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It has been noted on more that one occasion that I will go see a movie that you feel worse after seeing it than before you went into the theater. That is not always the case for me. I like to see a movie that makes me think. As an observer, analyzer and participant in the human condition I love to see movies that try to explain how we look, think and act. Such was the case with the other two movies I saw this weekend. I haven’t seen three movies in three nights in a long time. This weekend started the release of the summer flicks. I took advantage of usual movie date, Val, being at the air show this weekend to partake in some serious drama and independent films. Stuff I thought he wouldn’t be interested in seeing. Thanks Jean for attending the movies, I look forward to more movie viewing in the future.

Then She Found Me

I didn’t know much about this movie before I went to see it. I don’t want to give too much away because I felt that the plot was interesting and what really spoke to me in the film was the character development. From what I had been told this was Helen Hunt’s directoral debut and she co-wrote the screenplay. She wasn’t going to wear make-up nor try to hide her 40 something years through lighting. She held true to her word and sometimes I think she went out of her way to look particularly dowdy. Each of the characters was totally believable. Each was flawed. Each was trying to understand and trust each other. Each had difficulty being honest and trustworthy. At first glance one might think this is a story about motherhood and longing, but it is really the story of betrayal.

Rating - 3 nursing caps with prescription “travel the labyrinth of human frailty and defense to find the true nurturing self.”

The Visitor

Wow, what a great film. Not since last year’s Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film, “The Lives of Others” have I seen such powerful, understated portrayal of emotion. Richard Jenkins, plays Walter Vale a lonely Connecticut college professor whose life is completed changed when he returns to his New York City pied de tier to find two people living in his apartment. Jenkins, best known to me as the dead Dad on “Six Feet Under”, completely loses the snarkiness of that character and is transformed from a recluse hiding from people to opening up not only to the couple in his apartment but to his inner creative being. This story is about extending yourself out of your comfort zone and the benefits achieved through facing the challenge. A must see film.

Rating - 4 nursing caps with prescription “see this movie in the theater to thank Hollywood for making a real movie with depth, emotion and plot.”

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For those who might not be familiar with this romantic romp. Think of Julia Robert’s movie “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and substitute maid of honor for best man and you have the premise. Womanizing Patrick Dempsey is asked to be the maid of honor for his platonic girlfriend played by Michelle Monaghan. Guess what? Dempsey ruins the wedding, gets the girl in the end and hunky Kevin McKidd (from HBO’s Rome) gets left at the alter. Wow…didn’t see that coming.

You might be wondering why a discerning movie critic like myself might be interested in seeing the girlie flick, made for theater vehicle for Dr. McDreamy. I’ve never been a fan of the McDreamy nor watched either of his television shows. It was because of a realization I had in the Macy’s dressing room that caused me to want to see this film.

Weeks ago they were running teaser adds for “Maid of Honor.” One of film clips shows Monaghan stepping out of a ladies dressing room dressed in a tight bustier, black hose and whip. Very, very sexy. A look I’ll probably never possess.

Here is were it gets good for me, ladies and gents. As I was standing looking at myself in the Macy’s dressing room mirror lamenting that I might never have that particular sex kitten look I realized that not all guys look like Patrick Dempsey nor George Clooney. Sometimes guys who look like George Costanza can make my heart do flips.

There is hope and love for all of us. I swear by next year I might actually like my thighs.

As for the movie I will give it 2 nursing caps with the prescription “best flick to see after an ultrasound and you want some mindless entertainment.”

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Today marks the debut of LaSue’s Movie Reviews - in keeping with M&M over at incremental updates I will use a 4 point rating system. Instead of gliomas I will use the much harsher “nursing caps” rating system. I have always thought the reviewers at M&M were a little liberal with their gliomas. I don’t think anything has gotten less than 3 gliomas and most movies are 4 gliomas in their mind. The nursing world is a little more critical. Think white sensible shoes, white hose and white caps. Sounds intimidating doesn’t it?

Forbidden Kingdom marks the first collaboration between current martial arts greats Jackie Chan & Jet Li. Each master of kung fu has their own style that they bring to theaters and they seem to maintain it with this film. Chan has somewhat reprised his comedic role of Drunken Master while Jet Li plays the more somber Silent Monk. Although it was his alter ego as Monkey King that Jet Li shines with his great monkey smile and monkey kung fu.

The plot line of the film is about when an American teen obsessed with kung fu gets sent on an adventure to ancient China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King. The cinematography, costumes and sets are spectacularly beautiful. It is nonstop Kung Fu from beginning to end. No gratuitous sex or violence, strictly great pole fighting and flying kicks. I definitely consider this movie a must see film. It was a great way to beat the heat and to escape into another time and space.

Although I thought it couldn’t be done. My first movie review gets 4 nurse caps and the prescription of “See this film in the movie theater to appreciate the wonderful action and cinematography.”

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