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December 31, 2013.

This blog is now closed. After three years and 311 posts, I have decided to end this blog. I have enjoyed watching the films, reviewing them, and interacting with global readers.

If you are interested in contacting me, you can do so by commenting on any of the posts. The blog will remain live on the web.
Thank you to all the readers for your comments, ideas, and thoughts. They were helpful, stimulating, and enriching. This is Alene, signing off.

October 5, 2012

Magic Mike (2012)

When it's over, there's no confusion to why female audiences flocked to see this film.  However, I don't think this film should be labelled as just for women as I think there's something for both genders. Women may be attracted to the film for its visuals, while men will find the stories happening off-stage relatable to their own lives - especially the ideas of what defines success.  The catchy music, the actors, the dance routines, and the costumes (or lack of) make Magic Mike a variety venue played out on the big screen as a long strip tease, giving viewers a substitute for the real deal.  The key word is substitute, and it's a good one at that.  Director Steven Sodenberg does a commendable job spotlighting the physical life of a male stripper, but falls short in telling the emotional side of the profession.  I mean, are all male strippers that shallow? That's the impression I got from the film.  Sodenberg tries to bring substance to Mike by showing the character's struggle with whether he should remain a stripper, while his personal dreams grow further away. The character's re-evaluation tells me that Sodenberg's on the right track and should have developed that aspect of the story with more care, instead of spending so much screen time on the stripping scenes.  Notable performances included onscreen siblings Alex Pettyfer and Cody Horn, who both really embodied the dramatic side of their characters - Pettyfer going from innocent to addict and Horn as the older sister that watches her brother get sucked into the life of easy money, women, and drugs.  Matthew McConaughey is simply a hoot to watch.  His charisma explodes on screen and steals the show.  Lastly, Channing Tatum is Magic Mike.  His sculpted physique and great dancing abilities are great to watch, but he still can't sell himself as a dramatic actor. I found myself wanting to care for his character, but without cause and reason to do so. Overall, entertaining film, but pointless.

My rating: 3 out of 5


6 comments:

  1. It was all meat. Juicy. Yummy.

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    1. Visual entertainment, but that's all. Too much of anything is just plain boring.

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  2. Nice review! I will admit I was curious to see this movie only for Channing and the dancing, but now with more and more that I read about it I'm curious to see it for other reasons too. Did you know Channing actually danced when he was a teenager before he hit the big times? I thought that was pretty interesting, so that's probably where his great dancing abilities came from lol. I was kind of upset that I missed it in theaters, but lucky for me it's almost out on Blu-ray, and I've already added it to the top of my Blockbuster @Home queue. I'm going to have a get together with some of my girlfriends I work with at DISH after I get it in the mail, and I'm very much looking forward to it! :)

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    1. Yes, I did know of Channing's stripper lifestyle prior to the film. Actually, when Sodenberg found out about this while filming "Haywire" with Channing, he thought it would make a great film. Thus, the birth of "Magic Mike." I think you'll like the film for it's entertainment value, but the story?... Well, I can't wait to hear your comments on that.

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  3. I would give this film a 5/10. I wouldn't waste my time by watching it a second time. I expected more eye candy. Yes there was a lot but Matthew is just so old and the yellow workout outfit, ew, ugh. I don't need to see him like that. The story line was lacking and very predictable. I felt gipped at the end, it was very abrupt and I was left thinking "that's it, okay". Very forgettable.

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    1. Yes, the yellow outfit was silly, but I think only McConaughey can get away with something that distasteful.

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