Arrow

Stephen Amell from Canada has been in tons of stuff, but I don't recall seeing him before. Body is gorgeous - no lie - if you don't like the comic book / sci-fi thing just watch one show on mute and wait for his shirt to come off. [insert whistle] I watch the show for him and the martial arts - outstanding, movie caliber martial arts scenes. Love, love the action. IMDb describes the show best, "After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he's become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. Most particularly, he seeks reconciliation with his former girlfriend, Laurel Lance. As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow - a vigilante to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. By day, Oliver plays the role of a wealthy, carefree and careless philanderer he used to be - flanked by his devoted chauffeur/bodyguard, John Diggle - while carefully concealing the secret identity he turns to under cover of darkness. However, Laurel's father, Detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante operating in his city. Meanwhile, Oliver's own mother, Moira, knows much more about the deadly shipwreck than she has let on and is more ruthless than he could ever imagine."
All in all, I say: WATCH IT

After four showings - I say: SKIP IT

Thankful

Many are posting daily things they are thankful for since this is the season. Although, it seems many want to jump into Christmas. So, here is my thankful
1) Imagination: without it there would be no (2) music, (3) art, (4) movies, or  (5) books
6) Environment: the trees have been so beautiful this year since we suffered no drought
7 & 8) Animals: love my boys, my pack, Waldo and Duncan
9-12) Friends: I wouldn't be able to get through work without them (April, Melissa, and Lynn) and weekends would certainly be boring (Janice)
13-19) Family: the older the kids get the more fun they are (Hannah, Liam, Sophia, and Desmond) without my support system I would often find myself in a jam (Mom, Dad, Beth)
20) Shelter: my house may not be exactly the way I want, but it is a home and it suits me - I'm lucky
21) Nationality: voting this year and teaching political science reminds me daily how fortunate I am to be an American
22) Technology: although I have done without and can do without, the things i can experience and do because of technology boggles the  mind - maybe I will get to go to outer space before I die - who knows
23 & 24) Medicine: saved a best friend & a colleague this year - they beat cancer
25) Food: things are going to get tough for everyone in the years to come, right now I am glad to have good, local food and the ability to afford to buy it
26) Carpool: with gas prices getting so high and no real affordable alternative forms of transportation (bus doesn't come near my house, all cars take some kind of nonrenewable resource even hybrids) so until there is a solar car I have been lucky to save some money by carpooling this year
27) Refinance: I was able to refinance and now I will be able to maybe save money unless the government gets extra greedy with student loans
28) November Paycheck: our CEO will be giving us a one time - actual pay day - we use to get paid for years of service as well as level of education - we haven't in 5 years & this month we will get to see what one day of actual pay would look like - I'll have to look closely I'm sure taxes will take most
29) Kindness of Strangers: It shouldn't ever be a surprise, but when I hear about the kindness of strangers I am touched
30) A line I heard in a movie - it speaks to me - It will all be ok in the end, and if it isn't ok - well, then it's not the end.

Breaking Dawn Part 2

The End. Like the end of Harry Potter the end of this series leaves one with a little sigh. What now? I have several answers for that, but let's stay on track. The birth of Renesmee makes the leads some vampires to think the Cullens turned a girl instead of bred one. The fight scene is AMAZING! The cheesy parts are for the most part subtle, tasteful, and few and far between This is by far the BEST of the entire series - hands down! Finally, all the actors can act, the script is good, and the cinematography is top notch. There are some sad parts, but the part or rather concept that made me weepy - forever. The last word in the book & movie - they will be with the people they love (most of them) forever. Wow, isn't that what we would all like. All in all, I say: SEE IT don't wait to rent.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

For the Elderly and Beautiful. Whose who of English actors star in this film by John Madden (The Debt). They are each looking for something and it all works out in the end because if it didn't work out it wouldn't be the end. Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) is trying to keep one of his father's dreams alive - a hotel. It is cute and funny. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Genghis Khan

Fernbank Natural History Museum writes, "Experience the amazing, true story of Genghis Khan, one of the world’s greatest and most misunderstood conquerors. Immerse yourself in his world of conquest, diplomacy, innovation and destruction. Genghis Khan features one of the largest collections of 13^th-century artifacts from the Mongol Empire ever gathered in a single showing, many which have never been on display to the public." It was amazing. They had saddles, spears, grooming supplies, and so much more. It was really cool. All in all, I say: CHECK IT OUT

*batteries not included

A 1987 film worth seeing - older kids only - the introduction is long and above the head of younger kids. Five people being harassed to leave their home in the middle of a New York City neighborhood that is being destroyed to make way for high rises all ask for help. The help comes in the form a 2 flying saucers and their 3 kids. It is cute and has a happy ending. Most importantly, the real life Hollywood couple Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn (Cocoon) appear. Even though the special effects are nothing by today's standards the kids still laugh. All in all, I say: RENT IT

To the Arctic

IMAX movie narrated by Streep with music by Paul McCartney. The film shows the wildlife that inhabits the arctic as well as explains the dangers of climate change and global warming. Caution: you will cry. Spoiler: neither the mom nor the two cubs die as far as the audience knows. It was amazing. All in all, I say: SEE IT