Highly overrated. This is an ok movie to watch if you have some time to kill and there is nothing else to watch. My thumb got irritated as I had to scroll past countless 9 out of 10 and 10 out of 10 reviews to find reviews that told the truth about this movie. The best thing that can be said is that the film is visually very nice to look at, like a pretty painting in a museum. Late 1950s New York and America look so nice, clean and orderly. The plot is totally absurd and nonsensical. Am I the only one who believes that Cary Grant is a wooden, unconvincing and annoying actor?? On the plus side, Eva Marie Saint was nice to look at, one of Hitchcock's cool blondes. Incredibly overrated.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Sweetie
(1989)
A masterpiece of filmmaking
13 May 2023
Warning: this film is not for anyone seeking light Hollywood escapism.
Darkly funny, sad, riveting and ultimately tragic, it's a moving work of art that will stay with you long after it ends.
I must admit that I saw some of myself in the character of Sweetie. It was a cathartic experience for me. So there's that.
It's one of those films that achieves exactly what great movies are supposed to do: the story and the acting are so real and believable that you forget you're watching a movie with actors and actresses.
I won't go into a description because other reviews have done that. All I can say is see this film if you appreciate the fine art of filmmaking.
Darkly funny, sad, riveting and ultimately tragic, it's a moving work of art that will stay with you long after it ends.
I must admit that I saw some of myself in the character of Sweetie. It was a cathartic experience for me. So there's that.
It's one of those films that achieves exactly what great movies are supposed to do: the story and the acting are so real and believable that you forget you're watching a movie with actors and actresses.
I won't go into a description because other reviews have done that. All I can say is see this film if you appreciate the fine art of filmmaking.
Cleopatra
(1963)
Visually interesting, boring, overlong clunker.
14 August 2022
This is one of those old movies that, if you haven't seen it, you feel that you should. So, on Elizabeth Taylor day on TCM, I decided to tackle it.
First, let me start with the positives. Visually, it is interesting to watch. They obviously spent a lot of money on sets and costumes.
The musical score is beautiful.
I couldn't follow the story or become engrossed in it. As the hours churned by, it felt like a chore. Drinking some beer and getting a slight buzz helped me relax and tolerate it.
My measure for rating a movie is: would I watch this more than once? Would I look forward to watching it someday in a revival house with a live audience?
The answer here is a resounding "no!"
"Virginia Woolf" is on later. That's a movie I look forward to seeing again.
First, let me start with the positives. Visually, it is interesting to watch. They obviously spent a lot of money on sets and costumes.
The musical score is beautiful.
I couldn't follow the story or become engrossed in it. As the hours churned by, it felt like a chore. Drinking some beer and getting a slight buzz helped me relax and tolerate it.
My measure for rating a movie is: would I watch this more than once? Would I look forward to watching it someday in a revival house with a live audience?
The answer here is a resounding "no!"
"Virginia Woolf" is on later. That's a movie I look forward to seeing again.
The Great Race
(1965)
What a waste of talent!
16 April 2022
One of the great turkeys from the 60s. How did this thing make it to the screen? This was on TCM and I only stuck with it because there was nothing else on.
Looks like they put a lot of money into it. Sad. Was that Vivian Vance? That was a treat.
Looks like they put a lot of money into it. Sad. Was that Vivian Vance? That was a treat.
The Trip to Bountiful
(1985)
You CAN go home again
12 April 2022
One of my all-time favorite films. Perfectly cast, Geraldine Page IS Carrie Watts, an aging widow living in a small apartment in Houston with her son and daughter-in-law. I watch it on YouTube whenever I need a little escape and a lift. To me, the message of this beautiful film is freedom to do whatever you want with your life, to never be controlled by others. Follow your heart. That's what Carrie Watts did in this film. Watch this film with someone you love.
The Crown
(2016–2023)
The Crown continues its masterpiece!
30 November 2020
Watched the newest season of The Crown on Thanksgiving Day 2020. I was RIVETED. I'm a HUGE admirer of Princess Diana and couldn't wait to watch!
Casting and acting are top notch, especially the actress playing Diana, very convincing. I am not a political person, so there was a bit too much Margaret Thatcher and not enough Diana. I do wonder, of course, how accurate it is. But it was excellent. It also made me sad, but that emotion is central to the story of Diana's life. Highly recommended watching to escape from a horrible year 2020!
McQueen
(2018)
Left me wanting to know more...
4 July 2020
Visually, this documentary film about Alexander McQueen is stunningly beautiful. He obviously was an extremely talented artist first and designer second. But there was way too much emphasis on the clothes, and not enough truthful revealing of the man himself. For example, it lightly touched on his relationship with a man and the fact that he was HIV positive, but I sensed that there was a lot more to that side of his life story that was purposely avoided in the film. Also, there is one very brief glimpse of how he felt about his body, his obvious struggle with his weight, that must have been terribly painful, especially in light of the constant pressure to be thin in the fashion industry. I did stick with it all the way to the end, but I did find myself getting a bit bored during much of the film.
AJ and the Queen
(2020)
Fun, if you love drag queens
22 January 2020
I just binge-watched AJ and the Queen. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Rupaul is amazing in drag, frequently gives wise advice throughout the series about being true to yourself, etc. But that kid is extremely annoying. Too much bratty yelling and screaming, throwing temper tantrums. That part was hard to sit through. The blind drag queen is hysterically funny, LOVED him/her! I could have done without a few of the tired stereotypes, e.g., homeless, drug addicted hooker. I loved seeing Adrienne Barbeau and Mary Kay Place, two great actresses. If you have a snowy weekend to get through and you could use some light humor, binge watch AJ and the Queen.
Koyaanisqatsi
(1982)
A masterpiece of film and music!
15 January 2020
It's a good thing this film was released before smartphones and the internet. This is a film to watch with undistracted, undivided attention. Today's humans don't have the concentration ability.
If by chance you are one of the rare human beings today still in possession of the ability to focus on a film from beginning to end without checking your phone, you must watch it now.
It's in my top five favorite films and there it will remain firmly. It's a "cousin" of 2001 A Space Odyssey, also in my top five.
This film touched me deeply when I first saw it, I was all of 22 years old and a college student, trying to decide what to declare as my undergraduate major.
This film was a major influence on my decision to major in Urban Studies.
But don't misinterpret. It's not just about the urban environment. This film is about our planet, and what we are doing to it.
It's also about appreciating the beauty on Earth that hasn't been ruined yet by humans.
Yet, there's also a certain twisted beauty about decay, aging, and unstoppable technological advancements; this film addresses everything, and will stick in your mind long after watching it.
So turn off your smartphone and clear your calendar. Don't miss this film.
If by chance you are one of the rare human beings today still in possession of the ability to focus on a film from beginning to end without checking your phone, you must watch it now.
It's in my top five favorite films and there it will remain firmly. It's a "cousin" of 2001 A Space Odyssey, also in my top five.
This film touched me deeply when I first saw it, I was all of 22 years old and a college student, trying to decide what to declare as my undergraduate major.
This film was a major influence on my decision to major in Urban Studies.
But don't misinterpret. It's not just about the urban environment. This film is about our planet, and what we are doing to it.
It's also about appreciating the beauty on Earth that hasn't been ruined yet by humans.
Yet, there's also a certain twisted beauty about decay, aging, and unstoppable technological advancements; this film addresses everything, and will stick in your mind long after watching it.
So turn off your smartphone and clear your calendar. Don't miss this film.
Personal for me
9 January 2020
I was clicking through the LGBTQ titles on Netflix yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see that a documentary was available about Armistead Maupin.
Of course, I had to watch it immediately! I've read almost all of his books and loved the original Tales of the City on PBS.
It was excellent, I enjoyed this documentary very much, I highly recommend it.
It was very personal for me because I briefly dated Armistead Maupin before he met his current husband.
If you love a good documentary, you love San Francisco and you are a fan of Armistead Maupin, get comfy on your sofa with a cup of tea and enjoy this wonderful film.
Of course, I had to watch it immediately! I've read almost all of his books and loved the original Tales of the City on PBS.
It was excellent, I enjoyed this documentary very much, I highly recommend it.
It was very personal for me because I briefly dated Armistead Maupin before he met his current husband.
If you love a good documentary, you love San Francisco and you are a fan of Armistead Maupin, get comfy on your sofa with a cup of tea and enjoy this wonderful film.
Rosemary's Baby
(1968)
One of the best films ever made
15 September 2019
Absolutely terrifying and riveting from the first to the last frame. I've seen it many times and it still holds my attention. Other reviews have summed up the story, so I won't attempt it. If you haven't seen it, see it. You will sleep with the light on tonight.
Roma
(2018)
Watching paint dry?
15 September 2019
I am soooo glad that I resisted the urge to see this boring stinker when it was in theatrical release. Watching it for free on my friend's Netflix was ok because I only lost time, not time and money. This was Hollywood preaching to us about its hatred for Trump. Slow and boring. Don't waste your time.
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