watched at home (or somewhere else)

Transformers: Rise of the Fallen

2009-07-04T16:08:00.011-04:00

BumbleBee is my favorite transformer.

I broke down and saw it, but only because I was so bored.

Please don't ask me what Transformers: Rise of the Fallen was about. I just watch these things for the pure joy of watching objects get blown up, destroyed, and suspending my disbelief over sheer stupidity for nearly three hours.

A blank mind can accomplish a lot of things.

I read the hoopla over purported racism and sexism embedded deeply into this film. Not so. I don't know who, or what, Mudflaps and Skids are supposed to represent, but as a thinking person of African descent - I ain't claiming them.

See, for me, it is racism if I decided that these robotic, computer generated images actually represent black males. The thing is, I've never come across a black male that has sounded like, or acted like, Mudflaps and Skids. Can't be angry with something I don't identify with, or recognize.

I'm reminded of some Disney films where black crows, hyenas, and other strange animals are racist images, because the cartoons were supposed to represent black people.

Oh, hell no.

Sure, it may be intentionally offensive, but that doesn't mean one has to claim the negative images. I say, let it belong to those who create it. Looking at those images now, wouldn't one notice that there aren't any people who actually speak in that fashion? Lingo and behavior changes. Today's misdirected insult, becomes yesterday's wacky, distasteful, and stupid piece of work.

I'm not saying that there are scenes in the movie a person couldn't be reasonably be upset with. But to get mad at computer generated image of robots / cars that don't resemble people? No.

I did feel bad for John Turturro. Not sure why his hair, or his character, which I liked by the way, had to be denigrated. But then again, men sometimes speak roughly to one another. I guess one of the themes of the film was to celebrate male, juvenile, silliness: "Boys will be boys, and say nasty things to one another!"

I liked the latest Decepticon: an amalgamation of several construction heavy-duty trucks. Cute.

Megan Fox looked greasy-faced at times. Shia LaBeouf looked very, very, stressed, I don't think it was acting either.

The movie, like any film by Michael Bay was very pro-military, and about getting the big guns out (pun intended). I have no problem with that. Although, I was surprised to hear President Obama's name mentioned; it was a very strange inclusion.

Otherwise, most of the dialogue was stupid. This film could be watched on mute. It'd probably make more sense that way.

I think that's about it. The film was funny in some places. There was enough action, and momentum to make the 2.5 hours seem reasonable (it was not).

All in all, one of the loudest films I've seen this year. Although I think it ties with Terminator: Salvation Junkyard for noisiest.

Josh Duhamel looked hot in this film. I guess that's what happens when there's only one really good looking guy in the whole movie.

FanFiction: I can't stand Kirk slash Spock

2009-06-29T22:47:00.008-04:00

I used to wonder at the joke William Shatner did with SNL about Trekkies needing to get a life. I thought it was rather mean at the time. I couldn't understand as to what specifically he may have been talking about.

I was so out of the loop.

I was curious about the reaction to the reboot of Star Trek. I go hunting online for more information. This film is often referred to as Star Trek XI. I found a lovely assortment of stories about all of the characters, and then I noticed that some people were fixated on Kirk and Spock having sex.

I've watched everything from the original to the last horrid Star Trek (TNG) film where Data was blown up and replaced by a dumber version. That effectively killed off the TNG franchise and nearly everything else Star Trek. Plus, continuing the movie's story line was a waste with nowhere to go, not with the crew being chunky or overweight, getting old, and the TV show having already mined all of the best material.

I'm not a nut for canon, because everything gets bought by Hollywood, the studios own the rights, and they do whatever they want to make a profit. Right? The goal is a profit. If the fans are happy, I'm sure that is a plus. As shown with all the comic books made into movies, there's been a lot of hits and plenty of misses.

I have to say it's hard to watch a movie when there's some expectation that everyone knows the backstory. It never works. Either the film makers explain as much as possible, or the film will bomb. Balance between the purists and a new audience seems to be a difficult task. Any material I've read, I rarely would want to see the movie, unless it's exact and the book made everything clear, or it brings something new and fresh.

But I gotta say, what is up with the homosexual fixation on two men who simply cannot just work closely together and be good friends? And you wonder why the military doesn't want them? Sorry. I'm not interested in being politically correct here.

I think this theme grew based on the TOS. For some reason, even though Kirk is the most self-centered, narcissistic, gung-ho heterosexual, skirt chasing guy around, he's really a homosexual? And logical, emotionally controlled Spock is too?

Tsk. Dudes and dudettes. That same sexing thing is just not there. It is in your alternative reality warped minds. I feel sorry for hetersexual men today. They must feel like everyone believes they can't be close friends with other men, because it must be sexual. So, every moist hole needs to be plundered? How did 2% of the population end up occupying 95% of media content these days anyway?

Today, nearly every TV show or movies is homosexual-lesbian-positive. It is virtually inescapable. So I am not sure why people need to insert it (pun intended) where it doesn't exist.

So, I avoid reading these Kirk slash Spock fanfiction. However, I end up finding them based on dishonest subterfuge.

I don't appreciate the lunatics who write a false lead pretending that the story is about Uhura / Spock, when the story begins or ends with them breaking up.

Just write your homosexual fanfiction and leave Uhura out of it. Okay?

Nasty bunch of misogynists.

Netflix: I like the service, but....

2009-06-25T22:48:00.006-04:00

I have my Netflix account on suspend, but I think I may have to cancel. I could always resume it at any time. I've done it before. I just feel I have to put my entertainment watching into high hiatus.

The last film I went out to watch was Terminator, and part of me regrets the decision. That was 2 hours of my life I'll never get back. There are so many other things I could have done, and have to do. Lesson learned.

Films don't give me the buzz they used to. Frankly, Hollywood ain't churning out the goodies like they used to.

That gambit by upping the number of Best Film contenders to 10 for an Oscar is a heaping, steaming, pile of bull dung, joke. I don't know, does that help the obscure foreign-themed films or the big budget, over-the-top, most popular, blockbusters?

I don't care, since I have not watched the Oscars since I was a child. That was a really long time ago. The excitement isn't there. I dislike most of today's "stars", unless it is a hot new actor from Australia / New Zealand / Europe. I will like an actor (any guy, none in particular) just as he is starting to become famous, but before he becomes bloated with self-importance, obnoxious, crazy, and phones in a lame performance.

I was checking film previews to see if Hollywood has any movies with black women co-stars coming up. There were none that I could see, so the Media Industrial Complex isn't getting any money from me.

Only two things get me into the theaters: hot guys and normal, respectable acting sistas. I don't like ghetto flicks, misery movies (abuse stories), gangster films, or anything else I may consider too stupid to watch.

These movies I will cite as examples: Dance Flick and the upcoming Push. I don't care how many awards the latter has won and will win. That's not me, I don't identify with stories like that; I never did. I've never read The Bluest Eye or Beloved.

Not my thing.

Since there are no films in the theaters I want to see, then that means there won't be any I will see on Netflix.

Yeah, I think I will cancel it.

Terminator: Salvation Junkyard

2009-06-04T22:42:00.008-04:00

The original Terminator film frightened me. It was scary. It gave me goosebumps, all because it was a low-key horror movie.

The sequels do not frighten, because they never pause to take a breath. The films rush through everything. There's nary a moment allowing the characters to contemplate how numbing, and terrifying, it would be to have an unstoppable, calculating and scheming killing machine pursuing them.

These follow-up movies are mildly engaging, generically amusing, and kinda boring overall. It's all about explosions, gun fire, devastating and earth shattering wreckage, and blowing up buildings.

Yawn. I think they should leave a lot of these pyrotechnics for the video games. Yeah, people pay for the bombs. I get it.

All of the producers of the franchise films seem unaware of what made the first film so riveting (although it was not an absolute commercial success).

Here's a clue: Arnold Schwarzenegger's character was an unrelenting, unemotional, and unsentimental robot. He had only one task to perform.

That movie was as chilling and creepy as watching Psycho.

I couldn't resist throwing the word 'junkyard' in the post heading. The desolate themes throughout the movie, reminded me of Road Warrior (I must rent that, haven't seen that crazy classic in a long time!), and Resident Evil: Extinction. The robots, especially the giant one that harvested humans reminded me of War of the Worlds and Star Wars: The Rotten Prequels.

Plot pivots: was it a Superman or Jesus Christ thingy going on? Oh, right. It was a hint at our possible immortality. So, that made Marcus Wright (I'm sure there's a meaning in that name, but I'm a bit dull right now in sorting it out) akin to a demi-god for this flick.

Marcus could have chosen to be immortal, as a cyborg, but what made him human was his heart.

It's scary how fast the future (prosthetic body parts, rapidly healing, etc., etc.) is coming at us.

Did I mention that Sam Worthington, who plays Marcus Wright is hawt? Like really smoking hot? This picture does his handsome mug no justice. Delicious. Slurp.

Interesting how the best looking actors are coming out of New Zealand and Australia these days. Must be something in the air, food or water.

I must visit soon!

Oh right, about the movie. I had to run out a few times, but the first hour is all about Marcus (Sam), so that's the best thing I can say about the flick. Christian Bale (John Connor) barks throughout the film. He's too damn stoic. The cuties in this film were: Jadagrace and Anton Yelchin (lucky kid, he was in Star Trek too).

Boy, is McG a lazy director or what? Did he not notice these guys slipping back into their regional accents on occasion? I wont mention the enormous amount of inconsistencies in the film sequences. For example: in one scene Connor's shoe has been tossed far and wide, yet in the very next one, it's on again.

Worth seeing again? When it's on DVD, sure, but a repeat at the theater? Nope.

However, the special effects were awesome. The CGI was so realistic that I couldn't tell what was fake, and usually I could tell.

Overall, not bad, but not great either.

Star Trek: What If?

2009-05-23T23:47:00.008-04:00

The original Star Trek gang. Uhura is enough. No other "women" are needed.

Star Trek was an excellent movie. Saw it three times. Might see it a fourth time. Will definitely buy the DVD when it comes out.

I've been reading some of the commentary and fan fiction regarding this reboot of Star Trek.

I'm amused by the request for more women in the lead. Oh, but which type of women?

Oh, I see. Uhura wasn't enough for these folks. Was it because she wasn't a woman of the right hue?

I see through these people who are pretending to be nick picky with the movie. The film was re-introducing us to the same characters from the original television program, which was seven people at its core.

Oh, but room must be made for more women characters. If Uhura was a white chick with blond hair, like on every other bloody damn movie and television show, there wouldn't be that kind of whining demand coming down the pike.

These folks ain't nothing, but a bunch of greedy, narcissistic, and selfish wenches.

I've decided to outline my own version of this new Star Trek if it was written by, and for, the few people who appreciate and love Battlestar Galactica. That show's two hour pilot and first season was marvelous, then over the following years the quality, intelligence, and coherence rapidly goes down hill. Sorta like how Heroes, and Lost, suffered the same fate.

The following is a sarcastic fan fiction summary of what would have made those "oh, but more (white) women, please" whiners happy. Regardless of Star Trek canon, we must satisfy the demands for (white) women being stars of this story.

In case you haven't noticed, white women, especially anorexic blonds, are a necessary evil in every entertainment program today. Even though their last minute additions, or central characters, have no additional net positive effect on ratings.

Oh well, somebody's gotta promote that white supremacy.

You must be familiar with the recent movie Star Trek, and tv show BSG, to get some of my points.

When Nero encounters the USS Kelvin, Captain Robau is a woman. She would be brown-haired and white, not a very handsome and gorgeous Eastern brown-skinned actor.
If she was an alien like those in Star Trek: TNG, then she would be a (white) actress with a heavy ridged forehead and some tattoos.
Nero, the Romulan, doesn't kill her, he keeps her hostage. I'll state why later.
George Kirk doesn't get the glory in this re-write by those who require more (white) women characters. Nope. He's not even first officer. His pregnant wife, Winona, is. However, she makes George take her place on the suicide mission. This is to ensure that she receives all of the accolades for saving those 800 people, not George.
James Kirk is a woman in this reboot. He's been renamed Jaime, but still keeps Tiberius (as a middle name) to help keep it real. He, I mean she, would look the same, be much thinner, have a five o'clock shadow, square jaw, and be as obnoxious and promiscuous - which is a very important characteristic for a (white) woman leading character - as the original Kirk.
Yet, in this case, Jaime would be considered "hot", "kick-ass", a "blond beauty" for her masculine, aggressive, and manly ways. Jaime would have breasts (maybe). We'd know Jaime is a woman, because the crew would periodically refer to this character as "she." Oh, and by the way, everyone wants to do her, because Jaime has blue eyes and blond hair. That's always, always, always the case, and don't you fer-git-it! Why, even Uhura came onto her at that bar in Iowa!
Spock never re-assigns Uhura to the USS Enterprise. She would never be seen again since she'd disappear with the rest of the fleet that left before the Enterprise. He has no reaction to news of her death, thus making those greedy, narcissistic, and selfish wenches happy.
Instead, Gaila, the "green" chick, would be on the Enterprise. Ergo, she'd be the second hottest (white) woman on the ship after Jaime.
Tyler Perry makes his cameo dressed as Madea. This is the preferable way for a black woman to appear in the media, with a 6'4" black male ridiculously "acting" as one.
Sulu and Chekhov would be an openly gay couple, or Chekhov would be another (white) woman. Take your pick.
Spock obviously has the hots for Jaime, because they argue throughout the whole movie.
Nero still vaporizes Vulcan, but it is Spock's father, Sarek, who dies. His mother, Amanda, lives. Although he loses a planet of his people, he's not as upset as he is in the reboot movie version. Spock's mother is alive, therefore keeping another important (white) woman in the story.
Pike stays a man. Gotta have at least one dick in the lead. Unfortunately, he's held, Federation Security information is extracted, and he is promptly, grotesquely, and rather violently dispatched.
Spock and Jaime fight. Unsurprisely, the big bitch fights the Vulcan to a draw. It's possible, right? Haven't we seen enough BullShitGalore, and other entertainment, to know a female can beat a male even if he's a super-strong alien?
Nothing much changes in these scenes: Prime Spock meets Jaime Kirk. He says, "We were more than friends," and brain dumps their entire special, special history into Jaime's big ol' empty head, not just the time travel, black hole stuff. This also makes the mentally challenged shippers of Kirk/Spock very happy.
Entering the final stretch: Jaime Kirk and Spock are getting set to leave and save everyone. Yet, not before Jaime looks at Spock and says, "I know how you really feel about me." Cause everybody wants Jaime: Ms Blond Blue Eyed Super-thin Mannish Five-O'clock Shadow Square Jaw Hyper-Aggressive Can-Keep-Up-With-The-Boys Woman. She's just soooooooooooooo hot, and sexy.
Quickly, Spock and Jaime exchange open mouth slobbering wet drooly kisses, panting, groping, exchanging much spit, before they are transported to the Romulan ship.
They find out Pike is dead, and scrape up the pieces to bring back the body.
As an added bonus they find Captain Robau, who's pregnant with her umpteenth child.
Why is she pregnant? Following commonly ridiculous, absolutely stupid, and retarded sci-fi tropes, the Romulans decide they want / need / desire / lust / crave Earth (white) women to re-start their race. Although, in this case, it is not necessary, Romulus still exists. However, even though they may view humans as inferior, just one look at a (white) woman turns their pointy-eared heads. Remember, Romulans are the extremely passionate Vulcan-types.
The Enterprise beams all those half-Romulan/half-Human chil'ren on board. A hysterical Captain Robau, with her many chil'ren - some of who are adults and staffed the Romulan ship, watches as her man Nero gets sucked into a black hole, and blown to hell.
Quietly, she vows revenge on Jaime Kirk, providing the flimsy pretext for a sequel.
The film bombs at the theaters, but the die-hards tell themselves that no one appreciates quality (ha!) sci-fi movies.

See, how easy and predictable that was?

That's why most of these "put more (white) women" in the story demands are lame. It would just be the same stupid stuff polluting most multi-character stories.

Frankly, if they add another woman, make her Asian, I'd like to see how those wenches behave then.

Best Movie of the Year: Sin Nombre

2009-04-26T14:35:00.006-04:00

I have been cutting back on my movie watching. I've put Netflix on suspend, and I've vowed not to see any major film releases this year, except probably for Disney's Black Princess cartoon coming out either later this year, or next.

I saw this movie down in Washington, DC, when I stayed the weekend. I attempted to see another film, which was part of Filmfest DC. However, Machan was sold out. Since I was on the hook for parking, I decided to see something, anything, to use up the time. I ended up watching Sin Nombre. Why? It had the shortest play time.

Nevertheless, it was a serendipitous and excellent pick. It was directed by Cary Fukunaga. If I had a movie to make, I'd pick this person.

I didn't know what was going on, until half-way through the film. The subtitles weren't an issue, my Spanish is poor, but some of the words were understandable and a few were English colloquialisms. Hollywood rarely builds up the story to the movie's half-way point. The first scene is usually climatic, forcing one to pay attention.

Sin Nombre does not insult one's intelligence. It gave every major character a back story, in real time, without any fancy flashbacks, irritating voice overs, rapid jump cuts, or other tried and true gimmicks. A long and deliberate story helps one to understand the motivations and behavior of everyone. No exceptions.

Slowly, one is drawn into the central story: immigrants who are heading north through Mexico's treacherous streets to make it to the USA, or New Jersey to be exact. Inevitably, they will clash with malicious gangs who are there to take advantage of them. There are many, many death defying hurdles they go through just to make it to America.

I was reminded that I live in a country so many people are willing to die to get to. I also enjoyed watching men do everything they can to protect and serve their families. The definition of family isn't just the traditional either. Fascinating.

Sin Nombre movie was beguiling to me, because Sayra's (Paulina Gaitan) father, looked like someone I've seen before out here in New Jersey. Unfortunately, I didn't catch his character's name. He's a handsome little guy too. I watched the film knowing his character was going to die; I only wondered how.

The main character, Willy aka El Casper (Edgar Flores) eventually goes on the run from his gang. He ends up with Sayra's immigrant group heading to the border. It's hard to believe this is the young man's second acting gig. Wow.

It was weird for me watching the film, everyone felt familiar and strange at the same time. I'll credit that to a great script, wonderful and very realistic "acting." I have, and have always had, Spanish people in my family and as friends.

On another note, the sexiest guy in the film was the menacing and lethal, El Sol (Luis Fernando Peña).

Part of me was sorta miffed, sad, and a tad bit envious. I realized that quality black American themed films do not exist. Why? And will they ever return?

Another part of me was glad I saw this film. It was a treat to have this one to last me for a long while.

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

2009-03-02T22:52:00.007-05:00

Through no will of my own, I found myself watching Diary of a Mad Black Woman with some friends and associates. This was the first time, ever, I watched a Tyler Perry movie. I am not a cultural, film, or art snob. I hate any sense of exclusivity regarding culture, there's something for everyone - I believe. However, I do prefer, and enjoy foreign films compared to the putrid "entertainment" distributed by Hollywood: that rancid racist/sexist Industrial Media Complex.

In short, Diary is about a woman, Helen (Kimberly Elise), so devoted to her upper class lawyer husband, Charles (Steve Harris) through eighteen years of marriage, that when he abandons her for a light, nearly-white woman!, she apparently loses her sense of self. This situation makes her an angry black woman, and in case we didn't realize it she tells us!

However, Helen quickly finds a new love (insert eye roll here) named Orlando (Shemar Moore); a pretty light skinned iron welding, working-class brotha! He keeps dropping so much truth on her about herself! He's edjumucated with street knowledge. If only she could see how real Orlando is.

Unfortunately, Helen has to temporarily abandon this down-to-earth-working-class-keepin'-it-real-brotha when she is able to gain some measure of revenge on her wicked mean husband. The revenge scheme doesn't last longer than a hot minute, and Helen's able to find a new spirit of self through forgiveness. Or something like that.

Why, there's even a church scene near the end, where all will be well. Everyone gets to holler, I mean sing, about Jesus and will find redemption.

Apparently, Tyler Perry man is the only living and breathing black American to have his own movie studio. I thought Oprah has one too, but maybe I'm looking at the wrong definition of being able to produce entertainment for the small (TV), or big screen (movie distribution deals).

He has had incredible success with a character named Madea, which I suspect is something of an alter-ego for this man. Madea gets to be, along with Joe (played by Perry also), offensive, vulgar, obnoxious, pathological, morally and physically unattractive, which is the funny. The pistol packing, wild behavior, morals free, anti-social Madea, gets to do all and be all, and is so hilarious in doing so.

Being an older black woman supposedly makes Madea free to do as she pleases. Say what?

This character, the obnoxious black woman, started with Eddie Murphy. I know people want to point to Geraldine by Flip Wilson, but I can say that the character was fussy, classy, sexy, coy, attractive, and truly funny. Geraldine was about being desirable, and still doing what she liked without breaking a nail.

There's really no comparison to what was then, and what gets portrayed now.

I know people who love all the creative works by Tyler Perry; I can't find fault with them. It works for them. Not everyone is looking for highbrow, intelligent, serious or thought provoking film. I know I don't.

Yet, I draw the line at many of these tired, highly influential, and constantly negative portrayal of black women. It's a sore point for me: it robs me of my humanity. These images carry worldwide influence. Trust me, they do.

Until every other television program and movie shows black women as the attractive and desirable girl next door to rebut the uncouth, unsociable, harridan - I'm not contributing to these creator's bottom line.

Next time this film, or any other like it, comes up, I'll have other things to do.

Perfume: Story of a Murderer

2009-01-27T17:47:00.006-05:00

This film is about Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a 17th Century serial killer with superior olfactory sense. If you've ever watched Dracula by Brian de Palma, I think you'll get the idea.

I read the novel, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, dozens of years ago. It was a best-seller translated from German. I thought the book was dynamite, enthralling, very unusual, and damn strange. I had always enjoyed books topically about killers, thrillers, and scarily strange events.

It's about a young man, a fifth child who lived after four were stillborn, to a fishery woman in a Parisian marketplace. His sense of smell rivaled a bloodhound. I could almost identify with this character (except for the desire to kill to distill a scent). I too, have a strong olfactory sense (when I've paid attention).

The following are personal examples: at work, I knew who was in the building based on their smell. It wasn't hard. I could smell smokers, those who saturated themselves in perfume (women), those who had infections that gave me too much information about them (you know, that fishy odor), and many other examples.

I picked up the scent of those who were ill: it forced me to ask, delicately, if anyone noted this particular smell. No one caught it, but me. A headcold smelled a bit like Ajax, or that kind of household cleanser, but with a tinge of funk. These working stiffs with stinky heads had sinusitis or a sinus infection. There's always someone at the office with it.

Then there were women who smelled - gosh, I didn't work at smelling them - yet this odor wafted over the walls from their cubicles. There was this kind of funk that smelled a bit of moldy bread, perspiration, something rancid, and musk (perfume to bury the odor). I would reckon that this individual was sick. Last, but not least, ever caught a whiff of someone smelling of salts? I used to know an old woman on my block like that: my Mom said she had sores on her body.

Yeah, I guess?

This movie was filled with attractive blue-eyed, pale-skinned redheads. Hollywood should use more of them. These were women whose scent Jean-Baptiste couldn't resist and needed.

It's a good work of fiction, because I've never encountered one woman who ever smelled appealing - regardless of pores soaked with perfumes.

Men, Yes, but women? No.

The entire film is based on the process he goes through to capture the scent of a woman. Strange. Yet, very riveting and amusing to boot. This will definitely not be everyone's cup of tea.

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-19T15:27:00.005-05:00

I hated this movie, because I loved it so much. I hate films that make me cry. I'm a sucker for movies that show the worst and best of people. It was soooo raw. It made me cry to see children in that kind of extreme poverty. This lifestyle has them pegged slumdogs. Yet, these kids are tough, clever, smart, spunky, and adorable: brown skin, curly hair with such big long lashed eyes.

They are survivors.

Latika, Jamal and Salim Malik are the main characters of this movie (based on the book Q&A). If you've ever watched, or read, any Charles Dickens' story, such as Oliver Twist, then this tale fits right in.

We see these children grow to young adults, so the actors who play them add up to nine individuals. As young adults the characters are portrayed by the following: Dev Patel as Jamal, Freida Pinto as Latika (an incredibly beautiful woman), and Salim, who strangely looks like Michael Jackson from his Off the Wall album, is played by Madhur Mittal.

The heart of this story is a love that begins in childhood and never ends. This movie is not sappy. It isn't maudlin. It is about kids who live their lives, without self-pity, without blame, and oddly enough without anger. Extreme poverty and cruelty towards them did not leave them bereft of decency, honestly, or humanity.

I found that aspect interesting, since Western culture loves to have ready made exercises for bad behavior. We seem to have devolved into a no-fault, no-blame, no-shame, and no-responsibility society.

This movie was wholesome, because it was so bald about these children's lives. It's honesty.

I loved the soundtrack, but then again music by A.R Rahman is always pretty phenomenal. This movie was directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan. The film was edited by Chris Dickens (how fitting).

Numb3rs: Nerds Rule!

2009-01-13T14:28:00.005-05:00

Sophina Brown

I really, really like this show. I didn't start to watch it until Sophina Brown from Shark, which was cancelled, appeared on this program.

The stars are David Krumholtz (Charlie Eppes), who plays a math genius and his brother, played by Rob Morrow (Don Eppes) who works for the FBI. Rob Morrow is the everywhere guy. I know his name, and I feel like I've seen him in every show, even if I cannot name them.

I originally avoided this program, because I feared that Charlie's character was going to be this obnoxious genius that the FBI could not function without. I actually found it to be a pleasant surprise. Charlie explains math in a way I wish I had school teachers like him. It has a nice large multi-ethnic / diverse cast, and no one is a walking or talking stereotype.

It also has two hot hunks to balance out the nerds: Alimi Ballard and Dylan Bruno. Hmm, yummy.

Ballard

Bruno

Talk about a late, yet very pleasant discovery.

The show is produced by British brothers, Tony Scott and Ridley Scott, both directors, and of the best in Hollywood. They have made plenty of films with a diverse cast. One is responsible for Alien (Ridley) and the other Tony, Man on Fire (I loved this flick).

I watch past episodes, from years back, via Netflix (instant watch), and the more recent via the CBS web site.

For 2009 - If Only Hollywood Would Consider These Changes

2009-01-02T21:44:00.002-05:00

Keep all scenes dry: no more rain, please. I would like to see a film, especially if it is romantic, without people standing around in the rain. I don't care why - they add nothing to a scene. All it shows is a lack of imagination.

Often, I'll watch these programs thinking: they're going to catch a cold! And eww, smelly wet hair!

No more kissing: it is disgusting to hear people smooch and lip smack. Let the viewers use their imagination. I don't want to see the filthy germ exchange.

I would ban kissing in films if I had the power.

The minority sidekick to the white woman: it needs to stop. It's so lame. We all don't have an inner Oprah to tap to offer words of wisdom. Enough with the "sassy" minority woman who's gonna to take on the world to make things easy and accommodating for the "clueless" white chick (or man).

It happened with Kate Hudson in Raising Helen, I wanted to choke the director and scriptwriter(s).

Whatever happened to black or minority sitcoms? I grew up watching shows with a black cast on television with my family. Now, all that's really available are re-runs on some cable networks. I think Lincoln Heights is the exception, but I still find the violence on the program excessive and disturbing.

I don't need to see these programs, Kyle XY is my favorite, but a little variety would be nice. Not everyone wants to watch a program about vapid, bleach blond twits from Beverly Hills.

Is there a blond (any white) woman quota in Hollywood? One day I may do an actual head count. Off the top of my head, I can't think of one program on television, or movie, that doesn't have a white woman in it. She's included whether her character is integral to the plot or not. It's weird, sometimes they are brought on just because .... Some do nothing to advance the story line.

For example, Heroes can't let go of Ali Larter. Although, I do like her. There are many, many story lines with other characters that would have made the show coherent. So many have been left unresolved. But nooooooo, they keep her, regardless of whether it muddles the stupidity factor of the show by a factor of ten.

Must there be a gun in nearly every film or TV show? Yes, some of us Americans are gun-totting nuts, but a good story doesn't need one either. How about just implying that people have one, and not show it?

Not everyone who watches media entertainment is a 14 year old teenager who requires violence to stay interested in a program.

Please scale back the CGI effects. I can tell when it's used, and it still doesn't look convincing or interesting. People can't outrun a flood, rushing or rising waters. People can't survive a twenty-story waterfall in a ship, a car, or alone.

I won't even go into the impossible stunts that the human body cannot perform. You know, those scenes where people can survive a head-on car accident, without seat belts, at 30+ mph.

Please, please, please make the actors audible. I know you enjoy loud music, and make most films for an international audience. However, I'd still like to pretend that dialogue is important to a movie. It'd be fun to know what's going on.

The incoherent mumbling and overly loud, overly dramatic music needs to stop.

Make it illegal for George Lucas to release another Star Wars film. It's for the good of us all. He's made enough money. Star Wars is deeply entrenched into our modern culture. He can be proud, and not frightened by any thought that it will be forgotten.

George, you can go away now. Thanks.

I would include Star Trek, but I'm biased, so I'm ready for more of that sameness.

Make accessible 24/7 every Hollywood film ever made.

Every film made over the last 30 years old should be in the public domain. Congress and the Supreme Court needs to stop with this extra 100 year extension of copyrights every time it expires.

It's not right.

Is Will Smith Depressed?

2008-12-20T15:34:00.006-05:00

I have not seen his latest, Seven Pounds, but the topic appears morbid and much too somber. The ads aren't upbeat. Will Smith looks miserable. Not a good sign.

I know he probably wants to stretch his acting skills, or talent. I notice actors who start with comedic and non-serious roles almost always want to take that next step, and get all artsy fartsy, boring us to death with how oh-so-serious and somber he can pretend to be. Jim Carrey anyone?

I get it. Not.

I enjoyed, tolerated, and suffered through Hancock (Sometimes I cannot stand Charlize Theron, I find her as puke-worthy nauseating as Nicole Kidman.) and I Am Legend. I thought the special effects were disappointing. Why not use real people to make it realistic? I wasn't the least bit scared by that film.

Without a doubt, The Pursuit of Happyness was an instant classic. Watching Will Smith show his inner hustle made it real. You sense that he enjoys being a workhorse. I also think that was the last time Will Smith had a real black woman, or half-African, co-starring with him.

I ain't mad at him though. I do note films he produces starring black men and women. I laugh at how people complain that he's not doing enough for black people. He does a lot. They're just not paying attention.

Am I complaining? Nope, not at all. I enjoyed seeing his performance in Six Degrees of Separation. I even time looped the scene where he's caught butt nekked in bed with a guy. I am always inspired by a naked Will Smith. He never fails to disappoint in that area.

I remember those early scenes in I, Robot (my favorite of all his films, since it was the robot I enjoyed so much) with Mr. Smith taking a shower. Made the whole film worthwhile. Yessiree.

I'm not gonna head shrink the guy, and I can't, but if this is his mid-life crisis, I would recommend some family friendly comedies. Hitch, overall is my second favorite of his films. It has no guns, relatively little violence, which are only of the comedic sort. I can't even recall any profanity.

I laughed long and hard when Will clocked Eva Mendes (I like her) into the water. He also took her to Ellis Island expecting her to be impressed. Turns out that butcher was a literal, not vocational, description of her ancestor. Hilarious.

I think those kind of films would help. And who doesn't like to laugh?

Jason Statham Strips in Transporter 3

2008-12-05T17:38:00.007-05:00

Yeah, baby take that shirt off!

Frank Martin (Jason Statham) brings his sexy back! I've watched almost every film this hunky Neanderthal Brit has appeared in. Love dis dude.

Our hero, at first, refused to take the transport job offered by this bad ass American villain (a funny twist, since it's always the Brit that's the bad guy) played by Johnson (Robert Knepper). The funniest line in the movie is when Johnson says he's a "pacifist."

The Transporter, Frank Martin takes the job, because he has no choice. He was knocked out and strapped to a bomb. His walk-about range is limited by the bomb synched to the car he drives.

The other star of this movie is the Audi. This awesome car makes its appearance again, as it does in all these films. I think these films are excellent two hour commercials for this automobile. It makes me want one! I am one woman who loves to drive.

Frank, at first doesn't understand why he has a young woman, freckly red headed Valentina (Natalya Rudakova) as a passenger. She turns out to be the daughter of the President of Ukraine.

The total plot: the bad American Johnson is using the Valentina as leverage to force the President of Ukraine to accept toxic waste. As with all action flicks there is 24 hour deadline for the President to sign the deal and Frank Martin to save the day.

I still liked the first Transporter the best, but this one has absolutely beautiful scenes of Europe, which makes me want to visit those particular spots.

Even though I think my home theater is awesome, nothing beats the big screen, at least not yet.

Transformers

2008-11-20T18:16:00.007-05:00

Back in the day, I'd watch this cartoon religiously. Don't ask me all the details! I don't remember everything as well as some people. However, when Optimus Prime was killed, (he came back as a ghost) I was seriously hurt by that. I cried! I love that voice. I was mad too, because his group of robots always seemed weak and kinda wack to me.

How can you have an awesome, can-do-almost-anything group of robots, and was always getting your butts kicked and outsmarted by the Decepticons?

The film was enjoyable simply because I find Shia LaBeouf so damn cute. I don't mean sexually, I mean, smooch his cheeks, and hug him, cute. Like I do with my half-grown, over 6 feet tall nephews.

I watched the DVD, 'cause no one was going to catch me watching this thing in the theatres. It's a teen boy flick. Films like this are made for them. I know it certainly wasn't made for black women such as myself. The only time black women were shown: as the silent wife of Bernie Mack, which he felt he needed to curse at, and the hectoring nosy busybody of Anthony Anderson's grandmother.

I won't get into how being rude and disrespectful to black women in a blockbuster film is supposed to be entertainment. It is not.

Do people need to start being taken out for this message to reach the critters that run the Media Industrial Complex?

The plot: many years ago the grandfather of Sam Witwicky (Why this name? I don't get the joke) found a frozen Megatron (leader of the evil Decepticons), and an all powerful cube. Therefore, everyone must chase Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky) and Megan Fox (not a blonde and rather pretty!) around for 2 hours.

Hilarity! sometimes ensued. I like to see things blown up: har, har, har.

It took me a while to recognize Tyrese. Man, he's gotten big. I mean that in a good way. I don't get the fanfare (fanlust, rather) over Josh Duhamel. There he was, a sort of G.I. Joe character. Tyrese was the black G.I. Joe.

Black male characters say the same things as the white guys, but are required to do it with slang and more flavor. Rinse and repeat.

This is part one, of how many films I don't know, or care to. I expect perhaps two more, since Hollywood wants to milk out the big bucks. However, they never do a good job with multiple film story arcs, since most franchises run out of steam by the second flick.

I'll watch the ensuing films - maybe, but I don't expect much. I never did watch any more Harry Potter films after the first one.

The Last King of Scotland

2008-08-12T18:25:00.006-04:00

Forrest Whitaker is awesome. Period.

This film is supposed to be about Idi Amin, seen through the eyes of a nascent Scottish doctor. Granted, James McAvoy plays a cute, naive, and well intentioned Dr. Nicholas Garrigan. He doesn't realize how deep the doo-doo he's in, until it is nearly too late.

In my humble opinion, Forrest Whitaker owns this movie from the moment he appears on screen. He's compelling, scary, unpredictable, canny, and paranoid. One wonders what he's going to do next.

This Idi Amin has a menacing quality mixed with latent charm. Why? The guy is huge. He makes Dr. Garrigan (McAvoy) a child, in every sense of the word.

For me, there is no other reason to watch this film than to see Forrest Whitaker's performance.

Dr. Garrigan likes women, especially native African women. Without giving away the plot, his little head gets him into trouble. Big trouble.

Kerry Washington, as always, was lovely in this film. She plays Amin's third wife, Kay.

By the way, this film is not a true story.

Educational tip (at least for me): Amin was a Muslim with many wives. I had heard about him, the number of people killed under his rule, and other horror stories. In 2003, after living in exile and comfort in Saudi Arabia, he passed away. Got that? Unlike the thousands of people he had slaughtered, this dictator died of old age.

Useless fan fact: As an ex-New Yorker, I've seen my share of the famous.

I saw Forrest Whitaker, many many years ago in Manhattan. There he was strolling down 9th Avenue, a big guy with no entourage. What I can recall, and liked the most about him, is that he did not wear a, 'You know who I am?' smirk on his face. Instead, he makes eye contact, and that's it. Nice.

The Dark Knight

2008-08-04T14:57:00.006-04:00

I expected to see more of Health Ledger as The Joker. I wasn't disappointed by his performance. He wasn't the sole focal point I expected. This movie was a heady-duty ensemble piece. I would say that if they didn't have all these characters the film could have been tighter. The Joker was enough.

The surprise is that the film didn't feel long. With some movies I feel like I should have brought a pillow. Then again, I walk in just as the credits roll or the film starts.

May I say how hot Christian Bale is?

It's a shame too, because there is absolutely no chemistry between Christian Bale and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Zip, zilch, nada. Hey dudes, try a Latina, or black woman next time - at least to make it interesting! Kerry Washington would be a fantastic pick.

Christoperh Nolan, the director, and whoever the producers are, need to study up on the James Bond films. Bond has massive sex appeal - along with being deadly - that's why the franchise has lasted so long. Not saying this film wont break records, I like logical continuity and development of a character.

This movie is excellent. It is, however, not a film for anyone under 13 or 14 years old. There's hardly any blood, but the suggested violence had me flinching, and I'm a veteran of nihilistic gory films.

Aaron Eckhart (another hotness) as Harvey Dent was another "hero" in contrast to Batman. He is day light (knight) - in personality and temperament - to Batman's dark night (knight).

Get it? Wickedly and deliciously, the roles reverse.

Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne shows very little character in this film, unlike the first. To me, he's become one dimensional. I blame it on the movie having too many characters: they weren't necessary. Heath Ledger as The Joker did not steal this film: Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent did.

The contrasts: blond, cleft-chined Harvey Dent was the open, willing, non-masked, non-caped crusader for justice. He was focused on fighting the good fight and he wasn't afraid of dying.

The clever scheme: The Joker was able to make the case, to a fickle public, that The Batman, caped crusader, masked, unknown and protected was the real menace to society and coward.

The conundrum: The Joker cleverly corners Batman. How does one fight a madman who thrives on chaos and violence? The irony of this film - that violence is all Batman has to offer, exposes an elemental flaw.

This Batman is too much brute strength, violence, high tech tools, and not enough brain.

Christopher Nolan forgets that part of Batman's winning appeal and arsenal of weapons is his intelligence. He can give us riveting contrasts to Batman, but he neglects Bruce Wayne's brilliance.

I would appreciate if the next director and writer could remember that Batman isn't just a violent buff vigilante, he's a clever one too.

As always, I'm impressed by British and Australian actors who speak American dialect(s) so flawlessly and easily.

Hollywood is Dead, Long Live Hollywood: The Happening and Get Smart

2008-07-22T11:24:00.006-04:00

These two movies prove that there's something really wrong with the people who "greenlight" films in the Hollywood system. I don't doubt these movies will make a decent and acceptable return on the money the studios put into them.

A Little History

Currently, the films that are emerging from Hollywood remind me of the last two periods in which they were dying: 1950's and 1970's. The 1950's was the first period of slow death due to the advent of television. It also gave us all those "classic" B-films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman.

The 1970's was a true near death: the original studio system, run by true media moguls, had been completely swallowed up by corporate bean counters. The films produced were nihilistic, pessimistic and violent.

They offered up nearly a decade of "black exploitation" because of the success of Van Peebles' Sweet Sweetback’s Baad Asssss Song. Following that period Speilberg and Lucas created the blockbuster system, which saved Hollywood. Thereafter, scores of black folks in films and black themed movies disappeared.

Can This System Last? Where's the Full Access?

I see the movie business as archaic and near death as television and music. However, a powerful inertia keeps them all going. These entertainment vehicles exist, because people attend to them out of habit, and it still has the lowest barrier to entry for modest priced entertainment.

My biggest beef with these distribution systems (music, television and movies) is that they won't allow viewers and listeners unlimited access. I shouldn't have to hunt for music or a movie. I should be able to find it the same way we Google for information.

Movie Reviews

M. Night Shyamalan likes to keep folks guessing to the very end.

Unfortunately, The Happening didn't happen. It has terrific visuals in the beginning: construction workers falling like robotic dolls off of a building.

Unlike his past films, Shyamalan doesn't offer any coherent clues as to the reason behind the mass suicides. There are red herrings. Marky Mark (Mark Wahlberg) wears a mood ring, and you wait for it to be a plot point. It yields no clues what-so-ever.

What initially starts off as a good semi-sci-fi-mystery devolves into a tame, lame, and rather boring nature-goes-bad film. I would like for Shyamalan to watch a few Hitchcock films, especially The Birds. He needs to remember these key points: Am I trying to scare them? Make them laugh? Or put them to sleep?

Get Smart had one good thing about it: Dwayne Johnson. It was a shame he wasn't shown more.

This flick is a remake of sorts. Like the horrid Bewitched, it is based on a television series. I could only ask myself: Why? It wasn't smart, or funny. I loved the reruns as a child. I like Steve Carell, but this film is decades late.

Cold War Era films lost their relevance many years ago. The standard plot line in any film coming out of Hollywood today is: the enemy is us. So that being the case, there are no surprises left.

Hancock

2008-07-14T11:38:00.006-04:00

I suppose Will Smith is trying to work out of being the "nice, good guy" all the time in every movie. Can't say I blame him. I haven't seen I Am Legend yet, so I won't say if his intensity of roles starts there or not.

I really liked this movie. I wasn't sure if I would, because of the reviews. I take movies in one or two ways: serious or not. Most of the time, not. I've read the reviews, and I'm thinking: Did we see the same movie?

He does start off as a bad tempered, angry, amnesiac superhero. I think some people conflate the piss poor behavior with him being black. It's not mentioned, because it is rather obvious. People have taken that wrong, as if to say if he's going to be a superhero he shouldn't have any issues.

Well, if that was the case: what would be the point of the movie?

If superheros didn't have emotional or relationship issues there wouldn't be a movie to see. I read one guy's blog where he says he doesn't know of a superhero who doesn't get to have sex with the girl or keep her in the end.

I sooo dislike these sweeping generalities, because if any of them saw the Hulk movies, Superman, Batman, or any other superhero overcoming his emotional problems - it is all there. They often don't get the girl, sex, or even a damn dry kiss. Some men should admit, especially the black guys, that they just want to see Will Smith have sex with a white girl.

Charlize Theron and Will Smith have terrific chemistry on screen. I'm sure they may make another film together. It could happen. I would be pleased to see them kiss on screen, if the story is plausible. I dislike any movie with gratuitous sex, violence or stupidity, no matter the color of the actors.

But these guys should be honest, which would make their blogs and movie reviews worth reading. To just see a black guy sex a white girl - that's already free, and a click away on the Internet.

Will Smith did alright with this film: he was a sad, angry and lonely superhero without a sense of purpose. He found "family" in the end, who gave him a sense of purpose, although not with the solution or format some people may have desired.

For all we know, there may be a sequel. I see room for it.

George Carlin, RIP 1937-2008

2008-06-24T13:42:00.004-04:00

Incredibly funny, very acerbic, but man, did I like his sense of humor.

Iron Man Vs RoboCop

2008-06-21T21:31:00.005-04:00

Do I really need to explain the premise of Iron Man? Marvel decided to take back their comic book movie franchise(s) from the studios, and make these films in their own image.

How would I rate that effort? Gentle, familiar - certainly with no surprises.

Summary: Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) of Stark Industries gets kidnapped in Afghanistan while visiting with US troops to demonstrate and oversee how his company's weapons are being used. Well, let's just say that after that ordeal he has a change of heart.

I liked this film: it was funny. Robert Downey, Jr. has these huge, intense, stroke of midnight eyes. He gives a good performance. It's what he does, the most he can do, along with the snarky remarks that makes this film fun.

I certainly loved the Audi he drove.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard (is it me, or does his voice grate in this flick?), and Jeff Bridges (love me some JB) round out the cast of familiar faces.

I have to treat myself to all the Jeff Bridges flicks I can find - starting with Starman. Hmmm.

Hey, Jon Favreau (of Swingers; directed Elf with Will Ferrell) finally lost weight. He plays bodyguard / driver. Fitting role: he's already a big mofo. Glad to see him drop those killer pounds.

I watched this film thinking: Reminds me of a sedate, calm version of RoboCop.

When that masterpiece of science-fiction sadomasochistic sarcastic extremism - thank you Paul Verhoeven! - came out, I watched it a total of four times.

I was in total lust with Peter Weller's lips.

I've never watched any movie that often since.

Iron Man is a sweeter, kinder version of RoboCop, or Batman if you prefer.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan

2008-06-12T21:47:00.007-04:00

I love stupid movies. I was hysterical when I saw There's Something About Mary in the theaters. I was afraid I was going to pass out I laughed so hard. Don't get me started on Dumb and Dumber.

Some days I need to sit back and laugh. I don't want to be an intellectual when I go to see a comedy. There are enough things to be analytical and miserable about.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan is definitely not for everybody. It's low brow humor. Very low brow. It aims for the crotch - literally. If one has the sense of humor of a giggly 12 year old this movie will do. My sense of humor is that of a 10 year, so this facile film was a treat.

Plot: superman-like Mossad agent Zohan (Adam Sandler) fakes his death after a fight with The Phantom (John Turturro).

I don't know where they filmed that beach scene, but the water crystal clear fabulous. That place was beautiful.

A few familiar faces appear onscreen: Kevin James (he's so chunky-fat cute), John McEnroe, and Mariah Carey.

Half of the time, the fake accents were incomprehensible. When the movie hits DVD, I'm going to put Close Caption on. I put CC on every film. I can't hear anyone now-a-days, most actors mutter or the music is too loud.

As the for this movie, you can wait for the DVD.

CSI: Gedda and Gary Dourdan, So Long Warrick Brown

2008-05-19T10:41:00.008-04:00

Was it the budget cuts? Was it the writer's strike? Is the show becoming too expensive to produce? I watched CSI, since the show started, not only for the ridiculous crime scenes and scenarios, but for the interaction of its characters. They were quirky people with interesting, yet troubled pasts, narratives, and characteristics than the other CSI franchise shows.

I've always watched watched Gary Dourdan's Warrick Brown with a sense of foreboding. I remember the Mod Squad reruns as a kid, when they killed off Linc Hayes (Clarence Williams III). I cried when it happened! How could they do that?

Even when Sara and Nick were in danger, I never expected them to die. I'll let you figure out why. The storyline was that the crew would do their best to find them, which is exactly what happened.

You can always tell when it is the final episode for a character. The plot is ridiculous: the story isn't plausible no matter what. Then there are those deep heartfelt hugs, handshakes, and strange looks that pass between the actors.

I never thought that Gary Dourdan's character would last up to and including the show's end. Steam runs out of a program by the third or fourth year. CSI gave up the ghost around year five or six.

It's just that I can't get the image of that bullet hole in Warrick Brown's neck out of my mind.

He was my favorite character, because he was a bit "off the rails" and foine as hell. Physically, he's the biggest guy there, and if people started nonsense, he'd step in to protect the others. I liked him, because he acted real: a normal guy doing his job, with lots of emotional and personal baggage.

I also liked the interaction he had with Grissom (William Petersen). I could never put my finger on it, but it wasn't that typical Hollywood phony and stupid dynamic of black guy being a doofus or supernegro sidekick to the white guy (see Psych, and every damn black-white buddy flick).

I think Grissom's character was able get the best out of Warrick, because he demanded it. Warrick respected him for that. I saw Grissom as a quasi-surrogate father figure to Warrick.

Since Gary Dourdan isn't returning, neither am I.

Naked Lunch

2008-05-15T21:54:00.005-04:00

A film by David Cronenberg, from a novel by William S. Burroughs. I watched this film because I always expect work produced by Cronenberg to be weird.

Plot summary: an exterminator's wife has been using his bug powder as a drug. He's at the police station when they ask that he speak to someone. Turns out to be this big disgusting bug, which asks him to kill his wife. Why? Supposedly, she's an agent and not really human. Later, he "accidentally" shoots her in the head. After that episode, the film follows a circular path covering the same issue(s) over and over again.

Can't say I was disappointed. This is a perfect film art school movie. I can imagine a professor prodding students to find the hidden themes, symbolism, metaphors, subtext, context and the like in this film.

Since I loathe cockroaches and all manner of bugs, I found this film to be disgusting and creepy.

The only thing I enjoyed was Peter Weller's well shaped lips.

But was it a good film? Honestly, I dunno. I was wondering if there was some kind of anti-communist, anti-homosexual, or pro-homosexual, pro-communist subtext. It had a very 1950s feel to it. And the repressed 1950s gave us the over-expressive 1960s and 1970s.

I think only someone during those eras could "get" what was going on in this film. 'Cause I didn't.

21

2008-04-27T17:02:00.008-04:00

Saw this film last night. I had to get out of the house, and this seemed to be the only interesting thing available.

The title of this movie, 21, has two meanings. Our protagonist, Ben Campbell portrayed by Jim Sturgess (Gosh, he is so cute), turns 21 and gets the education of his life at the game of 21 (and life). This movie is brought to you by Bret Ratner, director of Rush Hour and final of the recent X-Men franchise, X-Men: The Last Stand.

Synopsis of movie: a brilliant math-whiz at MIT is lured into a card counting scheme by his professor (Kevin Spacey), and another student (Kate Bosworth). Based on a true story by Ben Mezrich, author of Bringing Down the House.

The real genius is actually an Asian guy. Jeff Ma is the original blackjack card counter. I guess Hollywood figured we would only come out to see the movie if it's about an attractive, really smart, white guy.

Alrighty, then. It's a fun film, expect the usual Hollywood spin, a bit of a happy ending with a bit of reality tossed in. It is not Good Will Hunting and certainly isn't trying to be.

The film is a great advertisement for Las Vegas. I ain't mad at 'em. It makes me want to go, whenever I see anything about that city. Being a high roller is a great fringe benefit, but one can be broke and still enjoy the place.

The only thing that irked me about the movie was the idea that the girl Ben was interested in was "pretty." It's an emaciated Kate Bosworth! She looks like she's been under the knife a few times. I could tell that she was sporting blue contact lens. But hey, an actress has to do what she has to do.

As always Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne turn in stellar performances. I bet a director never has to work too hard with these guys. Just aim the camera and let 'em rip.

Did I mention that Jim Sturgess is cute?

Final Destination 3

2008-04-23T16:22:00.006-04:00

I watched this movie with a vague memory of the original two.

Midway through the film one of the lead actors spells out the plot: a teenager has a very detailed vision of an impending disaster. Said teen freaks out. Everyone that follows this teenager out or off gets to live. Except that, they don't. They all die one by one as they would have during the disaster.

The fun of the first two was watching them try to beat fate or death. If I remember correctly these films came out during a good run on teen horror films by Hollywood. Scream probably touched off the return of this mini-trend.

I enjoy good slasher, ghost, phantom menace / phenomenon, monster, and other type of horror flick.

This film was produced by the people that produced X-Files: Glen Morgan and James Wong.

As for the quality of this movie: there are very few surprises. It's mildly entertaining. It starts off rather well: I found the roller coaster scenarios plausible. People have fallen off of rides. Aside from that it's s'okay. One doesn't have to pay much attention to follow what's going on.