Others have described this movie pretty well, so I just wanted to add a few thoughts. This is a suspense drama released in 1947 starring Humphrey Bogart and Barbara Stanwyck. The plot and actors are OK, but I thought the big winner here was Edith Head. Her gowns and even the lounge wear is stunning in this movie. There is an attempt to portray the good girl in white and the bad girl (Alexis Smith) in black. Hats off to the hair and lighting guys too, Barbara Stanwyck is beautiful throughout. Bogarts' sudden headaches get ridiculous after awhile. The plot point I had the most trouble with is that the daughter only seems to go to school when dad needs to off a wife, yet she talks like a Rhodes Scholar. This movie will hold your attention, it just doesn't completely satisfy.
Reviews
6 Reviews
St. Elmo's Fire
(1985)
Educational
3 May 2005
I did learn things watching "St. Elmo's Fire". They were: (1) Georgetown students smoke like chimneys; (2) Ally Sheedy must have ticked off the hair stylist because while the other stars had trendy 80's hair, Ms. Sheedy was forced to don a really bad 70's cut; and (3) apparently prior to the Rebecca Shaeffer murder, you could have a lovable stalker character named "Kirby" in a movie.
Besides educational, this movie is a good way to waste a couple of hours. Just a great guilty pleasure, soapy, sudsy mess of hyped up 80's. While Hollywood thought these actors were the best and brightest of the decade, the real stars were going their own path on the small screen (think Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp). As usual, Hollywood was wrong...but the brat pack sure was pretty to look at.
Besides educational, this movie is a good way to waste a couple of hours. Just a great guilty pleasure, soapy, sudsy mess of hyped up 80's. While Hollywood thought these actors were the best and brightest of the decade, the real stars were going their own path on the small screen (think Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp). As usual, Hollywood was wrong...but the brat pack sure was pretty to look at.
Scent of a Woman
(1992)
Flawed, but recommended movie
29 March 2004
I saw this movie tonight for probably the tenth time. Like many, I am a fan of the tango scene. Whenever I pass this movie flipping channels, and I haven't missed this scene, I will watch for it. It is one of the most perfect scenes in a movie ever. When "Michael" arrives, the young ladies' date, you can feel the energy sucked out of the room. A real testament to the great acting in "Scent of a Woman".
Unlike some, I am not a fan of the final prep school scene. Seems too melodramatic and Hollywood. For me, the movie ends in the final dramatic scene in the hotel room. As I watched this movie tonight and the Colonel said the words "it's dark in here", it finally occurred to me he was not talking about his blindness. He was talking about his soul. It touched something raw and unspoken. How blind are we to the darkness in our own soul?
There is such realism in this movie. I hate that the ending veers too much into a formula to be really satisfying. I love Al Pacino's performance and I'm glad this is the movie he won the Oscar for. This is a movie you have to see over and over again to truly appreciate the nuances of his performance. While not a perfect film, it is highly recommended.
Unlike some, I am not a fan of the final prep school scene. Seems too melodramatic and Hollywood. For me, the movie ends in the final dramatic scene in the hotel room. As I watched this movie tonight and the Colonel said the words "it's dark in here", it finally occurred to me he was not talking about his blindness. He was talking about his soul. It touched something raw and unspoken. How blind are we to the darkness in our own soul?
There is such realism in this movie. I hate that the ending veers too much into a formula to be really satisfying. I love Al Pacino's performance and I'm glad this is the movie he won the Oscar for. This is a movie you have to see over and over again to truly appreciate the nuances of his performance. While not a perfect film, it is highly recommended.
50 First Dates
(2004)
Great awwwww factor
25 February 2004
I lost count of the number of times the audience I saw this movie with said "awwwwww". It was just that kind of movie. There were several touching moments. There was even a smattering of applause after the movie was over. Like many others who have seen it, I had no idea how good and how sweet this movie would be.
My only beef with the movie was the preoccupation with some juvenile humor. Even more juvenile than most Adam Sandler movies. But I guess if it had not included the humor for 11 year olds, it would have just been labeled a chick flick.
And there is an ending you will remember long after the credits are gone.
Note: The dentist early in the film is played by Adam Sandler's wife, Jackie Titone.
My only beef with the movie was the preoccupation with some juvenile humor. Even more juvenile than most Adam Sandler movies. But I guess if it had not included the humor for 11 year olds, it would have just been labeled a chick flick.
And there is an ending you will remember long after the credits are gone.
Note: The dentist early in the film is played by Adam Sandler's wife, Jackie Titone.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
(1993)
DiCaprio Is Excellent
3 January 2004
I saw this movie a couple of years ago and have seen it many times since. I have worked with special needs children for nearly 20 years, and Leonardo DiCaprio gives an excellent performance as a mentally challenged teenager. His mannerisms and vocal inflection as Arnie were dead on. I had never been a DiCaprio fan until I watched this movie, now I see him in a completely different light. He SO deserved an Oscar for this performance. It puts that whole Dustin Hoffman/Rainman performance to shame.
Beyond this outstanding performance is an incredible movie. What is eating Gilbert Grape indeed? Oh, just a loony housewife that wants him at every turn, a mother who requires as much care as a child and a mentally challenged brother who requires almost as much care as a toddler. What is not eating him alive is a better question. The anger culminates in a harsh scene with Arnie. That scene is so real it tears my heart out.
Fabulous film, fantastic performances. One of my favorites.
Beyond this outstanding performance is an incredible movie. What is eating Gilbert Grape indeed? Oh, just a loony housewife that wants him at every turn, a mother who requires as much care as a child and a mentally challenged brother who requires almost as much care as a toddler. What is not eating him alive is a better question. The anger culminates in a harsh scene with Arnie. That scene is so real it tears my heart out.
Fabulous film, fantastic performances. One of my favorites.
Legends of the Fall
(1994)
Best Comedy I've Seen
19 August 2003
I love this movie. It is soooo funny. Unfortunately, I don't think it was actually intended as a comedy. But with a group of snarky family and friends, this movie is quite a hoot.
The movie starts out interesting enough. Julia Ormond is beautiful. Henry Thomas is a cutie pie. Brad Pitt is not nearly as Johnny Depp as he thinks he is. But the whole sweeping epic family thing draws you in at first. Then the movie starts to stink it up big time.
I think it was Roger Ebert who wondered what was more ridiculous, the fact that the three brothers are on the same battlefield in WWI or the fact that the British would allow Brad Pitt to wear that long hair. Answer? None of the above. The answer is Anthony Hopkins stumbling around in a bear coat with a chalkboard around his neck writing upside down better than I can write right side up! I know, he's suppose to have had a stroke, but I just about had a stroke watching his ridiculous performance.
Then one more ridiculous thing after another happens. But the real gut buster is Brad getting eaten by a bear. That had me and the kids rolling on the floor. Honestly, I looooove this movie!
The movie starts out interesting enough. Julia Ormond is beautiful. Henry Thomas is a cutie pie. Brad Pitt is not nearly as Johnny Depp as he thinks he is. But the whole sweeping epic family thing draws you in at first. Then the movie starts to stink it up big time.
I think it was Roger Ebert who wondered what was more ridiculous, the fact that the three brothers are on the same battlefield in WWI or the fact that the British would allow Brad Pitt to wear that long hair. Answer? None of the above. The answer is Anthony Hopkins stumbling around in a bear coat with a chalkboard around his neck writing upside down better than I can write right side up! I know, he's suppose to have had a stroke, but I just about had a stroke watching his ridiculous performance.
Then one more ridiculous thing after another happens. But the real gut buster is Brad getting eaten by a bear. That had me and the kids rolling on the floor. Honestly, I looooove this movie!
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