Let's start off with this. In movies there are great movies, good ones, average ones, bad ones, and then... there is Lucy.
This Sci-Fi action movie with the lovely Scarlett Johansson, and Morgan Freeman is the summers biggest disaster. All I can say is thank goodness that the movie makers saw it appropriate to let this dog only run 1 hour and 28 minutes. Lucy is a good enough idea. What would happen if humans could actually access all 100% of their brain power, as where we only access about 10% of it on average. Good question. But after seeing this, and Lucy does, I still have no idea what would happen.
Lucy (Johansson) is a 25 year old who is living in the Far East, and finds herself tangled up with organized crime to no fault of her own. She is kidnapped and has a bag of a synthetic drugs implanted in her abdomen. She is told that she will be a mule and transport the illegal drug out of the country, and have it removed on the other end. Problem is, Lucy's bag breaks inside her, and this drug starts to allow her to access regions of her brain previously unused. And the problems begin.
She starts having all kinds of convulsions and other problems, and she gets real smart real fast. Why and how? We don't know. It just happens. And she starts to develop super-like powers. Would that actually happen? My guess is no. But you can't make a movie about it, if she can't do special effects stuff. This is simply stupid - period.
If you don't get Johansson to do this role, there is no movie. This hauled in about 45 million week one. And I think most of it, if not all of it was Scarlett driven. This is silly, poorly written, badly executed, and at times, actually looks like a modern day B- or C - movie. You know what's happening, but you really don't know why. And It gives zero information and zero enlightenment. It's just silly. This was a good idea that just fell flat.
I think there was great hope that Johansson would be really good, and look really hot for most of this by many. But neither is true. She recites incredibly boring dialogue with monotonous monotone. All while being covered in blood most of the time. This is not challenging to her, and she does very little with very little. I love her in many smaller movies, but the large action flicks pay her bills. With her, as the movie is smaller her performances are bigger.
Lucy. This is horrible. This premise should really be interesting and make you think, but all it really does is -stink.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
LOCAL GOLF - Dewswepers Golf Course Review
Course: Maplecrest
Location: Kent/Tallmadge/Brimfield area - Portage County
Directions: 219 Tallmadge Rd, Kent - Right off I-76 15 minutes from Akron 50 from Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 645
Maplecrest Website
Save on LOCAL GOLF WQMX Players Golf Card - Maplecrest is on it!
Today we played Maplecrest. We love this place! Located in the hills and trees of Portage County, Maplecrest is a lot of great things about golf. This course was built in 1922, and has been aging perfectly ever since. This is a great mix of hills, rolling terrain, sand, a little water, and tons and tons of tree lines fairways. This is not a long golf course, but this is a great example that courses do not have to be monstrously long to be tough. Here, you better plan to hit it straight.
Maplecrest is in wonderful shape as some of the improvements they were making last year are finished. The greens were very nice today. I would not call them lightning quick today as we had some rain the night before, but they were true and smooth and that's what we like - and you too. Maplecrest is only about 6,400 yards, but don't let that lull you to sleep. The short par 4's, are supplemented by some really long par 3's, and some par 5's that are 500 yards of tree lines on both sides. Hitting is straight is a must.
This course also has the right idea about water, as this is designed amazingly well. There are not a ton of water hazards here, but they are strategically placed and that makes you think about what club to hit, especially off the tee. This is not a "pull out the driver on every hole and wail away course." If you do, you better be very accurate as there are literally hundreds of thousands of trees out there to gobble it up. We went with irons, and hybrids off many of the short 4's to keep it in play, and had some success. You can pick your places with the driver. If you keep the ball in front of you, you can play well here. If not, you will be punching out all day.
Maplecrest also has the right idea on sand traps. Now today, some of them were very wet because of last nights rain but the traps that they have make sense. They are in carefully thought out areas, that protect the greens that need protecting. The design of this old course is simply terrific. This is a fun course to play, and because of it's length virtually anyone can play it. This is a very simply facility, with very friendly people, and very kind service. And don't forget Shilo, the wonderful old clubhouse dog that is a staple here. They also have a huge driving range.
Course highlights? #1 500 yard par 5 tree lined both sides all the way, creek at the 25 yard landing area. #3, 215 yard par 3, to an elevated green. #5, 265 yard driveable par 4, protected heavily by sand. #8 240 yard par 3!! #10, great doggy left par 5, #14 400 yard par 4, tree lined to a tough green. #18, 500 yard par 5 tree lined, and a heavily slanted green left to right.
We had two tee times as we had the regular Dewsweepers and the Next Generation Dewsweepers in tow today, so we won't go through the indiviadual rounds, but will post scores at the end. In addition to Me, Beef, Joe Red and Tex, we had Bryan (Red's Son) and Brendan (Beef's nephew) This is a great place to play, and is quickly becoming one of our favorite stops on the Dewsweeper Tour.
Maplecrest is a well kept secret, and is one of the most fun courses we play all season long. This is just really nice public golf. Fantastic place.
Scores
Bryan - 79
Wynn - 83
Beef - 87
Brendan - 87
Joe Red - 94
Tex - 101
Next week we tee it up at Valleaire in Medina County! They were hit by a tornado a month or so ago, but they are cleaned up and running!
Check out some of the other courses we have played and reviewed recently
Location: Kent/Tallmadge/Brimfield area - Portage County
Directions: 219 Tallmadge Rd, Kent - Right off I-76 15 minutes from Akron 50 from Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 645
Maplecrest Website
Save on LOCAL GOLF WQMX Players Golf Card - Maplecrest is on it!
Today we played Maplecrest. We love this place! Located in the hills and trees of Portage County, Maplecrest is a lot of great things about golf. This course was built in 1922, and has been aging perfectly ever since. This is a great mix of hills, rolling terrain, sand, a little water, and tons and tons of tree lines fairways. This is not a long golf course, but this is a great example that courses do not have to be monstrously long to be tough. Here, you better plan to hit it straight.
Maplecrest is in wonderful shape as some of the improvements they were making last year are finished. The greens were very nice today. I would not call them lightning quick today as we had some rain the night before, but they were true and smooth and that's what we like - and you too. Maplecrest is only about 6,400 yards, but don't let that lull you to sleep. The short par 4's, are supplemented by some really long par 3's, and some par 5's that are 500 yards of tree lines on both sides. Hitting is straight is a must.
This course also has the right idea about water, as this is designed amazingly well. There are not a ton of water hazards here, but they are strategically placed and that makes you think about what club to hit, especially off the tee. This is not a "pull out the driver on every hole and wail away course." If you do, you better be very accurate as there are literally hundreds of thousands of trees out there to gobble it up. We went with irons, and hybrids off many of the short 4's to keep it in play, and had some success. You can pick your places with the driver. If you keep the ball in front of you, you can play well here. If not, you will be punching out all day.
Maplecrest also has the right idea on sand traps. Now today, some of them were very wet because of last nights rain but the traps that they have make sense. They are in carefully thought out areas, that protect the greens that need protecting. The design of this old course is simply terrific. This is a fun course to play, and because of it's length virtually anyone can play it. This is a very simply facility, with very friendly people, and very kind service. And don't forget Shilo, the wonderful old clubhouse dog that is a staple here. They also have a huge driving range.
Course highlights? #1 500 yard par 5 tree lined both sides all the way, creek at the 25 yard landing area. #3, 215 yard par 3, to an elevated green. #5, 265 yard driveable par 4, protected heavily by sand. #8 240 yard par 3!! #10, great doggy left par 5, #14 400 yard par 4, tree lined to a tough green. #18, 500 yard par 5 tree lined, and a heavily slanted green left to right.
We had two tee times as we had the regular Dewsweepers and the Next Generation Dewsweepers in tow today, so we won't go through the indiviadual rounds, but will post scores at the end. In addition to Me, Beef, Joe Red and Tex, we had Bryan (Red's Son) and Brendan (Beef's nephew) This is a great place to play, and is quickly becoming one of our favorite stops on the Dewsweeper Tour.
Maplecrest is a well kept secret, and is one of the most fun courses we play all season long. This is just really nice public golf. Fantastic place.
Scores
Bryan - 79
Wynn - 83
Beef - 87
Brendan - 87
Joe Red - 94
Tex - 101
Next week we tee it up at Valleaire in Medina County! They were hit by a tornado a month or so ago, but they are cleaned up and running!
Check out some of the other courses we have played and reviewed recently
DVD - New Streaming and DVD July 29
This week two very big movie are available to you for home use. One is a big action epic that stirred a bit of controversy. The other, an adult comedy that had a ton of hype, and some good success.
We only feature major motion pictures here, and not straight to DVD, or TV series making their way to your DVD store. I will link you back to my original review of the movie from it's theater run so you can make an informed decision before you invest your time and money on any of them.
New This Week
Noah
Russel Crowe stars as the Biblical Noah. This is a big action movie, that stirred up a big hornets nest as it doesn't follow the original story word for word. Director defends it by stating it's his interpretation. This is a big movie. Could look great on your big screen.
The Other Woman
Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Upton star in this man bashing comedy. Mann is a funny woman for sure, and Diaz and Upton give support to her comedy. This has it's moments.
scott@wqmx.com
We only feature major motion pictures here, and not straight to DVD, or TV series making their way to your DVD store. I will link you back to my original review of the movie from it's theater run so you can make an informed decision before you invest your time and money on any of them.
New This Week
Noah
Russel Crowe stars as the Biblical Noah. This is a big action movie, that stirred up a big hornets nest as it doesn't follow the original story word for word. Director defends it by stating it's his interpretation. This is a big movie. Could look great on your big screen.
The Other Woman
Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Upton star in this man bashing comedy. Mann is a funny woman for sure, and Diaz and Upton give support to her comedy. This has it's moments.
scott@wqmx.com
MOVIE REVIEW - Hercules
Here comes the second attempt to get us interested in the legendary Hercules. This one pulls out The Rock, and a bigger budget to make a larger splash than the flop a year or so ago.
This very tidy 90 minute movie shows the iconic Hercules as a half man, half God mercenary, being hired to fight wars for gold with his troupe of very loyal fellow fighters. Our story takes place about 350 B.C., and the fight for control of Ancient Greece is on. Hercules with his legendary strength and reputation is hired by one king in Greece in hopes of preserving his kingdom as he feels threatened by another. But is that the real truth? Or is Hercules being played? That in a nutshell is our movie.
Pretty basic stuff. That's about as deep as our story goes. What this is, is countless, long and identical battle scenes. Oh, there's some story, and some dialogue mixed in, but it's all fill till we start up another hand to hand battle with waring factions.
The Rock runs around for 90 minutes in a skirt, and sometimes with shirt on, sometime not. They try to develop characters, but it's all been seen before, and is predictable. Oh yeah, there is a female hero as part of Hercules' gang. She is young, long, beautiful and somehow performs amazing archery, and martial arts moves righting off hundreds of bloodthirsty warriors with almost no clothes on, without getting a scratch or dirty. And she has a British or something close to it accent.
To it's credit, it's short, and to the point. Could be as they were editing this together they realized there was really nothing to this, and they had nothing more to say, so let's go home. Good decision. This does have a great musical soundtrack that I did enjoy most of the movie. The fight scenes are violent, but not graphic for the most part. Yes, there is tons of killing, but not much of it is horribly bloody or fatiguing. It is available to you in regular screen, or 3D, that's the format I saw. It was average at best, and probably not worth the up charge.
Hercules. Big budget, but little to really show for it. Average at best. And it would appear that there is little interest in this story, as this is the second attempt and each has fallen relatively flat.
This very tidy 90 minute movie shows the iconic Hercules as a half man, half God mercenary, being hired to fight wars for gold with his troupe of very loyal fellow fighters. Our story takes place about 350 B.C., and the fight for control of Ancient Greece is on. Hercules with his legendary strength and reputation is hired by one king in Greece in hopes of preserving his kingdom as he feels threatened by another. But is that the real truth? Or is Hercules being played? That in a nutshell is our movie.
Pretty basic stuff. That's about as deep as our story goes. What this is, is countless, long and identical battle scenes. Oh, there's some story, and some dialogue mixed in, but it's all fill till we start up another hand to hand battle with waring factions.
The Rock runs around for 90 minutes in a skirt, and sometimes with shirt on, sometime not. They try to develop characters, but it's all been seen before, and is predictable. Oh yeah, there is a female hero as part of Hercules' gang. She is young, long, beautiful and somehow performs amazing archery, and martial arts moves righting off hundreds of bloodthirsty warriors with almost no clothes on, without getting a scratch or dirty. And she has a British or something close to it accent.
To it's credit, it's short, and to the point. Could be as they were editing this together they realized there was really nothing to this, and they had nothing more to say, so let's go home. Good decision. This does have a great musical soundtrack that I did enjoy most of the movie. The fight scenes are violent, but not graphic for the most part. Yes, there is tons of killing, but not much of it is horribly bloody or fatiguing. It is available to you in regular screen, or 3D, that's the format I saw. It was average at best, and probably not worth the up charge.
Hercules. Big budget, but little to really show for it. Average at best. And it would appear that there is little interest in this story, as this is the second attempt and each has fallen relatively flat.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
LOCAL GOLF - Dewsweepers Golf Course Review - Cossett Creek
Course: Cossett Creek (Formerly Brunswick Hills)
Location: On Rt. 303, just west of Rt. 42 - Brunswick - Medina County
Directions: Easy access from I-71, about 4 miles west - 20 minutes from Akron/Cleveland
Dewsweeper Tee Time Was: 618 AM
Cossett Creek Website
Save big on LOCAL GOLF - The WQMX Golf Card - Click here
It has been a while since we played this golf course. So long, we didn't realize that it had a new full owner and a new name till we called for a tee time. Brunswick Hills, is now called Cossett Creek. This is a great example of a golf course that is the story of two amazingly different 9's. They could not be more different, and that is the draw for Cossett Creek. They are as different as the 9's are at Brandywine in Peninsula.
CC is in the state of transition, and you can tell that from the first hole. This is not a long course, and the front is not overly difficult. But the back is very tough and you better make your scoring hay on the front. This is a course that is making a ton of changes and you can see that the new full owner has a nice vision of this course elevating itself to the next level. There is some work going on there, but it is not in play at all. They have taken the first step that you should in reclaiming a golf course, they have their greens in great shape. The greens looked great, rolled well and held shots very well, and golfers appreciate all of the above.
Some of the old sand traps are being phased out, and many of the tee boxes are being worked on which is the next step to take. I would imagine some tree removal and thinning is on the way. The fairways were nice overall and well kept. The rough is still a work in progress, but you can tell better things are on the way. This has always been a modest facility, with a serviceable clubhouse, good food and good service. Plus, they understand the course is in transition, and the rate for Sunday morning with cart, mid-summer, was very fair.
Joe Red was off this week on vacation, so his son Bryan filled in. Bryan's game has really elevated over the past couple of years, and he's playing to a nice handicap these days. Bryan shot an 86 today, with 43/43. The back 43 is far more impressive. You have to score on the front to post a nice number here. It is more open, flat, and overall just easier. But a nice birdie on 18 is the one that brings you back, and he hung in there all morning long.
Tex is hitting the ball better these days, but that darn Cossett Creek got in his way a few times, and Tex uncharacteristically had a tough day with his short game and putting, usually his staple. Tex fired 46/48 for 94 on the day, but should have been better if not for short game woes.
Beef's 84 sounds that he played fairly well, but it wasn't the story of his round. Beef had 7, 1 putts and hit the ball very well. But a 9 on number 15, par 5 derailed his scoring. That hole can do that, as it is extremely difficult. Beef went 40 on the front and 44 on the back with that huge 9. He played better than the 84. Next time he will.
I got off to a nice start, and did what I wanted to, by posting a nice 39 on the front with a birdie on 9. Then a 42 on the back as tight driving holes gave me fits a few times, and a 3 putt on the brutal #12 hurt too. But I 1 putted 7 times, including the final four holes to shoot 81 on the day. I was happy with that.
Course highlights? On the front, # 3, a 330 yard par 4, to a heavily sloped green. Number 7, a nice par 4, with a great elevated approach shot up the hill over water. The back #12, BRUTAL par 4 that has no easy shot on it at all - 380 yard par 4, blind tee shot, down hill approach over Cossett Creek, to a sloped sausage shaped green with bunkers! # 14, tough driving par 4 uphill, over the creek. # 15, long, tight par 5, creek all the way right, forest to the left. Very hard. #16, tough, long par 4 sloped fairway, tough driving hole. The 5 holes in the middle of the back nine are all very tough and can destroy your round. So play patiently and smart. 12 through 16. What a stretch!
This is a course that you can feel is a couple years away from being very nice and refurbished. Reinventing a golf course is long process, but you can tell a plan is in order, and really nice days are on the way at Cossett Creek. Other courses have done it, Brookledge, Springvale, and Copper Top At Cherokee Hills have all made great comebacks. In the meantime, enjoy the nice greens, and the nice rates, at a course that winds you through the trees and creeks, and is enjoyable to play. New players play the front. Experienced, play all 18.
Scores
Wynn - 81
Beef - 84
Bryan - 86
Tex - 94
Next week, The Dewsweepers tee it up at the wonderful Maplecrest in Kent.
Other courses we have played recently and reviewed -
Location: On Rt. 303, just west of Rt. 42 - Brunswick - Medina County
Directions: Easy access from I-71, about 4 miles west - 20 minutes from Akron/Cleveland
Dewsweeper Tee Time Was: 618 AM
Cossett Creek Website
Save big on LOCAL GOLF - The WQMX Golf Card - Click here
It has been a while since we played this golf course. So long, we didn't realize that it had a new full owner and a new name till we called for a tee time. Brunswick Hills, is now called Cossett Creek. This is a great example of a golf course that is the story of two amazingly different 9's. They could not be more different, and that is the draw for Cossett Creek. They are as different as the 9's are at Brandywine in Peninsula.
CC is in the state of transition, and you can tell that from the first hole. This is not a long course, and the front is not overly difficult. But the back is very tough and you better make your scoring hay on the front. This is a course that is making a ton of changes and you can see that the new full owner has a nice vision of this course elevating itself to the next level. There is some work going on there, but it is not in play at all. They have taken the first step that you should in reclaiming a golf course, they have their greens in great shape. The greens looked great, rolled well and held shots very well, and golfers appreciate all of the above.
Some of the old sand traps are being phased out, and many of the tee boxes are being worked on which is the next step to take. I would imagine some tree removal and thinning is on the way. The fairways were nice overall and well kept. The rough is still a work in progress, but you can tell better things are on the way. This has always been a modest facility, with a serviceable clubhouse, good food and good service. Plus, they understand the course is in transition, and the rate for Sunday morning with cart, mid-summer, was very fair.
Joe Red was off this week on vacation, so his son Bryan filled in. Bryan's game has really elevated over the past couple of years, and he's playing to a nice handicap these days. Bryan shot an 86 today, with 43/43. The back 43 is far more impressive. You have to score on the front to post a nice number here. It is more open, flat, and overall just easier. But a nice birdie on 18 is the one that brings you back, and he hung in there all morning long.
Tex is hitting the ball better these days, but that darn Cossett Creek got in his way a few times, and Tex uncharacteristically had a tough day with his short game and putting, usually his staple. Tex fired 46/48 for 94 on the day, but should have been better if not for short game woes.
Beef's 84 sounds that he played fairly well, but it wasn't the story of his round. Beef had 7, 1 putts and hit the ball very well. But a 9 on number 15, par 5 derailed his scoring. That hole can do that, as it is extremely difficult. Beef went 40 on the front and 44 on the back with that huge 9. He played better than the 84. Next time he will.
I got off to a nice start, and did what I wanted to, by posting a nice 39 on the front with a birdie on 9. Then a 42 on the back as tight driving holes gave me fits a few times, and a 3 putt on the brutal #12 hurt too. But I 1 putted 7 times, including the final four holes to shoot 81 on the day. I was happy with that.
Course highlights? On the front, # 3, a 330 yard par 4, to a heavily sloped green. Number 7, a nice par 4, with a great elevated approach shot up the hill over water. The back #12, BRUTAL par 4 that has no easy shot on it at all - 380 yard par 4, blind tee shot, down hill approach over Cossett Creek, to a sloped sausage shaped green with bunkers! # 14, tough driving par 4 uphill, over the creek. # 15, long, tight par 5, creek all the way right, forest to the left. Very hard. #16, tough, long par 4 sloped fairway, tough driving hole. The 5 holes in the middle of the back nine are all very tough and can destroy your round. So play patiently and smart. 12 through 16. What a stretch!
This is a course that you can feel is a couple years away from being very nice and refurbished. Reinventing a golf course is long process, but you can tell a plan is in order, and really nice days are on the way at Cossett Creek. Other courses have done it, Brookledge, Springvale, and Copper Top At Cherokee Hills have all made great comebacks. In the meantime, enjoy the nice greens, and the nice rates, at a course that winds you through the trees and creeks, and is enjoyable to play. New players play the front. Experienced, play all 18.
Scores
Wynn - 81
Beef - 84
Bryan - 86
Tex - 94
Next week, The Dewsweepers tee it up at the wonderful Maplecrest in Kent.
Other courses we have played recently and reviewed -
DVD - What's New on Streaming and DVD - July 23
This week there are finally some movies that you may remember from a few months ago available for you to rent, buy or stream. There are movies for the adults, and the family alike.
Keep in mind, we only feature new releases that were major motion pictures that had a theater run. Where applicable, I will link you back to my original review to help you make an informed decision before you hit buy, on your remote.
This Weeks Releases
The Single Moms Club -
Big cast and tons of characters in this comedy of sorts, that is also rooted in truth. This was another Tyler Perry movie that brought in a bunch of money.
Transcendence -
Johnny Depp stars in this computer movie, about how we can maybe keep a persons spirit alive in a hard drive, after the body has died. Yawn...
Heaven Is For Real -
This movie, based on a big bestselling book of the same name. Story of a little boy who supposedly went to heaven after a near death experience. Good for virtually everyone, and was a big hit.
scott@wqmx.com
Keep in mind, we only feature new releases that were major motion pictures that had a theater run. Where applicable, I will link you back to my original review to help you make an informed decision before you hit buy, on your remote.
This Weeks Releases
The Single Moms Club -
Big cast and tons of characters in this comedy of sorts, that is also rooted in truth. This was another Tyler Perry movie that brought in a bunch of money.
Transcendence -
Johnny Depp stars in this computer movie, about how we can maybe keep a persons spirit alive in a hard drive, after the body has died. Yawn...
Heaven Is For Real -
This movie, based on a big bestselling book of the same name. Story of a little boy who supposedly went to heaven after a near death experience. Good for virtually everyone, and was a big hit.
scott@wqmx.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - The Purge:Anarchy
A year or two ago the original, The Purge kind of came out of nowhere and had some good success. This is the second installment of this series. But this is more like a movement, than an installment.
The Purge was a movie set in near the future in the United States, where a new regime has come into power called the New Founding Fathers of America. They have instituted a new policy called , the purge. For one 12 hour period a year, all crime in the U.S. is legal, including murder. The whole idea is that people will weed out the poor, and let the rich or non-poor to flourish. Crime is down, and so is the unemployment rate. The original takes place on purge night, and showcases a family trying to survive the night of terror. And has an interesting story line.
The original was a nice mix of violence, parody, satire, and a look at a new original idea that was based in unabashed fiction. It made some social commentary of the anger that possibly can rage within, and made you question possibly, would you participate in the purge? It was clearly fiction, and clearly a small movie, that found a big audience. This installment, is none of those things. Now it's just violent, ugly, and divisive.
This movie chooses to showcase only violence, and forgets any real semblance of a story. Oh, they try, but it's stupid, and predictable. This is making far more social statements and some of them are quite disturbing. Here, the Feds are now killing people, because we are not killing enough. Also, this is immensely stereotypical in who is bad, and who is good. This really takes on the rich, and clearly spends more time being cruel than creative.
It's offensive to virtually everyone if you watch anywhere near carefully, and is intelligence insulting to almost anyone. Gone is the creativity, and the irony of the original. Clearly test groups wanted less story and dialogue and more killing and violence, and you get it. Much of this feels like a video game and is mind melting. Except, most video games are far, far more compelling.
The Purge:Anarchy. Terrible, and a far cry from the surprising and creative original.
The Purge was a movie set in near the future in the United States, where a new regime has come into power called the New Founding Fathers of America. They have instituted a new policy called , the purge. For one 12 hour period a year, all crime in the U.S. is legal, including murder. The whole idea is that people will weed out the poor, and let the rich or non-poor to flourish. Crime is down, and so is the unemployment rate. The original takes place on purge night, and showcases a family trying to survive the night of terror. And has an interesting story line.
The original was a nice mix of violence, parody, satire, and a look at a new original idea that was based in unabashed fiction. It made some social commentary of the anger that possibly can rage within, and made you question possibly, would you participate in the purge? It was clearly fiction, and clearly a small movie, that found a big audience. This installment, is none of those things. Now it's just violent, ugly, and divisive.
This movie chooses to showcase only violence, and forgets any real semblance of a story. Oh, they try, but it's stupid, and predictable. This is making far more social statements and some of them are quite disturbing. Here, the Feds are now killing people, because we are not killing enough. Also, this is immensely stereotypical in who is bad, and who is good. This really takes on the rich, and clearly spends more time being cruel than creative.
It's offensive to virtually everyone if you watch anywhere near carefully, and is intelligence insulting to almost anyone. Gone is the creativity, and the irony of the original. Clearly test groups wanted less story and dialogue and more killing and violence, and you get it. Much of this feels like a video game and is mind melting. Except, most video games are far, far more compelling.
The Purge:Anarchy. Terrible, and a far cry from the surprising and creative original.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Sex Tape
Regardless of the box office take, here come THE comedy of the summer Sex Tape with Cameron Diaz and Jason Segal.
This is highly adult, racy, raunchy at times, and very topical. And although there are some bad decisions here and there, this is really pretty funny. This is the best comedy that either one of these actors have made in a very long time. I laughed out loud many times.
It's the story of a nice married couple Jay (Segal) and Annie (Diaz). They are married, and are still in love with two young kids. They have seemed to lost the keys to each other and their sex life is suffering badly. So, they decide to make a sex tape at home with an I-pad to spice things up. After the 3-hour taped sex session, Annie asks Jay to erase the tape. But he does not, and it is automatically send to the cloud, and now it's out there for other like devices to see it way beyond just themselves.
So they spend a day to try to collect all like devices from their friends and family and try to keep this off the Internet. Will they succeed? Who know? That in a nutshell is Sex Tape.
I have seen the national critics have panned this piece, and I frankly don't know why. OK, this is not the best comedy ever made, but the theater laughed out loud repeatedly, including me. It has a basically smutty premise, and that's fine. But for the most part, they do not allow this to fall completely into the gutter and that is to be commended. Yes, it talks incessantly about sex, taping sex, and the married life realities of sex but that's what this movie is about. It also has some tolerable raunchy language, some recreational drug use that was actually funny. Then it blends in our world of technology that is inescapable. But the whole time, regardless of the current comedic line on screen, they for the most part keep this from being a gross-fest.
Both of our stars are pretty darn funny in this movie and are well cast together. They have a nice chemistry on screen, and both are good. The best thing in the writing of this, is that BOTH of our mains are fallible, and that makes this really funny. It is not simply that Jay is a knucklehead and Annie is just trying to hold it together. There are a few cameo's too that make this funny too.
Sex Tape. No, it's not perfect, but it racy, adult and young adult fun. I laughed.
This is highly adult, racy, raunchy at times, and very topical. And although there are some bad decisions here and there, this is really pretty funny. This is the best comedy that either one of these actors have made in a very long time. I laughed out loud many times.
It's the story of a nice married couple Jay (Segal) and Annie (Diaz). They are married, and are still in love with two young kids. They have seemed to lost the keys to each other and their sex life is suffering badly. So, they decide to make a sex tape at home with an I-pad to spice things up. After the 3-hour taped sex session, Annie asks Jay to erase the tape. But he does not, and it is automatically send to the cloud, and now it's out there for other like devices to see it way beyond just themselves.
So they spend a day to try to collect all like devices from their friends and family and try to keep this off the Internet. Will they succeed? Who know? That in a nutshell is Sex Tape.
I have seen the national critics have panned this piece, and I frankly don't know why. OK, this is not the best comedy ever made, but the theater laughed out loud repeatedly, including me. It has a basically smutty premise, and that's fine. But for the most part, they do not allow this to fall completely into the gutter and that is to be commended. Yes, it talks incessantly about sex, taping sex, and the married life realities of sex but that's what this movie is about. It also has some tolerable raunchy language, some recreational drug use that was actually funny. Then it blends in our world of technology that is inescapable. But the whole time, regardless of the current comedic line on screen, they for the most part keep this from being a gross-fest.
Both of our stars are pretty darn funny in this movie and are well cast together. They have a nice chemistry on screen, and both are good. The best thing in the writing of this, is that BOTH of our mains are fallible, and that makes this really funny. It is not simply that Jay is a knucklehead and Annie is just trying to hold it together. There are a few cameo's too that make this funny too.
Sex Tape. No, it's not perfect, but it racy, adult and young adult fun. I laughed.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
LOCAL GOLF - Dewsweepers Gof Course Review - Ironwood
Course: Ironwood Golf Course
Location: Rt. 94 in Medina County, (Hinckley) just north of Rt. 303
Directions: Easy access from Rt. 303, I-71 and State Road. 20 minutes from Akron and Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 620
Ironwood Website
Click - Save big on Local Golf - WQMX Players Golf Card
This week we made our annual trek to Ironwood, a very nice golf course that to some flies under the radar. But this is a nice place, and a challenging course at that. This is set in the deep, and rolling hills of Medina County, back in the trees. Only a few holes where the terrain doesn't come into play.
I wouldn't call Ironwood a long course in actual yardage, but it plays longer than the card says. You have to make many shots here that have to carry all the way to the pin. Much of this plays uphill, either steadily or drastically. So you need to disregard the yardage and choose clubs wisely. We really like playing this course. The whole complex is a simple one. A basic clubhouse, with basic services, but really nice service from the staff, and there's always a nice feeling surrounding this course.
The story here is the terrain. For example, all 4 par 3's play either way uphill, or down. And that makes them really challenging. Plus the par 5's all play uphill steadily making them longer. And there are a few approach shots here, that are just flat out tough. And this course has one of the toughest first swing drives you will play. Right in front of everyone, to a long par 4, downhill with trees lining both sides of the fairway. The greens here were really nice, and as the morning dew dried out, they got a whole lot faster as the day got older.
Beef was out of town, so it was just me, Joe Red and Tex. There was some battling out there today, as Ironwood makes you think. We all had our moments of good and not so good golf. Red had tough first hole but rebounded nicely. His front didn't match his back 9, as he shot an 86 on the day, with a real nice 40 on the back. That's a nice nine here, as the back is tougher, and not by a little.
Tex shot 47 on the front, and took advantage of the course the best he could. But Tex found some difficulty on the back, and that's not hard to do here. He ran into trouble on #14 and #15, and that's not uncommon. Both are very tough and can ruin a round. Tex has to settle for 96 on the day. I almost budget those two holes to kill me every time.
I got off to a great start with a nice 39 on the front, that could have been even better without 2 - 3 putts. But on the back I too ran into trouble on 14, with a terrible triple that really hurt. Plus, I had two more 3 putts, that sank me to a 45 on the back for 84 on the day. Not bad, but I was in position to to shoot much lower. That's why I am a amateur.
Course highlights? #2, 210 yard par 3 way down hill to a slanted green. #5, 426 yard par 4 #1 handicap, tough. #6 straight uphill par 3, 150 yards, you better hit the green. #11, way downhill par 3, slanted green over water. #14 tough par 4 tight, elevated green. #15 brutal par 4 uphill, thin and blind approach only 325 but can be a round killer. #16, 331 par 4, to a really fun, but tough approach shot to an elevated green in the trees. And #17, par 3, 160, uphill all the way, steep! You can see that stretch on the back can be really challenging.
Ironwood is a really nice place to play, but bring your thinking cap, and use all your clubs. This requires a golfers attention.
Scores
Wynn - 84
Joe Red - 86
Tex - 96
Next week, Beef and I are solo, and we will play and review the very nice, Pine Hills in Hinckley for a rare afternoon round on Saturday.
Check out some of the other courses The Dewsweepers have played and reviewed recently.
Location: Rt. 94 in Medina County, (Hinckley) just north of Rt. 303
Directions: Easy access from Rt. 303, I-71 and State Road. 20 minutes from Akron and Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 620
Ironwood Website
Click - Save big on Local Golf - WQMX Players Golf Card
This week we made our annual trek to Ironwood, a very nice golf course that to some flies under the radar. But this is a nice place, and a challenging course at that. This is set in the deep, and rolling hills of Medina County, back in the trees. Only a few holes where the terrain doesn't come into play.
I wouldn't call Ironwood a long course in actual yardage, but it plays longer than the card says. You have to make many shots here that have to carry all the way to the pin. Much of this plays uphill, either steadily or drastically. So you need to disregard the yardage and choose clubs wisely. We really like playing this course. The whole complex is a simple one. A basic clubhouse, with basic services, but really nice service from the staff, and there's always a nice feeling surrounding this course.
The story here is the terrain. For example, all 4 par 3's play either way uphill, or down. And that makes them really challenging. Plus the par 5's all play uphill steadily making them longer. And there are a few approach shots here, that are just flat out tough. And this course has one of the toughest first swing drives you will play. Right in front of everyone, to a long par 4, downhill with trees lining both sides of the fairway. The greens here were really nice, and as the morning dew dried out, they got a whole lot faster as the day got older.
Beef was out of town, so it was just me, Joe Red and Tex. There was some battling out there today, as Ironwood makes you think. We all had our moments of good and not so good golf. Red had tough first hole but rebounded nicely. His front didn't match his back 9, as he shot an 86 on the day, with a real nice 40 on the back. That's a nice nine here, as the back is tougher, and not by a little.
Tex shot 47 on the front, and took advantage of the course the best he could. But Tex found some difficulty on the back, and that's not hard to do here. He ran into trouble on #14 and #15, and that's not uncommon. Both are very tough and can ruin a round. Tex has to settle for 96 on the day. I almost budget those two holes to kill me every time.
I got off to a great start with a nice 39 on the front, that could have been even better without 2 - 3 putts. But on the back I too ran into trouble on 14, with a terrible triple that really hurt. Plus, I had two more 3 putts, that sank me to a 45 on the back for 84 on the day. Not bad, but I was in position to to shoot much lower. That's why I am a amateur.
Course highlights? #2, 210 yard par 3 way down hill to a slanted green. #5, 426 yard par 4 #1 handicap, tough. #6 straight uphill par 3, 150 yards, you better hit the green. #11, way downhill par 3, slanted green over water. #14 tough par 4 tight, elevated green. #15 brutal par 4 uphill, thin and blind approach only 325 but can be a round killer. #16, 331 par 4, to a really fun, but tough approach shot to an elevated green in the trees. And #17, par 3, 160, uphill all the way, steep! You can see that stretch on the back can be really challenging.
Ironwood is a really nice place to play, but bring your thinking cap, and use all your clubs. This requires a golfers attention.
Scores
Wynn - 84
Joe Red - 86
Tex - 96
Next week, Beef and I are solo, and we will play and review the very nice, Pine Hills in Hinckley for a rare afternoon round on Saturday.
Check out some of the other courses The Dewsweepers have played and reviewed recently.
Monday, July 14, 2014
DVD - New on Streaming and DVD July 15
With the theater movies so popular in the middle of summer, the new releases for home use can be a bit slow in July. There have been a ton of TV shows out on DVD the past few weeks, but not a lot of major motion pictures.
We don't feature those, or straight to DVD movies, but only major movies. These are what are not new this week, and last.
New This Week
Rio 2 -
Animated of course. This franchise has been incredibly lucrative, and is fun for the entire family. This was a big success, and that mean more than likely more to come
Bad Words -
Jason Bateman in this off beat adult comedy, where a grown man somehow finds himself in a middle school spelling bee, and more.
scott@wqmx.com
We don't feature those, or straight to DVD movies, but only major movies. These are what are not new this week, and last.
New This Week
Rio 2 -
Animated of course. This franchise has been incredibly lucrative, and is fun for the entire family. This was a big success, and that mean more than likely more to come
Bad Words -
Jason Bateman in this off beat adult comedy, where a grown man somehow finds himself in a middle school spelling bee, and more.
scott@wqmx.com
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Intangibles
Before I type a single word let's all agree on this. The way Lebron James left this city 4 years ago was terrible, horrible humiliating, tasteless, classless, unprofessional and undeserved by Northeast Ohio. If I missed your favorite, I am sorry but I think we all can agree on that.
And can we please get past all the big money talk? Yes, Lebron is stinking rich. And yes, so is Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, The Beatles, Michael Jordan, and trillions of other big stars and athletes who are the best in the world at what they do in a mass appeal industry. The point is mute.
But now, Lebron is back where he probably belongs, and where he will do the most good for the NBA, the Cav's and to the people of Northeast Ohio. This has spawned the huge debate again, do yo love him or hate him? I never begrudged him for leaving 4 years ago, because I, and more than likely a ton of people you know, have done the exact same thing. No, we are not Lebron, and the impact of our move somewhere else didn't spur a national debate. But it's still exactly the same.
Lebron left 4 years ago because of intangibles. Officially defined: "not made of physical substance : not able to be touched" Lebron was a young man, who wanted at that time what this area could not offer him. He wanted South Beach, glitz, glamor, warmth, and to play basketball with his best buddies who wouldn't move to Cleveland. Let's not forget the Cav's won 60 plus games his last year or two. The best team in the NBA with an owner that had deep pockets. It wasn't that the Cav's couldn't win it. Lebron wanted different things at the time, many that were outside of basketball. And Miami had them all.
The whole thing reminded me of - me. (No, I am not saying I was Lebron) but I moved away from my home here where I grew up, for over 18 years as a young man. Why? I wanted to see different places. I too had Florida on my radar, and eventually got there and worked there for 10 years. Nothing could have stopped me then, and nothing could have stopped Lebron 4 years ago. You may have done the same thing as a young person, or are thinking of doing so now. And you may, or may not have come back home. When the nomadic bug hits a young person, it's tough to stop.
Only Lebron did it differently than we did. Most of us hoped for money from home to help pay the bills when starting out. We also asked family members and friends to spend their money and vacation time on visiting us, because we were lonely and still getting a foothold in our new place. And when we moved, we didn't send home thousands of dollars to help kids and people that we never met, because we missed home. From my chair, all that anger 4 years ago was misplaced. Although, the area deserved better than The Decision by far on TV. Lebron's intangibles were just too strong then, and like his drive to the hoop, could not be stopped.
And today, the exact same, more mature, and better thought out intangibles have brought him back to the Cav's and to our area. He could literally play for any team in the NBA, but he wants to be here. And if you are still angry, maybe it's time to reconsider. Or if you say, "who cares?" Maybe the same.
Whether the naysayers like it or not, Lebron is a windfall for this area. He is a one man economy. He brings with him 30,000 every night in attendance to The Q, and to bars, eateries, parking lots, RTA, The Casino's, Cabbies, vendors, security, T-shirt makers and sellers, countless other businesses, all who employ people and pay taxes. He also puts the area on National TV 3 nights a week, and you can't buy that kind of publicity. He makes people discover downtown, and reignites the fire in Cav's fans. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people out there who will find a job in one way or another with him a Cavalier. You may not like that fact,... but that is the fact. And that must be acknowledged as such, even by the most jaded or hardened of heart.
If you like Lebron or not, be glad for an area, our area, that needs good news about as much as any area in recent memory. The spotlight is back on Northeast Ohio again, and even if basketball isn't your thing, be glad that it is for some. Because the powerful energy that has been slowly building just got a huge surge with the return of Lebron.
Be happy for those who will benefit directly as fans and as beneficiaries. And, be happy for those who will benefit indirectly - all of us.
And can we please get past all the big money talk? Yes, Lebron is stinking rich. And yes, so is Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, The Beatles, Michael Jordan, and trillions of other big stars and athletes who are the best in the world at what they do in a mass appeal industry. The point is mute.
But now, Lebron is back where he probably belongs, and where he will do the most good for the NBA, the Cav's and to the people of Northeast Ohio. This has spawned the huge debate again, do yo love him or hate him? I never begrudged him for leaving 4 years ago, because I, and more than likely a ton of people you know, have done the exact same thing. No, we are not Lebron, and the impact of our move somewhere else didn't spur a national debate. But it's still exactly the same.
Lebron left 4 years ago because of intangibles. Officially defined: "not made of physical substance : not able to be touched" Lebron was a young man, who wanted at that time what this area could not offer him. He wanted South Beach, glitz, glamor, warmth, and to play basketball with his best buddies who wouldn't move to Cleveland. Let's not forget the Cav's won 60 plus games his last year or two. The best team in the NBA with an owner that had deep pockets. It wasn't that the Cav's couldn't win it. Lebron wanted different things at the time, many that were outside of basketball. And Miami had them all.
The whole thing reminded me of - me. (No, I am not saying I was Lebron) but I moved away from my home here where I grew up, for over 18 years as a young man. Why? I wanted to see different places. I too had Florida on my radar, and eventually got there and worked there for 10 years. Nothing could have stopped me then, and nothing could have stopped Lebron 4 years ago. You may have done the same thing as a young person, or are thinking of doing so now. And you may, or may not have come back home. When the nomadic bug hits a young person, it's tough to stop.
Only Lebron did it differently than we did. Most of us hoped for money from home to help pay the bills when starting out. We also asked family members and friends to spend their money and vacation time on visiting us, because we were lonely and still getting a foothold in our new place. And when we moved, we didn't send home thousands of dollars to help kids and people that we never met, because we missed home. From my chair, all that anger 4 years ago was misplaced. Although, the area deserved better than The Decision by far on TV. Lebron's intangibles were just too strong then, and like his drive to the hoop, could not be stopped.
And today, the exact same, more mature, and better thought out intangibles have brought him back to the Cav's and to our area. He could literally play for any team in the NBA, but he wants to be here. And if you are still angry, maybe it's time to reconsider. Or if you say, "who cares?" Maybe the same.
Whether the naysayers like it or not, Lebron is a windfall for this area. He is a one man economy. He brings with him 30,000 every night in attendance to The Q, and to bars, eateries, parking lots, RTA, The Casino's, Cabbies, vendors, security, T-shirt makers and sellers, countless other businesses, all who employ people and pay taxes. He also puts the area on National TV 3 nights a week, and you can't buy that kind of publicity. He makes people discover downtown, and reignites the fire in Cav's fans. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people out there who will find a job in one way or another with him a Cavalier. You may not like that fact,... but that is the fact. And that must be acknowledged as such, even by the most jaded or hardened of heart.
If you like Lebron or not, be glad for an area, our area, that needs good news about as much as any area in recent memory. The spotlight is back on Northeast Ohio again, and even if basketball isn't your thing, be glad that it is for some. Because the powerful energy that has been slowly building just got a huge surge with the return of Lebron.
Be happy for those who will benefit directly as fans and as beneficiaries. And, be happy for those who will benefit indirectly - all of us.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
LOCAL GOLF - Dewsweeper Golf Course Review - Springvale
Course: Springvale Golf Course
Location: North Olmsted (Western Cuyahoga County)
Directions: Right off I-480, access from I-71 as well. 30 minutes from Medina, 40 from Akron
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 630
Springvale Website
Save big on LOCAL GOLF - The WQMX Players Golf Card
Springvale is a special place for me and all us Dewsweepers for many reasons. We all started playing golf on this course. This was one of the first "big courses" I ever played growing up in nearby Berea. So it was good to finally, after all these years of reviewing courses here to play it and place it here.
Springvale has a long story to tell. I first played there about 35 years ago. It sits in the trees and ponds near a residential area, but houses do not come into play at all. It is attached to a legendary Dance Hall that has been there for decades. There is a new clubhouse the past few years, and it is terrific! It is fun to go out there, and play while you watch the planes make final approach to Hopkins Airport as it is not far away, but it's not distracting and is actually quite nice with a blue sky background.
Springvale a par 70, is not an overly long golf course. It has a nice mix of sand, trees, water and hazards that make to fun to play, but not hugely difficult. The great thing about this place is that it is really on the comeback trail. This course fell into terrible conditions a few years ago, as decades of neglect, poor drainage, and bad irrigation finally caught up to it. But the course has been purchased by the city, and the renovation is on. Over the past few years, they have done extensive projects on all areas of this course. And now the water gets off the course, and the proper water gets on it. There has been extensive and smart tree removal and planting where needed, sand traps removed, and added, and even a few holes redesigned. And this place has healed in - and is green and LUSH.
This course has maybe the prettiest and among the best rolling greens we have played this year. Not hugely fast, but smooth and true. There are wonderfully defined fairways, manicured with care. The rough is perfect, with a superintendent that totally understands his play. The rough is thick, but not stupid long as he knows that amateurs are going to play here, and ridiculous rough simply slows play down for everyone. The sand traps were amazingly manicured, raked, and edged to perfection. The greens are wonderfully sloped, with a great mix of large and small greens to challenge you. There are also fantastic ornamental trees and shrubs that make the tee boxes very sightly. In short, Springvale is beautiful.
This week Beef was off as he was out of town, so it was just Joe Red, Tex and myself. Red got off to a slow start, then found his stride and settled in for a nice stretch, racking up par after par, and a GREAT birdie on #10. But, a tough finishing 3 holes prevented him from going real low, and fired an 86. But it could have been much better, and next time it will be.
This is a good course for Tex. He drove it real well, but he too got off to a slow start before turning it around. Tex also had three 3-putts, very unusual for him. But overall, he kept the ball in front of him and played with a nice consistency posting a 93. But he too was in position score better, and next time he will.
I played the first 16 holes well, until totally hacking the last two, posting a double on #17 and silly triple on #18, for an 82. After a solid 39 on the front (even with a stupid double on #9), I played a disappointing back 43. I did make a 35 footer for birdie on #12 which was fun. But, we were all in position to score better.
Course highlights? #2, a 400 yard par 4, doggy right to a small green, tree lined all the way right. #11, as tough a par 5 as you will play. 500 yards doggy left, a 3 shot hole where the approach is over a ton of mush, to a raised and protected by sand traps sloping tiered green. #13 400 ish doggy right par 4, to a small and tucked green. #17, tough driving and long par 4, and # 18, a sharp doggy left par 4, blind shot to a green over a huge gorge. Plus, #1 325 yard par 4 straight ahead. But, your first shot of the day, is over water. Very rare. And it's also in front of the clubhouse viewers. Challenging start.
It is so good to see this course Phoenix up out of the ashes and be a wonderful place to play again. It certainly is an enjoyable course, with just the right amount of everything for anyone. If it seems a bit short for you, back up to the blue tee's and this really becomes a much tougher track. This has been a years long journey back from the dead, to a terrific, beautiful public golf course. There are still a few large projects going on out there, but they do not affect play, and it's fun to see the good that is being done as you will look forward to seeing the job done for good.
Springvale, finally has made the Dewsweeper Tour, and well deserved. The Supe and dedicated crew, deserve a ton of credit and respect. Beautiful golf course.
Check out other courses The Dewsweepers have played and reviewed recently.
Location: North Olmsted (Western Cuyahoga County)
Directions: Right off I-480, access from I-71 as well. 30 minutes from Medina, 40 from Akron
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 630
Springvale Website
Save big on LOCAL GOLF - The WQMX Players Golf Card
Springvale is a special place for me and all us Dewsweepers for many reasons. We all started playing golf on this course. This was one of the first "big courses" I ever played growing up in nearby Berea. So it was good to finally, after all these years of reviewing courses here to play it and place it here.
Springvale has a long story to tell. I first played there about 35 years ago. It sits in the trees and ponds near a residential area, but houses do not come into play at all. It is attached to a legendary Dance Hall that has been there for decades. There is a new clubhouse the past few years, and it is terrific! It is fun to go out there, and play while you watch the planes make final approach to Hopkins Airport as it is not far away, but it's not distracting and is actually quite nice with a blue sky background.
Springvale a par 70, is not an overly long golf course. It has a nice mix of sand, trees, water and hazards that make to fun to play, but not hugely difficult. The great thing about this place is that it is really on the comeback trail. This course fell into terrible conditions a few years ago, as decades of neglect, poor drainage, and bad irrigation finally caught up to it. But the course has been purchased by the city, and the renovation is on. Over the past few years, they have done extensive projects on all areas of this course. And now the water gets off the course, and the proper water gets on it. There has been extensive and smart tree removal and planting where needed, sand traps removed, and added, and even a few holes redesigned. And this place has healed in - and is green and LUSH.
This course has maybe the prettiest and among the best rolling greens we have played this year. Not hugely fast, but smooth and true. There are wonderfully defined fairways, manicured with care. The rough is perfect, with a superintendent that totally understands his play. The rough is thick, but not stupid long as he knows that amateurs are going to play here, and ridiculous rough simply slows play down for everyone. The sand traps were amazingly manicured, raked, and edged to perfection. The greens are wonderfully sloped, with a great mix of large and small greens to challenge you. There are also fantastic ornamental trees and shrubs that make the tee boxes very sightly. In short, Springvale is beautiful.
This week Beef was off as he was out of town, so it was just Joe Red, Tex and myself. Red got off to a slow start, then found his stride and settled in for a nice stretch, racking up par after par, and a GREAT birdie on #10. But, a tough finishing 3 holes prevented him from going real low, and fired an 86. But it could have been much better, and next time it will be.
This is a good course for Tex. He drove it real well, but he too got off to a slow start before turning it around. Tex also had three 3-putts, very unusual for him. But overall, he kept the ball in front of him and played with a nice consistency posting a 93. But he too was in position score better, and next time he will.
I played the first 16 holes well, until totally hacking the last two, posting a double on #17 and silly triple on #18, for an 82. After a solid 39 on the front (even with a stupid double on #9), I played a disappointing back 43. I did make a 35 footer for birdie on #12 which was fun. But, we were all in position to score better.
Course highlights? #2, a 400 yard par 4, doggy right to a small green, tree lined all the way right. #11, as tough a par 5 as you will play. 500 yards doggy left, a 3 shot hole where the approach is over a ton of mush, to a raised and protected by sand traps sloping tiered green. #13 400 ish doggy right par 4, to a small and tucked green. #17, tough driving and long par 4, and # 18, a sharp doggy left par 4, blind shot to a green over a huge gorge. Plus, #1 325 yard par 4 straight ahead. But, your first shot of the day, is over water. Very rare. And it's also in front of the clubhouse viewers. Challenging start.
It is so good to see this course Phoenix up out of the ashes and be a wonderful place to play again. It certainly is an enjoyable course, with just the right amount of everything for anyone. If it seems a bit short for you, back up to the blue tee's and this really becomes a much tougher track. This has been a years long journey back from the dead, to a terrific, beautiful public golf course. There are still a few large projects going on out there, but they do not affect play, and it's fun to see the good that is being done as you will look forward to seeing the job done for good.
Springvale, finally has made the Dewsweeper Tour, and well deserved. The Supe and dedicated crew, deserve a ton of credit and respect. Beautiful golf course.
Check out other courses The Dewsweepers have played and reviewed recently.
MOVIE REVIEW - Deliver Us From Evil
It's summer, so that means there must be a few scary movies or two due out, and this week it's Deliver Us From Evil Starring Eric Bana.
This is based on "true accounts" of a hard working New York City cop, Sergeant Sarchi (Bana) who works the worst possible shift, and sees the worst things cops can see. He and his partner work overnights, and find themselves in the middle of some horrible cases that all seem to be woven together by a set of suspects that all seem to have a "supernatural" or possibly demonic element to them.
Sarchi becomes somewhat obsessed with these cases, and now finds himself being far more involved within them then you can imagine. In fact, the terror comes to his own mind, and his young family at their modest New York house. He enlists the help of a local, young priest reluctantly and seeks counsel on how to possibly solve the case, and hopefully rid himself of the portion of the "spell" that is affecting him. That is a simplistic version of our story, but that's the basic idea.
Should be noted up front, this movie deals almost exclusively with demonic possession. So if you are uncomfortable, or uneasy with that subject matter playing itself out on screen, go to the next theater. There is a ton of it. Also, this movie shows a few very disturbing scenes that could make some very uncomfortable, and a few border on the distasteful for any movie. But, since this is based on "true events," they are in. This movie is being billed as very scary, and being honest, there are a few jolts or two, but it's more disturbing in some areas than actually scary.
It's funny how so many of these "actual events" stories that show things so big, and so newsworthy, never seem to make the news, either local or national. You can judge for yourself if this may be true or not. This is way out there in many facets, so your faith in truth may be tested to a degree.
The main problem here is this. This is nothing new at all. You and I have seen this movie in some shape or form about 1,000 times, with different titles, and casts. There is nothing groundbreaking, or new here. It's dark, with loud noises and bangs, and scary music. There's some blood, and some things falling at you from time to time. In other words, ho-hum, right? Take out the "disturbing" element, and you got nothin'. In fact, overall, you still got nothin'.
Deliver Us From Evil. Not very good.
This is based on "true accounts" of a hard working New York City cop, Sergeant Sarchi (Bana) who works the worst possible shift, and sees the worst things cops can see. He and his partner work overnights, and find themselves in the middle of some horrible cases that all seem to be woven together by a set of suspects that all seem to have a "supernatural" or possibly demonic element to them.
Sarchi becomes somewhat obsessed with these cases, and now finds himself being far more involved within them then you can imagine. In fact, the terror comes to his own mind, and his young family at their modest New York house. He enlists the help of a local, young priest reluctantly and seeks counsel on how to possibly solve the case, and hopefully rid himself of the portion of the "spell" that is affecting him. That is a simplistic version of our story, but that's the basic idea.
Should be noted up front, this movie deals almost exclusively with demonic possession. So if you are uncomfortable, or uneasy with that subject matter playing itself out on screen, go to the next theater. There is a ton of it. Also, this movie shows a few very disturbing scenes that could make some very uncomfortable, and a few border on the distasteful for any movie. But, since this is based on "true events," they are in. This movie is being billed as very scary, and being honest, there are a few jolts or two, but it's more disturbing in some areas than actually scary.
It's funny how so many of these "actual events" stories that show things so big, and so newsworthy, never seem to make the news, either local or national. You can judge for yourself if this may be true or not. This is way out there in many facets, so your faith in truth may be tested to a degree.
The main problem here is this. This is nothing new at all. You and I have seen this movie in some shape or form about 1,000 times, with different titles, and casts. There is nothing groundbreaking, or new here. It's dark, with loud noises and bangs, and scary music. There's some blood, and some things falling at you from time to time. In other words, ho-hum, right? Take out the "disturbing" element, and you got nothin'. In fact, overall, you still got nothin'.
Deliver Us From Evil. Not very good.
Friday, July 4, 2014
LOCAL GOLF - Dewsweeper Golf Course Review - Hickory Nut
Course: Hickory Nut Golf Course
Location: Columbia Station (Medina County)
Directions: 5 miles west of I-71 on Rt. 82.
Dewsweeper Tee Time Was: 630
LOCAL GOLF savings with the WQMX Players card - Click
This week we went back to the ever improving, and very nice Hickory Nut. This course has a story to tell. It is a wooded course way back off Rt. 82, 2 miles west of Strongsville. This course has been around for a long time. And now, this has been turned around so much for the good in the past few years, it is simply a great place to play. The memories of how this used to be a few short seasons ago have faded.
This course plays about 6,400 yards from average tees, and is a wonderful design, that finally is living up to the designers vision again. This course frankly had fallen into some real difficulty, but a strong superintendent, and hard working crew, are making this really great. There are plenty of trees, some sand, little water of any consequence really. True greens that are sloped in many different ways, and conditions now that are great.
One of the really great things about Hickory Nut are the par 3's. All four are very challenging, and all four very different. #3 is heavily protected at the green 150 yards. #7 is 200 yards, with a raised green. # 11 is 225 yards water left, and number 16, is 180, and a very difficult tee shot as the green is raised, and heavily protected by sand and water left. All great holes. But, the par 5's are scoring holes if you are hitting the driver well, so that's great design. It gives you the chance to get your strokes back. Although there are only 3, par 5's as this plays at par 71.
And today, the greens were really fast, really quick and really, really nice. These greens were absolutely wonderful. And there were some brutal, and I mean brutal pin placements. Made for some putting that required touch. A tall order for amateurs.
No one lit the world on fire out there this week. Jo Red knocked it around some, as did we all. Posting a bunch of pars, but also a bad number or two, and checked in at 93. But Joe's game is getting ready to really come around, we can all see it as we get into more consistent play, and superior conditions. This is not Tex's favorite course, but he troops on and plays it. We all have that mindset on a course or two, and this is his. He punched it around for a 96. Although his driver is getting much better, and better golf for him is on the way.
Beef started out with a triple bogey, then turned it on. A great birdie on #5, and he was on his way. He was playing very well till hole 14, then a tough stretch of 4 holes derailed his round, firing an 88. He was in a position to score better, but hey, like you.. we are all non-pro's. I parred the very tough #1, par 4 and then it was bogey-itus. I didn't play badly, just bad enough not to score. 12 bogeys on the day, a birdie on #17, a couple of doubles and an 88 as well.
Course highlights? The previously mentioned par 3's, and 5's. Also number one, a 435 yard par 4, bending right to a raised green. #13, long thin par 4 over the hill, to a ridiculous slanted green, #1 handicap. #14, a huge doggy left, to a turtle back green par 4, tough driving hole, and tough to get it on the green.
Bring all of your clubs, because using all of them is paramount at Hickory Nut. Position play is smart, and the driver can get you in trouble here if you are not careful. Practice your par 3's too.
Hickory Nut is an up and comer again. The great news is, this is again a great place to play. And even better days are ahead you can tell.
Next week, we will tell you about another great course once again on the rise, as we play the newly rejuvinated Springvale, in North Olmsted! Talk about a comeback story!
Location: Columbia Station (Medina County)
Directions: 5 miles west of I-71 on Rt. 82.
Dewsweeper Tee Time Was: 630
LOCAL GOLF savings with the WQMX Players card - Click
This week we went back to the ever improving, and very nice Hickory Nut. This course has a story to tell. It is a wooded course way back off Rt. 82, 2 miles west of Strongsville. This course has been around for a long time. And now, this has been turned around so much for the good in the past few years, it is simply a great place to play. The memories of how this used to be a few short seasons ago have faded.
This course plays about 6,400 yards from average tees, and is a wonderful design, that finally is living up to the designers vision again. This course frankly had fallen into some real difficulty, but a strong superintendent, and hard working crew, are making this really great. There are plenty of trees, some sand, little water of any consequence really. True greens that are sloped in many different ways, and conditions now that are great.
One of the really great things about Hickory Nut are the par 3's. All four are very challenging, and all four very different. #3 is heavily protected at the green 150 yards. #7 is 200 yards, with a raised green. # 11 is 225 yards water left, and number 16, is 180, and a very difficult tee shot as the green is raised, and heavily protected by sand and water left. All great holes. But, the par 5's are scoring holes if you are hitting the driver well, so that's great design. It gives you the chance to get your strokes back. Although there are only 3, par 5's as this plays at par 71.
And today, the greens were really fast, really quick and really, really nice. These greens were absolutely wonderful. And there were some brutal, and I mean brutal pin placements. Made for some putting that required touch. A tall order for amateurs.
No one lit the world on fire out there this week. Jo Red knocked it around some, as did we all. Posting a bunch of pars, but also a bad number or two, and checked in at 93. But Joe's game is getting ready to really come around, we can all see it as we get into more consistent play, and superior conditions. This is not Tex's favorite course, but he troops on and plays it. We all have that mindset on a course or two, and this is his. He punched it around for a 96. Although his driver is getting much better, and better golf for him is on the way.
Beef started out with a triple bogey, then turned it on. A great birdie on #5, and he was on his way. He was playing very well till hole 14, then a tough stretch of 4 holes derailed his round, firing an 88. He was in a position to score better, but hey, like you.. we are all non-pro's. I parred the very tough #1, par 4 and then it was bogey-itus. I didn't play badly, just bad enough not to score. 12 bogeys on the day, a birdie on #17, a couple of doubles and an 88 as well.
Course highlights? The previously mentioned par 3's, and 5's. Also number one, a 435 yard par 4, bending right to a raised green. #13, long thin par 4 over the hill, to a ridiculous slanted green, #1 handicap. #14, a huge doggy left, to a turtle back green par 4, tough driving hole, and tough to get it on the green.
Bring all of your clubs, because using all of them is paramount at Hickory Nut. Position play is smart, and the driver can get you in trouble here if you are not careful. Practice your par 3's too.
Hickory Nut is an up and comer again. The great news is, this is again a great place to play. And even better days are ahead you can tell.
Next week, we will tell you about another great course once again on the rise, as we play the newly rejuvinated Springvale, in North Olmsted! Talk about a comeback story!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Begin Again
Wow, here come a big glass of refreshment at the theaters this summer, the new music biz movie, Begin Again.
This is a small movie, that tells a small story, with big relevance, and complete sincerity. This is the story of two down-and-outers, at different phases of their lives, and how they can possibly rebuild their lives through their friendship and love of music.
Dan (Mark Ruffalo) was a once huge music mogul, who has fallen on hard times over the past few years. The business has passed him by, and he no longer seems to have the magic touch to find, produce and market up and coming talent. He is fired from his job, his wife Miriam (Katherine Keener) has left him and this teenage daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) doesn't know him. He is on the verge of ending it all when he stumbles into a New York City bar and hears a young woman singing on Open Mic Night.
Her name is Gretta (Keira Knightley). She was just dumped by her now rock star boyfriend, Dave (Adam Levine). She is a songwriter herself, and has a fierce conviction that music should be substantive, and authentic. She meets Dan, and they form a quirky partnership to start making music together. But since neither one has any money, they come up with a great idea. Dan will record Gretta and her music on the streets of New York, with simple musicians, and all the ambiance that the street has to offer. Will the project make it? And is this the start of something big? And can each of them rebuild themselves?
This movie is simply great. So amazingly original, and so well done in every facet, it makes you wish there were more like it. The story is one you have not seen before, and that always scores with me. This movie is perfectly cast, and all give great performances, all being asked to do what they do best. Ruffalo is great, Steinfeld at 18, still has not been involved in a bad movie, and Levine holds his own in his small role.
But this movie belongs to the sensationally flawed Keira Knightley. She is just becoming so alluring as an adult actress that it's hard not to be glued to her on screen. Her look is original, her way is natural, she is incredibly likable here, and did all her own singing and there is plenty of it. And she is fabulous. Her beauty as an actress is in her flaws. Movie makers are smart to embrace them and so does she. She is 29 years old now, and really becoming one of my faves in movie after movie. She is terrific here. She is on a nice movie roll too, and that helps, doing good projects.
The music written for this movie is great and very listenable, as it is well done, and not over done. The music along with Knightley really take over this movie. Fun performances too from Ceelo Green and Mos Def give this some real fun too. Mix this all up, and this is everything that is good about going to the movies. This is in somewhat limited release, but it's worth going to see. If you love good movies, and good music, this is for you.
Begin Again. Simply terrific in every single way. Along with Chef, one of the years best movies so far.
This is a small movie, that tells a small story, with big relevance, and complete sincerity. This is the story of two down-and-outers, at different phases of their lives, and how they can possibly rebuild their lives through their friendship and love of music.
Dan (Mark Ruffalo) was a once huge music mogul, who has fallen on hard times over the past few years. The business has passed him by, and he no longer seems to have the magic touch to find, produce and market up and coming talent. He is fired from his job, his wife Miriam (Katherine Keener) has left him and this teenage daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) doesn't know him. He is on the verge of ending it all when he stumbles into a New York City bar and hears a young woman singing on Open Mic Night.
Her name is Gretta (Keira Knightley). She was just dumped by her now rock star boyfriend, Dave (Adam Levine). She is a songwriter herself, and has a fierce conviction that music should be substantive, and authentic. She meets Dan, and they form a quirky partnership to start making music together. But since neither one has any money, they come up with a great idea. Dan will record Gretta and her music on the streets of New York, with simple musicians, and all the ambiance that the street has to offer. Will the project make it? And is this the start of something big? And can each of them rebuild themselves?
This movie is simply great. So amazingly original, and so well done in every facet, it makes you wish there were more like it. The story is one you have not seen before, and that always scores with me. This movie is perfectly cast, and all give great performances, all being asked to do what they do best. Ruffalo is great, Steinfeld at 18, still has not been involved in a bad movie, and Levine holds his own in his small role.
But this movie belongs to the sensationally flawed Keira Knightley. She is just becoming so alluring as an adult actress that it's hard not to be glued to her on screen. Her look is original, her way is natural, she is incredibly likable here, and did all her own singing and there is plenty of it. And she is fabulous. Her beauty as an actress is in her flaws. Movie makers are smart to embrace them and so does she. She is 29 years old now, and really becoming one of my faves in movie after movie. She is terrific here. She is on a nice movie roll too, and that helps, doing good projects.
The music written for this movie is great and very listenable, as it is well done, and not over done. The music along with Knightley really take over this movie. Fun performances too from Ceelo Green and Mos Def give this some real fun too. Mix this all up, and this is everything that is good about going to the movies. This is in somewhat limited release, but it's worth going to see. If you love good movies, and good music, this is for you.
Begin Again. Simply terrific in every single way. Along with Chef, one of the years best movies so far.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Tammy
Melissa McCarthy is back in yet another summer comedy with Tammy.
She is a money making machine, and this movie is proof positive. The cast also includes, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Sandra Oh, Dan Akroyd, and Toni Collette. My bet is all of them signed on to this for one reason only. They all want to cash in on the McCarthy money printing bandwagon. It certainly wasn't for the quality of the script or entire project or for the honor of working with her.
McCarthy plays the same basic character she does in all her movies. She cusses a lot, she is always cramming food in her mouth, she does gross things, and makes tons of improvisational dialogue that sounds amazingly like the last McCarthy movie. Tammy is a loser of sorts, with a supposed big heart, who just can't catch a break.
She gets fired from her fast food job, her husband is cheating on her, her mother doesn't understand her, and her granny is willing to enable Tammy to be the person she is. Even if it's not in her best interest. She and Granny go on a road trip to Niagara Falls, but never really get there. Instead, they drink a lot, do some drugs, meet some undesirables, and Tammy robs a fast food joint. as the movies signature scene. Tammy gets arrested, and the laughs are on?
This will be a love/hate movie for many. McCarthy is so loved by so many, some will howl every single minute of this. Others, who may be burning out on her, will not. This is really not very funny at all. Sad part is, McCarthy I feel can be so much better than this, but she chooses this path. The one she has been stuck on for a few years now. Tammy also tries to be poignant near the end, buy attacking the lives and challenges of millenials head on to a degree, but it's too late. The gear shift is abrupt, and awkward, and stops even the little momentum that this had.
It would be fun to see McCarthy do something a bit different than this. But the more I think about it, I wonder what else is there? She has staked her whole thing on her immense weight jokes, her willingness to act gross, unladylike, and crass on screen. Plus, her irreverence which at times is funny, but overdone. She has painted herself into a corner, and it will be interesting to see how she gets herself out of it, or if she simply becomes Adam Sandler and makes the same movie over and over for decades.
Tammy, Same old thing.
She is a money making machine, and this movie is proof positive. The cast also includes, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Sandra Oh, Dan Akroyd, and Toni Collette. My bet is all of them signed on to this for one reason only. They all want to cash in on the McCarthy money printing bandwagon. It certainly wasn't for the quality of the script or entire project or for the honor of working with her.
McCarthy plays the same basic character she does in all her movies. She cusses a lot, she is always cramming food in her mouth, she does gross things, and makes tons of improvisational dialogue that sounds amazingly like the last McCarthy movie. Tammy is a loser of sorts, with a supposed big heart, who just can't catch a break.
She gets fired from her fast food job, her husband is cheating on her, her mother doesn't understand her, and her granny is willing to enable Tammy to be the person she is. Even if it's not in her best interest. She and Granny go on a road trip to Niagara Falls, but never really get there. Instead, they drink a lot, do some drugs, meet some undesirables, and Tammy robs a fast food joint. as the movies signature scene. Tammy gets arrested, and the laughs are on?
This will be a love/hate movie for many. McCarthy is so loved by so many, some will howl every single minute of this. Others, who may be burning out on her, will not. This is really not very funny at all. Sad part is, McCarthy I feel can be so much better than this, but she chooses this path. The one she has been stuck on for a few years now. Tammy also tries to be poignant near the end, buy attacking the lives and challenges of millenials head on to a degree, but it's too late. The gear shift is abrupt, and awkward, and stops even the little momentum that this had.
It would be fun to see McCarthy do something a bit different than this. But the more I think about it, I wonder what else is there? She has staked her whole thing on her immense weight jokes, her willingness to act gross, unladylike, and crass on screen. Plus, her irreverence which at times is funny, but overdone. She has painted herself into a corner, and it will be interesting to see how she gets herself out of it, or if she simply becomes Adam Sandler and makes the same movie over and over for decades.
Tammy, Same old thing.
MOVIE REVIEW - Transformers:Age Of Extinction
Here comes the latest Micheal Bay made, Transformers movie and another 100 million dollar opening weekend. Or roughly 1 dollar for every minute this movie actually is.
Transformers:Age Of Extinction is long, overblown, and just overall too much, even for die many hard Transformers fans. In this franchises defense, it is amazing that a toy, and a simple cartoon from the mid 1980's has blossomed into this monstrosity 20 plus years later. Also, it still amazes me that people 40 years old are still holding on to their plastic toy fantasies and continue to support this over and over. The argument will be made that it is for younger people too, but it's not. Kids won't understand much of this, except the endless robot battle scenes.
In this installment, the Autobots have defeated the Decepticons, and now are being hunted by the humans. You see, the CIA has gone rogue, and in concert with the huge defense and oil contractors are trying to make Transformers of their own, so they don't need the Autobots anymore. Even though time and time again, Optimus Prime and the Autobots have sworn to protect the humans on Earth from other alien predators. But, that's not enough for the humans.
The CIA is hunting down Optimus Prime, as he is their main target. He is discovered in rural Texas, and the hunt is on, and so are the arduous battle scenes. There is much more to this, but really what's the point? Everything else is simply filler for hours of battle and fight scenes. And for me, I'm not buying the made for younger people thing.
There is some troubling stuff here if you are taking your kids. In addition to the battle scenes, there is much dialogue from the robots, that is hardly kid friendly. "I'm gonna kill you" (over and over).."I feel like killing something today" "It's been a while since I've killed someone". And that's a bit disheartening. Plus, the CIA, the USA government pinning a pretty 17 year old girl on the ground, and holding a huge gun to her head, so her father will to tell them where Optimus Prime is. That scene is long, uncalled for, and inappropriate for kids, as it is graphic, and too real. Shame on them.
But there effects are amazing, there's just too many of them. Also, the best thing in this movie, (from an acting perspective) is the wonderful performance from Peter Cullen. Cullen is the original voice of Optimus Prime from the TV show cartoon, and has been the voice of the gentlemanly, fearless leader of the Autobots in all of the Tranformers movies. Prime, has been developed well, and has the best dialogue of any character in all of these movies. And Cullen delivers, and brings Prime to life as a real character with soul and values, and not simply a robot. Easily the best character of all, human or not in this entire franchise. He is sensational.
The rest of this, is a long, effects laden fest of battles, Spielberg humor and an attempt to bring new characters into the fray. Word is, this is the start of the next trilogy, and this is certainly set up for more.
Transformers: Age Of Extinction. at 2:50...entirely too long. Overdone.
Transformers:Age Of Extinction is long, overblown, and just overall too much, even for die many hard Transformers fans. In this franchises defense, it is amazing that a toy, and a simple cartoon from the mid 1980's has blossomed into this monstrosity 20 plus years later. Also, it still amazes me that people 40 years old are still holding on to their plastic toy fantasies and continue to support this over and over. The argument will be made that it is for younger people too, but it's not. Kids won't understand much of this, except the endless robot battle scenes.
In this installment, the Autobots have defeated the Decepticons, and now are being hunted by the humans. You see, the CIA has gone rogue, and in concert with the huge defense and oil contractors are trying to make Transformers of their own, so they don't need the Autobots anymore. Even though time and time again, Optimus Prime and the Autobots have sworn to protect the humans on Earth from other alien predators. But, that's not enough for the humans.
The CIA is hunting down Optimus Prime, as he is their main target. He is discovered in rural Texas, and the hunt is on, and so are the arduous battle scenes. There is much more to this, but really what's the point? Everything else is simply filler for hours of battle and fight scenes. And for me, I'm not buying the made for younger people thing.
There is some troubling stuff here if you are taking your kids. In addition to the battle scenes, there is much dialogue from the robots, that is hardly kid friendly. "I'm gonna kill you" (over and over).."I feel like killing something today" "It's been a while since I've killed someone". And that's a bit disheartening. Plus, the CIA, the USA government pinning a pretty 17 year old girl on the ground, and holding a huge gun to her head, so her father will to tell them where Optimus Prime is. That scene is long, uncalled for, and inappropriate for kids, as it is graphic, and too real. Shame on them.
But there effects are amazing, there's just too many of them. Also, the best thing in this movie, (from an acting perspective) is the wonderful performance from Peter Cullen. Cullen is the original voice of Optimus Prime from the TV show cartoon, and has been the voice of the gentlemanly, fearless leader of the Autobots in all of the Tranformers movies. Prime, has been developed well, and has the best dialogue of any character in all of these movies. And Cullen delivers, and brings Prime to life as a real character with soul and values, and not simply a robot. Easily the best character of all, human or not in this entire franchise. He is sensational.
The rest of this, is a long, effects laden fest of battles, Spielberg humor and an attempt to bring new characters into the fray. Word is, this is the start of the next trilogy, and this is certainly set up for more.
Transformers: Age Of Extinction. at 2:50...entirely too long. Overdone.
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