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Reviews
Farrah's Story (2009)
Incredibly Moving
You might think this story would be depressing, but it's really just the opposite. Don't get me wrong-I shed a few tears, but Farrah's philosophy is uplifting. It is an emotional roller-coaster, but ultimately it is life-affirming. She teaches us that every moment of life and love is precious. What an incredibly brave, and responsible act to make this movie of a persons cancer tribulation. Certainly it comes at her expense, but this is what film should be. It slaps mindless dreck in the face with it's noble purpose. Of course, having "star power" is one of the reasons why this documentary is being aired, but that's a responsible use of one's power when one has it. It really made me think about my life and how important the people in it are to me - and, how I should act more loving and tenderly towards them. Make every moment count, and don't stop fighting to survive ! Kudos to all involved in this amazing film. Robert
Religulous (2008)
It's about time !
Very enjoyable. Honest search for truth. Mr. Maher interviewed so many of the people I currently know, not gross caricatures, real people I run into every day. Bill Maher did not just seek out the select few that came off as idiots. Naturally, an entertainer has to use what he has available to tell an interesting story, but I know people every bit as convinced of their religious rightness as many of the people in this film. Of course, this movie does essentially preach to the already converted. I can't imagine any religious person that I know going to see it. I think the ideas and scenarios are compelling. This movie could help anyone who is sitting on the fence and doubting the worth of their religion. I wish I could have taken my kids. There is a sex reference, but it was really rather tame. My only criticism, may be at around the seventy percent mark, the movie dragged just a little. Three or four minutes could have been edited out. Otherwise, this is an important work. I'm very glad it got made.
Calamity Jane (1953)
If you see only one Doris Day movie -
Make it this one ! With so many wonderful performances to pick from, I think of this as her best performance. She is so dynamic and alive in this role.It's a very cute story. The supporting cast members are all excellent. It's a beautiful movie to look at. The songs are wonderful. They're infectious. I love the Deadwood Stage - Whip crack away ! It's not just one of the best Doris Day musicals - it's one of the very best musicals on film. Doris Day is an amazing powerhouse. She looks incredible in her leather outfit and stunningly beautiful in her dress for the ball. There's a wonderful scene where she transforms a run-down cabin into a darling cottage while singing a merry song. Not very realistic, but that's why musicals are so fun. I now call Chicago "Chi-caw-gee" because of this movie. Really cute. Don't miss.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Horrible ! Horrible !
Icky, sticky, gooey, and lighter-than-air. Oh, and, almost meaningless. I went to see Meryl Streep,who, ordinarily could read the phonebook and make it compelling. I don't know what possessed her(?) Could the greatest actress of my time lack judgement, completely? Would she really rather be a singer? Her gentle parlando is pretty good. The big, over-the-top numbers had me grimacing and wincing. Musicals, I would think, should have people who can sing, and I mean really well. There were some good voices, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, the daughter character. Most of the rest reminded me of why needed Marni Nixon.Actors want to be singers and singers want to be actors. There are only a handful who can do both, successfully. I don't think a singer has to have a pristine voice, necessarily, "Acting" a song makes it real, so, I am a little conflicted. I just expect to hear better-than-average musicianship, when I go to a musical.That only makes sense. Would you tolerate bad violin playing at the symphony? PierceBrosnan, if that was his real voice, is a freak of nature. He sounded like he was playing Bluebeard the Pirate whenever he sang. I was literally afraid another musical number would ensue with him in it, and yet, I was giddy for all the wrong reasons. I've never heard someone vomit lyrics before. Okay, enough bashing of singers. Now, I have an unusual comment. Meryl Streep looked really weird. Her skin tone looked sickly to me. It was very distracting.And,I did not like watching my favorite actress debasing herself with this saccharine, melodramatic, cartoon of a movie.I don't understand how she could amaze me in so many roles and then, utterly disappoint me in this thing. Is it direction?
The few shots of the actual outdoors of Greece, or Corfu, or wherever were quite beautiful. It's true, the outdoor shots actually did enhance this movie. The soundstage shots were obvious.
Christine Baranski stole the show. Imagine that !Just like when she stole it from another over-acting blonde who could only kinda-sorta sing. Her singing was really quite fine, and she performed in what I considered the best musical bit in the whole movie.
I love musicals. I don't need bombs and chase scenes to make me happy. I've seen lots and lots of them. This musical falls short of the mark. I'm sure it scored very well with it's intended audience.
Meryl, Julie, you are two of the greatest actresses of our time....WTF?
The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
Way better than I remembered it
This is a fantastic movie.
I used to think it was too loud, abrasive and most certainly claustrophobic....and at that time it really turned me off. Well, it is all those things...but, it is brilliantly acted by both Segal and Streisand. I don't think I have seen Streisand more natural or convincing than in this role....and in my opinion she's extremely sexy.
Originally I faulted George Segal for being so annoying (as Felix)...now, I applaud him for acting the part.
There are some hysterically funny lines and situations in this movie.
Enjoy
A Dirty Shame (2004)
Good concepts....for a skit.
I had fun watching this movie, but, it went on about the same thing forever. Never in my dedicated history of watching John Waters movies was I ever bored. (Incidentally, I haven't seen Cecil B. or Pecker) I could barely watch the last 1/2 hour of this. I kept wondering when it would finally be over.
I applaud this film maker for tackling taboo subjects. Ullman was good+ but, not performing her own material (where I believe she would have excelled).
It was fun and I'm thankful for something other than mindless dreck, but, it left me pining for "desperate living" and "female trouble" which had so much more to offer in the way of outlandish entertainment and featured no big stars (alright, several of them were reaaaally big)!
I miss cuddles.
The Stepford Wives (2004)
Better than a kick in the pants
Silly fluff. Interesting new variations on the old classic. Some very dumb ideas...animated (poorly) robot dog, human cash machine.
A campy homage that is watchable just for Glenn Close and Christopher Walken. I have no trouble with Nicole Kidman's performance. It's true...Matthew Broderick seems really limited...and, not too cute anymore, either. I really like Jon Lovitz, but, he seemed miscast.
I won't get mad comparing this to the classic original. It's an homage, a fantasia. It has "camp" appeal. It was the only thing I could find on HBO that day.
It was far better than cleaning my kitchen, or, paying my bills !
She-Devil (1989)
more rewarding after multiple viewings....
but, that's probably a bad thing.
Complex and interesting story. I think every actor contributed significantly. I certainly don't see this as a "low point" for Meryl Streep. I do feel that Linda Hunt was a great addition, but, seriously underused.
Deep irony mixed with a lot of fun fluff.
This movie used to mystify me. Couldn't tell why I didn't feel this "comedy" was funny. But, after multiple viewings; I really enjoy the entire package. I could be dense.
Yentl (1983)
Great storytelling, great music, great performances...
This could be Streisand's greatest film. The story is always interesting. The music from the Bergman's and Michel Legrand is nonpareil. Streisand's portrayal is very good as a young man. I don't see why people compare her to Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie. Do they criticize him for not being able to sing like her? He's a fantastic actor....she knows that she's not in the same class. She excels in different ways. I'm not of the Streisand-can-do-no-wrong school. I just think this is a really great story, well done and definitely impacted my life in a meaningful way. I don't believe you have to be a Streisand devotee to enjoy this.
Really, a gem of a movie that is too often criticized.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)
What the heck "Happened" ?
I have seen this play on stage. Done by enthusiastic amateurs. It was way more rewarding than this film.
Certain "stagey" aspects seem not to have translated well on to film.
Michael Crawford is kind of annoying, but, really perfect on the Broadway soundtrack.
I love Sondheim. Any composer to use words like "ecdesiast" and "perspicacity" in a song gets high points with me. I know so little about Richard Lester, but, I know I don't much like the direction. Why do creators hand over their projects for other people to insenstively ruin? So far the only Sondheim movie I've ever liked is "the last of Sheila". Most definitely not a musical. The filmed version of Sweeney Todd is pretty wonderful, and, so is "Into the woods". I have a neat video about the making of "Company", but, the sound quality is terrible.
Is this movie good? It has a few moments. Should be much better, because it is in spirit.
Grease 2 (1982)
"Lard"
"Tallow", "Crisco", "I can't believe it's not Grease #1"
Well, yes I can. What a dumb non-sequel. Adrian Zmed and Lorna Luft? Are you freakin' kidding me? Uninspired, unsingable, un-interesting songs. This is "Grease Lite". A movie made from, perhaps, ideas adandoned from the first movie? Pales horribly in comparison to "Grease", but, also has no merit in it's own right. Oh, well....Michelle Pfeiffer is totally hot! That helps.
Funny Lady (1975)
You wanna know what it's really like ?....
FAN......TAS......TIC !
Well,not quite, but still very watchable. There's a sort of hollow feeling to the whole thing, but then I sort of think that adds new character to an already well told story. We'd have certainly been cheated if they tried to re-do "funny girl" all over again. I have played the soundtrack so many times and really have never felt cheated in any way. The sequel portrays Fanny Brice as more worldly and cynical. She couldn't have possibly remained the same naive, dewy-eyed girl portrayed in the first movie. I think, as sequels go, this is well done and enjoyable...but, a sequel nevertheless. A little less magic than the original, but enjoyable on several levels.
Valley of the Dolls (1967)
Movie is actually better
This movie may be pure poop, but, I watch it every six months and love every minute of it! I am always nonplussed at the 1-star rating this fun movie always gets. Yeah, it's atrocious, all of the acting is way over the top, the direction is awful at times....but, that's what makes this so fun !! I saw Barbara Parkins in an interview talking about the bad direction. She breaks up with Lyon Burke, then walks out of her own house into the dead of winter in heels. That's part of the reason why this is a "cult classic". It begs for audience participation, much in the same way as "Rocky horror picture show". Patty Duke is outstanding as a mixed up, selfish psycho. Reviews here claim it's her worst performance which is so untrue. She brings life and depth to an extremely shallow, selfish character from the book...which I feel is dead-on accurate.
This movie gets better and better with age and with multiple viewings.
I have recently re-read the book. It's certainly edgy and entertaining...but, it's not all that well written. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun read....but, ridiculous. Hanna-Barbera created more believable characters than are in this book. The book is just so emotional and all over the place with internal monologue, back story and lacking in fact. It's loaded with histrionics and myth and gross inaccuracy. It's no wonder the movie lacks any kind of substance; it had so very little to draw from. I now have more respect for those involved in the film. They did it all the justice it deserved.
Lost Horizon (1973)
Product of the times
I've been listening to the soundtrack, today. Some of it's melodies are simply enchanting. Burt bachrach's music is worlds ahead of mainstream fluff. He and Hal David were very "arty" and were sort of a Sondheim for Pop music. I've been listening to Dionne on Scepter.... Stunningly beautiful, especially the pieces that were not big hits. But, I can understand why people just don't get them, because they are "arty" and complex. So, too are the songs of this musical. And yes they do sound a little smarmy and dated, but...then again, so do so many things from 1973.
I agree that the music and the movie (in hindsight) were probably a bad marriage. I can't really imagine what people were thinking when they decided to put together so many elements. I guess i should read somebody's autobiography.
I think re-making it as a musical was not an implausible idea. How many other unlikely things have been made into successful musicals. I really think it's unfair to claim that this production was responsible for killing the hollywood musical. The hollywood musical was already in hibernation and required a long period of dormancy. So, now we have that silly Moulin Rouge which is a fun confection, but has no original music of it's own and will soon look and sound horribly dated.
Just had to share. Listen to some Bacharach and love the magic.
The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980)
23 years later...still leaves a bad taste in my mouth
I remember seeing this film as a teenager. At the age of 17 I would laugh at anything even vaguely funny. I don't remember anything genuinely funny happening here. I remember feeling embarrassed for one of the greatest actor/ comedians of the 20th century.
Work is work and I am sure he was glad to have another gig. Let's just forget about this movie. Maybe somebody will buy the rights to it and have it mercifully destroyed. Then, we can all get past this bomb and cherish the fine performances that a truly great actor bestowed upon us.
Check out Lolita.
Robert