That was an excellent one.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Blistering performances.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The movie had the drab feel of early 90's movies, though the cast was well put together and acted well. There were points in the movie where I was sincerely touched, which is always nice, but other times the movie took odd turns. The ending in particular was nothing to write home about. And I must say ruined the movie for me. For the beginning middle, and near end of the movie I was really touched and it had me in one of those moods where I rethink every detail of my pitiful life. The ending ruined it for me. I watched the credits scroll and thought to myself "That has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever seen", but the movie had me going for a majority of it, so I didn't rate the movie too low. It was.... alright. I would recommend it to a not-so big movie person, but wouldn't watch it again.

I am writing a review for a movie I have not yet seen. I remember the trailer from years ago. It held appeal for me, but not enough for me to track the title down. Now is different though. Because now I'm living the film. After 8 years of struggle with colorectal cancer, the doctors unanimously give me three months to live. It is mid September. I'm told that being here for Christmas is a long shot. I have two splendid kids. When I was first and suddenly diagnosed in 2007 (I had to undergo high risk surgery that very day), they were 6 and 9 years old. That wasn't nearly enough time for them to remember me. So I fought. I fought like hell, with my terrific wife bolstering me, every shuffled step at a time. The Irish bless weddings thus: "May your hairs grow white on the same pillow." That won't happen for our union. So I wrote a love letter for my wife to be read, one a month, until she turns 90. That was 460 letter. They fill ten boxes. And I STILL haven't expressed all the gratitude in my heart. Our children, now 18 and 14, are ready. And so, by needs, am I. My (at the time) 13-year-old daughter (that was last year) launched a wonderful way for she and I to bond. We wrote a novel together, STRANGE GIRL, by Katharine and Stuart Chapin, available on Amazon Kindle for less than a buck. Please check it out. I hope I have time enough left to edit the audio version of the book. But one thing my wife and I are going to do right away, tonight in fact, is stock the couch at either end with Kleenex and watch MY LIFE and thereby, I expect, live my good but blessedly not perfect life twice over.

I watched this movie again after many years and it still moves me to sobbing tears. Bruce Joel Rubin wrote and directed what a lot of people would consider one of the most emotionally moving motion pictures ever made. His vision of childhood disappointment and hanging onto anger are so accurate. His portrait of a young family before, during and after a birth are also very accurate and amusing. And the way he wrote and captured a family accepting, preparing and experiencing a terminal death is so touching and very, very real.It's a shame that Bruce Joel Rubin wasn't recognized for an Oscar, but I guess the Academy figured since he already had one (for writing Ghost), he didn't need another.This movie easily marks Keaton's finest performance, in my opinion. He gets to show off his funny side as well as display some pretty deep emotions. As many IMDb members have already stated, he's one of the most underrated actors.For anyone that has lost a family member to cancer, you will immediately be brought back to the time you lost your loved one. It is so true to life - really well done. For anyone who hasn't lost a loved one to cancer, you will be reminded that life is so precious. Whoever you are, you will cry - so have the tissues handy.

For one viewing, this is highly recommend. If you want a movie you can enjoy over and over, I would reluctant to recommend it.THE GOOD - This is wonderfully acted by the two leads, Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman, who play a married couple "Bob and Gail Jones." Keaton is dying of cancer and videotapes his last months on earth with his wife so that their new baby will have something to remember him by. The supporting actors who played Keaton's parents and brother also were excellent. For such a somber theme, the film moves remarkably fast for the two hours. There were good messages of forgiveness and compassion. There were some touching scenes, as you can imagine. The theme song is here is worth noting, too. It is beautiful, reminiscent of the magnificent title tune to "Out Of Africa." The language is pretty tame in here, too, except when Kidman is giving birth.THE BAD - You would think that a younger man dying of cancer would be praying to God for a miracle, or asking God's help in dealing with the situation, or consulting a minister, priest or rabbi, but Hollywood is never going to go that route. Instead, Keaton goes to a New Age-type Chinese "healer." Eastern religions are politically correct in America but not Christianity or Judiasm, of which this country was founded. Also, in a nice film like this, it would have been more apt with the f-bomb Kidman throws in.OVERALL - The good far outweighs the bad and the movie is good one. Recommended.