Movie #378 - Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland
2004 - Rated PG - 1 hr 46 min
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winsley, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, Freddie Highmore, Ian Hart

An error on Blogger erased a few of my posts, including the original of this review. Grrr.... I don't think I remember what I wrote.  Never thought I'd have to, you know?

Anyway, here goes.  I like this movie a lot, for both it's telling of the backstory of one of the world's most famous stories (JM Barrie's Peter Pan) and for the poignant relationship that grows between the famed playwright and a widow for four sons.  Actually, the four sons have a pretty impactful relationship with him as well.  The bittersweet conclusion of the movie really gets me, too.  I've always been a fan of the story around the story and this is a really great entry into that category.

And Johnny Depp has a Scottish accent, so there's that too :)

Movie #290 - I (Heart) Huckabee's

I (Heart) Huckabee's
2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 47 min
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Jude Law, Jason Scwartzman, Naomi Watts, Mark Wahlberg, Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin

What's the meaning of life? Why are we here? Are thing within the universe connected or arranged out of pure chaos? Does it matter what we do?

And can we achieve pure being by hitting ourselves in the face with a big red ball?

These are the questions that the characters of I Heart Huckabee's strive to answer.  The movie itself brings us web of characters who seem to be connected but may also be strewn hither and thither as a result of said chaos.  Can they really impact one another? Does it even matter if they do?

Yes, the movie's not great.  There are some funny bits here and there, plus the overall theme is one we can all relate to.  And Huckabee's style of business is a huge metaphor for the whys and hows explored in the movie.  It seems like a Hollywood attempt at philosophical thinking, if you choose to watch it that way.  Or you can just watch it as a weird movie filled with random actors who behave oddly.  I pick B.

Movie #272 - Hook

Hook
1991 - Rated PG - 2 hr 24 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Caroline Goodall, Phil Collins, Dante Basco

Quite possibly the best thing about this movie is Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook. I like the reboot concept: Peter Pan leaves Neverland and grows up, only to forget who he once was.  When Hook kidnaps his kid, Peter has to go back, remember how to fly, and save his kids.  Aside from Robin Williams being explained away as distincty NOT having a British accent (he was adopted by Americans), the disturbing plotline of him marrying Wendy's granddaughter, and a whiney son, the movie's pretty good.  This was definitely a childhood favorite that's still good but not as great as I remember.

Again, Dustin Hoffman is amazing. And Ruffio and the Lost Boys are fun to watch. I could skip Julia Roberts's Tinkerbell, but she doesn't ruin the movie.  Overall, a fun family movie that's still enjoyable after all these years.

Movie #128 - Confidence

Confidence
Lions Gate Entertainment
2003 - Rated R - 1 hr 37 min
Director: James Foley
Starring: Edward Burns, Dustin Hoffman, Andy Garcia, Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamatti, Donal Logue, Luis Guzman

This movie has a great cast, which caught my attention right off the bat the first time we watched it.  And since we bought it soon thereafter, you can assume safely that the cast delivers as expected.  This has a great twist-twist ending, lots of mind games between con artists, and plenty of Rachel Weisz being coyly devious.  I kinda love it. And Ed Burns.

I don't want to reveal too much for those who haven't seen it, but this movie keeps you thinking. I always enjoy a good double-cross or triple-cross or who-the-heck-is-working-for-whom kind of movie.  Just watch it sometime and you'll see what I mean.