go, go! Join the others!

Average rating: 7.25

Kept Husbands (1931) - "After rescuing two workers during a steel mill accident, Dick Brunton (Joel McCrea) is invited to the home of his boss, Arthur Parker (Robert McWade), as a show of thanks. There, Parker's daughter, Dot (Dorothy Mackaill), takes a liking to him and sets out to win him over. Dick and Dot marry, and he receives a promotion, thanks to Dot's pleading with her father. Soon, though, Dot becomes preoccupied with her social life, giving little attention to Dick, who begins to doubt her fidelity."
length: 1 hour, 16 minutes

source: streamed on Tubi
I watched it because: I'm fascinated by Joel McCrea
IMDB: 5.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 23%
my IMDB: 6/10

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "'Makes things easier for you....'

    'I know, but easy things aren't much good.'" 

directed by: Lloyd Bacon

my notes: I was expecting this to be a little dated (see, e.g., the freakin' title) but not quite to this degree. The female lead needs a good, hard spanking and a month in rehab. The Charlie character deserves a punch to the throat. 

    Still, McCrea was terrific as the eager, bright and innocent Dick Brunton. His versatility as an actor means he's a credible football player, a factory worker, an engineering designer, and a reluctant bon vivant. He carries the film.

overall: only most mildly recommended

 

Kids from Shaolin {Shaolin xiao zi} (1984) - "A young man from a Shaolin‑trained family falls in love with a woman from a rival Wudang lineage. Their families clash over ancient kung‑fu traditions, but the couple persists, ultimately uniting to defeat a treacherous bandit gang threatening both clans and restoring peace."
length: 1 hour, 39 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I've not seen it before, and was curious about one of Jet Li's earliest movies
IMDB: 6.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 71%
my IMDB: 6/10

MPAA rating: TV-14

notable quote: "Monkey boy, where's your chivalry?"

directed by: Hsin-Yen Chang

my notes: I can't figure out what this movie is trying to do. Maybe it's all the child actors. Maybe it's the musical numbers. Maybe it's the heavy dose of Three Stooges influence. I can't figure out if it is comedy, action, Shakespearean archetype...? The setting is amazing, but easily missed with all the strange, grinning fight scenes. Jet Li is profoundly skilled, energetic, enthusiastic. It is fun to watch him just working out, much less in a choreographed fight. This one's not my favorite, but I'm still glad I got to see it.

overall: mildly recommended

 

Death at a Funeral (2007) - "Chaos reigns when members of a dysfunctional family gather to bury a loved one. Son Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) anticipates a face-off with his famous brother Robert (Rupert Graves), while cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) and her fiance Simon (Alan Tudyk) are desperate to make a good impression on her father. In the midst of the family turmoil, a mystery guest threatens to bring the deceased's skeleton out of the closet."
length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I wanted to see a reliable comedy
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 63% Audience: 79%
my IMDB: 8/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "Tea can do many things, Jane, but it can't bring back the dead."

directed by: Frank Oz

my notes: this movie is painfully funny. I've seen it a few times and still lose it laughing. There is something about the contrast between the quiet, straight-laced, painfully formal and the wacky, out of control, lunatic...it's hilarious.

overall: highly recommended

Red Cliff (2008) - "In ancient China, the emperor of the Han Dynasty allows General Cao Cao (Fengyi Zhang) to declare war against the rebellious southern provinces, with the intention of unifying the entire country. Cao's large army quickly advances, killing civilians and soldiers alike. To resist Cao, the southern warlords form an alliance led by Viceroy Zhou Yu (Tony Leung Chui-wai). Outnumbered, Zhou relies upon elaborate formations and unorthodox strategies to fight against Cao's overwhelming forces."

length: 2 hours, 28 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: it's one of Tony Leung Chui-wai's most highly-rated and critically acclaimed films, and I am very interested in this director's work
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 89% Audience: 78%
my IMDB: 9/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "Even weak blades of grass become strong when woven together."

directed by: John Woo

my notes: a massive historical epic, this movie blew my mind. It is visually stunning, harrowing, romantic (and sexy!), the music is marvelous, the setting outstandingly beautiful. The cinematography should have won every Oscar available and more besides. Love!

overall: very highly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from Death at a Funeral]