Everyone Can Always Use a Little Bit of "The Help"

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

The Story:

In the mid 1960s in Jackson Mississippi, there's a change coming.  Skeeter (Emma Stone) wants to be a writer, and has an idea that she pitches to her editor in New York (Mary Steenburgen).  She wants a first-hand account of what the black maids in Jackson feel about their life, and about raising the children of the white folk in town.  At first, Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer) are the only maids to come forward, but through the deplorable actions of Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard) and others, soon they all want to help Skeeter, and they tell their stories.  Then a book is published and the world as they all knew it will never be the same again.

Yes, I enjoyed this movie immensely.  It was one of my Ten Best from 2012, yet it never had a proper review last year, so I aim to rectify that today.  I have now seen it several times, and it gets better with each viewing.

It's thought-provoking but never insulting.  The relationships between the southern whites and their help ring true and not contrived.  Many felt love and affection for the extended members of their families, yet generations of that lifestyle ensured that the majority of people grew up...and grew apart from the very women who actually raised them.  In many cases, doing a better job than their own mothers.

The movie also doesn't sugar-coat the race relations of the south in the 60s.  Every action that any character takes in this film, regardless of color, has repercussions, both large and small.  They often affect many other characters, just by association.  I've heard complaints that the movie portrays the life of the help as not that bad, and should have been more turbulent and violent, like the 60s.  I counter that such a thing would have ruined the whole point of this movie, which was a quiet, gentle revolution.

In the end, what you do come to realize is that some people are simply ignorant and/or evil, regardless of color. 

Hilly Holbrook, I'm looking at you.

She is evil personified, and it is glorious to see her reaction as she is called out on it. Yet at the end of the day, she wins, and it is ultimately heartbreaking.

When Aibileen is forced to say goodbye to Mae at the end of the film, well, that one scene gets me every time.

I highly encourage you to give it a spin if you've never watched it before.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Immeasurably rewatchable.  I have yet to purchase it, but due to a fairly steady rotation on cable, I haven't found a need to.  Yet.  : )

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!!!!