Movie Revew: Bells On Their Toes

Bells On Their Toes

This 1952 sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen stands on it's own so feel free to check it out. A female engineer and mother of 12 tries to get a job after her husband passes away only to find no men will hire her. Myrna Loy charms at the matriarch of the huge family. I so want to see the previous film, but apparently the library copy was lost.

Check this DVD out from Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044410/

OiVey

Documentary Review: Breaking Ranks

Breaking Ranks

This film explores the cause of four soldiers who fled to Canada rather than fight in the war in Iraq. I mentioned that I was watching it to some online friends and their reaction is they're traitors. I wouldn't call them that, but I do find major flaws in fleeing the country once you're already enlisted. These guys ought to stop sobbing about the choices that led them to the military in the first place. Seems to me you join up, you take what you're ordered to do. If you're like me, and don't take orders well, the military is not the place for you.

Worth a watch for the different points of views expressed. Head to Bandon to check out this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0867140/

The IMDB record for this film is very sparse.

OiVey

Movie Review: Brewsters Millions

Brewster's Millions

This little Richard Pryor film reminds me of brain candy. No substance but tasty. The silliness makes it a good lazy day watcher. Brewster is a down and out baseball player will inherit 300 million if he can spend $30 million in 30 days.

Spend a couple of hours of your time and check out this oldie but goody movie from Coos Bay.

I'MDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088850/

OiVey

Book Review: The random walk guide to investing : ten rules for financial success

The random walk guide to investing:
ten rules for financial success
by Burton G. Malkiel

This fast read, it took me only a day to scan through it, gives practical advice for sorting out your financial life. I got it to look at the asset allocation models, but I found those way too conservative for my taste. It's a good book for beginner as it talks about index investing, living below what you earn and diversification. I read a much shorter article by Andrew Tobias that told me the same thing.

Pick thos book up in North Bend

OiVey

Movie Review Breakfast on Pluto

Breakfast on Pluto

A mixed up abandoned Irish lad goes on a search for his mother in London. He finds himself deeply in touch with his feminine side and dresses as a woman. In his search for love he finds his true self. This touching film meanders and mixes in elements that seem disjointed and weird. Worth your time, just not quite up to gem or good status.

Do watch the bonus features. It gives some insight into the the absurdity of the script. Bandon Library has the DVD.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411195/

OiVey

British Television Series Review: Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf

We love science fiction so of course we adore this late 80s and 90s British series. Odd couple Dave Lister, Craig Charles, and Arnold Rimmer, Chris Barrie, spend their time flying around the universe aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf. Sentenced to 6-months suspended animation for bringing a cat on board, Lister wakes up 3 million years later as the only remaining human alive. The ships computer Holly creates a Rimmer hologram to keep Lister sane. Yes, it is that complicated and twice as funny. Be sure to view the bonus features and check out all the making of and model behind the scenes.

Disk 4 has major issues and may not be available, but all other 7 were fine. The DVDs are in North Bend and Coos Bay has many VHS series, alas not 4.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094535/

Buy it on Amazon
Red Dwarf Complete Collection (18DVD)

Lame List

Ok, I know that I use the term Dog for bad movies, but these were just lame enough that I decided to use that term instead. I'll go back to dogs later. ;)

The Break-Up

Jennifer Aniston is very pretty and you get to see her naked backside in this. Some would say that's worth it, but I'm not into ladies so she doesn't do it for me. I could care less about this couple and their break up. They're annoying and sad. Vince Vaughn acts about as well as a wooden stick.

Library: Bandon and Dora

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452594/

The Boys of Sunset Ridge

I love Pat Morita. I wish his charm and talent would have made something of this film. Alas, I don't think anyone could save us from the lame and boring plot, acting and storyline. Four friends live and love throughout the years golfing. YAWN.

Library:Dora

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0292459/

Breaking Away

Dennis Quaid looked pretty good as a young man, again, not a reason to watch this boring film. I get the conflict between the "cutters" and the college kids, I just don't understand why the cutter kids can't keep their act together enough to keep a job. The kid obsessed with Italy held my interest a LITTLE bit.

Library:Bandon

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078902/

Breakaway
Christmas Rush

This kind of reminded me of the first Die Hard film. Dean Cain plays a cop trying to prevent a theft at a mall that just closed for Christmas. All the lame shootemup action is a big yawn. IMDB calls it Christmas Rush.

Library:Bandon

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315398/

Bedazzled

Brendan Fraser can act, just not in this film. The devil, Elizabeth Hurley, tries to trick an annoying young man into selling his soul. There is a sweet scene in jail where a fellow inmate tells the man his soul can't be sold. One little moment in two hours. LAME!

Library: Bandon (Myrtle Point's copy seems to be missing)

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230030/

Enough for today, OiVey

About This Blog & Holiday Wishes.

For those of you out there looking for long detailed reviews of film, please click on the Internet Movie Database link to the left. I include them with every short review I do. I also try and highlight outstanding performances when I see them.

My reviews are simply a taste to consider a film you might otherwise miss. There are so many gems lurking on the dusty library shelf. As I've posted before, this blog celebrates the Coos County Library System. Certainly you can rent from any retailer, and if you are not in Coos County, I encourage you to have a look within your own library system.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday in whatever form you choose to celebrate. I'm spending my Christmas watching videos. I'm not going to post until the 26th of December.

OiVey

Movie Review Between Heaven and Hell

Between Heaven and Hell

A class conscious bigoted WW II soldier loses his best buddies from friendly fire and hits the commander who causes their death. He's bucked down to private and sent to a unit with a dictatorial commander who abuses his soldiers. Robert Wagner does some of his best work as the rich plantation owner turned soldier. He befriends poor Buddy Ebsen and changes his outlook on life.

I like to see people change with a little life education. Pick up this interesting film from the Coquille library branch.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049004/

OiVey

Movie Review Boys on the Side

Boys on the Side

Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker and Drew Barrymore take a road trip across the country and end up in Arizona. Drew's dippy character manages to do in her no account boyfriend and the girls run off hoping no one will find them. The joy and sorrow that this film portrays provides an emotional roller coaster ride. It's sweet and sad and explores how people become friends. Well worth a couple hours of your time.

Check out North Bend, Coos Bay and Myrtle Point for the DVD and Bandon and ESO for the VHS.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112571/

OiVey

Movie Review Boiler Room

Boiler Room

I find it tough to watch a film like this because I think of all the people getting ripped off by guys like these jerks. Though the story and acting do draw you in to the world of a young man trying to please his father. I'm left wondering why he has so much trouble in school yet he can do so well learning to become a stock broker. The homage to the film Wall Street was a nice touch.

Bandon and Coquille have copies of Boiler Room. Look for Wall Street in Myrtle Point and Coos Bay.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181984/

OiVey

Movie Review Borat

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

OH MY GOD. I cannot begin to tell you the depth of my distaste for the latter half of this film. This mockumentary portrays a Kazakhstani man coming to America. It seemed weird and I laughed here and there at the mocking of various subcultures, but I started to get a little weirded out by the poop and anti semitic jokes. I dd not need to see naked pictures of Borat's "son." THEN things got TOOOOOOO bizarre. Borat and his producer start fighting in the nude. I sooo need brain washing to get those images out.

NOT FOR CHILDREN, Myrtle Point has a copy of this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443453/

OiVey

Movie Review Two Spaghetti Westerns One DVD

This DVD contains two what are called "spaghetti westerns." During the 1960s the western genre was out of favor with Hollywood so many of the actors found themselves out of work. Italy took up the slack.

Done in English, these have the flavor of a very badly dubbed film. Seasoned actor Lee Van Cleef stars in both.The fillm quality is low, but the plots are moderately ok. Murry thought they were interesting examples of the Italian made films. You decide.

The titles on IMDB are in Italian, but I used the library titles.

Beyond the Law

A thief takes a job as sheriff, makes a plot to rob a shipment of silver. This is a typical bad man with a heart of gold (silver?) story. Lots of "shoot em up' action.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062645/

Death Rides a Horse

A man just out of prison tracks down the ex partner who betrayed him. The lone survivor of the family murdered by the ex partner teams up with Lee Van Cleef for revenge.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064208/

Coos Bay, Myrtle Point and Bandon libraries all have copies of this DVD collection.

OiVey

Movie Review The Barchester Chronicles

The Barchester Chronicles

Normally, I really love this kinda Masterpiece Theater Brit drama stuff. I just couldn't get into this mini-series of a british wodower vicar and his daughter. It strikes me as odd that Alan Rickman does not appear on the main cast list for this film, considering they put his face on the box. I guess they're trying to get us to watch one of his first acting jobs. I believed the characters, therefor the actors did a good job. I just didn't get into the slow boring story.

Check out the Bandon Library branch for this mini.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086667/

OiVey

Movie Review Baby Doll

Baby Doll

Tennessee Williams writes the most interesting gritty characters and this is no exception. A weasel of a man marries a young woman before she turns 18 in the hopes of building his business to keep her in the style to which she would like to become accustomed. He promises not to touch her until her 18th birthday. Karl Malden plays the husband and Carroll Baker plays the Mrs he calls baby doll.

I decided just now to give this a higher rating because of the writing and acting. However, the topic of useless couple in a battle with a neighbor isn't that interesting to me.

Look for it in Myrtle Point and Bandon.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048973/

OiVey

Movie Review The Razor's Edge

The Razor's Edge

I like to stick to DVD reviews, but since this is one of my favs I'll make an exception. I can't say I'm a Bill Murray fan. He has this quality that seems like he's "acting" all the time. This is one rare example where I believed him as the character he plays.

A pair of wealthy friends go off to deliver an ambulance to help WWI injured soldiers. The experience changes then and upon return Murray's character finds himself restless. He decides to travel and try and make sense of his malaise. He ends up in India seeking enlightenment. After those experiences, he moves to Paris and runs into his wealthy friends again.

Outstanding performances by Theresa Russell and Catherine Hicks. They managed to twist my heart into knots with their acting.

Please dig out your VCR for this fine film. VHS only copies at Coquille and North Bend. I couldn't get into it but the novel by W. Somerset Maugham is in Bandon and North Bend. There's also an Audio book.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087980/

Buy the DVD from Amazon
The Razor's Edge

Buy the BOOK from Amazon
The Razor's Edge

Movie Review The Andromeda Strain

The Andromeda Strain

A military space capsule accidentally brings back an alien virus that devastates a small New Mexico town. A group of scientists research how to stop it before it devastates the human race.

This 1971 Michael Crichton and Nelson Gidding work still holds my interest. I especially like the science gal with her irreverent attitude and imperfections.

Bandon seems to be a good place to look for a film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066769/

OiVey

Documentary Review Bingo!

Bingo, the Documentary

What's wild about going to Bingo is how so many people think it's something different from going to a casino to play slots or black jack. I find it sad to watch these folks and their rituals, chasing a "dream." The life lessons make it worth a watch. They don't shove it down your throat either.

Library: Bandon

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243787/

OIVey

Soso List

This group of films have been on my list for about two months and like the Dog List, didn't' quite deserve a whole review of their own.

Bad Girls - Lady focussed western with some good people, but the story falls flat. Madeleine Stowe, Mary Stuart Masterson, Andie MacDowell and Drew Barrymore all do a enough of a job to bring it up past Dog status. Library: Coquille, Dora, Myrtle Point and North Bend. (there is a British girls in prison tv series by the same name. I hear it's good but haven't seen it)

Ask the Dust - An ambitious Italian-American writer moves to a Los Angeles flop hotel and begins to write stories of his experiences. A nice "behind the scenes hah" shot of Colin Farrell and lots of sexy images of Salma Hayek can't quite save the erratic plot. Library: Bandon

Barefoot Contessa - I feel it's a tad wrong to place this down in my rating. After all, it's Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. I just don't get why we should care about this woman. It seemed so much like Cindarella becomes a whore. Harsh, I know, but there it is. Library: Bandon and North Bend (VHS & DVD)

Autumn in New York - Downer RomCom about womanizer Richard Gere and free-spirit Winona Ryder. I just didn't believe this creep of a guy could "change." Library: Bandon

Bowery at Midnight - It's neat to see Bela Lugosi in something besides vampire thrillers, but the plot, bad acting and dreary looks just detract from really enjoying him. You thought CSI was gory and violent! Library: Bandon

OiVey

Documentary Review Boys of Baraka

The Boys of Baraka

This film follows the lives of several middle school African-American at-risk boys on their journey from Baltimore to a Kenya Africa school. With a 75% drop out rate in this large American city, it's hoped that the boys will gain a new perspective from the far away education. Sadly, in the middle of the 2-year program, fighting in Kenya shuts down the school. The boys struggle with their lives back home in America.

Definitely an emotional ride as a film. Check out the Bill Cosby comments on the Special Features. It make me think seriously of teaching in an inner city school.

Bandon and Coos Bay have copies of this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444608/

OiVey

Documentary Review Blue Vinyl

Blue Vinyl

I had to return this film before I could watch it so I had to hold it twice, I'm SO glad I went to the extra effort. I like the ironic style of the search for answers to PVC production. I like the concept of being aware of the products you buy's life cycle and how it may contribute to pollution. I also like that she tries to have a sense of humor about it all.

For the thinking consumer, check out this fine film in Bandon

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303307/

Buy it on Amazon
Blue Vinyl: The World's First Toxic Comedy

Movie Review Box of Moon Light

Box of Moon Light

My husband Murry liked this film, but I did not. I don't care why people are fuddy duddy Mr. Smartypants who try to go back to their childhood fantasies. Yawn. Weird people, living weird lives gave me nothing to cheer for. I like the guy who plays the "kid." (Sam Rockwell) and John Turturro well enough. I just couldn't get into the story.

Head to Bandon for this DVD.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115738/

OiVey

TV Series Review Firefly & Serenity

Firefly

This 2002 series by "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" series creator Joss Whedon did not entertain me when I tried to watch it during original airings. It makes a whole lot more sense watching it from the beginning from the DVD collection. It's space opera and needs watching in order to keep track of plot twists and turns.

Library: Coos Bay, North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/

Buy this TV series on Amazon
Firefly - The Complete Series

Download by episode from Amazon
Firefly

Serenity

This original movie has the style and charm of the series and would just confuse anyone watching it without knowing what's going on. That is why I put them together. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Library:Coos Bay, Coquille and Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/

Buy the DVD of the movie from Amazon
Serenity (Collector's Edition)

Sorry, the movie appears not to be on the Amazon Download

Movie Review The Astronaught Farmer

The Astronaut Farmer

No way would the federal government allow this man to get close to launching a rocket. They did a poor job of suspending my disbelief on that account. Other than that, the story is alright and Billy Bob Thornton and Virginia Madsen played believable characters.

Coos Bay, Dora and Myrtle Point have copies of this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469263/

OiVey

Blockbuster Group

Superman Returns

This film picked up after the second Superman movie from the late 70s early 80s era. The man of steel returns to save the world from Lex Luthor once again. While the story did drag a bit , I enjoyed newcomer Brandon Routh.

Library: Bandon, Coos Bay, Dora and Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/

Batman Begins

Hello comic book summer film. I like the idea of a dark and broody hero and I enjoyed seeing the backstory of how he developed into the dark knight.

Library: Bandon, Coos Bay, Dora and North Bend.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/

Mission Impossible III

I think Tom Cruise is so full of himself that sometimes it's distracting in a film. HOWEVER, the director,J.J. Abrams , musta kept a tight leash and helped him to a very believable performance. Best of the three films.

Library: Bandon, Coos Bay, Dora and Myrtle Point.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317919/

Firewall

Sometimes Harrison Ford picks good scrips, sometimes not. Avoid Frantic but do see this one. A thief takes a bank security expert's family hostage in order to get him to help them steal millions. Watch as he turns the tables and kick ass.

Library: Bandon, Coos Bay, Dora, Lakeside and Myrtle Point

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408345/

OiVey

Movie Review The Big Country

The Big Country

Gregory Peck swoon. This story tells of a sincere man who knows when to fight and when to let it go. He finds himself caught between his bride-to-be's family and another ranch over water rights. He tries to intervene and bring some calm, but long standing grudges win out.

I hope you like this 1958 classic as much as I did. The DVD is in Bandon, and VHS copies are in Coos bay and Lakeside

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051411/

OiVey

POST 100!

I'm so pleased to have so many posts. I set out to write reviews based on the Coos County Library DVD collection and to date I have over 100 reviews. I'm impressed with the number of delightful films I would never have found just going on recommendations from others.

I had a Bockbuster unlimited card when we lived in Medford, Oregon, but it didn't even occur to me to just go through a list selecting every film that held a little adult interest. By that I mean, I will watch a "child" DVD like say Cars or Yu Gi Oh, but not Blues Clues or the like.

I just found out today what ESO means. They provide services to people who cannot physically come into the library. It Stands for Extended Services Office. So some movies listed under that label may not be available to check out.

Please visit http://www.cooslibraries.org/screens/libs/eso/outreach.html to find out about ESO services with Coos County Libraries.

Happy 100 post day!

OiVey

Movie Review Mystery Men

Mystery Men

We own this film and watch it all the time. William H. Macy just plays his role completely to the hilt if shovels had a hilt heh. This rag tag crew of wanna be super heroes led by Ben Stiller tries to save the world. Also look for outstanding performances by Hank Azaria and Paul Reubens. Janeane Garofalo has one of the best lines of the films when she urges invisible boy to put on some clothes.

Coos Bay has the only copy of this gem.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132347/

Buy the DVD from Amazon
Mystery Men

Movie Review Bite the Bullet

Bite the Bullet

Lots of great actors do not a good film make. Though I will give Gene Hackman credit, I believed him in his role. Candice Bergen phoned it in and James Coburn turned in his typical performance. Nothin wrong with predictability now and then, it's just.. I don't get why we should care about these people.

Got yerself some hankerin for some western grub? Look in Dora for a VHS copy and North Bend and Bandon for DVD.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072705/

OiVey

Movie Review Being John Malkovich

Being John Malkovich

To call this film weird does not begin to impress upon your mind the depth of strangeness portrayed. John Cusack leads as a puppeteer who takes a day job working for a strange little corporation on half a floor. Everyone has to stoop in the office. It's just bizarre.

I didn't recognize Cameron Diaz until I saw her name in the credits. The marvelous cast and strange story would make this film a gem, but I didn't like the dark and grubby set design and a few creepy sex scenes.

It's a shame North Bend has the only copy of this film.

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120601/

OiVey