The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The last movie of the last book of one of the worst mystery/conspiracy novels I have ever read. They were convaluted and annoying and the names?! All in all, I say: SKIP IT all the books and the movie. I will add that of the 3 movies this was the best - but maybe it's because I never bothered to finish the book.

ExTerminators

Women who get angry & get caught have to go to anger therapy in this small Texas town. Some of the women get in the bad habit of killing off other women's husband for a price. Heather's character falls in love with a cop, is being stalked by an IRS agent, and is the best friend of the 2 killers. Strange plot - twist at the end. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

The Mechanic

Jason begins the film in a pool - but alas not swimming. He is bare chested twice - not the three times I was hoping for. In my opinion the 2 best fight scenes are actually with Ben and not Jason. It appeared as though they both did all their own stunts. I did like the actress they got to play the hooker. I did like the surprises in the plot - good job preview makers - finally. I did not really like all the blood - a couple of scenes were missed because my hand was in front of my face. All in all: SEE IT.

The Parking Lot

Documentary about the guys that are parking lot attendants for a small lot in a college town. They are majors in religion, anthropology, philosophy, and others. They are brillant and really have some profound things to say. I was wonderfully surprised. All in all, I say: SEE IT.

No Strings Attached

Romantic comedy - it is exactly as advertized. They are friends who have sex and then fall in love. Not much more to say. All in all, I say: WATCH IT when it comes on tv.

Green Hornet

Well, it wasn't exactly what I remember. Kato makes the movie - some of the scenes were too long and made me uncomfortable. All in all, I say: RENT IT later - I didn't see it in 3D just so you know.

The Claim

I owe this and decided on a whim to rewatch it. I love the idea of taking classics and putting them in different contexts. This is The Mayor of Casterbridge in the setting of a western. Sarah Polley is the daughter that is sold. Peter Mullan -an English/Scot/Irish not sure actor is the man that sells his family. I saw him in a movie that was originally a play Miss Julie and he was just brilliant. He was also in Trainspotting and the The Last Legion. Everyone does a good job in this - especially the cinematographer. All in all, I say: SEE IT especially if you have read Hardy's book.

Heartbreaker (French film)

I like saying French film instead of French movie - I like the alliteration. A frenchman, his sister, and his sister's husband break up couples. A wealthy man knows his daughter is unhappy and marrying a British man just because, so he hires teh Frenchman to show her there is more to life. You know the rest, the Frenchman falls in love with girl and they live happily ever after. The are some comedic moments. All in all, I say: PRETTY GOOD for a French film let alone a French comedy. RENT IT.

Lost Boys: The Thirst

This is bad on so many levels - I know you figured it is a sequel. Bad because of the plot, bad because of the actors, bad because of the filming, but most of all bad because they ruined the original just a little by making this. Thirst is vampire blood being disguised as a drug to create an army of vampires. The Alpha vampire is coming to town and if killed all vampires on Earth are gone. Told you it was lame. All in all, I say: SKIP IT only good thing they kept the theme song.

Tunisia Riots

Where have I heard this before - police take things too far and kill a kid. More people riot, schools are closed, and curfews are put into place. What is up with Tunisia? Why don't we ever learn our lessons?

Australia Flooding

There are bull sharks swimming in the flood waters - can you imagine having to worry that there are sharks!?

Jon Stewart - Daily Show

Monday following the shooting Jon Stewart just talked a bit instead of doing his usually thing. I love this quote from him I think I have heard before, "You can't outsmart a crazy." I found this list from a Delaware Jurist Website.
1. If you don't have to deal with a crazy person, don't
2.You can't outsmart a crazy. You also can't fix crazy. You could outcrazy a crazy, but that would make you crazy.
3. The crazy person doesn't have as much to lose as you do.
4. The crazy person sees anything you have done as justification for what she's about to do.
5. Anything nice you do for a crazy person will be used as ammunition about you later.
6.The crazy sees any outcome as vindication.
7. When you start caring what a crazy person thinks, your joining her in the craziness.

M&M Commerical

I love the commercial where the woman asks her husband to get her a snack and when he opens the cupboard food starts flying at his face. He says, "Get in the bowl." The M&M says, "You get in the bowl." All in all, I say: SEE IT I giggle every time I see it.

Mansfield Park

As you know I love Jane Austin - this version of Mansfield Park starring Jonny Lee Miller is very well filmed and edited. It's very clever and the emotions really come through - excellent acting on all counts. All in all, I say: WATCH IT I have at least 10 times since it's release on DVD.

Outland

Have you ever seen High Noon? This is High Noon but in space. All the moral dilemas as the original. Who better to star in Gary Cooper's role than Sean Connery. I have seen this several times before. All in all, I say: REWATCH both.

Flight of the Pheonix

The original with Stewart had an amazing award
winning cast. It was kind of a story of how a once
young hot shot pilot is getting old and his services are not in as great demand as they were during the war. More die in the 65 version than the 04 version. The 04 version had some good lookin' especially with shirts off men - no award winners. An amazing soundtrack - OutKast- more people survive. Less talking about life and morals and more action. All in all, I say: SEE THEM both in order.

NCIS

Love Mark Harmon in this character as much as I loved his character on West Wing - cried my eyes out when he died. Michael Weatherly - from Dark Angel - love the episode - can't remember the season - where he runs through a warehouse killing all the bad men then jumps into the water to save Gibbs and another person. I love Abby's little quarks.All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's really the best of forensics and mystery.

The first three rules are the golden rules - 3 created by the man that trained Gibbs and 3 created by Gibbs.

Rule 1: Never let suspects stay together. Never screw (over) your partner.

Rule 2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene. You do what you have to do for family.

Rule 3: Never be unreachable. Don't believe what you're told. Double check.

Rule 4: If you have a secret, the best thing is to keep it to yourself. The second best is to tell one other person if you must. There is no third best.

Rule 6: Never say you're sorry. It's a sign of weakness.

Rule 7: Always be specific when you lie.

Rule 8: Never take anything for granted.

Rule 9: Never go anywhere without a knife.

Rule 10: Never get personally involved in a case (Gibbs admits this is the hardest)

Rule 11: When the job is done, walk away.

Rule 12: Never date a coworker.

Rule 13: Never, ever involve lawyers.

Rule 15: Always work as a team.

Rule 18: It's better to ask forgiveness than ask permission.

Rule 22: Never ever interrupt Gibbs in interrogation.

Rule 23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live.

Rule 27: These are 2 ways to follow 1st way they never notive you; 2nd way they onlt notice you

Rule 38: Your case, your lead

Rule 39: There is no such thing as coincidence.

Rule 40: If it seems like someone's out to get you, they are

Rule 44: 1st things first hide the women & children

Rule 45: Clean up your messes

Rule 51: Sometimes you're wrong

2 rules without numbers: Never under estimate your opponent and Follow you lead

From Time to Time

Maggie Smith plays a grandmother who is helping her grandson though a difficult time over Christmas during WWII. The boy's father is MIA. As the boy wanders the house and grounds and learns about its history he discovers a mystery that will save the family home. A bit sad - I warn you, but edited well and a good screenplay. A couple other surprise supporting cast members. All in all, I say: RENT IT

A Dog Year

A little long. Not so much about a dog - it's more about a writer with writer's block. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

Heavy

Jones plays a bad cop stupid enough to fall into a trap set up from a congressman (well the English version of a congressman). Turns out the congressman is a bad man too (you'll recognize him from the Highlander TV series only he's added several pounds). The congressman is dying and needs to get rid of a mistress, so he puts a hit out on himself knowing his brother will be asked to do the job and will be more than willing (the congressman spoke at his brother's murder trial and got him put in jail). Congressman hires bad cop to intercept the hit, so he can have his criminal brother's heart or he'll die - knowing his mistress will be a witness and have to be killed, too. The main character is the hitman - he's actually a boxer who regrets killing his wife's lover. He's a good man trying to repay a debt to a bad man. It doesn't end well for anyone. All in all, I say: SKIP IT it's my cup of tea, but no one else's.

Flipped

Also starring Aidan Quinn, Anthony Edwards, Penelope Ann Miller, and Rebecca De Mornay. The book and movie go back and forth between 2 young people and their points of view of their life and their love for each other. Takes place when things start changing in late 50s and early 60s. Sweet movie. All in all, I say: READ BOOK and then SEE MOVIE.

Beauty and the Briefcase

Aside from the obvious actress - Jaime Pressly also stars. A young, new writer that wants to write about fashion for Cosmo also wants to find love in New York. She wants magic and has created a check list of her perfect man - you already know where this is going - it is predictable. But it was short and sweet. All in all, I say: STREAM IT.

Scarecrow and Mrs. King: Season One

Had a chance - to not do school work - to re-watch this great tv show. I loved this and saw every show of every season when it first aired. Great spy show - new shows could learn a thing or two. Comedy, romance, and mystery. The good old Russia is the bad guy spy stuff without fancy technology like cellphones. All in all, I say: RENT IT or if a fan BUY IT. Season two will be released in March.

Season of the Witch

I don't think the production company thought much of this movie with just one week of advertising. I was curious because of Cage's supporting actor - straight from Sons of Anarchy. Set during Crusades - a couple of knights that leave the service of church because they were tricked into killing women and children end up in the service of the church for a last mission. Take a woman accused of being a witch from one place to another - you are catching on - trouble along the way. Turns out she's not a witch & I won't say anymore - other than the sword scenes are good. All in all, I say: RENT IT.

Country Strong

I know what you are thinking - why? I don't like country music - true. I was curious. I like McGraw's performance and the critics are right Garrett and his singing voice steal the movie. I didn't care for the addict story line with Paltrow - spoiler - she dies and I didn't mind. I think you only need to focus on the young couple and view the older couple as a "how not to" guide. All in all, I say: RENT IT or WAIT for HBO or Showtime to play it.

Exam

Found on Netflix Streaming - a film with a couple of British actors, a French actor, and a couple of no name Americans. 8 people who make it through an unknown application process get to an exam room where they have 80 minutes to answer a question. Problem: most are cut-throat people and they don't know the question. Which of the 8 will win - becomes more and more obvious are the film progresses. Basically, it is like a riddle that has been drawn out - the question and answer were provided at the beginning of the exam if you are observant enough. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like solving puzzles and riddles.

Micmacs

Jean-Pierre Jeunet and some of his favorite actors are homeless in this French film. Some odd balls work together to help Bazil get even with a couple of arms dealers. One made the landmine that killed his father and one made the bullet that was shot into his head causing him to have spells, lose his job, and his apartment. As always, the chaos leads somewhere and there is a happy ending. It reminds me of the directors popular Amelie. All in all, I say: if you are a fan like me SEE IT.