2 Movies Worth Seeing…But Be Warned!

If you're going to the movies this weekend, you might want to check out "Lee Daniels' The Butler," or Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine."  Both films are very different from one another, and both left me feeling that the audience should get a warning up front.

In its effort to chronicle the Civil Rights movement, "The Butler" shows us some graphic, violent footage that is shocking, and disturbing.  It's nothing that should make you cover your eyes or skip this film.  In fact, I think the scenes were really effective in telling the story, recounting a lot of history in a short amount of time, and getting the audience emotionally invested. Walking out of the theatre, I felt like this is a film that everyone should see.  And I think it might win an Oscar for Best Picture.  It's not all intense drama.  There are some lighthearted moments as well.  Wait 'til you see Oprah in her fancy disco outfit!  And keep an eye out for Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.

The warning I wish someone gave me before I saw Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine" is that:  It is not a comedy!  Nonetheless, it is an entertaining, interesting character study with Cate Blanchett starting a new life after her husband, Alec Baldwin, goes to prison for Madoff-like crimes.  She is brilliant in this role.  I predict an Academy Award for her, not the film.  If you're a fan of Woody Allen's work like I am, you'll probably enjoy the two hours you'll spend in the theatre.  As usual, the director exposes complex relationships and anxieties in a way that keeps our attention.   But I suggest you go to the theatre with an open mind, not expecting any big laughs like that lobster scene from "Annie Hall."

Have you already seen these movies?  What did you think?  Please share your thoughts in the Comments section below.