----with a whimper - not a bang!
Batman Begins (2005) I've tried! Lord, how I've tried. For about the umptenth time I have sat down to watch Christian Bale as Batman and ended up falling asleep. Is it a DNA thing? Am I programmed to drop off when I see Bale - or is it Batman? Think it is Bale. The 1989 Batman with Michael Keaton - I loved and still watch it every year or so. I have it on tape. But I can't get interested enough in Chris and Katie Holmes to hope then end up together. Now Michael and Kim Basinger - oh yes. Loved their little romance. Although the '05 version is filled up with A-list actors in supporting roles, the story is dull and they are wasted. And none can come close to the turn Jack Nicholson did as the Joker in the '89 film. Sorry fans, I can't give this version more than 5/10. And I'm not gonna try it again unless I need something to put me to sleep! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/
August 23, 2009
August 18, 2009
Tom, Leo and Love Letters.......
This week I watched:
Love Letters (1945) Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotton. A wonderful love story, about a veteran of WWII who wrote letters for his buddy to his wife. Just from her picture and the letters he falls deeply in love with her. She thinks her letters are from the soldier she met at a dance and as soon as he comes home, they marry. But he is a drunk and nothing like what his letters led her to believe. He is killed and she loses her memory.
A beautiful film and has one of the most famous songs from films in the title song. It was so popular and so many wrote asking what is was, that words were written and many singers have recorded it over the years. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037885/
Revolutionary Road (2008) Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet. Disappointment, big time. This was touted as a true look at the suburbanite culture that came into being in the USA during the mid to late 1950's. America was incredibly prosperous, anyone who wanted to work, could. Housing was affordable. And the cars were like tanks but with lots of chrome and pretty colors.
The couples in this film are educated and successful, but it isn't enough. April Wheeler had dreams of the stage. Frank is a one of the 'grey flannel suits' that head into the city each morning. For the '50s they are the up-and-comers, but they want to 'find themselves', by running away to Paris. Not a bad dream. but they are forced to wake up.
The interiors, clothes, cars, etc. are spot on. But these are people who are so fortunate that as a woman who was 24 at the time of this film, I thought they were both spoiled rotten. Leo's first outburst at his wife was so over the top and hateful, I never liked him after that scene. Then he goes into the office and starts an affair with a young secretary. And we are supposed to feel anything for this whiner? On top of that, he threatens his wife by yelling she better shape up because she is sounding crazy and he can put her in a place to take care of her. This was a threat to lots of women who tried to break out of the "Stepford" mold and do something besides have babies, cook, clean, and keep on smiling.
The book was written in the early 1960's but this world was nothing like my working class neighborhood. Girls with unwanted pregnancies disappeared for 6 months 'visiting Aunt Mary' or 'working in a big city for a while.' Or they got married (helped along by fathers and big brothers) and had 3, 4 or more kids. Now, some of those young people had reason to feel trapped and be unhappy. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/
Valkyrie (2008) Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branaugh, Tom Wilkerson. The last of 15 plots to kill Hitler, that ended in failure due to so many fluke things going wrong. Nine months after these men were all killed for their part in the plot, the allies won and WWII was over. Interesting story. Very good cast all on their game. Cruise is so watchable, you can't take your eyes off him, even after all these years. The boy air-paying a guitar on top of the coffee table is still a "movie star" writ large! Good film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0985699/
It is so humid these days, it's like swimming through the air. But since we have had enough rain this summer, everything is very green for this time of year. We usually have a dusty look to all the vegetation by this time of year.
It is so depressing to think we will not get any reform in our health care system. I am down hearted.
Love Letters (1945) Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotton. A wonderful love story, about a veteran of WWII who wrote letters for his buddy to his wife. Just from her picture and the letters he falls deeply in love with her. She thinks her letters are from the soldier she met at a dance and as soon as he comes home, they marry. But he is a drunk and nothing like what his letters led her to believe. He is killed and she loses her memory.
A beautiful film and has one of the most famous songs from films in the title song. It was so popular and so many wrote asking what is was, that words were written and many singers have recorded it over the years. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037885/
Revolutionary Road (2008) Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet. Disappointment, big time. This was touted as a true look at the suburbanite culture that came into being in the USA during the mid to late 1950's. America was incredibly prosperous, anyone who wanted to work, could. Housing was affordable. And the cars were like tanks but with lots of chrome and pretty colors.
The couples in this film are educated and successful, but it isn't enough. April Wheeler had dreams of the stage. Frank is a one of the 'grey flannel suits' that head into the city each morning. For the '50s they are the up-and-comers, but they want to 'find themselves', by running away to Paris. Not a bad dream. but they are forced to wake up.
The interiors, clothes, cars, etc. are spot on. But these are people who are so fortunate that as a woman who was 24 at the time of this film, I thought they were both spoiled rotten. Leo's first outburst at his wife was so over the top and hateful, I never liked him after that scene. Then he goes into the office and starts an affair with a young secretary. And we are supposed to feel anything for this whiner? On top of that, he threatens his wife by yelling she better shape up because she is sounding crazy and he can put her in a place to take care of her. This was a threat to lots of women who tried to break out of the "Stepford" mold and do something besides have babies, cook, clean, and keep on smiling.
The book was written in the early 1960's but this world was nothing like my working class neighborhood. Girls with unwanted pregnancies disappeared for 6 months 'visiting Aunt Mary' or 'working in a big city for a while.' Or they got married (helped along by fathers and big brothers) and had 3, 4 or more kids. Now, some of those young people had reason to feel trapped and be unhappy. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/
Valkyrie (2008) Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branaugh, Tom Wilkerson. The last of 15 plots to kill Hitler, that ended in failure due to so many fluke things going wrong. Nine months after these men were all killed for their part in the plot, the allies won and WWII was over. Interesting story. Very good cast all on their game. Cruise is so watchable, you can't take your eyes off him, even after all these years. The boy air-paying a guitar on top of the coffee table is still a "movie star" writ large! Good film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0985699/
It is so humid these days, it's like swimming through the air. But since we have had enough rain this summer, everything is very green for this time of year. We usually have a dusty look to all the vegetation by this time of year.
It is so depressing to think we will not get any reform in our health care system. I am down hearted.
August 13, 2009
August 11, 2009
Guns, drama, comedy, etc....
Dark Victory (1939) Bette Davis, George Brent, Geraldine Fitzgerald. Davis always claimed this was her favorite film. It was THE 'matinee ladies" film. Story of a rich playgirl who has a brain tumor. Great doctor operates, but can't give her more than 6 months to a year to live. Davis has never looked better. And the story is well done by all of the cast. And those last scenes - well, I can't help it - I always have tears. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031210/
Now, Voyager (1942) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper. Now THIS is my favorite Davis film. Story of an upper crust, Boston middle aged woman, Miss Charlotte Vale, who is so dominated by her rigid mother she is tightly wound. Her sister-in-law brings a doctor to meet the family and Charlotte. After she breaks down, and is sent to his retreat for a few months, it is arranged for her to take another woman's passage on a cruise where she meets the handsome, Jerry Durrance. His attentions bring her out of her shell and they eventually fall in love. Her transformation when she returns home shocks the entire Vale clan. Her mother most of all. Davis, standing at the top of the gangplank in her white picture hat, slender, and mysterious to the other passengers, is an iconic film moment. As is the lighting of 2 cigarettes at the same time, by Henreid. 67 years later, people are still discovering the magic. All the performances are marvelous and with the lush musical score by the great Max Steiner, this film is definitely a 10/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/
Mr. Soft Touch (1947) Glenn Ford, Evelyn Keyes, John Ireland, Buelah Bondi, Percy Kilbride. One of Glenn Ford's programmers made for Columbia, where he was under contract. It is a sort of noir, with the male lead playing a sort of gangster. But as these films go, he is a changed man by 'the end.' Story involves guy needing a hideout for 48 hours in order to get away with a large amount of loot. He finds the perfect place, a settlement house, run by social worker, Keyes. Set in the Christmas season, this should have been a holiday classic, but fails to draw us in to that world with the story, the score or cinematography. Still, the stars are charming. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041663/
Advise & Consent (1962) Watching this again after many years, I found I was so disappointed. It was boring. I don't remember thinking that back when it first came out. It was a great book, and made into what was supposed to be a top film of the year. Maybe I am just burned out on scandals, intrigue, double-dealing, etc. It is all still with us today and in the headlines. So this story just seemed too familiar to have any real suspense or excitement. Some marvelous actors doing good work, but I was less than interested. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055728/
Revolver (2005) Guy Ritchie gangster film starring Jason Statham, Ray Liotta and an actor that I am following - Mark Strong. The story is of gangsters, gamblers, and double and triple crosses. Plot is so confused, it is hard to make sense of, but who cares. The actors are fun to watch be mean and nasty. And Strong is always good to watch. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365686/
Shooter (2007) Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Michael Pena. Another story of a trained assassin brought out of retirement to figure out how the President will be targeted and killed by a long range shooter. Of course, it is a setup and the rest of the film is trying to figure out who is doing it and why. What I liked was the FBI agent (Pena), sorting through the mess and figuring out who is the good guy. Cast does a credible job, but the story is so jumbled up and finally it is all about explosions. Lots of explosions. If that does it for you, you'll like this one. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822854/
Nights In Rodanthe (2008) Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis, Scott Glenn. What a house! What a beach! So, you have problems? Will this make you feel better? Nights in Rodanthe will make your heart sing and the story is secondary. The beauty of the setting, the lead actors, the score - are all that's needed by romantics to have a delicious 2 hours. Will these two actors ever be ordinary? A really good visit with old friends. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956038/
The Ugly Truth (2009) Went to see this again to try to catch dialog drowned out by laughing on opening day. This time there were so few of us in the theater I was able to hear it all. Just a delightful, naughty romp with two incredibly gorgeous people. Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl seem to be having fun, so we do to. The drive up through the foothills of the mountains and the picnic scene, is beautifully shot. The salsa dance between Butler and Heigl looks like they were having a really good time and are pretty good dancers. For what it is - a summer comedy - it is well done. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/
I am now up-to-date on my movies and comments. Whew. When summer patio and garden time interfers with my movies, I feel like I'm in a crisis. Hahaha! What will come next?
Now, Voyager (1942) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper. Now THIS is my favorite Davis film. Story of an upper crust, Boston middle aged woman, Miss Charlotte Vale, who is so dominated by her rigid mother she is tightly wound. Her sister-in-law brings a doctor to meet the family and Charlotte. After she breaks down, and is sent to his retreat for a few months, it is arranged for her to take another woman's passage on a cruise where she meets the handsome, Jerry Durrance. His attentions bring her out of her shell and they eventually fall in love. Her transformation when she returns home shocks the entire Vale clan. Her mother most of all. Davis, standing at the top of the gangplank in her white picture hat, slender, and mysterious to the other passengers, is an iconic film moment. As is the lighting of 2 cigarettes at the same time, by Henreid. 67 years later, people are still discovering the magic. All the performances are marvelous and with the lush musical score by the great Max Steiner, this film is definitely a 10/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/
Mr. Soft Touch (1947) Glenn Ford, Evelyn Keyes, John Ireland, Buelah Bondi, Percy Kilbride. One of Glenn Ford's programmers made for Columbia, where he was under contract. It is a sort of noir, with the male lead playing a sort of gangster. But as these films go, he is a changed man by 'the end.' Story involves guy needing a hideout for 48 hours in order to get away with a large amount of loot. He finds the perfect place, a settlement house, run by social worker, Keyes. Set in the Christmas season, this should have been a holiday classic, but fails to draw us in to that world with the story, the score or cinematography. Still, the stars are charming. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041663/
Advise & Consent (1962) Watching this again after many years, I found I was so disappointed. It was boring. I don't remember thinking that back when it first came out. It was a great book, and made into what was supposed to be a top film of the year. Maybe I am just burned out on scandals, intrigue, double-dealing, etc. It is all still with us today and in the headlines. So this story just seemed too familiar to have any real suspense or excitement. Some marvelous actors doing good work, but I was less than interested. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055728/
Revolver (2005) Guy Ritchie gangster film starring Jason Statham, Ray Liotta and an actor that I am following - Mark Strong. The story is of gangsters, gamblers, and double and triple crosses. Plot is so confused, it is hard to make sense of, but who cares. The actors are fun to watch be mean and nasty. And Strong is always good to watch. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365686/
Shooter (2007) Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Michael Pena. Another story of a trained assassin brought out of retirement to figure out how the President will be targeted and killed by a long range shooter. Of course, it is a setup and the rest of the film is trying to figure out who is doing it and why. What I liked was the FBI agent (Pena), sorting through the mess and figuring out who is the good guy. Cast does a credible job, but the story is so jumbled up and finally it is all about explosions. Lots of explosions. If that does it for you, you'll like this one. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822854/
Nights In Rodanthe (2008) Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis, Scott Glenn. What a house! What a beach! So, you have problems? Will this make you feel better? Nights in Rodanthe will make your heart sing and the story is secondary. The beauty of the setting, the lead actors, the score - are all that's needed by romantics to have a delicious 2 hours. Will these two actors ever be ordinary? A really good visit with old friends. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956038/
The Ugly Truth (2009) Went to see this again to try to catch dialog drowned out by laughing on opening day. This time there were so few of us in the theater I was able to hear it all. Just a delightful, naughty romp with two incredibly gorgeous people. Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl seem to be having fun, so we do to. The drive up through the foothills of the mountains and the picnic scene, is beautifully shot. The salsa dance between Butler and Heigl looks like they were having a really good time and are pretty good dancers. For what it is - a summer comedy - it is well done. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/
I am now up-to-date on my movies and comments. Whew. When summer patio and garden time interfers with my movies, I feel like I'm in a crisis. Hahaha! What will come next?
The Gold Diggers, Mr. Blandings, the Princess......
Over 2 weeks since I wrote about the films I have watched. Been watching TCM to see some of my favorites.
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers. One of the pre-code musicals from Warner Brothers, with lots of risque dialog and just barely clothed women. Musical numbers are directed by Busby Berkeley. The finale, "Forgotten Man," is a film made during the worst of the depression and really got to people. Never say a musical or comedy won't be remembered. Here is a film that was almost lost but is now thought of as a classic. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024069/
Footlight Parade (1933) Joan Blondell, James Cagney, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. Another of Warners great early musicals with Busby Berkeley directing three outstanding production numbers, "Honeymoon Hotel", "The Waterfall", and "Shanghai Lil", each one a masterpiece and worth sitting through the "story" of the usual backstage problems. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024028/
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, Melvyn Douglas. A terrific look at the years right after WWII ended and materials and workers were once again available for the average community to build things. Grant is the title character - and ad agency exec who has been put on the Wham Ham account. He must come up with a new slogan in 60 days. Simultaneously he and his wife, Loy, decide to build a house in the country on a rail line into NYC and he'll become a commuter. The joys of dealing with architects, workers, and various Connecticut characters makes a funny and insightful film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040613/
Cry Danger (1951) Dick Powell, Rhonda Fleming. A film noir that is interesting but just doesn't have a wow ending. It sort of fizzles in the end. Powell is always watchable and Fleming is glorious to look at. Story of a man who was framed for a murder and robbery he didn't commit and has been released from prison after 5 years. Now he tries to find out about the $100,000 that is still missing and other shady problems involving his friends wife, his friend in prison and various law enforcement people. Dark, involved and crooked most of the way. But the end um-no------7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043435/
The Swan (1956) Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, Jessie Royce Landis, Louis Jourdan, Brian Aherne. Molnar story of a 1913 visit of a Prince to a minor Princess in a small country, to see if she is suitable wife material. Archaic idea, but very droll and a billion dollar cast. I have to watch it every summer. Grace and Louis are so gorgeous it is impossible. Just a sweet trifle to watch on a hot afternoon while having ice tea and cookies. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/
That takes me to August. I was waaaaaay behind. I'll get the rest of the films I watched done tonight or tomorrow.
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers. One of the pre-code musicals from Warner Brothers, with lots of risque dialog and just barely clothed women. Musical numbers are directed by Busby Berkeley. The finale, "Forgotten Man," is a film made during the worst of the depression and really got to people. Never say a musical or comedy won't be remembered. Here is a film that was almost lost but is now thought of as a classic. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024069/
Footlight Parade (1933) Joan Blondell, James Cagney, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. Another of Warners great early musicals with Busby Berkeley directing three outstanding production numbers, "Honeymoon Hotel", "The Waterfall", and "Shanghai Lil", each one a masterpiece and worth sitting through the "story" of the usual backstage problems. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024028/
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, Melvyn Douglas. A terrific look at the years right after WWII ended and materials and workers were once again available for the average community to build things. Grant is the title character - and ad agency exec who has been put on the Wham Ham account. He must come up with a new slogan in 60 days. Simultaneously he and his wife, Loy, decide to build a house in the country on a rail line into NYC and he'll become a commuter. The joys of dealing with architects, workers, and various Connecticut characters makes a funny and insightful film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040613/
Cry Danger (1951) Dick Powell, Rhonda Fleming. A film noir that is interesting but just doesn't have a wow ending. It sort of fizzles in the end. Powell is always watchable and Fleming is glorious to look at. Story of a man who was framed for a murder and robbery he didn't commit and has been released from prison after 5 years. Now he tries to find out about the $100,000 that is still missing and other shady problems involving his friends wife, his friend in prison and various law enforcement people. Dark, involved and crooked most of the way. But the end um-no------7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043435/
The Swan (1956) Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, Jessie Royce Landis, Louis Jourdan, Brian Aherne. Molnar story of a 1913 visit of a Prince to a minor Princess in a small country, to see if she is suitable wife material. Archaic idea, but very droll and a billion dollar cast. I have to watch it every summer. Grace and Louis are so gorgeous it is impossible. Just a sweet trifle to watch on a hot afternoon while having ice tea and cookies. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/
That takes me to August. I was waaaaaay behind. I'll get the rest of the films I watched done tonight or tomorrow.
August 10, 2009
My Belated Ugly Truth----
So summer is for lazing and lolling and procrastinating. But I did get dressed and head to the multiplex to see Mr. Butler take a turn at sexy comedy.
The Ugly Truth (2009) Seen on opening day July 24th; written July 28th. Gerard Butler, Katherine Heigl. Take your munchies, drink and companions and enjoy a fun filled battle of the sexes that is slightly raunchier the the usual pap, and has two winsome stars in the leads - Butler as Mike and Heigl as Abby. Men and women were equally laughing at the situations and zingers coming fast and funny by our stars.
The story is about a new shock jock, Mike, who does a segment on the news program called "The Ugly Truth" in which he tells women what men 'really want and/or think.' Ratings start climbing and Abby, smart and organized and the producer, is aghast. Her private life is bothering her because she cannot get and keep a steady man in her life. When she discovers the dreamy guy next door, a doctor no less, Mike says he can get him for her if she does what he says. That is the set up and getting to the kiss at "the end" is a fun romp.
Both stars are charming and have the comic timing to make this a good counter programming choice for those who are tired all the action films and kiddie cartoons out this summer. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/
I'm slow getting my reviews posted this summer, but will catch up, I swear.
The Ugly Truth (2009) Seen on opening day July 24th; written July 28th. Gerard Butler, Katherine Heigl. Take your munchies, drink and companions and enjoy a fun filled battle of the sexes that is slightly raunchier the the usual pap, and has two winsome stars in the leads - Butler as Mike and Heigl as Abby. Men and women were equally laughing at the situations and zingers coming fast and funny by our stars.
The story is about a new shock jock, Mike, who does a segment on the news program called "The Ugly Truth" in which he tells women what men 'really want and/or think.' Ratings start climbing and Abby, smart and organized and the producer, is aghast. Her private life is bothering her because she cannot get and keep a steady man in her life. When she discovers the dreamy guy next door, a doctor no less, Mike says he can get him for her if she does what he says. That is the set up and getting to the kiss at "the end" is a fun romp.
Both stars are charming and have the comic timing to make this a good counter programming choice for those who are tired all the action films and kiddie cartoons out this summer. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/
I'm slow getting my reviews posted this summer, but will catch up, I swear.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)