Movie Review : "Dominion:Prequel to the Exorcist"

Years before exorcising the devil from Regan MacNeil, Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård) experiences a crisis of faith, leaves the priesthood and heads to Africa on an archaeological expedition, where he unearths a perfectly preserved ancient church. The mysterious church, horrific events and the healing of a crippled boy (Billy Crawford) soon draw Merrin into a battle against pure evil in this creepy prequel to the 1973 horror classic. - taken from Netflix.com


I am not big into Horror films, but sometimes I enjoy one. Tonight, this was the best I could find in the instant play queue. It has been years since I have seen "The Exorcist" so some of that story is not coming to mind, though this film obviously did not have much to do with the original. Keeping in mind the whole story was more of a mind-set for the next one, it wasn't terrible. Events as they played out were pretty predictable, and there weren't as many scenes to make one jump at the action. Very low budget and few special effects. I felt it was more of a whole man and God thing than Man of God fighting Evil. Enjoyed the theme more than the movie. I give it 2 stars, well, I'll bump it to 3 just because from what I remember, it could have been the start of the mindset for Father Merrin in the original. Besides, I thought this might be an earlier movie for Skarsgard.

Movie Review : "The Parking Lot Movie"

Over the course of three years, filmmaker Meghan Eckman tracked thecomings and goings of a solitary parking lot in Charlottesville, Va., chroniclingthe lives of the attendants who were working there. This inspiring documentary is the result. Hanging tough as they navigate the range of human emotion -- from hope to frustration, from a sense of limitless possibilities to stagnation --the film's subjects embody the pursuit of the American Dream. - taken from Netflix.com


What can I say about this one? Not much. I watched it on recommendation from some friends, who apparently understood it better than I. Maybe my lack of Sociology  classes, or anthropology, or some college in general ruined it for me. Basically and Indie documentary about guys that worked at a particular parking lot. Most were some sort of undergraduate student, in some humanities course and try to spout life altering snippets about life as a parking lot attendant. Maybe that's why I don't get it. Worse movie rating so far.... 1 star.

Movie Review : "Predators"

Rugged mercenary Royce (Adrien Brody) inherits command of an elite team of human fighters -- including dorky-but-dangerous Edwin (Topher Grace) and tough-but-beautiful Isabelle (Alice Braga) -- as they are hunted by a race of ruthless alien trackers known as Predators. Director Nimród Antal's sci-fi action explosion, which also stars Laurence Fishburne and an uzi-toting Danny Trejo, is a direct sequel to the 1987 blockbuster Predator. - taken from Netflix.com


This is like, what.... Fourth movie in this line? There was "Predator" with Schwarzeneggar; "Predator II" with Danny Glover; "AVP:Alien vs Predator" and "Alien vs Predator : Requiem". So I guess that makes the 5th film. Either way, it kind of goes back to the first original movie. About 8 (or so) humans from Earth awaken while in free fall, to land on what they determine later, is an alien planet. Each of them was selected for a reason, and the movie is spent them 'discovering' why each of them is there, as they are hunted by the Predators. At one point there is reference to the first movie in this series, which I thought was nice, since the last couple weren't even related it seems. Of course, Netflix description states it is a direct sequel to the first one. Overall, I found it a bit boring, and was not happy about the two bigger-named actors being killed off, but that happens. I give it 3 starts, since it at least kept me watching to see how it would end.

Movie Review : "Twilight Saga: Eclipse"

Danger stalks Seattle with a rash of mysterious killings that have Bella (Kristen Stewart) feeling less secure than ever in the third installment of this teen fantasy series based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer. With a malevolent vampire continuing her quest for revenge from the sidelines, the human Bella must reconcile her love for Edward (Robert Pattinson), a vampire, and her growing feelings for Jacob (Taylor Lautner), a werewolf. - taken from Netflix.com


This is the third installment of the 4 book series written by Stephanie Meyers. As many readers would say, usually the middle portion of any series of books, tends to be a bit boring, and drags along. This movie was no exception. Though I had read the complete series long before any movie was going to be made, and evidently, those year made a difference, as I could not really place what seemed to happen in this one as being part of the story, except a few bits of the whole plot. Honestly, the teenage clamor surrounding this whole series has probably jaded me for the movie experience. I do give some credit though tot he author, because at the time, it is getting younger readers to pick a book up, if only to find out how it all ends, prior to the release of the final book-to-movie. All in all, I give it 3 stars.

Book Review : "Divine Appointments" by Charlene Ann Baumbich

This story revolves around 4 central characters and their interactions over mostly the span of a few weeks. Each of them could be any person one would meet on the street. It follows them individually and together as they interact and react to situations. The mysterious way that God works in our lives is reflected in small ways that the author has placed in a seemingly benign way in this story. Follow the lives of Josie, an independent, go-forward consultant, as she finds a mysterious snow globe and how its scene encourages her to open herself; Lyle, his job loss and remorse of a missed loved life drive him to go back to an earlier time of his life where he felt what he did was something good. Marsha, who learns how friends can change you, and changes of the heart; and Barb, as she allows God to use her to encourage others, and how one sacrifice can change the world like the wind from the wings of a butterfly. For a Christian book, I enjoyed reading it and give it 4 stars.

Movie Review : "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"

While Horvath (Alfred Molina) and Drake (Toby Kebbell) plot to restore Morgana Le Fay (Alice Krige) to power, master sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) makes physics student Dave Stutle (Jay Baruchel) his apprentice, teaching him enough magic to save the world from sure ruin. Also featuring Monica Bellucci, Teresa Palmer and Toby Kebbell, this whimsical fantasy is a live-action update of the beloved animated short from the 1940s, "Fantasia." - taken from Netflix.com


Great movie for the family. We sat down to watch it this evening, while having some pizza and sodas. My boys loved the flick, laughing at some of the scenes. Even the 4 year old was quoting some of the lines from it. Definitely a 5 star for family.

Movie Review : "Barry Munday"

Barry Munday wakes up after being attacked to realize that he's missing his family jewels. To make matters worse, he learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember having sex with. - taken from IMDB.com


Sometimes you just need a corny, time-waster of a movie, and that is what I thought this one was when I put it in my queue to watch. Barry is a guy, that yes, has lost the jewels (I won't say how, as it is part of the story). Barry is also the typical, stereotyped male chauvinistic character women just believe are real creeps. That's what makes this a corny time-waster. The storyline turned out to be better than I expected, and shows some of the good side of people, and how sometimes choices we make affect other people. Overall, was a good time watching, and I give it 4 stars.

Movie Review : "The Machinist"

Trevor Reznik is a lathe-operator who suffers from insomnia and hasn't slept in a year. Slowly, he begins to doubt his sanity as increasingly bizarre things start happening at work and at home. Haunted by a deformed co-worker who no one seems to think exists, and an ongoing stream of indecipherable Post-It notes he keeps finding on his fridge, he attempts to investigate what appears to be a mysterious plot against him and, in the process, embroils two women in his madness. Written by J. Lake  - taken from IMDB.com


I am not sure how to describe this movie. First I was appalled at every scene that showed Christian Bale with his shirt off. I had heard something about the dramatic weight-loss he had gone under for this role, and to actually see it.... I was a bit grossed out. That coming from a fat man. Gives me a good insight as I recall his role in ' he Dark Knight' as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Overall I was kept somewhat guessing until about halfway through the movie. From that point it was a matter of trying to figure out the ending - which I didn't get all the details. I give a decent rating of 3 stars, mostly due to the slowness of the lot, and that I was able to figure most of it out, so the movie lost my interest a bit.

Movie Review : "Ink"

Late one night, a lost soul named Ink snatches 8-year-old Emma (Quinn Hunchar) into the world of dreams. There, he hopes to use her soul to join the ranks of the evil Incubi. In the real world, Emma lies comatose, to the despair of her father, John (Chris Kelly). But the Incubi's benevolent opposites -- the Storytellers -- rally to help Emma, motivating John to wage war for his daughter. Jessica Duffy co-stars in this dark fable.


I was leery about watching this movie at first. Though recently released (2009) and listed int he sci-fi genre, the story didn't sound all that great. About 15 minutes into it, I was stuck to the screen. A great Indie flick, made on what appears to be a fairly low budget, it pulls you in and tugs just a bit on the heart strings. No, no tears fell, but I still felt this was a great movie. I give it 4/5 stars.

Movie Review : "Jesse Stone: No Remorse"

Tom Selleck takes a sixth turn as small-town Massachusetts police chiefJesse Stone, who combats crime as well as personal issues in the movie series based on the best-selling novels by Robert B. Parker. After he's suspended from his job, Stone travels to Boston at the request of his friend Capt. Healey (Stephen McHattie) -- the state homicide commander -- to help solve a string of murders plaguing the city. - From Netflix.com


Another great 'Jesse Stone' movie. I really enjoyed Robert B. Parker's novels, many dealing with "Spenser for Hire" and this character, "Jesse Stone". In fact, in some books, they referred to each other. Either way, this is the 6th Stone movie I have seen out, and Tom Selleck plays the role perfectly from what I formed in my mind's eye while reading the novels. Definitely a 5/5 stars movie.


On a side note, I heard rumor of yet another one coming out this year...... I hope so!

Reviewing Movies

I think I will do a new format for these. I shall copy and paste the movie description from a source (IMDB.com, or maybe Netflix.com) so you can see the synopsis. Then I can follow through with my feelings of the movie. Makes it easier to tell, as I try not to tell too much of the storyline.

Movie Review : "The Losers"

Definitely not a movie that made theaters. The story is situated around a team of 5 Special Forces operatives, that are presumed killed (intentionally by the voice of their CIA boss). They are approached by a person that enables them financially to come back to the States to hunt down the boss, that at the time they only have a voice to search for. This to redeem themselves, and come "back from the dead" to the lives they had before.

Basic action flick with pretty easy plot to figure out. Decent time waster on a Saturday morning. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Movie Review : "The Oxford Murders"

I watched this one today and was quite impressed. John Hurt and Elijah Wood gave great roles in this twisted murder mystery. John Hurt plays the role of Professor Seldom, a mathematician, that Elijah Wood's character has traveled to Oxford University to study under. They both happen upon the scene, and body, of a possible murder. The serial killings continue, each involving mathematical figures, that these two attempt to use to solve the crimes.

I was kept involved in the story and thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong. Nice little twist in the end.
Five out of Five stars.

Movie Review : "True Grit" (2010)

The Coen Brothers adapted the screenplay for this film, and executive producer Spielberg added his name as well. First thing that comes to mind is no one can outdo the John Wayne version from back in the day. However, I enjoyed this movie quite a bit. The portrayals of the characters seemed more 'filled-in' than the John Wayne version, where he was made more a hero in appearance than the book originally had Cogburn. Jeff Bridges completed the Cogburn role as the drunk, 'take no prisoner' Federal marshall, and Matt Damon played the Texas Ranger well. Josh Brolin played the part of Tom Chaney, though I was a bit surprised he did not have more film time.

From what I remember from reading the book, this was a good adaptation. I give it a 4 star rating.

Movie Review : "The Last Airbender"

For 100 years, the Avatar, a person with the magic skills able to control the four main elements, has been missing for over 100 years. During that time, the Fire nation has gained power and is dominating all other lands. In a remote area of the Water nation, the Avatar is found, having been trapped in an ice bubble, and having no recollection of the time passed. He is still a child, through some miracle, but lacks the training to be a true Avatar (control of all elements). The movie encompasses the first "'book" of this series, which is in regards to his learning the control of water, and the first battle with the Fire Nation. The ending leaves clear opening to a sequel, though after some of the reviews and box office earnings, I think most production companies would leave it on a shelf.

Having known ahead of seeing the movie, that it is based on a children's cartoon, I was not expecting much in terms of intriguing plots with twists, or more complicated themes. I was a bit disappointed in the lack of actual martial art combat scenes, which from trailers I had viewed, I had hoped to see. Overall, if you have pre-teens, and younger to say age 6-7, they would probably enjoy this movie even if they had not seen the cartoon.

Movie Review : "Grown Ups"

I laughed my ass off for the whole length of this movie. Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kevin James, Chris Rock and Rob Schneider all together just made for a funny film about about 5 kids that played on a winning basketball team when around 12 years of age, reunited years later at the funeral of the coach. Now adults, four of which are married and have children, add the usual family problems, help bring in the extra laughs. Whenever that isn't an issue, the cut-downs they play on each other helped make the movie funny.

Book Review : "Tandem" by Tracy Bateman

This was a decent vampire story. Set in a modern day era, in a small Missouri town, two females (one human, one vampire) struggle independently with trying to not lose a family member. Lauryn McBride fights to not lose her father, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's; and Amede, who is trying to find her sister who has been gone many years. Through several plot twists, their connections and relationships develop to introduce new characters as these two reach internal, emotional finales.
Though I feel the conclusion was a bit shorter in detail than most of the story, I did enjoy the book. A bit different twist of vampire story, and plot twists kept my attention. I would be interested in reading other works from this author. I give it 3/5 stars.


This book was provided to me free for review purposes by WaterBrook Multnomah.