Movies

JENNIFER ANISTON: WHO WANTS TO PAY FOR A DEPRESSING MOVIE?

Jennifer Aniston is thrilled beyond words because she finally got to play a serious character in a movie that is NOT a romantic comedy. And she does it without makeup or hair extensions. But she may be one of the few fans of the movie “Cake,” set to be released in January. Her character Claire has suffered an unbearable loss and been left in constant pain. Her perfect life (she and her husband were successful lawyers with a gorgeous home) is disintegrating. She’s addicted to pain pills and bitterness. Miserable Claire is difficult to relate to, and usually Jennifer is very relatable. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the script was written by man. Claire is painful to be around and painful to watch. While Jennifer is believable, the movie’s unpleasant subject matter is not appealing, and we’ll be surprised if it attracts much of an audience.

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

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By Janet / December 8, 2014

13 Comments

Black and White Kevin Costner Movies

KEVIN COSTNER’S BLACK AND WHITE IS TIMELY AND INTELLIGENT

Photo: Black & White
When we heard that Kevin Costner had a new movie called “Black and White” we figured it was about soccer or some other ball game because he loves sports. Happily, this movie surprised us in many ways. Kevin does a great job of playing a grandfather to a mixed race little girl, Eloise, portrayed by the adorable discovery, Jillian Estell. The black side of her family tries to get custody of the motherless child and the result is a realistic and down to earth study of black and white relationships and observations. And there is plenty of humor to keep you happy. Click HERE to view the trailer.

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By Janet / December 3, 2014

12 Comments

Hilary Swank Movies The Homesman Tommy Lee Jones

THE HOMESMAN: HILARY SWANK IS SPECTACULAR AS AN INTREPID AND TRAGIC PIONEER WOMAN

Photo: The Homesman

Hilary Swank did it again. She created another unforgettable character in “The Homesman.” Mary Bee Cuddy is a hard working successful pioneer woman in Nebraska territory with all the necessary determination and perseverance, but without the equally necessary husband. The men in her town respect her, but consider her to be homely and bossy. She’s 31 and can’t find a husband to save her life. This highly ethical woman volunteers to escort three mentally unstable women back to an institution in Iowa. Her cross country trek with not-so-ethical Tommy Lee Jones’ character is astonishing. There are moments of true horror and humor too. And there was nothing funny about being a pioneer woman.

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By Janet / November 16, 2014

8 Comments

Interstellar Matthew McConaughey Movies

TICKET BUYER BEWARE: “INTERSTELLAR” IS NOT FOR EVERYONE

Photo: Warner Bros
If you are one of the people who’s had just about enough of Matthew McConaughey, you will absolutely LOATHE him after you see Interstellar. It’s nearly three hours of technical gibberish punctuated by excruciatingly loud music to emphasize the melodrama. The “story” is practically incomprehensible and seems like it will NEVER end. Sorry, but giant machines floating in outer space just don’t thrill us any more. And Matthew’s arrogant Texas attitude doesn’t make the movie easier to swallow. It was TORTURE to sit through. There, we said it.

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By Janet / November 15, 2014

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Benedict Cumberbatch Movies The Imitation Game

“THE IMITATION GAME” HAS MORE TO OFFER THAN THE TITLE SUGGESTS

Photo: The Imitation Game
Hopefully, you’ve heard about “The Imitation Game” and plan to see it. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as British hero Alan Turing, a quirky genius (and closeted gay) who helped win World War II. Turing was an interesting character – as brilliant a mathematician as he was, he was also socially awkward – most likely born with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome. He had great difficulty relating to other people or making friends. During the war he was recruited for a top secret mission to work on breaking the German code, and in doing so he built an early computer. This is an engrossing historical drama – and happens to be true.

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By Janet / November 9, 2014

2 Comments

Brad Pitt Fury Movies

BRAD PITT AND HIS CLARK GABLE MUSTACHE

“Fury” star Brad Pitt walked out of his New York hotel looking cool and collected with his briefcase and distressed fedora. We just saw a screening of his movie and it was difficult to sit through. Brad and the other actors are excellent but if you’re looking for Clint Eastwood’s son, he’s only onscreen for ten seconds. Stories about men at war are usually disturbing, but this was particularly gory and violent. And hopeless. Our side seemed to be as malicious as the enemy. What makes people buy movie tickets so they can relive horrible events?

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

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By Janet / October 15, 2014

5 Comments

Chadwick Boseman Get On Up! James Brown Movies

RUN RIGHT OUT AND SEE THE MOVIE “GET ON UP!”

Get On Up! is one of the best movies of the year! And who ISN’T a fan of James Brown’s music? We never realized what a dreadful childhood Brown endured – he was thrust into adulthood with no education and limited knowledge of ethics. Yet he went on to become of the greatest all time entertainers. Chadwick Boseman captures Brown perfectly and played him from the ages of 17 to 63. His hairstyles and wardrobe are perfection. We were lucky to meet James Brown backstage after a performance during the 60’s in the south side of Chicago. (During the show we caught the turquoise rhinestone cufflink he threw to the audience. And we still have it. ) Backstage, James’ southern accent was difficult to understand, but he was friendly and showed us his wardrobe and his beauty secrets, including pink foam hair rollers. He always wore Cuban heel boots and high hair because he was short. Boseman didn’t need the heels because he’s 6 feet tall. This is a fascinating story of Brown’s contradictory behavior and many political and cultural issues of the era are covered. And it’s hard to resist dancing in the aisles!

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By Janet / July 31, 2014

7 Comments

Luc Besson Movies Scarlett Johansson

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO LOVE “LUCY”

Photo: Universal
We had no expectations when we walked into a screening of “Lucy” starring Scarlett Johansson, and it turned out to be an amazing movie. If you loved Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element, The Professional, or La Femme Nikita, you will be hooked on Lucy! It has all the futuristic elements and surprises that Besson is noted for. He loves strong female characters like Milla Jovovich, and Scarlett fills the bill here. Scarlett’s party girl character Lucy is exposed to a new drug that accelerates her mental powers and a group of terrifying Chinese gangsters are determined to get the drugs back. Great story – great visuals – don’t miss it.

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By Janet / July 23, 2014

3 Comments

Cameron Diaz Jason Segal Movies Sex Tape

SEX TAPE: HOW DUMB CAN A MOVIE BE?

“Sex Tape” has to be one of the worst movies we’ve ever seen. It’s the writers’ fault – not the actors. Cameron Diaz and Jason Segal valiantly try to make sense of truly embarrassing dialog. Watching it, we couldn’t help but cringe and feel sorry for them and their careers. The so-called humor of the movie is unrelentingly vulgar and lacking in imagination. Has the Melissa McCarthy influence of diarrhea jokes and profanity derailed the future of comedic movies forever? If we hadn’t seen “Magic in the Moonlight” recently we might have given up hope of laughing in the movies again. Fortunately Woody Allen wrote a truly clever and witty movie – see that one instead.

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By Janet / July 15, 2014

14 Comments

Colin Firth Magic in the Moonlight Movies Woody Allen

“MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT” IS ONE OF WOODY’S BEST

Woody Allen fans are in for a gigantic treat. His next film, “Magic in the Moonlight “ – due to be released this month, is one of Woody’s greatest triumphs. It’s visually delectable and the French Riviera in the 1920’s has never been more appealing. Colin Firth plays a smart, sarcastic, and egotistical magician to perfection. Woody has written him some of the best dialog EVER and Colin is hilarious. The movie is WAY more fun than the trailer implies – it renews your faith in intelligent comedy.

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By Janet / July 9, 2014

10 Comments