Wilson Movie Review

March 29, 2017 (updated March 29, 2017) Published by JMcNaughton

“Wilson” is an oddball of a movie, with very wide variations in tone and style. But with the main title character being playing by Woody Harrelson, it is not all bad. The character of Wilson is a free-spirited and determined guy, who tells what he sees as the truth. He has no filter or very many social skills. That is why he comes off as a rude and uncouth person to most everyone he meets.

Wilson (Harrelson) lives alone except for his dog, Pepper. He was married years ago, but Wilson and wife Pippi (Laura Dern) are divorced. He thinks she is a drug fiend and has never gotten any better. Wilson goes to see his father, but he is dying, and Wilson gets more upset with the world. When he comes back home, he hears that Pippi is back in town.

Wilson picks up his dog Pepper from the lady who took care of his dog while he was gone. Shelly (Judy Greer) lets Wilson know that she is always willing to take Pepper. Wilson goes to the place where Pippi is working. But his abrupt rudeness gets Pippi fired, so now Pippi stays with Wilson. She lets him know that years ago, when she left, she kept the baby. Wilson is shocked to hear that he has a daughter that was given up for adoption and has never met.

Wilson and Pippi go stalking on the teenage girl named Claire (Isabella Amara). They get introduced and they all spend some time with each other. Pippi gets invited over visit her sister Polly (Cheryl Hines). Polly was always the perfect one in the family, and now Wilson and Pippi convince Claire that she would be welcome as their ‘daughter’. Claire lies to her adopted parents as to where she is going to be for the weekend.

The homecoming and visit with Polly does not turn out very well for any of them. Claire’s parents find out that she is with Wilson and Pippi, and they say she was kidnapped. Polly gets the police involved and they arrest Wilson and Pippi. Wilson winds up in prison for long stretch. He is able to make enemies of the white supremacists and the Christian faith group. What a guy…

He eventually gets out and finds that he has lost Pippi and his dog Pepper. Shelly considers Wilson a sad soul who needs a friend, so she takes him in. It is a couple of years later and now Claire is older and can do what she wants. She was important in the case against Wilson earlier, but she was forced by her adopted parents to go against him.

Claire is about to move away and she will have a baby. Wilson still thinks he can be a part in her life, but she says no to that idea. Shelly and Wilson work out any differences and try to make the best of things. The story allows you to speculate on the future of the two of them.

Woody Harrelson plays his heart out to make you like this unlikable character. Wilson can be a total dick, yet he never sees how much of pain that he is in people’s lives. Laura Dern is a great addition to any move, and her she makes the best of a thin role. Her character is never given much in the way of any development or any growth, but Dern plays her with an honest sincerity.

Judy Greer and Cheryl Hines also get no real character development, and not a whole lot to do. They both could use a little better and more thought-out dialog on the screen. Isabella Amara as Claire does a nice job doing a role of typical angst-ridden teenager. She takes her plus-size weight and throws it into the basis on her character, and why she does not ‘fit in’.

If you are a total fan of Woody Harrelson, then this movie is for you. If you also have a soft spot for Laura Dern, then movie would be a fine recommendation. However, if you want characters that are not dripping with quirky sarcasm, then a different movie might be better for you. It takes the saying “To have a friend, you need to be a friend”, and it throws that away. Wilson has no friends, so you might not be one either…

Power Rangers Movie Review

March 29, 2017 (updated April 24, 2017) Published by JMcNaughton

During the mid 1990’s the children-based TV program was created based on Power Rangers. They were teenagers who were selected to receive special powers and colorful armor suits. They could fight off the evil forces in the universe, led by Zordon and his assistant, a robot named Alpha 5. The TV series spawned a few movies, and then it lay dormant, until now.

Zordon (Bryan Cranston) was almost defeated by Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks), oh sometime back in the age of the dinosaurs. But when some special Power Rangers coins are found by high school students in Angel Grove, things start moving and getting serious.

Zordon and his robot helper Alpha 5 (Bill Hader) see that five students have discovered the Ranger coins, and they will be the ones to defeat Rita. Jason Scott / Red Ranger (Dacre Montgomery) is a football player who got into a little bit of trouble. Kimberly Hart / Pink Ranger (Naomi Scott) is a cheerleader was also is in trouble. Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger (RJ Cyler) is an autistic black guy with a good grasp of science. Trini Kwan / Yellow Ranger (Becky G) is a new kid at school, and outcast, who happens to be gay. Zack Taylor / Black Ranger (Ludi Lin) is an Asian dude who rarely goes to class because of a sick mother.

These five squabble and fight because they have no idea of what type of power the enemy has. The enemy is Rita Repulsa who quickly shows up in town and is ready to destroy it. Zordon and Aplpha 5 continue to train the new Power Rangers. They also have hidden away some mechanized fighting units called Zords. When the Ranges need these units, they will use them to fight and to defeat Rita and her henchmen of living rock monsters.

The town is getting destroyed until the Power Rangers find the strength to fight as a single team. Zordon makes a major sacrifice to ensure the team is together. They are finally motivated to fight together to defeat Rita and to save the Earth. The team find out that the key to the team is trusting each other and working together.

This version of the Power Rangers is a new reboot, and like so many others, might lead to several more movies. The audience is built-in, as the kids grown up from the 90’s are ready to watch the Power Rangers in action yet again. But it seems they did it right this time, with several very capable actors in the roles for the Ranges, and some top-notch talent to support them.

The main support is having Bryan Cranston on board, even though he does not do very much. His voice lends authority to the Zordon character. Bill Hader uses his finely-tuned comedy skills to do the Alpha 5 robot voice. But most of all Elizabeth Banks creates a major evil character playing Rita Repulsa. She plays it very over-the-top and looks like she is having a great time. She is ready to be a rotten, no-good, all-powerful presence.

All of the people playing the Rangers are good. With having a widely diverse cast, it shows that the movie is trying to be open for anyone and everyone. Having a character who is autistic and another who is gay is pretty daring move. It may not add a whole lot to the movie overall. But it does notice that people are like that in the world…

So, for a reboot of an existing franchise, this movie does everything that it needs to do. It makes a credible first opening act with the hint of more to be done later. The actors are decent for the roles, even when none of them look close to being the age for high school. The story line sticks to the basics, and it give the different Rangers a chance to tell a bit of a background story.

If you are up for a fun little time to see some action and some humor based on the 1990’s TV show, then Power up for the Power Rangers. It’s Morphin’ Time!

Personal Shopper Movie Review

March 29, 2017 (updated March 29, 2017) Published by Shari K. Green

With the roles she’s choosing, Kristen Steward has been redefining herself, and this part was a wise decision made by both she and director Olivier Assayas (Clouds of Sils Maria.) Having worked with her in the past he knew that when he needed an actress to pull off the look of someone pained and tormented and to also be engaging that Stewart was the best choice. She was his supporting character is Clouds but this time she carries the entire film as Maureen. The film is a bit hard to follow at first but give it time.

You’re in the hands of a filmmaker who doesn’t want to reveal anything too soon. Pacing and all things becoming revealed in due time are critically important.

At first, it’s hard to distinguish what exactly is going on with Maureen. She’s dark and distant but at the twenty-eight-minute mark, you learn that her twin brother had died of the heart defect they both have. Not only is she sad, she’s lonely and fears for her own health. When this comes to light it explains the very beginning of the film where she quietly walks through a dark house looking to make contact with a spirit.

She’s a young American woman working in Paris as a personal shopper for a celebrity during the day but at night she’s a brooding sister waiting for her brother who, before he passed away, promised he’d make contact with her after his death. They had a pact that whoever died first, the other would reach out from the other side and give them a sign. She goes to the house she once shared with her brother and hopes to see a manifestation or feel something encouraging so that maybe she can move on with the rest of her life but it doesn’t happen so fast.

The audience is on a psychological journey with someone who may very well be better off in treatment but the way the film is rolled out; you don’t pick up on that too soon. There’s a certain strain put on you to understand Maureen because she seems so fragile but at the same time you’re getting frustrated at some of the decisions she’s making. Like when she receives text messages from a stranger and she begins to engage. What so good about this, outside of the overall tone, is it keeps you wondering, is it her brother or is it no one? Is this happening or is it in her head? With precision, Assayas does an incredible job of leading you into the trap you don’t see coming. He uses sound and music as he takes you on this trip where you’re on the edge of your seat for the entire ride, but he doesn’t really end up showing you much of anything. It’s a refreshing take on the subject and it’s a beautiful piece of art.

Personal Shopper can be creepy at times and those moments are done with a special technique. She becomes more upset, desperate and even frantic. The more she does, the more engaged with her character you become. Maureen, the personal shopper and the girl looking for a spirit, seem to be in two different movies. Kristen Stewart is so good that these two different entities become one in the end. She makes what Personal Shopper is, so special. She keeps you vested with slight changes to her character and Assayas uses everything in his power to keep from exposing the tortured young soul too soon without losing you in the meantime. Personal Shopper is gripping and intense and a movie I’d have to recommend you see as soon as you can.

Ferdinand Character Posters!

March 28, 2017 Published by Shari K. Green

FERDINAND

Animation, in 3D

Release: December 15, 2017

Directed by: Carlos Saldanha

Cast: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant, Anthony Anderson, Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe, Jerrod Carmichael, Raúl Esparza, Karla Martínez, Miguel Ángel Silvestre.

SYNOPSIS

FERDINAND tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.

From Blue Sky Studios and Carlos Saldanha, the director of “Rio” and inspired by the beloved book “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, “Ferdinand” is a heartwarming animated comedy adventure with an all-star cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and many more.

*SEE CHARACTER POSTERS BELOW*

FERDINAND Official Channels

SITE: FerdinandMovie.com

FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/FerdinandMovie

TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/FerdinandMovie

INSTAGRAM: www.Instagram.com/FerdinandMovie

#Ferdinand

Dig Two Graves

March 27, 2017 Published by Shari K. Green

The Chinese proverb, ‘When you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves,’ is where the title for the film comes from. I had never heard it before and now don’t think I’ll ever forget it. Dig Two Graves is set in the 1970’s and partly told in well-established flashbacks. It’s an award-winning thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat for most of the time. It was written, produced and directed by Hunter Adams, he wrote it with Jeremy Phillips, stars relative newcomer Samantha Isler, from last years Captain Fantastic, and also stars the fantastic Ted Levine from Silence of the Lambs. Adams, relatively new himself, only has five directing credits to his name, two of them shorts, so if this film is an indication of what’s to come, I’d have to say it won’t be long before his resume doubles.

In this creepy mystery, you’ll fear for the life of an innocent young girl who may or may not be so innocent by movies end. Beautifully shot in a location scouted by the director himself, it takes place in a remote town where siblings, Jake (Isler) and Sean (Ben Schneider) are, essentially, one another’s best friends. In the beginning of the film, an assumed accident happens and Sean vanishes after jumping off a cliff into a quarry below. Devastated and feeling somewhat abandoned, Jake, who witnessed the leap, is filled with guilt for having not jumped herself. Unable to truly move on from his disappearance she retreats from life, eventually believing she’d do anything to get her brother back.

If someone has passed away it’s a silly notion to think it’s possible to bring them back to life but she meets a man who convinces her it’s not such a crazy idea. Her anguished young heart comes across the dark and intimidating vagabond, Wyeth (Ruptash), and his two nomadic pals, who have a history with her grandfather, Sheriff Waterhouse. The sheriff is played devilishly well by Levine who won Best Actor at the Beaufort International Film Festival for his role. He’s not channeling Buffalo Bill in this tale but his voice is still penetrating nonetheless. Waterhouse is carrying guilt regarding the former sheriff that’s eating him alive; consuming his spirit. If you only know Levine from Silence, this is the film to see and watch him spread his wings.

As if stalking prey, Wyeth pops out of nowhere and zeros in on exactly what Jake needs and promises to deliver if she does something for him. She must retrieve an item that was taken from him; a medallion. The medallion summons the power that’s needed to bring her brother back. Agreeing to help him if he helps her, she is now contractually obligated to oblige and fulfill her end of the bargain, however, as often happens in a deal made with the devil, the medallion is only one part of her obligation.

I loved the acting in this film and not just by Levine. Ruptash invokes a Jack the Ripper type feel in his character of Wyeth, as he is so solidly played it was hard to tell if he were human or from the spirit world. Also, this was a great film for Isler to launch her career and deciding to cast her was a brilliant decision by Adams. Of choosing her he told me, ‘She had great instincts. She was smart and understood the subtext… had a real intention behind the words which is pretty rare to see in someone of that age and still have that innocence, you know, that wide-eyed look that we needed.’ So, with this substantial combination of weighty script and successful casting, Adams claimed the Best Director award at the 2015 Beaufort International Film Festival and the Director’s Choice Independent Spirit Award at the Sedona International Film Festival in 2015. If you didn’t catch the film during its festival run, you can catch it now at a theatre near you and on iTunes.

Here is the link for you to view it. https://goo.gl/ONiZ6s

‘We played the festival circuit and then the last year or two has just been trying to figure out the wild wild west of independent film distribution. We finally go that sorted out. It’s now releasing in theatres and on VOD. It’s been a long journey. We’re doing an iTunes exclusive for the first four weeks and then it’ll be available on all VOD platforms; Amazon, Playstation, VooDoo… all of those. That’ll be April 21st. All VOD platforms. Just search Dig Two Graves on iTunes and it’ll pop up.’ -Hunter Adams

Enjoy the film and if you’d like, please come back and share your thoughts.

T2 Trainspotting Movie Review

March 24, 2017 (updated April 24, 2017) Published by JMcNaughton

Director Danny Boyle made the movie “Trainspotting” 20 years ago, and has gone on to make many superb movies. The original cast of the movie has also done well, especially Ewan McGregor. With a script that updated the original main characters after twenty years, Boyle is back with “T2 Trainspotting”. This new sequel has all the characters back for a new visit to the Scottish underclass, with an updated look at their lives.

“Trainspotting” introduced the heroin-addicted characters who made up the 1996 movie. There was Mark (Ewan McGregor) a de-facto leader of companions. “Spud” (Ewen Bremner) was along for a fun time, as was Simon (Jonny Lee Miller). The tough guy in the group was Begbie (Robert Carlyle) who was always in a fight. The last story ended with a bad drug deal where Mark took all the money. Spud knew and never let on, and Simon and Begbie wanted revenge. Begbie was the fall guy and was jailed.

“T2 Trainspotting” brings the group back into the present day, where Mark has been in Amsterdam for 20 years. After a medical scare, he comes back to Edinburgh – but he has other issues. His wife has kicked him out and the job he had is now gone. He has kicked the heroin habit and replaced it with exercise. Spud has never left heroin behind, and is about to end it all, but Mark saves him. Simon now runs a dumpy bar near the docks, but he cannot kick cocaine. Begbie finds a way to escape prison so he can raise more mayhem.

Simon is not pleased to see Mark return. Simon has a girlfriend named Veronika, who is planning to become a high-class Madame when Simon turns the bar into a brothel. The local crime boss has a say in that, so it never gets off the ground. Simon and Veronika instead go about trying to blackmail some locals in compromising positions.

Begbie tries to get back into the breaking and entering game, and he gets his son involved. When that does not work out too well, he goes to see Simon. Simon does not let on that Mark is back in town, but Begbie is still looking for revenge. Getting put back into prison would be enough for Begbie, as long as he can kill Mark.

Simon and Mark have a night out at a local pub, trying to grab some extra wallets. Mark and Begbie have a run-in where Mark is able to narrowly escape. Spud finds a new hobby in his quest to fight off addiction. But they all notice that the world around them has changed in the past 20 years, but they have stayed the same.

Danny Boyle burst onto the scene with “Trainspotting” all those years ago. He found some very talented actors, and he was able to bring them back for another go. Boyle’s style and camera flourishes are always on display, in many clever and noticeable ways. The acting is all-around terrific, because these actors have lived these lives before.

But the nagging feeling is that you cannot bottle lightning twice. Everything that was fresh and new and exciting in the first movie has a less of an edge here. The setup is not exactly the same of course, but the lovable loser group will always end up with the short end of the stick. Mark’s 20 year escape from the poverty and lowlife of Edinburgh might have made a better story just by itself.

“T2 Trainspotting” is a familiar ride for those who know the original film. And the returning cast and crew do their best to make the journey enjoyable. But when this train pulls into the station, you might feel that the return trip was a little rough going down the tracks…

Raw Movie Review

March 24, 2017 (updated June 13, 2017) Published by Shari K. Green

In a word, Raw is… raw. A movie about cannibalism might frighten you away but keep reading before you make your final decision. It’s an unquestionably unique film, from the opening shot to the final moment. Cinematographer, Ruben Impens (The Sky Above Us), approaches the film by seeing it as a blank canvas in which to paint a bold piece of art; one that so intrigues you that you’re unable to look away. He’s able to extract elegance from a world of complete ugliness and if your first instinct is to not see this due to the content; I hope to change your mind.

Raw will be an uncommon guilty pleasure but you’ll have to experience it to know what I mean and watching with others is the best way to go for this particular trip. There will be moments where trying not to think about the cannibalism will be futile but just sit back and watch the story unfold. Masterfully, director Julia Ducournau, keeps your interest in the character development and you don’t focus so much on the disgusting thought of a human wanting to eat another human… cooked, let alone raw! But I assure you, if you like the abnormal and unconventional, Raw is the film for you.

Justine (Marillier), a young student new to veterinarian school, who is also a vegetarian, ends up devouring plenty of meat throughout the film once she gets a taste for it. This happens after she goes through a hazing ritual where she’s commanded to eat raw rabbit kidneys. Wanting to fit in like her big sister, Alexia (Rumpf) who’s very popular at the school, she does as ordered. After that and a Carrie-style blood soaking, something inside her awakens; a thirst and hunger for more. You’d think behavior such as this wouldn’t take part in a vet school but alas, that’s where we find ourselves, however, it isn’t animal flesh she now craves. A situation arises where she can consume human flesh and as much as she tries to fight against the urge, her animalistic lust kicks in and she gives in to it.

If you get sick at the idea of this happening, the film might not be for you. If you’re worried the film is going to be too graphic and that’s your only concern, don’t be. It may be hard to believe but Raw is a magnificent piece of cinema. Ducournau uses makeup, paint, effects, animals and fantastic music to force us to peek into the macrocosm that is Justine’s life. Alexia loves to watch as her innocent baby sister gets her personal boundaries pushed to the breaking point but she goes beyond the point of breaking and snaps completely in two. Once she does, she’s much stronger than she thought she’d ever be and Alexia and the audience catch a glimpse of a devil once believed to be an angel. However, when you think the story is all Justine, give Alexia another look. What once might be thought of as a sibling rivalry might just be one sister following in the others footsteps… and perhaps just a little too closely. The scenes Garance Marillier and Ella Rumpf are in together are outstanding, believable and realistic even though the situation they’re in isn’t quite so much. Their performances alone are worth the ticket price.

Getting you to see his on the big screen is my goal because I think the artistic nature for which the film was made will be appreciated fully at theatre but I can’t say much more without giving too much away. Yes, this is ultimately a gory movie but at its core, it’s the story of a girl becoming a woman and this is one way I can guarantee you’ve not see the subject tackled before. So, for an unimaginable look at a story told a million times before, see Raw this weekend at Harkins Valley Art in Tempe or wherever you can near you. I can assure you of one thing… you’ll never look at your sister the same way again, especially if she eats Steak Tartare.

Car Dogs Movie Review

March 24, 2017 (updated March 24, 2017) Published by Shari K. Green

Most of us have been through buying a car, am I right? What works so well about Car Dogs is the writer, Mark Edward King, used to work in a dealership and used his knowledge of the process and of what salesman do behind the scenes, to make the story more believable and more compelling.

In Car Dogs, Malcolm, the dictatorial business owner of the car dealership which employees his son, Mark, takes advantage of him and his other employees by expecting them to do “Whatever It Takes” to meet a certain number of car sales by end of day, all to make himself look good as he closes a deal behind the scenes. He has promised Mark the next dealership and works him hard with very little reward. There’s a powerful struggle going on between father and son which at times gets very intense. Malcolm often pulls other salesmen into the situation which proves he’s even more ruthless than Mark ever thought. Mark is currently the sales manager at Chamberlain Auto but can Mark meet the demands of his father to get the prize he so deeply covets, the prize of having a dealership of his own? Will his ambitions lead him to delude his team and possibly cheat buyers who walk in, making him become more and more like his father? With his marriage on the rocks, he doesn’t have a lot of time to look for the answers to these questions.

Mark is played beautifully by Patrick Adams and Chris Mulkey is a very frightening Malcolm. Similar to the theme of Glengarry Glen Ross, the film gives us a rare glimpse at what happens behind the salesroom floor and from what I learned by interviewing director, Adam Collis, the sales motto of doing whatever it takes to sell a car makes me question whether or not to buy one at a dealership again. You will feel sorry for Mark to a degree as he tries to balance work life with home life but the film more focuses on the goings on in the store. It’s an exciting and often miserable place to be and looking back on it, it’s surprising we’re only seeing one day of it. Other characters, played by Octavia Spencer, George Lopez, and Nia Vardalos, move in and out during the film (not to mention all the local Arizona talent the filmmaker used), and they top off the story. One Local actor, in particular, Drew Moore, was hysterical as a buyer who wasn’t going to be taken advantage of. Some tricks of the trade are revealed by how the salesmen approach a difficult sale, but he was walking out of that dealership with a good deal and anything else he could get his hands on.

Outside of Moore, many other local Arizona actors provided depth to the narrative as the clock moves closer to closing time. Quick cuts and fast talking keep you in the story but it’s a treat watching Adams and Mulkey. They nail their characters as they spar, however, the real meat of the story is Mark. You’ll appreciate the closing shot when you see the boy become a man. His wife feels he’s choosing the store over their marriage. Is he and if he is, what can he do to change the situation? Watch Car Dogs at your nearest Harkins Theater, today, and let me know what you think he’s willing to do.

See CAR DOGS exclusively in Harkins Theaters around Arizona NOW!

Visit www.HarkinsTheatres.com for show times and to purchase tickets.

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The Ultimate Gift Guide For Gamers

March 14, 2017 (updated March 14, 2017) Published by markdeli

Skincare for the active Gamer? You bet! …

Look your best while conquering worlds, dropping zombies or racking up mad points. With more and more women getting into the world of gaming, Gameperiod.com has just published their user gift guide and featured Quench Beauty’s Reveal Bio Placenta Anti-Aging Serum. It’s important to look radiant while talking all that smack in a head to head match up or keeping your skin hydrated for the next stressful battle against a hoard of angry ogres.

GIFT GUIDE FOR GAMERS BY GAME PERIOD

Get The Guide

The gift guide is also a great time saver for gamers who can’t break away from the controller to head out in search for something for Mom this mother’s day. Looking to get to the next level? How about a birthday present your girlfriend or wife will love.

Check out the The Ultimate Gift Guide by Game Period. And while you’re there, browse the very detailed Top 10 list.

The Last Word Movie Review

March 12, 2017 (updated March 12, 2017) Published by JMcNaughton

When a person dies, there is usually a line, a paragraph or an entire page in the obituary section. It depends on how notable that person was, and how connected they were. Or perhaps, if you are the control-freak type, you hound the local newspaper obit writer and you make the final decisions about what should be in “The Last Word”.

The control-freak is Harriett (Shirley MacLaine) who is a former business leader in the small town. She is divorced with one adult child, whom she never sees. She has a snippy attitude towards everyone, because – obviously – they could never do as great a job as she can. She berates the gardener and harasses the cook. And one night she has too many sleeping pills with her bottle of red wine.

When she recovers, he doctor asks if it was actually just an accident. Of course, she replies, “I was very tired and I was very thirsty!”. But Harriett starts thinking that some day an obituary will be written for her. So, by God, while she still has the gumption, she will make sure it is written correctly!

The local paper has an obituary writer named Anne (Amanda Seyfried). Really, how many obituaries will they need in a week? Harriett uses her influence to have Anne ‘assigned’ to her full-time, so that Harriett can properly get “The Last Word” done to her liking. Anne objects to her boss, saying that Harriett puts the “bitch” in obituary…

Anne is stuck with Harriet, so she starts interviewing people from her past. Harriet turns out to be none too popular, even getting the thumbs down from her pastor. Anne wants to find out about Harriett’s family, her ex-husband Edward (Phillip Baker Hall) and her daughter Elizabeth (Anne Heche). But Harriet has more immediate needs.

Anne takes Harriett to a school for at-risk kids, so she can ‘connect with a disadvantaged child’. A young girl named Brenda (AnnJewel Lee Dixon) thinks Harriett is only there for court-ordered reasons. Brenda has foul attitude, and a mouth to match. She is as feisty as Harriett, so they wind up being a good match.

Harriett still has some tricks up her designer sleeves. She takes Brenda and Anne to a local radio station, one that actually uses live DJs. She impresses the station manager with her eclectic tastes that he actually does give Harriett a morning DJ slot. Anne is finding out her first impression of Harriett was incomplete, and she does have many more talents than anyone knew.
Harriett, along with Anne and Brenda, take a trip to visit Elizabeth. But she does not want to reconnect with her mother. Harriett goes to see her ex-husband Edward, and they realize that they could never live with each other, but they do miss each other. Harriett has a few snappy words when she first meets Edward…

Edward: As I live and breathe..
Harriett: Well, from what I see, you have not been too successful at either activity!

Harriett learns that sometimes people can be good to her, if she is good to them. Anne becomes like a substitute daughter. Anne finds a new purpose in her writing, and wants to make a substantial impact with her work. Brenda learns to believe in herself and knows that she can make a difference in the future.

The story does follow a typical formula and it has more than a few loose ends. The ending seems unlikely. Harriett is a local pariah one day, and then in the course of a few months, people would flock to her funeral and have nice things to say about her. The way that Brenda gets squeezed into the plot is a bit hokey.

Shirley MacLaine is the star of the show. She has a command of the screen and can look in to be in total control in any situation. Her role is pretty interesting, and she appears to have fun playing a grumpy old lady. Amanda Seyfried has a paper-thin character and can do nothing more that react to the Harriett character. She could use a little more depth in the role, but there is not much to offer.

Anne Heche and Phillip Baker Hall have little more than a cameo in the movie. They are good in the roles, but there is nothing that adds to the movie. AnnJewel Lee Dixon is a cute little hell-raiser, and does a great job. But you just want to wash out her mouth with soap afterwards…

“The Last Word” is a cute little movie that hints how great Shirley MacLaine could have been with a much better written role. This one will give you a few chuckles while you watch, and eventually you can rent it and watch it with your mother. She probably knows a few grumpy old ladies herself…

Category: Reviews