Cinthia's Movie Corner

"The Mistress of Spices" (2006) - Romance/Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Dylan McDermott, Nitin Ganatra.

Rating: 5 stars

For me it is always hard to answer the question: "What is your favorite movie?" I have at least 100 favorite movies! Another difficult one is: "Who do you think is the most beautiful woman in the world?" But after watching "The Mistress of Spices" I am equipped to answer that; in my opinion the most beautiful woman in the world is one of India's biggest stars: Aishwarya Rai. Not only is she a fantastic actress, but she's also a creature of ethereal, surreal beauty. Matching her with Dylan McDermott for this film was a very intelligent move: he is indeed quite a sight and when both of them are together on the screen it's like an explosion of good looks that will either make you ravenously jealous or totally exhilarated (hopefully you'll feel the latter, as I did). This beautiful, mystical fairy tale tells the story of Tilo, a girl with a special gift. She is adopted by the "Head Mistress of Spices" and learns an ancient, magical art of communing with spices in order to spread ailment and well being to people all around the world. Upon completing her training, she vows to dedicate her life to the service of others, and is then sent to San Francisco where she resides at and operates the "Spice Bazaar". Through the shop's doors a myriad of interesting characters - with a variety of needs and worries - enter Tilo's magical world and she gives them comfort, peace of mind, and spiritual protection - all through the use of different spices and their natural powers. Everything is orderly in Tilo's life until the unexpected happens: love comes knocking in the form of a handsome (and oh, is he ever!) American architect. But love is forbidden for a Mistress of Spices. Tilo must face a difficult choice: keep her vow of living a selfless life, or give in to an amazing new and powerful feeling, filled with the promises of a future of brightness and love. With a delightful cast of characters and great screenplay by the wonderful Gurinder Chadha (who directed "Bend it Like Beckham" and "Bride and Prejudice" - two other movies I highly recommend), this enchanted fairy tale is a feast for all the true romantics out there.

"Miss Potter" (2007) - Biography/Drama

Rating: PG

Starring: Reneé Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson.

Rating: 5 stars

I have always known Beatrix Potter to be a gifted children's author - after all, who in the world is not acquainted with "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"? But what I didn't know and found out after watching this masterpiece, is that she was also a superb artist, a woman decades ahead of her time, an environmentalist, and someone who truly left her mark on the world. Fantastically portrayed by the ever incredible Reneé Zellweger, the movie follows Beatrix from childhood as she begins to create the characters and stories that remain to this day as beloved as when they were first published. There are bits of magical animation throughout the movie, bringing the author's creations to life. Potter possessed an unbelievable sense of artistry and was an independent spirit that marched to the beat of her own drum (despite her mother's continuous attempts to put down her daughter's talent). The shackles of a woman's predetermined role in the society of the time were not strong enough to keep her from asserting her independence and living her life to its full glorious potential - quite a feat for a female born back then. Ewan McGregor plays Potter's first publisher and the man who wins her heart - and he is perfect as always. Potter's legacy extends to more than the literary and artistic fields: after purchasing her farm (the famous "Hill Top") in the stunning Lake District, she put a stop to out-of-control development by subsequently buying other farms around her - as they went up for sale - thus helping preserve the natural beauty of the region. In her will, Beatrix left 4,000 acres of unspoiled, preserved Lake District land to the British National Trust (the largest land donation ever made to that organization). It is there still, a living legacy to the memory of a most extraordinary human being. "Miss Potter" is by all means a must-see.

"Breach" (2007) - Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney.

Rating: 4.3 stars

This very classy thriller tells the unbelievable true story of the capture of Robert Hanssen - the man responsible for the biggest security breach in the history of the United States. Ryan Phillippe plays an FBI rookie who is brought in as an assistant to Hanssen (brilliant interpretation by Chris Cooper); but his real mission is to help the Bureau gather enough evidence to grab Hanssen. One of the most amazing aspects of the movie - aside from the wonderful job of all the actors involved - is that this was a true story. You become the witness of a intense game of cat-and-mouse, as the "good guys" work to put a stop to the worst double agent in our history. I really liked the fact that the movie does not patronize the audience by giving you totally digested answers as to why Hanssen has done it; instead, you have to peel the layers of lies to reach the truth which is in there. You go on this journey side by side with Phillippe's character, as he slowly plunges into the disturbed mind of his boss. One of my favorite things about this movie was to see how Hanssen's true colors emerge for all to see. Here was a man considered an exemplary husband and father; he was also an avid church goers, full of judgment and righteousness towards those who did not share his faith and beliefs. And yet, behind the facade, laid a twisted being, with an immeasurable inferiority complex, capable of boundless betrayal and deceit.

"Ladies in Lavender" (2004) - Drama

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Natascha McElhone.

Rating: 5 stars

In this gem of a film, the quiet and uneventful existence of two elderly sisters (Dench and Smith) is changed forever when they find a young man unconscious on the beach by their Cornwall house. While nursing the charming foreigner back to health, their lives become entwined as they piece together the mystery of his identity, and the tapestry of their personal destinies combines to create a final, beautiful work of art. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are undoubtedly two giants of British cinema, and their interpretations are the very portrait of perfection. Daniel Bruhl plays the young man awash on the shore, and he is brilliant with a superb combination of soulfulness and boyish charm. Each and every actor is perfectly cast, and the movie is an ethereal experience, with breathtaking vistas of gorgeous Cornwall. This utterly sensitive story portrays the richness that is found in the sheer simplicity of life: that each one of us in connected in a sublime collection of interwoven paths, all leading to an essential purpose.

"Sahara" (2005) - Action/Adventure

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz, Steve Zahn

Rating: 3.5 stars

Follow treasure hunter/adventurer Dirk Pitt (dashing eye-candy McConaughey) as he explores desolate regions of West Africa in search of a American Civil War battleship which disappeared without a trace. This is an entertaining Indiana-Jones-meets-James-Bond type of adventure with a good dose of action and humor to keep things light. The beautiful Penelope Cruz plays a doctor investigating a mysterious epidemic, and when her path crosses with Dirk's search for the missing battleship, sparks are sure to fly. Zahn fills the role of funny/clumsy sidekick. A fun movie that will entertain but not excite.