Reviews

Carrie, honey, you need to fire your personal make-up artist, Judy Chin. And the cinematographer, John Thomas, needs to go, too. In the first Sex & the City it was hard to look at Sarah Jessica Parker because of the big mole on her chin that was so prominent, the Lighting Director (unnamed) must have shown a spotlight on it -- it filled the screen and distracted from the dialog. In Sex and the City 2, the mole was gone, but the make-up was so obviously caked on, Sarah and Miranda and Charlotte, too, looked 10 years older than their real ages. Only Samantha -- the oldest in real life -- looked stunning in every shot. Director King, don't you check how the make-up looks in the early rushes before you blow millions on a movie that's supposed to make these fashionistas look their best so we will envy them? I, too, read the reviews before I went and decided no matter how bad it might be I would enjoy a couple hours with my screen "girlfriends". I was pleasantly surprised that what was touted as "Outstanding!" (dance number at wedding) was only so-so; and what was rated as "Horrible!' was amusing. i can't understand why the ladies would show so much cleavage and wear shorts in a country where covering up head to toe is the law for native females. Overall, 7 stars, but it could have been a 10.

Thank you, ABC, for putting a great group of comedy writers together to support this all star cast. Barbara Heaton as the used car saleslady mom and the janitor from Scrubs as the dad are the best parents I've seen on t.v. in a long time. The 3 children are given meaty characterizations to play and I hope they will win many awards. The kids and the other supporting cast (including Chris Kattan and the car lot boss) couldn't have been cast better. Every show gives me old fashioned belly laughs and inspiration that, like this family struggling to survive in the middle class (the reason for its name, not named for the middle of the country in which it takes place) we can all learn a lesson in what makes families strong.

1. You know the document Hank Paulsen "forced" the top 9 banks to sign to take billions in dollars in a one page letter? Did you know it contained one sentence, "This agreement cannot be reviewed by any court" clause, putting all of them above the laws you and I have to follow or be jailed? This one minute of the film is worth the price of the ticket. It conclusively proves the corruption, fraud, and taxpayer theft going on right before our eyes by our congressional representatives. 2. Delete a few f**ks, and this would be a "G" rated movie. Why would Michael Moore accept a very undeserved "R" rating? 3. Every fact stated in the movie can be proved. So why do his critics say he lies just to make money? Every moviegoer has been affected by the facts so brilliantly portrayed. Yet they prefer keeping their heads in the sand while their grandchildren are saddled with so much phony debt. 4. Michael didn't include it, but Goldman Sachs' tax rate last year was One Per Cent of their profits. Try paying a one per cent tax rate on your earnings and see what happens. 5. See this movie and tell your friends.

I read the book and was extremely delighted what a wonderful movie was made from it. Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, perfect performances so you forgot their well known roles. Melanie Lynsky, who plays a very funny character dead on hilarious in Two and A Half Men, was only borderline believable since she spoke in the same familiar perky voice. A voice coach for her to sound more middle America twangy is the only improvement I would have suggested. It was wonderful seeing the guy who played a nut job in Arrested Development play Damon's attorney -- good job. But the best tip of the hat goes to the Soup's Joel McHale who effortlessly stepped out of his wise guy persona. Congrats to produce George Clooney and director Soderbergh and the awesome script that brought in so much of the 600 page book. Bravo to all!

Not Jennifer Aniston's best nor worse, because all of her pix are the same.

When will Jennifer Aniston have the courage to take a leading lady role?

And actually act?

Loved her in Friends, disliked all her movie roles, including this one, as timid, walking thru the script.

Speaking of the script, when will Hollywood stop giving us these pathetic warmed over boy meets girl stories and make something original and well acted and WITTY?

Has wittiness died? Last seen in Harry Meets Sally and There's Something About Mary.

A classic comedy you can watch over and over with frequent chuckles with every viewing. On my second viewing, "Joe Dirt" qualified. (My Numero Uno classic comedy is still "Animal House".)

Yes, I know, Adam Sandler co-executive-produced it. The only movie he was involved in I liked was "50 First Dates". Most of the others were crude and gross-filled with fart and poop jokes for their own sake that appeal only to those under 12. Full disclosure: I am more than 5 x age 12!

But they seemed appropriate to this unlikely hero's story who despite one adversity after another, remained positive and prevailed. For those of you who rated it only 5 or 6, what would have made it a 9 or 10 for you? I usually see a movie and say, "if only they had done so and so, or "great actors, lousy script" (or vice versa). But I thought it was a perfect gem and couldn't think of a thing to improve it except the soundtrack (a 7 which could easily have been a 10.)

The script, co-written by the under-appreciated David Spade as the adult "Joe Dirt", the acting and directing (the hardest part of creating a true comedy) were all spot on excellent. The top notch casting included many of our favorite actors in small, but perfect roles, including Patricia Arquette (where have you been?), Dennis Miller, Kid Rock (ouch, yummo!), and Christopher Walken. A shout out to the make up department (and acting) for aging the principle players over the 17 years the story unfolded. Per as the young Joe Dirt was perfect.

I was shocked at the average rating of 5.3! I gave it a 10 instead of a 9 to bring the average up a fraction. See it again, re-vote, and tell your friends who love uplifting stories about overcoming great odds with humor and a positive outlook not to miss it!

Finally! I said. A movie I can rate as not just a little, but far superior to comedies with mostly all African-American casts, including all prior formula Martin Lawrence comedies, beauty/barber shops, etc. Although it did not rise to the heights still claimed by Eddie Murphy at his best, I laughed out loud a lot -- not easy when you're always stressed out and looking for a laugh. I thought MoNique was hilarious. Those moviegoers that always get up and walk out to beat the traffic when the credits start rolling would have missed some of this movie's most hilarious scenes. I am a peaches-and-cream light-skinned older lady living for decades in a country with 95% shades of coffee-with-cream to ebony population. So while I am aware of the usually subtle, sometimes overt, discrimination between lighter and darker shades of my sisters and bros, I didn't see it in this movie or in any of the other movies referenced regarding Roscoe's decision to choose the lighter or darker-skinned girl. I'd watch it again, but then I only pay US$1.37 for a one night rental. The writer/director is to be commended for doing a lot with a small budget but what good fortune for him to assemble such a really great cast. Kudos to all. Definitely recommended.