JulieKelleher57 Reviews

Albert Nobbs (2011)

Janet McTeer is ... transcendent

[8/10 · 25 November 2011]

Janet McTeer is absolutely transcendent in ALBERT NOBBS.

The waves of emotion which she wraps into Hubert Page are a wonder to behold. Her performance is not one of those 'knock me over with a feather' performances; it's more like a performance that settles in the bottom of your heart and stays there well after the movie ends. It keeps you up at night, and tugs at you for days afterward.

The story itself is more layered than it appears to be. Glenn Close has brought to the screen a very private yet very emotional character. Such a character is difficult to portray -- and the 'talking to one's self scenes' were a bit annoying, as all such scenes are.

In the end, however, this is a movie well worth your time.

The Illusionist (2010)

I was expecting more.

[7/10 · 2 February 2011]

"The Illusionist" was good, but I don't see what the great reviews were about. (I agree with a previous writer who compared all the glowing reviews to "The Emperor's New Clothes.")

The animation was, indeed, subtle and exquisite, but I couldn't get into the story. Maybe the story itself was too subtle for me. Maybe I expected too much, since I thought "The Triplets of Belleville" (same director; hand-drawn animation) was one of the best movies I had ever seen.

I felt no connection with either the man or the girl. The other characters popped in and out so quickly that they were almost forgettable. And the ending was unsatisfying.

If I had seen this first, it would not have prompted me to see 'The Triplets of Belleville'.

NOTE: This is NOT a movie for children.

Twice a Woman (1979)

I missed something ... I really wanted to like this movie.

[4/10 · 8 November 2008]

How can you go wrong with two of the best actors around -- Anthony Perkins and Bibi Andersson?

Well, add one absolutely horrid actress. Mix in some overwrought music. Combine this with atrocious editing, so-so cinematography, and an adequate director.

Oh, and don't forget the lousy screenplay, filled with characters who are either pitiable or just plain unlikeable.

I had to give Mr. Perkins and Miss Andersson two stars each for surviving this catastrophe. In fact, the scenes with the two of them are the only aspects of this movie worth watching.

Both are great actors, and have worked with the best. How they found themselves caught in this mess is a mystery that ranks right up there with the Holy Trinity and the Bermuda Triangle.

OK, so now I own a copy. I think I'll keep it. If I ever get discouraged with my writing, I'll just pop this in to remind myself just how terrible some movies can be.

Frasier: Dr. Nora (1999) Season 6, Episode 20

I'd have never watched FRASIER again ...

[1/10 · 23 January 2008]

... If this had been the first episode I saw. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought this episode was from the last season, and FRASIER was gasping for air.

I wish I could have given it a negative rating.

Waaaay over-the-top performances, even for FRASIER.

Predictable and tiresome "Oooooh, we're so tolerant and everyone else is a hypocrite" left coast pablum.

This goes in the "don't bother watching" bin along with the episodes that feature those tiresome CHEERS losers.

I guess such a great show has to have its share of awful episodes. And, as an afterthought, I suppose the better the show, the more atrocious those awful episodes.

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987)

Well-done, considering it's 8MM and done with dolls.

[8/10 · 3 January 2008]

As a die-hard Carpenters fan, people find it hard to believe that I like this film. At first, the "campy-ness" seems an insult to Karen's memory. But the more I watched it, the more I came to realize that this film was, and is, very sympathetic to Karen and her struggles. Not only did the poor soul fight for recognition in her family, but she had to fight for her own life. Unfortunately, the latter battle was lost.

But Karen's legacy is bigger than anything her family could have imagined. On February 4, 2008, we will commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of her death. Since then, many young girls have been save from self-starvation. How many? Hundreds, perhaps thousands.

We'll never know. But somewhere, when a parent hears Karen's voice, they say a prayer of thanks to the woman whose death may have saved their own daughter's life.

I think Todd Haynes created a chilling and all-too-accurate portrait of a young woman at odds with her family and herself. He "directed" the dolls very realistically, and the dream-like quality of the film evokes the confusion of the beautiful, tortured soul that was Karen Carpenter.

The Black Dahlia (2006)

I can only comment on the first 45 minutes ...

[2/10 · 6 September 2007]

... Because that's how much time I wasted watching this movie before I gave up on it.

What a piece of junk. First, I wish someone would tell some actors that there's a big difference between subtle and simply not acting at all.

Second, I wish someone would tell other actors that they confuse passion with over-acting.

Finally, the only thing this movie had to do with the death of Elizabeth Short was: there was a dead body, and it belonged to Elizabeth Short.

I hate renting movies and only watching less than half of them because they're a pile of junk like THE BLACK DAHLIA. I think Blockbuster should have a half-back policy or something.

Digging to China (1997)

I really wanted to like this movie -- but I couldn't

[4/10 · 4 June 2007]

I like Kevin Bacon and Cathy Moriarty, and I love Mary Stuart Masterson, but the movie wasn't good at all. There wasn't a likable character in the picture, and the plot was nearly non-existent.

Ms. Masterson is a great actress, but she just didn't pull off the "tough girl" character. (She had similar problems with her character in THE SECOND DAY OF Christmas.) Perhaps she should avoid these characters, especially those with an obnoxious female child to play off of.

Evan Rachel Wood was unimpressive. Her character was a brat, plain and simple, and no young actress could have given Harriet any positive feelings.

In the interest of full disclosure, I couldn't even finish watching this picture. Forty-five minutes of my time is enough to waste.

High Art (1998)

Finally, a decent lesbian-themed movie!

[16 June 2004]

After the trash of the past twenty or so years -- titles withheld to protect the incompetent -- someone finally makes a movie with a lesbian love angle that not only works, but shines. An exquisite performance by Ally Sheedy highlights this haunting study of a woman and the culture which ensnares her. A solid plot, likable -- if not perfect -- characters give flesh and blood to this dark character study. Added kudos to Patricia Clarkson; she took a character who tread the fine line between sympathetic and just plain pathetic and made Greta a complex, but not confusing nor inconsistent, woman. Well done, all around!

More Than Meets the Eye: The Joan Brock Story (2003 TV Movie)

An inspiring performance, too

[19 May 2004]

An inspiring story, for sure. However, the story would have been lost if not for a great performance by Carey Lowell. In a script which could have easily fallen into the maudlin, Ms. Lowell portrays the lead with a grace and subtlety rarely seen on TV today, let alone Lifetime (where most movies deal with either rape, abortion, or homosexuality). Carey Lowell is a superb actress. Her roles have been varied and challenging -- LICENSE TO KILL, THE GUARDIAN, LAW AND ORDER, FIERCE CREATURES. Her performance here is nothing less then inspiring in itself. -jk

The Killing of Sister George (1968)

Still powerful, relevant, and sensuous

[30 July 2003]

This movie is a heck of a lot more relevant than more recent films dealing with lesbianism -- the shallow, lame DESERT HEARTS comes to mind. Though over two hours long, TKOSG held me with little effort. The action moved freely from the studio to the apartment to the pub. And the seduction scene was totally erotic and ... well ... never mind. Was this particular scene overly long? Only to a generation raised on sex scenes which rarely last as long as it takes to cook a three-minute egg. Explicit? Grow up!

And the performances ... wow! I had no problem with the hold George had over Childie, with Beryl Reid's superior portrayal complemented perfectly by Susannah York's fragile and, at the same time, forceful Childie. I must admit, York was a bit over the top in the beginning, but I wouldn't say that if I didn't count her as one of my all-time favorite actresses. And how about Coral Browne -- she was sensational! Sublty menacing, eerily sensuous -- and when I realized this was the same woman from AUNTIE MAME and LYLA CLARE, well, I nearly fell off my chair. I love this lady!

Desert Hearts (1985)

Amateurish from the start ...

[2/10 · 23 June 2003]

... Or, at least, until I stopped watching it. Lame dialogue, choppy story, and editing for which the word "cheesy" would be a glowing compliment. The acting was average at best; most of the performances were either cliche or stilted. The characters themselves were, to a person, unlikeable; I didn't care what happened to them. The movie limped along to its uninspired climax. (No pun intended, I assure you.) The word must have gone out: Give this movie good reviews; it's a lesbian flick.

The Colossus of New York (1958)

Exquisite eerieness

[8/10 · 18 June 2003]

***Possible spoilers***

This movie has an exquisite eerieness (Is that a word?) that, IMHO, transcends any shortcomings. The shots of the Colossus moving through the water, as my nephew would say, "creep me out, big time." The overall concept -- one's body is one's humanity -- is a unique angle on the 'brain in a bucket' school of movies. If you have a chance, catch this on a movie channel. Love to see it released on DVD!

The Best of Everything (1959)

The best of the bad performances...

[7/10 · 5 May 2003]

A sincere tribute to Suzy Parker, who's just passed away. Not only is TBoE one of the cheesiest movies ever made, but Miss Parker's performance is, in this cheesy-movie-lover's opinion, among the worst performances of all time. Her last scene is especially overplayed. I loved it!

Zoe (I) (2001)

A simple story of two gentle, lost people

[12 April 2003]

No car crashes, no explosions, no battle scenes -- just a gentle tale about two people looking for their place in the world. Vanessa Zima is wonderful, a mature performance far beyond her years.

And Jenny Seagrove -- one of my favorites -- proves once again that her range and talent are virtually endless. She takes this role and wraps every emotion around it, she cradles it throughout the movie, and she presents her character to the audience, vulnerable but never tentative. Some day enough people will come to know this underappreciated performer, and she will receive the credit for which she is long overdue. Flippin' shame the movie didn't find a distributor, but take heart: ZOE will be coming out on DVD in June 2003.

Bringing Down the House (2003)

Just plain funny!

[23 March 2003]

Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, and (especially) Eugene Levy provide

an hour plus of inane, slapstick, and totally mindless comedy.

Loved it! Solid supporting cast: Jean Smart, looking as

babe-o-licious as ever, Betty White and Joan Plowright are wicked

funny, and an extra special mention to Missi Pyle as Ashley. Word!

Vendetta (1986)

As bad as it sounds, but the bad gal rules!

[17 February 2003]

VENDETTA is as bad as its description sounds. The shower scene in the beginning is the only reason for pre-pubescent boys to watch it. Sorry fellas -- no more naughty bits. Characters two-dimensional and trite, storyline as lame as it gets. (Don't worry -- no spoilers here!) BUT, it's worth one look for Sandy Martin, who plays the non-lesbian lesbian drug dealer. Ms. Martin has a field day with her role, acting circles around the others. Also check out Miss Dice, who is played by Roberta Collins -- though you'd swear she was Marta Kristen, Rebecca Demornay, or Tess Harper, depending on your generation.

Heartbreakers (2001)

Barely made it through the first hour.

[3/10 · 15 May 2002]

After sitting through two excrutiating hours of "What Women Want," I promised myself I'd never sit past the first hour of a movie simply for the sake of finishing it. I was checking the elapsed playing time of "Heartbreakers" after only fifteen minutes. The movie was unfunny. The script was plodding, and the plot was, well, just not there. The acting was mediocre - if Sigourney Weaver makes one more mistake like this, she'll end up doing infommercials. I hope she, Liotta, and Hackman were paid well, though I doubt all the money in the world could not compensate for the damage this may do to their careers. And speaking of money, who was paid off to get a PG-13 rating on this trashy piece of bad soft-porn.

Shadow on the Wall (1950)

Pretty decent movie; story could have used a little more "meat"

[20 February 2002]

This was a pretty decent movie. Nancy Davis (Reagan) was solid

as the psychiatrist trying to help little Susan (Gigi Perreau in a very

good performance) remember a horrible event which she had

witnessed. Zachary Scott, one of my favorites, proved real men can

handle supporting roles with as much flair as the more substantial

roles. And imaginative casting with Ann Southern as the baddie --

she handled it well without going over the top (as some

comedians are tempted to do with dramatic roles). Script could

have used a little more meat and the ending could have been a bit

more imaginative, but, all in all, not a waste of ninety minutes of

your time.

Man About the House (1973–1976)

Great cast. Naughty, but not filthy. Good, clean, sexy fun!

[19 February 2002]

I found the first four episodes of MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE, and I'm scouring eBay and Amazon for more! This show is pretty damn funny. I never liked the American version, and now I know why. The acting in this is far superior! Richard O'Sullivan is funny without resorting to inane slapstick -- ok, there's a bit of it, but the British do it so much better (as evidenced by Benny Hill). Sally Thomsett is cute without being dumb, and shows her wit time and time again. And Paula Wilcox combines sexy, smart, and sassy like no one I've ever seen. You won't find a more talented trio.

Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy are the -- dare I say -- threesome's perfect foils. Not the lecherous landlords of the American version, but naughty and enjoyable.

Would love to see this on TV on this side of the pond. As it is, I'll have to buy PAL and have it converted to NTSC. A small price to pay for superior, saucy, sexy fun!

Magic Moments (1989 TV Movie)

Jenny Seagrove fans -- enjoy!

[11 September 2001]

If you want to see a movie that doesn't drag in the middle of the story and doesn't have an ending you saw coming three weeks ago -- don't bother with this one.

But...

If you want to watch the exquisite Jenny Seagrove for 100 minutes, this is the movie for you.

Not much in the script to challenge this gifted actress, so don't expect _Woman of Substance_ -- just enjoy!

What Women Want (2000)

Women don't want to waste two hours watching this movie

[28 May 2001]

I can't remember the last time I saw I movie I disliked so much.

Too bad, because both Helen Hunt and Mel Gibson are darn good actors and very enjoyable to watch -- except when they're struggling with a lame script.

When the movie opened, I thought I had the ending figured out. When the movie ended, it was worse than I expected.

Two of the too-many subplots ended in the most unbelievable fashion.

In fact, the movie could not have been more lame if a man had written it. Perhaps one should -- he couldn't do any worse.

In a Child's Name (1991)

Yes, Virginia -- Valerie Bertinelli _can_ act

[19 May 2001]

I usually don't watch the junk on Lifetime, but I'm on a Valerie Bertinelli binge. (I'm just recovering from my Deborah Kerr binge.) This is what so-called "women's television" should be -- a compelling story (Whether it's "true" or not has never been a selling point with me.), very well-drawn characters, and a solid script. If you'll pardon the screenwriter's lingo, the set-up was one of the best I've ever seen. The Silvano family was colorful without being a parody of Italian-Americans. Each member was presented as an individual as well a part of the whole. Finally, I first realized Valerie Bertinelli (VB) was (and is) one darn good actress when I saw her in "The Haunting of Helen Walker." Another exception to the usual Lifetime TV fare, I was floored by VB's performance -- solid, subtle without being underacted, giving her own interpretation to a well-known character. In "In a Child's Name," VB gives another very good performance, presenting a well-rounded character -- recognizable and one-of-a kind at the same time. Yep, one darn good actress...

Decision Before Dawn (1951)

Well-written, well-acted. Great "issue" film

[8 December 2000]

A taut story, first-rate acting, and a compelling subject make this film worth seeing.

Espionage/spying is a tricky subject, but "Decision Before Dawn" handles it brilliantly. No flash, no Mata Haris, no absurd coincidences. Weaving human drama and the grim realism of war, this film is that rare gem that manages to teach without preaching.

Among the superb performances is our hero Happy, played with just the right blend of suspense and humanity by Oskar Werner. Happy (an ironic name given to him by his American overseers) is torn between love of his native land and his duty to what is right. Werner walks this tightrope better than most I've seen.

In the end, however, it's the script that is the true gem of the film. Peter Viertel is a master story teller, with such great screenplays as "Saboteur" and "The Hard Way" to his credit. Viertel, with a story by author George Howe, weaves an intricate, but not confusing, narrative of war and devotion and duty. He's one of the few _writers_ I look for when I check out "On TV This Week" on IMDB.

The Innocents (1961)

Breathtaking, exquisite -- and I loved the film, too!

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

Don't bother renting this film -- buy it! You'll see it over and over again.

While many compare "The Innocents" to "The Haunting," it reminded me more of "Repulsion" (which was made later, though I saw it before "The Innocents"). The themes of repression and (perhaps) madness run through each film, though the respective directors handled them in their own unique way. In "Repulsion," Polanski used sudden, violent images to highlight his heroine's (Deneuve) sexual repression and psychological descent. In "The Innocents," the entire story seems to float just above the ground, much in the same way Kerr seems to float above the floor as she moves (like no one else can) in hoop skirts and tight corsets. The images in this film don't jump out at you -- they creep (no pun intended) up on you (like menacing fog), or they're off in the distance -- and you're not quite sure what you're looking at. I think the word is ethereal.

British child actors, for whatever reason, are not as obnoxious as their American counterparts. Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin were superb. Stephens especially succeeded in capturing the duality of his character. And Peter Wyngarde gave an eerie performance that will stay in your head for a long time.

Finally, this was not only Deborah Kerr's best performance, but one of the best performances ever. Her uncanny ability to show her feelings just above the surface was perfectly displayed in this film. Also, few actors have such control of their facial expressions, nor can they call upon them so expertly, as Miss Kerr can. Truly one of the few actors we can call "great," this performance above all others demonstrates the inadequacy of the English language when attempting to describe such breathtaking beauty and such inestimable acting talent.

The Country Girl (1954)

Strong story and great performances

[8/10 · 10 May 2000]

Three great performances -- Bing Crosby (not one of my favorites) captures the desperate fading actor almost perfectly. William Holden plays the director too caught up on his work to have time for anything else with another strong performance. And Grace Kelly, far from her usual character, proves that she is a fine actress, more than deserving of her Oscar. (Crosby should have won one, too.)

The story was the real gem of this film. At first, it seemed a bit too trite -- tragedy ruins career. However, the audience, caught up with the characters in a web of lies, becomes disoriented. Wait a minute -- was that Georgie (Kelly) who told Bernie (Holden) about the incident in the hotel room? Was she referring to herself, or was the story from Frank (Crosby)? Our confusion allows us to be just as frustrated as the characters, and just as angry as the real story becomes clear.

Great story, great performances -- you can't ask any more of a film.