jim-355 Reviews

Stan & Ollie (2018)

Stan and Ollie--Just What We Need!

[10/10 · 28 January 2019]

Just got back from seeing Stan and Ollie and I did not know 1 hour and 37 minutes could go by so quickly. Entertaining throughout with stellar performances by Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly. I still cannot believe I used the words "stellar performance" and John C. Reilly in the same sentence.

Many moving and poignant moments, especially the hotel bedroom scene with Coogan and Reilly. A poignant hotel bedroom scene you ask?

If you really want to see the boys later in life, look up on the internet,This is Your Life, Laurel and Hardy.

These Wilder Years (1956)

Perfect Movie for a Rainy/Snowy Sunday Afternoon

[8/10 · 27 December 2012]

Pleasantly surprised with this movie. I thought I knew all of the Cagney movies. Unwanted teen pregnancies and looking for a son or daughter given up is something you would expect from today's Lifetime Movies. This was a movie from the 1950's which handled the topic quite well.

As for Cagney, it is not what you expect from him. Yes, it is a tear jerker as a previous user said, for all of the good reasons. As for Barbara Stanwyck, every scene she was in proved that she was an excellent actress and a handsome woman.

Well worth it and bring the tissues!

The Artist (I) (2011)

It's the Dog!

[10/10 · 30 December 2011]

You have heard it before! This movie draws comparisons to "A Star is Born", "Singin' in the Rain", "City Lights" and in my opinion every "Thin Man" movie that Asta was in. And speaking of "Singin' in the Rain" did anyone notice the eerie resemblance to Jean Hagen in this movie? Well, back to the dog! My wife is an animal lover and hates to see movies where animals get hurt. Refueses to ever see "The Wizard of Oz" and any "Lassie" movie. No need to worry about this movie. Uggie the dog steals every scene he is in and plays an integral part in the outcome of the movie. (Spoiler!) The "Bang" scene with the dog is quite moving.

Any awards given to this movie are much deserved. You will be entertained and leave with a smile on your face. Oh, there are few spoken words and just for you trivia people, Marcel Marceau does not appear in the movie.

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Romantic Screwball Comedy???

[8 August 2011]

So, what do I know? This movie started off very serious with Steve Carell jumping out of a car because his wife just made love to another man. Depressing start that turned into a romantic movie. Delightfully so, it also turned into a "screwball comedy" with the introduction of the Marisa Tomei character and I mean character. Carol Lombard I hope you are watching! In the end it all turns out to be a very good romantic comedy. Oh, yes! The backyard scene was superb, all of the actors and I mean all just pulled it off. Go see it! A very good movie. By the way, even though the cast is star laden it is Steve Carell's movie. And it was not his "Office" character, but a blend of Cary Grant, James Stewart, a little John Travolta and William Powell. Yes, the screwball comedy elite actors.

Something Borrowed (2011)

Where Did Everyone Get Their Money?

[4/10 · 9 May 2011]

Let's see! Weekly trips to a beach front house in the Hamptons. Beautiful brownstone apartments in the City. Driving around in a Land Rover. Taking trips to London.

All of these things happened in the movie and yet, for only 2-3 scenes do we see anyone at work. Everyone has all of this free time and no one says where the money comes from.

Well I got that off my che$t and I feel better.

As for the movie--someone said it best. It was a tennis match of watching relationships change back and forth. Yes, John Krasinksi was very good, however, I was expecting Pam Beasly to show up. He was playing his Office character in this movie and yes he made it bearable.

My wife loved the movie and I constantly squirmed in my seat. Wish I could write more but I have to work for a living.

How Do You Know (2010)

How Do You Know--When Not to Spend $11.00 for a Movie?

[2/10 · 18 December 2010]

The answer to my question in the summary is to read my review. Stay home and save the money. As matter of fact when it comes out on DVD or On Demand--save the money too. It was just that bad! You ask why I gave it a 2 in a rating. Simple, I was able to sleep for about a good hour during the movie. The other good thing was that my wife was next to me, also nodding off.

I am sorry to do this. I really enjoy Reese, Owen and Jack, however, the movie did not click. The acting was below par, the writing terrible and the settings very poorly structured.

Seems to me that Hollywood should have known better and not released this movie.

Meanwhile, when does The King's Speech coming to Jersey?

Morning Glory (2010)

Matt Malloy--Weatherman!

[8/10 · 14 November 2010]

OK, Matt Malloy! You were outstanding in the part of the weatherman. You stole the movie! It was kind of dragging and ho hum predictable until you came along and starting doing all of the stunts. Seems to me I have seen this before somewhere--oh yes Steve Carrell doing weatherman and later the news on Bruce Almighty. Good luck Matt!

With that being said the movie was very entertaining! Did not realize that Harrison Ford could pull off the old curmudgeon role but he did. Diane Keaton was just great in her role. The best for last Rachel MacAdams! Wow! Lucille Ball are you looking down at her! Enjoy and do not wait for the DVD.

Oh yes! For Jersey people who attended Fairleigh Dickinson University. What did you call it? It's in the movie. By the way--where were the Jersey scenes filmed?

Secretariat (2010)

Neigh! Stay Away! If You Are a Racing Fan!

[5/10 · 9 October 2010]

The movie just did not have it! Anyone who writes for the Daily Racing Form or just involved with thoroughbred racing (not harness) will probably agree that the movie is entertaining but just does not have it.

I am a big fan of the movie "Seabiscuit" and the finish for the big race between the Biscuit and War Admiral led to the audience clapping. In Secretariat no one clapped at any race he won.

Most purists will be disappointed in the call of the Belmont Race. The actual race is on You Tube and the track announcer in 1973 just did not use some of the words that were used in the movie. The Belmont Race could have been staged better and where did they film it? The backstretch of Belmont is a parking lot filled with cars. In the movie I think I saw mountains. Mountains in Elmont NY. Hmmm! Now that I got that off my chest--see the movie--it's entertaining especially John Malkovich! As for Diane Lane--I am sorry, I kept looking for Richard Gere to appear.

You Again (2010)

OK! Not Bad! Entertaining!

[8/10 · 24 September 2010]

Spoiler Alert for the end of the movie! Warned ya! OK not a bad movie. No Citizen Kane but you knew that just by the cast. All right so Betty White was around when Citizen Kane was filmed.

Look for a fast flowing, I can figure out what was coming next, cute movie. My wife told me to use cute. Believable, nah! But parents can take their kids, guys can take their girls without being raunched over like the movie--Going the Distance.

Cameos galore especially at the end when--I can't tell you--shows up as Betty White's nemesis. Figure it out and enjoy the moment. No it is not Mary Tyler Moore but you are close.

Going the Distance (2010)

Modertly Boring!

[4/10 · 4 September 2010]

Sorry! The movie is modertly boring. I guess it must be my age--61 but I did not get most of the humor. OK there were people around us laughing but not me or my wife--she's younger and good looking by the way.

No chemistry between Drew and the guy, yet there was buddy chemistry between the guys. The Charlie Chaplin/Adoph Hitler scene, however, was outrageous! Wait for On Demand or the DVD.

And Drew--remember you are a Barrymore--descendant from stage and movie royalty. You could do better than this--a step down in your career. Oh Lionel, Ethel, and John the Profile--forgive her for she knows no what she does.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Six Guys out of 200 in the Audience

[4/10 · 14 August 2010]

That's right! I was one of 6 guys out of 200 people to see this movie on Friday night. Loyal husband--you understand! Well, as for the movie. I am sorry to say that Julia did not have chemistry with anyone and I mean anyone--OK maybe the elephant! It was just a bland movie that made no sense to me--but what do I know. I should have asked the other guys but they were leaving the theatre like me in a hurry and with baseball caps over their eyes.

No applause at the end of the movie. I asked my wife what she felt about the movie and she agreed it was bland too. Sorry Julia it's you and Richard Gere or nobody!

The Lucky Ones (2008)

Trailer Was the Whole Movie

[5/10 · 28 September 2008]

Actually, two parts from the trailer were missing from the movie. Ebert alluded that this movie could have a semblance of "The Best Years of Our Lives." Don't believe it! Rachel McAdams appeared to be a female Forrest Gump and Tim Robbins was trying to replay Andy DuFresne. The twister scene was the low point. See better twisters in the Wizard of Oz.

Time passed slowly in the movie theatre of 3 people.

Sorry, I hoped for better because it would have been nice to see the Best Years updated. Fredric March, Harold Russell and Dana Andrews, your performances still rule!

Nights in Rodanthe (2008)

Scott Glenn Stole the Scene

[9/10 · 27 September 2008]

Yes! Yes! Yes! This is a weeper. Not as bad as "The Notebook" where everyone who came out of the movie theater was crying including the guys who cleaned up the popcorn boxes at the end of the movie.

This movie and I am still trying to figure out how to pronounce "Rodanthe" will be a crowd pleaser for the 29-59 crowd (females mostly). You can read other user comments about the chemistry between Diane Lane and Richard Gere, however, the man who stole the scene in the middle of the movie was Scott Glenn.

When he talked about his wife to Richare Gere you could not hear a pin drop. When he was finished and Gere said "I am sorry" (Spoiler) the crying and nose blowing began throughout the movie theater. (Yes, even the popcorn guys!) What a powerful scene and kudos to Scott Glenn for pulling it off.

Casablanca (1942)

What about the Music in Casablanca?

[10/10 · 19 April 2000]

Yes! Yes! I agree! Casablanca is an excellent movie. Action, adventure, romance, patriotism--"Play La Marseillaise. Play it", Nazi villains, idealism, and yes comedy--"I'm shocked, shocked to find gambling going on in this place. Your winnings sir." It is indeed one of the most quotable films ever. It seems everyone has a line worth repeating, however Bogey has the best ones. But what about the music? It was Max Steiner at his best!

PS Besides "As Time Goes By" and "La Marseillaise" name at least one other song either played or sung during the movie. No fair going to the video.