MILK

English

129 minutes

5 Stars

This is the inspiring and emotional biopic of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to office in the US. My only nit to pick is I don't believe they played the junk food enough for Dan White (his trial coined the expression, "The Twinkie Defense") or what really motivated his actions, though they were fairly apparent. The end of the movie shows photos of the real people, and tells a bit about what they were doing at the time of the filming. Very interesting. And the use of actual news footage inserted is very well done. There is some homosexual sex in the movie, so if you have kidlets, be sure to watch it with them and explain that love is love. Period. Keep the tissues close.

Trailer 

We Were Here

We Were Here

English

2011, 90 minutes

5 Stars

This well-done documentary on the AIDS epidemic is neither morbid nor morose. Rainy Day remembers and wasn't sure she wanted to watch, as she thought it would take at least a case of tissues. It didn't. There were a few tears here and there, but Rainy Day would not classify it a Tear Jerker. Rainy Day thought there was a great deal of hope in the movie. One of the men interviewed became HIV positive during the first wave, and he is still alive and appears to be fairly healthy. The men and woman interviewed lived through it and tell their stories in a straightforward manner, and this documentary clearly belongs to them, not the director or the producer. If you remember the time, you will like this movie. If you are too young to remember it, you will learn.

For a trailer, click here.

Dancing By The Star!

Mao's Last Dancer

English

2010, 117 Minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day seems to be on a run for Biopics. This movie is based on the autobiography of Li Cunxin, a peasant villager taken at age 11 to study ballet in Beijing. From there, he is 'seen' by Ben Stevenson, Director of the Housing Ballet Company, and brought to the US on a temporary Visa. The music ranges from Chinese traditional to Ballet classical; the dancing is breathtaking in its beauty. Li's decision to remain in the US is heartfelt, and sad, and joyous all at once. There are many scenes to bring forth laughs, and a few that bring forth tears.  From the poverty of China in the Cultural Revolution to the excesses of Houston, this is a great movie and a terrific story. 

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Have you ever considered how difficult it would be to leave your country, your family, your very language, to pursue your dream? Could you? Would you?