Course: Thunderbird Hills North
Location: Huron, near Sandusky
Directions: On Route 2, easy access from 2, or the Ohio Turnpike. One hour from Akron
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 724AM
Conditions: Cool, overcast 55 degrees
Thunderbird Hills Website
This is a place we really like and is one of the real well kept secrets in Northeast Ohio. Thunderbird Hills has two courses, the North, and the South. The North is the older, more mature course that is tree lined and really fun to play. The North is a moderate length course that has a nice mixture of hills, and rolling fairways. There is not a lot of water at all, but the lies, the rough and the fast greens are the story and the challenge. No sane traps either. On this day the course played long, as it was a bit soggy from the weekend of rain. It was not soaked as it drains well, but there was no roll and the rough was really brutal.
Joe Red had an interesting round. Overall he hit the ball well and avoided real problems for the most part. Red's putting was the culprit today. With the greens this fast, especially above the hole, they were challenging. Joe missed (by his count) 7 short maybe 6 foot putts, and the greens were breaking hard, and quick That kept him from going low, he played better than he scored, scoring 44/45. But it could have easily have been 6-7 strokes better.
Tex had the tale of two nines. On the front Tex fired a nice 44 and was sailing along nicely even uner tougher conditions. But Tex ran into big trouble on the back settling for a 97 on the day. There is no doubt the back plays tougher for us every time. Tex had a couple of bad numbers there, and that hurt. But on the front Tex was solid. His TaylorMade driver is starting to pay off.
Beef was in a position too to score low with a bunch of pars on the front, but a bad double on number 9 really hurt. But Beef was consistent all day long, without too many highs or lows, and fired a nice 87. He birdied number 6 with a great drive and a sensational down hill chip to about 2 feet out, then a nice putt. But then he, like the rest of us didn't make a putt of any consequence the rest of the day. Overall a good round for Beef. But his cart driving skills had a bit to be desired.
I got off to a rocky start with a stupid double on number one, I got caught in the rough coming in and simply hacked to the green. But I birdied 6 and shot a 41 on the front. On the more difficult back, I was steady, with a birdie on 17, and shot a 41/42 and 83 on the day. All of us shot higher on the back.
This is a great golf course that you need to play well on the front for the most part to score, because the back plays more difficult. There's really no reason for it, but it does. The stretch of holes from 6-13 is the teeth of the course. Play those holes well, and you will more than likely play the course well. Number 10 may be the hardest par 4 we play. 400 yards, downhill, to an uneven fairway. Over the creek, way uphill to a slanted and fast green. Brutal! As hard as any 4 you will ever play.
This is a great course that is worth the drive. Good plan would be, make the drive and play all 36, play the North and the South. Would be a good day! Nice facilities too on the North Course called Bar North, great food, and drink. We will be back again.
Look for the next review of Sleepy Hollow in Brecksville.
Monday, September 23, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Thanks For Sharing
Limited release movies are many times the best. And that trend continues with a real nice indy pic, Thanks For Sharing.
TFS is a very bold and daring movie that has the gumption to deal with real addictions. But hold on, this time we're dealing with sex addicts. Should be noted at this stage, this is a real adult movie that deals with super grown up subject matter. Plus this is a "film". A movie goers movie, meaning the once or twice a year movie goer, should see something else.
TFS is the story of 4 very different adults that live in New York City. They are all relatively successful, and all are very different. The only thing they have in common, is they are all sex addicts. This movie deals with all of their stories collectively and individually as they strive every day to overcome the disease that has overcome them and their lives. It is dealt with a certain amount of drama, timely humor, a strong sense of real, and terrific character development. It is honest and sincere, and pulls no punches. It is very direct at times, and for me scores tons of originality points as I have never seen this subject dealt with on screen like this. I have heard this called a romantic comedy, but it's not. It's just a good movie.
As original as this story is, the real strength of this movie is the script. Hollywood here resists the normal temptation to glorify or sugar coat this kind of story. All of our characters are real, and have real problems. They are not made out to be victims, but real people who have a condition that has consumed their existence. They are all fallible, and remain that way throughout and that is a great decision. This movie takes us to a place we have never been, and leaves us thinking we've learned something.
This stars Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwenyth Paltrow, Josh Gad and Alecia Moore or you know her better as Pink. I thought she was simply terrific. Her performance in this movie was really grounding. This movie could have easily shot way over the fans heads, and been some high brow flick that would have been too uppity for many. But as good as the starring cast is, she is the most important character in this movie. This has a real nice feel to it, and well designed soundtrack and filmed wonderfully. You feel like you are really there.
Thanks For Sharing. Bold, straight forward and quite good. Certainly not for everyone.
TFS is a very bold and daring movie that has the gumption to deal with real addictions. But hold on, this time we're dealing with sex addicts. Should be noted at this stage, this is a real adult movie that deals with super grown up subject matter. Plus this is a "film". A movie goers movie, meaning the once or twice a year movie goer, should see something else.
TFS is the story of 4 very different adults that live in New York City. They are all relatively successful, and all are very different. The only thing they have in common, is they are all sex addicts. This movie deals with all of their stories collectively and individually as they strive every day to overcome the disease that has overcome them and their lives. It is dealt with a certain amount of drama, timely humor, a strong sense of real, and terrific character development. It is honest and sincere, and pulls no punches. It is very direct at times, and for me scores tons of originality points as I have never seen this subject dealt with on screen like this. I have heard this called a romantic comedy, but it's not. It's just a good movie.
As original as this story is, the real strength of this movie is the script. Hollywood here resists the normal temptation to glorify or sugar coat this kind of story. All of our characters are real, and have real problems. They are not made out to be victims, but real people who have a condition that has consumed their existence. They are all fallible, and remain that way throughout and that is a great decision. This movie takes us to a place we have never been, and leaves us thinking we've learned something.
This stars Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwenyth Paltrow, Josh Gad and Alecia Moore or you know her better as Pink. I thought she was simply terrific. Her performance in this movie was really grounding. This movie could have easily shot way over the fans heads, and been some high brow flick that would have been too uppity for many. But as good as the starring cast is, she is the most important character in this movie. This has a real nice feel to it, and well designed soundtrack and filmed wonderfully. You feel like you are really there.
Thanks For Sharing. Bold, straight forward and quite good. Certainly not for everyone.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Prisoners
Here comes a huge bright star-studded cast in a very dark movie, Prisoners.
Listen to this cast. Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, and Viola Davis Most of these are Oscar nominees and Leo is an Oscar winner. So this is all lines up to be a very good movie. And overall it is. But, this is certainly not for everyone.
Prisoners is exceptionally dark, bleak, and heavy. It deals with young child abduction which sadly, is too much a part of the world today. As skillfully as this movie is crafted, this may in some cases be simply too much harsh and real subject matter for some to see. Especially if you have young children and young daughters specifically. So be advised going in.
This is the story of two families in lower-middle class Pennsylvania who live in a very average neighborhood who share Thanksgiving dinner together. After the dinner, the two young girls (about 10), one from each family, leave the house under very average circumstances. They then disappear in broad daylight by someone driving an old beat up RV. No one sees them and no one has any idea where they are. Panic sets in.
The police are notified and they send out a lone wolf, dedicated detective (Gyllenhaal) to investigate the case. He is determined to bring the girls home. So the search begins, and frustration sets in with the two families over the slowness, and the bureaucracy of the system. After a few days, the two fathers from each family (Jackman and Howard) decide to take a vigilante approach to this. They kidnap the young man who was caught driving the said RV, who has the IQ of a 10 year old. And begin torturing him after the police release him for no real evidence. Will the find the girls alive? And what will this event do to all of them? That is Prisoners.
Yes, this is very harsh. You have to deal with child abduction and all the feelings that go with that. You have to witness torture of this young man, and you have to deal with two and half hours of immense mental anguish these families go through. Plus the pain that the detective feels, as time seems to be slipping away. Who kidnapped these girls and where are they? Rough stuff.
But with all of that said, and accepting it if you can, this is a very well done movie that is daring enough to look at this all to often reported crime and make it real. This movie does not sugar coat one thing. It also makes you feel the terrible anguish all are feeling. And it doesn't error in turning this into Taken, which is a completely different kind of movie with a very different vibe and feel.
Jackman is sensational in this huge role as a conservative, God fearing. hard working laborer who does the only thing he knows to do to try to find his young girl. But Gyllenhaal may give the best performance of his career as the solitary detective who is only on this earth to do his job. I thought he was strength of this movie as he is amazingly believable in this role. The supporting cast is great, but may be a bit over-casted as there wasn't enough movie to go around at times. As tough as this is for many, this is a pretty good and bold movie.
Prisoners. Not for everyone, but quite good.
Listen to this cast. Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, and Viola Davis Most of these are Oscar nominees and Leo is an Oscar winner. So this is all lines up to be a very good movie. And overall it is. But, this is certainly not for everyone.
Prisoners is exceptionally dark, bleak, and heavy. It deals with young child abduction which sadly, is too much a part of the world today. As skillfully as this movie is crafted, this may in some cases be simply too much harsh and real subject matter for some to see. Especially if you have young children and young daughters specifically. So be advised going in.
This is the story of two families in lower-middle class Pennsylvania who live in a very average neighborhood who share Thanksgiving dinner together. After the dinner, the two young girls (about 10), one from each family, leave the house under very average circumstances. They then disappear in broad daylight by someone driving an old beat up RV. No one sees them and no one has any idea where they are. Panic sets in.
The police are notified and they send out a lone wolf, dedicated detective (Gyllenhaal) to investigate the case. He is determined to bring the girls home. So the search begins, and frustration sets in with the two families over the slowness, and the bureaucracy of the system. After a few days, the two fathers from each family (Jackman and Howard) decide to take a vigilante approach to this. They kidnap the young man who was caught driving the said RV, who has the IQ of a 10 year old. And begin torturing him after the police release him for no real evidence. Will the find the girls alive? And what will this event do to all of them? That is Prisoners.
Yes, this is very harsh. You have to deal with child abduction and all the feelings that go with that. You have to witness torture of this young man, and you have to deal with two and half hours of immense mental anguish these families go through. Plus the pain that the detective feels, as time seems to be slipping away. Who kidnapped these girls and where are they? Rough stuff.
But with all of that said, and accepting it if you can, this is a very well done movie that is daring enough to look at this all to often reported crime and make it real. This movie does not sugar coat one thing. It also makes you feel the terrible anguish all are feeling. And it doesn't error in turning this into Taken, which is a completely different kind of movie with a very different vibe and feel.
Jackman is sensational in this huge role as a conservative, God fearing. hard working laborer who does the only thing he knows to do to try to find his young girl. But Gyllenhaal may give the best performance of his career as the solitary detective who is only on this earth to do his job. I thought he was strength of this movie as he is amazingly believable in this role. The supporting cast is great, but may be a bit over-casted as there wasn't enough movie to go around at times. As tough as this is for many, this is a pretty good and bold movie.
Prisoners. Not for everyone, but quite good.
Monday, September 16, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Insidious 2
Here comes the second installment of the Insidious series, this is Insidious 2.
As I remember, the original was not horrible. I remember it having a jolt or two, and a somewhat unique story line for a "scary" movie. In short, this family is terrorized by some entity, and the professionals hired to chase the spirit out by crossing over into "The Further". Some place beyond this life, where things can be manipulated to make things better in this world. OK, not Gone With The Wind I get it. This movie is more of the same, but it does supply us with a few more answers, and poses more questions, setting up the next one.
But I have to ask one simple question about his movie. Is it over yet? Make this stop! My gosh, if ever there was a movie like this that wore out it's welcome, it's this one. This movie really does nothing for a whole lot of the first hour, then they decide to give it to you for the last 40 minutes or so. And holy cow, was I ready for this thing to end. The crescendo goes on and on and on....wow. Enough! I was totally bored with the elongated finish.
I was completely disinterested at that stage of the game, and I think anyone over the age of 17 will be too. This is clearly targeted at a young audience that is easily scared and jolted. In fact, you'll have a tough time finding any movie made these days, not made totally for 19 year old's and this is one. And in this instance it's OK. I always respect a movie that knows its target and makes a movie that is appropriate for them, without pushing it too far.
This is not offensive in any regard, the language is tame, and there is no real violence that is too much to handle. So for it's target, this is probably right on target. It did bring in 41 million in the first week, so the thing is paid for already and that's well done for the filmmaker.
Insidious 2. Big hit so far, but make it stop!
As I remember, the original was not horrible. I remember it having a jolt or two, and a somewhat unique story line for a "scary" movie. In short, this family is terrorized by some entity, and the professionals hired to chase the spirit out by crossing over into "The Further". Some place beyond this life, where things can be manipulated to make things better in this world. OK, not Gone With The Wind I get it. This movie is more of the same, but it does supply us with a few more answers, and poses more questions, setting up the next one.
But I have to ask one simple question about his movie. Is it over yet? Make this stop! My gosh, if ever there was a movie like this that wore out it's welcome, it's this one. This movie really does nothing for a whole lot of the first hour, then they decide to give it to you for the last 40 minutes or so. And holy cow, was I ready for this thing to end. The crescendo goes on and on and on....wow. Enough! I was totally bored with the elongated finish.
I was completely disinterested at that stage of the game, and I think anyone over the age of 17 will be too. This is clearly targeted at a young audience that is easily scared and jolted. In fact, you'll have a tough time finding any movie made these days, not made totally for 19 year old's and this is one. And in this instance it's OK. I always respect a movie that knows its target and makes a movie that is appropriate for them, without pushing it too far.
This is not offensive in any regard, the language is tame, and there is no real violence that is too much to handle. So for it's target, this is probably right on target. It did bring in 41 million in the first week, so the thing is paid for already and that's well done for the filmmaker.
Insidious 2. Big hit so far, but make it stop!
Urban Legend
I have been in Country Music for over 30 years now on the radio. I am also a Northeast Ohio native and love this area. And I like you, have been defending this area to those who are not from here as they rib us for what the national media and joke-sters say about us, our cities and our teams. It's part of the deal.
That's why what happened last night at Blossom Music Center was so cool. Last Thursday of course the Keith Urban concert was shortened simply because he was stuck in New York City, so he didn't make it in. He vowed to make it right last night, and he did. But what Urban did far more than that was permanently endear himself to us, in an area that needs more of that. It was simply respect for an area that needs more of that as well.
I think it's safe to say that I am not the target audience for an Urban show or his music. If he had to rely on guys like me to make a living, he would be on the bread line by noon. I don't think you'll see too many car loads of guys riding to play golf rocking out to You Look Good In My Shirt. But most women love Keith Urban and you understand why. He is the perfect confluence of so many things many find desirable. He's a rock star playing country music. He is a bit James Dean, a bit Richie Sambora, a bit grunge, with an accent reminiscent of Davey Jones and he's from Australia with that accent. Plus he has a guitar in his hand which is a leg up on the rest of us. Case closed, he wins!
He also seems like a good guy. He's a family man seemingly in love with his wife and family. He also has faced a ton of demons in his time, and has come through. Now he derives his high from his performing onstage. Mix all of that with the fact that he vowed to make it right with a city that seldom is made to feel right, and last night was the perfect musical storm.
Sure he played, Where The Blacktop Ends, and Sweet Thing, but he could have played Mary Had A Little Lamb and Three Blind Mice and I don't think most would have cared. It was the fans special night. A concert specifically for them even more than it would have been last Thursday. All they cared about was that a superstar made right, what many would not have. He made the negative into a positive, and more than likely in the minds of his adoring fans made it into the concert event of the season.
And made an area feel extra special that has been trained not to feel so. It's the stuff of Urban Legends.
That's why what happened last night at Blossom Music Center was so cool. Last Thursday of course the Keith Urban concert was shortened simply because he was stuck in New York City, so he didn't make it in. He vowed to make it right last night, and he did. But what Urban did far more than that was permanently endear himself to us, in an area that needs more of that. It was simply respect for an area that needs more of that as well.
I think it's safe to say that I am not the target audience for an Urban show or his music. If he had to rely on guys like me to make a living, he would be on the bread line by noon. I don't think you'll see too many car loads of guys riding to play golf rocking out to You Look Good In My Shirt. But most women love Keith Urban and you understand why. He is the perfect confluence of so many things many find desirable. He's a rock star playing country music. He is a bit James Dean, a bit Richie Sambora, a bit grunge, with an accent reminiscent of Davey Jones and he's from Australia with that accent. Plus he has a guitar in his hand which is a leg up on the rest of us. Case closed, he wins!
He also seems like a good guy. He's a family man seemingly in love with his wife and family. He also has faced a ton of demons in his time, and has come through. Now he derives his high from his performing onstage. Mix all of that with the fact that he vowed to make it right with a city that seldom is made to feel right, and last night was the perfect musical storm.
Sure he played, Where The Blacktop Ends, and Sweet Thing, but he could have played Mary Had A Little Lamb and Three Blind Mice and I don't think most would have cared. It was the fans special night. A concert specifically for them even more than it would have been last Thursday. All they cared about was that a superstar made right, what many would not have. He made the negative into a positive, and more than likely in the minds of his adoring fans made it into the concert event of the season.
And made an area feel extra special that has been trained not to feel so. It's the stuff of Urban Legends.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Amazing Browns
While watching the Browns today and for many Sundays over the years, something hit me over the head. The Cleveland Browns are really an amazing team.
You have to be tough to be a Browns fan more than any other NFL team, and it's all due to to the fact that they are amazing! The Browns have quietly become the mark of football consistency. The Browns somehow manage to play the exact same game every single Sunday. How any team can do that is truly amazing. It's not the wins or losses, but it's the game itself. No matter who we are playing, where, or conditions, the game goes like this:
We play well in the first quarter on offense, but let a couple chances get away, and score about 3 or 6 points. Defense keeps us in the game. Second quarter, we play worse than the first on offense, defense keeps us in the game. Browns are in it at halftime, and are in a position to win. As the game goes on, we get worse on offense (a lost worse), and the game changes momentum. And at about the 6 to 8 minute mark to go in the game, the other team scores the clinching touchdown with a long and time consuming drive that we will not overcome. We lose another tough one. Sound familiar?
We drop passes, miss opportunities and get untimely penalties. And then when we need to stop them late, we can't. Even though we have all day long. It really is amazing how they do it. The Browns seldom get blown out by anyone. Nor do they ever run someone off the field themselves. You would think over the course of a decade or two this would happen. It happens to every other NFL team both ways. Even the Super Bowl Champs get run out of the stadium once in a while, but not the Browns. And I think that is the fans source of frustration.
In our world of Twitter Guy and Facebook Fan, there are a whole new batch of football "experts". You know the guy that played football in high school and now watch ESPN or the NFL network so they think they know they game? They post ridiculous rantings about the Browns, the coaches, even the owners or general managers and what they would do if they were in charge. In reading it, it is clear you can tell they are frustrated and they don't know why. It's probably because of the amazing-ness of the Browns. These guys and the rest of us, are watching the same game every single week. And that's hard to do.
It's breathtaking. How any team, in any sport, in any era can play the exact same game every week is the stuff of legends. And it's just not good enough to win most of the time. And you notice too, it makes no difference who we play or where we play it. If we play the Super Bowl champs on the road like we did today. Or last week when we played the lowly Dolphins at home in perfect weather, the result is the same. We lose by a few points.
In honest reflection you do have to admit, what the Browns do every week, is far harder than NOT doing it. No team does what the Browns do, win or lose. Even the other bottom feeders score 30 points a number of times a year, trouble is they give up 40. The Browns do neither. Same with the elite teams and the middle teams. But not the Browns, who are in their own category now. They have a different plan for each game and opponent as they are a professional franchise with qualified coaches and staff. Of this I have no doubt. They just somehow always manage to play the exact game this week, they played last week, and next week - every week.
When you think about it honestly, they are The Amazing Browns.
You have to be tough to be a Browns fan more than any other NFL team, and it's all due to to the fact that they are amazing! The Browns have quietly become the mark of football consistency. The Browns somehow manage to play the exact same game every single Sunday. How any team can do that is truly amazing. It's not the wins or losses, but it's the game itself. No matter who we are playing, where, or conditions, the game goes like this:
We play well in the first quarter on offense, but let a couple chances get away, and score about 3 or 6 points. Defense keeps us in the game. Second quarter, we play worse than the first on offense, defense keeps us in the game. Browns are in it at halftime, and are in a position to win. As the game goes on, we get worse on offense (a lost worse), and the game changes momentum. And at about the 6 to 8 minute mark to go in the game, the other team scores the clinching touchdown with a long and time consuming drive that we will not overcome. We lose another tough one. Sound familiar?
We drop passes, miss opportunities and get untimely penalties. And then when we need to stop them late, we can't. Even though we have all day long. It really is amazing how they do it. The Browns seldom get blown out by anyone. Nor do they ever run someone off the field themselves. You would think over the course of a decade or two this would happen. It happens to every other NFL team both ways. Even the Super Bowl Champs get run out of the stadium once in a while, but not the Browns. And I think that is the fans source of frustration.
In our world of Twitter Guy and Facebook Fan, there are a whole new batch of football "experts". You know the guy that played football in high school and now watch ESPN or the NFL network so they think they know they game? They post ridiculous rantings about the Browns, the coaches, even the owners or general managers and what they would do if they were in charge. In reading it, it is clear you can tell they are frustrated and they don't know why. It's probably because of the amazing-ness of the Browns. These guys and the rest of us, are watching the same game every single week. And that's hard to do.
It's breathtaking. How any team, in any sport, in any era can play the exact same game every week is the stuff of legends. And it's just not good enough to win most of the time. And you notice too, it makes no difference who we play or where we play it. If we play the Super Bowl champs on the road like we did today. Or last week when we played the lowly Dolphins at home in perfect weather, the result is the same. We lose by a few points.
In honest reflection you do have to admit, what the Browns do every week, is far harder than NOT doing it. No team does what the Browns do, win or lose. Even the other bottom feeders score 30 points a number of times a year, trouble is they give up 40. The Browns do neither. Same with the elite teams and the middle teams. But not the Browns, who are in their own category now. They have a different plan for each game and opponent as they are a professional franchise with qualified coaches and staff. Of this I have no doubt. They just somehow always manage to play the exact game this week, they played last week, and next week - every week.
When you think about it honestly, they are The Amazing Browns.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
MOVIE REIVEW - The Family
The new R-rated action comedy, The Family is out this week with Robert DeNiro, Michelle Phieffer, and Tommy Lee Jones. Nice cast, for a move that needed a little dressing up.
This movie is a good example of how comedies have to be today. For now, long gone are the PG-13 well written, relatively tame comedies with snappy dialogue and relatable story lines. Comedies today are action based, with plenty of violence, with big stars to try to carry the day. That is what we have here.
Oh don't get me wrong, there are some funny moments in this movie, with a story that will get many originality points here. This is a funny idea of a former Mafia hit man who ratted out his former Mafia family and is now in the witness protection program and is more than likely the biggest pain the neck that the program has. He and his family are having a very difficult time giving up the mob life and because of their determination to not stay low-profile, they have to be relocated every 3 months or so. The mob is trying to find them to kill the entire family including the two teenagers, and the U.S. Government is trying to protect them.
Although the premise for the most part is one that is fresh, there isn't a great deal of story to go with it. This really drags at times, and not a little. There are number of dead spots in this movie that do make it tough to focus in on it. And it's a bit predictable. You know the whole time where this will go and what eventually will transpire at the climax. This movie starts out as a R-rated comedy, and as it goes on, it becomes a bit more dark, and way more violent. There are also a few very questionable decisions made especially how they handle the teen kids and their role near the end. The area where the movie is transitioning from comedy, to violent comedy is the dead zone. What was funny, ironic fun at the beginning loses its charm, and just becomes violent and quite frankly, average.
One of the real observations I came away with is its desperate attempt to be formula. It is a shame that movies like this in the end all end up looking exactly the same, and have about the same level of average box office success. This is a good example of a nice premise take the easy way out. Hire big stars that can legitimize a very average script. Truth is, no DeNiro, no movie or moderate success.
The Family. Add it to the list of good idea, with a cheap price tag that sells itself out to be average, when it had the potential to be very good.
This movie is a good example of how comedies have to be today. For now, long gone are the PG-13 well written, relatively tame comedies with snappy dialogue and relatable story lines. Comedies today are action based, with plenty of violence, with big stars to try to carry the day. That is what we have here.
Oh don't get me wrong, there are some funny moments in this movie, with a story that will get many originality points here. This is a funny idea of a former Mafia hit man who ratted out his former Mafia family and is now in the witness protection program and is more than likely the biggest pain the neck that the program has. He and his family are having a very difficult time giving up the mob life and because of their determination to not stay low-profile, they have to be relocated every 3 months or so. The mob is trying to find them to kill the entire family including the two teenagers, and the U.S. Government is trying to protect them.
Although the premise for the most part is one that is fresh, there isn't a great deal of story to go with it. This really drags at times, and not a little. There are number of dead spots in this movie that do make it tough to focus in on it. And it's a bit predictable. You know the whole time where this will go and what eventually will transpire at the climax. This movie starts out as a R-rated comedy, and as it goes on, it becomes a bit more dark, and way more violent. There are also a few very questionable decisions made especially how they handle the teen kids and their role near the end. The area where the movie is transitioning from comedy, to violent comedy is the dead zone. What was funny, ironic fun at the beginning loses its charm, and just becomes violent and quite frankly, average.
One of the real observations I came away with is its desperate attempt to be formula. It is a shame that movies like this in the end all end up looking exactly the same, and have about the same level of average box office success. This is a good example of a nice premise take the easy way out. Hire big stars that can legitimize a very average script. Truth is, no DeNiro, no movie or moderate success.
The Family. Add it to the list of good idea, with a cheap price tag that sells itself out to be average, when it had the potential to be very good.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Course Review
Course: Ellsworth Meadows
Location: Hudson
Directions: Not far off Rt. 8, or Turnpike off Terex Road
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 740AM
Conditions: Cloudy, cool. Course was a bit wet, as it had rained.
We play Ellsworth Meadows once a year or so, and we always like this very nice track that has a little bit of everything. This is a course that you have to use most clubs in your bag and make good decisions from the first hole, to the last. This is a thinking mans course, especially if you are a long driver hitter. The driver can get you into big trouble here, where a second and better decision off the tee could possibly be made.
Ellsworth is of average length, with some very score-able par 4's especially. That's if you make good choices off the tee, you can score here. Of course, you must make the follow-up shots to back it up. But putting yourself in position is pivotal here as much as any public course you may play. Take advantage of the holes they give you.
There is an average amount of sand around the greens, some water hazards, tree lined fairways on most holes and large amount of rolling hills and undulation. That is the real challenge here. tough stances. The greens were very fast and very nice. But very fast greens can make scoring tough if you leave long putts, and that was a problem for all of us today. We all lost a bunch of strokes on and around the greens. Think we were all a bit leary of their speed.
None of us scored very well today, and tons of shots were lost of the greens as 3 putting was not uncommon. There was a huge difference between putting uphill, or down hill. Uphill was far more preferable. If you were above the hole, the putter felt like a baseball bat. Once the ball got started, you just hoped it would stop. Many of the greens here too, are sloped, and have tiers that were breaking big time. One of the things about this course is that you really have to be thinking a shot or two ahead. We all should be anyway, but we don't as much as we should. Patience is a virtue in life and on this course. Putting yourself in the right position.
Course highlights? We all love hole 3, a long par 4, 400 ish over a small valley, tree lined, to a green down the hill with a lake behind green. Very tough, very nice. Hole 5, par 5, with a great approach shot over water, to a tough to hit green. Hole 8, 1 handicap by far, tight right, long 400 ish, hidden and raised and sloped green. The back, number 11, great par 5, not long, but positioning is key. Number 17, brutal par 5, long, water in front of green, challenges you to go at it in two, or lay up to a tough third shot. Really nice golf hole. Even though these are our highlights, all of this course is well designed and fun to play. Score when you can, and survive the toughies.
Ellsworth Meadows is a very nice place, always in great shape, with friendly service and nice facilities. No matter where you are coming from, this is worth the drive from anywhere to play. If you like quiet golf in the trees, and a thinking man's course this is your place.
Scores
Wynn - 87
Joe - 92
Beef - 94
Tex - 98
Next week we play a very nice course in Brecksville, a MetroParks course called Sleepy Hollow.
Check out some of the other courses The Dewsweepers have played recently.
Location: Hudson
Directions: Not far off Rt. 8, or Turnpike off Terex Road
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 740AM
Conditions: Cloudy, cool. Course was a bit wet, as it had rained.
We play Ellsworth Meadows once a year or so, and we always like this very nice track that has a little bit of everything. This is a course that you have to use most clubs in your bag and make good decisions from the first hole, to the last. This is a thinking mans course, especially if you are a long driver hitter. The driver can get you into big trouble here, where a second and better decision off the tee could possibly be made.
Ellsworth is of average length, with some very score-able par 4's especially. That's if you make good choices off the tee, you can score here. Of course, you must make the follow-up shots to back it up. But putting yourself in position is pivotal here as much as any public course you may play. Take advantage of the holes they give you.
There is an average amount of sand around the greens, some water hazards, tree lined fairways on most holes and large amount of rolling hills and undulation. That is the real challenge here. tough stances. The greens were very fast and very nice. But very fast greens can make scoring tough if you leave long putts, and that was a problem for all of us today. We all lost a bunch of strokes on and around the greens. Think we were all a bit leary of their speed.
None of us scored very well today, and tons of shots were lost of the greens as 3 putting was not uncommon. There was a huge difference between putting uphill, or down hill. Uphill was far more preferable. If you were above the hole, the putter felt like a baseball bat. Once the ball got started, you just hoped it would stop. Many of the greens here too, are sloped, and have tiers that were breaking big time. One of the things about this course is that you really have to be thinking a shot or two ahead. We all should be anyway, but we don't as much as we should. Patience is a virtue in life and on this course. Putting yourself in the right position.
Course highlights? We all love hole 3, a long par 4, 400 ish over a small valley, tree lined, to a green down the hill with a lake behind green. Very tough, very nice. Hole 5, par 5, with a great approach shot over water, to a tough to hit green. Hole 8, 1 handicap by far, tight right, long 400 ish, hidden and raised and sloped green. The back, number 11, great par 5, not long, but positioning is key. Number 17, brutal par 5, long, water in front of green, challenges you to go at it in two, or lay up to a tough third shot. Really nice golf hole. Even though these are our highlights, all of this course is well designed and fun to play. Score when you can, and survive the toughies.
Ellsworth Meadows is a very nice place, always in great shape, with friendly service and nice facilities. No matter where you are coming from, this is worth the drive from anywhere to play. If you like quiet golf in the trees, and a thinking man's course this is your place.
Scores
Wynn - 87
Joe - 92
Beef - 94
Tex - 98
Next week we play a very nice course in Brecksville, a MetroParks course called Sleepy Hollow.
Check out some of the other courses The Dewsweepers have played recently.
MOVIE REVIEW - Riddick
In yet another installment of the Riddick movies, here comes Riddick. The first was in 2000 that spawned a sequel or two, and video games as well. For those late to the party, this is more futuristic Sci-Fi.
Vin Diesel stars as Riddick, an escaped con, murderer, and a man with special powers and abilities that make him awesome and tough to catch as he is a fugitive from justice. What powers? To be honest, not really very important, as this is simply a bunch of silliness all the way around.
In this installment, Riddick has been left for dead on a barren planet, but of course he is not dead. He is trying to survive a horrible planet escaping attacks by huge hyena-type dogs, and huge dinosaur like monsters. And of course he does. He then raises a hyena-type dog as a pet and they strike out on an adventure to a part of the planet that seems more inhabitable. There he finds an outpost station where he fires off a survival beacon. Then two rival bounty hunter troops fly down on space ships to try to collect Riddick and the huge reward that goes along with it. But of course, he is too much for two heavily armed troops with space ships and 11 bounty hunters. Will he survive and get off this planet? I'm guessin' yes.
Yes, there is a bit more to the story than just this, but not really much. There isn't much about this that is interesting. Oh, there is some kind of sexual-chemistry between Riddick and one of the bounty hunters named Dahl, (Katy Sackhoff,) an amazingly buxom, tough as nails woman who can kick most men's behinds, and shoot guns. But that is about it. What this is, is a combination of average special effects, a tired premise, and a lackluster story that seems more bent on how many tortuous and gross things they can show you, as opposed to what would be interesting. But that might be the problem. Movie making has gone a long journey since the last Riddick or two, and it just may have passed it by.
Riddick, this won't make this franchise any new friends that's for sure. But for hard core fans, you may be glad it's back. Average at the very best.
Vin Diesel stars as Riddick, an escaped con, murderer, and a man with special powers and abilities that make him awesome and tough to catch as he is a fugitive from justice. What powers? To be honest, not really very important, as this is simply a bunch of silliness all the way around.
In this installment, Riddick has been left for dead on a barren planet, but of course he is not dead. He is trying to survive a horrible planet escaping attacks by huge hyena-type dogs, and huge dinosaur like monsters. And of course he does. He then raises a hyena-type dog as a pet and they strike out on an adventure to a part of the planet that seems more inhabitable. There he finds an outpost station where he fires off a survival beacon. Then two rival bounty hunter troops fly down on space ships to try to collect Riddick and the huge reward that goes along with it. But of course, he is too much for two heavily armed troops with space ships and 11 bounty hunters. Will he survive and get off this planet? I'm guessin' yes.
Yes, there is a bit more to the story than just this, but not really much. There isn't much about this that is interesting. Oh, there is some kind of sexual-chemistry between Riddick and one of the bounty hunters named Dahl, (Katy Sackhoff,) an amazingly buxom, tough as nails woman who can kick most men's behinds, and shoot guns. But that is about it. What this is, is a combination of average special effects, a tired premise, and a lackluster story that seems more bent on how many tortuous and gross things they can show you, as opposed to what would be interesting. But that might be the problem. Movie making has gone a long journey since the last Riddick or two, and it just may have passed it by.
Riddick, this won't make this franchise any new friends that's for sure. But for hard core fans, you may be glad it's back. Average at the very best.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - The Spectacular Now
I love finding gems in the rough, and the new Indy pic, The Spectacular Now is a gem that shouldn't be missed. But more than likely will be...by most.
I love walking into movies on occasion without knowing one thing about a movie. That was this. TSN is a fine movie, that is slickly written, wonderfully acted, brilliantly directed and is one of the best films of this over-done and bloated summer movie season.
TSN is the story of an 18-year old high school senior, Sutter (Miles Teller). He is a real player, and a shroud of phoniness is all around him. He drinks way too much, and seems more concerned about his next minute rather than anything up the road. He is dating Cassidy (Brie Larson) and she is the most popular girl in the class. After this goes wrong, he meets Amy (Shailene Woodley) who is the Jane Plain of the school. But Amy is amazingly real, sweet, and has never been down the "boy road" before. She is insanely vulnerable and she falls in love with the pompous Sutter.
He treats her well at times, and badly at times, but always seems to make it up to her, mostly by her good nature. He is torn between his hot sexual feelings for Cassidy and his real heartfelt feelings for Amy that he doesn't really understand. Sutter and Amy face a ton of real life troubles at home as well. Each are products of amazingly dysfunctional and broken homes. Sutter has tons of issues that he feels inside he doesn't have to deal with, but in the end decides he wants to, because of Amy. So Sutter decides to take them on, head on. And in the will he decide that the future is worth thinking about, and not just the now? Can he face his troubles, and is Amy the missing piece?
This movie is simply splendid and should not be missed. This is a dead on accurate portrayal of tons of teens today and the load they carry, most of the time to no fault of their own. What this movie really does very well, is not get the teens off the hook. They are fallible and that is its strong suit. But it dares to say that even though much of what can go wrong with young people is out of their control, what lies ahead for them one way or another is up to them, and is squarely in their control. In fact, it is an unpleasant truth that teens today hate to hear, but it is so.
This is one of the best scripts of the year, and is told perfectly. The beauty of this movie, is its honesty. In life, we all are at fault at times, and life is messy but worth it. This is very funny at times, very moving at times, and sad, tragic and uplifting all at the same time. This movie proves that growing up has always been tough, no matter who you are. This is highly identifiable no matter your age, you have been where Amy and Sutter are in one way or another.
Teller has made a series of teen bad boy movies, and this is a huge step up. He looks like a regular kid and here he is terrific in this very large role. And Woodley is amazing. How difficult a role was this. This could possibly be the best Plain Jane performance I have ever seen. She is perfectly cast, and gives one of the best supporting performances of the year in any movie.
I know this is in limited release, but this is worth a trip to see. The star of this movie is the movie. Well done in every single regard. Accurate, and eye opening, skillfully told and simply sensational.
The Spectacular Now. Yes, a must see.
I love walking into movies on occasion without knowing one thing about a movie. That was this. TSN is a fine movie, that is slickly written, wonderfully acted, brilliantly directed and is one of the best films of this over-done and bloated summer movie season.
TSN is the story of an 18-year old high school senior, Sutter (Miles Teller). He is a real player, and a shroud of phoniness is all around him. He drinks way too much, and seems more concerned about his next minute rather than anything up the road. He is dating Cassidy (Brie Larson) and she is the most popular girl in the class. After this goes wrong, he meets Amy (Shailene Woodley) who is the Jane Plain of the school. But Amy is amazingly real, sweet, and has never been down the "boy road" before. She is insanely vulnerable and she falls in love with the pompous Sutter.
He treats her well at times, and badly at times, but always seems to make it up to her, mostly by her good nature. He is torn between his hot sexual feelings for Cassidy and his real heartfelt feelings for Amy that he doesn't really understand. Sutter and Amy face a ton of real life troubles at home as well. Each are products of amazingly dysfunctional and broken homes. Sutter has tons of issues that he feels inside he doesn't have to deal with, but in the end decides he wants to, because of Amy. So Sutter decides to take them on, head on. And in the will he decide that the future is worth thinking about, and not just the now? Can he face his troubles, and is Amy the missing piece?
This movie is simply splendid and should not be missed. This is a dead on accurate portrayal of tons of teens today and the load they carry, most of the time to no fault of their own. What this movie really does very well, is not get the teens off the hook. They are fallible and that is its strong suit. But it dares to say that even though much of what can go wrong with young people is out of their control, what lies ahead for them one way or another is up to them, and is squarely in their control. In fact, it is an unpleasant truth that teens today hate to hear, but it is so.
This is one of the best scripts of the year, and is told perfectly. The beauty of this movie, is its honesty. In life, we all are at fault at times, and life is messy but worth it. This is very funny at times, very moving at times, and sad, tragic and uplifting all at the same time. This movie proves that growing up has always been tough, no matter who you are. This is highly identifiable no matter your age, you have been where Amy and Sutter are in one way or another.
Teller has made a series of teen bad boy movies, and this is a huge step up. He looks like a regular kid and here he is terrific in this very large role. And Woodley is amazing. How difficult a role was this. This could possibly be the best Plain Jane performance I have ever seen. She is perfectly cast, and gives one of the best supporting performances of the year in any movie.
I know this is in limited release, but this is worth a trip to see. The star of this movie is the movie. Well done in every single regard. Accurate, and eye opening, skillfully told and simply sensational.
The Spectacular Now. Yes, a must see.
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