Dead End (1937)

Shows too much of its stage heritage…just a little too neat. Still, not bad.

C+

Carmen Jones (1954)

A musical in operatic style (which I hate) with ebonic lyrics (which is condescending - especially when the characters speak better English than they sing). The leading lady is heartless and the leading man is a dishrag.

D+

Ice Age (2002)

I don't like the plasticized look of this film – and I hate the way the humans are rendered…doll-like with misshapen heads (especially on the baby's mother). But the story, predictable as it was, ended up melting my heart and I just cried when they finally returned the little squirt to his papa.

B-

The Minus Man (1999)

There's more atmosphere than story here, but I wasn't ever tired of it and appreciated that there was not a tidy ending…or even an ending at all. Owen Wilson is surprisingly effective in a non-comedic role. Taken as a whole, though, left me with an uneasy feeling and no reason to recommend it.

C

Harvey (1950)

I put off seeing this movie for years after attending a community stage production of it that was so awful that Gary & I left after about a half hour. It just seemed to be trying to be both manic and precious at the same time...

Well, the film, thankfully, avoids the problems of amateur theatrics and is just delightful. There were a few times I was a bit frustrated with the contrivances of the script (especially the "mix-up" of committing the wrong sibling), but taken in its entirety the film is heartwarming. It had that peculiar effect of making me want to be better; or, as Elwood puts it, "I recommend pleasant." I'm looking forward to watching this with my children.

B

Cinderella Liberty (1973)

Surprisingly affecting movie involving a sailor stuck in port until his papers are found. While on short liberty, he sleeps with a tramp and because of his inherent decency, can't help but become entangled in her messy life (complete with mixed-race delinquent son and baby on the way). Successful on many levels.

B+

Holiday Affair (1949)

Mitchum initially seems miscast as department store clerk - but quickly shows us that “clerk” is not synonymous with “dork.” The little boy is a weak link, but doesn't hurt things much. Nice fuzzy-feeling film. 

B

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)

Much of it made me cringe rather than smile. Joan Cusack overdoes almost all of her scenes – which is kind of funny, considering that acting opposite puppets, it would seem that the more cartoony, the better. But, I'm here to tell you that this is not the case. I think playing it as straight as possible is the ticket (cases in point: David Arquette in this film; Michael Caine in the better Muppet Christmas movie). The only scenes I really enjoyed were those in heaven with David Arquette & Whoopi Goldberg.

D-

Bundle of Joy (1956)

Frustrating musical comedy of errors in which none of the music numbers work. Fisher is not a natural actor and doesn't capture the camera, though Reynolds is a doll and so is the baby. The script lets everyone down.

C