Magnificent 7

My sister and I "kicked off" football season with lunch out and a movie.  I own the original--on CD--yeah, I know.  Pretty 90s of me.  At any rate, I liked the old version and I'm kind of a fan of Denzel Washington's movies.  It had a few other familiar faces in it, so off we went.

It took a few scenes to get passed the new cast, but it wasn't difficult to accept the new faces and the spin new spin on the old theme:

Small village in distress.  Bully threatening to take away "blank."

I didn't want to watch 90 minutes of meaningless violence.  However, this movie had its fair share of shooting.  Why wouldn't it?  It's a western.  In our time, it's OK to sit and watch a movie glorifying evil or hate.  It's OK to watch bad win out over good, or tear up the old adage, "Crime doesn't pay."

So maybe here, it's giving away the plot to a really good movie.  Not everyone wins, and certainly not everyone lives.  However, in a Dirty Dozen sort of way, the right people die and the good people die trying to kill the right people.  Somehow it all makes sense.  

Blue Valentine

Finally finished Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.  What an interesting movie.  One of those movies that leaves the viewer waiting for a resolution that is never going to come.  Sorry for the spoiler, but this is a true to life movie.  The main characters don't figure it out.  There is no happy or sad ending, it's just a glimpse into what we already know.  Maybe that's why the movie didn't rise to the top of the pack.  It never was a feel good or a feel bad movie, it was a movie that made us look at ourselves, not in a different way, the way we're supposed to.  I liked it.  I liked the sense of loss I felt for the characters and for the situation.  No gloom and doom, just a big fat jagged little pill dose of true reality.

Movie: Take Me Home

I watched a very good movie today.  Thumbs up all around.  It was a so called "Indie Flick."  Take Me Home.  It was under the "Feel Good Movies" section on Netflix.  I was home alone with no guys around to tease me for having feelings, so I clicked on it and was sucked in immediately.  The end is predictable and surprising.  Sam Jaegar directed and starred in it.  He plays the cab driver and surprise, surprise, his wife Amber Jaegar plays the costar.  What a sweet little movie to enjoy on an afternoon alone away from men.

Liar Liar

Watched Liar Liar with Jim Carrey and Maura Tierney tonight.  It had been a very long time since I'd seen it.  What a excellent feel good movie.  I always thought Maura Tierney was pretty and Justin Cooper, the son, was so cute.  I tried to look up Justin Cooper to see what he looks like now and couldn't find an up to date picture that was clearly him.  There are a few "Justin Coopers" out there, and imdb is not up to date on a photo of him either.  That one looks like it may go down as an unsolved mystery.

   

One Hour Photo

I don't know why I liked this movie.  Even better, I don't know why I was willing to sit through this for two hours on TV--complete with commercials.  Perhaps it was because I was sitting in my living room with my laptop on my lap trying to find images of the Yorkin family house during the commercials.  Somehow I liked this movie.  I don't want to spoil this movie for anyone, but it's a perfect rainy mid-week afternoon thriller.  For a reason I can't get in touch with, I give this movie two thumbs up.  Find it and watch it.  Just don't expect to feel anything but a sense of inner loss for some of the deep inner truths it reveals about families and spouses.

Books and Movies: 40 Days and 40 Nights

I watched 40 Days and 40 Nights for a dumb reason, kept watching it for an even sillier reason.  It was there and I needed something to distract me from walking on the treadmill and I kept watching it because I didn't want to leave it unfinished.

Josh Harnett used to be quite the heart throb.  He spent most of this movie with a worried look on his face because he was going without sex for a whopping 40 days and nights.  I guess I'm just too old for this movie.  I thought it was immature and crass.  Shannyn Sossamon's beauty and possible potential as an actress is squashed in the shallowness of this movie.

When I searched for Harnett, I found that he was in a movie called The Virgin Suicides.  I can remember wanting to see that movie for some reason.  You know, for me even when he was a hot commodity, he just never did it for me the way he did the other women.

Books and Movies: Beautiful Girls

Just watched a movie called Beautiful Girls (1996).  It had some interesting stars in it.  The one I was most surprised to see was a very young Natalie Portman.  She plays a 13 year old girl.  The neighbor of Timothy Hutton's father and brother.

It's one of those "high school reunion" movies where everyone has to reflect on their successes and failures and solve them by the end of the movie.  However, this had some unexpected twists as well as some predictable moments.  There are some moments in the movie that a very thought provoking and some of the really good lines of the characters are lost on the goofiness of the moment.  Lots of good metaphors about growing up, maturing, saying good by to the past.  Struggling with the future.  Just one of "those kinds" of movies.

My only criticism is that the characters seemed a little old to be having some of the troubles they were having, but maybe in small town America, this is the norm.

The movie is set mostly in small town Minnesota with an opening scene in the obligatory New York City.

Before You Know Kindess -- Chris Bohjalian

I'm about to finish Before You Know Kindness.  I actually started this one about two years ago while on vacation, put it back and didn't get back to reading it until this past week while on vacation again.  I finished it this week.  A little longer than what I've read lately of hi, and a little confusing at first with the siblings and the brother/sister-in-law, and their two girls, but very good.  I've got less than ten pages left, I'm waiting for the one last detail than Bohjalian spends some time on about the 2/3 mark of the book, but I haven't heard or read much since.  I hope that gets resolved.  Other than that, another great read by Chris Bohjalian.

Books and Movies: In Praise of Chris Bohjalian

It happened quite innocently.  I read a book from the library called Midwives and didn't think a thing about it.  I liked it, and the plot stuck with me more so than most books.  Then I saw the book at the bookstore with another on of his books tThe Double Bind.  I was so creeped out by this book, I had to have another.  Skeletons at the Feast, Secrets of Eden, and The Night Strangers.  I have now read five Christ Bohjalian books (that I can recall).  His books are never long--about 400 pages--there is nothing gratuitous or unnecessary.  For example, I have read books that I got into the middle and ended up skimming through the middle section and not missing a thing.  With Chris Bohjalian, the reader better pay attention and not miss a word.  Consequently, my next five reviews will be Chris Bohjalian books.  Probably not necessary to dedicate a whole blog to each book, because they are all so very good, but I think it takes a lot of work to write quality fiction and have it stick out over the others, so I'll give Mr. Bohjalian his props. 

Books and Movies: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

I realized I have finished this trilogy and never review the first book.  I bought this book after the fervor for the Stieg Larsson trilogy had dissipated.  I didn't want to be the next one in line with the latest book, instead, I found three paperbacks and eventually made my way through all three.  I think this trilogy is best read from beginning to end.

Plot aside, one of the things that seemed to hit me about these books--and the second one--is how easily the main character seems to find someone to have sex with.  He's already in a casual sex relationship with a woman who is married and her husband knows about it, and is OK with it.  Along the way, he sleeps with others.  This disturbs me a little, but maybe it's just the times or the country the book was originally written in.

Other than that, the girl in the bookstore, was right, it took a little while for the book to get going.  I might add I was almost half way into the book before I reached that "I can't put this down" moment.  The oddest thing about reading this first book is that I found the most unbelievable character--Lisbeth-- the most believable.  There were a lot of details in this book that didn't seem necessary until reading the second and third installments.  So, if you're deciding whether to buy, finish, or complete the trilogy, it was a good read.

Beware, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is over 800 pages long.  Ironically, it is the best of the three.  Everything finally makes sense, in other words, so hold out for the end.  There are a few things Larsson takes liberties with that left me thinking, um, no.

Books and Movies: The Bourne Identity -- The Book

So many people have seen the movies--including me.  It seemed silly to read a book written so long based on a movie written quite a while ago.  However, I got a gift card to a books store and since that is one of my favorite things to do, I bought a triology: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum.  Now I did learn that there are some new books being written about the main character Jason Bourne by a new author, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

It was difficult to read The Bourne Identity after seeing the movie so many times.  I remember feeling this way when I sat down to read James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans.  The book was very, very, good.  After seeing the Daniel-Day Lewis running through the woods to save Madeleine Stowe, I had to approach the book as if it were a completely different story.  Turns out, when they made the movie version of The Bourne Identity, they took a lot of liberty.  I appreciated that the book could go in to more detail.

It actually took me two tries to read the book.  I started the book on vacation, and didn't return to it until I couldn't remember what I had read (Seems I do that a lot when I start books on vacation).  I have started The Bourne Supremacy and as I stated before, got interrupted with school work, so it's back on the shelf.  The real Bourne Identity (in book form) is a good read.  It wasn't as exciting as it could have been, in that it was just close enough to the movie to spoil it, and not close enough that it didn't ruin it.  I wish I'd known about the books before practically memorizing the movies.

Overall, I wouldn't run out and buy them, but they were an exciting read that didn't require a great deal of commitment.

Books and Movies: The Girl Who Played With Fire

Among everything else that's going on, I managed to finish Stieg Larson's The Girl Who Played With Fire.  I definitely give this a thumbs up.  Before I reached the end of the book I found myself looking for the last book in the series.  This book was much better written than the first book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  With the first book, I had to watch the movie to fully understand what had happened and I read it faster than the second.  It took me a little longer to "get around" to finishing the second book.  It was much easier to follow what was happening and I thought the suspense at the end was much more meritous than the first book.

A few twists concerning Salander's family might have seemed a little contrived or manipulated to me, but that's the beauty of fiction.  Getting the reader to accept and I definitely accepted! 

This book is out on paperback now, so it's pretty cheap in the old style paperback--something like $7.99.  I recommend the Tattoo book first because that's the way I am, but if you want to start with Fire, I don't think it will make that much of a difference.

Books and Movies: Ugly Chicks Don't Sell Tickets

I love movies.  I really love movies.  Now don't get me wrong there are a few movies that come and go and I'm not really interested in them like the movies that seem to hatch a string of movies just like the parent movie.  Eh, not so much.  I'm also growing weary of the "lovable loser/reluctant hero".

About "lovable losers".  For Hollywood, in most cases this guy would never get within two states of his costar.  He's scruffy, accident prone, goofy, too skinny, a font of not so funny quips and she's just plain drop dead, coma-inducing hot.  At the very least, they kiss by the end of the movie.  For him, at the greatest, it's a romp in the hay.  This would never happen.  That's why they keep doing this.  Girls think it's romantic and guys, well, they dig the idea that the goofy one--he one just like them--gets the fantasy girl.

Why does the quirky girl star get a guy just as much a loser as she is?  This really ticks me off.  Think about it.

So there are a few TV shows coming out that have quirky loser girls, but their hot.  They just have a few social inadequacies that the next guy that comes into their life will surely cure.  Then thanks to their room mate or next boyfriend, they'll be all fixed up.

Whatever.

What about the girl who is a lovable loser and couldn't get within two states of her hot, sexy, male, costar?  When does that happen?  I don't think it will.  Ugly chicks don't sell movie seats.

Books and Movies: Does TV Count?

I know this probably sounds a little corny and could be a better use of my time, but I've been watching old episodes of X Files.  I never saw a single episode in the 10 or so years it was airing.  I've always been intrigued by paranormal and supernatural stories, but for some goofy reason, just never watched it.



So, a week or so ago, we started watching the episodes from the beginning.  We're up to the one with the evil set of twins.  Even for 1993, it's pretty good writing.  I think so far, one of the things I can appreciate at this moment is there is no silly attempt at corny computer graphics.



We joke about the awkward attempts at sexual tension between Scully and Mulder.  They're always staying in a hotel somewhere.  He's always in her personal space.  He believes, she doesn't.  Unlikely hero meets reluctant FBI agent.  We know the drill.  So we take it light whenever he gets in her space, or things get less than professional and give each other a side glance and a chuckle.



This is a good show.  I've enjoyed the first dozen or so episodes and I'm looking forward to the next 200.  YIKES.



I normally watch it in the afternoon with my son, but watched a few episodes last night.   It was much creepier with the shades down and all the lights in the house off.  Two cats that as usual slept through it all.  So we give it the thumbs up.  We'll see how I feel about it after 200+ episodes.

Movie Review - Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ali Carter and Wentworth Miller

I saw this movie last night via Netflix DVD.  I've seen the previous ones and found each one to be a little more silly each time.  The first one, maybe even two, were great.  I've watched them more than once.  Afterlife is just goofy.  A zombie movie is still a zombie movie.  No one expects to believe it, but it should still have that certain ability to make you forget that you're not supposed to believe.  A few moments spattered in there that make you gasp or jump a little in your chair.  They did get me a few times.  Like the first time the zombies make their obligatory suprise appearance.  However, there is just an edge of "I don't think so" that won't be denied about 1/2 way into the movie.  Milla still does an awesome job as the action hero.  This is a sequel movie based on a video game that I've never played, so perhaps that is where the breakdown of communication occurs.

I watched this movie with my son, a Resident Evil movie fan, and my cat.  My son gave it two thumbs down and my cat fell asleep in the first 10 minutes, but that's what cats do.  I give it one thumb down for the imagination and possible appeal to little boys that should be too young to be watching movies like this anyway.

Two "New" Books: Critical Reading for College and Beyond, Reading Skills for College Students

I bought two used books off ebay a few weeks ago.  They arrived this afternoon.  At first glance I can see I am probably going to like the critical reading book better than the reading skills book .  Of the two, the Critical Reading textbook seems to be a little more advanced.  However, I plan on reading through them both as soon as I'm done with this semester.

So, in the coming weeks or months, look for my review of these two books.

Reading Skills for College Students
Ophelia H. Hancock

Critical Reading for College and Beyond
Deborah Daiek and Nancy Anter

The Other Man - Antonio Banderas, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, 2008

I watched this movie Saturday night on Hulu.com. This one is well written, almost too well written.  I hung with it because I didn't understand what had happened.  One moment one thing, then the next the other.  Eventually, it all came together and I realized the spark of genius in the jerky plot line.

However, this was a good movie for fans of these stars.  Neeson has always been an excellent choice for drama and suspense and he did not disappoint.  Banderas role is surprising, so I won't give this away.  The three lives--of course, this is Hollywood--become so entangled, I actually wanted to know how this one was going to end-- even with the sketchy, confusing plot.  The whole movie could have used more time to develop Neeson's character to better understand the relationship between husband and wife.  I thought this book might have been based on a book, but the only credit given is a "story" by Bernhard Schlink.  I'd like to get my hands on the short story to see if it is any better developed because the premise is great, just not that well developed.

Truth?  I might watch it again with someone that hasn't seen it, I might've rented it because of Neeson and Banderas, but I know I would not buy it.  One person watched it, so a reluctant two thumbs up for this movie because the idea is great, the development was skimpy.

I Am Number Four -- Full Time Action

This movie is a great date movie for the young and the young at heart.  It has a little bit of everything except gratuitous sex scenes.  The language is pretty clean, too.  We went to see it at the Lakeshore Cinema 6, one of the few theatres left around that has a matinee.  We decided to combine the 1:00 showing with lunch, so ate at the restaurant inside the theatre while we watched the movie.  We didn't order anything astounding.  The burgers were as great as could be expected.

For me, growing up in Florida, living my life on the water and most of it on the Keys, most of the opening scenes were drenched in nostalgia.  However, once the main characters fled their bungalow in paradise,  I was all in.  There were a few aspects of the plot I didn't see coming, but other than that, it was a pleasantly predictable apocalyptic-type showdown between the forces of good and evil movie.  As appears to be the case more often than not these days, I think they left a little room for a few sequels.  I'm just returning to movie going in theatres, so I supposed I may still be under the spell of digital audio and video.  It was just me and my husband in our pod, so we give it an easy four thumbs up. 

Robin Hood -- The One With Russell Crowe

Saw the latest Robin Hood on DVD -- from Netflix -- last night.  GREAT movie.  The most believable of the two or three that are out there.  Because it's a legendary tale, the movie makers could get away with the usual plot manipulation and stretching of the truth, but this was a great movie.  It's long.  However, I never noticed the time going by.  The soundtrack was beautiful and other than some of the fully orchestrated pieces, most of the songs were written for the period they were representing.  That gets a special note from me.  Other than a few familiar faces, the actors are obscure enough that you don't spend the whole movie trying to remember what other film they were in.  Over all?  Two humans and three cats stuck it out to the end, so that's four thumbs and--er, well--six paws up.

Twilight -- I'll admit it

I'll admit it.  I watched Twilight today.  The first one.  I kind of liked it.  The tormented youths with all their angst and drama.  It was perfect.  The vampire angle was tedious but a bit of a turn on at the same time.  However, as a 17 year old, which, I don't think he really was.  He was something like 100 years old, right?  Anyway, with 100 years of high school under his belt he certainly knew all the right things to say to  Bella and every other teen age girl on the planet.  I know some grown women that swoon over Edward Cullen and the guy that played him.  Who was that?  Oh yeah, Robert Pattinson.  What a cutie.  He's my son's age.  Now I wish I'd read the book.  If I do, I know I will have Rober Pattinson's head on Edward Cullen's body the whole time I'm reading it.  I guess that's not such a bad thing.

Watching a movie like this makes me realize there's still a pretty good sized part of me that would really, really like to be swept in to a world of dark mystery by someone who would press his handsome face to mine and desperately whisper promises he could actually keep.  For me, that's the sexy in this movie.  Edward could back it up.  There is nothing sexier than a man that can back it up.