Steven Soderbourgh's made a movie that really seems to get the joy of male stripping. The scenes that are the movie's reason for being are well shot, well lit, well-choreographed, and get at the joy and pure giddiness that both the guys feel performing and the naughty fun  the women in the audience feel watching them. They're the centerpieces of the film and those scenes really pop and bring the movie to life. It’s unfortunate that much that's in between those scenes feels like so much filler meant to beef up the film's dramatic quotient so that it’s not just seen as that male stripper movie.  

In the film, Alec Pettyfer plays Adam, a college-dropout who's staying with his older sister Brooke (Cody Horn) until he can figure out what he wants to do with his life. After getting hired for a construction job, he's soon taken under the wing of Mike (Channing Tatum), a fellow roof tiler who spends his nights dancing in Tampa's Xquisite nightclub as a stripper. After a night of partying, Adam is soon recruited to join Mike and his colleagues Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Tito (Adam Rodriguez), Ken (Matt Bomer) and Tarzan (Kevin Nash) to perform sexy strip routines at the club.  And soon enough, he's immersed in a world full of drugs, sex, women and alcohol. Mike on the other hand, craves for more despite making a profitable income as a stripper.

 

As it turns out, Magic Mike is less about the stripping and more about the lifestyles of male strippers. Inspired by Tatum's own experiences as a young stripper in Florida, the script balances between humor and drama while capturing the repercussions and challenges that come with the profession (i.e. drugs, self-destruction and vanity).

 

Acting wise, the one who steals the show is Mathew McConaughey, who perfectly and hilariously portrays the sleazy, skin-tight-leather-wearing Dallas, the aging club owner.. Tatum and Pettyfer on the other hand, hold their own despite sounding a bit rigid and unnatural at times. And  Horn is well-casted for the role of Adam's concerned sister Brooke and the romantic interest for Mike.

 

Clark

 

 

  A truly exceptional film, featuring the very best of the older  British actors and actresses; Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Liza Tarbuck, and Ronald Pickup star in the this delightful film. These seven principle characters  have all come to a point in their lives where remaining in the UK is no longer feasible, mostly due to financial reasons. Each has stumbled across a brochure outlining the wonderful possibilities that await them in India at a newly refurbished Marigold Hotel. Enrollment into the hotel facilities includes the flight to India as well. However, upon arrival; it seems that the facilities are far less luxurious than advertised. When seven British retirees arrive at a hotel that is not as expected from the brochure. Dev Patel's ( “Slum Dog Millionaire”) Sonny runs the place under the watchful eye of his disapproving mother and the Britishers are left to dust off the furniture and make do with the cockroaches on the floors and the curry served up every dinnertime.

 

The central characters are all wholly believable, and to be honest I find it impossible to single anyone out, although if I had to, my vote would probably go to Bill Nighy. He is just superb as Douglas - the apologetic, hesitant, henpecked husband of the self-centered, bitter, scolding Jean portrayed by Penelope Wilton, who is also excellent.   When you add the likes of Dames Maggie Smith and Judy Dench to the mix, the delicious Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Pickup, who brought a wonderfully  comedic performance to the mix,  you can't go wrong.

 The film follows each individual through his or her path of awakening; for each individual has come to India for a different reason. A very charming film, well-acted, well scripted, and well directed. The Marigold Hotel is located in Jaipur in northern India and the India backdrop for this film is exquisite!!! I highly recommend this film… a joy to behold.

 

 

 

 

 

The BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL  3.4****

 

  A truly exceptional film, featuring the very best of the older  British actors and actresses; Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Liza Tarbuck, and Ronald Pickup star in the this delightful film. These seven principle characters  have all come to a point in their lives where remaining in the UK is no longer feasible, mostly due to financial reasons. Each has stumbled across a brochure outlining the wonderful possibilities that await them in India at a newly refurbished Marigold Hotel. Enrollment into the hotel facilities includes the flight to India as well. However, upon arrival; it seems that the facilities are far less luxurious than advertised. When seven British retirees arrive at a hotel that is not as expected from the brochure. Dev Patel's ( “Slum Dog Millionaire”) Sonny runs the place under the watchful eye of his disapproving mother and the Britishers are left to dust off the furniture and make do with the cockroaches on the floors and the curry served up every dinnertime.

 

The central characters are all wholly believable, and to be honest I find it impossible to single anyone out, although if I had to, my vote would probably go to Bill Nighy. He is just superb as Douglas - the apologetic, hesitant, henpecked husband of the self-centered, bitter, scolding Jean portrayed by Penelope Wilton, who is also excellent.   When you add the likes of Dames Maggie Smith and Judy Dench to the mix, the delicious Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Pickup, who brought a wonderfully  comedic performance to the mix,  you can't go wrong.

 The film follows each individual through his or her path of awakening; for each individual has come to India for a different reason. A very charming film, well-acted, well scripted, and well directed. The Marigold Hotel is located in Jaipur in northern India and the India backdrop for this film is exquisite!!! I highly recommend this film… a joy to behold.