2001: A Space Odyssey

Drink: Space Dust IPA
Entrée: Rocket Dogs
Dessert: Galaxy Bark

Movie:
Don't adjust your TV this movie is just that weird.  Packed full of meaning that can be twisted in any which way 2,001 times we board a journey that explores origins, time travel & artificial intelligence.  Look for Kubrick's trademark panning one shot close ups & consider the following while on this wild ride that is 2001:

• These special effects were created in 1968.
• The score is famous & has been covered by many jam bands such as Phish.
• We did not walk on the moon until the following year & Kubrick is already envisioning living in space.
• The actual year of 2001 did not turn out like this at all...it would have to be more like 3001.

Mel's Rating: 96%
On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating: ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
On a scale of 10.

James Bond: Live & Let Die

Drink: Martini
Entree: Jerk Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice

Movie:
The most hallmark element of this film is the theme song. Paul's voice echoing Live & Let Die will
definitely get stuck in your head afterwards.  However this particular installment brings a period
known as "blaxploitation" to the forefront which also explains that while the theme song is famous you don't hear much discussed about the actual film.  Bond films always try to stay true to the times since the franchise's image is that of a globe trotting womanizer with endless amounts of cash & luxury resources to blow through.  As awkward as it is to watch now it will always remain a product of pop culture history & one way to see how wrong we were is to observe it head on.

Mel's Rating: 68%
On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating: ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
On a scale of 10.

Midnight in The Garden of Good & Evil

Drink: Pineapple Ginger Mint Julep
Entrée: Fried Chicken, Coleslaw & Biscuits
Dessert: Banana Pudding

Movie:
Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil sweeps us away into the true story based in the delicate, genteel social society of Savannah in the 80's.  We ultimately see how Savannah is a smaller, cleaner version of New Orleans with a long history, voodoo & strong social divisions.  Thankfully with the direction of Clint Eastwood the film manages to gracefully encompass all of these themes while unveiling to us a man with dual lives that ultimately destroyed him.  I have to mention that the beginning of the film is intrinsically better than the latter half most of which is spent in a courtroom.  However make sure you stick to it until the end for a haunting reappearance of Danny. 

Mel's Rating: 85%
On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating:⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
On a scale of 10.

Ben-Hur

Entrée: Curry Chicken, Rice & Lentil Beans
Dessert: Baklava
Timing: Easter

Movie:
To say this is a long movie is an understatement & as many times with movies of this length they inevitably become segmented.  Maybe it's an early example of bad time management or big studio ego?  Regardless the first half is expertly executed & shows us a rags to riches story as a result of Roman occupation.  The chariot race does live up to all the hype with sweeping well thought out views of the action from every angle.  Also it is worth noting how Esther played by Hara Harareet is able to gracefully hold her ground along side the majestic the Charlton Heston.  Despite all of this the quality of the last portion of the film is choppy.  The story of Jesus' life serves as a side note throughout the film however towards the end it's jutted to the forefront & feels forced. 

Mel's Rating: 80%
On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating:Part 1 gets an 8.  Part 2 gets a 2.
On a scale of 10.

Michael Collins

Drink: Boulevard Irish Ale
Entrée: Guinness Beef Pot Pie
Dessert: Grasshoppers
Timing: St. Patrick's Day

Movie:
We really struggled with this movie.  In fact we opted half way through to turn it off & watch the
NCAA basketball tournament.  However the next day I did some research online about Michael Collins & proceeded to watch the remainder of the film.  Since I was not familiar with this piece of history it turned out to be pretty interesting after I read up on it.  Liam Neeson does a pretty good job but he does over act in several scenes.  Julia Roberts does not leave an impression.  I don't feel like I knew her character much better afterwards which is strange because this part provided her an opportunity to do one of her classic "can't you see I'm having a breakdown" moments.  The rest of the cast is undeniably American or English with bad accents which makes you realize how much more sophisticated audiences are today.  Overall the most intriguing element of the plot is that you see how Northern Ireland was formed which leaves you with a snap shot of a very divided situation that still exists today.  Plus you are left wondering if Michael Collins is a hero, a sell out or was he simply set up for failure by his own people.

Mel's Rating: 65%
On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating: N/A - He did not finish the film.
On a scale of 10.