Reservation Road

Reservation Road - Dvd (2007)
The gloomy weather in our part of the world has meant nights tucked in at home with books or dvds. Somehow I had seen the promo for this movie on another I watched last week, and as I enjoy Mark Ruffolo/Jennifer Connelly, I put in my order and reserved it.

I feel somewhat conflicted, as the I do enjoy dramas, and so often feel letdown by the light and fluffy stuff out there. The date night floofy stories, the stupid chick flicks that have no smarts and worst of all the manboy comedies written by and for 12 year old boys (I'm talking to you Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler), they all leave me so annoyed at wasting good money, and I almost feel dirty watching them. Reservation Road was dramatic, well acted and directed, but I felt a bit gloomy about the story.

After an evening out, a young family stops at a gas station where an SUV, swerves and hits and kills the son who is at the side of the road, releasing fire flys back into the bushes. The driver stunned and scared drives away, leaving the family in turmoil. They both then, have to learn to live with what has happened and how it affects their lives.

I guess not the cheeriest of stories to cover, and I thought that both Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffolo did a good honest portrayl of stress, grief and sorrow. I have to give it a 2/5.

Growing Up Again - Mary Tyler Moore

Growing Up Again - Mary Tyler Moore (2009)
I had seen Mary Tyler Moore speaking on the Rachel Ray show about her new book. Part biography, it was mainly a dialogue about her experiences with being a diabetic. I liked the interview, and took a chance and requested the book.

A light read, taking only a couple of sittings it was interesting to learn that she has been diabetic for so long, and that it has affected her so badly in recent years, and that she is heavily involved in speaking out about type I diabetes. You have to admire her for her charity work, and if I knew anyone who was recently diagnosed I would point them in the direction of this book. 2/5

The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles - Roy Jacobsen

The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles - Roy Jacobsen (2005)
I had wandered into the central town library, as I had an hour or two to spare before I met my friends. At 4pm many of the cafes are crowded and noisy and the library is often a quiet place to retreat. I did a quick glance around the shelves, and this little book was resting on the librarians choice shelf. I had vaguely remembered some reviews of this book, and as it was small and light and the ideal size to fit in my bag, I took it out.

Timo lives in a small town in the forests of Finland. In 1939 in the depths of winter, the inhabitants retreat as the Russians advance leaving most of the town burnt out. Timo stays and is joined by a small collection of stragglers, each trying to find their own freedom and way home.

I can't say I was particularly moved or astounded by this small book (like it says on the cover), and after picking it up to read the last 10 pages, after a week in my bag I was hard pushed to remember what had happened and who the characters were. I feel I should apologize, but I am going to have to say 2/5.

The Rosetti Letter - Christi Phillips

The Rosetti Letter - Christi Phillips (2007)
In the 17th centuary, Alessandra Rosetti is faced with the choice of poverty or the convent after her father and brother are drowned with the family riches. Choosing instead to become a courtesan, mixing with Venetians most powerful men.

Claire Donovan is a Phd student who is studying the Spanish conspiracy in the Venice of the 1600s. In order to finish her dissertation, she must go to Venice to do some research. Without funds she finds herself a job of being companion to a teenager in order to finance her trip. Also present in Venice at the same time, is Andrew Kent, a Cambridge professor who is writing a book on the same topic.

For a first novel it was well written, and I am sure well researched with authentic Venetian details. Certainly a perfect novel to stay in bed and read on our wild, wet and windy winter weekend. 3/5

Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road - Dvd (2008)
I guess living the dream, then doing something unexpected was a bit revolutionary for the average 1950s family, but I really didn't get it, and think I have missed the point of the movie. I am sure lots of girls had dreams of living artistic lives in Paris or London at the time.

Kate Winslet did a great job, I loved her Princess Grace persona at the beginning and you could sense her slide by the lack of hairspray, dowdy dresses and not so perfect makeup. Leonardo, I didn't find him believable, I felt like he was playing dress up and pretending to be his grandfather.

2/5 - it was nice to look at, and beats the rubbish that tv pumps out.

The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - Dvd (2008)
After a few serious dramas one can always use a bit of fluff and silliness. I did really enjoy the first mummy film, the one that begins with a bit of a tale of Egyptian history and then turns into silly mummy fighting.

So this is film number 3 in the series which starts with a bit of Chinese history and then turns digital crazy with yetis, mummies and skeletons fighting. Well I wasn't looking for serious acting or realistic stories was I? So it is a 1/5 for this predictable endevour. Save your money and your time.

Man On Wire

Man on Wire - Dvd (2008)
This doco played at last years film fest, and I was dying to see it , but the session times didn't work out and I missed it. I missed it also in the rerun but was glad to be able to get it on dvd. I was surprised by this dvd, it's use of suspense turning it into a light hearted thriller, the blend of ren-enactments and footage from 1974 was well done, it was amusing at times, and in others it was beautiful too.

In 1974 Phillipe Petit, assisted by friends, snuck into the top of the world trade centre, rigged up a tightrope and then walked between the two towers eight times, 110 floors up. Amazing stuff, even more so after 2001.

4/5 - really you must see it.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Dvd (2007)
Somehow I missed this one at the movies. Study keeps me away from the cinema sometimes, but it is always a delight to have something interesting on dvd to watch. At the moment I am excited as the Wellington International Film Festival starts in 6 weeks, and I have annual leave for the whole lot, making me a huge geek I know!!! My friend is in charge of booking the popular evening shows and we booked for 10 of these, booked on the first day of the booking office opening.

I don't usually do the mid week dvds, but this week I have no shift and the tele sucks, so I am treating myself to some indoor entertainment and have a few dvds and a pile of books, just in case the swine flu arrives (and I am feeling very sniffly).

Miss Pettigrew is a frumy governess who dismissed from her job, finds herself tossed onto the streets. Being enterprising she manages to find herself in a position of helping a young American actress, and within the space of a day, everything changes.

A delightful comedy, set in 1939 London, this period piece feels light and not too forced (unlike an Easy Virtue, seen earlier in the month). Frances McDormand was perfect in her role as Miss Pettigrew, Amy Adams was bubbly and insightful and Ciaran Hinds/Mr Wentworth was broody and the perfect love interest for the older ladies. 4/5

The Lost Child - Julie Myerson

The Lost Child - Julie Myerson (2009)
Julie Myerson comes across an album, of watercolour pictures painted in the 1800's by a young girl Mary Yellory. She finds later that Mary died at the age of 21, leaving little trace of the life she lived, except for the pictures of her life.

At the same time, while researching the life of the Yellory family, there is turmoil in the Myerson family. The oldest son, at sixteen is thrown out of home. Turning the world of his family inside out and upside down by his continued drug use, after continued disturbances and an assault on his mother, the parents feel they have little choice but to ask him to leave.

Julie Myerson seems to have received a huge amount of criticism for this move, but my goodness I feel that she was so brave to write about this issue that many families are facing and that in her book, she laid out bare and told it like it was. I could feel her pain in her writing, and feel very sad that people could be critical of her.

Although both childrens lives are so very different, it does explain that no matter how much you may love your kids, and no matter what opportunities come their way, they will make their own way in the world.

3/5

The Proposal

The Proposal (2009)
Well on last nights TV3 movie review, Kate Roger gave this one a one out of five. Me, I am going to give it a 3/5, cause I am feeling kind, and because Ryan is so cute.

Sandra Bullock, well she looks great, but honey you could do with eating some bread once or twice a year. I know you had to be semi-nekkid in this one, but really you could do with a tiny layer of adipose.

Typical rom-com, where they hate each other but will end up married. At least it didn't start off rom-com and then try to drama it up. Nice supporting cast. Take your lady or gay friends, leave the guys at home. Or, wait for the dvd, and grab a pizza.