Andy K (10821 KP) rated Norma Rae (1979) in Movies
Sep 10, 2018
The standout is Sally Field who is very good in this film and really proved she wasn't just a Flying Nun or Gidget any more.
Say It Isn't So (2001)
Movie Watch
Boy (Chris Klein) meets girl (Heather Graham) ; boy falls in love (and had wild, non-stop sex) with...
Hooper (1978)
Movie
Sonny Hooper (Burt Reynolds) is getting too banged up to remain Hollywood's top stuntman, but he...
Lincoln (2012)
Movie Watch
With the nation embroiled in still another year with the high death count of Civil War, President...
David McK (3169 KP) rated Smokey and the Bandit (1977) in Movies
Sep 11, 2022
Along the way he picks up a runaway bride (Sally Field), and is also relentlessly pursued by Jackie Gleeson's unforgettable Sheriff Buford T. Justice.
Elements reminded me a bit of Wacky Races cartoon, or even that Roger Moore Bond film ('The Man with the Golden Gun', I think) where Bond's car has to jump over an out-of-commission bridge ...
Visions of Wildness
Book
Peter Slater needs no introduction to Australian natural history enthusiasts. He has been publishing...
I listened to the majority of this (and then switched over to the book, I'm weird), and I'm not going to lie: this wasn't always a fun listen for me. This book is sort of depressing and stressful a lot of the time. I will be honest that I didn't know a lot about Sally Field going in--I knew of Gidget, her roles with Burt Reynolds, "Forrest Gump," and honestly, most recently, "Brothers & Sisters." I knew one of her sons was gay, and she supported him.
I did not know her mother was an actress. I did not know that a lot of really bad things happened to her. Seriously, this memoir contains a lot of Sally Field telling us all the awful memories of her childhood, and, later, her early acting days. I'm not saying that's bad--it's truly brave and powerful stuff. But, man, as you're in the car driving 2+ hours to work? It's draining. I felt horrible for her, I felt proud that she'd overcome it, and I felt a little exhausted by it all. I also was appalled by how much she had to deal with (alone) and the state of the acting community for women during that time period.
It did, however, seem to make the beginning of the book go by rather slowly. Or maybe that's just the audio format--this was only the second audiobook I've ever listened to and, coincidentally, the second audiobook I found slow. When Field got to the time period where she became a mom, it picked up for me, perhaps because I could relate better to her. I felt an odd kinship--I was headed off, leaving behind my kids for a work project, and many times, so was she. (Alas, I was doing a rather boring job and she was a famous actress, but hey, you try to find parallels where you can, right?)
No matter what, I applaud her for being unafraid to tell the truth about her life, including admitting her own faults. She supplements her memories with her journal entries, newspaper articles, letters, and more. The result is a very detailed and personal account of her life--up until about "Norma Rae." After that, it glosses over most of her career following that film, which is a little sad for anyone who enjoyed all her subsequent films. This memoir is clearly focused more on Field's personal growth versus a celebrity tell-all. And I get that, I do, but you can't help but wish for a few more juicy details.
In the end, this wasn't an easy read/listen, but it was a good one. I learned a great deal about Field's life, and I admire her so much more as a person now. She had to go through a great deal to get the acting career and overall life she desired. If you enjoy memoirs and autobiographies, you will probably like this one, especially if you like them detailed, versus just focused on celebrity fluff and laughs (though Field is very witty). 4 stars.
Living on One Acre or Less: How to Produce All the Fruit, Veg, Meat, Fish and Eggs Your Family Needs
Book
You can grow all the fruit and vegetables your family needs, raise animals for meat and eggs, keep...
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) in Movies
Jun 13, 2019
Struggling with post marriage life and keeping to an agreement to see his kids, results in Daniel (Williams) going to drastic measures to make amends (unknown by the ex).
With obstacles including an awkward job interview, a social worker and the ex's new fella, this man must learn to be a woman, with the creation of the brilliant and hilariously unpredictable mrs Doubtfire.
Mrs Doubtfire is an hilarious take on a father's over the top attempt of being a part of his children's lives. With great comedy and non stop laughs this movie will pull at your heartstrings.
Starring Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan and the late great comedy legend, Robin Williams. It is a heart warming family film for all ages.