Movie Review-Tangled

Tangled

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi

This movie was fantastic.  I could tell you about the fantastic mother guilt of Gothel or talk about how much I loved the voice cast.  I could explain why my husband laughed so hard when they went to the Snuggly Duckling tavern.  Or I could just tell you that if you haven't seen this movie then you are missing out.  I am a huge fan of the original Grimms fairytale and I was a little worried to see what Disney would do to Rapunzel (which is my favorite of the Grimms' tales).  They took the story and owned it in their own way while still giving a huge nod to the original version.  But I might be a bit biased because of how much the horse reminded me of my dog.  All around I give this movie two huge thumbs up!

5/5

Movie Review-An Affair to Remember

An Affair to Remember
Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr

I'll mostly try to review old movies that I haven't seen before so that they are fresh without sentimental memories of my past sneaking in to sway the rating. Still, I don't want to leave out all of my favorite movies just because I've seen them dozens of times.

My grandmother once sat with me at her table and told me all about the classic movies that she and her sister used to save up for and watch at the local theater. She got to see so many of the classics when they first came out. I remember going home and then watching some of her favorites and falling in love with them just like she had done exactly fifty years before me. I tried not to let all of that sway my review of this movie. By now, you can see that I failed.

Even without the personal value that I take from this film I think that it holds up as a genuine classic. Grant and Kerr are wonderful together and I never doubt that the characters are truly in love. While both of them were attached to other people they are able to break those ties without looking cruel or trying to turn them into villains. The film is able to set up more than a simple romance story, it is able to delve into the characters lives and you even feel bad for the guy who doesn't get the girl. One plot point that I feel really elevates the film is Grandmother Janou. But that might be my sentimentality getting in the way again.

5/5

Movie Review-Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

I was shocked that I didn't love this movie. Everything about it screamed what a classic it would be and the opening number seemed to set it up perfectly, plus I love musicals, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Most of it was delightful in a fun but fluffy sort of way. The main problem is that I think I look for more than fluff in movies lately, especially the ones that are considered to be such classics. I want something timeless or at least touching. Maybe part of the problem was that I didn't care about most of the plot points and what their conclusions would be. I was just along for the ride. So my main complaint was that it didn't engage me to the level that I expected it to. Don't get me wrong, the movie was good, I laughed a bit. The little boy was wonderful. But I don't have any impulse to watch it again. I guess that re-watch value is huge with me.

3/5

A trailer can be found here.

Movie Review-Bell Book and Candle

Bell Book and Candle

This was my first Kim Novak movie and it will not be my last! It is an old classic from 1958 that I stumbled across today. There is a magical cat, love story, bongo drumbs, and Jack Lemmon; not sure what else I could have asked for. The cast also includes the talented James Stewart and whimsical Elsa Lancaster. It was a very funny show and a bit sexier than I would have expected.

4/5

A trailer for it can be found here.