Trio of Chick Flicks
November 3, 2013
Trio of Chick Flicks
One group is in theaters now, the second is the best from the Chicago Film Festival, and the third is a group of oldies. Gravity, in theaters now, is our Chick Flick of the Week. How can a movie with only two characters, no romance, and no fashion be so good? The answers are simple: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, riveting plot, and a very believable experience of life in space, complete with 3-D special effects.
Gravity
(2013) - 90 min - PG13
Action, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Thriller
Wow, who could have guessed that this movie is a winner. Only two characters on screen, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, no scenery except a distant earth, no fashion, no romance, but lots and lots... More
In Theaters Now
12 Years A Slave
(2013) - 133 min - R
Biography, Drama, History
This true and terrifying story is difficult to watch; yet you should see it. It is nearly impossible to believe that only 150 years ago we enslaved people and treated them worse than animals. Solomon... More
Captain Phillips
(2013) - 134 min - PG13
Action, Biography, Crime/Mystery, Drama
This is a gripping, true story of the 2009 events during which Somali pirates board the Maersk Alabama, a cargo ship, and eventually take Captain Rich Phillips as their hostage. While seemingly not a... More
Last Vegas
(2013) - 105 min - PG13
Comedy, Romance
Paddy, a widower, Sam, and Archie fly to Las Vegas to celebrate before their best friend, Billy's, wedding. This movie has a PG13 rating and is hilarious. I loved it and so will your husband,... More
Enough Said
(2013) - 96 min - PG13
Comedy, Romance
Pretty cute comedy and romance starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini, in one of his last roles. Eva is a masseuse and works hard to support her daughter who is leaving for Sarah Lawrence... More
Baggage Claim
(2013) - 96 min - PG13
Comedy, Romance
Beautiful Paula Patton plays Montana Moore, daughter of a 5 times married mother who is a flight attendant. When her younger sister becomes engaged, Montana wishes he had someone to take with her to... More
All Is Lost
(2013) - 106 min - PG13
Action, Adventure, Drama
Robert Redford is the only actor and there is virtually no dialogue. We do hear that the name of the boat is the Virginia Jean and we see that the unnamed man is wearing a wedding ring. This may be... More
All Is Bright
(2013) - 107 min - R
Drama, Holiday
If you want to NOT be in the Christmas mood, watch this movie. Depressing throughout, you wonder if the sun ever shines. At first, Dennis and Rene cannot give away a tree, then suddently the crowds... More
Runner Runner
(2013) - 91 min - R
Crime/Mystery, Drama, Suspense/Thriller
This is a stupid macho movie about Richie, played by Justin Timberlake, and Ivan Black, played by Ben Affleck. Richie is drawn into Ivan's web of a gambling empire in Costa Rica as Black's right hand... More
Counselor, The
(2013) - 117 min - R
Crime/Mystery, Drama, Suspense/Thriller
Ridley Scott (American Gangster) and Cormac McCarthy (No Country For Old Men) team as director and writer of this violent drug cartel movie. Michael Fassbender is madly in love with Penélope Cruz's... More
Don Jon
(2013) - 90 min - R
Comedy, Drama
This tedious movie purports to have a lesson about sex for men. Women, don't bother as you already know. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Jon who confesses every week to his priest that he has bedded... More
Single Shot, A
(2013) - 116 min - R
Crime/Mystery, Drama, Suspense/Thriller
This supposed thriller is a bore. John Moon is an out of work backwoodsman who poaches to survive. His wife and young son have left him looking for a more stable life. While out hunting, John... More
Best of the Fest
The 49th Chicago International Film Festival just finished. What a great production, with a vast array of interesting movies from around the world. Here are the best chick flicks from the Festival: Note: The reviews will be up when the movies open in the U.S.
1000 Times Good Night
(2013) - 111 min - R
Drama, Foreign
Occasionally, a movie has a real impact. This winner of the Toronto Film Festival's Grand Prix 2013 is one of those movies. Juliette Binoche plays Rebecca who is one of the world's top war... More
Philomena
(2013) - 98 min - PG13
Biography, Drama, History
Judi Dench plays a different kind of role, although no less impressive, as a simple Irish woman who became pregnant as a young girl and was sent to an Irish Abbey where the nuns gave away the... More
German Doctor, The (Wakolda)
(2013) - 93 min - PG13
Drama, Foreign, History, Suspense/Thriller
An Argentine family moves to a small mountain town to reopen an inherited inn. One of their first guests is a doctor who has moved there to work at a somewhat secret clinic nearby. The family has a... More
Bank Lady
(2013) - 118 min - R
Action, Crime/Mystery, Drama, Foreign, History, Romance
While a bit like Bonnie and Clyde, this German movie , also a true story, tells the tale of Gisela and Hermann, bank robbers in Hamburg. Gisela is disguised by wigs and very fashionable clothing as... More
Elaine Strich: Shoot Me
(2013) - 85 min - R
Documentary
Elaine Strich is remarkable. At 86 going on 87 she still performs from her base at the Carlyle Hotel in New York. She is diabetic and often forgets lyrics, but is memorable. You also see her... More
Weekend, Le
(2013) - 93 min - PG13
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Jim Broadbent is always a delight and seems well matched with Lindsay Duncan who plays Nick's wife, Meg. She is looking for change and excitement in her life. Nick is not sure and terribly afraid she... More
12 Years A Slave
(2013) - 133 min - R
Biography, Drama, History
This true and terrifying story is difficult to watch; yet you should see it. It is nearly impossible to believe that only 150 years ago we enslaved people and treated them worse than animals. Solomon... More
August: Osage County
(2013) - 130 min - R
Drama
A star cast and beautiful performances in this adaptation of Tracy Letts play. It opens in limited release on Christmas Day 2013 and hopes for some Oscar nominations. Julia Roberts is perhaps the... More
Finally, we have also rated a bunch of "OLDIES" with the best ones first.
Move Over Darling
(1963) - 103 min - NR
Comedy, Romance
This is one hilarious movie. It is a remake of My Favorite Wife which starred Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Originally, this movie was to star Marilyn Monroe, but her difficulties in making it to the... More
Last Holiday
(2006) - 112 min - PG13
Adventure, Comedy, Drama
You have to enjoy Queen Latifah in this movie. Fun adventure in a ski resort! More
Mad Money
(2008) - 104 min - PG13
Comedy, Crime/Mystery, Suspense/Thriller
I have worked in a bank-although not the Federal Reserve Bank-and in the old days, I can see how this might have worked! More
Madeline
(1998) - 88 min - PG
Comedy
Fairly fun story about a young girl who insists on "fixing" things and getting into trouble. Frances McDormand , as always, adds great zest More
Last Metro, The
(1980) - 131 min - PG
Drama, Foreign, Romance, War
Excellent actors tell a difficult story during Nazi occupation More
Letter to Three Wives, A
(1949) - 103 min - NR
Drama, Romance
Some suspense and a classic from the 40's More
Leon The Professional
(1994) - 110 min - R
Crime/Mystery, Drama, Suspense/Thriller
Violent and sometimes difficult, but if you like Jean Reno, and I do, take a look More
Libeled Lady
(1936) - 98 min - G
Comedy, Romance
I found this "oldie" to be pretty entertaining. I am a BIG fan of William Powell More
Knocked Up
(2007) - 129 min - R
Comedy, Drama, Romance
All in all, it is just impossible for me to imagine Katherine Heigl with Seth Rogan. That says it all! More
