Page 52 February 2014 Saving Mr. Banks Director: John Lee Hancock Starring: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Annie Rose Buckley, Colin Farrell, and Paul Giamatti Brimming with emotional scenes, Saving Mr. Banks is not entirely accurate but that doesn’t make it a bad film. Saving Mr. Banks is a dramatization of the production of Disney’s Mary Poppins. P.L. Travers (Thompson), author of the books that inspired the classic Disney movie, is reluctant to hand over the film rights to Walt Disney (Hanks). Hoping to get her approval to make the film, Walt invites her to leave England and come watch some of the production process, hoping to get her approval. During her stay in America, there are flashbacks to her childhood in Australia. As a child, Travers spent much of her time with her father (Farrell). Her life in Australia is where much of the inspiration for Mary Poppins came from. From the moment her driver (Giamatti) picks her up at the airport in America, Travers seems disappointed already, but Saving Mr. Banks an enjoyable film despite inaccuracies Walt is determined to change her mind about him and the movie he wants to create. Going into the film, emphasis must be put on the word “dramatization,” as it is based rather loosely in the facts. The movie adds drama and emotion where, in reality, it hadn’t been, in order to make it more interesting to watch. It’s tailored to fit with the story that most audiences want to see, with a slow build, an emotional twist, a change of heart, and a happy ending. Saving Mr. Banks is an example of how the true story can be distorted in order to make what the industry believes to be a more marketable film. In order to like the movie, it must be understood that, while it is inspired by reality, it is a work of fiction. In the film, Mrs. Travers tells the driver, Ralph, that he’s the only American she likes. The audience may also feel this way, as he gives off the most genuine feeling of all the characters, with the exception perhaps of Mrs. Travers. The times Giamatti is onscreen are the most entertaining to watch. Hanks does well enough depicting Walt Disney, though it feels like his role in the film is smaller than it ought to be. Or perhaps it isn’t that there isn’t enough of Tom Hanks, but that he is so present in the film that it’s hard to see Walt behind him. Thompson is one of the main reasons the movie didn’t completely flop, carrying the film with an elegance that makes the experience enjoyable. With another in her place as Mrs. Travers, the film might not have succeeded in saving anything. The film is a likeable one, with witty dialogue and some lines from Mary Poppins thrown in the mix. It’s fun for those who are fond of the musical to revisit the catchy tunes for probably the first time in a while. The parts of the story that are dramatized tend to lean too heavily on the cliché side, and the film is definitely a work of Disney. However, anyone who is able to look past the inaccuracies will probably enjoy watching it. It isn’t the most memorable movie of the year, but Saving Mr. Banks is a nice way to kill a couple of hours, and Thompson and Giamatti deserve 3 stars for keeping it above the water. Julie Demetros is an Arcadia resident who writes about movies and books at julieatthemovies.wordpress.com. Susan Tibbets Associate Broker, REALTOR® SFR Certified Office: 602.463.7000 E-mail: susantibbets@gmail.com Web: www.ArcadiaHomes.com Wonderful Family home… Completely Remodeled. 4 Bd. + Den + Loft, 3.5 Ba., Pool & Spa. $1,100,000 YO U R P E R F E C T PA R T N E R S SUSAN TIBBETS & C O L D W E L L B A N K E R SOLD! We can sell your home too... 6235 E. Calle Rosa Arizona Country Club… looking onto the 15th Green and across the Golf Course. 1/2 Acre + Lot. Ideal for remodel or build your dream home. $850,000 5929 E. Indian School Rd. 4 Bd., 2.5 Ba., Pool, 3 Car Gar. + Full Guest House. 1/2 Acre Lot… Fantastic Camelback Mountain Views. $895,000 Base of Camelback Mountain Here’s what a client of Susan’s has to say... “It is very diffi cult to understand the meaning of full service representation until you have lived it as I have. Susan is on top of absolutely everything imaginable so that you don’t have to. This allows for you to spend your time elsewhere, stress free of real estate transactions. Again, you must experience it to understand the difference between Susan and all of the others. After Susan, the others appear clone like, humdrum and very commonplace or average at best. It is not often that I write this type of letter, but, I would stake my own reputation on the ethics, sensitivity and honesty of Susan Tibbets. So much that she will list another home for me in the next couple of weeks. Respectfully submitted,” — T. Keck

Page 53 February 2 0 1 4 ARCADIA SPORTS By Nicholas Smith We’ve heard this story before. A young athlete who plays a sport well decides to change to a different sport, and excels at that one too. In this case, a young girl decided to change things up, and is now a star guard in basketball. No big deal right? But what if the sport she changed from was football? What if the position she played was quarterback? Maybe you haven’t heard this story after all. Tori Wright moved to Arcadia before her sophomore year, from Dalton, Ohio, a town she promises “you haven’t heard of.” She played quarterback for her school football team while living in Dalton, a team on which she was the only female member. “It could be hard sometimes,” she said. “But the guys were pretty nice. Especially the receivers. They had to be nice if they wanted to get the ball.” Tori also played basketball while living in Ohio and began playing the sport full Football to basketball, this athlete really excels accuracies time when she moved to Arcadia. She plays point guard and shooting guard and is a senior on this year’s team. The team doesn’t have a ton of height, but what some might call a disadvantage, Tori says has Continued on page 55 AHS soccer captain explains team’s success By Nicholas Smith Missy Dominick has always been an athlete. She juggled three different sports while growing up. “I played gymnastics, softball, and soccer,” she said. “In the end I was just more of a team sports person.” Now as a senior, she is the captain of the school soccer team. What she loves about her current sport is how complex it can be. “Soccer is a sport that looks simple when you’re watching it,” she said. “But when you’re the one playing there is so much action. It really makes you have to think while you’re playing.” Missy has years of playing experience on club teams, which has made her the player she is this season. Her teams have always been extremely competitive. “My team plays in a national league,” she explained. “Meaning we play 52 of the best teams across the country. The talent of our opponents has really helped me become a better player.” Continued on page 55 New Arcadia Pilates Studio Sign up online! ReformedPilates.com info@reformedpilates.com (602) 466-2819 NW corner of 44th St. and Indian School Rd. FIRST CLASS FREE FIRST MONTH UNLIMITED FOR $100 Pilates LOOK BETTER - FEEL BETTER Let us help you achieve a better you! One-on-one private Pilates instruction individually tailored to focus on your goals. Make a healthy body your priority and call today. Also offering mat and TRX classes ARCADIA STUDIO 4422 E. Indian School ● 602-538-5686 CENTRAL PHOENIX STUDIO 742 E. Glendale Ave. ● 602-296-4649 www.thepilatesbodyaz.com Let us help you achieve a better you! Let us help you achieve a better you! The Pilates Body