Movie Reviews
Titles starting with M
Mrs. Miniver
This is simply one of the best war movies ever made, and there’s only one soldier in it. It’s the story of a family in England during the early days of the Big War, how everything changes for them, very gradually. We in America suffered nothing like the people in Europe, and one has to admit that the Brits suffered less than most Europeans, in that Hitler’s planned invasion never happened, ... Read more »
Much Ado About Nothing
Hey, gang! Joss has got this swell house in the Santa Monica hills where we could get together on Sundays and read plays and stuff. It’s got lots of rooms, and in the garden there is an actual Greek amphitheater. Must have cost him major bucks, but he sure as heck has them from directing The Avengers. Hey, we could maybe even do Shakespeare!
If it sounds ... Read more »
Mud
This is the movie Reese Witherspoon was about to promote when she had her infamous “Do you know who I am?” public meltdown. She’s apologized, and I forgive her … but don’t let it happen again, okay, Reese?
A sensitive movie with 14-year-olds in it stands or dies by the performances of the youngsters, and Ty Sheridan as Ellis and Jacob Lofland as his buddy Neckbone are quite good, ... Read more »
Mulan
This is a rather somber film, that takes its time—unlike so many animations today—to tell a strong story in a beautiful way. It’s the old, old gag of a girl passing herself off as a boy. This being China, it is to preserve the family honor by serving in the Army, defending against the Huns, who cross the Great Wall in the opening scenes. Mulan is not quite a tomboy, but isn’t very good at ... Read more »
The Mule
Clint Eastwood’s most recent (and quite possibly his last) acting and directing jobs. I recall the story of two grannies who were arrested smuggling huge quantities of heroin from Mexico into the U.S. Because, I mean, who would suspect these nice little old ladies? This is a true story of an old man who worked as a drug mule for the cartels. He is eventually caught, of course (or he’d ... Read more »
Munich
So what’s it gonna be, God? An eye for an eye, or turn the other cheek? You are such a confusing Asshole, that’s probably a good part of the reason I stopped believing in You. If one looks long enough, one can find justification for anything in Your book.
I think it was Harry Kemelman in his rabbi David Small books who first pointed out to me ... Read more »
The Muppets
I was skeptical, I admit it. Very skeptical. When they first started advertising this, I think it was Bill Maher who indignantly pointed out “Muppets don’t have legs!” There was a poster for the movie behind him, and sure enough, they had legs. I could point out that some of the larger Muppets do have legs, but I got his point. Looked bad.
But I shouldn’t have worried. The critics ... Read more »
Muppet*Vision 3D
Basically an episode of “The Muppet Show,” in 3D, presented in a special theater to enhance the effects. As usual, it’s produced on a budget, so nothing works very well, Miss Piggy is insulted and stomps off in a huff, and general chaos ensues. In fact, near the end a giant cannon comes out at the back of the theater and blows about a dozen holes in the theater walls.
Murder!
A movie so nice, they made it twice! And no, not like the two versions of The Man Who Knew Too Much, 24 years apart, but at the same time, on the same sets, but with different actors. (For an explanation, see Mary, below.)
This is only Hitchcock’s second sound film, and the previous one, Blackmail, ... Read more »
The Murder Man
Spencer Tracy is a hard-boiled reporter (yeah, another one of those) whose specialty is covering murder stories. He’s also a binge drinker, with something mysterious in his past. When one business partner is accused of killing the other for the insurance money, he gets on the case and soon proves the guy did it. The man is sent to Sing Sing, and the day he is to be executed Tracy goes up ... Read more »