MickyG333

6.0 stars.

No, this is not the SOAP with the same name, this is the original movie and it's not great. I made a list of Lana Turner movies and wanted to see all her stuff, because back in those days, she was one top foxy lady. Unfortunately, she is a secondary character here. I use those old-fashioned terms for old times' sake, it felt swell to refer to her that way...like in this film when one student says "necking" and I remember my parents saying that all the time. I'm the last generation whose parents said "necking". Perhaps your grandparent said it, if you were born after 1980, but for us gen-x'ers it is a familiar term our parents used for "making out" back in the 50s and 60s, perhaps even prior, however I don't recall any films in the 30s and 40s using the term.

'Peyton Place' is out of place for me, it feels like a teeny bopper 60s movie, and I've seen a bunch of those Gidget type classics. They were a dime a dozen, when the industry got saturated with endless and pointless flicks, featuring angsty teenagers, portrayed by twenty-somethings. Who were they kidding, we can tell none of these actors are actually teenagers, but when you research their age, some of them were teenagers, yet looked like 25 year olds. I guess we went through a phase in those days when people looked older. It's becoming that way again these days, which is strange. And why did so many of these 1950s actors pass away in their fifties?

I don't know the point of this movie except to entertain young people and perhaps to inundate them with the political stuff of their day. I hear words like "progressive" and ideas like women's rights and equality being mentioned. In the end, 'Peyton Place' (the movie) fails to entertain.

6.3 stars.

It's the story of several bands of travelers that venture to the Galapagos Islands to start a fresh life. It all takes place in the 1930s. These people are ultimately unsuccessful in forming a cohesive and peaceful society and everything turns sour.

I recall several films from the 80s and 90s that 'Eden' reminds me of. I can't name many of them, perhaps a few, like 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' remake of 1996. It's interesting how the narrative of Dr. Moreau and 'Eden' share so many similarities. Other similar movies were: 'The Mission' (1986) 'Christopher Columbus: The Discovery', 'Amistad', 'The Scarlet Letter'. One disaster I truly disdain is '1492: Conquest of Paradise'. What a horrible film, and yet it received high praise from all around. Something was so wrong there, and 'Eden' reminds me of the same style of script and direction.

I don't really know where the line begins with a great film and ends with a disappointing one in these particular situations, but there are obviously truly GREAT films of the genre, which I need not mention. It's often a fine line between awesome and disappointing. The cinematography is usually indistinguishable, the acting is imperceptibly different, but the flow and dialogue are coma-inducing.

As with 1492, 'Eden' has a stellar cast of great actors, all of which should be capable of uplifting the viewers' experience. But something is broken in this film. Ron Howard directed a plethora of excellent films, but 'Eden' is not one.

8.0 stars.

This is a very emotional film about a man who lost everything. Now he's lost more and must come to terms with raising his nephew alone. He has nothing to live for, and yet everything to live for. It's quite an experience watching 'Manchester by the Sea'.

I didn't cry, it's not a tear-jerker sort (except a couple of scenes), it's more along the lines of depressing and hopeless. In spite of the profound sadness, this film is so very meaningful and engaging and powerful.

I think I learned a few things about life and I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to see this touching and heartbreaking movie. I highly suggest you watch this, because it's an extremely well-written story full of depth and genuine portrayals of loss and family.