Category Archives: Review

These aren’t so much reviews as contemplations on the subject matter. What I loved, what pissed me off, what intrigued me, what I disliked, what made me think, what made me beg Google for answers.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Century 20 @ Bella Terra, Huntington Beach, CA

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Amazing! Also a sad but amusing commentary is that the moment the credits started rolling, I turned to Laura and said – “OK I’m ready for the 5th one now!” I guess it’s just a mark of how fun, engaging and exciting these piratical tales are. Plus I can’t wait to see what Jack does next… The Disney logo is super cool! Once again loving that with major films releases they do funky/cool things to the normal intro – although I think TRON:Legacy still holds the record as the coolest logo modification, this was still very pretty. I miss Pintel and Raghetti (as well as Murtogg and Mullroy), but with a cadre of new characters to enjoy, you don’t miss them that much. Laura would like to know for certain what happens to Phillip and Serena at the end and I admit I am curious as well. Ian McShane is … Continue reading →

Thor – AMC 12 @ Downtown Disney

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I don’t see what everyone is bitching about – this film was beautiful. Chris Hemsworth looks absolutely incredible as Thor. I mean he really bulked up for the role and it looks awesome (we last saw him as George Kirk in J.J. Abram’s phenomenal Star Trek reboot). I love that Kenneth Branagh directed the film – especially after reading interviews with him where he talks about growing up in Ireland reading the Thor comic books and enjoying them! Side Notes: In the lobby we noticed a display for Puss In Boots, which just makes me roll my eyes that they’re taking anything vaguely Shrek and giving it it’s own movie. Also there was a HUGE 3-panel display for Cars 2 with so much pretty that we stood there for about 10 minutes analyzing all the little details. I am so very excited with what Pixar has accomplished just with this … Continue reading →

Sucker Punch – Incline Village Cinema, NV

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This film is absolutely phenomenal! We first became aware of this film as a series of posters in the theatre lobby when Laura and I went to see Green Hornet, and it looked like fun (sexy girls with advanced weaponry in fantasy/sci-fi environments). Then we watched the trailer and I was completely blown away and couldn’t wait to see it. Actually I desperately wanted to know more about it, but luckily my wife was able to curb my need for spoilers. And of course seeing that it was a Zack Snyder production automatically made it a definitely-worth-seeing flick (based on my appreciation for his handling of 300 and Watchmen – I can’t WAIT to see what he and Christopher Nolan cook up for Superman). Apparently this is based on an original story by Zack Snyder, which makes this all the more interesting – we’ve seen how he handles other comic … Continue reading →

Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex (Book 7) by Eoin Colfer

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I adore Eoin Colfer’s writing. There really isn’t much more to say about it. In this, his 7th venture into the universe of teenaged, criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl, Colfer outdoes himself while paying tribute to the depth of work he has already completed. While I felt a little lost in the beginning, reading Wikipedia helped me remember the characters being referenced, and it was purely a tertiary feeling as the characters and dialogue that were most important were immediately embraced and enjoyed – like old friends out for another night on the town.

Carter Beats The Devil – Glen David Gold

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This book was an amazingly and engrossingly phenomenal read. Picked up at random from the Westminster Public Library in a pile of books claiming to be related to U.S. Presidents, the decadently detailed book jacket and description demanded that I take the book home and enjoy it thoroughly, which I promptly did. Charles Carter is a prominent magician at the height of Warren Harding’s presidency in the late 1920s. When President Harding is found dead in his hotel room mere hours after participating in Carter’s breathtaking final act, the Secret Service immediately try to track the magician down for questioning – which is much easier said than done. After thoroughly gripping us with this overture, author Glen David Gold* launches us down the serpentine path that led a young Charles Carter to where he is today while weaving a mysterious plot of intrigue and assassination rich with characters both fictional … Continue reading →

Over The River And Through The Woods – Torrance Theatre Company

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A very intriguing discussion about family, generational relationships, expectations and other emotional hockey pucks served up during nice Sunday meals at Grandma’s house…in Hoboken, New Jersey. Talking with one of the actors afterwards (Derek Rubiano), he said something very poignant – that you can take something away from the show no matter where you are in life. And it’s true. I am newly married and took away certain things, but with 6 different back stories to pick from, I imagine anybody can take anything away from this play with very little difficulty. Favorite line (as I vaguely remember it): Emma (one of the grandmothers) talked about how their children and grandchildren had higher expectations from life then they did resulting in a different life…not necessarily better, just different. Very intriguing use of a “pop-up” space, the Torrance Theatre Company found a space for rent in Old Torrance and turned it … Continue reading →

The Green Hornet – Regal Garden Grove 16, Garden Grove, CA

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It was almost perfect. The number of times Seth Rogen’s character was a stubborn jackass was ALMOST proportional to the number of times he got his butt whooped…but who’s counting. This was definitely a very fun and enjoyable movie. It was nice to see Cameron Diaz again…feels like she’s been absent from my movie screen unless I watch The Mask again. 😉 The definitely amazing thing to come out of this movie is Jay Chou – he kicks butt, he’s funny and he sings! Be sure to stick around through the end credits to hear him rapping it up! I was almost unsure how I was supposed to fell about this movie thanks to the webcomicThe Gutters, but I’m glad I went. Seth Rogen does look like he put in some physical training labor (not to mention the scripting and producing credits) and got into a slightly less dough-y shape … Continue reading →

Movie Reviews (Backlog)

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Morning Glory – Niagara Square Cinemas, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada Very cute. Bernie Pollack provided Harrison’s clothes (and presumably socks) – costume designer from Indy 4!!! Rachel McAdams is adorable as always. Harry Potter 7.1 – Niagara Square Cinemas, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada AMAZING! Loved the sneaking into the ministry scene and the dance in the tent. Unstoppable – Walden Galleria Cinemas, Cheektowaga, NY Very intriguing film. Yay Captain Kirk (was that a vague reference to Kirk hanging off of stuff?)! Yay Ethan Suplee! Tangled – AMC Rolling Hills 20, Torrance, CA & ArcLight Beach Cities Cinemas, El Segundo, CA So cute and beautiful and perfect! John Lasseter obliterates the 3D/2D line by declaring Tangled to be Walt Disney’s 50th full length feature animation. Zack Levi and Mandy Moore are perfect as the prince and princess. Intriguing to hear Jeffrey Tambor in “I’ve Got A Dream” – the timbre of … Continue reading →

Will Rogers Follies – Candlelight Pavillion

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Yay! My trilogy of Cy Coleman shows is now complete for another decade or so! I saw Barnum in 2006 (never seen it before aside from the Michael Crawford DVD), City of Angels in 2008 (before that 1999 at OCHSA and 2005 at Chromolume) and now Will Rogers Follies in 2010. I first saw this show in Downey in 1997* and it became a very powerful and formative part of my life. Will Rogers touched the hearts of so many people during his life with his affable wit and simple common sense. This show (done in the style of a Florenz Ziegfeld Follies) is a delightful biopic of Will’s life. An absolutely phenomenal production and an absolutely adorable setup out in Claremont. A decent size stage plus dinner theatre makes this an absolutely amazing experience! I only wish I had known that when I had booked tickets and they told … Continue reading →