I love dogs. I have an Australian Cattle Dog named Kona and she deserves this blog. She's getting old and not as spry as she once was. But she's healthy, and as it turns out she is pretty darn good company. There's probably a Kona in your life.
Because of the strange schedule I keep doing the WQMX Morning show with my partner Sue Wilson, I am off work when most people in my life are still at work. This has been my schedule for almost 30 years now. There's things about it I really like. No rush hour, either way. I can shop and run errands when no one else does during the day. And of course, I can have the course to myself on days when I want to play some midweek golf. All nice perks.
But I have to admit, there are days and times that it's just me. Lots of times. And it can get lonely once in a while. And those are the days I'm glad that Kona is around to keep me company. We rescued Kona about 9 years ago from a local animal shelter. Someone had chained her up to a backstop in the Metro Parks and left her there. The Rangers found her at 3am one night, and turned her in. A few days later we adopted her. That has turned out to be a good move.
Kona has been a great dog, Sometimes you almost forget she's around she's so quiet and gentle. She loves to sleep. She's sleeping right now, under the desk that I am typing this article on. When I come home during the day, she's thrilled I'm here. After a nice greeting, we go outside, play a bit, and then go on with our day. I come in and sit at my desk in my home office and pay bills, or make calls, do show prep or write something. That's my job. And Kona sleeps at my feet..that's her job. And she's good at it. Kona wakes up from a good sleep so she can take another nap!
Occasionally she sticks her snout up on my lap to remind me she's there and asks for a head pat. She gets it. If I get a snack, she gets one too. A drink on the porch? She gets one too. When I have a cigar - well no. What Kona seemingly does best, is just spend time with me, and keep me company. Probably all she wants after the whole backstop ordeal. I have always believed dogs get that whole second chance thing better than we do. Sometimes we could all use a good refresher course in that.
She's just good medicine. Of course there is the occasional garbage can dump, and the jumping up on the couch and sleeping there during the day. Both expressly verboten at the house, but it's a small price to pay for all the good things she is and does. She's a good pooch, and friend.
The first thing you know the day you get a dog is, you'll be around longer than they will. They don't know that, and they still treasure every day anyway. Most of us don't learn that till much later in life.
Truth be told, I don't even know how old Kona really is. But I know this. She is getting closer now to the end than the beginning. I have learned to look the other way, and give her a break more often now for the minor transgressions she occasionally commits. To be more giving and forgiving.
Who would think so much could be taught, from a sleeping dog.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Wall Street Money Never Sleeps
It's been a long time since we've checked in with Director Oliver Stone's Wall Street characters like Gordon Gekko. But here we go, in Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps.
Michael Douglas reprises his fantastic role as the bad boy money man, Gordon Gekko from years ago. Gekko is now out of jail, and attempting to get back in the big money game. This time possibly using his 24 year old daughter and her fiance' in the process. Should be noted up front, Douglas is great in this movie.
As with most Stone directed movies, his version of things that have historical significance are told through his eyes. The way he sees it. He's been ruffling feathers in Hollywood for a few decades now, and he doesn't run from the fact he is controversial. He's good with it, and so is his movie going public. He generally gets an event, or person in the cross hairs and calls it they way he seer's it.
This movie does a few things very well. Stone really humanizes Gekko, and that is the movies strongest suit. Douglas is superb as he takes his character from shiest, to father, back to shiest, and a few roles in between. Douglas is better in this movie than the first one some 20 years ago. Good supporting cast too, with Josh Brolin, and Shia LaBeouf, and Frank Langella. A very eclectic soundtrack, and some slick Stone film editing give this movie a real nice feel for the most part.
But there is trouble here and there. First, this deals with the complete Wall Street meltdown of 2008. Much of the spoken words will go right over many heads with very technical financial talk and lingo. It would be easy to get lost a few times with its pace in very crucial scenes. Sometimes it's a bit too fast to really digest. In other scenes, this movie can be very draggy. Huge mistake too, there is a point where the Wall Street meltdown is going on, Gekko is lost somewhere and off camera for long periods of time. This movie is flat out better with Douglas in it. Not waiting in the wings. Seems at times, Stone forgot who the bread and butter was.
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps. There were a few parts where I wanted to sleep, but for the most part this is pretty good. Douglas is worth a ticket purchase. Not great... not perfect, but better than I thought it would be.
Michael Douglas reprises his fantastic role as the bad boy money man, Gordon Gekko from years ago. Gekko is now out of jail, and attempting to get back in the big money game. This time possibly using his 24 year old daughter and her fiance' in the process. Should be noted up front, Douglas is great in this movie.
As with most Stone directed movies, his version of things that have historical significance are told through his eyes. The way he sees it. He's been ruffling feathers in Hollywood for a few decades now, and he doesn't run from the fact he is controversial. He's good with it, and so is his movie going public. He generally gets an event, or person in the cross hairs and calls it they way he seer's it.
This movie does a few things very well. Stone really humanizes Gekko, and that is the movies strongest suit. Douglas is superb as he takes his character from shiest, to father, back to shiest, and a few roles in between. Douglas is better in this movie than the first one some 20 years ago. Good supporting cast too, with Josh Brolin, and Shia LaBeouf, and Frank Langella. A very eclectic soundtrack, and some slick Stone film editing give this movie a real nice feel for the most part.
But there is trouble here and there. First, this deals with the complete Wall Street meltdown of 2008. Much of the spoken words will go right over many heads with very technical financial talk and lingo. It would be easy to get lost a few times with its pace in very crucial scenes. Sometimes it's a bit too fast to really digest. In other scenes, this movie can be very draggy. Huge mistake too, there is a point where the Wall Street meltdown is going on, Gekko is lost somewhere and off camera for long periods of time. This movie is flat out better with Douglas in it. Not waiting in the wings. Seems at times, Stone forgot who the bread and butter was.
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps. There were a few parts where I wanted to sleep, but for the most part this is pretty good. Douglas is worth a ticket purchase. Not great... not perfect, but better than I thought it would be.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - You Again
When you go to the movies there are a few goals potentially in play.
You can learn something. You can laugh, or cry, or be scared. There is virtually no end to the possibilities, or the range of emotions you can feel. That's where I would like to congratulate the makers of the new "comedy" You Again. They have successfully made a movie that makes you feel nothing. Except anxious to go home or go ask for refund.
You Again stars Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Betty White and Kristen Chenoweth, and a bunch of other mid level stars, and a few clever quick cameos too. Nice cast you say? All horribly miscast I say. Except Betty White. (Whose part is so tiny, almost not worth it.) This is the story of high school rivalry gone wild. Bell plays Marni, who was tormented by a local bully girl in high school. Years later, that bully girl is going to marry her older brother. Is Marni over it? Can she cope? And oh, yeah as luck would have it, Marni's mom, (Curtis) meets up with HER high school rival who is the bride-to-be aunt (Weaver).
Huge problem first. This movie is NOT FUNNY. Bell is NOT FUNNY. Kristen Bell is certainly lovely and likable enough, but there's problems with her in leading roles. They keep asking her to do physical comedy, and she can't. Her comedic timing is marginal, she's not really embracing, and seems detached from you on screen. You don't cheer for her in these roles. Plus, they keep asking her to play roles where she's 28 or so, (she is 30 acutally) but she looks 17. This is not the first movie this has been a problem all the way around.
The script is NOT FUNNY. The first hour of this is almost walk-outable. But to it's credit, this movie does attempt to grow a heart near the end. And there's a pretty powerful scene where the ramifications of high school bullying are clearly on display. And to be honest, that's rather compelling and well done. Then instead of getting out while the gettin's good, they spend 20 more minutes lamely trying to tie up the loose ends, to it's belabored and agonizing finish. It's a bad script, an old idea, and even understanding I am not the target audience here.....the rest of the crowd at the theater was....and they didn't laugh....a giggle or two now and then.
This movie though will speak to many about the pressures of high school, and the scars and marks the awkward years can leave behind. This will find an audience who will love this movie before they even walk in to it. Also, this movie gives out WAY too much info in its trailers. some of this would have been better left unspoken before you walk in. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie.
You Again. There are some moments here that make you take notice, but in the over all body of work this misses the target badly. One of the worst movies so far this year.
You can learn something. You can laugh, or cry, or be scared. There is virtually no end to the possibilities, or the range of emotions you can feel. That's where I would like to congratulate the makers of the new "comedy" You Again. They have successfully made a movie that makes you feel nothing. Except anxious to go home or go ask for refund.
You Again stars Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Betty White and Kristen Chenoweth, and a bunch of other mid level stars, and a few clever quick cameos too. Nice cast you say? All horribly miscast I say. Except Betty White. (Whose part is so tiny, almost not worth it.) This is the story of high school rivalry gone wild. Bell plays Marni, who was tormented by a local bully girl in high school. Years later, that bully girl is going to marry her older brother. Is Marni over it? Can she cope? And oh, yeah as luck would have it, Marni's mom, (Curtis) meets up with HER high school rival who is the bride-to-be aunt (Weaver).
Huge problem first. This movie is NOT FUNNY. Bell is NOT FUNNY. Kristen Bell is certainly lovely and likable enough, but there's problems with her in leading roles. They keep asking her to do physical comedy, and she can't. Her comedic timing is marginal, she's not really embracing, and seems detached from you on screen. You don't cheer for her in these roles. Plus, they keep asking her to play roles where she's 28 or so, (she is 30 acutally) but she looks 17. This is not the first movie this has been a problem all the way around.
The script is NOT FUNNY. The first hour of this is almost walk-outable. But to it's credit, this movie does attempt to grow a heart near the end. And there's a pretty powerful scene where the ramifications of high school bullying are clearly on display. And to be honest, that's rather compelling and well done. Then instead of getting out while the gettin's good, they spend 20 more minutes lamely trying to tie up the loose ends, to it's belabored and agonizing finish. It's a bad script, an old idea, and even understanding I am not the target audience here.....the rest of the crowd at the theater was....and they didn't laugh....a giggle or two now and then.
This movie though will speak to many about the pressures of high school, and the scars and marks the awkward years can leave behind. This will find an audience who will love this movie before they even walk in to it. Also, this movie gives out WAY too much info in its trailers. some of this would have been better left unspoken before you walk in. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie.
You Again. There are some moments here that make you take notice, but in the over all body of work this misses the target badly. One of the worst movies so far this year.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Easy A
Easy A may look like some silly teen comedy, but nothing could really be further from the truth.
I have no idea what lies ahead for Emma Stone the star of Easy A. The 22 year old has a few movies to her credit. Superbad in 2007 , and Ghosts Of Girlfriend's Past in 2009. But no matter if the best is behind, or in front of her she is really, really funny in Easy A.
Stone plays Olive. Olive is a plain -Jane California high schooler who starts a very interesting side business to try to gain some popularity. She accepts gifts for pretending to have sex with others also looking for social acceptance. No one is having sex with anyone in this movie. It's a strange story to be sure but this is done very skillfully even weaving in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter as a backdrop. This is a heavily satirical look at modern day, and not so modern day high school life. It does takes a rather sarcastic look at some actually really important issues facing kids today. Bullying, social pressure, social media, and their relationship with parents and teachers. It also shows that as teens, the reputation business can be a tricky one.
Easy A has a huge cast. Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church and even Lisa Kudrow. It is well written with sharp witted dialogue, and really nice character development. You'll be covered with satire as you leave Easy A. It really takes a nice swipe at some of the strange characters that are the southern California landscape. It is full of laughs, and and almost none of it from physical comedy. It's just really well written. Emma Stone as our lead character and narrator, is just flat out funny. Her Olive character is well written, her style is easy to watch and when asked, does mild physical comedy very well.
Easy A. This is just a funny movie. Although it could be an acquired taste and not every ones cup of tea. But I laughed a bunch, and maybe saw the launching of a really funny new leading young woman. Emma Stone.
I have no idea what lies ahead for Emma Stone the star of Easy A. The 22 year old has a few movies to her credit. Superbad in 2007 , and Ghosts Of Girlfriend's Past in 2009. But no matter if the best is behind, or in front of her she is really, really funny in Easy A.
Stone plays Olive. Olive is a plain -Jane California high schooler who starts a very interesting side business to try to gain some popularity. She accepts gifts for pretending to have sex with others also looking for social acceptance. No one is having sex with anyone in this movie. It's a strange story to be sure but this is done very skillfully even weaving in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter as a backdrop. This is a heavily satirical look at modern day, and not so modern day high school life. It does takes a rather sarcastic look at some actually really important issues facing kids today. Bullying, social pressure, social media, and their relationship with parents and teachers. It also shows that as teens, the reputation business can be a tricky one.
Easy A has a huge cast. Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church and even Lisa Kudrow. It is well written with sharp witted dialogue, and really nice character development. You'll be covered with satire as you leave Easy A. It really takes a nice swipe at some of the strange characters that are the southern California landscape. It is full of laughs, and and almost none of it from physical comedy. It's just really well written. Emma Stone as our lead character and narrator, is just flat out funny. Her Olive character is well written, her style is easy to watch and when asked, does mild physical comedy very well.
Easy A. This is just a funny movie. Although it could be an acquired taste and not every ones cup of tea. But I laughed a bunch, and maybe saw the launching of a really funny new leading young woman. Emma Stone.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Town
It seems like a real long time since a real good drama has been at the box office. But The Town with Ben Affleck is certainly worth the wait.
I am not a big Affleck fan at all. I think we all have liked him in a few movies from time to time. Bbut for my money, he has made a bunch of very forgettable to even bad movies of all kinds since his best work in 1997's Good Will Hunting. But The Town is a good example that really good movies begin with really good stories. And that's what we've got here. Affleck takes this story, stars in it and directs it too right down the middle, and not off into the ditch.
The Town is the story of a blue collar area of Boston called Charlestown. More bank robbers have been spawned out of this area than any other place in the United States. In many cases it's a "craft" that is passed down from father to son. Affleck plays Doug. His father is in jail for a life of crime, and he seems to be on the same track.
Doug and his gang rob a big bank in Cambridge, and during the robbery a female assistant manager is asked to open the safe, and she does. They decide to take her as a hostage in their getaway. They release her blindfolded and decide to deal with her later. As the story goes on, Doug who was masked during the robbery, now is taking a romantic interest in her. Suddenly, he is having a change of heart, and wants out of the whole organized bank robbing life. But he finds out that is easier said than done. Bring in the feds who are hot on everyone's tail. And this story gets real good real quick. It's a story you haven't seen before, and that is it's biggest strength.
The Town is brilliantly written, acted and put together. A story that just gets better with every frame. Great character development, a perfect amount of action, a nice soundtrack, and all filmed in a fantastic backdrop of Bostons lesser known areas. Affleck is really strong here, and this only goes to prove, most times that good actors look bad is because of really bad scripts. The Town is not a bad script, but one of the years best so far.
The Town. Exceptionally well done!
I am not a big Affleck fan at all. I think we all have liked him in a few movies from time to time. Bbut for my money, he has made a bunch of very forgettable to even bad movies of all kinds since his best work in 1997's Good Will Hunting. But The Town is a good example that really good movies begin with really good stories. And that's what we've got here. Affleck takes this story, stars in it and directs it too right down the middle, and not off into the ditch.
The Town is the story of a blue collar area of Boston called Charlestown. More bank robbers have been spawned out of this area than any other place in the United States. In many cases it's a "craft" that is passed down from father to son. Affleck plays Doug. His father is in jail for a life of crime, and he seems to be on the same track.
Doug and his gang rob a big bank in Cambridge, and during the robbery a female assistant manager is asked to open the safe, and she does. They decide to take her as a hostage in their getaway. They release her blindfolded and decide to deal with her later. As the story goes on, Doug who was masked during the robbery, now is taking a romantic interest in her. Suddenly, he is having a change of heart, and wants out of the whole organized bank robbing life. But he finds out that is easier said than done. Bring in the feds who are hot on everyone's tail. And this story gets real good real quick. It's a story you haven't seen before, and that is it's biggest strength.
The Town is brilliantly written, acted and put together. A story that just gets better with every frame. Great character development, a perfect amount of action, a nice soundtrack, and all filmed in a fantastic backdrop of Bostons lesser known areas. Affleck is really strong here, and this only goes to prove, most times that good actors look bad is because of really bad scripts. The Town is not a bad script, but one of the years best so far.
The Town. Exceptionally well done!
Monday, September 20, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Devil
There is a little movie at the box office this week. All one hour and fifteen minutes of it, that is full of thrills, and suspense. M. Knight Shyamalan's Devil.
Devil comes off as a short story more than a movie, and that really is a huge asset to this compelling story of death, the belief in the Devil and a challenge to our spirituality. This movie could have veered off into gruesome-land or special effects heaven, but it doesn't. It's pure movie making.
Devil is the story of five non-related strangers that climb into an elevator in a Philadelphia skyscraper. The elevator then becomes jammed between floors. And one by one the people on this elevator start getting picked off and killed by some kind of supernatural force. All of our characters have a checkered past that fate has brought together. They are seemingly being punished for their life long wrongdoings.
All of this is going on as the building maintenance crew watch via camera, and feverishly try to free these people to safety. Bring in the police, with a lead detective that also has a storied past, and it's the best of all worlds. A perfect storm of unconnected stories coming together, paving he way for some heavy drama and serious irony.
Devil is a surprisingly good movie. This is a well done, short, to the point story, that keeps its focus squarely on the story, and doesn't fall in love with itself, and become something that it's not. As far as scary movies are concerned this is a small movie, only in budget and scale. But this is an interesting story that is told well.
Devil. It's a lot of things that are good. Dramatic, compelling, scary at times and overall fun for a jolt or two. Well done.
Devil comes off as a short story more than a movie, and that really is a huge asset to this compelling story of death, the belief in the Devil and a challenge to our spirituality. This movie could have veered off into gruesome-land or special effects heaven, but it doesn't. It's pure movie making.
Devil is the story of five non-related strangers that climb into an elevator in a Philadelphia skyscraper. The elevator then becomes jammed between floors. And one by one the people on this elevator start getting picked off and killed by some kind of supernatural force. All of our characters have a checkered past that fate has brought together. They are seemingly being punished for their life long wrongdoings.
All of this is going on as the building maintenance crew watch via camera, and feverishly try to free these people to safety. Bring in the police, with a lead detective that also has a storied past, and it's the best of all worlds. A perfect storm of unconnected stories coming together, paving he way for some heavy drama and serious irony.
Devil is a surprisingly good movie. This is a well done, short, to the point story, that keeps its focus squarely on the story, and doesn't fall in love with itself, and become something that it's not. As far as scary movies are concerned this is a small movie, only in budget and scale. But this is an interesting story that is told well.
Devil. It's a lot of things that are good. Dramatic, compelling, scary at times and overall fun for a jolt or two. Well done.
Friday, September 10, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Going The Distance
Another tanker romantic comedy at the movies this week. This time Drew Barrymore gets her chance to be dropped through the trap door in Going The Distance. Last week Jennifer Aniston rode the elevator with a snapped cable to the basement with her tremendous flop, The Switch.
It would seem one of three things are in play here. One - people are on no mood for romantic comedies this summer. Two - people have caught on to the fact that there are no new ideas in Hollywood. Or three - We are done with some of these stars more than Hollywood knows. Probably a combination of all three. Mainly two and three.
GTD stars Barrymore and Justin Long as a young couple that fall in love and then are separated by many miles and settle into a long distance relationship or sorts. Will they make it, or is this too much to overcome? Now doesn't that sound fun? I've never heard of this plot line before. There are no new ideas in Hollywood right now. And it's a problem, especially in this line of movie making. Romantic comedies are staggering around. They have attempted reinvent them recently by making them more crude and action based. This one goes down the crude road at times, and to be honest it really doesn't work. And not because it's crude, because it's not funny. And that's worse.
I won't lie, there are some nice moments in this flick. At times Barrymore is engaging and clever, but a movie can't rely on a split second or two here and there. And some of these stars it would seem are really starting to show their lack of versatility. And we by and large may be becoming done with them. They all do what they do relatively well, problem is with Barrymore, Aniston, and maybe even Katherine Heigl it's all he same time and time again.
Could be they've done all they are really capable of doing, and now we're the wiser. We may be putting more thought into plopping down big money to see the same movie, character and performance time after time. Heigle to a lesser degree. She is funny and fresher, but Killers with Heigl earlier this year was also a mild hit. Aniston's Bounty Hunter did pretty well and was fun, but she had the draw of Girard Butler, and he's a big deal right now. He also was in The Ugly Truth with Heigl, and that was a big hit last year. But for the most part, the struggle is on.
Justin Long is a problem in GTD. Although really funny on MAC TV ads, and in smaller roles in other movies, he's just not strong enough to carry the load in a leading role. He brings no one to the theater and that's a problem too. Long and Barrymore may be great together in real life, but we don't have to pay to see that. The romantic comedy can be really great movie making. But right now we have a real problem getting the fans enthused into going.
Going The Distance. Old, tired idea, a leading actress that as fallen out of popular favor, and a male lead that no one wants to pay to see. You decide. A REDBOX rental in 90 days. Save your money. Everyone else did.
It would seem one of three things are in play here. One - people are on no mood for romantic comedies this summer. Two - people have caught on to the fact that there are no new ideas in Hollywood. Or three - We are done with some of these stars more than Hollywood knows. Probably a combination of all three. Mainly two and three.
GTD stars Barrymore and Justin Long as a young couple that fall in love and then are separated by many miles and settle into a long distance relationship or sorts. Will they make it, or is this too much to overcome? Now doesn't that sound fun? I've never heard of this plot line before. There are no new ideas in Hollywood right now. And it's a problem, especially in this line of movie making. Romantic comedies are staggering around. They have attempted reinvent them recently by making them more crude and action based. This one goes down the crude road at times, and to be honest it really doesn't work. And not because it's crude, because it's not funny. And that's worse.
I won't lie, there are some nice moments in this flick. At times Barrymore is engaging and clever, but a movie can't rely on a split second or two here and there. And some of these stars it would seem are really starting to show their lack of versatility. And we by and large may be becoming done with them. They all do what they do relatively well, problem is with Barrymore, Aniston, and maybe even Katherine Heigl it's all he same time and time again.
Could be they've done all they are really capable of doing, and now we're the wiser. We may be putting more thought into plopping down big money to see the same movie, character and performance time after time. Heigle to a lesser degree. She is funny and fresher, but Killers with Heigl earlier this year was also a mild hit. Aniston's Bounty Hunter did pretty well and was fun, but she had the draw of Girard Butler, and he's a big deal right now. He also was in The Ugly Truth with Heigl, and that was a big hit last year. But for the most part, the struggle is on.
Justin Long is a problem in GTD. Although really funny on MAC TV ads, and in smaller roles in other movies, he's just not strong enough to carry the load in a leading role. He brings no one to the theater and that's a problem too. Long and Barrymore may be great together in real life, but we don't have to pay to see that. The romantic comedy can be really great movie making. But right now we have a real problem getting the fans enthused into going.
Going The Distance. Old, tired idea, a leading actress that as fallen out of popular favor, and a male lead that no one wants to pay to see. You decide. A REDBOX rental in 90 days. Save your money. Everyone else did.
MOVIES OF THE MONTH - August
It's that time again. Time to announce my picks for the best and worst movies of the month. This time it's August. Gotta be honest, after looking at the list of movies last month, it was a tough choice to find ones that could wear the "best" tag. It was one of the worst Augusts I can remember. All movies mentioned have to be released to our area in the said month. Box office take makes no difference. I'll pick a best and worst and an honorable mention in each category.
So let's go!
Best Movie of the Month - August
Eat, Pray, Love - This wins by default. Although this is not a GREAT movie, it is at times very
well done. Julia Roberts is strong in this true story of a woman trying to
break a cycle of self esteem troubles. Filmed in some beautiful areas around
Italy, India, and Indonesia as well. A bit draggy at times but overall pretty
good.
Honorable Mention - Best
The Other Guys - Someone finally convinced Will Farrel his old and tired act was exactly that.
He is somewhat reinvented here, and there are some really funny moments
in this silly police comedy. Good cast, and a funny, sarcastic script. I am not
a Farrel fan at all, but he's not "Will Farrel" in this flick and it sort of works.
Worst Movie of the Month - August
The Expendables - Sylvester Stallone and tons of aging stars in this complete waste
of time movie. No real story, no real point, and too many "stars" and not
enough movie. Why? Dude, Sly.... retire, or reinvent yourself! This is
getting embarrassing.
Honorable Mention - August
Piranha 3-D - I know this is designed to be so bad, that it's actually good. Heavy satire and
parody here, that at times is amusing, but sheesh! This is just an excuse to show
as much guts and gore as possible. So much nudity, and everyone dying with no
clothes on too. Blood galore. So bad it's good? No, just so bad ...it's bad. 3-D not
necessary either. Added nothing
Check in next month for the best and worst movies of the month E-mail me too with your thoughts too scott@wqmx.com
So let's go!
Best Movie of the Month - August
Eat, Pray, Love - This wins by default. Although this is not a GREAT movie, it is at times very
well done. Julia Roberts is strong in this true story of a woman trying to
break a cycle of self esteem troubles. Filmed in some beautiful areas around
Italy, India, and Indonesia as well. A bit draggy at times but overall pretty
good.
Honorable Mention - Best
The Other Guys - Someone finally convinced Will Farrel his old and tired act was exactly that.
He is somewhat reinvented here, and there are some really funny moments
in this silly police comedy. Good cast, and a funny, sarcastic script. I am not
a Farrel fan at all, but he's not "Will Farrel" in this flick and it sort of works.
Worst Movie of the Month - August
The Expendables - Sylvester Stallone and tons of aging stars in this complete waste
of time movie. No real story, no real point, and too many "stars" and not
enough movie. Why? Dude, Sly.... retire, or reinvent yourself! This is
getting embarrassing.
Honorable Mention - August
Piranha 3-D - I know this is designed to be so bad, that it's actually good. Heavy satire and
parody here, that at times is amusing, but sheesh! This is just an excuse to show
as much guts and gore as possible. So much nudity, and everyone dying with no
clothes on too. Blood galore. So bad it's good? No, just so bad ...it's bad. 3-D not
necessary either. Added nothing
Check in next month for the best and worst movies of the month E-mail me too with your thoughts too scott@wqmx.com
Monday, September 6, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Machete
Every once in a while a movie like Machete comes out, and can turn into a cult classic real quick.
Time will tell is that will happen here, but Machete is so out there, so ridiculous, so absurd it just might.
Check this out. Machete stars, Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Lindsey Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Dinero, Steven Seagal, Cheech Marin, and Jeff Fahey. It's not like there's a bunch of nothings here. But from the opening bell, you understand this is a real strange movie, and as time goes on it gets stranger.
Trejo plays an ex-Mexican Federale named "Machete." He get that name because he doesn't use guns, but a huge machete to do his law enforcement handy work. He ends up in America after refusing to die in the opening scene. And somehow ends up involved as a hit man against a American politician who is in favor of strict U.S. - Mexican immigration. There you really start to put together what this movie is all about. It is extremely agenda laden, and it is actually a total lampoon on many different issues.
It is heavily satiristic on the immigration issue, and the politicians who are in favor of reform on both sides of the issue. It lampoons slasher movies, action movies, serial killing movies, special effects in movies, and there are huge stereotypes flung around this movie, taking shots at Americans and Mexicans alike. Many of the stars , especially Lohan are lampooned personally as well as in the movie. It is so totally absurd, it turns out being very humorous at times by design. But there are instances they push too far, and cross over to being uncomfortable. Be aware. NOTHING is off limits in Machete. Everyone and everything is fair game and in play. There is no boundary they don't cross. It is tasteless, it is brutal, it is highly violent, and there is graphic gore about every 5 minutes or so. NO one or organization goes unscathed, including the church. So in case you are easily offended, stay away from Machete.
You have to "get" what they are doing here. This may appear to some to be some totally offensive gore fest. And you would be right. Others will think this is some highly offensive, but guilty pleasure filled satire bent on mowing down everyone in it's path for a few laughs. and you would be right too. This is on a one way track to be or not to be a cult movie classic for those who like cult movies and don't mind the offensiveness of the material. Time till tell if Machete gets there or not.
Machete. My goodness, NOT FOR MOST. For those who are NOT easily offended by virtually anything. In all seriousness. This is way off the beaten path movie making, for a small sliver of the box office crowd. Leave Nana at home!
Time will tell is that will happen here, but Machete is so out there, so ridiculous, so absurd it just might.
Check this out. Machete stars, Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Lindsey Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Dinero, Steven Seagal, Cheech Marin, and Jeff Fahey. It's not like there's a bunch of nothings here. But from the opening bell, you understand this is a real strange movie, and as time goes on it gets stranger.
Trejo plays an ex-Mexican Federale named "Machete." He get that name because he doesn't use guns, but a huge machete to do his law enforcement handy work. He ends up in America after refusing to die in the opening scene. And somehow ends up involved as a hit man against a American politician who is in favor of strict U.S. - Mexican immigration. There you really start to put together what this movie is all about. It is extremely agenda laden, and it is actually a total lampoon on many different issues.
It is heavily satiristic on the immigration issue, and the politicians who are in favor of reform on both sides of the issue. It lampoons slasher movies, action movies, serial killing movies, special effects in movies, and there are huge stereotypes flung around this movie, taking shots at Americans and Mexicans alike. Many of the stars , especially Lohan are lampooned personally as well as in the movie. It is so totally absurd, it turns out being very humorous at times by design. But there are instances they push too far, and cross over to being uncomfortable. Be aware. NOTHING is off limits in Machete. Everyone and everything is fair game and in play. There is no boundary they don't cross. It is tasteless, it is brutal, it is highly violent, and there is graphic gore about every 5 minutes or so. NO one or organization goes unscathed, including the church. So in case you are easily offended, stay away from Machete.
You have to "get" what they are doing here. This may appear to some to be some totally offensive gore fest. And you would be right. Others will think this is some highly offensive, but guilty pleasure filled satire bent on mowing down everyone in it's path for a few laughs. and you would be right too. This is on a one way track to be or not to be a cult movie classic for those who like cult movies and don't mind the offensiveness of the material. Time till tell if Machete gets there or not.
Machete. My goodness, NOT FOR MOST. For those who are NOT easily offended by virtually anything. In all seriousness. This is way off the beaten path movie making, for a small sliver of the box office crowd. Leave Nana at home!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Things Worth Learning
One of the really good things about being around a while, is getting a little wiser. If you're lucky, the longer you're here, the more you learn. And in the grand scheme of things that's a good thing. More knowledge, better decisions, more happiness, and generally more internal peace.
I'm not talking bout the news or world events here. Those ebb to flow. Good news, bad news, no news, it's all a blur. And that kind of knowledge although valuable to have is just knowledge. It's fact. I'm talking here about the important stuff. The stuff that makes us who we are as a person.
I am a very curious person by nature, and a question that I have consistently asked myself internally is what I bring to the party. Maybe you have too. Do the things I say, or the way I make people feel really impact them in a positive way? Do I make the same difference to them, as many do to me? That's a fair and common question to ask. I don't think that question comes from low self esteem for most. I think it comes from modesty. Modest people are good people. Most people don't sit around fog-horning, "Yea well, I really make a difference to so and so with my vast knowledge of such and such.......blah blah....." And if they do, then they more than likely would have the potential for the self low self esteem card to come into play.
The reason I bring this up, is that at no time have I had the quality of people in my daily life that I do now. In uncertain times, it's comforting to know that as I negotiate through my day, the people in my day are ones that through their actions, words and deeds, are teaching me things I that didn't know.....that I didn't know. When those around you not only help you look at things from a different angle, or multiple different angles, it makes you better if your paying attention. As you go down the road, people weave in and out of your life that leave their hand print on you. Experience helps you weed out the ones who have nothing for you to learn from, and helps you gravitate towards the ones that do.
It's a basic lesson our parents taught us as kids, "Choose your friends wisely." We don't always do that very well as youngsters, but as time goes on, we seem to do a better job. I love learning from my friends, and from the powerful people in my life. And they are all ages, and from all kinds of places. It's good to know that as I wake up every day, the people I am going to see, and spend the most time with, hear from and talk with, are more than likely going to open my eyes and teach me something that I didn't know before. That makes me happy during the day, and helps me sleep better at night. Always a good thing.
Got me thinking maybe I should tell them more often how much how much I value them, and care for them. And how important their gifts are, with their goodness that they choose to share with me. Maybe I just did. And I learned that lesson this week from a friend that lead by example.
Blessed you are in life, if you have people with the ability to share things with you that are worth knowing. Maybe that's why if you have friends in your life for years or decades they are more than just friends, they are powerful people, worth knowing, and are always teaching you something you didn't know before.
And the good news there is, it would seem you are to them ....as they are to you.
I'm not talking bout the news or world events here. Those ebb to flow. Good news, bad news, no news, it's all a blur. And that kind of knowledge although valuable to have is just knowledge. It's fact. I'm talking here about the important stuff. The stuff that makes us who we are as a person.
I am a very curious person by nature, and a question that I have consistently asked myself internally is what I bring to the party. Maybe you have too. Do the things I say, or the way I make people feel really impact them in a positive way? Do I make the same difference to them, as many do to me? That's a fair and common question to ask. I don't think that question comes from low self esteem for most. I think it comes from modesty. Modest people are good people. Most people don't sit around fog-horning, "Yea well, I really make a difference to so and so with my vast knowledge of such and such.......blah blah....." And if they do, then they more than likely would have the potential for the self low self esteem card to come into play.
The reason I bring this up, is that at no time have I had the quality of people in my daily life that I do now. In uncertain times, it's comforting to know that as I negotiate through my day, the people in my day are ones that through their actions, words and deeds, are teaching me things I that didn't know.....that I didn't know. When those around you not only help you look at things from a different angle, or multiple different angles, it makes you better if your paying attention. As you go down the road, people weave in and out of your life that leave their hand print on you. Experience helps you weed out the ones who have nothing for you to learn from, and helps you gravitate towards the ones that do.
It's a basic lesson our parents taught us as kids, "Choose your friends wisely." We don't always do that very well as youngsters, but as time goes on, we seem to do a better job. I love learning from my friends, and from the powerful people in my life. And they are all ages, and from all kinds of places. It's good to know that as I wake up every day, the people I am going to see, and spend the most time with, hear from and talk with, are more than likely going to open my eyes and teach me something that I didn't know before. That makes me happy during the day, and helps me sleep better at night. Always a good thing.
Got me thinking maybe I should tell them more often how much how much I value them, and care for them. And how important their gifts are, with their goodness that they choose to share with me. Maybe I just did. And I learned that lesson this week from a friend that lead by example.
Blessed you are in life, if you have people with the ability to share things with you that are worth knowing. Maybe that's why if you have friends in your life for years or decades they are more than just friends, they are powerful people, worth knowing, and are always teaching you something you didn't know before.
And the good news there is, it would seem you are to them ....as they are to you.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The American
We're heading into fall, and that means it must be time for the annual George Clooney sophisticated,serious drama movie. And here it is, The American.
The American is the story of Jack (Clooney). He is some kind of international assassin, gun runner, and just overall bad guy disguised as a slick, suave nice guy. After years of this lonely, solitary lifestyle he decides that he wants out of this terrible way of life. He yearns for a normal life, with a beautiful woman, and wants to reinvent himself as far away as he can. Trouble is, getting out is impossible. And his employer is going to se to it.
First off, this movie will miss with many movie goers who are going in thinking this is a big time action flick, complete with a bunch of gun play and chase scenes. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is NOT an action movie, it is a slow burnng thriller. You must be willing to be as patient as this movie is to enjoy it. This movie follows much of the same formula as old time Clint Eastwood westerns. Especially at the movies outset. Little duologue, and much quiet on screen acting. Much of this movie is told through motion and not words. This will leave some cold.
But The American does build slowly and does turn the corner at about the halfway point. Clooney has found a type of movie that he is comfortable with. Much like Good Night And Good Luck, Micheal Clayton, and Up In The Air, Clooney has found a formula that works for him. Good stories, told on his terms with good people around him, chucking much of the Hollywood predictable junk.
The American is flawed at times, and is a bit slow especially early. But the story is solid, acting is great, casting is superb, and this is filmed in beautiful, rural Italy. Just a fantastic setting for this movie. This is an adult movie, and won't hold much interest with a young crowd, as The American will not move fast enough for them. Nice adult night at the movies here.
The American. Not perfect by any means. But overall well told, and overall well done.
The American is the story of Jack (Clooney). He is some kind of international assassin, gun runner, and just overall bad guy disguised as a slick, suave nice guy. After years of this lonely, solitary lifestyle he decides that he wants out of this terrible way of life. He yearns for a normal life, with a beautiful woman, and wants to reinvent himself as far away as he can. Trouble is, getting out is impossible. And his employer is going to se to it.
First off, this movie will miss with many movie goers who are going in thinking this is a big time action flick, complete with a bunch of gun play and chase scenes. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is NOT an action movie, it is a slow burnng thriller. You must be willing to be as patient as this movie is to enjoy it. This movie follows much of the same formula as old time Clint Eastwood westerns. Especially at the movies outset. Little duologue, and much quiet on screen acting. Much of this movie is told through motion and not words. This will leave some cold.
But The American does build slowly and does turn the corner at about the halfway point. Clooney has found a type of movie that he is comfortable with. Much like Good Night And Good Luck, Micheal Clayton, and Up In The Air, Clooney has found a formula that works for him. Good stories, told on his terms with good people around him, chucking much of the Hollywood predictable junk.
The American is flawed at times, and is a bit slow especially early. But the story is solid, acting is great, casting is superb, and this is filmed in beautiful, rural Italy. Just a fantastic setting for this movie. This is an adult movie, and won't hold much interest with a young crowd, as The American will not move fast enough for them. Nice adult night at the movies here.
The American. Not perfect by any means. But overall well told, and overall well done.
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