A United Kingdom is a lovely film and inspiring true story

Movie Title:  A United Kingdom

Grade:  A-

Rating:  PG-13, 111 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Based on a true story, this lovely film illustrates how love and reason can change a crazy world.  Bula! 

If you’d like to know more about the real people in this story, you can read Colour Bar: A United Kingdom by Susan Williams.

Uplifting theme: 

• Duty, honor, sacrifice, patience, tolerance, patriotism
• Love
• “We should not be fighting for segregation.  We should be fighting for equality.” – Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo)
• “Africa can never be free until all those who live in her, white and black, recognize that race must have no bearing on equality and justice.” – Seretse Khama  
• “Opposition is one thing, Mr. Khama; the realities of government are quite another.” – Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport)
• “You have to be strong.  You have a voice.  Use it.” – Naledi (Terry Pheto)
• “No man is free who is not master of himself.” – Seretse
• “It is time!” - Seretse

Things I liked:

• I had never even heard of Bechuanland.  Have you?  In 1966, it achieved independence and is now known as the Republic of Botswana.  I'm always happy to learn new things in movies.
• I love seeing a proper marriage proposal when the man gets on one knee.  Well done, Seretse.  Nelson Mandela described the marriage between Seretse and Ruth as “a shining beacon of light and inspiration.”   Wouldn’t that be amazing to have someone describe your marriage and legacy like that?
• David Oyelowo is absolutely fantastic in this. How about an Oscar for him?  I also loved him in Selma.  Great movie. 
• Rosamund Pike is great in this also.  She was crazy good in Gone Girl too, crazy being the key word in that sentence. Her subtle expressions say so much.
• Director Amma Asante has a bright future.
• The scene where the women sing a song to Ruth was so touching.
• I thought it was funny when Ruth's parents said, “Mind yourself!” and “Come back a missionary!” when she left the house.

Things I didn’t like:

·       There are some very ugly racial slurs and prejudiced behavior.

·       I’ve never understood parents who refuse to see their children again if they do something they don’t like.

·    A lot of the Extras are terrible actors.  Then again, they're natives who aren't actors.

• It’s good to see Malfoy (Tom Felton) cast in another movie.  Unfortunately, he plays an equally cruel, weaselly snake in this film too.

   Interesting lines:

• “He scares me a bit…the way he makes me feel.” - Ruth
• “I know I will never achieve anything there if I leave my heart here.” – Seretse
• “We’ll take it moment by moment…together.” – Ruth
• “They’re trying to define us, based on their rules, their idea of the world how they see it.” – Seretse
• “Let’s not allow the ugliness of this world take away the joy from us.” – Seretse
• “Let him go.  We need him more than you.” – Naledi
• “We’ve misjudged this, haven’t we?”- Ruth
• “When a man tells a lie, he loses his dignity.” – Seretse

Funny lines:

• “Did I ever tell you I didn’t marry you just for your good looks?” – Seretse

“Liar.” – Ruth (as she pulls up her skirt to reveal her beautiful legs.)

Tips for parents: 

• Some profanity.
• Some violence, bullying, and racism.
• Talk to your children about apartheid and segregation.
• There is some skin shown during a honeymoon moment.
• Some subtitles.
• Young children will be bored, but Tweens will be interested in the love story and historical telling.

@trinaboice 

The Good Lie uplifts and inspires with its profound simplicity

Movie:  The Good Lie

PG-13, 1 hour 52 minutes

Grade: A-

In a Nutshell:  It’s very touching to watch the lives of these “Lost Boys” (and girls) from Sudan unfold.  I wanted to adopt them all. It’s truly heart-breaking what they had to endure to survive, walking hundreds of miles barefoot in search of safety and meaning. I love that some of the actors were actually “Lost Boy” refugees themselves. You get to see their pictures at the end of the movie.    

The title of this simple, yet uplifting movie comes from a phrase in Mark Twain’s book Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .”  A night school teacher asks her class what it means.  One of the students responds “Huck uses lies to survive in undesirable situations.”  But the lies change later in the story. Mamere offers insight by explaining that the lies change because Huck changes.  “When he tells the slave hunters that he has no slaves, his lie is credible, so he lies well.  But what is more important is that it is an unselfish lie that saves Jim.  Jim’s freedom means more to him than the money he would get for turning him in, so it is a good lie.”  Before the end of the movie, there are several “good lies” that will both break and warm your heart.

Things I liked:

• ·    The camera lingers on the actors’ faces so you can watch their emotions develop layers.
• ·         I thought it was really cute when the young men from Sudan discovered the “Why did the chicken cross the road” joke and kept laughing about it later.
• ·         I thought the movie was understated, especially considering the profoundly touching and powerful subject matter. Reese Witherspoon's character and role is also muted by the colorful story of the Lost Boys.

Things I didn’t like:

• ·         I enjoyed the movie very much.  What I didn’t like was seeing some of the ugly sides of humanity.  The world is full of horror and beauty.  One of the great challenges in life is to focus on the good and create more of it to outweigh the bad.
• ·         It would have been interesting to see more of how they lived in the refugee camp in Kenya for so many years.

Funny lines:

• ·         “Your survival skills are most impressive.”  - Mamere
•        “Um…thanks.”  - Carrie
• ·         “May you find a husband to fill your empty heart and home.” – Mamere
•        “I’ll work on that.”  - Carrie
• ·         “Man, I wish they wouldn’t do that.”  -  Jack (when he sees the Sudanese young men holding hands)

Interesting lines:

• ·         “I miss Sudan.”  - Jeremiah
•       “Why?”   - Carrie
•        “Because in Sudan you know what a lion looks like.”   - Jeremiah after dealing with a boss he disagrees with
• ·         The movie ends with this line: “If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.”  - African Proverb

Tips for Parents:

• ·         Some stupid, lazy Americans introduce one of the sweet Sudanese young men to drugs. 
• ·         It may be too slow-moving for young children, but teens can learn a lot about values, honor, Sudan, humanitarian aid, war, and sacrifice for others.
• ·         This film will make you want to do more.  Your family may want to discuss how you can help other refugees.  There are many organizations online that you can look into, as well as local churches that offer aid to those in camps abroad and who have recently arrived in America.   
• A lot of Americans get angry about all of the money and energy that is spent helping people abroad, especially when there are so many people in our own country who need help.  After you watch this movie, you'll be grateful that the good ole USA has done something to help ease suffering in the world.  It's an interesting and important question: Should we use our resources to help those outside our own boundaries and problems?  If we don't, who will?  

       To learn more about the refugee children of Sudan, check out these interesting stories:

Adam Sandler grows up just a bit in Blended

Movie Title:  Blended

PG-13, 1 hour 57 minutes

Grade:  B-

In a Nutshell:   

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are paired together in their third romantic comedy.  She seems to make him better. Despite Adam’s expected crass humor and offensive stereotypes, the film has some genuine laughs and several sweet moments and a family message.  I can’t believe Sandler was able to get me to shed a tear during this film.  In one scene, Drew Barrymore sings a sweet lullaby in a touching moment that surprised me. 

Uplifting theme: 

• "Love is a many blended thing."
• “Being a man ain’t about pissing and moaning about everything, but dealing with what’s in front of you.”  While that’s not exactly poetic, Adam Sandler offers a lesson to boys about how to be a man.
• “You gotta show up for your kids.  It’s gotta be boring how reliable parents are.”  Jim 
• Family is everything.

Things I liked:

• Terry Crews is hilarious and borderline disgusting in every film he does.  His character, Nickens, suddenly appears at random moments, dancing and chest-bouncing his way through scenes to the delight of the audience.
• I loved “visiting” Africa.  I’d love to have dinner under the stars underneath that beautiful canopy in Africa at the resort.
• Drew Barrymore is aging gracefully and looked beautiful in this film.
• Alyvia Lind is absolutely adorable and should have a bright future in Hollywood.
• Maybe Adam Sandler really is growing up.  He shot a scene with the kids laughing on a vibrating bed, rather than making it a dirty scene with predictable sex jokes.
• Riding an ostrich is on my Bucket List.  Now, vacationing at the Sun City Resort in South Africa is on that list too. 
• Adam Sandler is unexpectedly endearing when his daughter puts stickers all over his face.  Maybe this was inspired by a real life moment with his two daughters, Sunny and Sadie.
• Check out the animal carvings in the chair backs at the African resort dining area.

Things I didn’t like:

• Knowing your ticket purchase paid for Adam Sandler’s luxurious trip to Africa is a bit annoying. (Actually, I saw the movie for free, but I was still annoyed.)
• There was a lot of merchandising in the movie.  I wonder how much Hooters had to pay for their heavy advertising and prominent role in the flick.  I did think the Hooters monkey band was pretty funny though.  I’m assuming Adam Sandler selected Dick’s Sporting Goods for his film because he thought the name was hilarious.  Grow up Adam.
• The film abounds with ridiculously contrived scenarios.
• Have you ever seen a gigantic giraffe tongue?  Now you will.  Ick.
• I suppose it’s not a proper Adam Sandler flick without at least one Transvestite.

Funny lines:

• “I own him.”  - Lou tells Lauren about her ability to manipulate her dad.
• “You just scared a zebra stripe in my pants.”  - Jim
• “Three second rule!”  - Who knew that counts when you drop a kid?
• “You should Rufie her and shave her head.” – Jen
• “We both need this.”  - Jim when he fist bumps his daughter

Tips for parents:   Classic Adam Sandler fills this flick with sex jokes and inappropriate humor.  This is not a family-friendly film, despite being about blended families.  There are just too many things I would not want my young children to see or hear in this movie. Adam Sandler movies with Drew Barrymore: