La Cage aux Folles (Criterion Collection) (1978)

American audiences tend to resist foreign films for some good reasons. Sure, its tough to keep up with subtitles at times, and yes, sometimes the translations are lacking the depth the filmaker intends to convey. But this is a film that can and should be enshrined in the Movie Hall of Fame as one of the funniest, most endearing films ever released. Audiences who are willing to put up with subtitles will quickly find themselves hysterical and at last, on DVD, "La Cage Aux Folles" deserves to find a new audience, a new generation that appreciates broad humor, with a few good lessons thrown in.

Americans are familiar with the story, since "La Cage" was turned into a successful Broadway show and then a huge money-making comedy "The Birdcage" featuring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams in the lead roles (not to mention a young Calista Flockhart of "Ally McBeal" fame and Dan Futterman who is brilliant in "Urbania.") But "The Birdcage" as funny as it can be, fades by comparison to the original, with star making performances by Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault as the leading cross dressing couple of the French Riviera. Where "The Birdcage" allows for broad humor that both confronts and appeases the typical homophobic US audience, "La Cage" offers no apologies, and rests on its own merits as a farce without limits. When Tognazzi teaches Serrault how to "walk like John Wayne" you quickly forget the language barrier, and give up on Robin William's own attempts to educate the shrill Lane in the English version. Somehow, the fact that these characters are French adds a dimension of humanity that is lacking in the "Birdcage." Even the setting on the French Riviera (versus the buff and tough South Beach in the American version) adds to the three dimensional aspects of the characters. There is a sleazy-humor at work here that has been toned down tremendously for the American version, and that can only be captured by a cast that is uniformly superb, endearing, and wonderful. Oscar nominated for its leading performer, Tognazzi, as well as its superb direction, THIS is one of the funniset movies ever made in ANY language. If you love Robin WIlliams movies, and enjoy laughing, BUY THIS FILM you will be more than glad you did, and you'll find yourself literally hitting the pause button in order to GAWFAW your way through it.

If there were SIX stars for movies, "La Cage Aux Folles" would warrant six-and-a-half!

Since others have already expounded on the enduring comic nature of the movie itself, I'll restrict my comments to the DVD. I'd give the movie about 4 stars, but the DVD transfer I would award only 2.

Why? The film quality is not only substandard, but on occasion the frame jumps, as if somebody had bumped the telecine during the process. Additionally, the audio is VERY poor, not only varying in loudness, but at times the French audio track is not even synchronized with the lip movements on screen.

This would be worthy of a re-do by Criterion or other reputable production company...please?

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This review refers to "La Cage Aux Folles" DVD/MGM world Films..

If you will be viewing this film for the first time, and have already seen the more recent American version with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane("The Bird Cage"), you will find it very difficult not to compare this one to it. The Bird Cage was a wonderful and lavish production that paid homage to this original French Film, and did it quite well. I also consider that a 5 star film.

The stories although, BC has added some footage and a few more complications to the story, are just about identical. Young Laurent comes home to visit his father.Renato (Ugo Tognazzi)is the owner of flamboyant cabaret, featuring some wonderful acts by drag queens. Laurent informs Dad, that he is getting married. Although very young, Renato is happy for his son. But wait..there's more; his fiancee's parents are ultra-conservative,more then that, her father's political career is based on high morals.Her parents are on the way to meet "the family", and Renato must tone down his apartment, and then there's Albin(Michael Serrault)...Reanto's very feminine lover..what to do with HIM?

The French humor, although a bit more subtle then it's American cousin, is a real laugh fest. Serrault is every bit, the whining, campy, drag-queen, we have come to love as Albert(Nathan Lane in BC). Tognazzi, is wonderful as the father trying to cope with both the moody Albin, the needs of his son, and the in-laws to be.

Director Edouard Molinaro is brilliant in his direction of this farce. I viewed this last night, after not having seen it for many years, and i am still smiling as I write this review. I loved La Cage as much as I did the first time.. If you loved Bird Cage, gives this one a try, it'll charm your socks off!

The DVD is not the most pristine transfer I have seen for a film of this age. Just a little grainy, and maybe the colors could have been brightened up a bit, but there wasn't anything that distracted me from the absolute joy of this film. There are no special features, other then a theatrical trailer.(If you view the trailer, you will see that the film has been restored to some extent). The sound is Dol Dig(mono). It may be viewed in French(original) or English, and has optional subtitles in English, French and Spanish.The film is presented in a letterbox format of 1.66:1, which is listed as the original theatrical release.

If you are a fan of French Films and humor, farces in particular, I highly recommend this film. Just want to check it out, to see the film Bird Cage was based on?...makes a great weekend rental.

Merci Beaucoup....Laurie

more foreign language films recommended:

Three Colors Trilogy (Red / White / Blue) [Import](All-region)(Remastered)

Honey for Oshun (Miel Para Oshun)

Queen Margot (Koroleva Margo)

Dangerous Liaisons

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This original french version is far better than the campy Ameian version. The leads are played by great actors who know how to work the screen. I still laugh each time I hear Zaza's screech. This movie also deals with a major issue, which gives it a reality flair!

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It pays to overcome both aversions to foreign films and homophobic sentiments to enjoy this film, which is now already a classic farce that has already made it into a Broadway play and an Americanized version, "Birdcage," with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. The original, however, stands out as especially spectacular, largely due to the talents of actor Michel Serrault who went on to the sequel, "La Cage Aux Folles 2," to demonstrate his acting abilities to an even greater degree.

The story tells of the owner of a gay nightclub, La Cage Aux Folles, one Renato Baldi (Ugo Tognazzi), whose son Laurent (Rémi Laurent) comes home to inform him he is getting married. Because his father has come to live a very openly gay lifestyle with his partner, Albin (Michel Serrault), a drag queen who performs in his club and who is very openly effeminate in real life as well, Laurent is very concerned that his father make a good impression on his fiancée's conservative family, who happen to be involved in politics and are very concerned about negative publicity. The only problem is that the fiancée, Andrea (Luisa Maneri), has also told a little white lie to her family that her fiancé's father is a cultural attaché. Of course, the lie ultimately breaks down when the families meet. The groom's father invites the mother, Simone (Claire Maurier), to come, but then Albin decides, without informing anyone, to dress up as a woman and pretend to be the mother, and the result is classic farce as anyone could expect. To make matters worse, when the truth is out and the bride's parents want to storm out in anger, they discover that the press are outside waiting; the only way they can leave is by way of the gay club that they so loathe and, even worse, to do it in drag to escape detection. The irony is as perfect as any farce writer could want it; the ultra-conservative father of the bride (Michel Galabru), who has been fuming all day about "the honor of his party," is suddenly forced to dress up like a woman, and when he confronts his conniving chauffeur (Venantino Venantini), who has been accepting bribes to give tips to the press about his employer's whereabouts, he lets him have it full in the face.

This film is one that will give you a laugh for sure. It's worth the price and worth having in your collection.

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Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1995)

There are a few conditions required for "getting" this movie. You have to understand a few things before getting the jokes. Probably the most important thing is that you've seen Boys 'N The Hood and/or Menace II Society. These two movies contain the majority of the spoofs seen in Don't Be A Menace... There are also references to Poetic Justice, Juice, and Higher Learning. Without having seen the first two, most people will probably not get the jokes. Secondly, if you're into the hip hop culture, this movie will be a lot funnier. There's a lot of play on words from the rap lingo that you won't get if you haven't listened to it.

I really enjoyed this movie. It's a hilarious spoof of gangsta movies and gangsta rap. Keenan Ivory Wayans' cameos were hilarious. Shawn and Marlon make a great comedy team. It's just too bad they don't get more exposure (they're TV show on WB is hilarious, too). It's all tongue in cheek fun pointed at the harsher looks at inner city life that we get from movies and music.

If you're one of those people that hates movies like Naked Gun, Airplane, and Spaceballs, this movie is definitely not for you. Otherwise, pick it up and try not to fall off the couch :)

So many people just hate this film but I found it absolutely hilarious. Like the Scary Movie flicks it helps if you know the source films (Boyz N The Hood etc) fairly well. A lot of the funniest moments come from the deadpan way ludicrous lines are said, eg, of a pretty girl: 'What's her name?' 'Oh, that's Dashiki.' And the way characters refer to 'the hood' in inverted commas all the time, as in, 'I'm leaving 'the hood',' (cue gunshot). Who wouldn't laugh at the love-making scene where Trey ups the erotic ante by libating Dashiki with kool-aid then melting government-surplus cheese & dripping it like molten wax over her body? Well, a lot of people, apparently. But I laughed out loud a good many times watching this movie. The 'guilty' aspect is that it makes it almost impossible to re-watch Boyz N The Hood, Menace II Society etc in a serious manner because so many key scenes and moments are burlesqued in DBAMTSCWDYJITH.

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MY GOD! You have absolutely no sense of humor whatsoever if you didn't find at LEAST one part of this movie hysterical! I was rollin from the opening part! Who is anyone to say that I have a shallow sense of humor just because I liked it? You have to know how to laugh at certain things and everyone these days are so "politically correct" and "edgy" that they forget the funny things and don't keep it real! Obviously they've never been in the hood or known anyone like the characters in Don't Be A Menace, because there really are people like that! I think it's most likely a movie that only blacks will understand. If you're white and you loved, more power to ya. This movie is just wayy too funny!

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`Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood' is an hilarious take on all the hood type movies and surprising it does come off really funny. Just as funny as `Friday' and such movies. Brothers, Marlon and Shawn Wayans, don't have any problem making fun of the typical ghetto life that a lot of Afro-Americans might have to experience. The thought of this might not be too appealing at first but give it a try and you should end up laughing without a doubt. Some viewers have said that you need to be a black person to find this movie funny, or you need to have lived in the hood, which, in my opinion, is not true, I'm white, I live in England and my face was so sore after laughing at this. The only thing that helps is if you've seen the movies that this is parodying, and then you should certainly have no problem finding this film hilarious. Just like I did.

To say, `Don't Be A Menace...' is a comedy classic is quiet the understatement. All the characters in this movie provide laugh after laugh. It's the practice run for Wayans movies to be made years later on. `Scary Movie 1 & 2' clearly have borrowed the mold from `Don't Be A Menace...' More films should be as funny as this one. Marlon's character `Loc Dog' certainly squares up to `Smokey' from the `Friday' anyday. Marlon's dialogue/appearance is cleverly written to poke fun at the stereotypical male you've seen in any John Singleton film. The cast is strong, good comedic performances come from the Wayans brothers (although, Marlon is the much better of the two), Suli McCullough, and Lahmard J. Tate, playing Ashtray's father, the second funniest character in this movie. The script is almost faultless in its field, and the jokes come quick and they don't let up until the end. This all helps to make this an addictive comedy classic. This truly is TOTALLY GHETTO FABULOUS!

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This is a great parody of all the hood movies that came out in the early 90's. "Don't Be a Menace" throws laughs at Hood Flicks such as "Juice", "Menace To Society", & "Boyz In Da Hood". So if u haven't seen those movies, you might not understand a lot of the comedy in this....but if u have seen em, check this out!

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Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

This will be a short review, since I concur with the other positive comments on this classic Ealing comedy, as well as the extensive plot summary ( actually a little too extensive for people who have not seen the film ). I gave it four stars only because I consider "The Ladykillers" to be superior.

As always, Sir Alec shines in the lead role, with fine support from Stanley Holloway and Sidney James, years before his "Carry On" fame. The humour here is dark and subtle, and of course there is a delightful "twist" at the end, an Ealing trade mark.

I found the quality of this DVD to be more than acceptable for a 50 plus year-old film. Some of the location scenes in London are interesting, with areas damaged by the "blitz" in World War II still very evident.

So--if you like comedy with genuine wit and style ( very rare today, in the era of teen-oriented gross-out movies ), you will enjoy this one. Recommended.

I'm usually not a fan of movies featuring bumbling innocents trying to do right, brought down by an endless series of accidents and mistakes. The futility of the whole exercise frustrates me, and I can't find any room for humour in the whole endeavor. "The Lavender Hill Mob" nearly falls into this trap, but thankfully doesn't. The reason it doesn't -and it's a reason I can't go into without ruining the wonderful surprise ending -preserves the comedy of this delightful little heist movie.

It's a very subdued comedy. The word on the street led me to believe that wacky hijinks and silly shenanigans would be the order of the day. Not true. Actually, there's a lot of quiet dignity here. Which makes the moments of action that much funnier. Alec Guinness as the mob's "boss" Henry Holland, a 20-year vet of the straight and narrow, is a desperate man, but he always does his best to maintain control in stressful situations. He screws up his face, peers (with glorious wide eyes) knowingly from behind his glasses, and does his best to understand and analyze the predicaments he finds himself in. When he's successful in that endeavor, the proceedings are funny. But when he isn't... well... they're that much funnier. Stanley Holloway plays his cohort, Pendlebury, a disgruntled manufacturer of cheap souvenirs. He's a less menacing, almost innocent Sydney Greenstreet-type, who gets roped into a situation that appears foolproof. Too bad these men aren't fools; they'd have gotten away scott free. It's their intellect that does them in. They're joined by a couple of charismatic career criminals, who may dress the part but seem more at home sipping tea than casing joints. The scene where the four men meet, while simultaneously trying to rob a payroll safe, is a wonderful moment of manners in the face of criminal activity. A joy to watch.

The giggly English schoolgirl scene (a classic) is creepy and disturbing. It's hilarious how a group made up of innocents can be turned menacing in a certain context. Combine the danger of the heights (they're at the top of the Eiffel Tower) with their high pitched giggling, and their tragic effect on the plot, and the girls turn into a dangerous phenomenon. It's quite ludicrous, and very funny. This is followed by a wonderfully surreal chase scene, in which Holland and Pendlebury chase them down via a spiraling staircase. Even though the special effects are cheap and obviously fake, it felt like a ridiculous version of Hitchcock's "Vertigo". It's combination of the stuffy Englishman, the Tower spinning around them, and a wind-whipped trenchcoat tossed overboard makes for some great fun. And the finale, a romp through a police exhibition, has a cool Keystone Cops quality to it that had me giggling with glee.

Unfortunately, at times, deteriorated audio tracks and murky, fuzzy video marred some of the action. Wading through the thick accents would have been tough enough, but when you can't hear their voices (or at worst see their lips move), understanding these men was a trial. Too bad, because what I did manage to hear was charming, witty, and terribly funny.

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This is a typically wonderful Ealing comedy starring Alec Guinness as a lowly bank official in charge of transporting gold bullion for the Bank of England. For years he schemes how to steal some of it and finally figures a way: he enlists souvenir trinket caster Stanley Holloway and together they decide to cast their stolen gold into replicas of the Eiffel Tower and ship them to France where they will collect them.

A madcap chase follows involving innocent English schoolgirls on holiday who buy some of the Towers and a stolen police car; the final scene with Guinness in handcuffs is a real beauty. The humor is marvelously droll and sophisticated. This movie represents the famous Ealing Studios at their creative best. The DVD transfer is excellent and an interesting bio of Guinness is included. Definitely worth a watch.

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Charles Crichton, who 35 years after directing "The Lavender Hill Mob", would go on to direct "A Fish Called Wanda", paces this wonderful film with the skill of a master. There are a lot of elements that this film and "Wanda" have in common, besides the obvious crime comedy genre. Probably the most notable comparison is the frantic chase scenes at the conclusions of both. Probably the only difference between the two is that the latter is loaded with sexual situations and obscenities...but that was what the times permitted.

Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James, and Alfie Bass turn in bravura performances. (I especially liked the scene in which masterminds Guinness and Holloway "meet" their two gangmembers, James and Bass.) To me, though, the minor characters are equally enjoyable: the landlady, the old woman who loves pulp fiction, the cop who loves "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", and several others. This is an all-around wonderful film, with some significance for history buffs: the scenes of post-war, rubble-strewn London undergoing renewal is both sad and inspiring.

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...it might have been." In the early to mid 50's, many studios were churning out comedies, perhaps more so in an effort to get people past those old post war blues, but few did it as well or consistently as the British Ealing Studios (in my humble opinion), helped immensely by the talents of Alec Guinness...what?! Alec Guinness a comedic actor? The same Alec Guinness who starred in such serious films as The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and A Passage to India (1984)? Yes, it seemed by the end of the 1950's, Guinness had pretty much dedicated himself to more serious parts, but not altogether as he later appeared in the fantastic comedy Murder by Death (1976), which I recommend to anybody in search of a truly good laugh. While many consider The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) to be one of the best of the Guinness/Ealing comedies, I'm partial to one of their later films, The Ladykillers (1955), which was recently remade by the Coen brothers and featured Tom Hanks (I've haven't seen it yet, but I heard not so good things about it). Directed by Charles Crichton (The Titfield Thunderbolt, A Fish Called Wanda), the film stars, along with Guinness, Stanley Holloway (Nicholas Nickleby, Passport to Pimlico). Also appearing is Sid James (The 39 Steps, Upstairs and Downstairs) and Alfie Bass (The Fearless Vampire Killers, Revenge of the Pink Panther).

This comedic caper begins in a tropical setting, where we meet a man named Henry Holland (Guinness), who seems quite popular probably because of the fact he's pretty free with his money. He thus begins to relate a tale to another man, taking us into a flashback that makes up the rest of the film and we learn Holland, prior to being a somewhat well to do philanthropist sort in South America, actually came from humble beginnings as in a previous life he was a mild mannered bank worker, responsible for regularly escorting gold shipments from the smelting facility (that's where they take the raw gold and turn it into bars), to the bank. His coworkers and superiors look upon him as a quiet, by the book sort with no ambition, imagination, or initiative, as `his one and only virtue is honesty'. And that's exactly the way Holland likes it...especially since he aspires to one day steal one of shipments of gold and live out his days well beyond his current means. The only problem is, once stolen, gold bars are extremely difficult to transfer into cash...but a solution soon presents itself in the form of a new tenant to the boarding house Holland resides, one named Alfred Pendlebury (Holloway)...the name of the tenant, not the boarding house...Mr. Pendlebury just happens to operate a modest die casting business, one whose specialty is producing paperweights, one perfectly suited for Holland's needs. Soon the die is cast (so to speak), and the pieces are in place, but, as everyone knows, even the best-laid plans are subject to disaster once in the implementation stage as the human element is always the most unpredictable.

As I said before, of all the Guinness/Ealing comedies, I prefer The Ladykillers most of all, probably due to the darker tone of the material and more outlandish nature of the characters, but that's not to say this film isn't of superior quality, as it won an Academy Award for best writing, story and screenplay, and earned Guinness his first nomination (Gary Cooper won for his role in High Noon). One of things I like most about these older comedies is they don't pander to the lowest common denominator in terms of comedic content, but rather speak to the audience with respect, maintaining a consistent level of intelligence not so often seen nowadays...but that's not to say this couldn't be enjoyed by anyone. I had originally seen this film quite a number of years ago, and appreciated it for the more visual elements as opposed to last night when I enjoyed the more subtle aspects due to a general understanding one usually gains with maturity. Regardless, this is one of those films where everything works well together to bring about a wonderful story. The direction is exceptionally strong and wastes none of the films lean 81 minutes running time. Guinness is about as good as you'll ever see him, fostering a belief that he is, now and forever, the meticulous, level-headed, slightly devious character of Henry Holland (at least until his next film), but is certainly assisted (nearly upstaged) by his costar Holloway, the romantic character, yearning to express his artistic nature, stifled by the drudgery of actually having to earn a living through the mass production of tourist souvenirs. There are any number of wonderful scenes and sequences presented throughout the film, but two come to my mind as being my favorites. One features Mr. Pendlebury moving into the boarding house where Holland lives, and Holland learning of Pendlebury's profession which sets in motion him gingerly broaching the possibility of utilizing Pendlebury's die casting business as a means to process the stolen booty. Holland and Pendlebury, both eventually on the same page, begin almost convincing each other and themselves of the very real possibility that it can be done...the other is the scene where Holland and Pendlebury go about enlisting a couple of extra, but necessary, members for the gang, as the gold shipment is too much for the two of them to handle themselves. It's not like you can put an ad out in the paper for such a thing, so they utilize a very unique method to contact prospective applicants. And there's a bonus! If you love classic movies, you'll be in for a treat...watch for the appearance of a minor character, played by a soon to be legendary actress, about three or four minutes into the film...yes, that's who you think it is...but don't blink, or you'll miss it...

Anchor Bay Entertainment provides a very clean and clear full screen (original aspect ratio) picture on this DVD, with a decent Dolby Digital mono audio. Special features include an original theatrical trailer, and an extensive Alec Guinness biography and liner notes. By the way, I heard there is a remake of this film in the works, scheduled to be released in 2006...I guess time will tell if it's any good or not, but the way I see it, what's the point? I hardly see how they could improve upon the original...

Cookieman108

By the way, there is, as I write this, an Alec Guinness DVD set offered by Anchor Bay Entertainment featuring five of his early comedies, including this one, offered at a price that is cheaper than purchasing these DVDs separately, so if you're interested, it might be worth looking into...

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When in Rome (2010)

I love the people who trash romantic comedies that deliver exactly what you expect a romantic comedy to deliver. "When in Rome" is nothing more and nothing less than a cookie cutter chick flick about romance, finding love, a happy ending, with some jokes thrown in to make you laugh. I enjoyed the movie and for the fee of renting it on demand, felt it was well worth the 91 minutes of run time, not including previews of course. Please people, who doesn't think that Kristen Bell is cute and even my girlfriend perks up a little when Josh Duhamel comes on screen.

Kristen Bell plays a working woman who finds her job much more rewarding than any relationship she can find. It doesn't mean she isn't sad nothing has worked out with the men in her life. It just means that she can feel rewarded standing on her own two feet. Hello, am I connecting with the female population yet? She is a lead curator at the Guggenheim museum and just when she concedes to living a life of solitaire, her sister decides to get married and things go a little haywire. So off to Rome she flies for a weekend of family hell.

While in the romantic city she picks a few coins out of a fountain and unknowingly captures the hearts of some lucky dudes who had previously dropped them in the mysterious fountain. While the magic is working its way towards insanity she meets Josh Duhamel who happens to actually like her. The two of them make a great pair. As corny as the scene is with breaking the vase and short circuiting the electricity, it actually made me laugh. Without giving too much away, the commercials do that all too well already, I will say that several scenes had me laughing pretty loud at times. It really was a funny movie, even if it was a little trite and predictable.

In my book Dax Shepard was absolutely hilarious with his washboard stomach. He spent most of the movie with his shirt off as he looked at himself almost as much as he sat admiring Kristen Bell. How this guy is not cast in more movies is beyond me, but we can continue to enjoy his work next season in Parenthood.

Anyway, I enjoyed the movie. If you go in expecting a nice romantic comedy with several funny scenes you will leave happy. It isn't anything ground breaking and there is no thought involved. It is simply 91 minutes of mindless entertainment where everything works out in the end. What more can you ask from a movie of this nature. In my book it delivered, so have a few laughs and move on to the next one. Hollywood has been making these since the moving picture was invented, and it will continue as long as people buy the tickets to see them. I for one think it was adequately worth the price.

So, I realize that I am writing this right when it shows up in theaters, but I decided to go ahead and rate the movie based on the actual movie (not the DVD), because alot of times I will go on here to see what other people are saying about the movie, before I go see it. So, I decided to do that for this movie. :)

Overall, I enjoyed When in Rome. It's a great chick-flick.

When in Rome tells the story of Beth (Kristen Bell) who, while visiting Rome for her younger sister's wedding, realizes that she may never actually settle down because no man has ever ranked above her job. So, in a drunken craze, she visits the Fountain of Love and removes several coins from the fountain's water. This brings five guys (Will Arnett, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard, Danny Devito, and most importantly Josh Duhamel) into her life...all of whom have fallen madly in love with her. She has to figure out a way to break this spell, while also trying to figure out whether or not some of those feelings may be for real.

As I said, overall it was an enjoyable movie. It is one of those movies that you have to accept that it's not supposed to happen in real life. I mean, it's all about magic and falling in love with the right people. It does have funny enough parts to keep a guy entertained, but it is definitely a chick flick that I recommend. It made me want to visit Italy and find this so-called Fountain of Love. :)

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Leads Kristen Bell & Josh Duhamel have fantastic chemistry in this very light romantic comedy; however, the supporting cast is even more impressive: Anjelica Huston, Danny DeVito, Don Johnson, Peggy Lipton, Dax Shephard, as well as the duo from Napoleon Dynamite Jon Heder & Efren Ramirez (Vote Pedro!). Here's the plot: Beth (Kristen Bell) puts her career at the Guggenheim first since her love life has continually left her burned. Things begin to change when she meets the best man, Nick (Duhamel) at her sister's wedding in Rome. Unknowingly, by taking 5 coins from the Fountain of Love during a drunken romp, she causes 5 men to fall madly in love with her. All 5 follow her back to America and stalk her...until she is able to return the coins to them to break the spell. Although she loves Nick, she discovers that his love might have been caused by one of the coins; should she return the coin to him or live without fear that he will leave her? The plot is very predictable, so not a lot of surprises, but the comedy from her suitors as they attempt to impress her provides most of the hijinks here. Heder as an amateur Criss Angel magician is definitely the funniest of the bunch.

Overall, the film is enjoyable even if predictable; a little uneven, it goes from insightful comedy & drama into downright stupidity all in the same scene. In the hands of a more experienced director, this one really could have been much better and with the talented cast, it's a real crime that the opportunity for perfection was missed. I would recommend this movie mainly to the teen/early 20's group who seems to have really enjoyed it the most.

SPECS:

91 minutes * Video: Widescreen 1080p, 2:35:1, Enhanced for 16x9 TVs. Audio: Dolby TrueHD (48kh2/24-bit) & 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound (Bluray); English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound & Spanish & French Dolby Digital 2.0 (DVD). Languages: English, Spanish, and French. Subtitles: Spanish & French.

I actually enjoyed the extras almost as much (if not more) than the movie.

DVD Bonus Features:

-Kerplunk! Bloopers from Rome (3 minutes): You really get a sense that the cast worked well together and was having fun during the entire shoot in this medley of expected flubs from the making of this film.

-Deleted Scenes (7 minutes on Blu-ray): Usually I feel the deleted scenes were correctly removed from a film; however, in this case, there are some that would have added some extra humor, including a very funny bit with Dax Shepard in front of an Abercrombie & Fitch store.

-Music Videos: "Starstrukk" by 3OH3! with Katy Perry RT and "Stupid Love Letter" by Friday Night Boys RT.

Additional Extras on Bluray:

-Alternate Opening & Ending (7 minutes) (these were wisely not used!)

-Crazy Casanovas: Mischief From The Set (12 minutes): We meet our hilarious cast and crew that brought this film to life

-Extended Scenes (3 minutes): Pain with the Suitors. Deleted sequence showing the final exhibit at the Guggenheim with the suitors providing a few funny moments, some which would have been great in the finished film (especially an electric chair sequence with Jon Heder).

-Additional Deleted Scenes (7 minutes of deleted scenes total on the Blu-ray): The deleted scenes on the Blu-ray are Getting Married, Playing Cat & Mouse (cute Danny DeVito bit), Setting the Record Straight, Throwing Out The Mummy, It's The Naked Lady, The Saddest Thing, Look Both Ways, Suitors Make A Scene.

Sneak Previews: Alice in Wonderland, ESPN World Cup 2010, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Lost: The Complete Sixth And Final Season, and On Blu-Ray Disc

There is some adult humor and some mild (I mean mild!) sexual situations that would make this film not a great fit for the wee ones. Other than the paintings, there is no nudity in this film.

Read Best Reviews of When in Rome (2010) Here

I purchased this movie to watch over the weekend with a few close friends. It's a movie that doesn't require a lot of thinking. It's entertaining and a cute movie. Worth watching if you like cute and funny.

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I'm going to quit watching romantic comedies for a while; they have been totally abused and over done; this movie is no exception. Cute and good looking people are not necessarily funny, and getting some famous stars to act in a stupid plot doesn't make it a good plot as you can see in this movie. A cute girl takes coins out of the love fountain in Rome, while attending her sister's wedding and suddenly many men start falling for her (I still can't figure why her sister looks like she's 12. Is that even legal?) . Anyway, she believes that all of the guys are falling for her because of the coins she picked up, including a guy that she really likes. The moral of the story is that the girl doesn't want to have some body's love against their will, I think she needs to figure out that this is what alcohol is for, but she reaches a different conclusion! You might want to see for yourself, if you have an hour or so to kill!

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Pierre Etaix (Criterion Collection) (1971)

Passionate music lover since he was a child and of circus world and influenced by the silent screen comedy artists he love Langdon, Keaton, Laurel & Hardygreat french comedy master Pierre Etaix started his cinematic career in a brief cameo scene of Robert Bresson's Pickpocket and at the side of also comedy genius Jacques Tati. Painter, professional clown he shared stage with Charlie Rivel in the Medrano, joined Tati at the Olympia, on his show "Jour de fete", became a popular comedian on his country working first in famous salas like "Le cheval d'or" and then with his wife Annie Fratellini as comedy couple and graphic artist he drew between others the film posters of Tati's Mon Oncle and Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot he jumped into film direction and the filming of his own stuff joining Jean-Claude Carriere whom Etaix considers his script writing teacher in the short film Rupture(1961),co-directed with Carriere himself. Tagged sometimes as the french Buster Keaton one of his most beloved and admirated comedy artists with Stan Laurel and Charlie Rivel -probably for his precise "mise-en-scene", exquisite and very calculated sight-gags and his way of acting Etaix joins in his films slapstick, classic circus routines and acrobatic bits with sophisticated comedy in films plenty of surreal visual invention. His movies also shine for his great taste for the coreographic visual gag and the funny, very creative use of sound and music. This DVD/Blu-Ray collection as the previous french edition collects all the flicks of Etaix as director five feature films and three shorts: Rupture, Happy anniversary and his episode bit and tribute to Hulot "En pleine forme", added originaly by Etaix, with the other 4 comedy sketches, to his first montage for the 1966's premiere of "As long as you're healthy", and later delated for the 1971 re-release. After a long legal battle (20 years) at the side of his friend and usual film collaborator great french scriptwriter Jean-Claude Carriere for the recovery and exhibition of his films, Pierre Etaix extraordinary films has been shown again at the film theaters and finally edited in DVD in what has been in only few years a metheoric resurrection and recognition of the art of this true comedy genius. A wonderful chance to see in wonderfuly restored copies his absolute feature films masterworks: Le soupirant his feature film debut as director with a plot that reminds in some parts to Buster Keaton's Seven chances -, and YoYo Etaix's personal favorite and a very beautiful tribute to circus world -, so as his great films Le grand amour that contains a delightful dreamy scene in which Etaix's bed goes out of his bedroom taking off down the road, stopping to pick up a gorgeous nightied hitchhiker and passing other beds stopped for repairs, having accidents... -, the episodes movie "As long as you're healthy" that contains between other brilliant comedy sketches a bedtime Hammer style vampire story and Pays de cocaigne, a satyrical candid camera documentary shot after the events of May 68 and focused on french people vacations that was surprisingly punished by the critics, stopping during many years Pierre Etaix's film career.

Passionate music lover since he was a child and of circus world and influenced by the silent screen comedy artists he love Langdon, Keaton, Laurel & Hardygreat french comedy master Pierre Etaix started his cinematic career in a brief cameo scene of Robert Bresson's Pickpocket and at the side of also comedy genius Jacques Tati. Painter, professional clown he shared stage with Charlie Rivel in the Medrano, joined Tati at the Olympia, on his show "Jour de fete", became a popular comedian on his country working first in famous salas like "Le cheval d'or" and then with his wife Annie Fratellini as comedy couple and graphic artist he drew between others the film posters of Tati's Mon Oncle and Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot he jumped into film direction and the filming of his own stuff joining Jean-Claude Carriere whom Etaix considers his script writing teacher in the short film Rupture(1961),co-directed with Carriere himself. Tagged sometimes as the french Buster Keaton one of his most beloved and admirated comedy artists with Stan Laurel and Charlie Rivel -probably for his precise "mise-en-scene", exquisite and very calculated sight-gags and his way of acting Etaix joins in his films slapstick, classic circus routines and acrobatic bits with sophisticated comedy in films plenty of surreal visual invention. His movies also shine for his great taste for the coreographic visual gag and the funny, very creative use of sound and music. This DVD collection as the previous french edition collects all the flicks of Etaix as director five feature films and three shorts: Rupture, Happy anniversary and his episode bit and tribute to Hulot "En pleine forme", added originaly by Etaix, with the other 4 comedy sketches, to his first montage for the 1966's premiere of "As long as you're healthy", and later delated for the 1971 re-release. After a long legal battle (20 years) at the side of his friend and usual film collaborator great french scriptwriter Jean-Claude Carriere for the recovery and exhibition of his films, Pierre Etaix extraordinary films has been shown again at the film theaters and finally edited in DVD in what has been in only few years a metheoric resurrection and recognition of the art of this true comedy genius. A wonderful chance to see in wonderfuly restored copies his absolute feature films masterworks: Le soupirant his feature film debut as director with a plot that reminds in some parts to Buster Keaton's Seven chances -, and YoYo Etaix's personal favorite and a very beautiful tribute to circus world -, so as his great films Le grand amour that contains a delightful dreamy scene in which Etaix's bed goes out of his bedroom taking off down the road, stopping to pick up a gorgeous nightied hitchhiker and passing other beds stopped for repairs, having accidents... -, the episodes movie "As long as you're healthy" that contains between other brilliant comedy sketches a bedtime Hammer style vampire story and Pays de cocaigne, a satyrical candid camera documentary shot after the events of May 68 and focused on french people vacations that was surprisingly punished by the critics, stopping during many years Pierre Etaix's film career.

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Criterion has done it again...I want to personally thank Criterion for taking the time and effort to remastering and releasing the films of Pierre Etaix to the public. Like his mentor Jacques Tati, Etaix is a comic genius whose humor is rooted in the classic comedians of the silent era (Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Harold Lloyd). Also like these comedians, Etaix uses humor to comment upon modern society (or what was considered modern at the time he was working). My personal favorite film out of this collection is Le Grand Amour, which takes the cinema trope of the troubled marriage, and brings it to a brilliantly surreal level. This is, without a doubt, the blu-ray release of the year!

Read Best Reviews of Pierre Etaix (Criterion Collection) (1971) Here

A previous reviewer heaped praise on Criterion for "remastering and releasing" Etaix's films to the public. I don't disagree with that sentiment, though it should be limited to releasing the films to the US public. Criterion isn't in the job of remastering, and this was done for the Etaix films by Etaix himself in 2010, with financial support from the Groupama Gan Foundation, and Technicolor Foundation for Cinema Heritage. We have these versions here, with new subtitles and various features.

Again, this isn't to slight Criterion. If it wasn't for them, it's difficult to think of another publisher that would purchase the US rights to these films. Praise all around, then.

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I saw The Suitor 50 years ago, and was delighted with the beauty of the film, a series of carefully crafted images that told a simple story with a quiet surface but great underlying emotion. Etaix managed an uneasy balancing act of telling a comedic story without making his protagonist a clown.

Now, with the re-release of all his films, I find that Etaix was literally a clown at one time, and brought that background to film. So far, I've watched The Suitor, Yoyo (in which Etaix' background is a major aspect of the plot a rich kid who runs off to join the circus) and two highly inventive short films. All are beautifully filmed on low budgets, but the Blu-Ray restoration helps show the highly polished works that they are.

I would recommend these films to anyone who enjoys Jacques Tati (Etaix's mentor) or Bill Forsyth movies. They are in that quiet spirit, but evoke hearty laughter.

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Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

The idea of "Stranger Than Fiction" appealed to me the moment I first heard of it. Harold Crick, played by Will Ferrell, wakes up one day and hears a voice. An omniscient narrator is relating his life with precision and no one can hear that voice but himself. It turns out that the voice is Emma Thompson, playing a famed author who is actually writing a novel about a character named Harold Crick. And it's the same Harold Crick. What is being put down in fiction is also concurrently happening in real life. It's a tricky concept, one that I felt might be impossible to pull off effectively. Well, not only does "Stranger Than Fiction" pull it off--it succeeds grandly as a surprisingly thoughtful, amusing, and moving contemplation of life. For Harold must immediately confront his mortality when the narrator informs him/us that he will soon die!

The complicated narrative of the film is pulled off brilliantly. The overlapping structure necessary to maintain the momentum and cohesion of the film must be attributed to a clever, intricate screenplay. Literate, witty, and real--it's a real treat. Lots of interesting effects help to pull the two worlds together making even the most mundane moments of Harold's life visually compelling. The movie's construction is fascinating and enjoyable.

Will Ferrell reins in his typical "overgrown kid" persona, and plays Harold as a real guy. It's refreshing and while I've never considered him a leading man type--his tentative romance with Maggie Gyllenhaal (while a bit of a stretch) is played very credibly and sweetly. Dustin Hoffman, as a literature professor helping Harold discover what book he's in, is having a great time. But it's Emma Thompson that stole my heart. As the author, she is a complete neurotic mess--but as she begins to realize what is happening, something in her transforms. Her character provides much of the film's insight and it's most powerfully dramatic acting. It's a deft balancing act, and as usual--she hit all the right marks.

After a near perfect movie, we have to bring both stories of Harold to an end. The movie turns into a poignant examination of sacrifice. If Thompson kills Harold in her novel, it will be recognized as a great piece of literature. If she lets him live, the novel will be just another routine bit of entertainment. This art versus commercialism angle is absolutely enthralling, and also surprising since it is raised so late in the film. There are moments of real power as everyone faces important life decisions--but these aren't false "lessons," they are genuine emotion that the film has subtly earned.

Ultimately, the ending is exactly what the film wants it to be. While I didn't find it the most satisfying choice--it is perfect for the movie because by this point the film itself is mirroring the novel within the film. It's a clever bit of trickery and very unusual. I admired "Stranger Than Fiction" very much and would give it 4 1/2 stars as an original and intelligent treat. KGHarris, 11/06.

A disclaimer: I've got a high tolerance for quirky and this film certainly qualifies as such. I loved it, but I love quirky films a lot more than the mainstream moviegoer.

I went to see this movie on a whim and so I didn't quite know what I was getting into. But a few minutes into it I just KNEW that it was going to be one of my favorites. And, indeed, it is one of the best films I've seen in the theater in a while. I smiled throughout the whole of it.

The story is new. The characters are engaging. And the plot is so very random that it just works.

Now I'm one of those people who ALWAYS questions the logistics of say *time travel* and/or *magic doorways* but this film was so very charming that I wasn't bothered by how incredibly non-sensical it seems: an author *creates* Will Ferrell's character and can decide if he lives or dies with her *typewriter*?

Oy.

The fact of the matter is, it's a fairy tale of sorts for a new and modern society. It's filmed in such an aesthetically astute manner. The actors are at their very best and most endearing. And the writing is wholly engaging.

It's NOT your typical Will Ferrell movie and if you go into it expecting fart jokes and prat falls, you'll be disappointed. But if you go into it with an open mind and a receptive heart, I imagine you'll be quite touched by the ideas it's trying to negotiate in its sweet and clumsy way.

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I loved this movie. It is funny and odd, but it has a lot of heart to it. The writing is so good that my friends and I thought at first that it must be adapted from a larger work, such as a book. The characters are that well crafted and the story that unique. These are not things most comedies bother with at present. Now, I'm calling this a comedy, but it will pull on your emotions a bit. Its all worth it though. The acting is great, which is not unexpected given the cast. If you love movies and are looking for something kind of different and original this is a good way to go. A really fun film to watch.

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"Stranger than Fiction" opened the 42nd Annual Chicago International Film Festival. Dustin Hoffman, who plays one of the central characters in the film, was presented with the festival's Career Achievement Award and Will Ferrell participated in the ceremony. This highly clever literary/cinematic dramady is about a writer of tragedy novels who struggles with how to end her latest. As Kay Eiffel, played by Emma Thompson, imagines how to kill off her main character, her thoughts are in some way transmitted to a real man whose actual life is exactly the same as the character in the novel. Sound Trippy? Well it is; talk about being connected to your character! Will Ferrell plays Harold Crick, the main character. Harold consults with a therapist for help, unsure if he's going crazy hearing the voice of a woman literally narrate his life. Unconvinced of the therapist's diagnosis, he is referred to Dr. Jules Hilbert, played by Dustin Hoffman, for further analysis. As the novel and Harold's life unfolds, Harold finds himself in a literally literary struggle to have a life by saving his life.

This film works on so many levels. First, it is a skillful display of the writing process and the importance of knowing your character literally getting in his head. The film also displays the often talked about attachment that writers can have to their characters even though that attachment could cloud the creative process necessary to finish the novel. Skillful writers are able to create characters that are so real and believable that killing them is nearly impossible. Is it the characters that drive a good story or are they subordinate to the story that they serve?

Stranger than Fiction is smart, funny, and thought provoking; I hope that this artsy release enjoys a wide viewing audience. There's as much in it for literary types and there is for film lovers and if you're both, well you're in for an extra special treat. I can usually predict the likelihood of Oscar nominations and awards for films in the festival with a high degree of accuracy. While "Stranger than Fiction doesn't" have "Oscar written all over it", it should get a nod in the original screen play category. I'm highly recommending this one. Enjoy!

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If somebody really had to die in order for the world to have HAMLET, would it be worth it? In STRANGER THAN FICTION, an author realizes to her horror that her leading character is a real man leading a real life, and if she kills off his character in her book, he will really die. If he dies, the book will be a masterpiece. If she changes the ending so that he lives, the book will only be "okay". Which would you choose?

I was surprised by STRANGER THAN FICTION. I only knew Will Ferrell from the over-the-top performances that are his trademark; I was delighted that he is also capable of a toned-down, thoughtful performance. Emma Thompson is always great--her reaction when she discovers that her character is real is exactly right. Dustin Hoffman is excellent as the nice-guy professor with an edge. He really believes that the book is worth the life of the man standing right in front of him.

STRANGER THAN FICTION is rapidly becoming one of my favorite movies. I bought it two weeks ago and have watched it three times. Each time I notice more and more of the subtle touches the director brought to the film. I highly recommend it to anybody who prefers a little thought with their comedy.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar Collection (Suburban Girl/ The Air I Breathe) (2007)

I bought the Sarah Michelle Gellar Collection for my daughter. She LOVES it. But then she LOVES anything with Sarah Michelle Gellar in it. The movies are cute and good teenage fare as teenage movies go. I like the nonviolence better, the romantic comedy was sweet. It provided a totally different side of Sarah Michelle Gellar than I've ever seen. I have to admit, beyond Buffy and I Saw What You Did Last Summer I'm not exactly a Gellarphile. If you have a teen who's a fan, this collection will have you on the A list for at least a little while!

I have become a huge fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar's because of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I was curious about other movies and work she has done over the years. I bought the Sarah Michelle Gellar Collection because it contained a drama as well as a comedy and I figured this would give me a pretty good idea of her range as an actress. One of the movies is called "Suburban Girl" which I guess could called a romantic comedy of sorts. The movie is good and a little offbeat which I liked and I loved the character she played in it. Sarah really makes her believable and likable and you find yourself hoping it all works out in the end which of course it does. The other movie is called "The Air that I Breathe" which is a drama. This movie was definitely a little different, it has an excellent cast including Sarah and is well written if strange. It's a series of short tales involving the same characters in different scenarios. One review I saw compared it to "Crash" which seems pretty accurate. While watching it I found myself wondering what the stories had in common, the segment which features Sarah's character is kind of depressing in places but highlights her ability to do dramatic roles. The end of the movie ties everything together very neatly and closes the circle. This is an excellent movie and I think Sarah Michelle Gellar is very underrated as an actress. I highly recommend this movie collection to anyone who is already a Buffy fan.

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Morning Glory (2013)

I never have time to go to the movies these days with my busy schedule. I usually enjoy the comfort of my home and refuse to pay the ridiculus prices at the theaters. I promised my wife I would take her to the movies when "Morning Glory" came out. My wife loves Rachel McAdams, ever since she made "The Notebook". I was expecting to be bored and asleep by the first half hour. I was surprised that I was really getting into this movie. I laughed at the poor anchorman who is put through hell to boost ratings. I also found myself enjoying Harrison Ford's character. Nobody plays a better grouch then Ford. I loved Rachel McAdam's characters spunk and refusal to give up. I'm surprised by many reviewers hating that about this character. I don't understand why everyone expects dedicated workers to be unpleasent people. I am always joking around and having a good time. I put in over 14 hours of work a day and seldom get enough sleep. I work 7 days a week sometimes. I can relate with this character. Just because you put in a ton of hours of work doesn't mean you have to be a social outcast. If you like Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton, or any of the other actors in this film. You are going to love them in this film. It is a funny film with great actors. I would watch this movie again and knowing my wife she will probably buy the dvd when it comes out.

MORNING GLORY

STARRING: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, John Pankow and 50 Cent

WRITTEN BY: Aline Brosh McKenna

DIRECTED BY: Roger Michell

Rated: PG 13

Genre: Comedy

Release Date: 10 November 2010

Review Date: 28 October 2010

Becky Fuller is an absolute delight to be around. Not only is she irresistibly attractive and adorable, she's funny, smart, dedicated, and truly talented at her job, which not too many people on the planet could pull off. So why on Earth a television network would let her go is beyond her comprehension and ours. Nevertheless, she's fired from her job as executive producer, due to budget cuts. Rachel McAdams gives one of, if not thee best performance of her career as Becky, in Morning Glory.

Now that she's been let go she is desperately seeking employment elsewhere only to find dead end after dead end. Finally, she catches a break when she's hired on as executive producer for a morning show in the slumps.

She has her work cut out for her to say the least. The show is a disaster. The lead anchor is a chauvinistic creep, the network can offer only pathetic jokes for stories, and virtually no one really has a desire to be there, nor do they take their job seriously.

The person that displays this best is Colleen Peck, played by the lovely Diane Keaton. A veteran of the morning show, she wakes up every day no doubt asking herself why she is still there. Along with everyone else, Colleen cannot really see any potential in Becky, offhand.

It's evident the news cast needs immediate revamping to get their ratings up, if they are to stay on the air. Enter: Harrison Ford. Ford plays Mike Pomeroy, a television legend who has long since hung up his hat as a news reporter. His solid plans of lackadaisically waiting out the time left on his contract are interrupted when Becky is struck with the notion that Pomeroy could be precisely what the show needs.

Becky forces him out of his fantasy world and back into reality, where he must lower himself to the likes of a morning news caster. As he showed in his previous film Extraordinary Measures, when it comes to playing a bitter recluse, Ford has the act down. Together they will try to do all they can do to save this sinking show and that's where the laughs come in.

Morning Glory scored big laughs with the packed audience I shared the experience with; especially when Becky has to `up the ante' so to speak, by orchestrating some hilariously drastic interviews and broadcasts that include a feeble man screaming his brains out on a roller coaster, with a camera mounted two inches from his head. Cut to Harrison Ford's face as he watches open mouthed, out of sheer morbid curiosity and we are laughing our heads off.

Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna knows comedy and she knows romance and she knows how to balance the two perfectly in an artistic melody. She's shown this before in 27 Dresses, The Laws of Attraction and Three to Tango. Morning Glory isn't a rom-com by any means, but it has a little romance nestled in there for good measure. Patrick Wilson has a small part as the office hunk and he is charming and likeable without bogging the story or the comedy down with heavy romance.

Director Roger Michell who's brought us such gems as Changing Lanes and Notting Hill, has delivered another one. He lets great actors do great acting and he brings us to a world that I found fascinating and that I haven't seen too much of in movies, which is: what it takes to produce a live television broadcast. Not sure it's a venture I'd sprint to the head of the line to work in personally; but I certainly enjoyed watching humorous and believable movie-people at each other's throats in it for nearly two hours. You will too.

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Not many movies have been made focusing on network shows being made, even fewer still about network news. Perhaps the most well known was BROADCAST NEWS, a stand out movie that makes many best of list time and time again. While that movie focused on network news, I don't believe any film has chosen morning news programming until now. MORNING GLORY gives us a glimpse of that world in perhaps an off kilter way.

Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) is an up and coming morning show producer in New Jersey just waiting for her big break. The day she thinks she's getting a promotion her world turns upside down. Instead her position is being condensed into another and the budget doesn't allow for two people. She's lost her job.

With her mother recommending that she give up her dream, Becky sets out to prove her wrong. A number of ignored resumes later Becky gets a call from IBS and their morning show, Daybreak. The station is one of those small networks with no budgets and no hits. Daybreak falls behind every network competitor they have. Executive Jerry Barnes (Jeff Goldblum) gives Becky the chance to turn it all around and to make the show something different.

What Becky first discovers is that she's inherited a complete mess. One reporter who seems a bit dim, a weatherman who wants to do a story on wind vanes, an ex-Miss Arizona past her prime named Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), an anchor with a foot fetish and a staff that tosses questions to her in rapid fire succession. Day one finds Becky taking the reins, answering all questions and firing the anchor. Now to get things rolling she simply has to find a new anchor. With no money and no budget. Better still would be using someone already under contract to IBS.

Becky finds her man in the form of famed news journalist Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford). Pomeroy is a prize winning reporter currently doing bits for a news program that doesn't appreciate his past. Idolized by Becky, she sees her chance when she examines his contract and discovers a loophole that will result in his joining her show. But he doesn't go willingly.

Instead Pomeroy does everything in his power to disrupt the morning news program he's been recruited for. Pomeroy is a bit pompous and feels the morning news show is below him. While Colleen is more than willing to do any story presented her, Pomeroy snubs any and all stories lobbed his way. Instead he simply reads the news in the most monotone voice possible and ignores the fluff pieces that Colleen does with relish.

When Becky gets the word from Jerry that she's taken the show to the lowest ratings it's ever had and the show will be canceled in 6 weeks, she tosses caution to the wind and presents a more forceful producer than she did in the past. Her first act is to take the weatherman who was simply reporting on a new roller coaster and strap him in with a camera sending out his reactions over the air. This results in one of the funniest items in the movie but also angers Pomeroy.

As Pomeroy and Becky go head to head, battling every step of the way, she gets coaching from her new boyfriend, one of the men behind the networks weekly news program. Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson) has a past with Pomeroy and a nickname I can't repeat here. He informs her that Pomeroy is the third worst human being in the world. But through his remarks Becky just may find a way to get Pomeroy on board and save the show. She has just 6 weeks to take it from the bottom of the heap and increase the ratings by 1.5 %. Can she do it?

The movie moves along at a frantic pace and you may find yourself clutching the remote just to take it back a moment or two when you miss something. It does offer some hilarious moments along the way and you get the sense of family that develops among the staff of Daybreak. That's one of the things that brings a certain amount of charm to the whole film.

The one troubling piece revolves around Ford as Pomeroy. Played incredibly straight faced and with more than enough bitterness to go around, Ford's portrayal of the newsman reduced to the morning slot shows a reporter devoid of emotion, a man who's lost himself in his work and never returned. At times this seems like the perfect way to portray this character. But at other times he just seems mean and nasty, the chances of him truly changing unlikely. Either this one of Ford's best performances or one of his worst.

The movie doesn't offer any real depth to its characters or its story, but it is an enjoyable way to spend an evening. Its one of those guilty pleasures you watch only to know that it has little new to offer and can't be taken seriously. But its still fun. Its worth watching for the laughs and performances but won't leave you seeking a sequel.

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This is yet another variation on a basic Hollywood formula movie a few name actors, up and down struggles followed by happy resolution, the tension between career and personal life, friends supporting each other, heartless and selfish corporate bosses, older people who still "have it", a little casual sex, and no deep message or purpose. I have to like a movie, however, that made me laugh really hard, smile a lot, and like the characters. I also found the story a good parody on TV morning variety shows. Moring Glory makes a nice "date" movie, or fluffy escape after a hard work week.

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This is the kind of film that defies criticism. It's light entertainment that doesn't have a pretentious bone in its body. Consider it "Broadcast News" light. The film is balanced by Harrison Ford's curmudgeonly anchorman and Rachel McAdams buoyant executive producer complimented by Diane Keaton's chipper co-host. Ironically, Keaton could have played the McAdams part some thirty-five years ago. Ford effortlessly steals every scene he's in even if he is silently stewing over the fluffiness that surrounds him. Though not wholly original there is enough wit in the script to distinguish it from its ilk. Time will tell if this becomes a rom-com classic or a TBS staple. Regardless, it's a good way to spend a date night at home.

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A Haunted House (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2013)

I wasn't expecting too much from a movie like this one. You already have an idea of parodies being annoyingly stupid, but people still goes to the movie theater and they watch them, but "A Haunted House" it's actually funny. The movie follows the structure of the Paranormal Activity movies, but it's funny parody (the Wayans say it's not exactly a parody). You'll also see parodies of recent exorcism movies like The Last Exorcism or The Devil Inside. The only thing I didn't liked were the sexual jokes; I think they are okay, but not every five minutes, because it gets old really fast and even disgusting at times. I would recommend the movie to people who likes parodies like Scary Movie or Disaster Movie, and even Paranormal Activity fans. You will have a good time, but don't expect too much, just the necessary.

very funny film Marion Wayans plays Malcolm and Essence Atkins plays Kisha. When Malcolm and Kisha move into their dream house they soon discover that they.re not alone . because Kisha is possessed . Some of the jokes are crude . But if you like horror comedies like scary movie. you will love this film as well.

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This is a very funny African-American spoof of the found footage films. The humor borders on low brow for much of the film. Kisha (Essence Atkins) moves in with Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) and almost immediately claims the house is possessed as she finds her keys on the floor. Malcolm sets up cameras and uses techniques he learned from watching "Scooby-Doo."

If you have seen the Paranormal series, you can't help but laugh at this film which includes a gay psychic (Nick Swardson) who is more interested in Malcolm than the ghost; the camera installer (David Koechner) who also is part of "The Ghost guys"; a priest in training (Cedric the Entertainer) and a couple who want a "Mandingo Party."

The humor while crude, I enjoyed, as it wasn't simply crude for crude's sake.

Parental Guidance: F-bomb, N-word, comical sex, nudity.

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I really liked the movie its funny, the wayans brothers are to funny always loved them in movies and there tv show

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A Haunted House (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) is a funny and great movie to have. I can't stop laughing.

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Valentine's Day (2010)

In honor of today actually being Valentine's Day, I wanted to see this movie. I actually liked it. It is very funny, and very romantic. All the characters are interesting and you care for them. There were a few twists that I didn't expect. This movie is filled with a lot of great actors.

On Valentine's Day, we see the lives of different couples and how they deal with love and friendship. Some hearts are broken, and some will find true love on this magical day.

Ashton Kutcher plays a florist named Reed Bennett who pops the question to his girlfriend. Jennifer Garner plays a teacher named Julia who falls in love with a doctor who is unfaithful. Anne Hathaway plays a receptionist named Liz who tries to hide the fact that she is a phone sex operator. A kid in Julia's class named Edison tries to send flowers to his Valentine. All this and much more happens on the day of love. I highly recommend VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I thought this would be a fun light-hearted movie, but it was a mess of differenct stories and lack lustre performances. I was even disappointed in Jamie Foxx, and I think he is a top notch actor in other films. Taylor swift was extra ditsy in this, and I don't think it helped her aspiring movie career. I would recommend renting it from Redbox for $1 before you decide to purchase it.

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Garry Marshall takes a play from the Robert Altman handbook with "Valentine's Day", a romantic comedy about interconnecting people on the famed holiday in Los Angeles. It's a cheerful but shallow picture to say the least. While the film is packed with stars (23 in total) and a few good laughs, this modern day romance has nothing important to say, hell, it has nothing to say at all. The main lesson learned is that everyone needs to make their own definition of love... okay, thanks. Regardless, it's a really breezy film. It's bright, the stars plays to their strengths and it's just long enough to have all the stories resolved. It is what it is and "Valentine's Day" makes for a good film to accompany the holiday.

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This is such a cute movie and has so many amazing actors and actresses in it! I like how they're all connected in some way. I would definitely recommend it to anyone!

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A painful collection of obvious vignettes, stilted dialogue and walking paychecks. It was like making a lasagne with the ingredients for a pie.

Love, Actually may have turned in its grave.

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The Incredible Mr. Limpit (2012)

After I watched this movie last night, I found out that Don Knotts had passed away. Kind of a creepy feeling! Anyway, Knotts who won five Emmys for his role as Barney Fife on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW was certainly one of our most endearing clowns. With his trademark voice and bug-eyed delivery, Knotts is one of the true legends of our time, and in LIMPET, he shows us why. Although he has more screen time as the voice of the fishy Limpet, Knotts manages to create a loveable character. The plot's been rehashed in many other reviews, so I'll stick to what makes this animated/live action film such a pleasure. With the cartoon stylings of the early sixties, the movie gives us a dreamy undersea world populated with such creatures as Crusty the Crab and the lovely Ladyfish. On the human front, we're blessed with character actors Jack Weston, Larry Keating, and Andrew Duggan. And the delightfully underrated Carole Cook, whose last scene with Henry the fish is unexpectedly poignant and touching.

A delightful film for the whole family to enjoy and to remember the delightful Don Knotts!

Highly entertaining! Don Knotts gives his best performance in this picture. Kind of funny with the mix of animation and live action in a non-Disney film. With the animation, the singers, it's so lovely. I enjoy every second of this film. Too the people who highly dislike this movie, you're missing out on it. You don't have to be a child to enjoy it. "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" is the finest non-Disney animation/live action film.

Too bad this was one of the last films to be made before the Warner Animation Department in Burbank shut down.

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THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET (1964) is one of the most underrated films of all time. Coming in at approximately #64 on my own personal Top 100, MR. LIMPET is a blend of live action and colorful animation, an impossible fantasy film which somehow manages to entice even the most sourpussed of viewers. Although it starts out a bit slowly, MR. LIMPET is irresistible, a pure entertainment experience.

The fishlike Don Knotts is perfectly cast as Henry Limpet, a nebbishy bookkeeper from Brooklyn, circa 1942. Walter Mitty-like, Henry dreams of being a war hero. His one other passion is his fish tank. When Henry is rejected from military service as a 4-F, he falls into a depression and escapes into unreality by wishing he was a fish.

Walking on the Coney Island pier one day with his wife, Bessie, Henry takes a misstep and falls into the briny Atlantic. Lo, and behold!---he is instantly transformed into a (cartoon) fish (complete with pince-nez glasses). Although Henry is initially lonely, he soon makes the acquaintance of Crusty the Crab and the seductive but loving Ladyfish, and sets off with them to explore his new, aquatic, world.

During one of his many misadventures, Henry discovers that he is the possessor of a powerful vocal "thrum" which can be used as an early warning system. Thinking quickly, he finds the ship his friend George Stickel is assigned to, and convinces Stickel (and the U.S. Navy) that he can act as a sort of secret escort for convoys and naval ships crossing the U-boat strewn Atlantic.

With Henry by their side, the Navy is able to turn the course of the Battle of the Atlantic, discovering and destroying enemy submarines and warships by the score. Although the Nazis try to stop Mr. Limpet, he is able to turn their weapons against them.

His wartime actions earn him high rank and many honors, and Henry Limpet, having become the fish he'd always dreamed of being becomes the hero he'd always dreamed of being, too.

A charming (and oddly gentle) war film, THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET is a nearly forgotten gem, a true popcorn-and-soda family film classic that celebrates the hero in Everyman.

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"McHale's Navy" meets "SpongeBob" with "Action in the North Atlantic"? Well, that's one way to define "The Incredible Mr. Limpet", one of the oddest family fantasy movies ever. An early attempt at a live-action/animation mix, it launched Don Knotts' post-"Andy Griffith" career as the classic "Don Knotts" character: a geeky, milquetoast guy who stumbles into a heroic turn in spite of himself. Henry Limpet, of course, is two characters in one: a nerdy Brooklyn accountant who loves tropical fish, andwella nerdy, bespectacled cartoon fish!

With a WWII setting, he's an obvious 4-F as a human, but becomes an underwater guide for a Navy fleet as a fish. Oh, yeahdid I mention it's also (kinda sorta) a musical?

Though released in 1964, "Limpet" sounds and feels like 1954or is it 1944? It's as quaint as a movie can get: old New York costumes and settings, hokey humor, bumbling Navy brass and a super-patriotic musical choir. The animation, the late-model Warner Bros. kind, is a little bland by "Looney Tunes" standards, even with a few legendary artists (but no Jones or Friz) involved. And the non-Knotts cast is a little bit stiff on the whole, save old-timers Andrew Duggan and Larry Keating as the stuffy admirals.

Yet, somehow, "Limpet" works better than described, especially if, like me, you're still fond of old-school family comedy Americana. The story's a cut above most period Disney fare, both animated and live. As a fish, Limpet's engaged in a kind of proto-"SpongeBob" journey with his purple "Lady Fish" friend and a great little creation calledreally!"Crusty Crab"! A kind of crustacean Yosemite Sam (voiced by great radio/

cartoon veteran Paul Frees), he actually looks and sounds a bit like Mr. Krabsnearly 40 years before "SpongeBob"!

And how does our sea-creature hero, who still looks and sounds exactly like Knotts, interact with humans? Well, after his old Navy buddy George Stickel (the rotund veteran Jack Weston), who keeps getting called "Pickel" by the officers, almost drops dead after he discovers that his old friend Henry didn't drown at Coney Island after all, Henry-the-fish serves as an undersea swimming spy on German U-boats and, after a couple of underwater mishaps, helps the U.S. Navy invade Normandy, all to a booming, George M. Cohan-style patriotic chorus! Oh, yesdirector Arthur Lubin was no stranger to talking creatures, since he helmed most of "Mister Ed" and "Francis the Talking Mule".

They sure don't make 'em like this any more, and "The Incredible Mr. Limpet", tacky and corny as it is, just might be a surreal comedy in disguise. Certainly it's one of the few pre-

"Roger Rabbit" part-animated movies that works, awkward transitions and all (no computer tricks here, folks). It also started a new genre, the Don Knotts nerd-com, as perfected in deathless fare like "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" and "The Reluctant Astronaut". It's even a light-hearted salute to the kind of old-fashioned Hollywood patriotism that would get shot to Kingdom Come as the '60s moved on. Why, it probably stuck somewhere in Steve Hillenberg's mind when he grew up to draw the SpongeBob crew.

The extras are modest (a "fishtank" game), but the little promo film, which shows the "Limpet" premiere at Weeki Wachee, an old-Florida tourist trap (it's near Clearwater) that involved mermaid shows and glass-bottom boats, is a priceless little slice of old-Hollywood ballyhoo, complete with a few words from Arthur Godfreywho sincerely thought he'd have a hit with a rendition of "I Wish I Were a Fish", the ditty Knotts sings before he hits the drink. Beatlemania saved us from it.

To enjoy "Mr. Limpet", it probably helps if you still love "My Three Sons", Lawrence Welk and other squeaky-clean '60s stuff. But when the Crusty Crab keeps calling Limpet "Flatbush" and the bumbling admirals give the fish an officers' commission, you're going to laugh. "The Incredible Mr. Limpet"it may be quaint, but it's really an ocean of fun!

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I remembered this movie from my youth. It typically played on Saturday Afternoons. I thought that it would be a great movie for my kids to watch and I was right.

For its time the movies animation and special effects are great. My children 14, 11 and 4 all loved the movie. My 4 yearold found a new favorite. She watched it at least 6 times over the first weekend.

It is a great movie that even adults can enjoy and watch along with their children. It is very difficult these days to find a show that the entire family can watch together and this is one of them.

I think I will try The Ghost and Mr. Chicken next, another classic.

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The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)

"I respect consistency". Author Monte Wildhorn (Morgan Freeman) says it best, if I were to refer it toward the apt direction of Rob Reiner, in this melodic and poetic spin on this movie.

Rob Reiner weaves a story throughout a story, while Freeman and Virginia Madsen (Charlotte O'Neil) dance triumphantly within it's web. The movie is candidly real, hopelessly romantic, and overwhelmingly personal. I laughed out loud and was just as moved to tears all through.

Just a simple plot, with a burnt-out, disgruntled author (alcohol swilling and unflinchingly sarcastic) and a struggling mother (positive and beautiful although lonely) next door. In this setting there is nothing new. There is, although, so much depth to the main characters, the people of the town riddled throughout and in Wildhorn's life.

It is in this that makes this particular movie so worth your time; The ride from point A to point B.

What first may appear to be predictable may not end in the way it will seem at the outset. This is a movie of the heart; one that has the power to tug tightly on the emotions of those who are prone to love these types of films.

Monte possesses the most foul attitude because of life's mis dealt cards that he's holding. As he moves into a new town for the summer, he begins to meet people (usually on his terms) and slowly begins to see people for how they really are. He may be in a deep grip of emotional pain in the beginning of the movie, although so are so many others in their own lives.

Charlotte, living next to Monte, begins a guarded then easy friendship with him. Her three daughters are interacting, with a first uncomfortable Monte, soon after as the author side of him begins to appeal to all of them in different ways.

The dialogue in this interactive movie is stellar, quick-witted and lovely. Reiner uses visual stills that are able to pull as much emotion as any compelling conversation. Of this, I so enjoyed the careful framing of faces and objects as basic as Monte's typewriter.

I found also that the music in the movie is as inspiring as any of the delightful characters. Of definite noting is the Soundtrack, with a featured solo piano by Marc Shaiman. The high standard of the music is worth the while to listen to through the end credits.

This is storytelling at it's pinnacle. You will laugh, cry, ebb and flow through this piece of cinematic Magic.

Just watched this movie, I thought it was wonderful! Very refreshing content and character. Love Morgan Freeman as an actor and Rob Reiner as a Director!

Plan to watch again before rental expires, definately a must for the collection.

A must see movie!

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It is difficult to add to all the superlatives about this film. Great story. The kids in the film are wonderful, particularly the middle daughter. This film is about creativity and inspiration, but it is also about the way human beings depend upon each other for that magic we call a good life, a life worth living. This is one of those little gems, like Field of Dreams, that makes film-making itself appear to be magic.

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MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE (Dir. Rob Reiner, 2012, 110 minutes) is a nice, quiet family film that is also a Morgan Freeman extravaganza (comparatively speaking). I just loved it, but it may not be to everyone's liking in this hyperkinetic, wire-fu-violence-driven cinema atmosphere.

Freeman plays grumpy, washed-up alcoholic Western writer Monte Wildhorn (great imagination with the character's name, but don't let that put you off). He decides to summer-sit a house at a location I understand is Greenwood Lake, NY but is called Belle Island Village according to the town limit's sign. This confused me since they are clearly not on an island but at the lakeshore (someone refers to the lake), with some weird rocklike forested island (clearly CGI) off the coast, an island also called Belle Isle (or Belle Island, take your pick).

By the way, Mr. Helper, "belle île" is the correct term for "beautiful island" in French. Some cultures spell it "ille" and my great-great grandmother, who was Belgian, might have said "île jolie". So I do suppose "belle isle" is the acceptable Anglicization; I was certainly not questioning that nor does my review even address that.

Another helping hand informs me: 'As Monty and Henry ride into town, a sign is seen which says "Welcome to Belle Isle".' That is very good to know, I was certain I'd seen the sign in the movie but could not recall what it said. So ... welcome to Belle Isle VILLAGE, everyone! Because that is exactly what that sign says, even though the denizens call it Belle Isle.

Anyway, Wildhorn has long since abandoned writing and devotes himself to guzzling booze. That is, until a fine lady and her three young daughters enter his life and cheer him right up, the end. I have to say it is a miracle and a marvel to see Freeman giving such a performance with his sadly acquired handicaps and elements of his wheelchair-bound character reflect that loudly here.

There is no swearing, no ugliness of situation and no awkward stupidity in the storyline. I see all that as major in this day and age. One bit of language is "Jesus H. Christ" which is so hilariously surprising I hit the ceiling laughing when I heard the lines. Fred Willard as a local eccentric certainly spices the thing nicely.

Virginia Madsen hands in a worthy performance as the divorced mother of three girls, and the girls themselves are charming (with the exception of the unfortunate Madeline Carroll as Willoe Tree; Carroll is always cast as a nasty little teen witch and incidentally is some sort of cousin of my wife's).

Saying which, my wife caught a gander at some of this film and sourly asked me what was so special about it. Well, I have reviewed it, it has a happy ending in spite of the wacky characters, and is fully a Morgan Freeman movie. If that doesn't tell you what is special about it, then you are a lost cause indeed.

Perhaps in that instance you'd prefer a zombie-killing video game instead.

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I had never heard of this movie, but I rented it because of Morgan Freeman acting in it. This movie made me laugh, cry, and was a great treat. This is my new favorite movie. I love how the lives intertwine and the healing winds through everyones life in a touching and believable way. It was charming, and even when it took predictable turns they were unpredictable and clever. I would definitely watch it again.

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