Stu’s Reviews – Page 74

Music Review- Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris

Genre: Album

Grade: B+
Notable People: Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris
Title: Old Yellow Moon

Review – It’s a really nice thing when old singing partners get back together to make music. Crowell was a mainstay in Harris’s Hot Band of the late 70s- more or less singing the parts that Emmylou had done with Gram Parsons. She has gone on to much broader success but he has made good solid music for a long time as well. Nothing groundbreaking here- but good songs, great harmonies and fine session musicians give this the feel of very good 70’s country rock effort. They still sing quite well together. Very pleasant

Film Review- Good Ol’ Freda

Genre: Film

Grade: A-
Notable People: Good Ol’ Freda
Title: Freda Kelley, John, Paul, George, Richie (Ringo)

Review – Great documentary from 2013 and available also on Netflix focused on the Beatle’s long hidden secretary. Touching interviews with a woman who decided to go back to normal life after 11 years with The Beatles- starting when she was a 17 year old fan from Liverpool in 1962. And the music is not bad either…plus the archival footage. Great biopic of the era.

Music Review- Guy Clark- My Favorite Picture of You

Genre: Album

Grade: A-
Notable People: Guy Clark
Title: My Favorite Picture of You

Review – Guy Clark is an alt country legend- deservedly so. A mix of country wisdom and beat culture- he’s been making under the radar album beauties for over 40 years. His heirs are voluminous and speak of him with reverence. This is a fine album- gruff, whiskey soaked vocals, pining hearts and a lot of down home wanderin’ philosophy-with a cracker jack backing band. Close your eyes and you’ll be in a West Texas honky- tonk with the roughnecks and cowboys. A thing of beauty.

Film Review- Saving Mr. Banks

Genre: Film

Grade: A
Notable People: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Giamatti, John Lee Hancock
Title: Saving Mr. Banks

Review – this was a compromise movie on Christmas eve for us; trying to find one five people could agree on at a time that would not have us out real late. My expectations were low; I mean it’s about Walt Disney hustling to get Mary Poppins made after 20 years of trying. I won’t say much more- because this movie was revelation. A REALLY beautiful film in all ways. Be prepared for tears- it’s a very emotional story. Hanks and Thompson are masters of the craft, Giamatti his usual major self, Firth is a truly tragic figure, and the whole ensemble is just wonderful. The little girl who plays a child Thompson is a star to be. Really nice touch- the music consultant for the movie was one of the two Sherman bothers who composed the film’s original music. It will make you want to go out and rent Mary Poppins.

Novel Review- Three Can Keep a Secret

Genre: Novel

Grade: A
Notable People: Archer Mayor, Author
Title: Three Can Keep a Secret

Review – This is Archer’s 24th book in the Joe Gunther mystery series- all primarily set in and around Vermont. Archer is somewhat of a folk here in the state, and deservedly so for a body off work that so finely illuminates the state’s beauty, character and nuance. This one is somewhat of a departure in that it is both a good old fashioned mystery as well as chronicle of the Vermont experience post Hurricane Irene. Archer does a really nice job of painting a picture of the devastation of the natural disaster while still weaving a fine yarn. All the primary characters are back (as they have been for over 20 years) and this one delves into the mythical history of the states’ politics and power base. This ranks as one of my favorites of the last two decades; always a thrill when we get to experience more of the enigmatic Willie. Some of Archer’s books might seem inaccessible to the novice who has not followed the serial- but this one can stand alone as a fine work of fiction. If you have not yet given this series a try- this may be the one to start with…it will undoubtedly have you going back to the beginning to check out the whole shebang.

Film Review- Dallas Buyers Club

Genre: Film

Grade: A-
Notable People: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn, Griffin Dunne , Directed by Jean- Marc Vallee

Title: Dallas Buyers Club

Review – This is a really powerful film about the early days of the AIDS crisis and a reluctant hero who winds up fighting the pharmo industry profit system to find ways to keep people alive (initially himself). McConaughey is more impressive with each role he does and is barely recognizable here as a rodeo wild man who comes down with AIDS in a world in which AIDS was only for gay people. 24 hours later and I can’t shake this film. Brilliantly directed and paced; one of the most potent movies I’ve seen in awhile. The humor makes the agony bearable.

Film Review- Don Jon

Genre: Film

Grade: A
Notable People: Joseph Gordon- Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Directed by Levitt
Title: Don Jon

Review – Wanted to see this movie that won all kinds if Indie awards months ago- but it came and went really quickly while in we were in Vermont. Found it at second run theater and…WOW…I LOVED this movie. Levitt is a revelation as a porn addicted, confession going, woman shark, New Jerseyite. This movie is funny and profound, and he gives it an amazing run both as director and lead. Scarlett defines the Jersey girl in this movie- she really worked at this part and Moore is her usual brilliant self in a wonderful role. Danza is more or less an aging Tony- but he does it really well and their Sunday Italian dinner scenes are priceless. The younger sister only has one line the hole movie and it defines the whole movie in a way. This is a pleasantly surprising sleeper-keeper.

Film Review- The Hunger Games- Catching Fire

Genre: Film

Grade: A

Notable People: Jennifer Lawrence and a cast to die for, Directed by Francis Lawrence
Title: The Hunger Games- Catching Fire

Review – Movie two in the trilogy; these films have exceeded my widest expectations in capturing the thrill of the books. And, I think they also work for someone who has not read the books. Lawrence grows more luminous with each film role-and has totally captured Katniss… and the supporting cast is just magnificent- especially Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland and Elizabeth Banks…plus this one adds Philip Seymour Hoffman. This a GREAT holiday movie…shame we have to wait a year for the finale.

Film Review- The Book Thief

Genre: Film

Grade: A

Notable People: Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nelisse, Directed by Brian Percival
Title: The Book Thief

Review – Unbelievably touching art house film about an Ann Frank type in Stuttgart Germany at start of the War. This girl, Sophie, is going to be a film giant. Brilliant!!!! Rush and Watson are magnificent and the story is really well told- though the narration is a bit schmaltzy. We mostly cried for two hours…extraordinarily moving, and it WILL make you think. How could this happen?

Film Review- American Hustle

Genre: Film

Grade: A-
Notable People: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Directed by David O. Russell
Title: American Hustle

Review – Very entertaining film about ABSCAN Scandal of the early 70’s in New Jersey; a major con game that involved the FBI and all kinds of politicians. Really captures the time and place well and the movie goes along at a wonderful pace- enchanting, engaging, exciting. Bale and Cooper are twin towers trying to outsmart each other and to look the most ridiculous in their ultra 70’s garb. Adams sizzles in a role unlike any she has played before and Lawrence is almost unrecognizable as a gum chewing, beehive-do, wise-ass Jersey girl. Renner steals the show as legendary Camden politico Carmine Polito. Great movie for a cold night. I graded it down a bit, as it seemed a bit predictable and the music people missed an amazing opportunity with the score- which was mediocre. See it- you’ like it.