Transamerica

Transamerica

The Weinstein Company etc.

April 24, 2005

Dramedy
DVD
C-

This seems well-intentioned, but I didn't find it particularly funny or moving.  Duncan Tucker wrote and directed.

Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

Starz

August 31, 2001

Dramedy
DVD
C+

I saw this at the time and liked it, but this time I wasn't drawn in as much, the Elizabeth Peña/Paul Rodriguez thread aside.  Maria Ripoll directed.

Sueño

Sueño

Destination Films

September 30, 2005

Dramedy, Musical, Romance

DVD
B-

There are flaws in the acting (especially the female love interest) and writing (some loose ends and plotholes), but the charm and the music help a lot.  Note that John Leguizamo was actually 45 when he played young Antonio!  (And Elizabeth Peña was 46 as the "older woman.")  Renée Chabria wrote and directed.

Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's Ladder

Tri-Star Pictures

November 2, 1990

Horror, Historical Drama

DVD
D-

A man is trapped in a nightmare world, but I escaped after a quarter hour.  Adrian Lyne directed, seven years after Flashdance.

Grandma

Grandma

Sony

September 18, 2015

Dramedy
DVD
B+

In one of her best roles ever, 75-year-old Tomlin is hilarious and moving as an aging lesbian poet trying to help her granddaughter raise money for an abortion.  The supporting cast is all around solid, with Sam Elliott a particular stand-out as a surprising ex.  Note, I loved the spin that this movie puts on the "your baby has fingernails" moment in Juno.  Also, I like all the different areas of Los Angeles that are shown in this story that takes place in just one day.  Paul Weitz wrote and directed nine years after the far inferior American Dreamz.  (But I do like Admission, and somewhat American Pie.)

La Bamba

La Bamba
Columbia
July 24, 1987
Historical Drama, Musical
DVD
C-

While there is of course a potentially good story in a biography of Ritchie Valens, the first quarter-hour seemed to be more about family drama than his interest in music, and not very interesting family drama at that.  Still, the soundtrack was good, although I didn't stick around to hear the title tune.  Luis Valdez wrote and directed.