YOU CAN COUNT ON ME: Is an honest film about a sister and brother, who were orphaned as children.  The initial appearance is that she is the stable one and he is the who is screwed up.   But, as the movie evolves, you discover his wisdom and self-awareness, and her failings.  Laura Linney's Oscar-nominated performance and Mark Ruffalo strong counterpoint make for a strong movie that makes you laugh at the same time you are moved.   movie seen 3/13/01     RECOMMEND: Terms of Endearment is a film about a rocky mother and daughter relationship that won lots of awards, including Oscars for best picture and Shirley Maclaine as the mother.  But for me, it was always Debra Winger's very human performance that was the anchor of the film.   Movies don't normally make me cry, but her understanding look to her mother at the end of the movie tore me up and I cried like a baby (and still gets me to this day - can't watch the movie anymore).

YOU'VE GOT MAIL:  It is the charming performances of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks that give this movie it's watchability.  The script is predictable with forgettable dialog and no strong supporting characters, but the two stars hold your interest.  My suggestion is to wait to see it free on cable. movie seen 12/24/98     RECOMMEND: The first remake of 1939's "The Shop Around the Corner" (which name is used as the title of Meg Ryan's book shop in the above movie),  which was done as a musical for Judy Garland, titled, IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME.  Although not one of the greatest of musicals, it does have a certain turn-of-the-century charm, amusing supporting characters played by Spring Byington and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall,  and has the first screen appearance of Liza Minnelli at the end as a very serious face little girl.