Movie Review: ****50 First Dates (2004)

In truth the number 50 is short, because every day is new to Lucy (Drew Barrymore) following a car accident that destroyed her short term memory.  Her long term memory is in tact, but she cannot remember more than a day at a time.  When she sleeps her memory is reset.  Her father (Blake Clark) and brother (Sean Astin) try to rig things so every day will be the day that she can last remember.  They have a stack of papers from that day.  It is always the father's birthday because that is the day, and they always watch "Sixth Sense."  Enter Henry (Adam Sandler) a worker at the aquarium, who meets this young woman and likes her.  Next time he runs into her she doesn't remember him.  He is puzzled, until her condition is explained to him.  However he is determined to have breakfast with her.  Using manipulation and lies, he finally does.  However she is onto him, and nothing comes of it.  He is determined, and starts to have some success over time.  Then she has a bad day.  A day in which she realizes time has past.  Father and brother come to her rescue, and Henry develops a plan to have a relationship with her.  The question is whether or not the plan will work.  He introduces her to the accident, and her history, the very first thing she wakes up in the morning. 
This is an enjoyable movie.  Barrymore is always good.  Sean Astin is in this movie, but this is not my favorite role for him. 

Movie Review: ****Woodlawn (2015)

This is football movies at their finest; especially if the goal is building men.  This movie tells the true story of Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille) and his experience playing football as an African American at a White school in the days of desegregation.  He encounters subtle racism, and blatant hate a racism as a result.  However he has a gift, and that is his football.  He doesn't get the opportunity the first few games, but when he does he makes the most of it, and quickly replaces the tail back and becomes a star.  He even leads the team to a lopsided victory over an undefeated team.  However there is always that last hurdle to climb.  This movie is also about those people who help him along the way.  The Christian youth chaplain, (Sean Astin) his coach (Tandy Gerelds) and coach Bear Bryant (John Voight).
This movie had me in the came and was very entertaining.

Movie Review: ****^Moms' Night Out (2014)

This movie is a comedic good time.  I found myself laughing out loud several times.  As did our entire group including Tony.  Although Tony admitted after he laughed because everyone else was laughing.  There were some really good scenes with the kids, which if you didn't laugh would make you cry.
Sarah Drew portrays Allyson, the mother of three, who is overwhelmed with motherhood and organized a Moms' night with her friend, Izzy (Logan White) and the pastor's wife, Sondra (Patricia Heaton).  She leaves her husband (Sean Astin) and his friend who has never grown up (Kevin Downes).  This night is not one which ends up happy.  Everything you can think of goes wrong, and a few things I could never think of.  However for the plot, after their reservations at the restaurant don't work, they go bowling, but not until Allyson has locked all cell phones in the van.  At the bowling alley, where Allyson's sister-in-law (Abby Cobb) has a new job, they discover they don't know who is watching sister-in-law's baby.  This leads them on a wild goose chase, in a taxi as husband needed the van to take the kids out and himself to the hospital, which they don't know as their phones are in the van.  They report the van stolen.
They recruit the taxi driver (David Hunt) and a tatooist, motor cycle rider, Bones (Trace Adkins).  Turns out things keep getting worse, and they all end in the slammer.  Still no baby, and not much hope of finding the baby.
This is a wild ride.  When it is at the lowest point for Allyson, it is the biker who reminds her that God loves her, and she is where she is suppose to be.  Sometimes, wisdom comes from the most unsuspecting place.  And you never no when someone is on his way to rescue you.
Great movie and great ride.

Movie Review: *****Rudy

This is one of my favorite movies.  It lets you know that it is what you do with what you got that is important.  This movie is based on a true story of Rudy, Daniel Ruettiger (Sean Astin).  Rudy does OK on his high school team, but has no college prospects, just dreams.  He takes a job at the mill like his father.  When his friend dies, he decides to follow his dream to play football for Notre Dame.  He doesn't get in, but attends a smaller school, while he prepares to get in.  There is a cute scene where he participates in the ritual of painting the helmets, reserved for Notre Dame students.  He finally gets to Notre Dame, and makes the practice squad as a walk on.  His job is to be a target for the regulars.  He takes his knocks, waiting for his chance.
This movie tells a few basic concepts, you should always pursue your dream, and sometimes it takes help from a third person to get there.  This show has an incredible ending.  I watched this game live in 75, and saw the team carry Rudy off the field, not really knowing the story.