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msbroberts
Reviews
Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (2020)
Moving remembrance of an amazing women who happened to a movie star
I have often thought that the tragic death of Natalie Wood has been compounded by the fact that her brilliant work is often overshadowed by the circumstances of her passing.
It was lovely to watch this well made biography.
When I was a small girl while playing at the Tea Gardens in LA, I got involved playing with a new friend and got separated from my family. Being the early 70's, there was a more casual...'look for your sister'....approach to the situation. By the time my parents found me they had begun to be a bit more worried, but were surprised and starstruck, more than relieved. I was having lunch with my new friend, her parents and little sister. My new friend turned out to be Katie Wagner and the family that found an extra child in there mist was Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner.
As sometimes happens when a story gets retold and re-remembered through the years (as well as a naturally strong memory), and I recall things from the encounter that would normally be forgotten.
What I have always remembered the most, even almost 50 years later, was Ms. Wood's laughter and warm, easy grace while soothing a less pleased Mr. Wagner, "Let's have some lunch; her parents will find us." His quick chuckle and acceptance eased any fear that I had. The feeling of this Hollywood royalty couple enjoying a laid back, 'normal' outing echoed in Ms. Gregson Wagner's words on her mother and Mr. Wagner's desires for their family.
Through the years, I have read and watched many biographies and always came away dissatisfied. It always felt that a vital piece was missing. I now know, it was a big piece of her humanity.
Perhaps that piece could only be done by her daughter, the little sister that I ate lunch with on a warm, sunny LA day.
Thank you, Ms. Gregson Wagner for sharing your mother's story. May her laughter and love always vibrate in your heart.
Something Borrowed (2011)
Good girly fun, entertaining
After reading some negative reviews in some magazine I went to the movie with trepidation. Is it a finely crafted film, with a riveting script? No, but it was a good way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with a friend.
Kate Hudson, Gennifer Goodwin do a good job making the friendship believable and warm, which could have been difficult considering their different temperaments. Colin Egglesfield is so handsome and those eyes can make you forgive a someway stiff performance. John Krasinski steals the show though, with his spot on delivery of the best lines in the movie.
Be sure to stay until after the credits for a little bonus blip.
Hoping they do the next story, John Krasinski would be fabulous.
Life as We Know It (2010)
Sadly doesn't fill it's potential.
I knew I had probably seen most of the movie in the previews, I also knew the ending was going to be beyond predictable, even so I was really looking forward to the movie. Cute girl, cute guy, cute baby, cute story...how could it miss? I thought perfect afternoon light enjoyment...too bad I couldn't be more wrong.
It was slow, dull and the film makers failed to make me care about the characters in any way. The biggest problem with the ending wasn't that it was predictable, it was that I couldn't care less what happened to the characters.
Save your money, I don't think this one would even be worth a rental at the $1 kiosk.
The Town (2010)
Excellent Story, great acting, worth seeing.
Mr.Affleck def. deserves kudos. My husband & I went to see it, honestly, to escape the heat. We wound up pleasantly surprised when we both liked it, tremendously, something that rarely occurs.
The acting was excellent. The story was well told and compelling. There were a few holes, but not nothing really horrid or enough to detract from the movie as a whole.
I was really looking forward to Wall Street, but as much as I thought Wall Street fell flat, The Town exceeded my expectations and made for a wonderful surprise, almost like a little hidden treasure.
There were some decent action scenes, but not that horrible bumpy camera work, that is suppose to be 'artistic', but frankly just give me a head ache.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
Michael Doglas was great, rest just OK. Some Spoilers
I really enjoyed Michael Douglas' acting. The rest of the actors were pretty bad and the story itself, just OK. The best part of the whole movie was the lecture Gordon gives at the beginning of the film, as seen in the previews...it goes down hill from there. Very slow moving and predictable and unrealistic at the same time.
~Spoliers~ The whole daughter being so unforgiving through the whole movie and then at the end just forgiving both Gordon and Jake after a lame 10 second speech from Gordon was just too unbelievable. What all is forgiven now that Gordon is really wealthy again? And while the birthday party for the kid was sweet in a way, it was just the kind of over the top event that the whole movie is 'preaching' against. So what is the message, we should be 'better,' focus less on material things and status, but humans as whole will never be over those things, so enjoy it, if you've got it?
It's Complicated (2009)
Excellent movie, great for couples.
My husband and I just saw the movie. We both loved it. My husband said he was worried by the audience (he was one of only 3 men present) and the all 'chick flick' previews, but was happily surprised. We were both laughing so loud and so hard, we missed a couple of lines, so I will be happy to get the DVD in the future. Alec Baldwin was amazing! He should have got billing above Steve Martin. Meryl Streep was fantastic, as always. The chemistry between the two was natural feeling and fantastic. So good, in fact, it made me seriously question the end. Both my husband and I thought she should go the other way. All of the 'kids' were also well acted. Really, a great movie for couples, even though many might view it as a 'chick flick'.
V (2009)
This was so over hyped. It's simply horrid.
I remember watching this show when I was younger and with all the hype and marketing put behind, I thought it might be actually decent. I couldn't make it past 30 minutes without falling asleep. It's a good thing I taped it, because it took me three seatings to even get through the first show. I thought the actors, some of whom I usually enjoy were wooden and unbelievable. The story was forced and predictable. If the first show was this bad, and touted to be so good, I can not force myself to watch anymore, I erased the subscription from the DVR. What is ABC thinking putting so much time and effort in marketing this rubbish? Did any of the execs even bother to watch an episode?
Dreamgirls (2006)
Amazing! Loved it!
While I never saw the stage production, I heard good things about the story. I anxiously awaited for the opening...I was a bit worried about overhype, but I was amazed and loved it.
Incredible performances all around! I can't decide who I liked most. The music and singing were great. Who knew Eddie Murphy could sing so well, he was amazing. I am not an American Idol fan, so I had never seen Jennifer Hudson preform...wow! What a voice! I was worried I wouldn't be able to see past 'Beyonce' to the character, but she simply disappeared into the role.
Great ending for 2006.
Hoodwinked! (2005)
Don't believe the hype!
This movie was slow and repetitive and just basically horrid. I took my 5 year old son, and even he did not like it. I snuck a peek at him a few times and was saddened at how bored he looked.
While there were a few cute moments, for the most part it just drug on and on. Seeing the story from the different perspectives sounds unique and different, but for the most part you just feel you are watching the same boring movie, 5 times in a row.
After the movie, I tried to 'talk up' the good parts to him...but he was not buying it...
When we got home my husband asked, "How was it?"...before I could even open my mouth, my son shouted, "Oh! It was terrible!", out of the mouths of babes.
Don't waste your time or your money.
Holes (2003)
Very good story, true to the book
This is a great family movie, especially for families who have a hard time finding a movie the whole family can enjoy. My eldest son, 14 and I had read the book and were very happy with the adaptation. I have heard some complaints that the plot was hard to follow if you had not read the book, but My husband and 9 year year old son had not read the book, had no problem following along. In fact, my nine year old had some great comments on the ride home about the theme and twists, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Even my husband loved it
I have loved this story since reading it in high school. I have read it numerous times and was thrilled with this adaptation. I first rented it and loved it so much, I had to buy it. At the time the video set was about $ 90.00, way more than I have ever spent on a video, but after a lot of thought I finally bought, I was never sorry I did....I watched it numerous times. When my family upgraded to DVD about a year and a half ago, we resolved not to duplicate our video library on DVD. A resolution we have kept, except for this one title! When I saw the DVD on sale for under $20.00 I knew I would still watch it and not have to keep changing the 6 video tapes...lol...when I brought the DVD home it was a cold rainy day and I popped a big bowl of popcorn, cozied up on the sofa and got ready to relax when my husband came in....."iI can't believe you are going to watch this, again" he laughed at me. Still he sat down and began to watch....I was amazed that 5 1/2 hours later he was still watching with me! I think he was surprised at how much he enjoyed it, so surprised I did not even get a lecture on buying the DVD, even though we already had the video...lol.
What a Girl Wants (2003)
Very cute movie! Pleasant afternoon diversion.
I read a review that said that the movie was a poor remake of Princess Diaries, so I was reluctant to see it, since I really did not care that much for Princess Diaries....but was more than pleasantly surprised. Let's admit it...it is fluff...but if that is what you are in the mood for...it is wonderful. Colin Firth is great, as always! I also really liked Kelly Preston.