Oh, Robert Redford! I admire you casting Mary Tyler Moore in this, for a couple reasons. The main one being half the time she is absolutely right for this role, then the other half she is so absolutely wrong. I think it’s rare that Mary Tyler Moore ever comes off as anything but adorable, even at the age 50 when she filmed this.

I would have preferred an actress that I had an easier time hating, yet I think someone colder would have made the mother in the story a total villain, which would have been a wrong direction to take this film in. I also think (in a completely non-professional opinion) that survivor’s guilt is a pretty natural human emotion, and it’s really hard to identify with someone who doesn’t feel it in the least, like Moore’s character.

That being said, pretty much everyone in this film did a phenomenal job. I expected being impressed with Timothy Hutton since he did win an Oscar for this role, but I didn’t expect to be so impressed with Donald Sutherland, who completely nails the role of a husband trying to keep his family together while hiding the fact that he’s not in love with his wife anymore. Judd Hirsch is also really good, but he’s always good.

However, it is interesting to note that Hutton carries the majority of the film, but received his numerous accolades as a supporting actor. I was also surprised to see Adam Baldwin. Actually, at first I said “oh no, that can’t be him” but apparently he’s not as young as I thought. Oh Jayne!

3 down, 97 to go.

It’s official: I’m in a Clint Eastwood phase in my life. I enjoyed most everything about Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil besides Jude Law. As if I needed to see him in more movies!

However, I did appreciate that his role was rather limited and that of a gay street dealer, which just affirms my theory that Jude Law is gay. And really dirty. Don’t-touch-him-with-a-10-foot-pole dirty.

Speaking of, I was surprised to read later that John Cusack’s character is based on the author of the book, who is gay in real life. Which explains why I had a hard time believing that John Cusack would be writing an article for Town & Country.

Also of note, I really like movies that take the time to delve into the culture of the city or region in which the movie is based. I thought this movie did a great job portraying Savannah, Georgia. However, I do see why this film did not receive glowing reviews, and I guess if forced I would have to consider it some of Eastwood’s less important work. But anytime I can watch Michael Rosenbaum is good. So thanks, Clint!

2 down, 98 to go.

It’s incredibly hard to watch North & South and not compare it with Pride & Prejudice. They’re both very similar in story structure, but I have to agree with Wikipedia’s assessment that the characters are quite different. I think that Margaret Hale is more similar to Elizabeth Bennet than John Thornton is to Mr. Darcy. Darcy does everything in privacy, while Thornton continually consults his mother (awe!… but lame).

The setting of a cotton mill seems drab, but it actually adds to the visual interest. I particularly loved the scenes where they played dramatic music while Thornton walked through the mills.

I thought they put a lot of effort into the portrayal of the different classes in Milton, which made the story feel fully fleshed out. However, I was confused about Margaret’s father’s situation for quite some time, and was surprised to read later that he had left the church to become a Noncomformist. At least this answers some earlier questions I had like “why in the world would they move to Milton?”

Though it ends before they can really explore this, I really like the idea that she is saving him from financial destitution, and not the other way around. And dammit if Richard Amitage isn’t a total fox!

1 down, 99 to go.

I just decided today that I’d like to partake in watching 100 Movies in 2007… a movement quite popular among my LiveJournal friends. And I’m going to review them right here, but I’m going to be watching some older movies, so I doubt I will really spoil any of you.

Movies I have seen so far this year:

1. Little Children
2. Notes on a Scandal
3. Alpha Dog
4. The Pursuit of Happyness
5. The Queen
6. Catch and Release
7. Because I Said So
8. Pan’s Labyrinth

I have yet to decide whether I will include these in my count to 100, seeing as I just decided today that I was going to do this. I’ll probably add them to the total in December. I am lazy like that. Oh, and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

The black of this page is depressing me.

I went to a club last night.  And now I think I might actually join a convent.  Do nuns get tuition reimbursement?

The SuperBowl is today.  Big whopedeedoo.

I think my entire family might beat me in the 5k we’re all running on Saturday.

Notes on a Scandal was a good movie.  I want to read the book now.