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.)

American Dreamz

American Dreamz
Universal
April 21, 2006
Comedy
DVD
D+

This time it's Dennis Quaid as president, a satire of George Bush II that's about as unsubtle and unfunny as the rest of this alleged comedy, which also includes Mandy Moore as a pop singer, and a terrorist who loves American pop.  Oh, and Hugh Grant turns in a performance that makes his work the following year in Music and Lyrics look Oscar-worthy.  Paul Weitz wrote and directed.