McFARLAND, USA * LAGGIES * I AM MALALA

McFarland, USA - Best movie ever. I hope they remember it around Oscar time next year. Kevin Kostner plays a high school coach getting his last chance at a down at the heels school after losing other jobs. It's based on a true story, and what Coach White does with his talented boys is inspirational. We loved it - it's a pure and clean family movie.  

Laggies - Loved it!  I have no idea why this movie was entitled Laggies.  It's so awkward and takes away from the movie which is so sweet and almost edgy and kind of funny (not ha-ha), that it might have been more popular than it was.  Keira Knightly plays a twenty-something young woman who has yet to get her life together.  So she reverts, and therein lies the story. 





I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb - The Girl Who Stood Up For Education And Was Shot By The Taliban - Thanks to Sue J. for suggesting that I read Malala's story in her own words. She is a remarkable girl who wouldn't be silenced in the face of politics and religion. A large part of her story is her father, an open minded man who wants only to educate the children so that they can grown up in a peaceful society. Without him, I'm not sure Malala could have garnered and commanded the respect that she has at such a young age.  It's amazing that they are alive to tell the story.


 

THE JUDGE * LIFE AFTER LIFE

The Judge - You can't go wrong with Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall in a small town court drama.  It's about families and law and old loves. It's got some funny moments which only add to the charm of a movie which is almost quirky, but not quite.  If you like these actors, then it's a don't miss.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - I liked it, but don't know quite how to describe this unusual "time travel" novel where a character gets do-overs throughout her life. It's set in England around the two Great Wars, and we follow a girl named Ursula on these journeys. I found it to be engaging with minor British-ism annoyances, like when Sylvie constantly says "needs must". What is that, "needs must"? Needs must what? I'll look it up. Then there was a time in the book where the word salubrious was used over and over. Pretty sure it meant lavish in the context. But I don't want to turnyou off to what is otherwise a good story with the most unusual non-plot.Just looked up needs must, and it's said when someone has to do something that they really don't want to do.....I really don't want to wash the floor, but needs must.