Movie Reviews

by Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin

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Take the Lead

With Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, John Ortiz

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4.5

Based on the same true story as Mad Hot Ballroom (2005), here is another inspiring tale of underprivileged teenage lives being transformed. Antonio Banderas is charismatic as the passionate New York City ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine, teaching much more than dancing, as these kids blend ballroom and their own unique hip-hop style, they are also subconsciously learning valuable life lessons about pride, respect, self-esteem and honor. Even though the elements of the story are familiar, the meaning, enthusiasm and vision make it worthwhile (1 hr 57 min).

The Terminal

With Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chi McBride, Stanley Tucci, Diego Luna

Entertainment: 4.5 Message: 4

Tom Hanks is terrific as a traveler stuck in the nowhere zone between countries. Demonstrating strength of character and depth of soul, this unlikely hero makes the best of his bizarre situation, literally camping out at this New York airport, making friends and foes along the way. Sound like he’s just killing time? He is his own person, on a mission, and the results are captivating. Powerful messages throughout (2 hrs 8 min).

Thank You for Smoking

With Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4.5

Got a light? This delightful spoof takes on such a serious subject, leaving only a slight nicotine stain. The players breathe life into the otherwise depressing topic of greed meets denial, ethics meets marketing, showing the irony of earning a profit by promoting a product that can kill you. Caution: You made find yourself laughing when it’s not politically correct! This witty satire is clever in surprising ways, playing devil’s advocate and letting you in on “how the enemy thinks,” coughing all the way to the bank (1 hr 32 min).

Transamerica

With Felicity Huffman, Kevin Zegers, Fionnula Flanagan, Graham Greene

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4

"Transamerica’s Felicity Huffman (best Actor Oscar) is a man who feels compelled to become a woman (yes, a woman playing a man who is becoming fully a woman … if it sounds confusing, imagine how Huffman felt!). There’s a surprising lightheartedness and uplifting spirit to this road trip odyssey that speaks clearly and passionately on many levels. The film humanizes and brings forward compassion for the difficult choices and life changes faced by transgendered individuals, and reveals how much of our identity is tied to being decidedly male or female (1 hr 43 min).

Two Brothers

Entertainment: 4 Message: 3

Magical and enchanting, through jungles filled with sacred temples (filmed in Cambodia and Thailand), this beautiful film features the misadventures of awesome tigers that will touch and inspire you to protect these magnificent creatures. The stars are truly the tigers, and brilliant actors they are. There are some difficult moments in this film when tigers are in harm’s way, nature lovers of any age will cherish the experience (1 hr 49 min).