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Reviews
The Swan (1956)
Sad to report this is beautifully filmed but fluff to watch
Beautifully shot at the Biltmore Estate, the visuals are stunning. In my opinion Grace Kelly was never a great actress and got her roles by her beauty, family money, and whatever else was required for couch casting (no secret there, she was known for her numerous love interests). The story line could have been so much better as well as the acting. For me, the cast that carried the film was Prof. Agi, Symphorosa, as well as some of the supporting characters. The ending of this love story is dutiful and the Crown Prince himself is loosely defined; albeit clearly very gay (remember it was a 50s movie). His mannerisms and behavior throughout the entire film bear this out. The Princess is clearly not very bright but is willing to learn more. She, aka The Swan, is bound to carry out the duty for which she was bred and so is the Crown Prince despite their obvious mismatching.
Las Vegas: Chaos Theory (2006)
One of the weaker eipisodes
Thin and silly sub plots/themes on this episode. Plus it is more than tiring to see Ed's wife, Jillian always and only thinking about sex with her husband. When she's not plotting on how to make it happen all the time, she's only interested in shopping. It makes her. So empty-headed and dull.
Ed's little goatee and mustache are unbecoming to him - actually aging him and Jillian's dark hair is so fake looking. Lastly Mary's big frog lips and breast implants are so obvious and actually quite ugly.
Just watched some of the old episodes and now I remember part of the reason why I stopped watching this series years ago. So sad, it got off to a decent start and then really started going off the rails with Monica's "flying off the roof."
The Paradise (2012)
Enjoyable fluff to watch
While this show draws you in at first, as it progresses, you see how ridiculous some of the plots really are. Moray draws you in at first and then you see he is a manipulator and user. He's selfish and afraid to commit because he uses people for advancement of his own ambitions with the store. There are a few times when he is quite fair to his employees. He uses women for his own pleasure and will not commit fully to them, he always has excuses, but continues to charm them. Denise also draws you as an innocent girl, but she is also very ambitious and knows how to play the game. Kathryn is a cunning manipulator of everyone. Everyone is playing both sides of the field for their own gain. All in all this is a far cry from Mr. Selfridge. Not even close to the excellence of Downton Abbey let alone a comparison. The Paradise is definitely a soap opera.
Andrea Bocelli: A Bocelli Family Christmas (2022)
Perfect in every way - absolutely enchanting.
Andrea, his wife, his sons, and his daughter are an absolute delight. Not only is Andrea gifted with a beautiful voice, but so are his sons, His daughter is an adorable little actress who also has a good voice. This truly is a perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. And I'll say it again, it is enchanting. The scenery, settings, decorations are simply spectacular. Truly takes you away to another land and time. This is so refreshing to watch especially with what's going on in the world today and how we have lost to a great extent to capture the spirit of Christmas. This production will help you get the spirit back. Definitely worth watching not only once, but several times.
Jesus Revolution (2023)
Outstanding in every way! A definite MUST SEE MOVIE!
Absolutely amazing and powerful in every way. The actors were perfectly matched to their characters. Stories were woven and tied together and brought to life. Many moving and emotional scenes.
Script was real, period music and wardrobe, and again, absolute perfection in every way.
I just hope people will not be turned off before they even see it just because of the title. For us Christians, especially who attend a Calvary Chapel church, to see how it all came together.
The movie is so well done, that you can't help but feel the overwhelming power of it and leave feeling much better than when you walked in. We needed this movie to be done and shared on the big screen.
Ticket to Paradise (2022)
Light-hearted romcom
If you want some light-hearted comedy mixed with smart bantering, beautiful scenery, and without any sexual or verbal obscenities, this is it. A welcome change.
It is also refreshing to see the May/December romance flipped with a woman in her mid 50s having a lover/boyfriend in his mid 30s. Typically in movies, it is always the male lead who has a lover young enough to be his daughter. Despite the fact that her lover is a pilot, it is annoying to see him act like a school boy.
While it may remind you of some other films (and you have to admit, there are hardly any truly original films being made), it does have a character or style of its own. Just watch & enjoy. It's entertainment.
Lost Heart (2020)
Very nice movie with many good life lessons
This movie is very well developed with believable sand real life situations. Thoroughly enjoyable. More moves should be made like this. A whole family can watch this. The only mistake I can see is that Hannah and her mother are about the same age. There doesn't seem to be a gap even if her mother were to have gotten married as a teenager. That aside, there are many worthwhile life lessons to be learned here. - such as forgiveness, redemption, and tolerance. It teaches us to also understand people with different physical qualities, not to be judgmental. Our faith in God is the most important of all.
Marry Me (2022)
Not bad way to spend an evening
Yes, it's self-promoting for JLo, but it does wind up being entertaining. One thing in particular that made me smile is that "Kat" is almost 30 years older than "Bastian" the man she is going to marry in the beginning. JLo is attractive and it isn't until the closeups that you notice how much work has been done on her face. This must be the first time that a May-December wedding is reversed. Prime showed it for free so it that made it even better. It is a fun watch and does have some good moments with some good take aways. It is a decent rom-com with some dramatic moments. The premise is totally far-fetched, but then again, it is a movie and movies are supposed to be entertaining.
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont (2005)
Rare beautiful gem of a movie.
Even better when you watch it again. It doesn't complicate anything. Plays out beautifully. Smiles. Tears. Relationships. Truths.
Don't miss out on this movie by passing it by.
The Lost City (2022)
If you want to waste some time
Sadly this movie is ridiculous in so many ways. Sandra Bullock's botox/plastic surgery is so obvious and detracts from the already weak movie. Although she is 57 years old, she has maintained her shape, so I suspect she also wants to prove that she doesn't age by pairing herself with a man (Channing Tatum) who is 15 years younger than she is. Her editor's wig is also silly and so obvious. Perhaps I'm being petty, but this all detracted from an already weak plot and movie, which could have and should have been entertaining. Bad Pitt's role was also totally silly and short. Perhaps that's what was planned for this movie - a total over the top spoof. A spoof that just bombs. Again, sadly.
Elvis (2022)
Austin's performance is astounding
In many respects much of it is factual with some obvious additions and filmed very well. Naturally, it doesn't cover all aspects of his life, but touches on many. Austin was phenomenal and you begin to believe that he is Elvis in every way. Tom Hanks portrays the despicable Colonel very well. Ironically "Priscilla" in this movie is very loving. I suspect she had to be portrayed this way so that she can continue to live off Elvis/royalties/etc. The film works very well especially in light of using virtually all unknown actors (Hanks excluded). It is well worth watching!
Ride (2014)
Fine to watch for free/It has it's moments
First off, I have to agree with the other reviewer in that Helen has really changed. I noticed it in another movies (Sarah Jessica Parker is another one). Please stop with the injections/plastic surgeries, whatever -- you are unrecognizable and they are making you look older and haggard. Natural aging is beautiful. However, first I did have to get over looking at the change in Helen and then concentrate on the movie.
The movie itself, is somewhat over the top as far as the mother role is played, but it has some unexpected touching moments. There are a few laughs throughout which also help this movie. It is not unwatchable, but fine to watch whether you have run out of movies to watch, or just want to be entertained without having to be deeply engrossed. Luke Wilson and Brenton Thwaites portray their roles well. Helen Hunt also played her role well as an annoying mother and she did make me laugh in parts. The ending pulls it all together!
Somewhere in Time (1980)
Still among the very best
Since this movie was first released, I have watched it countless times and it never grows old or loses its charm. Instead, the movie continues to grow in beauty and meaning. It is beautiful in every way.
Nothing Like a Dame (2018)
Absolutely delightful
Many wonderful moments that they shared. They didn't drink tea at all, but water and then champagne. Such great memories and laughs for us to enjoy. Very rich.
The Enchanted Cottage (2016)
Remake so pathetic. Original was and is totally fantastic.
What a shameful remake. Doesn't even come close. The acting is so bad. Nothing enchanting about this movie. The 1945 original is a masterpiece in every way.
St. Elsewhere (1982)
Nod to M.A.S.H. not mentioned in the trivia or goofs.
Credits forget one important innuendo in the last episode - there was a nod to M.A.S.H. When Novino is in the morgue doing a post-op on "Henry Blake killed in helicopter crash." That's how Henry Blake died in MASH.
The Favourite (2018)
Tastless waste of time
Agree that the scenery is beautiful and costumes authentic; however, what a waste of 2 hours of my life that I will never get back. Story line is trite, flimsy, and often in such bad taste it's hard to stomach. Needless nastiness. Could have been somewhat of a classic; however, it is trash.
The Mule (2018)
Another Eastwood classic
Very well acted, written, and told in true Eastwood fashion. Lessons to be learned here. Some very obvious, some subtle. Does anyone know the name of the actor in the beginning of the movie when Earl walks into the flower show and says to him, "I thought you were dead."
Book Club (2018)
Better than expected
Glad I went against some of the reviews I read. I did enjoy this movie and was pleasantly surprised that it was not filled with vulgarity and sexuality. There were some very poignant references to sex; however, handled very tastefully, appropriate, and with very clever humor! Of course, they have all aged, some very gracefully and naturally (as we all do get older every day); however, two of them had some very obvious work done. One in particular had too much work done on her face and lips, although the work done on her body was amazing. Four different stories all tied together with a lifelong friendship. Enjoyable light and entertaining movie.
The Shape of Water (2017)
Waste of time
Tries to be artsy and clever. But it fails in so many areas. Too many loop holes, too many idiotic attempts to make this a beautiful love story. Instead it's almost laughable. What a shame.
Phantom Thread (2017)
It's a waste of time
It is a pretentious film that masquerades as a work of art. It should have been and could have been an outstanding film. The photography, period pieces, countryside, etc. were all beautiful; however, the story and plot (or lack thereof) suffered and droned on unbearably. I kept waiting for the film to finally take hold of its viewers, but it never did and it never got off the ground either. Such a shame. It's a movie about an aging, single dressmaker to the wealthy with a fetish for his mother, who lives with his aging, bossy single sister and takes on a young female lover from time to time until he is annoyed with them and until his sister bosses them out. He then meets a daughter-like lover who is deadly and is even more manipulative and devious than his sister. Total waste of two hours that I'll never get back. I only gave it 4 stars because of the scenery and photography.
The Women (1939)
Innovation of color
I can't believe that no one has commented on the ingenuity of using color in the otherwise black & white movie. It is used in the fashion show. Quite unexpectedly and quite ingeniously...given the era. The movie is outstanding and well ahead of its time. Well worth seeing over and over. It is a relevant movie even today. One could learn a lot from seeing this movie. Take a page from history and apply it to today. Lot of lessons learned here. If you watch closely you can apply it to life today. Lessons in love, humility, and pride. Well worth learning and living. The actresses are all excellent and one can relate to any one of them and learn some life lessons.