McCray's Tavern

Located in downtown, historic Lawrenceville, GA. The best feature is the upstairs, outdoor patio. The woodwork is nice, but the chairs are a bit uncomfortable. Didn't use the bathroom so I don't know what those are like. Parking is on the street or in the new free parking deck. I have had a burger and a panini there next I will try the fish and chips. All in all, I say: TRY IT food was good and servers were super nice.

In Darkness

Based on the true story of some Jews in Poland that hid from the Nazis in the sewers. I hate to say this about any Holocaust movie, but it was really slow and kind of boring. I fast forwarded through a bit - it made me stir crazy. Having said that I still think it is important to learn about these stories. All in all, I say: RENT IT - oh, also, very graphic.

Seeking A Friend for the End of the World

Carell wants to get to his first love to spend his last time on Earth. Knightly a neighbor wants to help him find her partially because it's her fault he hasn't gone to see his long lost love earlier. It's an apocalyptic road trip movie mixed with romantic comedy. It would be super funny if you were not constantly reminded the world is about to end. Martin Sheen has a small part at the end. The dog is a nice touch. Super depressing - even if you forget half way through the movie that the world is going to explode - the very end will remind you. All in all, I say: RENT or STREAM IT later

16-Love

I don't recognize any of the actors except for the actress that plays the mom, but she doesn't really do much. It was a smaller budget romantic comedy. Netflix writes, "Teenager Ally "Smash" Mash lives between the carefully painted white lines of junior tennis. Unbeaten and about to go pro, a twisted ankle intervenes, and she shows a lazy rival what it takes to win, and he shows her how to live off of the court." All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Manuel's Tavern

All in all, I say: EAT THERE and try the tots! I love tots!
Located off North Highland Street this is a place for political discussion, sports, drinks with friends, and good food. Many a politician (democratic) hangs out here - popular among Atlanta's democrats since 1956. According to their website,
Manuel eventually became CEO of Dekalb County. His political career dovetailed with the Tavern, which he said gave him "an ideal vantage point from which to observe his widely diverse patrons" and the opportunity "to listen to the man on the street."

Over time, Manuel developed friends on the local, state, and national levels of politics.

Eventually, Manuel retired from both the Tavern and politics, following three terms as CEO of DeKalb County. He is still fondly referred to as the "Godfather" of Georgia Democratic politics.

The Decoy Bride

Netflix writes, "When Hollywood actress Lara Tyler travels to a tiny Scottish island to get married, the paparazzi follow her, prompting her to flee in frustration. To dupe the press, her handlers stage fake nuptials and hire a local girl to play the bride." Tennant (Dr. Who) falls in love with the decoy MacDonald (Brave). It seemed effortless - the acting - everything. It was a light-hearted romantic comedy. All in all, I say: STREAM IT.

21 Jump Street

I had to see this because I have seen every 21 Jump Street show ever made. I grew with that show. Hill helped write it which explains some of the homophobic humor. Tatum executive produced. The other actors did a good job. I liked all the cameos of the guys from the original, but it just wasn't as funny as maybe it could have been had someone else written the script - or even if they had gotten someone other than Hill. All in all, I say: STREAM IT it if you want to see something light and you were a fan of the show, but don't expect much.

Mirror, Mirror

Snow White only with a lot more weird childish comedy. The Prince is not attractive and the Queen is evil just not evil enough. Some of the filming is cool and the stunts with the dwarfs are cool. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Wrath of the Titans

Sequel to Clash of the Titans - wife is dead and son has never touched a sword until Zeus asks for his son's help. Hades has conspired with Aries to bring back Chronos. Zeus needs his son and grandson to keep Chronos from killing all mortals. Good guys win. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it didn't really do anything fr me.

Sisterhood Everlasting

The last book of the traveling pants. Spoiler: Tibby dies. Each of the others deals with it in thier own way and in the end Tibby brings them together again with notes she wrote to them. The all end up happily ever after. It's a bit different, older than the other books. All in all, I say: if you have read all the others READ IT

Ellie Chronicles #3

Gavin has been kidnapped, so Ellie needs to go rescue him in enemy territory. The Liberation helps and she finds out who the ruler is. She admits to herself that she loves Lee and dumps Jeremy. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - super boring.

Brainjack

This book was HORRIBLE. It was like being trapped at the dinner table as a kid being forced to listen to my computer engineer parents talk in computer code. I even just started skimming, but even that was boring. A computer hacker is hired by the government to fight terrorism - not as cool as it sounds. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Refuge

Darrly is about to become engaged to a woman he loves, but she recently cheated on him. He has written a book that is no good and teaching is not fulfilling him. His motorcycle runs out of gas; he stumbles into an RV that he thinks is empty and attempts to choke himself when he is stopped by Amelia (Linda Hamilton of Terminator). She is a nurse that helps people who are on their death bed, she has an abusive husband, a long line of horrible boyfriends, and while arguing with her husband about his gambling he is shot and killed. She takes Darryl hostage. In the end they both help each other out and start life new. All in all, I say: STREAM IT - it was interesting.

Centre Place

Netflix writes, "Aspiring artist Lizzie Baxter is a lost soul living in denial. When Simon, her "perfectly rich and perfectly perfect" boyfriend, dumps her on the eve of their departure to Paris, Lizzie's life goes into a tailspin." She reconciles with her dad, her brother burns down her house, her boss lets her fix the business, and her 1st love comes back into the picture. It's an Australian film and it's kind of low key and fun. I didn't like the end. All in all, I say: STREAM IT.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (movie)

Not the book - I know it would have been hard and there were still many details from the book in the movie. I suggest you still read the book and can do in any order you want - don't have to do book first since they are so different. One (the movie) is an action film about how Lincoln came to fight the Civil War. The other (the book) is a biography of his life. Timur Berkmambetov must really love action and trains. This movie is even better action wise the Wanted was. Plot? Read the title again. All in all, I say: SEE IT but in 3D

Brave

I think I expected too much from this and so I was disappointed. I was actually bored in a couple of places. The music and animation were superb - I expected nothing less from PIXAR. This new Disney princess is tons of fun. The Queen (Emma Thompson) wants to follow tradition and have the sons of each of the other 3 tribes fight to win the Princesses (Kelly Macdonald) hand in marriage. She is not ready and asks a witch to change her mom so her fate will be changed. Her mom is changed into a bear - why would that be bad? Well, her dad (Billy Connolly) is the Bear King - known for killing bears. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Ellie Chronicles #2

In this book Ellie is starting to have feelings for a new kid in school - Finley's son Jeremy. She gets pulled into another Liberation mission when Gavin takes it upon himself to follow Lee and Homer one night. This book was super boring - the action comes in the last chapter when Gavin goes into the city to meet his long lost sister and is attacked by his step-dad - that killed his mom before the war. Crazy we go the whole book only to get good stuff in only 2 chapters. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you are just dying to know more about Ellie.

Ellie Chronicles #1

Tomorrow series is over and done with, so Marsden created the Ellie Chronicles. It looks at the main character from the Tomorrow Series, Ellie, and what happens to her after the war. She and Gavin end up orphans living on her parents ranch trying to make a go of it. She finds out Lee and Homer have been working for the Liberation movement - a movement that is trying to get the enemies out of Australia - remember in the peace agreement they got more than half the country. She gets sucked into one mission - to save Homer. Will she make it in time? All in all, I say: READ IT if you read ALL the tomorrow series otherwise SKIP IT he goes into these long, boring back stories and flashbacks that are hard to bear.

Battle Royale

IMDb writes, "In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act."

My favorite character was Kawada (played by Taro Yamamoto - super handsome - couldn't find a picture, but internet says he was born in 74 so he's my age)- he won the BR the year before and wanted back in because he wanted revenge. He has discovered some tricks to help in the current game, but can he be trusted? Kind of like Hunger Games, but it was released in 2000 and the book was written before that. The teacher that now runs the BR does have a favorite. See if you can guess who wins. All in all, I say: SEE IT - there is a part 2, but it doesn't seem to be available in the US yet.

The Walking Dead: Book 7

The peaceful town - it is all it appears to be. Everyone is on edge because they aren't use to not living in constant fear. It doesn't last too long. A wife beater causes some problems between Rich and the community, but in the end the guy in charge says he is stepping down and letting Rick take over. A herd happens to find a weak spot in the wall - turns out they ran out of concrete and just stuck the wall up. Who will get bitten? You will never believe it! All in all, I say: READ IT - but slowly because there is no Book 8 - yet.

The Walking Dead: Book 6

The group runs into a preacher and some cannibals. They lose Dale and the twins, but they make it to DC. Well, Alexandria, VA to be exact. There they meet a group of 40 or so that have barricaded up a large portion of town and live peacefully inside with no weapons. They have parties and the kids trick or treat. Sounds too good to be true - that's what Rick and his group think. All in all, I say: READ IT - I wonder if the tv show will film this part in GA or move to VA - that's if it continues to last.

The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye

In this, what seems to be last book in the series, Enola and her brothers work together to find a missing Duchess. Along the way both her brothers realize she is self-self-sufficient and agree she does not have to go to finishing school. They have agreed to let her go to University. The find out their mother has died and are moving on as a family. All in all, I say: READ IT if you read the others - it's quick and a good ending to the series.

Trapped

7 kids are trapped inside their high school for various reasons during a blizzard in the Northeastern US for over 2 weeks. Finally, when the roof caves in on one side they have no choice but to take action. Who will leave? How will they leave to get help? Will they make it? It is a short book with some high school only appropriate conversations. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are high school or older. It was interesting.

Pirate Latitudes

Amazon writes, "Word in port is that the Spanish treasure galleon El Trinidad, fresh from New Spain, is stalled in nearby Matanceros harbor awaiting repairs. Heavily fortified, the impregnable Spanish outpost is guarded by the blood-swiller Cazalla, a favorite commander of King Philip IV himself. With the governor′s backing, Hunter assembles a roughneck crew to infiltrate the enemy island and commandeer the galleon, along with its fortune in Spanish gold. The raid is as perilous as the bloody legends of Matanceros suggest, and Hunter will lose more than one man before he finds himself on the island′s shores, where dense jungle and the firepower of Spanish infantry are all that stand between him and the treasure." I say BORING and DOUBLE BORING. I usually LOVE Crichton stuff, but this was horrible. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Tomorrow Girls: Set Me Free

#4 and last book in the series. The 8 kids figure out how to find the leader of the resistance. Once at headquarters, almost everyone is reunited with family - very convenient. The last 2 chapters are were the girls help the resistance free students from an Alliance school that is brainwashing them. The End. Yes, all 3 books and 75% of a fourth book and then in 2 chapters - done. All in all, I say: SKIP IT I was disappointed.

Tomorrow Girls: With the Enemy

In book 3 the boys & girls go to a library - the libraries have been taken over by the evil Alliance and used as schools to brainwash children to follow them. They go to rescue one of their own. They are in Chicago and realized that the girl they rescue is important because her mother is the head of the resistance. Now they seek out the resistance and have been joined by one more boy - that makes it an even 8. All in all, I say: READ IT it is quick and adds to the series well.

The Death Cure

The last book in the Maze Runner series. It was long - too long. A lot of it felt unnecessary too. They escape from the WICKED facility and go to Denver - I know right. They learn about what has been going on in the real world while they have been inside the experiment and they learn about a group that wants to put an end to them. To make the long story short - spoiler alert - WICKED was really always in it to diminish the human population of Earth. The wanted to find everyone that was immune and weed through them to find leaders for the new world Earth would become. Secondary to that goal was a cure. The kids destroy WICKED and start a new life. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - leave a better ending to your imagination.

Walking Dead Book 5

So, almost everyone from the prison and the Governor's group is dead. Karl and Rick are on their own for a little while. Michonne catches up and the 3 of them travel back to the farm. There they meet up with the twins, Dale, Andrea, Glenn, Maggie, and Sophia.  Soon, 3 people come upon them Sgt. Ford, Rosita, and Dr. Porter who claims to have been in contacted with people in DC. So, the whole gang is on their way to Washington, but will a Herd get them? All in all, I say: READ IT.

Catch .44

IMDb writes, "For Tes (Akerman) and her two cohorts Kara (Nikki Reed) and Dawn (Deborah Ann Woll), the job sounded simple enough: intercept a double-cross drug shipment for their crime boss Mel (Willis) at an isolated diner. But when an unstoppable chain of events unfolds, everyone soon realizes no one is who they seem and the job may be something other than eliminating the competition. What started as simple instructions has now turned into a deadly cat-and-mouse game - with large guns pointed at everyone." It seemed like the director was trying to copy Tarantino. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

The Scorch Trials

#2 in the Maze Runner trilogy. The boys (Group A) are now joined with the girls (Group B) for the second WICKED experiment. Thomas is still at the center of everything that is going on and things are becoming even more confusing. He is having a hard time trying to figure out who he can trust, but WICKED probably wants it that way. More die, but not as many as before and they cross the area we know as the equator - which has become a desert because of the sun flares. Everyone finds out they have a disease called Flare, but if they can cross the desert in time they are promised a cure. There has to be a catch though - right? All in all, I say: READ IT especially if you read the 1st.

Tomorrow Girls: Run For Cover

#2 in the series. 4 girls and 3 boys have decided to run away from the Alliance sleeper cells. The Alliance wants to use them against their parents to help win the war. The kids want to make it back home to Chicago fast. 2 Problems - their ID bracelets were taken and the Alliance is hot on their trail. They manage to get into the US and are seeking temporary refugee at an abandoned mall when an Alliance truck arrives. Will they capture the kids? All in all, I say: READ IT if you read the first. Quick read and suspenseful.

Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates

The world has been at war for a very long time now. Wealthy parents in the US decide to send their kids to a safe and secure location. The girls and boys are taken to a school on the border with Canada where there is no electricity. No cell phones, no tvs, and no regular school classes either. Instead they are learning how to shoot, survive in the wilderness, and start fires. Some of the kids are excited and enjoying the school because they have been trapped for so long because of the war. Others are suspicious, which is good because the teachers at this school are up to no good. The four main characters may be in danger. All in all, I say: READ IT. Easy read and futuristic. 

Maze Runner

A group of teenage boys with no memories are living together in a place called The Glades. Every month a new boy joins the group. The ones that have been there the longest have taken leadership roles in the community. Every boy seems to have a strength in one particular area. The newest boy Tom is the last boy to arrive - soon after him a girl for the first time ever arrives, the gates that close in the boys at night to keep them safe no longer closes, and the sun that keeps the plants alive is no longer showing. The only way to escape is to - after 2 years - find a way out of the maze that lies beyond the walls. Tom and Teresa (the girl) hold the key to everyone getting out. Even if they do get out what is waiting for them? All in all, I say: READ IT - very cool sci-fi book.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

IMDb writes, "As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form." More than half way through the film he - Blaze (Nicholas Cage) - gets rid of his curse and then takes it back to save the boy from the devil (Ciaran Hinds of Persuasion) wants. He does learn that the Ghost Rider was an angel that was driven mad and you know what angels can do - they can return a soul to a body. He learns this from a new friend played by Idris Elba from Avengers. So now I think you get the idea and can guess what happens. All in all, I say: unless you saw the first one SKIP IT.

Some Kind of Wonderful

Watched this again with friends - I own it. Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) plays Amanda Jones. She is not wealthy, but she is popular. She has popular and wealthy friends and boyfriend (played by Craig Sheffer from A River Runs Through It). Her boyfriend is caught cheating so Amanda accepts a date from a guy from her part of town Keith (played by Eric Stoltz from Caprica). His best friend is Watts played by Mary Stuart Masterson (Fried Green Tomatoes). She is a tomboy and in love with her long time friend Keith. Others you might recognize Keith's dad - John Ashton from Beverly Hills Cop - and detention friend of Keith's - Elias Koteas from Combat Hospital. Who will end up with Keith? Watts or Amanda? All in all, I say: WATCH IT

Case of The Peculiar Pink Fan

Another Enola Holmes book. A girl from one of the previous books is in trouble again and missing again. She is being forced to marry someone she does not love and her mother hires Sherlock to find her. Enola runs into the girl with her captors and soon both Sherlock and Enola come face to face. In order to solve the case they form a truce, but when the case is over will Sherlock try to force her into boarding school? All in all, I say: READ IT if you have read the others.

Fifty Shades Trilogy

1st Book - Fifty Shades of Grey - about how Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele meet.

 2nd Book - How the 2 main characters face both their past and fears and fall in love. Two if Grey's ex-girlfriends are in the picture.

Last book, what happens after they get married and will a man seeking revenge on Grey be caught before it's too late.

Problem with these books - too damn repetitive! I got so sick of reading the same thing over and over again. James could have condensed all 3 books into one by cutting out all the repetition. Quick read if you skip. This is why I don't like romance novels. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Walking Dead Book 4

Lots of Spoilers! So, they are in the prison and just when they think the Governor isn't going to come - he does! They try a couple times maybe to get into the prison without breaking down the fences. They kill and wound several main characters. Some have already left the prison to go their separate way & they return during the 3rd big attack - I think it was the 3rd time. At the end, everyone is separated and it looks like Lori and the baby die- I can't believe it! The Governor gets it too! All in all, I say: READ IT - can't wait till book 5.

The Galahad Legacy: A Galahad Book

#5 and the last book in the series. The 251 teens have come across several solar systems and galaxies, wormholes, and 2 alien species to arrive at their destination. 2 things still stand in their way. 1 - some of the unruly crew that created chaos in an earlier book. 2 - the saboteur from one of the earlier books planted a bomb. Will they make it to the surface of their new Earth like planet or perish. Also, there are surprises in the storage hold for the crew - very exciting - all little less science than the last 2 books. All in all, I say: READ IT

The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline

In the next Enola Holmes book her housekeeper has been kidnapped and Florence Nightingale might be behind it?! Enola finds herself in an old military scandal involving spies in this book. She is also almost caught again by her brother Sherlock. Good thing though Sherlock is schooled on why Enola would run from him and maybe now the Holmes brothers will get some sense and not force Enola into a boarding school. All in all, I say: READ IT

Cosmic Storm: A Galahad Book

When we left the crew the leader had gone through a black hole. In this book, the crew must elect a new leader, look for their leader, and solve the troubling issue of their shield failing. There is a lot of science in this book - it seems the further in the series one gets the more science there is and the less on characters there is. At the end of the book the vultures that killed one of their crew come back. What does that mean for the crew? We have to wait for the last book in the series. All in all, I say: READ IT if you have read the others.

First Position

IMDb writes, "A documentary that follows six young dancers from around the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world." That pretty much sums it up. The viewer ends up making fun of one of the dancers and rooting for a couple of the others. The girl from Sierra Leone was my favorite. All in all, I say: RENT IT if you like ballet.

Prometheus

Noomi Rapace is a scientist that has discovered a series of cave painting and other arecheolgical artifacts that shows humans worshipping something from the sky - aliens. With the help of a wealthy man (Guy Pearce) and his daughter (Charlize Theron) she and a team of others are taken out to a planet. Prometheus is the name of the ship - FYI. Michael Fassbender (X-Men First Class)  is the A.I. on the ship. And like the A.I. in Alien he is up to no good. It is confirmed this film is the prequel to Alien, but one still doesn't know the why - 2 live to continue on to find out that answer - the rest - I'm sure you know if you have seen the films. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you are an Alien movie fan and have seen all the others.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Netflix describes as, "When he traces a distress signal about his grandfather's whereabouts to an island that doesn't seem to exist, fearless teen Sean Anderson springs into adventure mode and teams up with an unlikely ally: his stepfather." Sean played by Josh Hutcherson (Hunger Games) is not with his uncle this time but his step-dad played by Dwayne Johnson (The Rock). The bond while trying to get the island which is sinking because it is also Atlantis. They escape using The Nautilus. There is gross stuff and stupid stuff in the movie to appeal to kids. There are only about 4 scenes worth seeing in 3D. All in all, I say: RENT IT when it comes out if you saw the 1st one.

13 Roses Tattoo Parlour

Located in historical East Atlanta this throw back to the 50s is really cool. This is the waiting room above. Each artist has their own room to work in, so there is lots of privacy. Tim McGrath was my artist and he was very polite and personable. Everyone was helpful and the atmosphere was so cool. I think I have found my new place. All in all, I say: GO if you are in need of a tattoo.

Common Law

Michael Ealy (Sleeper Cell) is a laid back burglary/homicide cop. He wears jeans and loves the ladies. Warren Kole (small scene in Avengers) is straight-laced. Recently divorced because his wife doesn't want to be married to a cop, but a lawyer. The 2 cops are having had trouble getting along, so their boss orders them to take couples therapy. These scenes are my favorite - the crimes they solve I half way tune out. All in all, I say: SEE IT.

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets

Dr. Watson has gone missing! Sherlock is looking in all the wrong places. Enola upon visiting Mrs. Watson discovers a bizarre bouquet has been delivered and ends up solving the whole thing because of her mother's interest in flowers. All in all, I say: READ IT

The Case of the Left-Handed Lady

#2 of the Enola Holmes Mystery. Sherlock has caught on to her use of disguises and is hot on her trail. In this book a young heiress is Mesmerized and forced to hand out pamphlets for the labour unions. Strange, but it also involves a murder. Enola has to make a choice at the end and seeks out Dr. Watson - who interestingly enough has ask her help to find - herself. Confused, then: All in all, I say: READ IT.