It's big time movie season and Tom Cruise is back on the big screen this time in Valkyrie. Valkyrie is the code word used in Berlin for the famous failed assassination attempt on Nazi leader Adolph Hitler in the waning days of WWII.
It's been a long time since Cruise has had a really big time dramatic hit at the box office, but Valkyrie should change all that. Cruise plays the German Colonel who leads the attempt on Hitlers life in June 1944. He is the one entrusted by the inner circle of resistant Germans not loyal to the Nazi's to kill Hitler when the end of the war was imminent, and the Allies were just months away from knocking at Berlins door. They hoped to kill Hitler, and negotiate some sort of truce with the Americans and the rest of occupied Europe. But history tell us the attempt is not successful and all is up for grabs.
Valkyrie very successfully tells the story of just how elaborate the coup attempt was in Germany in 1944. Involving or trying to involve all branches of the German military and it's leading politicians. The story of the assassination attempt is taught in schools, but not to the extent Valkyrie does masterfully.
This though I feel is a history buffs, or movie goers movie. It is set in WWII, but I wouldn't call this a war movie. Valkyrie is light on action, but big on drama. Extremely well written, with a large cast of interesting characters, all developed as well as can be expected in a two hour movie. Cruise give a command performance in a large, leading role and to be honest is the only man for the job.
Valkyrie is not for everyone. It will leave some bored at the lack of shoot-em-up action. This is also not a special effect fest. This is a dramatic straight forward, deep plot historical movie. Be careful about stepping out to the concession stand, Valkyrie moves fast, and won't wait for you if you fall behind. But well, well done.
Valkyrie. If you do drama, it's a drama- doers dream.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Anythings Possible
As 2008 winds down, I think it's normal for us all to look back and see what we've learned...or not learned. This has been a big year of learning for me personally. And as I look back , to me 2008 will go down in my memory as the year that anything became possible. And this time....it's really true.
The Presidential election of course got the ball rolling on this from just bout every angle. It was going to be historic no matter who won, and history was then made. There will be other historic elections in our future, but this was the first, and the one I think we will all remember.
Second, the economy. Yes, it is now possible to watch our investments go up in smoke in a few short days. Yes, it is possible for some banks and companies that have been around since the beginning to fail, or almost fail. It was possible for us to be paying $4.50 cents a gallon for gasoline, and $1.50 a gallon three months later. Those are the ones that really got our attention, but there are others that still happened, that are worth remembering.
These true events in 2008 only further prove that now anything is possible - Just for fun!!
1/ The Tampa Bay Rays played in the World Series.
2/ The lead singer from Hootie And The Blowfish, Darius Rucker had a #1 Country song.
3/ I got out of Blossom in 15 minutes after a concert last summer.
4/ We had a blizzard in March. I was in Florida playing golf that weekend, heard it was bad!
5/ After going 10-6 in 2007, the Browns again, have to start all over.
6/ Jessica Simpson stopped by and chatted with Sue and I in August on the show.
7/ The Cleveland Indians have had TWO consecutive Cy Young Award winners.
8/ Brittany Spears has again risen to the top of her game, after being in the gutter.
9/ People still like the song Afternoon Delight. I heard someone singing it in Acme today.
10/ You can type in "I'm having a really good day" on Facebook, and lots of people care!
11/ MySpace isn't as cool as it was.
12/ There is a technology that you can "tweet" on now. Ask your IT guy/gal.
13/ Starbucks actually had to close some stores.
14/ Airlines now charge you to take a piece of luggage with you opn your trip.
15/ And this one...I think that the widening of I-77 between Akron and Canton is now done.
Am I right?????? I think so!
This is a short list of course, and all of it is true! Do you have ones to add to the list? E-mail me and let me know scott@wqmx.com
Happy New Year
The Presidential election of course got the ball rolling on this from just bout every angle. It was going to be historic no matter who won, and history was then made. There will be other historic elections in our future, but this was the first, and the one I think we will all remember.
Second, the economy. Yes, it is now possible to watch our investments go up in smoke in a few short days. Yes, it is possible for some banks and companies that have been around since the beginning to fail, or almost fail. It was possible for us to be paying $4.50 cents a gallon for gasoline, and $1.50 a gallon three months later. Those are the ones that really got our attention, but there are others that still happened, that are worth remembering.
These true events in 2008 only further prove that now anything is possible - Just for fun!!
1/ The Tampa Bay Rays played in the World Series.
2/ The lead singer from Hootie And The Blowfish, Darius Rucker had a #1 Country song.
3/ I got out of Blossom in 15 minutes after a concert last summer.
4/ We had a blizzard in March. I was in Florida playing golf that weekend, heard it was bad!
5/ After going 10-6 in 2007, the Browns again, have to start all over.
6/ Jessica Simpson stopped by and chatted with Sue and I in August on the show.
7/ The Cleveland Indians have had TWO consecutive Cy Young Award winners.
8/ Brittany Spears has again risen to the top of her game, after being in the gutter.
9/ People still like the song Afternoon Delight. I heard someone singing it in Acme today.
10/ You can type in "I'm having a really good day" on Facebook, and lots of people care!
11/ MySpace isn't as cool as it was.
12/ There is a technology that you can "tweet" on now. Ask your IT guy/gal.
13/ Starbucks actually had to close some stores.
14/ Airlines now charge you to take a piece of luggage with you opn your trip.
15/ And this one...I think that the widening of I-77 between Akron and Canton is now done.
Am I right?????? I think so!
This is a short list of course, and all of it is true! Do you have ones to add to the list? E-mail me and let me know scott@wqmx.com
Happy New Year
Monday, December 29, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Benjamin Button
Every now and again a movie comes along where you will clearly remember the very first time you saw it. With whom, where, and what kind of day it was outside. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button is that movie. Brad Pitt stars in this absolutely terrific movie in theaters this week.
All great movies start with a great story, and this one comes from a fantastic story teller. BB is taken from a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Then developed, and lengthened all these years later to give us one of the years best movies. BB is movie fantasy much in the mold of 1994's Forrest Gump. It has that kind of feel throughout, although a little darker and overall a little more dramatic.
Benjamin (Pitt) is born an infant in body in 1918, but with the characteristics of an 85 year old man. He then lives his life in reverse, going from old to young, while the rest of us go from young to old. As his body grows he get younger by the day. Daisey is his life long love (Kate Blanchette.) They meet as "youngsters" and then finally meet again in the middle. As she ages, he gets younger. They are the great loves of each others lives. But in all honesty, all of that really isn't all that important for our purposes here.
What is important is that this movie is so original, so thought provoking, so incredibly well done, no movie goer should miss this movie. I am not a big Brad Pitt fan, but I recommend you run to the theater to see BB. It's so refreshing to see big time actors, take time away from making mindless, strictly for the paycheck movies and make something really great, if not important. They really can do it. Pitt here, and his wife, Angelina Jolie last month in Changeling, which is also one of the years best. BB is a timeless tale, and a story you've never, ever seen before, and it's easily Pitt's greatest work.
Footnote to that. Pitt, Blanchette, and the supporting cast are all great. BUT the star of this movie is...the movie! The incredibly imaginative story, told in a way that all can easily understand. BB is two hours and forty five minutes, but it didn't bother me. This movie pulls you in and makes you want to know what's coming next.
This movie will really hit you the first time through. As you see this movie again in years to come on TV or rental, it won't be the same. It's a movie that has to be experienced totally the first time. Worth the time investment, and the ticket price too.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. Just fantastic, one of the years best.
All great movies start with a great story, and this one comes from a fantastic story teller. BB is taken from a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Then developed, and lengthened all these years later to give us one of the years best movies. BB is movie fantasy much in the mold of 1994's Forrest Gump. It has that kind of feel throughout, although a little darker and overall a little more dramatic.
Benjamin (Pitt) is born an infant in body in 1918, but with the characteristics of an 85 year old man. He then lives his life in reverse, going from old to young, while the rest of us go from young to old. As his body grows he get younger by the day. Daisey is his life long love (Kate Blanchette.) They meet as "youngsters" and then finally meet again in the middle. As she ages, he gets younger. They are the great loves of each others lives. But in all honesty, all of that really isn't all that important for our purposes here.
What is important is that this movie is so original, so thought provoking, so incredibly well done, no movie goer should miss this movie. I am not a big Brad Pitt fan, but I recommend you run to the theater to see BB. It's so refreshing to see big time actors, take time away from making mindless, strictly for the paycheck movies and make something really great, if not important. They really can do it. Pitt here, and his wife, Angelina Jolie last month in Changeling, which is also one of the years best. BB is a timeless tale, and a story you've never, ever seen before, and it's easily Pitt's greatest work.
Footnote to that. Pitt, Blanchette, and the supporting cast are all great. BUT the star of this movie is...the movie! The incredibly imaginative story, told in a way that all can easily understand. BB is two hours and forty five minutes, but it didn't bother me. This movie pulls you in and makes you want to know what's coming next.
This movie will really hit you the first time through. As you see this movie again in years to come on TV or rental, it won't be the same. It's a movie that has to be experienced totally the first time. Worth the time investment, and the ticket price too.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. Just fantastic, one of the years best.
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Five Worst Movies of 2008
As we close out another year, you'll see lots of lists, top five this and that. So it's time for the Five Worst Movie list of 2008.
There are many not on this official list that have certainly earned a slot, and some of them will be honorably mentioned here, but there's only room for 5 so here we go. Starting with the worst.
The Worst Movies Of 2008
1/ Semi Pro - Will Farrell for some reason thought that making a movie about the American
Basketball Association (ABA) would be fun. The dialogue is offensive from start
to finish. This movie is targeted at young adults, who by and large don't even
know the ABA even existed, and all the jokes from 1975 fall on deaf ears. This
movie is so bad and off track, completely pointless, not funny, offensive, awful!
2/ Blindness - Julianne Moore stars in a movie about a world gone blind. Except her for
some reason. Why? We have no idea. Why did everyone go blind? We have no
idea. Depressing, awful, terrible subject matter, this movie goes many times too
where it doesn't belong. Harsh, offensive to real blind people. Big money wasted.
3/ The Happening - M. Night Shyamalan again with a movie that is supposed to be scary but
wasn't. People dropping dead all over the world, why? We don't know, had
something to do with the wind. Harsh ending too. Mark Wahlberg stars
in a complete mess.
4/ My Best Friends Girl - Dane Cook stars in this train wreck. About a guy who treats women
horribly for profit? Don't get me started. Question. How many awful words can
you squeeze into a single movie for no good reason other than you can? For some
reason Kate Hudson went along for this ride, Jason Biggs too. No one on earth
should pay to see this disaster.
5/ The Love Guru - Mike Meyers again. Still thinks he's 23. He's not. Same jokes, same feel
as every other Myers flick. Some of those were pretty funny too. Not here. Old,
tired, juvenile. Grow up Mike! We all have!
Honorable Mentions:
1/ Zach And Miri Make A Porno - Worst attempt at "romantic comedy" in years.
2/ The Day The Earth Stood Still - ZZZZ!
3/ Speedracer - Best part? The end. Japanese words to tihe Speedracer theme.
I'll get out the Five Best Movie List of 2008, right after first of the year! See you at the movies!
Agree? Not? E-mail me and give me your thoughts scott@wqmx.com let's talk it over.
There are many not on this official list that have certainly earned a slot, and some of them will be honorably mentioned here, but there's only room for 5 so here we go. Starting with the worst.
The Worst Movies Of 2008
1/ Semi Pro - Will Farrell for some reason thought that making a movie about the American
Basketball Association (ABA) would be fun. The dialogue is offensive from start
to finish. This movie is targeted at young adults, who by and large don't even
know the ABA even existed, and all the jokes from 1975 fall on deaf ears. This
movie is so bad and off track, completely pointless, not funny, offensive, awful!
2/ Blindness - Julianne Moore stars in a movie about a world gone blind. Except her for
some reason. Why? We have no idea. Why did everyone go blind? We have no
idea. Depressing, awful, terrible subject matter, this movie goes many times too
where it doesn't belong. Harsh, offensive to real blind people. Big money wasted.
3/ The Happening - M. Night Shyamalan again with a movie that is supposed to be scary but
wasn't. People dropping dead all over the world, why? We don't know, had
something to do with the wind. Harsh ending too. Mark Wahlberg stars
in a complete mess.
4/ My Best Friends Girl - Dane Cook stars in this train wreck. About a guy who treats women
horribly for profit? Don't get me started. Question. How many awful words can
you squeeze into a single movie for no good reason other than you can? For some
reason Kate Hudson went along for this ride, Jason Biggs too. No one on earth
should pay to see this disaster.
5/ The Love Guru - Mike Meyers again. Still thinks he's 23. He's not. Same jokes, same feel
as every other Myers flick. Some of those were pretty funny too. Not here. Old,
tired, juvenile. Grow up Mike! We all have!
Honorable Mentions:
1/ Zach And Miri Make A Porno - Worst attempt at "romantic comedy" in years.
2/ The Day The Earth Stood Still - ZZZZ!
3/ Speedracer - Best part? The end. Japanese words to tihe Speedracer theme.
I'll get out the Five Best Movie List of 2008, right after first of the year! See you at the movies!
Agree? Not? E-mail me and give me your thoughts scott@wqmx.com let's talk it over.
MOVIE REVIEW - Marley And Me
One of the most heartfelt books in many years finally comes to the big screen this week in the form of Marley And Me. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston star, along with Marley in this bound to be huge family movie of the holiday season.
Marley and Me is the story of two young newspaper writers who begin their marriage in South Florida, and the first addition to their young family is a young Labrador puppy, Marley. They buy Marley from a rescue and get him at a clearance price of two hundred dollars. Marley quickly becomes in their words, the worlds worst dog. Marley is certainly a handful.
Marley never gets over his fears of thunderstorms, chewing things, eating things, and generally being a pain in the neck. The story chronicles the life of a dog, and his relationship to their growing family. Marley is there for the birth of their three children, and through the ups and downs of their marriage. He's part of the overall plan. He moves with them, and goes through it all with them. It makes you stop and take notice, that no matter how much change goes on in your life, your dog is right there with you, and he/she still, loves you through it all.
M&M, is a very nice, moving and emotional movie. Very funny moments give way to some real sad ones as well. It follows a dog through his natural life, which of course is too short, and guides us through how we feel about our own dogs. Many times we don't we don't give it much thought. M&M makes you think about it a little harder. Dogs today are really more than just pets, they are family members, and Marley certainly can teach us that.
Marley and Me does have a problem or two, but nothing that diminishes it's value. It may be 15 minutes too long, and there is a time when it's gets a bit draggy. For some reason it turns into a human relationship movie, and Marley gets about 2o minutes off. That really didn't work for me. I understand you can only show a dog chewing so many things, but I felt M&M loses is focus for a time. BUT the end payoff is worth it. Word to the easily boo-hooey. The end of this movie is very emotional. Lot's of sobbing, and sniffing in the packed theater, tissues required.
Marley And Me. Not perfect, but well worth it. To it's credit it's a really great family movie, that's not animated, and it is right on target. All good movies start with a great story, and this is a great story. Dog lovers unite. Marley And Me..... two paws up!
Marley and Me is the story of two young newspaper writers who begin their marriage in South Florida, and the first addition to their young family is a young Labrador puppy, Marley. They buy Marley from a rescue and get him at a clearance price of two hundred dollars. Marley quickly becomes in their words, the worlds worst dog. Marley is certainly a handful.
Marley never gets over his fears of thunderstorms, chewing things, eating things, and generally being a pain in the neck. The story chronicles the life of a dog, and his relationship to their growing family. Marley is there for the birth of their three children, and through the ups and downs of their marriage. He's part of the overall plan. He moves with them, and goes through it all with them. It makes you stop and take notice, that no matter how much change goes on in your life, your dog is right there with you, and he/she still, loves you through it all.
M&M, is a very nice, moving and emotional movie. Very funny moments give way to some real sad ones as well. It follows a dog through his natural life, which of course is too short, and guides us through how we feel about our own dogs. Many times we don't we don't give it much thought. M&M makes you think about it a little harder. Dogs today are really more than just pets, they are family members, and Marley certainly can teach us that.
Marley and Me does have a problem or two, but nothing that diminishes it's value. It may be 15 minutes too long, and there is a time when it's gets a bit draggy. For some reason it turns into a human relationship movie, and Marley gets about 2o minutes off. That really didn't work for me. I understand you can only show a dog chewing so many things, but I felt M&M loses is focus for a time. BUT the end payoff is worth it. Word to the easily boo-hooey. The end of this movie is very emotional. Lot's of sobbing, and sniffing in the packed theater, tissues required.
Marley And Me. Not perfect, but well worth it. To it's credit it's a really great family movie, that's not animated, and it is right on target. All good movies start with a great story, and this is a great story. Dog lovers unite. Marley And Me..... two paws up!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Yes Man!
Rubberfaced Jim Carrey is back in another comedy, this one is called Yes Man! It's been a while since we've seen Carrey, carry on like this. But here we go again!
Carl, (Carrey) is a big time stagnant loser whose life is going nowhere fast. He's divorced, and has never recovered. He is 40ish, has had the same job for years, and has fallen into a pessimistic pattern of avoiding everyone, and everything, and is addicted to the word "no." Carl then goes to a self help guru, whose mantra is "yes" to everything. Carl excepts the challenge, and then says yes to EVERYTHING! There are benefits and the world becomes a better place for Carl, but there are ramifications to always saying yes and that's the direction of the movie.
The plot thickens as Carl meets and falls for Allyson, (Zooey Deschanel) who herself is a little off-beat and dances to her own drum. She teaches a combination jogging/photography class, and sings in the worst Rock Band in history at a club that draws about 9 people a night. They set off on a bunch of adventures, with Carl always saying yes. Can he keep it up? Well, that's the challenge.
Yes Man, is not the rip-roaring Carrey of years past. There are moments of real laughter here, but they come well into the picture. Yes Man stumbles out of the gate, but does pick up steam as it moves on. Zooey Deschanel gives YM a real pick-me-up that it needs. She is an interesting actress. A little awkward, and quirky, and no where near the Hollywood type. There is an everydayness to her that really works. Is she pretty? Or is she just different enough to be really interesting? She is a great foil to Carrey here, and the chemistry between them is really quite nice. Fatal flaw for me in this one, not enough of them together in this movie and too many fringe and side characters. And many of them just don't work at all.
Is it enough to save Yes Man? Marginally yes. I don't think anyone is going to stagger out of the theater this weekend doubled up with laughter, but it's fun. It doesn't all work, and there are a few moments that needed to go on the cutting room floor, but over all if you're a Carrey fan, you'll be glad to see him again. I will tell you, this is not the laugh fest that Bruce Almighty, or Liar, Liar is but it's not The Cable Guy either.
Say yes to Yes Man, but don't go in expecting to roll in the aisles.
Carl, (Carrey) is a big time stagnant loser whose life is going nowhere fast. He's divorced, and has never recovered. He is 40ish, has had the same job for years, and has fallen into a pessimistic pattern of avoiding everyone, and everything, and is addicted to the word "no." Carl then goes to a self help guru, whose mantra is "yes" to everything. Carl excepts the challenge, and then says yes to EVERYTHING! There are benefits and the world becomes a better place for Carl, but there are ramifications to always saying yes and that's the direction of the movie.
The plot thickens as Carl meets and falls for Allyson, (Zooey Deschanel) who herself is a little off-beat and dances to her own drum. She teaches a combination jogging/photography class, and sings in the worst Rock Band in history at a club that draws about 9 people a night. They set off on a bunch of adventures, with Carl always saying yes. Can he keep it up? Well, that's the challenge.
Yes Man, is not the rip-roaring Carrey of years past. There are moments of real laughter here, but they come well into the picture. Yes Man stumbles out of the gate, but does pick up steam as it moves on. Zooey Deschanel gives YM a real pick-me-up that it needs. She is an interesting actress. A little awkward, and quirky, and no where near the Hollywood type. There is an everydayness to her that really works. Is she pretty? Or is she just different enough to be really interesting? She is a great foil to Carrey here, and the chemistry between them is really quite nice. Fatal flaw for me in this one, not enough of them together in this movie and too many fringe and side characters. And many of them just don't work at all.
Is it enough to save Yes Man? Marginally yes. I don't think anyone is going to stagger out of the theater this weekend doubled up with laughter, but it's fun. It doesn't all work, and there are a few moments that needed to go on the cutting room floor, but over all if you're a Carrey fan, you'll be glad to see him again. I will tell you, this is not the laugh fest that Bruce Almighty, or Liar, Liar is but it's not The Cable Guy either.
Say yes to Yes Man, but don't go in expecting to roll in the aisles.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Top Five Christmas Movies Of All Time!
The guys at Akronnewsnow.com asked me to come up with the list of my top five Christmas Flicks of all time. I remember three months ago when Akronscreams.com, our Halloween website asked me for my top five Scariest Flicks of all time, and I heard about it the whole month. Both pro and con. So here we go,
My Top Five Christmas Movies Of All Time:
1/ A Christmas Story - (1983) You know, even the toughest Scrooge out there finds it hard
not to love this flick. It is among the most relatable movies of all time. So many
memorable scenes, and the dogs at the end? The goose? The fa rarara's?
2/ The Polar Express - (2004) Well unbelievable movie making to start with. And a
fantastic adaptation of a great, great book. Visually stunning, and there's
something about Tom Hanks at Christmas that's just good!
3/ It's a Wonderful Life - (1946) I'm not as big of a fan of this movie as many others, but it's
tough not to like this. Jimmy Stewart at his young best, and I always thought
Donna Reed was underrated as an actress. This is a bit long for me, but still
a classic!
4/ While You Were Sleeping - (1993) Here is the surprise on the list. Some will say, that it's
Not a Christmas movie, but I beg to differ. It takes place from Christmas Eve
through the holiday season, and follows a single woman and her "new" family.
Sandra Bullock when she was new, and this movie is perfectly cast from top to
bottom.
5/ White Christmas - (1954) Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Of course the big song, written
by Irving Berlin. This movie will be played for generations to come. Bing at
his best!
Honorable Mentions -
1/ Home Alone (1990) - Fun, a little thin...but fun.
2/ Elf (2005) Will Farrel to be honest I feel was never better than he was here!
3/ Holiday Inn - (1942) Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, music again by Irving Berlin.
plot? well..Okay but fun!
ScottWynn
My Top Five Christmas Movies Of All Time:
1/ A Christmas Story - (1983) You know, even the toughest Scrooge out there finds it hard
not to love this flick. It is among the most relatable movies of all time. So many
memorable scenes, and the dogs at the end? The goose? The fa rarara's?
2/ The Polar Express - (2004) Well unbelievable movie making to start with. And a
fantastic adaptation of a great, great book. Visually stunning, and there's
something about Tom Hanks at Christmas that's just good!
3/ It's a Wonderful Life - (1946) I'm not as big of a fan of this movie as many others, but it's
tough not to like this. Jimmy Stewart at his young best, and I always thought
Donna Reed was underrated as an actress. This is a bit long for me, but still
a classic!
4/ While You Were Sleeping - (1993) Here is the surprise on the list. Some will say, that it's
Not a Christmas movie, but I beg to differ. It takes place from Christmas Eve
through the holiday season, and follows a single woman and her "new" family.
Sandra Bullock when she was new, and this movie is perfectly cast from top to
bottom.
5/ White Christmas - (1954) Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Of course the big song, written
by Irving Berlin. This movie will be played for generations to come. Bing at
his best!
Honorable Mentions -
1/ Home Alone (1990) - Fun, a little thin...but fun.
2/ Elf (2005) Will Farrel to be honest I feel was never better than he was here!
3/ Holiday Inn - (1942) Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, music again by Irving Berlin.
plot? well..Okay but fun!
ScottWynn
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