MOVIE REVIEWS:
The Guardian: I am not a Costner fan but I did enjoy this movie. It's standard military fare borrowing from everything from An Officer and a Gentleman to Heartbreak Ridge but they borrow well. The movie is about training new Coast Guard rescue swimmers. I like military movies that show the training they go through. And believe me to be a rescue swimmer...that training is no joke. There are some weak spots in the movie...basically anything that is not the training but it is bearable. And the special effects of the rescues in rough seas is awesome.
MM 1/2 M's
Flyboys: Set in WWI before the US joined in this movie follows a group of young American men who decided to join the French air corps. There are stunning visual effects of dog fights between these, basically, paper airplanes that are stand out. But otherwise...just a war movie with no one famous in it except Jean Reno.
MM
Flags of Our Fathers: Guess what? War is hell. Just in case you missed that in Saving Private Ryan and Wind Talkers - to name some recent war movies. I liked this movie. Not the best war movie and not the best by Clint Eastwood but if you are familiar with Eastwood's work (as a film maker) you will appreciate his mastery of once again capturing man's frailty. The story follows the three remaining flag raisers (out of six) on Iwo Jima. The photo is famous. And because of the famous and rallying photo the three remaining men leave the war and go on a bond drive tour. There are two Marines and one Navy Corpsman. I did not know that one of the raisers was a Navy Corpsman. It is not surprising. Corpsmen go right into combat with the SEALS and the Marines. Corpsman are the only Navy personnel that Marines respect (other than Chaplains). The three servicemen are damaged by their experiences that are shown through flashbacks. Because of the flashbacks it may be hard to follow the story but it's possible. I look forward to seeing Letters from Iwo Jima. I understand it is the better of the two films.
MMM
On a personal note...war movies are hard for me to watch these days. I know Navy Corpsman, Chaplains, SEALS, soldiers and Marines. I have served with some of them. Some have gone and come back already. Others are over there. Others stand a chance of going. I worry for them. I used to worry for myself until I got this job full time with the Navy. Now, I just worry for them. There is no glory in war...no movie can make it noble or full of valor enough for me to condone it. I just wait for the war to be over and my friends can be safe.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Okay...so I am the last person on the planet to see this movie. I am writing my review anyway...someone reading this may not have - and should!
Little Miss Sunshine is one of those wonderfully delicious movies that you just need to enjoy and digest. It's not all funny stuff but even the sadder moments are so true to life that you grin. A sort of, "Yup...that's the way it goes," agreement to the human condition you are shown.
The cast is brilliant with Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell and Alan Arkin. It is a true ensamble movie with each character needing the other to make sense of it all. The young actors in the movie and true to life as well.
Little Miss Sunshine follows a disfunctional family - the father who is a failed motivational speaker, the grandfather who is an addict, the uncle who just got out of an institution after trying to kill himself and the mother that keeps it all together as well as the son who doesn't speak and writes everything on a notepad and of course the daughter who is being taken by this gang to the "Little Miss Sunshine" pageant in California. They all load into a VW bus that needs to be push started all the time and drive over a thousand miles together.
This review is a bit rambling but the movie is to good to capture in a review. See this movie.
MMMMM.
Little Miss Sunshine is one of those wonderfully delicious movies that you just need to enjoy and digest. It's not all funny stuff but even the sadder moments are so true to life that you grin. A sort of, "Yup...that's the way it goes," agreement to the human condition you are shown.
The cast is brilliant with Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell and Alan Arkin. It is a true ensamble movie with each character needing the other to make sense of it all. The young actors in the movie and true to life as well.
Little Miss Sunshine follows a disfunctional family - the father who is a failed motivational speaker, the grandfather who is an addict, the uncle who just got out of an institution after trying to kill himself and the mother that keeps it all together as well as the son who doesn't speak and writes everything on a notepad and of course the daughter who is being taken by this gang to the "Little Miss Sunshine" pageant in California. They all load into a VW bus that needs to be push started all the time and drive over a thousand miles together.
This review is a bit rambling but the movie is to good to capture in a review. See this movie.
MMMMM.
Monday, February 5, 2007
A Dog Named Blue
Watching most children's programming is torture. Teletubbies, Doodlebops, Mickey Mouse Club House...the list goes on of mind numbing crap. There is some good quality out there like The Wiggles and Sesame Street. And then there is Blue's Clues.
Blue's Clues has been on for over 10 years and is a huge hit. Even before I had children I had heard of Blue's Clues. I had even passed by it while flicking through channels. I remember thinking...who would watch a show with a live action guy talking to a cartoon? Well, the show isn't for ME to watch...it's for pre-schoolers. And I have to tip my hat to them.
Every show follows the live action character or host (Steve and now, Joe) on his search for clues...known as Blue's clues. The audience (and host) are supposed to spot blue paw prints on various objects. The objects are then drawn by the host in his notebook. After he (and the audience) get all three clues, they can then figure out what the dog, Blue, is trying to communicate. Still seems kind of silly. BUT my son loves it! He has never interacted with anything so much. He happily sings the song about getting the mail or collecting clues. He now knows all his colors and can't wait to write in his own notebook. He even wants me to interact with him and the show at the same time.
I would have never thought this would happen. I was thrilled when the Wiggles taught him to dance and do some communicating through the movements they used. Now, my son even says "thank you" in sign language...just like on Blue's Clues. He is exactly the right age for the show and I urge any parent to introduce their child to Blue's Clues.
I am constantly learning as a parent and the most important thing I am learning now is how to listen. Really listen to my son...who finally has something to say.
Blue's Clues has been on for over 10 years and is a huge hit. Even before I had children I had heard of Blue's Clues. I had even passed by it while flicking through channels. I remember thinking...who would watch a show with a live action guy talking to a cartoon? Well, the show isn't for ME to watch...it's for pre-schoolers. And I have to tip my hat to them.
Every show follows the live action character or host (Steve and now, Joe) on his search for clues...known as Blue's clues. The audience (and host) are supposed to spot blue paw prints on various objects. The objects are then drawn by the host in his notebook. After he (and the audience) get all three clues, they can then figure out what the dog, Blue, is trying to communicate. Still seems kind of silly. BUT my son loves it! He has never interacted with anything so much. He happily sings the song about getting the mail or collecting clues. He now knows all his colors and can't wait to write in his own notebook. He even wants me to interact with him and the show at the same time.
I would have never thought this would happen. I was thrilled when the Wiggles taught him to dance and do some communicating through the movements they used. Now, my son even says "thank you" in sign language...just like on Blue's Clues. He is exactly the right age for the show and I urge any parent to introduce their child to Blue's Clues.
I am constantly learning as a parent and the most important thing I am learning now is how to listen. Really listen to my son...who finally has something to say.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
The Big Game
I suppose I should write my accolades to Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy AFTER the Super Bowl...but I don't want to be accused of "bandwagoning."
I have been waiting for this Super Bowl since 1998 when Manning entered the league. Since then, the Colts have been my AFC pick every year. Even when I wasn't really into football...I was into Manning. When I moved to Tampa, I was able to move some of my affection over to my hometeam...the Buccaneers. So, every year I would root for the Bucs until they got knocked out of the playoffs (if they were in). Then go for the Colts.
I have to admit, that even I was starting to doubt Manning...can he pull it off in the "big" games? He seemed to choke.
I believe he has silenced some critics. Just some.
I am sure he is hurt by his critics but anyone that can do those credit card commercials has to have a sense of humor about themselves as well as be secure.
And let's not forget that Manning IS a brilliant quarterback. He will be in the Hall of Fame no matter what happens or if he wins a Super Bowl ring. Look at Dan Marino. Most people know his name and probably don't know he didn't win a Super Bowl (non-football folks that is).
Then there is Tony Dungy. The coach that really did get the Bucs to the Super Bowl. Sure John Gruden had them the Super Bowl year...but who's team was playing who's? Dungy gave the former "Yucs" more winning seasons than any other coach in the team's history and more playoff appearances. Tony Dungy was and still is a favorite son of the Tampa area. And everyone knows how he was fired...not nice.
In the end...and after the smoke has cleared on Sunday...there will be at least two class acts walking off the field. Maybe Bill Belichick should take a lesson from that...and please get rid of that damned hoody.
I have been waiting for this Super Bowl since 1998 when Manning entered the league. Since then, the Colts have been my AFC pick every year. Even when I wasn't really into football...I was into Manning. When I moved to Tampa, I was able to move some of my affection over to my hometeam...the Buccaneers. So, every year I would root for the Bucs until they got knocked out of the playoffs (if they were in). Then go for the Colts.
I have to admit, that even I was starting to doubt Manning...can he pull it off in the "big" games? He seemed to choke.
I believe he has silenced some critics. Just some.
I am sure he is hurt by his critics but anyone that can do those credit card commercials has to have a sense of humor about themselves as well as be secure.
And let's not forget that Manning IS a brilliant quarterback. He will be in the Hall of Fame no matter what happens or if he wins a Super Bowl ring. Look at Dan Marino. Most people know his name and probably don't know he didn't win a Super Bowl (non-football folks that is).
Then there is Tony Dungy. The coach that really did get the Bucs to the Super Bowl. Sure John Gruden had them the Super Bowl year...but who's team was playing who's? Dungy gave the former "Yucs" more winning seasons than any other coach in the team's history and more playoff appearances. Tony Dungy was and still is a favorite son of the Tampa area. And everyone knows how he was fired...not nice.
In the end...and after the smoke has cleared on Sunday...there will be at least two class acts walking off the field. Maybe Bill Belichick should take a lesson from that...and please get rid of that damned hoody.
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