Django Unchained

This is the original movie - poster above. IMDb writes, "A  coffin-dragging gunslinger enters a town caught between two feuding factions, the KKK and a gang of Mexican Bandits. That man is Django, and he is caught up in a struggle against both parties."

This is Franco Nero - the original actor. Tarantino hired him for a part in his movie, Django Unchained. Django is black in Tarantino's movie.

This movie came out two years later, in Germany. IMDb writes, " mysterious gunfighter named Django is employed by a local crooked political boss as a hangman to execute innocent locals framed by the boss, who wants their land. What the boss doesn't know is that Django isn't hanging the men at all, just making it look like he is, and using the men he saves from the gallows to build up his own "gang" in order to take revenge on the boss, who, with Django's former best friend, caused the death of his wife years before."

This is part two to the original Django - poster above. IMDb writes, "Former gunfighter Django has become a monk and abandoned his violent former ways. His daughter is kidnapped by rogue Hungarian soldiers using slave labor to run a silver mine. Django casts off his habit and digs up his machine gun to practise a little liberation theology."

This is Tarantino's movie - which has a scene in Tennessee (like most of his movies there is some reference to his hometown). Foxx (Ray) plays Django, Waltz (Inglorious Bastards) plays his mentor - who is German, DiCaprio (Inception) plays the slave owner, Jackson (Pulp Fiction) plays the house slave at Candyland (the name of the plantation), Washington (Ray) plays the wife, Remar (Dexter) plays two characters (one with a beard and one without), and Goggins (Justified) plays what else but a redneck southerner. Washington's character is Broomhilda who is the name found in Norse myth. Part of the story, "she must then face the wrath of her father who is determined to make her mortal and put her into an enchanted sleep to be claimed by any man who happens across her. Brünnhilde argues that what she did was in obeyance of the god's true will and does not deserve such a fate. He is eventually persuaded to protect her sleep with magical fire, sentencing her to await awakening by a hero who does not know fear." NOW mix all the above information and put it all into one movie and BANG! you have Tarantino's vision. Problem to get enough out of the movie - you have to know ALL this. Otherwise, it's just a western with a LOT of blood thanks to Savini. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - unless you put in the time to research like I did. It is NOT one of my favorite movies of his - I will NOT be buying it.

Sine (Sign)

A South Korean television show. Netflix writes, "Park Shin Yang stars as a brilliant forensic sleuth at the National Institute of Scientific Investigation in this show that's known as the Korean "C.S.I." As they analyze crimes, the investigators look for hidden signs that will lead to answers." There are four main characters; two are coroners who perform autopsies and help solve crimes by examining the scene of crimes. Two are on the other side - a prosecutor and a detective. The prosecutor and the male coroner were once engaged, but grew apart. Now they are getting closer to the counter parts they work with. They solve a variety of crimes in the first season, but underlying the entire season is one case in particular where there was a government cover-up. It's has dramatic parts - in every episode there are a group of three scientists that add comedy to the show. All in all, I say: STREAM IT it you can handle subtitles and like crime shows.

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

** This piece from Les Miserable is my favorite as far as lyrics go.

There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.

Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about `tomorrow'
And tomorrow never came.

From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lonely barricade at dawn.

Oh my friends, my friends forgive me

(The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear)

That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.

Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.

(The ghosts fade away)

Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more.

** All in all, I say: LISTEN TO IT

Les Miserables (2012)

IMDb writes, "In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever." It was exactly how I remembered the play being when I saw it at the Fox. The movie allows for all the places to come to life. Each actor can really be heard whereas in the theatre I had a difficult time hearing and understanding some of the singers. My two favorite pieces were sung by the two youngest members of the cast - for the movie they both did a wonderful job. Jackman (X-Men) is Valjean. Crowe (Gladiator) is Javert. Seyfried (Big Love) is Cosette - older. She did the second best job singing. The number one spot is for Hathaway (One Day) as Fantine. It is long - in the theatre you get an intermission - you do not here. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Wisegirls

Sorvino (At First Sight) is a woman who dropped out of medical school when her boyfriend died. She wants to start over, so she moves in with her grandmother and gets work at a local Italian restaurant. There she meets two other waitresses: Carey (Precious) and Walters (Hard Eight). Carey ends up being a bit on the dirty side of the business. Walters end up being a cop who is trying to get evidence on the mafia guy that owns the restaurant. It is horribly acted, horribly written, and horribly directed. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Sister Wives Seasons 1,2,3,4,5

You guys know me - I don't do reality television. Well, April would sometimes tell me about this show while we carpooled to work, and I had to see for myself. I'm sure she was getting tired to explaining each episode. Once I started I could not stop like an addiction. Kody Brown is a Mormon polygamist. He has four wives. TLC just picks bits and pieces to focus on - they seem to respect the Brown's and none of it seems staged. There are fairly, normal people with excellent morals and values. My favorite wife is the third one - she's got spunk! All in all, I say: STREAM IT - the first season at least and see if you too don't fall victim to reality television.

10 Years

It's a 10 year high school reunion and each person has a lose end to tie up. Channing Tatum (Magic Mike) and Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds) were a couple in high school - he stayed with her through the death of her father and then left to go to college and work. He never wanted to stay in their small town. He finds out that she is ok, happy, and married which means he feels free to marry his long time girlfriend (in real life this character is played by his wife; she was in Step Up). Justin Long (Live Free or Die Hard) and Max Minghella ( A Brit who was in Social Network) are friends - one says he's living the good like in NY, but he isn't. One says he living the good life with his rich wife who is a doctor; they are divorcing.  Oscar Isaac (Guatemlana who was in Drive) is a famous singer who gets to hang out with the girl that got away, Kate Mara (Shooter). Ari Graynor (Mystic River) is a mother of two who married her high school sweet heart, who wants to say he's sorry to everyone he was mean to (Chris Pratt from Parks & Recreation). I like the characters. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Killer Joe (unrated director's cut)

Yuk! Is it gross and disturbing from the first minute to the last. McConaughey (Sahara) is a policeman who kills people. He takes Temple (The Other Boleyn Girl - she's from the UK and has 9 movies coming out over the next 2 years) as a retainer for murdering the mother of Hirsch (Into the Wild) and Temple. He falls in love and when the entire plan doesn't go as planned, he decides to take the girl no matter what. Because he is very threatening and seriously crazy the girls father, Church (Easy A), and step-mother, Gershon (Bound), help him succeed. Or does he... All in all, I say: SKIP IT - I need to wash my eyes out with soap.

Monsters, Inc 3D

So, I love this movie - I think it has got to be my all time favorite Pixar. It has been re-released in 3D. I went to see it, and I got to admit...it wasn't worth it. Just watch it on Blue-ray on a really nice LCD/HD TV. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Trouble with the Curve

Not directed by Clint just FYI. Some of it was filmed in Atlanta. Clint (Fistful of Dollars) is a scout for the Braves and his eyesight is going. His daughter is a lawyer, (Adams a Mormon born the same year I was from Enchanted) but takes time to help her dad on his last scouting trip when her dad's best friend recommends it (John Goodman from Rosanne) - they work through some problems and she meets a guy (Timberlake who was born in Tennessee from Out of Time). There's a happy ending and not too much baseball. Matthew Lillard (Scream) has a small part that isn't bad. All in all, I say: RENT IT

A Christmas Kiss

Netflix writes, "Wendy is an aspiring designer and assistant to her callous boss Priscilla. Unfortunately, Wendy's dreams of impressing her boss get complicated when she realizes that the mysterious man she kissed in a falling elevator is Priscilla's boyfriend!" It is Working Girl but with interior design at Christmas. Elisabeth Rohm pays the mean designer; she was a lawyer on one of the Law & Orders - she from Germany. Brendan Fehr from the tv series Roswell plays the boyfriend. The girls do a good job, but Fehr seems uncomfortable - not sure if it is on purpose though. It is a cute little Lifetime movie type of thing. All in all, I say: STREAM IT if you are in the mood for something lite and romantic.

Hell

Netflix writes, "The sun has turned the entire world into a baked and barren wasteland. Heading for the mountains in search of water, Marie, her sister Leonie and Phillip run into Tom, a first-rate mechanic who becomes indispensible. But can they trust him." Stipe Erceg from Croatia who was in Unknown plays Tom - he ends up being a really good guy. Hannah Herzsprung from The Reader is Marie - she does a really good job in this. There are not too many lines just a lot of facial expressions and running. They head into a trap where mountain people catch other people to eat them - they don't show that part - this isn't really gore  It's more of a sister film. All in all, I say: STREAM IT - if you don't mind sub-titles.

Fire With Fire

Netflix writes, "After witnessing the brutal murders of a convenience store owner and his son; firefighter Jeremy Coleman barely escapes with his life. As he [agrees] to testify against the crime lord, Hagan, he is placed in the witness protection program. When his new identity becomes compromised, Jeremy is forced to take an unexpected course of action in order to get his life back and save the lives of those he loves." Duhamel (Transformers) is the fireman that is in witness protection, Willis (Die Hard) is a local cop that helps him take care of Hagan, Dawson (Seven Pounds) is a Marshal and is in love with Duhamel, and the bad guy is Vincent D'Onofrio (Law & Order CI). The bad guy has a lawyer and right hand man that are familiar: Rochard Schiff (West Wing) and Vinnie Jones (Smokin' Aces 2). It was low budget, but a good script and good acting. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Chex Mix

It's that time of year to get out the mixes. I think I need to make this snack a year round snack though. I always forget about it until this time of year and I don't know why. I make it with my fake butter and no pretzels. I don't really like the corn chex, but with the other two, nuts, and butter it is addictive. All in all, I say: MAKE IT it's so much better homemade instead of store bought.

Liberal Arts

"How I Met Your Mother's" Radnor wrote, acted, and directed this cute coming of age film, but in this case it's the 35 year old that needs to come of age. His old professor from Ohio has retired (Richard Jenkins from Jack Reacher) and is having a hard time moving on. His girlfriend has left him, but he meets a 19 year old (Elizabeth Olsen plays Elizabeth - she was in Martha Marcy May Marlene), an older female professor (Allison Janney from West Wing), and a book store clerk his own age (Elizabeth Reaser from Twilight) - you can guess who he will pick in the end I think. He also forms a connection with a young free spirit (Zac Ephron from 17 Again) and a young depressed student. It was short and interesting. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Jack Reacher

Based upon a a character in a series of books by Lee Child. A man is set up for mass murder and the only man that can find out the truth is his worst enemy. Reacher is an ex-army cop with a photographic memory and who is really, really good at his job. Now retired he comes to kill the murderer - he threatened to if he ever killed again. Problem though he discovers the man was set up by a criminal organization run by an ex-Soviet convict. There is action, humor, and more action. The biggest surprises - no cheesy romantic stuff (yeah!) and Robert Duvall (Open Range) makes an appearance. The go to guy for the bad guy is Jai Courtney who is going to be in the new Die Hard movie. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Tai Palace

Today, I went to Conyers to spend the afternoon with Doreen. We walked around Old Town Conyers and went into several antique stores and had lunch at the Tai Palace. I got some cool stuff, had some great conversation, and some amazing sweat & sour chicken with Tai ice tea. All in all, I say: TRY IT.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

McKellen (X Men) reprises his role as Gandalf as do the elves Elrond (Weaving from Matrix) and Galadriel (Blanchett from Hanna). Martin Freeman from the British The Office plays the young Bilbo. One of my favorite actors - very sexy - Richard Armitage (North & South previously blogged about) is the King of the Dwarves Thorin - good singing voice. Ken Stott from King Arthur is a dwarf. James Nesbitt the famous Irish actor who was in Millions also plays a dwarf and the funny one of course. Aiden Turner from BBC's Being Human is one of the young dwarves - not a vampire, but still a fantastical creature. Holm plays the old Bilbo again and Wood appears briefly as Frodo. Another brief appearance by the not evil Saruman still played by Lee. Serkis does the voice of Gollum again. Lee Pace from The Fall and Pushing Daisies is the Elvin King Thranduil. Cumberbatch (the BBC Sherlock!) is going to be in all 3 films!!!! A bad guy like in the upcoming Star Trek sequel, but who cares. IMDb writes, "A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on a "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim a their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug." There is a TON of action in this, but it is long. My nephew did get bored in parts and he is 9 so maybe only older kids. There is a lot of background given and a lot of names thrown around, so it can get confusing. I have never read past this part, so the other 2 films will be a surprise. I also say this in 3D which is an excellent idea. All in all, I say: SEE IT in theatres!

The Walking Dead: Book 8

Our group has just finished fighting off a hoard that breached the town. With the town's leader gone, Rick takes over naturally. Maggie and Glen are still taking care of Sophia. Carl is in a comma from bring shot - the question is, will he remember anything when he wakes up? Andrea and Rick are getting closer. As the work to add more obstacles out the town a newcomer comes calling. He belongs to a town about a day's journey away. In exchange for food and supplies Rick and his group agree to seek and find a criminal organization in the area - and so the book ends. All in all, I say: READ IT but only if you have read the other seven.

Life of Pi

Based on the novel by Yann Martel (I was never able to get past chapter one) this movie in 3 & 2 D was directed by Ang Lee (Sense & Sensibility and Brokeback Mountain). This movie is a visual marval!! The colors and digital work is unbelievable. IMDb writes, "A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor ... a fearsome Bengal tiger." If you are a Christian, Hindu, or Muslim this movie is about how God helped a young man survive. The tiger is symbolic of something else... I don't want to add more details because I think you will understand when you see the movie. For me, who is not religious, the tiger represents someone in my life that has taught me things I can use to live my life. Life being represented by the vast ocean. The tiger's name explains to my family whom I mean. All in all, I say: SEE IT in 3D now! Also, take some tissues.

Black Death

IMDb writes," Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village." Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) is the monk who is tricked into killing his true love by a woman who has convinced a village that she is a witch. His protectors are Sean Bean (Game of Thrones) and John Lynch (Sliding Doors). The music for the soundtrack is quite good. There is a lot of torture in this film. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

Upstairs Downstairs (2012)

Netflix writes, "Sir Hallam Holland and his wife have bought the iconic London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place. Set in historical Britain with sexual, social and political tensions, this new series provides a glimpse on the master-servant relationship."

Neil Jackson from Blade: The Series plays the chauffeur. I know - there are a lot more characters and a lot more famous actors, but I think you can agree I can just stop here. The show is very well done - writing, directing, acting, location, everything. All in all, I say: RENT IT & then watch the next season on TV.

Public Enemies (TV Show 2012)

A three part mini-series in UK about a convict on parole - Eddie (Daniel Mays from Outcasts). He's been in jail for 10 years for murdering his girlfriend when he was 19. Once released he has a hard time adjusting - he makes things worse when he admits to his parole officer (Anna Friel from Pushing Daisies) that he is not guilty, and the real killer is still at large. She comes to believe him and with the help of Eddie's sister they manage to prove him innocent. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it was kind of annoying.

Prisoners Wives

Polly Walker (Enchanted April) plays the wife of a drug load (Iain Glen from Game of Thrones) who is in prison. She keeps the family going while he is behind bars. The other 3 women in the first season all have someone behind bars too. One is a newly married woman who is pregnant - her husband has killed someone. One is a drug dealer with a son - her husband took the rap for her, so she could stay with their son. One is a much older woman who's son is behind bars. By the end of season one, the drug dealer with the son is in jail, but her husband is out. By the end of season one, the young bride has turned against her husband (Jonas Armstrong from BBC America's Robin Hood) and will no longer visit him. All in all, I say: STREAM IT