Girl with a Pearl Earring

2003 99 minutes

4 Stars

The acting, costumes, and photography deserve 5 Stars. The adaptation from the novel, 3 Stars. I think they left out one of the most important parts of the book, which may have added an additional five minutes, easily made up by removing the bratty girl, who added nothing. If you haven't read the book, do so, AFTER you see the movie. It begins with her chopping vegetables and arranging them on the plate, as in the movie. Only we also know that because of her father's injury her parents are sending her to be a maid, and the Vermeers come to meet her as she works in the kitchen. He notices her artistic arrangement, the balance of colors, etc., and later refers to it in the book. Every painting has a story, and every viewer makes her own.

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The Hundred-Foot Journey

The Hundred-Foot Journey

2014 122 Minutes

5 Stars

A marvelous story of a family who left India to eventually settle in a village in the south of France. They decide to open a restaurant—right across the street from a 1-Star rated Michelin restaurant. The new comers are loud, cook spicy food, the total opposite of the snobby Helen Mirrin's restaurant. The Indians are friendly, Miss Mirren's character is not. War is declared. Until the young chef, Hassan Kadam declares if you can't fight them, join them, and walks across the street. Boy meets girl, woman meets man, the village sighs with love. And a second star is rated. Laugh out loud funny. A movie to share with family and friends, or just enjoy alone.

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Journey to the West

Chinese, English subtitles

 2013

110 Minutes

5 Stars

A fun movie about a Chinese literary classic story. Lots of great effects, humor and fun as Chen Xuanzang, a professional demon fighter, fights evil with love and nursery rhymes, and clashes with another professional demon hunter, a showy gal who's in for the thrill. And the love. The effects are marvelous, the story great fun. Try it, you'll like it.

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