Secretariat

Movie: Secretariat

Cast: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Fred Dalton Thompson, James Cromwell

Genre: Drama

I saw it on: October 14, October 28, and  November 15, 2010

Synopsis: Diane Lane plays Penny Chenery.  Penny inherits her father’s horse farm when he dies.  One of her mares gives birth to Secretariat.  The movie follows her never-ending battle against her husband and brother who are determined to make her sell the farms and horses – while she wants to race Secretariat.  We get to watch Secretariat from birth all the way through the Triple Crown.

My two cents: My favorite movie – so far – of 2010.  What Penny Chenery achieved is impressive in its own right.  But to achieve it in the 70’s makes it amazing.  I cannot recommend this movie enough.  Even though I knew that Secretariat won the Triple Crown, I found myself getting worked up for each race of the crown – even on my third viewing of the movie.  The race at Belmont is one of the most amazing movie sequences I have seen. For “True Blood” fans, watch for the character Eddie Sweat – the guy that does the daily feeding and care of Secretariat.

This is absolutely a must-see movie.  This is also one of those movies that is better on the big screen with big speakers.  That is the only way to really capture the power and majesty of the horses in the races.

Burlesque

Movie: Burlesque

Cast: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kristin Bell, Stanley Tucci, Eric Dane, Julianne Hough

Genre: musical

I saw it on December 2, 2010

Synopsis: Tess (Cher) owns and manages the Burlesque Lounge in Los Angeles.  She is in financial straights and is close to losing the club.  Nikki (a brunette Kristin Bell) is her lead dancer and Sean (Stanley Tucci) is her right-hand-man.  In comes Ali (Chritina Aguilera) – literally straight off the bus from Iowa – looking for a job.  She starts as a waitress and moves on to dancing – but cannot convince Tess to let the girls really sing – instead of lip-syncing. Finally, Cher hears Ali sing. 

The story is livened up by the intrigue of Eric Dane’s character trying to take control of the club and by the jealousy-induced actions of Nikki when Ali replaces her as the shows lead.

My two cents:  I admit I am biased: I love musicals, I love dance productions, I love Stanley Tucci, Cher, I love Chirsitna Aguilera and I really love Kristin Bell.  I have not liked a musical this much since Mama Mia!.  The singing is great and the dancing is great.  It was the first time I have seen Kristin Bell as other than blonde – it took some getting used to.  The storyline may have some weaknesses – but I don’t care.  The first time Ali cuts lose with her voice in front of Cher gives me goosebumps every time I see it.  How that someone that little can belt out a song like that is beyond me.

Cher managed to work in one solo of her own.  I have to admit – she can still carry a tune.  This is her sixth decade of singing.  Amazing.

And Stanley Tucci – I love the chameleon-like way he can play such a variety of characters: from the fashion guru Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada) to the loving and understanding husband of Julia Child (Julie and Julia) to a really creepy pedophile murderer (The Lovely Bones) to the gay assistant-best friend to Cher in Burlesque.  He is quite an actor.

Bottom line: if you like dancing and you like musicals, you will not want to miss this movie.

127 Hours

Movie: 127 Hours

Cast: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn

Genre: adventure, docu-drama

I saw it on: November 20, 2010

Synopsis: Aron Ralston (Franco) is a weekend adventurer.  He rides his mountain bike as far as he can and then hikes into rugged Utah canyon country.  This is the true story of how he managed to fall and inextricably trap his arm between a boulder and a canyon wall.  After five days – with no more food and no more water – he saves himself by cutting his own arm off – and then climbing out of the canyon and hiking to get help.

My two cents: An amazing film.  The scenery in Utah is absolutely breathtaking.  The scenes that show Aron cutting his arm off are tough to watch – but they only last about five minutes.  I kept wondering how someone who did so much hiking could be so careless in his prep – and not tell anyone where he was going.  The big question I walked out of the theatre with was: What would I have done in his situation.

If you can get through the five minutes of arm severing, I don’t think you will regret seeing this movie.

Today’s Special

Movie: Today’s Special

Cast: Aasif Mandvi, Dean Winters, Keving Corrigan

Genre: comedy

I saw it on: November 20, 2010

Synopsis: Samir is of Indian heritage and is a budding Manhatten sous chef.  He has rejected the idea working in the Indian restaurant that his father built from the ground up.  When his father has a heart attack, Samir is forced to step in and try to keep the restaurant going.  He ultimately repairs his relationship with father and ends up with an extremely successful restaurant.

My two cents: A pretty interesting movie with a lot to offer.  Samir, with the help of a guru-type who seems to have done everything and been everywhere – comes to grips with his heritage and his own failings.  It is a delight to watch him learn to cook Indian cuisine and come to appreciate the accomplishments of his father.  And of course he finds love along the way.

Definitely a feel-good movie. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Cast: the usual Harry Potter crew

Genre: fantasy, adventure

I saw it on: November 21, 2010

Synopsis: We continue to follow the ever-escalating battle between Harry Potter (along with his cohorts) and Lord Valdemort (and his minions).  As the movie opens, it definitely looks like the bad guys are slowly but surely taking over the world of wizards.

My two cents: I was a bit disappointed.  Maybe after six Harry Potter movies, it is getting harder to get a “gee whiz” reaction out of me.  If you have not seen the other Harry Potter movies, you are going to be a bit confused.  This is also the first Harry Potter that is takes place completely away from Hogwarts.

Leaving

Movie: Leaving

Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sergi Lopez, Yvan Attal

Genre: romance, foreign

I saw it on: November 21, 2010

Synopsis: This is a French movie with subtitles.  Suzanne (Kristin Scott Thomas) is the wife of a wealthy businessman with political aspirations.  She is bored and has decided to go back to work as a psychotherapist.  To this end, she is having an office built next to her house.  She falls head over heels in love with a workman – and starts down the slippery slope that ruins her life.

My two cents: I usually love anything with Kristin Scott Thomas – but this movie just annoyed me.  The idea that a woman of Suzanne’s age and education would so completely lose control of herself and just walk out on her family was a bit much for me to accept.  It was like she was left with the willpower of a three-year-old or was under the spell of some kind of Svengali.  I know it is just a movie . . . but I could stop thinking that there was no way this woman would really behave like this.