Phil sees THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL at the Camera 7-July 7, 2012

Hello again my faithful readers! There is nothing better in life than sleeping in late on a Saturday morning.  But what's even better than that is seeing a movie over at the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Campbell! So after sleeping in late from my Midnites for Maniacs the previous night, I bolted for Camera 7 to see director John Madden's latest film THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

The film's about a group of British seniors who become enticed with an advertisement that suggests that they should spend their last days living in an inexpensive and restored Marigold hotel in India: widowed housewife Evelyn (Judi Dench), former high court judge Graham (Tom Wilkinson), married couple Jean (Penelope Wilton) and Doug (Bill Nighy), retired housekeeper Muriel (Maggie Smith), wealthy husband hunter Madge (Celia Imrie), and aging player Norman (Ronald Pickup). However, once the guest arrive, they discover that the hotel is not as restored as they thought it was, but manager Sonny (Dev Patel) has high expectations for his hotel. Once settled in, they soon explore their new surroundings, and are forever transformed by their experiences of living in their new home. Soon, they all realize that all their lives were just beginning.

Madden came to world wide acclaim with films like SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, PROOF, and THE DEBT. With this film, he treats the issue senior citizens in their twilight years as real people; they have real feelings. Some are scared when they arrive to their new home, but being in India gives them the idea of living life to its fullest. He treats the issue with respect and poses the idea that life isn't over when you grow old.

The entire cast was fabulous in the film. But then again, with an ensemble cast like this, how could you go wrong? Now I could go into detail about these fine actors and actresses, but it would take way too long to tell you all just how fantastic they all are! So let me tell you this: Amazing actors, amazing actresses, amazing location, and amazing director makes this an amazing film!

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is a marvelous film that transcends age, race, upbringing, and background. It reminds us that growing old doesn't mean it's the end of your life, rather it's just the beginning. 4 out of 5 stars!

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil goes Hollywood, Part 4: Phil sees ATTACK THE BLOCK at the ArcLight Cinemas-Sept. 8, 2011

Yesterday in Huntington Beach, it was HOT! DAMN HOT!! The kind of hot that makes you melt! Now I thought being in HB, it wouldn't get that hot, being that it's near the Pacific Ocean. Nevertheless, it was hot yesterday! So searching for a way to beat the heat, I went to see the new British sci-fi film ATTACK THE BLOCK at the ArcLight Cinemas on Sunset Ave.

In this very clever film, a nurse named Sam (Jodie Wittaker) is heading back home in a shady neighborhood in Lower London when she is attacked by a local teenage street gang, led by a boy named Moses (John Boyega). After robbing her, they encounter a strange beam of light that crashes down and out comes a monstrous-looking alien. Naturally, Moses defends his turf and kills the alien, which brings the rest of them to his block. Now he must protect his gang and his block (as well as Sam who he turns to for help) from the alien invasion as well as from drug lord Hi-Hatz (Jumayn Hunter). And the only safe place is in the weed vault at their friend Ron's (Nick Frost) apartment.

The film was a fast paced, sci-fi/action, urban city invasion mesh-up that Hollywood could take a few notes from. Now Hollywood has made a couple of films with this kind of setting (the 1991 sequel PREDATOR 2 comes to mind), but it didn't have this kind of script, which is fast, funny, witty, and full of interesting characters. Now being a British film, you must get past the very thick accents and sometimes unpronounceable dialects. Now since I've been watching British TV shows and films since I was but a wee little lad, I understood what they were saying. To the typical American googleplex movie goer, it might sound like people talking with their mouth full of marbles. However, once you get past that slight hurdle, the film is a real treat and very entertaining.

This was the film debut for director Joe Cornish (who is one half of the cult broadcasting duo Adam and Joe) and the man hit it out of the park. He was able to blend two totally different genres together to create a fantastic film that, hopefully, will be embraced by fans who loved Edgar Wright's 2004 film debut SHAUN OF THE DEAD. The film contains that same British wit and humor and also has enough action and violence to satisfy horror fans. Plus throw in the "big alien gorilla wolf monster" creatures and you've got your sci-fi fix as well. Also, fans of Nick Frost, he has but a small part in the film, but when the camera is on him, he is hilarious!

The film also touches on some social issues that are taking place in Britain. Urban violence, drug issues, violence against women, and government housing are just some examples that I noticed in the film. Issues that we here in America know all too well. Again, kudos to Cornish for taking a chance with bringing to light these social topics.

ATTACK THE BLOCK is a smart, funny, action packed, urban, sci-fi thriller that really delivers the goods and then goes beyond that. So to all you fans of everything British, rush out and go see this movie, before the Queen has it deported back.

ATTACK THE BLOCK is playing at the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood. To view showtimes, visit their website at https://www.arclightcinemas.com/ArcLight/faces/Home.jsp

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!