Dear Readers,

Topic: Movie Reviews

Here are my reviews of 3 films that we picked from the Netflix catalog last week.  Thank you so much for your feedback on the movie reviews.  I am eager to do more for you in the future.

Norbit (2007)

I did not see this movie when it was out on the big screens, but do recall seeing commercials for it. My initial impression from those trailers was that is was simply a dumb comedy, starring Eddie Murphy as the stereotypical “self-righteous, bossy, obese African American woman.” I had known that Mr. Murphy had enjoyed dressing in drag and dating the occasional cross dresser (or is “transvestite” the politically correct term?) for years — though many didn’t know this about the former Saturday Night Live star because it wasn’t widely reported by the mainstream media.

I had very low expectations for “Norbit” and unfortunately, I have to admit that this movie exceeded them. Norbit (played by Murphy) is a very sensitive, skinny black man who grows up in an orphanage. After his first boyhood love, Kate, is adopted by a caring family — he is intimidated into a relationship, then marriage by the larger than life Rasputia Latimore (also Murphy). “Norbit” contains a fairly sophisticated, though silly plot – centered on Rasputia’s abusive and repulsive personality and the corrupt dealings of her three brothers who own a local construction company. The ending is quite unrealistic, but will satisfy those who can cry easily….. ok, tears of laughter…. maybe!

Really Honest Review Score: A very creative script, written by Eddie Murphy. Obnoxious but funny. The B – word was way overused. Even men were repeatedly called this word for female dog. I thought this really took away from what was otherwise a decent film. I haven’t heard that word used so much since I watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last year. (Ha, Ha!) The trailers are a bit misleading by making it seem family friendly, so this film definitely warrants the PG-13 rating. **7 out of 10 stars**

The Queen (2006)

I loved this film!!!  It had such specific focus:  the week after Princess Diana died during the summer of 1997.  Helen Mirren brought her “A-game” to this production, starring as Elizabeth II — the longtime British monarch.   Mirren’s portrayal of The Queen showcased all of the pompousness and formality that you’d expect from the head of the world’s most recognized empire.   However, after being convinced that her initial response to the tragedy was insufficient and underwhelming by newly elected P.M. Tony Blair — The Queen finally finds it within herself to give her “subjects” what they really need.   Really Honest Review Score:  Helen Mirren received the 2007 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this film, so nothing I say will do her performance justice. I truly appreciate how actual TV news footage was intertwined with the storyline.  It brought back some memories.  I was starting 11th grade at that time.  Until the very end I held out a glimmer of hope that actual footage of Elton John’s “Goodbye England’s Rose” performed at the public memorial would be replayed and I was disappointed.  Oh well,  James Cromwell’s sinister portrayal of Prince Philip surely made up for the song.   **10 out of 10 stars**  I would it have given +1 for a bonus but an F-bomb dropped by Blair’s wife Cherie at the beginning seemed really out of place for this classy film.

The Heartbreak Kid (2007)

A remake of the 1972 film starring Ben Stiller and his real life father, Jerry Stiller.   It has a cute storyline:  a middle aged man working as a sports equipment executive loses the woman he is enamored with and unexpectedly finds his way into another relationship, the one he thinks is true love.    The amount of raunchy language, especially from the elder Mr. Stiller, really ruined the film for me.   The “dirty old man” Doc character (Jerry Stiller) kept using a certain word over and over again to refer to a party of the female anatomy.  He spouted innuendo after innuendo that I had never heard before and I thought I had been “privileged” enough to have heard them all.   It seemed like he was auditioning for they yet to be made “Grumpy Old Men III:  Perverts on the Prowl.   Desperate Housewives fans will be pleased to know that Eva Longoria makes a cameo appearance at the end of the film.    Really Honest Review Score:  A rather pathetic romantic comedy.  R-Rated is right on the money.   The tale of the “Heartbreak Kid” is spoiled by all of the locker room humor.   I’m very eager to see the 1972 version starring Charles Grodin and Cybill Shepherd, rated PG.  **3 out of 10 stars.**

Take Care,

Kevin

Dear Readers,

It doesn’t feel like 2008 and it’s impossible that today is Saturday — but my cell phone, clocks, and calendars all say that it is.  And so it is….

Today’s topic:  Mini Movie Reviews.

As you probably know, I watch a lot of movies.   Here are three that I watched over the New Year’s Weekend…

Isolation (2005)

Directed and written by Billy O’Brien

The main actors are not household names in the U.S.A. so I won’t bore you there.  This film was found in the HORROR section at a local Blockbuster by my daughter and her friends.  They were under the impression that it was a “major motion picture” and was in the lineup at multiplexes all over the country.   The reality is that Isolation was an independent production, released primarily in Ireland (where it was filmed) and the UK.  Although I’ve never been a fan of horror flicks, I do appreciate the low budget / non-corporate spirit that this work brought to my 27 inch TV screen.

The story unfolds on a farm in County Wicklow, Ireland where Dan (the owner) primarily raises cattle.  He had taken a payoff from a scientist, John, to allow genetic experiments on the herd.    When the mother cow, whose fetus was altered, gives birth — Dan realizes that he has been a victim of “mad science.”  Not only does the baby calf emerge with an extremely disturbed temperament, it is also found to be pregnant — and not with the offspring you’d expect — but flesh eating monsters.  The monsters reek havoc on life at this farm.  Dan and the other leading characters’ main objective is to eradicate this plague in spite of fierce resistance from John, the corrupt scientist.

This movie is violent and gruesome.  It is not very realistic, so at times the bloody elements may seem a bit humorous and unbelievable.    A few of the guests at our party were disappointed by the ending, but didn’t realize that it was meant to be open ended and provoke thought from the viewers.   **Really Honest Review Score:  6 out of 10.  Quite Average, F-word overused (though not uncommon in Northern England, Scotland, Ireland), unique but unbelievable storyline, incomplete character development, filmed on location.**

The Hawk Is Dying (2006)

George Gattling (Paul Giamatti) is quite a peculiar gentleman.  Queer would be an appropriate word and I’m not referring to his sexual preference.   He owns an auto detailing business that employs his childhood friend “Billy Bob.”  George lives with his sister Precious and her autistic son Fred.  Fred’s father abandoned him shortly after birth because he knew his boy would not be “normal.”  George helped to raise his nephew in his Gainesville, FL home as if he were his own son.   Although Fred did not speak, he and his uncle were able to to bond through their common love of nature and red-tailed hawks.

George lives an uninspired life, but takes up the hobby (bordering on obsession) of catching and training hawks.  At the beginning of the film,  you see that one bird he attempted to train did not survive.  This loss, coupled with the accidental death of family member break George’s heart — but drive him to master the art of hawk training.  His mission may seem insane and larger than life itself, but one cannot deny the passion Paul Giamatti demonstrates in his role.  The emotions displayed were so real and because of this, I think many people can relate to the character of George Gattling.

For you baseball fans who are stumbling on the name Giamatti…. yes Paul Giamatti is the son of the late, former President of Yale University and Commissioner of Major League Baseball — A. Bartlett Giamatti.

**Really Honest Review Score:  8 out of 10.  An excellent movie for men!!   Could be enjoyed by anyone who loves wildlife.   Main character is very insensitive to women and family, although he gives lifelike portrayal of a man in the midst of a mid-life crisis.  Brilliant acting.  A very different film….you have to use your imagination to understand it.**

Bring It On:  In It To Win It (2007)

This will be a very short review.    This is one of the lamest movies I have ever seen in my life.  Some teenagers and college students may appreciate this film which focuses on an intense rivalry at at summer cheerleading camp — but the acting simply reinforces the negativity and perversity rampant in today’s youth culture.   This film is the fourth in the “Bring It On” series that premiered in 2000. 

The film was full of jokes that were risque and full of innuendo.  At times, I was the only one in the room laughing because my daughter and her friends (being immigrants) don’t fully comprehend all pop culture idioms.   Actually, I think that’s a good thing.  The less they understand about “trash culture” the better.

**Really Honest Review Score:  1 out of 10.  No need to watch this disaster on disc.   If someone gives you the movie as a gift, use the DVD as a coaster.**

Cinematically yours,

Kevin