Three Days of the Condor

IMDB link: Three Days of the Condor
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: February 26, 2007

Many of this 1975 film's props are anachronisms - the Teletype, the punch cards, the rotary phones, the toupées - but the subject matter is not only prophetic, it's still current! And aside from all that, this movie is great! A thriller from beginning to end. - T

The movie is suspenseful right from the get-go, and the events, as they unfold, are not outlandishly impossible - something that frequently drives me crazy in your more modern thrillers. It was fun to see the 70s again. It's amazing how much everyday things have changed. Redford is good, as is John Houseman (though less prominent). And, as my colleague across the aisle mentioned, the storyline is surprisingly relevant. I'd recommend this to everyone. I liked it so much, I might even read the book! - A

Little Children

IMDB link: Little Children
Source: Cinema
Date viewed: February 23, 2007

I hated this while I was watching it, but for some reason as I think back on it, I try to soften my opinion. Each such effort, however, ultimately fails. It was unpleasant and humorless. I go to the movies to be entertained. If I want to be reminded of the dystopian society that I live in, I can watch the news, or read a paper. I don't, so I don't. - T

This is not really what you'd call an enjoyable movie. Most of the characters are unpleasant, or behaving badly. I read the book that the movie is based on and, although I think the adaptation was good, the story lost something when it moved to the screen, and that something was the thinking that the characters did about their situations. The film included occasional voice overs that may have been meant to fill that void, but I don't think they succeeded. - A

Not One Less

IMDB link: Not One Less (Yi ge dou bu neng shao)
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: February 19, 2007

The slow pace of this movie may be appropriate for the rural lifestyle which is the film's subject, but there is an awful lot of discomfort to sit through on the way to the finale. It has some nice moments, but this is not something I would like to watch again. - T

I might not want to watch this movie again soon, but I didn't mind watching it the first time. I liked the setting and the "realism." I have to put that in quotes because I'm really in no position to assess the realism of the film, but it had a realistic feel to it. Most, if not all, of the actors were amateurs; perhaps that helped. Not a blockbuster, but enjoyable. - A

Out of Sight

IMDB link: Out of Sight
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: February 14, 2007

I remember liking this when we saw it in the theater eight years ago, and I liked it again last night. I didn't remember, however, that the cast was so stuffed full of great people - Keener, Brooks, Zahn, Farina, etc. It's enjoyable, and oh, so easy on the eyes. - T

I have to agree with my colleague across the aisle about the movie being easy on the eyes, but perhaps for a different reason. For example, there's a segment featuring Clooney that's out of sight while he's in sight (too convoluted?). The rest of the cast is good, as mentioned above. I think it's JLo's best movie, maybe her only good movie. I love Zahn. - A

The Barchester Chronicles

IMDB link: The Barchester Chronicles
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: February 8, 2007

Trollope was an interesting thinker. I've only been exposed to his writings through adaptations, but still, I am willing to say that I like him. As for this BBC miniseries, I quickly tired of Donald Pleasence's affectations and meek character, but the supporting cast, especially Alan Rickman, Susan Hampshire, Nigel Hawthorne, Angela Pleasence, and Geraldine McEwan, made the six or seven hours worthwhile. - T

I love Trollope. The Warden, the first of the Barchester books, is one of my favorites. The miniseries didn't do justice to the character of the warden, as far as I'm concerned, but I enjoyed many of the other characters and the language throughout. It was quite a surprise to see Rickman show up - and so young! His portrayal of Mr. Slope foreshadows Professor Snape, of the Harry Potter series. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes a British costume drama. - A