Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals

Focus Features etc.

September 2, 2016

Drama?

DVD
D

It would be nice to see Amy Adams and Michael Sheen act together in a good movie, although at least I tuned out before things got too dark.  Director Tom Ford adapted Austin Wright's novel Tony and Susan.

Moonlight Serenade

Moonlight Serenade

Studio Unknown

December 8, 2009 (made in 2005 and then released to video)

Musical?

DVD
D+

I can see why this got delayed.  It just feels really off.  Giancarlo Tallarico directed and co-wrote.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Focus Features

March 7, 2008

Historical Comedy
DVD
C-

I could see what they were going for here, but I just didn't think it worked.  This is based on the Winifred Watson novel and directed by Bharat Nalluri.

Julie and Julia

Julie and Julia

Columbia/Sony

August 7, 2009

Dramedy

DVD
C-

This is the movie that made me dislike Amy Adams for awhile.  (I loved her in Enchanted and it took American Hustle to win me back.)  One review recommended watching just the "Julia" portion of the film and I can attest that that does work pretty well.  Anyway, I gave this a quarter hour today, and there wasn't much Julia in it, so I'm not using the "historical drama" tag or whatever.  Nora Ephron directed and wrote the screenplay, based on both Julie Powell's Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen and Julia Child's My Life in France.  

Doubt

Doubt
Disney [!]
December 25, 2008 [!]
Historical Drama
DVD
C

Streep is a strict and somewhat sinister nun, while Hoffman is cast against type as a kind priest.  And, yes, Disney Christmas movies have changed since the 20th century.  John Patrick Shanley directed and wrote the screenplay based on his award-winning stage play.

Big Eyes

Big Eyes
Tim Burton Productions
December 25, 2014
Historical Drama
DVD
B

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski co-wrote and Tim Burton directed this biopic about the artist behind the kitschy but haunting Keane paintings, Margaret Keane, although her husband Walter insisted on taking credit.  I saw this movie at the time and was especially impressed with Adams's portrayal of Margaret, although this time I also "liked" Waltz as the charming but controlling Walter.  There are times that the movie feels like a horror movie, although Walter is not physically abusive, more psychologically.  Although I wasn't alive during most of the period that this film covers (roughly '58 to '68) the period details felt accurate from what I've seen in movies from that era.  I don't have any particular criticism of the movie, any explanation for why it's not higher than a B, other than it's a bit slow-moving at times, and a bit over the top at others.