When Marnie Was There

When Marnie Was There

Studio Ghibli

19 July 2014

Anime, Drama

DVD
B

A twelve-year-old falls in love with the ghost of her grandmother.  OK, not exactly, but there's an awful lot of blushing and secrets and declarations of love for your standard "kid meets a cool ghost" story.  Either way, this is the first Studio Ghibli anime I haven't rejected.  The scenery is gorgeous, the story is compelling, and the voicework is solid.  Yes, I would've liked a different ending, but the one they offer is still moving.

Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi co-adapted the novel by Joan G. Robinson.

Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

Paramount etc.

December 15, 2008

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

There must be more interesting movies about a 1950s couple arguing.  This is based on Richard Yates's 1961 novel (so not itself historical fiction), and directed by Sam Mendes, three years after Jarhead.

Relative Strangers

Relative Strangers

Garlin Pictures etc.

May 1, 2006

Comedy
DVD
C

I gave this 20 minutes because of the cast, but I have to admit that I started to lose interest when DeVito and Bates showed up as the crude bio-parents.  Greg Glienna directed and co-wrote.

P.S. I Love You

P.S. I Love You

Alcon Entertainment etc.

December 21, 2007

Dramedy

DVD
D-

An annoying couple bicker and flirt.  (And then I guess he dies later.)  Director Richard LaGravenese co-adapted Cecelia Ahern's novel, months after Freedom Writers, which also starred Swank.

On the Basis of Sex

On the Basis of Sex

Focus Features etc.

December 28, 2018

Historical Drama

DVD
B

This is a solid biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, focusing particularly on 1970, a life-changing year for her and the country.  I did feel that the story tried to juggle too many characters, losing some in the shuffle (like her students and even her son), but overall I was entertained and enlightened.  Mimi Leder directed, twenty years after the forgettable Deep Impact.

Misery

Misery

Castle Rock etc.

November 30, 1990

Dramedy

DVD
C-

I had to read the Stephen King novel many years ago for a class and only got through it as a hate-read.  The first quarter hour of the movie though is a quirky little comedy-drama, contrasting the country and the city.  William Goldman wrote the screenplay and Rob Reiner directed.

Fred Claus

Fred Claus

Warner Bros.

November 9, 2007

Comedy, Fantasy
DVD
C

I enjoyed this more than I expected, well, except for Vince Vaughn as the title character.  David Dobkin directed.

Failure to Launch

Failure to Launch
Paramount
March 10, 2006
Romcom
DVD
D+

Unappealing premise and unappealing leads, although Kathy Bates has good comic timing.  Tom Dey directed.