Ransom (1996)

Ransom (1996)

Touchstone (AKA Disney)

November 8, 1996

Crime Drama

DVD
D+

Apparently, this is what a lot of people were looking for at the movies in the mid-'90s.  Ron Howard directed.

The Music Man

The Music Man

Warner Bros.

June 19, 1962

Musical, Historical Comedy, Romance

DVD

B-

I first saw this movie just a few years ago, although I had heard of it for ages of course.  This time around, while the musical numbers mostly hold up (except for Shirley's solos, because I hate that sort of singing), the movie does feel too long at two and a half hours.  Also, the acting is mostly not great.  And the mixed messages about sex (especially women's sexuality) are about what you'd expect for 1962, and 1912.  Still, there is a certain charm to the story and the setting and I was content to revisit it.  Morton DaCosta directed.

The Missing (2003)

The Missing (2003)

Columbia etc.

November 26, 2003

Western
DVD
D+

Bumped up from a D for the character of a female doctor (albeit unlicensed).  This is based on the novel The Last Ride by Thomas Eidson (with that spelling).  Ron Howard directed.

The Shootist

The Shootist

Paramount

July 21, 1976

Historical Drama

DVD
C

I actually gave this 45 minutes, because I thought it had potential, and of course it was neat to see the supporting cast.  But ultimately, I didn't want to stay with it.  This is based on Glendon Swarthout's novel and directed by Don Siegel, whose other three movies I've looked at so far I definitely didn't enjoy as much.

The Independent

The Independent

Arrow Entertainment

December 7, 2001

Mockumentary

DVD
C-

I can see the potential here, especially in the film-within-the-film parodies, but it's just not funny.  Stephen Kessler directed and co-wrote.

In the Heart of the Sea

In the Heart of the Sea

Warner Bros.

December 11, 2015

Historical Drama

DVD
D

Boring and cliched, with unplaceable regional accents.  This is based on Nathaniel Philbrick's nonfiction book, which was indirectly related to Moby-Dick.  Ron Howard directed.

Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon

Universal 

December 5, 2008

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

The slash fic you never wanted, directed by Ron Howard.

Far and Away

Far and Away
Universal
May 22, 1992
Historical Drama
DVD
C-

Cruise is a young Irish farmboy, and the Irish scenery is of course lovely.  Ron Howard directed and co-wrote.  I tuned out before Kidman showed up.

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

The Courtship of Eddie's Father
MGM
March 27, 1963
Comedy
DVD
C-

I used to watch the TV show as a kid, but I don't think I've ever seen the movie before, so I was surprised by the lack of charisma of Ford and Howard, together and separately.  This is based on the Mark Toby novel, and surprisingly directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man
Miramax
June 3, 2005
Historical Drama, Sports Drama
DVD
D+

Biopic about '30s boxer James J. Braddock.  Ron Howard directed.

A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

Universal

January 4, 2002

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Ron Howard directed this pretty boring story of a (to the point I watched) freshman Math major (Crowe) at Princeton in 1947.  Akiva Goldsman wrote the script based on the Sylvia Nasar biography.