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Reviews
Wicked City (2015)
Different in a good way.
"Wicked City" came across as different in a good way. Probably should be X-rated for sex. The blonde nurse was a main char. in Parenthood. She played a married lawyer with a stay at home dad for a husband in Parenthood. In Wicked City Betty isn't as high IQ. It was difficult trying to distinguish the main cop from the serial killer as they both had plenty of facial stubble and similar hair color and hair cuts. We noticed the background noise blocked out the dialog sometimes; we couldn't turn the volume up at 10-11 pm. Will record and watch during the day next week. We both gave it an excellent rating. Many of the shows that began new in October we've dropped already because of difficulty seeing and hearing, so we're trying to stick with this one. For the first half of the pilot I thought the main cop might be the serial killer, but the confusion was cleared up later.
One Big Happy (2015)
Ellen has another winner!
This sitcom got off the starting block fast with no holds barred and is exhilarating. The writing is crisp and delicious: BFFs, a lesbian, and a Brit, what could be better? The premise of a straight guy and a lesbian gal who have been best friends for many years deciding to have a baby delves into a very popular current topic. We take a look at what happens when one of the parents of the resulting baby finds love with someone else. We all want to see how this modern day story twists and turns. This reminded me of the classic "Three's Company" with the fast-paced delivery of story and jokes. I loved the three leading actors' personalities, and can't wait to see the next episode. I foresee a long run, and Ellen has another winner with her "One Big Happy" sitcom.
Arthur (2011)
English accents are subdued for American audiences
I loved every minute of this modern version of "Arthur." We're living in the present and wouldn't think of judging it by the 30 year old film. This link is 4 minutes long, and is an interview done by IMDb with Russell Brand on the subj. of his movie "Arthur" 2011.
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3369245977/
Helen Mirren, always by his side, has been his nanny since birth, and Luis Guzman plays his chauffeur, so he is not a drunk driver even though he is drinking in the first half of the movie. He goes to AA, which is not a spoiler; it just makes the movie doable!
Think of being so rich that you give someone $10K to let you wear their costume for one hour; it is this sort of wild unimaginable mischief that makes this movie for me. Also, that Russell Brand is an adorable guy, skinny, tall 6'3" with dark wavy hair.
If you have trouble with English accents, this movie is edited for American audiences; only Russell and Helen Mirren and a couple of bit parts have the English accent. Dame Helen is great at comedy, much like Dame Judi Dench. Russell is comparable to Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley) in that in-your-face-funny way.
I believe the low rating it got, 5.6/10 instead 9/10 which is my rating, is likely to be that some Americans can't always get the self deprecating English sense of humor; I feel for these people!
A nice wedding song I haven't heard for awhile is "Going to the Chapel."
Grand Central Station and skyscrapers in New York City are wonderful. We get several skyline views of Russell's home, recognizable by its aqua roof; it is a penthouse.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
Wonderful Oscar-worthy film
I enjoyed "Wall Street Money Never Sleeps" as much or more than I liked the first "Wall Street." I am a fan of Shia LaBeouf, and now that I've seen Carey Mulligan I'll be looking for her films. These two were most of the movie. The older actors took a back seat or else the young couple stole the show. It was a sweet love story with Wall Street business for excitement. I felt good after I had seen this movie.
Some of the things I especially liked were the title song from "Carousel" when they had a grand ballroom waltz . . . I want that on my MP3. And, the cinematography of the architecture of the New York night lights on those sky scrapers was something I would rewind to see again at home. Beautiful! I wish it were in IMAX. We love you and you were wonderful, Michael.
Tripfall (2000)
Great showcase for our beloved John Ritter.
Are you ready for a sunny California setting? Made in the year 2000, the movie's mood is a happy one at the beginning; and how we love John Ritter. Many times he made us laugh and feel good. Here he pleases again in a drama playing a nice, normal, millionaire dad and husband.
Rachel Hunter added a touch of class to the film with her delightful New Zealand accent and statuesque beauty. We found ourselves on the edge of our seats with excitement as the suspense started early on and never quit. Eric Roberts always wins when acting the bad boy; you will hate him and his small gang. We are glad we saw the DVD and recommend it for 16-Adult.
Disturbia (2007)
Where do they get the titles for movies lately?
Where do they get the titles for movies lately? This is an old fashioned suspense story and not some supernatural psycho story, which the title would make us think.
We are telling everyone that Disturbia, the new movie, is a good one. It had a little bit of everything in it, and left us feeling like we got our money's worth of storytelling. We were not strung out from too much action, but we had a good helping of suspense.
The star is young actor Shia LaBeouf who has been in the public eye since he did a Green Light Project with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. We saw him in "Disturbia" yesterday, and we grooved on the movie all the way. It was a suspense that kept building until the superior ending. I like Shia, and think he has a great future.
Parents who filter would need to know there was a skinny young teen girl in a bikini and two young teen boys who were forever ogling her from a distance. Other than that it was old-fashioned clean. Also, we saw dead people! Only a few.
Wild Hogs (2007)
As seen through the eyes of an old biker.
Did you ever feel like you worked ever so hard to like a movie? Tonight we saw the comedy movie about middle aged businessmen taking a motorcycle trip through the west to get away from it all. People are used to the cutting edge humor of Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, but this movie is mostly slapstick humor. It reminds me of Blazing Saddles except that no one laughs. If you liked Blazing Saddles, you might like this. The rating of sexually offending is a ploy to increase the box office.
You wind up wondering how a good cast like this couldn't see the jokes were duds. John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, Wm. H. Macy. In his supporting role Ray Liotta was only fair as the leader of the bad-boy motorcycle club. Perhaps there were too many late night parties during the filming.
Freedom Writers (2007)
I didn't want this movie to end.
My husband and I nearly cried through the entire movie with two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, but they were happy tears for an uplifting film. She plays a real life, miracle-working teacher in the year after the 1992 LA riots. Driving to the theater, calloused me thought I wouldn't be moved by this same old story line; but I couldn't have been more wrong. The students are her co-stars, and Hilary is brilliant. Can you remember when you were sorry to see a movie end? That's how we felt tonight. The "Freedom Writers" music is a clever blend of modern music, and it is done in a way that appeals to the young and the old. We were thrilled by the beat even though we both dislike rap and hip hop. The comparison to "Blackboard Jungle" is right on. Best Movie of the Year Oscar.
Running Scared (2006)
Put me in mind of "Clockwork Orange."
Paul Walker convinced me that he was a loser, and I'd like to see him in more action films. Vera Farmiga was perfect in her part as Paul Walker's wife. In fact, the casting of this movie was amazing right down to the lowliest mafia guy.
The horrified feeling I had while watching Running Scared's gory scenes put me in mind of "Clockwork Orange" in that while I was shocked I wouldn't have stopped watching for anything. I normally stay away from movies like this, but I'm glad someone who didn't know me told me I would like it. I did like it!!!!
I'll never forget the boy, Oleg, who was incredible playing a child with big problems on his mind. I can't wait to see him again. His eyes are extremely expressive.
Shopgirl (2005)
Reminded me of "Sleepless in Seattle"
Steve Martin played it completely straight as a very rich older man falling for a shop girl. The story reminded me of the feeling "Sleepless in Seattle" gave . . . two lonely people longing for someone to love.
The music was beautiful. The sex scenes were tastefully done. Early in the movie a beautiful, yellow and white cat had a small role!
What I also liked about this story is that I got to see how the other half lives . . . those who wear Armani and have jet planes. It begins slowly setting the scene in L.A.'s Saks Fifth Avenue store where Claire Danes sells ladies gloves. After she sells Steve Martin a pair of gloves the movie rolls right along.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
I felt stunned afterward!
It was very colorful with many exotic costumes and sets!
My eyes were fairly popping out. In fact, I wish they had finished out the dances instead of cutting them off. We didn't get to see the precision can-can dancers line up kicking for more than 30 seconds at a time, which was disturbing to me; because I love dancing.
The love story was satisfying. Kylie Minogue has a 2 minute Peter Pan-like flying and singing part which is excellent, but I wish they had given her a bigger part.
The old pop songs blend very well. I especially loved "Like a Virgin! which was a comedy." There is singing about 80% of the time!!! The music was loud; your ears will be ringing.
Saturday, 4 pm and the theater was completely full; nearly all were over 50. I'm pretty sure kids would be bored unless they were little Billy Elliot dancers. No one applauded, not during and not at the end. At the end you could hear a pin drop. 50% of the audience began to leave immediately, and the rest either stood in the aisles talking or sat watching the credits.
The lasting impression was that too much was happening too quickly and too many scenes ended prematurely.
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)
Mick Dundee is as good as ever!
We liked this very familiar storyline, because we like Mick Dundee.
The beautiful Linda Koslowski is still lovely to look at. Her face looks changed, but I'm not sure why. I noticed she didn't have as big a part as usual. Mikey, their son, was better than good.
The late John Meillon's part of Wally has changed to a character called Nugget. At least they didn't try to find John Meillon's twin.
Paul looks as handsome as he did 16 years ago, and hypnotizes a razorback pig this time around. We always enjoy the improbability of those hypnotizing-wild-animal scenes.
Misunderstanding American customs is corny, but that's Mick! For example, fine dining is going out to dinner at Wendy's burgers, there is a long joke about colonic cleansings with coffee, and Malcom Gibson, Mick's neighbor, isn't to be confused with Mel Gibson the 80s movie star. When asked what Tom Cruise looks like, Mick replies, "Tom Cruise looks like Tom Cruise!" We thought that was very apropos.