Stats: 1961. Starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Mickey Rooney. Not Rated. Based on the story by Truman Capote.
Background: In high school, my friend Dori and I loved Deep Blue Something’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” so we decided to watch the movie that inspired the song. Of course, we rented it on a night when we also rented four or five other movies, and by the time we got to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, we were too tired to watch it. I took it home with me with the intention of watching, but I never did. I think I may have kept it long enough for Dori to incur a late fee, too. Oops.
Last summer, my brother and sister-in-law gave me the movie for my birthday. I wanted to watch it; I just always wanted to watch something else more! Enter a sick day—I was spending the day on the couch anyway, so I decided to pop it in … and fell asleep about 30 minutes later. Two attempts (and another sick day) later, I made it all the way through.
Plot: Holly Golightly is a young party girl who relies on her dates for her income. She also earns money by visiting mobster Sally Tomato at Sing Sing once a week and then relaying a message about the “weather” to his lawyer. When unemployed writer (and kept man) Paul moves in upstairs, he and Holly strike up a friendship, which turns into something more. Then Holly’s ex-husband shows up, Paul becomes published, Holly learns terrible news about her brother, a wealthy Brazilian wants to move Holly to Rio, and Holly and Paul are arrested in connection with the Sally Tomato case. But, of course, it all ends well!
Reactions: The fact that it took multiple attempts to get through this movie should tell you something. I. Was. So. Bored. Even with the complicated plot, I just couldn't get into it. I did enjoy the music, though. Henry Mancini’s score is simply beautiful.
In the future, I think I’ll stick with this version.
Verdict: Keep … for now … since it was a gift …
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
#45 "The Family That Preys"
Stats: 2008. Starring Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Saana Lathan, Tyler Perry. PG-13.
Background: Once upon a time, I went on a Tyler Perry binge. I think it was after watching Why Did I Get Married? I went on half.com to see if I could buy it, and I discovered I could get a bunch of Tyler Perry movies for a couple bucks each. So, sight unseen, I bought The Family That Preys and Meet the Browns in addition to WDIGM? and Daddy’s Little Girls, which I’d seen previously. What I should have done is buy all the Madea movies (Tyler Perry's alter-ego) … she’s absolutely hilarious, but I didn’t realize that at the time.
Plot: Alice and Charlotte have been best friends forever—despite the fact that Alice had to struggle to make ends meet while raising her two girls alone, while Charlotte ran a multi-million dollar corporation. Alice’s daughter Andrea goes to work at Charlotte’s company and begins an affair with Charlotte’s married son while her husband struggles to get his construction business off the ground.
Reactions: This is one Tyler Perry movie I should have passed by. I have no complaints with the acting—I especially loved Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break’s C-Note!) as Andrea’s beleaguered husband. I think it’s the plot. The villains are so villainous, that even when Andrea is supposed to become more sympathetic, I was just like, “Good riddance!” Her sister isn’t much better, though she’s not nearly as evil as Andrea—she’s just annoyingly judgmental. Now that I think about it, this could have been a nice “Prodigal Son” type story, but that’s not the route Perry chose to go. Maybe for the sequel? (Also, a little Madea would have helped—she could have whipped Andrea back into shape quickly—while adding some much-needed comic relief.)
I really disliked this movie the first time I saw it, and I would have resold it right away, had I not been doing this rewatch project. When I got to it in its turn, I disliked it as much as I did the first time.
Verdict: Sell.
Background: Once upon a time, I went on a Tyler Perry binge. I think it was after watching Why Did I Get Married? I went on half.com to see if I could buy it, and I discovered I could get a bunch of Tyler Perry movies for a couple bucks each. So, sight unseen, I bought The Family That Preys and Meet the Browns in addition to WDIGM? and Daddy’s Little Girls, which I’d seen previously. What I should have done is buy all the Madea movies (Tyler Perry's alter-ego) … she’s absolutely hilarious, but I didn’t realize that at the time.
Plot: Alice and Charlotte have been best friends forever—despite the fact that Alice had to struggle to make ends meet while raising her two girls alone, while Charlotte ran a multi-million dollar corporation. Alice’s daughter Andrea goes to work at Charlotte’s company and begins an affair with Charlotte’s married son while her husband struggles to get his construction business off the ground.
Reactions: This is one Tyler Perry movie I should have passed by. I have no complaints with the acting—I especially loved Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break’s C-Note!) as Andrea’s beleaguered husband. I think it’s the plot. The villains are so villainous, that even when Andrea is supposed to become more sympathetic, I was just like, “Good riddance!” Her sister isn’t much better, though she’s not nearly as evil as Andrea—she’s just annoyingly judgmental. Now that I think about it, this could have been a nice “Prodigal Son” type story, but that’s not the route Perry chose to go. Maybe for the sequel? (Also, a little Madea would have helped—she could have whipped Andrea back into shape quickly—while adding some much-needed comic relief.)
I really disliked this movie the first time I saw it, and I would have resold it right away, had I not been doing this rewatch project. When I got to it in its turn, I disliked it as much as I did the first time.
Verdict: Sell.
Monday, March 14, 2011
#44 "Ever After"
Stats: 2002. Starring Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott. PG-13.
Background: I saw Ever After at my friend Dorinda’s 18th birthday party. Well, I saw most of it—we had been at Pizza Hut before going to the theater, and something didn’t sit well with me, so I spent part of the movie in the restroom (TMI?). Afterward, when we were recounting our favorite moments, the chicken scene kept coming up, and I had no idea what they were talking about! Then we went back to Dori’s house and watched Dirty Dancing. Trust me, THAT movie isn’t going to turn up on this list!
Plot: Darker than Disney’s Cinderella and less gruesome than the Grimm version, Ever After is a delightful, highly romantic version of the tale. It actually begins with the Grimm brothers being called in to see an old woman who wants to set them straight and tell them the true story of Cinderella, who was her great- grandmother (or something like that. I can't remember just how many "greats" there were). Danielle (Barrymore) is not your classic Cinderella—yes, she is persecuted by her step-mother and one step-sister, but she doesn’t take it lying down. She is a strong woman who speaks her mind and stands up for those in need—and the prince doesn’t rescue her at the end; she rescues herself.
Reactions: This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I watch it once or twice a year, and I just love it. Scott and Barrymore have great chemistry, Huston makes an excellent villain, and there are plenty of comical moments to lighten the heaviness of the drama. (Watch for the wedding scene with the sobbing bride. Cracks me up every time!)
Verdict: Keep
Background: I saw Ever After at my friend Dorinda’s 18th birthday party. Well, I saw most of it—we had been at Pizza Hut before going to the theater, and something didn’t sit well with me, so I spent part of the movie in the restroom (TMI?). Afterward, when we were recounting our favorite moments, the chicken scene kept coming up, and I had no idea what they were talking about! Then we went back to Dori’s house and watched Dirty Dancing. Trust me, THAT movie isn’t going to turn up on this list!
Plot: Darker than Disney’s Cinderella and less gruesome than the Grimm version, Ever After is a delightful, highly romantic version of the tale. It actually begins with the Grimm brothers being called in to see an old woman who wants to set them straight and tell them the true story of Cinderella, who was her great- grandmother (or something like that. I can't remember just how many "greats" there were). Danielle (Barrymore) is not your classic Cinderella—yes, she is persecuted by her step-mother and one step-sister, but she doesn’t take it lying down. She is a strong woman who speaks her mind and stands up for those in need—and the prince doesn’t rescue her at the end; she rescues herself.
Reactions: This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I watch it once or twice a year, and I just love it. Scott and Barrymore have great chemistry, Huston makes an excellent villain, and there are plenty of comical moments to lighten the heaviness of the drama. (Watch for the wedding scene with the sobbing bride. Cracks me up every time!)
Verdict: Keep
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