The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back

Sycamore Pictures etc.

July 26, 2013

Dramedy
DVD
C-

Bumped up a notch or two for the always marvelous Allison Janney.  Nat Faxon and Jim Rash co-wrote and co-directed.

Our Very Own (2005)

Our Very Own (2005)

Miramax

June 22, 2005

Historical Drama

DVD
B-

I liked this story of five teens in a small Southern town in 1978, even if I felt like it didn't explore everything thread fully, and the mix of tones--Fannie Flagg, ABC After School Special, That '70s Show, etc.-- didn't always work.  I could see this as a TV series, in fact.  Cameron Watson wrote and directed.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Tim Burton Productions etc.

September 25, 2016

Fantasy

DVD
D+

I couldn't get through the Ransom Riggs novel and this is one of those movies where I don't like the Tim Burton "look."

I, Tonya

I, Tonya

Neon

December 8, 2017

Sports Drama, Sports Comedy, Historical Drama, Historical Comedy

DVD
C-

I can see how the dark humor would appeal to some, and the acting, especially by Janney of course, is good, but the movie is too dark for me.  Craig Gillespie directed.

The Hours (2002)

The Hours 

Paramount

December 15, 2002

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Probably the most depressing movie I ever saw in the theater.  (I couldn't walk out because I was with a friend, and we kept hoping it would get better.)  Still, the first quarter hour is almost bearable and the period details are nice.  This is based on the Michael Cunningham novel and directed by Stephen Daldry, nine years before Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.  I tagged the people I recognized and have to note that this is likely the worst Julianne Moore performance I've ever seen.

Hairspray (2007)

Hairspray (2007)

New Line

July 20, 2007

Musical, Historical Comedy
DVD
C-

I tried watching this once before but gave up on it because it couldn't hold a candle to the original movie.  This time I tried to just enjoy it as a musical, but the dancing and songs are unmemorable.  Adam Shankman directed, four years after he did Bringing Down the House, also with Queen Latifah.

Bad Words

Bad Words
Focus Features
March 28, 2014
Comedy
DVD
C+

Bateman directed and stars in this movie that I enjoyed more in the theater, although it still has its moments, both comedic and dramatic.  Maybe it's that shock comedies don't age well or maybe the plot twists felt more obvious on the second viewing.  Still, yes, it's better than most of the movies I'm checking out of the library and I stayed tuned for the extras, including Bateman's commentary.

Kathryn Hahn was Carla in Bad Moms Christmas, a totally different role from her mousy but persistent reporter character here.