King Arthur

2004

138 minutes 

5 Stars

To be honest, I didn't like this movie, at least not at first. And then, as I watched, it grew on me, and I realized I expected a retelling of the myths with which I am familiar. It isn't. It's a whole new (to me) myth of Arthur. And one I rather fancy. It is dark, violent, but far more believable than the others. I highly recommend this movie, but go into it with an open mind, and forget (as much as possible) all the other stories of Arthur you've seen and or read. As for history? Who knows? Who cares? This is a great romp, filled with battles. It is well acted, well photographed, well directed. And this is the first Guinevere I've seen that I actually liked!

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The Theory of Everything

2014

123 minutes

5 Stars

This is a movie worth watching more than once. A biopic of the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, of his early life as a student and young husband and father, it is a story of love, grit, and determination. Redmayne's portrayal of Dr. Hawking is phenomenal, as is Jones's portrayal of his wife. The story basically end at their divorce, though there is a touching scene after. I admit to a certain bias as Dr. Hawking has been one of my heroes for years, and I was delighted at the telling of his story. It is fun, it is poignant, but never, ever sappy. "While there is life, there is hope."

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Pride

2014

120 minutes 

5 Stars

Based on a true story, this movie is fantastic! During 1984 the Welsh miners went on strike, and a coalition of gays and lesbians in London began to support them and their families. A lot of people learned a lot of things about being human. The cast, the directing, the photography, the story — all top drawer! You will laugh during part of it, you will be angry during part of it, and you will cry. You will cry for happy at what happened, and for sad when your memories rush forward. If you don't watch any other movie in 2015, watch Pride.

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2012

124 minutes

5 Star

This movie is delightful. A group of British seniors move to India to live out their retirement years on their meager savings. There are laugh out loud moments, and touching and poignant moments, and even a tear or two moment. The hotel isn't what they expect, the owner isn't what they expect, life in India isn't what they expect. The acting is superb, there is simply nothing wrong with this movie, except it left me wanting more — and a brochure so I can move there myself.

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Whiplash - starring JK Simmons and Miles Teller

2014  

107 minutes

5 Stars

I love drums, don't care a lot for jazz. Go figure. I also don't care for the F-word as the primary word in dialog. I LOVE THIS MOVIE. It's full of jazz, but, mostly, it's full of good drumming and though Simmons's favorite word is the F-word, or a variation, it so fits the character, it's acceptable. Simmons is an abusive bullying music instructor, Teller is a student who wants nothing else but to be a good jazz drummer. Simmons pushes him to practice until his hands bleed, pushes him to the breaking point, and the end of the movie, well, it's worth all that jazz to get to the end ;-) Excellent story, excellent filming, superb photography, and oh, those drums! Those marvelous drums!

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Life Itself

2014

120 minutes

5 Stars

Once I got over the shock of seeing Ebert after his cancer surgery (2 minutes) I settled into the rhythm and thoroughly enjoyed it. It turned out to be an open and honest window into his death process, filled with humor and love. I can't compare it to any of the other documentaries out there on the same subject, because I haven't watched them, but I found this one to be inspiring. Because Ebert was not afraid of death, he was able to live life to the fullest, right up until the end. And by sharing his life with us, he has shown us the way. This documentary is beautiful, funny, sad, poignant, and full of life. He let us see the nitty gritty of dying. He let us see the joy and beauty of living. An honest life; an honest documentary.

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