You've Got Mail

You've Got Mail

Warner Bros.

December 13, 1998

Romcom
DVD
C

I saw this at the time, a time when I saw a lot of romcoms.  It offended me as a lifelong book-person.  Still, when it came along alphabetically in this project, I wondered what I would think of it now, a quarter century later, especially since I softened on Meg Ryan after watching When Harry Met Sally... a few months ago.

And, well, there are times when it's deliciously dated, from its concept to its OMG cast.  The soundtrack is generally solid, typically for Nora Ephron (who directed, and co-wrote with sister Delia).  New York City looks pretty and ridiculously clean.  But this movie still offends me as a book-person, because nothing about the bookstores is or ever was realistic.  (Don't get me started on its misunderstanding of Pride and Prejudice!) And of course there's the whole Tom Hanks amiably gaslighting poor Meg thing.  Still, I watched it to the end (again) and can't go below a C.

(And, yes, I've seen The Shop Around the Corner, which is over-rated but less offensive, if I recall correctly.)

Young Tom Edison

Young Tom Edison

MGM

March 15, 1940

Historical Drama

DVD
C

While the story isn't bad, I just wasn't invested enough in it, and the rape joke (from Mrs. Edison no less!) didn't help.  Norman Taurog directed, a couple years after Boys Town.

World Trade Center

World Trade Center

Double Feature Films etc.

August 9, 2006

Drama?

DVD
C

The story, obviously based on then five-year-old events, was interesting, but I didn't care about the characters and would've rather have followed around other New Yorkers on that fateful morning.  And, yes, I'm rejecting another movie starring Nicolas Cage and/or directed by Oliver Stone.

Wayne's World 2

Wayne's World 2

NBC Films etc.

December 10, 1993

Comedy

DVD
C

I gave this half an hour, rooting for it to get better.  But there's too much recycled plot and humor, some of the latter punch-down at that.  My review of the original is here, https://reviewingeverymovieiown.blogspot.com/2015/02/waynes-world.html.  Stephen Surjik directed this one.

Way Down East

Way Down East

United Artists

September 3, 1920

Drama

DVD
C

This must've felt hokily old-fashioned even at the time, but I did like the fashions, live animals, and of course the "eccentric" aunt (who's probably a benign lesbian).  Director D.W. Griffith co-adapted the play based on Lottie Blair Parker's novel.

The Water Man

The Water Man

ShivHans Pictures

September 19, 2020

Children's, Drama

DVD
C

I liked the setting and the main character, but the mother with leukemia plot made me tune out.  David Oyelowo directed and plays the dad.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Aardman Animations/ DreamWorks

2 October 2005

Children's, Animation, Fantasy, Comedy

DVD
C

While there are things I like about this world, like the set designs and inventions, I just have never been able to get invested in the characters.  Steve Box and Nick Park co-directed, and co-wrote with others.

Vai

Vai

Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions etc.

4 April 2019

Drama

DVD
C

This has an interesting concept, but it didn't draw me in enough.  Becs Arahanga, Amberley Jo Aumua, Matasila Freshwater, Dianna Fuemana, Miria George, Ofa Guttenbeil, Marina McCartney, Nicole Whippy, and Sharon Whippy wrote and directed the different segments.  (I couldn't tag the Whippys, but I did watch only two segments.)

Uccellacci e uccellini

Uccellacci e uccellini AKA The Hawks and the Sparrows

Arco Film etc.

4 May 1966

Dramedy
DVD
C

I watched this to the mid-point because I really did like the part before the fable of the monks.  Pier Paolo Pasolini wrote and directed, between Accatone and Porcile.

The Tin Drum AKA Die Blechtrommel

The Tin Drum AKA Die Blechtrommel

Franz Seitz Filmproduktion etc.

3 May 1979

Historical Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C

I enjoyed the movie when I saw it in '83 or '84, finding it funny and profound.  (My hippie aunt thought nothing of taking me and my same-age cousin to such a controversial film.)  I subsequently read the Günter Grass novel once or twice.  So I gave it over a half hour today, but I just couldn't get into it.  Volker Schlöndorff directed and co-wrote.

Thick as Thieves (1999)

Thick as Thieves (1999)

Rogue Pictures

January 28, 1999

Crime Comedy
DVD
C

I liked the quirkiness and of course the appearance of Garofalo, but I wasn't that into the story.

Terror's Advocate AKA L'Avocat de la terreur

Terror's Advocate AKA L'Avocat de la terreur

Magnolia Pictures etc.

6 June 2007
Documentary

DVD
C

I wasn't that invested in the subject, but this seems well made.  Barbet Schroeder directed, seventeen years after Reversal of Fortune.

Talking Head AKA Tōkingu Heddo

Talking Head AKA Tōkingu Heddo

Bandai Visual

10 October 1992

Comedy?

DVD
C

I was enough intrigued by this to give it twenty minutes (rather than the usual fifteen), but it lost me in the scene of the literal and figurative talking head.  Mamoru Oshii wrote and directed.

The Sun Is Also a Star

The Sun Is Also a Star

Warner Bros. etc.

May 17, 2019

Romance?
DVD
C

I was interested in the deportation plot, somewhat interested in the college interview plot, and not particularly interested in the romance.  So I gave up after half an hour.  This is based on the young adult novel by Nicola Yoon and directed by Ry Russo-Young.

Stalag 17

Stalag 17

Paramount

June 6, 1953

War Comedy

DVD

C

Although this is not really my genre, I did appreciate the dark humor, as well as the interesting cast.  Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote.

Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You

Significant Productions

January 20, 2018

Comedy
DVD
C

I didn't really get this, especially its tone, but it was kind of interesting.  Boots Riley wrote and directed.

The Solomon Bunch

The Solomon Bunch

Creekside Films

February 5, 2013

Children's, Comedy
Direct to DVD
C

Almost so bad it's good (the acting is uniformly amateurish) and I did laugh uproariously when a man told his preteen son to read the (highly sexual) "Song of Solomon."  Jason Prisk directed and co-wrote.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Warner Bros. etc.

August 6, 2008

Dramedy
DVD
C

I enjoyed the Ann Brashares books and the movie adaptations at the time, but this felt a little flat today.  And, yes, it was weird to see Blake Lively in this so soon after watching her villain role in A Simple Favor.  Sanaa Hamri directed.

The Single Moms Club

The Single Moms Club

Tyler Perry Studio

March 14, 2014

Dramedy
DVD
C

I liked the concept of this movie, and I gave it half an hour, but the characters were just too cliched.  Tyler Perry wrote, directed, and cast himself as one of the only nice men in the movie.

Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes

Fox

December 28, 1934

Dramedy

DVD
C

I thought the awful, rich family was more interesting than Shirley and her circle, but I don't know that I'd want a whole movie with them.  David Butler directed and co-wrote.