i'm episcopal and this movie was very realistic. maybe only episcopalians with experience in vestry dealings can understand, but it was very honest and in the end was a feel-good movie that leaves you with hope. i loved it because sometimes i like movies to do that.
Reviews
7 Reviews
It's Love I'm After
(1937)
The posted plot summary -- one quibble
9 May 2003
I just watched this movie for the second time, and I saw nothing about pictures of children! What blows it for Basil is when Henry stupidly doesn't admit under questioning in front of Joyce that he asked Basil to help him disillusion Marcia. Then, Joyce turns the inserted knife by appearing to go after Marcia's father. Basil and Diggs depart, after returning the favor to Henry of not admitting the plan, only to find Marcia in his bedroom back home. Henry soon follows to say no hard feelings. When Marcia hears his sincerity at wanting only her happiness, she ditches Basil and leaves with Henry, clueing in Joyce to the truth as they depart, who reconciles with Basil. All ends happily.
According to Jim
(2001–2009)
Get your weekly "Cozy" right here, folks
1 April 2003
I have watched this from its beginning and I find myself always wanting to watch when it's on. For me, it has a lot to do with the actors on it. I'm so glad Courtney Thorn Smith decided to do ATJ, because it shows a snugly, sweet, Earth Mother side of her that's really appealing. Kimberly Williams is very believable and refreshing as her Single Career Woman With Angst sister. Larry Joe (forgot his last name) is funny and sympathetic and happily helpless as her brother.
Lastly I mention Jim Belushi. He is just fab in his part as Courtney's hubby. It's both scary and exhilerating to watch him. It's like seeing John Belushi but all grown up and, well, normal (mentally). For years now, I've watched Jim and seen only John. Now, thanks to this show, I am finally seeing Jim for Jim. He is pure funny, great timing, great sincerity, and he knows how to be serious when it calls for it. Great dimension for a character who started out as little more than just a caricature. I've been delightfully amazed. He's quite good in this particular role (you know, like Ackroyd is just excellent as the balding Southern good ole boy of both Driving Miss Daisy and My Girl), and I hope this sitcom makes it for a few years so I can keep on enjoying it.
Courtney knows how to hold her own and then some against Jim. They walk the thin line between being the Bundies and the Bunkers and the Buchmans. Their chemistry is very on-target. Everyone's is, actually.
The arguments are quite believable. Good writing. I like the running joke about expanding vocabulary.
This show isn't Seinfeld or Cheers, but it is a solidly written comical commentary on married family life. Couples can watch together and both enjoy it, neither gender is spared, both are poked fun at and both are strongly represented. I agree with the previous post that if you dislike Belushi, you probably won't like it. Ditto for C.T.-S., although she might surprise you.
If you do decide to check it out, give it 3 chances. I didn't warm up to it til after that many episodes, and now I'm glad I gave it a chance. It's a nice change from Reality Everything.
Lastly I mention Jim Belushi. He is just fab in his part as Courtney's hubby. It's both scary and exhilerating to watch him. It's like seeing John Belushi but all grown up and, well, normal (mentally). For years now, I've watched Jim and seen only John. Now, thanks to this show, I am finally seeing Jim for Jim. He is pure funny, great timing, great sincerity, and he knows how to be serious when it calls for it. Great dimension for a character who started out as little more than just a caricature. I've been delightfully amazed. He's quite good in this particular role (you know, like Ackroyd is just excellent as the balding Southern good ole boy of both Driving Miss Daisy and My Girl), and I hope this sitcom makes it for a few years so I can keep on enjoying it.
Courtney knows how to hold her own and then some against Jim. They walk the thin line between being the Bundies and the Bunkers and the Buchmans. Their chemistry is very on-target. Everyone's is, actually.
The arguments are quite believable. Good writing. I like the running joke about expanding vocabulary.
This show isn't Seinfeld or Cheers, but it is a solidly written comical commentary on married family life. Couples can watch together and both enjoy it, neither gender is spared, both are poked fun at and both are strongly represented. I agree with the previous post that if you dislike Belushi, you probably won't like it. Ditto for C.T.-S., although she might surprise you.
If you do decide to check it out, give it 3 chances. I didn't warm up to it til after that many episodes, and now I'm glad I gave it a chance. It's a nice change from Reality Everything.
Fiddler on the Roof
(1971)
Enjoyable, but be prepared for its slowness
25 March 2003
The plot of this movie is told very well without one lyric or note, and so while the songs are all great, they slow down the plot and rhythm of interest. I grew up around community theater so it is still enjoyable for me, but for the average viewer it may induce sleep. Try to stick with it, though, as it gets really better halfway through.
The best musicals carry on the plot for you during at least some of the songs if not all. Fiddler does have a handful of songs that add info, but since there are SEVERAL numbers, I yearned for either less of them or for them to tell me more. It does move the plot along with enough songs to still be a good, if bulky, musical.
A good number is after Tevye discovers that his eldest daughter and the tailor pledged their love a year prior, and he's struck a deal for her with the butcher. That number was perfect.
Next, though the number in the woods between the two lovebirds was nice and gave them a performance, but I got up and did something else, it bored me.
Also, in the beginning, Tevye's barn number, while long, explains his love for knowledge. And the clothesline number with the daughters was pleasant and showed me how they all really felt about getting a match. And, the dream scene where Tevye explains to Golde about why the tailor should get Tzeitel instead of the butcher: this is IMO the best example in Fiddler of how the plot is enhanced by a musical number. "Sunrise, Sunset", Tzeitel's wedding, was my most favorite number. I loved the dance part.
Those are some examples. In exchange for your perseverance, you will see excellent performances from everyone. A very young Paul Michael Glaser is really good and he amazed me, since all I knew of him was Starsky & Hutch.
The serious subplot of Jewish persecution is also intriguing. It ain't all about just matchmaking.
One more thing, it leaves you feeling very good. If you enjoy watching things like the Godfather Trilogy in one sitting, then you can handle Fiddler.
The best musicals carry on the plot for you during at least some of the songs if not all. Fiddler does have a handful of songs that add info, but since there are SEVERAL numbers, I yearned for either less of them or for them to tell me more. It does move the plot along with enough songs to still be a good, if bulky, musical.
A good number is after Tevye discovers that his eldest daughter and the tailor pledged their love a year prior, and he's struck a deal for her with the butcher. That number was perfect.
Next, though the number in the woods between the two lovebirds was nice and gave them a performance, but I got up and did something else, it bored me.
Also, in the beginning, Tevye's barn number, while long, explains his love for knowledge. And the clothesline number with the daughters was pleasant and showed me how they all really felt about getting a match. And, the dream scene where Tevye explains to Golde about why the tailor should get Tzeitel instead of the butcher: this is IMO the best example in Fiddler of how the plot is enhanced by a musical number. "Sunrise, Sunset", Tzeitel's wedding, was my most favorite number. I loved the dance part.
Those are some examples. In exchange for your perseverance, you will see excellent performances from everyone. A very young Paul Michael Glaser is really good and he amazed me, since all I knew of him was Starsky & Hutch.
The serious subplot of Jewish persecution is also intriguing. It ain't all about just matchmaking.
One more thing, it leaves you feeling very good. If you enjoy watching things like the Godfather Trilogy in one sitting, then you can handle Fiddler.
Hugo Pool
(1997)
"Ring Dang Doo" of a movie
17 February 2003
This is a little babe of a movie, the kind that comes on at 1 am and you can't turn it off. Very inventive casting. McDowell and Penn are delightful as are Moriority and Milano. Then, you also have Downey, Jr, Dempsey, and Lewis (AND Chuck Barris). A zany cast of "characters"! I was impressed with how handily Milano carried herself and led this cast.
Dragon Seed
(1944)
A cerebral instruction not unlike "Red Dawn"
25 November 2002
Beautifully acted study about character, family, loyalty, courage and patriotism. And frankly, a primer on what it would be like to rat on your family when the State says to and when you know in your heart and mind the State is wrong; and, what do you do with the family who rats on you. Although this movie is 60 years old and in black and white, it is a beautiful, elegant and instructive work of art and well worth our time.
Men Don't Leave
(1990)
A Treasure - realistic, need some maturity to understand it
6 August 2000
I am a longtime fan of Jessica Lange's, and a newfound fan of Arliss Howard's after viewing Men Don't Leave. A really good performance also by Chris O'Donnell and Joan Cusak. This is a true-to-life type of movie. It's Wow Factor isn't measured by action shots or stunts or explosions, but rather by the satisfaction and peace each character reaches by story's end.
It's your favorite shirt: not flashy, but comfortable and proven to make you feel good. Watch Men Don't Leave - it's a good little movie.
It's your favorite shirt: not flashy, but comfortable and proven to make you feel good. Watch Men Don't Leave - it's a good little movie.
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