Movie Review: McFarland USA - Sunday, March 15, 2015

On Saturday night, March 14, Bob took me to dinner at Red Lobster after I finished work. Our meal was very good and the service was excellent. (Our original intent was to eat dinner at Olive Garden, but the number of people waiting outside the restaurant nixed that idea. At Red Lobster, which is next door, we had only to wait for one couple to be seated before us.)

After dinner, we had a spectacular sunset...

Sunday afternoon was our movie date to see "McFarland USA," starring Kevin Costner. While you may think, "Oh, it's just another Kevin Costner sports movie, this one about a high school cross country team," you'd be remiss if you didn't see it. The cross-country story line, while an anchor point in the story, is only a fraction of what this movie is about.

Be prepared to laugh, to cry, to have your perceptions changed, to learn about family and community, to understand determination, what it takes to be winners, and to enjoy a well-written, heartfelt story.

The actors did a terrific job. They made it feel like the true story on which it was based.

Bob enjoyed it as much as I did, or should I say, since it's a "sports movie," I enjoyed it as much as Bob did.

Draft Day Movie Review - Sun., Apr.27

Continued from previous blog ...

On our way home from Wimberley, we stopped to see "Draft Day" with Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner. I am not a football fan and have never understood the game, but I loved this movie. The focus of "Draft Day" is on the NFL Draft and the wheeling and dealing that leads up to the draft picks. I even learned some things.

Thoughts and feelings of the players, coaches, owners and general managers were addressed as well as the immense pressure and tension placed upon the general managers of the teams involved. I found the offers and deals to be fascinating. Many strategies were involved.

Kevin Costner did a decent acting job and Jennifer Garner was her charming self, although I felt her character wasn't given a lot of depth. I hated the coach but respected the way Kevin Costner, as General Manager, handled him.

One way I judge movies now is whether or not they put me to sleep. This movie did not make me sleep. I was fully engaged with the story and the characters.

I give this four out of five stars.