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For Adults and Mature Teens
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For Adults and Mature Teens
Glory Road
with Josh Lucas, Derek
Luke and Jon Voight will be one of the best sports films you see. Like the
intensity of Apollo 13 (you know that they finally land safely) and
Seabiscuit (the horse wins)—Glory Road tells the story of a no-name Texas
Western basketball team that has the first all African American starting
lineup of players. The team wins the 1966 NCAA title—stunning the country
that black players could really play basketball. And, according to producer,
Jerry Bruckheimer, changed college sports forever. I know that there seems
to be an annual variation of the “sports” movie that makes a difference, the
coach that makes the difference and the team that makes a difference. So be
it—get over it, sports is part of the American fiber. This is a terrific
movie.
Who Should See It?--Teens
and up. Take Gramma.--3¼
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Pride and Prejudice
with Keira Knightley,
Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland and Jena Malone is
based on the Jane Austin classic rooted in England in the late 18th century.
There’s class, values, love, hate woven throughout. Knightley plays the
strong-willed and independent minded Lizzie, one of five sisters who have
been raised with one goal in mind by their mother: marry well. When a
wealthy bachelor takes up residence in a nearby mansion, along with his
close pal, Mr. Darcy, another bachelor--the Bennet girls (and Mother) are in
quite the tizzy.
Those who loved the
novels will enjoy; it moves a tad slowly--but it’s not a skinny novel in the
first place. I loved the fact that the director chose to be more true to
life in that time…people were not that clean, hair wasn’t shinny from daily
shampoos and dresses were not all silk. Donald Sutherland is PaPa--he’s got
a great line--Mother is shoving Lizzie into a marriage she doesn’t want with
the clownish minister telling Lizzie she won’t forgive her if she doesn’t
marry; PaPa counters with, “And I won’t forgive you if you do.” Chalk one
up--Lizzie naturally agrees with her PaPa, case closed.
Who Should See It?--Take
Gramma, she’ll probably like; too slow for teens unless they are into the
Austin series.--3½
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Just Friends
with Ryan Reynolds, Amy
Smart, and Ana Faris is a challenge. Not much depth--Reynolds plays Chris an
overweight, very shy, best friend to the beautiful and popular Jamie who he
secretly covets. Ridiculed by classmates, he moves across the country and
becomes a big wig in the record biz and a ladies dude. Ten years later, he’s
told by his boss that he has to escort a crazed pop diva to Paris--the plane
malfunctions and he finds himself stranded in the old home town. Everyone
reconnects--Chris now trim and successful, and still a dufus, seeks out
Jamie, who just happens to be single. Etc., Etc., Etc. There are some
laugh-out-loud scenes, but this movie is a stretch--quick jump to DVD land.
Who Should See It?--hmmm,
teens and up; not for Gramma--1½
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Shop Girl
with Steve Martin, Claire Danes and Jason
Schwartzman is based on Martin’s novella of the same name. It’s labeled as a
comedy, and there is plenty of that, but there’s so much more depth and
intensity. The viewer is offered a vignette is each person overlaps the
other. All are very different, yet have so much in common--loneliness.
Martin is Ray Porter, a wealthy, very wealthy; Schwartzman is Jeremy, a
screw-and social misfit; and Danes is Mirabelle, the glove shop girl. I
loved this movie.
Who Should See It?--mature
teens and up, including a young Gramma.--3½
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Casanova
the name implies a
great lover and per the movie, indeed he was/is. A bit of a con dude,
Heath Ledger steps into the role and takes the viewer on a ride in this
rendition. The seducer gets seduced by the lovely Fancesca (Sienna Miller)
who doesn’t want him (or does she?). Jeremy Irons is a kick as the rep
from the Catholic Church, whose goal is to catch the elusive Casanova and
lock him up for good.
Who Should See It?--It’s
an adult romp laced with comedy, Gramma might get a kick out of it.--2½
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For Adults and Mature Teens
Dreamer
with Kurt Russel,
Dakota Fanning, Elisabeth Shue and Kris Kristofferson is a classic family
movie. It has heart, is non-offensive and has a fun (but predictable)
story to it. Russell is Ben Crane, a gifted horse trainer who now works
and trains the horses of the wealthy. When one of them breaks a leg, he
trades his pay for the horse…and the story takes off.. Fanning is his
daughter Cale, who believes in Sonya. The quest is on to do the
impossible--heal the horse and get her running again. Kristofferson is
gruff old Dad to Ben…but believes in his son, his granddaughter and the
horse.
Who Should See It?--6
years and up, including Gramma.--3
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Chicken Little
is the latest offering
from Walt Disney Pictures. Based on the classic children’s book, it’s true
to the theme-- the “sky is falling, the sky is falling.” The whole town
moves into high gear to prepare for disaster when Chicken Little sounds
the bell alarm. Of course, there isn’t one and Chicken Little becomes the
butt of the town from both kids and adults. Cocky Dad is a widower and
sports jock; Chicken Little is a runt--unfortunately in Dad’s eye too.
With his three
pals--Abby Mallard, Runt of the Litter and Fish Out of Water--Chicken
Little seeks to fix his reputation and get Dad’s love. One night, the sky
falls again…but this time, it’s not the sky, just from the sky. A cloned
space ship has lost a piece. Landing, Chicken Little and his pals rush to
see what it is all about. Fish Out of Water is taken hostage and his pals
plan the rescue. Successful, they also pick up an Out-of-This-World
tag-along.
Needless to say, the
Alien parents a tad upset with their little one missing, and the movie
becomes a scene out of War of the Worlds.
There are several
positive messages here, but there are also some awful ones. I hated that
the kids were bullies, but you come to expect that in movies; but what
really pushed my button was the rotten coach and some of the adults. My 6
and 8 year-old pals loved it, so I guess all is well.
Who Should See It?--Kids
from 5-8. A parent needs to go along, or Gramma.--2½
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The Chronicles of Narnia; The Lion,
The Witch and The Wardrobe
is based on the
best-selling series by CS Lewis. The opening scenes with the night
bombings of London during WWII are quite good for the set up as to why
four kids are sent off to the country to stay with a total stranger--the
theory was that they would be out of harm’s way. Young Lucy finds the
magical wardrobe and hides in it in a game of Hide and Seek with her
siblings. Backing into Narnia, she meets Mr. Tumnus, the ever so nice and
good-guy faun. The Ice Queen is not a nice lady (and you wonder why she
never looks cold) and the two badgers are terrific. The movie has some
magic, but I rate it as OK, not great
Who Should See It?--Any
fans of the books, certainly safe from Gramma.--3
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