It's Franchise Time! "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tina Desai, Celia Imrie, Tasmin Greig, Richard Gere,

Written and Directed by John Madden

The Story:

Sonny (Patel) returns with his sights set on marrying Sunaina (Imrie) and expanding the hotel to a second location. Naturally, before he can get the kind of funding to be backed by a chain, they need to send an undercover inspector to the hotel to see what the Exotic Marigold is like. However when two guests arrive (Greig & Gere) mistaken identity ensues and Sonny runs the risk of losing everything, including the woman he loves.

And really, this is Sonny's movie.

Where he was the heart that held the first (and superior) Exotic Marigold together by weaving in and out of the stories of the retirees that came to his hotel to spend their golden years, his story now takes center stage and the rest of the cast is given a little to do, but nowhere near the substance they enjoyed in the first film.

The biggest conundrum, you want Sonny to succeed in both the hotel and the wedding, so the conflict they have to foist onto the story seems almost eye roll worthy. Sonny is too likeable and Sunaina too sweet for them not to be together, so you never really worry that the wedding could fall apart.

The question is simply how will Sonny get the other hotel, and you'll probably figure it out before he does.

Not as good as the first, but not a bad revisit with some old (ha!) friends.

My advice though, never put the words "Second Best" in your movie title.

You're simply asking for trouble at that point.

Final Grade: B-

Farewell To March... "Shall We Dance?"

Shall We Dance (2004)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci

Directed by Peter Chelsom

The Story:

John Clark (Gere) is a lawyer who has found that something is missing in his life.  He loves his wife (Sarandon) and family, but he's not quite happy.  On the ride home one night, he sees Paulina (Lopez) at a dance studio and impulsively rushes over to take dance lessons.  He winds up with a different teacher (Anita Gillette) but still, something about dance seems to make John...happy.  So he continues to practice, but keeps his new secret from his wife which sets off a chain of misunderstanding that threatens his homelife.

Not a bad flick at all.

It's a tough sell though...is it a romantic comedy? A Dramedy?

It's charming and humourous throughout.

It straddles a fine line because John isn't happy in life, but he's not cheating on his wife, though it's possible that was his intention when he first got off the train.

Instead, he finds that dance is that passion he never knew he was missing.

Add in the always sensational performance from Stanley Tucci as a co-worker who also secretly enjoys to dance, and you've got a pretty enjoyable flick .

Final Grade: B/B- range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would have no problem letting this play again...not sure I would need to buy it though.

How To Review A Movie About "Amelia" ?

Amelia (2009)
Rated PG for language

Starring Hillary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston

Directed by Mira Nair

The Story:

Amelia Earhart (Swank), perhaps you've heard of her?  In her famous attempt to circumnavigate the globe with her trusted navigator, Fred Noonan (Eccleston), the two vanished, never to be seen or heard from again.  Sorry if that spoils it for you, but basically that's the story you'll be watching.

Now I feel like I've spoiled the ending of the Titanic ( a movie that will never be reviewed here) ...

And Leo Dies...

So basically this is the struggles of Earhart to fly, as that was not something that women did back then.  She champions her cause, and that of women pilots everywhere.  This is where she runs into George Putnam (Gere) the man who publicizes her feats and makes her more famous by the day.

Naturally, the two fall in love and are married, and George is there for her every step of the way.

Then, enter Gene Vidal (McGregor) who puts more than a vested interest into the married pilot, and you've got your plot thickening right before your very eyes!

The movie looks great, the time period is recreated very lovingly.

But...

I Must Choose Between An Officer and a Gentleman...

It's slow... and at nearly 2 hours, probably overly long for what you're getting.

While there is supposed to be tension, this movie was kicked to the curb by me because, like Titanic, I know the ending going in. 

Where is the suspense on what she does early in her career?

I know she won't die in any plane crash until she goes for her record at the end of the movie.

:: yawn ::

Or a Jedi...

Ooo.... she loves Putnam but Vidal is making a play for her...

And yet, there's really no onscreen chemistry between any of the actors.

Again, nothing inherently wrong with any of the movie, just wanted so much more.

Your mileage may of course vary.


Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'd have to say that I'm good after this one.