By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

This Saturday at 6 p.m., the fastest two minutes in sports commences at the Kentucky Derby. Like the Superbowl and World Series, the

Kentucky Derby is a transcendental sport that gives everybody an excuse to party, even without being a fan. Unless there is Triple Crown contention, the spotlight will fade after this competition.

While The Cup is about the Melbourne Cup Race and NOT the Kentucky Derby, this film explains what goes behind stables leading up to the championship spotlight. Based on a true story, this film focuses on the Olivers, a family with a pedigree as horse jockeys.

As Jason Oliver (Stephen Curry) prepares for the race of his life, the 2002 Melbourne Cup, his only brother dies in a practice run. In cruel irony, The Oliver father died in a similar fashion when Jason and his brother were children. With the big race days away, the ethical question arises, should Jason race or not?

Without too many bells and whistles, The Cup is a straight forward drama. The action scenes raise it to a higher level when the Melbourne Cup begins. While performances are adequate, Brendan Gleeson steals the show as the stoic mentor to the Oliver family.

For those seeking lightweight comedy, the Farrelly brothers entertaining tribute The Three Stooges fills the bill. A victim of 11 years of expectation, this film features Sean Hayes as Larry, Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe and Will Sasso as Curly.

The film strings together three short subjects and presents an original story about why these three guys stay with each other, despite slaps, pokes and harmless eye gouging. While the belly laughs are inconsistent, this film is full of loving details.

Given the recent headlines about testimony given by Jennifer Hudson regarding the true-life murder of her family, her cinematic gospel, backed up by the Stooges, is pure joy. The slapstick is epic, but details like these will warm your heart.

When The Avengers opens tomorrow, Cabin in the Woods will likely be pushed aside. Co-written by Joss Whedon (Ironically, the director of The Avengers), this horror film has developed a cult following through wordof- mouth. Part H.P. Lovecraft, part Jason Voorhees, part Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods fulfills this monster maven’s expectations and is pure popcorn-eating Saturday matinee fun. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!