swest2 Reviews

The Promise (1979)

Terk Jerker!!!

[10/10 · 7 April 2009]

Love, love, love this movie. One of my favorite rainy Sunday afternoon treats. I even have the book which was written by Nora Roberts based on the screenplay so it follows the movie very closely. I remember seeing it when I was 27 and I will be 57 this month, so it has been a 30 year "love affair". Stephen Collins is every body's boy next door.

It was on television late, late, late recently and I watched it again and taped it even though I have purchased a DVD copy and was gifted a VHS copy years ago! Ha, ha! Never know when you'll need a backup I guess! Ha, ha! The plot is very simple and the characters are very straight forward. The acting is probably a 7 or 8. I especially enjoyed the music and found it very haunting. The locations were beautiful.

Rocky Balboa (2006)

A true winner

[10/10 · 19 March 2007]

I was 24 when I saw "Rocky" for the first time so I grew up watching and loving "Rocky". The characters, casting, settings, costumes, and let us not forget the MUSIC were perfect. To me the movie was a love story that happened to have a fight at the end. It also appealed to men and women. There are so many themes in the movie - love, redemption, family, forgiveness, humor, conviction, character, etc. The Rocky character was so relateable for a lot of people. Every time I watch it I always see something else. To me "Rocky I" was a perfect movie. "Rocky" was nominated for an Academy Award in an impressive group of movies for best movie in 1976. I watched all the movies nominated, but I watch Rocky repeatedly to this day. I think the Academy got it right that year by giving "Rocky" the award for best movie. I still use the old body language to help Rocky in the first fight, and all the subsequent fights.

As a die hard Rocky fan, of course, I had to see Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV and Rocky V. I found them all to be enjoyable. However, although there was something in every movie I enjoyed, I felt the "heart" of the ongoing story was missing.

When I heard that there was to be another Rocky movie, I was curious to see what had happened to "my old friend" in the last 16 years. (I think a lot of people think of Rocky as a friend because as far as I know this is the first time a character had been presented in "real time" over a span of 30 years.) Since my son works at a theater, I can watch movies for free whenever I want so over the course of last year, I saw a LOT of free movies. I saw "Rocky Balboa" on December 20 and hands down "Rocky Balboa" was the best movie for me in 2006 by far. I loved it so much I even paid to see it several time at another theater. I even made a point to recommend this movie to every body I came in contact with it.

The "heart" of the movie/story was back. This was the Rocky I fell in love with. This is a "rich" movie, great from beginning to end. This is how movies are suppose to be, they are to touch you, make you think and feel. You are suppose to talk about movies like this, analyze them because you have a vested interest as a viewer and you care about these characters.

SPOILERS: I cried at Rocky's heart ache at the loss of his wife. I felt his hurt and confusion over the relationship with his son --as if he (Rocky) had done something wrong when all he had done was love his son unconditionally. I felt his loneliness. I laughed at his bad jokes and puns. I saw his attempts at "flirting" (albeit unconsciously) with Little Marie using some of the techniques he used with Adrian. I appreciated the fact that Little Marie was a lot like Adrian - shy, quiet, always in Rocky's corner. She became his touchstone when he was contemplating fighting again because her opinion (like Adrian's) matter to him. I also liked the fact that since Marie had life experience, she was mature enough not to be intimidated by Rocky's love for Adrian and that she appreciated his feelings for her (Adrian). I think since Rocky had a big heart, he could, in time, probably find room in it for someone else. Besides who isn't a sucker for a man who loves animals. Let us not forget his relationship with Paulie which has always been odd to me.

I like the fact that not only were some of the characters back (Spider Rico, Duke, Little Marie, etc.) but some of the references from the other movies were worked in. Some of the dialog was a twist of dialog from the other movies -- which is something you do in real life, you reference events, conversations, stories, people, etc. Very real, true to life.

This was a great final chapter for Rocky and I will miss him. You just know that for the rest of his life Rocky is going to be okay because he has the love of his family and friends and was, is and always will be a fighter and, more importantly, a TRUE WINNER. Again, for me, this was a love story with a fight at the end.

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

My favorite movie

[10/10 · 18 November 2005]

SPOILERS! Every time I watch this movie I feel like I'm falling in love all over again. Bridget is soooo lovable. It's a fact! Why else would two dishy men like Daniel and Mark be all over her. Let's face it -- Daniel is a dog. But Mark is a very well educated, accomplished man. I'm so glad that Bridget ends up with someone so worthy of her and her sweetness and good heart.

Mark is very cautious because he has been hurt before. Therefore, his willingness to proclaim his feelings for Bridget and commit to her must be very difficult for him but he does because he wants Bridget in his life. Since he is an attorney, I would also assume he is very analytical and has looked at his relationship with Bridget from every angle imaginable.

I also think that Bridget might remind him a little of his mother. Remember, folks, his mother is the one who picked out his Christmas ties and wanted to fix up Bridget and Mark in the first place. Also, Mark has seen how happy his parents have been for 40 years, so his mother's playfulness and humor probably contributed a lot to that fact. Besides, Mark has worked hard to become a very accomplished and well-thought of attorney, and he needs to balance it with the love, affection, sweetness, silliness, tenderness, and humor that Bridget can offer.

I just love this movie.

What a Girl Wants (2003)

Love this movie!

[10/10 · 18 April 2005]

I really like this movie. Every time I see it it makes me smile. Colin Firth's character has the funniest lines. I especially like the one about his mother feeding Daphne ancient fruitcake when he is talking to Libby on the phone. Then when he invites Daphne to the fashion shows and calls it "ass numbing dull." And when he says to his adviser that he doesn't give a fart in space for his opinion. He says them so quickly and with the English accent that the lines I think are sometimes overlooked. There are several other instances also. Very clever.

Of course, Colin Firth can make any movie he is in!

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Punches of Red

[10/10 · 1 January 2005]

The color red is used very effectively in this film to highlight the plot. The color RED is used almost as an exclamation point in some scenes. I found it very clever. It fairly POPS from the screen in some of the following scenes: 1. The single RED rose left by the Phantom for Christine several times throughout the film, especially at the cemetery toward the end.

2. The Phantom's outfit at the ball is RED while everyone else is dressed predominately in black and white.

3. The RED light coming from her father's crypt at the cemetery.

4. The RED roses Christine carries in the cemetery looking like a bride.

5. The Don Juan set uses RED as its main color as well as Christine's costume and flower in her hair.

6. The bed Christina lies on in the Phantom's "lair" is RED.

I'm sure there are other instances.

Miracle (2004)

Miracle

[9/10 · 31 January 2004]

"Miracle" tells a fantastic story of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team's victory over the powerful Soviet Union. This film also combines important events in history, as we well know the Olympics can never create world peace as long as hate stands. But besides that, I believe this movie has made an advantage to gain support from the theater audience as they too were clapping, screaming "USA", and holding their breath to see what would happen. Getting the audience and myself involved in cheering the fictional team is something that I would've never expected. This film takes your mind off the acting and the technically the film has created, and puts you (the audience) in a position that you actually are at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, and that your cheering on your home team (USA). The cast is amazing, the sport is more and more fun and exciting, and I believe that this film will do extemely well in theaters for fans of hockey, fans of Olympic Games, families, or any ordinary Jor or Jane looking for a good time at the movies. Bottom line, "Miracle" is spectacular in its own way.

Rating for "Miracle" - 9/10

Love Actually (2003)

What's not to love???

[14 November 2003]

Every single story line would have made a wonderful movie in and of itself. I thought the criss crossing of the various plots and characters would be confusing, but I felt it was very clever the way the stories were woven together. The movie flowed - very much like watching a dance. Every cast member has been a favorite of mine for years so that was an added bonus to see them all together in the same film. I am expecting many more wonderful movies from the cast and Richard Curtis. Well done! Bravo!

From Justin to Kelly (2003)

Oh, Hell No!!!!

[1/10 · 23 June 2003]

This movie was more horrible than ANYTHING!. To be honest, the title itself sounds like a man's transfiguration to a transexual named Kelly. But, I'm sure that you know by now that this is movie was just made to increase marketing on the "American idol" franchise. Bottom line, would I see this movie? Oh, hell no!

Circle of Friends (1995)

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

[15 June 2003]

I originally watched this movie to see Ciaran Hinds (the college professor) who was wonderful in a supporting role.

I love this movie. It is so powerful in its simplicity. The actors were so embracable in their portrayals as young adults in the 50's with all the sexual taboos. The scenery is grand!

I watch this movie at least once a month and have recommended it to many friend who also enjoy it. (If you are into Irish countrysides you might want to watch "The Matchmaker" with David O'Hara - v. good also.)

Elizabeth (1998)

The Portrait of "The Virgin Queen"

[9/10 · 11 April 2003]

After seeing this film 1,000 times, I never get tired of watching it. Its an absolute triumph to see a intimate portrait of one of history's greatest rulers. Elizabeth Tutor is on the edge of death for treason, conspiracy, and unacceptable to be England's new monarch, but appears to be ambitious to restore England, capture the conspirators, and be viewed as the women that would alter the course of the Renaissance period. All in all, the virgin queen is a person worth knowing - 9 1/2 out of 10.