Thursday, February 27, 2003

1776 (1972)

Plot: The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence.

What a fun movie! Crammed with little-known historical facts (although at moments it's hard to tell just what is fact and what is fiction), spectacular music, and great humor, this is a spectacular musical! 4.5 stars.

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

One of the greatest old comedies, I can't watch this without laughing. Just the premise is hysterical. So much of the movie rests on plot, though, I can't give anything away in this review, except . . . . you have to rent it and see it, even if you don't care for old movies. 5 stars.

Monday, February 17, 2003

Big Fat Liar (2002)

Err . . . what can I say about this movie? It had a few moments, but overall it was too ridiculous for me to really like it. Also, while it tried to present the simple moral of "Don't lie," it's doubtful whether that ever comes through clearly to the main character -- did he learn the lesson? Probably not. Will he go back to his habit of lying like crazy? Yes. 1.5 stars.

Saturday, February 15, 2003

All the President's Men (1976)

Oooh. Good movie. I knew virtually nothing about Watergate, but now I consider myself well-educated. :-) This movie had some of the most natural dialogue I have ever seen. Somehow it just felt real. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman were excellent together as the two reporters who broke the story. Definitely a good movie . . . especially considering it's based on a true story. Often that signals "BLAH" loud and clear, but this was a definite exception. 4.5 stars.