CindyH Reviews

Enchantment (1948)

Grab a cup of hot tea (or a glass of your favorite wine), then sit back and enjoy!

[9/10 · 16 November 2022]

What can I say that hasn't already been said in a review of this delightful film? It's great? It's passionate? It's kindness versus cruelty? All of this has already been said. I suppose I can look at it from its artistic value.

Most every actor was already known for their impressive work. This was not a film that was just pasting actors into their parts. Nor is it a simple production.

This film is somewhat loosely based on the novel by Rumer Godden, called [ASIN:B01M5D8G71 A Fugue in Time]. I have not read the book, but only know that there were many other siblings there. It is common for films to reduce the number of characters, due to time. You cannot tell all of those characters' stories in a film, but at least you can tell the story of the main characters.

David Niven at the time was perfect for his part. His wife had died by falling down the stairs of another actor, two and a half years earlier. He was all too familiar with the feeling of tender love and profound loss. Yet, by the time this film was made, he had fallen in love again and had married. He had enough time to grieve and yet start a new beginning. That experience no doubt affected his acting in this film, and what an effect it was! He was superb as Rollo. Though it is hard to see his face behind all that make-up, I doubt another actor at that time could have achieved the acting in this role as Mr. Niven did.

Theresa Wright is always a delight to watch. She had fallen into parts that were the epitome of the "nice girl next door," but usually as a troubled one. Known for being the only actor nominated for an Oscar for her first three films is all we need to know about her acting. If you like her in this film, try also watching [ASIN:B0093QE06M Mrs. Miniver], [ASIN:B002RXS1VS Shadow of a Doubt], and [ASIN:B00AOORDJS The Best Years of our Lives]. She is always captivating to watch.

The rest of the cast was also superb, but Jayne Meadows' Selina is very much worth noting here. This was a great part for her, as she had only filmed four movies prior to this one. Among those were an interesting version of [ASIN:B07573CDXR a Phillip Marlowe film] and even a [ASIN:B018GTVB4K Thin Man] film. She shined in both of those and I am almost certain this is why she got the part.

Production-wise, the cinematography is a story of its own. The art of filming in black and white is the use of light and dark. Here we see dark moments and by lowering the light during those moments, the viewer can actually "feel" the darkness with the characters. Gregg Toland is a master of this type of drama, after all, he did do [ASIN:B00GJBCMB4 Citizen Kane] which is exceptionally famous for its photography, among everything else.

Just one little note here. I've seen reviews mentioning a plot hole about Lark having a nephew, even though she had no siblings. Many large and close families consider aunts and uncles by marriage a true uncle. My family does too, in fact. We have a sort of hierarchy. As close as we are, we take care of each other and my uncle by marriage makes most of the decisions for us. It's not enforced, mind you, he is kind and offers his help and he's just the best one in the family for advice on everything. I think of him as a real by-blood uncle, even though he isn't.

For this reason, I see no plot hole. I am certain Pax Masterson is not only a nephew by marriage, but his relationship was through his mother. In other words, Marchese Del Laudi's sister married a Mr. Masterson and Pax was their son. It's really that simple.

This film has a great team and feels very much like a play. I just love this film and I think any "old movie" lover would find this truly enchanting. Its title suits it well, even if it is different from its original title.

The Woman in the House (2022)

Thought it would be a black comedy. It isn't.

[7/10 · 23 October 2022]

Think of this as Rear Window meets The Flight Attendant, but isn't as good.

I like Kristen Bell (Anna) and she can be so cute and funny. With a title like that, I really did expect a black comedy. There are hints throughout the show, but I did figure it out. There is one tiny scene that gives it away but its easily missed. I just happened to catch it, so it was luck.

Her past is rather absurd and I wish I could talk about it but it would be a spoiler. I guess its supposed to be funny but it really wasn't.

It's great for when you're at home on a rainy night. Grab a glass of wine, kick back, and enjoy this guilty pleasure.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Ruined by woke culture that is out of control.

[4/10 · 13 February 2022]

The book is fabulous, but I would really like to finally see a movie that was actually true to the book. Many characters are eliminated and all have changed. If Agatha were alive, she would probably sue. I love Kenneth Branagh and have enjoyed most of his films, but this and the Orient Express are duds. Come on man, give Agatha credit for one of the best stories ever written. No, Ken can't.

The Bride Wore Red (1937)

Really, a 5 1/2

[6/10 · 29 November 2020]

Not a great film, sadly. It has a lot of potential, such as a fantastic cast, a great director and an excellent production studio but it was not only Crawford's performance that caused her to be listed as "box office poison" but the writing did not help either.

Changes made to the original story were incomplete and by so doing Anni becomes a condescending and pretentious twit. The hero(ine) of the story should at least be liked. You should be able to identify with her and cheer her on but I found myself hoping that she would fall flat on her face, in shame.

Her childish behavior simply ruins the entire film. As it ended, I felt like someone else deserved better.

In reality, at the time of production Crawford's life was very tumultuous and perhaps that tight migraine look she carries through the film was no acting. I'm reminded of Bacall's scene in Marlowe's vehicle when he breaks up with her. Bogart had just informed Bacall that he was going to get back with his wife. The resulting scene was a tender moment that felt genuine. However in this film, it's more like irritation and not tender at all.

It's okay though. Crawford made plenty of other films to choose from and not all have to be Grade A.

Law & Order: Open Season (2002) Season 13, Episode 7

One of my least favorites in all seasons.

[6/10 · 18 October 2020]

It is true that there are militant conservatives in this country but not all are militant. I take issue with the word "Patriot" becoming the left's target as the bad guy. A Patriot is simply the lover of a country, nothing more than that. There are patriots all over the world. There were French patriots in WWII and many of those were leftists. I love Fred Dalton Thompson and so I am a bit surprised he did not rebut the falsehood of what an American Patriot is. For this reason this episode really disappointed me. Call it anything but don't incorrectly stereotype a patriot.

The Lockerbie Bombing (2013)

Very moving and well done documentary.

[9/10 · 28 September 2020]

This documentary primarily focuses on the how the crash affected locals and the families of the victims. It briefly discusses the investigation but that is a minor point in this show. It is hard not to shed a tear while listening to their stories and the and their descriptions of the grief that each suffered, personally.

WARNING! The next 4 paragraphs MAY CONTAIN MINOR SPOILERS.

For example, how a kind woman of Lockerbie is told by authorities that bodies were discovered in her yard and how her gentle heart told her to place Christmas roses from her own garden alongside those victims.

Another is a priest whose mother was visiting for Christmas. He describes his genuine pain for the victims and how he could not even perform mass.

How one woman at the airport in NYC - upon hearing the news that her daughter's plane crashed and there were no survivors - was filled with such grief that she fell to the floor and onlookers callously took photos of her.

One family describes how they were surrounded by friends after their loss, but were alone at Christmas and how they realized that the loss was theirs alone.

SPOILERS END HERE!

This documentary is truly a must see. We can learn lessons on selflessness, grief and so many others by listening carefully to their accounts and I highly recommend it.

Tell Me a Story: Chapter 1: Hope (2018) Season 1, Episode 1

You could make a good drinking game, for anti-Trump rhetoric.

[6/10 · 27 October 2019]

Usual Disclaimer... Caution: *May* contain spoilers.

I watched the entire series, so don't get me wrong, I actually really like the show but I had to make myself move forward after the first episode, which I didn't like all that much. I found Beth whiny and full of disgust, but I get that this is how she felt and I value freedom of speech, even if I disagree. In the terms of eating a quality steak, this was way overdone. I'm talking beef jerky here. Take a drink every time she complains about the world and you'll forget all about her because you'll get totally wasted.

That said, the story moves forward quickly and we're introduced to a lot of characters that do not seem connected, but will. As is usual, this is the introductory episode that requires getting you hooked. The action begins quickly so that is a definite plus.

There are hints of things to come, but they are incredibly subtle. Pay attention to surroundings in later episodes, art, posters in offices, et al.

The show itself centers around 3 stories that are supposed to be like modern fairy tales. The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. The first two stories are obvious (Pigs, Red Riding Hood) but the third takes some time before you see the connection to Hansel and Gretel. That comes later.

I must say I love the actors involved and I think the acting is superb. You get to see points of view of the bad guys as well as the good guys, which is different than the usual formula. It's not about being sympathetic to the bad guys, it's about seeing their point of view. Their motives and their feelings about crime.

It's the suspense that made me want to continue the most. I am a steadfast Alfred Hitchcock fan and this is something that I believe might have impressed him. They build suspense slowly but they don't take it too far. That is, I hate films and shows that leave you with more questions than answers. Like Lost anyone?

Lost was an epic show until the writers lost sight of where the show was going and it turned into a weird failure. I can promise you that this won't happen.

Finally, there are so many tropes that you could make a drinking game out of it, but there is a reason tropes exist. Everything has been done already and you have to piece a plot together in a show like this and tropes are unavoidable.

This is a show where Lost meets Pretty Little Liars meets Prison Break meets 24. Phew! It's pretty darn good and the politics eventually is toned down.

Too Close to Home (2016–2017)

Maybe it'll get better. *possible spoilers*

[5/10 · 22 August 2016]

As much as I like Tyler Perry, I cannot say that this was any good. From bad acting, to seriously fake green screening this was unbelievably bad. I only give it the five stars because the idea is halfway good.

If I had a dollar for every cliché about Alabama, I saw in just the first episode alone, I'd be a rich woman. Alabamans are portrayed as trashy trailer park wh*res who have sex for drugs and money. They have boyfriends that beat them up and drive trucks. They have beefy men with long hair, and on, and on, and on. Oh they're waitresses at diners too. Evidently, there isn't a good job in Alabama and to add insult to injury, they actually call the town "Happy, Alabama". Yes, it's clichéd name is happy.

I mean, was Mr. Tyler stoned when he wrote this? TLC touted this as Tyler Perry's first scripted anything whose primary cast is white. It's very clear that Perry doesn't like white southerners. Okay yes, those people do exist, but they exist in New York, they exist in California and they exist all across this great diverse nation of ours. Why did he pick a stupid place like Happy, Alabama?

Maybe he's jabbing at Monica Lewinsky and that's fine. It's just that why does the girl who had an affair with a US President have to be from white trash? Why can't she be middle class? Or upper middle class?

All that said, there is one thing I do like. I like the generalized family problems that are closer to real life. One man has a father with dementia and he is struggling to cope. The sisters have a mother who is sick and caring for her is also difficult, but I thought the visitor of her grandson whose reaction was vomiting upon entry just another cliché.

Here is my advice to Tyler: scrap it and start over. That or fix what is broken here. I don't know how you can fix the town's name of Happy but I'm sure you can figure out a way. Clean up the garbage and show us life's difficulty without the clichés. It can be done. Really though, two guns pointing at the same guy by two very unlikely people from one scene to the next made me actually think this was supposed to be a comedy.

Please fix it Mr. Perry. I really want to like it. I do.

The Convenient Groom (2016 TV Movie)

Just... no. (possible spoilers)

[5/10 · 17 August 2016]

This had potential, but didn't work.

Let me start it this way, if I had a dollar for every time Vanessa Marcil flipped her hair, I could retire. That is a total fail on the director's part. Add to that Marcil's lack of looking sad, she smiled throughout the entire thing that she practically made my face hurt.

Another problem was the makeup. It looked very caked and forcing the always adorable David Sutcliffe to wear that horrible pink color on his lips throughout the episode was weird to say the least. Another fail on the director's part and definitely for the makeup department. I mean, I know this is a B made-for-TV film but of all the Hallmark movies I've seen so far, and I've seen quite a few, this one is hard to take. Marcil's makeup was so thick it only enhanced the lines on her face making her look almost 10 years older than Sutcliffe.

The story though was cute enough. My only beef with it is what I have with a lot of romances. Why are the families so wealthy? I mean, a guy who went to Princeton and a woman who is a psychologist with a Ph.D.

Just... no.

I have seen some where one of them is supposedly broke, but they still had the money to go to Paris and Italy. I'm speaking specifically of Elevator Girl (2010) but there are plenty more where those come from.

All in all, if you can get past the bad makeup, the bad acting (Marcil) and the seriously annoying hair flipping (I cannot tell you how much I hate that) then it's cute enough. I won't be watching this one again, but at least the story made me feel like I didn't waste my time.

Oh and one more thing, which is why this didn't get one star. They used a very old Golden Retriever and kudos to them for that. Aging dogs need more recognition.

The House Across the Bay (1940)

Worth the watch at least once.

[6/10 · 11 August 2015]

Warning possible spoilers, so don't read if you care about that.

Though not as delicious as Man Hunt (1941) story-wise, it's still an interesting story. It has a great moral lesson: you may be willing to go far to protect the one you love, but what if the plan failed and turned out worse?

Though the stories are completely different. The moral reminds me of A Simple Plan (1998). You plan something that you are sure will go well, but then it just doesn't.

Alfred Hitchcock directed some scenes in this film because of his familiarity of the type of scene, in this case it was filming in a plane. In A Simple Plan, the director of Fargo (1996) also assisted because of his familiarity of filming in the snow. However, I digress...

The thing that bothered me most about this one, was Bennett's flat lip syncing. She didn't even look as though she was mouthing words, much less singing. She did better in earlier scenes, but the later ones were simply bad. Acting wise though, she was better in this than in Man Hunt, where she seemed too childish. She was truly beautiful here.

One thing is for certain, Pidgeon plays a much better American than he does an Englishman, as he did in Manhunt (I've yet to meet an Englishman, who was born and raised in England with an American accent; he did the Kevin Costner thing in Man Hunt). In this film though, I did like his quiet and incredibly patient character. He did really good here, even though his stint was short.

Lloyd Nolan, as always, stole the movie and in this instance he did so with superb casual malevolence. He and Hume Cronyn are simply amazing to watch (no, Hume isn't in this, I'm just comparing). Like George Saunders in Man Hunt, Nolan owned this one.

George Raft was okay, but honestly he didn't have much of a chance to branch out in this. He was a bit stiff and not as impressive as usual. He definitely was not nearly as good as Nolan. I don't think it was a directional problem either. He just wasn't as relaxed looking as he should have been. Love isn't stiff.

The set, costumes and make-up were definitely very well done. The views of Alcatraz were excellent cinematography and I loved her "house across the bay" set. If only apartments there looked like that today!

I really did like this film. No, really. It's just that it wasn't what I'd consider an A-lister. It felt very B-movie-ish in a lot of ways.

Again, I really believe that it should be watched at least once. Keeping in mind what I've said here, you'll probably be surprised at how good it is. :)

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Father and Son (1957) Season 2, Episode 36

A life lesson, rather than suspense.

[7/10 · 21 July 2015]

The reviews here speak of this episode as sub-par. Well, perhaps. Ed Gwynn is always fun to watch and his versatility always amazes me. From hit man to Santa, he can do it all.

I think what everyone is forgetting is the social aspect of the day in America, where the series was being originally aired. This was mid-1957. Children during WWII were becoming adults. They were not aware of the hardships their parents went through here (and England for that matter). First was the crash of 1929, unemployment soared then add to that the midwestern Dust Bowl which reduced farmland to wasteland. Not only did they become unemployed but now fresh food was no longer affordable. To add insult to injury, they next had to deal with an atrocious war and raise kids to boot.

These kids were raised outside of hardship, or had very little of it. A 2-year-old in 1941 would be 18. These kids needed to learn to be responsible for themselves and not rely on others. It's a lesson this generation needs too, for that matter.

The end shows us that he really does love his son, even after what the young man had done. I think for this reason it's a very good episode. It's just surprising because when we hear Hitchcock, we expect suspense. As long as you go into this knowing this episode hasn't any suspense, then you'll be good to go.

Evelyn Prentice (1934)

Tolerable film, but not the best of the Loy and Powell pairings.

[6/10 · 24 October 2010]

I disagree with planktonrules's review for a variety of reasons. While it is true that this was obviously not a grand film, it is still worthy of a casual peek. After all, Loy and Powell fans will always appreciate seeing them together on the screen, even if it is not perfection.

The plot does sound interesting. John Prentice (William Powell) is an affluent lawyer who not only neglects his wife Evelyn (Myrna Loy) but has an affair with a client. In the mean time lonely Evelyn meets an apparently charming Lawrence Kennard who, unbeknownst to her, has only one motive: money.

Evelyn Prentice innocently corresponds with Mr. Kennard who uses the letters as leverage for his blackmail. While the letters are innocuous, the wording can be understood as either confirming an affair or only confirming a friendship. Naturally Mr. Kennard plans are to use them to confirm a non-existent affair.

When John wishes to reconcile with his wife, Evelyn notifies Mr. Kennard that their friendship is over. Infuriated, Mr. Kennard says he wants money in exchange for the letters; an amount that Evelyn cannot possibly pay. Grabbing a gun from an open drawer, Evelyn demands the letters. When he refuses, a gun shot is heard and Evelyn is seen leaving Mr. Kennard's apartment.

Guilt ridden after hearing that a woman has been accused of Kennard's murder, Evelyn asks her husband to take her case and even more twists are to come.

Unlike what planktonrules claims, it is entirely believable for that day in age. While overdone, perhaps, the plot is neat and does work.

I don't give it a terribly high grade, but I do feel that the acting was very well done, the plot was clear and the ending was satisfying. That makes it a sufficient film, deserving any time spent viewing it.

Valentine's Day (I) (2010)

Cute, but overshadowed.

[5/10 · 19 February 2010]

I'm not going to go into a long spiel about the movie, nor am I going to bore you with a synopsis that so many do instead of actually reviewing the movie.

Overall it was a really cute movie. I laughed, I cried. It moved quickly without speeding through, but also didn't drag. It's a great date movie and I like the fact that sex wasn't in your face even though it was a romantic movie.

That said, it is way too Hollywood for me. I don't mean too many stars because let us be fair, most of those were not real stars but just trendy attractive actors. In 10 years we'll see who is still around.

Instead I'm talking about the typical Hollywood in-your-face social issues parade. We've got homosexuality, inter-racial marriage, cultural diversity ... and the list goes on. Puh-leez! We want a great story, not someone's politically correct agenda here.

I'm not saying that I'm against all of that, I'm just against forcing it into a film where it doesn't fit properly. A story is like a jigsaw puzzle. You have to put the pieces together neatly. However this story seems to just throw it all together without making it sensible, like forcing the pieces in there when the fit isn't really right to begin with.

Nope. It's a cute film, but not a great one. Love Actually, even with it's "I hate America" speech, was done so much better. It had moments that were just amazing; the Colin Firth restaurant scene simply cannot be competed with.

All in all, I give it 5 of 10.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Guilty Witness (1955) Season 1, Episode 11

Rear Window for television?

[8/10 · 7 February 2010]

I'm not going to give a synopsis because goodness knows you can find that anywhere.

As I watched this episode, I was struck by the familiarity I sensed without ever actually viewing it before. It was only a few minutes in before I realized why. This is basically a condensed televised version of Rear Window (though obviously not exact and with an interesting twist at the end, as Hitch is so infamous for). I am not disappointed by that at all but find it quite delightful instead. Rear Window is, by far, my most favored Alfred Hitchcock film. To see it used so cleverly here was an engaging surprise. It's also worth noting, perhaps, that Rear Window had premiered only eleven months before the first airing of this episode.

I also want to briefly touch on my disagreement with a couple of points that previous reviewer posted.

The first point is about there being evidential delusions. I think it's fairly clear, from the title alone, that there were no delusions here. That is what makes the final twist so amazing.

Secondly, to criticize an episode on the "believability" is to criticize classic film and television. Life was different back then, and everyone knows that. It's not even worth mentioning in my opinion, as the reviewer did. However I will say that no matter what era, the movement of a dead body is the hardest part of the crime. Watch TruTV's Forensic File's (think real life CSI) if you want to learn more about that. This episode clearly reinforces that well-known fact.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one as I do so many of Hitchcock's. The acting was superb, the plot interesting and the twist intense. It's worth the few minutes it takes to watch, I have no shadow of a doubt.

Yes, stupid pun intended.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Fairly good movie. 7 out of 10.

[7/10 · 19 July 2008]

First off, this is a fairly good movie. I'm not going to say it's the best of 2008 by any means, as I can think of many others that are better, but it is a good movie. Most of the performances were great and the action was good. The problem I had with it was the length and the dark theme. My understanding however is that it's closer to the original theme of the comics, so I suppose that's the way it's supposed to be, but personally I don't care for that.

Speaking of the dark theme... if you have kids, this is probably not a movie you'd want them to see. It's a bit graphic and the whole beating up the dogs thing was a serious turn off. Not to mention Two Face's faceless side. It was just a bit much.

One thing I have to say is something that is a bit touchy. Prior to seeing this movie, I had read the reviews of how "amazing" Heath Ledger's performance was and I thought to myself that this was an insult to him. I mean everyone only begins to rave about his performance only after he dies and not before. I felt that they were only saying it because he did in fact die.

I'm happy to say that I was very wrong and believe me, I wouldn't say this if I didn't feel this way. Personally I think Heath was obviously not the least bit intelligent for dying the way he did. It's unfortunate that stupidity caused his death, as so many before him. I cannot possibly admire anyone like that and they never learn, do they? In any case, Ledger's performance was indeed amazing. He owned the movie and it's a shame that we'll not see him reprise the role. Oh well, life is hard and it's too bad some don't know how to keep it.

I do have another gripe too. I understand that in order to make things realistic, they have to make Wayne's voice disguised, but does Bale have to sound like he's gritting his teeth when he's speaking every single time Batman opens his mouth? Surely there was a better way of disguising his voice.

Finally, as I mentioned above the movie was just way too long. I found myself wishing that it would simply end, only to be disappointed that it was still going on like the Energizer Bunny.

Aside from those things, it was an okay movie. I can only give it a 7 out of 10, but I'm not a big super hero fan so that's probably why. My husband thinks it's a 10 so he should probably be writing a review. He says it's very true to the comics and is a great depiction. I'll just have to trust his word on that.

Caffeine (2006)

Cool concept for a film but fails through bad direction.

[5/10 · 8 June 2008]

I'm not going to write a detailed synopsis of the film; you can get that anywhere online. This "comment" is to illustrate what I think about the movie, so you can better decide if you want to see it.

The idea is actually a good one and an alternative title such as, "A Day in a Café," really describes it better. I like that it's all based in one general location - similar to a play - and that it all occurs within a short time period of one day. It's just about in real time. I also like that almost everyone has a secret of some sort, that eventually comes out.

One thing this movie does, that I think is really creative (though isn't a new concept by any means), is it displays for us the mental picture one gets as a secret is uncovered. To understand this, imagine for a moment that your best male friend is wearing a dress and an old lady's hat. That mental image in your mind is the same image that we get to see through the character's eyes as they find out someone else's secret.

It's all slapstick comedy to the extreme, so it's all in fun. One reviewer here worried that all Americans would think all the English really act like that. That's the silliest notion in the world. Slapstick comedy is one of the oldest and best types of comedy and is familiar to us all.

Now for the not-so-great parts.

I have no problems with Americans portraying the English and vice versa, so long as its done well. Unfortunately for us though, it is not. Both Katherine Heigl and Mike Vogel need to stick to American roles. Imagine an American actor switching throughout the film between both a regional southern American dialect and one from the Bronx. Can you imagine such a horror? Well put that into British terms and this is what you get from Vogel. I never could figure out what region he was supposed to be from. There were even moments where he sounded Scottish! Heigl on the other hand lapsed between American and British, making her nationality questionable. Because of this, I kept expecting to find out that being an American schizophrenic was her secret. I'm not saying that their acting abilities were the problem, it was just their linguistic abilities.

I've also no problems with boisterous comedy either, but the comedy in this film was (for a lack of a better word) incongruent. The writing was fine and the jokes worked some of the time, but the timing was off or something. I don't believe that it was the actors or the writing at fault, but the director. Whatever it was, it made it very uneven.

I was telling my husband about it this morning. The interesting thing about this is that the movie came off funnier in my retelling of the story, then it actually was. My 19-year-old daughter entered the room to hear us laughing about the story. She asked what movie we were talking about and my husband promptly replied, "She's been laughing (very hard I might add), telling me about this movie that she supposedly didn't like for the past twenty-five minutes." Indeed!

To sum it up; if you know in advance that it's crass, off-beat, has bad timing and bad direction then you might actually enjoy it. Just keep in mind that it is loaded with errors and don't have a high expectation. Would I watch it again? Maybe, if nothing else is on. Would I buy it on DVD? Absolutely not.

Alexander (2004)

The Howard the Duck of the New Millennium

[3/10 · 30 November 2007]

Despite the overwhelming bad critical reviews, I thought I'd watch this movie. I'm not one to agree with what critics have to say, as I've enjoyed many a movie that they haven't. However they are on the mark with this one.

The first problem I have with this film is the casting. Just because Jolie lends a pretty face and is probably the only actor in the movie who played her part well, doesn't mean that she still fit into the part. The fact that she's only one year older than her on screen "son" is a major problem. She should have never made it to the screen as Olympias. On the other hand, she is the one person in the film that seemed to have any real passion on the screen. She did very well, though she was the wrong choice. As for the others, a blond Colin Farrell is just wrong in any film, a tired - and overly verbal - Anthony Hopkins is an incredible disappointment and Val Kilmer left no lasting impression at all.

Next we move on to the writing. The infinite, and so very dragging, dialog is just too much to try and sit through. Seconds began to tick by like minutes and minutes like hours. Most of the dialog throughout the film could have safely been edited out, without losing the direction the film was going. The extensive Braveheart-ish freedom speech, I'm sure, was a bore for those soldiers to have to sit through. Braveheart did it amazingly well and now everyone wants to do it. Unfortunately only Braveheart is capable of such a good thing.

The direction of the film (and I don't mean the point of it this time) was severely lacking. This is evidenced by the horrible casting, the writing and all other aspects of the film. Take the cinematography for example. This was a perfect opportunity to capture the incredible beauty of the spacious and exotic landscapes, in ways not ever seen before. Instead we are treated to photographic shots that I can do with my old 110 camera. The landscape subjects were good choices, but badly done.

Then there is the homosexuality that is badly portrayed. This subject is still in it's infancy on screen for many viewers, but it can – and has been - done respectfully and tastefully. In this instance however, it fails on several points. To say that it was markedly pretentious and overly melodramatic is putting it lightly. Were I a homosexual, I would find it personally offensive.

As for it's historical value, that is not something I can determine easily. I'm no scholar of Alexander and his time period. For example I'm well aware of the frequency of homosexuality in ancient Greece, but I am curious as to how much conjecture this film presents to us when it comes to Alexander's feelings. I prefer films that stick to the facts and not films that try to appeal to today's political ideas. HBO's Rome is a good example of this.

There was one thing though, on this very point, that I was pleased about. I was delighted with the inclusion of the near mystical story of Bucephalus, Alexander's beloved horse. On the other hand, I was disappointed in the follow up of that story. We get to see how Bucephalus came to Alexander (probably the best scene in the film), we see him riding him throughout the film, then... nothing. A little display of affection between the two here and there was warranted, but unfortunately was not provided.

I also liked the costume designs. Again, I don't know how historically accurate they are, but the message was clear and well done. That is except for Val Kilmer's polyester sheepskin rug he wore over his clothing. Had it looked more like real fur, it would have been completely acceptable, but I had a hard time believing it was.

All in all, and I'm very sad to say this, but this movie was a real time waster. It could've been cut to about forty-five minutes and it would've done well. I wouldn't suggest you watch it, unless you are like me and are curious.

I give it one star for the idea of a film about Alexander, one star for Jolie's performance and one star for the beginning of the Bucephalus story. That's all I can give it, which is sad to be sure.

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

Great family fun!

[8/10 · 18 April 2004]

***** USUAL WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS MAY BE INCLUDED *****

I must admit that I wasn't too keen on seeing this film. I understood that this had nothing to do with the original. This movie would have scored better had the titled been named something else entirely. After all, it is a different movie so why keep the title the same? I find that a bad decision. I believe the overall IMDb user ratings would be higher had the title been something else. As is it, viewers try to compare it to the original and naturally they scratch their heads over it.

However getting past that, I think it was really good. I'd see it again and plan on purchasing the DVD. As a family film I wasn't expecting top notch acting nor superb direction and/or cinematography. It's just a cute and funny film.

It yields many morals. I've seen some user comments here pointing out that some of the film contained adult like humor, but this is part of the moral of the story. This is driven home by the statement of the father of the brood who says that this is a G rated family and that's the end of it.

I found it quite funny. I really enjoyed the parody of many of today's parents who believe in raising only one or two children, with strict diets and all the typical fad parenting beliefs. It's nice to see that the value of not sweating the small stuff is still out there and that family should be number one before you worry about what everyone else thinks.

There are plenty of laughs throughout as well as many touching moments. Forrest Landis, who played little Mark, was just adorable and did an excellent job. He was the scene stealer of the film and it would seem that the majority of the film was centered around him. I found his portion the most touching and even a few tears made their way to the corners of my eyes. Outside of the parents, he was the star.

The simply gorgeous Tom Welling was a (quite happily) distracting element. I felt he was quite believable as the big 'angst-ing' brother and he does look VERY good in that white shirt of his.

Hillary Duff was her usual self in it. I'm not a Duff fan and feel that 97% of her acting borders on the line of whining and the tradition doesn't end here. However, given the fact that her older brother (Welling) is as handsome it would seem appropriate that the next in line child were just as attractive. Duff fills that bill. The one item I found distinctly incorrect is the repeated point of her taking the hand-me-downs from her older sister, Nora who is in her early twenties. Duff is dressed way too trendy to be wearing hand-me-downs. A less 'today's teen' wardrobe would've really been more appropriate for her.

Ashton Kutcher was quite funny as the anti-family boyfriend. Oddly, I knew he looked familiar but didn't recognize that this was Kutcher, probably because I'm no fan of his. I was certainly pleased though with his work here and would have to say that he too was the scene stealer next to Landis. His self loving character was just hysterical. I'm not sure another actor would've been as suitable as him.

Bonnie Hunt was as flawless as she always is. It's quite evident that age is catching up to her but I don't think that as a downfall at all. For this film, it's a plus. To raise twelve children is certainly a strain and while she plays a happy loving character, she looks tired and that is realism at it's finest. Off the set, I love Bonnie for not allowing Hollywood to make her feel that plastic surgery is inevitable for everyone.

Ditto for Steve Martin. I have to say that I didn't find him very believable as a football coach. He's not the coaching type. I blanched when I realized that's where this was going, but without revealing too much of the story, I had to raise my glass with how it was played out. My initial feeling of his being a coach was apparently right on target and is perhaps the reason why he was chosen for this character to begin with. In any case, Steve is just as funny as he nearly always is and I'm so glad he was in it.

The surprise appearance of the much weight reduced Wayne Knight (Seinfeld's Newman) was wonderful. He seems to carry this character of cynicism around with him wherever he goes and it didn't stop here.

Finally, the cute pets. I'm still scratching my head wondering why IMDb still refuses to credit animals. They still get paid and are considered actors. In any case, the dog reminded me of Chance, in Homeward Bound and played a good part as well. Many films have a family pet in the background, but most are ignored for the most part and are in very few scenes. Thankfully he isn't in this one. He's around the majority of the time and even has his own scenes as well.

The same goes for Beans the frog. Beans actually had a very important part and his acting was quite above the average frog standard. ;-)

All in all I took off one star for the title. Again, it should've carried a different one. I took off one and a half stars for leaving the story about Charlie and football unfinished, as well as the story of all the kids and their peer relationships unfinished. There was no tying up the loose ends regarding the changes these kids went through at school, away from home.

This leaves it with a 7.5 out of 10. The rest is just a good movie.

Two Weeks Notice (2002)

Could've been better

[5/10 · 29 June 2003]

(Usual disclaimer) ***** CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS *****

I was greatly excited to see this film. I like Hugh Grant, despite his personal history, and Sandra Bullock is cute. However, this wasn't at all the film I anticipated. It was long and quite boring.

The politics I suppose was necessary for the story though could've been handled even better. Hollywood politics is sickening but I have to admit, while normally I would've been insulted, I took the comments better than had it come from someone like Sarandon who knows nothing about politics. So I suppose that's something.

The humor was vague at best. Wasn't this supposed to be a romantic comedy? Instead, the humorous lines were all but a few. In fact, *all* the humorous lines were provided in the trailer. Which brings me to another point. Most of the trailer contained scene flashes that didn't even exist in the actual film! Quite a few of the remaining scene flashes were completely reworked. Interestingly, these scenes weren't in the deleted scenes either... so where are they?

Grant outshined Bullock. The Kelson character didn't seem too believable. A true liberal, as they tried to portray her, would never have worked for Grant, even if a Community Center was in the deal.

All in all, I feel that the trailer was much better than the film. In fact, the trailer was pretty darn good! So my advice is to skip the film, watch the trailer and you've saved yourself a load of time.

Hopefully Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock will do better next round.

A Walk to Remember (2002)

9/10 stars - A great film to remember

[10/10 · 20 February 2003]

***USUAL DISCLAIMER - MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

This film had more good than bad. First, the bad. The acting suffered somewhat. West did well but Moore could've been better. Her quiet distemper in the film perhaps hid this fact to other viewers which, in reality, is good. Hannah looked horrible, though I‘m no fan of hers, but my belief is that she was supposed to. If this is true, it was a full blown success. The glossing over of Dr. Carter's relationship with his son was a bad idea. More overall depth to the film could've been added, had it been explored a little further.

That said, now the good. It was a good moral story. The old Hollywood cliche that Christians are inherently evil was not a factor in this film lending it more truth in the real world. A message that the world should hear. The plot was held well. Many look at the film and feel that its main focus was a `delinquent' boy falls for a sweet dying girl. This is, IMHO, a misconception. It was so much more than that. Jamie's faith forced a change in Landon. A very positive life long change. It was more than the loss of his delinquency. It was the power of love, faith, forgiveness, and most important of all, peace. Peace within ourselves. The understanding that life isn't perfect. Bad things happen to good people but resentment keeps wounds fresh and in the end, the wounds will not heal.

Another tiresome Hollywood cliche, thankfully left out, was sex. The abstinence lent the film a freshness that few films can achieve.

Overall, it was a film I will not forget. I give it 9 stars out of 10. The -1 star is for the lack of direction in the acting.

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Best depiction of American Soldiers ever made!

[10/10 · 20 January 2003]

**** MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS ****

Overall this is a great film. A lot of realness lends to it as well. My husband is an Army Gulf War vet. Not long after his return, there was talk of mobilizing to Somalia. I remember quite clearly my husband coming home saying to me, `I can't believe they might send us over there! When I took my oath I said, ‘I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies' and I did *not* say for peace keeping missions or for the United Nations.' My husband was not alone, many of the GIs felt that way. As I watched the film, I never expected for this to be addressed. Hollywood, being what it is, took me by surprise this time. The hooahs had a very familiar, as well as welcome, ring to my ears. The military, and their families, have their own culture. Separate from the civilian world. Civilians are a ‘me' world, where the military is a ‘we' world. A good example is the camaraderie, which was portrayed very well. No one should ever be left behind. You are not only dying for your country, but dying for your fellow men. I'm glad to see a film that shows how selfless they really are, how hard it really is, and how divided they really feel. There was a point, in the movie, where a woman had to be shot. It was either her or them. Today's liberal society tries, in vain, to make it look as though war should be avoided simply because of the deaths of innocent civilians. Yet, this film is the real truth. There are times where there is simply no choice.

Yes, I'd say this is probably the most realistic film on American military forces ever made. I'll forgive the director for the actors who played American soldiers, that are clearly not American (Ewan McGregor, Orlando Bloom, etc.). We all know there are other films out today that discriminate against Americans and won't allow them to portray foreign characters. Well, that's the difference between America and those nations, isn't it?

The only thing wrong with the film, if you can say its wrong, is the ongoing gore throughout. I'm divided on the issue. The 9/11 tower jumpers taught us that some things are better left unseen. However, if you don't see it, will you ever really understand how bad it really was? If we don't really know, then it stands to reason we'll forget, and soon. The memory of the horribleness of it all will be forever etched on the mind. That's art imitating life.

I would've liked to have seen more on the rescues, to include that of Mike Durant. However, time constraints would perhaps have forced a lot of cutting and the scenes that made it to print were absolutely necessary.

I give it a 10/10. I can find no valid fault with the movie. The political correctness was, thankfully, left out. Had it been there, I'd drop my vote down.

To all who contributed to the film: Great job!

America's Sweethearts (2001)

Funny, a good romantic comedy.

[7/10 · 5 January 2003]

******* WARNING: Possible Spoilers *******

The comments here indicate that the reviewers were expecting Pretty Woman (1990), which it's not. Outside of that it's still a good movie. Catherine Zeta-Jones was quite believable, and humorous, as a self-centered, narcissistic, witch. John Cusack was adorable. He's not the most handsome man in the world but in the past, his boyish charm makes him attractive and it‘s true here too. As mentioned by others, the plot is predictable but that shouldn't take away from the movie as they have pointed out. After all, it's a romantic comedy and they all turn out the same. However, the buildup to the movie premiere ends in a disappointment and seems very unrealistic. This doesn't mean that it's not a good movie though. It's entertaining and comes with laughs. I'll watch it again, which says something. It's definitely worth a look.

I give it a 7/10.

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Superb, brilliant, humorous, and everything a movie should be!

[10/10 · 29 December 2002]

This is the most brilliant adaptation of the famed Jane Austen book ever made. It is long, but true to the book. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was criticized widely for staying true to the book, but P&P has escaped such criticism. Perhaps because of the creative nature of the actors and obviously, the director.

Colin Firth became an overnight heartthrob through his very absorbing, as well as attractive, portrayal of Mr. Darcy. Jennifer Ehle's performance was quite memorable as well as much of the cast. The film doesn't highlight any one character, outside of the leading Mr. Darcy and Miss Eliza Bennet, over any other. What makes a great film is when you try to imagine a film without other characters. If you find yourself saying something along the lines of `it just wouldn't be the same without ____ (naming nearly every character),' then you must admit that everyone in the film has succeeded.

Each actor portrayed each character perfectly. Mrs. Bennet was very loud and obnoxious. Lydia was childish and embarrassing. Miss Caroline Bingley was elegant but spiteful. Miss Georgiana Darcy was kind and gentle. Mr. Collins was sickening. Lady Catherine was not only frightening, but certainly condescending. It doesn't matter which actor or character you look at, they were all very believable.

Cinematography could have been better. It does well enough but many shots could be better imagined with a great cinematographer. However, this was a miniseries and not an actual feature film so the flaw is certainly excusable. Costumes and sets were beautiful. The grandness of Pemberley was exciting to see.

The most interesting aspect of the film was its influence on its viewers. P&P led to a sudden Jane Austen revival. Suddenly, more Jane Austen books were being sold, more Jane Austen movies were being made. It was referred to as ‘the Jane Austen bug' and the credit for the biting went to this film. P&P was enjoyed by all genders, ages and cultures. Fan fiction, from modern to regency, began to pop up on the net everywhere (usually fiction relating to Mr. Darcy's feelings, which is interesting). Some fan fiction even made it to a publisher, became a bestseller, then was made into a film with the very same Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy in the fan fiction known as Bridget Jones's Diary!

So to say the least this film is indeed a classic. It has had a great influence in the lives of its viewers. It is well worth your precious time to sit and watch it in its entirety. You won't find that it was a waste. In fact, I'm sure you'll find yourself watching it over and over again.

I give it a whopping 10 out of 10. If I could, I'd give it a 20 out of 10. It deserves no less.

Where the Heart Is (2000)

It's a good movie

[8/10 · 30 November 2002]

***WARNING - POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

I've read the reviews and some are not so good. If you want to delve into perfection and pick it apart into tiny pieces, as some are want to do, then fine. I can't help change your mind. However, if you like feel good movies this is a good one to see.

This was a film with many subplots. Some have speculated that it contained too many subplots. I disagree. Peyton Place was successful, even a classic, and it contained just as many subplots.

The movie is about realness. This isn't a film full of fluff typical of Hollywood. This is why it stands out to me. It's about life. Life is full of misfortune and unhappiness. From honesty and integrity to alcoholism and loss, this film has it all. It's not glossed over but touched on in a way that makes you see how life passes by and mistakes are made but you pull through in the end.

One viewer pointed out how unrealistic the film was because of lack of surveillance in a Wal-Mart. Perhaps. However, not every small town has a need for such hi-tech systems. This doesn't mean it's realistic but it doesn't mean it's unrealistic either. It's simply a fact.

The film has plenty of humor as well as tearful moments. Though I don't like Ashley Judd (that's putting it lightly), she did well in the film. She wasn't overly dramatic and her comedic side did shine through.

Good rule of thumb: If you like movies such as Peyton Place, Crimes of the Heart, or The Deep End of the Ocean, then you'll like this movie.

9/11 (2002 TV Movie)

Surely this will become a classic!

[10/10 · 24 November 2002]

This was the most visually stunning, moving, amazing and incredible story I've ever experienced. Quite frankly, even those adjectives just cannot describe it. I can't just choose one scene that stood out for me. I suppose if I had to list a few it would be the reactions of the fireman to the crashing sound of jumping victims; the reaction of people trapped in the elevator, who were unaware of what was going on, as they finally emerge to the horrific scene; the shock and disbelief of the onlookers; and finally the silence.

On that day, and even now, I am reminded of Star Wars (1977). Obi-Wan says, `I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.' It is amazing how it is so accurate in its description. There was truly a disturbance in the Force.

This documentary vividly reveals this disturbance. The feelings are so incredibly visual. The anger, the frustration, the shock, the fear, the exhaustion, and the realization of its very magnitude. It's all there. Not a thing is missed.

This is a powerful and most moving documentary and well deserving of the Emmy. Not just because it documents 9/11 but because it is simply everything it should be.

If you plan to watch, be sure to grab a box of tissues. You'll need them. I know that I did.