PeterG
Well-Known Member
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I watched "Whip It" a while back. It's the roller-derby comedy-drama which was Drew Barrymore's first (and only) directing gig. I seem to remember it as a bit of a flop, so I didn't have much of an expectation of it. So I was very pleasantly surprised. It does have an understated feel to it, even though there are big moments both dramatically and comedically. Dramatic thanks to Marcia Gay Harden and Ellen Page as mother and daughter (and Daniel Stern who is also great as the husband/father). And comedically thanks to Page again as well as Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Andrew Wilson as the coach, Alia Shawkat as Page's best friend and Barrymore doing double-duty in a supporting role in addition to directing the movie. And Jimmy Fallon has some funny bits, but he's kinda creepy as much as funny (but that's kind of the role)! Overall I found the movie to be quite involving and great as both a family drama as well as a sports comedy. But my biggest thought about the movie is that it's a shame that Barrymore hasn't directed more movies. And that Page isn't getting as many big movie roles as she deserves. Oh, and the scene where the tough Juliette Lewis puts it to tiny, meek Page...who is not afraid and gives it right back to her. I had to re-watch that fierce scene many times! 
It's good to watch with kids, but not one I'd overly recommend if it's just for you. Unless you loooove animated movies and/or those who are in the cast.
Hey, no reason we can't have this conversation now! To me, there's lots of different ways for a man to be sexy. It can be purely physical. It can be how he carries himself...or being a man of character...or a man unafraid to face overwhelming obstacle. It can be a pretty broad topic in my opinion. My library has that Marc Singer TV-Movie you mentioned, just put a hold on it. I'll get back to you on it!

Amazon just sent a promo offering me a free digital download of Kung Fu Panda. I've never seen the movie. Is it worth the time?
It's good to watch with kids, but not one I'd overly recommend if it's just for you. Unless you loooove animated movies and/or those who are in the cast.
Someday we should have a discussion on what makes a man in film, tv or on stage sexy. Re Magic Mike: There was all of that skin in both films and yet I go back to an old stage version of "The Taming of the Shrew" and remember how incredibly sexy I thought this particular Petruchio was when he was trying to woo Katherine. His name was Marc Singer and he was in a few films and tv shows but on that night on that stage he was HOT--much more than any guy trying so hard to be sexy imho--like in Magic Mike...
Hey, no reason we can't have this conversation now! To me, there's lots of different ways for a man to be sexy. It can be purely physical. It can be how he carries himself...or being a man of character...or a man unafraid to face overwhelming obstacle. It can be a pretty broad topic in my opinion. My library has that Marc Singer TV-Movie you mentioned, just put a hold on it. I'll get back to you on it!
