I.... Well... I really wanted to like it.... But...
Must See In Theater (if your a big X-Men fan), otherwise rent it.
It wasn't bad really, but it plays a lot with history, even history kinda already established in the other films. I say kinda because apparently they found just the right sized history-hole to put this film in, and then the film in-turn takes that established history and puts it in a blender.
The gist of it:
Way future. Mutants are at war with the Humans mostly. Mutants are losing big-time due to the improved Sentinel robots taking them out. These bots were invented/created back in the very early 1970's during the Nixon era (they said the exact year, but I forget now). These bots have no metal in them (which is impossible in that era of tech). The very future versions are far improved and rather lethal, having gained the ability to adapt to their opponents powers. That ability was taken from an extensive diagnosis of Mystique's transforming ability (via autopsy and experimentation) back in the 1970's again....... which already destroys the first X-Men movies since that never happened.
Wolverine gets MENTALLY sent back in time (his future brain/mind wakes up in his past body) to prevent the war from ever starting; discredit the Sentinels and their creator, make the President understand that Mutants aren't the enemy, that kind of thing. Kitty Pride sends him back with her newly developed power to do so (convenient that is, eh?).
I honestly don't recall a whole lot about the movie because they broke science and physics to greater and lesser degrees multiple times throughout the story once the time travel thingy got going. I have a hard time accepting, for example, that you can have a 1970's tech giant robot that can fly, detect mutants, and is generally autonomous without it containing any metal (they were built with Magneto in mind). So, well, how does the electricity work? And the computer/electronics? Sensors? Movement of servos for arms and legs? In the 70's that was all metal baby, so this is a ludicrous statement. We also see conflict between Magneto and Mystique in this, to the point that she walks away from him (wants nothing to with him at the end of the film). We know that she almost blindly follows him through the first few films in the franchise, so what the heck happened between then and now to make her so totally obedient to him?
This film feels more like an attempt to reboot the entire X-Men universe so they can get more films out it with younger actors. Much like the Star Trek reboot a few years back.
It was entertaining, and the less science and technical types will get more enjoyment out of it than I did I'm sure. We'll probably end up buying this one just to maintain the movie collection, and for the kids in the future to watch, but no other reason than that.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Cloud Atlas - Blu-Ray
OK, ok, I know this is from Blu-Ray and not the theater, but we couldn't get out to see it at the time. In fact I'm the only one out of all of us that has seen it.
That being said...
Rent it.
Not to destroy the story line for folks that still haven't seen it...
The way they jumped back and forth through the different stories or parts of stories was a bit infuriating at times, made it difficult to keep up with everything. I'm still trying to figure out what the thing in the past was that sparked the thing in the future. Was it the music? The repeating message about equality and acceptance? Honestly, I think I'd have an easier time if I ripped the movie onto a computer, and recut it to put all the same-story bits together, and then put those larger bits together in chronological order.
I found this movie hard to get through, mostly due to the already noted jumbling of timelines and story bits. The acting for the most part was fine, with a well known actor doing his best to be different in each case (and mostly succeeding) and another well known female actor seeming to reprise roles/character types that she has already done before (read: limited range of characters).
If I wathc this again (or a couple more times), I might change my mind as I start collecting and remembering enough information about each bit and segment to start piecing things together in a more coherent way.
For now.... I'd have better spent my money on something else. I bought this based on the many glowing reviews, and I'm usuaully not disappointed when I do that. In this case I kinda was.
That being said...
Rent it.
Not to destroy the story line for folks that still haven't seen it...
The way they jumped back and forth through the different stories or parts of stories was a bit infuriating at times, made it difficult to keep up with everything. I'm still trying to figure out what the thing in the past was that sparked the thing in the future. Was it the music? The repeating message about equality and acceptance? Honestly, I think I'd have an easier time if I ripped the movie onto a computer, and recut it to put all the same-story bits together, and then put those larger bits together in chronological order.
I found this movie hard to get through, mostly due to the already noted jumbling of timelines and story bits. The acting for the most part was fine, with a well known actor doing his best to be different in each case (and mostly succeeding) and another well known female actor seeming to reprise roles/character types that she has already done before (read: limited range of characters).
If I wathc this again (or a couple more times), I might change my mind as I start collecting and remembering enough information about each bit and segment to start piecing things together in a more coherent way.
For now.... I'd have better spent my money on something else. I bought this based on the many glowing reviews, and I'm usuaully not disappointed when I do that. In this case I kinda was.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Thor 2: The Dark World
Ehh.
Too late to see in the theater now. If you haven't seen it, then rent it before you buy it unless your a true Marvel fan.
I'm mixedon this one. Seemed to drag just when you thought it was going to build up, and when it finally built up to something, it dragged a bit more then ramped up quickly.
The whole story seemed a bit far-fetched to be honest. Dark Elves bent on destroying the universe? I recall my myth's mentioning dark elves where the norse are concerned, but I'm not so certain about the destroy and remake th universe the part. I know it's a movie and they get to take some creative license with it, but still....
Enjoyable, though weird in places.
Too late to see in the theater now. If you haven't seen it, then rent it before you buy it unless your a true Marvel fan.
I'm mixedon this one. Seemed to drag just when you thought it was going to build up, and when it finally built up to something, it dragged a bit more then ramped up quickly.
The whole story seemed a bit far-fetched to be honest. Dark Elves bent on destroying the universe? I recall my myth's mentioning dark elves where the norse are concerned, but I'm not so certain about the destroy and remake th universe the part. I know it's a movie and they get to take some creative license with it, but still....
Enjoyable, though weird in places.
Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier
Holy smokes! Forgot we'd seen this one already.
You should really see it in the theater, unless you have a really nice theater setup at home.
It dragged for awhile, honest. But once it ramped up, it kinda stayed there. There was a definate sense of urgency in most of the movie, and for me that only bred anticiaption.
You've all seen the previews by now so you know the deal. If you've been watching Marvels Agents of Shield on TV at all, then you know the aftermath of this movie.
Honestly, I'd go see it again in theater if I had a chance. With these current Marvel films I've been finding that seeing them again reveals things I missed the first time. This was certainly entertaining enough, but like I said it seemd to drag, almost as though the called-for scenes were written to be about 20 minutes long, and they got cut down to 8 or 12 minutes instead, when they likely should've been 3 minutes. Not all of them, not everywhere, but it became noticable half-way thru.
Still a good film, and Marvel fans will truly enjoy it.
You should really see it in the theater, unless you have a really nice theater setup at home.
It dragged for awhile, honest. But once it ramped up, it kinda stayed there. There was a definate sense of urgency in most of the movie, and for me that only bred anticiaption.
You've all seen the previews by now so you know the deal. If you've been watching Marvels Agents of Shield on TV at all, then you know the aftermath of this movie.
Honestly, I'd go see it again in theater if I had a chance. With these current Marvel films I've been finding that seeing them again reveals things I missed the first time. This was certainly entertaining enough, but like I said it seemd to drag, almost as though the called-for scenes were written to be about 20 minutes long, and they got cut down to 8 or 12 minutes instead, when they likely should've been 3 minutes. Not all of them, not everywhere, but it became noticable half-way thru.
Still a good film, and Marvel fans will truly enjoy it.
The Amazing Spiderman 2 - Regal Cinemas, Eagan, MN
Ehhh... I dunno. I guess I'd say Wait for this one.
We saw this at a local theater since we were suddenly able to do so (read: babysitter available).
The Regal has gone downhill just slightly in my mind. I recall the food and beverage selection being better a few years back (and I used to go to this theater quite often before I was married). Still it was comfortable, and since the theater was nearly empty it was also quite quiet.
The movie itself seemed to drag on and on for the first hour or more. Then we had a bunch of action that seemed a bit disjointed at times, followed by another lull running 10 minutes longer than it should have, and then a short action sequence right at the end, that gets cut-off to run the credits right when it gets good. I'll bet that other folks like me that saw this bit in the trailers are gonna get slightly upset over it.
Overall, it was a decent effort. Jaimie Foxx actually did rather well in this. He showed a depth I hadn't seen from him before. The kid playing Harry Osborn shouldbe replaced. He looked sleepy all the time (facial expression) and seemed to want to be on the beach rather than in the movie.
I'll likely end up buying this on blu-ray after it hits the bargain bin at the local store, just to maintain the movie collection.
We saw this at a local theater since we were suddenly able to do so (read: babysitter available).
The Regal has gone downhill just slightly in my mind. I recall the food and beverage selection being better a few years back (and I used to go to this theater quite often before I was married). Still it was comfortable, and since the theater was nearly empty it was also quite quiet.
The movie itself seemed to drag on and on for the first hour or more. Then we had a bunch of action that seemed a bit disjointed at times, followed by another lull running 10 minutes longer than it should have, and then a short action sequence right at the end, that gets cut-off to run the credits right when it gets good. I'll bet that other folks like me that saw this bit in the trailers are gonna get slightly upset over it.
Overall, it was a decent effort. Jaimie Foxx actually did rather well in this. He showed a depth I hadn't seen from him before. The kid playing Harry Osborn shouldbe replaced. He looked sleepy all the time (facial expression) and seemed to want to be on the beach rather than in the movie.
I'll likely end up buying this on blu-ray after it hits the bargain bin at the local store, just to maintain the movie collection.
We've had a busy year.
Some of our reviewers have had job changes (for the worse in some cases), we've had a child of our own who is now 1 year old, and everyone has generally been pinching pennies lately.
That said, now that our son is getting more managable and we're getting used to how to do things around town with him, and now that we have a couple go-to babysitters when really needed, we can all finally get out and do some stuff again. We're all still watching our money, but sometimes you've simply got to get out and see a movie or something.
So, yeah this blog has been pretty quiet for awhile, but that'll start to change.
That said, now that our son is getting more managable and we're getting used to how to do things around town with him, and now that we have a couple go-to babysitters when really needed, we can all finally get out and do some stuff again. We're all still watching our money, but sometimes you've simply got to get out and see a movie or something.
So, yeah this blog has been pretty quiet for awhile, but that'll start to change.
Suzie's Kitchen, Rosemount, MN
I really wanted to like this place, and honestly I'm a bit conflicted over the experience.
We arrived near the end of the morning rush, waited short of 10 minutes for a table. As it turns out the people at that table were waiting on the waitress to bring their credit receipt to sign. So they sat and looked impatient while we stood at the door waiting on them waiting on her.
After being seated, we started looking at reviews a bit closer. The reviews out the gross and nasty placemat menus are correct. Sticky, dirty, coming apart at the snipped-off corners, stained. The chairs were a bit sticky too. The menus and the wait set the tone for the rest of our meal.
A number of minutes after being seated, the waitress came over with water, took drink and food orders and left.
20 minutes later we got our food. We asked about our drinks, which she ran off to get and returned with right away.
While we were sitting there with water, the rush had about ended and there were now a few open tables. An older couple came in and sat at the table next to us. They were greeted within just a couple minutes, had water right away, and actually got there food before we did. Odd that.
Her egg meal was actually tasty, the Taco Omelet. I had the mighty number 2 (three eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, toast) and we ordered a single pancake for our little boy.
I had requested basted eggs. Turns out they were lightly fried and steamed, not basted. I say steamed do to the unmistakable taste of water on the eggs. Hashbrowns were also apparently steamed on the grill, or they went ont he grill straight from frozen.
The only butter we had was the little bits on the almost-toast (more like soft, browned bread) and the pancake. The bacon was not remotely close to crispy, in fact I'm not even sure it was actually completely cooked through. One sausage link was barely warmed, the other was black and crispy on one side.
Lots of salt and pepper masked most of the taste (more than I would normally use), and it was certainly edible as I did eat everything and so far have suffered no ill effects (been a day or more).
Since moving down to this end of the Cities, I'd been looking for a local diner to replace my need for Mickey's. So far I haven't found anything remotely close.
I should point out that a number of other tables that we observed had similar service issues to ours. One table never got their water, even after the waitress approached them and commented on that fact. Other diners had the napkin-wrapped silverware bundle like mine: soaking wet napkin with ditry forks or knives inside.
We spent a lot of time waiting on our waitress to come around to ask for things, but after the rush had apparently ended, she was suddenly all around us all the time. Not sure why that is, and I can only guess that during the rush period she was helping in the kitchen or something.
Like I said, I wanted to like this place. But between the average or lower food quality, the poor service and forgetfullness, and the place just generally being dirty I doubt we'll go back. I say dirty with a note: anything between the floor and about 6feet in height was clean, everything above appeared grimy with dust clumps and stuff hanging off it. Even the plug-in air freshener I saw in a high-up wall outlet was apparently having a tough time. Speaking of air, they need to fix the HVAC in the place. It was warm and a bit damp/muggy in there the whole time, and we could feel the air coming out the of the vents moving around the room, but it just wasn't cool at all.
I highly doubt we'll be back again, even with the better than average prices.
We arrived near the end of the morning rush, waited short of 10 minutes for a table. As it turns out the people at that table were waiting on the waitress to bring their credit receipt to sign. So they sat and looked impatient while we stood at the door waiting on them waiting on her.
After being seated, we started looking at reviews a bit closer. The reviews out the gross and nasty placemat menus are correct. Sticky, dirty, coming apart at the snipped-off corners, stained. The chairs were a bit sticky too. The menus and the wait set the tone for the rest of our meal.
A number of minutes after being seated, the waitress came over with water, took drink and food orders and left.
20 minutes later we got our food. We asked about our drinks, which she ran off to get and returned with right away.
While we were sitting there with water, the rush had about ended and there were now a few open tables. An older couple came in and sat at the table next to us. They were greeted within just a couple minutes, had water right away, and actually got there food before we did. Odd that.
Her egg meal was actually tasty, the Taco Omelet. I had the mighty number 2 (three eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, toast) and we ordered a single pancake for our little boy.
I had requested basted eggs. Turns out they were lightly fried and steamed, not basted. I say steamed do to the unmistakable taste of water on the eggs. Hashbrowns were also apparently steamed on the grill, or they went ont he grill straight from frozen.
The only butter we had was the little bits on the almost-toast (more like soft, browned bread) and the pancake. The bacon was not remotely close to crispy, in fact I'm not even sure it was actually completely cooked through. One sausage link was barely warmed, the other was black and crispy on one side.
Lots of salt and pepper masked most of the taste (more than I would normally use), and it was certainly edible as I did eat everything and so far have suffered no ill effects (been a day or more).
Since moving down to this end of the Cities, I'd been looking for a local diner to replace my need for Mickey's. So far I haven't found anything remotely close.
I should point out that a number of other tables that we observed had similar service issues to ours. One table never got their water, even after the waitress approached them and commented on that fact. Other diners had the napkin-wrapped silverware bundle like mine: soaking wet napkin with ditry forks or knives inside.
We spent a lot of time waiting on our waitress to come around to ask for things, but after the rush had apparently ended, she was suddenly all around us all the time. Not sure why that is, and I can only guess that during the rush period she was helping in the kitchen or something.
Like I said, I wanted to like this place. But between the average or lower food quality, the poor service and forgetfullness, and the place just generally being dirty I doubt we'll go back. I say dirty with a note: anything between the floor and about 6feet in height was clean, everything above appeared grimy with dust clumps and stuff hanging off it. Even the plug-in air freshener I saw in a high-up wall outlet was apparently having a tough time. Speaking of air, they need to fix the HVAC in the place. It was warm and a bit damp/muggy in there the whole time, and we could feel the air coming out the of the vents moving around the room, but it just wasn't cool at all.
I highly doubt we'll be back again, even with the better than average prices.
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