Magic Mike

Mike (Channing Tatum) works during the day as a construction worker and a car detailer, but at night is "Magic Mike," the star of the Xquisite Male Revue Show run by Dallas (Matthew McConaughey.)  What Mike really wants is to start his own business designing one of a kind furniture.

One day at the construction job, he befriends a new young worker, Adam (Alex Pettyfer.)  When Adam loses his job, Mike takes him into Xquisite for a job.

Yes, this is the male stripper movie everyone has been talking about.  Warning...do not let the trailer fool you.  Yes, there are several scenes of the guys performing on stage (and some of the best "man ass" you will ever see.)  But that is only the framework of the movie.  This is more akin to "Boggie Nights," where fame and money comes at a price.

Steven Soderbergh once again shows why he is a director to be noticed.  This could have turned into what the trailer thinks it is, but he takes the story into a completely different scenario.  The screenplay by Reid Carolin is believable and realistic, basically because it is semi-autobiographical for Channing Tatum, who was a male stripper at 19. Also, Soderbergh uses odd camera angles and lighting to disorient the viewer the same as the characters.  While some may find this annoying, I thought it put the viewer into the moment.

The one who should be mentioned (and who won't in most reviews) is Alison Faulk, the choreographer.  The stage performance scenes are incredible to behold, and she was able to get the actors to perform seamlessly as a group, yet also let them shine on their own.

Now to the acting.  Alex Pettyfer is perfect as the young upstart who is shy at first to get on the stage and disrobe, but then becomes "The Kid."  He has the "Star is Born" role, including the descent into drugs, and he nails it. 

Matthew McConaughey has never been better.  As Dallas, the aging stripper who is building an empire to expand his dream...he is my first pick this year for a best supporting actor nomination.  Bombastic, flamboyent, and self-referential (yes, there is a scene with bongo drums,) he gives the performance of his career.

And then there is Channing.  Always touted as a wooden actor, he has proven himself this year with three movies:  "The Vow," where he proved he could do a dramatic romance; "21 Jump Street," where the world found out that he is an awesome comedic actor; and now "Magic Mike."  He conveys the yearning of someone who wants more from life, the knowledge that his body can make money, and the pathos of someone who realizes that he needs to move on.  And yes, his dance moves are s"pec"tacular (not to mention he has the best ass in Hollywood right now.)

Anyone who thinks this movie is only for straight women and gay men will be missing out on one of the best pictures of 2012.

Ten Inch Hero

A group of employees at a restaurant in Santa Cruz deal with love, loss, and the bonds that hold them together.

Piper (Elisabeth Harnois) is an art student who reads an article about a young girl in the neighborhood who may be the daughter she gave up for adoption. Jen (Clea DuVall) is the painfully shy, self conscious geek who has befriended a guy on the internet but is terrified to meet him in real life.  Tish (Danneel Harris) is the maneater who takes on any cute guy who comes into the restaurant.  Trucker is the restaurant owner who is in love with Zoe who owns the Crystal Shop across the street and may or may not be a witch.  And Priestley (Jensen Ackles,) who is the mohawked smart ass of the group.

This is without a doubt an underrated gem!  A co-worker told me about the movie, and since we are both fans of Jensen Ackles ("Supernatural") I had to check it out.

This has a cute story by Betsy Morris, with competent direction by David Mackay.  But what makes the movie a step above the usual indie fare is the cast.

Elisabeth Harnois is totally believable as Piper; befriending the young girl (who may or may not be her daughter) and falling in love with the young girl's "father."  Danneel Harris (now Danneel Ackles..yes, she eventually married Jared)  is spot on as the restaurant "slut."  There is a storyline involving two guys that you can see the resolution coming from a mile away, yet she makes you care to see where it will lead.

I've always admired Clea DuVall, who is known for playing the edgy, Goth outsider type ("The Faculty," "Carnival.")  In her role as Jen she shows a vulnerability and innocence that won me over.  There is a scene
where she goes to a restaurant with Piper and Tish to finally meet her internet friend, and yet can't gather the courage to meet him that is heartbreaking.

The older couple of Zoe (Alice Krige, still looking stunning!) and Trucker (John Doe from the band "X") is also charming, with a twist ending that I did not see coming.

And then there is Jensen Ackles.  Why is this guy not a big star!  He is funny, handsome, and self-deprecating.  And the guy is the best at one-liners!  Part of the fun in this movie is seeing what color his hair will be and what outrageous T-shirt he will be wearing.  But he knocks it out of the park when he attempts to buy tampons for the girls to show them how comfortable he is with his manhood.  This scene alone proved what a comedic actor he really is.

So you can tell, I really enjoyed this movie.  I haven't blogged for awhile, but this movie got me back so I could let people know to look out for this one.  It is definitely going on my Christmas list.  Highly recommended!