A Perfect Man

Not so perfect - I was bored. This married couple separates and they find themselves - only they don't find each other. I hate unhappy endings. I love Liev, but not enough to sit through this on regular speed. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Real History of Science Fiction

A four part series I believe on BBC America that is a documentary of science fiction in books, movies, and tv. The first episode was on Robots. There will be one on Space, Invasion, and Time. They highlighted Forbidden Planet, Blade Runner, AI, Star Wars, and Terminator. They bring up some very interesting questions to ponder. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Divergent

I read all the books first - this was really the only one I liked. The movie was a lot like the book - they condensed some for time, but it isn't missed. Nothing at the core is taken away or diminished. I think they did a decent job at casting everyone - it is hard to see Tris as Woodley (The Fault in Our Star), but everyone else makes up for it. Courtney (Jack Reacher) who played Eric was the best casting.

All in all, I say: SEE IT if you liked the books.

The Way Way Back

IMDb writes, "Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park." Carell (The Office), Collette (The Sixth Sense), and Janney (West Wing) all star. My favorite though is the always funny and sexy Rockwell (Charlie's Angels). All in all, I say: SEE IT - it was so touching.

Hateship Loveship

IMDb writes, "A wild teenage girl orchestrates a romance between her nanny and her father, who is a recovering addict." Wiig (How to Train Your Dragon 2) is the quiet nanny that never got out much. Pearce (Memento) is the addict who changes his ways. It was subtle and sweet. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Grudge Match

I couldn't resist - Rocky vs. Raging Bull. Some of the humor went too far with the two trainers. I like seeing Bernthal (Walking Dead) again. It was nothing special - not exactly what I hoped for...too much of a comedy. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

August: Osage County

You know who's in this it was nominated. It reminded me too much of a Tennessee Williams play. This was disturbing - there are a lot of sad and depressing things in this. All in all, I say: SKIP IT. I just don't even want to say more.

My Eulogy for my Nana

I’m the oldest daughter of the youngest daughter. I’m the middle cousin. There are 7 older than me and 7 younger than I am. I’m a social studies teacher, so I couldn’t resist. Nana loved to hear my little cultural tidbits. In some countries like China, announcements for a funeral service are sent in the form of an invitation. Most of the time, the invitations are white, but if a person was over the age of 80 the invitations are pink. Living beyond 80 is considered a feat worth celebrating, so guests wear white with pink or red.  We are here to celebrate Nana’s long life. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Nana is, service. She lived to serve others. I think that is where she found purpose and happiness. Service is one of the biggest things she taught me. She took me to Children’s Hospital to volunteer in the summer, and I worked the first Fantasy of Trees, back when there were only about five volunteers. Now I would probably have to be on a waiting list to volunteer. The second word that comes to mind which has been mentioned several times already is fun. She knew how to have fun. She loved to travel, eat out, play long card games (especially in Canada after dinner), see movies, dance, fly, swim, cook (cooking with her were the only times I ever cooked), and be outdoors. We had tea parties in the treehouse with real tea and China. She took me on my first horseback ride. She and Papa took me: on my first sail, to my fist symphony, to my fist play, to my first opera, and my first ballet. I will always think of her when I hear Pavarotti sing, and I will always feel close to her when I see the sun shining on the tips of the water. Papa would point to the sparkling water and say, “Your Nana is the wealthiest woman on earth; look at all her diamonds.” I know she made my life richer.

Captain America The Winter Soldier

So, so much better than the first. Way, way better than the first. Did I mention it was better than the first Captain America? It was! Evans (Fantastic Four) is still the Captain - he has gotten more jaded and is questioning his role in SHIELD. As an actor he's gotten better.

Johansson (Black Widow) plays Black Widow - she helps Evans fight against the enemy in this film which happens to kind of be SHIELD itself - I don't want to give too much away. She's super cool in this film - better than Avengers. 

Jackson (Pulp Fiction) plays Fury. Fun fan fact - his tombstone in the movie says, "The path of the righteous man..." Ezekiel 25:17 - you know...the speech from one of the epic scenes in Pulp Fiction. Redford (A River Runs Through It) plays the bad guy - what, what?! Stan (Black Swan) has same role as last film - kind of - as does Smulders (How I Met Your Mother). Grillo (The Grey) and VanCamp (Revenge) are added to the mix. The action scenes are AMAZING! All in all, I say: SEE IT & see it in 3D.

Calhoun's

It's known in Tennessee for it's BBQ and it's Microbrews. I had high hopes - I got chicken that was supposed to be covered and marinated in BBQ. It was not good. I couldn't eat many of the sides - gross or dairy. The three types of bread you get before the meal was good and so was the fresh lemonade. All in all, I say: TRY IT - but maybe don't get chicken get ribs.

About a Boy

NBC writes, "Will Freeman lives a charmed existence. After writing a hit song, he was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He's single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona, a needy single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son, Marcus, move in next door and disrupt his perfect world. When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will's not so sure about being a kid's new best friend, until, of course, Will discovers that women find single dads irresistible. That changes everything and a deal is struck: Marcus will pretend to be Will's son and, in return, Marcus is allowed to chill at Will's house, play ping-pong and gorge on steaks, something his very vegan mom would never allow. Before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid. In fact, this newfound friendship may very well teach him a thing or two that he never imagined possible - about himself and caring for others." Driver (Circle of Friends) do a good job at being a flake. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it makes me smile.
Before it was an American tv show - it was a British movie - before it was a movie - it was a book.

Grant (Four Weddings & A Funeral) is the bachelor. Hoult (Warm Bodies) is the boy. It was very clever - writing and acting. All in all, I say: SEE IT - first and then see tv show.

About Time

I put off watching this for some time because I felt the previews gave everything away. The lines in this are priceless. A man discovers that he can travel back in time and puts it to good use: to help others and to fall in love. McAdams (Mean Girl) and Nighy (Love Actually) do a good job, but the screenplay is what makes this good. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Hangover Part III

Even with adding John Goodman (Bee Movie) to the mix did not make this movie funny or enjoyable - I had seen the other 2 and thought what the hell. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - NOT FUNNY

Noah

Aronofsky (Black Swan) does it again - he freaks me out. This is NOT what it says in the bible. There are angel, three-armed rock monsters and cannibalism in this. I only went to see it because Crowe & Connelly (both in Beautiful Mind) were in it. It was weird - I don't know what else to say. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Shored Up

I saw this on PBS on day. IMDb writes, "Shored Up is the story of our coasts where life on the edge of a rising sea has placed our towns and cities on the front lines of climate change. Following frustrated scientists, confused politicians and level-headed surfers, Shored Up follows the conflicts that are erupting from New Jersey to North Carolina as the ocean rises and we challenge nature to an unwinnable duel.." The part that had me ranting was - wealthy summer home owners along the coast in both New Jersey and North Caroline have gotten millions from the government to rebuild the beach fronts that are disappearing. The same wealthy people that don't think the government to help people with anything like education, food, jobs, health insurance.... The same people that want to scale back government and government regulations - taking millions!!!! All in all, I say: SEE IT - especially if you live near a coast. Then go online and look at some of the sites they show in the film - it shows how far the sea level is going to rise year after year after year.

The Frozen Ground

Cage & Cusack (both from ConAir) are together again in this biography. IMDb writes, "An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events." It was creepy - they both did a good job it just dragged. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Mud

IMDb writes, "Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love." McConaughey (True Detectives) is the fugitive with a good heart. Witherspoon (Legally Blond) is his long time love. The boys did a good job - maybe I just wasn't feelin' it when I watched it. I thought it was overrated. All in all, I say: SKIP IT