Movie Review : "Inception"

Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, this unnerving sci-fi thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, who earns a tidy sum infiltrating the dreams of corporate titans to steal their most closely held secrets. Tapped by a rich industrialist (Ken Watanabe) for a job involving a rival's heir, Cobb marshals a team of specialists that includes his right-hand man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an architecture student (Ellen Page) and a chemist (Dileep Rao). - from Netflix.com


I will be honest. I do not care for DiCapprio. I think all the hype he got when he was first starting out really ruined it for me. And I don't analyze actors and their roles to say, oh he is good so he deserves an Oscar or whatever.... Either way, I got the impression that this film was supposed to be really good. Heck, in the description it says Oscar-nominated. I will admit, it as better than I thought it would be, but overall it wasn't Oscar worthy... though, I will say my definition of that is beyond my understanding. Three solid stars.

Movie Review : "Get Low"

Oscar winners Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek team up to tell the true story of irascible Felix Bush, a backwoods Tennessee loner who planned his funeral in 1938 while he was still around to attend -- and enjoy -- the proceedings. Director Aaron Schneider's deft blend of dark humor and poignancy also stars Bill Murray as Frank Quinn, the huckster owner of a failing funeral home, and Lucas Black as his dubious assistant. - taken from Netflix.com


I remember reading about the making of this movie, and how it was to be based on a true story. I don't know how factual it is, but it made for a good afternoon movie. Robert Duvall pulls off a wonderful role as Felix Bush, and in my opinion, made the whole film. Bill Murray plays a nice shifty, salesman-type of guy as the funeral director, which fits him as well. DEfinitely a 4 star film.

Movie Review : "The A-Team"

This updated feature-film take on the hit 1980s television show follows a group of Iraq War veterans on the run from U.S. military forces while they try to clear their names after being framed for a crime they didn't commit. Along the way, Col. Hannibal Smith, Capt. H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock , Sgt. Bosco "B.A." Baracus and Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck help out various people they encounter. Joe Carnahan directs this high-octane actioner. -taken from Netflix.com


I felt disappointed as I started this film. Having Grown up watching the original TV series, and really being into the whole thing in those years, knowing they had made an attempt to capture that '80s feeling and modernize the whole series into a 2 hour movie... I just didn't see it happening, and felt that way. I tried to be open about it though, and tried to watch it like the first time seeing of this show. It worked. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I was "Eh." at the beginning, as they created the storyline of how they got in a group, but I liked where they went after that. Truly, unrealistic, nothing but action-packed and explosions throughout!! What guy wouldn't like this one??!! Though I was so stuck on about how the original cast would not be able to be replicated, in a way, they weren't. The base idealism of the character was there, but I think they added a bit more to them. My boys haven't watched it yet, but I know they will enjoy it too. I give it a high 4 stars!

Movie Review : "Chaos Theory"

Thanks to a strict regimen of timetables, to-do lists and index cards, efficiency expert Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) lives his life exactly how he wants it. That is, until his well-meaning wife (Emily Mortimer) decides to set their clock back a mere 10 minutes. Suddenly, Frank's once-safe and predictable life is spinning dangerously out of control … which is the one thing he never bothered to plan for. Stuart Townsend and Sarah Chalke co-star. - taken from Netflix.com


Reynolds has been around awhile, mostly in the teenage/college roles in sleazy off-color type R-rated movies about guys chasing girls with big boobs (at least in my memory). Though one of his better roles was from the X-men: wolverine movie.... Either way, he portrays a decent role here. I actually was wondering when this movie would get more assinine, but it really didn't, though I felt it was a bit more extreme than real life could be. Kept my attention, got a few laughs, would say it is worth at least a viewing. Three solid stars.

Movie Review : "Eat Pray Love"

Julia Roberts stars in this adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir about coping with a depressing divorce. After deciding to reshape her life, Liz (Roberts) travels the world in search of direction. She heads to Italy, India and Bali, indulging in delicious cuisine while seeking the true meaning of self-love, family, friendship and forgiveness. Along the way, she meets a bevy of characters and, possibly, her true love. - taken from Netlflix.com


I had asked for all my contacts on Facebook, to let me know what they would about this movie prior to watching it. To me, I basically got the idea that it was a 'chick flick' form commercials/trailers I had seen, and how it was based on a book (that women seemed to rave about). Many friends/family stated they enjoyed, and some included that their husbands, I guess I read it as, 'tolerated' the movie as their wives wanted to see it. I sat down and watched it alone, as my wife said she had no idea what it was about even, and though she did not voice it, I got the impression she could care less about seeing it. I will recommend she see it before I return it.


I enjoyed this movie. Yes, definitely a Romantic Drama type movie, but not the sappy crap moist guys expect. I admit it, I got my heart strings tugged a teensy. What I liked best about the movie was an embracing of the cultures throughout, and the self-learnings the main character received. I think Julia Roberts was fantastic in this role, as so many of her more mature roles lately, show her to be. "Pretty Woman" ain't got nothing on this! I give it a very high 4 stars!

Movie Review : "Land of the Lost"

After accidentally uncovering a portal to an alternate universe peopled with dinosaurs, Sleestaks and other strange creatures, Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) and two associates are forced to navigate a dangerous new world. Brad Silberling directs this big-screen adaptation of the classic 1970s adventure series "Land of the Lost," the high-concept, low-budget fantasy dreamed up by famed children's television producers Sid and Marty Krofft. - taken from Netflix.com


Oh geez. Okay, we can say this is the typical Will Ferrell type comedy. Sexual innuendos throughout, 'dumb people' portrayals, all rolled into what as a kid I used to love to watch on Saturday mornings. Some of Ferrell's movies I have enjoyed ("Elf" comes to mind) but I just could not get into the somewhat raunchy remake of this show. One star all the way, and I feel that was being generous. 

Movie Review : "The Fountain"

In this sci-fi drama that spans a millennium, a man (Hugh Jackman) searches for a tree believed to grant eternal life in 16th-century Spain; seeks a cure for his wife's (Rachel Weisz) cancer as a present-day scientist; and traverses the universe as a 26th-century astronaut. As he travels through time in an epic struggle to save the woman he loves, he also comes to understand some of life's murkiest mysteries. - taken from Netflix.com


This was another weird one. One of Jackman's earlier films than Xmen. I got a few sympathetic eye waterings as the story went along, but overall was pretty let down about the whole movie. Sort of seemed like a thought based on ancient Mayan beliefs of afterlife and a good dose of some damn good hallucinogenics. Eitehr way, I never understood the mysteries he was supposed to solve as they say in the description. Or maybe I am just dense. Three stars for at least keeping my interest.

Book Review : "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick

This is definitely a book a follower of God would want to read. Steven  Furtick writes not only in an inspiring way, but to motivate you to be more full in your Faith. This is not a book for someone learning to follow God's word. As basically an Agnostic, I had a difficult time reading this book. This was something I had no desire to read, but in putting my best foot forward I opened its pages. Unfortunately, I got about halfway through, and began to skim more of the material than actually read it. As I said, for a Christian, this would be a great book to help one grow in their Faith, and motivate one to let God live through them more. I won't rate this one as I never fully read it.

Book Review : "Crush" by Alan Jacobson

F Publisromhers Weekly

In Jacobson's addictive second Karen Vail thriller (after The 7th Victim), a serial killer spoils the FBI profiler's romantic Napa Valley vacation with boyfriend Det. Robby Hernandez. During a Silver Ridge Estates winery tour, Karen and Robby stumble over the strangled and mutilated corpse of Victoria Cameron, daughter of an influential winemaker. The narcissistic psycho responsible? John Wayne Mayfield (aka the Napa Crush Killer), who taunts the Napa County Major Crimes Task Force formed to catch him. As more victims are found, their windpipes crushed and bodies inflicted with postmortem wounds, the motive behind such a killing spree appears connected to conflicts within the Georges Valley American Viticultural Area board. Jacobson jolts standard serial killer fare with some twists concerning the publicity-hungry Crush Killer and insightful peeks into California's wine industry. The action culminates in a shockeroo cliffhanger. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. - taken from Amazon.com

This was a free ebook I got on my Kindle. I had not really read the book description when I downloaded it, but after reading just the first bit, I realized this was a second book. Still a stand-alone, but if you read the first of the main character, it helps a bit. Jacobson's Karen Vail is an FBI profiler, and this takes off after the first book, which I really enjoyed as well. Well written with a few surprises as the story unwinds, taking you from what you think is the end (at the halfway mark no less). Definitely another book is in the works, and I anxiously await it. Five stars for this read!

Movie Review : "Exam"

In this psychological thriller, eight job applicants in a guarded, windowless room are given instruction, exams and 80 minutes to answer one discerning question that may win them a prime position. But they soon discover this is no ordinary test. The exams are blank. With one ejected for attempting to answer the unknown question, the remaining seven must decide what they will do and how far each will go for the coveted job. - taken from Netflix.com


Considering I had never heard of this movie, tough was made in 2008, with a cast of people I had no clue who they were, I really expected a flop. By halfway through, I had figured it all out, and I was tempted to just quit watching. However, by chance, some random event took place that snagged my attention back, and made me re-think what I had thought. I have no idea if it was planned that way, or just as they figured one would get bored watching it... but it worked. The ending does resolve some issues brought up during the movie, but I won't say how. I give it 4 stars.

Movie Review : "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and rebellious computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) team up to investigate the unsolved disappearance of wealthy Henrik Vanger's (Sven-Bertil Taube) teen niece (Ewa Fröling), only to uncover dark secrets about Vanger's powerful family. Niels Arden Oplev directs this Swedish thriller based on the first novel from Stieg Larsson's best-selling trilogy. - taken from Netflix.com


I waited awhile to see this one. I had read the book last summer (after it had come out in paperback) and had really enjoyed the story. When I heard that there was a foreign film of it, I was a bit excited, until I found out the English was in subtitles. Yeah, I know. However, I did love "Amelie" which was the same way... Anyhow, I finally ot around to watching it. Aside from the differences that a movie based on a book brings (obviously not as much detail as the book) it was a great movie. The Swedish Film Assoc (or whatever they are called) did a wonderful job. Of course the Author Larsson is from that area of Europe, too. Since it is a foreign film, there are a few, uh, sexually dramatic, scenes, that I would definitely not suggest this as a family film. I give it 5 stars, and look forward to seeing the next two movies in the series... even though I have not read the books yet.

Movie Review : "World's Greatest Dad"

After his son (Daryl Sabara) dies in an awkward freak accident, high school poetry teacher Lance (Robin Williams) ghostwrites a suicide note to spare the family embarrassment. But when the note becomes an unexpected hit, Lance sees a chance to resurrect his writing career. In a bid for literary fame, Lance writes his son's journal and passes it off as his own. Writer-director Bob Goldthwait's comedy debuted at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. - taken from Netflix.com


I watched this one on a whim, as it stars Robin Williams, and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. I was expecting a bit more comedy, more than the content that it is about. I was definitely glad I didn't watch this one with my boys though. Maybe if they were older teens, but not at their ages now. Language, sexual content (though no actual major porn) are rampant throughout. 
A teen son, who is a loner and a freak, of a single dad, who is a multiple publisher denied writer, dies accidently in while masturbating. The dad (played by Robin Williams) sets it up to look like a regular suicide, and pens a note. Kids at the school get a copy of the note, and it builds to where the Dad creates a journal his son supposedly wrote, which get published and fame starts to build. It all comes to a head... but I won't share that part. 
    I really started to hate this movie about halfway through. The start was slow, and once the son was dead, I felt disgusted inside by everyone's reactions, including the actions of the father. The end was easy to figure out, and was okay. I give it 2 stars, and don't watch it for a family flick.

Movie Review : "Despicable Me"

Villainous Gru (Steve Carell) lives up to his reputation as a despicable, deplorable and downright unlikable guy when he hatches a plan to steal the moon from the sky. But he has a tough time staying on task after three orphans land in his care. Julie Andrews voices the role of Gru's malevolent mom, and Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig and Will Arnett round out the ensemble cast in this comic tale that earned a Golden Globe nod for Best Animated Feature. - taken from netflix.com


I was a bit excited when this arrived in the mail today! I had been awaiting it for it had come out in theaters. Needless to say, I was a bit let-down. Most of the funny parts were used in the TV spots that were run, or other trailer stuff. I actually almost fell asleep during the movie. Even for a family animation movie, I was disappointed. I do give it three stars though, as I know my kids will love it for the minions, and just being an animated flick.