I saw Gigi-Hawaii's movie review for Mao's Last Dancer. It is the story of a Chinese ballet dancer, Li Cunxin who defects to the west. We'd also seen an interview in the Star Advertiser of the dancer from Hawaii who plays Li Cunxin's first wife. However, a movie review in the Sunday paper gave the movie only 2.5 stars. It had nothing really bad to say about it, but gave it low marks anyway.Art and I decided to make a day of it. We stopped by the police station and dropped off some cucumber pickles that my mom wanted to make for her favorite son. Then we drove to Kahala Mall to see the movie. There were quite a few people for the 2:15 matinee. I wanted to make sure we were getting the senior discount as Art was paying. Ummm... she'd already given it to us. What? Didn't she want to check my ID?
I see why the movie got a 2.5 rating. There are no real antagonists. The movie is adapted from Li Cunxin's book and he doesn't relate anything really bad about anybody. There's no tension in the movie, just a lot of good feelings about overcoming adversities to become one of the world's best dancers. I'd love to meet him. He sounds like a great guy. I can see why he is a motivational speaker. I loved seeing the beautiful ballet sequences. My mother was sobbing at the end and pronounced the movie absolutely, totally wonderful! 
Since we wanted to avoid the rush hour traffic on the way home, we stopped in Kaimuki and went to the Maguro (Japanese) restaurant again for dinner. My mother hadn't been there in a long while since it's so far from where we live. (We're used to Hawaii distances now.) We all had the teishoku butterfish and loved it.
Then we headed home and my mother pronounced it an excellent day! This rainbow followed us home. I love happy endings.
Some days are like this.
Your mother and I are kindrid spirits, indeed, for I cried at the end, too! Such a beautiful movie!
ReplyDeleteOK... fine...
ReplyDeleteI admit it. I cried too!
Sounds like all of you had a great day! Just the kind I love to read about! And I love happy endings, too!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day, Kay!
Sylvia
It's always good to have a nice day - the memories and the feelings last for a long time.
ReplyDeletegreat day, sounds like you all enjoyed it. I always wonder too when anyone automatically gives me the sr. discount...guess my age shows. It would be nicer if they asked first though...lol!
ReplyDeleteI didn't cry.
ReplyDeleteNah, haven't seen it :)
Can't afford movie theatres, the kids and I just wait for netflix.
Got your pic of the shelving unit, not ignoring you, just supa buseeeeeeee. Sorry, will snap a pic of what I have and send it over. Got home around 1:30am this morning and had to get up at 5am to go work. Blah. BIG pig hit a snare on a friend's property up tantalus last night, we were dressing the meat at midnight. Sigh. Some things won't wait.
walt
Yikes! You're working with only 3.5 hours of sleep. Sheesh! Drive carefully now.
ReplyDeleteDressing a pig at midnight? I wonder why they call it dressing a pig. It puts a whole different picture in my mind. It's more like you're undressing it, no?
No rush on the shelving. Go to sleep first.
A movie where you can cry is my kind of movie! :) Will be looking for it in my country.
ReplyDeleteAwww, this is sweet. May all your days be so.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lovely movie. I'll be keeping a look out for it. Thanks Kay, those photos look great, beautiful rainbow and such yummy looking food.
ReplyDelete