The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

McKellen (X Men) reprises his role as Gandalf as do the elves Elrond (Weaving from Matrix) and Galadriel (Blanchett from Hanna). Martin Freeman from the British The Office plays the young Bilbo. One of my favorite actors - very sexy - Richard Armitage (North & South previously blogged about) is the King of the Dwarves Thorin - good singing voice. Ken Stott from King Arthur is a dwarf. James Nesbitt the famous Irish actor who was in Millions also plays a dwarf and the funny one of course. Aiden Turner from BBC's Being Human is one of the young dwarves - not a vampire, but still a fantastical creature. Holm plays the old Bilbo again and Wood appears briefly as Frodo. Another brief appearance by the not evil Saruman still played by Lee. Serkis does the voice of Gollum again. Lee Pace from The Fall and Pushing Daisies is the Elvin King Thranduil. Cumberbatch (the BBC Sherlock!) is going to be in all 3 films!!!! A bad guy like in the upcoming Star Trek sequel, but who cares. IMDb writes, "A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on a "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim a their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug." There is a TON of action in this, but it is long. My nephew did get bored in parts and he is 9 so maybe only older kids. There is a lot of background given and a lot of names thrown around, so it can get confusing. I have never read past this part, so the other 2 films will be a surprise. I also say this in 3D which is an excellent idea. All in all, I say: SEE IT in theatres!

The Walking Dead: Book 8

Our group has just finished fighting off a hoard that breached the town. With the town's leader gone, Rick takes over naturally. Maggie and Glen are still taking care of Sophia. Carl is in a comma from bring shot - the question is, will he remember anything when he wakes up? Andrea and Rick are getting closer. As the work to add more obstacles out the town a newcomer comes calling. He belongs to a town about a day's journey away. In exchange for food and supplies Rick and his group agree to seek and find a criminal organization in the area - and so the book ends. All in all, I say: READ IT but only if you have read the other seven.

Life of Pi

Based on the novel by Yann Martel (I was never able to get past chapter one) this movie in 3 & 2 D was directed by Ang Lee (Sense & Sensibility and Brokeback Mountain). This movie is a visual marval!! The colors and digital work is unbelievable. IMDb writes, "A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor ... a fearsome Bengal tiger." If you are a Christian, Hindu, or Muslim this movie is about how God helped a young man survive. The tiger is symbolic of something else... I don't want to add more details because I think you will understand when you see the movie. For me, who is not religious, the tiger represents someone in my life that has taught me things I can use to live my life. Life being represented by the vast ocean. The tiger's name explains to my family whom I mean. All in all, I say: SEE IT in 3D now! Also, take some tissues.

Black Death

IMDb writes," Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village." Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) is the monk who is tricked into killing his true love by a woman who has convinced a village that she is a witch. His protectors are Sean Bean (Game of Thrones) and John Lynch (Sliding Doors). The music for the soundtrack is quite good. There is a lot of torture in this film. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

Upstairs Downstairs (2012)

Netflix writes, "Sir Hallam Holland and his wife have bought the iconic London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place. Set in historical Britain with sexual, social and political tensions, this new series provides a glimpse on the master-servant relationship."

Neil Jackson from Blade: The Series plays the chauffeur. I know - there are a lot more characters and a lot more famous actors, but I think you can agree I can just stop here. The show is very well done - writing, directing, acting, location, everything. All in all, I say: RENT IT & then watch the next season on TV.

Public Enemies (TV Show 2012)

A three part mini-series in UK about a convict on parole - Eddie (Daniel Mays from Outcasts). He's been in jail for 10 years for murdering his girlfriend when he was 19. Once released he has a hard time adjusting - he makes things worse when he admits to his parole officer (Anna Friel from Pushing Daisies) that he is not guilty, and the real killer is still at large. She comes to believe him and with the help of Eddie's sister they manage to prove him innocent. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it was kind of annoying.

Prisoners Wives

Polly Walker (Enchanted April) plays the wife of a drug load (Iain Glen from Game of Thrones) who is in prison. She keeps the family going while he is behind bars. The other 3 women in the first season all have someone behind bars too. One is a newly married woman who is pregnant - her husband has killed someone. One is a drug dealer with a son - her husband took the rap for her, so she could stay with their son. One is a much older woman who's son is behind bars. By the end of season one, the drug dealer with the son is in jail, but her husband is out. By the end of season one, the young bride has turned against her husband (Jonas Armstrong from BBC America's Robin Hood) and will no longer visit him. All in all, I say: STREAM IT