Report Card---"Mud"

"Mud" is a much, much better version of "Labor Day".
A criminal on the run with people(in this case, kids) who believe in him.
There was certainly no reason to make both movies.
There was really no reason to make either movie.
Even though "Mud" was much better than "Labor Day', that's like saying it was the smarter bear in the zoo.
If you call a movie "Mud", you kind of expect there to be a whole lot of mud in it.
Actually, it's Matthew McConnaughey's name in the movie.
Yet, there also is a whole lot of mud in this movie.  
 As I've said, this is McConnaughey's year to be in every movie.
They probably tried to get McConnaughey for "Labor Day", and he probably read it, saw that there was no place for him to take off his shirt, so he passed on it.
So they got Josh Brolin.

On to the scoring: 

Is it interesting?

Fairly interesting.
B+.

Compelling even?

No.
D.

Is it controversial?

No..
D.

Is it a story worth telling?

It's still the same old story....
C.

Is it good storytelling?

Good enough
C.

Is it well written?

No memorable dialogue.
D.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

McConnaughey is very good.  I kind of understand why everybody wants him, aside from the shirt issue.  It's well shot.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length is not a problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I'm not really ahead of it.
B+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I barely remembered that I saw it.
D.

Is it funny?

No. 
D.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Not mine.
D-.

Is it impressive ?

No.
F.

Overall grade: C+.

Just a way to fill two hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Report Card---""Labor Day"

Josh Brolin plays an escaped convict who foists himself on a mother and her kids.
They develop a fear-love relationship.
I didn't care about any of it.
I've seen worse movies than this.
And I've seen far better movies than this.

On to the scoring: 

Is it interesting?

Sometimes.
B.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

Not at all.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

I really don't think so.
D..

Is it good storytelling?

It's hard to tell a weak story well.  The use of several brief flashbacks told from Brolin's point of view was very confusing and very annoying.  Very.
C-.

Is it well written?

It's hard to write interesting dialogue for a weak story.
C-.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

Brolin is kind of interesting.  I don't even remember anyone else in it.
It's shot serviceably.
B-.

Is it too long? Too short?

Way too long.
D-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Sort of, and sort of.
B.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Predictable, no surprises.
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I barely remembered what I saw.
D.

Is it funny?

No.  A little levity might have helped.
D.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Why not give it to charity instead?  Adopt a tiger or a polar bear or some other animal that's about to become extinct.  This movie should become extinct soon enough.
F.

Is it impressive ?

Never
F.

Overall grade: C-.

Just a time waster.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Report Card---"The Wolf Of Wall Street"

Martin Scorcese:

Hugo

Casino

Goodfellas

The Color of Money

The King of Comedy

Raging Bull

Taxi Driver

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Mean Streets

These are movies that are unmatched in their artistry.
Scorcese is a national treasure.
He is the best we have.
So how did he come up with a piece of shit like "The Wolf of Wall Street"?
"The Wolf of Wall Street" is a movie about excess, made excessively.
It's nearest comp is ""American Hustle".
It shares the same theme:  The Big Con.
But it is flabby.  It is vulgar.
It spends most of it's time depicting the spoils of the successful con.
Debauchery.
Drugs, women, more drugs, alcohol, more women, and more drugs.
After about fifteen minutes, we get it.
Far more than fifteen minutes is spent on it.
Did I say flabby? vulgar?  Let me add "bloated".
"American Hustle" tells a great linear story.
"The Wolf of Wall Street" doodles and dribbles.

On to the scoring: 

Is it interesting?

Only occasionally.  Less so as it goes forth.
C.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

I keep asking how it got nominated for Best Picture.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

We've heard it before.  Better.
F.

Is it good storytelling?

It makes a major left turn from the point.
D.

Is it well written?

Loud is no replacement for Literate.  But there are snatches of good dialogue.
C.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

Everyone and everything is over the top.
D.

Is it too long? Too short?

A good hour could be cut out and wouldn't be missed.
D-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

I'm sure stuff like this has happened.  I didn't care about anybody.
D.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Predictable, no surprises.
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Mostly about my disappointment in Scorcese.
D.

Is it funny?

It tries----and mostly fails.
C-.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

They would have to pay for me and for my popcorn.
F.

Is it impressive ?

Never
F.

Overall grade: D-.

I'm simply astounded.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Report Card---"American Hustle""

"American Hustle" is a movie about the big con.
What's more fun than a movie about con men?
It was a take on the Abscam scandal a generation ago.
What was more fun than Abscam?
I think that I've established that this movie is fun.
It also has  a lot of depth to it.
It' is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen this  year, with magnificent performances up and down the line.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Totally.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A+.

Is it controversial?

There are certainly moral issues at play.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Why not?
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Mostly.  There is one huge story hole that needed to be addressed.
To reveal it here would be a Spoiler Alert.  But anyone who wants to here it from me directly can e-mail me and I will respond about it.
It's what makes it a less than perfect movie.
B-.

Is it well written?

Very much so..
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

Amy Adams, of course, is in this one too. (I keep writing that.)  Wonderful turns by Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Louis C.K., Jeremy Renner, and particularly Jennifer Lawrence.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Never an issue.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Absolutely, and absolutely.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Never predictable, always surprising.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Mostly about how much I enjoyed it..
A+.

Is it funny?

Hilarious
A+.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

I suppose I could have waited for HBO.
C-.

Is it impressive ?

Very.
A.

Overall grade: A.

It's in my top three of those which were nominated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Report Card----"Her"

""Her" is (are? am? be?) a wondrous movie.
Imaginative, intriguing, gripping,stunning, groundbreaking, thoughtful, intelligent, brilliant, clean, thrifty, brave, and reverent.
Obviously, words fail me in describing this movie.
In the not too distant future, a man develops a personal relationship with his computer program.
It's as if his Siri developed a soul.
It sounds simple enough, but it is extraordinarily layered.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Asked and answered
A+.

Compelling even?

Almost constantly.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Eerily.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Unquestionably.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Wonderful storytelling.
A+..

Is it well written?

Dazzlingly.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

Amy Adams, of course, is in this one too.  Though unseen, Scarlett Johanssen steals the show.
It is shot amazingly
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Never an issue.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Absolutely, and absolutely.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

You do see where it's  headed a mile away.  It's the only possible weakness.
But you don't mind that it goes where it's going.
B-.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Particularly when I'm communicating with my Siri.
A+.

Is it funny?

Here and there, not that it matters.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Thirteen Euros, even.
A+.

Is it impressive ?

Astoundingly.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

It certainly deserves it's Oscar nomination.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

******

Report Card----"Twelve Years A Slave".

There it is.
There's pretty much your problem right off the top.
The title.
The title is in itself, a Spoiler.
You have a pretty good idea that you're in trouble when you need a Spoiler Alert for the TITLE.
You've got a free black man from New York who is kidnapped into slavery in the South.
So how long do you suppose he's going to remain a slave?
I'm guessing twelve years.
There are scenes early on of him possibly getting lynched. 
Do you think he gets lynched?
Not if you do the math.
He doesn't get lynched because he is "Twelve Years A Slave".
Then, shortly after there are scenes where he tries to escape.
Do you think he escapes?
Class?
That's right.
He doesn't.
And why, class?
That's right.
Because he's "Twelve Years A Slave".
As we get to the end, and they shlep in Brad Pitt, you know it's got to be for something important, or they wouldn't shlep in Brad Pitt.
Ya think it's that the kidnapee is going to get his freedom, after what looks like about twelve years?
Very good, class!
I think you're all ready for screenwriting 102.

This is one of the most predictable movies I have ever seen.
To avoid that, all it needed was a different title.
They could have called it "Morty".
Even though nobody in the movie is named Morty.
That would have been confusing, but at least it wouldn't have been predictable.
The audience might be continually asking itself "Why is this movie called "Morty"?
It's still a step up.
Aside from it's predictability, "Twelve Years A Slave" had other problems.
It is a grotesquely ugly, ham-handed movie.
And it suffers from the same problem I had with "Schindler's List"
There, you were asked to care about the survival of 1100 Jews when millions around them were being slaughtered.
Here, you are being asked to care about one black man kidnapped into slavery, when there are all these real slaves, utterly humiliated and tortured on a daily basis, with no possibility for escape.
Where's their triumph?  Why shouldn't you care just as much about them?

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Here and there.  Not very.
C.

Compelling even?

On rare occasions.
C.

Is it controversial?

Only as controversial as the issue of slavery itself.
C.

Is it a story worth telling?

Only with a different title.  Maybe "Morty".
B.

Is it good storytelling?

Only with a different title.  Maybe "Morty".
B.

Is it well written?

So so.
C+.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

Amy Adams is this year's distaff version of Matthew McConnaughey.  It seems to be in her deal to be in every movie this year.  And she's pretty good.  Brad Pitt does a nice turn.
It's shot well enough.
B+.

Is it too long? Too short?

When you know what's coming, and what's not coming, it seems endless.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, because it's true, and no, because it's  pre-ordained
C.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Asked and answered, many times over.  And all they needed was "Morty".
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Not even while I was watching it.
F.

Is it funny?

Never.
F.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Not any bucks.
F.

Is it impressive ?

Not to me.
C-.

Overall grade: D+.

It's one of those movies that has garnered all this attention because of it's "nobility of purpose"
This has got to stop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

******

Report Card---"Saving Mr. Banks".

I only saw "Mary Poppins" once, when it was on TV in the late 60's.
I didn't enjoy it.
As a result, I don't remember it very well.
I didn't even recall that it had cartoon penguins.
As a result, much that was told about the making of the film was a surprise to me.
I certainly didn't know that the author of the novel had to have her arm twisted to allow the film to be made.
""Saving Mr. Banks" is essentially two movies: one was about the making of "Mary Poppins",  the other, flashbacks to the author's childhood.
It takes a long time for the two movies to get tied together.
There has been much written about whether or not the movie was accurate.
I haven't the foggiest idea, and it does not reflect my overall reaction to it.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Just about everything dealing with the making of "Mary Poppins" is interesting.
Almost everything that takes place in the flashbacks isn't.  And way too much time is spent in the flashbacks.
B.

Compelling even?

I'll go as far as occasionally really interesting.
B-.

Is it controversial?

It seems to be very controversial to those more "in the know" than I.
B.

Is it a story worth telling?

Depending on it's accuracy, which is apparently in doubt.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

Too many flashbacks and questions of motivation.
B-.

Is it well written?

I wasn't bowled over by the level of dialogue writing.
B.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

The cast, led by Emma Thompson, with Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, is excellent.
Special kudos to Paul Giamatti.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It dragged during the flashbacks.  The rest of it zipped along.
B.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes, mainly because of the performances.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Again, less predictable and more surprising for me than most.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

No.  It doesn't even make me want to re-watch "Mary Poppins".
D.

Is it funny?

On occasions. 
B.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

No sir.
D-.

Is it impressive ?

Sometimes.
B-.

Overall grade: B-.

Giamatti, as Emma Thompson's chauffeur, steals what there is to steal in this one. 
He's on my list for Best Supporting Actor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

******

Report Card---"Inside Llewyn Davis".

Today, I am keeping my word.
I am doing a Report Card on a movie that I absolutely detested.
And it's been getting a lot of hype.
And it's by the Coen brothers, whose work I am generally in awe of.
It's about folk singing in the early 1960's.
I remember folk singing in the early 1960's.
It was fun.
"Hootenanny" and all that.
Llewyn Davis, the title character, doesn't have fun.
He NEVER has fun.
The audience NEVER has fun.
This is a dreary movie.
Llewyn Davis is a dreary character.
Nothing good happens to this character.
He doesn't seem to want anything good to happen to him, unlike the audience, who does.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

It starts out interesting,  just from establishing the atmosphere,  but by about twenty minutes into it
all interest is lost.
C-.

Compelling even?

Never.
D.

Is it controversial?

Never.
D.

Is it a story worth telling?

Not to me.
F.

Is it good storytelling?

Only if you like well-crafted stories about deterioration.
C.

Is it well written?

I was too bored  to notice.
D.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

The lead actor, who I never heard of, is a complete cipher.
He sings well, but that's not enough.
You know you're in trouble when you have John Goodman in a movie and HE'S boring.
C-.

Is it too long? Too short?

It seemed endless.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and not at all.
D.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Not predictable, surprising, but none of it in a good way.
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I've tried not to.
F.

Is it funny?

On rare occasions.  Too rare.
C.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

What do you think?
F.

Is it impressive ?

Only the music.  All it needs is a better movie to be wrapped around it.
C-.

Overall grade: D.

I promise you that there will be more movies that I didn't like.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

******

Report Card---"Philomena"

I know.
It's starting to look like I've liked every movie that I've been sent.
Well, "Philomena" is no exception.
It is an outstanding movie.
Judi Dench is marvelous, but comparing her to Streep is like comparing apples to pears.
I happen to prefer apples
A mother is searching for her long lost son.
It's a true story, and a fascinating one.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Extremely. .
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Quite..
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

A great story, told in great fashion..
A+.

Is it well written?

Well enough.
A-.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

All of the above.
A+..

Is it too long? Too short?

It never seemed long.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Absolutely, and absolutely.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Not predictable, totally surprising.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Quite a bit.
A..

Is it funny?

Occasionally, considering that it is not a comedy..
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

I easily could have waited.
C.

Is it impressive ?

Totallly.
A+.

Overall grade: A.

I promise you that there will be movies that I didn't like.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and; Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

******