Read My Older Blog Posts here

Visit my previous Blog "Movies and More: Positively Personal Reviews" for my earlier (pre-May 2011) reviews and ramblings.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

DOM HEMINGWAY

The ads, and even the trailer fail to warn the viewer of the vulgar opening scenes where every other word is the "F" word. As  I reluctantly recall, it's about a criminal who is an ego-maniac.
I do not recommend this film.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

ON MY WAY

Catherine Deneuve is still beautiful and a wonderful actress!  In this film she plays "Bettie" -- the owner of a small restaurant who has had some bad news, personally and financially, and jumps in her car just to get away for a while by going for a drive.  It becomes an interesting road trip as she reunites with her daughter and grandson (who nearly steals the show), and rather reluctantly attends a reunion of past 'Beauty Queen" contest winners.  (She was "Miss Brittany.")  You see a photo of her then.  frankly,  I think she's more beautiful now!  But, that's just me.  Good movie. well worth seeing.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

BAD WORDS

Aptly titled,  "BAD WORDS" is, unfortunately, just a foul-mouthed film, gleaning its "humor" from an adult contestant (Jason Bateman) competing (legally, because  he never finished 5th grade) in a kid's spelling bee. However, Bateman's dialogue is almost exclusively  vile, x-rated  language. This just about ruined the movie for me.  I have learned to accept and can handle a certain number  of four-letter expletives in the movies, but this was way, way over the top (or  under the sewer).
     The redeeming feature of the film was the role played by delightful, young (nine or ten years old) Rohan Chand, whose innocent, genuine attempts to befriend Bateman are rudely rebuffed  until  nearly  the end of the movie.  Spoiler alert:  Rohan's goodness finally does affect Bateman, and there's a "happy' ending. 

Saturday, March 15, 2014

GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Excellent, Entertaining, Escape the mundane through this window into events at an imaginary Elegant hotel in an imaginary Balkan country.  First class, wonderful star studded cast --nary a misstep by anyone of them.  You've got to appreciate and admire Ralph Fiennes as the unflappable, and very popular Concierge who beds all the  rich, elderly female guests.    (including Tilda Swinton).   There are a couple of sub-plots demanding your attention:   a stolen art- work, which was bequeathed to the Concierge,  and the career of the LOBBY BOY,  the protege of the Concierge.    Highly recommended!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

With the Academy Awards about to be announced in a day or two, the theater lobbies  in LA were packed with ticket buyers, and so, almost by default I went to see "Dallas Buyers Club,"  which wasn't crowded, having already been showing for over a week.  Although it was, of course, almost painful to watch (dealing with the HIV --AIDS virus and the drugs that were used to combat it) -- It was a very well done film and Matthew McConaughey  as best lead actor definitely earned his Oscar.  His performance was fabulous!   

Thursday, February 20, 2014

TIM'S VERMEER

If you are of a Scientific Nature,  and/ or  interested in fine art, you will probably really appreciate this excellent Documentary Film, which depicts an artist named "Tim" something or other, who experiments with mirrors to try to discover/determine how the famous Vermeer was able to achieve the marvelous paintings he created.  Because I am not sufficiently knowledgeable (I'm actually quite ignorant) in the field of art, and certainly not scientifically inclined, I can only report that I believe this was very well done documentary.   

WNTER'S TALE

I was expecting the film to be based on Shakespeare's play of the same title. Shame of me for not investigating ahead of time!  This was NOT  Shakespeare's "Winter's Tale."   The movie presents a rather confusing plot including some - what seemed to be time travel, and a "miracle."   It's redeeming feature was the marvelous acting of Colin Farrell.   (He's ALWAYS great!)

MONUMENTS MEN

Despite bad reviews from Critics --- once again confirming Guruka Singh's wise comment, "Critics are paid to be critical," I enjoyed "Monuments Men."   It had a wonderful cast (including George Clooney, need I say more?) and an interesting story, based on fact: the attempts to rescue great art works at the end of World War II before the Germans could destroy these treasures.  It's not a great movie, but it's worth seeing.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

NEBRASKA

Not quite the usual   "Road Trip" as Bruce Dern (looking very, very old) sets off to collect the Milliion Dollar prize he thinks he has won.   (You know, the "Publisher's Clearning House" type of letter we've all received at one time or another.   His son, seeing him walking along the road, heading to another state, agrees to drive him, since Dad is determined to get there.
  I found this film somewhat boring, and definitely sad.  I understand they used some actual local waitresses etc. to play themselves in the movie.  That's nice.  Otherwise, sorry folks, I didn't care very much for this film.

AUGUST; Osage County

Great actresses, Miserable, horrible experience!  I hated this movie.  It consisted of everyone yelling, screaming, swearing at each other.   This is not my idea of entertainment.  Awful, disgusting film.  Of course the critics raved about it.