Eric, Betty, Sheila, Linda, Florrie and Carol Frank correctly identified:
coming from History of the World Part 1
Two items about last week's write-up on Coal Miner's Daughter:
In Theaters:
The Iron Lady - What can I say about Meryl Streep that hasn't been said before. She is America's most acclaimed actress and deserves all the accolades she receives. She does not disappoint in this film about Margaret Thatcher. At times I didn't know if I was watching Streep or Thatcher. Her portrayal is right on. As her husband Dennis Jim Broadbent does a wonderful job as well. I know the critics gave the film lukewarm reviews, but I enjoyed it and learned and relearned quite a bit. The story does jump from past to present which can be disconcerting, but not too hard to follow. Although I haven't seen two of the actresses up for best actress for the Academy Award, I believe Streep deserves it.
On Netflix:
The Company Men - This excellent film speaks to the situation of many today as they find themselves out of a job due to downsizing, thinking they will find one quickly and have to rethink their options. It also portrays companies as selfish, greedy and uncaring, something we have come to expect. The cast is outstanding with Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Cosner and Craig T. Nelson in the leads. It is well done and thought provoking.
On Netflix and Instant Streaming:
Tender Mercies - This was the last film in the series "Not Quite Musicals". It is the 1983 film starring Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Allan Hubbard, Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley and a very young Ellen Barkin. It was a film that was rejected by a lot of the big studios and went to cable TV very quickly. But a funny thing happened on the way to HBO, Duvall won the Academy Award for best actor and the film was nominated for best screenplay. Needless to say, the studios wanted the rights back to re-release the film, but couldn't. It was a sweet film about an alcoholic washed up country music singer/songwriter who gets his life straightened out by his new wife and family. I wondered by Duvall won the award and when I looked it up, he was the only American running. His competition were all British Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Albert Finney and Tom Conti. Since it is instant streaming; give the film a try.
Limitless - This sci-fi type movie stars Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro. It tells of a down and out writer and what happens when he gets hooked on a drug that allows him to use all of his brain and not just a small percentage that the rest of the population does. It held my attention, but was a bit confusing especially at the end. Bradley Cooper has the bluest eyes I have even seen! Once again, since you can get it on instant streaming, you might want to give it a try.
Next weekend is the Academy Awards and I don't think I will be posting before they are announced. Although I have not seen all the nominations, here are my picks for best:
Picture - Although The Descendents will win, I would like to see War Horse or Midnight in Paris
Best Actor - George Clooney will will, I prefer Brad Pitt
Best Actress - Meryl Streep, but Viola Davis might get it which I think is just wrong - no one touches Streep!
Best Supporting Actor - Either Christopher Plummer or Max von Sydow because of their age, but the only actor I did see was Jonah Hill and he doesn't deserve it.
Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer - This in my opinion is the richest field. I thought Jessica Chastain was as good as Spencer in The Help and Berenice Bejo in The Artist was delightful.
Tune in Sunday to see if I got any of them right.
Roberta
Moses: The Lord, the Lord Jehovah has given unto you these fifteen...
[drops one of the tablets]
Moses: Oy! Ten! Ten commandments for all to obey!
[drops one of the tablets]
Moses: Oy! Ten! Ten commandments for all to obey!
coming from History of the World Part 1
Two items about last week's write-up on Coal Miner's Daughter:
- Melissa wrote to tell me that Doo died in 1996 so my instructor was in error.
- Yolanda wrote the following: "The Coal Miner's Daughter, was filmed where my mom grew up in Kentucky, also, my grandmother who will be 100 in Sept, was in the movie in her 1 room school room, playing herself a teacher in the beginning of the movie when they have a dance with children etc. "
Try this one::
"They come from the end of the line, most of them. Small towns you've never heard of, Polaski, Tennessee, Brandon, Mississippi, Port Bend, Utah, Wampum, Pennsylvania....They're the unwanted, yet they are fighting for our society, and our freedom. It's weird, isn't it?"
In Theaters:
The Iron Lady - What can I say about Meryl Streep that hasn't been said before. She is America's most acclaimed actress and deserves all the accolades she receives. She does not disappoint in this film about Margaret Thatcher. At times I didn't know if I was watching Streep or Thatcher. Her portrayal is right on. As her husband Dennis Jim Broadbent does a wonderful job as well. I know the critics gave the film lukewarm reviews, but I enjoyed it and learned and relearned quite a bit. The story does jump from past to present which can be disconcerting, but not too hard to follow. Although I haven't seen two of the actresses up for best actress for the Academy Award, I believe Streep deserves it.
On Netflix:
The Company Men - This excellent film speaks to the situation of many today as they find themselves out of a job due to downsizing, thinking they will find one quickly and have to rethink their options. It also portrays companies as selfish, greedy and uncaring, something we have come to expect. The cast is outstanding with Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Cosner and Craig T. Nelson in the leads. It is well done and thought provoking.
On Netflix and Instant Streaming:
Tender Mercies - This was the last film in the series "Not Quite Musicals". It is the 1983 film starring Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Allan Hubbard, Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley and a very young Ellen Barkin. It was a film that was rejected by a lot of the big studios and went to cable TV very quickly. But a funny thing happened on the way to HBO, Duvall won the Academy Award for best actor and the film was nominated for best screenplay. Needless to say, the studios wanted the rights back to re-release the film, but couldn't. It was a sweet film about an alcoholic washed up country music singer/songwriter who gets his life straightened out by his new wife and family. I wondered by Duvall won the award and when I looked it up, he was the only American running. His competition were all British Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Albert Finney and Tom Conti. Since it is instant streaming; give the film a try.
Limitless - This sci-fi type movie stars Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro. It tells of a down and out writer and what happens when he gets hooked on a drug that allows him to use all of his brain and not just a small percentage that the rest of the population does. It held my attention, but was a bit confusing especially at the end. Bradley Cooper has the bluest eyes I have even seen! Once again, since you can get it on instant streaming, you might want to give it a try.
Next weekend is the Academy Awards and I don't think I will be posting before they are announced. Although I have not seen all the nominations, here are my picks for best:
Picture - Although The Descendents will win, I would like to see War Horse or Midnight in Paris
Best Actor - George Clooney will will, I prefer Brad Pitt
Best Actress - Meryl Streep, but Viola Davis might get it which I think is just wrong - no one touches Streep!
Best Supporting Actor - Either Christopher Plummer or Max von Sydow because of their age, but the only actor I did see was Jonah Hill and he doesn't deserve it.
Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer - This in my opinion is the richest field. I thought Jessica Chastain was as good as Spencer in The Help and Berenice Bejo in The Artist was delightful.
Tune in Sunday to see if I got any of them right.
Roberta
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