Lee Daniels' : The Butler

I would gladly watch Forest Whitaker, who played the main character,Cecil Gaines in this film, carry a tray of water back and forth for two and a half hours. If you watch this film, you will see him do a LOT more than that.
This movie was nothing short of inspiring.
The cast backing up Mr. Whitaker was stellar. Oprah Winfrey, who played Cecil's wife Gloria was incredible, and everyone who arrives on the screen does true justice to this important story.
I couldn't help but think: "This wasn't that long ago...", along with: "We still have so far to go".
It also goes to show that, while we all have an important story, we don't all make history. I am sorry this story took so long to come to us, but I am so grateful that it finally has.

The 5th Estate

Benedict Cumberbatch has weird lips.
It was so hard for me to concentrate on this movie because the aforementioned thought kept running through my head. Mr. Weird Lips played Julian Assange, the infamous creator of Wikileaks. I admit to knowing few details about the wistleblower website, and I can't say that I know any actual facts now that I have seen this film.
The movie was, by turns, artsy, action, and pain-in-the-ass. I very nearly lost my husband from boredom halfway through.
If I were pressured to give a one word review (and I have struggled to come up with more than that), I'd have to leave it at "okay".

"Dallas Buyers Club"

This is the best film I have seen in months, and I have seen some great films lately.
I went into the watching of this story already knowing the basic story-line. Awards season has begun, so I was also aware that the acting was impeccable.
What I was wholly unprepared for was the amount of insight the characters showed for the life issues they were facing.
The main characters began this film playing one character, and ended the film as completely different people. The catharsis was incredible. What happened in the process of watching, for me, is that I began watching with one view, and ended with a new, brighter view.
I am immersed in classes on cultural humility now, but I am in awe every day when I see resiliency show up in the lives of  people I know, and in the lives of people I don't know. This movie brought that awareness deeper.
I watched this film with my older son. As we discussed it later, I told him that watching this movie reminded me of when he and I went to see "Brokeback Mountain" together when he was 17 years old. He agreed, and then said: "That movie changed my life". We both agreed that this offering has indeed done the same.
What a gift.

"Last Vegas"

After the last movie we watched, I was up for some sweetness and light. This movie did not disappoint.
The cast consisted mainly of Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline, with a bit of Mary Steenburgen thrown in for good measure. I feel safe with these actors. I have been watching them all my life, and I felt like I was coming home.
The premise of the film is that the four men have been best friends since childhood, and even though they have all moved to different physical locations, they are all still very enmeshed. They all meet in Las Vegas to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Michael Douglas' character, and throw a bachelor party.
There are major issues to be worked through, both as individuals, in interpersonal relationships, and as a collective.
As I expected, it was all tied up in a pretty little bow at the end, but it felt right.
A nice little surprise in the film was a character played by Jerry Ferrara, of  HBO's "The Entourage" fame. He played Turtle in that tv show, and it was nice to see him reach a bit for this film.
If you are planning to watch this piece to see stellar acting by Chris Brown, well, that is just not ever going to happen.

"The Counselor"

So, if Ridley Scott and Cormic McCarthy got together and had a baby, apparently that baby would be very bad, and very ugly.
I am a drug abuse counselor, and I heard the word "Counselor" more last night than I've heard in my entire career, and all of my schooling.
Richard Roper gave this a good review, and all I can say about that is: ARE YOU FRIGGIN' KIDDING ME!?!
That. Is. All.

"Blue Jasmine"

The acting in this film was impeccable. So was the writing. But... this film promises to make you so uncomfortable you will want to get therapy after watching it--and these aren't even your issues!
Perhaps if you are in the frame of mind to watch a person with severe mental health problems who is not willing to look at their part, or to seek treatment, then by all means, dive right in. Otherwise, save your time and emotional energy for more worthwhile pursuits. Might I suggest....well--anything else!

"Rush"

We watched this film after the Super Bowl last night. I'd have to say there is more excitement in the first three minutes of this movie than there was in that entire football game.
I realize the real draw of this movie was probably Chris Helmsworth (who play James Hunt), but the real story is that of Niki Lauda, (played by Daniel Bruhl), and his relationship to Hunt. This story makes one realize how insular one's world becomes when one's profession is so stressful. Only someone else in the world of 1970's Formula One racing could truly relate to what a toll putting your life on the line every time you race, takes on your psyche.
This movie was by turns sad, thought provoking, and sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting. Ron Howard does not disappoint with this directorial effort. He provides an exemplary snapshot of the intensity of the racing world and of the characters that inhabited that world in the 1970's. Mr. Howard's cinematography is so beautiful and emotion-provoking.
The most touching part of this narrative is that it is a true story of one man's experience. Niki Lauda loved and despised James Hunt, and no one knew them better than each other. All these years later Niki Lauda still holds James Hunt in high esteem.
Drive --- FAST---to rent a copy of this adrenaline rush!