Must Love Dogs 2005

      Preschool teacher Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) has been divorced for eight months.  She is still grieving the divorce and the end of her marriage.  Although, she didn't see it as being perfect, she probably would have stuck it out.  She believed in the "for better or worse" obligation of the wedding vows.  But her ex-husband Kevin ended the marriage by leaving her for a younger woman.  She is urged by her over-supportive family including her many siblings, their partners and her widowed father to get back into the dating scene.  This is something she has been reluctant to do because she doesn’t feel ready.  Her most proactive sister in the matter, Carol (Elizabeth Perkins) sets her up on an Internet dating site.  Despite her less than prepared state, Sarah does go along with meeting men by exploring her options.  Sarah is also given unique perspectives on the whole issue of dating and commitment by her father, Bill (Christopher Plummer) since he is also exploring dating??

     Included in the credits, two Newfoundlands are shown with this caption: "No animals were harmed during the filming of this movie. Though we were petted within an inch of our lives."  I thought Diane Lane was realistic, vulnerable and more beautiful than ever (even without make-up at times).  The chemistry between her and John Cusack was truly believable.  Although the story line is slightly predictable, hey this is a romantic comedy, the dialog is good as well as the plot.  And, you cannot help but LOVE the dogs!!!

  
     There are repeated references to dating, body descriptions such as voluptuous and sexy.  There are a couple of scenes in bed and one in a shower with a naked woman with her back to the camera.  She is alone and upset and there is some party drinking.  A woman ends up on a very unfortunate blind date with her father!!  There is some mild profanity.   As the focus is on Internet dating, this film also shows how it involves performing, deceiving and self-deluding others.  A middle-aged woman chats with and attracts the attentions of a 15-year-old teen and she sends home immediately!!! 
5* (I really liked this movie)

158 min, Comedy directed and written by Gary David Goldberg with Diane Lane, John Cusack, Elizabeth Perkins, Christopher Plummer, Dermot Mulroney, Stockard Channing, Ali Hillis, Brad William Henke, Julie Gonzalo, Glenn Howerton, Ben Shenkman, Jordana Spiro, Kirk Trutner, Victor Webster, Michael Spound.

Note:  Amazon gives the book 4.7* out of 5* with 5900 reviews, Imdb 5.9* out of 10* with 30,537 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 36% with 151 critics 50% audience score with 197,847 ratings, Roger Ebert 2*, Common Sense Media Cynthia Fuchs, 3* out of 5*, age 13+, 3* sex, language, drinking, drugs & smoking.

Special Note:  According to writer, producer, and director Gary David Goldberg, he gave the script to John Cusack and encouraged him to change any of his character's dialogue to better suit his acting style.  Goldberg was surprised by Cusack's response because he later sent him about thirty-five pages of new dialogue for his character!!  The dog, "Mother Theresa" was played by two six-month old Newfoundland puppies named Molly (who did most of the work) and Maeve (who performed the water scene).  Both of the puppies appeared at the end of the movie together.  Writer, producer and director Gary David Goldberg adopted both puppies at the end of filming.

Tristan & Isolde 2006

     An affair between the second in line to Britain's throne and the princess of the feuding Irish spells nothing but doom for the young lovers.  The dynamic between Marke, Isolde and Tristan is similar to Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot.  Some scholars believe that they originated from the same source story and then split apart into two versions.  In some King Arthur books, Marke's kingdom coexists with Arthur and Camelot, Lancelot meets Tristan and they compare notes.  The first known written version of the Tristan and Isolde story was done in France around 1235 by two men calling themselves Luce de Gat and Helie de Boron.  Scattered references have been found to a lost older source brought to France by English exiles.  In some versions of the story, Tristan is called Tristram and Isolde is called Iseult or Yseult among other spellings. 

     This film includes several fierce medieval battle scenes featuring swords, mallets, spears, knives and arrows.  The combat results in dead and bloody/wounded bodies.  The young lovers appear in various states of undress and throes of passion, kissing, embracing and hiding from authorities.  In one scene, two women strip to lie next to the naked and just washed-ashore Tristan in order to warm his body.  The young lovers engage in an adulterous affair after she is married and characters drink during party scenes.  5* (I really liked this movie)

125 min, Action directed by Kevin Reynolds and written by Dean Georgaris with James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O’Hara, Mark Stron, Henry Cavill, Bronagh Gallagher, Ronan Vibert, Lucy Russell, JB Blanc, Graham Mullins, Leo Gregory, Dexter Fletcher, Richard Dillane, Hans Martin Stier.

Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 50,410 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 31% with 121 critics  71% with 220,957 audience scores, reelviess.net 3*, James Beradinelli, Roger Ebert 3*, Common Sense Media Cynthia Fuchs, 2* out of 5*, age 14+, 3* sex, drinking, drugs & smoking 5* violence, Metacritic 49 out of 100 with 30 critics 7.9 out of 10 with 52 user scores.

Special Note:  Originally Ridley Scott was to direct this film in the late-'70s right after his debut film The Duellists (1977).  He put the film aside to direct Alien(1979).  James Franco stated it was his most regrettable role.  Sophia Myles’ (Isolde) wedding gown costume was previously used in Arabian Nights (2000), worn by Mili Avital (Scheherezade).  The last movie to be released by Franchise Pictures before the company went bankrupt. 

Flight of the Concords 2007-2009

     Two New Zealander friends experience life, love, friendship, all the usual stuff, while trying to make their living as a rock band.  This is a rock band that can only schedule a performance at the local aquarium, it is run by an eager and overambitious New Zealand buddy and it only has one fan.

     This show has all the elements of a great comedy.  The supporting cast is consistently hilarious, just view episode 10 and listen to Murray's commentary on rock and roll and threesomes.  Mel is another gem of a character who has a husband but lives and breaths the FOTC band.  Arj always has some sort of admonition and advice for these unsuspecting guys and it makes for a hilarious misconstrued view.  The writers take an idea and spin it in the other direction.  As an example, the episode where the woman objectifies the man.  No one knows what wild and crazy situation these guys will get into next??  I was actually amazed about how many reviews I found for this program!!

     This musical comedy about a faux folk duo is pretty mild for HBO.  The language is uncensored but it's nowhere near the levels of shows like Deadwood and Six Feet Under.  Some scenes show social drinking and touch on drug use.  The storylines typically revolve around dating attempts and most of them fail.  There's probably nothing here that mature teens haven't seen or heard before.  Song lyrics occasionally insult women but they're more intended to poke fun at traditional pop music.

Special Note:  Before Flight of the Conchords was made into a HBO series, it was mainly an improvised radio series on BBC Radio 2.  This was similar to the TV series where Bret and Jemaine were band members and they were trying to make it big in London.  Rhys Darby (he plays Murray in the TV series) was their manager and Jimmy Carr played their fan Kipper.  The radio series was popular and in 2006 they were awarded the bronze Sony Radio Academy award for comedy.  In episode 2.1, Murray says the Grammys the guys won were fake but in real life the band won a Grammy for best comedy album.  At a photo-shoot, Murray says Bret looks so small next to Jemaine that he looks like he could be in Lord of the Rings.  Bret McKenzie actually appeared in minor roles in both The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001 and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003.  Filmed at 28 Henry Street, New York City, New York.

28 min each episode, 2 seasons created by James Bobin, Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie with Rhys Darby, Kristen Schaal, Art Barker, Frank Wood, Eugene Mirman, David Costabile, Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie. 

Note:  Imdb 8.5* out of 10* with 54,847 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 95% with 38 critics 100% with 39 audience scores, Metacritic 68 out of 100 with 15 critics 9.1out of 10 with 215 ratings, Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 1933 ratings, The Guardian 5* Brian Logan, Common Sense Media Sierra Filucci, age 15+, 1* positive, role models, 3* sex, drinking, drugs & smoking 4* language.

 
Episode Titles:  Sally, Bret Gives Up the Dream, Mugged, Yoko, Sally Returns, Bowie, Drive By, Girlfriends, What Goes on Tour, New Fans, The Actor, The Third Concord.
 

Cinderella Man 2005

      During the Great Depression a common man’s hero, James J. Braddock, a.k.a. the Cinderella Man became one of the most surprising sports legends in history!!  By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom.  His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him was his family, they were in danger and he was forced to go on Public Relief.  But deep down inside, James J. Braddock never relinquished his determination.  Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true.  In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring.  No one thought he had a shot.  However, Braddock was fueled by something beyond mere competition and he kept winning.  Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete.  He was carrying the hopes and dreams of the country!!

     The boxing scenes are intense, featuring slam-cuts, close-ups, brutal sound effects, images of bloody and beaten flesh.  The boxer and his family (including three young and adoring children) suffer poverty and cold winters with no heat and hunger.  Characters smoke, drink, use some language and argue, sometimes vehemently.  One character dies from a beating during a scuffle with police.  The boxer and his wife kiss earnestly.  The film's focus however, is on its inspiring message, namely that the underdog fighter is not, too old, too small and too out of practice.  He returns to the ring, triumphant as if by sheer will and determination.  5* (I really liked this movie)

144 min, Biography directed by Ron Howard and written by Cliff Hollingsworth and Akiva Goldsman with Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti, Paddy Considine, Bruce McGill David Husband, Connor Price, Ariel Waller, Patrick Louis, Rosemarie DeWitt, Linda Kash, Nicholas Campbell, Gene Pyrz, Chuck Shamata.

Note:  Imdb 8* out of 10* with 175,368 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 80% with 214 critics 91% with 282,229 audience scores, Metacritic 69 out of 100 with 40 critics 8.9 out of 10 with 315 user scores, Roger Ebert 3 1/2*, Common Sense Media Cynthia Fuchs, 3* out of 5*, age 14+, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, 5* violence, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 2519 reviews, Letterboxd 3.6* out of 5* with 101 fans, RollingStone 3 1/2* Peter Travers, dove.org language 5*, violence 2*, drugs 2*, nudity 1*.


Special Note:  Rosemarie DeWitt (Sara Wilson) is the granddaughter of the real James J. Braddock.  She is the daughter of his daughter Rosemarie who is portrayed by Ariel Waller in this movie.  Professional boxers played as James J. Braddock's opponents.  They were told to land their blows as close to Russell Crowe’s body as possible.  Unfortunately, they sometimes couldn't pull back in time and ended up injuring Crowe.  He suffered from several concussions and cracked teeth during the fights.  To film the final fight, the seats were filled with 15,000 blow-up dummies with masks and hats as the audience.  In real life, after Max Baer knocked out Frankie Campbell in the ring he stayed by Campbell's side for thirty minutes.  He waited for the ambulance to arrive and spent time with him and his family at the hospital.  He told Frankie's wife how sorry he was.  The next day Frankie Campbell was pronounced dead. When Baer heard this news, he broke down in tears. 

Mistakes:  In 1933, Jimmy Braddock reports a dream of dining at the Ritz with Mikey Rooney.  In 1933, Rooney was 13-year-old Mickey McGuire and he starred in a series of comedy shorts.  Rooney became a major star and household name in the late 1930s.  In the dock yard working scene, a modern-day crane delivers the sacks that Jimmy Braddock loads.  When Mae and the kids are stealing wood and see a man leaving his wife, the man walks past a modern blue USPS postal collection box.  In the 1930s, the boxes were olive drab colored and more square in shape.  When the Braddocks enter the fancy restaurant, the band plays a version of Opus One and this song came out in 1944?

Johnny English 2003

     When the funeral service of a British spy is attacked, almost all of the remaining spies are killed.  Only one spy is left and this person is now Britain's last hope.  Johnny English and his sidekick Bough have been assigned the task of investigating the theft of the British Crown Jewels.  The prime suspect is a mysterious French entrepreneur known as Pascal Sauvage.  English and Bough soon find out the horrifying truth behind the theft and Sauvage.  And, it's not going to be an easy job to bring him to justice!!

     Rowan plays a character who became famous in Britain as the star of a long-running series of credit card commercials.  Johnny English is a low-level functionary in the British Secret Service.  He’s pressed into active duty and his assignment is to foil a plot to steal the Crown Jewels.  His actions show how dangerously incompetent he really is!!  He lectures on how the thieves got into the Tower without noticing he is standing on the edge of a tunnel opening.  He can't even be trusted to drive during a chase scene and spends most of one chase in a car suspended from a moving wreckers' crane. 

     This film is a slapstick comedy with a few strong words and some bathroom jokes.  There is some spy adventure peril including guns but no blood or intense violence.  Kids not familiar with the long-term French-English political and cultural clashes may be confused by the animosity between the French and English characters?  This is a hilariously funny movie!!  Johnny English cannot do anything correctly!!  5* (I really liked this movie)

87 min, Action directed by Peter Howitt and written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and William Davies with Rowan Atkinson, Tasha de Vasconcelos, Ben Miller, Greg Wise, Douglas McFerran, Steve Nicolson, Terence Harvey, Kevin McNally, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nina Young, Rowland Davies, Natalie Imbruglia, Philippa Fordham, John Malkiovich, Tim Berrington.

Note:  Imdb 6.2* out of 10* with 147,769 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 33% with 122 critics 50% with 401,954 audience scores, Common Sense Media Nell Minow, 2* out of 5*, age 8+, 1* drinking, drugs & smoking 2* violence & scariness, sexy stuff, language, Roger Ebert 1 1/2*, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 1203 ratings, Letterboxd 2.8* out of 5* with 16 fans.

Special Note:  Rowan Atkinson is also known as Mr. Bean, the star of Bean 1997 and also as the star of the PBS reruns of The Black Adder.  He's the master of looking thoughtful after having committed a grievous breach of manners, logic, the law, personal hygiene or common sense!!

Sylvie’s Love 2020

      A young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist while she is working in her father's record shop in 1950s Harlem New York.  Their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography and professional success.  Sylvie’s Love is an old-fashioned love story set in the late 1950s and early 1960s with mainly Black characters and a great jazz soundtrack.  The main love interest is a talented saxophone player who falls in love with a young woman who is engaged to another wealthier man. 

 
     The couple flirts, dances, kisses and eventually have a scene where they undress to their undergarments.  Other male and female characters also dance and kiss but the sexual content is mostly discussed in euphemisms.  There is one raunchy joke that will likely fly over younger viewers' heads.  An unplanned pregnancy results and some extramarital affairs take place.  A man says his wife should only work if she can keep up with her responsibilities in the home.  Characters smoke cigarettes and drink beer and cocktails in social settings consistent with this era.  A woman reveals her own bias and racism in a conversation.

     I found this to be an interesting and engaging film.  I really loved the cars of this time period and the music as well.  The values of the characters are very rigid with some fluctuations.  Slyvie’s mother teaches posture, social standing and decorum to young girls in her apartment.  She uses Slyvie as an example and she tells Slyvie that she must marry within her station and not below.  She considers Robert to be beneath Slyvie’s social status and she doesn’t want Slyvie to see him again.  Slyvie tries to separate herself from Robert but their attraction to each other is too strong.  Separation does happen when Robert and the band are invited to travel to France to perform.  Robert invites Slyvie to travel with him but she refuses.  5* (I really liked this movie)   

114 min, Drama directed and written by Eugene Ashe with Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Evea Longoria, Aja Naomi King, Jemima Kirke, Tone Bell, Rege-Jean Page, Alano Miller, Raquel Horsford, Tucker Smallwood, Erica Gimpel, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lotus Plummer, Lance Reddick.

Note:  Imdb 6.5* out of 10* with 1384 reviews, 94% with 84 critics 85% with 84 audience scores, Metacritic 74 out of 100 with 15 critic reviews, Roger Ebert 4* Tomris Laffly, RollingStone 3* out of 5* David Fear, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 215 reviews, Common Sense Media Jennifer Green, 3* out of 5*, age 13+, 1* violence, 2* consumerism, drinking, drugs & smoking, 3* positive messages, role models, sex.

Submarines, Steel Boats and Iron Men 1989

     A civilian film crew goes along on a routine sea patrol of the United States nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709).  This is the first time in nearly 20 years that the US Navy has allowed a film crew aboard a submarine!!  Also, retired submarine commanders and military experts discuss the tactics and strategy of undersea warfare from the early days of World War I to the revolutionary changes brought on by atomic power.  Interviews with the crew of the Rickover help viewers understand more fully why they endure the danger, loneliness and confinement of submarine service.

     Unusually, I have personally been aboard a submarine but I have never gone to sea in one.  I also know people who have worked as crew members on submarines.  There are 25 museum submarines located across the USA.  5* (I really liked this movie)  

   
57 min, Documentary directed by David Hoffman and Kirk Wolfinger, written by William E. Duggan Jr. with Edward L. Beach, Tom Clancy, Robert Lansing.

Note:  Imdb 7.5* out of 10* with 30 reviews, Amazon 3* out of 5* with 40 ratings, videolibrarian.com 4*,  alibris.com 5*.

Special Note:  This submarine was launched on August 27, 1983.  It was sponsored by Rickover’s second wife Eleonore.  Commissioned on July 21, 1984 and deactivated on December 14, 2006.  In 2015, the Navy announced a Virginia-class submarine with the name USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795) in his honor.  Also, there is a Rickover Naval Academy and Rickover Junior High School.

Additional Note:  Hyman George Rickover was born 1/27/1900 in Makov Russia and he died 7/8/1986 in Arlington Virginia.  He was an American naval officer and engineer who developed the world’s first nuclear-powered engines and the first atomic-powered submarine the USS Nautilus launched in 1954.  Later, he supervised plans to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.