Peggy Sue Got Married

"Peggy Sue Got Married" is one of the great--yet underrated--films of the 1980s,
featuring a remarkably well-done spin on the time travel genre. In this 'chick-flick'
version of the classic "What If?" conundrum, Kathleen Turner stuns in a moving
performance as she effortlessly shifts back and forth between drama and humor.

It says a lot about this film's greatness that it made me find even Nick Cage
bearable. An otherwise incredible cast, this journey to the heart of a person's
past and psyche explores discovering what we want and what we're willing
to live without.

A new spin on mid-life crisis, Peggy Sue got the chance to truly change things,
including her perspective. Good fun and adventure. If you've ever toyed with
the idea of what makes you You, or questioned what it would take to start over,
you'll appreciate the search for identity in this flick!

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Ruby in Paradise

I already knew her from "Sisters," but this was Ashley Judd's debut film,
and it was an incredibly well-written and warm drama with a superb cast!
Ashley was charming and captivating, but Dorothy Lyman (original 'Opal') 
stole a lot of scenes!

A great story; coming of age, learning love, first romance, the attraction
of bad boys, small town life, friendship, heartache...a really fresh take.

I remember the excitement, too, of this being the first time I saw Tampa
used as a locale in a film; an extended  'Harbor Island' sequence.
But I digress...


IMDB info for "Ruby in Paradise"

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The Accidental Tourist

One of my favorite movies, "The Accidental Tourist" is the difficult
mid-life second chance for William Hurt's character, who is a hurting
man,  isolated and closed off from the world due to the enormous pain
and loss he has suffered.


An incredible cast (Kathleen Turner, Geena Davis, Bill Pullman,
Ed Begley Jr., David Ogden Stiers, Amy Wright) makes magic out of
this quirky yet believable story of redemption, fear, and love later in life.
It beautifully tells the story of all us damaged people struggling to make
sense and survive.


Based on the excellent book by Anne Tyler, and aptly directed by
Lawrence Kasdan, this is a tour-de-force of drama, humor, and
discovery of hope and courage.

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Long Kiss Goodnight

Loved this movie on many levels, and was very disappointed to read
that it was believed the story was stolen from a favorite comic of mine
("Somerset Holmes",) but I guess that explains why it's so good.

Geena is brilliant, and it's a very different role for her (which she makes her
own!) Love Samuel L. Jackson, and though he is loud (of course,) this is
a different bit for him, too; comic relief and an insecure man!

(And I am so in love with sexy Craig Bierko--man he's good. But the whole
cast is perfect, really.)

Great plot, great mystery, superb action-adventure on a par with 'Die Hard,'
and what's really scary is how the plot parallels so intricately our 2001
terrorist attacks (though the film preceded them by several years!!)

So, in another words, a great film for conspiracy theorists and folks
who don't trust the government.

Flying in the face of 'women are the victim or arm candy' Hollywood, this
movie was one of the earliest to serve up a believable female protagonist in
an action adventure role. (Even if it did also borrow bits of 'La Femme Nikita,'
another beautiful work! --The Anne Parillaud one...Bridget Fonda really didn't
hack it.)

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The Ghost Writer

Another Polanski great; this thriller has the perfect set-up and setting.

See? When done right, suspense and thrills are more frightening than
any old gory horror movie!

I especially like the political intrigue aspect of the film, and during
this election year, what could be more apropos?

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The Tree of Life

Not a tremendous Brad Pitt fan, but he's okay in places. This is one of those
places.

The stars of the show, though, are the two 'brothers' who star as the young
children of Pitt's character, and the Mom (Jessica Chastain.)

It's the harrowing life story of a family throughout several decades of relation-
ship, loss, and growing up. The juxtaposition of the 'other story,' the origin of
life, is beautifully rendered and gives a unique and moving viewing experience.

When the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, it's a gift of  real
perspective and a learning moment.

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