Cast: Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Mo'Nique (Mary), Paula Patton (Ms. Rain), Mariah Carey (Mrs. Weiss), Sherri Shepherd (Cornrows)
For complete info, see IMDb's Precious page.
In spite of the fact that this was partially presented by Oprah Winfrey (I'm not a fan), I really enjoyed Precious. Well, perhaps "enjoyed" isn't really the correct word. I think it is a wonderfully done film with a great cast. I didn't read the book, which is pretty rare for me with movies based on books, but I just watched the movie with this one.
The cast is amazing. Clearly, due to the subject matter, if you're in the mood for a light hearted and happy movie, this isn't a good choice. If you want to watch a deeply moving movie that will probably make you tear up a bit (if you don't get a bit teary when watching this movie, I can't imagine anything moving you to tears), this is a great choice.
Movies based on true stories almost always interest me and Sapphire's story was adapted to film very well. I definitely recommend renting Precious if you haven't seen it yet.
Grade: A-
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:45 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Meryl Streep (Julia Child), Amy Adams (Julie Powell), Stanley Tucci (Paul Child), Chris Messina (Eric Powell)
For complete info, see IMDb's Julie & Julia page.
I might not have enjoyed the parts of the movie with Julie as much as I did if I hadn't heard such horrible things about those parts, but I thought all the parts of the movie were about at the same level. Meryl Streep did an amazing job as Julia Child. I didn't find the story all that interesting (either one, actually), but the cast was great and the story was well done. If you're really into cooking and like Julia Child, the movie will probably be more enjoyable for you.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2009, Amy Adams, biography, cooking, drama, Meryl Streep, movie, romance, Stanley Tucci
Reviewed by Kat at the 9:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Sandra Bullock (Leigh Anne Tuohy), Quinton Aaron (Michael Oher), Tim McGraw (Sean Tuohy), Jae Head (S.J. Tuohy), Lily Collins (Collins Tuohy)
For complete info, see IMDb's The Blind Side page.
I'm a sucker for movies based on real stories - especially if they involve sports. So, The Blind Side was a movie I wanted to rent as soon as it was released on blu-ray. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. I'm glad Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy. She and the rest of the cast were wonderful. If you enjoy heart warming movies based on true stories involving sports and haven't seen The Blind Side yet, add it to your rental list now! The story is very touching and well worth watching.
Grade: A-
Labels: 2009, biography, drama, movie, Sandra Bullock, sports
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kirsten Dunst (Marie Antoinette), Jason Schwartzman (Louis XVI), Judy Davis (Comtesse de Noailles)
For complete info, see IMDb's Marie Antoinette page.
Marie Antoinette would have been very disappointing (from the ads I'd seen, the expectations of Kirsten Dunst, etc.) if I hadn't had so many people tell me it was horrible. I think one even described it as painful. Although the movie was definitely too long and dragged in many points, I didn't think it was horrible. Worth watching on a movie channel (which is what I did) or renting it. Not worth devoting all your time and attention to it (I was doing other things while watching the movie and that worked out well), but I did finish watching the movie. It was okay.
The cast is great, the costumes were very interesting, the scenic design is well done, ... Definitely a lot of positives about this movie. I'd say it's worth renting or watching now that it's on TV, but nothing you have to put at the top of your list.
Grade: C
Labels: 2006, biography, drama, history, Kirsten Dunst, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Tom Hanks (Rep. Charlie Wilson), Amy Adams (Bonnie Bach), Julia Roberts (Joanne Herring), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Gust Avrakotos)
For complete info, see IMDb's Charlie Wilson's War page.
The cast of Charlie Wilson's War was amazing, so there was no question that I would rent it. I didn't know much about the movie, since I avoid news on a movie once I've decided to see it (I'd rather see it for myself than hear all about it first) and was surprised by how much this movie moved me.
Movies like this based on real people with real flaws (and Charlie Wilson had plenty, it seems) always interest me. This movie shows the real events that took place in Afghanistan in the late 80s and shows how Charlie Wilson helped the Afghans. If you like biographies and/or war movies, you should definitely rent this one.
Grade: B
Labels: 2007, Amy Adams, biography, drama, Julia Roberts, movie, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Hanks, war
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Angelina Jolie (Mariane Pearl), Dan Futterman (Daniel Pearl), Archie Panjabi (Asra Q. Nomani)
For complete information on this great cast, see IMDb’s A Mighty Heart page.
This is a very well done movie based on the true story of Mariane Pearl and her husband Danny, a Wall Street Journal reporter. Danny’s life and death is a very compelling story and they did a very good job with it in this movie. There were times when Angelina Jolie didn’t even look like herself. It was a complete transformation. I can’t imagine anyone seeing this movie and not being touched by the horrific story. The fact that it actually happened is so sad and really blows my mind. It’s amazing what goes on in the world during times of war (which seems to be almost all of human existence).
I highly recommend renting this movie if you missed it in theatres, though it’s definitely a movie you can only watch when you’re prepared for a very sad story.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2007, Angelina Jolie, biography, Dan Futterman, drama, history, movie, thriller, war
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Renee Zellweger (Beatrix Potter), Ewan McGregor (Norman Warne)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Miss Potter page.
This movie about Beatrix Potter's life was good, but didn't go into the writing of the stories as much as I expected. I expected a bit more from the animation of her characters, due to the advertising I'd seen. It seems like it's time to stop watching previews again. I think I would have enjoyed the movie more if I'd had no real expectations of great animation, etc.
I know that my best friend loved this movie, so it was probably better than it came across to me, due to what I thought it would be.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2006, biography, drama, Ewan McGregor, movie, Renee Zellweger
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:47 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Helen Mirren (The Queen), James Cromwell (Prince Philip), Alex Jennings (Prince Charles), Roger Allam (Robin Janvrin), Michael Sheen (Tony Blair)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's The Queen page.
I'm so glad Helen Mirren won the Academy Award for best actress now that I've seen The Queen. This movie was very well written and has a great cast. It was so well done, that at times it seemed like it was more a documentary than a typical film. They did a very good job of portraying the events surrounding Princess Diana's death.
If you don't like biographies or movies that are a bit more on the documentary side, this movie is probably not for you. Otherwise, I very highly recommend renting The Queen if you missed it in theatres.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2006, biography, drama, Helen Mirren, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams