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Reviews
The Iron Lady (2011)
Mostly Make Believe...Margaret Thatcher talking to dead husband!!!
The movie's writer was born in 1968...which means she was teenager--to young adult through 1979-1990, the time when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister of Britain.
I write that because I suspect the writer's conflicted and somewhat disdainful view of Thatcher reflects more the end of Thatcher's career, when her popularity declined.
The main scenes throughout movie... show the aged and mentally declining Thatcher talking to her then-dead husband Denis about the various issues in her past political career... This is the biggest single flaw in this partly imagined semi-historical movie.
Too much writer's imaginings and too little anchor in the actual history of Thatcher.
So much ACTUAL history...skipped over or skimmed lightly...Young Margaret Roberts' formation from grocers' daughter --- It's been a while since I read up on her bio...but there were many moments to choose from! And a bare mention of how Thatcher, along with Reagan, the Pope --- faced down then-Soviet Communism.
One need not agree with all her decisions to easily recognize...This was a strong woman whose life had a richness that a better writer could have exploited.
Notably...near the end of her time as Prime Minister, Meryl Streep seems to portray her as almost in a predementia state...where she says statements and then goes glassy eyed...
This movie has some moments where you glimpse the intriguing character of Thatcher...but it is mostly conjecture...of what an aged woman might think.
Imagine a grandchild of Thatcher's viewing this film...Grandma mainly in dementia...with only...Hints of her working past.
There is a condescension in the script which reminds me of an oil painting done of the then-quite elderly Winston Churchill. The portrait was presented to him as a gift...he had not seen what it looked like in its latter stages as the portrait artist got quite secretive.
Voila...a painting of a feeble old man. Churchill despised the picture. It focused on his physical near end of life frailness... Only a hint of the British Lion of World War 2... In fact, Churchill had his wife destroy it.
This is the "Feeble Old Woman" movie "portrait" equivalent...Too bad, as there was opportunity to learn about this nuanced, powerful world leader--had the writer done more research into Thatcher's life.
That's Entertainment! (1974)
That's Entertainment Sample many great musical moments from 1920-1958! Like a big box of chocolate candy
A good way to have lotsa fun...and to teach history of film choreography/musicals!
I do agree that extra time is spent on swimmer Esther Williams (a bit long) but the film pace picks up and there are...so many wonderful song and dance moments packed into this movie.
Many great MGM performers are represented!!! Right now, I'm seeing the still modern 'American in Paris" dance number with Gene Kelly and Leslie Canon. Fabulous.
Note...this movie came out in 1974 when people were soured over the Vietnam war, over Watergate. You can tell by the great box office $$$ numbers that old is sometimes fresher than new...as baby boomers discovered what their parents loved at the films. And their parents relived great film moments of their youth!
Note: One of the best Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney numbers, I think done by Busby Berkley is wonderful except..the actor/singer/dancers are in blackface (ewww!) Here the teacher could explain why blackface was both a compliment and an insult to black performers.
What Would Jesus Do? (2010)
Fairly good movie...watch with family!
This movie's story is roughly based on a wonderful old Christian classic book "In His Steps" by Chas Sheldon.
As in the movie, a church service is disrupted by a drifter (John Schneider) who wonders aloud about his and others' suffering in the face of Christians who don't seem to notice or...help.
It is pretty good where you see the powerful folks start to amend andnot only help individuals...but also...the slumlord will now improve/restore housing to the poor, and the local media head (the owner of the town paper) will cover the coming mayoral election...properly.
Their church building, unlike the book, is scheduled to be destroyed so a casino can be built.
but the stranger's words to the congregation and to others in the city of Raymond do propel to ask themselves. "What would Jesus do?" Indeed, there is a difference!
The film is scripted fairly decently and is suitable for families to view.
Audacity (2015)
A fairly good drama mixed with a few interviews...free now online!
The curious may want to view this 45 minute film (now free online...legally) and find out what the fuss is all about.
Drama interspersed with some actual short on the street interviews...
What does it take to get into Heaven? does God hate gays, or anyone else?
Some millennial friends grill a Christian friend ...voicing some common strong objections to the Bible and its definition of sin including homosexual practice but also many other things...If you hear you will understand...we all fail.
Interspersed are actual short encounters the street interviewer (Ray Comfort) has with people who become convinced that they all (and this would include Mr. comfort) ...they all would fail to get into heaven. See the video to understand...
But that's why Jesus dying on the cross for our sins is called salvation! those who ask Him for forgiveness, who repent of their sins and trust Him to save them are rescued!
the video's drama is fairly decent ...not great but pretty good at quickly helping understand what love for others is...it is loving them enough, caring about their eternal welfare enough...to have the audacity to tell them the truth.
Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 (2001)
quality film in the Armageddon Genre!
Interpreting the ultimate Armagedden sourcebook of all time, this partly fictional account combines quality actors and a pretty good script along with award winning photography and special effects that hold up even in 2015.
Michael York brings a Shakesperean depth to his role of Ultimate Bad Guy...the Antictheist. The seemingly Wonderful Peace Bringing leader whose mask soon comes off...and reveals him as a satanically possessed world leader!
Michael Biehn is his brother who will ultimately stand against his evil brother. yes it echoes Cain and Abel!
The sourcebook is the Bible...This film builds an entertaining story around the hints God provides in the ultimate sourcebook for how it will all end...and begin anew...the Bible...
The Investigator (2013)
Skeptical police sergeant..now teaches high school..challenged to...investigate a.n ancient murder
He has been shot at...seen much death...as a police sergeant investigating homicides. Now, after mandatory early retirement from the force, he takes a job teaching at a local high school. Sgt. Buonacore will teach his students about American justice.
He must rebuild the school's weak baseball team, earn students' respect, and rise to his students' challenge to investigate the 2000 year old murder of Jesus Christ.
he is surprised to learn...there is a lot of evidence...outside of the Bible itself ...concerning this ancient crime. This story is entertaining. it avoids much of the over sentimentality in some faith based films.
inspired by true events in the life of a police brother of actor Ray Romano...
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Great intro to Who Jesus is...!!! Quality actors/production
Wow. a great collection of fine actors...in this several hour miniseries. Get an entertaining film which is also a pretty accurate overview of Jesusm
life and work...from this movie.
Right now, I'm seeing Sir Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Anthony Quinn, and several other A-list actors of their time all in one room...ARGUING!
(portraying the Jewish leaders...debating whether or not Jesus should be handed over to the Romans for conviction). WOW!!!
If you don't know who Jesus is, if you want a fairly quick overview of who He is, why He came, and what He did for us with His teachings, His death and resurrection on the Cross, this movie will do!
And...this great award winning miniseries was shown on national TV. Its production value is high quality and the script is reverent and INtERESTING.
Left Behind (2014)
This Apocalyptic style film...worth a look!
I saw the film at a theatre...later viewed the DVD.
It's a fairly decent film and worth a watch.
Remember...the apocalyptic style film genre...has its roots...in the actual Apocalypse!
First scenes are at the airport. College student Chloe Steele (Cassi Thompson) verbally shreds a religious woman's God claims. Bemused media reporter Cameron (Buck) Williams, target of the woman's preaching, looks on.
Chloe notes her dad's missing wedding ring and his flirting with one of his flight attendants. Capt Ray Steele (Nicholas Cage) assures Daughter Chloe that his marriage is fine. They both commiserate at his wife Irene's recent religious intensity.Ray says sarcastically..that if she's going to run away with a man... "...it might as well be Jesus."
Later that day, Chloe will lose her mom, her very little brother...and many other millions will vanish. And so this film of early apocalypse shows you what...might happen...what chaos must be overcome...just for this small family to reunite.
Enchanted April (1991)
A great Chick Flick for that crummy winter day!
From rainy, dreary late winter England of early 1920s...
---where there is still sadness and many young widows and disabled vets from the great slaughter of men and killer of their womens' dreams--- known now as World War I...
Four women share this lovely small sunny Italian castle on a hill; one a young widow who is drowning her sorrow in frantic partying, two women who will rediscover their own husbands, and a fourth woman who is tired of her famous dead friends...
...These four women will come together with two husbands and a former soldier - almost blind - to get a spiritual "makeover" for one great April vacation in early 1920's Italy.
NOTE to would-be filmmakers. Study this film for how mood and beauty can tell a story. (Probably not a film to please many men...)
NOTE: Stock up on coffee & hot chocolate and invite the girls over on some dreary late winter day...Spring is coming...Enchanted April promises you!
The Truman Show (1998)
Truman Show Good Watch--False "god" does technoabuse to Carrey's character!
I may (after reflection) come back & raise my rating. Comments above summarize the gist of this quality movie.
Jim Carrey does not play the wacky overboard comedy he is generally known for. But - so what???
Truman Show may well outlast his other work.
The director wisely avoided too many closeups on Carrey's famous mobile face. Carrey uses his wholse self to act out his anguish, joy, other emotion. His eyes, from a slight distance show his emotion..the other supporting actors are good at their minor trickery - The false "god" of Carrey's universe is played well by Ed Harris.
While some might see him as a standin for GOD, he better fits the profile of the satanic but good-appearing "angel of light".
The Trouble with Angels (1966)
Fun Teenage Versus Teacher Film-even 10 year old SON watched it!
Others above have summarized lots of the gems in this quality film...And Rosalind Russell comes across as a Worldly Wise Mother Superior...thus, the girls get away with little... ========== Anyone who teaches kids (or raises them) will observe - Hayley Mill's character (the wayward Mary Clancy) peeks around pillars - watches from windows...to see what Mother Superior and Co. really DO! And there's a realistic "payoff" at film's end.
Hollywood has FEW WOMEN DIRECTORS!!! Ida Lupino should have been given many more films to direct!
Rosalind Russell always seems REAL in her roles. And here, she (both a mom and a practicing Catholic in real life) brings a slightly tough edge to her Mother Superior role. She and Hayley Mills both are dominant personalities and they meet head on in this fun film. Even I (a Protestant) know from Chicago experience that teaching nuns must be be both devout and worldly wise at the same time. It's written "Be ye therefore Innocent as Doves...but WISE as Serpents!)
Just bought this film for the price of a very cheap fast food meal at a big box store. What a treat!!!
Nine to Five (1980)
Fun film of Women who can Think Way Above their Pay Grade!!!
What do these 3 films have in common?
1981 - Nine to Five - the film with three super secretaries who think WAY outside the BOX and make their company and workplace better???
And--- 1988 - Working Girl (and the early 1990s "Shining Through")?
They all are about a women (or Women) secretaries who push through to a higher level to PROVE to the men in power that they can think and work WAY above their pay grade.
But don't worry about creaky preachy feminism. All three films are great fun!
And all three films are somewhat underrated...(I suspect because very young girls - and many men - maybe just don't "get" why lots of women from the workplace - like these films).
For me, I am reliving my time in the workforce as one of the pink collar workers who can work and think above her pay grade - as long as I do not expect to be paid at the higher pay grade level.
If you're a boss---think out of the box here. Who are the real worker bees - the real persons who get things done in your company?
(Who is really MISSED when he/she is on vacation???)
I suspect you will find that a few of those "indispensables" might be the secretary - that clerk - that other "nobody" who is moving, working, thinking at a higher pay level.
SMART bosses figure out who the Lily Tomlin leaders are - and reward them!
Working Girl (1988)
Qualified College Grad Secretary Skipped Over--Scenario True to Life--Only the Resolution is Fantasy!
This is a movie some teen girls (and some clueless men) will not "get"!
Melanie Griffith's slightly irritating "little girl" voice and her fragile "puff of smoke will blow me away" demeanor means that many will not see her as strong and as smart as the tough corporate exec that her boss Sigourney Weaver plays. (The film shows that there's a bit of class snobbery at work in such firms then---and now!)
But many such delicate appearing women are as tough as - lionesses - in desiring to achieve success. My manager sister, for instance. If you do not KNOW this from observation, you are simply too young, too sheltered, or too clueless!
What makes this film NOT dated (except for the "big hair, 80's styles") is that many women out there have ideas, opportunities spoiled by exec. WOMEN (as well as exec. men). (I know a ruthless female boss who stole an underling woman's ideas...What could she do??? It was at a firm dealing in mergers like this one, also!!!) Sigourney Weaver's patronizing superior treatment of Griffith's character is DEAD ON ACCURATE for how I (and some friends) have been treated by exec. women!
Maybe only the office males trying to trade sex for work opportunities are "dated" since they are a "sexual lawsuit target waiting to happen" nowadays.
So---I really like this film but wish it did not have the gratuitous brief sex scenes which add nothing to the main, powerful story line.
An edited version of this film - viewed on a family friendly channel - might be a great discussion starter with both your teen son -and Daughter!
Shining Through (1992)
Is this film DISSED because of "The PALIN Effect"???
Melanie Griffith plays a World War II US government secretary who transforms herself into an effective spy.
Underrated by those around her, she (educated at an unimpressive school) proves she is more street wise than the Vassar types her Harvard educated boss (Michael Douglas) has dated.
Yes, it's a slight rehash of Working Girl(her earlier film as a secretary who fights her way to a better position). So what! It's the Cinderalla of the Office escape story for the many of us who were stuck in "9 to 5" jobs below our mental capacity!!!
Griffith' character is a 1940's American secretary (who can speak a working class German learned from immigrant parents) who talks her way into actual spy work in wartime Germany! Douglas is the sometimes obtuse OSS (think pre-CIA) American spy guy who reluctantly signs her up for spy work.
Joely Richardson is the German girl who has a few weeks as Griffith's best friend "Tell me about Clark Gable!!!". Sir John Gielgud is the stern taskmaster who is her spy leader in Germany...Liam Neeson plays the Nazi you feel a bit sorry for. He's a widowed version of Werner Von Braun who has also fallen in love with Griffith---now working full time as nanny and part time as spy searching for his hidden flying rocket Peenemunde plans!!!
---I love many of the old World War II era drama/love/sometimes spy stories! So I love that this film evokes them!
(Griffith's character evades capture and saves the day various times - by using techniques picked up in films of that era!!! A boon for trivia buffs..."Remember Mortal Storm with Jimmy Stewart???" ------------------------------------- HOW and WHY this film, Griffith, the script...got those nasty anti-awards listed here amazes me!!! Maybe she (like Kathie Lee for instance) just grates on some peoples' nerves!!!
This is a moderately good film. (Betcha lots of women & film buffs are the bigger fans!!!) This film maybe doesn't fit the common demographics. A war adventure movie that might appeal to women more than men. With trimming of the bedroom scene, it could be shown to families with older kids...Even my hyper critical 10 year old son was asking questions (I had skipped the early bedroom scenes).
Perhaps it's the Palin Effect (Griffith (like Palin) doesn't come across as nasty, gravely, tough enough to be smart!!!!!)Maybe she doesn't do "Vassar Speak"! But--(like Palin) her effective actions prove otherwise. You doubt her at your peril!