Had to rent this one, seeing as it never passed through theatres here. I thought this was a great, Spy, Espionage type movie. Had a real foreign feel to it, which you may not expect with Clooney being a huge Hollywood star. Was done wonderfully before in Deniros Ronin. And, not a lot of action either. Which was just fine. There was enough intrigue, and though that It was a good hour and forty five minutes. If I had anything to complain about off the top, it would be that I wasn't too happy with the ending not to give away much.
Solid rental, Clooney was great. And that paranoid, scowl he had for the whole duration was great.
3.5 stars out of 5
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
True Grit
Managed to finally get in to see it earlier today. I can pretty much count the number of good westerns on one hand, and I will add this one to the list.
But, it's not that great of a movie over all. I seem to remember the brothers making better movies than this. This one seems to hinge on two parts. A strong female character, who seems to be strong for no other reason than her big words, and bold actions in a time period that would not be typical of such for a female. And two, the movie seems to be based around several 'Set Pieces' with little character or plot development in between.
Now, that's all fine and dandy for an action movie or adventure movie. But I have come to expect a little more from them.
So, over all it's a good movie. But not as great as I expected. Tombstone was better.
May as well go see it, not much else out right now. Definite rental though.
3 out of 5 stars
And for Tombstone for good measure..
But, it's not that great of a movie over all. I seem to remember the brothers making better movies than this. This one seems to hinge on two parts. A strong female character, who seems to be strong for no other reason than her big words, and bold actions in a time period that would not be typical of such for a female. And two, the movie seems to be based around several 'Set Pieces' with little character or plot development in between.
Now, that's all fine and dandy for an action movie or adventure movie. But I have come to expect a little more from them.
So, over all it's a good movie. But not as great as I expected. Tombstone was better.
May as well go see it, not much else out right now. Definite rental though.
3 out of 5 stars
And for Tombstone for good measure..
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
World of Warcraft Cataclysm
Just when you get out, you get sucked back in.. I took about a month off last fall. And I was kind of hoping to stay out of it. But, economically MMOs are a pretty good bargain for their cost. But that is inversely proportional to the amount of time it sucks out of your life usually.
For $15 a month play as much or as little as you want. Which is basically skipping one trip to McDonalds a month. But your time just evamporates into this netherworld of digital addiction.
Well, Blizzard has done it again. I logged back in with a 10 Day Cataclysm Trial to have a look at the new stuff. I'm not very interested in starting any new characters. Even though all the low level content has been redone pretty much. I would like to have a high level Priest and Mage for Horde. But I already have Alliance ones. I guess this is the best time to do it again, seeing as the content has changed. And with about two years between expansion maybe I can squeeze in a Hunter as well. Or just spend the money and transfer them over. But at about $55 a pop that isn't likely I don't think.
Anyway, back to my point.. The new zones I got to look at being Mount Hyjal and the underwater zones have been pretty good. The usual hunt this, collect that. But they look fantastic. And I haven't gotten to play underwater really since EQ 1. And the mechanics they added really took away the annoyance of being underwater. The Sea legs buff, letting you walk on the ocean floor, and still be able to lift off and swim. And the quest chain that gets you a Seahorse mount. Which Is awesome. Too bad you can't use him in any underwater environment.
Archaeology I only started to get into, but was interesting. But I was finding it a little sparse looking for dig sites.
Overall, I was finding it more entertaining than I did TBC or WoTLK when I first started those expansions.
At any rate I don't expect to see Blizzard get any real serious competition until Bioware releases Star Wars The Old Republic. But, then that's also two different genres. So, may not be a head to head much anyway.
For $15 a month play as much or as little as you want. Which is basically skipping one trip to McDonalds a month. But your time just evamporates into this netherworld of digital addiction.
Well, Blizzard has done it again. I logged back in with a 10 Day Cataclysm Trial to have a look at the new stuff. I'm not very interested in starting any new characters. Even though all the low level content has been redone pretty much. I would like to have a high level Priest and Mage for Horde. But I already have Alliance ones. I guess this is the best time to do it again, seeing as the content has changed. And with about two years between expansion maybe I can squeeze in a Hunter as well. Or just spend the money and transfer them over. But at about $55 a pop that isn't likely I don't think.
Anyway, back to my point.. The new zones I got to look at being Mount Hyjal and the underwater zones have been pretty good. The usual hunt this, collect that. But they look fantastic. And I haven't gotten to play underwater really since EQ 1. And the mechanics they added really took away the annoyance of being underwater. The Sea legs buff, letting you walk on the ocean floor, and still be able to lift off and swim. And the quest chain that gets you a Seahorse mount. Which Is awesome. Too bad you can't use him in any underwater environment.
Archaeology I only started to get into, but was interesting. But I was finding it a little sparse looking for dig sites.
Overall, I was finding it more entertaining than I did TBC or WoTLK when I first started those expansions.
At any rate I don't expect to see Blizzard get any real serious competition until Bioware releases Star Wars The Old Republic. But, then that's also two different genres. So, may not be a head to head much anyway.
Damages
Well.. after watching the bulk of Season One this weekend I don't think I will ever be able to watch Law and Order ever again. Not that I've watched it on some time anyway.
But if you have any interest in a legal drama / Mystery / Thriller at all then this is the show for you. It took a few episodes for me get going with it. But I like the cast, Glenn Close is great, and I'm just loving Ted Danson as this slimy dirt bag character. And there are enough strings and threads going on, that I hope they get wrapped up at the end of the season. Because I'm not entirely sure who is working for who, and doing what exactly.
Not recommended for people who don't like to think much or need their answers hand delivered on a silver platter.
Watch it now
4 out of 5 stars
But if you have any interest in a legal drama / Mystery / Thriller at all then this is the show for you. It took a few episodes for me get going with it. But I like the cast, Glenn Close is great, and I'm just loving Ted Danson as this slimy dirt bag character. And there are enough strings and threads going on, that I hope they get wrapped up at the end of the season. Because I'm not entirely sure who is working for who, and doing what exactly.
Not recommended for people who don't like to think much or need their answers hand delivered on a silver platter.
Watch it now
4 out of 5 stars
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tron : Legacy
It's been so long that I no longer clearly remember what the original movie was like. But I can say that the sequel was basically a summer FX popcorn movie released at Xmas time. The is little to no substance to the movie. And a great deal that doesn't make a lot of sense.
We know why people had to eat and drink in the Matrix.. But it seems to make no sense why they would do so in the Grid. And the Portal that the movie seems to be centered on, that Clu doesn't want them to reach, or is so dangerous and heavily guarded to reach.. has a train that runs straight to it..
Anyway, enjoy it for what it is.. A Sci Fi version of 2012.. eat your popcorn and enjoy the ride. Just don't think a lot about it after you leave the theatre.
Rent it..
2 stars out of 5
We know why people had to eat and drink in the Matrix.. But it seems to make no sense why they would do so in the Grid. And the Portal that the movie seems to be centered on, that Clu doesn't want them to reach, or is so dangerous and heavily guarded to reach.. has a train that runs straight to it..
Anyway, enjoy it for what it is.. A Sci Fi version of 2012.. eat your popcorn and enjoy the ride. Just don't think a lot about it after you leave the theatre.
Rent it..
2 stars out of 5
Little Fockers
I don't see too many comedies these days that actually make me laugh. They just don't make them like they used too. Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Midnight Run, Meet the Parents, Austin Powers I even the original American Pie..
Well, this isn't one of those movies. It was interesting to say the least, as the characters move along through time since the first one. But, little seems to have changed. I haven't seen much of the second installment. But, Jack is still spying on Greg. Has his secret basement spy lab, and now we see that like Inspector Gadgets Arch Nemesis has Jinxie sitting there with him.
Suffice to say, the best parts of the movie are the very end. And that wasn't Dustin Hoffman deciding he made a mistake by turning down the job and then getting it back. It was DeNiro getting loaded into the Ambulance shouting Focker to get Gregs attention only to have the EMTs wondering why he was cursing. The best was during the credits.. The Jack Byrnes Remix.
Wait for a Rental..
2.5 stars out of 5
Well, this isn't one of those movies. It was interesting to say the least, as the characters move along through time since the first one. But, little seems to have changed. I haven't seen much of the second installment. But, Jack is still spying on Greg. Has his secret basement spy lab, and now we see that like Inspector Gadgets Arch Nemesis has Jinxie sitting there with him.
Suffice to say, the best parts of the movie are the very end. And that wasn't Dustin Hoffman deciding he made a mistake by turning down the job and then getting it back. It was DeNiro getting loaded into the Ambulance shouting Focker to get Gregs attention only to have the EMTs wondering why he was cursing. The best was during the credits.. The Jack Byrnes Remix.
Wait for a Rental..
2.5 stars out of 5
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tangled
Finally, a fantastic kids movie this year that appealed as much to adults as the kids. This past springs How to Train your Dragon was good.. But was more a kids movie than anything else. This one seemed to have the depth for both.
And I will give all the credit to Lasseter and his Pixar touch for this turning out so well.
And as a side note regarding 3D.. I finally got see a 3D movie, and the effects worked out very well. I'll be interested to see of Tron Legacy is as nice, or if being an animated fearture added any strength to the effect.
Verdict
Go see it now..
4 out of 5 stars.
And I will give all the credit to Lasseter and his Pixar touch for this turning out so well.
And as a side note regarding 3D.. I finally got see a 3D movie, and the effects worked out very well. I'll be interested to see of Tron Legacy is as nice, or if being an animated fearture added any strength to the effect.
Verdict
Go see it now..
4 out of 5 stars.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Fringe
Well, looks like Fox is giving the show the kiss of death. That's too bad. Moving to Friday nights, doesn't seem to have worked for any show since the X - Files what 18 years ago.. And when it moved to Sunday nights, everyone followed.
But, with PVRs and stuff now, I just don't see audiences following a show, and changing their schedules like it happened back then.
And to try and claim that pairing it up with Kitchen Nightmares or whatever Kitchen show and claiming moving to Friday night isn't a death knell is just foolish..
Here hoping they can wrap up major plots before it's over.
But, with PVRs and stuff now, I just don't see audiences following a show, and changing their schedules like it happened back then.
And to try and claim that pairing it up with Kitchen Nightmares or whatever Kitchen show and claiming moving to Friday night isn't a death knell is just foolish..
Here hoping they can wrap up major plots before it's over.
The Walking Dead
Been watching this since it came on. Been reading the comics, but I am behind so far. And this show is just fantastic. So far, it's all going great.
The changes they are making has been good, and apparently done so readers will have a fresh show to watch. And that the writers of the series made some mistakes a long the way they would like to have changed. So far, it's coming off as a great companion piece to the books.
It's wrapping up it's first season soon. Go watch it.
4 out of 5 stars
Already renewed for a second season..
The changes they are making has been good, and apparently done so readers will have a fresh show to watch. And that the writers of the series made some mistakes a long the way they would like to have changed. So far, it's coming off as a great companion piece to the books.
It's wrapping up it's first season soon. Go watch it.
4 out of 5 stars
Already renewed for a second season..
HP And the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Seen this on opening night. And will say up front that after the last few years I don't remember the book in any great detail.
But with the films, this one strikes me as the best one since Columbus left the franchise. So since around movie 2.
Everything just seemed to flow good for me, and the two hours plus just flowed on by. Which is a good sign, when your not looking at your watch every 5 mins.
Now, I saw a review today on a show that should remain nameless. Where one of the hosts bitched about how he was lost.. Well, you know what. Go read the books, or watch the movies from the start. Like Star Wars and Star Trek, you can't remake the first of every installment from the beginning for the people who know they are going to movie number 7 and yet expect the whole back story explained out to them. Maybe they should just go watch 1 to 6 first, or find another movie.
So, your going to a 'franchise' movie cold and complain you don't know what's going on. Well, guess what. Maybe it's not for you.
4 stars out of 5
But with the films, this one strikes me as the best one since Columbus left the franchise. So since around movie 2.
Everything just seemed to flow good for me, and the two hours plus just flowed on by. Which is a good sign, when your not looking at your watch every 5 mins.
Now, I saw a review today on a show that should remain nameless. Where one of the hosts bitched about how he was lost.. Well, you know what. Go read the books, or watch the movies from the start. Like Star Wars and Star Trek, you can't remake the first of every installment from the beginning for the people who know they are going to movie number 7 and yet expect the whole back story explained out to them. Maybe they should just go watch 1 to 6 first, or find another movie.
So, your going to a 'franchise' movie cold and complain you don't know what's going on. Well, guess what. Maybe it's not for you.
4 stars out of 5
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