2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All, Love Story

The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Due to a genetic disorder, handsome librarian Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) involuntarily zips through time, appearing at various moments in the life of his true love, the beautiful artist Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams). Also starring Ron Livingston as Gomez, the soul-stirring romantic drama was adapted from the best-selling Audrey Niffenegger novel by Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter behind the beloved weepy Ghost.

Finding a film suitable for everyone, children included, is a rare event. This sweet, gentle fantasy romance is easy to watch. If at first it seems confusing, stay with it. Eventually you will take the disappearances and reappearances of Henry for granted.

Rachel McAdams was Della Frye in State of Play (2009) and Clare Cleary in “Wedding Crashers”.

Eric Bana was Henry Tudor in “The Other Boleyn Girl” and Avner in “Munich”.

Great date film!

2009, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Drugs, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Medical Theme, TV Series

Nurse Jackie (2009)

1 Comment

From NetFlix:

The great Edie Falco (in a Golden Globe-nominated role) stars as feisty emergency room nurse Jackie Peyton, who boldly navigates the storm of patients, doctors, fellow nurses and her own demons at a New York hospital — occasionally with the aid of unprescribed prescription drugs. A wicked combination of dark comedy and poignant drama, this Showtime series also stars Eve Best, Haaz Sleiman, Merritt Wever, Paul Schulze and Peter Facinelli.

Following the “acceptable trash” tradition of such important TV series like “Arrested Development”, “Nurse Jackie” fits right in there with its mixture of medical cynicism, sexcapades, etc. Throw in some pathos and family drama (e.g. a daughter with anxiety syndrome). Finally there is a heavy emphisis on drug addiction. Nurse Jackie herself is addicted to pain pills and has daily midday sex with the pharmacologist who supplies her with the pills from the hospital storeroom. All of which should paint a picture of total nonsense which is not for everyone.

I LOVE TRASH!

2008, Drama

An Education (2008)

1 Comment

From NetFlix:

Jenny’s (Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan) Oxford-bound teen life is undistinguished in 1961 London until she’s given a different kind of education after being immersed in the beguiling but hazardous world of cultured and much-older David (Peter Sarsgaard). Even Jenny’s father, Jack (Alfred Molina), is intrigued by him, but her school’s unimpressed headmistress (Emma Thompson) works to keep Jenny’s entire future from crumbling under David’s influence.

Carey Mulligan will just put a smile on your face. And Peter Sarsgaard is charm itself. Without giving anything away, let’s just say you are beguiled into denial for a seductive temporary ride. Emma Thompson has a very minor role, EXCEPT she does place into focus the plight of women in the 60’s: What career choices were available to women graduates of Oxford in that period ? Let’s see – you could teach other women to get into Oxford so that they could then teach … etc.

After all, Jenny is just a teenager. So be kind and tolerate her “education”. Great film!

2009, Acceptable for children, Sci-Fi, Violent

Avatar (2009)

1 Comment

From NetFlix:

Disabled Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) travels to planet Pandora to become an avatar, ingratiate himself with the natives and help Americans mine lucrative unobtainium. But he finds himself in an interstellar conflict after falling for Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). James Cameron writes and directs this Golden Globe-winning CGI odyssey that has broken box office records. Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang co-star.

To see this film in IMAX 3D is an unforgettable experience in sight and sound. After three hours of pounding sounds my ears were numb. Also after the three hours I was physically tired, probably from the tension and never ending fast action. Bt it was worth it. According to the Wikipedia article, work on the film started in 1994. I can appreciate why it took 15 years to produce. The amount of detailed graphics are overwhelming. It took a wonderful creative imagination to invent such a beautiful planet and amazing creatures.

As for the content, possibly less said the better. Gosh, in 2154 we nasty humans are treating the Na’Vi just the same way we treated the American Indians. Gosh aren’t American corporations greedy bastards ? Gosh aren’t U.S. Marines unfeeling brutes ? Gosh will Sigourney Weaver ever escape her “fighting strange monsters” pigeon hole ? And who on earth is Sam Worthington ?

Personally I wouldn’t mind a ride on one of those dragon critters.

OK for kids as long as you don’t mind them losing their hearing and having nightmares.

2003, Could Be Hard To Watch, Detective, Drama, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Mostly About Sex, Suspense, Vulgar

In the Cut (2003)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Frannie (Meg Ryan) is a New York writing professor entwined in an erotic affair with a police detective (Mark Ruffalo) who’s investigating the murder of a young woman in Frannie’s neighborhood. But soon Frannie begins to suspect her lover’s involvement in the crime. Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Jason Leigh also star in this highly charged film directed by Jane Campion (The Piano) and based on Susanna Moore’s best-selling novel.

Sex – that’s mostly what this film is about. That and a lot of gory murders by a serial killer. You need a strong stomach for this film. Visually there is explicit sex. Verbally there is a lot of very frank sex talk and cursing.

So why would anyone in their right mind watch this gore-sex fest ? Well – Meg Ryan, Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Jason Leigh (as Pauline, Frannie’s sister) do a fair job of putting together a tense “who done it”. The core of the problem is that Meg Ryan is surrounded by a lot of characters, any one of whom could be the serial killer. This list of suspects includes Mark Ruffalo with whom she is having an affair. As much as you might guess the ending it is still scary.

But you have been warned that this film might offend you.

2008, Biographical, Docudrama, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Redemption, Sports, True Story, Vulgar

The Damned United (2008)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Arrogant Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) helms England’s soccer champs Leeds United in 1974 alongside confidant and assistant manager Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), but he manages to bungle the deal in a mere 44 days, winding up fired. Written for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and based on David Peace’s critically acclaimed novel, this fictionalized account of the notorious sports legend co-stars Jim Broadbent.

You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this well-made and well-acted film. Possibly the Wikipedia article might help. In fact that article claims that much of the film is fictional. Hopefully the barebones historical facts are accurate.

During the film we do see Leeds cheating during the soccer matches. One of Brian Clough’s contentions was that in fact in the past Leeds did a lot of that sort of thing. There is a lot of soccer slang that went right past me, but it did not really matter.

During the film you don’t see that much soccer playing. Rather the emphasis is on Clough’s arrogance and his relation with other managers and players. In a certain sense the film ends on a happy note.

At the end of the film you get to see actual film clips of the real Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. Indeed I saw a similarity in looks between the actor and the real Clough.

Perhaps the cursing is not appropriate for children.

2004, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children

Dear Frankie (2004)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Faced with the prospect of raising her son, Frankie (Jack McElhone), with a good-for-nothing man, the resourceful Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) spirits him away to Scotland with good intentions and pretends the boy’s father is aboard the HMS Accra. But after years of Lizzie’s skillful lying, the jig is up when Frankie learns the ship is docked right by their home. Now, the only way to protect Frankie’s heart is to find a man willing to pose as his dad.

“Dear Frankie” is one of my favorite films and I’m not sure why. Perhaps I feel sorry for the mother and son on the run from an abusive father. Perhaps the way a stanger enters their life to help out in a bad situation is touching. At any rate it is a quiet film with some very poignant moments.

You will recognize Emily Mortimer as one of the Rachels in “Shutter Island”. Gerard Butler plays the stranger. Considering his slide into mediocre potboilers, this might be one of Butler’s best films. The fighting scenes between Frankie’s parents could be too much for children to watch.

2000, Drama, Not Feel Good, Suspense

Panic (2000)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

On the surface, Alex (William H. Macy) seems like a normal guy — he has a wife, a son and a job selling mail-order trinkets. But Alex also has a secret life not even his family knows about: He’s a contract killer suffering a midlife crisis. Seeking help, Alex visits a therapist and meets Sarah (Neve Campbell) — the one person he may have needed all along.

William Macy is too smart to play in a bad film and this excellent drama is no exception. He is supported by such high caliber stars as John Ritter (therapist), Neve Campbell (Sarah), Donald Sutherland (creepy and infuriating as the assassin father that perverted his son Macy), Tracy Ullman (Macy’s wife), and Barbara Bain (Macy’s mother without a conscience). Little Sammy (Macy’s son) is wonderful, although maybe a little too clever verbally for someone his age.

Above all this is a film whose suspense lies in watching Macy’s unexpressed rage develop into something.

Except for some shooting, there is no violence. But still not for children.

Book, ShortStories

T.C. Boyle Short Stories (1998)

Leave a comment

If you like quirky, imaginative, outrageous, ambiguous short stories with no promise of a happy ending, you will love T.C. Boyle. One of our Movie Fans, Melissa, suggested T.C.Boyle years ago. Thanks Melissa!

T.C.Boyle is in the tradition of Thom Jones and possibly Dennis Johnson. Here is a list of the short stories of T.C.Boyle.

Stories (1998)
Collects the four earlier volums of short fiction as well as seven previously uncollected stories.
After the Plague (2001)
I just finished this one. I found only one story that I didn’t really care about.
Tooth and Claw (2005)
Wild Child & Other Stories (2010)

For more information on T.C. Boyle see the Wikipedia article.

2008, Could Be Sad, Crime, Drama, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Love Story, Nudity, Violent

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Stuck in a terrible job, recent college grad Art Bechstein (Jon Foster) struggles to enjoy the last summer of his youth. Things begin to look up when he meets a beguiling couple (Sienna Miller and Peter Sarsgaard) who show him a new side of his hometown, Pittsburgh, and of himself. But as he and his new friends get into increasingly intense situations, Art is forced to choose between family, friendship and love.

Thanks to NetFlix for suggesting this sweet, sad, jewel of a surprise. John Foster (as Zack in 15 episodes of “Accidentally On Purpose”), Peter Sarsgaard (as David in “An Education”), and Sienna Miller (as Camille Foster in “Camille”) are pitch perfect. Also Nick Nolte is perfect as the gangster father.

Perhaps it is easy to play an emotionally hesitant role as does John Foster, but in this case it was exactly what was needed as a contrast with Sarsgaard’s somewhat out of control character. And Sienna Miller is just plain sweet.

More I will not say because there are some surprises along the way. Definitely not for children: there is sex and violence. Nonetheless it is a sweet film.