In Theaters: ****^ Disclosure Day (2026)

 I listened to a radio program where the speaker said he was disappointed with this movie, but I really liked it.  They were especially talking about the ending, which seemed sort of short.  I can understand.  It seems there was a long communication which came out as one word, "Listen."  But that final day was very traumatic.  This movie reminded me of "Close Encounter of the Third Kind."

The movie pits people picked by the aliens, Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) and Dr. Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor) and Hugo (Colman Domingo).  They are trying to divulge information the gobernement has been hiding about aliens being real.  One the other side is the Wardex organization headed by Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth).  He has many resources and many men working with him.  He is also able to inhabit others, using allien technology.  He does this to Kellner's girl friend, Jane (Eve Hewson) and convinces her to kill Kellner.  She however resists his control by stabbing herself in the hand instead.  There is lots of intent actions and quirky things about alien history, Roswell and other crash sites, and crop circles.  In the end there is an alien who appears.  They make a nice use of animals, who sometimes are aliens appearing as animals so we aren't scared of them.

I would recommend this movie.  It is a Steven Spielberg sci fi movie.  

Movie Review: ****^The King's Speech (2010)

 The King's Speech won the Oscar for best film in 2010 and Colin Firth won the Oscar for best actor.  Firth portrays King George VI.  He had a bad temper, which was mostly brought on by his stuttering.  He had tried public speaking and failed miserably.  The movie is about his speech teacher, who works with him, overcoming his stuttering which was based on some childhood experience with one of his nannies.  Geoffrey Rush portrays the teacher, Lionel Logue.

This movie has a great cast as it brings back Pride and Prejudice actors and Harry Potter actors.  Jennifer Ehle portrays the wife of of the teacher.  Helena Bonham Carter portrays The King's wife Queen Elizabeth.  It was she who found and arranged for the teacher.  Their daughter who would become Queen Elizabeth and reign for 70 years is portrayed as a teenager.  Michael Gambon portrays George V, Timothy Spall Winston Churchill.  Lastly, King George's older brother is portrayed by Guy Pearce.  The older brother was king for a short time but relinqushed his claim to the throne so he could marry a commoner.

I was very moved by this film.  I thing that makes it work is the relationship between The Duke who became the king and the speech teacher.  It shows the courage of the king to face his weakness and fight for it to become not quite such a problem.  The movie ends with his giving a Christmas speech via radio after he had become king.

This film is based on a true story.  Because of his temper the King must have used the F word in the film enough to garner an R rating.  However currently there is a PG!# version available on BYUtv. 

In Theaters ****^ Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

In Theaters ****^ Mary Poppins Returns 

Emily Blunt wows as Mary Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda thrills as Jack, the Lamp Lighter and former apprentice of Bert from the original film.  And the Banks family is made up of Michael, (Ben Whishaw) and his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer) who are in the original but now 25 years older.  Michael is a widower.  He has three children, Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson).  Meryl Streep also portrays a cameo, cousin of Mary Poppins, Topsy, who is a fix-it person.  Michael has borrowed money against the bank, and the bank president (Colin Firth) is intent on taking the home, even if he has to hide stock records to do so.  ALs taking cameo rolls are Dick Van Dyck (bank president’s boss) and Angela Lansbury, balloon seller.   With this cast and Mary Poppins story we are in for a ride.  It seems P.L. Travers published eight Mary Poppins books in all with many stories.  Sheri really loved the music, but it still isn’t in my head like some of the original songs.  I need to return to see this again.

Movie Review: **The Accidental Husband (2008)

This is a romantic comedy.  Sometimes I think the producers of these shows miss the mark, and consequently I can't give this show high marks.  First the main character commits a crime by hacking some one's data, with the help of a juvenile family member because only juveniles know anything about computers, and makes himself the husband of a radio commentator who he blames for ruining his own chances at love.  And at one time he forces himself on her, despite her repeated requests to stop.  Of course this is one of the scenes if you push hard enough eventually they will like it.  How many rapes are justified with that attitude.  So even though this movie is cute and all, I cannot recommend it.  I was hoping the fiance would win in the end, but I was disappointed.
fireman and hacker (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)
The radio host (Uma Thurman)
the fiance (Colin Firth)

Movie Review: Nanny McPhee

This is an excellent movie.  Emma Thompson played a huge part in this project.  She wrote the screen play based on the book by Christiana Brown.  Thompson also star as Nanny McPhee.  Her character changes the most, from an ugly nanny to a handsome woman.  As she teaches the children lessons, her warts and other blemishes disappear.  She comes to a family in need.  Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) has lost his wife, and has seven uncontrollable children.  They chase away all available nannies.  Mts. McPhee is the last hope.  Only through magic is she able to teach her lessons.  "As long as you need me, even though you don't want me I will stay.  When you no longer need me, even if you want me, I will have to go."
Mr. Brown is desperate to find a wife, at the insistence of his former wife's Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury).  She has given him a deadline, and as a result he makes a very poor choice.  When the wedding falls through, they are due to be kicked out of the house if an alternative bride is not found.  Simon (Thomas Sangster) suggests the scullery maid, who was taken in by the aunt and refined.  Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald) and Mr. Brown do love each other.  

Christmas Movie Review: ***^A Chrstmas Carol 2009: Jim Carrey

This is the Disney version of "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carrey.  The characters are so real with their animation, which is their strength and down fall.  It is just too much over done with the new animations.  It makes the characters scary, much to scary for children, and sometimes for me.  I cannot watch this with Tony.  Gary Oldman plays Bob Cratchit and Colin Firth the nephew, Fred. 

Movie Review: *****Pride and Prejudice X 4

*****^Pride and Prejudice(1995) ****^(1940) *****(2005) *****(1980)

This is not  review in the traditional sense, but a comparison of four different versions of Pride and Prejudice.  These four include the first one I saw, which is the 1995 six tape series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in the lead roles.  I then saw the new movie, 2005, with Keira Knightley and Mathew Macfadyen in the lead roles.  I have recently been introduced to two new versions via Netflix.  One is 1980 BBC with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul in the lead roles which is available through Instant Netflix. The other was a Netflix DVD, 1940 with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier.

First generally reviewing of these movies.  They are all classics, and the story is classic. The first version actually takes the most liberties with the story.  Lady DuBourg is in league with Mr. Darcy, rather than actually upset.  The 1980 BBC version is actually the most modest.  However the version I first saw was the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.  This one highlights the figures of the women in a very pleasing manner.  And the Keira Knightley has a more rural feel to it, with pigs on the screen, and Keira Knightley is always beautiful, but no miracle bra is going to do wonders, so this version is more modest as well.

Eliza  I love Jennifer Ehle in this role, and her walking every place.  However the character in the 1940 version, captures much more passion for me.  So I must vote for Greer Garson as my favorite Eliza.

Mr. Darcy  In similar fashion I must say Laurence Olivier captures the romance of the film in the most placing manner.  I was introduced to this role form Colin Firth, who is a great actor, and one of my favorite.  However the way this role is played by Laurence Olivier is classic.  

Mr. Bennet is a wonderful character, who actually grows and matures from the experiences with regards to Lydia.  I must admit I prefer the character from the 2005 movie best from Donald Sutherland, just based on the way he presents one of my favorite lines, "If any other men come to marry any my daughters, send them in; I am quite at my leisure." Classic!  His smile is just perfect.

Mr Bingley  I like the Mr. Bingley from the six tape series.  He is just a happy young man, no one can help but like him. Lydia is such a clueless wonder in this version I have to love her. Mrs Bennet with her loud laughing and talking takes the day in this version as well.  Mr Collins, the cousin who is set to entail the estate, is such a nerd and brown noser in this version he is funny.  And his wife, Charlotte, is played in just the perfect fashion. Kitty is so good lamenting at her father's rebuke in this version.  Her cry is just perfect. 

Mr Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliams is most enjoyable in the 1940 version as the actor is in a kilt.  Fun.  Miss Jane Bennet is the most beautiful in the 1940 version.  The last scene where Mr. Bingley proposes, and she cries through it.  That is fun.

Mr. Bingley's sister is the most sinister in the 1940 version.  Mary is at her worse in such a  truly delightful way in the version as well.

The bottom line is I love this story, and each of these version is a pleasure to watch.

Movie Review: *****^Pride and Prejudice: My Favorite Movie Ever

My most favorite movie of all time is the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, 1995, Pride and Prejudice British Television Drama.  This is a six part portrayal of the Jane Austen classic.  I finished viewing it for the upteenth time this past weekend.  I must admit I prefer it to all other versions of Pride and Prejudice, including the Mormon version, the Keira Knightly version, or older versions I have seen.

As I watched, I tried to figure out why I like this presentation so much.   I think it is the feisty nature of Miss Elizabeth Bennett.  However I must admit, the mother of the family intrigues me as well.  Her attitude I find humorous, and human.  The father also is humorous, but in a different way. 

I am thrilled with the reaction of Elizabeth Bennet to the first marriage proposal from Mr Darcy.  When she reacts to him with a flat refusal and says that nothing would tempt her, even if he had "behaved in a more gentlemanly manner."  And then to watch people change thrills me.  Bot Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy change, and the most beautiful love blossoms in the end.

I think the real reason I like this so much, is because it always leaves me feeling good in the end.  After watching this movie, that happy buzz stays wit me for a few days.