Ken & Linda @ the movies

The Ultimate Gift

Those of you who know me are aware of how much I enjoy movies. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I worked part time as a projectionist in a number of theaters in this area. Even then I would occasionally take a “bus mans holiday” and take Linda to the movies on my evenings off. I left the business after I discovered that you can only work sixteen hour days for so long until it starts to take its toll on you which is a story for another time.

Linda and I have been going to the movies at least a few times a month for years now but this last year and a half we seem to have gotten out of the habit. Weekends always seem to be busy and with our work schedules we often don't get home until late at which point neither of us wants to think about going back out for a movie in the evening. We say “wait for the DVD” and move on to other things.

This week a friend asked me to recommend a movie that she could take her grand son and the daughter of one of her friends to. I told her that I wasn't really up on what was currently playing on the local screens and only was familiar with what I had seen previews for on television. Most of those were not really suitable for younger children. She asked me what was playing at the Oaks in Oakmont and I said I had no idea but that I would check. The Oaks has a web site with a good deal of information on it so I went browsing to see what I could come up with.

I didn't find anything that fit what my friend was looking for but I did see a film that I had taken notice of when it was first released that sounded interesting. I had mentioned to Linda that I thought we should go see this one but like many others time passed and it disappeared replaced with newer offerings from Hollywood. So when it turned out to be one of the three films currently being show at the Oaks I decided that we would see it now rather than wait for the DVD. So Saturday afternoon we attended it's one daily showing at 05:15 PM and I am glad we did.

To say that we enjoyed this movie would be an understatement. Every once in a while I find a movie that just seems to lift up my spirits and this is one of those. If you have seen the previews or read that short description on line of the movie's plot you will probably be able to guess where this picture is going from the opening scene. Spoiled rich kid anticipates a lot of money from his grand fathers estate at his death only to find that there are some “strings” attached to his bequest. I'm sure you have heard the story before.

What makes this movie so enjoyable is a few plot twists and an excellent job of casting the characters. The grand father is played by James Garner and appears only in video clips to the rest of the cast. Garner is probably the most well known name in the movie in terms of being a “star” from Hollywood. I feel that the actors chosen for the other parts were equally good even though they might not be as well known as Garner. It also has some very well done photography work which makes it more enjoyable on the big screen. Those of you who follow the movies will recognize Abigail Breslin as one of this years Oscar nominees for Little Miss Sunshine. I did not see that movie I would however have given her the nod for the performance in this picture.

There was no nudity or language that I can remember that would keep you from taking the family to see this picture which is probably why it didn't get much notice from the press or hype from Hollywood. If however you want to take your family to the movies, be entertained and learn a few good life lessons in the process this one is for you. Some pictures make the transition from the big screen to the small one and this is one of them so if you don't catch it in the theaters watch for the release on DVD. I highly recommend this picture.

There is also a web site for the movie if you would like to learn more about it. The Ultimate Gift