dunbare Reviews

The Wicker Man (2006)

Strange Movie

[3/10 · 20 July 2007]

First this movie was not that bad.It was entertaining...at least to me for probably all the wrong reasons. I have never seen the original so can't compare the two.

This movie reminded me of that weird Christopher Reeve movie Village of the Damned. THe two movies have different plots, but that creepy disgusted feeling and unwanted comedy exist in both.

The wicker man is suppose to be a mystery/thriller/men please don't anger the women movie. I don't know the whole pagan thing and sacrifice was a little off.

Nicholas Cage, his glorious bad self goes to a secluded Island called Summerisle when he receives a letter in calligraphy from his long lost fiancée who claims her daughter has been taken and hidden by fellow islanders.

Cage is a police officer and being the weary policeman he is he goes to the semi uncharted island leaving no word of his whereabouts to anyone who is located in the real world. Stupid.

Things get weirder when the large Amish-esquire women who populate the island snarl at him and lie about the whereabouts of the missing girl. His fiancée is no help who seems to be elusive and weary the whole time. Cage stays on the Island when he learns that the missing girl is his daughter and he is the lucky man tricked to come to this island as a sacrificial victim during the islands sick harvest festival.

In this movie males do not fare so well. A sick twisted display of feminism?

I found the movie laughable at times particularly when cage punches some women and runs around in a bear suit. I think there were too many potholes in this movie. I find the whole concept of angry women secluding themselves on an island without any care for males quite entertaining, but the way it was portrayed in this movie was just weird. While most women have had some jerk hurt and anger them this is clearly a form of sexism. I would have turned the movie off in disgust if the roles were reversed. This movie is something to watch maybe just once or twice. It is NOT a thriller it should be categorized as just strange.

The Tudors (2007–2010)

Needs work with casting

[7/10 · 5 July 2007]

I love Tudor history and with this mini series I was not expecting historical accuracies. This of course is not accurate, but it is still enjoyable. Events have been altered or completely left out. Henry the VIII was a fascinating figure and the world of the TUdor court has brought upon many books and films. Anyone who enjoys Tudor era dramas or costume dramas would most likely be interested in this. Showtime has offered several different sex scenes for the horny viewer and ratings. While not totally necessary, sex was rampant in the court of King Henry and who doesn't like scandalous behavior?

So far my biggest complaint with this series is the casting and the events that have been left out. I found all the actors to be pretty credible, but the casting director and the wardrobe and makeup could have at least made them look like the historical figures.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a handsome actor and he plays the larger than life King Henry the VIII. Henry was known as the "most handsome prince in all Christendom" in his day, however this is probably done for royal favor. Jonathan Rhys Meyers seems to be chosen specifically for this reason. He does have the ego and vanity Henry was known for, but I couldn't help thinking he would have made a very romantic Henry Percy, the Duke of Northumberland who was a love and suitor of Anne Boleyn. Perhaps the role wasn't grand enough for Rhys Meyers for this character is not in any episodes I have seen.

The love affair of Anne Boleyn and Henry Percy and Henry VIII involvement has been disputed by many scholars and would have been lovely to watch what kind of portrayal it would take on screen. I must say that was a huge disappointment not to show this.

Anne Boleyn. A mini series in itself. Tragic Anne who Henry VIII was so hot for he put aside Catherine of Aragon for her. Anne was a vain and arrogant woman. Anne was known for her olive or sallow complexion, dark BLACK eyes and dark Black hair. In those days only blonds had more fun, unless you were Anne Boleyn who was known to have may admirers. Natalie Dormer had the spray tan, dark hair, but beautiful icy blue eyes. contacts? This is my only complaint with Anne Boleyns portrayal.

Catherine of Aragon. She was a Spanish princess turned Queen of England. While the actress who portrayed her was fine, she needed lighter hair. Catherine was known for her light complexion and fair beauty it was the English Anne Boleyn who had the dark beauty.

Charles Brandon. The actor who played him played him like a prick...no wonder he was Henrys good friend. The A**holes tend to find one another.

Sam Neil as Cardinal Wolsey is great in another role. He must really love these British based series, he has been on a couple.

Gabrielle Anwar portrays Henry VIII sister and Charles Brandon love Princess Margaret or Mary or who even knows as this character is a mixture of two of the kings sisters. She seems to have much more in common with Mary, if thats the case she is too old to be King Henrys younger sister. She would have made a great Catherine of Aragon if she lost the tan.

The series is called the Tudors when really Henry VIII is more appropriate. There were other Tudors aside from Henry, like his sisters Mary and Margaret ( who seemed to be portrayed as just one). as well as a deceased older brother Arthur who was Catherine of Aragons first husband.

I would say that the certain events are changed, but only those interested in historical facts would know, which is a shame because I figure most of the viewers watching are interested in the background of this period of English history. I found flaws, but I also enjoyed. Not too bad, but definitely could be better

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Jawbreaker (1999)

Funny, but a little far fetched

[7/10 · 5 June 2007]

One of the later teen movies of the 90's who had little buzz due to the tragic Columbine incident that occurred around the same time of this movies release. This is not a terrible movie but it is a mediocre film.

Not to give too much of the plot away, but the four beautiful, self obsessed girls who rule the school accidentally kill one of their own when a birthday prank goes horribly wrong. The weapon? A jawbreaker. Apparently it was a tradition to kidnap the birthday girl from her bed and give her some sort of degrading gift...I don't know but the idea of the birthday disaster was queen bee Courtney (Rose Mcgowan) her victim is Liz ( A character who is either shown in corpse form or flashback...never speaks) her other two popular partners in crime are dimwitted Marcy (Juli Benz) and conscious conflicted Juli (Rebecca Gayheart). The girls scared of being caught come up with a way to cover up the crime to make it look like full blown rape/murder. The girls seem to have all their tails covered until outcast Fern Mayo discovers the truth.

Like any insecure, ugly, nerdy girl rather than go to the police Fern takes COurtney up on her offer. As long as Fern doesn't tell their dirty secret she will have a makeover and be one of them.

I'll stop there no need to give too much away since this is basically a black comedy that pokes fun of high school politics, murder, stupid parents/adults, and the crazy things people will do for such idiotic reasons.

I can compare this movie to 80's cult favorite Heather as both have similar undertones. What I find funny about all these high school movies is the actors themselves. All the girls look like their more in the age range of college graduates, not one looked 17 or 18 or even 20! They looked too old. Even the male high schoolers looked like they had been held back 5 or 6 years. This may have been intentional seeming as it was trying to be a dark and witty movie but I seriously doubt it. Not too bad of a movie, but if your looking for a teen movie filled with dark humor try Heathers.

Wicker Park (2004)

Rose?

[8/10 · 15 February 2007]

This movie is the remake of the French film the Apartment. It centers around Matthew (josh hartnett) and his lost love Lisa (Diane Krueger.) He ends up in a puzzling plot that has him quite confused as to what happened to Lisa and who mystery woman Alex ( Rose Byrne) is really trying to be.

Diane Krueger and Rose Byrne both were in Troy together and make quite a fetching pair. Matthew is played by the super gorgeous gaped tooth semi talented Josh Harnett who is only in bad to mediocre projects. Matthew Lillars of Scream and other forgettable films stars as Josh Hartnetts BF whose name has slipped my mind.

Diane Krueger who played Helen in Troy, plays the the beautiful Lisa. She forever has Matthews heart even with her sudden disappearance. She is the pretty blond contrast to Rose Byrne and is obviously the attractive character.

Rose Byrne is really very beautiful, she looked so dumpy and lost in this film! I think she played psycho jealous Alex great. She is of course suppose to be the mousy, frumpy, darker coloring to Diane Kruegers Lisa. I think she may not have washed for several days as her skin looked oily and waxy and her hair greasy. She looked quite bad, but it is also obvious that she is a very attractive woman, in fact she reminds me a little bit of Monica Belucci who played the original Lisa in the French version.

Josh Harnet is a very good looking male, but he never seems to be able to capture an audience, as I saw this film specifically for him and found the plot pretty engaging the the two female leads far superior to him. He has a very clean look about him in this film and he really looks sad by the loss of Lisa, but he also seems to be the type of guy who falls quickly in love.

Good movie, though I would love to find the French version on DVD. I haven't seen all of the original, so I cannot compare how good it is to Wicker Park, but I liked this movie. It was set in the cold, chilly winter months and had a beautiful frosty feel..Excellent!

Where the Heart Is (2000)

Nice and Quirky

[8/10 · 15 February 2007]

I read this book back when Oprah had her book club. The movie is not entirely faithful to the book, but it was still enjoyable!

Natalie Portman is just great as Novalee Nation. I think she was far more beautiful than how I envisioned her in the book, but she has the acting ability and looks to pull it off. She was quite young when she played this role and while she is very good as playing more sophisticated characters she has such a young look about her that is truly engaging.

Ashley Judd, never far away from a romantic comedy is a nice surprise as the nurse with kids with strange names, wonder if Gwenyth used her for inspiration?

The movie is about a girls encounter with fate. Novalee is abandoned many times in her life and finds long lasting friends in the quirky town she soon resides in. She is at first abandoned by her mother and than by her sperm donating, white trash, mullet loving boyfriend Willy Jack. She is pregnant and is left at a Wal-mart where she secretly lives. She gives birth to her Willy Jack baby and becomes famous. Along the way she meets sister husband, an Ivy League educated Forney, Lexie the nurse and Moses Whitecotton to name a few.

She builds a family among strangers and just when her life seems down in the dumps and fortune is conveniently missing, good things start to happen for miss Novalee.

I found the romance between Forney and Novalee somewhat disturbing, as Natalie was only about 17 or 18 and the actor who played Forney looked 35. I think a younger actor would have been better or even a younger looking actor.

The movie is great and is defiantly a chick flick, but i'm a female so of course I liked it! 8 out of 10

Malena (2000)

Beautiful!!!!!!!

[8/10 · 11 February 2007]

Malena is the story of one boys and ultimately towns obsession with an incredibly beautiful woman named Malena. Renato is the adolescent who has become just as entranced with the enigmatic Malena as the people around him have.

Renato, unlike many of the other admirers is adoring and sweet. He is a young boy who sees how Malena is both envied and adored. THe film takes place in WWII era Italy where Malena is living while her husband is off at war. She is so beautiful that the men literally stop what their doing to watch her walk by. The women in town are very jealous of her and call her names like whore.

Malena, of course, is no whore and only Renato who watches her every move knows the truth. When news arrives that her husband has been killed Malena, already scorned and treated terribly unfair resorts to bedding a Nazi officer....after all a girl has got to eat.

This sets the town in an uproar as the women are disgusted by her and eventually brutalize her when the war has ended.

1. Renato is like any boy who has seen a woman/girl for the first time who makes him weak in the knees. The daydreams he has about Malena are both funny and probably real for most teenage boys.

2. The movie was in subtitles when I watched it, as foreign films are not too popular in the states. I usually do not like reading subtitles, but I would encourage anyone to give it a try this movie is really worth it.

3. Malena is played by the beyond beautiful Monica Bellucci. It was nice to see a woman who is more naturally attractive as opposed to the Paris Hilton/Nicole Richie/Britney Spears garbage that is running around staining Hollywood with their annoying "projects" and stupid pathetic party lives. I wish Hollywood would invest more into actresses like Bellucci. She may not be a great actress, but I thought she was wonderful in this movie. I would much rather watch a film with a Bellucci in subtitles than Paris Hilton screaming like a mad cow.

4. The scene where the women in town "strip Malena of her beauty" is powerful. She is beaten, hair cut, and clothing ripped right in front of all the town to see.

5. Jealousy. What a powerful emotion. Many people are jealous and poor Malena is the center of all this unnecessary grief. While it is hardly admirable that she took up with Nazis', it could be understood. Here is a woman who is teased, mocked and scorned for NO REASON! Her father dies, her husband is presumed dead and she is all alone. This is still a time when women could not easily "make it on their own" let alone a war was ravaging the world. She made a sacrifice, that she herself was unsure of, but really what choice did she have?

I really liked this movie and now have it on DVD. It is a great look at the difference between Hollywood produced trashiness and a decent story.

Heavyweights (1995)

Nothing but BIG, FAT, love

[8/10 · 3 February 2007]

Heavy Weights is not a politically correct movie. I first saw this movie as a child on the Disney channel and thought it was hilarious.

****SPOILERS********

The movie is basically about fat boys in a fat camp and their crazy summer with psycho fitness slut Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller). Jerry is the leading fat boy. The film starts with him at his last day of school ready to enjoy a lazy summer. After he misses his bus and is almost attacked by a dog he comes home to find his parents are sending him to Fat Camp. Jerry is not pleased and screams at his Dr. Phil looking father "Your fatter than I am, you go to camp!"

Jerry ultimately is forced to camp where he meets lovely fellow big boys, and realizes camp might not be so bad. They have go carts, "the Blob" and best of all no one picks on you because everyone is the fat kid. He makes many friends right away including a young Keenan Thompson.

The movie really pokes fun of the mockery of fat children.

1. The fat camps beloved owners (played by Ben Stillers real parents) have gone bankrupt and now new ownership has emerged in the form of former fat kid turned exercise Nazi Tony Perkis. This movie is where I first heard about Ben Stiller. He is great as the cruel Tony. He loves to embarrass his poor campers. At one point he cancels their lunch and simply tells them over the intercom "lunch has been canceled due to lack of hustle...Deal with it."CRUEL.

2. The dance. This is another of Tony's sick twisted jokes and is hilarious. The boys have a dance with the girls camp and of course these girls are repulsed by the boys.

3. Lars. This guy looks like one of the Gestapo. He is a counselor who has a thing for the camp nurse Julie. He is evil and perhaps his character is a mockery of a German Nazi. Lars is foreign and has an accent and marches around the camp with his Aryan looks blowing his whistle like a deranged fat hating Nazi.

4. The baseball game. This is just downright unfair. The camp plays baseball against camp MVP, camp MVP is a SPORTS camp....Guess who won the game?

5. Food stealing. There cannot be a movie about fat camp without the stealing of food. Sounds funny and it is...after all no matter how many "glandular" or "hormonal" problems a person of generous girth has, ultimately the majority just ate and a lot...The boys go crazy when they learn the slop they have to eat and resort to desperate measures.

6. Revenge. The boys are abused and downright sick of it. Their ultimate kidnapping of demonic Tony is hilarious. The scene at parents night when the parents see what their child is really going through is very funny!

6. The Apache Relay. The finale. This is where the camp again competes with camp MVP in order to win the Apache Relay.The apache relay is a serious of various obstacles that camp MVP always win..... The ending is really great.

This movie certainly makes incredible fun of fat people, and not just fat people, but boys going through puberty. I found it hilarious than and still find it hilarious now. It may not appeal to anyone who does not like this sort of politically incorrect comedy, but for those who enjoy Ben Stiller or an occasional chubby joke may find this movie not only funny, but endearing. I would watch this with my brother and sister and we would laugh our heads off, but we were always rooting for the fat kids. Tony Perkis was the devil and we found the "capture" of him clever. Loved this movie.....may not be something for obese sensitive.

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

OK Memoirs

[7/10 · 2 February 2007]

I would have given this movie a nine or ten if I had not read the beautiful book it was based on. The movie is almost a disappointment! The film is of course is about the striking blue eyed Japanese child Chiyo who will become one of the greatest Geisha in Gion the lovely Sayuri.

The plot of the film is very much a Cinderella story set in 1930's Japan. The child Chiyo enters life into an Okiya after being torn form her sister after her parents death. She is a servant who is training to become a geisha. She lives in the powerful Nitta Okiya where resides the toast of Gion Hatsumomo. Once Chiyo gets a little older politics enter the picture as Hatsumomos rival Mameha pulls Chiyo under her wing and helps her become Sayuri. The motivations behind Mamehas sudden interest in CHiyo/Sayuri seem like a nice big slap in the face to Hatsumomo ( who is training the lost cause Pumpkin as competition for Sayuri). The real story has to do with a Chairman, Sayuri met as a child and his affections for her.

***********SPOILERS**************

1. There were many things wrong with the movie, but I loved the makeup and costumes. They are really beautiful.

2.The actress Gong Li who portrayed Hatsumomo definitely deserved an Oscar. While reading the book I really had no idea what Hatsumomo would look like, only that she most definitely was beyond beautiful and certainly Gong Li surpassed that description. She acted the part well. Hatsumomo was an arrogant witch who had the talent of being completely cruel while looking angelic.

3. Sayuri played by Zhang Ziyi could not have been more perfect. She had the doll face and sweet, demure innocence of Sayuri.

4. I was not pleased with the casting of mother, pumpkin or Mameha. Mother was a wretched looking woman, while the actress certainly played the mother as the money hungry woman she was, I think it would have been important to be more accurate in casting actors that are described in the book. The descriptions are very detailed and mother was a saggy skinned woman who has bloody gums, brown teeth, cloudy yellow eyes that were rimmed with the bright "raw meat looking" eyelids. The woman was grotesque and the actress who played mother was actually quite attractive. Pumpkin did not have the lovely round face described and did not at all stick her tongue out that gave her her nickname Pumpkin......disappointing. Mameha, while Michelle Yeoh seems like a good Mameha she is too old. She acted Mameha as described in the book, but I did not buy her portrayal because she just did not look like Mameha. Mameha was a couple years younger than Hatsumomo and had very chalk white smooth skin. Michelle Yeoh not only looked older than Hatsumomo, but she never wore any of the requisite chalk white geisha makeup...none!

5. Hatsumomo while one of my favorite characters at times looked a little dumpy. There is a scene where she is wandering the streets looking angry at posters of Sayuri. Her hair is down and it looks like she has on a simple bathrobe. Hatsumomo was a woman always dressed like a queen and walked like one and no geisha would ever wear their hair down the way she had it...not even Hatsumomo.

6. Hatsumomos final breakdown is not at all depicted as it happened in the book. This of all things should not have been ignored! She had a very embarrassing incident with a Kabuki actor occur that solidified her disgrace. She was actually kicked out of the Okiya and no one knows what happened to her...that important piece of info is sadly lacking in the film.

7. Sayuri's decline from the geisha life is too sudden. The scenes of her being trained in dance, tea and makeup are my favorite, but it all ended too quickly. It did not really capture just how high of a geisha she became....it was over too soon.

8. My favorite scenes of course are the ones with Sayuri undergoing transformation from chiyo the child to Sayrui the star. The music played as her face is being powdered and her hair being tortured by wax is fitting.

This is a great film to watch for anyone who is interested in Japanese culture or the life of a geisha it is one of the most beautiful films to come out in recent years and while not faithful to the book, I enjoyed it and would encourage people to see this movie.

Maui Fever (2007– )

Maui Vomit

[1/10 · 1 February 2007]

This show is incredibly stupid! I have only seen one episode and it is just another one of those stupid 'reality shows' like Laguna Beach where all this unnecessary 'drama' is going on. Really it is just a bunch of people crying because they are not having sex with the people they really want to have sex with.

There are two very blond girls with very dark tans who look like they are from California. One is apparently a flirt who has a loser boyfriend the other still has the hots for a sun damaged guy who looks like he is dying of some sort of disease, I think his name is Shane, but it is spelled differently. I just kept thinking as I watched this show that the characters keep getting whiter and whiter. Are there not Hawaian people in Maui? I have never been, but i'm pretty sure there is more to life to the average Maui resident than soaking in the sun and whining "like oh my gosh I am totally stressed!" Annoying! MTV really is just a sess pool of garbage! No good shows at all! For anyone over the age of 10 stay away.

I Love New York (2007–2020)

Ghetto Lovin NY Trash!

[7/10 · 1 February 2007]

Another beyond stupid reality show that for some reason I just keep watching! I never saw the flavor of luv, but i'm guessing this is the female version. All I know is this character New York had a big giant loogie spit onto her! I think I may have seen a clip of that on CNN!

The whole synopsis of this show is for New York, a beyond ghetto fabulous idiot who was dumped twice by flava flav, to find a man who is going to "have luv for NY" A group of very strange men come to sweep miss thang off her cheap looking stiletto's!

First NY has her partners, one her seriously bitchy mother and the other gay assistant Chamo who is in homosexual heaven with all these borderline gay men walking around trying to win NY love( they are most likely there to get some camera time). First anyone who actually believes any of these men are really there to fall in love is stupid. The only one who may possibly be genuine is the whiter than Powder Mr. Boston. Let me just say him in that dental floss looking man thong shaking his pasty white junk in the "Mangeant" was CREEPY! Ewww !! This is good for a laugh and just a big mess of a reality show.

The cast is just a jumbled potpourri dish of weird, stupid and just unexplainable! The men must come up with some clever little name that describes themselves and you can only imagine what they think of!

I do not remember them all but some of these fine distinguished gentlemen are memorable.......for a laugh.

1. The names some of these guys choose are just gross Pootie? Wood? I think Scabies, Rash and Crabs would suit them better!!

2. Mother.....as in NY actual mother is just a over the top psycho! She is mean and protective of her daughter as any loving mother would be, but whats with the mega bitch? Does this woman honestly believe her child will find true love in ANY of these band of stupid?

3. Romance is the super sissy. He cried, he lied he possibly did inappropriate things to NY helpless small dog. Where is PETA when you need them! Stop this man!I don't know I think this guy should hook up with Chamo!!!

4. Mr. Boston is the pale, nerdy computer tech looking guy who apparently has 'balls'. He stood up to a "thug" and wore a man thong, I don't think this guy needs NY's love I think he just needs female body warmth.

5. NY only seems to like the stupidest and ill mannered men of the bunch (....believe me these men are already NOTHING to brag about) One named Chance actually called himself an aspiring rapper! Who isn't these days! I think even Aaron Carter had a rap song!

NY of course has a weave, stilettos, tight cleavage enhancing tops, fake eyelashes and as one contestant put it "junk in the trunk". Overall this is not a show anyone would admit to watching which is puzzling as to why some of these lame loser men participated. If NY is looking for love she certainly found it and it is obviously herself.

I Capture the Castle (2003)

Good Adaptation

[8/10 · 28 January 2007]

I have read the book and the movie is quite faithful. The story is about a girl Cassandra (ROmola Garai) who is living in a rundown English castle with her eccentric family. There is her materialistic, selfish and beautiful sister Rose (Rose Byrne), her chicken feathered hair little brother Thomas, her Bohemian stepmother Topaz and her once sensational father (Billy Nighy)

**********SPOILERS***********************

The story of the Mortmains is that father was a successful writer who wrote a novel Jacobs Wrestling that was particularly a splash in America ( there are a lot of comparisons to English and American customs). The father Mortmain takes his young family to live in a castle for creative purposes. In flashbacks we see Mortmains fall when the unfortunate Cake knife incident occurs causing his incarceration and his lack of writing. Their mother passes on and we see the Mortmains living in romantic poverty with Topaz acting as mother.

The Mortmains life take a different turn when the arrival of landowners Neil and Simon Cotton arrive. They are brothers who now own the quaint little castle and are American. Rose and Cassandra immediately hatch a plan to capture Simon as Roses husband. As Topaz puts it "those boys are very taken with you Rose." This is Topaz observing the Cottons first encounter with Rose. As the girls become more and more successful hearts will be broken.

This movie really is one big tragic love triangle. Simon falls in love with Rose and marriage is proposed. Neil is quite hostile towards Rose and sees her as a gold digger (she is). Cassandra meanwhile realizes she loves Simon and is disgusted by her sisters love of peach colored towels, bluebells, and fancy dresses. Rose is not in love with Simon. The story is even more complex in that Rose ultimately weds Neil the brother she does love! To make matters worse Simon is still in love with Rose and Cassandra is in love with Simon!

Cassandra herself is pouring her broken heart out to her ever adoring servant boy Stephan. Stephan was the son of the Mortmains maid when they could afford one and stuck around after his mothers death. He has always adored and loved Cassandra. He is by far the most handsome of the men in the film and it is painful to watch his face crumble when Cassandra tells him she does not love him.

This film is about love and broken hearts as all have their hearts broken Cassandra, Stephen, Simon and even Topaz and Father. The only ones who have any kind of happiness are Rose and Neil two of the least sympathetic characters in the story.

1. Topaz was the character I liked least. She looked nothing at all like the one described in the book. Topaz was said to have skin so white it was like she belonged to a new race ( This is set in the 30's before tans when pale skin was popular). Her hair was very fair almost white. The woman who played Topaz while certainly eccentric looked a little old ( I believe Topaz was around 28 or 29) and did not have either of the physical traits Cassandra described so beautifully in the book.

2. Stephen should have been played up a lot more. The actor who played him certainly had the physical attractiveness of Stephen and the sensitivity, but he was adored by many young girls. It should at least have been hinted at more how desirable the girls Cassandras age found him and how she did not seem to care. Stephen himself did not seem to care about it either.

3. One of the saddest scenes is the Pagan rites when Cassandra realizes she will never share the same home as Rose again. It was a bit bittersweet and one of my favorite scenes.

This was a charming little film that I really liked. While not totally accurate to the book it comes very close and even if your a loyal fan of the book the movie may be a pleasant surprise.

Head in the Clouds (2004)

Gilda &Mia & a Guy

[7/10 · 28 January 2007]

While this is certainly not my favorite movie. I loved that it was set in France and England (also has Spain too)in the 1930ish through 40's. The clothes are worth seeing this movie alone. Charlize Theron is without a doubt one of the top five most beautiful working actresses. It is impossible not to look at her. She plays the rich heiress Gilda Besse who has captured the heart of Guy( Stuart Townsend). She adds three to her company with the Spanish nurse in training Mia (Penelope Cruz). Gilda meets Mia while she is aspiring to be a photographer and Mia is her lovely model.

Gilda is a complex woman who is torn from these two people who she loves most in the world due to the war. She is a wealthy woman who keeps up her wealthy lifestyle by taking comfort in a German officers company. Is she really a Nazi? Charlize was perfect for this role she looked incredible and walked like a stylish wealthy beauty. It must be said for however vain or cold Gilda seems she really does love Guy and Mia.

Guy, who is somewhat telling the story is a little lost to me. He clearly loves Gilda and is an idealistic man. The actor who portrayed him is Stuart Townsend and I have not seen any of his other works. All I know is that he is apparently Charlize's real life boyfriend. He played his part well.

Mia is played by Penelope Cruz. It is a shame Cruz cannot quite act as well in English as she can in Spanish. She is a terrific actress in her Spanish films, but just flat out stinks in any Hollywood production she has been in. Her accent is distracting, but in this film she is Spanish and therefore it is authentic. She is certainly pretty and is a lovely darker counterpart to the blonde Charlize.

This is a film that is not quite terrific, but again it is visually pretty and the whole menage a trois between the three main characters is touching.

Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

Wiener

[9/10 · 28 January 2007]

I was the same age as poor Dawn Weiner when this movie came out. Like Dawn I felt so much like an outsider and this movie was just a painful yet funny look at a preadolescence girls life.

Dawn is of course a mega nerd. She has an unfortunate face, big glasses, a uncaring father, a wreck of a mother, and all sorts of misfortune!

Dawn is unlucky in that her last name is wiener, now that is just mean. She is friendless in school and is picked on by bully Brandon and skanky looking crack whore Lolita. Home is no happy place for Dawn as if school is not bad enough she must go home to a shrew of a mother, an equally nerdy brother Mark, a beautiful little sister Missy and a father who could not care less!

The life of Dawn is complicated when she develops a crush on the way too old to be a high schooler Steve Rogers. Steve is being tutored by Dawns beyond dorky brother Mark. In exchange for tutor lessons Steve sings and plays guitar in Marks garage band The Quadratics ( As in the quadratic equation..). Mark plays the clarinet in his band...so cool.

Dawns life is just one big bitch slap after another. The girl never seems to get a break not even once! When her little sister is kidnapped she sets off to find her. Her sister is returned safely home, but Dawn phones home to tell her family she is in the city alone at just 11 yrs old, but mom and dad are more interested in the recovered Missy. Cruel! Cruel! Cruel!

The movie has no big giant plot, as it is simply the painful life of poor Dawn Wiener. It is funny definitely and well worth watching. While there was a surge of forgettable teen movies in the 90's played with 25 yr old abercrombie models as 15yr old, this movie is much more realistic in the simplicity. The actors are not well known, though Heather Matarazzo as the delightful Dawn has certainly had some attention, no others have. That is OK as the actors look the parts they play. Heather was a pre teen at the time and would not have been considered a Hollywood beauty. This is a movie I enjoyed as pre teen mess myself and still enjoy.

Plunkett & Macleane (1999)

Wonderful movie

[10/10 · 28 January 2007]

This movie reminded me of Quills. Perhaps it is the whole period/costume drama, because their plots are entirely different.

Plunkett and Macleane is about two men named Plunkett and Macleane. Plunkett is the all wise rugged thief who is played by Robert Carlyle and Macleane is a gentleman, a captain to be exact, who has gambled his good name away. He is played by Johnny Lee Miller.

******SPOILERS********** The story has the two heroes meeting while a burglary goes wrong for Plunkett and his former partner. They are robbing a coach and crash into the prison Macleane is being held in. Plunkett and his partner are being chased by the evil and ugly Chance, who has a superiority complex and a thing for gouging out eyeballs.

His partner is injured seriously and swallows a ruby that comes in handy for both parties. Chance kills the poor robber and is on a quest to capture Plunkett. Macleane is of course a silent witness to all of this, and along with a sudden entrance to freedom he now knows a ruby is lodged in the insides of a man and will go to the cemetery to find it.

Plunkett has the same idea and the two men meet again.They are caught and are imprisoned for robbing from the grave, the stolen ruby turns out to be their saving grace. The two men strike a deal and a friendship as bandits. With Macleanes access to high society and Plunketts mischievous demeanor they form a perfect team of flamboyant gentlemen highwaymen. They encounter rich and rob as one nobleman puts it "with style". The two seem to be on a great path heading for the Americas with their acquired riches, until Macleane falls in love with the lovely Lady Rebecca Gibson(Liv Tyler).

This movie works because of the humor and acting. British movies in particular seem to have a seriousness to them that can be depressing. This movie is both funny and depressing, this is not a pretty time to be in England ( though Liv Tyler's Rebecca Gibson surely thinks so). It has wonderful quirky characters such as Rochester( Alan Cumming).

I loved all the characters and some particularly favorite scenes which I enjoyed.

1. Rochester is just great as the 18th century flamboyant bisexual. He of course "swings every way" though his preference is clearly male and all scenes involving Lord Rochester are great, since he parades around like a queen he so wishes he could be.

2. The sex scene between Macleane and the richest woman in England Estell is just funny. Here Macleane is trying to be all romantic and charming to a woman old enough to be his mother. Estell annoyed at his pretty words simply says "oh shut up and f*** me!" Hilarious!

3. The robbery at Estells engagement party where the stylish Macleane (masked of course) not only robs the guests, but treats them to some entertainment. He disgustingly reveals to her guests that this woman is infected with the pox! (something Macleane caught by his poetic hook up). Being a Lady, Estell is embarrassed and destroyed as fireworks ablaze and Macleane succeeds in shaming her.

4. The ball scene. Great music. It is worth just looking at. Liv Tyler looks absolutely beautiful with a Marie Antoinette style hair and haughty attitude. Great.

5. Macleanes ongoing anguish over his love for Rebecca is quite endearing. Plunkett is positively annoyed, but Macleane is truly distraught. Even while pleasuring prostitutes he is in a complex about the lady Rebecca and when he is infected with the pox (thanks to Estell) he is disgusted and tells Plunkett "How am I to make love to Rebecca?".

6. The hanging scene. Again another scene where the music plays a role. Macleane is caught and is to be put to death by hanging. It is a sad scene watching both Rochester and Rebeccas broken faces while Chance is grinning like an idiot and forcing Rebecca to watch her beloved die....but than in grand fashion Plunkett arrives to save the day!!!!!!!!!!

7. The friendship between the two men is really my favorite as friendship seems to lack so much with movies and if two characters of the same sex are good friends they are immediately labeled homosexuals. I do not think this is a borderline homosexual friendship. It is one that came out of convenience, but turned genuine. As is stated above one is a rugged thief the other a gentlemen. When Macleane is caught and is being tried he shouts in his final words to a room full of nobility that the only thing he is sorry for is the hurt he caused his friend Plunkett. He continues to state that while Plunkett is not of noble blood he is more of a gentlemen than any man in the room. A nice touch in my opinion.

This movie is one of the better period films in that it has some pretty funny scenes and it has a modern twist. A movie that if disgustingly great.

Date Movie (2006)

Enough

[3/10 · 20 January 2007]

Scary Movie came out and all of a sudden all these parodies emerged for different genres. Annoying. I saw this movie on TV and thought the opening credits were quite hilarious. What is not funny about a skinny girl in a fat suit dancing to Milkshake? A construction worker, as the world well knows they like anything, is so repulsed by her Monroe like subway grate pose ( This is a big girl, fat white cottage cheese thighs, cellulite, big panties on show) he shoots himself in the head with his nail gun. After this opening sequence we find our heroine Julia Jones in her families big fat Greek style restaurant. This whiter than white chubby girl has a black father and Indian mother. Funny huh? I started losing interest because the laughs were cheap and so was the movie. I did like Eddie Griffin as the all wise father, but that was it. I am a little sick of all these movie parodies after five years they are not going to make any sense.

Hairspray (1988)

Plus Size Ricky

[9/10 · 20 January 2007]

Hairspray is a wonderful John Waters quirk fest about racial equality, music, fat vs skinny and weird inhabitants in Baltimore!

*******SPOILERS******

Ricky Lake pre "go Ricky, go Ricky" plays Tracy Turnblad a fat...OK pleasantly plump teenager who wants to be a featured dancer on the COrny Collins show. Tracy the outgoing sweetheart and heroine to fat girls everywhere is mocked for her girth and her big hair. In school after her hair causes a commotion in class she is sent to special ed where we learn the racist piece of garbage principal puts "the black kids he wants to hold back." Here is where Tracy meets Seaweed the smooth black kid who sets Tracy's shy blond sidekick Penny Pingletons (Leslie ann Powers) heart a flutter! Seaweed is also son to the awesome Motormouh Maybelle((love all the names of the characters!). Motormouth Maybelle0(Ruth Brown) hosts the oh so politically incorrect "Negro day" dance show (This film is set in the racial tension of the 60's), and wishes to have equality in the dance show.

I always liked the friendship between Tracy and Penny. Penny is blond, skinny and way to overprotected by her looney of a mother. Tracy in turn falls for the super dreamy Link Larkin. Michael St. Gerard plays Link who looks so much like a very young Elvis Presley. Link is dating the resident rich, skinny, bitch Amber Von Tussle(ColleenFitzpatrick). Amber and Tracy have an ongoing feud as Amber does not want the popular Tracy to steal her thunder after all, she is "too fat" as Amber puts it to be on Corny Collins.

Now the parents of heroine Tracy are Edna and Wlbur Turnblad. Edna is played by the wonderful Divine who is critical of Tracy's weight, even though Edna herself is no thin pin. Sensitive Wilbur is played by Jerry Stiller (Bens dad) who thinks his daughter is beautiful. Amber also has equally kooky parents Debra Harry plays Velma Von Tussle like every stereotypical trophy wife who spoils her daughter. Sonny Bono plays the equally idiotic Franklin von Tussell.

My favorite think about this movie are all the quirky characters. I hear it is being remade into a musical, but i'm sorry it cannot top this JOhn Waters gem. A hilarious movie worth every moment.

Quills (2000)

What a Wicked Sensation!!!

[10/10 · 18 January 2007]

The plot of Quills surround the life of the Marquis de Sade while he is in an insane asylum in 18th century France. His stories are smuggled and printed bringing much excitement in France!

I liked this movie mainly because of the 18th century French setting and the wonderful actors involved. While some other viewers point out the problem of having British accents in French roles, I too laughed at the idea as Hollywood seems to think everyone in Europe has British accents, but I do not think that hurts the movie.

The movie stars Geoffrey Rush as the perverse Marquis. I had never heard of him at the time, but he does a wonderful, sickening Marquis. The Marquis was not actually insane some say he was ahead of his time a genius of misfortune. Most likely he was just a highly sexual soul who may have been misunderstood. His status of nobility probably hurt him since he is suppose to be a gentleman and gentleman are not such filth!

Michael Caine, always impressive is the evil doctor sent to 'cure' the Marquis. Ironic how disgusting and perverse he finds the Marquis, since this esteemed doctor had a lovely child bride. A piece of information the Marquis has fun with during one of my favorite scenes where the asylum inmates act "The Crimes of Love"

AMelia Warner portrays the beautiful convent education orphan Simone. Trapped in a gilded prison with a husband old enough to be her grandfather. She finds elation in one of the MArquis banned books. This leads to her elopement with the handsome Proix, the architect remodeling her home. AAhhh the crimes of love. Of course after learning of SImones departure with Proix and the existence of her guilty reading pleasure, the doctor knows exactly who to blame.

Madeline is the tragic, free spirited, laundry girl. She is portrayed by Kate Winslet. She is a central character of this story as she is the one smuggling the stories and encouraging the Marquis. She also has a growing affection for the new priest who is running the asylum.

Joaquin Phoenix, WHose name I have just learned to correctly pronounce, is a wonderful surprise as the sympathetic priest who is tested to the point of insanity himself.

A truly marvelous movie, the workings of the everyday asylum and the quirky loonies in there are all entertaining. A 10 out of 10.

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Enchanting Fairy Tale!

[10/10 · 18 January 2007]

I am a big fan of 80's movie and have a special place in my heart for wonderful 80's sci-fi. Along with Legend, The Princess Bride, The Labrynth, and E.T. This is one of the best in my opinion.

Poor Bastian is a picked on kid who is whisked away to the land of Fantasia, the land of human dreams. He encounters Atreyu the Native American type boy hero, the wonderful luck dragon falkor, a fast snail, a rock biter, even a stupid bat. A great fantasy film.

I loved the whole movie. It had everything! Atreyu just a boy is sent on a journey to save Fantasia from the nothing. The nothing is disease type plague wiping away all of the wonderful inhabitants. Artex is the horse of Atreyu and I must say the scene when Artex is slowly sinking in the mud is one of the most powerful scenes out of any movie I have seen. I cried like a baby when I was a little girl and even more so now an adult.

Falkor! What child did not want a luck dragon? He saves the days in many ways....Now being a girl my favorite scene was always the ending the extraordinary Ivory Tower with the almost unreal Moonchild...The Childlike Empress. I must agree with another comment this character is without a doubt in my mind one of the most beautiful to every grace the screen............sorry Halle Berry.

Perhaps I like this movie because it reminds me so fondly of my childhood, but any child would love this movie. I really like it because it is before all that CGI which can look just as fake as some of the puppets use, though this movie is no Clash of the Titans, the special effects are of its time and still quite good.

Overall a wonderful film 10 amazing stars.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Haunting

[10/10 · 18 January 2007]

The virgin Suicides is in my opinion Sophia Coppola's best movie to date. I have read the book and found the movie to be faithful.

******Spoilers******

This movie reminds me a bit of a beautiful nightmare. Five pretty blond sisters in an upper middle class Midwestern community kill themselves NO! The story settles on neighborhood teenage boys obsession with the unattainable Lisbon sisters, Therese, Mary, Bonnie, Lux and Cecilia. Lux is the main focus and is portrayed by Kirsten Dunst, an excellent choice. The viewer becomes equally entranced by these girls wanting to know everything about them and knowing absolutely nothing.

Being a female I related better to the girls story and had to wonder after awhile why are these boys so interested in their lives? After all none of the boys are particularly appealing except Tripp FOntaine (Josh Harnett and a bad wig). I had to watch this movie twice one time right after the other. To me, at least the second time around and after learning more about the book, I realized this is a book and movie focusing more about the boys. They are desperate for these girls and have no way of knowing what to do. One would think that they would simply talk to them instead of resorting to finding the meaning in a diary. Apparently boys do not think this way. They look and wonder and get tongue tied at the very sight of the girls. It is almost as if they are prevented from getting too close to them. These boys essentially just cannot relate or know a female in any sense. They just loved them.

The whole plot is very much up for debate and bound to have different opinions. Why did these girls kill themselves? What were they really like? even simpler questions like what made them laugh or cry all result in the same answer. The boys do not know. What is even more confusing to them is that the girls seem to know exactly too much.

Lux of course is considered the fairest sister. She is aloof and very aware of her beauty. She of course causes the school hunk Trip to turn to mush. Funny how someone can have that affect even for a hunky guy who was 'never one to pursue'. They girls are slowly fading throughout the movie leaving the boys more and more anxious. They question the Lisbon suicides even when there adults as if the answer will magically appear or the girls were suddenly come back to life.

In fact this movie was really a thought provoking piece. I found it depressing at times and quite lovely as well. The whole cinematography is beautiful and the teenage actors were very good. Definitely a movie worth seeing.

Great Expectations (1998)

Estellas Theme

[10/10 · 18 January 2007]

Alfonso Cuarons excellent movie is so beautiful! While not totally faithful to the Charles Dickens classic it is very much a film worth seeing.

The plot is simple boy loves girl. They grow into adults girl leaves only to reappear in the young mans life. Will he finally get her?

The setting is NY, sophisticated and snobbish. The use of the color green is amazing. Ethan Hawke portrays the hero Finn, and Gwyneth Paltrow the tempting Estella. I found both to be quite good in their roles and the fountain kisses both as children and adults are some of the best.

Other than the acting I found Cuarons direction to be some of the best and am a huge fan of his work. I love his whole obsession with green! It is a color with interesting meaning.

Finn of course meets Estella as a boy, a poor boy, at the home of the eccentric Ms DInsmoor ( Now that is a creep show in itself!) I believe it is Anne Bancroft who plays the heartbroken Ms Dinsmoor. What a whack job! The home or shall I say her mansion is something out of a romantic fairy tale. She lives there with her niece Estella, though I think grandmother/granddaughter looks more accurate. After being dumped at the alter Ms Dinsmoor brings Estella up to fear love and cruelly toss men aside, enter Finn who is the perfect practice devise. MEAN!

Finn is an artist who goes to the mansion for dance lessons with Estella, at the request of Ms Dinsmoor. They grow to young adults and what a tease Estella is! What a lovesick man Finn is!

Estella leaves not telling Finn, but Ms Dinsmoor has no problem tearing out poor Finns heart. He leaves the mansion and settles on the fact that he'll never see his beloved again, gives up art and has a life as a fisherman. Than as fate would have it ( as is so often the case) an anonymous benefactor comes to makes Finns dreams come true. He is to go to NY and make his claim in the art world. Finn thinks this is Ms Dinsmoor way of making him equal with Estella. After years of separation Finn sees Estella again and the feelings return, but this time he is ready for success.

Finn would clearly do anything for Estella and however manipulated she was as a child I myself wanted to shake her and say "What are you thinking!" Finn is sensitive and Estella cold, but even she cannot deny her feelings which is why she is so avoiding.

It is heartbreaking the final scene Finn has with wretched Ms Dinsmoor. As a child Ms Dinsmoor places boy Finns hand on her chest. When she asks Finn what he feels he honestly replies 'your boob', but than she proceeds to tell him no this is her heart and it is broken. Fast forward a good ten years and now it is Finn asking Ms Dinsmoor for her wrinkled, brown, nicotine stained hand. He repeats the encounter from years before only the roles are reversed and it is Finn who has the broken heart. Ms Dinsmoor at the moment drops out of her insane world and realizes how destructive she was. A touching scene.

A great film, I found the Robert De Niro character a bit forgettable, but all in all the films fantastic the leads are good, crazy ms dinsmoor is despicable and even the stereotypical NY artist are fun to watch and very pretty sounding musical score. Don't miss it!

Match Point (2005)

Five points

[5/10 · 17 January 2007]

Match Point is a decent movie. The story is similar to "A place in the Sun." Tennis player Chris (John Rhys Meyers) befriends rich boy Tom(Matthew Good) bringing him into a circle of the very wealthy. Chris is looking to move up in the world and begins a relationship with Toms plain Jane sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer). Trouble looms when Chris meets Nola (Scarlett Johannssen). Lets just say the plot thickens and complications arise from Chris's lust and stupidity.

This movie is at best average. I think Jonathan Rhys Meyers was a good actor to portray the social climbing Chris. He had that dopey eyed, boyish look.

Matthew Good as Tom as decent, though not a major role he played a British snob quite well and thankfully his appearance was kept to a minimum.

Emily Mortimer as Chloe is very much a sympathetic character and one is made to feel bad for her though I did not.

Scarlett as Nola. Perfect. A somewhat sleazy would be actress who has sexiness, but little else.

*****************SPOILERS***************************

I did not find much in Match Point or maybe I just did not like it too much that I found things "wrong" with it...

1. Chris, why is he such a sissy? He is not only stupid with his actions but even more amazing is no one around him suspects otherwise! Certainly his wife would be a little suspicious as well as the Tom character.

2. The Hewitts. They are very rich and reject Nola and seem to almost immediately welcome Chris, without any hesitation. Was it because he has that lovely English accent and Nola is...(gasp!)...American? Certainly they were very prejudice and would not have been so open to Chris as they are portrayed in the movie, after all the guy had no business experience yet is offered a high profile position in the family company, makes no sense.

3. Chloe. Is this woman blind? It is obvious Chris has such a strong interest in Nola. He looks at her in a way he never once looks at Chloe and always manages to conveniently be present where Nola is while Chloe is wondering "Where is Chris?". I do not think most wives would be that clueless especially when the other woman is right there all the time!

4. The rain hook up. This occurred at one of the family homes and certainly both Chris and Nola must have come back drenched. This would raise questions and yet no one again notices. Hmmm I guess it is just completely normal when two people in other relationships disappear at the same time, soak in the rain and no one wonders where they have been or what they have been doing. Maybe they are just talking about each others views on the AIDS epidemic in Africa. I find this particular first love encounter between the two, while somewhat ideal, not practical. Someone is bound to either notice or become suspicious.

5. Nola is the other woman, yet she expects Chris to eventually leave Chloe for her and accuses him of being a liar when he lies about his family vacation. DUH! The man is cheating on his wife with you! Does that not already make him a known liar? Nola, though is not far fetched as I have encountered many "other women" who like to believe their married lovers will leave their spouse for them and it becomes obvious that the relationship is pure sexual attraction. Nola becomes pregnant and expects Chris to do the right thing since he a man of such noble intentions! This complicates things causing Chris to take drastic measures.

I found the ending of this film to at least be satisfying which I will not give away. This is a movie that I enjoyed at the theaters, but not at home. It had a creepy feel as Opera music played during some of the most dramatic scenes. It is worth watching....but in my opinion only once.

The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Long live Zorro

[9/10 · 17 January 2007]

I liked this swashbuckling movie. It of course deals with the theme of revenge and doing what is right for the good of the people. The plot has been discussed enough but over two hundred viewers so no plot summery.

If first saw this as freshman high schooler and went specifically to see Antonio Bandaras. A perfect Zorro. He played the new Zorro well and I liked his whole training regime scenes that old Zorro, the excellent Anthony Hopkins, forces him to undergo.

A then unknown beautiful Catherine Zeta Jones plays love interest Elena, and is no damsel in distress.

I have always liked those whole revenge, good guy wins, great adventure movies, they are just not any good ones that have been made in a very looooong time! I liked Zorro it is a great story, with lavish sets and costumes. The actors are all excellent in there roles and really portray that ideal hero element from old movies.

Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Oh Romeo!

[10/10 · 17 January 2007]

I love this movie! As a 13 yr old I went and saw the Leonardo Dicaprio version and thought it was good. I was forced to watch this version from 1968. As a 13 yr old I was not pleased and even fell asleep. I rented it a few years later and loved it! I thought it was a great movie with lovely costumes and two extraordinary leads.

This movie is set in Renaissance Verona. Romeo is an exceptionally handsome young man played by teenager Leonard Whiting. He is romantically ideal looking for the lover Romeo. I heard Paul McCartney was asked to play this role and thank god he either turned it down or the casting looked elsewhere. Whiting is perfect for the role and had the requisite English accent that defines an actor fit enough to play a Shakespearean role.

Juliet. Could Olivia Hussey be any more beautiful? She had the long, thick, black hair and delicate face of an ideal teenage Juliet. I found her and Whiting together so romantic! There have been critics who say Hussey was an annoying, not well acted Juliet. She was a teenager! What teenage girl is not over dramatic about everything! She did a fine job and I must say while I liked Claire Danes as Juliet I much prefer miss Hussey.

The story of R & J is so widely known it is pointless to discuss the plot. I think the actors were perfect for the roles and I found the sets and costumes quite impressive especially since it was made in 1968. A great adaptation of Shakespeares tragic young idealistic lovers and I agree with my English teacher from 10 long yrs ago, this is one wonderful movie.

Sex and the City (1998–2004)

Abstainance Forever!!!

[3/10 · 17 January 2007]

All my friends and various other coworkers think this show is soooo great. First I hate this show!!!!!!! I think I might be the only female alive!!! I only watched it because my best friend adores it and fancies herself to be the Charlotte character!

First the whole plot (If you can call it that) is about four women Superslut Samantha (Kim Cattrall)who most likely has every STD available and mossy,brown and green genitals considering she is tri sexual( she'll try anything).

Samantha is not like most 40 something women even in NY, but than the show would not have some kind of entertainment since Samantha (along with some good NY scenery) is the only reason to watch and those are not reason enough.

Charlotte (Kristen Davis) is a well dressed upper class NY idiot who still believes the Pince Charming myth! However sweet and pretty she is do not let that fool you, she spreads quite often.

Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) now this woman is stereotypical angry, butch feminist. I think in one episode she is thought to be a lesbian, but apparently is not...What a shame she's almost interesting.

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) the most annoying character. I swear I thought I was watching Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider's more manly looking, cross dressing, sissy boy, brother! This is a girl looking for can't live without you love....Heard of a puppy?

This show is stupid and I love making fun of it because I hear about how it is some kind of new awakening for women. That is just sad if your looking to watch slutty, pathetic, addictive people in way too expensive clothes drinking cosmopolitans and sounding like an annoying 15 yr old on cocaine than there is a show for you............just use protection.

Dreamgirls (2006)

Effie

[8/10 · 6 January 2007]

I really enjoyed this movie much to my surprise after being dragged by a friend. First, I was expecting some movie about Beyonce telling the world how talented and beautiful she is blah, blah, blah. Much to my surprise Beyonce is quite good and not the spotlight hungry diva she is somewhat thought to be.

This movie is about the rise of a 60s girl group the Dreams based on Supremes. Beyonce fittingly plays the Diana Ross inspired character Deena Jones, but the true star in this film is Jennifer Hudson as Effie White. WOW!!!

Beyonce's Deena is really a shadow compared to the Jennifer Hudsons Effie. Effie is the lead singer of the Dreams, but is demoted to backup singer in favor of Deena. The reason? Deena is beautiful and while Effie is certainly a vocalist above Deena, she is not a thin girl and she is not a raging "beauty" I couldn't help feeling for Effie as Deena rise to stardom faded her out.

Effie is betrayed by not only her friends and lover/manager Curtis Taylor (jamie fox) but by her own brother!

This movie really is about Effie as much as it is about Deena, and the actors who portrayed these characters certainly did their job well.

Jamie Foxx is Curtis Taylor the ruthless manager who discovers the Dreams at a talent show. He starts out as a ambitious nice guy who dates Effie, but dumps her in favor of Deena and fame.

Eddie Murphy was an interesting choice considering he has not been known to have a hit movie in awhile, but he gives a touching performance as the motown sensation James Early only to fall for not having a new sound. He turns into a drug addict who passes away much to the shock of the dreams who are still going strong. I must say the later scenes of him being ridiculed by the now powerful Curtis Taylor are some of the most memorable.

If your a fan of Beyonce, musical, 60s music, or just looking for something enjoyable to see Dreamgirls is a worthwhile movie.