May 18 2012
Men in Black (1997) Genre: SF comedy Grade: B+ We’re “them.” We’re “they.” We are the Men in Black. I thought I’d throw another bromance onto the review heap. Not that Agent J and Dr. Laurel Weaver’s flirting isn’t enjoyable but the real strength of this film is how well Tommy Lee Jones and Will [...]
Mar 16 2012
Galaxy Quest (1999) Genre: SF/Homage Grade: B+ “Never give up, never surrender!” There’s been a lot of talking about fanfic lately and Sunita had the brainstorm for me to review “Galaxy Quest.” I hadn’t watched it in a couple of months so it was youtube to the rescue again. It all came back to me [...]
Mar 2 2012
My Best Girl (1927) Genre: Romance/Comedy/Silent Film Grade: B+ This movie is so cute I just want to scoop it up and hug it. Mary Pickford’s last silent film, it showcases her charm and talent and proves why she was America’s sweetheart. The plot is nothing new or exciting. Maggie Johnson (Pickford) is a stock [...]
Feb 27 2012
Being undead sucks. Literally. Just ask C. Thomas Flood. Waking up after a fantastic night unlike anything he’s ever experienced, he discovers that his girlfriend, Jody, is a vampire. And surprise! Now he’s one, too. For some couples, the whole biting-and-blood thing would have been a deal breaker. But Tommy and Jody are in love, [...]
Jan 6 2012
Foul Play (1978) Genre: Comedy/Thriller Grade: Cute “Far out.” Yes, I remember this movie when it was first shown on HBO. I know that dates me but, what the hell. It’s kind of a comedy crossed with a thriller crossed with a view of life back in 1978 when people said “shake your booty” and [...]
Nov 11 2011
Operation Petticoat (1959) Genre: War comedy Grade: B Since today is Veteran’s Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in many other countries, I decided to pick a film to pay tribute to those who’ve served. But I didn’t want preachy so that ruled out such things as “The Americanization of Emily.” And it had [...]
Oct 28 2011
Arsenic and Old Lace (made 1942, released 1944) Genre: Screwball Comedy Grade: B “This is developing into a very bad habit!” – Mortimer Brewster I had always heard great things about “Arsenic and Old Lace,” but the first time I sat down and tried to watch this film years ago my reaction was a rip [...]
Sep 16 2011
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) Genre: musical, slapstick comedy Grade: B- “Forum,” yet another old favorite of mine, hasn’t weathered the years quite as well as others but is still good for some laughs once it gets going. It’s based on a Broadway production of the same name and [...]
Aug 26 2011
Roxanne (1987) Genre: Romantic Comedy Grade: B When I reviewed “Cyrano de Bergerac,” some of you said you couldn’t watch or didn’t want to watch it or hated it because of the tragic ending. I can understand that. More often I’m in the mood for a HEA too. So here one is in the form [...]
Aug 15 2011
Dear Readers, Tuesday August 16th would be La Heyer’s 109 birthday and to celebrate Jane urged us to dust off our copies of her books and write reviews. I pondered and thought and recalled how much I’ve always enjoyed “Powder and Patch.” I know it’s not one of the best beloved of her books but [...]
Jun 10 2011
The Reluctant Debutante (1958) Genre: Comedy/Romance Grade: B We read so many books here about “The Season” that I thought it appropriate to review this movie set during the last official one before the Queen pulled the plug on it in 1958. Though it was probably watched more for Sandra Dee and John Saxon during [...]
May 6 2011
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) Genre: Action/Romance/Comedy Grade: B+ It’ll soon be that time of year again, when we get contacted about the organized hell that are High School Reunions. “Festivals of Pain” as one character here calls this one, when we see people we’ve barely thought of in 10, 20, 30 years and wince as [...]
Feb 18 2011
Ella Enchanted (2004) Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale Grade: B I’d been toying with watching this movie for a while, ever since I got in the Cinderella kick, but negative comments about its adaptation from the book always put me off. But then I thought, “Jayne you haven’t read the book so what do you care?” [...]
Sep 3 2010
Run Fatboy Run (2007) Genre: Comedy, Romance, Sport Grade: B- So I’ve started a quest to see more Simon Pegg movies and put this one in my Netflix queue. It’s got a lower star ranking than does “Hot Fuzz” or “Shaun of the Dead” so I went into it with lower expectations. Luckily for me, [...]
Jul 16 2010
While You Were Sleeping (1995) Genre: romantic comedy Grade: A The first time I saw this film was with a dear friend of mine who told me I’d love it. Me, I was skeptical since I wasn’t really into romantic comedies then but by the end of the movie, I was in love with it. [...]
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