Movie Reviews

On Wednesday night, I nudged a friend to join me in heading to the Moolah to see Argo. I did not know too much about the film other than it was based on a true story, was directed by and starred Ben Affleck, and had something to do with a formerly classified CIA operation to rescue 6 Americans from Iran under the guise of pretending to be a film crew. Well, perhaps I knew a lot. In any event, the film was incredibly well done, the cast was excellent (Ben Affleck, Victor Garber, Clea DuVall, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, and John Goodman among the notables), and the story riveting. I always enjoy a film that can teach you a lesson about history while keeping you on the edge of your seat (or in our case, a leather couch) the whole time. So yea, go see it. Chances are it will be nominated once award season kicks up. My guess is Best Director for Ben Affleck, possibly an acting nod for him (possibly) and possibly a Best Picture contender though that will mostly depend on the votes this year. My grade: A.

And in keeping with the movie theme, I finally watched Steel Magnolias, a movie I had never seen that my buddy thought was blasphemous. I did not think so as much but I finally caved and watched it to appease him. Have you seen it? The 1989 film about a group of women down in good ole Louisiana who celebrate the joys and struggles of life together? The fun takeaway for me was seeing that Sally Field and Tom Skerritt played a married couple making Brothers & Sisters not the first time this duo came together. And I sure do/did love that show. And I have been a Tom Skerritt fan since his time on Picket Fences. Overall, I liked the film. Not sure I was missing out on anything grand in life by having not seen it. I definitely do not intend to watch the Lifetime remake. No thank you. But I guess it is one of those films that most women (and probably gay men) have seen. So there you go. My grade: B+. 

Cheers.