Why did I never watch this movie before?
The Shawshank Redemption
A masterpiece. I was left speechless and breathless. Tim Robbins is the actor's actor, so understated, so believable. Morgan Freeman is just real. I sound like a Shawshank groupie.
This is a prison story, with all the horrible prison stuff that happens, but it has an ending that is so satisfying. It is a must-see.
Five Children and It
An adaptation of an E. Nesbit children's story. I was a big E. Nesbit fan and I had read this book, many years ago. It has been made into quite a good movie. That nice lad from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (no, not Johnny Depp) stars, along with several well-known English actors, including some Harry Potter teachers. Eddie Izzard plays It and does it very well, with humour, as you would expect. A nice movie.
Cougar Town
My daughter made me watch the first two seasons and it is not bad. Ellie, the neighbour, is played by Jordan from Scrubs, so of course it is good. Funny, alcoholic, stupid at times, but entertaining.
21
Based on the true story of MIT students using their intellect to beat the casinos. Jim Sturgess (from "Across the Universe") stars and does a passable American accent. Enjoyable.
Pirate Radio
Now in other countries this movie is titled "The Boat That Rocked". Now why would they change it for the American market? Was it too subtle? They changed the title of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to something about a sorceror's stone. Dumbing down or what?
Anyways, this is an English movie (which almost automatically makes it good in my book) with some wonderful actors, including Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby, the manager from Flight of the Conchords. This movie is also based on a true story, about Radio Caroline I believe, in the early days of rock and roll, when the BBC would not broadcast such stuff. Some great characters, fashions, and situations. The dvd cover says: 1 boat, 8 DJs, no morals. Then there is the nail-biting drama, faced with remarkable sangfroid (as always) by the English.
I will be watching this one more than once. It's fun and it has it's own Dunkirk moment.
Angie had her kittens, we haven't seen them yet, but now the previous two, Harley and Belle, are part of the household. We really need to find good homes for them but we are very attached to them now. Won't make that mistake with the next lot. And yes, I have tried very hard to catch Angie to get her fixed, but she is super-smart and avoids springing the trap. I'll try again when these kittens are old enough to do without her for a day or so.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Goodbye Harry
Lots of movies, not a lot of motivation to review.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two
The last of the Harry Potter story. How very sad. Anyway - an excellent movie. As good as the first one, and I liked it better than the ones in between, although they were excellent too. All those children have grown up but they retain the magic. Neville in particular has grown up to be quite spectacular. Didn't see that coming.
Fame
I was a fan of the television show back in the 80's, but not this movie. I watched probably a third of the movie and had not developed any interest in any of the characters or the non-existent plot, so sorry, can't even review it with any interest.
Burlesque
A vehicle for Cher and Christina Aguillera to be seen and heard. Good dancing, costumes and makeup, weak, unoriginal plot, but it's a feelgood film that had me singing in the shower afterwards.
The Big Bang Theory
Continuing with this television series and loving it. So clever, so real and such adorable characters. I think Sheldon is my favourite, for his single-mindedness. So funny.
Jeff Dunham
An American comedian who is also a ventriloquist using various stereotype puppets. What can I say? English and American humour just don't translate. I found the humour in this to be at a level that might amuse a 5 year old and I found some of it offensive. The dead terrorist puppet character was truly offensive on many levels, including politically. I wonder if Jeff Dunham is on any terrorist hit lists. I wouldn't be surprised.
Why do Americans find death and decay so amusing? The Halloween merchandise in Walmart is horrible. I don't think it is right that dead bodies and severed body parts should be presented as fun and acceptable party props for children. As a medical professional and a human being I believe in the sanctity of the human body both before and after death, and I find the mocking of the dead to be offensive. Speaking of Halloween, why would you want to encourage children to knock on stranger's doors and demand unhealthy food or perform acts of vandalism if it is not forthcoming? And then tell children not to accept candy from strangers. They can have pumpkin baskets to collect their loot. Sounds like a protection racket to me, pay up or else. It also encourages greed and gluttony and quite possibly, tooth decay. I don't think Christianity is into witches and dead bodies and the general glorification of evil that Halloween celebrates. I don't think children should be exposed to thoughts of death and decay before they are old enough to put it in perspective. Wow, a whole nation of bad parents and creepy retailers.
Expecting more kittens any day. Possibly today even as Angie is not around for breakfast. Her last two are inside getting tamed and will be getting "fixed" asap. Maybe after this litter I can catch Angie and put an end to her over-enthusiastic breeding.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two
The last of the Harry Potter story. How very sad. Anyway - an excellent movie. As good as the first one, and I liked it better than the ones in between, although they were excellent too. All those children have grown up but they retain the magic. Neville in particular has grown up to be quite spectacular. Didn't see that coming.
Fame
I was a fan of the television show back in the 80's, but not this movie. I watched probably a third of the movie and had not developed any interest in any of the characters or the non-existent plot, so sorry, can't even review it with any interest.
Burlesque
A vehicle for Cher and Christina Aguillera to be seen and heard. Good dancing, costumes and makeup, weak, unoriginal plot, but it's a feelgood film that had me singing in the shower afterwards.
The Big Bang Theory
Continuing with this television series and loving it. So clever, so real and such adorable characters. I think Sheldon is my favourite, for his single-mindedness. So funny.
Jeff Dunham
An American comedian who is also a ventriloquist using various stereotype puppets. What can I say? English and American humour just don't translate. I found the humour in this to be at a level that might amuse a 5 year old and I found some of it offensive. The dead terrorist puppet character was truly offensive on many levels, including politically. I wonder if Jeff Dunham is on any terrorist hit lists. I wouldn't be surprised.
Why do Americans find death and decay so amusing? The Halloween merchandise in Walmart is horrible. I don't think it is right that dead bodies and severed body parts should be presented as fun and acceptable party props for children. As a medical professional and a human being I believe in the sanctity of the human body both before and after death, and I find the mocking of the dead to be offensive. Speaking of Halloween, why would you want to encourage children to knock on stranger's doors and demand unhealthy food or perform acts of vandalism if it is not forthcoming? And then tell children not to accept candy from strangers. They can have pumpkin baskets to collect their loot. Sounds like a protection racket to me, pay up or else. It also encourages greed and gluttony and quite possibly, tooth decay. I don't think Christianity is into witches and dead bodies and the general glorification of evil that Halloween celebrates. I don't think children should be exposed to thoughts of death and decay before they are old enough to put it in perspective. Wow, a whole nation of bad parents and creepy retailers.
Expecting more kittens any day. Possibly today even as Angie is not around for breakfast. Her last two are inside getting tamed and will be getting "fixed" asap. Maybe after this litter I can catch Angie and put an end to her over-enthusiastic breeding.
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