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I am not a harsh movie critic...I watch to be entertained, not to tear a movie to shreds with criticism.
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Monday, May 26, 2008

"Awakenings" (1990) PG-13

Based on the true story, medical researcher Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) attempts to treat a group of patients who've laid comatose in a Bronx hospital for 30 years. Sayer prescribes an experimental drug, and it works. Robert De Niro co-stars as a patient unconscious since adolescence who must come to terms with life as an adult.

A very interesting movie, I thought. I really enjoy movies based on anything medical, and especially if it is a true story. This was a very enlightening movie...and Robert DeNiro did a fastastic job of portraying someone going through all sorts of uncontrolled body movements as a result of his response to experimental drugs used to treat his condition.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

"With Honors" (1994) PG-13

Harvard public-policy major Monty Kessler (Brendan Fraser) finds himself in a pinch when his thesis ends up in the hands of Simon Wilder (Joe Pesci), a resourceful vagabond living in the university library's basement. Sensing a meal ticket, Simon offers to trade pages of the essay for food and lodging. An unlikely bond forms between the pair, and Simon teaches the self-absorbed, overachieving Monty that there's more to life than book learning.

This is a very likable, funny movie. I loved the vagabond character of Simon. He was quite witty and amusing.

Friday, May 23, 2008

"In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" (2007) PG-13

When the Krugs -- a violent race of brutes who are controlled by the evil Gallian (Ray Liotta) -- kill his son and kidnap his wife, Farmer Daimon (Jason Statham) sets off on a quest for revenge. Along the way, he meets those who vow to help him in hopes of bringing peace to their beloved kingdom. Leelee Sobieski, Burt Reynolds, Claire Forlani and John Rhys-Davies co-star in this fantasy adventure based on the popular role-playing game.

Generally I do not like these types of movies, but I thought this one was very good and it held my attention.

"The Lake House" (2006) PG

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves reteam for romance in director Alejandro Agresti's remake of the Korean film Siworae, exploring a mysterious mailbox that somehow bridges time. After moving away from her peaceful lakeside home, a lonely physician (Bullock) begins writing letters to the frustrated architect (Reeves) who now occupies the building, only to discover that they're living two years apart.

One of my favorite movies. I am a sucker for the romantic type. In this movie, I found myself trying to figure out how the two of them could possibly get together.

This movie is a lot like "The Love Letter", except in that movie, one of them lives in the 1800's and the other lives in 1998.

"The Love Letter" (1998) PG-13

This "Hallmark Hall of Fame" romance based on Jack Finney's short story follows two kindred souls living more than a century apart. After history buff Scott Corrigan (Campbell Scott) buys an antique desk, he discovers in it a letter written by Civil War–era bride-to-be Elizabeth Whitcomb (Jennifer Jason Leigh). The poignant missive prompts Scott to mail a response – which Elizabeth shockingly receives, sparking a magical correspondence.

A fun, interesting love story...yet very unusual. Quite a bit like the movie "Lake House". I loved this movie.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

"Martha, Inc" (2003) PG

Cybill Shepherd stars in this biopic of Martha Stewart, the exemplary homemaker who built an empire out of her skills after launching a magazine and wildly popular television show. Showing a side of the perfectionist Stewart most have never seen, the film follows her career from her meteoric rise to her 2003 indictment after a stock market scandal, after which she resigned as CEO of her company. Based on Christopher M. Byron's best-selling book.

This movie on the life of Martha Stewart and a side of her personality that I did not know... was a real shocking eye opener for me. Martha is a strong extrovert, while I am the opposite...so I felt very turned off by her. She is very gifted in her craft and talents...so I give her an "A" for that. But I did not like how she treated other people.

Cybill Shepherd does an amazing job of acting Martha's part and I think she even looks a little like Martha. I did like this movie, though, because I love biopics.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

"JFK: Reckless Youth" (1993) NR

Originally produced as a television miniseries based on the best-selling book by Nigel Hamilton, this nostalgic biopic records the first 30 years of a young John F. Kennedy (Patrick Dempsey) -- before the presidency came knocking. From Kennedy's affair with a beautiful journalist (Yolanda Jilot) who was believed to be a Nazi spy to his ongoing feud with his father (Terry Kinney), this drama captures the makings of a complex and controversial man.

A very interesting, good movie. I learned a lot. Patrick Dempsey is his usual "great".

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

"The Snow Walker" (2003) PG

Charles Martin Smith helms this survivalist adventure tale starring Barry Pepper as cocky, hotheaded bush pilot Charlie Halliday. During a routine stop on a supply run in Canada's Northwest Territories, Charlie agrees to transport a critically ill Inuit woman (Annabella Piugattuk) to a Yellowknife hospital. But the plane goes down in the Arctic tundra, leaving the twosome marooned -- and facing the brutality of the looming northern winter.

This is a good survival movie, which is one of my favorite types. The suspense of "will they make it" is what keeps my attention and heart rate up.

"The Ron Clark Story" (2006) NR

Idealistic young teacher Ron Clark (Matthew Perry, in an Emmy-nominated role) is full of hope as he leaves the familiarity of his hometown for New York City's provocative and volatile inner-city public school system. Clark's fearless devotion and fresh approach to learning is his key to unlocking the chains of ignorance that bind his students. Randa Haines directs this Emmy-nominated biographical drama based on the inspiring true life of the innovative educator.

I love movies that are based on true stories. This one is very exceptional...the educator Ron Clark is an amazing, relentless advocator for his extremely difficult students. He has the gift and ability to change lives. Matthew Perry is amazing in this film.

Monday, May 19, 2008

"Lucky Seven" (2003) PG-13

Amy Myers (Kimberly Williams) is on track to meet Mr. Right, who, according to her deceased mother, will be the seventh man with whom she falls in love. But when Amy thinks she's found the perfect mate in No. 6, she finds herself in a conundrum: Should she quit while she's ahead and settle down, or should she hold out for No. 7? Patrick Dempsey, Brad Rowe and Gail O'Grady co-star in this original romantic comedy.

This is a very nice romantic comedy. I like those kind. And Patrick Dempsey's character is the one you want Amy to choose. (I certainly would!!!) This movie is one that I enjoy watching often.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

"P.S. I Love You" (2007) PG-13

Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank), a young widow living in Dublin, has just lost her beloved husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) to a brain tumor. Inconsolable, Holly finds that Gerry left for her a series of letters to help cope with the grief. As months pass, Holly discovers new messages from Gerry encouraging her to go on living. And while Holly's friends fear the letters will mire her in the past, they, in fact, give her strength for the future.

This movie is such a wonderful, beautiful love story. It takes you through the deep, sorrowful process of grieving and into the light of hope and renewal. Hilary Swank does a superb job !!

For me, this is a watch often movie.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

"What Happens in Las Vegas" (2008) PG-13

After a night of heavy partying in Vegas, two strangers (Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) wake up to realize, much to their displeasure, that they've gotten married, and now, each must vie for a $3 million jackpot won since their wedding. They try every trick in the book to get their hands on the cash, but as fate would have it, the more zealous they become about seizing the riches, the more passion they develop for each other.

I absolutely loved this movie! It is so funny. It is the kind of movie I could turn right around and watch again.

"The Hours" (2002) PG-13

This gripping drama follows the parallel lives of three 20th-century women. The incomparable Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman, in an Oscar-winning performance) is hard at work on the classic story of Mrs. Dalloway while battling depression in the 1920's; Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), is an unsatisfied 1950's housewife who finds solace in Woolf's novel; and Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep) is a modern-day book editor who's losing her former lover to AIDS.

For me, this movie was a little confusing at first, as I tried to tie the characters and the three different time periods together. But it was an okay movie.