Vanity Fair (2004)

Vanity Fair (2004)

Granada Productions etc.

September 1, 2004

Historical Drama, Historical Comedy, War Drama, Romance

DVD
B-

I have read the long novel many times (reviewed here https://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/2012/01/vanity-fair.html) and when I first saw this movie in the theater, and yesterday when I watched it again, I found it a pretty good adaptation.  A lot gets left out, especially on the Amelia side, but the performances are generally solid and the costumes are sumptuous.  Julian Fellowes co-adapted Thackeray, and directed by Mira Nair.

Sweet Home Alabama

Sweet Home Alabama

Touchstone etc.

September 27, 2002

Romcom?

DVD
D+

Cliched and a little bland.  Andy Tennant directed, between Ever After and The Bounty Hunter.

Sing (2016)

Sing (2016)

Illumination Entertainment/ Universal

December 21, 2016

Children's, Animation, Musical

DVD
C-

I tried to watch this once before, but none of the plot threads grabbed me either time, especially the whole typo-driven plot device.  Still, the music (all covers of older pop & rock) is pretty good.  Garth Jennings wrote and co-directed with Christophe Lourdelet, eleven years after The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Monsters vs. Aliens

Monsters vs. Aliens

DreamWorks

March 27, 2009

Animation, Sci-Fi, Children's?

DVD
D+

This is shelved as a children's movie, but, although there was no "questionable content" in the first quarter hour, starting this off with a mismatched couple's wedding is odd.  And I wasn't crazy about the character design.  Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon co-directed, as well as co-writing with a bunch of people.

Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven

DreamWorks

September 16, 2005

Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C-

A workaholic doctor becomes a nagging ghost roommate.  This is based on Marc Levy's novel with the (better) title If Only It Were True.  Mark Waters directed.