Stand by Me (1986)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

A recently widowed man's son calls a radio talk-show in an attempt to find his father a partner.

Quite likable, old-fashioned romantic comedy, with the two leads well cast for the occasion, is so easy-going and unexcited (and predictable due to all the allusions to An Affair to Remember) the happy ending hardly makes any emotional impact.

Halliwell*: "Enjoyable romantic comedy, although its overall tone is excessively sweet."

Maltin***: "Sweet romantic comedy, with perfectly cast stars, though it's repeated allusions to the old tearjerker AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER make you wonder if the only way to generate old-fashioned romance in a '90s movie is to invoke a product of Hollywood's Golden Age."

LBJ (2016)

Lyndon B. Johnson aligns himself with John F. Kennedy, rises to the Presidency, and deals with the civil rights struggles of the 1960s.

Straight and professionally made, but a bit adulatory biopic focussed on LBJ's political transition as John F. Kennedy's Vice President and successor; it could have been so much more, although it is indeed a treat to watch Woody Harrelson give this politician some life.

And So It Goes (2014)

A self-absorbed realtor enlists the help of his neighbor when he's suddenly left in charge of the granddaughter he never knew existed until his estranged son drops her off at his home.

Very light, feelgood family comedy is mainly watchable for the two lead stars' performances.

Stand by Me (1986)

After the death of a friend, a writer recounts a boyhood journey to find the body of a missing boy.

Pleasantly nostalgic boys' coming of age story finely recreates 50s rural atmosphere; the boys' performances are sensationally realistic and credible.

Halliwell*: "Less macabre than its source may suggest, the film is mostly concerned with the friendships and tensions within the group; nostalgia for50s childhood is nicely conveyed."

Maltin***: "Affectionate Americana...Irresistible and wholly believable performances from all four youthful leads. Only complaint: the high volume of four-letter words, decidedly not characteristic of the 1950s."

The Princess Bride (1987)

While home sick in bed, a young boy's grandfather reads him a story called The Princess Bride.

Ambitiously tongue-in-cheek, but quite dated fantasy has some nice sequences; however, the humor is rather stale.

Halliwell*: "Rather strained fantasy with occasional bright moments."

Maltin**1/2: "Revisionist fairy tale/adventure...Some wonderful scenes and character vignettes are periodically undermined by a tendency toward comic shtick...and occassional incoherency...Best of all: the swashbuckling sequences."