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Reviews
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
My new favorite film
I expected quirky based on what friends had told me, but they must have missed the beauty of the film altogether because they didn't mention that part of it and I didn't know I was going to be so moved. It was absolutely beautiful - understated and insightfully written and acted. Ryan Gosling is so wonderfully vulnerable - every hesitation and awkward gesture so real and painful - that the reaction of the town to his new girlfriend is completely realistic; who would not want to be protective of him? I didn't feel any guilt in laughing but I also wanted to cry, which is a reminder that there is humor, beauty and sadness mixed into so much of life. I will watch this film over and over again and be reminded of the kindness and compassion that are possible in everyday life, and of the opportunities we have to be good to one another.
Man About Town (2006)
So much more than I expected
I've seen a couple of recent Ben Affleck films that disappointed me, and was expecting this to be much the same - a pointless comedy with trite, unfunny dialogue. I was very happily surprised! There were some truly funny bits in this film, but it was also a poignant, quirky story with some very insightful observations on the human condition, moments of tension and moderate violence, and really good acting by Affleck and Binder especially. In other words, it was a much richer film than I expected and the surprise of that may account to some degree for the high rating I gave it...but I do think I wasn't TOO overgenerous, it really was good!
To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)
Funny, sweet and amazing transvestite performances!
Admittedly I'm not that hard to please but my taste in film does pretty much run the gamut and this is still one of my favorite movies; not only because Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo turn in such convincing performances as drag queens but because their characters are so lovable and quirky. So what if the plot is a little far-fetched and silly - just watch it for all the great one-liners and wonderful mannerisms these guys have perfected, and if you suspend your disbelief you'll enjoy the story too. Robin Williams makes a hilarious cameo appearance early on, and Blythe Danner and Stockard Channing also turn in good performances. Favorite line - "Larger than life is just the right size!"
Ray (2004)
The best film bio I've ever seen
I can't say enough good things about Jamie Foxx in this film - I had always considered him something of a lightweight but he has channelled Ray Charles completely, so much so that I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't Ray Charles performing in his autobiography! Not a short film, but it felt like it; you were just carried along on the flow of this excellently told life story. I'm sure I will never give a superficial listen to any of his music again after learning so much about him from this film. The supporting cast did a wonderful job too; I liked the honesty and straightforwardness of Ahmet played by Curtis Armstrong (Booger from Revenge of the Nerds! - another actor showing his previously hidden talents) and the women in Ray Charles's life were also portrayed with great depth and perception. Overall, the best bio and one of the best films I've seen in years...and I see a LOT of movies!
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Much funnier than the typical chick flick!!
This movie had much more going for it than I had anticipated. Nathan Lane and Sean Hayes as the agent and manager Richard Levy (both of them had the same name!) were hilarious, as was the hotel clerk - a small part played by Sam Pancake who I at first mistook for Martin Short. Topher Grace had tons of great one-liners, and Ginnifer Goodwin and Kathryn Hahn also really good in supporting roles. I liked Josh Duhamel too, and was interested to find that he really wasn't the stereotypical movie star trying to manipulate Kate Bosworth. His character was really sincere, giving you no one to really dislike and making the plot much more interesting. Overall, I was laughing out loud through a good deal of this movie when I had expected it to be a little lame - a really nice surprise!