stanbldr Reviews

Calendar Girls (2003)

Good British movie with enough humor to make it very watchable

[9/10 · 9 October 2003]

I saw this film the other day while o the car ferry from France. Cant wait until it arrives in the USA so I can take my wife to see it. The little cinema was packed and it appeared to me that it was enjoyed by all. I really loved it and found it to be uplifting. I also don't understand a 6.7 rating for this film. I gave it a 9 and certainly would have guessed that most people would rate it in the upper third of the scale. The cast was excellent and the screenplay kept me interested. What more can one expect from a movie. Highly recommended.

Secondhand Lions (2003)

Magnificent performances by Caine, Duvall and Osment

[10/10 · 20 September 2003]

I just saw it in the theater and was enchanted by the entire film. The performances by the three lead players were magnificent. The story kept moving along and captivated the viewer. I really feel sorry for any viewer who did not enjoy this outstanding movie. They really missed something special. The humor, the tender moments, the sad moments were all done so well. I overheard a young lady tell her boyfriend as we left the theater "I thought I would be bored by this movie but I loved every minute". That summed it up for me also, I enjoyed every minute I was watching. Go see it for yourself. 10/10.

Deceiver (1997)

A tense drama that has an interesting perspective

[7/10 · 9 June 2003]

+++++++++++ Contains Spoilers ************** I liked it. The acting was first rate. The script was well written and the cinematography excellent. Tim Roth was (as always) superb. I saw the ending coming when I recognized the ambulance driver and remembered that Roth had purchased mind erasing drug from Mook. In this story the apparent murderer is smarter and richer than the cops who are trying to get him to confess to the murder of a hooker, whose body has been cut in two and stuffed in two suitcases and left in different parts of town. It goes to prove that he who has the most information wins.

All in all worth seeing, maybe even worth seeing twice.

Passed Away (1992)

A funny Black-Comedy, not for everyone, but I liked it.

[7/10 · 16 May 2003]

This is a very quirky comedy. No surprises but very well acted and the script has enough funny situations to keep one entertained. Not great by any means but I found it worth watching and as I always enjoy seeing Bob Hoskins I was not disappointed. This movie is definitely not for everyone.

The Shipping News (2001)

An underrated picture that is well worth your time viewing.

[9/10 · 31 December 2002]

What amazes me is the lack of critical acclaim for this great movie. I saw it on the big screen then read the book and saw it on cable again last night. The acting by Spacey, Dench, Moore, Glenn, Postlethwaite, Blanchett and everyone else was outstanding. The story is about a man who was beaten down so much, first by his evil father and then by his wife that he felt he was worthless and not able to really cope with life. However when his aunt (Dame Judi Dench) comes into his life and transports him to his roots in Newfoundland his life changes and he thrives. It is a great story and is brilliantly directed by Lasse Hallstrom who also directed the great "Cider House Rules" movie. The photography is also worth paying attention too. If you haven't yet seen it by all means rent a copy. I think its a 5* movie.

13 Conversations About One Thing (2001)

An excellent movie, but lacking a big release will not be seen by many!

[9/10 · 28 June 2002]

I just saw Jill and Karen Sprecher's new film 13 Conversations. I don't want to repeat what others have already said so you will have to read the other comments to see what the movie is about. This film is so honest it's scary. It was excellent and I am so sorry it is not on major release so that more people can see it. Reading the other comments here I feel that some people really missed the heart of the movie that the Sprecher sisters have made. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people and no one can predict or control how things will work out in the end. And everyone is seeking happiness but in different ways. Bravo for Jill and Karen for creating an excellent movie for us to see.

The Sum of All Fears (2002)

Unbelievable, stupid waste of time

[4/10 · 8 June 2002]

I cant believe that Roger Ebert and others praised this stupid excuse of a movie. It had too many scenes that I have seen before in better movies (Like early James Bond). There isn't an original moment in this film. For example when one of the evil conspirators says he doesn't think that they should be doing this and decides to leave - surprise surprise, the henchman helping him on with his coat and scarf strangles him while all the other conspirators watch in amazement. (I saw this scene 20 years ago in a James Bond movie.) Give me a break. Do you believe that the CIA cant communicate with its agents but keep losing them to static and that Ben Afleck as Dr. John Ryan can use the CIA Directors pass and get into the Pentagon and use the HOT LINE Teletype and no one can stop him. The movie is just full of unbelievable scenes, that make it very hard to follow. The ending was total Hollywood and made no sense at all. Waste of time and money to see.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Superb movie for all age groups.

[9/10 · 19 November 2001]

I took my 7 and 10 year old grandchildren to this movie and we all enjoyed it very much. This is not aimed at any one particular age group. Its entertaining and fun for all. I would think that 7 would be the youngest I would recommend it for. None of us had read any Harry Potter books, so that is not necessary to enjoy this film which stands on its own merits. Highly recommended.

America's Sweethearts (2001)

A very funny movie. Just go and laugh, don't analyze it.

[7/10 · 23 July 2001]

I really laughed a lot while seeing American Sweetheart's. It was cute, funny, and in its own way a romantic movie. Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta Jones and John Cusack are very good in it. This is one of Ms. Roberts best movies. If you want to see a funny movie with loads of laughs go see American Sweethearts. Billy Crystal co-wrote it and is in it also. If you can't laugh at Billy Crystal then save your money and stay home.