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House of Flying Daggers

Well, I started out enjoying this movie, although sometimes the acting was a little more over the top than Hero, which put me off. I liked the relationship between the two main characters as it began. But the end of the story took up about half the movie time! I don't want to spoil the ending, but the phrase "Aren't they DEAD YET?" came to my head several times.

l also felt kind of like a review I read, where the guy talked about the film having a frustrating ebb and flow of beautiful scenes followed by drawn-out melodramatic scenes.

Somehow by the end of the film I didn't really care who lived or died. And with such a long ending, I thought it was odd that the final plot involving the army vs. the house of flying daggers was pretty much ignored. Not that I would have wanted more added ot the ending.

Overall, I suppose I enjoyed the beginning a lot more than the end, but it was worth the watching for some of those moments of brilliance.

Posted by wendytime at 11:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Hotel Rwanda

I'm ashamed to admit that as a high school student, I simply didn't pay attention to the news all that much. I'm not really sure how many of us did. Seeing a movie like this makes me regret not having paid more attention, and makes me upset that our teachers never discussed what was going on in Rwanda with us. It's a movie that made me both sad and angry.

The story focuses in on a hotel manager in the midst of a genocidal situation, who suddenly becomes the savior of many people who find shelter at his hotel. His own wife and children are in danger because his wife is Tutsi, and as the movie progresses, his shoulders are loaded heavily with responsibility for the safety of his family as well as his several hundred guests.

Don Cheadle, toward whom I have never particularly felt anything but indifference, surprised me. I really admired his portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina. It reminded me a lot of the hotel manager in Dirty Pretty Things, whose calm demeanor is stretched as situations become more complicated. Oddly enough, Sophie Okenedo was in Dirty Pretty Things and is now in Hotel Rwanda. Vastly different characters, but I like her.

I'm not going to say Hotel Rwanda was THE best movie I saw this year, but its story should be seen, and I do think it was one of the better movies I experienced.

Posted by wendytime at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

too busy

Too busy to post. So now for your enjoyment, a Christmas picture with our little nephew:

Ric's brother and family moved to AZ so we don't get to see this little guy too often. Besides buying their house, they're also buying a condo kind of like our house we're renting out there. As soon as Ric's profitsharing for the year comes in, we plan to buy a condo out there too.

Posted by wendytime at 03:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Been Busy

Been swamped at work this week. No time to post. Short Friday today, so I'm outta here!

Oh yeah, we babysat Connor last night and he howled like I've never seen him do before!

Have a good weekend.

Posted by wendytime at 12:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Million Dollar Baby

Well I really wanted to not like this movie, because I hated Mystic River so much, but despite my efforts, I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Except for a few religious qualms regarding Eastwood's relationship with Catholicism (in this movie and Mystic River) and the end of the movie, I have no complaints. All of the actors are perfect for their roles. The story feels full, the characters are real people, and the directing and music compliment the story wonderfully.

It's definitely one of the best from 2004.

Posted by wendytime at 01:30 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

30 years of survival

Well I just congraulated my mom for surviving 30 years of marriage with my dad. Poor thing. I always go back and forth trying to decide if she made the right decision to stay with him over the years. On one hand, he never committed adultery or abused her physically. On the other hand, he didn't live up to the majority of his vows and the expectations set out in the Bible for the role of a husband. I would consider him somewhat verbally abusive. He was impossible to live with and even now he grows increasingly more impossible each day. The last time I remember seeing a sign of affection between the two was a kiss I witnessed when I was about 5 years old, and I remember feeling surprised at seeing it even then. He's 20 years her senior, which makes life with him like living with a grumpy old grandpa.

Sometimes I wish I could see what kind of person she would be if she had left him. But if she hadn't stayed, all of our lives would be very different, and not necessarily for the better. I don't know what would have happened. But I know God worked though it all to give her children a better future.

So here's my tribute of respect to my mom. Although she hasn't always been easy to live with, I admire her sacrifice and her resolution. It's been a long haul and continues to be so. I can't even imagine what it's like with just the two of them in the house without the children there to mediate. Thank you for what you have done.

Posted by wendytime at 01:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

In Good Company

In Good Company is about a 52-year-old man who finds himself under a 26-year-old boss when the company he works for is bought out. The story is about both of these men - one being older, a father, struggling to keep his home and his job; the other being young, insecure, and trying to figure out what truly matters in his life. When the boss, Carter, starts dating the man (Dan)'s daughter, things start to get a little bit complicated.

I enjoyed this movie. It's got a pleasant sense of humor, and the dynamics between young and old work very well - between Carter and Dan, between Dan and his kids, and between the "old way" and the new in the workplace. I'd even say that good values were promoted, if they hadn't turned Dan's daughter into somewhat of a slut.

All of the actors work very well together, and while it wasn't "THE" most hilarious movie or "THE" best written script, it was still pretty enjoyable. I really liked Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace.

Posted by wendytime at 01:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

My Mother's Hymnbook

Well, they never mentioned THIS one on the bio shows of Cash's career. This came out last year and I had never heard about it. Just happened to pass by the Cash section and saw it at Best Buy. This is a great album for people like me who grew up learning hymns: not just How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace - but the fun songs like I'll Fly Away and When the Roll is Called up Yonder, and touching songs like In the Garden and Softly and Tenderly. Listening to Cash's aged yet rich voice singing about a land where we're never grow old and the final words of the CD, "I come," is really touching, especially knowing he recorded these in a time where he was obviously declining.

Here's the track list. It's a lot of great stuff I haven't heard in YEARS.

1. Where We'll Never Grow Old
2. I Shall Not Be Moved
3. I Am a Pilgrim
4. Do Lord
5. When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
6. If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven
7. I'll Fly Away
8. Where the Soul of Man Never Dies
9. Let the Lower Lights Be Running
10. When He Reached Down
11. In the Sweet By and By
12. I'm Bound for the Promised Land
13. In the Garden
14. Softly and Tenderly
15. Just as I Am

Posted by wendytime at 09:55 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

TV

Well I wrote a long post about TV shows and forgot to post it, then shut down the computer. Dangit.

Wendy's sick of all my movie posts, so I thought I'd write something that peaks her interest a little bit more: TV.

She and I have been watching the Amazing Race together; there's nothing quite like watching dysfunctional couples try to function while in an insane race. My favorite quote so far is a husband screaming at his wife, "You are USELESS!" I also go over to watch Desperate Housewives sometimes, when I've got the time. Funny soap opera stuff is fun to watch with friends. TV in general is fun to watch with friends...

..which is why I'm bummed that they moved Alias to Wednesday nights instead of Sunday, because now we don't have those great Snday nights at Gron's house watching the Fox Sunday night lineup and Alias. Boooooo.

Speaking of Jon and Grace, they were the ones who suckered me into watching 24. I watched through last season and then swore I would never watch again once it finished; it was just toooooooo much happening in one day. I mean, the president's girlfriend broke up with him, then his ex-wife convinces his ex-best friend's wife to murder the ex-best freind in order to save the President in the next election... that plot line kept going and going to the point of insanity... and that wasn't even the main storyline! So I'm done with it.

American Idol will start next week, so that will be yet another show to watch with Wendy on Tuesday nights. Fun.

We watched the end of a Little House on the Prairie together last night and I just realized something: those actors all seemed MUCH more talented when I was a kid.

I'm also addicted to practically every show on TLC, Discovery Home, Discovery Science, and the Home and Garden Network. I'm such a girl. The one thing I can't understand is that I've also somehow gotten stuck on the Gilmore Girls too. Oh well.

I really need to start reading again. My eyes have just been bothering me so much and I have been having headaches nonstop for the past couple of months, so it's hard to come home after a day in front of the computer and then strain the eyes to focus on small print. The most I'm doing right now is just our one-year chronological Bible. Hopefully it will be better when I get new contacts in about a month.

Posted by wendytime at 07:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Aviator

I enjoyed the Aviator a lot, but wouldn't put it at THE top of 2004 (though it will be up there). What it lacked for me was much emotional attachment to the characters (save moments of sympathy for Hughes and Katherine Hepburn). However it was very well crafted, with great direction, a wonderful cast of actors (don't know about Kate Beckinsale though), good music, beautiful sets and costumes, etc. I really enjoyed it and stinking love that guy Scorsese. :) I'm really starting to like Cate Blanchett a lot.

Posted by wendytime at 03:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Phantom of the Opera

I thought this movie was entertaining: amazing costumes and sets, and extremely detailed.

I read the book and also saw the silent film, so I guess a lot of my criticism would have to do with the story being a bit dumbed down. Raoul's character seems very wimpy, and Christine seems too ditsy - her love for Raoul fades into the background every time she hears the phantom sing, even to the very end. I didn't like that. And the Phantom didn't seem as evil as he could have been.

I also think Webber's music is sometimes just not that great. Sorry to say it, but the "Phantom of the Opera is here" song would sound a lot better without the guitar and cheesy drums, and even then you'd have to deal with the lyrics.

So, in conclusion, I guess if you like the play, you'll probably love the movie. I thought it was beautiful to look at and mostly pleasant to listen to, but it's not my favorite movie of the year.

Posted by wendytime at 12:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Beyond the Sea

Somewhere... beyond the sea... is a better screenplay for this movie.

Despite that, Kevin Spacey sings very well and there are some great little musical numbers.

Unfortunately, of all the musicals / bios of musicians that came out this year, I would rate this one the lowest, with Ray and De-Lovely ahead of it.

While the movie looks good, and Spacey sounds good, the whole thing feels bogged down by bad dialogue and the bad setup of the story.

In order to explain why Spacey, age 45, is playing Bobby Darin as a teenager and man who dies in his 30s, a story is set up of Darin playing himself in a movie about himself. When the old Bobby meets the young Bobby who will be playing him as a child, a laborious exchange begins and lasts through the whole movie. Little Bobby is very talented when he is singing and dancing - he seems to light up as soon as the music starts. Unfortunately, he isn't so great when he's just acting. Two Options: 1) Maybe he's got Star Wars Episode 2 Syndrome - a good actor stuck with a bad script, or, more likely, 2) He's got as much charisma as LIttle Anakin when he's not singing and dancing.

Besides the kid, the dialogue felt heavy and unrealistic... and when Kate Bosworth had her little crying scene on their wedding night I couldn't help but roll my eyes... and when the couple had a huge fight after the Oscars, I felt like it came out of left field and was blaring with really cheesy dialogue. I mean, Darin could have actually been that stupid, but if he had been, they could have made him express himself a little bit better for the sake of the movie audience.

Wow. This sounds like a horrible review. I actually liked the colors and dancing scenes, and every time I started to doubt the movie, another song would revive it for me.

Overall I would give it a lukewarm review and suggest maybe catching it on video.

Posted by wendytime at 01:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

I'm Game...

Thanks to Jonathan for this -

Get free tickets to see In Good Company simply by promoting and reviewing it on your blog!!

Check out the email I received:

There’s been overwhelming response from bloggers responding to the offer for free tickets to an advance screening of IN GOOD COMPANY. 
So Universal Pictures and Grace Hill Media wants to respond to that enthusiasm by upping the ante: any blogger who signs up for the free tickets and then posts this offer and a link to the IN GOOD COMPANY trailer on their site will be automatically entered in a contest to win their very own private screening of IN GOOD COMPANY in their town.  The winner can either fill the screening with their friends and family, or see the film alone with that special someone - it's entirely up to them. One lucky blogger here in the US will win.  Sign up at info@gracehillmedia.com and send us your link.  And of course, all the non-winners will still be eligible to attend an advance screening in their area.

So check out the trailer, and get your free tickets!

Posted by wendytime at 01:27 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Back in the Grind

Well, I'm back at work after two wonderful (paid) weeks off. That's one of the great things about this place. They take care of you at Christmas. I only took a couple of vacation days and the rest was covered. Got to do a lot of shopping, wrapping, and preparing for Christmas in the first week, and then enjoyed the simpleness of relaxing the second week. Ric said I laugh a lot more when I'm not so busy thinking about what I need to do next.

My retainer broke over Christmas. Gotta go get a new one. I never thought I'd be back in the orthodontist's chair! I felt funny when I called and said, "I was a patient there about 11 years ago...." At least my orthodontist finally retired. I didn't want to see him again.

I purchased a Gershwin CD of him playing his own stuff to help me finish off the Rhapsody in Blue. It's all memorized - now I just need to tighten it. The piano teacher's kids are sick of the song because I started it in late 2001. In all fairness, I hardly have time to practice, and took almost a year off when we got married... so I'm hoping to be done with it in another 6 months. Hehheh.

I also got the John Sayles short stories book, "Dillinger in Hollywood", because of a little prodding from Dr. B. I've only read two stories, but I like his tone. It takes a little bit for the stories to get strong, but when they do, they actually draw me in. More to come on that whenever I finish it.

We're also reading the one year chronological Bible again. One of the best ways to read the Bible - in the order in which the events took place. Very interesting; I highly recommend trying it sometime.

Work is slow right now - not a lot to do. Must be the calm before the storm.
I've been listening to a few new Christmas gift CDs:
Nick Cave: The Abbatoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Travis: Singles
Interpol: Antics
Johnny Cash: The Man Comes Around

... I can't stop listening to the Johnny Cash and Nick Cave albums. Simply beautiful. Actually, Cave sings on Cash's CD, coincidentally. They worked together on the Murder Ballads a long time ago.

Vacation was also useful because I got to go runnning every day. Now I'll be back at three times a week, but the extra training helped me improve my speed and endurance. Now running a few miles doesn't seem like such a big deal (except I get bored running around the track so many times). I love the new field's texture. I don't have any knee problems anymore. Wohoo!

Enough updating. I've got more movie reviews for tomorrow. :)

Posted by wendytime at 04:05 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

I thought this was an interesting movie - seeing what Anderson could do on a much larger scale than he normally operates with.

I think I went into the Life Aquatic with lowered expectations, and came out pretty satisfied. It was charming. I enjoyed all of the characters, and didn't have a problem with their eccentricities, even Owen Wilson. I also liked Willem Dafoe for the first time EVER, which surprised me.

I really enjoyed all the Bowie songs. Loved Goldblum's encounter with the dog, Cody.

It's not at the top of my list of Anderson movies (but I'd rate it over Bottle Rocket), but I still enjoyed it.

Posted by wendytime at 12:20 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)