Movies

Updated May 8, 2012 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

This is a truly funny warm hearted film...young and old will enjoy the story of seven financially distressed English men and women of retirement age who are lured by the misleading brochure for the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in Jaipur, India, a retreat for "the elderly and beautiful" ---where they can retire comfortably --or so it would seem. It is a life-altering trip to warmer climes  and we get to know the backstory of the seven Brits who mistakingly  expect they will reitre in luxury in thsi colorful spot. With such stalwarts as Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkerson and Bill Nighy you know you're in for a good time  as they grumble at first ,but then take it all in stride and begin to flourish in their adopted surroundings. Directed by John Madden(Shakespeare in Love)He manges to interweave their individual stories and bring it all into cohesive focus.  Many laughs, some wonderful colorful shots of bustling Jaipur and amidst the chaos, there is a sweet poignant touch that proves its never too late to leave your comfort zone and explore new horizons. Who said there's nothing for older folks to relate to in cinema these days!

Monsieur Lazhar 

One of the foreign films (in French) nominated for an Oscar in the Foreign Language category, this is an extordinarily touching piece adapted by writer-director Phillippe Falardeau. Sentimental and rife with humanity, the story of an Algerian immigrant (comic Fellag) who takes over as a substitute teacher in a Montreal classroom of traumatized kids after the on-site suicide of their teacher. The story is told without embellishment and the lives of not only the teacher but the kids are finally brought out simply  and with clarity.How ech of their individual lives connect with each other. Very moving. 

The Three Stooges

Thank the Farrelly brothers for bringing back the zany actions of Hollywood's  slapstick comic trio that held sway during the early days of cinema.  Never a big fan of the head banging, pie throwing eye gouging shtick, it's not my cup of tea, but I must admit ,but in the spirit of the Stooges, ( now played by  Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso) the film captures the wild and wacky ear with panache. The Farrelly brothers were big fans of the Stooges, and  they give them their proper due.