Chasing Mavericks

I went to see this movie with my Husband the "Boat Captain", one of his crab season deckhands, and that deckhands girlfriend.  The guys wanted to see it because it happens mostly in the ocean, and they spend most of their lives on the ocean. We all saw it also because it was filmed mostly in Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, and we live here. I can say that no matter the reasons why we saw it, none of us were disappointed.
I read reviews of the film before I went to see it. Few we're stellar, but I now don't know why. It was an accurate portrayal of the surfing community, demonstrating why they surf, and why the risks they take to do what they love are completely worth it to them.
I enjoyed most the philosophies that Frosty, played by Gerard Butler, tried to pass on to Jay, played by Jonny Weston. He spoke of all the concepts that are needed to succeed at surfing, and that the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual all have to be strong. Is that not also true of success at anything in life and relationships?
Some of the acting was less than great, but Elizabeth Shue as Jay's mother, and Abigail Spencer as Frosty's wife were incredible. Also amazing, and completely worth seeing the movie for, were the surfing scenes. The director cast real Half Moon Bay surfers as the "fabulous three" who first surfed Mavericks with Frosty, and that brought yet more authenticity to the experience.
Go see this if you ever wanted to surf, enjoy watching others surf, or if you just want to see a very human story about doing what you love no matter the cost.

"Flight"

As an addict in recovery, parts of this movie were very uncomfortable to watch; familiar, scary and harrowing. As an addict in recovery I can also say that Denzel Washington did a spot-on job of portraying an addict hitting bottom. As an addict in recovery, the gratitude I feel for being clean today was only intensified by seeing this film. Somebody involved in this project knew whereof they spoke.
The supporting cast was nothing less than stellar. Kelly Reilly was especially wonderful as the primary love interest and fellow addict. John Goodman as Washington's dealer was just the right amount of crazy, and Don Cheadle as the lawyer who is forced to be co-dependent was extraordinary. I expect more than one Oscar nomination to come out of this venture.
See this for the crash sequence, but do yourself a favor and don't leave before the miracle happens.