Tootsie

View Date: 3/13/10

This movie stars Dustin Hoffman as an unemployable actor in New York who dresses as a woman to win a part on a soap opera. In the process, he winds up falling for his costar while trying to have a relationship with an old friend. Additionally, the people involved with the soap only know him as a woman, so various uncomfortable situations arise when teamed up with his male costars.

This movie was quite enjoyable, but it did follow some very typical patterns of cross-dressing comedies. I had seen pieces of it before, but this was the first time I had seen it in its entirety. Looking at it now, I can't really understand why it was nominated for so many Oscars. I did, however, really enjoy Bill Murray as the straight man. It was nice to see him in a comedy from the early 80's as a relatively subtle character. I did experience some laugh-out-loud moments, particularly when guys were attracted to his not exactly beautiful female persona.

10 words or less: Don't understand all the hype, but fun little movie.

Flash of Genius

View Date: 11/22/09

This movie is about the man who invented intermittent windshield wipers. He presented his technology to the major auto manufacturers, who jerked him around about licensing the equipment and then wound up stealing it from him. Against all advice, he took the major automakers to court to get recognition for his work and to get them to admit the technology was originally his.

Greg Kinnear did a very job playing an engineer struck with an idea, then collapsed under his determination and with the loss of losing his family. Other than that, I thought the movie was OK. I had seen other Davis vs. Goliath movies that were better, but I understand why this story was chosen to be told as a film.

10 words or less: OK, but not outstanding.