Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Not many stories can top Jane Austen. And Sense and Sensibility is one of the best stories ever written. The 1995 Ang Lee film is also difficult to top, since it is one of the greatest films in cinema history. Ang Lee is an award winning director with an eye for excellence. The winner of 3 Academy Awards, Sense and Sensibility is the model of elegance, sacrifice, and love.

Sense and Sensibility is about a family devastated by the loss of their father, Father Dashwood. Since the family is from the father's second marriage, his son from his first marriage inherits all of the property and money, leaving very little money and no house for the stepmother and her three daughters. When the brother Dashwood goes to his family to offer financial aid, his wife talks him out of it. The stepmother and daughters Dashwood move in with extended family until the daughters can be married off. There are a series of ups and downs surrounding the daughters finding love, but in the end everyone ends up where they need to.

This film demonstrates the sacrifices one makes for love, and also the terrible circumstances that can prevent one from what they desire. Courtship and marriage between couples were arranged based on the 18th century standards. One couldn't always marry for love, but for security and class.

The cast is outstanding! Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, Alan Rickman, among others. Everyone was at the top of their game, but I do have a problem with how the men were portrayed in this film. I'm not quite sure if it was period accurate as to how men behaved, but they were awfully stiff and unnatural. Hugh Grant was especially awkward throughout the film. We've seen him perform better since, I just wish the men had more personality. Although, for the character of Willoughby, it was discussed in the film that his extravagant behavior was not that of a gentleman. Even Alan Rickman displayed more emotion and dimension in his character Col. Brandon.

Otherwise this film is one of the greatest ever made. Definitely worth a look!

Lost in Translation (2003)

This film was a complete surprise for me. I didn't expect what I ended up getting with this one. The way it was advertised implied something less. This is probably one of Bill Murray's best!

The film is about a middle aged actor, played by Bill Murray, who is in Japan to be the spokesman for a product and later do a talk show. This is also a chance for him to take a break from a family life he is unhappy with. In the same hotel is a young woman, played by Scarlett Johansson, who is left alone while her young husband is working all day. These two lonely people run into each other at the hotel and form a friendship. It ends up being stronger than they anticipated, but it is just what they needed. 

The relationship that develops between these two characters is actually tender, sweet, and endearing. These are probably things they are not getting from their marriages, so they seek this with each other. Bill Murray was especially unique, honest, and relatable. There is a certain vulnerability these two share, and when they are together they complete each other.

I can't say enough good things about this film. It's funny at times, but also sweet and heart warming. You just have to see it!

The Iron Lady (2011)

I didn't know what to expect with this film. I didn't know much about Margaret Thatcher other than she was the first female Prime Minister of England, and that Austin Powers doesn't find her attractive! She is actually a remarkable woman who knew what she wanted and didn't allow anything to stop her from achieving her goals. And she is regarded as one of the best leaders in history.

The Iron Lady is the story of Margaret Thatcher. The film begins "present day," her last days before she passed in 2013, and flashes back and forth through her childhood, political education, and her time in office. Through this we learn how close she was to her father, and what motivated her to become a figure in politics. We also witness her struggles as a woman in the 1950's running for a political seat. Margaret had to learn to be sharp and quick tongued to keep up with her male colleagues. Her ambition would finally pay off when she was asked about running for Prime Minister. She was quick to assume that position would never see the likes of her, but she would be wrong.

Meryl Streep always delivers her best in any role. Playing Margaret Thatcher is definitely one of her best. This role won her an Academy Award, which is well deserved. Jim Broadbent plays her husband. Their relationship is sweet, and well balanced. He was attracted to her ambition in the beginning, and was proud of her success.

This is a great film for many purposes. It is portrays Margaret Thatcher well, with great respect. I received a great education from this.

What To Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

I was just sitting at home, waiting on laundry, when I came across this film on Netflix. I didn't expect what I ended up getting.

What To Expect When You're Expecting was not only funny with a star-studded cast, but also honest. It's a film about a collection of relationships; one couple is adopting, another have been trying to conceive, and for others it was unexpected. The film is as up and down as I'm sure pregnancy is. A very touching set of stories, and a hilarious, masculine outlook on the idea of parenting.

The cast was very impressive with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, and more. Elizabeth Banks and Jennifer Lopez deliver competitive performances exploring the emotional journey of pregnancy versus adoption. These two were the most moving for me.

Anna Kendrick was a surprise. It is apparent that she is very talented, and really knows how to charm her audience. We will see many more great things from her.

I felt Rebel Wilson was a bit unnecessary. Friends with Elizabeth Banks' character, Wilson plays a southern girl, not too intelligent, but supportive of her friend. I found her a bit unnecessary. She is like a female Chris Farley, only good for a certain brand of humor.

My favorite group of people in this film, were The Dudes. Four Dads with babies strapped to them while they walk through the park together, pushing strollers. Their outlook on their marriages and parenting are funny, quirky, and honest. They all had one thing in common, they all aim to be great fathers.

Bring tissue for this one! There will be tears of sadness and joy!

California Solo (2012)

I am a big fan of independent films. I appreciate their honesty and the quality of the emotional journey. I am also a fan of Robert Carlyle. I've watched his work for many years, and have a great admiration for what he brings to film and television. After catching up on my Once Upon A Time on ABC, I wanted to explore more of "Bobby's" work. Netflix only has a few of his best works. California Solo is a newer one, and it was worth watching.

The story is about a former Scottish rocker living in Southern California has been threatened with deportation. Desperate to stay in the USA, he reconnects with his ex wife, and estranged teenage daughter. Late in the film, he begins to slowly rebuild his life. This film doesn't have the happiest of endings, but perhaps it was all for the best.

This film is brutally honest, beautifully shot, and Robert Carlyle always delivers. The best moment, for me, was at the end of the film. Carlyle's character is playing an acoustic guitar, with the green corn field as a backdrop. For a moment, he stops playing and the camera zooms into his face. The expression on his face is hard to describe, but we all know the look. It's the look when he realizes what's about to happen to him. It's the look when the reality of the circumstances have had time to sink in. Then it closes to black, before rolling the credits. It's a beautifully honest moment, and very moving. This film did not disappoint.

The film poster is quite misleading. The female lead wasn't as prominent as the photo implies.

JOBS (2013)

Recently I heard that another Steve Jobs film was in the works. Knowing that this one had already been made I didn't understand why they would be talking about making another only months later. JOBS doesn't cover every important aspect of Jobs' eventful career and life. He certainly had an extraordinary life.

JOBS tells the story of how Steve Jobs and his team of innovators perfected the idea of the personal computer over the course of more than two decades. In the beginning, while working at ATARI, Jobs recruited the help of his friend Steve Wozniak. From here they worked together to form Apple Computers. Jobs' perspective in his work, as well as in life, was that the stasis of everything could always change. He fought for enthusiasm, and vision among his creative teams. In this way, the passion would keep everyone on track towards changing the world and the future of technology. When others told him he couldn't do something, he accepted the challenged to make it possible. Steve Jobs believed in his product. Everyone doubted him, and he proudly proved them wrong.

The cast list for this film was a surprise, many familiar faces. Ashton Kutcher played Steve Jobs brilliantly. I've never been acquainted with his dramatic mask, but this was a perfect performance. It was easy for me to follow along with every emotion. Ashton's performance was moving, honest, and heartfelt. I really appreciate the depth of his character. Jobs wasn't an easy person to impress or get along with. When he made up his mind, there was no changing it. Ashton delivered a version of him we could all find ways to relate to and believe in.

Josh Gad plays Steve Wozniak, a sensitive but brilliant engineer who helps push Jobs' idea to fruition. Lukas Haas plays a good friend of Jobs'. We also see the likes of Dermot Mulroney, Matthew Modine, J.K. Simmons, Lesley Ann Warren, Masi Oka, and James Woods.

I suppose I can see why another Steve Jobs biopic is in the works. This film focused on the Apple and Macintosh products progression, and not as much on Jobs' personal battles. It was apparent that there was an imbalance in his life, but this film didn't touch on it much. In the beginning, the film focused on his youthful lifestyle as a college dropout. He never wore shoes, had poor hygiene, but survived by his ideas. Ideas that he was meant for something bigger, but he wasn't sure what yet. There was a long bit towards the beginning of the film that highlighted his experience getting high on LSD with his girlfriend and friend. While high, he seemingly has an epiphany. After this, the innovator in him was awakened.

The film began slow, but once Jobs and Wozniak begin working together, the film picks up. It was beautifully shot, representing the mid 1970's well. This was probably the performance of Ashton Kutcher's career, so far. For that alone, I recommend seeing this. Very riveting, and inspirational.

My favorite quotes from the film, Steve Jobs says,

“When you grow up you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and you're life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That's a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it… Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again.”    


"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius."

Steve Jobs

Ashton Kutcher in JOBS

August Osage County (2013)

I originally wanted to see this film on opening weekend. Just my luck, I live in an area that didn't get the film. I even called and asked the theatre about it, and they said that the film is only playing in select theatres. Leave it to Northern California to get the film, months later, at a discount theatre. There's one benefit! Seeing Meryl Streep's screen presence for only $1.50!

The film was as intense as expected. The Academy Awards had already passed, giving well deserved praise to the nominated cast, so by the time I got to see the film, there were very few secrets left. My official opinion about the film, is that the story would've been better on a stage.

August Osage County is about a severely dysfunctional family living in rural Oklahoma. After the Father Beverly, head of the family, played by Sam Shepherd, goes missing one of the daughters living close by calls the rest of the family to their Mother Violet's house, played by Meryl Streep. Violet is a chain smoker, on many medications that suppress her mouth cancer. It's a wonder she has mouth cancer, when she is the most foul mouthed out of everyone. Once the family is together, the skeletons begin to come out of the closet. Many secrets are exposed, and the already broken family has a breakdown, which everyone suffers. The connection that moves us is between Violet and her daughter Barbara, played by Julia Roberts. By the end of the film, no one wants to be around Violet and her inconsiderate "truth telling," and drug addiction.

Nothing really changes within the family dynamic. One could argue that some members of the family were living in denial, or wearing rose colored glasses. But after several exposed secrets, everyone is forced to see, and live with their demons.

If there is one thing I have learned from the state of my own extended family, it is that life is too short to allow anyone to make you feel bad about yourself. Sometimes we choose to stay away from those who create chaos and cause unhappiness in our lives.

First I need to acknowledge the cinematography. The film was shot with excellent simplicity and sharpness! The cast was out-of-this-world! Meryl Streep was over the top, but she was also very raw and honest. Brutally honest! Julia Roberts was shadowing Streep's onscreen style, bringing back a little Erin Brockovich attitude to the character of Barbara. Playing Barbara's husband Bill is Ewan McGregor. He is always great in his films, however his American accent needs more rehearsing. Their teenage daughter Jean is played by Abigail Breslin. She has come a long way! Jean is an angst ridden teenage girl, in the middle of an identity crisis. Barbara's sisters are played by Juliette Lewis and Julianne Nicholson. The three sisters all have their own personalities and opinions of right and wrong. Their bond was very present, making it easy for the audeince to sympathize with the girls. One surprise was Benedict Cumberbatch. In contrast to Ewan McGregor, Benedict's American accent was flawless! And his role as Cousin Charles was tough to watch since he is directly involved with a great family secret. The rest of the cast, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, and Margo Martindale proved very impressive as well.

There are a few points in the film I think deserve recognition. During a dinner scene, the family is together post-funeral, and it has been requested that Charlie, played by Chris Cooper, say grace. The others at the table are awkward, and impatient, as it takes Charlie a little while to say grace. As I'm watching this moment, I realize that what was said during grace is actually the most heartfelt moment in the whole story. It is the one time the family is together, without hatred or malice.

The next moment I think is worth mentioning is during the same scene, after grace, during their meal. When Violet begins mouthing off and going overboard, Barbara asks what pills she has taken. Violet then takes out a small bottle of pills from her pocket and begins to brag about how great they are. Out of no where, Barbara lunges towards her mother, reaching for the bottle, tackling Violet to the floor. Family members fall over each other to regain control over Barbara. It is a great eruption that the audience craves! Even I wanted to see the daughters take the pills away and help their mother achieve sobriety. In the play, that tackle takes place on a sofa center stage. I felt the impact was greater when it was during their meal at the formal dining table.

While watching the film certain ideas crossed my mind: Family affairs, truth, identity, drama, family secrets, burden, demons, and mirrors. Most of these are self explanatory. Identity and mirrors are in relation to inherited traits within the family. Exposed family secrets means the family has to live with the mistakes of others. Awkwardness, and the results of poor choices.

On stage, the play received a lot of attention at the Tony Awards in 2008. In Violet's shoes, the stage has witnessed the likes of Phylicia Rashad and Estelle Parsons. The set is a simple set, reminiscent of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. It's a grand, old fashioned, two story house, cut open for the audience to see into the lives of this mad family.

It is heart breaking when you learn of tragic family secrets. It becomes a greater struggle to come to terms with your own demons. Choose your battle wisely. You can only take so much!

A great film, with a phenomenal cast. However, I recommend seeing the play live for a better, more in depth experience.

 The official film poster.

My personal favorite film poster, when Barbara is fighting Violet for the pill bottle.

A different perspective, film poster. This one is less threatening than the previous.

Violet, Bill, and Barbara

The climax of the film.

On Broadway

Estelle Parsons

Phylicia Rashad