Course: Astorhurst
Location: Seven Hills
Directions: On Dunham Road, not far off Rockside Road, I-480, or I-77
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 632AM
Astorhurst is a fun, old school golf course that none of The Dewsweepers had ever played before, and one we all really liked. It is an old-school course that only plays out at the tips at about 6,100 yards. But this course makes you play every single club in your bag, as it's dog-legs, short length, tree lined fairways, and incredibly uneven and undulated terrain give you more than you think when you read the card. Not to mention some of the greens are very heavily protected by small, but numerous sand traps, and a small amount of water in very strategic locations throughout the 18.
This is a course that you really don't need to hit a lot of drivers. If you do, and you are not accurate you will take a huge number on a course that you will wonder how. It is exceedingly important that you keep the ball in front of you here, and keep it where you can take advantage of its shorter length. Tough to do that from the trees or gunge.
Beef overall had the the prettiest round of the day, with two birdies and a number of pars. He had a bird on each side, both on par 3's, and 2's on the card always seem to help. A number of pars really had him going, including a great par on the great number 12, par 5, 500 yards, with a remarkable third shot that brought him back from the dead for him to get par. Beef had a tough finish, doubling two of the last three holes, to short circuit his round from going low. 41/43 is 84. Not bad as we learned this somewhat quirky course.
Joe Red played fairly well for much of the round, but Red fell victim to a couple a bad numbers that make it tough to come back from. Red is not a huge iron hitter, and being a long iron player is really beneficial on this course. So Joe had to play many shots off the tee that are not clubs he generally hits with the most confidence. But he hung in here, battling an inconsistent driving day, and a couple penalties, finishing with 91. But he will score far better next time we play here, as this course must be learned.
Tex, had a day that we all have had. The strengths of his game let him down for much of the day. Tex is a fine short gamer and putter, but a few 3 putts, and a tough day with the wedge gave him a struggle. Tex also really got tossed around on number 9, a short par 4 and that really hurt. Tex is still growing with his new driver, and it is helping his game. But today, it was the stuff Tex does well that let him down, and that is tough to come back from.
I kept the ball in front of me all day, no penalties and that was one of my goals. I hit tons of irons today and only a few drivers. My let down today was my second shots. I played fairly well, but most of my first putts were 20 plus feet, and that makes it rough for scoring. Lots of pars and solid bogie's, but they add up. I had a three putt on 10 that didn't help, but overall did what I wanted. Just got to get the ball closer to the hole. 42/42 equals 84
Course highlights? This course in general is so very nice with a whole lot of character, and no two holes the same. Number 2, is a brutal par 4, 450 yards uphill all the way. Loved all of the back 9, as the course tightens and toughens up. Again, this course only plays out at 6,100 yards, but it can be tough. Huge terrain, many downhill drives, and uneven lies. Loved number 8 and 9, great par 4's with the approach on 8 being one of the great seconds shots you'll play anywhere. And the beautiful number 13, gigantic par 4, 187 over a huge gorge. Great golf hole.
Astorhurst. It's nothing fancy in any regard, but it is a fun and entertaining course that we can't wait to play again.
Scores
Beef - 84
Wynn - 84
Joe Red - 91
Tex - 100
Next week, the Dewsweepers play at the wonderful Rawiga CC in Seville!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - The Heat
The new female buddy comedy, The Heat is here with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock.
What The Heat actually is, is Lethal Weapon with girls, and women. And to be honest, there is nothing wrong with that. One cop is straight laced (Bullock) the other is outrageous (McCarthy) and they try to mix together to catch a drug lord. That's basically all you need to know, because that's all there is.
That's about all the Lethal Weapon movies were and they were big hits, and this will be too. This movie is a great example of what it takes to make a contemporary comedy and have it work. They have a great formula here.
First of all, any comedy that works these days is heavily R-rated. There must be violence, action, and the scripts are very heavy with harsh language where the F-word is common place. Plus tons of other subject matter that was taboo a few years ago. The day of PG-13 effective comedies are over for the time being. No judgment, that is just where we are now. That's what this movie is. There is a pretty fun story here, and they do develop two decent characters, but a lot of what this is, is McCarthy improvising F-bomb laced dialogue for 90 minutes. Much of this if your close your eyes sounds like a stand up comedy routine, with virtually all lines from her sounding like a punch line.
Bullock get into the fray later in the flick, as her character loosens up and she becomes more free to participate in the festivities. I thought much of the visual sight gags from her were pretty funny. McCarthy who is immensely popular can be, and is, quite funny at times in this flick, but after a while you realize that bit is what she has, and that's all you're gonna get.
I like her, but she does one thing. There will be sequels to this, and that's fine. But I would love to see more from her up the line, where she could do some really nice work, work with a real script, with a real film maker or two. She has a very interesting niche that no one else has, and that could really be effective in the right situation. Again, I think McCarthy is much better than this movie. Bullock as done that, even won an Oscar for The Blind Side, but she too had to wade through her share of average projects before that.
This is not a bad movie, I know some critics have been very harsh on this, but this made the core audience laugh throughout. This is clearly targeted at young women, and they were howling for 2 hours, so mission accomplished. There are those that may be disappointed that this is what some feel is funny, but what we think is funny in entertainment is constantly changing.
The Heat. They know who is going, and zero in. Moments that are very funny. But in the end, more of a comedy routine as opposed to a comedic movie.
What The Heat actually is, is Lethal Weapon with girls, and women. And to be honest, there is nothing wrong with that. One cop is straight laced (Bullock) the other is outrageous (McCarthy) and they try to mix together to catch a drug lord. That's basically all you need to know, because that's all there is.
That's about all the Lethal Weapon movies were and they were big hits, and this will be too. This movie is a great example of what it takes to make a contemporary comedy and have it work. They have a great formula here.
First of all, any comedy that works these days is heavily R-rated. There must be violence, action, and the scripts are very heavy with harsh language where the F-word is common place. Plus tons of other subject matter that was taboo a few years ago. The day of PG-13 effective comedies are over for the time being. No judgment, that is just where we are now. That's what this movie is. There is a pretty fun story here, and they do develop two decent characters, but a lot of what this is, is McCarthy improvising F-bomb laced dialogue for 90 minutes. Much of this if your close your eyes sounds like a stand up comedy routine, with virtually all lines from her sounding like a punch line.
Bullock get into the fray later in the flick, as her character loosens up and she becomes more free to participate in the festivities. I thought much of the visual sight gags from her were pretty funny. McCarthy who is immensely popular can be, and is, quite funny at times in this flick, but after a while you realize that bit is what she has, and that's all you're gonna get.
I like her, but she does one thing. There will be sequels to this, and that's fine. But I would love to see more from her up the line, where she could do some really nice work, work with a real script, with a real film maker or two. She has a very interesting niche that no one else has, and that could really be effective in the right situation. Again, I think McCarthy is much better than this movie. Bullock as done that, even won an Oscar for The Blind Side, but she too had to wade through her share of average projects before that.
This is not a bad movie, I know some critics have been very harsh on this, but this made the core audience laugh throughout. This is clearly targeted at young women, and they were howling for 2 hours, so mission accomplished. There are those that may be disappointed that this is what some feel is funny, but what we think is funny in entertainment is constantly changing.
The Heat. They know who is going, and zero in. Moments that are very funny. But in the end, more of a comedy routine as opposed to a comedic movie.
MOVIE REVIEW - White House Down
The second in a line of White House destroying movies is out this week. Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx star in White House Down. You might remember we had Gerard Butler starring in Olympus Has Fallen a couple months ago, and he saved the free world, now it's Tatum's turn.
This is a 2 hour and 17 minute action packed summer mindless movie. With the emphasis being on action, and mindless. There is no shortage of things blowing up, people getting shot and gigantic chase scenes and plenty of gun play. You certainly don't get cheated on that. Plus, Tatum is a very caring and sensitive young father of a remarkable young 11-year old daughter who is the darling of this movie. Foxx is the ultra-cool young President that turns into action hero after the White House is under siege. So there is plenty for many to grab onto.
And our movie makers do get basically right to it by throwing you into the action, taking little if any time to really develop a meaningful story or plot line. I mean, who has time for that? We have to pack in about 2 hours of non top action into this movie. So on that front, your money laid down is paid back with tons of all of the action you could want.
But then there's the rest of this that is about 2 inches away from the corny propaganda movies that this country, and others used to make during the Cold War. That is all this really is, just with big stars and and cooler special effects. This movie is clearly but loosely based on actual people in our government today if you look at this is any real honest eye.
In a nutshell, the President (Foxx) announces he has a peace plan and is pulling all U.S. troops out of the Middles East. So, then the Defense Contractors fund an overthrow of the Government complete with blowing up the Capital Building and White House, Killing the Vice-President, capturing the President, and installing the Speaker Of The House as President. He of course is a horrible man, who is involved in a plan to nuke the entire Middle East and kill millions of people. The man who is in charge of the actual mission is the head of the Secret Service who has gone wrong, and hires a bunch of mercenaries to carry out the mission. They of course, are all ex-U.S. military, or government who have an ax to grind against the country. Can Channing Tatum and his little girl save us? You may laugh at the last line, but that's the reality of White House Down.
This movie attempts to tell it's story along the way, and that in itself is a bit insulting to us, as anyone with any level of sharpness who is watching this is way, and I mean way ahead of this movie. They think that they are dropping bombshells along the way, but you have this figured out well in advance. This is one of those that is sort of action, with a bunch of humor and a large amount of camp along the way. At times this takes itself not so serious and that is to its credit. But in the end this is so agenda laden, so stereotypical, and at times so immensely silly, it's hard to take seriously. But this is pure summer silliness, and it that's what you are looking for, this is your movie.
White House Down. Effects - big. Plot - small.
This is a 2 hour and 17 minute action packed summer mindless movie. With the emphasis being on action, and mindless. There is no shortage of things blowing up, people getting shot and gigantic chase scenes and plenty of gun play. You certainly don't get cheated on that. Plus, Tatum is a very caring and sensitive young father of a remarkable young 11-year old daughter who is the darling of this movie. Foxx is the ultra-cool young President that turns into action hero after the White House is under siege. So there is plenty for many to grab onto.
And our movie makers do get basically right to it by throwing you into the action, taking little if any time to really develop a meaningful story or plot line. I mean, who has time for that? We have to pack in about 2 hours of non top action into this movie. So on that front, your money laid down is paid back with tons of all of the action you could want.
But then there's the rest of this that is about 2 inches away from the corny propaganda movies that this country, and others used to make during the Cold War. That is all this really is, just with big stars and and cooler special effects. This movie is clearly but loosely based on actual people in our government today if you look at this is any real honest eye.
In a nutshell, the President (Foxx) announces he has a peace plan and is pulling all U.S. troops out of the Middles East. So, then the Defense Contractors fund an overthrow of the Government complete with blowing up the Capital Building and White House, Killing the Vice-President, capturing the President, and installing the Speaker Of The House as President. He of course is a horrible man, who is involved in a plan to nuke the entire Middle East and kill millions of people. The man who is in charge of the actual mission is the head of the Secret Service who has gone wrong, and hires a bunch of mercenaries to carry out the mission. They of course, are all ex-U.S. military, or government who have an ax to grind against the country. Can Channing Tatum and his little girl save us? You may laugh at the last line, but that's the reality of White House Down.
This movie attempts to tell it's story along the way, and that in itself is a bit insulting to us, as anyone with any level of sharpness who is watching this is way, and I mean way ahead of this movie. They think that they are dropping bombshells along the way, but you have this figured out well in advance. This is one of those that is sort of action, with a bunch of humor and a large amount of camp along the way. At times this takes itself not so serious and that is to its credit. But in the end this is so agenda laden, so stereotypical, and at times so immensely silly, it's hard to take seriously. But this is pure summer silliness, and it that's what you are looking for, this is your movie.
White House Down. Effects - big. Plot - small.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Course Review
Course: Hilliard Lakes
Location: Westlake, Hilliard Road
Directions: Not far off I-480, or I-90, or Turnpike
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 603AM
This week we played one of the really nice public courses around, and one that is always in very nice shape, Hilliard Lakes in Westlake. Hilliard is nestled nicely in the tall trees at the end of Hilliard Road. In fact, it dead ends into the driveway to the golf course. It plays about 6,400 yards from the average tees, but this can be played out at 7,100 if you're feeling sporty from the tips. In fact, from there it is a very different course off the tee.
Hilliard Lakes is tree lined on virtually every hole, with wonderful mature trees, that make this more of a position course, and not one you can easily overpower. But, if you are hitting the driver very well, you can overpower this course and score very low. There is some sand, but all of it is green protection, and there is some water, a few creeks and small lakes here and there, but not really a ton. The greens are always in very nice shape, and moderate speed. Speaking of the greens, they are easy to "over read" here, they really do not break very much, and that takes a bit of getting used to. Putt it at the hole. Today, we had a good competitive match.
Joe Red was back this week after missing a couple weeks traveling for business, and he was back on his game. He was driving the ball very well overall, and had his game back on the beam. He returned to a nice consistency, staying out of trouble for the most part and got stronger as the round wore on, posting a nice 40 on the more difficult back 9 for a 85 on the day. He also had a terrific birdie on the par 3 number 15, as he made an incredible putt of the fringe down hill, turning hard right. Shot of the day!
Tex has really gotten his game together, and his new TaylorMade driver is really starting to pay off. He is driving the ball very well, and straight, still not hugely long, but getting it in position to score. He is heating up with the weather and had a real nice stretch today of pars and good scores. Tex always putts the ball well, and today was no exception. Tex is gaining on his game posting a 91 today.
Beef, came out of the box smokin' today with a birdie on number one, after hitting his drive into maybe the only fairway bunker on he course, but making a nice 10 foot putt on the green. Although Beef had his slips along the way with a penalty stroke or two, he hung in, and scored a nice 85 on the day.
I played very conservatively today, as I generally do on this course. I only hit 2 drivers all day off the tee, 1 and 18. And one 3 wood on number 11 off the tee. I hit a ton of 5 irons off the tee today and kept the ball in front of me. I tossed up a very nice 39 on the front with 6 pars. But the back did me in. Actually, number 11 did me in as I took a horrible 8 (quadruple bogie), with a bad drive, then a penalty shot, and tossing one in the sand. Then a double on 18, and it added up to 86 on the day. I was in position to go low today, but 2 holes messed up my plans. The other 16 holes I played pretty darn well.
Course highlights? Number 2, 340 yard par 4, tough drive 2 handicap. Number 4, par 4, 350 tough drive over a creek. Number 10, 380 par 4 tree lined all the way tough drive, 11 par 4, 410 yards, tough drive. Number 16, tough par 5, three good shots needed, and 18, 410 par 4 tough green to hit. Par 5's on front, pretty easy, par 5's on back, really tough. This though is a par 4 course, they are the holes that can toss you off the track quickly.
Hilliard Lakes is a nice, quiet and serene course that is a joy to play. Plenty of shade and green to make your day a very nice one. Prices reasonable for a course of this caliber. But hit it very straight, big trees everywhere!
Scores
Beef - 85
Joe Red - 85
Wynn - 86
Tex - 91
Location: Westlake, Hilliard Road
Directions: Not far off I-480, or I-90, or Turnpike
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 603AM
This week we played one of the really nice public courses around, and one that is always in very nice shape, Hilliard Lakes in Westlake. Hilliard is nestled nicely in the tall trees at the end of Hilliard Road. In fact, it dead ends into the driveway to the golf course. It plays about 6,400 yards from the average tees, but this can be played out at 7,100 if you're feeling sporty from the tips. In fact, from there it is a very different course off the tee.
Hilliard Lakes is tree lined on virtually every hole, with wonderful mature trees, that make this more of a position course, and not one you can easily overpower. But, if you are hitting the driver very well, you can overpower this course and score very low. There is some sand, but all of it is green protection, and there is some water, a few creeks and small lakes here and there, but not really a ton. The greens are always in very nice shape, and moderate speed. Speaking of the greens, they are easy to "over read" here, they really do not break very much, and that takes a bit of getting used to. Putt it at the hole. Today, we had a good competitive match.
Joe Red was back this week after missing a couple weeks traveling for business, and he was back on his game. He was driving the ball very well overall, and had his game back on the beam. He returned to a nice consistency, staying out of trouble for the most part and got stronger as the round wore on, posting a nice 40 on the more difficult back 9 for a 85 on the day. He also had a terrific birdie on the par 3 number 15, as he made an incredible putt of the fringe down hill, turning hard right. Shot of the day!
Tex has really gotten his game together, and his new TaylorMade driver is really starting to pay off. He is driving the ball very well, and straight, still not hugely long, but getting it in position to score. He is heating up with the weather and had a real nice stretch today of pars and good scores. Tex always putts the ball well, and today was no exception. Tex is gaining on his game posting a 91 today.
Beef, came out of the box smokin' today with a birdie on number one, after hitting his drive into maybe the only fairway bunker on he course, but making a nice 10 foot putt on the green. Although Beef had his slips along the way with a penalty stroke or two, he hung in, and scored a nice 85 on the day.
I played very conservatively today, as I generally do on this course. I only hit 2 drivers all day off the tee, 1 and 18. And one 3 wood on number 11 off the tee. I hit a ton of 5 irons off the tee today and kept the ball in front of me. I tossed up a very nice 39 on the front with 6 pars. But the back did me in. Actually, number 11 did me in as I took a horrible 8 (quadruple bogie), with a bad drive, then a penalty shot, and tossing one in the sand. Then a double on 18, and it added up to 86 on the day. I was in position to go low today, but 2 holes messed up my plans. The other 16 holes I played pretty darn well.
Course highlights? Number 2, 340 yard par 4, tough drive 2 handicap. Number 4, par 4, 350 tough drive over a creek. Number 10, 380 par 4 tree lined all the way tough drive, 11 par 4, 410 yards, tough drive. Number 16, tough par 5, three good shots needed, and 18, 410 par 4 tough green to hit. Par 5's on front, pretty easy, par 5's on back, really tough. This though is a par 4 course, they are the holes that can toss you off the track quickly.
Hilliard Lakes is a nice, quiet and serene course that is a joy to play. Plenty of shade and green to make your day a very nice one. Prices reasonable for a course of this caliber. But hit it very straight, big trees everywhere!
Scores
Beef - 85
Joe Red - 85
Wynn - 86
Tex - 91
Saturday, June 22, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - World War Z
That gigantic thud you just heard outside was not a zombie attack, it was the movie about the zombie apocalypse, World War Z.
Is this all there is? Seriously. WWZ was in the making for years and the expectations were high, and it is hard to believe that after all hype this is all we get. Brad Pitt stars as an ex-United Nations agent who is brought back into the fold, leaving his family behind and jets off to try to save the world from the millions of Zombies that are destroying the world and killing off billions. As huge as the zombie craze is right now on numerous cable TV shows, my gut feeling is that you will get far more compelling content there, than you will here for 10-15 dollars a ticket.
There really is no plot here other than zombies are eating up the worlds population, and they have to be stopped. This movie looks more like an excuse for Brad Pitt, cast and crew to go on an excellent adventure all over the world on a professional business trip and shoot a little footage. It attempts to, well, I really don't know what it attempts to do other than nothing. This has its share of zombies eating everyone, and doing amazingly non-human things, but if you've seen the preview for this, you have seen everything, and I mean everything this has to offer. There is nothing more, so you can save your cash and watch the YouTube Trailer.
It is staggering to me that producers can't see they have a dog on their hands, but still trudge on. This movie though will cash in to a degree with zombie fanatics who again, will love this movie simply because it exists. But there was a tremendous feeling for me that this was a big 200 million dollar nothing. And for Pitt, this is light years from Moneyball, where he snagged an Oscar nomination and should have won.
WWZ has nothing new, original, or compelling to it. You will more than likely be underwhelmed by its story, special effects, and its extraordinarily horrible, non-climactic ending. Sadly, they are setting this up for more to be made. I guess it will depend on the cash it does or does not rake in.
World War Z. Even for hard core zombie fans, this will have nothing new for you at all except more zombies. This looks years late to the party.
Is this all there is? Seriously. WWZ was in the making for years and the expectations were high, and it is hard to believe that after all hype this is all we get. Brad Pitt stars as an ex-United Nations agent who is brought back into the fold, leaving his family behind and jets off to try to save the world from the millions of Zombies that are destroying the world and killing off billions. As huge as the zombie craze is right now on numerous cable TV shows, my gut feeling is that you will get far more compelling content there, than you will here for 10-15 dollars a ticket.
There really is no plot here other than zombies are eating up the worlds population, and they have to be stopped. This movie looks more like an excuse for Brad Pitt, cast and crew to go on an excellent adventure all over the world on a professional business trip and shoot a little footage. It attempts to, well, I really don't know what it attempts to do other than nothing. This has its share of zombies eating everyone, and doing amazingly non-human things, but if you've seen the preview for this, you have seen everything, and I mean everything this has to offer. There is nothing more, so you can save your cash and watch the YouTube Trailer.
It is staggering to me that producers can't see they have a dog on their hands, but still trudge on. This movie though will cash in to a degree with zombie fanatics who again, will love this movie simply because it exists. But there was a tremendous feeling for me that this was a big 200 million dollar nothing. And for Pitt, this is light years from Moneyball, where he snagged an Oscar nomination and should have won.
WWZ has nothing new, original, or compelling to it. You will more than likely be underwhelmed by its story, special effects, and its extraordinarily horrible, non-climactic ending. Sadly, they are setting this up for more to be made. I guess it will depend on the cash it does or does not rake in.
World War Z. Even for hard core zombie fans, this will have nothing new for you at all except more zombies. This looks years late to the party.
Monday, June 17, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Before Midnight
In very limited release it's Before Midnight. This is a small, independent movie that is another sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). This stars Ethan Hawke, and Julie Delpy, in essentially this two-person movie.
Up front and honest. This is a movie that in the grand scheme of things 12 people are going to see. You can Netflix the first two is you want if you want to get caught up. This movie is only going to appeal to a very, very small slice of the actual movie going public, as it is way outside the norm.
This is the continuing story of Jessie (Hawke), and Celine (Delpy). They are extremely well developed characters who are constantly facing real life and current relationship troubles, and they keep talking and trying to work it out. Jessie is 41 now, and is an excellent microcosm of his generation. He is a writer that has seemingly spent his life avoiding real work. He is half mature, and very full of himself, and an honesty problem. Has a 13 year old son who lives half a world away in Chicago with his real mother that hates Jessie. He also has young win girls with Celine, that he loves very much.
Celine is a amazingly complicated and strong French woman, who loves her independence, and loves living in Paris with Jessie. She refuses to marry Jessie, and refuses to move to America where Jessie could be a bigger part of his son's life. Both of our characters has a nice line of communication with each other, and a large amount of resentment towards each other as well. This movie shows them in conflict, as they are facing a large relationship crisis and are at a crossroads. Will they survive?
This is very dramatic stuff, and a very different kind of movie making. It's a series of about 5 very long, and drawn out scenes, some in a single camera shot with very little editing. We are eavesdropping on their long and involved conversations as their lives play out right in front of us. Needless to say this is not for everyone, as it is far more like a play than a movie. These incredibly skilled actors recite piles of very well written dialogue that is a very good snapshot of current relationships troubles, yet timeless at the same time.
Hawke has never been better, and shows just how good he can be and perfectly cast as the flippant Jessie. Delpy is riveting as the chip-on-her -shoulder Celine. It is very difficult not to keep your eyes on her as she is amazingly real, and vulnerable. A fantastic mix of broken English and a soft French accent is very easy to listen to. She really owns the screen here and it's very hard not to feel what she feels. She is nothing short of terrific in this movie. But fair warning, this is a movie-goers movie and not mass appeal. But if you love great acting, no action, and little comedy in a very dramatic movie than this is for you. It's a sad love story, that does make you think about your own life in many ways.
Before Midnight. Few will see it, and that's expected. But this is pretty darn good.
Up front and honest. This is a movie that in the grand scheme of things 12 people are going to see. You can Netflix the first two is you want if you want to get caught up. This movie is only going to appeal to a very, very small slice of the actual movie going public, as it is way outside the norm.
This is the continuing story of Jessie (Hawke), and Celine (Delpy). They are extremely well developed characters who are constantly facing real life and current relationship troubles, and they keep talking and trying to work it out. Jessie is 41 now, and is an excellent microcosm of his generation. He is a writer that has seemingly spent his life avoiding real work. He is half mature, and very full of himself, and an honesty problem. Has a 13 year old son who lives half a world away in Chicago with his real mother that hates Jessie. He also has young win girls with Celine, that he loves very much.
Celine is a amazingly complicated and strong French woman, who loves her independence, and loves living in Paris with Jessie. She refuses to marry Jessie, and refuses to move to America where Jessie could be a bigger part of his son's life. Both of our characters has a nice line of communication with each other, and a large amount of resentment towards each other as well. This movie shows them in conflict, as they are facing a large relationship crisis and are at a crossroads. Will they survive?
This is very dramatic stuff, and a very different kind of movie making. It's a series of about 5 very long, and drawn out scenes, some in a single camera shot with very little editing. We are eavesdropping on their long and involved conversations as their lives play out right in front of us. Needless to say this is not for everyone, as it is far more like a play than a movie. These incredibly skilled actors recite piles of very well written dialogue that is a very good snapshot of current relationships troubles, yet timeless at the same time.
Hawke has never been better, and shows just how good he can be and perfectly cast as the flippant Jessie. Delpy is riveting as the chip-on-her -shoulder Celine. It is very difficult not to keep your eyes on her as she is amazingly real, and vulnerable. A fantastic mix of broken English and a soft French accent is very easy to listen to. She really owns the screen here and it's very hard not to feel what she feels. She is nothing short of terrific in this movie. But fair warning, this is a movie-goers movie and not mass appeal. But if you love great acting, no action, and little comedy in a very dramatic movie than this is for you. It's a sad love story, that does make you think about your own life in many ways.
Before Midnight. Few will see it, and that's expected. But this is pretty darn good.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Man Of Steel
What could be a record setting movie, Man Of Steel is out this weekend. Yes, its a Superman reboot. These are hard to review, because 95 percent who are going to see this movie, decided a year ago that they already love it.
MOS, is an extremely high-budget action flick, brought to us by many of the same producers who rebooted The Batman Dark Night series that was such a huge success. This has that same type of feel. MOS goes back and takes us to the beginning of the story. The origins of "Superman" how he ended up on Earth as a baby, who finds him, what are the ramifications of him on this planet and on his native planet (Krypton), and it's people who have survived the destruction of that planet. It does a great job of placing a complete fantasy premise effectively into today's world.
This actual story is very well written and very skillfully introduces all the characters you know and remember from the comic book and various TV shows and movies past. The story is actually very meticulous in attempting to cover all of its bases, and retell a legendary story and at the same time make it feel very new. High points on writing, character development, and wonderful dialogue. This boasts a huge cast too, with Russel Crowe, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane and what a huge career break for Henry Cavill who is Superman. There is also a great supporting cast that makes this very legit. So much of this is very likable.
This movie though checks in at 2 hours and 25 minutes, and from my chair wears out its welcome after a while. Make no mistake, there is no shortage of really slick special effects in this movie and certainly no shortage of action scenes. But therein maybe some of the problem. Many of these hot action scenes are so long, and so drawn out that it borders on sensory fatigue. Some of these scenes reminded me of Transformers, where many were burned out on the same thing happening over and over again in the same scene. Movie makers certainly do not want to be accused of short changing you on action, and they don't here.
But a ton of this of very loud and herky-jerky and sometimes some of the fight sequences are hard to follow. And some of this is so over the top, that there could be some eye rolling even in a superhero sense. This has a real video game feel to it, and it just keeps coming after you over and over. And that for many will be the real draw, and some the real turn-off. But they are betting the video game generation will rule the day, and they will. This is a good example of a movie that falls in love with what they can do, as opposed on maybe what they should do.
Man Of Steel. Overall, this is entertaining, well written, and is set up for future sequels. The big cast shines brightly, but in the end, the action makes this the ADD of movies.
MOS, is an extremely high-budget action flick, brought to us by many of the same producers who rebooted The Batman Dark Night series that was such a huge success. This has that same type of feel. MOS goes back and takes us to the beginning of the story. The origins of "Superman" how he ended up on Earth as a baby, who finds him, what are the ramifications of him on this planet and on his native planet (Krypton), and it's people who have survived the destruction of that planet. It does a great job of placing a complete fantasy premise effectively into today's world.
This actual story is very well written and very skillfully introduces all the characters you know and remember from the comic book and various TV shows and movies past. The story is actually very meticulous in attempting to cover all of its bases, and retell a legendary story and at the same time make it feel very new. High points on writing, character development, and wonderful dialogue. This boasts a huge cast too, with Russel Crowe, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane and what a huge career break for Henry Cavill who is Superman. There is also a great supporting cast that makes this very legit. So much of this is very likable.
This movie though checks in at 2 hours and 25 minutes, and from my chair wears out its welcome after a while. Make no mistake, there is no shortage of really slick special effects in this movie and certainly no shortage of action scenes. But therein maybe some of the problem. Many of these hot action scenes are so long, and so drawn out that it borders on sensory fatigue. Some of these scenes reminded me of Transformers, where many were burned out on the same thing happening over and over again in the same scene. Movie makers certainly do not want to be accused of short changing you on action, and they don't here.
But a ton of this of very loud and herky-jerky and sometimes some of the fight sequences are hard to follow. And some of this is so over the top, that there could be some eye rolling even in a superhero sense. This has a real video game feel to it, and it just keeps coming after you over and over. And that for many will be the real draw, and some the real turn-off. But they are betting the video game generation will rule the day, and they will. This is a good example of a movie that falls in love with what they can do, as opposed on maybe what they should do.
Man Of Steel. Overall, this is entertaining, well written, and is set up for future sequels. The big cast shines brightly, but in the end, the action makes this the ADD of movies.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Purge
Once in a while a big hit comes out of nowhere and takes us all by surprise at the box office. This summer, The Purge is that movie.
The Purge was made on a shoestring budget in Hollywood terms, and raked in big bucks its first week out. Although its top of the carts run will be over this week, it basically paid for itself in one weekend. We love a good chill in our movies sometimes, and that was the idea in The Purge.
It's the story that takes place in 2022, not too far in the future. America has not climbed out of its economic woes through the current and future administrations in Washington D.C. So a new kind of government is in place now, called the New Founding Fathers. They has designated 12 hours a year to be called The Purge. All law, and emergency services are suspended, and Americans are free to go out and "purge" those they have issue with. All crime is legal, including murder. The idea is to rid America of those who "have not" and are a weight on society. The movie states that this has been the reason the economy is booming, and the reason America is great again.
This chronicles one night, with one family who generally doesn't participate in the purge, but usually ride it out in their heavily fortified home in the suburbs. But after their son lets in a homeless veteran who was being hunted down by radical, entitled college kids they find themselves in the middle of a hunt, where these kids are going to kill the veteran, and the family inside. Can they survive, The Purge?
OK, this is pretty bleak in every facet. The idea behind this movie is actually original, and there are compelling moments in it. Very bloody, and violent, but not gratuitously so, as it's all central to the story at hand. And depending on you point of view, this only shows the purge through the eyes of a single family, and not in the country at large and that may be troubling to some who want a larger lens. I was fine with making it singular.
But this when you look at it deeper, is very dark in what it is saying about all of us. And to its credit it is an equal opportunity offender. Overall, it makes that case that America is so violent that there is no hope. It states literally that there is so much rage in all of us, that we look forward to venting it to make us happier. We look forward to killing once a year. It really goes after privileged college kids, who are so entitled they view the purge as something they have a right to do, and they are in it simply for sport like a video game. It shows veterans as a weight on society, that these kids feel need to be purged. Overall, its statement is that there is no hope for America in the traditional sense, and violence is that only way out to prosperity. What different groups of people choose to do with this freedom is the main focus.
So needless to say, this is not an uplifting flick. But that is the trend right now in Hollywood. They must feel the mood of the nation is gloomy, because there is no shortage of "end of the world," "end of the country" movies out there. And many more are on the way this summer. This breaks it down on a local scale, and that is a bit chilling. But The Purge in the end, is just another violent shoot 'em up all night movie. There are some original parts, and some scary scenes, but when you're done, it feels a bit low budget. But movie goers love a good scare, and seldom in summer do we get one.
The Purge. Like a jolt? Then this is your flick. Just don't expect to feel very happy when this is over.
The Purge was made on a shoestring budget in Hollywood terms, and raked in big bucks its first week out. Although its top of the carts run will be over this week, it basically paid for itself in one weekend. We love a good chill in our movies sometimes, and that was the idea in The Purge.
It's the story that takes place in 2022, not too far in the future. America has not climbed out of its economic woes through the current and future administrations in Washington D.C. So a new kind of government is in place now, called the New Founding Fathers. They has designated 12 hours a year to be called The Purge. All law, and emergency services are suspended, and Americans are free to go out and "purge" those they have issue with. All crime is legal, including murder. The idea is to rid America of those who "have not" and are a weight on society. The movie states that this has been the reason the economy is booming, and the reason America is great again.
This chronicles one night, with one family who generally doesn't participate in the purge, but usually ride it out in their heavily fortified home in the suburbs. But after their son lets in a homeless veteran who was being hunted down by radical, entitled college kids they find themselves in the middle of a hunt, where these kids are going to kill the veteran, and the family inside. Can they survive, The Purge?
OK, this is pretty bleak in every facet. The idea behind this movie is actually original, and there are compelling moments in it. Very bloody, and violent, but not gratuitously so, as it's all central to the story at hand. And depending on you point of view, this only shows the purge through the eyes of a single family, and not in the country at large and that may be troubling to some who want a larger lens. I was fine with making it singular.
But this when you look at it deeper, is very dark in what it is saying about all of us. And to its credit it is an equal opportunity offender. Overall, it makes that case that America is so violent that there is no hope. It states literally that there is so much rage in all of us, that we look forward to venting it to make us happier. We look forward to killing once a year. It really goes after privileged college kids, who are so entitled they view the purge as something they have a right to do, and they are in it simply for sport like a video game. It shows veterans as a weight on society, that these kids feel need to be purged. Overall, its statement is that there is no hope for America in the traditional sense, and violence is that only way out to prosperity. What different groups of people choose to do with this freedom is the main focus.
So needless to say, this is not an uplifting flick. But that is the trend right now in Hollywood. They must feel the mood of the nation is gloomy, because there is no shortage of "end of the world," "end of the country" movies out there. And many more are on the way this summer. This breaks it down on a local scale, and that is a bit chilling. But The Purge in the end, is just another violent shoot 'em up all night movie. There are some original parts, and some scary scenes, but when you're done, it feels a bit low budget. But movie goers love a good scare, and seldom in summer do we get one.
The Purge. Like a jolt? Then this is your flick. Just don't expect to feel very happy when this is over.
Friday, June 14, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - This Is The End
In a modern day Hollywood sense, the new comedy This Is The End has a ton of stars in it. It's just the latest in "Buddy Comedies," that overall is squarely targeting teen boys about 17 years old in its subject manner.
There will be others outside of that age group that will think this is real funny, and some of it really is. But this movie is the microcosm of the ever changing landscape of what we, the movie going public think is funny. Up front, if you don't think that 2 hours of the f-word, and an amazing amount of referencing male body parts and their function is funny, then this is not your movie. To an extraordinary degree, an amazing amount of people must. Many people think that we have been on a path for years now, that virtually all movies are made for 18 year old boys. But that just might be accurate.
Seth Rogen wrote this movie that stars himself, Michael Cera, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and somehow, Emma Watson got dragged into this. What this is, is a big-time parody on the actors themselves, as they play themselves in this spoof on Hollywood, the culture and the perceptions we have on them. In this movie, our out of control, drug using, hard partying troupe suddenly is facing the apocalypse, and the rapture. As in the Biblical rapture, as the end of days happens in Hollywood.
Of course our stars have no real idea what any of this is, and at first that is part of the fun. There are some very funny exchanges in this movie between our characters about themselves, their lifestyle, and their ignorance regarding what is playing out right in front of them. Because of who and what they are, they have to "earn" their way into the rapture, or live out their days in hell on earth. There is some real humor here that is worth laughing at. But then there's the rest of this.
This slowly denigrates itself into an insanely immature comedy where the subject of all the jokes becomes a combination of male body parts, and whatever else they could make fun of that has a junior high locker room mentality to it. And it's complete with visuals too. I love an edgy comedy as much as anyone, but selling out to what you know will make 17 year old boys giggle is borderline pathetic, and very easy.
But we have to branch out, and think that they have tapped into something greater. The movie makers completely understand that immaturity is not contained to just that group of viewers. When in fact the maturity level of many, seems to be stretching well into people into adulthood. Seth Rogen and his troupe think this is funny, as they are all 30 plus. It's sad that they can't be more creative from start to finish. This was a pretty funny idea that got a bit off track,sells out, and becomes something else. There is some good humor in parts here.
It also amazes me too, what actors are willing to do and say on camera for all to see forever, that takes shows a serious lack of personal dignity. Should be noted that this movie also has two recently Oscar nominated actors in it, with James Franco and Jonah Hill. Might be time to up your game boys, or be less than you can be.
This Is The End. This is a heavy R rated movie, with a lot of recreational drug use, seriously bad language, and plenty of crude sexual references. Some of this is really works, but much of this does not.
There will be others outside of that age group that will think this is real funny, and some of it really is. But this movie is the microcosm of the ever changing landscape of what we, the movie going public think is funny. Up front, if you don't think that 2 hours of the f-word, and an amazing amount of referencing male body parts and their function is funny, then this is not your movie. To an extraordinary degree, an amazing amount of people must. Many people think that we have been on a path for years now, that virtually all movies are made for 18 year old boys. But that just might be accurate.
Seth Rogen wrote this movie that stars himself, Michael Cera, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and somehow, Emma Watson got dragged into this. What this is, is a big-time parody on the actors themselves, as they play themselves in this spoof on Hollywood, the culture and the perceptions we have on them. In this movie, our out of control, drug using, hard partying troupe suddenly is facing the apocalypse, and the rapture. As in the Biblical rapture, as the end of days happens in Hollywood.
Of course our stars have no real idea what any of this is, and at first that is part of the fun. There are some very funny exchanges in this movie between our characters about themselves, their lifestyle, and their ignorance regarding what is playing out right in front of them. Because of who and what they are, they have to "earn" their way into the rapture, or live out their days in hell on earth. There is some real humor here that is worth laughing at. But then there's the rest of this.
This slowly denigrates itself into an insanely immature comedy where the subject of all the jokes becomes a combination of male body parts, and whatever else they could make fun of that has a junior high locker room mentality to it. And it's complete with visuals too. I love an edgy comedy as much as anyone, but selling out to what you know will make 17 year old boys giggle is borderline pathetic, and very easy.
But we have to branch out, and think that they have tapped into something greater. The movie makers completely understand that immaturity is not contained to just that group of viewers. When in fact the maturity level of many, seems to be stretching well into people into adulthood. Seth Rogen and his troupe think this is funny, as they are all 30 plus. It's sad that they can't be more creative from start to finish. This was a pretty funny idea that got a bit off track,sells out, and becomes something else. There is some good humor in parts here.
It also amazes me too, what actors are willing to do and say on camera for all to see forever, that takes shows a serious lack of personal dignity. Should be noted that this movie also has two recently Oscar nominated actors in it, with James Franco and Jonah Hill. Might be time to up your game boys, or be less than you can be.
This Is The End. This is a heavy R rated movie, with a lot of recreational drug use, seriously bad language, and plenty of crude sexual references. Some of this is really works, but much of this does not.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Course Review
Course: Ridge Top
Location: Tower Road off of Rt. 57 South of Medina Square
Directions: Easy access off Rt. 57, 42, I-76 and I-71 20 minutes from Akron, 30 from Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 630AM
This week The Dewsweepers made the trek to Medina and played our first Sunday Morning round ever at the quaint, and old school Ridge Top. Ridge Top is a 6,000 yard par 71 traditional golf course, nestled wonderfully in the rolling hills of southern Medina County. We had no idea what to expect of this course, and all of us were really impressed as this course was very entertaining to play.
This course really has a lot of character. Tons of short par 4's, many heavy dog-legs, make is almost impossible to wail away with the driver all day long. Par 5's that are straight in front of you and score-able. And a very nice mix of par 3's, including the number one handicap on the course, the wonderful number 2, 160 yards way uphill to a small and slanted green. And the terrific number 18, 130 yards off the hill, over the mush-mash down in a ravine to a green you must hit! Really great!
This is a position golf course that I can't wait to go back and get another crack at it. On this Sunday conditions were very nice with sun, and the course was not overly wet, but we had 30 mph winds yet again, that changed how you had to play it. This has been a problem on many of our Sundays so far, less than great weather conditions.
But the story of Ridge Top are the incredible greens! They are remarkably well designed. There is hardly a 10 foot area on any green that is flat. Real competition greens that test you to the fullest. They were also fast on this day, with downhill putts really posing a huge challenge. It is best to stay below the hole. Most of the greens are raised and require an uphill approach shot, adding length to the hole, and requiring you to carefully select your clubs.
Beef took the week off with work, so Joe Reds son Bryan filled in and played a nice round checking in at 43/42 for a tidy 85. Including a gigantic drive on the number 2 handicap number 16, 380 yard par 4 over water which he drove over at about 315 yards! Sadly, a 3 putt gave him a bogey there, but what a drive!!!!
Joe Red has a lot on his mind these days with his other son getting married this week and a ton of traveling for work, struggled this week, but finished well parring the last few holes. Red had a tough time on the greens as putting was very difficult. He just needs to play more.
Tex had a rare day of having real problems with his short game, generally one of his strengths, and that really hurt his score. His new driver is getting the ball out there better, but this day his short game wasn't there, and it hurt his score. He also didn't make many putts, as did any of us. But better scores are ahead as the driver is coming around.
I got off to a very slow start again, and had to battle back in. I opened with 2 double bogeys on 1 and 2, and then got my feet under me finishing the front in 44. On the back I shot a 43 for 87 total. Could have been better as I was in good position lots of the time, but I too didn't make many putts I normally would, but it was great to take on the challenge.
Course highlights? We loved this whole course. Really hard not to love the contours and turns and trees. Not much water at all, some sand, but mostly it's dog-legs, and tough greens that were in AMAZING shape and rolled perfectly. You gotta play the bag at Ridge Top. Slam the driver all day long and you are going to get lit-up! Play it smart and you can score. Like us... next time with the wind died down, and more knowledge of this old-school track.
Next time, lots of irons, calm wind, and leave the ball below the hole. Fun place to play!
Location: Tower Road off of Rt. 57 South of Medina Square
Directions: Easy access off Rt. 57, 42, I-76 and I-71 20 minutes from Akron, 30 from Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 630AM
This week The Dewsweepers made the trek to Medina and played our first Sunday Morning round ever at the quaint, and old school Ridge Top. Ridge Top is a 6,000 yard par 71 traditional golf course, nestled wonderfully in the rolling hills of southern Medina County. We had no idea what to expect of this course, and all of us were really impressed as this course was very entertaining to play.
This course really has a lot of character. Tons of short par 4's, many heavy dog-legs, make is almost impossible to wail away with the driver all day long. Par 5's that are straight in front of you and score-able. And a very nice mix of par 3's, including the number one handicap on the course, the wonderful number 2, 160 yards way uphill to a small and slanted green. And the terrific number 18, 130 yards off the hill, over the mush-mash down in a ravine to a green you must hit! Really great!
This is a position golf course that I can't wait to go back and get another crack at it. On this Sunday conditions were very nice with sun, and the course was not overly wet, but we had 30 mph winds yet again, that changed how you had to play it. This has been a problem on many of our Sundays so far, less than great weather conditions.
But the story of Ridge Top are the incredible greens! They are remarkably well designed. There is hardly a 10 foot area on any green that is flat. Real competition greens that test you to the fullest. They were also fast on this day, with downhill putts really posing a huge challenge. It is best to stay below the hole. Most of the greens are raised and require an uphill approach shot, adding length to the hole, and requiring you to carefully select your clubs.
Beef took the week off with work, so Joe Reds son Bryan filled in and played a nice round checking in at 43/42 for a tidy 85. Including a gigantic drive on the number 2 handicap number 16, 380 yard par 4 over water which he drove over at about 315 yards! Sadly, a 3 putt gave him a bogey there, but what a drive!!!!
Joe Red has a lot on his mind these days with his other son getting married this week and a ton of traveling for work, struggled this week, but finished well parring the last few holes. Red had a tough time on the greens as putting was very difficult. He just needs to play more.
Tex had a rare day of having real problems with his short game, generally one of his strengths, and that really hurt his score. His new driver is getting the ball out there better, but this day his short game wasn't there, and it hurt his score. He also didn't make many putts, as did any of us. But better scores are ahead as the driver is coming around.
I got off to a very slow start again, and had to battle back in. I opened with 2 double bogeys on 1 and 2, and then got my feet under me finishing the front in 44. On the back I shot a 43 for 87 total. Could have been better as I was in good position lots of the time, but I too didn't make many putts I normally would, but it was great to take on the challenge.
Course highlights? We loved this whole course. Really hard not to love the contours and turns and trees. Not much water at all, some sand, but mostly it's dog-legs, and tough greens that were in AMAZING shape and rolled perfectly. You gotta play the bag at Ridge Top. Slam the driver all day long and you are going to get lit-up! Play it smart and you can score. Like us... next time with the wind died down, and more knowledge of this old-school track.
Next time, lots of irons, calm wind, and leave the ball below the hole. Fun place to play!
Monday, June 3, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - After Earth
Let's start out by saying and remembering that Will Smith is a very talented star who has done great work in all kinds of movies for many years. No one denies that.
But can we just stop? Stop right now in the Smith family nepotism movies that are coming out seemingly far too often. The new After Earth is so incredibly bad, it barely merits any conversation at all. This is another movie where Smith stars with his now 14 year-old real life son, Jaden. Will and actress wife Jada Pinkett Smith are trying so hard to hand their kids a career by starring in, producing or writing movies and songs for them. Without piling on, Jaden is a mediocre childhood actor as far as they go. He certainly is no Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit, or Abigail Breslin, or dozens of others. He's simply, The Smiths kid. It is a box office mismatch to think that Jaden Smith can compete with Iron Man, Superman, Gatsby, Fast and Furious, all of the other summer blockbusters. It simply is not clear thinking.
This story was written by Will Smith, produced by he and wife Jada, and they hired M. Night Shyamalan to write the screenplay and direct this absolute mess. This is one of the worst Sci-Fi movies I have ever seen, or ever will see. There is not one, not one redeeming quality in this movie. The story is stupid, the sets are laughable, even the props are silly. The whole idea is ridiculous, and the writing and dialogue are putrid. And don't get me started on the costuming! Let alone the acting which is so embarrassingly bad, they ought to be ashamed. Seriously ashamed. If your version of a good time at the movies is watching a 14 year-old running through the jungle alone, than this is your movie., because that's what it is. I'm guessing it's not.
The story is basically this. It is a couple of thousand years in the future. Humans now cannot live on Earth, because we screwed it all up environmentally. So humans live off site on some planet somewhere. Will Smith plays some kind of "Military General" in some kind of star ship fleet. He and his military son played by Jaden go off on some kind of mission that goes wrong. They crash on Earth and are the only two to survive. All animal life form has evolved now to kill humans. Who don't live there. Who haven't been there in over a 1,000 years. So how would they evolve and even know humans or what they did? First of many and a major hole.
The General is badly injured, and he has to send his son out into the Earthly abyss and try to find some kind of beacon to summon help and be rescued. There, he must dodge tons of animals, and elements that are out to get him. My gut feeling is, he will be successful so the two can hug and be proud of each other at movies end. If not that scene, why make this movie? That is about all you need to know. There is no more.
This is horrible - period! Maybe now is the time to stop this practice of these Smith family movies since this one is going to lose about 100 million or so. Maybe that will shut off the spigot. The budget of about 130 million (all wasted) only brought in about 27 million opening weekend. This movie takes itself far too seriously, and never comes close to getting off the ground. This self-serving drivel in the long run may have the reverse of the desired effect. Jaden needs to be put in the hands of real pro's and see what they can do, if they feel there is anything there to work with. This is embarrassing for everyone, plain and simple.
Will Smith was so great in Ali, I am Legend, even Hitch and countless others with great versatility. But that is starting to seem so long ago, and that's a shame. And hiring Shyamalan, who also is staggering around in a movie making sense, gave this project no help. In fact, it may have been the final nail in its coffin. It's tough to convey just how bad this is. What an incredible waste of everything. Money, and everyone's time who made it, and all (the few) that will be suckered into seeing it. Quit this self absorbed family mission, and lets get back to making professional movies with professional people. Maybe 130 million dollars down the tubes will wake someone in charge up.
After Earth. Laughable.
But can we just stop? Stop right now in the Smith family nepotism movies that are coming out seemingly far too often. The new After Earth is so incredibly bad, it barely merits any conversation at all. This is another movie where Smith stars with his now 14 year-old real life son, Jaden. Will and actress wife Jada Pinkett Smith are trying so hard to hand their kids a career by starring in, producing or writing movies and songs for them. Without piling on, Jaden is a mediocre childhood actor as far as they go. He certainly is no Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit, or Abigail Breslin, or dozens of others. He's simply, The Smiths kid. It is a box office mismatch to think that Jaden Smith can compete with Iron Man, Superman, Gatsby, Fast and Furious, all of the other summer blockbusters. It simply is not clear thinking.
This story was written by Will Smith, produced by he and wife Jada, and they hired M. Night Shyamalan to write the screenplay and direct this absolute mess. This is one of the worst Sci-Fi movies I have ever seen, or ever will see. There is not one, not one redeeming quality in this movie. The story is stupid, the sets are laughable, even the props are silly. The whole idea is ridiculous, and the writing and dialogue are putrid. And don't get me started on the costuming! Let alone the acting which is so embarrassingly bad, they ought to be ashamed. Seriously ashamed. If your version of a good time at the movies is watching a 14 year-old running through the jungle alone, than this is your movie., because that's what it is. I'm guessing it's not.
The story is basically this. It is a couple of thousand years in the future. Humans now cannot live on Earth, because we screwed it all up environmentally. So humans live off site on some planet somewhere. Will Smith plays some kind of "Military General" in some kind of star ship fleet. He and his military son played by Jaden go off on some kind of mission that goes wrong. They crash on Earth and are the only two to survive. All animal life form has evolved now to kill humans. Who don't live there. Who haven't been there in over a 1,000 years. So how would they evolve and even know humans or what they did? First of many and a major hole.
The General is badly injured, and he has to send his son out into the Earthly abyss and try to find some kind of beacon to summon help and be rescued. There, he must dodge tons of animals, and elements that are out to get him. My gut feeling is, he will be successful so the two can hug and be proud of each other at movies end. If not that scene, why make this movie? That is about all you need to know. There is no more.
This is horrible - period! Maybe now is the time to stop this practice of these Smith family movies since this one is going to lose about 100 million or so. Maybe that will shut off the spigot. The budget of about 130 million (all wasted) only brought in about 27 million opening weekend. This movie takes itself far too seriously, and never comes close to getting off the ground. This self-serving drivel in the long run may have the reverse of the desired effect. Jaden needs to be put in the hands of real pro's and see what they can do, if they feel there is anything there to work with. This is embarrassing for everyone, plain and simple.
Will Smith was so great in Ali, I am Legend, even Hitch and countless others with great versatility. But that is starting to seem so long ago, and that's a shame. And hiring Shyamalan, who also is staggering around in a movie making sense, gave this project no help. In fact, it may have been the final nail in its coffin. It's tough to convey just how bad this is. What an incredible waste of everything. Money, and everyone's time who made it, and all (the few) that will be suckered into seeing it. Quit this self absorbed family mission, and lets get back to making professional movies with professional people. Maybe 130 million dollars down the tubes will wake someone in charge up.
After Earth. Laughable.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Now You See Me
A big cast is assembled for the new magical thriller, Now You See Me this weekend. And this is a real nice change for the summer at the movies.
I always give extra points to movies that find stories that you have not seen before, and this is certainly one of them. In short, it is the story of 4 relatively unknown, young magicians that are courted silently by a mystery person to pull off the largest allusions live and on stage. The trick though is, all of these allusions are real, and are designed to be some of the biggest financial crimes the world has ever seen. They become known as The Four Horsemen, as they become a huge sensation with their trace of Robin Hood blood in them, as they seemingly are robbing the rich and giving to the done-wrong. Can anyone get ahead of them? Can the FBI bring them in? And who is the mystery person anyway? That is NYSM.
This is a wildly entertaining movie that not only takes you inside the tricks they are pulling off, but takes you behind the tricks. It takes you behind some of the basic tricks that magicians pull off every day. A whole lot of this is very fun, and very compelling. The first half of this movie is very glitzy, and very show-bizy, and really fun and all encompassing.
The second half of this does become far more action-y, as the chase heats up and our Horsemen are on the run from the FBI, Interpol, and a former magician who is bent on exposing them for what they really are, criminals. This movie quickly develops really good and original characters that are fun to get to know. All different and interesting. There is just enough brain, mystery, and action to keep you guessing, and inside the movie.
Huge cast, take a look at this list. Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, and Michael Cane. Plus, a very nice supporting cast that really elevate this movie to more than just a throw away summer movie. This is filmed and edited wonderfully, weaving together with a nice mix of special effects and a slick and exciting musical soundtrack that make this a terrific audio and visual experience.
Now You See Me. Very good, and very fun! Well done.
I always give extra points to movies that find stories that you have not seen before, and this is certainly one of them. In short, it is the story of 4 relatively unknown, young magicians that are courted silently by a mystery person to pull off the largest allusions live and on stage. The trick though is, all of these allusions are real, and are designed to be some of the biggest financial crimes the world has ever seen. They become known as The Four Horsemen, as they become a huge sensation with their trace of Robin Hood blood in them, as they seemingly are robbing the rich and giving to the done-wrong. Can anyone get ahead of them? Can the FBI bring them in? And who is the mystery person anyway? That is NYSM.
This is a wildly entertaining movie that not only takes you inside the tricks they are pulling off, but takes you behind the tricks. It takes you behind some of the basic tricks that magicians pull off every day. A whole lot of this is very fun, and very compelling. The first half of this movie is very glitzy, and very show-bizy, and really fun and all encompassing.
The second half of this does become far more action-y, as the chase heats up and our Horsemen are on the run from the FBI, Interpol, and a former magician who is bent on exposing them for what they really are, criminals. This movie quickly develops really good and original characters that are fun to get to know. All different and interesting. There is just enough brain, mystery, and action to keep you guessing, and inside the movie.
Huge cast, take a look at this list. Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, and Michael Cane. Plus, a very nice supporting cast that really elevate this movie to more than just a throw away summer movie. This is filmed and edited wonderfully, weaving together with a nice mix of special effects and a slick and exciting musical soundtrack that make this a terrific audio and visual experience.
Now You See Me. Very good, and very fun! Well done.
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