Movie Madness

With my party ending up a social success last weekend, I promised myself a relaxing weekend filled with movies (okay, perhaps a few loads of laundry). Here's what I've seen so far - ratings are based on 5 stars. Check back through the weekend as I'll be adding them as I go:

Bigger Than the Sky - 3 stars
Semi-romantic-comedy based on a loner who joins a community theatre production to meet new people. Eventually, he finds himself.

The Work and the Glory - .5 star
I was rooked by Netflix...the movie was recommended by them. I learned everything I wanted to learn about the Mormon religion when I was growing up - the next town over is some sort of mecca to them (Kirtland, OH) and, hell, I watched The Donny & Marie Show. Run away from this film - run fast - run hard.

Pitcher and the Pin-Up - 3.5 stars
aka, The Road Home. Well, the quality is understandable now that I've discovered that Drew Johnson wrote, directed, and starred in this movie. Yet, for his first movie, he hit this one out of the park (c'mon, you knew there'd have to be a baseball metaphor in this review). While some lines are pretty hokey at times, the story is good and the acting is strong. And, if a casting director ever needs a twin sister for Keri Russell, Corinna Harney is their gal. The break-out actor in this movie was Stephen Bishop (also in Friday Night Lights). He was perfect in his role as Tyrell.

Eat Your Heart Out - 2.5 stars
Typical boy-boy-girl roommates where the girl pines for her secret crush, who just HAPPENS to be one of her roommates. Sure, you've heard the story before and this is a barely acceptable version.

Vertigo - 4.5 stars
Yeah, I've seen it many times, but it's such a good movie. My favorite Hitchcock movie, Rear Window, rates 5 stars...so I had to bump this one down a bit on the rating chart.

Finally, Grosse Pointe Blank - 5 stars
1. John Cusack
2. amazing soundtrack
3. hysterical quotes - though some of my favorites didn't make the cut on IMDb.....
Mrs. Kinetta: "Martin, you were Detroit's biggest disappearing act since White Flight."
Paul: "I'll see you at the 'I've-Peaked-and-I'm-Kidding-Myself' party."
Marty: Hi, remember me? I'm not married, I don't have any kids, and I'd blow your head off if someone paid me enough."
4. set during a high school reunion - a horror I too must face this September.
5. Jeremy Piven
6. all the Cusack siblings appear in the film.
7. Did I mention the movie stars John Cusack???