Austin Powers - International Man of Mystery

Entree: Mini Beef Wellingtons & Salad
Dessert: English Toffee

Movie:
Elizabeth Hurley's beauty is ageless but unfortunately this film did not stand the test of time as successfully. I hate to admit that because I grew up on SNL during it's last great run which looking back had a lot to do with the pre-internet funneling of media.  Everyone watched it together or separately & talked about it the following week.  Back to the movie though...the ironic element is that Austin Powers having been frozen for 20+ years is tragically politically incorrect yet when you add another 20+ years to the movie you find some it has some politically incorrect elements of it's own.  The positives on looking back would be seeing gems in the making such as Will Ferrel & the obvious James Bond references.  Additionally you will remember tag lines you often used or still use around certain company.

Mel's Rating: 82%
On a scale of 100.

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

James Bond: The Man with the Golden Gun

Drink: Martini

Appetizer: Hot & Sour Soup

Entree: Moo Shoo Chicken

Dessert: Fortune Cookies

Movie:

There was serious lack of effort put into this film which is reflected by how short the credits are but we managed to single out some highlights...

• Oh the 70's.  I'm guessing it was one hell of a party even though the style was hideous.  Just look at the Bond car for this film.  There is nothing attractive about it.  In fact it looks like something a math teacher would drive.
• There were two Bond girls for this installment which is interesting because as we all know usually this post is reserved for only one underweight beauty.  At least there is a good girl versus bad girl dynamic.
• The film was released in 1974 which is also the same year Godfather II came out so that was probably a real moral crusher.  Regardless they do manage to put the signature Bond time stamp on it that reflects what was happening such as the energy crisis (which is still ongoing) & the martial arts trend (which is easy to say lasted well into the 80's...Karate Kid).  
• The golden gun is one of the most iconic props of the series & it was not even made by Q.  It consisted of a pen, lighter & cigarette case & even fired specially made solid golden bullets. And lets not forget that in the video game you can kill someone with one shot of the golden gun!

Mel's Rating: 55%

On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating: ⚡️⚡️⚡️

On a scale of 10.

The Imitation Game

Drink: Kolsch

Entree: Reubens
Side: Cucumber Dill Salad
Timing: Studying binary code!

Movie:
The role that Alan Turing played in WWII is not well known & unfortunately this will remain the case even after this film.  Benedict Cumberbatch did a great job playing the role of this math genius.  He has endless depth and conviction but the film overall did not come together.  Keira Knightley certainly cheapened the effort by inserting her pretty commerical face into the role of Joan Clarke.  I'm all for picking English actors to play English parts because with our sophisticated audiences now the days of an American being able to pull off an English accent are done.  However let's keep in mind that there are other female English actresses out there besides Kiera Knightley.  She is getting over exposed in our home theater anyways!

Back to the movie...this is an interesting story but the screenplay had some holes & the directing was cheesy.  We have not had a modern day period piece in a while so that was nice but it was a little rough around the edges.

Mel's Rating: 72%
On a scale of 100.

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

Giant

Drink: Beerita 

Appetizer: Chips & Salsa/Queso

Entree: Mexican Lasagna

Movie:

Giant is all you imagined an old Hollywood masterpiece would be with no less than three legends, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean & Rock Hudson, filling every shot.  In addition to the dream cast, you will notice how the location of the plot, Texas, is a central theme throughout the film with the big Texas attitudes, Hispanic civil rights and literally the landscape itself featured in beautifully framed shots.  Aside from the starlets & location the story offers many facets that focuses on society's shifting roles in terms of the patriarch, feminism, new money and as we mentioned above civil rights.  Below are a few supplemental items to discuss after your viewing:

• This movie was released after James Dean's death. Notice the irony that the character he plays in this film reaches an age he never would.  In fact Dean was concerned about being type casted as a heartthrob so he looked forward to taking on a role that down played that element with wrinkles & gray hair, etc.
• Lutz (the first) was very threatened by Leslie to the point that it cost her her life but wouldn't you be intimidated by Elizabeth Taylor?  She was no wallflower.
• Leslie was not upset at all about her horse!  
• Do you think the movie should have ended after Jett crashed into the banquet table?  We do but we also think that audiences then might have burned down the theater in reaction to such a harsh realism ending.  As a result the wrap up is cheesy but still does not take away from the film as being one of the greats.
• Lyndon B. Johnson was a Texan through & through & he often commented on his sympathetic views towards how Hispanic people were treated in his home state.  He is mostly remembered in association with Vietnam but read more below about his thoughts & actions in regards to the very same civil rights issues we are still trying to resolve today.                                 http://www.npr.org/2014/04/11/301820334/lbj-carried-cotulla-with-him-in-civil-rights-fight
• Check out Marfa, TX which is where the movie was filmed.  It resembles what Austin might have been like when it was still authentic & an interesting place to actually visit.

Mel's Rating: 88%

On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating: ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

On a scale of 10.