marksa Reviews

Bye Bye Love (1995)

Not just about divorce, but about fathers.....

[7/10 · 20 June 2001]

Call me easily amused, but I think this is a movie more likely to be accepted by those who can relate, having had similar experiences - both hilarious and heartwrenching.

The three main characters are divorced dads, each with their own trials in dealing with the ex-spouses and their teenage and young children. My favorite is Randy Quaid, although he is the most bitter. The scene with "Our House" cracks me up everytime I see it; "Go Red Sox" and of course, "The Date." Matthew Modine portrays the ever insatiable Playboy; he, his kids and his Ex, Amy Brenneman, all have some great lines. And last, the longingly in denial and reluctantly divorced Dad, Paul Reiser, aka the "BIRTH FATHER."

*SEMI-SPOILER* In response to a comment posted by Sherlock regarding the "Mickey D's worker and the old guy sub-plot," the old guy is a father with his grown children far away and the young guy has no father in his life; basically, they are both lonely and forgotten people who find their mutual needs help each other remedy their unhappy situations.

Definitely a feel good movie, see it for Randy Quaid, if nothing else.

Witchboard (1986)

Absolutely frightening....

[6 April 2001]

I first saw Witchboard as a teen in the 80's, now again recently and it still made me jump out of my skin. Ominous is a good way to describe it, really. *SPOILER ALERT* Two of my favorite scenes were the Medium in her apartment and when Brandon and Jim go to Big Bear Lake. I was rather disappointed with the ending, but everything up to that point kept you on the edge of your seat. Awesome.

The Scarlet Letter (1995)

An unseen side of Gary Oldman.

[22 January 2001]

I took the movie for what it was, having not read Hawthorne's book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was enthralled by the beauty of the locations, the musical score and especially the initial chemistry between Oldman and Moore. If you like historical movies and have not read the book, as many of the negative commentors here have, you may find it worth seeing.

A Killer Among Friends (1992 TV Movie)

A vivid example of what teens are capable of when driven by emotions they can't handle.

[19 January 2001]

*SEMI-SPOILER ALERT* The movie focuses on the aspects of young adulthood, such as peer pressure, friendships and parental relationships. The saddest part is that Jenny was the most mature and sensible of the three; she even said, "Grow up, Ellen." Teens just don't realize that their feelings about different things will change once high school is over. I detested Ellen from the get-go, mainly because of how clingy she was. The second time I watched it, I counted how many times Ellen hugged someone and it really annoyed me. Patty Duke greatly portrayed a parent in anguish at the unnatural loss of her child.