Family Ties

Two recent movies for the family are Dolphin Tale and Real Steel. sBoth deal with the mother/son or father /son dilema when children are distanced by their parents whether physically or emotionally. Dolphin Tale has a sweet mother/son story where son, Sawyer, feels alienated and lonely. He finds an injured dolphin whose tail must be amputated after being caught in a crab trap. Based on a true story; the boy is instrumental in getting a doctor, who creates prosthetics for injured vets, to successfully design a prosthetic tail for the dolphin so she can swim again. In the process, he helps his wounded cousin, just back from Iraq, and keeps the marine rehab center from closing. It's a tear jerker so take your tissues.
On the other hand, Real Steel is text book movie fare. Father abandons son, and has him dumped on him when the mom dies. Of course Max,(son) is resentful of dad, Charlie, (played by Hugh Jackman)who wins back his son by teaching him about robot boxing. The storyline is not that great and you will find it more interesting counting the number of product placements in the movie. The only thing that kept me guessing about this movie was why are people still riding around in cars running on fossil fuel 20+ years into the future? Save your gas and money on this one.

New shows for ABC

It's the fall season and all the networks are eager to show off the new shows. Some of the best offerings so far have come from ABC. The new show PAN AM  is smart and informative and tells the stories of flight when airline travel was sophisticated and you didn't have to take off your shoes. It's based on actual events in history. Who knew your stewardess could serve coffee, tea or a side of secret agent? DANCING WITH THE STARS is back with an all new and controversial cast. Paso doble your way out of that! Welcome back to 2 favorites CASTLE and MODERN FAMILY who has 5 emmy wins! The one loser of the bunch so far is SUBURGATORY. I thought the previews were awful but the show is worse! It's a cynical look at life in the suburbs so suburb +  purgatory ...get it? Yeah, nobody else does either. The only hell is having to watch this show. The best new show by far is LAST MAN STANDING a new offering with Tim Allen doing what he does best... being a manly man. I have been to a taping of this show and it is hilarious. Move over Modern Family; you'll have to share some of those emmys next year!