Friday, September 25, 2015

The Television Media Junkie Network is coming to a end.

I am sorry to say that after 4 years of blogging and tweeting, I will be closing down the TV Media Junkie Network. I will stay signed on to twitter but will change my profile/Tag name.

I had hopes that this would turn in to some type financial gain, but that did not happen. As much as I did I was not able to take advantage of special events that I was invited to after promoting special events. It is no ones fault, but I truly need to focus looking for more stable employment, to find not just a job but one I can be good at and can enjoy, so I will still be networked but not in the same way.

I will be 53 in December and will need to put my energy and talents to other uses.

It has been a true pleasure interacting with some of you, but I am faced with a fork in the road and must say good buy very soon.

I will have a final blog post soon with my final thoughts.

God Bless

Mark G Pogue

Monday, August 31, 2015

FEAR THE WALKING DEAD: Slower but I like it


Fear the Walking Dead reminds me of the recent Zombie Apocalypse 2015 movie "Maggie" Staring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a Dad trying to save his daughter from turning after she is bitten by a Zombie. Yes the show is slower but much deeper in thinking then "The Walking Dead". It's a whole different look. To me this takes me back when we where actually afraid of Zombies. The Walking Dead does not scare me that much but I love the story. Fear gives me that fear back and I will continue to watch as long as it is on.

I think the audience is to entrenched into the thinking about hordes of zombies and you have to run and shoot. But when your watching a zombie movie, do you ever ask yourself what is the story of that family that is running and trying to survive? Like Walking Dead,  Fear the Walking Dead does that but goes deeper. I am not sure how many seasons they can keep this going, but I like watching civilization self destruct and fall apart step by step.

The only fault I have with the show is I think the contagion is moving a bit slow, but what do I know maybe that is what happened before mutation of the virus. I just wish critics would step back and think about the bigger picture and think like adults instead of saying it's to slow.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: No Escape

RELEASE DATE: August 26 2015


DIRECTOR: John Erick Dowdle

MAIN CAST: Lake Bell, Pierce Brosan, Owen Wilson


IMDB Storyline

In their new overseas home, an American family soon finds themselves caught in the middle of a coup, and they frantically look for a safe escape in an environment where foreigners are being immediately executed.

WHAT I LIKED

This doing whatever it takes to protect your family in a situation you don't understand. This is about having a great job but don't understand what your a part of. Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson) could have been the bad guy in this but clearly was not. If there ever was a movie about what a mother does to protect her children, it was in this movie. This was about being pushed way beyond you comfort zone> Annie Dwyer (Lake Bell) did not want to be in the situation she was in, but Jack was her coach and she was his when he needed.This was the Zombie Apocalypse with out the Zombies.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I am a fan of Pierce Brosnan and I did not see or understand his character except he was there when jack needed him. The movie was less then two hours, and for this action packed movie to much time was spent on the Dwyer family coming for a new job and not explaining why the sent him to this God forsaken country. There was just a a lot of small details that was not explained, but to the credit of the movie, maybe that was the plan to not get bogged down in details , but focus on the family. I am not sure.

Movie was rated R, With a couple less F words it could be a PG-13, but I am not sure if it is a family movie, that would depend on your family rules.

I will give this a 7 on IMDB, I seen this on the big screen thanks to GOFOBO.com , I am not sure if I will buy it on Blue Ray  

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: American Ultra

RELEASE DATE: August 21 2015


DIRECTOR: Nima Nourizadeh

MAIN CAST: Jesse Eisenburg, Kristen Stewart, Connie Britton


IMDB Story Line

A stoner - who is in fact a government agent - is marked as a liability and targeted for extermination. But he's too well-trained and too high for them to handle.


WHAT I LIKED

What was not to like? This movie had it all, action, comedy and a little drama, but I would consider it more of a dark comedy. The movie starts out very dark and kind of depressing but then all hell breaks lose. This movie is FUBAR in the best way possible. The FUBAR makes the movie and it is pure adrenaline entertainment. Before this, the only movies I have seen Jesse Eisenburg in is Zombieland, Social Network and Now you See Me. This was a perfect movie for him, I could not imagine any one else in that role. Kristen Stewart was awesome, Her and Eisenburg was a great match, they fit together well. Watching Connie Britton use the F word was poetry. She was kick ass.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

This does not apply this time, this movie caught me buy surprise, I did not expect to be this much of a rush and that good. So I would not like any bad reviews

Movie was rated a very well deserved R for foul language, heavy violent images, I would not recommend for family viewing

I gave this a 10 on IMDB, and thanks to LIONSGATE  for providing free passes, I was able to see this on the big screen, and it is very well worth the price of a ticket, I will buy this on Blue Ray

My Movie Review Process

A few weeks ago I started looking at my DVD and Blue Ray collection, and thought I have over 400 movies and I do not have them on a rotation. Some of these movies I have only watched maybe one or two times, but some of these are such great movies, critics may have hated them but they are OK to me.  My past attempts to do movie reviews  just sucked, however some of the movie reviews I did where not that bad, so I examined them to see what worked.

I decided to keep it simple, and I made a template movie review plan, not to long or short but simple and to the point. I got a great response, and many hits on the reviews. so I thought lets look over my collection and make a plan.

I made some ground rules.

Movies like Marvel, Franchise sequels like Star Wars and Star Trek I am not going to do reviews. I just enjoy them and I like the fantasy, so why be a critic to a world I like to visit?  I can break that rule if I want, and as soon as the new Fantastic 4 movie is on Blue Ray, I will review it, but I may give a more in depth look to form my opinion. The reviews for that movie are horrible, but I want to see it for myself and make my own decision and express my own opinions. I was planning to see it on the big screen, but my money is tight and I was scared away.

Some may be more open and no template like I did with American Sniper . But most will be template style. When I do get to see the movie on the big screen I will review it as soon as possible. If I get advance screenings passes I will review it before opening day.

As time goes on I hope my style improves, it has been said the more you write the better you get. I hope so because I do enjoy blogging.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Others

RELEASE DATE: August 10 2001


DIRECTOR: Alejandro Amenabar

MAIN CAST: Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan


IMDB Storyline

A woman named Grace retires with her two children to a mansion on Jersey, towards the end of the Second World War, where she's waiting for her husband to come back from battle. The children have a disease which means they cannot be touched by direct sunlight without being hurt in some way. They will live alone there with oppressive, strange and almost religious rules, until she needs to hire a group of servants for them. Their arrival will accidentally begin to break the rules with unexpected consequences.Written by David Villalmanzo

WHAT I LIKED

This is considered a horror movie, and it very much is. As I let my mind drift in the movie, I find myself very much isolated and alone and left behind. As the movie gets towards the end I am terrified at the events that happen, but not because of what is seen, but because of what is unseen and what the story reveals. It's one of those rare movies you may figure out and then you are terrified because you was right. You don't want to accept the truth of the story you are being told, but your terrified when the everything is unfolded before you. It's reading a horrible headline in the newspaper and you don't want to believe it, but it happened. And why do I like that? When a movie and take you to the edge and drop you off and convince you it is true and make chills run up and down your back. That is a great movie.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE;
This is more like what I did not understand, because there is nothing I did not like in this movie. This was a awesome and very entertaining movie

The only part I might have had a problem with is did the father know of the crime that had happened, what did he mean when he said "She told me what happen" what did his daughter tell him? About the mother not recognizing her, or what she did to the children?

Movie was rated PG-13, a very fair rating, there is no nudity or foul language, but I am not sure if this is a family movie because of disturbing and traumatic events.

I gave this movie a 10 on IMDB, it was that good, did not see this on the big screen but I do have the DVD and it will be upgraded to Blue Ray 

Monday, August 17, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Max Payne

RELEASE DATE: October 17 2008


DIRECTOR: John Moore

MAIN CAST: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges


IMDB Storyline

Three years ago, NYPD detective Max Payne's wife and baby were murdered. Max gets himself transferred to the cold case office where he can continue searching for the killer who got away. He's a loner, but two people reach out to him during a fateful week: Alex, his ex-partner who may have found a clue, and BB, the security chief at the pharmaceutical company where Max's wife worked. Meanwhile, bodies are piling up, some as a result of a drug on the street that is highly addictive and, for many who take it, brings hideous hallucinations. When one of the bodies is a woman Payne was the last to see alive, her sister comes looking for him armed to the teeth; Max must move fast.Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

WHAT I LIKED

This movie gave a brilliant description and visual of hallucinations in drugs. Because of a bad reaction to Vicodin in the hospital after I had knee replacement, I can totally relate to the experience they displayed. I liked the way Wahlberg portrayed Max Payne hard edged I am going to find the answer and do not get in my way, but yet showed his tender side in a flash back. I also like the mystery of who where the bad guys.I truly like the over all story line and way the script was written

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

The trailer was misleading, I was expecting a more super natural natural movie and not a murder mystery. There is nothing super natural or paranormal about the movie. I was kinda disappointed the first time I watched the movie but liked it much better second time around.

Movie was Rated PG-13, I think this boarder line R, not a family movie because of disturbing images 

I gave this movie a 8 on IMDB. I did not see this on the Big Screen but did buy the DVD, might upgrade to Blue Ray  

Saturday, August 15, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Moneyball

RELEASE DATE: September 23 2011



DIRECTOR:  Bennett Miller

STARS:  Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill



IMDB Story Line

Oakland A's GM Billy Beane is handicapped with the lowest salary constraint in baseball. If he ever wants to win the World Series, Billy must find a competitive advantage. Billy is about to turn baseball on its ear when he uses statistical data to analyze and place value on the players he picks for the team. Written by Douglas Young (the-movie-guy)

WHAT I LIKED

I have watched Brad Pitt play so many roles, I really like seeing him as a business man. I seen a style in his character that I am sure was always there but never understood. I seen the maturity in his acting. Maybe I never payed close attention to his acting before, bit this movie brought something out in him I never witnessed before. He was a vampire in "Interview with a Vampire" more less a care free cowboy in "legends of the Fall" and a hero in "Troy" a detective in "Seven" all great movies, but just something I can't explain in Moneyball that I really enjoyed. If anyone else was cast as Billy Beane, chances are I would have not given this movie a chance. Besides Brad Pitt's performance , it also gives a great behind the scene look at what it takes to build a Baseball team.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

As a life long Cleveland resident, it kinda broke my heart that he found his assistant Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in Cleveland, If you know anything about Cleveland sports , you might understand. If we get anything great it goes away, however in the case of LeBron James, he came back but only after winning three championship rings. But That is the only thing I had a against the movie

Movie was rated a very fair PG-13, mild foul langue. could be a family movie.

I gave the movie a 10 on IMDB, I truly wished I had seen this on the big screen, I did buy it on Blue ray

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

RELEASE DATE: June 22 2012



DIRECTOR: Timur Bekmambetov

MAIN CAST: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper



IMDB Storyline

At the age of 9, Abraham Lincoln witnesses his mother being killed by a vampire, Jack Barts. Some 10 years later, he unsuccessfully tries to eliminate Barts but in the process makes the acquaintance of Henry Sturgess who teaches him how to fight and what is required to kill a vampire. The quid pro quo is that Abe will kill only those vampires that Henry directs him to. Abe relocates to Springfield where he gets a job as a store clerk while he studies the law and kills vampires by night. He also meets and eventually marries the pretty Mary Todd. Many years later as President of the United States, he comes to realize that vampires are fighting with the Confederate forces. As a result he mounts his own campaign to defeat them. Written by garykmcd

WHAT I LIKED 

This was letting imagination go out of the box, what if history happened this was. This in my opinion makes history real. We really don't know how the Civil War was won except to what we are told in the history books. No I am not saying I believe this movie is fact, but if your a fan of the vampire genre you have to appreciate the fantasy of this movie. Because of another movie that came out the same year called "Abraham vs Zombies" that was done so badly, I don't think this movie was treated fairly. I thought the movie get a great cross over between History fact and Fantasy/Horror genre. I thought they made the story believable.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

Is that they did not push the story more into the fantasy world and turned Lincoln into a vampire and  disappeared and made him a legendary hero that could be still alive today fighting vampires. I know that is not the way the book was, but how many movies drift from the story in the book anyway? What differences does it make? 

Movie was fairly rated R ,However I think it was boarder line PG-13, depending on what type of horror movies you watch with your family, this may not be a family movie. very scary scenes for younger viewers and some bad language.

Gave this movie a 9 on IMDB, I did see this on the big screen and did buy the Blue Ray 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Deep Blue Sea

RELEASE DATE: July 28th 1999



DIRECTOR: Renny Harlin

MAIN CAST: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L Jackson



IMDB Storyline



A businessman sinks $200 million into a special project to help fight Alzheimer's disease. As part of this project, medical biologist Susan McAlester rather naughtily figures out a way to genetically enlarge shark brains, so that disease-battling enzymes can be harvested. However, the shark subjects become super smart and decide they don't much like being cooped up in pens and being stabbed with hypodermics, so they figure a way to break out and make for the open sea... Written by John Smith <John.Smith7@net.ntl.com>

WHAT I LIKED

It seemed to me that the story was very well infused with the action, When they brought Russell Franklin (Samuel L Jackson) to the facility , to a place in the middle of the ocean and heard Dr. Susan McCallister (Saffron Burrows) tell him that they have a small crew on weekends, something said this was not going to be good.When a staff member said God did not create the shark they had captive and then lost his arm, you knew it was going to get bad, While the shark was a product of Science fiction it brought you in and made you believe it. And it ask that moral question: How far do you go to find a cure for a horrible disease like Alzheimer's?

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

Who was the bad guy? They did not convince me that Dr.Susan McCallister was that evil. She saw her dad die of a horrible disease, and she was desperate to do something about it. It had a good ending but not the way I would have liked it. I felt bad for the Doctor in the end.

Movie was rated R, very good rating, Not everyone in the family could handle this movie because of very violent shark attacks.

Gave this movie a 7 on IMDB, Did not see it on the big screen, but did buy it on DVD, may upgrade to Blue Ray.

Monday, August 10, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Gothika

RELEASE DATE: November 24 2003


DIRECTOR: Mathieu Kassovitz

MAIN CAST: Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr



IMDB STORYLINE

Dr. Miranda Grey is a psychiatrist who works in a penitentiary, in the mental institution sector. She is married with Dr. Douglas Grey, the chief of department where Dr. Pete Graham also works. Chloe Sava, a patient of Dr. Miranda formerly abused by her stepfather, claims that she is frequently raped by the devil in her cell. After leaving the asylum in a stormy night, Dr. Miranda has a car accident, and when she wakes up, she is an inmate of the institution, being accused of an horrible crime and having no memory of the incident. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

WHAT I LIKE

This was a well describe trip into insanity. You are in the mental institution with Dr Miranda Grey. You are in that impossible situation with her. You feel her personal fear, it's not your fear but hers. It has unanswered questions from beginning till the very end. It had a great ending and closure which you do not find in lot of movies. 

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

The path to her answers seemed impossible, I don't see a person escaping from a maximum security prison in that way, yes she had help, but not enough to escape the way she did. everything else seemed believable.

Movie was rated R, I think it could have been PG-13, but can not recommend it for a family movie. depending on your family standards

I gave the movie 8 on IMDB

I did not see the movie on the big screen, but I did buy it on DVD, may upgrade to Blue Ray

Sunday, August 9, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: The Day After Tomorrow

RELEASE DATE: May 28 2004


DIRECTOR: Roland Emmerich

MAIN CAST: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum


IMDB Storyline

As Paleoclimatologist named Jack Hall is in Antartica, he discovers that a huge ice sheet has sheared off. But what he does not know is that this event will trigger a massive climate shift that will affect the world population. Meanwhile, his son Sam is with friends in New York to attend an event. There they discover that it has been raining non-stop for the past 3 weeks, and after a series of weather-related disasters begin to occur over the world, everybody realizes the world is entering a new Ice Age and the world population begins trying to evacuate to the warmer climates of the south. Jack makes a daring attempt to rescue his son and his friends who are stuck in New York and who have managed to survive not only a massive wave but also freezing cold temperatures that could possibly kill them. Written by John Wiggins

WHAT I LIKED

No matter what side of the global warming debate you are on, this is a story of family bonding and who your true friends are. It's also about survival and how far would you go to help someone. We don't know what a new ice age would look like because we have never been through one. But I think this movie ask all the question. One of my favorite things about this movie is the slow progression of the storms, and the clues building up to the big freeze. There was the debate between Jack Hall and the Vice President of the cost of not doing anything. You had great special effects with a very strong story line. Regardless of your views how a ice age would happen, the story lines made it a believable situation.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I should say what I did not understand. I did not understand the tsunami on the east cost and the tornadoes on the west cost. Did temps plummet on the west cost also? Why would you drive so fast in a storm that you could not see in that you would crash your truck full of supplies? And are glass ceilings that weak that it could not hold the weight, I would think that that type of glass would not be that weak and would be more then single pane. Those parts kinda weaken the script for me.

Movie was rated PG-13, I think it should be PG, this is a family movie

I gave this movie a 8 on IMDB

I did see this movie on the big screen and did buy the DVD, it is on my Blue Ray upgrade list  

Saturday, August 8, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Reign of Fire

DATE OF RELEASE: July 12 2002


DIRECTOR: Rob Bowman

MAIN CAST; Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, Izabella



IMDB Storyline

It is twenty years in the future, and the planet has been devastated by vicious fire-breathing dragons. The last vestiges of humanity now struggle for survival at remote outposts. In a ruined castle in the English countryside, Quinn is desperately trying to hold together a band of frightened, restless survivors. As a boy, Quinn watched his mother die protecting him from one of the beasts, and is still haunted by the memory. One day, a group of American rogues shows up, led by a brash, tough-guy named Van Zam. He claims to have discovered a way to kill the dragons once and for all, and enlists Quinn's help. But doing so will force Quinn to confront his own frightening memories. This, and Quinn's responsibilities to those that are under his protection, results in a battle of wills between the two men. In the end, events cause them both to realize that they must work together to defeat the monsters--both without and within. Written by LOTUSB1973

WHAT I LIKED

This is like King Arthur loses his kingdom and is transported in time to a world gone wrong. Quinn is challenged by Van Zam to defend what is left of man kind against the beast. I sometimes wonder who Quinn is fighting, the beast, his people or Van Zam.  If there was ever a great movie about the challenges of leadership this is one of them. You could ask "how do you keep control of your kingdom when it's already burnt to a crisp?" But yet this is not Ahab looking for his whale. I like the feeling of being 20 years in the future but still has a feel of the deep past of King Arthur, could Van Zam be Merlin with all the tech he brings to the fight. Van Zam has more of the King Arthur or Game of Thorns look but he is the American. However when you see his magic, which is not magic but high tech you are quickly brought back to what to what the core of the movie is about.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

The victory over the Dragons was to easy, yes they paid a price. But you would think while they where fighting the dragons for 20 years, with all the guided missile tech, someone would have aimed for the mouth with more then a C4 tipped arrow way before.

Movie was rated PG-13, very fair rating and could be a family movie

I gave the movie a 7 on IMDB

I did see this movie on the big screen and did buy it on DVD and it is on my list to upgrade to Blue Ray 

Friday, August 7, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Jack Reacher

RELEASE DATE: December 21 2012


DIRECTOR: Christopher McQuarrie

MAIN CAST: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins



IMDB Story Line

In an innocent heartland city, five are shot dead by an expert sniper. The police quickly identify and arrest the culprit, and build a slam-dunk case. But instead of confessing, the accused man writes the words, "Get Jack Reacher." Reacher himself sees the news report and turns up in the city. The defense is immensely relieved, but Reacher has come to bury the guy. Shocked at the accused's request, Reacher sets out to confirm for himself the absolute certainty of the man's guilt, but comes up with more than he bargained for.Written by Anonymous

WHAT I LIKED

This is a perfect guy movie, it has a reluctant investigator in Jack Reacher, He is I don't care about the rules. He is James Bond with out the gadgets and toys and fancy cars, However the cars he had where very nice. This is looking for the right bad guy because the one you see did not do the crime. Themovie has a unique way in connecting the dots all the way to the top. And when you think your at the top and know who did what there is a slight curve.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

Jack Reacher did not get the girl in the end, he had her but walked away. But to the writers credit that would have destroyed the whole purpose of the movie.

SIDE NOTE:

I am a fan of Tom Cruise, and like most of his movies,  I have watched a few of the Mission Impossible movies, so I am excited to know there will be a sequel to Jack Reacher called Never Go Back announced a few weeks ago.

Movie was rated PG-13, very fair rating, could be a family movie

I gave this movie a 8 on IMDB

I did not see the movie on the Big Screen, but I did buy the Blue Ray and hope I can see the sequel on the Big Screen

Into the World of LOST: Jack and John Locke




As I am watching the series again for the forth or fifth time, I am catching on to things that I just never understood before. John Locke was always looking for approval, always wanted to be accepted for his faith and what he believed was going to happen. But no one would give him that satisfaction. His father or co-workers, and he even reached out to a lady on a call service. He always said "Don't tell me what I can't do" . He truly believed that your limitations was just a excuse not to live, even when he was confined to a wheel chair before the crash.

Jack believed there was nothing you could not fix, but he was never able to fix what mattered most. He worked on a patient in the hospital that his father started but was not able to finish because he was under the influence. I truly believe the only reason he turned his father in was he wanted to fix the problem for the hospital. He could not fix the patient, but he could make this right. He did not give up on the patient because he wanted to fix his fathers mistake. He wanted to move to the caves because there was water and it seemed safe and everyone was closer together, he wanted to fix the discord among the people. He did not want to be the leader, but everyone went to him to lead

Jack and Locke worked together but while Locke may have trusted Jack, Jack never listened to Locke and fought him every step of the way. Jack wanted to fix and Locke wanted to have faith and let the problem fix it's self. It makes sense how the series ended, in Locke becoming the smoke monster and Jack knowing the soul of the monster. They killed each other if you think about it. You could almost say that the destiny that Locke always talked about was about the end story for Jack and Locke.


Locke was always wanting Jack acceptance from season one, he gave up and attempted to hang himself, but he failed, when he decided to live Ben Linus killed him because he knew what John would become if he got Jack to take the body back to the island. It was the way life worked on the island, it was part of the secret of the island, and Ben knew a lot of secrets.

But it was meant for Locke to die and and face off against Jack, In the end Jack was the one that had to leave science behind and have faith, other wise he would not have beaten Locke. But my question is did Jack find faith to late and because he waited so long  he died on the island? According to what his father said in the final episode , not everyone died on the island, some did make it home to live out their lives. I think the story of Lost is about Destiny and getting it right. Would it not be interesting if your destiny was wrong and you crash on a island? Every character on the show had their issues with destiny

MOVIE REVIEW: Contact

RELEASE DATE:  July 11th 1997



DIRECTOR: Robert Zemeckis

MAIN CAST: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey,  Tom Skeritt


IMDB Story Line

Astronomer Dr. Ellie Arroway has long been interested in contact to faraway lands, a love fostered in her childhood by her father, Ted Arroway, who passed away when she was nine years old leaving her then orphaned. Her current work in monitoring for extraterrestrial life is based on that love and is in part an homage to her father. Ever since funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) was pulled on her work, which is referred to some, including her NSF superior David Drumlin, as more science fiction than science, Ellie, with a few of her rogue scientist colleagues, have looked for funding from where ever they could get it to continue their work. When Ellie and her colleagues hear chatter originating from the vicinity of the star Vega, Ellie feels vindicated. But that vindication is short lived when others, including politicians, the military, religious leaders and other scientists such as Drumlin, try to take over her work. When the messages received from space are decoded, ... Written by Huggo

WHAT I LIKED

I like the whole debate in the movie that asked the question are we the only species in the universe. Whether it would be aliens or God. The way Dr Ellie was so dedicated to think outside of the box. Her interaction of people that worked so hard to disprove her. But her determination touched the heart of a super rich person that believed in her and funded the building of the ship after the first one was destroyed. It was as if the movie was telling us this is the way you get things done with out government involvement. This is the way you beat bureaucracy and get the job done. This is the way you shut up everyone and your critics and go beyond normal thinking, this is the way you push the envelope and achieve greatness.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE  

Is that she could not brought back some proof of her experience. But then again, small steps and that would have killed everything I loved about the movie

Movie was rated PG, excellent rating, this is a family movie

I gave this movie a 10 on IMDB because it was that good, and it should have got a Oscar nomination 

I did see this on the big screen, and just upgraded my DVD to Blue Ray. it's that good

 

Thursday, August 6, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Oblivion

RELEASE DATE: April 19 2013


DIRECTOR: Joseph Kosinski

MAIN CAST: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough



IMDB Story Line





One of the few remaining drone repairmen assigned to Earth, its surface devastated after decades of war with the alien Scavs, discovers a crashed spacecraft with contents that bring into question everything he believed about the war, and may even put the fate of mankind in his hands. Written by Black Dahlia
WHAT I LIKE

I love the out in the middle of no where adventure, I landscape, the post apocalyptic vision This movie takes me away from my world, Yes it was aliens or cloned humans made from left over humans. This movie feels so fresh every time I watch it. I can not put it in to words, The landscape was breathtaking, I just wanted to be there. This movie took me away from my world, and I loved it. I just let my self go there.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I really wanted Julia to get that Jack Harper and not another clone, but it all worked out, it was a good ending a happy ending.

Movie was rated PG-13, rating was fair

I gave this movie a 9 out of 10 on IMDB,

I was able to see this on the big screen as well as bought the Blue Ray, would love to see this on the big screen again

Friday, July 31, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: What Dreams May Come

RELEASE DATE:  October 2 1998


DIRECTOR: Vincent Ward

MAIN CAST: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr, Annabella Sciorra



IMDB Story Line

Chris Neilson dies to find himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have ever dreamed of. There is one thing missing: his wife. After he dies, his wife, Annie killed herself and went to hell. Chris decides to risk eternity in hades for the small chance that he will be able to bring her back to heaven.Written by Scott Huntsman <guru@movieguru.com>

WHAT I LIKE

No matter what religion you are we do not know what happens after we die. This movie is a possibility of what we do not know. It is a feel good movie. I watch this movie on Netflix after a death of a friend or family member. It ask that question of what is possible to change in our lives not so much after we die but in life. It is our decision of how we let tragedy affect us. This movie has a deeper effect on me now because of the main star Robin Williams of the way his life ended. This movie is Heaven, Hell, life, love and maybe even hate, it's the bond that connects us all as humans. You can watch this movie a thousand times and always come away with something different.

WHAT I DO NOT LIKE

I am not saying this is a perfect movie  ,regardless of my personal views or religious beliefs, if there was something I did not like, it's not important.

Movie was rated PG-13, could have been PG
This is a family movie, this movie should bring forward great family discussion and bonding.

I did see this movie on the big screen, but for some unknown reason, I did not buy the DVD but it is on my list.

MOVIE REVIEW: Exodus and Kings

RELEASE DATE: Exodus Gods and Kings


DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott

MAIN CAST: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingley



IMDB Story Line

Epic adventure Exodus: Gods and Kings is the story of one man's daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Using state of the art visual effects and 3D immersion, Scott brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. Written by 20th Century Fox

WHAT I LIKED

There was a great representation of the events that happen in the Bible with Moses, The grand majestic scenes with the plagues and great shots of Egypt, I really appreciated how the explained how Moses found out who he was. The 3D effects where awesome, I always enjoy Christian Bale in just about any role I see him. I was convinced he was Moses. I was entertained.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

It seems that any movie that Hollywood makes from a Bible story, they have to explain how miracles happen. It amazes me with all the SY-FY and fantasy movies that are made , Hollywood would understand that there is something bigger then us. It was like they went to the trouble to make this great movie, but lets explain what happen. The bottom line is there is something bigger in this world that needs no explanation. It's not a fairy tale, Greek mythology, SY-FY, fantasy, it's a story from the Bible.

Movie was rated PG-13, fair rating, it is a family movie, unless you are a strong christian Bible believing family , because young children could be confused by what they are taught in a Sunday school class or family devotional time

I gave this movie a 6 out of 10 on IMDB. It was a great movie to see on the big screen in 3D, but I will not buy the DVD


Thursday, July 30, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Noah

RELEASE DATE: March 28 2014


DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky

MAIN CAST:  Russell Crow, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins


IMDB Story Line

A man is chosen by his world's creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.

WHAT I LIKED

I liked the performance of a great cast that was given a script to create a movie production. They delivered a story given to them by a well know and popular director, and a very creative director. I did like the way the animals came to the Ark.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

This movie was more like a story from Greek mythology instead of a Biblical story from the Bible. If I had never know anything about the Bible, this would have been a great movie for me, I would have enjoyed it more. It was the way Noah received the message from God but was know as the creator in the movie, as to how to build a Ark, the Bible interpretation was a suggestion instead of a base of the script. It was as if they said lets make sure we are political correct in telling this Bible story. The design of the Ark was more like a tooth pick sculpture in stead of a boat or a great ship. I do not believe they said the word God one time in the movie.

The movie did get a well deserved PG-13, however if you are a strong based Christian Bible believing family, this movie is not for you or your family.

I gave this movie a 4 out of 10 on IMDB, I am very glad I did not see it on the big screen and I will not buy the Blue Ray or DVD


MOVIE REVIEW: Draft Day

RELEASE DATE April 11 2014



DIRECTOR: Ivan Reitman

STARS: Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Chadwick Boseman



IMDB Story line

It's draft day in the NFL and as general manager of the Cleveland Browns, Sonny is forced to come up with a big move. After trading for the number one pick, Sonny has to choose between a lower-ranked linebacker with a questionable past or a celebrated quarterback with a questionable future. All the while, Sonny is walking in the footsteps of his father and personal complications force their way to the surface. Written by Anne Campbell
WHAT I LIKED

This is a sports movie as much as it is a Cleveland Browns movie, but not on the field. it's the story behind what goes on making a team. to me it was a perfect romance story. It showed and gave empathy to the Cleveland sports history and story, but it was fiction at the same time. If you lived in Cleveland all your life as I have you know the connections and cookies that made it real for a Cleveland sports fan.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE.

That this did not get a Oscar nomination on some level

Movie was rated PG-13, could have been PG and this is a great family movie, there was mild foul Language.

I gave this movie a 10 out of 10 on IMDB

I was able to see this movie on the Big Screen and did buy the Blue Ray

 

MOVIE REVIEW: The Untouchables

RELEASE DATE: June 3 1987


DIRECTOR:  Brian De Palma

STARS: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro


IMDB Story Line

Federal agent Elliot Ness assembles a personal team of mob fighters to bring Chicago crime boss Al Capone to justice using unconventional means during the mob wars of the 1920s. This fictionalized account of the arrest of Al Capone is heavy on style and gunfire. The end shootout combines a baby carriage and stairs with a nod to Eisenstein's _The Battleship Potemkin_. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

WHAT I LIKED

This was a heavy violent crime story and yet there was this tender blend of love and family. While there was action there was story building to the climax of the movie, there was a war on the streets of Chicago but there was time for daddy to kiss his daughter good night. There was a hero, a teacher, A mobster, a soldier, a gun fight in a train station that resembled a western, and a fight to the death.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE.

While I did like Sean Connery as the teacher role mode Jim Malone  The part in the border house on the Canada line that was a bit much, I feel guilty saying anything bad about a Hollywood legend, that part did not do it for me.

Movie was rated a well deserved R, this may not be a family movie because of strong violent action and strong foul language in a few parts.

I gave this movie a 7 out of 10 on IMDB

I did not see this on the big screen, but I do have the DVD and will upgrade to Blue Ray.


MOVIE REVIEW: Gone in Sixty Seconds

RELEASE DATE: June 9 2000


DIRECTOR: Dominic Sena

STARS: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi



IMDB Story Line

Car theft in Long Beach went down 47% when Randall "Memphis" Raines walked away from the life. He gets dragged back into it by assuming the job his brother Kip screwed up for stolen-car broker Raymond Calitri: steal 50 exotic cars and have them on a container ship by 8 AM Friday morning, and he got this news on a Monday. With Calitri threatening to kill him and Kip, and the police GRAB unit breathing down his neck, Memphis reassembles his old crew and attempts to pull off the logistically impossible.Written by Jeff Cross <blackjac_1998@yahoo.com>

WHAT I LIKED

It was not just the car chase that kept you on the edge of your seat, but the story building up to the car chase. Randall "Memphis" Raines doing what he had to do to save his brother Kip. Things can and will go wrong and they did even with the perfect plan. He was a good guy and so where the police that was chasing. This movie did not disrespect the Police, but have have challenged them to look for the bigger story. It was friendly exciting action packed movie. Really liked how the build the team and how the team was so willing to work together for the most part, and how Memphis demonstrated leadership skills. You could almost say this was a management training video

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE.

If I had to pick one scene, that could have been left out or done better, is the breakfast scene with his brother Kip, That just seem kinda dumb and could have been done better.

Movie was rated PG-13, that movie could have been a PG,this could be a great family movie.

I gave the movie a 8 out of 10 on IMDB

I did buy the DVD, and if I get the chance I will upgrade to Blue Ray, it's just that good. Was not able to see this on the big screen back in 2000

   

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Terminator Genisys

RELEASE DATE: July 1 2015


DIRECTOR: Alan Taylor

STARS: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emila Clarke



Imdb Story Line

When John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Now, Sgt. Reese finds himself in a new and unfamiliar version of the past, where he is faced with unlikely allies, including the Guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger), dangerous new enemies, and an unexpected new mission: To reset the future...

WHAT I LIKED

There was a lot that I did like. Yes the movie kind did have that re-boot feel to it, it was still a worthy sequel and a great addition to the movie franchise. I like the way the explained the T-800 aging to Arnold Schwarzenegger story line, and Emilia Clark was a great fit for Sarah Connor. I like the way they changed the whole time line and still have it part of the whole story, Very creative story writing.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: POSSIBLE SPOILER

I would have like to see more of Matt Smith in the movie, he had a very strong part but not enough of him. I was kind of sad the made John Connor a bad guy, I really like the ideal of him being the leader of the leader of the human resistance, I would have like to seen his character end with a bit more respect and honor.

Movie was rated a PG-13, This was a strong rating, it could have been a R, but rating was well deserved.

I gave this movie a 9 out of 10 star rating on the IMDb movie scale rating.

I will be buying the Blue Ray when it comes out, and I am very happy I was able to see it on the big screen 

Monday, July 27, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Interstellar

RELEASE DATE: November 12 2014


DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan

STARS: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastin



IMDB Story line

In the near future, Earth has been devastated by drought and famine, causing a scarcity in food and extreme changes in climate. When humanity is facing extinction, a mysterious rip in the space-time continuum is discovered, giving mankind the opportunity to widen its lifespan. A group of explorers must travel beyond our solar system in search of a planet that can sustain life. The crew of the Endurance are required to think bigger and go further than any human in history as they embark on an interstellar voyage into the unknown. Coop, the pilot of the Endurance, must decide between seeing his children again and the future of the human race. Written by Warren D'Souza

WHAT I LIKED

Sy-Fy story lines these days are much more deeper, and have more meaning. I loved the whole story as a drama unfolding with the choices we make in life often has a ripple effect, not just with family and friends but in this case it diffidently showed how it can have a effect in time, it's not always going to be aliens or ghost that have the answers, but the answer is buried in our very own hearts, mind and soul. Love has no boundaries.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I am most likely one of the few people that did not understand the part where Cooper is in that box like object trying to make contact with his daughter, I was lost in that part.

Movie was rated PG-13, well deserved rating. The family can watch it together but some younger people may not understand parts and may need some family bonding time to explain what is going on.

FOUR STAR RATING: 4 out of 4, just because I did not understand a few things, this movie was a adventure and a great deep story

I did buy the Blue Ray, this would have been a great movie to see on the big screen, I did not have the money to go.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

#ZOMBIE MOVIE REVIEW: Dawn of the Dead

RELEASE DATE: March 19th 2004


DIRECTOR: Zack Synder

STARS: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer




IMDB Story Line

Ana, a young beautiful nurse finishes her day-shift at the hospital to return home to her beloved husband, they make love and sleep together. The next day, after her husband is killed by her neighbor next door, he suddenly comes back to life. She discovers the chaos happening in her neighborhood and escapes from her home. Soon after coming to her senses in the woods, she encounters a cop and other survivors, they decide to find safety in a mall. Soon more survivors come, and they learn that if they want to stay alive, they should stick together as the world is overrun by an army of undead. Can they survive the horror in this horrific global chaos? When there is no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth Written by Emphinix

WHAT I LIKED:

It was a zombie movie, I love zombie movies, is was scary, and you had the evil human element. I really like the living in the mall part. I thought the story line was strong and it was able to bring me in to the nightmare of a zombie Apocalypse.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

OK, this movie was never going to win a Oscar, there is nothing that I really dis-liked about this movie

Movie was rated R well deserved, no explanation, be careful letting younger children watch, very intense scary scenes

FOUR STAR RATING:If  I had had never watched World War Z and the Walking Dead, this movie would get a 4 star rating but because of other zombie movies I have watched I will give it a 3

I seen this in the theater and I did buy the blue ray 

Saturday, July 25, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW The Core

RELEASE DATE: March 28 2003


DIRECTOR: Jon Amiel

STARS: Aaron Eckhart, Hillary Swank, Delroy Lindo


IMDB Story Line

The Earth's core has stopped spinning. Disasters are appearing all over the world: Birds acting crazy, powerful thunderstorms, 32 people die within seconds of each other when their pacemakers quit working. Dr. Josh Keyes and his crew of five (total members: 6) go down to the center of the Earth to set off a nuclear device to make the Earth's core start spinning again or Mankind will perish. Written by Inhotenjoys


WHAT I LIKED 

The adventure of team work to fix the impossible, this story was about putting a problem that can not be fixed on the table bringing a team together and telling them to fix it it. Money is not a issue, but do we have the technology to fix this problem, bringing people together for the sake of the cause. It was a reluctant team that came together to fix a problem. If we could only have that in the real world.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I did not buy the ship design, they did not sell me that it was possible to build a ship like that. Yes it was SY-FY, but part of SY-FY writers responsibility is to trick you in to thinking it can be done. For me they failed on ship design.

Movie was rated PG-13, rating was fair because of intense scenes, this could be a good solid family movie

I have the DVD, did not have a chance to see it on the big screen   

Friday, July 24, 2015

What if the Island of Lost was a X-File?


Like many I am a fan of both the ABC popular series LOST from 2004 and X-Files from FOX in 1993. However to dig in to the mythology and mystery of both series, would it not be interesting if the island of LOST was a investigation by the the X-Files unit of the FBI? This could be a interesting crossover for both series in the Sy-Fy Genres.

At the end of LOST we had both Hugo Reyes and Ben Linus in charge of the Island. What if Mulder and Scully caught up with the two while they where here on the main land to ask questions about what really happen to Oceanic Flight 815. What if Hugo and Ben end up taking the X-Files team to the Island?

What would happen in the investigation? Would this be the end of the X-Files team, would they find answers that fans did not know or did not want to know. Would it be aliens or something that is bigger then anyone could imagine?

Endless amounts of questions a fan could only dream of.

MOVIE REVIEW: 2012

RELEASE DATE November 13th 2009


DIRECTOR: Roland Emmerich

STARS: John Cusack, Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejofor


IMDB Story Line

Dr. Adrian Helmsley, part of a worldwide geophysical team investigating the effect on the earth of radiation from unprecedented solar storms, learns that the earth's core is heating up. He warns U.S. President Thomas Wilson that the crust of the earth is becoming unstable and that without proper preparations for saving a fraction of the world's population, the entire race is doomed. Meanwhile, writer Jackson Curtis stumbles on the same information. While the world's leaders race to build "arks" to escape the impending cataclysm, Curtis struggles to find a way to save his family. Meanwhile, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of unprecedented strength wreak havoc around the world.Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>


WHAT I LIKED 

The special effects of the world ending was breath taking, Yellow Stone exploding was awesome, I liked part of the story line of a father spending time with his kids and you can not get any better of what could go wrong scenario.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

The world is ending, it's being blown apart, but by what, fire or water? They had arks for selected people? Why arks? I did not get it. The arks just destroyed this movie for me, and to much flooding. I did not buy in to the story line that started out so good.

Movie was rated PG-13, fair rating, possible family movie

FOUR STAR RATING : 2 out of 4, I am being kind, it's only getting that because of story starting out good and special effects and awesome visual scenes. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: Pacific Rim

RELEASE DATE: July 12 2013



Director: Guillermo del Toro

STARS: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi



IMBD story line

When monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes - a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) - who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse.Written by Del Torro

WHAT I LIKED:

This movie takes me back to my childhood watching Godzilla movies, To me this was a awesome action pack monster bash. Huge robots firing missiles, punching the monsters. A great simple story line with a history of the characters. While the special effects where awesome they did not overwhelm the story line. While it was deep Sy-Fy, it felt realistic to me.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I did not understand why they needed to do a neural bridge of the two human minds to control the robot .you would think that with all that tech they would not need that kind of tech for the oversize massive robots unless it was for the purpose of a deeper story line that would lead to the defeat of the monstrous creatures. That part made sense in the end.

Movie was rated PG-13. I think PG would have been sufficient.

FOUR STAR RATING 4 out of 4, even with the flaws i listed, it was a unbelievable, i truly enjoyed this movie

I did buy the Blue Ray, I truly wished I had the money to see this on the big screen when it came out.


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

If I Could find 10 Movie Props This Would Be Them

The other day I was looking at a extraordinary web site for collectibles for on-line auctions. Not that I can afford myself, but I can always dream. If I get a full time job or if I win the lottery this is a site to check out for really cool items. They are Invaluable.com , check them out. It is quality with out question.

However, looking at the site I started thinking if I could collect movie props, what would I want, I can dream big. But this is the list I came up with while looking at my DVD collection and browsing IMDB.com , Trust me I could add a lot more to this list

1) The rod that Moses (Charlton Heston) used in Ten Commandments


2) The red coat of the little girl from Schindler's List



3) The sword with the scarf that William Wallace (Mel Gibson) dropped when he was being executed in Braveheart





4) The American Flag that Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) son Gabriel Martin (Heath Ledger) made in        The Patriot


5) The glasses that Moe Green was wearing when he was murder while he was getting a massage in          the Godfather


6) Louis de Pointe du Luc Coffin (Brad Pitt) coffin from Interview With A Vampire
(Could not find a good picture)


7) The Raptor Claw that Dr Alan Grant (Sam Neill) had in Jurassic Park


8) The Brief Case from Pulp Fiction


9) Jack's (Tom Cruise) bobble head Bob from Oblivion


10) The bullet that missed Admiral Husband E Kimmel (Martin Balsam) in Tora! Tora! Tora!
Could not find picture of him holding the bullet




Saturday, July 18, 2015

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Wolfenstein:The New Order

RELEASE DATE: May 20 2014



DIRECTORS: Jerk Gutafsson, Tom Keegan, 

WRITERS: Jerk Gutafasson,Tom Keegan, Jim Matthies, Tommy Tordsson, Andreas Ojerfors

Imdb Synopsis

After regaining consciousness following an injury sustained in World War II, an American soldier awakens to a Nazi dominated world in the 1960s.



WHAT I LIKED:

For me I like a good story, and this had a deep movie like quality about it. If you listen to all the conversations you can find your way through the game fast. This game takes me from the real world and back in time to a make believe world. Very creative, great grand vivid game play graphics. I enjoyed the flashback dream game play parts that allowed you to go back to the original 8 bit game play on earlier game systems 

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:

In some parts of the game play I felt like a messenger boy, to get parts or files for the next mission in side the base the group was hiding from Nazis. I did not understand how I did not get caught and lead the Nazis back to the base because of the tech the Nazis used for security reasons 

Game has a MATURE 17+ ESRB rating, well deserved, foul language and a couple sex scenes 

This game is a keeper, I will play it many times. game also comes with a invite to DOOM beta.

FOUR STAR RATING 3 out of 4 stars, lost a star because of dislikes