The Merry Widow; The Firefly; Tales Of Manhattan---

The Merry Widow (1934) Jeanette Macdonald, Maurice Chevalier. Ernst Lubitsch directs the operetta with Jeanette as the widow, Sonia and Maurice as Count Danilo. All the music is here and it is a joy to watch. Just before the morality code took over films, so this has some delicious naughtiness. The Prince needs to woo the Widow and marry her and her millions to save their small kingdom. So they all go to Paris. Ups and downs. A good time with some lovely music. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025493/

The Firefly (1939) Jeanette MacDonald, Alan Jones, Warren William. Shown on Jeanette's day on TCM but also close to Warren Williams day, The Firefly has both acquitting themselves well. A popular operetta with some lovely songs. Jones has a light tenor and Jeanette a very high soprano. Their voices do not blend as well as hers with Eddy deep baritone, but will do. Usual nonsense going on. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028873/

Tales Of Manhattan (1942) Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Edward G. Robinson. Episodes in the life of a tale coat, starting with the original owner, an actor who gets involved with a femme fatale. With a bullet hole, the coat next goes to a 2nd hand shop and is bought by someone else, and on to a good-will shop and finally is thrown out of plane going over a field being worked in by a black preacher. Each time it passes to someone else, their story is told. Finally there is a great deal of money stuffed in the coat. And that is when our preacher gets it. The best of the stories is the bum played by Edward G. Robinson who is tracked down by his class at law school. It is their Graduating anniversary and his sponsor at the mission talks him into going. They have this coat from the donations and everyone pitches in to get him all cleaned up. He goes and how it turns out for him is surprising. Eddie G. can make almost anything interesting, but this was short and sweet.   6/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035415/

Encores: watched many times;

Naughty Marietta (1935) Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Elsa Lancaster, Frank Morgan. Won Oscar for Best Sound Recording. 9/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026768/

Rose Marie (193) Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, James Stewart, Reginald Owen. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028207/

Sweethearts (1938) MacDonald/Eddy, Frank Morgan, Florence Rice. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030817/

More Kay Francis & Irene Dunne---

Confession (1932) Kay Francis, Basil Rathbone Review done 8/6/10 on my Blog 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028737/

Consolation Marriage (1931) Irene Dunne, Pat O'Brien, Myrna Loy. Well, you see, Mary(Irene), is dumped by Aubrey. Steve(Pat) is dumped by Elaine(Myrna). Mary and Steve have a night of drinking and discussing their fate and decide it is a brilliant idea to marry each other because there will be no hearts and flowers involved. Bam! Mary has a baby. And bang! The two outs decide they want back in and badabing! we have trouble. Made before studios discovered music to hide unwanted sounds on studio sets. Lots of early sound troubles. Story is rather clunky. The leads are attractive, but this is a programmer, to fill the bill. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021761/

British Agent (1934) Kay Francis, Leslie Howard, William Gargan, Phillip Reed, It's during the Russian conflict, and Howard (Steve) is assigned to the British Consulate. He meets a lovely secretary at Lenin's headquarters. But holy!-moly! 15 minutes have gone by before we see Elena (Kay) And she wears the same beret, plain dress and slicker coat in the whole movie. No gowns, no furs, no great outlandish hats, no diamonds and pearls! What we have here is a serious film, I guess. And it is boring. Howard muddles along, halfheartedly playing a spy, but with none of the charm of his Pimpernel. As the revolution goes on in the streets below, the stars are together. I forget why. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024915/

KAY FRANCIS in early 1930's

Kay Francis - Her Day on TCM: I am savoring each one----Known for her beauty and clothes, she had a great success with designers and worked with them to get the fit and look just right.

She was a shop girls and housewives favorite in the 30's and Hollywood could not make the films fast enough.  When anyone gets that popular it means power and so it has to be stopped and by silly picky things the press wrote about her, she was finally driven to despair.  But her best revenge was, she made a lot of money and lived very well. 

And she is remembered.  And her critics?  Well, we always have cats and dogs ----
This week I watched:

Jewel Robbery(1932) Kay Francis, William Powell. Pre-code with lots of naughty things going on, like smoking hashish, affairs, and assorted things to shock the natives. But it is a lot of fun. Powell's slick robber woos society lady. Their first encounter is like a lightning strike.

And we're in on the fun as the last scene, at the Jewelry store and robbery, as the cops scurry after the thief over the rooftops, has Kay turning to the camera as she says to her husband "My nerves. I must get away. The Riviera! Nice' - on tomorrow's first train." And gives us a delightfully wicked smile as she gives the shush! sign to the audience.

What a joy. I'm keeping it just for the fun she's having. Makes me giggle. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023074/


One Way Passage (1932) Kay, William Powell, Aline MacMahon, Frank McHugh. Joan is terminally ill and Dan is handcuffed to a detective taking him back to San Quentin where he faces hanging. On shipboard out of HongKong they meet and have a instant rapport. Two grifters on board help Don, but things seem to conspire to fail at every turn. One of the better "matinee' ladies' films pre-code. Of course, Kay has a wonderful wardrobe and a different outfit for every scene. The ladies sitting in the audience in their 'good dress' loved her and her doomed romances.  8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023305/

Mary Stevens, M. D. (1933) Kay, Lyle Talbot, Glenda Farrell, Thelma Todd. Kay(Mary) and Lyle(Don) graduate from medical school and set up practice in the same building, remaining good friends. Mary makes her reputation as a skilled and caring doctor. Don goes the society route, marrying a wealthy woman and disappearing into that life. On a vacation years later, Don and Mary run into each other and have a romance. Pre-code has this a bit more frank about what is going on. A good drama. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024307/

The Keyhole (1933) Kay, George Brent, Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins. In this one Kay has married a second time to a millionaire much older than she is, but learns her former husband and dancing partner, never followed through on their divorce. Now he is blackmailing her. Her sister-in-law devises a plan to get hubby # 1 out of the country so they can have his passport revoke by their good friends in the government. Meanwhile, hubby #2 is jealous and hires a private eye to follow her on her trip by boat to Havana, and report what she does every day. Big mistake. Brent, as the gumshoe, is all debonair charm and he and Kay enjoy the trip a little more than they are supposed to for a.spy and spyee. Kay has a fabulous wardrobe, and Farrell and Jenkins lending their wisecracks to the proceedings. For the early 30's, this was what those shop girls and housewives wanted when they got a night out at the movies. Kay, romance and gorgeous clothes. Troubles melted away for a few hours. 8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024211/

More Kay Francis on the DVR to savor later.

Still hot and dry here in the Heartland.  Hate to go out and crunch through the grass, trying to keep the trees and shrubs alive.   With the horrible weather and politics, it makes movies with Kay the only refuge.

2 New and 1 Encore---

Ride, Vaquero (1953) Anthony Quinn, Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel. Big stars, great scenery, but the script is bad and many places you go. 'what?' Taylor is a glum and silent Bob. Quinn blusters and shouts. Ava is pretty. Keel needs a song or two to liven things up. The story of this western country after the Civil War and the changes it brought with lots of new immigrants, might have been interesting, but it is brought to just a fight between the haves and the new guy wanting a share. And the motivation of some of the characters is muddled. All in all, I give it a 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046239/

Lion Of The Desert (1981) Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Raf Vallone, Rod Steiger. A wonderful performance by Quinn as Omar Mukhtar, the Lion of Libya. And Reed as Italian Gen.Rodolfo Graziani, who pursues him for Benito Mussolini. The time it takes - from 1911 to 1931 - is shown as the reason for the hatred of all foreigners. European countries carved up north Africa among themselves. Very effective use of the desert landscapes and using some actual newsreel footage of the refugee camps that stretch for miles. by the end. Some of the Italian officers were tried as war criminals. Interesting, and some great action scenes. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081059/

Encore:

Sideways (2004) Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh. Still a quietly funny film. Chuckles for me - not laugh out loud knee-slappers. Two guys set off on a weeks' trip through California wine country. One guy (Jack/Church) is going to get married but wants to party and lay anything in skirts for a final fling. The other (Miles/Giamatti) just wants to give his friend a week of golf, visit the wineries, have some good food and relax. As Jack gets crazier they finally meet two women and have a great night and the next few days/nights aren't bad either. But then---guess what happens? Ha. Find this film and you will have a good time, too. Scenery is lovely. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/

2 feel good films---

---for the super hot Heartland USA:

Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) Freddie Bartholomew, C. Aubrey Smith, Delores Costello, Guy Kibbee. Made from an 1880's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this is a loving, sweet story of a fatherless boy and his mother and how they come into their own. The grandfather is gruff and unforgiving of his son for marrying a foreigner and going off to America. But all is put right by the sweet grandson, who loves his father's "dearest" as he calls his mother. Called back to England to take his rightful place at the manor, little Lord Fauntleroy is the pride and joy of everyone on the estate in short order. A wonderful film to this day for all who have a heart and are willing to go along with a world of make believe. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027893/


WALL-E (2008 - Animated Adventure) All machines and toys. None of those pesky humans. A charming movie, but I did nod off for a few minutes. But then, I'm an Ancient Pelican, not the target audience. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/

Tragic Consequences: Fulton, Missouri set the stage for the Henry Bellamann novel “Kings Row” and a future for a young Ronald Reagan

Tragic Consequences: Fulton, Missouri set the stage for the Henry Bellamann novel “Kings Row” and a future for a young Ronald Reagan

2 New; one repeat---

First viewings:

Rio Rita (1942) Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson, John Carroll. The Abbott & Costello routines were as I expected from watching them when I was a girl in the 40s. Very slapstick and rapid fire dialog. So fast if you didn't get one there was another already happening. The reason I had to watch was for sweet Kathryn Grayson and her lovely voice. And John - he was one of my fan mail guys and he sent a photo and a very nice letter - not a studio copy. Lots of music for us fans of Katey and John, and the nutty comedy routines for Lou and Buds fans. When I was ten, I loved them. But watching this film yesterday for the first time, I was only mildly amused. Loved the music. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035259/

Cowboys & Aliens (2011) Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano. I am not a fan of scifi, but the cast was so good I stuck with it to the end, only turning the sound down and averting my eyes during the slimy alien parts. The horses and scenery were enjoyable. Craig okay. The two women had staring and nodding and whispering to do. Dano is daggone good as a bad 'un. Ford, grey and grizzled can still hold a scene. What's it about?   Shucks. I dunno?  7/10  
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409847/

Encore:
Pat & Mike (1952) Kathryn Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Aldo Ray, William Ching. Watched many times. Always a pleasure. 9/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045012/

Hot Millions; The Big Year; and a muddle in the middle---

Hot Millions (1968) Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith, Bob Newhart, Karl Malden, Robert Morley, Cesar Romero. Charming story of two misfits who find each other and manage to pull off a computer crime for millions. They both live in a bed-sitting room in the same building. She happens to get a job at the firm he is hired at, and since she can't cope at any job, she is fired. He likes to conduct along with the radio broadcasts of the symphony. She plays the flute. The fun is seeing how at each step, one or the other could be caught but something always happens to save them. Droll and quiet with a few very funny scenes. Mostly just chuckles, but such a sweet story. A sort of Justice prevails. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063094/


The Tree Of Life (2011) Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn. Okaaaay! I watched this about a month ago and said 'think I better see it again after I think about it a while.' So. I watched it again over the weekend and I guess I'm just not the target audience. It made no sense, unless the mistreatment of children is a theme you like. I must confess, I DVR'd this off HBO so I could see parts over as I went. And I needed to because I kept falling asleep. When a director does that, it is unforgivable, as it was in 1932, and it is in 2012, no matter how beautiful some of the cinematography. Since the actors had hardly any lines to speak, and very little physical acting to do, how are we supposed to assess their performances? All in all, a bad film IMHO. 4/10

The Big Year (2012) Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Jack Black. Love it. Great shots of wild birds. I have watched it all twice (first comments on July 17th) and parts whenever it is on HBO. I know this will be a favorite for many years. It is just joyful. And some great thoughts on what is important in life. I'm adding a point to my rating. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1053810/

2 Encores; 2 New

ENCORES:


Along Came A Spider (2001) Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Moriarty, Penelope Ann Miller. 6/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164334/

The Ugly Truth (2009) Gerard Butler, Kathryn Heigl, Cheryl Hines.   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/

NEW:

Antitrust (2001) Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins, Rachel Leigh Cook. So. I put this one one my DVR'd list and finally watched it yesterday. 'Cause, you know, Ryan is cute in a bland sort of way. And Robbins is usually good. But my goodness. Ryan didn't change expressions more than - o - say about twice. Time was a real souless exec. I forget what the problems were. Doesn't matter. They were outdated already. Mercy me! I stayed 'til The End. But don't ask me why. 4/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218817/



Hoover wasn't who we thought he was in 1950

J. Edgar (2011) Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer. By The End, I was repulsed by Mr. J. Edgar and his bureau.

A Far cry from my youth when I revered the G-men. Back in the 1940s and 50s we thought the well dressed, clean cut young men were all that law enforcement officers should be. In my early 20's one of my galpals dated one and it had to be on the q-t because they both worked out of the Kansas City office. We had a very powerful mafia family that ran lots of K C politics and the city market and grocery stores. So my friend and her G-man went out in secret, and I doubled dated with my date and we ended the evening at a jazz joint where Baby Lovett was playing. Argument arose by two guys over a bimbo seated in the next booth. Fisticuffs, and we fled. G-man had to get the H--- out of there or be fired by The Boss, who would know by morning if he got involved. His cover was the fact the joint was known mafia owed and a hangout, So he could say he was 'working'. 1950's history.

As to this film. I was impressed by Leo. First time I have thought he had the chops for the role. He was effective. Watts was equally into her loyal to a fault secretary. Hammer was new to me, and seemed suited to his role of the ever-true Tolson..

The relationship between Hoover and Tolson, as presented, was ambiguous but it seems likely they were semi-lovers. Unless there are secret documents somewhere we will never know.

What Eastwood has done, as far as I am concerned, is lay out Hoovers absolute power over Washington D.C.s elite from 1950 to his death. His view of the world and people was narrow and only those he felt worthy were to be trusted with running the country. How he managed his world, by the end of the film, I hated. He was a unattractive man, doing awful things in the name of our country, and I hope we can resist the urge to give other characters unlimited power. But with the so-called Patriot Act, we seem to be going down the same path.

Have to give J.Edgar a 7/10 as I was fully engaged and interested. Maybe because I lived through some of the rise to power. The newspaper here in K.C. wrote only flattering things. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1616195/

Latest:

Encores:

Along Came A Spider (2001) Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Moriarty, Penelope Ann Miller. 6/10             http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164334/

The Ugly Truth (2009) Gerard Butler, Kathryn Heigl, Cheryl Hines.   7/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/


NEW:

Antitrust (2001) Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins, Rachel Leigh Cook. So. I put this one on my DVR'd list and finally watched it yesterday. 'Cause, you know, Ryan is cute in a bland sort of way. And Robbins is usually good. But my goodness. Ryan didn't change expressions more than - o - say about twice. Tim was a real souless exec. I forget what the problems were. Doesn't matter. They were outdated already. Mercy me! I stayed 'til The End. But don't ask me why. 4/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218817/

J. Edgar (2011) Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer. By The End, I was repulsed by Mr. J. Edgar and his bureau.

A Far cry from my youth when I revered the G-men. Back in the 1940s and 50s we thought the well dressed, clean cut young men were all that law enforcement officers should be. In my early 20's one of my galpals dated one and it had to be on the q-t because they both worked out of the Kansas City office. We had a very powerful mafia family that ran lots of K C politics and the city market and grocery stores. So my friend and her G-man went out in secret, and I doubled dated with my date and we ended the evening at a jazz joint where Baby Lovett was playing. Argument arose by two guys over a bimbo seated in the next booth. Fisticuffs, and we fled. G-man had to get the H--- out of there or be fired by The Boss, who would know by morning if he got involved. His cover was the fact the joint was known mafia owed and a hangout, So he could say he was 'working'. 1950's history.

As to this film. I was impressed by Leo. First time I have thought he had the chops for the role. He was effective. Watts was equally into her loyal to a fault secretary. Hammer was new to me, and seemed suited to his role of the ever-true Tolson.

The relationship between Hoover and Tolson, as presented, was ambiguous but it seems likely they were semi-lovers. Unless there are secret douments somewhere we will never know.

What Eastwood has done, as far as I am concerned, is lay out Hoovers absolute power over Washington D.C.s elite from 1950 to his death. His view of the world and people was narrow and only those he felt worthy were to be trusted with running the country. How he managed his world, by the end of the film, I hated. He was a unattractive man, doing awful things in the name of our country, and I hope we can resist the urge to give other characters unlimited power. But with the so-called Patriot Act, we seem to be going down the same path.

Have to give J.Edgar a 7/10 as I was fully engaged and interested. Maybe because I lived through most of the rise to power. The newspaper here in K. C. wrote only flattering things. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1616195/

More Encores:

Vivacious Lady (1938) Ginger Rogers, James Stewart, Buelah Bondi, Charles Coburn, James Ellison. Trifle about college professor going to big city, marrying a chorus girl and bringing her back home. With dear old Dad a bully, Mom a devious marshmallow who turns the tables, and another women as his fiancee, this guy has problems. Why Ellison didn't have a bigger career, I don't know. He was good as the drunken best friend/cousin to new hubby. Cast knew these roles by heart. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030944/

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, Tim Holt, Anne Baxter, Delores Costello. Great film. It's just me, but I love this Welles much more than Citizen Kane. Booth Tarkington is more in touch with my type of people. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035015/

A Patch Of Blue (1965) Sidney Poiter, Shelley Winters, Wallace Ford, Elizabeth Hartman. Touching story of a black man trying to help a poor white blind girl with an abusive family. All roles acted to perfection. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059573/

Encores:

Alice Adams (1935) Katheryn Hepburn, Fred MacMurray, Fred Stone, Ann Shoemaker. Hattie McDaniel.   Marvelous story from the book by Booth Tarkington, of a small town girl who is trying to keep up appearances among her former friends, as her family sinks farther into poverty. One of her 'friends' invites her to the party of the season, at the mansion of her former girlfriends family, and she has to wear a 2 year old out-of-season gown. And go with her reluctant brother as her escort. There she meets a wealthy young man who dances with her and she is smitten. From this set up of the social order in this town, we have scenes of the home life of the Adams family. When the beau comes calling, Alice won't ask him in; she is too embarrassed about her home. Finally, he challenges her to meet the rest of her family; and her Mom keeps wanting her to have him for dinner. So she does. In a scene that is so funny it is heartbreaking, on the hottest night of the year; serving hot food when they are all melting; and melting aspic and ice cream, it is a disaster. Alice tells Arthur she knows he just wants to get away from this place. With a side story of her father and his problems and why the family has lost its' middle class existence, the film winds down to a happy ending when Arthur comes back and he and Alice make up. The book has a harsher end for Alice, but this is Hollywood. Good film anyway, with scenes that break your heart if you have ever been embarrassed by who you are, or by so-called friends. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026056/

Johnny Eager (1941) Lana Turner, Robert Taylor, Van Heflin(Oscar), Edward Arnold.   Lana and Bob get career boosting roles - Lana a brainy college student, Bob a nasty mob boss - in good Mervyn Leroy directed film. But Van wins all the marbles, as the boozy best friend of 'da Boss'. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033774/

All-time favorite -

Now Voyager (1942) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Clause Rains, Gladys Cooper, Bonita Granville, Ilka Chase, John Loder.   Never tire of the players or the score.

Jerry lights two cigarettes and hands one to Charlotte.

"And will you be happy Charlotte? Oh Jerry, let's not ask for the moon. We have the stars." Music swells, fade on the stars. Wonderful schmaltz. 10/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/

Pre-code trouble for Stanwyke---

Forbidden (1932) Barbara Stanwyke, Adolph Menjou, Ralph Bellamy. Early "Matinee' Ladies" film with the heroine being done wrong by a rich, married cad. Capra himself described the story as "two hours of soggy, 99.44 percent soap opera." Lulu is on a cruise to Havana, a little librarian looking for romance and adventure. She gets both, but at what price. Ends up with a baby; and the father is a dog. But she loves him. So an arrangement is made and by manipulation, the baby ends up being raised by the cad, now a politician, and his wife, who happens to be crippled, so he 'can't leave her.'. More risque' than many later films after the film code was put in place to shield the hard facts of life from middle America. The actors are fine except Bellamy is directed to be over the top as a muck raking newspaper man. Can't believe he did it on his own. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022905/  
Note:  The reference to "99.44percent" is a reference to Ivory Soap, which back in the 1930's and 40's was advertised as being "99.44 % PURE."  And the soap operas broadcast on radio all day for the women homemakers of America.  My Mom and her neighborhood friends followed Stella Dallas, Backstage Wife, and so many more.  And of course, went to see Babs suffer, and debonaire Menjou, at the movies.

All Caught Up

Martian Child (2007) John Cusack, Bobby Coleman, Amanda Peet. Sweet story of a child who thinks he is from Mars; a man in depression who befriends him; and their journey together toward normalcy. Interesting and nice story. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415965/

The Last Legion (2007) Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley. Story of Rome as it falls. Not very entertaining. In fact, boring, which it shouldn't be. A waste of a good cast. What happened? 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462396/

What Happens In Vegas (2008) Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher. Jason Sudeikis. Maybe a funny, interesting film could have been made with this wonderful cast, but most of them are wasted. We have stars in small, unfunny cameos and it is such a mess I just sat there with my mouth open. It's supposed to be about two people who get to Vegas (I forget why), get drunk, gamble and at dawn, still pie eyed and broke, use the last coin or chip to try for the big jackpot. And it wins - big. It was her chip but he put it in so the casino makes them share the jackpot. And guess what? They spend the rest of the film trying to undermine the other with the judge who will rule on their case. Sound stupid? Well, that's what I felt like sitting there pie-eyed until it was over. Good grief, are any of them embarrassed? 6/10 only for some great shots of Vegas. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033643/

Larry Crowne (2011) Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts. He's lost his job and goes back to college. She is one of the professors, who is bored out of her mind. That's it. They meet and 2 hours more or less later, they have discovered each other. Okaaaay! 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583420/

The Change Up (2011) Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman. I am embarrassed for them. Awful dialog, awful situations, lame humor. Bad, bad, bad. For the adolescent male - of all ages! 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1488555/

Hall Pass (2011) Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fisher, Christina Applegate. Farrelly Bros. wishful thinking? Fantasy? Excuse to remain adolescent males forever? Who knows? As an elderly woman, I really don't care, but I think they at least should make something fairly intelligent that anyone can watch. These guys are dumb and their wives, nuts! 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480687/

Dolphin Tale (2011) Nathan Gamble, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr. Nice story of a boy who rescues a dolphin tangled up in fishing net. The dolphin has to lose half his tale in order to survive. The boy bonds with it and helps in his rehab with a prosthetic tail. Beautiful water scenes. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564349/

Dream House (2011) Daniel Craig. Rachel Weitz, Naomi Watts. Interesting murder mystery, ghost story, with a bit of mental problem thrown in for good measure. Not as interesting or scary as it should be. Craig is okay and so is Weitz, but Watts is wasted. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462041/

Hemingway & Gelhorn (2012-TV) Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen. Romance and marriage of the two writers. He used their story for the basis for For Whom The Bell Tolls. But she was much more than just a love and sex partner. She was one of the great war correspondents or the 30's and 40's. And the only woman who ever left and divorced him. Kidman manages to show her strong woman side here. But do we really need to know any more about Hemingway and his neuroses? I think not. Kidman out acts Owens and is into the strong woman persona. Owen has the worst of it as a guy who thinks he is God's gift to women plus a great writer. Wrong on both fronts. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423455/

The Hatfields & McCoys (2012-TV Mini-series) Kevin Costner, Bill Paxton, Tom Berenger, Powers Booth. The legendary feud in the Kentucky/Tennessee/Virginia hills and hollars. It spanned 30 years and generations of people who lived in the era. This series focuses on the two male heads of each clan. Their dust up at the end of the civil war begins the feud, but each man is at fault for being so thin-skinned. The cast is uniformally good, and the production is first rate. My only quibble is that it has no collateral damage to the rest of the communities. And there was a great deal. My step grandpa remembers his father loading up all the family, grandparents and children and going west by wagon to get away from having to always choose a side or be in danger of being killed. There should have been at least a hint of what happened to the rest of the communities hinted at in the series. Costner has done well again with a historical period and it is riveting from beginning to end. I DVR'd it and watched the full 6 hours all at one sitting. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1985443/

Finally have caught up with all the movies I have watched recently.  Now to catch up with the ones I have in the DVR ready to watch.  Nothing else to do, as the grass and flora perish.   May have to do the rain dance!
NOTE: There are not enough votes to have the Hatfield series rated on IMDb and I know there were many people who watched. Maybe not IMDb members?  If you have seen it, please rate it at IMDb

A great western---

The Searchers (1956) John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter. Vera Miles, Natalie Wood, Ward Bond. Great western from John Ford, with spectacular cinematography. On my 55 inch TV Monument Valley is amazing. I guess thousands of people made the trip to see it for themselves after seeing this film. Story of an Indian attack and kidnappng of the youngest child, killing the rest of the family, and decade and longer search for her. By the last Ethan [Wayne) is meaning to kill the girl because she has been living with the bucks of the tribe. But her "brother" Martin is dead set on getting her home alive. My favorite charecter is Mose (Hank Worden) who just wants a 'rocking chair by the fire' after years of being mistreated by all comers because he is a bit simple. But he fools the Indiams and he makes Ethan promise him before he will tell what he knows of Debbies whereabouts. Way to go Mose! 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049730/

Recently viewed newer films:

First viewings:

Witness Protection (1999-HBO) Tom Sizemore, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Forrest Whitaker. Interesting story of the people who go into witness protection and how the Marshalls put them in training. You feel sorry for the children and wife who thought they were just normal people, but who find out their lifestyle was made through keeping crooked books for mobsters. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0191655/

Try To Remember (2004/TV) Gabrielle Anwar, Max Martini. Ten years after a murder case in a small town was successfully tried, the witnesses start dying off and Lisa Monroe, friend of the victim, is recruited back to work as a detective for the police. Jake, the man convicted, is being paroled and has returned to town. As she gets deeper into the case and trying to be objective, doubts and guilt make her vulnerable. Nicely done little story. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393902/

Chaos (2005) Jason Statham, Ryan Phillippe, Wesley Snipes, Justine Waddell. Cops, robbers, double crosses, assorted mayhem. Hard to keep track of who was good and who was the villain. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402910/

The Last Mistress (2007/France) Asia Argento, Fu'ad Ait Aattou. A young aristocrat, his mistress of 10 years, and his chaste fiance', who he is to marry soon. Much sex and nudity and acting passionate. Rather a bore after a while. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437526/

con't more first viewings.....

Favorites

ENCORES seen this summer so far:

Absence Of Malice (1981) Paul Newman, Sally Field, Malinda Dillon, Bob Balaban. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081974/

The Bodyguard (1992) Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103855/

Die Hard With A Vengence (1995) Bruce Willis. Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112864/

The Rock (1996) Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage, Ed Harris. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117500/

Emma (1996) Gwynth Paltrow, Jeremy Northern, Toni Collette. 6/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116191/

Murder At 1600 (1997) Wesley Snipes, Diane Lane, Alan Alda.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119731/

The Replacement Killers (1998) Chow Yun Fat, Mira Sorvino. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120008/

U-571 (2000) Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141926/

The Sum Of All Fears (2002) Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Alan Bates, Ciaran Hinds. 7/10     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164184/

The Hours (2002) Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Miranda Richardson. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274558/

Enchanted (2007) Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Patrick Dempsey. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461770/

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette, Greg Kennear, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin(Oscar). 7/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/

Taken(2008/I) Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace. A favorite I watch often. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0936501/

The Debt (2010/I) Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Tom Wilkinson, Marton Csokas, Ciaran Hinds, Sam Worthington.   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226753/

Most of these have been commented on before.   New films I have seen recently will be posted soon.