purduegrad-47653 Reviews

We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004)

disturbing and raw look at adultery and narcissism

[4/10 · 23 October 2023]

Naomi Watts (Edith) is married to a narcissist and serial cheater, Peter Krause (Hank). To get back at him, Edith (Naomi Watts) has an affair w his best friend - Jack (Mark Ruffalo). The two couples, in fact, are best friends w each other. Edith and Hank are best friends w Jack and his wife, Terry (Laura Dern).

Jack is just being used by Edith but fails to realize. He says he is in love w Edith. Jack is married to Terry (Laura Dern). W this affair, Jack destroys his marriage and family (w 2 young kids around ages 8 and 9).

Terry learns of the affair and is shaken to the core. Jack continues to blame her for their messy house etc., while idolizing Edith (Naomi Watts). Edith is just out for herself.

Tragic to watch. Jack does not have the self discipline nor self esteem to say no to Edith's advances. (He just wants to be desired).

Meanwhile Edith (Naomi Watts) and Terry (Laura Dern) are best friends also. Edith keeps saying she loves Terry as a friend.

Edith and her husband, Hank (Peter Krause) have one child. A little girl, around age 9. Very destructive all around.

Difficult to watch. It is very raw look at destructive relationships. Especially when you do not communicate and just assume.

Terry (Laura Dern) is the only one who communicates with her spouse and mourns for the loss of her marriage. She professes her love to him and says she is willing to do whatever it takes to fix it.

The others just act out. With Hank being a narcissist who just thinks of himself. And Edith being equally narcissistic. They act like sex addicts. They are suited for each other.

Terry (Laura Dern) tells her husband how difficult the marriage is and how she wants to make it work. The words exchanged are very raw and realistic. The bickering and difficulty of living under one roof can be seen in these scenes.

All this falls on deaf ears as Jack (Mark Ruffalo) just wants to run away from the problem. He thinks the entire fault of his failing marriage lies on Terry. He refuses to look at himself and is extremely selfish and verbally abusive.

I did not like Edith (Naomi Watts) at all. Just because you can seduce someone does not mean you have won.

This movie is a very harsh look at dysfunctional relationships, marriage, cheating, and living under one roof.

I am giving it a 4 because I did not like the blatant cheating scenes. They were just cheating at random places and right in the next rooms. It was disgusting. Very disrespectful to their spouses and kids. It was almost like they were sex addicts.

Damage (1992)

Made me absolutely sick. Two narcissists meet.

[6/10 · 7 October 2023]

This movie made me absolutely sick to my stomach. Story of what happens when two narcissists meet each other.

They destroy everyone in their paths in quest for self satisfaction. Once they meet their needs they're gone. Single minded focus on their selfish desire at all costs. Risking everything for a moment of self gratification.

It affected me so much I actually started to "hate" the actress, Juliette Binoche.

Juliette Binoche's character was so manipulative, selfish, self absorbed, delusional, and cunning. I don't know how any man would fall for her.

Jeremy Irons is equally selfish, but Juliette was the personification of an evil woman who enters the picture and destroys everything and everyone in sight.

She was like a predator waiting to consume.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

v tragic, depressing, triggering, and violent.

[7/10 · 19 August 2023]

Good story about two very lonely victims that find and need each and fall in love. If you come from an abusive family and run away to a big city, this is a cautionary tale (warning) of how you might end up.

Two lost souls. It's like "Midnight Cowboy" w a male and female.

One is drowning himself in alcohol and no longer wants to live. Other is a prostitute and wants to save him. But they both need to be saved.

Shows the v harsh side of living on the streets and addiction. It's definitely not suited for anyone under age 21.

Nick Cage won an Oscar, but Elizabeth Shue's performance was equally outstanding.

Watching Shue getting abused was really hard to watch. Very disturbing. That poor girl. She deserved an Oscar for this role.

V depressing topic but both performances were gripping. Really makes you root for them.

Maybe a little character background (like flashbacks or a phone call from home, etc.) may have helped us understand both these main characters a little more.

Also reminded me a little of "Black Snake Moan". And "Requiem To A Dream". Watching lost and hurt souls destroy their own lives.

If you come from an abusive background, try to heal yourself first. (Easier said than done). Acting out by becoming a prostitute or an alcoholic is not the answer. There's no turning back and it's v ugly.

I think Nick Cage's character had fear of abandonment, maybe co-dependency, and low self esteem? Shue's character was obviously sexually abused and also physically. (I just couldn't watch her abuse scenes. Made my stomach churn. No one should become a prostitute).

Great movie but v gritty, raw, and realistic. Nick Cage is someone I've grown up with so obviously I love him. Seeing him like this made me want to reach out to him thru the screen. Shue also. You wanted to get in there and give them a big hug or save them.

At the end they're just acting. So in real life they're ok! :)

Mysterious Skin (2004)

v violent and disturbing. Not for everyone.

[7/10 · 19 August 2023]

About childhood sexual abuse and sexual predators. Story could have been told in a more poignant or smoother way. No need to show every scene so graphically and make everything gross.

Every disgusting thing happens to one kid. Unfortunately. Not sure where his parents were.

Another one just decides to act everything out and live on the streets. He says it doesn't impact him but he's still being actively victimized.

Story of child sexual abuse and it's dark consequences. Needs to be told, but movie was too gross and gut wrenching. It was like riding a roller coaster w a full stomach.

Felt v bad for both victims.

Sibling Rivalry (1990)

Kirstie Alley is a delight!

[8/10 · 18 July 2023]

Kirstie Alley was a great comedic actress. (Outside of her controversial off camera image.). She was very natural on the screen. She is dearly missed.

Kirstie plays a very naive house wife (Marjorie). She's married to a v self absorbed doctor (Scott Bakula) who is completely controlled by his family - parents and sister (Carrie Fisher).

Kirstie (Marjorie) is repressed and unhappy. She has a v open minded, free spirited sister, Jami Gertz.

One day Kirstie meets a v distinguished gentleman (Sam Elliott) at the grocery store and they hit it off. Kirstie goes out to lunch w him and opens up about her life.

It turns out this gentleman is related to her husband. After getting involved w him, Kirstie manages to take a risk and "mess" up her life.

She finally wakes up and realizes she's free from her repressed life and her controlling in-law's and their family.

Her husband realizes he loves her over his family. This movie is a comedic delight. Showcases Kirstie's comedic naturalness and timing. Also she looks so pretty in this movie. Funny, zany, light hearted, cozy and cute movie about suburban living.

Premonition (I) (2007)

Sandra Bullock great as a loving wife and mom

[7/10 · 2 July 2023]

Sandra Bullick is happily married and has 2 kids. They've just moved into a brand new house. She starts having flashes of future events where her husband dies.

She has 3 or 4 of these. She skips days and goes a week into the future. There she gets news that her husband dies.

She then wakes up and is back in present time and her husband is alive. She starts to realize that she is going into the future and is coming back.

She writes everything down in a calendar. The sequence of events. She then proceeds to tell her husband to be careful and not go out. She tells her daughters to hug their dad and tell him they love him.

She hugs him for a long time in the shower and tells him she just wants to be close to him.

She furiously tries to make all things right and save her husband and her family. This movie is about love. Loving someone and trying to save them.

Family Ties: My Tutor (1985) Season 4, Episode 7

young River Phoenix

[8/10 · 2 July 2023]

Episode features 14 yr old River Phoenix as a young math genius professor and Alex's college math tutor. He comes to Alex's house to tutor him and speaks so formally and passionately about math!

One day he sees Alex's little sister, Jennifer, and falls in love w her. He asks her out to a professor social.

Jennifer says yes but starts getting really annoyed at the party. River can't handle the rejection and starts to have a tantrum!

They finally come home and she tells River to act his age, 12 or 14, and not like a 40 yr old.

River is so funny and brilliant in this. He was a bright talent and is dearly missed.

Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970)

An educated, v repressed young woman who finally wakes up

[7/10 · 2 July 2023]

A very educated, repressed young woman plays house in Manhattan. She has a Harvard grad husband and a daughter. This lady, although perfect looking on the outside, is v emotionally repressed. She is a doormat to her very self absorbed, abusive, and critical husband.

Her husband is v selfish and superficial. He just wants to have large parties and show off.

This lady meets a v creative and bold artist at a party one day and ends up having an affair w him. He also becomes abusive, and she scolds him. She finally stands up for herself.

She then realizes she's had enough of her verbally and emotionally abusive husband and stands up for herself. She tells him all he cares about are his superficial friends. And that they don't care about him.

This movie is about doing things that you think you're "supposed" to be doing. Saying yes all the time and pleasing others. Being nice all the time. Thinking standing up for yourself is bad. Being out of touch w your feelings and what you really want. Going thru life numb and being a Stepford wife.

Movie ends abruptly but it's hinted that she leaves him.

The Apartment (1960)

Adorable Jack Lemmon

[10/10 · 2 July 2023]

Jack Lemmon is the 50s and 60s Tom Hanks! Just sweet and adorable! This is the original "Splash", "When Harry Met Sally", and "You've got Mail". Classic love story of two young people who are drawn to each other. Very down to earth people who need someone.

Jack Lemmon plays a young executive and Shirley MacLaine, an elevator operator in his office building.

Jack starts to have a crush on her. He's living alone in a tiny apartment in NYC.

All the big execs use his apartment as a place to have affairs w other women.

Jack's and Shirley MacLaine's paths cross again when he tries to save her from an older, rich man who breaks her heart.

She realizes he's the boy nextdoor and the one she wants. Not the rich, glamorous guy.

Very creative, funny movie by Billy Wilder. Jack Lemmon is just adorable. I wish I could find it in color.

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Modern thriller, classic

[9/10 · 2 July 2023]

Modern day Hitchcock. Modern suburban classic thriller. This movie started a whole new genre of movies. The stalker. Obsessed lover.

Starts out as a fun loving, successful family. The guy is a successful young lawyer and makes the ill fated mistake of getting involved w another woman.

That woman can't let go. She mistakes sex for love and refuses to let him go. Turns into delusion, obsession, stalking, and danger. The woman is mentally ill.

Michael Douglas is v good looking here and at his peak. Glenn Close does an extremely Oscar worthy performance of someone that is seriously delusional and mentally ill. She deserved an Oscar for this movie.

Moral of the story: don't cheat on your spouse. Don't get involved w someone you just met. Be careful who you get involved with.

Harry & Son (1984)

V cute movie, v nostalgic of old LA and the 80s

[9/10 · 2 July 2023]

V cute movie. V nostalgic of old LA and the 80s. I think the location is Torrance. Harry Keach is a mid 50s or 60s construction worker who recently lost his wife. He lives in this cozy house w his son, Howard, the writer and surfer. Harry is bitter due to his recent loss.

Harry experiences migraines and vision impairment while he is operating a heavy crane at work and therefore loses his job. He becomes further disillusioned. He also starts to become highly irritable and stars fights w his son, daughter, neighbor etc.

His son is very affectionate and loves his dad unconditionally. Joanne Woodward plays a lovely neighbor and friend of recently departed Harry's wife.

Movie features new performances by young Ellen Barkin, Morgan Freeman, Judith Ivey, Ozzie Davis and Joanne Woodward.

Movie shows cozy, nostalgic dinners between father and son. Robbie Benson plays the very energetic, optimistic and very loving son, Howard. Ellen Barkin plays his girlfriend.

At the end, Harry comes around. Really great watch if you love a family movie. Takes places in 80s Southern California, Los Angeles county.

Crime & Punishment: People vs. Vasquez (2002) Season 1, Episode 3

violent, realistic and very scary

[8/10 · 23 June 2023]

Warning contains disturbing topics of domestic violence. Episode features a very violent man, Jesus Vasquez. An innocent woman, Abigail, is caught in a relationship with him and has a child.

The man consistently abuses, stalks and terrorizes her. She cannot escape and does not realize how dangerous it is. The family also does not realize how dangerous the situation is.

Finally he barges into her apartment one day, with her mom present, and stabs the woman to death while the woman has a baby in her arms.

The defendant show no remorse in court. Appears very arrogant. During the sentencing, defendant and his brother physically attack a member of the prosecuting team.

Very realistic depiction of domestic / intimate partner violence and what it can lead to. She should have left him at the first sign of abuse and also filed a restraining order. Signs of domestic violence should be taken seriously. In this case, the woman dies and a little baby is left without a mom.

Invisible Child (1999 TV Movie)

sensitive movie about caring, loving and accepting someone for who they are

[10/10 · 8 May 2023]

V sensitive and fantastic movie about loving, caring, compassion, loving and accepting someone for who they are; without judgement. Enjoying everyone moment; living in the moment; and enjoying times with the ones you love. Husband, Victor Garber, plays and husband from heaven who loves his wife and is so strong. Rita Wilson is so loving and delicate. Its about loving and acceptance. And living your life in spite of what others think.

The music is also beautiful. Seems Rita Wilson is like this in real life. Very sensitive, spiritual and caring. I love how the family spends so much loving times at home.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams is missed

[10/10 · 29 April 2023]

Robin is great as Mrs. Doubtfire. You almost believe that character is real. What a lovely actor and talented man. Great cast. You are dearly missed Robin.

It's a warm and cozy family story combined w the comedy of Robin Williams. Chris Columbus, director of Home Alone, does a great job directing another family movie.

Pierce Brosnan does a good job as the handsome new boyfriend. Sally is a bit old to be Robin's wife but does a good job. The kids are great, esp Lydia, the oldest.

Robin does a good job pretending to be an older, English lady! The court appointed guardian, Mrs Hillner, and other supporting characters are great also.