Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

I’ve watched and loved the television series and, while I could see the germ of the attitude of flippancy in the face of serious matters, it just didn’t feel big enough to fill a movie screen. The story seemed thin -- just little more than the pitch “ditzy cheerleader is a badass by birthright.”  The big bads weren't bad enough and the stereotypes (mean girls/jocks/greasers) were just lazy.  I'm glad someone saw past this forgettable genesis to the way better fit on TV.

C

Behind the Candelabra (2013)

Liberace came off as neither bad nor good -- and so did the movie. I wasn’t bored, but I saw little need for this story to be told. I can’t imagine anyone other than a Liberace super-fan giving a crap about what went on behind closed doors, especially since it was a pretty boring. He fell in love easily, could be jealous and capricious, and was vain. So, he's probably like every other celebrity (especially aging ones) in the world.

I wish it’d been more campy.  Is that wrong?

C-

Ted (2012)

I was surprised at how clever and fun this was. The pop culture references were rather Family-Guy-forced -- for example, dissing Bieber and Brandon Routh felt easy, mean, and soon-to-be-dated -- but the story itself felt pretty fresh. It was like a grown-up fairy tale.  Until the creepy kidnapping plot at the end, I really enjoyed it.

B

Gallipoli (1981)

Two young Australians meet while participating in a local foot race and decide to join the armed forces going to fight in the first world war.

The pacing was a little weird in that equal weight was given to both big events and seemingly mundane happenings. But it’s never boring and the end, though telegraphed, was heartbreaking.

B

Love, Marilyn (2012)

I’m not part of the cult of Marilyn, but I am generically interested in Hollywood history and hers fairly fascinating.

Much of the film consists of stars giving dramatic readings of her hand written notes, letters, and, in one instance, a way-too-intense delivery of a roast turkey recipe. Most of it’s fine, but at times the actors seemed to think they were imparting news on the level of Moses with the commandments -- it was a little much.

C+

The L-Shaped Room (1963)

A pregnant French girl takes a room in a shabby boardinghouse and, despite her intentions, winds up letting the other boarders into her life and heart.

Although there’s a lot to like about this movie, the main couple is by far the weakest aspect (not to mention the most annoying) and, of course, it’s the storyline we get the most of.

B-