Group of Twelve

Here is what I have watched on DVD since I posted my last list. The ratings I give are on my own number system explained previously in this blog. Those watched via Netflix instant view, include “Streamed” after the numeric rating.

Here are a dozen more, of which five were streamed via Netflix. This group includes an original and a remake, three documentaries, only two foreign films and eight from this century. Half are probably worth watching for most readers and half are only worth viewing if they have particular appeal to you.

The Shop around the Corner – 1940. (3.5) From the play of the same name, remade in 1999 as “You’ve Got Mail”, this is Lubitsch flawlessly directing a wonderful MGM ensemble in a very enjoyable story. Though older even than me, the film does not appear that dated, and in spite of the limitations of its theatrical origins, it does not feel too stage bound. This was an early lead role for Jimmy Stewart, whose career had been encouraged by his co-star, Margaret Sullavan, a Broadway actress of considerable talent who hated Hollywood and only made a dozen or so films there, of which Netflix has only three, this being the best.

Kissing Jessica Stein – 2002. (3.2) A personal film written by and starring two young New York actresses, exploring the meaning of sexuality, friendship and happiness, this gentle and humorous movie prompts reflection on being open to life. A male blind date, concerned he might be coming across as boastful, delivers this fun line, “I’m usually more self-defecating”.

Everlasting Moments – 2008. (3.1) Streamed.  The best early films of Jan Troell are not available on DVD, but this visually appealing movie from the Swedish director might prompt consideration of making them available. A WWI era wife bears a parade of children to her boorish husband, and while struggling with the decision to leave him, finds an unexpected muse who encourages her to pursue photography. The images are better than the story, but they are reason enough to watch.

The Ritchie Boys – 2004. (3.1) Streamed. The Ritchie Boys were young Jewish men of an intellectual bent, mostly immigrants who fled Nazi Germany for the US before WWII, who were trained at Fort Ritchie, Maryland for intelligence and psych op work as members of the US Army. Ten of these men are interviewed in this documentary, accompanied by archival footage. Their stories are quite interesting and the movie allows them to be told fairly straightforward. At the end of the film we learn what the men did with the rest of their careers.

Cherry Blossoms – 2008. (3.0) Streamed. Another spin on the what to do with the rest of your life after being diagnosed with a terminal illness question, this German film adds in a twist and also touches on the choice between rooted stability and traveling adventure, and the disappointment of non-pursued exotic dreams.  

The Family Stone – 2005. (3.0) Streamed. Good ensemble in a film directed by its writer, again with a secretively terminal parent, with adult children assembled for Christmas and engaging in sibling dynamics mostly at the expense of the newcomer girlfriend of the oldest son. Shifts in romantic allegiance are predictable and not that convincingly portrayed, but the overall family feeling remains interesting.

Glass: Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts – 2007. (2.8) Streamed. The composer and this film about him were actually more interesting to me than his music, but if you really like his music then you may be more interested in this film. There was much about the man personally and we saw him in a variety of situations, but I can’t say I actually learned much about his music.

You’ve Got Mail – 1998. (2.8) I always figured this would be a little too cute for me, but decided to watch it after watching its original source, The Shop around the Corner. Like many remakes of classics, this one pales by comparison. Much of the charm of the original was the workplace dynamics in the shop where all the characters worked, but that is totally scrapped in this remake. The interplay between the leads in the new version never rises to the level of the original, and the extra half hour of running time makes the whole piece feel puffy, in contrast to the original, which was a tightly scripted cohesive whole. It is interesting to recall how just twelve years ago the idea of an intimate connection via e-mail was considered so fresh and exciting. And are we being told that a chain supermarket of books is better than a venerable little book shop?

Catherine Cookson’s The Girl – 1996. (2.8) Probably the last of the Cookson stories that I will be watching, this movie is a little subpar for the course. The heroine here is not particularly likeable, nor for that matter is the supposed hero. The morality that prevails is open to question. It may hold your interest if you like stories of mid 19^th century English women from questionable backgrounds who are given an opportunity to rise a little in life and then encounter a set back with which they cope in a questionable manner.

Noel – 2004. (2.7) Streamed. In spite of a couple brief moments of touching Christmas outreach, there’s no reason to add this movie about lonely people on Christmas Eve to your list of Christmas favorites. The ensemble never assembled and the story never grabbed, but because of the absence of half stars at Netflix, I’ll have to give a 2 ½ star so so movie a Flix 3, that I liked it, because I’m not enough of a Grinch to give it a 2 and say I didn’t.

Hubert Selby, Jr.; It’ll Be Better Tomorrow – 2006. (2.7) Streamed. Those who made this documentary were so in awe of the subject author that they produced a film which comes across as a collection of interviews of choir members singing the praises of their pastor. I’m not familiar with Selby and this barely piqued my interest. If you know his writing, you may be more interested, but will probably not learn much more about his writing than you already know.

Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby [etc] – 1982. (2.0) Jennifer H at Netflix hit the nail on the head: “This a low-budget made-for-TV film that just isn’t polished or creative enough to be of much interest today. The acting, music score, editing and camera work are amatuerish. Gwynne was the only decent actor in the bunch. The movie lies somewhere between an episode of the Waltens and a public service film. It’s categorized under Children & Family but most kids would be terribly bored by this film. The only adults that might be interested are literary buffs or Bradbury fans...or older folks who like squeaky-clean sentimental dramas and don’t care about outdated/low production value.