Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Soso Rom Coms


I cannot even begin to imagine that a tool like Seth Rogen could wash the CAR of Katherine Heigl. I don't care how much alcohol she pours down her throat, no way no how she'd give him the time of day. Biology keeps us within a couple degrees of hotness when picking our mate.

Then they try and work it out after they're pregnant? In what universe? The premise lost me but a few scenes charm with their sex humor. Rogen and his friends act like children but nothing about this film is suitable for kids.

I also laughed when raging hormones makes her toss him out of the car. He's forced to walk to the doctor's office. To his credit, he shows up still.

Many people loved this film. These are my opinions, you may think something different.

Library: Myrtle Point & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478311/

Amazon: Knocked Up (Widescreen Edition)


A confused young man explores his sexuality and figures out he's gay. There are so many better flicks that explore the coming of age scene, pick one of them. I'd start with A Beautiful Thing.

I'm kind of not keen on how the kid once he starts figuring out his orientation, he keeps leading the girl on. That's not cool to the girl.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138414/

Amazon: Edge of Seventeen


Slacker Dane Cook vies for model worker status in the hopes of winning the affections of hot new employee Jessica Simpson. His rival played by Dax Shepard normally wins the title moniker.

It's a nice sense of camaraderie between the slacker and his work buddies, until he messes that up over the girl. Very much cartoon acting. Especially with someone like Andy Dick in the cast.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424993/

Amazon: Employee of the Month

Monday, September 28, 2009

Good Review: Failure to Launch


Parents Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw can't get Matthew McConaughey out of the house so they enlist fake girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker to give him an incentive. The trouble is, she really falls for the goofy guy, and he still maintains his commitment issues.

I might have rated this higher, but the whole subplot about nature hating McConaughey's character turned me off. I didn't like the campy way animals kept biting him. Everything else made me laugh and feel for these parents and the childish guy friends.

Zooey Deschanel charms as Parker's quirky roommate. I just can't say how much I love Bates and she just proves how much she deserved Oscar notice. Watch out for Terry Bradshaw's naked behind though. This film isn't for kiddies. It's funny as hell and part of the plot, but I probably could have done without seeing naked old man butt.

Look in Bandon, Dora, Myrtle Point and North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Failure to Launch (Special Collector's Edition)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Kiddie Dogs


Definitely for kiddies, I hated this so much. Too much flash and fast speak to understand the words. Maybe little kids would like it but I don't know. A 10-year-old boy with working parents makes wishes and gets fairy godparents who take care of him. I got bored and switched it off after that.

Library: Coquille

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363600/

Amazon: The Fairly OddParents: Abra-catastrophe! The Movie


More like the extreme adventures of stupid Dave. Where Jim Varney's Ernest P. Worrell character charms with his ridiculous antics Super Dave Osborne bores me to tears.

I don't like how he crashes through everything and doesn't seem to suffer any consequences. One moment of almost funny when blind Ray Charles drives a bus through the streets of Las Vegas, but nothing can make up for all the terrible acting and dumb plot. Use your judgement, but I wouldn't let my kids or grandkids watch this.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144096/

Amazon: The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave

Watch List


In the world of horse racing one false move or one injury puts you out of the game. Second chances are rare. Ben Crane played by Kurt Russell doesn't believe in second chances anymore. Luckily for racehorse Dreamer, his daughter Cale, Dakota Fanning, still has hope.

Cale begs her father to let her keep the broken down horse to sire her to another champion, but they soon find she cannot reproduce. While exercising, the horse gets spooked and takes off running and Ben notices the injuries that put her to pasture have healed.

The family plots to get her entered into a high stakes race. Sometimes a little hope goes a long way.

I can't help but think there are much better horse films with much better plots, but this nice piece of family fluff is a sweet way to spend a couple hours.

Library: Dora, Lakeside, North Bend & Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418647/

Amazon: Dreamer - Inspired By a True Story (Widescreen Edition)


A talented, yet undisciplined young man goes to college on a band scholarship. When he gets there, he's convinced he's the greatest drummer in the universe and the band leader has to take him down a couple of pegs.

We've seen this plot played out in many films and it's nice to see music and choreography that isn't "like everything else." Pick it up from this fine library.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303933/

Amazon: Drumline (Special Edition)


Dog sled expert, Jerry Shepard, has better relationships with his canine friends than he does with people. He fails to see that his lady friend still loves him and he sometimes treats other men like misbehaving dogs. He fails to understand social interaction on a human level.

After helping a scientist out onto the snowy tundra, a huge storm forces him to leave his dogs behind for far longer than expected. When he finally does return, he expects to find them all dead. We see several break free from their chains and forage the frozen wasteland for food.

The dogs are cute and the story progresses nicely. Well worth a watch for dog lovers.

Library: Bandon, Myrtle Point & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397313/

Amazon:Eight Below (Full Screen Edition)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009


Cute little tale of a dog and kitty going on an adventure away from home. It's alright but I got bored. Might entertain a toddler for a couple of hours. Masanori Hata wrote and directed the film in Japanese, but they hired Dudley Moore to narrate the English version.

Library: VHS; Bandon & Coos Bay. DVD; Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point, North Bend & Powers

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097050/

Amazon: The Adventures of Milo and Otis


This film tried real hard to be a kiddy science fiction flick, but came off too adult and too childish at the same time. They talked about dreams and the future and the past as if we're supposed to totally follow all the illogical logic.

While playing on the beach, two children find some rocks that spin and float. They hide them from their parents and take them back home. After some time passes and the rocks give the children mysterious powers and they build a weird device that blacks out half of Seattle.

Big bad government man, Michael Clarke Duncan, imprisons the kids for causing the black out but they escape and contact the boy's teacher, Rainn Wilson, to help them get back to the beach. Somehow the strange device opens a hole in time and nearly sucks the little girl into the future. Yeah, I'm confused and I saw it already.

Library: Dora, Myrtle Point & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0768212/

Monday, September 21, 2009

Good Review: Escape to Witch Mountain


I dig this Disney classic for its weird alien kiddie plot. Tia and Tony exhibit telekinetic and other mental special powers as they traverse the countryside trying to make their way to get picked up by their space faring relatives.

They're being chased by a millionaire who noticed their powers and wants to use them for no good. Eddie Albert reluctantly helps them find their way to the mountain.

Yep, it's silly and campy and far fetched but for all these reasons I enjoyed it totally. Safe for the whole family. Bring back a memory from your own past and show your kids this cute little film DVD and VHS copies in Coos Bay and Myrtle Point. Never seen it yourself? All the more reason to pick it up.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072951/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Escape to Witch Mountain Special Edition

Friday, September 18, 2009

Lakeside Gem List

Just these four DVDs from Lakeside at the moment. I'll update the lists as I view more gems.

Aeon Flux Charlize Theron stars in this weird mix between the Matrix and the Sixth Day. It surpassed both in story quality, acting and look.

American Splendor Odd character, Harvey Pekar, bumbles along in his real life and creates a popular comic book.

The Bucket List Dying old men explore the world together.

Dreamgirls Fictionalized account of the rise of a girl group from Motown.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

A couple Soso cult classics.

These two films hold cult standing among many folks. I prefer my science fiction with a more believable and purposeful plot. You may feel differently, please feel free to leave a comment.


Meet former war hero Snake Plissken, now a super bad tattooed criminal send in to the prison that is New York to rescue the world's greatest leader. Gangs of thugs run the streets and Plissken, Kurt Russell, has to find the president and get him out fast.

To motivate him to get the job done officials promise a pardon and embed him with an explosive device set to explode in 24 hours. I'm pretty sure no one wants to live in writer/director John Carpenter's scary future.

Library: DVD; Myrtle Point. VHS; Coos Bay & Lakeside.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/

Amazon: Escape from New York


This time the United States government sends Snake Plissken in to dismantle a doomsday device inside the bowels of the undesirable island of Los Angeles. I found it a little more entertaining than the first, mostly because I don't think Kurt Russel took his character too seriously the second time around. All the ridiculous plot elements just seemed to amuse him more.

Even so, it's virtually the same film with a different location. Unlike other soso films, I don't regret seeing these, I just don't think they're worth watching more than once.

Library: Bandon & Myrtle Point.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116225/

Amazon: Escape from L.A.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Watchable Review: Duck


Some might not appreciate this quirky modern morality tale. Philip Baker Hall stars as a displaced widower in his 70s living in a future where there are no more community parks. The government took away all kinds of services, like social security and medicare.

Our "hero" befriends a duck and raises it as his pet until the city of Los Angles drains its pond. The pair set out on a trip to try and move to near the ocean. It's a near future tale exploiting every liberal fear imaginable.

Well acted and unexpected. Have a look for this strange flick form Bandon or North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386421/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Duck

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Dog Review: Escape Velocity


Science fiction tends to get my attention, but sadly this lacked any redeeming value whatsoever. A notorious intergalactic prisoner escapes and ends up on a shp run by a pair of married scientists who have a rebellious teenage daughter with them.

They don't realize he's an escaped prisoner until he tries to take their ship. First he starts out by trying to manipulate the daughter, but when she wont hurt her mother for him, he gets angry and tries to attack her.

He manages to lock the family into a compartment, but the mom uses some military training to fight him off. Apparently his buddies were asleep on his ship and he wakes them up and try and help the bad guy leader kill the family.

We don't really understand who any of these people really are and what motivated them. We're given no set up for why the mom has all this magical training or why she's not getting along with her daughter.

Myrtle Point has the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0176700/

Find additional information on Amazon: Escape Velocity

Monday, September 14, 2009

Good Review: Equilibrium


This film kind of combines elements from 1984, The Matrix and even a little Fahrenheit 451 thrown in for good measure. Christian Bale stars as a kind of censorship cop who breaks up gangs of people who read and refuse to take their "stay calm meds" He trains to fight the bad guys and once he stop taking his own dose, he goes after the big brother style leader who tells everyone what to think.

Even though the concepts are old, they executed this film in ways that entertain throughout. It took turns I didn't expect. Sure it's on the low end of what I call good, but I enjoyed it. So would a teen I think.

Bandon has the only copy of this interesting DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/

Buy this film on DVD from Amazon: Equilibrium

Friday, September 11, 2009

Dora Library Gem List

Enjoy these delights from Dora.

3:10 to Yuma Old west sheriff tries to take a bad guy to the train. Very well acted.

Blast from the Past Sweet romantic comedy where naive sheltered (literally) man meets world wise girl and they learn about each others world.

Blue Collar Comedy Tour I don't care where yall be from these guys is FUNNY. (Bad English intentional. )

Broken Trail Nice un-western western with Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church.

The Bucket List Dying old men explore the world together.

Definitely, Maybe Sweet romantic comedy.

Dreamgirls Fictionalized account of the rise of a girl group from Motown.

Duma Delightful family friendly story of a boy and his pet cheetah.

Elizabethtown Quirky family drama that totally turned me around the last half.

Eragon Family friendly fantasy.

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life George Baily finds out he's worthwhile after all. Holiday Classic.

Juno Pregnant teen sorts out her quirky life.

The Last Starfighter I'll admit this is a guilty pleasure, but if you like science fiction without too much worry over wiz bang special effects, this sweet family friendly story will charm your rockets off.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Cute teen girl flick about a pair of magical pants that fits all four girls.

Spanglish Though Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni get top billing the story is truly stars Paz Vega.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Random Unrelated Dogs


They just jump right into this film without sharing with us the back story about these guys. We aren't taught to see them as interesting people so we don't know to cheer or boo at their misfortunes.

Dean Cain never was much of an actor, same with Andy Dick or Luke Wilson. I know Drew Barrymore has the ability to do a good job, but this script left her with nothing to do. Take a pass on this puppy.

Library: DVD; Coos Bay & Powers. VHS; Lakeside.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118702/

Amazon: Best Men


Oh, just pass by this film featuring a bunch of dirty cops doing their bad stuff. I really like Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman but alas they could do nothing to save us from the terrible acting of Justin Timberlake or LL Cool J.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389957/

Amazon: Edison Force


Arnold Schwarzenegger reluctantly tries to save the world from the devil. Gabriel Byrne plays Satan with a mean face. Personally, I figure Lucifer will come to the world with more charm. Woo us to hell with his promises and then make us suffer later. I mean if I were gonna write the story. Since they didn't use any of my creative force, I unrecommend this film.

Library: DVD; Bandon. VHS; Coos Bay.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146675/

Amazon: End of Days


While picnicking in a park with his girlfriend, a man sees a little boy float away in a balloon. Half a dozen folks try and hold the baloon and several of them fly away. One man dies when they all drop. One guy starts stalking the one at the picnic. It just got creepy and weird and I don't understand the point AT ALL.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375735/

Amazon: Love's Enduring Promise

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Oldies Watch List

and

The first half of this DVD features Dick Tracy trying to solve a mysterious robbery where everyone blacks out. Made in black and white and filmed in 1947, it's still pretty entertaining. Plenty of melodramatic action, but nowhere near as campy the Warren Beatty film. There are a couple DVDs with this film alone.

Library: Combo DVD; Coquille. Alone; Bandon, Coos Bay & North Bend.
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039320/
Amazon: Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome

Teenager Nancy Drew enters a reporting contest and ends up helping a young woman accused of poisoning. Nancy searches for a vital piece of evidence to clear her. Looking through my notes, I don't remember this film that well. That usually clues me in it wasn't as good as the Dick Tracy one. But it's on the same DVD so if you like these old black and white films, have a look. Coquille has the combo DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031709/
Amazon: Nancy Drew...Reporter


Troubled Pearl Chavez comes to live with her father's long lost love and falls in love with both of her sons. This love triangle drives the men and young woman wild. She feels guilty for liking the bad boy best, but their fiery passion consumes them both. Gregory Peck stars as the good son with their father Lionel Barrymore and bad seed son, Joseph Cotten.

Library: DVD; Coquille. VHS; Coos Bay & North Bend.
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038499/
Amazon: Duel in the Sun


I don't really know what to make of this part huckster part preacher. Does he really love the woman or does he just lust after her, does he believe or just run a scam. Elmer, Burt Lancaster, hooks up with a revival encampment and preaches fiery sermons for them, bringing in loads of money.

He falls in love with the beautiful leader Sister Sharon Falconer played by Jean Simmons. Heck, we're not even sure if SHE believes or is just trying to pull a scam too. Who's who and what's what in this tale of faith and lust.

Library: DVD; Bandon. VHS; Coos Bay & North Bend.
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053793/
Amazon: Elmer Gantry

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Silly Soso List aboutr an Ernest Guy


Library: VHS & DVD in Coos Bay
Amazon: Ernest Goes to Jail

Ernest in the Army

Library: North Bend
Amazon: Ernest in the Army

Ernest saves Christmas


Library: Myrtle Point
Amazon: Ernest Saves Christmas

OK, these are going to be basically the same exact film with Jim Varney playing the none too bright Ernest P. Worrell. Certainly watch if you like a lot of physical comedy and they're funny maybe once, but seen one, seen them all. Our hapless friend gets into strange situations he has no business doing and still he maintains his can do attitude. In a way that's admirable and charming, but a little bit goes a long way.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Coos Bay Gem List

Some of these are repeats from the North Bend post I did last week. Wow, I thought I had more films on the list so I did my search in a different way. I need to redo the North Bend post so badly, but not tonight. Ah well. I think I have a good Coos Bay list now. I counted 35 and that's up to date as of this post date: September 4, 2009. Please comment if you spot errors.

Whole doing the DORA post I found three more Coos Bay films. I hope that's all. I decided to put these in alphabetical order to keep me from repeating things too.

13 Rue Madeleine Very entertaining Word War II spy story.

3:10 to Yuma Old west sheriff tries to take a bad guy to the train. Very well acted.

About a Boy Sweet story about a grown up boy who meets a boy who's grown up too fast.

American Beauty Oscar winner, midlife crisis gone very wrong. Adult themes.

American Splendor Odd character, Harvey Pekar, bumbles along in his real life and creates a popular comic book.

The Bucket List Dying old men explore the world together.

Capote Another bio pic this time of the author interviewed the killers for his book, In Cold Blood.

Casablanca Oscar winning delight with Bogart and Bergman.

Chocolate Rather strange woman opens a sweets shop in a small French town. She has a sixth sense about people and their favorite tastes.

Circle of Friends Irish girls grow up together. Adult themes, teen OK.

City Slickers Billy Crystal and a group of friends go on an adventure vacation and get more than they bargained for.

Collateral Strange twists and turns with a cabby and criminal battling each other.

Cowboy Bebop First two seasons, adult anime.

The Day the Earth Stood Still Spaceship lands in Washington DC, giant mysterious robot scares everyone. Morality flick, and really enjoyable. The original science fiction classic.

Deadwood Western series, adult only, season one.

Definitely, Maybe Sweet romantic comedy.

Dexter Creepy serial killer of serial killers, very adult themes.

The Dick Van Dyke Show Black and white, comedy writing dad situation comedy from the 60's.

Dreamgirls Fictionalized account of the rise of a girl group from Motown.

Duma Delightful family friendly story of a boy and his pet cheetah.

Eragon Family friendly fantasy.

Firefly & Serenity Short lived science fiction series about a ship full of ragamuffins.

Juno Pregnant teen sorts out her quirky life.

Last King of Scotland Scary bio pic of the life of Ugandan leader Idi Amin.

Lawrence of Arabia Oscar winning tale of culture classes and war.

Little Miss Sunshine Very much an adult film, despite the name and the outstanding kid actress. I laughed until tears poured down my face.

Mystery Men Unlikely super heroes, super funny, well acted.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Based on Homer's epic poem the Odyssey, directors Joel Coen and his brother Ethan Coen, send us on a wild tale set in the depression era.

Pan's Labyrinth Spanish language fantasy.

Shipping News Kevin Spacey finds himself after a series of tragedies. Somewhat of a downer but it picks up.

Shrek 1 2 and 3 Only Shrek 1 is the gem. Mixed up animated fairy tale.

Sicko Michael Moore documentary about health care. Interesting no matter what side you find yourself on.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Cute teen girl flick about a pair of magical pants that fits all four girls.

Smoke Signals Modern Native American travel adventure. Charming and funny.

Spanglish Though Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni get top billing the story is truly stars Paz Vega.

Stardust Fallen celestial fantasy.

Tortilla Soup Sweet cultural family film about a widowed father whos life changes after he can longer taste food well enough to be a chef. His adult daughters confound him. Yay for cultural diversity.

The Visitor Love a great character driven drama? This is for you.

The World's Fastest Indian Outstanding film about one man's perseverance.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Weird Dog Day


On its face the title might clue in to its badness. We meet a couple of guys who don't like gayness but they're clearly into each other. One sells his services for pints of beer and money at a gay bar. The men they sell themselves to start showing up dead and they try and solved the plot. It tries too hard to be "funny" just comes off as stupid, creepy and offensive. Much better films about alternative lifestyles.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0336910/

Amazon: 9 Dead Gay Guys


A couple high school kids in the San Fernando Valley dig up a frozen caveman from their backyard. Hilarity supposedly ensues. Not for me. But whatever. Look for Brendan Fraser in an early role. Also crap actor Pauly Shore gives his best dumb performance. Pass.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104187/

Amazon: Encino Man


Oh my GOD. What is going on in this film. Just too weird to try and explain. Somehow it's about a post apocalyptic world, a man and his girlfriend have a child thing and it just goes too weird. Supposedly it put David Lynch on the map, but I don't suggest anyone sit through this strangeness. Pick up The Elephant Man, it's way better.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074486/

Amazon: Eraserhead

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Action Watchable List


Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton star as con men who rob banks. They get it in their head to kidnap the bank manager the night before, hold their entire family until the next day. They steal the money, but are very polite to their victims. Cate Blanchett lives a loveless terrible marriage and happens upon the guys and ends up semi kidnapped semi working with them. She falls in love with both men.

Now I'm quite morally against bank robbery, but these characters charmed with their friendly way. They made a point not to hurt anyone and the stories of the love triangle took an interesting twist I didn't expect. Very funny and entertaining.

Library: DVD; Myrtle Point & Powers. VHS; Dora.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219965/

Amazon: Bandits


A wealthy mom, Ashley Judd, gets convicted of murdering her husband and while in prison finds out her spouse isn't dead after all. She serves her time and gets out on parole and starts tracking hm and her son down. Her parole officer, Tommy Lee Jones, tells her he doesn't want any trouble from her when he finds a picture of her little boy. She promises she'll be no problem, but soon takes off to investigate the woman she asked to take care of the child.

Jones finds her and takes her back, but she escapes by dumping his car off the ferry. Later she tracks down her husband in another state and Jones barely misses catching up to her. She ends up finding her living mister in New Orleans and demands he give her son back to her.

Very dramatic and action packed. Though the legal aspects are suspect and it's too unlikely to be real. It's a real seat of your pants whole tub of popcorn kinda flick.

Library: DVD; Bandon, Coquille, Lakeside, Myrtle Point & North Bend. VHS; Dora & Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0150377/

Amazon: Double Jeopardy


Again another charming set of criminals. Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones team up to make the biggest heist in history. They become close and as a test, steal a mask from a very fancy well secured display and give it to a man who is supposed to help with gear for the big job.

We're never sure who's trying to screw who in this tale of honor and love among thieves. I'm not really sure about a relationship between these two and, well, they could have gone to a few more acting classes. But it works well enough. It must have come out when I was in Europe in 1099 because I hadn't heard a thing about it.

Library: DVD; Bandon, Coquille & North Bend. VHS; Coquille.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137494/

Amazon:Entrapment (Special Edition)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Soso Tuesday


Yes, I know it won nine Oscars including best picture, I still didn't like it. Set during the close of World War II and told in flashback, a badly burned man on the brink of death tells his story. Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas start up an affair. When her husband finds out in his devastation he tries to kill them all.

I don't like cheating celebrated as "very romantic." Ok, fine, it might be an interesting film to look at, but I hated the main plot. The secondary plot did catch a little of my attention. His nurse, Juliette Binoche, hears his story as she tends his wounds. I wanted to know more about her and her life.

Libary: DVD; North Bend. VHS; Coos Bay, Dora, Lakeside & Myrtle Point

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116209/

Amazon: The English Patient (Miramax Collector's Edition)


An egotistical "great white hunter" macho man nearly dies while his wife and native people try to nurse him back to health. In his melancholy he laments his past relationships. Though I do love Gregory Peck I just couldn't get into this film. Even for 1952, the sets looked cheesy and the plot meandered like a drunken sailor. Best to avoid.

Library: DVD; Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille and North Bend. VHS; Coos Bay, Dora & Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045162/

Amazon: The Snows of Kilimanjaro


Dreary story of a man who can't seem to get his act together with his lovely wife. Set just after World War II, Van Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor hook up and get married and have a daughter. He tries his hand as a literary genius but fails miserably. It's not even Taylor's best work, best to find something else.

Library: DVD; Bandon & Coquille. VHS; Powers. Also inside 2 colelctions called Elzabeth Taylor in Bandon and North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047162/

Amazon: The Last Time I Saw Paris


Two generations fall in love inside one house during different World Wars. A wealthy man invites an orphaned young girl into his family. His daughter so resents her she tries to drives a wedge when both her brothers falls in love with the girl. We know neither hooked up because the old man telling the story deeply laments his experiences when his neice comes to visit.

She has her own love affair with the nephew of the girl. She nurses his hand after it's badly burned. I don't think the title fits the dreary sad film. Very little felt like a fairy tale. Not even charmer David Niven could save it.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040321/

Amazon: Enchantment


It was unconscious on my part that most of these have a World War II setting. I guess I find war rather dull.

A married Deborah Kerr hooks up with Van Johnson when her husband neglects her. When they're caught in a bombing she thinks her lover is dead and promises god she'll stop cheating if only he'll let her beloved live. He's very confused when she breaks off their affair and he follows her around, even going so far as to hire a private investigator.

We see her vacillate between having faith that what she did saved his life and questioning all faith. Seems like a religious film couched in a love story. How about we don't cheat because it's just not fair to our spouse? Ah well, it did make me think a bit. Still, I'd suggest passing on a viewing.

Library: Bandon (there is another version with different actors that I haven't yet seen. )

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048034/

Amazon: The End of the Affair