Radio_Lady Movie Recommendation: "Little Miss Sunshine"

[Radio_Lady]

There are two films that both rate high marks this weekend. Please check your local listings as we have seen them in bigger cities (Victoria, B.C., Canada and Seattle, Washington).

"Little Miss Sunshine" is a whimsical summer gallop of a road trip -- with talented stars and an absolute wonderful script. Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear anchor the movie, with Alan Arkin in a funny turn as a potty-mouthed, druggie grandfather. Abigail Breslin and Paul Dano round out the family farce as this most dysfunctional group hops in their old VW bus and heads from Albuquerque, NM to Redondo Beach, California to give the cute little girl her chance to shine in the competition.

The movie won't appeal to everyone, and maybe men from 18 to 35 aren't the primary audience, but "Little Miss Sunshine" makes it refreshing to laugh this summer and that's what I did -- hubby, too! B-plus on Ellen's Entertainment Report Card for the best comedy of the summer -- and just in time for fall, too.

Other reviews can be found at:

http://www.us.imdb.com

http://www.rottentomatoes.com

See you at the movies!

[Shine]

1. It's definitely on my MUST SEE list. I've heard excellent things.

Thanks, RL! :hi: :hug:

Good to see ya!

[Radio_Lady]

4. Thanks, Shine. This is "the little movie that could"...

One of the ironies of this film is that much of the last part deals with small children in beauty pageants, hence the name "Little Miss Sunshine" -- a world where little girls are dressed up and made up to look like women. IMHO, that world is a complete freak show and this movie points up that fact with a vengeance.

AND IN THE SAME WEEK MY HUSBAND AND I SAW THE MOVIE, we get international news about a break (?) in the Jon Benet Ramsey murder case, picked up by the media with a vengeance as in 1996. All the clips of this poor dead tyke are back on television, including the ones of her strutting around in the child beauty pageants. Unbelievable...

[aein]

2. saw it today, great movie

that pageant part creeped me out though...jon benet creepiness X 10

[Radio_Lady]

5. Who supports the world of child beauty pageants? What parents

would let their child get involved in this stuff? Wow! I thought the goings-on at confirmation dog shows was pretty weird, but with kids? No way. That just freaks me out!

I should also tell you I feel the same about children in competition in many areas, such as ice skating, gymnastics, soccer, etc. And don't get me started about "stage mothers" (and fathers) -- I saw plenty of them during my time at local TV stations as well as NBC. OK, maybe if I had a musical prodigy that showed exceptional talent, I would feel differently.

Luckily, none of our kids was that talented in any one thing. Frankly, I wouldn't have had the time to shepherd a child's career in anything. I was too busy living my own life and trying to earn money to feed, clothe and shelter the five of them.

[amitten]

3. I LOVED that movie! Hilarious. n/t

[Radio_Lady]

6. Agree with you completely. This movie could grow with your

recommendations to your friends and family.

I like this paragraph in the publicity:

"Little Miss Sunshine is an American family road comedy that shatters the mold. Brazenly satirical and yet deeply human, the film introduces audiences to one of the most endearingly fractured families in recent cinema history: the Hoovers, whose trip to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture." (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

[Radio_Lady]

7. Metacritic.com has many great reviews. The movie's fan base

is growing.

http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/littlemisssunshine

[Callalily]

8. I guess that I'm

in the minority here. I saw it over the weekend, and did not like it. Had to keep myself from falling asleep. At least the popcorn was good.

[Radio_Lady]

9. Yeah, that's how I feel about a lot of movies. Hope you come up with

a winner this weekend. If you do, let me know. I'm passing up most of the opening films to have that last summer weekend out of doors.

I hesitate to recommend "The Illusionist" which may be playing in your area. It's also somewhat slow, but still interesting, in a sumptuous Merchant/Ivory sort of way, with a Philip Glass score. "The Illusionist" does have a tricky ending that could leave you wanting. You may have to view this one again just for the editing and the effects. I found it fascinating, and so did my husband.

You might check it out. Filmed mostly in Prague, subbing for Germany, with tremendous attention to old world theater detail. Edward Norton is the lead character, but Paul Giamatti is just really a wonderful character in this one. That man can do no wrong in my book.

Otherwise... you're on your own!

Here's my thread for "The Illusionist" -- we saw it in Victoria, BC, Canada and it opens here in Portland, Oregon this Friday, August 25th. Check your local listings, please!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5533452

[bigwillq]

10. Hey, you're back RL!

How you doing? :hi:

I want to see this movie. Hopefully soon. :)

[Radio_Lady]

11. Just can't keep away from the DU... I tried, really I did!

I'm feeling better... off the pain drugs and prednisone after 10 days. I'm going to physical therapy tomorrow for my back.

Thanks so much for inquiring. I appreciate it more than I can say... by the way, do you know anything about T'ai Chi exercises? They look very interesting.

[bigwillq]

13. Don't know anything about T'ai Chei

sorry.

I would think it could only help the back.

Good Luck in your recovery. :hug:

[Radio_Lady]

15. Bigwillq, you're a great guy!

Enjoy -- speak with you again soon!

[Radio_Lady]

12. List of movies that are opening on August 25th (check listings, please!)

I will not be seeing the following, although you may wish to do so!

Beerfest
Invincible
The Quiet
How to Eat Fried Worms
Idlewild

If you find anything that rates an Academy Award nomination, please let me know! The usual practice is to dump a lot of movies into the end of summer and early fall. Perhaps I'm missing somethere here, but I'll have to tough it out!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Radio_Lady]

14. Another "Little Miss Sunshine" thread from others at the DU!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5543386

[Radio_Lady]

16. Will YOU be seeing this film the weekend of Aug. 26-27th?

If so, let us know what you think.

http://theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/23/24MISS_narrowweb__300x321,0.jpg

Toni Collette and Abigail Breslin from "Little Miss Sunshine"

[RebelOne]

17. Unfortunately, Entertainment Weekly gave it just a "C" rating. n/t