ness978

(2013-05-14 16:40:01)

Terribly Awful Movie

I will be totally honest but maybe sound a bit harsh(not intended), butthis has to be the worst I have cancer movies I have ever seen with theworst acting as well, Kate Hudson plays a good b**** and should stickto that role like the movie she has done Bride Wars.She did not make mefeel sorry for her in this movie and this movie did not make me getteary as other " cancer" movies have. I think producers should stayaway from the whole cancer movies scene as it has been done way toomany times now and is getting old and people don't want to watchsomeone dying and in pain from cancer on a movie as I am sure nowadaysthey have known someone with this awful disease or whom have died, lastthing we need to see is more of these movies so if you big shotproducers cannot come up with something new other then the same thingthen simply don't make more of the same garbage. If your a person whowants to see a movie like this then try watching, My Sisters Keeper,AWalk to Remember, or November Christmas.

wallmalker1

(2013-05-14 11:34:37)

Good second half

I watched this because Kate Hudson's characters are alwaysentertaining, but the first 30 to 40 minutes of this are prettyhorrible. It flits between drinking with her friends, a couple ofscenes at her job, and the rest of the time tries to force arelationship between 2 people with absolutely no chemistry. If youwatch the first couple minutes you can get an idea of who everyone is,and then just skip through the next half hour. It's not a great movieafter that and definitely not worth sitting through the first halfhour, but it's decent if you can ignore the wasted time. Maybe if therewas some kind of chemistry between the two actors it'd be a decent halfhour, but those were just painfully forced scenes.

rzajac

(2013-05-11 12:47:13)

All right. Flawed, pulls its punches

OK movie, but it's flawed in ways that distract, and it pulls certainpunches.First, the pulled punches: They try to say something about forgiveness(in the specific form of overcoming your anger), but thepacing/exposition is such that it's hard to understand the nature ofthat anger; it sort of hangs there, like a breast drawn in charcoal bya 3rd rate artist. It's not organic and subsequently difficult torecognize and identify with. Other folks pointed out the totalweirdness of Kate keeping her lush hair through chemo. Now THAT'Spulling a punch. You can sort of, y'know, get away with it... but, inthe end, discerning eyes are going to notice and feel something betweenpique and resentment. Also: They never developed the angle, dropped bythe chief oncologist, about professional emotional distancing, but thatmay be one of the more forgivable lapses in the flick.The flaws: The songs reeked--almost hurt, they were so bad--and I foundthis distracting. They were churned out by hacks. Why even *have*songs, if you're not going to make sure they're good? Think about theidea of a producer saying, "Yeah, the songs are schlock. But who'sgonna notice? The kinds of people who go to these flicks can't discernthese things, and we saved a bale o' dough on royalties." That shouldbe insulting to reflect upon, if you have any self-respect.Perhaps the biggest flaw is the o'er-weening reliance on the afterlifedodge. In other words, people are going to miss Kate, but somehow we,in the audience, won't have to: She's made it to that other shore, tospend eternity yukking it up with Whoopie; that lets us off the hook,and I like my movies to expect from me (in the audience) what theyexpect from players in the show. They even go so far as to show Kate'sbeau walking to the bank of the river to gaze across, like *he* can seeher over there. I thought that weakened the idea of her wake as ablowout party.But, all this aside, there are distinct positives. The writing forscenes was very good. Some folks didn't like the acting. I thought itwas great. At the very least, it could be said that a lot of realprofessionalism was in evidence. The basic message, that we're allgoing to die and we need to be ready, was delivered.In the end, I can't recommend this flick, but not because it's "bad".It's just that there are so many fine movies out there--including goodmovies about end-of-life--why waste yr time on something tepidly good?

sbwhaley1989

(2013-05-11 07:13:55)

Little bit of a surprise

Okay so I watched the trailer for this movie a while before it evercame out and just wasn't very impressed with it. I decided I wasn'tgoing to watch it since....how many more cancer movies do we needright??? However, after someone I know commented online about thismovie I decided to give it a shot. I've never been a huge fan of KateHudson and Gael García Bernal bugged me in Letters to Juliet. Thismovie was a surprise though. I liked the upbeat feeling of it and howit involved Colon cancer which is something that's almost taboo to talkabout much less make a movie of. Gael García Bernal turned out to beincredibly charming and I found myself smiling at his awkwardness.Overall a pretty good movie :)

lavender_lily

(2013-05-10 15:38:27)

An excellent comedy & tearjerker rolled into one!

Grab some tissues! This was well worth the watch. Is it an Oscar movie?No, but it is beautiful, poignant, touching, and quirky. If you'relooking for a good, sentimental movie, give this a shot. Kate playsMarley, a young up and coming ad executive staring down the barrel at aterminal sentence. Angry and upset about all the things she will neverget accomplished, she discovers that even with the short amount of timeshe is given she still has the opportunity and ability to scratch someoff the list including finding that one special person. Lucy Punch,Kate Hudson, Kathy Bates, and Gael G. Bernal all give excellent heartstring tugging performances.

Tlasalle

(2013-05-10 05:21:40)

It's definitely worth watching

Some of these reviews make me laugh. Yes, it's really sad but it alsoexplores a part of life that many prefer not to discuss. I am in amedical profession, but I understand that Hollywood isn't worried aboutperfect medical jargon and since when are movies absolutely accuratewith everything completely realistic? I think that's easy to get overif you let yourself get wrapped up in the story. It explores the stagesof grief, which includes anger for those who got upset by some ofMarley's (the main character) actions toward her parents. In anutshell, it's a beautiful story that will touch your heart and makeyou appreciate the time you have in this world...

trent_aaron

(2013-05-07 23:38:35)

Get the tissues out....

This movie kind of dragged on a little in scenes but over all it was anenjoyable movie, very very sad ending, I blubbered like a big girl (andI am a 30 yr old guy).... life is short, enjoy and make the most of it.Kate Hudson is a nice actress, she could have been a little moreexpressive in this film, but the scenes where her character is dying,are played well. She is in denial and then realizes that hey I'm dyingand I just gotta accept this and get on with the life that I haveleft.... I gave this film 7 out of ten. I have seen worse films. KathyBates was good but didn't have a lot of scenes in it...Whoopi Goldbergplaying God, well that was a bit silly but that concept had its funnymoments.

maisiemay75

(2013-05-07 21:07:10)

Thank god I'm not the only one that loved this film!!

Wow....I never thought a film could make me cry as much as this one! Icried for about the last hour of the film, to the point I couldn't seeout of my glasses! A true heartbreaking film! It walks all over "MySisters Keeper" as I could not connect with this film and Cameron DiazI just wanted to slap =0) This film is very sad but also goes about it so its not all doom andgloom. It makes you reassess your life and make you want to get off thesofa and live life to the full! Having to say goodbye to your loved ones must be the hardest thingever. I think it really was portrayed well in this film. Lovely, lovelyfilm but be ready to cry most of the way through. Enjoy!!

Anthony Pittore III

(2013-05-05 20:17:15)

A heartfelt "dying" comedy that fails with its conventions

'A Little Bit of Heaven,' which will be the final film released by thethe now-bankrupt studio The Film Department, is really a blownopportunity. Not so much the film itself, but the title. After hearingthat title and seeing the great Peter Dinklage as the #2 listed castmember, I was excited. Could a movie actually take a risk and have themain character date a little person/dwarf? Now, it wouldn't be thefirst time that this would have happened, though the only one thatcomes to memory is 'Freaks' and I don't think that casts a good lighton the subject. Unfortunately, the only relation the title has toDinklage is the nickname he was given within his profession (I won'tgive away what that profession is, however, for sake of not ruining thebest part of the film).The film stars Kate Hudson as Marley, a slutty marketing exec whoeither doesn't believe in love or just enjoys gallivanting around withrandom men too much. After feeling rundown after a particularly intensenight of said gallivanting, Marley heads to the doctor to get herselfchecked out. After a few tests come back with bad results, she findsout that she's suffering from colorectal cancer and has only a shortwhile to live. This news is first broken to her by none other than God.. . played by Whoopi Goldberg. . . in an anaesthesia-inducedhallucination. Her future is then confirmed by awkward, but apparentlyhandsome, oncologist Julian (Gael García Bernal), who convinces her tosign up for a dangerous experimental treatment for no other reason thanto have the film make her look more tired and give her a few more daysto fall in love. Also joining Marley's side in her time of need is herbest friend Sarah (Lucy Punch) and her combative parents (Kathy Bates &Treat Williams).Instead of straying from the conformity of modern romance stories, 'ALittle Bit of Heaven' grabs right onto them and holds on for dear life.It takes almost all of the elements of past "dying comedies" (likeQueen Latifah's 'Last Holiday' and Angelina Jolie's 'Life or SomethingLike It') and stuffs them into the film, including a funny"risk-taking" scene (hang gliding here), laughing off the condition as"not so bad," and falling in love with the doctor. It doesn't bother toadd much of anything new, except the use of Whoopi Goldberg as God,though there have been funnier choices to play a deity (AlannisMorisette in 'Dogma' comes to mind). After Judd Apatow released 'FunnyPeople,' even if it wasn't universally loved, I had hoped that thissmall subgenre of comedy would get a push in the right direction.Unfortunately, it looks as if it's going to continue to cling onto thesame conventions for a bit longer. The film does contain some heartfeltmoments that may jerk some tears from the ducts of our more emotionalaudience members, but after the emotional manipulation ends, thereisn't much else. That being said, it's not really a poorly writtenfilm. It's just not a bravely written one and that will leave it to benothing more than a forgettable entry in the filmographies for theotherwise talented cast. Final Verdict: 6/10.-AP3-

VillageVoiceNY

(2013-05-05 13:52:37)

A Little Bit of Heaven

A successful young New Orleans ad exec living a no-frills,booty-on-call, single-by-choice lifestyle, Marley Corbett has a sunnyirreverence and Teflon resistance to emotional attachment that leavesher happily impervious to just about everything, even when, one fineday, she's diagnosed with colon cancer. Marley begins by treating thediagnosis as good material for "pain in the ass" jokes—which is,unfortunately, about the best that screenwriter Gren Wells has done forstar Kate Hudson, who's left to coast on her usual winsomenose-wrinkling charm until the progress of the illness gradually breaksdown Marley and her defenses, allowing her to become truly intimatewith her doctor...Read the full review here: http://www.villagevoice.com/movies/

shead23

(2013-04-28 12:36:15)

Kate Hudson is brilliant, shame about her Beau!

This is a very well acted film by all other than Gael Benal. He iswooden and, no offence meant, but just didn't look the part. I don'tknow how he has gotten into films at all, no presence on screen, justan irritating very large head! Saying all this, the other actors,script, visual strengths and Kate Hudson's excellent acting abilities,brought this film to a score of 8 for me. The storyline of a young andspirit free women diagnosed with cancer and how she tries to deal withit in her positive way whilst not trying to get involved with her Dr.is well directing and scripted. It was a lovely film showing friendsand family dilemma when dealing with a loved one with cancer and who isdying. Kathy Bates plays Kates mother and their relationship goesthrough a number of difficulties which are delivered in a nicerealistic pace You need a box of hankies near by!

Smacs100

(2013-04-28 09:22:37)

Worth Watching

I can honestly say this movie is fantastic. Kate Hudson's acting isphenomenal and all the supporting roles are fantastic. This movie hasjust about everything. Yes she is dying, but there is some comedicrelief because she is a very sarcastic, witty character. The way themovie is made it really gets into your heart and want to help Marly.One minute you can be in love with their relationship and the next besobbing your eyes out. I am a person who doesn't cry during movies andI was BALLING in this movie. I have no idea why, but the relationshipMarly and Jullian have makes me feel so sad that she is dying. Irecommend this movie for teens and adults. Not much of a "family" movieI would think but that depends on your family. Just try and watch itand if you don't like it don't continue. It is on Netflix available forfree. Honestly, it has been on my recommended list for such a long timeand I never considered watching it until tonight and I am so glad Idid!!

DICK STEEL

(2013-04-23 18:07:47)

A Nutshell Review: A Little Bit of Heaven

What made this film a winner, is the appearance of Peter Dinklage, whorecently picked up an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a DramaSeries for Game of Thrones, and whose character provided the name ofthis film, which of course puns on his physical size. Playing a socialescort who got his services engaged for Kate Hudson's Marley Corbett,his support role was indeed one of the highlights of the film, comingin from the blue and serving up some great lines and moments, making amuch welcomed lift for the story.Which the trailer would have told you everything you needed to knowfrom start to end, with Marley being a successful career woman who isclimbing the corporate ladder with a zilch love life, but is soon cutdown unfairly to size by Fate who had dealt her the disease hand. Withcancer (colon, not very often mentioned on screen) treatment she meetsher doctor Julian Goldstein (Gael Garcia Bernal) from Mexico, andtossing doctor-patient relationships out of the window, they spend anincredible amount of lovely time together even if both knows abouttheir short lived romance should she choose to reject treatment, or ifthe disease would get the better of her. Whoopi Goldberg plays God, whogrants her three wishes, two of which were used rather carelessly,though of no fault of the bubbly one given initial skepticism.This film was ballsy in a number of ways, chief of which is in itstreatment of a story about death without shirking from the nastydetails of anticipation, and the inevitable execution. Many Hollywoodfilms tend to cop out at the very last minute, but this one tackled itwith a lot of dignity, and proved that one doesn't have to alwayscompromise to do what gets reflected in real life. That, and KateHudson showing a lot of nerve in many scenes almost sans makeup,looking quite ghastly and pale as the story called for it. Written byGren Wells, it's more about how one should approach life when given adeath sentence, with the romance angle taking a back seat despitemarketeers' efforts to skew this into a romantic comedy.Which is not surprising since it's a film helmed by Nicole Kassell,whose previous film was the dark and brooding The Woodsman starringKevin Bacon. A Little Bit of Heaven does steer toward a darker feel,although with some light at the end of the tunnel through overcomingchallenges in difficult family relationships, and the maintaining ofboth established ones with good friends, and new romantic ones formed.Kate Hudson may be typecast for roles that may involve the devil maycare attitude, and this one provides that opportunity for her to showoff a little bit of dramatic acting chops. Gael Garcia Bernal thoughwas relatively bland given his Doctor role, although does get some ofthe best lines in flubbing many jokes when the script called for it.Both leads share a nice chemistry although most of their romancing werereduced to a montage, leaving room for more of Kate Hudson and KathyBates to share some mother-daughter time, and that between Hudson andLucy Punch playing her best friend and one of many close confidantes.And in some ways this film made me think a little bit more aboutmortality, if one were to be struck by a serious illness which wasdetected late and the treatment really being a bitch, would you want togo ahead with trying to get cured, or to live whatever is left to thefullest? My choice will likely be the latter, although why not make thebest of life with each day instead?

conatser_rod

(2013-04-23 11:16:34)

One of those hidden gems

Once in a great while, you run across a movie that, while it flew underthe radar, actually blows you away when you stumble across it. "TheThing about My Folks" was such a movie, as was "What Dreams May Come."Now "A Little Bit of Heaven" is added to my list. Hollywood is geniusat advertising for popcorn style, special effects laden tripe for the18 to 24 year olds that they salivate over. But they are horrible atmarketing for power dramas, especially if they don't have an A+cast(not saying this one doesn't).Kate Hudson is wonderfully cast as a hedonistic young woman who findsout she is probably dying of cancer. When I put the movie in, withoutreally reading the back of the DVD, I thought I was in for a pleasantromance comedy that didn't require much thought or involvement. I ampleased to say that she is capable of more than we are used to seeingher perform in, and I hope this is a step towards a deeper actingcareer for Kate. The way the movie handled death was not overlysaccharine or depressing - just a very realistic, and humorous way oneperson looks at life as she is losing hers. This one is a keeper.

marcus_ferm

(2013-04-19 22:36:08)

Very bad acting!

I'm sure this was one of the worst acting performance I seen in a veryvery long time. It is supposed to be a tragical story but Kate Hudsonplays her role like it is a comedy, absolutely nothing about this movieis reliable. Actors smiles and acts in a way that only makes the moviereally bad and annoying, Gael García Bernal is also totally bad in hisrole, it's like a joke to put him in the role as a doctor, nothing iscredible in his acting. He could play a part as a busker or mental illpatient instead, it would suit better. People who rate this movie highis terribly confused or lacks a credible view of reality, because themovie has quite a sad end (that actors make laughable for not sayingpathetic) it's NOT a reason for giving higher rates. Some actors(Bates, Dinklage, Goldberg, Dale, Weber) play good but it's not enoughfor give the movie even 3/10. If you want to waste a bit of time forsomething that is totally ridiculous, then go ahead and watch thismovie!

David Holt

(2013-04-19 02:18:30)

A difficult part played excellently

This ought to be a really sad movie but Kate Hudson's character Marleyis one of those people who refuse to be miserable and that makes allthe difference. I note, reading from Kate's biography on IMDb, that sheis very like Marley and lights up a room when she enters. But then whatelse would you expect from Goldie's little girl?The story is a well-worn one of a beautiful young woman who discoversshe is dying from terminal cancer and I almost wonder if it would bepossible to include any spoilers in a review since everything is prettypredictable. Nevertheless, this is definitely one of those feel-goodmovies that you feel glad you watched when it comes to its inevitableend. Gael Garcia Bernal was new to me but I felt that he played hispart very well as an immigrant Mexican doctor in the USA. His attemptsto tell American jokes was particularly delightful and well acted. Iwould like to see more of him (although a little dental work mighthelp!).If there is one small thing about this movie that really annoyed me, itwas the post love scene between Marley and one of her boyfriends fairlyearly in the picture. OK, Kate Hudson is a nice girl who obviouslydoesn't want to do naked shots and that's fine. But, right after makingpassionate love with a guy, would she really still be wearing a bra?That was an insult to the viewers' intelligence! Now I'm not advocatingthat actresses should abrogate their principals and bare all justbecause the plot calls for it (although, these days, it's pretty"normal" and doesn't bother me), but you have to agree, that shot justdidn't look right! If Kate wanted to preserve her modesty, then itwould have been better for her to have simply remained under the sheet.This would seem to me nothing more than bad directing which is a pitybecause everything else was very good.If I learned anything from this movie, it was for any post-deathfunction that my family and friends may see fit to stage. I only wanthalf a funeral - the FUN part! The (f)eral part they can forget!

gradyharp

(2013-04-17 19:35:59)

Funny and tender and with a Lingering Sensitivity

Two young women - writer Gren Wells and director Nicole Kassell - makea solid impression with this little film that explores humanrelationships from family to friends to lovers in a manner that makesus look to either side of ourselves and appreciate what we have. Yes,it is a little bit of a fluff movie until the latter half, but it ispopulated with some very fine performances that make us appreciate thatfine line between comedy and tragedy, realizing that the difference isall a matter of perspective.Marley Corbett (Kate Hudson) is a beautiful ad executive who collectsone night stands lake a magnet - by her own choosing. She is afraid ofcommitment, perhaps reflecting her experience with her parents BeverlyCorbett (Kathy Bates) and Jack Corbett (Treat Williams) - a couple whoseem perennially at odds with each other and the world and maintain adistance form Marley. Marley has solid friendships: Sarah (Lucy Punch)tries to learn feminine wiles techniques from Marley, Renee (RosemarieDeWitt) has Marley babysit her delightful child Cammie while she tendsto mothering and wifeing with her husband (Jason Davis - she is againpregnant), her boss Rob (Steven Weber) and her gay next door neighborPeter Cooper (Romany Malco). Marley sleeps with lots of attractive guysbut when they begin to talk about longterm relationships, Marley backsoff.At the advertising agency Marley is asked if she is losing weight, aquestion that drives Marley to the doctor. Her new physician is Dr.Julian Goldstein (Gael García Bernal), a handsome but shy and dedicatedyoung man who examines Marley and sedates her for colonoscopy: whileMarley is under medication she dreams of being in heaven next to God(Whoopi Goldberg) who tells her she is dying and gives her three wishes- Marley chooses a million dollars, a chance to fly, and to find love.Upon awakening she is informed she has extensive colon cancer and Dr.Goldstein suggests she see a Dr. Sanders (Alan Dale) who offers her twochoices - extensive chemotherapy or death. Marley chooses the formerand from there she begins to alter her relationships with everyonearound her. She gradually falls in love with Dr. Goldstein, confrontsher parents and friends with her news, and the manner in which theyaccept her fate is where the film alters to a tender heart-warminggentle string of events that should be seen instead of read.It is so rewarding to see Kate Hudson expand her acting talent into aserious role and she manages to find that perfect balance between thelighthearted personality we all recognize and the empathetic andvulnerable woman she becomes. Gael García Bernal assumes a new type ofrole and is completely charming and lovable. There is a fine cameo byPeter Dinklage - a Special Escort hired by neighbor Peter to giveMarley 'a little bit of heaven' - and Kathy Bates, Lucy Punch, andRomany Malco are particularly fine. This film will likely bring a fewtears to the viewer's eyes, but those releases of emotion just make usfeel better about life. Despite the few over the edge silly parts inthe film this is a solid little gem that should find an appreciativeaudience when it reaches the theaters. Grady Harp, April 12

Tony Heck

(2013-04-17 06:04:06)

Much more emotional then the preview let on. Very good and very much worth seeing. I recommend this. I say B+

"I have cancer...who wants desert." Marley Corbett (Hudson) is a youngand fiery ad executive. She has everything going for her. Great friendsand a personal life that she is OK with. After a visit to the doctorchanges her life she decides that a change to her personal life isneeded, fast. Without trying to give too much away I have to say thepreview was misleading (to me anyway). I was expecting a comedy alongthe lines of "50/50". While this did have some funny moments in this itis much more of an emotional movie then I expected. I don't want you tomisunderstand me on this because this was a very good movie and Ienjoyed it quite a bit, but don't go in expecting to laugh as much asyou did at "50/50". I would compare this more to the TV show "Big C".The movie is good and definitely worth watching but this is more of alove story then I expected as well. Not to sound morbid, but I wouldcall "50/50" more of a guy's cancer movie while this one is more of achick flick. Both are good but I liked "50/50" more. Overall, funny andemotional and very much worth watching. I give it a B+.

Duane M

(2013-04-15 01:49:44)

A different review from a Man

Okay, I have read the other reviews of this movie, and I must say, Ithink the women are much more on base than the men. I believe the othermen who have reviewed this, have some issues with what the world callsa chick flick... A Little Bit of Heaven, in my opinion as man, wasactually the perfect blend of humor and drama, Kate Hudson's finestwork that I have seen to date. Its a story of an individuals ups anddowns of coping with death at a very young age. I felt this movieshowed both the attempts to stay positive an upbeat as well as what Iam sure happens, the anger to the people around you. For the reviewswho gave this anything less than 6 minimum, but then rate "The OtherGuys" a perfect 10, shows you they are just shallow. I am a father of 4daughters, and can't imagine what it would of be like to go throughsomething like this. I would recommend this movie to all, minus themen, who think they are too cool or tough to show a little emotion, asthis movie in my opinion will bring tears to anyone...

thomasbrummer

(2013-04-14 23:19:37)

Very Good Movie

Good movie with a great down to earth and very believable storyline.Very real to life situation since my mother is also battling cancer. Itis a very hard thing to deal with as this movie showed. Very easy torelate with the story. Very realistic acting with the actors playingvery real life situations. The mother and father situation was veryreal to me. Although the Dr did everything he could to try and make herhappy she did push him away and that is something I've seen in severalreal life experiences. Also loved the music. The songs selected musthave very well thought out. Does anyone know where to get thesoundtrack please?!!! thank you