How could they really miss with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp headlining this movie? I have been waiting on pins and needles and I was not disappointed. The Tourist gets 4.5 of 5 stars on the Taleen scale.
I will admit that this movie was not at all what I was expecting. I struggle to give any details without ruining the plot for you so I will be brief. Angelina is beautiful in this movie. Seriously, can her hair and makeup people come and live in my bathroom???? She is elegant and plays her role beautifully. Johnny Depp can really do no wrong in my eyes and he wins my heart again as Frank the tourist. This movie is full of twists and turns and just when you think you have a grip it will surprise you again. This was a great movie and one that I hope to see again before it leaves theaters.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Love and Other Drugs
OK I saw this movie about a week ago and I have not posted about it yet because I just didn’t know what to write. Now that I have taken some time to think about it, I think it comes down to this. I REALLY wanted to like this movie and I just didn’t. It earns 1.5 out of 5 on the Taleen scale.
This movie had some good points. Jake Gyllenhaal is really good in this movie. He really pulled off his character and he looks amazing. There are parts of this movie that are shot in black and white and they are striking. I don’t know what they did to make these parts so beautiful but they will really take your breath away. Maybe it’s just the artist in me but I wanted to hit pause and start sketching.
That is pretty much all the good things I can say for this movie. I like Anne Hathaway but she just did not pull this character off for me. The first 1/3 of this movie would have been rated NC17 a few years ago so don’t go see it with your mother. You will be uncomfortable. Then there was the whole drug company angle. Phizer is EVERYWHERE in this movie. They are constantly talking about Zoloft and Viagra by name. I am beginning to wonder if Phizer went to Hollywood and said “who wants to make a movie about our drugs?” But then again, I couldn’t even tell if this movie was in favor of drug companies or if this was a movie about hating drug companies. The movie ran forever, how much longer could they drag out this non storyline? I guess in the end the main point was that there is someone out there for everyone. But they pretty much told that whole story in the last 5 min.
If you want to see this movie I recommend that you wait for the DVD. It’s really not worth the movie ticket and it breaks my heart to say so.
This movie had some good points. Jake Gyllenhaal is really good in this movie. He really pulled off his character and he looks amazing. There are parts of this movie that are shot in black and white and they are striking. I don’t know what they did to make these parts so beautiful but they will really take your breath away. Maybe it’s just the artist in me but I wanted to hit pause and start sketching.
That is pretty much all the good things I can say for this movie. I like Anne Hathaway but she just did not pull this character off for me. The first 1/3 of this movie would have been rated NC17 a few years ago so don’t go see it with your mother. You will be uncomfortable. Then there was the whole drug company angle. Phizer is EVERYWHERE in this movie. They are constantly talking about Zoloft and Viagra by name. I am beginning to wonder if Phizer went to Hollywood and said “who wants to make a movie about our drugs?” But then again, I couldn’t even tell if this movie was in favor of drug companies or if this was a movie about hating drug companies. The movie ran forever, how much longer could they drag out this non storyline? I guess in the end the main point was that there is someone out there for everyone. But they pretty much told that whole story in the last 5 min.
If you want to see this movie I recommend that you wait for the DVD. It’s really not worth the movie ticket and it breaks my heart to say so.
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
It really wouldn’t have taken much for me to enjoy these movies. They are based on a great series of books. I have however, been very impressed by the handling of these movies. They are so visually interesting. It’s so fun to watch your imagination come to life on the big screen. I heard rumors before going to see this movie that it was the best of the 3 and indeed it was. 4.5 of 5 on the Taleen scale.
They have done a stellar job with casting. I adore the kids playing these roles. I have loved every single choice they have made, and the addition of Eustase is perfect! You just want to smack this kid when he first walks onto screen and by the end you love him. The special effects in this movie were amazing! They are seamless and brilliant. The Dawn Treader may be the most beautiful ship I have seen in a film. Its full deep purple sail furled high in the wind, its great dragon head crashing though the waves. You can’t help but wish you were there.
The kids and I really enjoyed this movie and we will definitely be waiting for the DVD. I will back up the rumors and say the Dawn Treader really is the best of the 3 movies so far.
They have done a stellar job with casting. I adore the kids playing these roles. I have loved every single choice they have made, and the addition of Eustase is perfect! You just want to smack this kid when he first walks onto screen and by the end you love him. The special effects in this movie were amazing! They are seamless and brilliant. The Dawn Treader may be the most beautiful ship I have seen in a film. Its full deep purple sail furled high in the wind, its great dragon head crashing though the waves. You can’t help but wish you were there.
The kids and I really enjoyed this movie and we will definitely be waiting for the DVD. I will back up the rumors and say the Dawn Treader really is the best of the 3 movies so far.
The Best Closing Line EVER
With my new fancy DVR I have had the chance to record some old favorites that I haven’t seen in years. Angel was one of my favorite shows back in the day and, lucky me, it reruns on TNT at 4 and 5am. Thanks heavens for the DVR. I watched the series finale last week and heard probably the best closing line EVER. Let me set the scene for you………….
Angel and his crew have taken on the biggest fight of their lives. They know that they probably won’t live through it but they are going to take as many of the bad guys with them as possible. They are standing in a dark alley; hordes of demons and every other creature imaginable are coming at them. One of the crew turns to Angel and says “what should we do?” Angel smiles and says “I don’t know about you, but I’m going slay the dragon.” The End.
Does it get any better than that? Wouldn’t we be amazing if we approached every day of our lives with such an attitude? I don’t know about you, but I’m going to slay the dragon.
Angel and his crew have taken on the biggest fight of their lives. They know that they probably won’t live through it but they are going to take as many of the bad guys with them as possible. They are standing in a dark alley; hordes of demons and every other creature imaginable are coming at them. One of the crew turns to Angel and says “what should we do?” Angel smiles and says “I don’t know about you, but I’m going slay the dragon.” The End.
Does it get any better than that? Wouldn’t we be amazing if we approached every day of our lives with such an attitude? I don’t know about you, but I’m going to slay the dragon.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Christian Kane - The House Rules
Today is Dec 7th and just in case you didn’t know, that means its album drop day for Christian Kane. It wasn’t long ago that I discovered CK even sang so I have been very excited to get my hands on this album. I knew CK from his movies and TV shows (most notably Angel and Leverage) and when an actor tries to venture into the music business I always cringe a little. However after a little research I discovered that CK has been floating around the music business for YEARS. Growing his musical talents on some of LA’s toughest stages (i.e. The Viper Room) and doing it with his own brand of country. Bringing your cowboy boots to the stages of LA is its own mountain to climb after all. This album has been a long time coming for CK and, after some label upheaval, we finally have it in our hands.
CK describes his music as a “rock n roll rodeo” and truer words were never spoken. Whether you are a country fan or not, everyone can enjoy this album. The House Rules get 4 of 5 stars on the Taleen scale. This whole album is enjoyable and I have several favorite tracks but there are two I would like to highlight. “Thinking Of You” which was featured and sung by CK on Leverage (The Studio Job episode) is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. A beautiful song and very well produced. I was very excited to see it show up on this album. The last track on this album was a fun surprise for me. “Fast Car” originally done by Tracy Chapman is one of my favorite songs of all time, and redone by CK it did not disappoint. When a favorite song lands in the hands of a different artist it’s always a crap shoot. Don’t get me wrong I’m a fan or covers. Sometimes magic can happen. CK handles this song with respect and grace. A beautiful cover, I intend to put it in my favorites list and listen to it over and over.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Are You Watching FX????
If you have not been watching FX you are missing out on some AMAZING TV!!!! The first show that I started watching on FX was Justified. Holy cow, that is some good TV. Justified story lines are base on the most famous outlaws, crimes and criminals in American history. Set in current times in Harlan County, Kentucky. Justified is returning for a second season soon and I hear rumor that a rerunning of season 1 will precede it. If you watch nothing else this year WATCH THIS SHOW.
Terriers was another origin series that showed up on FX this fall. A gritty drama based around an ex-cop and his ex-con sidekick. First of all we loved this show because it is set in Brent’s home stomping grounds of San Diego. It was fun to see some of our favorite local spots show up in scenes. The Network has announced that it is canceling Terriers due to its super low ratings and yet it was a favorite with the critics. It makes you wonder. First of all the network launched this show at a very strange time, somewhere between the summer and fall seasons. Then there is the name “Terriers” I think it probably confused people. It gave no indication as to what the show was about. Even after watching every episode I still couldn’t tell you what the name had to do with the show but I couldn’t have cared less. You should definitely look for this show on DVD. It is worth watching.
What is it that separates these FX series from the rest? I have been pondering that very question lately. Here is what I think. These story lines are raw, full of punch. You can't make yourself look away. The main characters, while basically good, are carrying around dark pasts. Our hero's do not always win the battle but your crossing your fingers that they win the war. These shows are beautiful shot. This is some of the best looking TV out there. The music they are putting on these shows is unusual and fresh and I have to say I'm loving it. This only scrapes the surface of what makes these shows so great. Check them out yourself and let me know what you think.
FX is launching a new series in January called Lights Out. With the awesome shows that I have seen so far from FX I can’t wait to check it out.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
For The Love Of Music
It’s hard to say weather my love of music was something that I was born with or something I learned. Considering that I have 3 siblings that were raised in the same house, and none of them are as music crazed as I am (although they all have a healthy respect) I tend to lean towards "born with". However, having a father that lives and breathes music probably didn’t hurt.
My earliest memories are of sitting on my dad’s lap in front of a mixing board in his makeshift studio in our first house. Or sitting on a stool with headphones much to big for my little head, singing Give Said The Little Stream while dad got his mic levels right. I loved going with my dad on Saturday nights when he and his band played gigs. Dad played lead guitar and I would stand behind him, playing the shaker or tambourine, and singing my heart out while he sang 'Johnny Be Good'. Those were some of my favorite times of my childhood. Dad nurtured my love of music, buying me whatever CD I was dying for week after week. I would spend hours in my room listening and singing. Music was such a huge part of my childhood.
As I got older the recording studio in our basement got better. We sound proofed walls. We had an actual recording booth and dad made a very nice living writing and producing music. I loved to be in the studio when he was working. I loved every step of the process. I would get home from school and spend my afternoons sitting on the couch in his studio doing homework and listening to the music take shape. I would lie on the floor, under the keyboards, and listen for hours. I was very fortunate as a young child to meet some of the best musician around and to be a fly on the wall while they recorded in my dad’s studio. When I hit my teens I got to help sometimes, my help mostly consisted of hitting the record and stop button, but it was awesome. I helped a lot in the sound booth over the years. Dad would give me scripts for different projects, and I would head into the sound booth to record them for him. There was a time that I could be heard on the radio doing an ad for a local pizza joint. I wonder sometimes where dad and I could have gone together if I had been born with a singing voice. Unfortunately for both of us I wasn’t, but that didn’t stop me from loving music with a “purple passion”.
When I tell you that I love music it’s not just that I like to put a cd in my player and jam out, although that’s part of it. The fact is, music speaks to my soul. As much as I love TV and movies, music is the air I breathe. I was taught to enjoy ALL music not just one genre. I cut my teeth on such great artists as The Beach Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Reba McEntire, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac. If you ask me what kind of music I like I will tell you “the music kind”. All music is beautiful, some types speak to me more than others but I appreciate it all. When I listen to music I don’t just hear a song. I hear the drum kit in the back and the rhythms, I hear the bass guitar, I hear the lead guitar, I hear the harmonies, I hear the music in parts and I hear something new every time I listen. I can almost instantly memorize the lyrics to any song I listen to. Not a talent worth much but it’s mine. So, you be the judge, was it nature or nurture? After a lifetime with myself I still can’t answer that question, but I do know I wouldn’t trade any of it.
My earliest memories are of sitting on my dad’s lap in front of a mixing board in his makeshift studio in our first house. Or sitting on a stool with headphones much to big for my little head, singing Give Said The Little Stream while dad got his mic levels right. I loved going with my dad on Saturday nights when he and his band played gigs. Dad played lead guitar and I would stand behind him, playing the shaker or tambourine, and singing my heart out while he sang 'Johnny Be Good'. Those were some of my favorite times of my childhood. Dad nurtured my love of music, buying me whatever CD I was dying for week after week. I would spend hours in my room listening and singing. Music was such a huge part of my childhood.
As I got older the recording studio in our basement got better. We sound proofed walls. We had an actual recording booth and dad made a very nice living writing and producing music. I loved to be in the studio when he was working. I loved every step of the process. I would get home from school and spend my afternoons sitting on the couch in his studio doing homework and listening to the music take shape. I would lie on the floor, under the keyboards, and listen for hours. I was very fortunate as a young child to meet some of the best musician around and to be a fly on the wall while they recorded in my dad’s studio. When I hit my teens I got to help sometimes, my help mostly consisted of hitting the record and stop button, but it was awesome. I helped a lot in the sound booth over the years. Dad would give me scripts for different projects, and I would head into the sound booth to record them for him. There was a time that I could be heard on the radio doing an ad for a local pizza joint. I wonder sometimes where dad and I could have gone together if I had been born with a singing voice. Unfortunately for both of us I wasn’t, but that didn’t stop me from loving music with a “purple passion”.
When I tell you that I love music it’s not just that I like to put a cd in my player and jam out, although that’s part of it. The fact is, music speaks to my soul. As much as I love TV and movies, music is the air I breathe. I was taught to enjoy ALL music not just one genre. I cut my teeth on such great artists as The Beach Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Reba McEntire, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac. If you ask me what kind of music I like I will tell you “the music kind”. All music is beautiful, some types speak to me more than others but I appreciate it all. When I listen to music I don’t just hear a song. I hear the drum kit in the back and the rhythms, I hear the bass guitar, I hear the lead guitar, I hear the harmonies, I hear the music in parts and I hear something new every time I listen. I can almost instantly memorize the lyrics to any song I listen to. Not a talent worth much but it’s mine. So, you be the judge, was it nature or nurture? After a lifetime with myself I still can’t answer that question, but I do know I wouldn’t trade any of it.
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