Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) Movie Classic

In the 1941 black and white film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Robert Montgomery and beautiful and talented Carole Lombard star in this polished, classic comedy.

Mr. (David) and Mrs. (Ann) Smith are a well off couple who find that through some mishap they are not legally married. When David is given this information, does he tell his wife? No way. Instead he chooses to toy with her first. Ann and David talk on the telephone; she asks about his day, he does not mention their invalid marriage, but he does tell her that they are going to what used to be their favorite restaurant. As David is talking, he writes "Mrs." on a pad, then crosses it off and replaces it with "Mistress" and smiles. Unbeknownst to David, Ann and her mother have received the same information. Ann's mother worries and makes her daughter promise that, now, as an unmarried woman she won't -----?!. 'Of course not' Ann says. Ann waits for her husband David to tell her what she already knows and is furious when he says nothing. This unshared information starts a wonderful, sexy cat and mouse game between Lombard and Montgomery.

The getting ready for bed scene is just hilarious. Gene Raymond as Jeff Custer, David's best friend and law partner is full of southern charm and is wonderfully sly as he double crosses David at every turn. Jack Carson as the hard drinking womanizing, club friend Chuck, who helps to land David in hotter water than he is already in, is perfect for this role. One of my favorite scenes takes place in the restaurant where David and Chuck are on dates with two of Chuck's lady friends. By coincidence, Ann is dining at the same restaurant. You have to watch David's face and his actions as he pretends that he is with the beautiful woman sitting opposite his real date; and later as he desperately tries to make his nose bleed. When arrangements are made for Ann and David's friend Jeff to spend some time together, David follows them to make trouble and get his wife back. It is our loss that they don't make sophisticated screwball comedies like this any more.

Movie classic

Movies for Mother's Day

I was reading one of the magazine's I receive and they had a list of momma movies to rent:

• Steel Magnolias (1989)
• Anywhere But Here (1999)
• Freaky Friday (2003)
• I Remember Mana (1948)
• Little Women (1994)

I have added a couple of my favorites to the list:

• Baby Boom (1987)
• Georgia Rule (2007)

Laura (1944 B/W) Movie Classic

If there is anyone out there who has not seen the film classic Laura, run, do not walk, to your closest rent-a-movie shop. This is film-making at its best.

Police Detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the murder of a beautiful woman and becomes obsessed with her portrait. The woman, Laura Hunt, is played superbly the actress Gene Tierney. The story unfolds through a series of voice-overs and replays of her past with the men and women in her life. Her career as a high fashion artist begins with a snub from the very uptight and snobbish Waldo Lydecker, a society newspaper columnist. The Lydecker character is played to the hilt by Clifton Webb. Webb brings his comedic nose-in-the-air Mr. Belvedere character to Waldo Lydecker, except here he is not just a witty snob, he is obnoxious and controlling. His wit is mean spirited.

After a faulty start, Lydecker becomes Laura's mentor and eventually falls in love with her. Under Lydecker's wing Laura Hunt goes to the right parties and meets the right people. Along the way she meets Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price) who is involved with wealthy Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson) but also has his eye on Laura. Laura now tired of being under the watchful eye of Waldo Lydecker befriends Carpenter. She is aware that he is a has no money of his own and is a gigolo but he is elegant and charming. She enjoys his company.

So who killed Laura? Was it Ann Treadwell in a fit of jealousy? Was it Waldo Lydecker, the man who brought her to where she is now or was it Shelby Carpenter because she spurned his advances? It's up to Lt. Mark McPherson to find out. This may be one of Dana Andrews finest performances as the love stricken cop trying to get to the truth, while trying also to get past Laura's lovely face in the portrait hanging on her living room wall.

This is is top notch Otto Preminger. This is a lighter noir, the only darkness here is the obsessive behaviors of the characters. Much of the mood of this film comes from its music that flows through the film. Song writer Johnny Mercer was brought in to write the words to David Raskin's haunting melody. It was his job to write the words that would fit the music and the theme of the movie. The result is a perfect match of music, lyrics and film. Lt. Mcpherson stares at the portrait of Laura, a woman he has never met - [lyrics] Laura is the face in the misty light, Footsteps that you hear down the hall, The laugh that floats on a summer night That you can never quite recall. And you see Laura on the train that is passing through, Those eyes, how familiar they seem; She gave your very first kiss to you, that was Laura but she's only a dream. [end lyrics].

Movie classic.

88 Minutes (2008) Al Pacino

Al Pacino is doomed professor Jack Gramm in 88 Minutes. Apparently someone does not like Professor Gram sticking his knowledgable nose into police matters.

The FBI often asks Gramm for assistance when they need help in the area of forensic psychiatry. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, forensic psychiatry is the application of psychiatry in courts of law (as for the determination of criminal responsibility or liability to commitment for insanity).

Based on this information, we know where this is going and that the professor is in real danger, he has received a cryptic message that he will be killed in 88 minutes. Can he locate the person or persons who have given him just over one hour to live?

I did not recognize Al Pacino in this trailer, he is much thinner than I remember him, and like everyone else has aged a bit. I am anxious to see this film, I have finally admitted to myself that I like man-on-the-run-to-find-justice flicks. 88 Minutes will be in theaters April 18. Others in the cast are Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski and Neal McDonough. The early reviews have not been good for the film, however, I often like what the masses do not.

When the film 88 Minutes trailer was first shown on television and in movie theaters I imagine other classic film fans first thoughts were similar to mine, this sounds like the old Edmond O'Brien movie, DOA.

DOA, the 1950 black and white noir classic is about a man (Edmond O'Brien) who finds out that he has been poisoned and is determined to find his killer before his time runs out. His first step is to report his own murder to the local police. Dennis Quaid is the protagonist in the 1988 remake of the same name.

James Bond 007

There is another Bond movie in the works, the title is Quantum of Solace. It stars yummy Daniel Craig, however, from everything I have read at IMDB Trivia for Quantum of Solace, I am tempted to say, Uh Oh. Still I will cross my fingers and hope for the best, because Craig brought new life to the 007 franchise. I would love to see it continue.

I was surprised that I enjoyed the last Bond entry Casino Royale (2006). I had been disappointed so often with the casting, but I thought this time they got it right. For me, Daniel Craig brought James Bond back in full-force. Nevermind that he is not tall, dark and handsome. Instead he is good-looking in a boyish Steve McQueen way, think The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).

Casino Royale shows a different Bond. Everything about Craig's Bond is different, his manner of dress, his actions and the way he handles himself. He has just received his “00” credentials and has not yet become “Bond, James Bond.” He is more of a tough street fighter. He is disrespectful of M (Judi Dench reprises her role as M). Also, there are no high-tech gadgets for this Bond, his only tools are his fists and his keen mind. He is street-brawler good as he chases criminals on and over shaky scaffolds and crashes through windows.

The signature smoothness and sophistication that we have come to expect when we watch a James Bond film is nowhere to be found. You do not get that sophisticated veneer here. In one scene Bond asks for a martini, and is asked, "Shaken or stirred?" he looks at the server and asks, "Do I look like I give a damn?"

Early in the film, Bond is spying on a terrorist named Mollaka (Sebastein Foucan). When things go wrong he sets out, without the blessing of M, to continue his investigation of Mollaka’s group. His lead takes him to the Bahamas where he meets beautiful Solange (Caterina Murino) and Alex Dimitrios (Simon Abkarian). He learns that Dimitrios is linked to a casino owner named Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), who is a banker to terrorist groups. Le Chiffre is holding a high-stakes poker game to raise money for his terrorist cause and M assigns Bond to sit in on the game. Unbeknownst to Bond, agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) is sent to supply gambling money and to stay close to him, because of his loose cannon actions.

James Bond has always been his own man, but Casino Royale shows him before he has learned the subtleties of being a successful 00 agent. And before he has understood that accomplishing a mission is sometimes a waiting game. It is interesting to watch his transition in the film. Surprisingly, there is real romance in Casino Royale and we see yet another side of Bond.

I loved this movie and the new bond. Actor Jeffrey Wright returns as CIA agent Felix Leiter. Fans may recall that Jack Lord (Hawaii Five-O) appeared as Leiter in the first Bond film, Dr. No.

Rated PG-13. Some nudity, torture and violence.

Ian Fleming wrote other novels in addition to the popular 007 series: List of Ian Fleming Novels.

Casino Royale Official Site.

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana.

I recently saw this movie and fell in love with the color and the pagentry of it. Doesn't the poster shout the subject of the movie? If you are not familiar with historical novels and films about early England, you might think, "Oh my gawd, this is so over the top." I recently watched a re-run of The Queen at 80, Profile of Queen Elizabeth II, who turned 80 in 2006 and the pomp and circumstance you see is real. Although I had seen this and other programs about England's royal family, I was again captivated by the program, especially the very old footage.

The Other Boleyn Girl is excellent in a super-soap sort of way. I say this not to put it down, but it has all of the elements of a good soap, the kind we claim not to watch. The Boleyn girls, Anne (Natalie Portland) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) are well-matched in the movie. This is good casting. You seldom Natalie Portman in a role where she is dispicable and I don't think I have ever seen Scarlett Johnasson as 'the innocent.' In the movie, she appears to be weak and easy to manipulate but in the end proves she has courage, backbone and a strong will.

This new film is a remake of BBC's The Other Boleyn Girl from a few year's ago. Both are based on Philippa Gregory's novel of the same name. The film, The Other Boleyn Girl (2003 BBC Version) and the novel, The Other Boleyn Girl are available from Amazon.com

The film has a PG-13 rating, call me old-fashioned, but I think it is a bit much for young teens to see. Rape, implied incest. See the official film site

The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956) Judy Holliday, Paul Douglas
Judy Holliday Takes On Big Business and George Burns narrates this very funny movie classic about big business, crooked executives and politics.

With so much talk about banks going under and the dismal view of stock market, it is a perfect time to dig out your dusty VHS tape player and watch The Solid Gold Cadillac again.

At the beginning of The Solid Gold Cadillac, the camera slowly pans a tall skyscraper in New York City, an unseen Burns states, "In this country today, more people are investing in the stock market than every before." This is the audience’s introduction to Laura Partridge (Judy Holliday) who is attending her first stockholder’s meeting at International Projects where she owns 10 shares of the companies stock.

Laura creates an uproar when she questions the salaries of the Chairman of Board of Directors, Jack Blessington (John Williams) and his cronies. This line of questioning is unexpected and unwelcome. The narrator has already warned the audience that these men are crooks; now that Edward McKeever former CEO (Paul Douglas) has resigned to go to Washington, the boys will have free rein of the company and its money. Unfortunately for them, Partridge turns up at subsequent meetings, generally making a nuisance of herself by putting their huge salaries and perks in jeopardy with her questions and probing.

Blessington devises a plan to keep Laura Partridge out of their hair by hiring her. The board members disagree; Blessington explains, “If you can’t crush them, join them. If you can’t kill them, acquire them.” This is met with cynicism, “How do we know [we can‘t kill her], until we’ve tried.” When Partridge asks "What sort of work would I do?" the response is vague, "It would be sort of general work—nothing specific, but you would be in charge of it." She is given an office, a secretary, but no responsibilities. However, they don’t know Laura Partridge.

The humor in The Solid Gold Cadillac is fun, light and intelligent. The board of directors, Clifford Snell (Fred Clark), John ‘Jack’ Blessington (John Williams), Alfred Metcalfe, (Ray Collins) and Warren Gillie (Ralph Dumke) are so wickedly bad, so corrupt, that it is a joy watching their antics. While they don’t exactly rub their hands together and say, “now then, what shall we do with you my pretty”, they do devise a second plan to get rid of Laura Partridge because the first one backfires and makes her exceedingly popular with the small stockholders.

The Solid Gold Cadillac is one of Judy Holliday’s best films. She won the 1956 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a musical or comedy for her portrayal of Laura Partridge.

This stylish movie classic does not feel dated. You can find the DVD The Solid Gold Cadillac at Amazon.com, but it is quite pricy. Check other sources. If you have a VHS tape player you can get a used tape at a very reasonable price at Amazon. For Holliday fans, it is well worth the effort to do some checking.

See more Judy Holliday (1921-1965) information at http://www.thegoldenyears.org/holliday.html

Denzel Washington Most Popular Film Star

If you are wondering who the most popular movie stars are, you can stop and check out top ten list:

1. Denzel Washington
2. Tom Hanks
3. Johnny Depp
4. Julia Roberts
5. Will Smith
6. John Wayne (yep. that John Wayne)
7. Matt Damon
8. Sean Connery
9. Sandra Bullock
10. Bruce Willis
    

What's even more interesting is who is # 1 among different groups and men and women. Surprisingly the men like Denzel Washington and the women prefer Tom Hanks. Well, maybe not such a surprise there. Who is most popular with Repulicans, Democrats, Independents? Different parts of the U.S? See further results in the Harris Poll below.

Source: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=859

Michael Clayton (2007) George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack
George Clooney as Michael Clayton is dark and edgy.

Coming attractions and film trailers often do not live up to their hype. Clooney's Michael Clayton does. The film opens with a voiceover and brings back memories of those old noir tough-guy movies we love so much. Michael Clayton is a fix-it man for his law firm. That's not his title, but it is what he does. He does not sit in courtrooms, instead he makes things right for his firm and its wealthy clients.

On the surface Clayton looks as if his life could not be better, but he is in over his head with gambling debts and he owes a large sum of money to some people after a restaurant deal turned sour. Still he looks good. He has all of the power trappings, great clothes and a great car. And, he walks the walk.

Again, think noir, blink an eye and you can almost see Michael Clayton wearing a hat pulled down over one eye, with the style of actor Robert Taylor (1911–1969) who has been called the man with the perfect profile.

Everything comes to a head when Clayton's boss Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack) calls him in to clean up the firms latest disaster. Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) a friend and a partner of the firm seems to have lost it. While attending a deposition hearing he tears at his clothes, strips naked and runs outside. Unfortunately this shocking and pathetic scene was captured on videotape; the fallout can damage the case and the firm.

Much of the film focuses on Clayton trying to get to the cause of Edens breakdown and eventual suicide, while trying to keep his own life from imploding. Clayton appears weary as he delves into his friends' sad life, knowing his own not much better. You get a glimpse of Clayton's personal life when he takes his son to school, when you meet his needy brother and when you see him gambling.

You also sense that Clayton is already tired or getting tired of the firm and what it stands for in his life. When he discovers that Edens held proof that could bring down the firms most important corporate client and his firm as well, his life takes another path. Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) the client's top legal staff knows the truth about her company but is determined to win anyway. Swinton is as cool and calculating as Clooney is here, they are well paired. Actor Sydney Pollack is so right for his man-at-the-top, man-in-charge role. When his character talks to Clooney's 'Clayton', he is persuasive, without being manipulative. Will and Grace television fans will remember Pollack as Will's philandering dad. Pollack directed the legal thriller The Firm with Tom Cruise in 1993.

Michael Clayton is an excellent film and the casting is perfect. You continue to think about the film long after you have left the movie theater. One of the best and most telling scenes in the film is when Clayton parks his car and wanders into an open field.

Others in the cast are Michael O'Keefe, Ken Howard, Sean Cullen and Denis O'Hare. Highly recommended. Get more information from Warner Bros"

Michael Clayton [Blu-ray] is availble from Amazon.com.

The Lake House (2006) Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Christopher Plummer This movie is an absolute must for romantics and those who can enjoy make-believe and the whimsy of time-travel.

The Lake House is a slow-moving, slow-paced, sweet movie about two people who fall in love. The trouble is that they cannot connect because one lives two years in the future and one lives two years in the past. Only their mailboxes and Jack, the dog, unite them. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are Alex Wyler and Dr. Kate Forster in this adult fairytale. Bullock was recently seen in the award winning movie Crash. She was also in Miss Congeniality (2000), Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and fabulous (2005), and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

When Kate moves out of an unusual and isolated glass house on a lake, she leaves a note for the next tenant. In the note, she mentions a dog and his footprints. Architect/real estate developer Alex finds the note, but is puzzled because he knows for sure that there was no recent previous tenant. Remember he is living in 2004, so she has not been to the house yet. He responds to Kate to explain that there has been no tenant in the glass house. Curiously, he does find doggy footprints. Thus begins the “once upon a time” story of Kate and Alex.

Actor Christopher Plummer seems to be showing up everywhere in film these days (Inside Man 2006 and Must Love Dogs). In The Lake House, he is Simon Wyler, Alex’s cold, authoritative and famous architect father (he is the one who built the glass house), who does not understand why his talented son is building suburban tract houses.

Romantics will understand this movie, others may pick the premise apart, the years are 2004 (his) and 2006 (hers), why snail-mail in this age of e-mail? Alex does not seem to care about politics or anything else concerning the future, at one point does ask how things are in the future, Kate simply responds that not much has changed. Surely he would be curious to know who is president now, the price of gas, something. Perhaps the fact that they are living two years apart is problematic enough. Alex and Kate do have other love interests, but now they only have 'eyes' for each other as they fall hopelessly and helplessly in love. They continue writing and they rush to their mailboxes to await replies. At one point their love becomes more complicated and hurtful when they discover that their physical paths have crossed. Fortunately, each of them has a confidante to whom they finally and hesitatingly reveal their unique love affair. Caution, The Lake House is for romantics only.

The Lake House [Blu-ray] is available from Amazon.com.

The Uninvited (B/W 1944) Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Cornelia Otis Skinner
A film classic. As ghost stories go, The Uninvited is by far one of the best.

A black and white classic, this mystery/paranormal movie has everything, mystery, a ghost, romance and beautiful music in the background. Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey star as brother and sister, Roderick and Pamela Fitzgerald.

When siblings buy a beautiful old house on the English coast (Windward House) overlooking the ocean, they have no idea what awaits them in their new home. However, their dog knows and he immediately runs away. After moving in, the new owners soon sense that they are not the only residents of Windward House. They awaken to the sound of sobbing, they smell the strong scent of mimosa and one room is so cold, they cannot use it. Curious to know the history of the house, they set out to get some answers from the previous owner Commander Beech (Donald Chrisp). When Rod questions the Commander, he realizes that his questions are no surprise to the Commander who believes that the house is indeed haunted and that he fears for his young granddaughter's safety.

While the Fitzgerald’s are visiting the Commander, the granddaughter, Stella Meredith (lovely Gail Russell) comes home. Stella is also curious about Winward House but her grandfather has been evasive in answering her questions and has forbidden her to enter or go near the place. Now, he wants her to stay away from the meddling Fitzgerald's as well. However, Stella’s curiosity has gotten the best of her and she disobeys her grandfather’s orders.

Neighbor Dr. Scott (Alan Napier) who has found the Fitzgerald's pet, befriends and joins them in their quest to find out the truth about Winward House. The search for information leads Rod and Pamela to a grim-faced Miss Holloway, portrayed by Cornelia Otis Skinner who is superb in this role. Holloway knows all of the answers and has held them for years; but shares them with no one, not even the Commander. She inadvertently destroys herself, as she tries vainly to keep a promise made to her good friend who died many years ago. Victor Young's haunting 'Stella By Starlight' threads through the movie as tension rises.

This is such a good ghost movie, it is the kind that makes you turn on the lights to get rid of shadowy corners. The Uninvited was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Cinematography, Black-and-White category.

The Uninvited is available in VHS format from Amazon.com through various dealers.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Will Smith, Thandie Newton and Jaden Smith.
One of Will Smith’s Best movies.

The Pursuit of Happyness is the true story of Christopher Gardner who went from down and out, to become a successful stockbroker and financier.

This film pulls at heartstrings at every turn and yet it is not sentimental drivel, instead, it is the story of a courage and determination. Chris Gardner’s (Will Smith) wife Linda (Thandie Newton) is unhappy, seemingly about every aspect of their marriage, she nags Chris continually. She finally leaves him and their child . Newton’s time on screen is negligible, but the time that she is on screen, she is venomous. Her attitude pretty much shows where Gardner is at this time in his life. In addition to loosing his wife, Chris also looses his apartment. He and his son have to face and live on the mean streets of San Francisco, but his faith and belief in himself are amazingly strong.

Chris Gardner goes from a man who had a relatively decent life, to eating at soup kitchens and sleeping in a toilet stall. At one point, he has fight to keep his place in line for a slot to sleep in a shelter. Some of the scenes in this movie can rip your heart out, while others make you smile at Gardner’s extraordinary bold faith in himself. The one thing the man does have is style, he sees what he wants and goes after it. What he wants is a chance to become a stockbroker at Dean Witter. When he goes to apply for an internship, he looks around the room at others awaiting the same opportunity and knows that he must do something special to get his foot in the door. If Gardner is anything, he is honest with himself; he accepts that he may not be able to compete on paper, so he decides to give the powers-that-be something more impressive than his resume. In the presence of those who hold his future in their hands, Gardner manages to solve a Rubik's Cube and get invited to a golf club outing, all the while pitching for a Dean Witter internship. Along the way, he teaches his son to believe in himself and to never let anyone, even his father, tell that he cannot do something. Gardner has to remember that sentiment time after time, while he is studying and trying to keep up with interns who eat regularly and sleep in real beds.

While The Pursuit of Happyness is not a two-hanky tearjerker, it does call for one hanky. Moviegoers with the strongest resolve will break, when they see some of the trials and tribulations Chris Gardner goes through to gain a good life for his son and himself. This is an uplifting and feel-good film. Nevertheless, I suggest that you read the book The Pursuit of Happyness for a more rounded picture of Christopher Gardner.

With Fresh Prince of Bel-Air still being shown on some channels, it is not difficult to imagine Will Smith where he is today. His talent showed back then. However, Smith has something bigger going for him than his huge talent; he seems to be a really nice guy. The role of Chris Gardner fits Will Smith very well. Smith produced this fine film and received an Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.

Others in the cast: Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, George Cheung, Brian Howe, Michael Silverman, Kevin West and Takayo Fischer.

Rated PG-13 for some language.

The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition) from Amazon.com

This Christmas (2007) Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Regina King

An old-fashioned family Christmas in a hip-hop generation.

The dark opening nightclub scene in This Christmas does not shout ‘holiday comedy’ or ‘Christmas movie’. However, once we are transported to Ma’Dere’s (Loretta Devine) cheerful house all of that changes. This large family has not been together for Christmas in four years and Ma’Dere is determined to make this holiday one the family will not forget. Loretta Devine brings spirit, warmth and believability to her strong matriarch character.

The Whitfield family is like most families when the get together, they are noisy, they bond again, talk a lot, and tease one another. And like many families, they have secrets. Ma’Dere has a couple of secrets of her own. These are open secrets that five of her children know and accept . Each of them has kept their mother’s secret from Quentin the eldest sibling.

There are so many story avenues in The Christmas the film could have become confusing. However, the intertwined stories work like a charm and you soon find yourself caught up in family drama. Big brother Quentin arrives with his secret and trouble hot on his heels, but the biggest secret may be the one that Ma’Dere’s military son holds close. Even Michael, the youngest son, whom everyone calls “Baby”, has a secret. He has ambitions of becoming a singer, but fears his mother’s disapproval. Talented hip-hop singer Chris Brown portrays Michael nicely. Daughter Lisa (Regina King) who appears to be living the American dream has her own secret. At some point while watching This Christmas you begin to care about this family. As their problems and troubles are unveiled, you hope for the best.

It would seem that it is Ma’Dere who is glue that holds this lively family together and of course, she does. But it is her boyfriend, Joseph (Delroy Lindo) who quietly stands by to mend and soothe, and take care of Ma’Dere and her children.

There are several scenes that tug at the heartstrings, and one very funny cheating husband bathroom scene. I left the movie theater smiling. I felt weepy, but uplifted. And I left convinced that This Christmas is definitely a “feel good” Christmas film. It may even stand the test of time.

Others in This Christmas are Keith Robinson Laz Alonso, Columbus Short, David, Banner, Sharon Leal, Lauren London, Lupe Ontiveros and Jessica Stroup.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn

This Bourne is a winner!

I loved the third entry of the action-filled Bourne films. The Bourne Ultimatum started like a house on fire and continued the momentum through the entire film. The nonstop action is not tiring to the viewer, nor does it get in the way of the story in this continuing Bourne saga.

The Bourne Ultimatum may be final installment of the Bourne movies. However, film audiences seem to love Matt Damon and his Bourne persona so we may be seeing Bourne sometime in the future.

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) works for a covert CIA operation--he does not know why or how this came to be. He is not even sure what his job is. He does know that he is not safe and that “they” want him dead. The question is why? The answer is he knows too much. However, he does not know what it is he knows, because he cannot remember anything from his past. Are we clear on that? This film reminds me of the 2003 film Paycheck. Bourne’s frequent and hazy flashbacks fade away so quickly that he cannot get a handle on them. He believes that the obscure figure in the flashbacks hold the key to his true identity.

Bourne has made it his mission to find out how he arrived where he is before he is caught and killed. Matt Damon is superb in his Jason Bourne skin. However, it is David Strathairn as Noah Vosen, a high-ranking CIA operative who holds your attention. The Noah Vosen character is new to the Bourne series. Strathairn’s Vosen, is intense and riveting. We watch as he looses sight of everything else except the extermination of his target. The CIA’s clandestine operation success or failure depends on whether Bourne lives or dies.

Bourne’s only ally is agent Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), who works for Vosen. She suspects that there is more going on than meets the eye. She wants to help, but finds that she is under the watchful eyes of Vosen and his cronies.

The Bourne Ultimatum has all gadgetry trappings of The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy and then some. Jason Bourne travels to four or five countries as he continues his search for his identity and to find out who is trying to kill him and why. He ends up in Madrid, where he finds Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), who also works for the CIA, but is not part of its covert op. Stiles does not have a big part in this film her role is important to Bourne’s discovery of who he is. The ending leaves the filmgoer wondering if there will be another Bourne movie. Others in the cast are Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine, Edgar Ramirez and Albert Finney as Dr. Albert Hirsch.

The film was directed by Paul Greengrass, cinematography by Oliver Wood, film editing by Christopher Rouse.

I think The Bourne Ultimatum is the best Bourne entry yet. I also think it is very much Oscar-worthy.

License to Wed (2007) Robin Williams, John Krasinki, Mandy Moore

License to Wed is not Robin Williams shining hour.

As a huge Robin Williams fan I was very disappointed in License to Wed. I think Williams talent is wasted in this film.

Beleaguered Ben Murphy (John Krasinki) and his fiancée, Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) have different ideas concerning their wedding ceremony location. Ben wants to get married in the Caribbean, Sadie wants to get married in the same small town and same church her parents were wed 30 years ago. He relents, thus starts their nightmare to the alter. The two must first meet with Reverend Frank (Robin Williams) an unconventional and very hip man of cloth. At one point, the Reverend tries to heal a bloody nose with a laying on of hands and repeating the words from an M.C Hammer song. Any couple who wants their nuptials performed by the Reverend must pass his rigorous and outrageous three-week training course.

One of the training course rules is no sex before the honeymoon. This does not sit well with Ben since he and Sadie live together and sleep in the same bed. However, the “no sex” rule soon becomes the least of the couples worries. The idiotic training course is quickly derailing their wedding plans, and causing them rethink for their feelings for each other. How about trusting your fiancé to shout directions while you drive blindfolded. Or attending a workshop to learn how to carry the bride across the threshold? Perhaps the worst of the gimmicks are the robot twin infants who make “pooping” noises, with special scent and blue poop to add to the realism. The Reverend goes to extreme lengths, including bugging the couples bedroom, to make sure they are following his training course rules. For some reason the words, “disturbing” and “creepy” come to mind when I think of Robin Williams character. I cannot put my finger on it, but the Reverend made me uncomfortable.

Reverend Frank’s young apprentice (Josh Flitter), whose name is never mentioned, is supposed to be precocious (I think), instead, he comes off as an incredibly annoying child. Josh Flitter portrayed Corky in the 2007 Nancy Drew film and Stewart in Big Momma’s House 2. Between Reverend Frank and the child, the couple is harassed ad nauseam. What should have been a funny film feels a bit mean-spirited. To be fair there are some funny moments in License to Wed but not enough to bring it up to Robin Williams usual high standard.

Also in the cast are Eric Christian Olsen, Christine Taylor, Peter Strauss and Roxanne Hart.

Rated PG-13