MAGIC MIKE

I've had a lot of conversation about Magic Mike with customers in my store. When looking for recommendations this week I have suggested (amongst other titles) Magic Mike. I've had 3 guys already look at me and remark (to the effect) "I'm not a poof! I'm not watching blokes naked!". These man are of course NEANDERTHALS! Perhaps they need to be reminded of all the blokey movies with naked chicks that their girlfriends and wives have sat through? Or maybe they could be educated of who Steven Soderbergh is and the other movies he's made?? He's a dynamo and Magic Mike is a very typical Soderbergh film. As the promos suggest, the movie is a sort of Showgirls flipside. Exploring the world of male stage-strippers the story follows Mike who is nearing the end of his career. The story is very familiar with the old dog on his way out with a young pup nudging his way in... and of course the big boss who's only concern is the end-of-day takings. Soderbergh is tackling a recycled formula but giving it a new and fascinating setting. Channing Tatum is excellent as Magic Mike, the star of the show. I am loving Tatum's work and he's proving to be a real talent. Matthew McConaughey is also excellent as the club owner. The dance/strip routines are brilliantly filmed and the entire movie is booming with energy. My only dissapointment is that Soderbergh didn't push it far enough. In a movie like Showgirls, Paul Verhoven got very explicit and exposed us to a very graphic world... whereas Magic Mike seems to be aware of it's classification and is careful not to push it. To the insecure guys watching it, don't worry... there are no wang-shots! In fact there are no cocks to be seem which for a movie of this kind, dissapoints me! LOL I dont care if they were dudes, I wanted an insight into their world. Regardless its a good movie with solid performances all round.

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