Marianne asked about which is better: movies seen in the theater or at home? Some say that with the advent of home theater systems, complete with big screens, comfy theater-like seats, and even your own private popcorn maker, going to the movie theater will be a thing of the past. I would hate to see that happen.
Movies like Star Wars, Dances with Wolves, and Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World, are best seen on the big screen. In those films the universe, the South Dakota prairie, and the vast Atlantic and Pacific oceans are as much a part of the movie and as alive as the people in them. I like to be blown away by the incredible scenery or the imagination of the movie-makers when I see these in the theater.
More character driven movies, You Can Count On Me, Shall We Dance? (I prefer the original Japanese versionShall We Dance?, and Calendar Girls, can wait for the small screen of your TV set. Yes, the sets are wonderful, but the main focus of these movies is on the relationships between the characters, so the more intimate setting of your living room is enough for these movies.
Another way to look at which films to see in the theater versus at home is the quality of the sound (unless you have a dolby digital surround-sound system in your home theater room!) Musicals such as Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India and Chicago benefit from hearing and seeing them in a theater.
And lastly, if you don't like to cry during movies when you're in public, leave tear jerkers for the privacy of your own home. Put on Finding Neverland, The Last Samurai, or The Pianist and have a good cleansing cry. Thanks for asking, Marianne!
Welcome
Welcome to my website!
Have you ever wondered why some critics review films? They don't even seem to like movies that much from what they write. I LOVE movies, and think about them long after the last credits roll across the screen. My reviews are meant to inform, entertain and never have a spoiler.
Enjoy my reviews and please comment and come back frequently! Thanks for visiting!
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Monday, May 02, 2005
Sleeper movies
Lulu wanted to know what I thought were good sleeper movies. Her definition of a sleeper movie is a film that didn't get noticed at the box office, but is really good anyway, perhaps being noticed once it came out on video and has a word-of-mouth reputation for being really good.
I think many comedies fit in that category because traditionally, comedies are not given as much attention by critics, or the Academy Awards for that matter. A comedy sleeper I love is Nothing To Lose. It stars Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. Tim's character is not having a good day, and when Martin's character decides to rob him, the fun begins. The two are inseparable for the rest of the film, influencing each other and getting into silly situations. It's a definite laugh-out loud movie.
Then there's Election, which is one of Michael Moore's favorite movies. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, a high school election mirrors American politics in this hilarious R-rated film. Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor wrote the screenplay. You may recall they also wrote the screenplay for the film Sideways. Give them all a view. You won't fall asleep during these.
I think many comedies fit in that category because traditionally, comedies are not given as much attention by critics, or the Academy Awards for that matter. A comedy sleeper I love is Nothing To Lose. It stars Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. Tim's character is not having a good day, and when Martin's character decides to rob him, the fun begins. The two are inseparable for the rest of the film, influencing each other and getting into silly situations. It's a definite laugh-out loud movie.
Then there's Election, which is one of Michael Moore's favorite movies. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, a high school election mirrors American politics in this hilarious R-rated film. Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor wrote the screenplay. You may recall they also wrote the screenplay for the film Sideways. Give them all a view. You won't fall asleep during these.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Sin City
A friend and I went to see Sin City, and I was looking forward to an interesting and unique cinematic experience. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this film. I did enjoy the film noir visual quality of the movie, black and white with a sparse use of color, but the stories depicted in the film were grotesque. It had to do with serial killers and the unsavory sides of life. There was a lot of violence, and I know many friends who would not like this film for that reason.
Someday I hope another movie can be made using the stunning black and white filming. I only hope the subject matter is more uplifting.
Someday I hope another movie can be made using the stunning black and white filming. I only hope the subject matter is more uplifting.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Movies to lift your spirits!
I believe there are a couple of ways to lift your spirits with film. One is to go watch a classic, funny movie. Ferris Bueller's Day Off comes to mind, and I get to call it a classic because it is from the early 80's. I may no longer be a teenager, but I can get into the spirit of a day spent in beautiful Chicago, skipping school, or in my case, I'd be skipping work. Disney's The Kid with Bruce Willis is a good one too.
Or watch a movie that is so engrossing and packed with action and adventure that you forget your disappointments. I like the Bourne Supremacy / The Bourne Identity for a good plot, and white-knuckling, holding-your-breath action.
Another route is to see a foreign film. Reading those subtitles requires more attention. Two of my favorites are Amelie, an inventive mysterious film, and Everybody's Famous! which I haven't seen for a couple of years, but liked it when it came out.
Good luck with finding just the right movie prescription, and let me know how it works out.
Or watch a movie that is so engrossing and packed with action and adventure that you forget your disappointments. I like the Bourne Supremacy / The Bourne Identity for a good plot, and white-knuckling, holding-your-breath action.
Another route is to see a foreign film. Reading those subtitles requires more attention. Two of my favorites are Amelie, an inventive mysterious film, and Everybody's Famous! which I haven't seen for a couple of years, but liked it when it came out.
Good luck with finding just the right movie prescription, and let me know how it works out.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Groundhog Day
Thanks, Marianne, for asking about Groundhog Day. It is one of my favorite films. Bill Murray's talents as a comedic actor shine in this film about a television weatherman mysteriously fated to relive the same day over and over again (not unlike many of us trapped in boring, mundane jobs).
After first wallowing in depression and self-pity, Bill's character comes to a realization: every day is an opportunity to learn something new, to be of service to others, and for happiness. Small efforts taken each day to learn ice sculpting for example, or how to play the piano, result in a tomorrow when practice pays off in expertise.
Also starring Andie McDowell, Groundhog Day is a very funny film with a message, one I watch again and again.
After first wallowing in depression and self-pity, Bill's character comes to a realization: every day is an opportunity to learn something new, to be of service to others, and for happiness. Small efforts taken each day to learn ice sculpting for example, or how to play the piano, result in a tomorrow when practice pays off in expertise.
Also starring Andie McDowell, Groundhog Day is a very funny film with a message, one I watch again and again.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Super Size Me!
I was going through the McDonald's drive through this weekend to get something to drink on my long journey to Santa Fe, and noticed that one can now supersize breakfast! I asked the employee at the cash register what that meant. She said that if someone supersizes breakfast, they get two hash browns and a larger drink.
Sounds like Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me hasn't given McDonald's a conscience. If you haven't seen this documentary yet, I encourage you to rent it. It is an easy movie to watch, funny in places, shocking in others, and visually and musically appealing.
Sounds like Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me hasn't given McDonald's a conscience. If you haven't seen this documentary yet, I encourage you to rent it. It is an easy movie to watch, funny in places, shocking in others, and visually and musically appealing.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Sequels
I noticed that a sequel to the Sandra Bullock film Miss Congeniality is coming out soon. I am a big fan of that film, and I think it is Ms. Bullock's best film. But I am concerned lest this sequel go the way of what happened when Reese Witherspoon did a sequel to Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde failed because there were too many repeats of jokes which were really funny in the original film, but just tired by the time they appeared in the second film.
Perhaps it is easier to come up with a great sequel to a drama or action film, as we witnessed last year with Spider-Man 2 and Bourne Supremacy. Both of those were excellent sequels; the characters continued to develop and not just be a stagnant repeat of what they were in the first great movie.
I'll get back to you on what Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous does for me.
Perhaps it is easier to come up with a great sequel to a drama or action film, as we witnessed last year with Spider-Man 2 and Bourne Supremacy. Both of those were excellent sequels; the characters continued to develop and not just be a stagnant repeat of what they were in the first great movie.
I'll get back to you on what Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous does for me.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Buffalo Dreams
I had the pleasure of watching Buffalo Dreams tonight on the Disney channel. What a sweet, hopeful movie! Try to see it when it reruns over the next few days. It is made with young adults in mind, but is a great film for all of us to watch. It's about an Anglo boy and a Navajo boy, and how they become friends, and meet some challenges along the way.
There is what I at first thought was a rip-off of Breaking Away, another coming of age film from many years ago, but then I simply thought of it as a tribute to the earlier film about bike racing. The film is supposed to take place in New Mexico, although I read it was filmed in Utah. The scenery is beautiful, mountains, desert wildflowers, storms, and the beautiful Navajo ways. I hope you get to see it.
There is what I at first thought was a rip-off of Breaking Away, another coming of age film from many years ago, but then I simply thought of it as a tribute to the earlier film about bike racing. The film is supposed to take place in New Mexico, although I read it was filmed in Utah. The scenery is beautiful, mountains, desert wildflowers, storms, and the beautiful Navajo ways. I hope you get to see it.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Foreign films
I was talking to someone last night about the film Maria Full of Grace. It features the best actress nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno and is about a young woman in Colombia. It is in Spanish with subtitles. I don't want to give away what it is about, but I encourage you to see it on my recommendation. I was fascinated by what was depicted in the film about life in Colombia, and later in the U.S.
I know subtitles scare off some people, but I have rarely seen a subtitled film from any country that did not fascinate me and illuminate something about another culture for me. What are your favorite foreign films?
I know subtitles scare off some people, but I have rarely seen a subtitled film from any country that did not fascinate me and illuminate something about another culture for me. What are your favorite foreign films?
Monday, March 07, 2005
Super Size Me!
One of the nominated documentary features this year was Super Size Me. It documents the filmmaker's one month gig of gorging on McDonald's food, and his subsequent ill health from eating all that fat and sugar.
Ironically, the filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, is engaged to a vegan chef. I could be a vegan and live quite happily, as long as I had a personal chef in the house to prepare the food for me! But getting back to the film, it is really very well done, and I learned alot about the state of nutrition in our schools, and what all those lab tests at the doctor's mean.
Ironically, the filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, is engaged to a vegan chef. I could be a vegan and live quite happily, as long as I had a personal chef in the house to prepare the food for me! But getting back to the film, it is really very well done, and I learned alot about the state of nutrition in our schools, and what all those lab tests at the doctor's mean.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Austin Powers and Dr. Evil
Austin Powers in Goldmember was on TBS tonight, so I tuned in. I had not seen it since it first came out in theaters almost two years ago. My opinion is that the first two Austin Powers movies are the best ones of the three. True, Goldmember has some fun cameo appearances and an interesting twist at the end, but the first two I think are just funnier.
And to Marianne, if you watch An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle over and over again, I would say you are a romantic at heart.
A hint: one can add comments to a post even if someone has already left a comment previously. Just click Comment and type away!
Sue
And to Marianne, if you watch An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle over and over again, I would say you are a romantic at heart.
A hint: one can add comments to a post even if someone has already left a comment previously. Just click Comment and type away!
Sue
Thursday, March 03, 2005
A movie to rent
Last night I noticed that the movie Dave was being shown on TV. I remembered how much I enjoyed this film when it first came out. It stars Kevin Kline as the man who bears an uncanny likeness to the President of the U.S., who then "fills in" for him, and Sigourney Weaver, as the wife of the real President who has become seriously ill. It always leaves me thinking, "Why can't our presidents be more like Dave?"
If you're looking for a good, lighthearted movie to rent, put this one on your list. Even if you've seen it already. Which leads to my question to you, "What movies do you watch again and again?"
If you're looking for a good, lighthearted movie to rent, put this one on your list. Even if you've seen it already. Which leads to my question to you, "What movies do you watch again and again?"
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Adapted Screenplay
I like to try to see as many of the nominees for best screenplay as I can before the awards. This year I looked to rent a video called Before Sunset. When I read the description of the film, I noticed it was a sequel to a film made around nine years ago called Before Sunrise. So of course I rented both of them.
What a treat! These two films break the rules about writing a screenplay. They are 99% about two characters, and most of it is dialogue, but what rich dialogue! I highly recommend these two romances. It is understandable why Before Sunset was nominated for an award. Plus they take place in Vienna, and the second one in Paris, so the background is very intriguing too.
What a treat! These two films break the rules about writing a screenplay. They are 99% about two characters, and most of it is dialogue, but what rich dialogue! I highly recommend these two romances. It is understandable why Before Sunset was nominated for an award. Plus they take place in Vienna, and the second one in Paris, so the background is very intriguing too.
Monday, February 28, 2005
The Day After the Awards
Mixed feelings on the results-I really didn't think Million Dollar Baby would win everything it did. It was a little movie with an important message, but nothing much when compared with the complexity of the other films in the Best Picture category.
And Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for best original screenplay? I have a phrase that describes works like that one: labored creativity. It's as if the writer said, "Let's see just how clever and wierd we can be, and try to make a point in the film while we go along." Charlie Kaufman should have won for Adaptation when he was nominated; it was vastly better than this mess.
Chris Rock? He was good. Sean Penn should just lighten up.
And Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for best original screenplay? I have a phrase that describes works like that one: labored creativity. It's as if the writer said, "Let's see just how clever and wierd we can be, and try to make a point in the film while we go along." Charlie Kaufman should have won for Adaptation when he was nominated; it was vastly better than this mess.
Chris Rock? He was good. Sean Penn should just lighten up.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Academy Awards Picks
I'll be glued to the TV tomorrow night watching the Academy Awards and not taking calls.
Here are my picks if I were the one voting (I have seen all the nominees for Best Picture and Best Actor).
Best Picture: Ray
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, The Aviator
Best Actor: Jamie Foxx, Ray
Best Actress: Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby
Best Supporting Actor: Alan Alda, The Aviator
Best Supporting Actress: Sophie Okonedo, Hotel Rwanda
Screenplay (Original): The Aviator John Logan
Screenplay (Adaptation): Sideways Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Here are my picks if I were the one voting (I have seen all the nominees for Best Picture and Best Actor).
Best Picture: Ray
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, The Aviator
Best Actor: Jamie Foxx, Ray
Best Actress: Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby
Best Supporting Actor: Alan Alda, The Aviator
Best Supporting Actress: Sophie Okonedo, Hotel Rwanda
Screenplay (Original): The Aviator John Logan
Screenplay (Adaptation): Sideways Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
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