Citizen Kane

A dying, rich newspaper mogul: one who owns millions of dollars, a huge estate, etc.; has had years of experience and success, and is now dying. Finally, he speaks a word. His last.
"Rosebud"
What, or who is rosebud? Why, of all the profound, insightful things a man like him could have said, did he say "Rosebud"? Why do no records (among the many) of his past reveal anything involving the word rosebud?
One newspaper reporter is determined to find this out. Join him in his search into the past of an incredible fictional character in U.S. history, and the story of a truly spectacular man, citizen Kane (Orson Wells).
And, of course, the last word. Could it be an old secret love? Could it be a word from a phrase that changed his life? Or could it be something else? Perhaps a key to what could have been; a doorway he could have taken that would have lead to a life infinitely better than that which he lived; a lost chance?...

The Bourne Supremacy

Bourne is back...
and running as fast as he can.
This movie has all the clever getaways and action-filled plot as the last, but the story is too shallow.
All that really happens is he finds out about more of his past, and apologizes to someone for it. And gets chased again and again and again and...
If you like fast-paced action, you'll like this movie. If you like a good story, you'll like the first one, Bourne Supremacy better.

African Queen

Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn star in this wonderful little story.
It is about their fight against a river and its perils as they try to battle the Germans during WW1.
The situation: the German troops just ruined her life as a missionary in Africa, and the local mailman on his mini barge is currently out of a job due to the war(fortunately his passion for drink softens his woes). Help could come, except that a powerful boat guards the lake and only passage for help to arrive. They find themselves helpless in the wilderness of Central Africa.
Their mission: they decide to try to fight their way downstream; past the enemy fortress, through reeds, mud, mosquitoes, crocodiles, waterfalls and rapids...and blow up the enemy ship.
Think the end is predictable? Not so much as you may think...

the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

For those of you who have never read the book, you must know the following:
The planet we now live on, Earth 2, is a reproduction of Earth 1, down to the last person. Earth 1, unfortunately, was recently destroyed by Vogons to make way for an intergalactic bypass. It so happens that the first Earth was actually a giant supercomputer designed by Deep Thought (another supersmart computer, which had, over the course of seven and a half million years, calculated that the answer to life, the universe and everything was 42. Thus the real problem was: what is the question? This was too complicated even for Deep Thought, so it designed Earth. The scientists who had built Deep Thought were on Earth, experimenting on the humans. They were what we commonly know as mice.) ... but it was destroyed by the Vogons 10 minutes before completion. So at the planet-building factory, they made what is now our home.
The movie impressively depicts the strangeness of the book, sticking faithfully to its atheism and infinite improbability.
We are treated to the visually spectacular factory planet, the priceless spaceship Heart of Gold, Slartibartfast, and other fun stuff.
Ford Prefect is played by an African-American, and Marvin the robot's head is huge; no problems, just not how I imagined it.
Loads of ridiculous fun, and more the a little...off.

Pride & Prejudice

Probably Jane Austen's best work, Simon Langton (also director of Jeeves and Wooster) has captured it on screen like no other. Excellent acting; Colin Firth does a resplendent job as Darcy...even more so than Laurence Olivier in the earlier version. It is unfortunately compared to the other two versions. They are not bad, but this is better.

Each of the characters are so distinct and memorable:
Mr. Bennet: The "Father of the story. He has an amusing sense of humor, making him my personal favorite character. He bears, with good humor, the silliness of the other characters in the family. When things go wrong, he remembers that it will soon pass. When his wife fusses over nothing, he rolls his eyes, presents some comforting sarcasm, and wisely leaves the room.
Mrs. Bennet: A hilarious character, with the most violent mood swings: one moment she will be sobbing and angry at everyone, making thoughtless angry statements; the next moment she will be laughing, loving, and excited. For example, their new neighbor, Mr. Bingley, is very rich, so she expects her husband to to go visit him, in the hope that one of her daughters will marry him someday. Her husband decides not to make the visit, and she gets angry, cries, and says, "Don't talk to me about Mr. Bingley. I am sick of hearing him" etc. Mr. Bennet replies, "I'm sorry to hear that. If I had known that this morning, I should never have called on him." Instantly Mrs. Bennet is all joy, love and laughter.
Jane Bennet: The eldest Bennet girl. She sees only the good in other people, and cannot believe any negative reports of anybody. When someone does something bad, she is convinced of their good intention. She has the biggest heart and the kindest smile. She is also determined not to fall too deeply in love with Mr. Bingley...
Elizabeth Bennet: This is her story. She is the more realistic and intelligent family member. A very polite social woman, with strong opinions; but she keeps her opinions to herself unless she feels it is absolutely necessary to speak them. Also a good sense of propriety. She loathes Mr. Darcy...why does he keep staring at her?
Mary Bennet: The family philosopher and scholar. Not pretty, but then the doesn't try to be so. She irritates her younger sisters with her constant proverbs and holy criticism. An amusing character, in her own way. Mr. Collins is the only man she really admires, but he never looks at her.
Kitty Bennet: Strongly influenced by Lydia, Kitty almost fails to have her own distinct personality. She is mostly unappreciated, and never gets her own way. Unfortunately she feels sorry for herself. A good person, but too envious of Lydia's popularity with the soldiers.
Lydia Bennet: The family flirt. She has a contagious laugh, and an undying love for men in uniform, practical jokes, balls, friends, being ahead of Kitty, and just about anything else secular.
Another hilarious character, as long as she's in a story.
Mr. Darcy: Strong and silent. When he is introduced, he does not dance, speak, or mingle. Later he grows a little more genial. Very rich, and the owner of the magnificent Pemberly Hall. Suddenly he pops the big question on Elizabeth...
Mr. Bingley: "There's nothing I love better than a country dance!". Curly brown hair, blue eyes and an eternal bright smile. Like Jane, he sees the best in everyone. Constant cheer, despite his sisters' snobbiness and his friend's coolness.
Mr. Collins: Yet another hilarious character; the Bennet's cousin. He is in love with Elizabeth, who would probably be willing to marry anybody else. Collins cannot stop talking, except out of tespect and admiration for Mr. Darcy's imperious aunt, Lady Catherine. He will follow any suggestion of her's. At one point, Mr. Wickham says to Elizabeth, "Mr. Collins's conversation is...wholesome." Elizabeth replies, "and there's plenty to be had of it!"
Mr. Wickham: The man in uniform. An officer who Elizabeth greatly admires. He is very cordial, and tells Elizabeth of his past, when he was "Treated ill" by Mr. Darcy. What can Elizabeth do but believe his story? Then, when he is sent away with his regiment, he tells her, "There is one woman from whom I shall be very loathe to part". How could one guess he was speaking of Lydia?!

A&E/BBC. 300 minutes long, superb acting, interesting story, Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice is a masterpiece not to be missed.

Bon Voyage

This movie is a great example of one of a great foreign film. It supprises you with how awesome an action/mystery film can be without all the Hollywood SFX.
At first glance, I would best describe it as stunning; I believe it may be well compared to a beautiful girl one has just met: beautiful yet simple appearance, with a complex nature. Just when you think you know what's going on, and can predict what comes next, it takes an unexpected twist, leaving you guessing to the very end.
The entire movie is in French with subtitles, and takes place in France at the beginning of WWII. To read some "revealing" plot, highlight the following: A movie actress kills an attacker in self defense. Afraid of scandal, she gets an old friend, and the hero of the tale to throw the corpse into the river. But the cops nab him in the act, and he ends up behind bars.
Months later, as the city is evacuated, a prison mate helps him escape. They make their way throughout the rest of the story, running into old characters, and meeting new ones, until suddenly they all have the good fortune to prove that they can save the world by preventing the Nazis from making atomic bombs.
A must-see.

the only one for you...

Recently I received a gift card to Suncoast; a movie store.
Now a difficult question is laid before me, which I now lay before you: If you could have one movie you don't already own, which would it be?
How about this one: If all movies on earth were destroyed but one, or if you were only allowed to own one movie, which would it be?