Rating: 
Summary: Didn't like it much, but has some good things...
Review: Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a chick flick, for sure. I didn't like it much, but I think that's because I'm a man. Women I know who have seen this movie liked it a little more that I did (my mom, for example). On the other hand, I also know women who didn't like this film. Now I'll talk about the film itself.Ellen Burstyn stars as Vivi Walker, mother of magazine article writer Sidda Walker (Sandra Bullock). Sidda writes an article how she didn't like her childhood and blames her mother. Vivi reads the article, and refuses to speak to her daughter. Vivi's three friends Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan), Necie (Shirley Knight), and Caro (Maggie Smith) notice that she isn't acting like herself and when they found out what happened, they beg Sidda to come down and make peace with her mother. Upon her arrival, the three friends reveal to Sidda about the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, a life long band formed by the three friends and Vivi when they were children. They promised that they would be blood sisters or something like that, I don't remember very well. Along with this story, we flash back to Sidda when she was a child and see her relationship with her mother (played in these scenes by Ashley Judd). James Garner costars as Vivi's husband, but he's a very small part of the movie. I liked some of the acting, particularly Maggie Smith and Sandra Bullock, and the film tells a story worth telling, but some problems drag it down. First, during the flashback scenes, I noticed that Sidda had a few brothers and sisters. However, in the present scenes, they're no where to be found. I admit that the movie is mainly about the relationship of Vivi and Sidda, but considering what happens in the flashback scenes (which I won't reveal), It would have been more plausible if we found out about the siblings now that they've grown up. Also, for me, the movie went on too long. The film is two hours long, but it feels more like it's four hours. Lastly, I thought that the Ellen Burstyn character was kind of a disappointment. Burstyn was much better and more convincing in Requiem For A Dream (2000), which she got a Best Actress nomination for. So, I didn't hate this movie, but it didn't work for me. I think I didn't like it because I'm a man. I have nothing against "chick flicks". I think that some overcome the "only women will enjoy it" thinking such as Emma (1996), Kate And Leopold (2001), The Evening Star (1996), and arguably the best example, Gone With The Wind (1939). Ya-Ya doesn't cross that line. I know that women will enjoy it much more than men. I'm thinking some men would compare viewing this movie to medieval torture. Even though I didn't like it, I didn't think about it like that. To prove my point, I'm going to quote a couple I saw in the video store, trying to pick a movie out. The woman saw Ya-Ya on the shelf. Woman: Oh, look. Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I wanted to see that.
Man: You can see that one by yourself, I'm not going to see it. I at least was willing to see this film. Women will most likely enjoy it, most men probably won't, but I could be wrong. 2 Stars out of 4 Stars
Rating: 
Summary: An unforgettable celebration of friendship
Review: "I'm not O.K. and you're not O.K. and that's O.K." That's one of the messages of this funny, profound, honest film. The flawed humanity of its characters stands alongside the transcendent miracle of friendship. Young Siddalee Walker (played with passion and humor by Sandra Bullock) has made it as a playwright in New York. She has been successful in starting an entirely new life, in the process gaining distance from her alcoholic, mercurial mother back in Louisiana. She has escaped -- or has she? Something makes her send a postcard home by giving an interview to Time Magazine in which she attributes her creativity to the mistreatment she suffered as a child. That serves as a call to action for her mother's lifelong friends (Fionnula Flanagan, Shirley Knight, and the incomparable Maggie Smith, wheeling an oxygen tank). It seems likely at this point that Siddalee's mother Vivi (Ellen Burstyn) will go to her grave without ever speaking to her beloved daughter again. Drastic action is called for, and these three ladies are no frail blossoms. They kidnap Siddalee, bring her to a backwoods cottage in Louisiana, and set about the task of helping both mother and daughter to remember that growth comes from acknowledging connections, not severing them. They are aided in this task by an ornate scrapbook that the four of them kept of their youthful adventures as the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. The members of this sisterhood do not turn a blind eye to each other's shortcomings. In one of the film's many poignant moments, Siddalee does a cruel impersonation of her mother. As the audience readies itself for Vivi's friends to rush to her defense, one of them (Maggie Smith, of course) says dryly, "She's got her pegged all right." These women, who are about as far from perfect as the cottage in Louisiana is from New York, dare to love each other with eyes wide open. Flanagan, Knight, and Smith are delightful as Vivi's three friends, and James Garner contributes a fine performance as the quiet, forbearing husband and father. Most memorable of all is the wounded beauty of Ellen Burstyn as the tempestuous Vivi, who has grown up with two kinds of savagery -- the naked brutality of her father and the merciless piety of her mother. Through the whole film shines the keen emotional intelligence of director Callie Khouri. This film is a masterpiece that should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Divine Movies and this is one of the best
Review: STORY: Siddalee Walker (Sandra Bullock) is a playwriter that has an estranged mother Vivianne (Ellen Burtsyn). When Vivi's best friends the Ya-Ya's drug Sidda and kidnap her the young woman learns more about her mother's past and knows that she was wrong all this time.
RATING: PG-13 for Language, Situations and Partal Nudity.
FAVORTIE YA-YA:Teensy I adored her from teh first time I saw her the reason why Teensy is my favortie Ya-Ya sister is because she was cute when she was little she was gorgeous when she was older and she managed to keep her looks good.
QUOTES FROM MY FAVORTIE YA-YA: I had swore to Jack I would never tell a soul Mama got angry at daddy for letting the word out and he swore to and now daddy is in the doghouse- Older Teensy Well don't you worry Vivi I'll get you're ring back even if I have to steal it from you're own flesh and blood- Yougner Teensy Yes, you're best friends kidnap you're daughter and turend her into a zombie and she has turn against you - Teensy I recommend you let go of Vivi right now or I'll give that priss pot what he diserves- Yougner Teensy
OUTCOME: I love this movie and I love Teensy I have to suffer watching it on T.V until I own it but so far so good I think this will stay my favortie Comedy from years to come. My children willl love this movie as much as I do I hope.
Rating:
Summary: Was okay
Review: It is definitely a girl movie. I saw it and thought it was simply cute and somewhat touching. Predictable? yes. Some people compare it to Steel Magnolias but, I still think Steel Magnolias is lot better. Had more drama and was definitely a tear jerker. This Ya Ya movie was kind of blah. No drama or excitement. It was very quiet.
Rating: 
Summary: Annoying
Review: I finally read the book, and I was very disappointed because of all the hype that went around about the Ya Yas. The book was entertaining sometimes, but mostly it was hum drum and boring. I had to really make myself finish it, and I nearly threw it away several times because it moved so slowly. The movie is the same. This should not have been made into a movie because all of the characters are annoying and superficial. It has a lot to do with a daughter trying to forgive her mother for her years of abuse, and the mother disowns her for talking about the abuse in an article. The ya yas, who are very annoying and cannot decide which accent to use, come to save the day. None of the characters have redeeming qualities. They say that this is a comedy, but I found very little in it to make me even smile. It was a depressing movie about abuse and other good stuff like that. They changed a lot from the book, which I don't really understand. For instance, in the book it was an elephant ride that Sidda missed, not an airplane ride. Don't waste your time or money on this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Not really a review, but I had to get this out of my system.
Review: I tried to read the book when it first came out several years ago. I got about one-third of the way through it before giving up and donating it to the church rummage sale. Hated it. Wouldn't watch this movie on a bet. The appeal of the whole thing escapes me. Maybe a lot of women approach it (mistakenly) thinking it's some kind of life-affirming sisterhood female bonding thing. It showed up in my recommendations for some reason, that's what set off this rant. Thanks for letting me vent my spleen. I would've rated it zero stars, but that doesn't appear to be an option.
Rating:
Summary: Divine YaYas
Review: This movie is really great. It shows how friendship and family can overcome all obstacles. (did I spell that right) I really loved Caro and Teensey, they were so funny! This movie is pretty good and I suggest it to mothers, daughters and friends. Its a chick flick so guys really wouldnt enjoy it. But to me it was a wonderful movie about true sisterhood.
Rating:
Summary: THERE IS NOTHING DIVINE ABOUT IT...
Review: This is a film about mother/daughter relationships and about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never really grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to fall a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it all a bit silly. Not having read the book of the same name upon which the film is based, I had no frame of reference. Judging strictly on the merits of the film, I found that it has its ups and downs. The name of the film is apparently derived from a childhood club to which a group of lifelong friends belonged as children in which they were all Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are all trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are all aging southern belles from Louisiana. Sidda, however, has moved North, where she is a budding, successful playwright. Sidda had a traumatic childhood, as her mother is a mercurial woman with a drinking problem. It seems that Vivi never got over losing her childhood sweetheart during the war. She married another man, Shep Walker (James Garner), Sidda's father and a man who has loved Vivi unconditionally throughout their entire married life, and proceeded to put her husband and their children through a living hell. Still, Vivi and Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers and daughters do, until Vivi goes too far and Sidda decides that enough is enough. The story of Vivi, Sidda, and Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, and she outshines all the film and stage veterans in this film, infusing the role with a gritty reality. David Lee Smith is very good as the hunky young Shep, the husband who tries to understand a mercurial wife who has become unbalanced by her longing for what could never be. Ellen Burstyn as the senior Vivi is not as compelling as the younger one portrayed by Ashley Judd. The senior Vivi comes across as a silly, petulant, spoiled, self-absorbed woman who needs a good swift kick in the butt. Consequently, the viewer cares very little for what happens to her, even though she is eventually reconciled to her daughter and comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband. Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, and Shirley Knight are all very good as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty suppressing her British accent. They inject a touch of humor into their attempts to reconcile the estranged Vivi and Sidda, which is a good counterpoint to the underlying pathos of the film. Sandra Bullock is also excellent as the fed up Sidda, who has said that enough is enough. As in all her film, she charms the viewer. James Garner is wonderful as Vivi's long suffering husband, who comes to be appreciated by Vivi only at the end. Unfortunately, the director appears to have striven for mawkishness. Consequently, the ending of this film is enough to make one gag, as Sidda is inducted into the Ya-Ya sisterhood. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, and not buy, this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Hokey, phony, dumb....really awful
Review: This was terrible. Steel Magnolias was a "chick flick" but it has some good humor and was a nice film to watch. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood makes Steel Magnolias look like The Godfather. The only redeeming part of this film was Ashley Judd, who is the young Ellen Burstyn in flashbacks. Those scenes are nicely handled, not too sentimental, and have some depth. Judd was great. The rest of this film is so transparent, so phony, and so completely hokey and stupid that you just want to barf. No one had anywhere near an authentic Southern accent and the lines were terrible. I find it hard to believe some of this surprisingly stellar cast could keep a straight face during some of these scenes. It is not even particularly funny to make fun of because the characters (apart from Judd) are so annoying and grating that you just want a serial killer to make an appearance in the script and off them all.
If you thought Steel Magnolias was one of the best, deepest movies you have ever seen, you might be able to gag this down for two hours, but otherwise, STAY AWAY!
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie!
Review: It was only a tad bit confusing to try and keep up with who was who (adult vs. child) but all-in-all it was a great movie! Definitely worth a second look-see!
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