First Position

Deb 7           Me 8

It seems like we've sen a lot of dance movies in the last few years and a whole lot of these competition films. This is another one that follows the successful formula laid down several years back. And its good. Charming and talented young people trying to do the best they can, either to satisfy an inner passion or fulfill the dreams of a crazed and inadequate parent. I've really come to appreciate the strength, dedication and physical power of dancers, really amazing. Their strength is such that they can toss each other around like rag dolls and done without the bulk of wrestlemania. 

This film follows the paths of a diverse cast of dancers through to an international contest where they compete in their age category. Their stories are varied and interesting and of course they're all good looking. My only gripe is that the footage of the actual competition is just horrible. I mean BAD. All the action has a digital strobe going on, so a kids arm might be in two places in the same frame. The director went with dissolves instead of cuts from camera to camera so you get the feeling time has passed between angles, only to find its confusingly real time. There's no excuse for it and turns a top flight effort into the look of a Jr. High class project. 

But I liked it fine.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Deb 9         Me 9

I didn’t expect to like this movie. First of all it’s English. I usually have trouble understanding what they’re saying and the references and humor often escape me. The movie is filled with English stars and I figured it to be a sort of Oceans 11 for old limies. And I’m no fan of India, Its over run by monkeys and too busy, crowded and chaotic for my taste. They still endorse the caste system, one of the most horrible strikes against human rights; where humans count for less than cattle. Although it’s not their fault, I resent that we send our jobs there.

But it’s a really good little movie. The cast lives up to their living legend status. There are new people too and they do a swell job. It’s a good-looking movie, I’m guessing it was shot on location and has the same sort of old world charm that Cuba offers. But there’s a story there, actually about seven stories that are all interesting and connected like different flowers in a garden. Its not a travelogue, as many of these things turn out to be and its not an overly preachy story about old people, but offers a valid message in an entertaining and effective way. I think you outta see it.