The Losers

This is a movie based on a graphic novel that DC put out under the Vertigo label. It was loosely based on the old series that featured Sarge and Captain Johnny Cloud...quite old comics, who were killed off during DC's crisis on infinite earth's (a series that got rid of a lot of older, less popular characters). The new series is a different group of misfits who are a lot like the originals. I didn't know anything about the comic before seeing the movie and didn't need to before seeing it. It is a good solid action adventure. It doesn't seem at all "comic" like, since it's based in a gritty "reality". Seems some soldiers are double crossed by the CIA and they want to settle a score. I found it to be entertaining throughout the film. If you are an action fan, you'll probably like it as well.

The Duchess Of Duke Street

Some friends loaned us their copy of The Duchess Of Duke Street, A BBC miniseries and we really enjoyed it. As I was getting ready to return it to them, I noticed that the box was marked "Series 1" and they don't usually do that unless there is another series. But the last episode of the series had seemed so final that we felt pretty sure that there wasn't any more to the story. Just to make sure, I checked on Netflix and to my delight, found that there is a second series, five more cd's that continue to follow the stories based on the true life of Louisa Trotter. We started watching one of the disc's this evening and were quite happy to find the stories to stand up just as well as the first season did. We love Louisa and are horrified by her dreadful Mother and Brother in the first episode. It was so great to see all of the returning characters when we had been sure that the series was over. What a delight!

The Book Of Eli

I don't recommend R rated movies often, but this is one that I have to suggest. Similar to "The Road" this is a more hopeful post apocalyptic story. We meet Eli, Denzel Washington, a wanderer, a walker, heading towards the West. By the title and the previews we have a good idea that he's got a book that is precious to him and he is driven to head West. Turns out, he's been on his journey for thirty years. There has been a war that burned the Earth and killed most inhabitants, but unlike "The Road" there is still life on Earth, birds, animals and people.

It got it's rating for some violence and well deserved, there are some well done action scenes. There are a few language moments, but they aren't so offensive that I felt bad about the scenes, but I wouldn't watch this with my five year old grand kids.

This is one of those depth of character roles that Denzel plays so well. Good Science Fiction.

Everybodys Fine

Jeanne and I watched this tender hearted movie this evening and enjoyed it all the way through. Robert DeNiro is so famous for his tough guy, bad guy roles that you forget that the man can really ACT! All the way through the movie, I wondered what was going to happen as Dad visits one kid after another. A slice of life movie, based on the Italian movie, "Stanno tutti bene," is just an excellent movie..not for kids, it's one that folks who have more life experience under their belt. Just plain excellent.

Amelia

We finally got around to watching "Amelia." It was a good flick, but easy to know what was going to happen. So you had to just let it go and enjoy the experience. I like aviation because my friend, Kevin Steadman liked it so much when we were growing up. It stuck with me although I never pursued aviation the he did.

Jeanne and I both admire Eleanor Roosevelt, we have a quote by her on our wall and so it was fun to see a scene or two where the two women meet. I'd give this movie a good recommendation for those who are mature and looking to learn a little more about history.

Timer

I don't watch very many R rated movies, but this one seemed like a good plot. It came up as recommended for me on Netflix and I watched it on the watch instantly Que. But I didn't watch it instantly, I watched half of it and then watched the other half later. Which makes this a real keeper, because I wanted to come back and finish it. It's set in the near future where half the population has implanted timers that will indicate when you've met your one true love. A cute premise and many variations on the theme. It's rated R for the 4 or 5 F words, otherwise perfectly acceptable as if it were PG-13

Holmes On Homes

My new favorite show is "Holmes On Homes." I've been watching it faithfully for months and I LOVE this show! You can find it on the HGTV channel. It's just so good. First you are dumbfounded by the horrendous building that some contractors get away with and they take advantage of so many home owners.

Then Mike comes to the rescue! They take things apart and put them back together the way they should have been done in the first place. Some of the older episodes are interesting because he's gotten better over time and he does things even better than he did in those first episodes.

I'm still a big fan of "This Old House." But Holmes is my new favorite!

Kingdom

I like Stephen Fry from his portrayl as Jeeves the Butler and as his role as the psychitrist turned chef on Bones, so I was happy to stumble on this "Dramedy". I looked it up on netflix and they only have season 2 and 3, so we went to hulu where we found the first season. We watched the first episode this evening and it was enjoyable, although a little choppy. Hulu must have had a lot of viewers at the time because the broadcast got worse as it went along. But in spite of delivery problems, it looks to be an excellent series.

Fry plays the part of a small town lawyer andthere are plenty of quirky characters to make the series promising.

2012

Really a great flick. Surprisingly, I hadn't seen it till this week. I had it collecting dust in my collection, but got it out and watched it with my friend Bob. We both thought it was great, really worth watching! I couldn't get over how well written and organized it was. When there was a point where they could go for the easy way to further the plot along or the hard way, they always chose to do it the hard way, so we as an audience are challenged, wondering how are they going to get out of this.

Two thumbs and two big toes up. Haven't seen it, you need to..already seen it, you probably want to see it again. Oh, really a poor choice for the cover art on the box.

The Lovely Bones

This is quite a departure for Peter Jackson after doing the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy and King Kong. I didn't know he directed this until the closing credits began. There were many times that I was reminded of the movie, "What Dreams May Come," as I watched this thriller. I was compelled to watch this drama and there were a few times when I worried that it was going to become too creepy. Well acted, visually fantastic, very thought provoking.

I'm not sure how my friends will feel about this flick, should I recommend it? Yes and No, it was very engaging, but the subject matter, murder of a kid was tough. You make the call..you won't be bored.