Kurt Gee

I think this is a fine film that overcomes its flaws--a film that adults can watch sans relentless mayhem and superhero silliness A tad saccharine, yes, but critics who pan it because it doesn't live up to the book create an unfair judgement: Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a movie by its book! I didn't read the book, so I could watch the film untainted by literary expectations. Yes, it's a bit schmaltzy, but Blake Lively's performance is so captivating that one can easily slide by all the weaknesses in this film. The acts of abuse/violence are filmed in a way that leaves the spectator with the same uncertainty as the victim. Well done! But once again, Blake Lively's performance alone is worth the price of admission, even if you buy a sack of kettle corn, a large soda, and a box of chocolate raisins… As always, YMMV

Made in 1951, this is one of the last films by John Garfield who died too young at the age of 39. Also with a blonde Patricia Neil who, although peripheral to the central plot-line, commands every scene that she's in while playing the role of a seductive temptress. Also fun to see a nine-year-old Sherry Jackson who some may remember from the Danny Thomas show, "Father Knows Best" (This, of course, was long before Sherri Jackson posed for a nude layout in a 1967 Playboy). The theme of this drama may best be understood from a wonderful line spoken by Patricia Neil's character. She tells John Garfield's character, "I've met a lot of men who begin a sentence with, 'I'm happily married, but… .'" This is the moral conflict that this film so wonderfully examines. Just how strong is moral character? How many people succumb to temptation when the pressures of life seem insurmountable, and when a single immoral choice would seemingly set everything right again? "Just this once," we say, "then everything will be fine, and I will return to my former upstanding self." But if it's true that our character determines our destiny, that one poor choice can have devastating effects. And it does. This is a well told tail, and definitely worth your view. The final fadeaway shot of the young black child standing alone at the harbor looking for his father may be among the most poignant, quietly understated images in film.

A heartfelt, poignant film of young love and loss. Wonderful performance by a 15-year-old Reese Witherspoon. The film has a simple beauty that is very compelling… it will take you back to your first kiss and your first love when life was so simple, so innocent, and so beautiful. But then, as in real life, it all changes very quickly…

Outstanding performance by Jeff Daniels and the always alluring Diane Lane. Actually two separate, but loosely connected, dramas. Definitely worth checking out...

Marvelous performance by Jessica Chastain saves this movie from the doldrums. It does not trace the rise to Christian power from their humble beginnings very well, and even their downfall is hastily covered; however, Jessica brings the warmth and humanity to Tammy Baker who rises above the Christian Prosperity Ministry greed that took her husband down. Worth the watch…