QFLW

Member since 3/26/2007, last signed in awhile ago.

"So many movies, so little time..."

Send a message

Add to contacts

Invite to a group

Interested in: No particular genre

QFLW's movie tags

Talk

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Lightly delightful
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Basically another version of the Cinderella fairy tale, this time featuring a middle-aged woman. Not a lot of character development or weight to the plot, and you can see where it's all going to end, but the cast is a delight. You feel for Frances McDormand's Miss Pettigrew, the one sensible head to be found in the frivolous, gossipy society she's stepped into. Amy Adams bubbles brightly; Lee Pace is adorable as her true love and musical partner. Their scene in the club, where she sings "If I Didn't Care," is the highlight of the film, a lovely, poignant moment that, you might say, brings her character back to her senses.There were only four people in the theater when I saw it; all of us women. We clapped at the end and came away dabbing our eyes. " [More]

The Darjeeling Limited

The Darjeeling Limited
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"This latest of Wes Anderson's films is, for me, right up there with The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore, which I love dearly. Quirky, offbeat, strangely simple (sometimes just strange), engaging, funny, sad. Excellent performances from the three brothers (Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody) taking this train trip in order to renew their bond after their father has died and their mother disappeared into a convent in Tibet. One of my very favorite moments has no dialog in it at all--it's just Adrien and Jason staring at Owen as he unwraps the bandages from his head and face. Their expressions are perfect and priceless. But throughout the film, more is often said with looks or gestures than through the understated dialog.Everything about it made me smile, from the large (characters and storyline) to the small: the odd yet well-chosen soundtrack; Anderson's use of color and slo-mo; careful overhead shots of (for instance) a tray's contents; subtle runni ... " [More]

The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things

What Heart?
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"The Heart Is Deceitful Above All ThingsWritten & directed by Asia Argento, based on the novel by J. T. LeRoyMy heart sank when I pulled the DVD out of the envelope. Wasn't interested in watching this film, and my first instincts were correct. A horror story told erratically and clumsily, without any relief. Not the performances, not the writing, not the camera work.In hindsight I noticed that the kudos on the DVD sleeve are for the novel, not the film. But the film doesn't make me want to read the book. " [More]

Africa Unite

Let's get togther and be all right
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley’s Vision Produced and Directed by Stephanie BlackI’m stealing part of the blurb from the jacket: “In commemoration of Bob Marley’s 60th birthday, [this film] is centered on the Marleys’ first-time-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005…three generations of Marleys take part in a landmark one-week event…with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent.”And so it is. Bright, emotional, flavored with music from a 12-hour concert the Marleys performed during the event—I found it enjoyable and interesting, but it also made me sad, rather than lifting my spirits. So much harm inflicted on Africa from Western civilizations; so much that needs healing. Can and will it happen? I sincerely hope so. Watching and listening to the participants on camera reminded me of hippies in the Sixties. Much positive, strong talk, celebrati ... " [More]

Out of Balance

Power Means Not Having to Respond
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Out of Balance: ExxonMobil’s Impact on Climate Change Written, directed and narrated by Tom JacksonI put off watching this film because I guessed (correctly) that it would outrage and depress me further regarding Big Oil’s sway over the planet. I was pleased, however, to see that despite the gloomy, alarming cover artwork, the documentary is calm and clear, presenting its information rationally, without stooping very much (as far as I could tell) to the rhetoric or histrionics of propaganda.The film’s primary focus is in disclosing ExxonMobil’s steady campaign to confuse the public, keep us from understanding that the current changes in global climate are unnatural and are definitely a solvable problem. For of course, as the world’s largest corporation and largest oil company, if public and governmental opinion were to go against it, that would cut into its enormous profits. The corporation is so pervasively powerful and wealthy that it has pretty ... " [More]

Reign Over Me

Thumbs up
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"I disagree with the All Movie Guide: this film is not a stinker and not a waste of talent or subject. I’d been a little reluctant to see it because I feared it might lean too far in the direction of World Trade Center and shamelessly go for the emotional jugular. 9/11 is emotionally affecting enough; there’s no need to push or manipulate us into the “correct” emotional response, thank you. But the reluctance was unfounded. The film has some flaws but is well-written and appealing. I was never a fan of Adam Sandler’s comedies; he can certainly be funny but in general his comic films have left me cold. He’s turned out to be a talented actor, however; in particular I’d point to Spanglish, Punch Drunk Love and now this film in evidence.What I liked about the film was its focus—not the tragedy of 9/11 but one man’s groping for a way to deal with his part in that tragedy in his own way and time (without the well-meaning but wro ... " [More]

August Rush

Trailer better than the film
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Schmaltzy and impossible. Good performance by Robin Williams, but the three leads (Highmore, Russell and Rhys-Myers) do little more than radiate their looks in wide-eyed, wistful or angst-driven poses. The dialog is often inarticulate and pointless. No child could make those sounds on a guitar so immediately and easily. I did like that the film managed to convey the joy and connecting properties in music, but it was obviously trying to push emotional buttons rather than tell a believable story. " [More]

Dan in Real Life

Dan's the man
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"In general I did enjoy this movie. Some very funny moments, but I was bothered by the underlying premise: that Dan (Steve Carell) was some sort of sad sack and an overprotective, clueless parent. His two older children are horrible to him without justification. He tries to do the right thing by his brother, and he's good at his column.Well, at least the lovely Juliette Binoche is part of the cast, and it all ends correctly. " [More]

Wilby Wonderful

Good, eh?
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Wilby Wonderful, written and directed by Daniel MacIvorThis film has been referred to as a “dark” comedy, but a better word would be “poignant.” Wilby Wonderful centers on a group of characters in the small Canadian island community of Wilby. Two things are about to happen: the Wilby Days Festival and an ominous disclosure of those who had been involved in “the Watch scandal.” The situations and relationships of the story’s characters become gradually clear.It begins curiously with a long-faced man on a bridge (James Allodi) who is obviously planning to kill himself by jumping off it. His jump is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a handyman in his truck. Hastily the man climbs back down, but his foot gets stuck between the bridge’s bars as the driver approaches. The two men apparently know each other; the embarrassment of the one is awkwardly heightened by the silent but understanding concern of the other (Callum Keith ... " [More]

Re:The Rocket
By QFLW in Spout Mavens
"I've seen The Rocket, and here's my review: http://www.spout.com/blogs/QFL W/default.aspx " [More]

The Rocket

"He's all of Quebec standing po ...
By QFLW in QFLW Blog
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"The RocketDirected by Charles Binamé, written by Ken ScottRoy Dupuis – Maurice RichardJulie LeBreton – Lucille Norchet RichardStephen McHattie – Dick Irvin, coach of the Montreal CanadiensTed Dillon – Clarence Campbell, commissioner of the NHLPhillip Craig – Tommy Gorman, Canadiens’ managerSerge Houde – Conn Smythe, manager of the Maple LeafsSean Avery – Bob “Killer” Dill, player for the NY Rangers I’ve never followed hockey or been to a game but have enjoyed every hockey film seen. It boils down to the skating. Cooler than any fancy figuring, seeing burly guys zip around on blades without a thought, amazingly balanced as they execute furious, tricky moves. I’ve thought of going to games on occasion, but I’d never get such terrific camera’s eye views at actual games, I'm afraid.Here then is The Rocket, a film about Maurice Richard, held to be Quebec’s greatest player. Interestin ... " [More]

Re:Re: What are some of your fa ...
By QFLW in Chicks who like Flicks
"I have a hard time getting into the slapstick flicks, or things like 40-Year-Old Virgin and Dumb and Dumber. They have their moments, but generally they just leave me shaking my head, lol.Some of my favorite comedies are Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Raising Arizona, The Full Monty and the old Walther Matthau/Elaine May film A New Leaf. A Night at the Opera. Withnail and I. O Brother Where Art Thou. I like the South Park movie as well, though it gets a bit gross sometimes. Loved Little Miss Sunshine....well, there are so many... " [More]

Lists

Films I've seen (1554)
Films I've seen

Films I want to see (198)
Films I want to see

Guilty Pleasures (9)

My favorite films (125)
My favorite films

Films I want to buy (0)
Films I want to buy

Privacy Safety Legal Report bad behavior

QFLW

QFLW's movie tags

Movies

Talk

Lists