Just saw it for the first time and loved the characters. This is a soft look at the feelings of those involved and deafness connects but so does music for those who can hear it and those who can't. The four main characters, the two couples, have different relationships and the accident that brought the two together is what starts a bond of realization about their lives and what is important to them. I love the father of the magician's wife. He is a devil and not as angry as he seems. He is an oddball in such a lovely way. So, there are silly things such as the secret the deaf dad is keeping and the empty streets in L.A. that is unreal. Those things can be overlooked because the movie isn't about them. It is about the characters, in particular Straitharn's role and that of his wife. They are changed forever by the chance meeting of the two men. I love the character studies so I give it an 8 for that reason alone. Very clever and loving. A very sweet film that I started to think was going to turn out bad with a very different ending for his wife and their marriage. Rent it. Worth it.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Speakeasy
(2002)
Why did you bother to rent it after seeing it once and disliking it?
21 October 2012
Hugo
(2011)
Such a beautiful tribute to movies in true Scorcese style
16 December 2011
Martin Scorsese has made such wonderful films over the years. This one deals with the magic of film making and the wonderment of childhood in the search of truths in a rough world. This little boy who acts the lead is an amazing actor. The young girl who befriends him is equally up to the task and the superb Ben Kingsley has made one of his best movies in years. I loved this film. It is mysterious, magical, mystical, glorious, and possesses such wonderment of how things work and why we exist. Setting the movie in the 1930's is apt since it is about an early filmmaker. In childlike fashion this story is told through the eyes of a young orphan and he makes dreams come true. He believes in a world adults can't fathom. They are caught up in what they consider the "real" world so it takes a young lad to make this movie a reality in many ways. Not for Scorcese as much as for the characters so well played in the story. Go see this movie. It should be making millions and not the piddling amount is has to date. What is this anyway, the season of the holidays and old Christmas movies or children's movies that come out for those children out of school soon? Although this is about children and their beliefs in a better world and the magic and excitement of the depth of meaning and how things work and why, children want Chipmunks, I guess. This is a movie of great depth and feeling. It deserves to be seen and appreciated. Scorsese has a hit. He still believes in the wonderment of children. This is a must-see.
Personal Effects
(2009)
What a Disappointment and Waste of Time
13 November 2009
Michelle Pfiefer, a wonderful actor, was awful. She didn't react much to anything that happened in the story. Kathy Bates had nothing to do. Taking part was a waste of her time. Ashton Kutcher really doesn't act. The story parts were a jumbled up mess like pieces of puzzles that came from different boxes. Could this movie be fixed? I doubt it. It should never have been made at all. Why are there good screenplays that never get off the shelf and something like gets made, including some good actors. Why did they even consider taking part after reading the first ten pages? The pieces of the story, the camera work, the characters were all in a fog. "Pieces" keep coming up as I write this. The story is filled with pieces that don't fit together. They don't make a good fractured story line either. Nothing could fix such a mess.
Hudson Hawk
(1991)
This was just plain fun!
25 February 2009
Just sit back and enjoy the silliness. Willis and Aiello are tune-singing, wise-cracking thieves and buddies. All the cast overact which is part of the fun. Colburn plays his funny Flint-type character and Sarah Bernheard is a riot. Her costuming is as funny as her drama queen acting. This is not a thinking person's film. It is a great way to escape into a fantasy world and relax. I actually just watched it on my PC with Netflix and had not heard of it before. It is a small film but great fun. I loved watching the locations and was surprised during the credits that Budapest was also part of the locations. I love Rome and was glad it was shot on location and not backdrop. Also, I watched the music credits and was surprised that Bruce Willis actually composed a couple of songs including the title song which was performed over the credits by our own New Orleans Dr. John.
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