The Best of Me

PG-13
Starring: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato and Gerald McRaney
Running Time: 1 Hour and 57 Minutes

This is a movie based on the very popular Nicholas Sparks New York Times Bestseller book, "The Best of Me". The story of two long-lost star-crossed lovers who reunite after twenty-one years.
The characters, Dawson (James Marsden) and Amanda (Michelle Monaghan) originally met while both were in High school in Louisiana. Their younger characters were portrayed by Luke Bracey as Dawson and Liana Liberato as Amanda. The movie continued to switch back and forth between the older long-lost lovers and the younger high school characters.
This is your basic story of the wealthy young debutante and the rough and tumble bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks meeting and falling desperately in love with one another.
Young Dawson is raised by his father and two older brothers. They are criminals and they deal in illegal activity. His father is terribly abusive to him! He is continually a victim of beatings and violence. He is actually a very good young man with aspirations to rise above the garbage and overcome all that he has been exposed to.
On the other hand young Amanda is a child of privilege who has been raised by two loving parents who love her dearly and just want the very best for her.
They continue to date and spend time with each other.
The night of their prom, there is a horrible event that will change their lives forever. After his father and brothers go to attack and beat up a wonderful older man named Tuck, (Gerald McRaney) who has befriended Dawson, taken him in for food and shelter, Dawson is also confronted by them! In a fit of rage Dawson seeks them out and takes out a rifle and accidentally shoots his best friend and kills him! He is devastated and he is sent to prison!
Amanda never gives up on Dawson. She goes every week to visit him in prison. He refuses to see her, he does not want to drag her down!
She has no choice but to move forward with her life. She goes on to attend college and meets another young man and gets married and has a family.
Dawson on the other hand serves out his sentence and lives a very lonely life.
When the old man Tuck dies, he awards Dawson and Amanda his estate.
They are reunited at the reading of Tucks will and discover that they still have strong feelings for each other.
I actually liked this movie. I thought it was good but a little bit sappy. It is a total "chick flick"!
I found the abuse and the beatings Dawson endured very difficult to watch. There were also some sexual scenes between the two that got a little heated as well. I had a tough time with the adultery! Also, I didn't think the younger Dawson was a very good match for the older Dawson, they looked nothing alike.
Parents be advised: this is definitely NOT a movie for any age children! It is rated PG-13, but it is a really hard PG-13. Very adult subject matter. I don't think this movie is appropriate for young adults under the age of 17. The F-bomb is also dropped once.
I am giving " The Best of Me" three bags of popcorn.

ALEXANDER and the Terrible, Horrible, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY

PG
Starring: Steve Carrell, Jennifer Garner, Ed Oxenbould, Dylan Minnette, Kerris Dorsey, Elise and Zoey Vargas and Jennifer Coolidge
Running Time: 1 Hour and 21 Minutes

Disney has not had a live-action comedy movie for a long time. I just went into this movie thinking it was going to be rather lame and had no real expectations for it. It is based off of the very popular children's book written by Judith Viorst in 1972.
Well, boy was I wrong! I have not laughed that much in a movie for a very long time! I had so much fun at this movie, it was just plain, silly fun.
This is the story of your basic all American family on a typical or not so typical day. Young Alexander is turning twelve years old and he gets lost in the shuffle.  Everyone is so busy with their own life and goings on that he feels very unimportant. Even his friends at school don't seem interested in him or his big birthday bash.
Steve Carrell stars as Ben Cooper, the unemployed stay-at-home father or "fommy" as he is fondly referred as. Jennifer Garner stars as the employed and very busy mother of four. Newcomer Ed Oxenbould stars as the overlooked and underestimated Alexander who believes he jinxes everyone or everything he comes into contact with!  Dylan Minnette stars as Anthony, the teenage older brother trying to pass his drivers test in time to drive his date to the Prom. Kerris Dorsey stars as Emily, the older sister with a terrible cold who is cast as Peter Pan in her school play. Then you have the baby (Elise and Zoey Vargas) who star as the baby.
It is Alexander's twelfth birthday and his family is in for the ride of their life.
I found this movie to be entertaining and it held my interest. I enjoyed the story and his family's ultimate camaraderie. It was actually quite sweet and touching. I laughed and had a very fun time at this movie.
Parents be advised: There were some male dancers but they quickly changed their style of dance to accommodate children.
I am giving "ALEXANDER and the Terrible, Horrible NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY"  three and a half bags of popcorn.

Meet The Mormons

PG
Documentary
Running time:1 Hour and 18 Minutes

There has been a lot of hype about this documentary style full length movie, the very first of its kind to be released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was promoted heavily during this past General Conference weekend. Well I'm happy to say that it definitely lived up to all the hype!
The movie starts out with LDS comedian Jenna Kim Jones walking through Times Square in New York City asking people what they think "Mormons" are and what they believe. Trying to help to dispel the myth that "Mormons" are NOT  Christians the movie gives in depth stories of six people and their families. It details their diverse lifestyles in various places around the world. It features Jermaine Sullivan, a Bishop from Atlanta, Georgia, Bishnu Adhikari, a humanitarian from Nepal, Ken Niumatalolo, head football coach for The Naval Academy in Bethesda, Maryland, 94 year old Gail Halvorsen, The Berlin Candy Bomber from Arizona, Carolina Munoz Marin, a kick boxer from Costa Rica and missionary mom, Dawn Armstrong from Utah. All with very unique, rich,  compelling and beautiful stories.
I found this documentary to be very realistic and genuine. I feel like these individuals are very sincere and truly believe in their religion and they base their lives on the principles that it stands for.
I was impressed with their work ethic and devotion to the causes for which they stand! I especially enjoyed the missionary mom Dawn Armstrong having sent off a missionary myself, I could relate to her strong emotion. I also loved the music and especially the awesome song "Glorious" by David Archuleta.
I wholeheartedly support and encourage others to view this movie for themselves. You will be touched and inspired beyond measure!
Parents be advised: 81 minutes of family time well shared!
I am giving "Meet The Mormons" four bags of popcorn.