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Reviews
House of D (2004)
Outstanding sleeper of a movie. Wonderful effort by Duchovny
I thoroughly enjoyed this charming entertaining movie. David Duchovny is to be applauded for his first time effort of directing and writing. As the young Thomas, he is giving a sparkling dialog in all of his scenes. It is a flashback movie as it opens with Duchovny as a struggling married American artist living in France. He has a secret to tell his wife and son and isn't sure how he should do it. His wife proves to be very understanding and helps him divulge his past secrets. All this in conjunction with his son's 13th birthday. In the flashback story his friendship with the Robin Williams character of Papass and the "lady" develops. Tea Leoni plays an unusual part that doesn't need to capitalize on her beauty but instead allows her to be an emotionally disturbed mother to the 13 year old son Thomas. The young son Thomas works his way through his problems as a result of his friendship with Papass and dealing with his mother's emotional condition. All performances are superb as is the storyline.
Off the Map (2003)
An excellent sleeper of a movie
Well crafted screen play of a simple yet complicated story. Charlie played by Sam Elliott is suffering from deep depression. Charlie and his wife played by Joan Allen live with their precocious, home schooled, daughter Bo in the Desert of New Mexico. Charlie doesn't have much of a speaking part but presents his character very well. Charlie's wife is running things until Charlie is able to get better. They do not pay income tax since they only earn $5000 per year as a family. Their daughter Bo contacts companies by letter with various problems, comments and thoughts about their products. In return she frequently receives generous quantities of their products which she shares with family and friends. Their lives are interrupted by a visit from William from the IRS. William has a law degree, was a short order cook, and is now an investigator for the IRS. Upon meeting the family, he is stung by a bee and suffers from an almost instant severe reaction rendering him semi-conscious for several days. Charlie and his wife tend to him as best they can and eventually William returns to health better than ever. He and Charlie are able to communicate since they both suffer from depression and seem to understand each other better than they can relate to other people. Bo provides simple commentary and much understanding for a 12 year old. William is unwittingly able to help Charlie out of his depression, but in return becomes even more depressed himself. He makes his life worthwhile by painting the beauty he sees in the landscape of New Mexico. The story is filled with understanding and simple living of a family without the many things we think are so important that we can't live without. I recommend the story to people of all ages.
Alexander (2004)
Awful
I had my doubts about this movie but rented it anyway. I should have followed my first instincts. I can't believe Oliver Stone was involved in this. After reading some of the inconsistencies, Stone who is usually a stickler for detail sure did blow it on this one. The battle scenes were poorly choreographed, poorly filmed and it was almost impossible to tell which side was winning and which side was losing. The fact that they had the various parts of the armies in different dress didn't help. The aerial views of the battles were obviously shown very distant to save money on how many extras they had to pay. The Irish accents didn't help the credibility. Finally I think it was a real waste of talent (not Colin playing Alexander). I don't know how much they paid Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins, but it wasn't enough to have such a stain on their resumes. Lastly Colin Farrell cast as Alexander Irish accent and all, was a colossal bit of miscasting. Good luck to those who ignore my review.
People Will Talk (1951)
Outstanding movie survives the test of time
Cary Grant without a doubt at his best in this 1951 film. Handsome, debonair, talented and wears suits like he was born to do it. His gate reflects his high wire past. Jeannie Crane as beautiful and talented as ever. Supporting actors Walter Slazek, Sydney Blackmere and Hume Cronyn give outstanding performances. Storyline and script show you don't need special effects to make an outstanding movie. The music in the finale of the film is unbelievably memorable. Grant plays Dr. Pratorius a practitioner that actually cares for his patients. Especially when they look like Jeannie Crane. The film is 54 years old and more than holding it own.
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)
Excellent portrayal of a very courageous woman.
Ingrid Bergman demonstrates her acting and creative skills portraying a lady who shall be remembered in China history. Her determination to go to China and do everything she could to bring Christianity to a part of the world that looked upon Christians as strange at best. She is supported by Curt Jurgons and Robert Donat in very unusual roles. Donat who is the Mandarin of the Province and Jurgons who is a Chinese soldier. Bergman is confronted with roadblocks which say she is unqualified to work in China as a Missionary. She proves her worth by working for the Mandarin as his foot inspector, running her inn and becoming endeared with the people as a person that is trying to help them. She is also instrumental in effecting prison reform. She overcomes many obstacles and saves the lives of close to a hundred Chinese orphans who are fleeing from the Japanese. Finally she was considered qualified.
The Last Command (1955)
While not historically accurate, very entertaining and well done.
Good casting was the hallmark of this version of the Alamo. Sterling Hayden did an excellent job of playing Jim Bowie. History has changed the projection of these indomidable heroes, but the movies wouldn't be quite as popular if they portrayed Jim Bowie as an adventurer running from the law, Travis as a divorced lawyer. But Davie Crocket always manages to emerge as a real life hero. This and most other versions of the Alamo overlooks the fact that the Mexican army had just finished putting down rebellions all over Texas and the Mexican government was very generous in awarding newcomers homesteads free for the taking. But then came the Taxation, hence the rebellions of Texicans and Mexicans. The story was entertaining and left us feeling like the Alamo defenders were truly heroes.
The Alamo (2004)
The movie was iterrupted with the loss of Russel Crowe and The Director. It shows. It's always a pleasure to watch Billy Bob.
I understand that Russel Crowe was originally signed to do this picture. When it started going over budget, the Director was fired. A new director was hired and attempted to salvage the remainder of the movie with severe budget restraints. The outcome was Dennis Quaid doing a very sour performance of Sam Houston and a movie that was noticeably lacking in continuity and poor performances. The cast was lacking in name recognition.
There was also much evidence of poor editing and rewrites.
Historical accuracy also suffered. Too bad all the advance publicity dollars couldn't have been spent on making the movie better. Even Billy Bob Thornton couldn't save it.
Monte Walsh (2003)
Excellent
Excellent portrayal of the wild west cowboy in the waning years of the 19th century. Tom Selleck has done justice to the part of Monte Walsh. Keith Carrodine does well as his sidekick. Strange part for Isabella Rosalini, but she brings a softness and strength to the part of Walsh's main squeeze. A good primer for this would be Selleck's Quigley Down Under.