petermkehoe Reviews

Normal (2003 TV Movie)

Another HBO Original success

[8/10 · 29 March 2003]

Excellent performances by Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson. The screenplay affirms the truth of the adage..."the things we do for love". And it distinguishes love and passion, delineating how each strengthens the other.

The writer/director eschews cliches, demonstrating how small events can sometimes tell a story more powerfully than moments of high drama,

I enjoyed it more on second viewing than first.

Keeping the Faith (2000)

Honest, crisp and funny writing. A real winner.

[8/10 · 24 June 2000]

The honest dialogue and plot turns are a welcome break for predictable outcomes and trite jokes.

Edward Norton, Ben Stiller, and Jenna Elfman have great chemistry. Best Stiller since "Mary".

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Excellent blend of directing and acting

[10/10 · 25 March 2000]

Paul Scofield's finest work. At a private screening for students of the Catholic University of America Drama School, director Fred Zinnemann, a class act in himself, stated that Paul Scofield virtually directed himself through this production.

The story remains timeless ( truly all seasons), a man of courage who does what is morally right despite the consequences. But his is not a blind allegiance to a stated principle; it is a belief arrived at through a biblical searching of conscience and soul. Powerful story. Perhaps it should be played for each of the USA political parties at the beginning of their conventions <grin>.

The Green Mile (1999)

Fastest 3 hours I have ever watched.

[10/10 · 27 December 1999]

Casting in this movie was exceptional. Everyone fit their roles. Wonderful surprises, mixed with intensely evocative scenes. Definitely a repeat, when my psyche can take it again. Real people doing real things in horrific circumstances. I've never been against the death penalty, but this makes you think much more than others which specifically dealt with that issue have.

Music of the Heart (1999)

Good cinema experience - a little unfair to to School Districts

[9/10 · 1 November 1999]

Nice to see someone succeed against the prevailing budget cuts in the arts. Thought the movie was one-dimensional in its depiction of the school district, which obviously had difficult budget cut decisions to make.

Nevertheless, creativity over confrontation won out in this situation.

Meryl Streep obviously had little time to prepare for this role, as her usual nuances of character were missing.

Still, fun to watch.

Body Heat (1981)

Wonderful twists and turns in plot

[10/10 · 1 November 1999]

Lawrence Kasdan has created a wonderfully complex story, full of twists and turns that hold up even when viewed over and over.

Great dramatic tension in a number of scenes, particularly when Ned is in the DA's office and must face the youngster who might finger him as guilty.

never tire of seeing this - a personal "classic".