My One and Only

Big names help this story, but the story itself is worth telling. Merv Griffin was the champion of this project from the beginning and although he did not survive to see it's completion, I hear his fingerprints are everywhere. Merv was a perfectionist and it shows.

Renée Zellweger plays the main character of the jilted mother of two boys, one of whom grows up to be celebrity George Hamilton. The young George is played smartly by Logan Lerman. Lerman is no newcomer to the big screen. His gay brother is played by Mark Rendall. His character is about the best comic relief this movie has.

Billed as a comedy this is really more of a dramedy. There is more drama than the marketeers would want us to think. Be prepared.

Other recognizable faces include, Kevin Bacon, Chris Noth, David Koechner, and Eric McCormick.

Even if you don't know who George Hamilton is you may enjoy this story of youthful evolution and discovery. Keep in mind that Hamilton was known for his otherworldly tan. This makes his mother's comments about him going to the beach to get some color and his later remarks that LA is too sunny all the more amusing. It really is a good story of keeping family together and making the best of difficult situations.

Watch this movie with someone who has always dreamed of a cross-country road trip ending in Hollywood stardom.

New In Town

While this movie follows the standard RomCom formula and is totally predictable, it does have a couple of things in it that make it worth a watch. First, the cold weather and fish-out-of-water Miami girl spending her winter in Minnesota is very interesting especially for folks for have known both extremes. Second, the great cluster of locals make for enough funny moments to keep us interested.

Renée Zellweger looks her age and as if shes had too much work done to hide. Sorry Renée but some of the close-ups were not very flattering. Perhaps this was by design? If so, the effect is successful.

Harry Connick Jr. plays her professional "rival" but personal love-interest. Similar to his character in "Hope Floats", this character is scared and flawed and available. The relationship is a bit rushed by the time constraints of the movie and never really felt real to me.

The real "characters" of this story are the locals, played to perfection by the likes of Siobhan Fallon, J. K. Simmons, and Frances Conroy. If you know anyone from Minnesota you will surely recognize these folks. No offense intended - I love these people. Ja sure.

This is sort of a cross between "Gung Ho" and "Hope Floats" and "Norma Ray", but don't read too much into that comparison.

Watch this movie with someone who has had to get out of coveralls in a hurry.

Appaloosa

This movie is very much like a typical cattle drive. Slow moving but very satisfying. If you like Westerns with the pace of Lonesome Dove or Open Range, you should like this movie as well. I'm not saying it is as good as those two however. If your idea of a good Western is Wild Wild West, then you should maybe avoid this movie.

Ed Harris stars, directs, produces, and had a hand in the screenplay. While this is not his best effort as an actor, it is a respectable directing effort. There is nothing gratuitous in this movie. Everything is there for a reason.

Viggo Mortensen also gives an understated performance. Not as interesting as his Hidalgo character, it is almost as if both the character AND the actor are bored with the role. Patience is needed to see this story to the end. But if you have known any real cowboys, you will recognize the realities in this portrayal.

Jeremy Irons and Renée Zellweger also star with pivotal supporting roles. Their characters are actually more interesting that the headliners. Irons has always made intersting choices as bad guys. Ms. Zellweger is new at it (being a bad "guy"), but does a very nice job here.

Watch this movie with someone who is not in a hurry.