This is one of my favorite films. I don't really know why but it is.
Jordan 'Bick' Benedict (Rock Hudson) owns a ranch called Reata in Texas that is 595,000 acres but he travels all the way to Maryland to obtain a prize horse, War Winds, but that is probably a good thing that he comes so far or else there would be no film. He falls in love with Leslie Lynnton, the daughter of the horse breeder and doctor, portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor.
Leslie moves to Texas, because she has no choice, and except for an early fainting spell, she likes it there, though she is appalled at how the Mexican workers live and are treated at the ranch. This causes tons of tension between her and Bick. Jett Rink (James Dean) is also there to constantly provide tension. He is only there because of Bick's sister, Luz (Mercedes McCambridge) who dies after War Winds throws her, though she believed she could handle that horse and she could not. Jett inherits a small piece of land from her and refuses to sell it. He finds oil there and manages to strike it rich.
Of course life continues for Bick and Leslie and they eventually have three children. But when things aren't going well in their marriage, Leslie returns home for a visit though Bick decides he can tolerate her liberal ways and wants her back.
Then the children grow up and want to lead very different lives from what their parents have expected. Jordan, III (Dennis Hopper) doesn't want to run the ranch and goes East to become a doctor while Judy (Fran Bennett), Jordy's twin, does want to go into ranching but she wants her own little one so she can experiment while Luz (Carroll Baker) develops a sort of crush on the older alcoholic Jett.
Jordy even goes as far as marrying an Hispanic nurse, Juana (Elsa Cardenas) which is met with only grudging approval.
Everything comes to a head when Jett is set to open his new hotel and Bick decides that the whole family needs to make a grand appearance to show him. Leslie isn't thrilled with this and everything goes horribly wrong. Juana is shunned at the beauty salon because Jett doesn't like wetbacks, the horrific term used for Hispanics, and Jordy tries to fight Jett but is instead beaten in front of the crowd. Then Jett passes out, drunk, unable to give his speech to the crowd or over the radio. Luz finds out that Jett truly only liked her mother and decides to move on, to Hollywood.
Bick becomes Leslie's hero only when he defends another Hispanic family at a little restaurant on their way home.
This film is also a lengthy one, at nearly three and a half hours, though it goes by quickly. It also deals with race issues head on and in a surprisingly modern way. I have seen the film four times now and could easily watch it again. I also wrote a paper on this film in college, that's how much I enjoyed it.
Elizabeth Taylor (who gave birth just three months before filming began) also plays a strong female character, a rarity for a Western film, though I consider it more of a drama and romance than Western, but whatever. She tries to work her way into the men's conversation and doesn't stand for it when she is being pushed aside and is willing to sacrifice her marriage rather than changing who she really is. She also doesn't want Bick to force young Jordy to ride on a pony when he clearly doesn't want to.
The marriage is also real, the couple fights and makes up in epic fashion. Bick proclaims that no matter what happens, no matter how old Leslie becomes, he will never fully figure her out.
Sure, the film has its flaws, like why is the devoted neighbor, called Uncle Bawley (Chill Wills) always around? And some of the dialogue is muffled for reasons unknown. I would not like my husband to use his fists as a first resort to defend his family, but this was nearly sixty years ago and it is Texas. The minor role Sal Mineo had, as the Mexican who loses his life in the war should have beefed up ever so slightly and they should have filmed Bick's reaction to having an Hispanic daughter-in-law, but that is just my opinion. But the strong performances make the film great. Taylor was robbed of an Oscar nomination for this film, easily her best, even in the scene where her sister gets married. Taylor and Hudson were both hungover at the time and yet the scene is so touching.
Dean was also nominated for an Oscar, though it should have been in the supporting actor category.
This was his last film and he died just after finishing his scenes. Though all three of his films are great, this is his best film, however, not his best performance. Had he lived, his career could have been magnificent. Grade: A
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Interrupted Melody (1955)
This was an interesting film.
It tells the story of Marjorie Lawrence (Eleanor Parker) and her rise to fame only to have it destroyed by polio. Yes, just like FDR, she was afflicted by polio as an adult.
Marjorie's story begins in Australia though Parker doesn't attempt any sort of accent where she is a poor farm girl who wins a singing competition which takes her to France. Here she is accepted as a student of Madame Gilly (Ann Codee) who gives Marjorie her big break, a job in the opera after Marjorie's father passes away. Marjorie wonders how she will ever thank her and Gilly mutters back the great line, "You never will so let's move on and get to work."
Marjorie becomes a big star but nearly gives everything up and marries doctor Thomas King (Glenn Ford). He doesn't want to marry her because he is just starting out and she is a big star. But she goes on tour anyway so she can still sing in New York, where he is based. However, here she is struck by polio and becomes severely depressed. She tries to kill herself twice, by refusing to crawl out of the ocean and then almost takes sleeping pills but her devoted husband stops her both times.
She ultimately returns to singing, first for the troops and then at the Met. Her comeback is complete.
For the most part, this was a good film, though I have problems with the relationship but this was filmed in the 1950s so that is almost certainly why. King and Lawrence did have a mostly respectful relationship though some of what he does is mean and borderline abusive but he is also calling her bluff, like when he forces to her crawl on the floor so she can turn off the music. But he is so terribly proud of her when she makes her amazing comeback.
The film, however, ends as she gets her curtain call at the Met, signalling her miraculous return without ever telling us anything more. That is my main problem, that and Parker's lack of accent. Parker's performance is magnificent as her voice is spectacular and she plays the role with strength and sympathy, when appropriate. She is certainly an under appreciated actress of the 1950s, earning three Oscar nominations in that decade, including one for this film and it is not undeserved. There is no reason why she shares top billing with Ford as she is the clear star, far and above his workmanlike performance. Parker barely looks anything like the Baroness from 1965's The Sound of Music, her most famous film, which is a poor use of her talents shown here.
Nevertheless, the film is great, anchored by Parker's brilliant performance, complete with the countless make-up and costumes changes, done nicely. This is a film that you should check out, if you can find it. Grade: B+
It tells the story of Marjorie Lawrence (Eleanor Parker) and her rise to fame only to have it destroyed by polio. Yes, just like FDR, she was afflicted by polio as an adult.
Marjorie's story begins in Australia though Parker doesn't attempt any sort of accent where she is a poor farm girl who wins a singing competition which takes her to France. Here she is accepted as a student of Madame Gilly (Ann Codee) who gives Marjorie her big break, a job in the opera after Marjorie's father passes away. Marjorie wonders how she will ever thank her and Gilly mutters back the great line, "You never will so let's move on and get to work."
Marjorie becomes a big star but nearly gives everything up and marries doctor Thomas King (Glenn Ford). He doesn't want to marry her because he is just starting out and she is a big star. But she goes on tour anyway so she can still sing in New York, where he is based. However, here she is struck by polio and becomes severely depressed. She tries to kill herself twice, by refusing to crawl out of the ocean and then almost takes sleeping pills but her devoted husband stops her both times.
She ultimately returns to singing, first for the troops and then at the Met. Her comeback is complete.
For the most part, this was a good film, though I have problems with the relationship but this was filmed in the 1950s so that is almost certainly why. King and Lawrence did have a mostly respectful relationship though some of what he does is mean and borderline abusive but he is also calling her bluff, like when he forces to her crawl on the floor so she can turn off the music. But he is so terribly proud of her when she makes her amazing comeback.
The film, however, ends as she gets her curtain call at the Met, signalling her miraculous return without ever telling us anything more. That is my main problem, that and Parker's lack of accent. Parker's performance is magnificent as her voice is spectacular and she plays the role with strength and sympathy, when appropriate. She is certainly an under appreciated actress of the 1950s, earning three Oscar nominations in that decade, including one for this film and it is not undeserved. There is no reason why she shares top billing with Ford as she is the clear star, far and above his workmanlike performance. Parker barely looks anything like the Baroness from 1965's The Sound of Music, her most famous film, which is a poor use of her talents shown here.
Nevertheless, the film is great, anchored by Parker's brilliant performance, complete with the countless make-up and costumes changes, done nicely. This is a film that you should check out, if you can find it. Grade: B+
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Call the Midwife: Season Four Recap and Reaction
The biggest difference this season compared to the others is that Jenny (Jessica Raine) is no longer there. But it is quite odd that her older self (Vanessa Redgrave) narrates the show.
The season starts out strong, conquering issues such as homosexuality with grace and ease. But then, everything just got jumbled.
Though Chummy (Miranda Hart) appears in the Christmas episode, she disappears from the season opener because she has to go run the mother and baby home as it wasn't functional while the nuns (not the same as the nuns at Nonnatus) were in charge. Also of note, Cynthia (Bryony Hannah) has finally decided to become a nun. That decision seemed to come from left field, but ultimately, it works, she is stronger as a nun than she was before.
The plot lines from the episodes include a horrific child neglect scene where the baby suffers from extreme diaper rash, a mother struggling to carry a baby until full term, a mother who delivers twins but one is stillborn, a father who can't stand the fact that his wife had a daughter, a prostitute fighting off syphilis, a foreign woman who gets diphtheria, a man struggling to connect with his young daughter who wants her deceased mother back, a deaf woman who worries whether her child will love her and understand that and a Christian Scientist family whose baby is born with a rare brittle bone disease.
The plot line where the father can't even look at his perfect daughter did anger me. His father and two brothers were all killed in World War II and he promised their graves that he would give them a son to carry on the family business. I thought he would prefer a daughter just so she wouldn't have a chance at getting drafted. He eventually comes around after some wise words from Dr. Turner (Stephen McGann).
Then come the controversial plots. First, the plot line where the mechanic husband turns out to be homosexual and has to appear in court where, fortunately, thanks to Dr. Turner's testimony, avoids jail time but is put on a gross regiment of hormone treatments. His wife, miraculously stands by him, though she is devastated and should have listened to her now deceased mother when she announced that he was too clean. But everything will work out and he loves his little girl.
Abortion wasn't truly illegal in Britain in 1960. A seventeen-year-old girl has Type I diabetes, dependent on insulin daily and she is pregnant. Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett), a new character whom I'll describe later, is on the case and she and Dr. Turner prescribe a medical abortion. This is probably for the best as the girl struggles with her insulin levels and her boyfriend has a record. They try to run away to get married and will raise the baby regardless but she goes into diabetic shock and eventually has the abortion. I am not a fan of abortion and yes, she shouldn't have had sex in the first place and should have been painstakingly careful, but this abortion was probably for the best. I've seen Steel Magnolias where Julia Roberts's character has severe diabetes and risks her life to have a baby, has a kidney transplant and later dies because of her actions. So, yes, this was almost without a doubt the best way to a make a miserable situation better, but that doesn't mean I'm happy with it.
Then came the switched at birth plot line where Sister Evangelina (Pam Ferris) accidentally hands two babies off to the wrong mother. I thought the error would have been realized when one baby either lost or gained weight mysteriously but instead, it was because of a birth mark. Of course the results were disastrous as one baby had a life-threatening heart defect. In the end, despite the one mother's misgivings, the babies are returned to the proper parent and hopefully, the tags will be applied to the babies immediately after birth so this never happens again.
In the season finale, a mother suffers from extreme morning sickness and Shelagh (Laura Main) can't stand this and asks her husband if something can be done and he gives her some thalidomide. Of course, it wasn't known at the time, but this drug is especially harmful to a developing fetus so this will probably come into play next season when it is finally time for the mother to have the baby. This will have heart-wrenching consequences for both families.
Now for the characters.
There are two new characters introduced, Nurse Barbara Gilbert (Charlotte Ritchie). She is a little clumsy but is trained and devoted, utterly devoted to her job. She bicycles back and forth twice a day to deliver breast milk to a premature baby and turns an elderly man with bed sores every two hours to improve his condition among others. She can't hold her liquor and thus doesn't really drink. Unfortunately, her social life is nonexistent but she is loyal and does cover for Trixie (Helen George) that one time.
Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) is also new. She is different from the others because she is a spinster and drives a car. She is also used to doing things her way and clashes immediately with Sister Evangelina and there truce never really lasts. She is also illegitimate and isn't proud of it. This is only 1960 and that would still be painfully embarrassing.
As for the old characters, they also have plenty to do. Trixie becomes engaged to the Reverend Herewald (Jack Ashton) but it is an up and down relationship. Sure, she does truly love him and he truly loves her but she likes frills so much more and will always come after the people he serves. The engagement ends and Trixie turns to her ever reliable friend: booze. She is an alcoholic though it takes until the season finale when she can't stand it anymore and with the help of Sister Mary Cynthia (Cynthia's religious name) starts attending Alcoholics Anonymous so hopefully she will get better.
Patsy (Emerald Fennell) is lesbian. Her lover is Delia (Kate Lamb) another nurse she knew from the hospital. Naturally, they have to keep the relationship hidden and manage to succeed. Everything is ruined when they give Delia nasty amnesia after being struck by a car. Delia can't remember Patsy or her own mother. She returns to Wales with her family to recover. I would have wondered what would have happened if those two have been allowed to continue their illegal relationship.
Shelagh and Dr. Turner are still happy though Shelagh misses nursing and returns part-time when Dr. Turner suffers from exhaustion though her kids also keep her busy. They are one of the most in love couples on this show and Shelagh has put her devastation over not being able to have her own child behind her and is moving on.
Sister Evangelina has to have a hysterectomy and is absent from a couple episodes.
Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) has a past where she very nearly got married. Her former beau is dying but donates a lot of money to the house so they are finally able to get a new roof.
The handy man, Fred (Cliff Parisi) finally has love interest. Violet Gee (Annabelle Apsion) owns a cute little store and is a widow. They each need someone though their courtship isn't all sunshine and roses either, but the season ends happily, with the two getting married in a simple ceremony. Even Fred's stubborn daughter finally comes around.
Chummy gets closure and dumps her mother's ashes into the river.
Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) and Sister Winifred (Victoria Yeates) are still there, with Sister Monica Joan always having something witty and important to say.
This season, again, was good as these are truly good characters doing good and important work for the community but for whatever reason, I just couldn't completely connect to the second half of the season. Still, every episode is watchable with the excellent acting even from the countless guest stars. The editing is flawless and the sets, costumes, hair and make-up and music are brilliant. This is still one of those hidden gems. People need to watch this show. Grade: B+ (finale); B+ (Season)
The season starts out strong, conquering issues such as homosexuality with grace and ease. But then, everything just got jumbled.
Though Chummy (Miranda Hart) appears in the Christmas episode, she disappears from the season opener because she has to go run the mother and baby home as it wasn't functional while the nuns (not the same as the nuns at Nonnatus) were in charge. Also of note, Cynthia (Bryony Hannah) has finally decided to become a nun. That decision seemed to come from left field, but ultimately, it works, she is stronger as a nun than she was before.
The plot lines from the episodes include a horrific child neglect scene where the baby suffers from extreme diaper rash, a mother struggling to carry a baby until full term, a mother who delivers twins but one is stillborn, a father who can't stand the fact that his wife had a daughter, a prostitute fighting off syphilis, a foreign woman who gets diphtheria, a man struggling to connect with his young daughter who wants her deceased mother back, a deaf woman who worries whether her child will love her and understand that and a Christian Scientist family whose baby is born with a rare brittle bone disease.
The plot line where the father can't even look at his perfect daughter did anger me. His father and two brothers were all killed in World War II and he promised their graves that he would give them a son to carry on the family business. I thought he would prefer a daughter just so she wouldn't have a chance at getting drafted. He eventually comes around after some wise words from Dr. Turner (Stephen McGann).
Then come the controversial plots. First, the plot line where the mechanic husband turns out to be homosexual and has to appear in court where, fortunately, thanks to Dr. Turner's testimony, avoids jail time but is put on a gross regiment of hormone treatments. His wife, miraculously stands by him, though she is devastated and should have listened to her now deceased mother when she announced that he was too clean. But everything will work out and he loves his little girl.
Abortion wasn't truly illegal in Britain in 1960. A seventeen-year-old girl has Type I diabetes, dependent on insulin daily and she is pregnant. Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett), a new character whom I'll describe later, is on the case and she and Dr. Turner prescribe a medical abortion. This is probably for the best as the girl struggles with her insulin levels and her boyfriend has a record. They try to run away to get married and will raise the baby regardless but she goes into diabetic shock and eventually has the abortion. I am not a fan of abortion and yes, she shouldn't have had sex in the first place and should have been painstakingly careful, but this abortion was probably for the best. I've seen Steel Magnolias where Julia Roberts's character has severe diabetes and risks her life to have a baby, has a kidney transplant and later dies because of her actions. So, yes, this was almost without a doubt the best way to a make a miserable situation better, but that doesn't mean I'm happy with it.
Then came the switched at birth plot line where Sister Evangelina (Pam Ferris) accidentally hands two babies off to the wrong mother. I thought the error would have been realized when one baby either lost or gained weight mysteriously but instead, it was because of a birth mark. Of course the results were disastrous as one baby had a life-threatening heart defect. In the end, despite the one mother's misgivings, the babies are returned to the proper parent and hopefully, the tags will be applied to the babies immediately after birth so this never happens again.
In the season finale, a mother suffers from extreme morning sickness and Shelagh (Laura Main) can't stand this and asks her husband if something can be done and he gives her some thalidomide. Of course, it wasn't known at the time, but this drug is especially harmful to a developing fetus so this will probably come into play next season when it is finally time for the mother to have the baby. This will have heart-wrenching consequences for both families.
Now for the characters.
There are two new characters introduced, Nurse Barbara Gilbert (Charlotte Ritchie). She is a little clumsy but is trained and devoted, utterly devoted to her job. She bicycles back and forth twice a day to deliver breast milk to a premature baby and turns an elderly man with bed sores every two hours to improve his condition among others. She can't hold her liquor and thus doesn't really drink. Unfortunately, her social life is nonexistent but she is loyal and does cover for Trixie (Helen George) that one time.
Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) is also new. She is different from the others because she is a spinster and drives a car. She is also used to doing things her way and clashes immediately with Sister Evangelina and there truce never really lasts. She is also illegitimate and isn't proud of it. This is only 1960 and that would still be painfully embarrassing.
As for the old characters, they also have plenty to do. Trixie becomes engaged to the Reverend Herewald (Jack Ashton) but it is an up and down relationship. Sure, she does truly love him and he truly loves her but she likes frills so much more and will always come after the people he serves. The engagement ends and Trixie turns to her ever reliable friend: booze. She is an alcoholic though it takes until the season finale when she can't stand it anymore and with the help of Sister Mary Cynthia (Cynthia's religious name) starts attending Alcoholics Anonymous so hopefully she will get better.
Patsy (Emerald Fennell) is lesbian. Her lover is Delia (Kate Lamb) another nurse she knew from the hospital. Naturally, they have to keep the relationship hidden and manage to succeed. Everything is ruined when they give Delia nasty amnesia after being struck by a car. Delia can't remember Patsy or her own mother. She returns to Wales with her family to recover. I would have wondered what would have happened if those two have been allowed to continue their illegal relationship.
Shelagh and Dr. Turner are still happy though Shelagh misses nursing and returns part-time when Dr. Turner suffers from exhaustion though her kids also keep her busy. They are one of the most in love couples on this show and Shelagh has put her devastation over not being able to have her own child behind her and is moving on.
Sister Evangelina has to have a hysterectomy and is absent from a couple episodes.
Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) has a past where she very nearly got married. Her former beau is dying but donates a lot of money to the house so they are finally able to get a new roof.
The handy man, Fred (Cliff Parisi) finally has love interest. Violet Gee (Annabelle Apsion) owns a cute little store and is a widow. They each need someone though their courtship isn't all sunshine and roses either, but the season ends happily, with the two getting married in a simple ceremony. Even Fred's stubborn daughter finally comes around.
Chummy gets closure and dumps her mother's ashes into the river.
Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) and Sister Winifred (Victoria Yeates) are still there, with Sister Monica Joan always having something witty and important to say.
This season, again, was good as these are truly good characters doing good and important work for the community but for whatever reason, I just couldn't completely connect to the second half of the season. Still, every episode is watchable with the excellent acting even from the countless guest stars. The editing is flawless and the sets, costumes, hair and make-up and music are brilliant. This is still one of those hidden gems. People need to watch this show. Grade: B+ (finale); B+ (Season)
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Pitch Perfect 2
Well, the Bellas are back and are still on top for the time being. They have been National Champions for three years running and have been invited to perform for the President of United States for his birthday. That is when disaster strikes. The Bellas are richer than they were before which is obvious as to amount of props they use including the disastrous attempt to lower Fat Amy (the never better Rebel Wilson) down from the ceiling on fabric. The ambitious move goes wrong and her costume splits open showing the whole world her lady parts. The repercussions from this are devastating. They cannot recruit new members, cannot compete and are nearly finished before Chloe (Brittany Snow) strikes a deal: they must win Worlds or else they will disband.
So they set out to get better than ever, but others have more important things to do. Beca (Anna Kendrick) is determined to make a name for herself outside of the group and sets out on an internship for the celebrated music producer (Keegan Michael Key) who never truly learns her name.
Fortunately, the Bellas gain a new member: Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) who seeks them out, thank goodness. She is talented but is clumsy and makes several rookie mistakes. She writes her own songs which comes in handy for the championship.
The Bellas are a mess, and finally have to go to a sleep-away camp for bonding and to get their sound back. Here, Chloe finally admits that she's terrified to go out into the real world but she will finally graduate, Cynthia Rose (the underused Ester Dean) announces that she's getting hitched in Maine and all of them are invited. And Beca says that she loves them all and is sorry about her earlier outburst. Fat Amy comes to terms for her very real feelings for Bumper (Adam Devine) which leads to the funniest scene. She sings and rows on a boat to get him back and he takes her back, reluctantly at first, but he comes around and then they have an epic and gross make out session before Bumper's friends fleeing the scene faster than I have ever seen before as the two are on the ground, rolling around, still kissing.
Then, comes Worlds. The Bellas stiffest competition is the German group Das Sound Machine lead by two people, names aren't really that important (Flora Borg and Birgitte Hjort Sorenson) who are just excellent, innovative and technically ambitious without doing too much, which the Bellas had been quite guilty of. Then the Bellas come on and finally Beca's arrangements dial it down and she sought out Emily's help and they perform an original number, something new and different. Beca's boss had liked it too and it works for the international judges.
Sure, the Bellas are finally happy at the end, which is fairly predictable but the ride was ever so enjoyable.
I do have some problems. Sure, Beca and Jesse (Skyler Astin) are still very much together and appear quite happy and supportive of each other, but very little screen time is devoted to them, opting to focus on Fat Amy and Bumper, who have the weirdest dinner date ever and Emily and Jesse's roommate: Benji (Ben Platt) who fall awkwardly in love though he can barely talk in front her which only adds to the already immense awkwardness. I only wish they would have delved deeper into Chloe's emotions as to why she can't move on from life.
Still, it was a wild ride with some interesting editing techniques, showing the Bellas rehearse in a cut screen, showing everyone separately and all at once. Elizabeth Banks does double duty, directing this and reprising her role as Acapella commentator from the first film. She succeeds in both accomplishments.
As for the cameos: keep your eyes peeled Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans for Joe Lo Truglio as an adult acapella member, Katey Segal as Emily's mom, Robin Roberts as a former member of the Bellas and Clay Matthews as another member of an acapella group and yes, he can actually sing. Anna Camp also makes a surprise appearance as the leader of the bonding camp Chloe takes the girls to.
Some funny lines include the still soft-spoken Lilly (Hana Mae Lee) dangling from a tree proclaiming that she sleeps upside down like a bat, and Fat Amy saying that she is fat so that is close enough to being an actual American. There are, of course, many more.
This film is slightly better than the first one, with the supporting cast stepping it up as Kendrick, just as her character, seems distracted. I know she is capable of performances better than this, I've seen them before, but she certainly can sing.
That all being said, the ride really was wonderful and seemed shorter than the hour and fifty minutes it took. I will gladly see this film again and again. Grade: B+
So they set out to get better than ever, but others have more important things to do. Beca (Anna Kendrick) is determined to make a name for herself outside of the group and sets out on an internship for the celebrated music producer (Keegan Michael Key) who never truly learns her name.
Fortunately, the Bellas gain a new member: Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) who seeks them out, thank goodness. She is talented but is clumsy and makes several rookie mistakes. She writes her own songs which comes in handy for the championship.
The Bellas are a mess, and finally have to go to a sleep-away camp for bonding and to get their sound back. Here, Chloe finally admits that she's terrified to go out into the real world but she will finally graduate, Cynthia Rose (the underused Ester Dean) announces that she's getting hitched in Maine and all of them are invited. And Beca says that she loves them all and is sorry about her earlier outburst. Fat Amy comes to terms for her very real feelings for Bumper (Adam Devine) which leads to the funniest scene. She sings and rows on a boat to get him back and he takes her back, reluctantly at first, but he comes around and then they have an epic and gross make out session before Bumper's friends fleeing the scene faster than I have ever seen before as the two are on the ground, rolling around, still kissing.
Then, comes Worlds. The Bellas stiffest competition is the German group Das Sound Machine lead by two people, names aren't really that important (Flora Borg and Birgitte Hjort Sorenson) who are just excellent, innovative and technically ambitious without doing too much, which the Bellas had been quite guilty of. Then the Bellas come on and finally Beca's arrangements dial it down and she sought out Emily's help and they perform an original number, something new and different. Beca's boss had liked it too and it works for the international judges.
Sure, the Bellas are finally happy at the end, which is fairly predictable but the ride was ever so enjoyable.
I do have some problems. Sure, Beca and Jesse (Skyler Astin) are still very much together and appear quite happy and supportive of each other, but very little screen time is devoted to them, opting to focus on Fat Amy and Bumper, who have the weirdest dinner date ever and Emily and Jesse's roommate: Benji (Ben Platt) who fall awkwardly in love though he can barely talk in front her which only adds to the already immense awkwardness. I only wish they would have delved deeper into Chloe's emotions as to why she can't move on from life.
Still, it was a wild ride with some interesting editing techniques, showing the Bellas rehearse in a cut screen, showing everyone separately and all at once. Elizabeth Banks does double duty, directing this and reprising her role as Acapella commentator from the first film. She succeeds in both accomplishments.
As for the cameos: keep your eyes peeled Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans for Joe Lo Truglio as an adult acapella member, Katey Segal as Emily's mom, Robin Roberts as a former member of the Bellas and Clay Matthews as another member of an acapella group and yes, he can actually sing. Anna Camp also makes a surprise appearance as the leader of the bonding camp Chloe takes the girls to.
Some funny lines include the still soft-spoken Lilly (Hana Mae Lee) dangling from a tree proclaiming that she sleeps upside down like a bat, and Fat Amy saying that she is fat so that is close enough to being an actual American. There are, of course, many more.
This film is slightly better than the first one, with the supporting cast stepping it up as Kendrick, just as her character, seems distracted. I know she is capable of performances better than this, I've seen them before, but she certainly can sing.
That all being said, the ride really was wonderful and seemed shorter than the hour and fifty minutes it took. I will gladly see this film again and again. Grade: B+
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Jane the Virgin: Season One Recap and Reaction
This is probably the best show on television that you aren't watching. Sure, it's on the CW and I haven't watched a show on that channel since the pretty bad Seventh Heaven.
Jane (Gina Rodriguez) was, as we all know, accidentally artifically inseminated by Dr. Luisa Alver (Yara Martinuez), who happens to be the alcoholic sister of Rafael Solano (Justin Baldoni) who was married to but divorced Petra (Yael Grobglas) who is crazy. Also of note, Jane's mother, Xiomara (Andrea Navedo) has rekindled a relationship with Jane's biological father, a big telenovela star, Rogelio (Jaime Camil). Also main characters are Jane's ultra-religious grandmother, Alba (Ivonne Coll) and Jane's detective fiance, Michael (Brett Dier), though that engagement is unfortunately short-lived.
Things constantly happen. Jane and Rafael fall in love, and have an epic make-out session just hours after Jane ends her relationship with Michael who had just lied to her to protect the cheating Petra from Jane, and before Rafael even bothered taking off his wedding ring, which is a huge pet peeve of mine.
But the relationship eventually fizzles out. Rafael came on too strong at first, proposed to her prematurely and then ended it after discovering his biological mother picked ten million dollars over her. He breaks her heart, though she recovers somewhat quickly, and is grateful that he broke up with her before the baby was born, though she is beyond disappointed that he abandons her, opting to focus on getting his hotel back in tip-top shape.
Of course, Rafael has tons on his plate. He has to deal with his psycho ex-wife Petra, who tried to get him charged with spousal abuse and then filed a lawsuit about the unborn baby. However, he discovered that she wasn't really Petra, her name was actually Natalia and she was on the run from an ex-boyfriend, who buys a third of the hotel, turns it over to Petra and we never see him again, so he might not be that evil. Then, it is revealed that Rafael's stepmother (and Luisa's secret lesbian lover) Rose (Bridget Regan) is a big time drug dealer. Rose kills her husband and then flees the country, returning only to steal the baby. More on that later. So, yeah, Rafael has a lot on his plate.
Xiomara and Rogelio get back together, have a pregnancy scare, move into together and then break up after Rogelio's ego can't take the fact that Xiomara tongued her ex-boyfriend directly after the two of them had a nasty fight. Rogelio's career is also interesting. He gets nominated for a major award for his TV show, which he loses, then he loses his job, finds a new one though it is a supporting role before being rehired by his first show because the ratings dropped severely after his character was killed off. He also tries to reboot his career by having a one night show in Las Vegas though that gets cancelled when Jane goes into labor nearly three weeks early.
Alba has her own struggles. Petra's nasty injury faking mother pushes her down the stairs. Alba is nearly kicked out of the country because she is in the states illegally, but fortunately, she wakes up, makes a pretty quick full recovery and then strikes up a potential love interest with another guy at her physical therapy, who turns out to be a priest.
And then there is Jane. She survives some hellish student teaching at a strict Catholic girls' school, graduates, though she is on bed rest because of the baby's health scare and her decision to get the amniocentesis and has an internship writing at Rogelio's telenovela. She quits her job at the hotel after Magda (Priscilla Barnes), Petra's mother, is found not guilty of pushing Alba down the stairs though that changes once Petra decides that that will help her gain Rafael back. Jane also joins a writing circle where she briefly is friends with Michael's ex-girlfriend and then, despite going into labor, hopefully gets into a writing program at a graduate school so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a published writer.
The love triangle still remains intact at the end of the season. For the record, I am firmly team Michael. Sure, yes, he was selfish at first, not wishing to raise another man's baby, though he did change his mind, because he realized that that was important to Jane. And yes, he covered up Petra's affair with a dead, impaled, man so she would still give them the baby, but he regretted it. And, despite his major flaws, he's still so much better than Rafael with his scheming, around all the time ex-wife, his alcoholic sister who is responsible for this whole show in the first place. Plus, Rafael doesn't generate much sympathy despite being a cancer survivor. He disregards Jane's feelings, holds it firmly against her when she doesn't say yes, doesn't understand that Jane won't leave him, takes phone call during the middle of a Lamaze class, which rubs me the wrong way, because, until the season finale, that baby is his only chance of being a father. He wants to hire a nanny because babies are so much work, which isn't what Jane wants to hear. His own father was never around and he's in danger of becoming just the same. Fortunately, after some oddly wise words from a newly sober Luisa, he decides not to go on a business meeting so he won't miss out if Jane goes into labor.
Then comes the season finale, Jane manages to deliver naturally, though it isn't that easy, a bouncing baby boy, much to her surprise, though I predicted it. Mateo, what a nice name.
Also, apparently the night before, while still in Vegas, Rogelio and Xiomara had a drunk wedding. Michael lets his former partner and lover, Nadine (Azie Tesfai) escape so she will track down her informant of Sin Rostro (the nasty drug dealer). Rafael refuses to answer a persistent phone call from the hospital, so Petra goes instead and gathers the secret sperm as his sample was split in half and part of it was mislabeled.
But then a nurse came to room to whisk baby Mateo, Jane's one true love, away for a hearing test, I knew something bad was going to happen. The baby, despite being tiny and newborn and dependent upon his mother for food is given to the drug dealer leaving me angry, yelling at the TV, saying that you can't do this to me.
Now, this show is superbly acted, with Rodriguez being a stand out. She is excellent, delivering comical yet heartfelt performances week after week. She better get nominated for an Emmy. Camil is also great as her father, a real ham, though he means well.
I also like how innovative the show can be, using light on the hearts as a symbol for love, having typing across the TV for hashtags or thoughts the characters have. The narrator, Anthony Mendez, is also interesting though they did use him just a bit too much toward the end of the season.
I haven't liked every decision this show has made, like tossing in Michael's ex as a friend of Jane's, having Rogelio's ex-stepdaughters as villains and brats. Sure, they made for good television but I just thought that Jane already had enough obstacles in her life without having to add more.
Fortunately, Jane has a great support system in her mother and grandmother who will always be there.
Please take the time to binge watch this before season two and if you have any questions, comments or concerns, voice them in the comment section. Grade: A
Jane (Gina Rodriguez) was, as we all know, accidentally artifically inseminated by Dr. Luisa Alver (Yara Martinuez), who happens to be the alcoholic sister of Rafael Solano (Justin Baldoni) who was married to but divorced Petra (Yael Grobglas) who is crazy. Also of note, Jane's mother, Xiomara (Andrea Navedo) has rekindled a relationship with Jane's biological father, a big telenovela star, Rogelio (Jaime Camil). Also main characters are Jane's ultra-religious grandmother, Alba (Ivonne Coll) and Jane's detective fiance, Michael (Brett Dier), though that engagement is unfortunately short-lived.
Things constantly happen. Jane and Rafael fall in love, and have an epic make-out session just hours after Jane ends her relationship with Michael who had just lied to her to protect the cheating Petra from Jane, and before Rafael even bothered taking off his wedding ring, which is a huge pet peeve of mine.
But the relationship eventually fizzles out. Rafael came on too strong at first, proposed to her prematurely and then ended it after discovering his biological mother picked ten million dollars over her. He breaks her heart, though she recovers somewhat quickly, and is grateful that he broke up with her before the baby was born, though she is beyond disappointed that he abandons her, opting to focus on getting his hotel back in tip-top shape.
Of course, Rafael has tons on his plate. He has to deal with his psycho ex-wife Petra, who tried to get him charged with spousal abuse and then filed a lawsuit about the unborn baby. However, he discovered that she wasn't really Petra, her name was actually Natalia and she was on the run from an ex-boyfriend, who buys a third of the hotel, turns it over to Petra and we never see him again, so he might not be that evil. Then, it is revealed that Rafael's stepmother (and Luisa's secret lesbian lover) Rose (Bridget Regan) is a big time drug dealer. Rose kills her husband and then flees the country, returning only to steal the baby. More on that later. So, yeah, Rafael has a lot on his plate.
Xiomara and Rogelio get back together, have a pregnancy scare, move into together and then break up after Rogelio's ego can't take the fact that Xiomara tongued her ex-boyfriend directly after the two of them had a nasty fight. Rogelio's career is also interesting. He gets nominated for a major award for his TV show, which he loses, then he loses his job, finds a new one though it is a supporting role before being rehired by his first show because the ratings dropped severely after his character was killed off. He also tries to reboot his career by having a one night show in Las Vegas though that gets cancelled when Jane goes into labor nearly three weeks early.
Alba has her own struggles. Petra's nasty injury faking mother pushes her down the stairs. Alba is nearly kicked out of the country because she is in the states illegally, but fortunately, she wakes up, makes a pretty quick full recovery and then strikes up a potential love interest with another guy at her physical therapy, who turns out to be a priest.
And then there is Jane. She survives some hellish student teaching at a strict Catholic girls' school, graduates, though she is on bed rest because of the baby's health scare and her decision to get the amniocentesis and has an internship writing at Rogelio's telenovela. She quits her job at the hotel after Magda (Priscilla Barnes), Petra's mother, is found not guilty of pushing Alba down the stairs though that changes once Petra decides that that will help her gain Rafael back. Jane also joins a writing circle where she briefly is friends with Michael's ex-girlfriend and then, despite going into labor, hopefully gets into a writing program at a graduate school so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a published writer.
The love triangle still remains intact at the end of the season. For the record, I am firmly team Michael. Sure, yes, he was selfish at first, not wishing to raise another man's baby, though he did change his mind, because he realized that that was important to Jane. And yes, he covered up Petra's affair with a dead, impaled, man so she would still give them the baby, but he regretted it. And, despite his major flaws, he's still so much better than Rafael with his scheming, around all the time ex-wife, his alcoholic sister who is responsible for this whole show in the first place. Plus, Rafael doesn't generate much sympathy despite being a cancer survivor. He disregards Jane's feelings, holds it firmly against her when she doesn't say yes, doesn't understand that Jane won't leave him, takes phone call during the middle of a Lamaze class, which rubs me the wrong way, because, until the season finale, that baby is his only chance of being a father. He wants to hire a nanny because babies are so much work, which isn't what Jane wants to hear. His own father was never around and he's in danger of becoming just the same. Fortunately, after some oddly wise words from a newly sober Luisa, he decides not to go on a business meeting so he won't miss out if Jane goes into labor.
Then comes the season finale, Jane manages to deliver naturally, though it isn't that easy, a bouncing baby boy, much to her surprise, though I predicted it. Mateo, what a nice name.
Also, apparently the night before, while still in Vegas, Rogelio and Xiomara had a drunk wedding. Michael lets his former partner and lover, Nadine (Azie Tesfai) escape so she will track down her informant of Sin Rostro (the nasty drug dealer). Rafael refuses to answer a persistent phone call from the hospital, so Petra goes instead and gathers the secret sperm as his sample was split in half and part of it was mislabeled.
But then a nurse came to room to whisk baby Mateo, Jane's one true love, away for a hearing test, I knew something bad was going to happen. The baby, despite being tiny and newborn and dependent upon his mother for food is given to the drug dealer leaving me angry, yelling at the TV, saying that you can't do this to me.
Now, this show is superbly acted, with Rodriguez being a stand out. She is excellent, delivering comical yet heartfelt performances week after week. She better get nominated for an Emmy. Camil is also great as her father, a real ham, though he means well.
I also like how innovative the show can be, using light on the hearts as a symbol for love, having typing across the TV for hashtags or thoughts the characters have. The narrator, Anthony Mendez, is also interesting though they did use him just a bit too much toward the end of the season.
I haven't liked every decision this show has made, like tossing in Michael's ex as a friend of Jane's, having Rogelio's ex-stepdaughters as villains and brats. Sure, they made for good television but I just thought that Jane already had enough obstacles in her life without having to add more.
Fortunately, Jane has a great support system in her mother and grandmother who will always be there.
Please take the time to binge watch this before season two and if you have any questions, comments or concerns, voice them in the comment section. Grade: A
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The Middle: The Graduate
Sue (Eden Sher) is finally graduating high school, the end is almost in sight. But nothing is as perfect as it seems. Her yearbook picture is mislabeled, with another name though it is finally a good photograph and she won't win her perfect attendance award because of her ill-fated attempt at sneaking off campus for that Arby's lunch. Someone misplaces her yearbook, she can't lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, she doesn't get a special graduation cord. Her life is looking rough.
In the meantime, there are more pressing matters: Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is given the opportunity to skip a grade, which surprisingly suits him just fine. But then he latches on to Sue's graduation party which upsets her massively. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) decides to run some errands and her first thought is to leave Brick in the car, but then changes her mind and lets him have control. But he fails, instead of bringing what Frankie wanted, he returns in an awesome Batman costume, forgetting all about what she really wanted. He's so not skipping a grade.
Axl (Charlie McDermott) doesn't know where he left things with Devin (Gina Mantenga) and is upset to see all these photos of her with other guys and decides to trek out to Idaho to figure their relationship out, even if it means missing Sue's graduation. Then, he realizes exactly how far away Idaho actually is, and decides that he just can't break Sue's heart.
Then, the graduation day finally arrives. Of course, it takes the Hecks forever to get ready, and Sue is laying on her bed, in her dress, not wanting to even go to her own graduation because she hasn't left a legacy, made no impression, she feels insignificant. Frankie literally drags her to the door, where Mike (Neil Flynn) takes over.
Sue continues to feel depressed but then, something amazing happens, Frankie's voice-over narration. Her fellow classmates pass her yearbook back and it is filled. Despite everything, most actually remember her. They have delighted in her constant good moods throughout the four years of high school. She does have a legacy. Sue is thrilled to graduate and hugs everyone, even the crusty principal, Dr. Cameron (French Stewart).
And then, the best thing that could possibly happen to Axl does. Devin arrives and throws herself into his arms. She is utterly delighted to see him and can't stop kissing him. She drove twenty-eight hours just to see him. And those guys in the pictures, they were her brothers.
The family is all sitting together at the end, just so happy, for that brief moment in time.
This was a good season finale, with the family all being supportive of each other which is always wonderful to see. The acting is always good and Frankie has fortunately become less annoying, except for that one episode with Pam Staggs. Mike is the solid dad figure, always supportive of his children though he usually pretends to care less. Axl is no more mature than he was at the beginning, so that's always a disappointment. Sue truly shined throughout this year of Sue and Brick, I don't really know what to say about him.
Fortunately, the Hecks are coming back in the fall, Charlie's pilot wasn't picked up so that will certainly be interesting to see with both Sue and Axl at the same college. Hopefully he will actually admit her existence. This show has seldom disappointed and continues to be my favorite sitcom on TV. Grade: A-, Season: A-
Side Notes:
-Mike has everything worked out with the janitor, they will have front row seats saved and a close parking space all because he just slipped him a six-pack.
-Brick did something pretty bad but was never caught. I'm terrified to find out what he did.
-When Frankie finds out about the meeting involving Brick, Mike immediately mutters that Brick can't be tried as an adult.
-At Sue's graduation, her shoes are on the wrong feet.
-Axl never stops enjoying showing a gross picture (probably of his junk) to his siblings.
-I would have loved to have seen more of Sue's wrestlette friends, we got just the shortest glimpse of them at graduation.
-Brad (J. Brock Ciarlellii) might be on the yearbook committee though that was mostly just to pick out pictures of the wrestlers and swim team. They still don't get it.
-Sue's picture of her on the cow is in the yearbook, but her face gets lost in the crack.
-Frankie is so poor, she just wants to slap some frosting on a loaf of bread for the cake.
-Brick believes that the party would have been better if Batman made an appearance but Batman's mom made him return the costume.
-I wonder where Sue left things with Logan (David Hull). Oh well, hopefully we'll find out next season.
In the meantime, there are more pressing matters: Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is given the opportunity to skip a grade, which surprisingly suits him just fine. But then he latches on to Sue's graduation party which upsets her massively. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) decides to run some errands and her first thought is to leave Brick in the car, but then changes her mind and lets him have control. But he fails, instead of bringing what Frankie wanted, he returns in an awesome Batman costume, forgetting all about what she really wanted. He's so not skipping a grade.
Axl (Charlie McDermott) doesn't know where he left things with Devin (Gina Mantenga) and is upset to see all these photos of her with other guys and decides to trek out to Idaho to figure their relationship out, even if it means missing Sue's graduation. Then, he realizes exactly how far away Idaho actually is, and decides that he just can't break Sue's heart.
Then, the graduation day finally arrives. Of course, it takes the Hecks forever to get ready, and Sue is laying on her bed, in her dress, not wanting to even go to her own graduation because she hasn't left a legacy, made no impression, she feels insignificant. Frankie literally drags her to the door, where Mike (Neil Flynn) takes over.
Sue continues to feel depressed but then, something amazing happens, Frankie's voice-over narration. Her fellow classmates pass her yearbook back and it is filled. Despite everything, most actually remember her. They have delighted in her constant good moods throughout the four years of high school. She does have a legacy. Sue is thrilled to graduate and hugs everyone, even the crusty principal, Dr. Cameron (French Stewart).
And then, the best thing that could possibly happen to Axl does. Devin arrives and throws herself into his arms. She is utterly delighted to see him and can't stop kissing him. She drove twenty-eight hours just to see him. And those guys in the pictures, they were her brothers.
The family is all sitting together at the end, just so happy, for that brief moment in time.
This was a good season finale, with the family all being supportive of each other which is always wonderful to see. The acting is always good and Frankie has fortunately become less annoying, except for that one episode with Pam Staggs. Mike is the solid dad figure, always supportive of his children though he usually pretends to care less. Axl is no more mature than he was at the beginning, so that's always a disappointment. Sue truly shined throughout this year of Sue and Brick, I don't really know what to say about him.
Fortunately, the Hecks are coming back in the fall, Charlie's pilot wasn't picked up so that will certainly be interesting to see with both Sue and Axl at the same college. Hopefully he will actually admit her existence. This show has seldom disappointed and continues to be my favorite sitcom on TV. Grade: A-, Season: A-
Side Notes:
-Mike has everything worked out with the janitor, they will have front row seats saved and a close parking space all because he just slipped him a six-pack.
-Brick did something pretty bad but was never caught. I'm terrified to find out what he did.
-When Frankie finds out about the meeting involving Brick, Mike immediately mutters that Brick can't be tried as an adult.
-At Sue's graduation, her shoes are on the wrong feet.
-Axl never stops enjoying showing a gross picture (probably of his junk) to his siblings.
-I would have loved to have seen more of Sue's wrestlette friends, we got just the shortest glimpse of them at graduation.
-Brad (J. Brock Ciarlellii) might be on the yearbook committee though that was mostly just to pick out pictures of the wrestlers and swim team. They still don't get it.
-Sue's picture of her on the cow is in the yearbook, but her face gets lost in the crack.
-Frankie is so poor, she just wants to slap some frosting on a loaf of bread for the cake.
-Brick believes that the party would have been better if Batman made an appearance but Batman's mom made him return the costume.
-I wonder where Sue left things with Logan (David Hull). Oh well, hopefully we'll find out next season.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The Middle: Mothers' Day Reservations
Well, it's that time of year again. Mother's Day. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) begins the episode wearing some of the horrible presents her family has presented to her in the past: the gross yellow jeans from season four, a random necklace from a child that isn't even hers and a Clean Your Moon t-shirt from her first Mother's Day now more than two decades ago. But this year, she has everything figured out, she wants to have a fancy tea party at My Country tis of Tea and Mike (Neil Flynn) decides to put the kids in charge of getting her a present.
Unfortunately, none of this is as easy as it appears. Mike has to make the reservations online which is a huge pain for him, he has to recruit all of his co-workers to help him though they are more distracting than helpful. And, yet, despite all his efforts, they go to the tea shop and his reservations have disappeared even though he's a platinum member of the chamomile club and, yes, his two tea sets are ready to pick up at the gift shop. Thankfully, something goes the Hecks way, they only have to wait forty-five minutes.
Meanwhile, the kids have a hard time deciding what to get Frankie. Their first attempt is quite great: a magazine holder to hold all of her People magazines, but then they discover that Frankie already has the exact same one. Then, they get her a turquoise necklace only to hear her say that she hates turquoise, so they return to get her something else.
Frankie, on the other hand, decides to sabotage herself and asks each one of her children what they would do differently when (not if) they become parents. Sue (Eden Sher) says that Frankie is wonderful, but after Frankie insists, she says that she would be more organized, like making sure her kids had the signed permission slips so they could go on field trips and wouldn't be left out awkwardly in the cold. Axl (Charlie McDermott) immediately says that he wouldn't be stubborn while Brick (Atticus Shaffer) gives her the thoughtful answer of not bringing home the wrong baby, making sure his kids have nutritious meals and stuff like that and of course, be more organized. All of these answers upset Frankie and hurt her feelings.
Things come to a head when Frankie's mom, Pat Spence (Marsha Mason) joins the family for tea and Frankie admits that she's upset because Pat always encouraged her to be practical which made Frankie feel like she couldn't follow her dreams and that she's hurt with everything the kids said. Now, Pat is also upset and devastated that her daughter felt like she was a bad mom. Soon, all three women, Sue included, are crying. Mike is fed up and walks away, taking solace in the bathroom where Axl and Brick join him.
The ironic thing is, Frankie forgot to get her mom anything for Mother's Day and takes what the kids got for her and gives that to Pat. The kids got her salad hands which just don't measure up to the cashmere sweater Janet (the unseen and unheard Molly Shannon) and they only cry more. The next day, both Pat and Frankie return the salad hands to have the clerk heavily compliment Frankie for her children's wonderful behavior and that she must have been raised right which just warms Pat's heart. They are both happy again, which is always a great thing and for once, Frankie's Mother's Day wasn't a complete disaster, in fact, it was probably her best.
Once again, this is a solid episode, warm and funny with the characters true emotions showing, with each character having some great moments, you can't ask for much more than that. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Frankie decides to finally clean out her junk drawer, something that every family has, to find a permission slip to the children's museum. She apologizes and asks which child missed that event, and all three instantly raise their hands.
-Axl's idea of giving her coupons is childish just as the coupons are, which include one meal where he will hold a fart in, holidays excluded.
-Chuck (Greg Cipes) brilliant idea is to bathe Frankie in champagne and make her feel appreciated. Mike isn't thrilled with that idea.
-Grandpa Tag (Jerry Van Dyke) stayed at home, which was his Mother's Day present to his wife and she needed the break so no complaints from her.
-Axl and Brick are upset that they always have secret meetings in Sue's room but that because of Axl's stinky feet, though he denies that.
-The tea shop is cruel, not letting Mike have any of the tea sandwiches or petty fours until the tea is served and then the tea must seep first. This upsets him massively.
Unfortunately, none of this is as easy as it appears. Mike has to make the reservations online which is a huge pain for him, he has to recruit all of his co-workers to help him though they are more distracting than helpful. And, yet, despite all his efforts, they go to the tea shop and his reservations have disappeared even though he's a platinum member of the chamomile club and, yes, his two tea sets are ready to pick up at the gift shop. Thankfully, something goes the Hecks way, they only have to wait forty-five minutes.
Meanwhile, the kids have a hard time deciding what to get Frankie. Their first attempt is quite great: a magazine holder to hold all of her People magazines, but then they discover that Frankie already has the exact same one. Then, they get her a turquoise necklace only to hear her say that she hates turquoise, so they return to get her something else.
Frankie, on the other hand, decides to sabotage herself and asks each one of her children what they would do differently when (not if) they become parents. Sue (Eden Sher) says that Frankie is wonderful, but after Frankie insists, she says that she would be more organized, like making sure her kids had the signed permission slips so they could go on field trips and wouldn't be left out awkwardly in the cold. Axl (Charlie McDermott) immediately says that he wouldn't be stubborn while Brick (Atticus Shaffer) gives her the thoughtful answer of not bringing home the wrong baby, making sure his kids have nutritious meals and stuff like that and of course, be more organized. All of these answers upset Frankie and hurt her feelings.
Things come to a head when Frankie's mom, Pat Spence (Marsha Mason) joins the family for tea and Frankie admits that she's upset because Pat always encouraged her to be practical which made Frankie feel like she couldn't follow her dreams and that she's hurt with everything the kids said. Now, Pat is also upset and devastated that her daughter felt like she was a bad mom. Soon, all three women, Sue included, are crying. Mike is fed up and walks away, taking solace in the bathroom where Axl and Brick join him.
The ironic thing is, Frankie forgot to get her mom anything for Mother's Day and takes what the kids got for her and gives that to Pat. The kids got her salad hands which just don't measure up to the cashmere sweater Janet (the unseen and unheard Molly Shannon) and they only cry more. The next day, both Pat and Frankie return the salad hands to have the clerk heavily compliment Frankie for her children's wonderful behavior and that she must have been raised right which just warms Pat's heart. They are both happy again, which is always a great thing and for once, Frankie's Mother's Day wasn't a complete disaster, in fact, it was probably her best.
Once again, this is a solid episode, warm and funny with the characters true emotions showing, with each character having some great moments, you can't ask for much more than that. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Frankie decides to finally clean out her junk drawer, something that every family has, to find a permission slip to the children's museum. She apologizes and asks which child missed that event, and all three instantly raise their hands.
-Axl's idea of giving her coupons is childish just as the coupons are, which include one meal where he will hold a fart in, holidays excluded.
-Chuck (Greg Cipes) brilliant idea is to bathe Frankie in champagne and make her feel appreciated. Mike isn't thrilled with that idea.
-Grandpa Tag (Jerry Van Dyke) stayed at home, which was his Mother's Day present to his wife and she needed the break so no complaints from her.
-Axl and Brick are upset that they always have secret meetings in Sue's room but that because of Axl's stinky feet, though he denies that.
-The tea shop is cruel, not letting Mike have any of the tea sandwiches or petty fours until the tea is served and then the tea must seep first. This upsets him massively.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Ace in the Hole (1951)
This is the film where Kirk Douglas dies after being stabbed by a fingernail file. Yes, you read that right.
Kirk Douglas is the slimy, arrogant asshole Charles Tatum. He is stuck as a newspaper reporter in pole dunk Albuquerque New Mexico waiting for his big break so he can get famous again.
He gets this big break when a man, Leo Mimosa (Richard Benedict) is trapped in a cave. Tatum takes matters into his own hands, forcing Mimosa's wife, Lorraine (Jan Sterling) to take the role as tear-struck widow, lifts high the corrupt sheriff and urges the contractor to drill a hole from the top to lift him out though that will take much longer.
But Leo can't hold out that long, forcing Tatum to take responsibly. But he tries. And Leo becoming trapped in the cave is good for the dying family business but not for Lorraine who wants nothing more than to leave her husband, and this time she will have a head start on Leo. Tatum nearly strangles her and she stabs him, causing him to slowly bleed out as he realizes that he is the true reason for Leo's death. Murdered by a reporter.
Once Leo's death is announced, the thousands of people who gathered there leave almost instantly, the life literally sucked out of them. The circus, both media and actual, is over.
Tatum wanted to get famous again and he was very nearly there, only he denied himself the happy ending he absolutely needed.
As my dad put it, Tatum is one of the most despicable characters he's seen in film lately, which is saying something and it's true. Tatum is truly a jerk face, thinking nothing of slapping a woman who was just trying to be nice to him (Lorraine) and then strangling her because she is messing up his story and the role he cast her in.
Douglas is fearless as he played several extremely unlikable characters that year. I did think he was better and much more sympathetic as the hard and cold police detective in William Wyler's Detective Story released the same year. But to play this character takes true guts and Douglas, as he always does, is brilliant, getting the nuances down, making this character real, though you might wish he didn't succeed as you probably don't want Tatum to be a real person.
This film should be a must see, though it was unappreciated when it was first released but has since gained fans. And Billy Wilder directed this film and that alone makes it worth while viewing. Grade: A-
Kirk Douglas is the slimy, arrogant asshole Charles Tatum. He is stuck as a newspaper reporter in pole dunk Albuquerque New Mexico waiting for his big break so he can get famous again.
He gets this big break when a man, Leo Mimosa (Richard Benedict) is trapped in a cave. Tatum takes matters into his own hands, forcing Mimosa's wife, Lorraine (Jan Sterling) to take the role as tear-struck widow, lifts high the corrupt sheriff and urges the contractor to drill a hole from the top to lift him out though that will take much longer.
But Leo can't hold out that long, forcing Tatum to take responsibly. But he tries. And Leo becoming trapped in the cave is good for the dying family business but not for Lorraine who wants nothing more than to leave her husband, and this time she will have a head start on Leo. Tatum nearly strangles her and she stabs him, causing him to slowly bleed out as he realizes that he is the true reason for Leo's death. Murdered by a reporter.
Once Leo's death is announced, the thousands of people who gathered there leave almost instantly, the life literally sucked out of them. The circus, both media and actual, is over.
Tatum wanted to get famous again and he was very nearly there, only he denied himself the happy ending he absolutely needed.
As my dad put it, Tatum is one of the most despicable characters he's seen in film lately, which is saying something and it's true. Tatum is truly a jerk face, thinking nothing of slapping a woman who was just trying to be nice to him (Lorraine) and then strangling her because she is messing up his story and the role he cast her in.
Douglas is fearless as he played several extremely unlikable characters that year. I did think he was better and much more sympathetic as the hard and cold police detective in William Wyler's Detective Story released the same year. But to play this character takes true guts and Douglas, as he always does, is brilliant, getting the nuances down, making this character real, though you might wish he didn't succeed as you probably don't want Tatum to be a real person.
This film should be a must see, though it was unappreciated when it was first released but has since gained fans. And Billy Wilder directed this film and that alone makes it worth while viewing. Grade: A-
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Citizen Kane (1941)
This is largely considered the greatest film of all time, with good reason.
Orson Welles takes the term boy genius to a whole new level. He was just twenty-six when this film was released, and he co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in the vehicle. He had complete control and would never have that right again. Which is unfortunate.
Welles had so much respect for his cinematographer, Gregg Toland, that he shared the end director credit with him. Toland films a masterpiece, keeping the whole picture in deep focus so that the background is just as clear as the foreground and the camera angles are truly something to behold. If a character is meant to feel isolated, then the camera angle show that. The editing, by future director Robert Wise is also great with some amazing sound bridges, jumping between scenes, covering periods of time seamlessly.
The film is often analyzed and in one of my college classes, we spent almost a whole three-hour long class analyzing the film, trying to decide if Mary Kane (Agnes Moorhead) is as cold as her character appears. She signs away her son to a better life and education with barely a tear, never to see him again. Perhaps, as the scene heavily suggests, that his father could be abusive and she feels that she is doing the right thing.
Still, her cold action will forever dictate the way Kane acts for the rest of his life, being cold and distant from people, treating his second wife, Susan Alexander (Dolores Cormingore) like an object, blinded by some sick form of love, controlling her, forcing her to attempt suicide just so he will listen to reason.
He pushes away his oldest friend, Jedidiah Leland (Joseph Cotten), by changing the very essence of his being, manipulating the values that he promised the public when he picked up a little newspaper, The Inquirer.
Kane dies alone, with a bunch of reporters trying to figure out the meaning behind his last utterance, Rosebud. This single word does explain a lot about him and forces the film to move along as the reporter, Thompson (William Alland) seeks out everyone who knew Kane that is still living. Sure, some the flashbacks are false because the character telling it never actually appears, but none mention Rosebud directly. Then, you find out the truth and remain in your seat, stunned. I won't tell you guys what Rosebud is, but it is from the rare time in his life when he was actually happy, proving that money doesn't make you happy.
Welles was robbed of that Best Actor Oscar that should have been his. Gary Cooper was fine in Sergeant York but Welles was far superior. Cormingore should have been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, though she was quite screechy at times, but she probably felt that she needed to be. But it didn't matter, he never truly heard her regardless.
Kane is a character based on William Randolph Hearst and thus, this film nearly didn't get released. Fortunately, it did, and I'm forever thankful, I hope you are, too. Grade: A
Orson Welles takes the term boy genius to a whole new level. He was just twenty-six when this film was released, and he co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in the vehicle. He had complete control and would never have that right again. Which is unfortunate.
Welles had so much respect for his cinematographer, Gregg Toland, that he shared the end director credit with him. Toland films a masterpiece, keeping the whole picture in deep focus so that the background is just as clear as the foreground and the camera angles are truly something to behold. If a character is meant to feel isolated, then the camera angle show that. The editing, by future director Robert Wise is also great with some amazing sound bridges, jumping between scenes, covering periods of time seamlessly.
The film is often analyzed and in one of my college classes, we spent almost a whole three-hour long class analyzing the film, trying to decide if Mary Kane (Agnes Moorhead) is as cold as her character appears. She signs away her son to a better life and education with barely a tear, never to see him again. Perhaps, as the scene heavily suggests, that his father could be abusive and she feels that she is doing the right thing.
Still, her cold action will forever dictate the way Kane acts for the rest of his life, being cold and distant from people, treating his second wife, Susan Alexander (Dolores Cormingore) like an object, blinded by some sick form of love, controlling her, forcing her to attempt suicide just so he will listen to reason.
He pushes away his oldest friend, Jedidiah Leland (Joseph Cotten), by changing the very essence of his being, manipulating the values that he promised the public when he picked up a little newspaper, The Inquirer.
Kane dies alone, with a bunch of reporters trying to figure out the meaning behind his last utterance, Rosebud. This single word does explain a lot about him and forces the film to move along as the reporter, Thompson (William Alland) seeks out everyone who knew Kane that is still living. Sure, some the flashbacks are false because the character telling it never actually appears, but none mention Rosebud directly. Then, you find out the truth and remain in your seat, stunned. I won't tell you guys what Rosebud is, but it is from the rare time in his life when he was actually happy, proving that money doesn't make you happy.
Welles was robbed of that Best Actor Oscar that should have been his. Gary Cooper was fine in Sergeant York but Welles was far superior. Cormingore should have been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, though she was quite screechy at times, but she probably felt that she needed to be. But it didn't matter, he never truly heard her regardless.
Kane is a character based on William Randolph Hearst and thus, this film nearly didn't get released. Fortunately, it did, and I'm forever thankful, I hope you are, too. Grade: A
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