Oct 29 2013
Since I write separate reviews for most of the books I finish, these reading lists are for ones that for various reasons ended up being either DNF or I didn’t think needed a full review. Tempted into Danger by Melissa Cutler The shame is that with the exception of the standard inappropriate lusting – which(…)
Dec 21 2012
Bernard and the Genie (1991 BBC TV) Genre: Holiday Grade: Very cute While trying to decide on the next movie of this holiday season, I realized we were getting a bit top heavy with animation films. So a few are just going to have to wait until later. But what to review next? I wanted(…)
Dec 14 2012
Ziggy’s Gift (1982) Genre: Holiday Animation Grade: B “Love is the answer.” Ziggy’s Gift is a 1982 TV special about Tom Wilson’s cartoon character Ziggy and his dog Fuzz trying to do the right thing. Ziggy wakes up one morning and while getting ready for the day, first hears a TV reporter doing man-on-the-street interviews(…)
Dec 7 2012
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) Genre: Anime Dramedy Grade: B+ Looking for a Christmas themed movie that’s not gushy or overly sentimental? Or do you like anime? Then check this one out. Three homeless people, an abandoned baby and it’s Christmas in Tokyo. Ho, ho, ho. Gin – a middle aged man who takes refuge in drink,(…)
Nov 30 2012
Die Hard (1988) Genre: Action Adventure Grade: B+ Three years ago I did a group review of some of my favorite Christmas movies. A number of you listed your own holiday standbys and for many of you “Die Hard” seems to top the list. When I was thinking about what movies to review this year,(…)
Nov 23 2012
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Genre: Holiday/Comedy/Romance Grade: B+ “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” I had resisted watching this movie until now due to what I feared would be a schmaltz fest of gooey, sugary pulling of heartstrings. But when another movie I had tentatively selected as a(…)
Nov 16 2012
Different for Girls (1996) Genre: Romantic dramedy Grade: B-/C+ Frankly, I’d forgotten I had this movie in my Netflix queue until I noticed that it was due to be taken off the streaming option. With a viewing deadline looming, I first pulled up the information to refresh my memory of why I’d decided to save(…)
Nov 9 2012
John Carter (2012) Genre: SF Action/Adventure Grade: C- I’m coming at this movie from the standpoint of someone who’s never read any of the books on which it’s based nor even read much about the books on which it’s based. I was a John Carter/Barsoom virgin and I don’t think that was a good thing.(…)
Nov 2 2012
Genevieve (1953) Genre: Comedy Grade: B Originally I had another film lined up for today but yesterday I was reading that this coming weekend is the annual London to Brighton Rally. “That’s it,” I said. “Genevieve is on.” From a little film that the studio heads didn’t think much of and didn’t want to release,(…)
Oct 26 2012
Arachnophobia (1990) Genre: Thriller/Comedy Grade: B- “My God, it’s just a spider!” In casting around for this year’s Halloween movie, I remembered this little gem about the numerous offspring of a butt ugly, venomous Venezuelan spider and a hot little Californian babe spider who terrorize an idyllic small town. Yeah, those bastards end up making(…)
Oct 19 2012
Pride and Prejudice (1940) Genre: Romance Grade: C+/B- What?! A grade less than fabulous for one of Jane’s masterpieces? Sorry but yes. While I enjoyed some aspects of this interpretation there are just too many eye popping, “oh, tell me they didn’t just do that!” issues for me to overlook. Had I seen this before(…)
Oct 12 2012
Shelter (2007) Genre: GLBT Romance Grade: B This movie had been mentioned so many times on other movie reviews here and at Netflix that I knew I needed to see it. I’m probably going to disappoint a lot of people with my grade but while I liked it, it ultimately comes across to me as(…)
Oct 5 2012
The Princess Bride (1987) Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Romance Grade: A- “Death can not stop true love.” “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” I’ve actually been a little scared to write this review. It’s been such a favorite story of mine – both the book which I read yonks ago(…)
Sep 28 2012
The Triplets of Belleville -Les triplettes de Belleville (2003) Genre: Animation dramedy Grade: B If you haven’t seen this film or any stills from it, prepare yourself for a surrealistic animation style radically different from Disney or Pixar. Not better, not worse but very different. Things are heightened, elongated, exaggerated and unforgettable. My personal feeling(…)
Sep 21 2012
Emma (1996 A&E TV) Genre: Novel adaptation/Romance/Regency Period Grade: B I was reluctant to watch this adaptation mainly due to the fact that I’m not a great Kate Beckinsale fan. Something about her struck me as distant, controlling and snobby. But my curiosity overcame me and I finally took the plunge and realized that she’s(…)
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