Big energy threatens to move in and disrupt life in the small English
mining town of Grimley, but its brass band conductor refuses to hang
up his baton. Recognizing Grimley’s last chance to shine, Danny
( Pete Postlethwaite) perfects his band for their last chance at national
competition. Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald) tries to perform flawless flugelhorn
as she wrestles resentment for her part in the mine’s closure and falls
for Andy (Ewan McGregor).
Similar to Full Monty. Feel-good. Even my mom would like this one.
As I recall, OK for kids.
Looking to earn some cash — and to get out from under the
thumb of his domineering mother (Laura Linney) — shy teen
Ben Marshall ( Rupert Grint) goes to work as an assistant to a
tetchy retired actress (Julie Walters). But what begins as a
simple summer job soon turns into a life-changing experience
for young Ben. Nicholas Farrell plays Linney’s henpecked spouse
in this affecting coming-of-age drama from director Jeremy Brock.
I can’t even remember how I stumbled upon this small gem of
a movie. Laura Linney plays to perfection an evil religious hypocrite.
Rupert Grint captures “downbeaten teenager” like no one else.
Even Kathy loved this movie (and that’s saying something).
It’s a definite feel-good with some strong language from gritty
Julie Walters.
Attempting to piece her life back together after losing her husband
(David Duchovny) in a tragic incident, grieving widow Audrey (Halle Berry)
turns to an unlikely ally: her husband’s childhood friend Jerry
( Benicio Del Toro), an emotionally wrecked heroin addict. As the troubled
two struggle to bear their heavy respective burdens, by leaning on each
other, they discover they possess unexpected resources in this moving drama.
I usually don’t cry at a movie. However, this one did it for me. The subtle use
of eyes and faces reminded me of a French film. Benicio Del Toro shines
like I have never before seen him do.
As a child, pianist Melanie’s ( Déborah François) dream of
studying at a prestigious musical conservatory is shattered
when the chairwoman of the jury ( Catherine Frot) distracts
her during an audition. Years later, a coincidence leads to
Melanie’s employment in the woman’s household, and she
finds herself in the perfect position for revenge. Directed by
Denis Dercourt, this stylish psychological drama co-stars
Pascal Greggory.
Stephen King’s forte is revenge. But his revenge is usually
physically violent and just plain fun. On the other hand,
“The Page Turner” is French to the core. Subtle, quiet,
polite, it had me on the edge of my seat because I felt
that any minute something really awful was going to happen.
I strongly recommend this movie (NOT FOR CHILDREN)
and will only say “Don’t expect a happy ending”.
Charismatic butcher Jack Dodds (Michael Caine) orders his lifelong
friends to make a special journey in the wake of his death by delivering
his ashes to the sea. Joined by Jack’s son (Ray Winstone), Lucky
(Bob Hoskins), Vic (Tom Courtenay) and Lenny (David Hemmings)
travel through the pastoral countryside from pub to pub, revisiting their
memories of life after a terrible war. But Jack’s wife (Helen Mirren)
is on a voyage of her own.
Not quite an A movie, but involving and touching nonetheless. And
what a cast of British actors! Helen Mirren is willing to look any
haggard part. A bunch of imperfect but well-meaning and
interrelated people just trying to carry out someone’s last wishes.
Years after fleeing the Taliban and immigrating to the
United States, an Afghan man (Khalid Abdalla) returns
to his war-ravaged homeland to try to repay his debt
to a childhood friend whose trust he betrayed. Marc
Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball) directs this
touching story of family, friendship and bravery, based
on the best-selling novel by Khaled Hosseini.
The movie was faithful to the book. There are a lot of subtitles
because the languages are English, Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, and
Russian.
This movie is not for children. For the most part it is non-violent
but does include child rape, a beating, and the stoning of a woman
to death. The most difficult part to watch is one child betraying
another.
Anyone who’s ever been in a classroom will be touched by this
moving, mostly-true story of famed East L.A. math teacher Jaime
Escalante ( Edward James Olmos), who finds himself in a classroom
of rebellious remedial-math students. He stuns fellow faculty members
with his plans to teach AP Calculus, and even more when the mostly
Hispanic teens (including Lou Diamond Phillips as Angel Guzman)
overcome the odds and eventually go the distance.
NetFlix provides reviews by its viewers, all of whom really liked
this feel-good A movie for everyone. Not at all sappy.
When principal Joe Clark ( Morgan Freeman) takes over decaying
Eastside High School, he’s faced with students wearing gang colors
and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to
turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks
doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and
parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on
the line to give kids a chance.
At first I was not taken with the film. Morgan Freeman seemed just too
much the tough guy. But the movie makes sense (and is based on
reality). There is suspense toward the end of the film.
Small-town single mom Sammy Prescott (Laura Linney) is preoccupied
with raising her son Rudy (Rory Culkin), who’s become sullen — and
curious about his missing dad. Amid romantic and work troubles,
Sammy’s wayward brother Terry (Mark Ruffalo) appears, instantly
bonding with Rudy and instigating a perilous father-son reunion.
Director Kenneth Lonergan’s intimate, Oscar-nominated drama
won the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize.
MarkRuffalo does a great job. Ends with a scene that for me was
very sad. Nevertheless, a real feel-good.
Jodie Foster won an Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Tobias in
this fact-based drama. After being raped by three men in a local
bar, Sarah, enraged at the light sentence her attackers receive,
persuades attorney Kathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis) to press
charges against the men who cheered on the attack. But it won’t be
easy: Sarah has a shady past that could be used against her in court.
This is a VIOLENT film. Towards the end there is an ugly gang-rape scene. But Jodie Foster’s facial expressions alone are worth the entire film. It’s probably the best Jodie Foster film I have seen.
