Son

Amazon writes this plot description, "They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive?　 She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice. Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver,　as well as Gathering Blue　and　Messenger　where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil."

Not as good as the first two (The Giver and Gathering Blue), but I thought it was better than Messenger. I would say you have to read other 3 first. All in all, READ IT - it's only $9.00 for kindle.

17 Girls

IMDb writes, "When Camille accidentally becomes pregnant, 16 of her friends and classmates decide to follow suit, throwing their town and school into chaos." I watched this on Netflix. It seemed to me they got pregnant because they were bored. There isn't much to this movie. There is no lesson. The parents and teachers' conversation were surreal. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Aquafina (yes, the water)

I have tried half a dozen spring waters and purified waters. Aquafina is owned by the Pepsico company (Pepsi). I don't like the taste of spring water. I prefer purified. Aquafina has less of a salty taste to me unlike Dasani made by Coke. I have also tried to fill a bottle with water or use a Camelbak, but they involove a rubbery or metal piece I have to suck on to get the water. For some reason I don't mind the plastic of the bottle. I know it is wrong; I do recycle the bottles, but I don't get enough water throughout the day if I don't have the bottles. The only other comment I have is; in Ireland you can't get anything but spring water - I looked at every service station and grocery store from the East coast to the West and never did find a single bottle of purified water. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

The beginning is appropriately scary. It starts when they are kids and show the fairy tale. After that it shows them as adults. They have just been hired by a town to find the witch that is taking their kids. There are 12 kids missing, a blood red moon rising, a family secret, and more than a dozen witches in town. The movie was made to be 3D, so there is a lot of gore. You know 3D they want blood and guts coming at your face the whole time. It is exactly what I thought it would be. Action, guns, and one liners. All in all, I say: SEE IT in 3D. I saw it in theatres in 2D and I liked it because I didn't expect it to be anything fantastic.

Horizon Village Movie Tavern

On Lawrenceville-Suwanee road past AMC Colonial 18. On Saturdays and Sundays they have 9 AM films with breakfast. Dinner was good - the prices are equivalent to O'Charley's I would say. I had fried pickles, a slider with meat, and sliders with chicken. The fries are ok. The best part is something called Ultimate Cookies - a half cooked and heated chocolate chip cookies with a large marshmallow in the middle - I don't say this often, but OMG! I had a sweet tea and a cherry coke and they both tasted funny to me. They have a kids menu, too. The theatre charges about three dollars less than other theatres to get in. You get a server and I didn't find the walking back and forth distracting at all, but I can see how some might. They have new releases. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Parker

Saw in theatres for my birthday. It was only a 2 shirter (he took off his shirt twice). There is zero chemistry between Statham (The Mechanic) and Lopez (Out of Sight)- she isn't even his love interest in the film. Statham is a thief that is seeking revenge on a crew of guys (Chiklis from The Shield, Pierce from The Wire, and Collins from Extract) that have double crossed him. The action is ok, but it's more guns than hand to hand stuff. Nolte (48 Hours) is super creepy in this. Palm Springs is also a character in this - it's pretty, but I felt like the wide shots could have been cut to make the movie shorter. All in all, I say: SKIP IT. If you've seen movies like Payback and Get Carter - then you have seen this.

The Village

IMDb writes, "The population of a small, isolated countryside village believe that their alliance with the mysterious creatures that inhabit the forest around them is coming to an end." After a horrible crime one of the villagers must travel through the forest and attempt to make it to another town for medicine. Weaver (Aliens), Hurt (The Accidental Tourist), and Gleeson (In Bruges) play town elders. Howard (The Help) and Phoenix (Parenthood), and Brody (The Pianist) play three of the elders children. There is of course a Shyamalan twist you won't see coming. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Following

Bacon (The Woodsman) plays an ex-FBI agent. Ex because he is no longer physically able to  be an agent. During his last case, he was stabbed in the heart and has a pace maker. He caught the serial killer though played by Purefoy (The Philanthropist). Purefoy's character was not able to finish killing his last victim, so he breaks out of jail to finish the job. During the pursuit the FBI team with Ashmore (X-Men) realizes that the killer has a lot of followers - his followers could be anyone, anywhere. The next show will feautre the killer's wife more played by Zea from Justified. All in all, I say: SEE IT

To Sir with Love

An Brit from Africa who has studied engineering by way of America becomes a teacher at a slum in London's East End. He teaches the students how to give and get respect, teaches them some of the possibilities they have before them, and teaches them content.  By the end, they adore him. Most known for the title song performed by Lulu who also acts in the film. Teachers should see this. All in all, I say: SEE IT

A Patch of Blue

Filmed in black and white in 1965. This film starred Poitier (To Sir with Love) as en educated young black man living in NYC with his older brother who is an intern at a local hospital. He works evenings and one afternoon he happens upon a young girl (Elizabeth Hartmen who does the voice for Mrs. Brisby in The Secret of NIMH) in the park. She is blind and was born to a poor, white trash family. They never educated her or taught her much of anything. She lives for spending afternoons in the park when someone can escort her. Her grandfather loves her, but he's a drunk. Her mother (Shelley Winters who won the Oscar for best supporting actress for this film) is a prostitute; one of her callers rapes the young girl. She and Poitier form a bond as they become friends while he teaches her how to become more self sufficient. Knowing her circumstances he finds a school that will help her and keep her safe. She falls madly in love. He feels for her too, but because she is 18 and has become so dependent on him, he wants to know for sure what they feel is love and promises to keep in touch. He asks her to give the school a year and then they will see how they feel. I do NOT like the ending because it seems so permanent. I hope the writer did foresee them begin together later. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Journey's End

When you go in you might think it is indeed the end  of the line for 90% of the clientele - a lot of elderly eat there because it's a country buffet. I like the sweet tea and fried green tomatoes. All in all, I say: EAT THERE at least once if you live near Loganville.

Sonic

America's Drive-in. I love their tots. They have slushies and when you don't live near a 7Eleven then it's the next best place to get one in half a dozen flavors; my favorite is Watermelon. The rest of the food - burgers and such - are ok. It can be fun to pull into one of the slots and order. Some of the locations still have the people come out in skates. All in all, I say: TRY IT

One Hour Photo

Williams (Good Will Hunting) has been working at a Walmart knock-off kind of place in the one hour photo booth for about a decade. While there he has idolized one family in particular. When his image of that family is shattered, his life or rather his earlier life comes back to haunt him and takes over. He finds a way to shame the one person responsible in a unique way. Very deep, so at the end especially pay close attention and all will be made clear. The cinematography in this is amazing and adds to the creepiness; making the store one of the characters in the movie. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Good Will Hunting

One of the best screenplays ever! I love their accents; I love Boston! Damon (Bourne Identity) is a savant at Math, but has a lot of issues from childhood. Williams (One Hour Photo) is his therapist who is also from south Boston. Driver (Circle of Friends) is Damon's love interest. Scarsgard (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) is a math professor at MIT that discovers Damon's character. The Affleck brothers (Argo and Gone Baby Gone) are also friends from Southie. Cole Hauser from Pitchblack (sigh) is also one of the gang. Will Will overcome his past and be happy? I cry my eyes out every time I see this. I also own the screenplay. All in all: I say: if you haven't SEEN THIS there is something wrong with you.

Baby Boom

Keaton (The Godfather: Part II) is a career woman known as the Tiger Lady. Her cousin dies and she inherits a baby named Elizabeth. Her career takes a turn for the worse because the men feel she should not have kids if she wants to be a partner. She leaves NYC for Vermont and starts her own business, finds love, and loves being a mom. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Reckoning

Dafoe (Boondock Saints), Bettany (Iron Man), Hardy (This Means War), Cox (Troy), and McKee (Notting Hill) are actors that travel around Europe not too long after the black plaque has hit. to make extra money they decide to put on a play based on a real life event in the town. This sparks the town peoples memories and the real killer is discovered. Unfortunately  so too are  a lot of other secrets. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Impossible

Watts (Eastern Promises) and McGregor (Bog Fish) play a couple with three sons who are in Thailand on December 26, 2004 when the tsunami hit south east Asia. Despite everything that gets in their way - they still find each other. It is very, very realistic and you WILL cry. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Red Robin

Red Robin is a great burger place. You get unlimited fries. The Banzai burger is my favorite with teriyaki sauce and pineapple. They have a rewards card where you can get free burgers. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Peace, Love, & Misunderstnading

IMDb writes, "An uptight NYC lawyer takes her two teenagers to her hippie mother's farmhouse upstate for a family vacation." Catherine Keener (Friends With Money) is the lawyer who is going through a divorce and has a fling with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Supernatural). Jane Fonda (9 to 5) is her mother - a hippie who grows pot. Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister to the Olsen twins who was in Liberal Arts) is the daughter. Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction) has a small role as a friend of Fonda's. All in all, I say: WATCH IT on Showtime - it is a chick flick though.

Zero Dark Thirty

Kathryn Bigelow's next war movie. It will not live up to Hurt Locker, but it is about the painstaking 11 years or so it took to find OBL. Jessica Chastain who plays Maya (Lawless) is the CIA researcher that finds the key link. Jason Clarke (Australian in Lawless) is Maya's boss. Kyle Chandler (Super 8) plays the head of the CIA station in Pakistan. Jennifer Ehle (Pride & Prejudice) is Maya's friend at the office. James Gandolfini () is the head of the CIA in Washington. Joel Edgerton (Australian in Warrior) is the Squadron Leader. Chris Pratt (Parks & Recreation) is one of the seal team members. John Barrowman (Torchwood) is some sort politician or CIA guy. Nash Edgerton - Joel's brother in real life - is also on the Seal Team - he is usually a stunt man. Mark Valley (Human Target) is a pilot at the very end with like three lines. It is a very long film - there is a little action. All in all, I say: RENT IT when it comes out, you don't need to see it in theatres.

Guns, Girls, and Gambling

Netflix writes, "After a priceless tribal artifact goes missing during a casino poker game, a corrupt lawman, a prostitute, a golden-haired assassin, a frat boy, a raft of Elvis impersonators and various cowboys and Indians join in the chase for its recovery." No one is who they appear to be in this. It tries to be witty and original, but really doesn't do a very good job. I can see why it went straight to video. Aside from the names on the poster: Powers Boothe (Sin City), Jeff Fahey (Planet Terror), Chris Kattan (SNL), and Sam Trammel (True Blood). All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you're bored and then you can STREAM IT

Stolen

The poster kind of sums up the whole thing for you. Cage (Gone in 60 Seconds) is the ex-bank thief. The movie is filmed in New Orleans. Josh Lucas (The Firm) is the ex-partner turned kidnapper. Danny Huston (Magic City) is the FBI agent that catches Cage's character, but also admires his intelligence. Malin Akerman (Watchmen) plays one of Cage's team - love interest - she gets to use her native tongue (Swedish) in the movie. Sami Gayle (Blue Bloods) is Cage's daughter.Mark Valley (Boston Legal) is Huston's FBI partner.

I've missed him - I don't think I've seen him since Human Target - tv series. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - if you've seen one Cage movie it seems you have seen them all.

Dredd

IMDb writes, "In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO." Karl Urban (Red) is Dredd and Olivia Thirlby (Juno) is the trainee who is also a mutant or psychic. The leader of the gang, Ma-Ma, is rough looking and played by Lena Headey (Game of Thrones). Wood Harris (The Wire) is one of Ma-Ma's men who is captured by the judges. She wants them all dead, so no one find out her master plan. I watched it in 2D and not 3D - which is probable better. The slow motion scenes are vibrant. I had my doubts, but think they all did a good job with the movie based on a graphic novel. Urban did a good job. All in all, I say: SEE IT.

IMDb writes, "In a dystopian future, Dredd, the most famous judge (a cop with instant field judiciary powers) is convicted for a crime he did not commit while his murderous counterpart escapes." In this movie based on the same comic Dredd is played by Stallone (Rocky) and his criminal counter part is played by Armand Assante (Striptease). Diane Lane (Jumper) plays his partner. The movie was good enough for 1995, but doesn't hold up very well now. All in all, I say: RENT IT before seeing the new one.

Provino's

An Italian restaurant in Snellville. They are known for their salad and rolls that precede your meal. The Pasta Lover's special is the best in my opinion. In addition to four types of pasta there is a meatball and sausage. One could simply just eats rolls and salad and be satisfied though. There is almost always a wait because of its popularity. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Yellow River Game Ranch

The Ranch's website states, "Stroll along a mile-long trail on 24 wooded acres and encounter over six hundred highly sociable birds and animals indigenous to the state of Georgia. White-tailed deer, bunnies, buffalo, sheep, kid goats, black bears and a bevy of new-born animals are waiting to be fed, admired and petted on a 'nose-to-nose' basis. We specialize in 'people-friendly' wildlife."  You buy food along the way or at the register and feed almost everything they have there. Most of the animals have been rescued. General Lee is at the end of the trail - groundhog. All in all, I say: CHECK IT OUT if you have kids. It's in Lilburn along 78 West.

Above Suspicion: Season One

A British TV show. IMDb writes, "Young Detective Constable Anna Travis joins the team led by D.C.I. Langton to investigate a series of gruesome murders of young women, which first began eight years previously. All the victims were prostitutes and all killed in the same way. Then a seventh body is found but this is the corpse of a student, though a vital piece of evidence links her death to the others, involving a house in Manchester where Alan Daniels, a popular young actor, grew up. Anna goes undercover to get to know him better but finds herself getting emotionally involved."

Kelly Reilly is DC Travis (Mary from Sherlock Holmes). Ciaran Hinds is DCI Langton (Road to Perdition). It is different than most crime shows. The killer/actor is really good - the end is super creepy. All in all, I say: RENT IT.

Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

This documentary starts with the producers of the Bond films before they met, and then continues until present day. It is very interesting to get the story behind the scenes. There is a lot of great footage. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like Bonds films.

Promised Land

IMDb writes, "A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources." Written by Matt Damon (Bourne Identity) and Jon Krasinski (The Office). It is light even for a sort of environmentalist movie. Damon is the salesman who works with Frances McDormand (Fargo). Hal Holbrook (That Evening Sun) is one of the farmers in the small town.. During a town meeting he stands up against natural gas and the technique of fracking. Little does Damon know Holbrook's character has a degree from MIT and once did R&D for Dow. Damon's character realizes he has a problem on his hands - it won't be an easy town to convince. Krasinski plays a would be environmentalist -there is twist toward the end that I didn't see coming. The handsome Titus Welliver has a small but memorable part - I miss him and his character in Deadwood.

All in all, I say: RENT IT. There is no need to see it in theatres, but it is good.

Melton's App & Tapp

Located in Decatur - this is a great local place. They have obviously a ton of beer on tap. They have a lot of televisions for watching games which are always on. The service is friendly. The cheese puffs are my favorite. I also like their chicken finger sandwich. They have waffle fries and delicious ice tea. Want to try something new - drive down 78 west and when you get to North Decatur Road turn right into the parking lot. Can't miss the green sign. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Claude's Off the Bayou

A restaurant located in Loganville. It has alligator, jambalaya, fried pickles, country fried steak, red beans & rice, and so much more. They are very friendly and the service is good. I have never seen the place busy. Having eaten there twice, I would have to say it is delicious. The kids enjoyed it too. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Africa's Elephant Kingdom

Originally filmed in 1998, this film was showing at the IMAX theatre at Fernbank, IMDb writes, "This film explores an elephant clan's search for food and water as seen through the eyes of one old bull." Avery Brooks from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine narrates. None of the main characters die. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter

This is a Swedish series - it is six 2 hour films in season one. Annika is a reporter for a newspaper in Stockholm, and in every movie she catches on to something fishy. She is able to go way beyond other reports to uncover all sorts of conspiracies. Her biggest problem though is her personal life. Even though she has been living with the father of her children for about eight years, the second they get married he cheats on her. The only thing I can think of is perhaps the producers wanted her to have liaisons  so they made him out to be the bad guy. In the last movie there is a very sexy cop! The series is top notch. All in all, I say: STREAM IT on Netflix - it does have subtitles.