Category Archives: Movies

Movie Review – Florence Foster Jenkins

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

A long-time fan of Meryl Streep, I looked forward to seeing the award-winning actress take on the role of society matron Florence Foster Jenkins. Having heard Ms. Streep sing beautifully in previous films—Postcards from the Edge, The Deer Hunter, Ricki and the Flash—I wondered if she could actually sound horrible.

I needn’t have worried.

Ms. Streep delivers the shrill trills and toneless howls with great joy and abandon, much to the chagrin of her accompanist Cosmé McMoon (Simon Helberg), who had hoped to use his new (well-paid) position to make a name in the New York music scene. While his initial reactions to Florence’s performances are comical, he gradually becomes one of her most loyal supporters.

And thanks to the persistent efforts of Florence’s second husband, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant), an ever-growing circle of admirers and supporters flock to the aging chanteuse’s concerts. Grant delivers a stellar performance as the “kept” man who manages to support and shield Florence from mockery while having an affair with his bohemian girlfriend (Rebecca Ferguson). I particularly enjoyed his dance scene.

Director Stephen Frears wisely decided to keep the historical facts to a minimum. Through a series of short dialogues, we learn that young Miss Foster had been a childhood piano prodigy who once performed at the White House. A falling out with her wealthy father led to an elopement with a philandering first husband who gave her syphilis.

In spite of her health challenges and limited musical ability, Florence maintains a cheerful demeanor and displays remarkable self-confidence. An inspiration for all of us!


Film Review – Me Before You

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’ve been closely following the Assisted Death conversation in Canada and the federal government’s struggle to draft a bill that would address the concerns of Canadians facing this dilemma. While I have my own opinions, I like to think that I’m open to other points of view.

I approached Me Before You, the film adaptation of Jo Jo Moyes bestselling novel, with some trepidation, wondering if the tone would be too depressing.

Thankfully, my fears were short-lived.

I immediately fell in love with the main characters: Emilia Clarke, who plays Louisa Clark, the small town caregiver and companion to Will Traynor (Sam Chaflin), a wealthy young banker whose entire world collapses when he becomes paraplegic and wheelchair bound.

Sparks fly as Louisa attempts to cheer the mournful Will with her chattiness, effervescent spirit, and brightly colored clothes and shoes. Eventually, she breaks through his icy reserve and an unexpected relationship blossoms.

The storyline is an engaging one. So many delightful moments ensue as Louisa discovers subtitled films, pesto (green gravy), and Mozart. In turn, Will enjoys his foray into Louisa’s life when he visits and meets her family on the occasion of her birthday. The distribution of gifts is hilarious.

A kiss under a tropical thunderstorm, dance floor adventures, and dreams of Paris can only hint at a fairy tale ending…

Bring lots of tissues!!


Jo’s Top 10 Romantic Comedies

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome author Jo Richardson to the Power of 10 series. Today, Jo shares her favorite romantic comedies.

Here’s Jo!

I tease my husband from time to time (ahem) – because I really dig suspense and horror and he loooooooooves romantic comedies. But the truth is, I love them too. And the older I get, there are different things I love about them. I’ve adored so many over the years and dwindling this down to just 10 is difficult but in the end, I am giving you, my 40’s faves:

jo1
A swinger on the cusp of being a senior citizen with a taste for young women falls in love with an accomplished woman closer to his age.
Why it’s so great:

Jack Nicholson is brilliant at this role of a man who is used to seducing younger women but finds, surprisingly, that it’s Diane Keaton’s character he cannot live without. It reminded me of when he played “The Astronaut” in Terms of Endearment and that made me love him even more.


jo2When Harry Met Sally
Harry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.
Why it’s so great:
Because “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to begin as soon as possible.” – Cinched this story for me, made me laugh through tears and that is golden.


jo3He’s Just Not That Into You
The Baltimore-set movie of interconnecting story arcs deals with the challenges of reading or misreading human behavior.
Jenny Anniston, Ben Affleck, ….
Why it’s so great:
I enjoy movies like this one, where there are several couples’s stories that I’m getting. It’s crazy and fun and although I loved them all (ew, except for Bradley Coopers character), my favorite was Jennifer Anniston and Ben Afleck – the way those two came full circle did it for me. And when he went shopping and did the dishes for her family – heart squeezes.

jo4Life As We Know It
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055292
Two single adults become caregivers to an orphaned girl when their mutual best friends die in an accident.
Why it’s so great:
Josh Duhamel was so flipping hilarious in this movie. I love watching him.



jo5PS I love You (because Gerard Butler)
A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.
Why it’s so great:
You mean, besides Gerard Butler?






jo6It’s Complicated
When attending their son’s college graduation, a couple reignite the spark in their relationship…but the complicated fact is they’re divorced and he’s remarried.
Why it’s so great:
The situation comedy and reactions from Steve Martin alone are worth it.



jo7The Proposal
A pushy boss forces her young assistant to marry her in order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation to Canada.
Why it’s so great:
Dominate woman VS boy toy employee turned love at first fight? YES PLEASE.



jo8You’ve Got Mail
Two business rivals hate each other at the office but fall in love over the internet.
Why it’s so great:
Why isn’t it great? I cried so hard when Meg Ryan’s character had to give up her book store. I don’t know if I would have handled that any better. But the reveal of who her online chat buddy is, at the end, that is perfection.


thestoryofusThe Story of Us
Ben and Katie Jordan are a married couple who go through hard times in fifteen years of marriage.
Why it’s so great: I remember seeing this back in 1999 when it first came out. I didn’t like it that much back then. It was on cable a few weeks ago and I found myself watching it again with a whole new perspective. I bawled my eyes out at the end (and several places in between). Looking back now, I see that I couldn’t have appreciated this story for what it is, back then. I was still newly married, new to babies, new to everything really. Now, I get it. And I love it so much it’s on this list.

jo9This is 40
Pete and Debbie are both about to turn 40, their kids hate each other, both of their businesses are failing, they’re on the verge of losing their house, and their relationship is threatening to fall apart.
Why it’s so great:
OMG. So many moments where I’m going yup, yup, double yup. This couple totally nailed it with all the stress that comes along with being 40. Including money, parents, kids (and school!), and the ever elusive, alone time. Lots and lots of laugh out loud moments.

jo10Crazy, Stupid, Love
A middle-aged husband’s life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.
Why it’s so great:
I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this multi level, twists and turns, who’s in love with who now story. By the time you’re at the end and it all comes to a head (no pun intended) you are dying with amusement. Not a bad way to go, if I do say so myself. Plus I love how endearing a story can be, while making me laugh and cry at the same time. WIN.

Bio

jorichardsonA movie fanatic, a writer of stories, a lover of life.

Jo grew up in Maryland with four siblings, three parents and an endless number of cousins within the vicinity – but it was too cold up North for this thin blooded girl. So today, she lives in Florida with her two girls and a husband that shares her same sense of humor and basic take on life as we know it.

Life is too short to put dreams on the back burner.

Jo tells contemporary stories with paranormal, mystery, suspense, humor, action, romance, and anything else she can think up.
* * *

In 2012, she wrote Cursed be the Wicked, a character driven, paranormal mystery romance that was picked up by Soul Mate Publishing and released in March of 2014. Jo has also written a couple of short stories as well, and her most recent full length novel, Cookie Cutter, released through Little Bird Publishing in March of 2015, broke into the top 100 contemporary romantic fiction category on Amazon during its first week of publication.

When she’s not writing, Jo can usually be found spending quality time with her family and their furry animals.

Where to find Jo…

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Movie Review: Wild

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Almost two years have passed since reading Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, but the powerful scenes and vivid imagery in Wild have lingered in memory. I eagerly awaited the film adaptation and wondered if 38-year-old Reese Witherspoon could capture all the nuances of a 26-year-old embarking on a journey of self-discovery, or as Cheryl eloquently put it: “Finding the woman my mother thought I was.”

I was not disappointed. In fact, I was riveted by the Oscar-worthy performances of Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, who played Cheryl’s mother, Bobbi.

A bit of back story…

After Bobbi died of cancer at age 45, Cheryl’s life took a downward turn. Her wild love for her mother turned into wild sorrow and then she went wild into her life. Hungry for affirmation, she indulged in bouts of sexual promiscuity and drug addiction. Fed up, her husband asked for a divorce. Unhappy and desperate, Cheryl picked up a guidebook about the Pacific Crest Trail and six months later started hiking from the Mojave Desert to Oregon, a distance of over one thousand miles.

Screenwriter Nick Hornby has skillfully adapted this memoir, interspersing Cheryl’s internal thoughts and a series of flashbacks with an adventure tale featuring the highs and lows of this unimaginable solo trek. From the opening scene, we can feel Cheryl’s anguish while removing a septic toenail and watching one of her boots tumble into a ravine. More unnerving episodes follow, among them dealing with extreme temperatures, running out of water, and encountering a rattlesnake.

Early in the film, thoughts of quitting occupy Cheryl’s mind. The backpack—aptly named Monster—provided the first challenge. It was well over half her weight and Cheryl could barely stand up, let alone walk. Her boots were too small and a constant source of pain. Truthfully, I don’t think I could have lasted one day, let alone three months.

Photos of the real Cheryl Strayed in the closing credits add an authentic touch to this larger-than-life film.


Movie Review: The Monuments Men

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

The Monuments Men is not a traditional World War II film. Based on a real-life treasure hunt, this action drama features an all-star cast led by George Clooney. As aging art expert Frank Stokes, he persuades President Roosevelt to include art recovery as part of the war effort.

Determined to rescue artistic masterpieces from the Nazis, Stokes recruits seven other art specialists played by Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Balaban, Jean Dujardin, and Sam Epstein. Once in Europe, they split into teams and search for promising leads.

Switching back and forth between the teams made it difficult to keep track of the characters and, for most of the film, I simply thought of them as the “Bill Murray character” or the “Matt Damon character.” While there were several moving scenes, I felt there weren’t enough of them. I would like to have known more about Donald Jeffries’ (Hugh Bonneville) past and why Jean Claude Clermont (Jean Dujardin) was in exile. My favorite scenes were those with Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett, who plays an art curator and member of the French Resistance.

An extra hour of film time would have added more depth to the characters. Alternatively, the film could have been told from the perspective of the Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett characters, focusing on the budding romance (or not) between them.

Movie Review: Enough Said

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

This witty and light-hearted romantic comedy that is probably more “dramadey” features two wonderful performances by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini.

Eva (Dreyfus) and Albert (Gandolfini) are divorced, single parents dreading their daughters’ impending departures for college. They meet at a party where both confess they are not remotely attracted to any of the guests. In spite of this initial ambivalence, Eva and Albert start dating. At the same party, Eva meets and adds a divorced poet (Catherine Keener) to the roster of clients for her masseuse practice.

As an unlikely and often awkward relationship blossoms between Eva and Albert, we see another side of Gandolfini, one that was absent in his former role as Tony Soprano. As Albert, he is thoughtful and caring, willing to drop everything to please others. Eva is charmed, but still reticent about making a full commitment, and when she discovers that Marianne (Keener) is Albert’s ex-wife, she starts picking at the budding relationship.

I loved the acting and dialogue in this well-paced movie and hated to see “The End” flash across the screen. Thoughts of a sequel came to mind, but it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find another Albert. Had he lived, Gandolfini could have enjoyed a second career as a rom-con king.



Movie: American Hustle

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Loosely based on the Abscam affair, a real political sting in the 1970s, American Hustle is easily one of the year’s best films. And its A-list actors—Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence—are definitely contenders for the 2014 Golden Globes and Oscars.

While corruption is at the core of this film, it is difficult to pin down each of these complex characters. As the balding and bloated Irving Rosenfeld, Christian Bale displays the empathetic side of a con artist who actually wants life to work out for others. He bonds with former stripper Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) who joins Irving’s scams, posing as a British aristocrat with banking connections.

Volatile F.B.I. agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) catches up with these partners in crime and coerces them into carrying out his big-time sting. As this unlikely trio works together, Richie falls under Sydney’s spell. Struggling with jealousy, Irving must also deal with his much younger and unpredictable wife, expertly portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence.

I highly recommend this engaging and entertaining film.



Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

This movie tugged at my heartstrings as I recalled many fond memories of the classic Mary Poppins. After leaving the theater, I rented the DVD and watched as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke sang and danced in a magical production that continues to delight viewers of all ages.

While Saving Mr. Banks may not achieve the same acclaim as Mary Poppins, the contemporary film provides an extraordinary back story to the beloved classic.

I was surprised to learn that author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) was a difficult woman who did not like children and often spoke her mind. Early in the film, she asks a woman seated near her on the flight to Los Angeles: “Will the child be a nuisance?”

Appalled by the excesses in Los Angeles, Mrs. Travers constantly reprimands the pleasant Disney secretary (Kathy Baker) when she brings in platefuls of food. In her hotel room, she turns a large Mickey Mouse doll to the wall with the following reprimand: “You can stay there until you learn the art of subtlety.”

Mrs. Travers appears petty and demanding as she questions every step of the creative process. As the film progresses, however, we discover why she is so protective of Mary Poppins and determined not to depict Mr. Banks as cruel and insensitive. Through a series of flashbacks, we are given glimpses of a dysfunctional childhood with an alcoholic father (Colin Farrell), a suicidal mother (Ruth Wilson) and an upbeat, orderly aunt (Rachel Giffiths).

Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks deliver Oscar-worthy performances in one of the best films of the season. Hanks is very convincing as Walt Disney, effectively capturing the revered founder’s mannerisms, boyishness, and optimism while Thompson nails the part of the prickly author, determined to save Mary Poppins from the excesses of the Disney empire.

Interesting Disney anecdotes involving P.L. Travers…

At the Mary Poppins premiere, Mrs. Travers informed Walt Disney there was still “a lot of work to do” on the movie. Disney responded, “Pamela, the ship has sailed.” The two never spoke again.

Years later, when J.K. Rowling outlined her expectations for a Harry Potter attraction in a theme park, several of the Disney executives recalled the Travers debacle and decided to take a pass. Universal stepped in and acquired the rights.



Movie Review: The Butler

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Director Lee Daniels faced many daunting tasks while filming Lee Daniels’ The Butler. In addition to the legal wrangling that resulted in adding his name to the title, Daniels had to condense seven decades into two hours, prevent all the famous cameos from becoming a distraction, and effectively demonstrate the conflicts that existed between black fathers and their sons during the Civil Rights Movement.

Forrest Whitaker delivers a stellar performance as Cecil Gaines, the White House butler who believed that the only way to advance in life was to be hard-working and non-confrontational. Two attributes that served Cecil well as he worked through seven presidencies, Eisenhower to Reagan.

His son Louis (David Oyelowo) believed in forcing the issue and taking a stand, behavior that led to threats from the KKK, beatings and incarceration. After Martin Luther King’s death, Louis became even more radical and joined the Black Panthers.

The tension between father and son lasts decades and contributes to even more turmoil in Cecil’s home. His wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) is an alcoholic who resents Cecil’s devotion to his job. Despite limited screen time, Winfrey delivers an excellent performance in this supporting role. Other notable supporting actors include Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, and Vanessa Redgrave.

During the 1960s, I was aware of the turbulent race relations in the United States, but this film clarified many of those issues and, more importantly, demonstrated how the White House dynamics changed during the second half of the twentieth century. While “dramatic license” was taken with real-life Eugene Allen’s life (inspiration for Cecil Gaines), all the White House scenes actually happened. I found many of these scenes amusing; in particular, the Lyndon Johnson bathroom scene.

An excellent film worthy of many Oscar nominations. Bring Kleenex—you’ll need it.



Movie Review: Blue Jasmine

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

It is definitely Cate Blanchett’s show. She delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Jasmine (née Jeannette), the middle-aged trophy wife who is the dazed victim of a financial scandal involving her former husband Hal (Alec Baldwin).

The film opens with Jasmine arriving in San Francisco, broke but still flying first class with a full set of Louis Vuitton luggage. Also homeless, she is forced to depend upon the kindness of her estranged sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins), who is romantically involved with blue-collar Chili (Bobby Cannavale).  Shades of A Streetcar Named Desire. Interestingly enough, Blanchett also played Blanche DuBois on stage.

I could feel Jasmine’s discomfort during that double date with one of Chili’s friends and the scenes with her overly amorous dentist employer. In spite of her many pretentious comments and cringe-worthy behavior, I sympathized with this delusional woman, attempting to pick up the shards of her shattered life.

A long-time fan of Cate Blanchett, I believe this is her best performance to date. Throughout the film, I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she allowed us frightening glimpses into Jasmine’s fear, panic and vulnerability.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks involving Alec Baldwin. With his trademark grin, he nails the character of the con man in Brooks Brothers clothing.

I highly recommend this post-crash fable.