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.
Friday, November 27, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, November 23, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, November 9, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, November 2, 2009
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!
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!
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