Arrival

IMDB: Arrival
Source: Amazon Prime
Date viewed: January 14, 2018

The alien writing method seemed improbable, but then, I suppose if I accept that aliens have landed on earth, I've got to accept all that goes with that. I enjoyed Amy Adams' work, as I always do, and I really liked the ending. Spoiler alert! The mind time travel, or whatever it was, was enlightening to me. If we let go of the linearity of time, we are allowed to live in the present moment, which is all we were ever designed to do in the first place. - T

The Bishop's Wife

IMDB: The Bishop's Wife
Source: Dad's DVDs
Date viewed: December 21, 2016

Another classic that I'm seeing for the first time this year. Not at all what I expected. I'm not sure what (or why) I expected, but it certainly wasn't angels and religion. Well, on second thought, I should have expected the religion...

I enjoyed Niven's performance, and that of the old professor, who gave me a great idea for a secret hiding place in a mantelpiece.

- T

Love and Friendship

IMDB: Love & Friendship
Source: Amazon streaming
Date viewed: November 29, 2016

Lady Susan is more detestable to me even than Emma, but the supporting characters provided periods of entertainment. - T

A not unpleasant movie about a rather unpleasant woman. Beckinsale delivers a number of Lady Susan's lines as if she was reading them from a book rather than actually conversing, but the guy who plays Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett) does an amazing job playing an idiot. - A

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

IMDB: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Source: Dad's DVDs
Date viewed: November 25, 2016

A very nice holiday classic. - A

I very much enjoyed my first complete viewing of this Kris Kringle documentary. It really seemed like he was railroaded into that lawsuit, but at least the deus ex machina got him out of it in the end. It's just a shame that the reforms he initiated in the retail industry didn't last. - T

The Spy Who Loved Me

IMDB: The Spy Who Loved Me
Source: Amazon Prime
Date viewed: November 19, 2016

Wow. What a time capsule. After nearly 40 years, this "action" movie is laughably slow and, well... though it pains me to say it, kinda lame. Even the classic opening is not as good as I remembered it. Enjoy!
- T

If what we once had, the Spy and me, was love, it is over now; we have grown apart. All that remains is a questionable affection for the dopey humor of Moore's later outings. - A

The Accountant

IMDB: The Accountant
Source: Theater
Date viewed: November 15, 2016

An entertaining shoot-em-up. Affleck is amusing as a feelingless killer. Kendrick plays her part well. - T

The story didn't quite add up, but the body count sure did. - A

Look Who's Back (Er ist wieder da)

IMDB: Look Who's Back
Source: Netflix streaming
Date viewed: November 12, 2016

I chose this to watch because I thought it would be a nice diversion from the recent headlines. As it turned out, it was all too relevant. It's an interesting conceit well done, not perfect, but entertaining and horrifying, all at the same time. - T

A reanimated Hitler dishes it out and the media Goebbels it up in a dismayingly accurate repeat of history.  - A

The King's Speech

IMDB: The King's Speech
Source: Netflix streaming
Date viewed: December 25, 2012

Quite good. Firth and Rush were great, and I even liked H.B.C., who sometimes annoys me. I don't know why it took this long for us to see the film. If you've been waiting for someone to tell you it was worth it, let this review serve that purpose. - T

Surprisingly fabulous, after a slightly slow beginning. I credit the acting as, in my humble opinion, the story line itself, if summarized, would fail to draw one in (spoiler alert: man manages to overcome stutter). - A