Broadcast News

James Brooks, 1986 (9.1*)
One of James Brooks’ (Terms of Endearment, As Good As It Gets) best films, an expose of how major network news operates from behind the scenes. This is my favorite Holly Hunter performance (Oscar® nominated), as news producer who is so distraught by her job that she regularly takes crying breaks, then she’s ok again.

Her best friend, reporter Albert Brooks, also Oscar® nominated, keeps her and the film from getting too heavy, and has a hilarious scene on camera. William Hurt is an upcoming news anchor, nice to look at but vacant upstairs. Both are interested in Hunter, and all three were nominated for Oscars. Hurt’s idol is Washington, DC anchorman Jack Nicholson, who rarely takes a supporting role this minor, and uncredited.

Kind of a “dramedy” if that’s a word, it’s really a drama with some light touches. Seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Screenplay, but no awards.

Note: James Brooks got 3 Oscars for Terms of Endearment, and created Mary Tyler Moore and Taxi for tv, and has 8 nominations overall.

Read more...

As Good As It Gets

James Brooks, 1997 (9.0*)
Superb acting makes this romantic comedy one of the best of the genre. Oscar®-winner Jack Nicholson plays a near-psycho eccentric romance novelist, who avoids cracks religiously with his feet but apparently not in his head. He’ll only eat at one restaurant, and patient waitress Helen Hunt (also an Oscar®-winner) is the only one who will wait on him, so they sorta have an oddball connection.

Meanwhile, Jack’s gay neighbor, Greg Kennear in a terrific Oscar®-nominated performance, is beaten by robbers and Jack has to take care of Kennear’s dog (great dog acting too!), forming an instant bond, which leads to a friendship with Kennear in return. The best thing about this film is the script, which shows character growth, a willingness to change, and unusual bonds formed by those in need.

Director James Brooks (creator of tv's Taxi, The Simpsons) always makes good films (such as Terms of Endearment, this could be his best. Should have won Best Picture but came out the year of Titanic. Three Oscars

Read more...

Terms of Endearment

Dir: James Brooks, 1983 (8.2*)

Best Picture (AA, GG)

Major film based on the Larry McMurtry's book; many say this is even better than the book. Oscar winner Shirley McLaine is the mother, Oscar-nominated Debra Winger is the daughter she's not sure she would claim, who falls for a cheating Jeff Daniels. Meanwhile widower mom is being courted by alcoholic ex-astronaut Jack Nicholson (Oscar for supporting actor), who lives next door. Eventually, marriage and health failing, Winger realizes that she may need the love and support of her mother after all. This is an offbeat story, a drama but with a lot of humor, and James Brooks (Oscar for directing) has pulled off a heartwarming film. 11 nominations, 5 Oscars.

Read more...