Category Archives: 2007

2007, Chick Flick, Feel Good Not For Children

And Then She Found Me (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Helen Hunt, Colin Firth, Bette Midler and Matthew Broderick star
in this comedic tale about a schoolteacher in the thick of a midlife
crisis involving a messy divorce, the death of her adoptive mother
and a reunion with her eccentric birth mother. As if that weren’t
enough to juggle, things grow even more complicated when she begins
dating a man who turns out to be the father of one of her students.

Bette Midler makes any movie a “feel-good” for me. This chick flick
melodrama borders sometimes on a B, or maybe I’m being too
harsh. The story line has lots of twists and never drags. There is
just too much language and sex for children to watch this film.
Helen Hunt is older and fits the part perfectly. And Bette Midler
plays Bette Midler which just puts a smile on my face. There is
a serious, religious, Jewish tone to the movie. It is not just a
comedy.

For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed the film.

2007, Suspense, Violent

Pride and Glory (2007)

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From NetFlix:

A corruption scandal fractures a family of New York City cops
in this generational drama about homicide detective Ray Tierney
(Edward Norton), who’s tasked with investigating a precinct run
by his brother (Noah Emmerich). As if that weren’t enough, Ray’s
fellow officer and best friend (Colin Farrell) may turn out to
be dirty. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the film features a
high-octane supporting cast that includes Jon Voight and Jennifer
Ehle.

At first this film seemed ho-hum, another corrupt cop story. But stay
with it! The ensemble work and acting are powerful. Colin Farrell has
often played a crook or murderer with a conscience, but this time he
is corrupt with no turning back. Hereafter I will remember the name
Noah Emmerich (Yale, NYU Film School, Law and Order, etc). Since I
first saw Jon Voight in “Midnight Cowboy” he has changed a bit. How
time flies.

The film is very VIOLENT, no children allowed.

Wow!

2007, Feel Good Not For Children, Underdogs win

The Great Debaters (2007)

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From NetFlix:

When African-American poet Mel Tolson (Denzel Washington, who
also directs) creates a debate team at historically black Wiley
College, he pushes the team to a level of excellence that allows
them to challenge powerhouse Harvard in 1935. But despite public
success, personal clashes foment as the father (Forest Whitaker)
of one of Tolson’s students resents his son’s loyalty to his coach.
Denzel Whitaker co-stars in this drama based on a true story.

You have seen this movie before: underdogs win against great odds.
But that movie is almost always inspiring and this film is no exception.
Wiley college in 1935 debated and won against USC, not Harvard.
In 2007 Denzel Washington announced a million dollar grant to
Wiley college to re-establish their debating team.

This film is not for children because it does portray a lynching. Also
Denzel Washington explains the origin of the word “lynch” and the
details are chilling.

The co-existence of comfortable, educated blacks with the redneck
Jim Crow south in 1935 can be shocking.

Strong performances by all actors make this a must-see.

Highly recommended,

2007, Feel Good For All, FilmReview

Son Of Rambow (2007)

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From NetFlix:

    Forbidden to watch TV or go to the movies by his ultrareligious
    parents, young Will (Bill Milner) gets a hold of a camera, and his
    mind blossoms in this nostalgic comedy from the team behind The
    Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy. Set in 1980s Britain, the film
    tells the tale of the friendship that blossoms between Will and
    class bully Lee (Will Poulter) when the latter recruits Will to
    help him make a home movie inspired by Rambo: First Blood

Thanks to Kate and Nigel for suggesting “Son of Rambow” which is the 320th film in our
collection.

 Finally a feel-good for everyone (such films are rare these days).  For some reason the film
got a PG-13  rating (parental guidance for kids under 13) due to violence. But the movie
is just about super-crazy kids making a movie. This is a sit, relax, and laugh movie.  For me
just the scene with the flying dog made the whole movie worthwhile.  There are other really
funny sight gags. By the way, wife Kathy also loved the film – which really says something.
For me the very last part of  the movie was just a tad maudlin. Still, the happy ending just
felt right.

2007, FilmReview, Suspense

Cassandra’s Dream (2007)

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From NetFlix:

When two brothers turn to crime to solve their money troubles,
they soon find themselves over their heads and pitted against
each other in this thriller from Oscar-winning writer-director
Woody Allen. Meanwhile, one brother (Ewan McGregor) becomes smitten
with a beautiful young actress (Hayley Atwell), while his sibling
(Colin Farrell) struggles with mounting gambling debts. Tom
Wilkinson and Sally Hawkins co-star.

Woody Allen’s “Cassandra’s Dream” is nothing special. The beginning of the film offers no
tension except Colin Farrell’s addiction to gambling. But when Colin loses big-time and his
uncle Tom Wilkinson arrives on scene, things begin to turn ugly. By then I was hooked and
had to see how the film ended. Colin Farrell portrays a distraught young man with a conscience.

Would not be my first choice,

2007, Could Be Sad, Feel Good For All

Grace Is Gone (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Director James C. Strouse’s indie drama stars John Cusack
as Stanley Phillips, an ex-military man trying to find the
courage to break some devastating news to his two daughters:
Their mother has died while serving in Iraq. As he works through
his complex feelings about his wife’s death and the war, Stanley
delays telling his girls the truth, instead taking them on an
excursion to a theme park. The film won the Dramatic Audience
Award at Sundance 2007.

I don’t remember ever seeing John Cusack in a bad film and this film is no exception.
Despite its sad theme the film is never maudlin. However, if by the end of the film you
don’t feel a bit teary, you might just be made of stone. The two girls are perfect, each
for their age. In fact the film is just about perfect.

I called this movie a “feel-good for all”. But you might want to prepare any children
viewers beforehand for some sadness.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED,

2007, Horror, Stephen King

The Mist (2007)

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From NetFlix:

After a brutal thunderstorm pounds a small town, the residents
discover a malevolent mist hangs over their homes, killing anyone
who remains outside. Trapped in a grocery store, a band of survivors
must make a stand against the deadly fog. Based on a story by horror
maestro Stephen King and directed by multiple Oscar nominee Frank
Darabont, this spine chiller stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden
and Andre Braugher

While watching this Stephen King horror story, daughter Kate and I recoiled in terror while Kate’s
boy friend Nigel yawned in boredom. I thought the story was quite an engrossing trip. And
the film influenced a dream I had that night.

Stephen King is too good to just present horror for horror’s sake. In this film he asks the question:
when put into a dangerous situation that may require bravery or sacrifice, how would most
people react ? Forget the silly monsters (which are really creepy). Marcia Gay Harden was
her usual well-acting self as a religious fanatic (read that “nuts”) who rabble-rouses to perfection.
I have never heard of Thomas Jane who put in a good performance as the lead (of course, since
he is from Baltimore).

There is no sex in the film. But this movie could scare the living daylights out of small children, as
well as adults named “Tony”.

Stephen King published a collection of his short stories called “Skeleton Crew”
in which the first story is the original “The Mist”. It is very similar to the film
plot. But to tell you the truth, I prefer the film plot over the novella.

Be afraid, be very afraid,

2007, Not Feel Good

Boy A (2007)

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From NetFlix:

After spending most of his life in prison for a murder he
committed as a child, a young man (Andrew Garfield) is
returned to society, where a dedicated caseworker (Peter
Mullan) helps him start a new life under a new identity,
Jack Burridge. When he lands a job and falls in love,
things seem to be taking a positive turn for Jack. But
his new existence hangs by a thread, as he discovers when
one simple act threatens to expose him.

I’ve struck it rich with this wonderful but very sad British movie. It has an independent
flavor and Andrew Garfield is outstandingly realistic in his role as a young man just
entering society after a stretch in prison.

There are certain scenes showing “Jack” socializing at parties, etc. that you might
consider boring. But please, please hang in there because this film has been for me
one of those rare finds. I don’t even know how I chanced upon the title.

Daughter Kate and her Nigel (Movie Fans) actually were able to fight jet lag and stay awake
for the film.

A bit tense and very sad but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED,

2007, Acceptable Trash

Run Fat Boy Run (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Five years ago, Dennis (Simon Pegg) left his pregnant fiancée,
Libby (Thandie Newton), at the altar. Now, he realizes it was
the worst mistake of his life. Run down and out of shape,
Dennis begins training for a marathon, hoping to win Libby away
from her sleazy new boyfriend (Hank Azaria). Will losing the
pounds and catching his breath be enough to get her back? Dylan
Moran co-stars in David Schwimmer’s feature directorial debut.

After the mostly downer of “Days and Clouds”, Schwimmer’s “Run Fat Boy Run” is a
welcome relief. It’s just an easy-to-watch movie about
an indecisive slacker trying to change his ways. Some great sight gags. Why do we
laugh at pratfalls ? I suppose the sex gags make it out of bounds for children.

2007, Acceptable Trash

You Don’t Mess With The Zohan (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Adam Sandler also stars as the titular Zohan, an Israeli
counterterrorism soldier with a secretly fabulous ambition to
become a Manhattan hairstylist, in this comedy he co-wrote with
Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) and Robert Smigel. Zohan’s desire runs so
deep that he’ll do anything — including faking his own death and
going head to head with an Arab cab driver (Rob Schneider) — to
make his dreams come true

This movie is:

juvenile,
crude,
maudlin,
offensive,
mostly constant sexual references.

I enjoyed it in what must have been roughly 90 minutes of weakness.

The movie has a mission: convince the audience that Israelis and Palestinians should stop
fighting and live in peace. I found myself wondering how audiences in either Israel or
Palestine would receive this movie. I assume Adam Sandler is Jewish. I only wish that
John Tarturro (his Palestinian nemesis) was Palestinian instead of being Italian.

I LOVE TRASH!