Great Bowie Song...Average Movie..."Golden Years"

Golden Years (2016) C

Not Rated

Starring Bernard Hill, Virginia McKenna, Simon Callow, Phil Davis, Alun Armstrong, Una Stubbs,

Directed by John Miller

The Story:

Arthur and Martha Goode (Hill & McKenna) are retired and living a modest life when their pensions are wiped away during the financial crisis. Faced with no money and Martha's medical care, the duo decide that life is too short at their age to take this kind of nonsense sitting down, so they begin robbing banks to get their money back. As their notoriety grows, so too their gang, but drawing ever closer are the footsteps of the law who would really like to stop the robberies if that's okay.

Interesting concept that fails in execution.

At just a shade over 90 minutes, the pacing of the film made it feel oh so much longer. I thought I watched a 2 - 2 1/2 hour movie when this was over.

Amusing at times, but not filmed as a comedy, and neither is it serious enough to be taken as a drama, it simply exists.

A showcase for Britain's aging actors, and that's fine, but this is no Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Not a bad film by any stretch of the imagination, but absolutely nothing to rush out and need to see.

Which is a shame, as the heart was in the right place, it just didn't come out great in the finished product.

Final Grade: C

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-

The Top 10 Movies of 2012

So last month, the Turkeys of 2012 were announced, and quickly forgotten about.  Now it's time to celebrate the movies that made a lasting impression in our house.  The criteria is always subject to confusion and bribery, but for the most part, the movies on my "Best of" lists are movies I own, hope to own in the future, wouldn't mind owning, or would be willing to watch again.

So without further adieu, let's get this party started!


10) Puss in Boots ~ The first of 2 animated features on this countdown, here comes a prequel to the Shrek franchise that concentrates on the exploits of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) before he comes to know everyone's favorite ogre.  It's a fun action tale that is enjoyable for the whole family. 

9) Courageous ~ Oh no... not a Christian film!  Yep, suck it. : )  You have to give these guys credit, each film seems to be better than the previous one.  You can skip it because you're afraid of religion or whatever, but the budget, production values, acting, writing, etc. are now rivaling that which you see from the big studios.  I applaud their efforts, and really enjoyed this take on the life of some small town cops with big world problems.

8) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows ~ The role that Robert Downey Jr. was born to play...when Iron Man or the Avengers aren't being filmed.  Sure, it takes liberties with the books, but so what?  It's entertaining!  That's what we go to the movies for, and that's what they are doing with the franchise.  This one felt more intriguing than the first go-round, so I'm hoping there will be a third installment.

7) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ~ This is a rare exception that the movie was so good, but I don't know that I would want to own it or watch it again.  If it was on, I certainly wouldn't actively attempt to change the channel.  The story was wonderful, the acting was spot-on.  Plus, it was, I believe, the 2nd most read review on this page.  Pretty impressive, but nothing topped Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  You guys are awesome in what you want to read! : )

6) The Help ~ Here's another film that while I wouldn't go out of my way to buy the movie, I have watched parts of it several times on cable on a slow day at home.  It's funny, poignant, and honest in the emotions of a society that is still more prevalent today than anyone is probably comfortable admitting.  Plus, they serve up the 2nd grossest meal ever served in a mainstream drama, behind the bbq from Fried Green Tomatoes.

5) Lockout ~ Nice to see Guy Pearce as a good guy in an action flick.  It's a crisply executed, well-paced, funny action yarn where Pearce is a government agent sent to a space prison to rescue the President's daughter from rioting lunatics.  Much fun is had by all involved as Pearce attempts to clear his name while saving the girl's life.

4) Tucker & Dale vs Evil ~ I saw this one in January of last year, and it has weathered the storm of nearly all-comers to remain on the Top 10.  If you want to see a horror-comedy that gives an endearing wink, smile and hug to the horror genre, then look no further.  It's scary without being gruesome.  It's funny without being stupid.  And it has the greatest chainsaw scene in the history of cinema as well.    Streaming on Netflix!

3) Arthur Christmas ~ The 2nd animated flick is a delightful British tale of Santa's family and how they take care of Christmas.  Arthur is Santa's youngest son, and a bit of a screw-up.  When he discovers that one child was left behind, he defies his older brother and attempts to get that gift under the tree before daybreak.  Sweet and charming.  And a new holiday staple in our household.

2) The Amazing Spider-Man ~ Going into this film, I didn't think the movie had to reboot.  I was happy enough that Spidey had been recast, but so be it.  It blew me away and made me realize that THIS is the way the Spider-franchise should be.  Sadly, that means that Spidey won't be reverting to Marvel Studios anytime soon, but at least it appears to be in good hands.  This would have been the # 1 movie of the year for me if not for...

1) The Avengers ~ 'Nuff Said!

: )

My childhood dream of seeing them on the big screen was fulfilled. 
It was the first time I'd gone to a theater on opening weekend in a decade.

Yes, it was the best movie of the year... by a mile!


Looking forward to what treasures await me in 2013!!!


Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Outsourcing Retirement at "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

Here's a charming drama that is poignant, funny, sweet, sad and touching, all parts equally, and often at the same time.

The plot in a nutshell:

A diverse group of retired Brits decide that their retirement income will stretch farther in the wild climes of India moreso than in their beloved British countryside.  Enticed by the brochure for the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, each reaches out to make the move, some with trepidation, some with great anticipation.  All of the seniors meet at the airport and then begin to bond by their collective experience that they share at the Hotel, which may not be everything that was promised to them in the brochure, but sometimes, that can be better than what was promised.

Featuring some of England's finest seniors, including Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Dame Judi Dench, the stories and reasons for each of the Brits making the sojourn to India is reasonable and makes sense.  Their stories will grab the audience in different ways, but grab you they will.

Of course, not to be overlooked would be India, as a very bustling character in the movie itself.  The shots can be as dizzying to the audience as they are to the Brits as they try and cope with their newfound home.  Some will acclimate better than others.

Then, there is the hotel's owner, who very much has his own story to tell.  His is the glue and passion that holds the movie together as he interconnects with the guests in his hotel to try and fulfill 2 generations of dreams, against seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

While the old folks think they have reached the end of their journey, they might be as surprised to find out that they still have a few things to teach and learn as well.

It's a very well crafted movie, and highly entertaining.

Recommended!

4 out of 5 on the Netflix Scale.