December 27

Jen Kenny was first to identify "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." from The Wizard of Oz with Kathy Luke very close behind. Wendy told me I gave the answer away in the last paragraph of my review.

Think the season when trying to guess where this quote came from:
Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

Melanie Stanley writes: "Just saw Avatar with my husband Tim, and son, Aaron. It was totally wonderful, awesome, and amazing. Go see it in 3D! "

In Theaters

Up in the Air - There is a lot of Oscar buzz for this movie starring George Clooney. The cast is first rate and Anna Kendrick is a good partner to Clooney's character. The other lead is Vera Framiga as Clooney's love interest. The story is not what you think and that makes it even better. The title has a double meaning as Clooney plays a character who spends most of his time on airplanes while his personal life is up in the air. Clooney is the Cary Grant of this generation; suave, cool, funny and extremely easy on the eyes. See this movie before the awards are given and make you own decision.

On Netflix:

Duplicity - Playing spies for the government and then corporate world, Julia Roberts and Clive Owens star in this film filled with twists and turns.
In supporting roles Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson round out a fine cast. Sy said he was happy to have me watch it with him to explain how everything was related. It is not a movie to watch when sleepy as you will say to yourself, "What is going on?" It is worth aNetflix choice.


Another Good Read:

Now that I am in three book groups, I find myself not only reading all the time, but reading things I would not have read. The latest book to read was Plainsong by Kent Haruf. It was published in 1999 so many of you may have read it already. It is the story of a small town in Holt, Colorado and how the lives of its inhabitants are intertwined. It is touching and a very easy read.. Pick it up in the library you won't be sorry.

I hope to see at least another first run film before the end of the year. Have a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Roberta

December 20

Mark Bunney was the first to correctly identify "You see Mr. Scott? In the water, I'm a very skinny lady!" coming from Poseidon Adventure. Good Job! I must note that Florrie Cohen a recent addition to Roberta's Reviews was a close second.

Try this one:

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

On Netflix:

The First Basket - This is a documentary that was shown during the Jewish Film Festival last Spring. I thought it would be of interest and put it on my Netflix list. When you think of basketball you don't necessarily think of Jews, but believe it or not the first basket made in professional basketball was made by a Jew, Ossie Scheotman. The documentary takes you through the link between basketball and the Jewish culture. Anyone interested in Jewish history or the game of basketball will enjoy this informative documentary. It is unfair to rate documentaries, so I just give it a thumbs up.

Believe In Me - This is a feel good movie based on the real life story of Jim Keith who led the Middletown Oklahoma girls team to victory. When he first accepted the job, he thought he would be coaching boys, but that didn't turn out. Without giving much away, he has great success and is in the Hall of Fame for his career successes. Jeffrey Donovan, the actor from "Burn Notice", plays the coach and Bruce Dern the town baddie. It is a great movie to see with your children, especially daughters.


Must Read:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - This is a first novel by Mr. Ford who is Chinese. His family changed their name when they emigrated from China to San Francisco. It deals with an unlikely friendship and love story between a young Chinese boy and Japanese girl during WWII. Although I was familiar with the internment of Japanese Americans, I was so upset as I read this novel. It also reminded me how we treated Muslims after 911 although not to the extent of internment camps and how fragile our freedom is. The story is beautiful going back and forth from the 1980's to the 1940's as Henry tells his wonderful story. By the end I was in tears. If you have the opportunity, read this book; it is marvelous.

As many of you know the east coast is digging out from a blizzard. It is a good time to catch up on movies and not clog the roads. Yesterday Carol Flicker told me that one of my all time favorite movies (Wendy's too) was on Turner Classic Movie Channel Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Although the story is hokey, the music is wonderful. My granddaughters liked it as well. Also TNT just had a showing of The Wizard of Oz, one of Sy's favorites. Lifetime also had an original story of Thomas Kincaid's life called Christmas Cottage which for them was good. So take a few minutes to see what the cable stations are offering.

Happy Holidays to all.

Roberta

December 14

Well this is a first for Roberta's Reviews, two people answered the quote at the exact same . Congratulations to Lucy Cannon and MarkBunney for correctly identifying
"Well, this is not a boat accident! And it wasn't any propeller; and it wasn't any coral reef, and it wasn't Jack the ripper. It was a shark." coming from Jaws. Wendy thought it was too easy to answer and Paula thought I wouldn't use another Jaws quote so soon.

Try this one and I promise it is not from Jaws and a bit harder:

"You see, Mr. Scott? In the water, I'm a very skinny lady!"

In local theaters:

The Blind Side - Based on the true story of Michael Oher the offensive left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, this movie is a winner. It will pull at your heartstrings, but more importantly make you think about what you might do to help others. Leigh AnneTuohy is a remarkable woman. She took this gentle giant into her home and made him one of the family. I wonder how much was white-washed for the theater as Michael appeared to have a smooth transition from homelessness to living in the home of affluent people. The cynic will even shed a tear while watching this film. Sandra Bullock has transformed herself to look very much like Leigh Anne and Tim McGraw does a nice job as her husband Sean. The newcomer who plays Michael is fine in the role. See it with your family!

On Netflix:

The Proposal - This was my Sandra Bullock week. This light comedy is predictable, but fun. Bullock is a great comedic actress and Ryan Reynolds is adorable playing against her. The story is thin and if you've seen the trailers, your know the premise. I enjoyed seeingSitka , Alaska where most of the action takes place. I am assuming it was filmed there, but what do I know. For an enjoyable two hours, rent this film.

Interesting read:

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan - This novel is the story of Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright's love affair. Cheney was a liberal thinking woman believing in women's rights and that her happiness eclipsed all those around her. This took place in the early part of the 20th century. She leaves her husband and children to spend her life with Wright. AsI I read the book, I kept thinking they deserved each other as neither one of them were people I would hold in high regard. The ending is heartbreaking. I did admire how the author weaved actual facts into a readable novel.

New on TV:

"Men of a Certain Age" - The previews looked promising and the critics raved about it, but it left me cold. In fact, I didn't even watch the entire episode. You might want to see for yourself and make your own decision. It is on Monday evenings at 10:00 on TNT right after "The Closer."

We haven't had time to go to the movies or view our Netflix items as much as we'd like. There are so many good movies out there and I am sure over the holidays, we'll get to see some of them. Enjoy all the holiday festivities in the coming weeks.

Roberta

December 1

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Yolanda was the first to correctly identify

"The fact that you're not answering leads me to believe that a.  You're not home.  b. You're home but you don't want to talk to me or c. You're home,
desperately want to talk to me, but you're trapped under something heavy.  If it's either a or c, give me a call.

coming from When Harry Met Sally., Martha Hutchinson was the first to answer once she got back to her school email account, so a joint congratulations to you both.

Try this one:

"Well, this is not a boat accident! And it wasn't any propeller; and it wasn't any coral reef, and it wasn't Jack the ripper. It was a shark."

In Theaters:

Sy and I had Amanda and Sarah for Saturday night so we went to the movies. Sy and Sarah to Old Dogs and Amanda and I to Fantastic Mr. Fox. These are our thoughts:

Fantastic Mr. Fox - Amanda loved it and Wendy said her friend's children loved it too. I hated it. It was slow moving, not funny and I had to prevent myself from falling asleep. Apparently it has some magic for kids, but unless you are entertaining the under 10 set find something else to see. I also wonder who paid off the critics as they all seem to like it as well. for kids, for adults.

Old Dogs - Although I personally did not see it, both Sy and Sarah liked it. Sy thought it was cute with a good moral ending. Sarah thought it was hilarious. So you might want to put it on your Netflix list.

On Netflix

Crossing Over - The set up of this movie reminds me of Crash. There are many stories this time about immigration that first run side by side, but finally come together at the end. Although Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta get star billing no one has a very large role. It is interesting and has you think about our immigration policies and what we do with people who are here illegally or have lapsed green cards. I enjoyed the movie.

Roberta