Change Your Image
cpbirdie
Reviews
Book Club (2018)
Cute Fantasy. More Don Johnson
Romcoms for seniors and the elderly has become a new niche genre, and I like that. I'm 78, and, it's more difficult for me to abandon my disbelief to enjoy this film. Grace and Frankie did it better over several seasons addressing senior issues. But I love the cast, the writing is especially funny to start, but the plot becomes more predictable for me, not a terrible thing, but I skipped to the end halfway through to get away from the sex and into "what really matters.
It would seem some of the plot reflects some of the actors real-life situations. Mary Steenbergen married for a long time; Candice Bergen getting large and not caring at all; Jane Fonda keeping up youth and fitness, successful woman syndrome; Diane Keaton somewhat against type but the 25 Diane just the same.
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021)
A Moving Picture Magazine
Wes Anderson films are always intriguing, with subtle messages depicted in stylistic techniquest and highbrow aspirations. I usually have to view his films more than once to get the whole idea and appreciate the dialogue and narration that in this case can get away from you. Can anyone read the French translations fast enough without pausing? Even the clever end credit illustrations can't be appreciated along with the cast credits without a pause. I don't believe I'll watch this one again. It's a moving "New Yorker" magazine that intends to observe the absurd in the world, but it fails because it's too cerebral and not funny enough. Narration and cartoons to advance the story aren't always successful methods to make a cohesive, enjoyable motion picture. I'd rather read the articles and laugh at the cartoons in the New Yorker than watch this film.
Marry Me (2022)
Lopez Triple Threat Confirmed
Sometimes the critical description for Jennifer Lopez films is "surprisingly", followed by entertaining, funny and enjoyable. I admit I used to be surprised at what a good actress she is, from "Salina", "Enough", "Wedding Planner", and all the others we have enjoyed. And I like this film in particular because it showcases all of her triple threat talents - singer, dancer, actress, and a fourth, gorgeous. I loved the music that reminded me of what a great singer she is. It's a well written and executed, though predictable, romcom, There is hardly anything wrong with this movie . Then there's the Robert Goulet thing that made me cry. Owen Wilson always has a chance with the ladies in my opinion, even Jennifer Lopez.
Annie Live! (2021)
Survives the Test of Time
Can't get over how politically relevant this story is - based on a very popular syndicated newspaper cartoon series "Little Orphan Annie" from more than 80 years ago. The rich v. Poor, it succeeds in uplifting all of us in the face of terrible times, now and then. I like the mixed race idea here, not true to the original series, but in my opinion it fits in to the philosophy of the original series. The story is a commentary on how things are, or should be. It addresses both sides. Though it's a fantasy story that I continue to love, whatever the interpretation, it has passed the test of time. All the cast members were fantastic - I love Harry but it was difficult for me to see him as Daddy Warbucks. Kelsey Grammar would have been older and needed less makeup, and he sings like a true authoritarian with a good heart. Harry sings like a guy with a good heart who might possibly be an authoritarian.
Movie 43 (2013)
PG 99 - No one should see this
This is a vile movie appealing to the sensibilities of puerile adolescents, or failed to launch adults. It isn't funny, it's a continuous filthy, not dirty, but filthy joke on the audience. I can't believe this stellar cast of serious actors consented to participate in this piece of junk. I rented it from Netflix because of the cast, and once I ran it I fast forwarded a little to get past the neck balls, thinking maybe it was a joke to be appreciated later on. No way. It was relentlessly and unconscionably obscene from beginning to end, though I didn't watch until the end. I wouldn't let my dog watch this filth. I didn't even wait for Sean Hayes's appearance (shame on him) - what sort of excrement would the writers have him wallow in? This is no "Airplane", or other very funny spoof. It goes way too far, and that's why I never heard of it. It is the worst movie I've ever half seen.
Moxie (2021)
The Tank Top Revollution
So the girl with the big boobs is the only one wearing a tank top. Doesn't that say something about her? It says "look at my boobs". So all the other girls wear tank tops to school for one day to support her, and then they all go back to wearing regular shirts and tees. Kids do not get to wear whatever they want in school. It's been that way forever. The tank top girl shouldn't be harassed or made fun of, just like the others on "the list". She should just dress appropriately for school and save the tanks for other times if that's her choice. Inappropriate for school. I also think the Principal's attitudes were difficult to believe in these days of women's awareness and "MeToo". There were some mixed-up messages in this movie, and it wasn't very funny.
The Movies That Made Us (2019)
Flawed but Enjoyable
I did enjoy all four of these entries and hope there are more to come. Agree with other reviewers that the narrator's method was irritating and misplaced for this type of documentary. And the cutaways were pretty lame and unnecessary. But the insider information was fascinating, and I especially liked the revisits to the locations at the end. Why on earth didn't they talk about the most iconic scene in Die Hard, the walking on broken glass? I kept waiting for it. Lots of interesting backstories makes this flawed documentary worth watching anyway.
Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)
WHY HAVEN'T I SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS FILM BEFORE?
I cannot possibly review or critique this film better than what's already been said here, but I was just blessed to see it on TCM last night in their tribute to Ava Gardner. I have seen many of her films and always found her acting perfect for the roles she played. And of course her beauty is almost incomparable. But this movie will remain in what's left of my list of favorite movies. I keep a list, comedies, dramas, romance, murder mystery, but I should start a new list of "movies I've never heard of that are spectacular". I love the fact that she actually in real life had affairs with bullfighters, and in more than one movie there were three men in love with her
at the same time (the Sun Also Rises). The bullfight scene was especially realistic and better than any gun fight or car chase I've ever seen, but then I'm not a guy. This is a love story to remember.
What/If (2019)
Soapy but Good
This is a soap opera to be sure as the plot tests your threshold of disbelief with its coincidences, clichéd lines, melodramatic twists, some bad acting, and the evil vs. good strength vs weakness themes. There were some thought-provoking ideas set forth with grey-area morality questions to ponder. I fast-forwarded through the sub-plots once I realized they were hardly connected to the main plot, but the main plot was engrossing for sure. The only reason I decided to watch this show was because Renee Zellweiger was the star, and she carried it all the way through. The main supporting characters for the most part were well-acted, especially Louis Herthum as Foster, Ann's (Renee) loyal guardian and fixer. A mostly enjoyable soapy binge-watch for me.
The Last Laugh (2019)
Richard Dreyfuss Doesn't Disappoint
Of course I'm going to watch a movie starring Richard Dreyfuss and Chevy Chase. And I wasn't disappointed. It was funny with a message, but not so bleak as say "The Bucket List". I totally enjoyed this, yet another, movie about not getting older, but being old. I never think I'm going to enjoy these movies, too close to home, but this one was outstanding to me because of Richard Dreyfus. He always excels, whether in a dramatic role or a comedic role such as Bob in "What About Bob". He is wonderfully believable in this as a former standup comedian. Chevy is mostly the straight guy, and good at it, but I miss his goofiness. One restaurant scene allowed him some schtck and it was hilarious. The writing was excellent; the jokes didn't fall flat except when they were supposed to. And who doesn't like a good road trip? Could have done without the lengthy musical scene - nobody sings very well in it and it felt out of place with the rest of the story. Loved the cameo appearances by some great, old, comics who are still very much relevant today. Another good, watchable flick from Netflix.