A Series of Fortunate Movies

DH and I take advantage of seeing movie whenever we can. It's been a wonderful few movies because we all enjoyed them all. I even get to bring my baby to the movies so he won't have to miss a meal. In the order we saw them this week.

First, there was THE DEPARTED with Jack Nicholson, Leo Dicaprio and Matt Damon. It've very disconcerting to watch as I keep forgetting Matt is NOT Jason Bourne anymore. At least not here. Leo was fantastic. That boy can act!

IMDB trivia:
As research for his character's occupation, Matt Damon worked with a Massachusetts State Police unit out of Boston. He accompanied them on routine patrols, participated in a drug raid and was taught proper police procedures like how to pat down a suspect.

Second, was THE GUARDIAN with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. This film reminded me why I had such a huge crush on Kevin. You'll be drooling and breathless in this movie. The water scene are fantastic!

Best described as the US Coast Guard version of "Top Gun" with a little "An Officer and A Gentleman" thrown in, "The Guardian" is a passable diversion with the recognition of having parts of the aforementioned films. Kevin Costner plays an aging USCG rescue swimmer whose team is killed in a horrific rescue mission. Immediatley prior to this terrible event, his wife (Sela Ward) also announced that she cannot take anymore. His first love is always the rescue mission. This leaves Costner an obviously emotional wreck. His commender gives him a choice - quit or take a position as an instructor at the USCG training facility in Louisiana. Reluctantly he takes the position. Moving into the school, he immediately increases the 18 week curriculum that routinely fails half of the people that attend. Here he meets a young man (Ashton Kutcher) with unlimited potential, but with some secret that seems to hold him back as a team player. Delving into his past, links are found that make him a psychic twin to the older man. Thrown into the midst of the story is a romance with a local girl (Melissa Sagemiller). Rescue missions punctuate the beginning and end of the story with the training sessions the center of the film.

Summary written by John Sacksteder {jsackste@bellsouth.net}

Factual errors (Goof which won't spoil): Based upon published and televised procedures in Alaska - every fishing boat is required to prove to the Coast Guard that there are survival immersion suits for all members of the crew and that each crew member can get into their suit in less than a short period like 90 seconds. There are a number of scenes of rescues by the Coast Guard in Alaska where a number of the "rescuees" are not in survival suits even though the plot gives the impression that the crew being rescued had plenty of time to don their suits which would have prolonged their ability to survive until the Coast Guard Helicopter with the rescue swimmers could arrive.

Last night, we saw a third movie. JET LI'S FEARLESS.

Already a boxoffice hit in Asia, Jet Li's Fearless, directed by Ronny Yu (helmer of the Hong Kong classic The Bride with White Hair), is Jet Li's final martial arts masterpiece, capping a tremendous body of work in that genre. Jet Li's Fearless reunites the actor and martial arts superstar with producer Bill Kong (Hero) and action choreographer Yuen Wo Ping (Unleashed) as he portrays martial arts legend Huo Yuanjia, who became the most famous fighter in all of China at the turn of the 20th Century. Huo faced incredible personal tragedy but ultimately fought his way out of darkness and into history, forever defining the true spirit of martial arts. His self-discovery, and the choices he made, inspired his nation.

I sure hope he's not quiting because there's no other good martial arts guy in the wings yet.

Trivia:
Huo Yianjia is portrayed as having no surviving offspring after the murder of his daughter. In fact, he has been followed by seven grandchildren and, as of 2006, eleven great-grandchildren.

Going to movies on week day nights is like having my own private showing. I am starting to really like it a lot.