The Help (2011)

This is a great movie about the 1960s house maids in Jackson Mississippi. The actresses were wonderful and well deservant of Oscar nods. This will not make my list but I will give it a solid 5 stars. You will hate being a white person; but the movie sure does make you think.

All The Kings Men (1949)

I haven't seen the remake (2006) starring Sean Penn, but I have always wanted to see this original which scored an Oscar for best film, best actor and best actress.

3.5 stars for me. Entertaining- yes. Incredible- no. There is some wonderful acting but I wouldn't have given this film best picture.

Guessing Game...

I made it through 2 hours of a 3 hour WWII movie last night as I was doing my ironing. I want you to try and guess the name of the movie.

Here is a list of people in the show- Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, James Cann, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford (small part), Ryan O'Neal, & Elliott Gould (oceans 11 series).

I love the battle sequences, perhaps some of the best I have seen. For a PG movie I am not sure why they would have used the F word 3 times so far in the movie.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

A great cast - all of which I have seen in several other movies- Sinatra, Lansberry, Leigh and Harvey. I watched this one because you had it on your top 100. I give it 4 solid stars. Well done by all actors involved and the director and producer. I really enjoyed this one. I don't think I will put it on my top 100 but it was great.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Finally got around to watching this one as a family, we had never seen it before. 2 stars at best. Next up for me is the Manchurian Candidate (which you recommended). By the way you have Toy Story 3 listed twice on your top 100 list.

The Illusionist (2010)

“A French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.” (http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi996383001/)
This cartoon was brilliantly made by Sylvain Chomet (Director) and Jacques Tati (screenplay). It is a French feature length animation that was nominated for best animation in 2011.
There is not much to say about this film. It is not a Disney film, but the animation is stunning. There was very little dialogue, and to be honest it was not needed. The music and animation told a wonderful story of friendship and life. This is a film that must be (cautiously, it is rated PG) experienced by all people. My only drawback of watching this with my kids was the smoking (it did allow for a good conversation with the kids though on what is good and what is bad).
I LOVED THIS MOVIE!! 5 Stars, and it will find a place on my top 100.

Next up The Illusionist (L'illusionniste (original title)). This was nominated for the 2011 Oscar for best animated film, and I have been waiting a long time to see this. Some reviews say that it is better than Toy Story 3. I am very excited, and I hope not to be disappointed.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Mathew Damon plays an up and coming political star, David Norris, for the state of New York, but fate and destiny would have it another way. There is a force of mysterious people who are making sure that life follows the road map that it is destined for, and does not have any detours along the way. Well, one day Norris’ life did take a detour and he ran into a young love interest Ellse. For the next hour (our time) they are kept apart and moved around by these mysterious men.
This was going to be a solid 4 star movie for me, but the director got in the way of the story and wrapped the movie up too neatly. It was an interesting watch, and was well acted but in the end it was only a weak 3 star movie.

Thor (2011)

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is the arrogant son of the God of Asgard. During his ceremony to become king, the sworn enemies of Asgard disrupt the ceremony. Thor takes it upon himself to exact revenge upon the enemy by breaking the truce they have together and inciting war upon them. When the king of Asgard (Anthony Hopkins) discovers this problem he banishes Thor to Earth.
On Earth Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is a scientist studying some storm phenomena’s, and chances upon the worm hole that Thor is traveling through. She runs into him, and takes him to the hospital for observations. They become friends and she helps him recover his beloved hammer.
Battles ensue between the sworn enemy of Thor and the people of earth, he become good again in the eyes of Asgard and all is right with the world in the end…or is it???
Let me pause here and explain that I truly enjoy the simplicity of comic book themed movies. X-Men, Incredible Hulk, Superman, Iron Man, etc.; they are an easy escape and generally a good popcorn movie. I also am a huge fan of Kenneth Branagh as an actor and director so I am going to be very forgiving for this movie as I give it four stars. I understand that this is just a bridge to the Avengers movie of 2012; the only glairing flaw was the choice of Hopkins as the King of Asgard. It felt as though he was just calling in his performance, which is hard to say for such an incredible actor.

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

The reviews for this movie were incredible. It was on my list as I am almost done watching all of Redford's movies. I have no idea why I put this one off.

This is a fictional movie that feels like it is based on a true story. The script is wonderful. The flying is even better. It made it on my top 100. What a wonderful few weeks this has been as I have added Rebecca, Amazing Grace, and now this one to my top 100.

I don't want to say anymore about this movie- you just have to watch it.


This movie stars Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Susan Sarandon, Edward Herrmann, Margot Kidder (Louise Lane in the first Superman).

Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

Philo Beddoe (Clint Eastwood) is a man with a chip on his shoulder. He like drinking, women, and fighting; especially fighting. Given the chance he will fight for money, or just for the heck of it. He owns a Chimp who is his constant companion, and which provides some comical relief. To make a very long story short, it is similar unto Smokey and the Bandit in regards to the tempo and feeling of the film. This was fun to watch once, but probably just a 3 star movie.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Wow the 80’s had good movies and they had bad movies. This one was bad.

Hell is for Heroes (1962)

This is a Don Siegel WWII movie staring Steve McQueen as the rebel American soldier. This is my 20th McQueen movie, and my quest to watch all of his movies is almost over. (He died young at age 50 and his first movie didn't come out until he was in his 20's).

James Coburn and Bob Newhart is the only actor besides McQueen that I knew from other movies. THis is a forgettable show with some great one liners from McQueen. 2 stars.

I am REALLY excited for my next movie which comes on Wednesday. It is called Rebecca. The reviews are excellent. Nominated for many Oscars. The only film of Alfred Hitchcock's to win best picture. Have you seen this one?

Funny Girl (1968)

Barbara Streisand plays the energetic young Jewish woman Fanny Brice who is very egger to break into show business. Through her antics she gets noticed by a young gambler Nick Arnstein, played by Omar Sharif. Arnstein introduces Brice to Florenz Ziegfeld and in time she gets a roll in the coveted Ziegfeld Follies. Overtime they fall in love, and the show goes downhill from there.
Yes this movie has some memorable songs such as, People, and Don’t Rain on My Parade. There is a memorable line, “Hello Gorgeous,” but the title of the film is misleading do to the lack of funny scenarios. Of course there are a few funny lines or shots, but as a whole the movie is unmemorable and very forgettable. I will never waste my time with this show again.

She won an Oscar for this? Yuck!

Watch the trailer, it is the best of the movie.

Amazing Grace (2006)

Thank you for telling me about this one. Incredible. 5 stars and I put it on my top 100 movie list. I love true stories that are well done. This one is perfect.