Beyond the Lights

Mbatha-Raw (Beauty & the Beast) is a famous singer who has lost her way under all the pressure. Parker (Birth of a Nation) is a police officer looking toward politics when he meets the singer. They fall in love - all the outside forces are against them - will there be a happy ending? Who cares? Not me. Driver (The Red Tent) gives a good performance. Glover (Diablo) is ok. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

The Barber

Annoying film about two people trying to trick and capture a serial killer for revenge, but it gets the upper hand at one point. Who will win? Who cares! Glenn's (Man on Fire - original) performance wasn't anything special - not the same caliber as he was when he was younger. It's not exactly how they describe the plot on IMDb. I was bored and fast-forwarded through most of it. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it's streaming on Netflix.

Book of Life

Mexican actor Luna (The Terminal) and American actor Tatum (White House Down) are the voices of two men who love the same woman - Saldana (Avatar 1,2,3,4). Perlman (Savage Mutts), Applegate (Vacation), Ice Cube (21 Jump Street), del Castillo (The 33), Elizondo (Last Man Standing), Alazraqui (Happy Feet), de la Reguera (Cowboys & Aliens), Trejo (No Way Out), and Placido Domingo (Moulin Rouge) also perform for a character. They are all wooden figures that have been animated. It is colorful. It's an hour and a half long - which is a little too long for young ones. The music adds to the humor. There is some adult humor in it. It's cute. All in all, I say: RENT IT

When the Game Stands Tall

IMDb writes, "The journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur, who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport." Caviezel (Person of Interest), Dern (Wild), and Chiklis (The Shield) star. It's ok - I'm not much for sports movies. All in all, I say: SKIP IT 

Dark Places

Theron and Hoult (both from Mad Max: Fury Road) star. Moretz (Kick-Ass) and Hendricks (Mad Men) also star. It's about serial killers. It's not very well written. The acting is only ok - the entire thing felt rushed. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Stand by Me

Wheaton (Star Trek: Next Generation), Phoenix (Dark Blood), Feldman (Lost Boys), O'Connell (Sliders) play yougn boys who spend a summer weekend looking for a dead body. It's based on a Stephen King novel and it's very well done. Reiner (The Story of Us) directs, so there is sense of humor to it too. Sutherland and Siemaszko (both of Young Guns) play older hoods who bully the young boys. Dreyfuss (Jaws) narrates. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Complications

O'Mara (Life on Mars) plays a doctor that gets caught up in a gang war while trying to save a young boy from a drive by. Szohr (Gossip Girl), Riesgraf (Leverage), Chalk (12 Years a Slave), and Lee (Glory) all star. It's is a bit far fetched, but I like it. It's filmed in ATL. All in all, I say: SEE IT on USA

Run All Night

Neeson (Taken) is a once famous hitman for the a mob boss (Harris from Gravity). Things go wrong one night in an incident involving his son. Now he will have to kill them all to protect his son (Kinnaman from Safe House). Granted it's predictable, but because of the acting and action it is worth it. All in all, I say: SEE IT - I found it on OnDemand on Directv.

Happyish

Hahn (Tomorrowland) and Coogan (Tropic Thunder) are a married couple trying to find happiness in Woodstock, New York. He's in advertising but would rather be a writer. She's an artist, but their son takes up a lot of her time. Whitford (West Wing) plays his boss. It's is a half hour show, and it is funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Way of the Wicked

Jones (Snatch) is a detective in a small town. His wife has died and all he has left is his daughter, Heather. As a young girl she was involved in a deadly bullying incident. The boy that was with her becomes an outcast and a local priest played by Slater (Mr. Robot) believes he has the devil inside. It's predictable, it's low budget, and the editing is horrible. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Ballers

Johnson (The Scorpion King) is a once famous football player who now manages money for other athletes. It's fast paced, and Johnson does a good job, but it's kind of...I can't think of the word...gross. It's made for men and it lost me in the first episode. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Brink

An new comedy mini-series on HBO about politics in the Middle East - specifically Pakistan. Robbins (City of Ember), Black(Kung-fu Panda), Schreiber (Orange is the New Black), and Morales (La Bamba). It's funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Episodes

Two British tv writers are tricked by a  Hollywood fatcat to come to the US to transitions their British show into an American show. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong. It's a half-hour show on Showtime. It's very funny. LeBlanc (Friends) stars as an exaggerated version of his real self. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Killjoys

John-Kamen (The Hour), Ashmore (Smallville), and Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters) are bounty hunters. In a future world in space where everyone is aligned to a particular corporation or government only bounty hunters, or killjoys, are neutral. These 3 are awesome - the fight scenes are cool. I watch it on SyFy. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Playing it Cool

Evans (Captain America), Monaghan (Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang), Plaza (Parks & Rec). Wilson (Home Fries), and Grace (That 70s Show). A writer is trying to figure out his love life - love period. It''s funny, cute, and has a happy ending. I watched it on Directv OnDemand. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Blackhat

Hemsworth (Thor), Wang (Lust, Caution), Tang (Lust, Caution), Davis (The Help), and McCallany (Fight Club) all star. A man is furloughed from prison in order to help catch a blackhat hacker. The plot is ridiculous, the cinematography is horrible, the acting is pretty bad, and it is predictable. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Cobbler

Sandler (Hotel Transylvania 2) inherits a cobbler shop from his father (Hoffman from Kung Fu Panda 3) when his father disappears. Sandler finds out that with the use of a special machine he can walk in someone else's shoes - meaning their lives. Method Man (Keanu), Diaz (X/Y), Buscemi (Hotel Transylvania 2), Stevens (Beauty and the Beast the movie) and Barkin (Happyish) also star.  It starts ok, but gets ridiculous toward the end. That's when the lost me. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Done the Impossible: The Fans' Tale of 'Firefly' and 'Serenity'

A documentary about Firefly and the movie Serenity - from the point of view of the fans. Here's the thing though - those hard core fans include the cast, the crew, a famous science fiction author, and Whedon himself. It's a series of interviews and it's pretty good considering it was all done on someone's Mac. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Netlfix.

Murder of a Cat

Kranz (Bloodloss) who is still living at home with his mother (Danner from The Slap) wakes one day to find his best friend, a cat, murdered. Simmons (Kong Skull Island) plays the town Sheriff and the new boyfriend. Kinnear (Rake) plays a local businessman who may be up to no good). Nam (Westworld) plays an employee of Kinnear's who is also up to no good. Reed (Scout) turns out to be involved as well - and it is discovered she also owned the same cat. It's kind of cute. It's kind of funny. The plot sort of wanders every now and then. All in all, I say: RENT IT or watch on Netflix

Labor Day

An escape convict (Brolin from Everest) spends a holiday week with a depressed mother (Winslet from Insurgent) and a boy (Griffith from Changling) who is in desperate need of a father's attention. Even the convict has had to deal with some difficult family issues - the three of them make the perfect family. The only problem is that everyone around them is growing suspicious and the cops (Van Der Beek from CSI: Cyber) are closing in. The young boy as a man (Maguire from The Great Gatsby) narrates the story. Lipinski (Suits) plays Brolin's character as a young man - it's kind of creepy how much alike they look. Simmons (Terminator Genisys) plays a neighbor. Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) plays the biological father. It's a slower paced filmed - it has an unlikely ending. It's the acting that makes it worth it. It's based on a book, so I bet the book is better. Reitman (Juno) directs. All in all, I say: RENT IT or see it on Amazon Prime.

The Rover

This movie is based on a story by the Australian actor Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald). Australian actor Pearce (Genius - he plays F. Scott Fitzgerald / Brimstone) is determined to get back his car which was stolen outside a bar - here's the catch the world is in an "end of the world" kind of scenario, so things are pretty lawless already. You've got to wonder why it's so important to him - there are hints through-out, but I never caught on. On his travels to get his car he ends up riding along with Pattinson (Brimstone) who uses a southern accent - as in southern US - even though the movie takes place in Australia. It's slow - it's drawn out - there isn't a lot of dialogue. It's not horrible though. All in all, I say: RENT IT or watch on Amazon Prime.

Mad Max: Fury Road

I did not just add this to my other blog titled Mad Max series because it barely counts as a Mad Max movie other than keeping with the location, the backstory, and the cars. This should have been titled: Furiosa (Theron from The Huntsman).

Hardy (Mad Max: The Wasteland) plays Mad Max - can we pause and just melt a little - his voice, his body, his voice, his body...........
Back to reality - Hoult (Kill Your Friends) also stars. The cars are amazing - the one that plays the music especially - it made me laugh. It reminded my of Monty Python and the minstrels that follow around the knight to play his theme song. The action is cool - the filming is WOW - it has to be nominated for cinematography. A woman wants to get an evil overlords wives to safety - but does a safe place exist. All in all, I say: SEE IT and see it on the big screen. As you can see from above - there is going to be another one!!!!

Welcome to Me

I thought it would be good when I saw her (Wiig from Bridesmaids) interview on the Daily Show & Ellen - I was wrong. Marsden (Westworld), Bentley (Pete's Dragon), Cusack (Shameless), Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Tudyk (Hearts in Atlantis), and Robbins (The Brink) all star. A woman with psychological problems wins the lottery and pays for her own tv how which is horrible but gains a cult following. All in all, I say: SKIP IT I watch it on Directv OnDemand.

Paddington

You know when a movie has to rely on the producer work to be marketed it's not going to be so great. The cast is the only reason to see this - well no, just watch these actors in some of their better films:
Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Staunton (Chicken Run), and Hawkins (Jane Eyre). The daughter of an explorer wants to stuff Paddington and put him on display in a museum. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - I watch it for $1 at the Regal summer thing.

The Fault in Our Stars

Woodley & Elgort (both from Divergent where they play siblings - gross) are star crossed lovers. They are both caught up in the sub-culture of cancer. It's based on the book I never read because I hate it when one of the main characters dies. I finally got sucked in when it was released on HBO because I saw it had Dern (Wild), Trammell (True Blood), and Dafoe (John Wick) - and they all did an amazing job. The 2 main characters however were only ok - I think a couple of less known up & coming actors would have done a better job. All in all, I say: READ IT I bet it's a better book.

Hearts in Atlantis

The soundtrack is amazing - I have owned it for years. I have only just now gotten around to seeing the movie. I never did read the book by Stephen King. Hopkins (Westworld) plays a psychic being hunted by the government. Yelchin (Odd Thomas) plays a young boy being raised by a single mother (Davis from Wayward Pines). Booren (Blue Crush) plays the young boys girlfriend. It is a coming of age story. It subtle and well done as far as cinematography and direction. Tudyk (Big Hero Six) has a small but memorable part. All in all, I say: READ IT - I bet the book is much better and more inclusive. Movie wasn't bad - Netflix rental.

The Grumpy Guide to Life: Observations by Grumpy Cat

This is a cute and quick read. It makes me giggle. I am already a fan of grumpy cat, so I knew what to expect. If you aren't a fan - you won't find it the least bit amusing. All in all, I say: READ IT

Joss Whedon The Biography

This was written by Amy Pascale and Nathan Fillion. This was a long and dry biography. There is a lot of factual information which means it gets dry and sometimes takes a turn that doesn't have anything to do with Whedon. A lot of it seemed useless. The quotes from others, the letters from Whedon, and some of the fan comments are good. It was a really long and boring timeline. It felt impersonal. I read a biography about a historical figure I was never interested in knowing more about - the book was twice as long as this & it was written in a way that drew in the readers. This is lacking in storytelling - even a biography has to have a point and this really didn't seem like it it. I think a biography written by fans would have been better - his fans are smart. It was a struggle to get through. I learned some, but not as much as I would have liked. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Las Vegas

You know these guys & you remember the preview. It is on HBO, so I thought I would check it out. The humor never goes too far - it's about old friends settling some old grudges and working things out. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Dark Matter

From the man that brought us Lost Girl this show is a Canadian science fiction show. Only one show has come out so far - in the first show a crew is awakened in a ship that is losing life support and the members of the crew have no memory. They name themselves in the order they woke up: 1 (Bendavid from Bitten),2 (O'Neil from Canadian Musical theatre),3 (Lemke from Good Witch),4 (Mallari from The Strain),5 (Ferland from Breaking Dawn Part 2),6 (Cross from Chronicles of Riddick). They learn by the end of the 1st episode that they are all criminals and that they were sent to an outpost in space to kill the colonists there - instead they were in the process of helping them. Palmer (Lost Girl) does a great job as the crew's android. Hewlett (Stargate SG-1) makes a guest appearance. It kept me interested - all in all, I say: SEE IT

Sense8

IMDb writes, "A group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world's order." I couldn't make it through the first episode. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Between

In the small town of Pretty Lake everyone 22 years and older dies within the span of 14 days. The "Ministry" quarantines the area and keeps all the kids inside to fend for themselves. It is a conspiracy. It's a serial on Netflix - there are only 2 episodes left. No names are in it - it's filmed in Canada. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Out of the Dark

Stiles (Othello) and Speedman (Felicity) go to Columbia and get harassed by a bunch of demon possessed freaky kids who kidnap their daughter. Horrible - All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Jurassic World

I already started this review in my Jurassic series post. D'Onofrio (CI), Khan (Life of Pi), Robinson (Melissa & Joey), Johnson (New Girl), Wong (Law & Order), Greer (The Village), McGrath (Merlin) and Lapkus (Blended). It was amazing - I'm sure it would be amazing in 3D too. The action is so good and there is an equal measure of sad & comedy. The best - All in all, I say: SEE IT

Marked by the Wolf

I read part one and part two - it took about 15 minutes to read each. A woman is lured into a wealthy wolf pack's yearly kill and is bitten in order to save her life by a man who says he loves her and wants to marry her - that she is his mate. It's not long or detailed enough to really care about the characters. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Found

Gross, disgusting, horrific - it's a horror movie. All in all, I say: NO

The Color of Heaven

Amazon writes, "A deeply emotional tale about Sophie Duncan, a successful columnist whose world falls apart after her daughter's unexpected illness and her husband's shocking affair. When it seems nothing else could possibly go wrong, her car skids off an icy road and plunges into a frozen lake. There, in the cold dark depths of the water, a profound and extraordinary experience unlocks the surprising secrets from Sophie's past, and teaches her what it means to truly live...and love." They also add it's not to be missed - I disagree. It was not well written and super boring. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it was a free kindle book.

Love Unexpected

A $10 kindle book and a religious romance. It was well written. Amazon describes the plot as, "All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household. Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters." All in all, I say: READ IT

Out of the Storm

A free Kindle book - novella really. Amazon describes the plot as, "Having grown up in a lighthouse, loneliness is all Isabelle Thornton has ever known--and all, she assumes, she ever will know. But when her lightkeeper father rescues a young man from the lake, her sheltered world is turned upside down. Bestselling author Jody Hedlund's Out of the Storm is her first ever novella and introduces readers to Beacons of Hope, a new series set in the 1800s amid the romance, history, and danger surrounding the Great Lakes lighthouses of Michigan." It's short - not a gross romance novel - it's tame and religious in nature. It's a quick read and it's well written. All in all, I say: READ IT

Yours Again

A free kindle book that Amazon describes as, "Samantha James is on the run from Boston, fleeing a possible killer in the form of John Lawson, her aunt’s investment adviser. John has made it clear that Samantha will marry him and give him complete control over her future inheritance immediately or else. With the rumors and suspicions surrounding the recent death of John’s father, Samantha knows he will stop at nothing to get what he wants – even murder. Samantha’s only option for refuge is her childhood home halfway across the country in the New Mexico Territory where she hopes the ruggedly handsome Taos Williams she remembers will agree to keep her safe until John is brought to justice. Upon arrival in River City, Samantha finds that the compassionate, caring hero from her memory no longer exists. 
Taos Williams has changed in the nine years since Samantha has been gone. After a disastrous marriage that left him branded a wife beater, he views all women with suspicion. When Samantha arrives unannounced, he is tempted by her beauty but wary of her intentions. No matter how hard Taos fights his attraction to Samantha, sparks of passion ignite a firestorm so sensual it threatens to destroy everything they both hold dear. " It's a simple, short romantic read. It's silly. All in all, I say: READ IT if you want something light and quick that isn't horrible.

Marked by Desire

She witnesses a crime, he's a US Marshall who wants to protect her from an assassin. There is an inside man feeding the mob info and so the 2 flee. It's part one and it was free for Kindle and it was predictable, poorly plotted out, and just horrible. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Trust Me Not

Amazon describes the plot as, "When young MBA hotshot Mika Horden is recruited for her first big trading job at Dawson & Memorial she finds herself surrounded by glitz, glamour, and greed. A long shot from her checkered past of poverty and desperation.  Her arrogant, take-no-prisoners, jerk-of-a-boss Erik Dawson looms over Mika as a powerful force. A controlling force. A man in every sense of the word.  Now Mika must learn to go toe-to-toe with her boss, establishing her name and her reputation in ways she never dreamed possible. While she’s at it, she might just teach him a thing or two about love, lust, and truth." The plot is bad, the writing is even worse and I just kept wondering why anyone would continue to read the series. I got the 1st edition free for Kindle - took me 30 minutes to read and it was so bad. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Cottonelle

So, I have been on a mission to find some toilet paper. I grew up on Charmin, but it's too fluffy and particles get everywhere - I don't "wlike" it. I have tried Quilted Northern and some others - too thin or made by Koch brothers. I finally found what I think I will use from here on out - Cottonelle. All in all, I say: TRY IT - it's thick but not too fluffy and you don't need a lot.

Oreos Smores

If you are into 100% healthy, organic, and so on please stop reading. This is only for people who occasionally enjoy pure 100% crap - there is nothing real in this. It's a smore alright - it taste like it. And I am crazy for this limited edition snack. It's so bad I know. I know your judging me and I don't care. All in all, I say: EAT IT - Publix baby!

Fever Pitch

In 1997 a Firth (The Railway Man) played an obsessive soccer fan who had fallen in love. His obsession gets in the way of his relationship at every turn. In the end, he has to decide his team or his new love. Remember it was the 90s and it's not half bad. It has some funny moments written only the way Hornby (High Fidelity) could write.

Now fast forward - the US audience being crazed for Hornby films want the movie remade. Fallon (Whip It) and Barrymore (Whip It) star. He is crazy for the Boston Red Sox's baseball. She is his new love. He has to make a choice - not as funny as the British version. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

He is so funny. His side kick adds to the humor and not in an annoying way. The Roots play his music. It's the same basic set-up to the show as there was before he took over. It's just so so so much better. His guests play games - he has funny segments like #hashtag. It's not cruel humor and I laugh. All in all, I say: SEE IT or watch it on Youtube.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

There are games, celebs, and tons of regular amazing people. There is dancing, jokes, and it's all rated E for everyone. There are tons of free things and ways to get involved from home as well. I like how she's kind and encourages others to be kind as well. All in all, I say: SEE IT @ 4 PM during the week or watch select scenes on Youtube.

War Flowers

I can't even...I don't know where to begin with what's wrong with this...this thing that never should have been made. Ewwwwww. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - in fact, run for the hills.

Some Girl(s)

Brody (The OC) is meeting up in a few different cities with five girls whose hearts he broke to apologize before he gets married to a much younger girl. Bell (House of Lies), Kazan (Ruby Sparks), Maestro (Frida), Morrison (Warrior), and Watson (Corpse Bride) star as the girls he mistreated. He broke their hearts back when and he's breaking their hearts now. He has also written about their relationships. He's a jerk and a cheater. This should have stayed on stage - it made for a boring movie. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - I got it at Netflix.