Brave

Brave was wonderful. I can't think of enough words of praise for the film. The movie was pure, unadulterated fun. The story was original and surprising. The animation was amazing. Even the 3D was good and not intrusive. There were no gratuitous scenes made just to showcase the 3D. The lessons were positive and important. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil the wonder and surprise. Suffice that I got to cry happy tears.

Before the feature started, we were treated to La Luna, a delightful short about what happens to those meteorites that land on the moon. I'd seen it before and still found it fresh and imaginative.

Teri Meri Kahaani

I wasn't expecting much from Teri Meri Kahaani, a cute romance taking place in 3 different time periods: 1910, 1960, and 2012. Overall it was a pleasant piece of fluff and gave me a chance to enjoy Shahid Kapoor.
 

There were some treats. "My Darlin' Clementine" was incorporated into some of the 1960 music. Some of the 2012 dialog was done via texting and Facebook postings - an interesting take on the 21st century life style. I especially enjoyed the music and dancing in 1910.
 

What blew me away was that Shahid Kapoor's 1910 character was a poet and that I recognized the influence (if not actual quotes) of Rumi. There's something to be said for education. You just never know when what you learn may come in handy and give you a fuller appreciation of something.
 

Oh, yes, and I did cry at the end.

Magic Mike

Magic Mike, aside for being a feast for the eyes of all the ladies in the audience, turned out to be an interesting glimpse into the seamy and hedonistic life of male strippers.  The mostly female audience obviously enjoyed the eye candy; and there were a few unhappy sighs when the film returned from the stripping scenes to the story, which wasn't completely boring.  I was disappointed that Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello, the two actors I was there to see, barely got to speak; and Bomer, whom I adore in White Collar, looked uncomfortable the entire time he was on the screen.  I actually liked the ending, but the other ladies seemed to be disappointed.  As for the stripping, it seems I find grown men grinding around in thongs with their butt cheeks hanging out to look pretty ludicrous.  Oh well, it was a pleasant enough break from the 99 degree heat outside.

Ted

Last night I saw a sneak preview of Ted.  It was horribly offensive right from the start. A lot of the raunchy humor crossed my line, but the film was totally redeemed by Flash Gordon - and Sam J. Jones' willingness to embrace some great self-deprecating humor. I laughed myself silly. I also got a good guffaw from Ryan Reynolds' cameo and even managed to get misty during one scene. All in all, I'm glad I didn't pay for it, but would probably be willing to pay the matinee price just for Flash. "Death to Ming!"

Greetings

Oh, dear, this blog has sat dormant for about 6 years, so I removed the few old posts that were here and will start fresh.  Other than adoring my family and going to work, movies are what I do.  Over the next few weeks, I will go through my Facebook postings, pull out, and expand on my movie reviews.

Be forewarned.  My taste is eclectic.  I love science fiction and fantasy, action films (can't wait to see The Expendables 2), horror films (if they are not too realistic - NO slasher movies), independent film, animation, comedies, kids' movies, old movies (I'm still waiting for a Jeanette McDonald/Nelson Eddy film festival), and Bollywood.