Friday, January 16, 2009

MAMMA MIA!

I didn't go to the movies to see MAMMA MIA, I watched it on DVD at home. You have to really, really like ABBA to like this movie. Meryl Streep was cute in it and she looked like she was having a lot of fun. But like I said, you have to really, really like ABBA.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

DOUBT


Ah, what a movie!

The movie DOUBT is worth going to see if for no other reason than the sheer pleasure of watching Meryl Streep. Oh, my goodness, she is powerful. Every movement and every muscle exudes energy and meaning.

The story is bound to make most people cringe a little (if not a lot), and the ending will surprise. Listen carefully to every word.





Monday, January 12, 2009

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA.

I walked out.

I would have walked out an hour sooner, but the people on either side of me looked like they were enjoying it. This movie is sappy, predictable and boring, and doesn't know when to end. I've heard it compared to GONE WITH THE WIND. Don't believe it.

Save your money and your time.




Saturday, January 10, 2009

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE was nothing like I expected. I guess I didn't know what to expect. I only went to see it because of the rave reviews. The title did not entice me in the least, but it got two thumbs up, and is getting Oscar buzz.

I'm not going to comment on the plot at all, but I will say (and this might be a SPOILER) it had the most feel-good ending of any movie I've ever seen. When it was over, I wanted to stand up and cheer. I did applaud.

Enough said. Go see it.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

CHANGELING

I took time off from writing over the holidays to catch up on some of the great movies that are out. I love going to the movies, the whole idea of going to the theater, buying the popcorn, and settling into that cushy stadium seating. I guess that comes from living in Los Angeles, the company town of movies, where going to the cinema was always an EVENT. It's what I miss most about living there. (Besides the beach, of course.)

I usually go to the first showing of the day when there is almost no one else in the theater. Often I have the whole place to myself, and they run the movie just for me. I love it!

The first film I went to see was CHANGELING, a movie not to be missed. Intense and dramatic, yes. Compelling story, yes. And based on a real event that took place in Wineville, California in the nineteen thirties. The events were so horrific, Wineville later changed its name to Mira Loma.

Angelina Jolie was fabulous as she is in everything. The wonderful John Malkovich, another of my favorite actors, is in it. So is Jeffrey Donovan, the cool, sexy star of TV's BURN NOTICE, but I have to say, after watching him for a season in BURN NOTICE, he didn't seem to fit the part he played in CHANGELING. I had a hard time taking him seriously in the role. Jason Butler Harner played the killer and gave the most chilling performance, my choice for best actor in the film.

Clint Eastwood was the director so you know the film has depth.