you gotta think like snooker, poker, and free-rock climbing. This is dangerous shit

Average rating: 8.25 = W00t!

The Queen (2006) - "Following the death of Princess Diana in an auto accident, Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) struggle to reach a compromise in how the royal family should publicly respond to the tragedy. In the balance is the family's need for privacy and the public's demand for an outward show of mourning."

source: borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: it's been a while since I'd seen it (maybe at the theater upon release?) and I didn't recall the details
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 97% Audience: 76%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "I understand how difficult her behaviour must seem to you. How unhelpful. But, try to see it from her perspective. She's been brought up to believe it's God's will. She is who she is."

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Stephen Frears

my notes: brilliant. Mirren is terrific, Sheen is engaging and earnest. Roger Allam is marvelous as Robin Janvrin, private secretary to the Queen. I also really liked Alex Jennings as Prince Charles.

Academy Award winner: Best Actress—Mirren
overall: highly recommended

Tequila Sunrise (1988) - "In a seaside California town, best friends Mac (Mel Gibson) and Nick (Kurt Russell) are on opposite sides of the law. Mac is a former drug dealer trying to clean up his act, while Nick is a high-profile detective trying to take down a Mexican drug lord named Carlos (Raul Julia). Soon Nick's loyalties are put to the test when he begins an affair with restaurateur Jo Ann (Michelle Pfeiffer)—a love interest of Mac's—unwittingly leading his friend into a police-orchestrated trap."

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I love it, and haven't seen it in too long (reviewed here)
IMDB: 6.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 53% Audience: 40%
my IMDB: 9/10

notable quote: "You son of a bitch! How could you do this? Friendship is the only choice in life you can make that's yours! You can't choose your family, God damn it—I've had to face that! And no man should be judged for whatever direction his dick goes—that's like blaming a compass for pointing north, for Christ's sake! Friendship is all we have! We chose each other. How could you fuck it up? How could you make us look so bad?"

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Robert Towne

my notes: one of my favorite movies ever. I adore Raul Julia (and this time around, I was struck anew by his marvelous singing voice). Mel Gibson was at the height of his skittish gorgeousness. Kurt Russell was dashing and rueful. It's a fun story, compelling and exciting. Yum.

Academy Award nominee: Best Cinematography—Conrad L. Hall
overall: very highly recommended

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) - "Defying her conventional in-laws, young widow Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) leaves London with her young daughter and moves away for a quieter life in a secluded seaside cottage. Lucy discovers the ghost of the deceased former owner, sea captain Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison), is haunting the house, but gathers the courage to stand up to him, and woman and ghost become friends. Faced with dwindling means of support, Lucy agrees to the Captain's challenge to write his colorful life story."

source: DVD
I watched it because: I wanted to see something sweepingly romantic (also reviewed here)
IMDB: 7.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 88%
my IMDB: 9/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Passions (2002) #73

notable quote: "You can be much more alone with other people than you are by yourself, even if it's people you love."

MPAA rating: Approved (TV-G)

directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

my notes: a sweeping, big movie, dramatic and lovely. Gene Tierney is marvelous, Rex Harrison is incredibly dashing and grumpy - and George Sanders is excellent. Wonderful.

Academy Award nominee: Best Cinematography, Black and White—Charles Lang
overall: highly recommended

Men with Brooms (2002) - "A decade ago, curler Chris Cutter (Paul Gross) disappeared suddenly on the verge of stardom, dropping his curling stones to the bottom of a lake and leaving his fiancée, Julie Foley (Michelle Nolden), at the altar. But when his former coach dies, Cutter returns home for the funeral and attempts to fulfill the man's last wishes. The team is reunited under Cutter's estranged dad, Gordon (Leslie Nielsen)—himself a former curling star—for a final attempt at glory."

source: DVD
I watched it because: it's a funny, gentle, inspiring movie
IMDB: 5.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 57% Audience: 67%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: “It’s not the size of the army—it’s the fury of its onslaught.”

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Paul Gross

my notes: this one's a favorite. The romance overlay is not the best of it; the family and friendship interactions and relationships are far more interesting. Plus, gratuitous male nudity!

overall:  cheekily recommended

 

[the title quotation is from Men with Brooms]