Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont

This is one of those incredibly well done feel-good movies
that is sweet, charming, and poignant without ever having
to resort to any of the modern tricks of sensationalism.

Joan Plowright and Rupert Friend lead a wonderful ensemble
in this exploration of relationships and life among a mostly
ignored movie focus group; older people. It's smart and
funny and unflinching.

A great character study and slice-of-life film for any age.

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Midnight In Paris

I hadn't been an immense Owen Wilson fan, but this movie may have
changed all that. He's quite charming as the obligated, meandering,
scared writer who is in love with Paris.

This may be my favorite Woody Allen movie yet. It's charming,
romantic, sexy, feisty; everything you expect from the man, but
with a focus and a finesse that is inspired.

The cast is phenomenal; the punch of Kathy Bates...the charm of 
Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, and Lea Seydoux....the passion and
verve of Corey Stoll and Adrien Brody...the pure and palpable
villainy of Rachel McAdams and Mimi Kennedy! It was a great ride
from start to finish!

The charm of the fantasy worked so well, and the frustrations
felt by Owen's character about life, meaning, happiness were so
well explored that this movie was equally cathartic as it was
enjoyable. Haven't we all wanted merely to slip away to someplace
better?

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Recent TV Faves

Today, a sampling of my favorite TV to share.

Oddly enough, a few years ago I couldn't find

anything of value on TV. Now, I have found a

handful of true gems. If you aren't aware of the

following programs already, check them out.

Networks are listed, but I'm unsure of times;

I generally watch these on http://www.hulu.com/

where you can access most of them 24 hours

after their air date.

COMMUNITY

(NBC)

Quirk, dark, fast-paced, witty, community-college comedy;

inappropriate and politically incorrect, and loving it.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

(ABC)

Final mystery-and-transformation-laden final season

of  drama and cheese.

MODERN FAMILY

(ABC)

Brainy situation comedy with diverse and hilarious

characters; adult and irreverent humor.

GRIMM
(NBC)

Supernatural meets detective drama;

plenty of studs, gore, pot-stirrers, and special effects.

WORKAHOLICS

(Comedy Central)

Nutsy surreal comedy featuring outcasts and weirdos;

live-action Beavis and Butthead.

YOUNG JUSTICE

(Cartoon Network)

Alternate earth DCU shows off superb animation of

former sidekicks in edgy, richly-scripted ongoing story.

(returning March)

PARKS & RECREATION

(NBC)

Tongue-in-cheek, schmaltzy comedy featuring

office nerds and nonsensical plots.

ONCE UPON A TIME

(ABC)

Action-drama split between a magical realm and

the modern trials of displaced people seeking resolution.

THE LEAGUE

(F/X)

Over-the-top adult comedy of fantasy-football buddies

and ridiculous hi jinks that are Seinfeld-ian in scope.

WAREHOUSE 13

(SyFy)

Witty, wry, moving and fun action-suspense with equal

parts X-Files and Moonlighting, add a dose of Cheers.

GLEE

(FOX)

A love song to music, outsiders, high school, and

love. Drama highlighted with original music and covers of greats.

******

Enigma (2001)

ENIGMA is a great WWII movie with a spectacular cast.
It dances around a fictionalized accounting of the breaking
of the Enigma Code (in truth done by yet another fabulous
homosexual!) and of course finds all the human drama points
hit along the way.

Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott (yum!) are so believable and
entrancing, and this is one of those authentic period pieces
that draws you into the action so thoroughly that I forgot I
was watching a film!

Jeremy Northam can do no wrong in my book, and is likewise
his typically smoking-hot self. Great suspense, action, romance,
and drama.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157583/

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Night Wacth (2004)

WARNING: Scary scenes!


I have a very particular sensibility in play when it comes to horror
movies; I don't go in for gore or ultra-violence. I like something with
some suspense, artistry, plot, and creativity.

Often times, I find foreign film-makers fit that bill more than their
American counterparts. Such is the case with the first film in a
trilogy, NIGHT WATCH. It is anything but 'another vampire movie.'

The cinematography alone is captivating  and mouth-watering.
Many who were fans of the book didn't care for the adaptation, but
(as per usual,) taken on its own it's fine. Yes, it's subtitled.

Good stuff, if you're a fan of films like the original Fright Night
or Brotherhood of the Wolf.

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The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)

There was a bit of a heyday for good quality, big cast, gay friendly films
in the mid-to-late 1990s. Among one of the better films was a romantic
comedy called The Broken Hearts Club. It had a stellar cast with pretty
much the widest (yes, even though caricatured in some cases) variety of
gay people you're ever likely to meet in your travels.


It was a great story, ranging 'Steel Magnolias-like' or 'Green
Tomatoes-esque' in their epic storyline over a period of time,
travails, and romances. Originally saw this at the Tampa Theatre
during the Gay Film Fest. Man, I miss those!

A lot of fun, a lot of tears, a great "watch over-and-over" movie
from the second "Gay Nineties." Dean Cain, Timothy Olyphant,
Zach Braff, John Mahoney and more!


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0222850/


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Ma Vie En Rose / My Life in Pink (1997)

One of the best and most real 'feel good' movies in recent years.

"My Life in Pink" tells an uncomfortable story of the growing up
process when you don't fit the cookie cutter mold. It deals with
the expectations (and demands) of family, neighbors, friends, and
the world. It's about finding yourself, and learning to be yourself.

An incredible cast and a compelling story will keep you riveted.

Subtitled, in case that's a concern! Treat yourself and watch with
a friend and a box of Kleenex today!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/

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