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Reviews
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
Can love and free will triumph over manipulated fate?
This was a well crafted movie whose pacing seemed perfect. I won't go into details of the plot but Damon and Blunt were convincing as lovers who fight all the odds to achieve what we all wish for. It is fablesque, yet still well rooted in the modern world. It has a slight flavor of the darker movie, Dark City. Dark City was more sinister yet both had endings that affirmed life.
Matt Damon's image from the Bourne films help to give muscle to his characterization. And Emily Blunt is winningly real as the ballerina who gives his character's life new meaning and motivation. I enjoyed and recommend this movie.
The Christmas Hope (2009)
Heartwarming and perhaps predictable
A TV Christmas movie that warms one inside, even if it doesn't have much new to say. Madeline Stowe displays much depth, with few histrionics. James Remar plays her somewhat estranged husband with an even reality. These two actors make this story work.
There are several side stories which come together at the end to provide transitions for the key characters and are smoothly woven into the plot.
The loss of loved ones is the challenge faced, and the ending, though poorly edited too quickly into credits, is worth the wait.
I, personally, love Christmas season movies. They are about love and family, and the continuity of humanity we all get a chance to re-find each year. This movie is worth seeing and I recommend it.
The Fountainhead (1949)
A flawed yet valuable film.
Though flawed as a movie (stilted dialog) this is a movie that can be enjoyed. The book is better even though the movie was written by Ayn Rand, the book's author. The courtroom scene sums up the author's intents and ideas. The integrity of the individual is the hero of the movie. In the book the character of Howard Rowark is more clear. He is a man unable to understand the motives of his fellows, yet he is not concerned with that fact. His joy lies in his mind and in his mind's abilities and in its applications. His love is creation. Any artist who spends time in creative endeavor will understand this. I enjoy the bare symbolism that the movie so naively employs. It is like a Greek tragedy but with a happy ending. Seen as such it is possible to find value and inspiration in this film. And Patricia Neal is a powerful image of a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman. I like this movie and recommend it.