Movie Reviews
Last updated February 28, 2025/em>
These are short reflections on movies I've enjoyed watching recently. The goal is to remember movies I have liked and be able to recommend movies I have liked to others.
Old Yeller (1957)
Watched February 2025 | Wikipedia | IMDb
Endearing performances, especially from the young actors. I couldn't believe all of the real animals they featured in the film - some of the fights were disturbing since they appeared to be real, but sources online suggest the animals were highly trained, such as Doug, the nine-year-old movie bear.
The Apartment (1960)
Watched February 2025 | Wikipedia | IMDb
"Some people take, some people get took". A story of a kind-hearted man trapped in an arrangement by others who aren't afraid to take advantage of his generosity. While a comedy, I found it surprisingly dark for coming out of the 1950s. I was thoroughly engaged, cheering on the protagonist to break free until the end.
The Taste of Things (2023)
Watched February 2025 | Wikipedia | IMDb
A visually stunning tribute to French cuisine and the care that goes into it. Many extended periods without dialogue, only beautifully-shot sequences of cooking intricate meals step-by-step. The kitchen they cook in is both extremely functional and romantically beautiful in its 19th century technology (wood-coal stoves, big wood tables, hammered copper pots, glass vases of milk). The love story - 20 years in the making - echoes the long shots of cooking intricate dishes, reminding you that good things can take time. I like this quote I read online about the film: "The film explores cooking as both an art form and an expression of love, showing how dedication to one's craft can be a form of devotion to others".
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Watched November 2024 | Wikipedia | IMDb
A charming, genuinely funny Christmas story. A woman known for her magazine column in which she writes about her life in the country, cooking for her husband and baby, finds herself unexpectedly hosting her publicist and a war hero for Christmas dinner at her farm. The only catch: she actually lives in the city, isn't married, and can't cook! This movie brings old-timey Christmas elements together with playful performances that kept us engaged and laughing the entire time.