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.

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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).

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viewed Jul-2007