Seven Days in Utopia

Movie: Seven Days in Utopia

Genre: drama

Synopsis: Luke (Lucas Black), an up and coming professional golfer, is challenging for the lead in the final round of a golf tournament … until he shoots a 14 on the final hole.  After his meltdown, he drives off to be by himself.  He ends up in a town of 375 called Utopia.  In Utopia, Luke befriends Johnny Crawford (Robert Duval).  Johnny is a crusty old gentleman who turns out to be a former professional golver with his own golf course in Utopia.  Johnny promise Luke that if he gives Johnny a week to work with him, he will give Johnny the tools to turn his golf game around.  What follows is Johnny in the role of Mr. Miyagi and Luke in Ralph Macchio’s role.  By the end of the seven days, Luke has indeed learned what he needs to turn his life (and golf game) around.

My two cents: The movie had a lot of potential . . . but I was too distracted by the “Karate Kid” similarities.  I kept waiting for Johnny to tell Luke: “Wax on . . .wax off”.  I did like the performances: Robert Duval never seems to miss.  I especially liked seeing Deborah Ann Woll sans fangs (i.e. outside of True Blood).  The movie just got a little too preachy for me.

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Attack the Block

Movie: Attack the Block

Genre: horror

Synopsis: Sam (Jodie Whittaker) is on her way home located in a crime-ridden section of London when she is mugged by a gang of teenaged boys – who turn out to live in the same apartment building that she does.  After the mugging the gang investigates a strange explosion that occurred nearby.  It turns ouy to be some kind of alien creature that attacks them.  The rest of the movie follows the gang as they do battle with the dozens of other aliens that land and seem intent on killing them.

My two cents: A bit out of the ordinary.  The story line was a little thin.  The thing that stood out were the creatures.  They looked like short, hairy gorillas with fangs that glow in the dark.  In hindsight, I would have been happy to wait for it to come around on TV.

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