I can imagine that GK has seen all of this that he wrote about—contains the same kernel of verity that Lake Wobegone does. We all know those characters in some form.

The ending was week, the premise that this guy was shutting them down but then, of course, their getting shut down was bigger than one guy. I mean, I got it but it was weak.

I thought Woody Harrelson was the best. And he delivered my personal favorite punch line: “Can you really breathe through that?”

Not exactly my cuppa. I borrowed this from the library because of the star power (Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson, Lindsay Lohan, Lily Tomlin, Tommy Lee Jones, et alia), but I generally don’t like Robert Altman films and his cameo casting. This one was borderline worth/not worth seeing. I didn’t hear Lake Woebegone mentioned once, even though Garrison Keillor wrote the screenplay and played himself in the lead. Streep did her usuaL best, and with a convincing Minnesotan accent, but her singing seemed strained and the film lacked the magic of the radio show. The “duct tape” segment was not the fun it was intended to be … in a word, it was “frustrating.”

One word: disappointing. I listen to PHC from time to time and really enjoy the stories about Lake Woebegone, but none of that is here. Don’t get me started on how dumb the story line about the ghost is, or how Linda Lohan doesn’t fit in at all here.

This could have been, should have been, so much better. On the bright side, the musical numbers were good, and some of the cast (especially Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin) were superb.

Simply fantastic—but not for everyone. If you’re not into the real Prairie Home Companion, chances are pretty good you will not “get” this movie.

Now I need the soundtrack.

Robert Altman died today. It made me think of all of his movies that I’ve seen.

I loved this movie, though it wasn’t as good as Gosford Park. I realize it isn’t for everyone, but I thought it was great. There were issues (ghost? c’mon), but on the whole I was completely enthralled by seeing The Prairie Home Companion, which I listen to rather often, in the flesh. Also, Meryl Streep can SING! and Lily Tomlin is so wonderful in every way I’ve decided I need to see if I can’t find her in other serious movies (has she been in any?).

I’ve blocked the fact that Lindsay Lohan was in this movie. She’s not worth remembering, except that I wish people close to her would tell her that she can’t sing. Poor girl.

I thought for sure this would be a hit with the number of huge celebrities in it. I was bored out of my skull and a little confused by the irrelevance and absurdity of most of the movie.

altman..oh yes..yawn..very innovative..zzzzz