Tuck Everlasting

2002 – Drama/Romance by director Jay Russell

Description: A young sheltered girl from a wealthy family meets a young man, or so she thinks… At 15 Winnie is faced with a life that is all planned out by her parents.  When she meets Jesse Tuck she is able to experience a completely different way of life and she falls in love with his family’s easy go with the flow way of being. She also falls in love with Jesse.  But as it turns out the whole Tuck family has never aged since drinking from a spring of youth. Now Winnie must make one of the most important decision of her life that she will have to live with for the rest of her life: She has to decide if she will drink from the spring and live forever or stay on a human time line.

Review: A nice young person’s movie that contains a few good lessons to be learned. I did like the character’s different perspectives on immortality and what makes your life a ‘good life’.  The story was well written and well delivered by the director and actors.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 8
Acting – 8
Drama – 7
Romance – 5.5

My favorite quotes:

ü  “I need a new name, one that’s not all worn out from being called so much.”

ü  “I’m never gonna let you go.”

ü  “What we Tucks have, you can’t call it living. We just….. Are.”

Lead cast: Alexis Bledel, Jonathan Jackson, William Hurt, Sissy Spacek
Supporting cast: Ben Kingsley, Scott Bairstow, Victor Garber, Amy Irving

A Guide For the Married Man

1967 Comedy/Romantic Comedy by director Gene Kelly

Description: Everyone knows that all married men cheat on their wives… Most men get caught. This movie shows them how to do it successfully.  Step by step.  Watch as Paul learns all the tricks from his buddy Ed.

Review: A very funny farce, Gene Kelly did an excellent job!  Walter Matthau is very funny, as usual, and very nervous and innocent.  Packed full of great cameos!  Absolutely silly.   Even if you don’t like old movies, you should see this one.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 7
Acting – 7.5
Comedy – 7

My favorite quotes:

ü  “Well if you think I’m going to stick about here, just watching you be cheerful, you’ve got another thing coming!"

ü  “That’s the trouble with Ruth; she’s such a wonderful wife…"

ü  “Deny, Deny, Deny! No matter what she knows, or thinks she knows, deny it."

Lead cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Morse
Supporting cast: Inger Stevens, Claire Kelly, Jackie Russell

The Graduate

1967 – Drama/Comedy/Romance by director Mike Nichols

Description: Confused about where to go and what to do with his life now that he is a college graduate, Ben goes home to Pasadena.  He fumbles his way into an unusual situation: seduces into an affair with Mrs. Robinson.  Wasting his days away and flinging through his nights, Ben still has no idea what to do.  Unexpectedly he decides that he is in love with and is going to marry the daughter of his mistress, much to the dismay of Mrs. Robinson.

Review: It is a very good adaptation of the book and the roles are played perfectly by a wonderful cast.  Dustin Hoffman plays a nervous, confused, moody 21 year old well.  Of course Anne Bancroft did such a good job playing nonchalant, confident, controlling, guilt tripping Mrs. Robinson!

My ratings:
Story & Plot – 8
Acting – 7
Drama – 7
Romance – 6

My favorite quotes:

F    “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.”

F   “Goddamn, that's great. So old Elaine Robinson got started in a

       Ford.”

F   “Benjamin, I am not trying to seduce you.”

F   “Mrs. Robinson, if you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is

       getting a little strange.”

Lead cast: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross
Supporting cast: William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, Elizabeth Wilson