The new website.

As I hope to grow this from a small blog to a working website I've relocated. I hope that everyone who's followed this blog will head over to didyouseethatone.com to continue reading as I explore films of all types.

Currently you can see my new review on 50/50 and a few others. Thanks for your support.

- Jeff

Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)

Long before the days of Steve Martin there was Clifton Webb. In 1950 he teamed up with Myrna Loy to create this classic film about the Gilbreth family. The Gilbreth clan consists of 12 children, something that leads to a series of misadventures as they seek to live in harmony under one roof.

Clifton Webb plays their father Frank Gilbreth a famous scientist who has focused his mind on the study of efficiency. This study runs his home as his wife Lillian (Loy) tries to balance out his high standards. Each of their 12 children is in a different stage of youth and has different needs. From his teenaged daughters desire to fit in to the younger boys hope for a dog Mr. gilbreth tries to rule with an iron hand but ends up with a softer touch.

This isn't an award-winning film but it's a classic. Clifton Webb was perfect for his role and the rest of the cast worked together brilliantly. Webb would have three Oscar nominations over his career for works like Laura and Sitting Pretty. The style of the film has a Leave it to Beaver quality which makes it a definnite feel-good film.

The film has a great message and a warm feeling to it. I would watch this film again simply for the enjoyment. I would give it 2.7 out of 5 stars.

Rating: NR
Running Time: 86 minutes

After.Life (2009)

Once in a while I decide to watch a horror film. To be honest I'm not much of a horror fan, mainly because horror films so rarely work for me. The film After.Life was an exception for me. This film added mystery and drama in ways that exceeded my expectations for a horror film.

Starring Laim Neeson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Long, this film is a dark story about the transition from life to death. Neeson plays an undertaker who appears to have a gift for helping people accept their deaths. His next client is a young school teacher Anna (Ricci) who can't accept her that she has died after a terrible car crash. Neeson works through the denial and rejection as he deals with Anna's grieving fiancee Paul (Long). Meanwhile Paul suspects that Anna isn't dead and drama builds as he finds more reasons to believe so. The question of who is dead and who is alive must be answered.

This isn't a blockbuster film but it has some high points. The acting is wonderful and makes up for some points in the film that seem to stray from the point. It's a thinker's film so don't expect monsters to jump out of the corner to scare you. I found the movie less predictable than most horror films of the last few years as well. In the end I'm glad I saw it and have little criticism besides the meandering points in the plot.

One point to make is that the film shows off a bit more of Christina Ricci than I expected. It doesn't add to the film but it's not excessive.

I would give this film a 3 out of 5 stars.

Film Rating: R
Time: 104 Minutes
 

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

From the desk of Genna DeLany, a review on The Lincoln Lawyer:

Mickey Haller is L.A.’s top criminal defense attorney – a fast living, freewheeling pro who does business out of the back seat of his classic Lincoln Town car. He knows all the ins and outs of the legal system and how to exploit them to his clients’ advantage. But after agreeing to defend a wealthy young man accused of rape and murder, Mickey suddenly finds himself embroiled in a deadly game of violence, vengeance and deception that threatens to not only end his career, but also his life.

The Good: Matthew McConaughey. He got a lot of praise for this role when this movie came and, and deservedly so. He did an excellent job of portraying emotions and inner turmoil through facial expressions and body language. He was believable throughout the entire film.

The story. It had me figuring it out as it went rather than 5 minutes in.  It’s not a story I’ve seen 10 times in other movies. It kept me interested until the end.

The Bad: Ryan Phillipe. He really wasn’t terrible, but I’ve never been a huge fan of him. He doesn’t have much stage presence. However, it does kind of work in this role. His character called for a sense of coldness, but I think there could have been a little more to him.

Recommend? Yes. There is some moderate language and the nature of the alleged crimes is very serious. So it is not for the younger crowd.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars.