Go See: "The Sapphires"

 

"The Sapphires" was such an incredibly cute story that after seeing it - you immediately want to hit up your nearest karaoke bar and belt out a tune by The Supremes.  This Australian film was directed by Wayne Blair who created an inspiring true story of the real Sapphires, who were the first popular all-female aboriginal group, with the help of writers Tony Briggs (ahem, he's the son of one of the original group members, Laurel Robinson) and Keith Thompson.  

 The real members of the group, The Sapphires

Set during the Vietnam war, these four young girls band together to sing and perform their hearts out to the US troops while being managed by the hilarious irish actor Chris O'Dowd (come on people, I've been telling you to watch the "IT Crowd" for years and now he's a big star and in films like "Bridesmaids").  The lead singer is played by pop star in real life and current mentor on Australia's "The Voice" Jessica Mauboy.  With the rest of the group starring Deborah Mailman, Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell. 

Go see this film - you will laugh, you might shed a tear and you'll feel all good inside after watching it!

Rent It: The Music Never Stopped

I didn't recall that I had put "The Music Never Stopped" in my Queue but was so glad that I did.  It was a surprisingly, touching story about a lost and then found only son to two loving parents who use music from his era to help him regain some of his sanity and memory.  It was an Official Selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and written by Oliver Sacks who also wrote "Awakenings".  This film stars Lou Taylor Pucci (who you might remember in the indie flicks "Chumbscrubber" and Thumbsucker", oh and he was in a recent episode of "Girls"), J.K. Simmons and the british actress Cara Seymour (she played the mother in "An Education"). 

Now I just want to say - I truly believe that one of the best actors out there is J.K. Simmons.  I remember the first time I saw him was when he was on "Oz" playing an aryan bully in prison.  He was so convincing and scary and I hated his character.  He's been in everything from the "Spider-man" films to playing the super sweet dad in "Juno". This guy has been nominated for various awards but he is definitely Oscar-worthy and Emmy-worthy, and, hell - throw in a Tony while you're at it.  He's multi-talented and man, I'm just a fan, as Blake Shelton would say on "The Voice".