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Reviews
An Angel for May (2002)
An unhappy boy time travels to the past and helps a troubled girl.
"An Angel For May" is a pleasant surprise. It is a story of an unhappy boy who is transported back in time to World War II England where he meets and is befriended by May, a victim of the Blitz who has been evacuated to the country after being trapped in the ruins of her family home for a week.
Tom's presence seems to heal May. However when Tom is transported back to his own time he learns the fate of May and the family who took him. Tom then struggles to return to the past to save May and the family from their fate.
SciFi fans will recognize the principle that you can't change the past and others will enjoy action/adventure of this family drama.
The Notebook (2004)
perfect
This story combines young love with the reality of life as it nears its end. The Story of Allie and Noah contrasts with the friendship between Duke and Miss Calhoun and provides the background to understand their story. My favorite moment is when Allie returns to Noah and shrugs her shoulders. At that point Miss Calhoun's memory returns through the Alzheimer's haze and the young lovers are reunited. The realistic depiction of Alzheimer's as she loses those memories is heart wrenching. Without giving it away, the ending is "perfect". Kudo's to both set of actors. James Garner and Gena Rowlands are a wonderful combination. This is a breakout role for Rachel McAdams and the first time I have noticed Ryan Gosling.
Hollywood Sex Fantasy (2001)
Unusual quality for this genre
This soft-core film contains both a well-written script and strong acting, particularly for it's genre. The plot is a common one but unlike so many efforts from "down in the valley" it is not a spoof or excuse for gratuitous sex and nudity.
The faces are familiar even if the names in the credits are not. For fans of Tracy Ryan enjoy her brief appearance that may be one of her last roles before she left the industry. Other familiar faces include Flower Edwards, Catalina Larranaga, Kelli McCarty and Keri Windsor.
The story, which borrows from such literary classics as "The Prince and the Pauper" involves a Hollywood actions star who is tired of his lavish lifestyle which includes wild parties, groupies and fans stalking at the gate of his residence. A chance meeting with his double leads to a role switch so the star can slip away for some alone time leaving the double to experience his lavish lifestyle.
Watch for some unexpected outcomes at the end and enjoy the story if not the visual action.
Sports on the Silver Screen (1997)
A Made for Cable Anthology
HBO (in association with the American Film Institute) presents this 1997 anthology, narrated by Live Schreiber, which looks at sports in cinema from the earliest silent films through, but not including Jerry Maguire. Watch not for dramatic scenes but for the glimpse of historical figures shown both cinematic and athletic- in this tribute to the merging of sports and Hollywood. Babe Ruth; Joe DiMaggio; Jackie Robinson; Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra with Doris Day and Cary Grant; Ben Hogan with Martin and Lewis and Tom Harmon as a sportscaster; with glimpses of silent era stars Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. Following silent era comedies we are shown how sound brought drama to sports themes producing, among others, 'Knute Rockne - All American' and 'The (original) Champ' with Jackie Cooper and Wallace Beery and depression era biopics showing the triumph of the common man. Next shown are 40's and 50's Film Noir such as "The Harder They Fall" and god help me even musicals like "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "Damn Yankees". The film includes reminisces from Jackie Cooper, Billy Crystal, Jerry Lewis, Talia Shire, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman and Vicki LaMotta, ex-wife of 'Raging Bull's' central character, Jake LaMotta. Naturally this made for television documentary features more recent footage including: 'Downhill Racer', 'Raging Bull', 'Field of Dreams', 'The Natural', 'Rocky' (I), 'Tin Cup', 'Chariots Of Fire' and their choice for the best sports film ever: 'Hoosiers'.
Sports on the Silver Screen (1997)
A Made for Cable Anthology
HBO (in association with the American Film Institute) presents this 1997 anthology, narrated by Live Schreiber, which looks at sports in cinema from the earliest silent films through, but not including Jerry Maguire. Watch not for dramatic scenes but for the glimpse of historical figures shown both cinematic and athletic- in this tribute to the merging of sports and Hollywood. Babe Ruth; Joe DiMaggio; Jackie Robinson; Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra with Doris Day and Cary Grant; Ben Hogan with Martin and Lewis and Tom Harmon as a sportscaster; with glimpses of silent era stars Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. Following silent era comedies we are shown how sound brought drama to sports themes producing, among others, 'Knute Rockne - All American' and 'The (original) Champ' with Jackie Cooper and Wallace Beery and depression era biopics showing the triumph of the common man. Next shown are 40's and 50's Film Noir such as "The Harder They Fall" and god help me even musicals like "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "Damn Yankees". The film includes reminisces from Jackie Cooper, Billy Crystal, Jerry Lewis, Talia Shire, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman and Vicki LaMotta, ex-wife of 'Raging Bull's' central character, Jake LaMotta. Naturally this made for television documentary features more recent footage including: 'Downhill Racer', 'Raging Bull', 'Field of Dreams', 'The Natural', 'Rocky' (I), 'Tin Cup', 'Chariots Of Fire' and their choice for the best sports film ever: 'Hoosiers'.
Hollywood Sins (2000)
Hollywood Sins plot summary Caution contains SPOILER
Hal Hutton stars as Simon Teller, a high-powered Hollywood talent agent. He is married to Film star Lacy Lloyd (Mia Zottoli) and providing stud service to Donna Silverstein (Kim Dawson), the wife of the agency owner, David Silverstein (Wolf Muser) who incidentally is one of the two characters in this story that doesn't get naked and busy. Unknown to Hal, Donna and Lacy are involved romantically and conspiring to fire Hal and take over running of the agency. Eric Acsell plays Hal's assistant Billy who has been involved with Lacy and another target of the duo's plot. Jobless and homeless (Lacy files for divorce), Hal turns to Linda (Viktoria Karina), the bartender at his favorite watering hole for assistance. Linda who prefers the company of women takes Hal in but she has roommate and a houseguest who is sleeping on her couch so Hal sleeps in the bathtub. The guest is Kayleen played by Tracy Ryan (nee Tracy Smith or Tracy Voyek), an aspiring actress who doesn't trust agents. Hal finally lands a client, Lillian Park (Ginger Justin), the other chaste character, who has written a screenplay and wants Hal to produce the film. So everybody goes to Lillian's farm and plans to work on the picture. With Tess Broussard as Debbie and Dee (Dee Summer) as Ashley.