http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/PatMills Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:15:38 GMT Reviews by PatMills http://www.viewpoints.com/Taliaferro%3A-Breaking-Barriers-From-The-NFL-Draft-To-The-Ivory-Tower-review-e8874 In sports, George Taliaferro often found himself being a part of firsts. In high school, he played in the first integrated game between Indiana public schools when his school faced off against a local football powerhouse that had gone undefeated in the 1944 season. The two schools met because they had an open week on their schedules. Although their contest did not officially count, Taliaferro's team rallied to beat the powerhouse. The game also helped to bring the teenager to the attention of Indiana University, whose coach, Bo McMillin, didn't believe in the norm of the "gentlmen's agreement" that often kept major college teams with all-white rosters. As a freshman, Taliaferro helped to give the Hoosiers its first undefeated season in school history with his skills as an offensive back, defensive back, and punter. He led the Hoosiers in rushing as a freshman. His teammates in that 1945 season included future Pro Football Hall Of Famer Pete Pihos and future baseball star Ted... Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:15:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Taliaferro%3A-Breaking-Barriers-From-The-NFL-Draft-To-The-Ivory-Tower-review-e8874 PatMills 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Atonement--131540-review-38141 A prepubescent and precocious girl witnesses words and actions that are sexual in nature. She does not understand what she sees, and never bothers to ask for an explanation. As a consequence, she jumps to the wrong conclusion about someone she has known all her life. Further, that conclusion proves to be costly to all involved. The girl grows into a woman, understands that moment in its proper perspective, and spends her life trying to right that wrong. — The majority of the movie Atonementtakes place in England and France in the time period from 1935 through 1940. A thirteen-year-old girl named Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronin) prides herself on her writing, as well as on her judgment of character. One summer day, on the estate of her wealthy parents, she sees an argument between her sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and her boyfriend, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). Robbie is the son of one of the Tallis servants. He has worked for the family... Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:08:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Atonement--131540-review-38141 PatMills 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-10-Movies-of-All-Time-review-c19a0 Eight years ago, I posted this list of favorite comedies on Epinions. Every one of these is a five-star experience, and I don't expect my love of these moves to ever change. By no means is this a list in order of preference. I hope you will enjoy these recommendations: — 1. Annie Hall - This is a great film about life, love, and turning forty. The story is told in a stream of consciousness style, as if Woody Allen's character, Alvy Singer, were personally invited to someone's home to tell his life story. Alvy manages to find the humor in every situation. Just remember - we need the eggs! — 2. A Christmas Story - A great story of the Yuletide that can be enjoyed any time of year. Based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, viewers share the story of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his efforts to get a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa. The film may be set in the 1930s, but the quest for a great toy is just as timely today. Kids and parents everywhere can... Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:52:28 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-10-Movies-of-All-Time-review-c19a0 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Once-review-9c133 In the mythology of ancient Greece, a group of nine goddesses were believed to be source of all human creative processes. Anyone who believes in the power these muses have can see how these muses touch two young Dubliners in Once, a movie musical inspired by their real lives and talents. A singer who is identified in the credits as just Guy (Glen Hansard) is a busker on Dublin's Grafton Street, performing songs both day and night. He plays songs known by some of the shoppers during store business hours, but also performs original material in the evening, when most of the shops have closed for the night. One night, Guy plays one of his own compositions, and draws the attention of a young woman the film as just Girl (Marketa Irglova), who is trying to peddle magazines. She likes Guy's songs, and inquires if he has written more. He says he has, but tells Girl they are in a rough draft stage. She wants to know more about his material, and recevies an invite from Guy to come to his place... Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:14:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Once-review-9c133 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/We-Are-Marshall-review-26c54 During the 1990s and 2000s, the Marshall University football program has produced a number of players who have made their way to the NFL. Among the best known former players from the Thundering Herd are Randy Moss (New England Patriots), Chad Pennington (New York Jets), and Byron Leftwich (Atlanta Falcons). In 1970, however, the University lost almost all of its team in a West Virginia plane crash that made national headlines.The only survivors were the ones who didn't travel with the team for the round trip flight. The movie We Are Marshall tells about the first year of the rebuilding process, concluding with their first home game of the 1971 season. At first, Marshall President Donald Dedmon (David Strathairn) wants to end the football program. However, Nate Ruffin (Anthony Mackie), one of the few surviving players, shows Dedmon that the campus community would like to see the program return. Ruffin feels that that is the best way to honor his fallen... Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:22:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/We-Are-Marshall-review-26c54 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dan-In-Real-Life--118115-review-88b11 In his career, Dan Burns has become respected as an advice columnist for an East Coast newspaper. He's also in line for a syndication deal to make him more widely known. In Dan In Real Life, Dan (Steve Carell) watches almost helplessly as his own family repeatedly disregards his advice. Sometimes, he's guilty of not setting a good example, even though his columns offer common sense solutions to personal dilemmas. The widowed Dan and his three daughters, Jane (Alison Pill), Cara (Tiffany Robertson), and Lilly (Marlene Lawston), are often at odds with their father over the things they want to do, like driving, dating, or having more time with him. He has become immersed in being a single parent, which often has more struggle than reward, as Dan tries to maintain control and authority in his house full of young ladies. A weekend respite at the Rhode Island home of Dan's parents (Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney) seems to be in order. — Real life continues to be intrusive,... Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:49:10 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dan-In-Real-Life--118115-review-88b11 PatMills 3