Friday, November 30, 2007

Movie Review Blades of Glory


Typical Will Ferrell being silly film. Can we have plots for $400 Alex? ;) No, we dont need no STEENKEENG PLOT! If you liked Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live, you'll like his films. Battling male figure skaters get kicked out of the sport and find out they can come back as a couples team. Have a laugh for a couple hours.

Check out the shelves in Coos Bay, Myrtle Point, Coquille, and Dora.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445934/

OiVey

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Movie Review Billy Elliot


A 10-year-old boy takes boxing lessons without much joy in the sport, when he notices the girls ballet dancing classes. He starts mimicking the dance moves when the teacher notices and invites him to join the class. This goes against his working class miner father and brother and they harass him to stop, until his father realizes it's his ticket to a different life.

VHS copies in Coquille and Coos bay and DVD versions in Bandon and North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249462/

OiVey

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Movie Review Blind Horizon


This kind of reminded me of Total Recall where the lead, Val Kilmer, isn't quite sure who he is and what's going on. I enjoyed the twists and turns, but it has a few too many plot complications and a grubby look to really get deep into it.

Check it out from BAndon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337881/

OiVey

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Movie Review The Black Dahlia


This disjointed and convoluted story meandered along ending up somewhere but I didn't care at that point. Hilary Swank did an outstanding job and I didn't even recognize Scarlett Johansson until I saw her name in the credits. Well acted by the ladies, but the cop fighting and politics were just distracting.

Lots of copies all over the system to choose, look in Bandon, Coos Bay, Powers and North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387877/

OiVey

Monday, November 26, 2007

Movie Review The Day the Earth Stood Still


This classic science fiction thriller always delights with its use of eerie music and a giant robot. Michael Rennie leads as Klaatu the human alien come to earth to warn us to learn to be peaceful or risk destruction. Be sure to turn over the DVD and view the making of the film with the director and others.

Run out and grab this oldie but goodie from Coos Bay or North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/

Buy the DVD from Amazon
The Day the Earth Stood Still

Download it from Amazon
The Day The Earth Stood Still

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Movie Review Mona Lisa Smile


I'm kind of vacillating on what kind of label to give this film. I guess I'll give it a good because I do like the idea of enlightening young minds. Julia Roberts and Kirsten Dunst square off as teacher and student. Most girls in college of that era are looking for the MRS degree and this art teacher wants them to have goals beyond a husband.

Check out Bandon, Dora, Powers, Lakeside and Coquille for this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304415/

OiVey

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Movie Review The Ballad of Jack and Rose


Like the film Birth, this has a creepy child sex aspect that totally grosses me out. I wonder if the filmmakers intended to make it an indictment of communes or if they just used it as a device to make an unhealthy relationship between Jack and Rose?

It reminds me of another hippy themed film I reviewed a while back called "A Simple Curve." That one featured a father/son conflict and at least had more of a plot. I'd like to see a decent view of commune life. Until then, lets avoid crap like this, shall we?

If you love Daniel Day-Lewis, pick up this film in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357110/

OiVey

Friday, November 23, 2007

Movie Review Blue Butterfly


The filmmakers imply this tells a "true" story of a boy with cancer chasing after a rare butterfly. I like butterflies and I like nature. What I don't like is encouraging magical thinking about the power of a dream curing a serious disease. Lets take a seriously ill kid traipsing across the forest, yeah that's a good plan. Watch a nature documentary on rare butterflies instead.

If you just LOVE William Hurt look for Blue Butterfly in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313300/

OiVey

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Moive Review Aurora Borealis


Grandson Duncan, Joshua Jackson, falls for his grandparent's caregiver and learns to sort through his own demons. Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher charm as the grandparents. Granddad starts to show the signs of Alzheimer's and claims to see the Aurora Borealis from his condo balcony.

I hope you like this film as much as we did. Look in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387037/

OiVey

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Movie Review Blondie


Penny Singleton delights in the lead of these 1940s black and white shorts. Some of the stories are dated and very campy, but charming for pre-sitcom film era. My husband Murry loved the acting chops of the dog Daily. ;)

Check out two DVDs with five episodes each from Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029927/

OiVey

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Movie Review Blue Collar Comedy Tour


I'm reviewing all three DVDs available in the system as they're the same. Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Ron White and Larry The Cable Guy spend a couple hours talking about their red white and blue neck ways. If you like any of them, it's likely you'll like all these guys. They pander a little to their market with a little jab here and there at "liberals," but it doesn't last long. A good belly laugh funny grouping.

Get them one at a time from Bandon and Dora. I see Ron White also has a book out, that's in Coquille.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0330069/
IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423871/
IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0807745/

Buy it on Amazon
Blue Collar Comedy Tour 3-Pack
.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Movie Review The Aviator


I don't understand the brouhaha over this film. Oscar nominations not withstanding. I thought Cate Blanchett was doing a caricature of Katharine Hepburn. Leonardo DiCaprio portrayal of Howard Hughes had moments when he shined a little. Mostly I wasn't sure if they were making fun or trying to tell a true story.

I almost put this in with the short review of dogs post. But I just had too much to say. Find the Aviator in Bandon, Coos Bay, Dora, Lakeside and North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338751/

OiVey

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Collection of Very Short Reviews

This list gives the movie title, my quicky review and the library to check them out from. Click on the title for the Internet Movie Database overview.

Alexander
-Long boring and uninspiring. Bandon.
Attila - Better than Alexander by a little. Coquille.
Being Julia - Forgettable. Coos Bay, Bandon and Powers.
Bionicle - Pointless excuse to market toys to your kids. Coquille.
Marie Antoinette - What would a queen have on her IPOD? Probably not this stinker. Bandon and North Bend.
Bill Maher, New Rules - Love Bill, hate this. Pointless excerpts from his show called Real Time. Bandon.

Ok, that's my list of things I've seen that didn't deserve a full review. If you feel different, please comment.

OiVey

Friday, November 16, 2007

Movie Review Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City


This miniseries tells the story of a group of people living in the same apartment building in San Fransisco in the early 1970s. Originating from Maupin's newspaper column, it tells the story of naive Mary Ann Singleton played well by Laura Linney. Olympia Dukakis charms as the pot smoking landlady.

Truly a study in multi-culturalism where alternative lifestyles and differing cultures bump along the road of life. It would bore teens, so gather your grown up friends and look for this series in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106148/

OiVey

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Movie Review Bad Santa


I so was prepared to hate this film and do not misunderstand.... THIS IS NOT FOR KIDS! That being said, I laughed. It's a weirdly charming, deeply disturbing take of a really messed up Santa dressing thief.

Lauren Graham has a foul mouth and Billy Bob Thornton knows how to act demented. Cloris Leachman shocks as grandma of the boy Bad Santa befriends.

Adults only check this film out from Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307987/

oIvEY

Movie Review Autism Is a World


This film helps broaden my mind and is part of the reason I love the library so much. The true story of Sue Rubin, a California college student with autism, impresses upon us with normal brain function how frustrating it must be to live insider her head. Julianna Margulies narrates as if she's speaking for Sue. I hope you will find her story as compelling as I have.

Check out this documentary in Lakeside, Coos Bay, North Bend and Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443434/

OiVey

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

List of Gems

I'm having a rough day so I thought I'd do a recap and "about this blog" post. I love the Coos County Library System and we watch on average seven to 10 movies a week. I pick from the shelves of outlying libraries because the website does not allow holds in Coos Bay or North Bend. Sometimes my hubby Murry picks something up directly off the shelf, but mostly I use the internet.

I'm still in the B's as I check out the DVD collection one at a time. When I review a film not in the A's or B's it's because I like to vary my ratings or someone suggests something I will really like. Once in a great while, I'll just look up a film I know I like. That happened with Muriel's Wedding and Blast From the Past. I own copies of those films as I like them very much.

Feel free to comment on anything.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Movie Review The Big White


To help his crazy wife Robin Williams tries to collect his brother's life insurance. He finds a body in his Alaska dumpster and passes it off as his brother. The guys who dump the body want it back and they track him down and kidnap his wife. Holly Hunter charms as the Mrs. who claims turrets syndrome. THEN ole bro, Woody Harrelson, shows up and ask for his cut. Convoluted, very much, and still funny.

Ask for The Big White in Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402850/

OiVey

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Movie Review The Battle of the Sexes


This 1959 Peter Sellers film explores the interaction between men and women in a rather sexist manner. I realize it's an old film, but very typical in its portrayal of women in charge as harpy tyrants who push men around. Sellers is a shy retiring accountant who's employer brings on a female business expert. Hy jinx ensues.

Have a look in Bandon for this DVD.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052607/

OiVey

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Movie Review Being There


Chance likes to watch....TV.... Some consider this bizarre film a classic and I've heard it helped Shirley MacLaine restart her waning career. Peter Sellers leads as a confused man who grew up in a wealthy household tending to the garden. His patron dies leaving him with nothing and nowhere to go. He wanders the streets until hit by uber rich Mrs. Benjamin Rand. She takes him in and introduces Chance to her sickly husband.

Everyone mistakes Chance's name as Chauncy Gardner and start viewing his horticultural tips as profound musings. I still don't know how I feel about this movie. On one hand, it's superbly acted. On the other, the plot leaves me baffled. Bits are laugh out loud, but most of it is subtle.

Check it out on DVD in Bandon, North Bend and Dora. VHS copies are in North Bend, Coquille and lakeside.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078841/

OiVey

Friday, November 9, 2007

Movie Review Benny and Joon


Very charming early Johnny Depp movie with outstanding performances by Mary Stuart Masterson and Aidan Quinn. Oh I didn't realize that was Julianne Moore until I read it just now.

Benny tries his best to take care of his mentally ill sister. The pair inhabit a small town where Benny plays poker with white elephant odds and ends. One evening Joon sits in on a game and believes she has a great hand, but loses and has to take home one of players unwanted house guest. Depp's character Sam seems to have some mental issues of his own but he and Joon charm each other and us.

Check out my mate Murry's favorite film on DVD in Bandon and Coos Bay and on VHS in Lakeside, North Bend and Coquille.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106387/

OiVey

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Movie Review Birth


Yuck. This creepy Nicole Kidman film tells the story of a boy who claims to be a woman's dead husband. It so totally borders on kiddie porn that I found myself gagging at one point. Certainly, nothing is shown, but keep this away from children.

I guess the star rated a few copies, but it's such a poor film I don't understand. Find it in Coos Bay, Bandon and Lakeside.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337876/

OiVey

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Movie Review An American Rhapsody


Scarlett Johansson stars as a rebellious teen who joins her family after years growing up in Hungary. They left her behind as an infant when communist took over. Her parents petitioned to bring her to the states and finally got her back. Living in a strange land was too much for the girl and she decides to return to her caretakers in Hungary.

I know this is a true story, but I didn't really care about the family or their plight. Some consider this Johansson's break our role, but I don't consider broody teenager when you're 17 that big a stretch.

Coquille and Lakeside branches have copies of this film. Place a hold or go down in person and pick it up.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0221799/

OiVey

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Movie Review The Black Brigade


A rag tag group of soldiers whose usual duty involves digging latrines, find themselves on the front lines trying to prevent the destruction of a strategic dam. The production value leaves a lot to be desired, but the acting and plot are superb. Look for Richard Pryor and Roosevelt Grier.

Check it out. from Bandon. This film has the title of Carter's Army in IMDB and it can also be found in a collection of war movies in Coos Bay called War Classics.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064135/

OiVey

Monday, November 5, 2007

Movie Review Blast from the Past


Brendan Fraser and Alicia Silverstone will simply charm your paints off in this geeky comedy about a family who spend 35 years in a fallout shelter. You just cant beat Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek as the quirky parents of Adam who is born just after the parents mistake a plane crash for the end of the world. He meets Eve in a sports memorabilia shop and instantly falls in love.

Please rush to the library and pick up this great laugh fest. Find the DVD in Dora and VHS copies in Coquille, Dora and Powers.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124298/

Buy it on Amazon
Blast From the Past

Download it from Amazon
Blast From The Past

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Moive Review Amiercian Girl


This screwed up tale of a needy young girl wasted my time. Abandoned by a father in prison, a cold mother and siblings who mistreat her, our American girl keeps trying to kill herself. Someone called this a black comedy, I don't recall anything approaching funny.

Lakeside has a copy of this dog.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329297/

OiVey

Movie Review Antitrust


This film comes off a little like an Outer Limits episode and I like some of those so I liked this one too. A young programmer finds himself lured to a major software company where mysterious goings on lead him to discovering company secrets. Lots of fun digs at Bill Gates and Microsoft.

I'm pro Antitrust. You can be too. Look in Myrtle Point and Bandon for the DVD.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218817/

OIVey

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Movie Review Big Fish


Tim Burton can be a rather dreary director and while this is not a film of complete sweetness and light, it has loads of charm. A giant of a man tells his son years of tall tales. The boy doesn't find out until his father's funeral a majority of his stories turn out to be true. Go frolic in this weird world for a couple hours. It's well worth your time.

Catch Big Fish in Myrtle Point, Coos Bay and Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319061/

OiVey

Friday, November 2, 2007

Movie Review Premonition


Sandra Bullock tries valiantly to save her husband when she has visions of his death. It's a very random convoluted film that has nice elements, but just ends up being confusing and messy.

Check it out in Dora, Bandon, Myrtle Point and Coos Bay.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477071/

OiVey