PEOPLE LIKE US

It's official, I have a cougar crush on Chris Pine.  I think I've seen most of his movies now and know he was probably the only reason that for one Star Trek movie I didn't fall asleep.  So imagine my excitement that I could see a movie with him and a story line I was actually interested in.

People Like Us is the story of a brother finding a sister he never knew he had.  Their mutual Father passed away and through his lawyer led Pine to find a part of his life that he never knew existed.  The journey was sweet, quite traumatic and, life changing.  Throw in some great acting from Michelle Pfeiffer and Elizabeth Banks and you get quite a movie.

TED

Of course, I wanted to see "Ted".  Love the starring actors, Seth is OK even though not my taste.  However, the premise was just too enticing to miss.  A man grows up with a teddy bear who magically came to life when he was a child.

I had seen the trailers, knew the work of MacFarlane so, I pretty much knew what to expect going in.  If I had written this yesterday, I would have said what on earth were Walberg and Kunis thinking to accept these roles?  They are pretty much A list actors.  However, as I think about it, they just did it for laughs.

Some things were a bit offensive as they were meant to be.  Pushing the political correctness limit can always offend some people as it did with me while watching Ted.  However, it was quite refreshing to watch a "crude" movie totally devoid of Bathroom Humor.

So, this movie may be one of the millions I've seen that I will never watch again but, it did make me laugh.

MAGIC MIKE

It was hard to pick between the three movies I really wanted to see today.  After much deliberation it was decided that Magic Mike would be the one.  I have never quite gotten the excitement of a men's striptease show but, the hype made me quite curious.  This does not mean I'm not a fan of looking at buff men but, I would never be the one to stuff dollars in what little they were wearing.

However, I do like Channing Tatum and, knew this movie was loosely based on his earlier career so, I figured it was worth a look.  And, what red blooded woman wouldn't want to sneak a peek at Matthew in the almost raw?

These two men carried out their jobs beautifully.  But, sadly, the movie was a bit boring if they weren't the ones in the spotlight.  I'm almost certain that the box office receipts will dwindle after this opening weekend.

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

I'm a Steve Carell groupie.  He makes a movie I will come and, I don't recall ever being disappointed.  I like Kiera Knightley too when she manages to take a role that doesn't take her back to some Victorian Era.  So I saw Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World.  Maybe the title could have been shortened a bit but, otherwise, it was a wonderful movie.

There have been countless movies about what people do in the last days of their lives and, also ones about certain doom for the world.  The people ultimately die but, in most cases the earth is always saved.  Most of the stories are thought provoking and dramatic.  However, this one, in addition to having these traits, had so much humor as well.

In one scene a group of middle aged friends gather for one last party.  One lady comes in dressed in jewelry and furs to the hilt.  Her explanation was that she was wearing everything she had been saving.  How many of us have those things?  People's inhibitions went by the wayside and instead of having drinks at the event, someone brought Heroin.

Of course, relationships were mended and people came to accept what life had given them in these last days.  All and all, a most delightful journey that took place in three weeks.

ROCK OF AGES

I'm not really the biggest musical fan but, I've enjoyed many.  Today I saw the best one ever.  Who could have stayed away from Rock of Ages?  I'm sure many just went to see if Tom Cruise could sing.  I've kind of been anti Tom since he jumped on Oprah's couch and did the interview with Matt Lauer.  But, today I have to admit, he is an acting great.

The movie is a story of a small town girl Julianne Hough who goes to Hollywood to find her dream of singing stardom.  Nothing new.  She meets Diego Boneta who is a resident but, searching for the same.  They, of course, fall in love and have some tough breaks along the way.  Both are quite talented in real life.

As they sing through their journey they meet Cruise (an aging rocker) and a cast of characters singing with them through their travels.  Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta Jones, Paul Giamatti, Malim Ackerman, Bryan Cranston and Mary J. Blige all prove to us why we know their names.

Great 80's songs, lots of laughs and a talented cast make this a must see movie.  A scene/song with Baldwin and Brand is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time.  So, if you want to spend a couple of hours being truly entertained, go see Rock of Ages.

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

When you go to a movie about senior citizens, you can bet there will be some in the audience.  I'm not making fun of any here as I, myself am being courted by AARP.  However, it's like being in the theatre with a bunch of kids.  Slow to get up the steps, not knowing the difference between inside and outside voices and oblivious to putting their cell phones on vibrate.

I know they all enjoyed The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel as it had some great actors from Tom Wilkinson (someone give this man an Academy Award) to Dame Judi.  They got to visit India to see a story about life not ending at a certain age.

For me, I suppose I'm not quite to the age where retirement is involved so, the movie didn't quite captivate me.  Plus, I really have no desire to see India but, I do love good acting.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING

There was not a moment's doubt that I would be paying the price to see this one.  The book came out after my child bearing years and, as I think about it now, it had almost nothing to do with the book.

The movie, however, had all the ingredients needed to get me in the door.   First, the cast.  I'm almost certain I've seen every movie Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez have ever been in.  Throw in some Chris Rock and the other A lister's in this cast and, you have quite  a lot of talent.

Sweet stories, entertaining, no Academy Award winning performances that I hope made some big money.  How else could you pay this star studded cast?