And sets in motion a manhunt with a madman(Javier Bardem) after him, plus various and sundrae lawmen and others. One is Woody Harrelson as a bounty hunter sent by the big wigs to get the drugs and money back.
A violent film, lots of killing, but the setting and the stars make it worth watching. And as a bonus, a few laughs. You can't help it - it's a Coen film, after all! 9/10
Time for beer, ice tea and/or the beverage of choice and another film. Not a bad deal at all.
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