Perception

Long time watchers of Will & Grace you really have to block out all memories of that character in order to give this new show a shot. It is clever - kind of based on a show from the UK. A professor with a mental illness helps the FBI catch killers. It is funny and well filmed. The actors work well together. The cool part is trying to figure out who is real and who is a figment of his imagination. Also, his lecture at the beginning of the first show is pretty heavy. All in all, I say: TRY IT - only one show in, but I was intrigued.

McLeod's Daughters - Australian

I write Australian because the show appears in several different countries. There were 8 seasons total of this show - it may look familiar if you watch the Hallmark channel. Hallmark US has had some of the episodes as well as the tv movie the series was based on. The series is much better than the tv movie. The fist 5 seasons are the best. Season 6 is ok, 7 is desperate, and 8 is a complete waste of time. Keep in mind it is a prime time drama - so a night time soap basically. Why would I like it? It takes place out in the country of Southern Australia - in real life, to make the show more real, it was filmed on a working ranch. All the actors do their own riding and almost all their own stunts. The biggest problem with the show over the years - the main characters keep leaving and so the writers of the show have them die or move to Argentina - by the sixth season it feels a little like a joke with the show's writers. It was cancelled in season 8 with good reason, but when you have been with a show for so long it is still sad to see it go. All in all, I say: STREAM IT. Netflix has released the shows. See the guy from Glades (season 7 & 8) in his first tv show appearance - see the blond from Against the Wall in her first show appearance (Season 1-6). You will recognize some of the guest stars as many now work in the US.

Longhorn Steakhouse

Based on my email most everybody knows I love steak, but I do love me some swine. Longhorn has Cowboy Chops - that is 2 pork chops on the bone cooked with spices. That has been my favorite dish there for quite some time. They have added green beans to the menu, but as always they have good fries and good potatoes. I like their house salad and the specials are pretty good. My mom's vegan and she enjoys a nice lunch there too sometimes. All in all, I say: EAT IT, eat it you stupid cow.

Local Republic

A restaurant in Lawrenceville - some seats at bar, inside, and outside under umbrellas. Beer and wine tastings often. The food is amazing - I had a Caesar salad called E Tu Brute and a burger called Republic. The meat was local obviously and totally amazing. The best part of the entire meal, however was the bacon. Oh my Buddha but it was amazing. All in all, I say: EAT IT, eat it you stupid cow :)

Mercenaries

Netflix describes this movie as follows: "Andy Marlow, formerly of British special forces, joins with three other mercenaries on a dangerous mission to hunt down the Croatian military leader who engineered the assassination of the Serbian president and the kidnapping of a U.S. ambassador." The only person I recognized was the head of the US military played by Billy Zane. All in all, I say: SKIP IT. Boring.

Machine Gun Preacher

Why wasn't this movie a wide release? I have studied the conflict in Sudan - past and present - I know what is going on with Kony and his child soldiers, but it was good to this from a different point of view. Netflix writes, "Gerard Butler stars in this true-life story of Sam Childers, a drug dealer who turns his life around to become a spiritual warrior. His mission? Rescuing child soldiers in the Sudan from lives ruined by their forced participation in bloody conflict." Butler (from 300) does an amazing job – the emotion he can portray with just his facial expressions, his eyes is amazing. Michelle Monaghan (from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) does a good supporting job. Souleymane Sy Savane (from Goodbye Solo) proves he is an amazing actor yet again. There are some scenes that are very hard to watch – you will cry – but it necessary for people to see this and really get a picture of what it is like in Sudan. Whether or not you believe what the news and politicians tell you the war is far from over. All in all, I say: RENT IT & then tell your friends to do the same. The second picture is that of the real Sam Childers who still operates in Africa to this day.

Magic Mike

Based on what really happened to Channing Tatum why and when he became a stripper - he is played by Alex Pettyfer (English and played in I Am Number Four). Tatum plays the guy that was kind of his mentor I guess - don't know if that guy really existed though. Tatum's dances were good and the only ones worth watching, but not long enough. I really wanted to walk out and go watch Step-Up again. The filming was nauseating. Lots of people you would recognize in the film, but I loved seeing Olivia Munn - she's a comedian that has been on The John Stewart Show. All in all, I say: SKIP IT maybe if it was a book I would say read it.