Strong bones - based on the suburban scare novel by Tom Perotta and directed by Alexander Payne, who also can create drama out of rather ordinary people.
Jim (Matthew Broderick) is a high school teacher who's best friend Dave has recently been fired. His offense- having an affair with a student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon). While this may look like a sad drama, it becomes a dark comedy as the overachiever Tracy seeks to become student council president and Jim, seeking to avenge his friend Dave, tries to prevent Tracy from achieving her goal.
The resulting madcap events become somewhat reminiscent of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but it is now Matthew Broderick's turn as the teacher. There are no real winners here, except maybe Tracy who shows herself to be somewhat ruthless in her goals. Thereby bringing the name "Tracy Flick" into the lexicon as a passive-aggressive force, angelic on the outside, dark on the inside.
* * * * * - highest rating
Closing in
By May 11, I plan to have 300 movies reviews posted, so this is a warning to get ready for a lot of posts. That way when I go to my 30th college reunion, I can say "I have 300 movies reviews on my blog" A good round number.
Of course, I will plan to review the movie 300 (2006)
I'll also be seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 - sequel to Volume 1 (Awesome Mix)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977) - 40th anniversary!
T2: Trainspotting sequel to Trainspotting
The Circle, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson
Of course, I will plan to review the movie 300 (2006)
I'll also be seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 - sequel to Volume 1 (Awesome Mix)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977) - 40th anniversary!
T2: Trainspotting sequel to Trainspotting
The Circle, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
A modern day classic, starring Robin Williams as both Daniel, a nebbish ex-husband, who in a ploy to be with his children, takes a roles as Mrs. Doubtfire, the nanny for his wife Miranda (Sally Field). Only Robin Williams could play both roles so well, particularly that of the English Nanny. In addition to being a loving caregiver, also becomes a trusted confidante to Miranda, a foil to Miranda's new boyfriend Stu (Pierce Brosnan) and a stern taskmaster to the otherwise spoiled children. Directed by Chris Columbus working off of the Home Alone template.
"If I may ask Dearie, how was your ex-husband in bed?" The question everyone wants to ask.
* * * * of 5
"If I may ask Dearie, how was your ex-husband in bed?" The question everyone wants to ask.
* * * * of 5
The House That Jack Built
Directed by Henry Barrial (who will direct "my" movie Driver X) this is a good sneak preview of his style. Jack is a drug dealer in New York working out of the front of a neighborhood bodega. Because he give the illusion of legit success, he is able to buy an apartment building where he puts up his extended family. But the house, not being built on firm foundation, is subject to risk.
The family unit and the New York setting of course is reminiscent of The Godfather Part II. Much actions takes places in the hallways. Best parts were the music, cinematography and the color which reminded me of Dog Day Afternoon. Good comparisons!
A big star turn by Melissa Fumero as the wife of Jack. I'll look forward to seeing her action also in Driver X.
* * * of 5 - available on Netflix
The family unit and the New York setting of course is reminiscent of The Godfather Part II. Much actions takes places in the hallways. Best parts were the music, cinematography and the color which reminded me of Dog Day Afternoon. Good comparisons!
A big star turn by Melissa Fumero as the wife of Jack. I'll look forward to seeing her action also in Driver X.
* * * of 5 - available on Netflix
Lala Land - a second look
After the Academy Award snafu, I decided a re-watch of Lala Land was in order. Plus I wanted to see the now iconic opening traffic scene - I had inadvertently gone into the wrong theater before and when I realized I was in the wrong place, by the time I got to the right place, it had already gone.
Yes, that scene was particularly good. It was very similar to the rest of the movie. Visually stimulating with many colors and good dancing, but the singing is somewhat muted throughout. Along with the recurring song City of Stars.
Compared to the recently Beauty and the Beast, the only takeaway is that the muted singing was quite intentional. If they wanted big and brassy, they could have easily done it. Perhaps it was the jazz influence, meant to be calm and cool. The Anti-Broadway musical perhaps.
The plot made a bit more sense when you know what to expect and can appreciate the dreamlike scenes for what they are, a momentary escape from reality.
Now I'll give it 4 stars * * * *
Yes, that scene was particularly good. It was very similar to the rest of the movie. Visually stimulating with many colors and good dancing, but the singing is somewhat muted throughout. Along with the recurring song City of Stars.
Compared to the recently Beauty and the Beast, the only takeaway is that the muted singing was quite intentional. If they wanted big and brassy, they could have easily done it. Perhaps it was the jazz influence, meant to be calm and cool. The Anti-Broadway musical perhaps.
The plot made a bit more sense when you know what to expect and can appreciate the dreamlike scenes for what they are, a momentary escape from reality.
Now I'll give it 4 stars * * * *
Munich (2005)
Directed by Steven Speilberg, we have familiar themes of persecuted Jews (Schindler's List) as well as dark forces that are neither personal nor state sponsored (e.g CEOTK, E.T., A.I, BFG). Eric Bana is an Israeli soldier, recruited to be part of a revenge team against the Munich Olympic terrorists responsible for 9 Israeli athlete deaths. His new team is tasked with killing 11 Arabs deemed responsible. No time limit but they are to operate independently with deniability of their existence.
Told not to use guns, they are to prefer explosives for max terror effect. As the body count rises, the predictable inclination against killing starts to bubble up. Not all on the team feel the same - "The only blood I care about is Jewish blood!" exclaims the Daniel Craig (pre-Bond) character.
An interesting look at the personal and seamy side of the assassin, otherwise gloried in most (Bond/ and other) films.
Told not to use guns, they are to prefer explosives for max terror effect. As the body count rises, the predictable inclination against killing starts to bubble up. Not all on the team feel the same - "The only blood I care about is Jewish blood!" exclaims the Daniel Craig (pre-Bond) character.
An interesting look at the personal and seamy side of the assassin, otherwise gloried in most (Bond/ and other) films.
Beauty and the Beast
Disney really hit this one out of the park - it was like a Broadway show - even at 139 minutes the movie went by really fast. Great voicing of the music and instrumentation. I expect that this was a Broadway show (like the Lion King) and they used what they learned to make the movie even better than the animated version (1991).
This was live action in part only - as the CGI characters were like animation. Belle (Emma Watson) carried the start turn well. When the CGI characters (Lumiere, Mr. Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts) turned back into people, the characters took shape as well. Beast (Dan Stevens) played the role well. You may remember him as Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey.
Big and bold, it was a lot of fun to see and gets:
* * * * * (highest rating)
This was live action in part only - as the CGI characters were like animation. Belle (Emma Watson) carried the start turn well. When the CGI characters (Lumiere, Mr. Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts) turned back into people, the characters took shape as well. Beast (Dan Stevens) played the role well. You may remember him as Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey.
Big and bold, it was a lot of fun to see and gets:
* * * * * (highest rating)
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