The movie going experience has become so diluted. It seems like less and less do I have that exciting experience I remember from childhood when I went to the movies. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, or maybe it's because the movies aren't as good, or maybe it's because no one tries to make it special anymore. So when I heard that the film Che was doing a limited Roadshow appearance at IFC in NYC, then I had to go. Not to mention we (my friend Rosina and I) decide to make a day out of it and check out The Wrestler, which is the latest from one of my favorite filmmakers Darren Aronofsky. Let the excitement begin.

We started the day with a train ride in to NYC. For some of you this may be a normal thing and for others a fun experience that doesn't happen often. I on the other hand was terrified. I never felt less in control in my life. All I kept thinking about was Unbreakable and how much I had in common with David. I can safely say I won't be doing that again unless its the subway or the T.

So we get down to the IFC and first thing I'm thinking is food. Che was being presented as Steven Soderbergh intended as a close to 5 hour epic. Now they do include an intermission, but who wants to run out, get food, and eat it in under 20 minutes. Not I my friends. So pizza it is along with some of a bottle of water. Now I say some because when you're are watching a 5 hour movie in spanish with subtitles you don't want to get up to use the bathroom.  So my goal was ultimately to not go to the bathroom anytime during the movie. Well on to the movie after a quick meal and precautionary bathroom visit.

Che was an interesting was an interesting journey through the life of Che Guevarra during the time most people seem to care about, which is his time as a revolutionary. The first half of the film dealt with his teaming up with Fidel Castro to overthrow Batista in Cuba. We meet a farely young Che with a trace understanding of what it means to help Castro. As the movie moves along Che discovers what it really means to be a revolutionary and the level of respect one shows to the common people. This is where the heart of the movie is. In showing how much he cared about the common people you begin to understand why he can do something so drastic. The first half of the film is beautifully shot. The story is like a small snowball rolling down a hill and just getting bigger and better as it goes. By the end of the film I felt like I was a part of something special. Part of a revolution.

The second half of the film jumps ahead in time and covers Che's revolution in Bolivia. This is where things begin to go wrong. I mean that in both ways because the film starts to slow down and the actual revolution hits some bumps in the road. You see by the end of the first half you see Che as someone who had morals and an understanding of what is needed to lead a revolution. Though in the second half most of that seems to have been forgotten. He doesn't stick to rules he established for his revolutionaries. I couldn't understand why. I mean he still comes off as a man who has compassion for the oppressed, but yet his standards for his own soldiers drops. I felt like I missed something. Almost like a part of the story and his change was missing. It left me mystified for most of the second half which focuses on this failed revolution which is blamed on american interference, which could be true but I'm not a historian who can verify that claim. Luckily the film gains momentum towards the end which is a breathtaking end. It felt like hitting a brick wall.

Overall I would definitely recommend catching this one in theaters. Roadshow if you can, but definitely catch Che Part I in theaters. Che Part II probably won't be in many theaters so that will be a dvd watch, but if thats the case do both in one day since it's easier to do bathroom breaks and that's how it was intended to be seen.

Stay tuned for Roadshow Revolution with Che & Mickey Part II as we work our way around NYC for some vegan food and The Wrestler.