Movie Review Dial M for Murder

Dial M for Murder

Since I commented on To Catch a Thief in the previous post I figured I'd get on the Hitchcock theme with this film. Again we have Grace Kelly in the lead as a wife who's husband schemes to get rid of her by murder then framing her for the killer's death. Hitchcock's other works, Rope or Rear Window are much better.

There's an extensive Hitchcock selection at the library, search through any shelf and you're sure to find a good one. The DVD for Dial M for Murder is in Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046912/

OiVey

Movie Review After The Sunset

After the Sunset

Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek aint Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Though certainly this is no remake of To Catch a Thief, it has some similar elements with a cat burglar gone good and two sexy leads interacting with hi jinx.

Find After the Sunset in Bandon and To Catch a Thief is in Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367479/

OiVey

Moive Review Muriel's Wedding

Muriel's Wedding

Toni Collette delights as the sheltered lead Muriel who lives inside her ABBA song muddled mind. Her dreams of breaking away and adventuring out in the real world come true when she hooks up with an old school friend and moves to the big city. These girls party hearty until Muriel's friend hurts her back and can't walk anymore. Muriel obsesses about being married and finds an athlete who needs citizenship to stay in Australia. Definitely a chick flick, but I would hope a real man could handle it.

Gotta go down to the library for this one, the only copy is in North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110598/

Buy it on Amazon
Muriel's Wedding

About this Blog

I deleted a comment this morning that was not in English and appeared to be spam. I'm going to turn off anonymous comments for a week, but those of you who know me can email me. I'm also going to post a couple extra today so that I have about 31 reviews for Oct.

Happy movie night.

OiVey

Movie Review Hollow Man

Hollow Man

This blockbuster special effects extravaganza follows the typical formula of ego maniac scientist testing on himself. Yawn. Kevin Bacon plays the mad scientist. The effects don't save this trash heap of celluloid.

Place a hold from Bandon and ESO or look for it in North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164052/

OiVey

Movie Review Alchemy

Alchemy

You may remember Thomas Cavanagh as the lead in the tv series Ed. Here he's a nerdy science guy who tries to quantify what attracts people to one another. Most of the characters barely rate about one dimensional, but it has a little charm here and there.

Look for Alchemy in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285682/

OiVey

Movie Review Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss

Ok, for the first time I'm in a quandary. This is better than soso but not quite up to a good rating. It's a watchable tale of a romantic gay man. I found it sweet and interesting through to the end. Sean Hayes might be a bit typecast as gay, but he's not mr over the top Jack McFarland in this.

Look for it in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137386/

OiVey

Movie Review The Amati Girls

The Amati Girls

While I wouldn't call this a "great" movie, it sure didn't deserve such a bad rating off the Internet Movie Database. They gave it a 3.9 out of 10 on 257 votes. It's an Italian-American family drama about a widow and her daughters. There are some laughs with this quirky bunch. Somewhat typical but not too. Cloris Leachman rules the family and the always good Mercedes Ruehl stars as her eldest daughter.

Look for dreamy Mark Harmon and pick up this film in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213446/

OiVey

Movie Review The Benchwarmers

The Benchwarmers

Juvenile does not begin to describe this film. When Murry found out Adam Sandler was one of the producers, he said he understood the film better. I did laugh and I do like underdog stories, I just can't rate this high. Rob Schneider does alright as the lead, in general I don't care much for David Spade, but he offended me very little heh.

If you want to relive your jr high experience, click on the library link and search for it in Coos Bay, Dora and Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437863/

OiVey

Movie Review Green Card

Green Card

Earlier today I was looking up the libraries for "The Apartment" and it brought up Green Card so since I've seen it and it's not a half bad movie, I'd toss in a review. Self centered Andie MacDowell wants a posh Co-op apartment and can't find her way in without being married. So she hooks up with Gérard Depardieu who wants a green card. She tells the Co-op board that her husband lives away, until the INS comes for a visit.

Check shelves in Lakeside and Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099699/

OiVey

Please Respond

The point of this blog is to help folks find their way into the Coos County Library system. I have always loved the idea of so many books in one wonderful place, but I am also intimidated by the overwhelming visual mountain inside. I have trouble finding books to read because the numbers are often small.

The internet changed that. Plus figuring out that I could place a hold on a book or movie made life just amazing for me. I can almost research anything I want.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone from Coos County is reading this blog? Please let me know and post a comment. This is for you.

OiVey

Movie Review The Apartment

The Apartment

This sweet film won five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for Billy Wilder. Nominated were Best Actor Jack Lemmon and best actress Shirley MacLaine. A young hard working office executive wanna-be trades evenings at his apartment for the hope of work advancement. When one of the girls taken up to his place for extra workular activities tries to kill herself, he nurses her back to health.

The library has VHS copies in North Bend and Coos Bay, but you can get the DVD from Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/

Buy it on Amazon
The Apartment (Collector's Edition)

Movie Review Betsy's Wedding

Betsy's Wedding

I love Alan Alda, and while he's an outstanding actor and really interesting guy, I'm afraid he needs someone to help him focus. He wrote and directed this disjointed family comedy. Extraneous scenes of infidelity and mob antics detract from what could be some funny stuff about Alda's fashion disaster daughter Betsy, played by Molly Ringwald.

Lakeside and Myrtle Point branches both have a copy of this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099128/

OiVey

Movie Review Art School Confidential

Art School Confidential

A young man goes to art school just as a serial killer is targeting people in the neighborhood. His work is summarily dismissed by his pompous professor and he decides to find ways to "get even." The whole thing felt contrived and phoned in. It didn't show me anything new about art school or society.

Murry liked this movie, so maybe you will too. Look for it in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364955/

OiVey

Book Review Wishcraft, How to Get What You Really Want

Wishcraft:
How to Get What You REALLY want
by Barbara Sher

Someone recommended this book just after I separated from my ex husband and I couldn't' find it in the bookstore. A few years later, I found it at a rummage sale. I LOVE the life changing goal setting advice.

Sher is my kinda people. I've since read two others of her work from the Coos County Library System. She has readers write a "dream day" to help with making a plan, and I've brought 80% of that day into my life. You can too.

Check out Wishcraft from North Bend or Coos Bay branches. Remember, books can be held and sent to any library branch.

Keep on readin!

OiVey

Movie Review Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven

This RomCom with a metaphysical twist starts slow, but once it gets going, you'll laugh and cry. Reese Witherspoon stars as a ghost like figure haunting her stylish apartment. When Mark Ruffalo's character movies in she haunts him.

Check it out of Bandon and Dora library branches.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425123/

OiVey

Movie Review American Movie

American Movie

As I understand it, movies about making movies aren't usually that successful. While this documents one independent filmmakers dream, it seemed rather sad. I would hope that someone would have more of their life together, ie take better care of their children before embarking on a quest for one's heart's desire.

Ah well, mostly a bore, but if you are just OBSESSED with cinematic process, take a look in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181288/

OiVey

Movie Review Amazing Adventure

Amazing Adventure

Early Cary Grant SWOON! A spoiled rich man makes a bet with his doctor to live in poverty an entire year. I like old movies with sweet plots and this is such a tender Cinderella story. Well worth a bit of your time.

Check it out from Myrtle Point. Sometimes when older movies are put on DVD their titles get changed. I found the title The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss in IMDB.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027286/

Buy it on Amazon
The Amazing Adventure

Download it from Amazon
The Amazing Adventure

Moive Review: Fantastic 4

Fantastic 4

Both Murry and I are huge science fiction fans and this has some interesting little tidbits of space stations and technology that are neat to look at. I just could care less about the characters or plot.

Four friends get exposed to radiation while on a space station. This gives them super human powers which they use to fight evil. Yada Yada Yada.

Sub par acting left me going eh. Have a couple hours to kill? Look for Fantastic 4 in Bandon, North Bend or Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120667/

Movie Review All I want

All I Want

So I sometimes don't pay that close attention when I'm watching and I mistook Elijah Wood for Tobey Maguire. In my defense, they have a similar look. Wood mesmerizes as a strange freshmen experiencing life in his off campus apartment. Two love interests and strange goings on with his mother both confound and intrigued me. I am calling this film a gem because I think it's worth the weird twists and turns.

The Internet Movie Database calls it "Try Seventeen" for those of you who might use another source for your viewing. Coos County residents can find it in Bandon and Lakeside under "All I Want."

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311941/

OiVey

Movie Review Babel

Babel

Dear Brad Pitt, can I please have my two hours back? Real life people make all kinds of bad choices and run their life off into ditches. I don't really think it's all that entertaining unless there's some point. I don't know why the white couple were in Morocco, I don't know why the Mexican maid thought she could take the kids across the border without permission and what is with the Japanese girl? The only people who I understood their motivations were the Moroccan kids. They were CHILDREN and couldn't understand the implications of firing a rifle.

Creepy, pointless and boring, in that see look at us we made a dramatic movie to get Oscar buzz, but there's no other reason for this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449467/

OiVey

Book Review Martha Beck: Finding Your Own North Star

Finding Your Own North Star
by Martha Beck

I read another blog called Get Rich Slowly and they posted an O magazine article from Martha Beck about self consciousness. Read the article at the Oprah URL below. It reminded me of Beck's wonderful self help advice in North Star. She puts you through the paces of an emotional exercise plan that can help anyone live a fulfilled and happy life.

http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/omag/ss_omag_200707_mbeck.jhtml

Go straight to the Coos County Library site and look up Martha Beck and you'll find this book and a few others. http://www.cooslibraries.org/

OiVey

Movie Review Beyond the Sea

Beyond the Sea

While I love Kevin Spacey this film fell short of his usual quality acting. I like a good biopic, but I guess Bobby Darin just wasn't that interesting a guy. His ego and volatile relationship with his wife, actress Sandra Dee, struck me as pathetic.

Big fan of Darin, Spacey or Dee? Check out the film in North Bend and Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363473/

OiVey

Movie Review: Last King of Scotland

Last King of Scotland

Forest Whitaker's performance won him the much deserved Oscar for his portrayal as Idi Amin. On talk shows the actor is shy and humble, on screen, you can just feel the woosh of energy emanating from him. A Scottish physician finds himself charmed by the charismatic Ugandan leader, until madness and paranoia drive Amin into violent outbursts.

Click the library link above and search for this outstanding film in Bandon, Coos Bay, North Bend and Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455590/

Buy it on Amazon
The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition)

Movie Review Capote

Capote

I know it's a rather obvious choice because of Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance, but this film had so much more going for it than Oscar contention. The story and friendship between Truman Capote and Harper Lee, not to mention how much Capote identified with the murderers.

Bandon, Coos Bay, North Bend and Myrtle Point all have copies of this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379725/

Buy it on Amazon
Capote

Movie Review 13 Rue Madeleine

13 Rue Madeleine

This 1947 depiction of world war II American spy mission held my interest til the end. James Cagney trains his men to fight Nazi Germany, until he discoveres one of them is a spy for the other side.

Bandon and Coos Bay both have copies of this fine film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038279/

Buy it on Amazon
13 Rue Madeleine

Movie Review Barnyard

Barnyard

Apparently in this universe there are boy cows and girl cows and animals walk and talk and party like humans. There are laughs here and there but more entertainment value in a California milk commercial. I like the one where they sing Sunshine Day.

It seems a little too teenagey for littler kids, so I would view it before plopping the younguns in front of this video. Look for it at the Bandon Library branch.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414853/

OiVey

Movie Review Beautiful Thing and Better Than Chocolate

A Beautiful Thing

A brit teen discovers his sexual attraction to his friend in this sweet story about a boy coming to terms with his gay orientation. He lives in a tenement with his mum and surrounded by neighbors with unusual points of view.

Look for A Beautiful Thing in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115640/

Buy it from Amazon
Beautiful Thing

Better Than Chocolate

This film features a lesbian struggling to find a way to tell her mother she's gay. I'd always thought Canada was much more progressive about sexual orientation, but I guess I was wrong. Lots of sexually explicit scenes in this film, notably an apartment filled with vibrators of many shapes and sizes. Don't worry, though for adults, this film is quite funny and touching.

Taste Better Than Chocolate also in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168987/

Buy it on Amazon
Better Than Chocolate

Movie Review The Ant Bully

The Ant Bully

Though this animated feature contains the voice talents of Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep and Paul Giamatti, they couldn't save it from the bad plot monster. A small boy terrorizes an ant colony until one of the ant scientists shrinks him. The queen makes him one of the society and he tries to get along. Try a Bugs Life or ANTZ. Either one will satisfy more than this dog.

Look for it in Coos Bay, Bandon and Dora.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0429589/

OiVey

Movie Review Baadasssss!

Baadasssss!

Yet another film with a different title off IMDB. This one has a title of How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass but I'm using the library title to make it easier to find it there.

The story and history this film depicts is harsh. I'd like to see some more black cinema it references. Murry said he found Watermelon Man very interesting, but alas the library does not have a copy.

Mario Van Peebles depicts his filmmaker father, Melvin during the making of his groundbreaking 1971 independent film. Look through the special features at the documentary with Melvin and others involved in the early production. Plus, take note of the truly multi cultural film crew.

A man with a dream can move the world. Check for the film in Bandon

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367790/

OiVey

Movie Review A Simple Curve

A Simple Curve

I'm going to give this a soso rating, but I'm glad I saw it. It's the tale of an old hippy draft dodger and his son as they conflict over civilization catching up to them. The son, Caleb, goes off on a new age house guest about carob (the so called chocolate substitute) that totally had me falling down laughing. You'll just have to see it to understand.

Caleb has reached the point in his life where he has to decide to seperate from his father's values and form his own. Check it out in Coos Bay.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422458/

OiVey