Lawless

Written by Nick Cave (Proposition) and based on the biography by Matt Bondurant. IMDb writes, "Set in Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a bootlegging gang is threatened by a new deputy and other authorities who want a cut of their profits." The brothers are played by Hardy (WHO IS THE NEW MAD MAX!!!!), LaBeouf (Transformers), and Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty). The new special deputy is Guy Pierce. (Proposition) - creepy in every way. The ladies they fall in love with are Chastain (The Help) and Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland). Oldman (The Professional) makes an appearance as well. All in all, I say: SEE IT - you might want to wacth with captions though - even though none are from the south - the southern accents are super thick.

Sahara (1983)

Never realized there were so many movies with this title. Netflix recently put this on their streaming menu - I was having trouble sleeping, so I watched it. Shields is a rich girl that has been helping her wealthy father race cars in the US. When her father dies, she takes his place in a race through the Sahara. At the same time as the race there just happens to be an ethnic war going on which causes problems for the fastest racers. When it is discovered that she is indeed a woman and not a man she is kidnapped, forced to marry a tribal leader, and helps his people fight the other group. In a matter of a couple of days she falls in love with the guy she was forced to marry and they live happily ever after, after she wins the race.All in all, I say: STREAM IT when you get bored like me.

Alice (2009 tv miniseries)

Sci-fi channel original TV mini-series about the return of Alice in wonderland. She is an adult now and Wonderland has been in chaos since she left. Her father was taken to Wonderland and now her fiance. When she arrives the Hatter helps her make her way through to finding her father and helping the resistance overthrow the Queen once and for all. Her fiance turns out to be the Prince. Lots of familiar Canadian actors. Alice is played by Caterina Scorsone recently from Private Practice. Hatter is played by the cute British actor Andrew Lee Potts from Primeval. Below is him in Alice.






Matt Frewer from Eureka, Kathy Bates from Misery, and Harry Dean Stanton from Alien also appear. The Prince is played by Philip Winchester who is American, but has an excellent accent in the movie. He's in Strike Back currently on Showtime.

All in all, I say: STREAM IT on Netflix - I really enjoyed it.

Red Dawn (2012)

A group of mainly teenagers in Spokane, Washington rebel against North Korean and Russian invaders. The girls are not sisters hidden away by their grandparents. The main character is not living in town, but rather a Marine on leave. There is no background given on the bad guy; there was some in the original. There was less killing of towns people in this one. The mayor's son is not killed, but left behind and probably killed later. In the end the fighting continues. In the original, the only 2 survivors make it to the border of Free America. Let's look at some other differences, shall we...Jed original (he's ok)

 The new Jed - UPGRADE!

Both characters die - bummer.

Matt - the original - not bad

 The new one - DOWNGRADE - not only is he not attractive, he can't act. The original dies with his brother - the new one carries on his legacy (barf).

The original Robert - in his youth - not bad.

 The new - EQUAL - not an up or down grade on this one. Good choice I think.

One of a three man team of marines sent to ask the Wolverines for help. The new version of the Col. - Powers Booth character. UPGRADE without question. (sigh)

 Original - pilot that crashed & helps kids for awhile. I like the more modern idea of how to use this character.

SO, which is better....

All in all, I say: SKIP IT and just watch the old one again. The actors don't really make the movie worth it. Totally bummed, by the way.

The Burning Plain

Told completely out of order, but done so the viewer can really get a feel for the passion the characters feel for one another. A man (Brett Cullen from Apollo 13) is not able to have sex with his wife (Kim Basinger from 8 Mile) who recently survived breast cancer, so she has an affair with a married man (Joaquim de Almeida from Fast Five) - they fall in love. Her daughter (Jennifer Lawrence from Hunger Games and Charlize Theron from Monster) angry and wants to scare them by starting a fire; it gets out of control and the lovers die. His son (Danny Pino from Cold Case)and her daughter start meeting and end up falling in love. She freaks out and leaves him after the birth of their daughter. About 7 years later he is in an accident and asks a friend to take his daughter to meet her mother. The ending makes it seem like she is going to stay with her family. All in all, I say: even though it is slow paced, it is a good story RENT IT

Rock of Ages

A musical comprised of some brilliant mash-ups using some of your favorite rock songs from the 80s & 90s. Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible) plays a rock legend & sings his own stuff - not too shabby. The main plot is boy meets girl and both want to be famous. Will they live happily ever after and be famous? Of course, it is a musical. I sang along to the songs, I didn't pay much attention to the plot, and I just kept thinking about Zeta-Jones. She is only like 4 years older than I am, she's younger than Tom Cruise, but she looks so old. All in all, I say: LISTEN to soundtrack, but maybe only RENT IT if you're bored.

The Zookeeper

Kiwi Neill (Jurassic Park) plays an ex-communist who is now a zookeeper. During the Civil War in the former Czechoslovakia all zookeepers have left because of the war, no pay, or they are dead. One man remains as penance for his actions under communist rule. He tries to keep all the animals in the zoo alive while waiting for the UN to rescue them. While he waits a young boy and his mother show up and he finds family again - his last one was lost to him. I hate movies where the animals die because of the actions of horrid humans & this one is no different; the burning of the ape house broke my heart more than the vet being killed. All in all, I say: SKIP IT poor animals- no one ever thinks of them during war. 

Red Dawn (1984)

Three years before Dirty Dancing Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey made this 80s movie. I was so in love with this movie. Soviets invade the US - the bad guys of the 80s. A group of teenagers hide out and attack rebel style. They call themselves the Wolverines after their high school mascot. Also, in the film is Charlie Sheen (Wall Street), Lea Thompson (Article 99), Harry Dean Stanton (Teh Green Mile), Powers Booth (Tombstone) and C. Thomas Howell (Outsiders). The bad guys do some crazy things and only a couple of the kids make it to the safe zone. The ending made me cry. All in all, I say: SEE IT it has been showing on TV

Savages

Oliver Stone as always tries to be deep, but falls a little short. Oliver Stone as always made the movie way, way too long. Blake Lively (Green Lantern) plays the girlfriend, Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass) plays the drug dealing boyfriends. The character and actors are good enough to carry this movie through a less than believable plot, but they aren't given the freedom to do so - another director should have been given this film. Supporting cast is also good and in a horrible movie that is saying a lot: Benicio Del Toro (Usual Suspects), John Travolta (Pulp Fiction), Demian Bichir (Weeds), and Salma Hayek (Desperado). All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Dark Shadows

Tim Burton's vision of the tv series of the same name. Depp (Edward Scissorhands) plays the cursed by a witch (Eva Green from Casino Royale) vampire that meets his reincarnated true love (Bella Heathcote from In Time). After being buried for almost 200 years he comes back to help his family reach its former glory. Michelle Pfeiffer (Scarface), Jonny Lee Miller (Hackers), Chloe Grace Moretz (Hugo - an Atlanta native), and Gulliver McGrath (also Hugo) are the family members. Guests and workers in the home are Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen) and Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech). It is over the top and would have been better had it been a touch more serious. It was too long and even though I didn't see the series I think the movie went a bit over the top. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Expendables 2

IMDb describes, "Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat." Mr. Church is still played by Bruce Willis (Die Hard). The murdered member is Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games). Jet Li (Hero & War) only does the opening action scene. All the others are back: Stallone (Rambo & Rocky IV), Statham (Transporter & War), Lundgren (Universal Soldiers & Rocky IV), Crews (Gamer), and Couture (UFC). New to cast as good guys: Schwarzenegger (Terminator) and Norris (Delt Force). As the bad guy: Van Damme (Universal Soldiers). The action was the same as the last - a lot of blood. The script same - kind of cheesy. The lines - tons of one liners. But it's fun. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Vampire Diaries

Based on a series of book by LJ Smith. A high school girl (Nina Dobrev born in Bulgaria which comes in handy on the show - she plays in Perks of Being a Wallflower) falls in love with shocker - a vampire (Paul Wesley who has been in a few things like Army Wives - he married the woman that plays the doctor on the show; they met while filming). Turns out between the 2 Salvatore brothers - the older one met her first and a love triangle is created. Ian Somerhalder plays the older brother & real life boyfriend of Dobrev. There are witches, ghosts, werewolves, and many more. It is filmed in Conyers, GA. It is more of a teenage soap opera, but I'm addicted. If you watch, go back to the beginning. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

The Office

Not sure why I have never blogged about this tv series based on the UK version of the same name. It's a mockumentary about typical office workers. They do individual interviews and then there are reality like scenes with everyone in the office. Parks and Recreation is filmed the same way. The best parts are: the Pam & Jim romance, and the Jim & Dwight feud. Some episodes are not very good, but over 90% are brilliant and funny. The guest stars are fun to watch. Even now that Steve Carell is gone the show is still going, but I recommend starting at the beginning and savoring the office romances and pranks. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Arrow

Stephen Amell from Canada has been in tons of stuff, but I don't recall seeing him before. Body is gorgeous - no lie - if you don't like the comic book / sci-fi thing just watch one show on mute and wait for his shirt to come off. [insert whistle] I watch the show for him and the martial arts - outstanding, movie caliber martial arts scenes. Love, love the action. IMDb describes the show best, "After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he's become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. Most particularly, he seeks reconciliation with his former girlfriend, Laurel Lance. As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow - a vigilante to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. By day, Oliver plays the role of a wealthy, carefree and careless philanderer he used to be - flanked by his devoted chauffeur/bodyguard, John Diggle - while carefully concealing the secret identity he turns to under cover of darkness. However, Laurel's father, Detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante operating in his city. Meanwhile, Oliver's own mother, Moira, knows much more about the deadly shipwreck than she has let on and is more ruthless than he could ever imagine."
All in all, I say: WATCH IT

After four showings - I say: SKIP IT

Thankful

Many are posting daily things they are thankful for since this is the season. Although, it seems many want to jump into Christmas. So, here is my thankful
1) Imagination: without it there would be no (2) music, (3) art, (4) movies, or  (5) books
6) Environment: the trees have been so beautiful this year since we suffered no drought
7 & 8) Animals: love my boys, my pack, Waldo and Duncan
9-12) Friends: I wouldn't be able to get through work without them (April, Melissa, and Lynn) and weekends would certainly be boring (Janice)
13-19) Family: the older the kids get the more fun they are (Hannah, Liam, Sophia, and Desmond) without my support system I would often find myself in a jam (Mom, Dad, Beth)
20) Shelter: my house may not be exactly the way I want, but it is a home and it suits me - I'm lucky
21) Nationality: voting this year and teaching political science reminds me daily how fortunate I am to be an American
22) Technology: although I have done without and can do without, the things i can experience and do because of technology boggles the  mind - maybe I will get to go to outer space before I die - who knows
23 & 24) Medicine: saved a best friend & a colleague this year - they beat cancer
25) Food: things are going to get tough for everyone in the years to come, right now I am glad to have good, local food and the ability to afford to buy it
26) Carpool: with gas prices getting so high and no real affordable alternative forms of transportation (bus doesn't come near my house, all cars take some kind of nonrenewable resource even hybrids) so until there is a solar car I have been lucky to save some money by carpooling this year
27) Refinance: I was able to refinance and now I will be able to maybe save money unless the government gets extra greedy with student loans
28) November Paycheck: our CEO will be giving us a one time - actual pay day - we use to get paid for years of service as well as level of education - we haven't in 5 years & this month we will get to see what one day of actual pay would look like - I'll have to look closely I'm sure taxes will take most
29) Kindness of Strangers: It shouldn't ever be a surprise, but when I hear about the kindness of strangers I am touched
30) A line I heard in a movie - it speaks to me - It will all be ok in the end, and if it isn't ok - well, then it's not the end.

Breaking Dawn Part 2

The End. Like the end of Harry Potter the end of this series leaves one with a little sigh. What now? I have several answers for that, but let's stay on track. The birth of Renesmee makes the leads some vampires to think the Cullens turned a girl instead of bred one. The fight scene is AMAZING! The cheesy parts are for the most part subtle, tasteful, and few and far between This is by far the BEST of the entire series - hands down! Finally, all the actors can act, the script is good, and the cinematography is top notch. There are some sad parts, but the part or rather concept that made me weepy - forever. The last word in the book & movie - they will be with the people they love (most of them) forever. Wow, isn't that what we would all like. All in all, I say: SEE IT don't wait to rent.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

For the Elderly and Beautiful. Whose who of English actors star in this film by John Madden (The Debt). They are each looking for something and it all works out in the end because if it didn't work out it wouldn't be the end. Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) is trying to keep one of his father's dreams alive - a hotel. It is cute and funny. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Genghis Khan

Fernbank Natural History Museum writes, "Experience the amazing, true story of Genghis Khan, one of the world’s greatest and most misunderstood conquerors. Immerse yourself in his world of conquest, diplomacy, innovation and destruction. Genghis Khan features one of the largest collections of 13^th-century artifacts from the Mongol Empire ever gathered in a single showing, many which have never been on display to the public." It was amazing. They had saddles, spears, grooming supplies, and so much more. It was really cool. All in all, I say: CHECK IT OUT

*batteries not included

A 1987 film worth seeing - older kids only - the introduction is long and above the head of younger kids. Five people being harassed to leave their home in the middle of a New York City neighborhood that is being destroyed to make way for high rises all ask for help. The help comes in the form a 2 flying saucers and their 3 kids. It is cute and has a happy ending. Most importantly, the real life Hollywood couple Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn (Cocoon) appear. Even though the special effects are nothing by today's standards the kids still laugh. All in all, I say: RENT IT

To the Arctic

IMAX movie narrated by Streep with music by Paul McCartney. The film shows the wildlife that inhabits the arctic as well as explains the dangers of climate change and global warming. Caution: you will cry. Spoiler: neither the mom nor the two cubs die as far as the audience knows. It was amazing. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Hotel Transylvania

Hotel built by Dracula (Adam Sandler - and yes he sings) to protect his daughter and other monsters from humans. On her 118th birthday she wants to leave the hotel and go out into the world. Her father doesn't want her to go and might have succeeded except for a tourist finding his way into the hotel. An all star cast: Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James as Frankenstein, Fran Drescher as the Bride of Frankenstein, Steve Buscemi as the Invisible Man, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Jon Lovitz (it's like a reunion of Saturday Night Live peoples), and CeeLo Green. All in all, I say: RENT IT if you have kids.

Skyfall

AKA James Bond: Origins. The 3rd James Bond prequel. In this prequel we learn why he (Daniel Craig of Casino Royale) is attached to M (Judi Dench of Chronicles of Riddick). Why M is a man in all the ohther Bond films (Ralph Fiennes of The English Patient), and why Moneypenny isn't in the field. We also see the origins of Q (Quartermaster). The action is superb - the evil (Javier Bardem of No Country for Old Men) even more so. Sam Mendez (Road to Perdition where he met Craig) does an amazing job directing. Albert Finney (A Good Year) has a small part that gives the viewer a lot of insight into a young Bond. By the way, Craig looks super old in this and he is only in his 40s - looks a lot older. The scene where he captures the bad guy is cool. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Skittles

Now that my candy bar and chocolate days are behind me for 2 reasons:
1) allergic to dairy
2) protesting some candy makers for buying cocoa from farms in Africa that use child and/or slave labor
I needed to find something I could munch on while watching movies - not many popcorn options these days either. I have found I enjoy Skittles - you know how borderline OCD I can sometimes be, so yes I do separate them by colors first before I eat them. I eat the orange and strawberry last. All in all, I say: YUM

Veronica Mars

A high school girl whose father is a private detective once Sherif works to solve first her best friend's murder and then the killing of a bus of kids. Veronica is played by Kristin Bell (House of Lies) and her dead best friend Lilly is played by Amanda Seyfried (In Time). There is a love triangle and a lot of crime and mysteries to be solved during her two years in high school and her first year in college. Brilliant script writing, Bell is brilliant. All in all, I say: RENT IT on Netflix.

Alias

An oldie but a goodie. Jennifer Garner (13 going on 30) plays an agent with the CIA. She uses a lot of Alias' to get what she needs. Victor Garber (Titanic) plays her father also a CIA agent. Her boyfriend and fellow agent is played by Michael Vartan (Never Been Kissed). Lots of bad guys, lots of kicking butt, lots of double crossing. Created by JJ Abrams (Lost & Fringe) and was loved in its heyday 2001-2006 by Joss Whedon (Angel) and Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) both of whom have cameos. Christian Slater (True Romance), Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet), and Lena Olin (The Ninth Gate)also appear. A lot of accomplished actors have some face time - some were unknown then and some are retired now. All in all, I say: STREAM IT on Netflix.

The Man with the Iron Fists

RZA acts, writes, and directs this Tarantino inspired film. A blacksmith fights along side 2 others to kill local gangs and recapture the Governor's gold, so the Jungle Village is not destroyed. Russell Crowe (Gladiator) plays the Governor's emissary, Jack Knife, an English general. Lucy Liu (Elementary) plays a Madame. There is a lot of blood and Kung Fu battles - problem - all the scenes were filmed close up and the audience couldn't see any of the action. The plot is weak! A waste of great talent - Crowe did a great job considering. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

Chasing Mavericks

True story about a surfer - how he was inspired to surf, how he lived his dream, and [spoiler] how he died. Gerard Butler (300) plays his mentor/teacher. Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas) plays his mother. The surfing scenes are cool. It was a coming of age tale. All in all, I say: RENT IT.