I don't trust *anybody*

Average rating: 7.5

The Unbelievable Truth (1989) - "The Unbelievable Truth, directed by Hal Hartley, follows Josh Hutton as he returns to his hometown after serving time for murder. Upon his return, he encounters Audry Hugo, and the townspeople are left grappling with fragmented memories of his past actions. Released in 1989, the film explores themes of redemption and community perception."
length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I've seen it a dozen times, but apparently have never reviewed it
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 10/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "'He seems like a nice man.'

    'You think so? I mean, after he's killed your sister and your father?'

    'Things happen; people make mistakes.'"

directed by: Hal Hartley (also Written by and Co-Produced by)

my notes: strange, romantic, funny, bizarre. Intellectual, without being too smart. Mystifyingly shot. Wordy, but spare and still. Luminous. Sexy. Strange.

    Adrienne Shelly is profoundly beautiful.  Robert John Burke is perfectly gorgeous. The whole cast is terrific. The location, the props, the costumes . . . it's all perfect. The final scene makes me weep, and the special features even more so. Shot in 11 days, it's a mini-miracle.

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I agree!

Nominee: Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic—Sundance Film Festival 

    Gold Hugo, Best Feature—Chicago International Film Festival

overall: highly recommended

 

Summer Stock (1950) - "While her actress sister, Abigail (Gloria DeHaven), roams with a stock theater company, country girl Jane (Judy Garland) stays home in rural Connecticut tending the family farm. Jane sees red when Abigail returns unannounced, stock company in tow, with plans to convert the family's barn into a venue for the troupe's musical revue. But after Abigail's beau, Joe (Gene Kelly), sells his car to buy Jane a new tractor, the farm girl softens and even gets bitten by the performing bug herself."
length: 1 hour, 48 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I'm on a quest to re-watch movies I've liked before but have not reviewed
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 83%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "'When the show's over and it's the success I hope it is, we've got a lot of talking to do.'

    'What about?'

    'Oh, all kinds of things. First I want to hear the story of your life. Everything that's ever happened to you since you were so high. And then I want to know what you eat for breakfast, what's your favorite color, what comic strips you read. Then we'll talk about shoes, and ships, and sealing wax, and shows. Farms. Families. Oh, it may take hours. Weeks. Years. I want to know everything.'"

directed by: Charles Walters

my notes: as I've said (a few times) before, a little Judy Garland goes a long way. However, there's almost no chance of having too much Gene Kelly, so, this one comes out even. It is silly, melodramatic (duh, its a musical), and fun. Phil Silvers is a surprising treat as Herb Blake, and I thought Ray Collins (Jasper Wingait) and Carleton Carpenter (Artie) were charming additions to the cast.

    Roger Ebert's interview about it is here.

overall:  recommended

the "Squeaky Floor/Newspaper" dance—rumored to be Kelly's favorite film solo

Déjà Vu (2006) - "The team of top-secret program brings ATF agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) into its midst to capture the terrorist (Jim Caviezel) responsible for a ferry bombing that left hundreds dead. Its amazing technology lets the team fold time four days backward and see the madman's movements as he plots to kill a woman who could give him away. Doug realizes that the technology could allow him to do what law-enforcement officers dream of—go back in time to prevent the crime."
length: 2 hours, 6 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I've seen it before, recalled liking it, and was in the mood for something heart-pounding

    previously reviewed here
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 55% Audience: 73%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: PG-13

notable quote: "I'll speak slow, so those of you with Ph.D.s in the room can understand."

directed by: Tony Scott

my notes: in-TENSE. One of those movies that grabs you by the short hairs and won't let go. 

    It has moments of ridiculousness, and of course hinges on some terrifically unbelievable coincidences, but if you can get past that and stay in the moment, it's incredibly well done. It's also chillingly prescient for our current times.

    It's Denzel Washington's best film. Paula Patton is amazing. And, this time around, I loved Adam Goldberg as Denny, the fascinating cynic. 

overall:  recommended

The Shop Around the Corner (1940) - "Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) are employees at Matuschek and Company, a general store in Budapest. Klara and Alfred are constantly at odds with each other, butting heads and disagreeing on almost everything. Both are enamored of their respective pen pals, who serve as welcome distractions in their lives. Little do they know, they are each the other's pen pal and, despite outward differences, have unwittingly fallen in love through their letters."
length: 1 hour, 39 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I've seen it a couple of times but never reviewed it, and was in the mood for something sedate after the last one!

    previously reviewed here
IMDB: 8.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 99% Audience: 91%
my IMDB: 6/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Passions (2002) #28

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "'Suppose a fellow gets an apartment with three rooms. Dining room, bedroom, living room.'

    'What do you need three rooms for? You live in the bedroom.'     

    'Where do you eat?'

    'In the kitchen. You get a nice big kitchen.'

    'Where do you entertain?'

    'Entertain? What are you, an ambassador? Who do you want to entertain? Listen listen, if someone is really your friend, he comes after dinner.'"

directed by: Ernest Lubitsch

my notes: I want to like it, but I just don't. Margaret Sullivan's Klara is a cold, lifeless bitch. James Stewart (Alfred) is the same old Jimmy, stumbling over his words and "aw shucks"ing his way through the show. My favorite is Felix Bressart (Pirovitch).

overall: only mildly suggested

 

[the title quotation is from The Unbelievable Truth]