Movies - Some Hits, Some Misses

Now that we are able to do our long rides outdoors, our volume of movie watching has decreased. We still have 2 or 3 indoor seesions each week, though, so while we are still making our way through 24: Season 2 [yes, Kim still annoys me] & The Sopranos (Season 2), here are some of the other movies we've seen in the past month:

Workout May 18, 2009:
Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School [2005]
This film compiles an all-star cast to tell an emotional story about life, love, and destiny. Frank Keane is a man who has been in a deep depression ever since his wife passed away. One day while driving, Frank sees an accident.

He investigates the scene to see if he can help and meets a dying stranger, who tells Frank that he was headed to a dance school in order to reunite with a woman he loved many years before. Frank decides to attend the dance school, and becomes involved with a variety of people.

This is an unassuming little film that kept us entertained during our workout (run-time is about 1 hour 45 minutes). For such a little movie the cast is remarkable – John Goodman, Mary Steenburgen, Donnie Wahlberg, Marisa Tomei, Sean Astin . . . and more! There really isn’t much dancing, but a nice story and some characters that I actually didn’t mind inviting into the house for 90 minutes.

Pour a nice glass of wine, curl up on the sofa, relax and enjoy. Recommended - 3 stars out of 5.

Workout May 28, 2009:
Transporter 2 [2005]

Driver and muscle for hire Frank Martin returns in this sequel to the 2002 box-office hit.

Jason Statham scores another one for the world of outrageous, high-action cinema. There's a juicy villain and plenty of scenes with "The Transporter" fighting crowds of guys with everything in sight (the best being the fire hose scene). Audiences are in for a wild case of deadly serums, smooth suits, and villains.

Perfect 90 minute run-time for our high cadence workout this morning, but I did not find it as entertaining as the original. Beats watching the Channel 7 weather and recaps of the Nuggets Game 5 playoff loss to the Lakers . . . but don't run out to rent this one.

2 stars out of 5 - mostly because, hey, let's face it - Jason Statham is a hottie!!

Workout June 16, 2009:
Bullrider [2005] [run-time 88 min.]
For anyone who ever wondered about the adrenaline rush that comes while you're sitting atop 2000 pounds of thrashing muscle and fury, this film offers an adrenaline-pumping look at the life of a professional bull rider. The members of the Professional Bull Riders Inc. (PBR) put their lives on the line in the name of entertainment, and every night they work could be their last.

This film follows the top three riders on the planet as they prepare to take part in the world championship and vie for the million dollar prize. Both in the arena and out, these modern day gladiators never allow their determination to waver - even for a second.

This is related to Adrenaline Cowboys: Eight Seconds to Glory, which we watched during Ty Murray's improbable run at the title on Dancing With the Stars.

The film features Adriano Moraes, a Brazilian cowboy looking for his 3rd world title; Mike Lee, the new kid on the block; and Justin McBride. The life of a professional bull rider makes nearly every other professional athlete look pampered. These guys only get a paycheck if they compete (and place). Playing hurt is the only option for most of them - torn biceps, dislocated shoulders, concussions and broken noses/cheekbones/eye sockets/legs . . .

Willy Nelson was speaking the truth when he said "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys."

Falls nicely into the "Inspirational Sports Movie" category we fall back on during many of our workouts.

I don' think I'd rent it to watch if I was lounging in an easy chair, but perfect to keep our minds occupied during a workout. 2.5 stars out of 5.