Abraham Lincoln

 

Abraham Lincoln- 1930, starring  Walter Huston and Una Merkel

He says- Huston is excellent is this sincere but static biography of Lincoln; can't match Griffith's silent masterpieces.  2 and a half stars.

I say- wow, I was so excited today to watch a movie about Abraham Lincoln from 1930!  What better way could I spend this morning?  Oh wait, anything would have been better!  You know you're in for a treat when there's a disclaimer stating "this movie has been restored best it could, and is missing reels and sound in some spots.  Anyway, this movie jumped around A LOT.  Like he leaps from the death of his first sweetheart to all of a sudden becoming a respected politician.  In one scene, the makeup is so bad he looks like a transvestite.  1 star.

Above the Rim

 

Above the Rim- 1994, starring Tupac Shakur,  Duane Martin, Marlon Wayans, and Bernie Mac

He says-By the numbers tale of a promising high school basketball player and his conflicting relationships with two very different brothers; one a drug dealer and the other a troubled ex-scholastic hoop star employed as a high school security guard.  Despite insightful moments, film wallows in cliches and plot contrivances.  2 and  a half stars.

I say-  Wow, Tupac plays a gang member who has a gun.  Shocker.  And wow, people in the hood playing basketball in 1994?  Color me surprised.  Honestly, all characters fell into racial stereotypes, and although the basketball was shot nicely, the story was so convoluted that I couldn't get into it.  1 and a half stars.

Above the Law

One thing that I don't like about this book:  This book does not contain lesser known movies that are straight to dvd.  Where is Abominable?  Abominable, by the way, is the movie Rear Window with a sasquatch.  So there are some flaws.  Maybe in 2029, when I finish this book, it will be updated with REAL movies.  So anyway, we now have to pass on Above and Beyond and Above Suspicion because Netflix shockingly doesn't have them.

Above the Law-1988, starring Steven Seagal, Pam Grier, and Sharon Stone

He says-  Chicago cop doesn't hesitate to use his martial arts skills as he battles police corruption and drug dealing.  Seagal's film debut reveals the real -life Aikido master to be more of the Chucknorrisian than of the Stanislavskian school of acting.  Seagal also cowrote and coproduced; slick but stupid actioner.  2 stars.

I say- I loathe this movie.  Not for the fact that the movie is bad, which it is, and not for the lack of a plot, which there is none, but because it simply had introduced the world to Steven Seagal.   Steven Seagal is a fantastic actor with all of the range of a piece of wood.  He has won and been nominated for many acting awards, all in the Razzies.  He's not even likable, and I don't understand how in this movie he has a love interest.  The action sucks, and he thinks he's Asian and Native American, which to my knowledge, he is neither.  The only good thing he has done was introduce the Lightning energy drink.  1 star.

About Schmidt

This was an interesting one, because Jack Nicholson is trying to get to Denver (where I live) to get to a wedding (I'm getting married in May).  Also, this is my 22nd review.  As such, I've decided that this will be my last 22 word review.  I need more space to write, so while it seemed like a good idea at a time, I can't have constraints.  So here goes.

About Schmidt-2002, starring Jack Nichoson and Kathy Bates. 

Leonard says:  Superb human comedy about a newly retired insurance actuary in Nebraska who begins- for the first time- to question the choices he has made in life.  Subtle, deliberately paced, and splendidly acted, with as many sad moments as funny ones.  Nichoson's magnificently quiet, true performance may be the best of his career.  Enhanced by Rolfe Kent's perfectly nuanced score.  Payne and Jim Taylor (loosely) adapted Louis Begley's novel.  3 and a half stars.

I say--Great performance from Jack, but you have to deal with a naked Kathy Bates, which is not a good thing.  Very emotional.  3 stars.

About Mrs. Leslie

 

About Mrs. Leslie-1954, starring Shirley Booth and Robert Ryan

Maltin says:    Flashbacks reveal romance between chanteuse and mysterious, lonely magnate.  Well acted soaper, forgivable illogical coupling of stars. 3 stars.

I say- Predictable, but entertaining.  Even though the movie is over 50 years old, it does not seem dated.  Several scenes seemed pointless however.  2 stars.

About Last Night...

About Last Night...1986, starring Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Jim Belushi, and that blond chick from Weeds.

He says- True to life look at problems faced by a young couple fleeing the singles scene, biggest problem being his inability to make genuine emotional commitment to her.  True to life doesn't make it terribly interesting, however.  Expanded (and diluted) from David Mamet's one act play Sexual Perversity in Chicago.  Coscenarist Tim Kazurinsky appears briefly.  2 stars.

I say- Demi Moore has really weird boobs.  Lots of fighting makes this really uncomfortable to watch.  Well acted, but felt like peeping tom.  2 stars.

About Adam

About Adam-2001 British/U.S./Irish starring Kate Hudson, Frances O'Connor, and Stuart Townsend. 

He says:  Cute romantic comedy about a duplicitous charmer who woos all three sisters of an eccentric, close knit Dublin family.  Slight but charming fare has a refreshingly hedonistic attitude but never really convinces us why these robust Eves are so smitten by such a cipher of a man.  Good showcase for its trio of leading ladies.
2 and a half stars

I say--I almost turned this off.  The accents are incredibly thick, and I did not like any characters.  Not my cup of tea.  BOMB