The Five WORST Movies of 2009

Picking the best movie of the year in any year is easy. But, trying to come up with the worst movies is a lot tougher. Truth is there are a whole lot more bad movies than good ones in any given year, and 2009 was no exception. I reviewed over 100 movies for akronnewsnow.com last year, and this is my five worst list.

The Five WORST movies of 2009

1/ Year One - Jack Black and Micheal Cera. What on earth was anyone thinking when making
this hunk of junk. Could be the worst movie of any year. Attempted stone age
satire that backfired horribly. They had to have known on the set it was tragic.
They would have been right. Couldn't be worse!

2/ Bride Wars - Anne Hatahway and Kate Hudson. Insultingly bad. Two best friends set a
wedding date on the same day. Go to war over it. It's embarrassing to think
that someone who gets paid thinks this movie was actually funny in the
slightest. Borderline putrid.

3/ All About Steve - For the great year Sandra Bullock had with The Blind Side and The
Proposal, makes this one really stink worse. Horrible idea about a stalker
and her escapades running around the country chasing this guy. Count
them, one funny moment when she falls into a giant hole. It stinks!

4/ Land Of The Lost - Will Farrell and his adaptation of the 1970's Saturday morning show.
I don't think he's ever do anything even the slightest bit funny again!

5/ Obsessed - Beyonce' stars a wife whose husband is being pursued by a female coworker.
Filled with horrible everything. Not the least of which is Beyonce' acting like
Beyonce the whole movie. She looked like she was getting ready to walk on
stage most of the movie to do a concert. There's not one thing about this movie
that I would call good.

That's my list for 2009! There were plenty of other dogs made too, but these really stand out to me.....Any comments? E-mail me at scott@wqmx.com

The Five Best Movies of 2009!

2009 from my perspective will go down as a very mediocre year at the movies. Even though the box office numbers are through the roof, there were few great flicks. Many big movies, but many times there is a difference. Nothing wrong with the blockbusters I like them too, but with a year end list they seldom make the cut. See if you agree.

The best movies of 2009

1/ Up In The Air - George Clooney's "recession" movie. A fantastic story that you've never
seen before. A movie that speaks directly to our times. Terrific characters
you care about, and a star is born with Anna Kendrick as Natalie. The best
movie of the year 2009...and not by a little.

2/ Invictus - Clint Eastwood directed movie about the early days of Nelson Mandela's South
African presidency. He uses rugby as his vehicle to help curb decades of racial
disharmony in his country. Starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.
Powerful and beautifully done. Don't know anything about rugby? Doesn't
Matter. Story wonderfully told.

3/ Inglourious Basterds - Quentin Tarantino WWII story about Nazi occupied Europe and those
sent to kill as many as possible. Story too complicated for a short
recap here. But riveting movie making. Long build up scenes very
skillfully done. Great mixture of drama, irony and dark humor. Not
for everyone. But terrific.

4/ 500 Days Of Summer - What a surprise hit! Zooey Deschanel stars as Summer. She is a
quirky young, beautiful woman who is enigmatic in love. A story
not told before this way. She is really really great in this movie.
This is not a feel good romantic comedy, but it is real fun.

5/ The Blind Side - Sandra Bullock is so good in this feel good flick, she carries the day. True
story or Micheal Orr and his journey to the NFL after being taken in by
a rich southern family. Movies like this seldom make it this far, but this is
a very good movie, and a rebirth for Sandra Bullock.

Honorable Mentions:

1/ The Hurt Locker - Fantastic, intense Iraq war drama. Story- brilliant.

2/ Law Abiding Citizen - Gerard Butler. Very intense, creative action thriller. Real sleeper.

3/ Star Trek - Really fun. Really well done. Great rental if you missed it.

4/ Sunshine Cleaning - Amy Adams. Great Indy pic about sisters who start a crime scene
cleaning service. She is great!

5/ The Proposal - Sandra Bullock again. Surprisingly good romantic comedy. Caught us all
napping.

That's the list of 2009. If you have any comments you can leave them or e-mail them to me at scott@wqmx.com

MOVIE REVIEW - Up In The Air

George Clooney is back and this time it's Up In The Air. For those of you let down, or left scratching you head at The Men Who Stare At Goats, here's a Clooney redeemer! You've heard that this is a "recession" movie... and it is.....but it is more than that. This movie is just flat out fantastic!

UITA is the story of Ryan (Clooney). Ryan is about 45. He works for an Omaha based company that goes around the country and fires people from their jobs, when the company doing the firing doesn't have the guts to do it. Ryan flies in, fires people, and movies on to the next job. He's on the road 300 days a year. Enter Natalie (Anna Hendrick) She is a 23 year old Cornell graduate who thinks that doing this job over the web is a better idea to ease costs. So to learn the job better she travels with Ryan out in the field to learn the ropes. Ryan too, is having a sort of romance with Alex (Vera Farminga) on the road who also works out of a suitcase in an unrelated field.

Truth is, Ryan has no life. No connection to the real world. No people or the responsibility that goes with any kind of relationship. Is he lonely? What can he learn from these two new women in his life, and his detached family? Is he real or is he a phony? Can he live this way his whole life? Is his the next job to be eliminated? You end up caring about these main characters and want the best for them. That is UITA.

Up In The Air is a movie about realism. Everything about it is real. From people losing their jobs to the people whose job it is to have them lose it. It by no means makes light of this. But it does bring it home on film. The characters are terrific. Very strong,and developed very well. And every character brought into the movie as it moves along, real again. UITA is a movie you have to stick with. It makes you a bit uncomfortable at first, then eases up on you. It starts out as one kind of movie and ends up another in it's raw form. But everything about this movie is great. Really great!

This is a good example again of every great movie starts with a great story. And this is a great story. Characters and a story line you have not seen before, and turns you don't see coming. This movie is NOT predictable, and it does keep you guessing all the way through. It has something to say, and says it. It's a movie for our econimic times. It's honest, and it talks directly to different generations and socioeconomic groups.

Clooney is fantastic as the enigmatic Ryan. And Farminga is wonderful as the sexy Alex. But Anna Kendrick is absolutely fabulous as the eyes wide open, straight laced Natalie. She is a fresh face and steals a scene or two in this movie. UITA needed a hero to put it over the top and she is it. She was a great casting decision, and is the separator for the film. Over all this movie is well cast and wonderfully done!

Up In The Air. The best movie of the year in 2009....and not by a little.

MOVIE REVIEW - It's Complicated

There's a lot to live up to with the new Meryl Streep flick, It's Complicated. All this talk about it being the funniest movie of the year and all. Tons of award show nominations too. What about all this?

Streep stars with Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and a real nice supporting cast in this modern day comedy about life in America for many divorced middle aged couples. Meet Jane (Streep) and Jake (Baldwin). they were married for 20 years and now divorced for 10, with 3 grown kids. At their youngest child's graduation party in New York City, Jane and Jake get back together for a drunken romp in a swanky NYC Hotel. Jake has remarried a young bombshell, and Jane has never re-married. So Jane turns out is having an affair with a married man. Her ex-husband! All the while Adam (Martin) who is Jane's architect has his eyes on Jane. AND of course they have to keep this a secret from the kids. How will they pull it off?

First off, this is a really funny idea and it is a really nice grown up comedy. Alec Baldwin is terrific in this movie as the sort of sleazy ex-husband Jake. He so looks the part and is really funny in his likable dirt-bag role. John Krasinsky as Harley too. He is engaged to one of the kids, and he steals the show in the movies second half. Steve Martin is fine, in his very limited role as Adam. If you're going to see Martin do a bunch of slapstick, wrong movie. And Streep is who she is. Always good, always liked, always reviewed well and highly nominated.

Sometimes a tough to review a movie like this. Mainly because many movie goers already love this movie before they see it. On paper it seems like it can't miss. But It's Complicated comes in a bit overrated. Nothing really wrong here, but expectations are high, and so is the hype. The real laughs come from Baldwin and Krasinsky, and other side characters. It's fun, but not the laugh fest that is promised. The story though is smart and does have a heart, and takes a good swing at a touchy subject and addresses it with a light hearted look. And with a sense of reality so we don't get swept away to a fairy tale world. A lot of this works.

There are a few really cheesy scenes here, not the least of which are the three adult kids, two girls and a boy in bed together huddling under the covers for security for moms big "I'm sorry" speech hear the end. An obvious "aww" attempted moment. Most rolled our eyes. And there were other eye rollers too. But in the end, it doesn't kill It's Complicated. It survives itself on a few occasions.

It's Complicated. It's fun no doubt....but a bit overrated.

MOVIE REVIEW - Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law star in the Sherlock Holmes new at the box office this week.

Right up front, this is not you fathers Sherlock Holmes. With all due respect to Basil Rathbone who made 14 Sherlock Holmes movies between 1939, and 1946, things are a little different now. It is still based on enduring character Sherlock Holmes from A. Conan Doyle from the 19th century. But he has been updated here and made almost into an action hero for the 21st century audience.

Doyle's books really revolutionized crime fiction with the intellectual Holmes taking almost a forensic look at crime long before CSI. Holmes has always been a genius in the books and stories, along side his trusty assistant Watson. But as Holmes has been updated for a new audience, I feel it is no more revolutionary than Doyle's books from 130 years ago, and he would approve.

Downey Jr. is Holmes. He still lives at 221 B Baker Street in London. It's still the mid 19th century, and there is still seemingly unsolvable crime on the streets of London. Enter Holmes and Watson (Law). Holmes here is still a genius. But now, he's a bit more rounded. In addition to his intellect, he is accomplished at virtually everything else in the world. He's almost a marshal arts expert, as is Watson, and there's certainly enough action to go around here. Almost James Bond in the 1800's

Downey Jr. is perfectly cast and is really wonderful as the re-vamped Holmes. So is Law. Really great casting and powerful characters here. In fact, they are so well done they seem to upstage the entire movie at times. They overshadow a relatively average story here, that sometimes has a hard time gathering momentum. Most times, a really great movie starts with a really great story. But here, the story is average and sometimes hard to follow. An attempt at a star villain sort of goes by the wayside, and leaves a hole in the middle.

But no matter. If you're looking for just flat out fun, and action in old, cold London, then Sherlock Holmes is your movie. Whatever weakness this movie has, and there are a few Downey and Law, salve it over and pull it off. By the way, try not to watch the usually wonderful Rachel McAdams. The movies only casting flub.

Sherlock Holmes. Great starring performances. Average story. A bunch of fun.

MOVIE REVIEW - Avatar

Writer/Director James Cameron has had this idea in the works for over 15 years, and this week Avatar comes to the screen.

The big Sci-Fi Avatar with its 250 million dollar price tag, and it's 120 million dollar promotional budget has a lot to live up to. Does it? Seems like it can't miss. And at the box office it won't. But what about as a movie?

Avatar is a very complicated story about life in 2149. As much as they may want to try to disguise it, this is a real Sci-Fi movie. There is this moon named Pandorum. On it, are these wonderfully peaceful Avatar people. The are 10 feet tall, and live a wondrous life as a peace loving species that are one with the world that they live in. They live is there harmony with the plant and animal life in their world. Very reminiscent of the Native Americans from the 19th century.

Enter the Americans. They are trying to take over this moon. There is much monetary gain for them and the American Military. They are attempting to harvest all the good from the land, and wipe out the Avatar nations for their own gain. And an epic battle is bound to ensue, and that is the basic premise of Avatar. Too simple to be sure, but the complexity of this movie is too hard to tell in short written form. But after all the hype you've seen, you probably know the basic idea here.

First off. Avatar is immensely imaginative. Visually flabbergasting for the most part, incredibly inventive and marvelously done. The genius of this movie is the vision to see this before you see it. The 3-D is terrific, and groundbreaking. There is much good here. It will be a huge hit, and there will be those who go to it again and again. It absolutely takes you away to this other world in a wondrous and skillful way. Avatar by and large is a young adults movie. That should be noted too.

But to be fair, where I feel many reviewers have not. They loved this movie before they saw it. Avatar is very long, almost 2:40. It is well paced, and doesn't feel overly long and that's still to the good. But, you must be into real Sci-Fi, and you must enjoy watching over 2 hours of animation. There are of course live shots here, but most of Avatar is computer generated. Well done ...but still animated. This will lose some movie goers, and others will love this aspect of it.

Also, there is a very heavy handed social and political message in Avatar. Cameron's vision of Americans in 150 years is still this. We are horrible people that have learned nothing and now run all over outer space taking what we want and wiping out those who are different and weaker than us for our own monetary gain. The American military here, be it futuristic, is not shown in a very good light at all. I know it's all fantasy, but this is the story here. Cameron's vision of us as a people is harsh and negative. There is nothing subtle about Avatar, in it's written script script or in its technical brilliance. As wonderful as many aspects of Avatar are, it's a shame the script is as politically charged as it is. But Cameron has spoken.

Avatar. This could be this generations "Star Wars." Avatar is too intense for young kids in story, language, length and effects. But older kids and young adults will love it. To be honest in some ways you've never seen anything like this on screen. In it's story though, you've seen this movie many times before.

MOVIE REVIEW - Did You Hear About The Morgans?

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in the new romantic comedy, About The MoDid You Hear Morgans? It's Grants first movie in two years. He's always a good time, and we missed him when during his absence. Now all we have to do is hope Parker takes a few years off too. More on that in a minute.

The Morgans is the story of a young married, New York City couple. Both very New York, both very successful, whose marriage is on the rocks. They're separated, and he really wants to reconcile. She's not so sure. After an attempted reconciliation dinner, they witness a high profile murder, and are forced to enter the Federal Witness Protection Program. They're sent to Ray, Wyoming until the trial or until the case is closed. Of course being a romantic comedy, they fall in love again and work it all out when forced to spend this time together. I didn't spoil the ending..... remember, it's a Christmas time romantic comedy.

This move also stars Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen, also married, and they are the U.S. Marshall's that the Morgans go to live with in Wyoming. Their performance in this movie is really great. They play real country folk, who live in the middle of nowhere, and love it. Perfectly cast and well acted. A real strength to the movie. Grant is who he is. He basically plays the same character in every romantic comedy he's in, and is fine here. Sarah Jessica Parker..well that's another story.

To be frank, she is terrible in this movie, and not by a little. One reason she was so good in Sex And The City, is that she was Carrie Bradshaw. A total New Yorker...and that was it. In SATC, the idea wasn't to be funny, the show was so well written, it just WAS funny. Here, they ask her to be funny, and she's just not. She is irritating, predictable, and one dimensional. Her physical comedy is awful, her timing is lame, and she has done everything on screen she's ever going to do. She has no new game, and here it kills her, and the movie. She looks borderline unhealthy on screen, and has no engagement with the other cast members, or us in the audience. Doesn't help that the only joke they wrote for her was how much she misses NYC. So it's not all her fault. But in a movie sense, she is the killer of this movie.

This movie is tenuous enough. Mediocre writing, a fragile idea, and predictability shoot this one down for the most part. Plus the first 3 minutes of this movie are enough for you to consider walking out of it. It really stumbles out of the gate. It does recover, but not enough to save the day.

Did You Hear About The Morgans. I dare you to laugh out loud at this one. Moments of fun, but overall, average to well below.

Christmas - Are You The Youngest?

You may be the youngest in your family, or know someone who is in theirs. Although not many I know really like being the youngest, at Christmas time it can be a blessing. I am the youngest in my family and not by a little. My sister is 7 years older and my brother 5. Although it doesn't matter now, it once did. Christmas as the youngest.

When I was about 6 or so on Christmas Day, my brother somehow talked me into riding down the carpeted staircase in our house on board the smooth, cardboard box his new electric football game came in. I FLEW down the steps, all 17 of them at lightning speed. I bolted right down the steps, through the small hall and right into the foyer at seemingly the speed of sound. As I crashed into the front door, my dad was there to pick me up, brush me off and assure me that I was OK and that the sonic boom I created with my jet supersonic run, didn't scare my mom too much. But I was embarrassed, and on that day I really felt like the youngest. Duped by a much wiser, more cunning adversary, who preyed on the meek. - Me. That record breaking Evil Knievel run, burned into my young mind like a branding iron. But all was OK. We were all kids and I was the youngest.

A few years later on Christmas day after we all opened our gifts from Santa, we took the new sled riding toys out to a hill near our house for a test run in the Metroparks. The hill was not too tall, and not too small for me. Just right. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were the only ones there. The fun we had. Run after run, pictures, and home movies. That day it was good to be youngest. Maybe it was because I remember feeling in between that day. My dad was really good at that. That day, I got just enough attention to fill the youngest in me, and enough independence to climb back up the hill all by myself. And if I needed help, I got just the perfect amount of assistance from someone. It was a sunny day, a perfect day. It was Christmas card stuff on Christmas Day, and it was sent special delivery to my memory that very morning, and is still there today - no postage due.

A few years later I was 16. Christmas day that year was the last day my dad was ever home in his own house. He was unable to keep up with the cancer he had been diagnosed with a few months earlier. That morning we went over and picked him up from the hospital and brought him home for just the day. I remember lifting him out of the car, and into a wheelchair. And into chairs at the house. I helped him do about everything he needed that day that needed muscle. I had grown. I was a big kid. I didn't talk a lot with him that day, but there was an understanding, and a transference undeniable that afternoon. For it was that day that I got the full understanding that I was my fathers son. And the cycle was complete. He had done all he could do in the time he was allowed. As I remember it now, I tried to give him just the right amount of help he needed on that day. Just as he had with me on Christmas days gone by.

Sometimes I wonder if I did it right. I hope I did. ....Those kind of times can be a tough balancing act. Plus I was dealing with an expert. After all, my dad was the youngest in his family too.

Merry Christmas!

MOVIE REVIEW - Invictus

The new Clint Eastwood directed drama, Invictus hits the theaters this weekend.

Invictus stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in the early 1990's, and chronicles his days as the newly elected President of South Africa. Mandela of course was jailed in his country for 30 years. But after his release he is elected President, and his job is to put his nation back together after years of violence and terrible racial disharmony.

Mandela chooses many avenues to healing a torn nation, but Invictus focuses on his relationship with the South African National Rugby team. Rugby is huge in his nation, and he channels his energy there. He challenges his team to win the World Cup of Rugby. Mandela believes that this group of athletes and this team, with world wide TV exposure will be the unifying measure to help heal his divided nation.

Invictus is not a sports movie per say. Not many people in our nation know one thing about rugby, and in Invictus it doesn't matter. Eastwood is so skillful as a story teller that you are swept away in this ride without knowing what the sport it all about. Invictus is so well done, so moving and so perfectly put together, it sails right along with the greatest of ease.

Eastwood is Hollywood's premiere story teller right now. Back to Unforgiven, and on to Million Dollar Baby, Changeling, and Gran Torino, Eastwood continues to find stories worth telling. He also tracks down stories and characters you've never seen before on screen. His movies over the past 15 years or so are the best works of his life. He casts these movies extremely well and gets the most out of those fortunate enough to work with him.

All great movies start with a really great story and that's what Invictus is. You don't know the story going in, and you are well aware of it after you leave. In this year of a lot of really mediocre movies, it is great to see this gem in theaters just in time for the movie going public to watch the master in action.

Morgan Freeman, and Matt Damon star and are both fantastic, Toss in a well cast, well developed supporting cast, a killer, and eclectic soundtrack and you've got one of the years best movies.

Invictus........"I am the master of my fate.....I am the captain of my soul." - William Ernest Henley from his famous poem. Absolutely fantastic. One of the years best by far.

Tiger In The Tank

A generation ago, I think it was the gasoline company Exxon had a slogan, "Put a tiger in your tank!" It was in reference to how great their gasoline was. Was it? I don't know, but we bought it anyway. It was believable, solid and trustworthy. Things has changed in our view of the oil companies since.

The sport of golf put a Tiger in their tank too, Tiger Woods. And the sport has taken off to never before seen heights. He too was believable, solid and trustworthy. Things have changed there too. Now Tiger is clearly IN the tank. On and off the air the other day on WQMX my partner Sue Wilson and I were discussing this story, and the were thinking, has any star, anywhere ever gone from this greatest ever, to being just a lousy guy in this short or time? We thought for a while, and couldn't think of one. One day up here, seven days later... well....It's almost unreal.

I can't say I've ever been a Tiger fan. I love golf and have always marveled at the sheer greatness of his game. Golf is probably the worlds toughest game to play well, and I think he's the greatest player to ever pick up a club. I have never cared for his antics on the course though. His club throwing, foul mouth, and overal elitist approach to the game has always troubled me as a fan of the game. And to be frank, I really don't care who, or how many women Tiger sleeps with, or who he sends steamy texts to. If he wants people taking pictures of him in compromising postiions, that's his business. But the the "shark in bloody waters" media does, and so does the "let's watch a car wreck over and over" public. I could also care less what his sponsors do with him. Actually, it makes no difference what they do or not. Tiger Woods is monetarily rich forever.

Even if you're with me on the above points, I still think there is something that bothers us about this whole thing. We feel duped. We feel that even though we may not be fans, we feel badly that we were sold a bag of goods that didn't exist. Because of all the money he's accepted and made in his life, we're buying into so much more than golf. We're buying into an overall image Tiger wants, and relies on us to buy into that has nothing to do with sports. It's tough to watch all the great highlights of his career these days. Seeing all his greatness, and now feeling bad that I ever felt good for him, or that I marveled at his immense talent. In short, it's tough not to think he's just a bad guy.

Trying very hard not to be judgmental, everyone makes mistakes no doubt. Everyone did or does things that we wish we could get back, the author included. But the difference here is, we are not accepting 200 million a year to be something we're not. It's tough not to think that Tiger thought he could do whatever he wanted, when he wanted, with whomever he wanted. AND get the money, AND get the fame on an unparalleled level, AND expect the privacy. And the worst part? That we would be so dumb and never be the wiser, and we would continue to admire and exalt him all the while.

Maybe Tiger should have just given the money back, and played with his buddies on Sunday like the rest of us. Arnold Palmer said that to him once when Tiger was complaining to him that his life was so busy and pressure filled. Very apt. Jack Nicklaus and Palmer blazed the trail for Tiger, generations before and didn't get 200 million a year to do it.

Is Tiger a bad guy? I don't know him so I can't say. But one thing I think we all may agree on is this. If we had someone less famous as part of our own lives that treated us this way, profiting in every imaginable way all the while making a fool of us?

I'm just sayin'.

MOVIE REVIEW - Everybody''s Fine

It's a big, big cast lead by Superstar Robert DeNiro in the new flick, Everybody's Fine new a the box office this week. DeNiro, Kate Beckensdale, Sam Rockwell, and Drew Barrymore star in this modern day family drama.

DeNiro stars as Frank Goode. He is a recently widowed and retired electrical worker who worked his whole life so his kids could grow up and realize all their dreams. His four children are now all grown up and live in various parts of the country. A family weekend is planned, but all of his kids cancel at the last minute. Frank, determined to find out why sets out on a unannounced journey to each of their houses to find out what is going on with his kids. What will he find? That's Everybody's Fine in nutshell.

Right up front. Buyer beware! I have to say I am a bit disturbed by the misleading packaging of this movie. In the trailers, it looks like sort of a holiday, fun, mild family drama, that most of us can relate to. Well true, much of this storyline may be relatable, it is not light or fun. For me it was on the other end. Much heavier, and darker than I think is promised. It's the story of a bunch of dishonest grown children that think dad is some kind of moron, and they go to great lengths to lie, and overall just treat dear old dad horrible when he comes to visit.

Each child he tracks down, tosses him out in lies and deceit...and merrily sends him on his way after he travels thousands of miles to see them. Dad gets the boot, he gets mugged, he gets his lifesaving medicine destroyed and he's just flat out treated horrible by his kids. They are hiding family. and personal secrets from him, and think they are getting away with it. Their not! Ovcr all, it's the story of a 65 year old man, who learns he has a tremendous gap between himself and the younger generation he reared and now has to deal with.

This may be a story worth telling I guess. But in this movie, it doesn't work. Most will be stunned at the lack of any real levity or humor this movie pretends to have. It is not a feel good movie at all. And that's OK. But don't tell me that it's one thing, and then give me another.

Deniro is fine here. It's a big role and new ground for him as an actor. The supporting cast is strong, but misused here. A somber soundtrack, and over used technique on many levels, lead to a very boring and very morose story that's hard to watch at holiday time. This story may read better in book form than be told in movie form.

Everybody's Fine. Truth is NO body's fine here. Misleading, over all sad here with no real reason to be made. You may find this movie fine, and that's fine. But not at all what they said it would be.

MOVIE REVIEW - Brothers

Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllanhaal and Natalie Portman star in the new drama, Brothers at the box office this weekend.

It's a big movie, with and equally big new star cast. I must confess, after seeing the trailers for this one, I had rather low expectations. I was wondering about the timing of putting a heavy, drama from the Middle East war ramifications move in theaters at holiday time. But being fair, I was surprised.

It's the story of two brothers, Sam and Tommy. Sam is a decorated marine, married and has two little girls. Tommy is a dead beat underachiever who can't get his life on track. Sam is deployed to the Middle East, and has the absolute worst trauma imaginable. He is reported to be dead, and his wife goes on with her life. With the assistance of Tommy, who is attempting to grow up and help Sam's widow recover.

Then, Sam is NOT dead. He returns to the states and is reunited with his family. But needless to say he is a changed man in every regard. That is the drama that is Brothers. And it is heavy to be sure.

Brothers is a very hard to watch movie at times. Scenes of extreme torture at times. And also deals with some heavy duty mental illness. This movie could make some squeamish. But if you can wade through, it ends up being a very well done movie, that very well could have gone off the road and become something it didn't need to be. It hold it's head up pretty well, and although it becomes a bit draggy in the second half as compared to the first half, it's not a movie killer.

All performances are strong, Story good. Directed wonderfully, and in the end, not the total downer it could have been.

Brothers. Well done.

A Favorite Day!

We all have days of the year that are among our favorites. Whether it's your anniversary, or birthday, or someone else's special day. There are a few that we each reserve for especially for ourselves.

One of my favorite days of the year is the opening day, and then the ensuing days of the WQMX Tree Of Lights. It is an Akron tradition dating back to the years that were a bustling downtown and O'Neils Department Store. It is now a staple at the WQMX studios in West Akron. This year is our tenth annual celebration of giving back to the community that has supported us so well all year long. This year, as it has been for the past couple of years the charitable organization on the receiving end of your generous donation is Akron's Haven Of Rest. Where those without homes can start again.

When we set out in an act of benevolence for a worthwhile group such as the Haven, there is an inherent goodness that permeates our building on West Market Street. I don't know, there's just something right... about doing something right... for the right people. It's a prefect confluence that unfortunately is much too rare these days. It puts a buzz in the company. It's breathable in the air, and palpable in every employees heart during these precious few December days. The WQMX crew gets slaps on the backs, and congrats from our fellow stations here at Rubber City Radio. Be it told, that simple act from our sister stations, news staff, and office workers really helps you get through the long hours that are a radiothon. It's appreciated more than you know.

It's not easy or comfortable to think about homeless people in our city or any city for that matter. But it is a harsh fact of the changing world around us. The economy has been tough, and seemingly more and more people are in need of help today. We seldom stop to think why some people end up with no place to go. We quietly know that they are there. Most of the time there are dark,hidden factors that lead to someone having no home. Few of them pleasant to really think about. Be that as it may, these souls still need a place to go to shed themselves from falls early chill and winters wicked wind. And it is good to know that the Haven Of Rest is there, every hour of every day...always. Picking up the pieces of those badly broken, and start to put them together again. When the rest of us wouldn't begin to know where to start.

In our line of work sometimes we get to do some really fun things and meet some really interesting people and that's all well and fine. But for me, among the most satisfying days are those set aside to do good. And this is good. But it's more than just being good, it feels good. And it is right.

Thank you for supporting us all these years with the WQMX Tree Of Lights. I know that at weeks end, we will all look up in wonder at our lit tree. We will take pride in that we had a job, pursued and accomplished. As a community we can share in the pride that in the end it was us. All of us, that were in the right place at the right time......doing right.

Let's light the Tree!

Scott

MOVIE REVIEW - Twilight - New Moon

This movie has been out for a while and it's success can not be disputed in any way shape or form. It is an international hit, raking in the cash as fast as people will spend it. But we all know that doesn't always translate into being a great movie.

New Moon is the second in the Twilight series. Bella and Edward are back at it again. Edward of course is the dreamy vampire with an undying love for our damsel, Bella. Bella our Plain-Janey high school senior who also shares the obsession for Edward and his love. To be honest, it's just Romeo and Juliet all over again in it's most raw form. But this time we have a twist.

After Edward leaves Bella because they "just can't be together," Bella starts to use, and hang out with a new local boy, Jacob. And low and behold.....he turns out to be a werewolf. What are the odds? Vampires and werewolves of course are arch rivals, and the eternal triangle is on. Edward returns to the picture after threatening to kill himself, because he believes Bella has killed herself. But truth is, no one killed themselves and now we have to sort out this whole who loves who thing.

I know, to explain this in writing sounds so silly. But to the targeted audience, young girls and tweens, this is serious business. They hang on every word of the low, morose, monotone dialogue that time after time explains how Edward and Bella can't live without each other. This goes on for seemingly....hours. And it must be fun to watch Bella throw herself into a daily hysterical crying fit in her sleep, and mope around in total mental anguish and agony for months after being dumped by Edward. Mix in some dark music, and a super heavy feel and this is the perfect storm for it's fans.

Putting aside all the far fetched plot lines, and dramatic aspects to this movie and trying hard to maintain an open mind, New Moon has some other troubles that go beyond the actual movie making. Some may find it troubling that Bella and Edward at such a young age, live in this world of total obsession where nothing else matters in the world. Wanting to die rather than live apart. It is unhealthy romance personified. But then again so was Romeo And Juliet 500 years ago, so it's nothing really new. It's just here in modern movie form.

But to be fair, the trouble here is the plot line. The odds of the same girl falling for both a vampire AND a werewolf? Well....OK...I guess. But I think we could've gone in a different direction here and we can still be dark, and morose, and over the top dramatic too. It's just too "out there." Trouble too, they better wrap this thing up, because both Kristin Stewart (Bella) and Robert Pattinson (Edward) are looking more 25 these days than 18. I'm just sayin."

Twilight, New Moon. If you're a fan go ahead and get your ticket, throw yourself at the screen and live it up! If you're over say......22 or so?......There are better options for your movie dollar these days.

MOVIE REVIEW - Old Dogs

John Travolta and Robin Williams star in the new Disney comedy, Old Dogs.

It's from the same people, literally that gave us Travolta in, Wild Hogs a year or two ago, and the basic premise is in tact here. Travolta and Williams star as two nice guys and business partners who are not as young as they used to be lets say. A bit past their prime, and not really realizing it. Both single, one divorced and none of them ever had kids. Well until now.

Turns out that Robin Williams character DOES have kids. Twins! From a fling in Miami South Beach 7 years earlier. When he finds this out, life goes into a tailspin for both of these mid-life crisis guys. Their company is in the middle of a huge deal that needs attention, and now so do his kids, and all of their lives. So there's the deal.

Old Dogs is a typical comedy with some of the typical laughs you'll see in many movies and on America's Funniest Videos. It is amazing to me how Disney and other studios continue to beat the same drum time after time. You know, some crude humor, a few shots to the groin, for some reason studio's still think is funny. But there are some real funny moments here that are a bit original that help balance it all out.

Travolta has an exceptionally funny, "facial paralysis" scene that had me howling. And Williams at times has some physical comedy stuff that is pretty funny as well. With all that said, there are some laughs here. But there's also some real predictability as well as some bad writing, lousy dialogue and a few gags that don't work as well as expected.

There are some fun cameo's too here, that I won't give away from some fun Hollywood Stars that you don't see coming that helps as well. Old Dogs although with it's troubles it is entertaining and is good for the whole family and at this time of the year, I'm good with that. That gives it a pass to a degree.

Old Dogs. Some old gags, some old jokes to be sure. But still some fun for all. Not great, not horrible either. Over all, for the most part family fun.

Hooray For Harley!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and yes I watched my share of football like every other American man. But I also found myself again watching a little bit of the Westminster Dog Show, that has also become a Thanksgiving Day tradition on TV the past year or two.

I didn't get carried away and sit there for hours on end wondering which pampered pooch was going to win, but I couldn't help but notice these are extraordinary dogs. But they're not Harley! Harley the goofy, big white dog with long legs is truly the most extraordinary dog I know.

Harley is Florida dog. He belongs to my life-long friend Tim and his wife Kelly. They are huge dog lovers and have owned a bunch of real nice dogs over their 25 year plus marriage. I have loved them all, but Harley has a story to tell. Harley is some kind of big white dog with long legs, block eyes, and a very expressive face. Harley almost never barks, sweet as can be. He lives a great life, with doggy doors, a fenced in yard, plenty of Florida sun on a canal, with screened in pool area. The pool though was and is not Harley's friend.

Years ago, while Tim was working on the pool area, with the built in pool empty for maintenance, Harley had a mishap. Harley did, and still does have this strange habit of walking backwards for who knows what reason, (remember he is goofy). And this day it cost him as he backed up and fell into the empty pool. According to Tim, Harley's front legs were completely smashed and broken. A freak accident for sure.

What do you do? A young, sweet dog, with a lot of naps and barks and time left to go at the bottom of your empty pool....shattered. Tim called Kelly at work. The decision was made. "Harley's gonna make it" - period. Harley was scooped up and off to the vet.

Harley had both of his legs completely rebuilt with titanium rods, hinges, bolts and screws and who knows what else. Sounds far fetched? (no pun intended) But true. Harley is darn near bionic in his front legs, but he still has them, and they work just fine all these years later. The cost? I don't know, but Tim jokingly says with a smile the the dog better live to be 100...in human years. We all laugh at that line and at the dramatic story that Harley himself cannot tell. Harley probably couldn't make it though airport security, but I don't think Harley's planning any vacations soon.

To look at Harley you would never know he was once broken in half and his life hung in the balance at the pool's bottom with two people that could have easily chosen another option. But it was Harley's destiny to live on. Today, he's they greatest dog with the greatest life. You can see it on his face, he's glad to be here, and I'm glad he is too. When we go to visit a time or two a year, Harley remembers me , likes me, and spends time with me as I make a big deal over him, and he's earned it. Harley gets it. More importantly, Tim and Kelly get it. Both the gifts Harley dishes out daily and the fact that good dogs....are just flat out worth it.

I have no idea who won the Westminster Dog Show and to be honest I don't really care. Because none of them regardless of the bloodline, or any of the snooty blah blah, can compare to the extraordinary journey taken by a simple big white some kind of dog - Harley! The titanium dog!

Saving Sandra Bullock

Title sounds a bit silly I know, but as I prepared to write this piece it became more and more clear to me it was the way to go here.

I should say up front, I have been a fan of Sandra Bullock for a long time. I loved her in Speed, at the beginning...so likable in her role. And as Lucy in While You Were Sleeping, I thought she was perfectly cast in a relateable role for many. There have been a ton of movies since, and to be perfectly honest with you, as much as I have always liked her there were times it was becoming more difficult to embrace her as tightly as I did before.

There have been good flicks here and here, but a whole lot of ho-hummers too. Not to mention some real barking doggy's too, (Speed 2, and some other silly sequels and the like.) In my eye Sandra was walking dangerously close to the Will Farrell window to cash in her movie chips. I was wondering if she had done everything on screen she was ever going to do. Was the tank empty, and is that all there was? I always felt that was Meg Ryan's trouble. She did one thing....well....but the tank went dry.

But 2009 has been great to Sandra Bullock. To me, The Proposal is the surprise hit of the year. A new kind of comedy for her, and a gigantic hit. I reviewed it well, as did others. She was on the way to reinventing herself. I could have done without All About Steve, but then the home-run!.....Deeeeeep into the upper deck!

Bullocks performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy in the new feel good movie, The Blind Side to me changes everything for her. Sandra Bullock has never been better than this role. A real grown-up role in a real nice movie. Blond hair, new horizons, and a different Bullock than we've ever seen before. To me, she's never looked better, or been better in front of the camera. Her performance here is not just good, but it's a transformation I hope. A real nice dramatic role with room still for her charm. A solid story that's worth telling too. A sports movie with a heart that beats and a soul that's real. A graduation into a different stage of her career. And with all due respect to the first part of her very successful run, the best could still be to come. She is terrific here.

As where Farrell and others became stuck in the same roles with the same jokes and virtually the same movie time after time, I feel maybe Bullock has seen the light, and come to grips that she doesn't want to be the fore mentioned Farrell, and no one else wants her to either. To become a parody of oneself is a big kick in the equally big teeth, and 2009 has steered Bullock into a seemingly new and explorative new direction.

If you haven't seen The Blind Side, you should. Bullock is great and carries the day in a real nice feel good movie. Oscar? I'm don't know, but that's not what's important here. What is pertinent, is the re-igniting of a real Hollywood Star rising wonderfully into a new constellation of her career.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Blind Side

There certainly has been a slew of advertising for the new Sandra Bullock movie, The Blind Side new at the theater this weekend.

The Blind Side stars Bullock, and Tim McGraw in a true story about Micheal Oher who just this spring as drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL as an offensive tackle. His journey to the NFL was not an easy one and this movie picks up is life at about 16 years of age or so.

Bullock and McGraw star as Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy. A very well to do southern married couple that live in Memphis with their two young children. Their kids attend a private school where they cross paths with "Big Mike" (Micheal). His story is very sad. He is basically homeless, with one shirt and a pair of shorts. His father is dead, and his mom is on crack. Big Mike, has never had any kind of life whatsoever. The Tuohy's, lead by Leigh Ann take him in to their home, and give him a chance. That is the basic plot here. But there's more to this movie than just a simple plot.

TBS is a well done, well told movie that reminds us that though we all are fallible, and so are our characters in this movie, but there still are some really generous people all around us. I think all of us like to think that people with great means, are still thoughtful enough to give back and make a difference. This family really did save this young man, and it's a story worth telling.

From a movie standpoint Sandra Bullock is in a new kind of role here we've not seen her in before. And that's refreshing. She is powerful and commanding as the stubborn southern belle woman that you both can love and hate at the same time. Bullock has never branched out this far, she's never looked better on screen and never been better in front of the camera. Far and away the best role of her career as a grown up actress.

It also embraces the really smart idea of a good sports movie. Although Michael's destiny is football in college and the NFL, this is a movie far more about life than football. I always think those sports stories make the best sports movies. When there's a story worth telling, and sports just happens to be in thread that runs through the script and not become the script.

TBS has a few peaks and valleys. A slow spot or two, some of the dialogue and formula is basic and predictable but it's not in the way here. The Blind Side is a powerful story that makes you feel good, and that's not a bad thing while at the movies. I liked every frame of this movie.

The Blind Side. Good for virtually everyone. Well done, very well done.

MOVIE REVIEW - 2012

Over the weekend, the new end of the world epic, 2012 was the big winner at the box office.

It's just the first of many upcoming doomsday movies Hollywood has planned for you on the horizon. Let's hope the next one is a whole lot better than this......"epic." Every once in a while a bunch of mid-level "stars" get together and gang up in one of these kind of blockbusters because over the long term, these pay a bunch of money. And that's the only reason I can see for this group to possibly put themselves out there for this embarrassment.

The ancient Mayan Calender predicts that the winter solstice 2012 is the end of days. The planets will line up and complete catastrophe will ensue, and the entire world will be wiped out by earthquakes, giant tidal waves, fires, solar bursts..blah blah blah.....That is the basic premise here. Then we have to decide who will live and who will die to start over again in the new world that will emerge after the disaster.

Lot's of silent and loud statements being made here again by Hollywood. Certain members of the big bad American government are horrible terrible, while the rest of the world's leaders are wonderful, caring compassionate people. We can't even get the end of the world right...sheesh! Toss in a completely stupid plot, (if you can call it that) a soundtrack that's been used I think in Independence Day and every other disaster movie since 1995, and special effects that are bordering on the boring, over used and just flat out video-gamey. (With gamy being the operative word here) This is a two and half hour disaster alright.

2012 is so contrived, so predictable, so "I've seen this before", it's almost laughable. It's hard to actually put into words just how bad this thing really is. Tough not to be bored here, because you've seen this before in movie after movie the exact same formula and story. If this is your first movie like this, you may be the lone wide-eyed "gosh this is great" person in the theater. Understanding that there is intended built in fun here it still doesn't save it, in fact it makes it worse...much worse. It doesn't take itself too seriously at times, but it just doesn't work.

2012. To be square it was so bad, I wouldn't have minded the actual end of the world about halfway through to put me out of my misery, but alas....I made it through. But you don't have to. 2012, one of this years real stinkers. Not just a disaster movie, but an complete and total disaster.

Veterans Day - The Right Idea

I am writing this in my home office today where I do most of my writing. I'm looking out the window at a perfectly sunny Veterans Day afternoon. If Veterans Day has a look, at least in my minds eye.... it's today. Nice and sunny, crisp.... just a nice mid-fall afternoon. And don't the Veterans deserve it? No doubt.

Veterans Day has been around now for almost a century. It's gone through some changes, including a name change. But one thing about Veterans Day hasn't changed and I feel will never change. Veterans Day has the right idea. It's the kind of holiday we need more of. It's rare that a holiday is brought to light, where virtually everyone agrees that there is a certain sect of our society that deserves to be recognized and honored. Those that decided that their love of liberty, freedom, and this country are more important than anything else. No matter what your political ideology is, tough to find fault in that.

Think about it. Most holidays involve some form of gift giving, card sending, or some form of stress induced preparation beforehand. Even seemingly simple birthdays over the past 20 years or so have become major productions, with real planning, complications, and major money flying out a door to nowhere. Even unassuming Thanksgiving can be stressful. With the planning, the invites going out, and the pressure to "get it right." But not Veterans Day.

Veterans day is among the most important, and good holidays we have. It's a day we all can agree on and participate in. It is inherently good, because all it involves is the exchange of human kindness between the lot of us, and the few of them. Simply remembering, and thanking a Veteran is all that's required. How good is that? Taking the time to go slow, and show......appreciation for a job, not just well done, but for a life decision... that was done well.

Truth is most of us are not Veterans. And that's OK. We do great things too, we volunteer, help others, and be good neighbors. All commendable. But it's good that there is one day a year that we set aside to really put some thought into those with a different calling. That there was a single day in their lives that they sat down, and signed over their lives to something far larger than themselves. We throw around the term "awesome" in popular speech all the time, but we seldom mean it literally, and seldom does it really apply. But the commitment Veterans chose to make, and subsequently do, and did make? I think "awesome" applies....literally.

My father was a WWII Veteran. Enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942, after giving up a full-ride football scholarship to Duke University. I am looking at this framed letter right now from the athletic director at Duke dated May 6, 1943 wishing him well, and asking he report back to Duke "after all this mess is over" (WWII). He was a tail-gunner in a B-25 bomber in the South Pacific for the wars duration, and even was in occupied Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima. He came back in one piece and went to Ohio University, and never played football again. He graduated at 28 years old. Too old to start a possible career in the up and coming NFL. Something he dreamed of. Sacrifice. Just one small story in a sea of huge stories Veterans have to tell from wars and eras still with us.... and gone by.

Amazing people these Veterans. Who through the years and the changes in our world, never cease to amaze us with their love of country, their pursuit of the good, and their sacrifice for the many. It's not everyone that has the wherewithal to search far within themselves, and so willingly give theirs...... so the rest of us...can have ours.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Box

Cameron Diaz stars in the new mystery thriller The Box.

The Box is the story of a young couple in 1976 living in Richmond, Virginia with their young son. They get by, but are not rich by any means. One day out of the blue, they are presented with a very strange proposition. A small box is left on their front porch with a red button. Attached is a note. A man named Mr. Steward will visit you at 5pm to discuss this box.

When he shows up, he presents them with an option. If they push the button, someone on earth with die that they do not know. And they will receive 1 million dollars for their effort. Decline and the box is picked back up in 24 hours, and the offer will go to someone else. So it's a choice of conscience movie. What would you do? And who on earth would make such an offer? These are the predicaments to The Box.

This movie is based on a short story called Button, Button. And you can certainly tell that while watching The Box. It's a rather compelling story and a real good idea. But to be honest there just isn't enough here for a 2 hour movie. The Box struggles with it's pacing badly. Slow, slow, slow...sheesh let's go here. Some real disjointed plot lines, and lousy dialogue really put a drag on The Box. It was so slow I was trying to push the button hoping it would movie this thing along.

One real bright spot though, Frank Langella as Mr Steward is remarkable. Langella is a fine, fine actor, and in his important but limited role, he is really the movie bright spot. I think Langella would be great in whatever movie he would choose. And in a movie that is really not very good, he is splendidly good.

The Box. It's a short story, and too long a movie. Rent this movie over the winter is you wish, when Netflix is running low on ....everything else. Or wait till it's on TNT 5 times a week in 3 years.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Fourth Kind

On the heals of Paranormal Activity, is another "out of this world" story with The Fourth Kind. To be honest with you, I don't really know what to make of this movie. It is such a mixed bag of the good and not so good. Let's look it over.

This is the supposedly true story of Dr. Abigail Emily Tyler. She was a Psychologist that uses hypnosis to help her clients see their way through their difficulties. Her practice is in Nome, Alaska. Using government statistics, Nome has had more visits from the Federal Government over the past few years than any other city in the country. Strange disappearances, murders, and flat of unexplained happenings a plenty. After the mysterious death of her husband, she goes on with her life, and finds that many of her clients are having strange sleep habits. and are seeing the same terrifying images that come out in her therapy sessions. What is the root of it? I'll stop there in case you are going.

But there is murder, abductions, and downright terror going on in this town, and some seem to think that this trouble is following her. Is she to blame, or not?

TFK, is a bio-pic/docudrama that has allows you to make the call on whether you believe this story or not. And they make no apologies for it. It's a mixture of Hollywood drama scenes in the true movie form, and a mixture of "actual footage" from Dr. Tyler's sessions with her clients. There is also plenty of actual audio footage plus supposed footage from police dashboard cameras as well. Also there is tons of footage of the actual Dr.Tyler mixed in throughout during an in depth interview with her on some network somewhere. Troubling and convenient too, some of the "actual footage" that would be the most compelling is "distorted" and not discernible at all. To their credit, they don't apologize for it, but it doesn't help the case for being real. That is The Fourth Kind.

This is actually pretty interesting movie making. I'm not at odds with the style of this movie, or the performances. But I have to admit, I can't help but wonder if we're not all getting taken here. Are we being introduced to a sympathetic soul in Dr Tyler and her horrible ordeal, or are we being bamboozled by and incredibly insane mad woman, who is now making a buck off other peoples horrible misfortune? They actually say, "You be the judge" at the movies end. As interesting as some of this movie was in the movie making sense, I am uncomfortable with the motivation of the real Dr. Tyler for bringing this story to the screen. There's just something not right here with me on this one.

The Fourth Kind. I'm just not buying it. I'm leaning heavily towards bamboozled.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Men Who Stare At Goats

The Men Who Stare At Goats may be the strangest movie title of the year, and it's a rather strange story to boot. A real nice cast here, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey. Ewan MacGregor, and Jeff Bridges star in this bizarre story based of true events. Very "out there" events in our nation involving our military.

We go back to the early 80's. The United States Army has begun a psychic division of the Army. "Super Soldiers" or "Jedi Warriors" they will be called, who use psychic powers to get the upper hand on our enemies. This is an officially sanctioned and functioning branch of the army that existed and eventually disbanded.

But now we flash forward to 2003. The war in Iraq is on, and reporters are flocking to get there to report on the new conflict. This is the story of one reporter who goes to Iraq, and meets up with one of the former psychics, who claims he is there and has been redeployed to join the war effort.

From there it is a deeply complicated plot line that needs more seeing, than reading. But I will tell you this movie does a lot of things really, really right. Clooney, Spacey and Bridges play some of these strange-o guys, with MacGregor as the Midwestern reporter that finds himself in the middle of all this in the Middle East. A very funny story with great performances, snappy dialogue and a real nice soundtrack. "Goats" is an adult comedy, but you don't need a masters degree to get it. You always have to remember that this movie is based on true events, and not a true story...word for word.

The Men Who Stare At Goats. Very entertaining, fun, and eye opening. A real good night at the moves, as a real good story ends up in the hands of four big stars and delivers a real nice movie. Good....real good.

Movie Review - This Is It

It's been a number of months since the death of Michael Jackson, and now the movie many have been waiting for is here, This Is It!

No doubt you've heard about this movie. What it is, of course is the footage of the rehearsals and such from what was to be his huge concert tour, This Is It. Of course, it never happened. I purposely waited to see this movie. I wanted to see it with a small crowd and I did. I really wanted to see this movie for what it is. And to be honest, this is a real good movie.

Now let's not get carried away here. You've heard some Oscar buzz for this movie, and I suppose in some category there could be nominations, and maybe a win or two. But let's get a hold of ourselves here. This is not the best movie of the year, and shouldn't even be in that conversation. TII though is a very interesting movie that shows you once and for all, the sheer talent MJ was. You may have to divorce yourself from what you think of him personally and watch only what is on the screen. Fans of MJ will see this movie again and again. If you're a curious bystander, once will suffice.

With all that he was, good, bad, weird, strange, and all of that. MJ was certainly a monster talent. Even at 50 years old, his performance in this movie under candid footage is terrific. He appears to have great vision for his show, energy, and of course he still movies like he was 30.

I can't sit here and tell you I'm a MJ fan either. When he was in his prime, I was more focused on country music and true rock-n-roll, which he was not. MJ was the King Of Pop...period! I was aware he was around, but overall the music was too soft for me. But his legacy in stage show presence, and video making will go down in history as truly revolutionary. And if you were into MJ or not in the 80's, TII will remind you of his hey day and just how remarkably talented he was.

This Is It. This is supposedly a short two week run. Up front, you may have no interest in this movie whatsoever, and that's OK. But not being a real fan either, I will say this movie is real good...... for what it is. I'm still not a real fan even ofter seeing it, but he was a talent unlike very many others before or since.

Throw New York OUT!

I am not writing this from a point of anger or bitterness. Quite the contrary. I am writing and suggesting this from a point of passion for the game of baseball. More directly, Major League Baseball. It's simple, if you ever want to see your team win the World Series again, we have to throw the New York teams out of the league! Sound funny? Not as funny as the joke MLB is playing on us fans!

The New York Yankees are going to win their 27th World Series this year. And this is news to who? I knew this in June. I think most did. And this is a sad fact of the national pastime. Because of MLB's players and owners not putting in a salary cap for it's players, The Yankees can just buy this time after time. To me, the Yankees may be the worst franchise in baseball. They've been doing this for decades and only won 26 World Series in 100 or so years. To be honest, they should win it every year or at least half the time. And the Mets are even worse. They've spent zillions of dollars too and only have a couple of titles in almost 50 years!

Think about this. Players like CC Sabathia were signed in the off season by the Yankees. The Indians offered him a measly 80 million or so..... a few times. But that's not enough for a 26 year old who already has a number of million dollars. Sad. Why should he accept such a paultry dollar amount? When the Yankees will pay him twice that .. and did. I mean a mans gotta feed his family, ya know?

If this continues, in 15 to 20 years MLB will be in real trouble. Kansas City, Cleveland, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and tons of other cities will lose their fan base, and throw in the towel, being sick of being a farm club for the New York teams. Couple that with the fact that many new young fans don't want to be associated with anything less than championships. Why root for the home team, they always lose. They will jump ship to become front runners and be fans of teams like the Yankees. Not because they are the best team, but because they have the most money to buy the best team year after year. Great example huh?

So if MLB and it's completely non-caring about the game players won't cap this thing and do what is right, we should just throw the New York teams out the the Major League's to SAVE the league as a whole. Just kick them the heck out. No team in NYC! And maybe those crybabies in Boston too while were at it! If those three teams weren't around to pay off all of the great players, the competition would be better and fans would be re-energized all over the league. Then CC would be forced to somehow choke down the foul taste of a scrawny 80 million dollars!

Isn't is sad that on opening day that virtually 27 teams or so know, right then, they have no chance to compete, let alone win a title! Ridiculous. I heard some Yankee fan this summer whining that the Yankees haven't won the Word Series since 2001. Oh, grow up! Not our fault. You should have with all the money you've spent, and all the smaller teams you've raided and attempted to put of business with your cash. The majority of MLB teams haven't won it in 20, 30, or 40 years. How many great cities would love just a visit to the fall classic? Most I'm guessing.

Sad too, the Yankees will win it again and in reality, no one will care. Oh the 15 million or so supposed fans of New York will. BTW the vast majority of which can NEVER afford to go to a Yankee or Met game. I certainly could never be fan of a team that thinks so little of me that tickets were literally in the hundreds if not thousands of dollars per game. But the last time I checked we're a nation of about 350 million, and we don't care that they'll win at all. How can you? It's a total joke. Another BTW, have you watched any of the World Series this week? Didn't think so.

Like the hecklers at ball games yell, "Throw the bums out!" And do you know who would care? It's simple math.. About 15 million people. Oops, finally we win. 335 million of us to 15 million of you. Sad for you Yankee fans........you just can't compete with those numbers.

Sorry!

MOVIE REVIEW - Amelia

Hillary Swank is back and has everyone wondering if she can pick up a third Oscar with this new bio-pic, Amelia.

Amelia is the story of the legendary Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator from the 1920's and 30's. In addition to her many incredible aviation feats, is just as well known for being lost forever somewhere in the Pacific during her attempt to circumnavigate the world. A feat that no one had ever done in 1937, the year of her death at 40 years old.

Amelia stars Swank and Richard Gere as her long time lover and husband. This movie walks you through her years as a young pilot, and then into real adulthood as a pilot, pioneer, wife, friend and lover. Amelia attempts to show the complete woman that Earhart was both in the cockpit and in her personal life. And for the most part is very interesting.

Amelia doesn't wear out it's welcome, it is a tidy one hour and forty-five minutes. So that's not the trouble. Amelia starts off very faced paced, and with great energy. It does get a bit bogged down around it's middle, and we fly off to a love triangle that involves her, her husband and another aviator. Although this is compelling for a while, we stay there far too long. And it never really recovers completely. Ironically, just as Amelia ran out of gas in real life, Amelia sort of runs out of gas at the movie theater 72 years later.

But it's not a wash out. Swank is fantastic again in a major motion picture. Her portrayal as Earhart in uncanny in both look and speech. It is a command performance of the first order. Interesting for her, she can do a lot with a little. Amelia is not loaded down with long speechy, preachy dialogue as many bio-pics can from their main character. But it is a simple portrayal with a to the point script where she can shine, and Swank is magnificent yet again.

There is a wonderful display too of fantastic vintage aircraft to marvel at, and the costuming is really great. If there had been a stronger musical soundtrack from the era, it would have transported you back to the 30's much easier, I thought they really came up short there. Gere and the supporting cast though are great, and Amelia survives....at least here.

Amelia. Good night at the movies. I thought it would, it could, and probably should have been better a little better. But Swank if terrific. Will she win again? She'll be in the conversation, but not a lock like Million Dollar Baby. But she is worth the ticket. - Every time!

Turning Over A New Leaf

Many things can happen while out early and taking a five mile walk in the morning. That's exactly what I was doing this morning when I decided to try to have a change of heart about something that has always been with me. Fall - Autumn.

I don't think I'm alone, when I say I have never really cared much for fall. And with reason I guess. I like the warm weather and fall usually signifies the end of all that. With fall here, winter can't be too far away. Years ago, I learned of my dads cancer in the fall. ?As a kid school started in autumn. Plus every broken heart I've ever received or dished out has been in the fall. Coincidence? I don't know. But I know that the common denominator is not simply autumn.....but me too.

And even this week it continued when I received some sad news in my personal life, I thought man, another fall flop. But then a different colored light went on. As bright and as different as the leaves on the trees outside my office window right now. Maybe I've been looking at this fall business all wrong all these years. My partner on the show, Sue Wilson has always sung the praises of the third season. And as I walked today I decided that maybe her lead is one worth following. And she's not alone either. Many people love the fall.

Funny though, musically fall songs are always kind of sad ones. Autumn Leaves, September Song, Sealed With A Kiss, and there are others. Maybe to many fall represents the end, or the beginning of the change of things. Many people don't like change, so we sing about how much we don't like the end or the change. Hard to find a happy fall song.

So this year in attempting to turn over a new leaf, it's time to think of this season in new terms. This year it's the smell of the turkey and dressing. It's drives on state routes in that late afternoon. It's really noticing the brilliant colors that God and mother nature have teamed up to give us this year. It's also knowing I'll be taking a couple of trips to Florida to golf in the warm, when the rest are in the cold up here for a day or two. It's knowing that holiday visits with friends and family are coming.

On the show, it's Sue and I having fun discussing Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the first snow of the year with you! It's also looking forward to the light shortened days when Sue and I face the challenge of early morning drives to work in less than favorable conditions safely. Then embracing the busy morning with school closings and weather updates that are sure to come. It's the all part of the necessary around here, that wraps around and starts the cycle over again. In Akron, there is no warm without the cold first and last. It's the seasonal cycle of our lives.

Maybe it's your year to possibly rethink fall. I feel a weight of sorts off me today putting aside the usual gloom of fall, and trying to let in a whole new light. Early morning fall walks can do that. Looking at the colorful world in a brilliant sunrise, with just enough degrees to make it feel great. I recommend it highly. I do feel a bit lighter today, and that's energizing. Energy I'm going to need today while turning over that new leaf........

The leaves that I have to go out......(um).....leaves that I get to go out and rake right now.

MOVIE REVIEW - Paranormal Activity

You may have heard some buzz about this new Independent thriller Paranormal Activity. If you heard good buzz.....you heard right!

I have to admit, I was ready for bad here. There have been so many movies over the past few years that claim to be scary, or disturbing and few are. PA is not terrifying, but makes you think, and you can easily put yourself in the actors place. That fact alone, is skillful movie making.

PA is an amazing story outside of the actual movie. It was written and directed by Oren Peli, his first feature movie. It was made in 7 days while being filmed exclusively in his own home. All for under $15,000. More cool things? There are no opening or closing credits to this movie. It starts, and it ends. It does have two actors in it. Micah Sloate and Katie Feathersone. Who? Yea no kidding...doesn't matter.

I think as more young filmmakers grow up and begin their careers, you will see more movies just like this. The door opened on this a few years ago, with a movie called Open Water. Another real low budget movie with two actors and the knowledge of what scary really was.

In PA, Micah and Katie are young lovers that move in together in San Diego. She claims she has been haunted since she was 8 years old by some entity. To this point the haunting has been mild. Micah, in typical guy fashion sets out to protect her and solve this problem. All he ends up doing is further agitating the entity or demon, and escalates the haunting. He buys a big time night vision camera and video tapes the two sleeping every night to see what is going bump in the night. And there is plenty.

PA does all the right things to scare you. It knows what frightens you and exploits it to the hilt. Very Hitchcock -like in that regard. Virtually no blood, or violence, it doesn't need it. I gotta admit, it does get you thinking about what goes on in your house while you're asleep. The sleeping scenes, although repetitious are compelling and prey on your nerves. You may not want to see this if you have any reservations about sleeping in the house at night alone. This is NOT a slasher flick, and some will find it ho-hum. And that's too bad.

Filmed in the same style as Cloverfield, and The Blair Witch Project, with a single hand held camera. It is the camera Micha buys in the movie. Well done there. PA is not herky-jerky as the others which makes it easier to watch. Also it has another thing over both of those flicks. It's actually scary at times. Kudos too to the two actors here, Micah and Katie. Both very good. Katie especially as you can feel her terror through the screen.

Paranormal Activity. Disturbing for some I'm sure. The sleeper hit of the year so far. ....(no pun intended) This is a very good movie.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Stepfather

The supposedly scary movies just keep coming down the pike, and this week it's The Stepfather. No need for Sominex tonight, we've got his gem to put us right to sleep.

For heavens sake, The Stepfather is the story of a seemingly nice man, David, who for some reason marries older widows with children, then kills them. Only to move on and do it again. Why? We don't know, and we never find out. But one thing we do know, is that we are way smarter than this piece of garbage and are way ahead of it all the way. That is until it's terrible ending.

David, (Dylan Walsh) meets Susan (Sela Ward). She has three kids, and in a few short months, David lives with her, and they are getting married. He of course is not who she thinks he is. He has killed before, and is planning on doing it again. In this story, it it amazing how stupid all the characters are. NO one in the world would be this stupid and not pick up on the obvious warning signs that David is off. Word is too, that the law is after him, and sort of know who is really is, but there's no suspense of him getting caught. Again...stupid.

Huge flaw too, I am a big Sela Ward fan. She as Susan is beautiful, educated and very stylish 50 ish woman with three great kids. She's not real believable as a lonely, almost desperate widow. Her casting makes it hard to swallow the plot line. In the movie, she is Sela Ward and not Susan. She stands out as the movies lone star. Almost like a sore thumb. Walsh as the crackpot David is livable, but the writing is so horrible and predictable with completely ridiculous dialogue, it doesn't really matter. Both of these pretty good actors are completely shackled by a horrible screenplay, and they never have a chance to get this thing off the ground. You will be looking at your watch halfway through.

And here's one for you, I don't usually do this but I can't help it. If you've seen the trailer, there's a scene I'm sure is very intriguing to you. Maybe even scary, and you're wondering what happens there! If you've seen it you know what I'm talking about. Don't worry. That scene isn't even in the movie! No joke. There is a scene sort or similar, but it's not in. Wow!

The Stepfather. It doesn't add up. This is a Lifetime movie at best...at very best. It doesn't make sense, and doesn't deliver. Horrible.

It's A Dry Heat

I went for a 4 mile walk about 5:30 this morning. It wasn't raining when I left. About halfway through, it started. And although I was sort of prepared for the rain, I still got soaked on my way home. As I as walking up the driveway, I was thinking that I couldn't wait to get out of these clothes and take a shower.

In a few minutes it hit me. Why does everyone in the world do that? You get soaked and complain about how wet to the bone you are, and the first thing you do......is get even wetter by taking a shower? It just doesn't make any sense, but we all do it. So it got me thinking about other things that people say that make really make no sense at all.

"I was soaked to the bone." - No one actually knows this to be fact. If you are capable of actually checking the texture of any of your bones, you need to stop reading this blog right now and seek help from a medical professional.

"It's a dry heat." - A real favorite of people who think they're Mr. or Miss Vegas. Or maybe more importantly, have never been to the desert but pretend they have. I say the oven's a dry heat too. Maybe dryer! Stick your head in there and tell me it's not hot.

"It's not the heat, it's the humidity." - A real favorite of people who have been to Florida for one week of their life. If the humidity was 0%.....100 degrees in the blazing sun is still hot.

"What's the wind chill?" - Strangely enough, we only start asking this question when the temperature is like 0 degrees. Does it really make any difference? It's 0 degrees!

"I don't mind flying, it's just the landings." - Hey!............no one likes the landings!.....but after take - off, your choices become limited.

" I Laughed so hard I almost peed my pants." - Has this actually happened to anyone -ever? I for one, have never seen it. And what does one have to do with the other? And if you did "almost" you're certainly NOT going to tell that to the masses!

"If I just would have straightened that one out." - Almost exclusive to golfers and baseball players. Look, you didn't hit it straight! You hacked it off to the left, or hit it into the stands 80 feet foul.

And finally,

"No one said it was going to be easy." - You only hear this when it's absolutely the last thing you want to hear. Yea, that makes me feel a lot better under the circumstances. Appreciate it.

And there are these gems:
"At the end of the day." -What day?
"Shooting fish in a barrel" - Ever know someone to do that?

These are just a few and all in fun. Don't fret if you've them, I have too.

Just remember....."It's a dry heat!"

MOVIE REVIEW - Law Abiding Citizen

This is generally not the month for really great movies to hit the theaters. Lot's of slasher flicks, and movies that may not have been good enough to compete with the summer blockbusters. These are also movies that lack the game to mix it up with the big holiday movies still to come. So October is usually no mans land. But the new Gerard Butler thriller, Law Abiding Citizen is great in any season.

LAC is the story of Clyde (Butler) and his family. After his young family is murdered, Clyde takes his time and plans his revenge on whoever his deems responsible for the crime itself, and the crime committed in our penal system. Clyde is just "an average guy"....a law abiding citizen. Or is he? That is the primary plot in LAC. Jamie Foxx is the Philadelphia DA, who was in charge of this murder case, and no is on Clyde's case as he wreaks havoc over the Pennsylvania city.

Up front, LAC is NOT for everyone. It is violent, and downright gruesome at times. There are a few scenes where no punches are pulled, and it may make some very queasy. Clyde is angry, and he's not interested in anything except dishing out the same pain his family endured. Also up front, this is a compelling, smart, very well done thriller. It is a story that you HAVE and HAVE NOT seen before at the same time. We've all been down the dads revenge road, but Clyde is a very complex character that gives LAC real depth.

LAC is riveting, face paced, and doesn't wear out it's welcome. It has a story to tell; tells it and doesn't get in it's own way. To it's credit, it stays on task, and doesn't shoot off on side-plots and love stories that would only have watered down a real juicy script. It stays steely, hard, gritty, and downright dark at times. And that's it's beauty. Butler is terrific as the bitter, and complex Clyde, and Foxx again turns in a wonderful performance as Rice the DA, who you can't decide to root for or against. Well done.

Law Abiding Citizen. Harsh yes, but extremely well done. Well worth it. Big time good.

MOVIE REVIEW - Couples Retreat

It's been a few months so it must be time for another Vince Vaughn comedy, this one is called Couples Retreat. It also boasts a real nice supporting cast of up and comers, and fun character actors, and you may be priming yourself up for a real fall off your seat, roll in the aisles laugh-fest.

Don't worry, you won't need a seat belt. You will smile and you will laugh at times, but overall I'm thinking this is going to leave some Vaughn fans a little cold. CR is not a wash-out by any means. It's just not hilarious as it is being billed in the hype.

It's the story of four suburban young couples who agree to go on this retreat in one of the most beautiful places on earth so they can work on their relationships. Now I'm paraphrasing, but that's the general story here. What will they learn about their marriages and themselves? Through the laughs, that's the attempted storyline. They of course meet a cast of idiots and weirdo's on the retreat that make it amusing at times, but overall it's cheap laughs.

CR makes the huge mistake that many comedies do. If you've seen the TV spot, or the trailer at the theater, you've seen the whole flick. Every big punchline has already been delivered, and you have nothing new to discover. This is a huge problem in this movie. More than most. You've seen this movie before you sit down.

Also, as you might expect, they do sink to the lowest common denominator a few times to pull laughs out of you, and some of it works. Trouble is there's just not enough originality to go along with it to off-set the predictable bathroom stuff.

We could use a good laugh these days, and you'll get some here with CR, but I'm not sure it requires you to go buy a ticket when renting this flick in 9o days would be just fine.

Couples Retreat. Average Vaughn....just average.

MOVIE REVIEW - Whip It

You're going to hear a lot of bad reviews on this new Drew Barrymore directed movie, Whip It. And some of it justified. But just because there's a stack of pancakes on the counter, doesn't mean you have to pile more on. And I'm not going to.

Ellen Page is back as America's favorite troubled teen in this much-hyped roller derby flick. She plays, Bliss, who lives in deep rural Texas. Her mother is a beauty pageant mom, who is insistent that Bliss be a beauty queen, and it's the last thing Bliss wants to do. Bliss discovers this underground roller derby league in Austin that she wants to skate in. She lies to everyone in her life to get in, and eventually does. She becomes the roller derby "queen" and finally finds something that she loves to do.

Her parents have no idea their 17 year old daughter has this secret life, and that's one of the main plot lines. Will she get caught? And will Bliss find happiness, and at what cost? To be cliche, it is a coming of age movie but then again Ellen Page is the star. What else is it going to be?

I will be this first to admit, this movie is not perfect. There are a few very awkward scenes that I'm sure they wish they could get back. There is a silly "love story" attempt woven in, which is nothing but needless. And there's a few music choices that really stick out like a sore thumb, but it's not a movie killer. Problems yes. But from my chair it's still fun for the most part, and Ellen Page is still one of the best stars up and coming.

This movie has the independent studio look, and is a bit quirky like all Indy's are. Trouble here is, it's not "off beat" enough. It straddles the fence between being a mainstream flick and a odd ball Indy movie, and that's it's biggest trouble. Pages' Juno, was certainly a great example of a real off beat Indy flick that really worked. Whip It, falls short of Juno, but still holds it's own as a fun story that hasn't been told in a real long time.

Whip It. Be your own judge. I gave it a shot, and I'm glad. Not perfect for sure, but fun.

MOVIE REVIEW - Zombieland

To get? Or not to get?" That is the question. Zombieland IS that movie. Some people will walk in and laugh like the dickens, others won't.

Zombieland stars Woody Harrelson and others in a satirical look at the "Zombie" movies that Hollywood has been making for decades. I must admit, I finally learned what a "zombie" is! In Zombieland, it is a virus that is infecting the majority of Americans, and makes ordinary people turn into ravenous, cannibals that have to eat humans in order to survive! Who knew?

Our cast of characters here are not Zombies and want to stay that way. Two guys, two girls making their was across the country, trying to find a "zombieless" place, and fighting them off all the way. That's pretty much the premise here. This is not a deep plot, or War And Peace! This is Zombieland!

First and foremost, this is one violent movie. But hold on. There is about a million zombie kills in this flick, and they off them about in every way imaginable. But it's all done in a comic, satirical style that takes pretty much all the bite out of it. It's laughable to be honest, and that's the whole idea here. It's parody. It doesn't mean that it's not hard to watch sometimes, but it helps.

Zombieland will be a huge hit with the young crowd, and some will see this flick again and again. You might want to leave Nana at home here. This is a movie that a group of young friends can go to together and have a good laugh or two. I have to admit, the satire, parody, and shear absurdity did make me laugh a few times, and a couple rather hard. But it won't tickle everyone.

Zombieland. A bunch of ridiculous laughs...and we could use some.

MOVIE REVIEW - More Than A Game

You may not be big on documentaries at the movies, and may think they are more PBS than you would like. More Than A Game may charge your mind about that.

MTAG is the story of LeBron James and the "Fab 5" growing up in Akron and telling their story from the gym at the Salvation Army on Maple Street, through the Championships at St. Vincent/St. Mary's High School that caught every one's attention in the country 6 years ago.

This movie started out as a high school class project years ago, has ended up as a real motion picture and still is a "class" project. MTAG is told in a wonderful smooth, modern documentary form. The main principles tell the story the way they saw it and remember it. Featuring all the Fab 5, and coaches. Filmed with Akron as the backdrop, MTAG really captures the moment when the world was watching and learning of Lebron and his team in the early 2000's.

This film is hard to describe, but it should NOT be missed. It is straight-forward and honest. Highly emotional at times, and spot on crisp and clean. With wonderful footage and stills from years past that will make you smile and well up at the same time. This movie doesn't make the big mistake of really being about basketball. It's the story of these kids and what they were all about, where they were from and why things went the way they did, with basketball as the common denominator.

More Than A Game. Limited release....not to be missed. If you have to find a theatre to see it, find it...see it. Very well done. Powerful, local, wonderful.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Invention Of Lying

The title of this movie suggests, at least to me that this should be a real fun movie. And man does it give it the ol' college try. But in the end, The Invention Of Lying falls a bit short.

I'm not going to shred this movie here, but I honestly feel many will go into this flick preparing for a real laugh fest, and won't get it. But what they will get is an honest movie, about being dishonest.

Ricky Gervais is certainly the quintessential "lovable loser" character in his movies. A bit portly, and straight-laced. He's always trying to lure the woman who's "out of his league," and in this movie it's Jennifer Garner. Mark (Gervais) and Anna (Garner) live in a world where no one can even grasp the concept of lying! Everything is told in absolute truths, and literal interpretations. And at the films outset, that's pretty funny. No one can tell or understand one lie.

But then the plot thickens. Mark somehow grasps the lying concept and tells a whopper that rocks the entire world. About the afterlife. He then uses his command of lying for his own interests and some of that is kind of funny. But that's where the trouble starts for this movie.

It can't decide if it's a comedy or something more. And it gets a bit off target. And frankly, you can see some scenes are designed for big laughs that just don't come, grinding it to a halt. At times it's a bit Saturday Night Live, and at times a whole bunch of Monty Python with it's dialogue heavy understated style. Gervais wrote and produced this movie, and for many he is an acquired taste. Some will love it. Others will go, "what?" Luckily, it's a tidy 90 minutes and we don't have to get out the hand basket. Overall, it's much better idea than movie. Lot's of cameo's too, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Rob Lowe, and Jonah Hill. All of them on screen for about a combined 10 minutes. Just so you know.

But on the bright side? Gervais is really a breath of fresh air. He is funny, lovable, sympathetic, and really fun to watch. Huge kudos too, to Jennifer Garner. She is wonderful as the sweet, naive, more than honest Anna. I though she was just terrific in this really off-beat role and movie. She hard not to like here.

The Invention Of Lying. This is not a bad night at the movies at all. But after while it runs out of ideas, the joke gets old and falls below what you were hoping for.