Blood is Thicker Than Water : Review of People Like Us

I recently watched "People Like Us" and thought it was refreshing.  The story of Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks as half-brother and half-sister definitely had some thought put into the script.  I am getting tired of half-baked scripts where writers don't have to have any depth of character development or emotional pull on the way others interact with them for the whole course of the movie.  "People Like Us" breaks the mold. It is the story of money, values, and the need to connect as a family.  Chris Pine plays an isolated son of a famous music producer.  He lives his life very separated from the family that helped him grow.  Elizabeth Banks plays the daughter of the music producer who was pretty much ignored in her lifetime because her father had another family.   This movie had depth. It wasn't perfect, but it was far more refreshing than 75% of the movies churned out today.   Almost 2 hours is used telling the story of Chris Pine the isolated son and his effort to rekindle with his half-sister played by Elizabeth Banks and her son.  I don't want to add spoilers to this review, but I thought it was well put-together and emotionally compelling.   Sometimes I like a violent action movie that requires little thought.   "People Like Us" was different - and some people would consider it "slow" to develop.  However, if you put the time into watching the story,  I think you will feel your time wasn't wasted.   For those who like thoughtful and emotional family dramas,  maybe you should check out "People Like Us".   The writing and acting do NOT disappoint.

Football and a Look Back : A Review of Touchback

Recently I added a movie that looked good - or so I thought.  I tend to enjoy good uplifting football movies.  From Remember the Titans to movies like Woodlawn - I'm all for a good sports drama that demonstrates the power of sports and a common mission to bring people together.  Touchback is different though in a good way.  Touchback sets itself apart because it isn't mainly a football movie.  Football definitely plays a major theme,  but overall there are many more aspects to this movie that help set it apart from the other movies like it.

Brian Presley stars in this movie about a high school quarterback who after having everything going for him,  gets a serious injury in his final game that changes his life dramatically.   Kurt Russell plays the coach in his life who helps him sort through what is really important in his life.   The rest of it is for the viewer to find out.   Without giving it away here is why Touchback got a very high rating in my opinion:


1.  Realistically balances the sports story with other aspects of living your life.   Like stated above, this movie isn't totally about football,  and in this case that is a positive thing.

2. Enough content to keep the ladies interested.  My wife wasn't sure she was going to like this movie.  She went into watching it expecting to possibly leave half-way into it.   She ended up loving it so much that she watched it twice and we now own a copy!  For a movie that features football, that is very impressive!

3.  Great lessons shown throughout that enforce the value of family, perseverance, and resisting what looks good now for a better goal long term.  These types of themes are hard to find in many flaky, stupid movies made today.

4. Convincing acting and tightly written story.  Many times positive value movies have a great message with some moving music, and decent acting.  I felt this movie was in a league above the average positive family movie.   Yes, it was a great family movie,  but it was also very well-written and acted out.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well this movie was put together.

Although this movie wouldn't be considered religious in the content,  the values it conveyed hit it out of the park and it was one I would love to watch again.  If you want a movie that I would describe as well-done, edifying and encouraging to watch,  you should check out the movie Touchback!  Two thumbs up from Paul & Chrystal.