Six quick reviews you can use: Oscar nominated films

Okay, I haven't seen quite all of the movies nominated for Best Picture this past year, but I've seen several of them and I'm ready to give you all a thumbnail review of the ones I have seen.  I intended to see "Gravity,"  "Her,"  and "Philomena," but I wanted to give you my quick opinion on the movies I have seen.  Ready?  I'm reviewing them in the order in which I saw them.

1)  Captain Phillips:

 Tom Hanks is great as always, and the cast is made up of people who fit the bill in this modern day pirate movie based on a true story.  There were moments that lagged in the middle, but over all this is a winner of a movie for adults.  Some language, much violence and tension.  Keep the wee ones away, but teens will probably like it.  I give it 4 out of 5.


2)  Twelve Years a Slave

The Academy got it right as far as I'm concerned.  Based on a true story about a black free man taken from his home in the North and sold to a Southern plantation, this one is lyrical, enraging, beautiful, frightful, and ultimately satisfying.  Not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for those who have issues watching realistic history.  5 out of 5

3) Nebraska

Might be the best movie I've seen in years, but this is not for everyone.  Adult children of parents who are slowly losing their ability to take care of themselves will find this movie funny, sad, and all too truthful.  Bruce Dern at his very best and a surprising cast all around.  There are moments that are laugh out loud funny, but viewers under a certain age are just not going to get it.  And yes, it's in Black and White.  Deal.  5 out of 5


4)  Wolf of Wall Street

Who doesn't love Leo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill?  They're somewhat endearing in this otherwise foul, drug laced, just-this-side-of porn biopic about an up and comer on Wall Street in the 90's.  I found the profanity, drug use, and nudity to be so pervasive it actually numbed me.  Too much is too much.  And setting a record for f-bombs does not make a great picture. Very good performances keep you in the movie in spite of it all. This could have been brilliant if they hadn't been so focused on being awful.  3.5 out of 5.

5)  Dallas Buyers Club

Whatever your opinions about homosexuality or the AIDS epidemic might be, you cannot deny the performances in this movie are outstanding.  Matthew McConaughey is, in my opinion, a horrible actor, but somehow he is brilliant here and Jared Leto made me cry.  Not for the weak of heart, and definitely not for children.  Drug use and language are pervasive, and there is a smattering of nudity.  4.5 out of 5.

6)  American Hustle

Best cast of any of the nominated movies, but the worst picture of the bunch.  The plot is a mess and is very reliant on Amy Adams' wardrobe, which is very reliant on no bra and plunging necklines and sheer materials.  One wonders why they gave her a top at all.  Every does their best but honestly, half an hour in I asked, out loud, "Does this movie ever get better?"  My son, who is a GIANT Jennifer Lawrence fan said, "no."  (Jennifer Lawrence has the one really inspired scene, but check out the scene on Youtube...Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle, dish washing gloves.)  Half the time I don't know who is who.  So much time is spent on everyone congratulating each other for their hair styles.  And there's a dance scene...well, let's say I know who I'd pick between Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper for a partner in "Dancing with Stars" and it won't be the stilted, stiff Adams.  Frankly, I expect better of a cast that includes Christian Bale, and I expect better of a movie that's nominated for an Oscar.  2 out of 5.

So I've seen six of the nine and those are my quick reviews.  Hey, it's just one writer's opinion.

Looking for love on Valentine's Day?

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Okay, if you've followed this blog long enough, you know I'm not a fan of this Hallmark imposed day of love.  I just think it's silly, and I'm a romantic person.  Most people I know figure if you need a day on the calendar to remind you that you love someone, perhaps your relationship is a little less than perfect.

That said, there's a lot of romance and looking for romance going on today so I figured I'd help out with a few suggestions.  So I've got three lists today:

Books

Romantic comedy movies

Romantic movies

Let's start with books.  I'll take my own romance novels out of the list because that wouldn't be fair.  however, if you want to check out my books, you can click on any of the covers or click here to purchase.

So, five romantic books you may not have heard of.

5)  Dangerous Lord, Innocent Governess, Christine Merrill.

Christine Merrill is a hilarious lady who will make you snort Diet Coke out of your nose with her stories about her cat.  But historical romance  is where she really shines and of all the books I've read by her, this one, I think, is the best.  Ignore the somewhat clunky title, "Dangerous Lord" sneaks up on you to the point where you can't put it down, and you hate to close the book when it's done.  Christine's humor shines through as it does in all of her books, but her history is solid and her touch on romance is magic.

4) To Find You, Linda Schmalz

Linda is going to make this list twice, mostly because she's changed genres with this, her newest book. Set in New York immediately after the Titanic disaster, this gentle romance has an element of suspense that's going to catch you by surprise.  Her voice in this, her first historical romance, is solid, almost lyrical.  (I'll be writing a review of this book next week, but you can just go over to Amazon and get it right now!)

3) The Dysfunctional Test, Kelly Moran

When readers are right, they are right.  This contemporary gem is an online readers favorite.  Kelly Moran has a sharp wit and writes it as it is, which gives us characters to truly fall for.  Kelly plops her characters into situations we may not normally buy into, but under Kelly's deft hand, we find ourselves not only believing, but completely cheering for a happily ever after, no matter how unlikely.

2) Lost in Italy, Stacey Joy Netzel

Fast paced action, check.  Super sexy hero, check.  Set in Italy, check.  Just read this book.  It's the first of a series, and you have really missed out if you don't go to your favorite book seller RIGHT NOW and demand this book.

1)  A Lonely Sky, Linda Schmalz

I've said it before in this blog and I'll say it again:  you aren't going to find a better love story than this book.  Romance, romantic settings, it's all here.  Linda's voice for contemporary romance is spot on, and this one will haunt you. 

And now:  romantic comedies

5)  Sixteen Candles

Kiss on a table.  Enough said.

4)  Two Weeks' Notice

I find Hugh Grant adorable, and I wish he would be my jerk boss.  You know, instead of the regular not adorable jerk bosses I've had.

3)  When Harry Met Sally

The touchstone of the best friend turned lovers story line.  Billy Crystal at his best and Meg Ryan when she still had good hair.

2)  PS  I Love You

This movie has everything.  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love all the seriously hot guys in this movie.  Winner, winner winner.

1)  The Princess Bride

Oh, are you new to this blog?  You thought there'd be a different #1?

And now:  Romantic Dramas you may not think of as Romantic Drama.

5) Pretty in Pink

Is it wrong I think the sexiest guy in the movie is the bad guy?  

4) Cinderella Man

The same arguments that swirl around "Jerry McGuire" could be applied to this boxing movie.  I maintain it's not so much a sports movie as it is a movie about a married couple really, really in love.

3)  Castaway

Tom Hanks on an island for 15 years and the only thing that keeps him alive are thoughts of his wife?  What's more freaking romantic than that?  And, ultimately, the message of the movie is that love is optimistic and optimism lasts forever no matter what.

2)  King Arthur

Clive Owen is a solid romantic leading man and in all honesty not even the worst of the muddy battles can wreck the romance of this movie.

1)  A Beautiful Mind

How can mathematics and schizophrenia be romantic?  I don't know.  But somehow this movie makes it romantic and majestic.  A tear jerking win all the way around.

There, friends, I've given you a full docket of stuff to do this Valentine's weekend.  As for me, I'm going to the late show of "Winter's Tale."   I haven't been to a late movie in years, but hubby and I haven't done any Valentine's anything in decades, so it's time and this movie BETTER BE AWESOME!

What's on your island?

Good morning!!

For most people January is a month of dreary, cold, gray, blah days.  Christmas is over, all the holidays are over, and except for your neighbor up the street who won't take those lights off his house until April, yours streets probably look like mine:  Snow covered and cold.

In a sort of fun mind meld recently I ran across something that was running around Face book, and then I saw an episode of "The Office" that made me think about islands.  Warm sun, warm water, warm cabana boys bringing me a cold drink, that sort of thing.  And, since both Face Book and The Office were talking about what you'd take to a deserted island, I figured I'd play along.

So, what three _____________ would you bring to a deserted island?

Let's start with movies:

3 movies on a deserted island...I love, love, love movies.  Narrowing a list down to just three, well, that might be impossible.  But if I had to pick three movies to take with me to an island, I'd probably bring

1)  Prince Bride  (duh)
2) Pretty in Pink  (because it's awesome)

Drop. Your. Coconut. Bra.

3)  Gladiator  (Russell Crowe is awesome)

That's today...tomorrow that list is probably going to change.

Next:  Which three celebrities would you bring?

This might surprise some people who know about my "list."  (Oh we all have a list, don't judge me.) 

1)  Rick Springfield  (duh)
2)  Tom Hanks
 Because he's really well read and funny and because I'm pretty sure since he was in Castaway, he'd be able to handle a deserted island.
3)  Russell Crowe. 
 Oh wait, if I have Russell Crowe on the Island, then I don't need to bring Gladiator or ANY of his movies along because, I have him there.  So let's change my #3 movie to....any and all version of "Wuthering Heights." that's not cheating!  It's not!

Yes, I'll go to the islands with you!

Okay, now, music.  I'm a big music head, but lately I've been more about single songs than about albums.  Thanks, iTunes.  That said, what three albums would I bring?

1)  New Minstrel Revue:  Far and Away.
Great folk band, and probably the band I've seen live more than any other.  Thank you Renaissance Faire!
2)  Ice House: Man of Colours  
Iit doesn't seem to matter where I am, what I'm doing, this is the best music in the world to write to.  I've had a copy of this album in one form or another since the mid 80's, and I listen to it weekly.
3)  Barry Manilow I
 His first album and, in my opinion, one of his best. Argue if you want about whether this album stands the text of time, and I'll just sing a few bars of "I am Your Child."

What?  No rick Springfield?  No, because, see, I'm bringing HIM with me.


Finally, books.  What three books would I take with me to a deserted island?  Well, they'd have to be books I want to read over and over and over...and in the final analysis, this was a no brainer.

1)  A Lonely Sky  by Linda Schmalz  
(If you haven't discovered this heartbreaking tearjerking gem, run yourself over to Amazon and get it now.)
 Most books I read because I like a good story, but once I've read the story, there are very few books I'll reread just for grins.  A Lonely Sky is one of those books I've read and will read again and again.

2)  Wuthering Heights  by Emily Bronte. 
(Yes, it's my favorite book, and if I'm on a deserted island, with all those versions of the movie, I might finally have time to write a really solid critique of each movie version compared to the book.  Something I've wanted to do for a while.)

3)  Gone with the Wind/Scarlett/Rhett Butler's People.
I know, this is actually three books.  But I've maintained for a long time that Scarlett was one of the most ill conceived, poorly thought out,and badly written books, especially as a sequel to the sublime GWTW.  Rhett Butler's People, on the other hand is pretty brilliant.  Since I'm on an island anyway, and I'm guessing there's no satellite TV or Netflix to fill my days, I'd like to read the three side by side and determine if my opinions are well founded.

And there it is...my list of stuff I would take to and island.   So, what's on YOUR Island List?