SPOILER-FREE FILM REVIEWS FROM A MOVIE LOVER WITH A HEART OF GOLD!

From the land of 10,000 lakes comes a fan of 10,000 movies!

Month: February 2012

What’s In a Logo?

I’m approaching the level of movie geekdom where I sometimes start to judge a movie based on the opening studio logo and opening credits. I know that with each film the credits can play an integral role in setting the tone (Bond films being one shining example) while other credits simply take the time to…
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February 29, 2012
Down From the Shelf ~ Radio Days

The Facts: Synopsis: A nostalgic look at radio’s golden age focusing on one ordinary family and the various performers in the medium. Stars: Seth Green, Mia Farrow, Julie Kavner, Michael Tucker Director: Woody Allen Rated: PG Running Length: 88 minutes TMMM Score: (8.5/10) Review: Like the Cohen Bros, Allen seems to churn out movies with…
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February 28, 2012
Down From the Shelf ~ Falling In Love

The Facts: Synopsis: Commuting to Manhattan on the same train, two married strangers meet by accident and have an affair. Stars: Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro, Harvey Keitel, Dianne Wiest, Jane Kaczmarek Director: Ulu Grosbard Rated: PG-13 Running Length: 106 minutes TMMM Score: (6/10) Review: In 1984 Streep and DeNiro were already on their way into…
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February 27, 2012
Oscar Winners – 2012

So how did I do??? (*) are next to the categories I predicted correctly and for the ones I missed, the winner is included in {} *Best Picture: “The Artist” *Directing Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist” Actor in a Leading Role George Clooney in “The Descendants” {Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”} *Actress in a Leading…
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February 26, 2012
Oscar Predictions – 2012

There comes a time in every movie lovers life (OK…once every year) where you have to buckle down and stick by your predictions for the Oscar winners. What follows is who I think will be taking home the gold this year…it’s not to say it’s who I necessarily think SHOULD win but who I think…
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February 26, 2012
Movie Review ~ Albert Nobbs

The Facts: Synopsis: A woman is passing as a man in order to work and survive in 19th century Ireland. Some thirty years after donning men’s clothing, she finds herself trapped in a prison of her own making. Stars: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Janet McTeer, Pauline Collins, Brendan Gleeson Director: Rodrigo García Rated:…
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February 26, 2012
Movie Review – 2012 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts

While I would have also liked to have seen the Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts and Live Action Shorts, I decided instead to focus on the Documentary Shorts. I’m a huge documentary fan (any suggestions on your favorites?) and seem to gravitate toward these first if my Oscar viewing gets down to the wire. Showing 4…
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February 25, 2012
Down From the Shelf ~ In the Heat of the Night

The Facts: Synopsis: An African American detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racist southern town. Stars: Rod Steiger, Sidney Poitier, Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Beah Richards Director: Norman Jewison Rated: Approved (back in the days before the rating system) Running Length: 109 minutes TMMM Score: (9/10) Review: The first movie I’m reviewing as…
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February 25, 2012
What Movie Should Joe See? ~ Defiant/Diner/Passage

It’s poll time again! Even me, a die-hard movie fan, has a list of movies they are ashamed to admit they either haven’t seen or don’t remember seeing. I’m not going to air all my shameful misses now…but here are three that I sincerely regret not seeing. You hold the cards (or remote, if you…
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February 24, 2012
Why Haven’t You Seen This Movie? ~ The Secret Garden (1993)

The Facts: Synopsis: From the classic Frances Hodgon Burnett novel, a young girl discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle’s large Victorian country estate, as well as an invalid cousin she didn’t realize she had. With the help of a local boy, the girl sets out to restore the garden. Stars: Kate Maberly, Maggie Smith,…
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February 23, 2012