Tina's November 2015 Movies

It was another month of few movies, but they were good ones.  Numbering picks up from previous months, and movies I have not seen previously are indicated with an asterisk.  Ratings are based on a  scale of 1-5 cans of tuna, with 5 being the top.  Hopefully, I can avail myself of the onslaught of holiday movies and get back into the groove again in December.  

122.  The Hoax (2006) – You have to give author Clifford Irving credit for one thing – he is a creative writer.  This true story centers around Irving’s (Richard Gere) convincing McGraw-Hill to pay him for writing an “autobiography” of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, but he made it all up.  Since Hughes had disappeared from public view years earlier, it seemed a safe bet to just fabricate interviews without fear that Hughes would come forward to deny the story.  Irving sold the notion of the book to the powers that be at the publishing company, spinning fantastic tales about meetings with the notorious Hughes.  Irving and his colleague Dick (Alfred Molina) did extensive research, and, somehow, managed to replicate Hughes’ handwriting and speech patterns well enough to fool the so-called experts.  Does Irving really get kidnapped by Hughes’ henchmen?  In the face of all evidence to the contrary, does he have the chutzpah to deny his fabrication?  Yes, he surely does.  And when the whole thing blows up, he still has the, ahem, nerve, to write a book called “Hoax” about what and how he did it.  You can’t make this stuff up.  Unless you’re Irving, that is.  3½ cans.
123.  Miss You Already* (2015) – If you hated “Beaches” and “Terms of Endearment,” stay away from this chick flick about best friends, one of whom is sick.  I think any BFF relationship requires strength, understanding, tolerance, commitment, compromise and love-- not to say fun times together, or why would the drama be worth it?  We love our friends, we support them and occasionally we let them down.  Here Drew Barrymore (Jess) and Toni Collette (Millie) are besties who met in elementary school.  Millie is the wilder, more adventurous and, ultimately, needier one, while Jess subjugates her needs and news to support Millie throughout her drama-filled life.  Still, there is something about girlfriends and their unshakeable bonds. We cannot live without each other – or so we swear.  Collette and Barrymore are not on my list of favorite actresses, but their friendship here seems genuine.  It’s hard to say you can enjoy a movie like this, but, as someone who appreciates and thrives on friendships, I did.  3½ cans.
124.  The Ghost and Mrs. Muir* (1947) – It is not often that you’ll find me watching a romantic fantasy, though movies with the word “Ghost” in the title in this genre have proven to be good ones.  This one is no exception, as sexy Rexy Harrison haunts the days and nights of lovely young widow Mrs. Muir (Gene Tierney).  The lonely lady has rented a seaside home once occupied by the virile – though deceased – ship’s captain.  Though he alarms her at first, he wins her over as they “collaborate” on a book.  But when she meets another man and seems destined to marry him, the ghost takes a powder.  This is a charming story, and Harrison shines through as the stalwart sailor.  3 ½ cans.
125.  Learning How to Dance In Ohio* (2015) – Rites of passage like prom are difficult for most teenagers and young adults, but those with autism have special challenges because of their inability to interact with each other.  This earnest documentary follows a group of young people, who, working with each other and psychologists, prepare for months on their social skills -- how to speak with another person, how to interact and, finally, how to dance.  This isn’t a “feel good” movie where every problem is solved, but, rather, a realistic look at the challenges faced by these young people and their families.  What can the families and the therapists do to help them become independent, functioning in the real world?  The dance is just a device that enables them to find ways to participate in the world around them in anticipation of a time when they will have to make their own way.  It is heartwarming and exhilarating at the same time.  3½ cans
126.  My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) – Yes, this movie is about a big, loud, slightly crazy Greek family, but the same story could be told about practically any ethnic group.  Toula (Nia Vardalos) is a 30-something woman who works for her family businesses (a diner and travel agency), but her real purpose in life – according to Papa Gus Portokalos (Michael Constantine) – is to find a Greek husband and have babies.  She bucks the trend and goes to college to learn about computers.  Worse yet, she finds and falls for a very nice guy named Ian Miller (John Corbett), who is not only is NOT Greek, but he won’t even eat meat (her aunt, played by Andrea Martin, looks at him incredulously upon learning of this heresy and says, “It’s OK.  I make you lamb.”  Getting the family – especially Papa – to accept Ian and their love is not an easy task.  This charmer is funny and romantic, as both Toula and Ian face their customs, food and culture of their respective partner’s families. And Lainie Kazan as Toula’s mother always makes me smile.  Pass the Windex.  Opa!  4 cans.
127.  The Hunting Ground* (2015) – This disturbing documentary examines the prevalence of sexual assault and rape on college campuses, a trend that is growing.  The victims of this crime are largely ignored, their stories marginalized and questioned, and their calls for action dismissed.  According to the research displayed on the screen, any number of incidents go unreported while those which are reported rarely result in expulsions of those who have committed the assaults.  A small number of students commit the majority of these assaults, which means they are engaged in multiple acts of violence.  Athletes and fraternities are more often involved than the rest of the student population.  It can take months or years before action is taken even to investigate a crime, and the victims frequently are treated as if they were responsible because of the clothing they wore or questioned about whether they fought off the perpetrator.  Two college students at the University of North Carolina who were sexually assaulted pursued a different path, contacting the Department of Education and bringing up responsibilities related to Title IX, and using social media to rally other victims around the country.  The universities insist they take these matters seriously, yet they are reluctant to dole out punishment to the assailants.  This documentary made me fearful for the young people I know and helped me understand the prevalence of this crime.  It was jarring.  4 cans.