Flying is Pretty Cool

Flying is Pretty Cool
New venture...children's book

Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Debt

 The trailers portray this movie as a drama, but it has much more of a suspense thriller feel to it.  It had me on the edge of my seat and at times the brutality physical and verbal were hard to bear.

The three main characters of this film are shown in present time and flashes back to the 60's when they worked together as secret agents on a mission to catch a Nazi criminal.  The younger actors  (Jessica Chastain, Morton Csokas and Sam Worthington) are relatively unknown, but do a great job in their roles.  Helen Mirren steals the show as a tough-no-nonsense retired agent that no one would dare mess with and Jesper Christensen plays a undaunting character himself.

I recommend the movie highly due to the writing.  Seldom do we find movies that have such depth any more, just be prepared for some tough scenes.

Enjoy the movie. 5 out of 5 stars

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Help



The story follows the life of Skeeter played by Emma Stone a young ambitious woman of the South just out of college and much to her mothers chagrin, without finding a husband.  She has the ambition to be a writer and takes the only job she can get at the local paper to showcase her writing, but she has a side project that is absolutely scandalous in the eyes of her peers.  This is where Viola Davis as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minnie come into play.  There are several other characters that warrant mentioning, but you should just go see the movie for yourself.

Taking place in the 60's-70's it does a great job of showing us how far we have come as a society.  Woman no longer have to be married off to be taken care of and more importantly we don't have the crazy notions about african americans that this movie showcased!  When reading the book I was shocked that the generation just before me could be so ignorant.

The movie was true to the book and the acting was very good. I thought this movie would be a sleeper at the box office, although I read the book and enjoyed it very much.  It has proven me wrong and done very well.  This is a must see!

5 out of 5 stars

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sarah's Key

I had already read this book some time ago and reviewed it on this blog, see August 11, 2010 for details of the story.  The movie was very true to the book and they did a great job of casting each character.  As with the book you will find yourself on the edge of your seat waiting to find the outcome of the two characters that are sharing their story with you. 

I loved seeing this book come to life on the screen and think you will enjoy it too.

Enjoy the movie. 5 out of 5 stars.

Larry Crowne

This was a sweet movie that anyone can enjoy.  Tom Hanks character is lovable to the core and the friendships he forms throughout the movie with anyone he meets are a joy to watch.

Julia Roberts has a more complex character with a rocky relationship at home, a bit of tendency to drink too much and a dissatisfaction for her job.  She is also enjoyable to watch, as we all want to see a messy life possibly worse than our own. 

The question that comes up is would this movie be as good as it is with some no-name actors? Great question, fortunately we don't have to find out.  Both of these stars bring it and deliver what we've grown to know and love about them both.  There are other stars that shine in this movie that may become better known in time.  Overall I give this movie 5 stars.


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

American Made Clothes

Well after much searching and little results (approximately 97% of our clothing is foreign made) the winner by far is American Apparel out of L.A. California.  Their very in sync with the American need for home grown jobs, supply and minimizing foreign sub-contractors.  They boast knitting, dying, sewing, distribution and marketing all within in Los Angeles.  Sweat-shop free and paying fair wages to their employees. Their offering is plentiful and they use some organic materials.  I love this company!  They have their own brick and mortar stores throughout the world, 20 different countries, so please look for a store near you and support them as much as you can!

Other smaller American apparel companies were All American Clothing Co. out of Ohio, Bamboosa in South Carolina, & American Joe Apparel that boasts supporting our troops with their T-shirts.  Please support them all and look for local companies in your town.  Spending $100 at a local business means that approximately $73 of that $100 remains in your local economy vs. $43 out of $100 spent at a National Chain. Source: Local Works a civic economics study for Local First, Grand Rapids Michigan.  Here in AZ we have a great source for buying local www.localfirstaz.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

God Bless America.....made in Pakistan

Did you know that Kohl's NYSE: KSS is headquartered in the heart of America and employs some 80K employees, that's the good news.  When they sent out several coupons in the month of June, I took advantage of them.   I was thrilled to find some T-shirts that had the American flag and red, white & blue inspired designs on them to wear during the weekend of the 4th and at a great price.

When I got home I noticed the tag with a red white and blue logo that read the following:
"Our flag-inspired collection has been designed to reflect the tireless spirit of our free nation.

Look for patriotic designs on many of our finest products.  Collect them. Share them.  Use them year-around.

Our admiration for the Stars and Stripes continues every year.  So keep an eye out for future commemorative items.  KOHL'S"

Isn't that sweet!  However, when I looked in the shirt at the label I found  "MADE IN PAKISTAN" in fact when I looked at all the items I had purchased at Kohl's I found that every single one was made in some far away country. Adidas shorts make in Vietnam, Sonoma made in China, Daisy Fuentes made in Cambodia.  Now, I am not so naive to think that this isn't the norm for all retailers here in America.  Gap NYSE: GPS shirts are from Philippines. But don't the major American companies have some duty in actually supporting American suppliers when their selling something that ADVERTISES OUR PRIDE to be American?

During this time in America when we have up to 16% unemployment and people loosing their homes left and right it's time that we held them accountable to do their part to help out.  Wal-Mart NYSE: WMT, Target NYSE: TGT, Kohl's all the major stores could make a significant impact in our beautiful county of free enterprise if they just made an effort.  Would I spend more money knowing something came from a Kansas factory, YOU BET! I will be sending them a letter with some suggestions of where to find American products and I will post my findings here too.
Please let me know your thoughts.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Super 8

Super 8 has a sweet message for everyone, that of course I can't reveal to you without giving everything away.  This sci-fi has great humor by a group of 5 teenage boys and a very cute girl. While sneaking out at night they happen to come upon a catastrophic event with their 8 millimeter camera.

The boys run the gamut of a pyro-maniac, a foul mouthed leader, boy that wants to save the girl and of course the melodramatic one that always cries.  You will find yourself laughing or smiling through the majority of this cute flick.
I give it 5 out of 5. A must see summer movie.

Win Win movie review

A heart warming story about a struggling small town lawyer that inserts himself into a sticky situation with an ailing client while trying to provide for his own family.  This clients long-lost never-been-seen before teenage grandson shows up to complicate things even more.

You can't help but fall in love with all of the characters and cheer for each of them as they battle lifes issues.
This movie has great acting and even better writing that makes is a 5 out of 5 for me.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

'How Rocket Learned to Read' Wins Irma Black Award

'How Rocket Learned to Read' Wins Irma Black Award
I for one cannot wait to grab a copy of these books and share them with the little ones in my family. They all sound magnificent and asking them to pick their favorite one is a great exercise!

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Lincoln Lawyer

This movie redeemed Matthew McConaughey for an actor that can show more than one emotion.  He still has his smooth talk, but he also comes up with fear, remorse, bad ass and serious lawyer. Then you add the star power that the movie has with Marisa Tomei & William H. Macy just to name a few and you have a great movie!

Matthew plays a lawyer that rolls around Los Angeles in a Lincoln Town car that seconds as his office, driven by his trusty chauffeur.  His side kick Macy does some of the dirty work for him and plays a big role in the movie, not just some little dial it in piece.  We see plenty of Marisa Tomei's character and I'm not just talking about the sex scene.  Matthew has the gamut of clientele everyone from the prostitute & motorcycle gangster to the pretty rich boy that really leaves you on the edge of your seat.

This was based off of a book of the same name by the famous drama author Michael Connelly.  You didn't hear much about this movie but it certainly deserved the $10 ticket.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

An Education

2010 Oscar nominated film
This British film that took place in the 1960's gives us a clear view of what was expected of young woman in that day of age.  It was all about going to school for a teaching or civil service job or marrying a man of means preferable the latter of the two.  So much so the parents in this film look passed the fact that a man 20 years older than their daughter is allowed to court her.  

I have to say I loved the film and acting.  The main character gets to live two lives which is great fun to watch.  Make sure you rent this one.

Parents are shortening their childrens lives

Pizza, hot dogs, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, chocolate milk....these are the items that are killing American children and some adults.  It sickens me when I see parents letting their children order the worst thing possible on the menu every single time they sit down to a meal!  It's time we stop this nonsense.
I love this webcast that I found on TED.com
Watch it and pass it along or do something to make a difference.  I vow to start cooking lessons at Maggie's Place so that I can show young woman that the fresh healthy options are out there.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Just Go With It

A romantic comedy with great star power and strong supporting actors including the children-who bring as many laughs as the comedian Adam Sandler.  Nick Swardson plays Adams hysterical cousin that plays a large part of the entire movie. When Adams character falls "in love" with Brooklyn Decker, he thinks its the real deal and needs help from his assistant Jennifer Aniston to cover up a few little lies he's told along the way.

This was directed by Sandler and I believe shows that he can make anyone funny.  I'm not saying to expect too much, but I found it entertaining as well as a cute story line with laughs and surprises along the way.  If you need a light move for a quick attitude adjustment, then just go with it.

Surprise star: Nicole Kidman

Friday, February 11, 2011

Black Swan & Biutiful

It's Oscar count down and these were two of the last few I have left to see.
Black Swan
I would not have bothered with Black Swan if it hadn't been nominated for 3 big categories.  I did not enjoy this movie and I can't say anything redeeming about it or the story line.  Did the actors do a good job at acting deranged?  Yes, they did, for that matter I think I could too.  If I were a ballerina I would certainly be upset with the portrayal of the dancers, directors and all involved in that industry.  Skip it!

Biutiful
This one is harder to say if I liked it or not.  That in itself should make you think twice about going to see it.  The movie had SO much going on it made your head spin.  I left there shaking my head thinking "who writes this stuff and where do they come up with it??"

The single father that speaks to dead people is trying to raise two beautiful children  immediately finds out he's dying of cancer.  Meanwhile his drug addicted ex-wife that's fooling around with her ex-brother-in-law, tries to come back into their life.  He's also running a slave trafficking business that goes from bad to worse and sells counterfeit luxury items.  I'm just touching on the top layer, I promise you.  Please let me know what you think of this one if you see it.

3 out of 5 stars

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Tourist

This movie has some rockin' scenery from Paris & Venice. If you haven't been you'll want to go even more after seeing this movie. I loved the outfits that Angelina's character wears. Oh, and the movie was good too. I know, I can easily be distracted!
The story had many fun characters to love and hate, my favorite was the poor schmuck from London Yard played by Paul Bettany. He has the worst time with his cohorts and trying to do his job from afar doesn't help him.

Where the movie fails me is 1) Johnny Depp does a terrible job at an American accent from anywhere in the US, but especially for someone that's suppose to be from, I believe, Wisconsin. 2) The movie focuses every ones attention on Elise no matter what the setting; everyone is starring at her! A little over-board if you ask me. 3) The ending doesn't seem believable what-so-ever. Go back over the story in your mind and see if you don't agree with me.

I'll give it 2.5 stars out of 5. Simply because it was fun and entertaining to watch.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

True Grit

This adventure was by far my favorite film by the Coen brothers. Although there was plenty of violence (that their known for over-doing) the story warrants it with the given circumstances.

The movie has a great list of characters and the young girl does a fabulous job of delivering her quick lines without a hint of a smile or emotion other than anger and contempt. After watching the original from 1969 I would say the new version honored the original story but had some great improvements and you have to love Matt Damons portrayal of the Texas ranger, he's comical.

A 14 year old girl, Mattie, (Hailee Steinfeld) has a mission to bring her Father's murderer to justice. She travels alone and employs the unethical and resistant, Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help her carry out this task.

The only part I have to say I would take issue with were the lines delivered by the rough hooligans that seem to have impeccable English. This and the bear skin wearing character were unbelievable and not true to the original film.

Once again Jeff Bridges delivers a great drunk with a kind heart, sound familiar?

4 out of 5 stars.

The Fighter

I enjoyed this movie for what it was.....a true comeback story of 2 brothers born and raised in Lowell, Mass. in the 80's. Mickey Ward played by Mark Wahlberg is a struggling boxer in the mid-80's trying to follow in his brothers footsteps, but with his family in his corner he's sure to fail. His conniving Mom and drugged up brother pulling him down, step in Amy Adams character that tells it to him plain and straight. I loved the role she played and think that her and Christain Bale deserve Oscars for their parts. Dickie's character is painful to watch as he self destructs with drugs and prison time.

Great story told well and delivers a great representation of redemption.