Archive for Movie Reviews.
Happy Tuesday
First off…yes, the title on the cover I posted yesterday is spelled wrong…lol. Don’t worry. It’s fixed now. Thanks to my web mistress and others who noticed it because for some reason, I missed it. 😉 But no worries. It was a quick fix. There isn’t an installment today because last night, I went to a screening of “The Champions”. It’s a documentary made about the dogs seized in the Michael Vick dog fighting case. it was an amazing movie and I highly recommend it. I cried, but mostly they were happy tears. The dogs are thriving in their various homes. I’m so thrilled to see them doing so well. I’ve never been able to even think about the dogs without getting tears in my eyes. Yet they show the remarkable ability to bounce back from their terrible beginnings. Please if you get a chance, go see it or you can download from their site. Click here. Hope you have a great Tuesday and stop back tomorrow for the next installment. 🙂Manic Monday again…
Unfortunately, it’s Monday again…lol. Sometimes the weekend goes by too fast. 🙂
I didn’t do much. Got some writing done. Did a little golfing and went to see UP. (in 3D) That was a pretty good movie. Not as upbeat as most Disney movies are, but more realistic in a way.
Have to head out to work. Hope you all have a great Monday.
TGIF…
I’m so glad it’s Friday. Only eight more hours before it’s officially the weekend for me. I don’t have much planned for the weekend. Writing and hanging out. 🙂
We saw The Dark Knight last night. I have to say it was probably one of the first movies I’ve seen that actually lives up to all the hype. Heath Ledger was brilliant as The Joker. I feel sorry for whoever has to play the main bad guy in the next Batman movie. How do you follow up such an amazing performance? The weakest character, imo, was Rachel Dawes and it has nothing to do with the actress who played her. It was simply that Rachel didn’t really have much to do in the overall progression of the story plot.
Yet that didn’t take away from the fact that TDK was awesome. Dark, moody with a hero questioning whether he’s doing the right thing and a bad guy crazy enough not to care what he does or how many people he kills. (Another story/screenplay I wish I had written) 🙂
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
We saw The Dark Knight last night. I have to say it was probably one of the first movies I’ve seen that actually lives up to all the hype. Heath Ledger was brilliant as The Joker. I feel sorry for whoever has to play the main bad guy in the next Batman movie. How do you follow up such an amazing performance? The weakest character, imo, was Rachel Dawes and it has nothing to do with the actress who played her. It was simply that Rachel didn’t really have much to do in the overall progression of the story plot.
Yet that didn’t take away from the fact that TDK was awesome. Dark, moody with a hero questioning whether he’s doing the right thing and a bad guy crazy enough not to care what he does or how many people he kills. (Another story/screenplay I wish I had written) 🙂
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
The Green Mile
I’ll admit I’ve never read the book, The Green Mile by Stephen King. And I refrained from seeing the movie for as long as possible because I knew it was going to be sad. Also, and this might get me in trouble with some people, but I just don’t particularly care for Tom Hanks as an actor.
But I ended up watching it last night and boy, it was a really good movie. All the actors were great…yes, even Hanks. Of course, I’m partial to David Morse…lol.
The way they filmed the movie made Michael Clark Duncan look enormous. I mean he’s a big guy, but in real life, he’s as tall as David Morse. The director happened to have directed one of my favorite movies of all times: Shawshank Redemption. Yep..another King story.
I hope you all have a great weekend. I’m looking forward to it. It’s suppose to be warm which I’m beginning to think is a myth…lol
But I ended up watching it last night and boy, it was a really good movie. All the actors were great…yes, even Hanks. Of course, I’m partial to David Morse…lol.
The way they filmed the movie made Michael Clark Duncan look enormous. I mean he’s a big guy, but in real life, he’s as tall as David Morse. The director happened to have directed one of my favorite movies of all times: Shawshank Redemption. Yep..another King story.
I hope you all have a great weekend. I’m looking forward to it. It’s suppose to be warm which I’m beginning to think is a myth…lol
JUNO
C. and I went to see JUNO yesterday. I thought it was really rather good. Quirky and funny. Ellen Page, who plays Juno, is great in this role.
I think it deserves all the accolades it’s been getting.
I hope everyone has a great Sunday. It’s been snowing here for the past two days. Ugh! I wish winter was over.
Pimping Books…
Pimping Jill Knowles’ A Pirate’s Primer. It’s available here. I liked it. There are a few issues…like Adam suddenly wanting to be with Jaden, even though he’d never had any sexual contact with another man before. But all in all, it was a good read. I enjoyed it.
Stop by Jill’s website and check what else she has coming out. It’s under construction, so there’s not much to see yet. 🙂
We went and saw Things We Lost in the Fire last night. It was good. The acting far outshined the story, but I liked it. Of course, I think Benicio Del Toro is one of the greatest modern actors. His performance was incredible. Unfortunately, I’m not a huge Halle Berry fan, so I don’t have an opinion on her acting.
Tonight, we’ll be seeing either Dan in Real Life or 30 Days of Night because I told C I’d go with him. Stupid of me, I know. I don’t like horror movies and try to avoid them at all costs. But he pointed out that I sat through 28 Weeks Later, so I can certainly make it through this movie. I told him I’d try, but if I have nightmares, it’s his fault…lol.
This weekend is also the Breeder’s Cup World Championships. Two days worth of horse racing with the best horses in the world showing up to compete. We’re Tivo-ing the first day tonight. I don’t want to miss it, but we’re going to the movies. 😉 And then starting at noon tomorrow, I’ll be in front of the tv watching the races.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday.
Men, Movies and Memes
First for the man. He is rather yummy, isn’t he? 🙂
Second, the movies. I watched The Astronaut Farmer and Peaceful Warrior last night. I really enjoyed TAF. It was a story about never giving up your dreams. Also, that if you dream hard enough and believe hard enough, you can make others believe in it as well. It’s a story about a father bringing his family along for the ride and making them a part of his dream. PW is sort of the same story about not giving up dreams, but also about being happy with the journey, even if you don’t achieve the goal. It was a okay movie. Not terrible and not great. But I didn’t resent spending my time watching it.
Lastly, the meme. I totally forgot that Lila tagged me a week or so ago. Filed it away as something I’d do over the weekend and then ended up busy with other things. But I’ll do it today. I have to tell you 8 things/facts about myself. I’d post the rules but since I’m not going to tag 8 other people, the rules don’t matter…lol.
As you can tell, I love movies…pretty much any kind (except romantic comedies. I’m not big on those) So I thought I’d give you a list of my 8 favorite movies of all time. 🙂 In no particular order.
1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: I love Jimmy Stewart as this naive senator. Stewart played the role of innocence so well. But he was so good, he could play any role and I’d believe him.
2. The 13th Warrior : The dialogue was great. Action scenes good. The movie worked to show us that sometimes what we need is a fresh prespective on a problem.
3. Gladiator : Russell Crowe, what more do I have to say? Joaquin Phoenix does a man having a nervous breakdown better than anyone I’ve seen. Djimon Hounson has quickly become one of my favorite actors as well. A story about a man seeking revenge and to turn the course of the world back to the way it should have been.
4. The Chronicles of Riddick : The story of an outlaw who saves the universe without meaning to. In trying to save the one person who has always believed in his goodness, he ends up saving people he doesn’t even like. Vin Diesel..yummy.
5. Unleashed (or Danny the Dog) : Jet Li is another actor that I’ll go see in the movies, no matter what he’s in. His physical ability is awe-inspiring. This movie tells the story that even what seems as the most lost soul can be found and given a new life. Plus it has Morgan Freeman in it and to me, Freeman is a god. (no pun intended)
6. Last Holiday : Queen Latifah is beautiful and so confident. The story is entertaining and tells us not to let life pass us by. Go out and live it. Don’t be afraid of it. Plus, LL Cool J… ’nuff said.
7. The Sum of Us : Another Russell Crowe movie. He plays a gay man who lives with his father. It’s more about the relationship Crowe has with his father than anything else. A beautiful story about acceptance and taking care of each other no matter what.
8. 300 : This is one of the more recent movies I’ve seen and one that I’ll watch several times. Not just for the marvelous eye candy it presents us with, but because of the story as well. Three hundred men marching off to what they know is certain death. Sacrifice of self for the state and for an idea. Men believing in their king and a queen knowing her king has to do it.
There you have it. A list of 8 favorite movies of mine. 🙂
Hope you have a great Wednesday.
Second, the movies. I watched The Astronaut Farmer and Peaceful Warrior last night. I really enjoyed TAF. It was a story about never giving up your dreams. Also, that if you dream hard enough and believe hard enough, you can make others believe in it as well. It’s a story about a father bringing his family along for the ride and making them a part of his dream. PW is sort of the same story about not giving up dreams, but also about being happy with the journey, even if you don’t achieve the goal. It was a okay movie. Not terrible and not great. But I didn’t resent spending my time watching it.
Lastly, the meme. I totally forgot that Lila tagged me a week or so ago. Filed it away as something I’d do over the weekend and then ended up busy with other things. But I’ll do it today. I have to tell you 8 things/facts about myself. I’d post the rules but since I’m not going to tag 8 other people, the rules don’t matter…lol.
As you can tell, I love movies…pretty much any kind (except romantic comedies. I’m not big on those) So I thought I’d give you a list of my 8 favorite movies of all time. 🙂 In no particular order.
1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: I love Jimmy Stewart as this naive senator. Stewart played the role of innocence so well. But he was so good, he could play any role and I’d believe him.
2. The 13th Warrior : The dialogue was great. Action scenes good. The movie worked to show us that sometimes what we need is a fresh prespective on a problem.
3. Gladiator : Russell Crowe, what more do I have to say? Joaquin Phoenix does a man having a nervous breakdown better than anyone I’ve seen. Djimon Hounson has quickly become one of my favorite actors as well. A story about a man seeking revenge and to turn the course of the world back to the way it should have been.
4. The Chronicles of Riddick : The story of an outlaw who saves the universe without meaning to. In trying to save the one person who has always believed in his goodness, he ends up saving people he doesn’t even like. Vin Diesel..yummy.
5. Unleashed (or Danny the Dog) : Jet Li is another actor that I’ll go see in the movies, no matter what he’s in. His physical ability is awe-inspiring. This movie tells the story that even what seems as the most lost soul can be found and given a new life. Plus it has Morgan Freeman in it and to me, Freeman is a god. (no pun intended)
6. Last Holiday : Queen Latifah is beautiful and so confident. The story is entertaining and tells us not to let life pass us by. Go out and live it. Don’t be afraid of it. Plus, LL Cool J… ’nuff said.
7. The Sum of Us : Another Russell Crowe movie. He plays a gay man who lives with his father. It’s more about the relationship Crowe has with his father than anything else. A beautiful story about acceptance and taking care of each other no matter what.
8. 300 : This is one of the more recent movies I’ve seen and one that I’ll watch several times. Not just for the marvelous eye candy it presents us with, but because of the story as well. Three hundred men marching off to what they know is certain death. Sacrifice of self for the state and for an idea. Men believing in their king and a queen knowing her king has to do it.
There you have it. A list of 8 favorite movies of mine. 🙂
Hope you have a great Wednesday.
Transformers
C and I went to see Transformers on Wednesday. It was really good. I mean it’s a typical summer blockbuster with lots of explosions and fights, but they made it funny as well. The special effects were awesome. 🙂 Of course, there’s probably going to be a sequel, especially if the movie does well at the box office. Let’s just hope they don’t get too carried away and make a ton of them. (which they won’t if they don’t do well. It’s too big a budget film for that.)
Not doing much today. Hopefully I’ll get in some writing at some point.
Enjoy your Saturday everyone.
Stealing Life
Hey everyone, I got good news yesterday. Stealing Life received a Recommended Read (and 5 Angels) from Teresa at Fallen Angel Reviews. Woo-hoo! Here’s a little of what she said:
“Throughout all the twists and turns of the plot, Mr. Chase takes the reader through an action packed story that has both heart and enough adventure to please anyone. Thanks go to Mr. Chase for another creative and captivating story.”
Click here for the rest of the review.
I’m totally stoked about it. 🙂 Thanks a lot, Teresa.
C and I went to see Live Free or Die Hard yesterday. I have never seen any of the other Die Hard movies, though C tells me I’m going to have to sit down and watch the first one (which is the best in his opinion.) Though he did say that this one was really good as well. I enjoyed the movie. Bruce Willis was very good and funny in it. I guess, except for the truly dangerous stuff, he does his own stunts. Which impresses the hell out of me.
I plan on doing nothing today, but writing. I didn’t get anything accomplished yesterday. 🙁 And I’m really trying to get at least one book finished today.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Movie Review
I watched Pan’s Labyrinth the other night. I was told by people that this movie could change my life. I don’t know about that. I’ve seen very few movies in the last couple of years that have changed me in some fundamental way. (Brokeback Mountain being one of the few.)
But even though it didn’t change my life, PL was still a very good movie and deserved all of the accolades it received. The imagery was stunning along with the fantastic creatures Guillermo del Toro created to tell this story of a little girl’s search for the marvelous and beautiful in a world gone mad. There are two story lines going on during the movie and if you can’t handle violence and sadistic torture, don’t watch it. For the real world this little girl lives in would break the heart of a strong man.
Oh, Sherrill tagged me, so I have to give you eight more things you didn’t know about me. Hmm…it was hard enough coming up with the first eight. But here I go…
1. As you can tell, I love movies, but my absolute favorite kind are martial art movies. Jet Li is a god in my eyes….though my favorite movie of his is Unleashed (and not just because it has Morgan Freeman in it.)
2.I listen to all kinds of music: country, opera, rock, pop. One of my all-time favorite songs is Seven Spanish Angels sung by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. Just the story that song tells of two doomed lovers touches my heart. There’s a story there and I’m going to write it someday (with my own little twist of course)
3. As if you didn’t already know, my favorite animals in the whole world are horses. All the different breeds and types. From ponies to draft horses. I love them for their strength, for their gentleness. I love them for their unconditional love and overwhelming willingness to trust. For their beauty and their heart.
4. I’m of the theory that God exists, but He started the evolution process long ago and then stepped back to see what we do with what He created. (I can’t think He’s very happy with what we’ve done) All the good and bad that happens to us in this life is because of us and not God. How can I thank Him for the good and not blame Him for the bad if He controls everything?
5. My favorite color is dark green. Not sure why except there’s a feeling of vibrant life and growth in that color.
6. Rainy days are my favorite days to stay home and write all day. Maybe it’s the sound of the rain falling outside my window while I’m sitting warm and dry that makes the words flow better. (As you can tell with these facts.)
7. My cats make me laugh.
8. I’ve written over 135,000 words so far this year and finished four stories. 🙂 I’ve had two books released so far with one more coming out soon. (those are the ones that have been contracted.)
have a great Saturday, everyone.
