“Then She Found Me” was a unique comedy/drama which focuses on relationships. Helen Hunt was fabulous in this film, but she has aged noticeably since her last debut. Nonetheless, she also directed this film which proved to be superb. Bette Midler was exceptional as well, with a lovable quirkiness and undeniably real demeanor that was captivating and uplifting.
Helen Hunt plays April Epner in this film, who was adopted when she was a child by a Jewish family. After April’s marriage dissolves at the start of the movie, the events in her life unfolds at a brisk pace. Her biological mother, Bernice Graves (Bette Midler), is a talk show host and immediately seeks out April after the death of her adoptive mother and triggers a relationship with her. In conjunction with this newfound motherly relationship, April also gets tangled in a romantic relationship with a father of her student, Frank (Colin Firth). April’s sole mission in life is to bear a child and shows an aversion to adoption.
This movie analyzes the “realness” of parent/child relationships when it is evaluated from two perspectives: biological vs. adoptive. April’s adoptive mother was always there for her until her death, but they obviously never shared DNA. Bernice Graves, on the other hand, was obsolete from April’s life, but she bears the “biological mother” title. This dynamic is what leads April to question adoption as an option for her to fill the void of having a child of her own.
The parent/child relationship dynamic is also scrutinized as Colin Firth’s character, Frank, is a single father. He plays the “mom” role, which intermixes with his “head of household” position and emasculates him a little. To further complicate the situation, Frank’s relationship with April adds a “step-mother” component to the story, once again evoking another complex relationship scenario.
Matthew Broderick, who plays April’s husband, portrays a familiar role of the “guy who needs to grow up”. His acting is perfection, as his “mommy’s boy” persona is unrivaled.
The 411 Fo’ Reel: Although the movie is mostly serious, the laughs are inevitable. The end of the movie is left to interpretation, which gives rise to two possibilities. Great movie overall with an all-star cast, go see it!
I love to watch movies with legal content because it sparks controversy, curiosity, and passion in the viewer. Here are my top ten movies that deal with legalities, politics, courtroom drama, and the death penalty:
1. 12 Angry Men (Orion-Nova Productions, 1957)
2. Inherit the Wind (Stanley Kramer Productions, 1960)
3. A Civil Action (Touchstone Pictures, 1998)
4. Erin Brockovich (Jersey Films, 2000)
5. To Kill a Mockingbird (Brentwood Productions, 1962)
6. The Verdict (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1982)
7. Dead Man Walking (Havoc, 1995)
8. I Want To Live! (Figaro, 1958)
9. Anatomy of a Murder (Carlyle Productions, 1959)
All of your responses to my “top ten flicks for movie night” list inspired me to designate the next few days to composing other “top ten” lists (just for the fun of it!). Here’s to ten good laughs (in no particular order):
1) Napoleon Dynamite (Access Films, 2004)
2) There’s Something about Mary (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1998)
3) Knocked Up (Universal Pictures, 2007)
4) Pure Luck (Sean Daniel Company, 1991)
5) National Lampoon’s Vacation (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1983)
I like nothing more than to hit up the local hot spots during the week (my peers in their 20-somethings know exactly what I am talking about), whether it is enjoying a lava flow at the Mai Tai Bar, socializing at Aku Bone with my fellow traditional Hawaiian music lovers, or waiting in an extremely long line at Dave & Buster’s on Wednesday night. However, when these weekly outings get monotonous, I am completely content with settling in at home for a movie night. The next time you want to have a relaxing night in, just throw on your pj’s, get your popcorn ready, invite some buddies over, and pull one of my top ten picks off the shelf (for now…there are many more movies where these came from and it was hard to choose just ten!):
Coming to America (Eddie Murphy Productions, 1988): Eddie Murphy is hysterical in this film as the naïve Prince Akeem from Zamunda visiting Queens, New York for the first time. Definitely a fun film!
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (Universal Pictures, 1982): This was one of my favorite movies when I was a child. Steven Spielberg does a phenomenal job in portraying the friendship between Elliott and E.T. (the alien Elliott finds near his home).
Forrest Gump (Paramount Pictures, 1994): Tom Hanks is the lovable Forrest Gump, who lacks intelligence and learns life lessons from his momma. I love the part when Forrest says: “My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
The Godfather (Paramount Pictures, 1972): Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this movie features Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the patriarch of an Italian family who is involved in organized crime. Who does not like a good mafia movie?
Love and Basketball (40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, 2000): This movie is set in Los Angeles in the 1980’s as Monica, played by Sanaa Lathan (one of my favorite actresses) and Quincy, played by Omar Epps, are childhood friends who share a passion for basketball. This common interest translates into a love for each other that is real and thrives when their athletic careers lead them from Crenshaw High to USC to the pros. This is my favorite movie of all time! I have watched it over a hundred times and I know every line by heart (I know, pretty pathetic).
North by Northwest (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1959): Cary Grant (who plays Roger Thornhill) is magnificent in this adventure film that unfolds as a result of mistaken identity. This movie is just one of the many spectacular Alfred Hitchcock films you could add to your movie night collection. Among others are The Birds (1963), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), Rebecca (1940), Notorious (1946), Dial M for Murder (1954), Frenzy (1972), Sabotage (1936), Saboteur (1942), and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956).
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Fantasy Films, 1976): Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is sent to a mental asylum via prison, after he pretends to be insane. Nicholson’s conniving demeanor makes this movie worth watching.
Pretty Woman (Silver Screen Partners, IV, 1990): Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, need I say more? Make it a party with some strawberries and champagne while getting cozy with this film.
Pulp Fiction (A Band Apart, 1994): Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this movie is one of the greatest films ever made. A definite classic!
The Silence of the Lambs (Orion Pictures Corporation, 1991): Anthony Hopkins’ performance in this film is spine-chilling as the serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Leave the lights on for this flick!
What are your top ten picks for movie night? Fill me in!!!
The Big Apple + four attractive women + cocktails + Manolo Blahniks + Mr. Big = Sex and the City. Okay, so if you were a fan of the ongoing television series and were consumed with the lives and times of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth), this movie is fulfilling and is essentially the cherry on the cupcake for dedicated fans. If you preferred to stay out of the gossip circle of this NYC clique, then maybe you might not connect with the movie because you lacked any previous bonding time with these characters prior to catching them on the big screen. Either way, this movie is entertaining, fun, refreshing, and has a theme of “labels and love” that will put life and relationships into perspective for any person.
The movie gives an opening description of the girls so the non-fans can get up to speed with the past dilemmas and character descriptions before they slam you with the new drama. The movie focuses around Carrie (like the show mostly did), who is slated to get married to Mr. Big. The highs and lows of this scenario is the driving force in the film. Miranda has problems in her sex life, which creates a disturbing time for her and Steve. Samantha has her steaming hot boy toy Smith, who is more focused on work than on her, and as their relationship crumbles, she finds solace in spying on her hunky Hispanic neighbor who is well-equipped. Charlotte finds out she is pregnant and her problems come from worrying about being too happy; go figure. Mr. Big is still very charming and classy, but you will resent him at a critical point in the film.
Relationships and happiness spark much discussion in this film. When Big proposes to Carrie, it is more like a business deal, as he asks: “Would you mind being married to me?” When Carrie announces the news of their big engagement to Samantha, they begin to analogize marriage with Botox treatments. In true Sex and the City style, the code word for “sex” if front of Charlotte’s adopted daughter is “coloring”. Samantha declares that she loves to color and she would use every crayon in her box if she had the chance.
I need to give attention to Jennifer Hudson (Louise) for her outstanding performance as Carrie’s personal assistant. She brings a genuine concern and naivety to her character that makes us believe that she is just a small town girl who yearns to have a fairy tale ending after being exposed to the big city. Carrie and Louise share a “sisterly” chemistry on-screen, which aids in making the drama more real.
The 411 Fo’ Reel: This movie will sweep you off your feet and leave you wanting a night on the town accompanied with a lemon drop martini (you get the picture!). Fantabulous!
relationships. Helen Hunt was fabulous in this film, but she has aged noticeably since her last debut. Nonetheless, she also directed this film which proved to be superb. Bette Midler was exceptional as well, with a lovable quirkiness and undeniably real demeanor that was captivating and uplifting. 
Meet the Fockers (Universal Pictures, 2004)
The Big Apple + four attractive women + cocktails + Manolo Blahniks + Mr. Big = Sex and the City. Okay, so if you were a fan of the ongoing television series and were consumed with the lives and times of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth), this movie is fulfilling and is essentially the cherry on the cupcake for dedicated fans. If you preferred to stay out of the gossip circle of this NYC clique, then maybe you might not connect with the movie because you lacked any previous bonding time with these characters prior to catching them on the big screen. Either way, this movie is entertaining, fun, refreshing, and has a theme of “labels and love” that will put life and relationships into perspective for any person. 
When Big proposes to Carrie, it is more like a business deal, as he asks: “Would you mind being married to me?” When Carrie announces the news of their big engagement to Samantha, they begin to analogize marriage with Botox treatments. In true Sex and the City style, the code word for “sex” if front of Charlotte’s adopted daughter is “coloring”. Samantha declares that she loves to color and she would use every crayon in her box if she had the chance. 
