THE HELP - Best movie I have seen this year

THE HELP - I have read a few reviews of this movie including one by a writer who I admire.  I read her review with interest but in the end was ver disappointed.  It turned out she hadn't actually seen the movie but was just complaining because it was a book and then a movie about black women but it was by a white woman.  The story is about the relationship betwen black women and white women at a time when it was hard, even dangerous, for black women to speak openly.

When I read the book, I was struck by the difference between what I remembered of the 60's in Ohio and the very different reality in the Mississippi.  It was a very dangerous time to be black in the South and both the book and the movie show how terrifying that must have been.  It was terrifying for black women and stultifying for white women, whose only hope in life was to marry well. 

The movie was compelling, and funny at the same time.  It captured the essence of the book, although it may not have conveyed the full terror that I realized while reading the book.  It had a stellar cast and everyone did a great job, both the star and supporting roles.

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - Good Fun

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES was especially fun for us because it takes place in the SF Bay Area so we recognized all the places where the action took place.  It is one sequel that is an improvement on the originals, especially because there was more of a story line.  There were a couple of bad guys but otherwise both the people and the apes were appealing characters.  We laughed and enjoyed the whole movie.