Reviews by JR1220

I have to say the performances, especially Leonardo DiCaprio's, were really solid. However, this is just so counter to my sensibilities that I felt like I was watching a horror film. Stunning cast and edgy writing - interesting shot choices. All in all, I understand why it is popular, it was too much. Reminded me a bit of my ad sales days.

It is like no other movie I've ever seen. Beautiful filming to match outstanding performances, especially from Sandra Bullock.

Such a nice cast and some fun performances, but it never gelled as a movie for me. I wanted more. The ending was a little "meh," too.

good clean fun - loved the people in this, but there were some serious and thoughtful moments, too.

Week in, week out - one of the best examples of comedy - and entertainment on television at the moment. It's a "not miss" at our house.

Wanted to say a few things about SLP while it is still fresh in my mind.
First off, Jennifer Lawrence is the real deal. I predict that she will have the big one (Oscar) within five years. As an actress, I've been very impressed with her so far. I'm more impressed with how she has been handling her new found fame. Don't change a thing - inside or out.
I'm also a big fan of Bradley Cooper's performance in this movie. While it was challenging to watch in spots, the comedy helped to balance out the more serious overtones of mental illness and loss.
Finally, this was an important movie in that it may open up a dialogue about mental health in this country and how we might be able to recognize if someone is having an issue, be that a loved one, friend, co-worker or anyone else. Gone should be the days where we poke fun of individuals with mental illness. It's a serious disease that we are still struggling with as a society.

Along with Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List, Lincoln should be required viewing for years to come to help future generations understand what happened in that turbulent time. Outstanding performances by all and beautiful (and stirring) visuals throughout.

This movie will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first movie I saw with my future wife when we were in high school.

First off, I was drawn to this movie due to the concept. I dabbled in Second Life for a while and thought, "Huh, wouldn't it be interesting to have Second Life - but have it be Real Life!" Still, this movie didn't live up to my expectations. While the effects were pretty good and the characters were mostly believeable - except for maybe the thugs for the Prophet - Surrogates was missing something. I wanted the future to look different somehow. Grittier or prettier or something. Add a new building to Boston's skyline - or flyin' cars. I don't know. And where were the animal or lizard surrogates? You know they would be used. People would take this technology to the nth degree.

All in all, I had high hopes for Surrogates, but this one fell short.

Review: (Grade 5-9) – Just before twelve-year-old Martha Boyle and her family leave their Madison, Wisconsin home for a trip to Rhode Island, the mother of a classmate delivers a hand-written page from the journal of a her daughter, Olive Barstow, a fellow student tragically killed in a biking accident. Olive mentions Martha in her journal that she hoped to be friends with Martha over the summer. This information hangs over Martha, as she and her family visit her Godbee, or grandmother on the Atlantic Ocean. Like many books for young adult readers, Martha is struggling with growing up and has difficulties understanding both of her parents. What’s more, she is the middle child with a little high maintenance baby sister named Lucy and a slightly older brother named Vince, who teases her in a good brotherly way. It is the relationship with Godbee that is the most revered to Martha and she ends up sharing a great deal about her hopes and fears over the time she’s visiting. In addition to sorting out what to do about Olive, she is confronted with young love for the first time with one of the neighbor boys, Jimmy. When his feelings for her turn out to be part of a bet, she is obviously crushed, but the reader is able to see her come out of the experience stronger and more mature, thanks to the support of family. In the end, Henkes, well known for his Caldecott Honor caliber books, tells this story with the same kind of commitment, albeit for a slightly older audience. This story has a timeless quality about it and should bring enjoyment to young adult readers for years to come.