Eastwood, Adams deliver in ‘Curve’

Posted Sept. 28, 2012

When I heard about the movie Trouble with the Curve I was excited about watching it for two reasons: I generally like Clint Eastwood, and I genuinely love baseball. The movie did not disappoint. There were definitely predictable parts, but the story was well-told, so anything predictable fit in and enriched the story.

Trouble with the Curve is about a lot more than baseball. It’s also about family relationships and the conflict between working at a good job or working at a job you love. The writing is witty and cohesive, and the acting is excellent. Clint Eastwood is excellent as the old-style, anti-technology scout, Gus. But the real standout is probably Amy Adams as Gus’s daughter Mickey. John Goodman does a good job of portraying Gus’s long-suffering friend Pete, and Justin Timberlake is good as the new scout Johnny.

The pace of the movie might be a little slow for some people, but it seems to mirror the pace of many baseball games. There is a somewhat methodical pace, punctuated by moments of high tension and excitement, and yet the viewer’s interest and attention is held throughout the movie.

Trouble with the Curve is a thoroughly enjoyable, well-made movie, and I would recommend it to anyone, even someone who is not a baseball fan.

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Posted Sept. 18, 2012

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, out on DVD, is yet another in a line of movies similar to Love Actually. Unlike most of the others, however, Marigold Hotel lives up to the standard of Love Actually.

Marigold Hotel deals with the problem of ageism and related issues, but it’s not a movie only for the elderly. I think it’s a funny, well-written story that anyone can enjoy. In fact, Dev Patel adds quite a whirlwind of action just by himself, and there are other younger characters as well.

Another nice thing about Marigold Hotel is the location. It shows what some would find hard to deal with as a tourist to India — the crowds, the noise, the filth — and with the beauties of India — the music, the scenery, and the people. It is a gem of a movie, one that is thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. I highly recommend it.

Woiwode, of Jamestown, shares her reviews of films and TV shows at reelquickie.areavoices.com

Tags: diversions, movies