Three sentence movie reviews–Lars and the Real Girl


Despite good reviews, the concept of this movie weirded me out and I didn’t see it. Recommendation by a movie watching friend convinced me to watch it and while doing so I realized my feelings were similar to the characters in the movie. This is a sweet, fabulous, hopeful movie about the human condition, and one innocent enough–I kid you not!–that you could watch it with your church-going grandmother.

ps. Paul Schneider! Patricia Clarkson! You MUST see this!

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2007/lars_and_the_real_girl.html

Three sentence movie reviews–The Talented Mr. Ripley


I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out and remembered it as an “eh” movie. My second viewing left me with a different impression due to a fabulous cast, beautiful clothes and top-notch acting. I remembered the plot and how it would all end, but I was still tense the entire film.

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1999/talented_mr_ripley.html

Three sentence movie reviews–Notting Hill.


I’ve seen this before, of course, and it is one of my favorite romantic comedies. Aside from the silly car driving at the end, everything is perfect about this film, especially the four seasons of long shot. I will also never forget my original viewing in the theater when the mentally challanged couple sitting next to me made out through the majority of the film.

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1999/notting_hill.html

Three sentence movie reviews–Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.


One of those movies I didn’t love or hate, but was happy to watch because it is so often referenced. In my mind, I confused the ending of Thelma and Lousie with the ending of this movie, so I had trouble matching what was going on on the screen vs. what I thought would happen. Also, this thought occurred: George Clooney and Brad Pitt are the Paul Newman and Robert Redford of the 2000’s.

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1969/butch_cassidy_and_the_sundance_kid.html

Three sentence movie reviews–The Informant!


Before watching this movie, I thought the exclamation point in the title was really a little bit much. Having seen the movie I know that the exclamation point is just right. Theoretically an incredibly boring subject (price fixing in the lysine industry) this was one of the most interesting and funny movies I’ve seen all year, with excellent performances by Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey–an incredibly underrated actress–and the soundtrack, yes the soundtrack was a star in of itself!

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2009/informant.html

Three sentence movie reviews–The Sting


The long-setup-for-big-swindle is a favorite movie sub-genre of mine (see: Oceans 11, 12, 13, The Italian Job, etc.). This was fun and engrossing with just the right amount of tension. The stars are easy on the eyes, too.

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1973/sting.html

Three sentence movie reviews–Lilies of the Field.

I watched this movie with my mother when I was quite small and have had the “A-men” song in my head ever since. Re-viewing it, I was happy to find that it is an amusing movie that is amazingly free of racist content (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I’m talking to you.) It might be a little slow for children today, but would be a good choice for a multi-generational family gathering.

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1963/lilies_of_the_field.html

Three sentence movie reviews–The Simpsons Movie.


Unlike some TV shows with full length feature films *cough* X-Files *cough,* this translated nicely to the movie screen, though I was watching it at home for free, so it wasn’t that much different from television. The Simpson’s team has honed their game to an art form and there were many delightful moments including Lisa’s cute boy interest explaining that though he was from Ireland and his dad is a musician, he wasn’t Bono. I laughed out loud several times, which is a rarity for me when watching comedies alone at home.

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2007/simpsons_movie.html

Three sentence movie reviews–Whip it.


Like the goldfish in the bowl, one thought kept reoccurring as I watched this movie: “Why can’t they make more movies like this?” How often do we get to see a smart, articulate young woman work very hard for something she loves who is not a boy? Even Juliette Lewis didn’t bug me, and I can’t recommend this enough.

Bechdel score: two women: yes. Who talk to each other: yes! About something besides a man: YES!

poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2009/whip_it_ver3.html