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The Decoy Bride (2011)
Really folks? Live a little!
It doesn't matter that the movie covers just a few days. It doesn't matter that it could be considered a bit predictable. People are missing the point!!! The point is that we make choices that we regret and we often don't see what's right in front of us! And then, sometimes, if we're extremely fortunate, wonderful things happen unexpectedly! Enjoy! Let it happen! Laugh and smile!
The two lead characters, superstar Lara and author James are trying to find a quiet place to get married away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. They end up on a secluded island in the outer Hebrides with the one paparazzi Lara hates the most. Then the fun begins...and the decoy bride enters the scene. A touch of slapstick, hilarious and cutting one liners, mishaps left and right...if you get this kind of film, it is pure, warm, genius. The actors are firing on all comedic and dramatic cylinders.
This is now a favorite of mine along the lines of others like The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down A Mountain, Bottle Shock, and Blow Dry...maybe even Happy Texas.
If you get this style of film you will love it. If not, go borrow or buy a sense of whimsy so you can.
Mork & Mindy: The Night They Raided Mind-ski's (1980)
Great introduction of the harm of prejudice
One of the reasons I love Mork and Mindy is how the show can meaningfully address even the most controversial of subjects. Mork is the innocent and as such can offer an outsider's commentary of human behavior (both the good and the bad). Through his mistakes and the other characters' response the audience learns anew about the good and bad in people around us.
Robin Williams' comic genius shines and Pam Dawber is an excellent "straight man" to anchor Williams' quick wit and outlandish antics. In going back and watching the show again as an adult I appreciate it so much more than I did as a kid, I love that my kids can enjoy the comedy while learning important values and ideas that the show displays. This episode in particular is a great one as it addresses racism,
Mork unwittingly gets involved in a white supremacist group. At first Mork doesn't understand the harm in his "new friends" jokes and activities until they threaten to harm others including Mindy. The ending is clever and clearly illustrates the illogical, hateful and harmful ideology of racism.
This show is an under-appreciated diamond with such a great venue to see G rated work of Williams comic genius perfectly balanced by Dawber. If you haven't see it for a while, take the time to watch it again!
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
This is a different story folks
I think, like my son said after watching this film, everyone expected another Bourne story. When they didn't get it, they were disappointed. I wasn't at all.
This is a different story with very different lead characters with different struggles. Because I approached it as such, I really enjoyed it.
We are introduced to Aaron Cross, excellently portrayed by Jeremy Renner, a member of a different deep undercover program than Bourne, taking mysterious medications. What are these all about? Why is he taking them? What do they do? Who else is involved in this program? What are the goals?
Then we find ourselves in a highly secure laboratory following Dr. Marta Shearing, an expert in biochemistry and virology. Rachel Weisz's performance is very visceral and definitely drew me into the story and into caring for her character.
In the background are the happenings of Jason Bourne (during the Bourne Ultimatum) creating mayhem for the CIA putting all of the programs in jeopardy including the program that Aaron Cross is in.
When they come together to try and survive their attackers (a la Bourne) they develop a wonderfully subtle relationship; protective of one another as their teamwork is what gives them a chance of survival.
No, it's not Bourne, it's Cross. It's not all action, there is quite a bit of background detail and vital questions proposed. But the story is interesting and the main characters played by Renner and Weisz were complex, multi-faceted, real, and well developed. Kudos to the two of them for their fine work.
A great quote that is core to the story, "Who told you this was okay?" Food for thought.
Speed Racer (2008)
Lighten up, folks! This film is fun!
Yes, it's a bit of a spoof. Yes things are pushed a bit beyond reality (quite a bit). But it's a visual masterpiece (no arguments there) and it's FUN! Is the script Oscar worthy? Of course not! But it carries you along with the whole "underdog family business who do what they do for the love of it" vs "corporate big money fixers who do what they do for power" story. Parts of it are goofy but parts of it have some weight as well. I'm glad my kids enjoy it because it reminds them that family is what matters, not money and power. Add to that playing fair and not giving up.
Good stuff in a stunning visual package with enough fast cars, crashes, near misses, good guys, bad guys, gizmos, double crosses, cheaters and some slapstick for everyone.
Then She Found Me (2007)
Surprisingly good
I rented this movie because of her co-stars as I am admittedly not particularly a Helen Hunt fan. I didn't even know the plot. Some reviewers gave this a pretty scathing review and I may be a bit biased but I thought the film was smart, funny, sad, frustrating...all the things we experience in life.
The main threads in the movie also are very common in life: betrayal, anger, love, regret, redemption...woven through a cast of characters performed very, very well. I found myself drawn in to the pathos of the characters as they dealt with devastating as well as wonderful circumstances.
I admit that a main topic in the film-having/adopting children is very close to my heart but I think it is a very worthwhile film and one of the few films I've seen that deals realistically with the heartbreak of wanting a baby and finding it achingly difficult. The film also handles well the complications of human relationships.
Worth the watch for me as a fan of the cast. Even Hunt whom I had not seen much of but was impressed by in this role.