You might remember last February the Liam Neeson thriller, Taken was a big hit at the movies. It seems this winter, Mel Gibson's Edge Of Darkness could be that sleeper, guilty pleasure hit that comes out of nowhere and is a real favorite with movie fans.
EOD follows the same basic plot line as Taken for the most part. Craven (Gibson) is a Boston detective and his beautiful young daughter Emma, is gunned down in an apparent assassination plot. She was a 24 year old and working at government nuclear installation, and somehow is thought to have become a threat to national security. Craven, who has no wife or other family, then goes out on a tear to find the killers and avenge her death. In life, you always have to beware of a father who has nothing to lose and those in his way know it. Very similar to Taken a year ago.
I am not a big Gibson fan to begin with. There have been movies and roles from time to time that I have connected with. But overall, I feel his work many times takes itself too seriously and borders on being over the top. But not here. This movie has a way of working that is just as puzzling as Taken. Gibson is solid as Craven and you find yourself cheering for him all the way.
EOD also boasts a real nice supporting cast which is pivotal for this movie. Really nice performances from some really well cast character actors give EOD a shot of adrenaline it needs. Ray Winstone as the perplexing, and enigmatic Jedburgh is just terrific. Jedburgh is a scary "situation handler" who comes in contact with Craven after his daughters murder, and you never really know if he's with Craven or against Craven. Great story twist and Winstone's performance is really slick. Perfectly cast and the star of the movie. When he's on screen, it's a better movie.
EOD is not an award winning move by any stretch. It is one of those movies that comes and goes and is on TNT in a year or two a couple of times a week after Law And Order. But for the here and now, it's alright. A new alternative for some of the movies that have been in theaters since the holidays and are wearing out their welcome. One more word, content can be violent at times, but it's not gratuitous, and much of if is handled quite well. It's a harsh story and there is some straight forward violence and killing here. If you were OK with Taken, you'll be fine here.
Edge Of Darkness. We always seem to be drawn to a father protecting his daughter movie and this one is alright. If you're a Gibson fan, go and cheer him on. If you're not, go and see one of the better supporting performances you'll see in while with Winstone. This movie can be slow at times, but it's not a deal breaker. Better than I thought it would be.
This is alright!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
It's the Tonight Show, Stupid!
Over the past few weeks, the saga of The Tonight Show played out on daytime and night time television for us all to see. Be be honest I have no real feelings about Jay Leno, or Conan O'Brien. Both have made a ton of money in entertainment and have ascended to the top job on TV according to many, the host of the American institution, The Tonight Show.
For over a half of a century NBC's The Tonight Show has been a staple of all that can be good about TV. From its New York City radio beginning, to it's move to TV with Steve Allen. Then on to Jack Paar, and of course for 30 years with the iconic Johnny Carson and his brilliant cast members, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinson, Skitch Henderson, and even the hapless Tommy Newsome. Johnny and cast retired after 30 great years, Years that will never be duplicated again by anyone anywhere. But this is not wishing for the good the old days.
Then it was Jay Leno. Of course things changed. That's just the business. For 17 years, Jay ran his show, and although different it was still The Tonight Show, and still enjoyed great success. Then it was on to Conan. Things changed again and that's OK again. He's a funny guy, and it's a new day. Who knows where his run would have gone? Then the whole thing comes apart.
Now Conan's out and Jay is back in, and it's The Tonight Show again with Jay, and it's like it never happened with Conan. The network did this and that, and threw money around to get Jay in, and Conan and his staff of 200 out. The hosts were sniping, and swiping shots at each other and the network, and sheesh! C'mon man.....it's The Tonight Show here. So sad that the show just got thrown around like a terrible sitcom pilot from the 60's. I think that many tend to look at The Tonight Show as something that's as ingrained into our society as anything in pop-culture. And its always been when you think of The Tonight Show, you think of the good in TV.
So sad those three words, The Tonight Show had to be drug through the mud and pay the price. An American institution. A franchise that so many have worked so hard to make so great for literally decades, has been tarnished badly. It once was the dream job of many, right now it just looks desperate, and that's a shame! Gone are Johnny, Ed, Jack and Steve, and Skitch. And one saving grace is that they didn't have to watch this unfortunate unraveling of their immense talent and hard work.
When I was a young broadcaster I always wanted to host that show, as did many others. It was the dream job. Even as a seasoned broadcaster, I still think it's a dream job. And although I haven't talked to her directly about it, my feeling is that my show partner Sue Wilson and I would be happy to host The Tonight Show, and for less than the 45 million the network tossed and Conan to NOT host the show.
To all involved, with the sniping, swiping, finger pointing, and the terrible decision making all the way around, on every front, all should stop and think.......
It's The Tonight Show stupid! Great American Institutions deserve a little better than that.
For over a half of a century NBC's The Tonight Show has been a staple of all that can be good about TV. From its New York City radio beginning, to it's move to TV with Steve Allen. Then on to Jack Paar, and of course for 30 years with the iconic Johnny Carson and his brilliant cast members, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinson, Skitch Henderson, and even the hapless Tommy Newsome. Johnny and cast retired after 30 great years, Years that will never be duplicated again by anyone anywhere. But this is not wishing for the good the old days.
Then it was Jay Leno. Of course things changed. That's just the business. For 17 years, Jay ran his show, and although different it was still The Tonight Show, and still enjoyed great success. Then it was on to Conan. Things changed again and that's OK again. He's a funny guy, and it's a new day. Who knows where his run would have gone? Then the whole thing comes apart.
Now Conan's out and Jay is back in, and it's The Tonight Show again with Jay, and it's like it never happened with Conan. The network did this and that, and threw money around to get Jay in, and Conan and his staff of 200 out. The hosts were sniping, and swiping shots at each other and the network, and sheesh! C'mon man.....it's The Tonight Show here. So sad that the show just got thrown around like a terrible sitcom pilot from the 60's. I think that many tend to look at The Tonight Show as something that's as ingrained into our society as anything in pop-culture. And its always been when you think of The Tonight Show, you think of the good in TV.
So sad those three words, The Tonight Show had to be drug through the mud and pay the price. An American institution. A franchise that so many have worked so hard to make so great for literally decades, has been tarnished badly. It once was the dream job of many, right now it just looks desperate, and that's a shame! Gone are Johnny, Ed, Jack and Steve, and Skitch. And one saving grace is that they didn't have to watch this unfortunate unraveling of their immense talent and hard work.
When I was a young broadcaster I always wanted to host that show, as did many others. It was the dream job. Even as a seasoned broadcaster, I still think it's a dream job. And although I haven't talked to her directly about it, my feeling is that my show partner Sue Wilson and I would be happy to host The Tonight Show, and for less than the 45 million the network tossed and Conan to NOT host the show.
To all involved, with the sniping, swiping, finger pointing, and the terrible decision making all the way around, on every front, all should stop and think.......
It's The Tonight Show stupid! Great American Institutions deserve a little better than that.
MOVIE REVIEW - Legion
As has been stated in numerous reviews here lately, there is no shortage of the "end of the world" movies in theaters this season. Legion takes the latest swipe at humanity. This time it's God himself, and not man.
Legion is the story of a bunch of strangers tossed together at a truck stop cafe in Death Valley. They are from all walks of life and each has a different history. This extremely remote location is the stage for the biggest fight humanity will ever face. The wrath of God. In the story God has lost faith in humans and has sent his angels to exterminate them. The weakest among us are "possessed" and are sent to this location to begin the job, and for another separate reason.
An unmarried waitress at the cafe', Charlie, has an unplanned pregnancy. And after one of God generals defects and becomes relatively human, she learns that her baby is the chosen one and is the only thing that stands between human survival and extinction. These zombie like angels show up with one goal in mind, to prevent the baby from being born.
First of all this movie is certainly, certainly not for everyone. The mentioned subject matter may be too much for some to stomach to begin with. There is also a ton of killing, gore and enough blood to go around. There is a dose of some very vile language and some other images that many will find exceptionally disturbing. Legion is targeted at young adults without question. Although is it live action all the way, much of this has a video game feel, and the gratuitous killing and violence is the main action of this film.
There is an attempt to mix in a bit of humor from time to time, and there are a few lines and scenes that can bring a smile to your face. It's a movie trying hard not to be made fun of by taking itself too seriously, but at the same time trying to be compelling and on the level. But in the end, for the exception of it's tightly skewed core audience many will find this movie distasteful. There is also a attempt at a moral message here, are they work quickly to develop characters, but those fact alone are not the saving grace. Does Legion work? Overall, not really.
Legion. A bad taste for many, but not all.
Legion is the story of a bunch of strangers tossed together at a truck stop cafe in Death Valley. They are from all walks of life and each has a different history. This extremely remote location is the stage for the biggest fight humanity will ever face. The wrath of God. In the story God has lost faith in humans and has sent his angels to exterminate them. The weakest among us are "possessed" and are sent to this location to begin the job, and for another separate reason.
An unmarried waitress at the cafe', Charlie, has an unplanned pregnancy. And after one of God generals defects and becomes relatively human, she learns that her baby is the chosen one and is the only thing that stands between human survival and extinction. These zombie like angels show up with one goal in mind, to prevent the baby from being born.
First of all this movie is certainly, certainly not for everyone. The mentioned subject matter may be too much for some to stomach to begin with. There is also a ton of killing, gore and enough blood to go around. There is a dose of some very vile language and some other images that many will find exceptionally disturbing. Legion is targeted at young adults without question. Although is it live action all the way, much of this has a video game feel, and the gratuitous killing and violence is the main action of this film.
There is an attempt to mix in a bit of humor from time to time, and there are a few lines and scenes that can bring a smile to your face. It's a movie trying hard not to be made fun of by taking itself too seriously, but at the same time trying to be compelling and on the level. But in the end, for the exception of it's tightly skewed core audience many will find this movie distasteful. There is also a attempt at a moral message here, are they work quickly to develop characters, but those fact alone are not the saving grace. Does Legion work? Overall, not really.
Legion. A bad taste for many, but not all.
Friday, January 22, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Extraordinary Measures
Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford star in the new drama Extraordinary Measures, based on a true story. It is the major release at the box office this week.
Fraser stars as a father of three children, two of which are stricken with a horrible genetic disease called Pompe (pr. pom -pay.) It is a disease that doesn't allow the muscles to develop properly and the life expectancy is about 9 years. Trying everything to save his kids, he travels to the University of Nebraska to meet a research Dr. there (Ford). There he finds Dr. Stonehill whose research is light years ahead of the rest of the world on this disease, but his methods are strange. The Dr. also has a serious people problem as he is volatile and unpredictable. They decide to branch off and start a small research company with the good Dr's unbelievable research on this horrible disease. The clock is running, and time is running out. Can they find a treatment in time.
With all due respect to the actual story, EM has it's problems as a movie. I think it's a cool story maybe worth telling, I'm not sure a feature length dramatic movie is the forum. I think this would be a fantastic documentary on TV. I certainly could find this a great feature in a magazine, or paper. But as it is told here, it comes up a bit hollow and short.
EM is very draggy at times, as it never really seems to get a flow going. This is tough subject matter to start with and couple that with the fact that the script is shallow, and one dimensional and it's hard to keep interest. This movie also makes a cardinal mistake. For a movie with Harrison Ford, there is not nearly enough - Harrison Ford in it.
Ford is one of those stars that I feel is mandatory viewing. It's a shame the movie makers seemingly don't feel the same. His character is certainly interesting enough as an ego-maniac eccentric lone wolf Dr. who simply has only his work in his life. But in EM, it seems that all the good Dr. can do is yell and throw tantrums and be hard to work with. Bad script.
Fraser branching out into a more dramatic role here is terribly miscast. No matter what you see him in, he still has the face of the goofy movie characters he's played over the years and The Mummy series. To be honest, as the father of two terminally ill children and corporate executive, it just doesn't work. They also ask him to carry the day here, and he's not up to it. Too much Fraser, not enough Ford. It hurts this picture plain and simple.
Extraordinary Measures. As a story, potentially compelling and interesting. As a two hour dramatic movie? Not good.
Fraser stars as a father of three children, two of which are stricken with a horrible genetic disease called Pompe (pr. pom -pay.) It is a disease that doesn't allow the muscles to develop properly and the life expectancy is about 9 years. Trying everything to save his kids, he travels to the University of Nebraska to meet a research Dr. there (Ford). There he finds Dr. Stonehill whose research is light years ahead of the rest of the world on this disease, but his methods are strange. The Dr. also has a serious people problem as he is volatile and unpredictable. They decide to branch off and start a small research company with the good Dr's unbelievable research on this horrible disease. The clock is running, and time is running out. Can they find a treatment in time.
With all due respect to the actual story, EM has it's problems as a movie. I think it's a cool story maybe worth telling, I'm not sure a feature length dramatic movie is the forum. I think this would be a fantastic documentary on TV. I certainly could find this a great feature in a magazine, or paper. But as it is told here, it comes up a bit hollow and short.
EM is very draggy at times, as it never really seems to get a flow going. This is tough subject matter to start with and couple that with the fact that the script is shallow, and one dimensional and it's hard to keep interest. This movie also makes a cardinal mistake. For a movie with Harrison Ford, there is not nearly enough - Harrison Ford in it.
Ford is one of those stars that I feel is mandatory viewing. It's a shame the movie makers seemingly don't feel the same. His character is certainly interesting enough as an ego-maniac eccentric lone wolf Dr. who simply has only his work in his life. But in EM, it seems that all the good Dr. can do is yell and throw tantrums and be hard to work with. Bad script.
Fraser branching out into a more dramatic role here is terribly miscast. No matter what you see him in, he still has the face of the goofy movie characters he's played over the years and The Mummy series. To be honest, as the father of two terminally ill children and corporate executive, it just doesn't work. They also ask him to carry the day here, and he's not up to it. Too much Fraser, not enough Ford. It hurts this picture plain and simple.
Extraordinary Measures. As a story, potentially compelling and interesting. As a two hour dramatic movie? Not good.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Lovely Bones
When you see that Hollywood is going to take on the project of bringing a wildly successful book to the screen, many times we cringe. It takes skilled people to make a book sing on screen. The Lovely Bones is in the hands of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, and it's in theaters this weekend.
This is another good example where the star of the movie is....the movie. The cast here is big, and so is the story, and The Lovely Bones is a special movie. But to be fair, this movie is not for everyone as it puts you on an emotional roller coaster that mostly is charging down hill.
It's the story of Susie Salmon. A fictional 14 year old girl growing up in the mid 1970's, in a loving family. She is then murdered by a creepy neighbor. Her family is left to pick up the pieces of her death. Much of this movie is the story of Susie in "the in between." That is a place Susie's spirit goes in the time right after her death. There is a dose of the supernatural at work here, as she somehow connects to her father and others from beyond this world, and from hers. To be honest, the story is way too complicated to go over in short here.
The Lovely Bones is a very hard, dramatic movie that finds a certain track and stays on it. This is a heavy movie, that keeps getting heavier on your chest the longer it goes on. This movie is highly emotional, and very sad over all. It has a story to tell, and some times at the movies these stories are deeply sad. TLB doesn't mess it up by trying to be all things to all people. It knows where it wants to go and goes there. There are some disturbing scenes here, but no violence. There are moments of great suspense and some squirmy moments in your seat, but all is handled extremely well. But the story is just sad.
After watching this all play out on screen, parents may go home and hug their kids a bit tighter, and you may never look at your neighbor the same again. The Lovely Bones pulls no punches. It is direct in its message, and fearless in its ability to tackle a very tough subject and keep it on track and on pace all the way through. If you're looking for a good time at the movies, The Lovely Bones is not your picture. This is a movie I see groups of women going to, and out for coffee and conversation later.
The Lovely Bones. Certainly not for all. But well done. Well done.
This is another good example where the star of the movie is....the movie. The cast here is big, and so is the story, and The Lovely Bones is a special movie. But to be fair, this movie is not for everyone as it puts you on an emotional roller coaster that mostly is charging down hill.
It's the story of Susie Salmon. A fictional 14 year old girl growing up in the mid 1970's, in a loving family. She is then murdered by a creepy neighbor. Her family is left to pick up the pieces of her death. Much of this movie is the story of Susie in "the in between." That is a place Susie's spirit goes in the time right after her death. There is a dose of the supernatural at work here, as she somehow connects to her father and others from beyond this world, and from hers. To be honest, the story is way too complicated to go over in short here.
The Lovely Bones is a very hard, dramatic movie that finds a certain track and stays on it. This is a heavy movie, that keeps getting heavier on your chest the longer it goes on. This movie is highly emotional, and very sad over all. It has a story to tell, and some times at the movies these stories are deeply sad. TLB doesn't mess it up by trying to be all things to all people. It knows where it wants to go and goes there. There are some disturbing scenes here, but no violence. There are moments of great suspense and some squirmy moments in your seat, but all is handled extremely well. But the story is just sad.
After watching this all play out on screen, parents may go home and hug their kids a bit tighter, and you may never look at your neighbor the same again. The Lovely Bones pulls no punches. It is direct in its message, and fearless in its ability to tackle a very tough subject and keep it on track and on pace all the way through. If you're looking for a good time at the movies, The Lovely Bones is not your picture. This is a movie I see groups of women going to, and out for coffee and conversation later.
The Lovely Bones. Certainly not for all. But well done. Well done.
Friday, January 15, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Book Of Eli
Denzel Washington stars in the new The Book Of Eli this weekend at the box office. There has been a ton of pub on this one. Every time Washington makes a movie, it is an event, and we are all wondering what this movie has to offer.
Washington stars as "The Walker." It is roughly 30 years since nuclear war has virtually wiped out all of civilization on earth. Some have survived. Walker is walking west all the while protecting a sacred book along the way. His journey leads him through the worst of the worst. Those that are still alive are the most awful people imaginable. It is a dog-eat-dog world now. Water is the main currency, as money has no value. There is a certain something around our hero though. He is seemingly blessed with extraordinary self defense gifts and an inner peace that the rest of the world doesn't share.
Most of the world is illiterate now. But for those who are not, the word has spread that the book that he carries, is coveted in the highest. After stumbling through a terrible bombed out town, he runs into crude, but organized crime, who discovers he has the book and wants it for their own. And they will go to great lengths to get it. As The Walker heads west to a place an inner voice has instructed him to do, he must protect the book, and it's words within. Who is this man? This is Eli.
TBOE is a new venture for Washington, and to be fair they need him badly for this to work. And it does. His huge and powerful presence gives Eli a real shot of credibility. There is much violence here, and some of it graphic, especially early on. TBOE is also shot in a semi black and white effect that works incredibly well capturing wonderfully life after armageddon. It explains itself well and is straight forward and honest. I know there has been some real critics of this movie for whatever reason, but not from me. I found this movie to be well done for what it is.
Washington is great, and does a lot with a little. Actually, that is a theme for the whole project. With a real nice supporting cast of Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis , TBOE takes another "end of the world" idea and makes it work. It is well paced, with well done and not over done action scenes. It's powerful and spiritual, but doesn't weigh itself down with side plot and off shoots that many movies of this nature do. It's also smart. And that's the separator here. It has a start, a point and a finish. So many movies like this just don't. They're just violent and testosterone driven to nausea. Not here.
The Book Of Eli. This is not for everyone for sure. But, if you're willing to see Denzel Washington as you've never seen him before, you should take a chance and go. Well done!
Washington stars as "The Walker." It is roughly 30 years since nuclear war has virtually wiped out all of civilization on earth. Some have survived. Walker is walking west all the while protecting a sacred book along the way. His journey leads him through the worst of the worst. Those that are still alive are the most awful people imaginable. It is a dog-eat-dog world now. Water is the main currency, as money has no value. There is a certain something around our hero though. He is seemingly blessed with extraordinary self defense gifts and an inner peace that the rest of the world doesn't share.
Most of the world is illiterate now. But for those who are not, the word has spread that the book that he carries, is coveted in the highest. After stumbling through a terrible bombed out town, he runs into crude, but organized crime, who discovers he has the book and wants it for their own. And they will go to great lengths to get it. As The Walker heads west to a place an inner voice has instructed him to do, he must protect the book, and it's words within. Who is this man? This is Eli.
TBOE is a new venture for Washington, and to be fair they need him badly for this to work. And it does. His huge and powerful presence gives Eli a real shot of credibility. There is much violence here, and some of it graphic, especially early on. TBOE is also shot in a semi black and white effect that works incredibly well capturing wonderfully life after armageddon. It explains itself well and is straight forward and honest. I know there has been some real critics of this movie for whatever reason, but not from me. I found this movie to be well done for what it is.
Washington is great, and does a lot with a little. Actually, that is a theme for the whole project. With a real nice supporting cast of Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis , TBOE takes another "end of the world" idea and makes it work. It is well paced, with well done and not over done action scenes. It's powerful and spiritual, but doesn't weigh itself down with side plot and off shoots that many movies of this nature do. It's also smart. And that's the separator here. It has a start, a point and a finish. So many movies like this just don't. They're just violent and testosterone driven to nausea. Not here.
The Book Of Eli. This is not for everyone for sure. But, if you're willing to see Denzel Washington as you've never seen him before, you should take a chance and go. Well done!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Daybreakers
The vampire movies just keep coming in this weeks Daybreakers starring Ethan Hawke, and Sam Neil. Will this trend ever stop?
Daybreakers is the story of life in our world in 2019. Vampires have taken over the world. Of course, vampires can't go out in the sun, they can only operate at night. They are actually dead, and their are supported by drinking human blood. Humans are an endangered species now. They are hunted and harvested by the military and are then farmed for their blood so the vampire majority can survive. Exciting? It's not.
It's yet another extremely dark, dank, and morose view of life in our world in the near future. There seems to be no shortage of these kind of movies at the box office in the past year. No one minds a good, "life won't be very good in the future movie." It's just a shame when there's little to no imagination to go along with some writer and directors gloomy vision of where we're going. Daybreakers makes a real cardinal flaw here. It relies heavily on 1980's gore and violence as it's main stay.
There are movies that are good family movies, and those you can take Nana to. Daybreakers is NOT that movie. Very graphic gore, complete with cannibalism, and plenty of blood to go around. Daybreakers is very dark from start to finish. In the movie, there is a frantic race for a "cure" for being a vampire. But the only race I was interested in was the sprint for the door to get this thing over with. For a movie with some good people, Daybreakers is really a disappointment. But hey it's January. It's bad movie season.
Daybreakers. Rental in 90 days when it's down that this, and Mama Mia.
Daybreakers is the story of life in our world in 2019. Vampires have taken over the world. Of course, vampires can't go out in the sun, they can only operate at night. They are actually dead, and their are supported by drinking human blood. Humans are an endangered species now. They are hunted and harvested by the military and are then farmed for their blood so the vampire majority can survive. Exciting? It's not.
It's yet another extremely dark, dank, and morose view of life in our world in the near future. There seems to be no shortage of these kind of movies at the box office in the past year. No one minds a good, "life won't be very good in the future movie." It's just a shame when there's little to no imagination to go along with some writer and directors gloomy vision of where we're going. Daybreakers makes a real cardinal flaw here. It relies heavily on 1980's gore and violence as it's main stay.
There are movies that are good family movies, and those you can take Nana to. Daybreakers is NOT that movie. Very graphic gore, complete with cannibalism, and plenty of blood to go around. Daybreakers is very dark from start to finish. In the movie, there is a frantic race for a "cure" for being a vampire. But the only race I was interested in was the sprint for the door to get this thing over with. For a movie with some good people, Daybreakers is really a disappointment. But hey it's January. It's bad movie season.
Daybreakers. Rental in 90 days when it's down that this, and Mama Mia.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Leap Year
There's always room it seems for one more romantic comedy, and this week it's the new Amy Adams flick, Leap Year.
At first look, it does seem formula and predictable, and to be honest with you it is. But Leap Year does have one thing that most movies don't - Amy Adams. She makes pretty much any movie better. Even a script like this one.
Leap Year is the story of Anna (Adams). Anna is a life long Bostonian., She has had the same boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) for 4 years and thinks it's high time they get engaged. He travels a lot and heads off to Dublin, Ireland for a conference. Anna decides to tackle an old Irish tradition. On leap day (February 29) the legend says women can ask men to marry them. So she packs up and heads off to meet Jeremy and pop the question.
Trouble is, after landing she meets Declan (Mathew Goode). He is a local Irish pub owner who is charged with giving Anna a cab ride to Dublin to meet Jemery after her travel plans go askew. Along their journey, it's the old "opposites attract" thing takes over. Is Declan really the man for Anna. I will give this movie some real props. For a romantic comedy, it is romantic and fun. Funny? Well that's debatable. That is Leap Year.
Leap Year is a really good example of a movie that could have used a better sanding, priming and another coat of paint and been a lot better movie. Adams and Goode are certainly well cast, and turn in strong performances, but there's just some junk that gets in the way. A few too many scenes, and few scenes designed to deliver big laughs, don't. Some poor writing at times, and belaboring points time and time again, really slow this thing down.
But all is not lost here. Adams is simply wonderful again on screen. Although an awkward script handcuffs her at times, she is so likable and sweet, that she can overcome the problems of those behind the scenes. They asked her to be a little to physically funny here and didn't ask her enough to simply be funny, and charming. When she is, this movie sails along, otherwise, it's a bit cumbersome and strange. But there is some fun and it is shot in the beautiful Irish coast and that is a good thing.
Leap Year. Is it great? No.....but for hopeless romantics, it's fun. Great date movie too.
At first look, it does seem formula and predictable, and to be honest with you it is. But Leap Year does have one thing that most movies don't - Amy Adams. She makes pretty much any movie better. Even a script like this one.
Leap Year is the story of Anna (Adams). Anna is a life long Bostonian., She has had the same boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) for 4 years and thinks it's high time they get engaged. He travels a lot and heads off to Dublin, Ireland for a conference. Anna decides to tackle an old Irish tradition. On leap day (February 29) the legend says women can ask men to marry them. So she packs up and heads off to meet Jeremy and pop the question.
Trouble is, after landing she meets Declan (Mathew Goode). He is a local Irish pub owner who is charged with giving Anna a cab ride to Dublin to meet Jemery after her travel plans go askew. Along their journey, it's the old "opposites attract" thing takes over. Is Declan really the man for Anna. I will give this movie some real props. For a romantic comedy, it is romantic and fun. Funny? Well that's debatable. That is Leap Year.
Leap Year is a really good example of a movie that could have used a better sanding, priming and another coat of paint and been a lot better movie. Adams and Goode are certainly well cast, and turn in strong performances, but there's just some junk that gets in the way. A few too many scenes, and few scenes designed to deliver big laughs, don't. Some poor writing at times, and belaboring points time and time again, really slow this thing down.
But all is not lost here. Adams is simply wonderful again on screen. Although an awkward script handcuffs her at times, she is so likable and sweet, that she can overcome the problems of those behind the scenes. They asked her to be a little to physically funny here and didn't ask her enough to simply be funny, and charming. When she is, this movie sails along, otherwise, it's a bit cumbersome and strange. But there is some fun and it is shot in the beautiful Irish coast and that is a good thing.
Leap Year. Is it great? No.....but for hopeless romantics, it's fun. Great date movie too.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Youth In Revolt
It's January and although there are still great movies in the theaters from the holidays, this month is traditionally a weak month for new releases. That brings us to Youth In Revolt.
YIR is loaded with actors that you know. Micheal Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Mary Kay Place, and Justin Long. This is not the first rodeo for any of them. But maybe a second look a this project was in order. YIR is my understanding has been finished for a ling time, and delayed a few times to decide the exact moment to put in theaters. That moment is not here yet.
YIR is the story of Nick (Cera) who is 17 or so. He is a socially awkward kid and this movie is essentially about what he does to lose his virginity to his "love" Sheeni (Doubleday). He goes to great lengths to manipulate his life and those in it, to be nearer to Sheeni and his ultimate goal. Wow...ho hum......
YIR is at times witty and fun. But those few times give way to really silly, stupid and revolting. Tons of bathroom humor, that has been rehashed 45,000 times in other movies just doesn't work. Cera again is an awkward kid, who delivers his lines in the deadpan, understated fashion that was once cute in Nick and Nora's Ultimate Play List, is now limiting and really getting on our nerves. And don't get me started on his role in Year One, the worst movie of last year.
The story line of course is timeless. There have been scads of movies made about teen lust and what they do about it. Some are funny, relatable and well done. YIR is on that list. This flick is old, cliche and tired. There is an attempt to freshen this up, with some ridiculous animation scenes interspersed in for some reason. But they look awkward and desperate. As does the rest of this story and cast.
Was there laughter? None to speak of in a theater filled with late teens and tweens. So it didn't work for them either. There's been better use for film in recorded history that's for sure.
Youth In Revolt. To be missed, is to be blissed!
YIR is loaded with actors that you know. Micheal Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Mary Kay Place, and Justin Long. This is not the first rodeo for any of them. But maybe a second look a this project was in order. YIR is my understanding has been finished for a ling time, and delayed a few times to decide the exact moment to put in theaters. That moment is not here yet.
YIR is the story of Nick (Cera) who is 17 or so. He is a socially awkward kid and this movie is essentially about what he does to lose his virginity to his "love" Sheeni (Doubleday). He goes to great lengths to manipulate his life and those in it, to be nearer to Sheeni and his ultimate goal. Wow...ho hum......
YIR is at times witty and fun. But those few times give way to really silly, stupid and revolting. Tons of bathroom humor, that has been rehashed 45,000 times in other movies just doesn't work. Cera again is an awkward kid, who delivers his lines in the deadpan, understated fashion that was once cute in Nick and Nora's Ultimate Play List, is now limiting and really getting on our nerves. And don't get me started on his role in Year One, the worst movie of last year.
The story line of course is timeless. There have been scads of movies made about teen lust and what they do about it. Some are funny, relatable and well done. YIR is on that list. This flick is old, cliche and tired. There is an attempt to freshen this up, with some ridiculous animation scenes interspersed in for some reason. But they look awkward and desperate. As does the rest of this story and cast.
Was there laughter? None to speak of in a theater filled with late teens and tweens. So it didn't work for them either. There's been better use for film in recorded history that's for sure.
Youth In Revolt. To be missed, is to be blissed!
"I Think The Worst Is Over!"
We all say things in our lives that we later wish we wouldn't have. No one gets left off this hook. Politicians, celebrities, us as kids, and even parents at some time or another say quietly, "Man, why did I say that?"
Last winter on the show while talking with my partner Sue Wilson, and team members Ryan Haidet and Chris Keppler, I said such a thing. It was about mid January and we already had a bunch of snow and cold, and I really thought in my heart that we had experienced the bulk of the bad winter weather for the season. It was just a feeling, no real scientific base to it. I mean, I watched a special with Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel about winter time trends. He seemed to think so too. Doesn't he know everything? So armed with that bit of "support" I felt that maybe this was it. It made me happy to think that! Then the ill-fated words...................
"I think the worst is over." I said it right there on the show. Sue was unconvinced. Ryan and Chris.....same. I mean it was innocent enough. Just a sentence to give my partners hope, that maybe this could be something big. A small winter that will just breeze by, and the glory of spring will fill the air with temperate winds, cool showers and all things anew, all while being accompanied by a wonderful musical heavenly bridge! I felt it, it was in my winter hating heart that we would laugh away February in our shirt sleeves and and light jackets. Such was not the case. I could not have been more wrong.....Winter went on till Memorial Day!
Over the past 12 months, I have heard "I think the worst is over," parroted back to me 1,000 times from my partners and others who work with us, and those who listen every morning. It could be weather related, or pertaining to an Indians, or Browns losing streak, or virtually anything else. And every time I hear those words rounding the corner and coming back to me full circle, it makes me laugh louder and longer.
It really tickles me when people remember something I said, even if it's something that comes back to bite my behind. Actually, that's the real fun of it for me. Many times the sentence rounding the horn and getting ready to plow into me is accompanied by a really funny imitation of me actually uttering some ridiculous phrase, complete with hand gestures and body language. And that really cracks me up!
My show partners are not alone in this. My golf buddies, the Sunday Morning Dewsweepers, do the same thing. Many times my optimism of the deteriorating golf weather conditions can get the best of me. I try to make the best of them sometimes, trying to stay positive about the conditions or weather, or temperatures. Trying to keep us all upbeat and happy that we'll get through it, even when it's not that warm or dry. I feel an obligation to them, as I am the senior member of our golf foursome. They get on me too. We all laugh about it. Actually with that bunch, Don, Joe and Tex, everything is fair game. We all dish it out and all take it with a smile. I think it's just the nature of the beast.
But isn't that a good thing? I have learned to laugh at myself much better because of the really great people in my life. I think at least for me the key has been, when someone thinks enough of you to remember what you said months ago and finds the humor in it, you should share in that too. Upon further review, that is endearing and flattering. After all their good natured ribbing is their acceptance of .....you! What a great gift that is.
"I think the worst is over" Is just one of the things I will probably really never hear the end of from my show partners and friends on and off the air. It will more than likely have a long, long shelf life.
- At least I hope so!
Last winter on the show while talking with my partner Sue Wilson, and team members Ryan Haidet and Chris Keppler, I said such a thing. It was about mid January and we already had a bunch of snow and cold, and I really thought in my heart that we had experienced the bulk of the bad winter weather for the season. It was just a feeling, no real scientific base to it. I mean, I watched a special with Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel about winter time trends. He seemed to think so too. Doesn't he know everything? So armed with that bit of "support" I felt that maybe this was it. It made me happy to think that! Then the ill-fated words...................
"I think the worst is over." I said it right there on the show. Sue was unconvinced. Ryan and Chris.....same. I mean it was innocent enough. Just a sentence to give my partners hope, that maybe this could be something big. A small winter that will just breeze by, and the glory of spring will fill the air with temperate winds, cool showers and all things anew, all while being accompanied by a wonderful musical heavenly bridge! I felt it, it was in my winter hating heart that we would laugh away February in our shirt sleeves and and light jackets. Such was not the case. I could not have been more wrong.....Winter went on till Memorial Day!
Over the past 12 months, I have heard "I think the worst is over," parroted back to me 1,000 times from my partners and others who work with us, and those who listen every morning. It could be weather related, or pertaining to an Indians, or Browns losing streak, or virtually anything else. And every time I hear those words rounding the corner and coming back to me full circle, it makes me laugh louder and longer.
It really tickles me when people remember something I said, even if it's something that comes back to bite my behind. Actually, that's the real fun of it for me. Many times the sentence rounding the horn and getting ready to plow into me is accompanied by a really funny imitation of me actually uttering some ridiculous phrase, complete with hand gestures and body language. And that really cracks me up!
My show partners are not alone in this. My golf buddies, the Sunday Morning Dewsweepers, do the same thing. Many times my optimism of the deteriorating golf weather conditions can get the best of me. I try to make the best of them sometimes, trying to stay positive about the conditions or weather, or temperatures. Trying to keep us all upbeat and happy that we'll get through it, even when it's not that warm or dry. I feel an obligation to them, as I am the senior member of our golf foursome. They get on me too. We all laugh about it. Actually with that bunch, Don, Joe and Tex, everything is fair game. We all dish it out and all take it with a smile. I think it's just the nature of the beast.
But isn't that a good thing? I have learned to laugh at myself much better because of the really great people in my life. I think at least for me the key has been, when someone thinks enough of you to remember what you said months ago and finds the humor in it, you should share in that too. Upon further review, that is endearing and flattering. After all their good natured ribbing is their acceptance of .....you! What a great gift that is.
"I think the worst is over" Is just one of the things I will probably really never hear the end of from my show partners and friends on and off the air. It will more than likely have a long, long shelf life.
- At least I hope so!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"It Must Be A Guy Thing!"
It's no secret that winter time has arrived in Northeast Ohio this week. Snow, and more snow depending on where you are. No one really likes it, but we try to find a silver lining where applicable. And many guys find that lining in the fact that they get to pull out the snow blower and go to work in the driveway. Me included.
Oh, I'm not alone. I have gotten calls, and seen it on Facebook, many postings on the thrill of the double auger flinging away winters best shot with the greatest of Briggs And Stratton ease. It's two stage, 12 volt heaven. Especially if you have a good machine, and the right blowing clothes to wear while out in winters wrath. Like an insulated Carhart jumpsuit that's warmer than an amber colored lamps at McDonalds. But, listen to me.....all geeked up over my show blower and all the ancillary items that go along with it. It's ridiculous right?
"It must be a guy thing!" Those are the good natured words cheerily spoken through a big smiling face this morning from my partner Sue Wilson as we talked about it off the air. All the while making fun of me expressing my snow evacuating exuberance. In years past we've also tackled this important matter on the air. And you know what? Sue is 100% right. Embarrassingly, it is a guy thing.
Most guys are giddy with glee on the day they get to fire up the snow blower for the first time.....or any time. Heck, I'll turn it on in August if you want me to. Guys talk about it openly at work, or at home.... anyplace. And be be more than honest, I've never heard that same conversation taking place with the same zest and zeal...with a woman. But guys are easily entertained. We're a mess!
A snow blower is a great tool. It makes you look like you really know what you're doing, even if you don't. Although a machine to be respected, if you can read and squeeze two handles, you're qualified to run one. Probably more than qualified. But that's just the basics. I take into account the wind direction, where I want to snow to pile up, and what part of the lawn I want to most snow to sit on all winter. This is important stuff. You just can't go flyin' off out there and indiscriminately start tossing unsuspecting snow around just because you can. C'mon a little decorum!
Then there's the size of your machine. This year I'm sporting a new 11.5 horsepower, 28 inch self propelled snow eating monster of a machine! Long gone are the namby-pamby days of the 5 horse two stroke single stage child's toy I had for 6 years! I had to actually PUSH that rolelr skate around. I have no idea what I was thinking with that tinker toy. But, it did the job. But this new one.....I simply laugh away the minutes, throwing snow against my neighbors house 20 feet away with a machine finely tuned for angry arctic action, and one that's not even breathing hard to do it.
And speaking of the neighbors. Having them look longingly out the window, or enviously leaning on their wooden handled shovels is a good feeling too. And I have found that they won't even complain about how early your choose to snow blow.....if you do their driveway...they'll zip it! It really is a relationship builder. It's gas powered group therapy with electric start. Now, how beautiful is that? Then when you're done...you get to do the same thing you do after a good lawn mow. You just look at it. And admire a job well done.
So as the winter months roll on, snow blowers will be rolling right along with it. You'll find guys on the bridge captaining the greatest power tool known to man. The greatest winter time invention since the electric blanket. The mighty snow blower!!!
For I am the master of my fate...
I am the captain of the snow.....
(Apologies to Invictus........)
Sue is right, it is a guy thing!
Oh, I'm not alone. I have gotten calls, and seen it on Facebook, many postings on the thrill of the double auger flinging away winters best shot with the greatest of Briggs And Stratton ease. It's two stage, 12 volt heaven. Especially if you have a good machine, and the right blowing clothes to wear while out in winters wrath. Like an insulated Carhart jumpsuit that's warmer than an amber colored lamps at McDonalds. But, listen to me.....all geeked up over my show blower and all the ancillary items that go along with it. It's ridiculous right?
"It must be a guy thing!" Those are the good natured words cheerily spoken through a big smiling face this morning from my partner Sue Wilson as we talked about it off the air. All the while making fun of me expressing my snow evacuating exuberance. In years past we've also tackled this important matter on the air. And you know what? Sue is 100% right. Embarrassingly, it is a guy thing.
Most guys are giddy with glee on the day they get to fire up the snow blower for the first time.....or any time. Heck, I'll turn it on in August if you want me to. Guys talk about it openly at work, or at home.... anyplace. And be be more than honest, I've never heard that same conversation taking place with the same zest and zeal...with a woman. But guys are easily entertained. We're a mess!
A snow blower is a great tool. It makes you look like you really know what you're doing, even if you don't. Although a machine to be respected, if you can read and squeeze two handles, you're qualified to run one. Probably more than qualified. But that's just the basics. I take into account the wind direction, where I want to snow to pile up, and what part of the lawn I want to most snow to sit on all winter. This is important stuff. You just can't go flyin' off out there and indiscriminately start tossing unsuspecting snow around just because you can. C'mon a little decorum!
Then there's the size of your machine. This year I'm sporting a new 11.5 horsepower, 28 inch self propelled snow eating monster of a machine! Long gone are the namby-pamby days of the 5 horse two stroke single stage child's toy I had for 6 years! I had to actually PUSH that rolelr skate around. I have no idea what I was thinking with that tinker toy. But, it did the job. But this new one.....I simply laugh away the minutes, throwing snow against my neighbors house 20 feet away with a machine finely tuned for angry arctic action, and one that's not even breathing hard to do it.
And speaking of the neighbors. Having them look longingly out the window, or enviously leaning on their wooden handled shovels is a good feeling too. And I have found that they won't even complain about how early your choose to snow blow.....if you do their driveway...they'll zip it! It really is a relationship builder. It's gas powered group therapy with electric start. Now, how beautiful is that? Then when you're done...you get to do the same thing you do after a good lawn mow. You just look at it. And admire a job well done.
So as the winter months roll on, snow blowers will be rolling right along with it. You'll find guys on the bridge captaining the greatest power tool known to man. The greatest winter time invention since the electric blanket. The mighty snow blower!!!
For I am the master of my fate...
I am the captain of the snow.....
(Apologies to Invictus........)
Sue is right, it is a guy thing!
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