Steak's Views: April 2017

Sunday, April 30, 2017

The Circle

Emma Watson (Noah) gets a job at the place be. The Circle is like a google campus - they even make fun of the idea in the movie - everyone there has "drunk the kool-aid". Patton Oswalt (WordGirl) and Tom Hanks (Felt) are the bosses. It's kind of like an app or program. They get more and more intrusive into peoples lives. I thought it would be more suspenseful and more of a tale of danger, but the last half was boring and not at all what I had hoped. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Wedding Daze

A Hallmark movie starring John Larroquette (Night Court). IMDb writes, "Jack and Audrey Landry are a middle-aged couple who have barely gotten the hang of being a pair of "empty nesters" when their three grown daughters -- Teri, Nora, and Dahlia -- end up tumbling back home again. That's not so hard to take but just as the parents re-adjust their lifestyle to accommodate their offspring, all three of the Landry daughters fall in love. Happiness abounds until the daughters each announce they're getting married. At the same time. And guess who's footing the bill? Now it's a race to see which runs out first -- Jack and Audrey's bank account or their sanity.
- Written by Marc Hershon". All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Away and Back

A Hallmark movie starring Jason Lee (Mallbrats). IMDb writes, "Hostility turns into something else between a widowed farmer and a pushy ornithologist who came to his farm to save a family of swans.". It's really well done for a Hallmark movie. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Gifted

Chris Evans (Avengers) took custody of his sister's daughter when she committed suicide. He has been trying to raise her to be as normal as possible even though she is anything but normal. She's a math prodigy. When his mothers finds out she wants custody of her granddaughter to make her into her former daughter's image. It has some heartbreaking parts and funny parts. Jenny Slate (The Lorax) also stars. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Fear Nothing

Amazon writes, "They were daughters of a monster—a father who slaughtered eight prostitutes before dying himself. Dr. Adeline Glen left the nightmare behind, and now she specializes in pain management. Her sister, Shana Day, followed in her father’s violent footsteps, first killing at age fourteen and being incarcerated for more than twenty-five years.

After a brutal attack, Boston Detective D. D. Warren needs Adeline’s professional help to recover physically. But when a new psychopath known as the Rose Killer begins a reign of terror, D. D. must also consult the insane Shana—who claims she can help catch the madman.

D. D. may not be back on the job, but she is back on the hunt. Because the Rose Killer isn’t just targeting lone women; he’s targeting D. D. And she knows there’s only one way to take him down...". All in all, I say: READ IT if you read the ones before. The crimes are pretty gruesome.

The Perfect Catch

A cute Hallmark movie. Nikki Deloach (Awkward.) is a single mom running a diner. Her old high school sweetheart (Andrew W Walker from A Bride for Christmas) comes back into town and the feelings return. It's simple and pretty well done. All in all, I say: SEE IT

After

I caught this on HBO or SHO - can't remember which. It seemed like it might be interesting or scary, but it wasn't. Two people are in a bus crash and they end up being the only people in town with a darkness surrounding them - turns out they are in comas. Predictable. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Mary Kills People

I've only seen a couple of episodes, but I thought it was well done so far. IMDb writes, "A single mother Mary Harris, an ER doctor by day, but by night, she and her partner, a former plastic surgeon, moonlight as underground angels of death and help terminally ill patients slip away on their own terms." I think I can see the plot coming a mile away, so I hope the acting and writing stay steller. All in all, I say: SEE IT

War Dogs

Jonah Hill (MIB 23) and Miles Teller (Get a Job) star in this movie. IMDb writes, "Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan.".It was on HBO so I didn't pay for it. I was curious and it was as bad as I thought it would be. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Shetland

A Scottish crime drama - 4 seasons in the UK - Netflix has season 1. A DI solves crime in a small, close knit community. Although it has to be watched with close captioning to understand some of what they say, it's really well done. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Born in China

Disney's Earth Day movie has arrived! Proceeds go to a good cause and they are so fun to watch. IMDb writes, "Venturing into the wilds of China, "Born in China" captures intimate moments with a panda bear and her growing cub, a young golden monkey who feels displaced by his baby sister, and a mother snow leopard struggling to raise her two cubs.". It is sad and just tons of cuteness this year. Babies galore!! All in all, I say: SEE IT

When Duty Calls

Daphne Zuniga (Those Left Behind), Olivia d'Abo (The Circuit), and Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club) star in this Hallmark mystery movie. IMDb writes, "When newlyweds, Ellie and Martin, both volunteer at their local police department they find themselves tangled in a criminal case." It's got a good plot. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Hearts of Spring

IMDb writes, "A successful mommy blogger decides to re-enter the world of dating and discovers the man she has been falling for is the same man she has been sparring with online."Michael Shanks (Stargate) doesn't take of his short, but I missed his smile. He does a good job as a struggle single parent who is a doctor. It's well written, acted, and edited. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Hailey Dean Mystery: Deadly Estate

Another in the Nancy Grace series on Hallmark starring Kellie Martin (Mystery Woman). IMDb writes, "After Hailey Dean agrees to help Pam dispose of her parent's estate, her friend disappears without a word, Pam's boyfriend suffers a serious accident, and Hailey's boyfriend contracts a serious illness. Hailey must use skills she developed as a former prosecutor to determine if these events are connected." It's not bad for a mystery because there isn't any gore or crude language. They do a bad job of making it look like it takes place in ATL, but I like Martin. All in all, I say: SEE IT - if you saw the others.

Like Cats and Dogs

Not a remake - a Hallmark movie. IMDb writes, "Spencer (Wyatt Nash) and Lara (Cassidy Gifford) couldn't be more different. He's a cat person and she loves dogs. When a reservation mix-up lands them -- and their pets -- in the same vacation house, they have to find a way to get along without killing each other.". It's cute. The pacing and editing are off with this one, but it all comes together. I don't recognize the two main actors. But Gwynyth Walsh (Van Helsing) the owner of the house is familiar to me. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Fate of the Furious

The entire cast minus Paul Walker and his character's immediate family. This focuses more on Vin Diesel's immediate family. What would make him go against his own team and work for the bad guy? If you think about it you'll get it before the movie starts. The predictability doesn't deter from the entertainment value of this franchise. You don't need to focus on the plot much with these - only the stunts. The action is where it's at. Jason Statham and The Rock have the best fight scenes with Michelle Rodriquez coming in third. Jason's part is the funniest in my opinion - no shirt off scenes however. If you watched all the others you might as well and you won't be disappointed. All in all, I say: SEE IT - and yes they are leaving it open for another.

Australia

A Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom) directs this movie starring Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge) and Hugh Jackman (Logan). IMDb writes, "Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.". It wouldn't be Australian with Bryan Brown (Gods of Egypt). It's long, but I like the Aboriginal backstory and the use of Wizard of Oz as a metaphor. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you are a fan of Luhrmans.

Love at First Bark

Jana Kramer (Country Crush) has started her own design firm and while she's at the park falls for a cute dog. He needs some training though and that's how she meets Kevin McGarry (A Song for Christmas). It's cute - although predictable - it's fun. All in all, I say: SEE IT

All of my Heart

Lacey Chabert (Moonlight in Vermont) and Brennan Elliott (UnReal) have chemistry in this Hallmark movie. Two people inherit a house - one wants it to be an inn and one just wants to get back to the city. They fall in love and it's so good they made a sequel. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Moonlight in Vermont

Not a remake - a totally new movie from Hallmark starring Lacey Chabert (Shimmer and Shine). Carlo Marks (Scarecrow) is her love interest. IMDb writes, "After Fiona gets dumped, she escapes to her family's Vermont Inn for a few days to evaluate her life. When her ex Nate shows up with a new girlfriend, Fiona devises a plan to win him back: pretend head chef Derek is her new boyfriend.". All in all, I say: SEE IT - she's always good and happy ending.

The DUFF

Mae Whitman (Good Girls) discovers that she is the designated ugly fat friend in her group, and she goes to a childhood friend to fix that. Typically, high school movie except the lines, the teachers, and the acting are exceptional, I get hooked on this every time it comes on. Bella Thorne (Famous in Love) and Robbie Amell (Code 8) also star. All in all, I say: SEE IT or STREAM IT.

For the Love of the Game

Sam Raimi (Evil Dead) directs this romantic comedy based on the book. Kevin Costner (Molly's Game) is a baseball player - pitcher - at the end of his run. Kelly Preston (CSI: Cyber) is a writer and a single mother raising a daughter. They meet and fall in love. It's well paced and for some reason I get hooked every time it comes on tv even though the acting isn't the best. All in all, I say: RENT IT or STREAM IT

Father of Invention

I'm thinking I've never heard of this because it was a straight to video. Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) spends 8 years in prison for fraud. He gets out and tries to get his family and money back. Heather Graham (Bliss) plays a love interest. Johnny Knoxville (Action Point), John Stamos (Scream Queens), Virginia Madsen (A CHange of Heart), and Craig Robinson (The Office) also star. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Trolls

Anna Kendrick (PP2) is the future queen of her people and she decides to throw a huge party which draws the attention of Bergens - creatures that eat trolls because they think it's the only way to be happy. Justin Timberlake (Trolls 2) helps the queen reluctantly. Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) is a bergen that helps the troll. The music isnt' as bad as a thought - the lines are decent. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Ghost in the Shell

Scarlett Johansson (Marvel) is the character from the video game - a brain inside a cyborg. A much cooler RoboCop of sort. Pilou Asbaek (GoT) is her partner. Takeshi Kitano (Battle Royale) is her boss. Juliette Binoche (Dark Glasses) is the doctor that makes it possible. They must find and fight off an enemy, Michael Pitt (Criminal). But is he really the enemy? All in all, I say: SEE IT in 3D. Graphics and martial arts are cool even if the plot is predictable.

Catch Me

DD Warren is back. This time an up and coming sexy new female detective wants in on one of DD's cases. She trying to be noticed - or is she? DD has a baby now and Alex would like to tie the knot, worse though, her parents want to come from Florida. They arrive just as DD gets a case of a series of shooting of local pedophiles. Every other chapter is DD - the other chapters are Charlie's. Charlene has come to Boston to prepare herself for the fight of her life. She is next on the list for a serial killer - she's going to die in days - on Jan 21st - unless DD can figure it all out in time. All in all, I say: READ IT.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Nana's United Kingdom Trip Notes

May 14th - Passed immigration & customs - Walked to Bedford - lunched at Russell Hotel

"Brassens on the square" - bought city tour pass

May 15th - STRIKE - no buses, very limited tours, lots of walking, ate lunch at Shepherd Market - okay - interesting - walking to cross pier took boat to tower - good - cab to hotel.

May 16th - Tube to St. Pauls - whispering gallery - film to explain - bus to Paddington St and had dinner at "The Baker and Oven"

Walked to Madam Tussauds on Baker Street - very interesting

Bedford Hotel / Tour Plan

Things American Won't Like
1. Vouchers instead of tickets
2. Poor continental breakfast - small sour tin juice - awful toast - muddy coffee - hard roll - good black current jam
3. Leave all the "Euro plugs" and appliances at home - only plug for electric razor.
4. Weak, soft beds
5. Tacky decor
6. Air conditioning?
7. Southampton Row - and most of London is a pigsty!

Tower St Paul's

and Westminster clean - streets outside filthy.

Wednesday 17 - To Abbey - great tours - took a cab - Practicing for Queen's birthday - Sherlock Holmes Pub with many artifacts is on site of pub. Doyle used to frequent. Not cheap.

Went to Kensington Palace Gardens not much house.

Thursday, May 18 - packed, checked out no problem. Underground no problem. Some closed with luggage need to be sure of down escalators. Up always work. Suitcase or dolly on 130 steps down could be tough. Dinner at Hardings. Around town to Pub played Northampton Skittles.

Friday, May 19 - By ourselves to Warwick Castle: good show, figures by Tussand. Well done, adds a lot to castle.

To Stratford O.A. - Ann Hathaway's cottage

and Mary Arden's farm okay.

Too many people milling around town to see anything else. Road bad. Back to Harding's [can't find anything on Hardings]

Sunday 21st to Charlecote to Leamington Spa