HOT FUZZ

This movie was extremely funny! If you saw Shaun of the Dead and loved it as I did, then this one is a must see. It's almost a sequel as it reunites Nick Frost and Simon Pegg as police partners in a sleepy English village where all is not as it seems.

I was chuckling (not giggling, that's what girls do.) at the opening scene as Simon Pegg comes marching into the police station. Nothing funny about it, I just knew the absurd comedy was coming and I was anticipating laughing my arse off.

Despite being a bit slapstick, the film actually has a decent plot, er well a decent story. And the British actors played their roles brilliantly. Even defunct bond, Timothy Dalton does a superb job as a wacky, off kilter supermarket manager.

The climax of the film is worth the full price of admission. It was freaking amazing and totally hilarious! If you are in the mood for some absurd humor and non-stop laughs check out Hot Fuzz as soon as possible. Don't get pulled over for speeding!

Perfect Stranger

I knew who the killer was before the preview trailers ended. I had it all figured out. I was wrong. They got me. It was a great twist at the end that I did not see coming. Was Perfect Stranger a perfect murder mystery movie? Maybe it had all the elements of a whodoneit, but they dropped off the "thriller" part.

I never felt tense the whole movie. In fact I was just relaxed watching the story unfold, still confident I had it solved. I like Halle Berry, and I love Bruce Willis, so the film had that going for it. I also thought the characters were well developed. There was quite a bit of exposition, some of which was shown in flashbacks, but once that was out of the way, the character interaction began.

Halle Berry's character, Rowena Price is an investigative reporter that is convinced Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), a powerful Ad Executive has killed her childhood friend and she is determined to prove it. I felt the chemistry between Bruce and Halle was forced. It didn't come naturally. Bruce really needs to stick to what he does best. Kill bad guys.

Several supporting roles pop in and out of Rowena's hectic life, most notably her tech savy partner, Miles Hailey played by Giovanni Ribisi whose character has a glaring crush on her. (Who doesn't? Why don't stars ever stalk anyone? "I was at the market yesterday, picking up some perogis, and there was Halle again! She followed me from the ice creme cases to fruits and veggies! Sheesh!")

Well as I said this movie was no thrill ride like Vacancy was. (Go see that one!) The only cool part was the twist at the end and perhaps smarter people than me saw it coming and if so kudos to you!

Vacancy

I loved this movie! If horror flicks of the "Psycho" genre are your thing, then Vacancy is a must see! It was an intense thrill ride. A bit predictable, but director Nimrod Anatal (I'll have to think twice before calling someone a nimrod now), more than made up for it with an excellent cast, Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, and he never let the suspense die down from start to finish.

Amy and David Fox are lost on the back roads in the middle of nowhere. We quickly learn their marriage is falling apart and as it turns out, so is their car. They end up stranded at a flea bag, roach infested motel managed by Frank Whaley (Mason).

But they don't get any rest here as they soon learn that guests literally check-in but don't check-out. Mason is running a little snuff-film factory at his motel, and Amy and David realize they are the stars of the next film.

I was a little afraid Luke Wilson would revert to his usual sleepy eyed and dim witted drawl when he spoke, but I was pleasantly surprised he sounded like a normal married man on the edge of divorce. He did a great job and casting him turned out to be a good call. Same goes for Frank Whaley being cast in his role. He usually plays snarky side kicks for comedy relief but he pulls off the snarky psycho bit rather well. I guess it wasn't much of a stretch to go from laughs to screams!

If you're looking for a good jump out of your seat scream flick, check out Vacancy!

Disturbia

This is a movie that takes place in the middle American suburbs. This is the scary version of the Tom Hanks movie, The Burbs. Which is a must see comedy by the way! Disturbia stars Shia LaBeouf (what a name) who plays Kale, a high school student that lost his dad in a car crash a year ago. Kale was driving and saw his dad die, so he has issues.

Kale punches a teacher in the face at school near the end of the year and is ordered to spend the summer under house arrest. He is fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet that won't allow him to leave his yard, or else the cops come running. The real horror begins as his mother, Julie played by Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity/Matrix), closes his itunes account (gasp), snips the power cord to his Hi-Def TV in his room (scream!), and cancels his XBOX LIVE account (run from the theater in terror now!!).

Fortunately she didn't take his PSP! But with all his other entertainment laid to waste Kale soon busies himself with spying on the neighbors. The most interesting of which is the hot new neighbor, Ashley (Sahra Roemer). She has just moved in from the city with her parents and he quickly becomes obsessed with watching her. (who wouldn’t?). She catches him peeping with his buddy from school and oddly they all become fast friends.

I was an hour into the movie and I was like where is the psycho path? Where are the dead bodies? The Horror? Was this a scary movie or Napoleon Dynamite? They tease us with a couple of scenes where Kale discovers a few clues and starts to suspect his neighbor is a killer, but they keep us guessing till the climatic end. Until then it’s just a coming of age flick and a spoiled teenager fighting his demons (and two or three little neighborhood kids.) That’s why I give it a 3 out of 5. David Morse does a fair job of being the creepy guy next door, and the film picks up a little bit at the end, but to steal a line from the girlsonfilmshow, catch it on cable!

TMNT

Okay, Okay...no funny remarks....oh wait, I never get ANY remarks! Yes I saw an animated film this Friday! I got two boys that love ninjas, mutant turtles, and lottsa of fighting!! The boys were outta school so it was only fitting to raise them in the Friday tradition of catching a flick.

As to the TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for those of you not in the know) movie, I thought the animation was amazing! Not that bubble-gum looking eye candy that PIXAR and DISNEY usually shovel. It was dark and REAL looking. Loved it. IMAGI Animation studios did a superb job.


I liked the rockin soundtrack as well, scored by Klaus Badelt. There were a few powerhouse voices provided by the likes of Patrick Stewart (Maximillian Winters), April O'Neil gets an upgrade in this version and gets to kick some bad guy butt with the Terrapin Tornadoes. She is voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar, (Go Buffy!). The film is narrated by Lawernce Fishburne.

The story was mediocre. I had hoped they would avoid the infighting between the reptilian brothers, and just let them fight stuff, but it was not to be. Mostly Leonardo and Raphael are at each other's throats. But there is plenty of fighting monsters and of course their arch enemies the Foot Ninja Clan. Thankfully Shredder was not the big bad guy of the film.

Well if you want to see some great animation and you have some mutants of your own at home. Load em up in the mini van and head to the movies!

SHOOTER

This movie reminds me of the Bourne Identity. Which is better? Well I haven't seen Identity in a while, so I'm not sure but I think I liked Bourne Identity a little better than Shooter. Mostly because Bourne Identity had a more interesting hook, Jason Bourne couldn't remember who he was. Still I enjoyed shooter, even if it got a little campy at the end.

It starts out introducing us to Bob Lee Swagger (Wahlburg), a special forces sniper. The mission he is on doesn't end real well and three years pass and we find Bob being a recluse in the mountains, a hunting dog his only companion, almost a una-bomber type, except he does use technology.

Well one day the government shows up saying they need his expertise. They play on his patriotism and he says he'll help. That's when the plot and the plot twists kick in. This movie didn't "WOW" me like Casino Royale or 300, but it was a great matinee. Wahlburg does a decent job, and looks cut for the part. It also stars Danny Glover who should really just stick to Lethal Weapon sequels.

If you haven't seen 300, go see that. If you have seen it and are looking for something new at the popcorn stand, take a shot at Shooter and check it out!

300

Buttered popcorn? Check! Frosty Cola? Check! Darkened theater? Check! The most Epic battle movie since Lord of the Rings? Double Check! Ahhh. You could not ask for a much better day at the movies. 300 delivers! Outstanding story, excellent acting, nothing over the top, just unwavering discipline and devotion to the ideals all free peoples hold dear. And an ageless truism that we as Americans know so well today...Freedom is not Free.

Call the baby sitters and march to the theater to check out this dark tale of ancient Sparta! It's a must see!

Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider is a really nice looking film. The effects are superb and visually appealing. The licking flames, the chain whip, and the evil guys with their chilling touch of death all make it a great special effects film.

Unfortunately, the story is okay if not a little flat. And the fight scenes were so boring, I found myself yawning!

Ghost Rider, the devils bounty hunter, has to find four evil bad guys and destroy them. Each one in turn harasses the guy with the flaming head, but in just a minute he has them figured out and defeats them easily. Come on! After the Matrix and Spiderman set the bar for stunning and Epic fight scenes, Ghost Rider is a big let down in that department.

Speaking of let downs, I'm a huge Nicholas Cage fan boy, but I was expecting more from him as well. He usually has very funny and quirky breakouts when he play characters like this. And in Ghost Rider he tries to deliver. For example he stands before his mirror and makes boogey man faces at himself after turning into a walking zippo lighter the night before. But it failed to even bring a smile to my face. Has Nick lost it or was I in a foul mood? Who knows!

So if you are a marvel fan, and grew up on comics and super heroes as I did, then take your marshmallows and stick to the theater and catch a ride with the Ghost Rider!! PS- His side kick, Sam Elliot does a good job giving his usual gruff, grisly old man spiel. Check it out!

Breach

This movie was a rather somber tale, and there were only a couple of scenes the director attempts to get your pulse pounding, but fails.

The movie is based on the true-life story about how the FBI nailed the most damaging turncoat in American history, Robert Hanssen. We see everything through the eyes of Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe), the young aspiring agent planted with Hanssen as his new assistant to gather information on the older man without knowing the true intent of the probe.

Chris Cooper plays a stern-faced and intimidating Robert Hanssen. He is an interesting character that sizes up and is suspicious of everyone he meets. What spy wouldn't be? We learn he is deeply religious, but also into porn as a hobby. I could never tell if one or the other was a facade.

As I stated, don't expect a thriller (only two Russian spies are killed), but it is a fascinating story and the film leaves us still wondering the "why" of it all.

Hanssen is currently serving his sentence at ADX Florence, a Supermax federal penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, where he spends 23 of 24 hours a day in solitary confinement.

This flick would be just as good on cable or a rental as it was on the big screen. I just had nothing better to do on President's Day. Check it out!!

Pan's Labyrinth

Decisions Decisions...I found myself on a business trip to Nashville this week and I always mix business with pleasure (who doesn't?). So there I stood at the door to the Regal theater trying to decide between Bable (oscar nominated for best picture) and some obscure Spanish film called Pan's Labyrinth about faun's and faeries.

Of course I chose the Labyrinth! (duh!) So I picked up my free popcorn (Tuesday's at Regal are free popcorn days if you're in the club and oh baby! I'm in!) and headed in excitedly to see what this mysterious film had to offer.

First you have to realize it is a Spanish film and therefore...that's right those crazy actors are all speaking Spanish. But like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the sub-titles didn't bother me as much as I would have thought and I was able to enjoy the movie.

The story quickly catches your attention with a scene and a haunting lullaby from the end of the movie, but soon jumps into the main story of a young child and her pregnant mother traveling on the road in a bouncing late model car. The girl clutches her fairy tale books while the mother clutches her stomach. They arrive at a mill/farmhouse where the mother's new husband and father of the soon to be born baby brother is waiting for them. He is a tyrant of the Spanish army, currently hunting down rebels in the nearby hills. It's his brutality that give the film its "R" rating.

As the movie progresses, it rhythmically sways between the world of fantasy and the cruel harsh realities of real life. It transitions so well that at times you can't tell where fantasy ends and reality begins. The movie drags just slightly in the middle (like my reviews) and the end grows more predictable, but the story is strong, the CGI (Computer Generated Images) affects are brilliant, and the film reflects our own lives like a mirror. Don't we all fantasize just a bit to escape our real life doldrums (who uses that word any more?). We all dream of winning the lottery, or being famous, or living in a world with out war or global warming.

If you dare to enter the labyrinth, then check out Pan's Labyrinth and never trust a fawn.

Bill's Search Engine

Blood And Chocolate

Tasty little treat of a movie. They re-envision the age old were-wolf legend, there is no bone cracking, snout extending transformations we have come to expect in our Loup Garou films. Instead werefolk are a race born unto their own rather than a disease and their shape shifting into wolf form is more angelic than a painful uncontrollable curse.

But even though the movie is touted as being brought to you by the creators of Underworld, this is far from it. In fact there's more wolves than blood in the film, so it should have been called Wolves and Chocolate.

It's a Romeo and Juliet type story, with a female werewolf (Agnes Bruckner) defying her kind and falling in love with a human. We are treated to the PG-13 love affair, (who makes a PG-13 werewolf film?) and then the fur flies when they are found out. The character's and story were interesting enough to hold my attention and the cinematography was nice as well. If you are looking for a good Valentine's Day movie to take your loved one to, then check out Blood and Chocolate!!

Smoking Aces

Well I can't say for sure if my movie viewing experience has gone up or down this week, so we'll just say it remained ... level. Sorta like a patient that has flat-lined on the operating table. But have no fear! I am anxiously awaiting a couple of new flicks to roll off the celluloid assembly line and light my fire this year.

Nick Cage's Ghost Rider might be fun. I like Nick, can't wait to see National Treasure II. Also looking forward to 300 men. It'll be like football but with lots of swords and arrows! And that folks is right up my alley!

As for Smoking Aces, I guess the writer was smoking something when he wrote it. The first part of the film hand holds the audience in order to explain everything to us simple minded viewers. So we understand, it's a bunch of crazy hit men out to kill one crazy playboy of a man. Oh and there's some pissed off feds sprinkled in the mix.

Then there's the fun part. Lots of guns, lots of killing. I want to say this film reminds me of another movie where they build up to this big show down in a hotel...but I can't think of the name of it. Might be Domino.

Then after all the killing, we are introduced to the clever twist at the end which isn't so spectacular, not even close to the Usual Suspects, but again the audience is handheld while they explain it all to us and we go "Oh...I get it!"

Save your 5.75 and buy some dental floss and a new toothbrush, you're mouth will be happy and you'll be happy. PS - Don't tell the movie studio I gave this one a pass, or they might put a five dollar hit out on me!

The Hitcher

While driving across the desert, Jim (Zachary Knighton) and Grace (Sophia Bush) stop by the side of the road to pick up a hitchhiker — who turns out to be a murderous psychopath (Sean Bean).

While the couple quickly ditches their would-be assassin, the maniacal killer follows them along the dusty backroads and they engage in a nasty game of cat-and-mouse. A remake of the cult horror film starring Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Lee.

If I had not seen such a dud last week I might have given this film a dud rating. However after seeing Children of Men, I can only go up. This is basically a film that has no real plot or point to it other than senseless violence and gore. They were even skimpy on the gratoitous sex. What an outrage! ;)

I was surprised that such a talented better known actor like Sean Bean would take such a low brow role after doing films like James Bond, and The Holy Lord of the Rings Triology. He only had about five lines in the whole movie. My favorite was when the police detective asked him why he was on a murderous rampage he replied. "Why not?" which is probably the same thing he said when he accepted the role. Hey, gotta pay the bills!

It's a definate pass at the theater, but if you see it on late one night on cable or there is nothing else to rent at the video store then catch a ride with The Hitcher!

Children of Men

"Children of Men" is set in the near future where the human race is on the brink of extinction.

Global violence, loss of civil liberties, illegal immigration, destruction of the environment, obsession with celebrity - all paint a bleak and depressing future. Oh wait those headlines are the same as today's headlines. Be warned this is a depressing movie with death and acute oppression around every corner.

Based on a novel by P.D. James, "Children of Men" shows a world were females have become infertile. No babies have been born for more than 18 years. The story takes place in the United Kingdom, where the military keeps order. Foreigners are rounded up, placed in detention camps and sent back to their home nations, with only a few Brits protesting the government's insensitive treatment.
The main character, Theo (Clive Owen) doesn't care that the world's demise seems inevitable. Once an activist, now a bureaucrat, he numbs himself with alcohol, or pot that he gets from his only friend, Jasper (Michael Caine), an aging hippie who lives in the country.

He is suddenly thrust into the chaos around him when a woman from his past, Julian (Julianne Moore), a leader in the refugee-rights movement, contacts him. Julian needs transit papers that will get refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) out of the country and into the hands of the Human Project, a group devoted to saving mankind from self-destruction. Kee has a secret that could give the world hope again, but it also puts her in jeopardy.

Owen dose fine as the reluctant hero, but Michael Caine, who is usually a pleasure to watch comes off as an annoying over the top hippy whose only line seems to be "amigo!" Several of the other cast members all seems to have strange quirks as well making the film as painful as hearing the pots and pans rack in your kitchen fall and strike the tile floor.

As if that wasn't enough, the filmmaker must be a dog lover because nearly every scene of the movie has a yapping, whining, underfoot dog in it, which I found very distracting. I think the movie had potential to make a statement as to where the world is headed, but I lost that message in the unnecessary "noise" the other elements created.

Calvin and Hobbes

Happy Tanksgiving!!!

Casino Royale

I am a huge bond fan. Of course no one can out class Sean Connery, but I did think that Pierce Brosnan was the best looking bond and I loved his films.

I was disheartened when the franchise decided not to continue with Pierce, and I did not like the looks of the new guy, Daniel Craig.


However, a bond film is a bond film, and I was willing to give Craig a shot. While I still don't agree with his looks, or even his on screen charm as a perfect bond, he did an excellent job with the role. Casino Royale captured the style and feel of a some of the Connery films and yet added its own fresh style at the same time. We see the smooth, elegant, charming Bond, but at the same time a rough on the edge, sometimes out of control Bond as he learns the ropes (sometimes painfully) as a super secret agent.

The film had a great story, and thankfully the arch villan was not over the top and there was even a twist or two in the plot. And even no "over the top" stunts we have seen in recent bond films. They kept it simple, and I liked it.

This is a MUST see! Check it out or be eliminated!

Flags of Our Fathers

Shouldn't the title be FLAG of our fathers? I mean the movie is about the men that planted the FLAG in the famous picture taken in Iwo Jima. Although in the movie we learn that it was the second flag being planted on the hill that got in the picture. So maybe that explains the plural of the word flag in the title.

It was a good story, about the lives of the men that planted that flag, but the film was no Saving Private Ryan. Check it out!

If mankind completely disappeared...

It's Scorsese, so it's violent and vulgar, but excellent performances by Nicholson, DiCaprio,
and Damon. Even Mark Wahlberg steals the show as a stereotypical hard-ass police sergeant.

You'll wonder who the good guys are and who the bad guys are in this cop and robber thrill ride with a surprise ending.


Plenty of dead bodies and a steamy love scene.
Check it out now! Go on...do it!!

"We're all on our way out...so act accordingly!"
-Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson)

Talladega Nights

Over the top stupit humor!!!

What else did you expect??

White & Nerdy

Music video by "Weird Al" Yankovic from the album "Straight Outta Lynwood"

Miami Vice

I loved Miami Vice! Great nod to the TV show I watched growing up. Collin Ferrel is not as cool as Don Johnson was, but he did a good job.

The film has lots of action, guns, and girlfriends. A complex story of drugs and kidnapping. I didn't care for Barry Henley's Lt. Castillo
(Crockett and Tubbs boss), he played the jazz club owner in director Michael Mann's earlier film, Collateral.

The movie dragged a little in a few spots, and it's not a must see on the big screen, but overall I really enjoyed it! Check it out!

Clerks II

Vulgar. Porno humor. Inter-species Erotica?

But like a bad train wreck you can't look away. You have to watch just to see what they will say or do next.

If you liked Clerks I then most likely you'll cheer this encore presentation of your favorite losers.

I'd just rent it when it comes out on DVD and make sure the kids are away at camp.

POTC2 - Dead Man's Chest

Your favorite pirates arrrrgh back in the second installment of Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest. This film is pretty much more of the same. Pithy comments from CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), sea battles, daring sword fights, and scary villains.

This time rather than a ghostly crew of skeletons, its half-man half-seacreature bad guys, and a giant squid that eats ships. If you liked the first one, then you must catch its sequel even if it runs a bit long and has a cliff hanger ending that sets up for the third film in the trilogy.

Set sail for the theater and check it out!!

Superman Returns

The man of steel is back! This film borrows a lot from the original Superman movie with Christopher Reeves. Borrows a lot of lines. One thing noticeably missing is Lex Luthor's dufus toady, played by Ned Beatty. In the new movie, lex's thugs are all business, mean and nasty.

As to new comer, Brandon Routh, I have to say I liked Christopher Reeves 'Clark Kent' better. I thought Reeves was much funnier. On the other hand, Routh makes an excellent Superman.
The film goes a bit long. Seems Hollywood is making them that way ever since that little Lord of the Rings Trilogy. But overall I enjoyed the film. If you are a superhero fan... then fly faster than a speeding bullet and check out the return of Superman!

DVD Tuesday

Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear star in this movie about the friendship between a professional hit man and a down-on-his-luck businessman.

Julian Noble (Brosnan) is an aging hit man who gets blue when he realizes he has no friends and no home. In a Mexico City hotel bar, he meets Danny Wright (Kinnear), who's there trying to put together some kind of business deal. Later, Julian shows up at the Wright home in Denver and moves in with Danny and his wife, who can't help being fascinated by their strange guest.

Buy it for your Pierce Brosnan collection!

CARS

Excellent animated film! A little long for the three-year old department, but kids age 7 to 70 will love it.

Larry the Cableguy should give up on the bigscreen dreams and stick to stand-up and voice overs.

Race to the movies and check this one out!!

PS - Stay for the credits!

DVD Tuesday

If you liked Numbah one then you'll like Underworld Evolution. It's more of the same. The story continues where the last one left off.

More fight scenes, more ded bodies, and a nekkid Kate Beckinsale.
Check it out!







Firewall was pretty good. Harrison is getting too old for this. (So am I). It was a predictable thriller, but fun for a night of movies at home and a bowl of Kettle Corn.

Check it out!!

Movie Friday

Friday was a double feature for me! First I watched the new X-Men The Last Stand. The humans, or Homo-sapiens as the mutants like to call them, have developed a "cure" for the mutant-X gene. In other words, it turns mutants into humans.

This of course doesn't set well with the mutant community and a war begins to brew, especially when the humans weaponize the "cure."

If you liked X-men one and two, then you will want to check out the final chapter of the trilogy.

But in my opinion, the first two movies were better. Maybe because this one had a different director. The film seem to never quite "take-off." It had a lot of potential but fizzled at points. Ian McKellan as Magneto and Patrick Stewart as the professor are of course always a pleasure to watch. They always raise the bar for any character they play.

Next I saw Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. I had not read the book. I have read Angels and Demons, which most people say was better. Some were saying that if you had not read the book, you might be lost during the movie. I did not find this to be the case for myself. I followed along quite well and enjoyed the movie. I think it is a great fictional story.

Some critics say it's not Tom Hanks Best film, but I don't think it was supposed to be, He didn't have any over the top dramatic scenes, and he wasn't supposed to be funny either. He was playing an academic and I think he did a great job. For the second time today I got to see Ian McKellan in a different role as a philanthropist in search of the true Holy Grail.

I don't give both flicks a must see, but if you are an X-Men fan or a Dan Brown fan, check them out!

Movie Friday

Poseidon was a disaster. A disaster movie! It was A lot like the original. Same kind of feel, different character's though, younger perhaps. They tried to give the characters some depth, but I wasn't buying what they were trying to sell.

Even so, the thought of a huge cruise ship tumbling over on the ocean and people fighting for their lives, was still thrilling enough to keep my attention.

The ending of course was piled high with over the top suspense, but would else would I expect??

It was worth a matinee, but don't make it an all out night at the movies. Take the kids to see Over the Hedge instead. That looks hilarious!!

Movie Friday

Mission Impossible Three was awesome! I may have even liked it better than the first one. Great story, excellent bad guys and plot twists, and non-stop action from start to finish. I didn't want the movie to end. I give it a must see!

Check it out!

DVD Tuesday

I am looking forward to the remake, Poseidon, starring Josh Lucas and Kurt Russell. Check out the 1972 version on DVD!

MI:III

Tom Cruise is in theaters this weekend with Mission Impossible 3.
I couldn't make it, as my youngest carpet crawler was sick.

I hope to check it out next week!

DVD Tuesday

Aeon Flux is a mysterious assassin working for the Monicans, a group of rebels trying to overthrow the government. When she is a sent on a mission to kill the "chairman" a whole new mystery is found..

The sci-fi actioner is set 400 years in the future, when disease has wiped out the majority of the earth's population except for one walled, protected city-state, Bregna, ruled by a congress of scientists. The story centers on Aeon Flux(Theron), the top operative in the underground 'Monican' rebellion, led by The Handler(Frances McDormand). When Aeon is sent on a mission to kill a government leader, she uncovers a world of secrets...

It's worth a rental. Check it out!

Movie Friday

Friday I saw The Sentinel. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Douglas, and Eva Longoria. The secret service learns they have a mole. After an agent is murdered, David Breckinridge (Sutherland) suspects that his former mentor Pete Garrison (Douglas), is involved in the murder and a plot to assassinate the president. Jill Morin (Longoria) is a new recruit that joins Breckenridge in the hunt for Garrsion.

The movie is based on the novel by former secret service agent, Gerald Petievich (sounds Russian doesn't it?) so you can believe the secret service protocols have an authentic air about them.

The movie plods along slowly as the plot unfolds, and Douglas' character gets caught in the middle of everything. There seemed to be some BAD editing as scenes switched rapidly with no transitions. But the end of the film was exciting and filled with action. Overall it wasn't a bad film and I liked it. Of course I am a fan of Sutherland and his hit series 24. And his character in the movie isn't much different from Jack Bauer except that he doesn't torture anyone or defy orders.

Check it out!

Movie Friday

Plenty of sex scenes and dead bodies. Should I stop right there and give this movie, Lucky Number Sleven, a must check it out?

I would except that at first I didn't think I was going to like the movie. It started out weird and got weirder. Plus the director was using stuttered shots, like you might see in a horror film when a zombie is coming down the hall at you. First the zombie is far away, then the screen flashes black and suddenly the zombie is halfway down the hall, screen flashes again and boom the zombie is right next to ya!

Then the next thing that seemed hokey to me for lack of a better term was the two kingpin mob bosses. The "Boss" played by Morgan Freeman, and the "Rabi" played by sir Ben Kingsley. These guys for the past twenty years have been bitter rival gangster lords. Each locked in a highrise tower in New York....across the street from each other. Add to that the goofy goons that work for them and I was wondering what had I gotten myself into. And what's with the freaky wallpaper!!???!?

But alas! I found, at least the rest of the cast, Bruce Willis, who plays Goodcat the assassin, Josh Hartnett as Sleven, and Lucy Lui, as Sleven's love interest were quit brilliant. Add to that, the story unfolds ever so slowly and comes together ever so nicely and the horror flick tricks go away (I think) such that I found myself really enjoying the film and didn't want it to end.

It's a story of mistaken identity, (is it?), revenge, (but whose?), and love, (but lost?). Well I haven't told you much about the film, but I can tell you it is indeed a MUST check it out!

Please place your trays in the up right position and head to the theater now.

Movie Quote

Life is not about the amount of breaths you take; it’s about the amount of moments that take your breath away.

-Hitch

DVD Tuesday

Stunning visuals, facinating characters, and a solid epic story. Welcome to Narnia.

Four kids enter the timeless world of Narnia through the door of a wardrobe piece of furniture while playing hide-and-seek. And what a world it is. There are talking animals, dwarfs, giants, beasts, centaurs, and indescribable half-human combinations. And, in this world of Narnia there is a titanic struggle between the White Witch and her evil army and the good lion Aslan and his noble army.

It's an inspiring film for adults and young children.
Check it out!

From Mom

On Wednesday of next week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be: 01:02:03 04/05/06

That won't ever happen again.

You may now return to your (normal ?) life.

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas, 1951 or 1952

DVD Tuesday

They didn't monkey around with this DVD. It is filled with bonus material!

Plus it is a pretty decent film!

Check it out.

Movie Friday

Whilst getting my brakes checked at the mall, I stopped in the local theater to see Inside Man. The new Denzel Washington movie. Or is it the new Clive Owen movie? Or wait! The new Jodie Foster movie? I'm so confused. And not just because of the cast.

The plot was long and boring. It is a movie about a bank robbery, but don't worry because no money was taken. (Except for mine at the ticket window!). In fact its a movie about nothing. Because nothing happens! I kept waiting for suspense. Not there. Drama! Not there. Clever plot? Nope.

There are no dead bodies and no sex scene. Boring. Oh sure there's a few times you wonder where the mysterious plot is going, and there are a few pithy lines and scenes that make you crack a smile or two, and a tidy happy wrap up at the end, but not enough to save this bore fest.

I had hoped for a thrilling cat and mouse game between Clive Owen's character, Dalton Russel and Denzel as Detective Keith Frazier (That's Frazier with a Z), reminiscent of the banter between Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman as the terrorist/thief Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Instead I got something as exiting as watching paint dry. Clive's character pulls the wool over Denzels eyes the whole movie even to the end, which is surprising since its a Spike Lee (Malcom X) movie.

Whatever you do, DO NOT check out this movie.

Who needs a Cashier?

Pick Taco Bell or KFC, place your order, swipe your card, and viola after a few minutes a tray appears on the counter with your order.

It's like Star Trek where they would say "Chicken Soup" and it would magically appear.

New kiosks are appearng that replace the cashier. Check it out.

Hallsdale-Powell Utility District

I try to keep my blog lite. Funny and trivially informative. I try to steer clear of religion, politics, and social issues. They are boring for the most part anyway. I am not saying they are not important or relevant because they are important and relevant to us all. The discussion of such issues is what I generally find boring and there are plenty of better forums for those issues than my blog.

However today whilst paying the bills, I noticed something that has me incensed and I must speak to it if for no other reason than to vent my anger and rant. First let me say that I have never not paid a bill owed by me. I have never incurred a late fee of any kind. (no not even at Blockbuster!) Nor have I ever bounced a check, or reported any fraudulent information on my taxes. I always pay off my loans ahead of schedule. Not that I am without sin, I seem to be signing my checks with a pen that somehow managed to migrate from the desk at my office to my desk at home. And if I fall to hard times and get laid off from my current job, I may indeed begin to bounce checks left and right and perhaps fall behind on payments, but for now I remain ever diligent toward my responsibilities and obligations.

Do I say all this to boast? To brag? To insinuate that I am somehow better than those who open new credit card accounts to pay off old ones? Not at all, I simply build the case that I am a responsible and contributing member of society and that I pay what I owe when I owe it.

It is because of this that I find myself vilified by the company in charge of supplying fresh, crisp, sparkling clean H2O to my place of residence. I was preparing to pay them this month's accord, a sum of thirty-four American dollars and twenty-six cents. An average water bill by any account and finding no fault in their service am happy to pay it. It was then I noticed something I had not realized they added this year. This year they redesigned their bill as companies oft do in an effort to make it more readable for their CUSTOMERS.

I saw the usual late fee penalty listed there for your convenience. While this alone is a bit stand-offish and causes my nose to crinkle I can understand having a system that encourages prompt payment. (apparently this was not enough incentive do read on). Currently were my check to reach their coffers on April 2, rather than the due date of April 1, I would be assessed a penalty of three American dollars and forty-three cents. Bringing my total bill to thirty seven dollars and sixty-nine cents. A sum I plan not to pay as my check should arrive on time if any faith can be placed in the United States Postal Service.

Then I noticed a new item that I had missed on the previous two bills. An item listed as the DISCONNECT DATE. Yes, if the earth rotates six times and I have failed to send them any form of acceptable payment Hallsdale-Powell Utility District will promptly and without further notice, shut off my water! No showers, no flushing toilets, no baths for my children, much less their Koolaide. No candle lit bubble baths for hiding from aforementioned offspring while reading David Baldacci's Split Second and listening to Antonio Vivaldi!

These callous Mafia wannabees have the audacity to assess a service charge of forty bucks (yes I said bucks) on the day they chose to cut you off from the life giving agua. A fee that must be paid in addition to the bill in question that allegedly hasn't been paid. And don't forget the almighty late fee that would surely be applied to a delinquent account. Extortionists!

I am certainly not naive enough not to know there are plenty of people "out there" that when facing the decision to buy crack, methane, another month of Everquest, a Bud Light, or pay the water bill, they often chose from the former list. These people have the right to chose their fates and in these cases I cannot fault the Utility for being harsh.

What infuriates me however, is that Hallsdale-Powell would just simply place me on equal footing with them. (Didn't I say earlier in the post that I wasn't saying I was better than those who can't seem to pay on time? I lied). I pay my bills every month on time and in full! I deserve some respect as a paying customer. The only way they can get by with running their company like a Nazi concentration camp (yes it really happened President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, you moron) is that I have no choice in whom I get my water from. Short of digging a well in my back yard, they are the only supplier of liquid life to my house. My only hope is that the city will annex my neighborhood and I can pay KUB for my drinking water and not have to give another penny to the tyrants. There is no disconnect date on KUB's water bill.

What happens if I go off for a two week or like my boss, a month's vacation. The day I leave the bill arrives and is buried in a stack of papers and bills which I try to attend to promptly on my return but due to circumstances beyond my control, gasp and horror, I miss the disconnect date by an hour and four minutes! What if there's a death in the family? What if I, the chief accountant and payer of all things labeled bill (who came up with that term btw?), die? What if there's a wedding? My lord and heaven forbid what if the unthinkable happens and the bill is....LOST in the MAIL?!?!?!?!

Well they have a little fine print to address that as well. And I quote: "Failure to receive a bill will not release customer from payment obligation." Aren't these compassionate and charming people? If once in my entire and impeccable business affairs with this company, I am overly tardy in my remittance will they kindly pick up the phone as to inquire as to the state of my affairs? NO. Will they perhaps send a small note as to remind me that my account has fallen past due and that I should take corrective action so as to not experience any disruption in my service? Not a chance. I will simply wake up, have my morning constitution, not noticing it has failed to submerge to the sewers below, turn on the shower and watch in wonder as it belches out a cold last breath. At that moment I will scratch my head in puzzlement, and then realization will slowly creep over me at the same rate the stench from my toilet crawls up my nose.

"If bill is not paid on or before due date, your service is subject to disconnection without further notice."

Book I'm Reading

She had that essential trait of a polished killer: she possessed no conscience.

-Split Second

Movie Friday

V is for Vantastic. My friend and I chose V for Vendetta for our Friday afternoon distraction. Starring Natalie Portman and some guy that wears a fawkes mask the entire film.

The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name – V for Vendetta first appeared in Warrior, an independent monthly comic magazine published in 1981, quickly capturing a cult following.

Vendetta is set slightly in the future, where modern day London is still very recognizable.

It was a strong film, filled with figurative "V" symbolism (Sesame Street would be proud). Even though "V" is a terrorist, he is railing against an oppressive government that seeks to stamp out the fears of its people by controlling them. It uses the fear of counter culture (ala the Wachowskis bros.), disease like bird flu and bio terror, and of course everyone's favorite WAR.

Natalie Portman has come along way since Star Wars, she does an excellent job portraying a confused and scared girl trying to decide if she should side with the terrorist/hero "V" or run away from it all.

As for "V" he has a couple of dazzling fight scenes with big flashing knives, but the best part of his character is his high brow intellectual dialogue and taste in music. His opening scene is a soliloquy where he nearly uses every word in the dictionary that begins with the letter V. (Grover would be very proud). V is on a very personal mission to wreak vengeance on those who imprisoned and tortured him, and in doing so, created a monster

Although I rolled my eyes at the social issues the film tried to cram down my throat and at the premise that people would follow the inane dictates of a government like sheep, the story and characters were compelling enough to keep my interest. You should rush directly to the theater, pass Ultraviolet, and go see the letter "V"! Check it out.

DVD Tuesday

What's Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) been up to since Lord of the Rings? Well ridding a horse through the desert in Hildalgo, and now smashing up and shooting bad guys like Chuck Norris in A History of Violence.

Viggo plays mild mannered Tom Stall. A friendly restaurant owner in a small town. Some bad guys roll into town and into Tom's coffee shop. When they threaten violence on his patrons, Tom takes them out. The story gets national attention and before long organized crime comes to the small own looking for Tom. Is it mistaken identity or is Tom's past coming back to haunt him?

Viggo of course makes a great hero, but I was surprised by the casting of the bad guys, Ed Harris plays a mob strong man with an over the top scar on his face. The ultimate bad guy is played by the soft spoken William Hurt. Hurting for parts these days Bill? (pun intended).

Despite miscast bad guys and a fairly predictable ending, the story is strong and keeps you guessing. I enjoyed watching Viggo in a new role and I hope he will continue to be successful. Check out A History of Violence!

Ghost Recon

No movie for me today. I picked up a new XBOX 360 game: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. So I played that. If you saw the new CBS show, The Unit, that is what Ghost Recon is like. The Unit is a good show by the way.

Look Out Google!

There is a new kid on the block. Windows released their new search engine for testing today.

It has a new interface and you can do some customization of the start page if you like.

Will it change the way we search the web?

You tell me, check it out.

Windows Live

DVD Tuesday

Welcome to the SUCK. Being in the army may suck, but Jarhead doesn't. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx give stellar performances.

But this isn't your typical war flick with lots of killing and explosions. It's more about the life of a grunt during Operation Desert Sheild.

You'll love it. Scouts honor. Check it out!

Movie Friday

Ultraviolet. "Park it right here! Don't make me say it again!" - Violet. She learns the rules of parenting rather quickly as she takes a child under her protection. The child carries a virus that has the potential to wipe out the human race in this near future film.

Like Aeon Flux, two factions are fighting for ultimate control of the planet and Ultraviolet and her ultra-violent arsenal of weapons stands in the way of both sides.

With a dizzying body count that increases exponentially and mind boggling computer graphics, the movie is a series of unimaginative fight scenes with pauses of introspection by Violet as she tries to sort out what her life is and means. I agree with the opening statement she makes. "Mine is a world you may not understand." I barely understood the film. Is a hot chick, Milla Jovoich, and lots of butt kicking worth the $5.50? Maybe, but I should have seen 16 Blocks.

MUST HAVE!

How cool is this? Inflatable Screen Pro 28165. The viewing screen size is 28' wide by 16.5' high (16:9 widescreen format) . The Inflatable frame places the screen 5 feet high off the ground.This is the optimum size for an Outdoor Theater Setup. This summer I will have a Lord of the Rings Trilogy Marathon...In my backyard! You can find these godzilla sized screens on ebay for 5-12 grand. Won't the neighbors love me!