December 27

Clarification: When I mentioned to Sy what I wrote about him in my Doubt review, he said he was not uncertain about the ending, but just didn't like it. We discussed what he thought Meryl Streep's last scene meant which made wonderful sense to me.

In regard to my Doubt question, Melanie wrote:

"Tim and I saw Doubt when it was here as the play.  We were in the second row and could see the eye color of the actors.  It was

phenomenal.  I loved every minute and felt that the end was perfect...yes, unresolved...but hey, that is the reason behind the

title, isnt it?  We both want to see the movie."

On HBO and Netflix:

P.S. I Love You - Once again I caught a former entry on my Netflix list on HBO. This story stars Hilary Swank in a romance drama not her usual role or in my opinion her strength. It is a very formula type movie where she goes through tragedy and comes out the end a better person fulfilling hopes and dreams. The supporting cast is good although I did not know the leading man, Gerard Butler. Harry Connick. Jr., usually charming, doesn't quite cut it here and Lisa Kudow plays an annoying friend. Once again Kathy Bates was in this movie, she certainly gets around, as Swank's mother. She has perhaps the best scene in the movie. It won't win any awards, but I found it a good way to pass the time while nursing a cold.

Young @ Heart - A while back, I saw an article about this group in the newspaper and knew I had to see the movie. This is a documentary about a choral group made up of people in their 70's through 90's. It follows them as they prepare for a concert and highlights some of the members. Although not your average movie, it does make you stop and think that life does not end just because you don't fit into those jeans anymore or the face you see in the mirror reminds you of your parents. As a recent retiree, it gives me hope that there is so much more to conquer and all I have to do is look around the corner for the next opportunity. Do I recommend you to run and order it, maybe. It is not the type of film that you are on the edge of your seat, but one that makes you think and appreciate what you have.

In regard to the Bucket list, I received these two comments:

Yolanda wrote:  "I loved the movie and it made me think about how short our visit is here on earth, yes too great actors.

lightweight movie but a powerful message."



Betty wrote:  "I rented The Bucket List from Netflix a couple of months ago, and was so pleasantly surprised.  I loved the chemistry between Jack

Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and all the family stuff.  I liked it so much I passed it on to my neighbors before returning it, and they liked

it, too.  I still get a warm happy feeling just thinking about it.  Thanks for jogging my memory today."



On a movie, I probably won't see, Yolanda wrote:

"I went to the movies yesterday and saw Marley and Me, I cried and laughed, I thought it was good."

And finally Melanie wrote:
"I have to tell you all that as a grandmother, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis, might be the best childrens movie ever. We watched it last night with our grandkids who LOVED it. We are watching it again tonight!"

Thanks to all of you who wrote. I hope you don't mind me sharing your thoughts with the group.

I have started putting these reviews on a blog Robertasreviews.blogspot.com It is still under construction, but you can check it out. I will still send these reviews directly to all of you, but if your friends would like to read them as well, direct them to the website. When it is in its final form, I'll let you all know.

Tomorrow Sy and I are off to see Altar Boyz at the Bethesda Theater. It is schedule to go off Broadway after this run. Look for my review next week.

In the meantime have a very Happy New Year and keep enjoying the movies.

Roberta

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Listen to

December 25

Today being Christmas, Sy and I went to the movies with friends so I'll be

reviewing a first run and a movie presently on HBO and available through

Netflix.

In your local theaters starting today:

Doubt - Once again both Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman turn in

powerful performances. From Momma Mia to The Devil Wears Prada is there any

role Streep can't play? Amy Adams also puts in a powerful performance that

shows her versatility. If you saw her in Enchanted, this is an entirely

different Amy Adams. The title of the movie tells the tale and that's all

I'll say about the content of the film. It is a bit slow and you could imagine it as the stage production is was. Sy was disappointed with the ending as he felt it was unresolved while I thought the result left nothing unsaid. I'd like to hear from others who've seen it and how they felt. A good movie, but out of the three top contenders - Slumdog Millionaire, MILK and Doubt, I put Doubt third. :-):-):-) (for the acting not necessarily the story)

On HBO and available through Netflix:

The Bucket List - I originally had this on my Netflix list and thought it was

too lightweight even for me, but when my Rabbi made reference to it in his Rosh Hoshana sermon, I kept an eye out for it and found it this week. As most people know it is about two older gentlemen who are dying and make a bucket list of things they would like to do before "kicking the bucket." What makes this movie work are the two actors in starring roles; Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. At first I wondered why these two accomplished actors would take a role in such a lightweight production, but as we all want sometime in our lives both professionally and personally we want fun and that is what this movie is. Yes, it has the required reconnections of family, but

hour and forty five minutes. :-):-)O:-)

Within the next few weeks, I hope to get my blog up and running, but for the

"original 30", I'll still send the reviews directly to you as well.

Take advantage of all the great movies out there and go to the movies this

holiday week.

Roberta

December 17, 2005

There are so many movies that I want to see before they hit Netflix that I am going to be busy going to the movies this holiday season.

Here goes for this week:

In your local theaters:

MILK - Once again Sean Penn has scored a home run. It is uncanny to watch him portray Harvey Milk. You forget he is Sean Penn. His characterization is uncanny. It had to be a difficult role to play, but he made him not only believable, but someone you rooted for from beginning to end. I like how they used actual newsreels to enhance the story. Make sure to stay for the credits as they show the actors who played each major role and then the actual person as he was or is today. Some men might feel uncomfortable with the show of affection of the men, but get over it, it is so worth the viewing! Another potential Oscar for the picture and Sean Penn's performance.

In Netflix

Unconditional Love - Another Kathy Bates movie, but not quite as good as the last one I reviewed. This time she plays a housewife who feels the world is passing her by. She regains not only excitement in her life, but her self esteem back as she travels first to London and then tracking down a killer. The movie is, at times, silly and not realistic at all. I believe her talents are wasted in this movie. Julie Andrews has a small part playing herself and all I could think was she must have lost a lot of money in the market to do this film. Barry Manilow and Sally Jesse Raphael also have cameos, but I understand why they did it; Barry being full of himself and when was the last time you saw Ms. Raphael? Wait for it to be shown on cable as I wouldn't recommend you putting it on your NetFlix list.

That's it for now. I am looking forward to seeing Doubt, The Reader and Revolutionary Road.

Enjoy the movies!

Roberta

December 9,2008

I think I am overloading you with information, but when something comes across my computer or if I see something I think of value, I just have to share.

Betty Jenkins one of the participants in Roberta's Reviews sent the attachment to me after reading my review about Bonneville. It is a power point formal and I found it so interesting.

Another TV movie review:

Front of the Class - I just finished watching the tape of this movie that was aired Sunday night on CBS. It is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie and it is wonderful. You know that these movies will be tear jerkers and this one was no exception. Every teacher, parent and just decent citizen should see this. It is why I am so proud that I was a teacher. It is the true story of Brad Cohen a young man diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and how despite or in fact of his disability he becomes a wonderful teacher. The struggles he and his family encounters is heart wrenching, I am sure they will rerun it later in the season and will run it on their cable Hallmark station. I'll let you know if I see it listed.

Roberta

December 8, 2008

This early edition features three reviews; one Netflix, one TV and one from a Roberta's Reviewer.

Lisa Lin Sherman writes: "I went and saw Let the Right One In with a few of my girlfriends this past week. It's a Swedish film about a child vampire. A very creepy and twisted love-story. It's not the usual fun, vampire movie that I enjoy, but good to watch if you're in the mood for a scary flick."

On Netflix:
Bonneville - This will qualify as a chick flick. Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen go on a road trip after one of them becomes a widow. Thelma and Louise it's not - no violence, no sex and no one goes over a cliff. - just a nice story about friends who are there for each other and discover important things about themselves. It is also good to see mature actresses get a movie. It also makes me sad to see some of the "sex" stars of the past age.

On Television (Cable that is)

Leverage - This is a new series on TNT, a cable network starring Timothy Hutton. I usually enjoy these series as they are usually a better quality than those on the networks. This is an interesting concept;almost like a modern day Robin Hood and I mean modern day - think the later Mission Impossible with Tom Cruise. Using technology and a little larceny, this team headed by the Hutton character takes on causes where people have been wronged. In the pilot episode, the team is brought together for a one time caper. Once they have achieved the job, they are swindled. The rest of the story tells of how they get back. Needless to say, the one time team stays together and it appears future episodes will focus on them righting wrongs. A good cast of characters. I did not recognize any of the supporting cast, but hope they develop the characters as the show enfolds. Although the pilot was Sunday, the regular timeslot is Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. with the first one tomorrow.

In this season of new movies and new shows on cable, I hope to keep you all informed. I might even start a blog on the advice of some of you, but will keep you posted In the meantime enjoy.

Roberta