True Grit

Although I grew up in a home where my father's TV preferences were Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and my mother loved "Gunsmoke", I never quite got it. Who wanted to see stories about people who rode horses and there were no paved roads? However, I did see the first "True Grit" and really enjoyed it. I was just beginning to develop my passion for Academy Award winning performances and remember how good John Wayne, Kim Darby and Glen Campbell were. But, it was a WESTERN and I never watched it again.

Flash forward 40 years and they did a remake with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. One to always go to movies that these men are in....I still put the WESTERN at the end of my holiday viewing list. Only because of the hype it has gotten and recommendations from my family did I agree to see it.

The new "True Grit" met all my criteria for a great movie. Bridges, Damon and Josh Brolin, as always, delivered fabulous performances. However, the ultimate in acting came from newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. I really don't understand why her performance was recognized as "Supporting" when she carried the movie. I was totally entertained and so glad I got to see this WESTERN.

The King's Speech

Thank you Academy Awards for suggesting movies for me when I normally only see movies that are "Blockbusters" which surely entertain me. I was disappointed with this holiday's movie offerings. There wasn't one that really made me say "Wow".

Then I saw "The King's Speech". No one will bother to see it unless they... 1. Have a fascination with the British monarchy. 2. Are speech pathologists, or 3. Are fans of Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter or Geoffrey Rush. I can say yes to 2 out of 3.

"The King's Speech" story was one I had never heard of or paid attention to. Queen Elizabeth's Father had a severe speech impediment and only gained the throne when his brother's relationship with a divorced woman caused him to abdicate. The movie told the tale of this man who had been abused by royal nannies, somewhat ridiculed by his father, The King. All because he had stammer.

The story begins when he was a happily husband, father and second in line to the throne. His speech problems were an embarrassment in his public speaking endeavors and national broadcasts were in their genesis. The most brilliant individuals versed in correcting speech were brought in to no avail. Then, the woman we now know as the late "Queen Mother" found a successful, unconventional resource that saved the day.

Colin Firth, always the consummate actor, will win an Academy Award for this role. He did an incredible job and it is his turn to take home the gold. Ms. Bonham-Carter and Mr. Rush gave amazing performances but will not win because of the subject matter and because it's just not in the cards.

This was the first movie I've seen in a long time that made me laugh, cry and cheer.

"WEEDS"

"Weeds" is not a theatrical release so I haven't watched it with popcorn, peanut M&M's but, with plenty of Diet Coke. I would like to thank my beautiful daughter's penchant for buying boxed sets and knowing what the best ones are.

As a '70's child I had heard about this show and was intrigued by it but way too cheap to subscribe to SHOWTIME. Again, I would like to thank my little girl for bringing this series into my life. Snow, ice and Seasonal Affective Disorder have kept me housebound since Christmas and my life was saved because of this series.

Not one for the prudish, moralistic or politically correct. Or is it? To me it has been a wonderful escape from all these standards I am supposed to adhere to.

It is the story of a newly 40 Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) whose husband recently dropped dead of a heart attack while jogging. She was left in yuppie, upper middle class suburbia with two sons 11 and 15. The story starts in the aftermath of husband Judah's death and immediately goes into the premise of the show. Nancy sells marijuana to make ends meet. This leads me to my only problem with a show I've now watched for five seasons. It never really explained how Nancy made the trip from the land of PTA and granite counter tops to a drug dealer on the wrong side of town.

However, this concern left me after about two episodes after I became engrossed with Nancy's life, her sons Silas,(Hunter Parrish)and Shane (Alexander Gould). The other central characters Celia (Elizabeth Perkins), Doug (Kevin Nealon), Dean (Andy Milder) and Isabel (Allie Grant)were included in all five seasons and Andy (Justin Kirk) came in in episode three. All are, to say the least, not perfect but, I grew to love and understand all of them. Then there was the never ending parade of secondary players some I had never heard of to those with big names. Although all of these people, for the most part, participated in some despicable and illegal things; there was always a loveable human side to all of them.

No wonder this show has been awarded with nominations and trophies, it is the perfect escape on a cold winter's day. Again, if you have no tolerance for illegal drugs, teenage sex and pregnancy, crime, blood/gore and some really harsh language, it might be best to stick to "The Disney Channel".

"BLACK SWAN" - December 2010

I have always been a fan of Natalie Portman. Good girl, no stints in rehab and an Ivy League grad. My favorite performance was in "Where The Heart Is". I skipped all the syfy ones.

Love ballet and although I had been warned that the BLACK SWAN was dark, I highly anticipated its release. Dark and bizarre it was. Portman will surely receive an Academy Award nod for her turn as this troubled dancer.

Fact is, other than the realistic portrayal of the ballet scene in NYC, I had a lot of difficulty separating fact from fiction. Barbara Hershey as her Mom made me think of Piper Laurie in "Carrie". Really sick relationship.

I've watched enough "Friends" to know that guys really get a kick out of girl on girl action. The scene between Portman and Mila Kunis (who will no longer be just that girl from "The 70's Show") was enough to make every man who was forced to see this movie stay awake.

All the performances mentioned including the one of Vincent Cassel are memorable and award worthy. I could have done without all the blood and gore. Had to turn my head away more than once. However, I think all the ingredients make for a memorable flick, just not one I care to watch again.

"THE FIGHTER" - January 9, 2011

Maybe it is just Winter and I will be in a permanent bad mood until Spring or just maybe the selection of holiday movies this year don't measure up. After three disappointments....BLACK SWAN, LITTLE FOCKERS, and COUNTRY STRONG; I was ready for something that was going to make me stand up and cheer.

THE FIGHTER did not make the cut. Sure it was a great, true story of two brothers whose lives were boxing. Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams (as his girlfriend) are always wonderful in anything they do but, again the strongest performances were from the supporting players. Christian Bale owns BATMAN and his performance as a has been fighter/crack addict was amazing. Melissa Leo's role as the Mother of the two brothers and seven dysfunctional sisters made me believe that was just who she was.

Fact is there was never enough to make me care about any of them through their woes and triumphs. Tears failed to come and, again, no one cheered.

COUNTRY STRONG- January 7, 2011

I really had high hopes for this movie. I think Gwyneth Paltrow is a great actress and knew of her singing ability well before her stint on "Glee". Her songs from "Duets" have long been on my IPOD. Never a country music fan as such, Tim McGraw's songs were the first of the many from country crooners who I now listen to.

The movie didn't spend as much time with these stars as it did with the supporting players Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester. I had never heard of Hedlund and somehow knew that Meester was on "Gossip Girls". Both were quite impressive with their singing and acting skills but, for me, it didn't mesh.

The movie was depressing and devoid of hope. In addition to an ending that I expected early on there was never a shred of triumph to be found, never a feel good moment and nothing to invoke tears of sadness or joy. Great songs and acting were good enough but, not enough to make it a movie great.

The only thing on my mind was that Tim McGraw must have an incredible agent as this was his follow-up to "The Blind Side". He seems, rightfully so, to have a luminous career playing the husband of amazing women.

"THE LITTLE FOCKERS" - January 2, 2011

Having seen all the previous "Focker" movies and enjoying them, it was only fitting that I see the third installment of this comedy. As everyone knows in creating great movies the third time around is not always a charm. I look back fondly at "Home Alone" I & II and "Look Who's Talking". There were third ones made, but does anyone really remember them? Looking at the box office numbers of "The Little Fockers" it may appear that another home run has been hit but, it's time for them to count the money and keep these three movies as special as they are and not go for an forgettable fourth.

Of course, if a movie is produced that stars Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Barbra Striesand, Dustin Hoffman, Owen Wilson and the rest of the great cast, people will come. It is all about bowing out and keeping the franchise special. Think Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short, et al in the "Father of the Bride" movies. Only two of them.

I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy "The Little Fockers". It had some funny spots and after the two previous movies you feel like you know them and want to keep up with them. In this one as in the previous ones it's all about the dynamic of DeNiro and Stiller. They delivered. Their wives (Danner and Polo) were resorted to having to having the flu, expressing the desire for sex that once was and little else. Owen Wilson was at his quirky best and I am pretty sure that after decades of greatness people will simply go see any movie that has Striesand and Hoffman. What a fun set that must have been.

Jessica Alba's character was a bit overdone and why did they even mention the other daughter and feature her husband? Did we see them in #2? The kids were cute enough, but all these plots were just a distraction. It just seemed as if they tried too hard to make it better.

Thanks for the memories "Fockers". Think you should be done. However, if there is a fourth one I will come.