My December 2007 Viewings

Included my personal ratings.
Recommended fiDVDs lms in bold.

Ballykissangel 5:1 12/26/07 (B)
Cold Comfort Farm 12/26/07 (C-)
The Heartbreak Kid 12/26/07 (D)
Big Love 2:2 12/20/07 (B)
Scoop 12/19/07 (B+)
The Lost City 12/19/07 (B)
Ballykissangel 4:3 12/17/07 (B)
Hot Fuzz 12/14/07 (B+)
Big Love 2:1 12/14/07 (B)
Ballykissangel 4:2 12/12/07 (B)
Ocean's Thirteen 12/10/07 (C)
The World's Fastest Indian 12/10/07 (A)
Superbad 12/06/07 (A)
Wilby Wonderful 12/04/07 (B-)
The Butterfly Effect 12/03/07 (C)
Ballykissangel 4:1 12/03/07 (B)

Scoop (2006)

Dashing, Dapper, and Deadly?

Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson), an awkward yet earnest young American journalism student, is on holiday in England. While attending a magic show starring The Great Splendini, aka Sid Waterman (Woody Allen, who also directed), Sondra is recruited from the audience to participate in a magic trick where she has to enter a large box called The Dematerializer.

Inside the box, Sondra meets the ethereal (and deceased) reporter Joe Strombel (Ian McShane) who has crossed back over the River Styx to tell Sondra the identity of the Tarot Card Killer who is running rampant in London.

Sondra shares the information with Sid Waterman and while she is convinced she's got a solid lead, Sid seriously doubts that Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), a handsome British aristocrat with political ambitions, could possibly be the murderer.

Posing as Jade Spence and her father, a wealthy oilman from Palm Beach, Sondra and Sid weasel their way into Peter Lyman's life to investigate -- with Joe Strombel's ghost to help. In the process, Sondra/Jade falls in love with Lyman and becomes convinced that he couldn't be the murderer while Sid grows certain that Lyman is the Tarot Card Killer.

What ensues is a comedy romp that allowed Woody Allen to spew his funny remarks reminiscent of earlier Allen comedies.

Favorite retort:
Sondra: "You always think the glass is half empty."
Sid: "That's not true. I think the glass is half full. With poison."

This certainly isn't either high comedy nor high mystery but it does prove to be great fun and a relief for me at least from Woody Allen's more angst-ridden and depressing films that I've seen recently.

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.

The Lost City (2005)

Havana In Turmoil

This is a story of turbulent Havana in the late 1950 -- a story Andy Garcia worked 16 years to bring to fruition to honor what his native home was and the people who lived there.

El Tropico is a successfully swank nightclub owned by Fico Fellove (Andy Garcia, who also directed). Fico is devoted to his family and to the amazing music and dance he presents at the club, but Batista threatens to destroy so much of what Fico loved.

Fico's father, the distinguished Federico (Tomas Milian), feels a constitutional government should replace Batista while his son Ricardo (Enrique Murciano) becomes a communist and his other son Luis (Nestor Carbonell) joins the democratic opposition.

Fico saves Ricardo from execution for anti-regime activities by calling in a favor and urges Ricardo to escape to New York, but instead Ricardo joins Che Guevara's rebel band. Luis becomes involved in a plot to kill Batista and restore democracy but the plot fails and Luis is eventually killed by Batista's police.

Meanwhile, Fico fights off advances by American mobster Meyer Lansky (Dustin Hoffman) who wants to bring gambling to El Tropico. When a bomb explodes at the club claiming the live of the star performer, who was also Fico's love, Fico suspects the mob but is never certain.

Fico's mother encourages him get involved with Luis' widow Aurora (Ines Sastre), and he does, eventually evolving into true love.

In many ways, this long film (2.5+ hours) is epic with further family deaths, suicide, disaster at the club, departure and beginning again.

Weaving throughout the tale is the wry writer (Bill Murray) who seems to have no other purpose than serving as the Greek chorus for this story.

The length and sometimes slow pace of the film made it, at times, tedious for me but overall, seeing Havana and the people of Havana trying to survive in that devasting time was interesting.

Rated R for violence.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Lethal Weapon with Laughs

Strictly-by-the-book London bobby Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is so good that he's an embarassment to his supervisors, including the Chief Inspector (Bill Nighy), so he's promoted and transfered to a sleepy village in the country where he finds a police department full of slackers.

Nicholas is partnered with naive prankster cop Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), the son of local police inspector Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent), who laments that he's stuck in a nothing-happening environment. He longs for the adventure and danger Nicholas has faced in London.

Soon a series of grisly "accidents" get Nicholas' energies flowing when he realizes they're actually murders. Nicholas swiftly suspects the sinister Simon Skinner (Timothy Dalton), manager of the local supermarket. He kicks into high gear trying to solve the mystery and capture the murderer.

Fast-paced, brutally violent, full-of-profanity -- but hey, there's no nudity -- and there are so many laughs that I had to rewatch portions because I missed a lot when I was laughing so hard.

I really enjoyed the homage to Lethal Weapon, Kill Bill, Robocop, Dirty Harry and so many other action films. I can't wait for Hot Fuzz Part II!

Directed by Edgar Wright.

Rated R for violent content including some graphic images, and language.

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Following Dreams

Roger Donaldson was obsessed with Burt Munro. Kiwi Burt Munro was obsessed with speed -- especially while astride his classic and uniquely adapted Indian motorcycle.

Donaldson made a documentary about Munro many years ago but the true story niggled in his brain as suitable for a full scale film. Finally, as director, producer and writer, he saw it happen with this film.

Munro made his first trip to the USA in the late 1950s when he was 67 years old. His goal: to break a record on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Nevada. He did -- and he returned for many years to compete again and again, and set new records..

After watching Donaldson's documentary, which is a bonus on the DVD I viewed, I can't think of a better choice than Anthony Hopkins to play the role.

The film is essentially Munro's preparation in Invercargill City, New Zealand, and journey to his first Bonneville time trial. Despite a fresh diagnosis of angina, nothing was going to stop the determined man who'd fashioned odd parts out of strange materials for his beloved bike.

He earns his passage across the ocean by working as the cook on an ocean tramper. Upon arriving in California, he quickly learns how to drive in the USA, buys a car, fashions a rig for his bike and sets out for Nevada. Along the way, he encounters several kindly folks who help him on his journey including a Native American (Saginaw Grant) who gives him "crushed dog testicles" to relieve his prostate troubles and an older ranch woman named Ada (Diane Ladd) who helps him repair his car.

When he arrives at the Speed Week event, Munro is disheartened to find that he didn't pre-register and therefore can't compete, but so many competitors and fans, lead by driver Jim Enz (Christopher Lawford, who looks eerily like his father), are taken by this old man's determination that they arrange for him to have a chance.

Favorite quote: "You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime."

Even if you're not a fan of speed or motorciccles, this is a feel good human interest story that is definitely worth the watch. Sir Anthony Hopkins has said this has been his very favorite role to play in all his years of acting.

Rated PG-13 for brief language, drug use and a sexual reference.

My personal rating: B

Superbad (2007)

Bad Boys Bad Boys

Once invited to a graduation party, virginal nerds Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) -- BFF -- decide to break all the rules by taking booze to a party and scoring with the girls of their dreams.

Thanks to a friend, Fogell -- aka McLuvin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) -- who has a fake ID, the romp starts and leads to all manner of riotous problems compounded by the hapless police officers Slater (Bill Hader) and Michaels (Seth Rogen)

This is a surprisingly good and funny horny male teen flick directed by Greg Mottola.

Rated R for pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, teen drinking, some drug use and a fantasy/comic violent image.

Wilby Wonderful (2004)

A Day in the Life of Deceit

This Canadian film focuses on a day in the lives and secrets of several people in Wilby, a Canadian small island town, and how they intersect as the town's annual festival approaches.

Dan Jarvis (James Allodi) is determined to commit suicide. His first attempt by jumping off a bridge is thwarted by the town handyman Duck (Callum Keith Rennie).

Carol French (Sandra Oh), a town mover 'n shaker and also a real estate agent, is insensitive to the sadness her husband, police officer Buddy (Paul Gross), is enduring over the recent death of his mother. All Carol can focus on is getting rid of the 'junk' from her mother-in-law's house so she can get it sold and making an impression on the town bigwigs as she tries to be a leader in the organization of the town festival.

Carol accidentaly thwarts Dan Jarvis' next suicide attempt when she arrives at a house she has listed for sale and finds him in the kitchen with the powerful smell of natural gas permeating the room.

Meanwhile, Buddy has an affair with Sandra (Rebecca Jenkins), a notoriously loose woman, as Sandra's teenage daughter Emily (Ellen Page) is making out with boy. Sandra teases Emily unmercifully when she realizes what her daughter's been doing.

Buddy uncovers the tip of the iceberg of city hall corruption involving the mayor (Maury Chaykin) and Dan Jarvis reveals to Duck why his wife left him. As Carol dashes into a house for sale that she is soon to show the Mayor and his wife, she finds Dan Jarvis' body swinging from a noose. Her only concern is to hide the body so as not to spoil the chance of actually selling the house.

Director/writer Daniel MacIvor does a fine job weaving together these entanglements -- and others -- in a tight 99 minutes revolving around love, acceptance and validation.

This Canadian film is not rated by MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).

My November 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

He Died with a Felafel in His Hand 11/30/07 (C)
Ballykissangel 3:3 11/29/07 (B)
Ballykissangel 3:2 11/27/07 (B)
Monk 1:4 11/26/07 (B)
Boston Legal 3:6 11/26/07 (B)
Blue Man Group: The Complex Rock Tour Live 11/23/07 (B)
Hairspray 11/21/07 (B+)
Danny Deckchair 11/19/07 (B)
Ballykissangel 3:1 11/19/07 (B)
Dogville 11/19/07
Looking for Kitty 11/14/07
Blow Dry 11/14/07 (B)
Lonesome Jim 11/14/07
You Kill Me 11/09/07 (C)
Road to Redemption 11/09/07 (C)
Reign Over Me 11/09/07 (B+)
The Wendell Baker Story 11/06/07 (B)
Zodiac 11/04/07 (B)
A Good Woman 11/02/07 (C+)

Danny Deckchair (2004)

Up, Up and Away!!!

Written by "Lawnchair Larry" Walters and based on his own experience, this is a film about overcoming boredom and finding your right place in life.

Danny Morgan (Rhys Ifans) is a cement maker who is unhappy with his life and tired of being put down by his rather uppity live-in girlfriend Trudy (Justine Clarke). He has a little fantasy about drifting away to a new life and one day buys a bunch of helium balloons and attaches them to his deckchair during a barbecue party (throw another shrimp on the barbi!).

Unfortunately, his friends lose hold of the chair and Danny sets off on a ride across Australia which creates quite a media stir when he can't be tracked.

One night in a flurry of fireworks over a small town in the outback, Danny's balloons are punctured and he comes down in the trees in Glenda's (Miranda Otto) back yard.

Glenda befriends him and introduces him around town where he is instantly liked and he embraces the community. He even becomes involved in a political campaign.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend back home is falling for a handsome and popular reporter (Rhys Muldoon) who is covering the story but when Danny's balloons are discovered and his location reaches the news, Trudy comes to the town to "reclaim" him. But Danny is a changed man. Will he return to his home with Trudy and have her respect now and perhaps a chance at a more prestigious career?

Directed by Jeff Balsmeyer.

Rated PG-13 for sex-related situations.

Blow Dry (2001)

"Mum! Dad's cutting!"

Once upon a time . . . hairdressers Phil (Alan Rickman) and Shelley (Natasha Richardson) Allen and their hair model Sandra (Rachel Griffiths) battled it out at hair design competitions. But that was long ago and ended when the marriage and their business broke up because Shelley and Sandra became romantically involved.

Now Shelley runs her styling shop with Sandra and Phil runs his barber shop with their son Brian (Josh Hartnett) in the same small English town of Keighley. Shelley and Phil haven't spoken to each other for 10 years, since the breakup, and Shelley has just discovered that her cancer has metastisized.

When Keighley wins the bid to host the spectacular annual British Hairdressing Championship, Phil's old nemesis Ray Robertson (the delightfully evil Bill Nighy) comes to town and baits Phil to drop the barber shears and return to styling for one last time in this competition to prove which one of them is really the best.
Phil resists but Brian urges him to give it a go if Phil can put together a team of stylists and their own hair model.

Can Shelley and Phil drop their distance and come together for their son? Will Sandra resume her part of the team as the hair model? Will Brian escalate his childhood crush on Ray Robertson's daughter Christina (Rachael Leigh Cook)?

Wild times ensue and one wonders if they can pull it off despite the challenges in this charming comedy about love and family and acceptence directed by Paddy Breathnach.

Model Heidi Klumm appears as a hair model. Also appearing are Rosemary Harris and Hugh Bonneville.

Rated R for some language and brief nudity.

Reign Over Me (2007)

The Power of Grief

Despite success as a dentist and family man, Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) feels empty and can't quite determine why. Even is wife (Jada Pinkett Smith) and daughters notice and it threatens both his career and his family.

Quite by chance, Alan runs into his old college roomate, Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who he hasn't seen in years. But resuming the friendship is a difficult thing. Charlie is completely drawn into himself and acts almost autistic since the death of his wife and children in the 9/11 terrorist attack. He has no need to work due to the government money given to the survivors of those who perished in the attack, so he spends his days alone, sometimes riding his scooter around Manhattan, especially at night.

Alan keeps knocking hard to get in as he sees that Charlie is in desperate shape. He solicits the assistance of a shrink (Liv Tyler) in trying to help Charlie. In the process, Alan identifies his own priorities and his own attitude improves.

While it's difficult to view a film that hinges on the deaths of 9/11, this is a worthy, albeit sometimes uneven, film directed by Mike Binder.

Terrific soundtrack includes Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Pearl Jam, and The Fray.

Rated R for language and some sexual references.

The Wendell Baker Story (2005)

An Earnest Man

Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson) is a good man. Really a good man. He just happens to break the law in his efforts to help people. When he's paroled after serving time for his latest escapade -- making ID cards and drivers licenses for illegal aliens from his trailer in south Texas -- he finds that his girlfriend Doreen (Eva Mendes) is finished with him.

Devastated and longing for her, he goes to work in the "hotel industry" and is under the direction of two sleazy nurses at a boarding home for the elderly. The nurses, Neil King (Owen Wilson) and McTeague (Eddie Griffin), are not only sleazy -- they're totally corrupt and running a nasty scam on the residents.
When Wendell finds out, he teams up with two of the residents (Harry Dean Stanton, Seymour Cassel) to bust the scam in return for the men helping him win back his beloved Doreen.

There's nothing terribly deep here, folks, but it is entertaining and there are no car chases or violence or gratuitous acts -- just some fun with a little moral conscious thrown in.

And it's a real Wilson Brothers project. Not only do Luke and Owen star in the film, but Luke wrote the screenplay and also co-directed with brother Andrew Wilson. Their Mom also served as set photographer.

Rated PG-13 for some crude and sexual humor and language.

My personal rating: B.

My October 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

Greenfingers 10/29/07 (C)
The Mudge Boy 10/29/07 (B-)
Crash (1984) 10/25/07 (C-)
The TV Set 10/24/07
Freedom Writers 10/22/07 (B)
Ballykissangel 2:2 10/17/07 (B)
Miss Potter 10/12/07 (B+)
Wild Hogs 10/12/07 (C-)
Boston Legal 3:4 10/09/07 (B)
Lonely Hearts 10/08/07 (B)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 1&2:3 10/05/07 (C+)
Ballykissangel 2:1 10/02/07 (B)
Boston Legal 3:3 10/02/07 (B)

Miss Potter (2007)

A bread and blackberry dinner with chamomile tea . . .

Despite a few inaccuracies, Miss Potter tells the true story of the talented artist and storyteller, Beatrix Potter (Renée Zellweger) as she rises from the Victorian era to be a strong, independent, self-suffient yet genteel single woman who leaves her parents' city home for life in her beloved Lake District.

I've been a big fan of Potter for over 40 years now and have probably read every biography available on her life and many articles, too.

Beatrix turned down the opportunity for romance for many years, much to the exasperation of her parents Rupert (Bill Paterson) and Helen (Barbara Flynn). She preferred to spend hours studying nature, observing her many wild pets, and drawing them. In time, she begins to write little stories about the animals she's drawn.

In time she determined that these would make fine books and set about to get them published. While in truth, Beatrix self-published several books prior to finding a publisher, the film moves her right to the offices of Warne & Co. who assign the untested new brother in the firm to watch over publication of Potter's "little stories."

What develops is not only one of publishing's most successful stories but also the development of mature love and companionship between Beatrix and Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor).

A charming family film and inspiration, directed by Chris Noonan.

Rated PG brief mild language.

My personal rating: B

Lonely Hearts (2007)

Bonnie and Clyde of the 1940s

Raymond Fernandez (Jared Leto), a con man who meets single, rich women through personal ads, joins forces with Martha Beck (Salma Hayek) in both a romance and in killing at least 12 women across the country who responded to their lonely hearts ads.

Detective Elmer C. Robinson (John Travolta) and Detective Charles Hildebrandt (James Gandolfini) are assigned to bring the couple to justice.

Co-stars include Laura Dern and Scott Caan.

This film is based on a true story and writer/director Todd Robinson is the grandson of Elmer C. Robinson (Travolta's role).

A caution for the squeamish: Lots of violence, but I think this was a very well done story.

Rated R for strong violence and sexual content, nudity and language.

My September 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings. Recommended DVDs in bold. Underlined titles are direct links to review. For font size adjustment, hold down CTRL and roll mouse wheel.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 1&2:2 09/28/07 (B)
Snow Cake 09/28/07
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer 09/25/07 (B)
Boston Legal 3:2 09/25/07 (B)
Ballykissangel 1:2 09/21/07 (B)
Boston Legal 3:1 09/21/07 (B)
The Ben Stiller Show 1 09/17/07 (C-)
Ballykissangel 1:1 09/13/07 (B)
Arrested Development 3:2 09/10/07 (B+)
Arrested Development 3:1 09/10/07 (B+)
Extras 2:2 09/05/07 (C)
Arrested Development 2:3 09/04/07 (B+)

Snow Cake (2007)

"Dazlicious"

Hippie child Vivienne (the adorable Emily Hampshire) has a knack for finding the quiet souls in life -- the ones who have a story in there somewhere. When she gloms onto Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) in a roadside cafe, she soon grows on the man who definitely didn't want to be glommed onto.

Though at first he says no, he eventually yields to her request for a ride to get Vivienne closer to her mom's home. In a curious way, it's probably the best thing Alex has done for himself in a very long time. His long repressed smile and even a chuckle or two escape thanks to the vivacious Vivienne.

But then the unthinkable happens. Alex's car is hit by a semi and young Vivienne is dead. Alex is compelled by his own guilt to make a visit to Vivienne's mother to explain what happened and console her, and to give her some sparkly trinkets he knew Vivienne was taking to her.

Alex didn't at first know what he was walking into upon arriving at Linda's home in a small town in Ontario. Linda (Sigourney Weaver) took the news of her daughter's death without emotion, with a certain matter-of-factness. Alex is puzzled by this but upon watching Linda's "bizarre" behavior, he comes to realize what one form of adult autism is.

He stays on with Linda for the arrival of her parents and then for the funeral. The funeral means nothing at all to Linda. She lives in a world of her sparklies, snow, and dancing free-heartedly to her own music.

After the funeral, neighbors convene at Linda's house for the sharing of food and condolences but this proves to be much more than the suspicious, fearful, compulsive and antisocial Linda can handle.

I was pretty much mystified by Alex' romantic involvement with Linda's neighbor, Maggie (Carrie Anne Moss), but then realized that the relationship was merely a contrivance so Alex could reveal the specifics of his imprisonment for murder. I rather wish there would have been another way to reveal this information because I didn't feel the added character actually added anything to the story.

In the end, this is a story of acceptence even without understanding, and seeing Rickman share 50/50 in this bittersweet tale with the likes of Weaver made for a powerful experience directed by Marc Evans. James Allodi costars.

A marvelous soundtrack with music by the Stereophonics, Super Furry Animals, Broken Social Scene, and Feist.

This Canadian film is not rated by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).

---

viewed Sep-2007

The Ben Stiller Show (TV Series)

This comedy series made its debut on HBO-TV in 1992.

Ben Stiller and some of his cronies do comedy skits.

Ben Stiller, Andy Dick, Janeane Garofalo, Bob Odenkirk.

Not worth the effort. Generally not too funny though there were a scant few decent bits.

My personal rating: C-

Arrested Development TV Series

FOX-TV comedy series.

Starring: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter.

Guests include Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Scott Baio, Liza Minnelli, Charlize Theron, Ed Begley Jr., Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

My personal rating: B+

My August 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

Monk 5:4 08/30/07 (B)
Arrested Development 2:2 08/28/07 (A-)
Arrested Development 2:1 08/27/07 (A-)
Perfect Stranger 08/24/07
Arrested Development 1:3 08/21/07 (A-)
Extras 2:1 08/21/07 (C+)
Connie and Carla 08/17/07 (C)
Monk 5:3 08/17/07 (B)
Arrested Development 1:2 08/14/07 (A-)
Monk 5:2 08/14/07 (B)
Moonlighting 5: 3 08/10/07 (C+)
Monk 5:1 08/06/07 (B)
Moonlighting 5:2 08/03/07 (C+)
Arrested Development 1:1 08/01/07 (A-)

My July 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold

Dead Man 07/31/07
12 Monkeys 07/27/07 (B-)
Extras 1:2 07/26/07 (B)
Moonlighting 5:1 07/24/07 (C+)
Happenstance 07/23/07
We Don't Live Here Anymore 07/20/07
Moonlighting 4:2 07/19/07 (C+)
Puccini for Beginners 07/17/07
Driving Lessons 07/16/07 (B)
Moonlighting 4:3 07/13/07 (C+)
Samoan Wedding 07/10/07 (B+)
Extras 1:1 07/09/07 (B)
Hurlyburly 07/03/07
CSI 4:3 07/03/07 (B-)
House, M.D. 1:3 07/03/07 (B-)

Driving Lessons (2007)

Harold & Maude-esque

At age 17 (and a half), shy and gawky Ben (Rupert Grint) is under the thumb of his controlling and deeply religious mother (Laura Linney). Following the lead of his browbeaten and spineless father, the vicar (Nicholas Farrell), Ben constantly yields to his mother's demands without question, even when he wishes he could begin to take charge of his own life.

When he takes a job as a companion/assistant to an eccentric, aged and no-longer-popular actress, "Dame" Evie Walton (Julie Walters), his horizons are opened as they partake of various adventures together. Together they play lines from Shakespeare back and forth to each other while laying on a blanket in Evie's garden.

They visit an outdoor outfitter's shop and have fun trying out the equipment. Then she tricks him into a camping trip despite his mother's protests and his own apprehension. She further cons him into escorting her to Edinborough where she's been asked to read before an audience. She's terrified but has a need to do it -- but only if Ben will support her.

In Evie and her fears, Ben realizes his own fears and blossoms into a young man with opinions he's not afraid to state and the power to stand up to his mother.

While it's a tale that's been told before, Driving Lessons was nonetheless enjoyable and certainly enhanced by musical themes throughout the film. I was particularly pleased to be introduced to the charming music of the group Salsa Celtica ("The best Cuban band . . . in Scotland!").

For those unfamiliar with young Rupert Grint, he made his film claim as Harry Potter's best friend. And in this film, his father is played by Nicholas Ferrell who I'd not seen since his starring role in Chariots of Fire many years ago. It was a pleasure to see him again.

Directed by Jeremy Brock.

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and some thematic material.

---

viewed Jul-2007

Samoan Wedding (2006)

Wedding Crashers Samoan-Style

Thirtysomething is a little old for coming of age, but four Samoan buddies living in New Zealand's Polynesian community need to grow up. The neighborhood minister has banned them from attending weddings because they always manage to wreak havoc on the celebration.

The ladies man Michael (Robbie Magasiva), the good boy Albert (Oscar Kightley), the odd one Stanley (Iaheto Ah Hi) and the party boy Sefa (Shimpal Lelisi) are devastated because Michael's younger brother Sione (Pua Magasiva) is getting married soon. Michael is to be Sione's best man and the other three pals want to be at the wedding of the young man they watched grow up.

The four negotiate with the minister and he agrees to allow them to attend Sione's wedding but only if they each bring a female -- a female to whom they have made a serious commitment.

Can the "boys" find such women? Check it out in this funny romantic comedy from the man's viewpoint.

Directed by Chris Graham.

Not rated by MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).

---

viewed Jul-2007

My June 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

Night at the Museum 06/27/07 (B)
Boston Legal 2:1 06/27/07 (B)
Moonlighting 4:1 06/27/07 (C+)
The Office 1:1 06/19/07 (C)
Happy Feet 06/19/07 (C)
Boston Legal 2:6 06/12/07 (B)
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar 06/11/07 (B-)
Boston Legal 2:5 06/08/07 (B)
Dead Like Me 1:1 06/07/07 (C)
Gas Food Lodging 06/04/07
Broken Trail 06/02/07 (B)

Broken Trail (2006)

Print Ritter (Robert Duvall) sets out to find his estranged nephew, Tom Harte (Thomas Haydn Church), to inform him of the death of his mother and the settlement of her modest estate. Despite their strained relationship, the men decide to try to make some money together in the 1898 way -- by deliving a herd of horses to a wealthy rancher in Montana.

Before long the two find themselves guardians to five frightened and vulnerable young Chinese girls who have been imported for the brothels in the West. This eventually leads them to recruiting Lung Hey (Donald Fong) to interpret for the girls and drive the chuck wagon and saving Nola Johns (Greta Scacchi), the kind hearted prostitute who is trying to escape from her abusive boyfriend.

But Big Rump Kate (Rusty Schwimmer), the bordello's madam, is not happy about losing the five Chinese girls as they would command high dollar. And other men also have their eyes on the girls, the prostitute and the large herd of horses.

Can the two men guide this entourage to safety and claim the money for the herd?

Directed by Walter Hill. Duvall was also one of the producers.

This two-part TV miniseries originally appeared on AMC and cleaned up in the Emmy Award wins for the "Miniseries, Movie or a Special" category with top awards to Duvall as Outstanding Lead Actor, Church as Outstanding Supporting Actor, and captured the top award for best Miniseries of 2006. It also won an Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special. Greta Scacchi was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. The production was nominated for numerous other Emmy Awards, and captured high honors as nominees or winners for several other prestigious awards.

My personal rating: B+

My May 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

Novocaine 05/29/07 (C-)
Boston Legal 2:3 05/25/07 (B)
Venus 05/24/07 (A-)
House, M.D. 1:2 05/21/07 (C)
Art School Confidential 05/21/07 (C+)
Little Children 05/17/07
Boston Legal 2:2 05/17/07 (B)
Domestic Disturbance 05/14/07
Boston Legal 2:1 05/14/07 (B)
Down by Law 05/10/07
Boston Legal 1:5 05/10/07 (B)
The Super 05/07/07 (C)
Boston Legal 1:4 05/07/07 (B)
Wit 05/05/07 (A-)
Other People's Money 05/01/07 (B-)
The Queen 05/01/07 (A)

Art School Confidential (2006)

Max Minghella, Sophia Myles, Matt Keeslar, John Malkovich, Jim Broadbent, Anjelica Huston, Ethan Suplee.

Directed by Terry Zwigoff

Rated R for language including sexual references, nudity and a scene of violence.

My personal rating: C+

Wit (2001)

Professor Vivian Bearing (Emma Thompson) has devoted her life to the study and teaching of the work of John Donne pretty much to the exclusion of family and friends. She finds herself alone in the office of research oncologist Dr. Kelekian (Christopher Lloyd) with the diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer and she must pull together her reserves to try to fight this battle or resolve to let in to it.

Of course, Kelekian and his main resident, Dr. Jason Posner (Jonathan M. Woodward), want a full-on and aggressive attack on the disease process in the name of research, while the insightful and tender nurse Susie Monahan (Audra McDonald) demands respect for Vivian's thoughts and desires in the matter.

This is truly a Thompson tour-de-force with exquisite direction by the famed Mike Nichols which takes us from shock to sorrow to irony and wry humor in Vivian's monologues and to the final acceptance.

This is not an easy film to watch but it certainly is an important film, and one I am very thankful for.

Based on a play by Margaret Edson, the teleplay was written by Emma Thompson. Noted writer Harold Pinter has a small role in a flashback as Vivian's father.

Rated PG-13 for some thematic material.

y personal rating: B+

My April 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

The Last King of Scotland 04/27/07 (A)
Boston Legal 1:3 04/24/07 (B)
Notes on a Scandal 04/23/07
House, M.D. 1:1 04/20/07 (B)
Boston Legal 1:2 04/19/07 (B)
Boston Legal 1:1 04/16/07 (B)
Color Me Kubrick 04/12/07 (B-)
The War 04/09/07 (C+)
Bright Young Things 04/09/07
Monster-in-Law 04/05/07 (C)
Hollywoodland 04/02/07 (C+)

Bright Young Things (2003)

Emily Mortimer, Stephen Campbell Moore, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Broadbent, Simon Callow, Stockard Channing, John Mills, Bill Paterson, Peter O'Toole.
Director: Stephen Fry.

My personal rating: F

My March 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

The Pursuit of Happyness 03/29/07 (B)
Man of the Year 03/27/07 (B-)
The Prestige 03/26/07 (C-)
Winter Passing 03/23/07
Birth 03/20/07 (C)
In the Cut 03/20/07
The Wool Cap 03/16/07 (B)
Anywhere But Here 03/16/07
Fast Food Nation 03/12/07 (C)
Keeping Mum 03/09/07 (B)
The Story of the Weeping Camel 03/07/07 (C)
Stéphane Grappelli: A Life in the Jazz Century 03/06/07 (A-)
How to Murder Your Wife 03/02/07 (B+)
Stranger than Fiction 03/01/07 (B+)

Birth (2004)

Nicole Kidman, Cameron Bright. Danny Huston, Lauren Bacall, Arliss Howard, Anne Heche, Ted Levine.

Director: Jonathan Glazer.

My personal rating: C-

My February 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

For Your Consideration 02/27/07
Half Nelson 02/23/07
The Tao of Steve 02/19/07 (C)
Thumbsucker 02/16/07 (B-)
Hit Me 02/14/07
Nobody's Fool (1994) 02/13/07 (B)
Running with Scissors 02/09/07
Nothing to Lose 02/09/07
Wag the Dog 02/06/07 (B)
Hero 02/05/07
Latter-Day Night Biscuit 02/02/07 (B)

Nobody's Fool (1994)

Newman's Own

Paul Newman is nobody's fool. When he picks a good project, he shines. And shine he does in this film, though quietly and with confidence.

Donald Sullivan (Newman) walked out on his wife and young son years before and has been living pretty much hand to mouth in a small upstate NY town. When he can get work, it's usually doing construction chores for the scummy and philandering Carl Roebuck (Bruce Willis). The rest of the time, he shamelessly flirts with Roebuck's wife Toby (Melanie Griffith) and the two fantisize about running away to Hawaii together. He also helps out his eighth-grade teacher, Miss Beryl (Jessica Tandy, in her final role) who rents him a room in her home.

The local bar is his second home where he schmoozes and plays poker with his old attorney Wirf (Gene Saks) whose sole work seems to be defending Sullivan on traffic charges and attempting to win Sully's employee compensation cases.

When Sully's grown son Peter (Dylan Walsh) is broken in a divorce, he moves to town with one of his young sons. Suddenly Sully is faced with answering why he abandoned his son so long ago and tries to learn how to be a good father and grandfather.

Directed by Robert Benton.

1995 Academy Award Best Writing Adapted Screenplay nominee
1995 Academy Award Best Actor nominee: Paul Newman

Rated R for some language and nudity.

My personal rating: A-

My January 2007 Viewings

Includes my personal ratings.
Recommended DVDs in bold.

Yours, Mine and Ours 01/26/07 (C+)
Rent 01/23/07
Click 01/22/07
City by the Sea 01/19/07 (B)
The Thing About My Folks 01/18/07
The Night Listener 01/11/07 (B)
The Devil Wears Prada 01/11/07 (B)
Domino 01/07/07 (B)
The Perez Family 01/08/07 (B)
Undertaking Betty 01/05/07 (A-)
Oscar 01/02/07 (C)
Without a Paddle 01/02/07

City By the Sea (2003)

Dark and Compelling

Vincent LaMarca (Robert De Niro), a veteran NYC homicide detective, wrestles with his own demons. Though he doesn't expose it to others -- not even his girlfriend Michelle (Frances McDormand) to whom he can't truly commit -- he's saddened that he abandoned his young son after a particularly bitter divorce.

His ex-wife (Patti LuPone) despises him and turned the boy against Vincent so it was pretty difficult to keep a relationship with the child as he grew up.

When a drug dealer's body washes ashore in NYC, Vince and his partner Reg (George Dzundza) follow the evidence to Long Beach, Long Island, where the man was murdered. Being in Long Beach brings back all sorts of memories for Vince as that's where he grew up and got his first start as a cop. Long Beach has deteriorated badly since Vince was there and is now a haven for druggies and crime.

The investigation leads to Vince's son, Joey (James Franco), an addict who lives in the deterioration of Long Beach and who now must be found by the cops. Of course, Vince is taken off the case but media gets wind of the fact that Vince's own father had been executed for the kidnapping and murder of a child on Long Beach when Vince was a child.

Things get even more complicated when Vince's partner is killed while trying to capture Joey.

Can Vince somehow save Joey from suicide-by-cops or redeem something of a relationship with his only child?

De Niro gives the right degree of pensiveness and contemplation to his role as a troubled yet earnest man. McDormand is perfect as the woman who loves him but has never heard the truth about why he is such a complex and private man.

Directed by Michael Caton-Jones.

Rated R for language, drug use and some violence.

The Night Listener (2007)

Is he real or is he not?

Adapted from Armistead Maupin's book, this tale is based on an experience Maupin says actually happened to him.

Late night radio show host Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) finds his relationship falling apart just as he begins a long distance phone and mail relationship with a teen, Pete Boland (Rory Culkin), who purportedly was abused and is in the last stages of AIDS. Noone's borderline lover (Bobby Cannavale) plants the seeds of doubt about whether the boy's tale is true or not which leads Noone on a significant trip to find out the truth.

Toni Collette plays the disturbed blind woman who is who adopted Pete and Sandra Oh plays Noone's confidant.

Robin Williams is outstanding!

Director: Patrick Stettner.

Rated R for language and some disquieting sexual content.

The Perez Family (1995)

Absence Makes the Heart Grow . . .

Life for Cubans changed dramatically in the 1960s when Castro imprisoned many for little or no reason and many others escaped in dangerous boat trips to Florida.

Juan Raúl Perez (Alfred Molina) is one of those imprisoned while his wife Carmella Perez (Anjelica Huston) escapes with their young daughter. For 20 years, Juan and Carmella think of nothing but being reunited in Florida.

At last, on the last boatload of prisoners released by Fidel Castro, Perez is on his way. Upon arrival and processing through immigration and heading to the encampment, Perez is thought to be the husband of Dorita "Dottie" Evita Perez (Marisa Tomei), an effervescent hooker with a heart of gold. When Dottie finds out that families can find American sponsors and gain release from the encampment, she persuades Juan to play the game.

Along the way, they gather a "son" and an eccentric old "father" to add to the family. However Juan remains dedicated to finding his Carmella as Carmella hopes Juan was on that last boat from Cuba.

Will Juan and Carmella be reunited? What happens to Dottie?

This is an unusual and warm romantic comedy that still makes me smile.

Mira Nair directs and Chazz Palminteri costars.

Rated R for some sexuality and language.

Undertaking Betty (2006)

Fred & Ginger In Wales

Betty (Brenda Blethyn) doesn't yet know that her husband (Robert Pugh) is a philanderer with a bimbo girlfriend (Naomi Watts) when Boris (Alfred Molina), a Welsh mortician who abandoned a career as a dancer, decides he can no longer live without Betty, his true love since they were children.

Boris and Betty work out an exquisite plan to stage her death so they can secret away together to a tropical island to be with each other forever. But is the new American glitz and glamour mortician (Christopher Walken) going to throw a monkey wrench in their plan?

This is a tender little film in so many ways but with huge laughs and grins. Walken is a riot!

Just a delight to watch this one, folks. Directed by Nick Hurran.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content/humor.

In the UK, this film is called Plotz With a View.

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viewed Jan-2007