A Late Quartet

This movie, beautifully done by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener and Daniel Lerner, tells the story of a quartet who is entering its 25th season on tour.  The wonderful cast gives you a behind the scenes look at the music, their craft and their lives.

 I think that this movie touched me a little more than I originally thought it would, because my mom is a musician and she has her own string quartet/trio.  Though her work is mainly for weddings and events and not traveling on tour, I understood the music world the characters lived in. When the first violin case opened I could smell the wood, bow and rosin even though I haven't been by an actual violin in years.  

I kept thinking my mom should see this movie, in fact this came at the most opportune time - right before her birthday.  I know she would point out how some detail in the playing is off, because that is what she does.  I think she will appreciate how they have conversations about how the music should be played, when to use an up bow or the moment of selecting a new violin.  

As TJ says it was a nice picture of how life moves and transcends and how one event effects those who surround you.  TJ wasn't fully satisfied with the movie, because the ending wasn't clearly defined.  It left a little up to your imagination, and in TJs world there was not enough closure for him.  

Chasing Mavericks

Oh I hope this one is going to be marketed as a kids movie.  It's supposed to be that inspirational movie similar to Dolphin Tale that you get goosebumps at the end if it.  Unfortunately that was lost in cheesiness.  Many times I started laughing, but not funny laughing.  More of that oh how embarrassing for you laughter.  

It's a shame, because it is a good story.  You have a kid who learns how to surf.  He cares for his mother who has struggled through life.  Then you have a boy-father type figure relationship that develops from learning how to ride an insanely large wave.  It's one of those stories that you want to succeed.  Go in with low expectations and enjoy the surfing scenes.  

Overall lessons learned-if u are a daredevil, you might not make it out alive.