The Secret Life of Bees

This movie is not for everyone. If you can make it past the first 20 minutes and the last 15 minutes, it is a delightful story. For those of us who did not grow up in the South East United States this is a stark, harsh, painful reminder of what life was life for a large portion of the population in the 50s, 60s and beyond.

If you are tough and stick it through the rough beginning, you are in for a delightful middle. I think this is at least a two-tissue-box movie. Laughter and crying are the staples and you go from one to the other rather quickly.

The characters are easy to relate to for some reason. I've very little in common with any of them and yet I totally enjoyed this story. It truly is a good story, very well told.

Dakota Fanning showed her colors here, and that is no pun. Queen Latifah continues to rise on my favorites list. For whatever reason I enjoy each of her performances than her last. Keep going girl. Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys also make passable efforts here, but nothing special from either.

How did Paul Bettany get this role? Were there no real redneck low-lifes available? Why did the Hollywood suits think it best to use a Brit to play a peach-growing-wife-beater from bassakwards Georgia? Maybe the same guys who figured Renee Zellweger could be a London hottie? Thought so.

Watch this movie with your Mom, your Sister, your Daughter, or your Wife.

Sex In The City: The Movie

If you were a fan of the series you will enjoy this movie. It is true to form and tracks very will with where the series left off. If you did not see the series, it does not matter. They do a very good job of explaining who is whom. If you didn't like the series, you may not like this movie. However, in my opinion, this movie was better than the series. Better story. Better acting.

Sarah Jessica Parker remains the center character as before, but they do a great job of character development for all the main folks. Plus they bring in Jennifer Hudson who is perfect for her role and does at least one song for the soundtrack. All the original cast returned and that added continuity was added hugely to my enjoyment as an avid fan of the series.

The full-length format for was also a big bonus. Having more than an hour to work with allowed them to really give us a look into the lives and stories of these 4 women. The extra time gave them a chance to show a wider range of emotions. Well done!

Watch this movie with the same folks you watched the series.