How I Spent My Summer Vacation Part 2

  

    "I'm bored, there's nothing to do," and that's the adults talking. Summer at home with the parents? Please.

     God only knows when we will go back to a movie theatre again but there are alternatives to wrangling with traffic, crowds of badly dressed people or overpriced popcorn. Drive ins, streaming, DVDs and library downloads help fill in the gaps.

   Movie making is primarily a directors milieu, but a good film is also about casting, writing and quote factor. Some films age well, remain relevant or are just so damn good they are worth rewatching.

    Comedy is the best way to forget about the world falling apart and have a good laugh. Drama is watching other people dealing with their problems to avoid your own.

    Babe- (i995) about a piglet, sheep and a very determined goose on a small farm. This is one of those rare films that is enjoyable and doesn't condescend to kids or adults. James Cromwell is wonderful as the farmer. The voice of the animals are pitch perfect and the humans are good too. "That'll do pig." says it all.

    Groundhog Day- (1993) It feels like we're living it this year. You can't go wrong with Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliot as a news crew covering the eponymous day only to have it repeated ad nauseam for Murray to overcome. A comedy goldmine, highly quotable  "Don't drive angry!".  Well written and directed by the late great Harold Ramis.

     Dodgeball- (2004) If it's broad physical comedy you want, this is it. I'm not a big fan of Vince Vaughn or the early Ben Stiller. Here they play gym owners who end up settling rivalries with a dodge ball competition that is as ridiculous and silly as you can imagine.  The diverse cast of oddballs helps keep it from being too cringey and seeing Justin Long pelted with rubber balls is as sophomoric as you can get. Rip Torn as an old dodge ball champ steals the film and there are a few clever cameos. "Remember, if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball."

     The Upside of Anger-(2005) This didn't get much attention when it came out which is a shame. Kevin Costner and Joan Allen are two very damaged people trying to forge a relationship. He's an alcoholic ex ball player ( maybe the guy he played in Bull Durham) and she carries the burden of an ex husband she believes ran off with his secretary. Joan Allen is brilliant as a seething mass and Costner's predictable delivery works perfectly for this character.

   Sideways-(2004) This comedy/drama/romance is quirky, rude and funny with very real characters. Paul Giamatti is Miles, a slobby middle age teacher struggling to get his unwieldy novel published who takes his best friend Jack played by Thomas Haden Church on one last trip to wine county before his wedding. They meet and strike up a friendship with Maya and Stephanie (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh). There are two golden moments to look out for: Miles speech on his love of Pinot noir and Stephanie's reaction to Jack's duplicity. As for quotes, "I'm not drinking the fucking Merlot " caused the sale of that wine to drop. This is definitely an adult film and the kiddies should be in bed.

    In America-(2002) This is the touching story of an Irish family coming to America. Johnny (Paddy Considine) and his wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) are grieving the loss of a son as they come to America with their two daughters Christy and Ariel (Sarah and Emma Bolger). They end up in a slummy apartment in New York's Hell's Kitchen while Johnny looks for work. The girls-who are natural actors- are the ones who break down barriers, particularly with a angry neighbor played with great tenderness by Djimon Hounsou. Critic Richard Roeper promised to refund anyone who didn't like the film and got few requests for good reason. Remarkably, this film was shot entirely in Ireland.

movies, In america, Babe,Upside of Anger, Groundhog Day, Sideways, Dodgeball