Lord Edgware Dies 1989

    Hercule Poirot is living in a London apartment, Captain Hasting's returns from Argentina and Inspector Japp is on the scene, all that is needed is a body?  Lord Edgware is very nasty, treating everyone around him badly, not just a few friends, no friends.  Lady Edgware is the first suspect in the murder but she has an alibi? 
    This is good, there is a lot more to be seen than meets the eye.  Poirot comes up with 5 questions that need to be solved to know who is the murderer, the problem is that no one has the answers to the questions?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

120 min, Mys directed by Brian Farnham with David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Helen Grace, John Castle, Fiona Allen, Dominic Guard.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 7.5 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Green Hornet 2010

    The son of a powerful newspaper man in LA can't do much before and after the death of his father.  He finds out the man who was making his delicious coffee was a fired former employee of his father who also took care of the cars.  They link together to fight an underworld kingpin.  OK, this might be really good if your age is in the single digits?  You don't have to watch everything, you won't miss anything, read the newspaper, eat a meal, do some work on the computer, your ears can do the watching for you!!  2* (I didn't like this movie)

119 min, Comedy directed by Michel Gondry with Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Edward James Olmos.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 6.1 out of 10, 44% critic 48% audience on Rotten
Tomatoes.

Career Girls 1997

    Two former college roommates spend the weekend together after 6 years apart.  They both have flashbacks to their college days, Annie was shy, nervous, no self-esteem and had a severe facial rash.  Hannah had strong opinions about everything and a habit of blurting them out.  In the present, Annie has gained confidence, poise, her face cleared up but she still can't relax.  Hannah cannot let a quiet moment speak for itself.
    In the scenes where they are roommates together, it's difficult to watch because Annie has so many nervous mannerisms and Hannah is always jumping around.  The present day scenes are better and don't make you feel like fingernails on a blackboard.  3* (This movie is just OK)


87 min, Comedy directed by Mike Leigh with Katrin Cartidlge, Lynda Steadman, Mark  Benton, Kate Byers, Any Serkis, Joe Tucker, Margo Stanley, Michael Healy.



Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 7.0 out of 10, 87% critic 85% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Mugabe and the White African 2009

    Michael Campbell is 75 years old, he and his family own a farm in Zimbabwe.  He didn't have the money to buy the farm so he took out a 20 year loan.  At the end of the loan period, President Robert Mugabe gave the land to a man affiliated with the government but not a farmer.  500 people were living on the farm, the workers, their wives and children, it was giving all of them a wage and a place to live.  Michael went to the international court to fight for his land but there were many delays caused by the Zimbabwe legal people.  Just prior to the final hearing, Michael, Angela and Ben were severely beaten by pro-Mugabe militia men. 
    This is very good, the photography was taken by subterfuge since the filmmakers would've been killed to suppress the story.  It's not just the story of this family but a story repeated with other families.  How can a country survive with the government ignoring human rights, creating unemployment and turning producing farms over to people who are not going to use it but let it become idle?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie) 

94 min, Doc directed by Lucy Bailey with Michael and Angela Campbell, Ben and Laura Freeth.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.7 out of 10, 97% critic 92% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Makioka Sisters 1983

    Also released under the title Fine Snow, this film is set just before WWII and is about four sisters in Osaka Japan, two married and two younger and single.  According to custom, the older unmarried sister is to be married before the younger.  Arrangements have been made several times for the older sister to marry but it has not worked out.  The younger sister is more independent, making a living by making dolls and finding it difficult to wait for her life to begin. 
    Since this is in Japanese with subtitles close attention is required because of the differences in culture, complexity of the relationships and the relaxed pace.  The local foliage is very beautiful with seasonal variations as well as the kimonos of the women.  4* (I really liked this movie) 

140 min, Drama directed by Kon Ichikawa with Keiko Kishi, Yoshiko Sakuma, Sayuri Yoshinaga, Yuko Kotegawa, Juzo Itami, Koji Ishizaka.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 7.3 out of 10, 100% critic 70% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.  (This is the first film I've seen rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.)

Bloodworth 2010

    After 40 years on the road, a country musician returns to his family in Tennessee.  He left behind his wife, three sons and now has a grandson.  There is not much here, everyone is just stumbling along before and after his return, no one has much to show for the 40 years.  A lot of ranting, arguing and family grudges  2* (I didn't like this movie)

95 min, Drama, Kris Kristofferson, Frances Conroy, Hilary Duff.

Note:  Blockbuster 2*, imdb 6.6 out of 10, 57% critic 48% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 1989

    Hercule Poirot has retired to the small village of King's Abbot, he cannot get away from the detective business even in this remote location.  Plus, what else is there for him to do since his garden will not cooperate?  Is there a connection between the death of a local man and then the suicide a year later of his wife?  Who is involved in the ensuing murder of wealthy industrialist Roger Ackroyd, are the cases related?  Chief Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard is on the investigation, he will need the complications of the overactive mind of Hercule to solve the case.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

103 min, Mystery, directed by Andrew Grieve with David Suchet, Philip Jackson, Oliver Ford Davies, Malcolm Terris, Selina Cadell, Daisy Beaumont, Flora Montgomery.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 6.9 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

Murder in Mesopotamia 2002

    Hercule Poirot has gone to the Middle East with his friend Captain Hastings.  They go to a dig where the wife of the head archaeologist has been receiving threatening letters and soon after she is found dead.  How can Hercule wear his suit with a vest in this heat plus bow tie, the horse tail looking object he carries with him is for shooing away the flies.  This small item may be enough of a clue to catch your interest?  This is good and keeps your mind working putting together the clues.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

100 min, Mystery, directed by Tom Clegg with David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Ron Berglas, Barbara Barnes, Dinah Stabb, Georgina Sowerby, Jeremy Turner-Welch.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.0 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

Barney's Version 2010

    Adapted from a 1997 novel by Mordecai Richler about a man who meets the love of his life on his wedding day to someone else.  The film covers 30 years of Barney's life, his marriages and his relationship with his father.  There is something about Paul Giamatti that seems so downtrodden even when you see him from a distance, it's the holding of his head and his body language.  This film is long and his beaten down demeanor really starts to take a toll on you since 134 minutes of this is a long time.  In this instance, the trailer seems better than the movie but it improves slightly for the last third.  3* (This movie is OK)

134 min, Drama directed by Richard j. Lewis with Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Dustin Hoffman, Scott Speedman, Rachelle Lefevre, Bruce Greenwood.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.4 out of 10, 79% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

South Riding 2010

     Based upon a novel from 1936, this is in three parts about a Yorkshire girls school and the surrounding countryside during the Depression.  Interesting, enjoyable about another time, farm land, animals, a distinct divide between the poor and the wealthy.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

177 min, Drama directed by Diarmuid Lawrence with Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey, Penelope Wilton.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb not rated, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

Desert Flower 2009

    A young girl runs away from her home in Somalia to avoid being the fourth wife of an elderly man.  It was a long journey without shoes over rocky terrain to her grandmother's house in Mogadishu.  Her grandmother sends her to London to work for a relative in the embassy until they are called back to Somalia.  She left rather than return home, worked at a hamburger stand and attended school until she is spotted by a famous photographer.  Very moving, especially with the real news of another famine in this poor part of the world. 
3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

120 min, Drama directed by Sherry Hormann with Liya Kebede, Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall, Juliet Stevenson.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 7.0 out of 10, 47% critic 75% audience at Rotten Tomatoes.

Farewell 2009

    Based on the true story of Vladimir Vetrov, a Soviet agent who gave classified documents to a French engineer who lived and worked in Moscow.  The information was passed on to the USA concerning what KGB agents had learned about us. 
    This is slow paced, very somber, you have to pay attention to the subtitles but it is dry information.  The biggest problem is that when governments are involved, a person can be sacrificed if it is for the greater good while another can just escape by being a minute ahead of a search.  3* (This movie is OK)
 
118 min, Drama directed by Christian Carion with Emir Kusturica, Guilaume Canet, Alexandra Maria Lara, Ingeborga Daplunalte, Dina Korzun.

Note.  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.0 out of 10, 85 % critic 75% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Original Sin 1996

    Commander Dalgliesh is interested in poetry, a respected author asks him to investigate threatening letters sent to the workers at Peverell Publishing.  Soon after, deaths start happening among this group of people.  Try to solve the murders, analyze who the possible killer is, what is the motive?  Let the film progress slowly, there are a lot of people to choose from as the killer, don't hurry, you've got plenty of time.  This is good.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)


148 min, Mystery, directed by Andrew Grieve with Roy Marsden, Ian Bannen,Cathryn Harrison, Amanda Root, Sylvia Syms, Lizzy McInnerny.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.6 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

Dumb Witness 2001

     Aunt Emily has a family that wants her money, is someone trying to kill her?  Hercule Poirot advises her to change her will, leave her money to a person who is not interested in the money, she can change it later to leave the money to family.  Two elderly neighbors have seen a premonition but are they to be believed.  This is good, also involves a speedboat trying to set a racing record on Lake Windermere.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

103 min, Mystery directed by Edward Bennett with David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Ann Morrish, Patrick Ryecart, Kate Buffery, Paul Herzberg, Julia St. John.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.5 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

One False Move 1991

    This is a tough film, Ray and Pluto would rather kill you than look at you.  They set up a scheme with the help of Ray's girlfriend Fantasia.  They kill several people in LA to find out where a drug dealer lives, they go there and kill more people to get the drugs and money.  They go to another house, kill more people because they don't have the money to buy the drugs.  Now they're on the run and fighting between themselves.  They kill a State Trooper and drop Fantasia off at her home town, a big mistake.  A lot of violence from start to finish.  3* (This movie is OK)

106 min, Drama, directed by Carl Franklin with Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams, Bill Paxton, Michael Beach.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.1 out of 10, 100% critic 69% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Mechanic 2011

    Arthur Bishop is a detached hired assassin who always gets his man and covers his trail.  He's assigned to kill his friend, he finds out it was a set-up and he starts training the man's vengeful son.  They start working their way up the food-chain.  Jason Statham has made a career out of playing the same guy in the same movie since Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998.  Of course, a lot of explosions, killings, car wrecks.  3* (This movie is OK)

93 min, Action, directed by Simon West with Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 6.5 out of 10, 53% critic 53% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Biutiful 2010

    Uxbal has two sides, he loves his children but struggles to get along with their mother.  He is a caring person but he is a criminal who oversees a small empire alongside a fellow crime boss.  This life becomes more complicated when he finds out he has cancer which has already spread and his time is limited to months.
    This film is long, dark and I think a lot could have been edited out for a more cohesive story.  A side story is Uxbal's ability to communicate with dead people and his relationship with a healer?  Of course, the film must start out with the closing scenes in the beginning and then shown again at the end.  How can you figure them out if they are out of sequence, this must be a trend?  3* (This movie is OK)

147 min, Drama, directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu with Javier Bardem, Maricel Alvarez, Eduard Fernandez. Diarytou Daff, Guillermo Estrella, Hanaa Bouchaib.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 7.5 out of 10, 63% critic 75% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Somewhere 2010

    Hollywood star Johnny Marco has it all, nice car, money, a trip to Italy to accept an award, a very nice daughter, but he has no personality, no relationships and few friends.  This is a good film if you want to keep it running, go to the grocery store, cook some dinner, read the paper, a few magazines, etc.  You will not miss anything no matter how long your eyes are away from the screen.  What's the purpose?  0* (I really, really hated this movie)

98 min, Drama directed by Sofia Coppola with Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning.

Note: Blockbuster 3*, imbd 6.5 out of 10, 71% critic, 47% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Miral 2011

    I'm not sure of the purpose of this film, I thought it would tell both sides of the issue between Israel and Palestine but this is just one side with limited information as well.  Miral has lived in an orphanage school since she was seven years old, now she is seventeen.  She's not sure if violent struggle is the answer or a peaceful deliberate approach to independence.  I like Hiam Abbass as an actress but this film doesn't give answers to the questions.  3* (This movie is OK)


112 min, Drama, directed by Julian Schnabel with Freida Pinto, Hiam Abbass, Willem Dafoe.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 5.8 out of 10, 16% critic 57% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

When We Leave 2010

    Very somber, slightly slow paced about a wife who takes her son away from an abusive relationship in Turkey.  She goes to stay with her family in Germany but her actions are a huge blow to the family, her father and oldest brother believe that she has been given to her husband and her son belongs with his father.  The community also offers pressure with their outcast of the family due to the shame.  One problem I found with this film is that the beginning scene is from the end of the movie so it makes you wonder about it until you see it in it's place.  A lot of information to process about differences in culture.  3* (This movie is OK)

115 min, Drama directed by Feo Aladag with Sibel Kekilli, Settar Tanriogen, Derya Alabora, Tamer Yigit, Serhad Can, Almila Bagriacik.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.5 out of 10, 77% critic 81% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

My Uncle Silas 2 2001

    Based on the semi-autobiographical stories of H.E. Bates, the setting is the early 1900's in England's North Country and there are six episodes.  Uncle Silas is a farm laborer who gets into a lot of trouble every time.  This is like watching episodes of The Waltons but from an earlier time, an entirely different age where time passed more slowly without electrical advantages.  These are very enjoyable.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

150 min, Drama, directed by Tom Clegg with Albert Finney, Sue Johnston, Joe Prospero.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 8.2 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hickory Dickory Dock 2002

    Hercule Poirot's secretary Miss Lemon has a sister who is working in a London student hostel.  Both of them are very worried about a series of thefts and then a murder.  There is a small mouse who may have been the only witness and could he be involved in some of the thefts?  Very interesting, can you guess who is the murderer?  Some people are not who they seem!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

103 min, Mystery, directed by Anthony Grieve with David Suchet, Jessica Lloyd, Rachel Bell, David Burke.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, not listed on imdb and Rotten Tomatoes.

Mysterious Affair at Styles 2001

   
     The introduction of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective in Agatha Christie novels.  WWI has just concluded and Poirot has just arrived in England where he meets again an old comrade, Arthur Hastings.  There are strange goings on in the Cavendish household, Hastings' friend John's mother has recently remarried and no one can tolerate him.  Soon after, Mrs. Cavendish is found murdered by strychnine.  There are plenty of suspects, Hercule Poirot must fully use his little gray cells.
    This is good, the period cars, clothing, hairstyles and manner of living is very picturesque.  "It's after 4PM and I've not had my tea!"  A servant will bring you a tray with silver utensils and china cups, very British you know?  One or two lumps and cream?  "Have you made up the fire in my bedroom?"  This is complex, entertaining and enjoyable.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

103 min, Mystery, directed by Ross Devenish with David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, David Rintoul, Philip Jackson.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, not listed on imdb or Rotten Tomatoes.

Bond of Silence 2010

    Beware, another Lifetime movie!  It's New Year's Eve and the house across the street is having a party with about 200 rowdy teens.  Bob and Kim are having a small quiet party at their house.  Since Bob knows the parents aren't home across the street, he and a friend go over to talk to the boy who lives there.  Bob doesn't come home, an ambulance comes for him and he can't be revived.
    Kim tries to find out what happened to Bob but the teens involved are not talking and their parents want the police to stop questioning them?  This is based on a true story and Kim becomes a speaker along with the one who killed her husband at high schools about teen drinking .  This film does get your attention, Bob was a tri-athlete and even with physical stamina, he could not take the physical abuse to his body.  (3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

87 min, Drama, directed by Peter Werner with Kim Raver, Greg Grunberg, David Cubitt, Charlie McDermott, Haley Ramm, Rebecca Jenkins, Nicole Oliver.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 5.9 out of 10, 50% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Lies in Plain Sight 2010

     Sofia is a blind college student who comes home because of the suicide of her cousin Eva.  Sofia is very puzzled, Eva seemed OK the last time they talked, she didn't leave a note, she had kept it quiet that she was no longer seeing her boyfriend. 
     So many questions, how can she find the answers, Eva's family is very closed off to her inquires?  I must include that this is a Lifetime movie, I didn't know that until the closing credits.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

88 min, Drama, directed by Patricia Cardoso with Martha Higareda, Benito Martinez, Chad Michael Murry, Rosie Perez, Yul Vazquez.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 6.7 out of 10, no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

Of Gods and Men 2010

    This is a tough film to review, I found it difficult to give the attention it deserved.   It's in Arabic and French with English subtitles, very slow moving, quiet, subdued and mainly about their daily lives.  Loosely based on the life of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria from 1993 until 1996. 
    The area is mostly Muslim, the monks have worked hard to foster relations with their neighbors and they are well versed in the Koran.  They provide medical care and charity plus calm and peace.  Muslim extremists are waging a bloody war against the nation's rulers but the monks try to remain on the outside of the conflict.  They have a decision to make, to stay or go for their own safety.  3* (This movie is OK)

123 min, Drama, directed by Xavier Beauvois with Lambert Wilson, Jean-Marie Frin, Philippe Laudenbach, Jacques Jerlin, Xavier Maly, Michael Lonsdale.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 7.4 out of 10, 92% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Kites 2010

    Picture a romance novel with a provocative cover and you have a description of this film.  I found the actors very confusing until I discovered it was filmed in Las Vegas, Mexico, Mumbai and the Maldives.  I thought the actors were from Mexico except for J but they are from India and that explains everything.  This is like a Jerry Bruckheimer movie with lot of action, car chases, wrecked cars, police chases and gun battles.
    J teaches dancing in Las Vegas, he switches $100 bills for $10 bills, he has married 11 women so they can get green cards.  He meets Gina and everything changes, she is part of a powerful Vegas casino family and very wealthy.  Now he has a luxury car and expensive clothes.  When Gina's brother comes home with his fiance, J is surprised to see that she is his 11th bride.  This isn't a family to make mistakes with, they would rather kill you than hear you are sorry. 3* (This movie is OK)

123 min, Drama, directed by Anurag Basu with Hrithik Roshan (India), Barbara Mori (Japanese-Uruguayan-Mexican), Kangana Ranaut (India), Kabir Bedi (India).

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 5.4 out of 10, 82% critic 44% audience on Rotten
Tomatoes.

Unnatural Causes 1993

    The victim supposedly died from natural causes but Commander Dalgliesh is not so sure since there is a link to a money laundering casino.  Everyone has a motive and everyone has an alibi?  This is enjoyable and has very different closing scenes.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

103 min, Mystery, directed by John Davies with Roy Marsden, Simon Chandler, Kenneth Colley, Mel Martin.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 6.3 out of 10, not listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Clocks 2010

A young stenographer has an appointment arranged by her agency but instead of an assignment, she's faced with a body behind the couch.  There are four clocks but only one has the correct time and the other three are set at the same incorrect time?  Just prior to this incident, two young women were hit by a car, one had just stolen important British information concerning a possible WWII and she had been followed by her coworker.  Are these death related, who is the dead man?  Hercule Poirot is tested but he is not found wanting!!  This is enjoyable and a test of our little gray cells.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

Note:  The white cliffs of Dover are the backdrop for some of the scenes.

90 min, Mystery, Agatha Christie with David Suchet, Jamie Winston, Tom Burke, Anna Massey.

Three Act Tragedy 2010

An elderly Cornish vicar drops dead after a drink at a party but foul play is not suspected until another member of the same group also dies.  Hercule Poirot must use his little gray cells to the utmost along with two interested amateurs.  This is good, I had a feeling who the perpetrator was before it was revealed and I was right.  Ghastly business!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

Note:  It was interesting to see that Martin Shaw is in this since he played Commander Dalgliesh in the 2004 P.D. James The Murder Room.

90 min, Mystery, Agatha Christie novel with David Suchet, Martin Shaw, Art Malik.

A Mind to Murder 1995

    Commander Dalgliesh has been on leave following the shooting death of a member of his team but he's called in on a murder case at a psychiatric clinic.  It's difficult enough to solve a crime and get truthful information from people.  Here at the clinic you don't know if what the patients are telling you is true or part of their mental problem.  It isn't any easier when he finds out the victim was generally not well liked.  Busybody, snobbish, judgmental were a few of her characteristics.

.

    This film is different from the other Dalgliesh movies I've recently watched.  It's only 101 minutes instead of 200-300 minutes!!  Even in the short time there is still a lot of action, a lot of characters and solving the crime quickly is not easy.  Dalgliesh says it's either greed or love as the motive?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

101 min, Mystery, directed by Gareth Davies with Roy Marsden, Mariead Carty, Sean Scanian.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, umdb 6.5 out 10, 28% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.