Change Your Image
obi-3
Reviews
Crazy in Alabama (1999)
Far better than the critics' rants and raves!!
Having read the book and loving it, I was looking forward to seeing this film. Overall, the film was very faithful to the novel. The acting was excellent but I did have reservations.
While Melanie Griffith would normally have been perfect for wacky Aunt Lucille, she was NOT 34 years old as the radio announcer said on the getaway car radio. If they acknowledged this fact, and actually STATED somehow that Lucille was 40 years old, "no spring chicken," or whatever, the credibility gap would not have been so wide.
Additionally, in the book it was very clear that Lucille named her 7 children after movie stars: Rock for Rock Hudson, Sandra for Sandra Dee, etc. It was virtually lost in the movie. And why were the kids almost ALL the same age (7 or 8). One or two should have been 12 or 13, given Ms. Griffith's age.
And I was totally put off by the fact that Lucille got her BIG BREAK by just sending in her head shot to the producers of "Bewitched," and they went on and on about how wonderful she looked. Eh???????????? Studios get thousands of head shots from Hollywood hopefuls, and frankly her photos were pretty pathetic. In the book, a vacationing talent scout saw Lucille in a community theatre production of "The Sound of Music" and saw some Star Quality in her and invited her to come look him up if she ever got to Hollywood. Now THAT would've made a lot more sense and it would have been far more BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!
Other than those points, I found everyone's acting wonderful, and Banderas did a fine job of directing. And why were some of the critics so "CONFUSED" by the switching back and forth of the two stories? Duh!!! Didn't these people go to high school or college? It wasn't confusing to us poor dumb SOBs who paid for our tickets!
Anyway, it's far from a great movie. But it sure is far better than some of the negative reviews from the "experts."
Working Girl (1988)
Sweet, charming and very funny!
I missed this movie in theaters and rented it tonight. Had pizza and three friends over (two had already seen it). Everybody loved it! A great cast headed by Melanie Griffith offered some surprises: young Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin are in it (briefly). Great Oscar winning song, too!
Paradise (1991)
Great acting; critics unfairly treated this one
I remember Siskel & Ebert giving this film a thumbs down. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it, and how moved I was by the story. Don & Melanie are wonderful together. A bit slow moving in the story department but more than makes up for it with emotion and heart.
Another Day in Paradise (1998)
The great acting is what highlights this film.
This is not a movie for prudes or wusses. It's very powerful --and not very pretty. Gross, actually, in many cases (just the smoking of cigarettes in practically every scene makes you want to wash your clothes). And the needle jab to the neck -- yikes! -- be prepared! But the acting is OUTSTANDING -- especially Melanie Griffith and James Woods playing two of the biggest dopers on celluloid. I hope they both get Oscar nominations for their roles -- they deserve it.
Working Girl (1988)
Sweet, charming and very funny!
I missed this movie in theaters and rented it tonight. Had pizza and three friends over (two had already seen it). Everybody loved it! A great cast headed by Melanie Griffith offered some surprises: young Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin are in it (briefly). Great Oscar winning song, too!
High Society (1956)
A second view, another opinion.
Hardly a great film and nowhere near the musical classic status of a "Sound of Music" or a "Gigi," but "High Society" does have its charms. Crosby and Sinatra are GREAT SINGERS and their duet "Well, Did You Evah!" is witty toe-tapping fun! Louie Armstrong's performance in the film ain't chopped liver either -- he's just so cool, hip -- and lovable! Frank doing "Who Wants to be a Millionaire (I Don't)" is terrific. And as far as Grace Kelly is concerned: she's gorgeous, charming and her duet with Bing on the Oscar-nominated "True Love" is still a delight after all these years. I'd recommend this film for several of Cole Porter's wonderful songs (others are duds). Having said this, however, the film's biggest problem is, unfortunately, its script which is as flat as last night's champagne.