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Reviews
There's Always a Woman (1938)
This is not what I would call Entertaining
This movie was supposed to be the first of a series of movies with JOAN BLONDELL and MELVYN DOUGLAS playing the same man and wife parts, but BLONDELL opted out and another actress took her place. It isn't any mystery to me why she opted out. I found the husband part played by DOUGLAS to be rude, I could actually say in parts he behaved like a pig. I don't know. Perhaps men treated their wives in a different manner way back then that was condoned by the general public, but I was shocked. I mean, I know they probably wanted a different tack then the Nick & Nora approach (William Powell & Myrna Loy), but this just didn't work for me. I've always really, really enjoyed all of the roles Melvyn Douglas played. He's always seemed to play a "frisky" sort of fellow, but always a gentleman. In Mr. Blanding Dream House you actually wished he was your friend, too. But I had a different feeling towards him after watching this movie. It's any wonder BLONDELL didn't want to resurrect the role again.
Hilda Crane (1956)
What exactly IS wrong with this woman?
I was as confused as the other two commenters about this woman and her frantic behavior and the reason behind it, until the part where she quoted Edna St. Vincent Millay. When I watched this movie I was in the middle of reading What Lips My Lips Have Kissed by Daniel Mark Epstein. A brilliant biography of Ms. Millay and also containing much of her poetry. I think Hilda was struggling with her feelings for men and women. I think she might have known which way she "swung", even before her two previous marriages. But in the '50's I think many women did the marriage, children, husband route even if they were denying their own sexuality. Now it is much, much different.
Casino Royale (2006)
What a Disappointment
What is it that you love about the Bond films? The music? The gadgets? The fascinating women? The utter charm and savoir-faire of Mr. Bond? The exotic locales? The "eccentric" cast of characters? Well, you better go see another movie to get these because you won't find them in this film.
The gadgets in this film seem to revolve around resuscitation, which, all things considered, was a good choice.
As far as fascinating women all I can say is Thank God for Judi Dench. She is hands down the most fascinating woman in this film. Eva Green, the Bond Girl in the film, is easy enough on the eyes, but there is nothing special about her. She lacks grace and seems to be putting inordinate effort in making sure her voice sounds "low", but she only succeeds in sounding funny. The good news is that at least she wasn't portraying a woman trying to behave like a man.
Now for the character of James Bond....in this rendition he is rude, crude, completely devoid of charm and acts as if he has no experience in the worldly, sophisticated ways of the world (and doesn't care if he does). We are used to a James Bond that is the epitome of "cool under fire", but this one is a cry baby. Another words, he is no different than so many of the clueless young men that lack manners in this world that you can run into on any given day. Why should I pay good money to see more of this?
The locales in this movie are O.K. Venice certainly is a beautiful place, but hardly what I would call "exotic" or unseen by the vast majority of people that will see this film. Ditto for The Bahamas. Boring. The Czech Republic was an interesting choice and certainly different so I will thank them for that.
As far as memory serves me, there was really only one "eccentric" in this film. No one else comes to mind, which should tell you something about the cast of characters for this movie.
Save your money and watch this film when it shows up on T.V.
Sin City (2005)
My God, is this movie terrible....
I ordered this movie on PPV because I had heard that it was a modern day film noir. What a disappointment! They pull out all the typical ploys to try and make this movie acceptable, but it all boils down to blatant pairing of sex and violence...in spades. Yes, just another movie that will prove to be a wonderful influence on our society.The special effects are fascinating, but after the first 15 minutes it begins to wear thin because there is nothing else to hold up this movie. It is a shame because with the quality of the special effects, this movie could have been great. If you are a soft porn hound, or a pathological killer, you should identify and enjoy this movie.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Insipid
I ordered this movie on PPV for two reasons....... it had Diane Lane in it and and it was filmed in Tuscany, Italy. What a disappointment. The characters are totally insipid, none moreso than the character Diane Lane is playing. She just got more and more pathetic as the movie went along until I just wanted to scream "You're in Italy! Who cares whether you have a mman or not. Everywhere you look it's gorgeous! " I wish they had shown more of Tuscany. The love scenes seem to be a rehash of the scenes in "Unfaithful". I just think the entire movie was a waste of good talent. Also didn't like the "slam" on Americans. I kept wondering what the writers were thinking of, but never came up with an answer.Save your money and wait until this one comes out on TCM.
A Place in the Sun (1951)
Miss Taylor before the....
booze, before the drugs, before the countless tragedies and health scares. What I enjoyed most about this movie was not only Elizabeth Taylor's extraordinary beauty, (as well as that of the Lake Tahoe, California area), but also seeing Elizabeth when her way of speaking was still pleasant and easy on the ear. Before she got that kind of hard edge probably brought about from substance abuse. She has always been a gorgeous woman on the outside, but here you see her when she seems to absolutely glow from inner beauty, as well. I could have gone on watching forever.
The Bachelor (1999)
Insight as to what American men want is represented in his perspective choices
My favorite quote in this movie is when a hispanic woman asks The Bachelor if latinas are acceptable to him and he says "I'm sorry....you have to be able to speak English". It's fascinating how the writer of this movie managed to represent a good number of the female characteristics that an American man finds unappealing, as thru the course of the movie he approaches some of his past girlfriends to propose to them, and you see for yourself what a pain in the *ss they are! ;) The butch police woman, the stuck up and cold socialite, the feminist college student, the clinging vine, the "totally into her job, ignoring her man" stock exchange woman, the prima donna opera singer. Perhaps I liked the movie because it made me feel smug afterwards. I came out smelling like a rose!!!! LOL
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Never Laughed So Hard
I honestly don't think I have ever laughed so hard at a movie. And that goes for everyone that was sitting around us. Boy, do we ever need more films like this. He's naughty, but there is such a sweetness to him. Even Dr. Evil. I'm going to see this one again before it leaves the theatres. You're not going to feel like going out and annihilating the world after this film. Make love, not war, Baby! Any way you look at it you feel good after seeing Mike Myers characters. Healthy for you and healthy for society. I can't wait for Austin Powers III