Chico & Rita Collector's Edition (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD/CD Soundtrack Combo) (2012)

Chico and Rita is the third Latin movie throughout the last two decades(after Buena Vista Social Club and Estudio 54), inspired on Latin music, but unlike the previous ones it's much more ambitious about its proposal.

Fernando Trueba made an amazing journey through some unforgattable moments and first-rate figures of jazz to tell us a love story thatlooks like a tragic bolero sprayed with this bitter ending cadence ruptruras, troubles and nostalgia.

Both are from humble origin, but each of them bursts on stage and shine like a star for its own account. And despite the conflicts come and go the love never does.

A memorable tribute to Chano Pozo, Gillespie, Parker, Casablanca, Boggie, Tito Puente, Miguel Valdez and Tito Rodriguez, among other ones. Interesting artistic proposal and refreshing gaze to the Latin Universe.

I love good animation, I love great music, and I love a good movie.

Three for three on "Chico and Rita". Two Afro-Cuban musicians who meet in classic "cute" movie fashion and then have an on-again, off-again, love affair in various locales (Havana, NYC, Las Vegas, etc.), and always, there is wonderful music (mostly jazz and Latin jazz) in the forefront or the background.

Let me pull on your coat about something here the guy who plays the original piano pieces for this film is 93 years old. He's also playing the piano and conducting the Havana ballroom orchestra present in parts of the soundtrack, albeit when he was much, much younger as those recordings were made in the 40's and 50's. His name is Bebo Valdes, and he is as old-school as it gets at 93, but, man, that cat can still play.

I've ordered this film in advance as I know I will want to watch it at least a few times, and therefore I have no hesitation in recommending that you watch it at least once. Even if you don't particularly like jazz or animation, it stands on it's own as a great little movie.

Just a heads-up though there are some adult moments and some animated nudity in the film, so bear that in mind if you're considering watching it and you've got children around the place.

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Watching this nostalgic love letter to Cuba, jazz, and enduring passion unfold, I was struck by how little the medium of animation is used to tell serious adult stories. "Chico & Rita," therefore, benefits greatly from this straightforward and unorthodox approach. Had the exact same screenplay been filmed with live actors, I think the tale might have been equally compelling. But there is something about the simplicity and beauty of the hand drawn passages that really evokes an artistic vibe. And as the movie is an homage to an era, a culture, and an art form, it's fascinating to see this world come alive as if from thin air. "Chico & Rita" was Oscar nominated as Best Animated Feature in 2012, and it is truly a must-see for lovers of quality adult entertainment. A visual treat with its earthy pallette, the movie also boasts an impressively colorful soundtrack that recalls the jazz age in vibrant detail. Lushly romantic, I think those that adore "Chico & Rita" will be rapturous in their praise. But it isn't necessarily a movie for everyone as it unravels as much from mood as from the actual story.

The actual plot spans many decades from the streets of Cuba, to the clubs of New York, to the movie sets of Hollywood, to the seedy motels of Las Vegas. Seriously, I had no idea that the movie would have such a grand scope or such a broad narrative. An elderly Chico, a former piano man, hears one of his songs on the radio and it causes him to reflect on a long and tumultuous relationship with his true love Rita. Rita, a sultry singer, worked with Chico before setting upon a life of fame and glamour--but their two paths were constantly intertwined. Although madly in love, the two never seem to connect in any meaningful way for an extended period. But despite all their mistakes and the physical obstacles in their path, there is always an underlying hope for a happy ending. The two seem fated to be together, but fate may not be enough to overcome tragedy. Melancholy, sweet, and unrelentingly romantic, the film still maintains a refreshingly hard edge throughout.

Spanish director Fernando Trueba (Belle Epoque) has a sure handle on the tone and cadence of the movie. As I mentioned, the mood of the piece is just as important as its narrative. And the music really helps to capture the spirit of the story telling. From genuine jazz riffs to English language ballads, everything fits perfectly. Although I did love the movie, it does tend to get a bit rushed as the years spiral by in quick fashion. So after a detailed beginning, certain sequences can seem a bit choppy. The pace is so luxuriant and leisurely, I thought some of the time shifts were a bit jarring. But it's a small point in the grand scheme of things.

Limited Edition Collector's set: This 3 disc compilation has the DVD, the Blu-ray, and the soundtrack. If you love jazz, I suspect you'll be interested in purchasing the soundtrack so this might be a convenient way to get both the movie and the CD at a combined price point. Also included (and quite fascinating) is a sixteen page excerpt from the source material, which happens to be a graphic novel. It's a cute, if not particularly substantial, addition. I'd have loved a bit more, but I guess they didn't ask me. Overall, though, an easy recommendation. About 4 1/2 stars, an impressively adult endeavor. KGHarris, 9/12.

Read Best Reviews of Chico & Rita Collector's Edition (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD/CD Soundtrack Combo) (2012) Here

Chico & Rita is a beautifully animated film, with an excellent storyline. It creates an ambiance the viewer wants to be part of, and expressive characters we can almost touch. It is a love story that follows a young pianist and a young singer starting from the late 1940s Havana. The film takes us many places geographically and emotionally. The situations and dialogs are very real and sharp. The film is happy and tragic, just like life itself. One needs to be a certain age to understand the motivations and emotions within, therefore I would recommend it for viewers 18 years of age or older.

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I rarely watch animations and almost never review movies. This one is so exceptional that I feel compelled to gush a little so forgive me in advance.

First, this movie weaves in factual events with a great storyline. For example, the circumstances leading to Chano Pozzo's actual death are portrayed, as is the overall allure to many Cuban musicians of what musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and their New York peers were creating. In real life Dizzy did as much as any major jazz musician in NY to include the Afro-Cuban rhythms into bebop and beyond.

The music itself is a character in this movie. What a feast! It inspired me to start listening to pure Cuban music by some of the pioneers cited in the movie. Consequently, I have fallen in love with musicians to whom I would have never paid attention like Machito (a good starting point is Ritmo Caliente), Cachao (start with Master Session 1) and a plethora of others who pioneered this music.

Of course the animation simply beautiful and the storyline that is gritty, musical and touching are reasons enough to watch this movie. Like the music, both Havana and New York City are also characters in this movie. The scenes are period-correct and the colors are also consistent with the era. It's uncanny how well the essences of both cities are captured and personified.

Do be aware that some scenes are explicit, making this an adult movie in every sense of the word. It's also a love story. And a musical.

If you love music, and especially Afro-Cuban influenced jazz that came out of the late 1940s/early 1950s, you will love this movie. Heck, if you are a sucker for a great love story you'll also love it.

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Brothers Bloom (2008)

Whimsical, sentimental, colorful, and both funny and awkward, THE BROTHERS BLOOM is original in its context and characters even if the plot itself is relatively predictable. The tale of two brothers who learn at an early age their skill at pulling off confidence schemes (all in the film's well designed and funny first 10 minutes). They continue to run cons into their early thirties when Bloom (Brody), the younger of the two, is faced with a bit of a quarter-life-crisis and decides to quit conning alongside his older brother Stephen (Mark Ruffalo). Of course he returns on the premise of helping Stephen carry off 'one last job,' the most glaringly cliched element in the entire film. All is forgiven however as the cast of characters unfolds, and director Rian Johnson rolls out more story arc. We meet Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi), a semi-mute Asian woman with a penchant for blowing things to pieces and Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz), a billionaire heiress & collector of strange hobbies. Weisz is convincingly awkward, funny, intelligent, and ultimately lovable. Weisz, Brody, and Ruffalo give good performances but are still all outclassed by Rinko Kikuchi's portrayal of Bang Bang. She communicates much with few to no words. She is the master of the subtle facial expression and she singlehandedly raised this film from 3 stars to 4 for this viewer.

Rian Johnson's directorial style resembles Wes Anderson's, but with more of a penchant for sweetness. THE BROTHERS BLOOM is littered with sentimental twists, moments, and visuals. Johnson's craft is still developing, with his this, his sophomore effort, falling slightly short of his wonderful first film Brick. The gentle goodnaturedness of the film is surprisingly refreshing in a movie marketplace littered with grit, angst, and cynicism. I think this is why the film scored so poorly with paid reviewers; they were too afraid of seeming soft by liking the movie and being branded as 'sentimental.' The film has a sweetness to it that may turn off some viewers, but to me is was a nice change of pace from the typical Hollywood offering.

As the film progresses it does a decent enough job of not revealing too much and providing the viewer a plausible suspension of disbelief. There are a few moments that don't ring true (the first encounter with Diamond Dog at the bar for example--actually I didn't like the Diamond Dog character at all and thought he was superfluous to the plot and movie as a whole) but they are few and far between. My strongest criticism of the film is that Johnson, Brody, and the rest of the cast know how clever certain elements of the film are, and they let the audience know that they know. Clever is fine, but I don't need to be reminded every ten minutes that the movie is oh so smart. Another confusing plot element is Penelope's seeming inability to drive a sports car--this from a woman who has mastered more than a few difficult hobbies including pinhole photography and martial arts!

Overall this is a very enjoyable movie if you appreciate warmth in film. It's sentimental. It's bright and fun and intelligent. Viewers who prefer their cinema to be dark and brooding should probably skip this one and watch Mystic River or The Dark Knight instead. However, if you loved The Life Aquatic you'll probably love THE BROTHERS BLOOM.

4/5 Stars. Well worth renting or even owning.

For all people who love the beauty of awkwardness and a wonderful dialogue between characters, this movie is for you. The humor and charm of the first half of the film is only made more enjoyable by the heartfelt latter half. Enchanting performances by all particularly the short appearances of The Brothers in their youth, though Brody, Weiss, Ruffalo, and Kikuchi all deserve acclaim.

For some reason movie critics tanked this gem, but the people who went to see it tend toward rave review. Perhaps the critics weren't paid for a positive opinion in a timely manner, or maybe they just can't let themselves enjoy a piece of cinema that isn't some crappy Hollywood remake. See with friends, and I hope you enjoy it as I did.

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This is a fun little film. The idea that a story of control and bigger issues was written around a con is a interesting story line. The movie itself is a cute con with fake endings and lots of fun. It does take on some life issues. Is your life being controlled by someone who loves you or do you enjoy the freedom and pain of writing your own script. The idea that the writer of the script (older controlling brother) having to die to free his brother is intriguing. I am sure deeper stuff is present in this movie and a thoughtful person can have loads of fun just trying to pick up the angles in the picture. It is just a fun movie more than all. The "mark" is well played by a zany Rachel Weiz. Brody and Ruffalo do a great job too.

Read Best Reviews of Brothers Bloom (2008) Here

Whimsical, sentimental, colorful, and both funny and awkward, THE BROTHERS BLOOM is original in its context and characters even if the plot itself is relatively predictable. The tale of two brothers who learn at an early age their skill at pulling off confidence schemes (all in the film's well designed and funny first 10 minutes). They continue to run cons into their early thirties when Bloom (Brody), the younger of the two, is faced with a bit of a quarter-life-crisis and decides to quit conning alongside his older brother Stephen (Mark Ruffalo). Of course he returns on the premise of helping Stephen carry off 'one last job,' the most glaringly cliched element in the entire film. All is forgiven however as the cast of characters unfolds, and director Rian Johnson rolls out more story arc. We meet Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi), a semi-mute Asian woman with a penchant for blowing things to pieces and Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz), a billionaire heiress & collector of strange hobbies. Weisz is convincingly awkward, funny, intelligent, and ultimately lovable. Weisz, Brody, and Ruffalo give good performances but are still all outclassed by Rinko Kikuchi's portrayal of Bang Bang. She communicates much with few to no words. She is the master of the subtle facial expression and she singlehandedly raised this film from 3 stars to 4 for this viewer.

Rian Johnson's directorial style resembles Wes Anderson's, but with more of a penchant for sweetness. THE BROTHERS BLOOM is littered with sentimental twists, moments, and visuals. Johnson's craft is still developing, with his this, his sophomore effort, falling slightly short of his wonderful first film Brick. The gentle goodnaturedness of the film is surprisingly refreshing in a movie marketplace littered with grit, angst, and cynicism. I think this is why the film scored so poorly with paid reviewers; they were too afraid of seeming soft by liking the movie and being branded as 'sentimental.' The film has a sweetness to it that may turn off some viewers, but to me is was a nice change of pace from the typical Hollywood offering.

As the film progresses it does a decent enough job of not revealing too much and providing the viewer a plausible suspension of disbelief. There are a few moments that don't ring true (the first encounter with Diamond Dog at the bar for example--actually I didn't like the Diamond Dog character at all and thought he was superfluous to the plot and movie as a whole) but they are few and far between. My strongest criticism of the film is that Johnson, Brody, and the rest of the cast know how clever certain elements of the film are, and they let the audience know that they know. Clever is fine, but I don't need to be reminded every ten minutes that the movie is oh so smart. Another confusing plot element is Penelope's seeming inability to drive a sports car--this from a woman who has mastered more than a few difficult hobbies including pinhole photography and martial arts!

Overall this is a very enjoyable movie if you appreciate warmth in film. It's sentimental. It's bright and fun and intelligent. Viewers who prefer their cinema to be dark and brooding should probably skip this one and watch Mystic River or The Dark Knight instead. However, if you loved The Life Aquatic you'll probably love THE BROTHERS BLOOM.

4/5 Stars. Well worth renting or even owning.

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Rian Johnson created a great modern day noir film (which was also his debut as a director) with Brick that was really enjoyable. When the word about The Brothers Bloom started making its rounds, it immediately reeled me in. Johnson's style in The Brothers Bloom seems to almost mimic Wes Anderson's at times as several scenes (especially the first ten minutes or so) have a similar feel that seem to be shot in the same way you'd see in an Anderson film. The film also has a Kiss Kiss Bang Bang feel to it with how colorful every shot is. The tone was similar in both films as they both had humor as an underlying tone amongst a dramatic adventure revolving around crime. This film is just a real pleasure to look at. The cinematography seems to tell a story all on its own as every shot seems to be done in a unique way and everything is so vividly colorful.

Every factor of the film is strong. The story isn't entirely original as we've all heard con men stories before, but the way the story unfolds and the development of the characters involved makes it a new experience. The dialogue is also top notch. Nothing stuck out as being cheesy or hokey. Every line spoken was either witty, charming, or something you'd expect to hear in everyday conversation. So it was realistic and natural. The entire cast has to be the film's strongest point though. There doesn't really seem to be a character that's wasted or isn't used to their full potential. Rachel Weisz does steal the show though. Her character is so charismatic, outgoing, and eccentric that she just steals every scene she's a part of.

The Brothers Bloom is one of the best films to be released this year, which is a shame since it seems to have a limited release. It offers something for everybody looking for a good time at the movies whether it's an adventure that will take them around the world, romance between two of the central characters, an oddball character that's great comedic relief, the development of both brothers as characters as their crime of swindling people as con men causes drama, and even plenty of explosions to satisfy the action junkie. The conclusion of the film is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as well. The Brothers Bloom will probably be overlooked by the many assured blockbusters coming out this summer, but it comes highly recommended from me and should be on everyone's must see list.

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Cars Director's Edition (Cars / Cars 2 / Mater's Tall Tales) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2

I picked up this set yesterday. I felt I paid a decent price for it when I compared it to buying the movies separately. I haven't actually watched any of the discs yet but I'm sure they'll be fine. I liked the first Cars and love Michael Caine so I'm looking forward to the sequel. Mater's Tall Tales should be cute as well, it was really just a bonus anyway, it was the other two that I wanted. What I was not happy with was the packaging. It looked nice enough in the store but upon getting home with it and opening it, its a super cheap way to package this 11 disc set. I assumed the cardboard would house some sort of container inside that would hold the discs. Nope. Once you open the box, there's a flimsy piece of packaging plastic that sits on top, it is in no way anchored or attached, of a piece of foam that has slits in it to hold the discs so that they don't rub against each other. That's it. No blu-ray cases or anything else. Wow, Disney, you would think with an $100 list price (I got it for $75, Best Buy had it for $80 plus I had a $5 off coupon) they could come up with something a little sturdier. Plus if you have kids and they want the car that's included, your going to have to tear open what packaging you do have to get it out and then how will your discs be kept? Really pretty disappointed here. I would have taken it back and bought the individual discs if not for the digital copies, I wanted them and you only get them for all three in this set. Bad form, Disney. Bad Form!

We're Disney fans, and already had Cars (1), but not the other two, so we opted for this set. It's a bit of overkill, but we have extras for all the different devices. Plus a couple of "oops, the kids scratched the heck out of this disc somehow" copies.

The kids enjoyed the movies. Since they're the intended audience, I'm not going to review the scripts/movies. I'm going to specifically talk about the packaging.

I'm all about reducing my plastic consumption. But I do NOT like the storage box these are in. I wish they had sleeves or something. The foam block inside the box holds all the discs (the silver box with the checkerboard "top" to it. The checkerboard thing is actuall a flap of fabric). Anyway, this foam cheapens it. And this was not a cheap set. The foam has slits cut in in to store the disc. I suppose they're supposed to be kept pristinely apart from each other, but when I opened the box, they were all rubbing against each other. Also, the notches are all deformed, so it's not as if I can somehow "fix" it. I can get every disc but one in the box without touching its neighboring discs.

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I really enjoy the Cars movies and loved the idea of having them on blu-ray, DVD and a digital copy. You get a lot for your money in the end but if I were to do it over I would have bought them separately just to have them in better cases. Once you get into the box you find out that they are stored in a little box with soft foam that is shaped to slide the discs in and out of. It is not very user friendly, especially if you have little ones. The so called lid doesn't stay secure or really even fit for that matter. It is bulky and really a pain to try and fit it in with the other movies on the shelf. I say buy them separately and avoid the hassle of having to buy cases later.

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Bought this as a gift for my grandson, and he loves having the whole set. The little car is fun for him to play with, and is packaged so that I can put it back in place when he's finished, thus saving the 'collector' aspect.

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My son got this as a gift for his birthday and he loves that it's every Cars movie especially the Cars Toons! However, just as stated with most other reviews, the packaging is really lousy. I can't even put the dvd's in correctly in that little soft foam holder.

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The Vow (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy) (2012)

"The Vow" 2012 is a romantic drama with some comedic moments thrown in. Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum play a young married couple whose lives take a tragic fate when they suffer a car accident.

McAdams's character, Paige, isn't horribly disfigured or anything like that, but she suffers brain trauma which has blocked all memory of Tatum's character Leo.

Leo tries to get regain her memory by trying to have her fall in love with him again.

That's the movie. These romantic dramas get manufactured every year, and I have seen hundreds of them. However, I really liked the movie.

It's true that these types of movies aren't original, but that doesn't bother me too much as long as the product is good. Like I said, I liked it primarily because Rachel and Channing were very good in the leads.

It's true that perhaps the "brain trauma" aspect of the plot could have been worked a bit more, I mean Paige remembers a lot of things that you wouldn't expect someone whose had brain trauma to remember, so this part of the movie could come out as implausible to some people.

However, most people who have enjoyed the film don't care about that. This is a love story first and foremost, so it's more about seeing the characters going through the motions and trying to get those magic feelings for each other again

The performances are excellent. Channing and Rachel have great chemistry. The acting is never forced and the characters are believable.

Once we learn about Paige's past, we kind of understand why it's hard for her to remember Leo or at least not embrace it: Part of her life has been burdened by her overbearing father (played by Sam Neil) who doesn't quite respect her decisions, an ex-boyfriend Jeremy (Scott Speedman) who can't quite let her go, and other personal issues.

Rachel McAdams plays her character well. She is pretty, nice personality, but a little unsure of herself.

Tatum is good as the guy next door whose willing to put up with a lot all in the name of love. In fact, small parts of the movie are actually narrated by Leo as he tries to tell the audience what love really is. It's a nice addition to make the movie stand out a bit more from just being another movie. I liked his discussion of "moments of impact" in the film

All in all it's just a nice romantic movie. Some might find some issues with the science part of the movie or say it's predictable, but it's a movie that you see to make you laugh and feel good at the end.

After reading the book i expected a reasonable movie version. Instead I got Paige the brat. Paige the entitled. Paige the bully. It was all about Paige and very little about her husband. He was going through ton of stress and agony that never got expressed on the screen just a nice guy gentleness and one punch. He was truly the perfect gentleman. He even learned to love the cat. Great for a superficial story but not a great movie. I would have liked him to have had more voice to express anger even at her for lets face it ruining his life and not trusting him. Instead its all about Paige and her rotten family that were trying to rewrite history. How many more secrets did they keep? So not a great movie. If you like date movies its good but don't expect any realism in the story.

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You probably won't ever see Channing Tatum ferociously chewing the scenery, but you must give him props for earnestness. In THE VOW he handles the voiceover narration, and you could feel him trying. But when he launches into his clunky theory on "moments of impact," it's hard for me to buy it as credible insight. Maybe I'm biased. Probably I've pigeonholed Channing Tatum. Perhaps I was expecting him to bust an ill dance move or join a fight club. Me, I liked this film okay. And for the film's starry-eyed target audience, no amount of dis will sway them. Still, somewhere, even the staff writers at Hallmark are rolling their eyes.

In wintry Chicago, Leo (Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) are a young married couple still very much in love with each other. After all, they wrote their wedding vows on the menus of their favorite restaurant, and that right there probably qualifies what they have as some sort of legendary love affair. But then a runaway truck smashes into their car, and there's Paige catapulting thru the windshield. Leo, who had his seatbelt on, is relatively fine. When Paige awakens from her coma, she discovers that she's suffering from selective amnesia. She can't remember the last five years of her life. She can't imagine being this in demand sculptor and living in the city and married to Leo, this sudden stranger.

I'm sure them womenfolk are swooning all over Channing Tatum (who also bares his behind in one scene, so, uh, yay). Tatum is rendered ridiculously sympathetic by his romantic gestures and by virtue of what he's put thru by the amnesiac Paige. Leo remains the sweet devoted spouse, desperately striving to win his estranged wife all over again. But it's tough, really tough. Once a free-spirited creature, Paige now seems like an entirely different person. One of Leo and Paige's mutual friends voices our concern: "I'm just worried if she doesn't remember you, how's she supposed to remember she's in love with you?" Somewhere, Nicholas Sparks is kicking himself for not thinking up this plot.

Not that Paige is purposely mean or thoughtless. She's experiencing her own bits of turmoil. And, me, what I found really interesting are those moments which focus on Paige and the scary stuff she's going thru. Rachel McAdams is quite good at conveying that sense of desolation and confusion and helplessness one must feel when stricken with deep memory loss.

From Paige's perspective, it's like this: She's never had a falling out with her rich, conservative parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange). She's still in law school and engaged to her old sweetheart Jeremy (Scott Speedman). Today, Paige can't comprehend what would compel her to move to the city or give up law study or not be on speaking terms with her parents. What made her break up with Jeremy? I remember getting mad at myself in the theater for getting suckered in by these concerns. But I found myself wanting to know what made Paige turn her back on her old life five years ago.

Watching the love of your life just slip away from you, no matter how hard you try to hold on what's a more irresistible premise, especially on Valentine's Day? Channing Tatum's got a long road to go before he achieves real actor status. He still tends to be stiff and awkward. Except that, for this film, his awkwardness works in his favor. It makes him even more of an underdog, especially when pitted against the urbane Speedman and those old acting hands Sam Neill and Jesicca Lange. It's a shame, by the way, that Jessica Lange only gets that one scene in which to strut her stuff.

There are romantic beats in THE VOW that, for all their predictability and heavyhandedness, are still worth waiting for. And that's because McAdams and Tatum do create some sparks in their scenes together. Despite her newfound attraction to Jeremy, Paige gradually, cautiously becomes open to Leo's advances. She remarks: "I married him. It must've been for some reason." This then leads to probably my favorite sequence, which is their "first date." Since I'm a manly man, I won't swoon or have vapors. But I liked that sequence.

THE VOW is based on the real-life story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. Apparently, Krickitt never did recover from her amnesia, and yet they're happily married with two kids. Not that I'm saying that's what happens in this movie. In fact, surprisingly, THE VOW veers away from giving us a grand romantic gesture in the finale. I like that the resolution unfolds unexpectedly and messily and almost in anticlimactic fashion. But the way the last 20 or so minutes unfold feels more believable. I was glad there wasn't a mad dash thru the airport or a dramatic "Stop the Wedding!" moment at the twelfth hour. The cliché police are overtaxed as it is.

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I wanted to like this movie, I really did. The acting was decent, although there was no chemistry between the lead characters. I think it was the writing.

*SPOILERS**SPOILERS**SPOILERS*

The thing that bothered me the most is the letdown as to why she:

Completely cut off communication with her entire family.

Broke off her engagement.

Became a vegetarian.

Moved "to the city"

Dropped out of law school to become an artist.

Because her father had an affair with her friend? Really? I mean, cut him off if you want but it seems like a tad bit of an overreaction to me. Her mom and sister were probably like WTF did we do? She was a total brat throughout the whole movie. Her character was unlikable and he was a wuss. I hated it. I'm glad I Netflixed it rather than paying to see it.

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To the script writers of the movie "The Vow":

Way to take an epic, real-life story of heroic Christ-like love and strip the heart and soul out of it.

I know you Hollywood types are chronically incapable of comprehending anything remotely resembling true, unconditional commitment that never gives up for any reason, but just because you can't understand it doesn't give you license to pull it down to your level. This movie proves that Hollywood really can't tell true love when it's staring them right in the face in the form of the real-life couple that this movie is (barely) based on.

In summary: Deeply disappointed.

If you want to know the REAL story, Amazon.com sells the book authored by the real couple that actually went through these events AND chose to stay true to their vows, regardless of how difficult it was. Kim and Krickitt Carpenter had a very rough beginning to their marriage, but Kim (the husband) never divorced Krickitt, there was no pressure from her father to do so, and there was no schism between her and her family. This movie takes the real-life drama of a painful and difficult situation and replaces it with artificial made-for-Hollywood drama that was far less interesting. And worst of all, they stripped out the very faith in God that is the core of their love for one another and which made it possible for them to work through their tragedy.

The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the Movie

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We Are Marshall (2007)

I have lived in Huntington, WV almost my entire life and attended Marshall University. I was a small child when the plane crashed in 1970. I remember, first hand, what our town and community went through after the tragic loss of so many lives. When I first heard that the movie was going to be made, I was both thrilled and trepidatious. Could a big time Hollywood movie capture the real event with integrity, honesty and respect? The answer is a resounding Yes!

McG, McConaughey, Fox and the rest of the cast and crew treated our story with all of that and more. The movie is historically accurate, (thanks to a great script by Jamie Linden) the acting is excellent, the soundtrack is fabulous, and McG thank you for filming a good portion of this movie in Huntington!

This movie was not only "necessary" but a story that applies to so many other "rise from the ashes" events in our world today. I know it would seem easy for me to love this movie because I lived it, but my adoration for this film actually comes from the efforts and dedication that the film makers put into this project. They took a true story and made it into a movie that can touch the heart of anyone who sees it.

For those critics who spend too much time focusing on the "pacing," and "spirituality" or other minutia, you're missing the point. This isn't a film for pretentious, overly analytical critics or Sunday School debate. Enjoy this film for what it is. It was intended to share an uplifting and heart-warming true story and to evoke understanding, empathy, courage and determination. If you have any humanity in you, you will like this movie! GO HERD! WE ARE MARSHALL!!

On November 14, 1970, an airplane carrying the Marshall University football team, coaches, and many prominent supporters crashed with all aboard killed. This movie portrays what happened to those left behind and how they rose from the ashes of this disaster and resurrected the football team.

Since everyone knows what is in store, the first part of the movie is especially poignant as you meet the players and know their lives are destined to end far too early. What a typical moviegoer might not be familiar with is the character of Jack Lengyel, a man who was the only one willing to come forward and try to salvage the football program. Matthew McMcConaughey gives a stirring performance as Coach Lengyel as does Matthew Fox as Red Dawson, the assistant coach who gives up his seat at the last minute to another person. The guilt of being a survivor eats at him and nearly destroys his life.

Emotional, uplifting, and enjoyable....this movie manages to honor those who died and those who picked up the pieces and restored pride to Marshall.

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I remember clearly, as a high school junior, the shock and loss that the crash of the aircraft carrying the Marshall University football team invested on a nation. The town, the college, and those left behind must have suffered so. It has taken 25 years to portray that loss on film, and the December film, "We Are Marshall", while not living up to its promise as one of the years "awardable" movies, was nevertheless a moving film experience.

The film deals briefly with the events leading up to the crash, and then in depth with the different ways that those affiliated with the school grieve and start over again. Star athlete Nate Ruffin (Anthony Mackie) is stunned at the fact that he wasn't on the plane, due to injury, and that his legacy is to pick up where the team left off and start over again. His faith in that new start never waivers. Unlike Ruffin, the school's administration and its president Donald Dedmon (the always excellent David Strathairn)

are more realistic. They can't recruit, can't play freshman, can't rebuild right away. The school is small and although "The Thundering Herd" were important to students, alumni and faculty alike, the task is insurmountable. They will suspend the program for a few years to give everyone a chance to recover.

The student body has a different plan, and their outrage presents Dedmon with the need to try. He can't find a coach and has to settle for a virtual unknown from the College of Wooster. Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey, complete with greasy hair in an unlikely length and clothes of plaid polyester) accepts the challenge He's just savvy and stubborn enough to make it work, to reformat and refashion a team of sorts, and even to talk former recruiting scout, Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) into returning as an assistant coach.

The remainder of the film deals with both the practical matter of building the team, the difficulty in winning, and the way those in the town and at the school deal with the grief of what might have been.

Director McG, not a favorite of mine (he brought us BOTH Charlie's Angel's films) surprises with his light touch with the story and his ability to let the film find its own legs. It is a poignant tale. It bogs down between the decision to move forward with the team and the actual first game. The game sequences have an authentic feel, and the score moves well with the film. The film feels like authentic West Virginia and authentic 70's. It never attempts to be something it isn't; it's a sports film that treats the sport within the greater landscape of what was happening in the times and how emotions sometimes get in the way of moving on with your life. It deeply affected the crowd in the theater on the day I saw it.

McConaughey is goofy, offbeat and believable as Lengyel. Aside from his performance, everyone else in the film works well together as an ensemble, with few false notes but not much to remember about their contributions. There's no cliche here, just a simple story that will make you both sad and hopeful. Forget what the critics say, "We Are Marshall" will touch you.

Read Best Reviews of We Are Marshall (2007) Here

I watched this film with tears streaming down my cheeks as I recalled the evening of my 12th birthday, November 14, 1970. I vividly remember watching TV in the basement of our small house in St. Albans, West Virginia, and during the football game which I was watching, the local tv station broke in with a report that the plane had gone down. My first thought was, "Oh no, Roger." One of my family's neighbors in our first house in St. Albans was a young man named Roger Childers, who if I remember correctly was being redshirted during this particular season. As a typical boy who had dreams of growing up and playing football myself, I think back to Roger taking the time to visit with myself and my next door neighbor Joey when we asked him questions about football and college at Marshall. He was a wonderful young man and my family I learned the next day that unfortunately he was among those on the team plane.

This film took me back to my youth and I thought everything was handled "delicately" out of respect for the dead and their families including the crash itself. Seeing terror in the faces of the coaches and players would have been very difficult to handle. I thought they paid very close attention to the details particularly in regards to the crash site and the weather that night...it was cold, nasty and rainy. The rebirth of the program reminds me of a Phoenix rising from the ashes to live another day. If you like to be moved when watching a film, by all means, watch this one.

Peace!

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It is unfathomable to see how many negative reviews this movie received from different critics, as well as some audience members, and I REALLY am left to wondering if they were actually watching the same movie as I was watching, or if they even WATCHED the movie at all. This movie deserves to be looked at as far more than just another "winning the big game" sports film like "Miracle", which was one of my favorites, but needs to viewed as so much more-a magnificent piece that deals with coping with tragedy and rising above the ashes--perfect themes for this post 9/11 world, wouldn't you say? PLEASE do not listen to the negative reviewers on this one. I can guarantee you will not be disapointed, especially with the fact that this has to be the best performances ever given by Matthew McCaughney.

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Letters to God (2009)

The movie has a wonderful message and more than being sad it was uplifting.

While the movie does tug at your heart strings. Letters to God is a good movie. We want Tyler to get better. We want his family and friends to be strong. We want everyone who is touched by his story to find the Lord.

The acting is good. The storyline moves and you find yourself really caring about these people. I love the scenes of Tyler and his friend Samantha. Tyler and his brother. Brady the mailman who eventually is saved by Tyler's Letters to God are all very moving.

Not overly religious? Don't worry.

While it is obviously a religious movie, I don't believe messages are crammed down your throat as in some religious themed movies. The movie is a feel good movie with a beautiful message of friendship, strength, inspiration, prayer, second chances and dignified endings.

This is an incredible movie. It lit a fire within meI now want to know Jesus better. Unfortunately, it is in only a few theaters. I drove from Woodland Hills Ca, to Simi valley to see it and it was well worth the trip. When it comes out on Video I will buy it for my friends and family.

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This is probably the best movie I've seen in a long, long time! I was thrilled to see a movie that totally smashed the modern non-religious mentality. Thank God that this story has been told! I hope and pray to see more like it.

Read Best Reviews of Letters to God (2009) Here

this is a movie that inspires everyone you will cry laugh and learn to pray and believe in god the boy playing the part is excellent and as my sister said as we were leaving the theaterhe has a beautiful smile

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I can't say enough about this movie. The deep faith in God and the simplicity of how he prays. I walked out of the movie with a fire inside that I have not felt for a long time. My friend and I promoted the movie to our school principle and also put it in the church bulletin as a must so for the whole family. Please go out of your way to see this film, you won't regret it.

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Funny Face

In 1957, Paramount produced a very enjoyable musical comedy called "Funny Face", directed by Stanley Donen, and to the music of George Gershwin, Adolph Deutsch, Roger Edens and Leonard Gershe. With a simple plot, the film begins in New York City within the offices of the major fashion magazine named "Quality". Its president, Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson), is determined to find a new way to promote the magazine. In a moment of inspiration, she comes up with the slogan "Think pink," and breaks into song praising the color pink and saying that everything (from women's clothing, soap, furniture, etc.) must be pink. Of course, she "wouldn't be caught dead" in it.

Moving on to another magazine project, Maggie wants to find the perfect spot to photograph one of the magazine's models named Marion (Dovima, who was a major fashion model in the 1950's working closely with photographer Richard Avedon. This was her only film.). An assistant suggests that they go to a bookstore in Greenwich Village to create an intellectual atmosphere. Maggie, Marion, a host of Maggie's staff all in pink and the magazines head photographer, Dick Avery (Fred Astaire), force their way into a dingy, but quiet, bookstore along with all of their equipment. A store employee, Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) protests the uninvited intrusion vehemently, but the "Quality" magazine army locks her out of the store to work undisturbed. After several hours, the "Quality" mob vacates, but the books and store are left in a shambles for Jo to clean up. Dick offers his help to clean the store, but Jo refuses. After Dick leaves, Jo proceeds to sing another wonderful song in the film, "How Long Has This Been Going On?"

Maggie decides that "Quality" must find a real "Quality woman" to represent the magazine and it isn't Marion. When Dick develops the photos taken at the bookstore, Jo is in one of them. He suggests to Maggie that Jo could be the woman that they need, but Maggie has her doubts. To lure Jo to the "Quality" offices, they order a large number of books and want them delivered. Jo arrives hours later with a pile of books and is accosted by Maggie's staff who want to redress her in preparation for a photo shoot. Jo escapes and hides in Dick's dark room. They talk and he sings to her another of the film's title song, "Funny Face". Jo completely disagrees with everything that "Quality" magazine represents; she believes in "empathicalism", a philosophy that rejects all material things, as described by her idol, Professor Emile Flostre, who lives in Paris. When Jo is told that the "Quality woman" photo shoot and a fashion show will be done in Paris, she reluctantly agrees to be the model since it will give her the opportunity to meet Prof. Flostre.

The film continues in Paris where Jo models many clothes designed by Givenchy and a romance between her and Dick Avery develops. Jo finally gets the opportunity to meet Prof. Flostre (Michel Auclair), but will he meet Jo's expectations? Will the romance between Jo and Dick survive the photo shoot and meeting Prof. Flostre? Does Maggie get to produce the Paris fashion show of your dreams? You'll just have to watch this very entertaining film to find out!

The songs in the film include:

* "Think Pink" 5/5, Kay Thompson. A fast, snappy & whimsical song.

* "How Long Has This Been Going On?" 5/5, A blues song sung by Audrey Hepburn at the bookstore.

* "Funny Face" 5/5, Fred Astaire. A charming song.

* "Bonjour Paris" 5/5, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, Kay Thompson. A fun song filmed at various locations in Paris.

* "He Loves and She Loves" 4.5/5 Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astair. Filmed at Le Château de la Reine Blanche in Coye-la-Forêt with Audrey Hepburn modeling a wedding dress.

* "How To Be Lovely" 5/5, Kay Thompson and Audrey Hepburn. A fun & gutsy song.

* "Basal Metabolism" 4.5/5, A blues song that Audrey Hepburn dances to in a bistro.

* "Clap Yo' Hands" 5/5, A fun, melodramatic blues song sung by Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson to sneak into the bistro. (a.k.a. "Ring-a Them Bells")

* "Let's Kiss and Make Up" 4.5/5 Fred Astaire. A love song sung again at Le Château de la Reine Blanche.

* "'S Wonderful" 5/5, Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Another love song sung at Le Château de la Reine Blanche.

Some may think that "Funny Face" is nothing more than fluff, but it was produced to entertain with color, fashion, music, dance and comedy and it does so very well. The acting, singing and dancing from Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson is quite good and I rate "Funny Face" with 5 out of 5 stars. If you're primarily interested in Oscar-winning dramas, "Funny Face" may disappoint you; but if you enjoy light-hearted musicals and like to laugh, then you'll probably be very entertained with this fun film!

Think Pink! S'wonderful! Songs that are among the many wonderful memories from the classic love story and popular 1957 musical "Funny Face" starring Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson featuring memorable Gershwin songs, exciting choreography, beautiful fashion and beautiful scenes shot in Paris. "Funny Face" was not just a regular musical of that time, it was a special film that highlights the style of an era and of course, another stunning fashion collaboration between Audrey Hepburn and her designer Hubert de Givenchy. And also bringing together two top tier music talents such as Astaire and Thomas, all three in one film is just fantastic!

The film starts off with publisher and editor of Quality Magazine, Maggie Prescott (Thompson), looking for a new fashion trend. A woman that exhibits beauty and intellect and both Prescott and fashion photographer, Dick Avery (Astaire) decide to look for this woman who can "think as well as they look". So, the two along with the magazine staff visit a bookstore (Embryo Concepts) in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, they meet Jo Stockton, a shy bookstore clerk who also has a passion for philosophy.

Prescott tries to convince Stockton to consider becoming a model for the magazine but she does not want any part of it. But Prescott, quite persistent in having Stockton become this new face, tricks her to bringing books to the offices of Quality Magazine. As Stockton tries to hide from staff, she hides in the film developing room where Dick Avery is working. Having known that Stockton's dream is to go to Paris and attend a lecture of renown philosopher, Professor Emil Flostre, Avery convinces her that by becoming a model for Quality Magazine will eventually bring her to Paris and attending the lecture of her favorite philosopher.

So, off to Paris they go and as Dick and Jo spend time together, they eventually start to fall in love. As Jo is being prepared for the Gala to introduce her as the new fashion trend for Quality Magazine, she gets caught up in a lecture for her favorite philosopher, Emil Flostre that she forgets to attend the Gala. Thus Dick goes to look for her and causing a scene that embarrasses her in front of Flostre. But it seems that all is lost. Quality Magazine may not have their model. Dick may have lost the special woman in his life and as for Jo, she may have lost the one person that she truly loves.

"Funny Face" is a classic from it's first song sung with Kay Thompson belting out "Think Pink" to the three talents singing in Paris, Audrey Hepburn's dance at a bar (which many have seen through a recent GAP commercial), to Astaire's talents as a vocalist and dancer and Gershwin songs such as "S'Wonderful", "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "He Loves and She Loves" but for film-goers at the time, it was a film that utilized the VistaVision technology (a higher resolution and widescreen technology developed by Paramount in 1954 and an older technology that continues to be used today) and a film that featured the beauty of Paris. Talented actors, beautiful outfits, beautiful music taking place in a beautiful city, there's nothing funny about "Funny Face", the film is just overall... Beautiful!

VIDEO & AUDIO:

The film is presented in widescreen format, enhanced for 16:9 TV's. A lot of the Centennial Collection releases have been remastered for high definition and having the previous DVD's, I can tell you that the DVD looks great. The shots of Paris from yesteryear to the dreamlike scenes between Astaire and Hepburn as they dance to Thompson's "Think Pink" and white and pink just stands out. There are just many of these classic scenes that the remastered video make the film come alive. But I can only imagine how this film would look in 1080P if released in Blu-ray.

Audio is featured in Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround/English, Restored Mono, French Mono and Spanish Mono. The film of course is dialogue-driven but for those who love those Gershwin classics, they do come alive for this film courtesy of the Dolby Digital 5.1 track.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Similar to the three previous "Centennial Collections" from Paramount, the special features are all on disc 2. Because "Funny Face" was released in 2007 as a DVD, some of the special features from that disc can be found on this Centennial Collection but there are a few new features included as well.

* Kay Thompson: "Think Pink" Kaye Thompson who played Maggie Prescott was a woman who was known for her quick wit, her sharp tongue and multi-talented. Her friends and people she worked with take part in this near-27 minute featurette in which they talk about her past, her work in "Funny Face", the memories they had working with her but also her contributions as an author with her popular books series "Eloise". It was a great featurette to have included on this DVD.

* This is VistaVision A 25-minute featurette about the history of the VistaVision technology, the films that used it and the films that continue to use it today. A very interesting featurette especially for those who are interested in learning more about another technology outside of Anamorphic CinemaScope and the beginning of hi-res Widescreen film.

* Fashion Photographers Exposed A 18-minute featurette about fashion photographers and how "Funny Face" inspired many of them but also giving us an idea of the life of a fashion photographer and how the work of a fashion photographer in reality differs from Dick Avery's character from the film and all the staff involved with working with a fashion photographer.

* The Fashion Designer & His Muse An eight minute featurette (that was included in the original 2007 DVD release) about Audrey Hepburn and her designer Hubert de Givenchy.

* Parisian Dreams An eight minute featurette about "Funny Face", a love story set in Paris and how Paris enhances a love story. Originally included in the original 2007 DVD release.

* Paramount in the 50's Retrospective Featurette A near ten minute featurette on Paramount and it's popular films in the 1950's, featured in various Paramount releases.

* Galleries Featuring production stills, movie stills and publicity shots for the film.

The Centennial Collection also comes with a booklet that features information of facts of the film which include how the film differs from the 1927 Broadway musical that starred Fred Astaire and sister Adele. Also, the collaboration of screenplay writer Leonard Gershe and collaborating with real-life fashion photographer Richard Avedon and much more!

And the DVD is just classy with it's black and gold packaging (which most of the Centennial Collection are packaged) and ditching the pink and white packaging.

If there is one thing about "Funny Face", I could imagine how the film captured the attention of viewers with its stylish presentation of the fashion but also using the city of Paris and it's iconic monuments and the beauty of the city portrayed in color in this film.

Also, to have talent such as Audrey Hepburn (singing and dancing) and how she would only do the film if Fred Astaire and of course, having Kay Thompson in a rare film appearance all together is just amazing. From the classic opening scene of "Think Pink", to the moment when each person arrives in Paris and you get a beautiful look at the architecture and scenery and the choreography of Audrey Hepburn as she unwinds and starts to dance in the red-dimmed bar and many more scenes that are just enjoyable to watch.

There are just so many of these classic moments on "Funny Face" and it's not just the music scenes, there are just beautiful scenes such as Audrey Hepburn in a wedding dress, and the multiple modeling photo shoots featuring Avery and Stockton such as the scene where Stockton wears an elegant red dress and walks down the steps asking Avery to take a picture while he tells her to stop and she keeps saying "I can't Stop, take the picture" and saying it with a smile. And then with each photo shoot, the photography stills are showcased in various versions. May it be in full color, grayscale and then a combination of both. These things may seem common place today especially in color correction years of PhotoShop but back then, a lot of these visual images back in 1957 were new, fresh and unique.

And of course, the age difference between Astaire and Hepburn really doesn't matter in this film. Astaire is just full of life and he can move and dance much fluidly than many youngsters, so to have these two talents come together, it's no surprise that Hepburn feeds of his energy. Their chemistry work in each musical number and also when their characters are together. And as much as I love "Roman Holiday", "Sabrina" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "Funny Face" is one of those films that shows you the pure charm and the versatility of Hepburn as an actress.

Now, you may be a person who owns a prior DVD release of "Funny Face" (and other Audrey Hepburn films on DVD) and wonder if this DVD is worth upgrading to. I can tell you right now that these Centennial Collections are the definitive versions to buy on DVD. Remastered, in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and even more special features than their previous DVD incarnations, these Centennial Collection releases are just beautiful to watch, to hear and enjoy.

This DVD is highly recommended!

Buy Funny Face Now

FUNNY FACE is one of the most enjoyable and delightful of Hollywood musicals. Featuring an immortal George & Ira Gershwin score ("He Loves and She Loves", "S'Wonderful", "Let's Kiss and Make Up", "How Long Has This Been Going On?"); the smartly-written screenplay by Leonard Gershe also marks this film with a strong storyline. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't like this movie.

When Quality Magazine invades a pokey Greenwich Village bookstore for a photo shoot, it's the "dowdy intellectual shopgirl" Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) who gets unwittingly discovered. Photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) finds something special in this "funny face" and jets her off to Paris as the new model for Quality's beauty campaign. Of course love comes knocking for Jo and Dick, but not before some marvelous songs have been sung, and showstopping dances have been performed.

Kay Thompson steals the entire movie as the deadpan magazine editor Maggie Prescott. She gets things off to a cracking start with "Think Pink", traipses all over the streets of Paris with "Bonjour Paree"; and also gets a kooky 11 o'clock beatnik routine, "Clap Yo' Hands" (with Astaire). The character of Prescott is a thinly-veiled caricature of noted fashion editor Diana Vreeland; whilst Astaire's role is modelled after photographer Richard Avedon. Fans of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" should keep an eye out for former brides' Virginia Gibson and Ruta Lee, reunited here as two of Prescott's assistants.

Audrey Hepburn's early ballet and dance training came in handy with making FUNNY FACE, her "Basal Metabolism" routine is spectacular (and she sings quite well too). Filmed on location in Paris, the entire movie definitely has the proper European Travelogue feel to it.

This 50th Anniversary Edition of FUNNY FACE will feature a brand-new High Definition transfer of the movie, some great new featurettes ("The Fashion Designer & His Muse", "Parisian Dreams"), plus the material from the previous DVD release ("Paramount in the '50s" featurette, a photo gallery and the trailer).

Read Best Reviews of Funny Face Here

The movie is wonderful! And I have the first DVD that came out. When I saw there was a 50th Anniversary Edition I was thrilled, hoping, or let's say, expecting to have extra features as many 'anniversary editions' often offer. So I ordered the DVD sight unseen before its release. That was a mistake! The extras are boring and the featurette of Paramount can be found on other DVDs. A pity they had a chance to honor the work of Kay Thompson, the work of Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, even some commentaries on the making of the film, information on photographer Richard Avedon....too bad.

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Audrey Hepburn does indeed fill the air with smiles in Stanley Donen's exquisite and happy film about a shy book clerk in New York who is transformed into the toast of the Paris fashion world. George and Ira Gershwin wrote some of their best songs for the film and a few additional numbers were contributed by Roger Edens and Leonard Gershe, who also wrote the delightful story. The premise is quite frivilous but the execution glorious and joyful and it is easy to see why this was Audrey's favorite among all her films.

Fred Astaire is winning as fashion photographer Dick Avery and Kay Thompson is marvelous as Miss Prescott, the one-track mind owner of Quality Magazine he works for. Hepburn is adorable as the shy New York bookstore clerk, Jo Stockton. They bully her into letting them do a photo shoot, making a mess off things for her to clean up. From the moment Donen's camera catches her sliding on the ladder in panic we are in love and we know it won't be long before Jo and Dick are also.

Jo is a shy intellectual, mad about empathicalism, a screwy philosophy endorsed by Professor Emile Flustre (Michel Auclair) who, of course, lives in Paris. Once Dick displays his own brand of empathy by kissing Jo while they are cleaning up, he gets an idea for a new layout and the seed of love is planted in Jo's heart. Donen captures Hepburn's child-like yet feminine grace like no one else ever has and her wistful and waif-like beauty has never been seen to better advantage than in Funny Face.

Making Jo the face for Quality magazine may not be such an easy task, however, as it goes against everything she believes. Being chased by Miss Prescott's minions, Jo ducks into Dick's darkroom, where she and Dick share a lovely song and dance moment to the title-tune, Funny Face. Once Jo discovers it will all lead to Paris, where she can meet the great empathicalist, Emile, she gives the green light and the fun really begins.

Stanley Donen staged every song himself, and it shows. That moment that nearly always exists in every musical, even the great ones, when we are tempted to fast-forward and get on with the story, simply does not exist here. Every number is lively and imaginative, easily holding our interest. None of the numbers is more joyful or fun than the one when they first arrive in Paris and become typical tourists. Ray June's photography shows off the beautiful City of Lights and the funny and happy face of Audrey Hepburn in wonderful fashion.

It is like watching a great chef make the sweetest and most delicious of pastries as Dick takes Jo through one great shoot after another all over Paris, transforming the cocoon into a butterfly. The two share a lovely song sequence in a garden with a brook outside a church, when Jo finally tells Dick she is in love with him. Hepburn in a white wedding gown is as elegant and graceful as the doves and swans surrounding them.

There are some fun complications involving Jo's idol Emile, of course, who Dick knows is more man than philosopher. A fun and frantic ending caps a film that is a sheer delight from beginning to end. Astaire was somewhat older than Hepburn and it seems to work in the film's favor, as you could see where the innocent Jo would need a more worldly man to appreciate her charms rather than take advantage of them.

This is a wonderful confection from Stanley Donen, who would work with Audrey once again in another classic, Charade. The little girl from Holland who aided the Dutch resistence during WWII grew into one of the most lovely and luminous stars ever to grace a movie screen. She is gone now and Funny Face is a wonderful way to remember her......

Gnomeo & Juliet (Gnoméo & Juliette) (2011) (2011)

A wonderful movie that my children loved going to. While maybe not the best animated movie of all times it was cute and explored a story line that was new....not just the villain and the super hero story line. It kept you interested and did not cause me to look at my watch to see "how much longer."

SPOILER ALERT:

For those who are disappointed that it did not hold true to Romeo and Juliet dieing...seriously...do we really need little kids to attach to a character who then in the ends commits suicide and "the love of her life" kills himself. Can't we leave the harshness out of a children's movie and let them laugh and be children.

I was not looking forward to watching this movie, My wife saw it for 8.99 new from a seller and BAM two days later it was in my mailbox!!

I almost threw it away and hope she would forget about ordering......however right when I walked in the door, "did my movie come!?!?!"

As you could guess an hour later I was watching it and to mu surprise this was not a bad little movie. not a great Disney classic but I have seen much worse as of late, very cute movie and would be great for any family or for any couple that like a little goofy in there romance.

I would actually watch this movie again and recommend for others to as well.

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As parents to a six-year-old girl, my husband and I are constantly on the look-out for tolerable kid-friendly shows that we can take her to (at the movies). I say tolerable because quality is often lacking in many of these films and then there's the issue of PG vs. G ratings. Well, when we heard Gnomeo and Juliet was being screened at our local cinema, we decided to give it a try, and to our surprise, our picky 6-year-old loved it!

I have to say that this movie is mainly for young children. It is full of color, which will appeal to most kids, and there are adorable garden gnomes running around. My husband fell asleep within fifteen minutes (to be fair, he had had a long day at work), but my daughter's attention was riveted to the screen from the beginning till the end. Me? I enjoyed the music (thanks to Elton John who obligingly helped with the soundtrack featuring his classic hits his partner David Furnish was a producer on this film). I also sort of enjoyed the silly premise instead of the doomed star-crossed Romeo and Juliet, we have warring garden gnomes, the Reds and the Blues, and two impish and totally cute gnomes, Juliet (a Red, voiced by Emily Blunt) and Gnomeo (a Blue, voiced by James McAvoy) who flirt and later fall for each other despite their differences.

The casting is a sort of coup really given the famous names featured here there's Jim Cummings, Patrick Stewart, Dolly Parton, Ozzy Osbourne, and many more! The movie is a kaleidoscope of color and at times this can get a tad overwhelming but the children appeared to love it, so my verdict awesome entertainment for the kiddie set!

Read Best Reviews of Gnomeo & Juliet (Gnoméo & Juliette) (2011) (2011) Here

I went to the drive-in to see this movie last night with my 9YO child (at their suggestion) and I would latter find out that was their second time seeing this movie.

5 minutes into this movie I was saying to myself, "this is going to be a LONG 90 minutes and I hope it goes by quickly".

About 15 minutes into the movie, everything started to come together and I found myself very interested.

Then, what felt like the blink of an eye, the movie was over and I found myself yearning for more.

I loved it and I'm typically a critical person. I'm going to purchase it once it comes out.

If you have any expectations of this movie you're going to be disappointed. It's a "G" rated movie with a very simple story line. Considering and stating that, I think all age groups could appreciate this movie.

I found it to be cute and adorable and a tear-jerker at some points.

If you liked Curious George, I think you would like this?

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Took my granddaughter to see this with zero expectation of enjoying it, (SPOILER) but when I saw Jason Statham as the bully and the great Death Race scene, I perked up. A lot of other movie references and great Elton John music (Elton Johns gnome cracked me up) made this the best Shakespeare movie since Shakespeare In Love. A lot of the humor will go right over kids heads, but they'll love the colorful characters and music.

There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

I love musicals and this one has been a favorite since it first came out in 1954. I was thrilled to receive the DVD and even more thrilled to find that the songs and dances were still as wonderful as I remembered, the production numbers still as splendid, and the total show as remarkable as ever.

Dan Dailey and Ethel Merman are Terry and Molly Donahue, vaudeville performers circa 1919 when the movie opens. They quickly add children Steve (Johnnie Ray) Katy (Mitzi Gaynor) and Tim (Donald O'Connor) to the act as each child is old enough to wobble on stage. They become the successful act known as The Five Donahues and tour constantly even as vaudeville dies away. When their paths cross with an ambitious blonde named Vicky (Marilyn Monroe) things are never the same. She breaks Tim's heart and he spirals downward into an alcoholic haze, son Steve leaves the act when he decides to become a priest, and Broadway replaces vaudeville as the elder Donahues spend less time on stage and more time in their New Jersey home. The ending always leaves me dissolved in tears, but it is the lavish production numbers that make this a favorite. From the catchy opening of Merman and Dailey performing "When That Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam'" (later reprised by Gaynor and O'Connor) to the lavish staging of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and the uplifting closing of the title song, this movie is a feast for fans of music and dance. Even though Marilyn Monroe shines in her sexy "Heat Wave" number, the long-legged Dailey makes dancing an effortless joy throughout and Merman's voice is uncommonly rich, it is Donald O'Connor and Mitzi Gaynor who enthusiastically dance their way into your heart and steal every scene they are in.

This is a great movie with Marilyn Monroe and Ethel Merman.

However the real star of this movie is the vivacious Mitzi Gaynor! She steals every scene she is in. She is beautiful, talented, and hard to take your eyes off of!

I recommend this movie ! I also recommend " Anything Goes"

with Mitzi Gaynor. It has just been restored and the look of it is probably the best color of any DVD I own.

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i am not a marilyn monroe fan, and honestly, i love this movie in spite of her being in, not because of her being in it. dan dailey, donald o'connor, mitzi gaynor, and ethel merman were all wonderful in this movie. johnnie ray was not much of a dancer, but he had a good voice. i thought the musical numbers were all great-everyone was in top form in this film. you cannot go wrong in getting this one.

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One of the great musicals of the 50`s. All star cast and great numbers. Ethel Merman at her finest singing the title song. Worth buying the DVD just for that. Marilyns Heatwave number makes the mercury jump to 93. Dan Dailey always one of my favorites overshadowed by Astaire and Kelly. Donald O Connors finest hour was of course Make Em Laugh from Singing In The Rain but this is close second.The lovely Mitzi Gaynor and of course a man sadly forgotten by some nowadays. The Prince of Wails himself. Johnny Ray proving that he was better that most pop singers who turn to acting.I remember seeing this at a young age in our local theatre and thinking it was great all these years later i still feel the same...The question now is when will Call Me Madam appear on DVD also starring Ethel and Donald. A treat indeed for anyone who enjoy`s a good musical.

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This movie stars Ethel Merman and Dan Dailey as vaudevillians Molly and Terry Donahue, who are trying to raise their three children(Steve, Katie, and Tim)as normally as they can. Molly and Terry narrate throughout the story, so the movie actually spans 20 years of their lives. The film starts out with a little song and dance number, and the introduction of Donahue kid #1, then it moves through #2 and #3 and their childhoods with some great comic scenes between Ethel Merman and Dan Dailey. Finally, with the kids all grown up, the family becomes an act called the Five Donahues. The first time you get to see the grown up Donahue children is in a big number called "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in which all the family members get to spotlight their individual talents. That night, after the show of course, Steve (the oldest) gets his true calling and Vicky Parker (Marilyn Monroe)enters as Tim's (Donald O'Connor)love interest, both events conspiring to break the act up. This film is filled with plenty of song and dance numbers, almost all of which were written specifically for the movie by Irving Berlin, plenty of talent, and plenty of fun. Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, and Donald O'Connor are great comedic talents who deliver quite a few laughs throughout, as well as doing a great job with the singing and dancing. I highly recommend this movie to everyone out there who needs a good laugh! If you find that you like this one, try "Singing in the Rain," also co-starring Donald O'Connor, "Wonder Man," and "The Court Jester," starring Danny Kaye.

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The Dark Mirror (1946)

Although director Robert Siodmak is most closely identified with noir classics such as The Killers, Crisscross, and The Phantom Lady, The Dark Mirror is a fine addition to his portfolio. Expanding on the scope of his creativity, Siodmak relies heavily on the performance that he draws from star actress Olivia De Havilland. The Dark Mirror is a psychological thriller about a murder committed by one of two twin sisters; Ruth and Terry Collins. Playing both sister roles, De Havilland's acting ability and developmental character depth is tested. De Havilland passes admirably. At first the twin sisters seem physically and emotionally similar. Subltle nuances differentiate their personalities and it is De Havilland's fine acting that peels away the layers of emotionalism that define each sister's character traits. De Havilland aided by keen camera work by Siodmak, keeps viewers on edge as she shifts roles within frames that are shared by both sisters. ( I still don't understand how Sidomak achieved thisespecially the scenes when Terry is comforting a terrifed Ruth.) When Terry attempts to drive Ruth insane, thoughts of Gaslight come to mind, but De Havilland's dual performance creates even more interest. Dimitri Tomkin's musical score is also a plus as it serves to accentuate the emotions that heighten the film's climactic expressions shared by the twin sisters. The script by Nunnally Johnson, is sometimes mundane, and it seems that the film's eightyfive minute running time is consciously stretched. The film's ending is a surprise as Terry's wrath and frustration finally surface.

The Dark Mirror is an improbable, yet entertaining suspense story about a detective and a psychiatrist's attempts to determine which one of a pair of twins committed murder. The movie succeeds because of the effective performance by Olivia deHavilland as the twins. Rather than making the twins polar opposites (which is what most actresses whould have done and most twins aren't), she subtlely distinguishes between the two, and her performance at the climax of the movie is very memorable. The special effects to give the illusion of two Olivias are quite good, especially given the time when the film was made. All in all, it's an entertaining movie and I'd recommend it.

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After a doctor is found murdered, the chief suspect is a woman (Olivia De Havilland) identified by several witnesses at the scene. But the detective (Thomas Mitchell) assigned to the case discovers that she has an identical twin sister (also De Havilland) which begs the question ..... which one is the murderess? The director Robert Siodmak (THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE) and De Havilland tip their hand fairly early in the film so that we know who the murderer is so the suspense comes from how will they find out and will they find out before she commits another killing. Siodmak provides the requisite moody atmosphere and De Havilland does an excellent job of differentiating between the two sisters, it's really one of her best performances. Lew Ayres is the psychiatrist who attempts to find out which is the twisted sister through psychological means and ends up falling in love with one of them. The screenplay is by Nunnally Johnson who would return to the subject again nine years later with THREE FACES OF EVE. The effective underscore is by Dimitri Tiomkin. With Richard Long and Ida Moore.

The Olive DVD is a nicely rendered B&W transfer in its appropriate 1.33 aspect ratio

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Starring Olivia de Havilland and Olivia de Havilland, THE DARK MIRROR is a fun, psychologically-oriented, murder mystery. It is probably foremost, a super vehicle for Olivia to show her acting chops. She plays twin sisters (Terry and Ruth Collins) convincingly; using the subtlest of nuances to depict both personalities.

It is also a splendid job by Robert Siodmak. Imagine, he also made the superb THE KILLERS in the same year. There is only a single scene, where Terry and Ruth are speaking face to face, that looks the slightest bit artificial: the rest is an amazing technical achievement by any standard.

The Oscar nominated story (Vladimir Pozner), screenwriting (Nunnally Johnson), music (Dimitri Tiomkin) and cinematography (Milton Krasner) are all very fine. And when you find that Olivia de Havilland is supported by the likes of Lew Ayres and Thomas Mitchell; there's nothing left but to sit back and enjoy.

This is definitely a film that deserves a DVD/Blu-ray release.

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I have been waiting for years for this to come out on DVD. One of Olivia's great films and Robert Siodmak at his very best.

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Judas Kiss Blu-ray

For me, Judas Kiss (which I saw at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco this past June)represents a huge leap in indie gay film making. After years of coming out stories (who have their place, but are clichéd riddled these days), it was fun to see a movie where no one was suicidal about being gay, was not being beat up because they're gay or just worried they could be gay. It also differs from the others in this genre with its lush cinematography and impressive use of CGI effects (and on such a low-budget I know these movies work with). In this film, screenwriter Carlos Pedraza (the web series Star Trek: Phase II) and director J.T. Tepnapa (the funny short Masturbation: Putting the Fun into Self-Loving and the web series Star Trek: Hidden Frontier) takes a simple idea -what if you could go back in time and change your pastand spins a tale about the paths we choose when we're young, and how (at the time) we never think about the consequences of our actions. From that idea, the movie then borrows equal parts The Twilight Zone and a dash of A Christmas Carol and takes us on a journey that while familiar, it is never boring. Charlie David has never been better, giving a wonderful performance of a man in search of redemption for the sins of his past. Then there is Richard Harmon who shines as the troubled young man in search of life outside the reach of his damaged father (he also gave a creepy and memorable performance in AMC's The Killing this past spring). Harmon is brilliantly watchable in what should be a breakout performance. Meanwhile, Belgium singer/actor Timo Descamps as the evil Big Man on Campus is equally as good, along with the talented Julia Morizawa. Then there's Sean Paul Lockhart as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Well known for his gay adult films as Brent Corrigan, Lockhart proves he can act. He's likable, charming and vulnerable, but confident in what he wants. Like Harmon, this could be a game changer for the him.

"Judas Kiss" is a rather creative and ambitious story about destiny and second chances. The main character is "Zachary", a 30-something failed movie director (David's character) who reluctantly agrees to help judge a film school scholarship competition at his old alma mater. Being housed in a dorm room for the festival makes this even more of a journey for Zachary, since it reminds him of all the promise and potential he showed back then, which he sold out by making some bad decisions then and since. At a gay bar near campus, he meets a student (played by Richard Harmon) with whom he spends the night. It's not until the next day, meeting the filmmakers, that he realizes the young man is one of the contestants. Even stranger: the young man's name is Danny Reyes, which is Zachary's real name, and the film he presenting is actually one that Zachary made when he went to the school. A mysterious older man clues him in that he is somehow being given a second chance to perhaps change his life, by helping the younger version of him make better choices than he made when he was in his shoes.

Supporting, fully developed and relatable characters include Shane (Timo Descamps) a singer/artist into "vampire" videos who is the spoiled son of one of the school's richest benefactors, and his filming assistant Chris (Sean Paul Lockhart), and the film has a nice, original soundtrack that adds to the film, which is low budget but done remarkably well considering I did chuckle a bit that it looks like they used an old disco ball to generate some cheap "special effects" in a couple of scenes). Usually, the words "Starring Charlie David" aren't much of a draw for me, but he is actually quite good in this role, much deeper than the usual "hot guy" he plays and has considerable depth and emotion. Harmon is also excellent in his role.

Not rated, but would likely be an R due to sexual content. ... Watch it through the end credits, as the entire cast sings a song that can't be missed! DVD has extensive extras, including commentary, a "making of" feature, deleted scenes and a music video by Descamps (who apparently is a big teen idol in Belgium). May not be for everyone, but I thought it was a great effort. Five stars out of five.

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This film, Judas Kiss, was absolutely amazing, and everyone leaving the film festival theater where I recently saw it was touched by it and its message of regret, redemption, and hope for the future. Judas Kiss has a little bit of something for everyone, but most especially, it is a story that every viewer can relate to... reflection upon one's own life, regret over decisions made, and what you might have done differently if you could. In this innovative film, the character of Zach actually does get a chance to change some things in his younger life. But will his younger self, in that "all-knowing-invincible arrogance" of teenage youth, listen to his older self, and take a different path that will change both of their futures? That indeed is the question in this charmer of a film.

The film has a professional and compelling soundtrack, lighting, photography, and editing, I was blown away by its message of regret, redemption, and the possibility of change. Charlie David, Sean Lockhart, Timo Descamps, Julia Morizawa, and the rest of the cast truly give stellar performances, beyond what is often expected in independent films.

Viewers will be transported to this quirky, mystical intersection of time and space, and experience similar emotions as the characters on screen. Viewers will ponder how they, too, could change their own life, and, indeed, change their own future. Beginning right then and there. I know this for a fact because everyone at the film festival where it played did just that. Everyone was thinking about it. To me, that is the success of this smart and bright indie film from director/writer J.T. Tepnapa and producer/writer Carlos Pedraza (who were amazing in the Question and Answer session held afterward).

Be aware, Judas Kiss is an edgy film, and there are several graphic and emotional scenes that are intentionally made to evoke some emotional response from the viewers. That being said, all is done tastefully and artistically, and viewers will be glad that they saw this little gem of a film.

I can't wait for it to be available on DVD -it will definitely be a stocking stuffer for many of my friends -gay, straight, bi, and whatever.

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I was expecting a lot from this movie, since, well, the tam-tam was huge, the cast was good, and yes, I was really interesting in see how they would interact with each other, who will be with whom and so on.

Charlie David was perfect for his role, a man disappointed with his present life and in no mood to walk through the memory line to be a judge in a college movie festival, the same college and the same movie festival crowning him 15 years ago and now completely forgetting who he is.

Richard Harmon is so "haunting" that is no wonder all the cute boys want to sleep with him (and most manage to). He has an attitude but he seems to deserve it also. He is beautiful, probably even too beautiful and he has got talent, probably even too much. He wants to be someone, but he wants also to escape from his past. And, in the end, he prefers when men take advantage of him, manipulate him, betray him... for him it's how the ways are, how he is expecting to be treated.

That is the reason why he seems to prefer Shane to Chris, even if, actually, he is playing with both of them (and on the side also with Zach).

Sean Paul Lockhart in the role of Chris is probably, with Harmon, the best discovery of this movie. The right dose of enticing young boy, the right dose of shyness, he is the safety against the allure of Shane. I think I understood who Chris is in Danny's future, or maybe it's what I want to believe for them. He played the "innocent/naive/nerd" boyfriend in comparison to Timo Descamps's "aloof/cold/socialite" one, and maybe that made me smile, considering all. But he was cute, and that was what the director wanted, he wanted him to represent the peanut butter in comparison to Timo's dark chocolate. I think he was good in being so.

All in all a good movie, low budget but you barely notice it, and some of the camera shot are almost paintings so good they are. And, I was almost forgetting... good sex scene too, saying all it has to be said without showing gratuituos naked bodies.

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JUDAS KISS is a polished little film that successfully mixes gay issues with science fiction. Written (with Carlos Pedraza) and directed by young J.T. Tepnapa it manages to take a dream idea and by incorporating the use of sci-fi create a story with which almost everyone can relate. It introduces some fresh talent and allows some seasoned actors to keep the quality of the film on keel.

Zachary Well (Charlie David) is a failed filmmaker who despite a promising career in college left school to respond to the magnet of Hollywood: fifteen years later his life now is in and out of rehab and waiting tables because his dream of fame in la-la-land didn't happen. Zach's friend Topher (Troy Fischnaller) is successful and when an emergency trip arises he asks Zach to replace him as a judge for the filmmaking class at Zach's old college. With great trepidation Zach goes back to his alma mater, is housed in the freshman dorm, visits the local gay bar and has an encounter with a student one Danny Reyes (Richard Harmon). The next day as Zach is preparing for the judging he discovers the name of his previous night's encounter and cannot believe that Danny Reyes hnot only has Zach's previous name but also is a contestant in the film contest with a film by the same name that Zach had written and made 15 years ago. Other characters enter the scene Chris (Sean Paul Lockhart) who is Danny's paramour but who Danny is rejecting in favor of Shane (Timo Descamps) whose parents are wealthy and are supporting the film contest; Abbey (Julia Morizawa) who is Danny's assistant; and Danny's father (Vince Valensuela). The bizarre aspect of this is that Danny Reyes not only possess Zach's name but also Danny's life and associations mirror Zach's when he was in college. Characters form the past and imaginary situations occur and Zach sees in Danny the opportunity to make the result of the film contest different and thus alter the destiny of Danny Reyes.

The story makes sense as a campus story but the interesting aspect of the film is the clever way in which elements of science fiction (via camera work and music and Trompe l'oeil) bring the story to a level of reconsidering the past and seeing where different actions could have possibly resulted in a more successful present. It works and bodes well for the career of JT Tepnada. Grady Harp, November 11