The Pelican Brief (1993)

Saw this last Night / this morning on WE on Satellite dish. It had been many years since I had seen this movie the last time, and even then I had apparently missed a big chunk of the Movie. This time I sat and watched it basically end to end. (I think I missed a fem minutes in the beginning,)

It is a bit slow paced, and you need to pay attention to the Movie. Things happen quickly (Like People getting killed) and then Julia Roberts is reacting to what has happened to her world. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she goes digging into the deaths of two Supreme court Justices. She comes up with what she thinks is a crazy Idea for a solution to the Murders and thinks about tossing the Brief away. Her Lover/ Teacher decides otherwise and pases the Brief along to other folks. One thing leads to another and the Brief ends up at the White house.

I found the Movie most enjoyable. I thought Julia Roberts did an excellent job saving herself from many close calls, then reacting to her new situation and Denzel Washington gives a respectable performance as well.

I gave it an 8 out of 10. I can Highly Recommend this Movie.

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The Pelican Brief (1993)

Director: Alan J. Pakula

Writers (WGA): John Grisham (book)
Alan J. Pakula (screenplay)

Julia Roberts ... Darby Shaw

Denzel Washington ... Gray Grantham

Sam Shepard ... Thomas Callahan

One Missed call (2008)

I have reviewed movies in the past (when I get a chance to review movies) the have really stunk and to avoid them. This reluctantly fits the bill. It wasn't really a bad movie, except for the fact it didn't make a lot of sense. I wanted it to start making sense, thinking I somehow had missed something and things were going to come together. But it didn't and it really had no ending.

All in all, not worth watching. I gave it a barely 3 out of 10. Probably should be a 2.5. PU!

One Missed Call (2008)

Director: Eric Valette

Writers (WGA): Andrew Klavan (screenplay)
Yasushi Akimoto (novel)

Actors:
Shannyn Sossamon ... Beth Raymond

Edward Burns ... Det. Jack Andrews

Ana Claudia Talancón ... Taylor Anthony

Ray Wise ... Ted Summers

Azura Skye ... Leann Cole

The Bucket List (2007)

It would be so easy to give away the ending of this very fine movie in this review. Needless to say, Jack Nicholson gives a fantastic performance, followed closely by Morgan Freeman. I thought the movie started out a little slow but the last half seemed to move on at a nice pace. Great writing and a nice story with a very satisfying ending. I gave it an 8 out of 10. I can highly recommend this movie.

Director: Rob Reiner

Writer (WGA): Justin Zackham

Cast:
Jack Nicholson ... Edward Cole
Morgan Freeman ... Carter Chambers
Sean Hayes ... Thomas
Beverly Todd ... Virginia Chambers
Rob Morrow ... Dr. Hollins

Trivia:
# Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman shaved their heads for the film.

# Justin Zackham finished the script in just two weeks.

Sahara (2005)

I rewatched this movie last night. It has got some great humor and action to it. For the ladies there is Matthew McConaughey running around with out a shirt on. For the guys there is Penelope running around with a shirt on, except for the very end. I like this Movie enough to have purchased the DVD, which I only do with Movies I find very enjoyable, or those that are at a great price, but this one falls into the first category.

I gave it a good solid 7 out of ten. The writing is just a little weak in places, but the action more than makes up for it.

Director: Breck Eisner

Writers (WGA): Clive Cussler (novel) Thomas Dean Donnelly (screenplay)

Cast:
Penélope Cruz ... Eva Rojas
Matthew McConaughey ... Dirk Pitt
Steve Zahn ... Al Giordino
William H. Macy ... Admiral Jim Sandecker

Digital Converter Box

I just recently purchased 2 of the digital converter boxes for our over the air signal for out TV's. We presently have 3 TV's that we use on a regular basis at our household. Probably the biggest difference one notices right off hand is the signal the TV receives. It is much crisper and uniform generally. Two of the TV's have the converter box attached. The one TV without the converter box will still be able to pick up the analog signals after the switch over because not all TV stations have to switch over.

Also another great feature of the Converter Boxes we purchased was the fact that our HD Ready TV now has a tuner which receives the local signal and shows 1080i signals (HD). We kind of got burned when we bought our TV back a few years ago. There are two different kinds of digital Tuners. This TV had the wrong one, so come the switch, we wouldn't have gotten a signal on our digital TV even though it had a digital tuner in it. I had read where the over the air broadcast HD signal is better than Satelite HD signal.

I would say its as good, at least here locally. and It don't cost us a dime. I am very thankful for that.

Chaos (2005)

I just rented this movie last night. I didn't know what to expect going into this movie. I had seen earlier work from Jason Statham, such as The Transporter and Transporter 2 and the Italian Job (all very good movies in my book), so I was expecting a fast paced movie with plenty of shooting and driving fast cars. What the movie turned out to be was a well paced thoughtful film with a very good ending. I liked the writing, even though there were some small plot holes, but all in all well worth the watch. I gave it a 7 out of 10.

Director: Tony Giglio

Writer: Tony Giglio

Cast:
Jason Statham ... Det. Quentin Conners
Ryan Phillippe ... Det. Shane Dekker
Wesley Snipes ... Lorenz / Jason York
Henry Czerny ... Capt. Martin Jenkins
Justine Waddell ... Det. Teddy Galloway
Nicholas Lea ... Det. Vincent Durano
Jessica Steen ... Karen Cross

The Kingdom (2007)

Another great movie in my book, With extremely tight editing and a great ending. The camera work in places reminds me of another movie, The Bourne Ultimatum, which has very quick, hand held, up close camera work that makes it hard to figure out just what is going on. In this movie, unlike The Bourne Ultimatum, it really adds to the realism of the nature of the Movie. Here the camera work when used in this style, is taught, up close and personal. I have never been in war, but now I feel I know a little bit better of what our American soldiers are going through at times when checking homes and rooms in the city environment. Some scary times indeed.

I found the ending to be refreshing and complete. Just about the time when you think every thing is winding down ...

I gave the movie a well deserved 8 out of 10.

The Kingdom (2007)

Director: Peter Berg

Writer (WGA): Matthew Michael Carnahan (written by)


Cast:
Jamie Foxx ... Ronald Fleury
Chris Cooper ... Grant Sykes
Jennifer Garner ... Janet Mayes
Jason Bateman ... Adam Leavitt
Ashraf Barhom ... Colonel Faris Al Ghazi

American Gangster

Been a while since I posted here. Been awhile since I saw something that was decent enough to post about.

American Gangster is a great movie. Granted, it is very violent in places, like the first 5 minutes, and deals with a terrible human beings rise in the crime world. It is deplorable how the main bad guy lives his life. But the direction, the lighting, the camera work, the writing, .. it just all works quite well. The Actors, The supporting actors, the scenery, the costumes, the cars, its all a great combination that I have sorely missed.

Bravo American Gangster. Bravo.

I give it an 8 out of ten. Would have been higher but for the main thrust of the movies bad guy. Yucko.

Director: Ridley Scott

Writers (WGA): Steven Zaillian (written by)


The cast

Denzel Washington ... Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe ... Det. Richie Roberts
Chiwetel Ejiofor ... Huey Lucas
Josh Brolin ... Detective Trupo
Lymari Nadal ... Eva
Ted Levine ... Det. Lou Toback

I must say ...

I am a little dismayed that Bones didn't get the recognition I think it deserves in the Golden globe Nominations today.

Enchanted (2007)

Enchanted(2007) is a pretty amazing movie in that it blends many components so well. It takes animation and blends it with live action. It takes what could be very campy humor and blends well with a certain amount of skepticism and wit and the mixture comes out refreshing and witty. It takes some of the basics for elderly Disney story lines and blends it quite nicely with a new version.

This is definitely not my favorite type of movie. It was romantic and a bit childish, definitely no blood and guts, and a borderline musical. Not my usual cup of tea at all. But I liked it. It kinda took me back to the old Disney cartoons, and it was nice.

I gave it an 8 out of 10. The direction was good, nice special effects and some pretty darn good acting. I can surely recommend this movie, especially for kids.

Movie: Enchanted(2007)

Director: Kevin Lima

Writer: Bill Kelly

Actors:
Amy Adams ... Giselle
James Marsden ... Prince Edward
Idina Menzel ... Nancy Tremaine
Susan Sarandon ... Queen Narissa
Patrick Dempsey ... Robert Philip

Pandora

Pandora Radio (as it likes to call it self) Is, for me, a rather remarkable spot on the web which I can't say enough good things about. This provides one with music as you cruise the web. It also gives you the chance to create "stations" which, uhm, is al little hard to explain, but provides the chance to listen to styles of music. I love it.

I have heard songs played on here which I have not heard from in years. (So many fond memories) It gives detailed bios on the Artists you are listening to (very good resource actually). There are numerous features about this Pandora which I shant go into here.
All I can say is check it out if you like music. I would give it a very high 9 out of 10.

Beowulf (2007)

This is a very unusual Film. It is completely CG (computer Generated), but yet it tries very hard to look as though it is not CG. At first, you wondering "Just exactly What am I looking at?"

Once you get beyond that, and every now and then you forget this was all created in a computer (It gets that lifelike), the movie itself was interesting. It wasn't great, but it has an interesting story, and I would love to comment on the lighting and the direction, but , uhm, it was done in a computer.

The acting, again, done in a computer.

I gave it a 7 out of 10.

One problem I had with this movie was the rating. They gave it a pg 13, but it is VERY gory and bloody in spots and I was wondering what the governing board was thinking when they handed down that rating. I mean, the blood and gore is one thing, but to have the incredible sound effects this does, just adds to the realism, even though, again, it was just made up in a computer. I knew I was going to have trouble reviewing this one.

Movie : Beowolf (2007)


Director : Robert Zemeckis
Writers : Neil Gaiman (screenplay) & Roger Avary (screenplay)

Cast : Ray Winstone ... Beowulf / Golden Man / Dragon
Robin Wright Penn ... Wealthow
Anthony Hopkins ... Hrothgar

Mr. Brooks (2007)

You know, one would think that a movie starring Demi Moore and Kevin Costner, along with William Hurt couldn't be all that bad. I thought the previews to this "thriller" looked pretty promising. Why even IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) gives it a 7.6 out of ten in their voting. I mean the director, a Mr. Bruce Evans, had me going along with this movie most of the way through.

I can definitely say, avoid this movie! Avoid it like the Plague.

I could write a much longer dissertation than usual here on the plot holes a truck could drive through, the plot lines that was never even explained as to the whys and reasons behind them in the movie, the fact there was no ending ...

Wow, a train wreck, pure and simple, that was 2 hours long.

Oh yeah, for some reason, I gave it a 4 out of 10.

The IMDB Pages ...

This isn't up and running yet, but it ties in with this blog so I thought I would get a heads up in here so when the IMDB Pages are ready, you'll be the first to know. Aren't you lucky?

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

I thought this fourth movie in the sequel worked out pretty darn good. There is definitely plenty of action and a fair amount of shooting. This one differed from the others in that it has a very high tech approach to the master mind criminal and luckily there is some one help John McClane (Bruce Wills) with explaining all that is going on. I sat through the whole movie trying my darnedest to figure who John's Helper was and I finally had to read on the Actor's (Justin Long) bio on IMDB to figure out he is the guy on the PC and Mac Commercials who plays Mac (Apple) computer. It was driving me nuts to know I knew I had seen him in something before, but could not figure out where.

I liked the writing and the Directing. I thought Bruce Willis did an excellent job again as the rough and tumble John McClaine. I gave Live Free or Die Hard (2007) a good solid 8 out of 10.

Movie: Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Directing: Len Wiseman

Writing : Mark Bomback

Actors: Bruce Willis ... Det. John McClane
Timothy Olyphant ... Thomas Gabriel
Justin Long ... Matthew Farrell
Maggie Q ... Mai Lihn

Amazing Grace (2006)

A real surprise I had never heard anything about before I watched it. My son rented this and I found myself totally enthralled in the plot and twists and the pretty good writing in this true historical tale about a rather strange time in England when owning slaves was absolutely the only way to go.

I never really though about the slave trade in England before, but I am very glad they finally came to see when they were blind. The song and the movie title are tied in together and you get a pretty good understanding what the song is all about.

I gave it 8 out of 10. Can highly recommend this movie for the writing, directing, and the acting.

Movie: Amazing Grace (2006)

Director: Michael Apted

Writer: Steven Knight

Actors: Ioan Gruffudd ... William Wilberforce
Romola Garai ... Barbara Wilberforce
Benedict Cumberbatch ... Pitt the Younger

Ratatouille (2007)

I finally got a chance to check this computer animated movie out. I thought it was pretty good. I especially like the kitchen environment, being a former cook. I never worked in a kitchen with that many cooks working at once, but I still found it interesting.

I thought the first part of the movie tended to drag along, then the last half was doing about 80 miles an hour in parts. I rented the movie and didn't get a chance to watch it again, which is what I was wanting to do.

I gave it a good 7 stars out of 10.

Movie: Ratatouille (2007)

Director: Brad Bird
Jan Pinkava (co-director)

Writer: Brad Bird - Story and screenplay

Voices - Lou Romano ... Linguini
Brian Dennehy ... Django
Peter O'Toole ... Anton Ego
Brad Garrett ... Gusteau

Back in the fray : Blade Runner - Directors Cut

Blade Runner Is an excellent Movie in my eyes. It has great atmosphere, fantastic special effects, and some pretty darn good acting and directing. The camera work is brilliant, as well as the lighting, which at times is almost like another character in the scenes of the movie.

I highly recommend this movie. 9 out of 10.

Movie: Blade Runner

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring:

Harrison Ford ........ Rick Deckard
Rutger Hauer ......... Roy Batty
Sean Young ........... Rachael
Edward James Olmos ... Gaff

Lately ...

I just haven't had the time to check out anything of intrest for here. I have seen parts of some royal duds, but I'm waiting for some good stuff to write about,

Bones (TV Show - Fox)

I love this show on the Fox network except for when the uhm, body parts pieces start to uhm, erp ... look too damn realistic after being in acid for a week or, uhm, something else really really bad. CSI has the same problem for me at times - just a tad bit to real for dinner time watching.

Crazy, but it seems to have an effect on my eating habits. I can't quite figure out why - Not.

Other that that I love the show, the realtionships, the writing, the pacing, pretty much all of it. If you haven't watched this yet I highly reccomend this fine TV show.

A double feature which blew me away ...

I just finished watching the second of two films which were absolutely extraordinary. I don't think I have ever seen two films one after another which had such an amazing, profound, effect on me. Both films deal with amazing father / son relationships, both films the father and son were of african descent, and both films out and out made me cry. The one Film I have already written about, The pursuit of Happiness.

The second movie is Blood Diamond. The movie is bloody, fast paced, a little long, but tells an amazing story. There is greed, back stabbing underhanded manipulation, and deceit, but also a great amount of love and tenderness. The body count is amazing as well. War is hell and this certainly portrays that fact very well.

I highly recommend this movie, especially if you get a chance to see both of these movies back to back. I gave it a good solid 9 out of 10.

Movie : Blood Diamond (2006)

Directed by: Edward Zwick

Writing credits (WGA)
Charles Leavitt : screenplay and story

Starring :

Leonardo DiCaprio ... Danny Archer

Djimon Hounsou ....... Solomon Vandy

Jennifer Connelly ..... Maddy Bowen

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

I found this to be an excellent movie, with some very touchy feely scenes. The stupid thing made me cry, and it wasn't because of the tequilla this time. Will Smith and his son do an excellent job in this movie.

I gave this movie and 8 out of 10.

Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Directed By: Gabriele Muccino

Starring:

Will Smith ...... Chris Gardner
Jaden Smith ... Christopher (as Jaden Christopher Syre Smith)
Thandie Newton ... Linda

Keeping Mum (2005)

A very "British" Movie which I found very amusing, with a rather surprising ending. This is definetly a Dark comedy. Dealing with some rather disturbing social behavior in a most offhanded and cavalier approach.

I thought the acting was pretty good and loved the directing. It has some wonderful English countryside landscaping and architecture for scenery.

I can recommend this movie. I'd give it a rather solid 7 out of 10.

Movie: Keeping Mum (2005)

Directed by: Niall Johnsohn

Starring:

Rowan Atkinson .......... Reverend Walter Goodfellow

Kristin Scott Thomas .... Gloria Goodfellow

Maggie Smith ............ Grace Hawkins

Patrick Swayze .......... Lance

American Idol ...

Well, I was very dissappointed to find Sundance removed from the males. He was one of the strongest singers they had, I thought, at least on the male side. I still think the women are going to be the clear cut favorites when all is said and done though.
It should be interesting to see what happens next with this show.

The Endless Summer 2 (1994)

I found this to be an excellent movie. It has some superb camera work above and below the water. The water is important here for this is what this movie is about 75% of the Time. The oceans, many of them and the waves they produce and the some of the great riders of these waves. Surfers.

Surfers are the main stars of this fine movie. Two of these surfers are placed in many different and far reaching places on the Earth and the amazing sceenery and some of the amazing animals in these remote places.

Awsome slow motion work is abundant, which helps a lot it you see it in letterbox format. Great camera angels, good narration, and a decent soundtrack help this movie along.

This is a sequel to the original made 30 years earlier. I can highly recommnd this movie.
Good solid 7 out of 10, almost a 7.5.

Directed by Bruce Brown

Robert 'Wingnut' Weaver ..... Principle Surfer
Patrick O'Connell ................... Principle Surfer