hlallo Reviews

Living Proof (2008 TV Movie)

Inspirational True Story

[5 August 2009]

This is the true story of the first Doctor to find a treatment for breast cancer that did not involve killing cells in the body (radiation/ chemo). This determined physician - Dr. Dennis J. Slamon - and his vision for a new treatment and those who believed and supported him in his work is so movingly told. The producing team (Chicago, Hairspray) including Renee Zellweger, and the incredible cast of actors, and wonderfully directed - you know this film was a true labor of love. It shows in every minute of the film. I missed this on TV and just happened upon this at the Blockbuster and I was blown away it is the best movie I have seen this year. Like others I wept at times with sorrow and other times with joy. Thank you to all that made the showing of this story possible.

The Whole Wide World (1996)

True dramatic story that every actor should study

[27 September 2008]

Often I have seen a great script thrown away by miscasting or poor direction. Not here! Spectacular acting, great story and direction. This is a drama that is brought to life in the realistic portrayals by Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio. I have never really liked Renee much. Seen most of her films, including Jerry McGuire, Chicago, Cold Mountain, Bridget Jones, etc and and thought what is the big fuss about? However, I saw this film later after all her successes and was blown away by her performance. This in my opinion is by far her best work - she and D'Onofrio were so compelling in every scene that it leaves me wanting more each time I see it. I wish they would find another vehicle to work in together. Of course Vincent is is his normal "larger than life" performance. He always entirely captures my attention whenever he is on the screen in any film - but he made the person of Robert E. Howard come alive and even though I never knew much about this author, I wanted to read the book written by Novalyne Price after I saw the film the first time. Their physical difference in height was interesting contrast because you don't notice it after awhile because of both of their strong performances - they share equally and I loved the contrast in how physical the portrayal by Vincent was and how internal the portrayal by Renee. Since this is a drama, it's not a film that you tell all your friends to watch - they just won't understand. But you tell everyone who has a passion for film making to watch it and without exception they all love it and thank you for turning them on to it. If you tell someone to see this because it's a love story - they are going to be really depressed when it is over so I am careful when recommending it - its a tragic love story that is a true labor of love by the entire production team is a much better description. The director, producers and enter cast and crew gave this little gem so much love and attention, and it shows - I think that if this film was made now and Mirmax distributed it, or was debuted at the right festival it would be a film that would be recognized and given the much deserved awards and distribution it deserves.

Beauty Shop (2005)

You'll either love this or hate this one

[22 April 2005]

Well this one you will either love it or hate it. A lot of how anyone enjoys a film is based on what they are expecting to see. This is only the 2nd movie I have ever walked out of and got a refund in 30 years. Both times it was because I was expecting one thing and arrived to find something entirely different and distasteful to me personally. I would not have purchased the ticket if I had known it had non-stop foul language, foul jokes, young children making sexual innuendos to adults, women slang talking about sex both in the shop and on the radio to each other. For me I find that kind of humor distasteful and demeaning to the characters involved in it. I understand that people that enjoy that kind of humor will find this movie very entertaining

Love Actually (2003)

B4 you see this read the user comments

[17 November 2003]

This movie is like cilantro. You'll either love it or hate it. If you have no expectations of this movie and don't mind nudity - then you'll probably love it. If you don't want to see naked people, wait until it comes out on TV with the nudity and swearing cut out. If you want to see naked people and loved X rated stuff - you'll be disappointed.

However, if you were waiting for over a year to see a vehicle that would use the talents of Liam, Hugh, Emma and Colin and are huge fans of their previous films (as I am) then you will probably find lots of things about this film that could be improved - which are well noted in all the previous user comments that have already been posted on IMDB for you review.

Basically, word of mouth is much more powerful that anything anyone can type here and obviously word of mouth by people who have seen the film have led to it being #6 and only taking in 8 million opening weekend.

The Razor's Edge (1946)

Tyrone Power's first film after he returned from WWII

[6 November 1998]

Somerset Maugham book was brought to the screen with a few changes to the original plot. However, once you have seen this movie, you can understand why Tyrone Power chose this particular role as his first film. He picked the right vehicle to star in, I feel, returning from his service in World War 2. Clifton Webb is his usual fabulous, ornery, opinionated, prejudiced character - Stealing every scene he is in. Gene Tierney is so gorgeous outside, dressed in Oleg Cassini's best. She is breathtaking in every scene. Anne Baxter was perfect as Sophie, the childhood friend, the fiance, the wife and the widow. However, I wanted to see more of Herbert Marshall, who played the author Mr. Maugham. Herbert is always great. Mr. Maugham wrote the book based on somebody he had met in life, and so he shows up throughout the movie. The only person I didn't like was the miscast Elsa Lancaster, however, can't blame her for wanting that role! I love this story, finally a picture where the hero "Larry" ends up doing what's right, instead of what is socially acceptable or expected of him by his family and friends. This is one of my top ten favorite movies because of the characters, the ending and the actors.