"VSION-from the life of Hildegard Von Bingen"

This is based on the true story of a 12th Century Nun who was a seer, a mystic, and a unique invincible woman - whose "Visions" and the messages from the voice she heard, were written down by one of the Benedictine monks. (Of course permission had to be obtained from the higher-ups in the clergy for this work.) - There was also opposition and scepticism. However, Hildegarde left a legacy of several volumes of fascinating narrative. The movie is remarkable in that the entire cast could not have been better; they did not seem to be actors, playing a part, but rather as if this were a documentary film of real monks and real nuns. Of course, if you're a follower of the work of the DirectorMargareth von Trotta, you would expect nothing less than perfection, with the starring role of Sister (then to be elected Mother of the Cloister) Hildegard played by Barbara Sukowa. (I only know these names because I looked them up in the film's synopsis.) It's in German with English subtitles that reveal the intelligence (and some wit) of the writers of the dialogue, including an appropriate amount (a lot) of silence. This is an unusual film, and I don't know how to do it justice. Though it seemed long (running time actually less than two hours) it was never boring. There were long shots in total silence with closeups of faces that clearly - or was it subtly? - revealed their hidden feelings. Drawn into the 12th Century cloistered world, I felt as if I were inside those repressive walls myself. Yet there were enough action scenes, dramatic confrontations, so that plenty of suspense was created.. Perhaps not everyone will appreciate this movie (isn't that always the case?), but I thought it was wonderful (full of wonder!) So, I have to give it "positively personal" FOUR STARS. SP

Movies I Won't See - and Why

The following confession may lose me some readers - and even Followers of this blog, but in the interest of truth in advertising, I want to explain my reasons, my personal bias, for choosing the movies I see. For instance, much as I love James Franco, I can't bring myself to see "127 Hours." Already there are reports of people fainting during the film ( based on a true story) -- probably when he cuts off his arm in order to free himself from a boulder that trapped him while he was out hiking. I'm way too queasy to watch that.
Then there's the ballet movie (though I love ballet) I won't see, "Black Swan," being touted as a "sexual psychological thriller." Nuff said?
"Unstoppable" -- probably very exciting, and Denzel Washington is one of my favorites, but I'm trying to get rid of stress and tension in my life, I don't need to secrete more adrenalin. Ditto for "Faster" with Dwayne Johnson aka the Rock, and Billy Bob Thornton, both of whom I like.
Reports are that "Fair Game" the story of the CIA undercover agent Valerie Plane who was outed by folks in the Bush administration, is an excellent film. Naomi Watts and Sean Penn star. However, as you must have noticed, I go to the movies to escape the reality of betrayal and dishonesty -- not to be reminded of the corruption in government and politics.
Keep in mind that perception and appreciation of entertainment is totally subjective. A lot depends on the personal preferences of the viewer, his or her Age(major factor) Mood and state of Health on that day! Toothache? Stomach ache? Tired? Cynical by nature?
I'm sure that Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal are marvelous in "Love & Other Drugs," but hey, folks, I'm 81, and sexy romantic romps with as much nudity as they can get away with don't interest me. So there you have it.
I take a lot of pleasure in many fine Foreign films as well some little Independent ones I've discovered, rather than the big blockbusters. But, let's see what this next month brings to the silver screen. We are, after all, leading up to the Academy Awards, about which I will NOT make any predictions, other than to point out performances in my reviews that I think are "Oscar worthy." Thank you for your kind attention to this ranting. See you at the movies! SP

"The King's Speech"

Magnificent! Brilliant in every aspect, including a superb cast, excellent photography, with marvelous and demanding dialogue (including surprisingly necessary profuse profanity) delivered flawlessly. This intelligent film, masterfully directed by Tom Hopper deserves the highest praise. It's based on the true story of the abdication of the British throne by Edward VIII (perfectly played by Guy Pearce) so he could marry "the woman I love" (American divorcee, Wallace Simpson), and how his younger brother, the reluctant heir, known as"Bertie" to his intimates (in an Oscar worthy performance by Colin Firth), becomes King George VI, overcoming a debilitating and embarrassing stutter with the help of unorthodox Australian speech therapist, Lional Logue, in an equally Oscar worthy performance by Geoffrey Rush. I was amazed and pleased to see Helena Bonham Carter reveal what a fine actress she is, appearing throughout as Bertie's loving and supportive wife. (What relief to see her playing something other than some half-crazed, wild-haired character). Having reviewed the fine documentary about Winston Churchill not long ago, it was interesting to see him in the context of the historic events of this film. "The King's Speech" had me, and the rest of the appreciative audience laughing, as well as moved to tears; it was simply stunning! (Personal note: Ladies, if you're not already in love with Colin Firth, I think you will be after seeing this thrilling movie!) Twice FOUR STARS!

"Tangled"

Marvelous! All aspects of this excellent Disney creation are top of the line. Yes, there's the princess in the Tower, but the story is far from Grimm! Clever plotting, perfect voicing: Rapunzel is Mandy Moore; Flynn Ryder as thief yet erstwhile rescuer voiced by Zachari Levi; and Mother Gothel (evil villain) by Donna Murphy (who can really belt it out). Each of whom is pitch perfect-- as are all the other wonderful characters introduced throughout. Yes, as one critic pointed out, it's a big slow getting started, but once it's on a roll -- it's wonderful! And there's a magical horse and a frog you won't forget, who make their feelings evident without saying (although there is some neighing) a word! Highly recommended, and not just for kiddies. Many laughs and surprises. Bravo to the Directors, Byron Howard and Nathan Greno. (I often blame Directors, so I definitely want to applaud these!) A movie to be thankful for this holiday season! FOUR STARS, Thumbs way up! SP

""Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"

Superb phtography by Cinematographer Eduardo Serra (He did "The Girl With the Pearl Erring"), with no need for 3D! Marvelous acting by the maturing cast we all love: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter; Emma Watson as Hemione Weasley; and Rupert Grint as her brother, Ron. True, if you're not familiar with the saga, presented first in J.B. Rowlings magical best sellers, (and the movies that followed) as the prelude to this "Part I of the Deathly Hallows," you may be somewhat lost, but despite my having forgotten a lot of the details from last book in this magnum opus, I got enough background information from several recaps printed in the LA Times that I could thoroughly enjoy the movie today. In fact, I feel eager to go back and re read all 759 pages in Volume 7. I don't resent the filmakers dividing all that material into two movies. Now I have Part II of the Deathly Hallows to look forward to! Meanwhile, let's hiss and boo Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, perfectly acting the embodiment of evil, wearing enough gruesome makeup to make you cringe and despise him just for his looks. Another marvelous make up job or special effects triumph, was the creation of the heroic house elf, who, having been given his freedom previously by Harry, has committed himself to being Harry's friend and protector. There was pathos, sentiment, danger, suspense, and even some humor, all packed into about two-and-a-half hours of today's FOUR STAR experience. Yes, true it was "dark" -- in fact I had dreaded seeing it, but there was enough of friendship and loyalty -- and certainly there was plenty of excitement -- all combined to balance it and make me very glad I went to see it. Signed, SP - resident Muggle.

"Morning Glory"

Sorry, it's a Matinee Dud. Despite excellent performances by Diane Keaton (she's always great!), Jeff Goldblum (He's really perfect in this role), Patrick Wilson (the love interest, very likable) and, I think the actor's name is Liam Ferguson who plays the News Producer - and is one of the bright lights in this otherwise disappointing film, despite all these, the film was undermined by the following: I was quite annoyed by Rachel McAdams as Becky Fuller, newly hired as Executive Producer of "Daybreak" the early, early, really early morning news, and supposedly 'entertainment" show. She is of course, a pretty girl, but pretty hyper throughout. Not fun to watch. I blame the director, (always the one to blame, right?) Roger Michell for McAdams' performance as well as the deadpan, dull acting of Harrison Ford (I am sure he is capable of much better if only he'd had better directing). Ford plays a formerly famous. award winning news journalist/reporter now reluctantly reduced to being Co-anchor with Diane Keaton. -- She, of course nevertheless, delivers her best, which is always a pleasure to watch. Ford seems obviously 'acting' -- Anyway, It wasn't totally a bad movie, but it wasn't really very good either. I am generously going to give it TWO STARS in honor of the actors noted in Blue above (if not for them, well, maybe One, or None. ( Perhaps I'm getting harder to please in my old age.) SP

"R.E.D" Again!

My free ticket to AMC Theater in Century City was about to expire, and it was only valid for a movie that had been showing for at least two weeks (not "first run"), so I decided to see "R.E.D" again. Second time around, I enjoyed this marvelous film as much, if not more than the first time! Expertly directed utilizing the best talents of a stellar cast, it is splendid entertainment. I particularly took note of Morgan Freeman - so excellent and charming as one of the Retired-Extremely-Dangerous ex-CIA operatives in this cleverly plotted spy-thriller comedy. Not a false note in any of the performances. Great fun. FOUR STARS again! (FYI, When you are a frequent "Movie Watcher" (like me) you get coupons for free stuff periodically from AMC. Sometimes popcorn, sometimes a fountain drink, sometimes a free ticket.) SP

"Due Date"

What a waste of talent! Despite some bad reviews, I decided to see for myself, and actually, despite the presence of Robert Downey Jr. whose best simply wasn't enough to save this really botched film, I can finally say I saw somthing I didn't like. It hardly even deserved ONE STAR. (and that mainly because of Downey's performance.) Such a disappointing turn for Zach Galifinakis -- who was so wonderful in "It's Kind of a Funny Story,' that I thought surely I'd like him in this. I did not. I don't mind another buddy road trip movie, even with some cliche incidents from former movies of the same genre, but this was just a really poor imitation. Yes, it had some laughs, but in some places it was too crude for me. One of the few bright spots for Galifinakis was his perfect imitation (he plays an aspiring actor, heading for Hollywood with high hopes of geting on the TV show, "Two and a Half Men") of Marlon Brando as Don Carleone in the "Godfather." Come on script writers, you can do better than this! Michelle Monaghan who plays Downey's wife deserves crdit for a fine job. Too bad we didn't see more of her in the film. All in all, if the movie makers were trying for zany comedy, they did not succeed. Perhaps Robert Downey didn't read the whole script before he signed on for this travesty? He deserves a better showcase. Oh, well, the popcorn is free on Wednesdays at the AMC (if you're a frequent flyer like me.) Sigh. SP

"Winston Churchill: Walking With Destiny"

Just released in Los Angeles, this compelling, inspiring, marvelous, masterfully crafted documentary about the man whom some have called the most important and influential world leader of the 20th Century, Winston Churchill, is an absolutely brilliant film! (Is this my longest blog sentence yet? with the most accolades? If not, I should add MORE!) I wish this film could be shown in every Jr and Senior High School history class in America. (I'm sure it will be immensely popular in Great Britain.) I learned things about Winston's early background I had not known. Though I was not yet in my teens in 1940 when Churchill became Prime Minister, I recall seeing newsreels (in those days, all movies included a Newsreel, a cartoon, and sometimes a Travelogue along with the main Feature ) of London during the Blitz, of trainloads of children waving goodbye as they were sent off to live in the safety of the English countryside to avoid the incessant nightly bombings of the the city, during which all the Londoners, upon hearing the air-rid sirens would simply dash to the nearest underground shelter, stay underground until the all-clear sounded, and then calmly return to their homes or offices and discover whether they were still standing. Talk aboout "Keeping up!" The leadership of Sir Winston during his tenure as Prime Minister of England was, and still is, unprecedented in history. He didn't just give stirring speehes (his words were are absolutely magnificent, powerful - and unforgettable); he wouldn't stay in the safety of the government bunker, he insisted upon going out and mingling with people right after the bombings. He talked with them, wept openly and unashamedly at the courage and bravery he saw them display. He recognized early on (in the 'thirties) the threat that Hitler posed to the free world, yet painfully, he had to wait through several years of being the lone voice of concern, until other members of his cabinet, and the general populace woke to the frightening reality of the Nazi agenda. Marvelous film clips of historic meetings, photographs of major players on the world stage (including FDR in the USA - who didn't give Britain the support Churchill requested until very late in the conflict. Richard Trank directed this film, which held me spellbound. I was deeply moved by it. The depiction of the unique rescue of the British and French troops at Dunkirk was amazing. Well, I could go on and on. Best to say, BE SURE TO SEE THIS MOVIE. I don't have enough STARS to bestow on it.

TV or not TV?

So sad, two shows I liked are being dropped by their network. Sorry to lose Rob Morrow and Moira Tierney as opposing attorneys on "The Whole Truth." And NBC is dropping "Undercovers," a smart spy drama. The powers that be just don't ask my opinion. Too bad. At least on the plus side we still have Tom Selleck in "Blue Blood," which is NOT about vampires, but about several generations of cops being the good guys! (Sorry, I didn't like the show by that name, "The Good Guys," I felt the casting of one of the fine actors formerly on wonderful "West Wing" was just annoying, as they have him playing a very unpleasant guy.) Still watching and enjoying "The Good Wife." Hurrah! Welcome the return of "In Treatment," though as Dr. Paul Weston, Gabriel Byrne seems a bit 'off'' this season, perhaps it's because of the clients? I understand that all the previous episodes were remakes of the original, filmed in Israel, wheras these new sessions are strictly American. Could that be the problem? (Though the actor playing the Indian Father/Father-in-Law now living with his son and daughter-in-law in the States after the death of his wife is wonderful, and Byrne seems more like himself in the sessions wth him. (I found the teenaage client, "Jesse" so obnoxious, I barely could watch.) I really, really like Paul's new therapist. But all his clients are so miserable, and he is so miserable, I may just give up on it, except for the sessions with his own new therapist. I still watch "Hawaii Five-O," though I could do without the too frequent filler shots of surfers catching the waves . I guess they appeal to some viewers. Anyway, I like the lead actors. (BTW, I'm pleased with my recently acquired HD capability .) Where is one of my favorites, "Leverage?" I miss it. I should mention that I'm hooked on "Jeopardy!" Pleasant host, Alex Trebec, very intelligent and knowledgable contestants, and not too much yelling and screaming from the audience. (I can't stand those daytime live shows with women shrieking. On cue?) Signing off, for now, folks, stay tuned...SP

"Wild Target"

This is Theater of the Absurd at its best. If you can relate to its ridiculous premise: the "hero," played to perfection by Bill Nighy, is positively hilarious as an assassin for hire -- extremely expensive (because he's the best in the business!), who has never before failed in an assignment, but this time, his target, a beautiful thief, played by Emily Blunt, somehow, unknowingly keeps evading him, and eventually after a shootout in which he inadvertently saves her life -- or was it the inept, innocent Rupert Grint (remember him as the Weasley boy in Harry Potter?) who accidently shoots the assassin who was hired to fulfill the contract against the art thief. Grint becomes Nighy's apprentice, because he's a "natural." Rupert Everett, not usually in comedies, is the 'victim' of the art swindle perpetrated by Blunt, who hired an expert art restorer to forge a Rembrant painting, which she sells to Rupert Everett, -- When he discovers he has been swindled, he is out for revenge. (hence he hires a different assassin to kill her.) You have to enjoy silly, impossible situations, with zany twists and turns, (played absolutely straight faced) to truly appreciate the genius of this film. (Blunt hires Nighy to be her body guard. It's a totally implausable relationship. because he's still supposed to kill her, but...) I gladly, happily give it FOUR STARS. (Despite the fact that it's a British film, I could understand all the dialogue, and it was marvelous.) Congratulations to the Director, Jonathan Lynn. Thanks! SP