Sneaky Pete

A one hour drama on Amazon about a con artist, Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) created and acts as the bad guy gangster in this show. Giovanni Ribisi (Ted) is Pete or rather Marius pretending to be Pete. There is a con on top con on top of con. Despite the overlapping cons and the rather trivial reason behind the cons the actors make this worth watching. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Birthday Wish

Luke Macfarlane (Killjoys) stars in this Hallmark movie. He falls for a co-worker, but she has a plan and boyfriend. When she wishes on her birthday candle to know her future she sees herself with Luke's character and not her boyfriend. Some of the editing is a little off, and Luke seems uncomfortable half the time - despite all that... All in all, I say: SEE IT

Love on a Limb

Ashley Williams (Margin Call) is in the Parks & Rec department of a small town. She always has a cause and now the mayor wants to take down the tree where she and her now deceased father use to eat lunch. With the help of friends and family she saves the tree and falls in love with the man sent to cut it down. Marilu Henner (LA Story) is the mother. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Love on the Sidelines

Emily Kinney (Walking Dead) is having trouble getting into the fashion industry after college so takes a job as a personal assistant. Her first job is with a professional football player - the struggle to get in sync, but once they do they fall in love. The football players best friend is actual the cuter actor. The editing, writing, and acting is all on spot. This was a really well done Hallmark movie. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Love in Paradise

A Hallmark movie with a happy ending. Luke Perry (Riverdale) created the characters and the basic story line, as well as, acts in this. He's a actor that has starred in famous cowboys movie, but isn't really a cowboy. His career is struggling, so he does a publicity stunt at a dude ranch and falls in love. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Frances Fisher (Love On the Run) stars in this. It really isn't much like Pride & Prejudice at all, just so you know. It's about a dog trainer/teacher and a rich man/dog judge. They fall in love, but others are trying to keep them apart. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's Hallmark so there's a happy ending, but the editing is pretty bad.

Atlanta

Created and acted by Donald Glover (Creed) in this half hour comedy on FX which - surprise - takes place in Atlanta. There are some scenes which crack me up!!! And some of it is touching. IMDb writes,"Two cousins, with different views on art versus commerce, on their way up through the Atlanta rap scene; "Earnest 'Earn' Marks," an ambitious college drop-out and his estranged cousin, who suddenly becomes a star." All in all, I say: SEE IT

Framed for Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery

Colin Ferguson (Eureka) is a crime reporter who moves into a small town where his contractor played by musician Jewel is trying to solve the murder of her best friend's dad. It involves treasure and mis-direction. It's ok - not great - not much if any romance. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Hallmark for a light, non-gorey movie.

Singin' in the Rain

One of the best musicals of all time. Gene Kelly (On The Town) acts, choreographs, and directs. He plays a famous silent film actor who transitions to sound - his co-star is holding him back because she can't talk in a way that is appealing. The have his new girlfriend Debbie Reynolds (Mother) dubbed the voice. Amazing songs and dance sequences. All in all, I say: SEE IT

On a tangent - Kelly reminds me of Ben Affleck.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lost Without You

It's the second or third movie with these characters - they are in the lost letter department of the post office and they deliver mail most others find deliverable. All in all, I say: SEE IT - on Hallmark

Before You Say I Do

David Sutcliffe (Cracked) makes a wish to meet his girlfriend before her first marriage so they can fall in love and live happily ever after. The ending is super stupid and makes no sense. Also, Jennifer Westfeldt (Friends With Kids) - I can't stand the way she barely opens her mouth to talk and her voice is irritating. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

So You Said Yes

Kellie Martin (Life Goes On) is a vegetarian, free spirited woman who opens a vintage wedding dress store. She falls for the son of a traditional wedding dress store owner. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it wasn't too bad.

The Bridge - Part 1 & 2

Based on Karen Kingsbury's books about a couple who can't have kids so they open a bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee to help the community form relationships while enjoying books. The acting isn't bad it was just so slow and took forever to get to the point. I didn't understand why it needed to be 2 parts. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Hollars

Margo Martindale (Justified) has a brain tumor. Sharlto Copley (Chappie) and John Krasinski (Away We Go) are her sons. Richard Jenkins (Cabin in the Woods) is the father/husband. The whole thing felt like it was trying to hard. Too hard to be an edgy script. Too hard for the actors to prove they are awesome independent film actors. Too hard to be touching. All in all, I say; SKIP IT

Teachers

A funny half hour show on TV Land about a hand full of elementary teachers - you will recognize yourself and your fellow educators in one of these characters. They get into some funny stuff. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you're a teacher.

Match Game

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) is the host of this 21st century revamp of the popular game. Celebrities try to help contestants win money by supplying answers to common phrases. It is way more funny than the original. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Hidden Figures

Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Octavia Spencer (Gifted), and Janelle Monae (Musician) star in the biography about three black women who assisted NASA and the space program. Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves), Glen Powell (Expendables), and Kirsten Dunst (Interview of a Vampire) also star. It was stellar - amazing. All in all, I say; SEE IT

A Wish Come True

A woman wishes for all her past birthday wishes to come true - she's kept a list of them. They start to all come true and it turns out she didn't really want or need them. Lesson learned with a happy ending. All in all, I say: SEE IT - on Hallmark

Joy

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) star in this O'Russell film based on a true story about the inventor and self made woman. Robert DeNiro (Limitless), Elizabeth Rohm (Wish Upon), Isabella Rossellini (Shut Eye), Edgar Ramirez (Bright), and Virginia Madsen (Candyman) also star. I just don't like his style of film. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Burnt

Cooper (Limitless) is a former addict who caused all sorts of problems in France - ruining careers and businesses. He comes to London to get the band back together so to speak. He wants 3 Michelin stars. Miller (Foxcatcher) becomes his protege. Bruhl (Rush) is the money man. It wasn't half as bad as the reviewers were saying. I saw it on OnDemand. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Ransom

No one recognizable in the cast. Bog Problem: the leading actor is BORING - the 2 minor characters - who are minorities are so much better. They need to rework this cast and try again. I was bored. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Love on Ice

A new coach falls for former Olympic skater while training her younger protege. It's not as romantic has you might hope. It's more about reaching your dreams & goals. All in all, I say: SEE IT - Hallmark Channel

Family: The Girl in the Box

Amazon describes the fourth book int he series as, "Just hours after finding Andromeda and crossing paths with her mother, Sienna Nealon finds herself back at the Directorate and up against a bigger threat than ever before. Omega, the organization that unleashed Wolfe and others upon her, has declared war on the Directorate and the first strikes have already landed. Facing the seemingly unstoppable forces of Omega and Sienna’s own mother, the Directorate seems poised for defeat when a new threat rears its ugly head - a traitor in their midst, one that may mean the destruction of everything Sienna has come to care about.". All in all, I say: READ IT if you read the other books in the series - otherwise - it didn't really float my boat.

The Neighbor: A Detective DD Warren Novel

Book 3 of 8 in the DD Warren series. A young mother has gone missing and everyone's past comes to the surface. Is it the husband? The father? The lover? A crush? or A Sexual predator? Each chapter is from the point of view of a different character. All in all, I say: READ IT - I'm listening to it & I really enjoy it.

Invention of Lying

This romantic comedy was written, directed, and starred Ricky Gervais (The Office). It was ok - there were some funny parts, some not funny parts, but above all it just didn't seem to work - the chemistry between Gervais and Jennifer Garner (Alias). IMDb writes, "A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.". All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Pride and Glory

Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk), Colin Farrell (SWAT), Jon Voight (Ray Donovan), and Jennifer Ehle (Pride and Prejudice) all star. IMDb writes, "A family's moral codes are tested when Ray Tierney investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law. For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora's Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.". All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Incredible Hulk

A but of a disaster. I don't know the story, but another studio had a Hulk film out too - this one was Edward Norton's (The Painted Veil) vision for the scientist turned monster Bruce Banner. IMDb writes, "Bruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he emerges whenever he loses his temper. However, Banner then must fight a soldier who unleashes himself as a threat stronger than he.". Liv Tyler (The Leftovers) and Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) also star. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Painted Veil

This is a period piece that takes place during real events in history. The clothing design, set design, and filming were beautiful. IMDb writes, "A British medical doctor fights a cholera epidemic in a small Chinese village, while being trapped at home in a loveless marriage to an unfaithful wife.". Edward Norton (Down in the Valley) and Naomi Watts (Eastern Promises) are the married couple. Watt's husband Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) also stars, It was a little slow, but nice to look at. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Down in the Valley

This never came out in theatres here, so I rent a few years later. I don't remember a ton. I do remember I kind of liked it. IMDb writes, "Set in the present-day San Fernando Valley, the project revolves around a delusional man who believes he's a cowboy and the relationship that he starts with a rebellious young woman.". Edward Norton (The Illusionist), David Morse (Trouble), Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld), Rory Culkin (Signs), Elizabeth Pena (Rush Hour), and Bruce Dern (Abilene) all star. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Illusionist

IMDb writes, "In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.". At the time this was released it was competing with several other studio films based on this time period and magic. This wasn't very good. Edward Norton (Kingdom of Heaven), Jessica Biel (New Years Eve), and Paul Giamatti (Billions) all starred. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Kingdom of Heaven

Ridley Scott (Aliens) directs this movie. IMDb writes, "Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people". Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Carribean), Edward Norton (Keeping the Faith), Liam Neeson (A Monster Calls), and Michael Sheen (Masters of Sex) all star. Some of the sword fights are good, but I got bored. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

After the Sunset

IMDb writes, "The story of what happens after a master thief achieves his last big score, when the FBI agent who promised he'd capture him is about to do just that". Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day, Edward Norton (The Itlaian Job), Salma Sayek (Frida), Woody Harrleson (People vs, Larry Flynt), Chris Penn (Rush Hour), and Don Cheadle (House of Lies) all star. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Italian Job

Everyone like this movie - everyone ranted & raved about this movie. I don't get it - I didn't like it. I think the cast and fast cars got everyone thinking it was great , but this happened before Fast & Furious franchise. IMDb writes, "After being betrayed and left for dead in Italy, Charlie Croker and his team plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally.". Edward Norton (25th Hour), Mark Wahlberg (Entourage), Donald Sutherland (MASH), Charlize Theron (The Coldest City), Seth Green (Entourage), and Jason Statham (Cellular) all star.

25th Hour

Spike Lee (Jungle Fever) directs this film starring Edward Norton (Red Dragon) as a man about to go to prison. IMDb writes, "Cornered by the DEA, convicted New York drug dealer Montgomery Brogan reevaluates his life in the 24 remaining hours before facing a seven-year jail term.". David Benioff (Game of Thrones) wrote the screenplay, so it's well thought out with excellent lines. Barry Pepper (True Grit), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Red Dragon), Anna Paquin (The Piano), Brian Cox (Troy), and Rosario Dawson (Sin City) also star. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Red Dragon

Edward Norton (Frida) plays a character from Silence of the Lambs - an FBI profiler. It's sort of the sequel to Silence. IMDb writes, "A retired FBI agent with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down "The Tooth Fairy", a mysterious serial killer; aiding him is imprisoned criminal genius Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter.". Anthony Hopkins (Westworld) plays Hannibal Lecter. Ralph Fiennes (Skyfall), Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs), Emily Watson (War Horse), Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt) also star. "FBI Agent Will Graham has been called out of early retirement to catch a serial killer, known by authorities as "The Tooth Fairy". He asks for the help of his arch-nemesis, Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, so that he can be able to catch "The Tooth Fairy" and bring him to justice. The only problem is that "The Tooth Fairy" is getting inside information about Graham and his family from none other than Dr. Lecter." Written by MovieWes. I thought Fiennes and Watson did an amazing job acting. I think it was the scripts that caused some problems. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Frida

Julie Taymor (Titus) directs this film that was the blood, sweat, and tears - the project of Salma Hayek (Desperado). She used all her connections and her friends to help get this made. She also had a part of her then husband Edward Norton (Death to Smoochy). Hayek played Frida. Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2) played Diego. Her friends: Antonio Banderas (Desperado), Mia Maestro (Scandal), Valeria Golino (Rain Man), Saffron Burrows (Mozart in the Jungle), and Diego Luna (The Terminal) also star. I was interested in the biography of Frida, so I enjoyed the movie. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Death to Smoochy

Danny DeVito (Taxi) directs and acts in this hilarious comedy. Robin Williams (Mork & Mindy) and Edward Norton (The Score) star. IMDb writes, "Kids show host Rainbow Randolph is fired in disgrace while his replacement, Sheldon Mopes, aka Smoochy the Rhino, finds himself a rising star. Unfortunately for Sheldon, the kid's TV business isn't all child's play.". All in all, I say: SEE IT - I laughed.

The Score

This movie by Frank Oz (The Dark Crystal) got some box office money at the time because it starred Marlon Brando (Streetcar Named Desire) who had been away from the camera for awhile. Robert DeNiro (Goodfellas) and Edward Norton (Keeping the Faith) star. IMDb writes, "An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid convinces him into doing one last heist.". All in all, I say: SKIP IT. It just wasn't interesting enough to keep my attention.

Keeping the Faith

Edward Norton (Fight Club) moves away from most of his previous roles to direct and direct himself acting in this romantic comedy. He plays a Catholic Priest whose best friend since childhood is a Jewish Rabbi played by Ben Stiller (Zoolander). They both fall for the same woman who comes back into their life (Jenna Elfman from Barry). IMDb writes "Two friends, a priest and a rabbi, fall in love with the same woman they knew in their youth, but the religious position of both men denies them romance". All in all, I say: RENT IT - I thought it was funny and cute.

Fight Club

This David Fincher (Se7en) movie has become a cult classic and a pop culture favorite. By now I'm sure you know the twist. It was filmed in typically Fincher fashion - so there are gritty scenes, dark scenes (lighting), and a lot of camera movement. Brad Pitt (Se7en) and Edward Norton (American History X) star. IMDb writes, "An insomniac office worker, looking for a way to change his life, crosses paths with a devil-may-care soap maker, forming an underground fight club that evolves into something much, much more.". Meat Loaf - the musician and Helena Bonham Carter (Les Miserable) also star. All in all, I say: RENT IT - not because I like it but because you should know where some of the modern cultural references come from. Those of you who have already seen this I know I broke rule 1 - never talk about fight club :)

American History X

Edward Norton (Rounders) took everyone by surprise when they saw his body for this movie - he was super hot!! The only problem - he was playing a Nazi. He kills a man in a brutal scene that is extremely difficult to watch and will turn your stomach. He goes to jail and meets some fellow supremacist - rape scene. He discovers the truth behind his hatred and closed mindedness. When he's released he attempts to turn his brother (Edward Furlong from Terminator 2) away from the Aryians - will he succeed? IMDb writes, "A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did". All in all, I say: RENT IT

Rounders

Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting) is a former gambler trying to get his life back on track when an old friend comes back into his life. Edward Norton (The People vs. Larry Flynt) is in debt to some dangerous people and needs Damon to get back into gambling to help him. Gretchen Mol (Machester by the Sea) also stars. At the time - the 80s - I thought it was kind of interesting. I watched a scene or two recently and the acting isn't great. IMDb writes, "A young man is a reformed gambler who must return to playing big stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks.". All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The People vs. Larry Flynt

Woody Harrleson (Cheers) stars as Larry Flynt and his legal fight for pornography. Edward Norton (Everyone Thinks I Love You) and Courtney Love - the musician starred. Love got a lot of acclaim for her acting in this. Woody did a good job as always. IMDb writes, "A partially idealized film of the controversial pornography publisher and how he became a defender of free speech for all people.". All in all, I say: RENT IT

Everyone Says I Love You

A Woody Allen (Hannah and Her Sisters) musical, romance. I don;t typically like Allen anyways, but this was just annoying. Singing and dancing and by people that shouldn't maybe be singing and dancing. Edward Norton (Primal Fear), Drew Barrymore (Firestarter), Alan Alda (MASH), Gabby Hoffman (Girls), Goldie Hawn (Overboard), and Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) all star. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Primal Fear

Richard Gere (Officer & A Gentleman) is a lawyer who is representing a young man on trial for murder. Edward Norton (American History X) is the young man who appears to be guilty one minute and innocent the next. Turns out he has multiple personalities. Can his personalities all be punished for the acts of one of his personalities? There is a twist - you might see coming now, but when it first came out it surprised everyone. Even though Norton didn't want to do this movie - it was good. Laura Linney (The Dinner) also stars. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Dane and Bones Origins Series

I bought the novella - the 1st book Freedom because it was different than Wood's other books I have read. This series is historical as opposed to supernatural. It reminded me of the National Treasure movies. It's a sort of treasure hunt that leads to a mystery about George Washington. Amazon writes, "From Book 1: What dark secret did the Founding Fathers of America hide, and who will stop at nothing to uncover it? Navy SEALs in-training, Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebrake can’t be in the same room without trying to kill each other, but soon find themselves caught up in a race with a secret society to solve a mystery that dates back to the founding of America. Find out how it all began in the action-packed first Dane and Bones Origins novella… Freedom! ". It was well written. I just wasn't interested in the two character or the history. I prefer the more sarcastic wit and humor of David's supernatural books better. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you like historical stuff.

Empire of Blood Series

The first book - Shining in Crimson was free on kindle - again in hopes of getting the reading to buy the rest of the series. It was just horrible. It's about vampires, but they aren't interesting at all. I got 50% of the way through and just didn't care anymore about any of the characters. Amazon writes, "Now with nothing left to lose, Hank Evans has transformed from a hollow shell to a military leader of the Foederati, hardened to the core with the cold unmerciful steel of revenge. He rightfully blames the Emperor for the death of his son and will stop at nothing to destroy the evil man and his twisted religious empire. Armed with the knowledge that he alone is the biggest threat to the monster who rules the American Empire, Hank needs only to learn the secret that will allow him to kill this terrible creature who ripped apart so many lives.But as the vampire Queen's belly grows larger and the time for her to give birth grows near, new visions of the future distract Hank from his plans of vengeance with glimpses of a boy hidden in shadows... A boy who looks so very much like Toby. And in the end, a new litter of vampires is born and they will change everything". All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Starship Blackbeard

The first book in the series was free on Kindle in hopes of getting the reader hooked to buy the rest I guess. I got 50% of the way through before I didn't care anymore. It's basically an like an old movie about pirate on the sea in the 1700s only it's the future and they are in a space ship. Rarely did it feel that way. I got bored - it didn't seem anything different from say Black Sails only it was in space and boring. Amazon writes, "In the aftermath of an interstellar war with an alien race, Captain James Drake is unjustly court martialed. But Drake won't go down without a fight. Rather than surrender, he'll lead his loyal crew into the frontier worlds to repair and rearm. Fighting the treacherous Lord Admiral Malthorne, Drake makes alliances with aliens and smugglers to clear his name and defeat treason in his beloved homeland.". All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Paradise Earth: Day Zero

This was a free kindle book and now I know why - boring. The entire thing seemed to be filled with religious nonsense. A Jehovah Witness goes chapter after chapter into his life before an apocalypse - his boring life. I couldn't make it to the end to figure out why they were burning books in the very beginning and I don't care. Amazon writes, "When the ground quakes and blazing balls of fire fall from the sky, a religious sect interprets it as the fulfillment of long-held prophecies foretelling the end of the world. The members flee to their religious sanctuary, believing that this global cataclysm is the portent of a new paradise of eternal happiness.Inside, one cold and starving man struggles to hold onto his hope for the future. He's sacrificed everything for his faith in the prophecy, including his family. As the tortuous night drags on he grapples with a lifetime of beliefs and expectations". All in all, I say: SKIP IT