Reviews

Of course, I knew that HBO was putting this out there. What I didn't expect was to be hooked from the opening titles. Atmospheric, moody, moving at the laconic pace of South (not to be confused with slow). We, as viewers, are watching the story unfold just as the characters do. Harrelson and McConaughey are simply and elegantly perfect, playing off of each other to the perfect degree. The cinematography is stellar, as is the story as it begins to unfold. I had no idea what I was in for when I turned it on, but I'm hooked, and can't wait for the next and the next and the next...secrets abound, tantalizing clues are everywhere, but where do they lead. I'm can't wait to find out.

I remember watching the original series when I was a child. My babysitter and me had a deal: if I behaved, she'd let me stay up an extra hour to watch McGarrett & Co. catch the bad guys. When I heard they were making it again, I had serious doubts...who could match Jack Lord and company? I didn't watch the show, but it showed up on TNT in syndication. I figured I'd watch it and that would be the end. SOOO wrong.....I'm not watching the original episodes until I catch up with the story lines. Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park (Kono was a secretary in the original series). Great casting, amazing acting and action and I DVR every episode so that I don't miss a second. Using 5-O as slang for cops...discovered where it came from, I'm guessing the OGs were kids at one time, and heard it as often as I did. Don't know why it didn't click earlier. Thrilled that they kept the original opening song, and logos, and the officers in the same positions as their names come up on the screen. A perfect mix of old and new, Dann-o never would have seriously argued McGarrett in the original, but the camaraderie between Alex and Scott is funny and endearing. Chin and Kono being related is great. I will watch this series right until the bitter end, and re-watch it again, thanks to DVR. I've missed many seasons already but am so ready to watch the next and the next until I catch up. Each episode is a evelation, and a more laid-back McGarrett is so much more fun to watch.

American Networks could really pick a up more than a few clues about pacing, presentation and marketing some clues from BBA America. Comedy shows aren't really my thing, but I love sci/fi and drama, and have been busy catching up on Orphan Black, Copper, Ripper Street and more. Orphan Black (and can I just say that Tatiana Maslany is amazing and mesmerizing in the lead role) had me hooked from the first commercial I say prior to its premiere Every episode is full or twists and turns and drama. The characters are amazingly well written and completely distinct from each other, but each is acted beautifully, and each complement each other so well that they are each part of the puzzle. Down to the last shot, each is set up and beautifully filmed to the tiniest detail. As this season goes on, the show has not become stale, and each episode provides tiny bits and pieces to add to the whole story. There is no skipping ahead, and I defy anyone to see what's coming next. I DVR all episodes to go back and review past episodes, just in case I missed something. Consistently, i0 out of 10 for each episode and I can not wait to see how this show develops in the future.

I wasn't expecting anything special when this popped up on my TV guide, but it sounding a little bit intriguing and I was kind of bored. To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be a major understatement. This film is a gem. 7 British citizens at retirement age, variously facing adversities such as surgery, loss of income, boredom with life, among others. This disparate group all plan a trip to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in Jaipur, based on that hotel's brochure. Upon their arrival, they quickly learned that the first class trip and first class hotel have been exaggerated just a bit. One of the guests previously lived in Jaipur, and is able to help the others navigate Jaipur, literally and figuratively. As with any movie shot in India, India herself is part of the movie and it was colorful, beautiful and loud, but enchanting. The hotel is not at all what they expected, but Sonny, the young man running the hotel, is bursting with enthusiasm at what it could become at some point in the future.

Each character is finely drawn, and exquisitely acted by the very talented ensemble of Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Ronald Pickup, Celia Imrie, Judi Dench, and Maggie Smith. Each finds their own happiness by the end of the film.

This is a different kind of love story. A love of new lives found, old lives given up, love between a young couple whose parents disapprove of their relationship and finally, the love of the country they initially only intended to spend several days in. Happiness found, friends lost and more happen in the space of a couple of hours. I can't write exactly what I felt, but I watched it again the next day, just to be certain that it truly is a remarkable films. For those film critics out there that panned this movie, all I can say is relax, and enjoy life a little bit. It won't hurt, and you may find room in your hearts for one of the thousands of movies made each year that are not Oscar worthy, but are made to entertain a jaded public, and give them a little break from their normal day.

I love classic movies and, unbelievably, saw Notorious for the first time in my life today, Cary Grant's birthday. I am one of the unfortunate flu epidemic victims, stuck in bed for a week so far..Enough of me. Notorious is a brand new film to me. I was glued to the screen from the opening credits. The film captured every moment of tension, suspense, and is one i would call a Hitchcock masterpiece. I watched every moment, fixed on facial expression and looking for clues at every turn, from wine bottles to champagne corks popping. I'm sure that, at its time, it was probably considered almost traitorous. Devlin rescued Alicia just in time, and left Sebastian to his own group of traitors to face their judgment which, while not captured on film, the director and script leave no doubt as to his fate, along with his mother. Camera work was superb, musical track was not off by a note and I will make a point of seeing this again and again. Highly recommend this movie to anyone that loves patriotic movies, spy movies, and love stories, Notorious is a movie that combines all three, without any one part slowing it down. This movie hasn't aged, and is still timely today. Using Cary Grant in a role opposite his usual was genius casting. As dark, brooding Devlin, he embodies a man who has to push his desires aside, to allow his job take precedence, and leaving Ingrid Bergman to shine in a non-traditional role for her...the downtrodden, guilt ridden woman who is the daughter of a traitor, burying her guilt in a bottle, and by letting men take advantage of her. Devlin steps in at the right moment, to recruit her as an OSS agent, but falls in love unintentionally. It is also a time-honored theme of ultimate love surviving an evil empire, starting back to Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.