Liz and Dick

No, I'm not going to unload any more crass

and rabid comments about Miss Lohan.

Everyone else has been quite wrapped up in all of that!

I actually didn't expect much, and figured most viewers

were of the same mindset, coming to the 'biopic' with

a sort of morbid curiosity about how bad it would

be, and wanting to see what they expected to be

another Lindsay train wreck.

But I rather imagine many went in eyes-open expecting

a cheesy, over-the-top, 'Dynasty'-style campy romp

that would amuse and titillate!

And certainly more than a few fans of 'Desperate Housewives'

and 'True Blood' and other shows, tuned in to see THIS:

Or perhaps more accurately, THIS!

The luridly Hawt (and accomplished) Mr. Bowler
can do no wrong, and though I have yet to see

more than clips, I am sure he held his own in

the 'Liz & Dick' craptacular.

Now, if you'd like to see a great biopic,

check these out!



Albert Finney as Churchill in "The Gathering Storm"



Firth and Rush in "The King's Speech"



Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose"

And if you happen to want to know dirt on Elizabeth
Taylor, or you want to see a stunning actress in action,
or perhaps to see a true mirror into Liz and Dick's real
life insanity, just rent "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

It's too close for comfort.

***

Stonewall (1995)

Despite a lot of criticism this movie has received, I absolutely adore it.

They didn't set out to make an historical documentary; they made a motion
picture with human stories and impact, and they did a brilliant job.

There's a swell of relatable characters and imperfect, striving folks seeking
their footing in the early days of the gay rights movement, and we get to see
heartbreak  and betrayal along the way in a series of interwoven storylines.

The culmination of course is 'that night' at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 where
gays and lesbians had finally had enough.

Sensationalist? Yes. And robust and real and gripping, with some phenomenal,
moving performances. The final word in this picture is surviving and having
the strength to go on.

Finding your voice and your resolve isn't a walk in the park, but here it's
entertaining and inspirational.

******************************************************

Proof is in the Perception

Atonement

Hilary & Jackie

Young Adult

The Game

The Village

Donnie Darko

Fight Club

Inception

***

"The Green"

Smaller films are always hit-or-miss based on a wide variety of factors, and I
was very pleasantly surprised that "The Green" wowed me start-to-finish.
Paul Marcarelli did a great job on the script and adapting it for the screen.

A superb cast, headed by the adorable 'couple' (played by Cheyenne Jackson
and Jason Butler Harner) made this unraveling mystery a joy to watch.
The always-fabulous Illeana Douglas, Julia Ormond, Chris Bert and Karen
Young make up a believable, world-wearied crew of normal Joes, not
just the typical gang of one-dimensional wonders.

In particular, there's a lot of good insight into the intricacies of relationships,
and the perceptions we are all too quick to assume about people.

There's actually quite a bit of story crammed into the movie, but it all fits
together nicely. While the ending is a bit easily resolved, it's nonetheless
a great watch, and worth getting for the ride. I'm certainly not going to
knock a happy ending these days!

***********************************************************

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.

******************************************************