Saturday Night Cinema

What is this?  A Post?  Yes.  Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit has brought me out of retirement.  I must let the world know how I feel.  Also, I start mentoring a Classic Film class is couple of weeks and I thought that it might not be bad to post my movie thoughts again.  But this stuff is boring, back to the movie.

The Mister and I were sitting down to a long winter's night of television.  We currently have a show that we both like okay enough to watch together.  We love watching TV together but rarely can agree on a show being as I have taste and he...  So, when we find a show that we both like enough to watch it is date night every night.
I had command of the remote and as I was flipping through Netflix I saw Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.  The Mr. likes Jack Ryan,because, Harrison Ford, and I like spies or anything spy adjacent, as you know.  Then I saw who was playing Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Chris Pine, otherwise known as Captain Kirk 90210.
  "Chris Pine," I say with interest, "I'm just gonna put that on my list." *boop*
The Mr. laughs.  He knows how I feel about Captain Kirk, both versions.

About a week or so later The Mr. says he would like to watch Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.  We are watching and the movie starts out SLOW, really slow.  There is an attack on a helicopter that our hero Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is riding in, he saves people, he is nearly paralyzed, we don't care because this movie is so slow.
 Then he goes to rehab.
 His PT is none other than Keira Knightly.  You may remember how I feel about her, if you don't see this post. I am ticked.  Here I settle down for a nice spy movie and it is boring already and then Keira Knightly.  I am banging on about how much I can't stand her and I look down at my knitting and The Mr.  laughs.  He laughs hard.
 "What?"
 "Did you see who that was?"
I look up the camera cuts to Kevin Costner.  Are you kidding me?  You may remember how I feel about him, if you don't see this post (same post!)
At this point I really don't know which way things are going to go  I could really hate this movie or it might be OK, but, I have never heard of it so maybe it was bad and went straight to Netflix?  Should I cut my losses now?  I am really into knitting this blanket right now and I don't want to stop to change the show so we keep on.  

This is when we learn that Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is not only a war hero but also a super economics genius.  The CIA wants him to be a financial analyst for them. Undercover.

This is also where Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit asks his physical therapist out to dinner.  Predictable.  She says no, she says goodbye. Does she say goodbye forever? Alas, no, it's Keira Knightly, you know she is in this movie for the long haul.

Fast forward, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit now works for a big fancy bank as a super smart financial something but really he is just reading super hot financial something.  He also collects information for the CIA and gives it to them in manila folders.  This is ostensibly 2005-ish and he is giving them paper files.

Then Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit then goes home to his....girlfriend Keira Knightly, now a super smart doctor. Surprise!  They have an argument that is obviously the one that they keep having over and over,  he wants her to marry him and she thinks he is having an affair, yadda, yadda, yadda.  They are SO meant to be together!

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit has to go to Russia to get more information and someone tries to kill him as soon as he arrives.  Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit then drowns this persons who is 3 times his size in the bathtub.  Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is no longer a Shadow Recruit  he is now active!

Finally, the movie starts.

Despite the inauspicious beginning I didn't mind this movie.

 Keira Knightly's clavicles were rarely on display (in this photo they even seem to be hiding them!) and Kevin Coster's line were short, blunt and monotone so he fit.  Fairly painless.

While I didn't buy Chris Pine as a super spy I did buy him as a Shadow Recruit, pretty tough but way out of his league and a little scared.

There were three things that I loved about this movie.  They are, in order: Kenneth Branagh, Russian Bad Guys, The Wall.

I was pretty scared when they showed the villan but were slow to reveal his face that it was actually going to be John Malkovich, mercifully it was Kenneth Branagh.

I don't know why but I really like Kenneth Branagh.  I loved Wallander but I was very aware the whole time that I was watching Wallander for Kenneth Branagh. Just as I dislike some actors and actresses I like Kenneth Branagh, and I always wonder why he and Emma Thompson couldn't work things out.  

Kenneth Branagh must agree with me because he was also the director and while there are some good screen shots with Chris Pine in them, all the good ones star Branagh,

and I'm OK with that.


The main part of this film happens in Russia and you know how I feel about Russian Bad Guys, they are second only to East German Bad Guys.

And this set.

 I love this wall.  I want to visit this wall.  I want to be besties with this wall.

Ultimately this movie was OK, not awful, huge plot holes, predictable but enjoyable enough.  Jack Ryan saves America and all is right with the world.   3.5 out of 7 thimbles.

Saturday Night Cinema

I meant to get this up earlier but I did yard work in the SUNSHINE all day long.

Bella
Date: 2006
Director: Alejandro Gomez Monteverde
Starring: Eduardo Verástegui and Tammy Blanchard


It has been some months since I watched this film so I am a bit fuzzy on the details but this movie was just a simple good movie.  A gently moving story about one day in the life of two people and the amazing influence they make on each other's lives in that time.  It is a movie about how precious life is and nearly scary moment when you think that Nina has gone through with an abortion, but she couldn't.  Amen.

5 out of 7 thimbles

Saturday Night Cinema

Me and Orson Welles
Date: 2009
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Zac Efron, Claire Daines and Christian Mckay

A teenager suddenly finds himself cast in the revolutionary  1937 production the Mercury Theatre and more importantly Orson Welles' production  of Julius Caesar.

I wouldn't watch this with my kids but all in all it is a pretty clean movie.  Miracle of miracles a modern day production about show business that DOES NOT have a homosexual story line.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

An odd choice for the revival of Saturday Night Cinema, perhaps, but I recommend this movie for two reasons; the first being that for the first time since 1997 I found myself wanting to be part of a play again.  To be in the rehearsal process, even to act again.  That is powerful stuff. 

Second, I completely forgot that I wasn't actually wasn't actually watching Orson Welles.  After I watched the movie I was looking up the cast and saw the credit "Christian McKay."  "Who was that?" I asked myself when it dawned on me that Orson Welles was actually played by an actor, not himself.

I think that completely forgetting that one of the most distinctive film personas in history was being acted by an actor is a reason to watch a movie.

5 out of 7 thimbles for the film 7 out of 7 for Christian McKay.

P.S.  This is actually Orson Welles in case you forget what he looks like.

Saturday Night Cinema: The Bollywood Awards

After months of hard work the "Bollywood Pre-Screen" has finally ended. I did it for you gentle reader and because I wanted to find a great film for Cinema Domingo: Bollywood Edition. I have watched a lot on Indian sillyness and shed a great deal of tears. I have read many, many subtitles and I may be able to understand a bit of Hindi. I have a working knowledge of the Hindu godhead, I know Krishna from Vishnu from Ganesha.
I AM counting Bride and Prejudice and Bend it Like Beckham because they started me on this crazy Bollywood quest. I am NOT counting Indian Films like Water or Earth because they contain no singing nor dancing.
As the judge panel consists solely of myself let the ceremony begin.
Bend it like Beckham for "Darshan" B21 for "My Favorite Indian Song."

Bride and Prejudice for "No Life Without Wife" wins the "Song That Has Stuck in My Head the Most" award.
Runner up: Saawaryia for "Saawaryia"

Shahrukh Khan is known as "The King of Bollywood" for a reason, he is good, but he drives me nuts. He seems to excel in slapstick and goofiness. I do not appreciate slapstick or goofiness. He gets the award for "NOT Best Actor."
Zohra Sehgal wins "The Most Frequently Recognized Character Actor" award.

Aishwarya Rai gets the award for the "Most Beautiful Woman on the Planet."
This is of course self explanatory.

Lagaan gets the award for "Most Evil British Stereotype" and an honorable mention for teaching me about cricket, a sport that hitherto was a complete enigma and now is merely a puzzle.Jodhaa Akbar wins the award for "My Favorite Bollywood Film," for the story, the costumes, the leading lady and of course
honest to goodness Whirling Dervishes.

Guru receives the award for "Most Thought Provoking" I am not sure if this successfully bridged the gap between Bollywood and Film. The songs seemed very out of place with the tone of the movie. Abhishek Bachchan played the role of "Guru" very nicely.Saawariya receives the award for "Most Interesting Art Direction"
and also for "Man singing and dancing in a towel."
Kal Ho Naa Ho (Tomorrow May Never Come) wins the award for "The Most Tears Shed by the Judge" seriously touching yet ridiculous at the same time as it stars Shahrukh Khan.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge recives the "Booby Prize" being the only film I could not finish because it was so bad. Shahrukh Khan strikes again.

Purab Aur Pachhim (East Meets West) wins the awards for "The Most Disturbing Movie I Have Ever Watched," "Least Sympathetic Leading Lady," and "Creepiest Villain Ever" Swinging London in the late 60's, micro mini skirts, moustaches gone wild and so many other things I can't even type them. I thought that I might need an eye transplant after watching this movie. But again, for you gentle reader. The song Hari Krishna wins the award for "The Most Brainwashing Song." I will not link to it because I only believe in brainwashing when it involves Cary Grant. Kuch Naa Kaho - Was the Runner Up for the Cinema Domingo Prize. It had all the elements: costumes, set in India, Aishwarya Rai, crazy love triangle, stellar dance scenes and a smoking hot villain to boot but alas it was out done byHum Dil De Chuke Sanam wins "The Cinema Domingo Prize" for meeting the initial criteria of starring Aishwaryia Rai, being set in India, compelling story as well as winning"Best Costumes," "My Favorite Saree Ever,""Outstanding Dance Numbers,""Most Interesting Love Triangle,""Lovely Sets,"
and "Most Potential for Post Movie Discussion."

Saturday Night Cinema

This week: Room for One More
Starring: Cary Grant and Betsy Drake also George Winslow
Director: Norman Taurog
Date: 1952

This movie was hard to find, I have been hoping to see it for years. Luckily it was released on DVD last year and my library got a copy of it early this year which was great news for me because I loved it. "Delightful" is an appropriate adjective for this movie. I am thinking about purchasing this movie I because I want my kids to internalize the messages.

"Room for One More" is saccharine sweet but Cary Grant manages to balance it out with his characteristic delivery. The youngest child "Teenie" is played by George Winslow, the ordinary looking little boy with the "froggy bass voice."
Betsy Drake was married to Cary Grant at the time so it is interesting to watch their interaction.

This movie exemplifies 1952 America. I am surprised that there wasn't an apple pie served.

Anne Rose has a big heart and is always taking in strays, one day the "stray" is a troubled girl from the orphanage, then it is a handicapped boy. Anne and "Poppy" show incredible patience and insight and help these two children become well adjusted young people as well as continue to raise their own three children.

What I loved about this is that they were not afraid to let the children fail.

There is an unabashed plug for the Foster care system as well as what might have well been an advertisement for the Boy Scouts of America including an Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

Cary Grant explains the birds and the bees to "Jimmy John" in a scene that explains everything and nothing all at once and another scene where a litter of kittens is actually being born.

There is another scene which I can't mention here because this is a family blog but when you watch the movie you will get it but the kids won't. Hilarious.

Based on the foster care and Boy Scouts of America I have a feeling that my Hanna friends are going to give this a huge thumbs up.

As for me I give it 6 out of 7 thimbles which is very, very good.

Saturday Night Cinema

Rebecca
Date: 1940
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson and George Sanders

Rebecca and I have a long and sordid past. Long, because I discovered Rebecca when my Aunt Janie had come up for a visit and we were at B&B and she saw the new and trashy looking printing of
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier on the shelf. She started raving about it and insisted that I read it and bought me a copy. It has been love ever since.

Sordid, because as a Serious Speech Interpreter on the high school speech team I was a failure It's not that I wasn't a good speaker, I just chose lousy material. Well one season I was working with Maxim's confession for my piece. It was good, I was good but I was consistently getting 7's and 8's (second to and last place.)

That evening one of my fellow interpers was helping me edit and we suddenly realized that my problem was that I was narrating a man's voice and it wasn't very believable coming out of a cute, short, curly haired brunette. So we switched the roles. We made Maxim's part Mrs. deWinter's and Mrs deWinter's part Maxim's, just changed the voices from male to female and female to male. I rocked it. I started getting first and second place.

The problem was what I did was against the rules. I didn't know it was against the rules but I had a feeling it wasn't good form. Turned out it was totally against the rules and I was disqualified which I didn't contest because I really didn't mean to break the rules and felt pretty bad about it. But not about acing those rounds!

Now, enough about my relationship with Rebecca and some facts about the film. This was Alfred Hitchcock's first film made in America. It also happened to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Black and White Cinematography. Hello Hollywood!

Laurence Olivier wanted Vivien Leigh to play the starring role and she was hot stuff having just come off of Gone with The Wind and being Olivier's new flame and soon to be wife. I have seen her screen test - she is a lovely actress and I adore her but she would have been a disaster as the second Mrs deWinter. Now if there was a Rebecca role in the film Vivien Leigh would have been perfect for THAT role.

This film is riveting. Judith Anderson's Danvers is creepy and almost a bit sympathetic. George Sanders' Jack Favell is likable but you know he is a cad. Which is fitting considering this post I read today.
Joan Fontaine is perfect for this film meek and quiet and you find yourself yelling "Grow a spine already!" and then she does. Laurence Olivier's Maxim is so likable it's no wonder you end up rooting for him.

The film is very true to the book until it comes to the climax which brings me back to that little story I told at the beginning of this post, the one about me changing up the parts for the win. Well, the censors wouldn't Maxim get away with what he gets away with in the book so they let him get away with something else in the film. You feel relieved that he gets away with it but you don't find yourself questioning your moral judgement like in the book.

Rebecca is one of my all time favorite films. It is a classic. Watch it, love it, obsess over it.

7 out of 7 thimbles!

Saturday Night Cinema

Never Say Goodbye
Date: 1946
Director: James V. Kern
Starring: Eleanor Parker, Errol Flynn, Patti Brady

Pin-up Artist Phil Gayley tries to reunite with his ex-wife much to the delight of his precocious and hilarious 8 year old daughter "Flip."

I laughed out loud for this entire film. I really loved it. My favorite part is at the beginning when Flip tells her father about her pen pal "Wickie" who turns out to be a Marine. She has been writing to him with the help of a booklet entitled "How to Write Letters to Soldiers." Oh how I wish I had a photo of that booklet! Flip has been signing her letters "Smoochie" and sent a picture of her mother when she modeled for her dad...as a pin up.

Eleanor Parker is the very lovely Baroness Scrader from the Sound of Music.

Hattie McDaniel and Forrest Tucker co-star.

I can't find it on Netflix but I saw it on TCM. May the force be with you if you find it and try to capture a screen image of that booklet for me!

Saturday Night Cinema

Neitzsche and the Nazis
Date: 2006

This is possibly the most annoying documentary ever filmed. Actually, it is hardly a documentary, it is really a lecture on film with abrupt cuts, strange back grounds and expressive eyebrows.
Why am I recommending this for this weeks Saturday Night Cinema? Because the content is outstanding. The first hour or so is a detailed explanation of the principles of the Nazi party and their rise to power; completely fascinating and to be honest, chilling. I am not going to tell you what the parallels are, I am sure you can connect the dots your self.
The second part is an overview of Philospher Freidrich Neitzsche's whacked out view of humanity. Based on the very little I know of Neitzsche I think he was a nut. But that is beside the point.
The third part of the film is Professor Stephen Hicks ideas on how the Nazi's were influenced by Neitzsche.
I recommend this film for the first part and its application to current events, and the second if you want to broaden your knowledge of German philosophers.
Please be brave in watching think of it as a taped lecture and turn off the picture if you can't stand to watch the floating head or bouncing eybrows. If you do have the courage to keep the picture on try not to be driven mad by attempting to read the titles on the bookshelves, I couldn't make out a single one.

Find it on netflix and Netflix Instant!

Saturday Night Cinema

Last night we went to a movie in the park. It was magical, it was The Wizard of Oz. Watching it on a large movie screen with an audience and my children seeing it for the first time was amazing. I have never been crazy about The Wizard of Oz before, I liked it alright but nothing special. But last night was extraordinary. The audience cheered each time Toto escaped the Miss Gulch/the Wicked Witch of the West, clapped at the end of songs and after every performance of the Cowardly Lion. Boba Fett and Nutmeg were entranced.
The Wizard of Oz
Date: 1939
Starring: Judy Garland
Directed by: Victor Flemming

This film won 2 Oscars in 1939 for Original Song and Original Song. It was up for several other things but it was competing with Gone With the Wind. Judy Garland's baby talk is a bit irritating but she is a competent actress at only 16 years, and I thank my luck stars a million times that they didn't choose Shirley Temple for the role as originally planned. I can't think of anyone more annoying than Shirley Temple and her baby talk (except John Malcovich) The role of The Cowardly Lion played by Bert Lahr is outstanding. I think he was my favorite character last night. The costumes are really quite brilliant.

Watch The Wizard of Oz again. Sit still and don't get up and if possible watch it with a child who has never seen it before.

6.5 out of 7 thimbles

Saturday Night Cinema

Charade
Date: 1963
Starring: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and a host of other great actors as well as a marginal to poor little boy actor with a French accent.
Directed by: Stanley Donen
Music by: Henry Mancini

I love this movie when I am in the mood for a spy type thriller with a lighthearted touch. There is mystery and some suspense, many laughs and a whole lot of wonderful Cary Grant.
I am not a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn, I think she is good in some things but in a lot of movies she annoys me. In Charade I like her. Cary Grant was uncomfortable because of the age difference between him and Audrey Hepburn so they made Audrey Hepburn's character chase after him with a lot of jokes fron Grant about his age.
The soundtrack is superb, Henry Mancini you know. Many wonderful lines including but not limited to Audrey Hepburn's character touching Cary Grant's chin and asking him, "How do you shave in there?" My 9 year old likes it too.

6 out of 7 thimbles

Saturday Night Cinema

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Starring: John Wayne, James Stewart
Directed By: John Ford
Date: 1962

This film has some interesting themes on statesmanship and citizenship. Stoddard is a reluctant statesman yet he does his duty. There is also a question about the rule of law and what is right and what keeps you alive when there is no law.

The set is very minimal, almost campy but it works leaving you to focus on the characters and story rather than be distracted by the set. Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne are two of the best hands down and this film is easy to watch even if the leading lady they are scrapping over is a little abrasive.

I think this is one of Boss Moss' favorite films.

6 out of 7 thimbles

Saturday Night Cinema

Since I last mentioned Severus Snape, I have finished reading the Harry Potter books and just this afternoon watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

How do I feel about Snape now that I have read all of the books? I just want to say that "I knew it!" and if I were to have another son I would name him Severus.
How was Alan Rickman in HBP? Snapeish and Snapetastic.
How did I like the movie HBP? It was good but a bit underwhelming. I think many of the parts of the book that they skipped were key to the story. I thought that it lacked a lot of emotion. Daniel Radcliff's "Felix Felicis Harry" was hilarious.
What magic spell would I most like to have? The one where Dumbledore cleans up the room with a flick of his wand.

7 out of 7 thimbles for the book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
and 5 out of 7 thimbles for the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Saturday Night Cinema

Gone With The Wind
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland and Leslie Howard
Directed by: Victor Fleming
Date: 1939

This is the film that fueled my adolescence, a scary thought, I know, but a woman can get a lot of tips, good and bad, from Scarlett O'Hara.

This film ranks as AFI's #4 best film ever. And why not? It has costumes, passion, war, accents and women who don't care about their reputation. It has blockade running, and epic score and the Virginia Reel.

This is the only movie I like Clark Gable in; I think he is a little goofy looking, but not in Gone With the Wind, oh no.

Vivien Leigh is amazing, it's no wonder the greatest actor ever fell in love with and married her.

I hope you have seen this already, if not you should make no delay in doing so. This movie is the definition of iconic. There have been countless books, and articles and whole movies made about the making of this movie. It is a long movie at 238 minutes but there is a nice intermission.

One of my favorite lines is this: "No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how. "
7 out of 7 thimbles

Saturday Night Cinema

Tonight, as I am busy celebrating the signing of The Declaration of Independence by watching my boys blow things up on the beach and as I am busy with my top secret mission, I am outsourcing my film recommendation. I have not yet seen it but La Keira recommends it as a top notch 4th of July film. I have it at the top of my Netflix queue.

Meet John Doe
Date: 1941
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper (super duper)
Directed by: Frank Capra

Apparently the story of how the media puts a man in office to do their bidding. Timely?
Read a review here. You can watch it instantly on Netflix.
Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper together, how could it go wrong?

***Update: I watched this last night and it is very nice. 6 out of 7 thimbles.***

Saturday Night Cinema

Three Violent People
Date: 1956
Starring: Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, Gilbert Roland, Tom Tryon
Directed By:Rudoph Maté"
A fabulous film recommended to me by Keira.
It is the story of a Texan who returns to home after the Civil War to his ranch. Along the way he hastily picks himself up a wife without bothering to look into her past. Back at the ranch we meet the black sheep of the family and the poet of a Grand Vacaro and his 5 sons. While all the ranchers in the area prepare to fight the carpetbaggers our hero discovers his wife's past. . .

Fans of M.A.S.H. might notice a familiar nose on Pedro, he is played by Jamie Farr though credited as Jameel Farah.
The Grand Vacaro possibly has the best role in the film and certainly the best lines, for example:
"At times a Saunders does not live well, but he always dies well."

7 out of 7 stars, one of my favorite Westerns. Boss Moss approved.

Saturday Night Cinema

Oh yes.
North By Northwest
Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Date: 1959

Espionage, mistaken identity, unidentified (possibly communist) foreign bad guys. Cary Grant. Sleeper Trains. Steamy.

You simply have to see this film. It is iconic. Literally.

Hitchcock referred to this film as "the American 39 Steps."

This was my Grandma's favorite film. She also loved Cary Grant because "He is so handsome!"

Saturday Night Cinema

We have been mad for all things Miniver around here of late. La Keira and I have been reading and raving about the book Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther. I was very concerned about the film afraid that I would hate it. I watched it last night and the verdict is 6.5 out of 7 thimbles! And so I submit Mrs. Miniver for your Saturday Night Cinema pleasure.
Date: 1942
Starring: Greer Garson, Water Pidgeon, and Teresa Wright
Directed by: William Wyler

This movie is fantastic if you forget about the book. Nothing that is in the movie is in the book, apart from names and general spirit. It works because Mrs. Miniver is written as little snippets in a woman's life over a couple of years so you can imagine that the movie just carries on in the parts you don't read. You also have to make Vin 5 or so years older. The fil is sweet, exciting and a little suspenseful. The actor who plays "Clarence" in "It's a Wonderful Life," Henry Travers is in the movie too. Greer Garson is outstanding as Mrs. Miniver.

The book is so soft and pastoral. The way the author writes of a HAPPY marriage is refreshing and hits home. The book is very centered on little insignificant details. There isn't much of a plot just little scenes and thoughts in the life of an ordinary British woman.

It is.

6.5 out of 7 thimbles for the film, 7 out of 7 thimbles for the book.

P.S. The movie has German Bad Guys!

Saturday Night Cinema Update

2 of my Saturday Night Cinema recommendations recently became available on Netflix's watch Instantly feature The Third Man and The 39 Steps. How fabulous!

Saturday Night Cinema

I'm in the mood for a feel good comfort movie. While the ultimate feel good movie for me is Little Women this one is a good choice too...

Miss Potter
Date: 2006
Starring: Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor
Directed by: Chris Noonan

This biopic is a pretty true to life tale of the life of authoress and artist Beatrix Potter (you know, Peter Rabbit.) Having read some biographies of Beatrix Potter I was not disappointed in Miss Potter as a film. I found it charming, magical, a little bit romantic, a lot sad and full of hope.

Renee Zellweger can get on my nerves sometimes but she does a fine job in this film as does Ewan McGregor (I think, but I can't tell because I am always dazzled by his smile and ignore all else.)
Rated PG this film is clean as a whistle and you can watch this with the kids - boys might find it a little slow but I am sure the girls will love it.

6 out of 7 thimbles

Saturday Night Cinema

The Children of Heaven
Date: 1997
Director: Majid Majidi
Starring: Amir Farrokh Hashemian, Bahare Seddiqi, Mohammad Amir Naji

The first time I watched this film I was so touched by the story. I love the selflessness and solidarity the brother and sister share. The fathers attempt to get ahead just little bit for his family. I was reminded how truly blessed my family is. We have so much. It has a happy ending which is always nice when the story involves children.

The film is Iranian and has subtitles.
6 out of 7 thimbles