When I was in grade school we regularly did oral book reports in class. One day a girl in class presented a report on a Nancy Drew mystery. I thought it sounded interesting so I went to the library that afternoon and checked out The Secret of the Old Clock, with the original blue cover. I'm not sure how many more Nancy Drew mysteries I read, at least 20, but I enjoyed them all. As a guy, I'm not sure why I never read The Hardy Boys, but I didn't. When the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys television series aired in the 70's I watched it even though the show did not begin to capture the atmosphere of the books.
Given that background I was really interested in the recent Nancy Drew movie. Would it be a period piece or would it have a modern-day setting like the TV series. I was not prepared for the answer to be "both."
The movie is fun. It captures the Nancy Drew of the original books. Even though it is a contemporary setting, the Nancy Drew character is a throw back to the original books, complete with her blue roadster.
While watching the movie, I wished my daughter was 10 again because at that age, I think she would have enjoyed this movie.
I can imagine showing this movie to a group of giggling 10 year old girls during a birthday sleep over.
Be careful though. After watching this movie you might find yourself involved in a little "sleuthing!"
Monday, October 6, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
the sting
Paul Newman's death prompted me to pick The Sting up at the library and watch it again. One of the best movies ever.
Great story, great dialogue, great actors, great characters, great music.
I still remember watching it in a theater and hearing the shocked responses to the surprise ending.
I like Butch & Sundance but like The Sting more. Maybe because even though it appears they die at the end of The Sting, they don't, then they walk off into the sunset together.
Always hoped for a third Newman/Redford movie.
Why wasn't Newman in Sneakers? He would have been a great addition to an already excellent cast and fun story. If you've never seen Sneakers, and many, many people have not, correct that deficit in your cinematic experience.
If you've not seen The Sting lately, it's time.
Great story, great dialogue, great actors, great characters, great music.
I still remember watching it in a theater and hearing the shocked responses to the surprise ending.
I like Butch & Sundance but like The Sting more. Maybe because even though it appears they die at the end of The Sting, they don't, then they walk off into the sunset together.
Always hoped for a third Newman/Redford movie.
Why wasn't Newman in Sneakers? He would have been a great addition to an already excellent cast and fun story. If you've never seen Sneakers, and many, many people have not, correct that deficit in your cinematic experience.
If you've not seen The Sting lately, it's time.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
the bucket list
Powerful movie
Talent like Rob Reiner. Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, and Sean Hayes produce high expectations. Perhaps high expectations not met, but the move has many, many surprises.
This is not the best work by any of those talents, but it is a fine movie.
If it bogs down for you in the middle, be patient, the end is incredible.
Perfect for any older man going through mid-life or later-life crisis
Points to those things that are most important in life
Sometimes choices in life produce results no one expected
Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman play men who, while dealing with cancer
realise they are disatisfied with their respective lives.
After establishing friendship, they help each other.
The results are not what you expect.
I predicted wrong, who would be kissing "the most beautiful woman in the world"
and I predicted wrong who that woman would be. The result was so much better than my prediction. If you get it right, let me know.
The Bucket List is a good, good movie.
It is a great movie of faith.
The next time I teach a Faith on Film class, The Bucket List will be included.
Talent like Rob Reiner. Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, and Sean Hayes produce high expectations. Perhaps high expectations not met, but the move has many, many surprises.
This is not the best work by any of those talents, but it is a fine movie.
If it bogs down for you in the middle, be patient, the end is incredible.
Perfect for any older man going through mid-life or later-life crisis
Points to those things that are most important in life
Sometimes choices in life produce results no one expected
Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman play men who, while dealing with cancer
realise they are disatisfied with their respective lives.
After establishing friendship, they help each other.
The results are not what you expect.
I predicted wrong, who would be kissing "the most beautiful woman in the world"
and I predicted wrong who that woman would be. The result was so much better than my prediction. If you get it right, let me know.
The Bucket List is a good, good movie.
It is a great movie of faith.
The next time I teach a Faith on Film class, The Bucket List will be included.
leatherheads
George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, comedy
What could go wrong?
Quite a few things
Flat dialogue
Poor editing choices
Weak support cast
Not the worst movie ever made
But a disappointment
What could go wrong?
Quite a few things
Flat dialogue
Poor editing choices
Weak support cast
Not the worst movie ever made
But a disappointment
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