tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16499868855359120982024-03-08T11:35:04.822-08:00Movies and More: Positively Personal ReviewsSPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-54536916819345532782011-05-17T10:05:00.000-07:002011-05-17T11:19:51.361-07:00My Blog has moved!This blog will no longer be updated. If you enjoy sharing my meanderings on movies and more come on over to my new blog "<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://sp-escapetothemovies.blogspot.com/">Escape to the Movies with Shakti.</a>"</span></span><br /><br />See you there!SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-16521693711140784292011-05-15T16:53:00.000-07:002011-05-15T17:17:26.346-07:00"Exporting Raymond"Written, directed, and produced (with a few co-producers), by <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Philip Rosenthal</strong></span>, this is the true story of what it took for the creator of the TV sit-com, <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>"Everybody Loves Raymond,"</strong></span> to get it made into a <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Russian version</strong></span>. It was <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>hilarious</strong></span> laugh out loud in many places, <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>funny</strong></span> in others, and above all an amazing documentary of the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>cultural frustrations</strong></span> Rosenthal suffered. It may not be everybody's cup of Vodka, but I found it <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>totally engaging</strong></span>, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I was impressed with <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Phil's patience and good manners</strong></span> in the face of almost <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>constant obstacles</strong></span> he had to overcome behind - and during -- the scenes. Mostly shot in Moscow, it certainly did not make Russia, nor the Russians, look very appealing. Definitely not something the Russian tourist bureau (do they have one?) would promote! There were clips from the original show that was so popular in the U.S.A., contrasted with the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>remake in Russia.</strong></span> Problems included: casting; translation; bureaucracy controlling Russian actors time and availability; rehearsal times, just to name a few. I'm going to give this Documentary <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THREE and a HALF STARS. </span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-13878624343252203042011-05-13T12:50:00.000-07:002011-05-13T12:54:32.811-07:00Who Knew?Anyone out there who knows why Google refuses to let me change the email address on this blog? I will run out of <a href="http://www.sbcglobal.net/">www.sbcglobal.net</a> usage in a few weeks, because I have switched my email address to <a href="http://www.gmail.com/">www.gmail.com</a> Any information gratefully received. (I posted a similar query the other day, which has disappeared. Let's see what happens to this one. Sigh.SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-19891884503354865452011-05-11T19:24:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:42:30.199-07:00Anyone out there have a solution??<span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Dearly Beloved</strong></span> <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>readers,</strong></span> and " <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>followers,</strong></span>" known and unknown, This may be the last -- or nearly the last -- <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Blog</strong></span> from Yours Truly, because I have changed my <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>email address</strong></span> from <a href="mailto:sparwha@sbcglobal.net">sparwha@sbcglobal.net</a> to <a href="mailto:sparwha@Gmail.com">sparwha@Gmail.com</a> (I understand that the sbc account will still be operational for about 30 days, but after that, it will no longer be functioning.) Of course I tried to switch over to the Gmail address for this Blog, but <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Google informed me,</strong></span> and I <em><strong>quote,</strong></em> <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>"Sorry, Gmail address is not allowed to be the primary address of this account."</strong></span> I have enjoyed sharing my reviews with you, and would like to continue, but, I don't know how to do it. Any <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>suggestions gratefully received.</strong></span> <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Blessings</strong></span> to you all, always, SPSPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-16306597764526968512011-05-10T17:30:00.001-07:002011-05-10T17:33:33.980-07:00"RioBetter than I expected! Very colorful (full of color!) animation; lots of action, and an actual plot. Excellent voices. Saw it in regular 2D which was perfectly fine and I didn't feel/see I was missing anything except the surcharge I would have paid for 3D.SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-49297677065301698732011-05-03T16:02:00.000-07:002011-05-03T16:41:04.174-07:00"In a Better World"<span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Well deserved</strong></span> winner of the Oscar for <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>best Foreign Language Film</strong></span> - and a Golden Globe as well, this is a <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>fascinating,</strong></span> <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>suspense filled drama.</strong></span> It pulls no punches showing the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>complexity</strong></span> of human values, emotions, and reactions from various<span style="color:#993300;"><strong> perspectives. </strong></span>In <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Danish,</strong></span> with subtitles, featuring a <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>marvelous cast</strong></span>, expertly <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>directed by Susanne Bier.</strong></span> The impact of events in the adult world, such as divorce in one situation, and the mother's death in another as seen through the eyes of <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>two young boys.</strong></span> They team up to bring what they <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>perceive</strong></span> (<span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>revenge</strong></span>) as <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>justice</strong></span> in a violent situation. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Excellent photography</span></strong>, scenes shift from the schoolyard (<span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>bullying </strong></span>at its worst),to a medical outpost in Africa (<span style="color:#993300;"><strong>selfless service</strong></span> at its best), with <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>flawless acting</strong></span> throughout. The title refers to what we all wish for, "<em><strong>a better world</strong></em>," which this one, obviously isn't, though some of the characters are trying to improve it through living up to their inherent <span style="color:#663333;"><strong>decency and moral fiber.</strong></span> A movie well worth seeing. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FOUR STARS</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-84110226093338609942011-05-01T18:57:00.000-07:002011-05-01T19:22:15.972-07:00"Jane Eyre"<strong><span style="color:#993399;">Sir Laurence Olivier</span></strong> <em>owned</em> the role of <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>"Rochester"</strong></span> in the original film version of <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Charlotte <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bronte's</span></strong></span> immortal love story, which has been made, and remade a few times since then. But I found <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Michael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fassbender</span></strong></span> equally <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>fabulous</strong></span> as Mr. R in this latest screen treatment. Needless to say, marvelous young actress, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Mia Wasikowska,</strong></span> more than lives up to her well deserved reputation playing the (plain) <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>"Jane"</strong> </span><span style="color:#333333;">governess. The <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>dialogue,</strong></span> which must have been taken from the book, is so <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>brilliant,</strong></span> that I want to go back and <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>read the book</strong></span> again! <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Jamie Bell</strong></span> is well cast as the Parson, whose family (two sisters and he) shelter Jane. Dame <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Judi Dench</strong></span> is memorable <em>as always</em>, as "Mrs. Fairfax," the Housekeeper for Mr. Rochester. <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Congratulations </strong></span>to <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Director, Cary Fukunaga</strong></span>, job well done! </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>FOUR STARS !</strong></span>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-88274266472256656562011-05-01T12:25:00.000-07:002011-05-01T18:57:15.950-07:00"Water For Elephants"So sad, that this story, which made <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>great reading</strong></span> as the book by Sara Gruen, makes such a <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>mess </strong></span>of the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>movie!</strong></span> <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Directed</strong></span> (misdirected?) by <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Francis Lawrence</strong></span>, starring handsome <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Robert Pattison</strong></span> (known to the tween crowd from his success in the "Twilight" movies) as "Jacob"; scantily clad <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Reese Witherspoon</strong></span> (okay, she looks pretty) as "Marlena"; and <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Christopher Waltz</strong></span> playing her sadistic, obnoxious husband, "August," whom you can feel free to hate, the best thing about this movie was <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>"Rosie"</strong></span> the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>elephant.</strong></span> Otherwise, if you enjoy the sweat, stink, and general disgusting aspects of what was definitely <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>NOT the "Greatest Show on Earth,"</strong></span> then you might like this film. I did not. I grudgingly say, and only for "Rosie," <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ONE STAR</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-34816745355998262992011-04-29T09:15:00.000-07:002011-04-29T09:50:51.160-07:00"Henry's Crime"The critics pretty much didn't like this film, and I can understand why. However because of <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>performances</strong></span> by the outstanding <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Vera Famiga,</strong> <span style="color:#333333;">the always excellent pro</span><strong>, James Caan,</strong></span> and <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Keanu Reeves,</strong></span> I liked it! Okay, it's not a great movie, but <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>I absolutely love Famiga,</strong></span> <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Caan,</strong></span> and even <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Reeves </strong></span>was perfectly suited to his role. The <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>concept </strong></span>-- of a bland toll booth cashier (Keanu) whose "friends" sucker him into driving the <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>getaway car</strong></span> while they <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>rob a bank.</strong></span> He gets caught (they do not), and he goes to jail, without ratting them out. In prison he meets <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>James Caan</strong></span>, a lifer who actually enjoys his situation in jail, and avoids parole every time it comes up. He's a <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>confidence man.</strong></span> They share a cell, and he takes the younger man under his wing, so that when Reeves is finally released, he comes back to ask Caan (playing "Max") to join him on the outside and help him to actually <em><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>commit the crime</strong></span></em> for which he has <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">already </span><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">done the time</span></em></strong>. Reluctantly, "Max" agrees, and the story unfolds. It is discovered that there is a <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>hidden tunnel</strong></span> ( or several) that run from underneath The Bank (the original target) to underneath the old theater next door to it. <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>The Play IS the Thing,</strong></span> and this time it's Chekhov's <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>"Cherry Orchard,"</strong></span> in which <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Vera Famiga</strong></span> is starring. Among other things, there's a director who yells a lot at Vera on stage. Because they need access to the theater, somehow they, probably "Max," manage to have <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Keanu</span>,</strong></span> discovered to be "a natural," join the cast. (He looks great in a beard, and does his <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">best work acting</span></strong> in the play!) So, there's a <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>love story,</strong></span> there's the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>heist,</strong></span> (lots of cash in the vault!). there's the digging in the tunnel. Problem: Where to put the dirt? I did <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>NOT like the music</strong></span> used throughout the film. So, I have to take off points. Plus, it just was "off" somehow, possibly the script? The Direction? (Malcolm Venville) Much as I loved the STAR POWER of the actors, I have to honestly limit the film to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TWO STARS.</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-13684988720865666172011-04-29T08:52:00.000-07:002011-04-29T09:14:18.872-07:00"Bill Cunningham, New York"If you read the New York Times, or live in New York, you already know <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Bill Cunningham</strong></span> as the guy who rides around <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>New York city</strong></span> on his <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Swinn bike,</strong></span> walks a lot, and <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>photographs </strong></span>people who are wearing clothes that he finds newsworthy -- for he writes (and illustrates with his photos) a regular fashion <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">column for the NYT</span>.</strong></span> He's not interested in <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>celebrities </strong></span>as such, only if they happen to be wearing something of interest. I had the pleasure of discovering Bill for the first time when I saw this <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>wonderful documentary</strong></span> the other day. Many celebrities were interviewed for the film, including the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Editor of Vogue,</strong></span> Anna Wintour, who said, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>"We dress for Bill."</strong></span> Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I learned Bill is an exceptionally likeable, truly kind and decent person, with the highest standard of integriy. You just have to admire him. Despite my <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>personal disinterest</strong></span> (more like <em>horror</em> when I see what's "in") <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>in "fashion."</strong></span> Directed by Richard Press, this film surely deserves <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FOUR STARS!</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-83966490350453508812011-04-24T17:03:00.000-07:002011-04-24T17:22:53.220-07:00"Hanna"Sorry, I must be getting soft in my old age, but "Hanna" had just too much <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>violence</strong></span> for me; almost non-stop. Though it certainly kept my attention, I'm not sure it's healthy for me to <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>secrete </strong></span>so much <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>adrenalin</strong></span>. <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Saoirse Ronan</strong></span>, the remarkably <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>marvelous young actress</strong></span>, was, of course, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>outstanding</strong></span> in this starring role as Hanna -- a product of training as well as (watch out, here comes the <span style="color:#009900;"><strong><em>spoiler</em></strong></span>) some <em>genetic altering</em> to make her a fearless, almost indestructible assassin. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Eric Bana</span></strong>, playing her father, whom we meet out in the wilds of Finland in the opening scenes where he's making sure she can survive against anyone and any challenge, is also <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>wonderful.</strong></span> Soon we meet <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Cate Blanchette,</strong></span> the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>CIA operative</strong></span> who is in charge of finding these two, in order to eliminate them. <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Hiss, boo!!!</strong></span> With a few other small parts well played including some young children, plus fine Photography ( lots of <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>chase scenes</strong></span>), <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Directed by Joe Wright</strong></span>, I can still only offer <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TWO STARS,</span></strong> but, that's just me.SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-33595275689775655592011-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:002011-04-21T17:29:08.165-07:00"SOURCE CODE"<span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Jake Gyllenhaal</strong></span> was <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>terriffic </strong></span>in the lead role. Wow! <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Michelle Monaghan</strong></span>, couldn't have been better as the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>beautiful, appealing</strong></span>, charming girl he meets (and obviously falls in love with) on the train, a <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>train</strong></span> that is/was <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>blown up</strong></span> in 8 minutes, during which his (government) mission is to find the bomb, and the bomber. This <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Science Fiction</strong></span> story written by <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Ben Ripley</strong></span> ("Believe it or Not," coincidence?!) and <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Directed</strong></span> by <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Duncan Jones</strong></span>, was <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>wonderful,</strong></span> totally engaging and fascinating to watch. The <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>superb Vera Farmiga</strong></span> (from "Up in the Air" with George Clooney) played Jake's "handler" or "control"??(I'm using this for want of better terms.) Basically, she's in charge of his <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>recurring 8 minutes</strong></span> on the train, to <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>solve the mystery,</strong></span> and obtain information. <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Jeffrey Wright</strong></span> plays her boss, "Dr. Rutledge" who appears from time to time to supervise the mission. (He explains the technology of "Source Code.") He's <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>excellent</strong></span>, too! <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>FOUR STARS</strong></span>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-27304205397135661992011-04-19T13:56:00.000-07:002011-04-19T14:19:59.001-07:00"The Adjustment Bureau"Well, critics gave this <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>mixed reviews</strong></span>, and I can understand why. It's not bad, but not really very good, because of, well, I'm not exactly sure why. What I really enjoyed, actually <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>loved, </strong></span>was watching <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Matt Damon</strong></span> and <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Emily Blunt</strong></span>. They are so <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>great</strong></span>, one would have thought they could make up for the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>flaws</strong></span> in the rest of the film. Unfortunately, even they <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>could not compensate</strong></span>. The premise showed promise, but the way it was executed just didn't make it hold up. I'm sure by now you know the story is that our actions are controlled by a <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>"Chairman"</strong></span> and his staff who make sure we live our lives according to the <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>'plan'</strong></span> already written by the <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Power/s that Be.</strong></span> So, basically forget about <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Free Will</strong></span> (except for minor choices, still within the grand scheme of things.) By a five minute <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>"mistake,"</strong></span> Matt Damon's character does not spill his coffee on <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>schedule,</strong></span> therefore, he catches his bus, and meets Emily on the bus. Then he runs into her again (also not according to the plan). Then he "accidentally" <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>goes through doors</strong></span> he's not supposed to, and discovers the staff (I forget what they are called, the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Hat Wearing minions</strong></span> who watch the progress of us lowly human creatures) . Anyway, <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>will Matt beat the system?</strong></span> Will he confront the Chairman? Can Emily achieve the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>prima ballerina</strong></span> status she was supposed (destined?) to gain in this lifetime? Will he be elected <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Senator</strong></span> (and onward to the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Oval Office</strong></span>)? Well, only because of the two actors, who as far as I'm concerned can do no wrong, I'll give it <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TWO and a HALF STARS. </span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-13636417236430061402011-04-19T13:25:00.000-07:002011-04-19T13:55:48.664-07:00"The Princess of Montpensier"Mostly fascinating, though it lags in a few places. Starts off with a <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>brutal, bloody battle</strong></span> scene. Takes place in 1562 during the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Catholic-Protestant wars.</strong></span> As far as I'm concerned, the hero who <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>steals the show</strong></span> ( despite excellent acting by the entire cast and the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>great beauty</strong></span> of "Marie", the Princess played by <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Melanie </strong></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Thierry</span></strong>),</span> is <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Lambert Wilson,</strong></span> playing the aging (I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder -- though he's definitely not young, compared to the dashing young cousin she wants to marry, and the husband she is <em>ordered </em>to marry by her father (for political reasons.) Still, Wilson's <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>"Count Chabannes"</strong></span> is <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>fantastic!</strong></span> (Remember him from the Award winning, "Gods Among Men") An Epic costume drama, skillfully <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>directed</strong></span> by the renowned <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Bertrand Tavernier,</strong></span> this film contains enough <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>duels,</strong></span> and <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>brutal battle scenes</strong></span> to satisfy the most bloodthirsty viewer. (A bit much for me, actually) Not to mention a few <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>passionate encounters</strong></span>, plus the wedding night scene (probably historically corrrect), attended by relatives and interested parties awaiting the <em>results.</em> The audience in my theater (probably Franco-philes) applauded at the end. Fine sub-titles.It was about two and a half hours l- o- n- g. (I got tired) but, nevertheless: <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THREE and a HALF STARS. </span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-60797962838754837882011-04-15T18:32:00.000-07:002011-04-15T19:11:41.148-07:00"Hop""Hop" has perfectly, <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">seamlessly </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">blended live people with animated characters.</span></strong> I really enjoyed this movie. It was fun, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>visually excellent</strong></span> (did not need the annoying 3D effects to make it <em><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>colorful</strong> </span></em>and <span style="color:#333333;"><strong>exciting</strong></span>), and yes, I'm not ashamed to admit, I loved the <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>adorable </strong></span><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>main Bunny, "E. B"</strong> <strong><span style="color:#993399;">voiced by Russell Brand</span></strong></span>. The rest of this report may contain "spoilers" -- so if you can just take my word for it, and go see it, you don't have to read any more. Otherwise, here are some plot details: <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>James Marsden</strong></span> (wonderfully) plays <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>"Fred,"</strong></span> who accidentally almost runs over "E.B" who pretends to be quite injured in order get sympathy and especially to get a place to stay, since he has run away from Easter Island, where he was scheduled to take over the family business (?) profession (?) duty (?) responsibility(?) of being the Easter Bunny. His father, voiced by none other than <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Hugh Laurie,</strong></span> is about to retire, and now it's "E. B's" turn to deliver all the Easter Baskets and candy all over the world (except in China, which isn't on the itinerary yet). The thing is, "E.B" <strong>doesn't want to BE</strong> the Easter Bunny (with all the inherited magical powers). He want' to be a <em><strong>drummer.</strong></em> (And he's actually pretty good at it!) Well, add to the mix a live appearance (fun cameo ) by <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>David Hasselhoff), </strong></span>plus a mistake by "E.R" who shows up at the Playboy Mansion because he reads that there are always "lots of bunnies" there. Meanwhile, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>"Carlos,"</strong></span> the main <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>chicken </strong></span>in the Easter Egg Factory, voiced by <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Hank Azaria</strong></span> - with an irresistable accent you can't forget - decides that since "E.B" is missing, <em><strong>he</strong></em> should get the job. I don't think this is a movie just for little kids (though they will enjoy it). If you are <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">young in heart</span>,</strong> and not cynical, and not looking for any big message, then I recommend "Hop" for a couple of stressfree hours (actually 90 minutes) in a movie theater. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THREE and a half</span></strong> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>STARS</strong></span>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-78409290155806271672011-04-14T15:04:00.000-07:002011-04-14T15:27:51.852-07:00"Limitless"OK. <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Original concept</strong></span>: A <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>pill </strong></span>that allows you to access that 80% of your brain that ordinarily isn't working. Great acting by <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Bradley Cooper,</strong></span> who is the pill popper, "Eddie." (Eddie's ex-brother in-law provides the stuff, played by an actor whose name I don't remember, is perfect in his role.) Well <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>directed by Neil Burger.</strong></span> And, of course, who can resist the always excellent <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Robert DeNiro</strong></span> on screen? He enters the picture after Eddie has been <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>transformed</strong></span> (thanks to the <strong><span style="color:#993399;">drug</span> </strong>in his system) from a down on his luck, <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>failed writer</strong></span>, whose 2nd wife (<span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Abbie Cornish</strong></span>) has left him, to a brilliant, successful (making huge amounts of money) <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>financial wizard</strong></span>. Just one little problem with the pill (before you rush to your local pharmacy), it is liable to kill you. Anyway, I mostly enjoyed it, except for too much <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>violence </strong></span>in places ( although not all pervasive, what there was, was <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>disturbing </strong></span>to me). For originality and <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>fine acting,</strong></span> I would rate it <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THREE STARS</span></strong>.SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-2087511544630804212011-04-14T14:29:00.000-07:002011-04-14T14:59:49.355-07:00"The Lincoln Lawyer"From a novel by <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Michael Connely</strong></span>, who shares <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>writing</strong></span> credits for the film(I think it's based on a novel he wrote), I can't say I "enjoyed" it, because it was mostly uncomfortable to witness (note the - no pun intended - legal term) the greed of <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Matthew McConaughey</strong></span> who plays a <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>defense attorney</strong></span> who seems to have no scruples about getting his guilty clients acquitted -- for a <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>substantial fee,</strong></span> of course. Even worse was finding out the truth about his most high-profile (extremely rich) <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>client,</strong></span> "Louis" played by <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Ryan Phillippe</strong></span>, who consistently proclaims his innocence. I disliked the type of <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>photography </strong></span>used to illustrate the story of the crime being told by two different people -- a sort of a reddish lens made it <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>unpleasant </strong></span>to watch. The best aspect of the movie was the excellent acting, by the entire cast, particularly, of course McConaughey, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Marisa Tomei</strong></span> ("Maggie," for the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>prosecution),</strong></span> and <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Wm. H. Macy</strong></span> as "Frank," the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>defense Investigator. </strong></span>Very few of the characters were likeable, and if it were not for my appreciation of the acting and my curiousity to see how it would end, I would have walked out. Still, because of the excellent acting, I'm going to give it <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TWO and 1/2 STARS.</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-27369141461075921402011-04-11T11:39:00.000-07:002011-04-11T12:22:16.663-07:00"Jouesse" (Queen to Play)<span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Superb, subtle, sophisticated!</strong></span> One of my all time <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>favorites</strong></span>, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Kevin Kline</strong></span> in a <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>marvelous</strong></span> performance (and speaking French perfectly, according to my untutored ear) is paired with the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>remarkable Sandrine Bonnaire.</strong></span> She plays a woman married to a blue collar worker. "Ange," a role expertly rendered by <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Francis Renaud</strong></span>. She, as "Helene" works as a chambermaid where she sees a couple romantically playing a game of chess, with hands caressing between moves, and exchanging loving looks. She is fascinated with the chess pieces and the appearance of the board. She buys her husband an electronic set as a birthday gift. He is not thrilled. She, however, gets up several hours early every day, before she goes to work, and starts to learn the game. She discovers that one of the people for whom she cleans, "Kroger" (enter Kevin Kline, an American ex-pat) has a chess set, and as events unfold, she gets him to teach her the game. Takes place in beautiful Corsica, <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>exquisitely filmed</strong></span> and accompanied with perfectly appropriate <strong><span style="color:#006600;">beautiful </span><span style="color:#006600;">music </span></strong>that enhances every scene. (Subtitles are great.) Francis Renaud and Kevin Kline are a joy and a wonder to behold as every thought, every emotion is revealed. <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Directed by Caroline Bottaro</strong></span>, this is a <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>totally satisfying film</strong></span>! <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">FOUR STARS</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-29961235396666282632011-04-07T18:35:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:11:59.219-07:00""Potiche""<span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Potiche"</strong></span> means <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>"Trophy Housewife."</strong></span> And that's the unpleasant role that our heroine, <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Catherine Deneuve,</strong></span> has been relegated by her tyrannical husband, "Robert Pujol," played by <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Fabrice Luchini</strong></span>. Talk about the need for <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Women's Lib!</strong></span> She, "Suzanne," takes over the running of her husbands <em><strong>umbrella factory</strong></em> (seems like a ridiculous idea, to start with, but actually the factory is kind of interesting) where the workers have gone on strike (rightfully so!) and taken <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Mr.</strong></span> <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Pujol hostage</strong></span>. She enlists the help of the <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>incomparable Gerard Depardieu</strong></span> (a former lover -- one among many, actually, as you discover as the film unwinds) who is high up in government, a respected "MP" who helps her <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>negotiate</strong></span> with the <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>striking employees.</strong></span> Suzanne very compentently takes over the running of the factory. The Pujols have several grown children, who bring their problems, strengths and weaknesses to the story - and to the <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>factory. </strong></span>In every aspect, this is an excellent film. (Enjoy the music, too!) With the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>French <em>laissez faire</em></strong></span> when it comes to sex, the complexity of emotions, loyalty, and betrayal -- well, here's another fascinating story, <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>well told.</strong></span> (It was originally a play.) Just watching the marvelous Deneuve and Depardieu is a treat to be savored. (Because I haven't been able to go to the movies for several weeks, I didn't want to be disappointed. Therefore, I did <em>due diligence</em> very carefully -- reading several professional critics reviews before venturing into a theater. I was not disappointed, and I don't think you will be either.) <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">FOUR STARS</span> </strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-9589602448423516292011-04-07T17:57:00.000-07:002011-04-07T18:27:35.882-07:00"Win Win"Many names were listed as Producers of this film, so I don't know which of them is responsible for doing the job of <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Casting Director</strong></span>, but whoever it is, <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>BRAVO!</strong></span> <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>MAGNIFICENT! </strong></span>Wise and witty use of <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>SPLENDID talent</strong></span>! And wise and witty dialogue. Especially noteworthy, the quiet, soft spoken (but outstanding and powerful in the wrestling ring) is newcomer young <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Alex Shaffer,</strong></span> who plays "Kyle." I have never, ever wanted to watch wrestling, nor do I intend to do so ever again, but this film, <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>despite the wrestling,</strong></span> was just great - and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even the wrestling scenes were interesting. (Maybe because it was kids, actually doing the wrestling, and not faking it?) <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Paul Giamotti</strong></span> and <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Jeffrey Tambor</strong></span> as part time volunteer coaches are absolutely flawless. (Giamotti's "Mike" is a lawyer.) If the other actors (all of them!) weren't so excellent, <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Bobby Cannavale</strong></span> as "Terry" might have stolen the show. A one of a kind plot (<span style="color:#993399;"><strong>several story lines</strong></span> interweaving) kept me interested and caring about what was going to happen next. <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">FOUR STARS</span></strong>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-48007464791474492532011-04-02T14:43:00.000-07:002011-04-02T15:23:57.382-07:00Home Entertainment -SighStill not feeling well enough to go out to the movies, so I keep myself entertained with books (<span style="color:#000099;"><strong>used paperbacks</strong></span> -I buy at a <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>discount</strong></span> on line from <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Alibris</span></strong>) such as <em><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Protect and Defend</strong></span></em> by Vince Flynn; and on my <strong>Kindle </strong>(currently reading <em><strong>One Shot</strong></em>, a Jack Reacher novel by <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Lee Child</strong></span>, one of my <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>favorite mystery writers</strong></span>). Then added to my <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>TiVo </strong></span>regular viewing (addiction?) is <strong><span style="color:#993399;">"Jeopardy!"</span></strong> (Hard to get that annoying musical theme that sounds a lot like "I'm a Little Teapot" out of my head, but neverthe less --) Also, wondering why Alex Trebeck wears his glasses sometimes, and not others. Another annoying but addictive (for me) program is <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"Dancing With the Stars."</strong></span> Though I'm not thrilled with their recent addition of a dance troupe. Thank God I can <em>fast forward</em> at my discretion. (and so can you, or just delete!!!) But, my most <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>exciting</strong></span> entertainment event has been the <span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">rediscovery</span> </strong></span>of the Author, <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Noah benShea!</strong> </span><span style="color:#333333;">Beautifully written prose, each sentence lovingly crafted. I was first introduced to this wise and open hearted philosopher, through his first book, the wonderful <strong><em><span style="color:#006600;">Jacob the Baker</span></em></strong>. Followed by <span style="color:#006600;"><em><strong>Jacob's Ladder</strong></em></span>. Then in 1991 at the Book Fair held at the UCLA campus in Westwood, California, I bought his latest, <span style="color:#006600;"><strong><em>Jacob's Journey</em></strong></span>, which he graciously autographed for me (and not just with his signature, he penned a lovely message!) <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>benShea'</strong></span>s books are not lengthy, not a lot of pages, but each paragraph a gem to be savored, each sentence a facet to be admired. (Can you tell I'm enthusiastic about his books? His bio says he's written 20 of them, and perhaps they are not all as fantastic as the ones I've read, but, I'll let you know as I continue my exploration of <strong>Home Entertainment</strong>. </span>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-70045920381753756612011-03-13T14:12:00.000-07:002011-03-13T14:34:24.667-07:00Physical report - not required readingI'm way behind on my movie going, due to a short bout with the <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>flu </strong></span>starting on March 2nd, (knocked out the fever <em>fast</em> with "Tamiflu") followed by an undiagnosed (so far) weird, nasty, <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>red, angry rash</strong></span> on my left leg that emerged on March 3rd, and grew progressively worse - spreading north above my knee, until Friday when a <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>trauma doctor</strong></span> put an impressive bandage (quite tight) on my leg) and added another <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>anti-biotic</strong></span> to the two I was already taking. So, the bandage comes off tomorrow, and then we'll see. I've watched lots of stuff on <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>TV,</strong></span> lying with leg elevated, including the somewhat recent <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"Fairly Legal,"</strong></span> which isn't great, but is quite watchable particularly because of the charming lead actress, <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Sarah Shahi</strong></span> who plays "Kate Reed" the lawyer. She has a great smile. <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"The Good Wife"</strong></span> continues to deliver excellent episodes, and did I mention I'm addicted to <strong>"Jeopardy?"</strong> Did you catch <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"Every Human Heart"</strong></span> on PBS? In it, <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Jim Broadbent excellent</strong></span> as usual. Much as I like <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"White Collar,"</strong></span> the captions are <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>practically useless,</strong></span> and with my somewhat challenged hearing, it's almost not worth the struggle to watch it. Does anyone know to whom I can <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>complain</strong></span> about the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>pathetic captioning?</strong></span> Trying to find something light and funny to watch is difficult, and I admit to following <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"The Big Bang Theory."</strong></span> It's an interesting contradition in stupidity and intelligence. But then, aren't we all. Prayers gratefully accepted. God bless us all. SPSPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-40731899079124900052011-02-26T17:41:00.000-08:002011-02-26T18:37:39.910-08:00"Of Gods and Men"In French with excellent sub-titles, this is an <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>inspiring </strong></span>portrayal of <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>courage</strong></span> born of <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>faith.</strong></span> <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Superb acting</strong></span>, exquisite <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>cinematography </strong></span>(Caroline Champetier). Purposely, (almost excruciatingly) slow-moving, yet brilliantly paced this is a film whose every scene can be savored and appreciated. <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Directed by Xavier Beaufois</strong></span> with intelligence and sensitivity. (He also shared writing credits.) The plot (based on <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>real events</strong></span> and real people)revolves around a Trappist (Cistercian) <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>monastery</strong></span> in <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Algeria</span></strong> during the 1990's. It shows the <strong><span style="color:#993399;">army</span></strong> -- plus <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>terrorists</strong></span> - impinging upon the peace and tranquility of the life of the monks. The monks are French by the way. They are not young. they have been in Algeria for many years. Days are spent in useful pursuits as well as devotion expressed with magnificent <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>liturgical chanting</strong></span> which permeates their daily routine and rituals. The expressive faces of each of these exceptional men will be etched in your memory. As true Christians, giving <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>medical treatment</strong></span> to anyone who came to them, without discrimination, the monks served the villagers -- most of whom were Muslim. The cast list is headed by Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale, but every single actor is <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>superb.</strong></span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>FOUR STARS!</strong></span>SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-10026903050289277742011-02-24T13:53:00.000-08:002011-02-24T14:51:17.771-08:00"UNKNOWN"Warning, it's <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>quite violent</strong></span> in some places. Also, I'm not a big fan of <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>car chases</strong></span>. "Unknown" has several lengthy and spectacular ones, But I can find no fault with any other aspect of this film. I have to give it <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><strong>FOUR STARS</strong></span> despite any imperfections. Probably the <span style="color:#000000;">4 star performance</span> by <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Liam Neeson</strong></span> accounts for my unabashed admiration and enthusiasm. He is definitely a <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>force to be reckoned with</strong></span>! What a marvelous, <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>spectacular performance</strong></span>! Excellent, <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>suspenseful plot</strong></span> (OK, maybe you have to <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>"suspend disbelief"</strong></span> - but so what?). Neeson plays the part of "Dr. Martin Harris," enroute, with his wife "Liz," well played by <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>January Jones</strong></span>, to attend a scientific convention in Berlin. While checking into their hotel, he realizes he left his briefcase at the airport, and dashes off frantically in a <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Taxi</strong></span> to retrieve it. In a <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>freak accident</strong></span> in the cab, driven by <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Diane Kruger,</strong></span> he is nearly killed (she saves his life). He is in a <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>coma for 4 days</strong></span>. When he wakes up, he can barely remember his name. But as he starts to recall the conference he is supposed to be attending, he leaves the hospital prematurely. The doctor warns him he should wait - but he feels the urgent need to see his wife, and hurries to the Hotel where the conference is being held. When he sees his wife, she tells him (and everyone else) that she does not know who he is, and introduces <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Aiden Quinn</span></strong> as her <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>husband</strong></span>, <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Dr. Martin Harris.</strong></span> Add to the mystery, a frightening attempt on his life in the hospital, and then a bunch of thugs following him and trying to kill him. <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Bruno Ganz</strong></span> (wonderful old actor!) plays "Jurgen" a P.I. (proud to be a former member of the East German secret police) who tries to help him. Neeson was given Jurgen's contact information from a nurse at the hospital with the explanation that "he finds people." <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Frank Langella</strong></span> adds his acting talents to the film. So, who is "the real" Dr. Martin Harris? Why is "Liz" denying his identity? What is going on? I may even see it again, now that I know -- but I'm not going to spoil your fun by telling you ! Don't read any spoilers; just go and see it for yourelf. <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Praise</strong></span> for the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Director</strong></span>: Jaume Collet-Serra and the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Screenwriters</strong></span>: Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell, "Unknown" is based on the <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>novel</strong></span>: <em>Out of My Head</em> by Didier Van Cauwelaert (I hope I spelled all these correctly.)SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649986885535912098.post-17792997742135035042011-02-21T10:29:00.000-08:002011-02-21T11:34:52.845-08:00Two Reviews: A Comparative StudyWhy was <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>"Just Go With It"</strong></span> not worth more than <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>ONE STAR</strong></span>, whereas <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>"Cedar Rapids"</strong></span> earned <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>THREE STARS</strong></span> on my enjoyment meter? My determining factors are: (1) <strong>Dialogue</strong> (script provided by the Writer/s), (2) <strong>Actors</strong> delivery of those words, and (3) the <strong>Director.</strong> The only redeeming feature of "Just Go With It" was <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Jennifer Aniston's</strong></span> performance. She was <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>excellent!</strong></span> Otherwise, though <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Adam Sandler</strong></span> wasn't bad, and the little girl (about 11 years old?) was quite good, there were too many scenes that I found <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>offensive.</strong></span> I noted later that there were <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>six different writers</strong></span> credited for the film. The result was really a hodge-podge, a series of scenes that didn't really mesh into one cohesive whole. There's an old joke about things decided by <em>committee</em>! Or, perhaps it was, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." (I saw the name of the old pro Abe Burrows on the list of writers. I guess he was outweighed by the the other five.) I really don't like potty "humor" -- I find it offensive. Just about every character in the film is <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>lying</strong></span> about something, including <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Nicole Kidman</strong></span> (I almost didn't recognize her) who has a small but unpleasant part to play. Then by contrast, there's <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"Cedar Rapids"</strong></span> an original take on the "country boy goes to the big city" theme, done very <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>clever</strong></span>ly, with an <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>excellent cast,</strong></span> headed by <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Ed Helms</strong></span> as the naive, somewhat innocent (despite his liason with his former school teacher, <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Sigourney Weaver</strong></span> - who is wonderful in her part, of course) small town insurance salesman who is sent to the "big city" of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to attend the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Insurance Companies Convention</strong></span>. He has experiences he didn't expect. Admittedly it has a few rather "off color" lines, primarily delivered by John C. Reilly, but the film didn't depend upon them. (And Reilly was actually good in his role, as was <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Steven Root</strong></span>, our hero's boss.) Written by <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Phil Johnston</strong></span> and marvelously directed by <span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Miguel Arteta,</strong></span> "Cedar Rapids" easily earned my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><strong>THREE STAR</strong></span> rating. (Would have been Four, if it hadn't been for the few <em>crudities</em> -- which in French, as I recall, means 'raw vegetables.') I must give special mention to one of the actors who, although she has a relatively small part, quite favorably impressed me: Alia Shawkat. She plays a prostitute named <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>"Bree."</strong></span> She accosts our hero when he first arrives and asks him for a cigarette. He, of course, lectures her (nicely) about the health hazards of smoking, and offers her some butterscotch candies instead. Definitely Kudos to <span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr</strong></span>. and everyone else in the fine cast of this enjoyable film.SPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740491729743441276noreply@blogger.com0