Archive for the 'Drama' Category
During my viewing of this movie I thought I was enjoying it, maybe I was but in hindsight it was one of the worst movies I’ve seen in a long, long time.
There is no base for reality with Catch and Release, even with actors such as Jennifer Garner and Kevin Smith, it was a shocker. To name an obvious flaw to start with, no woman in her right mind would be calm about the news that her deceased fiance had another girlfriend and had a child with this person, let alone welcome her with open arms into the fold. Granted there was some awkwardness but apparently this was all resolved over an impromptu dinner party. Sorry, I just don’t buy that at all.
Another error is that people need time to grieve, they do not fall in love with the best friend of the deceased fiance. No matter how bad the relationship is, when someone dies they can do no wrong. Death washes away your sins, albeit temporarily.
Besides those two plot holes, the acting from all concerned was rigid, the story line weak at best, which makes me ask do these people just need the money because they really didn’t look like they were enjoying it at all.
So my suggestion here is walk away people. Don’t get sucked in by the temptation of “romantic comedy” or the smiling Jennifer on the front. Walk away otherwise you will just waste 90-120 minutes of your life.
Babbler Rating: 
Rarely do you see such an inspirational story such as this one. There are many stories of teams that come from nowhere to become champions, but this is a unique tale which is based on a true story.
Samuel J Jackson is Coach Carter who takes over a basketball team who struggled to win just 4 games in a season. His intention is not just to turn the team around but encourage the boys to aim higher than what their parents and teachers expect them to achieve.
Parents and teachers have low opinions of the boys and don’t expect anything from them and none of the boys expect to go to college. It is Carter’s pushing and encouragement that helps change this attitude.
This is a well crafted story where the writers and director have taken their time, so you want the boys to succeed and you want everything to go their way. This is one movie where you expect and want a “Cinderella” ending.
Coach Carter is more than just a basketball movie, it is a movie about life and how you need to make your own opportunities. Well worth viewing.
Babbler Rating: 
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There are many versions of Vanity Fair, but I honestly believe that is by far the most entertaining and riveting adaptation to date. The characters were sharp, viperous and witty as befitting the period and Becky Sharpe (Reese Witherspoon) had more sides than just the usual manipulative and sly portrayal she usually receives.
Set in the 1800’s, this is a period drama of deceit, manipulation, romance and high society. Becky Sharpe is an orphan, who has grown up and educated as a Governess. Her first appointment is with the Crawley’s and her ambition has already been ignited by the prospect of gaining the inheritance of the elderly aunt through marriage to her favourite nephew.
Needless to say, nothing goes according to Becky’s plans and life becomes harder and more difficult. One thing remains static, her desire to become part of the British High Society.
Many of Britain’s most popular actors are in this film including Rhys Ifans, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne and Jonathon Rhys Myers and all are nothing short of exceptional in Vanity Fair.
If you enjoy period dramas, a good story or British movies, you won’t be disappointed with Vanity Fair.
Babbler Rating:
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You can say a lot of things about Russell Crowe, but you can’t deny the fact that he is a brilliant actor. His portrayal of boxer, James J Braddock was nothing short of sensational. He still had his normal gruff voice, but played the role with sincerity, honesty and credibility.
James Braddock is a boxer with a lot of potential who falls on hard times during the Great Depression. Things get worse when he breaks his hand during a boxing match and loses his membership. His wife Mae (Renee Zellweger) is secretly glad that he no longer is able to box and has to look for a “real” job. Things go from bad to worse when Braddock struggles to find work at the local shipyards, until his ex-agent, Joe Gould (Paul Giametti) comes back into their lives offering a $250 purse for a one time showcase fight with a World Champion contender.
This fight becomes a turning point for Braddock and his family. They find themselves back in the “black” and Braddock becomes a national hero. The working class of the nation start believing in him and in themselves, simply because he has changed his luck. It was a common thought of if he can, then I can. Braddock’s motivation for winning - he wanted to be able to put milk on the table.
This is a brilliantly directed story (director Ron Howard) and unlike a lot of boxing stories this one will make you laugh and may make you cry. I do admit though if you don’t like boxing and/or you don’t like the sight of blood this is not the movie for you. I do promise you though that you will start moving your shoulders in the fight scenes and you will feel some of the punches.
This is one of the best movies that I’ve seen in a while and fully recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Babbler Rating:
