I'll start by asking a question. How can you review the new movie Sex And The City? The popular, award winning, highly acclaimed HBO show has only been off the air for a couple of seasons. It has the exact same cast, same music, same everything. The magic has not had time to disappear so what is there to recapture? The only test here is to see how well a R rated romantic comedy will fare at the box office. They are rare.
Truth up front. If you were a fan of the TV show, you'll love this movie. And If you never saw SATC on pay television you'll become a fan. Carrie, Charlotte, Sam, Miranda and Mr. Big are all back and have not missed a beat. The movie picks up where the last season left off. The girls still are facing the everyday challenges of life and love in the big apple. They still are living the lives that many would love to live. They still have an endless supply of money and vacation time, and shop at places we can only dream of. Mr. Big is still big, and still on the fence on what he wants to do with Carrie and his life.
More truth? There is no real difference between this movie and the TV show. It's just a 2 and a half hour episode. The only real differences are one for you - you don't have to have HBO to see it, and two - for the actors, a gigundus payday! There is maybe some new ground broken here though. I can see a new trend as a result of SATC. Why not have the series finale at the movie theaters? If it's big on TV it surely will be big at the box office, as long as too much time has not passed, and the right weekend to release it is well thought out.
The movie is true to the show. Nice performances, snappy dialogue, a fun soundtrack, a NYC backdrop, and a visual surprise from time to time keep the pace moving along nicely. One thing that struck me. There is something desensitising about waking into a movie theater. It's a true phenomenon, when you see something sexy shocking on TV, it's very different than seeing it on the big screen. That "shock"value is missing in the movie.
One thing that is undeniable. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and Kim Catrall are still terrific in the roles of there lives. No matter where they go, they will always be the Sex And The City girls, and try as they might they will never be better in anything!
But Sex And The City for fans is a dream come true, and new legions of fans will be born as a result. A great night for the girls at the movies, then cosmos after!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Everyone Loves A Deal
We all live in the same world. 2008 is shaping up to be a tough one economically for many. Gasoline is ridiculous, we're all still paying off last years blizzard heating bill, and the price of food is just off the charts. So I think all of us are looking for a deal.
Case in point. Saturday my wife Stacy and I along with our friends Don and Terry drove up to the West Side Market in Cleveland to stock up on some veggies, fruit and meat. We make that pilgrimage a few times a year. Mostly just for fun. Breakfast first, then we go up get a coffee, and shop for a while. More times than not we eat the food we just bought before sundown at one of our houses on someones grill. Overall a good time.
Being Memorial Day weekend the market was packed and so was their free parking lot. So we drove over one block and found this little lot 200 feet from the markets front door. We were all stunned. The sign read "parking $1.00." None of us could believe it. I was sure it said 10, but it said 1! For the WHOLE CAR!!! We gladly gave the cheerful attendant our hard earned dollar and a giddiness took over the group. None of us could fathom that someone in today's world would charge a mere buck for their service. You can't get anything for a dollar anymore. But we did!
Every time you go to a big time game or concert, the parking rates always seem to get the day off to a rough start. But you swallow it, and move on. It was such a small thing. But it made the whole day better! Seriously! We talked about it on and off the whole weekend. no one we told could believe it either. I was so geeked up, I almost gave the guy another buck when we left!
Look, it wasn't the dollar so much I think. I truly feel it was subconscious. It just felt good to know that somewhere out there in this tough economic 2008, we ran across some company that didn't feel like putting it to us. It was the deal plain and simple. People today want to feel like they're getting a deal because there seem to be so few of them.
I salute you, you Prince of Parking, Lord of the Lot, The Spartan of Space, The Beast of the Booth, YOU made our day. Thanks for the deal! And you know what? Next time we go, we're not even going to TRY the free parking first, we'll gladly give you the dollar for the deed that you do! Glad to support you. Such a deal!
Case in point. Saturday my wife Stacy and I along with our friends Don and Terry drove up to the West Side Market in Cleveland to stock up on some veggies, fruit and meat. We make that pilgrimage a few times a year. Mostly just for fun. Breakfast first, then we go up get a coffee, and shop for a while. More times than not we eat the food we just bought before sundown at one of our houses on someones grill. Overall a good time.
Being Memorial Day weekend the market was packed and so was their free parking lot. So we drove over one block and found this little lot 200 feet from the markets front door. We were all stunned. The sign read "parking $1.00." None of us could believe it. I was sure it said 10, but it said 1! For the WHOLE CAR!!! We gladly gave the cheerful attendant our hard earned dollar and a giddiness took over the group. None of us could fathom that someone in today's world would charge a mere buck for their service. You can't get anything for a dollar anymore. But we did!
Every time you go to a big time game or concert, the parking rates always seem to get the day off to a rough start. But you swallow it, and move on. It was such a small thing. But it made the whole day better! Seriously! We talked about it on and off the whole weekend. no one we told could believe it either. I was so geeked up, I almost gave the guy another buck when we left!
Look, it wasn't the dollar so much I think. I truly feel it was subconscious. It just felt good to know that somewhere out there in this tough economic 2008, we ran across some company that didn't feel like putting it to us. It was the deal plain and simple. People today want to feel like they're getting a deal because there seem to be so few of them.
I salute you, you Prince of Parking, Lord of the Lot, The Spartan of Space, The Beast of the Booth, YOU made our day. Thanks for the deal! And you know what? Next time we go, we're not even going to TRY the free parking first, we'll gladly give you the dollar for the deed that you do! Glad to support you. Such a deal!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Indiana Jones 4
It's been 27 years since Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and here we are 27 years later and Harrison Ford is still playing Indiana Jones. The new flick opening this weekend, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the fourth installment of the classic series.
It's 1957, and the Cold War in in full swing. This time it the Russians that are the thorn in the side and they are out for world domination. The Russians are in search of the ultimate weapon, mind control, and the only thing that stands between them and their goal is out hero Indiana Jones. Toss in a nuclear explosion and Area 51, and you've got it all covered!
Again, flashy and fun this movie has a different line to walk that the other three in the series. How to address the fact that Indy is now a senior citizen and make it believable. Also it must build a bridge to the new, without alienating the old, and still make it a good night at the flicks All achieved!
To be fair, this sequel does lack some of the truly memorable moments remembered in the earlier installments, but that's OK. Visually nice, and fun for all. Some mid-movie drag too but a nice payoff as the flick rolls on. This whole series is a good example of why they make movies in the first place. Movies can be fun, exciting, and be good pretty much for the whole family when done properly. Another terrific soundtrack by John Williams, and the typical Steven Spielberg touch lent to virtually every scene and it what summer movies are all about.
Expect BIG numbers this weekend. I went to an 11 AM show Thursday and the there was a ton of people there. The young and the not so young. This series, like James Bond has transcended a generation or two, and will cross over more. The stage has truly been set for more movies in the series.
Indiana Jones 4! Overall fun! Get there early!
It's 1957, and the Cold War in in full swing. This time it the Russians that are the thorn in the side and they are out for world domination. The Russians are in search of the ultimate weapon, mind control, and the only thing that stands between them and their goal is out hero Indiana Jones. Toss in a nuclear explosion and Area 51, and you've got it all covered!
Again, flashy and fun this movie has a different line to walk that the other three in the series. How to address the fact that Indy is now a senior citizen and make it believable. Also it must build a bridge to the new, without alienating the old, and still make it a good night at the flicks All achieved!
To be fair, this sequel does lack some of the truly memorable moments remembered in the earlier installments, but that's OK. Visually nice, and fun for all. Some mid-movie drag too but a nice payoff as the flick rolls on. This whole series is a good example of why they make movies in the first place. Movies can be fun, exciting, and be good pretty much for the whole family when done properly. Another terrific soundtrack by John Williams, and the typical Steven Spielberg touch lent to virtually every scene and it what summer movies are all about.
Expect BIG numbers this weekend. I went to an 11 AM show Thursday and the there was a ton of people there. The young and the not so young. This series, like James Bond has transcended a generation or two, and will cross over more. The stage has truly been set for more movies in the series.
Indiana Jones 4! Overall fun! Get there early!
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Peek At Sleep
I do a lot of reading, and I found yet another "fact" about sleeping today. Seems there are new studies about how we sleep in the news every week. Americans are sleep deprived, the experts all seem to agree. That can lead of course to many health problems both mentally and physically.
Well just when you thought you had heard it all here comes this gem. Some experts believe that if you don't get enough sleep you can have weight problems. AND if you get too much sleep, that can also lead to obesity. Man...this is getting tough! Seems you have to get just the right amount of sleep to maintain proper weight and health. You know life is getting tough when you forget your instinct.
You know, my 50 pound Australian Cattle Dog Kona has the right idea. She just lays down anywhere and sleeps. She's not some old broken down dog either. She's 7 and in great health, and can sleep anywhere, anytime. My wife and I have a nice bed, nice sheets, comfy comforter and we sleep OK I guess. No real complaints. But Kona? That dog sleeps better in old laundry basket than any human I've ever seem. I actually get jealous watching that dog sleep. She just curls up, no blanket or anything. After 30 seconds you hear a large exhale and then she gets a good snore going in about 1 minute. (I have adopted the exhale technique.) Don't you wish you could do that? I have never seen any person that looks as comfy sleeping as a dog. So what's OUR problem.
As a nation take pills to sleep, pull the shades, put on soft music at times. We even throw on the Weather Channel or C-Span at times as a last resort. I've heard some say, "I'm just too tired to sleep" or "I don't have time to sleep." We buy electric blankets, and we keep Martha Stewart in business by buying 1000 count sheets sets. We have sleep numbers and letters, pillow tops, one-sided, two sided mattresses, super coiled box springs as well. There are beds that look like sponges, egg crates, and even some that NASA has developed, and we still don't get enough sleep? We've got problems!
Kona has two beds that cost 19 dollars each, one upstairs one down. But like I said she prefers the laundry basket. Kona also has a great idea that I think more of us ought to adopt too. She wakes up from a nap in the living room, stretches and then walks down to the laundry room and goes back to sleep! Think about that, she wakes up to take a nap-brilliant! Kona doesn't watch the news and hear all these sleep surveys, as a matter of fact I don't even know what her favorite show on TV is. Maybe that's why she has the brains to go to bed when she's tired! She feels no allegiance to Letterman, Leno, Kimmel, Lost, American Idol, Monday Night Football, or a Tribe or Cav's west coast swing. It's dark, she's had it, and she's going to bed!
Kona's life may not be practical for us humans, but there's something to be learned here. Sometimes there's just no substitute for a good nights sleep. So maybe tonight's your night. On that note, I'll wrap it up here, because as I look over my desk in my home office at 2:59 in the afternoon, Kona is laying on a braided rug looking over her shoulder at me and giving me that, "Hey could you hold it down please? Trying to sleep over here!"
Well just when you thought you had heard it all here comes this gem. Some experts believe that if you don't get enough sleep you can have weight problems. AND if you get too much sleep, that can also lead to obesity. Man...this is getting tough! Seems you have to get just the right amount of sleep to maintain proper weight and health. You know life is getting tough when you forget your instinct.
You know, my 50 pound Australian Cattle Dog Kona has the right idea. She just lays down anywhere and sleeps. She's not some old broken down dog either. She's 7 and in great health, and can sleep anywhere, anytime. My wife and I have a nice bed, nice sheets, comfy comforter and we sleep OK I guess. No real complaints. But Kona? That dog sleeps better in old laundry basket than any human I've ever seem. I actually get jealous watching that dog sleep. She just curls up, no blanket or anything. After 30 seconds you hear a large exhale and then she gets a good snore going in about 1 minute. (I have adopted the exhale technique.) Don't you wish you could do that? I have never seen any person that looks as comfy sleeping as a dog. So what's OUR problem.
As a nation take pills to sleep, pull the shades, put on soft music at times. We even throw on the Weather Channel or C-Span at times as a last resort. I've heard some say, "I'm just too tired to sleep" or "I don't have time to sleep." We buy electric blankets, and we keep Martha Stewart in business by buying 1000 count sheets sets. We have sleep numbers and letters, pillow tops, one-sided, two sided mattresses, super coiled box springs as well. There are beds that look like sponges, egg crates, and even some that NASA has developed, and we still don't get enough sleep? We've got problems!
Kona has two beds that cost 19 dollars each, one upstairs one down. But like I said she prefers the laundry basket. Kona also has a great idea that I think more of us ought to adopt too. She wakes up from a nap in the living room, stretches and then walks down to the laundry room and goes back to sleep! Think about that, she wakes up to take a nap-brilliant! Kona doesn't watch the news and hear all these sleep surveys, as a matter of fact I don't even know what her favorite show on TV is. Maybe that's why she has the brains to go to bed when she's tired! She feels no allegiance to Letterman, Leno, Kimmel, Lost, American Idol, Monday Night Football, or a Tribe or Cav's west coast swing. It's dark, she's had it, and she's going to bed!
Kona's life may not be practical for us humans, but there's something to be learned here. Sometimes there's just no substitute for a good nights sleep. So maybe tonight's your night. On that note, I'll wrap it up here, because as I look over my desk in my home office at 2:59 in the afternoon, Kona is laying on a braided rug looking over her shoulder at me and giving me that, "Hey could you hold it down please? Trying to sleep over here!"
Friday, May 16, 2008
BIG SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW
We are almost through May, and now the big summer blockbusters start to roll in. Iron Man got things rolling two weeks ago bringing in 150 million or so so far. Speed Racer was supposed to keep it going last week, but was black flagged. And this week, the second in the Narnia flicks hits the movie houses.
That sets the stage for what lies ahead. coming soon!
1/ Indiana Jones 4 - Harrison Ford again. 27 years after the first movie Raiders Of The Lost
Ark, a surprise hit at the time, made Ford a real star. Interesting Tom Selleck turned down the role first, he was making a movie called High Road To China at the same time. The new flick is being very closely guarded, not many reviews yet. Word is though it may not be as snappy as the previous 3.
2/ Sex And The City - The girls are back this time on the big screen. What was such a funny TV show, could make for interesting movie making, or not. This could go either way.
3/ The Incredible Hulk - Ed Norton stars this time. I'm not sure of the story line here. Director Ang Lee of course made the Incredible Hulk 4 years ago, and left some less than thrilled. I loved the comic as a kid. TV show too.
4/ Batman - The Dark Knight - Of course there will be somewhat of a cloud here. Heath Ledger stars as the Joker in his last role before his death. Great supporting cast, and the Batman movies are on the right track at last.
5/ Get Smart - Steve Carrell as Agent 86. Based on the old TV show. Ann Hathaway as Agent 99. This is another flick that hangs in the balance. Great supporting cast, could be a home run, or a foul off the foot.
6/ The Love Guru - More Mike Myers being silly. I've been seeing the previews for months, still doesn't look funny. Looks like the trailer could be funnier than the flick.
7/ You Don't Mess With the Zohan - Adam Sandler as a former Israeli counter terrorist that quits to become a hair designer. The more I see this promoted the more I think it could work. It just might be silly enough for big laughs.
8/ The Happening - From the writer and director of Signs and the Sixth Sense. Mark Wahlberg in a real thriller. This movie looks like it could be the real sleeper hit of the summer. It won't sneak up on us like the Sixth Sense did, but it could be a big hit.
Best movie of the year so far - Smart People.
Worst movie of the year so far - Speed Racer
Biggest surprise movie of the year so far - Cloverfield
Most fun movie of the year so far - Iron Man
Biggest disappointment movie so far - Leatherheads
More next week with reviews of Indiana Jones and Sex And the City
That sets the stage for what lies ahead. coming soon!
1/ Indiana Jones 4 - Harrison Ford again. 27 years after the first movie Raiders Of The Lost
Ark, a surprise hit at the time, made Ford a real star. Interesting Tom Selleck turned down the role first, he was making a movie called High Road To China at the same time. The new flick is being very closely guarded, not many reviews yet. Word is though it may not be as snappy as the previous 3.
2/ Sex And The City - The girls are back this time on the big screen. What was such a funny TV show, could make for interesting movie making, or not. This could go either way.
3/ The Incredible Hulk - Ed Norton stars this time. I'm not sure of the story line here. Director Ang Lee of course made the Incredible Hulk 4 years ago, and left some less than thrilled. I loved the comic as a kid. TV show too.
4/ Batman - The Dark Knight - Of course there will be somewhat of a cloud here. Heath Ledger stars as the Joker in his last role before his death. Great supporting cast, and the Batman movies are on the right track at last.
5/ Get Smart - Steve Carrell as Agent 86. Based on the old TV show. Ann Hathaway as Agent 99. This is another flick that hangs in the balance. Great supporting cast, could be a home run, or a foul off the foot.
6/ The Love Guru - More Mike Myers being silly. I've been seeing the previews for months, still doesn't look funny. Looks like the trailer could be funnier than the flick.
7/ You Don't Mess With the Zohan - Adam Sandler as a former Israeli counter terrorist that quits to become a hair designer. The more I see this promoted the more I think it could work. It just might be silly enough for big laughs.
8/ The Happening - From the writer and director of Signs and the Sixth Sense. Mark Wahlberg in a real thriller. This movie looks like it could be the real sleeper hit of the summer. It won't sneak up on us like the Sixth Sense did, but it could be a big hit.
Best movie of the year so far - Smart People.
Worst movie of the year so far - Speed Racer
Biggest surprise movie of the year so far - Cloverfield
Most fun movie of the year so far - Iron Man
Biggest disappointment movie so far - Leatherheads
More next week with reviews of Indiana Jones and Sex And the City
Monday, May 12, 2008
Put A Sock In It! #1
Put a sock in it... put a lid on it...however you gently phrase it, it all means the same. Zip it will ya? Seem we go through these phases every once in while where quotes and such creep into the landscape, and some have to be reminded silence is indeed golden. Look it's all in fun here, so don't get too riled up if one of your favs make the first installment of Put A Sock In it!
1/ Over the weekend Hillary Clinton was asked if the race for president for her was over. She responded with this diddy. "It's not over, till the the lady in the pantsuit says it's over!" Obviously meaning her. Try that line at your next party and see if you get the same reaction she did. A bunch of phony people screaming like it was the line of the year.
2/ Sunday Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo sang Take Me Out To The Ball Game, at Wrigley Field at the Cubs game in the 7th inning. It's a tradition there...one that may be under review today! Did you hear that singing? If you didn't know what a wounded hyena sounded like you do now. Dude, if you can't sing a note, don't sing a note!!!
3/ Barack Obama a week or two ago was eating breakfast in a diner on the campaign trail. A reporter kept trying to ask him a question or two, and Obama go frustrated and spouted this gem that went something like this, "Look, I just want to eat my waffle." Too bad dude, you're running for president remember? You can loaf, relax, do exactly what you want and avoid reality AFTER you become president and not a minute before. It's a perk of the job you want. Put the fork down and answer the guy trying to do his job.
4/ David Letterman. Funny guy, but to be honest I've heard enough Top Ten Lists. You know the first 500,000 were mildly amusing, but the half million that have followed no matter who is reading them are just not funny anymore. I think humor and The Top Ten went out about the same time Wham was doing their farewell tour.
5/ The Gasoline price woman (Trilby Lundberg) you hear on the news all the time about how high gasoline prices are this week. She's from the Lundberg report. We get it.... gas prices are out-of-hand high. Come back when they're on the way down with some better news. Take the summer off.
I think this enough to get us started. I'll toss one of these in every couple of weeks when some juicy new material comes to light. We'll find five more victims to throw down on then. If you any nominees, e-mail them to me and explain why they should Put A Sock In it!
1/ Over the weekend Hillary Clinton was asked if the race for president for her was over. She responded with this diddy. "It's not over, till the the lady in the pantsuit says it's over!" Obviously meaning her. Try that line at your next party and see if you get the same reaction she did. A bunch of phony people screaming like it was the line of the year.
2/ Sunday Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo sang Take Me Out To The Ball Game, at Wrigley Field at the Cubs game in the 7th inning. It's a tradition there...one that may be under review today! Did you hear that singing? If you didn't know what a wounded hyena sounded like you do now. Dude, if you can't sing a note, don't sing a note!!!
3/ Barack Obama a week or two ago was eating breakfast in a diner on the campaign trail. A reporter kept trying to ask him a question or two, and Obama go frustrated and spouted this gem that went something like this, "Look, I just want to eat my waffle." Too bad dude, you're running for president remember? You can loaf, relax, do exactly what you want and avoid reality AFTER you become president and not a minute before. It's a perk of the job you want. Put the fork down and answer the guy trying to do his job.
4/ David Letterman. Funny guy, but to be honest I've heard enough Top Ten Lists. You know the first 500,000 were mildly amusing, but the half million that have followed no matter who is reading them are just not funny anymore. I think humor and The Top Ten went out about the same time Wham was doing their farewell tour.
5/ The Gasoline price woman (Trilby Lundberg) you hear on the news all the time about how high gasoline prices are this week. She's from the Lundberg report. We get it.... gas prices are out-of-hand high. Come back when they're on the way down with some better news. Take the summer off.
I think this enough to get us started. I'll toss one of these in every couple of weeks when some juicy new material comes to light. We'll find five more victims to throw down on then. If you any nominees, e-mail them to me and explain why they should Put A Sock In it!
MOVIE REVIEW - What Happens In Vegas
Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz star in the new romantic comedy out this week. Just the latest in a bevy of Vegas-backdrop flicks to be out this year.
Meet Jack (Kutcher) and Joy (Diaz). They each are facing crossroads in their lives. So on the advice of their friends, they take off to Vegas to blow off come steam. Jack and Joy meet, go on a bender, get married, and in the process win 3 million dollars in a Vegas slot machine. They regret the marriage, and file for divorce. But the judge (Dennis Miller) freezes the cash, and sentences them to 6 months "hard marriage," before granting a divorce. Let the hate and games begin.
Hang with me here. Take a good look, this is probably the last movie that Diaz will be playing a 28 year-old in a comedy. At 35, she seems to be a little beyond this kind of role to really be believable. I found myself rolling my eyes at the first part of this flick. When is she going to make grown up movies? Haven't I seen Cameron Diaz do all this exact same stuff before...like many times before???? The answer is yes, of course we have.
But something interesting happens to WHIV. It ceases with the endless chaotic, angry, frantic, too cool for the room, quite frankly not funny pace, and grows a heart and a soul. WHIV could have just played out the string, and not turned the corner, but it does. It gets more intelligent as the frames flip, and I was stunned. The "comedy" that is marginal the movies' start, is replaced by the "romantic" in the middle and end, and lands on it's feet. With small roles filled by Queen Latifah, Dennis Farina and Lake Bell to go along with Miller, WHIV cleans itself up and makes itself presentable. Let's not go overboard, this is not a classic but it's not a bad night a the movies.
Speaking of Lake Bell, she again hits a home run. Terrific in her supporting role of Tipper, Joy's friend. Bell again is not afraid to make herself look silly on screen. Toss in her beauty, and again great to watch. I loved her in the absolutely terrible Eva Longoria flick, Over Her Dead Body in January but Bell was great there too. I'm hoping to see much more of her in the near future. Lake Bell is star in waiting. Beautiful and funny? Great combo!
When you go, you have to stick with What Happens In Vegas. You may think you've seen done before, and done better. But at the day's end, you will not be sorry your ticket stub is in your pocket. Great date flick too.
Meet Jack (Kutcher) and Joy (Diaz). They each are facing crossroads in their lives. So on the advice of their friends, they take off to Vegas to blow off come steam. Jack and Joy meet, go on a bender, get married, and in the process win 3 million dollars in a Vegas slot machine. They regret the marriage, and file for divorce. But the judge (Dennis Miller) freezes the cash, and sentences them to 6 months "hard marriage," before granting a divorce. Let the hate and games begin.
Hang with me here. Take a good look, this is probably the last movie that Diaz will be playing a 28 year-old in a comedy. At 35, she seems to be a little beyond this kind of role to really be believable. I found myself rolling my eyes at the first part of this flick. When is she going to make grown up movies? Haven't I seen Cameron Diaz do all this exact same stuff before...like many times before???? The answer is yes, of course we have.
But something interesting happens to WHIV. It ceases with the endless chaotic, angry, frantic, too cool for the room, quite frankly not funny pace, and grows a heart and a soul. WHIV could have just played out the string, and not turned the corner, but it does. It gets more intelligent as the frames flip, and I was stunned. The "comedy" that is marginal the movies' start, is replaced by the "romantic" in the middle and end, and lands on it's feet. With small roles filled by Queen Latifah, Dennis Farina and Lake Bell to go along with Miller, WHIV cleans itself up and makes itself presentable. Let's not go overboard, this is not a classic but it's not a bad night a the movies.
Speaking of Lake Bell, she again hits a home run. Terrific in her supporting role of Tipper, Joy's friend. Bell again is not afraid to make herself look silly on screen. Toss in her beauty, and again great to watch. I loved her in the absolutely terrible Eva Longoria flick, Over Her Dead Body in January but Bell was great there too. I'm hoping to see much more of her in the near future. Lake Bell is star in waiting. Beautiful and funny? Great combo!
When you go, you have to stick with What Happens In Vegas. You may think you've seen done before, and done better. But at the day's end, you will not be sorry your ticket stub is in your pocket. Great date flick too.
Friday, May 9, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Speed Racer
"Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer, he's a demon on wheels".....remember that catchy theme song from the TV show? Well after 41 years, here comes the half live-action, half- animated movie based on the Japanese import cult TV cartoon from 1967-1969.
If you don't remember the show, Speed Racer was the first Japanese cartoon to come to America and have real success. In Japan it was called Mach GoGoGo. It was the story of the "Racer" family and their son "Speed". He drove the race car The Mach 5 that his dad Pops built at their house. There was Racer X, the unknown mysterious racer, as well as Trixie, and don't forget the monkey Chim-Chim and others. And they're all here. Speed was always righting the worlds wrongs in the show always through auto racing. I know it sounds strange, but we all watched it.
Welcome to present day movie making and the movie that never ends. SR is a two-hour fifteen minute mess. I know that may sound harsh, but overall it is true. But there are bright spots. SR is visually a very interesting movie. You'll see some effects you've never seen before primarily during the racing scenes. It's interesting to be sure, but even the this grows old after the glimmer of the first race or two wears off. Just too much of a cool thing. I will say, if that's your cup of tea this is a movie that should be seen on the big screen.
But that's where the accolades end. Hopefully the kids will be in awe of the racing, because they won't really get the story at all. I don't know if anyone really is going to get the story here in total. The plot is herky-jerky like some of the animation. The real offense though is the length. SR is just flat out entirely tooooooo long, and not by a little. Get out the razor blade and slice off 40 minutes and you'd be good to go. You and the kids may have a tough time staying engaged, or awake till the end. Also for you baby-boomers, little of this SR shows any resemblance to the SR that you remember from the show that ran at 3pm on bad UHF-TV stations after school. Usually right before Ultra Man! and Johnny Sock-O.
It's going to be interesting to see how SR does at the box office. I'm not sure who the audience is. 41 years is a long time to wait to make a movie for those who remember the show. Plus youngsters today have no recollection of this show which has almost completely disappeared from the landscape for the exception of the theme song. There have been a few follow-up series to the original show, but none that really bit down hard and held on. Funny bit at movies end you DO get to hear some of the original theme song from the Japanese version of the TV show. Kinda fun.
You'll recognize some of the stars here. John Goodman as "Pops", Susan Sarandon as "Mom", Cristina Ricci as "Trixie," and Emile Hirsch as "Speed." All have done much better and more meaningful projects but sometimes the temptation of a potential big dough summer blockbuster is just too much to turn down. Truth be told, I think this would have been a much better total animation project.
The green flag drops on Speed Racer and we're off. Only trouble is, it should have been green-white-checker...for a much shorter and more focused race.
If you don't remember the show, Speed Racer was the first Japanese cartoon to come to America and have real success. In Japan it was called Mach GoGoGo. It was the story of the "Racer" family and their son "Speed". He drove the race car The Mach 5 that his dad Pops built at their house. There was Racer X, the unknown mysterious racer, as well as Trixie, and don't forget the monkey Chim-Chim and others. And they're all here. Speed was always righting the worlds wrongs in the show always through auto racing. I know it sounds strange, but we all watched it.
Welcome to present day movie making and the movie that never ends. SR is a two-hour fifteen minute mess. I know that may sound harsh, but overall it is true. But there are bright spots. SR is visually a very interesting movie. You'll see some effects you've never seen before primarily during the racing scenes. It's interesting to be sure, but even the this grows old after the glimmer of the first race or two wears off. Just too much of a cool thing. I will say, if that's your cup of tea this is a movie that should be seen on the big screen.
But that's where the accolades end. Hopefully the kids will be in awe of the racing, because they won't really get the story at all. I don't know if anyone really is going to get the story here in total. The plot is herky-jerky like some of the animation. The real offense though is the length. SR is just flat out entirely tooooooo long, and not by a little. Get out the razor blade and slice off 40 minutes and you'd be good to go. You and the kids may have a tough time staying engaged, or awake till the end. Also for you baby-boomers, little of this SR shows any resemblance to the SR that you remember from the show that ran at 3pm on bad UHF-TV stations after school. Usually right before Ultra Man! and Johnny Sock-O.
It's going to be interesting to see how SR does at the box office. I'm not sure who the audience is. 41 years is a long time to wait to make a movie for those who remember the show. Plus youngsters today have no recollection of this show which has almost completely disappeared from the landscape for the exception of the theme song. There have been a few follow-up series to the original show, but none that really bit down hard and held on. Funny bit at movies end you DO get to hear some of the original theme song from the Japanese version of the TV show. Kinda fun.
You'll recognize some of the stars here. John Goodman as "Pops", Susan Sarandon as "Mom", Cristina Ricci as "Trixie," and Emile Hirsch as "Speed." All have done much better and more meaningful projects but sometimes the temptation of a potential big dough summer blockbuster is just too much to turn down. Truth be told, I think this would have been a much better total animation project.
The green flag drops on Speed Racer and we're off. Only trouble is, it should have been green-white-checker...for a much shorter and more focused race.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Made Of Honor
Made Of Honor is the new Patrick Dempsey romantic comedy and to be perfectly honest, it may be the quintessential "chick-flick." That's not a bad thing, it's just the honest thing here.
Made Of Honor with Dempsey, and Michelle Monaghan is the story of Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan). They have been platonic best friends for 10 years since college, and she's ready to movie on the next chapter of her life. Tom is still immature and although successful, still stuck in some kind of college life time warp and not ready for commitment. Hannah goes to Scotland on business and meets Colin. He is the perfect man and she decides to get married. Hannah chooses Tom as her maid of honor, and Tom has the epiphany that Hannah is the one for him. Then it's on to Scotland to break up the engagement and win Hannah.
I know, it sounds just like 1997's My Best Friends Wedding with Julia Roberts - and it is to a degree. Although not a direct rip-off, the premise is the same in the end. There's nothing really wrong with MOH, but it doesn't hit one over the fence either. The soft backbone of MOH is that the script is incredibly predictable. You are way ahead of the movie the whole time, and there's no hint of a surprise to be found. Also, I don't think any of us are buying that Patrick Dempsey is 28 years old as we're asked to believe in MOH.
But the fresh face of Michelle Monaghan is the shining star of MOH. She has been in small roles in many movies since 2001, but here it's her movie. She is believable, beautiful and refreshing here. She looks like someone you would know, and someone you would like to know. Her performance in MOH is as good as the script will allow. But make no mistake. This is her movie, even Dempsey sits in the back seat to Monaghan in this flick. She is just great here in every regard.
Made Of Honor is not a bad night at the movies. You may sit there and think you've seen this story before a few times, and you have. Romantic - yes. But funny? Well....at times. The company you keep in going to this movie is real key here. A date movie extraordinaire. If you're with someone that would rather be in Ironman, well then not so much.
Made Of Honor with Dempsey, and Michelle Monaghan is the story of Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan). They have been platonic best friends for 10 years since college, and she's ready to movie on the next chapter of her life. Tom is still immature and although successful, still stuck in some kind of college life time warp and not ready for commitment. Hannah goes to Scotland on business and meets Colin. He is the perfect man and she decides to get married. Hannah chooses Tom as her maid of honor, and Tom has the epiphany that Hannah is the one for him. Then it's on to Scotland to break up the engagement and win Hannah.
I know, it sounds just like 1997's My Best Friends Wedding with Julia Roberts - and it is to a degree. Although not a direct rip-off, the premise is the same in the end. There's nothing really wrong with MOH, but it doesn't hit one over the fence either. The soft backbone of MOH is that the script is incredibly predictable. You are way ahead of the movie the whole time, and there's no hint of a surprise to be found. Also, I don't think any of us are buying that Patrick Dempsey is 28 years old as we're asked to believe in MOH.
But the fresh face of Michelle Monaghan is the shining star of MOH. She has been in small roles in many movies since 2001, but here it's her movie. She is believable, beautiful and refreshing here. She looks like someone you would know, and someone you would like to know. Her performance in MOH is as good as the script will allow. But make no mistake. This is her movie, even Dempsey sits in the back seat to Monaghan in this flick. She is just great here in every regard.
Made Of Honor is not a bad night at the movies. You may sit there and think you've seen this story before a few times, and you have. Romantic - yes. But funny? Well....at times. The company you keep in going to this movie is real key here. A date movie extraordinaire. If you're with someone that would rather be in Ironman, well then not so much.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Eight Belles
I'll start off by saying that I am by no means an expert on horse racing. I watch what most watch the Kentucky Derby, then if there's a story, the Preakness and if the story continues I'll catch the Belmont. Sound like you? I'm bettin'.
We owned horses when I was a kid but I can't say I was old enough to enjoy them but again I am no expert on the animal, or the sport. But I think all of us are qualified to have an opinion on the recent tragedy at the Kentucky Derby Saturday. The great young Philly, Eight Bells broke both of her front legs at the races conclusion as she tried to track down Big Brown and had to be put down on the track due to the severity of her injuries.
I have always loved dogs, but when I met and married my wife she influenced me to open my eyes to the rest of the animal world. Nice gift. I have empathy and compassion for all animals but to be clear, I am not a PETA member nor do I agree with their tactics and stunts. But I can still love animals.
To be honest, I don't really consider horse racing a true sport, but mostly it's an exhibition which can be exciting to be sure. We love to watch beautiful horses do what they do - run! We even toss a wager or two down to make it a little more heart pounding. The Kentucky Derby too is an event complete with big hats, rich people, mint juleps, and a whole day of fun. A huge TV audience the whole deal.
That's what I know. I also know that something as to change. This is the second big-time high profile disaster in the triple crown races in two years. Barbaro and now Eight Belles. There was also the horse George Washington last October in the Breeders Cup put down on the track, Go For Wand in 1990 (live on TV) put down in the Breeders Cup as well. Ruffian in 1975 in a silly two horse grudge match broke down and could not be saved as well.
Regardless on how you feel about horse racing, we can't continue to have animals writhing in agony and euthanized for all to see on national TV and in front of 100,000 fans live and call it fun or entertaining. To NBC's credit the coverage on Saturday was done well. I'm sure if your kids were watching it was pretty tough too. I'm not going to pretend to know that the solution is. But I know this. Someone has to be a hero here and come up with some changes that will lessen this kind of thing in the future. It's happening too much and it's not fun anymore.
I am not forgetting that horses by nature love to run. But as much as ESPN would love you to think they are athletes, they are not. They are competitive by nature, but at the days end they are horses. I can remember Secretariat and Seattle Slew, probably the two greatest race horse champions that ever lived. Both had huge hearts and great drive to be out front. I think that's the difference, horses know being in the lead and nothing about winning. I've heard the argument too that race car drivers risk their lives, but there's no correlation. Drivers voluntarily get in the car and race on their own terms. Horses love to run too but we make them run on our terms not theirs, and there lies the problem.
Look, the Triple Crown is not going to go away. There's too much tradition, fun to be had, and too much money involved. Big-time sporting events just don't go away, but I hope that in the after shocks of Eight Belles death we look to really make changes to the way it's all done. I think all would agree that the changes made to NASCAR after Dale Earnhardt's death have made the sport much better and safer.
It made me a bit mad to hear some say that Eight Belles "ran the race of her life on Saturday." - Yea - no kidding she did. Since she gave her life for the race of her life, let's not let her death just be shoved away like the others. Let's hope the true legacy of Eight Belles is that her untimely death is the pivot point from here forward to make horse racing safer for those that can't change the rules, only be asked to live by them - The horses.
We owned horses when I was a kid but I can't say I was old enough to enjoy them but again I am no expert on the animal, or the sport. But I think all of us are qualified to have an opinion on the recent tragedy at the Kentucky Derby Saturday. The great young Philly, Eight Bells broke both of her front legs at the races conclusion as she tried to track down Big Brown and had to be put down on the track due to the severity of her injuries.
I have always loved dogs, but when I met and married my wife she influenced me to open my eyes to the rest of the animal world. Nice gift. I have empathy and compassion for all animals but to be clear, I am not a PETA member nor do I agree with their tactics and stunts. But I can still love animals.
To be honest, I don't really consider horse racing a true sport, but mostly it's an exhibition which can be exciting to be sure. We love to watch beautiful horses do what they do - run! We even toss a wager or two down to make it a little more heart pounding. The Kentucky Derby too is an event complete with big hats, rich people, mint juleps, and a whole day of fun. A huge TV audience the whole deal.
That's what I know. I also know that something as to change. This is the second big-time high profile disaster in the triple crown races in two years. Barbaro and now Eight Belles. There was also the horse George Washington last October in the Breeders Cup put down on the track, Go For Wand in 1990 (live on TV) put down in the Breeders Cup as well. Ruffian in 1975 in a silly two horse grudge match broke down and could not be saved as well.
Regardless on how you feel about horse racing, we can't continue to have animals writhing in agony and euthanized for all to see on national TV and in front of 100,000 fans live and call it fun or entertaining. To NBC's credit the coverage on Saturday was done well. I'm sure if your kids were watching it was pretty tough too. I'm not going to pretend to know that the solution is. But I know this. Someone has to be a hero here and come up with some changes that will lessen this kind of thing in the future. It's happening too much and it's not fun anymore.
I am not forgetting that horses by nature love to run. But as much as ESPN would love you to think they are athletes, they are not. They are competitive by nature, but at the days end they are horses. I can remember Secretariat and Seattle Slew, probably the two greatest race horse champions that ever lived. Both had huge hearts and great drive to be out front. I think that's the difference, horses know being in the lead and nothing about winning. I've heard the argument too that race car drivers risk their lives, but there's no correlation. Drivers voluntarily get in the car and race on their own terms. Horses love to run too but we make them run on our terms not theirs, and there lies the problem.
Look, the Triple Crown is not going to go away. There's too much tradition, fun to be had, and too much money involved. Big-time sporting events just don't go away, but I hope that in the after shocks of Eight Belles death we look to really make changes to the way it's all done. I think all would agree that the changes made to NASCAR after Dale Earnhardt's death have made the sport much better and safer.
It made me a bit mad to hear some say that Eight Belles "ran the race of her life on Saturday." - Yea - no kidding she did. Since she gave her life for the race of her life, let's not let her death just be shoved away like the others. Let's hope the true legacy of Eight Belles is that her untimely death is the pivot point from here forward to make horse racing safer for those that can't change the rules, only be asked to live by them - The horses.
Friday, May 2, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Ironman
Let's get ready to roll out the summer blockbusters! Hollywood trotted out the seasons first big movie Robert Downey Jr's Ironman!
Also starring Jeff Bridges, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Terrance Howard, Ironman is the latest in the ongoing trend of superhero movies. And Ironman is easily, without question the best of the entire lot. Spiderman, Superman, Batman, and even the Incredible Hulk which opens in a few weeks better really tune it up, because Ironman just raised the bar - high!
Ironman is the story of genius Tony Stark (Downey) who owns Stark Enterprises a defense contractor. He is kidnapped in the middle east while debuting a new weapon to be used on the war on terror. He escapes and decides to turn his company into one that does good in the world and not broker weapons anymore. That's as far as I'm going into plot because you're going to want to see Ironman and I'll leave it there.
Paltrow is perfectly cast as Pepper Potts, Starks' trusty assistant, as is Bridges as Starks' business partner. Bridges is terrific and you've never seen him like this before in any movie. Effects a plenty, fun action, and a real nice story make Ironman successful.
The real separator with Ironman is the story. Set in the modern world with real world events surrounding this fantasy world give it real soul. You know the whole time that it's a comic book story, but you're not bothered by the unbelievability of it all. Also the presence of real mature actors give Ironman instant credibility. Sometimes superhero action flicks cast so young, it's tough to root for your hero the way you want to. I think many root for Robert Downey Jr in real life because of his checkered past, so it's easy to root for him here. Downey is perfectly cast and to be honest I look forward to the next installment here.
Ironman is so much more intelligent than most comic books that end up at the theaters. Ironman is action packed, but doesn't fall in love with itself and go over the top. Ironman knows that enough of a good thing is enough and doesn't wear you out. But absolutely DOES give you your moneys worth and pays off in every regard on why you went to the movies in the first place.
I've been around theaters in the summer months long enough to know that Ironman will be one of the warm weathers best this year. Ironman is strong in every regard. No reason the kids can't go see it with you. Take them and you'll be the real superhero. You see, Hollywood can make action movies with a brain. They should do so more often. No need to be afraid of Ironman. Just great! Bravo!
Also starring Jeff Bridges, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Terrance Howard, Ironman is the latest in the ongoing trend of superhero movies. And Ironman is easily, without question the best of the entire lot. Spiderman, Superman, Batman, and even the Incredible Hulk which opens in a few weeks better really tune it up, because Ironman just raised the bar - high!
Ironman is the story of genius Tony Stark (Downey) who owns Stark Enterprises a defense contractor. He is kidnapped in the middle east while debuting a new weapon to be used on the war on terror. He escapes and decides to turn his company into one that does good in the world and not broker weapons anymore. That's as far as I'm going into plot because you're going to want to see Ironman and I'll leave it there.
Paltrow is perfectly cast as Pepper Potts, Starks' trusty assistant, as is Bridges as Starks' business partner. Bridges is terrific and you've never seen him like this before in any movie. Effects a plenty, fun action, and a real nice story make Ironman successful.
The real separator with Ironman is the story. Set in the modern world with real world events surrounding this fantasy world give it real soul. You know the whole time that it's a comic book story, but you're not bothered by the unbelievability of it all. Also the presence of real mature actors give Ironman instant credibility. Sometimes superhero action flicks cast so young, it's tough to root for your hero the way you want to. I think many root for Robert Downey Jr in real life because of his checkered past, so it's easy to root for him here. Downey is perfectly cast and to be honest I look forward to the next installment here.
Ironman is so much more intelligent than most comic books that end up at the theaters. Ironman is action packed, but doesn't fall in love with itself and go over the top. Ironman knows that enough of a good thing is enough and doesn't wear you out. But absolutely DOES give you your moneys worth and pays off in every regard on why you went to the movies in the first place.
I've been around theaters in the summer months long enough to know that Ironman will be one of the warm weathers best this year. Ironman is strong in every regard. No reason the kids can't go see it with you. Take them and you'll be the real superhero. You see, Hollywood can make action movies with a brain. They should do so more often. No need to be afraid of Ironman. Just great! Bravo!
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