Saturday Matinee

Me Before You

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you became a paraplegic?

This movie is about Will, a cantankerous and bitter young man who has recently become a paraplegic. Louisa is hired to be Will’s assistant. Will objects to Louisa’s presence in his home. But, Louisa is tough, and she refuses to take Will’s objections seriously. She sticks it out because she needs the job.

I loved seeing how both of these characters grew and matured. Will and Louisa come to an understanding and  and their lives drastically change.

Louisa is determined to make this work and she’s not a quitter. She also questions her relationship with her boyfriend. Is he the right man for her?

I think Will is surprised when he actually opens up and starts to trust Louisa.

I hated the ending. Seriously. But, I guess it’s difficult to judge how someone deals with a situation when one has not been in that situation him/herself.

So, have you ever wondered what life would be like if you became a paraplegic? I can’t even begin to imagine that….

Saturday Matinee

New In Town 

Have you ever relocated to a new town and felt like an alien among your new neighbors?

When Lucy’s job sends her from Miami to a cold Minnesota town to restructure a manufacturing plant, she’s stunned when she meets the town’s inhabitants. She’s from a warm city and these are gossipy, nosy, country folk. She doesn’t care for the union representative for the plant employees (Ted).

The town doesn’t know if they can trust Lucy, after all, their livelihoods are in her hands. The plant provides lots of jobs and they don’t want Lucy to cut any of their jobs.

I really loved seeing this small town. It was so realistic and sweet. I especially loved how Blanche took Lucy under her wing and became her friend (as well as her secretary). I loved seeing the townsfolk socialize and look out for one another. I also loved seeing the budding feelings between Lucy and Ted. Such a sweet story.

I really loved seeing how Blanche’s secret tapioca pudding became central to the plot. I love tapioca! I wanted to taste her secret recipe!

So, have you ever relocated to a new town and felt like an alien among your new neighbors?

Saturday Matinee

The Choice

Have you ever fallen in love, even though your love interest seems to be the wrong choice for a mate?

The Choice is a love story that is based on a Nicolas Sparks novel (no, I’ve never read the book). When Gabby meets Travis, her new neighbor, she’s irritated because he appears to be a jerk, playing his music too loud. When Gabby’s medical doctor boyfriend goes out of town, this story takes an interesting turn.

The attraction between Gabby (a medical student) and Travis (a vet) is a classic example of opposites attract. When I first started watching this movie, I was bored. But, the movie got better as the attraction between Travis and Gabby deepens and then there was someone who objected to their relationship.

I loved seeing the scenes on the water. Seeing folks hanging out with friends, having a good time, made for some pleasurable viewing.

Travis falls HARD for Gabby. He even takes her for a boat ride to show her his secret island. Gabby struggles to accept Travis’s love. Is it right for them to continue dating, in spite of her circumstances?

I loved seeing the animals in this movie. It’s so cute to see how animals can play a part in bringing two people together.

Overall, a good movie. I was NOT expecting that traumatic event near the end. I don’t want to say what happens because it’ll spoil the film for you.

So, have you ever fallen in love, even though your love interest seems to be the wrong choice for a mate?

Saturday Matinee

The Dressmaker

Have you ever had a childhood experience that haunted your life?

When Tilly returns to her childhood home in the secluded Australian outback, she’s changed…a lot. She’s now a successful dressmaker and the ladies in town are clamoring for her to make them a new dress. The town has little access to fashionable clothes and Tilly is their ticket to looking beautiful for their beaus.

But, Tilly is not in town to make dresses. She approaches her mom, desperate to recall the details to a murder which she’s forgotten. Perhaps being back in this God-forsaken town will jog her memory.

Tilly also connects with Teddy, a sympathetic childhood friend who develops a soft spot for her.

I really enjoyed this movie. The movie showed how rotten and unforgiving people can be, but, also you saw people jump to Tilly’s defense to help solve the details of the murder mystery. There were so many emotions packed in this movie: love, hate, fear. A tragic event happens that I was NOT expecting. It’s difficult to talk more about the emotions without giving spoilers.

This movie had me mesmerized from the beginning and the acting and the scenery was AMAZING! Such a treat to watch this film and I highly recommend it.

Kate Winslet is one of my favorite actresses – due in part to her acting in Titanic (my all-time favorite movie). Kate and the rest of the cast did great in this movie.

So, have you ever had a childhood experience that haunted your life?