mnladydiana Reviews

Life as We Know It (2010)

Implausible

[11 August 2011]

This film has so many implausible situations, it was ridiculous. A couple die in a car accident and leave their child to two people that don't even like each other, because it turns out "the parents wanted them to be together and raise the child"?! Seriously? This is a couple who died in a car accident! They didn't know that they were going to die, they didn't have cancer, why would they have some grand scheme? When the social worker visits them she tells them that they shouldn't be having sex, because that would be terrible?! Apparently men and women who raise kids together should not be sleeping together, they should just live together and date other people? In this movie, the social worker thinks that lifestyle is healthier for a child. Apparently couples all over the world raising children and sleeping together are damaging their kids.

RED (2010)

An enjoyable film!

[8/10 · 17 August 2010]

I saw a screening for this movie today and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It has action, comedy, suspense and even a little romance. The film had me enthralled; several times during the film I actually jumped in my seat due to a sudden surprise. Other times I laughed out loud and clapped. The cast had a lot of chemistry; John Malkovich stole the show as a crazy, paranoid retired CIA operative. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren were completely believable as RED (Retired, Extremely Dangerous) former CIA. Another thing to appreciate about this film: No plot holes. Everything was plausible; nothing was too far fetched. I didn't roll my eyes even once during the entire film.

A Lot Like Love (2005)

Surprisingly Good

[9/10 · 15 October 2006]

The trailers for this movie really did it a complete disservice. They showed Amanda Peet walking into a glass door and sticking straws up her nose; because of that, it gave the impression that the movie was a slapstick comedy (which I personally dislike), so I really had no intention of ever seeing it. Watching it on cable was really an afterthought, I thought I'd be turning it off after fifteen minutes. After seeing it, I'm very glad I tuned in. I thought it was absolutely great; a touching and plausible love story about two people people who instantly click, even through the passages of time, they can pick right up where they left off.

The Black Dahlia (2006)

Very Good

[8/10 · 13 October 2006]

I liked this movie very much. It's film noir genre was an added bonus. Admittedly, anyone going to see this movie counting on it focusing on the grotesque murder/mutilation of Elizabeth Short might feel short-changed (no pun intended), but it's still very much worth watching. The movie is about two Los Angeles cops in the 1940's, and Elizabeth Short's murder is just one of the cases they deal with; it not only has a 1940's look, but also the "feel" of the past. Josh Harnet's performance is outstanding, as well as that of the other cast members. This film is not predictable, it moves. I walked in the theatre expecting a two hour speculation of an unsolved crime. I was pleasantly surprised.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

Time line skewed

[6/10 · 15 October 2005]

The skewed time line is what kept me from enjoying this movie more. Siddel's childhood had to be in the 1950's, which would mean that Sandra Bullock was playing a woman about 50. Nothing in the movie (look at the way Sandra Bullock was dressed and her hair) hinted at the present time being in the 1980's. Other than that issue, this was a good movie. I loved Siddel's boyfriend's frustration with his soon to be in-laws, he should have gotten a larger role. James Garner is always great, but unbelievable that any man could live with a wife like his all those years and come out of it with his mild demeanor. In reality he would either be a henpecked shadow of a man, beaten down, or he would be as bad as his wife.

The 4400 (2004–2007)

Lack of thought ruined.

[29 April 2005]

What could have been a very good series was ruined by lack of... thought. There's a storyline involving a character named Lily; everything about her is absurd. Her husband told their daughter that his 2nd wife is her mother. Why? In order for that to work, every relative of the husband, his 2nd wife and Lily, would have to agree, otherwise anyone could tell her the truth. And even if he succeeded in keeping the truth from their daughter, Lily could tell the girl when she turned 18. And her husband got a restraining order! No judge would sign that! You can't get a restraining order just to keep your ex from coming over, otherwise everyone would have one. And her husband treats her like an escaped felon. Why??