marilyn_glamor Reviews

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Feel Good Movie

[11 May 2004]

Ok I'll be the first to say that this movie wasn't wonderful or out of this world. And if your a male, you probably will find this movie boring. But as a young woman coming into my own, it made me feel good. It was inspiring in it's own way. Some of the story line was a bit much such as the teacher sleeping around and such. Maybe it's reality for you, but I felt that a little too much of the focus of the movie was on this.

Julia Roberts was fairly good as usual. Sometimes I find her a little cold and not easy to warm up to, but she was pretty good in this movie. I would not consider this movie her best performance by any means. The casting of the girls in the school was fairly acurate. Julia Stiles was good in her part, as Maggie too. I thought Kristen Dunst wasn't the best choice for the role, but she didn't do too bad either.

Overall this movie is worth seeing at least once. It's a nice film, doesn't take much thinking and is far from Oscar worthy, but not bad.

7/10

Two Weeks Notice (2002)

Worked...but not really

[3/10 · 25 February 2004]

I like Sandra Bullock. I like Hugh Grant. But this movie wasn't the best. It was ok in the beginning with the two of them meeting and working together and the two are good together and play off each other well. But it started to fall apart when Sandra decided to leave him. He even acted like he didn't need her enough and it was almost unbelievable that he would come after her except that he wanted her to save him from another problem, not to love him.

I am a big fan of Hugh Grant in general because I love British actors. But he acted too dumb in this movie. I was finding myself wishing that he would stop talking. Through some of it too he even looked like he was sleeping through the role.

Sandra Bullock does a good job but this is not her best movie by far. She too by the end looks bored of her role. I think the characters themselves weren't written too well, maybe it wasn't really the acting as the problem.

It's an ok film, it does have a few funny parts, but its not the best. I suggest seeing this only if you like Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock as people and just want to see another one of their films. It's really not worth it though if your not a fan because you will be overall disappointed.

Sweet November (2001)

Good

[25 February 2004]

Good story about a girl who tries to change a man's life and way of thinking in a month.

What I liked about it was that it wasn't your average romantic comedy especially with the ending. They didn't end up together...shows you that life doesn't always end the way we want it to end.

What I didn't like was the choice of people to act in this movie. Charlize was pretty good as the girl but Reeves wasn't that good. Maybe for me I just couldn't see him in a romantic comedy. The chemistry between these two people was there but it didn't do much for me. I wasn't blown away by their love and I could almost see them not ending up together. She seemed like she couldn't stay with one man for long.

7/10 stars

Hope Floats (1998)

You'll be hoping this movie will end soon

[2/10 · 6 January 2004]

Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock is a real disappointment. The story starts off ok. Her husband cheats on her and she finds out on national television. So she has to rebuild her life. Here it could have gotten interesting or built up in a story line, but you become so bored with it. She moves back with her parents and Harry Connick Jr. who plays Justin begins hitting on her. The two have no real chemistry at all, yet your supposed to get the impression that Justin is in love with her. The movie ends the way you figure it will but you wish it hadn't ended like every other kind like it. They had a good start with this movie and could have turned it into something watchable but instead its a movie that you definitely want to miss.

Something's Got to Give (1962)

Could have been something great

[17 December 2003]

I think its sad thinking about the fact that this film was never made through. Marilyn Monroe's life has always fascinated me. She could have had a good movie on her hands if she had just hung in there. I've seen the footage of the movie that was filmed and Marilyn was good. The few scenes showed some great moments and they could have been built on for a great success. Too bad they just couldn't get it together.

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Good, but there are better

[7/10 · 30 November 2003]

"The Shop Around the Corner" is a good film. I love the story which has been used in 2 other movies to follow. But out of the three movies(Shop Around The Corner, In The Good Old Summertime, You've Got Mail) I like this one the least. Stewart gives a good performance as usual but Sullivan who plays the girl isn't that appealing. At some points she gets so annoying and whiny that you almost hope they don't end up together. The supporting cast gives good laughs and keeps you entertained most of the time. This movie does have more plot than the other two and the supporting characters are not just "window dressing". It's a good film, worth seeing if you have the time, but definitely check out the other two versions and make your own judgment.

White Christmas (1954)

To brighten your Holiday this year

[8/10 · 25 November 2003]

"White Christmas" has to be one of the most wonderful holiday musical films ever made. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney give great performances and Crosby's "White Christmas" is the best song in the film. After watching this you'll feel a great amount of holiday spirit. The snow, the songs, the music. You just get a good feeling. Watch it, your holiday will brighten. :-)

A Star Is Born (1954)

Judy was robbed

[8/10 · 25 November 2003]

Judy Garland owns this movie. Out of all her films this one has to be the most well acted and sang of them all. She is totally on top of her game. The song "The Man That Got Away" has to be one of the highlights of this film possibly followed by "Born in a Trunk". James Mason acts well and gives Judy a lot to work off of. But it was Judy that really made this movie what it is. She should have gotten that Oscar for this performance. But nevertheless the academy shut her out. Well you watch this movie and you can see the performance that really defines Judy Garland.

An Affair to Remember (1957)

A movie you watch to get away from reality...

[9/10 · 18 November 2003]

An Affair to Remember is one of those movies that you can sit at home and watch when you want to escape from the realities of life and stare at gorgeous Cary Grant and his way of delivering a line.

The movie is about a rich man (Cary Grant) who is to marry a woman back in America. He must take a boat back to America to get there. On the trip he meets another woman(Deborah Kerr) and is interested in her. They meet in secret, trying to hide their affection for one another. He takes her to France when the ship is at a stop and she meets his grandma. I love this part because the song of the movie "Love Affair" is sung. Most beautiful sounding love song. They both do fall in love, but they decide to test their love by not having any interaction for 6 months. Grant's character decides to change his rich ways and not marry the woman he was supposed to and Kerr's character gets a job.

They are to meet at the empire state building but something goes very wrong. I won't say the rest but you find yourself rooting for them all the way.

Its a chick flick, any girl that watches it is bound to love it. It's one of those movies that really does leave you with a good feeling at the end...and sometimes we need that good feeling in our lives. 9/10

In the Good Old Summertime (1949)

All because of Judy

[8/10 · 4 November 2003]

"In the Good Old Summertime" was cute enough. Van Johnson was good, fun to watch, I've always been a fan of him. But Judy Garland...wow. She seriously is an amazing performer. Not just in this movie but in any movie she gives it her all. In this movie she sings the songs well and is entertaining. She keeps you interested. One of the highlights is when she is performing at Nelle's engagement party. The men, the red dress, the voice. If you watch this movie at all you watch it for Judy and nothing else. When you walk away from this movie, you may not be totally happy with the story or the plot but you will definately be happy with Judy.