Soso Tuesday

Eraser

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a US Marshal in charge of protecting witness Vanessa Williams. When he gets accused of killing off other witnesses, he goes out on his own to clear his name. He hides Williams until she can testify.

Poor acting and convoluted plot made this pretty boring to watch. Arnold delivers some of the worst puns when fighting off some hungry alligators. I sat there rooting for the reptiles.

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

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116213/

Amazon: Eraser

Executive Decision

Lots of alpha males in this film. I think something went terribly wrong during the production because Steven Seagal gets top billing but isn't much in the film.

Terrorists hijack a 747 and place a bomb on board with enough nerve toxin to kill millions. Kurt Russell and John Leguizamo sneak aboard the plane midair and attempt to defuse the bomb without the hijackers finding out. Look for Halle Berry as the resourceful stewardess.

This was almost watchable but so unrealistic that it distracts from the enjoyment of the film. If you like the actors involved, have a watch. Otherwise, find something better.

Library: VHS; Lakeside. DVD; Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116253/

Amazon: Executive Decision

Everyday People

I wanted to find these people interesting but it just never happened. A group of interconnected stories about people who work for a long time community gathering spot in a racially diverse and improving Brooklyn, New York neighborhood.

We learn about the Jewish owner's plans to sell the place upsetting their employees. White executives talk openly about their plans to "improve" the neighborhood with bringing in upscale shops and pushing out the "riffraff."

The stories and emotions did seem real so they were well acted, but they didn't move me to CARE. Plus they left the story open ended. I prefer conclusions. I say avoid this one.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365020/

Amazon: Everyday People

Everything is Illuminated

This very strange film stars Elijah Wood as a young man traveling to the Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather from a Nazi death squad. Honestly, I didn't understand much because it's part subtitled and I didn't watch it with my husband.

We get an interesting view of life inside a former Soviet Union run country. The struggles of the people as they try and figure out the story of this strange American show how long it takes to rebuild a country after completely changing political systems.

Though I am giving this a Soso rating, I do think it's worth watching. It's so different as to make for something worth commenting on. Tell me what you think.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404030/

Amazon: Everything Is Illuminated

Soso Tuesday

Three of these are based on fact and the fourth, while fiction, just seemed to fit with the others. They're all on the cusp of being watchable, but just left something out that I need to find them entertaining. Your results may vary. ;)

Exodus

The allies didn't know what to do with the Jewish refuges after they were liberated from concentration camps so the Jews took it upon themselves to commandeer a boat and set sale for Palestine. They called this expedition "Exodus" after Moses' freeing the slaves.

Despite my nickname, I'm not Jewish and though I did know of this story, I didn't know the details. I would prefer a documentary to this film for anyone trying to learn history. Sadly, the film does not stand on it's own.

Paul Newman stars as the leader manipulating the system and fighting for the re-establishment of Israel. I wish they'd kept their focus or at least explained better what was going on. First the group is on the boat and then they're within a settlement running from some radical Muslims who are trying to kill them.

Toss in an American woman trying to adopt a girl and we're quite confused. Is this about Eva Marie Saint learning about Judaism, the refugee boat or the Jewish Muslim conflict. I can't tell. Interesting, but not enough to recommend.

Library: VHS; Bandon. DVD; Myrtle Point

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053804/

Amazon: Exodus

Faith of My Fathers

Some may accuse me of being influenced by politics in my review of this film, but I do try and make my judgements based on what I see, rather than how I vote. I wanted to understand the story of what happened to John McCain in a Vietnam Prison Camp.

Perhaps the book included details that would make this film make sense, but I haven't read it. I can't figure out what faith of fathers had to do with any of it? War sucks and none of us wants to be captured and I get that seeing that reminds us to be very careful with how we treat people, I don't understand the relevance.

What do military academy flash backs have to do with torture? How does it relate to faith of fathers or anyone else for that matter? I'm sorry this happened to Mr. McCain. I cannot recommend seeing this film. The special features didn't even reveal anything interesting.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444626/

Amazon: Faith of My Fathers

Evita

Madonna stars as Argentine first lady Eva Perón and sings her way through the whole film. Antonio Banderas sings the narration. There's a lot going on here that may or may not have anything to do with the real person and her story.

Again, I don't know much about her real life and this musical didn't really enlighten me. I found the song story a bit annoying after a while. I prefer a musical with some speaking to it.

I wonder if Ms. Perón would appreciate the legacy this version gives her. I wouldn't. They make her seem like a scheming whore and I am not at all sure that's fair. It comes off sexist to my eyes.

Library: VHS; Coos Bay, Lakeside & North Bend. DVD; Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116250/

Amazon: Evita

Eye of the Needle

I wonder what Donald Sutherland has against the British. He keeps playing World War II German spies. This time he finds out about D-Day invasion plans and tries to get them to his buddies by escaping by boat. A sudden storm sets him aground on a lonely island inhabited by a couple, their boy and an old caretaker.

Spy guy romances the unhappy wife and still tries to get his information to the Germans while the Brits try and stop him. Lots of intrigue, but ultimately unfocused. Nothing about this film made it remarkable.

Library: Bandon & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082351/

Amazon: Eye of the Needle

Documentary Soso List

Really Wild Animals
Farmyard Friends
National Geographic Society

Dudley Moore voices the narration on this quite boring comparison to farm animals and their free living cousins. The producers think that lots of flashing from topic to topic will hold the interest of modern children. I think they totally miss how amazing the world really is. This video IS for kids, they might find some of it interesting.

Library: VHS; Coquille. DVD; Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482421/

Amazon: National Geographic Really Wild Animals Farmyard Friends

Eyewitness Ocean

This DVD explores the myths and legends related to the oceans. Quite boring and forgettable. I couldn't find additional information on the Internet Movie Database. I even looked under narrator Martin Sheen, no luck. Use the Amazon link to find out more.

Library: Myrtle Point & North Bend.

IMDB: NO INFO

Amazon: Eyewitness: Ocean

Expo
Magic of the White City

Gene Wilder narrates this film all about the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893. Truly fascinating subject, but I felt told very badly. I understand very little survived from the amazing event, but the focus jumped all over the place. I didn't like the stock current shots juxtaposed with drawings and sparse photography.

It went on much too long. If you're in the library, pick up a book on the topic. Then you can just scan through the interesting bits without having to sit through this dull bit of fluff.

Library: Bandon & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455940/

Amazon: EXPO - Magic of the White City DVD

The Endurance:
Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic expedition

This film tells the story of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton who tries to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent. He and his crew of 27 fail miserably, but remarkably they all survive. Interesting video and photography and an intriguing tale, just again, told badly.

I find it truly surprising that these people didn't die from the poor planning and lack of leadership. Pick up a book on the topic, why waste a couple of hours on a film?

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264578/

Amazon: The Endurance - Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition

Agatha Christie Soso List

Agatha Christie: A Life in Pictures.

They told this dramatic semi-bio pic in the style of one of her mysteries and while that might have worked with a better script and director, this fell on its face. Flashing forward and backward in time leaves one with a sense of disorientation that could entertain if there were some purpose to it. Here it only leaves the viewer confused.

Christie herself creates a media frenzy after she disappears and claims amnesia. The filmmakers seem to imply a true breakdown and there were lots of reasons that might be true, but it could just as easily have been a publicity stunt.

I'm sure fans of the author would enjoy this snippet of her character, but the casual viewer might find it a bit convoluted and dull. I felt they revealed nothing of her character in later life and I don't know why they even included that. Plus her whole second marriage story seemed a rushed afterthought.

Hmm, the library website tells me the film with this title has only a VHS copy in Bandon, but I know it's DVD format.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426394/

Amazon: Agatha Christie - A Life in Pictures

Agatha Christie Marple series 2
BBC Series

These films all rate about the same, I felt high end of Soso or a little better for a true fan. Geraldine McEwan plays a sweet dotery Miss Marple in each episode. Perhaps the complicated plots that detract from my enjoyment may just be the nature of Agatha Christie's original stories. These play frequently on PBS so you may not need to go to the library to see them. Look for the collection at the Myrtle Point branch. I will not review any further DVDs in this series. I find they all run about the same level of quality. Find an Amazon link at the bottom of the post.

Marple: Sleeping Murder

Energetic young Gwenda Halliday finds a house she wants to live in after she marries only to discover a vision of murder in her hallway. After Miss Marple is brought in to investigate they find this isn't Gwenda's first stay in the house.

Her father died along the cliffs there just after his wife to be leaves him. Plots and sub plots lead to finding the fiance murdered along with a maid asked to recount her recollections. Suspects include the comedy troop the wife to be worked in before meeting her man, the man himself and her older brother.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472135/

Marple: By the Pricking of My Thumbs

Tuppence Beresford and Miss Jane Marple set out to investigate the disappearance a guest at a retirement home after Beresford aunt dies suddenly. They have a strange painting and set out to find the house depicted in it's design.

A false trail of witches distract the pair from finding the old woman and the cottage. But eventually the sleuths ferret out the truth about the murder of the aunt and a village child.

IMDB; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489227/

Marple: The Moving Finger

Poison pen letters drive an acquaintance of Miss Jane Marple's to suicide and while she's there for the funeral others die as a result of the accusatory letters. Brother and sister Jerry and Joanna Burton help sleuth out the suspects from the village elite.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479955/

Marple: The Sittaford Mystery

I didn't expect Timothy Dalton to show up in a BBC mystery series and his ward looks a lot like the blond Bond guy, but it's not him. He plays a possible future prime minister candidate who gets murdered at a snow bound hotel near his home.

We learn all about his sordid past and all the people who want him dead. It seems when people die in these series they deserve it. Boy did this guy. He murdered an archaeologist years before and stole riches from a tomb in Egypt.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491050/

Amazon: Agatha Christie's Marple: Series 2

Soso Tuesday

1st and Ten

This HBO series form the mid 80s shows us the story of the California Bulls, a fictitious football team owned by Delta Burke. The male owners try and dominate and manipulate her into doing their dirty work like getting the players to agree to random drug testing.

Generally the plot involves contrasts between players misbehaving in goodhearted fun or vicious abusive team destroying ways. Very little gave me any insight into behind the scenes. It attempted a "dramedy" air and didn't quite pull it off.

I laughed some and almost put this in a higher category. At the same time, other scenes just made me cringe. The first season (which I happened to watch second) had some female frontal nakedness and just seemed exploitative. The second season featured O.J. Simpson. Kind of sad that his was one of the better acting jobs.

I only watched the first disk of the three available. If you have seen the other seasons, please comment and let me know what you thought.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086660/

Amazon: 1st and Ten - Complete Collection

Against All Odds

Disgruntled football star Jeff Bridges gets involved in a scheme to find the girlfriend of his mobster buddy James Woods. We're not exactly sure why Bridges gets sent or why the girl and he get together but they do.

Rachel Ward plays the daughter of a wealthy woman real estate developer. Bribery, intrigue and murder follow. My beef comes from not having any heroes. It seems everyone craps on everyone else. Powerful people bribe politicos, mobsters manipulate their "friends" with blackmail and women betray their lovers.

I'd just take a pass and find something else to watch. Try The Last Boy Scout with Bruce Willis. Much better film and has a similar feel.

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

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086859/

Amazon: Against All Odds (Special Edition)

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls - I just found out this is no longer available in DVD format so I'm going to not review it.

The 300 Spartans

This film depicts a more accurate and less mystical version of Spartan King Leonidas efforts to fight off a Persian invasion of thousands with just 300 of his own men. He did have some untrained fighters from other Greek states, but they were quite ineffective.

Made in 1962, this film looked old and worn. it lacked as much entertainment value as 300, but told the tale well enough. I think a good documentary with reenactments would be better.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055719/

Amazon: The 300 Spartans

Anchorman the Legend of Ron Burgundy

This 70s era comedy depicts a male dominated newsroom where a fresh faced new gal comes on the scene threatening the lead anchorman. Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate star.

Yes, there are laughs here and I'm sure fans of Farrell will love it, but I don't like when films just think stupid equals funny. Seems lazy and boring to me. Oh and not suitable for younger viewers.

Library: Bandon & North Bend

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/

Amazon: Anchorman - The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Keanu Reeves stars as alien Klaatu sent to decide the fate of the Earth. As much as I loved the original, this one disappointed a lot. The filmmakers failed to realize the subtle message of the original that gave humanity a chance to change.

In this version the alien is dispassionate for the most part. Then he changes, but we're not really sure why. We also don't know why the woman helps him. Why destroy mankind when they have such powers. Why not just create a new planet and save species there.

It really seemed like an excuse to do a bunch of special effects. Get the original and avoid this one.

Library: Bandon & Coos Bay

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/

Amazon: The Day the Earth Stood Still (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)

Donnie Brasco

Al Pacino and Johnny Depp do a good job, I just find mob flicks generally boring. An undercover FBI agent feels more at home with his mob buddies than his regular civilian life. You'll have to decide for yourself if these actors will inspire you to see this based on a true story flick. I forgot the plot and to me that's a bad sign.

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

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119008/

Amazon: Donnie Brasco (Special Edition)

Soso Rom Coms

Knocked Up

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)

Edge of Seventeen

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

Employee of the Month

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

Soso Tuesday

The English Patient

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)

Ernest Hemingway: The Snows of Kilimanjaro

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

The Last Time I Saw Paris

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

Enchantment

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

The End of the Affair

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

Soso Documentaries

The Dream is ALIVE

Intriguing. People on IMDB loved this film. It's alright. I just felt it didn't really show enough and it's old data. Try and find something newer that documents the space shuttle program on film. Maybe I'm just too jaded.

Look at the Amazon collection of DVDs on space though. That might be a way to go. I know many are at the library.

Library: Myrtle Point.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089050/

Amazon: The Dream Is Alive (IMAX)
The IMAX Space Collection (Hail Columbia/The Dream Is Alive/Blue Planet/Destiny in Space/Mission to Mir)

Echoes of the Blue & Gray Volumes I & II

This documents a bunch of Civil War soldiers on film along with discussions of their life. I'm no war buff, but I found this rather dull. Try Ken Burns on "The Civil War". That has tons more interesting information and organized and presented better.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: No Information

Amazon: No Information

Eisenhower on D-Day

Again, I'm no war buff and I would have liked to know a lot more details of Ike's life, interests and personality. Though do watch the special features instead of the main film. They run through the information better. It's done by the History Channel.

I'm pretty sure Gerald McRaney did the narration but I can't find anything on it on his IMDB list.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: No Information

Amazon: America's Greatest Victories: Eisenhower on D-Day Dvd! History Channel

Elvis:
His Best Friend Remembers

Joe Esposito tells all about the king's life from the time he met him to his death in 1977. I'm sure a real fan would find all the behind the scenes life history quite interesting. For me, it just went on long and didn't give me anything that really intrigued or enlightened me.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327680/

Amazon: Elvis - His Best Friend Remembers

Soso Tuesday

Dunston Checks In

A thieving monkey, and his human helper of course, check into a posh hotel to steal from the other guests. The manager's kids catch on and befriend the monkey.

Jason Alexander stars as the harried under appreciated manager. His and everyone's acting might appeal to a 5-year-old, but left me rolling my eyes. I don't mind "kiddie" flicks, but it's nice if they're funny or charming. This just went on and on.

Think Home Alone searches for a plot. See that instead.

Library: DVD; Bandon & Myrtle Point. VHS; Lakeside.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116151/

Amazon: Dunston Checks In

Dodgeball:
A True Underdog Story

Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller square off over international dodgeball. Yeah, I know, this is supposed to be funny, but I've seen these guys do better. Not really a fan of physical comedy anyway. Maybe adolescent boys and men who haven't grown past that would laugh.

Zoolander and Mystery Men do way better for Stiller. Grab those. They've got physical humor and something for the brainier among us.

Library: North Bend & Myrtle Point

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364725/

Amazon: Dodgeball - A True Underdog Story (Unrated Edition)

Drop Dead Gorgeous

Kirsten Dunst stars as the poor trailer park girl with stars in her eyes. she dreams big about competing in a pageant, but one of her rivals tries to kill her. Another girl ends up dead but the show must go on. Killer beauty queen Becky, Denise Richards and her former runway queen mother, Kirstie Alley, take self absorbed to a whole new level.

There are some amusing side plots that almost pushed this to another category and the climax to the story makes for a morbid yet satisfying near ending. I kinda felt a little let down by the actual ending. It was ok, but it got way overshadowed by the previous event. If you choose to watch this film, send a comment and let me know your thoughts about the ending.

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

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157503/

Amazon: Drop Dead Gorgeous

Soso Tuesday

Donovan's Reef

A bar owning rabble rousing beach bun of a man, John Wayne, tries to clean up himself and the island he inhabits when the daughter of the local doctor comes by to visit. Her father "went native" with an island woman who died. He had two children by her.

The rather convoluted story left me somewhat puzzled. It's pretty to look at and cute in its way. I just don't see any reason to go out of your way to watch.

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

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057007/

Amazon: Donovan's Reef

The Dream Team

Dr. Weitzman, played by Dennis Boutsikaris gets the idea to take his patients from a sanitarium to a baseball game. These denizens of the mental ward end up on the street after their doctor stops to let one of them go to the bathroom. He stumbles upon a crime and gets injured.

Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Peter Boyle and Stephen Furst represent four different aspects of emotional illness. Each guy has his own set of quirks and stresses with each other. Ultimately they come together to save their doctor, but it's more about how much they each grow and learn to trust each other.

I expect more from these great actors. I didn't really find anything truly outstanding or insightful about the performances. They chose to show up for a paycheck and not really to do the best film they could. Hence the rating of Soso.

Library: DVD; Coquille. VHS; Coquille and Lakeside.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097235/

Amazon: The Dream Team

National Security

Martin Lawrence stars as an angry security guard who thinks he knows everything. While partnered with his nemesis, Steve Zahn, the hapless guards uncover a smuggling plot. Lotta running and jumping from these LAPD rejects as they try and thwart these bad guys.

Murry, my husband, liked it more than I did so maybe it's a guy thing. I would just not bother. The plot's alright but it just didn't hold my interest.

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

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0271668/

Amazon: National Security

Soso Tuesday

Days of Thunder

Big car racing fans might enjoy this. Really it just reminded me of Top Gun only with cars instead of planes. Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall and Nicole Kidman star. Cruise does a good cocky jerk, but I'd rather see something else.

Library: DVD; Myrtle Point. VHS; Dora & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099371/

Amazon: Days of Thunder

Divine secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

I'm told the novel explians so much of the back story the film fails to bridge. Pick that up instead. Sandra Bullock plays the daughter with a poor relationship with her mother. Ellen Burstyn stars as mom.

We're flashed back into the past so we can see what happened with the relationship and it involves depression, but it's so vauge and confusing we don't realize that's what's going on. Ashley Judd takes on the mom role in her younger days.

I think the actors did good jobs with the material they had, but either key elements were left on the cutting room floor or they chose to leave out what's really going on.

Library: DVD; Coos Bay, Coquille & Myrtle Point. VHS; Bandon, Coquille, Dora, Lakeside & Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279778/

Amazon: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Widescreen Edition)

Dr. T and the Women

I'm guessing with all these comedy actresses they expected this film to be funny. They were wrong. Richard Gere plays a popular gynecologist who's wife goes nuts. He's trying to make sense of his world and all these women come along trying to get him into bed.

He takes up with Helen Hunt's character golf instructor Bree who doesn't seem to want much from him. His daughter decides to go on with her wedding despite calling upon her former lesbian lover to be her maid of honor.

I searched for a plot within this film, but alas, none arrived. I guess it's just a week in the life of one man. I found no reason to care.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0205271/

Amazon: Dr. T & The Women

Mallrats

I've said before I'm not a big fan of Kevin Smith's, but someone said this was a good one of his. They were so wrong. The story tries to be sweet so I gave it a higher than dog rating, but it's gross. I shouldn't be surprised as that's typical of him.

Jason Lee and Jeremy London play guys trying to get back their girlfriends after they've been dumped. They head on out to the mall to watch one girl be in TV dating contest her father runs.

As with most of Smith's films, I suppose this would appeal to teen boys. Sadly, the library doesn't have a copy of the only film of his I do like. Look for Dogma in stores. If you have a copy you wish to donate, leave me a comment and I'll get it to the library.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113749/

Amazon: Mallrats (Collector's Edition)

4 Unrelated Soso films

The Affair of the Necklace

Hilary Swank should probably avoid future period pieces. I didn't see her as anything but an aggressive American kick ass chick. She does better when she's got a more psychological modern role on her hands.

As to the story goes, Marie Antoinette admired some stones and the jewelers went into debt to create a necklace for her. Being a fickle queen she didn't like the piece once it arrived so she rejected it.

Swank's character plotted and schemed to get close to the monarchy in order to restore her ancestral home. When that failed, she found out about the jewelry and plotted to steal it. She tried to manipulate Cardinal Louis de Rohan into beliving he was having a romantic affair with Antoinette herself.

I couldn't really keep up with the plot either.

Library: Coos Bay & Coquille.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242252/

Amazon: The Affair of the Necklace

Down Dakota Way

This Roy Rogers flick seemed rather convoluted. A bad seed young man works for a bad seed rancher. He's the son of one of Roy's favorite teacher so he tries to help him out of the jam. The young man's boss tries to sell cattle with a disease that will infect others and the bad seed helps by burying dead livestock.

One story at a time I say. Don't try and tell too many or you leave most of us confused. If you really like Roy, you might really like this. I didn't.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041311/

Amazon: Down Dakota Way

Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries

They took far too long to get this murder mystery plot going. I did find certain aspects interesting and had it in the watchable category for a day or so. Then I just realized I didn't want to watch it.

A 1920s British aristocrat investigator becomes infatuated with a woman being tried for murder. He sets out to figure out what happened and finds alternative theories for the crime. It reminded me of Perry Mason, only I like that tons better.

There are other episodes, but I didn't realize this until just now. If you've already seen this series, let me know your thoughts on those.

Library: Coos Bay, Myrtle Point and North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092396/

Amazon: Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries (The Lord Peter Wimsey-Harriet Vane Collection - Strong Poison / Have His Carcass / Gaudy Night)

Drop Dead Sexy

I'm not a huge Jason Lee fan anyway, but this was worse than usual. He and Crispin Glover play a pair of morons sent on an errand to deliver cigarettes. Turns out the guy who send them was trying to get them blown up.

So they dig up the dead wife of a rich man in town in order to steal a necklace they believe she's buried with. When it's not there, they try and blackmail the rich guy for the return of the body. But wait, there's more. Glover's character finds himself enchanted by the dead girl. EW! If that's not enough reason to avoid this fim, I dunno if you should be reading my reviews.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397401/

Amazon: Drop Dead Sexy

Tuesday's Weird Soso List

Dreamcatcher
Evil Slips Through

Morgan Freeman should make a film better but alas he can't save this. We gots our psychic, we gots us some aliens and we gots us some plot points I really can't figure out. A group of boys save another mentally challenged boy from some bullies. They stay friends into adulthood. The four men are on a road trip up in the snowy mountains when alien's land.

Freeman plays the insane commander of the army guys fighting the aliens. It just got weird. No wonder, they took their cue from Stephen King.

Library: Dora & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285531/

Amazon: Dreamcatcher (Widescreen Edition)

Cloverfield

Again with the aliens. Only this time it's shot shaky cam style. UGH. We see some friend's at a going away party and then explosions and destruction happens. We don't see much for the first two thirds of the film, then we get flashes of crab like creatures attacking people and giant stompy things. I'm not a fan of horror, but this has it's scary moments so it earned a better than dog rating.

Library: Bandon, Coos Bay, Powers & SWOCC.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1060277/

Amazon: Cloverfield

A Double Life

An actor becomes obsessed with his role as Othello and murders a girl believing she is Desdemona. Look for a young Shelley Winters. I wish I'd had a lot more set up of why this guy got so carried away. I felt cheated out of his motive.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039335/

Amazon: A Double Life

Double Vision

A Taiwanese cop fights a mystic cult. Really, that's about all there is to this film. We're left to figure out what's really happening in this surreal flick. Oh, it has David Morse in it. He plays an FBI agent send in to help figure out what's going on.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284066/

Amazon: Double Vision