Every Saturday for I can not remember how long, I would get up without fail and watch "Patchwork Family" on Channel 2 WCBS here in New York. It was what I looked forward too every Saturday. The show ran well into the 1980s on WCBS. As another reviewer stated , it was a simple show. Not a lot of flash. However, very educational. I would love to find it on DVD.HOwever, I do not think that will ever happen. The show was hosted by Carol Corbitt with her muppet sidekick, Rags. Rags had a thing for jellybeans. Each show had a rebus that was shown throughout the show to be solved by the end. Segments centered around local environmental, exercise, animals, crafts, math, spelling, etc. It was a wonderful show. As I see a clip of it has made its way to Youtube. It warms my heart to see just a small part of what was a great childhood memory. Thank you to Carol Corbitt for great memories you and your show gave me.
Reviews
23 Reviews
Quartet
(2012)
A true joy. A rare gem.
18 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
When I first saw advertisements for this film and I can not remember when I saw them, the first item that drew me to see this film was Pauline Collins. I saw Pauline back in 1989 in "Shirley Valentine" one of my all time favorite films by one of the best actors out there. She was vibrant in that and she was stellar in "Quartet" . However, her performance was not the only one that stuck out. Actually, they all do.
For those who think it is only a film that senior citizens will enjoy, you are wrong. It maybe but I think it is a film for all. I loved every minute of it. The scary part for me is realizing that the people who the actors are portraying are not my grandparents anymore, they are my parents generation. That is right , the people born in the 1920s, 1030s and 1940s who are the parents of us middle aged 1950s,1960s, and 1970s generation.I mean scary because of coming to grips with ones own aging.
For those who have not seen the film , I will offer a brief overview. You have to see it for yourself to appreciate it, why should I spoil it for you. "Quartet" is the story of four opera singers who have all retired to a wonderful Retirement home for Opera singers, musicians and other performers. The beautiful Beechem House in a beautiful countryside in England. The scenery is beautiful . At the setting of the film, the residents are all busy getting ready for the upcoming Gala tribute for Verdi. They are rehearsing, tuning their instruments and voices. Our main characters: Jean Horton, Reggie Patchet , Wilf, and Cece where once a quartet who sang together. Gene and Reggie were once married. It did not last long. Years have past since their quartet was vital. Wilf has suffered a minor stroke. I love Billy Connoly in anything he does, he is great in this film. Reggie has retired to Beechem house to keep tabs on his good friends Wilf and Cecilly. Tom Courtenay is super as Reggie, I have never seen him before . His character belies a quiet man who has done great things and wishes to retire off in a way in peace. However, he remains vital by teaching what opera is to the younger generation. The comparison of rap to opera is fantastic. Word up to the Bronx. Jean Horton, played wonderfully by Maggie Smith , is his ex-wife. You get the impression that her arrival at Beechem House to Reggie , amounts to a hurricane crashing in the middle of calm seas. Then there is Cecilla, my favorite character, played by the wonderful Pauline Collins. Cece is very free and spirited, I thought. However, some of the reason she is so carefree is that she suffers from Dementia. I almost looked at Cece as Shirley Valentine 24 years later. However, that may not be a great comparison. Her performance is very heartwarming. As is all of the members of Beechen House. I highly recommend this film. Take your mom, dad, grandma, granddad , etc to see it. Thank you for an excellent film experience Dustin Hoffman. Great direction, great cast, great story
For those who think it is only a film that senior citizens will enjoy, you are wrong. It maybe but I think it is a film for all. I loved every minute of it. The scary part for me is realizing that the people who the actors are portraying are not my grandparents anymore, they are my parents generation. That is right , the people born in the 1920s, 1030s and 1940s who are the parents of us middle aged 1950s,1960s, and 1970s generation.I mean scary because of coming to grips with ones own aging.
For those who have not seen the film , I will offer a brief overview. You have to see it for yourself to appreciate it, why should I spoil it for you. "Quartet" is the story of four opera singers who have all retired to a wonderful Retirement home for Opera singers, musicians and other performers. The beautiful Beechem House in a beautiful countryside in England. The scenery is beautiful . At the setting of the film, the residents are all busy getting ready for the upcoming Gala tribute for Verdi. They are rehearsing, tuning their instruments and voices. Our main characters: Jean Horton, Reggie Patchet , Wilf, and Cece where once a quartet who sang together. Gene and Reggie were once married. It did not last long. Years have past since their quartet was vital. Wilf has suffered a minor stroke. I love Billy Connoly in anything he does, he is great in this film. Reggie has retired to Beechem house to keep tabs on his good friends Wilf and Cecilly. Tom Courtenay is super as Reggie, I have never seen him before . His character belies a quiet man who has done great things and wishes to retire off in a way in peace. However, he remains vital by teaching what opera is to the younger generation. The comparison of rap to opera is fantastic. Word up to the Bronx. Jean Horton, played wonderfully by Maggie Smith , is his ex-wife. You get the impression that her arrival at Beechem House to Reggie , amounts to a hurricane crashing in the middle of calm seas. Then there is Cecilla, my favorite character, played by the wonderful Pauline Collins. Cece is very free and spirited, I thought. However, some of the reason she is so carefree is that she suffers from Dementia. I almost looked at Cece as Shirley Valentine 24 years later. However, that may not be a great comparison. Her performance is very heartwarming. As is all of the members of Beechen House. I highly recommend this film. Take your mom, dad, grandma, granddad , etc to see it. Thank you for an excellent film experience Dustin Hoffman. Great direction, great cast, great story
Ratatouille
(2007)
There's a rat in the kitchen what am I going to do?
10 November 2007
There's a rat in the kitchen, what am I going to do? I am going to kill that rat thats what I am going to do! That is a line from a UB40 song. It is probably what I would have said before I saw this picture. However, Remy is such a cute little blue rat. I would never think of hurting him. However, in the kitchen of a restaurant maybe another story.
You could tell I was no débutante. Anyhow, my review of this film. I love Pixar animation films. I think they are great. This was no exception. The film had an excellent story with some great themes. Determination, follow your dreams, anyone can cook,hope, friendship,being creative. Cooking is a type of art form. It is wondrous to watch as chefs put together these ingredients in such a way as to make something the is both pleasing to the eye as well as the pallet. Ratatouille is very pleasing to the eye. We are introduced to Remy, the young determined rat, as he is trying to combine ingredients in a farm house that he is soon roused out of (see the movie , I am not giving it away). After sometime in the sewers of Paris, he finds the place to be able to express himself. There is such heart to this film that it is one that I have enjoyed watching over and over. I saw it 5 times in the theater. I thought it was head and shoulders above the Simpson Movie. Great movie. Go see it
You could tell I was no débutante. Anyhow, my review of this film. I love Pixar animation films. I think they are great. This was no exception. The film had an excellent story with some great themes. Determination, follow your dreams, anyone can cook,hope, friendship,being creative. Cooking is a type of art form. It is wondrous to watch as chefs put together these ingredients in such a way as to make something the is both pleasing to the eye as well as the pallet. Ratatouille is very pleasing to the eye. We are introduced to Remy, the young determined rat, as he is trying to combine ingredients in a farm house that he is soon roused out of (see the movie , I am not giving it away). After sometime in the sewers of Paris, he finds the place to be able to express himself. There is such heart to this film that it is one that I have enjoyed watching over and over. I saw it 5 times in the theater. I thought it was head and shoulders above the Simpson Movie. Great movie. Go see it
Monster-in-Law
(2005)
Not great but not terrible
4 March 2006
I will not go into the plot summary. If you want to , read the other comments. I thought it is interesting to have a film were 2 of the stars exes married each other. AS for the film, it was funny. I thought that Jane Fonda was a bit over the top. She is funny , but the character is relentless and does not seem to give Charlie a chance. I thought Wanda Sykes walks away with her scenes , she is so funny. Great comic timing. I think there is a film there about the relationship about Viola and Viloet. Michael Vartan was good but his demeanor seems to be the same for most of the roles he plays. Range is a bit lacking. I know his character is suppose to be the catalyst. I am guessing that Kevin found this good thing and wants everyone to be happy. Good thing. I am not a big fan of Jennifer Lopez. I do not think she is one of the best actresses out there ( I think Hope Davis is far better) but she is good in this picture. She plays an excellent character and she plays it well. Elaine Strich is excellent as the grandmother. Jane Fonda was good but she was a little over the top. Well that is my opinion. Take it as you like.
Proof
(2005)
This is not "Beutiful Mind"
25 September 2005
I saw this film today in Stony Brook. Unfortunately, there are not many theaters showing this film and it is a shame. This is an excellent piece of film with a dynamic cast. The film centers around Catherine ( Gwyneth Paltrow) as a young girl in her 20 who has inherited her fathers math brilliance as well as her father's possible mental illness ( the father played by Anthony Hopkins). It also shows Catherine's struggle with trying to learn to trust her sister (the great Hope Davis) and her father's student ( Jake ) I really like this film. I never saw the play on Broadway when Mary Louise Parker stared in it so I have no comparison there. The last movie I saw titled Proof (1991) was a different story all together. Question, WHy are there film with the same title ? I have seen some people say they compare this film to " Beautiful Mind" . I do not see it. While the subject of math maybe similar. The story is quite different. In "Beutiful Mind" we are shown the life of John Nash played excellently by Russel Crowe. His paranoia is personified by illusions of a military conspiracy. While Catherine is having conversations with her father after her death because she is so stricken by grief of losing what has become her sole purpose of living. This grief has driven to act in ways that make her sister , Clare, question Catherine's sanity and also Hal questions her claim to have written this brilliant equation. Gwyenth Paltrow gives an excellent performance as Catherine . I really felt her anx at the sadness of loosing her father and the fear that she too will be insane. Anthony Hopkins was excellent for the times he appears Jake Gynenall(?) was great too Now my favorite performance was by Hope Davis. I love Hope's work and this is no exception. Clare is seen as possible being the "Bad guy " because she wants to bring Catherine to NY so she can get help. However, Clare ,I think, is like the rest of us who do not have math genius. She is this person who has excelled at her career and has cared for her father from afar (" I paid the mortgage off on that house ,while I lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn") I see her as having a strained relationship with her sister and trying the best she can to make things work. Hope, as always , gives an excellent performance. This is an excellent film. I really enjoyed it.
The Skeleton Key
(2005)
Great acting by Gena Rowlands
23 August 2005
I have not found many movies to get excited about. I wanted to see "Cinderella Man" , but did not get a chance. The same for " Dark Water". What interested me in seeing these movies is when a star I like is starring in it. Gena Rowlands is one of my favorites. I have watched her in " A WOman Under The Influence" ,"Opening Night", "Gloria", "Another WOman" and "Night on Earth". She is always and continues to be a dynamo of an actress. She is always powerful. NO exception here in " Skeleton Key". Her performance was excellent. The rest of the cast was good, John Hurt is excellent acting without saying a word and Kate Hudson performs the norm of todays actresses. I was a little confused on one of the plot lines with her father. The movie reminded me of " The Others ". However, not as good. I am so glad to see Gena back in a film . Her character is so strong and mysterious . I recommend this film . I hope Gena will be in more films of HOrror or any other genre.
The Player
(1992)
One of the Best films I have ever seen
20 September 2004
I saw this film on video and now have it on both VHS and DVD. This is an excellent film on character study. It also exposes the ugly underside of Hollywood. Tim Robbins does an excellent job in the role of Griffin Mills. A studio executive who may or may not be losing his job and who is receiving death treats. He has a girlfriend who is also an executive at the studio. He falls in love with someone who is so outside and does not care about fame, Hollywood, etc. It is well acted . Follows much of Robert Altman films . Overlapping dialogue, etc. A real gem. It is in the vain of "Nashville" . I liked the suspense of not knowing or finding out who was sending the post cards. Whoppi Goldberg is excellent as the investigator from Pasidena
The Efficiency Expert
(1991)
A good simple film
19 September 2004
I saw this film in 1992 at the Cinema Arts in Huntington , New York. I have it on video. I viewed it last night for the first time in 4 years. It is a nice simple story of change. How change effects people. How simple things could be deceiving. I love Anthony Hopkins in this. I originally saw it because Russell Crowe is in it. He was excellent in "Proof" directed by Joclyn Moorehouse. He was excellent in that as he was in this. I loved the character of the father . How he states that his children are the most important thing to him. There are some real gems here. Well worth the look some 12 years later. Each of the performances are excellent. I realize this is not the film for everyone. It is not flashy, there is no explosions. The appeal is in th simple story .
The Secret Lives of Dentists
(2002)
Easy on the Sweet Air
7 February 2004
Here is a film that had limited release. It was not in many of the local multiplexes. I have it on D.V.D. This is an interesting story of a husband and wife dentists. Living and practicing together. They have three pretty daughters and live in a nice Westchester Suburb of New York. What is established from the get go is that Campbell Scott's character suspects his wife of having an affair. The thing is the film does not give a definite "yes or no" as to if she is. Hope Davis plays the wife. She finds reasons for why she needs to run out of the house.Either for errands or job related. In fact there is an excellent dream sequence in the film that relates to his belief that she is having an affair. What is established in undertones is that the marriage is not in great shape. The husband refuses to see that and wants not to rock the boat. I really enjoyed this film. The cast is excellent. Campbell Scott is excellent as the husband father who seems to do everything in his power to keep the family together. Hope Davis is excellent as the wife who we do not quite know if she is faithful or not. Denis Leary is great as Campbell's invisable friend. Great movie. Recommend it to all.
American Splendor
(2003)
A Great Auto-Biography or such
7 February 2004
I just viewed this film on DVD. I did not get to see it in the theater because like so many good films, it was impossible to find.It only played in select theaters. Where as the garbage that Hollywood puts out plays everywhere. Where to start. This is a film of a average person. I think that this is what drew me to want to see it. That and the fact that Hope Davis was in it. She is terrific as usual!! Paul Giamatti is excellent . He has the characteristics of Harvey down pat. The story was excellent. It was great just to see a movie about an everyday person who has some degree of celebrity. The story of how Harvey and Joyce met was funny. No dating period. Just straight through to marriage. Plus they had a cat.I am not a comic book reader , but this I liked. It was interesting. There is something here that really touched me. The fact that we are seeing what inspired this average joe comic book. I give it 8 stars!! Also, Paul and Hope were robbed of Oscar Nominations.
The Impostors
(1998)
Great Cast Great Performances
25 January 2004
I have not seen this in a while. When I found it at "Borders". I wanted to relive the experience, if you will. Besides it has Hope Davis and Lili Taylor.Two of the best actors in the Movie business. Very overlooked and underused. The film seems a little slow at first. Our two leads are out of work actors in NYC. They are struggling to pay the bills. Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt were wonderful in their roles. Anthony Molini was great. As good as he was in " Chocolat". Only one missing from this film that would have made it perfect is Lena Olin. Isabella Rossellini is excellent. Great Cast with great performance.
Daredevil
(2003)
Could have been better
9 January 2004
I do not follow comic books. I became interested in this movie because Jennifer Garner is in it. She is excellent in Alias. A really fantastic actress who will hopefully find herself in better films than this. My main problem with this film is the casting of Ben Affleck. He adds nothing to this film. His performance is the same . I think Russell Crowe might have been better cast in this or Guy Pierce or even one of Jennifer's co-stars on Alias ( Michael Vartan or Bradley Cooper).It is almost like the supporting players are the ones carrying the film. Colin Ferral was excellent as well as the actor who plays King Pin. However, why do movies like this always show NYC as a dark dank and evil place. It is not.
Mulholland Drive
(2001)
A really interesting ride.
8 January 2004
I love this film. I thought that Naomi Watts and Laura H(?) did and excellent job performing their roles. David Lynch did an excellent directing job. It was one of the rare films for me that keeps you interested to the end. What I thought was unique was the total change of the set up in the middle of the film when things become different. When I first saw it , I was totally confused. I was very intriquied.David Lynch does not disappoint.The whole cast is very good. I think it was a good reflection on Hollywood and the whole movie industry. What happens when the dream is dead. I think it is an excellent film. Granted , it is not in everyone's taste. However, I feel that it is a true classic.
One Hour Photo
(2002)
An interesting story with great acting by Robin Williams
6 January 2004
I found this film to be quite interesting. Yes, it is slow in the beginning,but it picks up pace . Robin Williams is excellent as Sy Parish , the photo tech for Sav-mart.He plays it so creepy and so opposite of his usual personality. It shows his true talent when the actor disappears in his character. Few actors can do that. Robin Williams is one , Russell Crowe another. Sy's world is one in which the Yorkin family is the ideal family . Something, I guess, he did not have. As he digs deeper, he starts to see the cracks in the fine veener. Especially the fact the Will Yorkin is having an affair with a co-worker. That shatters Sy's world. That and the fact that he gets fired because he is caught stealing from the company. Mainly extra prints of the Yorkin Family. Robin Williams is excellent. The actors who play the husband and wife ( Michael Vartan and Connie Nilsen) are good.The son is excellent. The argument scene between Will and his wife seemed forced and tacked on. This was a good film. Not for everyone's taste. It is also a departure for Robin Williams
A Christmas Story
(1983)
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out
26 December 2003
I love this movie. It is so funny. The whole story is the true to life experience of Jean Shepard. Jean Shepard is an excellent writer and short story. He use to have this program on PBS that was so great. He could really weave his words. I thought there was great depth to all the characters that are in this movie. I love the mother, father, both boys, the teacher . Each character was excellent. This is a joy of a film. It is not sugary, which is propably why it appeals to me. A true Classic.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
(1965 TV Movie)
A true Classic
26 December 2003
This movie is a true Christmas Classic. I can not think of a Christmas passing without at least once watching this film. It is one of the few Christmas Specials that actually tells what the true meaning of Christmas is. I love the animation. I am sure it is primitive compared to 2003 standards, but who cares.I can watch this over and over again.
A good film with interesting characters
21 December 2003
I love Robert Altman films. Why? Because they always tell real human stories. This is no exception. The cast is excellent. Especially Sandy Dennis and Cher. The story of three girls and a friend who reunite in their small town . With Sandy Dennis recollection of how things were being quite different from the other girls. It is excellent. It is soft and sad in a way. The ending, with the same location 10 years after looking old and forgotten. Which holds true for any place at a given time. I wish I could find it on video or D.V.D. One of Robert Altman's best.
Eight Men Out
(1988)
This is another classic human story by John Sayles
14 February 2002
I first saw this film on the Independent Film Channel in 2001.I remember it being released in 1988 , but remembering paying little attention to it. I am not a big fan of baseball or of baseball films. However, in the ensuing years since it was released, I had become a big fan of John Sayles starting with Passion Fish in 1992. I often find when I see something of a directors I like, I try to find other films of theirs to see if the formula follows through. For John Sayles, it does. He has a way of putting a real human face to his characters so much that you really care for them and pull for them. Eight Men Out is no exception. I found myself really pulling for Buck Weaver (John Cusak's character). His character has a real passion for the game of baseball . Unfortunately, the flame is extinguished by association with the players who are corrupt. I also felt compassion for DB Sweeney's character because his fellow team mates take advantage of him and he is roped into the scandal (Guilt by association). John Sayles make excellent use of the cast he has in his film. Many may recognize actors from other films by John Sayles. While I am not anymore a fan of baseball since watching this film.It has help to cement my appreciation of the great director John Sayles has become.The human stories that he weaves when he directs and writes his films.********
The Secret of Roan Inish
(1994)
Another John Sayles Masterpiece
13 February 2002
I have always admired the style that John Sayles uses in making his films and this one is no exception. The movie is based on Irish stories of seals and the dark women and how one family grew up on Roan Inish. I did not get the chance to see this film in the theater , however, I saw it on cable and then purchased the tape. What an excellent film. As usual, John Sayles flushes out the very human qualities of his character. I felt pained for Fiona in that she lost her mother so young and her father was having a very hard time raising her on his own. You could almost see the sweetness of her grandparents . The grandfather with his excellent story telling abilities retelling stories to Fiona of family history. The grandmothers run of the house. I just really loved the story and the characters that were present. The movie contains many of the human elements that I have seen in all of John Sayles films that I have viewed. He has this great ability to flush out very human elements in his character. This particular film tugged at me because of my Irish heritage, but I think anyone could enjoy it.
Shirley Valentine
(1989)
25 House Points
13 February 2002
I first saw this film when it first came out in 1989.I immediately loved it. What an excellent story and cast. Pauline Collins as Shirley is excellent. I think it is a wonderful story of a women who is not content with who she is and her process of rediscovering who she was at a younger age. She refuses to give up that old fire burning in her. The scenery in Greece is also breath taking .. I love the idea that she "escapes" to Greece and really "lets her hair down". I have not seen Pauline Collins in much. She is an excellent actress with a dynamite supporting cast. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a bit of "escape"
Proof
(1991)
This is a Classic which can be viewed over and over
14 January 2002
I first saw this film in 1992 in the Angelica Film Center in Manhatten. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and went back to see it at least 5 more times and 1 time on Long Island. This film has everything I look for in a film. A real human story. Even though the cast basically consists of 3 characters, it is very complex. I found myself particularly drawn to Andy ( Russell Crowe). Andy is a "Everyman" drawn into a unique situation of befriending a blind guy ( Hugo Weaving) who likes to takes photos as proof of what was there. I think Andy's attraction to Celia is probably Physical and unaware of the fact that he is drawn into an unlikely game between Celia and Martin. I own this now on Video and never tire of it. This is the film that I first saw Russell Crowe in. At the time I thought he was a very talented actor ( as is the rest of the cast). I knew then what the rest of America has discovered since "LA Confidential" that Russell is versitle and extremely talented. See this film . It does not have the blood and guts of "Gladiator" but is just as gripping. See the early talent of Russell Crowe. See a masterpiece.
Brides of Christ
(1991)
5.7? this is a 10! What an excellent film/series
14 January 2002
Rarely has there been a film that is so well acted that you are glued to the set. When I first saw "Brides of Christ " on A&E I found it to be a real treat. This is an excellent series. It looks at the Sisters at a time of transition in the Catholic Church and looks at the student struggles. Both are parallel of each other . Many stand out performances.. Sandy , Naomi Watts Brenda Fricker, all the cast is excellent. This is a must see! a 10
Night on Earth
(1991)
My impressions of a Night On Earth
24 July 2001
I know that this film is now at the 10 year mark. However, to me it is a true classic. The film is almost like a really good book. You can stop it between chapters and not miss a beat. It has fantastic acting and a dynamite cast. Some have said that they thought the first story with Gena Rowlands and Wyonna Ryder was weak ,but I disagree.That story was about someone being content with who they are not looking for the brass ring. It also left the door open for further possibilities. I loved the New York story for many reasons . Not the least of which is that I live in New York. Excellent casting and a real story of the immigrants who came here to New York and the melting pot we are here in New York. It also showed a real problem that minorities face here in NY trying to hail a cab.
Each story had a really excellent theme. The confession theme in Italy had me rolling , while the story of the Helsinki cab driver was really tragic. If you look at how the film begins and ends, there seems to be a opposite end effect. The affluent casting agent stepping off the private jet versus the worker stumbling out of his cab into the morning.
This is an excellent film with an excellent cast. I highly recommend it!
Each story had a really excellent theme. The confession theme in Italy had me rolling , while the story of the Helsinki cab driver was really tragic. If you look at how the film begins and ends, there seems to be a opposite end effect. The affluent casting agent stepping off the private jet versus the worker stumbling out of his cab into the morning.
This is an excellent film with an excellent cast. I highly recommend it!
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