Tommy Lee Jones

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

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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.

HOPE SPRINGS: A FAMILIAR RELATIONSHIP EXAMINED

We couldn’t help but appreciate “Hope Springs” after a summer of 3D action movies. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones play a couple as ordinary as your own parents. We’ve never seen Tommy Lee play a role like this and he is understated and brilliant. After 31 years of marriage they’ve grown apart, and Kay is unhappy and Arnold is oblivious. Kay forces her husband into marriage therapy with embarrassing and fascinating results. Many longtime marrieds will see themselves in these realistic characters (the script was written by a woman – Vanessa Taylor) It’s smart and funny and makes you think – it should be required viewing for anybody who wants to stay married.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE?

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Photo Credit: INFdaily.com

Can you guess who this incredible actor/Oscar nominee and Harvard grad cum laude is? WE had a hard time figuring it out. It’s Tommy Lee Jones (“No Country For Old Men”) and you don’t have to go to Harvard to know that everyone wants gifts from Barneys. We’re not thrilled with his gray beard – like Brad Pitt’s chin whiskers, it does him no favors.