I have a love for scary movies. Not horror but scary. One day I’ll explain the difference. Sadly Matt doesn’t share my enthusiasm for frightful things. I can only drag him to a few scary movies every year and therefore have to choose which ones wisely. The rest we have to rent and watch with the lights on.
This weekend I made Matt go see our first scary movie of the year, Shutter. This Shutter was a remake of the 2004 movie of the same title. I hadn’t watched the first Shutter or heard anything about it. In fact Shutter didn’t make my original 2008 movie list. It wasn’t until I saw a preview for it at Vantage Point.
Shutter is a about a young couple who after a tragic accident begin to experience some super natural events. That’s just about all I can say without giving too much away. Check out the imdb link if you want to see spoilers.
Overall the movie was ok. It wasn’t as scary as I had hoped but you much keep in mind I have high expectations. It just isn’t that scary even Matt made it all the way through without jumping which isn’t a good sign for the freak out meter. Some viewers have complained about the ending but I thought it was quite fitting.
The biggest disappointment for me was many if not most of the scenes in the previews are no where to be found in the movie. I hate when movies do this. How do you show us a scene in a preview that isn’t in the movie? The preview is suppose to show us what we’ll find when we go see the movie. Especially when you go to the expensive theater to see it. Those scenes are what made me interested in the flick; I want to see them in the movie.
So as a recap, Shutter wasn’t great, but wasn’t horrible either. I won’t be buying it when it comes out – well unless it ends up in the $5.50 bin. That is how I ended up with People Under the Stairs.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
I, Robot - Movie Review
Saturday while I was lying on the couch thinking I would die from the flu we watched I, Robot. Let me start by disclosing I love Will Smith so any movie review with him in it might be biased. I mean I even own and watch Wild Wild West if that tells you anything.
Anyway back to the review. I really enjoyed I, Robot. It had really low reviews and I had heard it wasn’t that great from friends. In my opinion, it deserves more praise than given. I will admit it’s not Gone with the Wind or anything but it is a nice little movie.
It was a technical movie that kept me interested even while sick. That doesn’t happen often. Especially when it involves robots taking over the world....again.
The sad part is I swear I saw this in the $5.50 bin a few months ago but didn’t buy it because of what others had told me. Now I’m wishing I would have snatched it up. Hopefully I didn’t miss my chance.
You know, somehow, "I told you so" just doesn't quite say it.
Anyway back to the review. I really enjoyed I, Robot. It had really low reviews and I had heard it wasn’t that great from friends. In my opinion, it deserves more praise than given. I will admit it’s not Gone with the Wind or anything but it is a nice little movie.
It was a technical movie that kept me interested even while sick. That doesn’t happen often. Especially when it involves robots taking over the world....again.
The sad part is I swear I saw this in the $5.50 bin a few months ago but didn’t buy it because of what others had told me. Now I’m wishing I would have snatched it up. Hopefully I didn’t miss my chance.
You know, somehow, "I told you so" just doesn't quite say it.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Five People You Meet in Heaven - Book review
This week I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. So I said I wasn’t going to read another book by Albom after the horrible experience with Tuesdays with Morrie, but I was given this one as a gift. I was told it was better than Tuesdays with Morrie and I should give it a chance. So I did.
And I’ll say this… it was better than Tuesdays with Morrie, how much better I don’t know. A part of me thinks I was just ruined by my experience with Tuesdays. Once again it felt very shallow to me. As another book that’s portrayed as a life changing experience, it falls short. Unless you are some kind of shallow, you will not have a life changing experience after reading this novel. So don’t get your hopes up.
I would strongly disagree with those reviewers who say this is a book for everyone. In reality I think a much better title would be The Five People Eddie Meets in Heaven. I will not be meeting those same five people and the book doesn’t go into detail about the five people I will be meeting. In fact it doesn’t really give me any detail about who will be waiting for me, besides five people who have influenced my life in some way. No deeper thought required, just the way Mitch likes it.
Again, unless you are a new kind of dense I would hope you realize if you’re going to meet someone in heaven it will probably be a person that has touched your life in some way or another. It’s not a stretch. It shouldn’t take someone publishing these simple thoughts for people to realize straightforward concepts about life. Just take five minutes to introspect about yourself and you’d get to the same place. Saves you a few bucks too.
And I’ll say this… it was better than Tuesdays with Morrie, how much better I don’t know. A part of me thinks I was just ruined by my experience with Tuesdays. Once again it felt very shallow to me. As another book that’s portrayed as a life changing experience, it falls short. Unless you are some kind of shallow, you will not have a life changing experience after reading this novel. So don’t get your hopes up.
I would strongly disagree with those reviewers who say this is a book for everyone. In reality I think a much better title would be The Five People Eddie Meets in Heaven. I will not be meeting those same five people and the book doesn’t go into detail about the five people I will be meeting. In fact it doesn’t really give me any detail about who will be waiting for me, besides five people who have influenced my life in some way. No deeper thought required, just the way Mitch likes it.
Again, unless you are a new kind of dense I would hope you realize if you’re going to meet someone in heaven it will probably be a person that has touched your life in some way or another. It’s not a stretch. It shouldn’t take someone publishing these simple thoughts for people to realize straightforward concepts about life. Just take five minutes to introspect about yourself and you’d get to the same place. Saves you a few bucks too.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Vantage Point - Movie Review
So I actually saw Vantage Point last weekend but since I didn’t read a book this week I decided to save the review for my weekly update.
I really liked Vantage Point even though it isn’t the typical type of movie I enjoy. I think working with all guys is starting to affect me more than I realized. There were explosions, super technology, and an awesome car chase.
And the ending, well lets just say it was great… so American. See it and you’ll know what I mean.
One of the best movies I’ve watched in 2008. Worth the time and money to see.
“The beauty of American arrogance is that they cannot imagine a world in which they are not a step ahead.”
I really liked Vantage Point even though it isn’t the typical type of movie I enjoy. I think working with all guys is starting to affect me more than I realized. There were explosions, super technology, and an awesome car chase.
And the ending, well lets just say it was great… so American. See it and you’ll know what I mean.
One of the best movies I’ve watched in 2008. Worth the time and money to see.
“The beauty of American arrogance is that they cannot imagine a world in which they are not a step ahead.”
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Alchemist - Book review
This week I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The book is about a Shepard who leaves on a long journey to find his treasure and complete his personal legend. As to be expected the boy learns about the world and himself along the way.
The writing of the book is simple and reminds me of a fable you heard in school. It’s written so that you know the moral of the story is only a few pages away, if you haven’t figured it out many pages before. When his task was complete and the moral told it really was an inspirational tale. One that makes you think about where you would like to be in the future.
Another plus, if you’re like me and hate sappy endings this book won’t disappoint. Without giving too much away I’ll say the treasure wasn’t within him all along… thankfully. Those endings drive me nuts. It’s not another Wizard of Oz, I promise.
I was going to discuss my favorite quote but I’ve decided to share it with you and let you think about its own meaning to you.
“People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want”
Interesting right?
The writing of the book is simple and reminds me of a fable you heard in school. It’s written so that you know the moral of the story is only a few pages away, if you haven’t figured it out many pages before. When his task was complete and the moral told it really was an inspirational tale. One that makes you think about where you would like to be in the future.
Another plus, if you’re like me and hate sappy endings this book won’t disappoint. Without giving too much away I’ll say the treasure wasn’t within him all along… thankfully. Those endings drive me nuts. It’s not another Wizard of Oz, I promise.
I was going to discuss my favorite quote but I’ve decided to share it with you and let you think about its own meaning to you.
“People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want”
Interesting right?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Jumper - Movie Review
Saw Jumper this weekend. The movie is eighty –eight minutes long.
The movie is about a boy, David, who at age fifteen learns he can teleport. This begins his life of traveling around the world and fighting those who try to stop him. That’s just about the whole movie – my shortest summary ever.
I loved it for the first seventy-five minutes; before I realized this was the whole movie there was no way they’d add a plot, climax and resolution in thirteen minutes. The whole eighty-eight minutes was what another action movie would fit into twenty maybe thirty minutes top. Needless to say its slow. So let’s discuss the good first. Jumper is packed with great fight scenes and graphics. The idea behind a jumper is a great one. I mean who wouldn’t want the ability to pop around anywhere in the world with the blink of an eye. But one of the things with this jumping ability that bothered me is the fact they just jump wherever they are at the time. It’s not a great way to not be discovered. You think they’d pull a Superman and wait until they’re in a phone booth to pop out. Hayden Christensen(Anakin) plays David but Jamie Bell defiantly shows him up. Plus that accent doesn’t hurt anything. Rachel Bison is so-so. At least she’s nice to look at. If you do go watch the movie pay attention and see if you can find the hidden lightsaber, it’s like a seek and find.
If I had come right home and written this review on Saturday or Sunday I think the review would have been much more positive. After having more time and one boring four hour meeting to think about it I’m not so sure about my opinion anymore. The movie keeps you interested because things blow up and people disappear and reappear on awesome places like the Sphinx. But really I’m not sure what the plot was because nothing was resolved in the end. In fact I’m not quite sure what the point of the movie was unless it was a set up for a sequel.
It’s not like its XMen with some epic battle between good and evil. I’m not even sure we’re really told which side is good or bad, besides the obvious – cool ability usually means good. The story line is really under played. Guy has cool power, guy loves girl, girl gets kidnapped, guy fights dude, guy saves girl. That’s about what you’re going to get with Jumper. Trust me I didn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know if you’ve seen an action movie in the last five years. The previews also talk about a war, but I think a war takes more than two people fighting another side.
After watching the movie and discussing it with my fellow movie goers it was discussed that quite possibly the reason the movie was so weak is because they plan to make it into a television show. This could be a great reason for the lack of story line or closure. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if a series does come to be. Of course if it does become a television show it’s going to have to have one hell of a budget, as well as a long list of sight locations.
So anyway this was probably the most worthless review I’ve ever written and that’s saying something because most of my reviews aren’t very helpful. (I don’t want to include spoilers and get hate mail over it). I can’t tell you how I feel because I’m still deciding. I won’t be spending the money to buy this movie when it comes out but I’m not mad that I spent time seeing it either. So if you want to see Jumper go, otherwise don’t. Helpful aren’t I?
“You Live in a cave…” “It’s a lair!”
The movie is about a boy, David, who at age fifteen learns he can teleport. This begins his life of traveling around the world and fighting those who try to stop him. That’s just about the whole movie – my shortest summary ever.
I loved it for the first seventy-five minutes; before I realized this was the whole movie there was no way they’d add a plot, climax and resolution in thirteen minutes. The whole eighty-eight minutes was what another action movie would fit into twenty maybe thirty minutes top. Needless to say its slow. So let’s discuss the good first. Jumper is packed with great fight scenes and graphics. The idea behind a jumper is a great one. I mean who wouldn’t want the ability to pop around anywhere in the world with the blink of an eye. But one of the things with this jumping ability that bothered me is the fact they just jump wherever they are at the time. It’s not a great way to not be discovered. You think they’d pull a Superman and wait until they’re in a phone booth to pop out. Hayden Christensen(Anakin) plays David but Jamie Bell defiantly shows him up. Plus that accent doesn’t hurt anything. Rachel Bison is so-so. At least she’s nice to look at. If you do go watch the movie pay attention and see if you can find the hidden lightsaber, it’s like a seek and find.
If I had come right home and written this review on Saturday or Sunday I think the review would have been much more positive. After having more time and one boring four hour meeting to think about it I’m not so sure about my opinion anymore. The movie keeps you interested because things blow up and people disappear and reappear on awesome places like the Sphinx. But really I’m not sure what the plot was because nothing was resolved in the end. In fact I’m not quite sure what the point of the movie was unless it was a set up for a sequel.
It’s not like its XMen with some epic battle between good and evil. I’m not even sure we’re really told which side is good or bad, besides the obvious – cool ability usually means good. The story line is really under played. Guy has cool power, guy loves girl, girl gets kidnapped, guy fights dude, guy saves girl. That’s about what you’re going to get with Jumper. Trust me I didn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know if you’ve seen an action movie in the last five years. The previews also talk about a war, but I think a war takes more than two people fighting another side.
After watching the movie and discussing it with my fellow movie goers it was discussed that quite possibly the reason the movie was so weak is because they plan to make it into a television show. This could be a great reason for the lack of story line or closure. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if a series does come to be. Of course if it does become a television show it’s going to have to have one hell of a budget, as well as a long list of sight locations.
So anyway this was probably the most worthless review I’ve ever written and that’s saying something because most of my reviews aren’t very helpful. (I don’t want to include spoilers and get hate mail over it). I can’t tell you how I feel because I’m still deciding. I won’t be spending the money to buy this movie when it comes out but I’m not mad that I spent time seeing it either. So if you want to see Jumper go, otherwise don’t. Helpful aren’t I?
“You Live in a cave…” “It’s a lair!”
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Undomestic Goddess - Book Review
So I just finished Sophia Kinsella’s Novel “The Undomestic Goddess”. I must say I think it was fate that I ended up reading this right after finishing “Tuesdays with Morrie”. The Undomestic Goddess does what Morrie could not. Many times after reading a chapter I felt excited and a little inspired to take a deeper look into my own life and the person I want to be. This book had me examining my situation in the ways I had hoped “Tuesdays with Morrie” would. I’m even thinking about making a cake…maybe.
“The Undomestic Goddess” is a novel about a London lawyer, Samantha. She finds herself in a situation where she is blamed for a multi million dollar mistake and ends up losing her position. After which she takes to the country to learn about all life has to teach her and meet a few friends along the way. In the end will Samantha return to her lucrative position in the city or maintain the simpler life she has been introduced to.
I ended up with “The Undomestic Goddess” by chance when I received it free from the buy two get one table at Barnes and Nobel. I decided on it because a good friend said Kinsella’s other novels are good, the cover was a nice yellow cover and I figured I might be able to relate to the Undomestic part. That’s right I judge books by their covers, often actually.
This is a great story that some may relate to more than others but everyone will feel some connection to Samantha and the decisions/fears she has. Kinsella writes Samantha as every woman, sure she’s a top notch lawyer with a brilliant mind but in her thoughts she’s still a fourteen year old girl gushing over a crush. My favorite aspect of the book was the wonderful conversations Samantha had in her own head. I mean who hasn’t carried on a conversation with themselves over every day issues? Thoughts full of self doubt and decision making inability.
The writing and feel of the book is very relaxed making it a quick and easy read that emerges you in the story. If you want a book that will provide an opportunity for self examination put down “Tuesdays with Morrie” and pick up “The Undomestic Goddess”.
“The Undomestic Goddess” is a novel about a London lawyer, Samantha. She finds herself in a situation where she is blamed for a multi million dollar mistake and ends up losing her position. After which she takes to the country to learn about all life has to teach her and meet a few friends along the way. In the end will Samantha return to her lucrative position in the city or maintain the simpler life she has been introduced to.
I ended up with “The Undomestic Goddess” by chance when I received it free from the buy two get one table at Barnes and Nobel. I decided on it because a good friend said Kinsella’s other novels are good, the cover was a nice yellow cover and I figured I might be able to relate to the Undomestic part. That’s right I judge books by their covers, often actually.
This is a great story that some may relate to more than others but everyone will feel some connection to Samantha and the decisions/fears she has. Kinsella writes Samantha as every woman, sure she’s a top notch lawyer with a brilliant mind but in her thoughts she’s still a fourteen year old girl gushing over a crush. My favorite aspect of the book was the wonderful conversations Samantha had in her own head. I mean who hasn’t carried on a conversation with themselves over every day issues? Thoughts full of self doubt and decision making inability.
The writing and feel of the book is very relaxed making it a quick and easy read that emerges you in the story. If you want a book that will provide an opportunity for self examination put down “Tuesdays with Morrie” and pick up “The Undomestic Goddess”.
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