Two Movies & A TV Show

So, I did a lot of movie watching this week.  The joys of having Grandma & Grandpa in to visit (i.e. free babysitting…yay).  And just as a little aside, I even got out to a 2-day seminar on Sports Nutrition up at UCLA (damn continuing education units).  Which, btw, was quite eventful, other than the seminar itself (which was great), because I got to evade paparazzi at UCLA med centre (lord knows they were looking for me, okay, so maybe it was Brit they were after) & witness a Barack Obama rally, which of course only made me feel old with all of those young college-aged faces looking up at this man with such hope.  Me, all I could think of was "So what are my lunch choices?"  Tainted, I know.

But, back on track with the movies.  I figure I can’t give you all full blown-out reviews (read: wordy) as per usual, as I have sooooo very much to cover.  I will however give you a little synopsis & my overall recommendations of all of the stuff I took in this week (I promise there won’t be a synopsis of the nutrition seminar).  Like I said, lots to cover, so let’s get right to it.

Now Playing in Theatres

National Treasure:  Book of Secrets

The hubby & I were both exhausted on Saturday night, but we were not about to look the gift horse of free babysitting in the mouth (what?!?), so we trudged out to see a movie, any movie.  Because of this I really didn’t have too much energy to fight him on his choice.  Now, if you have seen the first movie in this series you know the equation.  Nic Cage & posse attempt a series of increasingly dangerous heists, not to actually steal things but to find some great American treasure (total Da Vinci Code knock off).  This time out he isn’t really out to find treasure (although that is a nice by-product), but to clear the name of his great-great grandfather who now stands accused of being the mastermind behind the Lincoln assassination.

The movie isn’t that bad….really.  It is a total escape, & does keep you entertained , it just ain’t gonna win any awards for anything.  Which is frankly what had me scratching my head the entire movie.  No not why this won’t win any awards, but precisely how did this movie attract so many award-winning actors to play both major & bit parts?  Jon Voight, Nic Cage, Helen Mirren, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, just to name a few.  Only thing we could come up with is that these actors figured that one big paycheck couldn’t hurt before what could be (& has turned out to be) a lengthy (& costly) writers strike.  I told you I blame everything on the writer’s strike.

Anyway, definitely worth a totally escapist, Friday night rental, so I will give it a solid 3 stars.

Now On DVD

The Namesake

This movie follows a couple who come to the U.S. from India, in the late 1970s.  We follow this couple as their family grows with children, & then we follow the children’s lives.   Specifically we follow the son Gogol (played wonderfully by Kal Penn..yep, the "Harold & Kumar" Kal Penn) as he struggles with being the American-born son of immigrant parents .  He dates a white woman, & seems to embrace her family more than his own.  Gogol’s parents also struggle with trying to maintain their heritage & the family they left behind in Calcutta, but also know the sacrifices that they have made have led to great opportunities for their children.  Just as a little aside, Gogol’s mother, Ashima, is played by the Indian actress Tabu, who quite possibly might be the most beautiful woman in the world.  Honestly, stunning.

I loved this movie.  So much so, that I just had to put the trailer below (check it out), in hopes that many of you will watch it & rent the movie too.  What really struck me is how difficult it must be to immigrate to the U.S. (or Canada for that matter) & maintain an ounce of who you are & where you are from.  I immigrated to the U.S. & sometimes find the differences between Canadians & Americans astounding.  And I’m from Canada!!  Now, most often there are no differences, but this movie shows how scary & bewildering it must be to someone truly from another culture.

Now On TV & DVD

The Tudors

Kath has talked about it.  Ali has talked about it.  Even I talked about it way back in the Fall TV Preview.  You should be watching this show.  If you live in Canada, you get treated to it on CBC, whereas down here it only shows on Showtime, & I am far too cheap to pay for that!  So I rented the whole series on DVD (honestly, isn’t that an amazing way to watch a TV series), & it definitely doesn’t disappoint.  Murder, sex, religion, dysfunctional marriages, politics.  Oh wait, that reminds me I need to go vote (he he).  Anyway, if you get a chance to rent Season 1, do so, it is a perfect escape for a Friday evening.  And keep an eye out for Season 2, airing on Showtime starting March 30 (check out the preview here).  I’m not sure on the status of Season 2 on CBC, but I will let you all know as soon as I know.

Be sure to let us know your thoughts, in the comments section below, on any of the movies I reviewed here.  And make sure to check back next week when I will have a full slate of previews for what you can expect at the box office over the next few months.  Now off to that voting.