Short DVD Reviews - Part 7

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted these! A lot to catch up on. As always, I promise you reviews of our latest Netflix rentals in 25 words or less!

Junebug - Amy Adams got an Oscar nomination, and deservedly so. A small but pleasing drama.

Waitress - The Felicity girl sure can cook pies! And this simple tale was a real blue ribbon winner.

Sicko - Michael Moore's latest documentary was provocative in its examination of our abysmal health care system. But I just didn't feel that it went far enough.

Mask - Cher, Eric Stoltz, and lots of motorcycles. A nice movie that doesn't quite stand the test of time.

Transformers - It was loud and shiny. But when Optimus Prime was hiding in the rosebushes, I had given up.

Sweeney Todd - This is the original stage production starring Angela Lansbury. She is so very funny, but there were parts I actually liked better in the movie.

To Catch a Thief - A disappointing Hitchcock film, I lost interest after the first 15 minutes. Skip it and rent Notorious or Suspicion instead.

Across the Universe - Julie Taymor is a great visionary, but this was simply the storyline of Hair reset to Beatles music. Not good.

The Rules of Attraction - First of my two "Fred Savage is hot" obsession movies. Unfortunately the movie itself meanders and has no point.

The Last Run - Second Fred Savage movie, this one he stars in. He has a lot of sex (hott!), but the plot is just awful.

Sin City - Can someone explain why this was supposed to be awesome? We shut it off after 20 minutes.

For the Bible Tells Me So - A compelling documentary on the vilification of the gay community by the church. This one will spark interesting discussions.

Paris, Je T'aime - A fascinating experiment - 18 directors tackle 18 stories in 18 Paris neighborhoods. Mixed results, naturally - but some are utterly charming. And the scenery!

Cavedweller - A horrid adaptation of Dorothy Allison's excellent book. I defy you to deduce where the title comes from with what little plot made it in.

Greenfingers - This charming film about gardening prisoners features both Clive Owen and Helen Mirren. What's not to love?

Derailed - ScottE figured out the "twist" in the first third of the movie. All that was left was to learn the details. Lame!

Calendar Girls - This sweet movie about bold Yorkshire housewives posing nude is very funny to start, but lapses into some predictable melodrama. Still, it's worth renting.

[Pictured - the real calendar girls from which that movie was based!]