Genre: Comedy, Music, Romance

Year: 1988

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Divine, Deborah Harry, Ricki Lake

Director: John Waters

My Review: The original 1988 version - It's a classic, campy, comedy, musical. Starring Ricki Lake (as Tracy Turnblad - The heavy duty dancing queen), Deborah Harry (as Tracy's arch nemesis), and many others. It's a musical comedy which condemns racial segregation. Set in Baltimore during the early 60s, this movie does a good job of tackling such a heavy subject, while remain very funny, upbeat and energetic. The casting was great, and you can really tell the cast was having a good time when they were making this movie. Many social issues are depicted in the show, but one is more important than all the others. The competition for miss Auto Show 1963 has never been so intense. The dance numbers were well done, but they weren't spectacular. The pacing was a bit fast, but the editing was well handled and the direction spot on. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: 'Pleasantly Plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963.

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Romance

Year: 2000

Country: UK, USA

Rating:

Starring: Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, David Kelly, Warren Clarke, Danny Dyer

Director: Joel Hershman

My Review: I was surprised that Clive Owen starred in this movie. He plays Colin Briggs, incarcerated inmate at an experimental 'open' prison in the British countryside. Loosely based on the true story of the prisoners of HMP Leyhill in Cotswolds, England. Colin gets a second chance at life as he learns a new trade. Colin and a small group of prisoners take up gardening as part of their rehabilitation. Their work, led by Colin - who is encouraged by an elderly, dying, life sentence inmate - is recognized by a wold-class horticulturalist, and they eventually earn an invitation to compete in the 'Hampton Courts' flower show. It's a feel good comedy, and a truly splendid movie. The pacing was perfect. The acting quite good and the casting splendid. I really liked the way the beginning and ending are blended into the story. It's done in such a manner that the whole story becomes a circle. The plot was a bit sugary, but it hit all the mandatory notes. The locations and camera work were outstanding. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Clive Owen stars as a prison inmate who goes into an experimental "open" prison where the inmates walk around freely and get job training for their impending releases. While there, he discovers he has a talent for growing flowers. His talent is recognized by a gardening guru who encourages him and four other inmates to enter a national gardening competition.

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church

Director: Will Gluck

My Review: I'm such a sucker for the teen romance/comedy/angst angle; all those John Hughes films. In this movie, Emma Stone plays (Olive Penderghast) an invisible resident of her suburban california high school (like this hot (22 years old) little number could possibly avoid attention in a normal high school). Lacking self esteem and popularity she desperately floats a rumor that she lost her virginity to a college student. As the rumors spread she's soon approached by a gay student seeking to distract from his sexuality by pretending prowess with Olive Penderghast. Olive's seemingly innocent lies soon grow beyond her ability to control. Her life is beginning to mirror that of Hester Prynne from the Scarlet Letter she's studying in school. As the rumor mill increasingly ratchets up the propaganda, Olive's status as 'School Slut' takes her places she'd rather not be. It's a comedy of preposterous teen tragedy, and a good one at that. Great writing with plenty of inside literary jokes, and some good use of mixed media. The acting by Emma Stone was good, and the costars were well cast. Can she reverse the rumor mill before it results in her expulsion and more permanent consequences? Well edited, excellent pacing, fair direction. The ending was a bit predictable, and the themes a bit more adult than I was expecting. All in all a very good movie. 4 out of 5.

Summary: After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne's in "The Scarlet Letter," which she is currently studying in school - until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.