forgive my lips. They find joy in the most unusual places

Movie watching is back, and with a vengeance! Another modification of the template, hoping to be able to post a little more quickly. Comments welcome.

A Good Year (2006) - "A British investment broker inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it's a Russell Crowe movie that I have not seen
IMDB: 7.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 25% Audience: 65%

notable quote: "'You know what Proust said: leave pretty women to men without imagination.'

'Francis, I'm a banker—I have no imagination.'"

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Ridley Scott

featuring: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Freddie Highmore, Tom Hollander

my notes: predictable, but with some pretty good lines. Cinematography is phenomenal.

overall: not recommended

The Naked Spur (1953) - "A bounty hunter trying to bring a murderer to justice is forced to accept the help of two less-than-trustworthy strangers."
Source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I hadn't seen a Jimmy Stewart western in a while
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 76%

notable quote: "I deserve [being betrayed]. Do business with the Devil and you get it every time."

MPAA rating: not rated

directed by: Anthony Mann

featuring: James Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker, Millard Mitchell

my notes: quite the creepy villain, fairly believable love interest, a lovely antihero (always the best character!), and decent writing. Alas, Jimmy Stewart is unsuited for this role. Old, lame, and ridiculous as (this kind of) hero.

overall: not recommended

Bloodworth [Provinces of Night] (2010) - "A man who left home 40 years earlier to become a countrysinger returns home to the tattered remains of his broken family and a grandson who is desperately trying to escape the family curse."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I kinda love Val Kilmer... most of the time...
IMDB: 6.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 50% Audience: 40%

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Shane Dax Taylor

featuring: Kris Kristofferson, Val Kilmer, Reece Thompson, Dwight Yoakam, Hillary Duff, W. Earl Brown, Barry Corbin

my notes: heavy-handed and uncomfortable. The highlights are Kilmer's revolting Warren and Yoakam as the grossly lovestruck Boyd

overall: recommended with reservations

Raffles (1939) - "Man about town and First Class cricketer A.J. Raffles keeps himself solvent with daring robberies. Meeting Gwen from his schooldays and falling in love all over again, he spends the weekend with her parents, Lord and Lady Melrose. A necklace presents an irresistible temptation, but also in attendance is Scotland Yard's finest, finally on the trail."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I usually like David Niven's films
IMDB: 6.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 53%

notable quote: "From the tenor of the conversation, with your permission sir, I should say that you've met a lady. The lady."

MPAA rating: not rated

directed by: Sam Wood [and William Wyler, uncredited]

featuring: David Niven, Olivia de Havilland, May Whitty, Douglas Walton

my notes: stilted and bizarre (and definitely not Niven's best!), but engaging enough to pass a couple of hours. 

overall: recommended with reservations

Lady Jane (1986) - "The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son King Edward VI is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guilford, to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guilford and Jane fall in love. But they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I do love a good costume drama
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 56% Audience: 76%

notable quote: "The brain is a brittle organ.... The slightest pressure and it snaps. It's not wrapped up in a little heart."

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Trevor Nunn

featuring: Helena Bonham Carter, Cary Elwes, Patrick Stewart, Ian Hogg

my notes: overly dramatical, as if the theatre kids in high school got hold of the production and wouldn't let go

overall: not recommended

[the title quotation is from A Good Year]